Saturday, June 28, 2014

Blog Tour: Blood Bath by Rachel Rawlings - Review & Giveaway

Blood Bath
Maurin Kincaide #4

Rachel Rawlings

Dark Urban Fantasy
R Squared Publishing
February 20, 2014

Amazon * Barnes and Noble * Books A Million

Book Depository * Goodreads

A serial killer in Salem? Not for decades, but the bodies are piling up and all signs point in one direction. Rogue vampire. Except things aren't always what they seem, especially in a murder investigation.

With her current relationship on the rocks, her father playing match-maker and her neighbor tossing his hat in the ring, the body count isn't the only thing on the rise. Maurin is neck deep in magic, mayhem and murder.

Can she catch the killer before the killer catches her? One things for certain, when hunting vampires there will be blood.

My Review: I received this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Blood Bath is the fourth book in the Maurin Kincaide series. I haven't read the previous books but after reading this one, I will be adding them to my TBR list. While I think you can enjoy this novel without reading the first three, I highly recommend reading them first. If you've read Laurell K. Hamilton's Anita Blake series, I think you'll find some similarities (without the graphic sex that plagued the later books) -- so I think fans of that series will like this one.

Maurin is an intriguing character. She is descended from a powerful fae lord and that power runs through her veins, literally. She has more male suitors than any woman should, leaving me to wonder what exactly is drawing all of these powerful men to her. There's a lot of jealousy and baiting among the men, reminding me of a high school drama. Maurin is a rather kick-ass woman which I always appreciate in a heroine.

I liked the villains, Caligula and Countess Bathory. Both very interesting historical figures. Though I do wonder how there are any women left in the world with Countess Bathory roaming around as a vampire. There were lots of things I liked about this novel: Maurin, the villains, Conry, the inclusion of fae along with the other preternatural characters. But there were also some things I found off-putting: the constant rivalry and jealousy among the men (some definitely old enough to know better), and the relationship drama being the main plot line rather than the mystery.

Overall, I found Blood Bath to be an enjoyable read with fun characters and an interesting plot. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series.

About the Author

I was born and raised in the Baltimore Metropolitan area but my family is originally from Rhode Island. I spent summers in New England with my grandparents, which probably sparked my fascination with Salem, MA. I started writing fictional stories and poems in middle school. In fact I had notebooks and notebooks full of incomplete stories and poems. One of which I managed to hold on to and is safely stashed in a box under my bed. When I was in seventh grade I entered a poetry contest in the back of an Archie comic and won, after that I was hooked on writing after that. Amazingly it took almost two decades to find a voice for my snarky, ass kicking heroine Maurin Kincaide and complete my first length novel. Meeting the love of your life and raising three amazing children together must have caused a rift in time because I still can't believe it's gone by so quickly. I'm fortunate to have an loving and supportive family who don't mind sharing me with all the other people in my head.

Author Links

Other books in the Maurin Kincaide series

The Morrigna #1

Witch Hunt #2

Wolfsbane #3 Novella

Blood Bath #4

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Friday, June 27, 2014

Tortured Souls Update

The release date for the ebook version of Tortured Souls has changed. Originally the release was scheduled for July 14th, but with a little luck, it looks like I'll be able to release it on July 1st instead. For those of you waiting on the print version, the expected release date is July 22nd.

More great news. The ebook will release for $0.99 on Amazon and run at that price through July 20th. After that it will be back to the regular price of $2.99.

Now I'd like to share an excerpt:

Chapter One

Something Wicked

Deafening music shakes the walls, vibrates the floor, and pounds a rhythmic beat in my skull. Gyrating bodies turn every bit of space into a dance floor. Sweat breaks out on my forehead, and my heart races. Strobe lights flash, teens dance with wild abandon. Shrieking laughter bubbles around me.

“Gotta take a leak!” my dance partner shouts over the music.

