Tag Archives: fantasy

Fall Into Fantasy: The Enchanted Bookstore Legends by Marsha A. Moore

Welcome to the Fall Into Fantasy Tour, where we are keeping your mind off any end-of-summer blues and welcoming the cooler weather by introducing you to some incredible fantasy reads to curl up with and giving you plenty of chances to win awesome prizes!

The Enchanted Bookstore Legends

Book One: Seeking a Scribe

Book Two: Heritage Avenged

Book Three: Lost Volumes

Book Four: Staurolite

Book Five: Quintessence

By Marsha A. Moore

Seeking a Scribe: Enchanted Bookstore Legend One by Marsha A. Moore

Lyra McCauley is a writer and loves fantasy novels, but until she opens a selection from bookstore owner Cullen Drake, she has no idea he’s a wizard character who lives a double life inside that volume…or the story’s magic will compel her from the edge of depression to adventure, danger, and love.

His gift to Lyra, the Book of Dragonspeir, was actually her copy, misplaced years ago. Lost in her pain following divorce and death, she fails to recognize him as her childhood playmate from the fantasyland. Friendship builds anew. Attraction sparks. But Lyra doubts whether a wizard is capable of love. She’s torn—should she protect her fragile heart or risk new love?

Opening the book’s cover, she confronts a quest: save Dragonspeir from destruction by the Black Dragon before he utilizes power of August’s red moon to expand his strength and overthrow the opposing Imperial Dragon. Lyra accepts the challenge, fearing Cullen will perish if evil wins. Along with magical animal guides, Cullen helps her through many perils, but ultimately Lyra must use her own power…and time is running out.
Series Description:
The Enchanted Bookstore Legends are about Lyra McCauley, a woman destined to become one of five strong women in her family who possess unique magical abilities and serve as Scribes in Dragonspeir. The Scribes span a long history, dating from 1200 to present day. Each Scribe is expected to journey through Dragonspeir, both the good and evil factions, then draft a written account. Each book contains magic with vast implications.

Lyra was first introduced to Dragonspeir as a young girl, when she met the high sorcerer, Cullen Drake, through a gift of one of those enchanted books. Using its magic, he escorted her into the parallel world of Dragonspeir. Years later, she lost that volume and forgot the world and Cullen. These legends begin where he finds her again—she is thirty-five, standing in his enchanted bookstore, and Dragonspeir needs her.
When Lyra reopens that enchanted book, she confronts a series of quests where she is expected to save the good Alliance from destruction by the evil Black Dragon. While learning about her role, Lyra and Cullen fall in love. He is 220 years old and kept alive by Dragonspeir magic. Cullen will die if Dragonspeir is taken over by the evil faction…Lyra becomes the Scribe.
Purchase Links:
ABOUT MARSHA A. MOORE

Marsha A. Moore loves to write fantasy and fantasy romance. Much of her life feeds the creative flow she uses to weave highly imaginative tales.

The magic of art and nature often spark life into her writing, as well as watercolor painting and drawing. She’s been a yoga enthusiast for over a decade and is a registered yoga teacher. After a move from Toledo to Tampa in 2008, she’s happily transformed into a Floridian, in love with the outdoors. Marsha is crazy about cycling. She lives with her husband on a large saltwater lagoon, where taking her kayak out for an hour or more is a real treat. She never has enough days spent at the beach, usually scribbling away at stories with toes wiggling in the sand. Every day at the beach is magical!
 Want to get involved with the Fall Into Fantasy promotional tour?
  • Don’t forget to join us at the Facebook party here
  • If you are interested in joining up as a blogger, you can always sign up here. We are happy to welcome more bloggers into the fold as the promotion continues. 
  • If you are an author or blogger and want to sign up to help with the party, please fill out this form.
 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Excerpt from Seeking a Scribe:
 
