SWEET REALITY Release Day!

Today is an exciting day! My CP, Laura Heffernan, has a new book out! It's the second book in her Reality Star series, and you should DEFINITELY read it!

SUGAR, SEA SALT, AND SHOW BIZ

Jen Reid's life after walking off a reality show has been great--she's gone from being a broke twenty-four-year-old Seattleite with no love life and no job to the twenty-five-year-old who got the guy, moved to Miami, and is starting a bakery with her best friend. She thinks her showmance love might be about to propose. And with mouthwatering goodies based on everyone's favorite shows, her business, Sweet Reality, is destined for success.

That is, until a killer competitor opens right across the street. If she's going to save Sweet Reality, Jen has to come up with a secret ingredient--like the recipe that won Totally 80s Bake-Off. Jen can get it--if she steps back into the spotlight. Soon she and her boyfriend are out to sea on a cruise ship full of reality stars, including her nemesis, Ariana; her lying, cheating ex; and some wicked producers looking to bring the drama. Separate cabins, "surprises" from her past, and scenarios tailor-made to spark fights are just the beginning. But with her self-respect, her business, and her future on the line, the fallout from this made-for-TV plotline will be all too real . . .

SWEET REALITY got a 4-star review from RT Book Reviews!

Enter the giveaway for a $20 Amazon Giftcard (which you should totally use to buy Laura's book!)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Buy Sweet Reality on Amazon by clicking here!

About the Author

Laura Heffernan is living proof that watching too much TV can pay off. When not watching total strangers get married, drag racing queens, or cooking competitions, Laura enjoys travel, baking, board games, helping with writing contests, and seeking new experiences. She lives in the Northeast with her amazing husband and two furry little beasts.

Connect with Laura

Newsletter Sign Up: http://bit.ly/2tXagfL

Facebook Author Page: http://bit.ly/2s3Cq7J

Goodreads Author Page: http://bit.ly/2sySwcP

Twitter: http://bit.ly/2tCbFsT

Instagram: http://bit.ly/2wEDilT

Amazon Author Page: http://amzn.to/2sJNQz8

BookBub Author Page: http://bit.ly/2umbMwF

Release Day: HYBRID by KT Hanna

HYBRID (The Domino Project #2) went out into the world yesterday.

We're celebrating with an excerpt reading, and a giveaway!

 

If you haven't read CHAMELEON - it's on sale until the end of 11/12/15 for $0.99

K.T. Hanna reads an excerpt

Blurb

As Sai recovers from her life-threatening injuries, she struggles to piece together her damaged relationship with Dom. He fights the parasite within, suddenly freed from the interference of the other Dominos in his head.

Inside Central, Bastian’s Shine dosing has become a dangerous dance. Enhanced security protocols and endless meetings have him on a tightrope, with little room to move without revealing himself.

When the GNW release the Damascus to begin their systemic hunt of the Exiled, the noose closes around the rebels and their allies. If they can’t disable the threat, the Exiled won’t be the Damascus’ only agenda.

Praise for Chameleon - The Domino Project #1

“Wow! A fast-paced, science fiction delight with fabulous action, a seamless world, and the most unique characters I’ve read in a long time.” Elana Johnson, Author of the Possession Series.

“Nikita-like post-apocolyptic novel with a heroine that would give Katniss a run for her money.” Alina @ Unfazeable.com

Psionics is wicked cool and I wish a meteor would give me some super-secret powers. The logistics of the abilities are many, and normally would have been a nightmare to follow. Hanna handles it with enough subtle description laced through the opening chapters that you’re able to grasp their powers naturally. Heather @ Aussie Owned and Read

A seriously great sci-fi. Dark, edgy and complex. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It’s a gripping read because of the author’s tense voice; the characters are well defined, believable and likeable, despite all of their flaws; the story flows well; and the ending leaves you on edge to read more. If you like sci-fi, you will love this book. Kate Foster – Author of Winell Road

HYBRID is available at the following retailers

AMAZON | INDIEBOUND

Watermark Books - Signed Copies!

