Friday, August 31, 2012

Feature & Follow #19




Feature & Follow is hosted by Alison of Alison and Parajunkee of Parajunkee's View. It's a fun way to make new friends and to interact with old ones. Click the links above to learn more and to join the fun. 

There's two different questions this week. I stuck with the one I liked the cover, but not the book.


Q: 
Best cover? What is the best cover of a book that you've read and didn't like?





I like some of Holly Black's other books and I really wanted to like Tithe, but the story just wasn't holding my interest. I remember sticking it out to something like page 150 and finally giving up. 









Thursday, August 30, 2012

Swoon Thursday, August 30th



It's time for Swoon Thursday hosted by the girls over at YABound.

Here's how it works: From the book you're currently reading, or one you just finished, tell us what made you SWOON. What got your heart pounding, your skin tingling, and your stomach fluttering.

Shout it out on Twitter with the hashtag #YABound, post it here in the comments, or grab the adorable button above and share it on your blog! Don't forget to stop byYABound to read what got them swooning!

Last week was crazy busy with work, so I missed joining this meme. This week, though, I made sure to mark a few pages in the book I'm reading so I'd be ready. My swoon is from Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins, and below is a snippet of my favorite heart fluttering moment so far:

With an expert movement, his stealthy hands went up the back of my shirt, past the uncomfortable bra clasp that dug into my skin, fingers tracing my shoulder blades. The tense muscles spasmed weakly, then turned to Jell-O under his touch. His hands were now on my shoulders, my shirt stretching. One of his hands came out to move my ponytail of hair to the side. And then there was the very best feeling so far: his lips on the back of my neck.

I'm about halfway through this book, but I'm looking forward to finding more swoon worthy moments with Kaidan and Anna. 

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

Need your mini-synopsis critiqued?


This offer now closed, but check back later, I'll being doing it again. 

Back by popular demand, I'm offering to critique for free the first six mini-synopses received.

What is a mini-synopsis? It’s the blurb in a query letter that summarizes a story in less than 200-words.

I know how important it is to have a query letter that is well written and intriguing, something that will make your query standout in a crowded inbox. If you're ready to submit to agents or editors and would like a fresh set of eyes to take a look at your blurb, I'd be happy to read it and offer my thoughts.

What’s the catch?
  1. Your submission is limited to 200-words. This mini-synopsis is for the query letter and should be a concise summary of your story.
  2. I would really appreciate it if you’d help me spread the word about this offer and about my blog.
  3. This is a limited time offer. Submissions will be open for three days or to the first six people to respond, whichever comes first.
How can you participate?
  1. Send an email to [link removed]
  2. Put the words “Query blurb” in the subject line of your email.
  3. Include in the body of your email the title of your book, targeted audience, genre, and the mini-synopsis.
Your submission should look something like this:

     Title: The Chocolate Made Them Do It
     Audience: Young adults
     Genre: Romance

          Jessica swears it’s not her fault the entire football team now hangs on her every word or that Mike, the hottest guy in school, won’t stop calling her. She used to be just another fourteen-year-old trying to survive freshman year. That changed when she shared a box of chocolate peanut clusters that she swiped from the top shelf of her grandmother’s pantry…


Your mini-synopsis will remain private as long as you submit to the email address above. At no time will I repost it on my blog or website. Responses will be sent directly to the submitter.

The last time I made this offer, the response was great, so don't delay.

Monday, August 27, 2012

Cover reveal: Rise of a Rector by Heather McCorkle


It's finally here, the cover reveal for Heather McCorkle's Rise of a Rector, the final novel in her channeler series (due out this October). To celebrate Heather is giving away two copies of her historical fantasy novel, To Ride A Puca. Before we get to that though, here is the cover:


To add it to your Goodreads lists click here. If you'd like to check out the rest of the channeler series (her novella Born of Fire is now FREE on Amazon & B&N!) you can do so on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

To win an eBook of To Ride A Puca, all you have to do is help Heather spread the word. There will be two winners! To enter fill out the form: a Rafflecopter giveaway

Friday, August 24, 2012

Feature & Follow #18


Welcome to Feature & Follow


Feature & Follow is hosted by Alison of Alison and Parajunkee of Parajunkee's View. It's a fun way to make new friends and to interact with old ones. Click the links above to learn more and to join the fun. Today's question...


