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Wednesday, February 13, 2013

Romancing the Otherworldly Party, Bloghop and FADE Excerpt!


Love New Adult but looking for something with a little bite? Here's an event geared toward the other side of NA. Whether your tastes range toward shifters or men from other dimensions, there's a New Adult title out there for you.

Come by for prizes, games, and fun at the Facebook party between 8pm-10pm EST on February 13th.https://www.facebook.com/events/195085983970210/?fref=ts
 

Want more? Check out excerpts from current and future books by NA authors in the paranormal, Sci Fi, Horror, Dystopian, and Fantasy genres.



There's also an awesome Blog hop happening on 19 blogs, each spotlighting a different New Adult author! 

Participating Blogs: 
http://stefanienicholas.blogspot.ca/ 
http://iheartyabooks.blogspot.com/

Be sure to check out the Rafflecopter giveaway on the bottom of this post for a chance to win tons of awesome New Adult books (U.S. Only). 

 
FADE EXCERPT:
 




Prologue

December 9, 2009

The wind howled around me, flinging cold rain this way and that. Frigid drops stung my face and hands. The vinyl awning overhead shook and rattled in time to the thunderclaps echoing from every direction. Energy crackled in the air as lightning splintered trees miles away. The resulting clamor forced Reverend Don to shout just to be heard above the fury of the storm. Even so, I only caught every third or fourth word of the prayer he offered.

I didn't need to hear what he said anyway. There were no prayers to raise the dead. I knew because I'd tried. I'd begged, pleaded, and prayed to every god I could think of over the last four days, and none of my efforts changed a single thing.

My mom still lay in the gleaming wood casket in front of me. And I still couldn't breathe. I'd tried that for the last four days, too, but my breath felt lodged in my throat. It burned when I inhaled. It burned when I exhaled.

Was that normal?

I wasn't sure.

I lifted my eyes from my waterlogged, black shoes as Reverend Don continued shouting. He bowed his gray head over his Bible, his shoulders hunching against the driving rain pummeling us from all sides. The few mourners who'd braved the storm alongside my dad and me to attend the graveside service huddled in groups beneath useless umbrellas, soggy tissues clutched in their shaking fists. Mascara ran in rivulets down more than one face, but whether from the rain or tears, I didn't know.

I couldn't remember if I'd put on mascara before leaving the house, but I did know any smudges beneath my eyes were from rain. I hadn't cried yet, and I didn't know if that was normal either.

I didn't think it mattered one way or another though. My life stopped making sense the moment I'd opened the door to the state trooper on Saturday, and every hour since had flung me further and further from normal. Who cared if I cried now or later?

My mom was dead, and tears wouldn't change that.

Besides, if I let myself cry now, I wouldn't stop. I'd keep on until I ran out of tears, and I couldn't do that. I needed to keep moving forward. One step at a time. Sprinkle dirt over her coffin. Thank her friends for coming. Pack my things. Transfer colleges.

The list seemed endless, but if I stopped long enough to think now, I'd fall apart. Eventually, I'd run out of things to do, I knew that, but I didn't know what to expect when I did. When I had nothing left to plan or store or do . . . is that when I cracked? When I shattered like Humpty Dumpty?

As a murmur of "Amen" went up from Mom's friends and co-workers, I almost hoped I did get to fall apart then. Being strong and brave hurt. Especially when I just wanted to hit my knees and scream until I passed out.

But when do we ever really get what we want, anyway?

Dad's hand tightened around mine, and I glanced in his direction. He stared straight ahead, his brown eyes fixed on Mom's casket. I followed the path his gaze had taken, only to realize he wasn't looking at her casket at all. His eyes were trained on the far side of the cemetery, at the line where the plots stopped and the trees started.

I squinted through the rain, trying to pinpoint what held his attention.

A lone wolf hunkered beneath the trees.

A wolf?

I blinked, certain I hadn't seen an animal at all, but I had. A wolf, or the domestic relation anyway, sat in the shadows of the trees, staring in our direction. Even from a distance, he looked as sad as I felt, and I wondered if he'd lost a loved one too.

Do animals feel loss like us? Do they grieve, too?

I hoped not.

As the wind picked up around us, the animal's eyes met mine. He didn't move for a moment. He just sat there with his sad, wolfy eyes locked on mine. And then he lifted his muzzle skyward and howled.

Goose bumps broke out along my skin as his mournful wail ripped through the cemetery. Reverend Don's voice, the sniffles and muffled sobs of Mom's friends, even the crash and clatter of thunder and lightning faded.

