Steampunk goes Bollywood! And TWO ways to #WIN!!!

Only Susan K. Quinn could think up a steampunk novel set in India that has a Bollywood vibe.

It's called "Bollypunk," and it looks and sounds fantastic (much like Bollywood!)

Of course my long-time writer-friend and critique partner is on top of it. Finger. On. The. Pulse. And I'm super-THRILLED to be helping with the launch. Personally, I can't wait to get my greedy little hands on it.

At the bottom is how you can #WIN! 

Here's the scoop:

GET ME!

Third Daughter (The Dharian Affairs Trilogy #1) 

by Susan Kaye Quinn
Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Romance, Steampunk

The Third Daughter of the Queen wants her birthday to arrive so she’ll be free to marry for love, but rumors of a new flying weapon may force her to accept a barbarian prince’s proposal for a peace-brokering marriage. 

Desperate to marry the charming courtesan she loves, Aniri agrees to the prince’s proposal as a subterfuge in order to spy on him, find the weapon, and hopefully avoid both war and an arranged marriage to a man she does not love.

Third Daughter is the first book in The Dharian Affairs Trilogy (Third Daughter, Second Daughter, First Daughter). This steampunk-goes-to-Bollywood (Bollypunk!) romance takes place in an east-indian-flavored alternate world filled with skyships, saber duels, and lots of royal intrigue. And, of course, kissing.

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iTunes | Kobo

**Enter to #WIN:

--20x “Third Daughter” mini M&M packs  (US only)
--A steampunk key necklace (INTL)
--"Third Daughter" East-Indian style bridal jewelry (INT)

Photos are on the Rafflecopter (link)--Click here to enter!

And there's a superfun "Launch Party" happening on Facebook--Go here to check it out (link)~

* * *

But wait! I said there were TWO ways to #WIN! 

Enter to #WIN!

The second is a 12 Days of Christmas-themed giveaway I'm participating in with the girls over at Indie Ignite (link)!

EVERY DAY You can WIN a signed book! 

My day is Day 7--win a signed set of the Dragonfly series!!!

Go here to enter (link)!

I'll also be posting on the Indie Ignite blog (link) next Thursday about something Christmas-ey.

In the meantime, have a SUPER weekend, reader-friends! Stay warm~

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!

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Smashwords

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!

Watercolor is LIVE!

Christmas came early! 

Thank Amazon and Barnes & Noble. I can't do preorders, and I have to have links for my blog tour participants...

But I couldn't wait to share it with you guys anyway--squee!!!

Watercolor is now everywhere!

On Amazon

(Isn't that a fun graphic?) I tell you guys, revising Watercolor these last several weeks reminded me of my very first days writing novels. It was my third complete book, and it has all that early joy and freshness.

It was also the book I wrote right before The Truth About Faking, and it shares a lot of the same humor. The heroes also have some similar qualities. Faking is more innocent than Watercolor, but you might notice a few minor similarities.

So without further ado, Grab your copy today, and be sure to let me know what you think! 

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Smashwords

Print copies on Createspace | Amazon

Have a super week, reader-friends~

Cinderella's a Witch and you can #WIN!

Happy Thursday, reader-friends! 

I'm so excited to share one of my first blogging-writer-friends RaShelle Workman's new book with you today!

RaShelle is a master of fairytale re-imaginings. Check it out~

It's here. Volume 2 in the Cindy Chronicles ~ Witch Land ~ is available.

On Amazon

Cinderella is a witch!

Being able to do magic is one thing, but doing it in another land is... strange.

Summary for the whole series:

Life sucks. 

Possessing magic sucks. 

What doesn’t suck? Fashion, Cindy's boyfriend Gabe, and her best friend, Snow White. 

Cindy (Cinderella…shhh, don’t tell) was born a witch. It’s part of who she is. But there’s more to her than that. She loves deeply. And has a big heart. She’d do anything for those she cares about, including risk her own life to save theirs. 

When her fairy godmother demands she leave Salem, Massachusetts and return to the land she was born to rule, she has two options. Tell her fairy godmother no, and seal a death sentence on complete strangers. Or, leave all she’s ever known behind, including the love of her life, for an unknown land she’s fated to save. 

So, yeah, life sucks. 