Q: 
What is the worst cover of a book that you've read and loved?





This was a hard one for me, because unless someone highly recommends a book with a cover I don't like or it's an author I know I enjoy, I don't typically pick up the book. But thinking of some of my favorite series, I did remember this one. The cover doesn't capture my image of Georgina Kincaid.



Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Get a sneak peek at Iridescent by Carol Oates

The long awaited sequel to Ember by Carol Oates is coming this October, and I have a sneak peek to wet your appetite.

Iridescent
by Carol Oates


Synopsis:
Candra Ember used to dream of saving the world one person at a time. She never expected to become an angelic weapon and the last hope in the battle against ultimate darkness.


Falling for a Nephilim wasn’t part of Sebastian’s plan. Distraction is something he can’t afford when his rival, Draven, wants what Sebastian has.

Lies, manipulation and corruption are twisting the lives of the citizens in Acheron. The Arch is missing from Heaven and a demon is intent on claiming the city. At a time they should be growing closer, grief and paranoia is driving Candra and Sebastian apart.

If the price of restoring the Watchers to Heaven is a human soul, who deserves to be saved?



Excerpt:
She sucked in a deep breath and blew the air out through pursed lips, pulling herself up to him at the same time. “Why do you make me crazy?” she asked contritely and nuzzled into his neck.
         “Because you love me.”
          Sebastian had showered and the scent of death and Guinness no longer clung to him the way it did to her. Instead, he smelled of soap, spices and heat. His damp hair brushed against her forehead. In moments like this, his embrace made her feel secure and loved unconditionally. On other occasions, it was much easier to doubt herself and doubt him. Watchers perceived an innate goodness in her that Candra wasn’t sure of. When given a choice between love and war, she was very much tempted to choose war. Sebastian made no secret of the rage in his heart, a rage she knew could easily destroy him.
“I do,” she murmured, shifting to sit across his lap and linking her fingers around his neck. As always, it brought on a strange little flutter in her stomach. Loving Sebastian was one of those things that was never meant to happen. It had blindsided both of them. If there were two people in the world less likely to fall in love, it was Sebastian and Candra.
She pressed her lips to his quickly, weaving her fingers up into his soft as silk hair. One of his hands tightened on her thigh and the other slid up her spine, stopping between her shoulder blades where his fingers spread out wide.
She pulled back and giggled when Sebastian’s lips chased her with a playful pout. “I wasn’t finished.”
“I haven’t brushed my teeth,” she told him, making a show of covering her mouth when she spoke. “Morning breath.”
“It’s eleven at night.” He pushed forward.
Candra applied pressure against his shoulders, blocking his advance. “And I need a shower. I smell like an Irish man.”
Breath left her in a whoosh followed by a squeal as Sebastian spun her around and pinned her to the bed beneath him. His full weight pressed down on her, giving Candra a comfort she didn’t fully understand. He made her feel protected, hidden away and small. She shivered all the way to her toes. Sebastian would die to keep her safe if he had to.
“Who would have thought I’d find the smell of an Irish man so appealing.” He breathed the words close to her ear and then glided his hot lips to the throbbing artery just below.
Candra felt the warm, grainy flesh of his tongue peek out and swirl in a small circle over her skin. She bit down on the inside of her cheek to hold back the whimpering noise she was sure would escape her lips otherwise. She squirmed below him until she was breathless, and he dragged his fingers down the length of her forearms to secure her wrists by the side of her head.
“You fight me on everything,” Sebastian reprimanded her, slipping his fingers between hers and clasping them firmly. “When will you ever give in quietly?” His eyes blazed and flickered to her mouth.

