Mary Elizabeth's Blog, page 6

DUSTY #3 ???

Since the release of Delinquents (Dusty #2) in October, if I were given a nickel for every time someone asked me one single question, I would be one rich woman.
Will there be a third Dusty book?
As I’m typing this, I’m listening to the original Dusty playlist—the one I made on Spotify as I wrote the Edward/Bella version. Before Dusty was Innocents and Delinquents, Thomas and Leighlee … it was simply a Jar of Hearts. This tale of a junk food junkie and her monster was simply reposted photos on Tumblr and the way my heart sped up when Christina Perri sang a song on So You Think You Can Dance?about the ice inside your soul.
All of these years later, I can literally look up right this second at my bookshelf and see two books with my name printed across them above my worn and loved-too-much Twilight Series.
It’s unreal.
For those who know me from before I became Indie Author Mary Elizabeth—when I was TeamBella23/one part YellowBella—continuing Dusty on Fanfiction.net after it was officially “complete” was something I did for charity, and  because if I didn't these characters were going to eat me up.
(They do anyway.)
I still write Dusty and Bliss. There’s a folder in my Dropbox full of half pages and scenes that come alive when I hear or see something that inspires me. There’s entire chapters I’ve written. Entire years of their lives. Alternate beginnings, middles, and ends.
I’m an author. I write when my characters speak.
But that’s a personal problem. I’m plagued by the voices in my head, you know.
Here the deal: There won’t be a third book. Thomas and Leighlee told their story, and their ending was sort of a beginning too. Some of the best moments I’ve had with readers is when listening to different versions of what happens after “Hello”—the good, the bad, and the what the fuck, Dusty is not a ghost!
That’s the beauty of a book.
Know that I appreciate and am inspired by the love Dusty and Bliss have been given by the reading community, fandom and not. I do have a third book on it’s way, but just because it’s not a Dusty book, don’t think that they don’t live on. They do.  

I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson Five Star Review

I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I was going to wait a night to write this review because it's been a while since I've typed one up, but I also normally need some time to process what I've read. After opening my iPad to search for what I want to read next, I knew I wasn't going to be able to dive into anything until I got my feelings down about I'll Give You the Sun.

Let me start off by saying that I absolutely love Jandy Nelson. The Sky is Everywhere is one my very favorite books; I think about it daily. (Call me crazy, but are there little nods to that book in this one?)

I said this to the author on Twitter, but it's impossible to read a Jandy Nelson book and not highlight everything. It's all brilliance. I'm 30 years old, but I feel like her books speak to the teenager in me. When reading her tales, I'm like, "I remember feeling like that." "That happened to me." "Did Jandy spy on me in high school."

Coming from a family with divorced parents, I'll Give You the Sun touched a little closer to home. The situations were not the same ... but I got it.

But the reason I love this book so much is a little more personal. I am too a writer--indie, but I still have two books published with a third on it's way. At the end of 2014, I went through some things personally and had not been able to read a book or write a word in four months. I picked up this novel, finished it in days, and managed to write a couple of thousands of words in the meantime.

There's a fire inside of me (corny, I know, Jude.) and Jandy Nelson inspired me.

Five Stars.











View all my reviews

Branding by Hang Le

I had the pleasure of working with graphic artist Hang Le for the Mary Elizabeth branding. The outcome was more than I dreamed of. 

PAPERBACK GIVEAWAY

To celebrate the release of Delinquents, I'm giving away signed paperbacks of BOTH Dusty books. All you have to do is take a screenshot of the review you posted from the site you purchased Innocents and/or Delinquents from. Then post it in the comments on the giveaway thread located on my author page.  This Friday I will randomly choose one winner! 

ENTER HERE! 

John Green Gets It

How many times have you heard or even said yourself, “I would die if I couldn’t write.”? I know I’ve said it, I guess I believed it … in a very dramatic sort of way. But by “die”, I didn’t literally mean to be six feet under. There have been times in the past when I’ve gone a few days or a week without writing, and I’m still breathing.  I meant it in a, “Writing is my end all, be all.”
I believed that too.
In a very dramatic sort of way.
Authors are melodramatic by nature, so I probably didn’t need to actually explain that I didn’t mean to truly die … Anyway, for the last eight-ish years, storytelling has been a large part of my existence. In the last twelve months, I’ve transitioned from fan fiction author to self-published author. It’s been a real experience. Opening myself to a larger audience wasn’t easy, but despite how hard it was (and trust me, you have no idea how grueling times were), having two books on my bookshelf with my name on them is one of the biggest accomplishments of my life.
Okay, so I’m now searchable on Amazon and my entire family has this cute misconception that I’m famous. At family birthday parties and stuff, everyone always asks me about the book and end up mentioning, “I was looking for Dusty at Target, but they must have been out.”

