Almost April. Really? -- ROW80

Usually the holidays fly by, and I stare down the face of winter and know the days will drag until spring break. Not this year. Although, living in California takes away the winter effect. 

I truly have no clue what happened to the first quarter of 2014 and round one of A Round of Words in 80 Days (ROW80). 

Yes, I'm neck deep in preparations for my newest YA book, Chasing Shadows, to debut. And I have been quite busy with proofreading and editing jobs. 

Wait, I guess I do know where the time went. 

I'm actually pretty happy with my ROW80 Round One achievements. 

Speaking of which, tomorrow (gasp--tomorrow!) I will be revealing the cover of Chasing Shadows. I am so fortunate that some amazing authors and bloggers are helping me out and showing it off starting tomorrow through 4/5. SO excited!

Normally, in April, I participate in the Blogging from A to Z Challenge. As much as I hate to miss, I am focusing on writing my novella this month. It's 25,000 words or bust!

Wishing everyone an amazing Monday. Please check back tomorrow for the cover reveal. 

Oh, and I saw Divergent last night. I thought it was great, and I rarely feel that way when I've loved a book. But this has a lot to do with why...

Yum!

Magic Unfolds by NL Greene Cover Reveal

Today I'm thrilled to host N.L. Greene and help with her cover reveal for Magic Unfolds. 

About Magic Unfolds (The MysticSeeker Series, Book 2)

For the first time in her life, Becky had hopes of fulfilling her own dreams when Blaine Winters inexplicably arrived into her quiet life, teasing her with astounding possibilities she never thought imaginable.  Not only did he reveal that magic was indeed real, but he also stirred feelings in her that she had only read about in clichéd romance novels.  But just as quickly as he appeared, he was gone.  Then Becky’s life was turned upside down by a family emergency.  With the overwhelming demands of running an elite law firm as well as her ex becoming more of a threat each day, she didn’t have time for whimsical thoughts or personal exploration anyway.

Now that Blaine has mysteriously disappeared from her life, she can put her family first and focus on what she needs to do.  If only it were that easy.  Blaine may be gone and all of Becky’s little girl dreams of a world filled with magic with him, but that doesn’t mean all’s forgotten.  Nightmares are plaguing her, someone is watching her, and there are powers within her that she can’t seem to control.

Will Becky finally get her chance at magic after all, even if she doesn’t want it?

Buy Links: Amazon, B&N, and Smashwords. 

*** Note: Magic Unfolds is available now for Pre-order on Barnes & Noble and I-tunes and is only 99 Cent until April 20th!! Illusions Begin will be 99 cents from 3/25-4/20/14 as well. ***

About the Author

Author N.L. Greene is a writer of YA and NA Contemporary and Paranormal Romances. She currently lives in Florida with her husband and two beautiful daughters. When she isn't writing or reading, she enjoys traveling around the world with her family, shopping and doing other girly things with her girls, or playing video games with her husband. She is a lover of dogs, chocolate, and anything pink!

Author Links: Amazon Author Page, Facebook, Goodreads, Blog, and Twitter.

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Wishing everyone a happy Tuesday!

Help Wanted for Cover Reveal: Sneak Peek Included

I am so excited that Chasing Shadows will be out soon. 

But guess what is done and ready to share with everyone?

The cover!

I am planning a cover reveal for 4/1-4/5 and could really use some help. If you could post the cover and an HTML-ready post during that time (or heck, even within a few days after), I'd greatly appreciate it. Like jump-up-and-down-for-joy appreciate it.

To entice you, this is a portion of the cover...

I promise I'll send you everything you need... it'll be a simple cut-and-paste. 

If you can help, please fill out the Google Doc form here. Or, if it's easier, just leave your email in the comments below and a date you can post, and I'll sign you up. 

Thanks in advance!!

Oh, and check out my Mom in Love with Fiction blog today for information about a new release from fellow indie author, Bethany Lopez.

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A Round of Words in 80 Days (ROW80) Update

I'm grooving on getting ready for the release of Chasing Shadows. So exciting, but marketing always makes me nervous. Wish me luck!

Giveaway Extravaganza: Eva Pohler

 

It's that time again! Time to celebrate another Facebook milestone: 2000 likes at Eva Pohler's Book Page. 

To help with the celebration, twenty-five authors and fifteen bloggers have joined together to offer readers an ebook extravaganza! 