I love this excerpt, and Sebastian is definitely swoon worthy! Thanks, Carol, for sharing this with us!

Missed Ember? No problem! Get the eBook for only $2.99 this months: Amazon | Barnes and Noble

Ember
by Carol Oates

Synopsis:
When Candra Ember wakes up in hospital after a dangerous encounter with a red-haired woman, she is shocked to discover that seeing a winged boy wasn’t her imagination. Candra is exposed to a world of rivalry and sacrifice she never knew existed, and the aftermath of a war to save humanity thousands of years ago. Soon she finds herself relentlessly stalked by Sebastian, a beautiful and arrogant Watcher Angel and romantically pursued by his darkly seductive rival, Draven. Ultimately, dubious about her own goodness, Candra’s very existence compromises a tentative peace in the city of Acheron. 

Add Ember to your TBR list




Find Carol

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Swoon Thursday, August 16th





It's Thursday, which means it's time for Swoon Thursday hosted by the girls over at YABound.

Here's how it works: From the book you're currently reading, or one you just finished, tell us what made you SWOON. What got your heart pounding, your skin tingling, and your stomach fluttering.

Shout it out on Twitter with the hashtag #YABound, post it here in the comments, or grab the adorable button above and share it on your blog! Don't forget to stop byYABound to read what got them swooning!

I had been reading a middle grade novel, catching up on a series I'm way behind on. And while I started two new YA books, neither has gotten to a swoon worthy scene, so I went to my bookshelf and chose a scene from Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles.


"Just for tonight, let's see what happens."

"And tomorrow?"

Tomorrow? "I haven't thought that far ahead. I just wanted to make out with you right now. You game?"

"That depends.”

"On what?" I ask.


He leans forward and kisses the sensitive spot right under my ear, then whispers, "If you want to stop at kissing, or go further."



What are you reading? Any swoon worthy scenes you'd like to share?


Tuesday, August 14, 2012

SCBWI 2012 Summer Conference

I attended my fifth Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators conference last week. This was my first as a published author. 


Me and Wendy Higgins
It was a lot of fun to participate in the PAL book sale, and once the crowds cleared a little I found out Wendy Higgins, author of Sweet Evil, wasn’t far from me. I’ve heard great things about her book and was excited to be able to purchase an autographed copy.

I attended many wonderful Keynotes and Breakout sessions. Some of my favorites included Tony Diterlizzi’s Never Abandon Imagination, Arthur Levine’s Timeless, Ari Lewin’s Writing Fantasy, Jay Asher’s No Bookmarks Allowed, and Gary Schmidt’s Layering a Character. I could go on and on. Every session I attended was informative and inspiring.

We danced Saturday night away at the Hippie Hop Gala. We would have fit right in in the 60's, don't you think?

Katie Sparks, Jenny Wagh, me, and Cynthea Liu
Jenny Wagh, me, and Meg Lentz Flemming


Me and Katie Sparks



I even got to walk the red carpet with the amazing Katie Sparks. 

Then we got up bright and early on Sunday so that we wouldn’t miss the morning Keynotes. The conference ended with an autograph session where I met a few of my favorite authors.


Dan Gutman











Jon Klassen
Tony Diterlizzi

If you’ve never gone to this conference, I highly recommend it. It always leaves me inspired, I walk away with priceless advice, new friends, and the sense of community is amazing.


Before I go, I'd like to share with you some of my notes... 

























That's all for me today. Take care!

Monday, August 13, 2012

Cover reveal: Iridescent by Carol Oates

I'm very excited to participate in the cover reveal for Carol Oates' next book, Iridescent. Isn't the cover beautiful!


Iridescent
by Carol Oates


Synopsis:
Candra Ember used to dream of saving the world one person at a time. She never expected to become an angelic weapon and the last hope in the battle against ultimate darkness.


Falling for a Nephilim wasn’t part of Sebastian’s plan. Distraction is something he can’t afford when his rival, Draven, wants what Sebastian has.

