Margo Bond Collins's Blog, page 142
February 6, 2014
Cover Reveal: Flawed Perfection by Cassandra Giovanni
Flawed Perfection
Beautifully Flawed, #1
Cassandra Giovanni
Publisher: Show N’ot Tell Publishing
Cover Designer: Gio Design Studios
Release Date: March 7, 2014
Bobby Beckerson was the American All-Star hockey player–he was the spitting image of perfection to his family. Goofy, sweet and undeniably gorgeous, he had everything but the one girl he wanted: River Ahlers.
River Ahlers is successful in everything but love. She’s been in love with Adam Beckerson since they were kids. Worst of all she’s stuck right in the middle of the brother’s dueling over everything and anything, and she doesn’t even know she’s the ultimate prize.
Adam Beckerson was a boy with a guitar, a smile that sunk girl’s hearts and a stone wall around his own. He was anything but perfect, and no matter how hard he tried he was nothing compared to Bobby. Sweet, damaged, with boyish good-looks, nobody thought Adam loved anyone but himself.
Bobby loved River, River loved Adam and Adam only loved himself–or so everyone thought. Then one night everything changes, and as it threatens to destroy everyone involved a tragedy strikes that will break them all…
GENRE: New Adult Contemporary Romance
About The Author
Cassandra doesn’t remember a time when she wasn’t writing. In fact, the first time she was published was when she was seven years old and won a contest to be published in an American Girl Doll novel. Since then Cassandra has written more novels than she can count and put just as many in the circular bin. Her personal goal with her writing is to show the reader the character’s stories through their dialogue and actions instead of just telling the reader what is happening. In 2012 she became a published Young Adult author, releasing In Between Seasons (The Fall, #1) and the Amazon bestselling thriller, Walking in the Shadows. In 2013 she branched out by using her artistic illustrating talents to publish her first Children’s novel, The Adventures of Skippy Von Flippy: Tales of Friendship (Skippy Tales, #1). Cassandra released her first New Adult novel, Love Exactly, which became an Amazon Bestseller overnight in June of 2013. She’s currently working on her new New Adult Contemporary Romance, Beautifully Flawed. The first novel in the series, Flawed Perfection is scheduled to be published on March 7, 2014.
Besides being a writer, Cassandra is a professional photographer known for her automotive, nature and architectural shots. She is the owner of Gio Design Studios Photography and Gio Design Studios Publication Marketing . She is currently studying to receive a degree in Marketing. Cassandra is happily married to the man of her dreams and they live in the rolling hills of New England with the other loves of her life their dogs, Bubski and Kanga.
Cassandra can be found on:
Facebook ~ Goodreads ~ @cgiovanniauthor
Book Blast: Cruel Intentions by Dawn Pendleton
Cruel Intentions is the 5th book in the Best Friends Forever Novella series.
Blurb:
Cheyanne Hanley picked the wrong boy to lose herself to three years ago. She should have chosen Roman’s brother, Reece, instead. When the opportunity to have Reece presents itself, though, she doesn’t hesitate. And when tragedy strikes, leaving her alone and pregnant? She better get her act together before the truth finds her.
The Best Friends Forever Series follows the lives of Hazel, Cheyanne, Destiny, Miranda, Lexi, Audric, Nolan, Andre, and Roman as they attend college at Coastal Carolina in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Each novella features a new point of view, but the series revolves around all nine characters, so get to know your new BFFs!!!
Available for 99¢ on…
Amazon † iTunes † B&N
Check out the other books in Dawn Pendleton’s BFF series…
https://www.goodreads.com/series/111226-bffs
JOIN THE RELEASE PARTY TONIGHT
https://www.facebook.com/events/231890296990363/
where author Dawn Pendleton will be giving away lots and lots of prizes!!!
Dawn Pendleton is a new adult author who began her writing journey in New England with her husband and their pup, though she recently moved to Georgia and promptly became a Southern Belle (or so she likes to think). When she isn’t staring at a blank page, willing the words to jump from her head to the screen, she’s usually playing on her iPhone, reading a book, or taking pictures with her fancy camera (which she has no idea how to use).
Website † Facebook † GoodReads † Twitter
Enter to Win in the Fairy, Texas Release Week Giveaway
Enter to win a paperback copy of Fairy, Texas and an Amazon gift certificate!
Fairy, Texas. A small town like any other.
