Journey with Books

Aug 25, 2012

Blog Tour: Amateur Angel by Karri Thompson

Unknown August 25, 2012 0 Comments

Hi my loves! I hope you're all doing okay. Today, I'm featuring a book entitled Amateur Angel by Ms. Karri Thompson. We'll all find out what this YA book is all about.

Title: Amateur Angel
Author: Karri Thompson
Publisher: Comfort Publishing
Publishing Date: May 1st 2012
Pages: 250
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance

Book Blurb:

Only 18-years-old, Ashley is no ordinary teenager. Not only is she dead, but upon her death, she mistakenly enters the wrong line in the afterlife, a line meant for trained, guardian angels. With a pair of wings on her back, Ashley is sent to Los Angeles to replace another angel whose "assignment" was none-other-than Cannon Michaels, a current member of the band Sendher, the sexiest man alive, and Ashley's celebrity crush in life.
While exposed to Cannon's selfish, judgmental behavior and his reckless, rock-and-roll lifestyle, Ashley is far from meeting the requirements of a true guardian angel. She misses her family and friends. Will she ever be able to accept her own death? What will she do when she jeopardizes her position as an angel and Cannon's physical safety by falling in love with him?

The review of this book will be posted within next week.
Don't forget to come back for the review next week.

About the Author:

As a first-time author, I cannot express- not even in words- how excited I am about the release of my debut novel, Amateur Angel. It took a lot of hard work and sleepless nights. There were many disappointments and rejections along the way, but in the end, my persistence and determination eventually paid off. In many ways, I think writing a novel is easier than finding an agent to represent it and then a publisher to buy it. Two years ago, I almost gave up on my dream to become an author, but then my son, Kyle, wrote a special poem for me, and it inspired me to write a new book and try again. The new book was Amateur Angel.

Here is his poem:

You fail and you fail,

You fix and you fix,

You wait and you wait,

Until you succeed.

I hung this poem in my closet and read it every day when I was getting ready to go to work and each night before I went to bed. It is still there and always will be. I know what I’m about to say will sound like a cliché, but based on my own personal experience, the best advice I can give anyone is to always believe in your abilities, hold your head high, swallow your pride, accept criticism and then learn from it, and most importantly, never give up.

I grew up in San Diego County and attended San Diego State University, earning a bachelor’s degree in English, a master’s degree in education, and my teaching credential. I am a high-school English teacher in the East County of San Diego where I also live with my husband, our son, and two dogs.

Being a lover of Victorian literature, my favorite author is Charles Dickens although I haven’t quite finished reading all of his books. Someday I’ll finally finish David Copperfield- I promise. If you are one of my students, you are either laughing or shaking your head at this.

I lead a very busy life, but when I’m not teaching, grading papers, or attending my son’s soccer games, I find time to write novels, my greatest passion.

Connect with her on:

Facebook

Twitter

kthompson489@gmail.com

Aug 20, 2012

Blog Tour: Author Guest Post and Book Excerpt: Shades of the Future by Suzanne Lilly Plus a Giveaway!

Unknown August 20, 2012 7 Comments

Hi sweets! Welcome to Shades of the Future by Suzanne Lilly Blog tour stop here on Journey with Books! Today, we'll all get a glimpse of Shades of the Future. Ms. Suzanne Lilly is also going to discuss her thoughts about the Worries of a First Time Author. Plus there's a giveaway! I know all of you would love to get a chance to win this!

Suzanne will be awarding pair of designer sunglasses to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour.

(US/Canada only)

Scroll down for more details and to just join in our lovely discussion!

Author Guest Post:

First of all, I’d like to say thank you for hosting me on your blog on August 20. I appreciate the opportunity.

Worries of a First Time Author

Writing a book is simple, right? You learn about writing fiction, you apply the concepts of characterization, plot, subplot, tension, and resolution, and develop it into a novel. Of course it takes practice to perfect, and time to write, but is it really that hard?

Then, after you’ve written the book, you just send it out to publishers or self-publish. Readers will read it and give you rave reviews, or publishers will get into a bidding war over it. It’s so simple.

Except that it’s not.

Writers pour their hearts and emotions into their novels, and when it comes time to present it to the world, it’s like revealing your deepest cares to everyone. What if people don’t like it? What if no one reads it?

Those are the fears many writers encounter, and that’s why it’s so important to develop a thick skin and simply keep on writing. This is easier said than done, because it’s hard not to take a bad review personally.

