Lunacy Blog Tour ~ Shift of Reality

 

I couldn't help but get drawn in by just the cover alone...

Lunacy blurb:

 "The glance at the clock on my night stand told me I had half an hour to get ready and be on my way to school. Senior year. The last big hurrah before the veil of childhood was burned away to nothing and the real world could sneak up and bite a huge chunk out of your ass. Unless you grabbed it and got a bloody mouthful of flesh first, that is."

All Kacea Meade wants is to finish her senior year of high school and get out of the little backwoods town of Elm Valley. But she's distracted by the social pariah, Jynxx Davison. Drawn to him in a way that she can't explain, and can't resist.

Jynxx is Ulven, a werewolf, and the last of his pack to discover his heritage. His awakening stirs something in Kacea, a key much sought after by ancient beings faded into legends. Can she
sacrifice everything she holds dear to keep it from them?  Filled with werewolves, vampires, Norse gods, and a touch of romance, the first book in the Ragnarok Legacy is sure to satisfy any lover of the paranormal/urban fantasy genre.

Links to books and Amazon author page

Lunacy

Author page

Bio

Mainly a writer of supernatural/urban fantasy fiction, Randi's been seriously writing since she was 13, honing her craft to have a blade of storytelling as sharp as her rapier wit. Inspired by a childhood full of action and horror films, as well as a more-than-healthy dose of comics (both American and not), her writing style has often been described thus: "It felt like I was watching a movie, not reading a book." With a style heavy on both visuals and plot, she hopes to enrapture many with her prose.  She began what has now become known as The Ragnarok Legacy when she was a junior in high school. The first book "Lunacy" is now available, after being revised and in the works for nearly a decade. She's working on the sequel "Sanguinarium" to be released sometime in the fall/winter of 2013.

Randi (Miss R.A.) currently lives near (but not in) the thriving metropolis of Baltimore, Maryland. She shares her home with her two cats, Chester and Nergal, a dog rescued from Afghanistan who goes by the name Renegade, her son Hunter, and her husband Adam, who proudly serves in the United States Military.

Contact Info

Blog

Website

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goodreads

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Lunacy by R.A. Sears


I have to admit, I was on the fence. It was a sharp pointy fence, too. The best way I can think of it is 'before' and 'after'. There is a significant event, a climax of sorts, about halfway through the book that is the pivotal moment. I really want to give a spoiler-free review, so I'm trying to not give away anything...

'Before'
I. Loved. This. Adored. I was smitten and happy as a clam. Kacea is snarky and funky and a touch geeky. She was a rebellious teen that chose to blaze her own path; she was SO my kind of gal! I enjoyed hearing her thoughts and really it was almost like watching a movie or TV show in book form (in a good way). Like Friday Night Lights meets Supernatural or maybe even Being Human. There were awkward moments, it was almost cute. But then running amok through all that happiness, the 'Moment'.

*Sigh*

'After'
I have to be honest here... I didn't 'get' it. There was this major reveal of sorts at the end (pretty much cliffhanger city- bring a parachute) and I just don't understand. I got lost somewhere along the way. The 'Moment' went so long unexplained, and I swear it seemed like body snatchers were involved. Like, the movie Inception. Is it a dream within a dream? This book warped my noodle but in a frustrating way. Looking at the reviews from other readers, they must have 'got' it. They had to. Maybe I'm just missing something.

Beyond Kacea, there are several other characters that are an absolute treat. While Jynxx does have the panty-dropping rocker next door skillz, Conner really intrigues me. I almost wondered if the romance was going to swing his was a few times. We seem to get a larger peek into Connor that I wish we saw in Jynxx. My mistrust of actions in the 'After' portion of the book made me question motivations and wonder. Additionally, there were so many side characters (of varying degrees of importance) that it was difficult at times to keep everything straight (well, 'pack' and especially 'clan' doesn't sound small, does it?)

This was a really, really hard book to rate. I had to weigh everything, and I think the tipping point was the vivid, unapologetic descriptions won me over. Chunks were flying, gore got in hair, leather sofas had to be wiped down... it was messy and real. I liked that; so much so, that it can overcome my frustration with 'missing' what the story is trying to tell me. Maybe I can ponder it out, maybe not; either way I am totally down with checking out more in this series. It is rather original, I have to give it props. I would recommend it... but if you read it and 'get' it- PLEASE clue me in!

I received a free eBook in exchange for an unbiased review as part of a Nevermore PR blog tour.

Caged Blog Tour ~ A Holloway Pack Story + Giveaway

If the meek can become deadly, the strongest can be weak.

For Ethan Holloway, his mission to find a missing werewolf should be simple. Crack a few heads, bust a few chops and the solution always reveals itself. Always.

Not this time.

