Pretty Little Pages: Top Ten

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Tour: Southern Fried Wiccan by S.P. Sipal @HP4Writers

Southern Fried Wiccan by S.P. Sipal

Genres: Young Adult, Paranormal Romance

[Goodreads | Amazon]

Cilla Swaney is thrilled to return stateside, where she
can hang up her military-brat boots for good. Finally,
she’ll be free to explore her own interests—magick and Wicca. But when she arrives at her grandma’s farm, Cilla discovers that life in the South isn’t quite what she expected. At least while country hopping, she never had to drink G-ma’s crazy fermented concoctions, attend church youth group, make co-op deliveries...or share her locker with a snake-loving, fire-lighting, grimoire-stealing Goth girl…

…Who later invites her to a coven that Cilla’s not sure she has the guts to attend. But then Emilio, the dark-haired hottie from her charter school, shows up and awakens her inner goddess. Finally, Cilla starts believing in her ability to conjure magick. Until…

…All Hades breaks loose. A prank goes wrong during their high school production of Macbeth, and although it seems Emilio is to blame, Cilla and Goth pay the price. Will Cilla be able to keep the boy, her coven, and the trust of her family? Or will this Southern Wiccan get battered and fried?

The Southern Fried Wiccan's Top Ten YA Reads

by S.P. Sipal

The books we read and love affect us throughout our lives, but perhaps more deeply and long-lasting when we are young. There are stories I read years ago that I still remember clearly today because they both touched my heart and steered me toward my future. So my list of top YA includes not only books I've read recently, but books I devoured when I was a teen and still have not forgotten.

Here they are, in no particular order, my favorite YA reads:

Compulsion by Martina Boone – As a Southerner, this story reminded me a lot of the spooky tales my grandfather used to tell my dad, and my dad passed on to me, of strange lights that rose from an old graveyard and floated over the peanut field beside my great-grandfather's farm house. Or of the voices speaking to my great-grandfather from natural springs and hollow logs, spirits telling him where to find old family treasure buried during the Civil War era. (Which I'm still looking for!) I'm looking forward to Boone's next book of the trilogy, Persuasion, which I've been lucky enough to have a sneak peek of.

The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare – In the days when I was a teen (and I won't say how long ago that was!) YA was not a thing yet. We did have a few, but most of us just went from children's books direct to historical romance novels. I think I remember The Witch of Blackbird Pond fondly because it was a bridge between the two. I loved the history (loved the witch element even then), the brave and compassionate character of Kit, and the forbidden romance between her and Nat.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins – I'm always fascinated when an author can take an ancient myth and reinterpret it for today…or, in Collin's case, the future. It was the character of Katniss whom I found particularly appealing…how she could take such an awful situation she was thrust into and still be true to herself.

His Dark Materials Trilogy by Philip Pullman – To be honest, Pullman's trilogy is a little darker than I like most of my reads. I think what drew me to this series was the depth of his meaning and his twists of theology. Plus, his world building was deeply inspired.

Soul Crossed by Lisa Gail Green – I love it when an author can take two polarized characters, with a true conflict between them, and still draw them together in a way that makes sense. Green did this with Josh and Grace. This book was at times quite chilling and dark, especially with the "soul" they were both fighting to attain, but always engrossing. Loved the high stakes and how Green envisioned her angels and demons.

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott – I loved Jo, just loved her. I don't think a character had quite captivated me as much since I'd graduated from the Little House books. Jo's passion for reading and her tomboy personality are probably what I identified so much with. We love to see ourselves in the characters we read.

Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine – I loved the whimsy of this book. And the theme of obedience being a curse was wonderful. Plus Levine's twists on certain fairy tale and adventure tropes made this a delightful read for me.

Forever by Judy Blume – I include this iconic book mostly because of certain awkward memories associated with it…memories I can now laugh at. I'll never forget how it was surreptitiously passed around under desks when I was in seventh grade with certain pages dog-eared. I also vividly remember a guy I liked laughing at me when my face turned bright red from reading those pages. The perils of a pale complexion!

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg -- I know this is technically probably more MG than YA, but I have to include it in my list because it was one of my favorite books of all time when I was younger. I read this book over and over. I think it was the exquisite combination of mystery and adventure that drew me in, coupled with two kids taking care of themselves alone. I loved the details. I still remember Claudia and Jamie fishing for coins in the museum's fountains and crouching on toilets to stay out of view of the night guards.

Harry Potter Series by JK Rowling – The Harry Potter series tops my collection of best-loved books. Besides the actual books themselves, I loved not only being a part of the generation who got to experience the magic and mystery of these books as they were released, but especially having experienced it with my children. They grew up with the feel that a book release was a rock-star event and that debating the mysteries of a book and predicting the next was how things should be. I'll always be thankful for that. Of the seven books, I'd say Goblet of Fire was my favorite.

How many of my favorite books have you read? I'd be very curious what your reaction to them was as we always experience a story in such a unique, personal way.

