Tuesday, December 25, 2012

Merry Christmas!!!

Merry Christmas to all of my friends, family, blog followers, twitter followers, and FB friends (and anyone else who might find this post). Hope you all have a safe and wonderful holiday season.

Nothing is cuter than two kids singing Jingle Bells, so here you go. My kids singing Jingle Bells. This video was taken several years ago.

 

 MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

Monday, December 17, 2012

The Loudest Voice

I know I don't need to rehash what happened December 14th, 2012 in Newtown, Conn. That moment, like all other tragedies (Columbine, Virgina, Tech, 9/11, Oklahoma City), are burned into our collective consciousness. They are moments that change our perspective, shattering preconceived notions of what is and isn't possible. We see the darkness that lurks in humanity as it rears its head and snuffs out the light of innocence.

That day, the world mourned. My twitter feed changed from "Check out this book" or some other miscellaneous blurb about life, to shock, pain, fear, anger, and tears. Parents wanting to pick up their children and hold them tight knowing that so many children were lost that day. Losing a child is the greatest fear that any parent, myself included, can experience. That fear is amplified when we are confronted with a tragedy of this magnitude. The senseless loss of innocence.

As with all tragedies the fear turns to politics. How are we going to protect ourselves and our children from horrible people? What new laws must be enacted? Politicians have already started wrangling their viewpoints to a nation in mourning. It was all over FB and Twitter too.

I assure, this post isn't about politics. It isn't about rights. It isn't about pointing fingers.

It's about the victims.




It doesn't, ultimately, matter how, or why, it just happened. A horrific tragedy. That day hatred roared into our lives with the voice of a 100 gunshots.

A tweet passed through my timeline from a friend. I can't remember the exact words used, but it was along the lines of that there was so much hatred in the world that she didn't even want to be a part of the human race anymore.

My immediate response was to give her a virtual hug (I was giving out a lot of those in lieu of real ones). Then I told her "There is more love in the world than hate. Hate just has a louder voice."

Let me say that again...

THERE IS MORE LOVE IN THE WORLD THAN HATE. HATE JUST HAS A LOUDER VOICE.

I tried to get this out to people. Asking for people to retweet the message that we need to make love's voice louder. It won't end hatred, but it can make love's voice louder, so that when hatred roars, love sings above it.

So, here is what I'm asking you, my dutiful readers. Send a message of hope, love, or kindness. Use the hashtag #LovesVoice be it on Twitter, Email, or Facebook. Sometimes the simplest things can change a person's life. Send the message to someone who needs it. Send it because you can. Send messages of love or thankfulness, it doesn't matter. Just say it. Anything positive to brighten someone's day. Let's see if we can get this going somewhere.

And maybe, just maybe, Love's Voice will be louder.

And here's a start. 26 Moments That will Restore Your Faith in Humanity.

'Till next time.

UPDATE: My friend Jaime Dement over at WriteBackwards did a wonderful post about giving to those in need. You should head over and check it out.

UPDATE: Saw this beautiful video by Shane Kyczan talking about being bullied. Has an amazing message.

Friday, December 14, 2012

Cover Reveal: Timespell by Diana Paz

It's a two for one day on cover reveals. Originally I thought it was going to be one on Thursday and one on Friday. Turns out, it's two on Friday. That's double the awesome and double the gorgeous covers.

On this, the second awesome cover reveal of the day, I have the lovely Diana Paz's Timespell.


Diana Paz writes books about magic, adventure, and romance. She was born in Costa Rica, grew up on Miami Beach, moved to Los Angeles in high school, and went to college in San Diego. Basically, she’s a beach bum. Diana graduated from California State University, San Marcos with a Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Arts. She loves old movies, epic fantasy, all kinds of music, and heading to the beach with a good book. Preferably sipping a highly sweetened iced coffee.

Author Links:
Website: http://www.dianapaz.com/
Blog: http://www.dianapazwrites.blogspot.ca/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dianapazwrites
Twitter: https://twitter.com/dianapazwrites

The cover of Timespell is gorgeous. I love it! The book also has a very fascinating premise (as you will soon see). But first! The cover...



