4.28.2012

Indie Revolution: Emma Mills


Amazon (US) | Amazon (UK) | Goodreads

When Jess steals a glance at a gorgeous guy in a Manchester nightclub, little does she realise how he is going to change her life…or should that be death? Yet, the vampire clan could never have predicted what they were taking on. When Jess is turned into a vampire under the care of Daniel & Eva, she has to learn how to deal with her new found status, her place in vampire society, and of course the new diet. But as well as the powers that come with being a vampire, she has others, and there may be more to this than she thinks...

With her ex-boyfriend, Luke pronounced ‘off-limits’ and the blood of a vampire simmering in Jess’s body, can she forget the love of her life and move on? If not, she will risk exposing the entire Northern vampire clan to untold dangers, in order to live her life the way she wants.

Can Jess be sure that Luke is all he appears to be? Will she succumb to the attraction she desperately tries not to feel for Daniel? And why does she still crave a packet of crisps more than a tasty teenage boy’s blood?


Author Bio: I'm happily married with two lovely kiddies that keep me on my toes. I have always loved reading, and always wanted to write, it just never happened! Then once my youngest started school I was able to take some time and give it a go, Witchblood is my debut novel. After acquiring an obsessive love of supernatural teen novels, I decided to write my own supernatural story, based in Manchester, in the UK, near where I live and grew up. From October to March it’s dark, windy, cold and very, very wet... and easy to get inspiration! 

Giveaway

4.26.2012

Destiny Blog Tour: Character Interview



Hey all!!! I hope you have been enjoying the Destiny Tour so far!!! I had the pleasure of meeting and interviewing Shane (the male lead of the Destiny Series) for this stop on the blog tour!  Don't forget to go to the bottom of the post to enter the giveaway!

When Destiny Knocks | Review | Goodreads | Amazon |
When Destiny Strikes | Review | Goodreads | Amazon |

Howdy Shane you're looking mighty fine today! stares at the swoony beauty I can see why Karlie couldn't stop staring at you when she first laid eyes on you!


Can you tell me what it was like for you when you first laid eyes on her? What was going through your head?  When did you know you weren't going to be killing her? 
When I first saw Karlie, I had a lot of emotions run through me. First of all, you must know - I thought Karlie was going to be some "monster". I was shocked that she looked like an average 16 year old girl! Well, not "average"... She was the most beautiful girl I've ever seen. When her blue eyes met mine, I knew at that moment I couldn't kill her.
What was it like growing up with Paymon as your dad?  What was it like knowing you were destined to kill someone?
I never wanted to kill anybody, and just the thought of it used to keep me up every night. I tried to talk myself into it though. I would tell myself "it's a good thing. You kill this one person, and you will be free from Paymon forever".
Do you have any childhood memories that particularly stand out to you?
The first memory I have of my dad was when I was 4. My mom had just recently left, so it was just him, Leah and I. Leah was teaching me how to ride a bike for the first time, and I ended up falling. I cried because I scraped my hands and knees. I remember he slapped me across the face and told me to shut up. Crying, to him, was a sign of weakness.

Now back to you and Karlie…


What is your favorite thing about her?
Everything about Karlie is my favorite. Her caramel colored hair, her sky blue eyes, her smile, her laugh, the way she bites her lip when she's nervous... *sighs dreamly* ... I guess if I HAD to pick one thing, it would be her optimistic attitide. She's always so bright and cheerful. She always brings sunshine to my dark world.
What was it like for you when you first touched/held her hand?
It felt light a bolt of lightening was going through me, but in a good way! 
It seems like before Karlie’s 17th birthday you are having to protect her quite a lot… how was that for you? Did you ever think you would fail?
Yes. Karlie is a magnent for trouble... I was worried constantly that I wouldn't be able to protect her. Even with the help of Savannah, Jessica, Jerrod, Mark and Alex, it didn't seem like enough protection.

I think that’s all the questions I got for you today, but fill free to stay so I can stare at you! 
           *flexes muscles* You can feel if you want...

