Words of the Worlds

Shadows of Past Memories ~ Book SALE!

2012-03-03T07:15:00.000-08:00

Hello and welcome, dear readers!

For a limited time, I will be running a sale on my novel Shadows of Past Memories, the first book in my Foxfire Chronicles! The second book, Shadows at Midnight, will premiere later on this year, so grab your copy of Shadows of Past Memories now to prepare for the next installment in this epic series! And as always, reviews are heavily appreciated. I love hearing the thoughts of my readers!

This sale ends on March 20th,

so hurry and purchase your copy today!

From Amazon: From Amazon.co.uk:

On Sale for $0.99 On Sale For $£0.77

"A tale of friendship, unbreakable bonds, forgetting the past and moving on. SOPM is one hell of an adventure!"
Natshane, of Dreamland: A Teenage Fantasy (Read Full Review)

"Reality, dreams and parallel worlds are mixed in this book."
Silvana, of Books Are My Life (Read Full Review)

"This was a book that I didn’t go in with high expectations. I expected it to be good, but I didn’t expect to be blown away by the story."
Danica, of One Page At A Time (Read Full Review)

Read the Beginning of what will surely become your favorite series!

IT starts on a cold night, before best friends Terren and Aura are to be separated forever. During a late trip to the meadow, the girls are attacked by otherworldly creatures, and an evil plot begins to unfold...

Terren: discovers she's not who she thought she was, and that she is being hunted by a monster more terrifying than her worst imaginings.

Aura: is faced with a truth she's been trying to run from, lies she'd been trying to keep hidden, and an old acquaintance that keeps coming back.

Can the horrible truth be confronted, or will they be swallowed by the shadows of the past?

The first book in The Foxfire Chronicles, Shadows of Past Memories is an introduction to an entirely new world, where nothing is as it seems, and everything has a meaning.

This book is labeled Young Adult fiction, and is intended for ages 16 and up. This novel contains: mild violence, mild gore, intense emotions; this novel does not contain: drug/alcohol abuse, sexual content, or language. Also available in paperback.

A Bit Of Character:

Character Image © Alexandra Lanc, 2011

Character Name: Aura

Age: Nearly 18

Problem: A past that is haunting her, and a present that includes her best friend being hunted down by a horrible monster. To make it worse, the guy she's tried to forget is back, and she's not sure of his intentions.

Read all about Aura and the other characters of Shadows of Past Memories as you discover this fast-paced, riveting novel to allure the senses and leave you clamoring for more.

I love comments, so please leave one,

and let me know what you think!

IMPORTANT ~ Blog Changes + Vacation

2012-02-27T18:54:00.000-08:00

Hello, dear readers, and welcome!

Blog Changes:

For a while now, I've been thinking about how my blog is run, and what I'm liking/not liking about it. Since I've started this blog, it has mostly been reviews of books that I've read, and, as it's progressed, less and less about my own writing. So, the other day I sat down and really thought about how I wanted my blog to progress, and what I wanted it to be about.

I'm a writer. I write many things -- not just novels, though for now, those are what I have published. Writing is a tricky business, and it takes a lot of time, and thought, and effort. In order to write a good story, you have to be able and willing to put yourself into the character's world -- whether it be a realistic world, or a fantasy one. An if the author cannot put themselves into that character's world, and that character's thoughts, then, well, they can't write.

The world of social media, and even blogging, can be like a death trap for writers, especially if they endeavor to do everything themselves. A writer is like any other person, and loves company, because, let's face it, writing is most arguably the loneliest job in the world, but when it comes time to actually do our job and do it well, there isn't much room for being social, because being social can throw our characters off, which leads to a horrible story from what may have been a good one.

Some writers are magicians -- they can blog, kill social media with updates, and get their writing and editing and creating done without breaking a sweat. I, however, as I have realized from these past few months that I am not one of those writers. Trying to juggle a million things simply doesn't work for me, no matter how much I'd like to be able to do all of it. So, I'm making some changes to my blog.

What does this mean for you, the reader? Basically, I'm going to turn my blog around to focus more on my writing and some of my interests than reviews and books that I'm reading. This means more cover reveals, first-looks at chapters, and random pictures. I will continue to read and review, but in a much different way. Also, I've updated the layout of the website a bit to make it a bit leaner and less complicated.

I'm sorry if the changes bother you, but I hope that you will continue to be active in the blog and leave comments. As I said, a writer's life is a lonely one, and reading comments from fellow bloggers and fans is sunshine on a cloudy day.

Vacation:

I'm going on vacation! I'll be gone for a little while, so I won't be posting anything for a few weeks. It's not often that I get to relax, so I'm hoping that the down time will be refreshing, and that when I get back, I can write some amazing stories for future release!

Best wishes, everyone!

Alexandra~

BIG Book News: The Ending Update, Lyrics Paperback, and FREE EBOOK!

2012-02-27T08:10:00.000-08:00

Hello, dear readers, and welcome!

Today I have some BIG NEWS concerning my upcoming fantasy novel, The Ending, as well as my novella, Lyrics of the Heart, and today's special ~ Shadows of Past Memories!

FREE ebook today only!

For all Science-Fiction/Fantasy fans (or, those of you who are neither), the ebook edition of my novel Shadows of Past Memories, the first book in my Foxfire Chronicles series, is free today! To grab your copy, visit the links below:

Amazon.com:

Amazon.co.uk ~ Ebook

Lyrics of the Heart ~ Paperback:

Calling all Lyrics fans! The Special Edition paperback of Lyrics of the Heart will be available for purchase the first week of March, with five bonus, never-before-released poems!

What Readers Are Saying ~

"Lyrics of the Heart is a tale of heartbreak, friendship and moving forward. A story that will certainly move your heart!" -- Natshane from Dreamland: A Teenage Fantasy

"You'll find the answers that you seek, just not where you expect. Great story and beautifully written." -- Amy from Amy's Book World

"It‘s emotional and touching novel with short stories and poems who come directly from Kristy’s heart. Reading the novel you will be tearing up and back in one piece again." --

Silvana from Books Are My Life

"What a powerfully emotional read. It grabbed me from the first sentence and never let go till the end." -- Jackie from Jax's Book Magic

The Ending News:

What does it take to write a novel? Well, one of the things about writing a novel is picking what genre you would like the novel to be in. As I've been editing my upcoming fantasy novel, The Ending, I have decided that YA just isn't going to suit it, mainly because in the second part of the book, due out next year, the main character has grown.

So, in light of this, and after some heavy thinking, I have decided that The Ending will become my first novel to be officially placed in the "adult" genre, and that I am changing the character's age just a hint (from 16 to 18) to make the transition easier. Also, the novel's release date has been changed due to scheduling. The new synopsis and (preliminary) date can be found below.