He races off, weaving through the thick wall of bodies. Mike or Mick or something—I didn’t catch the name he yelled when he asked me to dance. Doesn’t matter, he wasn’t my type at all. I mean, the guy guzzled beer while dancing. After grabbing a diet soda from a nearby cooler, I’m about to search for my friends when a dark feeling washes over me. My feet refuse to move, and I stand rooted in place.

The once loud music is now hollow in my ears. I gasp for breath, choking on the lack of air around me. Tiny hairs on the nape of my neck rise to attention. Something wicked is behind me. I know I’m the only one here who feels a difference in air pressure. An oppressive weight presses against my skin, making me feel as though I’m underwater. I blink a few times, watching the people around me continue their manic dancing—oblivious to the bogeyman that just entered the room.

Afraid to turn around, I stand my ground, sipping my soda. I pretend I’m unaware of the shuffling noises behind me, sounds I shouldn’t be able to hear over the blaring music. Swaying my hips, I hum along with the music, trying to ignore the ominous presence crushing me.

Whatever it is, I can’t let it know I sense it. Evil pours off it in waves, blanketing the entire room. I close my eyes, willing the creature to go away, return to whatever mausoleum or grave it calls home. Malevolent spirits feed on fear. I must control mine at all costs.

When I open my eyes, I’m gazing into the face of an angel. Not literally, but he may as well be in my book. Logan glances behind me, and I know he sees the spirit. He doesn’t gasp or scream or faint dead away. His golden eyes narrow as though he’s in a staring contest with the specter.

“You’re not welcome here,” Logan says to the presence behind me. He meets my gaze again. “You know it’s there.”

It’s not a question but a statement. I nod, a weak bob of my head, unsure whether this intimate moment with my dream guy is a good thing or not. Meeting over a nasty phantom is not my idea of romantic. And yet I can’t stop staring at the way his blue t-shirt hugs his broad shoulders and chest—how his light brown hair curls around his earlobes. I don’t know whether to laugh or cry. For six weeks I’ve wanted out of the friendship box with Logan, but I was hoping for girlfriend, not crazy girl.

Thursday, June 26, 2014

Book Blitz: The Lost Kingdom by Stephanie Beerden - Giveaway

The Lost Kingdom

The Elements Series #1

By- Stephanie Beerden

Genre- YA Fantasy

Release Date- April 28th, 2014

A Prophecy made long ago, announced the arrival of the new Ladies of Elements.

And now almost a millennia later, it finally came true …

All her life Arima thought she knew who and what she was. That is until the day of her sixteenth birthday came and her world is turned upside down, when she’s told she’s not a White Witch but Lady Spirit. And that she is the one that has been foretold, will unite the Five Ladies of Elements once again and save Ilendia and the Other Lands from Ahriman, the Demon King.

At first Arima refuses to accept her new fate, but when Shanums come and destroy her village and kill her loved ones, she has no choice but to flee and fall right into the destiny she never wanted.

As she grudgingly starts her journey into the unknown, she is accompanied by her unicorn familiar Sirrim, Blythe, a Vampire with a dark past and Myrddin, a mysterious Ljosalfar.

And the longer her journey lasts, the more Arima begins to realise that she can’t escape her own destiny and she must learn to control her powers and learn to be a Lady for the sake of the Sisters she doesn’t know and the people of Ilendia and the Other Lands.

However, things get more complicated when Arima comes into the possession of a key. Her instincts compel her to go towards danger when she discovers that the key she holds, can unlock the legendary kingdom of Eléssima, the home of the Ladies of Elements.

She will have to make the choice to follow her instincts …

…or stay on the path that has been laid out for her.

Promo Blitz: Written on Her Heart by Paige Rion - Excerpt

Written On Her Heart - PROMO Blitz

By Paige Rion

Contemporary Romance / New Adult

Date Published:April 23, 2014

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Andi Callaway has dreamed of becoming a published author her entire life.

Ford Delaney has always wanted nothing more than to escape his past.

An opportunity of a lifetime. This is what Andi finds when she returns home to Callaway Cove on summer break. A chance to work for her literary idol Ford Delaney is up for grabs, and she’s willing to risk everything—her boyfriend, her best friends, and her education—to get it.

