Tag: kindle
INTENSITY NOW AVAILABLE!
Get the ebook or paperback on Amazon today!
Dreams Do Come True
I meant to write this blog post sooner, but the past week has been insane! Let me tell you why 😉
Exactly a week ago, I happened to peruse CAUGHT INSIDE’s Amazon page and received the biggest shock ever! My surf contemporary romance novel was sitting pretty at #6 on Amazon’s Sports Fiction Bestseller list!!!
I was amazed, in shock and just so utterly GRATEFUL. Immediately, I said a prayer of thanks. I felt so astounded that my little romance novel could even garner such an audience…
Then something even more amazing happened–
My book kept climbing! By the end of the afternoon my book was at #2! I was speechless and I’m not going to lie, I started to tear up. Saying another prayer of thanks, I sat back and just stared at the screen. Everything felt so surreal.
I think I speak for almost all writers when I say that it is a HUGE dream to become a bestseller of any kind. The elusive honor has been something I’ve dreamt about ever since I could remember. Suddenly, seeing the #2 by my book was nothing short of magical. It felt like that one scene in That Thing You Do when the Wonders first heard their song on the radio!
Wanna hear the best part? Caught Inside will now be turned into a series! Yes, my original standalone novel will have spin off installments (both that can be read as standalones). I am currently writing the second novel, LOCKED IN, as we speak.
This past week has been such a dream come true. Thank you all for believing in me, reading my books, and giving me a chance. I am truly appreciative of everything YOU have given to me. I am forever humbled and grateful.
And kiddos, that is why you should always follow your dreams. Amazing things are bound to happen…
PALACE HILLS NOW RELEASED!
My first novel with Limitless Publishing is now available on #e-book through Amazon, iTunes, Kobo and Barnes and Noble and #paperback at Amazon and Barnes and Noble. Add to your Goodreads Shelves today!
Today also marks the beginning of my book blitz! Follow me online and check out all the amazing blogs that are featuring Palace Hills 🙂 I will post the list of blogs later on today. Make sure to visit and drop some love to the awesome bloggers!
PLAN A: LYCAON’S KISS Teaser!!!
I shut my eyes tightly in an attempt to fall asleep when I heard what sounded like howling directly outside my window. I quickly sucked in my breath and curled up into a ball. I lived in the middle of a burgeoning city. There was no way any wolves would be conveniently roaming around…Right?
“It has to be a stray dog,” I whispered to myself. I shut my eyes tightly and tried my best to count some sheep, all the while keeping an ear peeled for any strange noises.
Just then a chorus of howls pierced the air. I gasped and opened my eyes wide as I listened to what sounded like a group of wild dogs preparing to ambush. Still shaking, I mustered up enough courage to push myself off the bed. I tiptoed toward the gap in the window and propped myself on a tiny TV Tray that was slowly becoming my dining area. Albeit tiny, the TV tray was sturdy enough to hold my hundred and fifteen pound frame. Placing one dirtied foot on top, I pushed myself up so that I was at eye-level with the sliver. I peeked outside and the first thing I noticed was the moon. It was nothing but a tiny thumbnail in the sky and could only mean that a good week and a half had passed since I was first taken in. I gulped and continued scanning what little area I could. I nearly crapped my pants when an aqua colored pupil popped up just inches away from mine.
My new Urban Fantasy novel, PLAN A: LYCAON’S KISS will be released on July 21st!!! (Exactly 1 year after my first novel, GREEN)
Since Summer has snuck up on me, I figured I’d give you a bit of a teaser. Take a look at Chapter 1!
I’m so excited to share it with you!!!
PLAN A: LYCAON’S KISS
Chapter 1
“What is this place?” I breathed nervously as I fingered a mobile made of what looked to be crystals. I shuddered as I glanced around. “This place is kind of weird.”
The room was decorated floor to ceiling in red, maroon and black colored velvet. To top things off, what I could only describe as chamber music wafted throughout the small room. It reminded me of those horror movies where a virgin was ruthlessly sacrificed. Needless to say, that didn’t spell well for me.
