Today, the YA Author Club is excited to Spotlight our very own Heather Sutherlin. She's an amazing person and a phenomenal YA Author Club contributor who writes young adult fantasy adventures when she's not spending time with her family.

Author Bio

1999 – B.A. in Elementary Education from Harding University
2011 - 1st Place White County Creative Writers’ Conference First Chapter Contest
2012 – Debut novel, A Light in the Darkness, is released along with its sequel, To Light the Path.
2013 – Seen and Wandering, two books in a new YA fantasy series, will be released in the spring.
President - Fiction Writers of Central Arkansas
Featured Author – Arkansas Literary Festival

About the Author

Heather Sutherlin lives in Arkansas with her husband and three children. She is the author of A Light In The Darkness and Seen  both fantasy adventures for young adults. She loves all things creative and enjoys the worlds she dreams up, longing to live the adventure alongside her characters. When she’s not at her writing desk, she is busy exploring and learning with her children or cooking big, elaborate meals in the kitchen with her husband.

You can see more of Heather at her website, HeatherSutherlin.com

Or, email her at HSutherlin@gmail.com

See behind the scenes of her indie life by following her on Facebook.

You can also follow Heather on Twitter and see what inspires her on Pinterest.

Books by Heather Sutherlin:

A Light In The Darkness

Merrilyn’s life is quiet and predictable. An apprentice to the royal healer, she spends her days helping in the village or up to mischief with her best friend who happens to be the handsome younger son of the king. But when a mysterious archer shows up in the forest and shoots their escort, Merrilyn’s life is forever changed. Caught in a battle between two forgotten gods, she must embrace her destiny and fight the very powers of darkness before it’s too late.

To Light The Path

Prince Jarrod and his men have been missing for months and still Merrilyn has no idea where they are hidden. Now the king of Zinder is missing, too, and his children seem to think Merrilyn’s the key to finding him. Along with Aiden and Prince Justan, she travels to Zinder looking for clues in the king’s journals. When a mysterious man begins whispering in her dreams, tempting her to reconsider all that she believes, she must face both her fears and her desires. Merrilyn may be a light in the darkness, but she’ll have to trust Loian to light their path as they travel through foreign lands and face new enemies in their search for the missing men.

Seen

Rory has no idea what’s going on in the woods behind her house, but it’s driving her crazy. On the last day of her senior year she finds herself caught up once again in the curious happenings of the forest and walks away without any of the answers she was hoping to find. To make matters worse, she is sent to visit a sick neighbor and instead finds the hottest guy she’s ever seen. When she discovers his brother’s incredible secret she falls further into her own chaos and into a fate she never could have imagined.

Jaron is just counting the days until the summer is over and he can get back to his real life. Stuck with his little brother on a tiny farm in rural Oklahoma is not exactly his idea of fun. But when Rory shows up on his doorstep with an armload of pie, he knows his summer has just taken a sharp turn into new territory. He never expected the adventure they would discover next or the quest that would change their lives forever.

Don't forget to download your FREE copy of my book, Daisy Madigan's Paradise here and your FREE copy of Raven here.

Check out the other YA authors in the club!

1. Laura A. H. Elliott author of Winnemucca & 13 on Halloween, Book 1 in the Teen Halloween Series
2. Bryna Butler, author Midnight Guardian series
3. Heather Self
4. T. R. Graves, Author of The Warrior Series
5. Suzy Turner, author of The Raven Saga
6. Cheri Schmidt, author of the Fateful Trilogy
7. Rachel Coles, author of Into The Ruins, geek mom blog
8. K. C. Blake, author of Vampires Rule and Crushed
9. Patti Larsen, The Hunted series and The Hayle Coven series
10. Amy Maurer Jones, Author of The Soul Quest Trilogy
11. Fisher Amelie, author of The Understorey
12. Gwenn Wright, author of Filter
13. Melissa Pearl, Author of The Time Spirit Trilogy
14. Heather M. White, author of The Destiny Saga
15. Courtney Cole Writes
16. Liz Long | Just another writer on the loose.
17. Ella James
18. Maureen Murrish
19. Valerie Sloan
20. YA Sci Fi Author's Ramblings
21. Terah Edun, author of Red Madrassa and An Amlah's Diary

Click here for more Indie News:

The Temporal Stone is out now!

I'm absolutely, ecstatically delighted to announce the release of my latest book, The Temporal Stone, a Morgan Sisters novel... YAY!! Read on for the synopsis and excerpt and then go grab yourself a copy for just $2.99. If you've not read any of the Morgan Sisters books yet, then grab a FREE copy of Daisy Madigan's Paradise to see what it's all about! Once you've finished that, The Ghost of Josiah Grimshaw comes next.
Don't forget to check out all those awesome reviews on Amazon about the series!