Timespell by Diana Paz - Publication date: April 1st, 2013 / Rhemalda Publishing
In TIMESPELL, the brash and impulsive Julia must team up with her sweet and straight-laced best friend, Angie, and the malicious and power-hungry Kaitlyn in order to keep the witch-like powers of her inheritance. But these powers come at a cost. The girls are bound to serve the Fates, and their first mission sends them back in time to Marie Antoinette’s Paris and eventually, into the chaos and war of the French Revolution.

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16146956-timespell

Oh...and a trailer!



'Till next time...

Cover Reveal: Dear Cassie by Lisa Burstein

I'm so excited to be able to help share Lisa Burstein's newest book, Dear Cassie, to the world. If you haven't read her first book, Pretty Amy, you should. I've only read a few bits here and there and I assure you that I will be reading this book. Now that I've seen the cover and read the blurb for Dear Cassie, I guarantee I'll be reading it as well. Lisa has such a way with words.

She's also a pretty awesome person.

Anyway, I could spend an entire blog post talking about Lisa, but I really want to show off the cover. I mean, that's why you came here. Right?

But first a little about Lisa herself.


Lisa Burstein is a tea seller by day and a writer by night. She received her MFA in Fiction from the Inland Northwest Center for Writers at Eastern Washington University. She lives in Portland, OR, with her very patient husband, a neurotic dog and two cats. Dear Cassie is her second novel.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/LisaBurstein
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LisaBursteinAuthor
Website: http://www.lisaburstein.com

Dear Cassie Official Blurb:

What if the last place you should fall in love is the first place that you do?

You’d think getting sent to Turning Pines Wilderness Camp for a month-long rehabilitation “retreat” and being forced to re-live it in this journal would be the worst thing that’s ever happened to me.

You’d be wrong.

There’s the reason I was sent to Turning Pines in the first place: I got arrested. On prom night. With my two best friends, who I haven’t talked to since and probably never will again. And then there’s the real reason I was sent here. The thing I can’t talk about with the guy I can’t even think about.

What if the moment you’ve closed yourself off is the moment you start to break open?

But there’s this guy here. Ben. And the more I swear he won’t—he can’t—the deeper under my skin he’s getting. After the thing that happened, I promised I’d never fall for another boy’s lies.

And yet I can’t help but wonder…what if?
---------

Pretty cool, huh?

Now, how about the cover and a little excerpt.

Yeah, I figured you'd want to see it.


We kept walking on the lake trail, the bullfrogs croaking. There was also a humming in my ears from the nicotine.

It could only be from the nicotine. It had nothing to do with being outside, at night, alone with Ben. It had nothing to do with Ben coming to the cabin and taking me instead of Nez and it definitely had nothing to do with the stars above us shining like they were the sky’s tiara.

I stopped on the trail and looked up, taking them in, when all of a sudden bright colored lights exploded in the sky—fireworks, one after another, on top of each other, huge kaleidoscopes of light, like sparkling rainbow spiders.

“How did you know?” I asked, my voice going softer, like if I talked too loudly they would stop. It was so beautiful, after weeks of so much ugly.

Ben turned to look at me, the colored lights in the sky turning his skin pink, blue, green. “I’m magic.” He shrugged.

I geared up to tell him to fuck off, because that was some corny-ass shit, but then I realized that he really kind of was. In that moment he was able to actually make me forget being me.

“I would try to kiss you,” he said, “but I’m afraid you’d kick me in the balls.”

“I probably would.” I laughed, the sky filling with noisy color like paint launching from a giant popcorn popper. “But like I said, it wouldn’t be about you.”

“I guess I’ll have to figure out how to make it about me,” he said, taking off his boots and socks and standing. “Come on.”

“There is no way I am getting near that water again,” I said.

“I’ll make sure nothing happens to you,” he said, holding his hand out to help me up.

I looked at his palm, open, waiting, just wanting to hold mine. For once, I didn’t think about anything except that there was a cute, sweet, smart-ass boy standing in front of me with his hand out.