One thing to remember is that not everyone likes the same thing. For example, some people want a story to begin with action, others want a story that develops slowly with a plenty of detail and world building. Some people like broccoli and other people don’t. There’s no need to take it personally when people have differing tastes in food, and there’s also no reason to take it personally if someone doesn’t appreciate your writing style.

Which leads me to the second worry, what if no one reads it? If you write the best book you can write, have it professionally edited, and find your niche, you’ll more than likely find readers. People that enjoy your writing will talk about it, and word of mouth will lead more readers to your books. Meanwhile, get started on your next book, so as not to disappoint your readers and fans.

Listen to your readers, and respect them by giving them outstanding stories, ones that will keep them wanting to come back for more. Just write and write well. Give your readers the best book you can, and they’ll get the word out for you.

What are you planning to write next?

Shades of the Future is now available in print and digital formats. When Mariah Davis finds a pair of sunglasses that allow her to see the future, what will she do? Can she change her future to make it better? Mariah discovers that seeing into the future might not always be a good thing.

BLURB:

What would you do if you could see your future? Would you accept it or would you change it?

Mariah Davis loves animals, running, and her hunk of a boyfriend, Kevin Creamer. Everything looks bright for her until the day she finds a pair of sunglasses that allow her to see the future.

When she glimpses a disaster looming, she tries to avoid it but fails. She has a car accident that lands her in a wheelchair, smashing her hopes for a running scholarship to the veterinary program at Ohio State University. She pushes Kevin away, thinking he’ll want to end their relationship now that she can’t walk.

Will she ever learn to trust and love again? She could search for an answer in the sunglasses. But she’s afraid what they reveal might destroy her.

BUY LINKS: Amazon – Barnes and Noble - Smashwords - Turquoise Morning Press

My next novel is Untellable and it will be released in February 2013. Here’s a short blurb:

Aspen Marie Dwyer has a secret to keep and she picks Honey Creek, Ohio as the perfect place to hide. Arriving on a Greyhound bus with nothing but a duffel bag containing her clothes and personal belongings, she walks to the Honey Creek Lake Lodge, to begin her summer job as a lifeguard. Four years earlier, Aspen witnessed her father murder her mother, and her testimony locked him away in prison. Before being taken out of the courtroom in shackles, he swore someday he would find her and kill her, too.

Local volunteer firefighter Colton Moraine is always up for a challenge and Aspen is just what he needs to liven up his small town summer. Through driving lessons, picnics, and romantic kisses under the fireworks, the two fall in love. Aspen fatalistically knows their summer romance will end if Colton finds out her history. But not telling him tortures her, making her feel like a fraud.

When her father is granted parole, she can no longer keep her dark secret. She has to make a life changing decision. Will she continue to run and hide, or fight for the love she’s discovered with Colton in Honey Creek?

Book Excerpt: (Shades of the Future)

“You see things?” Eulalie put the remains of her cookie on her saucer and leaned her elbows on the table. She laced her fingers together and rested her chin on her folded hands. “What kinds of things?”

“I don’t want you to think I’m crazy, but I see things that haven’t happened yet,” Mariah blurted out. She went on to tell her about the trig test that day, Hayley’s color-changing outfit, and the hamburger.

“Well, now, that doesn’t seem too bad.” Eulalie stirred her tea even though she hadn’t put any sugar in it. She took a sip.

“So you don’t think it’s strange?” Mariah asked.

Eulalie put her cup down. She shook her head. “I didn’t say that. Have you seen anything else? Anything that might involve other people? Something that might be a burden to you?”

Mariah shook her head no.

“That’s a good thing.” The words meant one thing, but the way Eulalie cleared her throat and looked away made Mariah think that it wasn’t what she truly thought. “If I were you, I’d be careful with them.”

“What do you mean?”

“When you start messing around with fortune telling and seeing the future, sooner or later you might see things you don’t want to know about.”

Author Bio and Links:

Suzanne Lilly writes lighthearted young adult stories with a splash of suspense, a flash of the unexplained, a dash of romance, and always a happy ending. Her short stories have appeared in numerous places online and in print, and she has placed and received honorable mentions in writing contests.

Her debut novel is Shades of the Future, (July 2012, Turquoise Morning Press) followed by Untellable, (February 2013.) She lives in Northern California where she reads, writes, cooks, swims, and teaches elementary students.