Enter the rafflecopter below to win, and stop by the Facebook Event for additional Flash Swag Giveaways (t-shirts, buttons, pens, and other fun swag) going on from March 20th to March 24th. 

Winners will be announced on Tuesday, March 25th! And don't forget that release day for The Gatekeeper's Secret: Gatekeeper's Saga, Book Five is April 1st! We will be celebrating that day, too, with my April Fool's Isn't Just for Fools Party with the Olympians! Details to come.

And there's an eCopy of Chasing Memories up for grabs as part of the fun! Happy Friday!

 a Rafflecopter giveaway

Breaking Fences by Juliana Haygert Cover Reveal

Breaking Fences (The Breaking Series, #2)

by Juliana Haygert 
Genre: NA contemporary romance

Word Count: ~80,000

Release date: June/2014

Cover by: Okay Creations

Summary from Goodreads:
All Beatriz “Bia” Fernandes wants is to prove herself—to her family and friends—though it’s hard to prove anything with an overbearing father and three famous polo-playing older brothers. After her acceptance into college results in a heated family argument, the Brazilian girl leaves everything behind to find her own American dream.

College life away from home is perfect until the people she believes to be her friends turn on her. With lies and rumors threatening to suffocate her, Bia turns to her only freedom. Riding.

But one thing gets in the way of her escape. Garrett Blackwell and his bad cowboy attitude. Working at the ranch is his obligation, bugging Bia is his newfound hobby. His thick skin and easy grin don’t hide what Bia already knows—this misunderstood and lonely cowboy fights his own demons. Brushing horses’ coats and mucking out stalls shouldn’t be this sexy, and it isn’t long before he becomes a part of her distraction.

However, escaping won’t solve her problems, and it’s up to Bia to break down the fences around her and prove her strength—not to her family and friends, but to herself … and for Garrett. Because standing on her own doesn’t have to mean standing alone.

** Companion novel of Breaking the Reins. Can be read out of order.**

Check out the Pinterest board!

 

Companion Book:
(cover linked to Goodreads)

About the Author

New Adult author and contributor at NA Alley blog.

While Juliana Haygert dreams of being Wonder Woman, Buffy, or a blood elf shadow priest, she settles for the less exciting—but equally gratifying—life of a wife, mother, and author. Thousands of miles away from her former home in Brazil, she now resides in Connecticut and spends her days writing about kick-ass heroines and the heroes who drive them crazy.

Author Links:

    

Cover Reveal Organized by:

A Woman Loves: ROW80

Source

I read a lot of genres and enjoy different types of characters, although I admit I'm drawn to the female voice and its complexity. 

When I read a female character, I sometimes get agitated. Why did she make that decision? Why does she ignore every warning sign? But then I remember how complicated our minds work (having three daughters, I get reminded of this fact many times a day).

At the end of the day, I need to feel passionate about characters. Sometimes that means I want to wring their neck. Actually, I best remember the characters that challenge the way I think. Who make choices I wouldn't necessarily make. 

Women see life through a complicated lens. Consider the following lyrics:

A woman loves beyond her questions

And dreams beyond her doubts

Her heart will lead and she will follow

Even when there's no way out

Her eyes refuse to see the danger

As she walks right through the fire

A man may give himself to passion and desire 

But a woman loves

(from Steve Wariner's A Woman Loves)

What do you think of the lyrics above? Does it give women too much credit or not enough?

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A Round of Words in 80 Days (ROW80) Update

Cover & synopsis. Done and done. If you don't know who Jo Michaels is, you should check her out on her blog and at Indie Books Gone Wild. Mastermind, she is. 

I have a favor to ask: Can you help with my cover reveal? I would be so grateful. If you can post anytime 4/1-5, please sign up here. 

Also, if you would be willing to read an ARC eCopy of Chasing Shadows (hopefully to you in the next two weeks) in exchange for an honest review posted around release time, please fill out my form here. The first ten who leave a review will get a signed paperback copy when it releases.

Thanks! I'm so excited to see Chasing Shadows released! 

Attempting a Writing Irish Proverb: ROW80

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Source

Always remember to forget
The things that made you sad.
But never forget to remember
The things that made you glad.

Always remember to forget
The friends that proved untrue.
But never forget to remember
Those that have stuck by you.