I pulled off my boots and socks and took it.

We stood at the lakeshore, our hands still clasped, the water licking our feet, fireworks decorating the sky.

I turned to him. He was looking up, his mouth open in wonder like he was trying to swallow the moment.

It was definitely one worth keeping.
------

DEAR CASSIE pre-buy links:

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13628374-dear-cassie
The Book Depository: http://www.bookdepository.com/Dear-Cassie-Lisa-Burstein/9781620612545
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Dear-Cassie-Lisa-Burstein/dp/1620612542/
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dear-cassie-lisa-burstein/1113610316

PRETTY AMY Links:

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13375237-pretty-amy
Powells: http://www.powells.com/biblio/62-9781620611197-0
The Book Depository: http://www.bookdepository.com/Pretty-Amy-Lisa-Burstein/9781620611197
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Pretty-Amy-Lisa-Burstein/dp/1620611198/
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/pretty-amy-lisa-burstein/1108930786

'Till next time.

Tuesday, December 11, 2012

ReAwakened by Ada Adams Blog Tour


Today, we are once again joined by the lovely and talented Ada Adams, author of the Angel Creek series. Her first two books, ReVamped and ReAwakened, are already out with a third in the works. If you haven't read either, you should. They are fun and have a lot of heart...er...blood, vampires, romance, and plenty of kick butt action.

This is all part of a huge blog tour. For all the dates, and locations, go here or click on the awesome banner at the top.

We were going to have a character interview. However, due to contractual obligations, and not to mention spoilers, Ada decided to subject herself to many questions of dubious quality. She did insist on me keeping said questions "appropriate". Both Razor, and myself, are seriously disappointed by that stipulation, but we'll live (we'll just whine about it some)

So, I bring you (drum roll please)

Ada Adams


Q: A lot of authors point to one book as being THE book that inspired them. What book inspired you to become a writer?

I honestly don't think that it was ever a specific book that did it for me. Instead, it was a lifelong love for reading and writing that inspired me to pursue my own storytelling. I began reading chapter books at age five and inhaled anything and everything that I could get my hands on. I have favorite books that inspired me during childhood ("Harry Potter" comes to mind as one of these), but I think that I have to credit my parents for cultivating my love for books at an early age.

Q: There are a lot of vampire stories out there. What sets yours apart from the others?

"Angel Creek" takes a bit of a different approach to vampires. I didn't want to write about perfect creatures as there are already so many great novels about dark, sexy vamps. I wanted my vampires to resemble humans and live alongside us in society. In a way, the series possesses some satirical aspects (in reflection of our society), but is mostly full of action and adventure.

Q: Why a place like Angel Creek and not some major metropolitan area like New York or Paris or something?

I've grown up in a large metropolitan area, so I find myself very drawn to small towns. Perhaps I’m idealizing them to an extent, but I feel that an unknown little place like Angel Creek can hold so many secrets! It’s much easier to mold an imaginary town into another one of my characters, whereas working with an already well-known metropolitan area brings about a completely different feel to the story.

Q: Can you tell us about your first concept of Dawn? What was she like? Was she as we see her now or different?

Dawn definitely grew as a character throughout the drafting stages. In fact, she continues to grow as the series progresses - just the way I like my characters to be! Her name used to be Gabrielle in the first draft, and she was a lot less compassionate and more snarky. Throughout the drafting stages, I've found a better balance between the two!

Q: Where's your favorite spot to write?

My favorite spot used to be my desktop in my makeshift basement office. I moved right before starting on "ReAwakened" and even though I have a way better office right now (an office in the sky!), I haven't felt fully "at home" in it yet. Therefore, all of "ReAwakened" was written on my laptop in various locations (something that I never used to do). My favorite place to write in the entire world is at the cottage, surrounded by nature and sometimes even floating on the lake. Unfortunately, I only get to do that about four months of the year!

Q: A lot of writers have specific routines, or rituals before they can write. What are your routines or rituals that you go through?

