How quickly did Indie Author Month in May fly past?
We hope you enjoyed it as much as we enjoyed hosting all of the lovely indie YA authors you met during the month. The event giveaways will be drawn this weekend and winners posted on the blog shortly.
Thanks again for your support! 🙂
Due for release in summer 2012. Book 2 in The Ambrosia Sequence.
Outwardly, Balik is an obedient member of society on Space Station Hope…he follows The Council’s systems, excels at school and seems happy to follow in his parents footsteps…
But Balik’s real life is filled with secrets he can share with no one. As he follows his suspicions about the space station into ever more dangerous territory it seems like his whole world will unravel around him…but he doesn’t understand everything…things are wrong, he is sure of that – but why exactly, he doesn’t know.
When Cassie unexpectedly comes into his life, Balik struggles to find his balance. For years he’s investigated the oddities of the world he lives in, but Cassie makes him question things in a different way… Can he believe in this girl who seems so much a part of the system he distrusts? Would she put a stop to his plans to break out if she knew what he was really up to? Balik can’t be sure of anything – except the fact that he can’t leave her alone.
Remember…you could win an ARC of The Rainbow Maker’s Tale in the event giveaway, so make sure you’ve entered to win! Follow us on Facebook / Twitter and get vocal on the Indie Author Event comments to earn yourself additional entry points 🙂
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Gimme 10 – Mini-Interview
Please answer each question in 10 words or less – that’s what makes it tough but fun! 🙂
Where do you find your inspiration? All types of people, books, life, films, family and love.
What is your favourite aspect of The Rainbow Maker’s Tale? I love seeing things from Balik’s POV
Who is your favourite character from The Rainbow Maker’s Tale and why? It has to be Balik (this time) it’s his turn
What are you working on now? Finalising the Rainbow Maker’s Tale for the summer release and then working on Outlanders, which is Book 3 in the series.
What do you love about most about writing? Solving character’s problems – the freedom to go wherever you want
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About the Author
After graduating from The University of Sheffield with an English Literature Masters in 2003, Melanie has been writing fiction – time permitting – ever since.
The Ambrosia Sequence (started in 2008) and The Elementals (begun in 2004) are both ongoing, extended projects each containing several novels, aimed primarily at young adults and hover somewhere in the middle of sci-fi, futuristic and fantasy genres. Hope’s Daughter, released in December 2011, is her debut novel and the first of The Ambrosia Sequence, with the sequel – Outlanders – due in 2012.
When she’s not writing Melanie enjoys the wet weather of the north of England with her dogs or disappearing into a book for a few hours (no surprise there then). Unfortunately, all too often the ‘day job’ gets in the way of the nicer things in life!
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Want to know more? Check out the links!
Find the author:
Website – http://cusick-jones.com
Blog – http://melcj.wordpress.com and Aside from Writing!
Facebook – Hope’s Daughter and Mel Cusick-Jones
Twitter @melabupa
Buy the book:
You Tube Book Trailer: http://youtu.be/-JpJLvh9jYg
COMING SOON….
Welcome to the penultimate Book of the Day feature – we hope you’ve enjoyed Indie Author Month so far. Make sure you’ve entered the massive book giveaway from the featured authors, which is on our facebook page. Now let’s hand over to Jade Varden – our special guest today and friend of the blog 🙂
The Tower is the immediate sequel to Justice and the second book in the Deck of Lies series, but readers don’t have to read the first book to quickly pick up on what’s happening in this one. The Tower continues the story of Rain, who recently discovered that she was kidnapped as a child. Freshly returned to her biological family, Rain is trying to fit into her new school, learn more about who she is…and deal with the murder that happened recently. The murder has had far-reaching consequences that threaten Rain’s closest, and maybe only, friend. Things get even more intense when suddenly Rain becomes the target of a police investigation. She thought she discovered all her family secrets already — but there are many more deceptions lurking in the shadows. Could one of them hide a homicidal rage?
***EXTRA GIVEAWAY – Visit the Giveaway Site to Win The Tower – EXTRA GIVEAWAY***
The Tower also features in the Event Grand Prize Giveaway – so you have two chances to win!
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Author Mini-Interview
Where do you find your inspiration? Everywhere! Sometimes I’m inspired by a show I’m watching or a game I’m playing. Even a line in a song might give me an unexpected idea.
What is your favourite aspect of The Tower? I really enjoyed re-visiting some of the characters I introduced in the first book of the series, particularly those in the main character’s immediate family. Everyone has been changed by the murder that occurred at the end of the first book, so it’s fun to sort of flip them all upside-down and show a new side to them.