Cover by the fabulous designer Ravven

Synopsis

It's been a couple of months since Emma and Lana entered the Praxos Academy and life has been hectic ever since. What with regular A level classes combined with learning all about the supernatural world, control classes, self defence and fight night, the girls are constantly busy.
But when their world seems to stop right in front of them, they and their fellow Watchers, have a huge mystery to solve. A mystery which will lead them on a long road trip across south west England where they will meet all kinds of strange creatures, some intent on causing harm and others desperate to put a stop to the problem.

Excerpt

Stretching her long pale limbs beneath the warm duvet cover, Emma let out a deep yawn and climbed out of bed. She strolled over to Lana and shook her vigorously just as Moira appeared out of the bathroom towel-drying her hair.
'She'll be late again,' she chuckled as she walked past.
Emma rolled her eyes.
'Come on, Sis. Time to get up, we've got to be ready earlier this morning, remember?'
A faint moan could be heard from beneath the covers. Emma shook her head.
'Come on, get up lazy bones.'
'No, it's too early,' grumbled Lana who rolled over comfortably.
'Well, if you're not up and ready soon, you'll miss out on our trip to Somerset with the rest of the class,' Emma replied with her eyebrows raised as she slowly walked towards the bathroom, a towel slung over her shoulder.
The covers were immediately flung back and Lana groaned with an excited grin. 'Somerset here we come,' she smiled before she hopped up, threw on her dressing gown and began emptying her wardrobe frantically trying to find just the right outfit to wear.

oOo

Hand in gloved hand with her boyfriend, Diarmuid, Emma stood dressed entirely in black and purple, her dark hair was tied back in two simple plaits and a checked woolly hat perched on top of her head. Noticing she was shivering, Diarmuid pulled her close and rubbed her arms up and down while she laughed. He then pulled her into a more secluded spot, allowing a faint glow to emanate from his body. Warmth immediately embraced them both.
'Better?' he asked.
'Hm hm,' Emma nodded as she leaned her head on his shoulder.
As they waited for the rest of the gang, Lana walked up the steps that led down into the Academy. With a huge grin plastered across her face, she walked over to her sister where she turned this way and that. Emma shook her head, laughing.
'Well?' asked Lana.
'Yeah Sis, you look amazing. Is that the new dress you bought last week?'
'It is. It's gorgeous isn't it?'
'Let's just say, it's very you. I wouldn't wear it though!' laughed Emma as Diarmuid wolf whistled from behind her.
'Well of course you wouldn't. It's not black or purple and it's a dress,' she joked as she put her long brown coat back on over the leopard print, long-sleeved dress which was a little inappropriate for a field trip across the country.
Moments later, Declan Alexander appeared from within the building, rubbing his hands together. A group of teens trailed behind him.
He turned as he approached, 'Come on guys, gather round. We're walking round to Russell Square where we'll be hopping on to the Tube to Paddington Station. From there we'll get the train to Bath, so make sure you've all got your Oyster cards ready before we leave.'
When they'd finished fishing around in their pockets and handbags and Declan was content everyone had what was needed to take the trip, they exited the well hidden entrance to the Academy and joined the rest of the commuters within the capital.

Purchase Links

AMAZON US
AMAZON UK
SMASHWORDS
(other retailers and paperback coming soon)

Indie Author Series: Categorizing Your Book (Finding Your Audience)

Today on the YA Indie Carnival we're talking about categorizing our books. I have to admit to being a little unsure when it comes to putting my books in the right category. I mean, when I first started writing I had intended my books to be read by people aged around 16 (ish) but as I've written more books and received more feedback from readers, I now realise that they are more suited to younger readers - albeit still teens :) But having said that, a huge proportion of my readers are adults!
What is YA anyway? Young Adult... but what age group would you describe young adults? Initially I would have said 16+ but it actually seems that a lot more younger kids read YA books. So, now I reckon YA appeals to 13+. I've also been told that my books would really appeal to middle grade, which is what? 8+?
So when I have to put my books under a specific category on Amazon, Smashwords, etc, what do I go for? Some I've put under Teen fiction, others under Juvenile fiction or children's fiction - or are they all the same thing? Aaaargh.... confusion reigns!
And even once I've done all of this, Amazon will sometimes change the category anyway!!

Don't forget to download your FREE copy of my book, Daisy Madigan's Paradise here and your FREE copy of Raven here.

