C.J. Burright's Blog, page 22
October 15, 2014
New Release: Shucker’s Booktique by J.C. McKenzie
Have you heard? The super-fab J.C. McKenzie has a new release today! Check it out – and be sure to enter the giveaway! There’s a $25 Amazon gift card, 5 ebooks of The Shucker’s Booktique, and 3 ebooks of Shift Happens!
LON RIDES THE WAVES, LIVES BY THE TIDES, AND NOTHING CAN HOLD HIM DOWN, BUT WILLA MAY BE THE ANCHOR HE NEEDS.
After her fiancé dumps her and her beloved Aunt Jenny goes missing, Willa Eklund travels to Lobster Cove with a broken heart to search for Jenny while running her bookstore. When a mysterious man visits the Shucker’s Booktique on a stormy night drenched in rain and covered in mud, Willa’s heart melts under his stormy gaze. She wants Lon and the answers he may have, but he also has a secret. Can Willa trust him?
Lon Devlin is a Tempest, a water sprite who can only take a human form during stormy nights. He rides the waves, lives by the tides, and nothing can hold him down, not even a beautiful woman. When he visits his mortal friend, he discovers she’s missing and her intriguing niece has taken her place. He wants Willa, but he also wants answers. What happened to Jenny?
Excerpt:
Thump! Thump! Thump!
No! She gasped. It couldn’t be. The banging on the front door of the booktique had to be a figment of her imagination. She couldn’t will Lon into existence. Why would he come back? Especially if he was involved. Unless…cold ice prickled up her spine…unless he needed to eliminate her to take care of loose ends.
No. Crazy thoughts, Willa. He could’ve taken care of her the night before. No, her heart hammered against her chest for a different reason. But it didn’t matter. The knocking on the door wouldn’t, couldn’t be him.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
Could it? She clutched her hot mug in both hands and turned toward the doorway leading to the bookstore. From the kitchen in the back room, she had a clear view through the store to the front door, but not who stood on the other side.
“Willa!” Lon growled. “Wake up and let me in!”
Willa gasped and almost dropped her cup. The tea sloshed around and some spilled over her hands. It burned, but she didn’t move. She couldn’t breathe. Somehow the air got trapped inside her throat. Why was he here? What did he want?
Oh God, let it be me!
About the Author:
Born and raised on the Haida Gwaii, off the West Coast of Canada, J.C. McKenzie grew up in a pristine wilderness that inspired her to dream. She writes Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance.
J.C. McKenzie’s Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | The Wild Rose Press| Amazon
October 8, 2014
What I’m Diggin’ Right Now
I’m at Geeks today, talking about my current obsessions…music, TV, books – join me!
photo by angelinchains67
October 7, 2014
Book Blitz – Finding Her Way Back by Heather Van Fleet
Woo-hoo! I’m so excited to be a part of the amazing Heather Van Fleet’s book blitz for her newest release, Finding Her Way Back. It sounds soooooo good. Check it out! And don’t forget to enter the giveaway for a $10 Amazon gift card – it’s a one-day only thang.
Finding Her Way Back
by Heather Van Fleet
Release Date: 10/07/14
Swoon Romance
Summary from Goodreads:
Meet Callie. She’s nineteen, quirky, and fears commitments. She also has a love/hate relationship with her tennis shoes. Nine months of college, done and gone, and all Callie has to show for it is her freshman thirty. But alas, no worries, life has other crap plans for her now. Plans that include a set of nuptials from hell for her older, she–devil sister Anna. Struggling to rid her chubby–sexy vibe, Callie is put on a strict Anna regimen of ‘do this do that’ while attempting to avoid the unavoidable. The unavoidable being Ky Hampton: her once skinny–skater–boy turned sex–god, ex best friend from across the street.
Kylan feels as though he is a waste. A mechanic, country music singer with not a lyrics to his name. A boy with a proverbial skateboard still strung around his neck from high school. He’s lost, and he’d be the first to admit it. But the moment he spots Calla Lily––with a cemented penis in hand––the more he realizes that she’s exactly the muse he’s been missing.
But when the going gets tough, and the secrets of her past grow thicker, Callie has to figure out if her tennis shoes will be her escape this time around in life, or her demise instead.
Available from:
About the Author
Midwestern native Heather Van Fleet lives in a small town on the Iowa/Illinois border. She’s a wife to her hubby–and high school sweet heart–Chris, as well as a mom to her three little girls, Kelsey, Emma and Bella. When she’s not obsessing over her fictional book characters, cooking dinner, or running around chasing her crazy kiddos, you can usually find her with her head stuck in her Kindle, sucking down White Chocolate Mochas like they’re water.
Author Links:
GIVEAWAY:
Book Blitz Organized by:
October 1, 2014
Happy Cookie Month!