Where to find Suzanne Lilly online:

Suzanne Lilly Website: http://www.suzannelilly.com

TeacherWriter Blog: http://www.teacherwriter.net

Suzanne Lilly Author Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/SuzanneLillyAuthor

Goodreads Author Page: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5258804.Suzanne_Lilly

Twitter: @suzannelilly http://twitter.com/suzannelilly

Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Suzanne-Lilly/e/B006HY79IY

Google +: https://plus.google.com/u/0/115758832631616324955/posts

Giveaway:

Suzanne will be awarding pair of designer sunglasses to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour (US/Canada only)

I would love to know your thoughts about the worries of a first time author.

If you're an author, what was your biggest worry when it was your first time to publish a book?

If you're a book lover/reader, what is your biggest worry whenever you're reading a book from a first time author?

Again, this is all just for fun guys!

Aug 16, 2012

Double Cover Reveal: Taken (A Watchers Novella) and Altered Souls (The Witch Avenue Series Book 2) by Karice Bolton

Unknown August 16, 2012 1 Comments

Hi my loves! We have a double book cover reveal today! both books are written by Ms. Karice Bolton from her two different book series. I'm sure you'll all appreciate this very good looking book covers.

Title: Taken (A Watchers Novella)

Author: Karice Bolton

Expected Pub: December 2012

Prequel (The Watchers Trilogy)

Book Blurb:

Ana and Athen are enjoying the quiet life as a couple with only the minor dark demon infraction to rectify. Cyril and Arie are enjoying the newfound simplicity too. Things are perfect – too perfect.

They soon realize that something far more sinister is taking place in their world, and they must do their best to stop the evil from spreading. Determined to figure out who is tampering with the mortals’ fate they are unable to recognize that it’s a trap, and one of their own is the target.

This is where it all begins.

Tilte: Altered Souls (Book 2 of The Witch Avenue Series)

Author: Karice Bolton

Expected Pub: October 2012

Book Blurb:

The realm of Altered Souls brings nothing but unrest, deceit, and pain forcing Triss to come face to face with heartbreak from her past.

Facing a betrayal like never before, Triss questions everything she thought she knew about her family, coven, and abilities.

With the help of Logan, she embarks on a journey enabling her to confront the dark side of magic and the person who controls it. Realizing Triss’s ancestors have been seduced for centuries by the dark side, Triss and Logan must ensure no more in their world fall victim to the realm of Altered Souls, even if that means ending the ones they love.

So what do you guys think of these wonderful covers?

It's pretty eye catchy, right?

Author Bio:

Karice Bolton
Karice Bolton is a paranormal romance/urban fantasy author living in the Pacific Northwest. All three books in The Watchers Trilogy are available now, Awakening, Legions, and Cataclysm. Lonely Souls, which is the first book in her new series Witch Avenue, was released in June 2012!

Karice married the love of her life who she met in high school, and she still can't get over how cute and funny he is. They have two English Bulldogs that are the cutest bullies in the world, and they use their cuteness to get what they want. Karice loves the snow and gravitates towards the stuff as often as possible! She enjoys skiing and tries really hard to snowboard, but often makes a nice little area to sit while everyone zips by on their board. She enjoys writing, and she also loves to read just about anything with print.

Author Links:

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5240334.Karice_Bolton
Website: http://www.karicebolton.com/
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/karicebolton
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Karice-Bolton/218230041566833

Aug 9, 2012

Blog Tour: Review: Racing To Love by Amy Gregory

Unknown August 09, 2012 2 Comments

Hi loves! How are you doing?! Today is is the stop of Racing To Love by Amy Gregory's blog tour in Journey with Books. We'll get to know more about this book and also about Ms. Amy Gregory.

Contemporary Romance

Title: Racing to Love

Author: Amy Gregory

Date Published: 6/7/2012

Publisher: Sapphire Star Publishing

Book Blurb:

From the outside, Molly West had everything, beauty, brains, and a career she’d retired from not once, but twice. Being in the limelight and in a sport that was male driven, she was often surrounded by men. She ignored first the boys, and as she got older, the men. Her cold shoulder and patented not a chance in hell look were usually enough to get her point across. Molly had no plans in changing what was a perfectly good system. That is until she walked into the pits.

Carter Sterling had traveled the racing circuit since he was a boy. He’d heard all the old standbys, She’s out there somewhere, love comes along when you least expect it. Good things come to those that… Yeah, he’d heard them all. The last place he expected to meet the love of his life was on a pro track. All she did was smile, and he knew, looking into her sapphire blue eyes, Molly West was his. Forever.