She’s positive this will be the key to reaching her dreams. But the moment she begins working for the reclusive author, Andi realizes there’s more to him than just a name. As attraction builds between Andi and Ford, she begins to discover consequences must come hand-in-hand with something great—which could loosen control over her tightly wound life. And once romantic sparks fly, Andi’s other relationships start to crumble, Ford’s fame comes back to haunt him, and the heat they generate will either forge a powerful, enduring love or threaten everything she holds dear.

EXCERPT

He went to pull away, but Andi caught his hand, holding it there.

He exhaled, breath caressing her skin. “How do you do it?” he asked.

She swallowed, a razor blade in her throat while his eyes searched hers. “Do what?”

His face became distorted and her vision blurred until she wondered if this all wasn’t just a dream.

“Get under my skin,” he whispered.

The second the words left his mouth, he leaned in and crushed his lips over hers, kissing her as though it was going to be his last time kissing anyone. She blocked out the world, blocked out every thought except of him and the warmth of his touch. His fingers trailed over her jaw, her throat, and moved over her cool, damp skin, leaving her breathless.

She tipped her head to the side, deepening the kiss, reveling at how the pain in her throat and the throbbing in her chest vanished with his touch. Never before had she felt this. As if she was soaring and falling at the same time. As if she was witnessing something exotic and rare. As if she could die right now and not care, as long as it was in his arms.

She reached up to him, running her hands through his hair, something she had wanted to do from that first day in his office. He groaned and every nerve came alive with each second his lips danced with hers. All her worries slipped away. She was invincible.

And then their lips parted and Ford breathed her name. But when she blinked her heavy eyelids open, seconds later, he was gone.

About the Author:

Paige Rion is a contemporary romance author. She's a mother, wife, blogger, hopeless chocoholic, coffee-addicted, wine-lover. Her debut, novel--a new adult romance--Written On Her Heart, is the first in the Callaway Cove series. The next in the series is to be released this summer. She loves connecting with readers on her blog and social media.

Author Links

Buy Links

Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Kobo | Smashwords | Apple

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Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Book Blitz: Love, Laughter & Happily Ever Afters - Excerpt & Giveaway

Love, Laughter & Happily Ever Afters

Eight Fun Romantic Novels by Eight Bestselling Authors

June 24, 2014

Amazon * B&N * iTunes

Goodreads

EIGHT full-length FUN, Romantic Novels by Eight Bestselling Authors

An all-star collaboration by some of today's most popular New York Times, USA Today, Amazon, and B&N bestselling authors. From the funny & sweet to the steamy & heartfelt, this collection has EIGHT full-length FUN, romantic love stories hand-picked to bring a smile to your face this summer. This is a limited edition collection available until July only so get your copy today!

At just ***99 CENTS*** for over 1,800+ pages, that's a huge SAVINGS of over 95% off retail for the individual novels sold separately!

ON ANY GIVEN SUNDAE by USA Today Bestselling Author Marilyn Brant -- A shy dessert cookbook writer reconnects with her longtime crush--an ex-football star turned businessman--when they run an ice cream shop together.

FINDING THE RIGHT GIRL by NY Times & USA Today Bestselling Author Violet Duke -- Tessa Daniels has no idea why she told her friend's brother she was some sort of fling expert. She's never been flung before and she sure as heck doesn't know where or how to begin flinging a guy like Brian Sullivan. The man's got the body of a football god straight off a billboard, as many skeletons in the closet as she does, and worst of all, he's got her thinking of the one thing she stopped letting herself hope for years ago. A happily-ever-after.

SWEET TO YOU by iTunes & Barnes and Noble Bestselling Author Jessie Evans -- Where there's smoke, there's fire... When s'mores and whiskey shots lead to skinny-dipping at a singles' camping retreat, Maddie Whitehouse knows she won't be able to resist another steamy encounter with the sexy firefighter her childhood friend, Jamison, has become...even if he is off limits.

