Operation Awesome Angelica Jackson's Interview and New Cover Reveal #giveaway #CoverReveal #book

A former Operation Awesome Team Member dropped by for an interview. Check out this amazing new book cover and great giveaway!

Crow's Rest: Faerie Crossed Book 1 by Angelica R. Jackson

1- Could you tell us a little more about the Pens for Paws Auction?

I started P4P out of a desire to help a sanctuary where I was volunteering at the time, Fat Kitty City. They are unique for being a cage-free sanctuary for domestic cats--some of whom will live out their lives there, and others who are adoptable. FKC goes out of their way to take in special-needs cats, including those that are FIV+, and feral cats, too. I started volunteering there in 2008, mostly helping to photograph the kitties and to socialize them. These cats are extremely grateful for attention and a friendly lap!

I was trying to think of a way to fundraise for Fat Kitty City that would tap into my existing network of publishing contacts, so in 2012 I started putting the word out that I needed donations. The publishing community--including authors, editors, and agents--stepped up to offer some fantastic items for bid. I haven't quite managed to run the auction every year, since it's a one-woman show and I get overwhelmed trying to run the auction and manage my own book tasks. But I hope to revive it next year!

2- What five words represent your most notable characteristic or values? #In5Words

Labeling makes Geminis deeply uncomfortable

3- What ignited your passion for writing?

Spending a lot of time alone as a kid meant that I also spent a lot of time in my own head; the way I expressed myself was through drawing and writing. For a while, it was genuinely a tossup whether I was going to stick with art or writing as a career. Writing pulled ahead for a while, but I'm now trying to combine my art and writing in creative ways, whether that means cover art, interior design in my books, or even creating images for marketing campaigns. But reading is what really gave me the jumpstart to share my writing--it's so fascinating to spend some time in others' heads.

4- What was the best part of working with the Operation Awesome Team?

The community! I knew I always had trusted friends who I could vent to, or ask questions of. We've had an amazing font of wisdom in our collective, and I love that it's continued to evolve. I learned so much during my tenure, with the biggest lesson about sharing your knowledge with others.

5- Would you share a picture with us of your book in a fun location?

Of course! This is the signpost in my garden, with some of the destinations from my favorite books on it. So of course Crow's Rest is right at home perching on it!

6- What is the most fun part about writing a story with Fae?

Having come into urban fantasy after writing a heavily-researched historical novel, the most fun part is making up creatures! I used Celtic mythology as a jumping off point, but I also wanted to create authentically magical creatures that would make the reader wonder which ones are from established mythology and which are the "new" generation Note: I also think making up creatures is the hardest part, because I want them to be believable within the worlds I've also created.

7- In what ways are the main characters in your book diverse? https://diversebooks.org #WeNeedDiverseBooks

My main character, Avery, shows some symptoms of mental health issues, which actually turn out to have a magical basis for her (I hope that's not a spoiler, haha). That aspect of her personality was born from my own lifelong struggle with anxiety and depression, and how my teenaged self wished there was some "better" reasoning behind me having that imbalance. Like, what if some of my obssessive traits (like my counting things, and seeking patterns and symmetry) were actually an advantage under different circumstances? What if in another world, in another situation, they would be the key to keeping me safe?

Also, because so many of my Fae creatures swap bodies, they tend to be rather genderfluid. Occupying a male or female human is not better or worse--it just offers different sensations and opportunities. Many of them are shapeshifters, too, and their own gender is another thing they can manipulate at will (and I haven't explored it yet, but there does seem to be more than two genders in Faerie).

8- Which character has your favorite Personality Contradiction?

That would be Avery again! She can be so oblivious to some things around her, especially in relationships, and yet she has an insightful side. A way of seeing past all the noise (which often leads to her calling bullshit on people, for better or worse).

9- What is something that you know you do differently than most people?