Who is your favourite character from The Tower and why? Sawyer is my favorite in this book, maybe because he’s consistently the most present throughout the story, but there are several brand-new characters that I’m excited about as well.
I can see why – I really liked Sawyer…but my fave was RVR – What are you working on now? Now I’m getting started on the third book of the series, Death.
Oh-o – that sounds ominous! What do you love about most about writing? Doing the research, probably. I love researching the setting and discovering someplace new to take my characters.
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About the Author: Jade Varden is a teller of tales from Louisville, Kentucky. The Deck of Lies series is the first in several young adult series and stand-alone novels Jade will publish in 2012 and 2013.
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Want to know more? Check out the links!
Official site – http://www.wix.com/jadevarden/jv
@JadeVarden – https://twitter.com/jadevarden
Jade’s blog – http://jadevarden.blogspot.com/
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Note from Aside from Writing: From April 2012 we began featuring Jade’s fantastic ‘Writing 101’ guest posts – fantastic for all levels of writers – keep an eye out for them!
At her pre-wedding dinner, Nora Darkin, the daughter of a wealthy entrepreneur, discovers her fiancé is not the man she thought he was. As her father hoists his glass to toast them, she makes an announcement: there will be no wedding to her father’s right-hand man.
Due to the fresh rift driven between her and her father, Nora escapes to the quaint town of Dreara. Determined to live her life her own way, she makes new friends and pursues her lifelong desire of becoming a chef. Ethan Danes, a neighbour with his own broken heart, helps soothe hers.
Just as Nora discovers what it means to be happy, and she begins to fall in love with Ethan, a woman from his past re-enters his life…
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Gimme 10 – Mini-Interview
Please answer each question in 10 words or less – that’s what makes it tough but fun! 🙂
Where do you find your inspiration? From everywhere…my life, people, the weather, country music etc.
What is your favourite aspect of Chocolate Aftertaste? It’s a novel about making choices and living life fully.
Who is your favourite character from Chocolate Aftertaste and why? Nora, a strong woman determined to start living.
What are you working on now? Honeysuckle & Jasmine, a women’s fiction novel. Coming in June.
What do you love most about writing? When I write, I feel as if I can fly.
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About the Author
Liz Grace Davis is a Namibian author. She grew up in Angola, Namibia, South Africa and Germany. She now lives with her husband in Vienna, Austria. Growing up, Liz spent most of her days in school libraries, diving into the world of books. In her spare time she loves to travel as well as creating jewelry and digital scrapbooks. She’s in her element when she is doing anything that requires creativity. Liz is the author of a young adult fantasy novel, Tangi’s Teardrops and a contemporary romance novel, Chocolate Aftertaste.
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Want to know more? Check out the links!
Blog: http://novel-moments.blogspot.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/Liz_Davis1
Goodreads Author Page: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5450561.Liz_Grace_Davis
Book Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UfnwdX3ke2I
Friendship can get complicated when you start to fancy the guys you hang out with. When Eddie suggests a night out to celebrate the end of their final exams, four friends look forward to the evening with different expectations.
Fast forward five years. Gina and Rose rescue Spider from living rough in Oxford. Is this enough to bring all four of them together again and can love and friendship survive the revelations of the following few days?
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Gimme 10 – Mini-Interview
Please answer each question in 10 words or less – that’s what makes it tough but fun! 🙂
Where do you find your inspiration? People–watching yields characters and storylines, as do news stories.
What is your favourite aspect of A Bed of Knives? Ordinary people finding themselves in extraordinary situations.
Who is your favourite character from A Bed of Knives and why? Eddie – an innocent just learning how to deal with his sexuality.
What are you working on now? A sequel to my second book, Meggie Blackthorn.
What do you love about most about writing? That I can actually do it and people generally enjoy my stories.
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About the Author
Born and raised in the NE of England, I have moved around quite a lot. I’m currently dividing my time between Spain and the UK.
I spent most of my working life in various administrative capacities in prestigious UK universities, where I organised Summer Schools and Study Tours, as well as carrying out a variety of administrative functions. I liked working for a living – it paid the bills – but I love writing even more. These days I am fortunate enough to be able to write full-time and have completed three full-length e-novels, all available on Goodreads, Amazon Kindle and Smashwords.
My primary aim as a writer is to entertain and engage my readers. I write across genres in order to expand my characters beyond the stereotypes often found in genre books and no matter how dark the material, I hope I can raise a smile or two along the way. A tear is even better.
