I'm an Award Winning Author!

Agh, where does time go? While I'm sorry I've been so neglectful of this blog, I promise you it's because I've been insanely busy with writing and other projects! Regardless, it was time to break the silence with some pretty big news. People who know me will probably agree I'm pretty modest for the most part, but this is one of those times in which I want to shout my news from the rooftop: I'm an award winning author!

Last week, the day after approving the gorgeous new cover for Mind Static, I received an email from the president of Indie BRAG informing me that the same book received a B.R.A.G. Medallion! Honestly, I wasn't sure what it was at first, either, until I went to their website and found this explanation:

BRAGMedallion.com is owned and operated by indieBRAG, LLC, a privately held organization that has brought together a large group of readers, both individuals and members of book clubs, located throughout the United States and in ten other countries around the globe. The word "indie" refers to self or independently published books, while B.R.A.G. is an acronym for Book Readers Appreciation Group.

All ebooks brought to the attention of indieBRAG, LLC are subjected to a rigorous selection process. This entails an initial screening to ensure that the author's work meets certain minimum standards of quality and content. If it passes this preliminary assessment, it is then read by members drawn from our global reader group. They judge the merits of the book based on a comprehensive list of criteria, including;

Plot

Writing Style

Characters

Copy editing

Dialogue

One final factor our readers use to judge a book is whether or not they would recommend it to their best friend.

On average, 50% of the books submitted to us fail to pass the initial screen and another 40% are subsequently rejected by our readers. Thus, only 10% of the books we consider are awarded our B.R.A.G. Medallion and are presented on our website. Conversely, we do not make public the titles of any books that were not selected to receive a Medallion, or the names of their authors.

Needless to say, I was touched and honored that my work fit this criteria and made it into the final 10%! I'm probably just as excited to reveal the gorgeous new cover for Mind Static, created by the amazing Najla Qambers (see teaser, left). In the past I've been proud to say I designed my own covers and took all the pictures of models used, however, the market is highly competitive, and I really don't have as much time or as many resources as I would like. Accordingly, I've hired this extremely talented designer to take over the duties. She's the genius behind the beautiful Paranormal Keepers cover. Bloggers, sign up for the reveal and keep an eye out for the upcoming blitz of through Xpressobooktours.

If you haven't yet heard the news, I'm writing contemporary new adult romance under the pen name Jennifer Ann, and will be releasing my debut novel Adam's List on June 13th! I'm really excited about this project as it was just as much fun to write as the paranormal genre. If you're a blogger interested in the reveal (the giveaway includes a Victoria's Secret gift card, New York necklace, and signed paperback copy of Adam's List), be sure to sign up HERE.  **Please note anything written under this pen name contains adult content, and therefore is intended for readers 18+ only.** Get all the latest on my new adult romance projects through my other website, Facebook, or Twitter.

Cover Reveal: Wreck Me by Maria Monteiro

I'm so excited to bring you the cover for my friend Maria Monteiro's upcoming release, Wreck Me! Maria writes compelling YA and NA contemporary romance. The photo shoot was done exclusively for her and totally reminds me of The Notebook, so I'm already swooning. Check out the summary below, and be sure to add this one to your Goodreads list!

All Piper Walker wants is to feel normal again, and for the pain of losing the one person she truly loved to go away. But no matter what she does she feels like she keeps hitting a wall of hurt. 

Chase Whitman has finally moved back to town after running away from his troubled home life. He’s trying to fill the emptiness in his heart with all the wrong women, making sure he doesn’t fall in love with any of them. 

Now in her sophomore year of college, Piper is trying all she can to right all the wrongs she has done the past year. Which includes almost getting thrown out of school, distaining herself from her best friend, and moving way too quickly with her boyfriend. 

After a night of heavy drinking Piper wakes up to find Chase in bed with her. She panics and runs off hoping never to see him again. Little does she know Chase will invade her life in every way possible and become the person she needs the most.

Will they be able to fill the void in each other? Or will their past wreck everything?