UNAFRAID by USA Today Bestselling Author Melody Grace -- Brittany Ray's learned the hard way that some dreams aren't meant for girls like her. Handsome, charming Hunter Covington is one of those dreams. Years ago, they shared one life-changing night together, but Brit walked away before he could break her heart. Now Hunter's back in Beachwood Bay, their reckless passion can't be ignored. But will dark secrets tear apart their new beginning?

LOVE LOVE by Amazon Bestselling Author Beth Michele -- Gabrielle Willis is smart. She's funny. And oh yes, she's a bit klutzy. But she's also running. When she meets Brad Dixon, the sweet guy with the crooked smile, can he make her see that the very thing she is trying to run from is the very thing that just may push her to see the light?

GETTING OUT OF HAND, the brand new novel by Samhain Bestselling Author Erin Nicholas -- Genius scientist Mason Riley can cure world hunger, impress the media and piss off the Vice President of the United States all before breakfast. But he's not sure he can get through his high school class reunion. Then he meets the new girl in town. Adrianne Scott loves the sleepy little town of Sapphire Falls--the perfect place to open her candy shop and live a quiet, drama-free life. Until Mason Riley bids four hundred dollars just to dance with her.

TEMPTING LOVE by Amazon Bestselling Author Melanie Shawn -- Haley Sloan knows exactly what she wants out of life. With her designer lingerie business booming, her career is moving forward, but her heart is still in the same place it had been for four long years...hopelessly in love with the former wild boy turned responsible adoring father, Eddie Thomas. Will this self-sacrificing single father finally realize that accepting his love for Haley may be just what his little girl needs to get the family they both deserve?

NOT OVER YOU by NY Times & USA Today Bestselling Author Marquita Valentine -- Summer Holland is set on one thing--convincing her childhood sweetheart *and* local preacher's son, Gabriel Edwards, to marry her so she can get back the daughter she gave up for adoption. She's always been able to count on him rescuing her when she needed it most, but this time is different... there's a new woman in Gabriel's life. Only, Summer's not going to let that get in her way.

Excerpt

UNAFRAID by Melody Grace

“Say it,” he demands. “If you want me to go, just tell me, and I swear I’ll never bother you again.”

I open my mouth. The words are there, so simple on my tongue, but nothing comes out. One simple lie, that’s all it would take, and I’d be free from him forever.

But it’s still a lie. I can’t do it, not to him. Not when Hunter is the only truth I’ve ever known.

I exhale a slow sigh and press my lips shut in defeat.

Silence.

There’s a beat, and then victory blazes, fierce in Hunter’s eyes.

“Brit,” he whispers. I wait for him to make his move, breath catching in my throat, but instead of a rough hold, he reaches for me gently, lifting one hand to touch my face in a slow, sweet caress.

I tremble. His fingertips softly stroke the outline of my jaw, like he’s memorizing every contour, watching me so closely that I feel more naked than when I was half-dressed.

It’s too much. I try to turn my head away, but he gently takes hold of my chin and keeps my face steady in place, so I have no choice but to meet his eyes again and lose myself in that piercing blue stare.

He sees right through me.

I can’t fight it with a quip or a barbed comment. I can’t break away. His eyes demand everything from me, and I have no choice but to surrender. I feel naked, stripped bare, like all my fears and dreams and insecurities are right there for him to see. The worst of me, my darkest secrets.

Still, he doesn’t look away.

Connect with the Authors on Facebook

USA Today Bestselling Author Marilyn Brant
New York Times & USA Today Bestselling Author Violet Duke
Amazon, iBooks, and B&N Bestselling Author Jessie Evans
USA Today Bestselling Author Melody Grace
Amazon Bestselling Author BethMichele
Amazon & Samhain Bestselling Author Erin Nicholas
Amazon Bestselling Author Melanie Shawn
NY Times & USA Today Bestselling Author Marquita Valentine

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Book Blast: Killer's Instinct - Trailer & Giveaway

Killer's Instinct

Dawn Dalton & Judith Graves

YA Paranormal
Leap Books

Amazon * Goodreads

Where there is NO life there's Hope.

