Sharing is Caring: The Liebster Award

 

A big THANK YOU to Tina Moss for this Liebster Award. 

I’m honored to be a recipient. 

Blogging has given me a way to connect with writers and readers across the blog-o-sphere and I've had the pleasure of meeting a lot of wonderful people. The Liebster Award is given to bloggers by bloggers and gives glimpses into our lives. We then get to pass on the honor to others. So today I’ll be sharing with you 11 fun facts about me, I’ll answer my nominator’s questions, and I’ll tag 11 new bloggers for the award.

First things first, eleven fun facts about me:

1. I need a good cup of coffee in the morning. It’s that serious.

2. My second novel will be out this summer. J

3. I support my writing habit with a tech job.

4. Some of my best ideas come to me while I’m driving. (And I love that I can now tell my phone to take a memo. No more hastily written notes at stop lights.)

5. I’m positive my guardian angel worked overtime to keep me out of trouble when I was a teen.

6. I have a thing about closet doors being closed. I won’t go to sleep if the one in the bedroom is open. (I’ve seen Pixar’s Monsters, Inc. I know what comes out of closets!)

7. My weakness is gooey chocolate chip cookies just out of the oven.

8. I love to read the little inspirational notes on the inside of the Dove chocolate wrapper.

9. I feel as if I’m slacking if I don’t write every day.

10.  I enjoy long walks outdoors.

11. I have more fun facts about me in the tab labels “About Me” above.

My nominator’s questions and my answers:

1. Who is the author you admire most? This is a hard one because I have a long list of authors I admire, but I’m going to say Maggie Stiefvater. I enjoyed both her Lament series and the Linger series and she seems like she’d be very down to earth.

2. Why do you write (in five words or less)? I love spinning new tales.

3. What is your favorite genre to read? YA paranormal

4. Who is your biggest inspiration? My family

5. What advice would you give to new writers? Do it because you love to write.

6. What is your favorite hobby? Reading

7. Are you a cat or dog person? Dog

8. Where is your ideal vacation spot? Maui

9. What is a place you want to visit, but haven't yet? Europe

10.What is the meaning of life in one word (or number) *wink*?  Three ??

11. If you're on a desert island, what are three things you must have? Is there cell service? I don’t know if I could survive without either my phone or tablet. Of course, I’d have no way to charge them. Hmm…a book on how to survive off nature, a very large notebook, and a huge pack of pens.

Now for the new nominees whose blogs I enjoy:

Nicki Elson

Carol Oates

Misha Gericke

Michael Di Gesu

S.A. Larsen

Amy Acosta

Mirka Breen

Marta Szemik 

Nancy Thompson

Chemist Ken

Natasha Hanova

Your new questions:

1. What do you like best about blogging?

2. Mountains or ocean?

3. Favorite author?

4. Are you an outliner or a panster?

5. Where do you find your inspiration?

6. What fictional world would you like to visit?

7. KFC or Popeye’s?

8. Are there any books you won’t read?

9. Name three people (living or dead) you’d like to meet?

10. Do you have any advice for fellow bloggers?

11. Is this your first Liebster award?

The Liebster Rules:

1. The Liebster Award is given to bloggers by bloggers.

2. Each blogger should post 11 facts about himself / herself.

3. Each blogger should answer the 11 questions that are asked by the nominating blogger.

4. Choose 11 new bloggers to nominate for the Award and link to them in the post.

5. Create 11 new questions for your nominees.

6. Go back to their pages and tell them they've been nominated.

7. No tag backs.

If you'd like to participate, feel free to snag the questions and begin your own round of the Liebster Awards!

The Appeal of All Things Paranormal

I've enjoyed stories with a paranormal theme for as long as I can remember. It’s no wonder it’s my favorite genre. From vampires and werewolves to witches and faeries to angels and demons, I know when a story has an otherworldly being in it that anything can and probably will happen. These stories help readers stretch their imagination and welcome the unknown, at least for the length of the novel or movie.

When I was young one of my favorite movies was Escape to Witch Mountain. Not the 2009 remake. I liked the original film that came out in 1975. It’s about two mysterious orphan children with extraordinary powers. I used to fantasize about having their ability to move things with their mind or unlock a door with the touch of my hand.

