Midweek Mayhem: It's a bird. It's a plane. No, it's a dragon!! Pitching with smoke burps...erm ;) #HalpMe #NA #UF

Working it out…

• (WINNER Announcement) Big thanks to Heather Jacobs's for hosting me on her site! And now, the winner of the signed copy of Witch Way to Turn is... Jamie Dement!!! I'll be mailing my heart and soul...er, my book to you this week!! ;D
• (iHeart Books - ENDS Tomorrow!) Better stop by quick or you'll miss 17 phenomenal authors givin' it up for FREE!! It's a Bookentine's Day Extravaganza!! Just click the rafflecopter to enter! Check it >>> HERE
• (ENDS TODAY - Go Vote!) Your hero powers are needed to help my lovely friend WIN!! Liza O'Connor's book trailer for Saving Casey created by Danielle Fine is up for votes! Go ahead and check it out--Liza is #8 here! LIKE the trailer while you're there! Please and thank you :D 
• (NEW) I'm entering Becoming into the "This Manuscript HAS to Become a Book" contest, here! The winner gets to attend the Backspace Conference in NYC in May with a TON of big name agents! I went a couple years ago and it was amazing! I met Kristin Nelson there...uh, dream agent!! *fangirls* Anyway, professional mode, I would LOVE to go this year and pitch Becoming in person! Starting next week my pitch will be up for votes...the MOST votes = me going to NYC!!

Hearing voices…

Cover art by Danielle Fine

• My dark and gritty work-in-progress, titled Becoming, (a new adult urban fantasy with cursed dragon shifters) is currently with my amazing editor!!! So excited to make this story sparkle and then pitch it at RT and RWA in a few months! Agents, you're gonna want this story...like super bad! Just sayin' ;D
• Check out my stunning cover inspiration (right side above this paragraph) designed by the talented Danielle Fine!!! 
• (Read last week's snippet, here) And now...since I'm going to be entering pitch contests soon, I'd love to get your feedback. Thanks!
• (200-word pitch) A heart transplant leaves eighteen-year-old Zoe Moore with a six-inch Frankenscar on her chest. Terrified of intimacy, Zoe shuts everyone out except the boy she meets online. Scared or not, she’s fallen hard and agrees to meet Taylor Sinclair.
  
  The UNC-Charlotte sophomore isn’t who Zoe expected. Despite being sexy, blond and green-eyed, Taylor never mentioned that she’s a girl, shattering Zoe’s world of fantasies.
  
  Taylor hoped trading hearts with Zoe would end her curse, but Taylor’s inner dragon healed her. And things have gotten worse since the transplant. Ruthless killing is in Taylor’s DNA, and the only way to stop is to fall in love and procreate—a major problem for a lesbian. As Zoe slowly lets her in, it’s torture for Taylor not to tell her the truth: Zoe is turning into a monster. And in order to stop the transformation, Taylor must risk her own life.
  
  Concerned by her smoke burps, scalding-hot skin and a taste for flesh, Zoe’s more frightened by her feelings for Taylor. Even with her world spiraling out of control, Zoe would rather die than let anything happen to Taylor. When the moment arises, Zoe must embrace what she’s becoming.
  
  (35-word pitch) Unknown to college freshman Zoe, underneath the Frankenscar her transplant left beats a dragon’s heart. Terrified of intimacy, she starts an online relationship, but the boy she’s fallen for is her donor and a girl.

• (Update) While I wait for edits on Becoming, I'm back in Rhodhiss, baby! Okay, not literally, but I am working on revisions to Witch Way to Turn book #2!! Right now I'm on page 29 of 263 in revisions...

Cover art by Danielle Fine

Waiting game...

• On week #40 of waiting to hear back from a lovely agent who is reading Running From Shadows.*continues to keep fingers and toes crossed* Erm, this may not happen. LOL :P *keeps querying*

Reading...

• Currently I am beta-reading for a fantastic friend and writer... Katheryn! Hooray for grim reapers!!
  
