Sasha Hibbs's Blog, page 12

Share The Love Blog Hop

Welcome to Share The Love Blog Hop! 73 Bloggers have joined together for 2 weeks worth of sharing the love for some of our favorite authors, book bloggers, reviewers, sites, etc. I'm super excited about this hop for a few reasons: 1.) This is my 50th blog post, how fitting to give back some of the love shown to me! 2.) What a great way to show some appreciation and help promote some very deserving authors and some amazing sites! 3.) Isn't it always better to give than receive?



I want to share the love by offering some pretty cool prizes. Up for grabs: Drum roll please.......

1.) $25.00 Evernight Teen Gift Card

2.) $25.00 Evernight Teen Gift Card

3.) One signed copy of my debut novel, Black Amaranth

4.) One Kindle Gift copy of Black Amaranth

5.) And...perhaps I'll give away some of the awesome books featured for this hop (Kindle Gifts)....

Okay, how do you win these prizes? Well, it's simple. I'm sharing the love with some of my favs, so that's exactly what I want you to do. Below I'll be posting my favorite reads/authors, sites, blogs, reviewers. I'll have links to each of their websites, buy links, GR sites, FB pages, etc. Go to what's available for that specific author or site/s and sign up/join their site, like their FB pages, follow on Twitter, go crazy!

While you're here, feel free to peruse my own site and check on my books, upcoming releases, join my site, follow up Twitter, whatever:) While following me is always appreciated, it's not a requirement to win the prizes. But you must like and share the love for the below and please leave me a comment indicating that you did. That's it. Simple. Read, follow or join the below, leave me a comment telling me you did so and on Feb. 15th I'll notify all winners and post to my blog. Thanks for stopping by!  Without further ado, here's my main squeezes:

1.) Evernight Teen:
 Why do I love Evernight Teen? Well, they are AWESOME! They gave birth to my beautiful novels and have an amazing array of killer Teen titles. I joined the ET family in April 2013 and have been warmly embraced by a vast writing community with open arms. Not only does Evernight Teen havehops and giveaways periodically throughout the year, but they frequently post interviews, share author advice...just to name a few of the reasons why I love them so much. So, here's to Evernight Teen Publishing! Visit their blog and "join this site". Tab will be on the right side. Check out their FB page and like it up! Browse their website filled with amazing Teen titles and news on upcoming releases!  Evernight Teen Blog Here: ET Blog  Evernight Teen Website:  Website  Evernight Teen FB page:  FB page  Evernight Teen Twitter Page:  Twitter   2.) Book Passion For Life:    Once you check out BPFL you'll see quickly why their site is the bees knees! Not only is it dazzling gorgeous, but their site brings you the latest on the most amazing books, interviews, reviews, giveaways....you name it, BPFL has pretty much every aspect of "all things books" covered. Plus a big gigantic heart for them taking the time to review my own novel, Black Amaranth. Sending hugs to the awesome trio running Book Passion For Life, Jessica, Donna, and Mel! Love 'em up folks! BPFL Rocks!  Book Passion For Life Website: Blog  Book Passion For Life FB page: FB page  Book Passion For Life Twitter: Twitter  3.) Nocturnal Predator Reviews:    Why do I love Nocturnal Predator Reviews? Because the site is awesomeness and delicious! Reader, reviewer, blogger extraordinaire, Mikky, is not only funny, but she runs a site filled with news on the latest releases, cover reveals, awesome and in depth reviews, giveaways, etc. Check out Nocturnal Predator Reviews and see why it's awesome-sauce!  Nocturnal Predator Reviews Website: Website    Nocturnal Predator Reviews FB page: FB page  Nocturnal Predator Reviews Twitter: Twitter   Now, onto some amazing authors. I love these gals! They are amazing. Their talent is mind-blowing, their stories stick with you, and I want to share the love with you guys!   1.) Diana Stager, YA author of X5    
  Diana Stager's stunning YA novel was released in 2013. X5 is everything that is top notch YA supernatural with Science Fiction throughout. I adored X5 and cannot wait to get more. Diana is an author to watch out for. X5 will not disappoint. GET. IT. NOW!  Diana Stager's Website:  Website  Diana Stager's FB page:  FB page  Diana Stager's Twitter page: Twitter  X5 on Goodreads:  GR  Amazon: Buy it now!   2.) M. Kircher, Amazon Bestselling YA author of The War Inside