Giveaway
You could win an ecopy of When Destiny Strikes!
All you need to do is comment and leave your email and your preferred format.


About the Author: | Blog | Twitter | Facebook |

 I am a returning resident to Arkansas. I just migrated south from Saint Louis, MO with my husband. We have been married a year. :)

I love to write. I have been writing since I was a kid - literally. I decided in the 2nd grade I would write a book. I wrote lots of short stories and poems... And did I mention I wrote over 200 songs? (Yeah, I'm a musician too - guitar, bass, drums and vocals). So I wrote my very first novel at the ripe age of 14... My Mom still has it :-/. OK, so maybe it wasn't my best work, but I had a LOT of fun writing it!

 When I'm not writing, I am normally reading. I am also a caffeine addict... Dr. Pepper and NOS (the energy drink) are my drugs of choice :)

My best friend is Tess Watson, and she is AWESOME! 

4.25.2012

Cover Reveal: Redheads are Soulless

I have been waiting a LONG time to show you all this AMAZING cover!!! I got to see it right after Heather @Supa Gurl Books created it, and I instantly fell in love! (It's actually the background on my phone but that's because I'm a little obsessive!)

ALSO Heather finished edits a few days ago and since I'm one of her Betas I got to read it!

Redheads are Soulless is AMAZING!!!!

It's actually my favorite book in 2012 so far!  You all should really add it to your TBR because when it comes out on May 25th you're going to want to grab it!

And now enough of me gushing about the book and to the reason you visited this post in the first place... 

The Cover of Redheads are Soulless by Heather M. White!!!

High school senior, Sofia Black, has had a very hard life. Since her father's death 7 years ago, she has had to look after her drug addicted, alcohlic mother. School isn't any better for her either. The other kids constantly tease, and ridicule her. All she wants is to get out of her small hometown in Alabama.

When new student, Jason, shows up, Sofia's world is turned upside down. She doesn't understand why he wants to befriend her so badly... And, just when she thinks she can trust him, trouble appears.

Jason's twin brother, Robbie, moves into town, and things go haywire. Sofia is now running for her life - and Jason is forced to share hidden secrets with her. She learns the truth about her father's death, and finds out that she may not be as "human" as she once thought. She struggles to accept her fate, while fighting for her life. 

4.21.2012

Interview: R.T. Kaelin


I had the pleasure of interviewing R.T. Kaelin.  I hope you all enjoy.

What inspired you to write Progeny?

Short answer: bad books and my kids.

Long answer: After reading a handful of books which I thought had predictable plots, one-dimensional characters, and meh-writing, I made an offhand comment that “I could probably do better than that.” So, I tried.

Now, as to why I wrote Progeny specifically, I wanted something my kids could read later in life (they are 5 and 8 now) that daddy had written. The two main characters in the book (and series) are named and modeled after them. Granted, in the book, they are 15 and 17, but I wrote their mannerisms, physical characteristics, and personalities into the characters.

For example…

Golden hair the color of early-Harvest straw cascaded down her back, straight except for the ends that turned up into feathery waves. When she passed through the shade of a tree, her eyes appeared a rusty brown color, but in the harsh light of the Summer sun, they shone green.”

That’s Kenders in the book, and my little Kennedy at home.

If you could describe Progeny in a few words, what would they be?


I thought about this one for a while last night. In the end, I came up with three.

Epic. Heartfelt. Authentic.

Epic because the story is such. Progeny is Volume 1 in The Children of the White Lions series and sets the stage for what I have planned to be a five-book journey. I am editing book two now, and have the beginning of book three started. The cast of characters grows (and shrinks) as the story goes along, the world opens up, and the plot grows.

Heartfelt because I poured myself into the story, the characters, the world. I do not want to imagine the number of hours I have put into this book. Lots.

Authentic because the people and places in the book feel real to me. Sure, I know them better than anyone, but more than a handful of readers have commented on how much the characters seem like real people to them.

Who's your favorite character? And Why?