There’s so much lore on the supernatural that it’s a paranormal writer’s haven. I like to research what is believed about different myths and then bend and twist what I've learned into intriguing stories I hope readers will enjoy. My Embrace series does just that. In the second book, Hold Tight, Madison discovers there are greater threats in her world than people who possess the Powers. I had a lot of fun developing the new characters. We meet Dellis Zion Kashmeir—the character readers helped me name last year—plus a couple of other creatures. This time Madison risks losing more than just her friends and she'll have to figure out who she can trust and who she can't.

It’s not just witchcraft and the Fae that interest me. I enjoy stories that include vampires, werewolves, angels, demons, ghosts, humans with special abilities, seers, mutants, and more. I will admit I’m not a big fan of zombies. I suppose everyone has their limits and decaying bodies is mine.

How about you? Do you read paranormal or fantasy? What book or movie got you interested in the genre? Do you have a limit in what you enjoy?

P.S. I'm over at The Bookish Babe chatting about romance and great kisses. 

Plus you can enter for a chance to win a copy of Embrace! 

Click here to learn more.

Tame your insecurities: IWSG

It's the first Wednesday of the month, which means it's time to talk about insecurities. Before I do that, I'd like to thank Alex Cavanaugh for hosting this wonderful meme. If you'd like to learn more about it, just click on Alex's name above. 

The first Wednesday of the month seems to be rolling around quickly this year. I have to admit, I’m not feeling overly insecure this month. My motto for the year, you can’t live a positive life with a negative mind, seems to be working. J

That’s not to say I don’t spend time worrying about sales, if readers will like the second book in my Embrace series, or that someone will pick up the novel I have out on submission. But I’ve taken the energy I might use being insecure and have been focusing on things I can control. Like working on my marketing plans for the year, polishing my current WIP (it’s very close to done), and plotting my next novel (the heat level on this one has been turned up from my normal PG13 to HOT and HEAVY—I’ve been itching to write a love scene that doesn't fade to black).

On sequel news, I should have the first round of edits back from my editor this month. I’m looking forward to seeing her deep dive thoughts on the story, and I can’t wait to add revisions to my to-do list. Plus, my wonderful marketing associate is already in contact with the design team discussing cover ideas. I’m dying to see what they come up with!

I’ll be speaking at the SPC Literary Festival in Minooka, Illinois later this month. I’m very excited to be a part of this event and can’t wait to meet the aspiring authors in attendance. I finished reading the short story submissions and let me tell you they are a talented group of teens!

I think that’s about it for me.

How about you? Have you found a way to tame your insecurities? What are you working on these days?

Thanks for stopping by! Don’t forget to leave a comment so I know you were here!

Click here to return to the list of participating blogs.

Cover Reveal: A Goddess Wars Novel

Of Silver and Beasts (A Goddess Wars Novel)

by Trisha Wolfe

Release Date: June 1, 2013
Genre: New Adult Dark Fantasy
Cover Reveal Organized by: YA Bound
Cover Designed by: Steven Novak

Summary from Goodreads:

In the sand-covered queendom of Cavan, the goddess once saved a young Kaliope’s life, preventing the mercury her father attempted to hide in her blood from reaching her heart. Now, a cybernetic clamp filters it, but the silver streaks swirling faintly beneath her skin are a constant reminder that she’s different.

When nineteen-year-old Kaliope is chosen as head of the Nactue Guard, she becomes the sworn protector to her empress. In the midst of an invasion on a neighboring land, Kaliope is placed in charge of guarding Prince Caben, the last heir to his kingdom. But when they’re attacked by the feared Otherworlders, Caben and Kaliope are abducted and taken below to a realm where they must fight for their life in a caged arena. 

Kaliope struggles to protect her princely charge, keeping him and herself alive while battling inhumanly opponents, and trying to save the stolen, sacred relic that will restore her empress’s life force and all of Cavan. And if she can somehow awaken the goddess within her, she may save what’s most important.

***Excerpt***

I open my mouth to say something comforting, but I’m unsure of what. In this moment, I’m reminded that I know little about him. Other than the sarcasm and desire to understand nothing of my queendom, he hasn’t allowed me past the surface. But then, I have my own walls, hiding things I’d never want him or any other to know. And I understand that need to hide them. You can’t trust anyone. “Caben…” I start, but still can’t find the right words. He lowers his hand from his face, never taking his eyes off the glinting water top. “You’re right,” he finally says. “Let’s find the access to Lilly’s section.” A hollow pang hits my chest, and I’m not sure why. Something in his voice sounds lost, broken. I imagine the gears around my heart spinning faster, trying to keep up with my racing heart. When he sidesteps me, I reach out and grab his arm. “Caben, I didn’t mean—” “It’s fine, Kal,” he snaps. “We have work to do.” “No, I’ve said something to offend you.” I drop my hand, but keep close to him, not allowing him to leave my side. Goddess, trying to understand the male brain is harder than anything in protector training. I’ve heard people say that you have to tip-toe around a woman’s emotions, but a man’s ego is every bit as fragile, if not more so. He releases a heavy breath through his nose and walks back to the pool. He sits down along the edge and rolls up his pants, then slips off his boots. “I honestly don’t think Bax or his goons will be returning tonight.” He sinks his bare feet into the water and sighs. Glancing at the back of the cave, I plant my hands on my hips. We don’t have time for indulgencies, but the prince is still my charge. If it were my empress, I’d give her anything she’d ask for. Allow her as much time as she needed to collect herself. I have to watch over his mental state as well as protect him, so I try to push the pending need to find Lilly aside and sit down next to him. “Here,” he says, turning his hand out near my crossed feet. “You have to feel this.” A smile tugs at the corner of my mouth. “I can remove my own—” “Have you never been pampered a day in your life?” he asks, lifting an eyebrow. “I know that the Nactue are fierce and will put a hurt on any man for touching them. But try to relax.” “Is that the rumor in Perinya?” “What?” I bite my lip, suddenly regretting my blurt. “Nothing. Never mind.” From the corner of my eye, I see his lips pucker into a pinched smile, as if he’s trying not to. “Ah,” he says, like he’s made some great universal connection. “Well, there are many whisperings about the Nactue. Some I dare not repeat for fear I’d leave here missing a limb, but that’s one, yes.” He takes my booted foot and begins to unlace it. “I’ve heard that the empress’s protectors are untouchable—forbidden to give themselves to men. And that they’ll snap a man’s neck just for making an advance.” My mouth drops open. Appalled, I counter, “That’s not true.” “All right,” he says, as if he hasn’t just insulted my very existence. “It’s only rumors. Things men jaw about in pubs. The unattainable woman is a fantasy, Kal. Don’t be offended.” “Unattainable?” I grit my teeth, trying to maintain my composure. “Tell me, prince. Do men in your country just go around bedding every woman they can in order to keep them compliant?” I shake my head. “If their fantasy is a woman that would have nothing to do with them, it seems to me it’s their way of feeding their egos after being rejected.” His eyes widen. “No! How does your brain come up with these—” He bites off his words, his lips thin as he presses them together. “Look, it was a joke.” I nod, many times. “Another joke. I’m glad that our hard work and sacrifice is amusing to the men of Perinya.” Caben lets out another sigh and slowly pulls off my boot. His warm fingers skim my calf as he inches up my pant leg. “Just stick your foot in,” he says, then adds lower, “while I stick mine in my mouth.” Unexpectedly, I laugh. “At least it’s now clean,” I say. “Would you like some help getting it to your face?”

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***GIVEAWAY***

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Streamline turns one-year-old this week! 

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Synopsis:
Seems like Leo Scott has it all: looks, brains, and athletic talent. He's captain of his high school swim team with a bright future in college and beyond. But Leo has secrets. His mother's crippling car accident has devastated his family and left Leo to deal with his father's abuse, battered and alone.

Leo's girlfriend Audrey Rose is poised for her own share of success. As one of Florida's top high school swimmers, Audrey dreams of college swimming stardom. But there's an obstacle to her glorious rise to the top. Her number one supporter--her father--is in prison for murder.

Part murder mystery, part tale of young love in a military family, this gripping story takes readers on a journey from Pensacola to Annapolis. Leo and Audrey must band together to rise above the adversity they encounter and find their true selves in the process. When everything's on the line...streamline.

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the ones we hurt, the mistakes that break the human heart, and the unconditional love 

that puts the pieces back together."  ~Dani from Refracted Light Reviews

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