The War Inside was truly an amazing YA Dystopian novel that I loved. It was thrilling from the first pages and as the first in a trilogy, it left me wanting the second installment ASAP. M. Kircher is super cool and one of the reasons I want to share the love with her and her novels is in the very first weeks of my new role as a debut author, M. Kircher reached out to me and shared the love! So I want to return the favor. Check out her books and see why she is an Amazon Bestselling Author!  M. Kircher Website: Website  M. Kircher FB Page: FB page  M. Kircher Twitter: Twitter The War Inside on Goodreads: Add it on GR  The War Inside on Amazon: Buy it now!   3.) V.C. Repetto, YA Author of my favorite Dystopian novel, The Tearings  Why do I want to share the love with Ms. Repetto? Good grief, look at the cover! What else do I need to say? This new dystopian YA novel was riveting and it made me cry (I kid you not). The Tearings is simply amazing, stunning, well written, I could go on and on. Do yourself a favor. If you're a fan of YA Dystopian, The Tearings is one to get. RIGHT. NOW! V.C. Repetto's Website: Website  V.C. Repetto's FB Page: FB page  V. C. Repetto's Twitter: Twitter  The Tearings on Goodreads: Add it on GR  The Tearings on Amazon: Buy it now!  4.) Stephanie Lawton Author of NA novel, Shelf Life   Oh where do I begin with Stephanie Lawton? Well, Shelf Life was my first read from this incredible author, but seeing that she has 3 other novels out, I would bet (they are on my TBR list) they (Shrapnel, Want, and Need) are just as amazing as Shelf Life. What a beautiful NA novel. It sucked me in, kept my fingers flipping fast on my Kindle screen, and I'm eagerly anticipating the next in this series. What a wonderful story by a stunning author. Ms. Lawton's writing is perfection on a page!  Stephanie Lawton's Website: Website  Stephanie Lawton's FB Page: FB Page  Stephanie Lawton's Twitter: Twitter  Shelf Life on Goodreads: Add it on GR Shelf Life on Amazon: Buy it now!  Okay folks! That's a wrap. This will be up for 14 days, plenty of time to share the love. Like them up! Love them up! Share them up! Get the word out. Please don't forget to join their site/s, like their FB pages, follow on Twitter, add to GR, and leave me a comment telling me you did so for your chance at the awesome prizes listed above. You can leave your email address in your comment or send to me privately using the contact form below. All winners will be notified on the 15th or shortly after.  Have fun, share the love and next hop is here: Next blog         

Evernight Teen's 1st Birthday Celebration!

Evernight Teen Publishing turned 1 this month! To kick off the celebration, ET is giving away a grand prize of $100.00 iTunes gift card. It doesn't stop there...the main ET site will be offering 25% off all titles starting 1/24-1/31. Want something more, you say? Well hop along all week to see what us authors have in store for you, too! 



In addition to the above, I'll be offering some prizes of my own. First, for a chance at the $100.00 iTunes GC, look for the raffle copter below (you'll be directed to the ET blog to enter using the rafflecopter). 

What prizes do I have to give away, you ask? 

1.) One $20.00 gift card to Amazon
2.) One $15.00 gift card to Amazon 
3.) One $10.00 gift card to Amazon 

In order to win the prizes above, you must do the following: 

For a chance at the Amazon gift cards, (one winner per card) you must sign up on my blog ("join this site" tab to the right) + answer the questions below. You can find the answers within the post below. At the end of the hop, I will announce the winners on my blog. Check back on Feb. 1st, 2014 to see who the winners are! 

Of course I'll be featuring my book, Black Amaranth, for this hop. I want to gush on my debut novel a bit. Read through and look for the questions below after. 

First, check out the beautiful cover of Black Amaranth: 




And a sneak peak at book 2, Black Abaddon, slated for release around March 2014: 



Black Amaranth is the first in a new YA paranormal series. It has all the essential ingredients that go together to make a great recipe: mystery, love, betrayal, etc. The main character, Ally Watson, is the center of Black Amaranth. She's unique in ways unknown to her until tragedy forces her to face a destiny so terrifying, it puts friendships to the ultimate test in a battle against good and evil.  
Black Amaranth begins in Snow Creek, NC. As we progress through the novel, Ally and her three best friends, Jessica, Dave, and Michael, find themselves in Gypsy-land, Georgia, where they encounter supernatural forces that are willing to help Ally in her quest to save the world. 

Having always loved the Deep South, I couldn't wait to write a series where the setting took place there, surrounded by live oaks festooned in Spanish moss, the hot climate, the enchantment...sigh!

Ally learns to love and let go, trials she must pass in order to become who she is destined to be. When she meets handsome, alluring Marik, Vampire prince of his nation, things get confusing as light is shed on subjects long hidden from her. Will she choose a new love, fires raging creating a deep inferno in her heart, or will the embers of an old flame still hold some spark?

You'll have to read to find out!

And now a little bit about the sequel, Black Abaddon. I'll have to keep a tight lip about book 2 as it hasn't been released yet, but...maybe a little tidbit wouldn't hurt...

