An Intermittent Hiatus

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Hi all -

I've hit that time of year when my schedule explodes and my sense of overwhelm becomes extreme. I've got two major deadlines creeping up too fast, along with tying up loose ends at work as I prepare for a little job change. All of this equals being insanely busy.

So, as I wrestle to hit a few deadlines and clean out my desk at work, I just wanted you to know that I may be a little more scarce around the interwebz.

Hope all of you are FABULOUS!

Fiction Friday: Sharing a NEW snippet of Dominus

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Happy Friday! I am especially excited today. Not only is it Friday, but I am down to just over a month before summer vacation and a little change to my day job that will give me significantly more time for my writing and such. I am so dang excited about that...

Today, I thought I'd share a little bit more of Dominus, the final book in the Requiem Series. This book is told from both Nesy's and Lilith's POV, and this excerpt features Lilith:

~~

            Smokey black tendrils snake away from Lilith and encircle Aydan, weaving through the chains that bind him in place. His eyes, black and lifeless, no longer reflect any hint of his past. No amber color streaking through the dark orbs, no sublet glint that speaks of his angelic origins. He growls, snapping his fang-like teeth and clawing at the smoke.

            “Now, now, Aydan, my pet. Is that any way to greet your Master?” The smoke coils back into Lilith as she assumes her familiar shape. Long dark hair, cut in angular strands around her face. Dark eyes, still flecked with navy, that stand out against pale skin. She takes a sharp breath, filling her senses with the familiar scent of vanilla and smoke.

            Nessa.

            She takes a step toward Aydan and smiles. “Why resist, my pet? I know how much you like this form.”

            Lilith reaches out and caresses his check, feeling his skeletal frame beneath his bat-like skin. “Or maybe this would be better.” She closes her eyes and inhales a deep breath. A new image forms in her thoughts, a body so different from her own. Her pale skin deepens and takes on a golden hue. Her hair lengthens and fades, reflecting the sun that refuses to come into this domain. Her eyes brighten, taking the form of endless blue oceans. “Is this what you need, my pet? Who you need?”

            Aydan clenches his jaw and turns away. She grabs his chin and forces him to face her. An image of Nesayiel reflects in his eyes. The same golden skin, the same golden wings. Lilith smiles as she leans into him. “I can be her for you.” She wets her lips and whispers into his ear. “I can be whatever you need.”

            She guides her fingers along the markings on his neck and jaw, delighting in the pain, the lust, she feels rolling from him to her. A slight moan escapes his lips as she presses a brief kiss onto his neck.

           “Stop,” he growls, stretching away from her touch. “I want nothing from you, need nothing. Except your death.”

            Lilith laughs. “You need me more than you realize, my pet.” She pulls him to her, her lips brushing against his ear.”You’ll beg for me in the end.”

~~

There you have it! For more from Dominus, check out the FREE download of the companion short Enigma, with the first chapter of Dominus included. And check out the trailer:

So...

what do you think?

A Moment of Reflection: Looking back at the last 5 years...

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Wednesday is "tip" day and since I am feeling very nostalgic, I thought I'd talk about taking a moment to reflect on the journey we are on as artists. As I mentioned on Monday, my sixth book came out this week. Somehow I've managed to miss the impact of this to me...

SIXTH BOOK

That is crazy! If you had asked me several years ago if this journey would have resulted in three fiction and three nonfiction books, I am not certain I'd have believed you. Yet, here I am.

Like most writers, I live in a state of angst most of the time, measuring my progress by how far I still have to go to achieve my goals. That's silly! So today I wanted to share my journey in the hopes it might inspire me - and you - to stay the course. I have a long way to go still, but wow....I just published my sixth freakin' book!

I started writing with the intent of publishing in May 2008. By August 2008, I had penned my first novel. It was junk. Yep. SERIOUS junk. The rest of my timeline went something like this:

• August 2008 - discover Querytracker and dare to query the bad novel
• Nov 2008 - participate in NaNoWriMo and write the sequel to the bad novel
• Dec 2008 - meet first critique partner, realize HOW BAD the novel and query letter are and stop querying immediately!
• Jan 2009 - Aug. 2009 - rewrite and requery first novel
• June 2009 - Query Emotional Intensity - get lots of interest
• August 2009 - Sign with my first agent
• Nov 2009 - Write Lacrimosa and sell Emotional Intensity
• Dec 2009 - Abandon first novel and work on editing Lacrimosa
• Jan 2010 - Agent decides she may represent Lacrimosa and we work on edits. She was a nonfiction agent only at the time
• Feb 2010 - sell another nonfiction book - 101 Success Secrets
• April 2010 - Agent decides NOT to represent my fiction and I start to query
• April 2010 - Oct 2010 - Query Lacrimosa. Many many requests, no offers.
• Oct 2010 - First Book Released - Emotional Intensity
• Nov 2010 - Jan 2011 - Write Transcend
• Jan 
• Feb 2011 - Stop querying Lacrimosa and work on polishing Transcend
• March 2011 - Second book released - 101 Success Secrets for Gifted Kids
• May 2011 - My agent and I part ways
• May 2011 - Dec 2011 - begin querying Transcend. Even more requests. Still no offers. Book developer takes to acquisitions, but no offers. I call this my "so-close, yet so far" period!
• Nov 2011 - I sell Lacrimosa and its sequels to Compass Press and decide to take a different route for my career
• Jan 2012 - My first short story is released
• Feb 2012 - I sell my third NF
• March 2012 - My first novel is released
• April 2012 - I sell Transcend to Compass Press
• May 2012 - I sell my fourth Nonfiction title
• June 2012 - Another short is released
• Sept 2012 - Transcend is released
• Nov 2012 - Libera Me is released
• Deb 2012 - Anthology released
• Jan 2013 - I decide to take my career to a different place and again pursue an agent. But, I have books on contract that need to be finished first
• April 2013 - Another short is released
• May 2013 - The Girl Guide is released.

