Cover Re-Reveal for the Chains series by Michelle Abbott


Genre: New adult romance

The In Chains series has new covers, designed by Deranged Doctor Design
http://www.derangeddoctordesign.com/

In Chains (In Chains #1) Blurb:

A romance set in a world where slavery is government run and slaves are fitted with microchips.

Savannah, fleeing a turbulent relationship, seeks solace at her brother’s country farmhouse. It’s there that she meets Kayden; her brother’s slave who's considered less than human. These two damaged souls form an unbreakable bond, one that’s about to be tested, because Kayden is her brother’s property and he will stop at nothing to keep them apart.

Please note this book contains some sexual scenes, violence and strong language.


Purchase links:

Locked Together (In Chains #2) Blurb:


She would do anything for him. Even throw away her freedom.
For Savannah, it was an easy choice; getting sent to the Compound meant she and Kayden could be together. But nothing is ever that simple. Caught in a system that encourages cruelty and mind games; will their love survive?

Please note: this book contains strong language.


Purchase Links:


Author Bio:

Michelle Abbott lives in the UK. She loves to write about heroes who begin as the underdog and are protective of their girl and she likes to read all genres of romance. When she's not reading or writing she enjoys travelling and seeing new places and occasionally she picks up her knitting needles and attempts to finish the sweater she started two years ago.

Author Links:





1 comments:

There's A Freaking Blizzard Outside!

As I’m writing this it’s Sunday afternoon. I just finished writing a thousand words in my spinoff novella. My desk is next to a window. The wind is howling, and it sounds like a hellhound. 

Kinda creepy.

When I peek between the blinds, out to my backyard, it’s completely whited out.

Craziness!

Two hours ago, my hubby had to put on his cape and go plow the emergency routes. He’s going to have to head back out there at three in the morning and do it again, except this time he’ll be clearing off all the streets so people can get to work Monday morning, including me. I just wonder if any of us will even be able to make it to our jobs. I know my coworkers who live out in the country won’t be able to. 

Lucky bastards. 

LOL

Actually, I do want to go to work tomorrow because I’m going to have a lot of work to do. It’s been insane at my job. I’m sure some of you have heard of the propane shortage. Well, it’s true. The price of propane is skyrocketing and people are freaking. We have to ration out our gas and as of right now, we’re not taking any new customers. So, yeah, I need to be there if at all possible. Not only to get my work done, but to be there to inform our customers and others on what’s going on and how it’s going to be for a while, like cash on delivery and no topping off tanks.

So are any of you dealing with this outrageous weather? 


How are y’all doing?

2 comments:

Book Feature! Dark Illusions The Next Chapter by Ariana Browning

Yay, book feature!
I read Ariana’s first novel in this series called, Dark Illusions The Beginning, and I really liked it. I’m looking forward to reading this one as well.

BLURB:
Kat was thrust into the world of the Awakened. She's had to fight for her life every step of the way. It never ends.
Being stuck in the midst of a war that has been raging for centuries before her, and now around her? Isn't any fun. Nor are the rules imposed on her because of the clan she's stuck in, or the mate she's stuck with. Despite her love for someone else.
Her clan believes her love is dead, and that her mate can become Prince like he's always wanted. She believes it's time for a change. The Raaka clan believe she is pure blooded Raaka, but don't know how much blood she shared with the Prince of the Awakened, a Runsasi.
Could it be . . . she is something else?
All anyone wants, is for her to sit back and wait. Wait for what? What secrets are they keeping from her? What will happen when she finds them out?
She's tired of running. She's tired of hiding. Are the Awakened prepared for what comes next?
Kat: "I will never be a victim again. . . ."

