Lora Palmer

A Simple Strategy to Increase Writing Productivity

noreply@blogger.com (Lora Palmer) — Sun, 25 Nov 2018 20:58:00 +0000

Photo by BonnieHenderson at Morguefile.com

If you're anything like me, you find it's all too easy to get caught up in hectic everyday life, and a daily habit you want to build and maintain slips by the wayside. For me, this was writing. Between a full-time job, taking online coursework in Applied Behavior Analysis in preparation to eventually become a Board Certified Behavior Analyst, and making time for much-needed fun, I could let days could go by without doing any work on my stories.

Lately, the inspiration has struck to write again, and I started to remember all the things I love about writing. I love creating new characters and new worlds and bringing them to life. I love the process of trying to just get all the ideas down, the struggles to find just the right words, and even editing and polishing a story to make it the best it can be.

Then the latest unit in my coursework covered self-management, among other topics, and it galvanized me into action. What I needed was to arrange my environment to support returning to a daily writing habit and to reward myself for meeting the daily goal. For my first step, I found a productivity/habit-building app for my iPhone that lets me set the goal and mark it done. It has a calendar that even displays each day the goal is accomplished and how much of it. Because I'm not a fast writer most of the time, I started with a somewhat low, achievable goal during this baseline phase. My current goal is to write or edit 200 words, but after a week or so I may re-evaluate to see if it should be raised to 250 or 300 words. The app even reminds me to complete the goal, so it offers a great set-up to keep on track. Another strategy you could use if you want to up your writing productivity is to make yourself a simple data sheet with the date and number of words written, or you could create a NaNoWriMo account and utilize their goal tracker. If it's simple and easy to use, you'll most likely keep using it.

Once you have your goal tracker, you need to reward yourself whenever you meet your daily goal. For me, I chose time playing my favorite game app. But the key to success is not letting yourself access the reward unless/until you meet your daily goal. Also, going public with your commitment (for example by having an accountability partner like a critique partner) can help.

Maybe you know all this and are already living it, or maybe this little reminder is just what you need right now. Either way, I hope this #writetip helped. Happy, productive writing! If this inspired you to develop a new writing goal or habit, I'd love to hear from you in the comments below :).

The MirrorMasters is Now An Audiobook!

noreply@blogger.com (Lora Palmer) — Sat, 22 Sep 2018 12:35:00 +0000

I'm so excited to share that The MirrorMasters is now an audiobook! You can snag your copy through Audible. The narrator, Melissa Schwairy, does an amazing job bringing to life the story and all the feels, and to celebrate, I'm doing a giveaway of two copies. If you're one of the lucky winners, I'll email you a code that you can use to get your free audiobook. Good luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Author Spotlight: K. R. Martin and The Pirate Princess

noreply@blogger.com (Lora Palmer) — Sat, 20 Jan 2018 11:00:00 +0000

Today on the blog I want to welcome fellow Clean Reads author K. R. Martin, with her novel The Pirate Princess and a fun interview you won't want to miss!

K R Martin

And now, for the interview!

LP :Your book sounds amazing — a princess-to-be/pirate gains some mad swordplay skills and uses them to fight injustice, fight for her kingdom. What was the inspiration for the novel?

KRM: It's been so long since I wrote the first draft that I'm not entirely sure where the inspiration came from. Other than the fact that I grew up with Disney Princesses, so I love that fairy-tale style story, but I also enjoy sword fighting, and a girl who can hold her own with guys.

LP: I grew up on Disney Princesses, too, and I love the feisty, strong ones! That's one of the reasons The Pirate Princess sounds fantastic! What’s your favorite scene from the novel?

KRM: I think my favorite scene is when Renee first meets her pirate crew. She doesn't realize they're actually good at the time, and it was fun writing about her taking them on, especially when a really large man joins in.

LP: Sounds like a fun scene! I'm excited to read it :). How long have you been writing?

KRM: I've been writing for fourteen years. It started in high school with small short stories, and I haven't been able to stop since.

LP: Tell us about any other projects you have in the works.

KRM: I'm actually working on the sequel at the moment, hoping to have it finished before too long.

LP: Are you a plotter or pantser?

KRM: Definitely pantser. Although, I've had to do a little plotting with the sequel, mainly to make sure things line up with the first book.

LP: How did you connect with our publisher, Clean Reads?

KRM: I met them at an RT Convention, actually. I have a friend who was published through them; she introduced me to them, and I was able to pitch my story.

LP: If you could choose any fictional character to meet for a day, who would it be and why?

KRM: Hmm, that's a tough one. I think I'd go with Belle; after all, she is the bookworm princess.

LP: Do you have advice to share with aspiring authors?

KRM: Keep writing and reading; the more you read the more you can see what works and what sounds off, and keep writing because, like they say, practice makes perfect, or at least you grow as a writer.

LP: Fantastic advice, and thank you for an awesome interview, Karen! :) Thanks for joining me on the blog today!

Do You Dare To NaNoWriMo?

noreply@blogger.com (Lora Palmer) — Sun, 10 Dec 2017 22:10:00 +0000

Just in case you haven't heard of NaNoWriMo, it's an acronym for National Novel Writing Month. Each November, intrepid writers of all ages and genres (including fanfiction) attempt to do something wild and adventurous -- write 50,000 words of a novel in one month. That works out to about 1,667 words per day in order to reach that goal. You can do word sprints with others to challenge each other to write more, hang out in the forums to chat with other writers and get inspiration and help resolving plot issues, even track your daily progress. Oh, and consume copious amounts of caffeine.

The classic way to do NaNo is to start fresh with a new novel, but you can also use your time that month to complete, or at least make a lot more progress writing, a novel you've already begun. And whether you reach that goal of 50,000 words or not, you can feel great about having participated. You'll have had fun, connected with others, and experienced the exhilaration of stretching yourself as a writer. You'll have written more amazing words than you otherwise would, or imagined you could, and you might even find the month has helped you develop a good writing routine that will carry over long past November. Oh, and in my inbox at NaNo, I just discovered they have a new goal tracker you can use to set your writing goals for other projects, like editing that NaNo novel, and track your progress toward your goal.

Did you do NaNoWriMo? If you did, how did it go, and what did you write? I'd love to hear from you. This was my third year doing NaNo. On November 1, I decided on the spur of the moment to jump in and start writing a Harry Potter fanfic that's been swirling around in my head for awhile and managed to achieve about 18,000 words, most of which came in the initial days of the month. I'm not the fastest writer, and it's super hard for me to turn off my inner editor. Here's the summary of my story and a little excerpt for you:

Summary:
Fem!Snape Selena has other plans for her life than becoming a Death Eater, but her skills in spellcraft and Potions have placed her in Voldemort's sights. Meaning, she has to walk a fine line in Slytherin house and play politics if she wants to survive long enough to escape his clutches. For now. On her worst day, after THE fight with her best friend Lily, a new ray of hope comes into her life. Her mother is finally leaving the abusive situation with her father, and the Prince family has welcomed Eileen and Selena back into the fold. Now, with a new last name and a wonderful opportunity to complete her education on a Caribbean island that is the Prince's winter home, a tropical paradise far from Voldemort's reach, Selena may just manage to reach her dreams. Unfortunately, Voldemort's forces are not so willing to let her go, drawing Selena inexorably into the coming war.

Excerpt:

Chapter 1: The Worst Day

The sun burned into Selena’s back as she trudged across the grounds of Hogwarts to her favorite tree by the lake. Echoes of the Marauders' taunts at the end of their Defense Against the Dark Arts OWL followed her, crowding out any joy or pride she should be feeling right now after acing the exam. Her greasy, hooked nose had been buried in her paper as she wrote, they’d said. All that black hair hid her ugly face like a mop of moldy limp noodles, they’d said. She had skin as pasty as the school ghosts, and any day now she’d start to float away with them – not like the ghosts would want anyone as horrible as Slimy Selena among them – they’d said. It made her blood simmer and bubble, a poisonous potion corroding her insides. Okay, so she wasn’t pretty, vivacious, and sparkly like her best friend Lily, but her marks placed her near the top of their class, right up there with Lily. Sure, Potter and Black did well enough without even studying, but Selena far surpassed them in intelligence and magical skill, not to mention an insatiable appetite for learning, and they all knew it.

Oh, how she loathed the Marauders! They’d made her life at Hogwarts, a place meant to serve as her haven, her refuge from her drunken father’s abuse, almost as miserable as her so-called home life. Just the thought of what awaited her when she returned to Spinner’s End in a few days caused knots of anxiety to twist in her stomach. Selena did not want to return there, not now, not ever again, but she had no other option. Some of the Slytherins had offered to have her stay for part of the summer. That would get her out of her predicament for maybe a week or two here and there, if her parents let her go. It wasn’t enough. Her father, as controlling as Tobias Snape was, wouldn’t allow her to get a job to escape the house. No, he wanted her there under his thumb, helping her mother Eileen keep the house and prepare his meals. Which really amounted to it all falling on Selena, as had been the case for the past few years. Her mom had become so beaten down by life, by her father, that she’d become an empty shell of herself and tiptoed through life meek as a mouse, as though she’d break into pieces at any moment.
Just two more years, she reminded herself. Two more years and she’d never have to see them again.

Selena reached her tree and heaved a sigh of relief to find it unoccupied. She slung her tattered backpack, with its faded grey and black stripes and tattered seams, off her shoulder and dropped it to the ground. Unburdened of its heavy weight, she sank down beside it and rested her back against the tree trunk. Tomorrow, she had her Potions OWL, her best subject next to Defense, so this year should end on a high note for her. Maybe she should find a way to quit listening to anything the idiotic Marauders said about her. Or did. After almost getting killed by Black’s thinly disguised murder attempt, which they tried to pass off as a stupid prank of all things, she probably should ignore them. What did she care that Lupin was a werewolf, anyway? If the Headmaster wanted to risk the lives of students because of some bleeding heart need to see the spineless prankster get an education, far be it from her to argue. Selena cared little what he was. What she cared about was that he was too weak to keep his even more monstrous friends in check, which led to their latest prank that could have gotten her killed. Obviously, Lupin had already forgiven them for setting him – and her – up, even though it could have cost him everything, too, by exposing him as a werewolf. A killer.

Whatever.

Having time to herself to think about all these thoughts swirling around in her mind was giving her a rather nasty headache. Selena rubbed her temples before reaching into her book-laden backpack to retrieve her Potions text. Finishing an exam early had its advantages, as it gave her the chance to get a head start on studying. Not that she couldn’t recite the exact recipe for every single potion they’d covered this year, and every single interaction among the various ingredients to an intuitive degree way beyond any of her year-mates. No, Selena didn’t have a need to study Potions. She had a need to distract herself, and immersing her mind in one of her favorite subjects was the best way to do that.

“Hey, Lena,” a cheerful voice called sometime later, drawing her out of her reading. The owner of that voice plopped down beside her in a flash of red hair, brightened to a golden glow in the afternoon sun. Lily grinned at her, tossing her books onto the grass between them, already forgotten, and leaning back onto her hands with her face tilted upward toward the sky.

“Lils, hey.” Selena returned the grin with a true, genuine smile of her own, one rarely given and only in the company of her best friend. The two girls had been drifting apart in recent years, their friendship strained by their housemates pulling them in different directions, trying to poison them against each other. More and more, it seemed to be working, so it came as a relief that Lily had actually come over to talk to her. “Took your sweet time finishing up, I see, not that you had to.”

“How did your exam go?” Squinting, Lily turned to her, sitting upright now that the subject had come up. She twisted her hands together and worried her bottom lip. “Not that I need to ask. I’m sure you got top marks, and don’t think I didn’t notice you were one of the first ones done. I’d have been out here sooner, but it just made sense to take the time allotted to check everything over first.”

That was Lily, exuberant and carefree in spirit, yet meticulous and detailed when the situation called for it.

“Well…yes,” Selena admitted, tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “It did go well. Hey, don’t be nervous, and stop fidgeting, will you? I’m sure you scored almost as high as me. Are you ready for Potions tomorrow? I was just starting to study.”

Lily waved away the question and lay back on the grass with a sigh. “Argh! Can you think of nothing but exams? It’s getting me all anxious when I really need to relax before I even start thinking about the next one. Let’s talk about something else.”

Selena chuckled. “You have no reason to be anxious because you’re more than ready for tomorrow, but fine.”

“Yeah, whatever,” Lily said with a snort.

Laying back next to Lily, just like they’d done years ago, when they’d whisper their secrets to each other, Selena grew serious and met Lily’s skeptical but amused gaze. “It’s true. Anyway, believe me that I have way more than mere exams on my mind. Listen, Lils, there’s so much that I want to tell you about what’s really going on. What my plans really are.” Now, before too many other students gathered out here, especially the ones she could ill afford to overhear this conversation, seemed like the perfect time.

Following her lead, Lily’s voice fell to a hushed whisper, “Like what?” Shock and confusion warred for dominance in Lily’s brilliant green eyes, and Selena understood why. They didn’t talk about this stuff usually, except for Lily complaining about the awful curses Mulciber and Avery used against Lily’s Gryffindor friends, and Selena pointing out that the hexes the so-called Marauders used were no better.

“Like the fact that I don’t…”

But a snide voice, that hated voice of Potter, interrupted what Selena was about to say. “Well, if it isn’t Slimy Selena. Can’t you leave Evans alone, you snake? She doesn’t need the likes of you clinging to her.” He ran a hand through his hair, as if he thought the manic-crazy, windswept look actually made him look cool. A gentle breeze blew through the tree branches, causing a rustling sound as they swayed in the wind. A few petals from their flowers drifted down into her hair and Lily’s.

“Hey, let’s teach the slimy snake a lesson,” Black chimed in, slinging an arm around Potter.

“Go away,” Lily declared, sitting up and brushing a petal from her face. “What’s Lena done to you, anyway?”

“It’s more the fact that she exists, you see,” Potter said, flashing Lily what he must have thought a winning smile before turning a sneer on Selena.

Selena rolled her eyes. She had no patience for fools, and Potter had time and again proven himself the biggest fool of all. “Or maybe you’re just jealous that yet again I beat you at your best subject, transfiguration, and I’m going to beat you at Defense. It would be such a shame if your marks didn’t earn you the NEWT level classes you need to become an Auror. Oh, and with Potions tomorrow, can you really afford to be spending time blathering at me when you should be focusing on your weakest subject?”

While Lily tugged on her arm, saying, “Let’s just go, Lena. It’s not worth antagonizing them,” a look of rage crossed Potter’s face.

Distracted by Lily’s attempt to drag her away, Selena reacted too late to protect herself when she heard James’ spell: “Levicorpus!”

Her shout of “Protego!” didn’t work in time, and Selena found herself toppling upside down, suspended by her feet and hanging in midair as from an invisible rope. To her dismay, her robes fell down her body, displaying her underwear beneath. As she fought to cover herself and reach her wand, her face warmed, and not just from all the blood rushing to her head. Great. Now her cheeks must be turning beet red.

“Much better,” James laughed, a loud, hearty, obnoxious that made Selena want to punch that smile right off his stupid face. Except, she couldn’t. She hung there in helpless fury, unable to do anything against him or Black. “That should teach you to talk back to people who are better than you. And really, such language. Didn’t your parents teach you to talk to people in a more civil manner? You should wash your mouth out with soap. Scourgify!”

Soap bubbles filled her mouth, choking her, drowning out any of the words she wanted to hurl at him. She wanted to tell him that she’d do much, much worse to him as payback. That he was a pathetic, insecure little person if he had to go around insisting that he was better than others, because after all, people who actually were better didn’t have to point out that fact. Oh, and he should be careful because that line of thinking, placing himself above others, sounded very much like something the dark lord would say. He’d hate that comparison.

Selena had no choice but to open her mouth, letting the foam drip to the ground. Still more bubbles formed, a never ending torrent that soon ballooned to cover her nose, too, and now she couldn’t breathe.

Now, true panic set in, even as other students gathered around to stare and laugh at her. The sight of her gagging and convulsing, at Potter’s mercy, must be truly hilarious. Lily locked eyes with her, emerald eyes going wide.

“Let her down, right now!” Lily shouted, grabbing for Potter’s wand arm. He danced away from her, grinning at the chase. Gasping for air that wouldn’t come, inhaling soap bubbles that seemed to fill any available space inside her, Selena could only watch the scene dim and her vision fragment to pieces. Even her eyes were covered with soap now, and she had to close them. Too late. Her eyes stung and burned, even when tears — from the stinging soap, not the humiliation, mind you — leaked from beneath her lashes. “Can’t you see she can’t breathe? This isn’t funny.”

“Aw, Evans, go out with me. Then I promise I’ll leave old Slimy Selena alone.”

“I’d rather go out with the Giant Squid,” she heard Lily say. “Anyway, unless you and Black here want to get expelled, or worse, sent to prison for murder this time, you need to end the spell now and let her down. Wouldn’t want that on your record to keep you from becoming an Auror, would you?”

Potter huffed. “Fine. As you wish, milady.”

The next thing Selena knew, she was falling, falling, and struck the ground hard. She lay in a crumpled heap, her body aching everywhere. At least the soap bubbles had dissolved, and Selena gasped for breath with lungs greedy for air. When she could manage to move her limbs, she reached up to wipe away the lingering soap from her eyes. Her vision swam into focus, and now an even larger crowd had gathered to witness this. Heat and rage flamed her cheeks again, and she glared at them all, defiant, as she stood and tried to still her trembling hands. Of course if she retaliated right now, she’d get blamed for the whole thing. Potter might not even get into trouble. Dumbledore had too much fondness for the Gryffindors to punish them for their misdeeds. No, it would be better for Selena to bide her time and strike when she wouldn’t be caught in front of witnesses. Revenge as a dish best served cold, and all that.

