S.A. Larsen's Blog, page 30

June 9, 2017

#CoverReveal! RIGHT TEXT, WRONG NUMBER by Natalie Decker

Have a soft spot for YA contemporary stories? And I'm sure you could add one more book to your summer reads list. Then check out this next one:

RIGHT TEXT, WRONG NUMBER
Series: OFFSIDES
Publisher: Swoon Romance
Release Date: July 11, 2017

High school juniors, Layla and Tyler, are complete opposites. Sure she’s a cheerleader and he’s a football player, but she thinks he’s the biggest jerk in the school and he thinks she is too high on her horse to even be worth a second glance from him. And when the two of them are near one another, sparks fly in all the wrong directions. They are NOT interested in speaking to one another, let alone date.

But when Layla unknowingly sends Tyler a smack-down text meant for the girl sending naked photos to her then-boyfriend, Adam, Tyler has no idea it’s Layla and decides to play along. After all, Tyler cannot resist messing with the pissed off girl firing off texts about junk pictures, cheating, and girl code.

As the fallout from Adam’s sexting scandal plays out in front of the entire school, Tyler and Layla secretly continue to text one another using fake names. But as days and weeks pass, things take a turn for the serious between them, and suddenly, their texts mean more. They both begin to consider revealing their true identity to the other and taking the relationship from texts to dates, then kissing and maybe more.

They say there's a thin line between love and hate. Can reality live up to the fantasy, or will Layla and Tyler be forever offsides?

FOR MORE, visit Natalie Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
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Published on June 09, 2017 03:00

June 7, 2017

IWSG~Calling It Quits

Ah, now this is a subject every writer can grasp. And, from my experience thus far, the notion of quitting writing seems to get worse with each new success I have. So backwards... #grrr
Gosh, I didn't know I'd be this busy.
How am I supposed to work on my next book, when I'm spending all my time promoting my last book that released? 
My laptop is lagging!
I can't find the words to write because my head is so jumbled with all I have to do.
This chapter is crap.
I can't do this
I should quit. 
Sound familiar?

Let's replace all that negativity with some positives to forge us into our summer writing mode.

This is a great reminder to always keep in mind where you were when you began writing. You are in a completely different place now. Yay YOU!
I love this one!When the writing is coming hard I tend to jabber on to myself about this and that. Maybe if I just stop and be quiet it will all work itself out.
Just let this one steep in your brain. Power. JOIN  the IWSG the 1st Wednesday
of each month!
Have any inspiring quotes on why we shouldn't quit? 




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Published on June 07, 2017 03:00

May 29, 2017

VIOLET GRENADE by Victoria Scott!

CHAPTER by CHAPTER TOUR SCHEDULEI am thrilled to be part of this next virtual book tour and to have this author visit the Alleyway! I'm a big fan of her work. :) Everyone, give a warm welcome to Victoria Scott, author of a few books you just might have heard of such as TITANS and the FIRE & FLOOD Series. She's here to share about herself, her latest release (it's so awesome!), and offer up a giveaway.

Here's the deets on her latest release:

Google Play | BAM| Chapters| Indies | GoodreadsAmazon | B&N| Kobo | TBD| iBooks VIOLET GRENADE by Victoria Scott
Publication Date:  May 2, 2017
Publisher:  Entangled Teen


DOMINO: A girl with blue hair and a demon in her mind.

CAIN: A stone giant on the brink of exploding.

MADAM KARINA: A woman who demands obedience.

WILSON: The one who will destroy them all.

When Madam Karina discovers Domino in an alleyway, she offers her a position inside her home for entertainers in secluded West Texas. Left with few alternatives and an agenda of her own, Domino accepts. It isn’t long before she is fighting her way up the ranks to gain the madam’s approval. But after suffering weeks of bullying and unearthing the madam’s secrets, Domino decides to leave. It’ll be harder than she thinks, though, because the madam doesn’t like to lose inventory. But then, Madam Karina doesn’t know about the person living inside Domino’s mind. Madam Karina doesn’t know about Wilson.


