BIG NEWS FEATURE FRIDAY

It's official folks! The holiday season is now in full swing and (as usual) quite a few people are ALREADY sick of the Christmas decorations and ready for the New Year. *sigh* It's one of the many ways I've come to recognize when the holiday season has officially kicked off. Hearing the telling sounds of swears and curses mixed with the youthful squeals of joy as I walk through the swishing doors of the local Walmart and find myself greeted by a twinkling Christmas tree and sweet old Betty-Sue. I simply know.

Welcome to November! Because as some of you may know from previous posts (25 Random Things About Me) I love, love, love, love, love this time of year! Total holiday addict.  No, seriously. I'm someone who thoroughly enjoys the gradual transition of season and weather this time of year brings, along with the holidays, the food, festivals, parties, movies, music, and (of course) all the BOOKS!

Which is why I also LOVE doing BIG NEWS FEATURE FRIDAY (which has officially returned after a very brief week off).  But much has already happened for me in November.  Week one has definitely been a busy one, with one very important something being...NaNoWriMo!!! Woot woot! Yes, that's right people, this is my first year participating in the insanity that is NaNo and I am having a BLAST! 

So this holiday season has already started off with an all mighty BOOM for me! And looks like it will only get better as we move toward the end of the year with some pretty spectacular book releases and movies on the horizon.  But here are a couple of authors that have particularly caught my eye.

BIG NEWS:

Today's first #BNFF is the witty and wickedly funny romantic comedy author, Tawna Fenske.  When not blogging, or writing the most laugh out loud books that I have ever read, Tawna can usually be found satisfying her lust for world travel or tending to a menagerie of beloved (albeit, ill-behaved) household pets.

While this up and coming romantic comedy author currently resides in Bend, Oregon, and may appear to lead just a simple humble existence, this rising star author has recently been nominated for "best contemporary romance" in the RT Book Reviews 2011 Reviewers' Choice Awards for her debuting novel MAKING WAVES! Congratulations Tawna, you've definitely earned your place among the greats in my opinion.

 "Making Waves"

"There are normal ways to cope with job loss, and most don’t involve plotting a revenge-fueled diamond heist in the Caribbean with a crew more suited to the boardroom than the poop deck.

But Alex Bradshaw isn’t feeling very normal when his unscrupulous boss kicks him to the curb after 20 faithful years as an executive with the world’s largest shipping company. Alex wants payback, and maybe a chance to reclaim his dignity and his pension while he’s at it. Assembling a team of fellow corporate castoffs, he sails to the Caribbean to intercept the boss's illegal diamond shipment. None of them counted on a quirky blonde stowaway with a perplexing array of talents, a few big secrets, and an intoxicating romantic chemistry with Alex.

And while Juli Flynn certainly didn’t plan to be a part of the most dysfunctional high seas caper in history, it’s a rare chance for her to feel like she belongs. She’s spent a lifetime being “different” from everyone else, though the reasons for that are something she’d prefer not to share with her newfound shipmates. Juli just wants to be normal for a change, but as she finds her place with the misfit crew – and in Alex’s heart – she discovers normal isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. And sometimes, being weird can be wonderful."

Want more then check out this EXCERPT!

I give Tawna's book the BK 5-star rating, and HIGHLY recommend MAKING WAVES to anyone who enjoys taking down their romance with a healthy dose of quirk and humor. 

MAKING WAVES is available at: Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Powell's Book.

For more information on Tawna please visit her website! For a daily dose of great writing and various other naughty shenanigans you can also stalk *ahem* I mean follow this fantastic author on her blog, twitter (@TawnaFenske) and/or Facebook!

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The last author featured in today's #BNFF is Patti Roberts, writer of the dark supernatural/fantasy series, PARADOX.  This Australian author has received rave reviews from readers across the globe for her debuting series, and with so much support behind her Roberts is showing no signs of stopping until the job is done. In her debuting series, Patti effectively captures and pulls her readers into the dark world of the Guardian Angel.

Readers are calling this novella..."so totally different from anything I’ve read recently and I have to say… WOW." and one that "...definitely gives you something to think about."

Book one of her series PARADOX - The Angels Are Here is available at: Amazon (US), Amazon (UK), Barnes and Noble, Smashwords, and The Book Depository (free world wide delivery).

"Paradox: The Angels Are Here"

"Nine hundred years ago, I died...

A journey crossing Two Worlds.  One Ancient - One New.