Celebrate HYBRID's release with us!

Enter the Rafflecopter Giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Release Day: SIDEKICK, by Natalie Whipple

I love Tuesdays! I don't know why so many books come out on Tuesdays, but it sure makes for an exciting day!
Today is the release day for Natalie Whipple's latest book, SIDEKICK. I got to meet Natalie at a writing conference last year, and let me just say that she is so friendly and willing to talk to fans. And she signed my copy of HOUSE OF IVY & SORROW, which I read overnight at the conference! I love the premise of SIDEKICK, and I'm excited to share an excerpt from the book with the readers of Operation Awesome. Be sure to add it to your Goodreads list and enter the giveaway at the end of the post!

Russ is a high school football player who feels like he always comes in second to his best friend, Garret. In sports. In school. With girls. Well, he's tired of it, and he gets the rather foolish idea that if he can win the heart of the new girl in town before Garret he can prove he's not just sloppy seconds.

His plan? Use his anime-obsessed sister's group, who has befriended the new girl, to get closer to her. He'd never tell the team, but he's been going to Anime Night for years and might even enjoy it. That would ruin his reputation, just like his secret love for cooking and James Taylor.

But pretending to be something you aren't catches up to you eventually, and Russ can only get away with living two lives for so long. As more than one person reveals they have something to hide, Russ must figure out what and who he really wants in his life. And more than that, he needs the courage to make it happen.

Goodreads link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27192402-sidekick

Purchase links: Amazon | B&N | The Book Depository

Purchase a signed copy from the author here!

Excerpt:

He shrugs. “You hungry?”

“Always.”

“Parker’s?”

“Of course.” Parker’s Drive-In is our place, and I mean that in the manliest way possible. Old Man Parker puts bacon grease in the burger meat, so the whole place smells like a giant slab of pig fat. There’s nothing better in the world than this homage to bacon.

Parker’s is always open, so when we pull up at midnight there are still a couple of people sitting in the bright red booths. When Garret opens the door, the cashier, Buck Parker, smiles wide. He’s the oldest of the four Parker boys. The whole family works there, and most of them are proud of it. I guess I would be too if I’d won awards for Best Drive-in Food. This place is one of the few reasons anyone comes to Clovis. The other two are family and farmers markets.

I’d never tell a soul, but sometimes I wish I could work here, even for one day, just to see how they create their burger masterpieces.

“Awesome catch, Garr!” Buck says. “If you don’t make the news, I’ll be shocked.”

Garret shakes his head, using that oh-I’m-not-so-great smile all the girls fall for. “It was just a lucky catch. Russ did all the legwork.”

I shove my hands in my pockets, trying not to be annoyed at Buck for overlooking me and my eighty-nine yards running tonight. But yards run don’t matter when you aren’t the one with the ball in the end zone. At least Garret acknowledges me. I do appreciate that.

“Way to go, Russ.” Buck glances at me with an overcompensating grin. Praise means nothing when it’s forced, so I can’t bring myself to answer. “What’ll you guys have?”

We both get two bacon burgers with a side of chili fries. Garret gets Coke, but I go for Sprite because Coke tastes maybe one degree better than beer.

We dig in, and I try not to moan over the crunchy bacon goodness. At Parker’s they chop up the bacon and make a full-on patty to go on top of the hamburger. So every single bite is full of bacon, bacon-flavored hamburger, and sharp cheddar. I have no choice but to forgive Buck for overlooking me. I bow to their burger genius.

Natalie Whipple grew up in the Bay Area and relocated to Utah for high school, which was quite the culture shock for her anime-loving teen self. But the Rocky Mountains eventually won her over, and she stuck around to earn her degree in English linguistics at BYU, with a minor in editing. Natalie still lives in Utah with her husband and three kids, and keeps the local Asian market in business with all her attempts to cook.

She is the author of the TRANSPARENT series, HOUSE OF IVY & SORROW, the I'M A NINJA series, FISH OUT OF WATER, and MY LITTLE BRONY (under K.M. Hayes). In addition to that, she is on the writing team for the cRPG Torment: Tides of Numenera that should be out sometime in 2015.