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Want to know more? Check out the links!
Website: http://www.elizabethjasper.com
Blog: http://elizabethjasperwriter@wordpress.com
Twitter: @EJasperWriter
Nineteen-year-old vampire Dawn has led a sheltered life within the confines of her father’s presidential headquarters. Upon being sent on a mission to revamp four goofy misfits into guardians of a peaceful little town of Angel Creek, Dawn believes that all her dreams have finally come true. What starts off as a simple task, turns into something unexpected, changing Dawn’s life forever and leading the action-loving, thrill-seeking vampire teen on a path of mystery, danger and intrigue.
When a human girl is kidnapped by a group of rogue vamps, Dawn discovers that there is more going on in Angel Creek than meets the eye. And it all connects to Ethan, the cute newcomer who seems too perfect to be true, Sebastian, the mysterious vampire with a turbulent past, and even Dawn herself. Dawn must not only succeed in revamping the troubled recruits, but must also prevent the vampire race from being overtaken by a malevolent villain who has a strange and obsessive fascination with her. As threat escalates, romance blooms, and ghosts from her past begin to surface, Dawn is sure of only one thing: her life will never be the same.
Angel Creek Chronicles – Book One – Available now at Amazon (click on the Book Cover for link)
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“Many people sing in the shower. I write scenes in my head and act them out.”
At the age of five, Ada read her first chapter book—Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren. Ever since that moment, she developed an intense passion for stories and characters found within the pages of literature.
In her career as an actress and a writer, Ada currently spends most of her days immersed in imaginary worlds. Much like the characters she enjoys playing and writing about, Ada is a martial artist with a Black Belt in Shotokan Karate. She is also a big proponent of lifelong learning, and has attained a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (it aids in creating characters with unique quirks!) as well as a Master’s of Science in Education.
Ada strives to bring a fresh voice and perspective to fiction. She has been writing creatively for many years, and is an editor of a global fashion/literary magazine called VEUX. ReVamped is her debut novel.
She lives in Toronto, Canada, and enjoys adventurous nature hikes with her adorable puppies Cara and Oreo.
Kalena Moore is a Montgomery High student who isn’t into school. Isaiah Wilkins is a classmate that her friends think is trouble. Life becomes more interesting when Kalena starts dating Isaiah, but soon things spin quickly out of control and she gets pregnant. Then Kalena sees that there’s another side to her boyfriend.Determined to put her life back together, Kalena takes a path where there is no turning back.
With compelling characters and vivid storytelling, Before I Breathe is irresistible reading.
*** EXTRA GIVEAWAY*** Indie Author Event *** EXTRA GIVEAWAY ***
You can grab your own copy of Before I Breathe today! A reader can get an ecopy in the format that’s best for them via Smashwords. The coupon expires on June 1,2012 – voucher code: CL66Y
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Gimme 10 – Mini-Interview
Please answer each question in 10 words or less – that’s what makes it tough but fun! 🙂
Where do you find your inspiration? Reading great books by great authors.
What is your favourite aspect of Before I Breathe? The character has a tendency that relates to the title.
Who is your favourite character from Before I Breathe and why? Kalena because she makes her own decisions.
What are you working on now? Another young adult novel.
What do you love about most about writing? I like imagining and creating other lives.
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About the Author: Jenelle Jack Pierre grew up in Maryland. She began reading at an early age, and writing soon followed. She attended the University of Maryland, College Park, where she majored in Communications Studies. After college, she worked full-time before she attended the MA in Writing Program at Johns Hopkins University. She writes YA novels and literary short stories. Before I Breathe is her first published novel.
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Want to know more? Check out the links!
Fate hasn’t exactly been kind to twenty-year-old Alexandra. Unless you count the fact that she can communicate with animals, the only piece of luck she’s ever had was being rescued by a werewolf and landing in a forever home with an eccentric couple and their unusual pack of animals. It’s taken twelve years to earn the official title of Shepherd but she’s now mostly trained, fairly effective, and the first female in over two centuries to hold the position as protector of animals.
All animals…
The Territorial Council isn’t thrilled with her new title of Shepherd, but they don’t have any more control over the appointment than they have over her. All they can really do is wait for her to screw something up – which Alex is determined not to do.