Born and raised in North Carolina, Susan Sipal had to travel halfway across the world and return home to embrace her father and grandfather's penchant for telling a tall tale. After having lived with her husband in his homeland of Turkey for many years, she suddenly saw the world with new eyes and had to write about it.

Perhaps it was the emptiness of the Library of Celsus at Ephesus that cried out to be refilled, or the myths surrounding the ancient Temple of Artemis, but she's been writing stories filled with myth and mystery ever since. She can't wait to share Southern Fried Wiccan with readers in March 2015.

[Website | Blog | Goodreads | Twitter]

Tour & Giveaway: The Synsk Series by K.C. Finn

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Title: The Mind’s Eye
Series: Synsk #1
Author: K.C. Finn
Audience: Young Adult
Genre: Paranormal/ Historical/ Romance
Formats: E-book and paperback
Publisher: Clean Teen Publishing
Cover by: Marya Heiman for Cleen Teen Publishing
Pages: 350 pages
ISBN: 1940534380
ASIN: B00JDPXCWG
Date Published: April 1st 2014

A girl with a telepathic gift finds a boy clinging to his last hope during the war-torn climate of Europe, 1940.
At fifteen, Kit Cavendish is one of the oldest evacuees to escape London at the start of the Second World War due to a long term illness that sees her stuck in a wheelchair most of the time. But Kit has an extraordinary psychic power: she can put herself into the minds of others, see through their eyes, feel their emotions, even talk to them – though she dares not speak out for fear of her secret ability being exposed.
As Kit settles into her new life in the North Wales village of Bryn Eira Bach, solitude and curiosity encourage her to gain better control of her gift. Until one day her search for information on the developing war leads her to the mind of Henri, a seventeen-year-old Norwegian boy witnessing the German occupation of his beloved city, Oslo. As Henri discovers more about the English girl occupying his mind, the psychic and emotional bonds between them strengthen and Kit guides him through an oppressive and dangerous time.
There are secrets to be uncovered, both at home and abroad, and it’s up to Kit and Henri to come together and fight their own battles in the depths of the world’s greatest war.

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We spent Henri’s birthday under a tree drinking orange pop and trying to talk about subjects that didn’t lead back to the war. The news of Clive and Ieuan had shaken Leigh out of his selfish reverie, so if one good thing had come from the darkness it was the fact that my brother had finally actually gotten to know Henri. He even sang Happy Birthday in what he called ‘The Proper English Way’, laughing so hard he could barely get the words out for lack of breath:
“Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you; you look like a monkey and you smell like one too!”
Henri laughed for the first time in what seemed like forever and a warmth settled in my chest, like things were finally going to get back to normal. When Leighton went to get more pop, Henri came to the tree and sat down beside me, putting a long arm around my shoulders and pulling me in. He kissed the side of my head gently, his warm breath sinking into my hair. He hadn’t tried to kiss me properly again even when there had been opportunity for it, and I was sort of grateful for that. As much as I wanted to feel that tingling, only-us-in-the-world sensation again, right now the atmosphere just wasn’t right. But we were always close to one another when we had the chance, I had gotten so used to his arms around me that it felt like some part of me was missing when he wasn’t there.
“I’ll have to go into the village tomorrow,” he whispered, “to pass my enlistment papers to the right people.”
An invisible blade sank slowly into my fragile heart, but I had always known this day was coming.
“It’ll take them a while to process it,” I said hopefully, “I bet they’ve already got loads of boys waiting to go to basic training.”
“Perhaps,” he said softly, his lips still resting against my head.
I turned sharply to face him, searching his deep brown eyes. “I don’t want you to go,” I said, racing to find his hand to hold it tightly.
“I won’t really be gone,” he replied, “You’ll always be able to find me.”
“That’s not the point,” I said, my curls shaking as I trembled, “This is dangerous Henri, this is war.”
“You forget where I’ve been already,” he said, turning his face away to focus hard on the distance. He kept a firm hold of my hand and gave it a good squeeze. “You came to my head in the quiet times, the safe times. But I’ve already seen the destruction, the danger and the death, Kit. I think there are two types of people during war: those who see the horror happening and run away, never looking back, and those who want to do something about it.” I felt his other arm pull me in closer against his strong body. “You know which type I am, so you know I have to go.”
I couldn’t say anything, because it was all true.

Link: Youtube

Title: Leighton’s Summer
Series: Synsk #2
Pages: 308 pages
ISBN: 1940534666
ASIN: B00JOZSRPM
Date Published: April 14, 2014

A teenage boy with something to prove gets caught up in a web of crime and deceit in England, 1945.
In the weeks leading up to his sixteenth birthday, gifted psychic Leighton Cavendish finds himself suddenly packed off to Blackpool, a glittering, teenage paradise filled with plenty of opportunities for amusement—and trouble. With only a preoccupied grandmother to keep an eye on him, Leighton’s desperation for adventure leads him out into a world of holidaymakers, candy, and carnival rides—the ideal place to spend six weeks away from home.
But Leighton’s psychic visions are encroaching on his fun, trying to warn him of the danger that lurks beyond the shimmering lights of the Golden Mile. Who are the mysterious thieves Leighton sees in his head, and what do they want with the children they seek? A girl called Faye holds the answer, but she has enough problems of her own.
Amid the climate of a tourist town recovering from the impact of the Second World War, two lost teenagers will discover a shocking truth about human greed. Together, they will try to fight against it. For Leighton and Faye, this will be a summer to remember—one filled with challenges that must be overcome.
A summer that turns a boy into a man.

