Saturday, November 30, 2013

Two Great Authors

I know this is a little late, but a couple weeks ago, I had the opportunity to meet Julianne Donaldson and Sarah M.Eden at a Barnes and Noble in Phoenix, AZ—two Shadow Mountain authors on the Proper Romance Tour. Donaldson is the author of Edenbrooke and Blackmoore (two of my favorite books). And Eden wrote Longing for Home (the one book that had me really reading in the correct accent for her characters), and many others I haven’t read (but! I love her writing style, so I’m sure they’re fantastic). They are two amazing and amusing people. All who came were able to share laughs with the authors as they told stories of Ireland and England, their experiences there, and even some inside stuff about certain characters in their novels.



As I writer myself, I absorbed their information like a sponge. I even asked how long it took them to find an agent... Donaldson and Eden laughed and said that you're not officially a writer until you get at least a hundred rejection letters. Although that is not exactly encouraging (or the answer I was looking for...) it made me remember how success is never an easy thing—that you must never give up, even when all seems hopeless. Yet, to actually meet two successful authors in person was inspiring.

Not only were they a great example of success, but I was impressed with the way they handled their audience. They were kind, engaging, and insightful. It helped me to remember that authors are just like everyone else—people who are following their dreams.

I am glad that I got to meet them. I will have to read Eden's other novels, which will be an engaging and fun way to spend some extra free minutes here and there. I can't wait for Donaldson's next project (I honestly don't know if she's working on one, but with my own experience in writing, I know there's always something forming deep inside the mind) and to immerse myself in another quality book.


Needless to say, I had a great time. I had arrived several hours early, so much so that I even got to talk with the Barnes and Noble worker who was setting everything up and gave my advice on the layout of chairs (yes, I am an avid fan). Now, I can't wait to see Sarah M. Eden again as the keynote speaker at the American Night Writers Association (ANWA) Conference this next February. You can click on the link right here on ANWA to check out the website and details.

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Triskele Grand Finale and Giveaway!

Grand Finale!


A Week of Interviews and Giveaways!


November 16 - 22 Preview

16 – Literally Jen - Wolfsangel by Liza Perrat


‘We watched in enchanted silence, as the music grew louder, faster, as if it were rolling across the cobblestones and echoing deep through the secret valleys and the fringe of trees that looked like hooded nuns shuffling into the woods’

Jill: “This quote is quite typical of Liza’s writing; evocative and magical, creating beautifully rich descriptions and conjuring an atmosphere out of a few well chosen words.”



17 – Beck Valley Books - Ghost Town by Catriona Troth



‘Too Paki to be white, too gora to be desi.’

Liza: “Mentioned several times in the story, this phrase struck me as it perfectly sums up one of the basic conflictual themes.”

18 – Deal Sharing Aunt - Overlord, The Rise of Zenobia by JD Smith



“I am a man, a warrior, and yet her stare, even in its innocence, makes me check myself.”

Kat: “I always love it when an author captures the first moment when the possibility of love begins to germinate. In JD Smith’s retelling of one of the famous love stories of all, this is that moment.”

19 – The (Mis)Adventures of a Twenty-Something Year Old Girl - The Boxset from Gillian Hamer

  



Complicit

“Centurion Marcus Sextus grimaced as a masked soldier strode into the makeshift arena, leading two shackled slaves …”

Jane: “It has Romans, so it is winner right away for me. I love how Gill has managed to echo the Roman past alongside the modern day story, it’s a brilliant mix that really works.”

20 – Brooke Blogs - Boxset by JJ Marsh

  



Tread Softly

“A journey from first taste to last, it tells you of the soil, the climate, the land. That is not simply a wine. That is an adventure.”

Gill: “Says so much in so few words, it sums up not only the tone of the book, but Beatrice, Adrian & Matthew without even mentioning their names.”

21 – Colorimetry - Triskele Trail




WHICH chapter or segment of advice did you learn the most from while researching the book?