“Jen, what is this place?” I asked a bit more forcefully. I glanced over at my boyfriend. Even after two years together he still sent a wave of butterflies down to my stomach (and other regions). I took a moment to appreciate his classic “Clark Kent” good looks. Piercing blue eyes coupled with a dark mop of perfectly styled hair. Yes, I was one lucky girl…or so I thought.
“I told you to stop calling me that,” he snapped, never bothering to look up at me. The way he fidgeted made me feel a bit uncomfortable, but I chose to ignore the heaviness in my gut. So we were in a weird magic store, there was nothing to be worried about…right?
Jensen rolled his shoulders and muttered, “My name is too feminine as it is.”
I smirked and replied, “It’s a family name. I think people will forgive you.” I walked around the small shop, taking great lengths to avoid bumping into the various crystals, which seemed to be hung everywhere. I ran my hand carefully against a velvet table cloth and wandered over to a single black candle at the far corner of the room. It was roughly about three feet tall and from the look of it, seemed more than halfway burned through. I couldn’t even imagine how tall it stood when brand new.
“Be careful with that!” A strangely high male voice called out from the opposite end of the room.
I quickly spun around and bumped into a table. I yelped and grabbed it, steadying it just in time to save a goblet from toppling over. I grinned sheepishly and stuttered, “How’d that get there?” I hung my head and apologized.
“Is this seriously what you’re bringing me?” the man snapped. I raised my head and got my first good look at the stranger. He seemed about a good decade older than my twenty-two years and had the strangest hairstyle I’d ever seen. His head was for the most part buzzed, except for a strip of jet black that reached from the top of his forehead to the nape of his neck. I assumed he normally styled it as a Mohawk, but that day his hair flopped around lifelessly around his head. His cheeks seemed a bit gaunt and sunken in, but clean shaven nonetheless. Then there were his eyes…His eyes were lined in a deep kohl liner, which accentuated a beautiful hazel color. Had it not been for the perpetual scowl, those eyes would have been the most beautiful I’d ever seen.
“Greg!” Jensen greeted happily – a bit too happily. “Nice to see you man.” He hesitated slightly before walking over to the scrawny man. Though Greg was a good foot shorter than Jensen, my boyfriend was visibly fearful around him. It terrified me.
“Wish I could say the same thing about you,” Greg snarled. His head turned towards my direction and he narrowed his eyes. “This her?” I couldn’t help but feel stripped down as he scanned me from head to toe.
I cleared my throat. “Um, I’m Morgan.” I extended my hand only to pull it back when Greg merely flicked his tongue against his teeth in response. I gulped and walked over to Jensen, weaving my arm through his. “Who’s your friend?” I asked nervously.
Jensen visibly gulped, his Adam’s apple bouncing in the process. “This is Greg, he’s…uh…a business associate of mine.”
“I guess you can call me that,” Greg snickered and crossed his arms. I hate to stereotype, but I was expecting them to be covered in tattoos. To my surprise, both his forearms were bare except for the numerous welts and scars, which ran down his elbows to wrists. As my eyes ran along his arms, Greg and I caught eyes. He flashed me a smile and I instantly felt myself redden in embarrassment.
“So, Jensen,” Greg began as he made his way towards us. “I hope you know she doesn’t count as payment, just collateral.”
My heart instantly began to speed up. My eyes widened and I pushed away from Jensen. “What is he talking about?”
Jensen threw me an apologetic smile. “It’s only temporary,” he replied quietly. “I promise I’ll get you back.”
“Jensen,” I said firmly. “What are you talking about?” At this point I had already begun to make my way door. I reached out for the door handle only to find a hand firmly atop my wrist. I whipped my head around and found myself looking Greg in the eye. “That’s impossible,” I whispered.