Not fair. That is like asking a parent “who is your favorite child?” So rather than pick one, I am choosing to answer this question a little differently.

My favorite character to write is Jak. His sense of humor is the same as mine, which makes him easy and enjoyable to write. Jak chapters are written very quickly as I can see the world through my own eyes.

My favorite character to read in this book is Kenders. Her struggle with who and what she is one of the things I really enjoy in this volume.

My favorite character who almost was never a character is Nundle. He was an accident. I started writing a chapter about the antagonist and chose to do so from the point of view of a planned throwaway character. However, Nundle quickly came to life. He was brave, an underdog, and a tad bit excitable. So, he stayed and got a rather large role in the story.

Do you have any authors you look up to- an idol?


As an idol? Not so much. But I do have a list of authors I really enjoy reading (when I have the time).

Raymond Feist, J.R.R. Tolkien, Brandon Sanderson.

I do not read as much as I used to. Bad me. Every author will tell you to read as much as you can—I am doing so now: Read as much as you can. However, one of the things about trying to make your way as a new author is that a day job is required. I write in my free time, which leaves little time to read.

If you were stranded on an island and could only bring one book, what would it be?
I again invoke the “I choose to answer this question in my own fashion” rule and will give two answers for two situations.


If I were going to be stranded on the island forever, I would bring the Lord of the Rings trilogy. I find new things in the story every time I read it, so at least I would be entertained for a while.

Now, if there was some chance I was going to be rescued one day, I’d choose—and, admittedly, this might seem a little odd—a thesaurus. Sometimes, I feel as though I overuse some words and would not mind having a larger arsenal of words to throw at the page. Plus, it would eat up a lot of time while I was waiting for my rescue boat.

4.20.2012

Break for School

I only have 2 more weeks of school, but those two weeks are going to be hellish!  Anyway my point is my blog is going to be fairly inactive during these weeks, but I will be back when school is out! So if you're an author and are waiting for a review I will be working on it when I get out for summer break.  See you all then!

Guest Post: R.T. Kaelin


Guest Post by R.T. Kaelin

Anyone Have a Machete?

I am an indie.

At least for now, that is. While I hope to one day to see my books in every bookstore I walk into—all three of them that are left as ebooks take over the world—for the time being, I am on my own everything. I am the author, the publisher, the marketer, the publicist.

There is a new path becoming a successful author and I am trying to help forge it, or at least follow in the footsteps of the early pioneers. Authors like Amanda Hocking and Christopher Paolini have blazed the trail, self-publishing their work prior to traditional publishers picking them up. It is not an easy thing to do, and I am still wondering about the wilderness, hoping I do not get lost, but this is my path and one I have chosen to take.

I never thought of myself as a writer. Until three years ago, emails were the longest thing I wrote. And, typically, those were pretty short. I did love to read, though, and read a lot. Fate prompted my metamorphosis from reader to writer when I picked up three ‘bad’ books in a row. The plots were predictable and uninspired, the characters flat and one-dimensional. I remember making the remark, “I could do better than this.”

Shortly thereafter, I started working on Progeny.

I have a big imagination. Always have. Most of my life, it languished inside of me, spontaneously offering off-the-wall insights into the world around me. Most of the time, my thoughts meandered into the absurd, silly musings like, ‘How long could I wear a gorilla suit in a grocery store before someone would say something to me?’ Instead of wasting that churning mess of creativity, I directed it at something useful, my story, and came up with a good one. At least I think it is good.

As far as the writing itself was concerned, however, I will freely admit I had no idea what I was doing. I still do not, really. Lawyers and doctors ‘practice’ law and medicine in the same way authors practice writing. You cannot master the written word. It is impossible. At the time, however, I did not know that. I was a five-year old deciding to give calculus a shot. It is just numbers on paper, right?

Fast-forward ten months.

I was done! I had written a book! Hooray for me!

Now what?

Well, while I had come up with a great story, I had not produced was a good book, although I did not know that at the time. The stars in my eyes blinded me to my shortcomings as a writer.