I think we’d all have different answers to that. So many of the chapters and tips written by the others are gold dust. Not just as eye-openers, but reminders of things I knew but had forgotten about. Putting the book together has been an inspiring experience, and totally reinforced my decision to go the independent route.


22 – Grand Finale


Giveaway:



1 Signed Paperback,

2 eCopies...



Wolfsangel by Liza Perrat

Ghost Town by Catriona Troth

Overlord, The Rise of Zenobia by JD Smith



1 Signed Paperback of any one book out of each series, 

1 eBook Boxset of each, 

1 eBook of each book in both series...



The Charter, Closure, Complicit by Gillian Hamer

Behind Closed Doors, Raw Material, Tread Softly by JJ Marsh



Print copies available to win in US/Can/UK. eCopies available Internationally. Open to those who can legally enter and are able to receive winnings. Winners will be drawn randomly on Rafflecopter. Winners will be awarded according to their preference in the order they are drawn. If there is no preference indicated, they will win according to the consecutive posting order. Winners will be announced on Rafflecopter and notified by email after the giveaway has ended. They will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The odds of winning are determined by the number of entries. This giveaway was organized by the authors of Triskele Books and Prism Book Tours: www.prismbooktours.com and sponsored by the authors. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.



a Rafflecopter giveaway

DEAD DREAMS - Excerpt Tour Grand Finale


On Tour with Prism Book Tours...


The Excerpt Tour Grand Finale
Where the Prologue and first NINE CHAPTERS were revealed!




Dead Dreams (Dead Dreams, #1)Dead Dreams

by Emma Right

250 Pages



Eighteen-year-old Brie O’Mara has so much going for her: a loving family in the sidelines, an heiress for a roommate, and dreams that might just come true. Big dreams--of going to acting school, finishing college and making a name for herself. She is about to be the envy of everyone she knew. What more could she hope for? Except her dreams are about to lead her down the road to nightmares. Nightmares that could turn into a deadly reality.



Dead Dreams, Book 1, a young adult psychological thriller and mystery











Each Stop Revealed another section of Dead Dreams

10/29: Colorimetry & Tressa's Wishful Endings - Launch & Prologue

     "I thought of my most favorite girl in the world: Lilly. At least Lilly’d have my dog, Holly, to remember me by."

10/30: My Seryniti - Excerpt #1
“Crazy driver. Brie, I just don’t know about this business of you staying alone here like this.” She walked back to her white Mercedes, leaned in the open window, and brought out a casserole dish piled high with something green. Make that several shades of green.
I followed her, admittedly winded.“Seriously, Mom. It’s just one of those things. Mad drivers could happen anywhere I live.”
She gave me no end of grief as to what a bad idea it was for me to live alone like this even though she knew I was going to get a roommate.
“Mom, stop worrying,” I said.
“You’re asking me to stop being your mother, I hope you realize this.”

10/31: My Devotional Thoughts - Excerpt #2

     I gulped down my hot chocolate. “Why all the secrecy? I hope your parents will at least know your address.” I said as I wrapped up the interview. I could understand not wanting parents breathing down her neck, but as long as they didn’t insist on posting a guard at the door, what was the harm of them knowing where she lived?
     Sarah glanced about the room as if afraid the neighbors might have their ears pinned to the walls, listening.
     She leaned forward and, her face expressionless, said softly, “My parents are dead.”

11/1: Mel’s Shelves - Excerpt #3

Having deceased parents at such a young age could have explained Sarah’s odd behavior. I sat up straight, and the hair at the back of my neck prickled, without my knowing exactly why. “I’m sorry.” I felt the blood draining from my face. Perhaps it was the thought of losing one’s parents that shocked me.

11/3: Giveaway Breaking News for Indonesia - Excerpt #4

Mother called that night to find out who I’d settled on for a new roommate. I never mentioned I’d only had one viable candidate, and I didn’t specify details, either— just that I’d found someone not on drugs. “Nor on pot.” Mother was specific about using the word “pot,” just in case some junkie, or worse, Libertarian, didn’t consider pot a type of drug.
“How can you decide so quickly to take her in?” Mother seemed disturbed and spoke with a shrill voice, as was her practice when she felt thus. “Did you even run a credit check?”

