Monday, April 29, 2013

Future Noir, & A Chance to #WIN a Loaded Kindle

First, a quick SALE Update:

The Truth About Letting Go is only 99 cents until 5/5--so if you haven't gotten it yet, go here~


The Truth About Faking is also just 99 cents, so it's major spring SALE day! whee~

* * *

Now for the awesomeness that is Debt Collector. (I'm having the privilege of beta-reading this serial, and I'm telling you, it just gets better and better.)

Great writer-friend Susan Quinn is here to explain what Future Noir is, tell how she uses it in her FAB new serial, and give you a chance to #WIN a Kindle loaded with the first three Debt Collector books!

(P.S. I'M the Looper critter in this piece... squee!!!)

~ ~ ~

Future-Noir or Why Retro Science Fiction is Awesome
by Susan Kaye Quinn author of the future-noir serial Debt Collector

Apparently, I write strange science fiction.

This comes up whenever I try to classify my stories to readers, bloggers, the lady at the checkout stand, my mother, or Amazon (who insists that I need a "category" in which to place my books; I insist I need about five). Apparently I write novels that mash together all kinds of genres in an indiscriminate cross-pollenation that would have Isaac Asimov turning in his grave... if he hadn't done the same sort of thing himself as a young man (winking at you, Isaac!).

Seriously, if you want to see a good bar brawl among literary types, just ask them what's the genre of Hunger Games or Time Traveler's Wife or any Nicolas Sparks novel, and watch the rhetoric fly! I personally have a very laizzez-faire approach toward genre definitions, which is sure to infuriate genre-disciplinarians. (I don't mention my east-indian-influenced steampunk fantasy romance to genre-afficianados. I don't want them to rupture something.)

I figure the story comes first; people can decide what genre it is after it's written. So no one was more surprised than me when I ended up writing a future-noir.

On a long car ride, just me and my Muse...

Muse: The Debt Collector.

Me: Er, what? Who are you?

Muse: When people's debts exceed their future potential contributions to society, he
cashes them out.

Me: Whoa. Tell me more.

Muse: He extracts their life energy and transfers it to a "high potential" - someone who
can use it to make greater contributions to the world.

Me: Holy... that's a great idea.

Muse: He's a good man with bad power. And it's future-noir.

Me: Future-noir! Cool! Uh, what is that exactly?


Muse: Dark. Gritty. Futuristic but retro at the same time.

Me: Oh... like Blade Runner... Holy cats, this is awesome.

Muse: You're welcome.

I ran (well, okay, drove) home and wrote the first episode. It was dark, gritty. Lots of low light,
shady characters, set in a futuristic LA where the smog pooled at the impoverished feet of the city and the wealthy high-potentials lived above it all in the clean, clear air, taking their life-energy-hits courtesy of the titular Debt Collectors. The fashion was retro-sexy. The feel was future-dystopian. Did I mention it's gritty? And dark?

I send it off to my critique partner... (this is me--*squee*!!!)


My Crit Partner (LTM): Hey, your new Debt Collector story reminds me of Looper!

Me: Well, it is future noir. *acts like I know what I'm talking about*

LTM: Seriously. I totally see Lirium as a young Joseph Gordon-Levitt! And it totally reads like noir. You know, like Double Indemnity!?

Me: Double what? That's not one of those old black-n-white films, is it?

LTM: All those noir films were black-n-white.

yessss....  ;o)
Me: Right! I knew that. (Sure.) Anyway, I think of Lirium more as James McAvoy in a trenchcoat.

LTM: I can work with that. (Oh, yesss... I can. ;o)

*we both drool on the picture*

Wait, what was I saying?




Right. Future-noir. Gritty retro feel -- where the men wear trenchcoats and slick suits and the women wear bright red lipstick and carry a mini-revolver under their skirts - only it's a futuristic story with time-travel (Looper) or berzerker androids (Blade Runner) or life-energy transfers (Debt Collector) that change the landscape. It's raw. It's sexy. It's awesome.


It looks something like this.

Nice Blogger Lady: What genre is that?

Me: Future-noir.

NBL: What's future-noir?

Me: It's a science fictiony, mystery type of story. Sort of a mix between urban fantasy and noir,
with a thriller twist. There could be romance in there too. Like Blade Runner. Or Looper!

NBL: I'll just call it science fiction.

Me: Works for me. :)



Susan Kaye Quinn is the author of the bestselling YA SF Mindjack series. Her new Debt Collector serial is her more grown-up SF that she likes to call future-noir. Her steampunk fantasy romance is temporarily
on hold while she madly writes episodes to keep Lirium (the titular Debt Collector) happy. Plus she needs to leave time to play on Facebook.

Susan has a lot of degrees in engineering, which come in handy when dreaming up dangerous mind powers, future dystopias, and slightly plausible steampunk inventions. Mostly she sits around in her pajamas in awe that she gets make stuff up full-time. You can find her at www.susankayequinn.com

What's your life worth on the open market? A debt collector can tell you precisely.

Delirium (Debt Collector 1) is now available on Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo |  iTunes | Smashwords.

See the Debt Collector website to check all the latest episode releases and goings on in the Debt Collector
world.

And have a super week, reader- and writer-friends~ <3


Wednesday, April 24, 2013

Indieversary & #FOUND

Today I'm helping celebrate great writer-friend Stacey Wallace Benefiel's third year as an independent author!

whoop whoop!!! *throws confetti* 

Her new book Found is the start of an awesome-sounding New Adult trilogy, and it's only 99 cents through Saturday! So run get it!


Found
From Stacey Wallace Benefiel, author of the Zellie Wells trilogy, comes a new NA trilogy set in the Society world.

Penny Black hasn’t had it easy. Just about everything you’d expect to happen to a harassed foster-kid turned junkie has happened to Penny. Add in the mysterious power to rewind time, conducting events around her, and it’s a wonder she held up on the streets for so many years. 

Now, at seventeen, the New Society has found her. Finally, Penny is where she belongs. But that doesn’t stop the visions, or the need to protect the victims shown to her.

Wyatt Adams is excited and intrigued when his sister Melody assigns him to be Penny’s Lookout. Being the youngest, and hopelessly ordinary in the family that created the New Society, has left Wyatt feeling like he has a lot to prove -- and Penny is a big deal. She’s got abilities that surpass any he’s seen before…and pretty much every quality he looks for in a girlfriend, but no one needs to know about that, especially Penny.

*The Penny Black trilogy is a companion to the Zellie Wells trilogy and not a continuation of the series. (PBT is set 18 years in the future with a new cast of characters.)

*Due to language and sexuality, FOUND is recommended for older teens (Most of the characters are out of high school and preparing for college.)

Also available at: Kobo | Smashwords | iTunes

Haven't read the Zellie Wells trilogy yet? Pick up all three novels together for $6.99 at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Kobo, Smashwords, and iTunes. Or get the first novel, Glimpse, for FREE at all e-book retailers.

* * *
Geaux, Stacey, and Happy Indieversary! 

And have a super week and weekend, reader- and writer-friends~ <3

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Tuesday Teaser & A New Release!

As promised, I've got another snippet from Dragonfly, Book #1 of my brand new series coming June 6!

It's a journal entry that sort of sets the stage, and I'm considering it (possibly) being the start of the book blurb. So I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Here you geaux~

The first time I saw the Gulf of Mexico, I didn’t believe it was real.

The colors were so vivid—turquoise and deep marine blue splashing on sparkling-white grains of sand—it was as if the whole place glowed in the sunlight. It was beautiful. Magical. I had no idea it would change my life.

That my parents’ decision to move our family almost a thousand miles south, to their tiny hometown just off the coast, would drop me into the middle of a decades-old impasse.

A separation mandated by a long-forgotten crime.

A secret I would accidentally uncover.

* * *

And now for the New Release!

Great writer-friend Bethany Lopez has a new book out today!

It's a contemporary fairytale, and if it's anything like her other books, it's going to be awesome. The cover is gorgeous.

On Amazon

At 900 years old, Nissa is finally ready to follow her mother's path and become the best Fairy Godmother she can. She’s not thrilled when her first assignment turns out to be a teenage human girl with self-esteem issues, but she knows she has to start somewhere. Her assignment has dealt with bullies since her freshman year and they haven’t let up. If Nissa can’t help her regain her self-confidence her future is bleak.

To complicate matters Nissa experiences all the signs that she's met the being fated for her. This impossibility distracts her from her purpose. After all, fairies and humans aren't meant for each other. How can her heart believe otherwise? Can Nissa successfully complete her first assignment as a Fairy Godmother? Will the fates allow Nissa and Levi to be together? And even if they do, will Levi believe Nissa once she reveals the truth?

Get it today! On Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Smashwords 


Bethany Lopez was born in Detroit, Michigan, and grew up in Michigan and San Antonio, Texas. She went to High School at Dearborn High, in Dearborn, Michigan, which is where she has set her Young Adult series. 

She is married and has a blended family with five children. She is currently serving in the United States Air Force as a Recruiter in Los Angeles, California. 

She has always loved to read and write and has seen her dream realized by independently publishing her novels through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Smashwords.

* * *

Yay for Bethany! Here's wishing her all the best of success.

Quick Question: My Google Reader has disappeared .. I thought we had until July for this. Anyway, what are you guys using to replace Google Reader? Suggestions welcome!

And have a super week, reader- and writer-friends~ <3

Friday, April 19, 2013

Dragonfly First Teaser! And #WIN Books!

Popping out from the cave, I promised Dragonfly teasers, and I've got the first one ready for you below!

Before we get to that, I wanted to share TWO chances to #WIN copies of my books.

#WIN me!
#1-The Truth About Faking is up for grabs over on Christine Fonesca's blog (link).

Christine is releasing a new nonfiction book called The Girl Guide, and it looks fantastic--a must read for parents and girls in the middle school years.

This is your LAST DAY, so check it out, and enter to #WIN!

#2-Jessica at Hoplessly Devoted Bibliophile is celebrating her Blogoversary with chances to #WIN fun prizes, including a copy of Rouge (link).

Rouge made it to the Quarter Finals Round of the 2013 ABNA. It's a new adult romantic suspense set in a cabaret in New Orleans. 
#WIN me!

So if you're looking for something different in the New Adult genre, hop over and enter to #WIN!

And now, the moment you've been waiting for! 

Exclusive Teaser #1 from Dragonfly, Coming June 6:

A half-step, I was in his arms. A glint of blue and his mouth covered mine. I trembled as his hands traveled up the sides of my dress to my shoulders, then lightly cupped my cheeks.

His lips moved to the corner of my mouth, then my jaw, and a tiny noise slipped from my throat. I was tense and electric, and all I could think were his soft lips touching me, my fingers exploring his hard stomach through the thin cotton shirt he wore. 

His mouth traveled to my ear, where he kissed me lightly before whispering. “Let’s sit.” 

Taking my hand, he sat in the sand and pulled me onto his lap, and I watched as he unbuttoned his shirt, revealing his lined chest. Then he took my hands and placed my palms flat on his warm skin. Gorgeous.

“Now you,” he said, and his arms circled to my back. I was breathing fast as he slid my zipper down and my straps fell to the sides. I was sitting in my bra facing him in the silver moonlight, my hands still on his chest. 

My head was so light, I could barely breathe. This was all new to me, and there was no way I was stopping it. My shoulders shook, and I looked down. 

“Are you afraid?” he whispered. 

I shook my head no, lying. He cupped my chin, tilting my face up, and looked into my eyes. The breeze blew his golden hair around his cheeks, and I was convinced this was what an angel looked like.

Dragonfly is Book #1 of the as-yet unnamed series, coming June 6; another Teaser posts Tuesday!

Have a lovely weekend, reader- and writer-friends~ <3

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Volition, #WIN $200, & a #Sale Update

Another new release from great writer-friend Elle/Lee Strauss! I read the first book in this series (Perception), and it was SO GOOD! Can't wait to grab my copy of the next installment.

Here's the scoop:

Volition, the exciting continuation of Noah and Zoe's story from Perception, is LIVE!


On Amazon
What doesn't kill you ...

Zoe Vanderveen is on the run with her captor turned rescuer, Noah Brody. They're in love. Or at least that’s what he tells her. 

Her memories have returned but her feelings are dreamlike—thin and fleeting. Her heart can’t be trusted. Just look at what happened with Taylor Blake.

Senator Vanderveen’s new team of cyborg agents are in hot pursuit, and a reward for their capture is broadcast nationwide. Record breaking cold and snow hinder their escape. Someone dies helping them.

And their fight for survival has only begun.


Haven't read PERCEPTION yet? It's FREE for a few more days!

On Amazon
Eternal Life is To Die For

For seventeen year old Zoe Vanderveen is a GAP—a genetically altered person. She lives in the security of a walled city on prime water-front property along side other equally beautiful people with extended life spans.

Her brother Liam is missing.


Noah Brody is a natural who lives on the outside. He leads protests against the GAPs and detests the widening chasm they’ve created between those who have and those who don’t. He doesn’t like girls like Zoe and he has good reason not to like her specifically.

Zoe’s carefree life takes a traumatic turn. She’s in trouble and it turns out that Noah, the last guy on earth she should trust, is the only one who can help her.

It's FREE on Kobo | iTunes | Barnes & Noble | Smashwords | Amazon

To celebrate the arrival of Volition, Lee Strauss is giving away a $200 Amazon, Nook, or iTunes gift card! Contest ends tonight!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About the Author

Lee Strauss
Lee Strauss writes historical and science fiction/romance for mature YA and adult readers. She also writes light and fun stuff under the name Elle Strauss.

To find out more about Lee and her books check out her
Facebook page. You can also follow her on Twitter @elle_strauss and on Pinterest. To find out about new releases sign up for her newsletter at www.ellestraussbooks.com.

Geaux, Elle! Can't wait to read this one~

* * *

Mini-sale alert & An Update!

On Amazon
 Tax man take a bite? I've got a sale for that:

The Truth About Letting Go is only $1.99 for a limited time on


If you haven't already, grab your copy today, and please spread the word~ 

And if you like(d) it, please remember to leave a short, happy review. Thanks!

Update: Revisions/rewrites of Dragonfly, Book 1 in my brand-new contemporary romance series, are coming to a close, so I should have teaser quotes for you soon! SO excited.

Happy playing, good luck, and have a super week, reader- and writer-friends~ <3

Monday, April 15, 2013

The Only Exception #WIN & A Tax Day #SALE!

I had the privilege to beta read this book by great writer-friend and new mama Magan Vernon. It. Is. AWESOME! Check it out~

The Only Exception is LIVE! 

And you need to pick up your copy because American Flags are pretty sexy. 

On Amazon

So where can you pick up this lovely book today?

But wait, you want MORE?

How about a Release Blitz Giveaway for a $50 Amazon, Barnes, and Noble, OR iTunes gift card?

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Still want MORE?

The  blog tour is going on and Magan is giving away signed New Adult books, book marks, and ecopies of ANY Magan Vernon book.

Giveaway here

And Rock On, Magan! Seriously, The Only Exception is a super-fun read~

* * *

Mini-sale alert & An Update!

On Amazon
 Tax man take a bite? I've got a sale for that:

The Truth About Letting Go is only $1.99 for a limited time on


If you haven't already, grab your copy today, and please spread the word~ 

And if you like(d) it, please remember to leave a short, happy review. Thanks!

Update: Revisions/rewrites of Dragonfly, Book 1 in my brand-new contemporary romance series, are coming to a close, so I should have teaser quotes for you soon! SO excited.

Happy playing, good luck, and have a super week, reader- and writer-friends~ <3

Friday, April 12, 2013

Get Serious! Spring Fever Teaser #2

On Tuesday I posted a fun, kissey teaser from my new book The Truth About Letting Go. (If you missed it, here's the link.)

It was a toss-up between that one and a more serious teaser, showing the debate keeping our H&h apart.

Since some of you wanted that one, too (funnies!), and since I'm a softie, here's a BONUS Spring Fever Teaser! Enjoy~

On Amazon
Jordan pulls a blade of grass and is quiet for a moment. Then he speaks slowly, as if picking out the words. “I don’t think of it as giving up my life. I think life is more than keeping rules versus doing whatever you want. I think it’s about leaving things better than how you found them.”

“So volunteer. Work at a shelter on the weekends. You can still do good without giving up everything.”

“Everything? Ashley, there’s so much more going on in the world than sex.”

“Not when you kiss me.” 

He looks down, and I notice his ears turn slightly pink. I can’t believe I just said that out loud. 

“I mean, well, that’s how it feels.”

He simply nods, and I know he feels it, too.

“All this church stuff is just a way of controlling us, Jordan. Not only that, it’s a way of controlling us from ancient times when everything was different.”

“Things weren’t so different.”

“Walking on water, healing sick people, bringing people back from the dead. None of that happens—if it ever did. How can you believe any of it?”

“I don’t know. But I do. And I want to find out how things like that make sense today.”

“And what if you find out they don’t? Or just… what if you don’t like what you find out?”

He exhales and watches the memo pad blowing in the breeze. “I’m not looking for a particular answer. Or to control what I find.”

I pull my knees into my chest and hug them. “Jordan. Why?”

His blue eyes flick to mine. “Okay. Remember how Dr. Andrews said you can’t keep God in a box and then pull him out when you need him to fix a problem and then stick him back in so he doesn’t mess with your life? I think it’s like that.”

“I don’t understand.”

“I think God is dynamic and unpredictable. Good stuff happens, but so does bad stuff. And it all happens to challenge us. To make us grow and change.”

“Things like my dad dying?”

Jordan rubs his forehead. “I don’t know. But, well… he’s not suffering now. He’s in a better place, right?”

Anger tightens my stomach. “How about he never got sick to start with?”

The Truth About Letting Go is only $2.99 at


Print copies on Createspace and Amazon!

Have a great weekend, reader- and writer-friends~ <3

Tuesday, April 9, 2013

Deep Thoughts... & A Spring Fever Teaser

An idea keeps drifting through my brain: Intense pressure can produce a diamond or it can produce dust.

It sounds better in my head. But still... Diamonds and dust. Why am I thinking this? No clue.

So when we moved here less than two years ago, the movie version of The Help was just coming out, and everyone was talking about that book and the issues it raised. I thought, "I'd like to write a book like that..."

A book that takes on hard topics and isn't boring. It's possible The Truth About Letting Go is as close as I'll get.

It's a contemporary romance, like all my books, but the main character is struggling with a crisis that has rocked her entire belief system.

And while sparks fly every time she kisses our hero, he stands for the very system that let her down and broke her heart. So she pushes him away. Or they pull together for smooches that usually end in arguments...

I think it has a very spring-into-summer feel... I'd love to hear what you think!

Here's the Spring Fever Teaser! (It's a kissy one, yanno. For spring and all.) Enjoy~

On Amazon
Jordan kisses me again, and everything in me wants more. I want him to groan and tell me I’m beautiful. I want to slide my hands under his tee and feel his skin. But he breaks our lips apart. He places his chin on my head and puts his arms around my shoulders.

“Oh, man,” he breathes, before kissing the top of my head.

I sigh as I press my cheek to his chest, surrounded in his warm hug. His hands slide up and down my back slowly, and I slip my fingers under his shirt, finding the skin underneath. That’s when he steps away and pulls the towel off his shoulders. 

“I’d better go.”

“Don’t!” I reach for him, and he catches my hand.

“Being alone with you is not a good idea.”

Frustration burns in my chest, and I have to fight getting angry with him. How can I be angry and yet so totally into him at the same time?

“You’re going to drive me crazy,” I say.

“Not as crazy as you’re driving me.”

I hop down and follow him to the back door not even trying to hide my disappointment. “But what about your shirt?”

“Bring it to me later.” He grabs the windbreaker off the peg and catches the door. Halfway out, he steps back. I’m still frowning, but his cute smile softens it. “This is really cool.”

“What?”

“Being here with you. Being sorry to go. You being sorry I’m going.”

“I’m keeping your shirt.”

He grins and kisses me quickly. “Deal.” Then he closes the door and sprints across the lawn to his waiting car. 

The Truth About Letting Go is just $2.99 on


Print copies on Createspace and Amazon!

Have a super week, reader-friends~ <3

Sunday, April 7, 2013

Lightening Round #WINNER & Spring Fever Teaser

We have a #WINNER for the super-fast lightening round giveaway of the ebook set The Truth About Faking AND The Truth About Letting Go...

Naomi O.!

Be looking for your email, Naomi, and THANKS to everyone who entered!

Just a reminder The Truth About Faking is still only 99 cents, and with spring in the air, it's a great time to get some sweet romance on!

Here's a quickie teaser-excerpt. Enjoy~

On Amazon
“Wait,” Jason whispers, catching my hand. I stop. “Don’t go out with him,” he says.
I look back. “Jason—”
“I’m serious,” he says. “I don’t want you to go out with him.”
His words send a pain through my chest, and my head feels dizzy. I don’t know what to say. Trent’s been my dream for so long, I don’t know how to let him go. I don’t want to. 
“It’s too late,” I say. “I already told him I would. I mean, I practically asked him out.”
“You did ask him out,” Jason says, stepping closer again. His hands are on my waist, and I can feel his breath on my cheek close to my ear. “Call him and cancel.”
His lips are so close, I can almost kiss him again. Instead I put my hand on his chest and gently push him back.
“I can’t,” I say, shaking my head.
“Sure you can,” Jason smiles. He reaches up to take my hand from his chest.
“Jason,” I sigh, trying to pull it away. But he doesn’t let go.
“Harley.”
“I’m tired. And my head feels… funny. I’m going to bed.”
“I’ll call you tomorrow,” he says. Then he lifts my hand and kisses it. I watch his soft lips touch my fingers, and I struggle with the urge to pull us together again.
“I’m going out with Trent.”
“I’ll call you tomorrow.”
I look down and nod slightly. Then I go inside and close the door. 

Get The Truth About Faking for 99 cents on:


Print copies on Amazon and Createspace!

Update: Fans of OmniLit.com and All Romance eBooks will be happy to know I've just added all three of my books to these sites. Links are in the sidebar at right > > >

I'm starting revisions on my next release Dragonfly this week. I'll post Teasers on Tuesdays as they're ready!

Have a super week, reader- and writer-friends~ <3

Friday, April 5, 2013

Lightening Round #WIN! & Teaser Tuesdays

I AM still in the cave, in case you're wondering. But I also promised to help with some promotions before everything blew up over here, and that's what this is...

Update--JRM is doing better! Every day a little more movement, a little less pain, and soon, hopefully, he'll be off the couch more. Still three months of crutches, but we're being positive. It could've been much worse. #SOthankful

In other news, several lovely bloggers are helping me spread the word about my new book The Truth About Letting Go (link), which is over there in the sidebar > > >

And to help them, I'm running a special "Lightening Round Giveaway" contest to for BOTH The Truth About Faking (link) AND The Truth About Letting Go!

Here are a few of the places you can #WIN (names are links):
You can also click here to enter and #WIN! Contest ends Sunday, April 7!

Quick Note: As soon as I've got something for you, I'm thinking of doing "Teaser Tuesday" posts for DRAGONFLY and DRIFTWOOD (the two books releasing next). Would you like that? Thoughts?

OK--back to the cave with me! Have a super weekend and week, reader-friends~ <3

Wednesday, April 3, 2013

Cheating Death Blog Hop & Giveaway!

I met writer-friend Jen Naumann last year after Faking came out, and she is literally one of the coolest, sweetest people...

...to write about zombies and ghosts and all kinds of spooky stuff!!!

Add me on Goodreads
Her newest book Cheating Death is a new adult paranormal thriller, and check it out--isn't it gorgeous?

Well, I am stoked to be a part of her fun promo tour and giveaway. First, here's the Book Scoop:

Lysandra Brooks remembers everything about the day she almost drowned alongside her grandma, especially the set of mysterious eyes she saw at the bottom of the lake.

Ever since then, she's been seeing strange things when she is near water—things that aren't really there. Because of it, Lysandra has the tendency to avoid anything that isn't on dry land.

On her last day of high school, however, the biggest party of the year is set to take place at a fellow senior's lakeside mansion. Despite her fears, Lysandra decides to prove to her friends and herself that she can handle it.

But after a horrific night of drinking and drama that leaves Lysandra feeling lonely and confused, she nearly drowns for a second time, only to be saved by the new guy in town.

From that moment on, Lysandra's world is turned upside down with the discovery of mind blowing secrets, including a revelation that something sinister is after her soul.

* * *

Does that sound awesome or what? Release date is April 9, but you can add it on Goodreads (here)!

And as an added bonus, Jen is giving away three ebook copies! I'll put the Rafflecopter below so you can enter. But first, check out the trailer:



Now, for more about Jen~

Jen grew up during a magical time in which Ghostbusters, Star Wars, E.T. and The Goonies were the biggest blockbusters. Her love of sci-fi exploded over time, eventually growing into a career of writing YA fiction with a paranormal flair.

When not sitting at her Mac, she can be found at concerts and movies, hanging with friends, chilling at her lake home, taking pictures, working on graphic design projects, traveling, or at home with her husband in southern Minnesota and trying to keep up with their four active children.

Visit Jen's Amazon Author Page (link) for info on all of her books! And have a super week, reader- and writer-friends~ <3

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monday, April 1, 2013

Updates and a Break... #NoFooling

Happy April 1!

I always want to do funny April Fool's jokes, but *blerg*... My jokes are either way obvious, or I start laughing and give the whole thing away.

Have any of you guys fallen for funny April Fool's jokes? Played any?

Well, no fooling, last week was intense...

First, I traveled 850 miles south to my old hometown for spring break. While I was there visiting family and friends, I met with librarians in Daphne and Fairhope, AND I discovered a new writer-friend living in the area!

Many of you are fans of NYT bestselling author Abbi Glines. I discovered she lives in Fairhope, and after a few email chats, we decided to do a book signing together. It was loads of fun.

On Amazon
Author Steph Campbell joined us--you might remember how much I loved her book My Heart For Yours (link), which she co-wrote with my close friend, cover designer, and author Jolene Perry. (I raved over it in this post, link. It's a must read.)

Last week, I started the process of making an audiobook for The Truth About Faking. I'll keep you posted on that new project. Very exciting.

But most importantly, my sweet hubs JRM was hit by a car while jogging. Yes. Majorly scared us all.

His right tibia was broken, which is painful and means he'll be on crutches for three months, but we are so thankful he wasn't hurt worse.

That break news brings me to MY break news--it's time for my annual April blogging break. I have a few promotional posts for friends going up, but otherwise, I'll be offline.

I'm so excited, though... I've decided to revise my very first book Dragonfly and its sequel for late-May/early-June release. It's a contemporary romance that I think you'll really like. I'll have to postpone Rouge #2 and 21 Days until later in the year, but my hope is you'll be happy with the result...

I will be keeping up on Facebook, and I'll def. post some teaser-excerpts as possible while I'm in the cave, although taking care of my sweet, invalid husband is going to make my schedule interesting.

It's A-Z month! Many of you are participating, so have fun with it! I'll be around, I'll be thinking of you guys, and I plan to be back with something great.

Have a super month, reader- and writer-friends~ <3