Cover and Synopsis:

Eighteen-year-old Melody is your average teenager on the brink of adulthood -- until she wakes to find herself in a world unlike her own, a world that she herself helped create.

Welcome to Heivion, full of the fantastical, the magnificent, and the dangerous. Here, Melody is known as the protector and Saye named "Izzy", who wields the powerful, magical Water Pendant. With very little memory of her life in Heivion, the newly named Izzy must pick up the pieces and discover who she once was – and who she must become again in order to rid the world of the Darkness threatening to overtake it.

But as reality and fantasy blend, and the Truth becomes a Lie, will Izzy be able to stand and fight, or will she be swallowed by the Illusions that plague not only Heivion, but her as well?

In part one of this two-part fantasy, imagination comes to life as a girl on her way to becoming a woman discovers the difference between truth and belief, and uncovers the importance of forgiveness.

Available Late Spring 2012

in ebook and

Special Edition paperback (with extras)

I love comments, so if you'd like,

please leave one, and let me know what you think!

(Covers and Synopsis © Alexandra Lanc, 2011, 2012)

Film Review: This Means War

2012-02-26T15:07:00.002-08:00

Hello, dear readers, and welcome!
This is my review of the film "This Means War".

Film Synopsis and Poster:

(synopsis and poster courtesy IMDB.com)

Two top CIA operatives wage an epic battle against one another
after they discover they are dating the same woman.

Rating: R for ~ sexual content including references,
some violence and action, and for language

IMDB Average Rating: 6.4

My Thoughts:

Overall, I liked this film -- it certainly wasn't epic, but it was good for a laugh, and though it's similar to some of the other films I have seen, it was also creative.

Pros: A lot of the lines were funny, some of the situations were hilarious (my personal favorite: the paintball scene and Reese's character dancing in her apartment), and the acting was good, as well as the soundtrack. There was a good cast, and they played their roles effectively. There were a few heartwarming moments, and the action was well-timed, and kept the pace of the film rolling, as well as gave the viewer a break from the romance. The two men were also very different, which gave the dating scenes good variety.

Cons: One of the character's (Reese Witherspoon's BFF in the movie) humor was a bit fowl at times (when I went to see it, I didn't realize it was rated R, which I generally don't watch, so explains), and most of the dates that the men took Reese's character on were extravagant, and didn't seem believable considering the amount of time/pay needed for them. The film was also hugely predictable, though the laughs kept me entertained enough to not mind the predictability as much. Probably my biggest con about the film was the way the main character dealt with the two men -- call me old-fashioned, but I didn't particularly like how she dated both of them at the same time, and acted like potentially hurting one of them was okay (though, the same can be said for the men, who made a bet when they found out they were into the same woman); she also used one of the men to show off to her Ex, which I found a bit low. Also, I didn't like the main character's solution to picking a man in the end: have sex with both, and see which was better at it-- again, maybe old-fashioned, but I thought the film would have done well without it.

See this film if: You're not looking to walk out of it saying "Wow, that was amazing!", but "Wow, that was funny!" --
or if you're up for a good laugh.

Sum Up: A good film with good acting, humor, and a hint of romance
and laugh-inducing fight scenes. Fast-paced, but well balanced.

My Rating: 6/10

I love comments, so please leave one,

and let me know what you think!

In My Mailbox ~ 02/25

2012-02-25T08:14:00.000-08:00

Hello and welcome, dear readers!

Today's blog post is In My Mailbox,
a weekly blog meme hosted by The Story Siren!
This blog meme shows off the books received this week.

Actually, this is from the past two weeks, in which I've surprised myself by buying two Adult -- not YA -- novels. I guess writing an adult novel is making me want to read them, though I still like YA of course.

Bought:

What's in your mailbox this week?

Blog News:

Calling all readers! The ebook edition of my novel, Shadows of Past Memories, will be free for purchase on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk on Monday, February 27th (Eastern Standard Time)! Wondering what Shadows of Past Memories is?
Read all about it below!

And as always, reviews are highly appreciated.
I love to hear from my readers!

What Readers Are Saying:

"A tale of friendship, unbreakable bonds, forgetting the past and moving on. SOPM is one hell of an adventure!" -- Natshane, of Dreamland: A Teenage Fantasy

"Reality, dreams and parallel worlds are mixed in this book." Silvana, of Books Are My Life

"This was a book that I didn’t go in with high expectations. I expected it to be good, but I didn’t expect to be

blown away by the story."

Danica, of One Page At A Time

Novel Synopsis:

Read the Beginning of what will surely become your favorite series!

IT starts on a cold night, before best friends Terren and Aura are to be separated forever. During a late trip to the meadow, the girls are attacked by otherworldly creatures, and an evil plot begins to unfold...

Terren: discovers she's not who she thought she was, and that she is being hunted by a monster more terrifying than her worst imaginings.

Aura: is faced with a truth she's been trying to run from, lies she's been trying to keep hidden, and an old acquaintance that keeps coming back.

Can the horrible truth be confronted, or will they be swallowed by the shadows of the past?

The first book in The Foxfire Chronicles, Shadows of Past Memories is an introduction to an entirely new world, where nothing is as it seems, and everything has a meaning.

This book is labeled Young Adult fiction, and is intended for ages 16 and up. This novel contains: mild violence, mild gore, intense emotions; this novel does not contain: drug/alcohol abuse, sexual content, or language. Also available in paperback.

Product Links:

Amazon.com:

Amazon.co.uk:

Shadows of Past Memories ~ Ebook

I love comments, so if you'd like,
please leave one, and let me know what you think!

Review Time!: The Statistical Probability of Love At First Sight

2012-02-23T16:28:00.000-08:00

Hello and welcome, dear readers!

This Review Time showcases the YA novel:

The Statistical Probability Of Love At First Sight!

The Cover:

The Specs:

Format: Hardcover; ebook

Publisher: Poppy; 1st edition

Pages: 256

Average Rating: 4.5 stars

My Rating: 5 stars

The Amazon Synopsis:

Who would have guessed that four minutes could change everything?

Today should be one of the worst days of seventeen-year-old Hadley Sullivan's life. She's stuck at JFK, late to her father's second wedding, which is taking place in London and involves a soon to be step-mother that Hadley's never even met. Then she meets the perfect boy in the airport's cramped waiting area. His name is Oliver, he's British, and he's in seat 18C. Hadley's in 18A.

Twists of fate and quirks of timing play out in this thoughtful novel about family connections, second chances and first loves. Set over a 24-hour-period, Hadley and Oliver's story will make you believe that true love finds you when you're least expecting it.

My Thoughts:

This book, for me, was love at first sight. Couple the heart-breaking reality of divorce, the wonder of first love, and the power of said love to bring people together, and you have a heartwarming novel.