No, Aunt Margo, I’m just not that cool.
Eight years ago, I was nothing more than a mother with too many toddlers and a wife that didn’t cook all that well. So, my current family celebrity status is pretty awesome. One would think that these are the days when I would die if I couldn’t write, right?!
No.
On the day that Delinquents was released, someone very important to me (who I’ll refer to as Vernon) was diagnosed with Stage Four Renal Cell Carcinoma. Which pretty much means the cancer he had and was “cured’ from five years ago was actually never gone and was “hiding.” It spread through his lymph nodes and to his brain. He was given six months to live, but since having brain surgery, his life expectancy is longer.
Do you want to know something that is equal parts disturbing and very me? When I was told Vernon has cancer again, the first thought to come to mind was, “Cancer only wants to be alive.” -- John Green, The Fault in our Stars.
I know, I’m sick … a true writer by heart.
But let me tell you how easy it is not to write when someone you know is literally looking death in the face.
I don’t like talking about this shit. And chances are, none of you want to hear about it. Who wants to deal with sad stuff, you know.


In my little part of the universe, we’re all about eating better, because God forbid this be genetic and preservatives will kill you, and making sure Vernon has someone watching him at all times. Brain surgery is the real deal.
Putting my book release—my end all, be all—on the back burner wasn’t something I second guessed. I don’t think I even checked sales for Delinquents until the end of October. Online, I have all of these people who mean so much to me telling me how much they love the book and how proud they are, and I even had one girl tell me that I was an inspiration.
And I’m like, how can any of us live in a world that Vernon won’t be in?
Again, very John Green-ish, but so true.
Writing is very important to me. Which is why I’m writing this on my blog instead of confiding in a real person. But is not all I am. I’m also a Christian, a mother, a wife, a daughter, a sister, and someone who will be destroyed if Vernon doesn’t make it through this.
I’m an author after all of that.
We’re 11 days into NaNoWriMo, and I’m at 4 thousand words. True Love Way is scheduled for release February 2, 2015. I may have to ask my editor for one more extension, but I will get that book out on time.
So, my rollercoaster is on a dip (John Green inspired), but it’s important for me to be a lot of other things right now. It has to be okay, and I know I won’t die if I don’t write for hours a day. I’ve learned that writing one sentence before bed is good enough.
But hey, you know what will kill you? Food additives.
Have you looked at the ingredients in tortillas lately? I just did. It’s frightening. 

True Love Way Cover Reveal

True Love Way

Add to Goodreads Here
Blurb

Some days are brighter than others, but Penelope Finnel has learned she can be invisible behind the colored lenses of her heart-shaped sunglasses.

Her mind is her own worst enemy, and simply waking up in the morning is risky. For a girl like her, staying in bed is easier. Especially when the day comes to start school in a new town with new kids who don’t understand that the clouds are not the only reason everything is so gloomy.

Dillon Decker is a typical boy from a typical small town who radiates light and happiness. Under the hovering glare of her father, Dillon leads Penelope around on his bicycle’s handlebars, hoping he will be the cure to her madness.

But as time goes by and when friend turns to lover, and lover turns to caretaker, how much can either of them endure before they’re swallowed whole?

This is a story about rollerblades and moving trucks, trading candy for smiles, and passing notes across lawns.

First love and the struggle to keep it sane.

The true love way.


Excerpt
Then the screen door opens and slams shut again, and standing beside the light Nazi is Penelope. Her hair is up now, and from what I can tell she’s not chewing gum anymore. Her knees are dirty, and her shoes are untied. The Discman isn’t on her hip, but her green sunglasses are still on her face, even though it’s nighttime.Suddenly Mr. Finnel’s voice scares me out of my own head. “What are you looking at, boy?”Definitely over six feet tall, the daughter Nazi isn’t leaning against the porch post anymore. He’s standing in front of his daughter, blocking my view of her.I straighten my spine and speak too loudly, too quickly. “Nothing!”He laughs at me again, but his eyebrows are more serious than ever. From behind her father’s arm, Penelope peeks out. I can’t see her eyes through her glasses, but I know she’s looking at me. I can’t stop looking at her.Mr. Finnel’s laughter stops. “See something you like, boy? Do you think I’m cute?”“Wha … what … no,” I stutter. My heart stops. He hates me.Finally, she speaks, soft-spoken and small. “Don’t embarrass me, Dad. You’re so embarrassing.”The heart Nazi puts his arm over his daughter’s shoulders and leads her down the steps to the walkway leading to the Chrysler.“The boy next door is weird, Pen. Don’t talk to him,” he warns her with amusement in his voice. “He offered me bolts.”

