Cover reveal: Timeless by Crystal Collier

Who-hoo! I'm so happy to be taking part in the delightful Crystal's cover reveal today. Isn't it gorgeous?

TIMELESS (#3 Maiden of Time) by Crystal Collier #CoverReveal

Book Title: TIMELESS (Maiden of Time #3)

Author: Crystal Collier

Genre: YA Paranormal Historical

Release Date: November 1, 2016

TIME IS THE ENEMY

In 1771, Alexia had everything: the man of her dreams, reconciliation with her father, even a child on the way. But she was never meant to stay. It broke her heart, but Alexia heeded destiny and traveled five hundred years back to stop the Soulless from becoming.

In the thirteenth century, the Holy Roman Church has ordered the Knights Templar to exterminate the Passionate, her bloodline. As Alexia fights this new threat—along with an unfathomable evil and her own heart—the Soulless genesis nears. But none of her hard-won battles may matter if she dies in childbirth before completing her mission.

Can Alexia escape her own clock?

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Crystal Collier is an eclectic author who pens clean fantasy/sci-fi, historical, and romance stories with the occasional touch of humor, horror, or inspiration. She practices her brother-induced ninja skills while teaching children or madly typing about fantastic and impossible creatures. She has lived from coast to coast and now calls Florida home with her creative husband, four littles, and “friend” (a.k.a. the zombie locked in her closet). Secretly, she dreams of world domination and a bottomless supply of cheese. You can find her on her Blog, Facebook, Goodreads, or follow her on Twitter.

Want the first chapter free? Sign up HERE.

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Guest post: Why are cat books so popular? by Vanessa Morgan

Today I'd like to welcome Vanessa Morgan, author of the newly-released Avalon: A Heartwarming True Cat Story to my blog. So sit down, grab a mug of hot chocolate and a cat, and read on...

People are obsessed with cat pictures on the Internet. Over fifteen percent of the web is cat-related content. That's a lot.

Cats are now taking over the literary world as well. No matter what genre you look at – horror, mystery, Christmas, romance, memoir – it's easy to spot books in which cats are an important part of the story.

While researching my book Avalon: a Heartwarming True Cat Story, I read a lot of cat books to have an idea of what works and what doesn't. Just like so many other people, I quickly found myself addicted to those stories. I came up with three theories on why cat books are so popular.

Cats make us feel good

Did you have a bad day? If you delve into a good cat book, you can't help but smile and feel positive again. Cat books remind us of the good things in life: loyalty, true love, and friendship. And, of course, any cat's behavior will have you crack up with laughter in no time. By picking up a cat book, you are guaranteed to be confronted with lots of positive vibes and emotions. This can be addictive. Because once you know how easy it is to smile when you feel down, the more you'll seek out those feelings.

It's in our genes

Humans are hardwired to love on anything that is cute and cuddly.Whether it be babies or pets, most people want to make them happy. Therefore, we tend to recognize ourselves in and identify with the characters portrayed in cat books. We all want to belong and feel understood, and reading cat books is a good way to remind us that we do.

Cat people are introverts

Research shows that cat people are more introverted than dog people. Instead of going for long walks, they prefer to stay inside and read a book, preferably with a warm cat curled up on their laps. And if that book helps them to feel better about themselves and the world, then so much the better.


So, there you have three possible reasons why cat books are popular. Do you agree or disagree? Can you think of other reasons why readers love cat books? Let me know in the comments or on Twitter using @eeriestories.

Can't wait to experience all the good feelings a good cat book has to offer? Start with Avalon: a Heartwarming True Cat Story ;-)

Blurb:

Some cats need nine lives to make a difference. Avalon only needed one.

From Amazon bestselling author Vanessa Morgan, Avalon is the heartwarming and once-in-a-lifetime love story of a girl and her neurotic Turkish Van cat.

With humor, the author details how Avalon made other creatures cringe in distress whenever he was around, how he threw her dates out by means of special techniques, and how he rendered it almost impossible for her to leave the house. Avalon was so incorrigible that even her landlord ordered her to get rid of him. But beneath Avalon's demonic boisterousness, Vanessa recognized her own flaws and insecurities, and she understood that abandoning Avalon would be the worst she could do to him. Thanks to her unswerving loyalty, Avalon transformed into a tender feline, and even landed a major role in a horror movie. In turn, Avalon made it his mission to be there for his human companion.