The thing I loved most about this story was the honesty. Upon looking at the synopsis, I figured that the story would be a cute boy-meets-girl romance that would mainly focus on said boy and girl, and how they found one another and fell in love. And, when the story started, that is exactly how it went along -- until we get in a few chapters, and fall into the story's real heart, its honesty.

This book was a love story in many ways, but not only the story of love between a boy and girl who just so happened to meet. It's also a story about a girl and her father, who left her and her mother to move away, and who is now getting married to another woman. It's a story of this girl coming to terms with the reasons her father left, and them patching up their relationship (as well as her patching up the relationship with her mother). There are flashbacks detailing the relationship between her and her father, and her hatred of her new step-mother is completely understandable -- the author really put a lot of emotion into this story, so that it ended up being, really, more a story of a girl and her father, than the story of a girl and the boy who fate magically brought to her.

I also loved the setting of the story -- England -- and the fact that everything went by time. The novel starts off saying how four minutes could change everything, and I loved seeing how the subtle amount of time lost really sped the story forward, and led to the "what would happen if I just so happened to miss a plane, and then met someone" factor. The main character is also very believable, and though the story is written in a different style than most, I quickly fell into the tale, and felt as if I was actually feeling the emotions right along with her.

I give this story five of five stars; it's a tale that will go on my favorites list! This is a good book for teens, though older teens would probably enjoy it more, and it may be enjoyed by adults as well. As far as content, only (very) mild language in this novel.

Prepare for emotion, crafty storytelling, and the honesty of love to draw you into this inspirational story of relationships.

Want to read this great novel?

Grab a copy below:

To learn more about the author, visit her website: http://www.jenniferesmith.com/

I love comments, so if you'd like,

please leave one, and let me know what you think!

Teaser and Tell Me Something Tuesday ~ 02/21

2012-02-21T10:22:00.000-08:00

Hello and welcome, dear readers! Teaser Tuesday is a weekly blog meme hosted by MizB of Should be Reading. To join in on the fun, grab your latest read, open it up, and share with us a few-sentence teaser -- but don't forget to leave the author's name, the title, and the book page.

My Teaser:

"I'm not! And okay, yes, she just left him there. Just walked right out and hailed a cab."

"He didn't follow?"

"Do they ever?"

"Well," said Veronica, "miracles have been known to happen..."

(Godmother, by Carolyn Turgeon;

paperback edition, page 102;

adult fiction)

Welcome to Tell Me Something Tuesday, hosted by my fellow blogger and author, Cambria Hebert! Read below to find this week's question, and be sure to click on the button above to be linked to Cambria's site, where you can join in on the fun (and check out her books).

How do you feel about love triangles?

Honestly, I kind of hate them. Sometimes they work, and I like them, but most of the time, they simply annoy me. I think that often, the person (usually, it's a girl who is caught in the middle) doesn't actually love both people, but is afraid to admit or act fully on their feelings for the one person, and so they go after both. That, or they are physically attracted to both, which annoys me as well, because then it sounds more like lust than love. Also, often a love triangle comes off as selfish, especially when the girl knows that eventually, someone is going to get hurt. I think if you really cared for both guys, then you'd want to make a decision quickly so that there wouldn't be as much pain...or not lead both men on in the first place.

To answer Cambria's other question: I think a love triangle with two girls and a guy (no, I can't think of any, either) may be interesting, but I still wouldn't be fond of it. I'd like to read more about true love -- the kind that is self-sacrificing and that cares more for the other person than ones own emotions -- than a love triangle any day.

What are your feelings on the love triangles?

I love comments, so if you'd like,

please leave one, and let me know what you think!

Amazon Kindle Deals + Paperback Love ~ 02/20

2012-02-20T16:05:00.001-08:00

Hello and welcome, dear readers!
Here are this week's top Kindle picks $5.99 and below!

(Please Note: Prices below exist at time of posting,
and are not guaranteed to remain after posting.
Also, please note that below books were chosen by synopsis;
to see if there are reviews on any, check the Reviews page)

Teen/YA Books:

Free Ebooks:

Ebooks $0.99 to : $5.99

Adult Books:

$0.99 to $5.99:

In a world full of ebooks, where does paper fit in?

Here is this week's Paperback Love,

featuring great paperbacks and the reasons to love them!

Classics in new skin!

Publisher: Splinter

Reading Level: Ages 12 and Up

Special Features:

Great new covers, Nice binding,

Flaps on front and back covers, Easy-read font

Why I love these books: Classics can often be overlooked in the "modern" world, but these stories are great, and have lasted for a reason. My personal favorite is Pride and Prejudice, and I like to imagine myself back in Jane Austen's time when reading it.

Book Coupon ~ Shadows of Past Memories:

When you're finished reading the classics, be sure to check out the first book in my Foxfire Chronicles series,

Shadows of Past Memories.

Use coupon code "R2UDH4LL" for $3 off the Special Edition paperback, featuring over fifteen pages of extras

-- Character Art, a Language Chart, and more!

To Redeem Coupon, visit:

Createspace.com

I love comments, so if you'd like,

please leave one, and let me know what you think!

Blogger Tag -- I'M IT!

2012-02-18T09:41:00.003-08:00

Hello and welcome, dear readers!

Today is a special post on Blogger Tag!

So, Tag -- are you it?

Check below to see!

The Rules:

You must post the rules.
Answer the questions the tagger set for you in their post and then create eleven new questions to ask the people you’ve tagged.
Tag eleven people and link to them on your post.
Let them know you’ve tagged them!

Questions Asked Of Me:

From Basically Books~

1. What is you all time Favourite book or two?

My favorite book is "The Thief Lord", by Cornelia Funke.

It is the first "novel" that I ever read, and continues to astound me.

2. If you had to choose between kindle/e-reader and Paper books which would you chose?

Definitely paper -- I actually prefer Hardcover myself. It is much easier to read for me, and I get it read

more quickly. Plus, I like the smell of pages, and the feel of paper.
I do own a Kindle for Indie reviews, though.

3. If you could only visit one Country in the next 10 years what Country would it be and why?

Only one? I would say -- England! I've always wanted to go to England, and my ancestors were from

there, so it would be a nice "family root" trip. I'd actually like to live there one day.

4. At the end of the book do you prefer a cliff hanger or a normal finished ending?

I like cliffys, personally. I like to be kept on my toes, and unsure of what will happen next -- and if the

book is a stand-alone, I like to think of how it could have ended.

5. What is the scariest thing you have ever did in your life so far?

This is a hard one! I'm not sure, but it would probably involve the doctor's office and needles -- or riding

Tower of Terror at Walt Disney World for the first time.

6. In a book do you prefer it being told from a males POV or a woman s POV or even a child's POV?

I like a woman's POV or a man's POV. I'm not very fond of a child's POV,

unless they are older sounding.

7. Have you got a goodreads account?

Not anymore.

