SHIFTING PRIDE PAPERBACK IS HERE!

Hey gang!

I’m super stoked to share good news with ya’s!

SHIFTING PRIDE is now available in PAPERBACK!!! WOOT!!!!

Can’t wait to hold my debut YA novel in my hands. My fingers be twitchin’!

***SQUEE!***

Tell me friends, what’s it like when you hold your book baby in your hands?

Amazon

Amazon UK

B&N

****To celebrate, I’ve decided to GIVE a PDF copy of my spin off short story, TSAVO PRIDE, to every person who purchases a copy of Shifting Pride (ecopy or paperback)!****

Send proof of purchase to: laurabdiamond@yahoo.com

Please spread the word–It’s MUCH APPRECIATED!

Come back on SATURDAY, May 25 when I help Heather Van Fleet celebrate the release of her latest YA contemp romance, When It’s Least Expected!

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TSAVO PRIDE BLOG BLITZ–Going Full On Indie ;)

HI GANG!

I’m soooooo excited to share my new short story, TSAVO PRIDE. It’s a spin off based on the man-eating lions of Tsavo, so it has a decidedly horroresque bent. For those of you who read Shifting Pride, you know that the lions of Tsavo made a cameo appearance. Now, they have their own story.

Here’s a teaser trailer on YouTube:

Blurb:

Rogue shapeshifters, Santamo and Legeny, believe they are kings blessed with the power to shift into lions. Using that strength, they brutally defend their land from the British building the Ugandan Railroad that threatens their way of life. On a particularly ruthless raid, Santamo meets his match—Naserian. He spares the girl’s life, a move that fractures his relationship with Legeny and blurs his visions of cleansing his territory of invaders.

While the pile of bones in Santamo and Legeny’s cave grows, so does Santamo’s attraction to Naserian. When she challenges him to give up his murderous ways, will Santamo stay on the path of death he believes is his duty, or will he choose Naserian, and love?

TSAVO PRIDE is NOW AVAILABLE via Amazon for $0.99! Amazon Prime members can borrow it for free.

 

Several blogging buds are helping me spread the word, so I’d like to thank them by linking to their sites. Feel free to check ‘em out.

Do check out Danielle Fine’s website. She designed the cover and edited Tsavo Pride. Thanks, Danielle!

I have a special interview post on Gareth Young’s blog. It was a lot of fun to put together, so head on over to learn more about me and my writing.

Links to my blogging buds:

Karen Y Bynum

Lydia Y Kang

MPax

VB Tremper 

Ally Shields

Dani Lyn Alexander

Theresa McClinton

PT Dilloway

LM Preston

Lynn Rush

Lacey Wolfe

Elizabeth Arroyo

Catherine Cavendish

Ellie Garratt

Catherine Johnson

As a final send off, this Wednesday is another edition of the Indie Life. I’d just like to point out that I would have never attempted to self publish anything if it weren’t for this fabulous group of authors. They took the plunge into the deep, vast waters of publishing and have steered their own course to success. Thanks for being an inspiration!

What is Indie Life?
How: Sign up on the Linky at the bottom of this page
When: Post on the second Wednesday of the month (starting 1/9/2013)
What: Write anything indie related: something that will inspire or help a fellow indie; something that celebrates a release or a milestone; something that talks about the ups and downs, joys and heartaches of Being Indie.
Grab: The banner above to include in your posts!

Because being Indie doesn’t have to mean going it alone.

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Jen Naumann–Cheating Death Blog Hop

 

I’m so excited to help out author Jen Naumann for her latest release, a New Adult novel titled Cheating Death. Congrats, Jen!

There’s a link to a Rafflecopter giveaway below–I don’t know how to make them pretty for WordPress, sorry friends, but click the link and you can enter!

Book Description:

Lysandra Brooks remembers everything about the day she almost drowned alongside her grandma, especially the set of mysterious eyes she saw at the bottom of the lake. Ever since then, she’s been seeing strange things when she is near water—things that aren’t really there. Because of it, Lysandra has the tendency to avoid anything that isn’t on dry land. On her last day of high school, however, the biggest party of the year is set to take place at a fellow senior’s lakeside mansion. Despite her fears, Lysandra decides to prove to her friends and herself that she can handle it.

But after a horrific night of drinking and drama that leaves Lysandra feeling lonely and confused, she nearly drowns for a second time, only to be saved by the new guy in town. From that moment on, Lysandra’s world is turned upside down with the discovery of mind blowing secrets, including a revelation that something sinister is after her soul.

Author bio:

Jen grew up during a magical time in which Ghostbusters, Star Wars, E.T. and The Goonies were the biggest blockbusters. Her love of sci-fi exploded over time, eventually growing into a career of writing YA fiction with a paranormal flair. When not sitting at her Mac, she can be found at concerts and movies, hanging with friends, chilling at her lake home, taking pictures, working on graphic design projects, traveling, or at home with her husband in southern Minnesota and trying to keep up with their four active children.