If it was only that easy. From the moment he laid eyes on her, he had a gripping feeling in him. An overwhelming need to protect her—a girl he’d just met. Carter had learned a long time ago that gut feelings are almost never wrong. Molly now held his heart in her hands, but it was going to take a lot more than just love to protect her from the past she thought she’d buried a long time ago.

My Thoughts:

What I liked:

The plot was interesting. It wasn't the most original but I think the author owned it and made it more interesting and gave it more depth.
The characters are very well developed and well presented. You sympathize and empathize with these characters as if they were your friends. Molly is an interesting character to get to know. She's vulnerable because her past has affected her life but she's also a strong girl. I love seeing her get stronger and more independent.
I also appreciated the characters relationship with each other. I think it added to the angst and excitement of the story.
I also love the secondary characters. they definitely made reading this book so much fun.

What I didn't like:

Going in, I knew that this book is going to be about a whirlwind romance but I think this is too fast for me. I didn't appreciate how the romance progressed too fast. Don't get me wrong, Carter and Molly do share a lot of chemistry but my enjoyment in reading their romance was greatly diminished by how fast it got, considering Molly's trauma. It wasn't that believable. Molly is supposed to be really wary and scared of men and yet she let Carter do things, a girl who experienced trauma wouldn't let a guy do especially on their first meeting. That just don't happen.

Overall, I still enjoyed reading this book despite its flaws. I think Amy Gregory wrote a very nice romance book that is full of wit and fun without sacrificing its depth. The mystery is a nice added touch to it. I recommend this to all those who loves a whirlwind romance with a twist in it.

Author Bio

Amy Gregory leads an incredibly active lifestyle in Kansas City with her husband and their three fantastic kids who keep them running in three very different directions. When she’s not rushing her oldest daughter to tumbling, her youngest daughter to music lessons, or sitting track-side watching her son practice motocross, she’s taking the few minutes in between to scribble the next pages in her Racing to Love series.

When asked, “When do you have time to write?” Amy Gregory giggles. “In bits and pieces,” she says.

Amy is known for her snarky, off the cuff sense of humor, which you’ll find shining through in the characters she’s created. Her debut novel, Racing to Love, Carter’s Treasure, is set for release June 7, 2012.

I’ve spent my whole life trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up, and now I’ve finally found it. – Amy Gregory

http://www.sapphirestarpublishing.com/ssp/amygregory/
http://www.amygregory548.blogspot.com/
Twitter - @AmyGregory548

Aug 8, 2012

Blog Tour: Author Guest Post: The Lust Garden by Billy Jolie Plus 5 Autographed Copies of The Lust Garden and a $50 GC Giveaway!

Unknown August 08, 2012 0 Comments

Author Guest Post:

The Gift

I’ll never forget the day I came home from work and found the first printed copy of my novel, The Lust Garden, waiting for me in my mailbox. I was so consumed with joy that I actually cried, and I’m not embarrassed to admit that. Having the physical book in my hand was the final realization that I had done it, that I had made one of my dreams come true.

As happy as I was in that moment, I began to feel something else as well – emptiness. It was like I was letting go of something I’d held close to me for years. I don’t have any kids, but I imagine it’s a similar feeling to seeing your grown child leave for college. Crazy comparison? That’s me, though. I’m just as dramatic as my characters.

I decided then that I needed something that would remind of the book every day, and not a poster of the cover, which I do have in my writing room, but something special, something no one else would have.

I enlisted the help of my friend Katrina, who’s an artist. I commissioned a painting based on the last few chapters of my novel. I wanted the picture to tell Gianna’s story. I knew Katrina was the right person for the job. I’ve always thought her work was beautiful. She’s keen on the usage of bold, bright colors paired with whimsical themes, which is just my style.

When she unveiled the final piece to me, which happened to fall on my birthday, and the novel’s anniversary, I was blown away. I was ecstatic. She truly captured the essence of my story so precisely. It was like a roll of film taken from the pages of The Lust Garden.

I recently bought a townhouse and that’s where the painting hangs. She’s on display for everyone that comes to my home. My camera doesn’t do her justice:

Gianna’s Exit

For those familiar with the book, I’d love to read your thoughts in the blog comments. What do you think? Is it representative of my novel, The Lust Garden?