Ethan’s reputation precedes him, and because it does, someone is ready. Waiting. Unbeknownst to Ethan, he’s about to go down. Hard. Against a foe he never suspected and in a world he never imagined could be real.

What awaits Ethan is a fight not only for his reputation, but also his pack, his female, and his life. If he survives, damage control will become priority number one.

If he survives.

Because even Ethan’s not sure he’s strong enough to take on an entire race all by himself.

Especially one hell bent on exposing who and what he is in the name of sport.

Check Out the Rest of the Tour!

Aug 28th - Keri Lake

Aug 29^{th -} The Eclectic Zaftig Chick

Aug 30^{th -}Emi Gayle

Aug 31^{st -} Cloud Nine Girl

Sept 2^{nd -} JeanzBookReadNReview

Sept 3^{rd -} The Stabby Pen

Sept 4th - Bibliophilia, Please

Sept 5^{th -} Happy Tails and Tales

During the Caged Tour, Blue Moon: Holloway Pack 2 is on SALE!

Grab YOUR copy for only $.99 at the following stores:

Barnes and Noble

Check out my previous Interview with J.A. Belfield from the Blue Moon Blog Tour!

Interview with J.A. Belfield

So, J.A., I'm figuring that after... how many blogs tours now? and no telling how many have interviewed you, and have probably asked all the hard hitting questions, so we're going to shake it up, take a walk on the wild side, and have some fun! I hope you're game!

I can’t wait.  Bring it on.

What color is your toothbrush?

Ha! Pink and purple, baby.

Why did the werewolf cross the road (why should the chicken have all the fun?)

Why, to get to the smell on the other side, of course. ;)

White meat or dark meat? Or no meat?

ANY meat. I love chicken for its simplicity, and I love steak for its juiciness, and lamb for its AMAZING flavour. Yum. (sorry, vegetarians).

Mayonnaise or Miracle Whip?

What on earth is Miracle Whip? LMAO. Mayonnaise, I guess. ;)

Do you think androids dream of electric sheep?

Nope, I think they dream of electric bleeps.

Monty Python or Mel Brooks?

Ach, will I get shot and shunted to the ‘NEVER READ AGAIN’ pile if I say neither? *cringes*

If you could have dinner with any 3 people/characters (living or dead, fictional or real) who would you choose?

Aimee Laine, Keri Lake, and Brigid Kemmerer. Yup, those three, for sure (though I’d try sneaking in a whole bunch of other folk—like all my blogger buddies, and L.S. Murphy, Julie Reece, Rebecca Hart, Alex Nader … my list really is endless—we’d need to hire a hall).

What would we find in your refrigerator right now?

Ha! Lemme go check ………………………… 

Pepsi, milk, squash, prawn salad, Clover, coleslaw, salad cream, mozzarella, mint sauce, soft cheese, pure set honey, cranberry juice, and apples. Makes me sound a lot healthier than I actually am, eh? In truth, I just haven’t been shopping yet—ha!

Cape or not to cape? (For a superhero)

Depends on whether he’s going to let me under there with him. ;)

Be honest, do you press harder on the buttons of the remote control when the batteries are dead as if the more intense pressure will bring it back to life?

OMG, YES! I even grit my teeth like more bodily strain and mental energy can help, too!

What if the Hokey Pokey really IS what it's all about?

Then we’d all be spinning intermittently, around disjointedly walking like we haven’t quite figured out how to perform a cartwheel. ;)

and finally....

Why isn't Chocolate considered a vegetable if it comes from Cocoa Beans?

Ach, GOOD QUESTION!

I'm hoping these will be easy to answer, and fun. 

100% Ha! This was the funnest (it’s a word!) interview EVER! :D

 

 

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(Don't Fear the) Reaper ~ Making Connections Blog Tours

Well I'm not sure if anyone would remember, but a LONG time ago (or it seems that way, anyhow) I did a cover reveal for this book from J. Taylor Publishing... I fell in LOVE with that cover and was so eager to read it, but somehow missed it when the email containing ARCs went out to the bloggers.  I was so very, very bummed when I realized I was a day late and a dollar short.  Then *cue angelic harp music* imagine my surprise when  L.S. Murphy popped up on my Making Connections Blog Tours!  *WooHoo*  There was MUCH rejoicing!

There's no way sixteen year old Quincy Amarante will become the fifth grim reaper. None. Not over her shiny blue Mustang. Her Jimmy Choos. Or her dead body.

She’s supposed to enjoy her sophomore year, not learn about some freaky future Destiny says she has no choice but to fulfill.

It doesn’t take long for Quincy to realize the only way out of the game is to play along especially since Death can find her anyway, anywhere, anytime. And does.

Like when she’s reassuring her friends she wants nothing to do with former best friend Ben Moorland, who’s returned from god-knows-where, and fails. Miserably.