By turns jubilant and deeply moving, Avalon is a memoir for anyone who has ever been obsessively in love with a pet.Purchase links:

Amazon US // Amazon UK // Amazon FR: 


Author bio:

Vanessa Morgan is an author, screenwriter, and blogger. Two of her works, The Strangers Outside and A Good Man, have been turned into films. Her short film script Next to Her is currently in pre-production. When she's not working on her latest book, you can find her reading, watching horror movies, digging through flea markets, or photographing felines for her blog Traveling Cats. Avalon has appeared in several of her books and films.


Social media links:

Facebook // Twitter // Pinterest //  Google+ // Bloglovin // Amazon // GoodReads // Blog 



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Elizabeth Seckman talks romance

Happy Valentine's Day, folks. I'm not a very romantic person myself, so when Elizabeth suggested a Valentine's post, to celebrate the launch of her latest book Defying Reason, I wondered if she was on the right blog for the 14th. Turns out, she was :-)


Hi Annalisa! Thanks so much for letting me stop by on this lovely, love filled holiday. Now, you may think I am on a chocolate high, but I am here to convince you that some of the world's most famous love stories really do suck.


Romeo and Juliet? Seriously, they were kids! Imagine it. Your fifteen-year-old sneaks into a party, sees a hot girl (I'm assuming there were some glandular issues involved in this love.) and is so totally smitten, people will die. He dies, she dies, Tybalt dies, Paris dies, Mercutio dies...all dead because these two co-dependents needed an intervention.

Rhett Butler and Scarlet O'Hara (Gone With the Wind)? Scarlet  is a bitch. She hardly even likes her own children.  She is a survivor and will do anything and marry anyone to make it. Bring on Rhett. He sees her for the evil that she is and loves her. He's operating on true love. Scarlet could care less. She wants her best friend's husband...all the way up until the friend dies and her husband is up for grabs. Then Scarlet wants Rhett. Hmm. I'm kind of glad he tells her to go to hell...he no longer gives a damn. High fives to Rhett for growing a set!

Heathcliff and Catherine (Wuthering Heights): Mean people, both of them. They are hateful, selfish, and cruel. Too bad Catherine was too uppity and snotty to marry him. Then they could have pooled all their evil in one household and saved a whole lotta people a whole lotta misery.

Meggy Cleary, Father Ralph, and Mary Carson (The Thornbirds): I'm not getting kinky here...this love triangle has to be fully laid out to make sense. Old Mary Carson first loved the hot Catholic priest, Ralph. Then her niece Meggy moves to Drogheda, and the little whipper snapper grows into a hot babe. who catches the eye of  the priest. Mary sees it and she hates him for it...not because he's in love with her niece, but because there will never be any Ralph + Mary carved into a tree, So, when Mary dies. she leaves Ralph her money, thereby forcing him to choose: Meggy or status in the church. Meggy loses. True love didn't conquer all, not even pride. But there is one helluva a hot love scene on an island.

Now, for the record. I love all these books. Each one (with the exception of Romeo and Juliet...I read that because an English teacher made me) is on my top ten list of must read books. Each is epic. Each could be read a hundred times and something new found. The only thing I don't get is how did these couples become icons of the love story? But then, I suppose if these guys are the epitome of love, no wonder the divorce rate is so freaking high. `

The Blurb:

Jo Leigh Harper comes from a long line of trouble-making, white trash stock.

Tanner Coulter comes from a longer line of wealth-creating, blue blood stock.

Jo graduated college top of her class, moving toward a future full of possibilities.

Tanner dropped out of college, trading a law degree for drinking games and one night stands.

A family crisis throws the rich party boy and the poor genius girl together. The attraction is immediate, though neither one is a heart-in-the-sand-drawing believer in true love. But as the summer sun heats up along the shores of the Outer Banks, so does the connection between them. Maybe, just maybe, they can win at love by defying reason.

 

Author Bio:

Elizabeth is a multi-published author of books for people who are believers in happily-ever- after, true love, and stories with a bit of fun and twists with their plots. The mother of four young men, she tackles laundry daily and is the keeper of the kitchen. She lives along the shores of the Ohio River in West Virginia, but dreams daily of the beach. 

Facebook // Blog // Website // Buy Link

Polar Day by Julie Flanders

Whoo-hoo, Polar Day is published today! Congratulations, Julie.

