.:. Updates .:.

It's been a while since we've done one of these catch-up sessions, so I thought now might be a good time—you know, since STRENGTH releases in a week and a half. (Panic, panic, panic!) Who's ready for some updates?

 

(I apologize for how release-centered most of these news items are. It's kind of consuming my life right now...)

1. The Strength blog tour schedule is posted here. If we're doing an interview, or if you're still deciding on which guest topic you'd like me to tackle, please contact me at your earliest convenience. :)

2. Speaking of the tour, you can find a preview of the giveaway on that very same page!

3. If you're not part of the tour, and you would still like to take part in the festivities, it's not too late to sign up for the Release Party/Post Blitz taking place on March 7th (Thursday). I'll heart you forever.

4. Also, if you're on Facebook and you're going to be online at all on March 7th, I'd love for you to join the Virtual Release Party. There's going to be a mini-giveaway (of swag) every hour!

5. Amazon and Barnes & Noble decided my paperback links were going to go live last week—two weeks early. I'm not even going to pretend that disappoints me, because hello, I get to cuddle hold my book!

6. The e-books, of course, won't go live until my release date. Feel free to pass the time by checking out the reader gallery. ♥

7. I'm doing a Friends & Family FAQ next week, so I'm compiling questions now. If you want to clear up any misconceptions about writing, books, or the industry, here's your chance. ;)

8. I'm scrambling to think of something else to put here, because I like things in increments of five

9. I love things that are shiny, like the Spectrum Tree at COSI (which has always been one of my favorite places one earth).

10. Oh! I know. Kelley Lynn's YA fantasy, Fraction of Stone, comes out two weeks after Strength. Get excited!

And there you have it. Ten critical news items with no filler whatsoever. *cough* Now, let's get to the good stuff.  

What have YOU been up to lately? :)

Have a great week, guys! ♥

2 Cover Reveals You Won't Want to Miss!

Have I ever mentioned how much I love cover reveals? There's something great about being able to shout, "Hey, look how cool my friends are!" on a semi-regular basis. It's one of the many things I love about this industry. :)

That's why I'm thrilled to share these two fantastic covers with you today. First up, we have the latest from our ninja captain!

CASSASTORM

Title: CASSASTORM

Author: Alex J. Cavanaugh

Publisher: Dancing Lemur Press

Genre: Science Fiction - Space Opera/Adventure
Release Date: September 17, 2013
Print ISBN: 9781939844002
E-book ISBN: 9781939844019

A storm gathers across the galaxy…

Byron thought he’d put the days of battle behind him. Commanding the Cassan base on Tgren, his only struggles are occasional rogue pirate raids and endless government bureaucracies. As a galaxy-wide war encroaches upon the desert planet, Byron’s ideal life is threatened and he’s caught between the Tgrens and the Cassans.

After enemy ships attack the desert planet, Byron discovers another battle within his own family. The declaration of war between all ten races triggers nightmares in his son, shaking Bassan to the core and threatening to destroy the boy’s mind.

Meanwhile the ancient alien ship is transmitting a code that might signal the end of all life in the galaxy. And the mysterious probe that almost destroyed Tgren twenty years ago could be on its way back. As his world begins to crumble, Byron suspects a connection. The storm is about to break, and Byron is caught in the middle…

BLOG  |  TWITTER  |  GOOGLE+  |  GOODREADS

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And now, a reveal from my newest pub sister!

IN TOO DEEP

Title: IN TOO DEEP
Author: Michelle Kemper Brownlow
Publisher: Sapphire Star Publishing
Category: New Adult
Genre: Contemporary
Release Date: September 17, 2013 

Gracie has just finished her freshman year of college in Memphis when she takes a job at a local pizza joint in her home town of McKenzie, Tennessee. She is the epitome of innocence when she meets Noah. Noah is unabashedly handsome, intriguingly reckless and just cocky enough to be sexy. Gracie’s instincts tell her to stay far away from him and based on the stories she hears from her co-workers he leaves broken hearts in his wake. But still, she can’t explain her fascination with him.

Noah puts aside his bad boy ways when what he thought was a summer crush has him unexpectedly falling in love. But soon after Gracie transfers to UT Knoxville to be with Noah, their unexpected love becomes riddled with anger, deceit and humiliation.

Jake, Noah’s former roommate and Gracie’s best friend, can no longer be a bystander. Gracie’s world falls out from beneath her and when she breaks she turns to Jake for strength. As Jake talks her through a decision she’s not yet strong enough to make, together they uncover a truth so ugly neither of them is prepared for its fallout. Will Jake pull her to the surface or is Gracie Jordan finally In Too Deep?