• Currently reading Shifting Pride by Laura Diamond! Absolutely love the heroine's voice! Nickie is so snarky! Add this awesome werecat, YA paranormal romance to your Goodreads list here!
• Looking for book recommendations and reviews for your 2013 TBR List? Check out The Perks of Being a Book Nerd!

Bonus material... 
*Beautiful cover art for Becoming and Running From Shadows and Witch Way to Turn book trailer by the awesomely talented Danielle Fine... Check her website for more cover art, editing, book trailer and NOW web design services. Fantastic example: Vince Considine's site here! 

************ 
Random Alert! Alert. Alert. Alert...

So, er, not sure why this picture is tinted yellow... Anywho, I decided to iron that super wrinkly fave t-shirt of mine that I tweeted about a couple weeks ago. And, Rusty pup was not happy about this. Look at that face! He was terrified of the noise the steam iron made O_O

On Sunday afternoon, I was all snuggled in bed, writing...yes, acutally writing in the middle of the day! Anyway, I got up for just a minute and when I came back...this little seat-stealer had totally made himself at home in MY spot! >_<

Saturday I met one of my Twitter followers in person!!! So fun!! The awesome Carey Heywood even signed a copy of one of her books for me! Such a sweetheart!! Buy her books >>>> HERE

Last week's lunch at work was sweet and sour chicken. Anyway, this picture doesn't do it justice, but that sweet-sour sauce was the most neon color of sauce I had EVER seen. It was so bright I almost didn't want to eat it cos I thought it might not be real food! :P

And for your uber-random pic needs...this is a picture of a picture. See, I have this frame that I keep on the nightstand and every time me and my BFF go on a trip together we take a pic and it goes in this frame. So the other day I was wandering down memory lane and looking at all the pics--I keep them all in the frame. Anyway, this pic was of our very FIRST trip together! (We call it Girls' Freakin' Weekend.) This was taken in the parking lot of the hotel in Charleston, SC our sophomore year of college. So, erm, 2002?? OMG, was that 11 years ago??? Sheesh. Anyway, we have another GFW coming up in May, and I can't wait!! If you'll recall this is the BFF that I mailed her b-day present to the Cracker Barrel and somehow she still loves me ;) lol

Come see my tech-savvy skillz >>> Weekend Writing Warriors... Running From Shadows! #8Sunday #iHeartBooks

Huzzah! I put that button there all by myself!! I am sooo tech savvy! :P


(NEW) Come see something that only like five other people have ever seen...a scene from the original FIRST draft of Witch Way to Turn. Yes, it's kinda terrifying! o.O lol ~~~~~> (here) It's for a good cause though, saving the lovely Heather Jacobs's soul from my alter ego...the Banshee ;) PLUS, there are prizes!!!

Thank you for stopping by. I'm excited to participate with such a fantastic group of writers! Check out other warriors here!

Today I'm sharing from my (unpublished) young adult paranormal romance Running From Shadows, currently being read by a lovely agent!! Squee!! 

Follow Greta Shore (a 17-year-old, black-haired wiccan beauty) and Paxton "Pax" Craig (an 18-year-old, blond-haired college student with a dark secret) as they discover the fate of their forbidden love.

 ****

(Read last week's post) Set-up... Pax has told Greta that he's a unicorn. A unicorn!!! So, of course, Greta is all: sure, yeah, whatever... Prove it! She needs more than talk of ancient legends, and she's playin' her card! Let's see how well it works out...

Cover Art by Danielle Fine

I headed for the door.

Touched the handle.

Opened it.

Glancing over my shoulder, I saw him. Unmoved.

“I’m watching.” He smiled.

Crap.

Pax has called her bluff! Now what?? Tune in next week for more Greta and Pax!! ;)

Thanks again for stopping by! Your support and feedback is greatly appreciated!

****

Extra! Extra!

*(NEW) Stop by from now until 28 February to see 17 authors give it up for FREE. Er, our books that is...maybe :P Better stop by and have a look, just to be sure... here! iHeart books!