I tried the traditional path of query letters to agents, sending off chapters and either getting “no, thanks” in return or hearing nothing back at all. I convinced myself that it was because I had written a behemoth of a book (308,000 words) and I was an unknown. Who wants to take a risk on that combination?

 I decided to prove them all wrong. I was going to self-publish my book and show them just how good I was. That would show them!

In retrospect, I made the right choice, but for the entirely wrong reason. The more likely cause for all of the “no’s” was that the writing was a mess. Yet I was still too much of a novice to understand that.

I reached out to a number of book blogs and secured a couple dozen reviews. To my pleasant surprise, the vast majority of them were overwhelmingly positive. People loved the story, which is obviously a good thing. Yet some not-so-good reviews were sprinkled in with the others, and they were nearly universal in their criticism. The writing was substandard.

Did I listen to them like I should have? Yeah…not so much. I was already writing book two in the series, and I could not be bothered to go back and take an honest look at book one. Big mistake.

In November of last year, I was presented with a fantastic opportunity. Someone big in the traditional publishing industry wanted to read Progeny. By this point, I had over thirty 5-star reviews on Amazon, with an average rating hovering in the4.7 range. It had hit #7 on Amazon’s top rated Epic Fantasy for the Kindle.

This was my big chance, right? Validation was nigh!

So, I sent the book. As was.

I have longer version of what happened after that here should you care to read it. The short of it is that I suffered yet another ‘no, thank you’ along with a very detailed deconstruction of the book. Guess what? Progeny needed work. A lot of it.

I put my new writing on hold (by this point, I had started in on book three) and did a heavy, intensive reevaluation of the first book. I made extensive changes, cutting over 75k words of useless fluff and adding 25k new ones in order to shore up weaknesses. A couple of characters got makeovers, one of which was massive. I contracted a respected editor and she helped me work out story structure issues.

The book, as it stands now, is a thousand times better than the original. I wish daily that it were the version that I had originally published. However, that is impossible, and not because my time machine is in the shop. You see, if I had never self-published the original, I would not have the version I have now. The original draft of Progeny would still be sitting on my computer, gathering ether dust.

When I leapt into the indie jungle, I did not know what to expect. I stumbled around blindly for a time, bumping into trees and tripping over fallen logs, but I think that I have finally found the path cut by others. Make no mistake, this trail is treacherous and wrought with unseen pitfalls, but at least I am on the right track. That or a poisonous analogy spider bit me and I am hallucinating.

I really hope that did not happen.

4.19.2012

Indie Revolution: R.T. Kaelin


This week Indie Revolution will be featuring R.T. Kaelin and his book Progeny!
Nikalys and his sister Kenders grew up living a peaceful life in the quiet farming village of Yellow Mud... until the blistering hot day when they go to the nearby lake for a swim. When they reach the lake, they spy an unknown mage conjure a massive water creature hundreds of feet tall. They watch in horror as the water creature plunges toward their home, apparently drowning all in its path, including their parents and older brother, Jak.

As the only survivors, brother and sister strike out on their own, hoping to discover the reason their home and family was destroyed. They must make their way through a countryside where magic is outlawed, punishable by imprisonment or even death while struggling with the revelation that Kenders has magical abilities herself.

Although Kenders can feel and touch the many-colored "strands" of magic she has no idea how to use them until she and Nikalys are attacked by a pack of wolves and Kenders instinctively summons a bolt of lightning, immediately collapsing when the effort drains her of all her energy. From nowhere a giant lynx appears and saves the pair from certain death and then miraculously morphs into his natural self, a seven-foot-tall man. The shape changer's name is Broedi and when the time is right, he reveals to the siblings that he is one of the original White Lions and he recites to them an ancient prophecy that tells of the coming of a new and even more terrible war than the one centuries ago. The evil Gods of Chaos, Strife, and Sorrow and Pain would combine efforts to unite the orcs, gnolls and razorfiends --- normally sworn enemies. The forces of good would be led by two children of other White Lions; those children are Nikalys and Kenders, the Progeny.

