Write Stuff: 2015

Tuesday, December 29, 2015

2015 in Review

It's funny, but I've been thinking about this post for the past few weeks. There is so much that happened this year. Soooooo much. Looking back is almost mind boggling. Just to give you an idea:

I got my tenure-track job, which was amazing and so stressful. I still feel like I'm recovering from that process.
I taught my first semester as a tenure-track professor, which is a million kinds of awesome. And more work than I care to think about...having grad students is both amazing and insanity-inducing as I try to figure everything out.
I set up my new lab, well as much as I could thus far, which is incredible, and I love having my own space to work. Though dealing with all the construction, ordering, and other headaches was eye-opening.
I applied for my first really huge grant for research. And didn't get it (which is the norm, so I'm not too bummed...terribly).
I got an agent! Cristi is incredible and I feel so crazy blessed to have her represent my work.
I went on submission with Coincidences. I think I should feel more stressed about that than I do, but somehow it's really kind of a relief to have an agent handle that aspect of things. I can just write :)
I wrote a short story once a month for Lightening Quick Reads. That was a ton of fun (if a ton of work too :)
TRAVELERS was released!
I bought a house, which I love and couldn't be happier about.
I got a dog, who has stollen my heart and I think is officially the cutest puppy ever.

I'll spare the rest of the list. Needless to say 2015 has been BUSY to an extreme that is over the top, even for me (which I don't mean to sound snooty, but I'm kind of a busy gal and always have been). It's also been a year filled with heartbreak. The ending of my 13 years with my husband took me out at the knees. I don't talk about things like that much here, but seriously, that's been one of the hardest things I've ever done/gone through/survived. I am trying to focus on the positive, as in some ways it was the healthiest decision for me, but dang...not so easy. Lately it's been tempered by some other good things, which I'm not ready to share yet, but still, there's been a lot of stress this past year. I'm moving forward.

2015 was a good year for me. I may not have read as many fiction books (I usually average around 40+ novels, but only hit 35 this year, though that's not including a LOT of critique work I did for friends, which I love more than I can say). I didn't get another novel written, though I'm about halfway through one. But I do feel stronger. I'm happier than I have been in a very long time (if a lot more frazzled and missing some hair :). I am looking forward to 2016 with a passion, and hoping that it tops this year in many ways. Bring it on!

What is the best thing that happened to you during 2015?

Happy Holidays from Me!

By: Meradeth Houston on 10:10 AM

This week is a mad scramble of family, wrapping paper, and far too crowded malls :) But it's fun, and I've escaped the snow (for the time being), and I love getting to see my family. And there will be tamales and other good foods. It's been a very long and crazy year, filled with twists and turns and backflips, so it's nice to have a few days of something familiar (even if it's not relaxing...is being at your parent's home ever actually relaxing? Because it's not for me, but I do wonder). Anyhow, to all those who are celebrating the season, or have just finished their celebrations, I want to wish you all a massive Happy Holidays!

And now to go and wrangle my mom's dog into his leash!

Oh, and because yes, I do have books available, might I interest you in something fun to read by the fire? Lots of fun things available over on Amazon!

Book Blitz: THIS IS SARAH by Ally Malinenko

By: Meradeth Houston on 4:00 AM

When Colin Leventhal leaned out his bedroom window on the night of May 12th and said goodbye to his girlfriend, he never expected it would be forever. But when Sarah Evans goes missing that night, Colin's world unravels as he transforms from the boyfriend next door to the police's main suspect.

One year later, at her memorial service, Colin makes a phone call that could change everything. Is it possible that Sarah is still alive? And if so, how far will he go to bring her back? As Colin struggles with this possibility, across the street, Sarah’s little sister, Claire learns how to navigate the strange new landscape of life without her sister. While her parents fall apart, Claire remains determined to keep going, even if it kills her.

THIS IS SARAH serves as a meditation on loss, love, and what it means to say goodbye.

Ally Malinenko

Ally Malinenko is the author of the poetry collection, The Wanting Bone (Six Gallery Press) and the children's fantasy, Lizzy Speare and the Cursed Tomb (Antenna Books).

She lives in Brooklyn with her husband.

Visit me on my web site

http://allymalinenko.com/

Repost Love: Visiting the Distant Past

By: Meradeth Houston on 4:00 AM

How is everyone doing? It's finals week for me, which means a mad scramble to finish up this semester and ensure my grades are in on time. And somehow get all my dang Christmas shopping done (this will happen...at some point!). Anyhow, I'm going to share a post back from my blog tour for Travelers, and talk a little about a question I am always asked:

***

I thought I’d talk a little bit about some of the more random ways my day job intersects with my writing today, because it definitely came in handy while writing a time-travel book J. My day job is studying dead people’s DNA, which means that I work closely with archaeologists to analyze the remains they unearth from all over the world. I started off in straight archaeology, and have been on quite a few digs both as a student and as a professional archaeologist (then I realized that I’d spend my whole life in a dirt hole if I kept that up and decided I liked showering too much, so I opted for the lab—true story!).