Very exciting to see the journey this way, and something I probably should have done a long time ago. It is crazy easy to think you aren't making progress, to compare yourself against others. The truth is, I have done a lot in a pretty short amount of time.

2013 will continue with two more releases (July and Oct) and the start of querying. After crafting the timeline, I can honestly say, I am more excited than ever to see what is in store for the future...

How do you reflect on the past and let it motivate your future??

The Girl Guide Release PARTY!!!

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HOLY COW! I can't believe the Girl Guide is OFFICIALLY out this week. I know a few of you have found it out in the wild and a few have received your pre-ordered copies. But now it is out for the world. Okay, tomorrow it is actually out.

As many of  you know, this book is special to me. It contains everything I would - and have - told my girls about growing up a strong woman. At a time when women's rights continue to be threatened in places in the world, and girls are getting bombarded with mixed messages about how they are supposed to act, I think the book has an important message.

Another reason I am thrilled for the book, is the advice contributed by some of the most amazing women I am privileged enough to call friends. Called "Notes to Self" in the book, these little nuggets are amazing. Thank you to the

following list of women who shared their words and advice:
Mona Chicks, Paula Earl, Rebekah Graham, Erin Hastedt, Stasia Kehow Ward, Jessi Kirby, Shelli Johannes, Heather McCorkle, Michelle McLean, Gretchen McNeil, Jen Merrill, Abby Mohaupt, Lisa Rivero, BE Sanderson, Melodye Shore, and my mom and grandmother. This group is nothing short of amazing! 

To celebrate the launch, Xpresso Book Tours is hosting a book blitz over the next couple of weeks, and with it, I am hosting a special Girl Guide giveaway. Before I get to the prizes, which include books and a gift certificate for either Amazon or Barnes and Noble, I want to tell you about a special photo opportunity associated with the giveaway...

As most of you know, Barnes and Noble picked up the Girl Guide for national distribution. In fact, it has end-cap display in the Teen section starting May 14 (see picture for location). 

This is a first for any of my books to be picked up for large distribution and I am pretty dang giddy about it. SO, I am asking that you, my readers, find my book at your local Barnes and Noble, take a picture of it, and post it online somewhere. If you do, it counts as TEN ENTRIES for the giveaway.

Epic, yes????

Okay, so the rest of the specifics:

Giveaway runs from TODAY through June 1 and it is open internationally. Of course, there is nothing you "need" to do other than complete the form below, though I am giving extra entries for various things - like the picture op. (Can you tell I am excited to see pictures!). Winners are randomly chosen.

Here is what you can win:
1) $100 gift certificate for Amazon or Barnes and Noble (winner's choice) PLUS a copy of the Girl Guide and swag (1 prize)
2) An annotated galley proof of the Girl Guide with my comments throughout, PLUS book swag (1 prize)
3) A copy of the Girl Guide plus book swag (3 prizes)

Complete the form below to enter:

a Rafflecopter giveaway


And I can't wait to see the pictures!

Bookanista Review: MILA 2.0 and a giveaway

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It's Bookanista Thursday and time for a new review. This week I am featuring fellow Bookanista Denra Driza's MILA 2.0. But before I get into the review, check out what the other Bookanistas are up to (and be sure to read the end of the review for a special giveaway):

Christine Fonseca  marvels at MILA 2.0 by Debra Driza – with giveaway!

Corrine Jackson is blown away by BRUISED by Sarah Skilton

Elana Johson  buzzes about STUNG by Bethany Wiggins

Stasia Ward Kehoe fawns over THE FIFTH WAVE by Rick Yancey

Jessica Love raves about THE RULES FOR DISAPPEARING by Ashley Elton

Shannon Messenger  shares an exclusive excerpt from INSOMNIA

Tracy Banghart  swoons for THE NAME OF THE STAR by Maureen Johnson

Lenore Appelhans celebrates 17 AND GONE by Nova Ren Suma

On to my Bookanista Shout out for MILA 2.0 by Debra Driza:

Release Date: 03/12/2013

Basic Blurb: (from Amazon)

Mila was living with her mother in a small Minnesota town when she discovered she was also living a lie. 

She was never meant to learn the truth about her identity. She was never supposed to remember the past.

Now she has no choice but to run--from the dangerous operatives who want her terminated because she knows too much, and from a mysterious group that wants to capture her alive and unlock her advanced technology.

Evading her enemies won't help Mila escape the cruel reality of what she is and cope with everything she has had to leave behind. However, what she's becoming is beyond anyone's imagination, including her own, and that just might save her life. 

Why I liked it: 
This was a good book, filled with mystery, a little romance, and enough angst to know you are reading a YA book! The Sci-Fi plot pulls on the familiar theme of human emotions and robotics, melting the ideas of the Adoration of Jenna Fox (one of my fav books ever) with the mystery of Bourne Identity. It is an enjoyable read that pulls you in early and holds you through the end of the story. Complete as a stand-alone, I am excited to see how  Debra evolves the series.

Definitely worth checking out!

But don't take my word for it, read it for yourself. OR, enter the giveaway by following this blog and leaving a comment. I will select one random commenter to receive the copy. Open to US residents only (sorry - postage, and all). Giveaway ends Sunday night at midnight.

What are you guys reading these days? Now that I am cleaning off my bookshelf and Kindle I will be needing some new books to read :D