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Charismatic Goddess and Butt-Kickin Billionairess in the making.
Most of the books Ariana Browning writes comes from her dreams. The characters constantly knock on the door in her head and adamantly refuse to go away, until she tells their story to you.
When she’s not writing, she’s tending to her animals and gardening, or rebuilding and repairing the house she lives in. Never one to sit still for long, she constantly is working on something, or changing people's lives. Find all her projects on her website (arianabrowning.com), or contact her with email ahbrowne AT ahbrowne DOT com.
She can be caught on Facebook and most of the other online social networks, or her official site, annoying most people with her sometimes-too-happy-for-her-own-good attitude. Join her to follow along with some amazing friends, and some thought-pondering questions she asks like: what is your favorite color? Or, perhaps, how she’ll sometimes light a fire under you and open your eyes with deeper questions that you’ll have to come by and find out for yourself.
Forum/Message Board - http://www.ahbrowne.proboards.com

WHERE TO PURCHASE DARK ILLUSIONS THE NEXT CHAPTER:


2 comments:

Street Teams



Street teams.

Have you heard of them?

It sounds like a gang, huh?

Actually a street team is a group of people who helps market a product or event—hit the streets and promote, promote, promote.

It’s wonderful.

The people on an author’s street team helps her get the word out about her book(s) and in return the author will gift the members with free ebooks, swag, signed paperbacks, and sneak peeks into her up and coming projects.

But do street teams really work?

Are they worth an author’s time to have one?

I created one on Facebook months ago. The people on my team are great, but honestly as of right now, only just a handful of them are really involved in helping me spread the word about my books. I’m still learning on how to engage them and keep them motivated. I realize they have other priorities, and frankly with me working a f/t job, having to do the mundane things life requires out of us, and writing two books at the same time (yes, I’m attempting to write two books), I don’t have the time I need to run a street team like I should. The authors who have the good fortune to not have to work or are already established in their writing careers, can focus more on their team and hire someone to run it in their stead.

Good for them.

I’m happy for them, but I’m not at that point yet.

So then what?

What does an author do who wants to have a street team, but doesn't have the time to pump it every day and get the members motivated?

Hey, back up . . . what about the members who haven’t even read your books?

Yeah, I do have members who haven’t read my trilogy yet. The ones who have are the ones promoting all three of my books and are the most active. I’m seriously considering doing a sign-up sheet with some house rules, so we’re all on the same page.  

My street team is fun btw. We get into some silly, off-the-wall discussions. It’s closed to the public—only members can hop into our wacky conversations.

It’s great.

In fact, there are many nights when I should be writing, but I’m having too much fun with my girls to leave.

But back to not having the time to run it like it needs to be in order to be successful. What does an author like me do who is captive to the J.O.B. and doesn't have the luxury to focus on the team every day?

Get someone who can be an administrator for your team.

I had one, but she’s too busy to monitor it.

*sigh*

I understand.

Shit happens.

She’s wonderful and does help me promote my books. But now I’m back to finding an administrator.

Having a street team kinda sounds like a pain-in-the-ass, huh?

I've seriously considered closing mine down, but I’m not going to. Do you know why? Because I have fans on my team, and I adore them. They love my books and supports me as an author to the best of their abilities. They’re my cheering squad. So to me, as I write this post, it’s worth having a street team.



2 comments:

Book Feature! Entangled Souls by Felicia Tatum

Mangled Hearts become Entangled Souls


Cade is on the road to recovery with Francesca’s love and support guiding him. His life is changing drastically, from attempting to mend the rift between he and his father, to trying to have a normal relationship with his now fiancé. Most of all, Cade must find a way to control his urges so he can be completely released from rehabilitation.


Francesca is building her law firm with the help of those she loves most, but when a close friend reveals her true feelings about Francesca's engagement, it sends her emotions into a tailspin.  Through all of this, she is forced to put her feelings on the back burner for everyone else, until the anniversary of Josie’s accident rolls around. Francesca must learn to put herself first before she falls apart.


In this novella, join Cade and Francesca as they explore their relationship and begin their lives together.




About the author:


Felicia Tatum was born and raised in Tennessee. She always loved reading, and at the age of twelve began writing. Her passion for creating stories grew and in May 2012, she finally wrote her first novel, The White Aura.


She still lives in Tennessee with her daughter and her kitty. She loves cooking, books, and animals are some of her best friends. She watches a lot of Disney channel and often dreams up new book ideas. She's currently working on various projects, including the rest of the White Aura Series, the Scarred Hearts Series, and a novella series. Her dream is to write as many books as possible while entertaining as many people as possible.




