Cover Reveal of Options by Abbi Glines

I am so excited to be participating in the cover reveal of Options by Abbi Glines.


Book description:

Two paths.

Two completely different roads.

Each one standing before me.

Each one holding a different destiny.

In life you're just supposed to choose one path.

In life you're not given the chance at choosing one specific future.

Until now.

Until me.

Why am I different? I don't know. But I'm going to see those roads and walk down each one. When it's over I'll know which one to choose because I'll know my - options.

Links:

Goodreads link: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15776693-options

Author's website: www.abbiglines.com

And now for the beautiful cover by Mooney Designs:

Cover Reveal of The Wild Ones by M. Leighton

I am excited to help my friend M. Leighton with her cover reveal of The Wild Ones.

Here is the blurb, it sounds like it is going to be a wonderful (and HOT) read!

The Wild Ones

Passion as hot as midnight in the South and love as wild as the horses they tame.

Camille “Cami” Hines is the darling daughter of the South’s champion thoroughbred breeder, Jack Hines. She has a pedigree that rivals some of her father’s best horses. Other than feeling a little suffocated at times, Cami thought she was pretty happy with her boyfriend, her life and her future.

But that was before she met Patrick Henley.

“Trick” blurs the lines between what Cami wants and what is expected of her. He’s considered the “help,” which is forbidden fruit as far as her father is concerned, not to mention that Trick would be fired if he ever laid a hand on her. And Trick needs his job. Desperately. His family depends on him.

The heart wants what the heart wants, though, and Trick and Cami are drawn to each other despite the obstacles. At least the ones they know of.

When Trick stumbles upon a note from his father, it triggers a series of revelations that could ruin what he and Cami have worked so hard to overcome. It turns out there’s more to Trick’s presence at the ranch than either of them knew, secrets that could tear them apart.

COMING AUGUST 1, 2012

You can add it TBR on GoodReads here http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15761241-the-wild-ones


And now for the cover...

Sample Sunday - Nissa: a contemporary fairy tale

Happy Sunday!

Here is a sample of one of my current WIP's. It is an Upper YA Contemporary Fantasy and I hope you enjoy this little snippet!

Nissa: a contemporary fairy tale

We walked onto the court and along the sidelines towards where the guys were. A few of Levi’s friends were still out shooting baskets, while two others were talking over by the bleachers. Levi was getting a drink of water. When he saw us he walked over to grab his bag.

As he walked he pulled the grey Nike t-shirt over his head, revealing a smattering of black tattoos that had been hidden under his shirt. I felt my mouth go dry and my throat start to close.

I’m afraid I may have whimpered a bit.

It was like a gift had been hidden from the world and now was revealed.

The black tattoos covered his upper arm and shoulder and spread out and over his chest. The design was basic and simple, but the effect it had on me was staggering.

When he reached us, his dark hair tousled with sweat beading up on his body, he used his t-shirt as a rag to wipe his face.

I didn’t notice that I was touching him until I saw the look on his face.

He stared down at me with a smile and chuckled.

My finger was tracing the design of the tattoo on his bicep. It seemed like I no longer had control of my emotions or my own body.

I jerked my hand away mumbling an apology. He just said, “No problem,” while Vicky looked at me like I had grown another head.

I was mortified.

Cover Reveal of Shift by Raine Thomas

I am so excited to be participating in the cover reveal of Shift, book two in the Firstborn Trilogy, by my good friend Raine Thomas.

Shift will be released on Friday, August 24, 2012. You can add Shift to your TBR on GoodReads here http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15748241-shift

Here is the beautiful cover:



Blurb for SHIFT by Raine Thomas

Having the ability to shapeshift, Sophia is familiar with change. But even she feels the rising tension in her homeland.

A shadowy male and deadly beast reside in their midst. The births of the newest Kynzesti loom. Hostile Mercesti continue to hunt for the Elder Scroll, and a traumatized female is too afraid to use her abilities to stop them.

Topping off Sophia’s stress is Quincy, the male she’s convinced can’t stand her. She rues the loss of their friendship, but can’t figure out how to move past it. She’ll soon learn, however, that mending that rift bears more significance than she ever imagined.

The search for the Elder Scroll takes on unexpected urgency, and Sophia finds herself in a race across the mainland. To stop the Mercesti led by Eirik, she and her companions must get past their differences and unite against them. If they don’t, Eirik will acquire the immense power he seeks, and two of the beings Sophia loves most will die.

