Someday, When I'm Famous

THE PROPHECY

2013-05-17T08:19:00.000-04:00

“There is a custom among my people,” he said, his voice shaking with emotion as it bobbed too near the surface of his tightly-lidded calm. “When one commits an immense wrong, he must sing a lament for the preservation of his soul. That is why the great wolf howls. He sings not only for his soul, but for the souls of his forefathers and all the ones who bear the curse of Kamut.”

In the gripping conclusion to THE SPIRIT KEEPER, Sarah Redbird struggles to connect with the Katori tribe as she uncovers even more secrets about her past and the family she’s never known. Is she the key to undoing a terrible curse and saving the enemy tribe? Will Sarah’s love for Adrian survive a force—and a destiny—that may be beyond her control? Discover the answers with Sarah in THE PROPHECY.

“Just as 17 year old Sarah Redbird finds her inner strength to break an ancient curse, THE PROPHECY proves that author Melissa Luznicky Garrett continues as one of the strongest writers of paranormal romantic young adult fiction. With her innovative plots, dramatic scenes, and memorable characters, Garrett makes her readers of all ages fall even more in love with Adrian and Sarah. The result is a highly entertaining read with echoes of the eternal powers of ancestry, spirit, nature, and love on every page." Melissa M. Firman, author and book blogger at The Betty and Boo Chronicles http://bettyboochronicles.blogspot.com

Now available in print and for Kindle on Amazon.

THE PROPHECY, cover reveal

2013-05-02T12:51:00.001-04:00

May is here. You know what that means? Not too much longer until THE PROPHECY, my fifth book and conclusion to THE SPIRIT KEEPER, is available for purchase. I still have to order and read through the proof copy, so it will likely be at least another two weeks before you can find it listed on Amazon. In the meantime, I hope you will add the book to your Goodreads to-read list.

And while your add it, don't forget to ooh and ahh over the cover. Isn't it lovely? It perfectly complements THE SPIRIT KEEPER. (click image to enlarge)

Without a doubt, Damon does awesome work. I highly recommend him.

Indie Authors for Hurricane Sandy Libraries

2013-04-25T12:05:00.000-04:00

You may recall that back in November I offered to donate 50% of book sale proceeds to Hurricane Sandy Relief Effort. I didn't raise as much money as I had hoped, which was a bummer. In fact, my donation was just a drop in the bucket, and I spent a long time after that feeling miserable for not being able to do more.

But then I saw this - a direct appeal for books to help restock libraries in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut damaged by the storm - and knew I had to help. After contacting group organizer and author KS Brooks to let her know of my interest, my books then went through a vetting process. Although each of my books (PRECIPICE, TURNING POINT, THE SPIRIT KEEPER, and BLOOD TYPE) was accepted, I chose to send only the three pictured below. Once TURNING POINT gets a brand new cover later this year, I will donate that one as well.

This was a wonderful opportunity for an inconspicuous indie author like me, and I feel so privileged to have been able to help out. To read the official press release, click here.

The Best Meatloaf Ever (in my humble opinion)

2013-04-20T07:55:00.002-04:00

I've been married 14 years now and have made meatloaf for my family more times than I can count. Unfortunately, it's always been one of those dishes I've never been able to get just right. Well, I think I've finally done it this time!

INGREDIENTS

2 pounds ground pork/beef/veal mix

1/2 sleeve saltines, crushed

2 eggs, beaten

1 can diced tomatoes, divided

1 yellow onion, chopped and cooked in olive oil

1 teaspoon Herbes de Provence

salt and pepper to taste

1/4 cup maple syrup, reserved

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Mix all the ingredients, except the maple syrup, together in a large bowl. (When making meatloaf, I find my hands work best.) Dump the meat mixture into a 9 x 13 baking dish and shape into a loaf. Bake, uncovered, for 40 minutes.

Remove the meatloaf from the oven and drain the grease. Mix together the maple syrup and remaining diced tomatoes. Pour over the meatloaf. Add enough water to just cover the bottom of the baking dish. Cover the dish with foil wrap and return the meatloaf to the oven to continue baking, for approximately another 30 minutes. The tomato mixture will reduce, so periodically check to make sure it doesn't burn.

Slice the meatloaf and spoon a bit of the reduced tomato mixture on top before serving. Enjoy!

Dinner Conversations

2013-04-17T08:56:00.002-04:00

Cast of Characters:

Me, the mom

Ian, the dad

Hannah, the teen

Hannah, on how to raise money to replace our well pump. Or the well itself. "I should just make a bunch of brownies and sell them."

Me to Ian, laughing: "Yeah. She can make 'special' brownies."

Hannah, horrified: "I am NOT putting drugs in my brownies."

Me, teasing: "And how do you know about special brownies?"

Hannah, giving me a look: "I'm a teenager, Mom. Besides, what do you think they teach us in health?"

Ian: "They teach you how to make special brownies in health? Awesome."

Drive

2013-04-14T17:24:00.000-04:00

Recently, one of my friends told me she admires me for my drive. While I took this as the compliment it was, I feel undeserving in the sense that I don’t see myself as going above and beyond, or necessarily doing more than anyone else. I simply do what has to get done.

As a work-from-home mother of three children, one of them on the Autism spectrum, as well as a new inductee into the Sandwich Generation, I’ve got a lot on my plate: helping the teen figure out what classes to take next year in high school; steering a pre-adolescent through the daily drama of school and fair-weather friendships; dealing with the constant headaches of IEP meetings and the home-school vs integrate debate; making sure my mother, who now lives with us, gets what she needs in order to maintain some sense of independence and dignity; etc. The list goes on, and nothing ever really gets checked off.

