Friday, May 20, 2016

My Road to Publication by Jennifer Anne Davis, Author of Rise + Giveaway


Welcome to Jennifer Anne Davis, author of Rise. She is here today to tell us about her path to publication!

My Road to Publication
by Jennifer Anne Davis

All through college I had a story in my head. It was always the same story screaming to be told. After I graduated, I decided to write the story. About a year later, it was finished. Mind you, I had NO idea what I was doing. In order to learn about publishing, I started attending writers conferences and researching agents. After about another year, I understood that my book was nowhere near ready for publication. I also learned that I LOVE young adult books and since I have a passion for them, that is what I should be writing. Then I had a few kids and my writing took a back seat. After child #2, I wrote a satirical essay about motherhood and entered it into a contest. I won! My essay was published in a book and that is what sparked my desire to write for a living. I had child #3 and wrote every single night after my kids went to bed. I wrote with the intent of being published. I wrote THE VOICE (my first published YA novel) and submitted it to agents. There was no interest whatsoever. Frustrated, I started submitting to smaller publishers and I found a lot of interest there. I ended up signing my first book contract (dream come true) and the book was published a year later. THE VOICE ended up winning some awards and that sparked my desire to keep on writing! Since I love fantasy books, I decided to write a book I would want to read instead of for the purpose of publication. I outlined THE KEY and started writing it. A third of the way through my outline I realized I had a book already, so I decided to wrap up book one, and start book two, RED. While writing book, 2, I queried book 1 to agents. I had some interest, but no offers from agents. I ended up going with a small publisher who loved the book and really wanted to publish it. I signed a three book deal with them. The True Reign Series has done extremely well. I was lucky enough to sell foreign rights to Turkey and all three books were turned into audio books as well! I then went on to write another series (the Order of the Krigers). I, again, queried the first book RISE to agents. I had a few requests but no offers. So I started subbing to medium sized publishing houses and landed an offer right away! I am thrilled to be working with such a talented group of people and I am truly blessed to be where I am. I believe that I am still traveling down that road and there will be plenty more books to come!


Rise
Order of the Krigers, Book One

Jennifer Anne Davis

YA Fantasy
Month9Books
May 17, 2016


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Purchase Links: 
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The people of Nelebek live in fear of persecution from the evil Morlet, who reigns with a dark and destructive magic. The kingdom’s only hope lies with the Order of the Krigers—twelve warriors with mysterious powers linked to magical weapons.

For over a century, Morlet has been annihilating the Order, picking them off one by one. Eleven Krigers have been hunted down, tortured, and imprisoned in his dungeon. Now, only one remains.

Sixteen-year-old Kaia survives by keeping her head down and minding her own business. But when she finds herself in the middle of a public execution where the mysterious Morlet is in attendance, an odd compulsion she can’t resist comes over her.

Kaia looks into Morlet’s eyes.

Soon, an ancient power awakens and Kaia can no more blend into the scenery. Will she heed the call of the Krigers or will Morlet’s dark magic destroy the last of the Order?



About the Author

Jennifer Anne Davis is the award-winning author of the bestselling TRUE REIGN series. After graduating from the University of San Diego with a degree in English and a teaching credential, she married her high school sweetheart. Jennifer is currently a full-time writer and mother of three highly energetic children. Her days are spent living in imaginary worlds and fueling her own kids’ creativity.












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Thursday, May 19, 2016

Sale: Of Flame and Promise by Cecy Robson



OF FLAME AND PROMISE
Weird Girls #6
Cecy Robson
Released on January 12, 2016
 Loveswept


Perfect for fans of Keri Arthur and Bella Forrest, this short novel kicks off a sizzling new series in the award-winning Weird Girls saga as Celia’s sister Taran fights to have it all: independence, hot romance, and enough firepower to torch an army of blood-thirsty supernaturals.

Cursed by a spell meant to destroy them, Taran Wird and her sisters instead developed unique magical talents. With the power of fire and lightning literally at her fingertips, Taran doesn’t fear much. Demons, vamps, whatever—bring ’em on! Only one thing terrifies her: commitment.

Taran is crazy about her boyfriend, Gemini, a sexy were with the incredible ability to split into two separate wolves. But after watching her sister go through heartbreak with the pack’s Alpha, Taran knows not to count on happily ever after—despite Gemini’s desire to claim her as his mate. Reluctantly, she agrees to meet his very traditional and conservative parents. Taran’s a badass with a mouth to match, and Gemini loves her for it. She’s just not positive these attributes will please Mom and Dad.

Unsurprisingly, every attempt by Taran to bond with Gemini’s folks proves disastrous. But in the end, Taran finds that winning them over means unleashing her powers . . . and proving that this foul-mouthed fire-starter is a force to be reckoned with.

ON SALE $0.99
Amazon | B & N | GooglePlay | iTunes | Kobo




Cecy (pronounced Sessy) Robson is the new adult and contemporary romance author of the Shattered Past series, the O’Brien Family novels and upcoming Carolina Beach novels, as well as the award-winning author of the Weird Girls urban fantasy romance series. A 2016 double nominated RITA® finalist for Once Pure and Once Kissed, Cecy is a recovering Jersey girl living in the South who enjoys carbs way too much, and exercise way too little. Gifted and cursed with an overactive imagination, you can typically find her on her laptop silencing the yappy characters in her head by telling their stories.