As brother and sister struggle with the revelation that the only parents they could remember were not their birth parents, some of the Gods and Goddesses were busy setting other events in motion. Others people - strangers at first - would gather and become allies of the Progeny. Together, they were about to be caught up in the greatest conflict the world had ever seen.

Ancient, powerful forces still seek the Progeny on their travels, some intent to eliminate the threat they pose, some hoping to help them fulfill a destiny of which they are unaware. Myths and legends come to life, whisking the pair along a journey they never could have imagined possible.


4.16.2012

Guest Post: Nancy Straight

My Favorite Indie Authors by Nancy Straight


Anyone that knows me at all knows that I idolize Shelly Crane.  We published our books within a few months of each other.  I noticed people that bought my books had also purchased hers.  So I purchased Shelly’s Significance, I was totally hooked.  I love the story, the characters, the pace – the book was an instant favorite.  I’d never heard of Shelly so I googled her.  I found her website, her facebook page, and several blogs where she had done guest posts.  I reached out to her via Goodreads asking for advice.  I was hoping for (not expecting) maybe a sentence or two on how to promote my books, and what was working for her.  Shelly wrote me a short novel’s worth of advice.  I was so blown away I cannot tell you how many times I read her note.  The months that followed I continued to ask for her opinion and each time she responded and was a real gem. She is a World-Class, Genuinely-Sweet, Independent Author.  I hope every one of you that reads this buys all of her books and falls in love with them the way I have.
Rachel Higginson is an Independent Author from Omaha, NE.  I grew up in Iowa about two hours from where she lives.  Let me start by saying there aren’t a ton of books set in the Mid-West and her Star-Crossed series is set in Omaha.  The series was recommended to me by one of my friends on Goodreads.  OMG I read it every spare second I had: in my car waiting for my son’s school bus to pick him up, in the kitchen while I was waiting for the oven to preheat, riding in the car on the way to the movie theater with my husband, at night, hours after I should have gone to bed.  Are you getting the picture?  Saying I enjoyed her series is a gross understatement.  The first in this series is Reckless Magic – it’s FREE in all major bookstores, give it a try I know you’ll love it!
Charlotte Abel is an Independent Author that first reached out to me about cross-promotion. Before I agreed, I read her book Enchantment – again, I fell in love!  I’d never heard of cross-promoting before but was eager to do anything I could to work with such a talented author.  We both had books that were due out the end of January.  She put the first chapter of Meeting Destiny at the end of her book Taken (Channie Series).  I added the first chapter of Enchantment at the end of my third book, Destiny’s Wrath.  Charlotte is a tremendously talented writer, and unlike most of the Independent Authors that I’ve met, success didn’t find her, she went looking for it.  She is one of the most organized, considerate, thoughtful and sincere people I’ve ever known.  I highly recommend her Channie Series – it’s wonderfully written and very original! 
Shannon Dermott is cool.  She’s a mom, a writer, she has a job and she’s a college student. Where she finds five minutes in her busy life to write, I don’t know.  Her book, Beg for Mercy was so awesome that I read it twice!  As soon as I finished it I contacted her to tell her how awesome she was, then I started reading it again to make sure I didn’t miss anything the first time.  Highly recommend Beg for Mercy.
Bottom Line – there are incredible independent authors out there who have had a big impact on me and whose works I adore.  I hope you’ll check out each of these four ladies - I admire each of them and their books were so awesome that I put my own writing on hold because I couldn’t put their stories down.



4.15.2012

In My Mailbox {17}

In My Mail Box, just in case you didn't already know, is a meme hosted by The Story Siren where bloggers can post about the books they got this week!


every single person who comments wins! TODAY ONLY


Bought
Don't Breathe A Word by Holly Cupala
Delirium by Lauren Oliver

Mentions
Heather @ Supa Gurl Books


HUGE Giveaway & Review: When Destiny Strikes


Just in case you didn't figure it out from the banner... When Destiny Strikes releases TODAY!!!

