Monday, September 30, 2013

Only 1 Week Before Eye of the Soul Releases! #EotS #Fantasy #Giveaway


Well, folks. Can we say excited much? 



My fantasy debut novel, Eye of the Soul, releases in ONLY 1 WEEK!

SQUEEEEEE!

Haven't heard about it yet? Keep a'scrollin'!




Pool of Souls #1
Fantasy
Avail Format: Paperback, Ebook

Escape. 

That should be Hyla’s first thought as her people are chained and imprisoned for no imaginable reason. 

Instead, Hyla finds herself traveling through a land void of Natives, with human soldiers pillaging in desperate pursuit of her, and in search of the mystical Pool of Souls—home to the one man who can save her people. 

Or so she believes. 

Led by her faith in the deity Fadir, Hyla is met along her journey by Jadon—a human male and fierce King’s warrior, and his childhood best friend Conlin—one of the few Natives aware of his Fadir-given Talents. 

Protected by Jadon, guided by Conlin, and with an unfailing belief in the purpose of her pilgrimage, Hyla carries on. 

Like her, though, another searches for the Pool, and should he gain access first, everyone she loves, and everything she knows, could be lost. 

Forever.


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My blog tour runs from Oct. 7th - Nov. 7th, and I'll be running a HUGE giveaway during that time. TWO winners will receive:

A signed paperback
EotS Notebook
EotS Pen
Signed Bookmarks


Along with the month-long giveaway, I'll be offering up two ecopies of EotS, but it's going to entail a little bit of 'sharing'. Details on that will follow.

In the mean time, add EotS on Goodreads!


Want a signed bookmark NOW? Share this post on twitter & I'll choose two winners!!

Friday, September 27, 2013

#FreeviewFriday Part IX : Eye of the Soul #Fantasy #Excerpt


Welcome to Freeview Friday! Thanks J.A.Belfield for this awesome idea.

Each week I'm going to share a little snippet of my debut fantasy  novel, Eye of the Soul, which releases from J. Taylor Publishing on Oct. 7th. 

I hope you'll follow along each week and get a feel for Hyla and her world. If you missed part IV it can be found HERE.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A chill swept up her spine as the birds’ songs cut off in abrupt silence.

Hyla froze, foot suspended above the ground. Branches swayed in the breeze far above her head, rubbing against each other and groaning.

She lowered her foot. Sudden movement flickered ahead of her on the deer path she followed. Her breath caught as black flashed again.

No animal that large walked on Taran’s shores.

Pulse thudding in her ears, Hyla tried slowing her heart by drawing slow measured breaths. It didn’t work.

The figure moved forward and came into full view. A wolf. 

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Hope you enjoyed it! Be sure to stop back next week.

As J.A. Belfield has said, any and all are welcome to join her in this weekly shenanigan. HOWEVER, if you do so, she URGES you to keep the shared snippets short and sweet. Mine (like hers) will be a maximum of TEN (10) sentences. To help identification of these posts, we’ll be hashtagging them (for Twitter purposes) as #FreeviewFriday. Feel free to knick said hashtag for your own Freeview Friday posts. Hope you’ll join us!

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

#WWW : Never Grow Up & Other Contrarian Advice by Sharon Buchbinder #WritersLife



I'm pleased to have my fellow Wild Rose Press author, Sharon Buchbinder, here to share with us some things she learned on her journey to becoming a published romance novelist.


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Never Grow Up and Other Contrarian Advice

As a relatively recent arrival to the realm of “Published Full Length Romance Author,” I am here to provide the contrarian’s guide to achieving this status. There truly is no one route to publication. You really don’t need an MFA. You don’t even have to have majored in English, although being able to use the language correctly is a plus. You don’t have to starve in an attic writing timeless prose or poetry. You don’t have to have lived in the belly of the underworld and struggled with alcoholism and addiction, although that has worked for others. You don’t even have to have designated office space. What do you need? Here are my top ten tips for becoming a published romance author.

      Never grow up. Be curious about the world around you and wonder, “What if?” Grownups (i.e., anyone who is done growing) are boring. Childlike curiosity is not childish. It enables you to see the world with fresh eyes and to bring a new perspective to a story. Look at F. Paul Wilson’s The Keep. Paul is a physician who started writing medical thrillers. Then he had a wild idea: what if Nazi’s encountered vampires in World War II? The result is a cult classic. Keep saying, “What if?”