Website Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads


Don't Miss ANY of the Weird Girls Series

Wednesday, May 18, 2016

Curse of the Moon by Beth Trissel + Giveaway


Please help me welcome Beth Trissel, author of Curse of the Moon! She's here to share a bit more about her new novel.


Greetings all. Thanks for hosting me on your blog, Kimberly. I’m a multi-genre, multi-published author in historical, ghostly, and time travel romance, and nonfiction. My latest venture is YA. I love this genre so much, I may never go back to anything else. Curse of the Moon (Book 2, the Secret Warrior Series) is a YA fantasy/paranormal (with romance) set present-day in our Virginia Mountains. On a clear day, I can see the Alleghenies from our farm in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley. The Blue Ridge Mountains lie to our east. Those hazy ridges hide a lot of secrets, as you shall discover.



Native American and mountain people lore, my love of herbs, fascination with colonial America, and wild imagination are part of the inspiration behind the Secret Warrior Series. Shawnee warrior/wolf shifters, witches, a warlock, the Star People, and other characters and creatures run through the series and this story. One of the most unusual creatures I’ve brought to life is the thunderbird, a mythological bird based on Native American lore. There are people, of course, who insist the bird is real. Check out YouTube, or MonsterQuest.



Since I couldn’t conclusively prove its existence, I took characteristics from Native American lore and added a few of my own, like it hunts only at dusk and during storms. The legendary bird gets its name from the belief that the beating of its great wings account for the booms of thunder and its flashing red eyes are the lighting.


Pretty darn awesome. Likely, the thunderbird derives from NA respect for the bald eagle and is a greatly exaggerated version of the eagle. Thunderbirds are often carved at the top of totem poles. I featured a big territorial male in book 1, The Hunter’s Moon. The bird comes up again in book 2 in the form of an incubating egg.

What could be better than hatching and training a thunderbird yourself? It’s the Native American dragon. Thunderbirds are said to be intelligent, powerful, and wrathful, so you definitely want one on your side. In Curse of the Moon, Morgan’s younger brother, Jimmy, plans to train and fly on a thunderbird. He’s a fearless kid.

Story Blurb:

The bad news? Morgan Daniel’s wolf is out of control. The good news? There’s a treatment. She just has to get a potion from a lizard shifter witch--without looking into the witch’s eyes. Easy, right? But when the witch puts a spell on her younger brother, Morgan has to do the witch's bidding to save him. 

Fortunately Morgan isn’t alone. She has Jackson to lean on, a few witches coming into their powers, a secret warlock, and the always mysterious Chief Okema. What could possibly go wrong?

Snippet from Curse of the Moon:

Sympathy crinkled his dark eyes. “We’ll think of something. Don’t worry.”
“Wish I shared your confidence.” She dropped her hand and grasped her fork. “I’m not totally freaked out yet, but getting there. Fast.”
“You’ll be all right.” His encouraging smile showed his dimples and enhanced his appeal.
“But I can’t seem to remain fully human.”
He took a sip of fragrant coffee from the blue pottery mug. “Technically, you’re not.”

***For fun: If you could shift into an animal, what one would you choose?


For more on me, my blog is the happening place: https://bethtrissel.wordpress.com/

Follow The Secret Warrior Series on FB at: https://www.facebook.com/BethTrissel2YAFantasySeries/   

Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/BethTrissel




Series: The Secret Warrior #2
Release date: May 4th 2016
Publisher: Wild Rose Press
Purchase: Amazon



Synopsis via Goodreads:

The bad news? Morgan Daniel’s wolf is out of control. The good news? There’s a treatment. She just has to get a potion from a lizard shifter witch--without looking into the witch’s eyes. Easy, right? 

But when the witch puts a spell on her younger brother, Morgan has to do the witch's bidding to save him. 

Fortunately Morgan isn’t alone. She has Jackson to lean on, a few witches coming into their powers, a secret warlock, and the always mysterious Chief Okema. What could possibly go wrong?




About the Author

Married to my high school sweetheart, I live on a farm in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia surrounded by my children, grandbabies, and assorted animals. An avid gardener, my love of herbs and heirloom plants figures into my work. The rich history of Virginia, the Native Americans and the people who journeyed here from far beyond her borders are at the heart of my inspiration. In addition to American settings, I also write historical and time travel romances set in the British Isles, and nonfiction about gardening, herbal lore, and country life.





Tuesday, May 17, 2016

New Release: The Problem with Forever by Jennifer L. Armentrout - Giveaway

THE PROBLEM WITH FOREVER - RWB Banner      

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout comes THE PROBLEM WITH FOREVER - a young adult title about friendship, survival, and finding your voice. This incredible book is available today! Read more about this stunning new novel below and be sure to order your copy today to receive an amazing FREE fan pack while supplies last!

     
THE PROBLEM WITH FOREVER - cover

About THE PROBLEM WITH FOREVER:

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout comes a riveting new story about friendship, survival, and finding your voice.