Betchya didn’t know October is National Cookie Month. Drop by Geeks and celebrate the super powers of cookies with me!
September 30, 2014
Book Blitz – Highballs in the Hamptons by Delancey Stewart
Book blitz time! Highballs in the Hamptons is the second in the Girlfriends of Gotham series, written by Delancey Stewart, another Swoon Romance girl. Today’s the big release day, so I hope you check it out! And don’t forget to enter the giveaway at the end of the post.
Highballs in the Hamptons (Girlfriends of Gotham #2)
by Delancey Stewart
Release Date: 09/3014
Swoon Romance
Summary from Goodreads:
Natalie Pepper thinks she can just be friends with CJ, the man of her dreams. But after seeing him every day at work – and after he lays it all on the line – it becomes pretty clear that something’s gotta give. She’d admit to herself, and to him, that all she really wants is him…if she wasn’t so afraid of losing the best job she’s ever had (and the life it has made possible).
At least she’s got her friends to distract her. Lulu Rossi is an unorthodox and unpredictable spitfire of a girl who has a habit of saying whatever’s on her mind. And while that attribute entertains friends and intrigues her new boyfriend, Andrew, it might be the one thing that stops their relationship from moving forward. Lulu has unintentionally entered the world of Upper East Side royalty, as her ER doctor boyfriend turns out to be the pedigreed heir to an old money fortune – one that is watched over by his manipulative and exceedingly judgmental mother, Elizabeth “Tippy” Barton.
Natalie’s insane supervisor worsens the situation at work when her own man troubles result in a new “no fraternization” policy, and CJ finally gives up and begins to look for other opportunities. Natalie is forced to decide what is important to her for once and for all. Will it be CJ or her job?
Lulu must prove her worth to Andrew’s family – or make him see that the only person whose opinion really matters is his.
***
Men and Martinis (Girlfriends of Gotham #1)
by Delancey Stewart
Release Date: 12/03/13
Summary from Goodreads:
Candace Kanie wins at every game she plays. From the boardroom to the bar, she’s confident, clever, perhaps just a tad overbearing. It’s not easy for a girl like Candace to admit that love may be the one game she can’t win…at least not until she’s willing to change her strategy. In Men and Martinis, Candace Kanie will learn that sometimes to be at the top of your game, you have to hit rock bottom.Men and Martinis is the first release in Delancey Stewart’s series “Girlfriends of Gotham” – a voyeuristic voyage through the lives of a group of twenty-something girls who dance, date, and drink their way through Manhattan during the days of the dot com boom. During an era when the up-and-comers in New York were partying like Studio 54 had never died, this group of friends discovers that the city is theirs for the taking; and they find their often-hilarious way through the forces that work to redefine the way they know themselves and each other.
Buy Links for Men and Martinis:
Amazon│Barnes
& Noble│Kobo Books
About the Author
I’m not big on labels, but there are a few that fit me (not necessarily in this order. Or maybe in this order):
- wine drinker (and wine geek)
- mother of small boys
- military spouse
- writer
- chocolate eaterI’ve written the Wine Country Romance Series, which ties my love of wine to my love of falling in love… and the Girlfriends of Gotham series, which begins publishing with Swoon Romance in December 2013.I also love short stories, and my themed collection (all set in the same NYC brownstone across the span of a century) published in 2012.
Author Links:
GIVEAWAY:
Book Blitz Organized by:
September 24, 2014
Cover Reveal: Beautiful Curse by Jen McConnel
Swoon YA authors have been busy! Isn’t the cover for Beautiful Curse awesome? Totally up my goth-girl, emo alley.
Beautiful Curse
by Jen McConnel
Release Date: December 2014
Swoon Romance
Summary from Goodreads:
Sixteen-year-old Mya Jones is cursed.
She is, hands down, the most beautiful creature on earth. But beauty can wound,
and Mya finds herself reviled and shunned by her peers. If there is even a
chance that she could start over, Mya longs to take it, no matter the risks.
So when the strange Mr. Merk offers her a new life away from home, Mya is
hesitant but hopeful. Only she didn’t count on the mysterious Ross, or her
feelings for him.
BEAUTIFUL CURSE is a contemporary retelling of the myth of Psyche and Cupid.
About the Author
Jen McConnel first began writing poetry as a child. Since then, her words
have appeared in a variety of magazines and journals, including Sagewoman,
PanGaia, and The Storyteller (where she won the people’s choice 3rd place award for her poem, “Luna”).
She is also a former reviewer for Voices of Youth Advocates (VOYA), and
proud member of SCBWI, NCWN, and SCWW.
A Michigander by birth, she now lives and writes in the beautiful state of North Carolina. A graduate of Western Michigan University, she also holds a MS in Library Science from Clarion University of Pennsylvania. When she isn’t crafting worlds of fiction, she teaches college writing composition and yoga.