Um, shop for clothing maybe? I just don't have the patience for it, so when I find something I like I buy it in five colors and call it a day. I do actually enjoy fashion and creating my outfits, I just hate wandering store aisles. I'll be happy when I can print outfits at home on a 3D printer.

10- Anything else you would care to share about your books and yourself?

The cover art for my Faerie Crossed series features my own photographs. What a great excuse to schedule a photoshoot at a haunted castle, amIright? My cover designer, Kelley York of X-Potions Design, worked closely with me to turn my art into a cohesive whole and I love the results.

Crow's Rest, the first in the series, came out last May from Crow & Pitcher Press, and the second book, Merlin's Stronghold, will release on October 23.

I've also released a photobook of that same castle that appears on the covers, but Capturing the Castle: Images of Preston Castle (2006-2016) goes behind the doors into the decaying Preston Castle interior. And as of this writing, a fantastic actor named Brenda Scott Wlazlo just added the finishing touches to the audio version of Crow's Rest. The audiobook of Merlin's Stronghold should be out before the end of the year.

You can keep in the loop for all the news on my books by signing up for my newsletter on my website at https://angelicarjackson.com and I'm on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100001046475887 and Twitter is https://twitter.com/angelicarjaxon . Get a look at my artwork at https://www.angelicarjackson.photography , including my pics of Preston Castle.

Cover Reveal: FAITHFUL, by Michelle Hauck

Today Michelle Hauck and Rockstar Book Tours are revealing the cover for FAITHFUL, book two in the Birth of Saints series which releases November 15, 2016! Check out the gorgeous cover and enter to win a SIGNED copy of book 1 GRUDGING!

On to the reveal! 

Title: FAITHFUL (Birth of Saints #2)
Author: Michelle Hauck
Pub. Date: November 15, 2016
Publisher: Harper Voyager Impulse
Formats: eBook
ISBN: 9780062447173
Find it: Amazon | B&N | iBooks | Goodreads

Religion, witchcraft, and chivalry war in Faithful, the exciting next chapter in Michelle Hauck's Birth of Saints series!

A world of Fear and death…and those trying to save it.

Colina Hermosa has burned to the ground. The Northern invaders continue their assault on the ciudades-estados. Terror has taken hold, and those that should be allies betray each other in hopes of their own survival. As the realities of this devastating and unprovoked war settles in, what can they do to fight back?

On a mission of hope, an unlikely group sets out to find a teacher for Claire, and a new weapon to use against the Northerners and their swelling army.

What they find instead is an old woman.

But she’s not a random crone—she’s Claire’s grandmother. She’s also a Woman of the Song, and her music is both strong and horrible. And while Claire has already seen the power of her own Song, she is scared of her inability to control it, having seen how her magic has brought evil to the world, killing without reason or remorse. To preserve a life of honor and light, Ramiro and Claire will need to convince the old woman to teach them a way so that the power of the Song can be used for good. Otherwise, they’ll just be destroyers themselves, no better than the Northerners and their false god, Dal. With the annihilation their enemy has planned, though, they may not have a choice.

A tale of fear and tragedy, hope and redemption, Faithful is the harrowing second entry in the Birth of Saints trilogy.

Exclusive Excerpt!

Not for the first time, Claire reconsidered her decision to stay when Ramiro had asked her. She’d lingered out of curiosity—and truthfully because it felt good to be needed—but they didn’t need her now with the Northern army defeated. She could return to the swamp and away from so many people. Despite her hopes of friends and community, she felt awkward here. Reason said she’d get used to their ways, but being around so many folk made her want to hide. Everything pressed down. The walls of the tent shrunk, pinning her in, and smothering her. It became hard to breathe.

She reached for a fresh strip of cloth, only to have her hand shake. She snatched the material and began to roll it, trying to shut out everything else, including her own doubts.

Before she could find a semblance of peace, though, someone shouted. Ladies screamed. Claire looked over her shoulder at the noise. A brown-bearded man in a poncho and a floppy hat ran in her direction. “My family is dead, because of the evacuations. Because of you.”