1. Laura A. H. Elliott author of Winnemucca & 13 on Halloween, Book 1 in the Teen Halloween Series
2. Bryna Butler, author Midnight Guardian series
3. Heather Self
4. T. R. Graves, Author of The Warrior Series
5. Suzy Turner, author of The Raven Saga
6. Cheri Schmidt, author of the Fateful Trilogy
7. Rachel Coles, author of Into The Ruins, geek mom blog
8. K. C. Blake, author of Vampires Rule and Crushed
9. Patti Larsen, The Hunted series and The Hayle Coven series
10. Amy Maurer Jones, Author of The Soul Quest Trilogy
11. Fisher Amelie, author of The Understorey
12. Gwenn Wright, author of Filter
13. Melissa Pearl, Author of The Time Spirit Trilogy
14. Heather M. White, author of The Destiny Saga
15. Courtney Cole Writes
16. Liz Long | Just another writer on the loose.
17. Ella James
18. Maureen Murrish
19. Valerie Sloan
20. YA Sci Fi Author's Ramblings
21. Terah Edun, author of Red Madrassa and An Amlah's Diary

Click here for more Indie News:

Tell Me Something Tuesday

Tell Me Something Tuesday is hosted by Heidi @ Rainy Day Ramblings. Every week there is a new discussion question. All the details can be found on her page.
This week’s question: What are some of the blogging events that you've done in the past? What kind of events do you enjoy? What events will you be participating in this summer?

I've never participated in any blogging events that take place in the 'real world' aka offline, but I frequently join in blog hops and such like. The most fun was, without doubt, the A to Z April Challenge that I did this year. All participants had to post every day (except Sundays) during the month of April, with subject matters starting with each letter of the alphabet. I met some awesome bloggers and I'm really looking forward to partaking next year too.

I'm also fan of helping fellow authors and so I often take part in blog tours, book blasts and interviews, which is a lot of fun too. Again, it has enabled to meet lots of fab bloggers and authors.

This summer I'm looking forward to my own book tour (dates TBA) and those of other authors, as well as many other blog hops. There are none that spring to mind at the moment but I'm sure I'll hunt some good ones down!

What about you? What blogging events do you join in with?

Don't forget to download your FREE copy of Raven. There are two more books in The Raven Saga: December Moon and The Lost Soul. You can also get a FREE copy of Daisy Madigan's Paradise, a Morgan Sisters novella. The sequel to Daisy Madigan's Paradise is also available: The Ghost of Josiah Grimshaw.

#WIN Children’s Book Week Giveaway Hop

Children’s Book Week Giveaway Hop

May 13th – 19th

Hosted by 

KidLitFrenzy, Mymcbooks & I Am A Reader, Not A Writer

For Children's Book Week, I'm giving away five ebooks of The Ghost of Josiah Grimshaw, a series enjoyed by both children and adults.

Adopted sisters Lana Beth and Emma Jane are polar opposites, but when the same strange 'tattoo' suddenly appears and winds its way up their bodies within days of each other, they soon realize there's more to their relationship than they could ever have imagined. 
Sent off to London for two weeks of 'work experience', the Morgan Sisters soon find themselves being initiated into the ancient Praxos Foundation, one that protects the innocent while fighting evil, both human and supernatural.
At the same time, Lana Beth and Emma Jane must also investigate why the sweet but sometimes pesky ghost of Josiah Grimshaw just won't leave them alone.

"I would go so far as to say that this book could be the beginnings of a series as good as those by J.K. Rowling!"

"I thought it was a fantastic book and can't wait for the next one in the series to come out"

"Excellent book, I couldn't put it down. This book had be intrigued from start to finish. I am definitely going to purchase more books by this author"


Enter the Raflecopter right here:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
What is Children’s Book Week?
"Established in 1919, Children’s Book Week is the longest-running literacy initiative in the country. Each year, books for young people and the joy of reading are feted for a full week with author and illustrator appearances, storytelling, parties, and other book-related events at schools, libraries, bookstores, museums, and homes from coast to coast!"
For more information please visit: http://www.bookweekonline.com/

This post is part of the greatest blog hop on the block.

Click the kids below to check some more blogs to hop.

Feature Follow Friday

The Feature & Follow is hosted by TWO hosts, Parajunkee of Parajunkee's View and Alison of Alison Can Read. Its my first time taking part but I'm delighted to link up with so many awesome bloggers!

To follow me, you're welcome to do so via Bloglovin (my favourite), Networked Blogs or email (!). You can also find my on facebook and twitter.

In light of the recent Mother's Day, today's featured question is 'Who is your favourite fictional Mum (or Mom depending on where you're from!)? 

Ooh, that's a tough one. I adore Mrs Weasley (who doesn't?) from Harry Potter but I'm going to go with Meredith from The Raven Saga. I know I'm totally cheesy, choosing my own character but I can't help it. She's exactly how I would have liked my Mum to be. You see, tragically, I lost my mum when I was very young so I grew up not really knowing what it's like to have a mum, you know? And to top it all off, I also don't have any kids of my own (not by choice).

But back to Meredith. She's totally adorable, adores her kids and her niece, Lilly, who she kind of takes under her wing. She loves to bake and can often be found in the kitchen in her apron happily preparing goodies for the rest of the family. She's almost always smiling, even in the face of danger and I love her for that. She's a glass half full kinda gal :)

Don't forget to download your FREE copy of Raven. There are two more books in The Raven Saga: December Moon and The Lost Soul. You can also get a FREE copy of Daisy Madigan's Paradise, a Morgan Sisters novella. The sequel to Daisy Madigan's Paradise is also available: The Ghost of Josiah Grimshaw and the third, The Temporal Stone, is out later this month YAY!!

