Hi, I’m Author Angela Carling and I’m excited today to tell you Shackled. This book, Shackled, has an amazing story, one that pushed me to write this important and suspenseful story. Today I’m excited to share the new cover and make a big announcement! Shackled, originally written as stand-alone story will stand-alone no longer! I’ve already begun work on part two of this truly emotional story inspired by my sister’s own real-life struggle. The new book will be called RELEASED! If you’ve read Shackled and ever wondered what happened to Ryan, Released will change everything!
Before I forget…you can get Shackled on sale Thursday and Friday December 15-16 for .99 super cheap cents Here on Amazon
or to learn more about all my young adult books click Here
When people read Shackled, they have a strong reactions one way or the other. Here’s what they are saying….
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“I can’t remember the last time I read a book in one afternoon, but once I started reading, I couldn’t stop!”
“I was impressed by how Angela Carling tackled such a sensitive topic. You experience Lucy’s emotions with her, including her struggles when she starts to notice Ryan’s behavior changing. This is my favorite aspect of this novel. In such novels you more than often feel for the character but you do not always feel what they feel, as if you are that character. I also loved how she developed Lucy’s relationship with Mason. If only all those in Lucy’s situation had a Mason.”
“Read this book! And then read it with your sons and daughters. Make this very important subject part of what your family discusses.”
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Yay! It is time for the the blurb and, a little about Shackled, and best of all, the new cover created by the talent Kaelen Carling.
After shy, quiet Lucy and her family move from their small hometown in Minnesota to Seattle, Washington, she is surprised when Ryan, the most popular boy at school asks her out. Soon, she is swept up in a whirlwind romance and her naïve and trusting nature allows her to fall head over heels in love with her too-good-to-be suitor. Suddenly, Lucy finds herself enraptured by the excitement of her new relationship, leaving her blinded to the warning signs of danger ahead. Can her fairy tale romance last, or will she find that her prince charming is more like a wolf in sheep’s clothing?
Want a little more? Here’s an excerpt from the first chapter of Shackled. Happy Reading and most of all Happiest of Holidays!!
If you’d asked me about my life a year ago, I would’ve told you it was boring, white-bread, middle-class-peanut-butter-and-jelly-sandwich-in-my-pink-polka-dot-lunch-bag-every-day boring. That was before everything changed. That was before I met him.
So, here I am a year later, on the floor of some stranger’s parked car, trying not to breathe for fear of being discovered. The inside of the car reeks of day old fast food and dirty feet, but I don’t dare raise my head, even for cleaner air. Instead, I wait for the headlights to fill the cracks where the doors’ hinges leave tiny fissures in the metal, letting small bits of light through. I know the light is coming from his headlights and when the light passes over me, there will be a brief window of opportunity I can use to escape and run for my life.
Finally, after I hear the distinctive ping of his diesel engine, and his precious cherry red Mercedes passes me, I carefully open the door and climb out of the backseat as noiselessly as possible. My eyes dart nervously, taking in my surroundings. The long, orderly, suburban street looks quiet. All the houses are black, with the exception of a few scattered televisions sending pulsing light out into the night. Now is my chance.
Mason is only ten houses away and he has the tools to free me from this hellish nightmare. He knows my anguish. Tonight he will be my white knight. Keeping low to stay in the shadows, I begin to move as quickly as I can down the street. I can see Mason’s house now. My skin starts to prickle with anticipation. Adrenaline is coursing through my veins and has been for several hours.
I stand up, making myself taller than the car for the first time all night. Suddenly, I realize how sore my back is and a little yelp escapes my mouth as my vertebrae complain at their mistreatment. My guard is down for ten seconds, and somehow, from some invisible hiding place, a dark figure emerges and grabs me from behind.
It happens so fast that I don’t even yell. All that comes out is a small murmur, not even enough to rouse the sleeping dogs. I feel his arms wrap around me like a straight jacket and I thrash wildly, made more powerful by my fear. Still, his strength trumps mine and he holds me tight.
“It’s okay, Lucyloo,” he coos in my ear. “I got ya.” He knows I don’t want to be held. His words are coming from some demented place from within him, some place that he kept hidden from me when we first met.
For a second, I rest, letting him believe that I am giving up. I need the time to think. No one is coming for me. He made sure of that. The worst part is that I let him. I even defended him when my friends warned me and then eventually left me, growing tired of my excuses. I watched him lull my parents, creating a persona that they could trust.
Heck, I believed him too. He looked the part—clean-cut, good grades, well spoken. Everything my parents wanted for me. His words were just right and his beautiful blue eyes were like quicksand, pulling me in, deceiving me without giving away the danger. Now I‘m in knee deep, covered in the toxic lies of his trap. I am like an insect, tangled in his sticky web of deceit, but I still have one last trick up my sleeve.
I know his ego is huge, and his need to feel control consumes his every waking thought. At least I finally understand this now. Taking a breath, I force my rigid body to seem relaxed. I lay my head back against his chest and let him feel my hair against his neck. He always likes that.
He doesn’t let go, but his stance loosens just the tiniest bit. “You got me,” I purr as I lie against him. “How did you know I wanted you to get me?”
Thanks for stopping by!
BeachBoundbooks is pleased to be coordinating a Blog Tour for the children’s adventure book, Mary’s Song by Susan Count. The tour will run December 12, 2016 – January 2, 2017.
About the Book
Title: Mary’s Song (Dream Horse Adventure Book 1) | Author: Susan Count | Genre: Children’s Fiction | Number of Pages: 122 | Publisher: Hastings Creations Group | Release Date: October 20, 2016
Book Description: Mary’s heart breaks over the pending destruction of a beautiful but damaged filly. When life is not fair, the courageous challenge the obstacles. Twelve-year-old Mary was disabled at the age of four by the same virus that took the life of her mother. While she longs to have a horse of her own, she’s limited to reading horse books. A talented artist, she spends her days on a blanket in the grass sketching the horses at the farm next door. She falls in love with one of the foals and is outraged to learn the filly is considered worthless as it was born lame. Mary befriends and enlists the help of twelve-year-old Laura, whose family owns the horse farm. Against the better judgment of the farm manager, a brief reprieve is negotiated for the foal’s life. The girls conspire to raise money to save her, but time is running out. Sadly, it appears the expensive surgery the foal needs has little chance to correct her problem anyway. Mary isn’t about to give up. She sacrifices what she holds dear, including the trust of her papa, to gain her heart’s desire. Will she lose everything in her struggle to save the foal?