Chapter One: Licorice Memories
The smell of anise
greeted Lyra as she opened the door to Drake’s bookstore. It took her back to
happy childhood memories. Licorice-shoe-string-rewards for following her
parents’ requests to stay on the dock while they secured the family’s pleasure
boat to its trailer. The aroma brought a fleeting remembrance of times long
gone, a treasure now that her folks had recently passed. At ease with the
familiar scent, she settled into browsing through rows of antique bookcases.
The shop owner
stuck his head around a set of shelves. “Do you like tea?”
“Yes, I do.”
Before she could finish speaking, he disappeared. “Is that the wonderful
smell?” she called out.
Kitchenware
clinked in the back room. Receiving no answer, Lyra followed the noises,
scanning collections as she walked. This bookshop appeared established, but
surely she would have remembered it from her last visit to the Lake Huron
village five years ago. Books were her passion, especially fantasy. She paused
in front of that section and studied its titles.
The owner appeared,
holding a pewter tray with a teapot, two cups, sugar jar, spoons, and napkins,
which he laid on the corner of an old library table. She watched him carefully
pour the tea and hand her a cup. He was about her age, mid thirties or a bit
older, and handsome. His medium brown hair, peppered with gray at the temples, grazed
his shoulders in wavy layers, and his beard was trimmed into a neat goatee. He
wore long shorts, a knit golf shirt, and sandals—typical casual attire for this
island resort community.
She set down her
bag from the drugstore and accepted his offer with a smile. “Thanks. My name’s
Lyra.” She blew across the hot surface of the tea to cool it and then inhaled
the anise-scented steam. She closed her eyes to fully enjoy the memory. “Ah!”
“Afternoons of
boating and licorice with your parents? Right?” he asked.
Her mouth dropped
open. How did he know that?

Continue reading


Fall Into Fantasy: The Darkness & Light Series by KL Schwengel

Welcome to the Fall Into Fantasy Tour, where we are keeping your mind off any end-of-summer blues and welcoming the cooler weather by introducing you to some incredible fantasy reads to curl up with and giving you plenty of chances to win awesome prizes!



Week 1: The Darkness & Light Series

Book One: First of Her Kind

Book Two: Emergence

Book Three: Edge of Darkness (Release date 2015)

 

 

It seems everyone wants to dictate what Ciara does with her life: Serve the Goddess, destroy the Goddess, do as you promised your aunt — all Ciara really wants is to keep the two magics she possesses from ripping her apart.

And that’s not going to be easy.

Not only is her earth magic in complete opposition to her other power, blood ties pull her in divergent directions as well. And then there’s Bolin, the man sworn to protect her. There’s no denying the growing attraction between them, but is it Ciara he wants, or her power?

None of which will matter if Ciara can’t overcome her fear and learn how to use her gifts. No one knows the depths of the ancient power she possesses, or what will happen if it manages to escape her control. Will she lose herself entirely? Or be forever caught between Darkness and Light?

Buy the e-book: Kindle Nook

Or the paperback: Amazon  Barnes & Noble

The battle for Ciara’s power has drawn the full attention of the Emperor and the Imperial Mages, forcing Bolin to put duty above safety and take her to Nisair. It won’t be an easy trip, even with an Imperial escort and a Galysian elder accompanying them. Especially since Donovan has found himself some new allies, one of who wields a dark magic that has literally gotten under Bolin’s skin.

For Ciara, coming to terms with the increasingly tangible manifestation of her power could destroy her. Even if they make it to Nisair–something that grows more unlikely by the day–there is no surety of safety for Ciara, or any of them. Not with Donovan willing to gamble everything to achieve his goals, or Bolin’s uncharacteristically reckless behavior, the result of which is the attention of something that has everyone worried.

Loyalties will be tested, lives will be lost, and no one will emerge unchanged as they find things are not always so clear on the line dividing Darkness and Light.