Welcome Victoria! It's wonderful to have you visit us. I'm already all fangirl over Domino. Such a fantastic character. Can you describe her for the readers without giving too much of the story away?
Yes! Domino is a teenaged runaway with a tragic past. She loves graffiti art and speeding trains and colourful wigs. Oh, and she has a second personality in her mind named Wilson.

Ooh... *sits down to be more attentive* 

I read an answer to a question you were asked, where you said that the book "...reads a little like a fantasy, but it's contemporary." Can you elaborate on that?
I think it’s the setting. It takes place in a made-up West Texas town called Pox, inside an old, ramshackle farmhouse. Each floor has a theme, and certain girls who live on those floors. These girls wear flowers on their labels that rank their hierarchy within the house. I think it’s hard to imagine this would actually exist, so that part feels fantastical, but the story itself is contemporary.

How is Violet Grenade different from your other books?
It’s the first contemporary book I’ve read for young adults. I wrote Hear the Wolves, which is also a contemp, but that was a middle grade novel. I also think this is the darkest book I’ve penned outside of Hear the Wolves. Man, it’s just…it’s a different book. It will take a special reader to really appreciate this one. But I know there are enough of you out there. *wink* 

Okay, ...darkest book... even more of a fangirl, now.

How have you seen the publishing world change since your first book released? Positives & negatives?
So much of it is online now. That’s great when you want to gauge your book’s appeal with readers, but hard when it lands flat for someone and they want to ensure you know about it. Ha!

What is up next for you?
I’m writing a new young adult novel that I can’t talk too much about yet. But I hope to have exciting news very soon!

I'm sure it's amazing! Looking forward to you sharing the news. Thank you for taking time to leave your signature in the Alleyway! Best of luck with everything...always...  <3 


~ABOUT THE AUTHOR~
Victoria Scott is the acclaimed author of eight books for young adults. Her novels are sold in fourteen different countries, and she loves receiving fan mail from across the world. Victoria loves high fashion, big cities, and pink cotton candy. You can find her online at VictoriaScott.com.Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instragram | Goodreads

~GIVEAWAY~
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Okay, I am all goo-goo over this gorgeous cover! Have been since the first time I saw it. What are your thoughts when you first saw it?



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Published on May 29, 2017 08:16

May 22, 2017

MMGM~Dr. Fell and the Playground of Doom by David Neilsen & #Giveaway

I've got a wonderful book to share on this Marvelous Middle Grade Monday! #ILoveMG I also have the author here to share a bit about his writing journey & an awesome chance for you to win a signed copy of his book! But first, let's peek at the story he's created.


Dr. Fell and the Playground of Doomby David Neilsen
GENRE: Middle Grade Creepy / Silly
PUBLISHER: Crown Books for Young Readers 
RELEASE DATE: August 9, 2016.

FAVORITE LINE: "A supremely pleasant good morning to you, urchins," announced the man slowly in a high-pitched, weak, warbling voice. "Are you residents of this fine enclave of humanity?"

DESCRIPTION: "When the mysterious Dr. Fell moves into the abandoned house that had once been the neighborhood kids’ hangout, he immediately builds a playground to win them over. But as the ever-changing play space becomes bigger and more elaborate, the children and their parents fall deeper under the doctor’s spell.


Only Jerry, Nancy, and Gail are immune to the lure of his extravagant wonderland. And they alone notice that when the injuries begin to pile up on the jungle gym, somehow Dr. Fell is able to heal each one with miraculous speed. Now the three children must find a way to uncover the doctor’s secret power without being captivated by his trickery."

Isn't this an awesome cover for a middle grade tale?!!!

Welcome to the Alleyway, David! We're excited to have you here. 

Alleywalkers wave & give cheerful 'hellos'. 