Claire gasped. He seemed to be talking to Beatriz, then his gaze found Claire.

“Witch!” His outstretched hand suddenly held a long butcher knife. “Witch! Stay away from us! Murderer! Abomination! Die!”

Fronilde dropped to the ground, but Claire couldn’t move. Surprise robbed her brain of a Song to stop him. Even the words of the Hornet Tune, which she knew as well as her name, deserted her. The man closed as everyone scrambled out of his way. Then Beatriz sprang from her chair to stand over Claire, holding up her hand. The tall, black-lace mantilla atop her head waved like a flag. “Stop.”

Something about the authority in the First Wife’s voice—or maybe her simple resistance instead of cringing or scrambling away—brought the man up short, making him pause for a moment. Just the moment the bodyguard needed to crush the lunatic to the floor and overpower him, wrestling free the knife. More guards came running from outside.

Breath rushed back in Claire’s lungs. Beatriz sniffed and touched a spot on her chest over her heart and then her forehead and stomach areas. “Imbecile. He didn’t know who he was dealing with.”

About Michelle: 

Michelle Hauck lives in the bustling metropolis of northern Indiana with her hubby and two teenagers. Two papillons help balance out the teenage drama. Besides working with special needs children by day, she writes all sorts of fantasy, giving her imagination free range. A book worm, she passes up the darker vices in favor of chocolate and looks for any excuse to reward herself. Bio finished? Time for a sweet snack.

She is a co-host of the yearly contests Query Kombat and Nightmare on Query Street, and Sun versus Snow.

Her epic fantasy, Kindar's Cure, is published by Divertir Publishing. Her short story, Frost and Fog, is published by The Elephant's Bookshelf Press in their anthology, Summer's Double Edge. She's repped by Sarah Negovetich of Corvisiero Literary.

Website | Twitter | Facebook page | Tumblr | Goodreads

Giveaway Details:

2 winners will receive a signed  of GRUDGING, US Only.

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Cover Reveal: The Impending Possession of Scarlet Wakebridge-Rosé by S. L. Saboviec

Welcome to the cover reveal for S. L. Saboviec's The Impending Possession of Scarlet Wakebridge-Rosé, an urban fantasy stand-alone novel set in the world of her Fallen Redemption books.

But that’s not all—after you check out the cover, we’ve included details on how to enter an Epic Giveaway of a $1,200 Amazon gift card and twelve awesome SFF books!

tIPoSWR cover is by Clarissa of Yocla Designs, and you’re going to love it.

Scarlet Wakebridge-Rosé, busy executive and less-than-stellar mother and wife, has a problem that only an exorcist can solve. Except she’s not precisely a devout Catholic parishioner any longer, and to gain assistance from the Church means telling a whopping lie of omission.

Fortunately, she discovers Father Angelo Ambrosio, whose commitment to helping the afflicted means he’s willing to overlook the things Scarlet prefers to keep hidden. Unfortunately, his sordid past keeps him under a microscope with the bishop, who’s not so liberal in his views.

But the demon harassing Scarlet is relentless. It makes its motives clear: in a previous life, she struck a bargain, promising it her body on her fiftieth birthday. Now, she and Angelo must unravel the mystery surrounding her forgotten past in order to stop the possession by next week or risk losing her to the depths of Hell forever.

This stand-alone novel set in the Fallen Redemption universe extends the series to modern day. Enter a world where humans reincarnate, demons interfere in daily life, and the currents of fate carry us all to our destinies.

Add it on Goodreads here.

Get notified when it’s available for preorder in September by subscribing to S. L. Saboviec's newsletter here!

About the Author

Samantha grew up in a small town in Iowa but became an expat for her Canadian husband, whom she met in the Massive Multi-player Online Role-Playing Game Star Wars: Galaxies (before the NGE, of course). She holds a B.S. in Physics, which qualifies her to B.S. about physics and occasionally do some math for the sci-fi stories she concocts. Her dark, thought-provoking science fiction & fantasy contains flawed, relatable characters and themes that challenge the status quo.