Now that Karlie has received her full powers, things are going to be great... right? 

Karlie's number one priority is to kill Serenity - after all she deserves it for trying to kill Alex. Though it isn't as easy as it sounds. Serenity teams up with demons to create an army to destroy Karlie. 

On top of that, there are a ton of zombies, everywhere... And a new angel in town, who seems more like a demon... And of course, a shape shifter dragon! It's all weird, even for Karlie. 

With friends turning against friends, it seems as though her life got a whole lot more complicated


My Review


An action packed romance with many unexpected twists, you won't be able to put down the worthy sequel Heather M. White has created in When Destiny Strikes.



GIVEAWAY!!!

Heather is giving EVERYONE who comments on this post a copy of the first book in her Destiny Saga- When Destiny Knocks! 

What I need from you...
1.email
2.format: PDF, mobi (kindle), ePub (nook)

What I would love from you...
1. add When Destiny Knocks to your TBR
2. add When Destiny Strikes to your TBR
3. Follow Heather's blog
...as a Thank You to Heather for offering this awesome giveaway!

You have until 11:59 P.M. Central Time to comment!

ALSO the Destiny Tour starts today!!!
GO HERE to check out the schedule!




4.14.2012

Meeting Destiny Excerpt


You can find the blurbs here, and the interview with Nancy here! Now for the 3rd post...an Excerpt from Meeting Destiny! This was one of my favorite parts of the book!!!

“I know this isn’t the best place, and I understand if you tell me no, but if I don’t ask, it’s going to drive me crazy.  I was wondering if you feel anything weird around me?”  This sounded so strange, but I didn’t know how best to articulate my question.  I needed to know if it was only my imagination.
Max looked me straight in the eye, “Weird, like what?”
I felt the flush of embarrassment on my cheeks as I asked quietly, “Like, chemistry, a little?”
Max stood still as a statue staring at me sitting almost straight up in my bed.  His smile faded a little as he leaned into me and whispered, “You mean like this?” He softly slid his hand behind my head, pulling my lips up to his.  Gentle at first, then increased intensity until I found that I had wrapped both my arms around him, wires protruding from every direction, and my entire body tingled.  I grew lightheaded as he eased his face away from mine.  He gently lowered my head back to my pillow and moved his hand to my face.  Max traced my lips with his index finger.  After a few outlines of my lips, he responded quietly, “Chemistry, huh?  No, I hadn’t noticed.”  His wide smile reappeared with a vengeance.
My heart monitor went crazy, jumping well into the 100s as an alarm blared to life as if to tell the world what had just happened.  Max reached over and pushed a button on the monitor and the alarm muted instantly.  As he leaned in for what I was sure was going to be just as passionate as our first kiss, his pocket beeped. 
Max stopped, rolled his eyes and fished in his pocket, pulling out his blackberry.  He looked at the screen with disappointment in his eyes.  “Hey, we just got a call.  I really have to go.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for continuing this conversation tomorrow, but I really can’t stay.” 
“I’d like that, too,” unable to say anything else. 
He kissed my cheek, “I can’t wait to tell Missy about tonight.  Bye.”  Max darted out the door as he sprinted off to save someone’s life.  The jealous part of me hoped he was being called to help an old fat man.


4.13.2012

Interview: Nancy Straight


For today's Indie Revolution post, it is an interview with Nancy Straight!!! It's awesome and I hope you all love it! Don't forget to enter the awesome giveaway at the bottom of the post! 

Tess – Thank you for allowing me to be your first interview on the Indie Revolution!  I am truly honored.  For any indie authors out there that need help – I’m no superstar but we need to stick together; tell me how I can help you and I’ll do my best.  For the avid readers – you have no idea how powerful your thoughtful comments are to an indie author.  If you find a story that moves you, contact the author and tell them, I cannot tell you what an incredible impact readers’ comments have had on me.