Blog: http://betweenfactandfiction.blogspot.com/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/nataliewhipple

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Natalie-Whipple/165166756949250

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/nataliewhipple/

Tumblr: http://nataliewhipple.tumblr.com/

Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/ZkX6f

Enter the giveaway!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

AHHHAHHHHHHHhhhhhhhhhaaaaaahHHHHAAA!!!!!!!

RELEASE DAY: THE EMISSARY, by Kristal Shaff

Like the title of this post? It's a scream of joy! I just can't help it. FINALLY today I can say my YA fantasy novel, THE EMISSARY, is out in the world.

It's taken me YEARS and many trials and agents and editors and publishers and rewrites and stubborn resolve for this to happen. I don't have words for what I'm feeling. Instead, I'll give you the facts of what is going on with my book.

Firstly, here is the cover.

You can order it on AMAZON HERE.

You can add it to your goodreads list HERE.

If you have a nook, order HERE

A FREE GIVEAWAY on Goodreads is happening HERE.

My blog tour, hosted by Chapter by Chapter, started yesterday. Learn more about my book and my journey by following the tour. The list of tour sites are HERE

Please, read my book. It's been wanting to be seen for oh so long.

Spook-tacular River of Bones

Spook-tacular promotion for the release of River of Bones by Angela Townsend! In honor of this amazing release, Clean Teen Publishing will be offering a 24 hour only incentive rebate or gift package to anyone who purchases River of Bones through Amazon. You must purchase River of Bones sometime on 10/30/13 to qualify for this rebate.

More Details:

Purchase River of Bones on Amazon (Kindle Version) on Tuesday, October 30, 2013 and send your proof of purchase (receipt or screen shot of purchase) to: submissions@cleanteenpublishing.com and you can pick from one of these amazing prize packs:

1. A Gift Card of $2.99 to Amazon. (That's right, we will basically reimburse you the purchase price of the book!)

OR

2. Readers choice of any 3 Clean Teen Publishing books (digital). *With this choice you can also choose upcoming releases. We will send ARC's to you as soon as they've been formatted.

OR

3. A CTP bookmark prize pack which will include an assortment of bookmarks and a CTP bracelet that says: Authors are our Rockstars!

This rebate party giveaway is for anyone willing to participate. You can invite your friends. Please remember though that in order to be eligible for your choice of one of the above prizes, you must send a proof of purchase - this can't be a photo of the book on your Kindle (because people can download the sample and make it look like they purchased it), it needs to be a copy of the receipt or a screen shot of the Amazon page where it says thank you for the purchase and you must not return the book after you purchase it. Those who return the book will forfeit their prize.

Happy Halloween!

Pretty Dark Nothing, by Heather L. Reid

Today I have the awesome opportunity to participate in blog tour of my fellow Month9 Books author, Heather L. Reid. Her book, Pretty Dark Nothing, came out just last month. And today, on Operation Awesome, we are having Heather's book on here. I've also asked Heather a few random questions so you can get to know her better, and then you can run out and buy here book.  You can do that HERE or HERE.

Or don't forget to add it to your Goodreads list HERE.

Seventeen-year-old Quinn hadn’t slept a full night in twenty-three days. She’s terrified of the demons that stalk her dreams, pull her into a deep dark nothingness and whisper hauntingly of her death. Exhausted, Quinn dozes off in the school hallway, and Aaron, an amnesiac with a psychic ability, accidentally enters her nightmare. If Quinn can learn to trust her heart, and Aaron can discover the secret locked away in his fragile memory, their combined power could banish the darkness back to the underworld for good. That is, unless the demons kill them first.


Interview with Heather:

What was your favorite book as a child?
I can only pick one? There are so many books that suck with me over the years, but the one that stuck with me the most is A Wrinkle In Time.

 Who is your book character crush?

Right now it has to be Jon Snow from A Song of Ice and Fire series by George RR Martin

What movie can you watch over and over again?

X-Men-Wolverine

Morning person or Night Person?