Everything changes when a chance encounter with a genetically modified Shifter leaves Alex shaken and initiates a quest to locate its maker. In a desperate bid to save her pack, Alex must infiltrate the Parallax Corporation – an international organization with their hands in everything from biomedical engineering to publishing. They have now expanded their efforts to include terrorism and are attempting to breed the perfect weapon. Despite years of training and enough money from her live-in pack of misfits to finance a small country, Alex finds herself woefully unprepared to tackle the new threat.
To make matters worse, Alex must work with a mysterious man who’s been trying to kill her since the day they met. Together with her pack, Alex must learn how to stop the biological cloning and find those responsible for the plan before it really does become a global threat.
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Author Interview
Where do you find your inspiration? I think that my inspiration can mostly be attributed to my pets. I love watching the way they interact with one another, and I do my best to incorporate their actions and movements into my writing. The more I watch them and write about them, the more I see similarities between people and animals. From there, it’s not too big of a jump to believe in were-creatures.
What is your favourite aspect of Shepherd’s Moon? I think that my novel is unique in that I include many types of animals as Shifters. I’ve always felt that if werewolves exist in fiction, why can’t were-jaguars and were-cats and horse-shifters also exist? And if they existed, wouldn’t they have the same idiosyncrasies as their human counterparts? I like that Shepherd’s Moon explores those questions.
Who is your favourite character from Shepherd’s Moon and why? That’s a tough one because I love all of them for being so individual. I think most people would expect me to say that Alex is my favorite character, but in fact, I have a love/hate relationship with her. I suppose I could safely say that Brock is one of my favourites – he’s the alpha wolf in the household and is always so controlled and self-assured. I think if I could choose one character to write an entire book about, he would be my go-to guy.
What are you working on now? I’m currently in the middle of finalizing book two of the Shepherds series. The working title is “Blood of the Shepherd” and it takes place in Seattle, WA. In addition to that, I’m still freelancing for several curriculum development groups, and doing my best to keep PetsWeekly regularly updated.
What do you love about most about writing? Physically, I love being able to work from home. Emotionally, I love having control over my world (mostly). Mentally, I love exploring the new hobbies and personalities that each new character brings into the world. Mostly I just love that I can begin my day with an empty page, and by evening, create an entire new world with rules and characters that have never before existed. Not too many people can say that about their lives…
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About the Author
Stacy Mantle is an award-winning writer and author of Shepherd’s Moon. She is well-known as the founder of PetsWeekly.com – a popular website for people who have multiple pets. She currently lives in the deserts of the Southwest with three dogs, several cats, and a very understanding husband. When she’s not writing, she is volunteering at animal rescues, reading, relaxing with her husband, or wishing she were on a beach in the Cook islands. Visit her online at StacyMantle.com.
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Want to know more? Check out the links!
Home Page: http://www.stacymantle.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Shepherds-Moon/161543100603408
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/stacymantle
Amazon (Print and Ebook) http://www.amazon.com/Shepherds-Moon-Stacy-Mantle/dp/1466471387
Barnes & Noble (Print and Ebook) http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/shepherds-moon-stacy-mantle/1106946222
Smashwords http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/98963
Hardback http://www.lulu.com/product/hardcover/shepherds-moon/18795718
Yesterday Jon Graves believed living and going to high school in the military occupied town of Carpenter was a snooze-fest. That is until a routine fieldtrip to Carpenter’s science labs, when Jon and his friends uncover a military secret, the reason why the US Army brought their parents to Carpenter… to create a top secret, genetically engineered species of monsters.
Yeah… that’s right… MONSTERS!
Now Jon and his four friends have liberated and adopted five of the monsters, vowing to keep the five monsters hidden away from harm. These are not puppies and kitten, though. Keeping the monsters a secret turns into a difficult task when each one begins to develop amazing powers. And soon a betrayal from within the circle of friends will threaten to unravel the groups’ plans.
In order to keep the promise his friends made and prevent the Carpenter military from subjecting each to further inhuman experiments, Jon will need to bring his friends together for a rescue mission. Mysterious powers the teens begin to exhibit will offer aid but ultimately the group’s friendship will save the day. It’s just another chaotic day in high school… yeah, right!
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Author Interview
Where do you find your inspiration?
For me, ideas come from the what if’s? in life. What if as a kid I had a monster as a pet? From there a world grows to answer that question and from the world a story can be found. I also find my best inspiration when I allow my mind to drift, to wander into a calm idleness. A lot of cool ideas can be gleamed when you’re not trying so hard; just like to find your misplaced keys you sometimes have to stop thinking, sit down, and realize the keys have been in your right front pocket the entire time!
What is your favourite aspect of Our Monsters?