       Be yourself. There is only one you, and you have your own voice. Don’t try to be a clone of another author. And don’t promote yourself that way. Do not say, “Oh, my work is just like Nora Roberts.” Um, no it isn’t. You will only be a pale imitation of that author--but you are unique.

           Get a job that pays. Money. Preferably with benefits. Because you have to live. While this flies into the face of those who say "do what you love and the money will follow," this is a tough business. Even for the most talented author, it takes time to climb the book rankings. Besides, who wants to live in their parents’ home forever?

      Seize the moment. You can write in 15 minute blocks, at lunch, on break, in a fast food restaurant, on a napkin (yes, I’ve outlined entire books on a napkin), before the kids are conscious, in the bathroom, in the middle of the night when you can’t sleep. If you are passionate about writing, if it is an obsession, you will be unable to resist the urge to write. Where ever you go, have a notepad or phone and jot or text your ideas to yourself. I used the notepad app in my phone and made a list of story ideas. When I looked at it 3 years later, I had written all those stories. Carpe diem, carpe noctem, carpe wheneverem.

      Get rejected. Yes, get rejected. You will learn from those rejections what works and what doesn’t. I was rejected by 82 (no, that is not a typo) agents. That experience taught me to look at other avenues to publication.  Paper your office with your rejections. And, yes, I'm still submitting to agents, because I believe the right agent can be an author's best advocate in the competitive publishing world.

           Have trusted readers. When I started writing my first novel, I needed a cheering section to keep me going, to give me the courage to keep writing. That first stage should not last more than a year--at most. The next step is to put your work out there for others to read and critique. No smoke blowing allowed. Regardless of what path you go--paid editor, critique group, critique partner--you must have other readers. Otherwise, it’s like well, dare I say it? Masturbation. It feels good for you, but it wasn’t good for the other person. Be brave, get alpha and beta readers and listen to their constructive criticisms.

       Be persistent. Did I mention I received 82 rejections from agents? If I hadn’t been persistent, I would have never had the courage to send my work to contests, I would have never won writing awards, I would have never had the chutzpah to send my little story to a small electronic publisher called the Wild Rose Press and gotten it published. You must be persist.
   
            Do not whine. No one, and I do mean no one, likes a whiner. If you get rejected, allow yourself no more than 24 hours to cry, stomp your feet, and have a pity party. After 24 hours, STOP. Be child like, but not childish.
      
      Don’t take it personally. While the story of your heart is your baby and you know this is the best (fill in the blank) story ever told, publishing is a business. The publisher is not going to take a story that doesn’t fit with their lines or needs. They are in business to make money.

       And finally, if it doesn’t fit, find another publisher--or publish it yourself.  Right now, we have a lot of choices as authors. Agents, editors and publishers are feeling the pressure to perform. Some are responding to the sea change and stepping up to the plate to market and promote our stories. Last year, I self published two books. Will I continue to pursue publication with other publishers? Yes. I did with the Wild Rose Press, and I will continue to do so. I believe there are many great opportunities with traditional publishers.  I don't think this is an either or proposition. I see it as a great prospect (with some caveats) to connect with our readers and do what we do best: tell a story.


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OBSESSION

A year after a barbaric childbirth, complete with a near-death experience and an encounter with her guardian angel, Angie Edmonds is just happy she and her son, Jake, are alive. She's finally in a good place: clean, sober, and employed as a defense attorney. But at the end of a long work day, she finds herself in a parent's worst nightmare: Jake has been kidnapped and taken across the Mexican border by a cult leader who believes the child is the "Chosen One."

Stymied by the US and Mexican legal systems, Angie is forced to ask the head of a Mexican crime syndicate for help. Much to her chagrin, she must work with Alejandro Torres, a dangerously attractive criminal and the drug lord's right-hand man. Little does she know Alejandro is an undercover federal agent, equally terrified of blowing his cover—and falling in love with her.