Hope has always been a bit of a freak. But when her mother crawls from her grave and her undead corpse goes MIA, Hope s last thread of normal snaps with a vengeance.

Enrolling in a militia-style school for monster hunters seems her best bet for tracking down Mommy-dearest and putting what s left of her mother to rest. But the stakes are raised when she s partnered with three unique male recruits each with their own personal demons to slay if they want to survive basic training. But does Hope have a true killer s instinct? If she finds her mother, will she have the guts to do what must be done to save her soul? In a place like Le Manoir, all bets are off.

What could be creepier than hunting down your own zombie mommy?....A single page in, I was hooked. Jacqueline Mitchard, author of What We Lost in the Dark and The Deep End of the Ocean Killer s Instinct is going to knock other YA monster-battling books off the shelves. Gary Braver, bestselling and award-winning author of Tunnel Vision.

Book Trailer

About the Authors

Dawn Dalton is the author of creepy young adult fiction. When she isn’t dodging monsters, you can find her at creepy crossroads with her husband and two hounds — you know, just skulking around. Dawn also writes adult thriller, romantic suspense ad contemporary young adult under the last name Ius. She is represented by Mandy Hubbard at D4EO Literary Agency.

BLOG: http://www.dawnmdalton.blogspot.com

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/dawn_dalton
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/dawnmdalton

INSTAGRAM: DawnDalton

Judith Graves has multiple young adult novels and short stories published with Leap Books, Orca Book Publishers, Compass Press, and, under the pen name, Judith Tewes, is also published with Bloomsbury Spark. In addition, Judith is abscreenwriter and playwright, writes freelance articles for literary magazines, and facilitates writing workshops for both adults and young adults.

TWITTER: https://twitter.com/judithgraves
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/judithgraveswrites
WEBSITE: http://www.judithgraves.com/

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Monday, June 23, 2014

Book Blitz: Guarding Angel by S.L. Saboviec - Guest Post

Guarding Angel
Fallen Redemption #1

S.L. Saboviec

Fantasy
May 19, 2014

Amazon * B&N * Kobo

Guardian angel Enael can’t seem to keep her human Wards in check. They’re the ones who choose their paths before reincarnating—she’s just there to help make sure they stay on track. But it’s not as easy as it might look.

When she meets and falls in love with charismatic Kaspen, a fellow Guardian, Enael’s feelings about Heaven, Hell, demons, and the life she’s known are turned upside down. Worse, angel-turned-demon Yasva, Kaspen’s former love, still holds him in her clutches. Even as Yasva works toward obtaining complete control of Earth, she taunts and haunts Kaspen’s and Enael’s lives.

Now Enael is forced to face her past (which is centuries long and bursting with secrets), her present (which is terribly unfulfilling and full of questions), and her future (which becomes more uncertain as time passes). Armed with a newfound love and fear of losing it all, she must figure out how to save the world—-and the angel she loves. Which side will win? Who will Kaspen choose? Will Heaven and Earth continue to exist, or will everything go to Hell?

Guest Post by S.L. Saboviec

Have You Lived Before?

One of the central ideas in the world of Guarding Angel is reincarnation. The main character, a guardian angel named Enael, is responsible for guiding the spiritual growth of her Wards during one of their lives. One woman is only on her second life, while another man is on his sixty-fifth. Their common characteristic is having lived multiple lives and the desire to experience certain things on their return to Earth.

Many Westerners (you, perhaps?) don’t believe in reincarnation because the predominant religion here is Christianity. To believe in being born more than once is heresy because it is contrary to the purpose of this life. However, evidence suggests that past lives are not only a possibility, but they shape who we are, what we fear, and even physical traits in our current lives.

Children That Know What They Shouldn’t

My favorite type of past life stories are children who recall living before. From the little girl who can describe the moment of her previous death to the little boy who has an uncanny knowledge of details relating to his previous profession, I love hearing them.