Always remember to forget
The troubles that passed away.
But never forget to remember
The blessings that come each day.

For my writer friends, my poor attempt at a similarly-themed writing proverb

Always remember to forget
The days when words pass you by.
But never forget to remember
Times when words from your heart fly.

(That's the best my poetry gets on a Monday!)

Today on Facebook, you can join the event for Cassy Roop and Casey Bond's Release Day Extravaganza from 10am-11pm EDT here. There will be many amazing prizes and some great fun.

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Mondays are also my A Round of Words in 80 Days (ROW80) check-in days.

Synopsis. Almost check. One more round of running it by my fave writing buddy should do the trick.

Cover for Chasing Shadows. Almost check. Waiting on above.

Request ARC reviewers. Why do I find asking for favors so hard? 

Off to get some stuff done. Wishing everyone a week of productivity!

Luck of the Irish: Indie-rific Giveaway

Happy Saturday. Wishing everyone a wonderful weekend, and I wanted to share an amazing Facebook event happening on Monday--St. Patrick's Day.

Join the Facebook event for Cassy Roop and Casey Bond's Release Day Extravaganza on Monday, March 17th (10am-11pm EDT) here. There will be many amazing prizes and some great fun.

Enjoy!

Life in the Shadows: ROW80

I wear a cloak of invisibility, in part thanks to fate but also because of my personality (and insecurity). I don't like to be the center of attention. Growing up, I was always the new kid. The last thing I wanted was to publicize it. So I found ways to roam around the edges of social situations. I still do. I'm good at it.

Source

In school, I was the kid who avoided public speaking at all costs. Still do if possible. Even when I knew the answer in class, I raised my hand halfway. I wanted the teacher to see I tried (and had the answer), but I didn't want to be called on. 

The other benefit to life in the shadows: it made the inevitable leaving easier.

Unfortunately, these are not great qualities for marketing. 

At first, I liked Facebook and Twitter.  There I could be social without coming into the light fully. But it is also an easy place to lurk. I love to support other authors, but I find it incredibly difficult to ask for help in return. I hate promoting myself. I'm always worried people will either get annoyed or, just as bad, find me uninteresting.

I'm edging into the light, pushing back the cloak carefully. It's unsettling, but I need to find a balance. I've worked too hard on these books!

Funny, the title of my newest book feels very revealing lately. I'm chasing shadows.

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A Round of Words in 80 Days (ROW80) Update

My five senses are engaged and edits are underway for Chasing Shadows. Edits energize me. I saw this quote on Facebook...

"The first draft is just you telling yourself the story." Terry Pratchett

So true! Editing takes my story to another level, and I'm so grateful for my editor. Love ya, Jo!

Falling into Autumn by Heather Topham Wood Cover Reveal & Giveaway Plus ROW80 Update

Happy Monday! Today I'm sharing Heather Topham Wood's upcoming release, Falling for Autumn, and revealing the cover.

About Falling for Autumn

Autumn Dorey had no problem leaving her hometown of Newpine and the friends there who’d betrayed her. Everyone thought they knew what happened the spring night Autumn’s world fell apart. Vicious rumors about the incident circulated, and she had to be homeschooled the last year of high school to escape her tormentors. All she wants now is to get away from it all and start over at Cook University. She leaves everything but the memory behind—something she swore she’d never forget—and sets off to rebuild what was broken.

Blake Preston is precisely the type of guy Autumn wants to avoid. He’s gorgeous, arrogant and the college’s beloved football star. As much as she believes he’s someone she should steer clear of, avoiding him proves to be impossible. He shows up everywhere around campus, offering her a no-strings attached friendship.

Autumn can’t deny Blake stirs up emotions she thought fled years ago. But things he’s been hiding begin to emerge and collide with her past, leaving her heart ravaged in their wake.

Publication Date: April 15, 2014

Add to Goodreads

About Heather Topham Wood

Heather Topham Wood’s obsession with novels began in childhood while growing up in a shore town in New Jersey. Writing since her teens, she recently returned to penning novels after a successful career as a freelance writer. She’s the author of the paranormal romance Second Sight series and the New Adult standalone novels The Disappearing Girl and Falling For Autumn.

Heather graduated from the College of New Jersey in 2005 and holds a bachelor's degree in English. Her freelance work has appeared in publications such as USA Today, Livestrong.com, Outlook by the Bay and Step in Style magazine. She resides in Trenton, New Jersey with her husband and two sons. Besides writing, Heather is a pop culture fanatic and has an obsession with supernatural novels and TV shows.

I've had the pleasure of reading two of Heather's books. Please check out my reviews of her novels: Review of The Disappearing Girl and Review of The Memory Witch.

Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Mondays are my A Round of Words in 80 Days (ROW80) update days. Technically, it's on Sundays, but weekends are simply too crazy. Oh, and check out the new look on the ROW80 blog. I'm loving it.

Last week, I picked the cover for Chasing Shadows. *squeals* Once the synopsis is wrapped up, I'll organize a cover reveal. I also have the second round edits to polish this week, and a promised beta read.

What are your goals this week?

Small Victories: #IWSG & ROW80

The Insecure Writer's Support Group (or IWSG) is a wonderful group put together by the amazing Alex J. Cavanaugh (which now has an equally cool Facebook group). 

The first Wednesday of each month is the perfect opportunity to share my insecurities on the #IWSG therapy couch, get encouragement and support about such insecurities, and to read how other writers are faring. 

As an indie author, sometimes I have to find motivation in small victories. There are days I wonder what the heck I'm doing. I love to write, but I'm not a natural salesperson. And it takes a marketing mind to rise above the other indie books out there.

I am fortunate to have met some amazing people in my journey, and I've learned so much. Still, I need some small moments to keep my spirits up.

Late last week I was checking Chasing Memories on GoodReads and noticed I had a new 5-star review. That's usually enough to sustain me for quite a while. While I was there, I noticed my book was on two lists. On one, it was 80 out of 94. But on the other--Little Known Fantasy Books--it was 6 out of 95.

At first, I wasn't sure if "little known" was a good thing. Then I read further: A combination of little known fantasy books that should be more read. 

Happy dance.

Wishing everyone a small victory to aid them on their writing journey.

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A Round of Words in 80 Days (ROW80) Update

Wednesdays are also my ROW80 check-in days. 

I am working on Chasing Shadows edits, round two. It's getting so close! Plus, I'm working on Chasing Forgiveness which will be my first novella. Thanks to my small victory last week and new edits to work on, I feel super motivated to write. Gotta enjoy the feeling while it's strong. 

Characters in the Driver's Seat: ROW80

Writing can be a very lonely experience. Combine that with moving every 2-3 years, and it becomes even lonelier. 

I wish I was a loner. It would make it so much easier. But I'm not. I like people. Actually, I'm quite fascinated by people--especially their choices. This drives my husband crazy, but I think it's what makes me love writing and reading characters so much. 

Excellent books are defined by outstanding characters. Granted, without excellent story, there would be nothing for them to do. However, a great story with boring characters goes nowhere fast.

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When I write, the characters are in the driver's seat. I've tried to outline, but my characters don't work that way. Instead, I start thinking about one of them and then go with what they have to say. 

While writing Chasing Shadows, two peripheral characters screamed for more attention. Madeleine and Amelie will now have their own story in Chasing Forgiveness, Tala Prophecy #2.5. 

Madeleine and Amelie are sisters who fell in love with the same man. Unfortunately, he's a demon-werewolf hybrid and his only interest is to build his army. One sister makes the courageous decision to leave, but it comes with a devastating loss. The other becomes her lover's queen, but she has her own price to pay.

I didn't meet them until my main character, Reagan, had a run in with Madeleine. Then, Madeleine wanted me to meet her sister. And so on.

I've never had supporting characters hijack my mind like these two did, so I'm excited to get their story out there. Plus, they keep me company.

Don't you love it when characters do that?

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Mondays are my A Round of Words in 80 Days (ROW80) check-ins. Well, technically it's supposed to be on Sunday, but my weekends get crazy. 

My goal is to have Chasing Forgiveness finished by the end of the month and out before I go to UTopYA in June. Hopefully by May. I plan to make some #ROW80 sprints (11am PST) this week to get my butt writing. 

Second round edits on Chasing Shadows will be in my hands any day now. I'm so excited to get this book out. Reagan is one of my favorite characters, and she grows so much in Chasing Shadows.

Oh, and please hop over to my Mom in Love with Fiction blog today. I'm featuring fellow-ROW80 buddy, Juliana Haygert, and her newest release, Playing Pretend.