Anyhow, archaeologists are probably the first people who would jump at the chance to travel in time (anyone ever read Timeline?). The study of past human populations tends to attract people who are fascinated by the past, and I’m no exception. And when I ended up with characters who could travel into the past, well it only seemed logical that they end up a little farther back than they gambled for. Which let me have a little fun with what I know, and have been on digs to investigate, about the past populations in Northern Utah. I set Sienna and Henry for a brief sojourn with the Fremont population, which I won’t get into a ton of detail about here, but if you want to know more, ask in the comments!

Having a little knowledge of the past, and what happens to things over time, also helped out with the setting in a few other ways. It helped me research what Boston would have looked like in the 1870’s, and how dilapidated a house could get in three years. Sometimes it is funny little things like that that peek out from my day job and help in my writing. Other times, well, it’s nice to get to make a few things up, which is obviously frowned upon in my day-job :).

Have you ever been on a dig? Ever wanted to? Or does your day job creep into your writing too?

After Reading: BAD DAY IN A BANANA HAMMOCK by Stuart R. West

By: Meradeth Houston on 4:00 AM

It's absolutely my pleasure to introduce Stuart's newest release! It's not often that I get to talk about a book that was dedicated to me either ;) And a word to the wise: this is what happens when you start daring your author buddies to write the most random thing you can possibly thing of! (Which, really, is quite awesome indeed!)

Zach wakes up with no memory, no phone, and no clothes except his stripper g-string. And oh yeah! There’s that pesky naked dead guy in bed next to him. Problem is Zach's not gay. Or a murderer. At least, he doesn't think so. Only one person can help him, his sister, Zora. Of course Zora's got problems of her own—she has three kids at home and is eight month's pregnant with the fourth. So she’s a bit cranky. But that’s not going to stop her from helping her brother. With kids in tow, the siblings set how to find the true killer, clear Zach's name, and reassure Zach he's not gay.

Grab a copy on Amazon!

It's a rare book that can make you laugh from the first page until the last, but West has a knack for writing them. Hammock starts off with Zach's sticky predicament and leads us through twists and turns, and the world of male stripers (*ahem* male entertainment dancers), while he tries to clear his name. West also has a knack for some of the best female leads I've ever read: no easy feat! Zora was instantly my favorite character, and while I definitely felt for her dealing with the situation while massively pregnant, she was no less kick-a$$. I loved her attitude and ability to sleuth out the truth, deal with the situation, all while still managing to be there for her (slightly clueless) brother. Basically, what I'm trying to say is that you should check out this book--it's fun, funny, and a quick read!

After Reading: THE SHOCK OF NIGHT by Patrick W. Carr

By: Meradeth Houston on 4:00 AM

When one man is brutally murdered and the priest he works for mortally wounded on the streets of Bunard, Willet Dura is called to investigate. Yet the clues to the crime lead to contradictions and questions without answers. As Willet begins to question the dying priest, the man pulls Willet close and screams in a foreign tongue. Then he dies without another word.

Willet returns to the city, no closer to answers than before, but his senses are skewed. People he touches appear to have a subtle shift, a twist seen at the edge of his vision, and it's as though he can see their deepest thoughts. In a world divided between haves and have-nots, gifted and common, Willet soon learns he's been passed the rarest gift of all: a gift that's not supposed to exist.

Now Willet must pursue the murderer still on the loose in Bunard even as he's pulled into a much more dangerous and epic conflict that threatens not only his city, but his entire world--a conflict that will force him to come to terms with his own tortured past if he wants to survive. (Goodreads)

Thanks to LibraryThing and Bethany House for a review copy in exchange for my honest review.

So it's been a while since I've read a high fantasy, and I still find myself not terrifically sold on them. Well, some of them. Tolkien is still a master. But other times I find myself not as immersed in the world, nor as able to identify (or care about) the main character. This is just my guess, but sometimes it seems that so much effort goes into explaining the new world, how it works, and what makes it unique, that there doesn't seem to be the same amount of time in delving into the character and bringing them to life in quite the same way that we see in other novels. Willet Dura, who is an interesting character, basically tells us how he is and while the novel does bear this out, I didn't find myself too terribly concerned if he lived or died. I will say that the concept of Gifts--those with extraordinary abilities that could be passed along--is quite interesting and I enjoyed it. There was a ton of intrigue and twists and turns in the book, but not enough to really captivate me. Overall, definitely a decent book, but not on my list of favorites this year.

What do you thing? Have you read a high fantasy (think swords and castles and magic) lately?

Blog Tour: THE SECRET FILES OF FAIRDAY MORROW by Jessica Haight and Stephanie Robinson

By: Meradeth Houston on 4:00 AM

The Morrow family is taking over the infamous Begonia House December 1st, but here's a glimpse into the mystery...

Release date: DECEMBER 1, 2015
Delacorte Press/ Random House Kids Books
MIDDLE GRADE/ ages 10 and up
ISBN: 978-0-385-74471-3
Authors: Jessica Haight & Stephanie Robinson
Illustrator: Roman Muradov
Publicity contact: Samuel Terris sterris@penguinrandomhouse.com

-->

A Disturbing Note

The Morrows gave each other a nervous look and then walked through the double-door entrance of the Begonia House. Auntie Em waddled into the room, sniffed a few times, and as usual, plopped down in a corner and began to snore. Whoa, thought Fairday. This is definitely going to be different from our town house in Manhattan. She scanned her surroundings; it all seemed impossibly huge and frighteningly old. They were standing in a gigantic foyer with a high ceiling and a wide staircase that spiraled down from the upper level. The cracked black-and-white checkered floor was coated with a thick layer of filth. Hanging from the ceiling was a crystal chandelier that was so covered in dust it looked like a tinkling blob floating ominously above them.

Time seemed to have stopped. Fairday couldn’t believe the size of the place or how dirty it was. The wallpaper was crumbling, and there were cobwebs hanging from every corner. Even the ancient light fixtures were creepy; they reminded her of those fake candles people put out at Halloween. The air had a stale, funny smell that she couldn’t quite identify, something like burnt popcorn. A cold breeze blew through the doorway and sent a chill down her spine, the hair standing up on the back of her neck. Fairday shivered.

★★★

The Begonia House keeps its secrets. Everyone knows that. Everyone, that is, except for clever eleven-year-old Fairday Morrow, whose family has just moved in. Being the Senior Investigator in the Detective Mystery Squad, more commonly known as the DMS, she’s ready to uncover the mysteries hidden within the strange manor. As the investigation gears up and the pieces of the puzzle fall into place, the three young sleuths enter into a world where anything is possible, and the danger is most definitely real. Can they piece together the puzzle before it's too late? Or will whatever's causing trouble find Fairday and her friends first?

Catch the Book Buzz...

"I really enjoyed this book. It was a marvelously done, debut, thriller novel. Ms. Robinson and Ms. Haight are great authors that really pull you into their story. I couldn’t get out until that final sentence. And, by then I wanted more. To say I want a second book is an understatement. The writing style is compelling, and makes me feel as if I was there with Fairday and her friends. I really like the illustrations in the book. They are like the ribbon on a present, or the icing on the cake. I give this book five out of five bookworms!"
~ Erik Weibel/ This Kid Reviews Books

"Mixing realism and fantasy, Haight and Robinson’s debut opens with 11-year-old Fairday’s move from Manhattan to a small town in Connecticut, where her relentlessly cheerful parents plan to turn a dilapidated Victorian into a bed and breakfast. No sooner has the family arrived than eerie sights and sounds begin to haunt Fairday. The house turns out to hold dark secrets that everybody in town suspects but nobody can explain: a perfect mission for Fairday and her best friend Lizzy’s Detective Mystery Squad (DMS)."
~ Publishers Weekly

"Fifth-grader Fairday Morrow's new home lives up to its spooky reputation, but she and her companions in the Detective Mystery Squad find out why. At Begonia House, strains of bagpipe music issue from behind a padlocked door, grains of sand in an hourglass have stopped falling, and a malevolent weeping willow looms in the backyard. A magic mirror shows an invisible door; a wardrobe hides secrets and a portal. Ruby Begonia vanished more than 50 years ago. Is there also a ghost? Fairday has a new, helpful friend in classmate Marcus, and her best friend Lizzy can visit on weekends to help solve the mystery. What more could readers want?"
~ Kirkus Reviews

Jessica Haight is a true New Englander, with a deep desire to be near the ocean and a love of the four seasons. She enjoys drawing while standing up and cultivating magic in her garden. She easily floats away in the pages of a good story and is still waiting for her owl from Hogwarts.

Stephanie Robinson lives with her husband in a quiet town, though not as quaint as Ashpot. After teaching fifth grade for almost fifteen years, she is now enjoying her role as a school media specialist.

Fairday's Blog

Fairdayfiles.com

@DMSfiles

a Rafflecopter giveaway

My copy has arrived in Montana!

#FlashFiction: A Gift to Forget

By: Meradeth Houston on 4:00 AM

It's the last Flash Fiction month over on Lightening Quick Reads, and my last chance to share one of my little stories (well, at least on that blog). This month's theme is Gift, and hopefully my random little tale entertains you some!

Sometimes memories are best forgotten.

***

(Source)

The parcel sat on her table, next to the previous day’s one. Small, wrapped in faded paper, she hadn’t had the heart to unwrap them. She remembered clearly the last time someone had given her any kind of parcel: it had been at work, and White Elephant gifts didn’t exactly fall into the same category. Plus, that had been years ago, long before she’d moved.

Heat curled around her shoulders, warding off the chill that still seemed to seep into her toes. The wind battled against her windows and the teacup in her hands only seemed to warm her palms.

“Another foot of snow is expected tonight, promising a white Christmas!” The weatherman was far too cheerful about this prospect. The urge to stick her tongue out at the television set was only curbed by the distraction of her oven timer sounding.

While the weather might have been frightful, her cookies smelled divine. Not that she wanted to eat all two dozen, but seeing as she knew no one in town, she figured it was a small sacrifice for some holiday cheer.

Tea, milk, Love, Actually streaming, and for a few minutes, she forgot about the storm. About the lack of any friendly faces at her new job (walking in on a business where everyone had been together for at least a decade didn’t bode well for the new person). Or about the small parcels on her table.

She really should open them. See what on earth someone had left, so carefully, on her doorstep. But, looking over at them, they made her smile. Maybe tomorrow. At least then there’d be something to look forward to.

Curious? Want to know what's in the packages? Go to the main blog to read the rest!

After Reading: UNDER THE NEVER SKY by Veronica Rossi

By: Meradeth Houston on 4:00 AM

Aria is a teenager in the enclosed city of Reverie. Like all Dwellers, she spends her time with friends in virtual environments, called Realms, accessed through an eyepiece called a Smarteye. Aria enjoys the Realms and the easy life in Reverie. When she is forced out of the pod for a crime she did not commit, she believes her death is imminent. The outside world is known as The Death Shop, with danger in every direction.

As an Outsider, Perry has always known hunger, vicious predators, and violent energy storms from the swirling electrified atmosphere called the Aether. A bit of an outcast even among his hunting tribe, Perry withstands these daily tests with his exceptional abilities, as he is gifted with powerful senses that enable him to scent danger, food and even human emotions.

They come together reluctantly, for Aria must depend on Perry, whom she considers a barbarian, to help her get back to Reverie, while Perry needs Aria to help unravel the mystery of his beloved nephew’s abduction by the Dwellers. Together they embark on a journey challenged as much by their prejudices as by encounters with cannibals and wolves. But to their surprise, Aria and Perry forge an unlikely love - one that will forever change the fate of all who live UNDER THE NEVER SKY. (Goodreads)

I've meant to pick this one up for ages--I've heard such good things and the concept really was interesting. I don't regret doing so at all! Okay, to be honest, some of the scientific "reasons" for what occurred outside of the enclosed cities was a little iffy (and some actually were really good), but I was able to overlook that to some degree. Overall, the story was definitely one that kept moving, had all kinds of great twists, and I definitely enjoyed the characters, particularly their arcs. My only regret is reading this one without having the rest of the series close at hand to keep going!

Have you had a chance to check out this series?

Repost Love: If you could change one thing in the past…

By: Meradeth Houston on 4:00 AM

This is a post I originally had over on the awesome Stuart R. West's blog (have you read any of his recent releases? They are absolutely worth picking up!), but I thought I'd post one here today, just for fun. Shout it out in the comments about what you would go back and change!

So, time travel. Let’s be honest: if it were easily available, most of us would use it for trivial things: To fix that gaff in the staff meeting yesterday, to make sure you didn’t actually give someone a vacuum for Christmas (even if they asked for one), or just to make sure you had enough time to finish your taxes. I mean, really, the little stuff would be a whole lot easier. And that little stuff probably wouldn’t change much in the grand scheme of your life.

But, there are other things we might change. Like, the big stuff. The regret-at-night-before-falling-asleep kind of stuff. We’ve all got those kinds of things lurking, just waiting to be remembered when we’re laying in bed, about to fall asleep (wait, we do all have those, right? I’m not the only one?....Right?). Anyhow, I am pretty sure we could all come up with a few of those things we might change. For me, I can think of a few: not rooming with the crazy girl during my Junior year of college. Not listening to certain people who said I shouldn’t take more writing classes because I should stick to my strengths in science. Not doing that really awesome genetics internship in Peru (ugh, I so wish I’d had the guts to do that!). So, yeah, lots of things I’d probably do differently.

Of course, the bigger changes mean lots of other things would be different, too. I’d never have met really influential people on my life. Never gotten my current job that I adore. Never have ended up in my field. Or something like that. Who knows, right? For me, that’s kind of the fun the whole time-travel thing: imagining what would be different. Sometimes it might be better. Other times, maybe worse. It’s hard to say because of how many things influence us, but it’s still interesting to imagine.

Though I still wish I’d done that internship. Hello, what was my dumb 18-year-old self thinking? Or not thinking…

Blog Tour: CONVICTION by S. Usher Evans

By: Meradeth Houston on 4:00 AM

Now available - Conviction, the third book in the Razia series! Catch up on this fun, sassy space opera about a wayward scientist living a double life as a space pirate bounty hunter.
Missed the first two? Pick them up on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, iBooks, Smashwords, and Kobo.

About Conviction:

Clink.

Razia is in trouble. Captured by a fellow pirate, she now finds herself back on probation with a bounty worth zero credits. In the cold reality, she begins to question herself and everything she has been working towards all of her life--and what she's willing to do to reclaim her glory.

Piracy is a game. What do you stand for?

Buy now on
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
iBooks
Smashwords
Kobo

Sneak Peek:

Razia's eyes snapped open and she grasped at the wall to steady herself. She stood outside the supposed poker game location, in a dimly lit alley that smelled like trash. There was something wet leaking from the bin next to her, so she didn't dare sit down. She had fallen asleep against the dirty brick wall for a split second, but was now wide awake and ready for Loeb to come out.
The door remained closed.
Poker, she reasoned, must be Loeb's chosen vice because he'd been there playing this game for over an hour. She wondered how many times he'd have to go to Temple to ask the Great Creator for forgiveness for this break in his piety.
She snorted at her own joke then burped a little beer. She rubbed her face roughly, hoping the increased blood flow would wake her up. She wished she hadn't had that that third beer (or however many she had from Sage's pitcher) at Eamon's, she wished she had some coffee, and she wished Loeb would just get a move on already. She had other pirates to capture, and he was being awfully selfish with her time.
She jutted her lip out and stared at the door, and her eyes began drooping again.
Her mini-computer began buzzing at her hip and she jumped ten feet. Scowling, she answered it without thinking.
"What." She blinked at the face looking back at her and for a brief moment saw Vel. With another shake of her head she realized it was Heelin scowling back at her. "Oh, it's you."
"Yes, it's me." Heelin looked nothing short of livid. "The brother with whom you are supposed to be working."
She grimaced. "Oh God in Leveman's, I don't have time for this."
"Well you'd better make time, because this stupid planet was approved for membership, so Dorst wants me to accompany you on your next excavation."
Excavation, what was that again? She rubbed her eyes, trying to make sense of the word. Slowly, her brain readjusted from a month of bounty hunting back to her life as Lyssa Peate.
Wait…Heelin wanted to go on an excavation with her? "I don't think so."
"I think that you have to since Dorst ordered you to."
"I think that Dorst can get sucked."
"What is with you lately? You look different."
"I…what?" she said, looking down at the mini-computer.
"And where are you anyway? Are you in some kind of dark alley? Where are your glasses?"
Razia realized with a jolt of fear that she was, in fact, Razia and not Lyssa—her hair down, no lab coat, no glasses.
"Uh…gotta go!"
She ended the call quickly and breathed a sigh of relief. She didn't expect Heelin to recognize Razia from just a simple phone call. Unlike Lizbeth, who was sharp as a tack and made the connection almost immediately, the Peates seemed more eager to ignore that Lyssa ever existed.
Like Jukin.
She swallowed the lump in her throat, hating herself and her drunkenness for bringing him up. She still had no idea why she'd saved him. She'd told Lizbeth at the time it was because she wanted to believe he was a good person, but there was more to it than that. She was still harboring a little bit of guilt that she had been chosen as Sostas' assistant, and not Jukin.
And perhaps she felt a little responsible for everything Jukin had done.
She belched loudly in the alleyway, ending the drunken philosophical train of thought. In some part of her mind, she wondered if it was a good idea to be out in her current state, but then again, she was simply stalking Loeb. He wasn't going to surprise her and walk out…
Her eyes nearly fell out of her head as Jarvis Loeb exited the bar all by himself.
She braced herself against the wall, waiting to see if his body men were going to join him. Loeb got almost a block before she realized that he was alone. Whether this was some great twist of fate, or maybe some gift from the Great Creator, she didn't know, but it was definitely an opportunity.
She nearly tripped over her own two feet as she barreled after him, the beer sloshing in her stomach uncomfortably.
"OI!" she called out, standing in the middle of the deserted street.
Loeb turned to watch her with an amused look on his face. "Hello there, dear. Are you here to capture me finally?"
"Sure am!" she announced, perhaps louder than she should have.
She walked up to Loeb, who seemed awfully sober to her, and she reared back her fist to strike him. But she was moving so slow—slower than ever—and Loeb easily ducked it. She lurched forward, her center of gravity completely off, and watched the pavement fly up towards her face.
Loeb's hand clamped down on her wrist and she felt cold steel encircle it.

About the Author

S. Usher Evans is an author, blogger, and witty banter aficionado. Born in Pensacola, Florida, she left the sleepy town behind for the fast-paced world of Washington, D.C.. There, she somehow landed jobs with BBC, Discovery Channel, and National Geographic Television before finally settling into a “real job” as an IT consultant. After a quarter life crisis at age 27, she decided consulting was for the birds and rekindled a childhood passion for writing novels. She sold everything she owned and moved back to Pensacola, where she currently resides with her two dogs, Zoe and Mr. Biscuit. Evans is the author of the Razia series and Empath, both published by Sun’s Golden Ray Publishing.

Be sure to check her out on the below social media sites:
Website
Twitter
Facebook
Goodreads
Tumblr
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After Reading: SECONDHAND MEMORIES by Takatsu

By: Meradeth Houston on 4:00 AM

I hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving tomorrow! Well, obviously those who are celebrating :) Here's a little review for those who might be sitting around, traveling, or otherwise needing a little break to think about books :)

Seiji and Aoi have been inseparable childhood friends and eventually, high school sweethearts. Believing in naive dreams and love, all seems well until a tragedy separates them with a chasm of frozen time. As one struggles with the aftermath, the world moves on, while the other remains still.
Battered by temptation and the pressure to grow up, he discovers that life is more complicated than he thought – and that the heart and mind is quite vulnerable to change. Secondhand Memories is an emotional young adult coming-of-age story: a journey about the meaning of growing up, love, loss and sacrifice. (Goodreads)

I've never actually read a cell phone novel before. I've heard of them, but this was a first for me, and in some ways this was a lot like reading a novel in verse, with short chapters (often only about a page), and quick and simple descriptions. It was interesting. And, honestly, I think the format is fun, and definitely makes for a quick read. Still, I had some issues with this novel. I wanted to enjoy it, and I definitely enjoyed reading about some of the awesome places I got to visit while in Japan, but I just had a hard time with the characters. They were a little more difficult to identify with than I cared for, which made things tedious. Their emotions rocketed all over the place and there was no firm grasp of their motivations. Which is probably more accurate for teens than I care to admit, but still, it made for trying reading. Anyhow, definitely a fun format, and it made me miss Japan (and the amazing food...what I wouldn't give for some good Japanese food, haha!), but just not a novel for me.

Have you read or heard of cell phone novels?

Guest Post: Kay LaLone, author of FAMILY SECRET

By: Meradeth Houston on 4:00 AM

Today I have a lovely author here to talk about her most recent release, Family Secret. Give it up for Kay LaLone!

Sixteen-year-old Thomas Patrick Henry is thrown into a web of secrets and demons after his mother’s murder.

On the road to solving his mother’s murder, sixteen-year-old Thomas Patrick Henry discovers a secret his father has kept from him for years. Tom thought Dad’s secret put him in danger, Mom’s secret is far worse. Magic. Witches. Ancient Book of Spells. Magical Amulet. Ghosts. Demons. Tom never thought these things existed until he is face to face with them. There is nothing else to do but destroy the demons before someone else Tom love dies. He already lost his mom and a close friend because this secret was kept from him. No one else will die. No one else will be possessed. Tom faces his demons. A mother’s love gives Tom the strength to slay his demons.

Character Interview Questions For Family Secret

What is your name?

Thomas Patrick Henry. Most people call me Tom. My mom was the only one to call me by my full name.

How do you envision your future?

Hopefully, demon free, but I’ve got a feeling that won’t happen. I plan to reopen my mom’s antique shop the Cat’s Meow. Work there for a while.

Do you believe in magic? Why? Or why not?

When my mom first gave me the amulet and told me it might have magical powers, I thought she was crazy. I didn’t believe in magic. Magic was something for little kids to believe in. But I was proven wrong when I came face to face with a demon. Now I’m a firm believer in magic.

What is your favorite sport?

Baseball. There is no doubt baseball is my favorite. Go Cubs. When I was young I used to play little league. And one summer I went to baseball camp which was lots of fun.

Do you have any hobbies?

I like to read and collect comic books. Also I have a pretty good bobble head collection. Mostly baseball and basketball players.

What in your past would you like to forget?

My mother’s murder. That is something that will haunt me the rest of my life because she was killed by demons.

Are you lucky?

Yes. I have good friends and a family that loves me.

What makes you sad?

Death. It leaves a hole in your heart. You know their spirit is still with you watching over you, but you miss their physical presence.

What is your pet peeve?

Being called a kid, especially by adults. I feel when they call me kid they are looking down on me like I don’t know anything because I’m young.

Do you have a girlfriend?

Yes. Her name is Sarah. Her, Rob, and I have been summer best friends for a long time. And then suddenly the magic of love happened.

About Kay:

I’m Kay LaLone author of Ghostly Clues, my first MG novel. Family Secret is my first YA novel.

Both published by MuseItUp. I live in Michigan with my husband and teenage son (two older sons and a daughter-in-law and my first grandbaby live nearby) and two dogs. I love to get up every morning and write about ghosts, the paranormal, and things that go bump in the night. I write PB, MG and YA novels. No matter the books I write, I want my readers to feel like they have met a new friend. I’m an avid reader of just about any type of book (mystery, paranormal, and ghost stories are my favorites). I do reviews and post them on my website and blog. I love to collect old books, antiques, and collectibles. You can find many of my antiques and collectibles selling on ebay and at fleamarkets.

MuseItUp: Amazon: Barnes & Noble: blog: Website: Facebook: Twitter: good reads

Cover Reveal: BIRTH OF AN AMERICAN GIGOLO by Deek Rhew

By: Meradeth Houston on 4:00 AM

I have a fun cover to share with you all today! Be sure to say hello to Deek!

Birth of An American Gigolo

An old party girl turned domestic diva, infuriated by her husband's cheating--and his holier-than-thou, tree-hugging, no-tits and no-hips girlfriend--inflicts her wrath by training a local boy in the fine art of seduction. She and her new boy toy turned love god, start a gigolo business as a distraction for the neglected and mistreated housewives of Alabaster Cove.

About Deek Rhew

Deek lives in a rainy pocket in the Pacific Northwest with his stunning YA author bride, Erin Rhew, and their writing assistant, a fat tabby named Trinity. They enjoy lingering in the mornings, and often late into the night, caught up Erin’s fantastic fantasy worlds of noble princes and knights and entwined in Deek’s dark underworld of the FBI and drug lords. His first full-lengthed novel 122 Rules releases with Pandamoon Publishing in 2016.

Deek and Erin enjoy spending time with friends, running, boxing, lifting weights, eating popcorn, drinking Coke Zero, and living life to the fullest.

You can find Deek online:

Deek's Rhewminations (his blog)

And Now...The Big Reveal

Anita Carroll at Race-Point designed this amazing cover!

Birth of an American Gigolo will be available on Amazon and other eRetailers early 2016! Be sure to add it to your Goodreads TBR list!

Cover Reveal: CRIMSON EARTH by Anna Soliveres

By: Meradeth Houston on 4:00 AM

Anna Soliveres is one of those awesome authors who I love to get to show off their upcoming titles. The first book in this series, Violet Storm, was really amazing, and I can't wait for this sequel! Plus, check out this incredible cover:

CRIMSON EARTH:

Aeva Storm finally has the answers she’s been looking for since the night she was struck by lightning. She knows who she is—and more importantly, what she is. But her secret isn’t hers alone to keep, and some of those who know the truth will do anything to control her.

In the sequel to the acclaimed Violet Storm, Aeva must decide how far she’ll go to protect her identity and to find her missing sister in a world she hardly recognizes. She must embrace her new life—and her strange new body—if she hopes to save the only place she and her family have left to call home.

Filled with action, mystery, and heartbreak, Crimson Earth finds Aeva, Ruven, and Karth on opposing sides as the war between The False Alliance and the Monarchy draws near.

Can they band together to fight against the evil threatening the City? Or will they destroy each other before the war has even begun?

Add it to Goodreads here, and sign up for the newsletter to get the first 3 chapters free: http://www.annasoliveres.com. Trust me, you won't be disappointed!

About the author:

Anna Soliveres has always been a storyteller but it wasn't until her early twenties when she began writing novel length works. The result was an enthusiasm to get better at the craft until her work could be shared with the world. Released in March 2014, VIOLET STORM is her debut novel. Anna is currently working on another young adult fantasy series, titled SNOW DOLLS. To learn more, please visit her at www.annasoliveres.com.

What do you think about the new cover? Did you get a chance to read Violet Storm?

Thoughts on Peace

By: Meradeth Houston on 4:00 AM

I'm sitting here attempting to process in some meaningful way what's happened overseas over the past week. So many lives (over 150k) have been lost to forces both natural (earthquakes and hurricanes in Japan and Mexico), and man made (Paris, Beirut, Libya, Bagdad, and too many more). I spent a good portion of my weekend reading about these attacks and can't wrap my mind around them any more today than I did when I was sitting at my desk on Friday and first head about Paris. It's terrifying and painful and frightening. Which is exactly what the groups propagating the violence want: for us to be scared. To hate Muslims. I even read a few pieces where the terrorists wish to bring about the end of the world. I don't understand it.

But the reality is, I only have one thing truly in my control: how I respond. I will not be scared. I will continue to love my Muslim friends and family. I will not let this influence my views of those fleeing the violence in their own countries (often by these very same terrorists). I will not let them make me afraid. I sincerely hope there doesn't come a day when the danger of being able to go out (whether it be to travel or just to a concert) isn't too dangerous, because then these groups who spread hate and fear will have won.

Be friendly. Be kind. Keep you eyes open for things that don't seem right. Listen to your gut. This does NOT mean to target certain groups (don't even get me started on this--the next terrorist is just as likely to look like anyone else), but it does mean to speak up if something doesn't seem right. I sincerely believe the forces of friendship and love will overcome the darkness around us.

How have the recent attacks affected you? What are your thoughts?

Realms Faire, Revisions, and Other Bookish Fun

By: Meradeth Houston on 4:00 AM

I'm hanging out over on Mary Wiebel's blog today to take part in The Realm's Faire Stockade Brigade. Apparently I have been accused of a more heinous crime, time travel, and am trying to garner a little sympathy for my unlawful acts. Won't you come and vote for me? Pretty please? There might be something in it for you (well, other than a trip through time ;). Now if only I could remember where I left my blue police box...

I'll be rather busy over at Mary's today, so please come say hello to me there. And while I'm not there, or busy with my day-job, I have revisions to work on. Which means a lot of this:

Accompanied by a lot of coffee and a small dog who pretty much only sits still if she has perched herself between me and my laptop screen. Granted, I love this novel to a ridiculous degree, even when I come across cringe-worthy bits even after a million rounds of revisions, so it's all good. And hey, doing so knowing I have an agent to represent it? Somehow makes the whole process fall under a different light :)

Come say hi to me at Mary's!

Blog Tour: REDEMPTION by Jessica Therrien

By: Meradeth Houston on 4:00 AM

I have a treat today! Jessica Therrien is here to chat with us all about this question:

Which one of your characters would you like to meet in real life, and why?

Hi Meradeth fans! Thanks for letting me steal the spotlight for a minute :)

For me, good writing means strong characters. I don’t care what happens to someone in a book unless I actually care about the character.

One of the characters in my books who has had a real impact on readers is a girl named Kara. She’s a grunge-punk badass with a dark past and a good heart, but it’s her snarky attitude that wins most people over. Here’s my dream actor visual:

It would definitely love to meet Kara. Most of my characters are based on real people (obviously they morph into their own as I write), but Kara was different. She sort of just pushed herself into my brain and forced her way into the series. If I’m being honest, I’m nothing like her. She’s tough, I’m not. She’s witty, I’m goofy. She’s hard around the edges, I’m an open book. Maybe she’s my other half…

I’ve actually thought of writing a spin off about Kara. Throughout the entire series she has been a very loud voice in my head. It would probably be an easy book to write. She has always sort of driven the scenes she’s in. I’d sit down planning to write something, and end up writing another story entirely…completely out of the blue. I honestly wonder what causes certain characters to come to life the way they do.

You know, it kind of makes me sad that some characters are fictional. A lot of times when I’m reading I find myself wishing we could be friends. I dream about hanging out with them and wake up feeling all excited. That’s why movies are awesome. Meeting Daniel Ratcliff would almost be like meeting Harry Potter, haha!!

Which character(s) in any book have made you wish they were real?

Lead Council member, Christoph, is dead by Elyse’s hand, and Descendants have begun to emerge, exposing their secret to the world. Some see this as the prophecy come to fruition, but the prophecy caries a heavy consequence. It was never meant to be as peaceful as most had hoped.

Humans and Descendants struggle to live together in a world that isn’t ready for such a change. America is divided. Those who glorify the supernatural race believe Descendants truly are the gods they claim relation to. Others see them as a threat.

When Elyse gives birth to the next generation oracle, she sees one final vision—war. The destruction of the country’s major cities, and the end of America as we know it.

After her daughter is born, Elyse finds herself without the ability she needs to predict the future. Desperate to save the world from such conflict, she puts her faith in the hope that Descendants are the key to survival. After all, they have the power to supply a broken society with the means to survive.

Only from the ashes can a new world be born.

GOODREADS | AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE

Elyse’s Story…

OPPRESSION (Book #1)

UPRISING (Book #2)

REDEMPTION (Book #3)

The Children of the Gods Series

The Descendants have waited long enough for freedom…

About The Author

JESSICA THERRIEN spent most of her life in the small town of Chilcoot, California, high up in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. In this town of nearly 100 residents, with no streetlights or grocery stores, there was little to do but find ways to be creative. Her mother, the local English teacher, inspired her to do all things artistic, and ultimately instilled in her a love for language. Jessica currently lives in Southern California with her husband and their two children.

You can visit her online at

www.jessicatherrien.com

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