Saturday, July 25, 2015

As Summer Begins to Fade into Fall...

Summer keeps me busy, or shall I say a bustling house of children home on summer break keeps me busy?  I knew that if I began writing, I would not want to stop.  So, to keep from feeling frustrated, I banned myself from writing until the kids are back in school.  However, releasing a book in June promises to add events and obligations to the schedule.  I've enjoyed the ride, learned so much about launching books, helping others with their book releases, editing, and promos.  And I've met some pretty amazing people that I am glad to call friends.  By the way, there is just 17 days left of summer fun, 17 days till the writing begins.

In these last days, I am wrapping up my second blog tour.  The blog tours have been a great way for others to learn about Rarity and gain some reviews.  I wish I could do them all the time but they cost money and I do want to make a profit on the book.  I used Enticing Journeys and HEA Book Tours for the tours.  I recommend both companies very highly.  Both had professional, amazing ladies working hard to make the tours successful.  I have no complaints.


Teenage model girl outdoors enjoying nature, File: #61192887 | Author: Subbotina Anna from fotolia.com


I also put together my blog post for the My Crazy Corner YA/NA Blogfest.  This blogfest will feature blog posts from a ton of great authors.  We will use our creative juices to craft interesting posts to draw you in.  My blog post will include a book trailer for Rarity and a BRAND NEW RARITY CHAPTER!  The new chapter is just a bonus chapter for those that loved Rarity and didn't want the story to end.  This is my gift to you. I'll post details when it goes live.

Finally, I'll be signing and selling books and bookmarks at the Carmel-Clay Public Library Author Fair in Carmel, IN on August 22nd from 1-4pm.  For those of you that are local, come on out and meet some Indy authors!


Monday, July 20, 2015

The Writing Greyhound: Book Review: Rarity by D.A. Roach

The Writing Greyhound: Book Review: Rarity by D.A. Roach: Image credit: HEA Book Tours * I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Brogen Mathers can’t deal with teen dr...

Rarity, YA Fiction Novel plus Giveaway


RARITY
Author: D.A. ROACH
Genre: YA Romance
Publisher: Limitless Publishing
~ SYNOPSIS ~
Brogen Mathers can’t deal with teen drama…

As an empath, she is constantly bombarded with other people’s energies. Despite coping techniques taught by her psychologist mother, it’s often too much to bear, forcing her to avoid most activities a typical high school junior would enjoy.

Jay Wilken won’t let his past define him…

A dead mother and an alcoholic father brought Jay to Stanton, but he doesn’t want pity. His good looks, charisma, and friendly nature quickly win over the whole student body, but he has his eye on one girl…Brogen.

Brogen can’t believe anyone could be so genuinely nice. It has to be an act, right? But when Jay literally saves her from deadly jaws, she has to admit he’s exactly what he appears, and he’s worth risking the potential emotional upheaval.

“Drama” might as well be Becca Grant’s middle name…

Another newcomer to Stanton, Becca’s blonde beauty and abundant attitude shoots her straight to the top of the popularity charts—and she believes Jay belongs right there beside her. Accustomed to getting exactly what she wants, she launches a relentless mean-girl campaign to shake up Brogen and claim Jay for her own.

Everything changes with a devastating diagnosis…

When Jay learns he has a rare and potentially fatal disorder, he keeps it secret and begins to push Brogen away to spare her future pain—which is exactly the sort of opening Becca is waiting for.

As Jay’s well-meaning deception unravels,
Brogen realizes there is much more than her heart at stake…
But how far is she willing to go to fight for someone she loves?


~ PURCHASE ~


~ EXCERPT ~
 Things always looked different the next day. Skies seemed bluer, the grass was greener. The worries of yesterday were magically reduced to a manageable size, and brand new ideas and thoughts were born. Oddly enough, Mom’s words were like seeds planted in the night, now growing and blossoming inside me. Jay was very much alive. He was healthy, a bit fragile, but more alive than many kids my age who lived life mindlessly. If anything, this stupid disorder made him more alive. Made me more alive. I wanted to make memories with Jay— live each day to the fullest, laugh until my belly hurt, cry at sad movies with him, and watch the sunrise and the sunset whenever I could. Life was a gift, not to be taken for granted. It could be here one day and gone the next, or it could go on for a very long time.


~ EXCERPT ~
Our eyes were locked on each other, and I was glad to see he seemed lighter. He took a step closer, closing the space between us so our bodies were touching each other. I felt my heartbeat quicken, and butterflies fluttered about my stomach. This was an intimate space, and he clearly entered it. The air between us changed, it was more electric. He put his hands on each side of my face, and then gently but possessively, he took my mouth against his. He kissed gently at first, and I felt my knees grow weak. His lips were soft, and his breath was hot. I let my mind go and became enveloped in the overwhelming love that Jay exuded. He urged my mouth open and our kiss became more intimate. I felt the heat rising in my cheeks and followed Jay’s lead. His hands trailed down my arms and wrapped around my torso. The kisses returned to gentle nibbles, and then to sweet pecks before he pulled away to look at me. All traces of sadness were gone from his face, from inside of me. There was light and love there instead. “I’ve been wanting to do that for a long time,” he said.


