Saturday, February 7, 2015

Bricks by John Davidson - Excerpt & Giveaway





Bricks

John Davidson 

Release Date: 02/03/15
Anaiah Press

Summary from Goodreads:

Sixteen-year old Cori Reigns learns that not all tornadoes take you to magical places. Some take your house, your school, and life as you knew it. Struggling to put the pieces of her life back together, Cori learns to rebuild what the storm destroyed by trusting family she didn't know she had and helping friends she never appreciated.



Buy Links:



Excerpt

In the eerie glow from the lantern, I sat in a ball with Slim’s long arms wrapped around me. Only our synchronized breathing and the drum of my heartbeat disturbed the silence.
The pizza boy screamed as the TV flew upward. We ducked, and it slammed into the locked steel door. A roar like a jet-powered locomotive swept over us. Wind raged through a crack in the rattling door like the screech and cackle of a tempest-tossed witch, fluttering the lantern’s light. Slim caught the set as it dropped. The cord flopped at my feet, severed like it’d been bitten by a wild animal.
Mr. Hawkins mumbled. Mrs. Lassiter spoke to Jesus. The Mangino’s driver sat near me, his rocking horse motion powered by gentle sobs. I forced my hand to stop shaking long enough to reach around Slim and squeeze the boy’s hand in mine. Mrs. Lassiter always said there are no atheists in foxholes. There are no strangers either.
My heart passed the next few minutes of external silence by banging like a sledgehammer against my ribcage. Finally, Mrs. Lassiter slid past us. “Would you mind giving me a hand, young man?”
She had to be talking to Slim. The Mangino’s guy was still a sobbing mess.
“You okay?” he asked me.
I think I nodded.
At the top of the steps, the metal latch clanged. Then a grunt and a shard of light.
The sounds repeated.
“I can’t get it open,” Slim said. “It must be jammed.”
My sledgehammer heart banged louder.
“Not jammed,” Mrs. Lassiter told him. “Blocked.”
And louder.
Crazy thoughts and images raced through my mind. The tiny enclosure seemed to have suddenly shrunk by half. I couldn’t take it any longer. Being trapped in a tiny underground bunker that smelled of perspiration and pepperoni made me want to puke. I squeezed the pizza guy’s hand a final time and pushed to the top of the steps to wedge myself between Slim and Mrs. Lassiter. No one objected. It wouldn’t have mattered.
I didn’t wait for three. I threw my shoulder into the metal door, and it slowly creaked upward—six inches, a foot. With both feet on the steps and our shoulders against the door, we pressed upward to provide more leverage.
“A little more,” Mrs. Lassiter said. “There.” She extended the metal bar to hold the door open. My shoulders relaxed as the brace clicked into place. I rubbed my arm and stepped into the eerie gray light.



About the Author

Married to my bride for twenty-four years, I have an amazing son and a wonderful daughter.

Born and raised in central Oklahoma, I work in education, first as a teacher now in technology curriculum. I write. I read. And in the summer I make snow cones.

Author Links:
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Friday, February 6, 2015

Pulse Point - A Romance Anthology benefiting the American Heart Association



Pulse Point
An Anthology

B.L. Mooney, Bev Elle, Elizabeth Miller, Lisa M. Harley, Lisa N. Paul, M. Stratton, Nicole Andrews Moore, Phalla S. Rios, Vanessa Marie

Romance Anthology
February 1, 2015

Amazon | Goodreads

Nine Authors, nine stories and over nineteen hundred pages of romance come together in this anthology to raise awareness and benefit the American Heart Association. Heart disease is the No. 1 killer of women. Help us make a difference. Go Red and Speak Red. All proceeds of this anthology will go to the American Heart Association – Go Red for Women campaign.


Midnight by Elizabeth Miller: One destined meeting. It alters journalist, Charlise “Charlie” Carter’s course. When asked to work on a Republican candidate’s campaign, she’s unprepared for the intense reaction she has toward the young, handsome presidential hopeful, Colin McKenna. Unable to resist Charlie’s allure, McKenna succumbs to his desire and they find themselves exploring a passionate, physical relationship that is soon tested by not only their own secrets, but his political advisers.

Not at First by Phalla S. Rios: Falling for two men at the same time was something Angel Mabbott never expected to happen. Leaving a past full of pain and loss in California, Angel is determined to make something of her life when she starts college in Minneapolis. But life takes a turn when she finds herself torn between Kevin and Roman.

Commitment to Love by Bev Elle: A preacher’s daughter is torn between passion and her faith convictions when she meets a handsome police officer who is a womanizing commitment-phobe with abandonment issues.

One Hot Summer by Lisa M. Harley: “Whatever you say, Mrs. Mason. It won’t happen again.” He mumbled under his breath, “Until you ask for it.” AnaBelle Mason is a lonely widow trying to run the farm her husband left her. Tray Thompson is a college student majoring in beer and girls. Will One Hot Summer together change their lives forever?

Fade to Black by M. Stratton: She was a single mother, happy running her gallery, he was a famous movie star who never wanted to get married. Neither can deny the instant attraction. Neither knew there was an ex-lover who’d do anything to make sure they stayed apart.

Striving for Perfection by B.L. Mooney: She thinks perfection is a gimmick. He thinks it’s an illusion. Can they get past each other’s imperfections to make it work?

Heartless by Vanessa Marie: Charlie has good reasons for keeping her bruised, damaged heart to herself, but Sam will do whatever it takes to break down her walls and force his way in. Until they discover that their relationship is off limits. Will Charlie deny her own happiness to protect everything her teacher has worked for? In a broken heartbeat.

Stormy Surrender by Nicole Andrews Moore: Joe Masters, a fiery ginger, had a smile that could charm the pants off of any woman he met. Marti Whitaker was recently burned by a charming man. Their romance promised to be stormy unless one or both would simply surrender.

Storm Front by Lisa N. Paul: Love knows no bounds when two people are destined to be together. One fights to maintain the distance; while the other battles to close the gap. Will Ashley Kynde and Ryan Baker move forward together or will they finally close the last remaining door to their past?

Erotic Romance, Suspense, New Adult, Alpha Male, Rock Star, Millionaire, Cowboy




Thursday, February 5, 2015

The Stillness of the Sky by Starla Huchton - Review, Guest Post & Giveaway



The Stillness of the Sky
A Flipped Fairy Tale

Starla Huchton

YA Fantasy
February 2, 2015

Amazon | Goodreads


"Once upon a time, my life was certain: it was insignificant, and it was cruel. But I refused to let it define me, no matter how great the cost.

Once upon a time, I made a wish. The world I knew grew wider than the sky and higher than the stars, and I listened to the voice within me, reaching out for freedom.


Once upon a time, my wish became my fate, and my destiny the hardest lesson to learn: kindness may be the most difficult path, but it can save entire kingdoms.”

Guest Post by Starla Huchton

Which Fairy Tales had the Biggest Effect on Your Childhood??

Well, I’ll be completely honest here. While I did read some fairy tales growing up, they aren’t really the stories I remember from my youth. At least, the typical Grimms Brothers tales aren’t, as I always preferred Greek myths. Fairy tales were always filled with helpless princesses and people doing some really dumb stuff, and they didn’t really speak to me as a kid. That might be a little shocking coming from someone who’s writing flipped fairy tales now, but I think maybe the problems I had with those stories as a kid are responsible for why I’m rewriting them now.

Take my new book, The Stillness of the Sky, as an example. The original tale of Jack and the Beanstalk is about a boy who gets conned by an old man into trading his only possession for magic beans. Of course he gets in trouble because now he and his mother are going to starve. The beanstalk grows anyway, Jack goes up, and then manipulates the giant’s wife into hiding him so he can steal from the giant not once, not twice, but THREE TIMES. And then kills the giant when the dude comes to take his stuff back.

Now, you can look at this as a “poor boy uses his cleverness to make something of himself” story, or you can look at it as a “Jack did something really dumb, stole a bunch of stuff, and killed someone” story.

I know which way I’ve always seen it. I’ve never really held Jack in high regard.

So this really comes down to taking a story I didn’t like so much and turning it into something I thought was better. Jack is now Jacqueline (Jack for short, of course), but she doesn’t make that stupid deal. But even though she’s never had much luck, she’s always tried to make the best of every situation and get by without hurting anyone, and helping where she can. Jack doesn’t steal a goose that lays golden eggs, she befriends a bird desperately in need of someone who truly cares for him. Rather than steal a magical golden harp, Jack IS the harp and finds a way back to freedom when she’s locked away. When presented with an option to bring harm to those who’ve wronged her, she instead looks for the best possible solution for everyone. Kindness in all things is Jack’s motto, and it’s a much, much better message than telling kids to sneak into people’s houses, steal their stuff, and murder them if they try to get their things back. At least, I like to think it’s a better message anyway.

I’d liked to say I “fixed” the original story, but what I think is better to say is that I planted something in fertile soil, just to see what might grow out of it. Sometimes you get lima beans. Other times, you get a massive beanstalk leading the way to enchanted Bards, daring adventures, real love, and a new kind of hero that doesn’t need armor or a sword. In times like those, you get far more than you ever dreamed possible, and not even the sky can limit you.

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

If you haven't read anything by Starla Huchton, you are really missing out on a great author. Whether superhero romance or a fairy tale retelling, her stories pull me in like few can. The Stillness of the Sky is no exception-- in fact I think this may be my favorite of her novels.

In this flipped fairy tale, Jack was a sixteen-year-old girl, and a wonderful role-model for anyone. She led a hard, traumatic life, yet had nothing but kindness for everyone around her. I loved the characters in this novel. Whether good or bad, they were all so well-developed. Ro, the magical bird, was a particular favorite.

The story was captivating, drawing me in to the point that I was completely lost to the outside world. I laughed and I cried a lot. Filled with vivid descriptions, Ms. Huchton wove an amazing tale as we followed Jack on her journey of self-discovery. I loved the romance between Jack and Will-- it was just so sweet. The ending left me smiling... but best of all, the story left me with a feeling of hope.

The Stillness of the Sky is appropriate for all age levels. Sweeping adventure and romance make this novel impossible to put down once started. One of the best I've read in a long time.

About the Author

A geek of all trades, Starla Huchton has been crafting stories in various genres since 2007. Her first novel, The Dreamer’s Thread, was released as a full cast audiobook podcast, becoming a double-nominee and finalist for the 2010 Parsec Awards. After releasing short fiction of steampunk, noir fantasy, and other varieties, she released the first three books of the Sci-Fi Romance Endure series in 2013. All three books of the Evolution series, a New Adult Superhero Romance series, were released in 2014, as well as a Steampunk Fantasy novel, Master of Myth (the Antigone’s Wrath series, book 1), which was the first place winner of the Crested Butte Writers’ contest, The Sandy, in 2012. Shadows on Snow, a gender-flipped retelling of Snow White, releases in November 2014.

When not writing, Starla trains three Minions, a black lab, and a military husband whilst designing book covers for independent authors and publishers at DesignedByStarla.com.

Author Links

Other Works by Starla A.K.A S.A.
Evolution Series

The Endure Series
Maven #1
Paradigm #4 (WIP)

The Antigone’s Wrath Series

Master of Machines #2 (WIP)

Stand Alones

A Flipped Fairy Tale

Tour-Wide Giveaway

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Wednesday, February 4, 2015

City in Embers by Stacey Marie Brown - Review & Giveaway



Purchase on Amazon: http://amzn.to/1A7JKkD

Zoey Daniels has been tossed from foster home to foster home, where she grows up fast and tough. When she is placed in her “last-chance” home, she finds a reason to stay and turn her life around: her foster sister, Lexie, who is paralyzed and confined to a wheelchair. Zoey will do anything to keep her safe.

After high school, Zoey is hired by a special government agency, the Department of Molecular Genetics (DMG), where she meets the other reason to remain: Daniel, her co-worker. The man she loves. But there is something unique about Zoey. She can see fae. Because of this, the DMG hires her to work as a Collector: catching, researching, testing, and using the fae to save human lives. The work never registers on her sympathy radar. She was raised to think of fae as beasts that feed on humans and want to destroy them. When devastation hits Seattle, Zoey's whole world is turned upside down. The electric storm connects her to a ruthless fae, a Wanderer named Ryker, whose dealings expose them to even more trouble and danger. They embark on a journey, running and hiding from both the government and fae, both of which threaten their lives and those they love.

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

City in Embers is an action-packed urban fantasy featuring lots of fascinating magical creatures and an addicting plot. Zoey is a kick-ass heroine with a traumatic past, coupled with an uncommon ability to see fae when most humans can't. Add in an adorable half-sprite/half monkey sidekick and you have the makings of a fun read.

The beginning of the novel was almost overwhelming. So much information so quickly, like massive info-dump. Whew-- it was rather exhausting. Once I was past this rocky start, things settled down into a better pace. The story was so interesting: the DMG, fae existing among humans, government experiments, and most of all Ryker.

What can I say about Ryker? He was the total alpha male-- you know the kind you hate at first due to his masculine nonsense but come to love by the end. The romance between Ryker and Zoey was hot and progressed over time. Considering they started off on opposite sides, the slower progression was needed to be believable.

I enjoyed the intriguing fantasy world created by Ms. Brown-- our world yet so very different. Nonstop action and unfolding secrets kept the pages turning. There were times when I found Zoey's backstory to be a tad draining... let's just say she had a rough life. Thank goodness there was the little sidekick to lighten the mood.

If you're an urban fantasy fan, especially one of fae stories, then I think you'll enjoy City in Embers.
 
About Stacey Marie Brown

   
Stacey Marie Brown is a lover of hot fictional bad boys and sarcastic heroines who kick butt. She also enjoys books, travel, TV shows, hiking, writing, design, and archery. Stacey swears she is part gypsy, being lucky enough to live and travel all over the world. She grew up in Northern California, where she ran around on her family's farm, raising animals, riding horses, playing flashlight tag, and turning hay bales into cool forts. She volunteers helping animals and is eco-friendly. She feels all animals, people, and environment should be treated kindly.

Tuesday, February 3, 2015

Romance is in the Air Blog Hop


Welcome to my stop on the Romance is in the Air Blog Hop, hosted by I Am A Reader Not A Writer.

This time of year there's a lot of pressure put on relationships in the form of Valentine's Day. Sometimes I think we are all so stressed out to have everything perfect, we forget to enjoy the romance and savor the moment. Personally, I find romance on cue both frustrating and baffling. This year I've resolved to focus more on the romance and less on the competition.

What's your vision of a perfect Valentine's Day? Mine is a trip to Sea World or the zoo, holding hands, hot chocolate, and maybe a plush animal souvenir. Low cost alternative? A trip to the park with the dogs and a picnic lunch. And please, no roses-- save your money. I prefer wildflowers.

My Giveaway
$10.00 Amazon gift card - one winner
Signed paperback copy of Tortured Souls, an urban fantasy romance (US only)
an ecopy of Shadow Fire, Stolen Moon, or Tortured Souls ( Intl - winner's choice)

This is a blog hop, so be sure to visit the other blogs on the linky after entering my giveaway!


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Wagon Train Cinderella by Shirley Kennedy - Excerpt, Review & Giveaway


Welcome to the release day blast for Wagon Train Cinderella by Shirley Kennedy! I had a chance to read the ARC, and I really enjoyed this fast-paced, fun read.

Enter to Win a 
Digital Copy of WAGON TRAIN CINDERELLA
(Two Winners)


Wagon Train Cinderella
Shirley Kennedy
Releasing February 3rd, 2015
Lyrical Press




Love can lead you out of the wilderness…

1851, Overland Trail to California. As a baby, Callie was left on the doorstep of an isolated farmhouse in Tennessee. The Whitaker family took her in but have always considered her more a servant than a daughter. Scorned by her two stepsisters, Callie is forced to work long hours and denied an education. But a new world opens to her when the Whitakers join a wagon train to California—guided by rugged guide, Luke McGraw…

A loner, haunted by a painful past, Luke plans to return to the wilderness once his work is done. But he can’t help noticing how poorly Callie is treated—or how unaware she is of her beauty and intelligence. As the two become closer over the long trek west, Callie’s confidence grows. And when disaster strikes, Callie emerges as the strong one—and the woman Luke may find the courage to love at last…


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“Not so fast.” He rose and clasped her upper arms. “I find you…” After a brief pause, he pulled her roughly to him so she was wrapped tightly in his arms. He pressed his lips against hers, gently at first, but then more hungrily, caressing her mouth in a kiss so searing it made her senses reel. She slid her arms around his neck, pressed close, and returned his kiss with reckless abandon. Time stood still while blood pounded in her brain and her knees trembled until finally he broke away, clasped her shoulders, and shoved her away at arm’s length. “No more.”
She stood breathless. Luke kissed me. She had imagined kissing him many a time, but now that he had, she had no idea what to say.

Before she found words, he shook his head, as if to clear his mind. “Forget this happened.” His breathing slowed. He backed a step away, appearing to have gained control over the passion that had gripped him.

But I don’t want to forget. She swallowed her words. The purposeful look in his eyes told her not to argue.

The unbelievable moment of passion had passed. He took her arm. “Let’s get back to the camp. I’ll give you a ride.”

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

Wagon Train Cinderella is a fast-paced read with lots of adventure and sweet romance. I haven't read a book from this time period in a long time, and I really enjoyed the rich history. Keep in mind, everything isn't all sunshine and roses-- after all the story does take place among a wagon train heading West.

But since it is a romance at heart, you know that no matter what is thrown at main character Callie, she will come out okay. That's rather important since the author brings up the ill-fated Donner party early on. Not a direction I want my romance reads to take...

At the beginning I only felt sympathy for Callie. Abandoned by her mother, mistreated by the family who took her in... it was awful. And the poor thing put up with it since it was all she ever knew. But wow, did that girl grow a backbone quickly. She became a formidable woman and a character I grew to admire.

The story flows quickly, taking it's roots from the fairy tale Cinderella. But Callie didn't have a fairy godmother-- she grew all on her own through blood, sweat, and tears, along with a deep sense of duty and what's right. I enjoyed the pacing as well as the plot. Callie changed very fast, which was for the best since she was hard to take as a meek mouse.

If you like fairy tales and sweet romance, coupled with the adventure of a wagon train journey, be sure to check out Wagon Train Cinderella. Don't let the cover fool you-- there are no balls for this Cinderella. Just a ton of hard work and some good old-fashioned gumption.



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Shirley Kennedy was born and raised in Fresno, California and has lived in such diverse places as Denver; Houston; Torrance, California; Bogota ,Colombia; and Calgary, Alberta, Canada where she received a BSc degree in Computer Sciences at the University of Calgary. She worked as a computer programmer/systems analyst for several years before she went back to her first love, writing. 

In her early career as an author, Shirley wrote traditional Regency romances, one for Ballantine, the rest for Signet. Later on, she branched into other genres including Heartbreak Trail, a western romance (Camel Press), The Last of Lady Lansdown, a not-so-traditional Regency romance (Camel Press), and Deadly Gamble, a contemporary Las Vegas mystery (Inkspell Press). She’s an Indie publisher, too, and has just published Looking for Lucky, the poignant, suspenseful story of a lost dog.

She lives in Las Vegas Nevada, with her older daughter, Dianne, and Brutus and Sparky, her two editorial assistants who love to nap in the sunshine next to her computer while she works on her next book.


Find Shirley Here




Monday, February 2, 2015

King of Ash and Bone by Melissa Wright - Review Opp & Giveaway


King of Ash and Bone
Melissa Wright

The first book in The Shattered Realms Series.

Note from author Melissa Wright:

Writing a book or series of books is a substantial commitment. Authors spend a lot of time and effort avoiding the temptation of shiny new ideas, because chasing other stories will never get you a finished manuscript. But the best inspirations hang around, waiting in the corners of your mind, tugging at your attention until they've grown too monstrous and delightful to be ignored. These are the stories that are most fun to tell, the ideas that will not be turned away.

I'm happy to report my newest title is just one of these monsters. King of Ash and Bone began niggling at me about midway through the Descendants Series as a simple idea: a magical apocalypse. A heroine with steadfast determination came in next, followed quickly by the handsome anti-hero who just might have what it takes to break her resolve. And of course he would have something to hide that might test them both. I found myself researching end-of-days scenarios in my spare time, gathering images of winged beasts and deserted cities as this new world grew and grew, forming its own brand of chimera and bursting into a second realm, complete with problems of its own.

The Shattered Realms series is certainly lined up to be the most complex I've ever written, and I can only hope it catches readers' hearts and imaginations the way it has mine.

Would you like to sign up to review King of Ash and Bone
Do so HERE!

King of Ash and BoneKing of Ash and Bone
(Shattered Realms, #1)
by Melissa Wright

YA Urban Fantasy, SciFi
February 2nd 2015


When flying monsters break through the veil into her world, Mackenzie Scott has nothing left to lose. Her brother has been taken, her future has vanished, and all that remains is a desperate need for revenge. After discovering the breach the creatures used as a gateway, Mackenzie devises a plan to stop them, whatever the cost.

When she finds an injured stranger in the street, he just might be the key she needs to succeed. What Mackenzie doesn't know is that this stranger isn't the helpless boy he appears to be. He's one of the monsters. And he's got plans of his own.

Thrown into a dying city in another realm, Mackenzie is powerless to get back. With the gateway closing, time is not on her side. But the stranger is, and if they can escape execution, this girl and her monster might be able to save both their worlds.

You can read a teaser here.

Melissa Wright is the author of the Frey Saga and Descendants Series. She is currently working on the next book, but when not writing can be found collecting the things she loves at Goodreads and Pinterest.


Blitz Giveaway

$50 Amazon Gift Card
Open internationally
Ends February 9th


Prism Book Tours

Cover Reveal - Life is but a Dream by Lee Strauss


I'm thrilled to reveal the cover for Life is but a Dream, part of the Nursery Rhyme Suspense serial series, by Lee Strauss. Check out the blurb-- it combines two of my favorite TV shows! This one is definitely heading to my TBR list :)



Life is but a Dream
A Nursery Rhyme Suspense Serial Series

Lee Strauss

New Adult Sci-Fi/Suspense


FRINGE meets CASTLE in this New Adult

Sci-fi Mystery Suspense by Amazon best-selling author Lee Strauss.


Dreams aren’t real

Unless they are

And when someone wants to watch you drown

You better pay attention

Sage and Marlow are reunited in this second book of A Nursery Rhyme Suspense serial series. When Sage’s dreams merge with Marlow’s they know something strange is connecting them. But when the drowning dreams start to come true, Sage wonders if she can avoid her own death.


About the Author

I write mixed genre Romance, most recently The Minstrel Series.

I also write fun, lower YA fiction (time-travel and fantasy) as ELLE Strauss. I divide my time between BC, Canada and Dresden, Germany and enjoy drinking coffee and eating chocolate in both places.

Author links:




Sunday, February 1, 2015

Through Infinity & Thanks for the Memories by Libby Austin - Author Interview

infinityteaser (1)
 
Welcome to the teaser tour for the contemporary romances through infinity and thanks for the memories by Libby Austin! 


Tell us a little about yourself.

Hmm Not much to tell. I’m a wife and mother who’s obsessed with books. My favorite color is green, I love crime shows but have a weak stomach, I have a very dry sense of humor, and I’m a Dr. Pepper addict.

Your book through infinity, what is it about?

through infinity is about a family coming together when one of them is in need. The overall theme would be ‘does love reside in our heads or our hearts’.

Where did the idea for your book come from?

The idea for the book came from my son. My husband had been working out of town for several weeks. He came home for a surprise visit. Our son ran up to him and said, “Hi, Dad! Do you remember me?” Of course my husband said yes, but I wondered what would happen if you didn’t remember, and from there, through infinity was written.

The children in the book, their characters where amazing, and Dawson I think will have a special place in readers hearts. Can you tell us about Dawson and is he based at all on someone?

Dawson is probably the only character who’s really based on a real person. He’s based on my son and the son of my editor. Both of our boys share similar traits. I took some of the characteristics from each of them and created Dawson.

Do your characters talk to you?

No, they really don’t. It’s more like I see what happens between them.

How difficult was it to write about Candice's recovery?

Candice was a difficult character to write because she’s very self-contained, and like most people, she had some thoughts she didn’t want to acknowledge. She’s not very vocal in her feelings and she felt a lot of shame for not “automatically” loving her family. I think that’s a struggle some new mothers, and fathers, deal with. Loving someone, even your child, isn’t always automatic. A lot of parents feel judged for that and guilty for that, so it was something I wanted to highlight.

It was difficult, in a sense, to keep it true to a story of a family coming together without sensationalizing it and turning it into a soap opera. When I wrote through infinity, it felt like most of the “drama” I could add was contrived and really didn’t fit with the story, so I kept it true to the storyline I envisioned.

What authors have inspired you?

Too many to name. Even authors of books that I didn’t connect with inspired me because they took the step to put their work out there for judgment. But to name a few:

Nora Roberts, Debbie Macomber, Johanna Lindsey, Annette Broaderick, Jaci Burton, Tracy Anne Warren, Norah Hess, Kelly Elliott, Aleatha Romig, Anne Elliot, Colleen Hoover, Rebecca Shea, Jessica Sorensen, Gena Showalter, Megan Hart, Lauren Dane, R. D. Cole and Nyrae Dawn

But most of all, Lois Faye Dyer.

Talk about your cover, where did the idea come from and who designed it?

Aww the cover. I could probably write a book on that alone. Lol When I came up with the concept of the cover, I knew it wanted the infinity symbol on it with a color scheme of gold and/or silver. I didn’t want the infinity symbol to be broken, but it needed something to highlight the tension of the story. One night, as I lay in bed (which is when all great ideas seem to appear), the idea of missing puzzle pieces came to me. I passed that on to the cover designer I was working with at the time. When I received the cover mock-up from the designer it was nothing like I envisioned. It had a very somber tone to it, and while through infinity deals with a somewhat somber subject, the overall tone of the book is hopeful, or at least I hope it is.

After seeing that mock-up, I knew I wanted what I was envisioning to capture the story. I approached a different designer with my concept. I had figured out that I wanted something to represent her family as the missing pieces of the puzzle, but I didn’t want faces and I didn’t want silhouettes because they just didn’t convey the correct emotion. That night I was going somewhere and I put on my charm bracelet, and the light bulb turned on, which is where the pictures under the missing puzzle pieces came from.

The next issue was the positioning of the infinity symbol itself. Normally the infinity symbol is orientated horizontally, but that left too much blank space on the cover, so we turned it. Turning it, to me, kind of represented how Candice’s world had shifted.

Then as you see in the book with the chapter headers, the puzzle becomes filled in as Candice gets to know her family, which is why the back cover is a completed puzzle. The puzzle pieces, along with the colored background, also represent another sub storyline in through infinity.

Overall, the cover has been well received. I find that those who didn’t like it before they read the book, love it once they’ve finished. Choosing not to put a ‘standard’ cover on it was a risk, but I wanted the cover to really represent the story, and story isn’t about sex, although there’s chemistry.

Nathan with Nate’s Art did the final cover. He did a great job of turning my vision into reality.

Do you have a special time of the day you like to write?

I would probably write more at night if I could, but my early morning alarm clocks don’t cooperate with that schedule.

What has been the hardest thing about writing?

Writing wasn’t hard. Writing something that was coherent that people would want to read was hard. It’s everything that comes after writing that’s hard.

Will there be a follow up book to through infinity?

There will be one more book and a novella for the Woodruffs. Jason’s POV will be told in & beyond… There will be scenes that the reader didn’t get in through infinity. Jason had his own struggles that weren’t shown in through infinity. That was a conscious decision on my part, because I felt that the reader wouldn’t empathize as much with Candice and how lost she felt if they had all of the same knowledge Jason had.

SPOILER ALERT: Candice and Jason are together and they will stay that way, so I can’t imagine another story for them.

Do you have any writing rituals?

Nope. Not one. Maybe I need some.

What other projects do you have for the New Year?

Reft- a completely new book

& beyond… - Jason’s POV

DamN – a standalone novel

Love Defying

Coffee, Tea, or Soda?

Dr. Pepper and occasionally a Starbucks Cinnamon Dolce or Gingerbread Latter.

Jason Woodruff, Candice's husband in through infinity, I fell in love with him and the reviews from other readers all say how much they loved him. Did you realize that he was going to mean so much to your readers?

I would say I was hopeful. He’s very open about what he feels, and he’s loyal. Those are characteristics my husband has and I fell in love with him, so I guess I can understand falling in love with Jason. He’s what I would want if what happened to Candice happened to me.

You’re a new author, can you give any advice to others who are just starting out?

Hire an editor. Invest in your project, but be realistic about its potential. Be personable and understanding. Everybody has lives, and most blogs and readers are inundated with request to read books. It’s a slow process. Keep writing. Write, write, write, and write some more.


Infinity_cover_nobleedAbout through infinity:

Candice and Jason Woodruff had everything going for them: a strong marriage, the family they’d dreamed of, and successful businesses. When they made their wedding vows, they promised to love each other through infinity and beyond…but Candice doesn’t remember making that vow. Candice doesn’t remember the last eighteen years.

After a medical emergency, Candice awakens to find herself a married mother of four. She’s surrounded by a loving family of strangers, but Candice struggles to claim an identity while learning to be a wife and mother.

Candice is no longer the same woman Jason fell in love with all those years ago. Can they learn to love each other in this new reality?

Through Infinity is one woman’s journey as she rediscovers the love of her husband and children. But will that new found love be strong enough to carry them through infinity and beyond… 

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through infinity is only .99 cents for a limited time! 



About thanks for the memories:


Jason knew Candice's biggest Christmas wish was to remember the past eighteen years. As Thanksgiving approached, Candice retreated further within herself. Jason enlisted the help of their family and friends to grant Candice's wish. Each shared their cherished memories and placed them in a tin. Surprised to find the collection of tins, she couldn’t help but wonder what was inside.


With each memory, Candice felt a little more connected to the life and people she’d forgotten in the wake of her accident. Each one brought a sense of fulfillment and longing. When Christmas day arrived, would Candice be able to say thanks for the memories?

Goodreads

Grab thanks for the memories for FREE at Libby's website! 


About the Author:


One day some words came to mind, so I wrote them down. Soon the words became sentences, which formed paragraphs, which, in turn, formed chapters. Before long, those words had become a book.

When I'm not reading or writing, I'm a wife, mother, and business owner. I've lived on the Gulf, East, and West Coasts, but as a born and raised Southern girl, my favorite will always be the Gulf Coast. There's just no place like home...