Paperback: 312 pages

Publisher: WingSpan Press (June 4, 2010)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1595943900

ISBN-13: 978-1595943903

Book Blurb:

With her perfectly tousled blonde hair and pink, pouty lips, Gianna Salvani is the girl everyone loves to hate. She has it all - fame, fortune and unrivaled beauty. But behind the seductive smile is an insecure girl who still grieves for the father she lost years ago. With a controversial new film in the can, and the release of her debut album looming, Gianna is poised to take center stage. But when a shocking secret leaves her exposed, her fame will bring her face-to-face with a nightmare she never saw coming. Because lurking in the shadow of her spotlight is an obsessed killer with plans of his own for Gianna. Ignited by his first conquest, Gianna's greatest admirer begins a brutal hunt to claim her as the ultimate trophy in a string of look-alike murders. Motivated by envy, he forces himself into her seemingly untainted world and threatens to ruin everything she's built by revealing a hidden tie that binds them. And if you knew his secret, you'd want to kill her too.

GIVEAWAY:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Billy Jolie graduated from the University of South Florida with a degree in Mass Communications. He lives in the Tampa Bay area.

Follow him on Facebook / Twitter / Blog / Goodreads

Aug 7, 2012

Book Excerpt: Pledged by Gwynneth White

Unknown August 07, 2012 0 Comments

Title: Pledged (Soul Wars Saga 1)
Author: Gwynneth White
Print Length: 291 pages
Publisher: Swallow Press
Date Published: June 3, 2012

Book Blurb:

Everyone has a soul mate. But what do you do when your soul mate would rather give his soul to the demons than be with you?

Seventeen-year-old Erin has a problem. Seth has been hers forever, but now an ancient promise is tearing him away. And Reuel, the demon to whom the promise was made, will stop at nothing to force Seth to forsake Erin and to worship him.

How can Erin win against a pledge so binding that it has damned countless others to the same fate she and Seth will face if Reuel wins – an eternity alone?

The answer lies in the past. To find it, Erin and Seth must risk all, travelling back in time to a dangerous world where love is forbidden, and life – and death – hang on a promise.

Follow Erin and Seth as they travel to ancient Shenaya to break the pledge that has plagued their families for millennia. Caught in a war between the Angelic Guardians and the Gefallen, the disembodied dead, they must fight to keep their souls in tact and their love untainted.

BOOK EXCERPT:

Meet Seth and Erin . . .

Despite the heat, Seth felt icy. Dread could do that to him. Or so he had recently discovered. Deep breathing usually calmed him, so he sucked in a lungful of desert air and told himself to relax. It didn’t help. By the time he’d walked from the aircraft to the immigration hall he’d ripped off a jagged piece of thumbnail, already bitten raw. He handed his US passport to the Botswanan border official, and, after a frown, and a stamp, he joined the crowd at the baggage carousel. Botswana in southern Africa was the last place on earth he’d ever have picked for a holiday destination. But he wasn’t here on holiday. Not even close.

His backpack was slow in coming. Tired from his long-haul flight from New York, he leaned against the wall and closed his eyes. Almost as if to mock him, the hated vision that had brought him to Botswana burst into his mind. In an instant he was back in ancient times, watching a man he knew only as Gideon. As usual, Gideon was huddled on a windswept hill with his band of hopeless soldiers, waiting to be slaughtered by a huge army gathered in the valley below.

Seth snapped his eyes open to stop the battle from waging in his mind. It wasn’t that he was particularly squeamish; he’d watched enough movies to iron clad his stomach against gory visuals. But no movie had ever left him icy with dread the way Gideon’s battle did. And the reason for that was simple. The moment the visions had started, he had known that the war, fought so long ago in a place he’d never heard of, was far from over. And, as reluctant as he was, he too was being enlisted to fight in a cause he didn’t understand or want.

He forced himself to focus on the present: Erin, who waited for him in the arrivals hall; his brother Kyle, whom he’d come to Botswana to visit; Kyle’s expedition to find the Lost City of the Kalahari . . .

He ripped off another piece of fingernail. Thinking about the search for the Lost City was almost as bad as the war-vision. I hope Kyle never finds the damned place. He slapped his hand on his thigh. Enough! Grabbing his backpack off the carousel, he set his face into a smile and strode into the arrivals hall.

The first hurdle was finding Erin. She was due to arrive an hour earlier on a flight from Cape Town in South Africa, one of Botswana’s neighbours. He’d never met her, although they had spoken over the phone once. Then she’d described herself as “a short, seventeen-year-old (a year younger than him) with a mass of ginger hair.” She’d sounded nice. Meeting her was the one ray of brightness in this otherwise dark picture.