A clucking sound from somewhere in the crowd caught Selena’s attention, and she turned her head to the right to find Avery and Mulciber at the back, shaking their heads in dismay. Just wonderful that they were here to witness her humiliation. Well, at least they might help her plan her retaliation later, but if they caught her here with Lily, Merlin knew what they’d do to her muggleborn best friend. They didn’t like Selena hanging out with muggleborns like Lily, and had begun to torment Lily’s closest Gryffindor friends to drive a wedge between the two girls.

Their threats against Lily had been the reason Selena drifted away. So long as Selena stayed away, Mulciber and Avery would set their sights on other targets, and her best friend would stay safe.

Lily, unaware of the threat, rushed to her side. “Lena, are you okay? Oh, what am I saying — of course you’re not. I’m so sorry. Those guys are such arrogant toe rags, and —“

“Don’t touch me!” Selena hissed, jerking back out of Lily’s reach. Her gaze strayed to where Mulciber and Avery watched the interaction with interest, and she prayed that Lily would follow. Hating herself, but having no choice, she bit out her next words. “I don’t need help from a filthy mudblood like you.”

Lily blinked. “Fine. Oh, just so you know, you’d better wash that underwear, Slimy Selena. They’re stained. Better yet, do yourself a favor and buy some new ones that aren’t granny panties.”

I will not cry, Selena told herself. I will not cry.

Laughter erupted among the crowd, with Potter laughing the loudest of all. It didn’t drown out the sound of her heart turning to glass and shattering into a million pieces, broken and irreparable. She’d officially lost her best friend. Even when things were strained to their worst between them, Lily had never turned cruel like this. Maybe Selena deserved it for what she’d just said, but it still hurt more than anything in her life, more than all the insults and bruises heaped upon her by her father over the years put together, that Lily couldn’t see why she’d had to call her that hateful name.

For a second, Selena allowed herself a thrill of hope that maybe Lily had caught on and was playing along, but she quickly quashed that hope. And anyway, Selena couldn’t talk to her here in front of everyone to find out.

“Whatever,” she said, her voice turned ice cold. Raising herself to her full height, she stared Lily down. Being tall had its advantages. She hoped her face masked her pain so nobody else could see it. Spinning on her heel, she stalked away from Lily, pushing her way through the crowd and back toward the castle. Nobody tried to stop her.

“All right, what was that?” Mulciber demanded, trailed by Avery as they fell into step beside her.

“What do you think? Potter being his usual self.”

“No.” Avery said, a hard edge of disappointment in his voice. “The point is, you let him catch you off guard.”

“No,” Selena retorted, fixing him with a stern glare. “Potter attacked when my back was turned. I was leaving before…all that.” True enough. Mulciber and Avery didn’t need to know she’d been about to leave with Lily.

“A coward’s move,” Mulciber observed. “One wonders how he ended up in Gryffindor. So, let’s go plan our payback. It’s time to make the so-called Marauders regret ever messing with you. And I have something very special in mind, something they won’t see coming.”

Despite her morose mood, a smile quirked Selena’s lips upward. “I appreciate it. Let’s go.”

“Hang on,” Avery said, and stopped. The others followed suit, staring expectantly at him. “You weren’t going to leave with the mudblood, were you?”

Selena arched an eyebrow, though inside her stomach was doing a somersault. “Just because she was there, don’t read too much into it. It’s a nice day outside. Everyone’s out enjoying the weather.”

Except for herself, of course. Oh, no, Selena didn’t get that luxury, and fate would see fit to ruin what was supposed to have been a great afternoon.

“Don’t worry about it. We’ve got more important things to do.”

With a tightness in her throat and chest, as if a noose had wrapped around her, Selena followed them inside.

Spotlight: Thomas Templeton and the Whispers of Branson Manor

noreply@blogger.com (Lora Palmer) — Tue, 15 Aug 2017 10:34:00 +0000

Hello, lovelies! Today I'm thrilled to welcome fellow Clean Reads author Emily A. Steward to celebrate release day of her latest novel, a children's fantasy adventure/mystery. It sounds fantastically spooky!

Title: Thomas Templeton and the Whispers of Branson Manor

Author: Emily A. Steward

Back Cover Blurb: Thomas has only vague memories of the night his parents vanished, and the memories haunt his dreams: an old mansion, a game of hide and seek, and panicked screaming.

After their aunt threatens to split them up, Thomas and his two sisters journey to the abandoned family mansion looking for clues to their parent’s disappearance. Soon after they arrive, terrifying messages and apparitions make it clear that someone or something doesn't want them there.

When another person close to Thomas disappears, the children must work quickly to stop the sinister force before they become the next victims of Branson Manor.

Tagline: A sinister force awaits…

Author Photo:

Author Bio: Emily Steward spent the better part of her childhood dressed as a ninja and trying to convince others to call her ‘Ace.’ When she wasn’t saving the world from evil samurai, she could usually be found in the branches of a tree reading a good book. She now lives in the Pacific Northwest with her husband, three daughters, and dog Bentley. Though she seldom dresses as a ninja now, her adventurous spirit remains as does her love of tree climbing and reading good books.

Excerpt:

Evie stood in the doorway of the room just ahead. She seemed frozen to the spot. “I think it’s in here,” she said in a loud, breathy whisper.

I looked past her into the room. It was empty except for a full-length iron mirror in the right corner. The knocking came from the opposite side of the room. As I stepped inside, I signaled for my sisters to wait and crept closer. The sound was definitely getting louder and was way too consistent to be an animal. It sounded like a pattern. Just as I reached the wall, the knocking stopped.

“Thomas . . . ” Sarah’s voice came out thin. “Let’s go back to the living room.”

I ran my finger along the edge of the peeling wallpaper. Some faint markings were beneath it. “Just a second,” I murmured, pulling the paper back. There was definitely something written under here. The letter t?

A loud thud sent me sprawling. It sounded like something was trying to get out. I scrambled to my feet and backed up to where the girls were waiting. The knocking resumed, louder and faster now.

“Thomas,” she said in a low voice. “I think it’s . . . I think it’s Morse code.” Sarah and I had spent a whole summer learning Morse code. We wanted a way to communicate without our aunt understanding. Turning my head, I listened hard. The knocks came in short quiet raps and louder distinct pounding. This might represent the dots and dashes. I tried to concentrate. The first one sounded like an h . . . no, an r. Rats, it was too fast for me and I couldn’t make it out. Sarah had always been better at it. She squinted in concentration as she counted under her breath.

“It’s just one word over and over.” As she spoke her face went pale.

“What is it?” I asked, afraid to know the answer.

“Run.”

Social Media Links:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Emily_Steward14

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emsteward14/

Website/Blog: https://estewardblog.wordpress.com

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/emilyasteward

Buy Links:

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Goodreads Giveaway for The MirrorMasters

noreply@blogger.com (Lora Palmer) — Mon, 15 May 2017 04:00:00 +0000

It's here! The print version of The MirrorMasters is here, and you can now get it through Barnes and Noble and Amazon! So, to celebrate, I'm giving away a signed copy of the paperback on GoodReads. To enter between May 15th and May 23, 2017, just click on the widget below. Good luck, and may the odds be ever in your favor!

#teen #YA #fantasy #goodreads #mustread #cr4u

Goodreads Book Giveaway

The MirrorMasters

by Lora Palmer

Giveaway ends May 23, 2017.

See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.

Enter Giveaway

Spotlight: Insurrection Trilogy (YA Sci-Fi) by Kadee Carder

noreply@blogger.com (Lora Palmer) — Tue, 09 May 2017 10:00:00 +0000

Today on the blog, I'm featuring my fellow Clean Reads author Kadee Carter with her amazing YA science fiction trilogy, Insurrection. I'm excited to have her on the blog to celebrate the release of Volume Three, Indelible! This is a series I can't wait to check out, so look for my reviews to come on Amazon and Goodreads.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

We humans have to be stronger than we ever imagine, love ourselves in the process, and dig in when the ground seems to sink. We not only relish adventures, we create them. That’s the basis of Saylor’s story in Kadee Carder’s young adult science fiction trilogy, Insurrection. Volume One, Insurrection, and Volume Two, Incomplete, is now available on iTunes, Amazon Kindle, and Barnes & Noble Nook, and Volume Three, Indelible, will be available May 9th! Scintillating gadgetry, crackling romance, and endless riddles fill the pages of this trilogy, in a fresh adventure for the restless reader.

Beneath the façade of covert laboratories and military exploits, Saylor’s story twists further in this thrilling final installment of the Insurrection trilogy. Concealed identities. Puzzling truths. Cryptic alliances. Amid hasty exits and curious arrivals, Saylor pursues the answers haunting her conscience.

Dealing with the consequences of her decisions, will Saylor find herself invincible, or drawn even closer to Breame’s conniving promises? And with humanity’s existence at stake, will Saylor advance toward the brimming war, or succumb to the battle bubbling in her blood?

Saylor must decide.

Humanity will always be worth fighting for.

Excerpt from Insurrection (book One):

“I have to stay with my sisters. Protect them. Are you serious, is this a lifelong contract? How about we settle for a two year?” I leaned back in the chair.

A half smile crossed the Commander’s face. He looked amused. He was pleased? “Private, any moment on the field could be your last. Do you understand that?”

“I do, sir.”

“You choose to join the ranks of the elite?”

“I refuse to be toast.” Sitting up and throwing back my shoulders, I let my own smirk play on my lips, recalling my first harried day of training.

His jaw set in place, in a familiar habit. Those navy eyes searched mine.

My lungs filled with vigor and valor, as well as a smidgen of oxygen and a hint of audacity.

“Very well, then.” The Commander sighed, as if he were content from a large meal. He reached down to the side of his desk and pulled open a large drawer, taking out a manila envelope. Withdrawing a long sheet of paper, he placed it on the desk in front of me. “Here are your papers. I am advancing your rank to Private First Class. You are assigned to Echo Company Bravo, effective today. Lieutenant McConnell will remain your supervising officer and provide further instructions at Front Deck.”

I bobbed my head up and down, glancing at the piece of paper. The blanks had already been filled out. He knew what I would choose.

“Sign at the bottom on the back page,” the Commander said, placing a pen parallel to the top of the paper.

I read through the legal jargon, picking up the pen, and scanning the lengthy words. Henceforth. Litigate. Propagate. Disseminate. Prohibited. Deceased.

He leaned forward. “Once we accomplish our goal, we will move on to the next assignment, and then the next, regardless of how long it takes. You do not get to leave this island unless you opt out right now.”

With a flourish, I signed my name. “Then I suppose I need to go suit up.”

Excerpt from Incomplete (Book Two):

Silent, smooth, and undefined, he slipped beside me, the two of us watching the horizon and the navy sky, dotted with starlight and swaying under the breeze. In the same way that chocolate nestles down slowly and sweetly on the taste buds, or like a crisp spring morning drifts dew over the dawn, he slid his right arm around me, pulling me close. Satin brushed against cotton and hope dashed against the rough breakwater of changing tides.

“Against my own rules, the other day I allowed in the thought about what losing you would feel like,” Tucker said. “Those monsters hovering over you were a greater risk than the Commander’s orders. Holding you in my arms after you fell, motionless,” he shook his head. “That was the flip of the switch.”

Several clouds meandered overhead, blocking out starlight and passing by, finally clearing out again, and I could once again accept oxygen into my lungs. Letting a smile tease my lips, a rosy glow burned across my cheeks.

“I'm terribly challenged in the area of accepting someone loving me,” I admitted. “I have buckets of love. But they’ve been boxed up, packed away, and I don't know how to carry them."

He turned to me, his eyes glinting in the light, probably imagining my struggle with big gray metal sand castle buckets.

"Well, that's convenient," he answered, somehow moving closer, arms circling, tightening around my waist, until we faced each other. "I have pretty strong arms. I'd be pleased to help you carry them."

Somewhere, innocent lips blew the wispy seeds from a dandelion bud, somewhere passionate lips sputtered rhetoric and jargon, and somewhere else, lips dripped with lies and temptation. But his smoldered.

Excerpt from InDelible (Book Three):

“Look.” I squared off, planting my boots, shoving my fists in the pockets of my pink jacket. “Many of you were sent to Isla Barina, or joined Alliance, thinking your last stop would be the Caribbean. Now you’ve gotten a taste of home. I know the risks ahead outweigh common sense. Breame equipped me to take on this project on my own. I am stable, but to a certain extent, I’m extremely dangerous. I can’t promise—”

“What are you saying, Mack?” Annoyed, Logan scuffed one boot in the dirt.

“You can all jump ship if you want. No judging. It’s not even jumping ship. It’s getting out of the sinking ship and reclaiming dry land. This is the last stop before it’s too late. I’ll be fine on my own. I’ll get a plane and make it overseas and take this on. If I fail, I fail, and nobody’s worse the wiser.”

“Are you kidding?”

“Not at all. I don’t want to take anybody else down with me.”

“That’s not your call,” Logan argued.

“I feel a little insulted right now,” Micah said, whipping her head toward me. “Who says you get all the fun?”

“What?” I asked.

“And the glory,” Logan added.

“No, I’m trying to give you an out here.”

“No, thanks. I love swimming.” Logan leaned back on his heels. “And besides, it’s not up to you.”

“Fine!” I rolled my eyes. “You each get to decide. Your contracts with Alliance are being reviewed, I’m guessing?”

Logan exhaled, before a slight nod. “Possibly. The chips are still settling. Contracts have yet to be renegotiated.”

“Well, then.”

“As far as I’m concerned,” O’Leary jumped in, “I made ECB because I wanted to. And I’ve stuck around this far, so I might as well finish this war.”

Chisholm nodded. “Too many hours of training to give up right when we get the upper hand.”

“But guys,” I tried to wave them off.

“You have no argument.” Canaan radiated enthusiasm.

“We’re the team. You’re stuck with us. Plus, you need someone to run the coms. So, I’m in.”

“There’s no guarantee about this,” I reminded. “We don’t have — we may not—”

“Never had a guarantee,” O’Leary stated. “Except that we’d face dangerous circumstances. That’s why I signed up. You don’t get to kick me out the second it gets rough. Rough is my playground.”

“Yeah!” Other voices agreed, rallying.

Eight faces shifted, eyes shining, reflecting those immense stories.

“Alright, then.” I accepted, my team lining up to face the field and our Commander. “Play ball.”

Another Excerpt from Indelible:

“You could have killed us,” Tucker uttered, sounding surprised.

Drawing in my own sharp breaths, my shoulders shuddered. “I didn’t think you’d be in danger.”

“Oh, and you don’t mind if you are?”

“Well.” I began to shrug.

“No-r!”

“What?”

“You have to — you have to think, and to hold on.”

“I was holding on.”

“Saylor! It’s not a word game. That out there!” He pointed out the window. “You have to—”

“What?” I cut him off. “I have to, what? You tell me. Lecture. Go ahead. Just like everyone else!” I spat out the words and a little sea salt. “Tell her, like she has no clue what to do!”

“Obviously you don’t!”

“Oh no?” I straightened up.

He did too. “No-r!” That little ‘r’ on the end of his words sounded so adorable. If only I hadn’t been steaming mad at him.

“I don’t have time for this.” I crossed my arms, tapping an impatient heel.

“If you haven’t noticed, Saylor, you have all the time in the world for it. Look around.”

“I am looking around!” I screamed, trying to be heard, trying to be superbly, uniquely, distinguishingly resonant. “And all I see is chaos! I see loss! I see broken!”

“Saylor.” His voice calmed and he held up a palm.

“No! I feel every little ripple of every wave we roll over! I hear every creak, every pin drop. I smell the salt and the curdling, bitter taste of disappointment. I see the fault in every plan. I sense the strategies not connecting. I dream in colors, hearing sounds that have no name. And I ache.” Holding up my own palms to keep him away, I stepped backwards. “I ache for the rejection that I face, from my father, from my fellow soldiers, from my — from my — from everyone who falls away, whether they mean to or not. It’s all a big, ugly game, this life! My insides are on fire. And I’m sick — sick — of waiting for some untimely death to come waltzing my way.”

Tears had pooled up, finally welling over, intermingling with the ocean on my cheeks. Wiping them away, I shook my head. Nobody understood.

“May I approach?”

“If you want.”

“I like to think I’m a simple guy. I run toward the danger when others cannot.” He shifted his weight, one foot at a time, drawing near. “You are a product of challenge. You’ve seen a lot of hard days. But when I look at you, I don’t see someone who backs away from a problem. You solve it, no matter the riddle. You find a way to beat it. In some cases, you tend to have a flair for the dramatic.”

“Who, me?”

He smiled. “That’s just one part of you I like. Maybe you’re on fire, but consider, maybe that’s a good thing.”

“Ah. Tucker.”

Shoes scuffling. Red cheeks. Heated lips. His hands on mine, his pulse intertwining with mine.

“Don’t think you’re done. Not when you’ve got so-r much life in you.”

“I guess I’ve got thousands of little lives inside me.”

“Not that. I don’t mean any kind of artificial intelligence. Those could go away, and you’d still find a way to make the earth shudder beneath you.”

“Are you saying I’m scary?”

“I’m saying . . . You got moxie, mate. Embrace it. But don’t strangle it.”

****

Deep in the heart of Texas, Kadee Carder resides with her husband and daughters. Carder earned a BA in Public Relations at Howard Payne University and an MFA in Creative Writing from National University. She teaches English courses on the university level and plans her schedule around coffee availability. When she’s not dancing around the living room with her daughters, she helps at church activities, creates encouraging blogs, and orders pizza like a boss.

Connect on social media!

Website: kadeecarder.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kadeecarderink/

Instagram: kadeecarderink

Twitter: @kadeecarderink

And please feel free to subscribe for encouraging blogs! Kadeecarder.com

I’m giving away a free, empowering e-book to those who subscribe to my email list at kadeecarder.com. The book is called Ignite and offers a serving of inspiration, a dash of hope, and a cup of grace to help you get kickin’ on those challenging tasks you’ve got to do!