Her short fiction has appeared in AE and Grievous Angel, and her debut novel received an honorable mention in the 23rd Annual Writer’s Digest Self-Published Book Awards.

Website | Twitter
Facebook | Pinterest

Epic SFF Giveaway!

Samantha is one of the sponsoring authors for the Epic SFF Giveaway.

Enter to win a $1,200 Amazon gift card here!

Join the Facebook party when the winner is announced here!

Thanks for stopping by!

Cover Reveal: PARASITE by KT Hanna

Hello, everyone! Operation Awesome is excited to be participating in the cover reveal for the third and final installment of KT Hanna's "Domino Project" series. Let's get right to the gorgeousness!

Cover Reveal: Treasure at Lure Lake, by Shari L. Schwarz

Today we are excited to help share the cover of Treasure at Lure Lake, by Shari L. Schwarz. I remember seeing Shari's book in Twitter pitch parties, and even an Operation Awesome contest! I'm so excited that it's found a home.

When twelve-year-old Bryce stumbles upon a secret treasure map in his grandpa's barn loft, he doesn't mean to steal it or unearth a painful family secret. He's determined to find what's hidden even if it means lying to Grandpa.

As Bryce, his big brother, Jack, and Grandpa backpack to his cabin, sibling rivalry clouds the brothers' judgment, and all Bryce's plans for an epic adventure go downriver. The boys must work together to survive the dangers of the wilderness, and each other. But when a climbing accident leaves Bryce unconscious and hanging between life and death, their family's secret may never see the light of day... and Jack may not be strong enough to rescue them both.

Treasure at Lure Lake will be published on April 12th by Cedar Fort Books. Shari Schwarz lives in Colorado with her husband and their four boys. Treasure at Lure Lake is her debut and reflects her love for a good adventure story and for hiking and camping in the Northern Colorado Rockies.

Shari is hosting a Kindle Fire giveaway on her blog in honor of the cover reveal. Enter by January 8th! http://www.sharischwarz.com

Preorder Treasure at Lure Lake here:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Add it to your Goodreads shelf!

Cover Reveal: GRUDGING by Michelle Hauck

Today Michelle Hauck and Rockstar Book

Tours are revealing the cover for GRUDGING, Birth of Saints Book One, which

releases November 17, 2015! Check out the gorgeous cover and enter to win a copy

of the eBook!
I'm going to brag a little--I got to read the synopsis of GRUDGING last December, and I remember thinking, "Man, this is so cool. I hope it gets published so I can read the actual book!" And it did! Trust me, it's gonna be good.

On to the reveal!

Title: GRUDGING
Author: Michelle Hauck
Publication Date: November 17, 2015
Publisher: Harper Voyager Impulse
Format: eBook
Find it: Amazon  Barnes&Noble  iBooks  Goodreads

A world of chivalry and witchcraft… and the invaders who would destroy everything.

The North has invaded, bringing a cruel religion and no mercy. The ciudades-estados who have stood in their way have been razed to nothing, and now the horde is before the gates of Colina Hermosa… demanding blood.

On a mission of desperation, a small group escapes the besieged city in search of the one thing that might stem the tide of Northerners: the witches of the southern swamps.

The Women of the Song.

But when tragedy strikes their negotiations, all that is left is a single untried knight and a witch who has never given voice to her power. And time is running out.

A lyrical tale of honor and magic, Grudging is the opening salvo in the Book of Saints trilogy.

About Michelle:

Michelle Hauck lives in the bustling metropolis of northern Indiana with her hubby and two teenagers. Two papillons help balance out the teenage drama. Besides working with special needs children by day, she writes all sorts of fantasy, giving her imagination free range. A book worm, she passes up the darker vices in favor of chocolate and looks for any excuse to reward herself. Bio finished? Time for a sweet snack.