1 comments:

Giveaway & Free Ebook!

Hey. I don’t know if y’all are aware of this, but I’m doing a giveaway on Goodreads. 

That’s right. 

I’m giving away a signed copy of The Devil’s Third and some swag from the entire trilogy. 

Woot!

You can enter here:


There’s more.

You can get a FREE ebook of Beyond the Eyes (the first book in my trilogy) on Amazon. Here’s the links:



Check it out and tell your friends.

You can read a review of all three books here: 

http://joshuajstories.wordpress.com/2013/11/

Just scroll down the page to read them.



0 comments:

Character Analysis

1/10/2014 , , 0 Comments



Have you ever read an analysis about a character from one of your favorite books? 

I haven’t. 

I thought it would be interesting and fun to analyze Paige who is the main character in my Beyond the Eyes trilogy. I might even continue it with more characters in the next post. I need to warn you though, there might be spoilers in this. If you haven’t read the books in the trilogy, you've been warned.

In Beyond the Eyes Paige is seventeen-years-old. She’s a heartsick, stubborn teen, who cries a fair bit and makes stupid ass mistakes. 

Why? 

Why is she like this? 

Also, in the first book, her best friend Brayden whom she used to date, comes to town. He proclaims his undying love for her. When she tells him she’s in love with Nathan and there’s a connection between them, Brayden—wanting to remind Paige of her feelings for him—forces himself on her (he fondles her breast and tries to kiss her). He violates her, but yet Paige forgives and still loves him.

WTF?

Why in the hell would she?

Let’s put ourselves in her shoes and see if we can figure it out . . .

She’s a teenager.

Most teenagers think they’re impervious to danger, they’re moody, make dumbass mistakes, and they’re emotional.

It makes sense, right?

But there’s more.

Paige has been receiving premonitions from a ghostly voice since the age of four. Her first one was right before her father died. It basically told her he was going to leave her and it would be his choice. His death not only shattered her world, but it also created some unhealthy feelings inside her core being: loneliness, abandonment, sadness, etc. It also doesn’t help that her mother avoids Paige as much as she can. 

Paige’s mom loves her, but she can’t be around Paige for long periods of time. She tells Paige why later on in the first book. But regardless, Paige’s mom’s behavior adds to her insecurity and the constant “what’s wrong with me?” internal question. Paige not only feels like her father bailed on her but her mother as well.

Ahhh, so maybe those are the reason why she’s the way she is in Beyond the Eyes. 

But what about the stubbornness?

Paige is hardheaded, that’s for sure.

BTW, my characters came to me out of nowhere, so I’m just as perplexed on some of the things they do and how they sometimes act.

So stubbornness . . .

I think Paige is stubborn because basically she’s been on her own for two years. Her mother is a traveling nurse and leaves Paige alone. Paige had to grow up fast, and she’s an only child. I’m guessing that’s why she’s hardheaded.

But why in hell would she forgive Brayden and still harbor feelings for him?

Brayden tends to be an ass, but from what Paige has told us, he used to not be this way. They’ve known each other since they were toddlers. It was rare a day went by that they didn’t see one another. Brayden helped Paige through some tough times. They also dated for about two years, until he moved to California, which crushed them both. Paige still sees the old Brayden inside his new pain-in-the-ass-relentless behavior. She also cannot forget how he’s always been there for her. 

The love she has for him is rooted in those things. 

Sometimes old feelings for Brayden crops up, which is disconcerting. However, she’s in love with Nathan, not Brayden. Paige has stated this numerous times throughout the trilogy. It’s like she has to reaffirm it to herself. I do believe though, she’s not in love with Brayden. I think her old feelings for him and all the things he’s done for her in the past, gets her confuse on how she feels about him. But as things progress throughout the trilogy, Paige grow as a character. Thanks to Nathan’s help, she deals with her problems, makes peace with it, doesn’t trust Brayden like she used to and tells him she doesn’t like the person he is now.

Rock on, Paige!

You go girl!

So in the end she becomes a strong kickass fighter against evil.

Woot!

I think we got her figured out, what do you think?
  