Add Wreck Me on Goodreads

Maria E Monteiro was born in Chile, but grew up in Sleepy Hollow NY. The Catskills is now the place she calls home, alongside her husband. She has been writing since she was a little girl. Her love for reading and writing led her to obtain a BA in English and a Masters in Literacy. Maria loves to write about the small moments that become huge when falling in love. Hold on Tight is Maria E. Monteiro's debut YA novel. Her love of writing accompanies her love for music. When she is not writing, Maria can be found at a rock concert or dancing around her house.

Find Maria on Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Website

PARANORMAL PALOOZA GIVEAWAY!

To celebrate the arrival of 2014 and thank all of you—my beautiful, fun, amazing followers—some of my favorite authors and I have donated digital copies of our (YA and NA) paranormal books to create a giveaway of eleven thrilling books you won't want to put down!

INCLUDED IN THE GIVEAWAY:

ONE and TWO by LeighAnn Kopans: When having two powers makes you a Super and having none makes you a Normal, having only one makes you a sad half-superpowered freak. It makes you a One.

Sixteen-year-old Merrin Grey would love to be able to fly – too bad all she can do is hover. If she could just land an internship at the Biotech Hub, she might finally figure out how to fix herself. She busts her butt in AP Chem and salivates over the Hub’s research on the manifestation of superpowers, all in hopes of boosting her chances.

Then she meets Elias VanDyne, another One, and all her carefully crafted plans fly out the window. Literally. When the two of them touch, their Ones combine to make them fly, and when they’re not soaring over the Nebraska cornfields, they’re busy falling for each other.

Merrin's mad chemistry skills land her a spot on the Hub's internship short list, but as she gets closer to the life she always wanted, she discovers that the Hub’s purpose is more sinister than it has always seemed. Now it’s up to her to decide if it's more important to fly solo, or to save everything - and everyone - she loves.

 

INTO THE DEEP and HIDEN BENEATH by Lauryn April: Ivy Daniels is a high school junior still learning who she is. After almost drowning, Ivy finds herself with an ability she doesn’t want, an ability to uncover secrets which quickly begins to redefine what she thinks about the people around her as well as herself. Because of this ability, Ivy becomes the one thing that stands between an angry teen and the death of every student on campus. The only problem is she doesn’t know who wants everyone dead. Will she figure out whose secret is that they’re planning to blow up her school, or will she fail to find him in time? Through her search to do the right thing, Ivy discovers that knowing the thoughts and secrets of those around her may just tear her apart.

 

THE AWAKENING & OTHER STORIES and BENEATH MANHATTAN SKIES by Emma Meade: Put on the kettle, close the curtains and curl up by the fire. Dive into 8 short tales, each with a slice of the paranormal.

Ghost Story - Who is the shadow in the window of the abandoned house, and what or who is he waiting for?
The Awakening - It's time for Sabrina to wake up and face the light.
End of the Line - Cassie wants to die. When midnight rolls around, she stands on the tracks waiting for the train to come.
Milsa Loris - The once magnificent kingdom of Milsa Loris comes alive one night each winter. The King's witch is brewing up a little magic, sure to make the soup all the tastier.
The Old Vampire - Hailey spent her life dreaming of a dark prince falling in love with her. He never showed up, until now.
The Knocking - Alison's grandfather has one eye on the next life. After all, he's heard a lot of rapping at his door lately.
The Boy on the Beach - Kate's grandmother warns her about the boy with the green eyes. Will she pay heed?
Snowglobes- It's busy at Calvin's Cabins this Christmas. Eddie and Maggie are a young couple in trouble. Not to fear, Calvin is always ready to lend a hand.

 

THE DAY ZOMBIES RUINED MY PERFECTLY BORING LIFE and THE TIME ZOMBIES BECAME THE LEAST OF MY WORRIES by Jen Naumann: Emma Ferdig has heard the term “life sucks, then you die”, but she never knew she was supposed to take it quite so literally.

It’s senior year. Emma should be looking forward to escaping her mundane small town, and going on to college—finally. Her biggest worries should be the fact that she’s feeling something more for her life-long best friend Finn, and how she’s going to make things happen between them. But all her plans for a less-sucky future go out the window with the discovery of a seriously creepy woman in her backyard. As it turns out, zombies are real.