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Excerpt:
In the year 1952
“Maybe today?” Twelve-year-old Mary gripped the arm of her wheelchair with one hand and the bedrail with the other. Her weight balanced on the edge of the bed, and she inched forward onto her feet. Her legs trembled and buckled. As her knees slammed onto the wood floor, she grabbed desperately for the dresser, but snatched instead the crocheted covering. When it ripped away from the dresser top, her favorite carved horse sailed across the room, careening into the wall. One of the Morgan mare’s legs and its ornately carved black tail snapped off as it ricocheted under the bed.
Ignoring the pain in her knees, she peered under the bed. The rest of the disfigured horse lay out of her reach. Already sprawled across the floor, she scooted to retrieve the severed pieces and cradled them in her hands. “I have to hide you.”
Papa would be so angry if he saw Mama’s horse was broken. Heavy footsteps rushed toward her.
“Lame and worthless. Just like me.” She slipped the broken horse into her skirt pocket. She struggled and strained to pull herself up off the floor, but collapsed as Papa burst into her room.
“What happened? I heard a commotion… Mary?” He dropped to his knee beside her. “What happened? Are you hurt?”
“I lost my balance when I tried to stand. I’m fine.”
“Let’s get you off the floor, shall we?” He lifted and placed her on the bed. “I think it would be best to call the doctor.”
“I’m fine!” Mary said a little louder than she intended. “The hot rock therapy didn’t help.”
Papa sat on the bed and took her hand. “Don’t give up. We’ll find a therapy, my Mary. We’ll never stop trying.” He patted her hand. “You sure you’re all right? Maybe you should lie down.”
“I said I’m fine.” But she looked out the window instead of into his eyes. She would never be all right. “Can you take me outside now?”
“If you’re sure. Let’s get you out in some fresh air.” He dropped a paper-wrapped bundle of carrot pieces in her lap.
Mary tucked her long dark hair behind her ears. Gathering her sketchpad and pencils to her chest, she drew a deep breath and nodded.
In a practiced motion, he slung her blanket over his shoulder and scooped her from the bed.
“I want to believe I’ll walk someday, but sometimes, I just can’t.” She tossed him a hint of a smile. He carried her through the colonial house, past the white porch pillars, and across the field. He was so strong it made her feel safe. He was certainly the most handsome papa in all the world.
The white oak had not leafed yet, so he placed her blanket in the shade of the pines out of the warm Texas sun. Mary smoothed her skirt and spread her art materials. “You were right about throwing carrots over the fence to bring the mares closer.” She retrieved an art pencil hidden in the folds of her blanket. “Look. Here they come.” She pointed with her pencil. “They see me and gallop like crazy to get here. The foals buck and kick the whole way. Our new neighbors are so lucky. I’d like to have a pasture full of Morgan horses.”
“At least you get to enjoy them. I have to go now.” He kissed the top of her head. “Have a nice day. Mr. Joe is working in the gardens, so when you’re ready to go back to the house, holler for him.”
“Will you be gone long?”
His face tensed, and his dark eyebrows pulled together. He looked over the meadow, frowning. “Only a few days this time.”
“I wish you didn’t always have to go. I miss you so much.”
“I know it’s hard on you. If it makes you feel any better, I don’t like leaving you either. But I have business in New Orleans, and then I’m going to Destin, Florida. A doctor there thinks he can help you.”
Her temper flared, and she slashed a big ugly squiggle across the sketchpad. “Not another one, Papa! You thought the medicine man would be the miracle cure. He danced and chanted and kept me in a dumb teepee for two days. Magic smoke. And for what?”
“Well… it wasn’t one of my better ideas.”
“I thought Mrs. Tate was going to faint when you told her where we’d been. She walked around the house all day shaking her feather duster and muttering ‘pagan gods’, something about never taking another day off, and praying real loud to God asking him to forgive you.”
“Glad I missed that, but I’m not giving up. I’ll consider any opportunity to heal you.” He straightened his vest and tucked his thumbs in its little pockets. “If this technique can offer us hope, we have to try. The clinic would float you in emerald-colored seawater. Then they’d take you to the ‘Fountain Of Youth’.”
Her shoulders slumped with an exhale. “I don’t need to get any younger. I need to walk.”
“And walk you shall. That is just the name given to the spring by the explorer who discovered it.” He patted her hand. “Sketch me several poses of the filly beside the dappled gray mare while I’m gone. What is it about her that always draws my eye?”
“She’s special! I sketch her the most. The other foals will scatter, but she seems to want to be with me. If she was on this side of the fence, I think she’d be in my lap.” Mary flipped to a clean paper. “It’s her eyes. Our souls connect when our eyes meet. Don’t you think they look like dark chocolate?” Mary warmed at the thought. “She is my favorite. What a character. She hides behind her mama sometimes and plays hide and seek with me.” A frown wiped the smile off her face. “I think there might be something wrong. She limps sometimes.”
Papa checked his watch and frowned. “Hum, that can’t be good. Say, when I get home, I will have a little something special I ordered for you. Don’t ask me what it is and ruin the surprise.”
“No fair! Is it a book on the Lipizzaners?”
“You’re a bad guesser.”
“Whatever it is, I’ll love it.”
Papa grinned, tossed a piece of chocolate in her lap, and left.