She is a co-host of the yearly contests Query Kombat and Nightmare on Query

Street, and Sun versus Snow.

Her epic fantasy, Kindar's Cure, is published by Divertir

Publishing. Her short story, Frost and Fog, is published by The Elephant's Bookshelf Press in their anthology, Summer's Double Edge. She's repped by Sarah Negovetich of Corvisiero Literary.

Website  Twitter  Facebook  Tumblr  Goodreads


And we have a giveaway! 3 winners will receive an eBook of GRUDGING. Open internationally.

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Cover Reveal: KT Hanna's HYBRID!

Good morning, everyone! Operation Awesome is excited to be participating in KT Hanna's puzzle-piece cover reveal.

Hybrid is finally almost ready for release. S.P. McConnell worked magic again here.

Hybrid (The Domino Project #2) is the sequel to Chameleon. It's set in the wasteland of earth after a meteor shower causes ecological disaster, damages the atmosphere, and gives the gift of an alien parasite to the world. Book two furthers Sai, Bastian, and Dom's journey in their fight to live free from GNW imposed rules.

The goodreads blurb is as follows:

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

Without further ado - here's a teaser of the cover by the amazingly talented S.P. McConnell.

Go see the full cover at YA Interrobang!

Isn't it GORGEOUS!?!?!

Sit back and bask in this for a moment.

It's available for pre-order for $3.99 and will go live on November 10th, 2015!

It will also be available in print via CreateSpace, Amazon, but best of all, the local indie store is being really supportive and already has it available for pre-order in print there!

Watermark Books

Haven't read Chameleon? There's still time to catch up!

Get it HERE!

About the Author

KT Hanna has a love for words so extreme, a single word can spark entire worlds.

Born in Australia, she met her husband in a computer game, moved to the U.S.A. and went into culture shock. Bonus? Not as many creatures specifically out to kill you.

When she's not writing, she freelance edits for Chimera Editing, interns for a NYC Agency, and chases her daughter, husband, corgi, and cat. No, she doesn't sleep. She is entirely powered by the number 2, caffeine, and beef jerky.

Note: Still searching for her Tardis.

Celebration!

To celebrate, we're giving away a copy of books 1 & 2! With an Amazon e-card, and a SWAG pack!

Winners will be announced on Monday October 19th!

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Cover Reveal: Red Blooded by Caitlin Sinead

Caitlin Sinead's RED BLOODED releases from Carina Press on August 3rd and we can't wait for everyone to get their hands on it! While you wait, check out the beautiful cover below!

 

About RED BLOODED

Instead of eating ramen and meeting frat guys like most college freshmen, Peyton Arthur is on the campaign trail. Traveling with her mother, the Democratic pick for vice president, she's ordering room service, sneaking glances at cute campaign intern Dylan and deflecting interview questions about the tragic loss of her father. But when a reporter questions her paternity, her world goes into a tailspin.

Dylan left Yale and joined the campaign to make a difference, not keep tabs on some girl. But with the paternity scandal blowing up and Peyton asking questions, he's been tasked to watch her every move. As he gets to know the real Peyton, he finds it harder and harder to keep a professional distance.

When the media demands a story, Peyton and Dylan give them one—a fake relationship. As they work together to investigate the rumors about her real father and Peyton gets closer to learning the truth, she's also getting closer to Dylan. And suddenly, it's not just her past on the line anymore. It's her heart.

Add it to Goodreads HERE!