Night

Flip Flops or Sandals?

Flip Flops

Favorite late night snack?

Tortilla Chips and guacamole

******

Bio:
Heather L. Reid is both American and British and has called six different cities in three different countries, home. Her strong sense of wanderlust and craving for a new adventure mean you might find her wandering the moors of her beloved Scotland, exploring haunted castles, or hiking through a magical forest in search of fairies and sprites. When she’s not venturing into the unknown in her real life, she loves getting lost in the worlds of video games or curling up by the fire with good story. For now, this native Texan is back in the Lone Star State, settling down with her Scottish husband and dreaming up new novels to write.



Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Pretty-Dark-Nothing-Heather-Reid/dp/0985327812/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1368808104&sr=8-1&keywords=pretty+dark+nothing
B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/pretty-dark-nothing-heather-reid/1109686541?ean=9780985327811
Twitter: @HeatherLReid
Website: www.heatherlreid.com

Wonder Light Is on the Loose!

My hardcover debut, Wonder Light: Unicorns of the Mist, has officially released!
I had my launch party last week at the Garfield Book Company at PLU, and I felt so loved by friends and family. We packed the house and sold lots of books. My judo teammates brought friends and neighbors. So did friends from church.

My brother, Steven and my sister-in-law, Jen flew up from California just for the event. They brought me a fluffy unicorn because, "After everyone reads Wonder Light, there won't be any more fluffy unicorns."

My friend Karyn baked 75 gourmet cupcakes, 50 cookies, and a beautiful cake topped with a white chocolate unicorn. They were all promptly devoured! Late-comers got a few bits of garnish and a handful of chocolate rocks!

    

Kyla Paterno and her staff at the bookstore did a fabulous job helping the event run smoothly. My husband worked through the night before the party so he could be there to help. My parents and friends helped me get everything ready, and acted as bouncers at the cupcake table. (Those cupcakes were seriously delicious!)
I got to stand up in front of all those people and share my story and tell them how much they mean to me.

I got to meet some young readers and see them smile when I handed their signed copies of Wonder Light back to them, and that ranked right up there next to Karyn's coconut cupcakes!


If you missed the party, you can still order a personalized, signed copy from the Garfield Book Company. I'll sign it, and they'll ship it to you if you don't live in the area. Or, if you're in the Seattle area, I'm doing a reading and signing at the Northgate Barnes and Noble on May 16.
More info about Wonder Light and where you can buy it is here.

Unicorns Versus Darth Vader! Wonder Light Book Release Madness!

I'm just two weeks away from the May 7 release of my middle grade novel, Wonder Light: Unicorns of the Mist, and all kinds of fun stuff is happening. I've been doing school and Skype visits and signing pretty bookmarks . . .

and next week I get to sign the real thing. I'm having an early birthday party for Wonder Light at the Garfield Book Company at PLU near Tacoma, Washington. My friend, judo teammate, and pro baker, Karyn is working on some yummy unicorn treats for the party. She brought some samples and mess-ups to judo practice:

Yes, that is a white chocolate unicorn resting among white chocolate Darth Vader heads. I was sure there was some important symbolism here, but Karyn insisted she "just had a whole lot of leftover white chocolate." What better way to use leftover white chocolate? Now I have an inspiring image of my unicorns charging through the Death Star, horns clashing with the light sabers of the Dark Side!

If you're too far away to make the party, you can console yourself by entering to win a copy of Wonder Light. Five hardcovers are up for grabs at Goodreads! May the force be with you!

Deep in the heart of a mist-shrouded island, an impossible secret is about to be discovered.

Twig is used to feeling unwanted. Sent to live on a pony ranch for troubled girls on a misty, haunted island, Twig is about to discover the impossible—someone who needs her.

Jolted awake from a bad dream, Twig follows the desperate whinny of a terrified horse out to the stables. There in the straw is a bleating little scrap of moonbeam. A silver-white filly with cloven hooves and a tiny, spiraling horn.

A baby unicorn.