Purchase Insurrection, Incomplete, or Indelible for only $4.99 each:

Insurrection (Book 1) on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Insurrection-Kadee-Carder-ebook/dp/B01M8F5YZR/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1493220587&sr=8-1&keywords=insurrection+kadee+carder

Incomplete (Book 2) on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Incomplete-Insurrection-Book-Kadee-Carder-ebook/dp/B01MSABMCK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1485896027&sr=8-1&keywords=incomplete+kadee+carder

Indelible (Book 3) on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/Indelible-Insurrection-Book-Kadee-Carder-ebook/dp/B07229CDKC/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1493220656&sr=1-1&keywords=indelible+kadee+carder

Purchase on Nook/Barnes&Noble:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/incomplete-kadee-carder/1125528337?ean=2940157351953

Purchase on iTunes:

https://itun.es/us/5rqpfb.l

Reviews:

"I loved this story. The characters are so witty, well developed and real. The growth Saylor goes through is touching and had me rooting for her every step of the way. The technology introduced is intriguing and frightening. Like what would happen if your favorite pastime started fighting back and you were thrown into the deadliest game of baseball you could ever imagine? In the midst of the awesome kick butt-ness are the girl giggles of a first crush that will have you swooning and wanting more.

An amazing series that I can already tell will become one of my favorites.

If you are looking for a unique science fiction book you need to pick this book up! You will be memorized by the story, the wonder of the strange island, the romance developing, and the unwavering friendship."
~ Amy

***

"I loved this book. As a mom, I'm always looking for good adventure stories for my 15-year old daughter to read, and Insurrection takes the cake. The daring heroine is unafraid of adventure but also not ashamed of romance. (I have to say, though, that it was refreshing to have the focus be more on the adventure and less on the romance!)
The only negative about this book is that only the first one is available! I can't wait for the second and third books."
~ Laura

***

Visit http://www.kadeecarder.com/books for book trailer, radio interviews, gift certificates, freebie codes, and more!

Spotlight: Prophecy Awakened by Tamar Sloan

noreply@blogger.com (Lora Palmer) — Sat, 29 Apr 2017 10:22:00 +0000

Today I'm excited to welcome on the blog my fellow Clean Reads author, Tamar Sloan, with her new YA paranormal fantasy, Prophecy Awakened. It sounds like a fantastic read, and it's already getting some great reviews on Goodreads and Amazon! I've got my copy already, so look for my review to be posted on those sites in the near future.

About the Book:

Eden - shy, wounded...all she wants is to finish her senior year and escape to college.

Noah - the guy who’s spent two years drifting aimlessly, not knowing why he failed to come of age as every one of his ancestors has.

When the two meet the connection is instantaneous and undeniable. A connection that has Eden running and Noah burning to know more.

A connection destined to be the catalyst for a prophecy that neither knew existed.

A prophecy others are willing to kill for.

As families rupture and struggle to realign, as their hearts connect and ignite, Eden learns to trust. But with their love and life on the line, Eden must find the power to believe.

Prophecy Awakened (ISBN: 978-1-62135-652-3, Clean Reads Publishing) is now available at www.tamarsloan.com and on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and iBooks.

Website Link

www.tamarsloan.com

Amazon USA

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06XWCGYLK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1490948333&sr=8-1

Barnes & Noble

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/prophecy-awakened-tamar-sloan/1126053455?ean=2940157362218

iTunes

http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/isbn9781621356523

Goodreads Link

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34737063-prophecy-awakened

About the Author:

A school psychologist by day, Tamar channels her passion for books into creating young adult stories about discovering life and love beyond our comfort zones. She is the award-winning author of the Prime Prophecy Series. Her debut novel, Prophecy Awakened, is an epic story of a love that defies boundaries.

When not reading, writing or working with teens, Tamar can be found with her ever-patient husband and two beautiful sons enjoying country life on their small acreage in the Australian bush.

Tamar finds it deeply rewarding to share her stories and she loves to hear from her readers and fellow lovers of all things book related. You can find her at www.tamarsloan.com or on Facebook www.facebook.com.au/tamarsloanwriter or Twitter www.twitter.com/sloantamar.

It's Here! The MirrorMasters is in Print!

noreply@blogger.com (Lora Palmer) — Fri, 28 Apr 2017 10:04:00 +0000

For those of you who were waiting for a print version of The MirrorMasters, your wait is over. You can now get The MirrorMasters in print, and I'm so excited to share it with you! I just found the the link on Amazon yesterday.

Check out the back cover.

Yesterday was my first time seeing the design, and it's so pretty! I love everything about it, from the font to the gorgeous mirror with its shattered glass effect, to the scenery. Oh, and it even has one of my lovely Amazon reviews. As soon as I'm holding it in my hands, actually holding my book, I'll post a picture for you.

#coverlove #ya #fantasy #books #cleanreads

The MirrorMasters is Going Into Print!

noreply@blogger.com (Lora Palmer) — Wed, 26 Apr 2017 12:30:00 +0000

Hailey kitty wants to announce that a print version of The #MirrorMasters is forthcoming! Mrowr. Further details will be announced as soon as they become available, so stay tuned. #books #ya #fantasy #mustread

The MirrorMasters is in the InD'Tale Magazine Creme De La Cover Contest! Your Vote is Needed!

noreply@blogger.com (Lora Palmer) — Thu, 20 Apr 2017 10:19:00 +0000

Hi, all! I'm so excited to announce that The MirrorMasters cover by the amazing Cora Bignardi of Cora Graphics is in InD'tale Creme De La Cover contest! I just got the email today, and I'd love it if you'd take a moment to vote to help it win! Thanks, guys, for your vote! You're all awesome :)

http://indtale.com/polls/creme-de-la-cover-contest

Spotlight: Interview with Sara R. Turnquist, Author of Hope In Cripple Creek

noreply@blogger.com (Lora Palmer) — Mon, 27 Feb 2017 11:00:00 +0000

Today I'm thrilled to welcome on my blog fellow Clean Reads Author, the amazing Sara R. Turnquist, with a super fun interview and the scoop on her latest novel, Hope in Cripple Creek. I hope you all enjoy this spotlight!

1. Tell us a little something interesting about yourself :). Well, I have a great many interests...I have a degree in Biology/Chemistry (focusing on Pre-Med), and though I worked in a hospital for a while, my science career was mostly in zoos and museums teaching about animals and science. That was my true passion for quite some time. I love sharing about wildlife and wild places and how the decisions we make can impact them in positive ways. I have worked for several zoos, including Disney's Animal Kingdom.

2. How long have you been writing? I've always been a strong writer as far as essays and whatnot. And I've always written short stories and fan fiction, but when I was a child, I wanted to be a doctor, a vet…or an actress. I know, I know…those are very similar goals. When I started playing with a fan fiction challenge that blossomed into the idea for my first book, I became more serious. I continued to work on the book for years (I was pursuing the Pre-Med degree at the time, so time was limited) and finally completed it. Then I was inspired to write another. And my interest in writing grew from there. But I would call myself a “closet writer”. I had completed four novels before I began querying to get the first one published.

3. What is your most recent novel, Hope in Cripple Creek, about, and what inspired you to write it? During the last great gold rush in Colorado (in the 1890s), a schoolteacher is caught between marrying the many who may have caused her best friend’s death or letting two orphaned children be separated and sent away. What is a girl to do? She feels a particular responsibility for these children because of a connection with their mother. This is her story amidst a town gone haywire because of the true historical events of the fall out of this gold rush.

I was inspired by stories set in this time period and similar locales. I had the set up for the love triangle in mind and I wanted to place the story in Colorado. My husband had visited Cripple Creek and we began researching the history. This amazing story of this strike fell into my lap.

4. What is your writing process like - are you a plotter or a pantser? I am a pantser at heart. And my published novels are all written with very little planning or outlining. I have, after more training in craft, become more of a "plantser", where I do more plotting on the onset on my characters before pantsing my way through the story. But my plotting is primarily on character development. Though it is incredibly deeper than what I ever did before.

5. Where is your favorite place to write? I have several places I write: my office, a local coffee shop, the back deck...my favorite place would probably be the coffee shop. I have three children who are still quite young. So, getting out of the house, away from the mayhem and the piles of "to do's" is a must! But I have to have to have to share the day's scenes with my husband when finished. I just need the sounding board and instant feedback.

6. Do you have advice to share with aspiring authors? Two suggests: Have determination and believe in yourself. You have to be your number one advocate and cheerleader. I have a wonderfully supportive husband who spurs me on, but I have to have faith in my own work. It feeds my determination. And that determination is what gets me up and writing on those days I don't feel like it. Because some days you don't. But I have found that if I will only be faithful to sit down and start going at it, the ideas and juices will start flowing. It only takes that initial determination to get started.

7. If you could choose any fictional character to meet for a day, who would it be and why? I have thought about this question quite a bit. And I'm going to go with my first instinct...Elizabeth Bennet. She is such an intriguing character. I've always thought she and I would have rather interesting conversations. And I'd like to hear her thoughts on some of this modern day craziness :-)

8. Anything else you'd like to share that I didn't already ask? I always like talking about what's next. I am getting ready to submit the sequel to my first novel (The Lady Bornekova) and I have three other novels in various states of editing. (Yes, I am rather prolific.) And I have been invited to teach at the Kentucky Christian Writers Conference. The faculty will include bestselling authors Brandilyn Collins and Cara Putman, among others. If you are anywhere within reach of this conference, it is going to be a good one!

Author: Sara R. Turnquist

Title: Hope In Cripple Creek

Publisher: Clean Reads

How to reach me:

Website/URL: http://saraturnquist.com/
e-mail: sara.r.turnquist@gmail.com
Twitter: @sarat1701 - https://twitter.com/sarat1701/
Facebook: AuthorSaraRTurnquist -https://www.facebook.com/authorsararturnquist/
Pinterest: SaraVTurnquist – http://www.pinterest.com/saravturnquist/

Author Bio:

Sara is originally from Middle Tennessee. After a short stint in Memphis, where she earned a degree in Biology and began a career as both a Zoo Educator and a Sleep Technician, she then followed a dream to work for a large zoo in Orlando, FL as an Educator. Once she and her husband started their family, they moved back to Middle Tennessee where they currently reside. Sara and her husband now enjoy a full life with their three beautiful and very active children. She enjoys many creative outlets – singing, piano, drawing, drama, and organizing anything. And even though she has enjoyed her career as a Zoo Educator, Sara's great love of the written word continued to draw her to write. She has always been an avid reader and, for many years, has been what she terms a “closet writer”. Her travels and love of history have served to inspire her to write clean Historical Romance. Sara has made several trips to the Czech Republic. Her time among the Czech people and the landscapes of the country inspired her and greatly influenced her work on her debut novel, The Lady Bornekova, set in Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic. Sara is also the author of The General’s Wife, Off to War, and Hope in Cripple Creek and a member of ACFW.

Blurb:

Tragedy strikes Katherine Matthews and the small town of Cripple Creek, Colorado. An epidemic teams her with an old enemy, Wyatt Sullivan, the town’s doctor. In the midst of desperation and death, Katherine has decisions to make. But she has no idea to what extent they will affect her daily life and livelihood.

The town is turned upside-down when the gold miners go on strike. The owners bring in outside reinforcements, ready to break the resolve of the Western Federation of Miners. Everything in an upheaval, Katherine faces a crisis of faith and hard choices. Will life ever be normal again?

Buy Links:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Hope-Cripple-Creek-Sara-Turnquist-ebook/dp/B01MEH8G9Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1485207688&sr=8-1&keywords=hope+in+cripple+creek

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hope-in-cripple-creek-sara-r-turnquist/1124917787?ean=2940156874248

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/hope-in-cripple-creek?utm_source=indigo&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=retailer

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/673860

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/hope-in-cripple-creek/id1161625919?mt=11

Enjoy a Cute Meme:

Excerpt:

Chapter One

The stagecoach moved along, bumping and rocking as it went. Trees and other green scenery whisked by the window. Views of mountains and open plains were visible from the seat of the coach, vistas familiar to its occupant. Katherine Matthews was coming home. She returned to Cripple Creek, no longer the scared, unsure teenager who had left to further her education so many years ago with hopes and dreams of a new life in a new place. No, she had matured into a confident young woman who had grown in stature and in beauty. Her hair was no longer the mousy color she always hated, for it had deepened into the same beautiful chestnut brown she had always admired in her mother’s appearance. She’d grown out of her awkward teenage features, and was now well regarded among her peers as a rather handsome woman.

Returning to Cripple Creek brought many rather-mixed emotions to the surface. Imagine, one of her first postings would be at the same schoolhouse where she received her educational start. When her mother wrote to her of the interim need, she was glad to help out. What an odd coincidence that the letter would find her, too, in transition. Would this turn into a permanent placement? Did she want it to?

The mountain scenery became more recognizable, and she thought back on her childhood. There were so many happy times here. Unbidden, her mind wandered to the day of the great tragedy that had marred her spirit—the day Ellie Mae died.

Even all these years later, she carried the scar in her heart. The events of that day had left her broken. Why must thoughts of Ellie Mae plague her so? And all the more as her return became imminent? She shivered as the images from her nightmares the previous evening flitted across her mind. They would not stop.

These same visions visited her in sleep night after night. All the more frequently these last weeks.

Closing her eyes, the hazy images took form and became memory. It was as if no time had passed. She and Ellie, walking through the schoolyard just as they did every other day . . .

Hooking arms with Ellie Mae, Katherine stepped out of the schoolhouse and into the yard. A rather large group of students gathered off to the right near the old tree. It didn’t bother Katherine. She turned her attention toward the path that would lead home.

“What do you think they’re up to?” Ellie Mae whispered.

Katherine glanced in that direction and noticed Betsy Callaway at the center, flapping her jaws. Why would anyone listen to anything she said? But they did. The class at large seemed to adore Betsy. It didn’t make sense.

Clenching her teeth, Katherine grabbed for Ellie Mae’s hand. “Whatever it is, we don’t want to be involved.” She pulled Ellie Mae along as she walked on, trying to pass the gathering.

“I know Miss Matthews couldn’t do it,” Betsy said loudly.

Katherine froze in her tracks. What had she just said? 

The crowd of students parted and glared at Katherine and Ellie Mae. 

“Let’s keep going,” Ellie Mae pleaded, tugging on Katherine’s hand. 

She should listen to Ellie Mae and not become a part of whatever game Betsy played. But she could not let Betsy get the best of her. What would everyone think of her?

So, she turned to face her accuser. There stood Betsy with Wyatt Sullivan, the most popular boy in school, right beside her. Betsy’s blonde pigtails, tied back with perfect pink ribbons, shone in the sun. Her dress was no less perfect, pink with just the right amount of lace and even a slight puff to the sleeves.

“Do what, pray tell?” Katherine shot back. Her heart beat furiously in her chest.

“Go down through the mine shaft.” Betsy folded her arms in front of her chest and raised an eyebrow.

Katherine’s heart skipped a beat then, but she tried not to show her fear. 

Ellie Mae’s grip tightened on her hand. 

“I assure you, Miss Callaway, it’s not that I can’t do it. It’s simply that I have better things to do than to be traipsing about a mine shaft.” She turned to leave and hoped that would be enough to silence Betsy.

“Prove it.” Betsy’s voice rang out after her.

Katherine’s eyes slid closed. Was there any way around this? “I have nothing to prove to you,” she called back over her shoulder.

“Fraidycat!” Betsy laughed.

 The other students joined in. Katherine’s face burned. A fire had been lit within her. She was not afraid of anything! Releasing Ellie Mae’s hand, she then whirled around. “I am not afraid!”

“There’s only one way we’ll believe that.” Betsy’s hands moved from her chest to her hips.

There was no way this would be a one-way challenge. “Are you going?” Katherine poked her chin out, putting her own hands on her hips, attempting to puff up her chest as much as she could.

“Of course,” Betsy said, though her voice caught.

“Then, let’s go.” Katherine grabbed after Ellie Mae’s hand and headed out in the direction of the old mine shaft. She hoped Ellie Mae didn’t feel how her palms had started to sweat. Perspiration covered her whole body. How was she to keep up this façade?

The group of students followed, a din of voices behind. As they neared the cavernous opening, they became quiet as they halted several feet short of the forbidden place.

Wyatt pushed through the crowd once they had stopped. “Now, girls, this is foolishness. Talking about it is one thing, but you’re not actually going down there, are you?”

Katherine glanced at the mine opening. It looked dark and ominous. Not what she wanted to see. Then she eyed Betsy. She had everything— the popularity, the most handsome boy in school ... But she would not have Katherine’s pride, too. “I am.”

“Then I am, too.” Betsy stared at Katherine, matching her glare through slitted eyes.

“Kath-rine,” Ellie whispered, tugging on her hand.

Katherine looked over at her friend.

Ellie’s eyes begged her not to go.

Katherine wondered again at the danger. Her friend had every right to be concerned, she supposed. But it would not last. Betsy would go but a few steps in and give up. Katherine was sure of it. So, she would not be dissuaded.

Wyatt’s eyes moved from one girl to the other. A couple of years older than the girls at their thirteen years, he stood a good head taller than Katherine. At last, he threw his hands up in the air. “Then I’m going too.”

“And so am I,” came Ellie Mae’s quiet response.

Katherine leaned toward her friend. “Ellie, you don’t have to go.” Her eyes held Ellie’s. What was she going to do? She couldn’t take Ellie into that place. But something had eased in her when Ellie Mae volunteered to go. Was it selfish of her to want her friend to accompany her?

“Yes, I do.” Her voice was firm, though her chin quivered. “I’m sticking with you.”

A bump in the trail jolted Katherine from her reverie. The scenery outside became blurred. Or was it her? Touching her face, she felt moisture. She wiped at the tears. This would not do! Whatever happened when she returned, Katherine was determined she would face it with as much bravery she could muster.

Not for the first time, she wondered what had become of Wyatt Sullivan and Betsy Calloway. She had avoided this subject in her correspondence with her parents over the last few years. Knowing Wyatt, he had gone on to bigger and better things and gotten himself out of Cripple Creek. And Betsy had probably caught the first stagecoach that took her wherever Wyatt went. So that was that.

The coach slowed and the town she knew so well appeared in the distance. In a matter of moments, she would be home. What a state this trip had left her in! With gloved hands, she smoothed over her dress and straightened her jacket. Her fingers worked to once again secure the pins that held her hat in place as the coach turned. Then they trotted down the main stretch into town.

Some of the changes her parents had written her about became visible. Cripple Creek had become a mining town. When Ol’ Bob Womack filed his claim, which he’d named the El Paso Lode, he’d started another gold rush, this one in Cripple Creek. She remembered the old man. Everyone thought he was crazy and at first no one paid attention to Ol’ Bob until a mining man formed the Cripple Creek Mining District, bringing in thousands of miners and prospectors within weeks. And then a stranger to their town, a Mr. Winfield Stratton, struck gold as well. Not just a little bit of gold, but such a lode that he became the first millionaire to grace this part of Colorado. That did nothing to deter interest. Some of these things were part of her memories, some her parents had told her through letters, but the events blurred between the two.

The stagecoach came to a slow stop, and the door opened. Katherine coughed at the burst of dust that flew into the coach. Once that settled, she was thankful for the fresh air. She gathered her things and stepped out of the coach.

Taking in the sights around her, she was struck at the amount of activity that filled the main thoroughfare. The main street appeared quite different with tents, makeshift cabins, and lean-tos set up all along the way. At the same time, it amazed her how little Cripple Creek had changed. As she gazed down the street, she spotted the bank, the church, the General Store... Katherine could almost see Ellie Mae standing there at the corner of the street, waiting for her so that they could walk the rest of the way to school. Blinking back tears, she fidgeted with the hem of her jacket.

“Ma’am?” a man’s voice interrupted her thoughts as fingers touched her arm.

Turning her head in the direction of the sound, she found a well-dressed man looking at her. He seemed to be expecting an answer. Had he asked her a question?

“I’m sorry, sir. My mind was elsewhere.” She fought the urge to touch her face and wipe away any incriminating tears.

“That’s quite all right. I’m John Jacobs, the town mayor. Katherine Matthews, I presume?” He stuck his hand out to shake hers. She slid hers forward, forcing a smile she didn’t truly feel.

“Yes, nice to meet you.” “And you as well. Welcome to Cripple Creek. Rather, I suppose I should say ‘welcome back.’” Katherine nodded, her eyes drifting past Mayor Jacobs to the town once more. The voices from the past called to her. But she drew her attention to the present and to Mayor Jacobs. “Yes, it’s good to be home. Although it has changed.”

“That’s what I understand. The population of this town has grown in the time I’ve been here. I can’t imagine how much it’s changed for you.”

She nodded again. How much indeed. The streets are full, Ellie Mae isn’t here, and I’m doing business with the Mayor. A loud clap on the wooden boards of the sidewalk startled Katherine. Turning, she placed a hand on her chest. Only her trunk and bags being unloaded from the coach.

Mayor Jacobs gestured toward the stack. “Shall I have these things taken to the boarding house? That is still your plan, I take it?”

“Yes, I thank you.” She released her grip over her heart and let out a deep breath in hopes it would slow its beating.

He nodded and then continued with some hesitation, “I hate to impose, Miss Matthews, but I hoped you would be agreeable to meeting with the town council. They are eager to speak with you.”

The trip had tired her. She had traveled for many days, and the emotions of being back in Cripple Creek had begun to overwhelm her. What she truly wanted was a couple hours of rest before her parents came to collect her for dinner. This delay would affect her plans. However, this was her job, and she didn’t want to disappoint the town council. After all, they hadn’t had the opportunity to interview her properly before offering her the position. So she tipped her head in agreement.

He smiled. “Good. They’ll be at the schoolhouse within the hour. Do you need some refreshment after your trip? The boarding house has a nice café.”

Maybe this would help her relax before the meeting. “Perhaps a glass of water or lemonade. I am parched.”

“Of course you are.” The mayor ushered her toward the lower level of the two-story building. “We have time for a bite to eat as well.”

Eat? She was far too anxious to put anything in her stomach. “No, but thank you. I’d rather get a look at the state of the schoolhouse and I don’t want to keep the council waiting.”

“All right.”

Mayor Jacobs opened the door, and Katherine stepped off the wood planked porch and into the cooler rooms within. The space was open and smelled of coffee and pot roast. Katherine’s mouth began to water at the enticing aroma, but she reminded herself she did not wish to chance a meal. Simple oak tables covered with white linens were scattered about, and burgundy curtains lifted in the breeze that flowed through the space from the open windows. Altogether, a pleasant sort of place. Nothing quite so quaint existed in San Francisco where she’d gone to receive her higher education. But it fit Cripple Creek.

Once inside the small café, they were acknowledged and seated quickly. The mayor ordered two lemonades. As they sipped on their cool beverages, the mayor made small talk about the town, the townsfolk in general, and the mining operations. He inquired after her family, and they concluded their visit with some chitchat about her father’s ranching business.

By the time Katherine finished her lemonade, the mayor had long since drained his glass. She blotted her mouth with her napkin and stood. Mayor Jacobs left enough money on the table to cover the bill and escorted her out of the café and back into the hot sun.

Now on the main stretch, he held his arm up in the direction of the schoolhouse. “This way, ma’am, as I’m sure you remember.”

Katherine moved through the town, taking the same steps she had so many times before. Her view of the road changed and before her eyes she saw the ghosts of her past. As if the townsfolk she had known were before her, and her childhood classmates moved through the streets to get to the schoolhouse on time.

As they neared the old tree in the schoolyard, Katherine took a moment to touch the sturdy trunk. How many times had her younger hands touched this very spot? How many games had she played around its frame? A fine bench had been put in underneath its branches. She sat on it and ran her hand over the smooth wood. It was unimaginable the hours two friends could pass here, telling stories and sharing secrets. The new playground lay nearby, but as she gazed at it, it was not faceless children she imagined there; it was her classmates. And Ellie Mae . . .

Ellie Mae had been Katherine’s best friend for as long as she could remember. They had grown up together. Her friend’s raven-colored hair and blue eyes made her one of the more intriguing-looking girls in class. She also had Katherine’s pale complexion. However, Katherine thought it much more becoming on Ellie Mae.

“Hey,” Ellie Mae said, waving, having spotted her friend.

Katherine rushed over to her. Pleased, as always, that her friend waited to walk the rest of the way to school with her. “Hey, Ellie.”

They linked arms and turned toward the schoolhouse.

“Did you see Betsy this morning?” Ellie lowered her voice as if she shared a great secret.

“No.” Katherine rolled her eyes. What was Betsy up to now? Always something with her.

“She is wearing quite the dress today. And mooning over Wyatt.”

“I’ll bet.” Betsy was always throwing herself at Wyatt. Even more so now with the fall dance coming up. That girl would do anything to get him to ask her to the dance. Katherine was curious why he hadn’t. Why did he continue to make everyone suffer Betsy’s through antics?

Not that it truly bothered her. He wasn’t her beau. And she didn’t have a crush on him. Heavens no!

“She is so obvious. I wish he would just ask her already.” Ellie Mae’s eyebrows furrowed.

“I think he likes the attention.” Katherine scowled. Wyatt was just plain vain.

“Shhh!” Ellie Mae elbowed her as she stifled a giggle. 

Katherine looked around. Why had Ellie Mae cut her off? 

Now in the schoolyard, they had just passed Betsy, Wyatt, and their classmates gathered by the old tree. But as Katherine glanced in their direction, Wyatt stared at her. Their eyes met. Katherine turned away. Why would he be looking at her? Did he hear what she had said? Did he know she was talking about him?

Katherine, her face warming, ducked her head and quickened her pace to get inside the schoolhouse.

Ellie Mae wasn’t able to keep up. As they reached their seats inside, she caught her breath at last.

“What was that all about?” Ellie Mae’s eyes sought Katherine’s after they did a sweep of the area. “Why did Wyatt look at you like that?”

“I don’t know. Do you think he heard us?” Katherine’s heart raced, and her body coursed with energy as if she could run away. And that’s just what she wanted to do — run a million miles away!

Ellie Mae shook her head. “Surely not.”

Katherine looked in the direction of the door. “I hope not.” But the warmth continued to creep further into her face. She was hopeless!

The school bell rang and a flood of students came through the doors. Katherine’s eyes remained fixed on the open doorway until Wyatt appeared. When she spotted his tall, slender frame, she spun around and dropped into her seat with a thump, dropping her head into her hands.

As the rest of the students took their seats, Miss Johnson, the schoolteacher, moved through the room toward the front of the class.

Katherine pulled her head up, but couldn’t focus. Had Wyatt heard her comment? Did he know it was about him? Wyatt was by far the most handsome boy in the whole schoolhouse. His sandy blond hair and blue eyes weren’t all that remarkable, but the strength of his features won him acclaim among the females.

To Katherine, he was her greatest rival. She might not be much to look at, but she knew she was smart. Well, so was Wyatt. For every high mark she made, he made one point above or below her. They always challenged each other for the top score. How unfair that he could have both the smarts and the looks! But that was life.

Everything became quiet around her. 

Ellie Mae poked her. 

“Wha—?” she startled in response. One look at Miss Johnson silenced her. 

Miss Johnson stared at her.

And so did everyone else.

 Had the teacher just called her name? 

“Um . . . present,” she said, rubbing her offended arm. She shot Ellie Mae a mean look. 

“Are you sure?” Miss Johnson raised an eyebrow.

The class laughed.

Though she did not think it possible, Katherine’s cheeks heated several more degrees. “Yes.”

Miss Johnson moved on with the roll.

Mayor Jacobs coughed, drawing her attention back to the present.

“I’m so sorry, Mayor. I seem to have lost my sense of time again.” Katherine stood and strode over to the schoolhouse stairs. She ducked her head as she passed him, almost as embarrassed by this lapse as she had been that day so long ago.

The town had kept the building up quite well. It appeared to have recently received a new coat of paint. Taking the few stairs, she stepped inside the one-room structure and pushed a fresh flood of memories to the side to focus on what lay in front of her. The student benches and desks all seemed to be in good repair, and the leg of the teacher’s desk, which Miss Johnson had propped up with books, had been fixed.

Forgetting the mayor was with her, she moved among the desks, letting her hand graze the tops, hearing Miss Johnson calling roll. Walking toward the front of the classroom, she let her hands run over the edge of the teacher’s desk and chair. Now at the chalkboard, she shifted to take in the whole room. Her eyes drifted across the room, seeing her classmates as Miss Johnson would have seen them. And the desk she shared with Ellie Mae.

“Well, what do you think?” the mayor’s voice interrupted her reverie.

She must get control of herself. Katherine shook her head and cleared her throat. “Quite nice. Rather well kept.”

“Thank you.” His voice was soft. 

Did he know she was struggling to stay in the present?

 “We do what we can. Our children and their education are important to the people of this town.”

“That’s good to hear.” She swallowed hard, attempting to quell the myriad of emotions welling up within her. This always had been a good town. Full of heart.

The stairs creaked outside. Katherine’s eyes darted toward the door and she guessed they were about to be joined by the first of the town council.

A tall man dressed in black entered the room. His pastoral collar caught her eye. But as she looked at his face, she knew this preacher was familiar to her. He had grown into a man and a beard hid some of his features, but she would know the eyes of her first schoolyard beau anywhere.

“Timothy,” she said as he closed the door behind himself.

He grinned. “Katherine.” 

They moved toward each other, meeting in the middle of the classroom, embracing as old friends. 

“It is so good to see you.” Katherine found herself leaning into his strong frame. It did feel good to be received so well. Not all of her classmates would have done the same.

“You too, Katie,” he said as he pulled back. “My goodness, look at you.”

Katherine’s face warmed. “And you, the town preacher.” She straightened the lapels of his jacket. Why had she done that? There was time and distance between them, but he still smiled at her. And so the edges of her mouth formed a wider smile as they continued to gaze at one another.

While they had kept up correspondence when she left for school, over time, her letters became few and far between. And then she stopped writing altogether. Katherine just couldn’t make herself stay so connected to home. The last she knew, he had gone off to seminary and hoped to return as Cripple Creek’s preacher. She had suspected her chances of coming across Timothy were good and she prayed for understanding. And now here he was, welcoming her back with open arms.

“Does it suit me?” The pride in his eyes could not be mistaken.

She nodded. “It does.” There was much of the boy she knew in the man before her. Yet he had grown up. What had changed? What was the same?

“I guess no introduction is necessary here,” the mayor interjected, stepping in from somewhere.

Katherine had forgotten anyone else was present. “No.” She took a step back. “The Reverend and I are old friends.” Referring to Timothy as ‘Reverend’ seemed odd. When she said that word, the face that flashed through her mind was that of old Reverend Jones. May he rest in peace.

The door opened again and two men Katherine did not recognize joined them. They were introduced as Michael Hammond, the town’s banker, and Phillip Yerby, who ran the General Store. Once Mr. Yerby was made known, Katherine could see in the older man’s face the features of the man she had known as a girl. The years had been hard on him.

“We’re just waiting on Doc, as usual,” Mr. Yerby said. “And who knows when he’ll be free?”

Was the doctor not to be inconvenienced for council meetings? Or was it that he felt his work was more important than meeting the new teacher?

“Our town doctor is the fifth member of the council,” the mayor explained. “He’ll be here as soon as he can. What with emergencies and whatnot. That being said, we might not see him at all.”

Emergencies? Were there that many emergencies in little Cripple Creek?

“Why don’t we start without him?” Timothy offered.

The men let out a chorus of agreement. Mayor Jacobs pulled the teacher’s chair around to the front of the desk, indicating for

Katherine to sit, and the councilmen took seats at the students’ desks.

Katherine took the offered seat and turned her thoughts to the men in front of her, attempting to give the man who was not present the benefit of the doubt.

“First, we want to thank you for coming to fill our interim position. We are so pleased to have a qualified teacher with our children during this time of transition,” the mayor said as they all got settled.

“I’m glad to be here.” Katherine smiled. It was true after all, right? She didn’t know anymore.

“The Reverend tells us you are from Cripple Creek.” Mr. Hammond gave her a curious look.

“Yes, sir. You might know my parents, Tom and Lauren Matthews.” She had this. Her parents were good people, strong people in the community. They were certainly well regarded.

Murmurs of acknowledgement rumbled among the group.

Mr. Hammond’s features relaxed, but his questions continued. “And you went away to further your education?”

“Yes, to San Francisco.” They didn’t need to know that it wasn’t the only reason she’d gone away.

“And how long have you been a teacher?” Mr. Yerby piped up. “Since I graduated, three years ago.” 

While she spoke, the door opened to admit the final member of the town council. The long awaited doctor had finally arrived. The man nodded in her direction as he entered, his features masked as his head was tilted forward. But as he came closer, she began to make out nuances of his face.

A chill ran down her spine and she froze.

 It was none other than Wyatt Sullivan. 

“Miss Matthews?” Mayor Jacobs’s chair squeaked as he leaned forward.

“Yes?” She caught herself. Had he been speaking to her?

 “I said, ‘I believe you may already know our doctor as well.’”

She nodded, unable to speak. Yes, she knew him. Better than she wanted to. So much so that she would do anything to erase the memory of everything surrounding him.

“I hope you don’t mind, Wyatt. We got started without you.” Timothy waved to a nearby student desk. “But jump in whenever you’d like.”

How could Timothy just speak to him so amicably? Had he forgotten?

Wyatt nodded, sliding into the chair that was much too small for his tall frame. “Certainly.” He turned toward Katherine. “Good to see you again.”

Katherine nodded at him but still couldn’t find her voice. She looked at his shirt, his hair, everywhere but his eyes.

“Did you spend those three years teaching at the same institution?” Mr. Yerby pulled out his handkerchief and wiped at his brow.

So the room was warm, it wasn’t just her. She longed to fan herself or loosen her collar. Anything to relieve some of this heat inside her. A moment lapsed before Katherine remembered she still sat in a session with the town council.

“Yes,” she said, closing her eyes to focus her thoughts. “The Billingham Boarding School for Girls.”

“Katherine,” Wyatt leaned forward on his elbows. “If I walked into your classroom on a typical afternoon, what would I see?”

Meeting his eyes at last, she blinked a few times before finding an answer. “You would find students learning.” She bit her lip. It was not her intention to be snarky. “But I don’t think that’s what you mean.” Taking a deep breath, she continued, “You would find the students and I engaged in a discussion about a book or a topic in science. Perhaps we would be doing math on our tablets, but I prefer most of our learning to be done through discussion.” There, that was done. His question had been answered. Her eyes moved toward the other men, but Wyatt spoke up with another question.

“Why did you want to become a teacher?”

Pause. Breathe. She met his gaze. “Because I love learning and I want to share that with the next generation.”

Wyatt’s next inquiry came within a breath of her answer. “Tell us about your discipline philosophy.”

She stared at him. This seemed more like an interview and less like a ‘get to know you’ session thanks to Wyatt’s questions. Still, she responded, shoulders back, chest tight. “I think it’s important to reduce behavior problems by offering students a stimulating environment.” This time, she continued to stare at him, daring him to continue questioning her.

He rose to the challenge. “But how do you handle discipline issues?”

Her heart started to pound. She became rather uncomfortable under his scrutiny. The others eyed her, and she decided it best to do what she could to remain calm. “I prefer to remove privileges and have the students do write offs.”

“What are your classroom rules?” Mr. Hammond interrupted the back and forth.

Somewhat relieved for the respite from Wyatt’s steel blue eyes, Katherine shifted her attention over to the banker. “My rules revolve around the students respecting myself, other students, and the schoolhouse. That involves things like no talking when someone else is talking, raising hands to be recognized to talk, no behaviors that would be destructive to the schoolhouse or the desks . . .”