Greg automatically grabbed my forearm. He spun me around so that I was facing Jensen. As I stared at my boyfriend Greg leaned over so close that I could feel the warmth of his breath hit my skin. Softly, he whispered in my ear, “Take a look at this scumbag you call your boyfriend. Owes me fifty grand that he’s not able to pay back.” He began laughing and shook his head in amusement. “Offered you up as collateral until I get my money back.”
“Jensen!” I screamed hysterically. “Tell me this is some sort of sick joke.” I began struggling against Greg, but his grip on my arm wouldn’t budge. It was as if all the strength in my body wasn’t enough to fight against the strength in his one hand alone. “Jensen!” I wailed as tears began to fall from my eyes. “Please….you can’t possibly be serious.” With my free hand I reached for the phone in my pocket. “I’m calling the police! You people are crazy!”
As soon as I freed the fluorescent pink phone from my pocket, Greg’s hand shot out and grabbed it from mine. I watched helplessly as he crushed it effortlessly within the palm of his left hand. “Sweetie, that’s not very nice,” he scolded. He looked up at Jensen who had inched his way towards the door. With a sneer Greg shouted, “You have two weeks to get me the money! If you’re not here by midnight on the twentieth, your girl is going to be the newest member of my pack, you hear me?”
Jensen nodded his head frantically and made a beeline for the door. I screamed at the top of my lungs as I watched the glass door shut behind him. I vaguely heard Greg’s words of feigned comfort as my tears began to blind my eyes.
Time just flew by….
It’s amazing that Christmas is just a few weeks away. I feel as if a rug was just ripped out from under me and I suddenly fell right into December! I’m not complaining, however my blog sure is 🙂 To my followers, I am so sorry I haven’t been keeping up with this. No excuse is a good one, but I have been really busy.
What have you been up to?
Well, I finished my Adult Horror Novel and dove head first in the process of querying. Let me tell you, it is NOT a fun process. After receiving rejections left and right, you begin to question your talents and your sanity.
In the end you must remind yourself that you can’t please everyone. As those lovely form letters tell you, this business is purely subjective. It only takes one person to say yes and right now I am still waiting for that person. I have faith and I know it’ll happen when the time is right.
Besides querying I am currently wrapping up Silver as well as writing a Chick Lit novel. As you may remember I love to multi-task. Guess somethings never change 😉
Wait, aren’t you an Indie author?
I hope to be a hybrid author. As you know, I have already self-published Green and Red. However, self-publishing can only get you and your novels so far. I do not speak for all indie authors. I’ve seen many who have been in my position and have been extremely successful. They are superheros and manage to be creative and business savvy. However, in my case I am still trying to find a balance between all aspects of this business. You see, when you self-publish you are both a writer and a marketer. Regardless of my career background in Advertising and Media, I DO NOT have the time and funding necessary to work my full-time job, continue to write, and promote my books. Yes, I do use social media (Facebook and Twitter) to reach my readers. Yes, I am participating in blog tours. However, ads aren’t cheap and time is even more valuable! By seeking out traditional publishing for my Adult Horror Novel, I’m hoping that a team can help me reach a demographic that is hard to penetrate. Horror is a niche and I need all the help and support I can get.
What’s the deal with the Life Force Trilogy?
I am going to be participating in a Virtual Blog Tour from December 16, 2013 through December 23rd, which was coordinated by Bewitching Book Tours. I will be posting the tour stops in another post, but in the meantime please pass the word along!
Also, I am in the process of doing final rewrites for SILVER!!! Yes, yes, it’s been a long time coming. Ending a trilogy was a more difficult task than I had anticipated. Between wanting to tie up the story nicely and not wanting to say goodbye to my characters, well, it was challenging and I only hope I’ve risen to that challenge.
Until next time, kiddos. I promise it’ll be sooner rather than later!
My Birthday Present to You!
Just wanted to let you know, in honor of my birthday I am giving away my Paranormal Romance, GREEN, for free! Sale begins tomorrow and ends 9/12 🙂
Get Green by visiting this link!
Don’t forget to check out book #2, Red.