I've avidly read everything Julie has published so far - I think she's fantastic - and I can't wait to get my hands on this one too.

Polar Day is the sequel to Polar Night and The Turnagain Arm, a novella which tells the story of Aleksei's origins.

Book Blurb:

The midnight sun bakes Fairbanks, Alaska as residents gather for the annual summer solstice baseball game. Amidst the revelry and raucous shouts of “Play ball,” a spark alights and a jogger bursts into flames. Detective Danny Fitzpatrick, still reeling from his near death at the hands of vampire Aleksei Nechayev, watches in horror as the man burns alive.

Someone is burning Fairbanks and its residents and leaving nothing but smoldering embers behind. As the city sweats under a record-breaking heatwave and unexplained fires claim more victims, Danny and his colleagues struggle to find an arsonist who can conjure fire out of thin air.

To Danny’s horror, the only one who may be able to help him stop the arsonist is his nemesis Nechayev. Will the vampire help in the hunt for a witch?

Buy on Amazon 

Author Bio:

Julie Flanders is a librarian by day and a writer all the rest of the time. She is also a television show addict with a particular fondness for Game of Thrones and The Walking Dead and a slightly obsessive sports fan who cheers for the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Cincinnati Reds. Julie is an animal lover and animal rescue advocate who shares her home with her rescued dog and cat. She has written about the joys of pets for outlets such as Cat Fancy, Thrive in Life, and Best Friends Animal Society. Visit Julie at julieflanders.net.

Links:

Website // Blog // Twitter // Facebook // Goodreads  

Have you read Polar Night, or The Turnagain Arm?

Happy release day, M.J!

I've just realised it's been a while since I blogged - I've just had nothing to say. I'll try to think of something this week, I promise.

But right now, I want to say a huge congratulations to M.J. Fifield because...

It's Effigy Release Day!

EFFIGY (Epic Fantasy), Book One in the Coileáin Chronicles
by M.J. Fifield

Release date: July 22, 2014

Now available in paperback and on Kindle at Amazon and CreateSpace (other editions to follow soon!)

The survival of a once-mighty kingdom rests in the hands of its young queen, Haleine Coileáin, as it slowly succumbs to an ancient evil fueled by her husband’s cruelty.

A sadistic man with a talent for torture and a taste for murder, he is determined to burn the land and all souls within. Haleine is determined to save her kingdom and, after a chance encounter, joins forces with the leader of the people’s rebellion. She gives him her support, soon followed by her heart.

Loving him is inadvertent but becomes as natural and necessary as breathing. She lies and steals on his behalf, doing anything she can to further their cause. She compromises beliefs held all her life, for what life will exist if evil prevails?

Her journey leads to a deceiving world of magic, monsters, and gods she never believed existed outside of myth. The deeper she goes, the more her soul is stripped away, but she continues on, desperate to see her quest complete. If she can bring her husband to ruin and save her people, any sacrifice is worth the price—even if it means her life.

Add it to your Goodreads List!

About the author:

Armed with a deep and lasting love of chocolate, purple pens, and medieval weaponry, M.J. Fifield is nothing if not a uniquely supplied insomniac. When she isn't writing, she's on the hunt for oversized baked goods or shiny new daggers. M.J. lives with a variety of furry creatures—mostly pets—in New Hampshire's Mount Washington Valley. Effigy is her first novel. Visit her online at mjfifield.com, find her on Facebook, or follow her on Twitter.

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Kyra Lennon talks football and other stuff

Kyra Lennon is touring with her new book, Sidelined, the third instalment of her Game On series. Today she's here with me to talk about football and other stuff. I've got the tea, and the cake, so I think we're ready.

Hello, Kyra, welcome to my blog.

Hello, and thanks for inviting me over!

Now you're here, you have to work for that cake, and answer a couple of questions...
What made you write a series based around a football team? (Yes, football, I’m British!)

Well, I needed something with a large team of famous people, and a sports team was the obvious solution. Football is the sport I know the most about, so I decided to run with it!

Do you understand the off-side rule?

Yes. I mean, in theory. My judgement when I’m actually watching a game is not so good lol.

I can think of a couple of referees who would answer that question the same way!
If you had to pick, which (real) team would you support?