Why don't we start with what inspired you to write this story.
The inspiration to write Dr. Fell and the Playground of Doom came from a single image. The late children's illustrator Trina Schart Hyman drew a black-and-white illustration for charity depicting an old man in a top hat leering down at little girl while on his back, he carries a basket filled with hands, feet, and heads of little children. It is labeled "Dr. Fell." I'd seen this picture on my mother-in-law's wall for years before finally being driven to know more. I discovered the genesis of her image came from a four-line poem written in the 1600's. "I do not like thee Dr. Fell - The reason why I cannot tell - But this I know and know full well - I do not like thee Dr. Fell." 

Oh wow, that's quite inspiring. I love it when visual images stir so much creativity. 

Give us a sneak peek into one of your favorite characters.
The main antagonist is, of course, Dr. Fell. When I began writing him, what jumped out at me was his use of language. It is unlike anything I've ever written, and I quickly grew to admire the way he uses vocabulary to feel superior to others. He is manipulative and cruel on the inside while remaining sunny and pleasant on the outside.

What is your favorite part of this story?
My favorite part of the story is near the end, and I don't want to give anything away. However, what makes it special for me is that I always knew my editor and publisher would question me over this section and probably ask me to remove it. I took pains to explain my reasoning behind what I'd written and they eventually agreed to keep this particular section in the book.

That's admirable. I think it shows readers how hard you've worked on this story and how important this ending is to you. <3 

If you don't mind, tell your readers something quirky or unexpected about yourself.
In addition to writing, I work as a professional storyteller in Sleepy Hollow, NY and spend much of October frightening little children.

Sleepy Hollow ... Love it!

What can your fans expect from you next?
This August, my second book, Beyond the Doors, is being published. This is not a sequel to Dr. Fell, but a new, mysterious story about four children who wind up in the care of a family member they never knew existed. She's odd, but her house is even more odd, as it is large, round, and has no doors anywhere. When they eventually discover what has happened to all the doors, they enter a whole new world of adventure.

I really appreciate you stopping by for a visit, David. It's been wonderful! All the best to you with Dr. Fell and all your future projects. Feel free to drop by anytime...

Alleywalkers ... don't forget to enter David's giveaway. It'd be great if you'd share, too. TY!


~ABOUT THE AUTHOR~
David Neilsen is a classically trained actor/storyteller, a journalist, and a theater/improvisation teacher for children and adults. During the Halloween season, David can be found telling spooky tales to audiences of all ages throughout New York’s Hudson Valley, or performing one of his one-man shows based on the stories of horror author H.P. Lovecraft. David lives in Tarrytown, NY with his family. Dr. Fell and the Playground of Doom is his first novel. His second, Beyond the Doors, will be published in August, 2017. Visit him at https://david-neilsen.com.
Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Amazon | Twitter 

~GIVEAWAY~
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Want to be part of MMGM ~ Shannon Messenger's genius plan to give middle grade reads their just due? Click HERE to join in and for the other participants.

What stirs you when you look at this book cover?


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Published on May 22, 2017 03:00

MMGM~Dr. Fell and the Playground of Doom by Daniel Neilsen & #Giveaway

I've got a wonderful book to share on this Marvelous Middle Grade Monday! #ILoveMG I also have the author here to share a bit about his writing journey & an awesome chance for you to win a signed copy of his book! But first, let's peek at the story he's created.


Dr. Fell and the Playground of Doomby David Neilsen
GENRE: Middle Grade Creepy / Silly
PUBLISHER: Crown Books for Young Readers 
RELEASE DATE: August 9, 2016.

FAVORITE LINE: "A supremely pleasant good morning to you, urchins," announced the man slowly in a high-pitched, weak, warbling voice. "Are you residents of this fine enclave of humanity?"

DESCRIPTION: "When the mysterious Dr. Fell moves into the abandoned house that had once been the neighborhood kids’ hangout, he immediately builds a playground to win them over. But as the ever-changing play space becomes bigger and more elaborate, the children and their parents fall deeper under the doctor’s spell.