In the first book of the Boring Life Series, Emma’s life is turned upside down as she’s forced to leave everything behind, running off with Finn and a group of extremely odd misfits that include Finn’s jackhole brother Cash, and his unorthodox girlfriend Marley. In an instantaneous journey across the Midwest, they’ll learn horrifying secrets, trust the wrong people, and make deadly mistakes. As they do all then can to try and survive the impending apocalypse, Emma will realize that maybe her painfully boring life hadn’t been such a bad thing, after all.

 

HEART WAVES, BREAKING WAVES, and WAVES OF LOVE by Danielle Sibarium: Jenna Kingsley has a gift. She knows things. With a simple touch she can pick up personal information from jewelry or objects. While at a neighbor's party, a voice mesmerizes her. Jenna is momentarily frozen as a ring is placed in her hand. White electricity surges through her and a dire prediction is made. "It's like Romeo and Juliet. You're going to break my heart." From the moment they meet, Jenna is enchanted and entranced with Reece Walton. She's thrilled to learn he's spending the summer two houses away from hers. Every moment they spend together is magical. But she can't get the prediction out of her mind. As the summer draws to a close and secrets are revealed, can Jenna get past the fear of being left with a broken heart to live in the moment with Reece or will her fear of being hurt fulfill the prophecy?

 

The winner will be announced on this blog February 1st. Be sure to spread the word, and don't forget to come back each day of January to enter!

Good luck, and Happy New Year!

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Up Close With Emma Meade: BENEATH MANHATTAN SKIES

I've probably said it a thousand times in the past year, and I'll say it again: Emma Meade is awesome! Not only do the two of us have a wild amount of favorite movies and bands in common, but the Irish author renewed my love in vampires (the kind that bite, not sparkle) with her growing list of intriguing novellas, her latest release being my new favorite. Although this story follows up on the life of Erin Harris, a character from her earlier novella, Under the Desert Moon, I read Beneath Manhattan Skies first, and can tell you with confidence it could be considered a standalone. In celebration of her new release, Emma agreed to sit down to answer a few questions. Be sure to check out the stunning cover and synopsis below!

Beneath Manhattan Skies takes place in the city it's named after. Have you ever been to the United States? Do you have plans to visit anytime soon?

Yes, I spent some time in Delaware years ago with a lot of Irish people sharing a house. The days I strolled the boardwalk eating a hotdog and chilling on the beach still make me smile fondly. I've also been to New York and couldn't seem to take in the fact I was actually all the way across the Atlantic in the Big Apple. At the time I was only 21, so I'd like to go back now that I'm a tad more grown up :) and do some more exploration.

Have you put any thought into who you'd like to see play the Hollywood version of Erin, James and Tommy?

I loved Amber Tamblyn in Joan of Arcadia and pictured her as Erin at one stage. I think I answered this question last year for another blogger and I'm trying to remember who I picked for James and Nick. I'm not one hundred percent sure, but it could be Will Estes from Blue Bloods I chose for James. I'm drawing a blank for Nick. I just picture him as a really sweet, wholesome looking, handsome dude.

Will there be another book on the life of Erin Harris?

I'd like to do a short novella that wraps up Erin's story with James. I'm thinking I'd have to go five or six years into the future. If enough readers are curious, I'll get on it.

You're obviously a big fan of vampires. Are there other paranormal creatures you're into as well?

I write a lot about vampires, but if I had to be a supernatural creature, I'd choose to be a witch. A life filled with spells, potions, conjuring and magic would be right up my alley.

Have you ever written outside of the supernatural genre? Do you have any desire to?

I tried writing a contemporary romance years ago at college after a breakup. My sister printed out the few chapters I wrote and passed them around the office she worked in, and though the response was favourable, my heart wasn't in it. No witches or ghosts or a sexy vampire? Nope, I couldn't finish.

Favorite vampire movie?
The Lost Boys would be near the top.

Favorite vampire of all time?
Probably Spike.

November in New York is cold but full of possibility for college freshman Erin Harris. 