Instead of maintaining her coveted popularity status, Quincy’s goes down like the Titanic.

Maybe ... just maybe ... that’s okay.

It seems, perhaps, becoming a grim reaper isn’t just about the dead but more about a much needed shift in Quincy’s priorities—from who she thinks she wants to be to who she really is.

About L.S. Murphy

Bio:

L.S. Murphy lives in the Greater St. Louis area where she watches Cardinals baseball, reads every book she can find, and weaves tales for teens and adults. When not doing all of the above,she tends to The Bean (aka her daughter), her husband and a menagerie of pets. “A Reason to Stay”, a contemporary romance novella, is available as of November 2, 2012. Reaper is her debut young adult novel and will be released on January 7th, 2013.

She is a co-rep for the Southern Illinois region of Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) and a member of the St. Louis Writer’s Guild.

Links:

Blog 

Twitter 

Facebook 

Goodreads

Publisher: J. Taylor Publishing

My Thoughts:

As you can probably tell from the beginning paragraph on this post, I was eager to read this book.  YA is right up my alley, and a new 'retelling' of the grim reaper always interests me.  I will admit my initial enthusiasm was tested a little.

My biggest hurdle in this book was Quincy herself.  As I said before, I adore YA, and this IS a very YA story overall, but 'Q-tip' was a special 'breed' (at least initially in the story) of teen: popular.  Maybe it's because I'm now 'old and jaded' and not in that mind-set of a teen willing to do near anything for peer approval... this may be harsh, but she was selfish.  Horribly selfish.  Especially the early on romance issues- just wanted to SMACK her... HARD.  But at the same time, that is totally true (character and age wise) for Quincy.  While I may not have been overly fond of Quincy, for a large part of the book, I still felt it was well written and honest for the genre and YA category.  

The trials... finding out the reasons and goals behind what she was shown, and her change through the book to being unselfish, and maturing, and ultimately learning about death firsthand- they won me over in the end.  It hit me like a ton of bricks, in fact; misty-eyed, and a lump in my throat through the last chapter in the book.  It's not fully a surprise, I knew it was coming... someday.  But the 'how' of it all just gripped my heart.

By the end of it all, it earned a solid 4♥ rating from me.  If you like paranormal YA stories, this is one to pick up.
 
I receive a free eBook from J. Taylor Publishing via the Making Connections Blog Tours in exchange for an unbiased review.

Crimson Darkness ~ Are You Ready for the Reveal?

Crimson Darkness Blurb:

London is in the grip of an unnatural darkness. Rose is in the grasp of an unrelenting power and Raven and Thistle, along with their supernatural allies, are battling to survive and find a way to restore their home city.

For the fey, the song remains the same. They must return the power to Faerie or die.  Unfortunately for them, the task has been superseded by an even more important one - help save Earth or perish along with it!  For Rose, the stakes are even higher as she is forced to make a terrible deal that will damn her if she does and damn her if she doesn’t.

Now enemies must work together as allies if they are to save their worlds from an ancient threat…

Take a job down memory lane to a previous stop here at Dark Obsession for Amos and Cassidy...

Author Bio:

Amos Cassidy - a team of two. Amos is a 29 year old Diva and Cassidy a 36 year old mum of three.

Aside from a passion for writing and a love of reading they also share an addiction to coffee, love anything Joss Whedon and are constantly playing tug of war over Jensen Ackles.

They have been writing together for four years and are currently working on the third book in their Crimson Series.

Social Media links:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Amos-Cassidy-World/172592816124684

Twitter: https://twitter.com/amoscassidy

Blogs:

http://amoscassidy.wordpress.com/

http://crimsonseries.wordpress.com/ 

Hello, Alana and all you fabulous people! Amos Cassidy here.

Crimson Darkness (Book 2 in the Crimson Series) is on its way – coming August 30, 2013

To celebrate, we’ve come to visit Alana on her awesome blog and share with you the hot cover and an excerpt from the book.

So kick back, relax, pour yourselves a cocktail or two (or a nice cuppa as an alternative) and take a glimpse into the Crimson World…

CRIMSON DARKNESS EXCERPT

Rose lay back in her sun-lounger, dark glasses shielding her eyes from the sun’s bright rays. Her body, clad only in a two-piece bikini and slick with sun block, felt warm and lazy.  She closed her eyes and visualised the beach around her; its sands almost as white as snow, the sea like millions of droplets of aqua crystals.  This was perfect.

“We should have done this a long time ago.” The playful voice pulled her out of her reverie and she sat up pushing her glasses to the top of her head to regard the speaker.
Roman shrugged his broad tanned shoulders and leaned back onto his sun-lounger. 
“Just saying, we shouldn’t have waited so long.”

