Monday, March 30, 2015

Coming out of hibernation to party!

Yes, there may be snow on the ground, but it's temporary. The crocuses are pushing their stalks up through the ground, getting ready to bloom, so that's something to celebrate.

Today, I'm joining the Fool for Romance party on Facebook from noon on. I'll be sharing fun stuff throughout the afternoon and evening, so I hope you'll pop over and say hi. While you're there, check out the offerings from other authors - some may have giveaways open till tomorrow.



Then on Wednesday, watch for yet another Facebook party. I'm one of five Kensington Lyrical authors partying from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. EST. We have great news to share, so don't miss out!


Thursday, March 26, 2015

Krysten Lindsay Hager Spills the Beans


Hi Krysten! So glad to have you at Spilling the Beans, where we can learn a little bit about you, and your book. Grab a cappuccino and let’s chat. Unless you have another favorite drink (alcoholic or otherwise)?
How about a glass of chocolate almond milk? I love this stuff—it’s like drinking pudding.

Mm, that does sound delicious. I’ll join you. So, more about you. Fur or feathers, pet-wise?
Fur. I never had a pet growing up…wait, would you count a little sister? No? I wanted a dog like the one Cathy had in the comic strip.

Aw, so sad! Every girl should have a dog for a sidekick. Any pet peeves? One thing that really burns your biscuits?
I really hate rude people. Especially condescending people. I have a scene in Best Friends…Forever? with a rude cosmetics counter salesperson who makes Landry feel insecure about her looks. We always think it’s us when they act that way and don’t take into account that some people do that just to push the products, so I have Landry’s mother talk to her about that.

Love it. Tell us something about yourself that’s not in your bio.
I lived on a Portuguese island for three years. I came back to the United States and everyone was talking about reality show “stars” I had never heard of and it was surreal to see the covers of magazines at supermarkets and not recognize the faces on them.

I live here, and I don’t recognize them! What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
I love to read, watch TV (American Dad is my favorite show), and I have a weird laundry obsession. I get antsy if the dirty clothes pile gets to full. There’s something relaxing about doing laundry.

You can come relax at my house anytime, lol. If you had to choose another profession besides writer, what would it be and why?
I worked as a journalist for years and I’m really curious (okay, fine, I’m snoopy) by nature, so that was a great job for me.

Are you a night owl or early bird?
Night owl. Unless you’re referring to 4 am.

If you could have one superpower, what would it be?
I’d like to be able to teleport places. Think of all the time that I’d save on packing, having to deal with airport security, jet lag, ticket prices. Forget the space program, let’s get going on this!

That, or get the Skycar out to car sales lots. How would your muse describe you?
Oh, I’m sure they’d say pain in tush, hard to get moving.

If you could live out any fantasy, what would you do?
Mine would involve traveling back in time and spending the day hanging out with F. Scott Fitzgerald. That movie Midnight in Paris is the ultimate fantasy of mine. Can you imagine having literary greats critique your work and getting to hang out with your heroes??

Oh, exciting and scary at the same time, lol. If you could have dinner with anyone, past or present, fictional or real, who would it be and why?
I would love to have dinner with the author, Lois Lowry to talk about writing and her inspirations. She’s written such a wide range of books from those great Anastasia books to The Giver, Number the Stars, and one of my favorites, Autumn Street. I think she’d just be fascinating to talk to and to learn more about her. And if there’s room for someone else at the table then maybe soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo could come, too….

There’s always room for one more. What is the craziest thing you’ve ever done?
It’s moments like these I regret not being a bigger risk taker so I’d have something interesting to put down. I entered a talent show with a friend and danced to Paula Abdul’s “Straight Up” when I was in the sixth grade. The reason I would consider that crazy is because it was in front of a group of middle schoolers and I was wearing jean shorts.

I’ll bet they were all envious! Beethoven, Beatles, Foo Fighters or Keith Urban (what type(s) of music makes you rock out)?
I love Pixie Lott, Christina Aguilera, Johnny Gill, Jon Connor, Shakira, Whitney Houston, Eminem, The Bangles, and my favorite since I was a kid, George Michael.
Does music influence your writing? Do you have a music playlist for your book?
It definitely does. The Bangles were a big influence for me with this series—in fact the four women were my models for four of my characters because I saw an album cover when I was in grade school and wondered what they would have been like in middle school. I like to put on empowering music for those scenes when Landry has to deal with tough situations. “The Voice Within” by Christina Aguilera is the perfect song when you feel alone and in need of confidence. I feel like “Shake It Off” from Taylor Swift could be an anthem for Landry as she gets ready to do her modeling  competition stuff while worried about what people at school will say about her. I also listened to “Change Your Mind” by Boyce Avenue when writing the break up scene with her and Vladi. I have a full playlist on my website:  http://www.krystenlindsay.com/true-colors-book-trailer-facts-inspiration-board--playlist.html




Very cool. While creating your books, what was one of the most surprising things you learned?
One thing that surprised me was the response I got from a few dads who were beta readers for me. One said that it made him realize why his daughters acted the way they did at their age. He said he often blew off their behavior as, “teenage hormones,” but he said reading what teen girls go through with friend drama and insecurities really opened his eyes. A few other dads made similar comments about not realizing the extent that those sorts of insecurities really impacted and shaped girls.