But Cindy is determined to change that.

Wow... so the cover is gorgeous, and the whole series sounds amazing!!! Get your copy today! 

Amazon | Smashwords

* * *

Note: It's the Last Day--enter to win 13 fabulous prizes, including an exclusive eARC of Watercolor in our "Lucky 13" Giveaway! Go here to enter (link)~

Have a super reading weekend, reader-friends!

WATERCOLOR Teaser Tuesday, and 13 will #WIN!

Who's ready for another Watercolor teaser? >this girl!!!<

Don't forget! You can still enter to win 13 fabulous prizes, including an exclusive eARC of Watercolor in our "Lucky 13" Giveaway! Go here to enter (link)~

Now for that teaser (Fans of Undertow will enjoy this one...):

On Goodreads

I turned and walked down the long balcony and around to a part of the house I’d never explored. 

Another hallway led westward to what had to be the master suite. A door at the end was ajar, and as I got closer, I could hear a voice coming from what sounded like an individual moving quickly.

“I can’t believe you didn’t wake me,” the voice said. It was a woman’s, and as I crept closer, it sounded like Ms. LaSalle’s!

“I wasn’t awake myself,” Mr. Kyser said, and I could hear his smile.

Pressing my eyes closed, knowing it was a huge risk, I stepped forward so I could peek through the crack near the hinges. I had to know if my ears were right.

When I opened my eyes, I saw Ms. LaSalle in the bedroom wearing only a man’s dress shirt. Her long, dark hair slid around her shoulders as she hastily collected a slip, pantyhose, one shoe. “Where’s my dress?” she asked.

My eyes went wide, and my hand flew to my mouth. Julian was right—his mom was seeing someone… and it was his dad! It was like a car crash. I couldn’t look away. They’d clearly spent the night together, but what did this mean? And would they agree to tell Julian now?

“I’m pretty sure I removed your dress downstairs,” Mr. Kyser said in a casual tone that sounded exactly like his son. 

Unable to breathe, I carefully leaned away, pressing my back against the wall outside the door. I was scared to take a step in case they heard me, but I had to get out of here.

Watercolor will be LIVE everywhere Oct. 3!

You still have time to catch up--get Dragonfly and Undertow today~

While you're checking, one of my FAB reader-friends Kate Roth has a new book out today, Reckless Radience. It sounds amazing. Here's the blurb:

After the loss of her childhood love, Valerie Gilmore runs away from the life she's always known to try to start again. Between her job as a diner waitress and her toxic relationship with the first guy to help her forget her past, Valerie feels more alone than ever before until she meets Russell. He's sweet but strange and Valerie can't help but think he's hiding something. He acts as though he knows her and he seems to be looking past her broken heart, straight into her soul.

Russell has pushed aside the ancient laws of his angel brethren to find Valerie and stay as close to her as possible. He’s forced to contemplate sharing the truth about what he is after a deadly turn of events cause Valerie to run away once more. His feelings for her and a promise he made long ago help him to realize he longs to leave his life as an angel behind for a chance at love.

Get it on Amazon today (link)!

And have a super Tuesday, reader-friends~

Happy Birthday Undertow! And Readers FT #WIN!

(I know, you're all "Wait. Didn't that just...")

So many FAB reader-friends are helping me celebrate today, and I just wish I could hug you all in person!

I can't, so here's a big, virtual ((squeeze)) to everyone who's read my books or plans to--and even more to all you sweeties who've already added Watercolor to your Goodreads TBR shelf.

Amazing.

Back in 2010, when I'd written Dragonfly (#1), there wasn't a market for this kind of book--New Adult, where characters graduate high school, start their careers (or their lives), etc.

On Amazon

Agents liked my concept, and I got loads of compliments.... but no takers.

At that time, self-publishing was not an option, so I sadly put Undertow in the virtual drawer, shed a few tears, believed it would take a miracle for it to see the light of day...

My heart broke.

Undertow is a tough, tragic read, but I love it so much. And I was sure no one would ever read it.

So I can't tell you how much this day means to me.

Every single positive review makes me smile, and I wish I could just squeeze you again!

The Dragonfly series was my first book dream, and now it's coming true.

THANK YOU! 

Today for me is all about dreams coming true, the power of READERS, and just yanno... *sigh* I'm just smiling over here.