Laney Harris didn’t want to live there. When her mother remarried and moved them to a town where a date meant hanging out at the Sonic, Laney figured that “boring” would have a whole new meaning. A new stepsister who despised her and a high school where she was the only topic of gossip were bad enough. But when she met the school counselor (and his terminal bad breath), she grew suspicious. Especially since he had wings that only she could see. And then there were Josh and Mason, two gorgeous glimmering-eyed classmates whose interest in her might not be for the reasons she hoped. Not to mention that dead guy she nearly tripped over in gym class.
She was right. Boring took on an entirely new dimension in Fairy, Texas.
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Enter to Win Here: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/MDc2NDEyMTFiMWVhMDg4MzE4NzZlNDdkNjZhMTgxOjE3/
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Join the Fairy, Texas Release Party on FB tonight!
Join us for the Fairy, Texas Release Party tonight on Facebook, 6-9 p.m. CST. I have over 30 prizes to give away, including gift certificates and novels from other authors, as well as copies of my own books!
Here’s the link to the party: https://www.facebook.com/events/687613311261236/
And be sure to pick up your own copy of Fairy, Texas today!
Fairy, Texas. A small town like any other.
Laney Harris didn’t want to live there. When her mother remarried and moved them to a town where a date meant hanging out at the Sonic, Laney figured that “boring” would have a whole new meaning. A new stepsister who despised her and a high school where she was the only topic of gossip were bad enough. But when she met the school counselor (and his terminal bad breath), she grew suspicious. Especially since he had wings that only she could see. And then there were Josh and Mason, two gorgeous glimmering-eyed classmates whose interest in her might not be for the reasons she hoped. Not to mention that dead guy she nearly tripped over in gym class.
She was right. Boring took on an entirely new dimension in Fairy, Texas.
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Spotlight On: Give Me Desire, by Zoey Derrick
Title: Give Me Desire
Author: Zoey Derrick
Series: The Reason Series (#3)
Genre: Paranormal Romace/Fantasy
Publisher: Self Published
Release Date: Dec 30 2013
Blurb/Synopsis:
VIVIENNE CALLAHAN, discharged from the hospital after surviving a near-fatal attack from Riley, her abusive ex-boyfriend, has come to the safety of Mikah’s protection. As she continues to heal physically and mentally from her ordeal, she begins to have strange dreams…dreams that follow her into waking life and hint at a fate she never could’ve foreseen and dangers far greater than Riley.
Meanwhile, MIKAH BLAKE has some ideas about her future, too, and the more she considers his proposals, the weaker her resistance to him becomes. His recent actions have taught her to respect and trust him, but soon her feelings for him threaten to deepen into something more, something she may not be ready for.
In the third book of the Reason series, Vivienne will discover who and what she and the people around her really are.
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Book Links
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Author Info
It is from Glendale, Arizona that Zoey Derrick, a mortgage underwriter by day and romance and erotica novelist by night, writes stories as hot as the desert sun itself. It is this passion that drips off of her work, bringing excitement to anyone who enjoys a good and sensual love story.
Not only does she aim to take her readers on an erotic dance that lasts the night, it allows her to empty her mind of stories we all wish were true.
Her stories are hopeful yet true to life, skillfully avoiding melodrama and the unrealistic, bringing her gripping Erotica only closer to the heart of those that dare dipping into it.
The intimacy of her fantasies that she shares with her readers is thrilling and encouraging, climactic yet full of suspense. She is a loving mistress, up for anything, of which any reader is doomed to return to again and again.
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Author Links
Facebook Author Page
Facebook Personal Page
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Excerpt
“Mikah, Vivienne has decided that she wants to know the sex of her baby. Do you want to know, too?” Dr. A. asks.
Mikah’s face lights up. “If she wants to know, then I’d like to know, too.” The whole time he says this, it’s as though his eyes are boring into me, searching, seeking, wanting. Similar to the way he looked at me when I first met him at the diner.
“Okay then,” Dr. A. says. She walks around to the other side of the bed from the ultrasound machine and places the device into a holder of some sort that is attached to the bed. “How’s the view, Mikah?”
I now notice the little image in the corner of the screen that shows what Mikah can see. It isn’t much, really: a little bit of my bump, but more of the machine that Dr. Alston is now standing at. She turns the monitor toward us. “This might be a little shaky on your end, Mikah.”
“Alright. Viv, you okay?”
“Yeah,” I say to Mikah.