An odd thing that surprised me was how much life imitated art. I would write things and then they would happen to me. One odd thing was me giving Ashanti mono in the first book and then I got it. I should have had her parents win the lottery. Also, I had someone point out that I also mentioned ebola in the first book and at that time no one was even talking about ebola, so that was a little strange.

Where can readers find out more about you?
You can see what I’m up to on my website at: http://www.krystenlindsay.com/


Please tell us a bit about your latest book. 
Best Friends…Forever? is about Landry Albright, an over thinker who hopes the new year will start off in an amazing way—instead she has to deal with more frenemy issues, boy drama, and having most of her best friends make the cheerleading squad without her. Suddenly, it seems like all anyone can talk about is starting high school next year—something she finds terrifying.

Landry gets her first boyfriend, but then gets dumped just as things come to a head with her friends. She feels lost and left out, but finds good advice about dealing with frenemies from what she considers an unlikely source. Landry learns to speak up for what’s right, tell the truth (even when it hurts), and how to get past the fear of failure as she gets another shot at competing in the American IngĂ©nue modeling competition.

The book is a sequel to the first book in the Landry’s True Colors series, but can be read as a stand alone book.




Buy links




What inspired you to write it?
I wanted to write the book I wanted to read when I was in school. I always felt like everyone else had it all together and had these picture perfect lives and I was just trying to find my place. What I didn’t realize is that everyone feels that way and I think that’s only increased with people posting pics of their “amazing” lives on Instagram and Facebook. If you compare your everyday life to someone’s highlight reel then you’re always going to feel you’re coming up short. So I created a character in Landry who is an “over thinker” who shows her internal feelings and her anxious side in a funny way.



Thanks for spilling the beans today, Kristen!
Thanks for having me on and making me reminisce about my whole Paula Abdul performance in jean shorts…what was I thinking???



Monday, March 23, 2015

The prodigal muse

It's usually a good bet that when the blog is quiet, I am busy writing.

I haven't been posting much lately because after an extended absence, my muse has returned, recharged and raring to go. During most of last year, she was a lazy layabout, refusing to stop lollygagging and get to work.

For whatever reason, she's baa-a-ack. Hurrying me along to finish a story I started long ago, and draft a brand new one I've had in my head too long. I'm at about 25k on the older one, and I'm guessing it will top about at 35k or so.

The second one is a different matter. In fact, it's the proverbial horse of a different color. I once described it on Facebook as a cross between Firefly and Little Women, and that still fits as well as anything. It's one of those stories that is so different, I wonder if anyone but me will be interested. But you can only take notes for so long before scenes start to take shape, and from there, the story flows. I'm about 33k into it, with no end in sight.

Not only that, but she's come up with a fantastic idea for another novel. Still in planning stages, but she has my attention. 

So, sorry I can't visit longer. I've gotta stay with the muse as long as I can.

Oh, and I will have a special guest for my Spilling the Beans feature on Thursday, so please stop back and make her feel welcome.



More parties!

I've joined more of them. Today kicks off the Fool for Romance party on Facebook. My day's not till next Monday, but it runs all week long, with authors offering goodies and giveaways. Our grand prize giveaway is a $100 Amazon gift card, so don't miss out - sign up and join in now!



Monday, March 16, 2015

Ch-ch-ch-changes

Now that I've put that earworm in your head.... 

Sad to see Musa Publishing close its doors recently. Musa was well-run and the people were easy to work with. I wish the founders well in their future endeavors.

Their departure left Meilin and The Challenger homeless, so I decided to self-pub it. Yesterday, I created this new cover. Not as pretty as Musa's cover, but I like it, don't you?

The ebook is now available on Smashwords. I've made it free for now. That may change in the future, so if you're interested in a futuristic re-imagining of Grimm's 12 Dancing Princesses, you might want to grab a copy.



Here's the blurb...
Meilin has never believed in fairy tales. Happy ever afters might have happened in the old days – before zombies. But this is 2089. When her father promises riches to the one who can rid their city of zombies, Meilin and her sisters rush to develop a solution that won’t bankrupt Dad.
The war overseas left Will disillusioned, but fighting zombies at home is a cause he can embrace. Meilin’s another. Tough but sweet, she might make him believe in life again, and maybe even love, if she doesn’t kick his ass first.
When zombies kidnap her family, Meilin must rescue them. But can she and Will save them from the worst fate of all?

Parties, parties, parties
I've joined a few and am throwing one, too. And you're invited!  *blows noisemaker*

Tomorrow, to celebrate St. Pat's Day, I'm joining the St. Pat's Book Party on Facebook. My hour's from 11 to 12 noon - I hope you'll pop in and say hi! Bring your leprechauns. But no banshees, please.

Today, I set up an event for April 1 on Facebook too. No fooling! It will be lots of fun, me and four other Kensington/Lyrical authors from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.

I'm awaiting details on the third, but will share them when I have them. 
 

  

Monday, March 9, 2015

Cover reveal: Silk and Scars by Cassandra Dean

SILK & SCARS
The Silk Series Book 3
Decadent Publishing Company, LLC
Published Date: TBA
Genre(s): Historical Romance, Sweet Romance, Early Victorian Romance
Heat Rating: 2 – kissing, petting

For over a year, Miss Gwendolyn Parkes and the Duke of Sowrith have corresponded. At first an error, the letters quickly became something much more, a friendship forged on like minds and perhaps the hope of something more…
When Gwen is compelled by her employer to attend the duke at his Dartmoor estate, she is devastated to find her beloved friend cold and imperious, even if he is the most handsome man she’s ever seen – despite his scars.
Edward, Duke of Sowrith, has longed to meet Gwen. Arranging her passage to his estate, he is tongue-tied when confronted with her quiet beauty. All too aware of the twisted ruin of his face, he allows fear to hold him silent…until Gwen’s safety is threatened.
Finally together, they grow closer until it seems they can never again be apart – but can a commoner and a duke find a happily ever after?

Other books in the series
SILK & SCANDAL (The Silk Series Book 1) - http://cassandradean.com/books/the-silk-series/silk-scandal/
SILK & SCORN (The Silk Series Book 2) - http://cassandradean.com/the-silk-series/silk-scorn

Excerpt
Crossing her arms over her stomach, Gwen leaned forward, pressing deep. Good heavens, she was nervous, and excited, and nervous. She was going to meet Edward. One moment soon, he was going to open that door and she would see him. She would see the man she’d corresponded with for over a year, to whom she’d expressed every thought, and who had expressed his to her. It did not matter that he was a duke, so far above her in consequence as to be laughable. He was her friend, and at last they would meet.

Foot tapping wildly, she leaned her head back against the wall. This was all so ridiculous. She was ridiculous, to have this unbridled excitement rioting through her. Exhaling, she caught the stare of the gargoyle. The gargoyle knew how ridiculous her thoughts. Its stone features laughed at her, and in a fit of pique, she poked her tongue out.

The study door opened. Leaping to her feet, she swayed as the blood rushed from her head.

Lord Beecham appeared in the door way and, eyes lighting upon her, he crooked a finger. “Miss Parkes. Come.”

Heart beating a rapid tattoo, she bent to grip the handle of her carpet bag. Lord Beecham had abandoned the door by the time she had gathered herself enough to approach, the worn wooden handle of the bag pressing deep into her palm.

Passing through the door, Gwen stopped and, jaw slack, she looked about the chamber. The room was huge, cavernous even, and dark. So dark. Lit only by the flame of the massive fireplace dominating one wall and the wan flicker of a lamp seated on the enormous desk, the light picked up rows upon rows of books while heavy drapes of an unidentifiable fabric covered what she could only presume were windows. The floor was the same stone as the hall, the only carpet appearing before the fire under the clawed feet of a large armchair.

Her gaze returned to the fireplace. A man stood before it, his back to her, right hand held by his left.

Her heart, already racing, started a wild thud against her ribs. That was him. The duke. Edward.

He did not turn, though she willed him to. Willed him to turn, so she could utter that most important of phrases, the one she’d longed to say for an age now.

Hello, Edward.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Cassandra Dean is a best-selling, multi-published author of historical and fantasy romance. Her latest novel, SLUMBER, is part of Decadent Publishing’s Beyond Fairytales and features Cassandra’s take on Sleeping Beauty. Her next novel, SILK & SCARS, is part of her popular Silk Series, featuring Victorian Era lawyers and their happily ever after.
Cassandra is proud to call South Australia her home, where she regularly cheers on her AFL football team and creates her next tale.

Visit Cassandra’s website at http://cassandradean.com
Join Cassandra’s mailing list at http://eepurl.com/kzesP
Follow Cassandra on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/AuthorCassandraDean and on Twitter @authorCassDean
Contact Cassandra at cassandra@cassandradean.com

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