Rafflecopter:

<a id=”rc-b000b81″ href=”http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/b000b81/” rel=”nofollow”>a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>

<script src=”//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js“></script>

Link to blog hop home page:

http://paranormalya.blogspot.com/p/cheating-death-blog-hop.htm

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Glynis Smy–helping promote Shifting Pride

Historical romance author and poet Glynis Smy is graciously spotlighting Shifting Pride on her blog today. Thanks, Glynis!!!

Here’s the link to her post.

Check out her work RIPPER, MY LOVE on Amazon.com.

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Book Review Witch Hunt of the Blood

Author Krista Walsh and I “met” when our stories were pubbed in the Day of Demons anthology by Anachron Press last spring. I was super excited for her when she shared that she was working with best-selling author Devin O’Branagan (along with a few other authors) to create a compilation of novellas based on Devin O’Branagan’s novel, Witch Hunt.

Devin was kind enough to give me a copy of Witch Hunt of the Blood to review.

Starting on page 1, I was sucked into a vivid historical world. Immersed in WWII England, I followed along the lives of the Hawthorne witches, sharing their joys, feeling their pain, and suffering their tragedies. The stories continue from there, and they are all just as strong.

When I read paranormal (and I read it a lot), the focus often becomes about the characters powers and how it impacts their lives. What I find different about this anthology is that I feel like I get to know the characters first. As a result, I get to know each person, well, as a person. The fact that they are witches isn’t necessarily secondary, but it’s part of the whole.

Another way to look at it is that most paranormal (at least the stuff I’ve read) focuses on the paranormal world and the characters become further drawn into it, leaving their original (and dare I say, normal?) world behind. In this anthology, we see the characters living in the “real world,” as it were, and their powers are a part of it.

I’m so glad I came across this anthology.

Here’s the blurb:

Five novellas based on Devin O’Branagan’s bestselling novel, Witch Hunt. 

The anthology begins with O’Branagan’s own novella about the Hawthorne matriarch, Vivian. She and her fellow British witches work together to prevent a Nazi invasion during World War II. Then there is Colonial maiden, Bridget, who struggles with the guilt of failing her family in Salem, 1692. Her younger sister, Prissy, mysteriously disappears and finds another magical world. Julia, torn by family loyalties, love, and her spiritual quest, pays a huge price to continue the bloodline. And Miranda uses her powers against the great influenza outbreak of 1918 – but finds the ultimate foe is prejudice against her kind.

Discover what was left out of Witch Hunt and revisit your favorite characters with these exciting novellas. The story isn’t done until the battle’s lost and won.

Witch Hunt of the Blood on Amazon

Witch Hunt of the Blood on Goodreads

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Anne Michaud, Author of GIRLS AND MONSTERS

I’m so stoked to have author Anne Michaud here today. We’ve done a little interview we’d like to share with you! Below you’ll find information for her upcoming YA novel, GIRLS AND MONSTERS, and a GIVEAWAY!!!!

Welcome, Anne!

What inspired you to pick up the pen (or keyboard) and start writing?

This vicious need to tell stories, it gnawed at my insides until words poured out, shaping into characters, plots and twists, incidents and feelings. And then I got addicted. The rest is history, recorded in a bunch of magazines, anthologies and my new book coming out.

Hahaha, it is a vicious need, isn’t it? What is your favorite kind of story?

Just take me away, make me forget the bills to pay and the noisy street outside my door. I want to escape, to live through somebody else’s mind and heart, to see things differently. I do lean towards the dark and gritty, much like I do.

An escape–I can totally relate. And dark is FAB! What draws you to Young Adult fiction?

It’s Suzanne Collins’ fault, her and The Hunger Games. I used to think YA was for kids, with heavy lessons on what’s wrong and right or just plain romance. I was wrong, I repent, and I’m making up for lost time.

That’s a great series. And an excellent point. YA fiction hits a lot of BIG issues, doesn’t it? Who do you think enjoys YA fiction more—teens or adults?

As a kid, I read adult books and as an adult, I read kids books – go figure. I’m thinking both enjoy it, but on a different level: teens want these stories to happen to them and adults want to reshape their pasts. Or maybe it’s just me.

LOL! I did the same–read grown-up books as a kid and YA as an adult. I like your theory, too. Shifting gears, what’s your favorite kind of monster?

A strong flaw, a human quality hidden deep under the fur and scales, something anyone can relate to: I love a monster with some kind of humanity. It doesn’t matter where It comes from, as long as there’s a connection with me, it’s love. Kinda.

Oooh, nice! How did Girls and Monsters come about?

I had a bunch of great stories that were never picked up by magazines or anthologies, so I decided to group them into a collection with two things in common: girls kicking some monster butt. I knew I did it right when my beta readers reacted to it.