Black Abaddon continues with the same characters we loved in the first one. Of course Black Amaranth left off with a stunning cliffhanger. How could I possibly leave things there? Because everything I do serves a purpose. I know it might be hard to see, but hang in there, you'll find out soon enough. The end is the beginning. Things must come full circle and in order to complete that, my characters must undergo some serious trials and tribulations. Black Abaddon is considerably darker than the first. The only other thing I will say about Black Abaddon is I PROMISE the ending will leave you feeling one of these scenarios:

1.) Crying
2.) Throwing the book across the room
3.) Praising the heavens
4.) In shock and in need of medical attention
5.) Completely breathless and in need of the third ASAP

While here, check out the "meet the Vulcan Legacies characters" to get little snippets from my novels.

Okay, okay...here's the questions. Remember, in order to win my prizes (Amazon gift cards) you must answer the following + sign up/join my blog. Please either leave your email address or use the contact form at the bottom to send it to me privately. The winners will be selected randomly and I'll post the winners on Feb. 1st.

1.) Who is the "Vampire prince of his nation"?

2.) What area have I always loved?

3.) What is the name of the second book in The Vulcan Legacies series?

Have fun and good luck. Don't forget to enter the rafflecopter below (On the ET blog) for a chance at the $100.00 iTunes gift card.

Next hop here: Blogger List

Rafflecopter link for iTunes GC here: ET Blog/Rafflecopter

One more teaser from Black Abaddon:

Winter Wonder Man Blog Hop

The Winter Wonder Man Blog Hop is going on from January 16th through January 19th!

Join in and hop along for chances at prizes including gift cards to Barnes&Noble or Amazon and my own giveaway, an ebook of my YA novel, Black Amaranth, book 1 in the Vulcan Legacies Series.

More prizes and swag at each stop.

For a chance to win Black Amaranth (Kindle Gift or PDF to be announced at end of hop) please leave a comment below on: "What makes a hero in movies and books wonderful to the point your toes curl?"

Feel free to check out an earlier post on my blog regarding male hero's!

Also, feel free to connect with me on Twitter, FB, and sign up for my blog (all buttons to the right of this page) to receive notifications on future blog hops and prize giveaways!

Remember to leave a comment below answering the above question for a chance to win an ebook of Black Amaranth!



 Next Hop Here: Linky List

HD Thomson website here: hdthomson.com

Advice for Authors

Advice for authors:
Recently I have discovered the pains of promotion. Becoming published, undoubtedly, was the hardest hurdle to jump through. But now you’re here! What’s next?
Promotion, promotion, promotion.
Let me preface anything I’m about to write, by saying, that while promotion is essential to the success of your novel, you don’t want to cram your book down people’s throat. There’s a time and place for everything.
Example: one of your co-workers great-grandmother dies, it probably isn’t a good idea to show up in black, coincidentally holding a brand new copy of your book. “Hey….sorry to hear about Grandma Beatrice, but maybe you wouldn’t mind distributing copies of my novel since there’s a huge crowd here today.”
Think about an awesome song that just came out. We love it when it comes on the radio, but after hearing it over and over and over, you get tired of it. Your book is no different, trust me. When you use your social media outlets, mix it up with other interests, not just, “Buy my book, buy my book, and please buy my book!”
I try not only to promote my own novels, but others as well. My interests mainly are in reading, so I like to share what I’m reading and I like to reach out to other authors and help them promote their books, too!
Onward and upward!
If you are traditionally published your publisher should submit ARC’s (advanced reader copies) to reviewers. If you’re self-published, you need to have some of these folks lined up beforehand. Look up different promotional/tour companies that will help promote your book. This usually comes with a fee.
Regardless if you’re traditionally or self-published, you still need to try and line up reviewers willing to read and review your novel. Look for reviewers in your genre on Twitter, FB, Goodreads.
The critical piece of reviewers:
First: submitting a request to a reviewer is much like submitting your novel to literary agents and publishers. Follow their guidelines! Make sure that your novel falls into the genre’s they read, otherwise you are wasting their time and your time.
Secondly: Be prepared to send them a FREE copy of your novel once a reviewer has accepted your request. Your publisher may provide you with X-amount of free copies, if not, then you must buy or gift the reviewer. Most reviewers will not purchase the book themselves, and that makes sense to me.
Thirdly: Once reviews have been posted to sites such as GR, Amazon, B&N, etc. smile at the good reviews, and do NOT, under any circumstances, ever reply to a bad review. Think reverse-Nike mode: JUST DON’T DO IT! Period! You can do this instead:) Let me ramble on regarding bad reviews. If you’re published and someone other than your mother is reviewing your book, you need to brace yourself. You will at some point receive a harsh review. It’s just a fact of life. Remember, it’s not what happens to you in life, it’s how you react to it. You can go on GR and Amazon right now and search for a NY Times Bestseller, check out the reviews, and I’ll bet you my next paycheck, there will be more than one scathing review, and I mean brutal.
Having reviewed some novels myself, I don’t have it in me to write horrid reviews. If I cannot make it through a book, I usually just don’t write anything. But I’m not every reviewer. They are all different.
When shopping for a novel, do you read the reviews? If so, how does that sway your decision in regards to buying or not buying?
Recently, I purchased a novel from Amazon and the reviews were pretty bad, but it was in relation to the poor grammar/misspellings, etc. I bought the book because the pitch was interesting and when I stumbled across the poor grammar, I knew it going into the book and was able to overlook it because I’m not an editor, I’m a reader and writer and was looking for the story, not all the flaws. Of course, most folks are not like that but I’m only speaking to how everyone is different.
I also want to mention with promotion that it’s a wonderful idea to participate in blog hops. They attract attention to your website and your books. Plus, it’s fun! And speaking of blog hops, here’s the next one I’m participating in:  
Stay tuned for details on prizes!