“What about students who are not performing as they should?” Wyatt interjected.

“It depends on whether it is a discipline issue or a capability issue.” Katherine raised an eyebrow at him. Would his questions never end?

He leaned back, folding his arms across his chest as if he had not considered that fine point.

Not wanting to give him any opportunity to gain on her, she continued, “If the student is willing, I can give him or her extra attention and time in order to support them.”

Wyatt opened his mouth, but the mayor cut him off.

“Miss Matthews, thank you for answering our questions. Do you have any questions for us?”

“Whom do I take any of my concerns to?” She had been dreading the answer to that question since Wyatt had walked into the schoolhouse. Holding her breath, she waited for the mayor to confirm or alleviate her fears.

“You will work most closely with the Reverend,” the mayor said, tipping his head toward Timothy. “Most issues and concerns will be addressed by him.”

Timothy offered her a winning smile. A deep sigh of relief escaped her. Was it audible? “Serious issues that, for whatever reason, need to go beyond the Reverend will be handled by myself.” Mayor Jacobs placed a hand on his chest. “But we only want to support you.”

She nodded. Nothing would faze her as long as she didn’t have to answer to Wyatt. “I understand.”

“Anything else?”

Katherine shook her head. She hadn’t expected to end this session with such an elated feeling in her heart. “Unless something has changed from our most recent correspondence as far as salary and start date?”

The mayor shook his head. “Everything is the same.”

“Then I have all the information I need.” Still aware of Wyatt’s gaze on her, she fidgeted with her hands in her lap.

“Well, gentlemen,” Mayor Jacobs said as he looked at the other men. “I think we need to let Miss Matthews rest after her trip.” He turned back toward her. “Thank you for meeting with us.”

And the men rose, each nodding in her direction in turn before shuffling toward the door, making small talk with each other. 

Katherine stood as well, only to realize how weak her knees were. But she maintained her posture as the men clustered near the back of the room, still chatting.

Timothy alone stepped toward her. “Might I walk you back to your parent’s house?”

Was he being forward? Did she want him to be? “I’m actually staying at the boarding house in town.”

“Oh.” He looked toward the floor.

Did he think her refusal was a rejection? She had not intended that. “But I would welcome your company back into town, if it’s no trouble.”

The other men had already started moving in the direction of the doorway. Was it her imagination, or did Wyatt linger? Was he eavesdropping? It wasn’t long though before even he had vacated the schoolhouse, leaving her and Timothy alone.

“No, no trouble at all.” The corners of his mouth twitched and turned upward.

A warmth spread through Katherine. Yes, she still rather enjoyed the way Timothy’s smile made her feel.

Katherine took one last long look around the room where she’d be spending most of her time in the days to come. She allowed herself a few more moments to lose herself in her memories. Perhaps she should rearrange the schoolroom to prevent these flashbacks.

Turning back to Timothy, she offered him her best smile. Maybe he would come to like her smile too. “Ready when you are.”

With that, they made their way toward town.

“So,” she couldn’t help but say, grinning. “Find any good lizards lately?”

When they were but schoolkids, Timothy had been well known for his obsession with all things creepy crawly. He tried to share this love with her, but her obsession had been books. Hopeless even then.

He shook his head, stifling a laugh. “I haven’t been on a good reptile hunt in quite a while.”

“That’s a shame. I think you must take my students on one of your famous reptile hunts!” Had she just said that? Was she flirting with Timothy? Would that be all right?

“Truly?” One of his eyebrows shot up. 

“If only you would.” She tugged playfully at his arm. 

“I think I would like that.” 

“It’s settled then.” She once again surprised herself and slid a hand into the crook of his arm. It was her turn to be forward. 

He seemed surprised by her familiarity, but soon fell into step with her, bending his arm to create a better space for her handhold.

A silence fell between them for a few moments. The time and distance hung in that space. She needed to speak about it. If it remained unsaid, it would only create a greater gap.

 “I’m sorry I stopped writing.” Her voice became quiet. 

“I understand why you did,” he said, his voice soft. With his free hand, he reached across to lay it on hers. She nodded, biting at her lip to contain her emotions.

“Thank you . . . for understanding.” 

“I’m glad you’re back in town.” His voice seemed deeper somehow when it was so quiet. 

Katherine kept her gaze on the ground for a few seconds before looking over at him. How much should she trust him? He was the closest thing she had to a friend here. Ever since . . . “I have mixed feelings about it.”

She didn’t have to say anything further. Timothy would understand.

That same silence fell on them again, only this time it was thick with memories.

He slowed their steps, breaking the spell. “I wanted to stay, don’t let Wyatt’s questioning bother you. He’s just that way about things. It’s nothing to do with you.”

Surely Timothy meant to reassure her. That could not be so.

“I wish I could believe that,” she confided.

Timothy pressed her hand, but said nothing.

Katherine drew her attention from Timothy to her surroundings. Long had they left the grassy surroundings of the schoolhouse and entered the dusty streets of town as they approached the boarding house.

“Here we are,” Timothy said, turning to face her, but not releasing her hand.

“Yes, we are.” She glanced down at her captive hand. Why did he hold her hand so? Was it possible he maintained his interest in her?

“What would you say to dinner tomorrow night?” His breath quickened and his voice shook, almost imperceptibly. As if he were that same young kid asking her to the fall dance so many years ago.

Her stomach flipped. “I think that would be nice, Timothy.” Smiling up at him, she gave his arm a little squeeze.

“Good.” He beamed. “If you need anything before then, don’t hesitate to stop by.”

“Thanks.” She thrilled at the thought of spending more time with Timothy. He would also be an invaluable ally with Wyatt in town and on the council. Not to mention how relieved she was that their friendship was still intact despite her actions.

With that, he released her hand and moved in the direction of the church.

She watched him go, thankful again for her old friend’s presence and help during this transition. And perhaps the hope of something more.

Katherine’s father would be by to collect her for dinner soon, so she’d best get out of her travel clothes and into something more comfortable. What a day it had been! The memories, the interrogation, the promise of an evening out. She stepped into the boarding house and moved toward the stairs at the back of the café.

As Katherine passed the small mass of tables, she paused. Was that . . . ? She turned her head to get a better view of the café. It was – Wyatt and a blonde woman. But why should it stop her in her tracks? Why should Wyatt’s dining habits concern her? Still, she couldn’t help but chance another glance in his direction, letting her eyes drift over to his dinner companion. Her breath caught. His dining partner was none other than Betsy Calloway.

Betsy hung on Wyatt’s every word, eyes glued to his face. But Katherine watched Betsy’s face, every bit as beautiful as Katherine remembered, a clear step above her peers. It irked Katherine, and she chided herself for feeling that way. She was no longer the preteen girl who felt lost among her peers. As a grown woman, Katherine had become well regarded and respected by those who knew her. Why should it matter to her what Betsy looked like? But Betsy’s presence here with Wyatt did strike Katherine.

So, after all this time, she had finally gotten her man. Good for her.

Katherine turned her attention to the stairs and made her way toward her room, trying, for the millionth time, to put Wyatt Sullivan out of her mind.

Cover Reveal! Black Dawn by Mallory McCartney

noreply@blogger.com (Lora Palmer) — Thu, 05 Jan 2017 11:53:00 +0000

Today I'd like to welcome fellow Clean Reads author Mallory McCartney with a cover reveal of her upcoming release, BLACK DAWN. Isn't the cover gorgeous? The book will be available 2.14.17!

Here's a brief blurb of the story:

Emory Fae enjoys leading a quiet, normal life that is until two mysterious, and dare I say handsome soldiers show up at her apartment doorstep and the life she knew is instantly whisked away. Coming from the magical and ravaged world of Kiero, Emory is brought back not realizing that both men are darkly woven in her past. Discovering she is the long lost heir to the Royal Line Emory is thrown into Black Dawn Rebellion with a dynamic role to ignite the rebels and reclaim her throne. With both lives clashing Emory uncovers hidden secrets from her past, a power held long dormant, and will soon realize there are worse things than supernatural humans, love, loss, betrayal, and a Mad King.
Some things are better left in the shadows.

Tag Line: “The end of an Empire, The rise of a Queen.”

Author Bio: Mallory McCartney currently lives in London, Ontario with her husband and their two dachshunds Link and Lola. Black Dawn is her debut novel, the first in a series. When she isn’t working on her next novel or reading, she can be found dog grooming, book shopping and hiking. Other favorite pastimes involve reorganizing perpetually overflowing bookshelves and seeking out new coffee and dessert shops.

Connect with Mallory on her Social Media links:

Twitter: @MalMcCartney

Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/authormalmccartney/?ref=bookmarks

Instagram: @authormalmccartney

Spotlight: Eli Celata's High Summons Blog Tour

noreply@blogger.com (Lora Palmer) — Mon, 02 Jan 2017 05:00:00 +0000

Hey, all! Today I'm excited to host Eli Celata during the blog tour by Ultimate Fantasy Book Tours to spotlight her new paranormal fantasy, High Summons.

Title: High Summons

Author: Eli Celata

Genre: Paranormal/Fantasy

Hosted by: Ultimate Fantasy Book Tours

Check out the cover. Isn't it gorgeous?

Blurb:

Jon Blythe is sick of waiting for his Yoda. After years of hiding his magic, he's ready to retire from his mortal life, drop out of college, and jump into the world of demon hunters. He just didn't really expect a bleach blond bookstore clerk with light up toys for weapons. Unfortunately, Jordan is Jon's only hope. When rogue magic users come to Rochester with a malicious plan, the odd couple strikes out to save the day. Jordan might not be what Jon expected, but between demons and Econ homework, the demons win every time. Wild nights drag Jon further from normal into the world where his father vanished. Maybe he's becoming an addict. Maybe magic just comes with a price. Either way, he’s hooked.

Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/EliCelata/

Author Bio:

Eli Celata was born in Rochester and is currently attending Binghamton University as a doctoral student.

Author’s Social Media Links:

Twitter: @Celata_E
Website: elicelata.wordpress.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/EliCelata/

Buy Links for Book:

Amazon: https://goo.gl/PQ7lzh

Kobe: https://goo.gl/4ZrKVs

Smashwords: https://goo.gl/eYuVNU

iTunes: https://itun.es/us/MEqCdb.l

Blog Tour: YA Paranormal Paranormal Romance THE DECISION (Everlasting Trilogy, Book #2)

noreply@blogger.com (Lora Palmer) — Thu, 20 Oct 2016 10:00:00 +0000

Title: The Decision

Genre: Young Adult Paranormal Romance

Author: L.K. Kuhl

The Decision is the second book in The Everlasting Trilogy

Tag Line: The Decision’s made. The choice is simple. Or is it?

Back Cover Blurb:

The guests are invited. The cake is all set. In just a few short hours Sophia Bandell will be saying “I do” to a guy she isn’t sure she loves. But where does she go from here? She feels her life is headed in a downhill spiral. Her first and real true love, Tate Forester, is a ghost. But he’s the man she wants to be with…the one she can’t live without. Sophia is faced with the toughest decision of her life. Does she forget about Tate and marry the egotistical lawyer, Aaron Stuart? Or does she take the plunge and join Tate to be with him for eternity?

Excerpt:

Sometime through the night, Tate’s kisses woke me. They landed on my cheek like a soft sigh. He began on my cheek and traveled down my neck, resting delicately on my shoulder. But each one felt like he was snuffing out a candle flame. I knew that this would be the last time I’d ever feel him again. He was telling me goodbye in the gentlest way he knew.

I held in my sobs but couldn’t stop the silent tears from sliding down my cheeks. They spilled to my neck and pooled there in the deep, hollowed indent above my clavicle. Tate kissed them away, and wiped a wet strand of hair from my face.

“Don’t cry. I was hoping I could slip away without waking you. I need to go. Aaron will be home soon.”

My throat ached. I grimaced and tried to swallow away the soreness, but it had its claws dug in too deep. There was no way to release it, to ease this massive tumor that kept growing inside of me each time it was time to say goodbye.

“This is the end, isn’t it? Your kisses told me everything you can’t say. So do your eyes.”

“It has to be. It’s time.”

Buy Links:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MF9E55Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1476970300&sr=8-1&keywords=The+Decision+by+LK+Kuhl

Barnes & Noble:

Kobo:

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/the-decision/id1161621322?mt=11

SmashWords:

Amazon CA:

Author Bio:

L.K. Kuhl is the author of the Young Adult Paranormal Romance Series, The Everlasting Trilogy. The Decision is book two of this trilogy. She has also penned Chasm, a Romantic Suspense novel. Chasm was released in May of 2016.

L.K. lives in Nebraska with her husband Gene of twenty-nine years, young son, Nathan, and Greg and Will, their furry dog kids. She has two older daughters, Morgan and Brittani and son-in-law, Trevor. L.K. has been writing for over twenty years. She first began writing children’s books and poetry, moved on to writing music, and is now writing Young Adult and Adult novels. She loves spending time with her family, vacationing, writing, reading, and taking long walks. It’s the characters who write their own stories in her novels, and she is just their messenger, sharing it with the world.

Author Links:

Website: http://kuhlreads.com/

Author Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/kuhlreads

Twitter: https://twitter.com/lynettehoff1

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/lynettehofferbe/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28674602-everlasting

Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B01BXDJGIY

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/l.k.kuhl/

Blogger: http://kuhlreads.blogspot.com/

Tumblr: https://www.tumblr.com/blog/lkkuhl1stuff

Google+: https://plus.google.com/110924570998555007561/posts

SPOTLIGHT: The Teen Wytche Saga by Ariella Moon

noreply@blogger.com (Lora Palmer) — Thu, 13 Oct 2016 10:00:00 +0000

Teen Wytche Saga by Ariella Moon

Genre: Young Adult Sweet Paranormal Romance

Teen Wytche Saga Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BB3FkcbbPGs

Praise for The Teen Wytche Saga:

“Spell Check is a great story for the young adult or the young at heart. I enjoyed the vicarious experience of falling in love, dealing with secrets, and working out best friend issues.” ~ Long and Short Reviews

"A fantastic YA paranormal read, reminiscent of the film "Practical Magic"! Spell Struck combines quirky but fun teen characters dealing with new schools, romance, and family problems, with magic, and more serious topics like suicide and kidnapping."

~InD’tale Magazine, Crowned Heart review

“Edge of your seat? Check. Magic around every corner? Check. Teen angst? Check. Unputdownable? Definitely. Quick tip-make sure you read the first three books before starting Spell for Sophia. They provide a ton of great backstory and will make everything a lot more understandable, and without a doubt enhance your enjoyment of this book as well as the entire series.”

~Carra at Making It Happen blog

The Teen Wytche Saga Books by Ariella Moon:

Book One: Spell Check

Book Two: Spell Struck

Book Three: Spell Fire

Book Four: Spell For Sophia

Where friendship, first love, and magic collide.

Series Summary

The Teen Wytche Saga by Ariella Moon

Think magic will solve your problems?

Bring you love? Cure you? Protect you? Help you find someone who is lost?

Think again.

In The Teen Wytche Saga, a shape-shifting spell book upends the life of each girl who possesses it. Passed among a group of disparate teens, the rebellious book morphs into a new system of magic as it aligns or opposes the girl entrusted to safeguard it. The girls soon discover…

Magic tests friendships.

It hisses, chirps, stinks up the room, backfires, and explodes! Magic forces you to make tough decisions. Shatter limitations. Discover your true self.

And you thought navigating high school was tough.

Read how it all began…

Spell Check (The Teen Wytche Saga #1)

Two girls, one guy, and a spell book — what could possibly go wrong?

Blurb

Bullies. A secret crush. A traitorous friend.

First year of high school isn’t supposed to be an emotional minefield. A photojournalist father isn’t supposed to die in war, and no one should cast a binding love spell on her best friend’s secret crush. And yet…

Halloween looms and so does the anniversary of Evie’s father’s death. She needs to pull herself together or she’ll lose her position as Yearbook Photo Editor. Even worse, Evie will lose Jordan, her secret crush, if she can’t stop her friend Parvani from casting a love spell on him. Despite a falling out, Evie never forgot Jordan. Now they are lab partners and the chemistry between them definitely sparks. Parvani possesses a brimstone-hissing spell book and plans to cast the spell by Halloween. To save Jordan, Evie must join forces with Salem, the school goth.

The clock is ticking. Can Evie get her mojo back in time to check this spell?

Excerpt

About ten minutes into class, while Mr. Esenberg wrote on the board, I heard Jordan slide his feet under my desk. My breath wedged in my throat as the tips of his size nine high-performance sneakers nudged the heels of my shoes. Could the girl in front of me hear my heart thudding? Should I move my feet forward?

My feet tingled and refused to move. A blush blazed across my cheeks. I struggled to pay attention to Mr. Esenberg without making eye contact. Forty minutes passed, the bell blared, and I had no idea what had transpired. Hopefully, my notes will make sense. I think I took notes.

Jordan slid his feet back and thudded his book closed. We both bent down and reached for our backpacks. His leaned against mine. Our hands brushed and our heads were so close I could smell his herbal shampoo.

Students walked past us. I’m sure some of them were talking to each other or flipping open their cell phones. But it all faded away along with the smell of chalk, highlighters, and sweat. Everything receded except the warmth of Jordan’s skin, his cinnamon gum-scented breath, and the heart-stopping rush sprinting up my arm.

“Evie?”

We jerked apart. Seeing Parvani in the doorway looking hurt and shocked snapped my senses into hyper focus. Conversations sounded extra loud. Colors seemed too bright. It felt like a movie had started, full blast, in a hushed theater.