He stopped to scan the crowd. A petite girl with shoulder length, reddish-blonde curls, dressed in skinny jeans and a purple blouse, immediately caught his eye. It had to be Erin. Nice legs. What’s it with girls that they always under-sell themselves? He studied her face with his artist’s eye. Vermeer would’ve killed to paint her. Suddenly wishing he didn’t look so grimy after his three plane-changes, he walked over to join her.

“Hi, I’m Seth. You’ve got to be Erin. My brother’s just married your sister Izzy.”

“And after only knowing each other for about a week.”

Her dimpled grin was infectious, making him crack his trademark crooked smile. “Madness.”

“Mysterious.” Erin cocked her head to one side, seemingly appraising him. He knew he had been accurate when he’d told her he was tall and dark-haired. But what he had failed to mention was what girls had often said they liked about him: his strong, angular face, softened by expressive brown eyes. He watched her eyes rove over his grey Muse: Resistance t-shirt, taking in his broad shoulders and chest. From there they darted down his black camo-pants to his boots. Amused by her blatant assessment, he cocked his head to one side, watching her. Suddenly Erin giggled – was she embarrassed? – and picked up her bag.

“We’ve yet another plane to catch. My fourth in the last twenty-four hours,” Seth said, hoping to explain
away his rumpled appearance.

“To a place called Maun.”

“So we do. Let the adventure begin.”

About the Author:

I have spent my entire life living in a parallel universe of make-believe characters, only coming back to reality for long enough to check that no one burnt the house down in my absence. A few years ago I decided to commit some of those 'friends' and their stories to paper. The "Soul Wars Saga" trilogy - "Pledged", "Sacrificed" and "Saved" - is the result of those efforts. Before that I co-authored two non-fiction travel books - "The Complete Guide to 4x4 Trails" and "The Ultimate 4x4 Guide". Both books became instant best-sellers in South Africa where I live. And before that even, I studied a degree in African History and Politics at the University of Stellenbosch.

When I'm not writing, I am a wife to Andrew and a mom to Stephanie, Erin, and Kate, our teenage daughters. My family and I live in small town outside Cape Town with two dogs, a cat, a horse, and some neglected fish.

Now that you know a little about me, I would love to get to know you. Please befriend me at:

Twitter: @GwynnethWhite

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Gwynneth-White/172095512890074

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/7360328-gwynneth-white

Blog: http://todayinshenaya.blogspot.com

Swallow Press author's page at: http://swallowpress.com

Email: gwynnethwhite@4xforum.com

Aug 6, 2012

Blog Tour: Author Guest Post and Book Excerpt: Blood Betrayed by Gabrielle Bisset Plus a Signed Cover Flats from the Sons of Navarus Series and a $10 Amazon GC Giveaway!

Unknown August 06, 2012 30 Comments

Hi my loves! How are you guys doing? I trust everything is going great with you guys. Anyways, I'm back again with another blog tour! This time Journey with Books is featuring the author of Blood Betrayed, Gabrielle Bisset. She's going to share her awesome thoughts to us. Plus there's a giveaway! Gabrielle will be giving away signed cover flats from the Sons of Navarus series and a $10 Amazon GC to one randomly drawn commenter.

Author Guest Post:

Mainstream/Traditional VS Indie Publishing

Thanks so much for having me here today at Journey With Books on this stop for Blood Betrayed's book tour. It's great to be here!

These days, authors have the choice to try traditional publishing through NY or epubs, or indie publishing on their own. My Sons of Navarus series is indie published. I chose to go indie with this series mainly because NY doesn't seem convinced that vampires are interesting anymore, unless they're from a big author. I disagreed and published on my own. This isn't the first time I'd gone indie, though. I have had one book, my first entitled Stolen Destiny, published traditionally. For that, I went through Siren Publishing. Since then, however, I've published all my books myself, including a sequel to Stolen Destiny entitled Destiny Redeemed, three novellas that make up the Victorian Erotic Romance Trilogy, and the Sons books, Blood Avenged and Blood Betrayed. For me at this time, indie is just the way to go.

This isn't to say traditional publishing doesn't have some benefits. I must hire professionals to help with a number of tasks, especially my editing and cover art, and I wouldn't have to do that if I didn't go indie. For some authors, those two issues alone are reason enough to choose the traditional publishing route. Professionals cost money, and sometimes they can cost a lot of money.