Purchase Links:



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About Sharon Buchbinder


After working in health care delivery for years, Sharon Buchbinder became an association executive, a health care researcher, and an academic in higher education. She had it all--a terrific, supportive husband, an amazing son and a wonderful job. But that itch to write (some call it an obsession) kept beckoning her to "come on back" to writing fiction. When not attempting to make students, colleagues, and babies laugh, she can be found herding cats, waiting on a large gray dog, fishing, dining with good friends, or writing. You can find her at www.sharonbuchbinder.com  


Paranormal Romance Guild Winner Best Mystery/Thriller, 2012


Links:





Friday, September 20, 2013

#FreeviewFriday Part VIII : Eye of the Soul #Fantasy #Excerpt


Welcome to Freeview Friday! Thanks J.A.Belfield for this awesome idea.

Each week I'm going to share a little snippet of my debut fantasy  novel, Eye of the Soul, which releases from J. Taylor Publishing on Oct. 7th. 

I hope you'll follow along each week and get a feel for Hyla and her world. If you missed part VII it can be found HERE.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


Hyla gathered her travel packs and crept across the room. A squeaky board protested beneath her foot, sending her heart into her throat, but the men snored on.
Gerlak’s boots still encased his feet. A feather-light touch removed her knife from where he’d hidden it. Releasing a slow breath, Hyla tucked the blade into the sheath at her hip and moved back across the room toward the door, careful to avoid the loose floorboard.

She reached for the handle without a backward glance, but it turned before she could grasp it. The door creaked open, and she leapt back, hand stifling the cry erupting from her lips. 


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Hope you enjoyed it! Be sure to stop back next week.

As J.A. Belfield has said, any and all are welcome to join her in this weekly shenanigan. HOWEVER, if you do so, she URGES you to keep the shared snippets short and sweet. Mine (like hers) will be a maximum of TEN (10) sentences. To help identification of these posts, we’ll be hashtagging them (for Twitter purposes) as #FreeviewFriday. Feel free to knick said hashtag for your own Freeview Friday posts. Hope you’ll join us!

Thursday, September 19, 2013

Happy Book Birthday! CassaStorm by Alex J. Cavanaugh #SciFi #SpaceOpera


Click on image to add on Goodreads


CassaStorm
By Alex J Cavanaugh
Science Fiction / Space Opera

From the Amazon Best Selling Series!

A storm gathers across the galaxy…

Commanding the Cassan base on Tgren, Byron thought he’d put the days of battle behind him. As a galaxy-wide war encroaches upon the desert planet, Byron’s ideal life is threatened and he’s caught between the Tgrens and the Cassans.

After enemy ships attack the desert planet, Byron discovers another battle within his own family. The declaration of war between all ten races triggers nightmares in his son, threatening to destroy the boy’s mind.

Meanwhile the ancient alien ship is transmitting a code that might signal the end of all life in the galaxy. And the mysterious probe that almost destroyed Tgren twenty years ago could return. As his world begins to crumble, Byron suspects a connection. The storm is about to break, and Byron is caught in the middle…





What Peeps Are Saying ...


“With a talent for worldbuilding and a compelling cast of characters, Alex J. Cavanaugh combines high powered space battles and the challenges of family dynamics to provide readers a space opera with heart.” 
- Elizabeth S. Craig, author of the Southern Quilting and Myrtle Clover mysteries

“I thought the revelation was going to be one thing and I was completely wrong … CassaStorm pushes the limits…”
- Tyson Mauermann, Speculative Reviews

“…mesmerizing story of survival, personal sacrifice, tolerance, and compassion. It’s a rare jewel that successfully utilizes both character and plot to tell a story of such immense scope and intimate passion…” - Nancy S. Thompson, author of The Mistaken



Comment on Alex’s blog this week for a chance to win a Cassa mug, mousepad, magnet, and swag!


Purchase Links:



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About Alex J. Cavanaugh

Alex J. Cavanaugh has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and works in web design and graphics. He is experienced in technical editing and worked with an adult literacy program for several years. A fan of all things science fiction, his interests range from books and movies to music and games. Online he is the Ninja Captain and founder of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. The author of the Amazon bestsellers, CassaStar and CassaFire, he lives in the Carolinas with his wife.

Wednesday, September 18, 2013

#WriterlyWisdomWednesday : Gail MacMillan - Take Rejection In Stride #WritersLife



Today I have fellow TWRP author, Gail MacMillian, sharing about taking acceptance and rejection in stride. Be sure to check out her newest release, Counterfeit Cowboy!