Lies, manipulation and corruption are twisting the lives of the citizens in Acheron. The Arch is missing from Heaven and a demon is intent on claiming the city. At a time they should be growing closer, grief and paranoia is driving Candra and Sebastian apart.

If the price of restoring the Watchers to Heaven is a human soul, who deserves to be saved?




Find Carol

Friday, August 10, 2012

Feature & Follow #16


Welcome to Feature & Follow


Feature & Follow is hosted by Alison of Alison and Parajunkee of Parajunkee's View. It's a fun way to make new friends and to interact with old ones. Click the links above to learn more and to join the fun.


Q: 
What would you do over if you were to start your blog again from scratch?


This is a difficult question. I free like my blog grows as I do. Right now I post book spotlights, tips for writers, and then participate in different meme's like this one. One thing I'd love to do is change the background design to fit with what I write. One day, when I have more time, I'll work on that. Until then, the template that I'm using will have to do.


(If you missed my previous post, my publisher has put Embrace on sale for $2.99. They don't do many sales, so this is big. If you have a minute and wouldn't mind spreading the word, click here to tweet about it. You'll have my undying gratitude.)

Friday, August 3, 2012

Experience Embrace for only $2.99

My publisher doesn't do many sales, but this month all their young adult titles are on sale. That means you can now experience the magic of Embrace for $2.99. That's $4 off the regular eBook price!


Sometime you end up hurting the ones you love.
You find you can't save them or yourself.

EMBRACE
by Cherie Colyer


Synopsis:
Madison is familiar enough with change, and she hates everything about it. Change took her long-term boyfriend away from her. It caused one of her friends to suddenly hate her. It’s responsible for the death of a local along with a host of other mysterious happenings. But when Madison meets a hot new guy, she thinks her luck is about to improve.

Madison is instantly drawn to the handsome and intriguing Isaac Addington. She quickly realizes he’s a guy harboring a secret, but she’s willing to risk the unknown to be with him.

Her world really spins out of control, however, when her best friend becomes delusional, seeing things that aren’t there and desperately trying to escape their evil. When the doctors can’t find the answers, Madison seeks her own.

Nothing can prepare her for what she is about to discover.

~
Teaser:

He leaned in closer to me. His eyes were a shimmering, deep brown, but there was a speck of ocean blue at the edge of his right iris. I couldn’t remember what I was about to say. My heart did a pirouette in my chest, and my breath caught in my throat. I closed the distance between us. His lips were firm and warm, and I wanted to kiss him forever. 


View the trailer.


Check out the other titles on sale this month.



Wednesday, August 1, 2012

Insecure Writer's Support Group, August




Hosted by Alex J Cavanaugh

I have much to celebrate this month, so I'm not allowing myself to be insecure. At least, not for the month of August. I do have good news that has had me doing the Snoopy Happy Dance for a couple weeks now.

First, I'm thrilled to be able to announce that I'm now an agented author. I recently signed with Tina Schwartz, literary agent at The Purcell Agency.

Second, my son turns twenty-two this month. My boys have always been the constant sunshine in my life. Their birth is definitely cause for celebration!

Third, my publisher is putting all their young adult titles on sale this month. This is huge, because they don't run many sales. Readers can now experience the magic of my debut novel EMBRACE for only $2.99. That's $4 off the regular price. Like I said, it's HUGE!


And last but not least, I'll be attending the SCBWI Summer Conference in Los Angeles. Anyone else going? I'd love to meet some of my blog friends in person. What's cool about this year is I'll be attending as a published author. I'm very grateful to Steve Mooser, Lin Oliver, and the rest of SCBWI. This group is truly amazing. I found my lovely and talented critique partners through them, I've learned so much about the industry, and I've met so many wonderful people whom I may never have had the pleasure of meeting without SCBWI. If you are going, check out Katie's over at Once Upon a *Sparks* post for great tips!


That's it for me today. Like I said, I'm not allowing myself to be insecure.