BLOG  |  TWITTER  |  FACEBOOK  |  GOODREADS

A Funny Publishing Story from Elizabeth Arroyo

Hey, guys! The fabulous Elizabeth Arroyo is over today, and she's going to share a funny story with you. ;)

Thanks for having me here Carrie! I'm so excited!

I racked my brain trying to think of a great publishing story, one filled with laughter and fun. But alas! My road to publication wasn't that funny. I cringed, I cried, I yelled, I danced, I cried some more. But after sifting through my submissions packet I found something that made me crack up. Yes. Crack up.

I'm glad I kept the email submission for a short story dated November 26, 2006. This was my first attempt at publication as an adult. Yes, an adult. Laugh at will.

Here's what I wrote.

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Dear Editor:


I've attached a copy of a short story for your review.

In all honesty, I have no idea what message to include in the email but--Enjoy! 


Respectfully,
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I learned this is really not the way to go when submitting your stories. Though the editor did respond with kind words and a detailed reason for rejection that did not include the writing of the cover letter.

Lesson learned: You can only get better.

About Elizabeth:

Elizabeth has worked in the community for the bulk of her professional career. She enjoys quiet moments, action flicks, and dancing with her four-year-old.  THE SECOND SIGN is her debut novel. You can find more information about Elizabeth at:

WEBSITE  |  BLOG  |  FACEBOOK  |  TWITTER  

About THE SECOND SIGN

Category: YA
Genre: Dark Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Sapphire Star Publishing

Bred to believe in the war between angels and demons, Gabby has come to the conclusion that love is responsible for war, jealousy, and all the other deadly sins she can think of. So when she’s exiled to the middle of nowhere for getting kicked out of her fifth school for fighting, she doesn’t expect to meet Jake. Much less fall in love. But Jake is quickly drawn to the eerie beauty of her violet eyes while Gabby is unsettled by their undeniable connection.

When a demon guardian comes to collect her soul, she refuses to give it up. She’s not a demon. She can’t be. Her father and twin brother are angels. The demon gives Gabby twenty-four hours to decide her allegiance, and then starts killing her short list of friends, leaving a message behind: She is the Second Sign.

As Gabby and Jake begin to unravel the mystery behind the Second Sign, she learns Jake may be the key to saving her soul. But it means a sacrifice has to be made that will change their lives forever.

AMAZON  |  BARNES & NOBLE 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Trailer:

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Have a great week, guys! :)

♥ My Top 10 Favorite Book Couples ♥

Just in time for the holiday^[1] of my people—and by my people, I mean marketers—here's a list of my favorite book couples:

Before you ask, I disqualified Rena & Wallace from this list. Author bias and all that. ;)

10. Augustus and Hazel from The Fault in Our Stars by John Green. They made me have feelings, and I'm not the type to have any. Darn you, John Green! (DFTBA.)

9. Four and Tris from Divergent by Veronica Roth. Romance is best tempered by action scenes. Solid couple.

8. Joe Morelli, Ranger, and Stephanie Plum from The Stephanie Plum Series by Janet Evanovich. Not a couple, per se, but these three have been in a triangle since the nineties. The nineties! Points for persistence.

7. Luc and Jane from See Jane Score by Rachel Gibson. This dysfunctional relationship is best summed up by a quote from Luc: “You make me want to suck a bruise on you just to kiss it better."

See what I mean?

6. St. Clair and Anna from Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins. Young, awkward love.  ♥

5. Connor and Claire from Finding Claire Fletcher by Lisa Regan. I know this is going to sound strange because of the book's subject matter, but Connor and Claire share a very Corinthians love. It protects, trusts, hopes, perseveres, etc. Good stuff.

4. Ty and Hannah from The Mistaken by Nancy S. Thompson. Their relationship is dark, gritty, and downright complicated—which is why I like it.

3. Maddox and Ashlyn from The Darkest Night by Gena Showalter. Maddox is possessed by the demon of violence, so it's hard for him to be around Ashlyn. It makes for some interesting scenes...

2. Jake and Emma from Violet Midnight by Lynn Rush. Teamwork personified. I love how much they trust and rely on each other.

1. Mark and Chelsea from Nothing But Trouble by Rachel Gibson. A bitter, injured hockey player and his cheery, pint-sized assistant play tug-of-war with their feelings. Ah, stubborn love.

Do you have a favorite book couple?