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Hmmm!  Words of wisdom that have proven important in my writing career.  Never let either rejection or acceptance overwhelm you.  Both can be imposters that tend to make both aspiring writers and even some established ones view their work through a distorted prism.  I recall a successful actor commenting on the fickleness of fame and thought “Yes, but failure can be equally misleading.”  Sometimes a story one editor rejects, perhaps even a tad unkindly, will meet with high praise after another’s reading of the same piece. 

That being said, I love to write and will continue to write, acceptance or rejection be damned.  It’s what I do, a major portion of my raison d’etre and there isn’t an editor or critic on earth who can successfully quell what I call my positive addiction. 

I admit I’m superstitious regarding my work in that I never allow anyone to read it or criticize it before it’s sent winging off to an editor.  I don’t want to risk being shot down by anyone less than a professional whose opinion I respect.  (Furthermore it avoids the egg-on-face scenario of being asked about the story by friends and family if “the masterpiece of the century” fails to find a publishing home.) 

I’ve written ever since I learned how to form words into sentences.  Although I’ve worked at other jobs over the years, raised three children, and started university when my youngest entered school (finished when my eldest got her degree), writing has always been my career of choice.  I haven’t gotten rich but then I’ve met many interesting people that I wouldn’t have otherwise encountered and found satisfaction in a way of life I love. 


I recommend the writing life to anyone who can take acceptance and rejection equally within their stride, who can find satisfaction and contentment in their own company, and, most importantly, who was borne with that innate, insatiable desire to WRITE.  

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Counterfeit Cowboy
Romance / Western

“Nothing but a counterfeit cowboy.”  That’s how veterinarian and horse farm owner Dr. Shelby Masters contemptuously describes the number-one male country music singer.  Strapped for cash when her prize stallion is stolen, she is forced to spend six weeks with the man, teaching him enough to do his own riding in the western movie he’s signed for.

Jordan Brooks can sing and play a guitar but he can’t ride a horse.  He has a month and a half in which to learn and he just might give strait-laced and distanced Shelby a few lessons of his own.  For instance, how to make the most of warm summer’s night on a moonlit beach…




Purchase Links:


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

About Gail MacMillan

A three-time recipient of the prestigious Maxwell Medal, Gail MacMillan is author of twenty-two books. A graduate of Queen's University with post graduate work in Expository and Narrative Writing at the University of Western Ontario, Gail has had numerous short stories and articles published in Canada, the United States, and Europe, several of which have won awards. Her three books about Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retrievers (the first co-authored with Alison Strang) have met with excellent reviews and are selling well worldwide. Two of her canine books, Biography of a Beagle and Ceilidh's Quest have won Maxwell Medals from the Dog Writers' Association of America in NYC as the Best Dog Books in their category in 2002 and 2007 respectively.

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Perry Road is going to bring about REVOLUTION! #NA #Dystopian


Perry Road is Now Available!
Release News! Perry Road, the first in the Revolution Series, by Emi Gayle released September 3, 2013



Perry Road
Revolution Series
by Emi Gayle
Release Date: September 3, 2013
Target Reader: New Adult/Young Adult
Keywords: Dystopian
Paperback, EPUB, Kindle

Description
In 2132, “We the people …” means nothing, and it hasn’t for a hundred years.

Like all the citizens of the American Union, eighteen-year-old Erianna Keating is not to ask questions. She is not to believe anything except what the A.U. tells her. More importantly, she’s not supposed to know what she doesn’t know, nor that she’s a pawn.

Like everyone else, though, she is, and like everyone else, she is a hundred percent oblivious to what’s going on.

Or is she? Are they?

Erianna thinks going to Perry Road and joining the national registration program is her next step toward adulthood; the 2132 candidates for adult-classification, though, are in for a big surprise. Especially Erianna.

Thanks to Zane Warren, an awkward but hot guy who won’t shut up about a history that doesn’t—or shouldn’t—matter anymore, Erianna will know. Will learn. That includes finding out what actually happens after registration and doing something, anything, about it.

Fixing what went wrong, what caused the U.S.A. to split into two countries, though, is not on Erianna’s bucket list, but as she faces her future, she must decide whether to fall in line with the American Union’s plan for her, or to consider that Zane might not be wrong, and the time for revolution begins now.

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Reviews!

What are people already saying about Perry Road?