11/4: The Bookish Fairy - Excerpt #5

“Do you live in there?” the lady officer, Sergeant. Charlene Twist, asked. She pointed to the entrance to my apartment building.
I nodded. “What’s up?”
“Do you know a Mrs. Marcia Mott?”

11/5: My Love for Reading Keeps Growing - Excerpt #6

“Mr. Mott said his mother thought she saw someone prowling a couple of days back and that gave her a scare. We don’t know how this is related to her present condition, but we need to ask neighbors if they saw anything suspicious.”
“Prowling? Where?”

11/6: Tressa’s Wishful Endings - Excerpt #7

That evening, Sarah came home with a patch on her arm. I thought she looked pale.
“What happened?” I asked, pointing at the tape on the inside of her arm.

11/7: Nocturnal Predators Reviews - Excerpt #8

“No. Mrs. Mott thought she saw prowlers. They just want to see if I saw anything out of the ordinary.”

“Just keep me out of it, whatever it is.” She slunk to her bedroom, but before she slammed the door, I hollered after her.

11/8: The Pensive Chronicler - Excerpt #9

So, Sarah stayed a loner, refusing my attempts to include her when I asked her out for ice cream with my co-workers one rare afternoon. 

11/10: kimberlyfaye reads - Excerpt #10

She shrugged. “That’s the thing with the heart. You can never tell its condition till it’s too late.”

11/11: Min Reads and Reviews - Excerpt #11

“Brie, wake up,” Sarah whispered as she shook my arm vigorously.
Who is she afraid of waking with all that whispering? I was the only one in the bedroom. I glanced at my bedside clock. The green light of the digital claimed it was three ten. Or, I should say, already three ten, since I always dragged myself out of bed at four thirty to brace myself for Stay Fit.
Then, even in the dimness, I noticed her eyes were glistening. “What’s wrong?” Was she ill after all?
“Shhh! They could still be here.”

11/12: The (Mis)Adventures of a Twenty-Something Year Old Girl - Excerpt #12

My mind lingered on the patch on her arm. Was she really who she said she was? I began to doubt that the bank book was even legitimate. It was just as well that she paid everything in cash. And Todd, her brother…how was he involved? What was he? Some hit man?

11/13:  Buried Under Books - Excerpt #13
“There’s a safety catch. See?” Sarah pointed to the Glock.
No, I didn’t see. Big consolation, that safety catch. “I don’t trust safety catches. Or guns.” Or you, I wanted to say.
11/14: fundinmental - Excerpt #14

“Pete Salazar?”
“The guy at Stay Fit.”
“Ah, the guy who hangs onto your every word.” 
“He does not.”
“I saw him gawk at you the day I was there."

11/15: Bookworm Lisa - Excerpt #15
“Sure you’re going to be okay tonight? I could camp out in your living room.” He barked a short laugh, but his eyes spoke a concern I’d never seen before. Sarah could be right. He might have liked me more than I cared to admit. 

11/17: Sylv Jenkins Author - Excerpt #16

Assuming Mrs. Mott had spotted the burglar that evening, had he been checking to see if I were the girl to rob? But, it was dark, and no way could he have identified either of us from the window.
Still, something bugged me, though I couldn’t pinpoint what it was. 

11/18: The Wonderings of One Person - Excerpt #17

“See here?” He tweezed out a thin, dark brown hair, short and straight, and showed it to me. “Sarah’s?”
I shook my head. “She’s dark red, and curly. And, as you can see….” I twirled my straight mousey brown tresses in front of my face. “I’m too light to be its owner, either.”
11/19: Colorimetry - Excerpt #13

How had the burglar, a total stranger, known I always cracked that window a tiny gap every night? Or, would he have pried it open if it had been closed? The window had been ajar when Sarah and I had checked the place to see how he’d gotten in. My need to keep the air circulating had been a cause of contention between us since the day she moved in, and now I was filled with remorse for my pigheadedness.



Want to read all the excerpts revealed at each tour stop?

READ THEM NOW!! 










Emma RightEmma Right is a happy wife and homeschool mother of five living in the Pacific West Coast. Besides running a busy home, and looking after too many pets, she also enjoys reading aloud to her children and often has her nose in a book. Right was a copywriter for a major advertising agency during her B.C. years. B.C.meaning “Before Children,” which may as well have been in the B.C.era, as she always says. Please feel free to contact Emma. She’s always happy to hear from her readers.










Tour-Wide Giveaway:



October 29 - December 3

Paperback Copy of Dead Dreams (US Only)

5 eCopies of Dead Dreams (Int'l)



a Rafflecopter giveaway








Sunday, November 17, 2013

Arbitrate Tour Grande Finale!!!

Everything has changed...

Arbitrate Tour Grand Finale!!!


Arbitrate:



It's one year later. And everything has changed. 



Remember The Second Chance Institute (SCI). Earth's benevolent non-profit by day, Thera's totalitarian regime by night. They've stepped up their game on Earth and on Thera--infiltrating political parties, preying on the downtrodden, and planning offensive maneuvers. And they're handing out more "second chances" than ever before. The SCI's abuse of their charter leads to Arbiter oversight and bitter consequences.



Remember Kira Donovan. Broken, burdened, and evading those who wish her harm, Kira enlists the Arbiters' help when forced to return to the clutches of the SCI and her angry, estranged love.



Remember Blake Sundry. Exiled, determined, and packing an agenda, Blake seeks assistance on Earth and Thera to use his newfound knowledge to bring down the SCI.



Remember Ethan Darcton. Overworked, emotional, and holding a grudge, Ethan hunts down his stolen property, but finds himself in awkward territory, stuck between the Arbiters and the SCI.



Full of action, competing agendas, romantic entanglements, humor, twists and turns, arbitrate is book #2 in the award-winning, bestselling daynight series.







Did you miss parts of the tour? Catch it all now!!!


November 1st
Colorimetry – Kick Off

November 4th


"This book left me with one of those awesome book buzzes!  There are a lot of books I finish and feel happy, this one I finished and my head is swirling, in a totally awesome way!"


Wondermom Wannabe – Review

"My favorite aspect of the book is how well the author layers in themes and symbolism so that whether you are a casual reader just interested in a good plot line or you are a literature fanatic who loves to dissect every aspect of a book, you will enjoy reading arbitrate. In fact, I can’t think of anyone who wouldn’t like this book unless you read strictly non-fiction."

fundinmental – Spotlight

Excerpt:
"I nearly killed him. I can still feel the weight of the revolver in my hands, the cool feel of the metal against my skin, my finger pulsing against the trigger.
I still want to kill him.
Gads I hate him.
I catch sight of my reflection in the mirror above my dresser and barely recognize what I see. Dark circles under the eyes, unshaven face, expression that screams failure. I hate that guy, too."
- Arbitrate

November 5th

Mythical Books – Interview

Having in view the course of events, the characters must evolve. They have real and palpable problems. How hard is to change them but keep the interest of young adults for the book?
I think that the only way to keep the interest of readers is to have the characters evolve. It was important to me that arbitrate have a very different feel and story than daynight. No one wants to read a rehashed plot. From day one, I knew that Kira would “break” post-daynight and that it would have a huge impact on everyone she cared about—that her choices would have long-impacting consequences. In arbitrate, Kira evolves from a relatively naive and idealistic teenager to a full-fledged adult. And Kira isn’t the only one who changes. All the characters change and evolve. It is one of my favorite things about arbitrate.

