YA Author Club: Toni's Journey

28.9.13

Hello there, Writers and Readers!
I’m back, and as promised, I will be writing about a writer’s relationship with characters.
Now this topic is one T.R. Graves and I have discussed a lot! Although some writers will disagree, it is very, very important to connect with your characters on an almost supernatural level.

LET ME TELL YOU HOW IT WORKS (for me).
My characters and I are one, although they are far more experienced in life than I am. Let me walk you through my basic day. I wake up, usually from a dream either about friends of mine or my characters. There have been some dreams about my characters that I have woken up from that made me pause and question who I am. In some of my dreams, I become my characters. And, I know that sounds like I should be locked up for psychiatric help, but that is the life of a writer (#itsawriterthing). I go to work with my characters lingering throughout my thoughts. Leave me alone for five minutes and I’ll be in my book. I will be interacting with my character and them with me (or maybe not so much, we will get to this later). I go through my day thinking up conversations, replaying scenes, really, really trying to get to know the subtleties that hide inside my characters. Let me tell you, it works. Give me a situation or opinion provoking something and I could tell you in detail how each of my characters would feel about it or do, better than I could say for me. My day goes on, I write, and eventually I go to sleep thinking about my characters, playing out more scenes. Side note: sometimes I am working on a different book and characters from one of them will be like, that right there sounds more like a _______ comment than _______. They are always right (right here I almost wrote write. I swear writing really is engrained in me. I always want an opportunity to use the word or write the word ‘write’).
More than that though, I really love my characters. They are a part of me. I don’t know what I would do without them. They are like Anne (my muse and BFF) I would be so, so very lost without them. There are times where I don’t know how to react to a situation and I say to myself, “What would Jake, or character x do?” Most of the time that works.



I’M NOT THE ONLY ONE! YAY!


There are a lot of writers who are like me, even ones that write for screen. March 2010 I met Lee Goldberg (Monk), Paul Wagner (Documentaries), and Hugh Wilson (Bay Watch) to name just a few writers. They were on a panel talking about screen writing and characters and everything. It was awesome. Hugh Wilson was talking and said, “You write and a character says something and everything changes. That is almost spiritual.” This couldn’t be truer. My characters have flipped my story inside out more than once. Plus, I have to add this made me feel more normal! Here is this widely known and hugely popular writer, who gets it, who has the spiritual connection with his characters.
Nola Sarina (Gilded Destiny, Jaded Touch, plus an upcoming co-author Wild Hyacinthe) agrees with my stance and like me lets her characters take over, “Sometimes, during revision, writing from scratch gets a sharper voice than re-wording what’s already there. I like to step away from a story for a while and then let the character tell me the story again from his fresh, enlightened perspective – allowing the character to grow with my style.”
I talked with Nola extensively one day about this and wrote something to her, that I want to share on here (it is only slightly edited to make sense for the blog post): “I promise you, I have looked up from writing and looked to the left and said, ‘but this is my book.’ I hear laughter. And I just sit there in protest until I let Devon have his way. The book and characters take life...we are their way of becoming known, it’s not the other way around. We don't make them known, they makes us known. I think they are their own wonderful breed that we must take dictation from because I have fought him and it turned out horribly, and when I listen to him, it is flawless.”
There are many other writers out there that go through this, it is normal, don’t medicate! There are some writers who don’t and that is okay, “to each his own”. And then there are some writers who refuse to admit that they do this, because they are afraid of how they will be received. To those writers, don’t worry, allow your characters to take charge and scream it from the mountain and we here will welcome you with open arms and similar war stories. We love meeting our own people!

BUT, BUT IT IS MY BOOK!
I know your book is your baby, but so are your characters. And your characters are living the story so if they stop you or you get massively painful writer’s block, then your characters are trying to tell you something. The book I am writing, (Devon’s book) at times I have fought with my characters or Devon and wanted something specific to happen or not happen because I am the writer and it is my $*&%$@&@* book! I have felt my characters leave me, until I give in and let them write the book and write what happens to them (basically what I said to Nola in my quote earlier). They are ALWAYS right, always! It is obnoxious. Like sometimes to the point where I want to punch my characters, because it is my book and I should have control, but no, they took life and took over. My book would be nothing or horrible if I didn’t listen to them. After all they know themselves the best; we can pretend we know them as well and 100%, but we don’t. We may never, and that is okay, really it is. I don’t think we are ever really supposed to know our characters, because then writing wouldn’t be magical. It would be boring and a task. Eventually we will get to know them quite well and almost 100% but there will always be that magical percent that adds the beautiful mystique that hold us hostage as writers. I mean, really think about it, do you really know yourself? Do you really know anybody? And I am not talking like knowing their favorite color or birthday or food. I mean really knowing someone. There are always buried deep secrets that we won’t admit to ourselves, let alone other people. And if we do that, why do we demand we know our characters? They deserve privacy too.