Once upon a time, she was a middle school teacher, a librarian, and a bookseller, but those are stories for another time.
Author Links:
Cover Reveal Organized by:
Snow The Vampire Slayer by Rebekah Ganiere
I am thrilled to be a part of Rebekah Ganiere’s blog tour for Snow the Vampire Slayer, the second in her Farielle Series, released on September 22. I enjoyed Red the Were Hunter very much, and Snow’s story is definitely on my TBR list. Here are the deets:
Lady Snow Gwyn is tired of playing “mother” to her seven Vampire Slaying brothers. For the past two years, she’s yearned to be out there fighting at their side as they hunt for bloodsuckers in the black of night. Snow is as good a fighter as any man, but she wasn’t called to be a Slayer. A mere formality in her book.
Prince Sageren, Son of Lothar has spent the last fifty years in exile, awaiting the day when he can finally avenge his family and take back his throne. Barely existing, he’s forced to face his inner demons and the monster he once was, compelling him to vow to never drink from humans again. A simple enough task–until he crosses paths with a human who makes his fangs ache to drain her.
When Snow runs into Prince Sage on a late night trip to the woods, she’s torn between the urge to kill him and the desire to succumb to the feeling he stirs within her. And when Snow’s life is threatened by the same evil that murdered his family, Prince Sage must enlist the aid of Snow’s brothers to not only help him save her life, but to also regain his rightful place as King of the Vampires.
If Sage can keep the Slayers from killing him first.
Add to Goodreads * Amazon * Barnes & Noble
Excerpt:
“You should go.” She raised her sword again.
He watched her with an intensity that made her shiver. She backed up a pace. Midnight rendezvous were fanciful in storybooks, but in real life they rarely ended well. Trusting a stranger was not only reckless, it was stupid, and she wasn’t stupid.
“I’m not going to hurt you, love.” He put up his hands and smiled. His pearly teeth shone.
“Don’t’ call me ‘love.’”
“I’m Sage. And you are?” He held his hand out to her.
His manner was fine, as was his speech, and yet there was something so predatory about him that scared her.
“Snow.” She swallowed hard and waited to see if he recognized her name as the youngest of Lord Gwyn’s children.
It appeared he did not.
“Where are you from? I don’t recognize you.”
He continued to smile. “You’ve been introduced to everyone in the area?”
Embarrassment heated her cheeks. “Most people, yes. And a man of your speech and manner is someone I’m sure I would have been introduced to, or at least heard of before.”
Sage stretched and rubbed his chest. “‘I’m not from here.”
His voracious stare made her stomach flutter and her heartbeat quickened. “Are you from Wolvenglen?”
He laughed lightly. “I’m no werewolf, if that’s what you’re wondering.”
She scanned for a means of escape, but from where he stood, the only direction to go was opposite where she needed to be.
A peace fell over the grove and her skin grew warm and comfortable. Her feet sank into the ground as if she had suddenly sprouted roots.
He moved closer. In the burgeoning dawn, his face came into full view for a split second before he stepped into the shadow once more. He was handsome, with high cheekbones and a regal nose that gave way to crimson lips.
He stopped a foot from her and pushed down on the tip of her sword, causing it to hit the grass with a soft thud. His gaze locked on hers and she shuddered.
“I’m from far away,” he said. “A place you’ve never been.”
“How would you know where I’ve been?” Though she couldn’t seem to get her body to move, she refused to give over her mind.
“Because I would have remembered if you’d ever visited.”
“And you know every person that visits your lands?”
His face grew serious. “Yes.”
Rebekah is an award winning author. Her novel Dead Awakenings, debuted in January 2014. Red the Were Hunter, the first in her Farielle Series, released in May. The second book Snow the Vampire Slayer will be releasing in September 22, 2014. And her trilogy The Society will be released Nov. 17th 2014 by Kensington’s Lyrical Press.
Rebekah is the VP of Communications of the RWA FFP Chapter as well as a member of her local Los Angeles and Orange County chapters. In her spare time when she isn’t writing you can find her moderating on SavvyAuthors.com or hanging out with her husband, four children and her English Bulldog, rabbit, two bearded dragons, and two tortoises. The escaped snake has yet to be found.
LINKS:
Newsletter~ Twitter ~Facebook ~ Goodreads ~ Book Trailers
September 23, 2014
Book Blitz: Holly Hearts Hollywood by Kenley Conrad
I’m thrilled to be a part of the book blitz for my pub sister, Kenley Conrad – happy book birthday! Looks like a fun YA read. Check out the excerpt, and don’t miss the giveaway at the end.