When her twin brother, Nick, shows up on her doorstep for a surprise visit, Erin is delighted. Unfortunately, Nick’s arrival coincides with the discovery of a body outside her apartment 

building, a body drained of blood. Right away, Nick assumes vampires are involved. He’s not exactly their biggest fan since Erin dated one in high school. 

Juggling nosy roommates, a first date with a gorgeous guy from college and a 

brother on a  Van Helsing kick is enough to keep any nineteen year old girl

busy – And then Erin’s old flame walks back into her life.

Is Erin destined to be caught up in supernatural shenanigans,

or will she choose a different path?

WHERE TO BUY BENEATH MANHATTAN SKIES:

Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Kobo
iTunes

WAYS TO FOLLOW EMMA:

Website

Twitter

Facebook

Goodreads

Get Addicted Tour & Guest Post by Becca & Krista Ritchie

You may remember how I recently gushed over the steamy Addicted to You new adult series by twin sisters Becca and Krista Richtie. Now I'm crazy excited to participate in their Get Addicted Tour, and bring you all sorts of goodies from the fabulous duo! Check out the five secrets about the Addicted series, then enter the giveaway at the bottom to win an Amazon gift card, and two books from the Addicted to You series!

Title: Addicted for Now

Author: Krista & Becca Ritchie

Series: Addicted #2

Pub Date: November 30^th, 2013

Amazon: Link not available until Nov. 30^th. 

Add Addicted to Now to Your Goodreads Shelf!

He's addicted to booze. She's addicted to sex...staying sober is only half the battle.
No. More. Sex.

Those are the three words Lily Calloway fears the most. But Loren Hale is determined to be with Lily without enabling her dangerous compulsions. With their new living situation—sleeping in the same bed, for real, together—Lily has new battles. Like not jumping Lo’s bones every night. Not being consumed by sex and his body.

Loren plans to stay sober, to right all of his wrongs. So when someone threatens to expose Lily’s secret to her family and the public, he promises that he’ll do anything to protect her. But with old enemies surfacing, Lo has more at stake than his sobriety.

They will torment Lily until Lo breaks.

And his worst fear isn’t relapsing. He hears the end. He sees it. The one thing that could change everything. Just three words.

No. More. Us. 

5 Behind-the-Scenes Secrets about the Addicted Series

We may have mentioned some of these before on Twitter. (Truthfully, late-night writing time leads me to loopy deliriousness and I take to social media too quickly with secrets – not spoilers!) Krista may hate me in the morning (or maybe I’m just projecting). But I make it up to her with chocolate. Chocolate is the answer to everything :D 

5) The novels are more detailed (sex-wise) with each consecutive book because Lily becomes more comfortable talking about sex. And in Addicted for Now, we see Lo’s POV, and he’s never been as ashamed as Lily when describing the act. I’m not sure anyone will pick up on that, but we were always conscious of it. 

4) From the beginning of Addicted to You, Lily is 20, and by the end of the series with Addicted After All, Lily is 23, almost 24. So the series spans nearly 4 years. 

3) We never meant for Addicted for Now to be so long. We constantly consider deleting subplots and scenes, but in the end, we’re keeping everything that we intended to give. Most especially because Lily and Lo’s story will have a break while the spin-offs go on, and we wanted to give our readers as much as possible without adding any filler. 

2) Addicted to You (Addicted #1) may feel repetitious in a couple places. We’ve wanted to come out and explain this aspect for a while, so I guess that makes this a secret. But when we were editing the first book, we both knew there was a part that seemed to repeat. Krista even said, “I feel like I just read this.” And after a long, long conversation, we decided to keep it. We knew that addiction was a cycle, and we wanted to accurately depict that sense of “whoa, this is happening again?”

1) Okay, this is the hardest secret for me to write (even though in my haste, I know I shouted this one out on Twitter). If you have NOT read Ricochet (Addicted #1.5) or Addicted for Now (Addicted #2), divert your eyes. Spoilers ahead! …

 … There’s a very controversial convo that happens in Ricochet on the boat. Daisy is talking about sex (naturally, the series is a discourse about sex)—and Ryke offers her some advice. Here’s the secret: I was given the same advice at 17 by a guy I just met. Daisy was 16 in the book. This stuff happens. And while it’s awkward, I look back on the moment and think about his views on sex. He hated the idea of a guy not giving the girl any lead-up, anything in return. Getting in and getting out made him cringe. He wanted sex to be about her high, her experience. 

