Monday, December 1, 2014

Blog Tour of: Anyone?

a Rafflecopter giveaway





About the Book:
The end of the world? That’s the stuff of Hollywood blockbusters and deep philosophical exercises in school. No need to sweat it. So when sixteen-year-old Tess’s doomsday-dad builds a bomb shelter in their suburban backyard, everyone thinks he’s gone crazy….
…Until fire rains down from the sky, sinking whole cities into colossal craters and setting much of the world ablaze.
Tess’s dad gives her a few short minutes to gather her emergency bag and her freaked-out kitten, then leads her outside and into the underground shelter. Terrified, the last thing she expects is for him to leave her there all alone, but he has no choice—he must find her missing brother.
Before leaving, he makes Tess promise to keep the hatch door shut, not to open it for anyone but him, and to stay put until he returns.
But he forgot to tell her one thing: What is she supposed to do if he never comes back?

Author Bio:
I hear voices. Tiny fictional people sit on my shoulders and whisper their stories in my ear. Instead of medicating myself, I decided to pick up a pen, write down everything those voices tell me, and turn it into a book. I'm not crazy. I'm an author. For the most part, I write contemporary Young Adult novels. However, through a writing exercise that spiraled out of control, I found myself writing about zombies terrorizing the Wild Wild West--and loving it. My zombies don't sparkle, and they definitely don't cuddle. At least, I wouldn't suggest it.

I live on the benches of the beautiful Wasatch Mountains with two lovely children, one teenager, and a very patient husband. I graduated from Utah State University with a B.A. degree in English, not because of my love for the written word, but because it was the only major that didn't require math. I can't spell, and grammar is my arch nemesis. But they gave me the degree, and there are no take backs.

As a child, I never sucked on a pacifier; I chewed on a pencil. I've been writing that long. It has only been the past few years that I've pursued it professionally, forged relationships with other like-minded individuals, and determined to make a career out of it.

You can find me at my website, where I blog obsessively about my writing process and post updates on my current works. I'm also on Twitter and Facebook, but be forewarned, I tweet and post more than a normal person.



Barnes & Noble: http://tinyurl.com/lcr3epk

Sunday, November 30, 2014

Limited time sale: Be with Me

For a limited time you can download Be with Me sequel/companion to Wait for You for only $1.25! I loved the first novel and highly suggest you check out the sequel!


Blurb:
From the author of the #1 New York Times bestseller Wait for You
Do Teresa and Jase have a real shot at getting together or will life get in the way? 
Teresa Hamilton is having a rough year—she's in love with her big brother's best friend, but he hasn't spoken to her since they shared a truly amazing, mind-blowing, life-changing kiss. Then she got out of a terrible relationship. Now an injury is threatening to end her dance career for good. It's time for plan B: college. And maybe she'll have a chance to convince Jase that what they have together is real.
Jase Winstead has a huge secret that he's not telling anyone—especially not his best friend's incredibly beautiful sister. Even though he and Teresa shared the hottest kiss of his life, he knows that his responsibilities must take priority. He certainly doesn't have time for a relationship. But it doesn't help that all he can think about is kissing the one girl who could ruin everything for him.
As they're thrown together more and more, Jase and Teresa can't keep denying their feelings for each other. But a familiar danger looms and tragedy strikes. As the campus recovers, the star-crossed couple must decide what they're willing to risk to be together and what they're willing to lose if they're not. . .


Be with Me on Amazon


Saturday, November 29, 2014

Guest Post: Ivan Samokish

What is the Division Clock?

The Division Clock is a modern surreal fantasy novel that aims to explore the depths of the subconscious mind during times of great upheaval. The novel is purely a fictional fantasy yet it attempts to grasp the full scope of a person's struggle to find their own identity, make sense of the world and battle against any form of depression or oppression. 

Below is a quick summary of what the novel is about (although it only touches the surface):

"A young man battling with severe depression, loss of memory and gradual onset of madness races to find a stolen magical clock and reset time to save humanity from an evil power. Trapped in his own crazed visions, the line between reality and dreams is gradually blurred, leaving him struggling to overcome an adverse battle for identity, perception and restoration of sanity."

The novel is complete and ready for publication.

It is for sale online on Amazon or Smashwords where you can also preview the first sections to gauge whether you want to keep reading. At the same time, I am also handing out free copies to my initial 100 followers of my Facebook page here - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Division-Clock/646918018759106
Here are some quick facts about my work

- Division Clock is about 60,000 words in length
- Took about two years of planning and over a year to write
- Was written during times of upheaval in my own personal life
- Is inspired by the works of classical greats such as Bulgakov, Dostoevsky, Dickens and Shakespeare (among a few)
- There are 11 characters in the novel (along with several more mystical creatures)

Some facts about me

I like this quote (which somehow partly describes my feelings towards writing):

“Writing a book is a horrible, exhausting struggle, like a long bout of some painful illness. One would never undertake such a thing if one were not driven on by some demon whom one can neither resist nor understand.”

—George Orwell

Obviously, I don’t literally find it a pain to write, but being driven is definitely an apt description.
If you like my work any support is welcome! Thank you!

Blog Tour: Escape from Witchwood Hollow

HOW FAR INTO THE HOLLOW WILL YOU GO?

I love everything that comes with being published – the book signings, the blog interviews, the swag…  I’ve never been so excited about buying a bookmark before.  I also love hearing from the readers of ESCAPE FROM WITCHWOOD HOLLOW, and a few people asked me how Leon got the handgun.  I would hate to disappoint the fans, so I wrote a bonus scene where Leon meets the weapon.  You can access it here: http://www.jordanelizabethmierek.com/novels.html
There’s more than just a bonus scene on the website.  Check out contests, book signings, future books, and feel free to drop me a line.  Your suggestion might be the next bonus scene!  Signed copies of my books are available by request.  They make great holiday gifts.  Yes, I’m winking at you. 

Everyone in Arnn – a small farming town with more legends than residents – knows the story of Witchwood Hollow: if you venture into the whispering forest, the witch will trap your soul among the shadowed trees.

After losing her parents in a horrific terrorist attack on the Twin Towers, fifteen-year-old Honoria and her older brother escape New York City to Arnn. In the lure of that perpetual darkness, Honoria finds hope, when she should be afraid.

Perhaps the witch can reunite her with her lost parents. Awakening the witch, however, brings more than salvation from mourning, for Honoria discovers a past of missing children and broken promises.

To save the citizens of Arnn from becoming the witch’s next victims, she must find the truth behind the woman’s madness.

How deep into Witchwood Hollow does Honoria dare venture?

Jordan Elizabeth, formally Jordan Elizabeth Mierek, is the author of young adult fantasy ESCAPE FROM WITCHWOOD HOLLOW and contributing author for GEARS OF BRASS, both available from Curiosity Quills Press.  Her next books, TREASURE DARKLY and BORN OF TREASURE, arrive in 2015.  She is represented by Belcastro Agency. 
###
No new bonus scene would be complete with a contest.  Win this chilling keychain and ask yourself how deep into the hollow you will go. 



Friday, November 28, 2014

Blog Tour Stop: Vanished From Dust

Book blurb and cover
 Title: Vanished From Dust
Author: Shea Norwood
Genre: YA Paranormal Mystery
A CHILL RUNS THROUGH HIS SKIN AS THE PHANTOM APPEARS.
HE SEES THEM EVERYWHERE . . .
Eric Stark is not insane. Or at least he doesn’t think so. He wishes everyone in Dust, Texas, felt the same way. But that’s not going to happen since the whole town thinks he’s crazy. Why didn’t he keep his mouth shut?
No one understands. Eric is alone as he battles his sanity in a town of tormenters. Suddenly a new friendship emerges after the new kid, Kyle Barrett, moves to town.
Eric reluctantly reveals his secret. Is it a curse or a gift? He isn’t certain, but with Kyle by his side he finds the courage to seek the truth.
They soon realize that something sinister is descending on the residents of Dust.
Is it caused by Eric’s phantoms or is it something else? Is it connected to the mysterious death of hundreds of townspeople over sixty years ago? One thing is certain—only Eric and Kyle can save them.
They set out on a heart-pounding adventure and find themselves transported to a disturbed and deserted version of their small southern town. They quickly discover that this new world has mysteries of its own to uncover. What they find could prove more than they bargained for, and it only leads to more questions. Eric and Kyle must face a horrifying fact—they may never get out alive.

“We’re gonna die here,” Kyle muttered.

 “I don’t believe that,” Eric said. “And neither do you.”
Will they survive their encounter with these dark and mysterious beings?
Will they find a way back home?
Or will they be lost forever?
The Vanished from Dust series is perfect for anyone who craves a hair-raising thriller packed with mystery and suspense. This paranormal story for young adults can be compared to Stand by Me, mixed with Odd Thomas, and a twist of The Dark Tower.

Author Bio

 Shea Norwood is a West Texas native that currently lives in the DFW area with his wife and son. He's an avid reader and enjoys the craft of writing. The fictional town of Dust is loosely based on a small town south of Odessa, TX. 









Links
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1mVJSre

FB: http://on.fb.me/1pxjF3Q

Twitter: @sheanorwood


Giveaway
There is a tour-wide giveaway for a $25 Amazon gift card.

Excerpt:
“I’m not crazy,” Eric Stark shouted at the crowd of seventh graders as they surrounded him. He looked up from the ground, which consisted of patches of grass and dirt, to see the sunlight glinting off of the metal braces of a girl with pigtails as she pointed and laughed with the rest of them. Another boy kicked him in the stomach, causing him to retreat into a fetal position to guard against another blow. “Oh yeah?” Greg Coffey asked as he towered over Eric. His lip was curled, showing his crooked, heavily stained teeth. “What happened last week in class? You said, ‘They’re watching me.’ Remember that, loser?”
“I didn’t say that.” Eric tried to get up, but Greg pushed him back down and kicked dirt in his face. Eric rubbed his burning eyes with both hands. When he opened them he saw four more kids sneering over him, all laughing at his expense. Where was a teacher when you needed one? The hot Texas sun was high on the horizon, almost blinding him as he stared back at his tormentors. Sweat was pouring from his brow, mixing with the tears that streamed down his face.
“Yeah you did,” Adam Marshall said with a smirk. “You’re going off the rails, crazy train.”
“I like that—crazy train. Just like the song,” Greg said. He laughed and gave Adam a high five. “That’s your new name. Like it?” Greg kicked another pile of dirt at Eric. Eric tried to spit it out, but his entire face was covered in a muddy film. He wished that he’d just kept his mouth shut about it, but it was too late now. News traveled fast in a small town, and he was sure everyone thought he was insane by now.
He didn’t know what he was.
“Leave him alone,” a kid said. He leaned over to help Eric to his feet. “I don’t like bullies.”
“Stay out of it, new kid.” Greg said and gave him a scowling stare. “Or what?” The kid got closer.
“Let’s go,” Adam said. “There’s a teacher coming.” He slapped Greg on the shoulder. “This ain’t over,” Greg said as he walked away.
“Thanks,” Eric said.
“I’m Kyle Barrett,” the kid said, extending his hand. Eric shook it. “Did you just move here?”
“Yeah, this is my first day,” Kyle said. “It’s hard being the new kid. No one talks to you.”

“No one talks to me either, except to make fun of me,” Eric said.

Thursday, November 27, 2014

Author Interview: Chris Page

When do you know you wanted to be a writer?
Writing has been a passion of mine since I was 12 and read my first Shannara book (by Terry Brooks). The first book I ever tried to write was “The Adventures of Murray Slovack” about a slacker-day dreamer and his happy-go-lucky loose friend Goober, aka The Goob. From there I have been writing off and on my whole life from novels to short stories to even the occasional Murder Mystery Dinner Party for my friends J The Monster Squad is my first published work, though.

Which authors/works have inspired you?
Wow… where to start? I am particularly impressed by anyone who invents or reinvents a genre. Tolkien basically invented the Modern Fantasy. JK Rowling reinvented the Fairy Tale. Rick Riordan reinvented Mythology for a whole new generation of kids - each of these authors are icons to me (plus Terry Brooks whose work I continue to love today). I also love fun writing and fast pacing - Eric Kripke and Super Natural is brilliant, Robert Zemeckis and Back To The Future, Steven Spielberg and basically anything he ever did (okay, I wasn’t a fan of AI… but that was more Kubrick than Spielberg), JJ Abrams… even Jerry Bruckheimer and his pacing, imagery and accessibility have a terrific commercial appeal. I love works that are fun to read, play out in your mind, have unique characters with real voice and move at an almost breathless pace. I aspire to capture this in my stories.

What was the hardest part about writing this book?
Editing. Oooo… editing is hard… especially the 3rd or 4th time thru what you wrote and you really start to doubt the quality of the story and the words. But then you get to a Hemmingway-like place where you really start to chip away all the extras, take a step away and get to the core of the story, then editing gets easier and much more satisfactory. 

Could you talk a bit about your publication progress?
It’s pretty brutal. I work in high tech at a large company and deal with a lot of fact pace innovation and decision making. The book industry is still pretty old school. You need to get an agent and finding one is basically a cold calling process. You then need to find a publisher and that is really hard. Feedback in the whole process is pretty minimal… you cling to the professional opinions you receive because feedback prior to publication is pretty minimal. My best piece of advice is keep pushing - you have to be the biggest believer in your work. You also need to have a thick skin - don’t be too “precious” with your art… be open to feedback, learn from rejection and refine and get better as you wind your way thru the process. The result is a more enjoyable experience for the reader.

What other projects are you working on?
Yes! I have book two of Monster Squad, titled Jekyll & Hyde 75% of the way done and have the outline for the final two books after that in advance draft stages. I also have started working on a bit spookier work called The Unseen about a girl, Willow Freeman, who dies on page 1 but whose story just begins. I try to post previews and updates on upcoming works on my author web site www.chrispagewriter.com for readers who are interested. A preview of Jekyll & Hyde is up there and a short blurb on The Unseen is also posted.

If you could give one of your characters a piece of advice, what would it be?
Hmmm… My favorite character in the book is Kevin Wallis… he is a classic side-kick character who is a total comic book and sci-fi nerd much like I was like as a kid (but funnier and bolder than I ever was). If I were to give him advice it would be to stow a bit of the humor (he uses it as a defense and to get attention) and be a little braver with the girls he likes (he has a crush on a main character, Shelley Merry, who is the heir of Frankenstein). In general, in my life I regret the people I didn’t talk to or the actions I didn’t take more than those I did… especially when it was just a case of nerves. Kevin proves brave in the clutch but at the school dance he would still be the wall flower… he should get over his own doubts.


Author Blurb:

Christian Page loves stories that combine fun, action and adventure. A father of two, he lives in the Pacific Northwest of the United States with his wife, son, daughter, overly plump cat and under-behaved dog. You can visit the author to learn more about his stories and upcoming work at www.chrispage.com or follow him on Facebook (Chris Page) or Twitter (@chrispagewriter).
Monster Squad: The Iron Golem on Amazon

Wednesday, November 26, 2014

Spotlight: A Midnight Reverie


Everything was perfect. If Lillian had ever dreamed of a fairytale life, this was it. Everything was falling into place. Her Prince Charming - her knight in shining armor - had captured her heart entirely, and as though that were not beautiful enough, she had his heart as well. She had Matt, and there was nothing else she desired. How could she have known that in one brief moment, her fairytale would turn into a tragedy? The debut novel of Beatrice Manuel, the story of Lillian Jones is both heartrendering and heartwarming. Forced into an early adulthood to take care of not only herself but the lives that depend upon her, Lillian struggles to heal from her fairytale-gone-wrong and find the love and beauty that still remains in her life. A Midnight Reverie is the story of how a fragile, broken girl is transformed into a young woman whose battle scars speak of the ashes she once was...and the victor she has become.


Author Bio:
Beatrice Manuel is a young and aspiring teenager. She was born in April, 1997 in a small city in India, and although her roots go back to Madurai, having travelled and lived in many different countries across the globe, she considers herself somewhat of a nomad. 

Her journey as a writer first begun at the age of eight, when she wrote her very own illustrated fairy-tale entitled 'The Prince and the Princess'. Since then, her main focus was on the romance and adventure genres, writing several unpublished stories to nurture her skills through out her schooling years. She also participated and collaborated with several authors on writing communities under a pen name, dabbling in poetry and script-writing on the side. 

Her debut novel, 'A Midnight Reverie' was first written as a submission for the online writing competition NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month) in 2011, which was then edited and self-published via Amazon's CreateSapce in September of 2014. 

With this achievement under wraps, Beatrice hopes to publish and share more of her writing with the world, with the aim of inspiring and bringing joy to her readers - a dream she's held onto for several years and will see through to come true.

Author Contact:
Twitter - https://twitter.com/BeatheVagabond
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/BeatriceManuel2014
Google+ - https://www.google.com/+BeatriceManuel2014
Youtube - http://www.youtube.com/user/BeatriceManuel
Tumblr - http://beatricemanuel.tumblr.com/

Buying links:




  • For Kindle Users: www.amazon.com/dp/B00NVNZJRC
  • Paper-back orders at CreateSpace E-Store: www.createspace.com/3755333
  • Paper-back orders at Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Midnight-Reverie-Beatrice-Maria-Manuel/dp/1468133993/