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Tuesday, January 29, 2013

InDivisible by Ryan Hunter


Reviews for InDivisible:

“I truly was captivated from beginning to the very end. The way you describe each detail as the story unfolds creates such vivid images in my mind.” J. Hayes, Editor

“Just so you know you made me cry, that is how much I was into your book!” J. Jones

“I thoroughly enjoyed it. Very smart! I love stores that have clever plots and characters I can root for.” A. Easton, Book Reviewer

“inDIVISIBLE was inspiring, and taught me the true meaning of freedom and the lengths people will go to in order to achieve it.” D. Fox, Book Reviewer

inDIVISIBLE has been nominated for the Whitney Award for novels written in the year 2012. Winners will be announced in the spring of 2013.

Top Five Ways to Procrastinate Writing 
1. Facebook. Wait, Pinterest, no it’s email. DISTRACTIONS. Social networking is an important part of selling novels, but it can quickly consume us to where we can’t get any other writing done. Authors sell more when they keep producing books. Set aside a specified amount of time each day to accomplish your social networking and stick to it, especially when you’re under a deadline. 

2. Writer’s block. What is writer’s block anyway? It’s nothing more than NOT FOCUSING on your writing. If you take the time to concentrate and open yourself up to ideas, you’ll begin writing. Eliminate the distractions and begin free-writing until the words turn into story. 

3. Realizing you’re a terrible writer or rather, LACKING CONFIDENCE. Every author struggles with certain aspects of the writing process, but when you realize that with practice, you will be able to overcome your limitations, it will give you greater confidence. When you’ve got confidence the self-limiting belief that you’re not good enough won’t restrict your writing any longer. 

4. Being too busy with housework, shopping, meetings and other important tasks. It’s hard when you DON’T MAKE WRITING A PRIORITY. If you plan to be a successful writer, you need to write as if it’s a job. You write during set hours, setting goals and meeting them regularly. 

5. Eating cookies and cake and drinking caffeinated drinks to stay awake is an UNHEALTHY DIET. Our brains work better when we feed them nutritious foods. When we’re loading our bodies with processed sugars and flours, we’re out of balance and our energy dips making it hard to concentrate. It also affects our moods and mood plays an important part in creativity. 


Bio & Links: Ryan Hunter is the author of inDIVISIBLE, a dystopian that’s being hailed as a modern-day 1984; and Premeditated, a YA suspense. She’s a wife and mother of five. She’s an avid runner, blogger and baker. 



Find her here:

B&N 
Amazon:
Website:
Facebook:
Twitter:
Blog:

Monday, January 28, 2013

Young Adult Giveway


For this giveaway I have decided to spotlight two new up and coming authors, Jamie Canosa and Maren Dille


First is Jamie Canosa. Her novel, Dissidence, is already on several Amazon best sellers and and is receiving great reviews!


In dystopian America, sixteen-year-old Kaleigh finds out quickly what having a big mouth and not enough brains to keep it shut can earn you. A one-way ticket to the work camps that no one even knows exists.

Nuclear war has ravished the nation, and a century later, the survivors are living in an entirely new world. In a society where everything is decided for you, from where you work to who you marry, dissidence is not taken lightly.

But, even inside the camps, Kaleigh’s fiery spirit refuses to be extinguished. In a single moment of defiance, she manages to spark a riot that ignites into a full-blown rebellion.

With growing numbers counting on her, not just for their freedom, but for their very lives, two different boys vying for her heart, and trouble brewing from within the camp itself, can Kaleigh find a way to step up and become the leader everyone is counting on her to be, or will even the most carefully laid plans come crashing down around her?
 About the Author


Jamie Canosa graduated from SUNY Albany with degrees in Sociology, Anthropology, and Criminal Justice. When she’s not writing or spending time with her family, she can usually be found with her nose in a book. She currently resides in Ravena, NY with her wonderful husband and three crazy kids . . . plus the dog, the bird and the rabbit.