“Well we’re here now, so let’s just enjoy it.” Her lips curved in a nostalgic smile as she took in his solid lithe form sprawled out beside her.  His hair was bleached blonde by the sun, his eyes hidden behind shades of his own.  He was beautiful and she would never tire of caressing him with her eyes.

“You want to go for a swim?” he asked.
To swim with Roman, to feel his arms around her, his body wet, slick, and hot against her own, she sighed. “Maybe later.”
“Plenty of time.”
“Yep.”

“You look really hot in that bikini by the way.” She felt his breath warm on her cheek and cracked open her lids to find his face intimately close to hers. His smile was playful, sensual, desire darkening his emerald eyes. He leaned closer, his lips brushing the corner of her mouth.  She closed her eyes and allowed herself to revel in the sensation for a moment. Her eyes burnt hot in her head and she blinked against the sting of angry tears.  She pushed him away.

“No.  No touching.  Please.  Let’s just…sit. Okay?”  She looked up into the face she loved, her eyes pleading.
Roman sat back on his hunches, regarding her with an unfathomable look. 
“Whatever you want, Rose.”

Rose closed her eyes.
When Rose opened her eyes the sun was gone, instead she found herself under a blanket of stars twinkling fiercely in a clear night sky.  No smog, no clouds, no obstruction.

“It’s something else isn’t it?” Roman asked from his spot beside her on the picnic blanket. The beach was gone and they were now in a moonlit park. “I’m glad we did this.”
“Me too.” Rose whispered softly.  The night was balmy and warm and the sundress she wore was soft and slinky against her skin. As she lay on the picnic blanket, one arm thrown across her forehead, the other by her side, she realised she may be losing the battle. It was a night for passion; she could feel the heat emanating from Roman. 

All she needed to do was reach out and touch him, to say the word and he could be hers forever. As if hearing her thoughts he shifted closer; a soft rustle of fabric, heat caressing her bare arm, her legs.  She closed her eyes and felt him leaning over her. 
“Look at me, Rose.”
She opened her eyes and stared at perfection, drank him in, allowed herself to believe. 
“Yes, Rose.  I am all that you need.”

She wanted to believe, wanted to forget, wanted to accept.  It would be so easy to give in, to stay, and to be happy.  She must have made some sound, maybe a tilt of her chin, a look, something that screamed acquiesce because his lips were suddenly descending towards hers.  She closed her eyes and opened herself to her fate.

A blinding light split the night sky and Roman stilled above her, his face a mask of fury, every muscle poised to flee or fight.  Pain blossomed in her shoulder, sudden and white hot.  She gasped and struggled to push Roman away, he was, however, unmoveable, impervious to her discomfort.  His eyes were on her but his attention already diverted.

“You are not welcome here.” He spat out through gritted teeth. 
Rose tried to slip from Roman’s grasp but his hands gripped her tightly, his fingers digging painfully into her shoulders.
“Leave now,” he said.

The light pulsed and then dimmed.  Rose craned her head to look over Roman’s shoulder and gasped.
“None of this is real, honey.” A familiar woman smiled at her from the edge of the picnic blanket.  Her gaze raked over Roman.  “Except him of course.” A look of sorrow flitted across her face, but was quickly covered by one of determination. “You have no claim here,” she addressed Roman and suddenly Rose was free and Roman was standing a few yards away in the shade of a maple tree.

The woman held out her hand to Rose. “I think its time we had a chat don’t you? Mother to daughter.”

I give the series a to-date a rating of:

ReArranged Blog Tour + Giveaway ~ Save a Horse!

Rearranged by Tina Carreiro

Title: Rearranged

Author: Tina Carreiro

Paperback: 214 pages

Publisher: Time and Tide Publishing

Language: English

Release Date: August 23rd, 2013

Print

        ISBN – 13: 978-0-9892549-5-3

        ISBN-10: 0-9892549-5-X

Ebook

        ISBN-10: 0989254968

        ISBN-13: 978-0-9892549-6-0

BUY LINKS

Amazon / All Romance / Barnes and Noble

PRINT - Amazon

BLURB:

Carly West is good at taking care of herself—she’s been doing it since her mama died. She can even make marrying a man she didn’t choose work. But when gorgeous ranch foreman, Wade Dawson struts into her life, everything changes. Her life starts to unravel, lies are uncovered, and the only comfort she finds is in the arms of a stranger.

Wade Dawson has one thing on his mind, to fulfill his brother’s responsibilities and get the hell out of this small town. But he soon finds out he wasn’t only hired to watch the ranch, but to see that the farmer’s daughter makes it down the aisle. It’s the first job he isn’t sure he can follow through with. But if he doesn’t, his brother’s reputation and freedom is at stake.

Bound by obligation to marry another man…

Bound by blood to save his brother…

Will one night destroy it all?