Have a SUPER day, reader- and writer-friends~

* * *

And Hey! Don't forget your chance to #WIN!

We've got signed print copies, exclusive Watercolor eARCs, your very own personal journal to fill, and MORE!

And remember, Dragonfly is ON SALE this week for 99 cents! If you haven't read it yet, get it Today!

On Amazon 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Get Undertow TODAY, Dragonfly for 99 cents, and a HOT Teaser!

I told a reader-friend last week the BIG SEKRIT behind indie authors and these "surprise!" early releases...

The Truth is, Amazon doesn't allow pre-orders for independent authors. So we have to put them "live" a few days early in order to send purchase links to blog tour and release day participants.

What does that mean???

It means Undertow will be out TODAY!

And I'll update this page with purchase links on

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iTunes

as they become available! (iTunes is always the slowest...)

AND in case you're still catching up, Dragonfly is only 99 CENTS this week!

Grab your copy Today: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iTunes

Now for the super-sexy picture teaser featuring Anna & Julian... I have to thank writer-friend Magan Vernon for this one...

See what you think~

On Amazon

It's a big week for me, friends. Undertow is a different, it's New Adult, it's darker and more tragic, it's a little edgy... and I love it so much. I'm anxious to see what readers say.

I hope it's a GREAT week for you~

Get Indelible and #WIN! And a new Undertow Picture-Teaser

It's (picture) Teaser Tuesday, reader-friends, and I've got a new Undertow teaser from Bill's diary for you...

But first, New Release news: Great writer-friend Bethany Lopez has a new book out, Indelible, and it is flying up the charts! (woohoo!!!)

See what you think~

On Amazon

After a year of partying, Sam decides to buckle down and focus on college. Things are going great until a one-night stand leaves her pregnant and alone. 

Raising a child while going to school isn’t easy, but Sam is determined to be strong for her daughter. She doesn’t have time for guys or relationships, and takes great care to protect her child and her heart.

Judd doesn’t fit the mold of a college ballplayer. His long hair and tattoos may fit the life he’s created for himself, but baseball is the one thing he takes seriously. When he meets Sam, he’s immediately drawn to her curves and refusal to put up with his crap. When Judd learns the truth, can he handle the responsibility that comes with loving a single mother?

Sam yearns for the fire that Judd fuels in her, but her child’s needs have to come first. Can two people at different stages in their life find a way to make a life together?

Photo by K Keeton Designs
Cover by B Design
Indelible is a New Adult Contemporary Romance

Get it Today! Amazon | GoodReads

And click here to #WIN a signed copy of Indelible or a $25 Amazon Gift Card (link)!

About the Author:

Bethany Lopez began self-publishing in June 2011. Since then she has published various YA and NA books.

She is a lover of romance, family, and friends, and enjoys incorporating those things in what she writes. When she isn't reading or writing, she loves spending time with her husband and children, traveling whenever possible.

HUGE Congrats to Bethany! whee!!! *throws confetti*

* * *

And now for the new Undertow picture-teaser...

Warning--the drama gets pretty intense in this installment (but you knew that going in, right?).

From Bill's private diary...

On Goodreads

What happens next? What happened to get us here?

You'll get the whole story, secrets and lies and all, on July 18. (And then the plot really thickens...)

Add Undertow on Goodreads today (link)!

Sign up to help with the Release Launch on July 18 (here)!

Need to read Dragonfly (Book #1)? Get it on 

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iTunes

THANK YOU!

Have a super week, reader-friends~

Happy Birthday! ...wait.

Remember how Frosty the Snowman would say, "Happy Birthday!" Every time they put the hat back on his head? Yeah. It's like that.

I know, Dragonfly's birthday was technically yesterday, but Today's the Official Release Date--so Happy Birthday to my new little book! I hope it's as lucky as the insect it's named for.

The tour continues, with today's Release Day Launch~

Official Tour Stops

Fun Stuff happening today: 

• The Book Addicts AA (link) have done a FAB Review with Dream Cast that I absolutely LOVE--see what you think!
• Also absolutely ADORE the funny, gushy review by Asheley with Into the Hall of Books (link)--talking about setting and perfectly written love triangles (aww, shucks).
• Want a Sneak Peek Excerpt? Happily Ever (Book) Hungover (link)'s got you covered.
• A Gorgeous Post & Review by Lindy at A Bookish Escape (link).

