First Kiss & #99cent #LOVE

Happy Labor Day, reader-friends! (I know, it's not a holiday for everyone... sorry.)

You all know I LOVE kissing stories, so when my great writer-friend Cindy Hogan asked if I'd help spread the word about her new serial, "Confessions of a 16-Year-Old Virgin Lips," I was like, "Ye-YAY!"

Is that the most fun title or what? The first installment is called First Kiss, and here's the scoop...

On Amazon

VL. Virgin Lips. You may not have heard of it, but where I live, it’s a thing with a card, even if it is a figurative card. I was Brooklyn Hill, certified virgin lips, and I planned on clinging to that figurative card with all I had—while dating as many of the hottest guys at school as I could.

Maybe that’s a bit strange. I mean, what teenage girl isn’t interested in kissing? Locking lips definitely interested me, but the drama that came with it didn’t. No kissing, no drama. Simple.

But on my sixteenth birthday, on my first real date even, the drama found me. His name was Luke Graham—cute, funny, and bad news for the whole female race.

Get it today - Only 99 cents on Amazon (link)!


Here's a short excerpt:

We all laughed and ran outside and stormed the hot tub.
After the obligatory splashing and dunking settled down, Parker jutted his chin at me and teased. “You’re sixteen now, Brooklyn, the question is, are you still in the VL club?”
A strange silence fell over the group. I guess they really wanted to hear my response. I paused just long enough to give the answer away. I looked up, noticing a few stars speckled the skyline.
“Oooh,” Mike said. “’nough said. Well, my dear, your pain will now be over.” He moved toward me, lips puckered, eye brows waggling. I turned my head before he could make contact. My whole body was on fire.
Ali and Katherine, my two red-headed friends, pushed him back. “Down boy. Unlike you, she wants her first kiss to be special, meaningful, and with someone she wants to kiss. So, back off.” Ali could be forceful when she wanted to be. I loved and hated that about her.
He whimpered like a wounded dog as he sat back in his spot.
“Buurrrn!” Mike yelled.
“Burn, baby, burn,” Parker sang.

Love it! Remember to run out and get your copy!

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Quick Note: Watercolor is coming... and Dragonfly is also only 99 cents on Amazon or Barnes & Noble!

Get caught up on your fun reading this holiday, and have a super day~ 

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.

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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

Spring Breakin & a Hometown Signing!

Every time I read "signing," I read sighting... Like I'm a UFO.

So I'm with the family down South taking a little break, enjoying a little chilly sunshine, rejuvenating. I'm going to be offline for the most part this week, but I'm thinking of you guys! Hope you're all doing super~

Can't wait to get back in the writing saddle next week!

Many of you are on spring break this week, so have a lovely time!

And if you're in or around the Gulf Coast, stop by this special event at a little bookstore in Fairhope, Ala., a mere 10 miles from my old hometown...

I'll be joining superstars Abbi Glines and Steph Campbell for a meet and greet, Q&A, and book signing party.

I would love to see any of you who might be around!

So til next week, have a super week, reader- and writer-friends~ <3

New Book, Kissing, & Dragons!

Happy Monday, reader- and writer-friends!

I'm fresh off a weekend, mini-writing retreat with great writer-friends Susan Quinn (link) and Magan Vernon (link). I'm sure there's a post coming from that.

In the meantime, the Romance is in the Air giveaway hop, sponsored by Inspired Kathy (link) continues!

Win prizes! Click here~

You can WIN a shiny, copy of my new book The Truth About Letting Go (link), which releases Feb. 21! Enter to WIN and see all the participants (who are also having giveaways) here~ (link)

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What's this? Click here...

Reminder: On Thursday, Valentine's Day, we'll all be posting kissing scenes for IndieKissing! More info here (link)!

Now, what's all this about Dragons? Well, let me tell you...

Today I'm also celebrating the release of Heather McCorkle's fantasy novel, The Dragon Empire! On today's stop, Heather is answering the following question:

The world you created in The Dragon Empire is very elaborate. How did you keep track of everything?

Heather: I created a notebook and put everything about the world in it. I wrote up pages on each type of dragon, each island, each character, the different creatures and cultures, and even drew maps of the world. It was a lot of work, but also a lot of fun!

B&N / Amazon / Goodreads

Here is a bit about it:

On Yacrana dragons are the advanced species. But advanced doesn't always mean civilized...

There's trouble in the Dragon Empire, the kind that could start a war between dragons and the races of people. Hidden factions of dragons believe they should rule the lesser races, not simply stand aside and allow them to develop as they will. Having lived so long in peace, the Emperors turn a blind eye, many oblivious that such attitudes even exist.

Despite being only an architect class, emerald dragon, Grendar is willing to risk banishment and death to stop that which his rulers refuse to see. The hope of peace lies not within the scaled breast of a dragon however, but within the hands of a group of people. But if the hidden factions have their way, these people won’t live to fulfill such a destiny. With a reluctant seer at his side, Grendar must leave his precious Empire for the outside world to save those that will one day save his kind.

While The Dragon Empire is for ages young adult and up, it does contain mild violence and some difficult subject matter. 

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So exciting!

Have a super, loving week, reader- and writer-friends! I'll be back Thursday~ <3

Introducing... Allie B!!! (and a Tight Knit giveaway)

It's a special-post day, reader-friends featuring my new cover designer, Allie Brennan (link). She's just released her debut novel, Tight Knit (link), and is having a huge giveaway to celebrate.

Tight Knit (link) is a contemporary "new adult" novel I was lucky enough to beta, and it is so, so good--heartbreaking and heartwarming and swoony romance...

But I'll stop hogging the spot and let Allie take over now~

LEIGH! YAY, I’ve never been on your blog before! I mean, I read it, but I’ve never been on this side! I like what you’ve done with the place! SO how have you been? (LTM: Not bad. Kinda busy with the new book as you know...)

Oh wait, I’m here for a reason, aren’t I? (LTM: Yes, you!) Ah, yes. Me. I’m here to talk about me. Well let’s just get at it then!

When I decided to commit to this writing game, everyone thought I was crazy. And I mean everyone... Including me.

But here I am a few years later with a shiny copy of my debut novel, Tight Knit (link). Most people still think I'm crazy, but what I think is crazy is the amazing response I'm getting to a story that is so close to my heart.

To show my appreciation I am traveling the blogs of a few of my biggest supporters, cheerleaders, reality-check-givers and midnight email responders to give away my book!

Kindle / Kobo / Paperback

Talia Gregory relies on her Nan for everything, especially helping her calm the anxiety that controls her life. But Nan gets sick, and it couldn’t be worse timing. Talia’s panic attacks are getting worse, her boyfriend is a jerk, her best friend is distant, her parents are more absent than usual and she’s stuck planning the Cozy Christmas Charity Drive for her knitting group in place of Nan. If that’s not panic inducing enough, enter Lachlan.

Lachlan McCreedy doesn’t rely on anyone. Not after what he’s been through. It’s him and Gram, nothing else matters but keeping his past buried, and his secrets hidden. So when Gram forces him to help with her Christmas sale, Talia is the last thing he expected, and trusting her with his secrets comes as a shock to both of them. But when he unexpectedly falls for her, the question becomes can he trust her with his heart?

~Mature YA~

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I pretty much pounced on Leigh the first time I ‘met’ her on Twitter. (LTM: Aww, but I like pouncers. They remind me of Tigger.)

It was right around the time The Truth About Faking was being released and she and Jolene Perry (link) were in whirlwinds of conversations about the book at it’s stunning cover. Well, Jolene knows the best people so we’re now back at the pouncing part! (LTM: It's true. Love that JBP!)

Leigh was oh, so gracious about me weaseling my way into her life and to show how much I <3 that, I’m giving away a copy of one of her books this week along with a copy of Tight Knit (link) to TWO lucky commenters!

All you have to do is leave a comment with your email address, and two people will be chosen at random on Friday, January 18! 

[Note: Kindle only. My most sincere apologies! I'm Canadian, so Barnes and Noble won't let me buy books there... or sell them... I know, right!?] (LTM: B&N seriously needs to catch up.)

Stop by my blog (link) all this week to see behind the scenes of Tight Knit (link). Playlists, inspirations, processes, a couple signed paperbacks up for grabs AND a special surprise!

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Allie is seriously a doll, and her book is great. I highly recommend it, reader- and writer-friends! Get your copy and have a super, reading weekend~ <3

Destined to be a Hit!

I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas with family and friends! Today's special post is part of the blog tour for writer-friend Ali Cross (link)!

Tour stops

Her new book Destined (link) has just come out, and not only is it gorgeous, it sounds amazing. And at as a special treat, you can enter to win all three books in the trilogy and all kinds of cool swag below.

In the meantime, here's the scoop on Destined:

Get me today!

Choosing is a bad idea, because Desi always makes the wrong choice, and sometimes there are no do-overs. Certainly not this time, when all has been lost and Desi can’t even save herself, let alone her friends. For Desi, the hardest thing is letting someone help her, to accept their sacrifice on her\behalf. But that’s exactly what she’ll have to do in order to save the worlds from Helena’s destruction.

The goddess of Helheimer, long imprisoned by Desi’s father, Loki, is free at last, and she’s bent on reclaiming what once was hers. The nine worlds will be drawn into war, over Hell, over Earth, with innocent humans as meaningless collateral.

While Michael and the Gardians of Asgard, along with the golden-armored Valkyrie, lead the battle for freedom, it’s Desi who holds the destiny of all the worlds in her hands.

Can she set aside her doubts, once and for all, and claim the gifts that are hers to bear? Can she accept the sacrifice that is made for her and Become all that she was created to be?

Her final choice will define not only her future, but the fate of humankind, forever more.

One word: Wow!

the lovely Ali Cross

Get it at Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Goodreads

Ali Cross is the sensei of the Writer's Dojo where she holds a black belt in awesome. She lives in Utah with her kickin' husband, two sparring sons, one ninja cat, two sumo dogs and four zen turtles. <3

Crazy Kings & Winning Stuff!

Y'all, I'm hitting the writing cave so hard, I'm going cross-eyed. Please forgive me for being the absentee writer-friend. I promise to be back very soon, with a vengance... and a new book!

In the meantime, I couldn't resist letting a fellow Indelible writer-friend Laura Pauling (link). stop by today to tell us about her super-fun middle-grade book about the Mayans, ancient spells, and crazy kings, and down there at the bottom, you can win stuff!

Published by Pugalicious Press

Get me!

When Bianca and Melvin brave the jungle to rescue their grandfather, they stumble upon the ancient Maya city of Etza, where the people haven’t aged in 2,000 years. They must learn to work together as they face loincloth-wearing skeletons from the underworld, a backstabbing princess, and an ancient prophecy that says in three days the city will be destroyed.

No problem. They’ll find Zeb and zip right out of there. The fact that a crazy king wants to serve Bianca up to the gods as an appetizer is just a minor technicality. But this ancient evil dude has finally met his match.

The Story Behind the Story

I remember the day. This was before I started writing. Sure, I’d dabbled in it but it hadn’t taken hold in my life as a daily activity or a possible career. The scent of a story would hover around me, begging me to write. I’d watch a movie or read a good book and the urge would increase, weighing me down, until I had to spit out some words and start plotting.
I’ve always loved time travel and I love learning, so I chose a culture I knew absolutely nothing about! The Maya. Oy. (More to come on research later.)

Eventually I had a first draft. A crappy first draft. I remember reading advice to revise. But I looked over my story and I couldn’t think of one thing to change. Ha! Then I joined a critique group. Oh boy, did I revise, rewrite, re-envision. Over a couple years it was shaping up.

Something still wasn’t quite right. The title was okay. But something in the words and the tone of the story felt flat. I put it aside and wrote a second and third story. And I realized I never should’ve spent three years rewriting the same story. I should’ve moved on a lot earlier.

Eventually, with more experience behind me, I revisited my middle grade time travel. And bingo! I realized that rewriting it in first person might add that special pizzazz I knew was missing. And the title changed to what it is today. Of course, more scenes were added and deleted. It wasn’t just a matter of switching out pronouns.

I queried for a bit. Then I moved on. Last spring, I self published my YA, A Spy Like Me, and then started writing the sequel. But something about How To Survive Ancient Spells and Crazy Kings wouldn’t let go of me.

So after much debate, I submitted to Pugalicious Press. And Voila! I’m extremely excited to send this book baby out into the world. It’s been inexistence in one form another for years!

Thanks, Leigh, for hosting me on the tour!

How To Survive Ancient Spells and Crazy Kings released in November. Pugalicious Press did a fantastic job, and I’m extremely happy with the results. This book would make a fantastic gift for boys or girls who enjoy adventure stories with lots of excitement!

You can purchase it on Amazon or Barnes and Noble. You can read the first chapter here. Check out the teacher's guide.

Thankfully, my journey is just beginning and I’m excited to see where it leads.

Click here for the list of blog tour stops! Enter to win these prize packages!

Prize Package One (signed paperbacks)

Prize Package Two (signed paperbacks)

Prize Package Three

Giveaway has ended.

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Also, a quick shout out to Juliana Haygert!

Her new book Her Heart's Secret Wish (link) releases today, 12/12/12.

Get me!

What a fun release date!

Be sure to check it out, and have a super rest of the week, reader- and writer-friends!

I'll be back Friday with a Big Surprise! It's so great to see all our writer-friends doing so well.

More soon~ <3