Cover Reveal of Traitor by Megan Curd

I am participating in the TRAITOR (Bridger #2) by Megan Curd new cover reveal,and I have to say, it's another beautiful cover by Mooney Designs.

Enjoy!

Cover Art: Mooney Designs

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13350871-traitor

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Traitor-Bridger-2-Megan-Curd/dp/1475080557/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1341954640&sr=8-1&keywords=traitor+megan+curd


Author Links:
Website: http://www.megancurd.com/
Twitter: @MeganCurd, https://twitter.com/megancurd
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Megan-Curd/212200835483198

Book description:

Ashlyn never believed in fairy tales until she was in one.

They say ignorance is bliss, but not when you're on a centuries old hit list...and there's a traitor in your midst.

Ashlyn must decide what's most important: trusting the allies she has, or siding with those she thought were enemies. Ashlyn knows old friends can turn on her, and unlikely allies may be the best chance she has to piece her family back together. No matter what her choice, she could lose someone she loves.

And when you don't know who to trust, believe one thing: You can never trust a faerie.

10 things about me and 10 awesome tweeps

TALL CUP O’ SUNSHINE AWARD

step 1: honor the nominator

step 2: 10 things about self

step 3: nominate 10 others


I have to say a BIG Thank You! to Stevie McCoy for nominating me for the Tall Cup O' Sunshine Award. If you don't know Stevie, you're missing out on a great person, wonderful writer, and Queen of Tuesday Tales.

You can check out her blog at http://glitterword.wordpress.com/ and follow her on twitter @Theglitterlady

10 Things About Me

1. I like beer. Really... I like it a lot! All brands and flavors. My favorite is a combo, the Black & Tan.

2. I have five kids. Two of them are my step kids, but I have helped raise them since they were 2 & 4, and they are now 14 & 16. My step daughter lives with us, so we have four kids on a daily basis. They are 16, 14, 14, 9, and 4 years old.

3. I have been in the Air Force for a combined total of 14 years (in Aug). I got out of the Air Force for 2 1/2 years and came back in.

4. While I was out of the Air Force, I managed restaurants in Las Vegas. I worked in two restaurants in The Mirage and at The Buffet at Wynn Las Vegas. Being a restaurant manager in Las Vegas is no bueno.

5. I am an only child. When I was a kid I used to pretend that I had a twin sister named Stephanie, and I was Stephanie.

6. I made up stories when I was in third grade that scared my friend so much, that I was no longer allowed to spend the night at their house.

7. I am getting really compulsive about checking Twitter and ReTweeting people. It's a problem.

8. I was in love with River Phoenix and his death still devastates me.

9. Traffic on the 405 makes me angry every day, but I write some of my best scenes while I'm stuck in it.

10. I love this community of writers, bloggers, and readers, more than I ever imagined I would.


My 10 Nominees

Raine Thomas @Raine_Thomas http://rainethomas.com/

Chelsea Fine @ChelseaFine http://www.chelseafinebooks.com/

Tiffany King @AuthorTiffany http://authortiffanyjking.blogspot.com/

Autumn @TheAutumnReview http://www.autumnreview.com/

Valerie @StuckInBooks http://stuckinbooks.com/

Jessica Therrien @JessicaTherrien http://www.jessicatherrien.com/

Rachel Harris @RachelHarrisYA http://www.rachelharriswrites.com/blog

Andrea Thompson @BookishAndrea http://www.thebookishbabes.blogspot.com/

Tameri Etherton @TameriEtherton http://tamerietherton.com/

Laura Howard @LauraHoward78 http://www.laurahoward78.blogspot.com/

Go forth and spread the sunshine...

Self Confidence

I wrote this a few months back for a guest post on The Writer's Voice, but feel that it is relevant to conversations I have been having with a lot of other writer's recently, so I wanted to share it again, here.

Confidence… it will come!

Hello, I’m Bethany Lopez, and I’m a writer.

I didn’t always believe that I’d be able to make that statement. Yes, I have always loved to write, and English was my favorite subject in school, but my self-confidence was not always there.

I was the quiet girl in school, at least to the majority of students… the people that did not know me. To my friends, however, I was loud, crazy, and always ready to crack a joke. It took a lot for me to be able to open up to others. I moved around a lot growing up and was constantly having to make new friends. I was very aware of being the new girl, or the odd one out, and that had a lot to do with the way I presented myself to others. I had a huge fear of rejection, and that played a big part in my disbelief that I could ever be a writer.

When I was in high school, I loved getting the opportunity to write for my classes. I tried writing a few stories, which I still have in the garage, but I never believed they were good enough. I would write a story for a while, but eventually would just give up.

It took years before I started to build confidence. As I started meeting more of my personal and professional goals, like earning my first degree, raising kids, and getting promoted at work, my confidence began to build. As I began to mature, I started to approach every new person I met as if we were already friends. It helped me to be myself from the first meeting and break the ice.

Being self-confident doesn’t mean that it isn’t hard to put a book that I have created out for the world to see. There are always going to be people who don’t like it or don’t get it, but I’m better able to overcome those feelings and not take it personally. I have learned to focus on the positive and embrace the community of writers around me.

The point that I want to make is that no matter how hard things seem… they will always get better. Other people’s opinions can hurt, but the only opinions that matter are those of the people that know and love you for who you are!

Lisa Burstein's Awesome Giveaway

Check out this great giveaway going on at Lisa Burstein's website, follow the link below to enter the Rafflecopter giveaway.

http://lisaburstein.com/Contests_.html

From Lisa Burstein's website:

Contests!


"I will be giving away 3!!! 3 chapter critiques 1 from my EDITOR(!!!) 1 from my AGENT(!!!) & 1 from ME. Any genre, not just YA!
&
A $25 gift card for Amazon or Barnes and Noble.

All you have to do is complete any of the requirements below to be entered!

I do realize that chapters are only half the battle when you are trying to get noticed by an agent or editor, so if you *WIN* one of the chapter critiques and had a purchase for a paperback or E-book of PRETTY AMY as one of your entries you will also get a QUERY CRITIQUE!!!


Why would you want to win a critique from my editor?

Because it is Stacy Cantor Abrams! Editorial Director at Entangled publishing with 10 years experience in the publishing industry. Plus she's awesome and super smart!

Why would you want to win a critique from my agent?
Because it is Susan Finesman! She began scouting books, plays and narrative non-fiction for Tri-Star Pictures in 1986. Five years later, she moved on to SAVOY Pictures followed by a long and award winning stint at HOME BOX OFFICE where highlights included an Emmy. Plus she has a great eye and provides amazing feedback- amazing enough to get my book published!

Why would you want to win a critique from me?

Um, I have been through the paces of an MFA program, managed to snag an agent and 2 publishing contracts! (I hope that means it looks like I know what I'm doing)

Why would you want to win a Amazon or Barnes & Noble gift card?

Because you love to read, obvs.!




If you've already done any of the things below you do not have to complete them again, just click the entries and follow the rules below to make sure you're entered! This is open internationally!!!!"

New Website

Happy 4th of July! I have been thinking about building a new website for months now, and today, I've finally done it! The site I was using didn't have all of the features that I wanted, and I had many people recommend Blogger to me, so I decided to give it a try. I have converted many of the files that I had on my old site here, as well as reposting a few of my favorite posts, so they wouldn't be lost forever. I appreciate any input or suggestions you have to make this site more user friendly! Enjoy!

What do you do when you doubt your ability as a writer?

As a writer, I often doubt my ability. I started writing as a child and have always loved to create characters and scenes. I didn't start writing my series until Oct 2010, and have only been self-published and in the writing community since last June. Because of my inexperience, or maybe just because I am human, I sometimes wonder if I have talent or the strength to make it as a writer. Luckily, over the past year I have made a network of friends that I can turn to when I doubt myself. And when I reach out to them, I find out that I am not alone... And neither are you! Social networking provides a great way for writers to connect with each other, bloggers, and readers, and if you are not using it, you are really missing out! I have met amazing people and thoroughly enjoy the relationships I have built. Most of the people I have never met, and probably never will, but I can contact them when I need help and they are always there for me. I call them my BTF's, Best Twitter Friends. :) The one thing you have to realize is that building your network isn't easy and it doesn't happen overnight. As I said, it has taken me a year to get where I am now, and I am still learning. You always have to "pay it forward". You have to be willing to market not just yourself and your books, but those in your network as well. Not only should you follow writers, bloggers, readers, etc... on Twitter, but on Pinterest, Linkedin, Tumblr, Facebook, and the list goes on. Look around and see what sites you enjoy and what works for you. Join some writing groups on Facebook, check out the World Literary Cafe, or the Independent Author Network... there are many groups out there to offer support. Sometimes you get lucky, and there are other writers close enough to you that you can meet up for lunch. I was lucky enough to have that happen this weekend, and it was a wonderful experience! I met up with authors Sheri Fink and Jessica Therrien, both of whom I attended the Southern California Writers Conference with in Feb, and we had a wonderful lunch together. We discussed our writing, marketing, and our lives with each other. It was great to meet with like-minded people and discuss what we love... Writing. I left that lunch energized and motivated to work! I highly recommend it. The bottom line is that we all have doubts, and worry that we aren't doing everything we can to continue doing what we love, but never forget that there is an entire community of people here, ready to assist you when you need it!