You know, I was thinking about this recently. The reason I don’t watch football much anymore is that I don’t really have a team. Back in the day, it was all about Man U, but that had a lot more to do with Ryan Giggs’ legs than anything else! I’d probably go with a team local to me – it would be pretty cool to back an underdog team and watch them rise! (Well, you know, hopefully!)

Small clubs need all the support they can get. Okay, enough with the football questions… for now…
Game On is a five-part series – Sidelined is #3 – and I know you planned all five novels from the start. Has there been a time when you’ve considered stopping early? (BTW, if you did stop early, I’d have to disown you!)

Yes. Before I wrote Book 3, I did stop and wonder what I was doing. I felt that, since there had been a long gap between 2 and 3, that maybe nobody would care about the series and the characters anymore. Also, it was the halfway point, and I wasn’t sure I even had it in me to keep going for three more books. As it turned out, Sidelined has been well received, and I’m looking forward to getting Book 4 started!

Each of the books so far have had very different tones – how easy is that to write?

It hasn’t been as hard as I thought. I think a lot of authors fear they will fall into the trap of writing characters that are very similar, and have very similar voices. That has always been a big concern for me, I’m very aware of any similarities between my own characters. But with the Game On series, it hasn’t been too difficult. Each of the girls – and, of course, Jesse – all have very distinct personalities. Leah is very British and no-nonsense, Bree is bubbly and bouncy, Jesse is a young guy getting used to fame, and Freya is quieter, more reserved. So there are a lot of personalities to explore, and flipping between them hasn’t been as challenging as I expected.

What’s been your favourite review of the series so far? Which characters have people identified with the most?

This review by Cassie Mae.  Partly because it came with pretty pictures, but also because it made me believe I’d really got it right because Cassie identified so much with Bree.

It’s difficult to know which character people have identified with the most. I think a lot of readers identified with Leah, the small town girl wanting to escape from her life and find out what the world is really all about – but likewise, a lot of people hated her for the decisions she made. People also identified with Isabelle in Blindsided because most girls at some point in their lives feel they have been overlooked, or aren’t good enough. One of the things I like to think is special about the Game On series is that there are so many characters, hopefully there is someone for everyone to relate to!

Taylor is a great villain. How did a lovely lady like you write such a nasty character? And will there be any more like her?

Aww! Well, I don’t think any book series is complete without some kind of villain, and Taylor’s pretty evil! I can confirm, there is one new villain to come – and she makes Taylor seem like an angel!

Ooh, good...
How easy has it been – as a British woman living in Britain – to get the American feel into the novels? Is there anything you’d have done differently?

Haha, I don’t always feel like I’ve done a great job of that. I am aware there could be a lot more, but once I start writing the story, the characters take over and the scenery fades away. If I could afford it, I would go to LA for a while and really experience it so I could inject the feel of the place into the story more.

Well, if you ever need a travel partner, I'm sure I could oblige, or just hide in your luggage!
And finally, what’s next in the Game On series? And, who won the English Premier League this season?

I wanna say Man City…? Or was that last year? Crap, I have no clue!

(Yes, it was City!)

Next in the Game On Series is Freya’s story, which is as yet untitled. Due to the events in Sidelined, I can’t really give too much away about it, though!

I can't wait for the next book, but in the meantime - while Kyra and I eat cake - why don't you take a look at Sidelined...

At the age of twenty-one, Bree Collinson has more than she ever dreamed of. A handsome husband, a fancy house, and more shoes than Carrie Bradshaw and Imelda Marcos combined. But having everything handed to her isn’t the way Bree wants to live the rest of her life. When an idea to better herself pops into her head, she doesn’t expect her husband to question her, and keep her tied by her apron strings to the kitchen.

Isolated and unsure who to turn to, Bree finds herself falling back into a dangerous friendship, and developing feelings for the only person who really listens to her. Torn between her loyalty to her husband and her attraction to a man who has the perfect family she always wanted, she has some tough choices to make.

While Bree tries to figure out what she wants, a tragedy rocks the Westberg Warriors, triggering some dark memories, and pushing her to take a look at what’s really important.

Buy Links: Amazon UK // Amazon US // B&N // iBookstore

About the Author:

Kyra is a self-confessed book-a-holic, and has been since she first learned to read. When she's not reading, you'll usually find her hanging out in coffee shops with her trusty laptop and/or her friends, or girling it up at the nearest shopping mall.