What inspired you to write the Destiny Series?
I’m a hopeless romantic, believing that there really is someone out there for everyone.  If by some chance you don’t connect with them the first time, fate will find a way to reintroduce you until you click.  I liked this idea and took it a step further, that a couple truly devoted to one another could share multiple lifetimes together.
Was there a certain moment when you had the idea for the story or was it more ideas over time? 
Chapter 1 of Meeting Destiny and the final chapter of Destiny’s Wrath were vivid ideas in my head for a long time.  As I started writing, the rest of the story unfolded before my eyes.
Was there an event that triggered the idea for the Destiny Series?
I quit a job that I hated and started a job that I loved.  I found that I had more free time when I was only working 40 hours per week and decided I’d do something for me.
Tell us about you. Did you always know you wanted to write?
I’ve always loved to read and one morning I woke up and decided I was going to write a book.  At the time I didn’t really have aspirations of publishing Meeting Destiny, I really just wanted to write a book – something on my bucket list.  After it was done, I shared it with a friend and she loved it.  She encouraged me to publish Meeting Destiny.  I scoured the internet for agents and sent exactly four query letters.  I received four polite rejections and decided I didn’t need an agent.  The more I read the more I believed the traditional publishing process was antiquated.  I knew people would love Meeting Destiny, so I scoured blogs for “how to” self-publish.
Any interesting or unusual facts about you that you want to share? 
 I LOVE Starbucks’ White Mocha Latte and Mountain Dew, (but not together).  I have a lead foot so I set cruise control when I drive, even in 25 MPH zones.  I almost never win when I play Angry Birds, but have my 7 year old close, so he can clear the hard levels for me.  I grew up on a farm and am opposed to eating fresh chicken.  I am a huge fan of the show, Big Bang Theory, on CBS.  I have a stray cat that I feed every night and morning but she’s never let me get closer than within 3 feet of her – I keep thinking eventually I’ll wear her down and she’ll let me pet her.  I share my life with two fantastic sons, three rotten dogs and a husband that I adore.
Are any of your characters based on real life people? 
No.  Lauren’s way tougher than anybody I know.  In the second book, Destiny’s Revenge, Lauren has a Doberman Pincher named “Peanut.” His was the only character in any of the books that was based in reality.  Several years ago I had a Doberman named Peanut who died from cancer, I wrote him into the story – because he was an AWESOME dog. 
How did you come up with the characters' names?
 Lauren, the heroine, and Rewsna, a clairvoyant, are both Anagrams for other words that were relevant to the plot for the whole series.  Larry Phillips is a friend of mine who was super excited when I told him I was writing a novel, I gave one of the characters his name (a policeman) just because I thought he’d be excited to see his name in Meeting Destiny.  The other names I chose were just names that I really liked.
Did any of the characters surprise you while writing?
 I loved the Physical Therapist, Gretchen.  I’ve always been a little mouthy and I could completely relate to her motivational tactics with Lauren.

4.12.2012

Indie Revolution: Nancy Straight


Hey guys!!! I'm super excited to be presenting you with the very first Indie Revolution post! I hope you all come back and check it out because as you will notice there are going to be some awesome giveaways and exclusive material!

This week Indie Revolution is featuring Nancy Straight and her Destiny Series!

Lauren is visited in her dreams for years by a stranger claiming to be her destiny. Destiny becomes reality when paths cross during a failed robbery attempt. Lauren and the stranger experience chemistry like no other and now her doubt over her long time relationship with her high school sweetheart is not her only secret…someone else knows about her keen intuition and sixth sense.A mysterious clairvoyant seeks Lauren out and tells her not only of her life now but what the future may hold. Soon Lauren is in the middle of a murder investigation and a questionable friendship with the key suspect. Law enforcement, friends and family are concerned for Lauren but unfortunately they are unaware of the true danger…Sinister forces are at work and will stop at nothing to destroy Lauren’s abilities.
There was no reason for Lauren to be in a coma. Her physical injuries had healed, but she had been non-responsive for so long that her doctors told her family and Max to move on. She awoke to find her life in a shambles; the man she loved was gone, her friends had moved on with their lives, and her family was ripped apart by her accident. No one knew of the evil forces watching, waiting for her in the shadows, in the lonely corners, even in the eyes of those she loved. Lauren needed to reclaim her destiny, to get her life back; the last thing she ever expected was Destiny’s Revenge.
In the final installment of the Destiny Series, Lauren and Max still yearn for their normal life together. Although finally united, they’re unable to enjoy their bliss when they learn nine people have been viciously murdered. The murderer is a young man who saved Max’s life months earlier. Lauren and Max must decide how to help the young man and destroy the evil that resides within him. The only thing the Council and the Cabinet can agree on is: Lauren and Max need to stay away. Lauren and Max worry that this time the evil may consume them both. Nobody involved saw the power of Destiny’s Wrath until it was upon them.
 Author Bio: Nancy was born in Sioux City Iowa, left the cold of the Midwest in 1991 and only returns to see family in the summer time. She spent ten years traveling the world as a US Marine and settled in rural SC with her husband, two children and three dogs.  She enjoys RVing with her family, writing Paranormal Romance / Urban Fantasy and reading all types of Paranormal and Young Adult literature.
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4.08.2012

Review: Fragile

Fragile
by M. Leighton
Release Date: April 8th (TODAY)
My Rating: 5 Stars

Her heart, as delicate as glass. His love, as strong as steel. Can either survive life and death? 

Hardy Bradford is an eighteen year old football phenomenon who has the girl, the school, the town and the future in the palm of his hand. His life is all mapped out for him, right down to who he’ll marry and how he’ll become a professional football player. It doesn't seem to matter that Hardy would’ve chosen a much different life if it was up to him. But it's not. At least not until his Miracle comes along. 

The first time Hardy laid eyes on Miracle St. James, he didn’t know who she was, but he knew she was something different and that he’d never get her out of his head. And he didn’t. Now, months later, Hardy’s world is turned upside down when Miracle shows up in his class, stealing his heart and forever changing the course of his life. 

Miracle’s sick. Very sick. And Hardy might be losing the only thing in his life that has ever mattered. How much is too much to sacrifice for the one you love? For just a little more time? For just one more chance? Can Hardy be the hero Miracle needs? Or is it Hardy that needs saving?
My Review
I dub thee M. Leighton the new queen of SWOON in the land of My Pathway to Books!  OMGosh!!!! I seriously don't know what else to say besides OMGosh!!!! I literally read this book from cover to cover!  My kindle died right smack in the middle of it and I almost died inside until *insert happy music here* I realized I had my cloud reader on my computer so I rushed over and finished the other half on here!  It is an understatement to say that this book was captivating!  I really wish I could give it more that 5 Stars...I'm thinking about making a 6 Star rating here just for M. Leighton!  She never fails to rock my socks off even though in this book she's is out of her already mastered genre!  I was actually a little shocked when I found out that M. was writing contemporary *GASP* but OMGosh she mastered this just like she does the paranormal!

The Romance in this book...let's just say there is a reason M. has the crown on her head...and you might need some cold water.  Hardy is a hottie and he is now ranking near the top of my book boyfriend list!  From the moment Hardy lays eyes on Miracle, he's protective of her and he's enthralled with her!  Hardy is seriously everything a girl could ask for!  His character really develops throughout the story learning from Miracle's strength and unconditional selflessness.  At times in the book, I was even learning from Miracle's mastery of turning the other cheek.  This Romance was sweet and hot simultaneously.  You are with the characters during sweet times and also ones that will make you SWOON!  There are a lot of things the couple has to go through, both of them have gone through so much already, and they are straining to see the light at the end of the tunnel.  Luckily they find that light in each other!

You've got to read Hardy and Miracle's story!...Like NOW...If you want a masterpiece contemporary that will draw you in before the first chapter is even over, you will find that in Fragile!

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