Cover Reveal for Ciao

I am really excited to reveal the cover for book three in the Stories about Melissa series, Ciao. I hope you like the cover! I am using a picture that I took myself, and I have to thank my sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Christy and Joe for posing for me. I really enjoyed our "photo shoot". I would also like to thank all of the wonderful people that are helping me with my launch today. Your support means so much to me. Here are their Twitter handles, please follow them... You won't regret it! @CorinneOFlynn @Raine_Thomas @beingbold @Sheri_Fink @ChristieDarling @JessicaTherrien @JeanneBannon @mpax1 @Angela_Peart @JCMartin_author @Heyitsfishy @RachelMorgan13 @theautumnreview @lynalmodovar @fuentes_kate1 Ciao will release on Aug 15, 2012, and I will be doing Blog Tours with YABound and Charisma Media.

Update on Ciao

I just wanted to let you know that the first draft of Ciao is done! I have completed and sent it off to, not only the people I usually have review my books, but two new Beta Readers as well. I am really excited about the latest book in the Stories about Melissa series, and hope that it will be the best one yet! While everyone is reviewing the rough draft, I am busy working on the cover for Ciao. I am doing things a little differently with the cover this time as well. I am using a picture that I took for the cover! I had a great time taking shots based on scenes from the book and think we came up with something great! I will launch the cover on June 13th, so please be on the lookout for it! Since the book was completed a head of schedule, even with the edits that will have to be made, it looks like it will be released a full month early, in August this year. I can't wait! In the meantime, Here is the synopsis for Ciao: Melissa has had a fantastic summer hanging out with her friends and making new ones. Life as she knows it will change when they all come together to begin their sophomore year at Dearborn High. Connections will be made and friendships will be tested. Will Melissa’s family and friends be able to help her through the challenges she will face in the upcoming months? And here is a look at two new characters being introduced in Ciao, Cassie and Giovanni.

Recap of the Southern California Writer's Conference in San Diego 2012

When my husband gave me the trip to the Southern California Writer’s Conference (SCWC) in San Diego for Christmas, I was thrilled! As the dates got closer, I became very excited and very nervous. I had signed up for two Advance Submissions, which means that I sent in the first fifteen pages of one of my books and an Agent and/or Editor would review it and then sit down for a one-on-one with me and give me a critique. I was ready for the workshops and to network with the other attendees, but the Advance Submissions scared me to death. What if they laughed in my face? What if they told me I was wasting my time? These were the thoughts running through my head on that three hour drive to San Diego. I arrived early and surveyed the property, to get comfortable in my surroundings. I went and had some lunch and headed towards registration at 11:59 am. I started with the Publishing Now workshop with Lynn Price, followed by Rewriting Novels with Jean Jenkins, and Killer Queries & Snappy Synopses with Maralys Wills. I learned a lot on this first day of workshops, but was so nervous that I sent my husband a text, wondering what I had been thinking coming here. There is no way I was as talented and capable as these people. He basically told me to put my big girl pants on and get involved… so I did. By the mixer that evening, I had met some other newbies to the conference and we kicked off the evening with an adult beverage and learned more about each other. We went into the ballroom for the Welcome from Michael Steven Gregory and Wes Albers. They were entertaining and funny, and it was obvious to me that they truly cared about this conference and all who attend. I stayed for the evening speaker, Frederick Ramsay, and then I attended my first Rogue Workshop. The Rogue Workshops are headed by Author’s. Each attendee brings pages of the stories they are working on and get the chance to read them aloud and have everyone in the room give them feedback. That first night I just watched and listened. The wonderful Laura Taylor was running the Rogue Workshop I attended, and it was a joy to listen to her read the passages aloud. It was such a safe and productive environment, that I decided I would return the next night and have my work critiqued. After about six hours of sleep, I awoke ready for a full day of workshops. My doubts from the day before were gone and I was eager to see what the day would bring. I started the morning with Charmaine Hammond, the morning speaker. Next, I decided on Creative Intelligence for Creative Age with Orna Ross. This ended up being a wonderful workshop and I was so pleased that I had chosen to attend. When I came downstairs, I saw a familiar face setting up in the lobby. I had never met Jessica Therrien in person, but we were in the same group in the Writer’s Campaign Challenge last fall. She posted about her attendance of the SCWC in Newport Beach and I asked her what she thought of it and if she thought it was worth attending, because I was thinking about attending SCWC San Diego. When she had attended SCWC San Diego in 2011, she had an Advance Submission with Zova Books and they had offered her a contract. She was setting up at this year’s conference with her paperback, oppression, available and on sale for the attendees. So, obviously, when I asked if she thought it was worth attending, she had raved about the conference, so I decided to give it a try. After a short visit with Jessica I attended The Truth is in the Detail with Judy Reeves and finally Pitch Witches with Marla Miller and Jennifer Silva Redmond. The workshop with Miller and Redmond was a lot of fun and very helpful. They play off of each other very well and offered us fantastic advice about perfecting the elevator pitch. My next stop was the Agent Panel. There were five Agents in attendance and they answered questions from the group. Having never met an Agent in person before, I found this panel very informative, but I knew my first one-on-one was coming up next, so I was having a hard time concentrating. I listed to Kathleen Rushall’s answers and tried to get an idea of what she looked for in a writer. She is the Agent that I was about to meet up with. We sat down to go over my critique and she was really very nice, not the mean and judgmental person I had been expecting. She gave me tips and advice and was very easy to converse with. I survived my first one-on-one. That night we enjoyed a banquet and our evening speaker was T. Jefferson Parker. My nerves started dancing again, because next on the agenda was the Rogue Workshop with Laura Taylor. I decided not to submit the same work I had submitted for my Advance Submission. I was getting feedback on my Contemporary YA Series, and I had brought pages from a different manuscript with me, just in case. I wanted to find out if I had a good idea and should continue to work on this other novel. It is still YA, but fantasy, and out of the comfort zone I have established over the past couple years. I gave the pages to Laura, and I could feel my face flush in embarrassment as she read my words aloud. I would survey the room periodically, to get a feel of the audience and then glance back down at my hands. When she was finished, the feedback I received was lovely. They liked my idea, said it is original, and gave me some suggestions on how to make it better. I left feeling elated! After about six hours of sleep, I awoke ready to take on the day. I sat and listened to the morning speaker, Cathy Lebenski, and then I headed to the Alliance of Independent Authors workshop, with Orna Ross. Finally, it was time for my second one-on-one, this time with Editor and Author Deborah Halverson. I learned a lot from Deborah. She gave me a typed out page with her recommendations, so that I could take it with me and review it as needed. I found her to be wonderfully approachable and relatable and I am so grateful that she took the time to give me such constructive feedback. Next, I attended Self-Editing 101 with Linda Thomas-Sundstrom, before meeting back up with Deborah Halverson for her Writing for Teens workshop. This workshop was the one most suited to my genre and I really enjoyed learning from Deborah. Finally, I attended my final workshop, The Social Creative: Embracing & Building Online Community, with Justine Musk. I went to enjoy the afternoon speaker, Wes Albers, and learned about his road to publishing, before finishing the Conference with the SCWC Awards and the closing by Michael Steven Gregory and Wes Albers. For my last night, I decided to forego the Rogue Workshop, and meet up with the “veteran”attendees at the bar. I spent the evening getting to know Marla Druzgal, Tameri Etherton, Gayle Carline, Claudia Whitsitt, Rick and Linda Ochocki, Judi Heidel, Jennifer Carlevatti Aderhold, Heather Gerard Barnes, and even spent some time speaking with Wes Albers and Michael Steven Gregory. After about six hours of sleep, I packed up and started the drive home. I decided that I will continue writing and Self-Publishing my YA Series, therefore fulfilling my desire for instant gratification. And, over the next eleven months I will work on perfecting the manuscript for my YA Fantasy. Then, I will submit the pages for that manuscript for next year’s Advance Submissions and come back for another round of conferences, inspirational speeches and fellowship! I cannot wait! Now... I need to go take a nap!