Excerpt:

“Fast I can do. It’s soft and slow I’m goin’ to have a problem with.”
“What’s the difference?”
“Different meanin’ for different people, mine’s personal.” He placed his palms against the wall by her ears.
“I don’t understand.”
He leaned his forehead against hers. “Fuck… you’re killin’ me, darlin’.” His fingers skimmed across her cheekbone and disappeared into her hair. “Do you remember what I said about kissin’?” His hazel eyes trapped hers.
“It can be dangerous?”
“Yes. And slow… slow is very dangerous.” He leaned forward, brushed his lips across hers, and all the air left her lungs. Something strange started in the depths of her stomach, and her skin flushed. Her nipples tightened, growing to the point of pain as they rubbed against the cotton fabric of her bra.

His eyes flicked toward them, a deep grunt sounded from his chest, and his hand tightened in her hair. He held her with a firm grip and leaned his forehead back against hers. “Reach down, and undo my jeans.”

She was trapped. Even if she wanted to retreat, there was nowhere for her to go. He’d invaded her space. Intense eyes stared right into hers as if he was demanding her deepest secrets with one hand buried inside her hair and the other curled around her neck. A rock hard, well-defined stomach pressed against her belly. The skin-on-skin contact ignited a slow burn that was sure to grow into a wildfire any minute. If she weren’t leaning against the wall, she’d collapse.

Author Bio

Tina spends her days writing and creating fantasy worlds until she’s forced back into reality where she pretends to be “normal.” When not writing, she’s a full-time cub scout/camping/gymnastic/PS3 mom for her son and daughter and a devoted wife to her leading man, the love of her life-husband. She’s addicted to writing, romance novels, zombie movies, and coffee with caramel macchiato creamer. She fully believes in karma and pours her heart into everything she does.  She loves life and embraces every moment of it.

LINKS

Web

Blog

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Goodreads

Amazon Author 

Rearranged by Tina Carreiro

Cowboys... check. Head-strong girl under the thumb of oppression... check. Horses... check. Peaches, sweet ice tea, and 'bless her heart' Southern drawl all drip from the pages as if you just took a juicy bite. Did I mention cowboys? That should count for two... at least.

"He opened his truck door and yelled back as he entered it - Get a bar of soap for her mouth, a paddle for her ass, and ice for your balls." And let me tell you he isn't just whistling Dixie!

Wade just moseyed on into my heart from the beginning. Tall, dark, and broody with very 'real' worries for his brother, Levi. Wade seems so honest and blue collar yet surprisingly haunted. I warned you- broody, but also a heart as sweet as honey. Let's not forget spitfire and complacent (I know, odd combination- right?) Carly that so desperately wants to spread her wings and fly into a future of her own making, but that is the one thing she can never, ever have. Part of me wants to hug her, another part wants to force feed her confidence. I was really rooting for them throughout the book, and SO frustrated when they were BOTH being so damn stubborn!

It's a nice Southern, cowboy romance. Comfortable, like a well-worn pair of jeans right up until it slaps your a$$ and calls you Sally with a 'I did NOT expect that to happen!' I've really got to applaud the hints of future 'woah!' moments early on that just weave into the overall storytelling. (I am also really eager to see MORE Levi, maybe he can get his own book someday? But that's another story... I hope!) I mentioned hot cowboys, right? Makes me totally want to join the 'Save a Horse' movement.

I really was flabbergasted about how everything went down. In a good way, if that's possible. I've been warring with myself over my rating. I liked SO much about this, there were so many things that just draw you into the story and lull you into a false sense of security. It does stand out most definitely, like a gemstone in the rough. I really want to give this 4½♥'s and the choice between 4 or 5.. Gah! I ended up (obviously) rounding down because something didn't quite turn it up to an '11'. It was great, and I'd highly recommend anyone into contemporary western romance! Take a chance, dance a two-step, and find yourself falling for this 'peach' of a book!

I received an ARC from Time and Tide Publishing in exchange for an unbiased review.

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Falling Stars Blog Tour ~ Surah Stormsong Book 2

Shooting Stars:

Surah Stormsong is one of the most powerful Sorceresses in the world. She is a princess who is next in line for the throne. As someone who has lost almost everything to this world, she only wants to pull away from it and live a normal life, but when Highborn ladies start being murdered and the Black Stone-a weapon that is capable of great destruction-goes missing, she is called upon to solve the issues and return her people to a state of safety.
But danger lurks inside the castle walls as well, and when she runs into Charlie Redmine, a common Sorcerer Surah met once as a child, things grow complicated very quickly. He is the main suspect of the murders, but Surah is powerless against the connection she feels to him. Time is ticking, and if she doesn't figure out what's going on things will go from bad to worse, and an entire kingdom will suffer for it.

From the author of the bestselling series, The Alexa Montgomery Saga, comes a tale of star-crossed lovers and magic, of hope and love and loss. The greatest question is, can love overcome all?