The lump in my throat dissolved, and I could breathe.

I didn't feel peaceful or better or anything remotely close to unburdened. I felt . . . wrecked. As if listening to his call shook loose a little grief that had been building for the last few days. Everything inside, all of the hurt and fear I hadn't allowed myself to think about, expanded. Grief swept through me like a tsunami, leaving nothing untouched.

A tear slipped down my cheek, followed by another.

The wolf's howl lingered in the air around us for long moments before the storm renewed its assault. Lightning flashed in the distance, and the sound of his howl faded into the screeching wind.

The animal turned his head in my direction, looking right at me again. Yellow eyes locked on mine, burning through me, speaking to me.

My heart twisted painfully in my chest, the truth hitting me like a ton of bricks.

My mom was never coming back. Not ever.

My vision blurred until the wolf looked like little more than a watery spot far off in the distance. "I love you, mama," I whispered, hoping she'd heard me.

The animal sat there for another moment, watching me, and then he slipped back beneath the shadows of the tree. I watched him go through tear-filled eyes, my heart aching in ways I couldn't even begin to describe.

Reverend Don loomed in front of me as I reached up to wipe my eyes, his wrinkled face a mask of sympathy and support. He extended one of his hands in my direction, his Bible clutched to his chest with the other.

I glanced over at my dad, but his eyes were closed, and his head bowed. A line of moisture worked its way down his cheek, and I knew that even if Mom hadn't heard me, he had.

"Arionna?"

I hesitated, not ready for what came next. I was only nineteen . . . why did I have to say goodbye to her now? How was this fair? I looked back at her coffin, and then at the broken expression on my dad's face. My hands trembled in my lap.

Dad reached over to squeeze my fingers. "Love you, Ari," he whispered.
I rose from my seat, a sob building in my throat.
 
* * *
You can find Fade - The Ragnarök Prophesies: Book One at: Amazon US | UK | DE | FR | IT | ES | Barnes and Noble | Kobo. Through March, 2013, 10% of proceeds will be donated to the March of Dimes, and 10% to the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Arkansas.


Romancing the Otherworldly Giveaway:
 

Prize Pack:
Signed Copies of:

Flight by Alyssa Rose Ivy
The Devil's Flowers by Lisa Collicutt
Oxford Whisper's by Marion Croslydon
Destiny Gift by Juliana Haygert
River's Recruit by Charlotte Abel
Fade by A.K. Morgen
The Secret World of Alaina Downs by Rebecca Rynecki

Ebooks:

eCopy of The Crimson Hunt by Victoria H.Smith
State of Emergency by Summer Lane
My Alien Romance series by Magan Vernon
Blood Fugue & Witch's Nocturne, Moonsongs Books 1 & 2 (NA paranormal-action novelettes) By E.J. Wesley
Devour by Andrea Heltsley
e-Arc of Oxford Shadows by Marion Croslydon
Slow Burn by V.J. Chambers

Other Prizes:

$15.00 Amazon or B&N eCard, Signed postcards of ALL books in event by Lynn Rush
Swag pack including Jewlery piece from Charlotte Abel
Even more swag!



Friday, February 8, 2013

Interview with C.M. Brown, Author of He Came for Mine #blogtour


Hello, beautiful people!

Today, the lovely C.M. Brown has stopped by to chat about her recent release, He Came for Mine (The Protectors of Aidensdein, Book Two).


Fending for herself for almost two years, Jazz worries she will never see Sebastian again. A new man enters her life, but he holds a secret.

Will Jazz trust him?

~~

Sebastian discovers an ancient ritual which must be performed on the Chosen One's son before his first birthday, or he will die.

He returns to Earth to find Jazz in the arms of another man.