My Devotional Thoughts – Spotlight

Excerpt:
“I’m angry at all of them. Every SCI leader. In fact Joshua gave me a list of those who are Earth-side. It makes for a great to-do list.” They all deserve to pay.
I’m done talking. It’s time for some action.
- Arbitrate

Reviews by Karen – Spotlight

3 Partners in Shopping – Spotlight

November 6th

Cuzinlogic – Interview

What Inspired you to write this book?

The series was inspired by a hike I took through the canyons of San Diego on a particularly hot day. I pondered how hot it would have to get before days and nights would have to be switched (sleep during the hot day hours and be productive during the night). From there, I thought about what kind of government would rule the ʺnight,ʺ and The Second Chance Institute was born.
For arbitrate, I did not want a rehashed plot of the first book. I knew how I wanted it to begin, end, and a pivotal scene in the middle. I loosely plotted it and then revised continually as I had better ideas.


Excerpt:
One thousand one.
One thousand two.
One thousand three.
That’s all it takes to even out my breathing and steady my hand.
I shift the crosshairs on my target ever so slightly—from his heart to his hand—and pull the trigger. 
- Arbitrate


"I was not to be disappointed.  If anything I think arbitrate might be better than daynight.  There is so much going on in this story and Ms Thomason's expertly weaves all the different threads so that they entwine just where they need to in order to keep you in the story and moving forward to a conclusion which leaves you breathless and wanting more."

Deal Sharing Aunt – Spotlight

November 7th


"I'm so happy with where the story went romantically.  SO, so happy.  There were moments that just broke my heart too.  Such a roller coaster of great stuff.  I cannot wait to see where the next book takes me."

Bookwyrming Thoughts – Playlist
(Click on Bookwyrming Thoughts' link to see the playlist.)

     "Note that all these songs are not the ones I listened to while writing but songs that I feel represent the plot of arbitrate as best as possible. While writing arbitrate, I listened to a lot of Imagine Dragons, Fun., Bastille, Of Monsters and Men, Fall Out Boy, blink-182, My Chemical Romance, Two Door Cinema Club, and dozens of other fabulous bands."

Mel’s Shelves – Review

"If you like out-of-the-box dystopia which deviates from the "formula," pushes the limits and leaves you breathless, this is the series for you! As for me, I am now anxiously awaiting generate (book 3)!"

November 8th

Brooklyn Berry Designs – Spotlight


Excerpt:
I’m looking for my next victim when the front door opens.
My visitor looks at me like I’m a crazy man. I’d plead insanity, but that’d be as big a lie as he told me. 
- Arbitrate


Is there a singular character that really touched your heart and why?
All three main characters’ stories touched me in arbitrate (I spent a lot of time crying), but for a singular character…I will say Madison. She’s a new character that appears and her backstory is heartbreaking. She has had to endure more in two lifetimes than most people could even fathom for one. I’d like to do a novella that tells her story in more detail.
November 9th


Fast paced, full of action and although it didn't go in the direction I expected, that made it even better.  After finishing this book it's still one of the best series I've read and I can't wait to see what's next in store for them all. 

Sweeping Me – Spotlight

Bound 4 Escape – Review

"This book is pretty intense. The plot is complex and there is a lot going on inarbitrate. On top of all that is going on in the world(s), Kira has her newborn babies and three men to deal with. Wow! She does figure out who she wants to spend her life with by the end of the book (my favorite…yay)."

Bookworm Lisa – Review

"Megan Thomason does a wonderful job at setting up a scene and bringing the right amount of information in play.  I love how she is able to work more information in later and leaving the reader engaged and waiting to see what happens next."

Gustosa Giveaway – Spotlight

Excerpt:
The assailant dragged me to the main room and hefted me onto the table. I was paralyzed, unable to move, but still alert. My eyes were still open, yet my vision was blurred. I saw enough to see my attacker was a middle-aged, balding male. Taller than Blake, but shorter than Jax. 
- Arbitrate

November 12th

Spellbindings – Tens List
(Read the entire list on Spellbindings' blog.)

10 things the characters must keep in mind about the SCI.
1. They hide nefarious acts behind seemingly charitable ones.
2. The leaders have chess-player mentality, always thinking ahead several moves.
3. The SCI has people they answer to, so befriend those people...
Michael SciFan – Review

"Arbitrate, the newly released sequel to Daynight by Megan Thomason, is really amazing. It went in a completely different direction than I thought it would, and that was a nice surprise. I won’t say I was always happy about where it went, but in the end, I completely agree with the journey."

Indie Author How-to – Spotlight

Excerpt:
A tall marble glass cat comes to mind. My mother got it for me as a housewarming gift. I stalk out to the living room and seize it. It’s heavy and awkward and the perfect accessory to mayhem.


The bathroom’s my next destination. I flip on the light switch and take a deep breath. Is it so wrong to want something to be more broken than me?


As I slam the cat into the mirror, the falling pieces clang out a musical masterpiece.
- Arbitrate

November 13th


Before it’s over, you’ll want to cry and/or cheer regarding multiple characters’ choices and the deadly or life-giving consequences—sometimes both for the same person. I think I’d better I leave it at that—awesome! 




What scene in the book are you most proud of, and why?

My favorite scene is the last. I cried buckets over it. It is bittersweet and makes me run the full gamut of emotions from sorrow to hope; it has tender moments, irony, and defiance. A major character “grows a spine,” and it is glorious to see.



Other books in the Daynight series:


Daynight (Daynight, #1) Clean Slate Complex (Daynight, #1.5)
Daynight (Daynight, #1) and Clean Slate Complex (Daynight, #1.5)
Click to see these titles on Goodreads


Megan Thomason



Bestselling, award-winning author Megan Thomason lives in paradise aka San Diego, CA with her husband and five children. A former software manager, Megan vastly prefers writing twisted tales to business, product, and marketing plans. When she isn't typing away on her laptop, she's reading books on her phone--over 600 in the last year--or attending to the needs of her family. Megan's fluent in sarcasm, could potentially benefit from a 12-step program for road rage, struggles with a Hot Tamales addiction, loves world travel & fast cars and hates paperwork & being an insomniac.









&


"Grand Finale"




Giveaway:



Nov 1- 24

$25 Gift Card

See Rafflecopter for restrictions.



a Rafflecopter giveaway

Friday, November 15, 2013

A Week of Interviews and Giveaways from Triskele Books & Prism Book Tours!

Launching!


A Week of Interviews and Giveaways!


November 16 - 22 Preview

16 – Literally Jen - Wolfsangel by Liza Perrat

17 – Beck Valley Books - Ghost Town by Catriona Troth

18 – Deal Sharing Aunt - Overlord, The Rise of Zenobia by JD Smith


19 – The (Mis)Adventures of a Twenty-Something Year Old Girl - The Boxset from Gillian Hamer

  

20 – Brooke Blogs - Boxset by JJ Marsh

  

21 – Colorimetry - Triskele Trail


22 – Grand Finale


Giveaway:



1 Signed Paperback,

2 eCopies...



Wolfsangel by Liza Perrat

Ghost Town by Catriona Troth

Overlord, The Rise of Zenobia by JD Smith



1 Signed Paperback of any one book out of each series, 

1 eBook Boxset of each, 

1 eBook of each book in both series...



The Charter, Closure, Complicit by Gillian Hamer

Behind Closed Doors, Raw Material, Tread Softly by JJ Marsh



Print copies available to win in US/Can/UK. eCopies available Internationally. Open to those who can legally enter and are able to receive winnings. Winners will be drawn randomly on Rafflecopter. Winners will be awarded according to their preference in the order they are drawn. If there is no preference indicated, they will win according to the consecutive posting order. Winners will be announced on Rafflecopter and notified by email after the giveaway has ended. They will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The odds of winning are determined by the number of entries. This giveaway was organized by the authors of Triskele Books and Prism Book Tours: www.prismbooktours.com and sponsored by the authors. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.



a Rafflecopter giveaway