For some people, silence is a weapon.

For Mallory “Mouse” Dodge, it’s a shield.

Growing up, she learned that the best way to survive was to say nothing. And even though it’s been four years since her nightmare ended, she’s beginning to worry that the fear that holds her back will last a lifetime.

Now, after years of homeschooling with loving adoptive parents, Mallory must face a new milestone—spending her senior year at public high school. But of all the terrifying and exhilarating scenarios she’s imagined, there’s one she never dreamed of—that she’d run into Rider Stark, the friend and protector she hasn’t seen since childhood, on her very first day.

It doesn’t take long for Mallory to realize that the connection she shared with Rider never really faded. Yet the deeper their bond grows, the more it becomes apparent that she’s not the only one grappling with lingering scars from the past. And as she watches Rider’s life spiral out of control, Mallory must make a choice between staying silent and speaking out—for the people she loves, the life she wants, and the truths that need to be heard.




Register your preorder of THE PROBLEM WITH FOREVER by May 20th to receive a FREE fan pack! Includes inspirational wall art, a colorful poster, and flag-as-you-read stickers. You will also get immediate access to an extended excerpt from the book.

       

THE PROBLEM WITH FOREVER - RWB - Text Teaser

Praise for THE PROBLEM WITH FOREVER:

“The intensity between Mouse and Rider is palpably sizzling… romance aficionados [will] lose themselves in Mouse and Rider’s smoldering glances and steamy kisses.” –Kirkus

“Armentrout’s effort to gradually coax her protagonist from her shell via a supportive, loving community succeeds, and readers looking for an inspirational comeback story will find Mallory’s to be satisfying and hopeful” –Publishers Weekly


  About Jennifer L. Armentrout: # 1 New York Times and #1 International Bestselling author Jennifer lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing, she spends her time reading, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell Loki. Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She is published with Spencer Hill Press, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen. Her book Obsidian has been optioned for a major motion picture and her Covenant Series has been optioned for TV. Her young adult romantic suspense novel DON’T LOOK BACK was a 2014 nominated Best in Young Adult Fiction by YALSA. She also writes Adult and New Adult contemporary and paranormal romance under the name J. Lynn. She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.  

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Jennifer L. Armentrout Goodreads | THE PROBLEM WITH FOREVER Goodreads

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Monday, May 16, 2016

Review: Kaitlin's Tale by Christine Amsden

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Title: Kaitlin’s Tale
Author: Christine Amsden
Genre: Paranormal Romance / Urban Fantasy


Kaitlin Mayer is on the run from the father of her baby – a vampire who wants her to join him in deadly eternity. Terrified for her young son, she seeks sanctuary with the Hunters Guild. Yet they have their own plans for her son, and her hopes of safety are soon shattered.

When she runs into Matthew Blair, an old nemesis with an agenda of his own, she dares to hope for a new escape. But Matthew is a telepath, and Kaitlin’s past is full of dark secrets she never intended to reveal.

*Companion to the Cassie Scot Series






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

First things first, Kaitlin's Tale is a companion novel for the Cassie Scot series. If you haven't read it, I suggest you start there. It is truly a wonderful series.

Top 5 Reasons You Should Read Kaitlin's Tale

Kaitlin - I loved Kaitlin-- how she fought for her son and how she grew throughout the story. She is one kickass character.

Nonstop, Edge-of-Your-Seat Pace - Never a dull moment. In fact I couldn't seem to read this one fast enough.

Return of Beloved Characters - I loved seeing this side of Matthew. What happened to Jason- well that made me quite sad. But it was so nice to read about the characters from Cassie Scot again.

The Plot - I really enjoyed the plot for this companion story. I always liked Kaitlin and was excited to read a story about her. The plot was exciting and interesting, and it offered new insight into Ms. Amsden's urban fantasy world.

Writing Style - I always get lost in Ms. Amsden's books. She has a way of writing that flows so smoothly it draws the reader into the story with effortless grace.

I really enjoyed Kaitlin's Tale. It was an amazing follow-up to the series.

About the Author

Christine Amsden has been writing fantasy and science fiction for as long as she can remember. She loves to write and it is her dream that others will be inspired by this love and by her stories. Speculative fiction is fun, magical, and imaginative but great speculative fiction is about real people defining themselves through extraordinary situations. Christine writes primarily about people and relationships, and it is in this way that she strives to make science fiction and fantasy meaningful for everyone.

At the age of 16, Christine was diagnosed with Stargardt’s Disease, which scars the retina and causes a loss of central vision. She is now legally blind, but has not let this slow her down or get in the way of her dreams.

Christine currently lives in the Kansas City area with her husband, Austin, who has been her biggest fan and the key to her success. In addition to being a writer, she’s a freelance editor, mom, and foster mom.

Social Media Links:

Get the Cassie Scot Series

Cassie Scot: ParaNormal Detective (Cassie Scot #1)
Secrets and Lies (Cassie Scot #2)
Mind Games (Cassie Scot #3)
Stolen Dreams (Cassie Scot #4)
Madison’s Song (a Cassie Scot Companion)