ON A CLOSING NOTE
When you are writing and editing and thinking and plotting, take a step back. Take a step back and put your character into a completely new situation. You don’t have to physically write it, but really, really think into the story, make it as real as the story you are writing, tell people about it if you have to get opinions (this is what it takes to write a book). Because based on your characters reactions to the new situation or terrible situation (let’s face it most of us are sadistic and torture our poor loves. We need to though, if people wanted to read happy books about rainbows and butterflies, they’d be in the children’s section not YA and others) you will learn so much about them. How they breathe, what position they sleep in, how they smell, their favorite shower gel, laundry detergent, cologne/perfume, how they feel, how they feel things themselves. How they feel—I can honestly describe my characters down to the touch, how their embraces feel, what their arm feels like when relaxed and touched or tensed and touched, what their hair feels like, the sound of their voice, the sound of their breathing awake versus sleeping, ugh I could go on and on and on. These aren’t things that necessarily need to make it into the book, but they need to make it into our hearts and brains to make the story work. Back to my point, throw them into an unscripted, unwritten plot and see how they react, because it will grow them and you and you will learn them even more, and that will make your story worth reading and re-reading and sharing.

My next post will talk about the importance of music while writing.
Peace, Love, and Inspiration
Keep writing and remember
#itsawriterthing




Listening to: Shattered by David Hodges album: Trading Yesterday (More Than This)

Quote: "When I write, I go to live inside the book. By which I mean, mentally I can experience everything I’m writing about. I can see it, hear its sounds, feel its heat or rain. The characters become better known to me than the closest family or friends. This makes the writing-down part very simple most of the time. I only need to describe what’s already there in front of me. That said, it won’t be a surprise if I add that the imagined worlds quickly become entangled with the so-called reality of this one. Since I write almost every day, and I think (and dream) constantly about my work, it occurs to me I must spend more time in all these places than here." - Tanith Lee

Being Retro Blog Tour

27.9.13

Something a little different today! I'm helping out in the Being Retro Blog Tour. To keep up with the tour, and find out all the fun stuff that's been going on, check out Being Retro ...

A Celebrity Story by Jeremy Hawkins
So here we go again another date, another convention and me getting to meet one of the men behind one of the famous masks to date… Yes Jason Voorhees! Now the man I am talking about has played him in Friday the 13th 7, 8 and 9, he is Kane Hodder. 
I thought I would share this little story about attacking Kane Hodder in the hallway this leads to the ever famous “strangling” that has become a staple at conventions across the globe. So my friend Mike O went to this convention called “Weekend of Horrors (1991)” first horror convention I think. We went to Kane’s panel and were mesmerized by the man and the sharing of the stories; at this point he was discussing “Jason Goes To Hell”. This kind of tells you what year it was, so jump forward he is leaving the stage to sign a group of autographs in some other room. We sort of tackle the man because we didn’t think we wanted to wait in the line.
We are not the only ones at this point to think this out; early conventions did have the security like it does now. So here we jump the man holding him for a photo he obliges with a kind heart, he is great like that. Now when the man who plays Jason Voorhees asks you if you are coming to get an autograph… you of course say “Hell Yes”.
So I wanted to thank you and Suzy for sticking around, you all know I still have not answered the GEORGE TAKEI stumping question… I promise too! So if you follow the tour you will not want to miss it because it will be the last in the dates. Thank you all again...

Being Retro




It's a four book series 40 pages each and it is the art/design from things I had designed over the years. It's a mish-mash of things that I had seen in my head... and some are future designs that will become shirts. Places I wanted to go artistically as you travel from where I was to where I am now. Is it great journey! Titles came from the idea of time "12:34, 35, 36 and 37” seems that is when my best ideas came to me... day or night. It's funny I never considered myself a "writer" just a man who likes to paint a canvas if it be words or my art/design.

Giveaways: Some great prizes being given away please stop over at my main page “BEING RETRO” and look just below the header for the “It’s Time” Tour Giveaway link and enter today.

Thank You, for letting me play host and to all who took the “time” to read this… you are all the best.

Jeremy Hawkins
Being Retro
beingretro.com

The Ripple Effect Romance Novella Series

25.9.13



The Ripple Effect Romance Novella Series 
Enjoy this exciting new series of clean novellas by six critically-acclaimed authors.

"Like a pebble tossed into calm water, a simple act can ripple outward and have a far-reaching effect on those we meet, perhaps setting a life on a different course—one filled with excitement, adventure, and sometimes even love."