What I love about Our Monsters is how the characters come together to solve problems. They all are from different high school cliques, each has his or her own personality–which comes with distinct strengths and weakness–and yet to get through their trials they need lean on each other for support. When I worked at a movie theatre in high school, the staff was comprised of an eclectic group of people. Yet we all got a long. We all became friends. At the theatre, it didn’t matter if we were a jock, a straight-A nerd, a band geek… There was a job to be done and lots of fun to have while accomplishing it. The relationships at my old movie theatre inspired part of Our Monsters, forming the central theme of the book that I love so much. Friendship.
Who is your favourite character from Our Monsters and why?
Of the characters in Our Monsters I would have to say Jon is my favourite. Within Jon there is so much raw emotion to explore. He doesn’t know his place in the world, which leads him to do stupid stuff because of impulse decisions of the heart, it makes him vulnerable and fun to write. What’s better is his good nature and humour, both of which draw people to him. When the chips are down Jon tends to crack wise, another fun aspect to the character. Coming up with new lines for Jon is the fun part and I’m always looking for a way for Jon to throw other people off balance. This is his gift and curse, because his tongue gets him into a lot of trouble. Jon is also fiercely loyal and will bend over backwards for the people he cares for and for what he believes in. Courage and sacrifice is what measures heroes and I want Jon to find his way to the hero he’s meant to be.
What are you working on now?
Currently I am in the middle of writing the sequel to Our Monsters. The title will be Bad Monsters and it is tentatively scheduled for a late 2012 release. Watch my site for more details and maybe some short fiction during the summer and fall months leading up to the release!
What do you love about most about writing?
Writing is an adventure. I never know where the story is going to go. No matter how much of a plot I have laid out, there is always some roadside attraction that will steer me away so I can find some new oddity about a character or a twist in the plot I could never have planned. Spontaneity is sometimes the best master!
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About the Author
Clinton grew up in Southern California, where the sun shines all day and where most kids spend their days outdoors skinning knees and browning their flesh. He spent those same days inside, reading comics, books, and dreaming of fantasy worlds. These days he not only dreams but he creates and writes about those same worlds. In college Clinton found himself in the dregs of a business school, studying accounting. Sneaking English and philosophy courses into his schedule were the only things that kept him sane! As a result, he spent way more than four years getting a well-rounded degree. Adult books and books for kids, Clinton reads it all these days. He still enjoys traditional American comics and manga/anime from Asia, but when not writing he can also be found immersing himself in video games.
Clinton today still resides in Southern California with his wife, Kathy and their two Scottish terriers, Mac and Bonni (wheaten and black).
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Want to know more? Check out the links!
http://clintondharding.com (official site)
https://twitter.com/#!/ClintonDHarding (twitter)
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Clinton-D-Harding/76506701006 (facebook)
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5381520.Clinton_D_Harding (goodreads)
Marina is a privileged girl who’s had an unusual upbringing. Traveling the world with her scientist father, doted on by her wealthy and glamorous neighbor Evie, Marina’s life seems perfect.
Everything changes in the summer of her sixteenth year when she is sent to live with her Aunt Abby and Cousin Cruz in the lovely seaside town of Aptos, California.
Only a few weeks after arriving, sixteen year-old Marina has nearly drowned twice, enchanted the hottest guy in high school, and discovered a supernatural creature. If she can manage to survive some increasingly dangerous encounters with unpredictable mermaids, she might be able to unlock the mystery of her past and appease the mysterious forces that seem to want something from her…
And maybe even find true love along the way.
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Gimme 10 – Mini-Interview
Please answer each question in 10 words or less – that’s what makes it tough but fun! 🙂
Where do you find your inspiration? I used to live in a house by the sea.
What is your favourite aspect of your book? The painfully sweet uncertainty of first love… oh, and mermaids!
Who is your favourite character from your book and why? Aspiring fashion designer Cruz – Who doesn’t love a misunderstood artist?
What are you working on now? A love story involving a girl with an unusual synaesthesia.
What do you love about most about writing? Sudden flashes of inspiration coming from out of the blue.
WhooHoo! I did ‘em all in ten words! They’re not exactly complete sentences though…
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About the Author
Derrolyn Anderson is a visual artist and writer who specializes in young adult fiction. She is the creator of the four part “Marina’s Tales” series, and is currently hard at work on her next book.
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Want to know more? Check out the links!
EXTRA GIVEAWAY! Get a free copy in any e-book format at Smashwords Simply enter code # FM28V at checkout 🙂
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