 And next is Maren DIlle and her JUST Release novel The Faith and Fate of David Ghent


In the Lucen city dwell the descendants of Righteous and Fallen angels. Kept hidden from the rest of Earth and governed directly by Heaven, each descendant is given a chance to prove themself loyal to Heaven, and obtain salvation. For most, the task is encouraging and fair, but for David, it’s devastating.

David Ghent has waited twenty-one years to fulfill a prophecy foretelling the destruction of Lucifer’s power on Earth and Heaven, saving himself and the entire world from Hell’s power. His training is complete, the city prepared. 


As the battle commences, the city’s most beloved daughter, Layla, suddenly appears at the Hellgate. David is then faced with an impossible choice: fulfill the prophecy, or save her life.


The consequences David faces after choosing Layla force him to question his entire life, and his loyalty to Heaven. As the aftermath of failure unfolds, David discovers that the real battle against Lucifer has just begun.






Author Bio: Maren lives in Spanish Fork, UT with her family where she works as a mom, piano teacher, and writer. She is passionate about animals, sugar, and her husband. She spends her spare time chasing her two dogs around with her daughter in tow, dreaming up new ways for her husband to use his tools, and writing musical scores to books that will most likely remain in her imagination. Here is the synopsis of The Faith and Fate of David Ghent:






 Enter to win a copy of each!!

Saturday, January 19, 2013

A Penny's Worth by A.M. Hooper

A Penny's Worth by A.M. Hooper

His kissing was passionate. His romance was flawless. The last thing 17 year old Emmaline expected was for her perfect boyfriend, Cephas, to kidnap her. Now she'll have to outsmart and outrun those closest to her in this fast-paced adventure of insubordination and torrid love. Friends will become foes and trust will gave way to bitter lies as Emmaline tries to save innocent lives which may perish at the hand of Cephas's crooked boss. With a posse of lethal hit men hot on her trail, Emmaline must decide whether unraveling the truth is worth enduring the betrayal, destruction, and deceit that stand in her way. Cephas Bourdon is trouble, but maybe she could kiss him again . . . just one more time. It couldn't hurt.



 
About the Author 
Amber Hooper lives in Eagle Mountain, Utah with her husband and new baby. She enjoys reading, playing soccer, and hiking with her family. This is her first novel.
Available At:
Amazon Barnes & Noble Smashwords CreateSpace

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Winner!!

Jenny Lynn N, you are the winner of my two novels. Let me know what email address you want them delivered to! Congrats. I hope you enjoy them!

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Take My Heart Blog Tour

Tour Schedule


Take My Heart by Marie Higgins

Mercedes Maxwell’s sister’s last wish was for Mercedes to find evidence against Kat’s husband, William Braxton, and have him hung as a traitor to the crown. Mercedes isn’t naïve when it comes to capturing traitors, because her own deceased husband had once been an agent for the King when they lived in England.

When she meets William Braxton for the first time, all is not as it seems. Portraying her twin, Mercedes knows this is the only way to get close enough to William to discover his secrets. What she finds along the way are little surprises she hadn’t counted on, especially when she begins to give her heart to a man who may be a spy against the crown.




Book Trailer



Praise for Marie Higgins
”I enjoyed this book immensely. Each book of Marie's that I read is better than the last. I recommend this book to young adults and older who enjoy historical mystery, intrigue, fight for freedom, clean romance. This is the book for you.”
~~Mary Walling / Goodreads

“Few authors have mastered the art of storytelling like Marie Higgins. In this Colonial-era romance, Marie takes her reader on a wild ride. Every chapter, every scene, every line envelopes the reader's senses and imagination with passionate romance, deep emotional struggles, unexpected twists and turns, and neverending ups and downs. This was a hard book to put down and earns an unequivocal five stars from me. Thanks, Marie, for writing such great romances!”
~~Wanda Luce / Goodreads

 “Marie Higgins's Take My Heart is a stunning colonial romance. With well developed characters and heartwarming scenes, this book will steal the hearts of romance lovers and historical fiction fans. There are numerous twists and Higgins keeps you guessing at every turn as to who the real villain is. This book is a "must-read" for anyone who loves romance, history, or just a good story. FIVE STARS ALL THE WAY!!” ~~L.D. Smith / Kindle

“Breathless! From start to finish you will keep wondering, questioning, and hoping. You will root for the underdog, and smile as love conquers all. Great read. You won't put it down until you're finished!”
~~M. Henning / Kindle


Purchase



Author Marie Higgins

Since Marie Higgins was a little girl playing Barbies with her sister, Stacey, she has loved the adventure of making up romantic stories. Marie was only eighteen years old when she wrote her first skit, which won an award for Funniest Skit. A little later in life, after she’d married and had children, Marie wrote Church roadshows that were judged as Funniest and Best Written. From there, she branched out to write full-length novels based on her dreams. (Yes, she says, her dreams really are that silly)

Marie has been married for twenty-six years to a wonderful man. Together, they have three loving daughters and several beautiful grandchildren. Marie works full time for the state of Utah, where she has lived her entire life. Marie plans to keep writing, because the characters in her head won’t shut up. But her husband smiles and pretends this is normal.



Links





Tour Giveaway
$25 Amazon Gift Card
Ends 1/31/13

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.


a Rafflecopter giveaway


Traditional vs Self-Publishing

I’ve been with e-publishers for several years, then two years ago I had a traditional print publisher take me on, and now I’m doing self-publishing.  So believe me when I say, I know what I’m talking about with all three.  I’ve had my share of the good and especially the bad.

First, I’ll talk a little about Traditional Publishing.  An author gets their manuscript as error-free as they can and they mail or email it to a publisher.  Most big publishers take anywhere from two weeks to six months before they respond.  If they accept the author’s story the first time without asking for revisions, and send a contract, they can take up to another six months before starting on edits…which may or may not take another month or so to complete.  Let’s hope the editor the author gets is a good one and likes the author’s style of writing, because if they don’t, they might rewrite a lot of the story.  And if the author doesn’t agree, then author and editor will go back and forth for a while before deciding on who will win.  Usually around this time the cover artist for the publisher has created a book cover.  Most publishers don’t ask the author if they like the cover or not—they make it, and that’s that.  So then the author better start praying it’s a good cover and that they’ll like it…  After that, the author can expect to wait another six months to a year before their book is even published.  At this point, the author—and hopefully publisher—will promote the crap out of that book because the shelf life for a normal book is about six week. (yes, you read that correctly…SIX weeks!)

Now, let’s take that same book and self-publish it.  Let’s hope the author is part of a critique group of has critique partners (or beta readers) to help find plot holes or spelling / grammar errors.  Let’s say that author is very proficient and has the book done and edited (by her critique group/partners) written in two months.  Now the author either makes the book cover themselves or pays someone to do it.  I have done both, and I like paying someone to do mine only because I don’t have Photoshop and I’m not talented in that area.  Finding the right cover could take the author or hired cover artist a few days to a week.  Author is now ready to read the guidelines to getting the story downloaded on Kindle/Nook/Smashwords/Kobo/and any other place they can find like these.  The first time I tried to format my book for each of these places, it took me about a day.  After that, it became easier.  Once the book is formatted and downloaded, it takes a day with Kindle & Nook & Smashwords, and a little longer for the others.  Now book is ready to purchase…and it only took the author a couple of months!! AND…the book can stay on these websites for as long as it’s selling—instead of the six weeks like a Traditional Publisher would keep it.