Preorder RED BLOODED now for just $3.24 - Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Kobo

Excerpt from RED BLOODED

Lisa taps on her clipboard and calls for more makeup. “She needs more blush.” A brush dances across my nose as a makeup artist examines me without seeing me. “Remember to smile. A lot. After every question,” Lisa says. Dylan, her intern, stands next to her, gliding his fingers over his tablet. She snaps her intense focus to him. “Torres, do you have them?” Dylan holds the back of the tablet against his chest so it covers the big Yale on his gray T-shirt. There are three images of me on the screen: me accepting my high school diploma from the principal, me speaking at the US Organization for Learning Disorders’ annual meeting, and me exiting a pizza place with Annie and Tristan. “Now, remember, we’re going for this smile,” Lisa says, pointing at the pizza picture. “You are a natural, welcoming, American girl who’s happy and excited that her mom’s been nominated as the Democratic Party’s Vice Presidential Candidate.” “I am all those things,” I say. She nods and emits a cursory mmm-hmm as she looks at her tablet. “Of course you are.” I roll my fingers over the armrests and stare at the shiny camera lens in front of me as I attempt to mentally prepare for the onslaught of questions about to assail me. Five via-satellite interviews. Bang. Bang. Bang. Just as I’m going over what it was like to learn my mom would be the vice- presidential pick, Dylan holds his tablet, with the pizza picture, up to my face. “Pizza smile, I got it,” I say, with more edge than I mean. It’s not the best time to have a conniption, but I can’t help myself, and more words spurt forward. “Sorry, it’s just—it’s not like I’m a stranger to media attention.” Dylan presses his lips together and takes a step back. “Sorry, that wasn’t much of an apology.” I shake my head and some girly mushiness tingles in my chest when his eyes crinkle into a smile. It doesn’t mean anything. He’s got dark, Latin features any girl would get mushy over. “I’m just a little nervous, but I didn’t mean to snap—” “It’s cool.” Dylan shrugs. Right. As long as I’m performing well, what’s it to him. “We know you’re used to the spotlight.” Lisa tilts her head and purses her lips in the ever-common—at least to me—sorry-your-dad-died expression. Thankfully, she doesn’t hold it for long. “But this is going to be different than…that. Your dad’s book made you a celebrity, but a sympathetic one. Politics can be, well…” “Mean?” I supply. She crosses her arms and nods. “I’ve been on the campaign trail with my mom before, I know—” “Only in Virginia, where she’s already very popular. Now we want the whole nation to love her. And, given that many people already feel they know you, and even love you, well, we’d like to use—” she swallows and holds a finger up “—we’d like to leverage that appeal and make it an additional asset in this campaign.” I glance at Dylan. He nods. “I hope I can be an asset as well,” I say, trying to calm the jitters in my stomach. “You will be,” Dylan says with a sharp certainty I wish I could catch and stuff in a glass jar for safekeeping. They back away and in a sliver of a moment the red light on the bulky studio camera bursts on, full force.

About Caitlin Sinead Caitlin Sinead is represented by Andrea Somberg at Harvey Klinger, Inc. and her debut novel, Heartsick, is available now from Carina Press. Her writing has earned accolades from Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine, Glimmer Train, and Writers & Artists, and her stories have appeared in multiple publications, including The Alarmist, The Binnacle, Crunchable, Jersey Devil Press, and Northern Virginia Magazine. She earned a master's degree in writing from Johns Hopkins University. Website | Twitter | Facebook | Newsletter

Exclusive: Full Jacket Reveal for Crow's Rest!

In another milestone on Crow's Rest's journey to becoming a real book, we now have a full cover for it and I get to reveal it here on Operation Awesome today!

It's been really interesting to get a behind-the-scenes look at how specific the dimensions need to be for a cover. We started with just the front cover, which is often all you need for an ebook. But since this will also be in paperback (and possibly hardcover, if Spencer Hill Press likes the pre-order numbers) we needed a full jacket.

The artist/designer must meet an entire sheet of specifications, leaving an area for the bar code and other "business" type items, as well as being careful to allow enough room on the spine as the page count fluctuates. I originally wanted a picture of the local landmark that inspires the setting of Crow's Rest on the back cover, but I stumbled on another piece of art by the same artist as the background of the front cover art and knew it would be perfect.

Kelley York of X-Potion Design worked her magic on it once again. I love it! It's so lush, and by pure luck it has elements that tie into the book so well: the spiders and webs, the daisies growing in the grass, the watchful raven...

