April 27, 2014

Crap! Her mother better not drag HIM into this… RUNNING FROM SHADOWS #8Sunday #YAPNR

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Today I'm sharing from my (unpublished) young adult paranormal romance Running From Shadows!

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) Greta runs away from her surprise engagement partthrough the woodsPax saves her from a shadow demon. Oh, and he's a unicorn! 
Back at Pax's cabin, Greta and Pax talk. He tells her that the shadow has fed on her emotions. And that it's definitely someone she knows. And she must under no circumstance confront it because it will kill her. And don't get emotional about anything! >.< Pax takes Greta home. Now, her mother wants to discuss the betrothal. She says that Greta's stalker/betrothed (Bain) loves her, and they're are 'certain' things to consider...

Cover Art by Danielle Fine


I stopped opposite her on the other side of the table and threw my hands in the air. “Like what?”

“Like having someone who understands and supports your heritage.”


Looking into her eyes felt off. Or maybe it was me. Maybe I looked at her differently now. Either way her gaze seemed hollow. “Tell me this isn’t about my father.”

Tune in next week for more angsty spooky goodness!

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


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Extra! Extra!

*Finally able to share my BIG news!!!! I've signed with Terrie Wolf of the AKA Literary, LLC Agency!!!!!! Hope you'll check out my post here. :D *SPINS*
*My newest release is AVAILABLE NOW. Only 99 cents (for a short time)!! Soo excited to be part of this fantastically talented group of authors. Check out the Lore anthology. Amazon! B&N! My story is a YA LGBT about a girl, a genie, and a tone of bad decisions. 

*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!

April 23, 2014

It happened!! Ohh and paperback, pix, and reading too! Doing Midweek Mayhem #likeaboss!

Working it out…
  • (Happened!!) If you didn't see my post with my BIG news last week, hope you'll check it out here. There's an owl gif that so perfectly describes my feelings :P I'm officially agented with the amazing Terrie Wolf of AKA Literary, LLC!!!
  • (Ongoing...) I've received my contract from Kensington and am giving it serious consideration. For now, Witch Way to Turn is still unavailable for purchase. Will keep you posted.
  • (Anthology Update) Lore is available NOW!!! Get it here: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and iTunes! Also in paperback here! So pleased with how it's doing! Add it to your Goodreads, or a genie might get you :P (It also has a strong anti-bullying message.) My story, Between, is about a girl, a genie, and a ton of bad decisions. YA, LGBT

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BB (Baby Banshee) Update...
Tomorrow the Hubs and I find out the gender of our little one! Can't wait! <3 Not sure when we're gonna reveal the news tho... Stay tuned. Tease!


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Hearing voices…
Cover art by Danielle Fine
  • Check out my stunning cover inspiration for my dark and gritty new adult urban fantasy with cursed dragon shifters (right beside this paragraph) designed by the talented Danielle Fine!!!
  • Twitter pitch for BecomingAfter a transplant gives Zoe a dragon shifter’s heart, she learns that her online boyfriend is her donor and...a girl.
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 Today I'm sharing snippet #37 from the Becoming prequel titled Longing (unedited and in Taylor's POV)! Read snippets here: #1#2#3#4, #5, #6, #7, #8, #9, #10, #11, #12, #13, #14, #15, #16, #17, #18, #19, #20, #21, #22, #23, #24, #25, #26, #27, #28, #29, #30, #31, #32, #33, #34, #35, #36. Excited for y'all to get to know my dragons better :) 

Longing - Chapter 2 (snippet #37)... 

“I don’t understand.” The woman’s eyes were wide as she searched the room, looking for an exit.

Taylor bit her lip, hoping to stop the transformation. Hoping to not give in to the beast’s terrifying need. This was not who she wanted to be. Yet, she knew she could never be anything different. There was no hope.

Then why must you fight me so? the beast cooed in her mind.

“Because this is wrong,” she growled.

The vet abandoned her escape search and focused on Taylor. “What are you going to do to me?”