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Top Ten Moments from My Books
by K.C. Finn

The Mind’s Eye, available now and FREE to download:

“Your Doctor Baxendale’s an idiot.” Bickerstaff hardly looked at me when he spoke. “He doesn’t know his ilium from his olecranon. Now, I want to see you stand. Get up.”

He said it like it was an easy thing to do. The blonde sat back in his chair expectantly, making it quite clear that he wouldn’t be giving me a pull to help me to my feet. I steeled myself, reaching both hands out to grip his desk ready to make the effort. When my feet found the ground, I could already feel the pinch where the skin around my ankles was swollen, and when I pressed a little weight onto them the sensation was like somebody inserting a screwdriver right into the joint and twisting it hard. I cried out at the first sharp moment of pain, looking at the doctor viciously.

“I can’t,” I said through gritted teeth, “I’m sorry Doctor, but I can’t.”

“Get up,” he repeated.

Leighton’s Summer, available now:

“Where is she?” I demanded with desperation, “Where are you hiding her?”

My control of the situation was short lived. Though Vic wasn’t built like his only son he still had twenty more years’ experience of fighting than I did. He took my wrists and twisted them to breaking point until I released his jacket from my grip, kicking at me with legs that sprung like a cricket until he had enough purchase on my chest to fling me off him like a ragdoll. I flew a few feet and thumped hard into the wall, hitting my head so forcefully that the whole room flickered in and out of blackness. I slunk down to the floor as my body grew heavy, feeling the flat-cap I had worn roll off towards the exit door. A moment later I was shrouded in shadow as Vic Webb got to his feet, standing above me as he dusted off his clothes.

“You’re a very rude young man,” he commented idly.

In seconds he had put his shiny shoe to my throat, pressing on my windpipe so that I had to gasp just to gain enough air to breathe.

A Place Halfway, available now:

When the song was over, Jake didn’t receive the wild reception that Tommy had elicited, but he seemed really happy with the moderate applause that he did get. I was outraged that he hadn’t gotten more out of the crowd, since it was clear that he and Tommy were both evenly matched for natural showmanship. The first chance I had, I raced over to the bar to congratulate him with a huge, enthusiastic grin.

“Didn’t I tell you?” I asked, not waiting for an answer. “You were brilliant. No boos, no shotguns, just talent.”

“And you were right,” Jake replied, his chest still heaving with nerves. “Even if I don’t make it any further, I got up there and I sang it for Dad.”

“You’re going to go further,” I promised him with glee. “Nothing’s going to stop you now.”

‘The Maybe Man’ from Sinister Sentiments, available now:

We walked an eon in the eerie stillness of the city, no sane person had ventured out into the torrent of water that still gushed down the street towards us. I had always despised sideways rain. The Maybe Man cowed me into silence with the promise that my problem would be discussed and I trotted beside him like a faithful pet, until he suddenly stopped outside a tower that cut a hollow shape into the night sky. I looked up at the building, wincing at the bright sight of its neon overhang. It was a giant pink heart with a white arrow shooting through it. The Maybe Man approached its front doors. I paused on the wet stoop.

“This is Dirty Weekender,” I said, pointing up at the obvious signal. “You know that, right?”

He turned his sneer on me, nose first.

“In the interest of saving time, let’s just assume I know everything, shall we?”

The Atomic Circus, available now:

“Rex!” he cries happily. “It’s been a while young man. How’s the family?”

Cae’s eyes narrow. “Still dead,” he replies flatly.

“Ah,” Redd says, though his wide grin doesn’t falter. “Forgot about that. Terribly sorry.”

He isn’t sorry, and Cae knows it. Richmond has a way of playing people that’s quite unique. He’s especially good at using it to shorten his numerous prison sentences, so much so that it’s been suggested they should simply give up and install a revolving door on his usual cell.

“So why am I here, Mr Richmond?” Cae asks.

“Why are any of us here? A tad philosophical for this time of the morning, don’t you think?” Redd answers.

The Secret Star, available now:

“I think he likes it that you are a captive,” Gus answered thoughtfully. “You are here in the lighthouse always, and trapped on the island because of the occupation. He has no need to become angry, he just thinks he needs to wait.”

“He’ll be waiting a bloody long time,” I scoffed quietly.

Gustav smiled at me from his corner. He had ever such a nice face when he smiled, his heavy brow lifted and his dark eyes changed into a most amicable shape when he was happy. We had very slowly become friends right under Hess’s Aryan nose, talking just a sentence or two when the SS commander was out of the room, and most especially when he sent Gus ahead of him when he was going to be late. I had started to lend Gus a few of my books during 1941, under Hess’s recommendation, and every few months when he finished a Dickens or an Austen, I would get the book back and find a little note in the back telling me the parts he had enjoyed the most.