That is SO awesome. How did you decide to do a collection of novellas?

I just love the story length: there’s hardly any down time in the plot, the characters have to be sharply defined, and the second act moves forward at top speed. As a reader, I enjoy the commitment of a lesser time frame, as well.

I really love novellas for those same reasons. To wrap up, what’s the best piece of advice you’ve been given (either in regards to writing, or even life in general)?

Do what you love or you’ll be miserable – it applies everything in life, too.

AGREED! Where can readers find you on the web?

My blog: http://annecmichaud.wordpress.com

Twitter: @annecmichaud

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/annecmichaud

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3011844.Anne_Michaud

Thanks for coming, Anne. I loved hearing (err, reading) your thoughts.

Ok, folks, now for the giveaway info!

 

Giveaway!! Softcover copy + The Monster Collection Skellies, 5 pieces handcrafted by the author: GIRLS & MONSTERS Giveaway

***Winner announced during the LIVE CHAT on APRIL 30^th 9PM east http://www.darkfuse.com/events.html

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Kerri Cuevas Deadly Kisses

I “met” Kerri a couple years back. We swapped writings for beta reading, so I got an early look at Deadly Kisses. I liked the characters and story then and totally love them now! Congrats, Kerri, for such a great debut!

Book Summary:

Aiden Grant is seventeen, has a killer kiss, and a boss who used to be President, back in the old days. You see, Aiden is a grim reaper and his kiss welcomes the newly dead. But Aiden’s pleasant grim reaper lifestyle is in jeopardy. And it’s not only because Honest Abe keeps throwing out history lessons with reaping assignments, just to confuse him. It’s because Aiden’s next assignment is to reap the soul of Bee, the only girl he has ever loved.When Aiden’s kiss of death fails, intertwining their souls, Bee is still very much alive and they are both in trouble. The ancients want Bee, who has special powers of her own, and they’ll do anything to get her.

Some rules are meant to be broken—even if that means Aiden must bargain with his own soul to save Bee. Who knew the afterlife could get so complicated?

Rafflecopter Giveaway (click the link and it’ll take you to the Rafflecopter form):

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/share-code/ZDBlMTQwYTE0ZDRjYzYxZDhmNmY3MThiY2E1NDljOjA=/

Author  Bio:

Kerri Cuevas was born and raised in Rhode Island. She moved to New Hampshire with her husband, three kids, cats and a rabbit named Hercules in 2005. When she’s not writing, she’s chasing chickens on her small farm or searching for the ultimate mac-a-cheese recipe.Kerri went to college for Early Childhood Education but now writes books for young adults full-time. Her storytelling stems from watching too many horror flicks as a teen, but she no longer needs to sleep with the lights on.

Author links:

Goodreads http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17156824-deadly-kisses

Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Deadly-Kisses-Kerri-Cuevas/dp/1937178323/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1360607748&sr=1-2&keywords=deadly+kisses

Author website: http://www.kerricuevasbooks.com/index.html

 

My review:

Aiden’s voice is clean and clear. As a reaper, he is set with the task of bringing souls across. Carrying the guilt of his friend’s death, he takes on the yoke of a reaper’s life, denying himself heaven. It just so happens he has to reap the sister of his friend.

And it just so happens that she can see reapers.

Aiden is tossed headlong into an action-packed adventure fraught with danger and he has to choose between sacrificing himself or the girl he’s in love with. If he chooses wrong, they both may be sacrificed.

Deadly Kisses is definitely a book worth reading. I’d give it 4 out of 5 stars.

Looking forward to your next book, Kerri!

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ENDURE LIVES!

First, a follow up on last week’s Poison post. Friends of Bridget Zinn have asked authors to join in on the poisonbook.tumblr site to share their poison and I’m sharing my poison today. There’s a lot of great entries!

Now, onto the NEWS.

Guys. GUYS. I’ve been bursting at the proverbial seams in waiting to share the news.

Are you ready?

*drum roll please *

In January, I submitted my YA dystopian, ENDURE, to my editor, Rhiannon, at Etopia Press. A few short weeks later, she replied with…

An offer to publish it!

BUT THAT’S NOT ALL!

There’s so much story to tell in ENDURE, that it will be published in TWO BOOKS!

That’s right.

ENDURE will be book one and EVOKE with be book two.

***SQUEE!***

I’ve already been slicing and dicing, dividing the manuscript into bits and bandaging it with new plot lines and action.

Looking forward to finally getting to share this story with you guys.

I’ve got some (unedited) blurbs for both…

ENDURE (Endure Book One):

For decades, immortal Vie have rabidly hunted Anemies like seventeen-year-old Justin and his sister. Their blood is a drug—and a scourge. Justin’s blood causes the Vie to age, a powerful threat, and yet a priceless hope for the Earth’s downtrodden humans.