Book 1: Home Matters by Julie N. Ford
Book 2: Silver Linings by Kaylee Baldwin
Book 3: Righting A Wrong by Rachael Anderson
Book 4: Lost and Found by Karey White
Book 5: Second Chances 101 by Donna K. Weaver
Book 6: Immersed in Love by Jennifer Griffith



Home Matters by Julie N. Ford

According to her mother, Olivia Pembroke was born to be a star. But how is she supposed to be famous when she can't even get a decent acting gig? Her lucky break comes when she lands an audition for a wildly popular home improvement show. Even though she has no design training and has never even held a power tool, she refuses to let that stop her. She's confident that her destiny is finally within reach.

When her affections are torn between her heartthrob co-host and the irritating, yet somehow endearing lead contractor, does she continue to reach for the stars? Or does she design a new happily ever after? One that leads not to the fading lights of fame and fortune, but to a love that will burn forever.



Silver Linings by Kaylee Baldwin

Drew Westfall wants nothing more than to forget what he had to do in the name of "smart" business. Cutting off all ties with his parents—including handing over the entire contents of his trust fund to a charity—he takes off for Bridger, Colorado where his best friend has an extra room for him. It doesn't take long for him to realize that his business degree won’t do him much good in a town as small as Bridger, but he's broke and has nowhere else to go.

Eden Torresi has every reason to wallow. Not only did she lose her mother, but she had to drop out of nursing school and is in a relationship with a guy unwilling to commit. But Eden isn't the wallowing type. Instead, she chooses to spend most of her time taking care of the seniors at Silver Linings Nursing home. When she learns that her boyfriend's new roommate is down on his luck, her caring nature makes her want to reach out to him and offer what help she can. But the more time they spend together, the more complicated things get, especially when the seniors of Silver Linings decide to play matchmaker.



Righting a Wrong by Rachael Anderson

Seven years ago, Cambri Blaine fled her small hometown of Bridger, Colorado after her senior year ended in a fiasco. Only Jace Sutton knew the real reason why—that she was a spineless coward. Now, seven years later, her father's been in an accident and needs help, and Cambr has no choice but to return home. So with trepidation, she takes a leave of absence from the landscape architecture firm where she works and boards a plane, hoping against hope that Jace is no longer around and that the past can stay where it belongs—in the past.

If only life worked that way.

Jace never expected to see Cambri again. After she’d led him on, bruised his heart, and left town without a backward glance, he was forced to pick up the pieces and try not to hate her for it. Eventually, he put it behind him and moved on, creating a life for himself in his beloved hometown. But now that Cambri is back and looking more beautiful and sophisticated than ever, some of those old feelings resurface, and Jake instinctively knows, for the sake of his heart, that he needs to avoid her at all costs.

If only it were that easy.


Lost and Found by Karey White

Lydia was supposed to have an adventurous and exciting summer. Instead she's done nothing more than read and eat takeout. Now it's time to go home, and what does she have to show for it? A big fat nothing. Unless, of course, her trip to the airport somehow turns into something more than just a flight home.

Blake feels like he's been sent on a wild goose chase. While work is piling up back in Denver, he's on the other side of the country, hunting for some mysterious box that his grandfather left him. Well, no more. Nothing inside that box could possibly be more important than the opportunity to make it as the youngest partner at his firm. So he's going home, and that's that. But that's before he discovers his flight has been cancelled.

When these two strangers meet at the airport, they make a split-second decision to search for the box together. Maybe with both of them on the hunt, Lydia can have her adventure and Blake can find the box. And maybe, if they’re lucky, they’ll even find some romance.



Second Chances 101 by Donna K. Weaver

Thirty seven year old Francie Davis, a recent widow and empty nester, gets to attend college at last. She’s sure her luck has changed when she also lands a job on campus that will pay her tuition, as administrative assistant to a history professor. When her handsome new boss yells at her on the first day of work, Francie worries she will never be good enough.

For Professor Alex Diederik, life is going downhill fast. Not only is his bitter ex-wife trying to poison their only daughter against him, but now his one place of solace—his work environment—is being complicated by his attractive new administrative assistant. She drives home his feelings of failure as a husband and father, and Alex wonders if hiring her was the right thing to do.

Francie will have to put aside her hurt and insecurities or risk her dreams, while Alex must look outside himself if he’s to mend the breach with his daughter. And, perhaps, find someone who can help heal his pain.


Immersed in Love by Jennifer Griffith

Lisette Pannebaker speaks five languages and has a brilliant business plan—personal language immersion. Clients can hire her to shadow them and speak all day in any language they need to learn for business or travel—whatever.

But there’s a major hitch: she’s far too pretty. Clients with less than honorable intentions sign up just have Lisette at their side. Solution? A make-under. Way under.It works like a charm. None of her male clients show her the least bit of interest.

