Devyn's Thoughts

Book signing fun!

2012-03-01T15:44:00.000-05:00

Avoid book signing with an ax murderer.

On Feb 28, 2012 - I had the great opportunity to meet Quinn Loftis, Jaz Primo and Janice Grove. Quinn and I spent most of the afternoon together and then she admitted her husband was slightly worried that I could be an ax murderer. I mean sure we've never really met in person...but we've talked on the phone, we've texted...and honestly I never put her in my possible 'ax murderer' online friends. I've thought about the risks that we made... I mean, sure we don't have publicist that actually set things up and I could have lied about the situation with the bookstore. I'm very happy I passed the test... it would have been hard to put that on my resume. Just sayin'. I won't mention that I went to her hotel room and changed clothes... not in front of her or anything, sheesh - give me credit.

What did I learn about the signing - well... if there is a fireplace, ask the store to turn it off HOURS prior to setting you directly in front of it....on a 75 degree day. Make sure you have signs and set them up. I saw Jaz brought some book stands.... good idea! I'm buying some this weekend. If you order a sign as large as mine, make sure you have a large car or truck. It isn't fun worrying about being decapitated while driving down the road with a sign at the back of your neck.

It was incredibly fun seeing all of my family and friends that I haven't seen in years. I hope they all had a chance to talk with the other authors (I come from a large family and I've been gone 9 years). I hope everyone had fun.

The Light Tamer is coming along well, but I think it will be delayed by two weeks. I'm looking for TEN BETA readers between the ages of 12-18, hopefully female. Email me if you're interested. devyndawson@yahoo.com

Book Signing 2/28/12

2012-02-21T21:33:00.001-05:00

Paranormal Author Event

Feb 28, 2012

1900 NW Expressway - OKC, OK

Book signing 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Please come out and see four fantastic authors. I've had the pleasure of working with Quinn Loftis and I know that all of you will adore her. I look forward to meeting Janice and Jaz and checking out their books. I'm incredibly inspired by these authors and look forward to this event. I'm excited to be in my hometown and meeting my Oklahoma friends.

Stuff - Pen name - Free book

2012-02-19T17:35:00.000-05:00

Hold up - stop the presses - Devyn has gone mad nuts. She is talking about herself in third person...because her double life makes her crazy. Many of you might not know that I am not really Devyn. It's my pen name - my real name is Stefanie. A part of me wishes I hadn't changed my name, and the other part likes the separation between the two lives. My mom, boring person life and my sit at a computer all day and write life. Stefanie is sassy and has a dry sense of humor...Devyn is more reserved and careful about the perception people have of her. It is those days that the Stefanie side takes over when Devyn should be in control. Now here it is...

I had a not so good review in the last few weeks - one that struck Stefanie the wrong way. Devyn warned Stefanie not to react, but Stefanie can be persuasive. I did the Cardinal SIN of replying to the bad review. In my defense I'll explain... the person wrote an ENTIRE PAGE about how she hated The Legacy of Kilkenny - she added a video clip to demonstrate how she hated my book. Here's the deal people - in my real life - things are crazy. My father has cancer and it has spread throughout his body - I am 1500 miles away from my kids and home and stressed out trying to make my writer life successful. I know... excuses. I'd had enough of it all on that day. Usually I can laugh it off. For every bad review are 3 good - and everyone has bad reviews. The reviewer dissed my book and then said she was contemplating reading the next book. WHAT? Why would she if she hated it so much? I wouldn't. My reply was.... I thought she was rude by going to such extents of hating on my book. I also told her that the second book would not be what she wants either. (I've since removed it) That was it. Her reply was, she agreed that we have two different views on reviews and she will never read another book by me. The domino effect slapped me over and over again. Another reviewer from the same group decided to go on a rampage against me and tell everyone how unprofessional I was for replying and how she will never read a book by me. She then wrote a review telling people how I suck...although she didn't read the book. Now I'm hated. They don't know me, the real me, the one that isn't a horrible person. Why doesn't anyone see that the reviewer was mean and spiteful to me? Why do reviewers get the chose of freedom of speech and can bash me but I can't reply in defense. I didn't tell the reviewer that it was right or wrong, I said it was rude.

TO ALL REVIEWERS - Do you have any idea what it's like to bare your soul to the world, hoping, praying for that person to like what you've done? I appreciate constructive critiques and I try to fix the problem in my writing. Complaints about no love triangle is dumb - not every book has one. That isn't a critique, that is a complaint. So you don't like that my of age teenager had sex while in a loving relationship. Do you live in cotton candy land? Teens have sex, I didn't write graphic anything. I tried to put into a girls mind that you can expect manners from a man. Complaining that the characters aren't real... well, I feel that a werewolf isn't real and has different rules. That is why I picked supernatural...because it is imaginary. I'm sure I should keep my mouth shut, but this is my blog and I wanted to vent. Please accept my deep felt apology. I didn't mean to defend myself. I had a bad day. I'm sorry that you want to ruin my writing career. I'm sorry that you were probably picked on as a kid and your way of making up for it, you go to hurt me. You did.

Love or hate me, Malevolence is a book I'm proud of, with a great story. It is now available in paperback and you can enter to win it on Goodreads. http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/21080-malevolence
Good luck!

Last but not least .... Myself and three other paranormal authors will be having a book signing on 2/28/12 at Full Circle Bookstore - 50 Penn Place in Oklahoma City, OK 6:30 - 8:30
Authors are -

Quinn Loftis
Jaz Primo
Janice Grove
Devyn Dawson

I hope you have a chance to come out and meet us!

Happy Valentine's Day Gift & Tuesday Teaser

2012-02-14T11:12:00.000-05:00

Free today only 2/14/12

The Seduction on Amazon.com

E-Book for your Kindle

http://www.amazon.com/Seduction-Legacy-Kilkenny-Novelette-ebook/dp/B00629M4ZM

June 26

Dear Journal,

Mylandra spent the night in my hotel room with me. I have a headache from that sage thingy she keeps burning “to chase away da evil in da room”. I think there must be at least a hundred candles burning right now. If the sprinklers go off in the hotel it will be her fault, just sayin’. Even though she is freaky and scares me a little, she is growing on me. I don’t know what hold Pascale has on her, but it has something to do with a binding curse she flubbed.

Oh goody, it’s song time. She is walking around the room with that damn sage wad that smells like pot and singing a Jamaican song. Probably some hoo doo mixed in. Gotta go, the songstress says I must sit still and meditate. Whatevs! TTYS J

Teaser Tuesday - The Light Tamers

2012-01-31T13:11:00.000-05:00

Teaser Tuesday

The Light Tamers

by Devyn Dawson

The first excerpt from my WIP - a teaser to make you beg from more...

It’s Sunday morning and I wake up in a panic. What am I going to wear? Should I go shorts or jeans? These are decisions for popular girls. Girls that get to go on dates. Not my kind of girl, the kind with curves. My boobs grew for three years straight, I never thought they would quit. Mom always said she had no idea where I got the boob gene, definitely not her side of the family. No, I have hips and boobs, long legs and a semi small waist. Why didn’t I think about this stuff last night, when I had twelve more hours to go? Looking at the clock I realize I have exactly one hour and three minutes before he gets here.

Young Adult Giveaway Hop 1/27 - 1/31

2012-01-26T00:01:00.002-05:00

First I'd like to thank I am a Reader, Not a Writer and Down the Rabbit Hole for hosting this fabulous giveaway! Up for grabs is one AUTOGRAPHED copy of Malevolence by yours truly Devyn Dawson. http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13397649-malevolence

NOTE - IF YOU DON'T LEAVE A BLOG POST I WILL DISQUALIFY YOUR OTHER ENTRIES.
YOUR GCF NAME IS TO BE LEFT IN BLOG POST
All those people over there ====================================>

They are all giving away a YA book or gift card! Check them out!!

It's easy peasy to enter - just fill out the Rafflecopter below =)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Malevolence - Legacy Series Book Two OUT TODAY!!

2012-01-10T13:50:00.000-05:00

Hi to all of my Kindle owners! The second book in The Legacy of Kilkenny series Malevolence, released today. It had to go a week early due to a serious illness in the family. I'll be traveling to Texas for the next 4-6 weeks. I intend to have it available on Nook for all of my Nook friends in the next couple of days. I hope you love it

2012-01-05T23:50:00.002-05:00

First I must say thank you to I Am A Reader, Not A Writer & W32READS for hosting this fun hop. There are over 100 entrants and each will have their own rules - but the one thing we all have in common??? We are each giving away a fabulous faerie or fantasy (YA) book to YOU for FREE! Can I get a Woot! Woot! My giveaway is open to USA only - sorry. OKIE DOKIE - So, take a look at the list to the right side of my blog & try to hit us all up. This giveaway is from 1/6 - 1/12/2012

Love ya bunches... Oh, BTW - my book Malevolence will be released 1/17/12 - so come back for more fun! I have giveaways and stuff going on all the time.

JINX

Jean Honeychurch hates her boring name (not Jean Marie, or Jeanette, just . . . Jean). What's worse? Her all-too-appropriate nickname, Jinx. Misfortune seems to follow her everywhere she goes even to New York City, where Jinx has moved to get away from the huge mess she caused in her small hometown. Her aunt and uncle welcome her to their Manhattan town house, but her beautiful cousin Tory isn't so thrilled. . . .

In fact, Tory is hiding a dangerous secret one that could put them all in danger. Soon Jinx realizes it isn't just bad luck she's been running from . . . and that the curse she has lived under since the day she was born may be the only thing that can save her life.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

2012-01-02T00:01:00.002-05:00

Prince of Wolves by Quinn Loftis

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have to say that I thought this book was both interesting and well thought out. In the supernatural world the real world becomes obsolete. I say that, because the relationship between Jacques & Fane was immediate. He is a wolf as she is half wolf, and wolves fall in-love at a different pace than humans do. They basically imprinted - but female wolves are rare, and some jack-butt wolf was trying to claim her as his own. As her friend Jen would say "Oh, hell no." There had to be some drama, it isn't a good story without a little drama, right.

Jacques friends Jen and Sally... quick witted and smart mouthed, but all in all they love their friend. They don't want bad things to happen to her. Would you, if it were your best friend? I thought about when my daughter was a teen and her friends....well, they were like Jen and Sally. I wanted to strangle them half the time, but they were loyal friends.

I found POW a very good read for a young adult girl between the ages of 13-17 and they will swoon over Fane. Quinn gave us a great new twist to the werewolf world. Her Romanian was pretty good too. Now go read the story to find out why I said that!

View all my reviews

Happy New Year! Giveaway 1 Autographed copy of TLOK

2011-12-28T00:00:00.006-05:00

The Legacy of Kilkenny

book one

by Devyn Dawson

People ask me all the time about where I got the idea for TLOK. I knew I wanted to write a book about family and friends, but I needed teenagers to read it. Yes, the story is about werewolves, and no they aren't like Twilight. I have absolutely no problem with Twilight's werewolves, I mean seriously who doesn't love them some Jacob, right? My werewolves have more to worry about than a damsel in distress, that happens to be in love with a vampire and a werewolf. TLOK is about friendship, and how far will we go to protect a friend? How far will we go to stand up for what we believe in? How in touch with our humanity are we really, and what would we do to make sure we stayed in touch with it?

My two main characters, Abel Casey and Pru Phelan are beautiful as you can see on the cover of the book. Abel obviously has a crush on the princess of the pack Pru, but she has her eyes on her bodyguard Oakley. Abel is a gentleman about his feelings, and realizes that if he is indeed the Great Wolf, he must stay focused. What is a werewolf story without a vampire? Arien, he is a perfect male specimen, minus the fact he is an obnoxious vampire that needles Pru at every chance he gets. Now we get back to the question about why I chose this subject, the answer is, they are interesting. You have the hierarchy within the pack, as well as the lower ranked members, but all together they form a well defined pack. Isn't that what happens in a family? Isn't that what teenagers deal with in both their friendships and their family? Of course they aren't werewolves and vampires, but they have the same rankings.

That was a long answer to a short question. I guess you'll think twice about asking me anything. I look forward to your comments and I hope to make a lot of new friends.

I have some more exciting news, my book Malevolence Book Two, will be out in Jan 2012. I'm so excited - more info to come soon!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Ascended Blog Hop - by Tiffany King with GIVEAWAY

2011-12-13T00:40:00.001-05:00

This is an excerpt from the amazing Young Adult Author Tiffany King. Her first book Meant to Be (Saving Angels Series book 1) came out early in 2011 and has been a huge success. Forgotten Souls is the second book in the Saving Angels Series. And the Ascended is the final book in the trilogy. Keep reading for an excerpt from the book & what people are saying about Tiffany King (I'm saying she is pretty doggone awesome)

Excerpts from reviews of Forgotten Souls ~

King closed the story on a screeching, anti-climatic tone that made me ache for Krista (it was emotionally wrenching). I CANNOT wait to read book three! If there isn't a book three, I will totally stalk her until she writes it! *hatches evil plan* ;) . ~ adoring fan on Amazon

(See that is one reason Tiffany was held down and made to write the third book.)

Tiffany King has created a world of beauty and grace and it is one to be read late into the night. I would totally recommend it to anyone who loves a good love story, who believes of a higher power and has ever felt a strong bond to a friend. Great book, hope you take the chance to read it, Tiffany King really knows how to create a strong world with 3-d characters. Take a chance on this book, I'm glad I sure did. ~ adoring fan on Amazon

(3-d characters - how awesome is that!)

Beautifully written and full of heart. I laughed, I cried, I cringed and I could not put it down! ~ adoring fan on Amazon

(I hope she isn't still carrying it around - because she is going to have her hands full with The Ascended)

Are you about to tingle in anticipation??? Okay, but wait - there's more!!! Yes sirree, for being the next contestant on my website you can win a prize.... not any old prize either. YOU GOTTA LEAVE A COMMENT WITH YOUR EMAIL - I didn't make the rules... oh, well yeah I kinda did. Okay lovie, you really do gotta leave a comment. EVERY comment is being pooled with the other blogs on the hop... yup Hop (not the bunny hop silly) - every 3 hops - she is giving away an e-book from the series... but wait! The GRAND PRIZE will be given to Three people out of all the entries in the tour - it is a AUTOGRAPHED POSTER & BOOK - so love, LEAVE A COMMENT with an answer and your email address - Do you believe in angels?

I sat up a little confused and saw that the campfire was almost completely out. I squinted my eyes, trying to see through the dim light and after several seconds, I could make out the sleeping silhouettes of my friends. There was a strange buzzing sound that sounded like a radio on a station that had a low frequency.

"Sheesh, we make the worst lookouts," I muttered, sitting up straighter to work out the kink in my back. Shawn sat up next to me looking puzzled.

"Sorry, I fell asleep too," he mumbled, looking down at Sam who had fallen asleep with her head resting on his knees.

"I guess we all did," I said, standing up to throw another stick onto the fire and watched as the flames reignited and lit up the area. I gasped when I noticed that the net was gone and blackness surrounded our campsite. It was as if someone had snuffed out the moon and the stars.

"Hey where's the net?" I asked my friends, taking a groggy step forward. I reached out my hand, confused that the entire net had disappeared on us. I went to take another tentative step forward when I was jerked backward by a hand grasping my arm.

"What the heck?" I asked, aggravated at my brother who had gripped my arm so tightly. I turned to see his horrified expression as he peered out into the darkness beyond me.

Unease flooded through me like I had been doused in ice water. I turned around cautiously, scared that the eyes of a Daemon or something would greet me. I squinted in the darkness, trying to understand what had alarmed my brother. My eyes finally began to adjust and I was puzzled to see that the blackness around us seemed to pulsate as if it was alive. I took a terrified step backwards, finally realizing that thousands and thousands of bugs had filled the night sky around us.

My terror induced scream filled the night air when I realized that the net wasn't gone, but was completely covered with the squirming bodies of every bug imaginable. The weight of their bodies made the netting bow in around us.

Shawn grasped me by the shoulders, pivoting me around to face him as my scream continued to slice through the night like a banshee.

My nightmare had somehow seeped into reality.

December 4^th Courtney Cole http://courtneycolewrites.wordpress.com/

December 5^th M. Leighton http://mleightonbooks.blogspot.com/

December 6^th Magical Urban Fantasy Readshttp://www.magicalurbanfantasyreads.com/

December 7^th Nichole Chase http://nicholechase.blogspot.com/

December 8^thTwo Chicks on Bookshttp://twochicksonbooks1.blogspot.com/

December 9^thThe Autumn Review http://www.autumnreview.com/

December 10^th Shelly Crane http://shellycrane.blogspot.com/

December 11^thJamie Corriganhttp://thiswritersworldplotbunnies.blogspot.com/

December 12^th Jennifer Snyderhttp://jennifersnydersblog.blogspot.com/

December 13th Devyn Dawson http://www.devyndawson.com/

December 14th Laura Elliot http://www.authorlaura.com/

December 15th fiktshun http://www.fiktshun.com/fiktshun/

December 16^th Bookish Babeshttp://www.thebookishbabes.blogspot.com/

December 17th Tess Watson http://tessmw.blogspot.com/

December 18^th Megan Duncan http://meganduncan.blogspot.com/

December 19th Hey it’s Fishy http://omgitsfishy.blogspot.com/

December 20th Abbi Glines http://www.abbiglines.com/

December 21^st C.A Kunz http://www.cakunz.blogspot.com/

December 22nd Teenage Reader http://teenagereader.com/

December 23rd Secret Lives of Fiction Lovershttp://secretlivesoffictionlovers.wordpress.com/

December 24^thMichelle Muto http://michellemuto.wordpress.com/

December 25^thChristmas Day

December 26^thAmy Jones http://amyjonesyaff.blogspot.com/

December 27^th Fisher Amelie http://www.fisheramelie.com/

December 28^th John Hardenhttp://incessantdroningofaboredwriter.wordpress.com/

December 29^th Sean Hayden http://www.seanhayden.org/

Interview with Lovie Lacey & Giveaway ARC DEADLY COOL

2011-12-06T00:00:00.005-05:00

Throughout my writing process, I’ve had one constant…Lacey. She is not only a Lovie, but she is a friend. Her humor is wickedly dry, as is mine, and together we have a great time. I think you’ll find a touch of her humor in this interview.

The writing process isn’t complete until we share our words with a friend or beta reader. We sit and wait to find out if they liked it or not. Maybe they hate it and don’t know how to tell us it sucks. What if I didn’t make myself clear about letting me know if they liked it? What if they are having a bonfire and using it as kindling? What if……

There are a million what if’s in a writers mind. I’ve decided to ask a couple of my Lovies what they like in a book. I think you’ll find Lacey’s view both smart and witty.

I almost forgot.... I have a giveaway! You heard me! I’m giving away an ARC of Deadly Cool by Gemma Halliday. It’s easy peasy to enter, follow the rules on the Rafflecopter. Have a great week! Next week I’ll be interviewing Tiffany King!

Thank you for doing this interview!

1. As a reader, what POV do you prefer? Do you like first person?

I do like stories told from the first person point of view. I also like the third person point of view. I especially like it when stories alternate between the first and third person.

2. In a character, what do you look for? Do you like the damsel in distress? Strong willed characters?

I tend to gravitate toward strong characters. I don’t have patience for the ‘damsel in distress.’ I find characters like that rather boring and predictable. I like characters that have something interesting about them, whatever that might be…something mysterious, an edge, a secret, a dark side. I also want the character I’m reading about to have some redeeming qualities. I want to see the good in this character.

3. What genre has been your go-to over the last year? Why?

Young Adult. Honestly, that’s just what I like to read. I also think there are so many talented authors in the YA genre right now. It’s almost impossible to keep up with all the new releases! My list of ‘Must Read Now’ is so long I don’t even know where to start.

4. Do you have an e-reader? If so, do you prefer ebooks or the kind you can hold and feel the pages?

I have a Nook. I like it. I use it. I do have to say though, I will probably always prefer an actual book. You must realize this is coming from someone who believes she was born in the wrong era. I’m not in love with technology. It’s like this: Technology and I used to be frenemies. Technology and I then decided to be friends. Recently, technology and I decided to start dating. It’s not like we will ever get married or anything.

5. What entices you to read a book? Is it the cover or do you read reviews of books and decide from there?

I wish I could say that I read book reviews like a sophisticated person, but I don’t. I usually look at the cover and think “This is pretty.” I then proceed to read the back of the book/inside the jacket and if I’m interested I read the first few pages, and if I’m enticed I will continue. If I’m on my Nook, I will sample the first chapter. I also have a few friends that like the same kind of books that I like, so we suggest different Authors to one another.

6. Do you write reviews of books and post them on a blog? Do you rate books on Goodreads?

I have rated a few books on Goodreads. I have also done a few reviews on Amazon. Other than that, no. I don’t usually do reviews.

7. Do you read any Indie books? If so, what made you take the chance on them?

I have honestly not read that many indie books, but the ones that I have read I have really enjoyed. What does that say? Maybe I should start reading more indie books? I took a chance on them because I had a good feeling about them and the author.

8. What is your view of the new rage of self published authors?

I think it’s fabulous! If you have the talent and writing is something you want to do then you should do it. That’s why the self publishing is so great because it allows you to have the opportunity to get your work out to the public.

9. Do you give books as gifts for children? Do you look at the illustrations or the message?

I try to avoid children. If I were to give a child a book, however, I would probably look at the message first and make sure it was appropriate for the child. I would then look at the illustrations and at least see if they were mildly interesting so that the child would be somewhat entertained while looking at it.

10. Quick! Other than yours truly, who is your favorite author right now? Last year? High school? Growing up?

Well, other than the fabulous Devyn Dawson, right now I really like Jessica Verday, Cassandra Clare, and Suzanne Collins. I’m also a huge Richelle Mead fan. Her Vampire Academy series is one of my absolute favorite. I’m a fan of the classics. Edgar Allan Poe. Anyone who knows anything about me knows that William Shakespeare is my lover. Brave New World by Aldous Huxley and The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde are two of my favorite novels.

Thank you Lacey... you always make me smile.

Book Lover's Holiday Hop Dec 2 - 6

2011-12-01T12:10:00.003-05:00

The Book Lover's Holiday Giveaway Hop will run from Dec. 2nd to 6th.
Thanks to Alyson from Kid Lit Frenzy for co-hosting. A special thanks to I am a Reader, Not a Writer for hosting yet another fabulous hop!

There are over 200 entries - so work fast this weekend and enter as many as you can. I hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas and a delightful New Year.

It is super easy to enter and up for grabs is a copy of the 30th Anniversary Edition of Where the Sidewalk Ends and a $10.00 gift card to Books A Million. It is by far one of the best children's poetry books around.

Thanksgiving Cocktail

2011-11-22T13:02:00.001-05:00

Who cares about turkey - pass me the rum. Did I say that? I did…guilty. I have no intentions to cook Thanksgiving dinner this year. We are only three plus one (I guess we’re four) and I don’t want to slave over a meal that won’t really be appreciated. They are guys; they don’t care as long as they get food….. you know I’m right! I will make pie! I’m not taking orders for their favorite pie either….we will be having my favorite pie. It is a rich and thick chocolate pie; it will make any chocolate lovers toes curl. I said that too!

We won’t be going anywhere or watching football so I’m thinking we should get liquored up. Honestly I don’t drink…although I did recently. It didn’t turn out well for me, AT ALL. I paid for my sins, certain that I would die the next day. I have no problem with everyone else boozing it up - I’ll sit this one out. I’m a fast learner….and I learned I’m not twenty one anymore. I hope everyone has a safe and love filled Thanksgiving. Have fun shopping - don’t forget to check out your local bookstore for Black-Friday deals!

I’m sharing my favorite go-to Thanksgiving cocktail - Enjoy!

Gingersnap Heaven (and it is)
4 oz eggnog (you can use the light kind) super cold is best!
1/2 oz Ginger Brandy (chill it first)
1 oz Sailor Perry Spiced Rum (Captain Morgan will work too) CHILLED
Dash of nutmeg
1 gingersnap

Combine all but nutmeg & gingersnap in blender - pour into large wine goblet - sprinkle nutmeg & add gingersnap for dunking. I like to add Ice to the blender to chill it even more. Add more eggnog & brandy if needed.

Review Blood Bound by Rachel Vincent

2011-11-22T12:41:00.000-05:00

Blood Bound by Rachel Vincent

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I've heard a lot about this author recently and thought I'd check her out.

Now to my review - I found this book very interesting. I like the story being told from two POV's. Olivia is a girl living on the edge as a "Skilled" blood tracker. The explanation of a blood tracker is complicated - I'll let the other reviewers explain. She doesn't want people to know that she is bound to the creep mob-type boss Ruben Cavazos. She wants to keep the secret from her ex-boyfriend Cam because she doesn't want the truth as to why she became bound to come out. Cam, he too is a Skilled person, his skill is a name tracker - he can find anyone within 80 miles by knowing their real name. Since they broke up as a couple, Cam has become bound to his boss the other mob-styled boss Jake Towers. Towers and Cavazos are mortal enemies.

Liv (Olivia) and Cam are contacted by an old friend Anne after her husband is murdered. Knowing that Cam and Liv are trackers she has requested them to find the killer and kill him. A teenage oath binds Liv to obeying the request or she will have horrible pain until she dies. They find out that the killer was actually out for the daughter Hadley. Oh the trouble that comes to those that have to hide lies, and truths found out about childhood friends.

This story was weaved in and out with complicated stories that were thought out very well. Liv's boss has a sick binding to her, he can't have sex with her without her permission but he can do other things. Those other things include beating her to a pulp if he doesn't leave marks. He kicks her, strangles her, punches her and torments her. She can do the same to him. I'm not big on men beating women and was thankful she could beat him back....If she didn't fulfill her agreement that was 6 months before it was over...he would be able to rape her. I won't give any spoilers....

I liked the story and will read more of Vincent's books.

I originally started reading this book because of several people comparing my writing style to Rachel Vincent. I wanted to know if it was good or bad. I have to say - Thank you and I'm honored.

View all my reviews

Character Interview with Abel & Pru

2011-11-15T00:00:00.001-05:00

Abel Casey

Here is a candid interview with Abel & Pru - the two lead characters in The Legacy of Kilkenny - I hope you enjoy!

Abel:
1. Have you ever fantasized about attacking Julie while in wolf form? *Laughing* No, I can honestly say I haven’t. Maybe now I will.

2. The first time you "flew" into a tree and then jumped back down, it didn't end well for you or your ankles. Have you since been able to successfully jump without breaking any bones? Oh man, yeah, that was totally embarrassing. We called in a stuntman to train me on how to land without hurting myself. Don’t tell anyone, but I actually went to Missouri for a week to attend a circus class. They put belts around my waist and lifted me high in the air, swinging me around like a balloon until it was time to come down. Dolly told me it made me ‘graceful’ when I jumped. If the pack finds out about that, they will never let me forget that I’m graceful. *grins as he rolls his eyes*

3. Do you miss your friendship with Shane, or do you think things are better since you and he drifted apart? Do you ever wonder if you'd have ended up being like him if you hadn't met Pru?

I miss Shane all of the time and maybe when he gets out of rehab I will invite him out to the farm. Chrissy helped me organize an intervention for him and I paid for this really amazing rehab place in Florida, their success rate is very high. No pun intended. He should be out soon. I can say without a doubt that I would never do drugs. I can’t believe he did, but I’m confident he will be fully recovered and will stay away from the drugs. At least I hope so.

4. When you're a wolf, what's your favorite animal to hunt? Do you like to hunt alone or do you have more fun when other werewolves are with you? I was a little self conscience about having people around in the beginning but it’s getting easier. We have this rabbit that Pru insists we can’t harm it, but we can play with him. He is a fast little sucker, man he can weave in and out of the trees like nobody’s business.

5. Does the idea of bumping into the Kilkenny Pack again, and Patrick in particular, make you feel nervous or excited? Are you ready to flaunt your new status as the Great Wolf, or do you still need more time to get used to it? There is a pack convention next year in Ireland, all alphas will be there. I think I’ll be ready, I’ll cross my fingers. I believe that convention takes place in the third book. You’ll have to wait and see how it goes.

Pru Phelan

1. Did you ever decide on a good way to kill Abel? What was the most bizarre death-plan you ever came up with for him? There is a rare spider that the bite will make a person look as if they are dead and it can be as long as a week before the person comes out of it. The problem was, it would be very painful for him in the hours it takes before the venom immobilizes him. We scratched that idea but came up with one we were going to use on him after the holiday weekend. I’d talked to Alecia, the head of a local coven and she made a concoction that would do the same thing. It was a potion he would drink and the spell would make him look dead to anyone that sees him. I still have the potion in my room. *smiling* It might come in handy.

2. You drive a pretty sweet car, a 2011 SS Camaro. Did you pick this particular car out for yourself, or was it a gift? Have you always had amazingly fabulous cars to drive, or was this your first car? Oh, my Camero? It was a gift from my parents when I graduated. It is the first car that is all mine. I had free use of the farm truck and it wasn’t a fancy one like my dad’s. No, it was always caked in red mud and reeked like horse dung. I would have been happy with anything that didn’t smell like a farm. *laughing* Seriously, I would have been. I hear that Oakley and Bryon picked out the Camero and convinced my dad it would be perfect for me.

3. Sparks fly when Shaynie moves into your house. Do you think things would have been so heated between the two of you if you'd grown up with a sister or two? And for that matter, how different do you think you'd be if you'd had a younger sister growing up? Shaynie? Yeah, well she is special. (clears throat) Shaynie is perfectly aggravating and at the same time she is sweet as syrup. I’m still on the fence about her, but I will say she is a master at her craft. I’ve always liked the fact that we are an all male pack. I guess it would have been nice to have someone to do girl things with, I just made the boys play dolls. I did! Ask them!

4. If Oakley weren't in the picture, would you allow yourself to enjoy, or give into, the dreams you've been having lately about Arien? Or do you think they'd still be horribly disconcerting? Because I've gotta say, for a mean, evil vampire, he's pretty hot. Don't you think so too? He may be pleasing to the eye, but he is not a good vampire, not that I think any of them are good, but he is far from it. We found Allie’s journal after she left and I see her in a totally different way. The pack decided to let Devyn release the journal, she named it The Seduction and it came out on Oct 31. I can’t imagine that I would ever get involved with a vampire after what I read. They are sneaky, narcissistic, indulgent pains in the ass. I’m sorry, can I say ass? Pain in the butt.

Teaser Tuesday - The Iron Knight

2011-11-08T11:43:00.000-05:00

"I've seen mortals 'in love' before. They're blind and foolish, and their hearts are so fragile. What would I do with such a thing if I had it?" ~ Ash

Teaser Tuesday - open up your current read to a random page and pick two lines (I did three) ...no spoilers! Post and label it teaser Tuesday so people can find your blog.

Hungry

2011-11-06T13:10:00.000-05:00

This blog isn't about writing, it isn't about books, it isn't about authors or publishing or anything remotely close. It is about a young man I've recently taken the time to know. I've actually known this child for the last eight years, but I never gave him the time of day. I never took the time to know him. He has been a weekend guest at our house, more so recently. I've known he doesn't come from money and I will admit he is the darkest skinned boy I've ever met. I don't have any issues with black people, and was proud when my daughter couldn't tell the difference of skin color. My son has always been best friends with African American boys. I've never thought much about it. The boys come over on weekends and mix music and record. Everyone calls me 'Ma'am' and have amazing respect for us and our home. The boys aren't out drinking (they are all seniors in high school) or doing drugs - it is Friday night and they are at my house, laughing and eating and having a good time. When I hear a cuss word I remind them where they are, and they all apologize profusely. Where am I going with this story? Good question.

My son was talking to me and he said how much his friend likes coming over. I couldn't imagine why it is any fun, I figure we are boring. My son told me he likes it because he gets to eat. Huh? What? He isn't petite by any means. I ask what that means. He told me he lives with his dad and they can only afford Ramen Noodles and that is what they eat. Now let me back up two days ago. I told my son... "No one over tonight, I'm not feeding anyone, I want silence." Now I feel horrible. It isn't about how I feel though. I turned my back on a child, he is 17 but he is still a child and I turned him away for dinner. I turned around and told him that his friend is welcome over to eat with us ANY time.

It is a shame that in our own backyard a boy should only be able to have noodles for dinner. I don't know the father, I don't know where they live, well I know it isn't in the best neighborhood. I know nothing at all. A boy I've known for 8 years and this is the first time I took the chance to know him - for 8 years he could have eaten at my table. I didn't know. Why would I write this out? Actually, I don't know. I guess I want everyone to take the time to get to know that kid you might not know very well. Don't judge a person by the color of their skin. Trust me, I know plenty of white trashy kids and plenty that have been disrespectful in my house.

I don't have anything funny to say - but the holiday season is coming up, maybe someone could use some help.

Guest Interview & Giveaway from Georgia Cates

2011-11-01T00:09:00.000-04:00

I was tantalized by mystery of her. The leech inside me came out to find prey, but found none in this enigmatic girl. The close proximity of her essence didn't entice the monster within, so what did that make her? I had more questions than answers, but one thing was unmistakable; although she released me from her embrace, her hold on me remained.

Cruel circumstances turned Curry Brennan into the wretched monster he hates and refuses to accept, but when an expected turn of events releases him from the bond of his obsessive maker, he returns to the home he knew 161 years earlier and finds the return of happiness and joy in something he didn’t know existed. Puzzled by his growing attraction to Chansey Leclaire, a human, he is unable to resist the captivating relationship that threatens to reveal his existence as a vampire. He eventually discovers the reason he was destined to find what he didn’t know he searched for and is faced with the cruel realization that the living and the immortal undead will always be separated by one thing. Eternity.

Recently I had the opportunity to meet a wonderful up and coming author Georgia Cates. You will absolutely D I E over her gorgeous cover. Her first book Blood of Anteros is sexy and has a new vampire twist, you’ll find yourself up all night with this page turner in hand.

1. Where did you come up with the idea for Blood of Anteros?

I pulled it out of my....imagination. I knew I wanted to do a vampire romance, which is certainly overdone, but not always done well. This is the book I searched to find, as a reader, and it didn’t exist. I wanted the reader to experience the story from the male point of view, seeing his emotions and internal thoughts about Chansey, the enigmatic woman he can not understand.

2. What character was your favorite to write? Why?

Curry is my favorite character. (And I do have a crush on him, but don’t tell my husband.) Again, this story is told in first person, from his point of view, and his personality shines. Because the reader hears his thoughts and feelings, she can’t help but fall in love with him.

3. Do you have a certain process you do to get the creative juices flowing?

I absolutely have a ritual. I am a huge music head and there is rarely a time when I don’t listen to music. I listen to music to brainstorm and I have a huge playlist that plays the entire time I write. When I hear an inspiring song, I listen to it over and over as I see the scene of the book playing out in my head, like a movie.

4. How long did it take you to write Blood of Anteros?

I “toyed” with the idea of writing Blood of Anteros for about 2 years before I finally sat down and became serious about it. It is my first book and I kept thinking, “I’ll do it one day.” It evolved several times during those 2 years before it solidified into what it is today, but it really took about 3 months to write and edit once I actually got started.

5. What is one thing about you that your fans don’t know about you?

Besides being a nurse and writer, I am also a part time graphic designer, so I have a leg up when it comes to graphics. I designed my own book cover, which a lot of writers do, but not very well. I am married to the world’s best graphic designer, so I was taught by the best.

6. If you had one super power what would it be?

I would want to grant wishes, like a genie. People’s desires reveal who they really are and it would make it easy to see who was a real friend.

7. Would you prefer going to the park for a relaxing picnic or are you an amusement park roller coaster person?

I’m a total adrenaline junkie and worse than any child I know about loving rides. The faster, the better and I’ll go to the park and picnic when I have a condition listed on the “Don’t Ride This Ride If” sign.

8. What are the last five books you’ve read?

Craved by Stephanie Nelson

Blood Rites by Quinn Loftis (To be released on Nov. 30 to the public)

Prince of Wolves by Quinn Loftis

Laney by Joann I Martin Sowles

The Dark Lands Series by Autumn Dawn

9. What author has inspired you the most on your journey?

Autumn Dawn has inspired me more than any other author. Her very candid and honest blog about her journey as a self publishing author has encouraged me to reach for the stars instead of the cookie jar. I really don’t think I would have ever left that place called “I’ll do it one day” if I hadn’t discovered her.

Thanks, Autumn, for being so real about your journey and how you made it to where you are today.

10. What is the story behind your title and cover?

I didn’t give my book a title until it was completely finished because I didn’t want to feel like I was locked into something that would influence the story. I toyed with ideas, but it was the mystery behind what Chansey is that influenced the title and to explain it further, would be a total spoiler.

My cover is how I envisioned Chansey through Curry’s eyes. I altered her eyes to the description Curry gives us the first time he makes eye contact with her. It took months to find “the look” I wanted because her character is beautiful, yet I didn’t see her as a super model. She is naturally pretty without the work. I really dig hair accessories, so she had to have one.

11. What do your order at your favorite coffee shop?

Without doubt, it would be a White Chocolate Mocha from Starbucks. I love to try new things in all aspects of my life, but when it comes to my drink, I am a ritualistic.

12. Is Blood of Anteros a series or a stand alone book?

It is the first book in The Vampire Agápe Series. I am currently working on the second and it is completed in my mind, I just have to get it down. I currently see this as a 3 book series, but we’ll see where it goes. If it takes a different avenue, I’m cool with that.

13. Do you have a book trailer?

I currently do not have a book trailer, but I am married to the world’s greatest computer ninja, so when I’m ready to tackle it, he is at my disposal.

14. There are some pretty spicy scenes in the book without getting too graphic, what can your adult readers expect?

The relationship between Curry and Chansey is complex, but their feelings for one another are not. The reader experiences the evolvement of their relationship, told from Curry’s point of view, which is highly sensual. As a vampire with heightened senses, his description of intimate moments brings the reader something they won’t find in any ordinary romance novel.

15. Final question! If your book were made into a movie, who would be your dream cast?

Ooooh....That’s a toughy. I totally see Curry being Oliver Goodwill. You probably don’t know who he is. Oliver was that totally yummy guy in Evanescence’s music video “Call Me When You’re Sober.” I still dig him, 5 years later.

My perfect Chansey would be Kristin Kreuk. I love her naturally exotic, wholesome beauty and her hazel eyes are perfect.

Solomon would definitely be Jonathan Rhys Myers, from The Tudors, because that’s who I pictured when I wrote about him.

LINKS:

Georgia Cates Blog

Georgia Cates on Facebook

georgiacates on Twitter

Blood of Anteros on Goodreads

Links to Purchase Blood of Anteros:

Amazon

Barnes&Noble

Smashwords

Also available in the iBook store

I thank you for taking the time to find out a little bit about me and the books I write. If you read my book, it is my sincere wish that it brings you the type of entertainment and joy you expect from it. I would love to hear your thoughts, or just a word of encouragement, and would be thrilled if you contacted me through my blog, Facebook, Twitter or by email at authorgeorgiacates@gmail.com .

The Legacy of Kilkenny - The Seduction - Malevolence

2011-10-24T00:20:00.000-04:00

SPOOKTACULAR BLOG HOP GIVEAWAY

There are 400 blogs participating with giveaways - Our host is I am a Reader not a Writer

This is a fabulous opportunity to find some new interesting blogs!

The Legacy of Kilkenny - Book One - The Legacy Series
The legend has been confirmed, the Great Wolf has been born. Pru was sure she had it right, his name is Abel Casey and he is in Oklahoma. She had only been having visions for a short amount of time, but who knows for sure since she was only three years old. The secret of his existence must be hidden, in the wrong hands and the wrong alpha, his life could end or his powers could be misused.

Oakley and his sexy southern charm was the only other guy that Pru could think about, and now that she is old enough to train Abel Casey for his destiny, Oakley has been assigned as her bodyguard. Living away from the pack just to be closer to Abel was going to be a challenge for the pack, but Pru had been training for this assignment almost all of her life. Sure they could have sent in someone else, someone that wasn’t the alpha’s daughter, someone that wasn’t a shaman, someone that couldn’t dream walk, but he deserves the best and Pru is one of the best. She isn’t cocky, just confident. Can she disobey a direct order and not get involved with Oakley? Or will this teenager find that Oakley has feeling for her too?

She takes a deep breath, rehearses everything she thought of to say and now is the time to show Abel that she is a werewolf and break it to him that he is one too. She takes his hand into hers and shares with him a vision; one that he can step into with her. It wasn’t logical, not to a human, one that has no idea that the supernatural are living all around him. He feels the vibrations as they travel into her thoughts and he looks around to see a farm house, not realizing that the wolves that start to walk closer aren’t only giant but they are shifters and would soon be his pack, and he their leader. What about his life? What about his sister Allie? She was away at college and trouble seems to find her wherever she is. Only problem with her being so far away was the fact that she started dating a vampire and it might be too late for the pack to help her. Will Allie contract the Human Vampiric Virus (HVV) and become a vampire? Is there really an antidote? Will they get to her in time to save her from a life as an immortal?

The journey will weave into an intricate storyline, from rogue werewolves and vampires with agenda’s (don’t they always have an agenda?) to first love and heartbreak. This isn’t your mama’s werewolf story, this story will take you into an urban modern teenager’s life so be prepared to keep up the pace. This is a story of growth, and how young adults can make grown-up decisions too. Someone won’t survive this tale of hope and destiny.

The Seduction - A Legacy of Kilkenny Novelette - Available Oct 31, 2011

Allie Casey has left Oklahoma and has left behind her journal. Take a look inside the college student that was seduced by a vampire and her journey into the secret vampire world. This quick read will open your eyes to the life of a teenage girl and her feelings of love, lust and family.

Malevolence - Book Two - The Legacy Series - Available Dec, 2011

Living the life of a werewolf has aged our friend Abel Casey into an adult lifestyle. A rogue wolf is biting humans and turning them into werewolves, Abel and Oakley are bringing them to the Phelan farm to train them for their new life as a werewolf. A stranger comes looking for the Phelan family after suffering a werewolf bite and suffers from amnesia. Without knowing who she is and where she came from puts her in danger of losing her grip on her humanity.

Pru has flown to Paris to spend some time with her mom. Her new bodyguard Gus may lack the southern charm of Oakley, but he will protect her with his life. They go out looking for answers regarding the vampires that have moved to Oklahoma, they find out more about the seedy world of supernaturals living in France. They will stumble into demons and witches that are blocking them from the truth. When they get a obscure message that Dolly is in danger, Oakley and Abel fly to Paris to unite as a pack. Tempers flair between Oakley and Gus, is Oakley jealous that another man is protecting the one he loves?

You'll find this gripping story a page turning suspense filled young adult book. The teens are older and the adult situations may be too much for our young Great Wolf. Someone will become a parent before the story is over, and four will be dead.

Note from the author - Thank you so much for all of the support and outpouring of love for my favorite pack of wolves. I hope you enjoy the entire series.

Be sure to check my website for upcoming events www.devyndawson.com
and I vlog once a week http://www.youtube.com/user/devyndawson?feature=mhee

GIVEAWAY TIME!!!!

1st Place = The Vampire Diaries board game (don't you just love Damon!) and an E-copy of The Legacy of Kilkenny & The Seduction Novelette
2nd Place = E-copy of The Legacy of Kilkenny & The Seduction Novelette

Good luck! Happy Halloween!

BEWITCHING BOOK TOUR

2011-10-20T14:50:00.000-04:00

My Lovies - You will be hearing a lot from me this month and I hope you find the prizes to be delightful! I'll be doing a blog hop hosted by http://bewitchingbooktours.blogspot.com/ - I'm so excited to have my very own book blog tour. Here are the blogs and dates I'll be featured on. The bottom of this post has all the different giveaways!

Oct 17 - Guest post - Mad Moose Mama http://www.madmoosemama.blogspot.com
Oct 17 - Guest blog - Reading Lark readinglark.blogspot.com
Oct 18 - Guest post - Book review in Nov - Sapphyria's Book Reviews http://saphsbookblog.blogspot.com/
Oct 19 - Interview - Lisa's World of Books - no website given
Oct 20 - Guest Blog - http://www.sithereandread.com/
Oct 21 - Guest Blog & Review - Readergirls - www.readergirls.blogspot.com
Oct 22 - Promo & Review - http://thatbookishgirl.blogspot.com/
Oct 25 - Guest Blog - http://yzhabellasbookshelf.blogspot.com
Oct 26 - Interview & Review Manga Maniac Cafe - www.mangamaniaccafe.com
Oct 27 - Guest Blog - http://tributebooksreviews.blogspot.com
Oct 28 - Character interview & review - Grave Tells - Paranormal News & Reviews http://gravetells.com
Oct 28 -Review - http://braintasiabooks.com
Oct 30 - Interview & review Jeanzbookreadnreview - http://jeanzbookreadnreview.blogspot.com/
Oct 30 - Guest Blog -http://www.simplistik.org/lissetteemanning
Oct 31 - review & interview Ashley's bookshelf - http://www.ashleysuzanne.com/

Bram Stoker

October 17 Book Review & Guest Blog www.readinglark.blogspot.com

Ghost Hunter Guest Blog on 10/20/11 - www.sithereandread.com

OCT 30 INTERVIEW & REVIEW HTTP://JEANZBOOKREADNREVIEW.BLOGSPOT.COM

Oct 28 CHARACTER INTERVIEW http://gravetells.com/

Oct 27 Guest Blog www.tribute-books.com

OCT 18 GUEST POST SAPPHYRIA'S BOOK REVIEWS

HTTP://SAPHSBOOKBLOG.BLOGSPOT.COM

10 21 11 Reader Girls www.readergirls.blogspot.com Vampire box

Witch Handbook Oct 17 Guest Blog on www.madmoosemama.blogspot.com

giveaway over - for 109

For Suzanne giveaway - date & site TBA

My Secret to Writing with a Fresh Perspective

2011-10-17T13:23:00.000-04:00

Using Crystals to Help You Stay Focused on Writing by Devyn Dawson

Everyone is always asking me if I have a routine I do before I write. I do have a few things that I do to make it a more productive writing session. If I know I’m going to do a long marathon of writing, I write at the dining room table. There is a white candle that I burn to help with positive energy and a black candle to absorb the negative energy. Weird right? I’d like to clarify that I am not a witch, nor do I practice magic. I do however believe in energy in the room, or even in myself. I do use crystals to help me with my writing and feel that even if it is psychosomatic, no one is harmed and in my head it helps. I keep them in a bag and I keep it on my person when I’m writing. If you’re interested in crystals, there are a lot of places to buy them online. Here is the list of crystals that I use.

Amethyst - this is a stone I wear and my kids do too. Amethysts really help you stay focused and helps people with A.D.D. stay on task. It is something you can put under your pillow for pleasant dreams. It helps with headaches by rubbing the stone on your forehead. Did you know that Catholic Bishops wear an amethyst to symbolize humility, sincerity, and wisdom? When not in use, place it in a window sill to absorb sunlight. I have to have it on my when I write - if I have no other stone, I must have it.

Green Calcite - This stone will help give you balance in the mind and is gives off positive energy while it absorbs the negative. It is also good for arthritis.

Rose Quartz - It is very helpful at giving inner peace. It is known to be the love stone and will help you open your heart to be responsive to love. I use this stone to help with feelings in my story.

Blue Quartz - It helps calm the mind (sounds like I have ADD doesn’t it?) - it gives you understanding, and it inspires hope.

Kyanite - It restores energy and gives you inner peace and tranquility. This stone is known to help the mind be clear and is a useful stone for writers.

Tigers eye - Rumor is, the person that wears this stone cannot be lied to. It lets you see everything. It is a good luck stone and will protect you from the evil eye (not that I’m in danger of the evil eye, but I’m protected!).

Quartz Crystal - Oh this is an amazing stone - this stone gives off energy and is known to heal. It gives you deeper understanding and helps you have clear thoughts. It is important that other people not handle this stone for you. It is best if it only has your energy. To recharge the crystal - set it in the window sill during a full moon - it will clear it from any negativity that may have been absorbed.

Hematite - If you wear this stone as jewelry, you should wear it on your left hand. It increases your intuition. This stone is great for protecting you against bleeding and it is said to make you invincible in battle. I don’t particularly think it will and not willing to test that theory.

Fulgerite - This stone is created by lightning strikes. It connects you to divine energy and will open up your psychic energy.

Those are the stones I use. I keep them in a nice small amulet bag. If you have crystals that you use, let me know about them. I’m always wanting to know more about them and the earth energy surrounding them.

The Hop for Red October

2011-10-07T00:53:00.000-04:00

Must be 18 to win. Open to US fans only.

One winner will win an autographed Heather Brewer book "The Slayer Chronicles First Kill" and an e-copy of The Legacy of Kilkenny. Second place is a $5.00 gift card to Books A Million and a e-copy of The Legacy of Kilkenny. Please leave your email address in your comment - See below for ways to enter the contest. I will email to notify the winner - if response is not received with mailing address within 24 hours, I will have to randomly pick another winner. Thank you for following me and Happy Halloween and reading!

Contest ends at 11:59 pm EST Oct 11, 2011

Teaser Tuesday - The Replacement

2011-09-27T12:26:00.000-04:00

"The sound of his voice made shudders creep down my neck. A person would have to be crazy to go down into a lair of dead things."

If you want to take a walk on the wild side and into something original, run don't walk to your neighborhood bookstore and buy this. Brenna Yovanoff has a warped view and awesome creativity that I adore.

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme, Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

1. Grab your current read.
2. Open to a random page.
3. Share two 'teaser' sentences from somewhere on that page.
4. Add the title and Author's name too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR pile.

The Seduction - Giveaway

2011-09-24T03:15:00.000-04:00

Hello Lovies!

I just posted a vlog that has a great giveaway in it. You have to watch the video to see what I'm giving away and please post your messages here on my blog or comment on the vlog. I really need your help with the cover of my book and what it should be.

http://youtu.be/g27marod2oA

Thank you and please share and tweet!

Oakley Interview

2011-09-21T15:27:00.000-04:00

Oakley

Werewolf & Bodyguard to Prudence Phelan

Character Interview

The Legacy of Kilkenny

I was fortunate enough to have an interview with Oakley from The Legacy of Kilkenny the other day. It was informative and fun. Of course he isn't bad to look at either. Enjoy.

Oakley Interview -

You’re in really good shape. In The Legacy of Kilkenny we read about different workouts that you, Pru and Abel do, what is your favorite sport? Oakley - I’m a college football fan all the way. Boomer Sooner!

If you had to describe yourself to someone what would be your definition? Oakley -*laughing* My definition? I don’t know, part cowboy, part ninja, part Italian chef. I can make a mean lasagna and heat up a can of biscuits like a rock star. No seriously, I do like to cook but with my assignment as Pru’s bodyguard I don’t get to do it as often as I would like to. On Sunday’s Dolly does let me help her out with the pack dinner.

When you’re not out chasing down the antidote to the Human Vampiric Virus (HVV) and fighting rogue werewolves what do you do in your down time? Oakley - I like to sketch the pack. Pru is gorgeous to draw. Her body is like a piece of art from the curves of her hips as they are perfectly lined with her shoulders and that beautiful slender neck of hers could make a grown man tremble. That sounds dorky doesn’t it? No, I do love to draw and I love to notice the similarities of the pack as they are in wolf form and their human form.

Speaking of vampires, how many have you staked? Oakley - Not enough. *laughing* No seriously, there is one in particular that is on the short list.

How would you describe Pru? Oakley - As for her looks? She is beautiful with shoulder length red hair and bright gray eyes. She looks like a princess and kicks ass like a ninja. She was accepted to Harvard but turned it down to take her assignment to train Abel Casey.

There is a rumor that you started your relationship with Pru without alpha consent. Is that true? Oakley - You and I agreed not to discuss that. If you’re going back on your word…..I’m leaving.

No, no, no. I’m sorry, please don’t leave. The Legacy of Kilkenny is a young adult book, and you are a young adult but you’re not a teenager. How old are you? Oakley - I’m 22.

When is your birthday? Oakley - December 25th

A Christmas birthday, so you eat birthday cake on Christmas? Oakley - Of course! We’re all about the cake.

That makes you what, four years older than Pru? Oakley - More like 3 1/2

In the next book Malevolence will you kill the vampire Arien? Oakley - You’ll have to read the book to find out. *winks* If you want to know more about that vampire make sure to read the novella The Seduction it will be coming out by Nov 1, 2011. It is Allie’s personal journal (Abel’s sister that dates vampires).

I’ve heard that Parker has a pretty big fan base, does that make you jealous? Oakley - If you like the loner bad boy rogue type of wolf than I guess you’d like Parker. I would never in a million years be jealous of that knucklehead.

If Abel the Great Wolf were to tell you he’d like to date Pru, would you let him? Oakley - First off, Abel would never do that. Second, Pru makes her own decisions. If she wants to be with Abel, I will respect that choice. If this silly scenario ever happened; in all honesty I’d leave the pack.

Do you really think Abel Casey has what it takes to be The Great Wolf? Oakley - Without a doubt I KNOW he is the Great Wolf. He has really grown up over the series and he has more power in his little finger than the entire pack all together.

Where can we buy The Legacy of Kilkenny? Oakley - Amazon - Barnes and Noble - Smashwords or go to www.devyndawson.com for more information.

Thank you for this candid interview. I hope everyone will want to read more about you and download the book. Readers - If you’re not familiar with Smashwords, you can download any format you need for your e-reader. So if you have a I-pad you can put the book on it and if you have a Nook too you can get the book for your Nook. That is a bonus! Some people have all of the e-readers and they can have the book in every format without buying it multiple times.

HINT - The book is FREE for a limited time on www.smashwords.com - Woo Hoo for YOU!

Teaser Tuesday -

2011-09-13T11:08:00.000-04:00

Teaser Tuesday

The Seduction (A Legacy of Kilkenny Series Novella)

Allie's Personal Journal

A passage taken from her Feb 16 entry

I’ve never, ever felt this way before. When his hand touches mine, the coolness of his touch, melts away my fears. I do fear that I have no choice but to fall…madly….deeply… oh I can’t even finish.

Your Inner Halloween Freak Giveaway

2011-09-04T18:27:00.000-04:00

That's me! I love me some Halloween - it gives me the chance to wear black and spider earrings.... oh and my skeleton jewelry... I can wear my necklace that says Good Witch.. I get to do all of that and not be considered a freak. Don't get me wrong... I love a good freak (get your mind out of the gutter) - I just like it more when people actually appreciate my dark side. People will come up and say things like "Oh, I just love your sparkly spider earrings, where ever did you buy those" if I wear the same earrings in June people walk by and whisper "look at that freak"... seriously. If you love them in October be honest with yourself and love them in June... you're the freak. I love spooky stuff all year long. I'm more of a glam spooky lover - you know, stuff that sparkles and stuff that is gothic.

In honor of your inner freak and MY love for all things Halloween.. I think it's time for a giveaway. Are you ready? Drawing will be October 11, 2011

Okay the Rules (rules rules rules...always rules)- Giveaway only available to United States - when I become rich and famous I'll open to international.. (sorry) Winner will be chosen by automated random program

1. Go to my website www.devyndawson.com & name just one book from my What's on my Nook tab - and comment below = 3 entries put your email address in comment please
2. Go to my Facebook fanpage and Like me - leave a message = 3 entries
3. Tweet about my giveaway (email me the link devyndawson(at)yahoo(dot)com = 3 entries

GRAND PRIZE =
E-copy of The Legacy of Kilkenny
two autographed swag cards by me :)
1 autographed bookmark from Leah Clifford (A Touch Mortal)
1 actual paperback book of Frankenstein
1 $5.00 gift card to Books A Million

First Place =
E-copy of The Legacy of Kilkenny
2 autographed swag cards by me & swag button

Second Place -
E-copy of The Legacy of Kilkenny

Why I write

2011-08-29T14:56:00.000-04:00

I thought it would be a good chance for me to tell you a little about me - the writer me. DISCLAIMER I will not edit this, so if there is a punctuation problem... deal with it. If I have a run on sentence.... deal with it. I write like I think... random.

I live in the South and I'm from the Midwest. I live in a house, at the end of a street, with one husband (I think it's illegal to have more than that... I'm not a sister wife) and one teenager that apparently got a book titled ALL THE THINGS TO DO TO DRIVE YOUR PARENTS CRAZY and studied it. He made an A+ . I have a twenty year old daughter that bought the book ALL THINGS DRAMATIC and studied it. She made an A+ My husband bought a book.... no he didn't.... he doesn't enjoy books the same way I do. My husband bought a magazine... for the articles... no he didn't. No... he says I never talk about him. My husband is from the South and hates the Midwest, he eats loudly (he is having a bowl of Raisin Bran and I actually double checked he didn't have chips in the bowl)... he puts up with me and doesn't beat me (I'd beat me.... no I wouldn't, I'm an angel).

Why I write.... well, because the Easter Bunny left me poems in my basket - it was a treasure hunt and the poems were silly.... I'd have to find one egg and it would have a clue for the next egg, until there was a big prize at the end.... I love a big prize!

Happy Easter Stefanie Dear
Can you believe it's been a whole year?
Put on your shoes, don't move like a snail
Go take a look where the man leaves mail.

That was really elementary and they did get harder as I got older.... I would write the little poems and make my own treasure hunt and one year I got a book - Poetry for children... I loved that book... and I got Where the Sidewalk Ends. One day in sixth grade a teacher read The Raven out loud to the class... my love for Edgar began that day. I wrote poetry, it was dark, it was creepy, it was about death and life and pain and anguish... and my mom read it... Oh crap. She rushed me to a shrink to make sure I wasn't going to out myself.... I was given a clean bill of life. I loved the feeling of expression... I wrote silly stories, I wrote deep stories.... I wrote and wrote and wrote. I grew up and didn't have time... I've started so many books but never finished them.... and a character came to life in my head, his reality was brought to life with my keyboard.... Abel was born as was the story about the Great Wolf.

I love writing. I love reading. I love my husband. I love my children. I still write dark poetry. I have about five characters for five different books living in my head.

Repost from my Livejournal account

Win Bloodlines by Richelle Mead

2011-08-15T11:49:00.000-04:00

My best lovie is having a awesome giveaway - she is doing the Show Me Your Teeth Giveaway Hop - a lucky winner will receive a autographed copy of Bloodlines by Richelle Mead - now that is some serious swag! Go to her blog to enter - much love to all - I am writing so I won't be blogging this week .. I know... much sadness.

http://thebooklovie.blogspot.com/2011/08/show-me-your-teeth-giveaway-hop.html

Time

2011-08-08T13:39:00.000-04:00

Time - My enemy

All of the things I don't have time for.....

I don't have time to sit on FB reading everyone's status and hope something interesting comes up.
I don't have time to read tweets all day hoping to find a good link to market myself
I don't have time to watch everything recorded on my DVR
I don't have time to walk the dog
I don't have time to play with my birds
I don't have time to sleep 12 hours (I require 12 hours of sleep a night....research for vampires)
I don't have time to cook dinner
I don't have time to clean the house
I don't have time to wash the clothes
I don't have time to smell my beautiful roses
I don't have time to have coffee with my neighbor
I don't have time to talk on the phone
I don't have time to blog
I need more time to write on my book......

I find vlogging so much easier - be sure to watch my vlog later this week - I will have some swag to give away! I need a title for my second book - any ideas?

Muah xoxo

Interview with Daniele Lanzarotta

2011-08-02T00:02:00.000-04:00

Recently I had the opportunity to meet the lovely and talented Daniele Lanzarotta the author of the Imprinted Souls series. Her latest book Wide Awake (the Academy of the Fallen) was recently released and promises to be epic. Her website http://www.danielelanzarotta.com is pretty awesome. Make sure to check out her book trailers - they are mesmerizing and will have you buying the book instantly. Daniele will be gifting one of my lucky readers with an e-book of their choice of Imprinted Souls or Wide Awake.

It is easy peasy - but it doesn't come without rules. Just go to her blog  http://danielelanzarotta.blogspot.com and come back and tell me who her question and answer on July 26, 2011 was with. Easy right? The winner will be randomly picked. Happy reading!

Interview questions

1. Where did you come up with the idea for Wide Awake?

I was actually working on Bloodlust (Imprinted Souls Series 2), when Kayla (Wide Awake) popped in my head. I knew that with my next series I wanted to create a new world at some point in the storyline, so that was when I came up with the concept for the Academy.

2. Was it easy going from writing the Imprinted Souls series about vampires to writing about fallen angels?

Absolutely! I can switch back and forth between characters and what they are pretty easily.   Here is a fun fact though; in Imprinted Souls you will meet one very special vampire, who was a fallen angel before she was turned. Still, she is very different from the fallen in ‘Academy of the Fallen’.

3. Do you have a certain process you do to get the creative juices flowing?

I usually get ideas at the most unexpected times, but as far as actually sitting down to write the stories, music seems to be the key to my creativity.

4. How long did it take you to write Wide Awake?

This is an interesting question. Wide Awake was a little different than my other books. I wrote the first part of Wide Awake (what I call ‘before the Academy’). I then shared my time between writing Divine Ashes and Wide Awake. For Wide Awake alone, took about 4-5 months.

5. What is one thing about you that your fans don’t know?

* laughs * I really don’t know. If they follow me on Facebook or Twitter, they probably know it all!

6. If you had one super power what would it be?

This is a tough one. I would like to say read minds, but that would be a curse.   *laughs* Mind control seems pretty powerful. I think that would be my choice.

7. Would you prefer going to the park for a relaxing picnic or are you an amusement park roller coaster person?

* laughs * I’m totally NOT a roller coaster person. I will go for the relaxing picnic at the park.

8. What are the last five books you’ve read?

Passion by Lauren Kate, Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare, and the 3 Mortal Instruments books by Cassandra Clare.

9. What author has inspired you the most through your career?

Only 1?! Okay… well, being that I have to pick only one, I would say Richelle Mead. Her character development is flawless. If you know me, you know how attached I’m to my characters...

10. What is the story behind your title and cover?

Most of my titles and covers fall under the ‘it just came to me’ category. My best story behind a title is for Divine Ashes and that was pure coincidence (in a creepy way). In Divine Ashes, you learn the back-story of Lydia (Lexi’s past life) and Loren. One of their scenes is at an Opera House in Venice. In real life, there was a fire at that Opera House and when they rebuilt it, they named it La Fenice Opera House. In the book, La Fenice is where Tyler meets Lexi. The name of the Opera House relates to it “rising from the ashes”, which is exactly what happens to one of the characters in Divine Ashes. The weirdest part is that in the book, Lydia and Loren’s story happened in the same year as the fire.

11. What do your order at your favorite coffee shop?

White Chocolate Mocha! Yum.

12. When will your book be released and where can we buy it?

You can find ‘Academy of the Fallen: Wide Awake’ and ‘Imprinted Souls Series’ 1-3 (Imprinted Souls, Bloodlust, and Divine Ashes) on Amazon, Kindle, Nook, Kobo, iBooks, Smashwords… you can also find the paperback through my publisher’s website at http://shop.rsp-llc.com/  Blood Bound (ISS #4) will be released this October, and Nephilim (Academy of the Fallen 2) in 2012.

Instruction guide for the family of a writer - MUST READ

2011-07-30T11:44:00.000-04:00

Instruction guide for the family of a writer

1. When we're reading blogs, tweeting, looking at groups on Facebook - we are writing - not playing! Our MS is up in another window - we just didn't flip over fast enough. Stop creeping.
2. No, we have not thought about what is for dinner. Obviously you have..... so go make something for us both. Duh!
3. Just because you think we haven't gotten dressed for the day, you're wrong. That slinky thing I wore last night isn't comfortable to sit in.... scrubs and t-shirts are our work clothes. Sheesh.
4. Blog touring is exhausting. Just because you have to physically move around at work, brain power is much more daunting.
5. Parent teacher conference? You're a parent too, can't you go? I know you work 50 miles away. I've got to write a million words today and I have a 2 pm chat.... this is for our future too.
6. No I'm not on the bestseller list, why do you keep asking me that? I hate that list, I don't want to be on it. Okay so I'm a liar but stop asking, that is bullying. (stomping foot)
7. Yes I went to get coffee dressed like that, I didn't get out of the car!
8. Yes, I must talk about my sexy characters with everyone - I'm secretly talking about you (he reads this some times).
9. Yes it is necessary to have the air down to 70 - I don't write well if I'm hot.
10. When I make that bestseller list I'll hire a chef to cook for us, and clean all the dust bunnies. I'll have my scrubs bejeweled to be dressier when I go to get coffee. The son is about to graduate high school, no more PT meeting! Yay! I'll still blog tour and one day I'll have someone that can monitor all the social networks for me. I will probably check them too just because they've become my friends,
11. Just because we've never met and we only see our avatar - we sometimes know more about each other than some friends we see all of the time. So yes, they really are my friends.

Have a great weekend! I'm having a interview with Daniele Lanzarotta on Tuesday August 2 - she has a new book out Wide Awake. She is giving away one e-copy of her book. Come back Tuesday to enter the giveaway and learn more about this talented writer!

Toodles

Teaser Tuesday Torment

2011-07-26T12:40:00.000-04:00

"What am I supposed to say to them? Surprise, I'm your daughter back from the dead," Luce practiced aloud as they were sitting at a stoplight.

My Lovies

2011-07-21T14:49:00.000-04:00

My Lovies are a group of friends that had access to read and critique The Legacy of Kilkenny before it was published. Each person was picked because they represent the types of people that are my target audience.

I fondly think of my Lovies as my crack... not as in the drug, or even my butt.... When I was a little girl my mom would ask how many Lovies I had. She would grab my foot and pop my toes. For every 'crack' of my toe it was a 'Lovie' and each 'crack' represented a friend. She would say that is how many real friends I had. So................ each one represents a crack in my toe.

My Lovies - Lorrie, Lacey, Lara, Ken, Elaine, Shaynee, Paris, Hunter - I have more but this is the group that had the most influence for the book.

Have a great weekend

distractions

2011-07-21T00:29:00.000-04:00

My husband is the strong quiet type, he doesn't have much to say.... well he doesn't have much to say until I've sat down to write. Recently he was on vacation because he had just come back from being activated with the military. While he was away I got a Yorkie. I trained the dog not to bother me while I'm writing and how to be alone so he wouldn't have separation anxiety. That worked until hubby came home. For three weeks my non-talkative husband chatted me up every single time he saw my laptop in my lap. He not only showed me how cute the puppy is when he eats, poops, sleeps, wears clothes, eats a sock, chews the wall, eats the baseboards and humps the cat... but he had to show me all of this multiple times. I finally concluded that as long as my hubby is home on leave... I wasn't going to get any work done. I've come to find this an endearing yet exhausting trait. I always wonder how other people deal with intrusive people when they are in the writing mode.....

I'm doing a couple of book reviews in the next couple of weeks - so stay tuned. I've also been vlogging so check out my youtube channel and follow my silliness as I write my second book. Good night - good life - live well!

Teaser Tuesday

2011-07-19T14:02:00.000-04:00

I'm starting a new book tonight so I will shamelessly plug my own book for Teaser Tuesday.

I reluctantly sat through dinner with my dignity challenged. It completely amazed me that a nice girl like Allie would be so eager to hop in bed with the likes of a vampire, no matter how beautiful he obviously is.

The Legacy of Kilkenny is the first book of The Legacy series by Devyn Dawson. The story begins with Abel learning the truth about the supernatural world. He may be a naive sixteen year old boy but the story ends with a sixteen year old man. The story is told by both Abel and Pru. Pru is a tough werewolf with a mission to train Abel to be a werewolf. She is not only beautiful but smart and cool. As the series continues it will get darker and more involved in the supernatural world. It is available for download on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Smashwords. Check out the book trailer - I also vlog on youtube

Teaser Tuesday

2011-07-12T12:04:00.000-04:00

Dimitri sat in the back as usual, for once not scanning every corner for danger. His attention was turned inward, his expression almost pained.

The Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead. If you are one of maybe a dozen people that has never read this series, you are missing out. This is a YA book but carries a sophistication in the writing. This book is about a guardian (in training) and the trouble that seems to follow her. You will meet Dimitri, and you'll never forget him. He alone earns five yums from me.

For Teaser Tuesday open the book you are reading and take two sentences without spoilers and blog it or comment on it here....

How to annoy a book seller

2011-07-07T23:53:00.000-04:00

Something about me you might not know.... I work at a large bookstore chain once a week. I was so excited to start working there; I thought it would be full of intelligent articulate customers... I was grossly wrong. I thought that working for such a large corporation they would be concerned about their image.... again I was wrong. I thought they could afford to pay a cleaning crew to clean the bathrooms and the store... leaving me to put away books and straighten up for another day of book hunting for customers. Wrong. I've come up with a few rules that you should keep in mind when you go into a book store.