Buy the e-book: Kindle  Nook

Or the paperback: Amazon  Barnes & Noble

 

ABOUT K.L. SCHWENGEL

K. L. Schwengel lives in southeast Wisconsin on a small farm with her husband, a handful of Australian Shepherds, Her Royal Highness Princess Fiona the Cat, and assorted livestock. Growing up as the youngest of nine children, and the daughter of a librarian, Kathi spent many hours between stacks of books, and secluded away in dusty archives, drawn to tales of medieval heroes and conquering knights. With so many characters and ideas spinning in her head, she had to get them onto paper or risk what little sanity she possessed. She has been penning wild tales of magic and mayhem as long as she can remember, but opted to follow her artistic muse first. After earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts and spending many years working as a freelance artist, grocery clerk, art teacher, graphic designer, stable hand, advertising account coordinator, dog trainer, and process technician (among other things) she answered the call of her writing muse. When not writing, Kathi trains and trials working Australian Shepherds, still paints, dabbles in photography, graphic design, and anything else creative her assorted muses send her way.

Connect online at…

Blog  Facebook  Pinterest  Twitter  Amazon Page  Goodreads

Want to get involved with the Fall Into Fantasy promotional tour?

  • Don’t forget to join us at the Facebook party here
  • If you are interested in joining up as a blogger, you can always sign up here. We are happy to welcome more bloggers into the fold as the promotion continues. 
  • If you are an author or blogger and want to sign up to help with the party, please fill out this form.
 
 
Note from Kate: KL Schwengel is one of my writing friends, a sharp-clawed* beta reader, and host of WIPpet Wednesdays. She’s also a great writer. If you like your Fantasy with a darker edge, check out the Darkness and Light series (samples on Amazon, and she’s posting chapters from book 1 on Wattpad). I had the privilege of beta reading Emergence, and the series is only getting better as it goes on. As for what’s coming in the future in another series… ARRGH, I can’t wait! But we have to. *puts on big reader panties and waits*
 
Hey, don’t forget to click on that link to the rafflecopter giveway!
 
 
*and I meant that in the most wonderful way possible

WIPpet Wednesday: So Difficult

HELLOOOOOO, and welcome to WIPpet Wednesday!

Before we start, I’d like to welcome anyone who has joined us recently. Make yourselves comfortable. Join in on conversations if it suits you, lurk if you’re more of a skulking type. Everyone’s welcome.

Two more announcements… I’m doing a Goodreads giveaway for a signed paperback copy of Bound! Here’s the link for that. The other thing is that Bound (the e-book version) goes up to regular price next Wednesday, or whenever various retailers decide to comply with the change. The intro sale has lasted two months, and it’s been fantastic. Regular price is still a great deal, but if you know anyone who’s been putting off picking up their copy, now would be a good time for them to do it if they want to save a few dollars.  Fair warning. 🙂

For anyone unfamiliar with the game blog hop, WIPpet Wednesday is where we share a quick snippet from a Work In Progress (get it?) that relates in some way to the day’s date. We get a little creative with the math sometimes, to the point where it’s basically a Cloud Cuckoo Land of do as you please, but it’s good fun, and I’m so glad to have the WIPpeteers in my life.

 

That said… guys. I’m trying to avoid spoilers, but it’s becoming impossible. Even revealing who’s in scenes is difficult sometimes. Like this one, for example. I’ll tell you that the first speaker is Rowan, the second is a rather unlikely and occasionally pants-crappingly terrifying teacher she’s found to help her with… um… *sigh*

I’m cutting this to avoid spoilers, so I apologize for the lack of stuff. Also, this isn’t the beginning of a scene. I swear there’s set-up.

I’m going to have to start a new project just so I have things to share.

WIPpet math: 20-8  = 12 paragraphs

“Did I do that?” I whispered, and reached up to touch the pendant that hung around my neck. I couldn’t have chosen a less likely guardian.

“You did,” he said. “Never doubt it.”

“You did that on purpose? To provoke me?”

“Obviously.”

My legs began to tremble, and I sat on the bed again. “It was beautiful.”

“It was acceptable. You’ll do better. How did that feel? What were you thinking when it happened?”

“I was afraid you were going to hit me. Mostly angry, though.” I looked up and met his eyes as the reality of it sank in. “You’re horrible.”

“I know. It worked, though. You’ve been allowing emotions to hold you back when you should be using them, using your passion to direct and propel your magic. I was certain that if threatened, you would respond appropriately.”

“And if I hadn’t?”

“Then you’d be in pain now. Does it matter? It worked.”

Rage still seethed within me. “Your methods are reprehensible.”

“I know. But you can’t argue with those results.”

 

Yeah, that wasn’t helpful, was it? That’s it. Next week I start writing zombierotica or something just so I can post here.

Actually… next week I should be starting book 3. NGUH.

For more WIPpet Wednesday fun, click here and visit the other WIPpeteers. Special thanks to our host KL Schwengel, thanks to whom I can never eat chicken McNuggets again. Feel free to join in on your own blog and link back, too– just be sure to visit others if you want them to come see you. Community, and all of that. 🙂


COMING SOON: Fall Into Fantasy

I know, I know. It’s been way too quiet around here.

I was on vacation. It was fun. But I’m back now, and hard at work on revisions. If all goes well, Torn will be out to beta readers next month (if we talked about you reading and I haven’t been in touch, please forgive my lack of organizational skills, and give me a slap in the head). That’s taking all of my writing time right now, leaving little for blogging.

Priorities, right?

That said, I have AN ANNOUNCEMENT.

I’ve been invited (squeak!) to participate in the Fall Into Fantasy promotion, along with a TON of fantastic authors! It’s humbling, a little intimidating, and very exciting. We’ll all be posting about each other’s work, offering giveaways, having A PARTY… you know what? I’m just going to share the post that Mara Valderran, author of the Heirs of War books, sent out to us. She says it better than I do, anyway, and made such pretty pictures. Click here to get to her site, say hello… she’s super nice. 🙂

Take it away, Mara, and thanks for your hard work in organizing this!

 

It’s August, and that means Fall is upon us! To celebrate the cooler weather and keep your mind off any back to school blues, we’ve put together the Fall Into Fantasy Tour. This tour celebrates the wonderful fantasy books that you can dive into–right now!

But what’s a tour unless we are giving away free stuff? That’s right! Each week, we will be giving away some awesome prizes from the author being featured. And to wrap things up at the end of the promotion in December, we’re going to have a huge Facebook party all weekend long featuring these authors and more!

Want to get an idea of what is ahead? Check out the calendar below!

August 25th: The Darkness & Light series by K.L. Schwengel
  
September 1st: How to Date Dead Guys by Ann M. Noser
September 8th: The Undead: Playing for Keeps by Elsie Elmore 

 

September 15th: Shadows of Serenity by Marsha A. Moore
 
September 22nd: The Curse Merchant by JP Sloan
 
September 29th: The Ragnarok Prophecies by Ayden K. Morgan
   
October 6th: The Daath Chronicles by Eliza Tilton
 
October 13th: The Heirs of War series by Mara Valderran
 
October 20th: Salvation by James Wymore


 
October 27th: Strings by G. Miki Hayden

 

 


November 3rd: The Shadow Series by Anna Hub
 
November 10th: Between by Lisa Swallow




November 17th: Darkness Watching by Emma Adams

 

 
November 24th: Bound by Kate Sparkes
 
December 1st: The December People series by Sharon Bayliss
 
December 8th: The Disciple series by L. Blankenship


December 15th: Evensong by Krista Walsh
 




Don’t forget to join us at the Facebook party here! And be sure to check out these awesome blogs that will be hosting the tour for us:


Bilbo’s Book Ends

Katie’s Stories

Book Crazy Gals

CoffeyAndBooks

Read Me

Kelly P’s Blog

SW Fairbrother

Want to get involved with the Fall Into Fantasy promotional tour? 

  • If you are interested in joining up as a blogger, you can always sign up here. We are happy to welcome more bloggers into the fold. 
  • If you are an author or blogger and want to sign up to help with the party, please fill out this form.
  • If you are an author that wanted to take part, be sure to add Mara on Twitter or Facebook to hear about other promotions you can get involved with.

 

————–

Back to Kate:

Doesn’t that sound FANTASTIC? Be sure to check those books out, and mark your calendar to come back for your chance to win e-book copies and more.

Can you tell I’m excited? I’ve only read a few of these books (so good), and my TBR list just exploded.

 


WIPpet Wednesday: Not Even Here Edition

That’s right, I’m not here. I mean, I am… but I’m not at home. I’m still going to try to get to everyone’s posts this week. I got through 16 last week before things got crazy. I’m going to try for everyone this time, even if it takes all week.

So where am I? Halfway across the province, visiting my parents so I can a) visit my parents, and b) sign the books they’re taking with them when they go to visit the rest of the family in Ontario next month.

books

Bad lighting = bad picture. Sorry.

I’m still waiting on most of my order from CreateSpace, but Amazon got other people’s orders to them quickly, so that’s fine. JUST FINE. -_- *

Turns out signing books is awkward. I don’t know what to write. And now I’ve learned that “personalized” doesn’t mean that I lick the spine to mark the book as my territory.

Someone should really get this information out there.

TO THE WIPPETORIUM!

Okay, math… Today is the 23rd. 2+3=5 paragraphs from the scene I was working on a few nights ago. We’re back to Rowan and Aren here (yay!), and she’s referring to someone who readers should recognize from the end of book one who’s not a big fan of Aren.

Man, it’s hard to not be spoilery. -_-

This is mid-scene. I just completely re-wrote this, so it’s a little rough. Aren’s POV, starts with Rowan speaking.

 

“She’s warming to you.”

I snorted. “You’re the second person who’s tried to tell me that, and I’m no closer to believing it than I was months ago.”

“It’s true. She doesn’t speak badly of you any more. I don’t think she’s forgiven you for things that happened in the past, but she finds you useful, and I think she’s stopped worrying about you using certain talents.”

“That really doesn’t make me feel better. A young dragon is less fearsome if its fire is doused and its teeth pulled, but then what does it have left?”

“You still have your claws.” She stood and pressed her body against mine, flashing that wicked little grin that always set my blood surging. I rested my hand on her hip and gripped the fabric of her cloak. It slid without resistance against the smooth skin beneath. “I like your claws.”

For anyone not in the know, WIPpet Wednesday is when we share a short snippet from a work in progress that relates to the day’s date. If you’d like to join in at your own blog space with 23 lines from chapter 7, seven paragraphs from page 23, or whatever else you’d like to work out, have at it! Link up here, and be sure to stop in and say hi at everyone else’s blogs. Thanks to monkey mistress KL Schwengel for hosting.

 

*One of my boxes finally came yesterday, over a week late. Still waiting on most of the order. But I will say that CreateSpace customer service was amazing once I got past my phone-related anxiety and called them. If you ever call and talk to Jeimy, be nice. She’s swell. And anyone who’s waiting on signed copies… I’m sorry. We’re working on it.


ROW80 Update- Falling off the Cliff Edition

Not literally. It’s just my first book‘s last few days of eligibility for Hot New Release lists on Amazon.com. My poor baby is going to feel the sting of being replaced by newer and younger books.

Le sigh.

But what the hell, right? It’s been an awesome run. I didn’t expect to see it on this list. Or here.

Fullscreen capture 2014-07-20 84034 AM.bmp

Or here. I am keeping this screenshot FOREVER.

Maybe its spot in a couple of sub-category best-seller lists will keep it afloat for a while. I actually have no idea how that usually works out, long-term. I’m torn between sharing EVERYTHING here in the interest of getting potentially helpful information out there for other writers, and just staying all shut-up because someone’s going to come along and say, “PFFT. IT’S JUST A COUPLE OF SUB-CATEGORIES, GET A LIFE, ROOKIE.”

It’s major for me. These little victories don’t take away the crippling self-doubt that most writers seem to struggle with, but they’re really nice.

Thanks again to everyone who’s read, reviewed, shared the book with friends, and offered support and encouragement in the past month. I hope I’ll see you all at the next release party. 🙂

Okay, update.

Goals were here, and right now mainly focus on getting Torn whipped into shape for readers and then my editor. Good news: I’m 1/3 of the way through. Bad news: Subtracting family vacation time (I’m going to go nuts if I can’t work, I swear), that leaves about 4 weeks to get through the other 70K+ words, which includes two new scenes and full re-writes of others, plus heavy revisions.

I can do this. I just hope my dear husband finds it in his heart to accept my frequent absences when I disappear to my office*. I also hope I can figure out how to not be distracted by social media, etc., which is my writing Kryptonite. The distraction, I mean, not social media specifically. If I didn’t have that, it would be something else. I don’t have ADD, but I definitely have CFF (Can’t F%$*ing Focus… not the Canadian Fencing Federation).

Once I get working, I’m fine for a good 20 minutes or so. It’s just settling into it that’s hard. That, and the kids hanging off of me, the Barbie doll chatting in my ear about how she’s the Salt Queen now, the rest of the “Are you done yet? Now? How about now?”

I feel like this is the main benefit of an office job. And I still don’t particularly want to work with a publisher, but I think my deadlines might carry more weight with people if I could say they came from somewhere other than me and the promise I made to readers. It’s a little frustrating.

Anyway. I’m pretty well on schedule, and that’s the important thing.

For anyone who doesn’t know, ROW80 is a writing challenge that lets you set your own flexible goals for each round. More information here. And if you’d like to check out some other people’s posts, click here! Join in any time at your own blog space if you feel so inclined.

In other news, I’m considering dropping out of this challenge. I’m not sure these posts are anything but boring for you guys, and they take time away from actual writing (my perfectionist tendencies and paranoia about how much to say about things have made this post take an hour and a half to write). Maybe I’ll just leave Sundays open for something fun and keep Wednesdays strictly WIPpetish. We’ll see.

Now. Back to work.

Wait, no. The kids are up. Later…

*It’s easy enough to find me. Down to basement, hang a left past the litter box ghetto. It’s the spot with the desk and the dragons and the crazy person.


Wednesday Shenanigans

It looks like it’s Wednesday again! For anyone just joining us (hello, there!), this means two things: a ROW80 update, and WIPpet Wednesday. Both are blog events that are open to all. One’s a great help for procuctivity/accountability (both of which I’m in desperate need of at the moment), and one is just buckets of fun.

Let’s start with the fun, shall we?

WIPpet Wednesday

Let’s see… math. WIPpet Wednesday is when we share a snippet of a work in progress that relates somehow to the day’s date. I have to be careful about what I share right now (spoilers!), but I think I’ve got something that will work, if I can make it fit…

I’m taking the 16th and chopping it in half… because this is from book 2 of the Bound Trilogy, and because I said so. I’ve been teasing a little with short WIPpets lately, so here’s something a little longer. Eight paragraphs.

This character was abducted (well… more like conscripted) by a group of soldiers, and while she was trying to figure out how to escape, someone set off a dragon flare in the woods that attracted a big, flying fire-breather. It helped her escape, but she’s none too pleased with the methods these strangers used to rescue her…

 

“That was incredibly stupid,” I said to the three of them, who had just caught up with me. The woman led them, a stunning creature with clear skin the color of my morning’s tea with just a drop or two of cream in it. She didn’t speak, but kept her gray-green eyes trained on me without fear or concern for propriety. A huntress, and certainly not from the northern provinces.

I slowed my horse to a walk and patted his neck. He was beautiful, a fine traveling companion and better quality than any nag we’d had when I was growing up. The woman rode ahead of me, the men behind. “Did you not know what that stick was before you lit it?” I asked. “Or was it your mission to kill us all?”

My voice remained smooth and level, though inwardly I trembled with apprehension. The soldiers had been bad, but at least I knew what they wanted.

One of the men rode up beside me. He appeared healthy, in spite of his pale complexion, and was handsome enough in a pampered sort of way. Not someone who spent his life toiling outdoors, then. But he appeared strong, if lean, and rode with the same proper form as the soldiers. He could have been one of them, had he the right weapons and uniform. “We knew what it was,” he said. “We needed a distraction.”

“I’d say you got what you wanted, then.” I let out a little laugh, as though the whole situation amused me. Best to not show fear, or how frustrated I was becoming with the whole damned day.

He glared at me. “It worked. I don’t see any ropes binding your wrists or soldiers chasing you.”

He seemed to expect some show of gratitude. I wasn’t going to show anything until I found out what he and his friends wanted with me. People don’t try to help unless they want something. “I would have been fine without you. I’m quite capable of handling myself.”

The muscles in his firm jaw clenched as he gritted his teeth. May a windwyvern piss on my head if you ever find me a joy to converse with, I thought. His very presence irritated me for reasons that seemed just beyond my mind’s reach.

 

Ho-ho.

*cracks knuckles*

Check out what the rest of the WIPpeteers are up to here, and if you have a blog and a work in progress, join in! Super special thanks to KL Schwengel for hosting.

ROW80 Update

A Round of Words in 80 Days is a writing challenge that lets you set your own goals. I set mine here. Time to check in.

I stalled for a few days, but I think I’ve figured out what the problem was. Sometimes a scene is intimidating because it has to do so much, and it has to make it all look effortless. I’m working on one of those scenes right now. Planning is what I needed, and it’s what I’m doing.

It’s gonna be goooood. There were a few hiccups in the last draft, a few things that fell flat or might have disappointed people, but I’m SO ON IT NOW.

So the goals have not changed. Third draft revisions on Torn continue. Time is the biggest challenge right now. I need to average two scenes a day if I’m going to have this thing ready to go to beta readers in September, and right now that’s just not happening. Most scenes need partial or full rewrites, and between the kids being home and… well, the kids being home, I’m not getting the time I need.

Still working on the whole “getting up early” thing. I slept right through my alarm this morning because the fan drowned it out. Note to self: turn up the ringer volume on the my phone tonight.

Going to try for a few hours this afternoon if I can find something to keep the boys occupied, and I AM going to get up and work tomorrow.

Just need to get that momentum going again.

(And guys? This one’s going to be so good…)


ROW80 Update: Party Closet Edition

We went on a family adventure to Fogo Island yesterday. I’ll have more pictures and stuff tomorrow, but for now I just have to share one thing.

I found the party closet.

IMG_5887

Tell me that doesn’t sound like a good time right there. It’s on the ferry between Farewell and Change Islands/Fogo. If this is everything you’ve ever wanted out of life, YOU’RE WELCOME.

(And guys? It’s not flame-resistant apparel. It’s a FIREMAN’S OUTFIT.)

Anyway.

Things are going well with my little schedule plan. Sort of. I’m doing really well with the whole “get up early” part. It’s just the “get right to work” thing that’s making me stumble.

I keep getting distracted by the “checking sales and rankings” thing and the “should I be doing some kind of promotion” thing and the “I wonder what my friends are up to on Facebook OMG THAT’S SO WACKY” thing.

I’ll get there. I will.

I’m making progress on Torn, and it’s SO much more epic than the last draft was. I kind of dropped the ball on a romance sub-plot in drafts one and two, and that’s really blossoming now. I’ve figured out a few things that smooth out rough patches in the plot, I’m taking characters to places they’re not too happy about, and I’ve got a whole lot of surprises for anyone who loved Bound.

I’m so excited!

Speaking of Bound, the book in the #1 position had the decency to run out of time for new release eligibility*, so Bound is (at the time of this posting) the #1 Hot New Release in Amazon’s YA Fantasy > Sword & Sorcery category! It’s on the charts in a few others, but that’s my big, happy excitement for the day. I also woke up to a beautifully written review, so that was WICKED GOOD.

Mini-goals for this week: Finish up this one character’s scenes, move on to Aren’s (which should be my biggest challenge, because DUDE. Ugh. I love him, but this is a tough story to balance in terms of not letting him get too emo). Contact a few book reviewers if I can get my nerve up. Get on that blog post for tomorrow. Maybe do a few more promo pics, though I’m not sure how much good they actually do. Finish reading last week’s WIPpet Wednesday posts. Read other blogs.

But the priority is writing.

And also housework.

Ick.

 

*I’m pretty sure it was out-selling my book by 10 to 1, so this really was the only way I was going to get there.


Quick WIPpet

Well, this is awkward. I have to worry about cross-book spoilers now.

But it is WIPpet Wednesday, and now that launch day business is done with, I should get back to it.

What is WIPpet Wednesday? It’s the day when a bunch of fun and fantastic writers working in a variety of genres post a snippet from a work in progress that relates in some way to the day’s date. We link back, we comment on each other’s stuff, a good time is had by all.

Feel free to jump in by posting on your own blog and linking!

Okay, for July 9, nine lines (on my screen in Scrivener, anyway) from the scene I was working on last night. I’m not going to identify the speaker, because then I’d have to explain things. But some of you already know Kel.

Just a draft, not edited, not great yet, needs to be filled in, yadda yadda…

Kel turned away. “No, I suppose it’s not. I just wanted you to know that I’m a little different. I wouldn’t mind trying the love thing some day. You don’t want that, and that’s okay. I like you. I’d like to be friends with you. That’s why I’m not trying to overcome your defenses with my irresistible charms.”

I snorted. “You’re adorable, but I think I’m safe.”

He stepped in front of me, stopping me short. A smile twitched at his lips. He raised one hand and brushed my hair back. My mouth went dry as he trailed a finger down my jaw line from ear to chin, barely grazing my skin. The meadow seemed to disappear, shrinking the world to the size of the space between us. His eyes filled with undisguised desire, and my body responded in kind.

Before I could say anything else, he walked away. “We should go,” he called over his shoulder.

“Be right there,” I whispered. He seemed to have taken my voice with him.

Not their first flirtation (she’s seen him naked… um, kind of), but I like this moment.

So there you go. I’m back. No guarantees that I’ll be here every week, and I’m going to have to spread out my visits this week because NO TIME, but this is a thing and I did it. So there.

To see what the other WIPpeteers are up to, click here!

And thanks as always to our host K L Schwengel, she of the flying monkeys and book that I wish was out already because I’m impatient. 🙂

 

ROW80 Update

‘s going good. Gotta go.

 

 


Launch Day!

Today is the OFFICIAL launch day for Bound!

Most of the partying is happening over on Facebook, where I’m giving away a e-books, a signed paperback prize pack, and a few other goodies. But because I like you guys, and just in case you can’t make it over there, we’re going to do an e-book giveaway JUST for you.

IMG_5663

Party prize!

Let’s hope this works… I’ve never used Rafflecopter before.

The book is already getting great reviews, and people who are reading say they can’t put it down. I know I shouldn’t rely on external validation… but that feels pretty good!

The book and I are featured on a few blogs today, if you’d like to stop by and say hello. Colin F. Barnes asked me five rapid-fire questions that were a blast to answer. Joanne Guidoccio has my guest post on my author’s journey. And Jessica Minyard interviewed me about my writing process. All good fun– stop by and say “hello!” And there’s more to come…

Click below for the rafflecopter giveaway! I’ll announce the winner tomorrow.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thank you to everyone who has already bought the book– I hope you enjoy it! For anyone who hasn’t seen it, here’s the info:

(blurb)

Welcome to Darmid, where magic is a sin, fairy tales are contraband, and the people live in fear of the Sorcerers on the other side of the mountains. Rowan Greenwood has everything she’s supposed to want from life—a good family, a bright future, and a proposal from a handsome and wealthy magic hunter. She knows she should be content with what she has. If only she could banish the idea that there’s more to life than marriage and children, or let go of the fascination with magic she’s been forced to suppress since childhood. When Rowan unknowingly saves the life of one of her people’s most feared enemies, that simple act of compassion rips her from her sheltered life and throws her into a world of magic that’s more beautiful, more seductive, and more dangerous than she ever could have imagined. Rowan might get everything she ever dreamed of—that is, if the one thing she’s always wanted doesn’t kill her first.

(purchase links)

Amazon.com: http://www.amazon.com/Bound-Trilogy-Book-1-ebook/dp/B00L8WRXTU Amazon.ca: http://www.amazon.ca/Bound-Trilogy-Book-1-ebook/dp/B00L8WRXTU Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-CA/ebook/bound-51 Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/bound-kate-sparkes/1119859706 iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id892498360


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