“Thanks!” She waved and sailed a few carrot offerings over the fence to the gathered herd. They rushed to grab the bribe. With ears flattened, the horses jostled, shoved, and charged at one another to gobble the carrots. When the treats were gone, the mares went back to grazing. As the foals cavorted in circles around their dams, Mary inhaled the delight of being in their company. To draw a foal, she took a snapshot with her mind and sketched it in a great flurry. After capturing the likeness, she fussed with the details and the shading. A twine-wrapped portfolio she kept in her library bulged with sketches. Each sketch was a secret wish to ride, wild and free, someday.
She imagined herself cantering across a meadow polka-dotted with pink flowers. Her hair streamed behind her. Her arms held wide as if to soar. The palomino horse moved in response to her thoughts. A smile lifted and softened her face.
Mary shifted her useless legs to balance the sketchpad better. “It’s not just a dream.” The filly cocked her feminine head to the side and peered at the curiosity in the grass. Mary stared back, hoping the filly would hold the pose long enough for her to soak in every detail. The dark graphite pencil seemed to flow on its own, and soon the rough outline of the curious baby splashed across the paper.
“I will sketch you every minute until Papa comes home with my surprise. It might be—could be—a horse.”
What others are saying…
“An excellent and engaging book from start to finish. A must read.” – Amazon Review
“Susan Count knows how to write about horses, family, friendship, love, faith, and sacrifice. Her true-to-life characters easily engaged me in wanting to know more about them and how their conflicts would be resolved.” – Geoffrey W.
“A genuinely touching story about friendship and recovery. I strongly recommend this to anyone looking for a good horse book perfect for middle age girls!” – Amazon Review
About the Author
One day…I began to write with no preconceived ideas about anything. I’d read what I had written the day before and add another scene to the adventure. No one could have been more astounded than I was when it turned into a book. The whole process gave me great joy and restored my spirit after a season of loss. My motivation was my desire to bless one particular young lady with a story to show her a love relationship in a family, with the Lord, and with a horse. I truly thought the story would remain in a drawer until she was old enough to read it. Surprise.
I write at an antique secretary desk which belonged to the same grandmother who introduced me to horse books. The desk has secret compartments and occupies a glass room with a forest view. Bunnies and cardinals regularly interrupt my muse, as do my horses grazing in a clearing.
Though I am a rider and lover of horses, I make no claims of expertise in any riding discipline. I hope that my research keeps me from annoying those who would know.
The only thing more fun than riding might be writing horse adventure stories. Saddle up and ride along!
Blog Tour Giveaway
Prize: One winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card or $25 PayPal cash prize (winner’s choice) Giveaway ends: January 2, 11:59 pm, 2017
Open to: Internationally.
How to enter: Please enter using the Rafflecopter widget below.
Terms and Conditions: NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. A winner will be randomly drawn through the Rafflecopter widget and will be contacted by email within 48 hours after the giveaway ends. The winner will then have 72 hours to respond. If the winner does not respond within 72 hours, a new draw will take place for a new winner. Odds of winning will vary depending on the number of eligible entries received. This contest is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored by the author, Susan Count and is hosted and managed by Stacie from BeachBoundBooks. If you have any additional questions feel free to send an email to [email protected].
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Welcome to Realm Explorers! In this weekly series, we visit a variety of unique worlds created by talented science fiction and fantasy authors. Enjoy your travels! And don’t forget to read to the bottom of the post to find out more about each author and see how to purchase the featured book.
Author’s name: Timothy Trimble
Title of book and/or series: Air Born – Do You Dream of Flying?
Brief summary of the story: There are those who hide among us who are different. They know how to fly! They guard it with their lives, not even daring to express in writing, or verbally in public, how it feels to embrace the wind and the clouds. They don’t even know if they’re a part of humanity or if they came from somewhere else. All they know is they are hunted. Hunted by the royal lineage of the Eighteenth of Ahmose, who once considered themselves to be gods, and the only rightful ones to own and control such powers. A young Avitorian, Leif, discovers his heritage and the love of his life, only to suddenly be thrust into the ever present threat of The Eighteenth as they seek to discover the secrets of flight.
Brief description of the world or location you created for this story: The story is based in the modern world today. Significant scenes in the story are from Joshua Tree National Park in California, and the Seattle (Pacific Northwest) area.
If we were to visit Seattle as tourists, what would you recommend that we see or do there? Go hiking on one of the many thousands of trails to see a waterfall, majestic mountains, or wildlife.
What dangers should we avoid in the Pacific Northwest? Bears! They will eat you! Which is one reason Avitorians love having the ability to fly.
Is there a distinct or unusual type of food or meal that we might be served in Seattle? Salmon, with more salmon, and a little salmon on top?
What types of weaponry or fighting styles are common in Air Born? No distinctive fighting style. Most of the action/conflict scenes are good old street grappling. There is some distinct, high technology weaponry utilized for capturing Avitorians.
What types of vehicles, animals, technology, etc. are used for travel in Air Born? Aside from normal, every-day types of transportation – the Avitorians have the ability to fly. No capes or special devices are required. It’s all based on particle physics and if I try to explain it you’ll all start yawning and stop reading.
What types of plants, animals, or sentient races might we encounter? The main characters are Avitorians. Aside from their ability to fly, they also have the ability to sense the flow of electricity. Since all life forms (plants, animals, humans, etc.) have electrical impulses flowing throughout, the Avitorians are able to sense it.
What role, if any, does magic or the supernatural play in the lives of people in Air Born? Sorry, no magic! The Avitorian ability is all based on biology and physics. While fanciful in concept, there is no magic.
Is there any advanced or unusual technology in Air Born? If you haven’t described it already, please give some examples. Some of the weaponry used against Avitorians utilizes microwave energy. Yes, the same as is in your microwave ovens. Heat signature tech is also utilized, and the use of cryonics is highly advanced in the Air Born universe.
Tell us about any sports, games, or activities that are available for entertainment in Air Born. Soaring with eagles is a lot of fun, along with flying as fast as possible through evergreen trees without smacking into a solid tree trunk. Just drifting through the house without leaving foot prints on the walls is also a bit of a challenge.
Is there a particular religion practiced in Air Born? Please describe what it involves. While there is no religion mentioned or practiced, the Avitorians do have a higher standard of morals than humankind. They wish for a peaceful existence. And when it comes to finding their mate, it is a singular bond for life.
What is the political or government structure in Air Born? Who is in charge there at the moment, and what kind of leader is he/she? One of the supporting characters in Air Born is Georgeo, the Elder of the Avitorians. Though he likes to have everyone call him Uncle Georgeo, he has the massive responsibility of keeping all Avitorians safe and secretive.
Are there any other unique cultural practices that we should be aware of? The need for absolute secrecy by the Avitorians is vital to their existence. Nothing specific about them is ever written. Even emails and texting is done discreetly and with coded phrases. All history and culture is handed down verbally.
Has anything in your actual life inspired the locations, cultures, etc. in your book? I used to have incredible dreams about slowly drifting and flying through my house. These dreams began when I was a child and every now and then I will still have one. And the internal angst of desiring to be truly in love, to have someone who admires who you are, what you dream of, and what you aspire to be. I wanted to capture that feeling with this story.
What, if any, “hot-button” or controversial topics do you touch on in your book? The lack of humankind to be able to get along with one another. Any consideration of being different and thus hated or mistreated is one of the primary reasons the Avitorians remain as secretive as they are.
Author Autobiography: Timothy Trimble is a published author of science fiction and fantasy, stories and novels. He has written non-fiction books for Wiley Publications, Microsoft Press, and over forty articles in print media publications. His Zegin’s Adventures stories are popular ebook and print releases on Amazon, and his latest full-length urban fantasy novel, Air Born (Sept. 2016, ebook & print) has received glowing five star reviews. Due the clamoring of fans, the latest focus of his attention is Air Storm, as the second book in the Air Born trilogy series. Timothy lives in the Pacific Northwest, where the prevalence of coffee shops and hiking trails contribute to his inspiration. His insightful, and sometimes humorous mumblings, can be followed via Twitter and his web site (see below).
Where, and in what formats, can we purchase your book(s)? Please include links.
· Order from any bookstore
Where can readers connect with you online?
I hope you all enjoyed the trip to the Pacific Northwest. Questions about the world or the book? Ask them in the comments and the author will get back to you!
Click here to read other posts in the Realm Explorers series.
Please join us again next Monday for a trip to another world in next week’s edition of Realm Explorers!
-Annie Douglass Lima
Today I’m excited to celebrate the cover reveal for THE PERFECT TRIP by Stacy Barnett Mozer releasing March 24, 2017
from Spellbound River Press. Before we get to the cover, here’s a little about the book and the author:
About the book: Sam Barrette’s life is finally going in the right direction. She’s made the boys’ travel baseball team, her friendship with Mike is turning into something more, and she’s even connected with her stepmother. But a cross-country family camping trip filled with secrets and surprises challenges everything she thought she knew about what the future will hold. To save her dreams, Sam must find a way to fix her perfect trip.
About the author: Stacy Barnett Mozer is a middle grade author, a book blogger, and an elementary school teacher. Stacy started writing novels when one of her third grade classes told her there was no way a real author who wrote real books could possibly revise as much as she asked them to revise. She’s been revising her own novels every since. Stacy is an active SCBWI (Society of Children’s Books Writers and Illustrators) member and is an Assistant Regional Advisor for New England SCBWI, coordinating the region’s critique groups. She is also the founder of Sporty Girl Books, a blog for anyone who loves to watch, play, read, and write about women and girls in sports.
THE PERFECT TRIP is the companion novel to THE SWEET SPOT, which released from Spellbound River in March 2016.
About THE SWEET SPOT: When thirteen-year-old Sam Barrette’s baseball coach tells her that her attitude’s holding her back, she wants to hit him in the head with a line drive. Why shouldn’t she have an attitude? As the only girl playing in the 13U league, she’s had to listen to boys and people in the stands screaming things like “Go play softball,” all season, just because she’s a girl. Her coach barely lets her play, even though she’s one of the best hitters on the team.
Finally, here is the cover of THE PERFECT TRIP, illustrated by Lois Bradley:
Like the cover? You can win an ARC of The Perfect Trip here:
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Thank you for hosting me today, Annie. It’s such a pleasure to be here on your blog. I thought it might be fun for you and your readers to meet Captain Rock Laroux from Garden of Her Heart.
Thank you for joining us, Rock!
Rock: Hello. Thank you for welcoming me here today.
You’re a captain in the US Army. Is that correct?
Rock: Yep. I was a captain in the US Army Air Force until I crashed my plane and ended up in the hospital.
We’re sorry to hear of your accident. Were your injuries extensive?
Rock: Thank you. I lost most of my eyesight for a while, had a side full of shrapnel, and then there’s my arm. (Rock holds out his arm) I wasn’t sure I’d ever be able to use it again, but it’ starting to heal.
Did you really check yourself out of the hospital?
Rock: I did. By accident, I overheard my doctor discussing my case with a colleague. It sounded like he expected me to keel over at any moment, so I decided if I was doomed to die, I wanted to do it at home, not in the hospital. So I left. I’d probably be buried six-feet under right now if it wasn’t for Miko coming along at just the right time.
Miko? That’s the woman who saved you?
Rock: Yeah. She saved me, in more ways than I can explain. I was nearly delirious after walking in the rain for a while, trying to make it back to my family farm. I collapsed on the back step of her grandparent’s farm. She found me there and nursed me back to health. Thanks to my presence and her refusal to leave me until I was well, things have gotten quite complicated for her.
What do you think the future holds?
Rock: (Chuckles) If I could foresee the future, I’d be set for life, wouldn’t I. Unfortunately, I don’t possess any supernatural abilities. But I hope whatever the future brings, Miko and I can face it together.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with readers today?
Rock: An invitation to read
Garden of Her Heart. It’s a romance, but it’s also a story of hope and faith and courage – even in the face of great adversity.
USA Today Bestselling Author Shanna Hatfield joins us with her latest release, a sweet World War II romance.
Can forbidden love blossom amid the constraints of war?
The moment the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, life shifted for Miko Nishimura. Desperate to reach the Portland Assembly Center for Japanese-Americans, she’s kicked off the bus miles from town. Every tick of the clock pushes her closer to becoming a fugitive in the land of her birth. Exhausted, she stumbles to her grandparents’ abandoned farm only to find a dying soldier sprawled across the step. Unable to leave him, she forsakes all else to keep him alive. After crashing his plane in the Battle of the Atlantic, the doctors condemn Captain Rock Laroux to die. Determined to meet his maker beneath a blue sky at his family home, he sneaks out of the hospital. Weary and half out of his mind, he makes it as far as a produce stand he remembers from his youth. Rather than surrender to death, Rock fights a battle of the heart as he falls in love with the beautiful Japanese woman who saves his life. A poignant, sweet romance, Garden of Her Heart proves love can bloom in unlikely places even under the most challenging circumstances.
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Join us for a Facebook Party today (December 7) from 4-7 p.m. (EST) to celebrate the release of Garden of Her Heart. Here is the link: https://www.facebook.com/events/1387228264628190/
Excerpt: “Please, Miko? Would you at least consider marrying me?” She shook her head and tried to pull away from him, but he drew her closer, wrapping his arms around her and holding her. His breath tantalized her ear as he bent his head near hers. “Please?” “I can’t, Rock. I don’t want to be the cause of you missing out on the love of a lifetime.” She turned her head to the side and pressed it against his neck. Unintentionally, she heightened the yearning that already pulsed between them. Forcibly, he relaxed his hold on her. “Miko,” he whispered. “Look at me, sweetheart.” Unhurried, she tipped her head back, drawn into the bright warmth of his eyes. “Miko, if I didn’t want to marry you, I wouldn’t offer. I rather like the idea of spending my future with you. We have more going for us than many couples who wed. There is no doubt in my mind at all about your ability to be a good wife. Me, on the other hand…” His cocky grin brought an amused light to her eyes. “It might be challenging to be married to someone like me.” A smile curved her mouth upward and Rock tamped down the desire to kiss her again, even with the pastor watching their every move.
USA Today Bestselling Author Shanna Hatfield writes character-driven romances with relatable heroes and heroines. Her historical westerns have been described as “reminiscent of the era captured by Bonanza and The Virginian” while her contemporary works have been called “laugh-out-loud funny, and a little heart-pumping sexy without being explicit in any way.” Convinced everyone deserves a happy ending, this hopeless romantic is out to make it happen, one story at a time. When she isn’t writing or indulging in chocolate (dark and decadent, please), Shanna hangs out with her husband, lovingly known as Captain Cavedweller.
Find Shanna’s books at: Amazon | Amazon UK | Barnes & Noble | Smashwords | Apple | Audible
Shanna loves to hear from readers. Follow her online at: ShannaHatfield | Facebook | Newsletter | Pinterest | Goodreads | You Tube | Twitter
One of the highlights of my recent trip to Hong Kong was the afternoon I spent at Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden. Located outside the city in the New Territories area, the peace and quiet of this beautiful setting was a wonderful change from the hustle and noise of the metropolis.
For anyone who might want to visit, you’ll need to take the light blue MTR line to Tai Po Market. (I was staying at Fo Tan, so it was pretty convenient.) From the Tai Po Market station, take exit 1A and go to the bus area (don’t worry, it’s clearly marked). Take bus 64K to Kadoorie Farm.
The bus I was on did not announce the different stops, so you have to pay close attention, but it will be about a half-hour ride. This is how Kadoorie Farm looks from across the street. (It will be on your left as you drive up.) There is a sign, but it’s a little beyond the main building, so you may not see it from the bus.
This is the view from the same spot as above, looking after the bus as it continues on its way. Note the hard-to-read Kadoorie Farm sign just to the left of the bus, by the cyclists. If you’re close enough to read it, you’ve probably already missed the stop!
Kadoorie Farm was well worth it. I only had two hours to spend there, since I had a flight to catch that evening, but I managed to see most of what I would have wanted to anyway.
I spent most of my time walking around the grounds, enjoying the trees and flowers and a small stream. Apparently there was a longer hiking trail up to the top of a nearby slope (with a wonderful view), but I didn’t see it and didn’t have time anyway. If I ever go back, I’d like to do that hike.
I have no idea what this dragon thing was doing on its little platform in the trees!
This mountain boar is among dozens of animals (or maybe a couple hundred?) that call Kadoorie Farm home. Most were rescued from the illegal wildlife trade.
Hong Kong had just been experiencing a cold spell, so some animals were temporarily lodged in warmer quarters.
Informative (and sometimes interactive) displays accompanied most of the exhibits.
Indoor areas housed special exhibits of small reptiles and amphibians.
Several Chinese water dragons had a pretty comfy life there.
There was also a little building for fish and river-related displays.
Kadoorie Farm places great emphasis on ecology and protecting the environment.
Larger reptiles lived in outdoor enclosures. It was fun seeing some different species hanging out together!
There were several aviaries hosting a variety of birds, like this kite.
In a different enclosure, this cockatoo saw me walking by and came over to say hello (literally).
I could tell this mynah bird had also been somebody’s pet. He was very friendly and wanted my attention!
I really enjoyed the insect display. It was quite educational (and not too creepy!).
I don’t recall actually seeing any butterflies (it may have been too cold for them), but this display board was interesting.
There were several little deer in an enclosure there. They didn’t want to stand still and pose for pictures, though!
I enjoyed the areas where guests could just walk through and see animals in a (sort of) natural habitat, as opposed to behind bars or glass.
They had a scenic pond habitat that housed a number of varieties of small wildlife.
I think the little waterfall was manmade, but it was still pretty!
Some animals at Kadoorie Farm were gifts from other countries.
These flamingoes, for example, were sent over from the Bahamas.
Kadoorie has its own little cafe on the premises.
Everything on the menu is vegetarian and fairly healthy (but tasty)! Prices are reasonable, too.
I heard the red rice with veggies in curry sauce (option B below) was really good. I had eaten a late breakfast and wasn’t hungry enough for a full meal, though.
I ended up ordering the mushroom soup with garlic toast and a cup of hot citron tea. Tasty and satisfying on a chilly day!
All in all, my afternoon at Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden was time very well spent. It would make a great school field trip (for any grade) or family outing. Young kids would love it (and I saw plenty of them having a great time there), but as an adult, I loved it too. With admission costing only 30 Hong Kong Dollars (with discounts for kids, the elderly, and groups), it was more than worth it.
Highly recommended for everyone!
This is Not a Werewolf Storyby Sandra EvansMiddle Grade Fantasy
Hardcover & ebook, 352 pages
July 26th 2016 by Atheneum Books for Young Readers
This is the story of Raul, a boy of few words, fewer friends, and almost no family. He is a loner—but he isn’t lonely. All week long he looks after the younger boys at One Of Our Kind Boarding School while dodging the barbs of terrible Tuffman, the jerk of a gym teacher.
Like every other kid in the world, he longs for Fridays, but not for the usual reasons. As soon as the other students go home for the weekend, Raul makes his way to a lighthouse deep in the heart of the woods. There he waits for sunset—and the mysterious, marvelous phenomenon that allows him to go home, too. But the woods have secrets . . . and so does Raul. When a new kid arrives at school, they may not stay secret for long.
Sandra Evans is a writer and teacher from the Pacific Northwest. Her forthcoming middle grade novel, This is Not a Werewolf Story (Simon & Schuster July 2016), was inspired by her favorite 12th century French tale, Bisclavret, by Marie de France. Born in Washington state, Sandra spent her childhood on U.S. Navy bases from Florida to Hawaii, and returned to the Northwest as a teenager. Since then, she has lived and traveled in France and Europe, but has never strayed far for long from the Puget Sound region.
Tour Giveaway
A hardcover copy of THIS IS NOT A WEREWOLF STORY by Sandra Evans plus Swag
Open internationally
Ends December 16th
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Welcome to Realm Explorers! In this weekly series, we visit a variety of unique worlds created by talented science fiction and fantasy authors. Enjoy your travels! And don’t forget to read to the bottom of the post to find out more about each author and see how to purchase the featured book.
Author’s name: Jennifer Silverwood
Title of book and/or series:
Scarred Beauty, Volume 2 of the Wylder Tales Series
Brief summary of the story:
The classic fairy tale of Beauty and the Beast is retold in a Gothic setting where nothing is exactly as it seems and the heroine must be her own hero. In this sequel to Craving Beauty, Vynasha has become prisoner with the other wyld beasts of the castle, but she is not alone. As she discovers the true nature of the other beasts, she learns she must embrace madness to free them all. Vynasha is willing to do anything to end the curse, even if that means transforming into a monster.
Scarred Beauty
Vynasha has become prisoner with the other wyld beasts of the castle, but she is not alone. In the howling darkness her majikal bond with the Dungeon Master, Grendall grows, awakening the dormant power in her blood.
Yet as she discovers the true nature of the other beasts, she learns she must embrace madness in order to free them all. Vynasha is willing to do anything to end the curse, even if that means transforming into a monster.
Burried secrets come to light in this seductive sequel to Craving Beauty, the Gothic retelling of the classic fairy tale of Beauty and the Beast, where nothing is exactly as it seems and the heroine must be her own hero.
Goodreads│Amazon│Barnes & Noble│Smashwords
Other Books in the Series
Craving Beauty
Vynasha has spent the last four years tending her mother’s roses and looking after her nephew. The fire that killed their family has left her scarred and put Wyll on the brink of death. Soon the first frost will come down from the mountains and she knows this winter will be his last.
Until a strange beggar appears on the road, telling her of the majikal Source that can heal her Wyll. With nothing left to lose, Vynasha braves the forbidden Wylder Mountains to seek out a cure and her fate.
A lost kingdom is uncovered by an equally lost girl, but the castle is not abandoned as she believes. Shadows cloaking unseen eyes watch. Tapestries whisper from the hidden corners, wondering if the one to break their curse has come. And a hungry beast waits, ready to devour her soul.
Goodreads│Amazon│Barnes & Noble│Book Depository
Wolfsbane’s Daughter
Wolfsbane and his daughter Resha are on a never ending quest in the Wylder Mountains, to wipe out the wolves who destroyed their village. Before their enemies stole everything she loved, Resha cared for little beyond learning how to be a hunter. After, she learned a hunter must be prepared to fight as well as flee. Now she cares for nothing but revenge.
Until she discovers two majikal humans half frozen in the forest. Resha has a choice, to follow her instincts and leave the strangers to the wolves, or save them. Yet the enemy is on the prowl and there is little time for Wolfsbane’s daughter to find safe haven before they are discovered.
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Brief description of the world or location you created for this story:
Vynasha and her family lived in a mountain village called Whistleande, all that remains of a tiny and forgotten kingdom bordering the Wylderlands. Vynasha’s world is almost a reflection of our own, possibly a glimpse into a not too distant past. Her journey takes her into the forbidden Wylder Mountains, a place where nothing but danger and legends roam, they say. What Vynasha finds is a lost realm of cursed beasts and kingdoms.
Book Trailer for Scarred Beauty
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFJ5YYHlHxc]
If we were to visit the Wylderlands as tourists, what would you recommend that we see or do there?
The Wylderlands is not a destination for the faint of heart. Only the bravest should dare venture here, perhaps with a healthy touch of madness. However, with the right tour guide, there are sights unparalleled to be found. From the enchanted Silver Wood you can follow the river north to the Lost Diamond Caves. Travelers beware, these waters tend to have nasty side effects. Or perhaps you prefer a more leisurely route, take the old road through the pass and to the Lost City, where a beastly Prince dwells.
What dangers should we avoid in the Wylderlands?
A pack of hungry wolves prowl these mountains, though rumor has it these ancient protectors are not ordinary beasts. As fearsome as they are, even stranger creatures roam the darkest parts of the forest. Best not to travel alone, or at night, unless you happen to already be a nocturnal beasty.
Is there a distinct or unusual type of food or meal that we might be served?
Enchantments in the forest lure in unwary travelers, pulling you closer to the lost city and the Beast that rules there. Should you find yourself in his company, he may offer you such strange foods as gooseberry juice served with powkre roast and other sinfully delicious dishes. Best to sample the charla too, and don’t worry about pronunciation. These delicacies are not to be found outside Wylderland.
What types of weaponry or fighting styles are common there?
Daggers are a favorite weapon, though swords and other steel of the hack and slash variety is welcome. However, the preferred weapon of choice in Wylderland is tooth and claw.
What types of vehicles, animals, technology, etc. are used to travel in or to the Wylderlands? Travel is made almost entirely by foot, or paw. No beasts of burden have survived so far north, not with so many apex predators on the prowl. Once upon a time, the people used horse drawn carts. Now the only carts drawn are by what people remain. As most humans have fled their homes, their love for invention and things that tick have also dimmed. Surviving the harsh winters and harsher neighbors has become paramount. Centuries trapped under a curse that likes to lure in maidens and turn them into monsters does put a damper on progress.
What is the political or government structure? Who is in charge there at the moment, and what kind of leader is he/she?
The wolves who protect the valley and land bordering the Lost City keep their own rules. They watch over the forgotten folk in their village. Once, the Prince’s father ruled the land from the Lost City. His increasing fear of majik drove him to madness and a purge of the majikal people under his rule. The protectors fought him, but they were losing the war until the Prince’s mother, a Fayere enchantress cursed the land. Her curse would drive all simple folk into beasts, or twisted versions of themselves. The Prince now rules over his crumbling castle, as much a prisoner as the fading spirits within. So now it is the curse which truly rules the people of Wylderland, until the prophesied one comes to free them.
Are there any other unique cultural practices that we should be aware of if we visit?
Depending on your choice host, (and truly there are only three options here) you may be required to either hunt for your food while running for your life, read forbidden spell books while avoiding the wolves in your village or dining while dressed in velvets and fine jewels with a courtly Prince.
Has anything in your actual life inspired the locations, cultures, etc. in your book?
I spent some time in Romania, particularly Transylvania and the beauty of this country left its stamp on me. Some places seem more magical than others, they leave a mark. The Carpathian Mountains slope and tower overhead and are covered by a forest of gorgeous trees. On the roads winding through, you came across villages and passed by horse and carts piled with hay. The land captivated me, especially the old tales about wolves coming down from the mountains in winter to steal sheep, like something out of a fairy tale. Much of the atmosphere and mystery I felt in that place is in the Wylder Tales Series.
What, if any, “hot-button” or controversial topics do you touch on in your book?
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This is not your average Beauty meets and falls in love with her Beast. Sometimes the heroine must be her own hero. In our heroine, Vynasha’s case, she was already scarred before she was lured to the Beast’s clutches. And while she may indeed love him, she has chosen to take matters into her own hands. No “hot-button” topics here in todays’ modern era. Just a tale old as time about a scarred girl who learns ugliness is a matter of perspective, and that it’s okay to embrace her inner monster to rescue the ones she loves.
Author Biography:Jennifer Silverwood was raised deep in the heart of Texas and has been spinning yarns a mile high since childhood. In her spare time she reads and writes and tries to sustain her wanderlust, whether it’s the Carpathian Mountains in Transylvania, the highlands of Ecuador or a road trip to the next town. Always on the lookout for her next adventure, in print or reality, she dreams of one day proving to the masses that everything really is better in Texas. She is the author of the Heaven’s Edge series, Stay and Silver Hollow.
Website│Blog│Goodreads│Facebook│Twitter│Tumblr
Other Books by the Author
Do you create fanart?
Jennifer is offering extra entries on her tour giveaway and a special giveaway
during the Twitter Chat to one lucky artist! Post your fanart and share with
Jennifer on social media (@JennSilverwood on Twitter and Tumblr and
silverwoodj on Facebook). Look for inspiration and see her posts on Tumblr.
Tour Schedule
December 1st: Launch
December 2nd: Magic & Machines & Nicole’s Book Musings
December 4th: Wishful Endings & Falling Leaves
December 5th: Letters from Annie Douglass Lima & fuonlyknew
December 6th: The Silver Dagger Scriptorium & Bloggin’ & Writing
December 7th: Mel’s Shelves & Book Butterfly in Dreamland
December 8th: Grand Finale
December 9th: Twitter Chat 8-9 PM ET #ScarredBeauty
Tour Giveaway
3 winners to receive ebooks of all three books in A Wylder Tales: Craving Beauty, Wolfsbane’s Daughter, and Scarred Beauty (extra swag to US winners)
Open internationally
Ends December 12th
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It isn’t easy to create a really good book cover, and if you aren’t the artistic type, it’s probably not worth trying to design your own. But here are some resources that may help, whether you’re making your own or simply giving instructions to the artist you’ve chosen.
Should you even try to make your own book cover? This post by June Stevens Westerfield may help you decide.
Next, you may want to take a look at Amazon’s criteria for Kindle book covers and paperback book covers to make sure that yours will meet the requirements.
Author Tamie Dearen has compiled a list of sites where you can find free images to use in book covers or other designs.
My Book Cave has a two-part series on book cover design. Part 1 is about picking the right image, and part 2 deals with setting up your file and image.
Author Bruce Fotler has a great article about his “book cover blunders“, with mistakes for newbie cover designers to avoid. He includes links to other helpful cover-related sites.
YouTuber Derek Murphy has a video about 7 must-have qualities for a book cover that sells. Make sure to check out his link under the video if you want more video options about cover creation.
The same Derek Murphy also has a useful list of specific fonts that work well on book covers, organized by genre.
Perry Elisabeth has a great blog post about those fonts and how to use (and not overuse) them on covers.
And, Derek Murphy has an article listing cover design “secrets” that can be used to “manipulate” people into buying books.
Starla Huchton, herself a cover designer, has a great article with some quick tips for cover design.
She’s also written an article about the costs of a good cover, and how to end up with an affordable one.
Canva is a great site on which you can create your own cover for free.
These people give instructions for how to create a cover using Microsoft Word or Photoshop.
Want to get elaborate? Here is Derk Muphy’s explanation of how to create an animated (gif) cover for your ebook!
Want to put several books together into a boxed set, but unsure how to make your existing cover work for that? Lisa Shea explains how in this article. Indies Unlimited has another explanation of how to do it using Gimp.
Have you made a cover, but you’re wondering if it’s any good? The Rate My Kindle Cover site will let you upload it and get feedback (for free!) before you publish your book.
Have you made two or more variations on a cover, and you want opinions from your friends, family, or the fellow authors in your writing group on which one is better? Stephen Oram explains how to use a survey to choose.
This article, and the accompanying infographic, covers the topic of book cover design thoroughly (including what to do if you decide to work with a cover designer).
Finally, here are some book cover artists you can contact if you’re looking for someone to design the perfect cover for your own book. Note that some of them have specific styles or focus on specific genres, so you’ll want to choose carefully as you consider what will work best for your book – and of course your budget.
Affordable Book Covers and More
Blue Valley Author Services
Book Cover Bakery
C.K. Volnek
Cover Shot Creations
Damonza
Deranged Doctor Design
The Design in Your Mind
DogEared Design
E Kaiser Writes
Fury Cover Design
GoOnWrite
Indie Book Cover Sales and Design
Indie Cover Design
Indigo Forest Designs
Jennifer White
The July Group
Karmada Arts
Littera Designs
Magpie Designs
McCorkle Creations
Mythspinner Studios
Paper & Sage
Perry Elisabeth Design
Psalm 40 Publishing Services
Seedlings
Time Keeper Art
Tugboat Design
And if you’re planning to work with a cover artist, don’t miss Joel Friedlander’s tips, or Starla Huchton’s blog post on that topic.
I hope these tips are helpful! If you have any other cover artists to recommend, or if you know of any other useful articles on the topic of cover creation, please feel free to mention them in the comments! You’re welcome to share tips of your own, too.
Many authors agree that writing the back-cover blurb is the hardest part of writing a novel! Fortunately there are a lot of talented writers out there willing to share their expertise on the topic. Here are some useful resources that I hope will make the process a little less painful!
First, the synopsis. This is longer than a blurb, and most indie authors don’t have to write one very often. But if you’re trying to get the attention of an agent or publisher, you will probably need a synopsis. Krystine Kercher has a useful article about how to create one. Suzanne Purvis has a good one, too, complete with examples. And Sarah Juckes’ article has practical, step-by-step instructions.
Next, a logline. As the folks at Writers Helping Writers explain, “a logline is a one- or two-sentence pitch that explains what your story is about in a way that makes listeners want to read it.” Some book promo sites ask for loglines, and they’re also useful when people who don’t have much time to sit and listen hear that you’ve written a book and ask you what it’s about. This article gives some great examples and talks about how to write good ones.
And now for the blurb. Here are some of my favorite resources:
The Fussy Librarian suggests techniques for how to write an “irresistible” blurb here.
Author Pauline Creeden has a 3-part blurb writing “clinic” on her blog. Part 1 lists 12 dos and don’ts. Part 2 explains how to write a tagline (similar to logline, but not the same). Part 3 explains what to do in a blurb if your book involves multiple genres and main characters.
Fix My Story talks about how to write an “incredible” blurb, complete with tagline, here.
Starla Huchton lists several types of blurbs and how to tackle each of them, on her blog.
Sophie Masson lists several elements, both optional and required, of a good blurb, here.
And now for the one I have personally found to be the most helpful. Author Libby Hawker has a fun and useful video about blurb writing here.
Some people suggest formatting parts of your blurb (e.g. with bold, italics, different sizes, or color) to make it really stand out on Amazon and other sites. Here are a few resources on that topic:
In this article, the Fix My Story folks talk about how to use simple HTML to format your description on Amazon.
Here on Kindlepreneuer, they will actually generate the HTML for you. All you have to do is paste in your blurb and format it with easy buttons such as you’d find in Microsoft Word.
Finally, for those familiar with HTML and knowledgeable enough to use it on their own, Amazon itself has a list of the HTML tags supported on their site.
I hope these resources are useful! And if you have links to others that you use, or would like to share your own suggestions about how to write a good blurb (or synopsis, logline, tagline, or anything similar), I’d love to hear about them in the comments!
Author Autobiography: Timothy Trimble is a published author of science fiction and fantasy, stories and novels. He has written non-fiction books for Wiley Publications, Microsoft Press, and over forty articles in print media publications. His Zegin’s Adventures stories are popular ebook and print releases on Amazon, and his latest full-length urban fantasy novel, Air Born (Sept. 2016, ebook & print) has received glowing five star reviews. Due the clamoring of fans, the latest focus of his attention is Air Storm, as the second book in the Air Born trilogy series. Timothy lives in the Pacific Northwest, where the prevalence of coffee shops and hiking trails contribute to his inspiration. His insightful, and sometimes humorous mumblings, can be followed via Twitter and his web site (see below).
Craving Beauty
Wolfsbane’s Daughter
What types of vehicles, animals, technology, etc. are used to travel in or to the Wylderlands?