What I really love about self-publishing is that I get to write my stories the way I want…instead of having an editor nit-pick it to death or change the story to make it their voice instead of mine. (yes, this has happened to me a few times!)  I get to approve or disapprove my book covers. (there’s been a few times with my publishers that I was stuck with an ugly cover—and believe me, sales were bad!)   I love the fact that I can change anything about my book and reload it on Kindle/Nook/the others—and the next day the updated copy is there.  I love how I can check each day to see how well my books are selling…whereas with publishers, authors have no clue to how well—or how terrible—their sales are.  And if the author doesn’t trust their publisher…well, they’re screwed!  I love how all of these places pay MONTHLY, yet the publishers pay once a quarter…or heaven forbid, twice a year.  I LOVE the freedom I have with self-publishing.  Oh, and I must add that I love earning 70% off my royalties instead of the 12% or 35% the publishers give me.

Can you tell which way I love? hahaha

About the author –
Marie Higgins is a multi-published author of romance; from refined bad-boy heroes who makes your heart melt to the feisty heroines who somehow manage to love them regardless of their faults. Visit her website / blog to discover more about her – http://mariehiggins84302.blogspot.com



~Marie Higgins~
More than just a romance...my stories are an adventure!

Friday, January 11, 2013

Wisteria Blog Tour.


Wisteria by Bisi Leyton:

Sixteen year old Wisteria Kuti has two options—track the infected around the Isle of Smythe or leave the only known safe haven and face a world infested with flesh eating biters. But even with well-armed trackers, things go wrong and Wisteria ends up alone facing certain death, until she is rescued by the mysterious Bach. Uninfected, Bach is able to survive among the hordes of living dead.

Eighteen year old Bach, from a race known as The Family, has no interest in human affairs. He was sent here to complete his Great Walk and return home as a man—as a Sen Son. The Family regard humans as Dirt People, but Bach is drawn to this Terran girl, whom he has never seen before, but somehow knows.

Hunted by flesh eaters, cannibals, and the mysterious blood thirsty group called Red Phoenix, Wisteria and Bach make their way back to the Isle of Smythe, a community built on secrets and lies.


Praise for Wisteria:

“I love the buildup of this story, getting to know the characters and watching their connection grow. I had no idea which way the story was headed and I was kept in suspense right up to the very end! It has plenty of action and a fascinating plot and I can’t wait to see what Bisi Leyton has for us next!!” 

“There are a lot of great things in this book, so much more than zombies and a struggle for survival. At it’s base core it is about star-crossed lovers, literally and the supporting characters roles… Ms. Leyton brings to Wisteria a mixture of science fiction, fantasy, dystopic world with a twist to the paranormal romance angle!”

“The book was full of nonstop action from the beginning until the end, and I did not put it down until I had finished it. I loved the book.” 


Purchase:



Book Trailer:





Audiobook Excerpt: 






Author Bisi Leyton:
Bisi Leyton was born in East London in 1978. She grew up in London, Nigeria and the States, listening to the stories life and love from aunts, cousins and big sisters.
She lives in London, but has worked around Europe including France, Germany, Ireland, Belgium and the Czech Republic. She has a fondness for reading graphic novels.





Links



Blog Tour Now Through January 25th



Book Blast Giveaway
$50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
Ends 1/27/13

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareadernotawriter.blogspot.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.



a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thursday, January 10, 2013

Mindjack Book Trailer Reveal!

My author friend Susan Key Quinn had an incredible book trailer made for her new novel Mindjack. This is probably the best, most professional book video I've ever seen. They did a masterful job with it. Way to go, Susan! The book looks amazing!

The Live-Action Mindjack Book Trailer Reveal
(from the bestselling Mindjack series by Susan Kaye Quinn)
With the help of over 20 cast and crew members, award-winning director Beth Spitalny has brought the concept of the bestselling Mindjack Trilogy to life on the screen.
  When everyone reads minds, a secret is a dangerous thing to keep.