1. Know the name of the book. Don't walk into a book store and 'think' the name of the book is something. If you don't know the title of the book, know the author's name. We are not working for psychic hotline, we don't know the name of the book, we didn't watch Dr. Phil that day, we didn't hear the radio show you did and we don't know your aunt or what series she is reading.
2. Put your book away in the RIGHT place. If you put it in the wrong spot, you make it impossible for us to find it for the next customer. Do you think we magically know that you put a business book in the fiction section? Now the computer shows us it is in the store and another person needs the book, you make it impossible for us to find. People are jerks when they want a book and the computer says we have it and they are running late. They take it out on us. Just so you know.
3. If you get a magazine and take it to the men's bathroom with you to do whatever it is you are doing with that naked girl mag... don't put it under the trash bag.... go ahead and just put it in the trash can... I don't want to touch it. (This happens more often than you'd think).
4. If you have children, teach them how to put away a book. If your child is a raging lunatic screaming freak, leave your little darling at home. Some people come to a bookstore to study or read.
5. Don't set your sniffling sneezing germ ridden child out to run the store like a wild zebra.
6. If you insist on eating your food throughout the store.... throw away your trash. I'm not your mother and I don't enjoy picking up your nasty chicken bones up off the floor.
7. Keep in mind that we are citizens in your town, and we have blogs and we just might talk about you in a blog.... so don't act like you're above us. I'm honestly not interested if you are a mega millionaire.... we breath the same air.

I could probably keep going...... so, now that you're totally disenchanted with book stores... and some of you are wondering where I work..... just know that it is happening in your bookstore too.

Teaser Tuesday Post

2011-07-05T13:32:00.000-04:00

"This is the story of how as a girl of sixteen I went in search of my father and his past, and of how he went in search of his beloved mentor and his mentor's own history, and of how we all found ourselves on one of the darkest pathways into history. It is the story of who survived that search and who did not, and why. As a historian, I have learned that, in fact, not everyone who reaches back into history can survive it."

page 1

For Teaser Tuesday open the book you are reading and take two sentences (I did three) without spoilers and blog it or comment on it here....

What to read?

2011-07-05T12:23:00.000-04:00

Hello my lovely Lovies. What shall I ramble about today? I could tell you that it is July and I still can't find my summer shoes. Not too exciting and not much more to say about it.

I've been trying to find a good book to read, one that tickles my imagination. I finally finished Linger. If I were honest with you.... I thought it was empty of a story for about 3/4 of the book. I continued reading and I found the end was interesting, enough to read the next book (I don't own yet). I finish a book, I mourn the book... I didn't mourn this book. Many books will take a piece of me with it.... I thought I was the only person that actually missed a book. I'm not. The first book I ever mourned was Harry Potter and the Sorcerers Stone. I read at least 5,000 books before reading that book, it just opened up the child in me... oh, that child in me is a pistol. Bringing you back to me finding a book to read. I have 67 books next to my bed in my 'to read' pile.. not to mention 5 ARCs.... you'd think I'd be able to find something to read out of that stack... no. I decided to buy more books for my Nook. I was very excited to read Jocelyn Drake's new book. I found the beginning very detailed and I would have to concentrate to read it. I'm in middle of writing a book and I can't put that much focus on remembering all the fine details from a book I'm reading. I'm entirely too A.D.D. for that right now. I decided to read another book that is on my Nook and is from a new author and to be honest with you I don't like it much. I might keep reading to see if it catches my interest. I won't tell you the title because I like the author and I don't want to turn anyone off.... I was a bit bothered when the main character was talking to another girl and they were talking about why virgins wore white and the main character said "I'm a virgin." The other girl actually said "fingers don't count." I found that crude... isn't that funny I find that crude but I'm not bothered by the f bomb? I think I'll read Fallen.... I've heard mixed reviews so I'll make the leap and read it myself. I had started The Historian but it is another book that needs your full attention. Heavy sigh. I avoid werewolf books while I'm writing (yes I know, I just read Linger but they aren't the kind of werewolf I'm talking about). I do it for a couple of reasons... I don't want to steal another authors ideas, even though I'd never do that on purpose. Kelley Armstrong once talked about her writing Bitten and how she felt she was original with a female werewolf. After her book was published another book came out that was similar (I don't remember the name) .... she realized that it is almost impossible to write a book that is completely original but you can write one that is different or stands out from the others. I remind myself of that all of the time.

I only have 11 followers and if they are like me they follow too many blogs to keep up with. I do pose a question... if you like werewolf stories, what kind do you like? Do you want a beast or beauty with a beast within?

Have a happy day Lovies.... toodles

random gobbledygook in my head

2011-06-25T23:50:00.000-04:00

Random thoughts...

Do you ever think your thoughts are nothing but gobbledygook that speckles your brain without any real meaning? I have that thought often. Sometimes I worry that I can't get my thoughts to come out right when I'm within my characters head. You know that show Scrubs? I'm not a fan, sorry... I'm not. Don't hurt me, please. Although I don't like the show, I think I'm related to the shows writers. It amazes me how they get all of the abstract thoughts to come across on screen and they are considered geniuses and I have abstract thoughts and that makes me strange. Back to the thought of being inside a characters head, I have one character that makes me laugh. I love writing him, he is totally bad and very good at it. He is a vampire.... I know, I know... another naughty vamp running wild within a young adult book. He enjoys being bad..... but he has a softer side, the side that is misunderstood. He doesn't always want to be bad, it is just more acceptable to be bad and be a vampire... It isn't all that interesting to have a soft and cuddly vamp. In my second book some of his secrets will come to light. I'm just afraid of making the reader too sympathetic to him causing him to lose his sex appeal. So how do you make your reader see the softer side without taking away his edge? Like Dimitri in The Vampire Academy series... he is edgy but one damn sexy man YET he has a softer side. Midnight... Saturday night in the big city of New Bern... my gobbledygook is sloshing around in my head, pondering the future of my bad vampire. There must be something more exciting going on.. ..

another mistake

2011-06-23T23:12:00.000-04:00

Okay, so as soon as I got the final rendition of my book cover I placed an order for a sign. You see, they were having a sale. I'm a sucker for a sale. I had a budget. They had a sale. I could buy a sign twice as big for even less money than what I budgeted. I bought a 6' sign of my book cover! It is on vinyl and can be put outside (I can't imagine ever needing it outside) and it is 30" wide. I drive a Miata. It rolls up nicely. Perfect... right? Nope. The mall doesn't allow us to hang anything up.... so what do I do with a 6' sign that now can't be hung up? My friends aren't even tall enough to hold it up.... it would be funny to have them hold it up for several hours. I don't think they'd like me much... I came up with a great idea. I have those every once in a while. I went out to buy a easel and rig up a board for my six foot sign to adhere to. Everything seemed awesome... I even get the chance to spray paint the easel (I'm slightly addicted to spray painting things). Everything was awesome until I realized the big solid board my sign goes onto doesn't fit in my car. It fits amazingly in my husbands car, the very car he has to use to carry all of his military crap (I didn't call his stuff crap, I'll deny it) to work in. I have a friend that when she found out she was pregnant with her first kiddo she ran out and bought a mini-van... I think I'll hitch a ride with her. She is one of the friends I wouldn't mind holding up my sign, but she is only 5'3" and would look a little silly standing on a chair holding my sign. Still a funny thought to to think... I'd better send her a text... the trials of being me can be exhausting.

VTV

2011-06-21T00:08:00.000-04:00

I'm a complete and utter vampire t.v. whore.... and I'm totally jonesing for some Eric. I can not wait for True Blood to come back on. I hope they give it more Sookie and Eric time.... I really do like all things supernatural. I've had a thing for vampires since I was a little girl. My mom would be in the living room late at night and I'd sneak in the room to peek over the back of the couch to see what vampire show was on. I'd run to my room and make sure the windows were locked so one couldn't come in and get me. They were and are fascinating to me but I didn't want to get bit by one. That is true up until The Lost Boys came out and it wouldn't be too bad to be a vamp. I still love the glamour of a beautiful vampire - even if he sparkles... although that is a little odd I can accept his disability. I love Damon and Stephen. I can deal with vampire Bill and swoon over Eric.

The question is.... why did I make the star of my book series werewolves? Very good question, I've never liked werewolves. I've always thought they were ugly and mean until I realized they are coming from my head... and I can make them however I want. So I did.

I hope you take the time to write what you want... not what others expect from you. Trying to please everyone was the largest obstacle I had to overcome. I finally sat back and wrote what I wanted...

I hope you write what makes you happy.

Marketing

2011-06-16T11:32:00.000-04:00

I want a book trailer. I had a friend that was going to do it, but she is too a.d.d. and makes too many commitments she can't keep. I still love her though. I haven't a friend nor follower on this blogger thingy so who on earth is going to answer my cry for help? Right on. My inner shaman says that I must find the answer within. My realistic side says.... google it.

So gentle non-reader.... do book trailers really work? I want one because I think they're cool and I want to be cool like the other kids.

I'll be gone for a few days so toodles.

Ta Da! I'm an Indie author now!

2011-06-14T16:34:00.000-04:00

I published my first young adult book The Legacy of Kilkenny -------->
two days ago. I would've made a link to it via that cute picture over there --->
on the right if I knew how to. Shamelessly plugging it - you too can have your very own copy of the book by going to http://www.amazon.com/Legacy-Kilkenny-ebook/dp/B0055JCFDQ or going to www.smashwords.com

Now that I've done that part - let me tell you something about it. If you love strong characters, vampires, werewolves and teenagers... you will absolutely love this story. I wouldn't lie to you. Never. Ever. It is about this boy named Abel that lives in a small town that has nothing going on... until Pru moves to town and tells him she is a werewolf. He is a werewolf too.... not only is he a werewolf but he is the one that lore from Kilkenny talks about.... The Great Wolf. Whoopee do right? Notsomuch. He will be the alpha of all packs - but he hasn't even shifted yet. As Pru trains him for his destiny, and introducing him to the supernatural world, a sexy vampire starts wooing Abel's sister... now they are in the fight of their life to save his sister Allie from the Human Vampiric Virus (HVV). I'm not going to tell you any more... today.

Life is short - enjoy a book today