*(NEW) Tomorrow I have a special Author Interview with Cecily White on her upcoming release titled Prophecy Girl!! It's about a girl who is the center of a prophecy that states she has to kill everyone she loves. Wicked!

*Would you like to see some pics of Greta and Pax? Check them out here! Gotta love Pinterest!! Ooo, stalk me there too, please...uh, here! ;) 

*Self-publishing? Need an editor and cover artist? Check out my uber-talented editor, Danielle Fine, she's wonderful to work with and does exceptional work! Click here for more info! 

*Check out the USA Today recommended book trailer for Witch Way to Turn!! here

Midweek Mayhem: Pitching dragons ain't easy...words WILL get burned! #iHeartBooks #Giveaway #RandomPix

Working it out…

• (NEW) I'm not stealing souls over at Heather Jacobs's site...here! Stop by for your chance to win a signed copy of Witch Way to Turn, a smash book and $10 Amazon giftcard!
• (iHeart Books) Now through Thursday, 28 February I have teamed up with 16 phenomenal authors to give our books away!! It's a Bookentine's Day Extravaganza!! Just enter the rafflecopter to enter! Check it >>> HERE
• (NEW) Starting tomorrow, February 21, my lovely friend will need us!! Liza O'Connor's book trailer for Saving Casey created by Danielle Fine will be up for votes! Go ahead and check it out--Liza's #8 here! LIKE the trailer while you're there! Please and thank you :D 
• (NEW) I'm entering Becoming into TWO pitch contests coming up in March! The first one (WriteOnCon) and the second (Pitch-Madness). 
• (NEW) I'd love to get your feedback on my 200-word pitch for Becoming! It's posted on the forum here. Gotta make it shine for pitchin' time! :D  

Hearing voices…

Cover art by Danielle Fine

• My dark and gritty work-in-progress, titled Becoming, (a new adult urban fantasy with cursed dragon shifters) is currently with my amazing editor!!! So excited to make this story sparkle and then pitch it at RT and RWA in a few months! Agents, you're gonna want this story...like super bad! Just sayin' ;D
• Check out my stunning cover inspiration (right side above this paragraph) designed by the talented Danielle Fine!!! 
• (Read last week's snippet, here) And now...an unedited teaser for you (one of the two heroine's POV--Zoe Moore, the raven-haired beauty with lots of neuroses).
• (Set-up: Zoe in the hospital filing room with...the villain.) He lumbered forward. Suddenly his very being seemed to take over the entire room. “I know more about you then you do.” His lips curled slightly at the edges and he looked almost comical for a hot second. When he didn’t evil villain laugh, he seemed dangerous.
       Knowing this douche bag had hurt Taylor, made Zoe fearless. She held her ground. “Like what?”
       “For one, you’re a dragon. A monster. A beast that needs to be put down. Number two, I know who your donor is.”
       The handwritten name in the file had been Jane Doe. “Who…is it?” She gasped.
       He moved like a predator with his eyes reflecting the bight florescent light. Before she realized it, he pinned her to the filing cabinet. She couldn’t breathe, couldn’t swallow because his hand gripped her throat. Adrenaline pumped through her veins as she reached up and grabbed his arm. The feel of his skin, rough with jagged edges drew her attention. Oh God. Scales. Dark red scales like clotted blood.
       She didn’t want to believe it, had fought the notion, but truly inside of her, she knew the truth. Dragons were real.
• (Update) While I wait for edits on Becoming, I'm back in Rhodhiss, baby! Okay, not literally, but I am working on revisions to Witch Way to Turn book #2!! Right now I'm on page 23 of 263 in revisions...

Cover art by Danielle Fine

Waiting game...

• On week #39 of waiting to hear back from a lovely agent who is reading Running From Shadows.*continues to keep fingers and toes crossed* Erm, this may not happen. LOL :P *keeps querying*

Reading...

• Currently I am beta-reading for a fantastic friend and writer... Katheryn! Hooray for grim reapers!!
  
• Currently reading Shifting Pride by Laura Diamond! Absolutely love the heroine's voice! Nickie is so snarky! Add this awesome werecat, YA paranormal romance to your Goodreads list here!
• Looking for book recommendations and reviews for your 2013 TBR List? Check out The Perks of Being a Book Nerd!

Bonus material... 
*Beautiful cover art for Becoming and Running From Shadows and Witch Way to Turn book trailer by the awesomely talented Danielle Fine... Check her website for more cover art, editing, book trailer and NOW web design services. Fantastic example: Vince Considine's site here! 

************ 
Random Alert! Alert. Alert. Alert...

The hubs and I celebrated Valentine's Day on Saturday cos going out on a work week night is just too dang tiring! We're not in college any more :P But, I digress... So, we went to this new restaurant--a Brazilian buffet. This pic is just one side of the three-sided Salad Festival. OMG, seriously, I ate WAY too much. And the BEST part...there's this little cylindar at the table with red on one end and green on the other. When you want them to start bringing meat, you just flip it to green. And, boy howdy, do they bring the meat!! One of my faves was a beef brisket...so tender and juicy! I asked for more even tho I didn't think I could eat another bite. Yes, I got my gluttony on ;) Ohhh, and if you've never tried Brazilian cheese bread... TRY IT. That is all.

This is a mad face (AKA what Banshee looks like when she's hungry). Do you see it? Actually it's a piece of corn from the Salad Festival at the Brazilian restaurant, but it looked so angry that I had to take it's picture and let it live. Yes, hubs thought I was crazy. Did I care? Why heck no! I proudly took the picture, declaring my blog readers would enjoy the randomness of my mind! :P

This is me and a skinny, metal, neon dude. I think it's yard art, but I'm not really sure if he has any other purpose. He was at a local garden shop on Sunday.

And for the main random attraction... This was at a local pharmacy. Just made me giggle. Dontcha just love that I save all my randomness for you, lovely reader?? This is where you say: YES and then throw adoring comments my way ;)

Weekend Writing Warriors... Running From Shadows! #8Sunday #BookentinesDay #iHeartBooks

Weekend Writing Warriors! 

(NEW) Tomorrow I'm showing you something that only five other people have ever seen...a scene from the original FIRST draft of Witch Way to Turn. Yes, I'm a wee bit terrified o.O ~~~~~> (here) It's for a good cause though, saving the lovely Heather Jacobs's soul from my alter ego...the Banshee ;)

Thank you for stopping by. I'm excited to participate with such a fantastic group of writers! Check out other warriors here!

Today I'm sharing from my (unpublished) young adult paranormal romance Running From Shadows, currently being read by a lovely agent!! Squee!! 

Follow Greta Shore (a 17-year-old, black-haired wiccan beauty) and Paxton "Pax" Craig (an 18-year-old, blond-haired college student with a dark secret) as they discover the fate of their forbidden love.

 ****

(Read last week's post) Set-up... Pax has told Greta that he's a unicorn. A unicorn!!! So, of course, Greta is all: sure, yeah, whatever... Prove it! She needs more than talk of ancient legends, and she's about to play the card she knows he'll have to pay attention to.

Cover Art by Danielle Fine

“If you don’t, I’ll go find that shadow demon.”

He laughed. “Right. Sure you will.”

Who did he think he was? Did he think I wasn’t brave enough? Well, okay, maybe I wasn’t. But he didn’t have to know that. “Watch me.”

She's not bluffing! What will Pax do?? Tune in next week for more Greta and Pax!! ;)

Thanks again for stopping by! Your support and feedback is greatly appreciated!

****

Extra! Extra!

*(NEW) Guess who WON the 10th annual CAPA award for BEST young adult of 2012?? Moi!! Witch Way to Turn!! Squee!!!! Thank you all so much for your votes!! Soon I'll have a new shiny button for my blog!! Y'all rock my world! Check it out, here!

*(NEW) Stop by from now until 28 February to see 17 authors give it up for FREE. Er, our books that is...maybe :P Better stop by and have a look, just to be sure... here! iHeart books!

*Would you like to see some pics of Greta and Pax? Check them out here! Gotta love Pinterest!! Ooo, stalk me there too, please...uh, here! ;) 

*Self-publishing in the New Year? Need an editor and cover artist? Check out my talented editor, Danielle Fine, she's wonderful to work with and does exceptional work! Click here for more info! 

*Check out the USA Today recommended book trailer for Witch Way to Turn!! here

Spread the love...17 authors giving it up for FREE! Bookentine's Day Extravaganza! #Giveaway #iHeartBooks

Hello my darlings!

As a THANK YOU to all you lovely readers, I have teamed up with SIXTEEN phenomenal authors to give our books away to THREE lucky winners!

Just enter the Rafflecopter at the end of this post and you're all set! We'll be givin' it up for free from 14 February to 28 February! The winners will be announced on 1 March!

Now, are you ready to check out the pretties AND to read haikus of the books?? Haiku you say? Yes, haiku! (I had such fun asking the authors to write these! bwahaha) Now, are you ready to get your read on?? Of course you are!!! Go on, lust over some gorgeous books...

HAPPY BOOKENTINE'S DAY!!!!
♥♥♥♥♥

Keeping secrets from a psychic can be murder…
Fave Line: “I think anyone stabbed and set on fire would hold a grudge, Gina.”
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance

She wanted normal

He stood accused of murder

Can she give her heart?

Sara in 3 words: Impulsive. Stubborn. Animated.
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Facebook

Who knew kissing a corpse would change everything?
Fave line: I hold on tight, just waiting for life as I know it to disappear.

Genre: YA Paranormal Romance

One magical kiss

Upsets the balance of life

But can love prevail?

Avery in 3 words: Witty. Author. Mother.

Amazon

The Book Depository

Facebook

She is the only one of her kind. He is her last hope.
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance

A story that spans eternity

A love that's caused wars

Will they survive it this time?

Bella in 3 words: Hopeful. Persistent. Eccentric.
Amazon US
Amazon UK
Twitter

He has the woman of his dreams, but what price will he have to pay to win her heart?
Fave line: “I can swear to you that I would not marry you if I were in Hell and you were my only hope of Heaven.”
Genre: Regency Historical Romance

A sword-wielding rake

Ruins a lady by mistake

Can he win her love?

Jenna in 3 words: Passionate. Loyal. Fun-loving.
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Blog

Fave line: "Humanity is under attack... under attack by the one who created evil."
Genre: Satanic Horror

A biblical war begins

And a fragile truce tested

Will humanity collapse?

Vince in 3 words: Funny. Moody. Altruistic.
Website

When ad executive Tallia Quinton proposes a fantasy theme park/resort called DraculaVille to the Romanian National Publicity Committee, she has no idea it will unleash a series of events that will threaten her very life, as well as introduce her to her soul-mate, a tortured vampire named Drake.
Fave line: “There’s…I can’t find…” Gerri held up her stethoscope. “He doesn’t have a heartbeat.”
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Lara in 3 words: Creative. Nonconformist. Happy.
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Facebook

Reviled and outcast, Keir must master his alien heritage to save the woman he loves.
Fave line: Her smile came like sunrise, golden and warming.
Genre: Science Fiction Romance

A tale of hope born from darkness

Love grown from friendship

But will Keir find redemption?

Pippa in 3 words:Loyal. Passionate. Loony.
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Website

Love always prevails—especially one that spans across the ages—and only a fool would attempt to steal it from werewolf Jem Stonehouse, no matter the tricks they may have up their sleeve, because she’ll stop at nothing to take back what she considers hers.

Fave line: “The noses of the pack all turned to me like a Mexican wave at a rock gig.”
Genre: Paranormal Romance

Holloway Pack Males

Coveted by cunning femmes

Jem their only hope

J.A. in 3 words: Chaotic. Disorderly. Random.
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Website

Shouldn't all faerytales end with happily-ever-after?
Fave line: “The only thing I want is standing right in front of me.”
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance

Love or Protection?

A life she did not plan for.

Which path will she choose?

Renita in 3 words: Optimistic. Easygoing. Sarcastic.
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Goodreads

80-year-old Cass inexplicably wakes up in the body of a 17-year-old troubled teen whose enemies are now hers.
Fave line: I feel like a comedian working the wax museum crowd.
Genre: YA Suspense Thriller

Dies then awakens

In the body of a teen

Can this life be saved?

Liza in 3 words: Novelist. Adventurer. Unique.
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Blog

To love and protect…across worlds.
Fave line:
“You’re completely impossible.”
“Yes, but I’m your impossible.”
Genre: YA Fantasy Romance

Soul-mates

From a planet with two warring countries

Can they survive temptation?

Joanne in 3 words: I love writing.
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Website

Can you give one guy your heart and another your soul?
Fave line: Silence. Not golden.
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance

A story of fate

And magical love gone wrong

Can they survive it?

Karen in 3 words: Determined. Sarcastically-challenged. Random.
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Twitter

What hope for little Scarlett Watson, when the man hired to find her may be the man who stole her away in the first place?
Fave Line: “I am the Wolf, I am the one who stole Little Red Riding Hood.”
Genre: Mystery/Suspense

Scarlett is missing.

Her fate lies with Doyle. Can the

Monster save the child?

Gareth in 3 words: Supportive. Calm. Creative.
Amazon
Smashwords
Blog

Psychiatrist Josephine Lester attempts to establish her practice in the secluded town of Villa Hollow, only to find her new town redefines normal.
Fave line: “It’s potpourri,” Josie cringed as they ate another piece. They would stop if it was harmful, right.
Genre: Light Paranormal Romance

Sheriff reads her mind

Strange people seek her counsel

Para is normal

Kristine in 3 words: Sweet. Slightly twisted.
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Website

Curiosity brings out the Kitty…
Fave line: Mom embraced “hippy” like spandex clung to cottage-cheese thighs.
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance

Curious kitty

Meets blue-eyed hottie panther

Both race for freedom

Laura in 3 words: Persistent. Humorous. Dreamer.
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Blog

The Empress, all darkness and allure, has betrayed the Emperor, a ruthless warrior.
Fave Line: “Eyes like the soil in the forest, hair the color of the foundation of the Living Tree, skin like watered Black Seed Extract. Frightened of her own shadow yet foolishly audacious at the oddest of times. No woman lives but you, little dark one.”
Genre: Fantasy Romance

Born from betrayal,

The Spirit of Passion reigns.

An Empire loves.

Grayson in 3 words: Perky. Focused. Adventurous.
Amazon
Facebook

Recuperating ballerina Penelope Glazier can enchant the young girls in her Fairy Dreams class, but will her magic work on Carson Langley, the sexy but straight-laced single father of her most talented student?
Fave line: His drowsy voice registered below a whisper, "Where do you hide your wings?”
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Lonely widowed dad

Daughter’s hot ballet teacher

Will he love again?

Lola in 3 words: Quirky. Day-dreamer. Caffeinated.
Amazon
Kobo
Twitter

A big THANK YOU goes to the amazingly talented tech genius, Danielle Fine, for creating the beautiful bookshelves and 3D books!!! Annnd for working her HTML magic so that this post looked gorgeous!!! You so rock!!

Go on, check out more of her stuff! She edits, creates book trailers, book covers and now designs websites! Phew, the lady does it all (here)!!

Thank you, Dani!!! 
♥♥♥♥♥

THANK YOU to all the authors who made this post possible!!! Y'all are so the stuff of awesome!!! I've read many of your works and have LOVED them! I can't wait to read more, and I'm so thrilled to be able to share them with the lucky winners!! Keep writing and being amazing!!

Thank you, Authors!!!
♥♥♥♥♥

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