Kate Willis's Blog, page 69
July 15, 2019
Convention Countdown! (+A Free Chapter)
Guys, it’s only three(ish) days until the homeschool convention! Once again, this year I’ll be selling my books at our Generation Rising booth. There have been meetings, errand-runnings, and eagerly-waiting-for-book-stock-ings (I’m still waiting for some XD).
(There are some pictures on Generation Rising’s Instagram and Facebook pages, FYI…)
In honor of the convention coming up and my new bookbaby The Night Archers releasing last week, here’s the first chapter. Enjoy! 
July 13, 2019
Cover Reveal! (Spoiler: It’s Gorgeous)
Earlier this year, I finally got to read a long anticipated dystopian story by a fellow indie author. I enjoyed it (read my review here) and immediately started looking forward to the sequel.
I thought it couldn’t get any cooler than the first book’s cover. Just look at it…
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The gray and blue color scheme, the FONTS, the drop of water. 
And then the author asked for bloggers to help reveal the cover for book two.
And then she emailed it to us.
And my brain exploded.
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Because LOOK AT THAT. It has so much going on, and I love the movement of the water. It also makes the first cover even more interesting. 
July 10, 2019
Book Review: Bad Things, Small Packages
“Head colds are bad… but the contents of the memory card are worse.
Emily has planned a quiet, restful evening at home, hoping to ward off the sniffles that might make her miss work. But the microSD card Brent stashed on her car is making more trouble than either of them expected. Getting it out of Phoenix and to the decryption genius before it self-destructs is going to take both of them.
But someone is after them and the card, and Emily discovers an eerie connection to her first accidental mission. To make matters worse, ICS is in danger and someone’s looking for Emily.
It’s going to be a long night.” (from Goodreads)
FTC DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy of this book. A positive review was not required. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.
Hello, my name is Inigo Montoya, I’m loving this summer, and this series is why.
This book picked up right where the last one left off and things are seriously ramping up. More clues on who they’re up against and the revelation of a surprisingly clever plot. O.o. But, thanks to Brent and Emily’s roadtrip conversations, her headcold, and a certain microwave, this installment was just as real and hilarious as ever. XD I especially enjoyed the very uncliche hacker, and how Brent is definitely not from Arizona. 
July 8, 2019
A Phone Call with the Dropcap Ninja
Today I…
Did some final, minor edits on “The Night Archers”.Gawked over the full spread of my cover.Learned some formatting tips and tricks from my sister Perry Elisabeth over the phone. (Dropcaps are so cool! So is Perry.)Formatted.Almost bought an ice cream sandwich. Was saved by having no change on hand. Formatted some more.Added back in some formatting that had gone missing. Previewed my files.Found a missing quotation mark and guided it home.Ate some sort of food sometime. Was surprised by and grateful for some amazing formatting options. (Can’t wait for you all to see them!)Uploaded my files. *sucks in a deep breath*Scheduled some exciting sales on my other books. (Stay tuned.)Sent e-copies to my reviewers and beta-readers!
Wrote this blog post.Thought about food again.Realized there was still some day left I could do something with.
July 3, 2019
Book Review: Plan to Fail
“She’s just a coffee barista low on grocery money… does she have what it takes to go undercover?
When Brent asks Emily to be his date, she knows it doesn’t mean anything. He has a mission requiring him to go undercover at a charity gala. After getting a makeover at his spy agency headquarters, she’s ready to assume the role of an opinionated book reviewer from New York.
The Gremlin is planning to steal and sell top-secret blueprints from the aerospace company for which he works. When Emily literally bumps into him at the gala, she is able to plant an ICS tracking chip on his glasses. But the Gremlin is smarter than they thought, and ICS finds themselves in the dark about his buyer. With time running out, and the sale imminent, Emily must rely on instinct and quick thinking to save the day.” (from Goodreads)
FTC DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy of this book. A positive review was not required. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.
Soooo… how often do we get books this good coming out this close together?! Summer of 2019 will not be forgotten.
July 1, 2019
Made Me Think
It’s been a weird week away from this blog. Definitely not one I would ask for again. There have been some good things about it, though. Like sweet family gatherings, music that absolutely feeds my soul and brings me close to God, and an Oreo ice cream sandwich that was (not surprisingly) quite amazing. Like, wow. XD
When things are weird or sad or hard or anxiety-inducing or confusing, I don’t know about you, but I tend to dig a hole in a pile of art and try to bury myself at the bottom of it. I sometimes don’t even know I’m doing it.
June 19, 2019
Book Review: Red Rover, Red Rover
“He’s a spy, and he needs her help…
Emily Abbott is working hard as a coffee barista in downtown Phoenix, keeping one eye on her tiny college fund and the other on the mysterious new guy with his profound lack of coffee-making skills.
Just when she thinks they might be getting the hang of working together, she’s abruptly thrust into his world of espionage and danger. Brent Peterson needs her help to keep Red Rover safe and the information he carries out of the wrong hands. But she’s just a barista—what can she do?
Much more than she thinks.” (from Goodreads)
FTC DISCLOSURE: I received a complimentary copy of this book. A positive review was not required. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.
I love how I “accidentally” hide ARCs from myself and rediscover them at the exactly perfect moment. Especially when said ARC is the perfect blend of stimulating and lighthearted, a rare find indeed. Special enough to keep me reading late into the night and grab my Kindle first thing in the morning.
June 17, 2019
The Night Archers Excerpt (+ Reviewers Needed!)
It’s been a while since I’ve shared anything related to “The Night Archers”, so here’s an excerpt of what might be one of my favorite scenes. Gavynn and his archers are gearing up for action… (Insert obligatory this-is-not-the-final-draft warning here.
June 12, 2019
Book Review: Love Needs No Words
“Home from college for the summer, Shay Williams has many plans. Crossing paths with her childhood crush was not on the list. Yet when Daniel Rogers, a young mute man, reappears in her life, the friendship that once blossomed between them is rekindled.
Daniel is mesmerized by this sweet girl who has a heart for deaf and mute children. But is it wrong of him to want to know her better, considering his inability? The last thing he wants to become is another charity case.
Follow these two young people through a summer of discovery as they learn valuable truths about friendship and love – a love that speaks not from the lips but from the heart.” (from Goodreads)
I’ve been interested in this story for a while, and I was super excited to finally get to read it. It was just as sweet (and refreshingly pure!) as I was expecting. Daniel and Shay had an adorable friendship as evidenced by their BANTER and super cool service projects.
June 10, 2019
Plate Update: Spies, Welsh, and Buddy Reads
Does anyone know what happened to May? I have my calendar here to prove that it happened, but still… 2019 is galloping by. XD
Last month’s plate was full of… more cake. I love this baking thing.