The Storm Bottle by Nick Green

I love the idea behind this book, and the cover is just beautiful. Anything with dolphins is well worth a look, don't you think? Anyway, without any further ado, let me introduce you to The Storm Bottle by Nick Green...

The Storm Bottle 

Swimming with dolphins is said to be the number one thing to do before you die. For 12-year-old Michael, it very nearly is. A secret boat trip has gone tragically wrong, and now he lies unconscious in hospital. But when Michael finally wakes up, he seems different. His step sister Bibi is soon convinced that he is not who he appears to be. Meanwhile, in the ocean beyond Bermuda’s reefs, a group of bottlenose dolphins are astonished to discover a stranger in their midst – a boy lost and desperate to return home. Bermuda is a place of mysteries. Some believe its seas are enchanted, and the sun-drenched islands conceal a darker past, haunted with tales of lost ships. Now Bibi and Michael are finding themselves in the most extraordinary tale of all.

The Storm Bottle Excerpt

Leading him by the hand towards the ferry landing, I stared past the marina into the ocean.

‘Michael’s out there, somewhere, in your body. So the first thing to do is find him.’

‘And what then?’

‘One thing at a time! You swapped bodies once already. You can do it again.’

‘I suppose.’

Rodrigo squinted in the sun. I lent him my shades – he’d lost Michael’s in the pond.

‘Let’s concentrate on finding him.’

‘Right. How do we do that, Bibi?’

‘What would be useful,’ I said, ‘is a boat.’

Book Trailer 

Praise 

'I loved it... An absolute winner.' - LA Weatherly, author of the Angel Burn trilogy 'A writer who knows how to grip the imagination, make you sit on the edge of your chair, and make you laugh out loud.' - Michelle Lovric, author of The Undrowned Child, The Mourning Emporium and The Book of Human Skin 'If you only ever buy one Kindle book in your life (although that sounds a bit unlikely, now that I stop and think) this has to be it.' - The Bookwitch blog.

Author Nick Green

 Nick Green is a UK children's and YA author, best known for his trilogy The Cat Kin, published in the UK by Strident Publishing and in Germany by Ravensburger, and also as a BBC audiobook. He has appeared on BBC radio talking about his books, and has been shortlisted for two UK children's book awards. He regularly does school visits and other children's literary events. The Storm Bottle is his first straight-to-Kindle novel.

Twitter * Website

 

Tour Giveaway

$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash

Ends 5/26/13

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway  

May Kindle Fire Giveaway or Win $199!! YAY!!

 

This is a joint AUTHOR & BLOGGER SPONSORED GIVEAWAY!

Kindle Fire HD 7" Giveaway

The winner will have the option of receiving a 7" Kindle Fire HD (US Only)

  Or $199 Amazon.com Gift Card (International)

  Or $199 in Paypal Cash (International)

Sponsoring Bloggers & Authors

1. I Am A Reader, Not A Writer
2. Feed Your Reader
3. Girls with Books
4. Just Bookin' Around
5. The (Mis)Adventures of a Twenty-Something Year Old Girl
6. Books, Beauty and Bodacious Deals
7. Author Emma Michaels
8. Page Flipperz YA
9. Lori's Reading Corner
10. Oh, Chrys!
11. Author Josh Baker
12. Author Roxanne Crouse
13. Eve's Fan Garden
14. Author Elizabeth Isaacs
15. Chapter Break
16. Buku-Buku Didi
17. Molly & Mel's Obsessions Book Blog
18. Author Jennifer Laurens
19. Author MK McClintock
20. Bookhounds
21. Step Into Fiction
22. Author Lena Sledge
23. Author Taylor Dean
24. Leisure Reads
25. Libby's Library
26. A Bookish Escape
27. Ramblings of a Diva Book Nerd
28. Suspense Author Kim Cresswell
29. Suzy Turner, YA Author
30. Books Unhinged by StacyHgg
31. Author Lori Verni-Fogarsi
32. Fae Books
33. Word to Dreams
34. Kid Lit Frenzy
35. Author Tressa Messenger
36. Auggie Talk
37. Phantasmic Reads
38. Kerry Taylor
39. Reviews by Martha's Bookshelf
40. Marissa's Space

Giveaway Details
1 winner will receive their choice of a Kindle Fire 7" HD (US Only), $199 Amazon Gift Card or $199 in Paypal Cash (International). Ends 5/31/13 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the participating authors & bloggers. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.   a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Tale of Mally Biddle book blast and giveaway!

I'm delighted to be a part of this book blast today. Isn't this the most gorgeous cover? I love it! Anyway, on with the blast....