Falling Stars

Surah Stormsong's life has fallen down around her in the past week. Her father is in a coma induced by demon poison, two Highborn Sorceresses have been murdered, and a crazed Sorcerer by the name of Black Heart has made it his mission to take the kingdom for his own. As princess, and next in line to the throne, Surah is his primary target. But he's not the only one she has to look out for.

Now, Surah is on the run, having just helped Charlie Redmine escape from the castle dungeons. This makes her a traitor in the eyes of many, as Charlie is not only a common man suspected of murder and treason, but also Black Heart's younger brother.
The stars are crossed against the two lovers, the universe trying to keep them apart. In the end, will the stars align for Surah and Charlie, or will they fall from the heavens, dead and lifeless, like the tears of angels?

Guest Post from H.D. Gordon:

First, I’d like to say a huge thank you to Alana for allowing me to post here today. She has been a huge supporter of me and my work since nearly the beginning, and it has meant the world. So, thank you, Alana Lee Rock. You…uh…rock. J

I struggled a little with what to post about here today, went into it thinking I would just do a post about my upcoming book, Falling Stars. As I sit here writing, though, I find myself compelled to speak to the writers who may be reading this, and not the readers. Wait! Don’t leave just yet, Reader. I think what I have to say may be motivational to anyone who has decided fully what they want out of life, so come now, let me do what I do and share my words, my view of the world translated through those words.

Two years ago, I was a single mother of two, a miserable full-time waitress, a mediocre student at a local college, and a victim of life. Today, I am still a single mother of two, but I am full-time writer, a true wordsmith (excuse the ego, but such is necessary for anyone who truly intends to succeed at what they do) and an all-around happy and fulfilled person. Great for you dickwad, you might be thinking right now, but also allow yourself to think that this can be great for you too. Allow yourself to want all that you want. Dig?

I have always believed the greatest thing any writer needs is encouragement. I still believe this is true, and not just for writers, but for everyone. I now believe that there is also something else writers (and everyone else) needs, and that is utter faith in oneself.

Let me tell you a story. This story does not come from my mind, but is a passage from a book I’ve started reading. I have simply relayed it here in my own way. I think it is one we should all hear. I’ll keep it short.

A white man is standing in his barn one day, speaking with another white man, who is a friend of his. The time in which these men are living is that of the slave days in the United States, when the meager progression of the American mindset had just allowed African Americans to become sharecroppers.

As the white man is standing in his barn, a little black girl who is the daughter of one of the sharecroppers comes in. The white man looks at her and says, “What do you want?”

The little girl answers. “My mama needs fifty cents.”

The white man has fifty cents to spare several times over, but his answer to the little girl is, “I will give no such thing. Now be gone with you.”

The girl responds, “Yas sah,” and the man turns back to the conversation he was having with his friend. He doesn’t notice that the little girl has not left her spot in the doorway of the barn.

When he does notice she is still there, he says, “Didn’t I tell you to get out of here? Now get out before I take a switch to you!”

The girls responds, “Yas sah.” But still she does not leave.

The man gets angry, plucks a board from the corner of the barn, and stalks over to the girl, his face all business. “I will teach you not to disobey me!” he yells. He is nearly on top of her now. He raises the board over his head to strike her. “Now I will beat you—”

“MY MAMA NEEDS THAT FIFTY CENTS!” the girl screams in her shrill little voice, just as the man is about to reach her. The man pauses in his tracks. His jaw falls slightly slack. He studies the little black girl’s face for a moment. Then he reaches into his pocket and removes a half dollar. He hands it to the girl.

The girl takes the money, backs out of the barn slowly, and hightails it home.

The two white men stand there staring after her, not understanding at all what power the little girl had just exhibited that so fully cowed the white man, at a time in history where this was something unheard of.

The power was simple. The little girl went to that barn knowing she was going to leave with the fifty cents for his mother, or she wasn’t going to leave at all. This is the type of conviction that as a writer, as a person, is necessary to get what we want in life. The faith that you will accomplish what you set out to accomplish. The unwavering faith in oneself.

You will face failure, but how you respond to that failure is what matters. The Universe loves to trip people right before the reach success, just to see if they are worthy of that success. So, what I’m saying is, write truly, and forever. Don’t let the opinions of others deter you from your goals. Don’t let them or any temporary shortcomings make you quit what you know you are meant to do. (I’d still be a waitress if I’d listened to most around me.) Don’t let yourself think small, because we have to think, so we may as well think big.

Write on, brothers and sisters. Write on.

Just because this part of the post is inescapable (we want to sell books, yes we do!) I’ll leave you by saying that Falling Stars will be released on Sept. 15^th, and I humbly implore you to mark your calendars, because on release day it will be available for only $.99, then the price will go up. So, get caught up and pick up the first book, Shooting Stars today. I promise you won’t hate it. J

Thanks again, Alana. Ya know I love ya, girl!