Kyra grew up on the South Coast of England and refuses to move away from the seaside which provides massive inspiration for her novels. Her debut novel, Game On (New Adult Contemporary Romance), was released in July 2012, and she scored her first Amazon Top 20 listing with her New Adult novella, If I Let You Go.

Find Kyra online: Website // Facebook // Twitter // Pinterest // Goodreads // Join My Mailing List

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Effigy cover reveal!

I am delighted to help M J Fifield to share her cover today. I've known M J, through her blog, for a long time, and for all of that time she has spoken about Effigy. I am so excited for her that she's finally got to this stage. Good luck with it, M J!

Effigy Blurb:

The survival of a once-mighty kingdom rests in the hands of its young queen, Haleine Coileáin, as it slowly succumbs to an ancient evil fueled by her husband’s cruelty.

A sadistic man with a talent for torture and a taste for murder, he is determined to burn the land and all souls within. Haleine is determined to save her kingdom and, after a chance encounter, joins forces with the leader of the people’s rebellion. She gives him her support, soon followed by her heart.

Loving him is inadvertent but becomes as natural and necessary as breathing. She lies and steals on his behalf, doing anything she can to further their cause. She compromises beliefs held all her life, for what life will exist if evil prevails?

Her journey leads to a deceiving world of magic, monsters, and gods she never believed existed outside of myth. The deeper she goes, the more her soul is stripped away, but she continues on, desperate to see her quest complete. If she can bring her husband to ruin and save her people, any sacrifice is worth the price—even if it means her life.

Release date: July 22, 2014 

Cover art by Ravven

About The Author:

Armed with a deep and lasting love of chocolate, purple pens, and medieval weaponry, M.J. Fifield is nothing if not a uniquely supplied insomniac. When she isn’t writing, she’s on the hunt for oversized baked goods or shiny new daggers. M.J. lives with a variety of furry creatures—mostly pets—in New Hampshire. Effigy is her first novel.

Links:

Ravven, the cover artist  

M J's website: 

M J's blog:

Add Effigy on Goodreads

A giant thank you and shout out

This week 19 bloggers cam to my aid, at very short notice. So today I'm sharing their blogs! If you haven't met these amazing people yet, please visit them and discover what you've been missing out on..

Medeia Sharif has just released her new YA book Snip, Snip, Revenge. I love that title!

Rachel Schieffelbein, author of several YA books with gorgeous covers. She's just released Don't Fall, but you knew that, didn't you?

Suzanne Furness is hard at work on a YA fantasy. She recently finished the first draft of book 2.

Kyra Lennon, an amazing friend, who drags me to see heavy metal bands who I subsequently fall in love with. Her Game On series is brilliant - have you read it?

Nick Wilford, a blogger who's willing to help everyone out! And he edits too, if you need one.

Joanne Faries is the author of one of my favourite flash fiction collections, Wordsplash Flash. Her blog is also full of book and film reviews.

Mac Wheeler has just released his 24th book! I am in awe and stunned by that.

Steve Symes, a paranormal blog from a paranormal writer!

Elizabeth Seckman, writer of the Coulter Men series, has a new book out soon. (I've had a sneak peek - it's fabulous!) 

Michelle Wallace has short stories in several compilations, and is super supportive of all bloggers. 

Murees Dupe is working hard on her first novel, and navigating all the pitfalls of the publishing world.  

D Biswas writes short stories, and created an ebook from her A-Z challenge posts a couple of years ago.

Brinda Berry, YA and NA writer, who opens up her blog to some fantastic authors.

Syndey Aailyah's book Another New Life is available right now!

Cathrina Constantine is the author of books with the most amazing covers.

Linda King, another blog friend who I've known almost since I started blogging - the author of many short stories, and is working on a novel.

Melissa Maygrove has just released her debut novel Come Back. 


L. Diane Wolfe is a constant source of help on all aspects of the publishing industry.

Charity Bradford is a science fiction and fastasy writer. Her first book, The Magic Wakes, was published last year.

To all these bloggers, THANK YOU!

Elizabeth Seckman's Fate Intended tour stop

Who-hoo, I have a visitor... One of my favourite ladies! And she always tidies up after herself... Welcome Elizabeth Seckman...

Hi Annalisa! Thanks for having me over. I've been here often enough to be a boss and  suggest you put the kettle on. We'll enjoy a cup of tea as we discuss reader input.