Now Twig knows what secret is hiding in the island's mist: the last free unicorn herd. And a mysterious boy named Ben who insists that this impossible creature is now Twig's to care for. That she needs Twig's love and protection. Because there's something out there in the deep, dense shadows that's hunting for them...

Blog Tour! STUNG by Bethany Wiggins

Click HERE for the full tour schedule

I am thrilled to have Operation Awesome be part of the blog tour for STUNG, written by the incredibly talented Bethany Wiggins (who also happens to be a very good friend of mine so I am triply thrilled!).

While I love a lot of books, I don't often completely gush over them. But this one is a gusher. I feel the same way about STUNG as I did when I read The Hunger Games and Divergent. It's THAT good.

Operation Awesome is hosting two stops for this tour, today and tomorrow. Tomorrow, Katrina will have an awesome interview with Bethany along with an excerpt of the book.

Today, we have Bethany's Top 10 List of what a girl on the run would need to survive. Be sure to scroll to the bottom of the post to enter a giveaway for one of four signed copies of STUNG and some delicious honey sticks (which will make total sense once you've read the book. The second I finished the book I ran out and started stocking up on honey lol).

Without further ado:

Necessities for a Girl On the Run

These are not only for a girl on the run, but a girl on the run who lives in the world of STUNG.

1. A gun. If you can't protect yourself and your food, you're dead.
2. Ammunition. For the previously mentioned gun.
3. A source of food--something easy to carry--like calorie tablets or dehydrated food.
4. A water purifier.
5. A Swiss army knife.
6. Knowledge. You've got to know what you're running from, where you're going, and how to beat the crap out of anyone or anything standing between you and your destination.
7. (Optional but highly recommended) A hot guy to watch your back, make out with on occasion, cuddle with on cold nights, and risk his life for you if need be.
8. Good shoes. If your feet hurt and you can't run, you're screwed.
9. A boy's haircut. Just trust me on this one. Or read STUNG.
10. A tooth brush and tooth paste, especially if you opt for the hot guy (see #7).

( :D great list! And I'd definitely recommend opting for the hot guy - especially if he's Bowen!)

About the Author

Bethany Wiggins has always been an avid reader, but not an avid writer. She failed ninth grade English because she read novels instead of doing her homework. In high school, she sat alone at lunch and read massive hardback fantasy novels (Tad Williams and Robert Jordan anyone?). It wasn't until the end of her senior year that the other students realized she was reading fiction--not the Bible. Once upon a time, Bethany's sister dared her to start writing an hour a day until she completed a novel. Bethany wrote a seven-hundred page fantasy novel that she wisely let no one read--but it taught her how to write. She is the author of SHIFTING, STUNG (April 2013), and CURED (2014).

Find Bethany 

Website | Twitter | Goodreads

About the Book 

Releases April 2nd, 2013 by Walker Childrens
304 Pages

There is no cure for being stung. 

Fiona doesn’t remember going to sleep. But when she opens her eyes, she discovers her entire world has been altered—her house is abandoned and broken, and the entire neighborhood is barren and dead. Even stranger is the tattoo on her right hand—a black oval with five marks on either side—that she doesn’t remember getting but somehow knows she must cover at any cost. She’s right. 

Those bearing the tattoo have turned into mindless, violent beasts that roam the streets and sewers, preying upon the unbranded while a select few live protected inside a fortress-like wall, their lives devoted to rebuilding society and killing all who bear the mark. 

Now Fiona has awakened branded, alone—and on the wrong side of the wall. 





Find STUNG

Goodreads | Barnes and Noble | Amazon | The Book Depository | IndieBound   

GIVEAWAY!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Trailer Reveal for To Trust a Thief

Minuette Sinclair thought her biggest problem was getting out of her aunt’s finishing school a proper Victorian lady. But her parents are in trouble and her fake fiancé is too. A legendary lost necklace might be their salvation, and Min is determined to find it and use it to buy her family and fiancé out of their misfortunes.  