The Tale of Mally Biddle by M.L. LeGette When Mally Biddle agreed to spy upon the King of Lenzar and his overbearing knights she knew she was heading into danger. She didn't know she'd find a family unlike any other. Posing as a servant in Bosc Castle, Mally serves tea and tends fires for the most dangerous men in the kingdom. Her goal is to learn the truth of what happened sixteen years ago, when the infant princess met her death ... a death that is surrounded by more questions than answers. Along her search for the truth, Mally meets the energized Lita Stump, the strict and matriarchal Meriyal Boyd, and the opinionated Archibald Diggleby. Then of course there are the knights: Leon Gibbs who is slicker than a greased hog, Adrian Bayard, hot tempered and violent, and the worst of the lot: Sir Illius Molick, Captain of the Knights. And then there is Maud, a mysterious woman who just might know everything...

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Amazon Kindle

Praise "To say I loved this book is an understatement. Mally is a wonderful character and she encounters so many quirky folks on her assignment. Very well written and engaging story! And an added bonus of a love triangle! I enjoyed it from beginning to end!! I will definitely be looking for more from this author!" ~April Holgate  

Author Melissa LeGette Melissa LeGette lives in Georgia where she helps run a family farm, so her nails are a fright. The Tale of Mally Biddle is her second novel.

Blog * Facebook 

Pinterest * Twitter

 

Tour Schedule

 Book Blast Giveaway $50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 6/2/13 a Rafflecopter giveaway

A to Z Reflections

The A to Z Challenge is now over :(
This is the first time I've ever taken part in anything like this and I have to say, it was amazing. Not only did it challenge me but it also allowed me to meet some awesome fellow bloggers throughout the month. I'm definitely up for taking part again next year, when, perhaps I will give myself a little more brain of a challenge by actually giving myself a theme!
So many other bloggers wrote with a theme in mind and I was amazed at what they came up with. It was really quite extraordinary. I honestly think I'm going to miss doing this every day! Is there anything else like this coming up that I can take part in? Do let me know!

Between These Lines Blog Tour, Interview and Giveaway!

Can you tell us a little about your latest book?
BETWEEN THESE LINES is a Young Adult Contemporary that focuses on a social agenda at a prep school. The two main characters, Chase and Evie, who secretly like one another, are brought together to work on an assignment – it reinforces their feelings but also gets them into a lot of trouble with Evie’s boyfriend, a powerful figure at the school.

What inspired you to write it?
I’m a huge Breaking Benjamin fan and the plot was inspired by the song Diary of Jane – which is all about a boy trying to find what he meant to his deceased girlfriend by reading her diary entries. That idea haunted me.

Is it part of a series?
No, the book is a stand-alone.

If your latest book was made into a movie, who would you like to play the main characters?

Photo credit: gdcgraphics via photopin cc

I know the ages are all wrong, but I personally would love Amanda Seyfried to be Evie Cunningham, Mike Vogel to be Chase Mitman and Cillian Murphy to be Shane Whitley.

What made you want to become an author?
I’ve always loved to write and make up stories – my head is a constant mix of characters and new places. As a kid, I would make up plays for the other kids in my neighborhood to act out. I was little bossy back
then, but it paid off because now I get to do it for a living!

Name one of your all-time favourite book covers?
Oh, that’s tough. So many covers are gorgeous … I really love the cover of Tris & Izzie by Mette Ivie Harrison.

Name one book that made you think 'wow'? Why did it have such an effect on you?
My favorite book of all time is A GREAT and TERRIBLE BEAUTY by Libba Bray. She has such an incredible voice that she injects into her characters and a sense of visualization that really tugged at me. The
story was so real . . . the gothic boarding school, the characters, the magic and the realm from which it came. I couldn’t pick up another book for a good week or so after reading it, it was all I could think of.

Who, or what, inspires you?
The fun thing about inspiration is I never know when it’s going to strike. Anything can trigger it – music, a melody, a color . . .

Where is your favourite place to write?
I usually set up shop at my dining room table but if it’s nice enough, I’ll take the laptop down to my sun room, curl up with my cat and type away.

What is your favourite movie that was based on a book?
As a mom, nothing thrills me more than watching my own children immerse themselves in books. My son LOVED the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series when he was younger, so much so that he insisted I read them after him. Seeing those books come to life on the screen was incredible! They’re hilarious and so true to the originals, rather than mere adaptations. The best highlight – the beginning and end when you see glimpses of Jeff Kinney’s drawings on the lined paper that magically morphs into the real characters. I think they’re brilliantly done.

Who is your favourite author (s) and why?
Anne Rice. She’s able to transport me to another plane . . . her stories are filled with such incredible characters that are so deeply detailed I can’t help fall in love with even the most despicable or horrifying.
If you could have a dinner party with any authors from any time in history, who would you choose and why?
Edgar Allan Poe. I would LOVE to see inside his head and find out where his macabre thoughts come from. He was also the first American writer to try to earn a living through his work and that is an inspiration to any
author.