Dr. A. proceeds to push my sweatshirt and tank top up so that my belly is exposed. Once that’s done, she goes for the bottle and squirts nice, warm gel along the lower half of my belly. Then she brings out the small, flat-headed wand and gently presses it to my stomach.
Everything is very quiet as Dr. Alston does her thing with pushing buttons.
I can see the baby’s heart pumping wildly. She pushes another button and the echoing sound of a heartbeat fills the room.
She moves the wand around a little more and the head comes into focus. It looks similar to last time, but this time it’s bigger; there isn’t as much black surrounding the baby as the first time.
She points to the monitor. “There are the eyes, nose, lips and chin. See this string of pearls? That’s the baby’s spine.” I watch as the baby moves. “Oh, I see. A little showoff.” She laughs and moves the wand again. “There’s an arm, and the other one is…right there.” She moves her finger up on the screen, pointing at a faint, translucent white line in the background, leading up to a cluster of shorter white lines. “The other hand.”
She moves her hand down further on the screen at the same time she moves the wand. “A leg,” she says.
I’m starting to be able to see what she’s pointing out. She moves the wand again to my right side, and I can see feet. Two of them with little tiny bones. As if on cue, the baby spreads its legs, and one foot goes off the screen.
February 5, 2014
Guest Post: Annette Gisby, Author of The Chosen
A Tale of Woe – A Fairy Story
Once upon a time there was a writer, a writer who dreamed of being published, of seeing her name on the cover of a book.
She did all the right things, she took writing classes, she read books on how to write the perfect query, the perfect synopsis, how to approach the right publisher or agent.
She used the knowledge gained to send out lots of queries, included her SAE and waited for replies. And waited. No agents seemd interested, and neither did the publishers.
Did that mean she had a bad book? It was difficult to say, so as a test she offered readers the chance to read the manuscript electronically and give feedback on it. Feedback was good, they thought it was a good story.
But what to do about the lack of interest by publishers?
On the internet she discovered some POD companies, could this be the answer she was looking for? At first she thought it might be, but no, sales were good, but the royalties owed were not forthcoming so she tried again for a traditional publisher.
And then one day it happened. “Please send the rest of your manuscript.” The writer could hardly contain her joy. She thought back to her query letter, what was different? In this one she had mentioned “sales” from her POD book, did that help?
A contract was offered and she accepted, thinking that all her problems were over. No, they were only just beginning.
The writer had designed a beautiful cover, but the publisher didn’t approve and wanted to use their own cover. The writer agreed, reluctantly, she really hated the cover and so did anyone else who looked at it.
But the problems didn’t end there, after having signed a contract giving away world rights, the writer discovered that the publisher had no intention of marketing worldwide, just in the US. Which was a problem for a writer who had readers in the UK. So thinking it over, the writer decided to leave that particular company.
But now she was back to square one and all the querying started again. A few months later, the manuscript was requested and a contract offered. Again, the writer thought that things could only get better. No so.
First it was the correspondence, or lack of it. Emails went unanswered, the website remained static for months on end. Were they having problems? An email was sent to all the writers asking for investment in the company. Were they having financial difficulties? Why was nothing said sooner? Would the writer’s book ever be out?
There was nothing left but to cancel the contract, but even though all the problems were caused by the publishers, the writer wondered if her book was jinxed and she was wary of sending it off to another publisher.
So she sat down long and hard and had a talk with her fairy godfather (also known as her husband) and decided to completly self-publish her novel, no publishers involved anywhere.
Will there be a happy ending? That depends, it is a fairy story after all, and we would expect so.
About the Author
Annette Gisby grew up in a small town in Northern Ireland, moving to London when she was seventeen. Being a very small town there were no bookshops and a small library. When she’d devoured every book she could get her hands on in the library, she started writing her own stories so she would always have something to read later.
When not writing she enjoys reading, cinema, theatre, walks along deserted beaches or wandering around ruined castles (great places for inspiration!) New Zealand is her favourite place and she hopes to travel back there one day. She’s a fan of Japanese Manga and Anime and one day hopes to learn Japanese.
She currently lives in Hampshire with her husband, a collection of porcelain dolls and stuffed penguins and enough books to fill a small library. It’s diminishing gradually since the discovery of ebooks but still has a long way to go.