When Justin’s sister is kidnapped by the Vie, he vows to rescue her. He strikes a deal with the human resistance, but they’re nothing but a cult with delusions that a messianic Anemie will free them all.

In a race to find his sister before she dies, Justin learns that not all Vie are evil, and not all humans are good. Trapped with choosing between saving what’s left of humanity and saving his sister, Justin can’t decide which option is going to get him killed first.

EVOKE (Endure Book Two):

Seventeen-year-old Justin has escaped the long reach of the immortal Vie, Nathan Abarron. Along with a freed human slave, Cara, he now faces the wilds outside the city wall. Dotted with pockets of unfriendly and paranoid Anemie communities, the wilds are just as dangerous as the city.

When Cara gets injured, Justin must search for the very group he wants to avoid. Lucky for him, an ally of his father recognizes him and guides him through the tenuous ropes of forest-dwelling Anemie society.

The fragile relationship shatters when Justin’s secret gets out—his blood can age Vie. It’s the weapon that all Anemies have been waiting for and the Anemie leader plans to use every last drop.

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Book Review Darkness Comes This Way

I’m a sucker for vampires. I don’t care if they sparkle, if they are ugly, if they are moody, whiny, or even grumpy. I especially love ‘em if they’re HOT, but that goes without saying, right?

I met author Pixie Lynn Whitfield on Twitter and we decided to exchange books for reviews. Here’s her take on Shifting Pride (it involves My Little Pony. WIN.).

Luck was in my favor because her book, Darkness Comes This Way, is about VAMPS! YAY!

Zarah is a Guardian vampire, part of a group of immortals who keep humans safe by killing Rogue vampires. (Let me tell you, I’d very much enjoy that job, LOL!) She’s a kick-ass heroine with a cold exterior. But she’s got a tender heart inside.

She’s paired up with Draven, another Guardian, and they’re both charged with redoubling their efforts, because the Rogues are becoming more powerful and more deadly.

What I love about this story is that Zarah and Draven dislike each other and that tension kept me interested. Despite their butting heads, they are able to form a strong partnership and they work really well together–something that’s difficult to create, IMHO.

Another bit I liked was that Zarah ends up having to face her past head on, and she risks exposing her secret as a result.

The action is non-stop, the twists frequent, and the tension high. All must haves in my book.

The downside: I’d like to see more editing for streamlining. That being said, Pixie Lynn is a strong writer and I fully expect her skills to grow. I’m gonna keep an eye on her for her next projects!

I give Darkness Comes This Way 4 out of 5 stars.

Pixie Lynn Whitfield’s Blog

Darkness Comes This Way on Amazon

Darkness Comes This Way on Goodreads

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Rushed party TOMORROW and imareader Author Kindle Fire Giveaway

I’m SUPER STOKED to be co-hosting a RUSHED party with New Adult Paranormal Romance author Lynn Rush TOMORROW, Tuesday, March 12 @ 8:00 PM EST! Please be sure to hang out with us on Twitter–there will be prizes, chatting, and fun, fun, fun!

**********

Kathy at I’m A Reader, Not A Writer has organized a FABULOUS author hosted giveaway. Read on for all the deets!

 

Kindle Fire HD Giveaway!

The winner will have the option of receiving a 7″ Kindle Fire HD (US Only)

Or $199 Amazon.com Gift Card (International)

Or $199 in Paypal Cash (International)

Sponsoring Authors

Cascade Brides by Bonnie Blythe

Twenty-Five Years Ago Today by Stacy Juba

The Return of the Dragon Riders by Kristian Alva

Prison Nation by Jenni Merritt

The Stone Guardian by Theresa McClinton

For What It’s Worth by Karey White

Hidden Heart by Camelia Miron Skiba

The Gryphon Series by Stacey Rourke

Shifting Pride by Laura Diamond

Fire Within (Guardian Witch #2) by Ally Shields

The Light of Asteria by Elizabeth Isaacs

Kiss Me, I’m Irish by Bella Street

Legend Unleashed by M. Latimer-Ridley

Innovera Yakov- The Journey of a Thousand Eyes by Kia Garriques

The Gifted by Deborah Andreasen

Reflection by Kim Cresswell

Forbidden Temptation of a Vampire by Jodie B. Cooper

Family Magic by Patti Larsen

Fall of Sky City by S.M. Blooding

Blood Oath by T.L. Clarke

Grace Doll by Jennifer Laurens

A Tale of the Other Kind by Leandi Cameron

Alexander Drake by Elizabeth Parkinson Bellows

Owlet by Emma Michaels

Aura by Rebecca Talley

Giveaway Details
1 winner will receive their choice of a Kindle Fire HD (US Only), $199 Amazon Gift Card or $199 in Paypal Cash (International).
Ends: 3/31/13

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the authors. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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