The Book Of Shade, re-releasing in March 2015:

“Ladies and gentlemen, your raucous applause, if you please, for the sensational Monsieur Novel!”

The audience obeyed the MC’s command, but when Baptiste had vacated, nobody came to the stage. It wasn’t until the last clap died some moments later that Lily heard footsteps clicking along the old theatre boards. The illusionist stepped from total blackness into the shadow at the edge of the stage, and even craning her head only afforded Lily the frame of a man in a long Victorian coat. The tense air in the dated theatre was sliceable, and every spectator breathed in their portion of that heavy air in anticipation of the moment when the odd Monsieur would step into the spotlight.

Novel did not disappoint them. A shock of lightning appeared from nowhere at all and in the split-second that it flashed he appeared for all to see. It seemed as though the patrons of the theatre gasped as a single being, even those who must have seen him before were transfixed in shock. His eyes were cast into black, shadowy sockets by the bright white spotlight pouring down from above. Skin pale as a spectre’s was exaggerated by the darkly drawn eyebrows arching into points above those gloomy hollows. His lips too were black as coal, a superb effort in stage makeup that reminded Lily of a haunting cross between a French mime and a black-and-white movie serial killer. She didn’t know which to be more afraid of.

The S Word, coming in 2015:

Even as I lowered the plate to the floor, I heard footsteps stirring from within. The smell, I supposed, had attracted him. I was crouching outside the door when the whispered voice made me freeze.

“You’re not Hetty.”

My face was level with the keyhole. Was he looking out at me? Did I dare look back?

“No, I’m Delia,” I replied, keeping my eyes to the ground.

“My brother’s wife?” Simon asked, his tone still hoarse.

“That’s right,” I said, my voice as kind as I could manage despite the nerves coursing all over my body, “Hetty’s busy. I brought you your bacon.”

“Why?”

He demanded the answer sharply, but he hadn’t opened the door. Was he afraid of me? I looked up at last to the keyhole and saw that wide, blue eye I had met on the first night I had slept at Bentonville. Simon never seemed to blink when he delivered that stare. He was waiting for my answer, but the truth seemed so intrusive. I had wanted to spy on him as though he was some sort of sideshow, the way that I imagined society would have wanted to make a spectacle of me with my total lack of hair. I tried to keep my smile on despite the wave of shame.

Legion Lost, coming in 2015:

He turns on his heel, sauntering off into the trees with my torch-light following him. I grab my gun, feeling the desperate need for self-protection, and I consider the shape of his shoulders as he slowly walks away. It’s almost a swagger, that sort of confidence that irritates me to the core. He thinks I’m weak. He thinks I’m no threat to him at all.

“I could shoot you, you know,” I tell him in a shaky voice. “I could just shoot you in the back right now.”

“Yeah?” says Malcolm Stryker, not even bothering to glance back at me. “Go on then.”

I don’t. A moment later, Stryker is lost to the shadows, but a deep, throaty chuckle echoes from the trees.

The Skin Revolt, coming in 2015:

His fumbling wakes me as he pulls back the covers behind me, letting in the chill he’s brought with him from the corridor. I feel his weight tip the old mattress backwards as he climbs into the bed, shuffling his body up to mine.

“Not again Bennie,” I mumble, half-asleep.

“I need you,” he whispers.

The silent darkness captures us for a moment.

“Cherie,” he adds, “We’re all going to die.”

Title: A Place Halfway
Series: Synsk #3
Pages: 325 pages
ISBN: 1634220315
ASIN: B00NJSVHUC

A struggling psychic girl steps out into the big wide world amidst the murky depths of racial segregation in England, 1961.
As a teenage psychic, Josephine Fontaine knows what it’s like to be different. At Peregrine Place, a school full of youngsters with gifts just like hers, sixteen-year-old Josie is growing tired of her life and looking for more excitement in the world beyond the grand manor house’s walls. When an opportunity arises to work in a local music bar, Josie jumps at the chance, learning to balance her new job with the pressures of studying the ways of the Synsk.
There she meets the charming Tommy Asher, a fellow psychic with a talent for music, and Jake Bolton, a handsome, surly stranger with coffee-coloured skin. Throw in the return of her old crush Dai Bickerstaff, and Josie finds herself embroiled in a drama much bigger than she could have imagined, especially when certain parties take issue to her developing a friendship with a boy who isn’t white-skinned. When a mysterious record mogul offers Josie help to improve her psychic gifts, her world turns totally upside down and Josie begins to question everything she thought she knew about the world, her family and even herself.
Coming of age was never so intense as it will be for Josie in the winter of 1961.