About the Book
Ebook
http://www.amazon.com/The-Chosen-ebook/dp/B00DFKVJ5C/
https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-thechosen-1222707-143.html
http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/326842
Paperback
The Chosen: Annette Gisby: 9781291504538: Amazon.com: Books
Spotlight On: Mystic Wolves by Belinda Boring
Title: The Mystic Wolves
Author: Belinda Boring
Series: The Mystic Wolves (#1)
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Blushing Heart Press
Release Date: Jan 2012
Edition/Formats Available In: eBook & Print
Blurb/Synopsis:
What would you do if a simple errand takes a deadly twist, turning you from cautious prey to dangerous predator?
Someone is trying to send a deadly message to Mason, arranging the deaths of those he loves and it puts the entire pack and Alpha on high alert. Darcy understands the primal instincts driving her beloved Mason’s commands. With the help of those he sets as protectors, she learns about herself and the things she’ll need to help support her Alpha and pack. When events turn dire however, one truth offers her strength – once given, oaths are unbreakable … even if it means risking it all.
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Book Links
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About the Author
A homesick Aussie living amongst the cactus and mountains of Arizona, Belinda Boring is a self-proclaimed addict of romance and all things swoon worthy. It wasn’t long before she began writing, pouring her imagination and creativity into the stories she dreams. Whether urban fantasy, paranormal romance or romance in general, Belinda strives to share great plots with heart and characters that you can’t help but connect with. Of course, she wouldn’t be Belinda without adding heroes she hopes will curl your toes. Surrounded by a supportive cast of family, friends, and the man she gives her heart and soul to, Belinda is living the good life. Happy reading!
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Author Links
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Excerpt
“You want to be wooed, huh? I’m not sure I know how to do that. You may have to tell me what to do.” The cocky grin he’d been wearing suddenly became softer, his eyes twinkling, and I caught a flash of the boyish charm I’d fallen for.
“Oh no, I’m not explaining anything to you. You should know by now, Mr. Almighty-I-Am-Alpha. Just know this—if you don’t get it right … you’re a dead man.”
He let out a rich, throaty laugh, and the sound made the soles of my feet tingle. In fact, it made everything tingle, and I braced myself. I was about to get ravished.
I didn’t move a muscle as he advanced, or resist as he finally gathered me into his arms. My eyes instantly closed and I tilted my head—waiting. Everything was still, our surroundings dimmed to a quiet hush.
He moved slowly, brushing his mouth against mine softly, tenderly. It was almost like a whisper, the feel of his breath fanning gently over my skin, and when he repeated the motion, goose bumps erupted.
Even though I knew it was coming, the touch of his tongue tracing my bottom lip had me leaning into him, my hands gripping the top of his pants to steady myself. I don’t know how long we stood there for, his mouth barely caressing mine before the mood changed, and he made his move.
CALEO and THE DOME – Free today only!
Feb. 5 – Free Ebooks
Every High School has their social outcasts. The band nerds, the math geeks, the chess club, the girl that chews her hair, but at Butler High, even the creepy nose picker in the chess club is more popular than Caleo Anima. No matter what he did, his pale skin, snow white hair, and piercing blue eyes always made him an easy target. He used to think that the only way things could get worse would be if someone found out that he was gay, but that isn’t even the tip of the iceberg of problems after a mysterious stranger shows up and changes Caleo’s life forever.
Hidden amongst our society, a secret and magical race of people known as ‘Leeches’, have been engaging in civil war for decades. Both sides are desperately searching for a weapon with unlimited power that will give them the advantage they need to rule their world. This wouldn’t mean anything to Caleo, except for one problem…He is that weapon!
Forget making it through High School. Caleo has bigger problems! As the search for him goes on, the world is quickly crumbling around him. He’s now fighting for his life and the life of what little family he has left. With the help of new friends, he has little time to try and master his newly found powers as he tries to figure out who he can trust, who is trying to use him, and who just wants him dead. One wrong step and being the awkward pale outcast will be the least of his worries.
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Click here to claim your free copy on Amazon today only!
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What if you knew the exact date and time the world will end, what would you do?
Sam Tucker was faced with that dilemma when he began getting visions of the Earth’s demise. Luckily for him, he was able to save his family and as many people as he could before the tragic event occurred, and he did so with the help of unknown visitors. With Earth now destroyed, Sam, his family, and thousands of other lucky survivors must live the rest of their lives on a faraway planet in a Dome that simulates life on Earth. But Sam’s mind can’t seem to rest as a few questions arise. Why did the aliens save them? How did they know about Earth’s sure fate? And exactly what are they hiding?
Emma Tucker begged for an escape from her boring life but never in a million years did she think it would come at the destruction of Earth. Living on a new planet and finding it difficult to get rid of her rebellious habits, Emma finds herself making friends with a member of the alien race and it soon develops into an unexplainable love; a love that is more dangerous than she could ever imagine. While her father is searching for his own truths, she has no idea that she is stumbling on a truth of her own.
Told from the point of view of both Sam and Emma, author Nova Sparks takes readers on a journey to discover love, fate, faith, truth, and the mystery of the DOME!
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Click here to claim your Free copy on Amazon today only!
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February 4, 2014
Spotlight: Maze, by Ursula Sinclair
Title: Maze
Author: Ursula Sinclair
Series: The Ballerina Series (#2)
Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance/ Multicultural Romance
Publisher: Isisindc Publishing, LLC
Release Date: Dec 26 2013
Edition/Formats Available In: eBook
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Maze
There are times in life when you have to make decisions that others will neither understand nor forgive. When that happens, then you make damn sure they never find out.
But no matter what, you will do anything to protect those you love. Even if it means you forfeit your soul.
Ivy
He’s keeping something from me. And I’m not sure I want to know because it will forever change us.
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Book Links
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Author Information
Ursula Sinclair is the alter ego of LaVerne Thompson an award winning bestselling multipublished author. Ursula’s work will fall more under the contemporary romantic suspense/intrigue realm as well as new adult and LaVerne writes contemporary, fantasy and sci/fi romances.
Author Links
Facebook Ursula Sinclair
Facebook Group
Goodreads
Twitter
Website ~ Ursula
Website ~ LaVerne
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Excerpt {Maze}
Have you ever killed anyone?
My breathing remained steady, my heart rate even, but the chemical rush from the adrenaline had blood rushing to my head. The sound of our blades gliding off each other was not a silent one, but the thunder and lightning ensured no one would hear or be inclined to venture out into the downpour this night. We were hemmed in on both sides by the brick walls of the buildings, with just enough room to maneuver. The filthy alleyway only wide enough for a dump truck was made even worse by the torrent of water washing over the soiled ground. Nothing could clear the stench of death creeping around us.
I’d deliberately chosen the time and this place for the confrontation. This was a blind alleyway only one way in and one way out. Barely visible from the street and there were no windows on the sides of the buildings. Just one door from the back of the restaurant near the dumpster. On a night like this, the weather also helped, we would be uninterrupted. No one would step out for a smoke. But at the end of the night, the trash at the restaurant still had to go out.
Huge fat drops of rain poured down from the heavens beating at me, soaking through the clothes I wore. Trying to drive me away from the course I’d set. I ignored it. My body was ready, waiting, my mind bent on one course. It was too late for any other.
The iron door opened to the right of the dumpster I hid beside, and my breath paused for a moment—only one person could be behind it.
I moved silently out from the shadows. As soon as he saw me, he dropped the trash bags he carried and pulled a knife from his boot. He knew damn well why I was there. I stepped toward him, compensating for the slippery ground with my treaded boots but also my balance. I’d trained on many different terrains so the flat alleyway posed no issue for me, but I couldn’t say the same about my opponent. He’d already revealed his weakness to me by his crouching stance. His balance would be off if he lunged on such a slick surface.
My body ran cold at what I was about to do. I raised my own blade and beckoned him forward. The glow from the outdoor lighting reflected in his dark hate-filled eyes. We were about the same height and build and our goals were the same. But from there we differed. Jai fought better than he ever had or ever would again because he knew this time he battled for his life. As did I. But as my knife parried and slashed opening flesh, I also fought to protect the one I loved.
So have I ever killed anyone?
I walked away from the alley with that thought in my head, my heart still beat, my blood still ran steadily within my veins. With each step the water turned redder on the ground in front of me. Up until that moment my answer would have been no, I’d never killed anyone. I knew I was capable of it. I’d been trained in the different ways to take a life with my body and weapons since the age of three. I also knew how to put someone down without serious injury. That’s what I’d always done. But that was my past. Tonight I’d taken a life to protect those I loved but also out of vengeance. Oh yes, there’s hate in my heart, but there’s blood on my hands now too. While the rain might have washed the blade of blood, no amount of rainwater would ever wash me clean. Not even the tears I shed could cleanse my soul.
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Title: The Ballerina & The Fighter
Author: Ursula Sinclair
Series: The Ballerina Series (#1)
Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance/ Multicultural Romance
Publisher: Isisindc Publishing, LLC
Release Date: June 30 2013
Edition/Formats Available In: eBook
Blurb/Synopsis:
I travel through life dancing.
All I ever wanted to do was dance, as did my best friend. We’d made so many plans together, but one night an explosion changed it all. Only one of us survived, and I promised myself I’d succeed for us both. And I did, until an accident almost ruined my career, but Maze came back into my life when I needed him most. He pulled me out of the depths of my despair. But could I save him now?
I travel through life fighting.
It had always been Ivy; from the first moment I saw her leaping through the air like she had wings to lift her from the ground. But she was my dream, something I wanted more than anything else in my life. I promised myself I would stay away from her. Violence followed me everywhere and I tried to keep her far away from it. She was my point of illumination in the dark tumultuous world I lived in. But I could not stay away from her. Not when I knew she needed me. As much as I needed her. But could she accept me as I am?
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Book Links
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Excerpt {The Ballerina & The Fighter}
The first time I saw her it was evening, that time of day when the setting sun hit the ocean and turned it a burnt orange. Most of the vacationers had deserted the beach for the restaurants, swarming the main drag or the barbecues in their rented back yards. There were only a few folks here or there walking or hanging around the water’s edge, but it was a great time for my run. Even though I was on down time I never stopped training. I listened to an Eminem track on my iPhone, perfect for my pacing.
The breeze from inland drew the heat from the sand beneath my bare feet and the salt spray from the ocean cooled my body as I ran through the waves lapping at my ankles. My stride went from a jog to a walk until I stopped altogether, and pulled my ear buds outta my ears. She was doing these beautiful leaps into the air, but the one that stopped me in my tracks was the firebird. At the time I didn’t know what any of them were called, only that the beauty of the evening paled in comparison to the female that stole my attention, as she propelled her body through the air. Like gravity had no hold on her. As a mixed martial artist, I understood the way gravity could be manipulated but this girl took it to another level. I’d been studying martial arts all my life and had never really seen anything like it. But from some part of me the word ballet whispered across my consciousness.
She landed perfectly on the sand on her toes, while the other leg was stretched in a straight line, aiming for the sky. Her upper torso leaned slightly forward, one hand reached toward the sand and the wind whipped her long hair about hiding her face from me. The ballerina, that’s what I decided she had to be, lowered the airborne leg, and as soon as both feet were on the ground she ran toward a white girl who held a camera. Then it dawned on me, they were taking pictures. They were both around the same age, anywhere from sixteen to nineteen. They were huddled over the camera screen. I was kinda curious to take a look at those pictures myself and see the face of the girl who could fly so effortlessly through the air.
I didn’t even realize I was headed in their direction until the girl with the camera glanced up and gave me an eye fuck, before nudging her friend who raised her head and our gazes locked. I stumbled. I never stumble. But even from twenty some feet away this chick had some kinda hold on me.
“Nice moves,” I said, as I approached them. I stifled a groan. Could I be any more lame? Still both girls smiled at me. Damn ballerina had the cutest set of dimples. I wanted to dip my tongue into them.
Brown eyes with a hint of green in the center stared unblinking back at me. A face some might call oval, I called perfect, was the canvas for a button nose and sexy ass lips that screamed for my mouth on hers. Fuck this girl was hot. Her body had a natural tan and the time in the sun had added a hint of gold to her dark honey complexion. She had on those kind of low cut short denim shorts that could pass for panties and a cropped red top that showed off a flat stomach. She wasn’t as curvy as most of the girls I normally go for, her breast would barely fill my hand, but hers was a finely toned slightly muscled body. That of a dancer. And her legs. I shit you not, her legs would wrap nicely around my waist, or another image flashed across my mind that had the blood rushing to my dick. I knew she’d be flexible enough to wrap those legs over my shoulders as I pushed all the way deep into her.
I don’t know how long we stood there checking each other out. Now I knew what that shit means, ‘when time stands still’. What the fuck? But there it was. She blinked and glanced over at her friend. I’m glad she broke eye contact because it freed me from whatever the fuck was happening to me. I shook my head to clear out any damn cobwebs trying to take root and opened my mouth.
“Can I see?” I kept my hands at my sides, not trying to come off too pushy by reaching toward the camera.
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February 3, 2014
Katie Hayoz, Spotlight Author – Rave Reviews Book Club
Not long ago–but well before I found out that Katie Hayoz was this week’s Rave Reviews featured author–a friend of mine told me that Untethered was the best YA book she read in 2013. I am therefore excited to introduce Katie Hayoz, the author of that novel, who is here to discuss perfection and writing. Welcome!
That Novel Will Never Be Perfect
From Katie Hayoz
I’m not a perfectionist. Little mistakes don’t bother me. But when it comes to my writing, I take pride in what I do and I want what I put out there to be not just decent, but good. I rewrote Untethered at least eighteen times. Literally. And I’m talking full-on, rip-it-up and make do with the shreds kind of rewriting, not moving sentences around. What started as a five page story ended up (20 years later) to be a 340 page novel. That novel went through so many critiquing sessions and beta readers that I was sure it would be perfection by the time it was published.
Ha. Not quite.
Writing is art, and like all art there is a point where the person creating the work just has to stop. She just has to tell herself that particular piece is the best she can make it right then. That’s the sticker: right then. Because the truth is that you can always go back and make it better. There will always be holes you missed or mistakes you made or words that paint a clearer picture. But if you keep going back and going back and going back you never move on. Never get on to the next book; the one that first one prepared you for.
My dad paints watercolor. I can’t tell you the number of times he’s looked at a picture of his, already framed and on the wall, and said, “Why did I think this was finished? This whole section could use reworking.” My mom rolls her eyes. I understand. I totally do.
But there was a point when I just had to quit trying to make Untethered perfect. A point where my writing group and my family and friends said, “Stop already!” So I did. I’m proud of this novel — the characters, the world, the writing itself. However, that didn’t keep me from face-palming myself after its publication. There were things that I see now that I couldn’t see then. It kills me. And yet…
And yet I could go in, change it all and six months from now I’d be face-palming myself again. So, I’ve left it as is. I’ve moved onto another novel. It’s finished; sort of. I’ve done three drafts – three pick away the fleshy parts and gnaw on the bone drafts. I’ll rewrite it one more time. Then I’ll need to tell myself, “Stop already! That novel will never be perfect.”
But I’m hoping it will be damn good.
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Sixteen-year-old Sylvie isn’t comfortable in her own skin. In fact, there are times she can’t even manage to stay inside it. But if there is one thing she’s sure of, it’s her love for Kevin Phillips. She’s willing to stake everything on it — her family, her friends, and possibly her soul.
Junior year is off to a less than stellar start for Sylvie: Her parents are splitting up, her little brother is sitting at her lunch table, and she’s the target of the school bully. Plus, she accidentally astral projects, slipping out of her body again and again at all the worst times. Sylvie is cast as the class freak and a medical misfit. She wishes she were somewhere else. Someone else. But it’s only when her best friend catches the attention of the boy Sylvie’s loved in secret since the fifth grade that Sylvie makes up her mind to do something drastic.
Sylvie intends to get Kevin by any means possible — even if it involves treachery, deceit, and the insidious side of the paranormal. After years of trying to ignore her ability to astral project, Sylvie finally decides to embrace it. But she also decides to embrace the shadows that accompany her on her out-of-body experiences. Opening herself up to the shadows and their evil, Sylvie comes up with a dark plan. She is positive her scheme will give her what she wants, but she doesn’t count on it all spiraling out of control.
Untethered by Katie Hayoz explores the intoxicating and dangerous world of jealousy and obsession when coupled with paranormal ability. It is a touching, sometimes funny, sometimes heart-breaking novel that speaks to the self-doubt lurking in us all.
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About the Author
*Katie Hayoz was born in Racine, WI, USA but ended up in Geneva, Switzerland, where she lives with her husband, two daughters, and two fuzzy cats. She devours YA novels like she does popcorn and black licorice: quickly and in large quantities.
Untethered is a paranormal coming of age novel that follows 16-year-old Sylvie on a unique and slightly sinister journey of self-acceptance. Sylvie has an ability to leave her physical body and astral project. While it could be akin to a superpower, she sees it as a curse. That is, until the day she decides to play with its dark side. Sylvie then sets an evil plan in motion that she believes will change her life for the better. But she does not count on it spiraling out of control.
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Connect with Katie
On her website: http://www.katiehayoz.com
On Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/katiehayoz
On Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/katiehayoz.author
Buy Untethered on Amazon: http://amzn.to/ZH2qzY
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(Thank you to Rave Reviews Book Club and all the members who so generously agreed to host me on their site!)
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