And Ryke, as a character, is very, very empathetic towards women. He was raised by a single mother. He’s self-assured and doesn’t care what people think of him. All he wants is to make sure that you’re okay. And if you’re okay, he’s fine. He’ll move on. But Daisy isn’t emotionally fine yet. She’s tricked everyone but him. 

So that’s the number one secret. It’s hard to justify something that I went through. And the Ryke and Daisy friendship has quickly become one of the most taboo aspects of the series. She’s a high fashion model. She has been an adult since she was 14 and sucked into that world, and I can’t wait to share her story in Hothouse Flower. Our plan isn’t to convince you to like these two. If you don’t like them now, I can’t guarantee you ever will. We’re just going to show them as they are. Raw, honest people—flaws and all. 

For more stops on the Get Addicted Tour, check out their schedule here!

AUTHOR BIOS

Becca Ritchie claims she's from Mystic Falls, but really, she lives in Atlanta where humidity is her greatest foe. She loves comic books, blue nail polish and Jonathan Taylor Thomas circa 1995. She frequents Twitter to dish about too many TV shows, and when she's not blogging, she writes novels and has teamed up with her twin sister to collaborate on a New Adult series.  

Krista Ritchie has a clone...or someone who looks exactly like her. If she's not writing books with her twin sister, she's pouring over entertainment news and ingesting copious amounts of pop culture. She likes tennis, that thing called the TV, and beating Becca (her clone) on Sega Genesis. She created  YA Book Exchange to combat her book buying addiction and started Nawanda Files, a YA Book Blog that features books into movies news, to share her love for all things bookish. Oh, and she does something called science. Whatever that is. 

AUTHOR LINKS

Goodreads

Krista

Becca

Twitter 

Krista

Becca

Website

Facebook

Tumblr

Pinterest

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Let Me Preface This Post With "There's No Reason for Alarm"

But. Yesterday I sat down and tried my hand at straight up romance for the first time in decades. And this one is also "new adult" rather than my normal "young adult".

I've mentioned before that it's practically mental suicide for an author to pursue what is commonly known to us as SNIS (shiny new idea syndrome), especially when you're actively working on something else. Yet sometimes there's a story inside you so profound, so nagging and freaking loud that you can try suffocating it for as long as you want, and it just won't go away or die. Usually I take that as a good sign, because it means the story is so well developed that it shows no sign of slowing down any time soon.


I've used the "insane" gif from The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo as I'm normally not a wishy-washy kind of girl, and prefer action movies like that one over chick flicks any day. At times I would rather be strapped to a chair and tortured than have to watch another Katherine Heigl film. Part of me blames all those damn  irresistibly adorable pictures that I've come across on Pinterest. But I'm telling you, there isn't even the slightest paranormal element involved in Adam's List—not even a creaky door that scares the crap out of someone. It's just the story of a girl meeting a guy at a college party, only she already has a boyfriend, and he has some pretty big secrets. And somehow he talks her into abandoning her life to go on an adventure with him. The last time I wrote anything like this I was probably in high school. And some of those romantic stories were actually an early form of fan fiction. *dies of embarrassment*

Eight hours after I sat down with the intent to type this story out of my system, I was at almost 10,000 words. I even created a Pinterest board (that includes the lovely image on the right), and a Spotify music set list, both things I've never done before until after the story was completed. But don't worry—true to the masochist I've become, I can already tell you Adam's List won't have a happily ever after, and it will tear your heart out.

Will Adam's List ever see the light of day? I don't know. Will I write it under a pen name so my loyal fans don't accuse me of losing my mind completely? Don't know that either, but it would probably be a good idea. All I know is this story was going to kill me if I didn't get in the computer, or make me completely crazy. Oh wait, I may be there already.