Oh, what's that? You want to see it, you say? Okay, enough stalling (click on it for a larger view)

I was joking with one of our Operation Awesome alumni, Wes Chu, the other day that I want to get this cover printed on a blanket and just wrap myself up in it--but I'm afraid that crosses the line into Crazy Author territory. But maybe it's just a perfectly natural love between an author and her cover?

You can add it on Goodreads here or pre-order it on Amazon here.

Cover Reveal for Crow's Rest by Angelica R. Jackson

Reveal Day is here! I can finally show you all the marvelous cover for Crow's Rest! Are you ready?
(No fancy blank space to scroll down because I'm just too impatient) Click on the image for a larger view

Squeeeeeeeeeee!
Now that I got that outburst out of the way, onto the book blurb:

Avery Flynn arrives for a visit at her Uncle Tam's, eager to rekindle her summertime romance with her crush-next-door, Daniel.

But Daniel’s not the sweet, neurotic guy she remembers—and she wonders if this is her Daniel at all. Or if someone—some thing—has taken his place.

Her quest to find the real Daniel—and get him back—plunges Avery into a world of Fae and changelings, where creatures swap bodies like humans change their socks, and magic lives much closer to home than she ever imagined.

You can add it on Goodreads here. My book comes out from Spencer Hill Press in paperback and ebook in May 2015.

I'd love it if you'll celebrate with me on Twitter, Facebook, or in the comments here. And if you haven't checked out my new website yet, it's at www.AngelicaRJackson.com. This was my concept, by the way, brought to life by the multi-talented Kelley York of X-Potions Designs.



Angelica R. Jackson, in keeping with her scattered Gemini nature, has published articles on gardening, natural history, web design, travel, hiking, and local history. Other interests include pets, reading, green living, and cooking for food allergies (the latter not necessarily by choice, but she’s come to terms with it). Ongoing projects include short fiction, poetry, novels, art photography, and children’s picture books.

In 2012, she started Pens for Paws Auction, which features critiques and swag from agents and authors to raise money for a no-kill, cage-free cat sanctuary where she volunteers, Fat Kitty City.

She’s also been involved with capturing the restoration efforts for Preston Castle (formerly the Preston School of Industry) in photographs and can sometimes be found haunting its hallways.

Cover Reveal! Michelle McLean's So You Have to Write a Poem!

I am very pleased to finally show off the cover of my upcoming non-fiction release, So You Have to Write a Poem: A Guide for the Non-Poetic :) This book has been a very long time coming (as it was once part of my essay guidebook, Homework Helpers: Essays and Term Papers). So I am very, very excited that it will finally be out in the world on Oct 6th! So....here it is :)

At some point, every student must not only learn about different poetic forms, but try their hand at penning a few. It can be daunting, even for those who enjoy poetry.

Following the same plain language, straight forward vein of Ms. McLean’s Homework Helpers: Essays and Term Papers, So You Have to Write a Poem gives novices an easy-to-read guide with simple step-by-step processes and fun examples while giving more advanced poets a technical guide to the rules behind all their favorite poetic forms.

This volume includes nine forms of poetry, along with overviews on poetry basics like meter and rhyme scheme, detailed, easy-to-understand instructions and “cheat sheets” that outline the rules for each form of poetry, and a section with a detailed explanation of how to analyze a poem.

(The cover was designed by OA's own extremely talented Toni Kerr!)

UNLEASHED, Toni Kerr-- Cover Reveal

I'm thrilled unveil the cover for book 2 in the Makai series, UNLEASHED. This series has been such an amazing experience. I can't wait to see how everything unrolls from here! :-)

Tristan can't wait to get to Darnell—a place where people have similar powers to his own and won't know about the horrific events that led to being exiled from his previous home. Unfortunately, they do know, and so does Lazaro, a ruthless man determined to regain possession of the powerful emerald Tristan stole. 