For more excerpts, or to purchase books in The Teen Wytche Saga:

http://www.amazon.com/Ariella-Moon/e/B0071NUOAK/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1

http://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/Search?Query=Ariella+Moon

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/Ariella-Moon

https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/ariella-moon/id507847259?mt=11

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Ddigital-text&field-keywords=Ariella+Moon

About the Author:

Ariella Moon draws upon her experiences as a shaman to create magical Young Adult fiction. The Teen Wytche Saga is a series of sweet contemporary paranormal romances. Her Two Realms Trilogy is a medieval Scotland and Fairy fantasy adventure series.

Ariella spent her childhood searching for a magical wardrobe that would transport her to Narnia. Extreme math anxiety and taller students that mistook her for a leaning post marred her youth. Despite these horrors, she graduated summa cum laude from the University of California at Davis. She lives a nearly normal life doting on her extraordinary daughter, two shamelessly spoiled dogs, and a media-shy dragon.

Ariella loves to hear from her readers. You can reach her at:

http://www.ariellamoon.com

http://www.ariellamoon.blogspot.com

http://www.facebook.com/ariellamoon.author

http://www.goodreads.com/AuthorAriellaMoon

http://www.pinterest.com/ariellamoon/

And now, Ariella Moon has also graciously provided us with her reflections for this upcoming Halloween:

As Halloween nears, the veil between worlds thins. Loved ones from the Other Side slip into our thoughts. For me, beloved pets that have passed on visit me in my dreams. And my stepfather, who in life was a prankster, used to return in his ghostly form and wrestle my bracelet off my wrist, and throw it across the room.

I am a shaman and medium, as well as an author. During October, strangers stop me on the sidewalk or in airplanes, and tell me about a loved one who has died. Their stories always end with, “I don’t know why I am telling you this.” I explain that their Beloved Dead placed them in my path because they want to convey a message. If the person’s energy is bad, or the message from the departed is hostile (which is very rare), I say nothing. Otherwise, I flip on the psychic switch and act as a bridge between this world and the next.

Some people prefer to experience the paranormal through books. So I channel my magical knowledge and experiences into my Young Adult fiction. THE BELTANE ESCAPE kicks off my medieval Scotland and Fairy trilogy. My contemporary series, The Teen Wytche Saga, starts with SPELL CHECK, in which Halloween proves to be a ticking clock portending possible heartache and disaster.

Halloween is nearly upon us. Light a candle for your Beloved Dead so they will know you remember them. And watch out for flying jewelry.

Release Day Blog Tour: Empower

noreply@blogger.com (Lora Palmer) — Thu, 06 Oct 2016 10:00:00 +0000

Title

Empower

Genre

urban fantasy, suspense, new adult/adult

Back cover blurb

Over a month has gone by since Melina won her internal battle between good and evil. She and the elders have been vigilantly waiting for Maura and Adelia to enact their plan, but there have been no signs of them anywhere. Then one day, Melina sees a Noxin demon lurking behind an old building. As more and more demons start to appear around town, she begins to worry that their plan may have already been put into play.

While Melina tries to figure out what the demons are up to, she starts to notice a sudden increase in her negative emotions, which in turn seem to be amplifying her powers. At first, she likes how strong it makes her feel. But when she realizes that her newly acquired demon powers are the cause of her sense of empowerment, she wants nothing to do with it. Even though she has reversed her demon powers to do good, she still sees them as coming from an evil source and fears that by using them the evil she fought so hard to overcome will rise up in her again.

But as the demon activity increases, and the people in her town, including all the people she cares about the most, start to display strange and violent behavior, Melina finally understands that if she wants to stop the demons and help her friends, she must embrace not only the good in her but also the bad. Because the only way to truly empower herself is by finding a way to use them together.

Tag line

You have to have the dark to see the light.

Excerpt

She turned to look at the front of her store and saw that the huge front window had been completely busted in, allowing the chilly winter air to blow right through the room. The rest of the store wasn’t in any better shape. Broken glass, splintered wood, and burnt, ripped up books and paper covered the entire floor. She felt like she should be having déjà vu, seeing as how her store had been destroyed by Noxin demons before, but there was a difference this time. She didn’t have her friends to help her pick up the pieces.

Before she was able to get teary-eyed again, she heard footsteps coming from behind her. She turned around and saw that Walter was back, and he had Phinneas, Cecil, and Helene with him. They all nodded at Henry, who nodded back at them, and then they all returned their focus to Melina.

“Hi,” Melina said as she gave them all a slightly confused look. “What are you all doing here?”

“I thought it was necessary to tell them what’s happening with you,” Walter said.

Melina pulled her robe a little tighter around her and turned her gaze down to the floor. She wondered if they were disappointed in her for not telling any of them sooner.

“Melina,” Phinneas said as he took a step toward her. “None of us blame you for feeling the way you do. The fear you have of your anger and of your demon powers is completely valid. But it’s nothing to be afraid of, or ashamed of. I’ve told you before, not everyone is all good or all bad. We all have good and evil in us.”

“Yes,” Melina said as she nodded her head. “I remember you saying that. But then you also said that we just have to choose which one is going to win, and I chose good.”

“And I’m so glad you did,” Phinneas said. “But just because you chose good and were able to reverse the demon powers to use them for good, doesn’t mean that the bad aspects of the demon powers aren’t still a part of you, too.”

“Melina,” Walter said as he took a step toward her. “To truly embrace all of your powers, you must accept not only the good aspects of them but also the bad. I can only imagine how strong it must make you feel when your emotions amplify your powers, but instead of fighting them and trying to stop them, feel all of those emotions and use them in a good way. Use them to empower yourself.” He paused for effect and then continued. “You have become a force to be reckoned with. You just need to learn to accept them and then control them.”

Melina’s eyes were filled with tears again. His words reminded her of what Lee had told her—that she needed to accept all of herself. She knew they were both right, but she still couldn’t let go of her hesitation and fear.

“But what if it makes me susceptible to being taken over by evil again?” She bit down on her lip as she stared over at Walter with eyes full of distress.

He gave her a reassuring smile. “I know you’re scared, but I also think that you know, deep down, that you’re not going to be taken over by evil again. This is just how the demon powers are going to work in you. We all experience negative emotions, Melina. But it's what we do after the emotions arise that matters. We can act upon those negative feelings and let them control us, or we can feel them, acknowledge them, but then choose not to act on them. And instead of letting them control us, use them as motivation for something good.” He was silent for a moment then said, “You have to have the dark to see the light.”

Melina sat quietly as his last words sunk in. She had never thought of it that way, but he was right. She had both light and dark in her, just like everyone else, but she just needed to make sure that her light always shone brighter.

About the author

Ashley Stambaugh grew up in a small town in Illinois where she and her two siblings created some of the best memories playing on their family’s farm. She stayed in the southern region of the state to attend college where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree and also met her husband.

Now, she and her husband live in central Illinois and spend their time creating new memories with their two rambunctious boys. She also enjoys reading, taking long walks, and finding great bargains. When her sons are a little bit older, she has a great desire to travel with her family. Oh, and she also has a slight obsession with chocolate.

When she’s not busy chasing after her two young children or losing herself in a good book, you can find her curled up on her couch with her laptop, writing.

Social media links

Website: www.ashleystambaugh.blogspot.com
Facebook author page: www.facebook.com/ashleystambaughauthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ashleystambaugh

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8054295.Ashley_Stambaugh

Purchase Links
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Empower-Collide-Book-Ashley-Stambaugh-ebook/dp/B01LY3LYYJ/ref=sr_1_3?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1475749075&sr=1-3&keywords=Empower

Oh, and Collide, the first book in the trilogy, is on sale for 99 cents the whole month of October, so be sure to pick that one up, too!

Release Day Blog Tour: Two Graves by Zoe Kalo

noreply@blogger.com (Lora Palmer) — Sat, 01 Oct 2016 09:22:00 +0000

Title: Two Graves (Retribution Series #1)

Author: Zoe Kalo

Genre: Dark Psychological Suspense

Audience: New Adult/Adult

Word count: 18,000 words – 70 pages (short novella)

Launch date: October 1st 2016

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31840144-two-graves

Purchase on Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/Two-Graves-Novella-Zoe-Kalo-ebook/dp/B01LDIXCR0

About the Book

A Dante-ish descent through a sinister world of decadent shadows and woeful souls…

Seven years ago, he shattered her life. The town eventually forgot the headlines and the nightmares. But 23-year old music student Angelica hasn’t forgotten.

For the past seven years, she’s contemplated payback with as much intensity and unwavering faith as she puts into her violin playing. Finally, all the pieces are in place. Over the course of one night, disguised for a masquerade ball, Angelica orchestrates a journey of revenge.

About Author Zoe Kalo

A certified bookworm, Zoe Kalo has always been obsessed with books and reading. Reading led to writing—compulsively. No surprise that at 16, she wrote her first novel, which her classmates read and passed around secretly. The pleasure of writing and sharing her fantasy worlds has stayed with her, so now she wants to pass her stories to you with no secrecy—but with lots of mystery…

A daughter of adventurous expats, she’s had the good fortune of living on 3 continents, learning 4 languages, and experiencing a multicultural life. Currently, she’s working on a Master’s degree in Comparative Literature, which she balances between writing, taking care of her clowder of cats, and searching for the perfect bottle of pinot noir. She is the author of the YA fantasy series CULT OF THE CAT.

Connect with Zoe Kalo on the web:

www.ZoeKalo.com / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads

My thoughts so far:

I'm about 50 % through reading Two Graves, and I'm blown away by this spellbinding tale. The language is gorgeous, sensuous, vivid. After I'm finished, I will post my review on Goodreads and Amazon, so look for that soon. In the meantime, pick up your copy!

Bleeding Hearts Blog Tour!

noreply@blogger.com (Lora Palmer) — Wed, 31 Aug 2016 13:15:00 +0000

Today, I'm thrilled to host my fellow Clean Reads author Dana Provo, with her new release, Bleeding Hearts!

Author- Dana Louise Provo

Title: Bleeding Hearts

Genre: New adult, romantic suspense

Blurb: Orphaned at an early age, now twenty-four-year-old Camryn Lucks is ready to commit to find that special someone, and so accepts a date from a charming, gallant, handsome stranger. The last thing she imagines after accepting that first date with Carson would actually be the beginning of her worst nightmare.

Red roses, a reminder of her parents' killer, soon become an emblem of horror for Cami as one by one, those closest to her fall victim to a serial killer. Cami becomes an obsession for Carson, the man she had finally allowed herself to love. Not only is he vying for her heart, but also her life.

Finding herself in a whirlwind of torments shadowed by the blood-colored bloom, Cami finds solace in Isaac, a neighboring police officer. She’s desperate to escape the haunting memories, but she must revisit them in order to catch her would-be killer. Living life in constant fear has driven Cami to second-guess every choice she makes. Will the police catch the illusive murderer, or will Cami be forced to face him once again?

Author Bio: Dana Provo has always loved books and reads everything from young adult fantasy to Adult Historical Romances. She is the author of the Romantic Suspense novel Bleeding Hearts. When she's not reading or writing her next novel, Dana can be found riding her horses and getting ready for competition. Dana lives with her husband and two house plants in Richmond, Virginia.

Excerpt:

My arm trembles as I grip the cool handle of my pistol, keeping a firm grasp to ensure it doesn’t slip out of my sweaty hand. It usually stands sentry in my left nightstand to scare the nightmares away. But this isn’t a dream. The room is dark and hides the face of the man whose intent is to kill me. But I know who he is. A metallic taste fills my mouth; I want to gag. My blood drips off the blade in his hand in slow, steady beats on the carpet. My arms shake as I lift the barrel and point it in his direction. He doesn't move. His heavy breaths alert me to the meager distance between us.

We’re at a stalemate.

A soft glow from the lamppost just outside my window casts a sliver of light on his face. His dark, beady eyes that I have grown to know rake over my body like I'm another one of his many victims. He lifts the edges of his mouth into a smile. My heart plunges into my stomach. I know what that sinister expression means, and I think back to all the times he had looked at me like that before. I had been so blind.

Before I react he lunges at me, grabbing onto my waist and twisting me to the ground. I shriek as my head slams against the bed frame. Black spots flood my vision. I squeeze my hand only to find it empty. My gun is gone. The sound of the knife clattering on the floor gives me slight hope. Not much though. He climbs up my body trying to pin my arms to the floor. I thrash my fists around, desperate to knock him off.

“Get off!” I scream, pulling on his shirt and kicking him off balance. Wrapping his hands around my arms, my attacker cuts off the circulation of blood. Rug burns flare across my skin as he drags me across the carpet. He closes his hands around my neck, shutting off my air supply. I pull at his hands but it's no use; he has always been stronger than me. My pulse drums a frantic beat in my ears. The air slowly leaks out from my lungs, killing any hope I may have left. I search for the gun around the room; it may be my only savior now.

"Why are you doing this?" I struggle to get the words out. He squints his dark eyes. I'm wondering if there might be a chance that he will stop this madness. I am wrong.

"It'll be over soon, sweetheart." His hands again tighten around my neck, blocking the air from entering my lungs.

Social Media Links (You don’t have to use all):

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authordanaprovo/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DanaProvo

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/icehorses12/

Wattpad: https://www.wattpad.com/user/DanaProvo

Blog: https://authordanaprovo.wordpress.com/

Tumbler: http://icehorses12.tumblr.com/

Google: https://plus.google.com/u/0/115997761074256146273/about

Buy Links:

Amazon: http://a.co/3z28apX

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/bleeding-hearts-dana-provo/1124476658?ean=2940156806997

Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/bleeding-hearts-17

Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/660974

iBooks:

Cover Reveal: IN THE BEGINNING Month9Books Charity Anthology

noreply@blogger.com (Lora Palmer) — Fri, 26 Aug 2016 04:00:00 +0000

You guys, I'm so excited to bring you the cover reveal for Month9Book's IN THE BEGINNING Charity Anthology. My short story, First Wife, the story of Leah, Jacob, and Rachel, is one of the stories included. Mark your calendars for October 25th, because you'll want to pick up a copy of this anthology--and the proceeds go to a great cause! In the meantime, check out this post for some amazing excerpts. Oh, and enter the giveaway for a chance to win one of three egalleys of the book.

Today Month9Books is revealing the cover

and some excerpts for their Charity Anthology IN THE BEGINNING! Which releases October

25, 2016! Check out the gorgeous cover and enter to be one of the first readers

to receive an eGalley!!

On to the reveal!

Title: IN THE BEGINNING: Dark Retellings of Biblical Tales

Editors: Laureen P. Cantwell and Georgia McBride

Author: Stephen Clements, Nicole Crucial, Mike Hays, Sharon

Hughson, Marti Johnson, Elle O'Neill, Lora Palmer, & Christina Raus

Pub. Date: October 25, 2016

Publisher: Month9Books

Format: Paperback & eBook

Find it: Amazon

| B&N |Goodreads

In the Beginning (Oct. 25, 2016) –Eight authors

come together to build a powerful collection of dark young adult short stories

inspired by the mysteries, faith, and darkness found within the Bible. Old Testament

and New Testament, iconic and obscure figures alike are illuminated, explored,

and re-envisioned throughout this charity anthology from Month9Books.

IN THE BEGINNING, edited by Laureen

Cantwell and Georgia McBride

Daniel and the Dragon by Stephen Clements

A troubled orphan named Habakkuk

dutifully follows his master, the prophet Daniel, into temples of blood-thirsty

demon-gods, battles with unspeakable horrors, and bears witnesses to

mind-breaking evil until his master's zealous defiance of the king's law seals

their fate.

Babylon by Nicole Crucial

Far above the earth, in Second Eden,

where moments and eternities all blur together, young Babylon befriends Sefer,

the Book of Life. As Babylon awaits the moment she'll fulfill her destiny, she

and Sefer try to understand the world in which they live.

Last Will and Testament by Mike Hays

A homeless young boy, Baz, bears the

weight of humanity on his shoulders and upon his body. When dark forces test a

new-found friendship, Baz’s willingness to bear the ugliness of their world

will be shaken. 

The Demon Was Me by Sharon Hughson

Based on the story of the

demon-possessed boy healed by Jesus, this tale provides a glimpse into a

post-apocalyptic world where a teenage boy seeks to journey to a better land

and yearns to discover the kind of man he's meant to be, only to be hijacked by

an evil spirit intent upon chipping away at the hope, faith, and resilience of

its host.

The Deluge by Marti Johnson

A non-believer shares the story of

Noah’s ark-building and the deadly downpour that follows. Fear, faithlessness,

and the fallibility of mankind collide in a community where second chances

aren’t unlimited and a better-late-than-never attitude just might be your doom.

Condemned by Elle O'Neill

Just sixteen-years-old, Barabbas finds

himself pulled out of Routlege Academy and into a reality show

competition—against Jesus himself—where the reward for the winner is life.

First Wife by Lora Palmer

In a first-person retelling of the saga

of Jacob, Rachel and Leah, themes of family, deception, guilt, and heartache

emerge amidst the first days of Leah’s marriage to Jacob—a marriage mired in

trickery a mere week before Jacob was to marry Leah's sister Rachel.

Emmaculate by Christina Raus

Based on the story of Mary's Immaculate

Conception, we enter the troubled mind of Emma, who finds herself torn between

her religious upbringing and the purity ring that binds her to her boyfriend

and the pregnancy that results from her relationship with another boy.

Anthology Excerpts:

From THE DEMON WAS ME, by Sharon Hughson:

The ghastly black fog overtook me.

Icicles pierced my back. Every muscle in my body spasmed. I plunged face-first

against the ground. Something sharp gouged my cheek. Shivery tingles pervaded

my insides. A vile presence pressed against my mind.

“Get out!” I rolled to my back, arms

outstretched. I wanted to fight, throw the intruder off me. But how can you

resist something as ethereal as air?

Laughter rang in my ears. Sinister.

It shuddered against my soul. Terror and hopelessness collided in my chest. A

foreign power clutched at my mind.

I screamed. I rolled to my side and

squeezed my eyes shut. If only I could disappear.

Another dark wave of laughter

echoed through my skull. Convulsions gripped me.

Against my will, my limbs flailed in

every direction. A spike pressed into my mind. I cradled my throbbing head. My

body, a tumbleweed in the wind, spun on the ground.

From BABYLON, by Nicole Crucial:

Only those will enter Heaven whose names

are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

These were the first words I heard, in

the beginning of time.

But Sefer, the protest comes, Revelation

wasn’t written until the first century.

My answer is that time is a funny little

plaything to God, or so I imagine. That first sentence was the wind that

breathed life into my chest, the binding of my pages, the ink in my soul. It

knitted together my stardust-atoms from across centuries and millennia and

planes of existence.

And when the first dregs of

consciousness swirled at the pit-bottom of my spine, I yawned and opened my

eyes to paradise.

From CONDEMNED, by Elle O’Neill:

To his surprise, as he heard the metal

door grind to a stop, there was a popping sound, like the flash-lamp did when

they experimented in Classic Photography at Routlege. Except no camera

appeared—not that he could see anyway—but rather a digital time clock, bold red

numbers, already beginning their descent, in striking relief against the black

paint covering the walls.

29:48:12.

29:48:11.

Of course they would include the

fractions of a second, he thought. He was now fighting a tiger against a racing

clock. For all that they were merely numbers, he saw their dwindling trickle as

if he were watching grains of sand pour through the hourglass of his fingers,

helpless.

29:47:03.

The tiger looked at him. It didn't

glance his way. It directed its massive head at him, its eyes trained on

Barabbas ... and they didn't turn away.

Another man, in another arena, stood

calmly while the tiger advanced. His breathing was even, he did not watch the

clock, and he looked with love upon the prowling beast. When it snarled, he

slowly exhaled; when its whiskers glanced his weaponless fingers, he blinked

gently as the hot breath of the tiger dampened his skin.

From LAST WILL & TESTAMENT, by Mike Hays:

I’ve found money, I’ve found food, and

I’ve found myself in plenty of trouble on plenty of occasions, but I’ve never

found another human being just lying around. That’s what happened when I found

a person-shaped ball of olive drab and camouflage clothing—which would have

been more at home in the reject pile down at the army surplus store—under our

decrepit, worn sign for the, “Extraordinary League of Witch Assass_ _ _.”

It’s true. I found a boy about my age

sleeping at the end of the Extraordinary League of Witch Assassins driveway.

From UNWANTED, by Lora Palmer:

“Let me see you,” he whispers. “Let me

truly see you.”

I swallow down the fear this moment

brings, the anxiety that once he does see me, he will no longer accept me. No,

I must stop thinking this way. My husband is not like Jacob, dazzled by the

superficial beauty of my sister. My husband, my love, will see me.

Taking courage from this, I let out a

shaky laugh as he helps me stand. I long to see him, too.

“All right,” I say.

He lifts my veil, his deft fingers

moving slow, relishing the anticipation of this moment. At last, he lifts the

linen over my face and lets it slip to the floor behind me. We stare at each

other, stock still, in stunned silence.

It was Jacob.

From EMMACULATE, by Christina Raus:

The Ten Commandments are pretty

straightforward. Killing? Bad. Lying? Nope. Adultery? Don’t even think about

it. But is real life really that straightforward? If you tell your boyfriend

that you’re going golfing, when really you’re going out to cheat on him, is the

lying or the adultery worse? What if you stab the guy you’re having an affair

with? Isn’t being a murderer worse than being a cheater? I think the stabbing

is worse than the lying and the cheating combined. So, it was kind of unfair

for God to group killing, lying, and cheating all together under one umbrella.

They all seemed really different.

I was an adulterer. I couldn’t deny

that. I was also a liar. A very, very good liar. But I wasn’t a murderer.

From THE DELUGE, by Marti Johnson:

The stench of mildew and mold is heavy

in our nostrils, and my lungs feel as though they are on fire. My breathing is

audible in the lulls between the thunderclaps. My mother huddles, shivering,

propped between two rocks. She is coughing painfully, and I can hear her teeth

chattering.

It is hard to breathe because the air

itself is full of water.

A deeper shadow has fallen across the side

of the mountain on which we are sheltering. I pull aside the brambles, and gasp

in amazement when I realize what it is. “Look!” I call to the others, and point

at the sight. The ark has risen with the water, and now bobs up and down. It

sits high in the water. We hear nothing from it but the creaking of the wood

timbers and the sound of the branches and rocks on the hillside scraping

against its hull.

From DANIEL AND THE DRAGON, by Stephen Clements:

Your god is a liar!” roared the wizened

man in thin black robes, as he pounded his breast with his fist.

Habakkuk stood by the gates of the

temple as his master picked a fight with a sanctuary full of the slavish

followers of Bel, a bloodthirsty demon god. A fire raged in the fanged maw of a

giant, stone head sunken into the back of the temple, there to receive the

offerings rendered unto Bel. He had seen this before in other temple raids with

his master, though not on such a massive scale, and not at the heart of the

demon cult in Babylon itself. The fire raged as the greatest offering that the

Babylonians—who adored Bel above all other gods—could sacrifice to their deity

was their own newborn children, rolled their screaming, helpless bodies down a

stone, handshaped altar into the fire. They offered the fruit of their wombs to

their dark god, who devoured the innocent souls sacrificed to him in eldritch

rituals.

Giveaway Details:

3 winners will receive an eGalley of IN

THE BEGINNING, International.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Interview with William Alan Webb and Spotlight on Military Sci-Fi STANDING THE FINAL WATCH

noreply@blogger.com (Lora Palmer) — Thu, 28 Jul 2016 04:00:00 +0000

Today on the blog, I'm honored to host the awesome William Alan Webb with an interview about his upcoming release, a military sci-fi, STANDING THE FINAL WATCH (The Last Brigade Book 1). It's due out August 17th from Dingbat Publishing, it sounds epic, and I can't wait to read this one!

You can pre-order it now on Amazon at: https://www.amazon.com/Standing-Final-Watch-Last-Brigade-ebook/dp/B01HSCAJM6/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1469180961&sr=1-1&keywords=standing+the+final+watch#navbar

1. Tell us a little about yourself.

I’m the world’s oldest teenager. My mind tells me I’m still a 17 year old kid, with everything that goes along with that age. My physical self sometimes disagrees with that chronological state of mind, especially after a long day in the hot sun maintaining four acres just east of Memphis, TN. The good news is that I discover muscles I didn’t know I had, the bad news is that’s because they hurt.

I’m from West Tennessee and remember when most of the Memphis area was glorious wilderness. I’ve seen huge tracts of dense old growth forest leveled so we can have another drive-through doughnut shop, and it makes me sad, even though I’m an inveterate capitalist. I’m feeling pretty protective of the natural world today, so forgive me if I sound preachy.

2. What is your upcoming debut, STANDING THE FINAL WATCH about, and what inspired you to write it?

STFW is my ode to epic thrillers and science fiction. I call it a rocket ride without seat belts. In terms of prose, my biggest influences are writers like John Ringo (especially the raunchy but over-the-top action of his Kildar series, and the non-stop shoot-em-up of his Posleen books), Robert Heinlein, Douglas Niles’ two Fox books (awesome alternate reality WW2 novels!), Clive Cussler, Roger Zelazny, Mark Greaney, Joshua Hood…the list is long, because I borrow (steal) a little bit from every writer I like. And if there is the slightest sense of the Avengers or X-Men in the narrative, I can’t deny growing up devouring comics.

This book is fun to read, I want to make that clear, because the topic of the book seems grim. The world as we know it comes to an end in a slow and agonizing fashion. First something terrible happens, then things unravel and enemies attack…and what makes it more frightening is that our government anticipates much of this could happen in the real world. So when you’ve got something scary to worry about, what should you do? Have fun with it!

If you read the prologue you’ll figure out real quick that my villains are truly evil. It’s a gruesome beginning because I wanted the sensation of what it might be like to get caught up in a terrorist attack. Judging by the early reviews, I succeeded beyond my wildest dreams. What I think makes my villains worse is they have a Hitler complex: they believe what they are doing is right for humanity.

The book is dominated by Nick Angriff. If you like larger-than-life heroes in the mold of Jack Reacher or the real George Patton, you’ll love Angriff. He’s got plenty of flaws, but at the end of the day is true to his motto: loyalty, honor, sacrifice. He’s the kind of guy you want for a friend, or neighbor, because you can always count on him to help, no matter the situation.

As to inspiration… if you mean what inspired me to write it at the moment I wrote it read any news report or newspaper. Events in the world inspired me. Much of this book was written nearly two years ago, yet you would think it’s ripped from the headlines today. Sometimes I hate being right and I hope I’m wrong about a lot of the prophecies I make in the book.

But I don’t want to leave the impression it’s morbid. This is an action packed thriller I wrote for people to enjoy reading, to stay up late reading and tell their friends the next day “I’m exhausted, but I couldn’t put it down. You’ve got to read this book,” or recommend to their friends for a beach read.

3. Would you like to share an excerpt from the novel?

Sure. I love this part. I remember the day I wrote it, researching convection and trying to see through the eyes of the falcon…

The broken ground of the Sonoran desert soaked up the heat of the midday sun. As the desert floor warmed it began to heat the air close to the surface, which then caused that air to expand and grow lighter. The lighter air rose in bubbles of warmth called atmospheric convection, but better known as thermals, rising higher until the temperatures of the air surrounding the bubbles became cooler, causing them to sink again and create updrafts. On that blazing hot day the cooling effect did not occur until the warm air was high into the atmosphere.

Wheeling on those thermals, a Prairie Falcon sensed the subtle changes in air temperatures and stayed in the updrafts, using the energy of the warm air to provide the lift under its great wings and keeping it where it could see for miles in every direction. An efficient killer, it could detect the tiniest prey on the desert floor from hundreds of feet in the air. Rattlesnakes, lizards, mice, whatever small prey it could find, it could eat. Once spotted, the bird would fold its broad wings inward and contract its wide tail, before diving to snatch its meal in sharp, hooked talons. On that clear day, however, no prey roamed the desert, because the giant animals that walked upright had come back to dig in the ground. The raptor had no concept of what they might be doing, nor did it care, it only wanted food and they were not its prey, so after a fruitless search it banked off south in search of better hunting.

That’s about six hours of writing! I must have re-written that fifty times before I was satisfied.

4. Where is your favorite place to write?

In my frighteningly cluttered office, leaning back in my overstuffed chair, with the wireless keyboard in my lap. I cannot write on a laptop…nope, can’t do it. Unless, of course, I plug in the wireless keyboard, then I’m good. And I always have my youtube playlist cranked in the background, up to 411 videos right now, most of them Status Quo (although I’m listening to Slade as I write this.)

I have to have fast access to research materials to write. My personal library is about 5000 books and I’m really good at ferreting information from the internet, and have a good sense of what’s reliable and what’s not. It sounds romantic to think about writing on a beach, under an umbrella with a blue or pink drink at your elbow, but for me that wouldn’t work. The writing part, that is. The beach, the drinks, those would work just fine.

5. You'll be published by Dingbat Publishing, correct? Tell us a little about your experience with them and what made you choose to go with Dingbat Publishing for STAND THE FINAL WATCH?

Yes, Dingbat Publishing is my publisher, that’s correct. Another fine publisher also offered me a contract, and it was a very hard decision as to which company to choose. In the end it was a matter of business, but the other publisher remains a friend and I would yet like to work with them on something.

As to my experience, you ask me this as I just finished a rewrite and my editor has promised the final edits will make me bleed. LOL. Like most writers, I hate seeing even one of my words disappear.

For me, Dingbat was a terrific choice. I know that’s what I’m supposed to say, what debut writer is going to say ‘yeah, they bought my book, but they really suck?’ For me, however, it’s the God’s honest truth. It’s run by this fabulous lady who has written a lot of books herself. What’s even better, she wrote the book for writers on ballistics. Literally, it’s titled Ballistic Basics, A Writer’s Primer On Firearms And the Forensics That Track Them.

I work hard to get the research correct in my writing, but what a backup when it comes to guns and weapons! I’m also thrilled with the cover their creative team came up with, it’s great.

And let me throw this out there, too: a lot of writers on twitter want input on some of the smaller presses they might be discussing deals with. If Dingbat ever offers you a deal, snap it up. They are great to work with.

6. If you could choose to live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?

Somewhere in the Caribbean. Maybe Ocho Rios or Negril, Jamaica. 88 degrees every day is perfect weather for me. But if I stayed in the US, then Florida. Beaches and warmth are why.

7. What or who has most influenced your writing?

I have so many literary influences it’s hard to pick one or two. I’ll say this, the first writer who inspired me to try and write was Robert E. Howard. The Conan stories written by him are masterpieces of fantasy. Thomas Lyon Russell’s brilliantly imaginative Riding With The Magi showed what you can do with a book, and Tom was my creative writing mentor at the University of Memphis. Roger Zelazny has a style I wish I could emulate. Robert Heinlein showed me the way, and of course Tolkien was almost my religion for a decade or two. It was John Ringo who inspired me to try my hand at military SF, both with his over-the-top Ghost series, my character Green Ghost is an homage, and with his Posleen series. Lastly, Douglas Niles’ brilliant two ‘Fox’ books, Fox On The Rhine and Fox At The Front gave a structure I could follow. Lastly, I would say Cornelius Ryan’s ensemble method of constructing a book is a terrific pattern for story-telling.

8. Tell us about what your next project will be.

Wow, which one?

The sequel to Standing The Final Watch is written and in its third edit. It’s titled Standing In The Storm. Book three, tentatively called Standing At The End, is at about 20K words with plots point mapped out. A prequel, Not Enough Bullets, is about a third done and I entered the first 50 pages in a contest, so we’ll see how that goes.

I still plan to finish the World War Two book I’ve been working on for ten years now. It’s about 100k words long now, called Bloody Roads West: Army Group South and the German defense of Austria, 1945. You can read a short treatment of it on my website.

In my spare time I plan to rewrite a couple of old fantasy pieces, my first novel, The Queen of Death and Darkness, and a novella, A Night At The Quay.

That should get me through 2017 anyway.

Thanks so much, William, for a fantastic interview! It was a blast having you on the blog today! So, people, go pre-order your copy of STANDING THE FINAL WATCH :).

Spotlight: Death's Fool (2nd book in the Impetus Rising Series) by Sophia Whittemore

noreply@blogger.com (Lora Palmer) — Thu, 21 Jul 2016 04:00:00 +0000

Today please give a warm welcome to Author Sophia Whittemore, who joins us today on the blog with her newly released second book in the Impetus Rising Series, DEATH'S FOOL. Check out the blurb and an exciting excerpt, and connect with Sophia through social media.

TITLE: DEATH’S FOOL- 2^nd Book in the Impetus Rising Series

AUTHOR: By Sophia Whittemore

BLURB: “Isak was love. Isak was bravery. Isak was death.”

Her lover has been cursed. Her mother has been kidnapped. Her best friend’s soul has been stolen and his body deformed. And Diana is afraid that she too is turning into a bloodthirsty monster, just like her father. Awoken from an enchantment placed on her by her treacherous lover, the half-Impetus god, half mortal Diana is flung into a war between mutant shadows and the Impetus beings. Diana must navigate a world where queens torture their faithful knights, human children play with giants, and magic has darkness within it. Diana knows she has some power within her, some sleeping evil that demands to be set free. But is she truly her father, or is she her own person? Secrets are revealed to her about the cursed Prince Isaakios that she never knew before, secrets like the women he once had in his life, or the havoc he once wreaked upon the Earth. How far will this twisted love go for Diana before she is broken? Or will she break before she even gets the chance to save the world one last time?

EXCERPT:

Suddenly, a scream sounded through the luxurious halls. A candle tipped over and a fire started on one of the curtains. The ice sculpture began to tip, its base melting from the flames. Pride put out the fire with his strong hands, yanking the curtain down and dousing it in buckets of water with the help of some humans. I looked to see who could have ruined this moment and felt the ground quake. The doors slammed open, causing the floor to tremble beneath us. I nearly lost my footing. The dress disappeared and I was back in sensible training clothing and gear. It had all been an enchantment, a beautiful dream for as long as it lasted.

And now, back to the present, I saw a darkened figure coming toward us. The candles blazed higher upon the figure’s approach. Face hidden beneath a tattered hood, his eyes gleamed, murky brown, his skin, once bronzed, was now a dull, ashier gray. I peered closely at the boy’s black hair and saw Basel’s face hidden beneath it, stubble dotting worn, drawn features. He staggered against a table with party favors. He shoved slices of turkey into his mouth with stubbed, bloody fingernails, eating like a starving animal.

Appetite filled, he reached for a pitcher of dizzying nectar and drank it by scooping it up with his hands. His eyes were wild, his laser-focus disconcerting, floating everywhere at once. His gaze narrowed when he saw me. “It’s you!” The creature that once was Basel roared, voice nearly hitting the same pitch as an ethereal wail. “I know your face. You’re the one that cursed me to be…to be…”

He looked down at his body as though seeing it for the very first time. His veins, once swollen with shadow venom, were now empty and a scarily pale blue as the blood had drained haphazardly from them.

“What am I?” he asked, his voice dropping to the same voice of the confused boy who fell out of his treehouse and wanted to cry for his mommy back when we were little children. “Tell me what I am!”

I moved to go to him, but Isak held out an arm. “Don’t do that.” His gaze was stern, taking in all of Basel’s appearance in the cool, calm way of a medical professional. “I’ve seen this before.”

“Yes, but what is this?” I looked at Basel, swinging about like a violent animal. “Shouldn’t we go to help him? Perhaps he escaped from my father’s grasp—”

“No, he didn’t escape. Your father let him go.”