Kettle's on, and there are some really chocolatey biscuits in the tin! Now, who've you been talking to recently?

I talked to an avid reader the other day and she shared what I consider valuable advice for us all.

She said she loved to buy indie and small pub books, because...

The price is right. She knows the editing might not always be as tight as a big pub, but the $10 price difference makes up for that.

She likes how there is less "formula" fiction in indie and small pub. Story lines are fresher when you stray from the mainstream.

Indie and small pub writers are easily reached and most are friendly and sooo appreciative of a kind word.

And what rabid reader wouldn't love to discover the next E.L. James or Colleen Hoover?

But the one drawback, as she sees it?

Indies and small pubs have a tendency to ramble about in their stories.

Hmm. Why would that be?

There is a saying, you can either be the dog of kings or the king of the dogs.

With indies and small pubs, a writer is given much more authority and leeway than at a big house. Hence, the king of the dogs. Most times, to accept or deny an edit is up to the writer.

In a big house, these writers are working for the kings, but as their dog. They say make an edit, I'll bet that edit is made.

The freedom of the small pubs and indies puts the burden of responsibility almost solely on the writer.

For myself, I try to avoid this by using several betas and listening when there is unity in opinion.If more than one person sees the problem...cut it; change it...whatever it takes; fix it.

It's best to listen before publication rather than hear it in a review after publication.

Fate Intended is the third book in the Coulter Men Series.  Trip is the last of the Coulter sons to find love. He’s a handsome man with all the skills a young spy needs to succeed. But when it comes to love, he misses the target. Jane is a sweet beauty who may or may not be wanted for murder. She’s hiding out as a cleaning lady when chance brings her and Trip together. It looks like a happily ever after is in the cross hairs until reality tries to destroy what fate has intended.

Elizabeth Seckman is a simple chick with a simple dream…to write stories people want to read.

Blog

Facebook

Amazon Page

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A chat with Teresa F. Morgan

Last week I visited Teresa F. Morgan's blog, and today she's popped in to see me.

Teresa has just released her debut book with Harper Impulse, so what better time to share her with my lovely blogger buddies.

So, Teresa, I first met you in May 2011 (I checked) via Sally Quilford's 80,000 Words in 80 Days... Been busy since then?
Wow, was that when we first met? Well, back in May 2011 I'd put my first book on hold, to let it rest and started writing my second book (current working title Perfect Isn't An Option) in the 80,000 words in 80 Days - great challenge! That first book is now called Plus One Is A Lucky Number and has been published by Harper Collins' imprint company Harper Impulse. I have a two book contract, so I'm currently trying to tidy up the second book - it needs editing and some additing - to send it off to them. I've had a few dramas in my life since May 2011, divorcing and moving house, so haven't been so busy on the writing as I'd like to be. Now I'm settled in my new house, I am hoping to get into a better routine with my writing.

How did that feel, having your book accepted after working on it for so long?

I guess I feel relieved... and I'm still pinching myself that I'm a published author!

I started writing Plus One for the Mills and Boon competition in 2010 (I think it was around September). I didn't get anywhere but continued writing the book. So it has taken me three years to get published, and I'm chuffed to bits. You hear a lot of writers never getting their first ever written novel published, and I have. I sent it out to publishers last year, but with no joy. When I heard about Harper Impulse, my book was still with the RNA New Writers' Scheme and I was awaiting a full critique back, but I sent it off anyway, wanting to grab the bull by the horns as it was a fairly new company. 

Did you ever consider self-publishing, or were you always heading towards a publisher?

For me, I always wanted to head towards a publisher. I feel rather new to the game, as I only started writing in 2006 and decided to do it professionally in 2009. I know that self-publishing works for some, but I think because I lacked confidence in my ability, (and still do!) and didn't want to be one of those writers who publish tripe (they do exist - seen it in the fanfic world!), I wanted my writing to be endorsed (is that the right word?) by a publisher - someone saying yes this woman can write! I think if it was 10 years down the line and I still hadn't been published, then I might have done it just to get my book out there, lol! But at first I wanted to try the 'traditional' route.

What's next?

Book two - Perfect Isn't An Option. I really want to get this off to my publisher so I can write my third book! I think the only way I'm really going to get back into the swing of writing again, is to write. Editing is very hard to get motivated over... well, for me it is.

Is your writing career how you imagined it?