Allow me to answer that, you worthless excuse for life, the beast mocked as it claimed her. Her body quivered violently and she fell to her knees.

“First, I shall pluck each and every hair from your head while you scream. I will drink in your cries and savor them for you will not have many left. When I slice through your delicate flesh, I will lick the blood as it flows freely onto my tongue.” The beast stretched Taylor’s arms out, and she watched as they shook and talons began to emerge.

The woman began to shriek. She pushed off the ground and ran.

An excited rumble formed in Taylor’s chest as the beast began to roar. Taylor forced her eyes closed and the beast took a deep breath, devouring the fear in the air.

“I should warn you, there is no escape, but by all means, do try.” The beast fought for full control of Taylor’s mind. She held it off as long as she could, but this was her curse
.
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Reading...
  • Looking for book recommendations and reviews for your 2013 TBR List? Check out The Perks of Being a Book Nerd!
  • A Long Time Coming by Heather Van Fleet!! This is a NA contemporary read. It's the second in her Perfect Timing series, and I love these characters!! They are so real and believable. 

Bonus material... 
*Writers, looking for a talented editor? I highly recommend Danielle FineShe's edited five manuscripts of mine and has taught me so much! I'm a stronger writer because of her guidance. Also, she designed my beautiful inspiration cover art for Becoming and Running From ShadowsAnnnnd she created the book trailer for Witch Way to Turn! 
*For more information on Dani's editing services, cover design, book trailer creation and website design stop by her site!


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Random Alert! Alert. Alert. Alert...
So Hubs bought the black/rolly thing at his feet. It's supposed to be a deep tissue massage thingy. I'm not so sure O.o

This. Killed. Me.

BB bump last week at 19 weeks! This week (today BB is 20 weeks)!

At first I thought I was looking for a dragon...but hint: It's not a dragon ;) So sweet.

Me when I signed my agency contract with AKA Literary!!!!!!!!!!!!!

April 20, 2014

You'll have a wonderful life with him. Erm, my stalker? No thanks… RUNNING FROM SHADOWS #8Sunday #YAPNR

logo WWW Vet 


Today I'm sharing from my (unpublished) young adult paranormal romance Running From Shadows!

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) Greta runs away from her surprise engagement partthrough the woodsPax saves her from a shadow demon. Oh, and he's a unicorn! 
Back at Pax's cabin, Greta and Pax talk. He tells her that the shadow has fed on her emotions. And that it's definitely someone she knows. And she must under no circumstance confront it because it will kill her. And don't get emotional about anything! >.< Pax takes Greta home. Now, her mother wants to discuss the betrothal. She says that Greta's stalker/betrothed (Bain) loves her, and she'll have a wonderful life with him... College, pretty things, all paid for!

Cover Art by Danielle Fine


Why was she being so calm? Granted, things had tamed in the argument department since Jill’s death but usually our fights reached such piercing heights only dogs could hear us.

“Mom, are you serious? Those things don’t matter to me.” I rubbed my forehead. “Well, college does, but that’s why I’ve worked so hard to make straight As, and if I get the track scholarship I won’t need to worry about paying for college.”

“There are other things to consider.” Her unnatural cool both terrified and pissed me off.

Tune in next week for more angsty spooky goodness!

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


****
Extra! Extra!

* (NEW) Finally able to share my BIG news!!!! I've signed with Terrie Wolf of the AKA Literary, LLC Agency!!!!!! Hope you'll check out my post here. :D *SPINS*

*My newest release is AVAILABLE NOW. Only 99 cents (for a short time)!! Soo excited to be part of this fantastically talented group of authors. Check out the Lore anthology. Amazon! B&N! My story is a YA LGBT about a girl, a genie, and a tone of bad decisions. 

*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!

April 18, 2014

FINDING HER WAY BACK a cover reveal for @HLVanFleet's upcoming release!!! via @SwoonRomance #NA


COVER
REVEAL

FINDING
HER WAY BACK

By
Heather van Fleet


Releasing
October 7, 2014

A New Adult Contemporary
Romance


Meet Callie. She’s eighteen, quirky, and fears commitments. She also has a love/hate relationship with her tennis shoes.

Nine months of college, done and gone, and all Callie has to show for it is her freshman thirty. But alas, no worries, life has other crap plans for her now. Plans that include a set of nuptials from hell for her older, she–devil sister Anna. Struggling to rid her chubby–sexy vibe, Callie is put on a strict Anna regimen of ‘do this do that’ while attempting to avoid the unavoidable. The unavoidable being Ky Hampton: her once skinny–skater–boy turned sex–god, ex best friend from across the street.

Kylan feels as though he is a waste. A mechanic, country music singer with not a lyrics to his name. A boy with a proverbial skateboard still strung around his neck from high school. He’s lost, and he’d be the first to admit it. But the moment he spots Calla Lily––with a cemented penis in hand––the more he realizes that she’s exactly the muse he’s been missing.

But when the going gets tough, and the secrets of her past grow thicker, Callie has to figure out if her tennis shoes will be her escape this time around in life, or her demise instead.

About
the Author


Midwestern native Heather Van Fleet lives in a small town on the Iowa/Illinois border. She’s a wife to her hubby--and high school sweet heart--Chris, as well as a mom to her three little girls, Kelsey, Emma and Bella. When she’s not obsessing over her fictional book characters, cooking dinner, or running around chasing her crazy kiddos, you can usually find her with her head stuck in her Kindle, sucking down White Chocolate Mochas like they're water.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

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April 17, 2014

I shall tease you no more. It happened...I'M OFFICIALLY AGENTED @AKA_Lit!!! *spins* Dizzy now :P #bepositivehour

ME RIGHT NOW!!!!


But I'm totally trying to play it cool...

Working. Right? Thought so ;) 

Wow! All the words are in my head at one time!! Where do I start? Okay, breathe, Karen, breathe. This has been such an incredible journey. A six year journey to find the right agent. And, after five novels, one novella, and one short story, I've finally found The One!! Terrie Wolf of AKA Literary is the perfect fit for me. She's exactly what I've been looking for in an agent. I'm just so excited and happy and thrilled <insert a THOUSAND different ecstatic emotions here> to have the opportunity to work with her.


It's so amazing how things work out. I mean--even though I don't normally talk about my constant self-doubt, worry, and struggles--they are soo totally there. Always haunting me. Always making me question...everything. But! I have stories to tell and characters that are counting on me to bring them to life. Annnd, the voices. Ahhh the voices. If you write, you know about the voices ;) To be honest though, I'd started to think it wasn't meant to happen for me. I'd been at this a long time. Felt the cold hand of rejection. Watched doors open and slam in my face. Had promises fall short. Gotten breaks that soon disappeared. Faced my fears. Pitched (in person) to agents and editors. Queried so much I'd started going numb to it. And one of the hardest decisions I've had to make in this journey happened two years ago when I turned an agent down. Yup, sounds crazy, right? For a while I wondered if that had been a mistake, but I hadn't felt the connection with that agent...something in the back of my mind said they weren't the right fit for me. As hard as it was to say no, I did it. And I am SOOO glad that I did!!
 

I remember going to my very first writers conference in NYC with the very first book I'd ever written--which had only been read by two friends and a family member and not edited in the slightest--and thinking, I'm totally landing an agent here. Well, erm, yeah, so...
 

Two very distinct things stuck out in my mind during that conference. The first, one of the speakers said that for most writers it takes writing at least six books before you'll land an agent. The second, during a two minute/two page session where a group of writers read their first two pages aloud and an agent stopped us where they would normally stop reading in a submission, I was stopped on the first line. Yup, that happened. Needless to say I was devastated.  

But! I didn't let that stop me. Why? Because like an agent once told me, I'm plucky. That was after I professionally responded to a rejection email she sent and kinda, maybe, sorta begged for her to at least read a little more. Ohh, and she actually did because of my pluck--she said. (I don't advise that though, but that was six years ago when I didn't know better. lol) Ever since then, when I'd send out a query or submission I'd always chant my motto: I. Am. Plucky.

With motto in mind, I kept plugging away. I wrote a total of five novels before I landed my agent, but that was one less than the six I'd been told at the conference! I'm counting that as a HUGE victory :) My fifth novel is my dragon story titled Becoming. I completely stepped outside of the box and my writing comfort zone in that novel, and I am so completely in love with it. My only concern once I'd finished writing such a unique book was: How in the world would I pitch it? Thankfully I saw a pitch-honing workshop on Twitter and decided to give it a try. The pitch I started with wasn't bad, but it didn't have the reach-through-the-screen-and-grab-ya spark that it needed. But Jessa Russo tweaked it and helped me achieve that sparkling pitch I needed, which in turn caught many an agent's eye and landed me with over fifteen requests. The pitch (a LGBT new adult dragon story set in modern-day Charlotte, NC): After a transplant gives Zoe a dragon shifter’s heart, she learns that her online boyfriend is her donor and...a girl.

Thank you, Jessa!!


Of course, a pitch alone wouldn't have gotten me this far. Without my support system none of this would have been possible. A BIG thank you goes to my friends, family, and readers who believed in me and my writing. The BIGGEST of thanks goes to two very special people. My dear friends Danielle Fine and Sean McConnell. Dani (a writer and freelance editor/designer) edited Becoming and with her expert guidance and encouragement has helped shape me into a stronger writer. She's known about my dragons and believed in them ever since they were just an idea. I'm not sure where I'd be without her in my corner. Sean (a writer, graphic artist, and my agency brother) beta-read Becoming for me. He is one of the nicest most honest people you will ever meet, and his support and belief in me has been tremendous. Thank you guys!!!

Whew! All that to say... Writing is way hard. Breaking into the industry takes uber gobs of time. And there will be days when you just want to hide under your desk and eat all the cookie dough and drink all the coffee until maybe--just maybe--things start to work out. Believe me, I’ve had those days. Lots of those days. But it only takes one yes. And as many times as you’ve heard that... It’s. Absolutely. True. Whether it takes six months or six years (like it did for me), when it happens...when the day you land your dream agent finally comes, it’ll be the most thrilling and rewarding moment. There’s still work ahead. There always will be if it’s worth having. Just know: You’re worth it. 

To celebrate the occasion Sean has created a beautiful, custom piece of dragon artwork just for me!! Shall I share? Yes!!


Thank y'all for stopping by to read my post! So excited to share my dragons and other works with you!! Things are finally coming together!! I can't stop smiling!! 

If you're curious to know more about my dragons and where the idea came from, check out this post!

Okay, playin' it cool... Peace!

April 13, 2014

Betrothed against her will. And now her mom wants to talk… RUNNING FROM SHADOWS #8Sunday #YAPNR #unicorns

logo WWW Vet 


Today I'm sharing from my (unpublished) young adult paranormal romance Running From Shadows!

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) Greta runs away from her surprise engagement partthrough the woodsPax saves her from a shadow demon. Oh, and he's a unicorn! 
Back at Pax's cabin, Greta and Pax talk. He tells her that the shadow has fed on her emotions. And that it's definitely someone she knows. And she must under no circumstance confront it because it will kill her. And don't get emotional about anything! >.< Pax takes Greta home. Now, her mother wants to discuss the betrothal...

Cover Art by Danielle Fine

“Why? Looks like my input didn’t matter a whole heck of a lot before.” I stormed around the coffee table, making sure to wipe any remaining grit from my feet onto the cream rug.


Mom sat alarmingly still. Her hands folded neatly in her lap. It wouldn’t have unnerved me if she normally argued like an overgrown, passive-aggressive church mouse. But she didn’t. Ever.

Tune in next week for more angsty spooky goodness!

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


****
Extra! Extra!

*My newest release is AVAILABLE NOW. Only 99 cents (for a short time)!! Soo excited to be part of this fantastically talented group of authors. Check out the Lore anthology. Amazon! B&N! My story is a YA LGBT about a girl, a genie, and a tone of bad decisions. 

*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!