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Goodreads Book Giveaway

A Place Halfway

by K.C. Finn

Giveaway ends November 28, 2014.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter to win

Born in South Wales to Raymond and Jennifer Finn, Kimberley Charlotte Elisabeth Finn (known to readers as K.C., otherwise it'd be too much of a mouthful) was one of those corny little kids who always wanted to be a writer. She was also incredibly stubborn, and so has finally achieved that dream in 2013 with the release of her first three novellas in the four-part Caecilius Rex saga and her time travel adventure The Secret Star.
K.C. Finn has also recently been welcomed into the fold at Clean Teen Publishing as a debut Young Adult author for 2014, beginning her run of publications with the paranormal/historical series SYNSK. 2015 will see K.C. release her epic urban fantasy series Shadeborn with Crushing Hearts and Black Butterfly Press.
As a sufferer with the medical condition M.E./C.F.S., Kim works part time as a private tutor and a teacher of creative writing, devoting the remainder of her time to writing novels and studying for an MA in Education and Linguistics.

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Tour Schedule - One month Tour for The Synsk Series by K.C. Finn from Oct 27 to Nov 27, 2014.

Oct 27

Word to Dreams - Promo & Author Interview

http://wordtodreams.blogspot.com

Night Owl Reviews - Promo

http://www.nightowlreviews.com/V5/Blog

Oct 28

Books, Authors, Blogs - Promo

http://therightbook4u.blogspot.com

Booky Ramblings of a Neurotic Mom - Promo, & Top Ten

http://bookyramblingsofaneuroticmom.blogspot.co.uk/

Oct 29

3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, & Sissy, Too!- Promo

http://3partnersinshopping.blogspot.com

Shayna Varadeaux - Promo

http://www.shaynavaradeauxbooks.blogspot.com

Oct 30

Coffee Books & Art - Promo, Dream Cast, Playlist, Top Ten

http://sarityahalomi.blogspot.com/

What Shall We Blog About Today? - Promo, Dream Cast, Character Bio's, Book Soundtrack & Playlist

http://kenowinsky.blogspot.com

Oct 31

MI Bookshelf - Promo

https://www.facebook.com/MIBookshelf2

Book Club Sisters - Promo, Book Soundtrack & Playlist

http://bookclubsisters84.blogspot.com

Nov 3

Deal Sharing Aunt- Promo

http://dealsharingaunt.blogspot.com

2 Girls & A Book - Promo, Dream Cast, Character Bio's & Top Ten

http://2girlsandabook.wordpress.com/

Nov 4

Lindsey Gray - Promo & Character Bio's

http://lindsey-gray.blogspot.com

Nov 5

Sweet Treat Reading Reviews - Promo & Dream Cast

http://strreviews.blogspot.com/

Nov 6

Babu's Bookshelf - Review All

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Beckstar Reviews - Review All

http://beckstarreviews.com

Nov 7

Bookworm for Kids - Review - Book 1 - The Mind’s Eye

http://www.bookwormforkids.blogspot.com

Nov 10

JeanzBookReadNReview - Promo, Author Interview, Dream Cast & Playlist

http://jeanzbookreadnreview.blogspot.co.uk/

My Book Fairy - Promo, Character Bio's, Book Soundtrack & Guest Post

http://mybookfairy.blogspot.com/

Nov 11

A One-click Addict's Book Blog - Promo

http://aone-clickaddictsbookblog.blogspot.com/

Book Lovers Life - Promo & Top Ten

http://okloverslife.blogspot.ie

Hooke On Books Forever - Promo, Dream Cast, Character Bio's, Playlist & Book Soundtrack

http://hookedonbooksforever.blogspot.co.uk/

Nov 12

Pretty Little Pages - Promo & Top Ten

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Avid Reader Amy's Reviews - Promo, Dream Cast & Book Soundtrack

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Nov 13

Fictional Rendezvous Book Blog - Promo

http://fictionalrendezvousbookblog.blogspot.com/

Nov 14

Kelly P's Blog - Promo

http://kellyatx.blogspot.com/

The Wonderings Of One Person - Promo, Author Interview & Playlist

http://thewonderingsofoneperson.wordpress.com

Nov 17

Cajun Book Lover - Promo

http://www.cajunbooklover.blogspot.com

Nov 18

A Little Bit of R&R - Promo, Dream Cast, Character Bio's & Playlist

http://alittlebitofrnr.com/

Nov 19

Portals to New Worlds - Promo, Character Interview, Dream Cast, Character Bio's, Playlist & Book Soundtrack

http://authorkarenswart.blogspot.com

Nov 20

Eclipse Reviews - Promo, Author Interview, Dream Cast, Character Bio's, Playlist & Book Soundtrack

http://www.eclipsereviews.weebly.com

Nov 21

A Cauldron of Books - Promo, Top Ten, Dream Cast, Character Bio's, Playlist & Book Soundtrack

http://acauldronofbooks.info

Nov 24

Angels with Attitude Book Reviews - Promo, Top Ten, Book Soundtrack & Playlist

http://angelswithattitudebookreviews-joelle.blogspot.com

Nov 25

Dalene's Book Reviews - Promo, Review All, Dream Cast, Character Bio's, Playlist & Book Soundtrack

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Nov 26

The Avid Reader - Promo, Dream Cast, Character Bio's, Book Soundtrack, Playlist

http://the-avidreader.blogspot.com

Veduny Writer - Promo & Review - Book 3 - A Place Halfway

http://vedunywriter.blogspot.com

Nov 27

The Idle Musings of a Writer's Mind - Promo, & Author Interview, Dream Cast, Character Bio's, Book Soundtrack, Playlist

http://theidlemusingsofawritersmind.blogspot.com

B.A.S.E.D. Press - Promo & Review All

http://basedpress.blogspot.com

Birthday Bash: Kira Adams' Top Ten

Click the banner to go to the kick-off post with two huge giveaways!