Until… Erik.

Erik Gunnarsson is charming, kind, and smart—everything she’s ever looked for. Even though he seems to have a secret and she swore she'd never date a client, Lisette is tempted to shed her disguise—even if it means jeopardizing her career.

Giveaway Details
$25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
Ends 10/31/13

Bloggers who put up a spotlight post about these books on their blog can enter to win an additional $25 gift card or paypal cash.  See details in the Rafflecopter.

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 and sponsored by the authors. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cover Reveal: After the Kiss by RaShelle Workman

24.9.13


After the Kiss by RaShelle Workman
(Blood and Snow Season 2)
Publication date: Winter, 2013
Genres: Fairy Tales, Fantasy, Young Adult


Synopsis:
At the end of Blood and Snow season 1, Snow White kissed her true love and became the Vampire Queen. Life should’ve been perfect.
Except it wasn’t.
<3 This is the story of Snow’s life After the Kiss… <3
Over the course of season 2 in the Blood and Snow series, Snow will unravel the truth about her absentee father, the stepmother who never cared and the treacherous Hunter.
Oh, and don’t forget Snow’s true love.
And the little vampire, Jasmine.
Because in the real world fairytales don’t equal happily ever after. In the real world fairytales don’t even exist.

Goodreads
Goodreads Season 1

AUTHOR BIO
RaShelle Workman is the bestselling author of the Dead Roses series ("Sleeping Roses" is being translated into Turkish, and will be available in print wherever Turkish books are sold in 2014), the Immortal Essence series, and the Blood and Snow series. She's sold over two hundred thousand copies of her novels worldwide in the past year, including Japan, Canada, and Europe. You can find RaShelle all over the web, but the best place to start is on her blog: www.rashelleworkman.com.

Author Links:
Rashelle's Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

Before by Melissa Pearl

20.9.13

I'm so excited to be telling you all about the new novella by Melissa Pearl, one of my favourite YA authors. I've read just about everything she's published and I'm always hungry for more. I was very lucky to have been able to have a sneak preview of Before and what can I say? Brilliant, Awesome, Epic... it's AMAZING! But look out for my review coming soon. In the meantime, read on and find out more...
BEFORE


(A Betwixt Novella #0.5) (Betwixt Series)

Book Description:

Dale Finnigan is a teenage rebel; he lives for parties, girls and joy riding in stolen cars. In spite of his uptight parents' constant warnings and lectures, he continues to run wild. His crazy lifestyle is the only way he can live and feel free…until his reckless behavior takes him down a path where there is no going back.

In this prequel to BETWIXT, find out who Dale Finnigan was before he became known as “scar-face”—the unassuming hero everyone underestimates.

WARNING: This book is intended for mature teen readers due to coarse language and mature content.

Purchase Links:
*On SALE for only 99 CENTS for a limited time only!*



Excerpt:
The car horn sounded like a trumpet, making me laugh hysterically. Hugh was anything but subtle. Jamming my feet into my Converse shoes, I tie the laces in a hurry and rush for the door.
"Where are you going?"
My mother, one of the shortest people I know, tries to block my way. I gently nudge her aside as I zip up my hoody. "I'm going out," I mumble.
"No you're not. It's Friday night. You have youth group. Your father is expecting to see you there."
"Well he's going to be disappointed...again. How many times do I have to tell you guys I'm not interested? I don't want to sound snarky, but I can't help it. I hate youth group. I hate church. I hate that my minister is my dad who is constantly harping on about it and forcing me to go to stuff that is as boring as hell. It's bad enough they force me to the Sunday morning snore-fest each week. I decided a few months ago, that my parents could stop stealing my Friday nights as well. I used to sneak out after youth group all the time, but it was getting tiring. The last few months of just skipping it have been much easier, although I could do without the arguments.”
"Dale, stop."
I don't bother holding in my sigh as I pause by the front door. My mother's voice, usually so soft and sweet has taken on a hard edge. It's been doing that a lot lately.
"You know the rules."
Do I ever!
"You must attend youth group. How do you think it looks to the parishioners when their own minister's son doesn't even show up?"
"I don't care how it looks." I spin around to face her. "I don't care what any of those people think. I'm not here to impress them. I never asked to be a minister's kid."
"Dale…"
"No! I'm going out."
Her expression crests with sadness before bunching into a tight frown.
I race out the door before she can stop me. Her voice chases me down the path all the way to Hugh's car. I slam the door shut, trying to block out the, "Dale, you get back here right now!"
"Go, man, go!"
Hugh nods and screeches away from the curb, but not fast enough for me to miss the tears welling in my mother's eyes. I shouldn't have looked back.
I hate that. Why does she have to go crying about it and making me feel bad? Maybe if her and Dad would stop lumping so many rules on me, and actually listen to what I had to say, I wouldn't have to cause her so much pain. This had been brewing for years, mostly without me knowing it, but at the end of my freshman year I just snapped. I couldn't play the role anymore. I refused to keep following the rules I thought were stupid. They weren't doing it because they loved me, they were just worried about what the damn church goers thought. It was all about appearances to them. I refused to follow some religion I wasn't even sure I believed in. Hypocrites were the worst kind of sinners, and I wasn't going to be lumped in with them.
No, I had chosen to swing to the complete opposite side of the spectrum. Having spent a lifetime living by the letter of the law, I was now doing my best to live as far from the law as possible. 