~ ABOUT THE AUTHOR ~
D.A. ROACH

D.A. Roach has been telling stories since she was a young girl in the suburbs of Chicago. In college she met the man of her dreams, her happily ever after, and married him 2 weeks after graduating. They have 3 kids together and a pet cockatiel named Gimli. D.A. did not find a love for books until after college. Her parents were immigrants from Lithuania and found tv and radio easier ways to hear stories so they did not do much reading or encourage it. But once she finished college and D.A. had free time, she discovered how amazing it was to get lost in a story.

D.A. is a full time mom and wife. When she is not doing domestic things (laundry, bills, etc) she is writing, reading, creating mixed media art, and helping beautify her kids’ school landscape. Oh, and she is ALWAYS listening to music. Her favorite authors include Rebecca Donovan, Richelle Mead, Larissa Ione, Stephanie Meyer, E.L. James, and Sylvia Day. Reading great works from authors like these has motivated D.A. to write her own stories. She hopes to make positive changes in the world with her art and writing.

“Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.”
― George Bernard Shaw

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:

~ GIVEAWAY ~




Tuesday, July 07, 2015

New book by Iris Blobel! Check out her latest.



I THINK I LOVE YOU by Iris Blobel
★★★ NOW LIVE ★★★

I THINK I LOVE YOU
Author: Iris Blobel
Series: Australian Sports Series #3
Publisher: Limitless Publishing
★★★ SYNOPSIS ★★★
Markus DeLeon and Sarah Winter’s lives couldn’t be more different… 

After three years away as the goalkeeper for an English soccer club, Markus has been happy to be back in Australia. He’d missed his family and friends, including Sarah. He’s known her since childhood, and often protected her from the teasing of other children and the troubling consequences of a broken home. 

When they attend their friends’ wedding, a new light is cast on their friendship… 

Sarah is fresh out of a bad relationship, and Markus has always been the one she can confide in. Maybe it’s the magic of the wedding—or how stunning he looks in a tux—but the attraction between them intensifies in ways they’d never imagined. 

But sometimes when risking what you have, you might lose everything… 

Following a passionate encounter, Markus isn’t sure how to handle this new aspect of his relationship with Sarah, and literally flees the scene for the coast. Sarah is unsure how to react to his sudden departure, but is soon knocked off course by misunderstandings and a frightening family emergency. 

Markus realises his mistake and wants to make things right, but he also faces obstacles. He’s been offered an exciting new job, and an attractive newcomer to the neighbourhood is eager to claim his attention, though the last thing Markus needs is another confusing relationship. 

Can Sarah and Markus face the fear and doubt—and the potential loss of their lifelong friendship—to give their love a chance?


★★★ PURCHASE LINKS ★★★

★ AUSTRALIAN SPORTS STARS SERIES 
Book 1: LOVE WILL FIND YOU: http://amzn.to/1f5Eqq7 - Currently FREE!
Book 2: LET ME LOVE YOU: http://amzn.to/1GRPZbc



★ MEET THE AUTHOR 
IRIS BLOBEL
Iris Blobel was born and raised in Germany and only immigrated to Australia in the late 1990s. Having had the travel bug most of her life, Iris spent quite some time living in Scotland, London as well as Canada where she her husband. Her love for putting her stories onto paper has only emerged recently, but now her laptop is a constant companion.

Iris resides west of Melbourne with her husband and her two beautiful daughters.

Next to her job at a private school, she also presents a German Program at the local Community Radio.

Social Media Links:


Thursday, July 02, 2015

Not Another Teen Romance




Not Another Teen Romance
(said with the teenage griping voice and an eyeroll)

Have you read Twilight? Yeah, me too. I loved it but just like the other popular things in life, it has dimmed down to a more standard popularity. How about Fault in Our Stars? Paper Towns? John Green has quite the social media presence and has a way with words. So why would you want to branch out and read a book by a new author? Yes, my story is getting 4 and 5 star reviews but it only has 23 reviews. Fault in Our Stars has 36,124! I don’t blame you for doubting me and my work. To be honest, I would too. I mean 36,124 is REALLY impressive.


But Rarity is an amazing story that begged to be told. It is a fictional tale that is based on real life stories that I heard from others diagnosed with the rare disorder that Jay from Rarity was diagnosed with. Two years ago my son was diagnosed with this disorder and our lives were plunged deep into unknown territory. We had to learn about this disorder, the complications that occur, the life changes, the medications, and the emotional toll that our future held. It was overwhelming, like a tidal wave of sadness pushing me under. I fell into a deep pit and felt so low, so helpless. I did not want this for my child. I had dreams for him and a different life painted than the one handed to us...

Read more of this blog post here:
http://labellebooks.blogspot.ca/2015/07/rarity-by-da-roach.html






**AUDIO TOUR With Giveaway** Cross by D.A. Roach

Abibliophobia Anonymous Book Reviews: **AUDIO TOUR With Giveaway** Cross by D.A. Roach : Title: Cross Author: D.A. Roach ...