8. Would you rather have a date on the beach or in a restaurant?

A restaurant! I love to sit and have dinner and chat.

9. What is your favourite animal and colour?

My favorite animal is the red fox, and my favorite color is crimson.

10. Are you in any book club either online or real life.. if so what ones?

I do attend the book club at my local bookstore when I can,

but it's not often due to my writing/editing/publishing schedule.

11. Do you have library card and visit the library quite often?

I love the library! I don't get to visit as often as I would like, but I do own a library card, and I love going

to browse books and attend their functions.

Questions from Nat, at Dreamland: A Teenage Fantasy:

1. What do you find in a book?

Anything, everything. I love books like I love words -- which is good, because books are words. But they are much more than that, too...they are people, and places, and feelings, and adventures, too. And the heart, sweat, blood, and tears of the author, which I can't help but appreciate.

2. Name your top 5 favorite characters, and your favorite book couple.

My favorite character is Artemis Fowl, from the Artemis Fowl series, by my favorite author, Eoin Colfer. I love how brilliant (and evil) he is. I'm also very fond of Doon and Lina from the Books of Ember, by Jeanne Duprau, Adrian/Kyle from Beastly, by Alex Flinn, and I can't forget Cedren, from my Foxfire Chronicles series (I love him too much to leave him out). My favorite couple...would probably be...oh, this is too hard!

3. Name a book that made you cry, or felt the urge to tear.

The most recent book was The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight, by Jennifer E. Smith. That was such an emotional book, with so many good points, and a great look at love and reality -- and the magic that love makes.

4. Name the worst book you have ever read.

A few people may stake me for this, but the first book that comes to mind is "Jessica's Guide To Dating On The Darkside" by Beth Fantaskey. I pretty much hated everything about that book, and cringe whenever I see it.

5. Who is your favorite author? Why?

Eoin Colfer! I have to thank, in part, Mr. Colfer for pushing me into becoming a writer and realizing my dreams. Plus, his books always astound me, and I can never guess what is coming when I read them.

6. Where do you normally get your books?

There is a wonderful used bookstore about thirty minutes from my house that I love, love, love, love, love to shop at. There is also a Barnes and Noble near me, but I don't love it quite as much.

7. Which book turn movie you love the most?

Probably "The Lord of the Rings". I wasn't a fan of the books (much too wordy for me), but I loved the movies, and I love the story.

8. What is your reading genre?

Actually, I like Science Fiction best out of the "normal" genres. I like to have something that is more Feliscopic Fiction -- character and emotion-centrific -- though.

9. Name a book with the best cliffhanger.

Frankenstein -- does he die, or does he live? Also, the short story "The Lady Or The Tiger" -- is it the lady, or the tiger? I don't know!

10. If you have the choice to choose which supernatural being you want to be, what would you be?

Probably a vampire, because I love vampires.

My Questions:

1. Who is your favorite Superhero (I'm asking because, well, I love superheroes)?

2. What is your favorite book, and why?

3. Coffee or tea -- and what type?

4. Is chocolate better dark, or light, or milk?

5. If you were stranded on an island, what music would you bring (only one CD/Digital Copy)?

6. What is your biggest dream?

7. If you could travel to any year in the past, which would it be (or time, such as the Victorian Age)?

8. How many books do you read a week?

9. Do you prefer ebook, paperback, or hardcover?

10. Which genre is your favorite?

11. Which film are you most looking forward to this year?

Thank you to those who tagged me!

Here is my Tagging list:

Between Dreams And Reality

The Bursting Bookshelf

Review Time!: The Raie'Chaelia

2012-02-18T07:59:00.000-08:00

Hello, dear readers, and welcome!
This Review Time showcases the YA Fantasy novel The Raie'Chaelia.

The Cover:

The Synopsis:

When Chalice sets off for Branbury in the middle of the night with her grandfather's instructions, she has no idea of the dangers that await her. The King's men have destroyed her home village of Canton and she is suddenly thrown into a Terravailian world that she does not know. Lost and alone, she is hard pressed to evade the iron grasp of the madman who rules the land. With the help of a friendly Chinuk, an old man, and a book that she discovers along the way, not only does she find true friends and true love, but she also finds her true self and what it means to be the Raie'Chaelia.

My Thoughts:

The The Raie'Chaelia is an epic adventure with a new twist on the YA fantasy genre!

For some, looking at the cover of this book may make you think “old-fashioned fairy-tale”, but there you would be wrong. This is a story with a great heroin, fine details, and a new take on fantasy that is wholly immersing with its detailed writing.

My favorite thing about this novel was the world that it was set in. The author added an interesting, creative twist on fantasy that blends modern life with the fantastical, and that is part King Arthur, and part Lord of the Rings. The plot is immersing and keeps the pages turning, making you wonder what will happen next. Chalice is a great main character, and a thoughtful heroin who is both strong and yet a lady.

My only cons for this book were a very few grammar and spelling errors, and the fact that some of the paragraphs could be very long, and sometimes felt a bit too detailed -- fantasy fans will probably love the high use of description, however, and non-fantasy fans will love the creative story, and won’t mind the heavy description.

I would recommend this novel for anyone who loves YA reads (though Adult fans will enjoy it as well), or who is looking for a great escapist read. As far as “content”, there is not much to mention other than a bit of fantasy violence.

I give this book four of five stars for a wholly immersive and entertaining novel, and the start of an epic, fantastical series that you will definitely want to keep your eye on.

Purchase Melissa Douthit's books -- The Raie'Chaelia, it's two prequels: The Journey Begins and The Vanishing, and the second book in the series, The Firelight of Maalda!

PS: right now, you can download The Raie'Chaelia for FREE!

To learn more about the author, visit her blog: http://melissadouthit.com/

I love comments, so please leave one if you'd like,

and let me know what you think!

Teaser and Tell Me Something Tuesday ~ 02/14

2012-02-14T12:51:00.001-08:00

So, in honor of Valentines day, I am sharing with you a teaser from my one-day free novella -- yes, FREE TODAY! -- Lyrics of the Heart!

My Teaser:

Why was he allowed to live, when my dad wasn't?

Why was he awake?

And how could he smile like that, so happy?

He looked up, as if sensing me, and grinned a grin that I envied.

"Hello," he said, and then: "Welcome back."

(Lyrics of the Heart, by Alexandra Lanc, page 14 (approximately)

To get your FREE Valentines Day copy of

Lyrics of the Heart, click below:

Who are your favorite book couples?

Oh, this is a hard one for sure! The first couple that comes to mind is the couple from "Impossible", by Nancy Werlin, Lucy and Zach. This is one of my favorite books because it really displays true love, and what you sometimes have to sacrifice for it.

Another favorite book couple of mine, without trying to sound cheesy, are Edward and Bella from Twilight. Their relationship had issues, but I really loved how Edward treated Bella like a lady (in the book; the movie skipped over most of his gentlemanly ways), and was a gentleman, something that I think is lacking in teen romance (or, romance in general) nowadays.

And, last but not least...I hope I'm not bragging, but I really love the couples in my novel, Shadows of Past Memories. My favorite couple is Firo and Aura, who go through a lot of trials in the book, but ultimately learn to trust one another. I think trust is a big part of any relationship.

Have a happy, wonderful Valentines day!

I love comments, so if you'd like,

please leave one, and let me know what you think!

Amazon Kindle Deals + Paperback Love ~ 02/13

2012-02-13T09:56:00.000-08:00

Hello, dear readers, and welcome!

Here are some great Kindle Deals for you to take advantage of!

Free Ebooks:

(please note: these books are free at the time of post,
and are not guaranteed to be free afterward)

$0.99 Ebooks:

$2.99 Ebooks:

FREE for Valentines Day:

Be sure to grab your copy of my novella, Lyrics of the Heart, FREE tomorrow!

Paperback Love:

Love paperbacks?
Here is a great paperback with great extras ~ 4.5 stars!

Synopsis:

"She couldn't do it. It wasn't possible. No matter what choice she made, she'd have something to face."

IT starts on a cold night, before best friends Aura and Terren are to be separated forever. During a trip to the meadow, the girls are attacked by otherworldly creatures, and an evil plot begins to unfold...

Terren: discovers she's not who she thought she was, and that she is being hunted by a monster more terrifying than her worst imaginings.

Aura: is faced with a truth she's been trying to run from, lies she's been trying to keep hidden, and an old acquaintance that keeps coming back.

Can the horrible truth be confronted, or will they be swallowed by the shadows of the past?

The first book in the Foxfire Chronicles, Shadows of Past Memories is an introduction to an entirely new world, where nothing is as it seems, and everything has a meaning.

Paperback Extras:

This paperback edition includes over fifteen extra pages, with:

Character Art

Character Bios

A Language Chart

And More!

Start your Foxfire Chronicles collection with Shadows of Past Memories: The Paperback today!

I love comments, so please be sure to leave one if you'd like,

and let me know what you think!

(Please Note: I have not read all of these books, and therefore cannot rate them)

In My Mailbox ~ 02/11

2012-02-11T07:47:00.000-08:00

Hello and welcome, dear readers!

Today's blog post is In My Mailbox, a weekly blog meme hosted by The Story Siren! This blog meme shows off the books received this week.

Bought:

Netgalley:

I love comments, so if you'd like, please leave one!

What books did you get this week?

Review Time!: One For The Money

2012-02-09T08:29:00.000-08:00

Hello and welcome, dear readers! This Review Time showcases the adult novel One For The Money, the first in the Stephanie Plum novels, by Janet Evanovich.

PLEASE NOTE: The book reviewed below is labeled Adult Fiction,

and is not intended for those under 18.

The Cover (Movie Tie-In Edition):

The Amazon Synopsis:

ONE FINE MESS
Welcome to Trenton, New Jersey, home to wiseguys, average Joes, and Stephanie Plum, who sports a big attitude and even bigger money problems (since losing her job as a lingerie buyer for a department store). Stephanie needs cash—fast—but times are tough, and soon she’s forced to turn to the last resort of the truly desperate: family...

ONE FALSE MOVE
Stephanie lands a gig at her sleazy cousin Vinnie’s bail bonding company. She’s got no experience. But that doesn’t matter. Neither does the fact that the bail jumper in question is local vice cop Joe Morelli. From the time he first looked up her dress to the time he first got into her pants, to the time Steph hit him with her father’s Buick, M-o-r-e-l-l-i has spelled t-r-o-u-b-l-e. And now the hot guy is in hot water—wanted for murder...

ONE FOR THE MONEY
Abject poverty is a great motivator for learning new skills, but being trained in the school of hard knocks by people like psycho prizefighter Benito Ramirez isn’t. Still, if Stephanie can nab Morelli in a week, she’ll make a cool ten grand. All she has to do is become an expert bounty hunter overnight—and keep herself from getting killed before she gets her man...

Specs:

Type: Mass Market Paperback

Pages: 352

Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks

My Rating: 4 Stars

To Purchase:

My Thoughts:

One For The Money is a rare read -- a great intro into a kicking crime/humor series with a realistic heroin and some great laughs and surprises. I really enjoyed the freshness of this book, the way that it took a maybe "old" idea and made it new.

The thing I liked most about this novel was the humor. The author throws humor into the oddest situtaions, and the laughs are creative, and you definitely don't see them coming. The plot was creative as well, fast-paced and not horribly complicated, but just complicated enough to where it kept you guessing. The main characters was a spunky, realistic heroin who was tough but not too tough, and who I felt like I could relate to -- and her "love interest" (not too much of an interest in this book, but will probably grow to be one in the next book(s) Morelli was a great character with an almost familiar charm.

I have only a few cons for this book. The first was the number of characters. A lot of character names were mentioned, and a lot of characters had small parts, which caused me to get lost in all of the names and often question who exactly the author was talking about, which resulted in some frustration. The other con was that, due to the fast-paced nature of the book, some of what happened seemed very convenient, and almost had to be written off.

All in all, I enjoyed this book, and look forward to reading the next in the series. I would recommend this book for fans of crime novels, but non-fans may want to give it a try as well, as it has the ability to surprise. As far as content, there is language, some alcohol reference, some sexual reference, and reference to rape (as the book is crime-based).

I give this book four of five stars for a good read, and the beginning of a different, humorous series.

I love comments, so if you'd like,

please leave one, and let me know what you think!

Teaser and Tell Me Something Tuesday ~ 02/07

2012-02-07T07:14:00.000-08:00

My Teaser:

"Now, hand it to me," Lucce commanded. "I want to finish this."

There was a brief pause and a faint rustling. Above him, Duquaine saw two hands exchange a dark object. The strong hand with long fingers seized it impatiently and placed it to the prisoner's chest. "And so, Duquaine, we shall see, who is right and who is worse than dead."

The Raie’Chaelia, by Melissa Douthit, Loc. 194 (Kindle Edition)

To Purchase:

And be sure to check out my Author Interview with Melissa Douthit!

I honestly don't mind cliffhangers, because that keeps me interested to read the next book, and it means that (hopefully) something really interesting is going to happen. If the book is a strand-alone, sometimes I don't like cliffhangers, but the cliffhangers can really add to the story sometimes in a strand-alone, if the book is a book that could have had multiple endings.

I love comments, so please leave one if you'd like,
and let me know what you think!

Author's View: Melissa Douthit

2012-02-07T07:13:00.000-08:00

Hello, dear readers, and welcome! This Author's View is an interview with YA author, Melissa Douthit, author of The Raie’Chaelia.

The Interview:

Tell us a little bit about your book The Raie' Chaelia, and how you came up with the idea for it.

The book is about a young girl named Chalice who is just coming of age and is discovering information about herself and her past. At the beginning of the novel, she is running from her village that was attacked by the King’s men and she arrives in a village named Branbury, where she meets an old friend and the story goes from there. There are actually two prequels to the novel: The Journey Begins and The Vanishing. The Journey Begins is Chalice’ story leading up to the beginning of the novel. It gives some insight into her character and her world before she leaves her home village and journeys to the east.

I got the idea for the story because I wanted to write a book based on a strong heroine. I also wanted to have a background theme for the story and do something a little different with the fantasy, which really comes out in book 2, The Firelight of Maalda, available in the Amazon bookstore. Book 3, I am currently working on and is scheduled to be completed by the end of summer 2012.

What was your favorite part of writing The Raie' Chaelia, and who is your favorite character? Is there anyone that character is based on?

My favorite part of writing the first book was getting lost in this new world that popped into my head. This is what I love about writing fantasy – the only rules are the ones you make up and you can basically create your own world. My favorite character is Bunejab who is a Chinuk, a creature unique to the world of Naeo’Gaea. Bunejab is cute, funny, intelligent and loyal. He isn’t really based on anyone. He just popped in my head and I loved him ever since!

The Raie' Chaelia is the first book in a series. When are you planning on publishing the rest of the books, and how long will the series be?

Yes, it is the first book of a trilogy. The second book is called The Firelight of Maalda and is already out in the Amazon bookstore. The third book is called The Return and is scheduled to be completed toward the end of summer 2012.

How do you pronounce The Raie' Chaelia, and does it have a certain meaning?

Raie’Chaelia is pronounced rye-kale-ya and yes, it does have a meaning but if I tell it, it will spoil the first part of the book. =o)

Here is a hint, though: it has to do with who Chalice is.

When did you decide you wanted to become an author, and what was it like writing your first book?

I started thinking of the story in 2005 and writing down notes in a journal. I never really thought I could be a writer since my talents have always been in math and science but when one of my favorite authors died, the day I found out was the day I started writing the story.

Writing the first book was really fun! I just let my imagination run wild and then let my fingers follow it on the keyboard. The second book was a little more difficult. There were times when I got stuck but I eventually plowed through it.

What has been the hardest part of writing?

The hardest part of writing is editing. Yuk! I hate it.

Do you have any tips for aspiring authors?

Write what you love. Don’t write to the market. Focus on developing your voice and vision and don’t worry about “writing rules” or stylistic flourish. Also, when you go to publish, there are two choices – you can publish on your own or you can publish by searching for an agent who will get you in with a traditional publisher. Research the pros and cons to both and decide for yourself which is best for you.

If you could tell your characters one thing, what would it be?

That’s a good question! Hmm, I would tell Chalice to listen to Jeremiah, because she doesn’t always. I would tell Jeremiah not to worry all the time, because he does – all the time. I would tell Ben to trust Chalice more and give her some room.

Where can fans find you?

My website: http://melissadouthit.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/melissadouthit

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Melissa-Douthit/164124433645392#!/pages/Melissa-Douthit/164124433645392?sk=wall

Tumblr: http://melissadouthit.tumblr.com

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Melissa-Douthit/e/B0053A3EI2

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4902841.Melissa_Douthit

Purchase Melissa Douthit's Books:

Also, be sure to check out today's Teaser Tuesday post for a Teaser from The Raie’Chaelia!

I love comments, so if you'd like,

please leave one and let me know what you think!

Spread Love, Not Hate ~ Why I Am For Anti-Bullying

2012-02-03T06:50:00.000-08:00

Hello and welcome, dear readers! Today's blog post is part of the Spread <3, Not Hate blog hop, speaking out against bullying, hosted by my fellow author, K.C. Neal (when you click on the banner above, be sure to check out her latest book, Pyxis).

Why Anti-Bullying? It may be hard to understand if you've never been bullied yourself, but please imagine...

You get up in the morning, eat breakfast, get dressed, and head to school. You are afraid of walking into the classroom because you know that there will be at least one person, if not more, glaring at you or sniggering or cursing or offering an evil smile. But, this is school, so you know that you have to enter the classroom and get your work done, so you do -- and then you see them.

They are normal, just like you. They have eyes like you do, and ears, and arms, and legs. They wear similar clothes, and they have the same homework assignments, go to the same school, have a similar heartbeat. They may have different names, but you are basically the same as they are, and yet, they don't see it that way.

You start to remember as you make your way to your desk, hoping that you won't be tripped or trampled or pulled down. You remember the names that they have been calling you, how they've cornered you in the hallways, how they've scorned you. They have threatened you, betrayed you -- they acted like a friend, they said they were sorry for being so mean, and then you found out that they were lying, and they scorned you yet again, harsher this time. Their words are drilled into your head, their actions are drilled into your skin, and you can't shake them. You feel angry -- so angry that you could attack one of them, all of them, seek your revenge -- and you also feel ashamed, so much so that you would like to end your existence.

You're almost to your seat, you're almost safe, and class is about to begin. You look down, hoping that they won't notice you. You think that maybe, today will be different.

But then you hear it -- one of them speaks to you, whispers as you pass them by. The words are ugly, and you don't want to believe them, but how can they be wrong, if so many people are agreeing with them? Maybe there is something wrong with you, and maybe you don't deserve to live.

You finally find your seat, and then you find that you don't care anymore -- you just don't want to have to live with this.

My life in Middle School was very much like this -- every day, I was angry to the point of sickness, and every day, I wanted nothing more than to disappear. The pain that my classmates put my friends I through may not have (in most cases) been physical, but the mental pain remained. It was excruciating and could easily be labeled as harassment. I hated Middle School, and I hated life. I wanted to believe that the kids in my class were wrong, but the horrible things that they said about me -- that I was ugly, was strange, would never become anything, would never make a difference, that I was better off dead, that there was something wrong with me, among many other things -- somehow seemed true.

It wasn't until I got older than I learned that I am who I am, and who I am is special. No two people are alike -- and this is a good thing, because we weren't made to be alike. And we also weren't made to suffer by other people's comments or hands.

I would like to encourage anyone who is going through this to please, please seek help, first of all, and to not resort to violence, because that never helps when bullies are concerned. No matter how horrible the situation gets, there are people out there who love you who want to help you.

And second, please do not listen to the ugly words of your peers. We are all unique and beautiful and different, and we all have something wonderful to contribute to the world. Your life has meaning, and no matter what others say, don't let their words bring you down, because they are missing out on the wonderful person you are, and the wonderful person you will become in the future. Do not let their foolishness take away the life that you have to live.

Please spread the word about this hop, and about Anti-Bullying.

BIG Book News: Foxfire Chronicles Banner

2012-02-01T12:46:00.000-08:00

Hello and welcome, dear readers!

This is BIG Book News, bringing you the latest news from my Book World.

Today's news is something that is both big and small -- a banner! I've been working on a banner for The Foxfire Chronicles, and I've finally finished it. Check it out!

I hope you all like it. I've also put the banner on my website, which has been newly renovated. I'm very proud of it, and I love the colors.

Be sure to check out the Foxfire Chronicles page on my website, where you can also read the first two chapters of Shadows of Past Memories, Foxfire Chronicles: Book One!

AlexandraLanc.com

I love comments, so please leave one,

and let me know what you think!

Review Time!: The Fault In Our Stars

2012-02-01T10:33:00.000-08:00

Hello and welcome, dear readers! This Review Time showcases the

YA novel, The Fault In Our Stars, by John Green.

The Cover:

The Synopsis:

Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel’s story is about to be completely rewritten.

Insightful, bold, irreverent, and raw, The Fault in Our Stars is award-winning author John Green’s most ambitious and heartbreaking work yet, brilliantly exploring the funny, thrilling, and tragic business of being alive and in love.

My Thoughts:

I had a really hard time trying to figure out what to say about this book, and how to rate it. First, I'd like to start with the fact that I did like this book, but that I was also a bit disappointed by it, especially after all the hype it received.

I liked this book for a few reasons. The characters were wonderful and so lifelike (I absolutely loved Augustus; he is now one of my favorite male characters) that I felt like they were real people, though definitely a bit different than most of your "normal" teens -- the author explored the idea that they were different in a unique way, and I think he managed to capture that part in all of us that feels strange and unworthy when compared to others, and that hates that difference. The characters grew throughout the novel, and their romance was sweet and slow and thoughtful. I also liked how the characters were honest with one another and their peers/parents, and how the emotions were raw and realistic for the situation.

I liked how the book was about a girl with an illness, but how it was also about so much more. It started off focusing on her cancer, and as time went on, it didn't shy away from it, but more aspects of her life -- and what would happen after she eventually died -- came to life as the story went on. It was a very honest approach that was really nice to read, though it was also heartbreaking at times.

There were a few things that I didn't like about this book. One was the writing style. The characters were intelligent, but half of the time, they didn't speak like it. They would transition from talking like a well-educated adult to talking like an average teen, and though it kept the story honest, because the characters are teenagers, it also threw my reading off, because it didn't seem to fit with the rest of what they were saying.

Another con was the way that the book was presented in some circumstances. This is definitely a book that will make you think, but half of the time I didn't feel like it showed you the whole picture -- or what the whole picture could be -- and quite a few of the reflections were a bit morbid.

My last con was the ending. It was very abrupt, and for me, it didn't seem like the book had really ended. I'm not sure if the author did this on purpose (SPOILER: in the book, the main character's favorite-ish author ended his book, her favorite, abruptly to prove a point), but I felt like the real ending was missing, and was a bit disappointed that the book didn't go on a little bit further.

All in all, this was an enjoyable book, though it was definitely a sad one. It made me think, and I really liked the characters, but I wouldn't recommend it for those who like lighter, happier (or even uplifting) stories. I would place it in the older teen category, and as far as content, there was some cursing, a (very) mild sexual scene, and some sexual and a bit of alcohol reference.

I give this novel four of five stars, for a thought-provoking, original story that is heartbreakingly honest.

To learn more about the author, visit his website: http://johngreenbooks.com/

I love comments, so if you would like,

please leave one, and let me know what you think!

Teaser and Tell Me Something Tuesday ~ 01/31

2012-01-31T08:59:00.000-08:00

Hello, dear readers, and welcome to Teaser Tuesday! This is a weekly blog meme hosted by MizB of Should be Reading. To join in on the fun, grab your latest read, open it up, and give us a small teaser! But be sure to list the author, the book title, and the page you found the teaser on so that a fellow reader may check out the book as well.

A NOTE:

Today's Teaser is adult fiction; this book is not intended for those under eighteen (but the Teaser is safe).

My Teaser:

    Welcome to Trenton, New Jersey, home to wiseguys, average Joes, and Stephanie Plum, who sports a big attitude and even bigger money problems (since losing her job as a lingerie buyer for a department store). Stephanie needs cash—fast—but times are tough, and soon she’s forced to turn to the last resort of the truly desperate: family...
    Stephanie lands a gig at her sleazy cousin Vinnie’s bail bonding company. She’s got no experience. But that doesn’t matter. Neither does the fact that the bail jumper in question is local vice cop Joe Morelli. From the time he first looked up her dress to the time he first got into her pants, to the time Steph hit him with her father’s Buick, M-o-r-e-l-l-i has spelled t-r-o-u-b-l-e. And now the hot guy is in hot water—wanted for murder...
    Abject poverty is a great motivator for learning new skills, but being trained in the school of hard knocks by people like psycho prizefighter Benito Ramirez isn’t. Still, if Stephanie can nab Morelli in a week, she’ll make a cool ten grand. All she has to do is become an expert bounty hunter overnight—and keep herself from getting killed before she gets her man...

"What if you don't get Morelli? You ever think of that?"

Only every waking moment of my life. "I'll get Morelli."

(One For The Money, by Janet Evanovich, page 98)

What is the saddest book you have ever read?

Hmmm...this is a hard one. I've read a few sad books, because I like sad books as well as happy ones, but the first one that comes to mind is this one:

This was wonderful book, one of my favorites, and I would definitely recommend it to older teens (especially if you like Historical Fiction), but it was very, very sad. The ending was good, and it proved a point, but it still left me reeling and feeling a bit overwhelmed.

This book combined modern-day depressed Andi with the French Revolution, and a girl who very nearly survived it. Andi reads her diary, and sees a story a lot like her own.

There were a lot of details about the Revolution that I learned in this book, and that was one of the reasons why I liked it, and also a reason why I considered it sad. History is fun to learn, but can sometimes be brutal.

I love comments, so please leave one if you would like,

and let me know what you think!

The Lyrical Foxfire Tour Special Post ~ The Ending Cover Reveal

2012-01-30T13:26:00.000-08:00

Hello and welcome, dear readers! Today is the last day of the Lyrical Foxfire Tour, and, as promised, I have a big, special surprise in store for you!

So, you've read Lyrics of the Heart and Shadows of Past Memories, but what about The Ending? Not sure what that is? Well, you're about to find out, because today is the cover (and synopsis) reveal!

Book Details:

Publish Date: April, 2012

Genre: YA Fantasy

Format: Paperback and Ebook

Book Synopsis:

Sixteen year old Melody is your average teen -- until she wakes to find herself in a world unlike her own, a world that she herself helped create.