On the other hand, indie beats traditional publishing hands down when it comes to royalties. As an indie, I make 70% royalties on my books $2.99 and up. That's a lot more than traditional publishers offer.

However, for me, what tips the scales in favor of indie every time is the freedom I have to pursue the topics I love and the way I love to present them. I'm in charge of everything, from the way the book is presented to the cover art to distribution. It's a huge responsibility, but it's very gratifying to know I handle the presentation of my work.

The Indie Revolution, as some are calling this change in publishing, has exploded recently and it's all very exciting, but when it comes right down to it, the choice to go indie is one that means a lot of work. For me, though, it was the only logical choice to make with my Sons of Navarus series. Will it always be the only way I publish? I don't know. But for now, I'm a very proud indie author.

Thank you Ms. Gabrielle Bisset for that informational Guest Post. I think both Traditional and Indies have their own pros and cons. To us readers, it doesn't really matter. As long as the book is good and well written, it would be loved and accepted.

This information is really good for those people who are planning on becoming great Authors. I wish you all the best.

Paperback: 268 pages
Publisher: Gabrielle Bisset (May 20, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0984724370
ISBN-13: 978-0984724376

Book Blurb:

I am everything forbidden. I am vampire.

Haunted by betrayal, Saint hides in the human world, giving his heart to no one and finding the only solace from his past in the arms of human women. Now as the Archons begin their takeover of the vampire world, this Son of Navarus has been marked for death.

Summoned to defeat the Archons by the world that shunned him, Saint must face his past and Solenne, the woman he loved and lost a century ago, for only in accepting her will his body and soul finally find salvation.

Book Excerpt:

"Solenne, can you find a woman who doesn't smell like she's been deep fried in animal fat tonight?"

Closing the door to the refrigerator, Solenne turned to see Saint standing at the kitchen's center island. Shirtless. Again.

"Saint, do you own any shirts or do you need me to pick some up for you?"

Smirking, he raised his eyebrows in amusement. "Have we become a prude?"

Pushing past him, she sat down at the table and popped a grape into her mouth. "Don't you concern yourself with me, but dial back the Cro-Magnon act, can you?"

Leaning against the counter, Saint propped himself up on his elbows and rolled his eyes. "And the girl from last night?"

Solenne secretly enjoyed the thought of him repelled by Marie for any reason. Maybe he didn't drink from her. That would explain why he was being such an ass. Maybe he didn't sleep with her either.

"Marie seemed perfectly fine to me," she said casually as she picked grapes off the vine. "Maybe you just weren't her type. Maybe she has more refined tastes in men."

"Yeah, that sounds right. A woman who smells like a French fry has refined tastes. Just find me a woman who smells like a woman should."

You'll be lucky if I bring you one at all.

Saint strolled past her after issuing his order as if he were the king of the castle. God, he was infuriating! If she'd ever met a man who could push her buttons more than Saint, she couldn't remember him. Wouldn't have wanted to remember him, at any rate.

It still amazed her how different he and his brother were. Teagan was smooth and so much fun to be around. And Saint? Always the darker, more sullen brother, he'd transformed into a shell of the man she'd met a hundred years ago, more detached and alone than anything else now.

But behind his gruff exterior—behind the defensiveness—that vulnerable soul she'd known then must still exist. At least she hoped it did.

It did no good to think about that now, though. She had a job to do, and at the moment that meant finding a human female to provide him with what he needed.

Even if it felt like she was betraying everything she held dear in her heart the whole time she was doing it.

Where to Buy:

Giveaway:

Gabrielle will be giving away signed cover flats from the Sons of Navarus series and a $10 Amazon GC to one randomly drawn commenter.

To make things easier just answer this question:

If you would be an Author, what would you choose? Indie or would you go to Mainstream/Traditional Publishing? Why?

Remember, that this is all just for fun.. (^_~)

Author Bio:

Gabrielle Bisset spends her days teaching college students American and European history, but by night she's an erotic romance author. Her first book, Stolen Destiny, was released by Siren Publishing in June 2011, and since then she's released the novellas of The Victorian Erotic Romance Trilogy--Vampire Dreams, Love's Master, and Masquerade--in addition to Destiny Redeemed. In December 2011, she released Blood Avenged, the first book in the Sons of Navarus series about eight vampires who must protect their world against an enemy that travels among their kind. Blood Betrayed is the second book in the series. She lives in Pennsylvania with her teenage son and a herd of pets.