“This one, by far, is Emi’s best. Of anything she’s written.”
— Julie Reece, author, Crux

“I really hope [this] stirs up controversy and changes some youngsters thinking. God knows we could use that today in this society!”
— Terri Rochenski, author, Eye of the Soul

“… this was a total pleasure to read.”
— Kelly Said, author, Tidal Whispers & Make Believe

“… [this] will inspire an extreme diversity of opinion. It kept me involved and interested throughout, and I love novels that make me question my current understanding/viewpoint on life.”
— Amaleen Ison, author, Remember Me


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About the Author

I had a really great bio in my head around midnight one night …. right before I fell asleep and it disappeared into the nothingness of unconsciousness. Bummer. So here’s something less well thought out.

I want to be young again, so I’m kinda sorta living it again. At least on paper. You see, I write paranormal romance. Now, that stuff can get really hot, and really gritty and well … mine does. But! My characters are teenagers, 18 and under. Like I was once … and want to be again.

Why would I want to be a teenager again? Geez. Because! If you met the man of your dreams at 14 was engaged to him at 19 and married him at 20, wouldn’t YOU want to do all that over again? Especially if you were still in love with him? I mean, c’mon! It’s love! That’s why I write, too.

You see… just because you pass a certain age doesn’t mean you forget what it was like to be 14, 15, etc. Actually, because I kinda grew up with my husband, we both still feel like the 14 and 17 year old kids we once were. So that’s where I’m coming from. You might think it’s totally lame, but you know what? That’s ok! Maybe you’ll like my other me instead. ;)



Excerpt


Which I could be. Don’t want to be. Really, really, really don’t, and staring at Cam in her new clothes without holes, her clean hair cut by a professional and the fact that she’s my friend reminds me why: Flukes are poor. I should know. My mom is one.

The animation keeps going as if it’s really trying for me—not that it can. I drop my P-Comm to my leg just as dark words appear on screen. My heart picks up speed, and a tingly tension takes over.

“Well?” Cam asks.

For some reason, I don’t want her to know. I want to find out by myself if I’m going to get a real life, or if I’m destined to wear hand-me-downs from twenty years ago until I’m ninety. I want to prepare, to plan, to cry if we don’t get to go together, or if I’m not like her.

I’m not, of course—in any way like her. Who am I kidding?

After what seems like hours, but is only seconds, I say, “Nothing.”

“Damn.” She throws her arms up in the air. “Figures. And it’s almost five. So, you know, I gotta go. Mom’s sure I’m going to be chosen to pop out babies, like she is, so she wants to make sure I know how to cook before the fake chefs get ahold of me to ‘teach’ me.” Cam gives me a dramatic eye roll and places a hand to her forehead. “Like, oh, my Oz, Eri, you know? We have people to cook for us for a reason. Duh! If I learn to cook, what job am I going to give someone like your mom, you know? And why would I get picked to be fat and ugly when I look like this?” She bats at her blonde curls.

Wanting to change the subject—to anything but the woes of Cam’s perfect life—I walk to her, give her a hug and a quick pat on the back. “I’ll … call you when I get it, ‘kay?”

“You better. We only have two days to shop for the perfect outfit. Why couldn’t your birthday be October twenty-ninth instead of December?” She snatches up her coat—preparation for the winter blast that will tear into uncovered skin. “And … you’re not a fluke. You will get in the white house, and when January first comes, we’ll be official!” She boogies her way out, hips wiggling. For someone who’s not happy about the prospect of becoming a baby factory, she’s awfully chipper.

I know it’s because she’s waiting to hear my fate. To prove I’m not a fluke. To validate my relevance as her friend—the one girl Cam can give backhanded compliments, and, for that matter, insults all day long, and still walk back in with a smile as if nothing happened.

Cam walks through the hallway and says goodbye to my mom who’s probably still working at her makeshift office in our miniature kitchen—trying, I assume, to avoid the whole days’ events. As much as Cam wants me to not be a fluke, my mom wants me to be one. If I’m like her, nothing will change. Like Cam, I’ll be the same old Erianna, just one day older and as useless as all the other flukes in the world.

The front door opens and closes, and I move to the window. Once Cam disappears from view, and only then, I turn over my P-Comm and touch the one message that sits inside.

The one that says: “Invitation for Erianna Price Keating.”