I can't write when music is playing! I do draw inspiration from music, but I need quiet when I write. I also like to have my puppies, Cara(milk) and Oreo around. When I’m feeling inspired, I can sometimes forget to eat for an entire day, but when I'm lacking inspiration I snack. A lot! On chocolate.

Q: Who's your favorite character to write in this series and why?

It honestly varies. Dawn, being the main character, is very important to me, but at the same time, her journey tends to be very serious. I love to write Razor’s character, because he’s such a crazy, free spirit...his lines are too much fun to craft! I also like Brooke and Seth's bickering, but I truly love them all! I enjoy watching the characters grow, develop, and mature as the series progresses.

Q: You're a super talented person. You're a writer, actress, black belt in Karate, and even edit your own magazine. Besides ballroom dancing, what is your Achilles Heel?

I can't sing! And I don't mean that in a cute I-only-sing-in-the-shower kind of way. No…I sound absolutely horrible! My own mother laughs at me uncontrollably when I sing (and she’s my biggest cheerleader, so you know that it must be really, really bad).

Q: We know Angel Creek is at least 3 novels. Any plans for a 4th...5th...10th...15th?

It greatly depends on the fans! I love writing the characters and their stories, so as long as there is demand, why not? However, I don't think that it would go past four novels (and some novellas)...I think that a series sometimes loses its "spark" when it goes on for too long.

Q: Any ideas about stories after Angel Creek is done? Any spin-offs? Maybe a side character *cough*Razor*cough* getting their own book? Or maybe something unrelated?

I have been getting a lot of requests for novellas (Razor ones too!), so that is definitely something that I plan to explore in the near future. I also have two other big projects planned for 2013 (one NA contemporary stand-alone novel and another YA/NA hybrid series, also contemporary), so it will be a busy year!

So there you have it. Ada in her words, not mine.

If you want to get a hold of Ada, here are some links.
Website: http://www.revampedbook.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Ada_Adams
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/revampedbook
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5757476.Ada_Adams

And oh look what I found, a giveaway! :D
GIVEAWAY: - 3 winners (One grand prize winner +2 small prize winners) - One main entry per person - Must be 13 years or older to enter - Open Internationally - Winners will have 48 hours to reply before a new winner is chosen
Grand Prize Winner will win the following-
PRINT COPY OF RV
PRINT COPY OF RA
RV POSTER
RA POSTER
2 RV/RA POSTCARDS
3 RV BOOKMARKS
3 RA BOOKMARKS
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monday, December 3, 2012

Hover (The Taking #2) by Melissa West Cover Reveal

My vision for my 100th blog post was going to be little different. However, once I saw the cover to Melissa West's new book, Hover, I knew I had to show it off instead. The cover is A. MAZE. ING!

Seriously. I show it off in a bit...yes, I'm evil! Also, it's my 100th blog post, so I can do what I want! *evil laugh*

psst...there's a giveaway at the bottom

But first, a little bit about the lovely and talented Melissa West.

Melissa West, Author Extordinaire
Melissa lives in a tiny suburb of Atlanta, GA with her husband and daughter. She pretends to like yoga, actually likes shoes, and could not live without coffee. Her writing heroes include greats like Jane Austen and Madeleine L'Engle.

She holds a B.A. in Communication Studies and an M.S. in Graphic Communication, both from Clemson University. Yeah, her blood runs orange.

Melissa’s links:

Website- http://www.melissawestauthor.com/
Blog- http://m-b-west.blogspot.com/
Twitter- https://twitter.com/MB_West
Facebook- http://www.facebook.com/MelissaWestAuthor
Goodreads- http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5287439.Melissa_West







So, you want to see it?




Really?




OK. Here it is.


Pre-order Buy links:

Amazon- http://www.amazon.com/Hover-The-Taking-Melissa-West/dp/1620610930/
BN.com- No link yet
Chapters- http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/Hover-Melissa-West/9781620610930-item.html
Book Depository- http://www.bookdepository.com/Hover-Melissa-West/9781620610930

Oh and it gets better! There's a giveaway too! :D
a Rafflecopter giveaway

'Till Next Time!