Black Abaddon

Black Abaddon, book 2 in the Vulcan Legacies series has been accepted for publication with Evernight Teen!

Here I am after receiving the great news:


Beautiful, I know....My mama would be so proud!

So, with one book published and soon to add another to my arsenal, I thought it might be a bit more, um, becoming, to try and act like a professional before my cover is blown.

Here's the after....



Do I look serious or what?

I am thrilled that my sequel will be hitting outlets/stores early 2014. I cannot wait to post teasers and excerpts from Black Abaddon. Stay tuned and until then, my fair readers, I bid you adieu!

M. Kircher Spotlight: Interview, Excerpt, Bio, Review!

I recently had the privilege of interviewing Amazon-bestselling author, M. Kircher, author of the fabulous YA novel, The War Inside, book 1 in The Horizons Trilogy. Here's some of what we talked about: 


Hi Melissa! Can you please tell us a little bit about yourself and the books that you write?
Hi Sasha, it’s great to be here today. Thanks so much for having me! A little bit about myself is that I’m thirty (soon to be thirty-one, eek!), have one adopted son, one baby girl, and have been married for eight years to my wonderful husband. I’m currently living in Redding, Connecticut—which is one of the suburban/rural commuter towns that feed into NYC.
I published my first novel titled, The War Inside, in July, and it’s been so exciting to have people reading it! A dream come true. The book is YA paranormal dystopian and has at different points hit Amazon’s Top 100 Bestsellers in Dystopian, Metaphysical, and Kindle Metaphysical, for which I am thrilled and very grateful.
I also have a couple new books in the works as well. The first is the sequel to The War Inside called The Gray Horizon. This book is told from the perspective of Caden, and I’m really excited to be writing from a male point of view this go around. I also just finished up a YA sci-fi/fantasy romance called Dreamcatchers, which was picked up by Astraea Press and is slated to be released sometime 2014! And I’m also working on a superhero novel, with a twist of course! So, I’ve definitely got my hands full at the moment.
Wow, Melissa! You have been busy! I cannot wait for your other releases!
Tell the readers a little bit about your writing process, for instance, how long does it take for you to finish a first draft? Are you a plotter or a pantser?
A first draft can take a while, depending on how involved the story is, but it doesn’t usually go more than a couple of months. I outline everything before writing a single chapter. So I’m definitely a plotter! I have to have everything organized before I can let my mind drift over into the creative chaos it takes to actually write a story. For me, having a basic structure in place actually sets me free to be creative. I know that many other writers work more effectively when they wing it, but I figure it’s whatever gets the job done for each person.One time I decided to start writing a novel without finishing my outline, and I totally regretted it. I got to the middle of the story, scratched my head, and went, “Uh, now what happens?” Having an outline is just part of my Type A/Free Spirit personality mishmash, but it’s what works for me.
Do you have any interesting quirks or habits to help you through the writing process?I do, yes. I’m this crazy neat freak, so whatever room I’m going to be writing in must be clean. I will literally spend thirty minutes making sure everything is in place, before I’m able to sit down and write. Something about clutter makes my mind hazy, but a clean room is a nice, calm place to create. I’m so weird!I also try to set small, daily goals for myself so the writing process doesn’t overwhelm me. It’s usually around 1,500 words per day, six days a week. Then, if I go over that, I can feel really good! Breaking it down makes a big thing like “writing a book” more achievable.
I can understand that. I totally agree with the “clean” issue. Most of the time I’m fighting for table space to write, but I cannot concentrate if there’s a bunch of dirty dishes. Things must be in order!
Where do you get the ideas and inspirations for your books?
A lot of my stories are sparked by actual dreams I have. I’ve been a vivid dreamer ever since I was a child, and can still remember many of my nightmares and fantasies from back then in great detail. I think each one of the books I’ve written, or am working on right now, have all been because of something I dreamed and then let simmer in my mind for a while until it became a story. I also read like crazy. There is nothing more that I love than a wonderfully spun story. So every book I’ve read and every amazing author that I’ve encountered have all been key in helping me to flex and grow my creative mind. I’m very thankful to the awesome storytellers out there!
That’s awesome, Melissa!
This is a very competitive genre to write in, what do you think makes you stand out among all the other young adult/new adult authors out there?
Hmmm, good question. But first, I have to say how much I love that it’s a competitive genre! How great is it that teens are getting into reading again? I’m so pumped. I think that what could set me apart, as my career continues to grow, is the fact that I’m open to seeing things in a new way. I think that some of my story concepts have the ability to spin old themes into something fresh. For instance, there isn’t a ton of fiction out there, YA or adult, in which most of the story is inside a person’s dreams, but that’s what happens in Dreamcatchers. I took the legend of Rip Van Winkle and went running from there. I hope that the story brings something different and exciting into the genre.
Well said. I cannot wait to grab The Gray Horizon and Dreamcatchers. After reading The War Inside, I certainly added you on my list of new YA Authors to watch for.
Do you ever find yourself experiencing writers block? How do you cope with it?Honestly, not often. As I stated above, I outline every story from start to finish and this really helps to cut down on writer’s block. But when I do get stuck, I try to walk away for a bit and doing boring things. I drive. I wash dishes. I take a shower. And while I’m doing these boring tasks, my mind noodles over the problem area. It’s worked every time. Boredom breeds creativity, there are scientific studies to prove it!
Sadly, I usually watch something on HBO and drink coffee and hope the combination combats the writers block J
Is there a particular YA/NA author and/or book out there that inspired you? Why?
People/author/books who inspire me change all the time because I read/inhale literature so much. But right now I’m really inspired by the author Hugh Howey. He’s a fantastically successful self-published and traditionally published author, but he made a name for himself self-publishing the Wool Omnibus series. In interviews he’s quoted as saying that he only ever stuck Wool up online because he thought his wife and friends might like it. It was totally different at the time it was released; a much darker dystopian novel than people had been used to. Now, he’s the first author ever to sign a book deal where the publisher only has the rights to the paperback and hardcover editions of his books. He still owns all the rights to the eBook versions that he will self-publish. He’s one of the many authors changing the publishing industry right now…and he’s super nice! I e-mailed him for some advice a while ago, and not only did he respond, but he did so in about an hour, with some great help. It’s amazing to see that an uber-successful person can still be kind and care about other writers.
Thanks so much, Melissa! I have to say that my hat is off to you. Self-Publishing is certainly a gamble and I’m very pleased to have one of those few success stories here on my blog today! I’ve heard that cream will always rise to the top, and so…it looks like you’re the cream of the crop!
What advice would you give to other authors out there who want to write in the YA/NA genre?
My advice would be to cultivate skin like a rhino and also a teachable spirit. There will always be people who don’t like your work. That’s okay. Writing is art and it’s subject to the opinions of others. Don’t let criticism get you down. Keep writing, keep working, and keep putting yourself out there.But, also look for ways to get better. Work with editors, instead of against them. Every editor I’ve had has made me a better writer. Always be open to opportunities that will help you learn and grow. And above all…enjoy your work!
I agree. Wonderful advice.
If you could pick one of your characters in your book(s) to hang out with for one day, who would it be, and why?
I think Rain, from The War Inside. He’s such a lighthearted person and makes just about anything fun. I can be too serious sometimes, and Rain would find ways to make me laugh by being his goofy, wisecracking self.
Is there anything else you would like to share with your readers?
I’d love for my readers to feel empowered when they read my stories, to put themselves in the shoes of my characters and see how each one of those characters makes important choices. We each have that power in real life. Our lives are valuable, and what we do with the time we’ve been given matters greatly on both a micro level and a global scale. We can do great things with our lives; we just have to be inspired!
And also a big, giant “Thank You”!!! Thank you for reading, supporting, sharing, Twittering, and the like. I appreciate it all so much J

-Melissa

Author Bio: 
M. KIRCHER graduated with a B.A. in Fine Arts from Gordon College. She devours YA, science fiction, fantasy, and romance on a regular basis and is immensely happy to pour her time and energy into creating stories for others to enjoy. Bob Ross and J.R.R. Tolkien tie for her two favorite people of all time.M. Kircher lives in Connecticut with her husband, energetic son, and new baby girl.

Blurb: 
The end of the world is only just the beginning. So eighteen-year-old Thea discovers when her solitary life on a dying Earth is shattered by a mysterious dream, a devastating choice, and a strange gift that propels her on a journey towards the restoration of all mankind.
Thea is bitter and alone; eking out her miserable life on the sunless, cloud-covered Earth she inhabits. A terrifying dream convinces her to save the life of an injured girl, and despite her misgivings, Thea decides to rescue sixteen-year-old Viviana. She soon learns that gentle Viv has a life-threatening infection, as well as a freakish patch of glowing skin over her heart. When this light spreads to Thea, causing her palms to glow, she is forced to trust Caden, an arrogant, lazy, and annoyingly handsome boy she despises. Caden has a map to the last city on Earth, and the only place that might have a cure for both Viv's infection and the strange light on Thea's hands. As the trio embark on a journey through the barren wilderness, Thea and Caden discover, and try to fight, their mounting attraction to each other. Along the way they are joined by Rain, Naomi, and Enoch who explain that the light is not a curse, but a powerful gift meant to heal the polluted Earth and reconnect the remnants of humanity. When the group learns that Viv is the key to this planet-wide redemption, and that there are deadly shadows who will do anything to keep humans in the darkness forever, they each must make the difficult decision to help Viv fulfill her destiny...and save the world.
Book Excerpt: 
“Suddenly, Thea heard Viv make a horrible, strangled sound. Like the noise an animal makes right before its throat is slit. The noise startled Thea so much that she banged her head hard on one of the wooden planks above her. “Ow!” she muttered and rubbed at the tender spot. She darted out from under the boat, her heart pounding, to see what could have caused Viv to be so upset. The girl never yelled. Viv had gone even more deathly white than normal, and her eyes were wide with terror. She screamed again and pointed one waxen-colored finger toward the ridge above the beach. Thea, Caden, and Rain all looked up. High on the ridge above them stood the figure of a man. Caden’s brow furrowed, and Rain squinted up at the figure. Thea felt something wiggle in the back of her mind. Why did the man seem familiar?Viv shrieked again, and Thea grabbed her hand. “It’s OK, Viv. There’s only one of him and three of us. You don’t have to be afraid.” But by this time, there was no mistaking the fact that the man had spotted the four people staring up at him from the beach. They watched as his head swiveled slowly in their direction.Viv acted like she didn’t hear Thea’s reassuring words; she just stared at the man in horror. Thea peered at the figure more closely. Even though he was so far away, Thea sensed that something was off. What was it? The man shifted slightly, and the dim light around him changed. With a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach, Thea realized why she was having feelings of déjà vu. She had seen this thing before, and human it was most definitely not. Her heart became a lump of lead inside her chest, and she stood frozen with fear. The man-creature was tall and thin, its limbs strangely elongated and its head twice the size of a normal human. It wore no clothes and had skin as black as night. This was the creature from her dream.
Buy links and where to find Melissa: 
The War InsideBook One in the Horizons Trilogyby M. KircherGenre: YA Paranormal DystopianPages: 362Language: EnglishASIN: B00E83HJ2C
Amazon Kindle
Amazon Paperback
Barnes and Noble Paperback
Author Website
Blog
Goodreads
Facebook
Twitter
My Review:   5 GREAT BIG STARS!!!!!
The War Inside grabbed me instantly. From the beautiful eye-catching cover to the spellbinding words inside, M. Kircher's novel, The War Inside depicts an interesting concept of the future due to abuse of technology, greed, selfishness and pollution. The main character, Thea, goes through a number of emotional changes to get to the end of her journey. Viv, a 16-year-old hurt and dying girl is responsible for a lot of the changes in Thea. Personal secrets, demons, healers, love interests...The War Inside has it all. The future of the world ultimately lies in the wisdom and strength of a precious few. The author flawlessly and fluently depicts dark and light, good and evil...the struggles to overcome so many obstacles. The War Inside was fresh, original and included a cast of memorable characters. The story evoked thought in such a profound way, that only one could truly understand by reading it. For fans of dystopian YA, The War Inside, serves up an emotional punch not to be forgotten. I truly enjoyed it and eagerly await the second installment!

Prevailing Life by Amaris Chapman. Blurb, Cover, and Review

My Review: 5 Stars!

Prevailing Life was stunning. It forced me to think of the various relationships we have with each other and how they impact others. The characters were truly relatable. I empathized with them, cheered for them, cried for them.

I dreaded the end but was so anxious to find out who and what Maggie truly is. Prevailing Life was packed with twists and surprises that I did not see coming. The author did an incredible job with the dream and flashback sequences.

Prevailing Life is definitely an intricately woven tale that tied up with surprising answers, making it, in my mind, very unique and refreshing. Of course, Prevailing Life left off at a place making me desperate for the second installment. I WANT to know what happens next!

I'll stay away from spoilers, but I was impressed with how well developed the characters are. I loved Dina, Justin, Jane, Daemon...and how heart wrenching their relationships are and how they all tie in together.

Prevailing Life is a thought provoking read!



Blurb:

Angels Mercy, 1
Maggie is a teenager with a secret. The strangest part of her life isn’t that she works in a graveyard—it’s the fact that her best friend is an Angel named Dina. They have lived thousands of years together, but as a mortal, Maggie must die, leaving Dina to find her in each new life and start again.

Someone has been setting fires, and the town is ablaze—literally. Someone or something is fueling the flames, and one of the suspects is the devilishly handsome Justin. With the memories of past lives coming back to her and Justin vying for her attention, Maggie may get more than she bargained for.

Excerpt:

I felt as weightless as if I were made of light. I gasped and felt us drifting, and then the cool salty smell of ocean air washed over me. I looked down. We were sitting on the rail of a lighthouse overlooking the small dots of light, which marked a town nestled in the hills. Then I looked up and gasped. Stretched out above us was a vast expanse of glowing sky, each star as bright as a lamp sweeping across a great black expanse. My mouth fell open as I gazed in wonder at the universe stretching out above me. How was this possible? The sky felt unlimited.
“Where are we?” I asked still gripping her hand and holding on to the rail as tightly as I could with the other my face turned up to the pale moon above us.
“We used to live here. This is the tower you were talking about.”
I looked back at the twinkling lights, which ran from the water’s edge and up what looked to be, in the dark, a hill surrounded by mountain terrain.
“This is the town from the fire painting you are making.” I could make out the main street, which snaked through the hills. The line of lights at the bottom must mark the dock and jetty, which had doubled in size from the time that Dina remembered it in her painting.
“But this is in another country. We came here, my family and I, when I was little. It took us a day to get here by plane.” I looked at her in awe. Knowing she was an angel was one thing; I had even seen the ghostly shape of her wings. But to be at home one minute then, as fast as I could think it, be in another country almost sitting in a sky that seemed to just envelope us was unbelievable.
“I’m light, remember?” she said, her strong voice hushed by the wind that raced up from the waves. “I travel as light and air.”
“But I’m not, how did…no, I don’t care. This is incredible.” My voice trailed off as I took in the true magic of where I was. No lights obscured the sky, and the stars stretched out in a blanket of white light above us. Dina closed my mouth with a finger under my chin. I laughed but didn’t take my eyes from the sky. In all my life I had never seen anything so beautiful. My blocked head and fever forgotten, I sat surrounded by the sounds of the ocean and air crashing together. It was as I shivered that I remembered I was ill.
“I’ll be back in a moment,” Dina said.
Before I could ask what she was doing she had launched herself from the railing. I rocked forwards to catch her in a reflex and almost fell from the narrow rail. As I watched, the light shape of her body rose, the ghostly outline of her wings bright in the night sky. Her light darted to the town so fast she looked like nothing more than a reflection in the lighthouse’s turning lamp. I watched until the town's lights swallowed hers then gazed out over the sea.
From my seat, I could hardly make out the white of the waves breaking on the rocks at the base of the small island the lighthouse stood on.
A wave of fear swelled in my chest as I looked down. My blood left my face and rushed to my heart. I took a deep breath to calm myself, telling my body that it was being silly and that Dina wouldn’t have brought me here if I could have fallen. My body rebelled; my pulse quickened, and I could feel my heart pounding in my chest. I fought to keep breathing, taking deep breaths to try to calm myself. I knew I should just look up or close my eyes, but I was too scared that if I looked away it might somehow make me fall. My hands tightened on the rail, the cold metal biting into my palms. In my head I called out to Dina to hurry up and get back. I couldn’t bring myself to look up and see where she was. My body was rigid, even the cool wind that had been soothing just moments before now threatened to knock me from my perch. My thoughts scrambled, as I imagined myself falling and smashing like porcelain on the rocks. I could see my body lying broken below, the waves knocking me off into the sea. 

Buy Links:

Evernight Teen

Amazon Kindle

Paperback

OmniLit

Bookstrand



 

The Tearings by VC Repetto: Blurb, Excerpt, and Review

Recently I had the pleasure of reading The Tearings, VC Repetto's debut YA novel. Below is the blurb, excerpt, review, and buy links.

Do yourself a favor and snatch up a copy of this haunting novel!



 Blurb:

From the moment the black vans appear to take the sick away, Maya knows there is something wrong. She seems to be the only one to question the sudden disappearances at school and the masks everyone is forced to wear to keep from catching the new disease spreading through the entire United States. Even when word of the new “healing centers” reaches the public, no one dares to ask what is happening.

But when Maya catches the disease, the one they call The Tearings, and is taken to one of these centers along with her mother, the truth becomes all too clear. She is separated from her family and forced to work, becoming one of the more fortunate ones who is not sent to the testing wings. Bullied by the guards to the point of death, she meets David Summers, the enigmatic young Captain who appears to loathe his position of power in the camp and who seems as drawn to Maya as she is to him.

When Maya suddenly becomes the disease’s only survivor, she must put her trust on David to find a way to escape the camp and get the truth, and the cure coursing through her veins, out to the world.


Excerpt:

My throat was raw, throbbing, and dry.Panic rose immediately. I was sick. I’d caught it.I dug my nails into my hands and tried to get a hold of my galloping fear. Maybe I’d just slept with my mouth open during the night. That could be it, right? It didn’t need to be the worst thing imaginable. Except, I knew it was.In seconds I was bolting up out of bed and running to the mirror hanging from my closet door. It hurt to open my mouth. Patches of red and fuzzy white had spread across my tongue and palates, making me wince when I touched them. Sudden tears made my vision waver. Whatever this super-flu was, I had it.I brushed my tears away with violence. There was no time for that right now. I had to think. My first instinct was to run into Mom’s room and tell her, but I made myself stand still for a few seconds more. Once she knew, she’d call the ambulances; there’d be no stopping her. They’d take us away to the health centers, so this might be the last few minutes I had to face this without needles poking at me. As much as I tried to convince myself that allowing the ambulances to take me to the centers was a good thing, I couldn’t stop my stomach from clenching at the thought of riding in those black monsters that patrolled the streets. I wanted to stay home. On impulse, I grabbed my cell off my night table and pressed one of the speed dial buttons.Derek picked up on the fourth ring. “Maya?”“Hi.”“Is everything okay?”I hesitated. This was it. Once I told someone, there’d be no stopping this. “I woke up with a sore throat.” Author Bio:  When not planning how to survive the next plague and/or apocalypse, I like to submerge myself in as many Victorian Gothic novels as I can find. It is quite fun in my head, actually, between all the moldy lace and gas masks. I am an avid quilter and cross-stitcher, who longs one day to buy a weaving loom. I live in house much too small for all my pets.  Buy Links:  Evernight Teen  Amazon Kindle  Amazon Paperback  Bookstrand Omnilit  Author Website   My review:  



The Tearings moved me to tears. VC Repetto’s gripping debut novel took me to dark places where unexpected glimpses of hope lingered reminding me that in humanities darkest hour, a small light can shine within us all. The Tearings begins with Maya, a normal seventeen-year-old girl with a very normal seventeen-year-old life. She’s on the swim team, has normal teenage emotions, has friends, enjoys going to the movies…and in one cough Maya’s world is ripped from her. Maya is forced in a “healing center” where she soon uncovers a horrifying truth. The Tearings reminded me of a modern day Schindler’s List. In parts of the novel that I struggled to remain composed, I thought of that little girl in her little red coat. The Tearings evoked emotions within me that forced me to think of scenarios we, as humans, ignore because the thought is too inconceivable, and yet the fictional atrocities woven throughout this haunting novel have sadly been very real in our history. Let my words be heard: The Tearings will stick with you, grab you, and not let you go. As heart wrenching as The Tearings is, there is hope, not always the hope we expect, but the hope we don’t see coming that restores faith, and that hope can come in the form of a blanket, a piece of bread, a sip of broth, and that the symbolism of survival can come in the shape of a dandelion. The Tearings reminded me that death is not the biggest challenge we face, but that living with scars inflicted by the ugliest shades of humanity is often harder. Maya emerges as a champion, as a fighter, and her words cut you deeper than any knife ever could. I will continue to cheer for her, and eagerly await the second installment!      

Hot Autumn Nights Blog Hop Nov 28th-Dec 2nd 2013

Blog stop here!

Hot Autumn Nights Blog Hop is going on from Nov. 28th-Dec. 2nd. Grand prize includes your choice of a $70 B&N gift card or $70 Amazon gift card. Grand prize winner will be announced at the end of the hop.

Please hop along for your chance at several cool prizes. I'll be giving away a signed copy of my debut YA novel, Black Amaranth, at the end of the hop as well.

Please leave a comment on "what's your idea of a hot autumn night?" I'll select the winner from among the comments and announce at the end of the hop.

So, what's my idea of a hot autumn night?

I had several ideas for "hot autumn nights" written throughout Black Amaranth...the boy next door+the last remnants of summer=young love.

There's something emotional and tender about first love and the discovery that comes with it, which is one of the contributing factors to why I write YA fiction.

While you're here, feel free to sign up for my blog (join this site to the right) to receive the latest news on upcoming blog hops, reviews, and giveaway's/prizes.

Next stop here: Next blog

WWHBH Winner and Evernight Readers' Choice Awards

A big thank you to all the participants in the Wicked Warriors Halloween Blog Hop.

It was tons of fun and there were some amazing giveaways. As promised, I've selected a winner for a signed copy of my YA novel, Black Amaranth.

Congrats, Aberdean! I loved everyone's comments and please stay tuned for future contests and prizes.

I also want to announce some exciting news. Evernight Publishing is having their 1st Annual Readers Choice Awards. There's an array of categories from which to nominate your favorite Evernight author.

I wish everyone the best of luck!