I am just as busy in my professional life, too. As a self-published author I am currently working on four novels, three of which are on tap for a 2013 publication date. I often hear questions like “How do you do it?” and “Don’t you ever get confused?” Well, I do it because I have to, both for the creative release and for financial gain. As far as getting confused . . . I guess I can’t be any more confused than I already am! All joking aside, working on multiple projects at once keeps my writing fresh and interesting. At least to me.

But there’s also another reason for this so-called drive of mine, and it’s because I live and labor under the eternally optimistic, and maybe a little bit narcissistic, belief that I’m destined for something great. What that “something” is, I do not know. Maybe I’ll be one of those self-published authors who gets discovered and signs a six-figure deal with a major publishing house. Perhaps my husband and I will start that much-needed school for special needs kids we keep talking about. Or quite possibly the greatest achievement of my life will simply be helping my children live up to their potential and reach their own dreams.

What I know is this: Whatever that something great is, it won’t just come to me. Or to you, either. We have to go out there and get it ourselves.

What Do Dinosaurs and Google Reader Have in Common?

2013-03-14T12:33:00.003-04:00

Apparently Google Reader will be going the way of the dinosaurs within the next few months.

*shrugs shoulders*

This won't personally affect me much. In fact, I find the news liberating. I currently have 323 unread blog posts in my reader, posts that I have neither the time nor intention to read, but that sit there and mock me nonetheless. The few blog posts I do read, I click to via Facebook. Most of those post are written by friends who announce, "I blogged!"

Over the past six years my use of blogs as a source of entertainment has waned as the priorities in my life have, once again, shifted. It used to be that I could write and read blogs with a baby at my breast, but now that baby (as well as my others) is grown. I'm just as busy as I was back then, but in a very different way. The chaos is a bit more . . . scheduled. And, unfortunately, my schedule rarely includes time for this blog. If the lack of legitimate comments and increasing amount of spam is any indication, I'm not the only one.

That doesn't mean I am not present online. In fact, you can easily connect with me on Facebook. It's the only social networking site I use with any sort of frequency.

In other news, THE PROPHECY (the sequel to THE SPIRIT KEEPER) is now in the hands of my critique partners. Tomorrow I will resume work on BLOOD DRAW and THE YEAR OF THE SNAKE, as well as add ADDICTED to the rotation.

In the meantime, I will leave you with this little gem. It makes me laugh. And feeling like I might want to try it, too.

Space

2013-03-02T10:38:00.002-05:00

I'm on a mission to find it.

This is my current work environment:

I gave up my actual office nearly six months ago to create a dedicated guest room for my mother in anticipation of some of her more lengthy visits. And while I was happy to do so, the lack of a quiet space to spread out and work has admittedly created no shortage of problems.

My desk, which is falling apart on one side, is now pushed against one wall in what is literally the intersection of our family room, dining room, and hallway. With three kids and a large dog, it is so unbelievably loud and distracting that I often find myself on the verge of tears as my frustration and impatience shoot like a rocket into the stratosphere. When I relocated, I had to condense an entire 9x10 room into the space of two tiny drawers. My actual desktop is so small my work has spilled over onto an end table wedged in between my desk and the couch, as well as the dining room table. Needless to say, we rarely eat at in the dining room anymore because my junk has spread like a virulent mold on every flat surface. We've resorted to eating in shifts, and more often than not I eat at my desk, alone, with my plate perched on my lap. My kids eat wherever they can. Suffice it to say, they've gotten pretty good at fending off the dog.

Did I mention that our main living space is not quite 1200 sq ft? Free space just doesn't exist. The rooms are so cramped that a guest-room / office is not an option, nor is moving my desk to my bedroom. Our downstairs "dungeon" is made up of the older kids' bedrooms, the laundry room, the furnace room, and a cramped and dingy common space where old toys go to multiply and eventually die.

The glamorous life of a writer? I think not.

I'm feeling the pressure of working on three books simultaneously in what few stolen moments I can find, and my lack of privacy and (relative) quiet is making it feel next to impossible. I'm edgy and cranky. My stomach is knotted. I'm constantly yelling at my kids to "BE QUIET!" and "GO SOMEWHERE ELSE!" And that's not the kind of mother I really am or want to be. I've even (gasp) considered giving up writing for good because, what's the use?

Something's definitely got to change.

The Sound of Immortal Love

2013-02-19T17:03:00.001-05:00

I often listen to music as I'm writing, and it's a rare song that can cut through my haze of concentration, make me sit back in my chair, and say, "Whoa." But awhile back I heard this song by Christina Perri, and I did just that.

If I could choose one song to represent my latest young adult novel, BLOOD TYPE, this would be it. ARMS perfectly describes how Blake feels about John, the position that she finds herself in, and the decision she finally makes. Don't you think?

BLOOD TYPE, THE SPIRIT KEEPER Sequel, and Me - Asking for Help

2013-02-17T09:05:00.001-05:00

My latest young-adult paranormal novel, BLOOD TYPE, is currently free! If you haven't done so already, get yourself over to Amazon and download a copy for yourself. And then 'gift' a copy to a friend. This offer is available thru February 18th, so you have to hurry!