How do the heartbreaking visions experienced by a little girl fit into this Ancient World of Angels, Myth & Legend? 

Where lives are bound by blood - and nothing is as it seems.  This journey will leave you wanting and have you asking... Who, When, Where?

In a World where there are more questions than answers.

Is your Guardian Angel From Heaven or Hell...?"

For more check out this EXCERPT!

The second book of the PARADOX Series, PROGENY OF INNOCENCE will be available soon.

For more information on Patti you can visit her website! For more updates you can also follow her on twitter (@PattiRoberts7) and Facebook!

MY FAVORITE BOOK TRAILER of the WEEK:

This week's book trailer favorite goes to Patti Robers for her Paradox Series. Enjoy!

Happy Writing & Happy Reading!

The Broken Destiny Blog Tour

 

Welcome all!

I am both thrilled and honored to be the fourth stop of The Broken Destiny Blog Tour, featuring the wonderful and gorgeous Carlyle Labuschagne, and am giddy with excitement for the release of her debut novel, The Broken Destiny!

So without further ado, I present for the first time ever an EXCERPT (woo-hoo!) from the much anticipated debuting novel, The Broken Destiny.
 

The Broken

Destiny

Excerpt from

Chapter 6

Breaking Out

 Walking beside Sam, who was tugging at and straightening my hair, I tried to wash away the memories of the attacks. I thought of Maya and pain shot through my stomach. I felt nervous for some reason unknown to myself. Usually I loved night classes. I was more of a night owl than a morning person, but the dark shadows were playing tricks on me. All around me the shadows seemed to reach out to me. I grabbed Sam’s arm and she held my hand, sighing to herself. At first I did not notice the ample amount of guards that had been posted at each unlit corner of the school yard, but after a while their calls for Sam made them impossible to ignore.

“Popular are we?” I asked her, a bit jealous.

“Yes, because of you,” she said bluntly.

I frowned.

“Don’t play dumb with me, Ava. Everyone now knows that you’re special.” The tone in her voice suggested she was bitter.

“Look, Sam…” I started, but she interrupted me as she came to a halt beneath a dim lamp that hung low from the corridor ceiling.

“I’ll get over it,” she said, trying to sound sincere.

“I never asked for this.”

“I know.” 

“Why the hostility?”

“No hostility,” she said, blinking.

I wanted to believe her. 

“I know my best friend and I know when she is lying to me,” I said bluntly. 

I looked down at our shadows, feeling empty as the words spilled out of my mouth.

“I said I’m working on it,” she spat and hugged me tight.

I didn’t believe that gesture either. As we made our way to the lecture hall, I wasn’t thinking about math or dreading every boring hour. I was thinking about Troy, Maya and Enoch. Had it all been a dream? I wondered, quickly caressing my right cheek. There was a smooth, thin line where the crusted blood had been. I looked at my fingers, expecting to see the odd-colored blood again, but there was none. I had a nagging feeling that I was more unusual than anyone could imagine. I needed some closure. I needed the truth. Am I even human at all? My mind was whirling out of control. I felt my chest tighten. I closed my eyes and got ahold of myself. When the lecture hall doors swung open almost everyone in the room turned to look at us.

Excerpt form The Broken Destiny a Novel by Carlyle Labuschagne

Release Date: Early 2012

Carlylelabuschagne.com 

Book Trailer:

THE BROKEN DESTINY

BONUS GIVEAWAY:  For the lucky person who can write the BEST conclusion to Carlyle's excerpt, you could stand the chance of winning an actual copy of The Broken Destiny.  Totally awesome, right?! So get to writing and please submit all entries in the comments section of this post.  The last day to submit will be Friday, November, 4, 2011. Good luck everyone!

To read any previous stops on The Broken Destiny Blog Tour, check out the following links:

Stop #1 - DH Nevins Blog - Interview Exchange

Stop #2 - Reflection and Motivations - Book Trailer Revealed!

Stop #3 - Movie Star Eyes - Author Interview

For more information on Carlyle please visit her website! For other updates and news you can follow this lovely chica on twitter (@CarlyleL) , Facebook, and Goodreads!

Happy Writing & Happy Reading!

BIG NEWS FEATURE FRIDAY

Well, it's definitely been quite a week, and I must confess I'm a little on the burnt out side.  But not in that, "Ugh, I'm SO exhausted. And if you don't get your hand off that body part in about two seconds you're gonna lose it!" sort of way. More like the, "CRAP, there's so many AWESOME things I want to do and wish that there were five of me instead of one so I could do them all!" sort of way.

*Que creepy off-key caffeine induced laughter*

Clearly it's been a pretty good week.  No, make that a great week.  We had some wonderful weather, and I even managed to clock in some pretty good productive time on my manuscripts (hurrah!), as well as watching the opening games of the MLB's WORLD SERIES! Woot woot! Go RANGERS! *ahem* So, with today being basically the wrap up of this fantastic yet semi-crazy week, I thought I'd sort of break form a bit and only feature two authors for today's BIG NEWS FEATURE FRIDAY post.

So without further ado...

BIG NEWS:

My first #BNFF author is simply a sweetheart with a wicked creative mind.  Jennifer N. Simas is the acclaimed author of the series Until Dawn.  Her debut novel, UNTIL DAWN: LAST LIGHT being the first book of her series, which readers are calling "A must read!" and "An excellent start to a new series," that "...will leave you wanting more!"

With a 4.9 firmly held rating on Amazon, this ROCKSTAR gal is definitely proving she has what it takes to be a solid bestseller. 

Jennifer's book is now available at: Amazon.

"Until Dawn: Last Light"

"When darkness falls, whose side will you be on?

For the past six years, Zoë has been anything but “normal.” Struggling to accept her immortality, she finds herself thrown into a war that’s been waging in the shadows for over a thousand years. Zoë must now become who she was meant to be, joining the other Chosen to save what’s left of humanity.

When the endless night falls over the Earth, will she be able to save the one man who reminds her what it is to be human or will it be too late?"

If you want more then check out this teaser!

BONUS: Check out Jennifer's suh-weet book trailer for UNTIL DAWN: LAST LIGHT!

For more information about Jennifer you can visit her blog or follow her on twitter (@AuthorJenNS).

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WARNING: This author may cause uncontrollable laughter that could induce involuntary muscle spasms, which could THEN lead to massive loss of bodily fluids. Pee, people, I mean PEE! You've been warned.

My last author is a lady for whom two words instantaneously come into mind...FREAKIN' FABULOUS! That's right, Jenna McCarthy is, to put it simply, one of the realest and by far funniest writers I've ever encountered.

A writer of non-fiction, Jenna is an internationally bestselling author that has, over the past twenty years, had her work featured in over fifty magazine.  A candid writer of life, love, marriage, parenting and all the funky parts in between, she is definitely a chick who will give it to you straight with a style and flavor that's all her own.  A self- confessed social media addict, who blogs regularly for iVillage, Betty Confidential, and many others, Jenna currently lives in Santa Barbara, California. 

 "If It Was Easy, They'd Call the Whole Damn Thing A Honeymoon: Living With and Loving the TV-Addicted, Sex-Obsessed, Not-So-Handy Man You Married"

 "Jenna McCarthy presents an uproarious but insightful peek behind the curtains at the unholy state of matrimony. With ballsy wit and bawdy humor, she explores everything from male domestic idiocy and the frustrating misfires in spousal communication to how to stay true to the peskiest of vows: forsaking all others. Part in-your-face guide, part brutal confession, this book is a must-read manifesto on surviving marriage in an age when everyone seems to live forever and getting a divorce is as easy as ordering a latte." 

BUY this laugh-out-loud book at: Amazon, B&N, Powell's, Books-a-Million and Penguin.

BONUS! Check out Jenna's brilliantly HILARIOUS book trailer:

"If It Was Easy, They'd Call the Whole Damn Thing A Honeymoon: Living With and Loving the TV-Addicted, Sex-Obsessed, Not-So-Handy Man You Married"

For more information on Jenna and her books you can visit her website.  But for other stalker purposes you can also follow Jenna on twitter (@JennaWrites) and Facebook!

Happy Writing & Happy Reading!

AUTHOR ALERT: Raine Thomas

Today's Author Alert features not only a great author but someone I consider to be a dear friend of mine.  And for whom there are not enough words (well, that I know of) to adequately describe exactly how much she has come to inspire and mean in my life.  Especially to me as a writer.  Raine Thomas began her epic journey into the world of writing in the fourth grade after winning Honorable Mention in a writing competition.  Residing in Orlando, Florida this writer/wedding planner is seemingly on a very fast track to literary success.

With such passion for writing and her obvious love of sharing and mentoring to other aspiring writers, Raine Thomas is what I like to call the literary world's version of the double-whammy.  She's not only a brilliant author with the title Best Seller shining back bright and clear from her future, she's also one of the most sweet and down to earth gals you'll probably ever get to know.

Plus, she's pretty gorgeous! *wink*

Raine's original series of YA fantasy/romance novels about the Estilorians currently holds a solid 5-star rating on Amazon.  And after buying and reading, BECOMING, book one of her series, I found myself from page one to finish completely hooked and engaged by the characters and plot of this story.  And this opinion held true with every book in her series.

The Daughters of Saraqael Trilogy is now available for e-readers at: Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Apple iBookstore, Diesel eBook, Smashwords, Kobo and Sony Reader.

***And soon to be coming out in PRINT!***  

I seriously LOVE these book covers! So. Gorgeous!

Daughters of Saraqael Trilogy

What are they?

"They aren’t gods and goddesses. They aren’t angels. They’re the beings upon which human myths and biblical stories are all based.

They are Estilorians.

Humans and Estilorians once shared the earth. Over time, humans realized they could never have the powers and abilities of the long-lived Estilorians, and began warring against them as well as each other. To save humanity from themselves, the nine Estilorian elders joined together to create their own plane of existence, removing all Estilorians from the human plane and becoming beings of legend.

In so doing, they doomed themselves to an emotionless existence. No happiness or joy. No optimism or hope.

And no love.

Millennia later, their possible salvation comes in the form of three teenage, half-human girls…the daughters of one of their own. 

The Daughters of Saraqael."

And check out the amazing book trailer for BECOMING, book one of the series!

And due to the fact that (in my opinion) Raine is a textbook workaholic, she is of course currently hard at work on her next series.  Go Raine!  With her latest series actually being the sequel to the Daughter of Saraqael Trilogy, titled the Firstborn Trilogy.  Oh yes, folks! There is still more to come of the Estilorians.  And having completed the initial draft of book one, she is already onto her first round of edits with this book.  I tell ya, she's one seriously determined storytelling machine on a mission.

For a sneak peek at book one of the coming Firstborn Trilogy check out this teaser!

For more information about Raine you can visit her website! And for updates and other stalking purposes you can also find her on twitter (@Raine_Thomas) and Facebook!

Happy Writing & Happy Reading!

The AWESOME "Sophie & Carter" Book Trailer

Here it is folks! The beautiful book trailer of the oh-so-sweet love story of young Sophie and Carter. Enjoy!

"Sophie & Carter" by Chelsea Fine

****

"Sophie & Carter"

"While other high school seniors are dreaming about their futures, Sophie and Carter are just trying to make it through each day. Carter is overwhelmed by troubles at home as he struggles to support his mother. Meanwhile, next door neighbor Sophie is left to care for her three younger siblings in place of their absent and troubled mother. All that holds these two best friends together is each other, and knowing that each night they'll sit together on Sophie's front porch swing and escape from their troubles, if just for awhile. But as their relationship reaches a turning point and high school graduation nears, what lies ahead for Sophie and Carter?"

SOPHIE & CARTER is available at Amazon and Barnes and Noble!

For more on Chelsea Fine you can visit her on her website and blog! You can also follow her on Facebook & Twitter (@ChelseaFine).

Happy Writing & Happy Reading!

BIG NEWS FEATURE FRIDAY

Happy Friday EVERYONE!

It's been quite an eventful week and can you believe that September is officially coming to an end?  Seriously, where does the time go?  But I hope you all had a productive and pleasant week and month.  I'm actually very excited about the upcoming month.  October is always full of some of the most interesting celebrations, festivals and most importantly....IT'S FALL! Hurray! I love the fall. *sigh*

But for this week's #BNFF I have three very cool writer pals to introduce to you.  So please give a big round of applause for these lovely ladies.

BIG NEWS:

Today's first #BNFF is contemporary romance author Erin Kern.  Erin lives in the Dallas/Fort Worth with her husband and two children, where she fills her days playing with her kids, cooking, and finding all sort of things to do to keep this stay-at-home mom busy. Her book, HERE COMES TROUBLE is the second book of the McDermott Brother Series, which was released September 2011 and is now available at Amazon, Smashwords, and Barnes and Noble. 

"Here Comes Trouble"

"Lacy Taylor didn't exactly have a fairytale childhood.  After being abandoned by both her parents and raised by her grandfather, she learned to take care of herself at a young age. Fiercely independent, Lacy finds herself back in Trouble, Wyoming working to pay the mortgage on the home her grandfather left her.  Though she isn't pleased to be back in the town that triggers memories from her complicated past, Lacy decides to make the best of her situation until she learns her father has been released from jail and she’s not able to make the payments on the house in time.  What's a girl to do? 

Chase McDermott hadn't thought about Lacy Taylor in years.  When he last knew her, she was nothing more than a lanky teenager who was glued to his dorky younger brother’s side.  Years later, she’s standing in front of him—grown up and he must admit hot--asking for a waitress position at his restaurant. Even though she doesn’t have previous experience, he offers her a shot and right away her sexy confidence and strong convictions begin to spark something unexpected in him. But when money starts to go missing, the pressure is on Chase to figure out which employee has the greatest motive. 

While Chase and Lacy’s attraction continues to escalate, her personal problems are on the rise when her half-sister comes into her life forcing her to deal with the mother that let her down. Lacy and Chase’s relationship culminates in a windfall that neither of them ever fathomed and challenges Lacy to learn what it means to trust someone. Chase will have to push aside his stubborn, unemotional side if there’s any chance they can reconcile their steamy affair into a real future. Can they get past all the roadblocks or will they fall prey to their own troubles?" 

For more information on Erin you can visit her blog, facebook, or follow her on twitter (@erinkern04).

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This next young lady is definitely a force to be reckoned with...but mostly she's just wicked cool. Kendare Blake is a YA fiction author and also a writer of short fiction.  Her book ANNA DRESSED IN BLOOD is her latest YA novel to be released and is available at Amazon and Barnes and Noble. 

I LOVE this book cover. Wow!

"Anna Dressed In Blood"

"Cas Lowood has inherited an unusual vocation: He kills the dead.

So did his father before him, until his gruesome murder by a ghost he sought to kill. Now, armed with his father's mysterious and deadly athame, Cas travels the country with his kitchen-witch mother and their spirit-sniffing cat. Together they follow legends and local lore, trying to keep up with the murderous dead—keeping pesky things like the future and friends at bay.

When they arrive in a new town in search of a ghost the locals call Anna Dressed in Blood, Cas doesn't expect anything outside of the ordinary: move, hunt, kill. What he finds instead is a girl entangled in curses and rage, a ghost like he's never faced before. She still wears the dress she wore on the day of her brutal murder in 1958: once white, but now stained red and dripping blood. Since her death, Anna has killed any and every person who has dared to step into the deserted Victorian she used to call home.
 
And she, for whatever reason, spares his life."

 For more about Kendare and her books you can visit her on her website, facebook, or find her tweeting around on twitter (@kendareblake).

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And lastly we have the beautiful Kiki Hamilton, with her debuting novel THE FAERIE RING released September 27th, 2011! That's right folks, its fresh and HOT off the press. The first book of her THE FAERIE RING Series has already received stellar reviews and lucky for us there is more where this came from. THE FAERIE RING is now available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and you can click HERE for more links on her website.

"The Faerie Ring"

"The year is 1871, and Tiki has been making a home for herself and her family of orphans in a deserted hideaway adjoining Charing Cross Station in central London. Their only means of survival is by picking pockets. One December night, Tiki steals a ring, and sets off a chain of events that could lead to all-out war with the Fey. For the ring belongs to Queen Victoria, and it binds the rulers of England and the realm of Faerie to peace. With the ring missing, a rebel group of faeries hopes to break the treaty with dark magic and blood—Tiki’s blood.

Unbeknownst to Tiki, she is being watched—and protected—by Rieker, a fellow thief who suspects she is involved in the disappearance of the ring. Rieker has secrets of his own, and Tiki is not all that she appears to be. Her very existence haunts Prince Leopold, the Queen’s son, who is driven to know more about the mysterious mark that encircles her wrist. 

Prince, pauper, and thief—all must work together to secure the treaty…"

 If you want to know more about Kiki please visit her at her blog and facebook.  Or you can also follow her on twitter (@kikihamilton)! You can also visit THE FAERIE RING Series website for more information about this engrossing story.

MY FAVORITE BOOK TRAILER(s) of the WEEK:

This week my favorite book trailer goes to two of the three brilliant authors mentioned in today's #BNFF.  The first being Kiki Hamilton for her book THE FAERIE RING!

And my last book trailer favorite of the week goes to Kendare Blake for her book ANNA DRESSED IN BLOOD!

I hope you all will have a great weekend!

Happy Writing & Happy Reading!