At the moment, no! I would love to be spending afternoons in Costa brainstorming, days out researching, hours reading then writing in my study (which I no longer have), but instead, it's very much the same as before. I'm running around after two boys, trying to keep on top of some of the housework and having to do the part time jobs which keep me afloat with a regular income. lol! When I do get to do writing, I've now got a desk in the corner of my lounge. One day, if I can give up the part time jobs, and have an office/study where I can go write - shutting the door to the outside world, that will be lovely. I've eyed up my son's bedroom to become my study, but because he's six I think I have a long time to wait. All depends on how clean he keeps his bedroom... otherwise I might convert it sooner rather than later!

About Plus One is a Lucky Number:

Sophie’s going to a wedding where the invite is strictly plus one… but with her single girl status not exactly fitting in with the bridesmaid dress code, and the best man being none other than the ex she would rather forget, Sophie needs a date and she needs one fast!

Luckily for Sophie, her dreamy but distant co-worker Adam Reid owes their mutual friend James big time…and his gorgeousness more than fills the role of the ‘Perfect Boyfriend’!

As they take off to the sunny shores of Cornwall for the wedding weekend, it’s not long before pretence leads to passion and Sophie and Adam must decide; is their relationship real or is it all for show?

Teresa lives in sunny Weston-super-Mare, trying to hold onto her Surrey accent where she was born and bred.

For years she persevered with boring jobs, until her two boys joined the nest. In an attempt to find something to work around them, and to ensure she never endured full time boredom again, she found writing.

Teresa is at her happiest baking cakes, putting proper home cooked dinners on the table (whether the kids eat them or not), reading a good romance, or creating a touch of escapism with heroes readers will fall in love with.

You can find Teresa here:

Blog / Website / Twitter / Facebook

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This wonderful group - an IWSG post

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the linky list!

Welcome to the first Wednesday of the month, and therefore my IWSG offering.

I had this post all written last week, and then I received Alex's email reminding us that the IWSG has reached it's 2nd anniversary, and it's still going strong. I think I've managed to post every single month, too, which is an achievement for me. 

Two years ago, my blog was small and had very little traffic; I had a couple of novellas that I'd given up trying to publish; and it had been almost a year since my last short story was published via a competition. Was I feeling insecure? You bet I was. But then I started reading about everyone else's insecurities, and realised that everyone feels the same, no matter what stage of the process they're at. Everyone thinks their current draft is rubbish, everyone thinks their last novel will be their last because this one's just not going right. And everyone can step up and tell other's that they felt like that last month, and it will pass, and we're all in this together.

Writing is such a lonely business, if you're not careful. I started writing before the internet was born, and I can tell you I was very lonely - none of my friends wrote, only a few of them loved books as much as me, and none of them had to be persuaded to open the next present on Christmas Day because they were too engrossed in their last (book) present..

Today, it's hard to feel insecure - I've published two Kindle books, gained some fantastic friends from all around the world, taken risks and shared parts of my life with people who really know what I'm feeling. The encouragement I've been given, and seeing the success of others, really helped me to take my goals to the next level.

Of course, Alex (the guy who doesn't even need a link) deserves a huge standing ovation for having this brilliant idea in the first place, for continually promoting fellow authors, for always visiting our blogs, and for apparently never working, eating or sleeping to be able to manage all this blogging time. I'm so glad to be part of this group, and for meeting you all.

Have you been part of the group from the start? Have you just joined? Has it helped you as much as it's helped me?

Kyra Lennon's Blindsided Tour

I'm really excited to host Kyra Lennon here today. She's been on her blog tour to celebrate the release of Blindsided, the second novel in the Game On series. This is the last stop on her tour, and she's sharing her plans for the future! Take it away, Kyra...

For those of you who have followed my Game On journey from the beginning, you’ll know I didn’t always have a series planned. The idea sprouted from wise words given to me by my CPs, and I ran with it. Fast. Two books in a year!

I didn’t always know where each character’s story would go, but they live inside my head, and now again, they pop out and whisper something in my ear. The next book in the series will be from the POV of Bree Collinson. She doesn’t feature in Blindsided, but many of you will remember as the ditzy wife of the Westberg Warriors goalkeeper, Jude.

Bree was a ray of sunshine in Game On. Her enthusiasm for life kept Leah from falling apart on several occasions, and that sunny persona is what makes everyone love her so much. Okay, to some the endless bubbliness might be annoying, but the girl has the kindest heart you can imagine, so in spite of her dizziness, it’s hard not to be charmed by her!

Bree’s story (tentatively named Sidelined) shows a whole different side to her. Her life wasn’t always picture perfect, and you’ll learn a lot about her backstory, including how she met Jude. Bree goes through some huge changes during her story, as she struggles to make sense of the things she’s experienced. She also faces some inner turmoil about her life with Jude, and what she wants for her future.

Seriousness aside, Bree won’t lose all of her sparkle. But there are tough times ahead for her and the rest of the characters when two unexpected events rock their worlds. 

Blindsided Synopsis:
After a successful first soccer season in L.A, Jesse Shaw heads to London with his best buddy, Hunter, but his world is turned upside down when a dangerous prank threatens his career and his blossoming relationship with Hunter’s cousin, Isabelle. 

Isabelle Mills lives in Notting Hill with her parents and her twin sister, Georgia. When she finds out her cousin is coming to stay, along with his famous soccer player friend, her first instinct is to hibernate until they’ve gone. However, once she meets Jesse, everything changes. He’s everything she ever wanted, but with so many obstacles in their path, can she really risk putting her heart on the line?





Author Bio:
Kyra Lennon was born on the South coast of England, and to this day, still lives by the sea. After years spent working in retail, where she met enough versatile characters to write hundreds of books, she finally took the plunge and quit her day job. Kyra's debut novel, Game On, was released in July 2012. While fiction writing has always been her passion, she also has numerous articles on a variety of topics published on prolific websites. 


Buy Here: 
Kyra Lennon on Amazon.com
Kyra Lennon on Amazon.co.uk

Find Kyra Here:
Blog
Twitter
Facebook
Goodreads

IWSG - Thank you

Trust me to take part in two blog-hops in the week that I'm very busy and not able to spend much time at my computer! As a result, I'm way behind on visiting the 'And you are...?' participants, but I'm planning a pyjama day on Thursday when I will read posts for that blog-hop and for this one!



I'm actually writing this post on Monday morning this week and scheduling it, because on Wednesday morning I'm probably be going to be very tired after an epic evening with Kyra Lennon!

Kyra is a wonderful person to know, and I love having her as a friend. She phoned me up and couple of months ago and said 'Let's have an epic evening at a Fozzy concert' and I said yes.

It occurred to me, that if it hadn't been for my blog I'd never have met such a great person, and she definitely wouldn't be sleeping in my dining room right now (or - as I'm writing this on Monday and don't really know - we may already be drinking our first cuppa and talking about how epic our evening was).

Isn't that the weirdest thing to think about? Just think for a moment of all the things that may not have happened if you'd chosen to stay in one evening, popped to the shop before work one morning, fallen over on the ice one winter, not fallen over on the ice.

All the things that happen in our lives are connected to other things that at the time seemed completely innocuous.

If I hadn't created my blog, a couple of years ago, I'd never have met Kyra or a host of other supportive people. Until that point, I'd never had any writer friends. I had friends who like to read, and would read my work - and they would normally read it as though it was the end product and declare it brilliant (note: I love comments like that, by the way!) - and I have friends who don't read at all, and I'm sure they think I'm a bit weird. Having people around that I can talk about the writing process, about problems with my characters or the choice between first and third person has been a god-send for me.

So this post is a huge thank you to everyone who follows this blog and takes their time to comment. I'd like to highlight a few people who were my earliest followers and the ones who've been the most supportive:

LindaC at Excuse Me While I Note That Down...
Gwen Tolios at Fulfilling Dreams
Murees Dupé at DAILY DRAMA OF AN ASPIRING WRITER
Suze at Subliminal Coffee.
J.A. Bennett
Patsy Collins
Melissa Ann Goodwin, Storyteller
Elizabeth Seckman at Use Your Words...
Misha Gericke at My First Book
Marta Szemik
Kate N at The Suddenly Kate Show
Teresa F Morgan at The Wittering Woman ...
Rebecca Bradley 

The only problem I have with listing people is I'm sure I forget people, but - like I said - these are some of the people who have been with me the longest and/or comment regularly. Thanks to everyone reading this, you're all awesome - and please take the time to check out the blogs above, if you don't already know them!

You can find all the other participants to the IWSG listed on Alex's blog here.