To celebrate the release of the trailer,
I'm putting Open Minds on sale!
$2.99 now $0.99
for one week only
$9.99 now $7.99
for one week only

An EXTRA SPECIAL THANKS to everyone involved in making the trailer a reality, including Director Beth Spitalny, Producer Angel Acevedo, Director of Photography Lance Kaplan, lead actor Nikki Flemming (Kira) and the many fine actors, crew members, and post-production staff who donated their time and talent to the project. For the making-of the trailer, see the Mindjack Trilogy website.
Susan Kaye Quinn is the author of the bestselling Mindjack Series, which includes three novels, three novellas, and a trailer. She's currently writing a steampunk fantasy romance, just for kicks. When that's out of her system, she has ambitious plans to embark on a series about the Singularity (the time when computers become more intelligent than humans) that should appeal to fans of the Mindjack novels. Or possibly play on Facebook all day. Could go either way.

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

YA Fantasy Hop!

2nd Annual 
Young Adult Faeries & Fantasy Giveaway Hop
January 8th to 14th

This years hop is co-hosted by Gabrielle from The Mod Podge Bookshelf and I am a Reader Not a Writer

I will be giving away a copy of my Fantasy Novella Pete & Tink 
AND a copy of my Full length Fantasy novel: Souls in Peril

Book one: Pete & Tink

Pete Pancerella loves two things in life: Video games and Spongy Cremes.
He’s happy, content, and he’s also a geek.
All that is about to change when his mother wishes upon a star and Tink answers the call. But will it take more than a five-and-a-half inch faery to whip this manga-loving goofball into shape?




Book two: Souls in Peril
To read the first seven chapters for free Click here:

Max Sanchez is the “it” kid at Port Fare High. He’s the star of the baseball team, he’s dating head cheerleader Emma McKay, and he has a throng of wonderful, supportive friends. 
JD Miller is the school’s punching bag, verbally and emotionally. He has a loving mother, but her choice in boyfriends is questionable, leaving him a target at home as well as school.
A tragic car accident ends it all for Max when his soul is prematurely removed from his body. The powers that be have asked him to go back to earth temporarily to help classmate JD. Max, always up for a challenge, takes it as a chance to see his beloved Emma again and quickly jumps at what he views as the easy task of helping JD. Max knows with a little cardio he can easily whip the guy into shape, ending all his troubles.
While staying mentally connected to JD, Max’s soul steps into JD’s body. However, Max’s reality is shattered as he enters a world void of love and hope: JD’s world--life as the bullied kid. 
Will he survive? Will JD? Did Emma's love for Max die also? Will Max be able to help these Souls in Peril, or is it all as hopeless as JD believes?

To read the first seven chapters for free Click here:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Saturday, January 5, 2013


Games of Fire cover Reveal
LOVE this Cover!!


Book Name: Games of Fire
Author: Airicka Phoenix
Publisher: Self-Published
Release date: February 14, 2013
Genre: Young Adult Contemporary Action, Suspense, Mystery, Romance
Formats: ebook, paperback
Other Novels:
Social Networks:
~ Facebook ~ 
~ Twitter

Synopsis:

Sophie has enough problems in her life without Spencer turning her blood to fire, without his eyes freezing and burning her, without his hatred of her. Since his migration into the house next to hers, Sophia Valdez isn’t sure whether she wants to toss him under a bus or kiss that smirking mouth of his. But even as the temperature rises around them, leaping flames of passion, want and desire,
everything either has ever known will be
shattered by the lurking shadow hounding their every step, wanting revenge.

Spencer Rowth moves to the sleepy town of River Port with his mother and twelve year old sister, Suzy, to escape a deceitful father, an unfaithful girlfriend and a life crumbling much too fast for him to grapple onto only to be smacked upside the head by the last thing he wanted again. Sophie was everything he refused to want. Her temper, her wit, her laugh, her smile, the way her entire body goes up in flames under his hands are things he would rather slam a lid on and forget. Instead, he finds himself falling for the smart-mouth next door. But how long will he have before the evil chasing them catches up? How long before the very thing he never wanted becomes his only thread to sanity? And who is after them? What do they want and why do they want Spencer and Sophie dead?

Blurb/teaser:

“I hope that’s the last of our unlucky streak.”
Sophie couldn’t agree more, but something in the air, a chill, coiled around her, sinking razor sharp talons into her flesh. It trickled venom through her veins, paralyzing all hopes that tomorrow would be better. Truthfully, how could it be when the person responsible was still out there? What if they came back? What if they tried again? What if they did it to someone else?
No. Sophie had no delusions that it would be better tomorrow. She wasn’t fooled by the temporary calm. Two incidents simultaneously? Maybe the police didn’t spot the link, but she wasn’t so lucky nor could she rule out that possibility that Spencer was the center of it all.
Author Bio:

Airicka Phoenix is the author of TOUCHING SMOKE (Touch Book #1), TOUCHING ETERNITY (Touch 1.5), TORRID, a short story as part of the Whispered Beginnings: A Clever Fiction Anthology and WANTING & INTENTIONS, two stories as part of the Midnight Surrender Anthology. When she's not hammering away at the keyboard, she can be found banishing pirates or crawling through the attic looking for lost treasure with her kids. She loves baking, gardening and reading. She also likes to travel and take pictures of everything she comes across. When asked, Airicka describes herself as a sarcastic basket case that has an unhealthy addiction to chocolate, old movies and really bad jokes. She loves to laugh, make friends and write. If she could have one wish granted, it would be to spend one day as a fly-on-the-wall inside Stephen King's mind. If she could have two wishes granted, she would ask for a castle dedicated entirely to her overwhelming collection of books.
  






Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Devotion: Book Two in the Heart and Soul

I'm excited to be part of the release of  Devotion: Book TWO in the Heart and Soul series, (Temptation being number one)! I enjoy Jamie's work. I LOVED book one of the series Temptation. She tells a great story and this new novella is no exception! Run to the book store, or do I as I do and let my fingers run across the keyboard and purchase this great new novel! Enter below to win a copy if you can stand the wait!

Devotion Release Day Blitz

 Here is the beautiful cover!!




Book links:
Author links:

Author Mikey Brooks


About Me:
Mikey Brooks is an author/illustrator with a BS in Creative Writing from Utah State University. Illustration has always been a love of Mikey’s. His art has been seen in many forms from picture books to murals for community art productions. He creates full-room murals and loves to doodle on almost anything. He also manages a bakery where he also is a cake artist and decorator. He author/illustrated Bean’s Dragons, ABC Adventures: Magical Creatures, and Trouble with Bernie. He also illustrated Bongo Flo and Ocelot Scott, both by Carolyn Quist, and Lucius and the Christmas Star, by Jim Long. He’s had poetry and personal essays published in university sponsored literary magazines 2007-2009, and was awarded 3rd place for his personal essay, Waiting for the Morning Sun to Rise, in the Utah Arts 23rd Annual Writing Competition, 2011. He has a wonderful wife and two amazing daughters.

About the Books:
Bean’s Dragons.
Have you ever had a dragon in your house? How about a dozen? Bean is a little girl with an imagination that is creating quite a mess. Although Bean loves each of her dragons, she forgets how untidy they can be when having so much fun. When Bean's parents discover what's happened in their short absence, Bean finds herself the blame of the dragons' giant mess.
You can find more about Bean’s Dragons Here 







ABS Adventures: Magical Creatures.
This is the first installment in a series of ABC adventures featuring Professor Vontriponmybottom, a heroic explorer determined to share with children the alphabet through exciting and fantastical means. In Magical Creatures you will find all sorts of enchanting beings such as: B is for Bigfoot, M is for Mermaid, and O id for Ogre. The professor shares fun facts about each creature he encounters and never shies away from getting a picture with them.  This book is sure to educate and entertain young readers and their parents.
You can find more about ABC Adventures: Magical Creatures Here 


You can find more about Mikey Brooks and his works Here  
Or on his blog Here 
You can also find Mikey on:
 GoodReads
Twitter 
Pinterest 
Facebook
or email him at: insidemikeysworld(at)gmail.com