Giveaway!

Running from September 2 – October 10, with a plethora of prizes! Or, if you just can’t wait, below, you can buy it now for just $2.99!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monday, September 16, 2013

Another #HollowayPack cover to reveal! #SQUEE Unnatural by @JABelfield


It's no secret I'm a big Holloway Pack fan, and I'll premise the following post with this ...

I was lucky enough to get my 'paws' on this puppy already.

hehehe 

Jealous much?? You SHOULD be! Anyhoo. Here's the goods on the upcoming release.





Unnatural

Release Date: April 7, 2014
Target Reader: Adult
Keywords: Paranormal Romance, Werewolf



Unnatural. One word to sum up werewolf Kyle Larsen—his mood swings, abnormal body, and choice of female.

The first two, he blames on the vampire venom.

The third, though? No, feline shifter Brook Nicholls was all his doing—a female of whom the pack will never approve.

As part of the Coalition, an organisation with even stricter rules than the pack and a rigidly warped sense of responsibility, Brook comes with a whole lot of opposition of her own.
No wonder the two of them keep their relationship secret for as long as they can.
Now, distanced from his family by his own indiscretions, Kyle’s left to fight battles he’s unsure how to win—some of them even against his own pack.
Is one woman really so important that he’s willing to defy his Alpha for her?
If his heart has any say in the matter, the answer will be yes.
 
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Oh yes, folks. This is a goodie!!!

Whatcha think of that kick@$$ cover??? LOVE LOVE LOVE.




Sunday, September 15, 2013

September New Release #Giveaway! Tied by Laney McMann #YAlit #PNR


Thanks Book Twirps for another chance to give away my publisher's newest release!!!

This time around it's an ebook of Tied, by Laney McMann. 

Check out the goods ...




TIED

Release Date: September 9, 2013
Target Reader: Young Adult


Normal people don't believe their nightmares stalk them. They don’t fall in love with boys who don’t exist, either.

Seventeen-year-old Layla Labelle, though, is far from normal. Her delusions walk the earth. Her hallucinations hunt her, and her skin heats to a burn every time her anger flares.

Or is that all in her head?

Layla doesn't know what to believe any more because if none of that’s true, Max MacLarnon must be an illusion, and her heart must still be broken.

No matter how much she wants to believe Max is real, doing so would mean everything else is, too. How, then, is that possible?

The answers lie in an age-old legend the supernatural aren’t prepared to reveal, and with a curse that could tear Layla and Max apart forever—if it doesn’t kill them both first.

In TIED, book one in the Fire Born trilogy, learning the truth will mean fighting an arsenal of demons, and being with Max will put Layla on a path toward her own destruction.

Just how far will Layla go to protect the one she loves?

The answer may never be far enough ... away. 

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Thanks for stopping by & best of luck! 

Be sure to check out the linky list below for other participating blogs.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Friday, September 13, 2013

#FreeviewFriday Part VII : Eye of the Soul #Fantasy #Excerpt


Welcome to Freeview Friday! Thanks J.A.Belfield for this awesome idea.

Each week I'm going to share a little snippet of my debut fantasy  novel, Eye of the Soul, which releases from J. Taylor Publishing on Oct. 7th. 

I hope you'll follow along each week and get a feel for Hyla and her world. If you missed part VI it can be found HERE.


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


A loud thump sounded in the hallway, waking Hyla. The door shoved open. By firelight she recognized Irmen as he backed into the room, arms beneath another man’s booted feet.
What in Fadir’s name? Hyla struggled up from her soft pile of blankets and rubbed her eyes.
Dokar entered gripping Nigen’s arms.
Ah. The dog drank too much.

The two men deposited Nigen’s dead weight onto one of the empty beds and Irmen bid the commander a pleasant evening before shutting the door behind him.

Hyla hunkered back down in her blankets.

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Hope you enjoyed it! Be sure to stop back next week.

As J.A. Belfield has said, any and all are welcome to join her in this weekly shenanigan. HOWEVER, if you do so, she URGES you to keep the shared snippets short and sweet. Mine (like hers) will be a maximum of TEN (10) sentences. To help identification of these posts, we’ll be hashtagging them (for Twitter purposes) as #FreeviewFriday. Feel free to knick said hashtag for your own Freeview Friday posts. Hope you’ll join us!

Thursday, September 12, 2013

Ten Best #Fantasy Books Ever? Add Tied by Laney McMann!! #PNR #UF #Giveaway




Thrilled to have Ms. McMann here today as part of her Tied blog tour! She's J. Taylor Publishing's newest debut novelist and a total sweetheart. Tied is the first in her Fire Born series and earned an easy 4 star review from me. You can check it out HERE if you want.

But anyhoo. On to the goods ...


Click on image to add on Goodreads

Tied

A Fire Born Novel
PNR / UF

Normal people don't believe their nightmares stalk them. They don’t fall in love with boys who don’t exist, either.

Seventeen-year-old Layla Labelle, though, is far from normal. Her delusions walk the earth. Her hallucinations hunt her, and her skin heats to a burn every time her anger flares.

Or is that all in her head?

Layla doesn't know what to believe any more because if none of that’s true, Max MacLarnon must be an illusion, and her heart must still be broken.

No matter how much she wants to believe Max is real, doing so would mean everything else is, too. How, then, is that possible?

The answers lie in an age-old legend the supernatural aren’t prepared to reveal, and with a curse that could tear Layla and Max apart forever—if it doesn’t kill them both first.

In TIED, book one in the Fire Born trilogy, learning the truth will mean fighting an arsenal of demons, and being with Max will put Layla on a path toward her own destruction.

Just how far will Layla go to protect the one she loves?


The answer may never be far enough ... away.


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10's List: Best Fantasy Books

Thanks for having me on the blog, Terri.

I'm going to be honest, Terri wanted me to talk about my 10 worst nightmares, but believe it or not, I don't have nightmares.  So, I thought, well ... I could talk about Layla's nightmares, the protagonist in TIED, but then I realized I would be giving the story away. So, instead I'm going to talk about my top ten fantasy books because I am always a reader before a writer and I LOVE fantasy. High Fantasy, Urban Fantasy, young adult and adult ... from least to best (although I love them all), here goes:

10. Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer. This series is transporting, and for me that's what makes a compelling story.

9. The Secrets of The Immortal Nicholas Flamel by Michael Scott. Mythology, history, and fantasy all wrapped up in one.

8. The Caster Chronicles by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl. Love Ethan, (and Link) and the whole idea surrounding this awesome series.

7. The Vampire Chronicles by Anne Rice. Incredible books.

6.  Lives of The Mayfair Witches by Anne Rice. Although a lot of her titles are classified under horror, I completely disagree. She writes fantasy, really dark—definitely creepy at times, but still fantasy.

5. Game of Thrones (A Song of Fire and Ice) I'm finishing up A Dance with Dragons now, and even though George R. R. Martin has made me mad enough to stop reading the books for weeks at a time, I always come back to them.

4. The Mortal Instruments. Jace. Jace. Jace. One of the best male fantasy characters written (in my opinion). Absolutely love this series.

3. The Hunger Games. These books held my attention like nothing has in quite a while. A really original, gripping story.

2. Harry Potter. Of course. I've read this series, and I'm not kidding either, seven times. And the only reason I haven't read it more than that, which I will, is because I've been so busy writing and reading other books. But HP ... if it weren't for the next book, would be my #1.

1.  Lord of The Rings. My all time, could watch the movies for nine straight hours, or read the books for days and days. Love, love, love this story.

I could add The Fire Born Novels onto this list, too, and I wouldn't be lying to say that I'm in love with my characters just as much as I am with any of those in the 10s List, I just thought I'd keep my name out of the hat. ;)


Thanks for letting me share today, Terri.
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About Laney McMann

With a passion for the supernatural and all things magical, Laney developed a voracious appetite for reading fantasy at a young age. A vivid imagination helped set the stage for creating her own worlds and placed her onto the writing path.
By the time she reached her teens, she'd accumulated notebooks full of poems, which led to short stories and finally novels. Young adult dark fantasy, paranormal romance, and mythology are among her favorite genres.
A former classical dancer and chef, she grew up in sultry Florida where she still resides with her family.
You can find my occasional ramblings on Twitter.
Book updates on my author page at goodreads.
My Facebook Profile for inspiration and randomness.
Updates on The Fire Born Novels at my Facebook Author Page
My interests on Pinterest.
And I'm now on Tumblr ,too.


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