Speaking of books, I am currently 82% done (give or take a little) with the sequel to THE SPIRIT KEEPER. I have to be honest, in the beginning I wasn't too thrilled with this book. I wasn't loving it at all, or even really liking it. I was even starting to bite my nails and freak out that I wasn't going to be able to finish it, which made me stress out even more over the simple fact that SO MANY FANS have been asking lately about the sequel. Talk about pressure!

But something finally clicked. I've been writing and revising, and writing and revising some more, and I can now say with complete sincerity that I love this book, even more so than THE SPIRIT KEEPER. Coming up with a suitable title has been somewhat of an issue, however. THE SEVENTH TRIBE, which has been a working title since 2007 (I'm not joking) will not work for the sequel. The book has taken a slight turn from my original idea, which so often happens with character-driven novels. I rarely have any say about how a book unfolds.

When will it be available? - that's the burning question. I hope by May. But here's the kicker: In order to make that May deadline, I have to sell a lot more books than what I'm selling now. Covers are expensive, y'all. It takes me usually three months to save up. But I love my cover designer and won't consider anyone else. So if you're a fan of THE SPIRIT KEEPER and are dying to know what happens with Sarah and the gang (and all those pesky little loose ends), here's me, asking for help . . . and giving you three suggestions on how to give it.

Recommend my books to your friends on Facebook (and in real life). But don't just say "buy this book." You have to tell your friends why they should spend their money on me. Of course, you have to have read my book in the first place in order to really recommend it.

'Like' the book on Amazon and write a review. This will help the book show up higher in the list of search results. You don't have to write a long and detailed review; a paragraph will suffice. "I liked this book because . . . " or (hopefully not this one ---->) "I didn't like this book because . . . "

Gift a Kindle copy to a friend. Assuming you've bought and enjoyed one of my books, why not 'gift' a Kindle copy to a friend who might also like it? All of my Kindle books are reasonably priced at just $3.99. That's the price of a coffee from Starbucks, or a carton of Breyer's, or a bag of Ruffles. And unlike those tasty treats, you can enjoy my book more than once. Gifting is super easy. All you have to do is press the 'Give as a Gift' button located in the right-hand corner of the book's listing and input your friend's email address. Your friend will then receive notification of the gift along with download instructions. That's it!

You can find a complete listing of my books - both Kindle and print - on my Amazon author page. Thank you!!

Want bookish updates, follow me on Facebook. Are you a super fan? Ask to join my fan page.

72 Days

2013-01-28T13:06:00.002-05:00

That's how long it's been since I've blogged. Seems NaNo, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Life distracted me a bit. And honestly? I needed the break. Facebook is also a lot easier for me to keep up with, and the conversations feel a little less one-sided than they do here.

Just a few book-related things that have happened in the meantime:

I donated $25 to Red Cross Disaster Relief per this post here. It's admittedly not as much as I'd hoped to donate, but every penny helps. Maybe I'll try this again at a later date.

PRECIPICE recently got a brand new cover and polished story line. If you hurry (as in, do it now) you can get a free Kindle download from Amazon. *If you're reading this and the book is no longer free, I hope you won't consider $3.99 too much to pay for my time and effort.* Can't download the new version because you've already downloaded the old version? Don't worry. I've alerted Amazon of the changes. In a few weeks you should receive an email notification with instructions on how to update your Kindle.

I've made great progress with THE SEVENTH TRIBE (working title). After writing and deleting, and writing and deleting some more, I have just over 50,000 words that I'm not totally ashamed of. I had hoped to publish this book in March, but May is looking more likely. Want to help me out? Buy one of my books (and gift a copy to all your friends - seriously) so I can afford a cover. After all, no cover = no book. I'm not joking.

Mark your calendars! BLOOD TYPE will be free for Kindle starting February 14th. As one reader pointed out on Facebook about this unconventional Valentine's Day gift: "No hayfever, less calories, MORE BLOOD. That's my kind of Valentine."

I have just over 50,000 words of BLOOD DRAW, which is the sequel to BLOOD TYPE. It could very well be available by the end of the year. I've also starting outlining an adult romantic-comedy called THE YEAR OF THE SNAKE.

So there you have it, folks. It's a lot to keep me busy!

Buy a Book for Hurricane Relief

2012-11-10T13:20:00.001-05:00

My younger kids' elementary school recently raised over $600 selling baked goods and movie-night concessions to support Hurricane Sandy relief efforts. Not too shabby, eh? But it got me to thinking about what I, personally, could do in the way of fundraising. As a one-income family, we don't have much left over after all the bills are paid. And I'm not talking about not having enough to eat out as much as we want to or buying only one cute shirt instead of two or choosing the less expensive manicure. I'm talking about not having much left over for basic necessities such as food (yeah, food) and winter coats for the kids. We're pinching pennies like a lot of people and it hurts. Boy, does it hurt. But I'll tell you one thing: It doesn't hurt more than someone who's lost everything.

I'm a writer. It's what I do. And if I can't, or am not willing, to help someone by doing what I love more than anything in this world (friends and family excluded) then maybe I should reevaluate my priorities. I can sit here and feel sorry for myself that we're eating canned soup for the second night in a row, but at least we have a home of our own to cook it in. We have heat and electricity and gas and water. My children aren't shivering. They aren't hungry. They're not wondering where their next meal is going to come from or if they'll get to go to school tomorrow or if they'll ever have a place to call home again. As a parent I'm not looking at my kids' scared little faces and silently worrying what the hell am I gonna do now?

But this is what I can do: write and sell books.

For every Kindle copy of TURNING POINT, THE SPIRIT KEEPER, and BLOOD TYPE that I sell during the month of November, I will donate $1 to the American Red Cross. For every print copy I sell of those same three books, I will donate $2. That might not sound like a lot, but it's about 50% of what I make in royalties from each copy sold. It's the least I can do, but I hope in some small way it helps.

Millicent Marie Is Not My Name, review and author interview

2012-10-26T01:00:00.000-04:00

Karen Pokras Toz, author of the fun and fabulous Nate Rocks series, has done it again, this time with her middle-grade book for girls, Millicent Marie Is Not My Name.

Here is the book’s description from Amazon:

Twelve-year-old Millicent Marie does not like her name. After all, she was named for a woman who died more than fifty years ago and was not the most loveable member of the Harris family. Her friends call her Millie, but when she writes in her diary she refers to herself as Amanda—the name she always wished she had.

When Millie’s younger brother finds her diary on her computer, he decides to publish it as a blog for the entire world to see, including the boy Millie has a crush on. In the midst of all the mayhem, Millie/Amanda discovers she is suddenly Springside Elementary’s most sought after sixth-grade mystery gossip and advice columnist.

But not all is fun and games, as Millie quickly learns, once she realizes feelings are at stake. Nobody, least of all Millie, expects things to turn out as they do in this tale of friendship and respect.

Toz has written another winning story, capturing all the emotion and drama of tweenhood. Her characters really come to life and pop off the page in all their quirky imperfections. Millicent Marie Is Not My Name is a quick and easy read, perfect for those young readers making the transition from children’s to middle-grade books.

Karen Pokras Toz is a writer, wife and mom. Karen grew up in Connecticut and currently lives outside of Philadelphia with her husband and three children. In June 2011, Karen published her first middle grade children’s novel for 7-12 year olds called Nate Rocks the World, which won First Place for Children’s Chapter Books and the Grand Prize Overall in the 2012 Purple Dragonfly Book Awards, as well as placing first for a Global E-Book Award for Pre-Teen Literature. In 2012, Karen published the second in the Nate Rocks series, Nate Rocks the Boat, followed by middle grade novel, Millicent Marie Is Not My Name. Karen is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators (SCBWI).

Website: www.karentoz.com
Blog: http://kptoz.blogspot.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/karenptoz
Twitter: www.twitter.com/karentoz
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5009570.Karen_Pokras_Toz
Amazon: http://amazon.com/author/karentoz

Amazon (print and ebook) http://amzn.to/UyX0oA
Barnes & Noble (print and ebook) http://bit.ly/QlEejj

Leave a comment on this post for your chance to win an individual swag pack (bookmarks, sticker, notepad, magnet, keychain, & signed postcard). The winner will be chosen at random and informed by email on November 1st. You can also enter to win the Grand Prize (swag pack plus tote bage, mug, and Amazon Gift Card) by completing the Rafflecopter below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Now read on for a brief interview with the author!

What sparked the idea for this particular story?

Well, I knew I wanted to have a girl be the main character for this book. My daughter was in sixth grade at the time I wrote the book, so I wanted to address many of the issues she talked about on a daily basis. The idea of Millie having a blog came to me as I was trying to think up topics to write about on my own blog. I’m one of those authors who prefers not to outline, so the rest really just came to me one chapter at a time.

If your book were made into a movie or televisions series, who would play the leading role and supporting character(s)?

I’m not sure about supporting characters, but I would love to have Abigail Breslin play Millie. I think she would be perfect for the role!

How long have you been writing?

Not long at all. In fact, I only started writing a few years ago. I’ve always been a numbers person, so the idea of being an author someday never crossed my mind. I feel really blessed that I’ve found my passion.

From concept to publication, about how long does it take for you to complete one book?

Each book is a different, of course, but I would say I’m averaging about nine months from start to finish.

Do you adhere to a strict work schedule, or do you work whenever inspiration strikes?

For a while, I was very disciplined. I would wake up very early each morning and get in at least an hour of writing before the rest of my household started waking up. I did that for many months. Now I’m more of a “when inspiration strikes” kind of writer, but I do try to get in some writing every day – whether it is for a book I’m working on or for my blog.

What aspects of storytelling do you struggle with most?

Definitely the ending! I love when I’m writing and I get that ‘ah ha’ moment that gives me the idea of how the book will end. The problem comes in with the actual writing of the ending. I get so excited that I always rush through it in the first draft. It usually takes me several re-writes until I’ve got it just right.

Are you currently working on another project?

Yes! I am currently working on the next Nate Rocks book (tentatively called Nate Rocks the City), which will hopefully be out in the first half of 2013.

Please Help Support My Indiegogo Campaign

2012-10-14T09:41:00.001-04:00

I was one of those kids who knew from a very early age that she wanted to be an author when she grew up. It didn't matter if it was bad poetry or a rambling novel that lacked direction, I was always writing. Even before I knew how to (technically speaking) read and write, I was churning out “stories” on my mother’s typewriter. That was back in the day when there was no such thing as a delete key, and you had to type very slowly and carefully so as not to make (m)any mistakes.

But LIFE, in the form of a husband and three children, happened shortly after high school, and writing was relegated to the back burner. Suddenly I was up to my neck in dirty diapers and runny noses, with no time to even sneeze. It wasn’t until my youngest child started preschool, and I actually had time to read something other than the What to Expect series, that I rediscovered my love of writing.

After many years of writing nothing at all, I put a tentative pen to paper in the fall of 2007. I very quickly churned out my first novel Precipice. Needless to say, I’ve had many years to work on my craft, and Precipice has become the ugly baby everyone says is cute (I fear) just to be nice. In other words, it's time that poor book got a makeover! And although I can handle what happens between the pages, I know nothing about cover design. Fortunately, I have a brilliant cover designer who knows just how to capture the very essence of a book. He created the covers for both The Spirit Keeper and Blood Type, and he will continue to create all of my covers if I have anything to say about it!

Unfortunately, professionally designed covers don’t come cheap, and indie authors typically don’t have much pocket money to spare. Still, I know firsthand how important it is to have a cover that stands out from the rest and grabs the buyer’s attention. I’ve received numerous emails from new fans who’ve all said they wouldn’t have given The Spirit Keeper and Blood Type a chance if not for the cover . . . and they're all glad they did! So really, a stunning cover is a win-win for everyone.

What it all boils down to this: I don’t have $500 to spare, which is why I need YOUR help to fund this project.

What I Need & What You Get

I need $500 to cover the cost of a Print & Ebook Cover Package from Damonza’s Awesome Book Covers (more information here: http://damonza.com/packages/lite-package-briefing-form/. Of course, I hope to exceed that goal so I can also cover the cost of campaign fees and shipping, but even $1 will help. Should there be any extra, I will set it aside to help cover the cost of my next book, The Seventh Tribe.

In exchange, you get one of the perks listed on my official campaign page at http://www.indiegogo.com/Precipice?a=1344160

Other Ways You Can Help

If you simply can’t make a monetary contribution, that’s OK! I really do understand. You can always help me spread the word about my campaign via Facebook and Twitter by using the Indiegogo share tools listed on my campaign page. At the very least please click the link and watch my campaign video: http://www.indiegogo.com/Precipice?a=1344160

As always, thank you so very much for your continued support!

BLOOD TYPE Giveaway Winner!

2012-10-03T08:57:00.002-04:00

Thanks to everyone who entered to win a print copy of my latest YA Paranormal novel, Blood Type. A winner has been chosen and notified. If it wasn't you, print and Kindle copies are available through Amazon. If you're an Amazon Prime member, you can download a digital copy for FREE. I appreciate those who've purchased a copy so far!

On a related note, I'll be participating in NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) again this November. Given that Blood Type was last year's project, I thought it only fitting that the sequel be this year's project. And, I even have a working title . . . BLOOD DRAW.

Speaking of sequels, I've now surpassed the 30,000 word mark in The Seventh Tribe. It's been slow-going with visiting family for the past two weeks, but I'm working hard to have this book available Spring 2013, just like I promised.

BLOOD TYPE - Official Release and Giveaway!

2012-09-22T05:00:00.000-04:00

Since getting attacked by a vampire, I didn’t believe in beginnings. Only endings. Every person born to this world comes with an expiration date, but I had never considered mine. At least not until I met John.

Now the end was all I ever thought about. I woke up every morning wondering if that day would be my last. Venom pulsed in my veins and seeped into my bones, infecting all my vital organs and changing me from the inside out. Slowly killing me.

But I’d welcome death in the end, if only because the alternative was even more frightening.

Popular girl Blake Ehlert has it all: a prime spot on the cheerleading squad, a jock boyfriend who’s strong and sensitive, and the winning vote for Homecoming Queen two years in a row. But when she strikes up a conversation with loner John Kelly, her entire world starts to crumble.

John Kelly is a vampire—what’s known to his kind as a Compeller. It’s his job to recruit human Donors with a particular blood type.

And Blake is his next target.

Blood Type is available for sale in print through Create Space, or in print and digital through Amazon, but you can win an autographed print copy of your very own! Simply leave your name and email address in the comment section. I will select and announce the winner on Monday, October 1st. Open to everyone! BONUS: The Spirit Keeper for Kindle users is free until Wednesday, September 26th. Get your copy today!

sneak peek The Seventh Tribe - Chapter 1

2012-09-07T12:48:00.003-04:00

“Ouch. You’re pulling my hair.” Priscilla pushed my shoulders to break the bone-crunching hug I had trapped her in and then massaged the sore spot on her scalp. “Quit freaking out, will you? You’ll only be gone a few days.”

I took a step back to give Priscilla some space and wrapped my arms around my chest to keep from lunging at her again. “I wish you could come with us.” My voice cracked, and I coughed to hide it.

The corner of Priscilla’s wide mouth lifted and her cornflower-blue eyes wrinkled at the edges. “Yeah, right. I’d fit in like a donkey at a dog show.” I bit my bottom lip to keep from laughing, despite the butterflies flapping their wings against the lining of my stomach.

Priscilla stuck out like the proverbial sore thumb, what with her near six-foot frame and carrot-orange hair. She could sort of blend in at school, as long as she kept her opinions to herself, which she rarely did. But there was absolutely no chance of her fading into the background where I was going. Besides, Aunt Meg said it wouldn’t be appropriate for an outsider to attend any council meeting, and especially not this one.

It didn’t matter that Priscilla and I had been best friends since the fifth grade or that she was in on the biggest secret of my life—that I had unwittingly become the Katori tribe’s new Spirit Keeper and had the ability to manipulate the elements. She’d have to stay behind. I’d have to do this alone.

“You won’t be alone,” she said, as if reading my mind.

I shifted my weight to the other leg and watched the Templeton kids a few houses down practicing their graffiti skills with sidewalk chalk. “I know. It’s just . . . you know.” I’m scared, I wanted to say.

Priscilla grabbed my hand and squeezed. “I know.”

Uncle David promised me driving lessons when we got back, even offering to kick in a few hundred dollars toward the expense of a used car. But that promise did nothing to lift my mood out of the funk I’d been wallowing in for the past week. Any other normal girl might jump for joy or squeal with delight or otherwise exhibit some other age-appropriate reaction over finally taking those first steps to getting her driver’s license, but not me. All that concerned me was getting through the emotional drama of the next few days.

And let’s face it. It’s not like I was your average girl anymore. As far as I knew, no other girl—or person, for that matter—had brought her boyfriend back from the brink of death with just the touch of her hand and the love in her heart. Corny, but true.

Priscilla opened the car door for me and I reluctantly slid in, the backs of my bare thighs squeaking against the worn leather seat. Adrian sat shotgun next to his twin sister Shyla. He turned a pair of dark, sympathetic eyes on me. His bottom lip pushed out, mimicking the sour expression that had been plastered on my face for the past few days. I could tell by the way his nostrils flared and his shoulders shook that he was at least attempting to keep his laughter to a minimum. Everyone, including my boyfriend, thought I was overreacting.

“It’ll be okay,” he finally said when I glared back. “You have nothing to worry about. I promise.”

That’s what they all promised, but how could they be so sure? For the first time in seventeen years, I was going back to the place where it all began—the Katori reservation. There was still longstanding resentment for the trouble and grief my mom had unintentionally caused her people when she fell in love with the wrong man, aka, my father, and I knew there were some who wouldn’t ever let me forget it.

Priscilla closed the door and I pressed the automatic button on the arm rest. The window inched its way down with a sickly whir. “Call me when you get back,” she said.

“As soon as I walk through the door,” I promised.

Priscilla stepped back as Shyla eased the car into reverse and backed slowly out of the driveway. David did the same before pulling in front of us to take the lead. And even though I knew I would only feel worse for doing so, I turned in my seat and stared out the back window as my best friend faded into the distance.

Dude, You Slapped a Fiiissh

2012-09-05T16:48:00.001-04:00

This has to be one of the most hilarious videos I have ever seen! After watching it, I literally had to clean the smeared mascara off my cheeks. Enjoy.

Ready Or Not

2012-09-04T08:37:00.000-04:00

Tomorrow is the first day of school.

In years past I'd been only too ready to send my kids back. Let someone else deal with them all day long, you know? I need the break! But now . . . I don't know. Maybe it's that they're just more pleasant to be around - the bickering and tantruming has become more of a novelty than a regular occurrence these past two years. Or maybe it's because the school year is so mentally and emotionally exhausting that I dread being thrown into the trenches come September. Or maybe it's that I'm not ready for the monotony of packed lunches or the drama of nightly homework battles or the dragging-little-bodies-out-of-warm-beds every morning. For whatever reason, I'm just not ready.

What I am ready for is a regained sense of normalcy; a return to schedule and consistency. I'm ready to attack my writing projects with a renewed ferocity so that I can publish two (if not three!) books in 2013. I have two sequels to write - The Seventh Tribe, as well as the yet-unnamed follow-up to Blood Type (available NOW, btw). I've also got an adult romantic/comedy that's been taking up residence in my mind. Let's just say that November will be a very busy month for me as I try to tackle several projects at the same time during NaNoWriMo.

So whether I'm ready or not, here we go.

Rise of a Rector

2012-08-28T05:00:00.000-04:00

It's finally here, the cover reveal for Heather McCorkle's Rise of a Rector, the final novel in her channeler series (due out this October). To celebrate Heather is giving away two copies of her historical fantasy novel, To Ride A Puca. Before we get to that though, here is the cover:

To add it to your Goodreads lists click here. If you'd like to check out the rest of the channeler series (her novella Born of Fire is now FREE on Amazon & B&N!) you can do so on Amazon and Barnes and Noble. To win an eBook of To Ride A Puca, all you have to do is help Heather spread the word. There will be two winners! To enter fill out the form below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

BLOOD TYPE book trailer

2012-08-21T09:20:00.002-04:00

Book trailers are a creative way for authors to get the word out about their upcoming releases. But if don’t have hundreds of dollars to spend on a professional book trailer service, don’t worry! In just a few hours, and for a fraction of the cost, you can create a book trailer yourself.

THE SOFTWARE

Two video editing programs that are available for download are Windows Live Movie Maker and VideoPad Video Editor. They’re both free and (most importantly) relatively easy to use. Personally, I like Windows Live Movie Maker the best because it’s more straightforward and requires less of a learning curve. However, the program tends to freeze up if you give it too many commands at once, so take your time and save your work regularly. I don’t use VideoPad Video Editor as often as I do Windows Live Movie Maker because I’m not thrilled with how the subtitles just “pop” up on the screen. As far as I can tell, at least with the free version, you cannot apply special effects to your subtitles (such as fade) like you can in Movie Maker. I would suggest downloading both programs and playing around with each to see which one you prefer. Sometimes you have to use one over the other in the instance one of your files is incompatible with a particular program, as was the case when I created the trailer for BLOOD TYPE.

THE MUSIC

Every author has a different method of writing, and it’s no different when creating book trailers. I rarely create trailers with an actual concept in mind. Rather, I first choose the background music and go from there. It’s been my experience that I just know the perfect song when I hear it, and I can build on a particular feeling. Two sites I use frequently for inexpensive music tracks are Incompetech Royaly-Free Music and Jewel Beat. Lately I’ve been using only Jewel Beat. Overall, the site presents itself more professionally and it’s my opinion that the selection of music is better.

THE IMAGES

For images, I use iStockPhoto exclusively. You can narrow what you’re looking for not only by performing a keyword search, but by price, size, and type of file (photo, illustration, video, audio, and editorial). Another great feature of iStockPhoto is the ability to buy photo credits, which are good for up to a year after purchase. The more credits you buy, the less money you spend. So if you have several projects that you know you’ll be working on within the coming month, you’ll actually save money by buying in bulk.

When you’ve decided on your video editing program and you’ve purchased your background music and images, there are a few remaining points to keep in mind:

1. Keep it short. The last thing you want is for prospective readers to stop watching before they reach the end of your video. Book trailers that are too lengthy run the risk of losing the audience. Sixty- to ninety-second book trailers are ideal.

2. Keep it simple. People who are overwhelmed tend to tune out, and nothing overwhelms me more than too much sensory input. Just because you can choose ten different clip transitions and effects doesn’t mean you should. Stick with the very basics. Remember that you’re creating a book trailer and not a film featurette.

3. Keep it inexpensive. Don’t forget that you have to pay to use background music and images. And because all of that can quickly add up, that’s another reason to keep it simple. The total cost of the BLOOD TYPE trailer was approximately $43.

Timeless Desire: An Outlander Love Story

2012-08-10T10:51:00.002-04:00

Like a lot of bloggers, I often receive emails asking that I either try a product or read a book in exchange for a review. Most of the time I delete those emails because A) the items are of no interest to me, and/or B) what little free time I have is spent working on my own various book projects.

I received one such email not too long ago, presumably by mistake. It had been sent to an old email I haven't actively used in years, even though those messages (usually spam of some sort) get forwarded to my current gmail address. Although the person who sent the email used my first name, the messaged referenced a book site that did not belong to me and of which I have never heard. In short, I nearly deleted the email without reading it, which would have been a shame for all concerned parties. But then one word caught my attention: Outlander.

Anyone who knows me knows I'm a huge fan of Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series. I've read all seven books twice which, considering the breadth of each novel, consumed almost an entire year of my life. Many people never pick up a book more than once for one reason or another, yet I will read my favorite books multiple times over, no matter how tall my to-read pile grows. I did it as a child, and I suppose it's something I never outgrew.

As I read through the email, which went on to pitch a book titled Timeless Desire: An Outlander Love Story, I initially scoffed at the idea that someone had written a story so outwardly similar to Gabaldon's. Each follows a time-travelling heroine who finds herself an Outlander in 18th-century Scotland after stepping through a portal to the past. I was curious who this Gwyn Cready thought she was, besides an award-winning author who's been called "the master of time travel romance" (which, by the way, I highly doubted given Gabaldon's reputation and the fact Outlander was first published more than twenty years ago).

I explained to the publicist that although the request for review may have found me by accident, I was very much interested in reading and writing up a review of Cready's book. I wasn't out to discredit the story or the author, after all; Cready's novel genuinely sounded like something I would enjoy, despite my bias toward the world Gabaldon had already spent so much time creating. But that's all I will say about that. I'm sure Cready loves being compared to Gabaldon and her work just as much as I love being compared to every other author out there who's ever written a book about a teenage girl and her vampire love interest. Which is to say, I don't love it at all.

Here's the synopsis:

Two years after losing her husband, overworked librarian Panna Kennedy battles to distract herself from crushing grief, while she wrestles with yet another library budget cut. During a routine search within the library’s lower levels, Panna opens an obscure, pad-locked door and finds herself transported to the magnificent, book-filled quarters of a handsome, eighteenth-century Englishman. She soon recognizes the man as Colonel John Bridgewater, the historic English war hero whose larger-than-life statue loomed over her desk.

However, the life of the dashing Bridgewater is not at all what she imagined. He’s under house arrest for betraying England, and now looks upon her—a beautiful and unexpected half-dressed visitor—as a possible spy. Despite bad first impressions (on both sides), Bridgewater nonetheless warms to Panna, and pulls her into his escape—while both their hearts pull the other headlong into their soul-stirring secrets.

Very quickly Panna is thrown into a whirlwind of high-stakes intrigue that sweeps her from Hadrian's Wall to a forbidding stone castle in Scotland. And somewhere in the outland, Panna must decide if her loyalties lie with her dead husband, or with the man whose life now depends on her.

I was immediately sucked in to the story and couldn't read fast enough (and I'm a pretty quick reader!). Panna is a witty and intelligent main character, and the story itself is fast-faced and fun. The book contains just the right balance of paranormal and romance to make it believable and sexy, without it becoming too fantastical or blatantly erotic. Timeless Desire has all makings of the perfect "beach read" or curl-up-on-the-couch-with-a-good-book story. If you're short on time, you can easily read it in just a few sittings. I definitely recommend this book to anyone in need of something light and just downright entertaining. My one complaint is this: There's room for only one Scotsman named Jamie.

If you'd like to purchase a copy of Gwyn Cready's Timeless Desire, click here.

About the author:

Gwyn Cready is a RITA Award Winner (Best Paranormal Romance 2009) and the author of several beloved paranormal romances including Tumbling Through Time, Seducing Mr. Darcy, Flirting with Forever, Aching for Always and A Novel Seduction.

Highly regarded by fans and peers alike, Gwyn has been called, "the master of time travel romance," and her writing described as “sexy,” “delightfully original” and “wickedly witty.” Timeless Desire is her latest foray into the time travel genre and men in kilts. She still finds both eminently satisfying.

Gwyn lives in Pittsburgh with her family.

Ships, Ahoy!

2012-08-03T09:06:00.000-04:00

Up until yesterday afternoon, I hadn't seen my son for ten whole days. He was with his grandparents on Keuka Lake in the town of Hammondsport (recently dubbed the "Coolest Small Town in America") taking a 2-week course with the Keuka Yacht Club Jr. Sailing Program.

Most readers know my son has Aspergers, so I had some real reservations about letting him participate in the program: A) he'd never been away from home for that long, B) I was concerned the class might go over his head and he'd be bored, C) I was afraid he wouldn't follow directions and end up hurting himself or others. The one consolation was that his grandparents would be with him the entire time, if only cheering him on from shore. Still, I had the biggest knot in my stomach the day we dropped him off, and it didn't help that he started expressing concerns of his own, which were practically identical to mine. If it had been up to me, I might have called the whole thing off and let him stay home (neither one of us is particularly good about stepping outside our comfort zone). Thankfully, we have loving and supportive family members that give us the extra little push we need to branch out and try new things.

The night after his first sailing class, we received a call from Jake telling us how much fun he was having. He bragged that he'd been the only one brave enough to intentionally capsize his boat (he was with an instructor, of course). Over the next few days we received similar calls about motorboat rides and sailing from one side of the lake to the other to have lunch at The Switz, a new friend he'd made (he admittedly wasn't fond of a few of the more "sassy" and "whiney" girls) and injuries sustained (which was all part of the glamour and fun, I think). I also received lots of assurance from my mother-in-law that the injuries were NOT severe (my son is a big fan of hyperbole) and that Jake was following directions, participating, and genuinely having a fun time. Slowly, I let myself relax . . .

And then yesterday my husband, two girls, and I made the trip out to Keuka Lake to pick him up. When we arrived, his class had just come in off the water and was busy putting away all the boats and supplies. To see him actually working with the other students and looking like he knew what he was doing . . . that was awesome. And then he looked up and saw us, and the smile on his face gave me the most wonderful and uplifting feeling I'd had in a long time. He immediately came over and gave each of us a great big hug! But instead of sticking around with us, he chose to hang out with his friends for a little while longer. He was finally part of something and actively participating instead of being forced to cooperate, which almost always ruins it for everyone else. No words can describe the intense feeling of pride I had in my son at that moment. And the kicker? When his 13-year-old friend came over and said to my husband and me, "You're Jake's parents? He's really cool. We had a fun time together."

For once, Jake wasn't the "weird kid" or the one on the periphery of things. He was part of a group; an important member of the team. And not only did Jake learn that he can insert himself and actually have fun in an unfamiliar situation with people he doesn't know, my husband and (more importantly) I learned that we can loosen the reins a little more and give our son the space he needs to have fun and thrive without us me holding his hand.

Here are a few pictures my older daughter took:

Status Report

2012-08-02T07:48:00.001-04:00

I haven't posted much lately, and there's good reason for that (aside from spending time with my family during summer break). I'm working on three books at once. Yes, you read that right. Call me crazy. Granted, I'm not writing three books at once; that would be insane. Although . . . come November and NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month), I'll be working on three BRAND NEW projects (the sequel to Blood Type, a new YA contemporary, and an adult romantic comedy). That's only what, approximately 5000 words a day? No sweat. It can be done. *falls over* Guess I should start outlining now if I have any hope of meeting that goal.

So here's the break-down of what I'm currently working on, especially for those readers who keep emailing asking When is The Seventh Tribe coming out? Patience, my friends . . .

BLOOD TYPE - I'm working on the final read-through and tweaking the interior format to get it ready for a September 22nd release. I'll be sending out a few ARCs and asking for help in promoting the book, so stick around for more news on that if you're interested.
THE SEVENTH TRIBE - I'm about 33% done with the first draft. It's been slow-going, which is frustrating. Once my kids go back to school, however, I'll whip it out in no time. I'm still shooting for a Spring 2013 publication. Whether that's early spring vs late spring remains to be seen. Books just take a lot of time to write. Seriously.
PRECIPICE - I'm revamping my first-ever book and adult contemporary romance. It's getting a new cover soon, as well as an extended (and improved upon) storyline. If you loved it before, you'll love it even more now. And if you hated it before, perhaps you'll give it another go.

I've also got at least four book reviews waiting in the wings. Stay tuned!

The Full BLOOD TYPE Cover Revealed

2012-07-27T07:44:00.003-04:00

cover photo courtesy www.Damonza.com

Do you hear that?

Listen hard . . .

That's the sound of me squealing with JOY!!

Just get a load of that gorgeous cover Damon designed for me. FYI - he's also the one who designed The Spirit Keeper cover and who will next be redesigning the covers for Precipice and Turning Point. And let's not forget about The Seventh Tribe and the sequel to Blood Type and the follow-up to Precipice and Addicted and Untitled YA and Untitled Romantic Comedy. Yeah, you could say that I'll be keeping Damon pretty busy these next few years.

If you're an author currently on the prowl for a super-talented cover designer, I highly recommend Damon. He's QUICK and EASY and REALLY NICE. Most importantly, though - he creates covers that sell books. You wouldn't believe how many readers have emailed me to say they picked up The Spirit Keeper based on the cover alone, so eye-catching covers really do matter.