Only Jerry, Nancy, and Gail are immune to the lure of his extravagant wonderland. And they alone notice that when the injuries begin to pile up on the jungle gym, somehow Dr. Fell is able to heal each one with miraculous speed. Now the three children must find a way to uncover the doctor’s secret power without being captivated by his trickery."

Isn't this an awesome cover for a middle grade tale?!!!

Welcome to the Alleyway, David! We're excited to have you here. 

Alleywalkers wave & give cheerful 'hellos'. 

Why don't we start with what inspired you to write this story.
The inspiration to write Dr. Fell and the Playground of Doom came from a single image. The late children's illustrator Trina Schart Hyman drew a black-and-white illustration for charity depicting an old man in a top hat leering down at little girl while on his back, he carries a basket filled with hands, feet, and heads of little children. It is labeled "Dr. Fell." I'd seen this picture on my mother-in-law's wall for years before finally being driven to know more. I discovered the genesis of her image came from a four-line poem written in the 1600's. "I do not like thee Dr. Fell - The reason why I cannot tell - But this I know and know full well - I do not like thee Dr. Fell." 

Oh wow, that's quite inspiring. I love it when visual images stir so much creativity. 

Give us a sneak peek into one of your favorite characters.
The main antagonist is, of course, Dr. Fell. When I began writing him, what jumped out at me was his use of language. It is unlike anything I've ever written, and I quickly grew to admire the way he uses vocabulary to feel superior to others. He is manipulative and cruel on the inside while remaining sunny and pleasant on the outside.

What is your favorite part of this story?
My favorite part of the story is near the end, and I don't want to give anything away. However, what makes it special for me is that I always knew my editor and publisher would question me over this section and probably ask me to remove it. I took pains to explain my reasoning behind what I'd written and they eventually agreed to keep this particular section in the book.

That's admirable. I think it shows readers how hard you've worked on this story and how important this ending is to you. <3 

If you don't mind, tell your readers something quirky or unexpected about yourself.
In addition to writing, I work as a professional storyteller in Sleepy Hollow, NY and spend much of October frightening little children.

Sleepy Hollow ... Love it!

What can your fans expect from you next?
This August, my second book, Beyond the Doors, is being published. This is not a sequel to Dr. Fell, but a new, mysterious story about four children who wind up in the care of a family member they never knew existed. She's odd, but her house is even more odd, as it is large, round, and has no doors anywhere. When they eventually discover what has happened to all the doors, they enter a whole new world of adventure.

I really appreciate you stopping by for a visit, David. It's been wonderful! All the best to you with Dr. Fell and all your future projects. Feel free to drop by anytime...

Alleywalkers ... don't forget to enter David's giveaway. It'd be great if you'd share, too. TY!


~ABOUT THE AUTHOR~
David Neilsen is a classically trained actor/storyteller, a journalist, and a theater/improvisation teacher for children and adults. During the Halloween season, David can be found telling spooky tales to audiences of all ages throughout New York’s Hudson Valley, or performing one of his one-man shows based on the stories of horror author H.P. Lovecraft. David lives in Tarrytown, NY with his family. Dr. Fell and the Playground of Doom is his first novel. His second, Beyond the Doors, will be published in August, 2017. Visit him at https://david-neilsen.com.
Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Amazon | Twitter 

~GIVEAWAY~
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Want to be part of MMGM ~ Shannon Messenger's genius plan to give middle grade reads their just due? Click HERE to join in and for the other participants.

What stirs you when you look at this book cover?


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Published on May 22, 2017 03:00

May 17, 2017

My Cover Reveal 4 MARKED BEAUTY & A Giveaway!

Today's the day, where I get to share the cover of my young adult novel! Now some of you might remember that when the cover to my middle grade novel Motley Education was released I named the cover - Daphne. *cheeky grin* Well, I've decided to name my YA cover Sophie. Why? I'm really not sure. It just looked like a Sophie to me. Any hoot, ready to meet Sophie???

Just scroll down ...

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********


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****


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Tah-DAH!

Marked Beauty by S.A. Larsen (That's me!)Publisher: Ellysian Press Release Date: October 2017
Uncovering hidden secrets can sometimes kill you . . . or worse, steal your soul.
Anastasia Tate has a secret. She can feel the emotions of others through their life energy auras. Not a welcome gift for a teenager. Especially when a sinister presence begins stalking her.
Viktor Castle also has a secret. He’s tasked with protecting humanity yet cursed by an ancient evil to destroy it.
After Viktor saves Ana’s life, her abilities grow stronger. Drawn together, she senses Viktor has answers to lifelong questions. Only he shuns her at every turn, knowing he has saved her only to put her in more danger.
As Ana struggles with her attraction to Viktor, he tries everything to bury his unexpected feelings for her. But they must find a middle ground. For only together can they combat the dark forces threatening both their lives . . . and their souls.
I'd love it if you'd add Marked Beauty to your TBR list!
~GIVEAWAY!~
This is a #hashtag giveaway, where two lucky winners will receive a FREE eBook of Marked Beauty upon its release.
To participate: Share one of the premade images I've included below via Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.INSTAGRAM IMAGE
FACEBOOK/TWITTER IMAGE 1
FACEBOOK/TWITTER IMAGE 2

Include #MarkedBeauty in your description.Optional for extra entry: include Add to Goodreads (http://bit.ly/2qdE0q0) in your description.
***Posts MUST contain the hashtag #MarkedBeauty for entry into the giveaway or we won’t be able to find you.***
Pre-made tweets 
"A lust 4 life energy. An ancient curse. One soul's journey thru death 2 find the cure." #MarkedBeauty #CoverReveal http://bit.ly/2qdE0q0
  
"Uncovering some secrets can kill you, or worse ... steal your soul." #MarkedBeauty #CoverReveal http://bit.ly/2qdE0q0 #YAlit
  
An ancient race. A timid girl. And a journey to the in-between. #MarkedBeauty #CoverReveal http://bit.ly/2qdE0q0 #YAlit 

The giveaway begins today and will be open through May 23rd. Winners will be announced May 24th via social media.
Thank you so much for any support you can offer up! Now - Truth: What do you think of MB's cover?

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Published on May 17, 2017 03:00

May 10, 2017

Wistful YA ~ Remember Me Forever by Sara Wolf

Welcome to another Wednesday Wistful YA spotlight, featuring YA sensation Sara Wolf's latest release Book III of the Lovely Vicious series!

Splat ALERT to all you amazing college readers and/or family/friends of college-aged readers out there: an A-mazing college survival kit is being given away, so Make Sure You ENTER before you leave!

TOUR SCHEDULE
Before we meet Sara's beauty, let's hear from her herself.

Hi Sara!  Yay! for book 3!  It's great to have you here. 
I’m so excited and happy to be here! Thank you for having me!

Okay, let's start with how is writing a third book in a series different from writing the first two books?  The third book has a lot of pressure on it to wrap the story up in a satisfying way, so it tends to take a bit more time to write than other installments. But it’s also super satisfying as the writer to write it, since you’ve been with these characters from the beginning and can’t wait to give them their happy ending.
And endings are such sweet sorrow... ;)

Your main character Isis Blake has been through the ringer and back. How did she change from the first book to this one?  Isis definitely changed, though I don’t think her hilarious core personality changed at all. Seeing someone die is always a traumatic experience, and seeing someone you knew and liked die is possibly the worst thing that can happen to someone. Isis is a little more doubtful, a little more hesitant, and she’s pretty weepy in this book. But that’s to be expected. I think the most important thing she learned in this book was that her actions have consequences, no matter how small. 

Ah ... and that's a great lesson to learn. 

What do you think is the one of the toughest things high schoolers have to face today, and how do you think young adult authors can shed light on these issues? It’s been a while since I was a teenager so I’m not going to pretend I know what’s happening for them these days, but I think one of the harder elements they face is expectations. Everyone, from their parents to teachers to their peers, have such high expectations for them, in all spheres of their life – social, academic, future planning wise. It can get super overwhelming sometimes. Just remember to be kind to the teenagers you know – they’re facing worlds more pressure than we think.
I really love and respect this answer. Expectations are hard and especially in today's fast-paced and ever-changing world. Thank you so much for sharing part of your day with us. It's been a pleasure. All the luck to you always!
Now readers, ready to see Sara's third book baby in this series? And keep scrolling because she's got tons of teasers to entice you to check out this story. 
Google Play | BAM | Chapters | Indies | Amazon B&N | Kobo | TBD | iBooks | Goodreads
Remember Me Forever (Lovely Vicious #3)by Sara Wolf
Publication Date:  May 2, 2017Publisher:  Entangled Teen 
Description: Isis Blake hasn’t fallen in love in three years, forty-three weeks, and two days. Or so she thinks. 
The boy she maybe-sort-of-definitely loved and sort-of-maybe-definitely hated has dropped off the face of the planet in the face of tragedy, leaving a Jack Hunter–shaped hole. Determined to be happy, Isis fills it in with lies and puts on a brave smile for her new life at Ohio State University. 
But the smile lasts only until he shows up. The menace from her past—her darkest secret, Nameless—is attending OSU right alongside her. And he’s whispering that he has something Isis wants—something she needs to see to move forward. To move on.
Isis has always been able to pretend everything is okay. But not anymore.
Isis Blake might be good at putting herself back together. 
But Jack Hunter is better.
"What a rush! Brilliantly crafted, sharply written, and completely unpredictable--the perfect ending to an all-time favorite series! Sara Wolf is a fresh voice in YA, and her characters never fail to make me laugh and think. If you're in the mood for an edgy, witty, one-of-a-kind romance, this is definitely for you!" --Rachel Harris, NYT bestselling author
~EXCERPT~ 
I have to be stone. The slightest crack and I’ll spill my every secret at her feet—that I crave her like a parched plant craves the rain. That the only time I feel alive—honestly, radiantly alive—is when I see her purple streaks, the outline of her shoulders, her smile.
Note from me: I really love the sound of these characters, of this entire series.

~THE AUTHOR~
Sara Wolf is a twenty-something author who adores baking, screaming at her cats, and screaming at herself while she types hilarious things. When she was a kid, she was too busy eating dirt to write her first terrible book. Twenty years later, she picked up a keyboard and started mashing her fists on it and created the monster known as the Lovely Vicious series. She lives in San Diego with two cats, a crippling-yet-refreshing sense of self-doubt, and not enough fruit tarts ever. Website • Twitter • Facebook • Goodreads



~OTHER BOOKS IN THE SERIES~
Amazon | B&N |iBooks | Kobo               Amazon | B&N | iBooks | KoboAmazon.co.uk | Amazon.ca                 Amazon.ca | Amazon.co.uk                                     Entangled Publishing | Goodreads                       Goodreads

~THE GIVEAWAY!~
Ultimate College Survival Kit, including:·         *Ouch! BandAids. 24 Assorted adhesive bandages with absorbent pads.·         A durable, sleek, modern laundry backpack. Machine washable with a secure locking drawstring closure.·         3M Command Adhesive Poster Strips to hang posters and Dormify prints on your wall with no hassle. Pack of 12 strips.·         3M Command Adhesive Medium Hooks for hanging hand towels, jewelry or more. Pack of 2 hooks.·         A 1oz bottle of Eco-Me’s Dish Soap perfect for those dirty dishes that (unfortunately) won’t clean themselves·         A 1oz bottle of Eco-Me’s All Purpose Spray Cleaner. 100% natural for any and all household cleaning·         A 1oz bottle of Eco-Me’s Scrub Cleaner perfect for kitchen and bath cleaning.·         A 1oz bottle of Eco-Me’s Gentle Laundry Soap.·         Namast’ay in Bed Eye Mask, perfect for sleeping in late.·         An aluminum head massager to relax your body when you massage your head with the soft-tipped stainless-steel tips. 10" Tall.·         A set of ear plugs. Plug in and tune out·         Weekly Calendar Message Board to help you plan out your schedule.·         Holy Moly It’s Raining Poncho·         A Ping Pong ball, in case of emergency.·         Bring your bath essentials to the shower in style with the Mint Spa Basket Shower Caddy. Waterproof - made with durable plastic with sleek chrome handle (9.25 x 7 x 5 inches)a Rafflecopter giveaway

So what do you think about reading book series? 


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Published on May 10, 2017 08:46

May 3, 2017

IWSG~Feeling Naked: Podcasts & Cover Reveals

I didn't go with this month's themed insecurity question. I'm sure it was a great one, but I really do have a few personal insecurities gnawing at my bones to share.

#1: I'm doing my first podcast interview this Thursday. 
Twvia GIPHYYes, this is exactly how I feel.
Soooo ... want to share any advice? Have you ever had your voice recorded by someone you can't physical see, not knowing what they're going to ask or if you'll answer too fast or too slowly?
#breath @SA_Larsen That can be a hashtag, right? Tweet me that on Thursday between 1:15 - 1:45 PM EST. If my phone goes off a few bazillion times I'll start laughing during taping and you'll know I heard you. ;) 
#2: My cover is being released for my young adult novel. 
For those of you who haven't been with me for the past eight years - feels like 25: this book has been revised no short of 30 times, changed characters, locations, world building, and even agent/publishers. I have a massive love/hate relationship with this book. 
Ever felt like that: a love/hate relationship with one of your books, authors? 
A personal splat: Want to help make me feel better? 
via GIPHYSee, I feel better already.Help me reveal my cover. The reveal is set for Monday, May 15th. If you can't release it on that day, feel free to release it any day after the 15th. I'd love the extra support. Fill out THIS FORM and I'll email you all the information you'll need. 
AND there's something in it for you! I'm offering up a Free ebook copy of the book after it's released to two lucky participants - those who share via blog post, tweet one of my pre-made tweets via Twitter, or share my pre-made image via Instagram. Xtra entries for multiple shares. Make sure to tag me (or email me the link) in your share so I can include you in the giveaway - open until May 23rd.  Anyone who shares from you will be entered in, too, as long as they tag me. 
XOXO  Happy reading & writing....  (The purpose of the IWSG is to share and encourage, posting on the first Wednesday of each month. You'll find writer doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Support and a common understanding spread throughout the group as many fellow writers can relate. Feel free to JOIN in anytime.)
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Published on May 03, 2017 03:00

April 19, 2017

#CoverReveal ~ #YOLO (Ruby Knight Chronicles Book 2) by K.M Pyne

 Hello Readers! Welcome to another Wistful YA post! 

Today, I'm participating in a cover reveal that is so much fun. I knew I had to share it with you after the moment I saw it. There's intrigue and detective work and ... Think Pretty Little Liars. ;)
So ...
... scroll down ...
... to take a peek ...
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*#YOLO book 2 in the Ruby Knight Chronicles!by K.M. PyneRelease Date: May 8, 2017 





























Once again Ruby Knight finds herself dragged into her Mam’s World. This time someone at her school is out for revenge!
Ruby, along with her friends, have to work out who is murdering students ... Why they are murdering them? ... What do they ultimately want? At the same time relationships are made and some are broken, but will Ruby find the killer in time? Or will someone else have to perish at the hands of a killer?



This cover reveal has been brought to you by the awesome Chapter by Chapter Blog Tours! Well, uh ... and me. O_o




OTHER BOOKS IN THE SERIES: 
 
When Ruby Knight's best friend, Catriona Taylor disappears Ruby knows something isn’t right.Time is ticking and the race is on to find Catriona. Has she run away? Is she really on a holiday with her parents? Has something more sinister happened to her?These are the questions facing Ruby. Can she find Catriona? Can she ask her detective Mam for help? Or will she leave it too late?Follow Ruby on her journey to find her best friend!
 
 
KM Pyne lives in Dublin, Ireland and this is her first YA book. There are sequels which are already written and some paranormal YA’s in the future. She is married, has two children and works full time. Writing is a hobby, but it takes over more and more of her life. Characters and stories come into her mind all the time and she has to stop and write them down so that she can build on them at a later date.
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Haha! Yeah, I'm so majorly in love with this author! Can't wait to read this one. What's your favorite part about reading mysteries? 

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Published on April 19, 2017 03:00

April 5, 2017

IWSG~The Outer Skin

When you first meet someone what strikes you first about them? Tone of voice, the color of their eyes, some unique physical feature? 

Regardless of your answer, you eventually move on to more deeper revelations about the person. You talk with them, sometimes share small talk, while other times find yourself drawn to tell a new acquaintance a more personal detail about yourself. Could be your opinion about a political issue, or maybe you and this 1st-time person share an experience of a loved one's illness or an encounter with a waitress or clerk at a store. Doesn't matter. Point is something about them made you stay and share time with them and look beyond their outer skin.

Same thing with with books, specifically book covers. What makes a book cover successful? For me I believe it has to pose some question that will make me open to the first pages. Then, just like that 1st-time person, those first pages must do their own work to keep me intrigued and flipping to the meat of the story. I've been pondering all this because my young adult cover is almost finalized and will be revealed soon. Nervous, insecure about its reveal? A little. Because what will readers think when they see it? What about it will intrigue them enough to open to the first pages and give them a chance to do their job - build a friendship with the reader? 

Splat Alert: I will be having sign ups to help me reveal the cover, so if you're interested in being one of my bookish helpers please stay tuned! 

(The purpose of the IWSG is to share and encourage, posting on the first Wednesday of each month. You'll find writer doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Support and a common understanding spread throughout the group as many fellow writers can relate. Feel free to JOIN in anytime.)

On this wonderful subject of book covers, check out one cover that - in my opinion - does its job.

GOODREADSFragments of DarknessAn Anthology of Thrilling StoriesRelease date: September 13, 2017
Description: From between the cracks of imagination, among the splinters of the unknown, and upon the winds of mystery, lurk the Fragments of Darkness.

With legends of killer mermaids to tales of Civil War era ghosts, ten passionate story-tellers come together to bring you yarns of fantasy, paranormal, and chills and thrills that will entertain, intrigue, and enchant young adult and new adult readers.

Authors include: Lisa M. Basso -- Heart and BoneC.L. Campbell -- ReckonerDorothy Dreyer -- Under the Surface Pat Esden -- Black as a Dark Moon, Scarlet as Sumac E.M. Fitch -- Between ShadowsR.A. Gates -- The CollectorJessica Gunn -- The GhostDebra Jess -- Blood & ArmorMelanie McFarlane -- The Transgressions of Faithe Eileen Daphne René -- Story of the Unknown Soldier
Big congrats to all the authors! 
If you haven't already, feel free to signup for my occasionally newsletter to keep up with on-goings, sneak peeks, giveaways for subscribers only, & all things bookish! (Expect only 2 - 4 newsletters a year.) And as a subscriber you get to choose a FREE gift: either my guide on creating amazing characters or my Novel/Series Development Spreadsheet! Click HERE or on the image in my sidebar.
Enjoy the rest of your week, everyone.


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Published on April 05, 2017 03:00