AUTHOR BIO:

Sophia Whittemore is a Dartmouth student and multiracial author with an Indonesian mother and a Minnesotan father. She has had book signings at Barnes & Noble for her Impetus Rising Series, available on Amazon and other outlets, the first book published when she was only seventeen. She has been featured as a Standout in the Daily Herald and a Rad Reads author in Girls' Life Magazine. Her love for the English language manifested itself in eighth grade when she went to the Scripps National Spelling Bee and has continued with other languages such as Spanish and Indonesian. Her prior publications include "A Clock's Work" in a Handersen Publishing magazine, “Blind Man’s Bluff” in Parallel Ink, and winning multiple awards in the Best Midwestern Writing competition for high school writers. She currently resides in Chicago, Illinois with her family and food-loving mini schnauzer called Tiger. Drawing on inspiration from her two cultural backgrounds, Sophia lives a life playing tennis, traveling, and writing about her dual life experiences through other characters in her works or on her blog.

AUTHOR’S SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/sophiawhitte

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Authorsophiawhittemore/

Instagram: @authorsophiawhittemore

Tumblr: http://authorsophiawhitte.tumblr.com/

Wordpress: https://sophiawhittemore.com

COVER ART:

Release Date: July 21^st, 2016

Sunshine Blogger Awards

noreply@blogger.com (Lora Palmer) — Wed, 13 Jul 2016 10:48:00 +0000

A huge thank you to Dana Provo for tagging me along with 10 other bloggers in the Sunshine Blogger Awards! So, here are the rules for taking on this challenge:

• Thank the person who nominated you.
• Answer the 11 questions you’ve been asked.
• Nominate 11 other bloggers, making sure to let each one know that they are nominated.
• Ask the nominees 11 questions.

And now, for the questions I was asked:

What is your middle name? Jean...and I also kept my maiden name, Reed, as my official middle name when I did my name change stuff after getting married. On July 4th, my husband and I will have our 8th anniversary! :)

When did you first learn how to ride a bike? Wow, I'm trying to remember. I must've been about six years old.

Are you the kind of person that likes to plan things or go out on a whim? As with my writing, where I'm a mix of a plotter and pantser, I'm the same way with my life. I plan, but I also like the spontaneity of going with the flow and going out and doing something fun on a whim.

What is your favorite thing to wear? Anything cute, really, as long as it's comfortable, too. I have a collection of dresses, so I'll go with that as my ultimate favorite thing to wear.

Name a country then explain why you named it? I'll go with Paradise, because that's what I'd want it to be. A tropical island paradise that's a beautiful, heavenly place to live.

What is your occupation? I work as a clinician at a residential facility.

If you could own only one animal, what would it be? Definitely my cat :)!

Which element do you relate to the most? Why? Fire, Water, Earth, Air, Spirit. Well, I'm a Virgo, so I suppose Earth would be one answer, but I do love the ocean, so water as well. Water is so soothing and relaxing.

Are you planning any vacations this year? If so, where? I've been on a couple already to visit family and go to the beach.

Name your favorite book? Too many to choose just one! But I still love the DarkAngel trilogy, the Harry Potter books (love the time travel element and the Marauders back story in PoA), Beth Revis' ACROSS THE UNIVERSE series, and the Divergent trilogy.

Lastly, do you believe that there are aliens in space? Considering that there are likely billions of suns in each galaxy, and billions of galaxies in the universe, it wouldn't surprise me. Even in our own solar system, we have moons with vast oceans that may harbor marine life. We've already found extrasolar planets that may even be similar enough to Earth to support life as we know it. I think it's pretty likely that other worlds in this immense universe have given rise to life. Some of them may be homeworlds to intelligent life who has taken to traveling among the stars, exploring space.

Here are the 11 questions I'm passing along:

1. What's your favorite dessert?
2. What book, TV, or movie character is most like you and why?
3. Where in the world would you most want to live?
4. Like my MC Leah in MIRRORMASTERS, you discover an ability to control mirrors to see what's happening in other places, other times. You can even travel there through the mirror if you want. What would you do with that ability, and where/when would you travel?
5. Who is the author you'd most want to meet and why?
6. When did you first start blogging?
7. What's your favorite blog post of all time from your blog? Take us down memory lane :)
8. Tell us a little about your current WIP!
9. What fun plans do you have for the summer?
10. What's at the top of your list of ways to spend a lovely day off work?
11. How do you celebrate when you finish writing/editing a novel?

Now for my nominees for the Sunshine Blogger Award:

Deeba Zargarpur

Leandra Wallace

Dana R. Lynn

Laura Wadsworth Carter

Carol Riggs

William Alan Webb

Michael Abayoni

Krysten Lindsay Hager

Suzanne Thomas

Kadee Carder

Krista Wagner

Author Spotlight and Interview: THE ELECT by Laura Carter

noreply@blogger.com (Lora Palmer) — Thu, 30 Jun 2016 04:00:00 +0000

Today I'll be spotlighting the awesome Laura Carter, who has an upcoming YA sci-fi/dystopian release called THE ELECT. Welcome, Laura, and thank you so much for being on the blog today!

Author Bio:

Laura Wadsworth Carter is a native of Oxford, Alabama, and is a graduate of the University of Montevallo. She received a Bachelor of Arts in History in 2008 and a Master of Education in 2009. When not teaching American history to teenagers, hunting for caffeine, or writing fiction, she spends her time with her musical husband, their hilarious toddler whose energy knows no bounds, and two ridiculous dogs. Together, they live in Huntsville, Alabama.

Contact Information:

Email: lauracarterwrites@gmail.com

Website: laurawcarter.wordpress.com

Twitter: @MrsCarterWrites

Summary of THE ELECT:

THE ELECT is a dystopian / sci-fi retelling of David and Goliath inspired by totalitarian governments (North Korea in particular). August, the main character (David) finds himself in a fight to overturn the rule of the Foundation, led by a giant dictator known only to the reader as the Man (Goliath).

Blurb for THE ELECT:

For the past thirteen years, the Foundation has ruled Belstrana with an iron fist and has protected its reign with an army of meticulously programmed child soldiers. As one of those soldiers, seventeen-year- old August has done terrible things to innumerable people, though he wasn’t aware of it at the time. But when one small accident leads to a major awakening for August and three other Young Ones, submission is the last thing on their agenda, and they soon find themselves at the front of a growing rebellion. Embroiled in a fight they have little chance of winning, they soon realize that deception hides behind the most unlikely faces and desperation leads to unthinkable acts. But all they need is a crack, and the Foundation will fall.

Tagline:

One small crack and the Foundation will crumble.

Genre:

Young Adult science fiction / dystopian

Word Count:

74,000

Release Date:

July 14, 2016

Buy THE ELECT on AMAZON:

https://www.amazon.com/Elect-Laura-Wadsworth-Carter-ebook/dp/B01IFJVPUG#navbar

Excerpt:

Through no earnest intention of my own, I find myself awake and lying on my back. A network of gray, steel rafters weave across the ceiling above me, and a lacy netting of cobwebs and dust flutter against them from the cold draft in the room. To my right, a Man in Red grips a thick rope hanging from a bell, and he pulls downward with a huff, sending the bell into a fit of clanging to awaken us. Though I would like nothing more than to remain beneath the wool blanket that’s tucked around my chin, my body propels me into a sitting position as a groan escapes my lips. The cool grit on the floor bites into my bare feet, and my bunkmates, a few dozen boys around my age, mirror my movements with almost identical timing. But when they proceed to stand and straighten their bedding, I hesitate.

I’m caught up in a strange cycle that I know I’ve repeated thousands of times, but it feels new today. In this moment, something has changed. I stand up and run my fingers over my cropped hair and release a slow breath. I’ve spent years in this building, sleeping on this very cot, but the memories are wavy, like my mind has been flooded with fog. I press my palms over my eyes, squeezing them shut.

Most of the boys have now begun to change their clothes. None of them speak, and the silence leaves an eerie pall in the air. Across the room, my behavior has caught the attention of a middle-aged Man in Red. I lock eyes with him, and his expression narrows, folding his dark brows inward as he studies my face. It’s my first indication I’m doing something wrong, and I swoop down and tug the sheet and blanket over my cot, smoothing the wrinkles. I glimpse up and see him now speaking to another Man in Red, and they both watch me. The pistols on their hips and the menacing sneer on their faces remind me that they’re here to keep us in line. And right now, I am out of line.

Not wanting to draw more attention to myself, I hustle to the trunk at the end of my cot and withdraw my uniform. I shrug into the routine brown button-up shirt and matching pants and shove my feet into wool socks and a pair of black boots that pinch my heel. As I reach down to tie the laces, a black mark on my right wrist draws my attention from beneath the cuff of my sleeve. I tug the fabric back and see the thick outline of a triangle tattooed into the tender skin above the tendons and veins. The fingers of my left hand trace the symbol as I search my mind for its significance, but I find a murky void instead of a memory.

Annoyed, my fingers tie the laces, and I stand. I’m a few seconds behind everyone else now, and I scan the room to find them all clicking various weapons onto their belts. In the top of my trunk, beneath where my uniform had been placed, I find a sling and several perfectly smooth gray stones. The pad feels worn and familiar in my hands, and I stroke the braided leather handles. Beside me, a pale-skinned boy with dull eyes and a wild patch of freckles attaches his own sling to his waist.

The shrill screech of a whistle cuts through the room, and I flinch. The trunk lid slips from my fingers and slams shut. I suck in a breath and wait for a reaction from someone, but there is none, so I drop the stones in my pocket as though nothing is out of the ordinary. The boys around me are falling into line, and I step forward to join them as we prepare to leave the building, somewhat aware that we should be heading to retrieve our breakfast now.

Just as we begin to move forward, a firm hand grabs my right arm, and I’m jerked to the side. Panic snarls in my chest as a heavy arm pins me against a cool wall, and I struggle to not grimace as the back of my head smacks into the unforgiving cinder blocks. In front of me stands the same short, stocky Man in Red who had been staring at me earlier. His greasy, blond hair is slicked over to one side, and his deep-set eyes are dark and shifty as they bore into me. He wears a scarlet shirt and black pants, and a small golden triangle is pinned to the left side of his collar. As he opens his thin lips to speak, I inhale the scent of stale alcohol and tobacco, and my stomach clenches with nausea. He grabs my face with a calloused hand and squeezes my cheeks so my lips squish together, and I can’t help but feel like an animal being inspected for slaughter.

“What are you doing, boy?” he asks with a sniveling, high-pitched tone. My face drains of blood, and my heartrate picks up speed as the Red’s expression grows more furrowed. The surprise of the encounter has my mind reeling, but I know better than to reply. I feel awake for the first time since I can remember, and I intend to keep it that way.

“What’s wrong with this one?” the Red mutters to himself. My heart pounds in my chest with such speed and voracity that I begin to worry the guard will hear it and my own body will betray me. All at once, the guard releases my face with an apathetic grunt and pushes me towards the door by my shoulder. I’m startled by my sudden propulsion, and I stumble forward into line as relief floods my body.

And now, onto the interview!

What are your favorite genres to read/write? I will read pretty much anything (except horror or erotica), but my favorite genre is still young adult. From contemporary authors like John Green to fantasy/sci-fi authors like Amy Bartol or Jennifer Armentrout, I'm just looking for a good story with lovable characters... and a little bit of romance doesn't hurt!

Besides writing, what are some of your other hobbies? I love to travel. Road trips are my favorite, because they allow for spontaneity, and my husband and I try to take one every summer. I also enjoy gardening. Working with seeds and soil and flowers and vegetables is very gratifying to me and is definitely an investment and lesson in patience.

I read on your site that The Elect was inspired by a dream. Would you like to tell us a little about that dream? Sure! Without giving too much of the plot line away, the dream I had was of a young man running and taking refuge in an abandoned warehouse. He was being chased by someone and had these incredible abilities to jump and fight - superhuman strength, if you will. I knew when I woke up that there was something in that dream, a story that needed to be told, so I wrote down everything I could remember. That scene is now in the middle of the book and is one of my favorites.

Which character in The Elect is most like you, and why? I find that I share some similarities to each character, but the one I probably relate to most is Elisa (or at least that's what I hope). She's an optimist - hopeful, faithful, loving, and a little naive. But at the same time, she can take care of business when she needs to. These are all qualities that I strive to reflect in my personal life, even though I'm sure I fail often.

What project(s) are you currently working on? I'm currently working on two novels. The first is the sequel to The Elect. The other is a YA contemporary set in my home state of Alabama. I'm still not sure where either of them are going, but I'm excited to find out!

In your writing process, are you a plotter or a pantser? This actually relates to my last answer quite well. I think I'm a little of both, but I'm mostly a panster. I have a general idea of where I want my stories to go, but often my stories get hijacked by my characters, which is fine with me and often quite a surprise.

Share with us a favorite book quote! As strange as it probably sounds, I don't know that I have one. I'm not much of a quotes person, but if you're looking for a quotable book, one of my absolute favorites is All Over But The Shoutin' by Rick Bragg. His story-telling style is phenomenal, and his understanding of history and heritage in backwoods Alabama (my home state) is just excellent. I'll recommend this book to anyone I meet.

Any advice for other writers? Keep at it, but take breaks. I know you've probably heard it before, but that's what I'm sticking with. It took me 4 years to finish this novel and find a publisher, and I often wanted to give up. But I'd shelve the book for a while to clear my mind and then bring it out a month or two later. Fresh eyes are a necessity, especially when revising and editing. Also, don't be scared to let your friends read it and give you honest feedback - you'll need it.

Any tips for breaking through writer's block? It helps me to rewrite a scene further back in the book. I've found the problem is often not where I thought it was, so going back in the book (as terrifying as it is), opens up more possibilities for pushing past those moments where you want to set your computer on fire. Just make sure you save the first version in an alternate document in case you want to come back to it!

If you could choose anywhere in the world to visit, where would it be? Oh, this is a tough question. There are tons of places on my bucket list. BUT, assuming my budget was unlimited, I would visit the British Isles. Most of my family lineage is from Ireland and England, and I'm a bit of an Anglophile (I teach history for a living). It also doesn't hurt that Ireland and Scotland look absolutely beautiful from everything I've seen!

Great interview, and thanks again to Laura for stopping by the blog today! Your upcoming book sounds amazing! So, take note, people--check this book out on July 14th :)

New Release: DAUGHTER OF THE SUN (Cult of the Cat #1) by Zoe Kalo

noreply@blogger.com (Lora Palmer) — Tue, 28 Jun 2016 11:27:00 +0000

Title: Daughter of the Sun (Cult of the Cat series, Book 1)

Author: Zoe Kalo Genre: YA mythological fantasy
Word count: 93,000 words
Release date: May 1, 2016 Daughter of the Sun, Book 1 -

Blurb:

Sixteen-year-old Trinity was born during a solar eclipse and left at the doorsteps of a convent along with a torn piece of papyrus covered with ancient symbols. Raised by nuns in the English countryside, she leads a quiet life until she’s whisked away to the Island of Cats and a grandmother she never knew. But before they can get to know each other, her grandmother dies. All that Trinity has left is a mysterious eye-shaped ring. And a thousand grieving cats. As Trinity tries to solve the enigma of the torn papyrus, she discovers a world of bloody sacrifices and evil curses, and a prophecy that points to her and her new feline abilities. Unwilling to believe that any of the Egyptian gods could still be alive, Trinity turns to eighteen-year-old Seth and is instantly pulled into a vortex of sensations that forces her to confront her true self—and a horrifying destiny.

About the Author:

A certified bookworm, Zoe Kalo has always been obsessed with books and reading. Reading led to writing—compulsively. No surprise that at 16, she wrote her first novel, which her classmates read and passed around secretly. The pleasure of writing and sharing her fantasy worlds has stayed with her, so now she wants to pass her stories to you with no secrecy—but with lots of mystery… A daughter of adventurous expats, she’s had the good fortune of living on 3 continents, learning 4 languages, and experiencing a multicultural life. Currently, she’s working on a Master’s degree in Comparative Literature, which she balances between writing, taking care of her clowder of cats, and searching for the perfect bottle of pinot noir.

Connect with Zoe Kalo on the web: www.ZoeKalo.com / Facebook / Twitter

Here's the Amazon Purchase Link:
http://www.amazon.com/Daughter-Sun-Cult-Cat-Book-ebook/dp/B01DRDUQW8

My Review: 4 Stars

I had the pleasure of receiving this book in exchange for an honest review. Daughter of the Sun (Cult of the Cat #1) was a fun read about an orphan, Trinity, who has grown up in an orphanage run by nuns in the English countryside. From the beginning, there's an air of mystery about her. She was born the day of a solar eclipse. She seems to have subtle cat-like qualities, never gets sick, and has an ability to heal from injuries quickly as well as heal others--but nothing at first that's distinctive enough for her to pay much attention to.

Then, one day, she's claimed by a woman representing her very wealthy grandmother, who has been searching for her since her disappearance as a baby. Before she leaves for her grandmother's island summer home, the Mother Superior gives her a piece of parchment with strange symbols on it, something left with her when she arrived at the orphanage almost sixteen years before.

The odd language isn't the only mystery Trinity encounters. There's her ever-strengthening cat-like qualities, like a preference for napping during the daytime, changing food preferences with a slight craving for raw meet, the ability to jump out a 3-story window without sustaining major injuries, and occasionally being overcome with predatory urges. Then there's the fact that awful things seem to have happened to all the men in the family, and there's an odd rotten-egg smell accompanied by an air of malevolence that sometimes emanates from the office of her grandmother's assistant. Trinity's search for answers leads her on a dangerous, exciting quest.

Trinity was easy to like. She stands up to bullies. She's tenacious and has the determination to do whatever it takes to get the answers she seeks. She has a soft spot for cats, which is a good thing, because the people on her new island home revere cats, and the Egyptian goddesses connected to them. I absolutely love the Egyptian mythology element interwoven through the story, and the author did a great job with her research and with bringing it to life in this novel.

This Review is a part of the Blogger Outreach Program by b00k r3vi3w Tours