Holly Hearts Hollywood
by Kenley Conrad
Release Date: 09/23/14
Swoon Romance
Summary from Goodreads:
Seventeen-year-old Holly Hart wants to be a star. She moves to Los Angeles from the small town of Cedar Junction, only to hear she’s too fat and ugly to be a famous singer.But when Shell Shocked Records looks past Holly’s plus-size and less-than-graceful-personality to offer her a recording contract, Holly cannot believe her good fortune. On closer inspection, however, the record execs want Holly to do all the singing, and a thinner and more beautiful girl, Lacey, would lip-sync and get all the credit. Holly goes for it because after all, she wanted to sing.
Contractually bound to secrecy, Holly is more than happy to sit backstage while Lacey shimmies in the limelight and basks in the fame. Before she knows it, Holly is friends with Serena, the pop-star daughter of a music-mogul, flirting with an intern, and developing a strange half-friendship with Lacey.
When Grayson Frost, the biggest country star in America, and coincidentally, a former school bully begins dating Lacey, Holly hopes that he won’t recognize or torment her.
Through a series of embarrassing and weird events, Holly gets to know Grayson and learns that he is much nicer and more mature than he was four years ago. Holly is horrified when she starts falling for him. When Grayson admits he fell for Lacey’s voice, what is a girl to do when she can’t legally tell the truth at the moment when the truth matters the most?
Buy Links:
Amazon│Kobo Books
USED WITH PERMISSION BY SWOON ROMANCE
January 31st, 8:15am—Homeroom
I’m one of the unluckiest people I know. I’m the girl who gets a pimple on picture day or starts her period at a pool party with cute boys. Nothing goes my way, and I’ve always been okay with that. So when I posted videos of me singing Carrie Underwood cover songs on YouTube, I didn’t think my luck would suddenly change.
I’m just so embarrassed! They emailed me for two weeks, but I kept ignoring them. The emails sounded so suspicious—was I really supposed to believe I was being offered a recording contract through email? I wasn’t going to fall for another email con artist. My sister still makes fun of me for believing that the Prince of Aruba was having financial problems. Finally, they asked to talk to my mom and proved they were actually the head honchos of Shell Shocked Studios through a video chat session. Before I knew it, Mom bought two plane tickets to Los Angeles. I’ve never left Iowa before, and now she’s talking about moving to LA. I could just die. I really could.
The worst part is the fact that I can’t really tell anyone about this. I mean, I could, but I know the kids at school will make fun of me, instead of congratulating me. None of them would believe that Holly Hart, that girl who always gets in trouble for writing in her journal during class, would get a record deal. I’m not even in choir. Whoops, Mrs. Holland is looking my way.
Later, 10:00am—American History
Amanda says my fear of drawing attention to myself is a misguided attempt to appear humble. She says there’s a Holly, deep down inside, who’s proud of her singing voice waiting to get out. Then again, Amanda has Psychology for her first semester elective, and she’s kind of gotten carried away.
Don’t get me wrong, I love to sing. I just don’t love to sing in front of other people. But the moment I’m alone in my room or in the shower, you can’t stop me from singing. I only feel confident when I’m singing. I’m just afraid that if I sing for other people, I’ll find out I’ve been wrong about my skills, like those people on American Idol whose parents told them they were great.
On the other hand, Meredith says it’s smart to not tell the whole school about my potential record deal. If it doesn’t work out, then it’ll give everyone more reasons to make fun of me.
The Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4th, 1776. The thirteen original colonies declared independence from Great Britain.
Oh, what’s the point? This is why I don’t actually take notes in class. Didn’t we learn this stuff in fifth grade? Isn’t this supposed to be my senior year of high school? I can’t wait to go to college and learn something useful.
Then again, I might not even get into any of the colleges I applied to.
Ugh, thinking about it makes me feel sick.
Later, 1:45pm—Study Hall
Just when I thought people couldn’t find any more reasons to tease me, my best friends became a lesbian couple. My new nickname in school is “third wheel.” The other day in Chemistry, Rachel Pritchard flipped her bottle-blond hair at me and asked if I get “freaky” with my “lesbo” friends. I wanted to slap her in the face, but my spinelessness responded, “Actually, the term ‘lesbo’ is really offensive,” instead.
Amanda and Meredith have been dating since the beginning of the school year! You think the shock of it would’ve worn off and people would’ve started to take it easy by now, but it’s getting even worse with the Valentine’s Day dance around the corner.
Meredith is on the school’s newspaper staff and hopes to be editor-in-chief next year, but she feels like her chances are slipping away because of our narrow-minded classmates. The current editor assigned Meredith to the lunch menu. The LUNCH MENU! As in she copies-and-pastes the menu the lunch ladies email her into the paper.
“If they don’t give you the editor’s position next year,” Amanda said, furiously shoving Greek yogurt into her mouth, “your parents should sue. It’s obviously discrimination; you’re the most qualified person.”