I am SO excited about this next book.  *Sigh*  I really hope it all works out, I've gotten so attached to so many of the characters.

Late to the Empath Release Blitz...

From Becca J. Campbell:

I'm very excited to announce the release of my latest New Adult novel Empath, the first book in the Flawed Series. Read on to find out more about this paranormal thriller and be sure to enter the giveaway at the end for an awesome prize package. **

The Struggle of an Empath

Supernatural empathy isn’t a gift, it’s a curse. Anywhere she goes, Jade’s emotions are replaced by those of the people around her.

Jade grew up in a suburb of Colorado Springs, protected from other people by her parents. Now she faces college—and the world—with nothing to shield her from unwanted feelings.

When Cam, a classmate with a major crush on her unintentionally hijacks her emotions, Jade struggles to keep from being carried away in feelings of attraction. When Ethan, a psychopath with a thirst for fear, fixates on her, the emotional impact could be lethal. 

Caught in a deadly trap, Jade must untangle the emotions and find a way to use her empathic curse to overcome this killer or be overcome by him.

Empath eBook Now Available

Get your ebook copy now at any of these sites 

(paperback copies are not yet available, but coming soon! )

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Barnes and Noble

Kobo link

iTunes (coming soon!)

**I've got to apologize now... there was this truly, truly awesome release giveaway (good news) but it already ended last night at midnight (bad news). I know- Bad Alana! Very, very Bad Alana! BUT... I figure 'fashionably late release post' was better than no post at all, right? Right!

   

Becca J. Campbell is the author of the New Adult Romantic Science Fiction novels Foreign Identity and Gateway to Reality, and Sub-Normal, a series of short stories. An avid lover of stories that tiptoe the line between fantasy and reality (even when they plunge off one side or the other), Becca looks for new angles on bridging the gap between the two. She holds a special place in her heart for any story that involves superpowers or time travel. Her passion is defying the limits of her own creativity. You can find her on her Author Blog, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, Pinterest, and Amazon
 

So I am SUPER excited, this is going to be like a step back to my horror roots.  Paranormal Thriller, oh it just makes me want to cackle with glee!  So go out and get your own copy! 

Switch Blog Tour ~ New World Begins with a BANG!

Switch by Janelle Stalder
Series: New World #1
Published by Janelle Stalder on August 27th, 2013
Genres: Dystopian, Young Adult 

All’s fair in love and war.

Two thirds of the world's population has been wiped out, devastated by the worst war earth has ever seen. Still standing amongst the ruins is a mind reader who finds herself on the wrong side of the war. Everyone does what they must to survive. When the rebels bent on bringing down the New World leader start to rise up, it is her job to make sure they stay down where they belong. That is, until one rebel sneaks past her defences and into her heart. Love will blossom from the ashes, but will it be enough to save them, or will it mean the end of them both?

My Review (...well most of it):
 

I have to admit, I'm still reading this.  Life popped up, as it often does, and threw a wrench in my reading schedule.  But, I stayed up WAY past my bedtime, and with a catnap of a good night's sleep, finished today.  The end is a near dizzy pace, and am I even surprised by the end at this point?  I think not.

I really enjoyed the ensemble cast, how worlds collided, crap hit the fan, and there seemed a (less than) 5 degrees of separation between the survivors (both in charge, and the population being pushed down 'by the man'.)  I was engaged and eager to finish, especially to see the wild tangles of stories get finally woven together into one.  While the mechanics and history of the 'New World' is left somewhat ambiguous, my inner rebel was wanting to start a battle against both 'the man' and 'the rebels'.  Somehow, a line from Romeo and Juliet comes to mind, "All are punished."  That describes both sides of the fight- they are both power hungry, and flawed, and cold, and neither will provide a worthwhile future.

There are a moments that didn't work for me... well, I guess a better word would be tone.  I felt, especially in the beginning when we are still somewhat disoriented as to where the book is, geographically; the dialect, colloquialisms, slang, and other phrases didn't give a sense (even post-switch) of the region like I felt it should.  After about a third of the book, they do appear more often, but I still wish I got to see a little more lovely 'accent'.

One thing that I do have to give kudos to- I never react how I expect I would to certain characters.  Like you think 'rebels' and I get visions of Luke in a storm trooper outfit, and Lando in his cape, and the Princess with her matching bun earwarmers... all happy things.  But when it comes to this war, except for a few key players, I'm just against the war all together.  Dammed either way it seems- between a rock and a hard place.  I think I need some rose colored glasses to make me see the hope.  Maybe some Ewokes, too.  Although the male hotness does help.  

Overall, 4 BadAss stars and a smidgen extra!

  

Janelle Stalder was born and raised in Brampton, Ontario. At an early age she developed a love for literature. Her debut novel, Eden, was the first book in a series of four, released in September of 2011. The second book, Eden-West, was released in July of 2012, and the third book, Eden-South was released in March of 2013. The fourth book of the Eden Series, Eden-East, will be release at the end of 2013. She is a strong supporter of other independent authors, and loves to interact with her readers. When she's not writing, Janelle is at home with her husband, two children, Aiden and Elora, and her two furry children, Alice and Lily. She now resides in the small town in Ontario in her old, possibly haunted, century home.

Other Publications:

Eden-South
(Book #1)

Trapped within the cruel world of hormones and bullies, fifteen-year-old Aiden is convinced life has more to offer him. His instincts are proven correct on the night he is awakened by a voice calling to him from outside his window. As he sleepily peers into his yard, his eyes slowly focus on a woman who says she is there to take him to Eden. Aiden is about to fulfill the life purpose he never knew he had.

It is in Eden, a land on the brink of war, where Aiden will finally learn to trust himself and those around him. Accompanied by Wolf, his sidekick Logan, and the beautiful archer, Elisa, Aiden is soon thrust into a battle to save Eden. Meanwhile Elisa, the only girl in the King's Army, is in the midst of her own struggles. Betrothed to a man she has no intention of marrying, Elisa is caught between the need to prove herself and her desire for true happiness. And now that she has met Aiden, she is more confused than ever.

In this action-packed fantasy tale, romance, adventure, and intrigue surround Aiden as he learns just what he is capable of when he discovers confidence and courage.

Eden-West 
(Book #2)
Click HERE for the Eden-West Blog Tour Stop + Interview

New beginnings, new conflicts, and new adventures arise in the second installment of the Eden Series, Eden-West.

Months after his initial journey to Eden, Aiden is learning to cope with his own transformation. His social status has changed, his friendship with his best friend Ethan is in jeopardy because of it, and worst of all, he has heard absolutely nothing from his new friends in Eden. What has become of the world he fell in love with? Are his friends safe? Is the war over? With no answers, and no hope for contact, Aiden decides to focus on his life in his world. Just as he makes this decision, he encounters a familiar bright light and thinks he knows exactly what it means. Except the light isn't at all what he expects and neither is the person behind it. When Aiden returns to Eden, it is to a whole new part of that special world, and a whole new set of adventures. 

Weeks after Aiden was returned to his own world, Elisa is sent to Nysa, the revered Southern city, to retrieve the one thing she'd rather avoid - Wolf. Captain Turk instructed her to get in and get out - but that is easier said than done. When she finds her missing friend, she also stumbles upon a great deal of trouble. This trouble goes by one name - Markus, the leader of the Sun People. 

Follow all your favourite characters as they ready themselves for battle and fight for a world threatened to be destroyed.

 

Eden-South
(Book #3)
Click HERE for the Eden-South Blog Tour Stop

The betrayal that tore a family apart. Two brothers bent on destroying the other. A whole world on the brink of war.

Aiden has been through his second battle in the magical world of Eden. The victory is short lived and Aiden is sent racing toward his friends in the Capital. After being back in Eden with the Riders, he is eager to reunite with Wolf, Elisa and Logan, although he doesn’t realize just what he’s returning to. Surprises await him when he arrives in the Capital; his close-knit group of friends is slowly falling apart. On top of it all, another battle is just around the corner, one that will change everything.

Rain has made her choice, and now she is in some unknown fortress with the feared sorcerer, Aziz. She wants nothing more but to please him, but being his Queen isn’t as easy as she thought. While trying to learn sorcery, and dealing with Aziz’s advances, Rain is finding her new life a bit overwhelming. Just when she thought it couldn’t get worse, she discovers a secret of Aziz’s, and it is nothing she could have expected.

Rose has supported Callum throughout their journey, but now that the final battle is just around the corner she is faced with a hard reality. Everything she has gained with him could be taken away. Is she willing to live the rest of her life without him? Can she just stand by while he destroys everything, including himself? Will he ever be able to find peace? Will she?

In the third installment of the Eden Series fates will be decided, and the battle between brothers that has been a decade in the making will finally come to an end. Only one of them can be High King.

The battle starts now.

Upcoming Projects:

Eden-East (Book Four, Eden Series) – October 2013

Brush Strokes (Contemporary Romance) – Early 2014

Masked (Book Two, New World Series) – 2014

Elysium (YA Fantasy Spin-off of the Eden Series) – 2014

Author Contact Information:

Facebook: Janelle Stalder

Twitter: @jmstalder

Website: www.janellestalder.com

Email: jmstalder@gmail.com 

Direct Links

- Website
- Facebook
- Twitter
  
Be sure to watch for the next stops of the tour!