Links:
Website: Gabrielle Bisset Romance http://www.gabriellebisset.com/
Blog: http://gbisset.blogspot.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002481284652&sk=info
Sons of Navarus Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/SonsOfNavarusSeries
Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Gabrielle-Bisset/135134056553049
Twitter: @gabriellebisset https://twitter.com/#!/gabriellebisset
Email: gabriellebisset@gmail.com

This amazing blog tour was organized by:

Aug 5, 2012

Author Interview: Wynne Channing (What Kills Me)

Unknown August 05, 2012 0 Comments

Hi my loves. It has been a long time, right?! I really apologize for not updating much. Sometimes real life kicks you and you have to take time to pick yourself up.

Anyways, I'm here to feature this very talented I just met. Her book is probably one of the best books I've read so far this year. I will be posting a review of it soon, so please watch out for it. While waiting for it, I want you all to meet Ms. Wynne Channing. She's the author of What Kills Me, the book I was raving about. Check out her fascinating answers, just scroll down..

Author Interview:

Tell us something about yourself. Something that would make your name stay with us.

I’m a newspaper journalist and Wynne Channing is a pen name inspired by my “stripper name.” Try it: Your middle name or your first pet’s name and then the street that you grew up on. (Write me and tell me yours!)

What made you decide to write a book?

I’ve always wanted to write novels. I just got distracted by the news.

What is your first ever read? The one that made you fall in love with books?

The first novel that I remember being freaked out by was Roald Dahl’s The Witches. I thought every scary lady was really a bald witch with no toes.

What is the hardest part of being an author?

I love to write. But I’m not good at selling. Unfortunately, if you don’t sell what you write...no one will read it :)

What are the perks of being an author?

I’ve done many happy dances after hearing from readers. I’m running out of ridiculous dance moves!

Where did you get the inspiration to give life to your characters?

I draw inspiration from real life. I have the great fortune of having met a lot of amazing people and written a lot of inspiring, tragic, powerful news stories. They all find a place in my book.

If there's an opportunity, would you like to turn your books into the big screen?

I’ve been told that What Kills Me is very cinematic. As a movie lover, I’d love to see it on the big screen.

Fun Questions:

When the word 'Hunk' is uttered, who is the first person that comes into your mind?

Thor.

Who is that one "HOT" celebrity you would want to marry? (If you're not married.)

No clue. Celebrity marriages don’t last that long.

If you're going to heaven, who is that ONE person you'd want to be with?

My dude. We’d laugh all day until they kicked us out.

If you're going to hell, who is that ONE person that you would drag with you?

I’d take someone who needs the major heat rash. Like that telemarketer who always calls me at dinnertime.

Last Question:

What is your next move as an author?

I’m working on the sequel to What Kills Me so there will be more adventures with Lucas and Zee. And of course, more blood.

Thank you Ms. Wynne Channing for sharing all these stuff with us. I'm actually pretty excited that there would be a sequel of What Kills Me. It's a really great book and I'm not really ready to let go of Lucas and Zee.

Title: What Kills Me
Author: Wynne Channing
Published: June 6, 2012
Publisher: Jet & Jack Press
Format: Ebook
Pages: 254

Book Blurb:

An ancient prophecy warns of a girl destined to cause the extinction of the vampire race. So when 17-year-old Axelia falls into a sacred well filled with blood and emerges a vampire, the immortal empire believes she is this legendary destroyer. Hunted by soldiers and mercenaries, Axelia and her reluctant ally, the vampire bladesmith Lucas, must battle to survive.

How will she convince the empire that she is just an innocent teenager-turned bloodsucker and not a creature of destruction? And if she cannot, can a vampire who is afraid of bugs summon the courage to fight a nation of immortals?

Where to Buy:

Amazon US | Amazon UK | B&N | Kobo | iTunes

About the Author:

Wynne Channing is a national newspaper reporter and young adult novelist. Wynne loves telling stories and as a journalist, she has interviewed everyone from Daniel Radcliffe and Hugh Jackman to the president of the Maldives and Duchess Sarah Ferguson. The closest she has come to interviewing a vampire is sitting down with True Blood‘s Alexander Skarsgard (he didn’t bite).

She briefly considered calling her debut novel “Well” so then everyone would say: “Well written by Wynne Channing.”

Connect with Wynne:

Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads