1000 + Books to Read

Stained Series Blog Tour! Interview with Author Ella James!!!

2012-05-31T07:00:00.000-07:00

I'm sooooooooooo excited to be a part of this super awesome Stained Series Blog Tour and I thought there would be no better way to share this than with an interview with the very own Ella James, Author OF the series! So Jenn and I put on our thinking caps and came up with some super cool (we hope) questions!

Make sure to check out all the awesome links towards the bottom with the Series info and Author info.

ENJOY!!

#1 - Stained, the first book in the Stained series, has gotten a lot of Internet buzz since it's release. Is it more than you expected? Tell me how it felt when you got your very first review in of Stained?

-Honestly, I think any amount of buzz was more than I expected! It's just not possible (for me) to imagine ANY number of people being intensely interested in something *I* wrote. This is heightened by the fact that I have written for years with basically no readers except my immediate family...so I guess I got used to not getting very much feedback on the books. It was so much fun to find that people liked Stained, especially since it was my very first book and was written years ago.

#2 - YA, Paranormal, Paranormal Romance, YA Paranormal Romance. All of these genres are filled with Authors and books. What makes yours stand apart from the rest?

-I try to go the extra mile with my characters - to make their histories interesting, to make their feelings sympathetic. I try to make it clear WHY the guy and girl/man and woman like each other... because I feel like that's not always done well enough in romance. Like, what does one of them have that the other one NEEDS. There needs to be *something,* ya know? I also like to think the writing is quality, especially in the later books like HERE and Before You Go. I'm not saying it's THE.BEST.WRITING.YOU.HAVE.EVER.READ.EVER. but I think I usually do okay. ;) I've been a writer professionally longer than I've written fiction, so I guess what I'm saying is I would think that shows some.

#3 - Looking back on your books, are there any edits that you wish weren't made? Any scenes that you wish were in the finished product? If so, can you share?

-Hmmm... There are usually parts I wish had been written or edited *better* (so I sometimes revise things for a while after a book is out), but I rarely remove scenes. HOWEVER... Over The Moon has a few deleted scenes, and after that comes out I will be happy to share those! :)

#4 - As a reader we tend to want the next book in the series.. like.. NOW, can you give us a little insight into the life of an Author and why we have to wait forever (not really) for the next book? What's going on behind the scenes?

-Hmm, well, there are several steps in the writing process that seem to be fairly universal, and added all up, even flying through them at breakneck speed, they seem to take between two and six months, depending on the writer. For me... I can write a first draft in two weeks or so, depending on what's going on with my family. My husband is my editor, and he insists on reading everything TWICE, which constantly drives me insane but makes the books better. So that takes maybe three weeks, because he is not flying through the books - he's trying to be sure everything makes sense. Then I read it again, a cover has to be designed, PR has to be done... Usually, though my two weeks turn into three or four because I have a baby and am busier than I would like to be with other things in life (dishes, grocery trips, baby food making, etc.), and my husband's three weeks are more like a month because he works a 9-5 job... so you get the point. ;) My goal, though, is to get better and better, faster and faster. I once heard a rumor that Janet Dailey could write a book in a weekend, and I've always wanted to get there.

#5 - U-Plot-It.. totally unique and interesting project. Where'd it come from? What made you decide to make this interactive book?

-The idea came to me at random, but I think it was sparked by me having realized earlier, the same day, that writing has gotten waaaaay less difficult for me than it once was. Or, rather, plotting has. Writing has honestly never been hard - it's a matter of time, which is sometimes tedious - but my mind is, sadly, not very structured, so plotting used to be pretty difficult for me. Then one day, probably during one of the seventeen million drafts of my adult romance, the TBR Over The Moon (of which I wrote FOUR totally-different-from-start-to-finish drafts), I just "got it," and it wasn't hard anymore. That's not to say I always do it perfectly, but I understand it now. And honestly, writing books became slightly less exciting.

I'm someone who really, really, really loves a challenge...so I started thinking, how could I make it harder again? And I realized if other people were telling me what to write it would be more difficult to tie together loose ends, to make a plot where all the pieces conveniently fit, where the book was about a certain thing and had a particular vibe. I'm also really picky about my characters... I HAVE to love them, or the books just don't work, and I thought if I didn't come up with them or their histories, maybe it would be harder to love them and the book would be harder to write. And, yeah, I thought it might be fun for other people, too. ;) I definitely believe anyone can write a book if they want to - that plotting can be easy if you take it step-by-step... I'm constantly trying to talk my family and friends into writing books, I guess because I know how fun it is, so I thought if none of my friends would write their own book, I could let them play with one of mine!

#6 - Out of all of your babies, I mean books, which book:

is your favorite?

-I'd probably have to say Over The Moon. Like I said before, I think I taught myself how to plot using that book (not recently - two or three years ago when I originally started messing around with it), and it has tons of characters I love. Watch for a preview of Over The Moon soon, btw... Like maybe on the free list. ;) (P.S. It features Logan and Margo from Before You Go, my YA contemporary romance that's out right now - only they may not be named Logan and Margo; when BYG was Part I of Over The Moon {which it originally was, though with a slightly different ending}, they had different names, and I can't decide if OTM will be published with their BYG names or their original OTM names. Is that enough acronyms to boggle your brain?)

was the hardest to write?

-Gah! They all are. :) Stolen was pretty hard, for whatever reason. I had a really tough time getting to know Nick in HERE. Since his backstory is so radical, I just clammed up. Finally in the middle of the book I figured Nick out and realized he's not that different from...say, anybody. :) And it got better.

has your favorite character?

-Probably Over The Moon. I really do love all my characters, just like a mama loves all her children, but I spent almost three years working with Logan in Before You Go/Over The Moon (where his name was Ander), and I came to love him. :) There's another character in that same series named Vincent that I really love, too.

#7 - So tell us.. whats next? What are you working on and when will we know about it? Sharing is caring you know! :o)

-I'm almost finished with Chosen, which I hope will be released in early June. That's the third book in my YA paranormal romance Stained Series. Next up is book two in the HERE series, which I still haven't quite named. That one's going to be really fun; I mean, things get totally INSANE. If you've read HERE, you'll understand. And do read HERE! Over The Moon will probably be released this month. After HERE Book Two I'm either going to write the U-PLOT-IT shifter story, a YA sci-fi romance called Azalea & The Makers of Zen, or an adult christian romance that will probably be called Saved.

Thanks so much for interviewing me! It was so much fun. xx Ella

Make sure to stop by Ella's website: http://ellajamesbooks.blogspot.com and facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ellajamesbooks to say HI!

You can pick up a copy of all Ella's books on Amazon! See links below:

Queen of the Sylphs by L.J. McDonald

2012-05-30T08:00:00.000-07:00

Queen of the Sylphs

Win a copy HERE

It was a dream come true. Solie had her own battler, a creature of almost infinite magic who could vaporize legions in the blink of an eye and would willingly suffer a thousand bloody deaths to protect her. She was his love. More simply, she was his queen.

Many others feel the same. The new-built settlement is a haven for all. Erected by sylphs of earth and fire, air and water, the Valley is Solie’s dominion. But, lovers without peer or killers without mercy, the very nature of their battler protectors means peril. It is not in any sylph’s nature to disobey, and while some are hers to command, others are the slaves of Solie’s enemies—the jealous, the cruel. Those who guard her must not fail. Their peasant-born ruler is not yet safe as…QUEEN OF THE SYLPHS (Description by Author on Amazon)

1000 + Books to Read Rating:

Lets Talk About It:

This series just gets better and better, however, the second book is still my favorite. This one is a close second.

We are back with Solie in her land and a lot has gone on. Solie is wanting to have a baby. Heyou is unable to give her one. The land has prospered and grown bringing people from all over in to do trades and see the land. Some end up staying and all are welcome.. although some shouldn't be. Some one is trying to kill Solie.

The only part I didn't like about this book is it was pretty easy to see who was the one controlling everything. In fact, I remember vividly, saying 'You dumba$$! Take back that command!'. And I was right. Though it was really interesting to see how it all ended up playing out. Jealousy rears it ugly head in this story.

I really recommend this series as a whole. If you haven't read it, you should! I can't wait until the next book comes out.

If you'd like to WIN a copy of Queen of the Sylph click HERE.

Quick Peek:

Where to Buy:

Amazon: Paperback, Kindle
Barnes & Noble

Disclosure: I received the above book from the Author to facilitate my honest review. I was not required to write a positive review, only an honest one. The opinions I have expressed in the above post are strictly my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the FTC's regulation 16 CFR, Part 255; "Guides concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising."

Sylph Series Wednesday Giveaway! Queen of the Sylphs by L.J McDonald - Ends 6/8

2012-05-30T07:58:00.000-07:00

Here's you chance to WIN a copy of Queen of the Sylphs by L.J. McDonald on our Sylph Series Wednesday Event!

You can check out the Review of Queen of the Sylphs HERE and enter to WIN a copy below!

Good Luck!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Guest Post: William Dickerson, Author of NO ALTERNATIVE

2012-05-29T07:00:00.000-07:00

Music is a drug.

No, really, it is. Music can significantly increase the levels of serotonin in a listener’s brain, which, as a result, positively impacts mood, sexual desires and the physical manifestation of those desires, overall cognitive function, regulation of body temperature, sleep and memory. Take that iPod out of the cabinet, plug in your headphones, and prescribe yourself a song.

The ability of music to impact, and indelibly mark, our lives cannot be underestimated. Melody, and the infinite ways of conveying melody, has a way of bypassing left-brain modes of communication and injecting itself directly into our bloodstreams. Music, for me, is a roadmap to my memories. I often mark moments in my life by the songs I was listening to at the time – for some reason, I can almost always remember the music associated with the happenings in my life, which then helps me place the moment, reconstruct the event, and relive the memory with some semblance of context.

Here are just a few examples:

Nirvana’s “Drain You;” circa 1995: I played over-and-over-again while pumping myself up to call my first girlfriend and ask her out on our first date.

Weezer’s “Only In Dreams;” circa 1995: The first song I crowd-surfed to while listening to it live as Weezer played it at Roseland Ballroom.

Cowboy Junkies’ cover of “Blue Moon;” circa 1999: Used as an aid for sense memory (actor lingo) in preparing for my first public acting performance in college, where I had to “cry” in a scene.

Metallica’s “Don’t Tread On Me;” September 11th, 2001: In an effort to get my mind off the tragedy that was befalling the country, and the world, just a few blocks away from the skyscraper I was sitting in, I turned on the Opie & Anthony radio show on 102.7 and listened to them play this song. It was an unabashed appeal to those listeners looking for revenge, the immediate and swift kind, as the song preaches “settling the score….and preparing for war.” It’s a song that at that moment, for better or worse, appealed to the salivary glands of a nation scorned. It epitomized the knee-jerk reaction to a tremendously complex situation that no doubt lead many to initially justify the unending quagmire we got ourselves into.

Radiohead’s “All I Need;” April 30th, 2010: The song that I danced to with my wife, Rachel, at our wedding. It’s difficult to put the importance of this particular merger of song and moment into words. However, what I can say is that beyond sealing our love for each other, the moment proved that Radiohead can be danced to.

Some of these moments, clearly, are more resonant than others; they’re just some examples I thought I would share. While reviewing them, and thinking about how they are linked permanently to music, I can’t help but mention three landmark moments in my life a music listener: the time I got my first walkman, the time I got my first CD player, and the time I got my first iPod. These moments, while marked by the excitement of new technology being introduced into my life, took on greater significance when music was played through them. In each of these cases, the significance was punctuated by The Beastie Boys. The first tape cassette to play through my walkman was “License To Ill,” the first CD to play through my CD player was “Check Your Head,” and the first MP3 album to play through my iPod was “To The 5 Boroughs.” It became tradition to christen my new music players with the B-Boys (make some noise!), which makes the passing of their founder, Adam “MCA” Yauch, even more saddening for me. I never met the man, though I did see them perform live once at Madison Square Garden; nevertheless, I was still greatly saddened by his loss. I instantly felt a void, as I’m sure most of his fans did when they heard the news. I grew up listening to his beats and his words, and those moments in my life that are marked by his music have now been marked by his death, by the fact that he will not be creating any more music, music that would have been the first thing I played on whatever the next technology through which music is played hits the
market.

Music connects the dots. And it’s music that I used as a framework for my novel, “No Alternative.” The landscape is the grunge era of the early 90’s, a milieu that the Beastie Boys were very much a part of, in which teenagers (the real ones who lived through it and the fictitious ones in my book) never felt more alone – this, at the very least, was the standard set by their moniker: Generation X. However, it was through music, which seemed to reflect that loneliness, disaffection and angst, that brought an army of teenagers together. This movement in music, in my opinion, has never been matched - - it was a cultural phenomenon, in both the worlds of alternative and rap music. It was a time when teenagers felt alienated, whether as a result of their place in the world or the hormones whirling inharmoniously inside their bodies. However, at this moment in 1994, teens were able to harness what is often uncontrollable energy through the music they played and listened to.

Music can do more than just mark one’s life, and through those markings, enhance the quality of it. If music is a drug, then life is, arguably, its active ingredient.

William Dickerson graduated from The College of The Holy Cross with a degree in English and received his Masters of Fine Arts in Directing from The American Film Institute. He is a writer/director whose work has been recognized by film festivals across the country and who recently completed his debut feature film, Detour, which was acquired by Level 1 Entertainment whose company credits include RENDITION, GRANDMA’S BOY and STRANGE WILDERNESS. No Alternative is his first novel. You can find him on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/noalternative.novel

NO ALTERNATIVE is a coming-of-age drama that drills a hole into the world of suburban American teenagers in the early 90's.

Thomas Harrison is determined to start his own alternative band, an obsession that blinds him to what's either the mental collapse, or the eruption of musical genius, of his little sister, Bridget. Bridget boldly rejects her brother's music, and the music of an entire generation of slackers, by taking on the persona of an X-rated gangsta' rapper named Bri Da B.

NO ALTERNATIVE probes the lives of rebellious kids who transition into adulthood via the distortion pedals of their lives in an era when the Sex, Drugs & Rock'n'Roll ethos was amended to include Suicide in its phrase.

Available NOW on Amazon: Paperback and Kindle

Cover Reveal!! Blood Jewel by Georgia Cates

2012-05-24T07:00:00.000-07:00

Isn't this cover amazingly beautiful?! I thought so and HAD to be a part of the cover reveal. Below is some information about Blood Jewel.

With the mystery of Chansey Leclaire and Curry Brennan’s connection solved, they are free to explore their newfound love for one another. Or so they thought...

When Marsala uses a witch and black magic to discover Curry’s whereabouts, he and Chansey are left with no choice. The newly engaged couple is forced to relocate away from their families at the new compound in Savannah, which causes some major changes in the plans for their upcoming wedding.

Relocating to Savannah might have saved Curry and Chansey from being discovered by Marsala, but it doesn’t stop her attempts to reach Curry or her efforts to harm Chansey through the use of black magic. As Marsala closes in, Curry faces the decision he never wanted to make. Will he keep Chansey human or condemn her to eternity as the thing he hates most?

As Curry waits for his hand to be forced, a newly turned vampire arrives at the Savannah compound in need of help. Not only is she a fledgeling in transition, she brings reports of escaping from a vampire cult still in possession of her sister, a human. Any attempt to save the captive human from a cult of vampires puts everyone in jeopardy. Can they risk entering a large cult to save one human being? And is so, how could they possibly do it successfully?

Love will grow. New mysteries will arise. A battle will ensue. A Blood Jewel will be found.

You can find more information about Georgia Cates on her Website, Facebook and Twitter.

Sneak Peek Excerpt:

I sat with my legs outstretched, leaning back on my palms and Chansey mimicked my position. She reached for her dress and scooted it up her thighs until she was satisfied with the amount of sun exposure on her legs. She enjoyed being in the sun and I wondered if she had given any thought as to how she would miss it if she became a vampire.

I didn’t want to think about it, so I shoved the thought aside and asked, “Are Gia and Lairah being overbearing about the wedding plans?”

“They have some intense ideas about our wedding,” she laughed. “I think I might want to elope.”

Now, she was talking my language. “You don’t have to convince me. I’ll take you to Vegas and make you my wife right now if it’s what you want.”

She quickly said, “Nope. I’m not ready to give up my dream of marrying you at the top of the open arm staircases.”

I wondered how I could be so lucky. How had I found enough favor with the gods to be given such a beautiful gift as Chansey?

“Oh, I’m sorry,” she apologized. “I didn’t even ask you if that was what you wanted"

“I’ve already told you that I thought it was perfect,” I reminded her.

She appeared puzzled. “I don’t recall you telling me that.”

“We didn’t exactly discuss it. When we were at Rachel and Christian’s wedding reception, you told me how you pictured your wedding. We didn’t get far into the conversation because that jackass, Evan Finley, interrupted us.”

“Yes, that I remember well. I’m sorry his stupid insults stand out more in my mind than our conversation,” she apologized.

Just thinking about that jackass had my blood boiling, so I thought it was a great idea to steer the direction of the conversation back toward the wedding. “Have you thought about a date for our wedding?”

She smiled and her eyes lit up. “Yes, I’ve given it a lot of thought and I have a date in mind. How do you feel about a November wedding?”

No way! That was too long to wait. “I’d be fine with it if this was the end of October. I know four months isn’t forever, but it sure feels an eternity to me right now"

“It’s not an eternity and four months barely gives me enough time to plan a small wedding. We haven't even told Granna and Granddaddy about our engagement yet. Have you forgotten that?”

I definitely had not forgotten that detail. “No, it hasn’t slipped my mind.”

She laughed and asked, “Are you worried about telling them?”

“I am a little nervous about it. I’ve never asked to marry someone before,” I admitted.

She leaned over and bumped her shoulder against mine. “Well, that’s good to know, but we’re telling them we’re getting married, not asking permission.”

“I know we don’t have to have their permission. That’s not what I need. It’s their blessing I want. I may be three times as old as Grady, but I still want to be respectful" I said.

She looked at me and rested her chin against her shoulder as she laughed. “That is so bizarre to me"

It didn’t sound like a compliment. “Does my age bother you?”

“No, I don’t think of you as your actual age. You just seem like a 26 year-old to me.” She sat up and leaned closer to brush her lips across mine. “A very robust 26 year old.

Her kiss and proximity stirred her Agape scent, leaving me with an intense urgency to be closer to her. I reached for her, pulling her against my chest a little too quickly. I heard her gasp and then I saw the smile across her face, proving the sudden catch in her breath resulted from delight instead of fear.

She deepened our kiss as she rolled to her back, pulling me on top of her to rest between her bent knees. This was our first private moment since we arrived at the compound and it caused me to be overly enthusiastic. I knew I shouldn’t, but I placed my hand behind one of her knees and pulled her leg to wrap around my waist as I pressed my body into hers. A sigh escaped her lips and she pulled her other leg up around my waist. The thoughts of what I wanted to do to her returned me to my senses and she recognized the look she had become so well acquainted with when things between us had gone a little too far.

She groaned because she knew what was coming next and locked her legs around my waist. “Don’t you dare stop because you can not keep doing this to me. It's totally unfair"

I reached for her legs to coax them off of me. “Move the wedding up and I’ll be more than glad to become totally fair. In fact, I’m quite anxious to be totally fair.”

A thoughtful look came across her face and she said, “October. It’s the earliest I can pull it off even with help from Gia and Lairah.”

I tugged on her bottom lip with my teeth. “That’s still three months away,” I complained.

A pouty look came over her face and the little vixen I loved tried to use her power of persuasion on me just like Sebastian said she would. “I know a way to make the next three months pass much faster.”

“You’re name shouldn’t be Chansey. It should be Risky because you are playing with a fire you highly underestimate,” I assured her.

She dramatically huffed. “Promises, promises. I’m not sure I’ll ever find out if I underestimate you or not.”

Since I easily talked her into moving the date a month earlier, I thought I might push my luck a little further. “Looks like you won’t discover the truth for months, unless you want to move the date closer.” I took my hand and placed it on her thigh, moving it slowly under her dress as I said, “Come on, let’s do it.” I allowed my words linger as I gazed into her eyes and then I added, “In August.”

When I began to laugh, she forcibly slapped my hand away from under her dress to show her unhappiness with my joke. “I can wait if you can. Maybe even until the end of December. I’ve heard Christmas weddings are beautiful.”

It was clear I had pushed my luck too far with her when she showed me how she could beat me at my own game, so I conceded. “I’ll take the October Wedding"

The Shattered Sylph by L.J. McDonald

2012-05-23T08:00:00.000-07:00

The Shattered Sylph

Win a copy HERE!

Kidnapped by slavers, Lizzie Petrule was dragged in chains across the Great Sea to the corrupt empire of Meridal. There beneath a floating citadel and an ocean of golden sand, lies a pleasure den for gladiators-and a prison for the maidens forced to slake their carnal thirst.

Despite impossible odds, against imponderable magic, three men have vowed Lizzie’s return: Justin, her suitor; Leon, her father; and Ril, the shape-shifting but war-weary battler. Together, this broken band can save her, but only with a word that must remain unsaid, a foe that is a friend, and a betrayal that is, at heart, an act of love.(Description by Author on Amazon)

1000 + Books to Read Rating:

Lets Talk About It:

This is my favorite book of this series to date!

Ril is a battle sylph that grew up around his masters family and loved his daughters, especially Lizzie. When Lizzie is kidnapped Ril, her father and Justin, the kid who thinks he loves her, take off on a search to find her.

This story is heart wrenching in so many ways. Not only the kidnapping of the beloved Lizzie but the place and conditions that she is taken to. Sold into slavery, left to fend for herself in a harem and scared witless.

The dynamic between Ril and Leon was also fascinating. Here are these two who have spent years upon years together as Master and Servant. The hate Ril feels for Leon and the love Leon feels for Ril is so powerful. It really overshadows any romance that was in this book. For me, this relationship was the one to watch.

The best part of the book for me was how pulled into that world I was. The writing really made the world, scenery, characters stand out and come to life.

If you'd like to WIN a copy of The Shattered Sylph click HERE.

Stay tuned next week for the review of Queen of the Sylph's!

Where to Buy:

Amazon: Paperback, Kindle
Barnes & Noble

Sylph Series Wednesday Giveaway! The Shattered Sylph by L.J McDonald - Ends 6/1

2012-05-23T07:58:00.000-07:00

Here's you chance to WIN a copy of The Shattered Sylph by L.J. McDonald on our Sylph Series Wednesday Event!

You can check out the Review of The Shattered Sylph HERE and enter to WIN a copy below!

Good Luck!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Guest Post: Jaye Frances, Author of The Cruise - All That Glitters

2012-05-18T07:00:00.000-07:00

Thank you, Melissa, for having me back on 1000 Plus Books To Read. I really appreciate the opportunity to give your readers a sneak peek at my new romance novella, The Cruise – All That Glitters.

One of my favorite modes of relaxation is cruising—settling into a comfy cabin with a private balcony, sleeping in rhythm with the gentle rocking of the ship, waking in a new port every day. I meet a lot of people when I travel and always look forward to making new friends. But not all of my cruise experiences have been great, or even memorable. In fact, a few are probably best left forgotten. Yet, that’s where I’ve found some of the best stories lie.

In The Cruise-All That Glitters, the main character, Dean, is a thirty-something bachelor taking his first cruise. Like most single men, his sights are set on finding scores of beautiful women. But what was supposed to be the vacation of a lifetime quickly turns into a trip to hell. Although he tries to forget the nerve-wracking plane ride and the disappointment of his tiny stateroom, his situation only gets worse as he finds himself roped into sitting at a dinner table for two with a recently divorced, testicle-stomping man-hater named Thelma.

In the following excerpt, Dean has just about given up all hope of finding his dream woman on board, and has decided to check out the port excursions and tours, hoping his luck will change on the white sands of a Caribbean beach.

Here’s an excerpt:

Was she really here? Could the perfect woman—the woman of countless wet dreams—be waiting for me in this desperate collection of middle-class America?

With a good quarter mile of semi-naked bodies to peruse, I began to pick my way through the maze of day-bags, backpacks, and discarded towels. I tried to appear in transit, as if on my way to somewhere specific rather than cruising the deck like a voyeur.

Halfway around, I began to smile at any woman who would look up, hoping someone would notice and smile back, giving me the opportunity to stop and talk. But after a complete tour, I had collected only a few punitive glances from middle-aged, housebound, soap-opera aficionados, most of them sporting a large fringe of errant fat below the elastic edges of their JCPenney two-piece.

This hole’s mined out. Only tailings left here, son. That’s what my grandfather would have said. A wise old fart, my grandfather.

Perhaps it was too early for hard-bodies. After all, it was still morning. Hard-bodies usually slept late, not arriving poolside until the early afternoon.

I would look again, after lunch.

I decided to check out the shore excursions, to find out what options were available while we were docked in St. Thomas. At the very least, I could get recommendations for the best beaches and resorts. Certainly there would be hard-bodies on a Caribbean beach.

The tour office was a simple affair; a small counter where cruise personnel answered questions, sold excursion tickets, and processed reservation forms. About twenty people were standing in line, a few asking each other questions about which tour they liked best, and generally complaining about the cost.

I scanned the rack of flyers and pamphlets, looking for anything having to do with a beach. I quickly decided this was going to take some serious study. While many tours offered a beach stop, it came only after hours of bussed sightseeing with detours for shopping. With information in hand, I decided to return to the dining room and review my options over a pot of coffee and a Danish.

I headed for the elevator. And then, in a way so simple and random, and perhaps for no other reason than because fate makes it so . . .

I saw her.

She looked mid-twenties, yet radiated that rare kind of flawless beauty that transcended age. Her angelic features were framed by sparkling sun-blonde hair flowing soft and silky across bare sun-kissed shoulders. Her white, backless sundress hugged the curve of her waist without fold or wrinkle. And a couple of inches below her bottom, the thigh-high hemline revealed shapely, muscular legs, their deep tan contrasting against the light fabric in such a way that questioned her need for clothing at all. She was surely the creation of some godly sculptor, who had no doubt brought her to life as a full-grown woman, ready and willing to delight in everything sensual.

She was earthy. Sexy. Perfect.

I realized I was staring. Had anyone seen me? I quickly looked right, then left. I was safe. In fact, most of the passengers were looking at her. Even some of the women seemed awestruck, marveling at such rare genetic handiwork.

Here’s a brief synopsis:

It’s love on the high seas for Dean, a thirty-something bachelor taking his first cruise, hoping for a shipboard romance. On the prowl for the elusive hard-body, he quickly becomes disillusioned, wondering if his expectation of a boatload of beautiful sea nymphs is something found only in travel brochures.

Until he meets Angel.

She is the girl of his dreams, brought to life as a bewitching goddess, ready to engage in every sensual delight. Quickly lured into submission by Angel’s seductive charms, Dean is ready to surrender his heart and soul to this provocative beauty.

Until he meets Marcie . . .

The Cruise – All That Glitters is available now

as a Kindle eBook on Amazon for only $.99

Author Bio: Jaye Frances is the author of the new romance novella, The Cruise – All That Glitters, a humorous take on a shipboard romance, and the paranormal-occult romance book The Kure, the first novel in The Kure series. She is also a featured columnist for the NUSA SUN magazine. Born in the Midwest, Jaye readily admits that her life’s destination has been the result of an open mind and a curiosity about all things irreverent. When she’s not consumed by her writing, Jaye enjoys cooking, traveling to all places tropical and “beachy” and taking pictures—lots of pictures—many of which find their way to her website. Her other works include The Possibilities of Amy, a coming-of-age story about a high school romance, and an upcoming book titled Journeys From Above and Below the Belt, a collection of adult fiction novellas and short stories, scheduled for a Summer 2012 release. Jaye lives on the central gulf coast of Florida, sharing her home with one husband, six computers, four cameras, and several hundred pairs of shoes. For more information, visit Jaye’s website at www.jayefrances.com, or Jaye’s Blog at http://blog.jayefrances.com, Goodreads Author Page, Facebook Page.

Solstice by Bryan W. Dull

2012-05-17T08:00:00.000-07:00

Solstice

In Gavin Moxley's world, there is not a thin line between right and wrong. In a personal crusade to help severe a line of disease carried by a clan of vampires that are purposely infecting the human population; Gavin has no choice to be ruthless. Waiting for the infection to start within the person, Gavin executes them one by one. Gavin is not strong or powerful, so finding the persons before they turn into full vampires is ideal.

This is Gavin's life, and nothing has changed it until a young half breed vampire, Solstice, attaches herself to Gavin. Asking for help and protection, Gavin unwillingly takes Solstice and agrees to protection for information leading to whereabouts of others that are infected.

Solstice's existence leads to a dangerous game of cat and mouse. There is no where safe for either of them as they are consistently being hunted. Solstice is a rare breed and is wanted for her "ability".

For Gavin, the past is not always forgotten. During their outing, Gavin starts coming to terms about his past and his family. His faith and humanity is tested during the turmoil that ensues.

"Solstice" is a story about faith and love in a way that is completely unconventional. Torn between his hate and his love for Solstice he is thrown into a moral dilemma that only he can figure out. (Description by Author on Amazon)

1000 + Books to Read Rating:

Lets Talk About It:

I was instantly interested in reviewing this book when I saw the website dedicated to Solstice and the Moxley Trilogy.

It started out with this really great horrorish scene that in my head was BRILLIANT yet the initial writing was disappointing. It didn't match up to the intensity that the scene deserved. I chalk this up to a first edition of an Authors first book.

While it started off a bit slow, after the initial scene I was pleasantly surprised by the writing that followed. It almost felt like a different Author.

The most amazing parts of this book was the originality of it. I've never heard of a Vampire with Aids who can infect people with one bite to turn into a Vampire with Aids as well. Truly unique in ways that make the book pop.

Another thing about this book that surprised me was that I was WRONG. That's right, I thought I knew what was going on, thought I knew where it was going and what the ending would be. But I was wrong. I couldn't predict it. The twists and turns that came up were ones I didn't expect.

Solstice is a character in this book that was pivotal in many ways and yet also we are left guessing as to what exactly she is. How does she know she's a half breed? How does she know anything? Given her age (I won't spoil this for you) I can't imagine how, unless she met her half creator, she knows anything about what she is or isn't for that matter. The book is named after her and yet we don't know much about her. I know that's part of creating a series or in this case a trilogy but I did expect more.

In a lot of ways I felt that I was left in paused mode, like the book isn't finished. The story isn't fully told. And that's why I'm anxious for the second book in this trilogy.

My interest is peaked, I enjoyed what I read and I WANT MORE!

If you are looking for something different, something unique and original, something without the current trend of Vampire/Human romance give this book a try. I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Where to Buy:

Amazon: Kindle, Paperback
Barnes & Noble

The Battle Sylph by L.J. McDonald

2012-05-16T08:00:00.000-07:00

The Battle Sylph

Win a copy HERE

He is one of many: a creature of magic, unrelentingly male. He is lured through the portal by pure female beauty, a virgin sacrifice. She is killed, and he is silenced and enslaved.

Such a dark ritual is necessary. Unlike their elemental cousins—those gentler sylphs of wind and fire—battlers find no joy in everyday labor. Their magic can destroy an army or demolish a castle, and each has but one goal: find his queen, then protect and pleasure her at any cost. What would a maiden do if she were given such a servant? What would befall that kingdom foolish enough to allow a battler to escape? Young Solie and the people of Eferem are about to find out. (Description by Author on Amazon)

1000 + Books to Read Rating:

Lets Talk About It:

I must admit that I had NO idea going into this book what a Sylph is. Do you? No? Well, here you go:

Sylph (also called sylphid) is a mythological creature in the Western tradition. The term originates in Paracelsus, who describes sylphs as invisible beings of the air, his elementals of air. There is no known substantial mythos associated with them. (Thank you Wiki!)

In this book, The Battle Sylph, we are introduced to this world where people have and control Sylphs. The most prestigious Sylph to own is a battler. Now, you can't just go and get a Sylph. No, there is a complete ritual that must happen and in order to gain a battler a virgin female must be sacrificed.

Solie, our female lead character in this book, has run away from home. She is heading to her aunts in the night to avoid the arranged marriage her father has sold her into. Instead she is captured and offered up as a sacrifice. Solie manages to gain control of the Battle Sylph and he, Heyou, does everything he can to protect her.

At first I could not get into this book. Just couldn't. I had to put it down and come back to it. It was a slow start even after I came back to it but before I knew it I was hooked.

The dynamic between Solie and Heyou is funny to see develop through out this book. She doesn't quite know what to do with him and he only wants to love and protect her. She's not quite sure how she feels about him other than that she is now responsible for him and that they will both need to go into hiding for more reasons than just her arrange marriage.

This isn't a love story if that's what you are thinking. No, this is the beginning of a fantastic series that introduces us to the main characters and the world in which they live in. There is action a plenty, laughs galore and amazing relationships budding before your eyes.

If you'd like to WIN a copy of The Battle Sylph click HERE.

Stay tuned next week for the review of The Shattered Sylph (my favorite of the series), trust me, you don't want to miss it!

Quick Peek:

Where to Buy:

Amazon: Kindle, Paperback
Barnes & Noble

Sylph Series Wednesday Giveaway! The Battle Sylph by L.J McDonald - Ends 5/25

2012-05-16T07:58:00.000-07:00

Here's you chance to WIN a copy of The Battle Sylph by L.J. McDonald on our Sylph Series Wednesday Event!

You can check out the Review of The Battle Sylph HERE and enter to WIN a copy below!

Good Luck!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Sylph Series Wednesdays!

2012-05-15T08:00:00.000-07:00

I thought I'd take this opportunity to let you all know of a WONDERFUL event I have planned over the next 3 weeks! Because I'm totally unoriginal I'm going to call it the Sylph Series event because that's EXACTLY what it is. LOL

For the next three Wednesdays I will be reviewing and giving away copies of the first 3 books in the Sylph Series by L.J. McDonald. L.J. stopped by and did a Guest Post which you can read more about the series and selection of covers. Very interesting read. Click HERE to read more.

The First Book in the series is titled The Battle Sylph which will be reviewed this Wednesday (tomorrow).

The Second Book in the series, and my personal favorite, is titled The Shattered Sylph which will be reviewed Wednesday, May 23rd.

The Third Book in the series is titled Queen of the Sylphs which will be reviewed Wednesday, May 30th.

Mark your Calendar! You don't want to miss Sylph Series Wednesdays!

Betrothed (Vampire Journals) by Morgan Rice

2012-05-14T08:00:00.000-07:00

Betrothed, Book 6 of The Vampire Journals

In BETROTHED (Book #6 in the Vampire Journals), Caitlin and Caleb find themselves, once again, back in time-this time, in the London of 1599. London in 1599 is a wild place, filled with paradoxes: while on the one hand it is an incredibly enlightened, sophisticated time, breeding playwrights like Shakespeare, on the other, it is also barbaric and cruel, with daily public executions, torture, and heads of prisoners impaled on spikes. It is also a time of superstition and grave public danger, with a lack of sanitation, and the Bubonic Plague spreading in the streets, carried by rats. In this environment Caitlin and Caleb land, on the search for her father, for the third key, for the mythical shield that can save humankind. Their mission takes them through a whirlwind of London's most amazing medieval architecture, through the British countryside's most breathtaking castles. It takes them back into the heart of London, where they just might meet Shakespeare himself, and see one of his plays live. It brings them to a little girl, Scarlet, who just might become their daughter. And all the while, Caitlin's love for Caleb deepens, as finally they are together-and as Caleb might just finally find the perfect time, and place, to propose to her. Sam and Polly have traveled back, too, and as they find themselves stuck together on their own journey, their relationship deepens, as they each, despite themselves, can't help feeling more deeply for each other. But all is not well. Kyle has come back, too, as has his evil sidekick, Sergei, and they are both intent on destroying everything good in Caitlin's life. It will be a race to the finish, as Caitlin is forced to make some of the hardest decisions of her life if she is to save everyone who is dear to her, save her relationship with Caleb-and try to make it out alive. (Description by Author on Amazon)

1000 + Books to Read Rating:

Lets Talk About It:

I've read ALL of the Vampire Journals by Morgan Rice and I've reviewed just about all of them too. (See the Reviews here: Book 1 - Turned, Book 2 - Loved, Book 3 - Betrayed, Book 4 - Destined, Book 5 - Desired)

This is Book # 6 in this series and I was excited for a couple reasons to get into this book. #1 - The Title. Betrothed means obviously someone is getting married and of course those somebodies should be Caitlin and Caleb. #2 - Caitlin and Caleb. I've enjoyed, for the most part, watching this couple and these characters develop. The title, as mentioned before, gives me the thought that this is the book where these two finally get married and finally get it right.

I'm sad to say that this isn't the case and I'm MORE than frustrated by this series. Up to this point I've given 3 and 4 stars to these books and while this one is much like the previous books that is EXACTLY why I'm giving it 2 stars.

It's like.. a rinse and repeat series at this point. The only difference is location, clues, and items found/collected along the way. While there is a bit of a side story and of course history of the location provided through out the story other than that you pretty much know whats going to happen. Time travel, search for clues, find clues, search, find and time travel again!

This worked, and was satisfying, for 2 or 3 books but enough is enough. Stop dragging this out! Let Caitlin and Sam find their father. Let Caitlin save the world. Let Caleb and Caitlin get married. Let Sam fall in love and be happy.

If you aren't frustrated by the way this series has played out then go ahead and check this book out. It's not a horrible read. There are a couple of interesting things that happen and of course you get to check out Caleb again.

Quick Peek:

Where to Buy:

Amazon: Paperback, Kindle
Barnes & Noble
Smashwords (I <3 Smashwords)

Guest Post: Author Toni Rakestraw

2012-05-11T07:00:00.000-07:00

Delving into History

While I read many different types of novels, I find myself gravitating to historical novels when it comes to writing them. Why? I think I appreciate that the world in which my story will take place has been predetermined. There are already rules; I don’t need to create them. Sure, I can bend one or two depending on the story, but I try not to.

One of the things that is most important to me, whether I’m reading or writing a historical novel, is making the time period realistic. In Victorian England, my characters can’t go bopping down the street half clad (well, unless they are running from a villain that has disturbed them at an inappropriate time, perhaps). In 18th century Ireland, I have to have that clash between the English and the Irish palpable in the air. It has to color everything my characters do. So what do I do? Lots and lots of research.

If I can find slang or samples of speech from the period I’m working in, I do my best to make the dialogue fit the pattern. What curse words were prevalent? Depending on what your characters are up to, you may find yourself researching some pretty odd stuff. For example, the current story we’re putting together deals with prostitution in London in Victorian England. Never in my life did I think I would spend time thinking about how a girl would turn tricks with all those clothes on...especially when it was just a quickie in an alley. Yes, it actually was done that way. I know, right?

Of course, not every bit of research is interesting. Try studying up on how street merchants sold fruit or how people took meals if they didn’t have a kitchen set up in their home. We take all that for granted now, but our ancestors weren’t nearly as lucky in many cases. I’ve even downloaded old maps to study the areas where our stories take place and mark important events on them so I know where they took place in relation to the rest of the story.

Heck, in our last story, part of it was modern day and I still found myself researching things like how to defuse a bomb and what one could really do with a cell phone (I am not cell phone literate).

When I read historical pieces, I want to see the setting in my mind’s eye, from sights to smells, sounds to textures. I want to feel as if I’m there with the characters. Don’t you? I want to create that same type of experience for our readers.

TITANIC DECEPTION follows the journey of young Alice Clarke as she boards the famous ship as a nurse for a young baby, falls in love, then finds herself bereft after the disaster. She writes of her adventures in a journal, which is inherited by her great-grandson, Michael. He stumbles across a strange story about the ship, and finds evidence to corroborate it when he reads Alice’s journal. With the help of a conspiracy theorist who will only go by the name of Soft Kitty, Michael must figure out the mystery before the company behind it all kills him to keep their secret safe.

Readers can learn more about John & Toni Rakestraw and their stories, check out http://rakestrawreads.com. Links to the ebook can be found there, as well as some deleted scenes for readers eager for a taste of the adventure. The book will be out in print by the end of May.

Thank you for the opportunity to talk about a genre that is very special to me.

Night Knuckles by B.L. Morgan

2012-05-10T07:00:00.000-07:00

Night Knuckles

Totem Lake had never seen the likes of the Giant Bare-Knuckle Fist-fighter Night Knuckles. The people of Totem Lake never imagined The Dark Magic that Dr. Abner had at his command. Before they were through The Hungry Dead would walk the Earth and The Old West would never be the Same. (Description by Author on Amazon)

1000 + Books to Read Rating:

Lets Talk About It:

This is a Zombie, Western, Dark Magic, Indian Shaman, Bare Knuckle Fighter type book. Not my usual pick of books and to be honest, I had no idea it was a Western and Indian Shaman book at all! This was my first experience into a Zombie type book and I have to say I really enjoyed it.

I loved all the aspects of this book. I liked the older feel to it. I really liked it when Buck, the heroic bar knuckle fighter, runs into Shingi, the Indian Shaman, after finding two kids poking at her with a stick. I laughed out loud during this scene, especially when Shingi ends up running and jumping into his wagon and Buck doesn't even notice it til many hours afterwards. Along all the good vs evil stuff there was a few gems of laugh out loud moments.

Dr. Abner, the Dark Magic guy, was really really creepy. I mean I felt chills in parts of the book when it was about him. He scared me just like he did the people of Totem Lake.

I totally forgot when I got to the end of the book that the 'story' was being told by someone in the story. In the beginning of the book it starts with an old man in a nursing home who wants to speak to this janitor because no one visits him and he begins this tale of Totem Lake. It wasn't until the Epilogue of the book that I remember this was how it all began.

It's a pretty short read, about 180 pages or so, but definitely a good read. I'd recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good story. This Author, B.L. Morgan, is a fantastic story teller.

In fact, shortly after I finished up Night Knuckles I got started on another of his books. This is an Author to follow and I most certainly will be.

Quick Peek:

Where to Buy:

Amazon: Kindle, Physical
Barnes & Noble

The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa

2012-05-07T07:00:00.000-07:00

The Immortal Rules

"In a future world, vampires reign. Humans are blood cattle. And one girl will search for the key to save humanity.

Allison Sekemoto survives in the Fringe, the outermost circle of a vampire city. By day, she and her crew scavenge for food. By night, any one of them could be eaten.

Some days, all that drives Allie is her hatred of them. The vampires who keep humans as blood cattle. Until the night Allie herself is attacked—and given the ultimate choice. Die…or become one of the monsters.

Faced with her own mortality, Allie becomes what she despises most. To survive, she must learn the rules of being immortal, including the most important: go long enough without human blood, and you will go mad.

Then Allie is forced to flee into the unknown, outside her city walls. There she joins a ragged band of humans who are seeking a legend—a possible cure to the disease that killed off most of humankind and created the rabids, the mindless creatures who threaten humans and vampires alike.

But it isn't easy to pass for human. Especially not around Zeke, who might see past the monster inside her. And Allie soon must decide what—and who—is worth dying for." (Description by Author on Amazon)

1000 + Books to Read Rating:

Lets Talk About It:

First off let me say that this is the FIRST Julie Kagawa book I've read and whoa what a book!

I know everyone is thinking 'Oh not another YA Vampire book', I was thinking a bit of the same even though I happen to like YA Vampire books. When I tell you this book is NOTHING like Twilight trust me, it's NOTHING like Twilight. And I liked Twilight.

This reminded me a bit of the Hunger games not in storyline but in scenery. The low class were segregated from the middle class and the high class were locked up in the middle of it all with the best of everything. The high class in this book were the Vampires. There were also minor things between the main character that reminded me of the other book. Which if there were any book to be compared to right now.. you want it to be the hottest out at that time.

From the very first page I was caught up. Allie is a fantastic strong lead character, she is a fighter, a survivor.. and she wants to live, even if that means turning into the one thing she hates: a Vampire. In the scene were she has to decide whether she will become a Vamp or not, I was impressed. You could almost feel her internal war with wanting to live and yet detesting Vamps so much that she may want to die than to become one. Allie is probably the best YA female lead I've read to date.

I also really liked how within this one book Julie Kagawa has set the stage for many possible storylines in future books. Julie told just enough to give a decent history to each of her characters and the world in general that she has created without having it be at the forefront of the actual story.

This book was a thrill ride of adventure, fast paced action, determination, unexpected friendships, love and heartbreak. When reading be prepared to have your expectations broken. You can not and will not guess what is going to happen next. Also be prepared to be up all night, once you start this book you won't be able to stop.

I'm also extremely excited to hear that this Book series (yay it's a series) has also been picked up Palomar pictures! Book 2, untitled as of now, appears to be coming out in 2013.

Quick Peek:

Where to Buy:

Amazon: Kindle, Paperback, Hardcover
Barnes & Noble

Guest Post: Author August Blythe

2012-05-04T07:00:00.000-07:00

The Magic Land of Twitter

I’m on Twitter but not obsessively. I generally tweet when I have information to pass along (such as a link to this guest post) and then feel compelled to check the tweets of the people I follow. That’s a whopping eleven people, mind you, and I can barely keep up with that number. (Where do people find the time to read and write so many tweets? I see people who follow 800 other people on Twitter. How?!)

Three of the carefully selected eleven people I follow are my favorite novelists - Margaret Atwood, Jonathan Carroll and Salman Rushdie. I was a bit nervous about following them. As they say, never meet your idols. By reading their tweets, I’ve opened some magic window into their day. In real time. Not an edited article or calculated PR move. Pretty much as close to meeting them as you can get without actually, well, meeting them. Twitter makes them real people, not simply the big names on book covers.

I’ll admit, it’s weird peeping into their (sometimes stream-of-consciousness) expressed thoughts. Rushdie seems to regularly argue with people via Twitter. Maybe that’s what he enjoys about it; I can’t tell. I also learned that he’s a fan of ScarJo and that we both follow Gwyneth Paltrow (at least, I think that was him). Atwood seems to promote charities and literary events and on occasion recommend a really great cinematographer (as you do). Carroll tweets a lot of quotes. He likey the quotes. Sometimes several in one day.

I sniffed around a bit more to see what other authors’ tweets include. Stephen King is tweeting a lot about taxes and the Carrie remake. Neil Gaiman recently requested restaurant recommendations in Boston for a romantic dinner with his wife. Over on Jennifer Weiner’s Twitter account, in between tweets with writing links and upcoming appearances is a rundown of the men featured on The Bachelorette reality show. They all appear to respond to tweets by others and retweet the message. That’s more accessible than my husband at work.

I’m still on the fence as to whether I prefer my authors accessible or mysterious and reclusive like JD Salinger, which is probably why I only follow three. The author part of me understands that marketing is essential in today’s world and that includes Twitter. I’ve also found some great links on writing in author tweets (check out Weiner’s account). The other part of me, though, wants my author ensconced in a Wi-Fi free cabin in the deep, dark woods dreaming up a story that no one else can tell, rather than LOL’ing to followers over a youtube video. That’s me romanticizing it, I guess. I think as we get older, those of us who remember a time before Twitter and Facebook will wonder whether we weren’t better off with the idea of people instead of the constant reality of them. ~

Augusta Blythe is the author of two YA novels, Winterborne and Ravenstoke, a middle grade fantasy novel, In the Land of the Sapphire Sea, and a women’s fiction novel, Hostel Takeover, under the name of Keeley Bates.

Follow her blog at http://augustablythe.blogspot.com and on Twitter, of course. Her novels are available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and iBooks.

Socialpunk by Monica Leonelle

2012-04-30T07:00:00.000-07:00

Social Punk

Ima would give anything to escape The Dome and learn what’s beyond its barriers, but the Chicago government has kept all its citizens on lockdown ever since the Scorched Years left most of the world a desert wasteland. When a mysterious group of hooded figures enters the city unexpectedly, Ima uncovers a plot to destroy The Dome and is given the choice between escaping to a new, dangerous city or staying behind and fighting a battle she can never win. (Description by Author on Amazon)

1000 + Books to Read Rating:

Lets Talk About It:

It's kind of funny... now that I think about it.. when I was first offered the chance to read this book the Prologue was included.. that was my first glimpse inside of the book. I was hooked! However, upon getting the book I quickly realized it wasn't what I was expecting.. and that's not to say it was a bad thing because I do really enjoy YA books but I wasn't expecting that.

I easily slipped into this world that was created by the Author and lost time reading the book. It was a very quick read because you just can't put it down.

The way the world was layered between the 'real' world and this 'virtual' world was really interesting. The characters pulled me in and I honestly at times felt like I was Ima, experiencing her emotions, her confusion, her anger, her determination. Ima was a bit on the weak side in the beginning of the book but really turned into a strong, fierce character who was ready to take on the world in order to make sure the ones she loved were safe.

I must admit I found myself having a bit of a crush on Vaughn. I mean.. he defied his duty to save this girl, this stranger and protected her from beginning to end. *sigh* But of course Ima has eyes for someone else, and then another and then him. She seemed totally oblivious to his crush on her and I was like IMA!! Come on! There is VERY little romance in the actual book beyond the small things here and there.

Totally a rollercoaster ride of a book. In and out and upside. Sometimes I liked Ima, sometimes I didn't. Sometimes I didn't quite understand what was going on and yet ended up getting it!

And OMG the ending!!! I was like what?! NO. It can't end like that! Where is book 2!

This is a trilogy and I can't WAIT for Book 2, Social Mob, to come out.

Quick Peek:

Where to Buy:

Amazon: Kindle, Paperback, Hardcover

Guest Post: Libby Hellmann, Author of A Bitter Veil

2012-04-27T07:00:00.000-07:00

Being There: How Important is It?

I believe in field trips. I’m the kind of writer who thinks they should explore their settings. That means actually visiting, talking to people, taking lots of photos and notes, and doing even more research after the fact, until I’m comfortable enough to describe it meaningfully. I've gone to Douglas, Arizona; Lake Geneva, Wisconsin; neighborhoods in Chicago I’d never visit alone; even Cuba.

But I broke my own rule when writing A BITTER VEIL. I did not go to Iran, and I am clearly not a part of its culture. And yet I wrote a novel set there during the Islamic Revolution. Which was not without risk. I can understand if some find it unacceptable, especially Iranians. I understand their resentment, perhaps even anger. How could I write about a time and a place I've never seen? How could anyone? How could I understand their lives? Their pain?

I’ll try to answer.

Iran is not a place one can easily visit. Particularly a US citizen and a woman. A Jewish woman, too. Especially since I would be questioning and interviewing people about a delicate time in Iranian history. It’s certainly possible some people might get the wrong idea. It’s possible I might have been stopped. Maybe even apprehended. So a trip was out of the question. In fact, knowing that, I debated long and hard whether I should write the novel at all. Maybe its story was better left untold. After all, there are plenty of books—fiction and nonfiction—already written about that period. I've read many of them, and, indeed, I’ve included a list of some at the end of A BITTER VEIL.

But the story wouldn’t leave me alone. I am drawn to stories about women who have no choices—whose options have been taken away from them. What I had in mind was just that kind of story. Plus, I’m a former history major, and I have always been captivated by the past and how we bend it, learn from it, or ignore it at our peril.

So I dug into the research to see if I could find the comfort level necessary to write the story. Fortunately or not, the Islamic Revolution of Iran is one of the most well covered revolutions in history. It was easy to find chronologies, books, articles, reactions. I started reading. Over a dozen books, both fiction and nonfiction. I took notes, researched more, watched films, examined photos.

I also put the word out that I was looking for Iranian-Americans who were in Iran during the revolution. The mystery writers’ community is a wonderful place, and within weeks I’d found five people who were willing to talk. One of them had such a harrowing story that some of it ended up in the book. Some warned me not to be too critical, others not to be too gentle. And, as you might expect, none wanted their names made public.

All of my research and planning took about two months. After sifting through what I’d gathered, I decided I might actually be able to do write this novel. The first fifty pages take place in Chicago, so that section wasn't too difficult. But, then, the two main characters travel to Tehran. I plunged in, but it wasn't as complicated as I thought it would be. Of course, I had to do more research, so I asked the people I’d interviewed more questions and looked up more information. For example, it turned out that my character buys two chadors. I discovered a chador shop in Tehran and incorporated it into the story.

Eventually, I finished a draft and sent it to one of the Iranian-Americans I’d interviewed. This person vetted the entire manuscript and told me where I’d gone astray. I made revisions. Then I sent it to my editor who sent it to a second Iranian-American for further checking. Finally, when producing the audio, we checked with yet another person for the proper pronunciation of Farsi phrases.

A BITTER VEIL is not perfect. I’m sure astute observers will point out what I got wrong. However, I’m comforted by the thought that I wrote about the setting as seen through the eyes of a young American woman. What she observed was the result of what I learned during my research. Some of it was beautiful—for example, the sheer magnificence of the Persian culture. Some of it, less so. I hope the critics will take that into account.

Places to visit Libby Hellmann and her books:

You can buy A Bitter Veil at:

Guest Post: Authors April Fifer and Danielle Hylton-Outland

2012-04-24T07:00:00.000-07:00

In the name of love...

Love is a funny thing. It's the only emotion completely driven by your heart. No matter how you try to change what you feel, your head has no control over your heart. That's because that emotion does not belong to your brain. If it did, we wouldn't be able to feel love like we do. We smile, we cry, we scream... All in the name of love. It's a life-force of its own. You can't control, you can't forget, you can't move on from it. If it's there, it will always be with us regardless of how we bury it in the pit of our soul. Sometimes you think it's gone, but then it will resurface, even if only for a little while to remind you that it still lives within. It will antagonize you, it will make you happy, it can even cause you to keep living when there is no hope. Love knows we can't live with it or without it, but it doesn't judge us for that. It's life, family, friends, moments, smiles, and all that is good. We try to fight it, but it doesn't fight us back. It's just better than the fight. With our view on this, we incorporated it Azaleigh's life. We made her hate love, want love, and fight love. We don't know anyone who can't relate to this. Love makes us who we are, and it made Azaleigh, who she is. And there is nothing more exciting or stressful than loving two people equally and at the same time.

Blurb:

Azaleigh's life is simple until, by chance, she meets Kale. Charming and handsome, Az is immediately drawn to him. But long kept secrets lurk in the hearts of those Az holds most dear, and dangerous plans are unfolding around her. As her life begins to crumble and Kale disappears, Gage, charismatic and striking, arrives, providing a calm port in an increasingly violent storm. But with every narrow escape from a far from human bounty hunter who's after her life, Az begins to unravel a secret with the power to change her forever. In an increasingly hostile world of Angel and Fallen, Azaleigh must navigate her own path, chose her own side, and ultimately protect her heart. Faced with two gorgeous men, an enemy she doesn’t know, and a future she cannot understand, Az must make a choice—the man she loves, or the man she cannot live without.

Author Bio’s:

Danielle Hylton-Outland was raised in Virginia. She grew up having a huge appetite for daydreaming; always wanting to live in the spectacular worlds she created in her mind. She now lives with her husband and dog where she is pursuing a degree in literature. Danielle is a strong animal activist. She is currently co-writing the second book in the Flesh Series, "Flesh and Flames".

April Fifer grew up in a small town in Virginia, where it was common practice believing that dreams could only be found in stories. At the age of seven she was diagnosed with dyslexia. She was told that she would struggle through life and would never pick up a book to read for pleasure. Although school was hard, she was able to find her way with the help of two teachers who taught her self-discovery. Ignoring what she was taught growing up, she turned it around and found that your dreams could become stories.

Contact information:

Website: http://www.fiferhylton.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/FiferHylton
Blog: http://fiferhylton.blogspot.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Flesh-and-Feathers/149542115115597

Available for purchase:

Book Trailer:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Os6HvdUibrc

Guest Post & Giveaway with Author Jaye Frances

2012-04-20T07:00:00.000-07:00

Thank you, Melissa and Jennifer, for hosting me on 1000 Plus Books To Read today. I really appreciate the opportunity to give your readers a sneak peek at my new romance novella, The Possibilities of Amy.

Hindsight is a great thing . . . most of the time. It gives us the opportunity to look back at our lives with assumed wisdom, often begging the question “What would I have done differently if I knew then what I know now?”

The Possibilities of Amy takes a reminiscent journey back to high school, to the days of endless possibilities, not-so-innocent fantasies, and the inevitable anguish of unspoken love. David, a high school senior, is bravely navigating the passage between adolescence and maturity with a dose of caution and awkward curiosity. His entire world is changed, however, when Amy, a new transfer student, walks into the classroom. She is beautiful, intelligent, and friendly—and quickly catches David’s heart by surprise. Unfortunately, Amy’s entrance into his life creates an unexpected conflict, causing unrest in the ranks when his buddies devise a scheme to see who can be the first to seduce her.

Here’s an excerpt:

I had not met her, yet she consumed my every waking thought. Sometimes, sitting alone in my room, I wondered if she had any inkling of how much my life revolved around her. Every night I prayed for the chance to tell her.

The first time I saw Amy, she was leaning against the green-board, waiting for Senior English to begin. She was a transfer student—arriving three weeks after the start of the school year—requiring her to stand on ceremonious display as she waited for the teacher to provide a seat assignment.

I had never seen anything like her.

Standing about five foot five, she had thick blond hair that feathered over her shoulders to the middle of her back. Her face displayed the kind of beauty I had previously seen only in fashion magazines—shiny, little-girl bangs set over large, vivid blue eyes that flashed in sync to brilliant white teeth. Her skin was flawless, her legs and arms a warm shade of chestnut spice, the tan appearing to come from underneath, as if God Himself had warned the sun to color, but not burn.

And then there was that incredible seventeen-year-old body. A tiny mole dotted her chest just below the collarbone and, like a friendly road sign, it directed the eyes lower, to large, rounded breasts—not hung like coconuts, but each one presented in flawless contour, each one crying for attention. Even her clothes could not conceal the spectacular perfection of it all, the seam of her fitted dress revealing the half-moon valley of her waist and the perfect ripe curve of her ass.

I fell in love with that body. So did every male in the senior class.