Delinquents Limited Edition Tank Tops!!!

The Delinquents limited edition tank top is available for twenty days only! Get it while you can!

ORDER HERE!  

Signed Dusty Paperbacks Order Form

I'm now taking orders for BOTH Dusty books! Fill out the form below. 
HERE

True Love Way Cover Reveal Form

I am super excited to share my first solo novel, True Love Way, with you at the end of the year. Until then, we have a cover reveal, and signups are now available.  
True Love Way Cover Reveal Form Here! 
Summary: 
Some days are brighter than others, but Penelope Finnel has learned she can be invisible behind the colored lenses of her heart-shaped sunglasses.
Her mind is her own worst enemy, and simply waking up in the morning is risky. For a girl like her, staying in bed is easier. Especially when the day comes to start school in a new town with new kids who don’t understand that the clouds are not the only reason everything is so gloomy.
Dillon Decker is a typical boy from a typical small town who radiates light and happiness. Under the hovering glare of her father, Dillon leads Penelope around on his bicycle’s handlebars, hoping he will be the cure to her madness. But as time goes by and when friend turns to lover, and lover turns to caretaker, how much can either of them endure before they’re swallowed whole?
This is a story about rollerblades and moving trucks, trading candy for smiles, and passing notes across lawns.
First love and the struggle to keep it sane.
The true love way.

Delinquents (Dusty #2) Cover Reveal

Coming: October 23, 2014The innocent girl with a delinquent heart has to live with her bad choices. Secret hope and hurt feel like falling while she learns how to breathe again, but there's still freedom in trouble.
The runaway with blacked-out eyes is losing his grip. Crushing two hearts in one fist, his addiction bends rules and breaks deals, but the boy born for bliss isn't going anywhere without a fight.
Love is knowing they should stay away, but love is illogical at best.
She's afraid to let go.
He won't let her.
This is how silliness and foolishness grow up.
Here, forever is a lie.

I stand silent, breathing in through my nose and out my mouth. Tonight’s argument is years of frustration stacked and hidden, too tall to push away anymore. A little trigger is all it takes, and we end up like this, saying things we don’t mean, taking our aggravation out on each other.

My heart pumps misguided love.

“This isn’t how it’s supposed to be,” it beats. “But that’s your boy—aimless and crazy for you.”

Knowing that I had a role on his spiral to the bottom kills me. As his parents continue to fail him, I should be the one that steps forward and says, “This is wrong.”

But to do so at this point in his madness would be betrayal, and I have to handle his trust with care.

Inhaling an uneven breath, I watch him under the moon’s glow washing out his already pale complexion. Icy wind blows my boy’s white tee against his slender body under his unzipped hoodie, and his hands shake at his sides.

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Amazon Amazon CA Amazon UK B&N iTunes Mary Elizabeth is an up and coming author who finds words in chaos, writing stories about the skeletons hanging in your closets. Known as The Realist, she is one half of The Elizabeths--a duo brave enough to never hide the truth.

Mary was born and raised in Southern California. She is a wife, mother of four beautiful children, and dog tamer to one enthusiastic Pit Bull and a prissy Chihuahua. She's a hairstylist by day but contemporary fiction, new adult author by night. Mary can often be found finger twirling her hair and chewing on a stick of licorice while writing and rewriting a sentence over and over until it's perfect. She discovered her talent for tale-telling accidentally, but literature is in her chokehold. And she's not letting go until every story is told.

"The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure."--Jeremiah 17:9


  A soft spoken revolutionary, love's listener was born on Bastille Day. she dance-walks under the stars and prefers to write while the sun wakes up. her blood marks State Avenue. her roots are darker than trouble's eyes, and her favorite colour is The 1975.

Sarah Elizabeth is the author of Innocents, Delinquents, Don't Let Me Go, and various other projects under various other pen names. for more information, visit:


   

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