Also be sure to visit my SUPER-AWESOME bloggy buddies who are helping me spread the word and giving you a chance to #WIN fun prizes! HUGE hugs and THANKS to these guys:

Jessica Bell 

Christianna Marks

RaShelle Workman
Karen Hooper

Mary with Forever YA/Book Hounds
Sarah Elizabeth

Stephanie Wardrop

Heather McCorkle

Sarah with The Book Life
Debbie Wentlein with I Heart YA Books

(If I missed you here, please let me know!)

The Special 99-cent Customer Appreciation Sale ends June 8! So get your copy of Dragonfly TODAY (link)!

And a HUGE THANKS to you, reader-friends, for buying my books, and to all my great friends who are helping me spread the word. I wish I could give you all a big *squeeze*.

I hope you know how much your support means to me, I hope you know how much I appreciate you, and I hope you know that I know I couldn't do this without you! Have a super day~ 

Dragonfly Release Week -- re-Teaser #2!

We're counting down the days, reader-friends!

1... 2... 3... let the Dragonfly teasers continue~

I think this one was my favorite picture-teaser. The colors are so vivid.

See what you think:

On Amazon

“Gossip Girl meets VC Andrews in this contemporary family saga. Love, lies, and betrayal become the new normal when Anna enters the world of Jack and Lucy Kyser.” –Magan Vernon, international bestselling author of The Only Exception

"Angst, longing, jealousy, mystery, secrets, love triangles, sexy scenes! Could you even ask for more? Well you can because it is also very well written and fast paced. Great book to dive into poolside, but I will warn you may get so swept up in it you may end up with some sun burn so I STRONGLY suggest you invest in some sunscreen as well as a copy of Dragonfly." --Nichole, 5-star Goodreads review

"I truly enjoyed this one! I thought the characters were intriguing, the mystery and story were interesting and definitely have ME WANTING MORE!!!!!!!" --Mandy, The Romance Bookie

Dragonfly
by Leigh Talbert Moore

Three bad things I learned this year:
-People you trust lie, even parents. 
-That hot guy, the one who’s totally into you, he might not be the one. 
-Things are not always how they appear.

Three good things I learned this year:
-Best friends are always there for you, even when they’re far away. 
-That other hot guy, the one who remembers your birthday, he just might be the one. 
-Oh, and things are not always how they appear.

Anna Sanders expected an anonymous (and uneventful) senior year until she crossed paths with rich-and-sexy Jack Kyser and his twin sister Lucy.

Pulling Anna into their extravagant lifestyle on the Gulf Coast, Lucy pushed Anna outside her comfort zone, and Jack showed her feelings she’d never experienced... Until he mysteriously withdrew.

Anna turned to her internship at the city paper and to her old attraction for Julian, a handsome local artist and rising star, for distraction. But both led to her discovery of a decades-old secret closely guarded by the twins’ distant, single father.

A secret that could permanently change all their lives.

Get Dragonfly Today! And be watching for Undertow, Book #2 in the Dragonfly series, coming July 18!

New Book, Sale Book

That makes me think of a nursery rhyme... whatever--Happy Summer, reader-friends! 

It's our third full day of summer break over here, and we are loving it.

Lying around the pool, sleeping in...  What???

No way, I'm going nutso wrapping up all the final bits for the release of Dragonfly next week.

Did I say SQUEE today?

But today is very special because it's the Happy Book Birthday for fellow Indelible and YA Confidante Karen Hooper whose new book Taking Back Forever releases today!

whoop whoop!!! *throws confetti*

Taking Back Forever is the exciting sequel to her book Grasping at Eternity, which I read about a month ago and LOVED. I'm reading TBF right now, and it's just as awesome.

I highly recommend this one!

On Amazon

Taking Back Forever (Book 2 of The Kindrily series)

Forever is worth the fight.

Maryah erased all memory of her past lives, but she couldn’t erase her soul mate Nathan, or his undying love. Now, Maryah and Nathan have a second chance at a future together, but first Maryah must remember the person she used to be and embrace her supernatural gifts—more than one kindrily member’s life depends on it.