Unexpected competition in the form of master thief Bryant Westley has Min tripping over her own feet to get to the treasure first. Desperate, she can’t refuse Bryant’s offer to partner up in the search – even though she knows she can’t trust him. Things become more complicated when Min realizes that her convenient engagement means more to her fake fiancé than her. Worse, she’s in love with Bryant, a distraction she can’t afford. Besides, if she can’t trust him with the treasure, how can she trust him with her heart?

To Trust a Thief Release Day Treasure Hunt!!

To Trust a Thief releases today!!

As a hunt for a priceless necklace is at the center of my story, I just couldn't pass up the opportunity to have a little fun and have a treasure hunt of my own :D

Here’s the rundown – for the next five days, you can join me in a treasure hunt for five fabulous prizes. I’ll be making the rounds on my blog and four other fabulous blogs and will leave a clue at each one.

The clue will give you a hint both as to what the prize is, and where you need to go on our To Trust a Thief treasure map to enter the giveaway for that day. You’ll also get a few snippets of the book and a chance for extra entries if you solve a special riddle.

Here are the Treasure Hunt blog stops:

Day 1 - Monday Jan 21st – My Blog 
Day 2 - Tuesday, January 22 -- Romance Junkies 
Day 3 - Wednesday, January 23 -- Cocktails and Books
Day 4 - Thursday, January 24 -- Romance Book Junkies
Day 5 - Friday, January 25 -- Romance Reviews Today

Each giveaway will run for a week, so if you miss stop you can always go back and catch up.

So come celebrate To Trust a Thief's release with me and have a little fun hunting for your own treasure! :)

One year...and counting.

So yesterday marked the day that my book will be coming out next year. A year from yesterday, I will be a published author. It seems so far away; however, I am already feeling nervous about the release. It's funny that, after all this time, instead of excitement, I feel so afraid.

Maybe afraid isn't the right word. I feel exposed. I've been working on publishing THE EMISSARY for years. I've stubbornly not given up on it. I've pushed and pushed and pushed. I've edited it countless times. And finally, when epic fantasy is turning around again, my book gets its time. You'd figure that I'd be jumping up and down. You'd figure that my dreams had finally come true. I'm not sure if rejection has made me skeptical, knowing that the bad reviews will come with the good. But I do know that this work, specifically, has so much of my passion, so much of my time and energy, that I feel as if I am ripping open my chest and exposing my heart to the world.

Do any of you have a book like that? One that, even though it may have failed, is the one that pulses though you to be seen? It's not that the story is about me or anything, but I've been so entwined with these characters, I've pushed until they could be seen.

And now that it is going to happen, I feel nervous. A year may seem like a long ways away, but I'm okay with it. I need that time to mentally prepare.

THE EMISSARY is up on goodreads now, for those of you who would like to wait with me. It doesn't have a cover yet, but that is coming along as well.

Happy Book Birthday! Amarok, by Angela Townsend

Woo Hooo!!! So today our very own Angela Townsend's awesome book, Amarok, is released! If you haven't yet picked it up, do so NOW!  Here is the link where you can go buy it on Amazon.

And you can also check it out on Goodreads, here. 

Emma's life has been hell since she moved from sunny California to a remote Alaskan town. Abandoned by her father and living with the guilt of causing her mother's death, she makes a desperate dash for freedom from her abusive stepfather. But when her car skids off the icy road, her planned escape leads to further captivity in a world beyond her imagining.

Dragged across the tundra by an evil mountain man and his enormous black wolf, she learns that love can be found in the most unexpected places. Amarok, as she's nicknamed the wolf, is a young man from the gold-rush era enslaved by an ancient shaman. Emma's gentle touch and kind heart win his love and devotion. When a vicious madman--trapped in bear form by the same Shaman--attacks the travelers and injures Amarok, Emma must find the strength to face her fears and free the wolf she's come to love. But that means she must face down the evil shaman, a Siberian mammoth hunter from the ice age, and he has no intention of giving up his power to her.

About the awesome author

e

Angela Townsend was born in the beautiful Rocky Mountains of Missoula, Montana. As a child, Angela grew up listening to stories told by her grandparents, ancient tales and legends of faraway places. Influenced by her Irish and Scottish heritage, Angela became an avid research historian, specializing in Celtic mythology. Her gift for storytelling finally led her to a full time career in historical research and writing. A writer in local community circulations, Angela is also a published genealogical and historical resource writer who has taught numerous research seminars. Currently, Angela divides her time between writing, playing Celtic music on her fiddle, and Irish dancing. She resides on a ranch, in rural Northwestern Montana, with her two children Levi and Grant.

Fun Things are Afoot :D

Well the countdown to the Treasured Lies release is just about to begin and I am planning all kinds of exciting things - including some seriously EPIC giveaways that I really can't wait to tell you about :D

In the meantime, I am keeping busy finishing up a new manuscript that is due incredibly soon and I am ridiculously behind.

BUT! Back to the fun stuff :D Namely, some awesome newsletter goodness :D

When my publicist suggested that I start a newsletter, I was a bit hesitant. To be honest, I wasn't sure what I'd put in it or if anyone would even be interested in getting a newsletter from me. I wasn't sure there was a point to doing on - after all, I blog, I tweet, I Facebook....isn't that enough?

But then I realized that I myself subscribe to quite a few author newsletters, many from authors I don't know well, along with authors who are my friends. The reason I subscribe is because these authors often offer exclusive tidbits to their subscribers, or they release sneak peeks and news to their subscribers before the rest of the world gets them. I like getting these newsletters and seeing what is going on with my favorite writers....and getting to be in on the good stuff before everyone else :D

And I realized that with my own newsletter, I could do the same type of things. So...I went ahead and started a one in order to better connect with my readers and keep them posted on what's going on. I've posted it a few places (especially recently) and if you haven't subscribed yet you might want to because I have some really really fun stuff to share but have ONLY been given permission to do so in my newsletter.

Which means....my lovely subscribers will be privy to a few fun EXCLUSIVES that I am just busting to share with you :D

One of them is an excerpt from the upcoming Treasured Lies taken from one of my favorite scenes in the book. The other is some really fun news that hasn't been announced publicly yet.

Soooo, if you'd like to get a sneak peek of Treasured Lies, and find out my super fun secret, AND be entered in a giveaway for a $25 gift card to the online book retailer of your choice just follow the link ;)

Sign up here! :)

How do you feel about newsletters? Do you subscribe to them? If you are a writer, do you have a newsletter or plan on having one in the future?

And let's spread the love a bit!! If you have a newsletter or if you subscribe to one that you enjoy, leave the link in the comments! :)

Welcome to the Virtual Blog Tour for LIBERA ME, Book #2 in the Requiem Series by Christine Fonseca.
Beginning after Lacrimosa and the short story Mea Culpa, Libera Me follows Zane and Aydan as they try to figure out who Nessa really is. Here's the blurb:

What happens when everything you’ve sacrificed for is lost? 
Aydan thought Nesy’s death would be the end of him, until he meets Nessa and his hope is restored. Could she be Nesy reborn? He is certain she must be. That is, until her lack of memories and incessant nightmares begin to erode his faith.

Zane is used to trusting his mind, his wisdom and his angelic senses. But these attributes are no help with Nessa. He has no way to be certain of her identity, no way to know the truth. That is, unless he listens to the one thing he has refused to acknowledge throughout his existence - he feelings for Nesy. 

Blind to both angel and demon, Aydan and Zane must figure out the truth behind Nesy's identity before all is lost, Azza discovers the truth and the Beast is again unleashed. 

The lines between good and evil have never been so blurred.

Libera Me officially releases October 30. And be sure to check out the other books in the series:

LACRIMOSA

DIES IRAE (Free from Amazon and Smashwords)

MEA CULPA (Free from Amazon and Smashwords)

About Christine:

School psychologist by day, critically acclaimed YA and nonfiction author by night, Christine Fonseca believes that writing is a great way to explore humanity. Her many titles include TRANSCEND, DIES IRAE, LACRIMOSA, MEA CULPA, and in nonfiction: 101 SUCCESS SECRETS FOR GIFTED KIDS and EMOTIONAL INTENSITY IN GIFTED STUDENTS.

When she’s not writing or spending time with her family, she can be sipping too many skinny vanilla lattes at her favorite coffee house or playing around on Facebook and Twitter. Catch her daily thoughts about writing and life on her blog.

For more information about Christine Fonseca or the series, visit her website – http://christinefonseca.com or her blog http://christinefonseca.blogspot.com. 

To celebrate to release and thank her readers, Christine is hosting a little contest honoring each of the main characters. Prizes include a new release YA book, Book swag, and even some of her own titles. She is also giving a Kindle as part of her Fall Release Party. Check out both giveaways below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Aubrie Dionne's Haven 6 Blog Tour Stop and Giveaway!

I am very excited to give a shout out to fellow Entangled author Aubrie Dionne and her new book Haven 6. Take a peek:

A product of an illegal pairing, Eridani is the only woman without a lifemate aboard the colonization ship, the Heritage, and she is determined her less than perfect DNA will not get in the way of finding love. As the ship nears it's final destination of Haven 6 after five hundred years of travel, images of the surface show evidence of intelligent life on a planet that's supposed to be uninhabited. Commander Grier assigns Eri to the exploratory team to spy on the alien society and return with information on how to defeat them.

When Eri's team lands, tribes of humans attack and Eri is saved by Striver, the descendant of a colonist and a pirate from Old Earth's colonization efforts in other parts of the galaxy. Striver helps Eri rescue her team and they are drawn to each other despite their different allegiances. While Striver battles with trusting Eri, Eri must decide whether to warn him and his people about the commander's intentions, or follow orders and complete her mission.

Does that sound like an amazing story, or what!? :)

Aubrie is also giving away this absolutely gorgeous necklace.

To enter the giveaway, fill out the Rafflecopter form: a Rafflecopter giveaway

Haven 6 will be available soon on Amazon and Barnes and Noble. And in the meantime, you can add Haven 6 on Goodreads. :)

Be sure to check Aubrie out on Twitter, her website, and her blog. And go get a copy of Haven 6!!

Aubrie grew up watching the original Star Wars movies over and over again until she could recite and reenact every single scene in her backyard. She also loved The Goonies, Star Trek the Next Generation-favorite character was Data by far-, and Indiana Jones. But, her all time favorite movie was The Last Unicorn. She still wonders why the unicorn decided to change back to a unicorn in the end.

Aubrie wrote in her junior high yearbook that she wanted to be "A concert flutist" when she grew up. When she made that happen, she decided one career was not enough and embarked as a fantasy, sci fi author. Two careers seems to keep her busy. For now.

Picture Book Party!

Well, taking a trip over to the younger side of things, I am very thrilled to announce that my picture book, A Magical World, has finally gone live on several sites. You can now purchase the e-version for the Nook at Barnes and Noble, for all Apple products at iBooks, the epub version for just about any ereader on Smashwords, and it will be available in the next week or so on Amazon, Borders, Sony, Diesel, and Scrollmotion. The print version is available at Lulu, and should be up everywhere else by the end of the summer.

 Alex and his sister Izzy are stuck inside during one stormy, rainy week. But, they still manage to have the most spectacular adventures. They sail the seven seas on a pirate ship, swing on jungle vines, swim through the ocean, roam with the dinosaurs, and visit many other fantastic places! Just how, they never tell a soul. They simply smile and wink and zip their lips, and then disappear into their room. Into a wonderful, magical world.

To celebrate, I'm giving away a free coupon for a copy of the ebook along with an adorable little tote bag :D

To enter, all you have to do is leave a comment telling me where you would go, and who, or what, would you be, if you could close your eyes and get whisked away into a magical world of your own :)

For those who don't have ereaders, no worries! The coupon will get you a digital copy that can be read on any ereader or computer, so if you can leave a comment, you can get the book :D

Oh! And for those of you anxiously awaiting the results of our July Mystery Agent contest, we just want to assure you that they will be posted TOMORROW! And we will be hosting another awesome agent on August 1st, so stay tuned for details!!