Tell us a random fact about yourself.
I have naturally curly hair that I beat into submission daily.

Tell us something interesting about the area where you live.
I live in Easton, PA and it was one of the first three places the Declaration of Independence was ever publicly read. And it’s in the perfect location! I live exactly 1 hour north of Philadelphia and 1 hour west of NYC … it’s also easy to get to the beach and the Poconos.

Links to your website / facebook / twitter / youtube, etc:
Web: http://www.jennifermurgia.com
Email: jennifermurgia8@gmail.com
Twitter: @JenniferMurgia https://twitter.com/JenniferMurgia
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/#!/jennifer.murgia
Goodreads:http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3105432.Jennifer_Murgia
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/jennifermurgia

To be in with a chance to win these fabulous prize, enter the Rafflecopter draw below!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Working It Out Cover Reveal & Giveaway!

Author Rachael Renee Anderson

Rachael Anderson is the author of four books: Divinely Designed, Luck of the Draw, Minor Adjustments, and The Reluctant Bachelorette. She's the mother of four and is pretty good at breaking up fights, or at least sending guilty parties to their rooms. She can't sing, doesn't dance, and despises tragedies. But she recently figured out how yeast works and can now make homemade bread, which she is really good at eating.

Blog * Facebook * Twitter

Working It Out
A chance encounter . . . 
Grace Warren's life is safe and predictable—exactly the way she likes it. But when she gets roped into going to an auction to help out a friend, everything changes. She meets Seth Tuttle—a guy who unexpectedly kisses her then disappears, leaving her flustered and upset. If she never sees him again, it will be too soon.

A chance for love . . .  
Weeks later, when Seth limps into Grace's rehab clinic post surgery, she immediately recognizes him. Unfortunately, he's every bit as frustrating and annoying as she remembered. Yet there's something about him that makes her second-guess her carefully placed boundaries even though he's everything she's sure she doesn't want in a man. But maybe Seth is exactly what Grace has needed all along—assuming she's willing to risk safe and predictable for a chance at love.


Giveaway Details
Enter to win a $25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
Ends 5/31/13

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Author interview: Wendy S Russo

Hey guys! Today I'm talking to the author of January Black, Wendy S Russo. 

Tour Schedule

January Black Sixteen-year-old genius Matty Ducayn has never fit in on The Hill, an ordered place seriously lacking a sense of humor. After his school’s headmaster expels him for a small act of mischief, Matty’s future looks grim until King Hadrian comes to his rescue with a challenge: answer a question for a master’s diploma. More than a second chance, this means freedom. Masters can choose where they work, a rarity among Regents, and the question is simple. What was January Black? It’s a ship. Everyone knows that. Hadrian rejects that answer, though, and Matty becomes compelled by curiosity and pride to solve the puzzle. When his search for an answer turns up long-buried state secrets, Matty’s journey becomes a collision course with a deadly royal decree. He's been set up to fail, which forces him to choose. Run for his life with the challenge lost...or call the king’s bluff.

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Amazon Kindle

Hi Wendy! Can you tell us a little about your latest book.

January Black is a Young Adult Science Fiction coming of age story with a romantic arc. It features a sixteen year old genius who is challenged by his king to answer a deceptively simple question. When the challenge puts him a collision course with a deadly royal decree, Matty must choose between his curiosity and his life.

What inspired you to write it?
The collapse of Bear Sterns in 2008. It's not an exciting answer, but as the global financial system started to meltdown, I gave a lot of thought to how small the world has become. In the 1600s, to escape religious persecution in Europe, the Protestants got on boats and sailed to a New World. We can't do that today. You can go off grid, go back to basics, but you can't build a new society today the way our founding fathers built America. There are no unexplored territories, no where to start over.
So, it was November. I was committed to write a novel for NaNoWriMo. I was listening to a Dream Theater song called "Rite of Passage." And the first ten thousand words came pretty easily.

Is it part of a series?
No. It was always intended to be stand alone.

If your latest book was made into a movie, who would you like to play the main characters?
Ryan Reynolds was my inspiration for King Hadrian, and Taylor Swift inspired Iris.
Jesse Eisenberg is the closest I can imagine for Matty, but he's a little old.

What made you want to become an author?
I look at books like jigsaw puzzles that I have to create the pieces for. I enjoy the satisfaction of figuring it all out.

That is probably the coolest answer I've ever had to that question!

Name one of your all-time favourite book covers?
The Snow Queen, by Joan D. Vinge.

Name one book that made you think 'wow'? Why did it have such an effect on you?
Neal Stephenson's "The Diamond Age." It's a story about a book that teaches a poor girl in a future Shanghai everything she needs to know to lead a revolution. I like books with slow reveals and with lots of pieces stitched together. Pull the string, and all the pieces cinch tight.

Who, or what, inspires you?
My son inspires me. He has so much energy, and he's so curious. Pretty pictures and rockin' songs will spark images. Conventions, boat rides, road trips. I try to absorb everything.

Where is your favourite place to write?
My kitchen table. It's not very comfortable, but when I'm comfortable, I find myself doing other things. Facebook mostly.

What is your favourite movie that was based on a book?
Children of Men, based on the book by P.D. James

Who is your favourite author (s) and why?
Neal Stephenson. He's smart, and witty, and funny.

If you could have a dinner party with any authors from any time in history, who would you choose?
Shakespeare. Poe. Stephenson. Emily Dickinson.

Tell us a random fact about yourself.
I have crooked pinkies. My freshman year in high school, I jammed my right pinkie while trying to set a volleyball. The doctor assumed it was broken until I showed him my left hand.

Tell us something interesting about the area where you live.
In South Louisiana, the holiday season doesn't end at New Years. Carnival season begins on January 6th. Then you have Mardi Gras, and the parades go one for a week before Fat Tuesday. There's 40 days of Lent, which means everyone eats seafood on Fridays. And then Easter. It's not like you need an excuse for a party in Louisiana, but pretty much from Halloween to Easter, you have one.

Find Wendy here:
Blog | Facebook | G+ | Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon | Pinterest | Authorgraph

Praise Refreshingly intelligent and loads of fun! I lost a few hours as I read this book. It's a Young Adult novel that is refreshingly and astonishingly intelligent, and the love story is perfectly played out. ~Christine Ashworth, Amazon Review The mystery was intriguing - I loved how Wendy Russo weaved in all her secrets throughout the book, how she incorporated just enough to keep you reading, while never actually divulging much of anything. I was guessing for most of it and that's pretty hard to make me do. ~Julie, Clean Teen Reads Wendy Russo has created a masterpiece. ~Ivan Amberlake, Author   

Author Wendy S. Russo Wendy S. Russo got her start writing in the sixth grade. That story involved a talisman with crystals that had to be found and assembled before bad things happened, and dialog that read like classroom roll call. Since then, she’s majored in journalism (for one semester), published poetry, taken a course on short novels, and watched most everything ever filmed by Quentin Tarantino. A Wyoming native transplanted in Baton Rouge, Wendy works for Louisiana State University as an IT analyst. She’s a wife, a mom, a Tiger, a Who Dat, and she falls asleep on her couch at 8:30 on weeknights.  

FACEBOOK * WEBSITE * TWITTER

GOODREADS * AUTHORGRAPH

 

More Information:

January Black 100th Amazon Review Giveaway

  Blog Tour Giveaway $25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 5/8/13 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Reviewers Yellow Pages Blast

 

 

For more information visit: 

The Book Reviewer Yellow Pages 

Website * Facebook

  The Book Reviewer Yellow Pages, Fourth Edition This is a wonderful resource for any author or publisher that wants to get their book reviewed. There are hundreds of detailed listings, explaining each book reviewer's preferred submission guidelines, contact information, turnaround time, and genre preferences. The book also includes a section in the back with author's services, where an author can find an editor, cover designer, etc. And no one has paid a fee to be listed in the book, so you know that you can trust the information. The PDF is priced at just $9.99, and is DRM-FREE. A must-have for any author, agent, or publicist.  

Purchase

Ebook * Print

 

Book Blast Giveaway

$50 Amazon Gift Card Ends 5/31/13    a Rafflecopter giveaway

#AtoZChallenge: Z is for Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah

Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah... just the mention of it makes you want to break out in song, doesn't it? Well, it should... it should make you feel happy like you have no cares in the world, right?

I've had the song in my head for two days... not quite sure why. Probably because I've been thinking about what to write about for the Z day! So, back to the song. I had no idea about the song's origins and just found out that it was in the 1964 animated movie Song of the South (which I'd never even heard of... where have I been?). The man who sang it was called James Baskett, apparently, the music was written by Allie Wrubel and lyrics by Ray Gilbert. Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah even won the Academy Award for Best Original Song. Cool, huh?

Here are the lyrics:

Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay

My, oh my what a wonderful day!

Plenty of sunshine heading my way

Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay

Mister Bluebird on my shoulder

It's the truth, it's actch'll

Ev'rything is satisfactch'll

Zip-a-dee-doo-dah, zip-a-dee-ay

Wonderful feeling, wonderful day!

And here's the video of the song from the movie:

And while I'm on the subject of Zs, my husband said I should write about Zavial. Huh? You say. Well, Zavial is the name of a small beach down towards the west coast of the Algarve. The reason he wanted me to talk about Zavial is because he worked on a house there... and produced the most gorgeous bathroom which he wanted me to share with you. My hubby renovates property, you see. And he's rather amazing at it! Anyway, here's the flash bathroom he created:

His attention to detail and after sales service is unlike anybody I've ever met! So, if you're after a new bathroom (or any other room in the house), and you live in the UK (where we'll be moving to soon) or the Algarve, let me know :)

Don't forget to download your FREE copy of Raven. There are two more books in The Raven Saga: December Moon and The Lost Soul. You can also get a FREE copy of Daisy Madigan's Paradise, a Morgan Sisters novella. The sequel to Daisy Madigan's Paradise is also available: The Ghost of Josiah Grimshaw.

#AtoZChallenge: Y is for Yorkshire

Yorkshire, the county of my birth where I lived until I was ten years old. That was back in 1986 when I was whisked away from friends and family to live in a country I'd never even heard of up until the year before when we'd gone on holiday there. Portugal. It seemed so far away from everything.
I missed Yorkshire terribly... for a few months anyway. And then I settled into my new life, met new friends and slowly Yorkshire became a distant memory. I remember playing in Clifton Park in Rotherham  with my oldest pal, Emma. We used to play in the Weeping Willows by the entrance to the museum. Other days we would don our rollerskates and skate through the park or down to the local chippy and eat chips out of newspaper outside. Sigh. Those were the days.
I went back a couple of years ago and could hardly believe how much it has changed. I hardly recognised the street where I used to live. But then we meandered over to Clifton Park and I nearly wept (!) when I saw the Weeping Willows were still there. I was so excited, I had to take a photo (this was before the haircut and weight loss!).
Quite a few years ago, I wrote a poem about this and made a video of it (cheesy I know):

Since moving to Portugal and holidaying in England, I've still never seen much more of Yorkshire, yet it's supposed to be such a beautiful county with rolling Moors and so much history.  I hope to remedy that when I move back, although we're not moving to Yorkshire, we won't be too far away.
Have you ever been? What did you think of this lovely part of the world?

Don't forget to download your FREE copy of Raven. There are two more books in The Raven Saga: December Moon and The Lost Soul. You can also get a FREE copy of Daisy Madigan's Paradise, a Morgan Sisters novella. The sequel to Daisy Madigan's Paradise is also available: The Ghost of Josiah Grimshaw.

#AtoZChallenge: X is for X Files

Who doesn't love the X Files? When it first came out back in the 90s, I was totally hooked. I adored David Duchovny and Gillian Andersen... needless to say, I was gutted when it ended. I never watched the series when David left, it just wasn't the same.

I loved the supernatural element... not necessarily the alien side of it (which clearly dominated the story) but those episodes about all things weird and wonderful. I remember a particularly memorable episode (The Post-Modern Prometheus,, the fifth episode of the fifth season) which featured the Cher song, Walking in Memphis. Every time I hear that song, it always takes me back to the X Files. It was such a weird one, wasn't it? I loved the eeriness of it. It was just so cool.

I still listen to the theme tune, it's a particularly inspiring piece of music, especially when I'm writing an eerie scene. 

Were you an X Files addict?

Don't forget to download your FREE copy of Raven. There are two more books in The Raven Saga: December Moon and The Lost Soul. You can also get a FREE copy of Daisy Madigan's Paradise, a Morgan Sisters novella. The sequel to Daisy Madigan's Paradise is also available: The Ghost of Josiah Grimshaw.

#AtoZChallenge: W is for Witchcraft

I've always been intrigued by the whole witchcraft thing. I used to buy all kinds of books about it, one was particularly cool (at the time) because its cover was made of velvet. It was gorgeous. I still don't know what happened to that book. I think it was a book of spells, actually (not that I've ever tried to cast any I might add).
Perhaps this is why I wrote about witches in The Raven Saga... one of the main characters is a witch and comes from a long line of witches. I loved writing her story. It was a lot of fun.
My love of all things Wicca also goes for movies. Give me a good witchy film, and I'm happy. I've already mentioned my love for Practical Magic in this challenge, so you all know it's my all time favourite. However, I do have some other guilty pleasures:

Harry Potter

I hadn't intended to include this but of course it's FULL of witches! No wonder its a favourite book / movie series!

The Craft

I loved both Robin Tunney and Neve Campbell in this eerie teen flick. It was so dark and creepy too. Awesome!

The  Witches of Eastwick

Loved Cher, Michelle Pfeiffer and Susan Sarandon. Not to mention Jack Nicholson.

Hocus Pocus

I adore Bette Midler, she's one of my all time fave actresses (have you seen Beaches? Amazing!) and she was brilliant with both Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy.

Teen Witch

One of the best teen movies... ever! I adored  Robyn Lively.

Don't forget to download your FREE copy of Raven. There are two more books in The Raven Saga: December Moon and The Lost Soul. You can also get a FREE copy of Daisy Madigan's Paradise, a Morgan Sisters novella. The sequel to Daisy Madigan's Paradise is also available: The Ghost of Josiah Grimshaw.