Meredith was looking down at her mashed potatoes sadly. Or, as she put it in this morning’s edition of the CJHS Crier, “creamy mashed potatoes with your choice of brown gravy or a pad of butter!” She’s obviously talented.
“I don’t know,” Meredith said glumly. “I don’t want to get in a fight with anyone about it.”
“I’d be more than happy to punch someone in the face for you,” Amanda said firmly.
“Hey look,” Rachel Pritchard shouted as she and her other cheerleader cohorts slunk by, “it’s the lesbos and friend. When are you going to make Holly your sister-wife?” The cheerleaders cackled in delight at Rachel’s joke before prancing off to eat their lunches.
Amanda may be petite—she’s only a couple inches over five feet—but I’m pretty sure she could knock Rachel’s teeth out if she wanted to. “I’m still praying for the day she physically touches me, so I can punch her and say it was self-defense,” she said through gritted teeth.
Meredith smiled at Amanda and kissed her quickly on the cheek. “So, Holly,” she said and pushed her dark, curly hair out of her face. “Are you excited to go to Los Angeles tomorrow?”
“No,” I moaned. “I’m so nervous. How am I supposed to think about meeting some Hollywood hotshot tomorrow when college acceptance letters are around the corner? How do teachers expect us to get anything done? Senior year feels seriously useless.”
Amanda smiled at me knowingly as she munched on a potato chip. “You must be nervous about your meeting if you’re talking about college. You wouldn’t think about college acceptance letters if your life depended on it.”
“And it does,” Meredith added jokingly.
“Don’t remind me,” I grumbled. I tried to change the subject to Meredith’s first detention of the school year, but I could tell they were going to want to talk about it later.
I don’t even want to write about this trip in my journal. I’m that uninterested in thinking about it. I’d rather think about my freshman year of college, and that gives me heartburn.
homework
Calc: Finish questions 1-10 at the end of page 34.
American History: Finish timeline of American Revolution.
Chemistry: Ask Amanda.
Later, 3:45pm—Home
When I got home, there was a message from Mrs. Hill, the academic counselor, on the answering machine about my “college future” and wanting to “get together for a chat.” I deleted it before I’d even heard all of it. Heartburn or not, Los Angeles is my immediate future and college is still a foggy event in the future. I have to get ready for LA whether I like it or not. I don’t have time to think about my academic future when I have to worry about where the top half of my swimsuit is.
Mom got home a little while ago and tried to be maternal, which has never really been her forte. She looks too young and thin to have a child who looks like me. It’s too bad I didn’t inherit Mom’s thick, dark hair and rocking body.
“Is everyone at school jealous?” she asked as she dropped canvas bags of orchid clippings on the kitchen counter.
“Oh yeah, super jealous,” I lied.
I am the worst.
Later, 5:45pm—Home
How am I supposed to pack for this trip? I’ve never been to California. I have no idea what the weather is like! Do I bring a jacket or a swimsuit? Do people wear overalls in California?
Later, 5:50pm—Home
The Internet told me that no one wears overalls anymore. why hasn’t anyone told me that?
Later, 5:55pm—Home
I’ve been wearing overalls for years and looking like an idiot. Everything I’ve thought is a lie.
Later, 6:00pm—Home
But I don’t have time to buy anything else to wear and overalls are 90% of my wardrobe. what do i do?
Later, 6:45pm—Home
I tried to tell Ivy about the overall thing, but she said I was being ridiculous. Her reasoning was: “If they weren’t fashionable, then why can you still buy them at The Clothing Barn?” My sister does make sense sometimes. Whatever, I’m going to pack some anyway.
February 1st, 11:45am—Home
Today is the day; I’m getting on a plane and my whole life could change. By this time tomorrow, I could be getting paid to sing. Maybe I’ll get to meet Carrie Underwood! She’s my favorite! But it’s still weird to think about. I’ve never been this far from home before. I’m going to be miles away from my friends, my grandparents, and my collections. But I’m sure I’ll get all kinds of great stuff from California to add to them. I haven’t gotten anything new for my seashell collection in a while. I really wish Dad were here to see this.
Ivy is furious that I’m going without her. Living in LA and becoming a big star is her dream. I can’t believe we’re related. Her priorities are so messed up. Meredith and Amanda came by before school to say goodbye—I hope it’s not goodbye forever. I’m coming back to Cedar Junction in three days, right? right?
Grandma and Grandpa are here to take us to the airport. They brought their scowls with them. How wonderful.
Later, 3:00pm—Des Moines International Airport
I think I’m going to be sick. I can’t get on this plane. I just can’t! This could be the last time I see Iowa for all I know! This could be the last time I see the flat, dusty plains I both love and hate. This could be the last time it’s socially acceptable to wear overalls in public. I always thought I hated it here, but now that I’m leaving, I don’t want to go!
I’ll even miss Grandma and Grandpa Hart, although I doubt they’ll miss Mom. On the whole car ride here, they did nothing but scold my mom for taking me away to some strange city where I’ll be “converted to that vegan crap” as Grandpa said. I really wonder if Grandma and Grandpa will ever forgive Mom. It’s been eleven years after all.
Oh God, my flight is boarding. Three days. It’s only for three days. Just remember that, Holly.
Later, 9:45pm—Pink Palm Motel
I’m in Los Angeles, I’m tired, and I’m in the tackiest motel on the West Coast. I’m also already dreading the trip back home since I’ve decided I hate planes. The motel we’re staying at is painted this weird shade of salmon pink. As far as I can tell, LA is pretty sweet. It’s so different than Cedar Junction. It’s so crowded, and the air is thick with smog, which is something I’ve only read about. I can’t even see the horizon in Los Angeles. There are buildings everywhere I look. I’m also very disappointed to learn that the palm trees here don’t grow coconuts.
Mom has already hung up her favorite dream catchers all throughout the motel room. I don’t know how she managed to do it, but she’s already filled this place with the smell of incense and dried lavender. It smells like home; it’s wonderful.
I don’t know what to wear tomorrow. What does one wear to a meeting with recording studio executives? I suppose my Sketchers won’t really cut it. But I know it won’t make a difference what I wear. I doubt some fancy name-brand clothing will distract people from my gargantuan girth. Ugh, I’ve got to be body positive! Amanda’s always telling me to embrace myself, but that’s easier said than done.
I’m bullied every single day at school in Cedar Junction; why would Los Angeles be any different?
February 3rd, 9:00am—On the way to the Studio
When they said they’d send a car to pick us up, I thought maybe it’d be a nice Volkswagen or a minivan, not a limo. This thing is so flashy—there’s even a little fridge in here with cherry Coke and Snickers! Plus, there’s a ton of room in here, so I can be comfortable without Mom’s hair beads and feathers in my face. Everyone keeps looking at us as we drive by, as if we’re celebrities. I’ve already seen about thirty tourists take pictures of the limo as we cruised past them. I may be an imposter, but it’s kind of fun!
I feel like I’ve been dropped into some alternate universe. I thought places that looked like this only existed in pictures; I’d forgotten that the places in the picture are real. Most of Iowa is pretty hilly, but the little piece of land Cedar Junction is on is so flat and plain. I know I complain about my town a lot, but Iowa really isn’t that bad. Every once in a while, Amanda’s mom drives Meredith, Amanda, and me forty-five minutes into Ankeny so we can see a movie, since Cedar Junction doesn’t have its own theater, and it’s super fun. Cedar Junction is so boring. I’m sure teenagers in other towns probably go to barn dances and party like those kids in Footloose. There are only seventy-five kids at Cedar Junction High, and none of them want to go dancing.
I often feel like my town is a parody of Iowa living. Anywhere else I go in Iowa people seem totally normal. I’d love to live in any other city. During the last presidential election, a teacher had a bumper sticker for the Democratic candidate, and the PTA actually rallied outside that teacher’s house to scare him away.
Meredith and Amanda seem to be the only normal people around. I’m sure many would argue against that theory—after all, they are the only lesbian couple in town, and they rescue stray cats. Oh well. The local animal shelter loves them, and the Baptist church next door doesn’t. You can’t please everyone.
Oh God, we’re here.
Later, 12:30pm—Pink Palm Motel
Oh my God. Oh my God. I can’t believe that just happened. This kind of thing only happens in movies, unless I’m in a movie and don’t know it, like that one movie with Jim Carrey where it turns out his life is actually a reality show, and he didn’t know it.
First, I made a huge mistake by wearing my Old Navy jeans and baby-pink shirt. I’ve never been more underdressed in my life, even more so than when I forgot to wear my cowboy boots to the 12th Annual Cedar Junction Hoedown.
Shell Shocked is a super cool place; everything is covered in stainless steel, even the ceiling! Everyone we saw looked like they’d walked right out of the pages of a magazine, and it made me really uncomfortable. And paranoid. I was certain that as soon as I stepped foot into the lobby, I’d run into him, even though he doesn’t live anywhere near here.
When my mom told the lady at the front desk we were there for our meeting with Mr. Salazar, she gave us a snooty look of the first order. I don’t really blame her; Mom was wearing her favorite pair of Birkenstocks and an orange peasant skirt with little bells. I’m sure the city-bus-sized pimple on my chin didn’t help anything either.
Snooty Secretary led us to this giant conference room that was, you guessed it, covered in stainless steel. I think this was the point where my heart went into overdrive, and my palms began to sweat. There were three men in the room. Two of them looked like twins, with navy blue suits and brown hair.
The man at the head of the table had deep brown skin, was wearing a crisp, expensive-looking suit, and was completely bald. Seriously, his head was even shiner than the stainless steel. He didn’t even have stubble, but his eyebrows made up for that. They were very voluminous.
“Mr. Salazar, Daisy and Holly Hart are here to see you,” the secretary said.
The man at the head of the table stood up and buttoned his suit jacket. “Ms. Hart, I’m glad to meet you. I’m Manuel Salazar, I’m the studio president,” he said. His voice was very gravelly, like Louis Armstrong’s.
Of course, the moment I needed to be cool and actually say the right thing for once, my words got tangled in my throat. I’m usually full of stupid things to say, but this time I couldn’t say anything at all. I was so mortified to be standing there in such a fancy building in a pair of stretched-out jeans and tennis shoes. Why didn’t I change into the polka-dot dress I got from Target last year? It’s my favorite. Luckily, Mom leapt to the rescue.
“Thank you for having us, Mr. Salazar,” she said. Mom shook his bear-paw of a hand.
Mr. Salazar gestured for us to sit down, which was a stressful decision of its own. There were at least eight empty chairs. I didn’t want to settle down right next to Mr. Salazar like we were best friends, but I didn’t want to sit on the far end like he carried the plague or something. I finally just sat down and fought the urge to spin around in circles until I was sick from dizziness. Mr. Salazar placed the tips of his fingers together in an arch, and my stomach churned.
“What song do you have prepared for us?” he asked.
Suddenly my stomach felt like it had turned inside out. “Song?” I repeated, my mouth dry.
Mr. Salazar’s caterpillar eyebrows knitted together. “Yes, you have to sing for us, of course. We need to make sure you’re who we’re looking for before we talk about your future at Shell Shocked.”
I thought I was going to vomit, and that’s not an exaggeration. I’d be more comfortable in a bikini than I would singing in front of strangers. Which of course made me seriously consider what I was doing there in the first place. If I couldn’t sing for those three men, how could I expect to have CDs and concerts?
“Go on, Holly,” Mom said gently. “It’ll be okay.”
I don’t know what came over me, but I must’ve gotten a sudden rush of adrenaline. Next thing I knew, I was standing up and singing “Jesus Take the Wheel” for the entire world to hear. And you know what? It felt great. I mean, I love to sing, I really do! I was so nervous to sing for these people, but once I started singing, I couldn’t stop. I felt unstoppable. I felt like I could take on the rest of high school, my first year of college, and maybe dismantle the patriarchy while I’m at it.
They actually clapped for me when I finished! I wasn’t sure what to do; no one had ever applauded me before. Well, at least applauded nicely. The cafeteria applauds every time I fall or spill something at lunch.
“That was wonderful,” Navy Suit #1 said.
“Amazing rendition,” Navy Suit #2 added.
“We were very lucky to find your videos on YouTube, Holly,” Mr. Salazar said sincerely.
“I’ll say; I think you might’ve been the only one to see my videos.” I wanted to kick myself as the words left my mouth. I sat back down in my chair and cringed when I heard it creak beneath me.
“I’m sure it hasn’t escaped your notice that Country Pop music is on the rise.” He didn’t wait for my response and continued. “Well, unfortunately we aren’t a Nashville studio, and we don’t have a single country artist signed. We here at Shell Shocked really want a piece of the pie, but country artists aren’t exactly knocking down our door.”
“So, you want to give Holly a contract?” Mom suddenly butted in.
Mr. Salazar raised an eyebrow and continued. “Not exactly. In order to be a competitor, we need someone incredible on every level. With your amazing voice, we believe we can create the perfect country-pop artist.”
“Wait,” I said, my throat dry. “You want just my voice?”
Mr. Salazar dropped his hands on the table and leaned back in his chair. “There’s a very particular look we’re aiming for in the artist we sign, and your look isn’t exactly it. Your voice, however, is above and beyond what we’re looking for. We’ve found a girl signed with a local modeling agency, and she’s the perfect person to embody your voice.”
I wasn’t sure if I should be excited or offended. I mean, yeah, he complimented my voice, but in the same breath, he made every other part of me feel horrible.
“I think Holly and I are going to have to talk this over at home, Mr. Salazar,” my mom said, coming to my rescue again. “Is there a contract we can look over?”
“Yes, yes, of course. Check in with my secretary, and she’ll see that you get the right paperwork.”
There was the usual exchanging of nice to meet you and hope to hear from you soon, but I hightailed it out of there as quickly as I could. By the time we climbed back into the limo, I was shaking. I couldn’t even open a can of cherry Coke.
“Holly, are you okay?” Mom asked.
“I don’t know,” I blurted, tears welling in my eyes. I didn’t even know why I was crying; I couldn’t control it.
“Look, if you want to go home, that’s okay.” Mom leaned in close to me, overwhelming me with the smell of hemp, and gently scratched my back. That only made me cry more and not dainty, lady-like tears—these were ugly, heaving sobs.
“I wish Dad were here,” I said through a river of mucus. “He’d know what to do.”
“I wish he were here too. Honey, forget everything he said that hurt your feelings and remember the good things. He gave you a huge compliment; he wants your voice! Doesn’t that make you feel good?”
I wiped my nose. “Kind of. But what’s the point if I don’t get the credit?”
Mom sighed. The beads in her hair clinked with the motion. “But would you really want to put yourself in the public eye like that? If you didn’t like what Mr. Salazar had to say about you, can you imagine what the magazines would be like?”
“That’s true,” I agreed. “Mom, you kind of sound like you like the idea.”
“I do, a little bit.”
“But why? I’d be working for a big corporation and giving some girl all of the credit for something I did. We’d probably have to move out here, and you hate big cities. You’d have to leave the university and work out here.”
Mom slowed the scratching on my back. “Holly, you’ll be surprised to know that I don’t have the right answer to everything. If this is something you want to do, then we’ll do it. It’s a great opportunity for you.”
Now that I think about it, I don’t know why I started to freak out so much. It’s not like I’m some vocal protégée who has been preparing her whole life to step into the spotlight and become a star. I’m not using my voice for anything. Why not let this girl have it?
Mom gave me a tight hug. After she leaned away, she handed me a tissue. “Just think about it. Let’s go home, look through the contract, and talk, okay?”
Then Mom made the limo driver turn on the reggae station, and she lip-synched to every song. Sometimes I really love my mom.
About the Author
I’m the author of the upcoming YA series Holly Hearts Hollywood, coming September 2014 by Swoon Romance. I’m a twenty-something cat lady who lives in Phoenix, Arizona. When I’m not working my office day job or writing books, you can find me either singing and dancing or binge-watching TV shows on Netflix.
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September 21, 2014
Angel Kin – Today’s Daily Kindle Deal!
If you haven’t read Angel Kin by Tricia Skinner, today’s your big chance! It’s a Kindle Daily Deal for 99 cents. What a steal! Don’t waste another minute! One-click and spend the afternoon reading a action-packed urban fantasy with weapon-toting half-angel assassins and two twin brothers pitted against each other. Did I mention romance? It’s all sorts of awesome.
While channeling Robin Hood’s “steal from the rich and give to the poor” attitude at a local politician’s house, ex-con Katie Logan witnesses a forced suicide. Dirty or not, supernatural or not, he didn’t deserve to die, especially not by his own hand. But with her record, stepping forward as a witness isn’t an option. On the run from the police and the murderer, she turns to The Bound Ones for help.
When a beautiful woman comes to The Bound Ones, half-angel assassin Cain is immediately drawn to her. But when she fingers him as the killer, he can come to only one conclusion. The twin he thought was dead is very much alive…and trying to send him a message. Unfortunately, that message is: “You’re next.“
It’s a race against time as Cain fights to save the woman he’s falling in love with before his brother Abel destroys them both.
September 19, 2014
I Heart Robot by Suzanne van Rooyen – Cover Reveal
I’m so psyched to be a part of my agency sis’s (and publishing house sis too) cover reveal – check out I Heart Robot by Suzanne van Rooyen, published by Month9Books!
Be sure to enter the giveaway found at the end of the post!
Sixteen-year-old Tyri wants to be a musician and wants to be with someone who won’t belittle her musical aspirations.
Q-I-99 aka ‘Quinn’ lives in a scrap metal sanctuary with other rogue droids. While some use violence to make their voices heard, demanding equal rights for AI enhanced robots, Quinn just wants a moment on stage with his violin to show the humans that androids like him have more to offer than their processing power.
Tyri and Quinn’s worlds collide when they’re accepted by the Baldur Junior Philharmonic Orchestra. As the rift between robots and humans deepens, Tyri and Quinn’s love of music brings them closer together, making Tyri question where her loyalties lie and Quinn question his place in the world. With the city on the brink of civil war, Tyri and Quinn make a shocking discovery that turns their world inside out. Will their passion for music be enough to hold them together while everything else crumbles down around them, or will the truth of who they are tear them apart?
Title: I Heart Robot
Publication date: March 31, 2015
Publisher: Month9Books, LLC.
Author: Suzanne van Rooyen
Suzanne is a tattooed storyteller from South Africa. She currently lives in Finland and finds the cold, dark forests nothing if not inspiring. Although she has a Master’s degree in music, Suzanne prefers conjuring strange worlds and creating quirky characters. When not writing, she teaches dance and music to middle schoolers and entertains her shiba inu, Lego. Suzanne is represented by Jordy Albert of the Booker Albert Agency.
Connect with the Author: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads
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