And while I could sense many of the girls were already questioning her right to invade their pre-established numbers, I was also aware of more than a few who were considering the possibilities.

The possibilities of Amy.

From that day on—the day of Amy’s arrival into my life—I looked forward to English class the way a child looks forward to Christmas and birthdays.

After school, in the solitude of my own thoughts, I spent hours devising intricate fantasies to bring us together—euphoric daydreams that invariably plunged my beloved Amy into some horrible, frenzied conflict. Alone and terrified, she faced the ghastly predicaments of an unwilling captive, languishing without hope, until my just-in-time arrival predictably resolved every problem and vanquished every foe. My reveries always ended with Amy’s confirmation of her undying and eternal devotion, leaving us forever in love and deliriously happy.

At night, however, my delusions grew into obsessions. Envisioning her beside me, I would move close to her conjured form, craving a taste of her. As my hand gently skimmed the surface of the pillow, I would touch her hair, the lobes of her ears, and the smooth soft skin of her neck. Too stimulated to sleep, I would lay there for hours, my rigid penis pressed against the mattress until my hand would eventually take over, confirming Amy’s surrender as she granted me every carnal pleasure.

I desperately searched for her phone number. Just to have it, to be able to recite it from memory. Even after the operator told me it was unlisted, I still repeatedly scanned the phone book, as if expecting it to magically appear from my sheer need to find it.

I ached to know where she lived. So I could drive by. And if courage and timing were right, wave at her as I saw her coming or going.

But I had nothing—nothing but fifty minutes a day, when she was close enough to see, but too far away to start a conversation. And so I sat at my desk like a devout parishioner attending church, worshipping her.

Like a shy and foolish schoolboy, I had waited for circumstances to bring us together. The last two Thursday nights I made sure I had a clean shirt and jeans, just in case Friday found us face-to-face, friendly and talking, getting along in a way that seemed so natural, so right, that she would want to go out for a pizza and a movie. But the opportunity for flirtatious banter had never materialized, leaving my hopes of our exchanging a kiss with the lingering aroma of melted cheese and pepperoni on our breaths an unfulfilled dream.

As my frustration grew in proportion to my unrequited desire, I began to pray for divine intervention, a miraculous reshuffling of the seating chart that would position Amy directly in front of me.

It would change my world—to be near enough to reach out and touch her.

But after two weeks of pleading my case to the Almighty, it was obvious that God was not predisposed to our meeting. If Amy was going to become part of my life, I was going to have to take the initiative and somehow find the courage to say hello.

Every morning I practiced for the possibility. Standing in front of the mirror, I quietly recited the same words, over and over: “Today is the day. Today I will walk up to her and introduce myself. Today I will let her know in a most clever and confident way that I find her attractive. And then I will off-handedly mention that we should go out, suggesting this weekend would be perfect.”

My rehearsals inevitably left me in a clammy sweat and my stomach tied in knots. But it didn’t matter. I was willing to endure it all—whatever it took. Because there was something else about Amy, something that made her even more special.

Amy was new.

It meant we could start from scratch. There would be no awkward common history or mutually-shared embarrassing experiences to taint our beginnings. She wouldn’t be able to remember me losing my swim trunks at the sixth-grade pool party. She was free of the mental trauma I would have certainly inflicted by spilling Coke on her pink taffeta dress during her thirteenth birthday party. As far as Amy was concerned, I was a stranger, with no phobias or syndromes renamed in my honor.

I knew I had to act soon, as any advantage to be gained from her newly-arrived status would soon be lost to those bolder and more aggressive. And from the way she seemed to fit right into her new surroundings—busily exchanging hello’s, and what I hoped were not phone numbers—it was apparent that this kind of beauty would not sit quietly, waiting for the shy or less confident to finally work up the nerve to speak.

And so from the very first moment I saw her, standing in front of the green board, I had to meet her, touch her, and convince her to spend the rest of her life with me.

The Possibilities of Amy is Available Now

in Kindle eBook on Amazon for only $.99

Here’s a brief synopsis:

Amy is the ultimate trophy girl—gorgeous face, killer body, and a vivacious personality. But there’s something else about her, something that makes her even more special. Amy is new. A transfer student from out of state, she’s starting her senior year without knowing a soul. And that means she’s up for grabs, available.

Infatuated from the moment he sees her, David is determined to meet Amy, and if the fates are willing, to spend the rest of his life with her. But his shyness prevents him from approaching her—until his friends devise a contest to determine who will be the first to prove their manhood by seducing her.

Author Bio: Jaye Frances is the author of the new romance novella, The Possibilities of Amy, and the paranormal-occult romance book The Kure, the first novel in The Kure series. She is also a featured columnist for the NUSA SUN magazine. Born in the Midwest, Jaye readily admits her life’s destination has been the result of an open mind and a curiosity about all things irreverent. When she’s not consumed by her writing, Jaye enjoys cooking, traveling to all places tropical and “beachy” and taking pictures—lots of pictures—many of which find their way to her website. Her upcoming book is titled The Cruise - All That Glitters, a humorous take on a shipboard romance, and is scheduled for a May 2012 release. Jaye lives on the central gulf coast of Florida, sharing her home with one husband, six computers, four cameras, and several hundred pairs of shoes. For more information, visit Jaye’s website at www.jayefrances.com, or Jaye’s Blog at http://blog.jayefrances.com

Enter to WIN a Kindle Version of The Possibilities of Amy, Ends May 3rd!

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Paved with Good Intentions by Keith B. Darrell

2012-04-19T07:00:00.000-07:00

Paved With Good Intentions

Exiled on Earth, naive angel Gabriel and amoral demon Lucifer, in the human guise of "Gabe Horn" and "Lou Cypher," form an unlikely partnership as private investigators in Las Vegas. Their adventures take them across the seven heavenly realms, into the nine levels of Hell, through the dream realm of the Dreamscape, and even through time to Camelot.
(Description by Author on Amazon)

1000 + Books to Read Rating:

Lets Talk About It:

This book was different than most books out on the Market. Not because of content but because of writing style. It's written in almost TV like 'episodes' that carried the story through the book. This replaced the use of the normal 'chapters'. Anything different than normal takes a bit of getting used to and it was stylistically a big change, for me, to get used to. It was like reading a play or script.

From the start I had trouble getting into the book. Beyond the above 'episodes' there was, within the opening few pages, a character flaw that had me have trouble believing this make believe story. The 'naive' angel Gabriel was how he was described in the summary on the back of the book. This 'naive' angel has sex within the first episode. It troubled me. Here's this angel that is supposed to be on Earth representing God against the Devil in this test.. and this angel within his first day there.. the first test thrown at him is having sex. Surely Gabriel knew better!

After getting through that first bit of trouble the book did start to get better about 120/130 pages in. Gabriel and Lucifer join together and become PI's in Vegas. I loved the name change for Lucifer. Lou Cypher had me laughing out loud. Their journey together being PI's was comical and entertaining. The cast of characters grows to include everything from Angels and Devils to Witches, Warlocks, Vampires and Gangsters.

By the end of the book I did enjoy it and was even pondering purchasing the second book in this series. I did not end up doing so. I wasn't sure that I enjoyed it enough to do so. It wasn't a book that kept me up at night or even one that made me want to read it whenever I could. It was entertaining but it didn't grab me enough and I decided that I would not be following the Halo & Horns series.

If you are into a light read that has moments of pure comedy, check this one out.

Quick Look:

Where to Buy:

Amazon: Paperback and Kindle
Barnes & Noble

Guest Post: Author Sara King

2012-04-17T07:00:00.000-07:00

I’ve had an interesting relationship with agents. At 24, I had the charmed traditional
writing career that most writers dream about—eight books, a world-famous agent representing
them, and my foot in the doorway of major publishing companies around the world. Then, at 28,
I decided to ditch all that and fly solo for awhile, just to see if it could be done.

You see, most new authors consider ‘getting an agent’ as the Holy Grail of the writing
world, the magical key that will unlock their careers. And, in a way, they’re right. An agent
can get your work into places that cold-submissions can’t. Having an agent also gives a writer a certain respectability, something that is extremely important in a system that is being inundated with lots and lots of crap. (Having been a slush editor for awhile, believe me when I tell you that most of it is total crap.) The availability of Microsoft Word to every Common Joe has suddenly increased the amount of submissions to unmanageable proportions. Imagine having to read through a hundred—a hundred!—story pitches a day. And that’s not even considering the sample chapters that may or may not have been requested. Can we say brain-fry?

For this reason, a lot of big publishing houses have just stopped taking unagented
submissions. Anybody and his mother can slap a few words on a document right now, attach it
to an email, and hit SEND. The fact that it’s so easy to submit stories has made it harder on the
rest of us, who are going to be contending with the half-interested shmucks who are submitting
out of a curiosity to see ‘if they’re any good’ rather than a gut-deep desire to make a living out
of it. (Yes, I had a lot of people with that half-interested attitude submit their stories, and they
were basically using the magazine’s submission system [and my personal time!] as an egotistical gauge just to see if they could naturally write something that it took other people decades to learn to write well. Almost inevitably, those submissions were crap. Total crap.)

The fact that it is now so extremely difficult and time-consuming for editors to pull
the diamonds from the rough is also why so many editors have started to let the agents be the
gatekeepers to the publishing world. Basically, they’re using the agents as a barrier to save
themselves time. (Lots and lots and lots of time.) They’re letting the agents do the digging, then
they can pick and choose from the diamonds that the agents have already spent thousands of
hours poring through tens of thousands of query letters to find.

This is why it’s so extremely important for authors to establish themselves as
professionals in their cover letters, any cover letters. In today’s world, editors are simply
swamped with writers. They get mobbed at writing conferences and accosted on the streets.
They’re stuck in the uncomfortable position of being worshipped by thousands of starry-eyed
(yet also usually extremely bad) writers who are frustrated with the gateway system and feel like
they would be recognized if they could just get to the right people.