And Lazaro isn't the only one on a quest for Tristan's blood. 

A secret society of overzealous dragon slayers believes Tristan is a worthy target to hunt. When he is captured and put on trial for being an abomination to mankind, his continued denial of dragon ancestry won't keep him safe for long. The Slayers have been hunting for generations, and in a private museum of artifacts and past conquests, Tristan discovers a handful of gems akin to the emerald and a new mission—if he can survive long enough to escape captivity. 

But then...no amount of protection or denial can save him from himself.


UNLEASHED will be, uh, unleashed June 5th! (*groans! that was bad).

Before you ask.... Yes! That is a potted cactus plant on the back cover. And, yes! It is deliberate. :-)

Find me at Goodreads!
(I'll post a link in the comments when the Goodreads contest goes live--hopefully by Wednesday.)

Cover Reveal and Giveaway! Rewind to You by Laura Johnston

Cover Reveal, About the Author, a Sneak Peek of REWIND TO YOU and Rafflecopter Giveaway

Goodreads * Amazon * Barnes & Noble

Author: Laura Johnston

Publisher: Kensington Publishing Corp.

Genre: Clean Contemporary YA Romance

Release Date: September 15, 2014; Available for PREORDER now

One last summer before college on beautiful Tybee Island is supposed to help Sienna forget. But how can she? This is where her family spent every summer before everything changed, before the world as she knew it was ripped away.

But the past isn’t easily left behind. Especially when Sienna keeps having episodes that take her back to the night she wants to forget. Even when she meets the mysterious Austin Dobbs, the guy with the intense blue eyes, athlete’s body, and weakness for pralines who scooped her out of trouble when she blacked out on River Street.

When she’s with Austin, Sienna feels a whole new world opening up to her. Austin has secrets, and she has history. But caught between the past and the future, Sienna can still choose what happens now…

About the Author:

Laura's Official Website * Facebook Page * Twitter * Goodreads

Laura Johnston lives in sunny Arizona with her husband and two children. Growing up in Orem, Utah with five siblings, a few horses, peach trees, beehives and gardens, she developed an active imagination and always loved a good story. Laura enjoys running, playing tennis, sewing, dancing (deduced to dancing around the kitchen while cooking dinner these days), traveling, writing, writing and more writing, and above all, spending time with her husband and kids. REWIND TO YOU, her debut novel, was inspired by the loss of her father as a teenager.

A Sneak Peek of REWIND TO YOU:

Giveaway: Signed Copy of REWIND TO YOU and $25 Amazon Gift Card

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. The winner, chosen by Rafflecopter, will be announced here on April 29th as well as emailed. The winner will have 5 days to respond at which point a new winner will be chosen. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning.

Cover Reveal: Arms of Anu by Christina Mercer

Back in April of last year, I introduced you to my former critique partner, Christina Mercer, and her debut book Arrow of the Mist.

Well, I'm happy to say the sequel to sequel to the award-winning MG/YA fantasy ARROW OF THE MIST is coming out March 17, and I get to share the cover with you! Here it is, plus a little teaser blurb:

Blood of body, blood of soul, 
Entwined for life, then unfolds;
If blood still runs when magic binds,
Soul is never too far to find.

In ARMS OF ANU, Lia and Kelven battle through a land of tyrants, war and magic.

Can Lia escape the foes who ensnare her?

Will Kelven’s love withstand the darkness taking root inside Lia?

Is freedom too high a crown to reach, or will they forever remain in the hollows?

RELEASE DATE SET FOR MARCH 17, 2014 (St. Patrick’s Day!)

Isn't that cover a great complement to the first book?

Thanks for the opportunity to spread some cover love, Christina!

Christina Mercer, is an award-winning author of fiction for children and young adults. She enjoys life in the foothills of Northern California with her husband and sons, a pack of large dogs, and about 100,000 honeybees. For more about her and her writing, visit:

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