Children’s Past Lives: How PastLife Memories Affect Your Child by Carol Bowman is a fascinating read if you want to delve in-depth into what two- to five-year-old children routinely remember from previous lives. If you want some quick snippets of stories, the blog article 10Amazing Things Kids Have Said About Past Lives is sure to give you goosebumps.

So How Did You Die?

One interesting belief about reincarnation is that a violent, sudden, and unhappy death may cause birthmarks in future lives. As the Wikipedia article onbirthmarks states, “the exact cause of birthmarks is not known.” Not definitive proof, of course, but speculation is interesting.

Mikhail Gorbachev’s port-wine stain on the top of his head is one of the most famous birthmarks in the world. Is it just me or is it reminiscent of two hatchet marks? Ouch.

I have one birthmark. It’s a one-inch oblong mark with jagged edges on my inner thigh. I’ve contemplated how I could have died from a wound like that. Since it’s over my femoral artery, I think that perhaps a few lives ago, I died of an arrow or a bullet wound in the leg. Was I a Native American, running from an enemy? Or a Civil War veteran who took a shrapnel hit and bled out on a battle field? At this point, I’d rather not know, but it’s interesting to speculate.

Your Irrational Fear Might Not Be So Irrational After All

Another unpleasant aspect of having lived—and died—before is that our souls remember what our conscious minds don’t.

Part of why reincarnation is on my mind (besides the release of my book!) is that I recently had a past life reading. I asked the psychic a few general questions, one of which was, “I have an irrational fear of dying a certain way. Why is that?” Don’t get me wrong—I believe in psychic phenomena and past lives, but I’m also well aware of leading questions, so I made this one as general as possible.

The answer was, paraphrased: I had lived two lives where I had drowned. The first was when I lived on an island. A tidal wave crashed over where I lived, and many people died. The second was on a boat. The boat broke apart during a storm and I drowned in the ocean.

When I asked the question, I wasn’t expecting that response. Instead, I was thinking about how I can’t handle horror movies in which people get eviscerated (even typing the word makes me shudder). That started when I was in seventh grade and read Jurassic Park. The scene where those spitting dinosaurs kill Dennis Nedry still haunts me.

But then I remembered: A few years ago, I developed an irrational fear of water deeper than my shoulders. When I told my husband about the past life reading, he said, “Yeah, I remember. We were at a hotel, and you were in the deep end, and you said, ‘I can’t stand to be in here. I have to get out.’” And when we went to Jamaica a year ago, I was ok being in the ocean because it was clear and no more than shoulder-deep. But when I’d been to Puerto Rico years before and the water was cloudy, I was terribly afraid.

I can’t tell you if I drowned in a past life. I can tell you that the fear came upon me in recent years—growing up, I loved swimming pools. You couldn’t keep me out of them. But one of the aspects of phobias caused by past lives is that they may come upon a person when they reach the age at which they died.

So Have You Lived Before?

Whatever you believe, the idea of living multiple times is a fascinating one. It’s interesting to consider that we could be leaving a legacy throughout history more than just creating offspring by living and dying multiple times.

What about you? Got any interesting birthmarks you’d like to hazard a guess about? Any irrational fears that cropped up recently? Have you talked to a child lately that knows way too much about 1800’s London?

About the Author

Samantha grew up in a small town in Iowa but now lives in the suburbs of Toronto with her Canadian husband and expatriate cat. In her spare time, she reads, writes, and thinks about reading and writing—along with playing the occasional video game or eight.

Author links:
www.saboviec.com

https://www.facebook.com/Saboviec

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7740723.S_L_Saboviec

https://twitter.com/Saboviec

Promo Event: The Girl Who Believed in Fairy Tales by Heidi Garrett - Guest Post & Giveaway

The Girl Who Believed in Fairy Tales

Sub Genre: Magical Realism

Release Date: June 23, 2014

Heather Baker believes in fairy tales, and she turns to their timeless wisdom whenever life gets difficult.