Add it to your TBR list on GOODREADS!



Melissa Pearl’s September Giveaway:


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Indie Author Series: Pinterest (Getting It To Work For You)

20.9.13

My name is Suzy Turner and I'm a Pinaholic.
There, I said it.
Honestly... whenever I open my Pinterest page, I'm like a women obsessed. I can't seem to stop.
'Dinner's ready!'
'I'll be two minutes.'
'Our guests have arrived!'
'Okay, just give me two minutes...'
'I think I've broken my leg...'
'Okay babe... just give me two minutes...'
Alright, maybe I'm not quite that bad, but it is bad. Pinterest should come with a warning.
But seriously, if you're not on Pinterest, why the heck not? It's awesome. Especially if you're a writer and need a little inspiration. I have a few boards that are dedicated entirely to my series. For instance, check out my Raven Saga mood board and my Morgan Sisters mood board. Whenever I see a picture that reminds me of my books or of a person that would make a great character, I pin it to my book boards and then when I'm writing, I check in every once in a while, have a really good browse and it's like pinspiration has gone off in my head! (Did you see what I did there?!)
I also have more fun / personal boards like recipes, art work I love, gorgeous houses, decor, movie stars, etc. You can check it all out at http://pinterest.com/suzyturnerbooks
As far as marketing is concerned, I'm not sure if it works for me or not. I always pin my books (and trailers) when they become available, but it's tough to tell whether it leads to any sales.
What about you? Are you an avid Pinterest user? Share your profile pages below :)

Don't forget that I currently have THREE FREE books!! Yes, THREE!! Daisy Madigan's ParadiseThe Ghost of Josiah Grimshaw and Raven. If you haven't got your copies, what are you waiting for?? And my next book (a chick lit novel) is due out soon. Read more about it here.

Now go check out my awesome buddies...

1. Laura A. H. Elliott
2. T. R. Graves, Author of The Warrior Series
3. Suzy Turner, author of The Raven Saga & The Morgan Sisters
4. Rachel Coles, author of Into The Ruins, geek mom blog
5. Gwenn Wright, author of Filter
6. Liz Long | Just another writer on the loose.
7. Ella James
8. Maureen Murrish
9. YA Sci Fi Author's Ramblings
10. A Little Bit of R&R
11. Melissa Pearl
12. Terah Edun - YA Fantasy
13. Author Cindy C Bennett

Contingency by Peggy Martinez

19.9.13

BOOK 1

Contingency by Peggy Martinez
(Sage Hannigan Time Warper #1)
Publication date: December 2012
Genres: New Adult, Time-Travel

Synopsis:
Eighteen-year-old Sage Hannigan wants to get back to her own time, preferably one that hasn’t been destroyed by an underworld plot brewing in Edwardian-era South Carolina. How hard can it be?
All she has to do is:
1. Learn to use newly acquired warping skills to bend time to her will.
2. Take out a few rogue vampires.
3. Join an ancient secret society.
4. Figure out who is putting the time stream in jeopardy.
5. Find and maim whoever invented the corset.
Sage never asked to be chosen by the Druid Priestess, Amerach, to become a Warper. She also never asked to have the future hanging on her shoulders or to warp a hundred years into the past. She certainly never asked to meet Dr. Aldwin Blake, who would make her question her desire to get back to her own time. But if she fails her mission, people will die, history will change, and the present she wishes to return to will be no more.

Goodreads
Purchase:
Amazon
B&N

BOOK 2

Relativity by Peggy Martinez
(Sage Hannigan Time Warper #2)
Publication date: February 20th 2013
Genres: New Adult, Time-Travel

Synopsis:
Three months after Sage Hannigan time warps a hundred years into the past and saves the future as we know it, she is still trying to come to grips with all the has gained…and all that she has lost. All of her searching hasn’t turned up Cerberus Society or any creatures of the night and she’s beginning to wonder if she’s gone crazy after all. The only things keeping her grounded are her sparring sessions with Matt and her weekly ritual of scouring the city for low lives to kick the crap out of, and even that can’t keep her dreams free of the heartache and bitter sweet memories she has come to loath and…to cherish. When blasts from the past; good, bad, and evil, come knocking on her door, will she be able to do what she has to even if it means having her barely-healing heart ripped to shreds?
Goodreads
Purchase:
Amazon

Brief Author Interview:

1. How long did it take you to write Contingency?
It took me two months from start to finish to write the first draft of Contingency.