Well, they’re partially right. Authors do need to get to the right people. But they also
need to make their work good. Catchy. Within the first few lines, they’ve gotta wow and amaze,
because gee, there’s another 99 letters on the stack today, and lunch is in twenty minutes.

So rewind to me, a starry-eyed, naïve Alaskan of 24 years, landing one of the top agents
in New York City. ‘Thrilled’ didn’t even begin to describe my glee. I was sure that, with my
agent at my back, doors would open for me. And they did, in a way. There was an immediate
change in my responses to short-story queries. (It’s not really financially viable to get an
agent—who usually takes about 10-15% for their services—to submit short stories in today’s
day and age, where a short-storyist is lucky to make 5 cents a work, with 4,000 words being the generally accepted sweet spot.) The number of personal responses as opposed to form letters increased by about two-thirds. Because, honestly, editors take writers more seriously if they've already made it through the gate.

But aside from the related increase in short-story sales, having an agent didn’t do much
for me. After the first year went by without any interest from editors from the book my agent
was representing, I wanted to get things moving faster. I asked him to look at another book, to
start the process of getting another manuscript out to editors. His glacially slow and painfully
lackluster responses led to the first crack in my starry-eyed naivete concerning agents in general. Because, damn it, I had the best of the best. And not only was he still taking six months to respond to an email, but I was being told that submitting multiple novels at once was a taboo amongst the publishing industry, one that would basically get me blacklisted.
…excuse me?

But I held on. Because, damn it, you had to have an agent to succeed. …didn’t you? At
a little over the two-year mark, with still only one novel having been submitted to NY publishers
and no real hope to get another novel out there anytime soon, I took a step back and evaluated the situation. Consider this: I write fast. I can put out 6-8 novels a year, if I’m not distracted. But I was being told that my next novel was not going to be able to be submitted until all of the editors had seen my first novel. Thus, still convinced that I needed an agent to succeed, I issued an ultimatum (something you’re not supposed to do, but I’m confident in my abilities as a Very Good Writer, and I knew I could get another agent if I wanted one): Start submitting other novels, or I will have to find another agent.

Instead of taking months, my response was immediate, within the next day. The gist was
this: I’m sorry I’m a world-famous agent, my time is extremely limited, and new authors are
(unfortunately) at the bottom of my priority list. I would be happy to give you over to one of the
new agents in my company, as she’s hungry for new clients and has plenty of time to work with
you, if things are not going fast enough for you.

Well, they weren’t going fast enough for me. Though I was leery of stepping away from
the Big Name, I would still be represented by his company, and therefore I figured I’d take
the chance. Enter two more years of frustrating back-and-forth in which my new agent—who
thankfully got right to work reading my stories, something that the old agent had not been able to find the time to do—loved the stories and spent all night reading them (this coming from a jaded literary agent who dug through slush for a living), but had plenty of ideas on what to change in the novels and still did not actively start submitting anything new. After four years. One novel.

So, after getting picked up at the outrageously young age of 24, I still hadn’t 1) sold a
novel or 2) hadn’t had more than one of my 8 manuscripts submitted to publishers in four years
of waiting. With the last of my idealism finally shattered with 4 years of disappointment, I did
the unthinkable. I left that ‘perfect’ relationship and, despite multiple offers of representation,
turned to epublishing. Because seriously, folks. Even a brain-dead zombie on crack can see that epublishing is the wave of the future. Further, Amazon and its kindred do something glorious: They completely remove the middle-men. All of them. No loops upon gates upon hoops to jump through to get your novels to the masses. It’s just you and your readers. And that is really cool.

What I’m gambling on—and it’s a big gamble—is that my novels are good enough that
they will give novels from the big publishing houses a run for their money. If they’re not, well, I
can basically kiss my chances of those books ever being published in traditional media goodbye, because no traditional publisher wants to take on a ‘failed’ novel. Publishing is a business, and if your numbers don’t meet their standards, then it’s probably not something you want to mention in your next cover letter. 50,000 books sold is basically the sweet spot. If you don’t sell that many, a self-pubbed book is going to be a black mark on your record, so keep it under wraps.

On the other hand, I do write fast. While a lot of authors would utterly balk at what
I’m doing, since most only see themselves capable of writing 2-3 novels in their lifetimes, I’m
perfectly willing to sacrifice a few novels at the altar of Amazon to see what happens. And, so
far, I have been very pleased with the results. I've gotten my books to thousands of readers in
the span of a couple months. My madman’s gamble, it seems, is totally paying off…

Today my book, Alaskan Fire, is on Amazon for FREE.

So make sure to pick up your copy here:
http://www.amazon.com/Alaskan-Guardians-First-Realm-ebook/dp/B0073WZ01C/

and after you read that pick up your copy of the Second book in the series, Alaskan Fury. http://www.amazon.com/Alaskan-Guardians-First-Realm-ebook/dp/B0073WZ01C/

Available on April 20th, Millennium Potion: Wings of Retribution.

You can visit the Author at the links below:

Website: http://www.kingfiction.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/kingfiction,
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5804792.Sara_King
Email: kingnovel@gmail.com

Socialpunk Blog Tour - Check it OUT!

2012-04-16T07:00:00.000-07:00

I was lucky enough to be able to join this kick ass Blog Tour that Author Monica Leonelle set up for her latest book, Socialpunk.

You all know I've closed my proverbial doors to new review request since I have so many that I already need to catch up on.. However the email for the Socialpunk Blog Tour contained a link to the Prologue and me being me I had to (had to really) click on it and read it. Then I was hooked.. and had to become a part of this awesome Blog Tour.

Sometime next week I will be doing the Review for Socialpunk. I felt I would be doing a huge disservice to my Readers if I didn't share this information.

You can read a copy of the Prologue that hooked me: Here
You can read the first ten chapters FREE:

You can enter to win some supercool and awesome prizes below.

Here's some info on the Book and the Author.

Available for purchase:

Kindle
Nook

Monica Leonelle is a well-known digital media strategist and the author of three novels. She blogs at Prose on Fire (http://proseonfire.com) and shares her writing and social media knowledge with other bloggers and authors through her Free Writer Toolkit (http://proseonfire.com/free-writer-toolkit).

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Guest Post: Courtney Harvey

2012-04-03T07:00:00.000-07:00

Have you ever felt that you were in the right place at the right time? Ever felt that something led you on a path and put you exactly where you never knew you needed to be until you were there? And once there you knew with absolute certainty that this is what you were meant to do? Not only is that the message inside my debut novel "Open Window: Truth from the Shadows," but it is also what led me to this point in my life.

Ever since I was a little girl, writing was something that brought happiness to my heart. I was chosen to attend young author conferences as an elementary student. In middle school my creative writing assignments which were supposed to be five pages were always fifty. In high school the essay writing left me feeling expressionless, so I wrote poetry. There was something about creating imagery by twisting words into interesting formations that moved me. As I entered into college, however, I fell harder in love with visual art. I pursued art education as a career and became a K-8 Art teacher, though I never lost my love for words. I always thought I wanted to write and illustrate children's books; it seemed the perfect way to meld together my love for both subjects. And though I have several children's stories tucked away, it was always the illustration that held me up. For some reason I could never seem to finish the visual piece of it, and so the stories still sit tucked away.

I have been teaching art for 13 years now and have since gotten married and have three beautiful little girls. In 2009 I decided to go back to school to finish my Master's degree in Art Education, which I had started before the kids. At about that time I had a strange paranormal experience that left me feeling a bit shaken. I woke up one morning thinking what would it be like if someone with actual psychic abilities had experienced the same phenomenon? And suddenly a story developed in my head. There were characters with personalities and histories; they felt so alive to me. I tried to push it away, as I was furiously working on a thesis and had no time to entertain such craziness! Yet those characters wouldn't go away. The story wouldn't let me focus and I was consumed. So I played a game; I promised myself every night that I would work for two hours on academic reading and writing, and then I would let myself write creatively when I had fulfilled that promise. It was in those late nights and early hours of the morning that "Open Window" poured out of me. After about 14 months, and one Master's Degree completion, I was finished writing. I shared it with an acquaintance with an English degree who I knew to be not only fair and outspoken, but also a lover of books. She loved it, and encouraged me to move forward. I was terrifed, and didn't know which direction to take. But my daughters had watched me through the process, had seen me working hard and I couldn't let them see me give up on a dream. Somebody had said to me that no matter what happens, my girls would always have my voice and a piece of me recorded forever to pass down to their children, and that gave me the courage to go through with my dream; for them. So with their support I decided to self-publish, and put my work out there to the world. As someone with a thin skin and sensitive nature, it has been hard at times, but I can't help but feel certain that this is where I'm meant to be.

I am so happy to share this book, which I hope to be the first in a trilogy that follows Alex Wells, a young medium who feels shame at her abilities. She tries to push them away until her sleeping mind is invaded by a young man who had tragically taken his own life and is seeking redemption. Though she tries to ignore him and be the normal teenage girl everyone expects her to be, he haunts her relentlessly, eventually forcing her to face her own fears and acknowledge her ability. But in doing so, she enters dangerous territory, being pulled down into the same depths that forced him to take his life. With little support from friends and a mother who sees her as crazy, Alex has to find her way back to the person she knows she should be, all the while fighting to be the voice for the ghost in her head, and trying to discover the mystery behind the strange pull she feels toward the new boy in school. Without giving too much away, I will say that there's a little bit of scary, paranormal edge with the twists and turns of a mystery, combined with a hint of romance that I have been told appeals to all ages. I just recently had a 70 year old man raving to me about it! I thank everyone for taking a chance on an "unknown" and hope that if you do pick it up, you enjoy!

You can read the first chapter on http://courtneyharvey.wordpress.com/ and find it for your Kindle or in paperback on Amazon, Kindle Edition, Paperback and Smashwords.