Maryah’s power is Harmony’s best hope of finding her kidnapped soul mate, Gregory. But Harmony isn’t big on asking anyone for help, and she’s tired of waiting, so she’s taking matters into her own hands. 

Heaven help anyone who stands in her way.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

And visit Karen's website (link) where she's having a Huge Party with prizes and giveaways. Hooray for Karen!

* * *

The Truth About Letting Go is still only $1.99!

On Amazon | Barnes & Noble

And have a super book-filled weekend, reader- and writer-friends!

Touching Melody & Dragonfly re-Teaser!

Happy Tuesday, reader-friends!

Another superstar writer-friend RaShelle Workman has a new book out today, Touching Melody.

RaShelle is probably best known for her Blood & Snow series, where she re-imagines Snow White as a vampire. I know. Crazy. And it sells like crazy--whoop whoop!

She's also one of my first bloggy friends, a true writer-friend, and just the sweetest person. ((hugs))

Touching Melody is a new adult contemporary romance, and I can tell it's fantastic.

Here's the scoop:

On Amazon

Maddie Martin's first weekend at college is nothing like she's used to. It's wild, like the wilderness on which the University of Bellam Springs sits. Roped into going to a frat party, she literally runs into Kyle Hadley. The boy she's loved since she was nine. The boy she promised all of her firsts to. But that was before his father killed her parents. 

Determined to stay away from him, she throws herself into her music. Practicing piano eases her heavy heart, calms the sadness, and pushes away images of Kyle's face. 

Until it doesn't. 

Her music professor asks her to play a duet for their annual Graduation Gala. Doing so means she'll be assured another full ride scholarship. It's an opportunity she can't pass up. 

But Kyle is the other half of the duet. And that means hours and hours of practicing. 

Days and months of seclusion - just the two of them. And it's more than just music. It's passion like Maddie never believed was possible. 

The inevitable happens. She falls in love with him all over again. 

But, will loving him be enough to erase all the hate in her heart for his father? Can she look at him, and not see the evil in his family tree?

And maybe it's all a set up. Maybe Kyle is only pretending to care so he can finish what his father started, and kill her too.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

Doesn't that sound AWESOME? Run grab a copy!

* * *

And now for the Dragonfly re-Teaser Tuesday!

This teaser never actually made it on the blog--it was on my Facebook page. Then we decided the image in it was the perfect cover for Undertow, so you're getting a mini-cover-reveal as well. Bonus!

See what you think:

On Goodreads

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

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

What's The Truth About Letting Go?

Well let me tell ya! 

First, reader-friends, I could not be more excited to share my newest book with you. Here's what happened...

Get me!

So I started this one back in 2010 right after I finished The Truth About Faking (link).

It was back when Patrick Swayze got cancer and died so fast. Remember that? Well, for whatever reason, it started my writerly wheels turning...

I started thinking about major shocks like losing a spouse or a parent and how different people deal with trauma differently.

Some people withdraw, some people soldier on like nothing happened, and then some people get really mad and start acting out.

That's where the story starts.

Ashley's the daughter left behind, and in her case, her dad was a writer for a national health magazine--a modified stay-at-home dad. So they were extra-close.

Her mom withdraws into her own world of grief, her brother goes back to college, and Ashley's left all alone, hurting and angry. And since her dad was a local celebrity, she gets to deal with her grief in front of a large audience.

She doesn't deal very well.

She's edgy, and she keeps having urges to break things. One reader-reviewer said she was like the female version of the bad-boy. I guess that's a good description.

Anyway, so The Truth About Letting Go (link) is a companion to Faking, but it's not a sequel. The books can be read out of order. It just takes place in the same location and has some of the same characters.

It is a kissing book--in case you didn't guess by the cover (LOL!). Remember that steamy Valentine's Day kiss? That teaser-excerpt is her first kiss with Jordan.

Here's the link if you missed it (link).

I'll put the excerpt of her first kiss with Colt below.

The different paths Ashley's struggling with taking are sort of embodied in her relationships with these two characters.

So here are the links to where you can get it:

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * iTunes * Kobo

Add it on Goodreads.

And here's that excerpt:

I feel Colt laugh, and he looks down into my face. That’s when he seems to realize what I’ve been acutely aware of for the last several minutes—our bodies are pressed together.

“It’s awesome, yeah?” he says. “Adrenaline rush.”

“Yeah,” I breathe. “I guess.”

I’m not sure if he’s going to kiss me until he does. His mouth covers mine, and energy mixes with the alcohol flooding my body. Our tongues slide together, and I grip his shirt so I don’t collapse. 

Every single bit of this is wrong, and there’s no way I’m stopping it. It’s back, that good feeling. The sadness has been pushed out again, and in its place is this rush, this rush of adrenaline like Colt said. 

He pulls back and smiles at me. “We’re going to start dating. Now. You’re my partner in crime.”

~~~

Finally, THANK YOU! So much for reading and encouraging me along the way all these years. I wouldn't be here without you, friends! Have a super weekend~ <3

Technology, Kissing, & The Book

Stop the Presses! Leigh's using technology!

Yes, I love technology...

I mean, other than my word-processing software, of course. Or my Internet browser.

Okay, or my smartphone...

The point is, my resident-genius writer-friend Susan Quinn (link) told me how to use Google Drive to create a spreadsheet for you lovelies who'd like to help with the launch of The Truth About Letting Go (link) on Feb. 21!

It is coming, and I am so excited, and I can't wait to share it with all of you, and *squee*!

Anyway, so here's the deal, if you already said yes on this blog or my Facebook page (*hugs*), or if you'd like to say yes now (*bats eyes*) please enter your email address in the blank below!



This will create a nifty spreadsheet for me to email all of you the cover, description, links, etc., in one fell swoop. Is that cool or what?

It also means you'll automatically be added to my "best buddy" list. And I promise I will not sell your information. Unless I really, RILLY need some chocolate.

Next is a quickie plug for a super-fun Valentine's event! It's called IndieKissing, and it's hosted by the writers' group Indelibles (link). 

Sign up to join in!

Anyone can join! Just post a kissing scene from your current WIP or any of your books, and link back to the Indelibles (link) site. You can also do any kind of promotion or giveaway you'd like, so have fun with it!

I'll be posting the first kissing scene from The Truth About Letting Go, and it is H-O-T! I'll also be giving away a free copy of the book--squee!

Can't wait to see what you guys post!  Click here to sign up!

Now for THE BOOK!

Great writer-friend Jessica Bell (link) has a new novella out, and it is awesome!

I got to beta read this back in December, and I was completely absorbed. The details are all below, so I'll just say it's written journal-style, which I love, and Jessica's writing is so evocative and gorgeous. The story is totally unexpected. In a GREAT way!

Get me!

THE BOOK, a novella by Jessica Bell

"Jessica Bell’s surprising risks with language capture a child’s clear vision in a world of adult heartbreak. Indelible. Courageous." ~Thaisa Frank, author of Heidegger's Glasses and Enchantment

"THE BOOK is both heartwarming and heartbreaking. It's going to rip your blood pump out of your chest, kick it around like a football, and then shove it back inside you, leaving you with a potently reinvigorated faith in humanity. A curiously captivating read that somehow manages to encapsulate the length and breadth of love and family in one slim volume." ~Josh Donellan, author of Zeb and the Great Ruckus

Description:

This book is not The Book. The Book is in this book. And The Book in this book is both the goodie and the baddie.

Bonnie is five. She wants to bury The Book because it is a demon that should go to hell. Penny, Bonnie’s mother, does bury The Book, but every day she digs it up and writes in it. John, Bonnie’s father, doesn’t live with them anymore. But he still likes to write in it from time to time. Ted, Bonnie’s stepfather, would like to write in The Book, but Penny won’t allow it.

To Bonnie, The Book is sadness.

To Penny, The Book is liberation.

To John, The Book is forgiveness.

To Ted, The Book is envy.

But The Book in this book isn’t what it seems at all.

If there was one thing in this world you wished you could hold in your hand, what would it be? The world bets it would be The Book.

Intrigued?

Available at all major retailers in e-book and paperback, including Amazon US and Amazon UK.

Have a great week, reader- and writer-friends! <3

Housekeeping & TOE cover

First, the housekeeping matters, because I hate housekeeping. So let's get them out of the way first...

#1-One last newsletter signup plug! (I know, all you lovelies who've already signed up are going, "UH-gain?")

But if you're just seeing this for the first time, it's only for new release announcements. And for things like when I change the Rouge cover (see over there  --->)

Leigh's Reader News

#2-The Truth About Letting Go is on Goodreads (link)! If you would, please add it to your "TBR" pile! Click here.

AND if you sign up for my newsletter, you'll get to see the gorgeous cover designed by my great writer-friend Allie Brennan (link) of B Design (link) before everyone else.

So there's that.

Now for TOE cover! (I know, what???)

Magan

Acronyms for book titles can be so hilarious. My great writer-friend Jessica Bell (link) has a wonderful book called Bitter Like Orange Peel.

I absolutely love that title. But that's a lot of letters to type, so when we email about it, it becomes BLOP. (LOL!)

Same with my great writer-friend Magan Vernon (link), who has a hot, fun contemporary romance coming out called The Only Exception. Or TOE.

Here's the description...

Fiercely liberal Monica Remy prefers to blend in. Despite her tattoos, piercings, and outspoken personality, she transferred to Central to escape—before she finds out that her next door neighbor is the uber-conservative governor son, Trey Chapman.

No matter how hard she tries to avoid Trey, he still finds a way to get under her skin. Monica can’t stand his crisp white shirts or his staunch views on women. But she can’t help counting every freckle on his face and wondering what it would feel like to have him stop talking politics and kiss her.

A class debate project forces the unlikely pair to work together, and the political lines are blurred in late-night make out sessions. But despite their fiery chemistry, Trey’s politics threatens to smother their relationship for good.

And here's the gorgeous cover...

Add me on Goodreads!

I know! Wha-Whaaat?! Isn't that nice? I love it!

The Only Exception will be out April 9, but you can add it to your Goodreads TBR by clicking here (link).

And catch up with Magan on Facebook, Twitter, or Goodreads.

That's it! Have a great weekend, reader- and writer-friends~ <3

Updates and Epicness

Before we get to the EPIC awesomeness, three quick updates!

1-For a limited time, Rouge is only $1.99 (link)!

If you still haven't gotten it, wait no more! If you liked or loved it, please spread the word and consider posting a short review on Amazon (link) and/or Goodreads (link). Those help us so much. Thanks!

2-The Truth About Letting Go is coming in February!

It's in final revisions, and I am so excited to share this one with you, reader-friends! If you'd like to help me with the pistol-shot cover reveal/it's LIVE release announcement, please email me (link) or leave a comment below with your email address!

3-Finally, sign up for my newsletter in the blank below. It's just for new release announcements or special sales. (No spam, I promise!)

Leigh's Reader News

Easy peasy!

Now for the EPIC...

Good bloggy friend Heather McCorkle (link) writes the most amazing fantasy books. I'm not a fantasy reader and I read her book To Ride a Puca (link) and I seriously enjoyed it!

She has a new book coming out next month, and I am thrilled to be a part of her cover reveal. If you like knights and ladies fair, dragons, and epic fantasy ... even if you don't (is that possible?), you should give her books a try.

So without further ado...

Add on Goodreads

The Dragon Empire by Heather McCorkle (Feb. 2013, Compass Press)

On Yacrana, dragons stand at the top of the evolutionary ladder instead of humans. Such an advanced species is not without its issues though. 

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. 

It's coming next month, so add it to your Goodreads list (link)!

And here's a little more about Heather and where you can find her:

I am an author of fantasy, in all its many sub-genres. Living green, saving endangered species, helping other writers, and supporting fabulous authors are a few of my passions. I am also a volunteer for the IS Foundation which works to make the world a greener place. 

Heather McCorkle

When I'm not volunteering, writing, or surfing my social networking sites, I can be found on the slopes, the hiking trails, or on horseback. As a native Oregonian, I enjoy the outdoors almost as much as the worlds I create on the pages. 

No need to travel to the Great Northwest though, you can find me on my blog (link), and Monday nights on Twitter where I co-moderate the #WritersRoad chat. Links to Heather:

Website * Goodreads * Facebook * Twitter * Amazon Author Page

Have a super week, reader- and writer-friends! I'm heading back into the revisions cave for a bit~ <3