A man he knows very well.
A man he does not trust....

~~~

Haven't read He Came for Me (Book One) yet? No worries; I have the details so you can grab a copy of it, too.



Jazz, lives on the beautiful Sunshine Coast, in Queensland, Australia. She leads a normal teenage life busy with friends, TAFE College, a part time job as a waitress, surfing and searching for a boyfriend! Until one day driving on her way to TAFE she is passed by a red Mazda Rx7. The driver holds her attention and as they both wait at a set of traffic lights to change to green, a sexual tension passes between them. In the days that follow she finds that this guy moves into her life as she befriends him, his friends and family! But are Seb and his friends what they seem to be? A fantasy novel revolving around a love story between two young people, who should not by rights, come together. Crossing the dimensions of two worlds, this story embarks on a journey of love, duty and togetherness as the two young lovers fight to be together and keep each other safe. Overcoming many obstacles while fighting to protect one another this story will leave the reader intrigued and wondering what will happen next!

I have to stop the presses right here for just a moment to say that I'm already in love with Sebastian. Seriously, the man has nice taste in cars! On with the interview!

Please tell us about yourself in fifty words or less.

I live in Queensland, Australia on the Sunshine Coat. I am happily married and have two children who are almost adults.

I work in the education industry supporting high school students with learning difficulties. I have a passion for reading and writing and am particularly fascinated with the paranormal genre.

What can readers expect from He Came for Mine?

Unlike book one, He Came For Mine is full of turmoil for Jazz. She needs to make some hard decisions and takes on new directions in her life. Some turn out to be the right ones while others lead to danger.

Whereas most of the story in book one is based on Earth, in this second book, readers are taken to Seb’s home world of Aidensdein, a planet full of fantasy, luxury and ancient customs.

Did you find He Came for Mine easier or more difficult to write than He Came for Me?

Actually, I found both books quite easy to write. Once I felt comfortable with where I wanted to go in the stories, they flowed along well.

What's been the single most empowering piece of advice you've gotten when it comes to writing?

I would have to thank one of my critique partner’s for this information.  His help has been invaluable throughout.

The Protector Series is not only the first books I’ve written, but also the first series. When I began writing book two and sent my first chapters for review to Randy, (my critique partner), he told me I had too much back story, which would be boring to read for my audience.

So, I took this advice onto broad shoulders and culled quite a bit, which made for a tighter story line.

What's been your most challenging writing moment to date?

Taking on this blog tour?

Lol! This is quite a lot of work and keeping in contact with all parties involved, making sure all the information has been received and ensuring the return favours I have promised have been met, is quite a challenge in the limited amount of time I have to dedicate to my writing as I do have a family and a full time day job!

What's the worst thing you've ever written? The best?

Umm, this question is hard to answer.

Not that I think that I am the greatest writer, but I really could not pin point one particular piece I would feel was the worst one. So, I don’t really know how to answer this.

The story I am working on at present, is most likely the best thing I have ever written, but it is a long way from finished yet.

Do you share any traits or characteristics with your protagonist, Jazz?

Um, I don’t think so, maybe she is a blend of my young adult daughter and some of the students I work with at school.

What made you decide to write New Adult?

I never really made a personal decision to write within this genre. It seems that most things I write tend to have this element within them.

What does a perfect day entail for you?

Hanging out at the beach after the housework is done, either writing or reading a book on my Kindle and music playing through my iPod. I work best this way its private and I am stimulated by my music. Also I have no interruptions, from my cherished, darling children.

In high school you were most likely to ….

Go to university and become an accountant, so glad I didn’t pursue that pathway. Instead, I landed a job in the banking industry and travelled a lot. I spent 5 years travelling and working bar and restaurant jobs around Australia while living in a tent and driving a beat up kombi van this was after I resigned from the bank, when it was overtaken by a bigger co-operation.

I found the love of my life, had my children, re-educated myself and landed the job I have today, which opened up the world of writing to me.

You're stuck on an island... what 3 books would you kill to have with you?

I have so many favourite books. I find this question somewhat difficult to answer. Some type of survival guide would be helpful and I suppose I would have to say the two books I’ve written.

Why did you decide to self publish?

Like most authors today, I was overwhelmed with all the information on hand and did not know how to begin to publish, what I had written.

Lucky for me, I happened to walk into my local council library one day and came across a pamphlet advertising a seminar on self-publishing, by a well-known Australian author.

I booked in and found myself enthralled with her presentation. It was unbiased and presented many different options from Smashwords to the various Amazon publishing sites: Lulu, Create space etc.

Where else can we find you?

c.m.brown.books@gmail.com
http://cmbrown-books.blogspot.com.au/
http://booksbycmbrown.blogspot.com.au/
Facebook
Twitter
Goodreads

Thanks for having me today, Ayden.

Thanks so much for stopping by, Carolyn!

If you haven't already grabbed He Came for Mine, you can snag a copy at: Amazon | Smashwords | Apple | Barnes and Noble | Kobo | Sony.

You can also snag a copy of He Came for Me (Book One) at: SMASHWORDS |  BARNES AND NOBLE | SONY | KOBO | AMAZON.

xoxo,
Ayden

Fade - The Ragnarok Prophesies: Book One - On Sale at: Amazon US | UK | DE | FR | IT | ES | Barnes and Noble | Kobo