Today I am so very excited to have someone that I consider not only a fabulous Indie author but a friend here for the birthday bash. A lot of times, I wonder how Indie authors manage to do what they do. Without the support of a large publishing house behind them, they often have to take the job of author, editor, publisher, and publicist by themselves. It's inspiring and mind-boggling. Krista Pakseresht, who writes as Kira Adams, shares some of the things she's learned as an Indie writer. Stick around for her Top Ten then head to the kick-off page to enter to win copies of her amazing books!

1. Beta readers are invaluable. One of the first things I did when I decided I wanted to write more seriously was join the site, Goodreads. There are hundreds of people on there who are interested in beta reading, and they all do it out of the kindness of their heart—asking for no monetary compensation. Each and every one of my books went through multiple rounds of beta readers who helped me address problems with the plot, flow, characterization, and even sometimes, spelling and grammar. I honestly believe if it were not for Goodreads and the beta readers help, I wouldn’t be the author I am today.

2. Where is the rush? I hastily made the decision to publish my first book after being fed up with my life in general—I would not recommend this. I missed minor formatting errors and settled for the story as it was even though I had inner doubts about it. Although thousands of readers were happy with the version that was published, I have already edited it once and will probably revise and update the published copies once more if I decide to delve back into the story. I also missed the opportunity to promote at all. Even though I have found book bloggers (and thank God for them), it is still very hard work. I would recommend taking your time to publish your novel.

This is the format I would follow if you are interested in self-publishing: Write the story, edit the story, have the story beta read, put the story away for a little bit of time to breathe while you begin something new, edit the story again, have it beta read one more time, edit it for the final time, format it for e-books and paperbacks, promote, promote, promote, publish.

3. Join online writing communities such as Wattpad, Figment, Authonomy, Scribophile, etc. Joining a site like Wattpad has been life-changing for me. It is a website that merges readers and aspiring writers with published authors and even agents sometimes. You are able to post your stories chapter by chapter and others have the opportunity to read, comment, and vote on your works as well as follow your profile and add your books to their libraries. There are also forums you can join that give advice on the ins and outs of the industry. A majority of the website is the younger generation, tweens and teens, however Wattpad is filled with aspiring writers and published authors of all backgrounds.

I joined the site in September 2013, and since then I have 645 followers, over 7000 votes, and upwards of 35,000 reads on some of my stories. Even though I have not and will not ever receive any monetary compensation from having my stories on Wattpad, I will be a lifer. I cannot tell you how much of a community it is and how supportive my followers have been for me as well as advice I’ve been given on improving my novels; I cannot say enough great things about Wattpad. I think I should be their mascot!

4. Your friends and family will come around. Don’t be offended if your friends and family don’t read your stories right away or even bother to buy them when they are released. Things to keep in mind, everyone has their own life and are busy living it—they will support you when they see the hard work. Also, factor in what genre you are writing in because not everyone will be interested in Young Adult or New Adult Romances.

5. If you have the opportunity to have a critiquing partner who will swap a few chapters at a time, TAKE IT. While beta readers can be helpful to no end, a critiquing partner can and will become passionate about your work; they will push you to write new chapters and even though they won’t go easy on you just because you’ve built a rapport, they will support you to no end.

6. Go with the flow. As much as I love outlines and have used them plenty of times in the past, I have always been a firm believer in writing what you feel is right in the moment. My stories with the biggest recognition have not been planned out, I believe that’s what kept the intensity building from start to finish. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying there is anything wrong with outlines, I am just saying if your gut is telling you to write something, don’t feel confined to your outline.

7. The ups and downs of Print-on-Demand. When I published my first two novels, I chose the website Createspace to help with the paperback copies I would be needing. I love how self-sufficient their website makes you feel and how quickly they can approve everything for publishing (within 24-48 hours).

Pros: Createspace is very easy to use and navigate.

Cons: The royalties are about 30% your book price, which in the grand scheme of things isn’t much.

8. You do not have to pay a fortune for a cover that could compete in the traditional publishing world, trust me. One of the best decisions I ever made was asking a peer on Wattpad to make my covers professionally for me; little did I know, she actually wanted to be a cover designer! I approached her and we worked out a 6-book deal for a VERY affordable price. She not only works with me to make sure I am satisfied in full, but she has a ridiculously fast turnaround. Sometimes it’s as quick as 24-hours. Her name is Emmy Logan and she is the creator of Cover Me Designs, do yourself a favor and check out some of her creations—you won’t regret it.

9. Find Book Bloggers who review self-published titles. Reach out but be respectful, some of them may agree to review your book even though it doesn’t interest them. Be content and satisfied with each one that that takes the time. They are essentially who is going to help create buzz and build an audience for upcoming titles.

10. If you do not want to deal with the hassle of formatting the eBook—DON’T. I’m not going to release her name in fear she may get too booked up for me to use her on future projects; but, I found a decent eBook formatter who gets it ready for both platforms, Epub and Mobi within a week or two for $20. Twenty dollars is nothing compared to the headaches and hours you’ll spend trying to get everything right.

Krista Pakseresht has always been a dreamer. From the first time she opened her eyes. Creating worlds through words is one thing she is truly talented at. She specializes in Young adult/New adult romance, horror, action, fantasy, and non-fiction under the pen name Kira Adams. She is the author of the Infinite Love series, the Foundation series, the Darkness Falls series, and the Looking Glass series.

[Goodreads | Website]

Book Tour: What's Love Series by Niecey Roy

Presented by:

Title: Another Shot At Love
Series: What’s Love??? #1
Author : Niecey Roy
Genre: NA Romantic Comedy, Humorous Contemporary Romance
Audience: 17 +
Formats: E-book and Paperback
Publisher: River Mist Media
Cover By: Christina Leigh Designs
Pages: 362
ISBN-10: 0615908098
ISBN-13: 978-0615908090
ASIN: B00G2CNJF8
Date Published: October 21, 2013

Imogen Gorecki has a problem—her twin sister just got engaged, and guess who’s the best man? That’s right, her scum-of-an-ex-boyfriend whom she caught cheating with a bottle-blonde, with fake breasts and a stripper’s flexibility. There’s a disturbing possibility her eyes will never recover.
Gen needs a date for the engagement party, but finding Mr. Perfect in a time crunch is proving impossible. Just when she’s about to give up, she face-plants into the crotch of the sexiest guy she’s ever met.
Matt Sesnick is everything Gen wants in a man —except he’s not interested in a relationship. Can she convince Matt to take another shot at love, or will Gen’s pregnant, hormonal older sister, her bridezilla twin, and all of her past Mr. Wrongs get in the way of their happily-ever-after?

Amazon / Goodreads /Smashwords / Barnes and Noble

"All the elements for a fun, sassy romance: a sexy hero and the unbreakable bond of sisterhood. Delightful!" ~Bestselling Author Kate Perry

"Funny, sassy, sexy and brilliant book...Absolute Must Read!!!"

~Amy from Schmexy Girls Book Blog

"Crazy sisters, best friends, a slimy ex, and a gorgeously sexy sweet man. Who wouldn't want Another Shot at Love?" ~Stacy Nickelson, It Started With A Book Blog

Top Ten TV Series Romances
(and almost romances)
by Niecey Roy

1. Castle and Kate ~ Castle

2. Oliver and Felicity ~ Arrow (it hasn’t happened yet...and it better!)

3. Emma and Hook ~ Once Upon A Time (something better happen with this couple!)

4. Caroline and Klaus ~ The Vampire Diaries (could have been a good thing!)

5. Bo and Dyson ~ Lost Girl

6. Mark Sloan and Lexie Grey ~ Grey’s Anatomy (really, ABC??? So annoyed they killed them both!)

7. Drake and Taylor ~ Star Crossed (this is a new show, but I like them as a couple)

8. Mary and Sebastian ~ Reign (also a new show, and they make a better couple than her and Francis)

9. Elijah and Hayley ~ The Originals (it’s annoying me that everyone is always in the way! Elijah is swoon-worthy)

10. Stiles and Lydia ~ Teen Wolf (they’d make a cute couple)

I know I’m forgetting some of my favorite couples, I seriously had a brain hiccup thinking about this! Ugh, I know I will think of another couple in an hour…

Thanks for having me!

“You really should change that light bulb,” Matt said, glancing around us.
“I know.” I pushed aside my wallet to dig to the bottom of my oversized purse. “I kind of take for granted that this is supposed to be a safe neighborhood.”
“Until an alien abducts you off your poorly lit porch.”
“Very funny.” I glanced up from my purse with a smile. “But really, it’s late. You could have been home by now.”
“Gen, I’m glad to walk you to your door. I would have worried about you if I hadn’t.”
I considered him as we stood there on my porch, the light flickering above us. I didn’t want him to leave, but I didn’t know how to ask him to stay. Maybe I could ask him in for a drink, though I’d already had enough.
But I have those cupcakes…
Yeah. I could offer him cupcakes. They weren’t his favorite, chocolate with sprinkles, but yellow cake with milk chocolate frosting had to be a close second, right? Hadn’t he said a cupcake will fix everything?
“I’m really glad we went out tonight.” His voice made me jump and I dropped the keys. We both bent to pick them up at the same time and bumped foreheads.
“Sorry,” he said.
“It’s okay, I’m fine.” I clasped my forehead and laughed. Probably, I sounded hysterical. Like a rabid hyena. I couldn’t even look him in the eye when I took the keys from him. “Thanks for inviting me. I had a lot of fun tonight.”
“Me too,” he said.
I put the key into the lock, turning it slowly as I struggled with what to do about him and my out of control libido. Unlocking my door hadn’t given me enough time to figure things out, though, so I tried to prolong sliding the patio door open. That didn’t take long either, and I hesitated in the doorway, still unsure. I opened my mouth to ask him in, but nothing came out. So I stepped backward through the doorway, my gaze glued to his. After a moment, he followed me inside, part of his face lost in shadows.
Time stood still. My tongue darted out to lick my lips, and I lifted up onto my toes as he lowered his head to meet me halfway. The smell of his cologne surrounded me and my eyes drifted shut. He grasped me loosely around my back, pulling me close, sending shivers coursing through my body. His breath caressed my skin, his lips just a whisper away from mine, and my lips parted…