2. What are the last five books you've read?
Mercy Blade by Faith Hunter, Death's Rival by Faith Hunter, Rot & Ruin by , Taking on the Dead by Annie Walls, The Breeders by Katie French.

3. Do you have a book trailer?

4. Who has been your best cheerleader?
My husband has always been my number one cheerleader in everything.

5. What would be your advice to yourself before publishing your book?
Write. Don't stop, even when all the doubts begin and you think everything you've written is crap. Keep writing. When you're done writing, prepare to butcher your writing, do several rewrites, and then sew it all back together again. I'm a firm believer that the true magic of the writing process happens during editing and rewrites.

Excerpt
“I’ve lain awake in bed the last hundred years remembering, Sage.” He pushed himself further into my space, putting both his hands on either side of me, onto the counter behind me. I had to lean back as he leaned in. “Remembering your scent,” he said softly as he buried his nose into my hair and inhaled. My eyes fluttered closed, and I tried to hold my body rigid, but my arms were already shaking from the force of it, from the need to lean into him instead of away from him. “Remembering the curve of your neck,” he murmured as his lips grazed my jawline and his hand cupped the back of my neck, sending tingles all along my skin and drawing a moan from me. “Remembering the taste of your lips,” he spoke huskily against my mouth.
His mouth devoured mine and the only thing I could do was wrap my arms around his neck and hold on as he made up for a hundred years of doubts, desires, and distant dreams. His mouth slanted against mine, and my body trembled against his as desire and longing clouded my thoughts.-- RELATIVITY, Peggy Martinez

AUTHOR BIO
Peggy Martinez is a homeschooling mom of one boy and four girls.
She has been married to her soul mate, Omar, since January 2000. She enjoys reading, writing, soap making, all things aromatherapy, and Twizzlers- lots of Twizzlers. She dreams of one day owning a small homestead, raising some chickens along with her children, growing a large garden, and eventually taking a dream vacation to Greece. It isn't too far fetched to think you could happen upon her and her husband having a conversation about religion, political conspiracies, a zombie apocalypse, or gangster movies.
Website
Goodreads
Facebook
Twitter

The Short Game official trailer

17.9.13

Now I know that this isn't a book... but I just had to share it! And who can resist cute kids? Add to that the fact that these kids are absolutely amazing and the movie (due out September 20) deserves as much publicity as possible....
For more information, visit http://theshortgamemovie.com/

Trailer Blast Reveal for Jennifer Shaw Wolf’s DEAD GIRLS DON’T LIE

11.9.13


DGDLtrailerblast
Welcome to the Official Trailer Blast Reveal for Jennifer Shaw Wolf’s DEAD GIRLS DON’T LIE
(This trailer is scheduled for release at a particular time so do bear with us if it's now showing just yet!)
17286807
Rachel died at two a.m . . . Three hours after Skyler kissed me for the first time. Forty-five minutes after she sent me her last text. 
Jaycee and Rachel were best friends. But that was before. . .before that terrible night at the old house. Before Rachel shut Jaycee out. Before Jaycee chose Skyler over Rachel. Then Rachel is found dead. The police blame a growing gang problem in their small town, but Jaycee is sure it has to do with that night at the old house. Rachel’s text is the first clue—starting Jaycee on a search that leads to a shocking secret. Rachel’s death was no random crime, and Jaycee must figure out who to trust before she can expose the truth.
In the follow-up to her powerful debut, Jennifer Shaw Wolf keeps readers on their toes in another dark, romantic story of murder and secrets.
PRE-ORDER IT NOW!
bntdivider
DGDLBlastPrize
One winner will get a signed copy of DEAD GIRLS DON’T LIE
One winner will get a signed copy of BREAKING BEAUTIFUL
Shipping in US Only – Must be 13+ to Enter
a Rafflecopter giveaway

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Jennifer Shaw Wolf grew up on a farm in the tiny town of St. Anthony, Idaho. She spent cold Idaho mornings milking cows in the dark and attended a school where Hunter’s Education was part of the sixth grade curriculum. She’s always been a writer, whether it was sewing together books to read to her little brothers or starting an underground newspaper in sixth grade. She met the love of her life at Ricks College, (now BYU Idaho), after he dropped her on her head. She graduated from Ricks and then Brigham Young University, Provo with a degree in Broadcast Communications. Now she lives in beautiful, green, (rainy) Lacey, Washington with her husband and four kids. She loves to produce videos, ski, ride horses, and read, but really all she has time for is chasing kids and writing.

Fiction Dreams

11.9.13

Sorry I haven't been around much lately but I'm been super busy with several things: getting my latest novel ready to publish (it's currently with my editor YAY!), making a start on the next Morgan Sisters book and creating a brand new website for women's fiction. I must say I'm totally in love with the site, which is called Fiction Dreams. 


It's a new blog dedicated to women's fiction. Although 'specialising' in chick lit, it will also feature many different genres including paranormal romance, historical romance, New Adult books, drama, memoirs, etc. At the moment it is focusing quite heavily on author interviews but there will be lots more going on - book blasts, cover reveals, book launches, giveaways, competitions, etc.
There has already been some very well known authors featured, including Mandy Baggot, Amanda Egan, Lois Winston, etc and there are some other famous writers that have confirmed including Wendy Holden, Belinda Jones, Freya North, Judy Astley, Talli Roland, Lizzie Lamb and many more. I've even been in contact with the great Jackie Collins!
I will always be on the look out for authors and books to feature on www.fictiondreams.com so anyone interested should get in touch via email at suzyturnerbooks [at] hotmail [dot] com

Indie Author Series: Twitter

6.9.13

I do love Twitter and I've currently got 5,933 followers. I follow everyone interesting (!) back, like fellow authors, book lovers, social networking experts, celebs I like, etc. However I won't follow anyone back that has no profile description or photo, because they're usually spammers or just people entering competitions and never interacting with anyone.
I use it to shout out about new book launches, blog posts and to RT other people's interesting tweets. I'm not one of those people who tweets religiously about my books. I see little point in doing that. I don't want to put people off and encourage them to unfollow me! I probably don't chat as much as I should, but I sometimes find it difficult to have a conversation with so few words. It's a fun social networking site though and there's always something fascinating to read!
What about you? Do you use Twitter much? Find me on Twitter, right here.

Don't forget that I currently have THREE FREE books!! Yes, THREE!! Daisy Madigan's ParadiseThe Ghost of Josiah Grimshaw and Raven. If you haven't got your copies, what are you waiting for?? And my next book (a chick lit novel) is due out soon. Read more about it here.

Now go check out my awesome buddies...

1. Laura A. H. Elliott
2. T. R. Graves, Author of The Warrior Series
3. Suzy Turner, author of The Raven Saga & The Morgan Sisters
4. Rachel Coles, author of Into The Ruins, geek mom blog
5. Gwenn Wright, author of Filter
6. Liz Long | Just another writer on the loose.
7. Ella James
8. Maureen Murrish
9. YA Sci Fi Author's Ramblings
10. A Little Bit of R&R
11. Melissa Pearl
12. Terah Edun - YA Fantasy
13. Author Cindy C Bennett

Keeper of Reign by Emma Right and her top ten fantasy books

5.9.13

 Keeper of Reign copy
  keeper
Keeper of Reign
Books written in blood. Most are lost, their Keepers with them. A curse that befell a people. A Kingdom with no King. Life couldn’t get more harrowing for the Elfies, a blend of Elves and Fairies. Or for sixteen-year-old Jules Blaze. Or could it? For Jules, the heir of a Keeper, no less, suspects his family hides a forgotten secret. It was bad enough that his people, the Elfies of Reign, triggered a curse which reduced the entire inhabitants to a mere inch centuries ago. All because of one Keeper who failed his purpose. Even the King’s Ancient Books, did not help ward off that anathema. Now, Gehzurolle, the evil lord, and his armies of Scorpents, seem bent on destroying Jules and his family. Why? Gehzurolle’s agents hunt for Jules as he journeys into enemy land to find the truth. Truth that could save him and his family, and possibly even reverse the age-long curse. Provided Jules doesn't get himself killed first.  
    emma
Author Emma Right
Emma Right is a happy wife and homeschool mother of five living in the Pacific West Coast of the USA. Besides running a busy home, and looking after their five pets, which includes two cats, two bunnies and a Long-haired dachshund, she also writes stories for her children. She loves the Lord and His Word deeply, and when she doesn't have her nose in a book, she is telling her kids to get theirs in one. Right worked as a copywriter for two major advertising agencies and won several awards, including the prestigious Clio Award for her ads, before she settled down to have children.

I asked Emma to give me her top ten fantasy books, here's what she chose...

1. Chronicles of Narnia
2.The Lord of the Rings series
3, Hunger Games
4. Holes
5. The Book Thief
6.Ella Enchanted
7.Bridge to Terabithia
8. City of Ember
9. The Hobbit
10. A Wrinkle in Time

  Blog Tour Giveaway $25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 9/9/13
  a Rafflecopter giveaway

A Wicked Kind of Dark Book Blast

4.9.13

A Wicked Kind of Dark
 Robert Duncan no longer believes in magic. A mysterious call about a blood moon, however, leads him back to the magical world of his childhood and to Luthien, the beautiful girl with flame-coloured hair, who he loved and lost. As Robert unravels the secrets of his childhood, darkness enters his life and an ancient evil awakens. To have any chance of defeating the dark forces that would destroy two worlds, Robert must find Luthien before the rise of the blood moon. He must, once more, believe in magic … A Wicked Kind of Dark mixes vast and spectacular fantasy landscapes with gritty urban reality. A must-read for people of all ages who believe in the power of imagination, and the importance of never losing touch with your inner child.
 
Author Jonathan K. Benton Jonathan Benton always wanted to write books, having won first place in a short story competition when he was ten. Inspired by writes such as Ray Bradbury and Stephen King, Jonathan first discovered the crossover genre of literary/fantasy while reading Bradbury’s Something Wicked This Way Comes. Jonathan grew up in New Zealand, dreaming of travelling to London and finally making the pilgrimage in his mid-twenties. Returning from England, he settled in Australia, the country he now calls home, and decided to take his writing seriously.
BookBlast Giveaway $100 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 9/22/13 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

THE PIRATE CURSE by E.J. Stevens COVER REVEAL!!

3.9.13

Time for a cover reveal!  Feast your eyes on the cover for THE PIRATE CURSE by E.J. Stevens.

Isn't it gorgeous?!!??!

The Pirate Curse (Spirit Guide #5) by E.J. Stevens.

When Yuki starts smelling salt brine and seaweed, she finds her summer vacation hijacked by pirates...the DEAD kind.

Will the ghost of Black Sam Bellamy, Prince of Pirates, lead Yuki and her friends to treasure or terror?


Genre:  Young Adult (YA), Paranormal Romance, Mystery

Release Date:  October 8, 2013

Add to Goodreads

Books in this series:  She Smells the Dead, Spirit Storm, Legend of Witchtrot Road, Brush with Death.

About the Author:  E.J. Stevens is the author of the Spirit Guide young adult series and the bestselling Ivy Granger urban fantasy series. When E.J. isn't at her writing desk she enjoys dancing along seaside cliffs, singing in graveyards, and sleeping in faerie circles. E.J. currently resides in a magical forest on the coast of Maine where she finds daily inspiration for her writing.

Follow E.J.'s Blog, Newsletter, Goodreads, and Twitter

***The Pirate Curse Swag Giveaway***


We are celebrating The Pirate Curse Cover Reveal with a giveaway.  Enter to win a signed The Pirate Curse postcard, a The Pirate Curse sticky notepad, and The Pirate Curse sticker.

Use the easy peasy Rafflecopter form to enter.  This giveaway is INTERNATIONAL.  Giveaway ends September 17, 2013.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Left (Still Standing, #1) by T. R. Graves

1.9.13

Series: Still Standing
Genre: Contemporary New Adult 
Disclaimer: 18+ profanity/sexual situations/violence
Length: 315 pages
Regular Price: $3.99
Summary:

A naive Baylee loves Colt, her boyfriend of four years, more than she ever thought possible. After a little snooping, she's convinced she's well on her way toward hearing an once-in-a-lifetime proposal and starring in the wedding-of-the-year event. Instead, she's blindsided by a very public breakup and the crushing news that Colt is marrying someone else... someone more befitting him and the role his father expects him to take in his law firm.

Baylee may have spent years resenting Ariana, her mother, and her suicide, an intolerable show of weakness in Baylee's opinion, but after Colt leaves her just short of the altar, Baylee sees the world through her mother's eyes. She sympathizes with Ariana's actions and realizes that some things—soul-deep aches—can irreparably damage you and make moving on nearly impossible.


At least that's how she feels until she meets Ryker. With his help, Baylee discovers there is life after Colt, and she prepares to move on by pulling herself up by the bootstraps, holding her head high, and standing on her own two feet. Unfortunately, a new jealous and hateful Colt has his own plans for her, and they are plans no one—especially Baylee—ever saw coming.


Pre-release purchase link: Smashwords

Left (Still Standing, #1) Kindle Fire Giveaway:


Goodreads 5 Book Paperback Giveaway:


Goodreads Book Giveaway

Left by T.R. Graves

Left

by T.R. Graves

Giveaway ends October 01, 2013.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.
Enter to win
Made With Love By The Dutch Lady Designs