Have a great week, guys!  ♥

1. I know, I know. Valentine's Day is more than marketing. Here's some info on the holiday's history.
2. I'm reading Taking Charge by Mandy Baggot right now, and I love it. Cole & Robyn will have a place on my next list!

Cover Reveal: Destiny Gift by Juliana Haygert!

 Looking for my Overcoming Adversity post? Click here!

I'm so happy to share this cover reveal with you guys! Not only is Juliana one of my "sisters" over at the Alley, but she's a close friend. So, without further ado...

 

Title: Destiny Gift
Series: Everlast, #1

Category: New Adult

Genre: Paranormal Romance
Author: Juliana Haygert

Release Date:  April 9th, 2013

About the Book

Thirty years in the future, a sinister New York City exists in permanent darkness.

A student at the secured NYU, nineteen-year-old Nadine has visions of Victor Gianni, an imaginary guy she has real feelings for. Afraid of being truly insane, she explains the visions away as simple daydreams, but she can no longer deny them when she bumps into Victor in real life. But this Victor doesn’t know her, and turns her away. After the encounter, Nadine’s visions change to those of eerie fates, gods she’s never heard of, demons with sharp claws they are not too timid to use … and instructions.

To discover if she’s losing her mind, Nadine follows the vague directions—with the real, rude and reluctant Victor—leading to a man who knows it all: Nadine can restore an ancient creed by unveiling the clues on her visions, and bring sunlight and peace to the world again. But that’s only if the demons and the other evil forces behind the darkness don’t stop her first.

GOODREADS  |  GIVEAWAY

About the Author

While Juliana Haygert dreams of being Wonder Woman, Buffy, or a blood elf shadow priest, she settles for the less exciting—but equally gratifying—life of a wife, mother, and author. Thousands of miles away from her former home in Brazil, she now resides in Connecticut and spends her days writing about kick-ass heroines and the heroes who drive them crazy.

WEBSITE  |  GOODREADS  |  FACEBOOK  |  TWITTER

Overcoming Adversity Blogfest

Today, I'm participating in Nick Wilford's Overcoming Adversity blogfest. If you haven't already, please head over there to hear the story behind this event. Once it's over, Nick's going to compile all of the entries into an anthology to benefit his son's school fund. :)

The Rules:

• Write about overcoming adversity for something you believe in. ✓
• Please keep your (family-friendly) entry to 500 words. ✓ (442 words.)
• It can either be a flash fiction piece or an episode from your real life. Poetry is fine, too. ✓
• Please post on either February 4th or 5th. ✓

Years ago, I found myself in a dark place.

I'd done everything society expected of me—I went to college, graduated summa cum laude with a degree in marketing, and gained experience in the private sector—but none of that seemed to matter. The job market was in shambles, and I'd already lost two positions.  A sudden death in the family left me reeling. I didn't recover.

While the student loan collectors circled overhead, I bled my savings dry. There was no other way. I'd applied everywhere, gone on countless interviews, but always met the same excuses:

"We [never had any intention of hiring you and have] filled this position internally."

"Another [blood-related] candidate had more experience [with nepotism]."

"Unfortunately, we feel you're a little over-qualified [to clean the toilets in our fast food restaurant, and all of your dreams are dead]."

(I might have added some inferences there.)

Anyway, months turned into years, and I found myself dangerously close to the ledge. My friends were moving on with their lives—taking big city positions, getting married, and having babies—and I'd returned to my hometown a failure. The height of my fears had been realized.

When I wasn't researching companies in the obsessive, overly-ambitious manner I do most things, I spent my free time volunteering and writing. You probably know where this story is going now. I used those early WIPs as an escape and didn't think much of it—until I snapped. 

It happens. 

Anyway, that was about the time I decided to forge my own career. Why put so much pressure on myself to conform to what society called a safe, traditional path? I loved writing, and there was nothing stopping me from pursuing it on a professional level. 

So, I threw myself into research, gathering advice from every book, website, and blog I could find. It took a while to learn the ropes, but once I did, I felt the difference. Writing had become more than a hobby to me; I'd found my passion. Gone were the days of bitterness and apathy—for the most part. (I still hiss when I drive past places that wouldn't hire me, but that's beside the point.) My family was thrilled to have the old me back, and they wholeheartedly supported my decision to write. 

A few years have passed, and in that time, I've been blessed with a fantastic publisher, wonderful friends, and a place where I really belong. I'm hard at work on my next writing project, and to supplement my lack-of-income, I've been doing freelance graphic design. It might not be life-sustaining, but for now, it's enough.

I'm happy. :)

Have a great week, guys! ♥