Welcome to Heivion, full of the fantastical, the magnificent, and the dangerous. Here, Melody is known as the protector and Saye called "Izzy", who wields the powerful, magical Water Pendant. With very little memory of her life in Heivion, the newly named Izzy must pick up the pieces and discover who she once was -- who she must become again in order to rid the world of the Darkness threatening to overtake it.

But as reality and fantasy blend, and the Truth becomes a Lie, will Izzy stand and fight, or will she be swallowed by the Illusions that plague not only Heivion, but her as well?

In part one of this two-part fantasy, imagination comes to life as one young girl discovers the difference between truth and belief, and uncovers the importance of forgiveness.

It is my happiness to unveil this cover for my brand-new story to you! In the coming months, I will be revealing more about the novel, so please stay tuned. And if you would like to help spread the word on your blog, leave me a comment with your email.

I love comments, so if you'd like,

please leave one, and let me know what you think!

The Lyrical Foxfire Tour Day 9 ~ Tour End

2012-01-30T12:08:00.000-08:00

Hello and welcome, dear readers! Today is the last day of the Lyrical Foxfire Tour!

First off, I'd really like to thank everyone who participated in the tour for all of their hard work. Also, to all of the fans who helped spread the word on their blogs and on Twitter. And lastly, to everyone who commented and participated -- and in this, a special thanks to Nat (giveaway winner!) and Silvy.

Also, thank you to those who purchased Lyrics of the Heart during the Donation Days! Those donations will soon be shipped to the Red Cross to help those in need. This was something close to my heart, and I hope to do another donation in April for the release of my next book, The Ending.

And speaking of The Ending, look for a cover reveal (and synopsis reveal) later today as the special, last post of the Lyrical Foxfire Tour!

Thank you to everyone who continues to spread the word and support my books! I'm looking forward to bringing you all more great reading in the months and years to come!

In My Mailbox ~ 01/28

2012-01-27T20:32:00.000-08:00

Hello and welcome, dear readers!

Today's blog post is In My Mailbox, a weekly blog meme hosted by The Story Siren! This blog meme shows off the books received this week.

My Mailbox:

Free on Amazon:

Bought:

These are two of the books that I featured in my Indie Book Blast, which I'll be doing every week to bring you low-price Indie titles that I find interesting.

I love comments, so if you would like, please leave one,

and let me know what you think!

What is in your mailbox this week?

The Lyrical Foxfire Tour Day 8 ~ The Trials Of Realistic Fiction

2012-01-26T08:48:00.000-08:00

Hello and welcome, dear readers! Today is day eight of the Lyrical Foxfire Tour, and the next to last post! This month has flown by so quickly, but I am grateful for all of you who have been reading and enjoying the posts, and I hope that you will be reading an enjoying the books as well!

Today's post is more personal, and is about my struggle with writing,

for the first time, Realistic Fiction.

The Trials of Realistic Fiction:

What would you do if suddenly, you wake to find that one of your loved ones has been in a nearly fatal accident? What would you do if you were trapped at the hospital for days, praying that they would be okay? What would you do if there was nothing you could do? What would you feel, and how would you react?

These are questions that I had to ask myself while writing Lyrics of the Heart, memories that I had to pull to the forefront of my mind.

Like everyone, I have suffered my measure of tragedy -- and this novella is in fact based on one of the tragedies I went through, a horrible accident involving my older brother some years ago. When I decided that I wanted to take a break from my writing norm -- fantasy, sci-fi, and all of the wonderful, crazy things that I love to write -- and take my shot at realistic or real-life fiction, I was taking a big step.

Writing fantasy is very different from writing real-life. In fantasy, characters have emotions, but in fantasy, you can also throw in anything that you want -- aliens, monsters, crazy time warps, older versions of oneself, any array of supernatural beings. In fantasy, anything can happen, and you can imagine how the character would react to it, but in real-life fiction, you write real-life -- and real-life, as I found, is in some ways much harder to imagine than fantasy.

In real-life, real things happen, and real emotions are dealt with. In order to write about a real-life situation, I really had to put myself in the shoes of my character and think about what she would be experiencing -- which for me, made me think about the past, which can sometimes be painful.

But, in writing Lyrics of the Heart, I was able to prove to myself that I could write real-life as well as fantasy, and in trying something new, I gained more confidence as a writer.

To purchase your copy of Lyrics of the Heart, my first Realistic Fiction, of which author proceeds will be donated to the Red Cross through the 29th, please visit:

Amazon.com

Amazon.co.uk

Previous Tours Posts:

Jan. 1st - Character Resolutions

Jan. 4th - Character Meet 'N Greet

Jan. 10th - Nat's Character/Author Interview

Jan. 12th - Silvy's Author Interview and Review

Jan. 17th - Katie's Blog With Guest Post

Jan. 20th -- Lyrics of the Heart Release and Foxfire Chronicles Sneak-Peak

Jan. 23rd -- Cambria's Guest Post

Two-Time Versatile Blogger Award Winner!

2012-01-26T08:14:00.000-08:00

Hello and welcome, dear readers! Today I am excited to let you all know that I have been awarded a Versatile Blogger Award -- my second! -- for Words of the Worlds. And now it's time to pass the award onto some other wonderful bloggers!

I have been given this wonderful award by a fellow author, Jayleigh Cape of Till The Land Runs Out. Be sure to visit and follow her blog! I would like to send her a special thank you for this wonderful award.

The Rules:

In a post on your blog, nominate 15 fellow bloggers for the Versatile Blogger Award. (15 isn't mandatory, but it's a nice gesture. Try and pick at least 5.)
In the same post, add the Versatile Blogger Award.
In the same post, thank the blogger who nominated you with a link back to their blog.
In the same post, share 7 completely random pieces of information about yourself.
In the same post, include this set of rules.
Inform each nominated blogger of their nomination by posting a comment on each of their blogs.

Seven Random Facts:

1. My favorite type of food is Mexican, and German is right after that -- though I do love English scones.

2. I have at least seven books sitting in my office that have yet to be published -- yet!

3. My first love was an anime character -- my second was Artemis Fowl.

4. I will wear jeans even in the summer, because I hate shorts -- and I'm inside most of the time, anyway.

5. When I start writing a book, I usually think of the title first -- maybe second, after the initial idea.

6. I still watch cartoons, because I like them -- my favorites deal with Superheroes; my favorite hero is Thor -- yeah, that guy with the hammer who talks like he belongs in Shakespeare's time (but then again, I love The Bard, too). I'm also a bit of a budding Doctor Who fan.

7. I have a small, white Christmas tree in my office that I keep up all year -- because I like it, and it makes great writing company.

My Versatile Blogger Nominees:

Reading In The Corner

Between Dreams And Reality

BooksHounds...YA

I Heart Books

Amy's Book World

Reads With Reckless Abandon

Be sure to follow these wonderful bloggers!

And thanks to everyone for their wonderful

additions to the blogging community.