Again and again, the playfulness, symbolism, and deeper meaning in fairy tales have filled Heather with hope, nurtured her spirit, and fired her imagination. Sometimes touching, and sometimes humorous, these tales capture the three most transformative experiences in her life:

—Heather reframes her childhood sorrow in “The Girl Who Watched for Elves”

—She embarks upon a life imbued with meaning in “The Girl Who Dreamed of Red Shoes”

—And after taking several wrong turns, she finds the place where she belongs in “The Girl Who Couldn’t Sing”

The Girl Who Believed in Fairy Tales chronicles the journey of someone who was willing to change the way she viewed the world... and never stopped believing.

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The Archetypal Fairy Tale Journey

Many adults love fairy tales as much as children do. Why is this so? And why are fairy tales and their retellings so enduring?

In every fairy tale, five things always happen to the fairy tale character: She leaves home, she gets lost in the woods, she faces obstacles and/or tests, she overcomes these challenges, and she finds her happily ever after.

That journey, the fairy tale character’s journey, is archetypal because it involves the task of discovering and committing to the true Self. Since each of us yearns to connect with the true Self, the archetypal fairy tale journey is compelling in the tips and clues it offers about such an undertaking.

1. Leaving Home

Fairy Tale Character’s (FTC’s) leave home. The impetus for the departure varies; curiosity, duplicity, parents who are invasive, stepparents who are envious, a call to duty and/or sacrifice—something—ousts the naive child from their secure, loving environment.

2. Getting Lost in the Woods

The FTC always stumbles and falls psychologically, metaphorically, and literally in the first stage of her journey. Her naiveté, fear, and inexperience lead her to make poor choices that inevitably heighten her dire situation.

3. Facing Obstacles and Tests

As more trouble is heaped upon the FTC, she is driven to experiment. She must embrace her innate strength, courage, and/or cleverness; and she must make wiser choices in regards to her relationships and who she trusts. Otherwise, she’ll be fated to eke out a meek/mean/meager/impoverished existence… or die.

4. Overcoming the Challenges

Once the FTC comes into her own, i.e. once her consciousness has evolved to the point where she has become her own authority, she can achieve mastery over the trials that face her.

5. Living Happily Ever After

Living in accordance with her true nature, and following her true path, is the FTC’s ultimate living happily ever after. Partnering with the beloved is a function of her matured Self.

Throughout our very real lives, we cycle through these phases again and again and again. Fairy tales, presumably the province of children, can be quite effective in spurring adults toward believing in themselves—and Happily Ever Afters—as well.

That is the enduring power of the archetypal fairy tale journey.

About The Girl Who Couldn’t Sing:

She began to meditate upon "The Ugly Duckling” for she'd always imagined herself as a misplaced swan. But with all the changes, and her sadness shedding like the skin of snake, she'd stare in the mirror and whisper, “Perhaps, you're not even a bird."

Heather Baker struggles to find the balance between fantasy and reality in her everyday life. Enticed by Neptune, the planet that rules everything hazy and glamourous--she's desperate to become the next indie singer/songwriter sensation. Dogged by Saturn, the planet that rules obstacles and everything practical--she's confronted with the limitations of her abilities and talent.

Which planet will win?

“The Girl Who Couldn’t Sing” is free on Amazon June 23rd-27th!

Author Bio

Heidi Garrett is the author of the contemporary fairy tale novella collection, Once Upon a Time Today. In these stand-alone retellings of popular and obscure fairy tales, adult characters navigate the deep woods of the modern landscape to find their Happily Ever Afters.

She's also the author of the Daughter of Light series, a fantasy about a young half-faerie, half-mortal searching for her place in the Whole. Heidi's latest project is a collaboration with Billie Limpin. They're cooking up a yummy paranormal romance!

Signup for Heidi's newsletter at: http://eepurl.com/wWKUj for discounts on all new releases!

Heidi was born in Texas, and in an attempt to reside in as many cities in that state as she could, made it to Houston, Lubbock, Austin, and El Paso. She now lives in Eastern Washington state with her husband, their two cats, her laptop, and her Kindle.

Being from the South, she often contemplates the magic of snow.

Website/Blog

Facebook for Heidi Garrett

Facebook for The Magic Cupcake Series

Giveaway: