Thursday, October 31, 2013

Scream for #HALLOWEEN, #WIN a Rouge audiobook!

Halloween is my all-time, absolute favorite holiday.

So in honor of the occasion, I'm RE-presenting my Top Three Favorite Halloween Memories starting from least scary to... well, most silly.

And Stay tuned... your chance to WIN! is at the end~

1. The Country Fair-McCue Road.

In elem-middle grades, I went to a private school that had a Country Fair every year on Halloween. There were games, dunking booths, crafts for sale, fair food, etc.

That was all fun when I was little, but when I got closer to high school, I realized the teenagers would always take off and run around to local "haunted" sites while all the children and parents were at the fair. (Back then you got your drivers' license at 15 and I had an older brother.)

There were two sites near where we lived that had several legends around them. The first was McCue Road. It led back into the woods and started off paved, but eventually it turned to gravel. Supposedly two dead bodies drained of all their blood had been found wrapped in garbage bags back on the gravel part. Naturally, that meant there was a coven of witches doing Black Sabbath rituals that we had to investigate.

The other was a grave at this Civil War-era cemetery in Zachary, La. I don't remember the name, but the grave had bars installed across the top because the legend was it contained the corpse of a witch. One by one the bars had been removed by... teenagers... and supposedly when the last bar was gone, she'd come back and kill us all.

All sorts of stories about cars going dead and then failing to start, power windows going down and not going back up, headlights going out and not coming back on, etc., were told by kids who'd tried to steal bars off the grave.

(To me that didn't make sense because wouldn't she want to come back? So why mess with the teenagers trying to release her?)

Nothing ever happened to us on these trips, but the memory of being 13 and allowed to tag along with the cool "big kids" on those adventures is still pretty vivid. It forms the basis of my Halloween love...

2. My Hero.

In college I dated a guy who was six-foot-two, 200 pounds--big guy. He stomped around town in Size 13 Docs, was the lead guitarist in a band. Mr. Cool, right?

He was also the youngest of nine kids--good south Louisiana Catholic family--and claimed when he was out running one night he saw the Spirit of Death (a dark shadow) rise out of a gutter and go into a house in his neighborhood. The next day (he said) the man who lived in that house died of a heart attack.

My boyfriend was also a major campy-horror-movie fan. Like the super B- variety. He made me watch The Evil Dead. And the sequels. Texas Chainsaw MassacrePiranha! (the original)...

So he and I went to this haunted house one Halloween--you know, the pretend kind where people dress up and try to scare you? Many of you have never seen me in person. I'm not so big. I'm about five-foot-four, and I weigh between 120 and 130 pounds, depending on if there are cupcakes in the house.

At one point on our haunted tour a fellow dressed as Leatherface with a chainless chainsaw ran out toward us. Immediately my giant boyfriend lifted me off the ground by my upper arms and threw me in front of him, at the guy with the chainsaw.

Me: What are you doing?!?!
Him: (panicked) They won't hurt a girl!
Me: They won't hurt anybody! It's all fake!

We all know that was a completely illogical response, btw. They always hurt the girl.

3. Trick or Treat.

We didn't celebrate Halloween at my house when I was a kid. Well, my paternal grandmother thought that was a lot of ridiculousness. So one year when my brother and I were visiting her at Halloween (we were very young), she decided to take us trick or treating around her small hometown of Liberty, Miss.

I was very much a pleaser as a child, and I just knew we weren't supposed to be doing this. Internally, I was all a-fret because "if Mom found out..."

I was also a pudgy little kid. I was never very tall and until I hit puberty, I was ... well, fat. There's just no other nice way to say it. I didn't like to sweat and I liked to eat. Two plus two equals four.

So we went to several houses, got bags filled with candy. Me: Hey, this Halloween business ain't so bad! Then my Mammaw said we had to go to one more house. It was someone she knew, but at the time, I wasn't aware of that.

My brother and I walked up to the door and knocked and "REEE!!!" An Evil Witch jumped out and released a blood-curdling screech! My brother took off like a rabbit, but I knew I'd never out-run her. I closed my eyes and started swinging my Halloween bag with all my might.

To this day I remember hearing nothing but a high-pitched shree and feeling all my precious candy falling around my shoulders and disappearing through the cracks in the porch. At some point, I took off running. I was not pursued because the "witch" was bent over, hyperventilating with laughter.

I remember seeing her talking to my grandmother through the driver's-side window at the car, and I crept back and got in the backseat. We had to drive a few blocks before we found my brother...

So there you go! My fave holiday memories... ***Now for the TREAT! Your chance to WIN!***

On Amazon
I'd love to hear your favorite Halloween memory.

Leave a comment, and on Monday, I'll pick ONE LUCKY commenter to WIN a copy of the Rouge audiobook!!!

Here's the description:

Romance, velvet, sequins, and murder...
 
Hale Ferrer is the rising star of the hottest cabaret in New Orleans. And her one goal is escape. Escape from the lies, from the crime, and from her growing fear that one day she'll have to earn her living in the secret back rooms, where the dancers do more than dance.
  
But she won't leave behind Teeny, the orphan-girl she promised to protect.
  
Freddie Lovel is rich, handsome, and in love with Hale, and he's ready to sweep her away with him to Paris. But her heart is captured by Beau, the poor stagehand with eyes as blue as Louisiana iris flowers.
   
Denying her fears, Hale is ready to choose love and a life with Beau, until a predator hidden in the wings launches a chain of events that could cost her everything--Teeny, their one hope of escape, and possibly even her life.

Yep! My dark and atmospheric tale set in New Orleans read by the lovely & talented Susan Eichorn Young is perfect for the season. You'll LOVE it~

So leave a comment, then get out, scare some children, eat some candy, watch a scary movie, be safe.

But most of all have a very, very

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!

Monday, October 28, 2013

Halloween Kisses #BOO!

I confess, reader-friends.... Halloween is my favorite holiday! 

I LOVE dressing up and being scared an the lovely fall weather. And I don't know, but doesn't everyone just seem to be in a better mood at Halloween?

It's all the candy, I know.

When I wrote Dragonfly, I wanted to have something Halloween in it. The book follows the first semester of senior year, which covers the holiday. (Watercolor is the second half, ending at prom.)

Since Dragonfly is on SALE right now for 99 CENTS (No tricks, all treats), Here's the fun, Halloween Hay Maze excerpt, which also involves a little smooching.
On Amazon

See what you think~

We handed over our tickets and started into the maze. Renee and Rachel were giggling nervously as we walked, waiting for something to happen. Jack held out his arm to me, and I took it, not minding a little temporary protection, regardless of the source. 

It was cooler inside the maze, and the height of the walls made it darker as well. Huge spotlights lit certain portions of the grid, but some corners were almost completely dark. Those were the tense spots, where you could feel the actors lurking, waiting to scare you. It was all in good fun, but I was glad we were going through it as a group.

We rounded the first corner, and from the shadows, I felt the swish of air as something ran toward us from behind. Rachel screamed as a fur-clad figure snarled at her. We scattered in six different directions, screaming and laughing. It was terrifying, and I couldn’t stop giggling. I ran as hard as I could from our grisly pursuer, thinking someone was with me, but after several turns, I stopped running and looked around. I was alone. Great.

I walked slowly through the dim-lit stacks, straining my ears for familiar voices. I thought I heard Rachel off to my right, and I followed the sound. But as I rounded the corner, it was a shadowy dead end. I doubled back and listened again. It sounded like they were just on the other side of the hay wall, and I started running straight ahead. My heart was thudding when the passage opened. I could go right or left. I waited and listened, and once again, I felt the swish of air as a figure came up behind me. I spun around ready to scream, but it was only Julian.

“Hey,” he said low in my hair, as his hands found my sides.

“Julian!” I laughed, hugging him in relief. He smiled and pulled me into a shadowy corner. “I hate being alone in these things, and I thought you were—” 

He leaned in and cut me off with a kiss. My heart had been racing from the fright and the running, but now it was flying for a different reason. Instinctively, I pulled him closer, not wanting to let him go, and he held me tighter in response. 

This time his kiss was not a question, it was a demand, and the part of me I’d been pushing down for weeks came rushing up to meet him. My arms were around his neck, and I slipped my fingers into his hair. I felt his lips curve into a smile against mine, and our mouths opened, tongues touched, and electricity raced to my toes. It was hot and breathtaking, and everything I’d expected returning Julian’s kiss to be like. His uncasted arm circled my waist, holding me strong against his body, then he lifted his head to look into my eyes. 

We were both breathing fast. Neither of us spoke, we only smiled, a little amazed and unable to look away. He leaned forward to kiss me again, and once more I kissed him back, open-mouthed and eager. Hungry. I felt confident and strong, and I didn’t want to stop ever. He held me back against the scratchy hay wall, and my hands moved from his shirt to his shoulders and then his neck. I wanted to touch his skin. I wanted to pull him closer. I wanted to feel his skin against mine. 

His lips moved to my jaw then my chin, and without thinking, I murmured his name. I dropped my face against him, inhaling deeply the faint scent of his cologne mixed with the straw all around us. We were swirling in a dizzying wave of adrenaline until I heard voices coming toward us. 

As if waking from the most amazing dream, I opened my eyes and reluctantly stepped away, out of Julian’s arms.

“I think I heard them over here!” Renee ran up and stopped short, the laughing others close behind her.

I turned away and tried to pick the hay fragments out of my hair. There was no denying what we’d just done, and I didn’t know what to say. 

* * *

Maybe "Oops!"--? (LOL!)

I know, all the Julian lovers in the house were like, "Yes!" And that's only the beginning for those two. If you haven't started the series, now's a great time!


Get Dragonfly (#1) TODAY for only 99 cents!


And have a smoochy, spooky, SUPERFUN Halloween, reader-friends!!!

Friday, October 25, 2013

Teach the World to Sing in NATURAL HARMONY

Okay, I couldn't resist. (And now you know how old I am. *wink*)

On Monday I got all squishy and reflective about my writing career and this blog and the FAB writer-friends I've made as a result...

Today I'm helping spread the word about a NEW writer-friend Kate Roth's book coming December 30.

It's a sexy contemporary book, and it looks awesome. Check it out~

On Goodreads
(Cover art by Jennifer Streif)

Suddenly named the acting president of her uncle’s record label, former pop princess Sabrina Walker is finally ready to grow up. While her professional life moves forward, she still clings to the last fragment of her past life in the form of an uncertain relationship with her manager, Beau.

When Sabrina hires handsome, young assistant, Wade Lawson, he awakens in her the hidden confidence she’s always desired. What starts as a casual affair quickly intensifies to something much more. 

Sabrina must decide—return to the familiar life of an insecure one-hit-wonder, or embrace Wade and the woman his passion has helped reveal. 

Natural Harmony is a stand-alone romance and the first in the Confession Records collection.

Check out the Rafflecopter (link) for a chance to WIN an advanced copy of the book!

And how about an Exclusive Excerpt?

He stepped off the elevator behind her and followed her silently as she led the way down the long dark hall to her office. She unlocked the door and walked in without turning on a light. Wade stood leaning his shoulder against the doorjamb, watching as she fumbled around in her desk drawers for only a few seconds before she retrieved the phone. A loose grin formed on her lips as she held the phone in her hand and when she looked up at him he projected a similar smile back. 

Something happened when their eyes met through the dark in the place where she had hired him, the place where he had touched her arm and assured her she was the boss. Sabrina’s face fell, her tongue swiped over her bottom lip, sucking it into her mouth for a moment before letting it pop back out. Wade couldn’t breathe. Sabrina.

Her brows drew together as she stepped toward him. Wade could see her breathing picking up, shamelessly glancing at her chest. He heard himself swallow hard when she finally reached him. She looked up at him and pressed her lips together again. She’s your BOSS, his head screamed. 

Sabrina’s hand moved out in front of her and Wade barely flinched at the motion. Her fingertips landed on his chest and he wanted nothing more than to sigh at the feeling, but he tried to stay cool. She was staring at his chest and her own hand as it slid down the panel of buttons on his shirt. When her hand stopped at the waistband of his black slacks, he couldn’t hold in the trembling breath that made its way out of him. Her eyes flashed up to his again. F**k it, it’s just a job, he thought. 

Just as he reached to slip his hand to the back of her neck and pull her close, her cell phone blared through the office. She jumped and looked down at it in her other hand. When she looked at him she sighed with that same unnamable look in her eyes. 

“It’s late,” he said. 

Sabrina nodded. “And I’m drunk,” she added with a crestfallen smile.

“Right,” Wade uttered.

About Kate

In 2008, Kate Roth decided to get real about her love of writing. She signed up for a course after-hours at the local high school called "So You Want To Write A Book?" Indeed, she did! For years Kate had been dreaming up love stories in her head and she'd even managed to write a few of them down but it was that class that gave her the drive to finally do something more with her ideas.

Kate Roth's first two novels, new adult romance The Low Notes and new adult paranormal romance Reckless Radiance were released by Rebel Ink Press. Natural Harmony is her third novel and her first venture into independent publishing. She is hard at work on the next two novels in the Confession Records collection, as well as her first erotic romance, Last Resort.

Kate is inspired by music, film, art and of course other authors as well as the wealth of stories she has heard through her years as a professional hair stylist. She is a small business owner and lives in Indiana with her husband, Adam and their dog, Sampson.


* * *

Kate's a great writer--can't wait to read her amazing new book! Have a great weekend, reader-friends~ 

Monday, October 21, 2013

Reflecting, Catching Up, and a Sweet #SALE

Over the weekend, I was thinking about my publishing career.

I met with some Indiana writers about a month ago to plan an author event here in Fall 2014, and I mentioned several writer-friends we could invite.

One of the ladies present said, "How do you know all these authors?" 
My answer was, "Blogging."
I started this little blog began back in Feb. 2010 and had no idea what to do here.

Since then I've met and gotten to know hundreds of amazing readers and writers. Some are traditional, some are Indie, some are a mix. 

Sept 2012-Today has been a whirlwind for me. 
March 2013-Today were particularly hard--between keeping up with my schedule and keeping up with my family.

But I still love what I do!

Yesterday, I looked at all the books on the market, and I wondered, "How did I ever find my readers? What shiny stars they are in my little journey!"

More and more books are making their way into "print," and finding ways to reach readers is getting more and more interesting. 

I'm glad I found you! 

I'm glad I started when I did--maybe not so glad I held out for traditional as long as I did. (At times maybe wondering if my Big 6 publisher was right about the direction I "should" have taken with my books.) 

The Truth About Faking was my first "hit." I hope many more will follow. 

I'm still proud of its funny, sweet little story, and now that my own daughters are tweens, I'm hoping to write another book like it for them. 

In honor of that book's amazing success, it's on Sale for 99 cents this week. (Already read it? Give it as a gift!)



It's still a great time to be a writer, friends. 

And I can't say enough how glad I am to know you! Thanks for sticking with me on this journey. 

Have a great week~

Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Angels, Devils, and #WINNERS!!!

Y'all, I ain't gonna lie. I've been on hyper-drive since March, when I got the "bright idea" to put out my "already finished" first two books of the Dragonfly series a month apart.

Can I just tell you, writer-friends, that is NOT a good idea.

Even if the books are "finished," there's still editing to do and cover design and marketing. Oh, and did I mention marketing???

So my brain has turned rebellious teenager. It refuses to cooperate in any way, shape, or form. Basicallly, I'm taking a little mental-health break.

That being said, the lovely and talented Christine Fonesca (link) has released the LAST book in her amazing, fantastic Requiem series.

Remember me raving about Lacrimosa (link)? Well, if you don't, I will now.

I never, ever thought I'd dig angel + demon books. But omg. This series is fantastic.

And Dominus is not only out now, it's part of the BIG 99 CENT SALE I'm participating in with the Indelibles (link).  So get it now!!!

Here's the scoop...

On Amazon
Dominus
by Christine Fonesca

Sometimes death is the only way to save a life. 

Nesy knows who she is now, knows what she's lost. Determined to save Aydan from his fate, she confronts the only one she blames for everything - Azza. But how can she fight the devil when she is nothing more than human.

The fate of Celestium, Infernum and humanity rests in Nesy's hands. Can she find the strength to confront demons she's never imagined, face fears she's never voiced, and release the one things that has held her world together - her love for Aydan. Some sacrifices should never be made...even for love.

Get it today on Amazon!!!


And Dominus is just one of NINE Amazing Books on Sale for Only 99 Cents (including Dragonfly!) this week!

Check them all out...


QUICK LINKS:

The Only One: http://amzn.to/GLtrAc
Dominus: http://amzn.com/B00FRFM0X8
Dragonfly: http://amzn.to/11i1vrm
Crossing: http://amzn.to/1auNThT
Clockwiser: http://amzn.to/19vqtsq
Protected: http://amzn.to/GzxZdF
A Spy Like Me: http://amzn.to/11HOkmv
The Pack: http://amzn.to/19EImqz
Untraceable: http://amzn.to/PnYLoD


And enter to #WIN!!! (This giveaway has ended.)

Monday, October 14, 2013

I'm back! With a NEW way to #WIN

Hey, reader-friends--I'm back! *waves madly*

Shew! Last week was nuts being out of town and all over the place with book biz. The thing last Saturday got cancelled because of a "hurricane"--!!! (whap whaaap)

Yep, I was definitely visiting the old hometown. No outdoor event is safe this time of year!

But while I was away, the Watercolor tour marched on, and I swear, the reviews have just been amazing.

HUGE THANKS to everyone who's left reviews on Amazon and Goodreads... reviews help your favorite authors, even if they're short!

The Watercolor giveaway is still going on. Enter to WN a signed set of all the books and more HERE (link)!

And did I mention how much I LOVE the fan art reader-friends are making? Check this one out...

On Amazon

*sigh* You guys are TOO COOL. *big smile*

* * *

Also, while I was away, I was invited to participate in a MEGA SALE AND GIVEAWAY!!! Hosted by the Indelibles (link). Here's the scoop:

For One Week Only, we've dropped the price on NINE HOT New Releases and Bestselling Titles, and combined them with a chance to WIN Amazon gift cards, ebooks, and more!

Check it out and Spread the Word!!!

Get ALL for only 99 cents this week!

QUICK BUY LINKS:



READERS ARE SAYING...

**The Only One by Magan Vernon -- "Sweet and sexy!! Loved it! This is the type of story you read again and again." --#1 New York Times best selling author Rachel Van Dyken


**Dominus by Christine Fonesca -- "A thrilling end to a fantastic supernatural series!" --Leigh Talbert Moore, bestselling author of The Truth About Faking


**Dragonfly by Leigh Talbert Moore -- "The characters were intriguing, the mystery and story were interesting and definitely have ME WANTING MORE!!!!!!!" --Mandy, The Romance Bookie


**Crossing by Stacey Wallace Benefiel -- "Beautiful. Heart wrenching. A true tale of love. It'll make you laugh, cry, and have you running out to buy a tube of red lipstick." --RaShelle Workman, bestselling author of the Blood and Snow series


**ClockwiseR by Elle Strauss -- "Time-travel adventures, scary cliffhangers... Strauss's strength in describing battle scenes and wartime add to the historical parts, and the resolution was not what I expected. Great writing and a superfun book!" - Leigh Talbert Moore, bestselling author of The Truth About Letting Go


**Protected by Cindy Hogan -- "This anticipated sequel sizzles with equal parts thriller, suspense and romance. A spine tingling story I could not put down." - C.K.Bryant, author of Bound


**A Spy Like Me by Laura Pauling -- "Move over Gallagher Girls, there's a new spy in town! A Spy Like Me is a fast paced, high energy ride through Paris that left me almost as breathless as Pauling's hot hero. Super fun beginning, great story, and an ending that won't disappoint!" --Gemma Halliday, NYT best selling author of Spying in High Heels


**The Pack - Retribution by L.M. Preston -- "The action in this book was phenomenal! There was never a dull moment. Shamira and the group were always fighting off the bad guys and with style too." --P. Bradish, Amazon Reviewer


**Untraceable by S.R. Johannes -- "This thrilling story is a dramatic entanglement of mystery, deception and teen romance.  The action flows like a brisk mountain stream interspersed with rapids, holding suspense to last page." -- Kirkus Review 

* * *

Now Enter to WIN!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


And have a super-fab week, my friends! I personally can't wait for Halloween...


Monday, October 7, 2013

WATERCOLOR--Sales, Giveaways, Tours, oh my!

I'm still out of town, reader-friends, but the Watercolor tour continues!

I LOVE seeing all the five-star reviews rolling in, but I had a good feeling all my Julian-lovers would be happy with this installment. He is such a great character.

In other news, I'm on the "set" of the Dragonfly series, and Tuesday afternoon (Oct. 8), I'm doing a reading at the Daphne Public Library starting at 4 p.m.

If you're in the area, come on out to this free event!

On the Sale front, Today is the last day for the big "Catch-up Sale"--where you can get Dragonfly AND Undertow for 99 cents each!

If you're just joining us, one-click today--

Dragonfly AND Undertow - Today Only!!!


Dragonfly and Undertow are on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iTunes, and Kobo! See sidebar --> for all the links!

The Watercolor publicity tour is going strong, and at EVERY stop, you get a chance to WIN the signed, complete set, a $5 Amazon gift card, signed copies of Watercolor, ebooks, bookmarks...

Check it out, and have a super week, reader-friends!


October 7
October 8
Kimberlyfaye reads Review Only
October 9
Live Read and Breathe Review Only
October 10
Lovin' Los Libros Character Interview
October 11
Rampant Readers Review Only
October 12
October 13
October 14
Dazzled by Books Review Only
October 15

Friday, October 4, 2013

Amazon Goofs, You #WIN!!!

I almost titled this post, "In which I have a very irritating day." (LOL!)

Yes, yesterday was one of those days, reader-friends.

Currently, I'm on the road right now, headed 12 hours south to be a part of this...

**Relocated to the Fairhope Public Library, thanks to T.S. Karen.

If you're in or around south Alabama, please come out and say Hi! I'll have books on hand for purchase, but you can bring your own for signing.

Back to yesterday... So I have to have print copies of my books on hand for this, right? No worries! I ordered them in plenty of time to be here before the trip.

The only problem was yesterday they weren't here.

OK, they were here, but nobody knew who had them. So I spent all day tracking down three boxes of books.

NOW 99 cents on Amazon!
All the while Amazon never ever, ever (Taylor Swift) changed the price on Undertow to 99 cents as I programmed it to do--and as I advertised everywhere was happening...

Why?

Nobody knows!

*sigh*

These days happen, I guess.

And when I'm writer, editor, cover designer, marketer, and enforcer (aka, a self-published author), if I miss something, well, it gets missed.

So! To make it up to everyone, I'm leaving Undertow on sale through the weekend.

Yes, through Oct. 7, my lovely, favorite book will be on sale for 99 cents.

Please spread the word!

Get Dragonfly and Undertow Today!

Don't forget: Watercolor is out NOW!

Print on Createspace | Amazon 


And remember, you can still enter to #WIN a signed print set of all three Dragonfly books, your own signed copy of Watercolor, ebooks, and more!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Have a FAB weekend--not one of those, my lovelies~ 

Thursday, October 3, 2013

Catchup Sale, Mega Giveaway! Time to #WIN!!!

So Today is the official day: Happy Birthday Watercolor!!! 

And early readers are saying...

On Amazon
"I've been waiting for each book like it's my own personal version of crack. A truly FANTASTIC series about growing up, with some small town soap opera drama sprinkled in." --Jessica Watterson, Bend in the Binding Reviews

"Moore paints a beautiful tale--a very satisfying, tear-jerking culmination of what began with Dragonfly." --Alyse Carlson/Hart Johnson, bestselling author of A Shot in the Light

"Moore has done it again! A captivating love story of secrets, lies, family, and money all wrapped up in a coming of age story set on a southern beach." --Tracy Womack, founder Virtual Book Club


Watercolor - out NOW!

Print on Createspace | Amazon 

* * *

As a special Happy Birthday gift to YOU, get BOTH Dragonfly and Undertow Today, each for only 99 cents!

Get Dragonfly and Undertow Today!


Dragonfly: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes | Kobo

Undertow: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes | Kobo

* * *
And about that Mega Giveaway...

Enter to #WIN the signed, complete Dragonfly series, your own, signed copy of Watercolor, ebooks and more!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

~ The Dragonfly series ~ 
~ Fall in love, be pulled under, and then be swept away~

Thank you so much for always supporting me, reader-friends. It's a happy day over here. Have a super week!