Title: Done With Love
Series: What’s Love??? #2
Author : Niecey Roy
Genre: NA Romantic Comedy, Humorous Contemporary Romance
Audience: 17 +
Formats: E-book and Paperback
Publisher: River Mist Media
Cover By: Christina Leigh Designs
Date Published: 28 April,2014

Once upon a time…
Bridal boutique owner, Alexis Gorecki, used to believe in happily-ever-afters—until prince charming turned into a toad.
Months after being blindsided by her own horrific wedding scandal, Lexie is desperately trying to keep her boutique afloat in the wake of all the bad publicity. Waging war against her evil almost-in-laws—the people who will stop at nothing to ruin her reputation—sounded much better in her head. Lexie's strawberries and cream personality really isn’t cut out for taser guns and blackmail.
To complicate matters, Lexie's first love is back in town with his sexy green eyes and out-of-control abs. He already broke her heart once before, the beast. Leo Moss has always been her weakness and he's made it perfectly clear what he wants. Can he convince Lexie she's not done with love just yet?

Goodreads / Amazon

“Damn it, Lex, you keep pushing me away and it’s pissing me off.” He ran his hands through his hair. “I’m not going to fight over you with some guy who’s already gone.”
“Me pushing you away has nothing to do with Jeremy,” I said and crossed my arms. What I didn’t say was that it had everything to do with Leo, with our past, with me not wanting to get my heart broken again. Why couldn’t he understand that? Why couldn’t he read my mind and know all the questions I had about why he’d broken up with me the way he had, and why he was suddenly here, again, in my life, torturing me with feelings I didn’t want to have. Feelings that scared the hell out of me?
His face lowered, and suddenly his lips were near my ear lobe. I sucked in a breath. “Did he make you feel like this?” he whispered, and then his lips pressed softly against the sensitive skin of my neck. “Or this?” His lips captured my earlobe, a flicker of wet heat, and then it was gone, replaced by a draft of cold air seeping through the crack under the door. “Or this.”
His lips captured mine and stars exploded behind my closed eyes. Everything was warm, my entire body weightless and fuzzy. The kiss was slow; the heat of it felt all the way down to my toes. His tongue slid against mine in a silken kiss of passion that erupted inside of me.

Kate Voegele - Gravity Happens album

Miranda Lambert - Four the Record album

Taylor Swift radio ~ Pandora

You Can’t Break A Broken Heart ~ Kate Voegele

Kindly Unspoken - Kate Voegele

Ready to Run - Dixie Chicks

You Lie - The Band Perry (running out of church)

Before We Ever Heard Goodbye - Deanna Carter

Look at Miss Ohio - Miranda Lambert (beach)

Sweet Silver Lining - Kate Voegele (beach scene maybe?)

Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not - Thompson Square (leaving her at the villa door)

Beautiful Disaster - Jon McLaughlin

Collide - Howie Day

Fine Tune - Miranda Lambert

I Won’t Disagree - Kate Voegele

Broken ~ Lifehouse

Far More - The Honorary Title

Inside Out - Kate Voegele

Stolen - Dashboard Confessional

1 x $5 Amazon/ Itunes Gift Card
1 x E-Copy of Another Shot At Love by Niecey Roy
1 x E-Copy of Fender Bender Blues by Niecey Roy

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Niecey Roy knew she wanted to be a writer from a very young age, but her moment of enlightenment came after watching the movie You’ve Got Mail. It was then she realized her place in life, and happily parked her butt on writing romance. Her dream was to create sexy vixens, hunky, half-naked heroes, and above all, romance; lots and lots of butterflies in the belly, breathless first kisses and happily-ever-afters.
Most days she can be found at home at a cluttered desk, pounding her tired little fingers away on a keyboard with nothing but black pepper flavored sunflower seeds and Visine as her weapons for mass-romance-novel-creation. When her fingers need a break, you’ll find her at a table with friends, drinking a few martinis and showing off a new pair of (sometimes ridiculous) high heels. She’s usually the loudest at the table and most often the one snorting with laughter.
Niecey is the author of Fender Bender Blues, a contemporary romantic comedy published by The Wild Rose Press. Her new romantic comedy series, What’s Love??? includes Another Shot At Love, and Done With Love releasing April 2014.

Email / Website /Blog /Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Tumblr

Books by Niecey

Fender Bender Blues

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00B5L71YQ/ref=as_li_qf_sp_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00B5L71YQ&linkCode=as2&tag=nieroy-20