0 comments:

It’s Frickin’ C-C-Cold!

1/06/2014 , , 0 Comments


Eight years ago I moved from Prescott, Arizona to rural North Dakota. It was one of the best decisions Kevin and I ever made—besides getting married. We love it here and believe it or not we don't mind the cold. However, I do not like the wind. Right now, as I’m writing this post, it’s 6:40 p.m., the temp. is 17 below and dropping. The wind chill is supposed to get to minus 60 degrees.

Wowsers!

The train went by twenty minutes ago and the horn sounded like a sick cow in heat. I guess it doesn’t like the cold. LOL

I wonder how it’s going to be in the morning when we have to go to work. You bet your sweet ass we’ll be bundled up . . .

So, yeah, it’s frickin’ cold here.

What about you. Is it c-c-cold where you're at?

 

0 comments:

*How To Be #Happy In Your Life*


I want to start 2014 in a positive light.

Are you with me?

A lot of people pledge during the first of every new year to start working out, lose weight and tone their muscles. But what about working on being happy? Why not exercise your mind and reprogram it to where you won’t have to think about the following steps to reach a joyful state of mind? It’ll just come natural to you. How about that?

 STRESS:

What’s the point about stressing out about something? What benefits does it have? Um, none. I think stress goes hand and hand with worry. You’re worried because you have no control over a situation. You can’t control everything. However, you can control how you react to things and your attitude. Focus your energy on that and relax.

 Quit Comparing Yourself To Others:

I don’t care who you are, we all do this. I think it’s human nature that we compare ourselves to others. You need to stop it. The only person you should compare yourself to is yourself. Look at where you were a year ago or maybe two. What have you done with your life or self since then? What have you learned? Have you accomplished anything? Don’t look at Mary Lou who seems to have the life or looks you want. We’re all unique and have our own paths to take. Mary Lou may be gorgeous and seem like she has it made, but she might not. So stop comparing yourself to others and start looking at your own self and life.

Stop Blame Shifting:

Stop shifting the blame on someone for what you don’t have. Take responsibility. You’re in charge of your life, and it’s up to you to change it.

 Gratitude:

Be grateful for what you have. Look at all the blessings in your life and appreciate them. Yeah, you might not have all the things you desire at the moment, but think back ten years ago at things you didn’t have and now do.

 Don’t Belittle Yourself:

You’re awesome and a good person and shouldn’t talk down to yourself. We all make mistakes and have done bad things in our lives, but if you’ve learned from them and moved on, it’s all good. You’re not a horrible person and can do whatever you put your mind to—if you really want to. Your mind is a powerful thing. If you continue to think negative thoughts about yourself, it’s going to emotionally and physically hinder you in your life. So be aware of those thoughts and replace them with positive ones.

 Surround Yourself With Positive People:

Negativity breeds negativity. What’s the old saying? Oh, that’s right. Misery loves company. If you’re around miserable people, they’re going to bring you down. They’re toxic. Plain and simple. However, if you’re in the company of uplifting people who you can learn from and brings you joy, your world will be a lot brighter.

 Think About Your Goals And Not Your Problems:

If you dwell on your problems, you’re not going to get anywhere. You’ll just find excuses on why you can’t accomplish something. But if you think about your goals and how to attain them, you’ll be a lot happier and have something to look forward to.

 Quit Living In The Past And In The Future:

The past and future doesn’t exist. Quit thinking about what you could have done or if you would have had awesome parents where would you be in life right now . . . or whatever. Stop thinking about the future and Be Here Right Now. That’s what exist. What you’re doing today will help create what your tomorrows will be. Every single moment you’re creating yourself by your thoughts, your actions, and how you choose to live. Be in the moment.

 Be Yourself:

Don’t ever sacrifice who you are to please another person or to fit in with the crowd. If people can’t except you for who you are, then they’re not worth your time. That includes family as well. Be yourself. You might not have the perfect looks, car, house, bank account. You might be into vampires, werewolves, heavy metal, and wear vintage concert T-shirts. So what. That’s who you are. Don’t change it. Because seriously, you WILL meet people who will genuinely like and love you for YOU.

Period.

0 comments: