Wish ~ The Awakening by Laura Eno

Most residents of Pine Hill shy away from seventeen-year-old Lelah without knowing why. It's the Djinn magic surging through her blood. She lives in a world where wishes are really curses, dark power meant to twist and deceive in unimaginable ways.

When a fit of temper exposes Lelah for what she really is, she must flee to a sanctuary only whispered about, before her family is exposed and enslaved by their ancient enemy. What she discovers is a treacherous path filled with power, lies, and betrayal – a path that's destined to ensnare her and destroy a civilization.

Excerpt:

 "If the djinn exposed should happen to be me, I hope you’ll forgive my actions, even though I should be cursed. Whatever destruction I bring about, it won’t be my intention. I will look you in the eye before I kill you, but your death will be at my master’s command. I would weep along with you, if I could.
If only weeping were allowed..."


                Here is where you want to be today. Go say "Hello" to Laura and bring your party hat. Laura knows how to throw a partaaayyyy!


About the Author: 

Laura Eno lives in Florida with a very tolerant husband, three skulking cats and two absurdly happy dogs. After spending years immersed in college but never figuring out what she wanted to be when she grew up, she now writes novels late at night with the help of muses from the underworld. And, no, she still hasn't grown up but that's okay.

Laura Eno, that's exactly what we love about you!!!!!

Links:

AmazonUS

AmazonUK

Nook

Smashwords

Print

 

 

New Beginnings by Rebecca Emin

Today is the official publication date of New Beginnings by Rebecca Emin.

Join us over on Rebecca’s blog Ramblings of a Rusty Writer to find all of the details of how she is planning to celebrate today, or you can read some reviews of the book itself on Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com


About the Author:
Rebecca Emin lives in Oxfordshire, with her husband and three small children. Her debut novel, ‘New Beginnings,’ will be published by Grimoire Books on 23 January 2012. Rebecca has finished her second novel ‘When Dreams Come True’ which is also for older children.


Rebecca enjoys writing flash fiction and short stories and has had several flash fiction stories included in fundraising anthologies. ‘A Knowing Look and Other Stories’ is a collection of Rebecca’s short stories which was published in November 2011. She is also an author for Ether Books who publish short stories and essays to mobile devices via the Ether app.


About New Beginnings:


Sam Hendry is not looking forward to starting at her new school. Things go from bad to worse as the day of truth arrives and all of her fears come true... and then some.


When Sam meets a different group of people who immediately accept her as a friend, she begins to feel more positive. With her new friends and interests, will Sam finally feel able to face the bully who taunts her, and to summon up the courage to perform on stage?


~~~~~~~~~~~

Join us over on Rebecca’s blog Ramblings of a Rusty Writer to find all of the details of how she is planning to celebrate today, or you can read some reviews of the book itself on Amazon.co.uk or Amazon.com


You may like to visit some of the other blogs helping Rebecca to celebrate today too.

Let's Have a Memorable Holiday by Getting Back to the Basics!

Image via Wikipedia

This is a repost, however it holds the same sentiment as it did when I first wrote it. As I read over the words, I realized that many things I'd hoped would get better for so many by now are the same or worse.

There is still hope....we just need to pray a little harder and louder. He is listening......




With the busiest season upon us, we all know what it's like to prepare for the Holidays. Running here, running there, with too much to do and too little time. We all want to make the Holiday perfect for our children, grandchildren and our entire family. This is so much easier said than done. Our hearts are in the right place, but our focus is lost somewhere, between what we want to do and what is actually possible to do, be it, physical or financial. Getting "back to basics" may save us from a feeling of being overwhelmed.

There is a financial burden on many families this year, who are unable to make it a merry and bright holiday for their children. At least, not in the way they think they must. What we need to remember is that "back to basics" is not a bad thing. It can be a delightful way of celebrating a very old-fashioned Holiday. And could be the coolest thing that your children have ever experienced. We have to remember that our little ones expect a lot of gifts to be there, under the tree, because that's what we taught them to expect. Maybe, now would be a great time to teach them that "other" lesson. You know, the one, where we have to work a little harder for what we want. The one, where we need to be happy with what we get under the tree, but more importantly, what we already have.

They can learn about the gifts of the heart, when they help a senior with their groceries. Or shovel a driveway for them and watch the smile of relief on their face. Or volunteer to babysit for a single mom, so she may have time to prepare for her family's Holiday. How about visiting an orphanage or working in the kitchen of a homeless shelter for a day. I think it's important that our children grow up knowing that it's a big, big world out there and it's not always pleasant. But we can help make it more so, by giving a little bit of ourselves to someone in need.

I want to wish everyone a Very Happy Holiday and a Very Merry Christmas!

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Hushed Blog Tour from Nov. 28 - Dec. 31

HUSHED by Kelley York coming in December, 2011!   

About the Author

Kelley was born and raised in central California, where she resides with her lovely wife, daughter, and an abundance of pets. (Although she does fantasize about moving across the globe to Ireland.) She has a fascination with bells, adores all things furry – be them squeaky, barky or meow‐y – is a lover of video games, manga and anime, and likes to pretend she’s a decent photographer. Her life goal is to find a real unicorn. Or maybe a mermaid.
Within young adult, she enjoys writing and reading a variety of genres from contemporary with a unique twist, psychological thrillers, paranormal/urban fantasy and horror. 

She loves stories where character development takes center stage.

Be ready for Author Interview, Q&A, and Book discussions.

Pre-Order Hushed at Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble.com

"Touch" by Jus Accardo

Touch (a Denazen Novel - Book One) released on October 24, 2011, as an e-Book, is now available in paperback.

"When a strange boy tumbles down a river embankment and lands at her feet, seventeen‐year old adrenaline junkie Deznee Cross snatches the opportunity to piss off her father by bringing the mysterious hottie with ice blue eyes home.
Except there’s something off with Kale. He wears her shoes in the shower, is overly fascinated with things like DVDs and vases, and acts like she’ll turn to dust if he touches her. It’s not until Dez’s father shows up, wielding a gun and knowing more about Kale than he should, that Dez realizes there’s more to this boy—and her father’s “law firm”—than she realized.

Kale has been a prisoner of Denazen Corporation—an organization devoted to collecting “special” kids known as Sixes and using them as weapons—his entire life. And, oh yeah, his touch? It kills. Dez and Kale team up with a group of rogue Sixes hellbent on taking down Denazen before they’re caught and her father discovers the biggest secret of all. A secret Dez has spent her life keeping safe.

A secret Kale will kill to protect."

  
Jus Accardo is the author of YA paranormal romance and urban fantasy fiction. A native New Yorker, she lives in the middle of nowhere with her husband, three dogs, and sometimes guard bear, Oswald.

Her readers will love to learn what I learned about Jus! Read on...

When did you start writing and why? 
I think the very first thing I wrote was an alternate ending to a book I read as a child. I didn't like how the author ended it, so I decided I could do better myself. I was hooked after that.

How did you know you were ready to write a novel?  
I don't think there was any actual awareness. I wrote my first complete book when I was
fourteen (in notebooks) and just kept going. Obviously the early stuff is something I wouldn't show to a slug, but I still have each and every one. Some of the characters have been recycled over time, as well as minor story ideas. The Denazen Corporation was actually born in a trilogy I wrote several years ago. It's something I'd like to revisit at some
point.

Where do you find inspiration to write? 
Everywhere. You can walk into the food store to grab milk and eggs and come out with an awesome story if you pay enough attention. A single song can inspire an entire book.
Secondhand Serenade's, Fall For You, was the inspiration behind one of my
NaNo projects.

Do you have a favorite place to go when you write and what does it look
like? 
I write best at my dining room table, actually. As for what it looks
like? It probably seems like a messy, unorganized disaster scene, but to
me, its perfection.

How organized are you when you begin a new project, whether it's a short story or a  novel? Do you outline everything or are you a "pantster¨? 
Me? Organized? That's hysterical! I'm the kind of person who writes notes on everything and anything within reach. I need to jot down a phone number? I grab the corner off a newspaper. Need to make a note on a plot idea while in the car? I write it on the back of my hand.

What is the one thing that makes you take a project all the way from
beginning to end without giving up? 
The characters. If I can't get the characters out of my head, I have to stick with it. I usually know pretty early on if something's not going to work. If the voice is weak, then the story just isn't going to unfold.

What advice would you give a writer aspiring to be an author?
Writewritewritewrite. Then? Write more. Do not give up! Every word you write brings you closer to your goal.

What else would you like to share about your writing journey? 
It's been a wild, surreal ride. Each day, I continue to be blown away by all of it. I have to be the most impatient person alive. Really. I get impatient before there's anything to be impatient about. Starting a career as a writer involves a lot of waiting. I think it almost damaged my brain, but it was so worth it.

What is one thing that you would love for your readers to know about
you? It doesn't have to have anything to do with writing, but it can if
you wish. 
Hmm, K I believe in animal rescue and shelter adoption! Strongly. If you're thinking about bringing home a new friend, please, check your local shelters! There are so many amazing dogs (and cats) out there that need a warm, loving home. Trust me, they'll be eternally grateful and shower you with slobbery kisses and sneezes of love. All of my dogs have been adopted from a shelter or taken in from a rescue foundation or situation with the exception of one (which is a very sweet story. She's the relative of my girl who I lost 2 years ago, a friend tracked her down!).

Are you working on the next book, yet and is it a sequel to "TOUCH"?
I've just turned in TOXIC, the second book in the Denazen series. Between editing that one, and wrapping up a Denazen novella, I'll be starting the third soon, which I cannot wait to do!

Thanks for letting me hang out with you today, I had fun!

Well, Jus, you are an absolute delight! Thank you for sharing your time with us. You have given your readers a lot of insight into your writing process and I know that will help aspiring writers move forward with their projects.


Touch can be found on Goodreads to add to your must read list.

Available for purchase at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Entangled Publishing