Pot of Gold Giveaway March 1st – 17th

Welcome to the Pot of Gold Giveaway

hosted by Darkly Delicious YA and Book Nerd Tours .

Three winners will receive
AMAZON GIFT CARDS!

But in addition….

One Very Lucky Leprechaun 

will receive a

KINDLE FIRE HD

pre-loaded 

with great YA & NA books!  

Click on the covers to get to know the authors 
that are participating in the giveaway 
and learn more about their books!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Rafflecopter is a wee long, but worth it! 

May the Luck of the Irish be with you!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A
big thank you goes out to all the authors and bloggers who helped make
this event possible! The authors at Darkly Delicious YA couldn’t have
pulled this off without our amazing co-host, Book Nerd Tours, and
everyone’s wonderful support. 

“LUCK MAITH” to you all!

Month of Love

I’m super stoked to be a part of author Brinda Berry’s Month of Love giveaway. I’m over at her blog today talking about pick up lines and romantic music. Hop on over and enter to win a prize!

BRINDA’S BLOG

I’ve also restarted my Pinterest page. Take a look at my boards and follow along for info and updates about my books. (There’s some cool stuff about ZODIAC COLLECTOR (coming July 2014) and LORE a folklore retelling anthology coming March 2014.) * wink *

It’s EVOKE’s Birthday!

Woohoo! Book Two in my YA dystopian series is available TODAY (after a minor, but heart-attack inducing technical delay). I’m SO excited (and relieved)!!!!

To my surprise, it ranked #54 in the YA dystopian category on day 1–WOOT!

EDIT: Couldn’t resist adding this screenshot–Evoke moved up to #33! *grins*

I hope you enjoy the next step in Justin’s journey. If you do like the book, please write a review on Amazon, B&N, Goodreads, etc. It’s like a big squishy hug. 😉

If you’re interested in reviewing and would like a review copy, I have limited numbers, but feel free to ask!

Thanks again, to all the folks supporting me in this endeavor. I couldn’t keep going without your help. And thanks to Renegade YA for helping me polish EVOKE until it sparkled.

Happy reading!

******

Here’s the trailer in case you missed it:

Buy links:

Amazon

B&N

Omnilit

Kobo

Goodreads page (will be posting Evoke’s page soon)

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And if you haven’t yet read the first book, ENDURE, here’s where you can purchase it:

Amazon

B&N

Kobo

Omnilit

Goodreads page (4.14 avg rating)

EVOKE (Endure Series Book Two) Official Trailer

EVOKE is coming in less than two weeks! Woot! January 17, 2014 is the projected release date for the e-book, but sometimes Amazon goes live a couple days ahead of time. 😉

I’d like to give a huge THANKS to my pubber, Renegade YA. They’ve taken over the YA line for Etopia to give their authors more attention. There’s a FABULOUS website and my books have their own page! Click HERE to take a gander.

I’m stoked for Evoke’s release. It’s the continuation of Justin’s saga and has more fighting, danger, and twists than ever before–poor Justin, LOL! Alex makes a reprising role, too. He’s my favoritest character ever in a lot of ways and it’s good to be reunited with him.

But, enough of me touting my own story (is that a faux pas?). It’s time to share the official book trailer for EVOKE!

Hope you enjoy!

And, in case you haven’t seen it, here’s the book trailer for ENDURE (Book One):

Links to purchase ENDURE:

Amazon.com

B&N

Omnilit

Kobo

Goodreads

 

 

Buh bye 2013, Hullo 2014!

Phew, 2013 is almost over! Gotta say, it’s been a pretty tough year on multiple fronts. BUT, it’s ending on a high note–YAY!!

After several months of negotiating, I’ve started a new day job. It’s been a huge shift moving from a job where I had to juggle acute inpatient stabilization of folks, outpatient medication management, hospital psychiatric consultation, and mental health medication management in collaboration with the HIV specialists to a more focused role working with patients in the crisis intervention unit and crisis inpatient unit. It’s a different aspect of the continuum of psychiatric care and I see people in the most acute (high level of symptoms) stages of their illnesses. Since my first year of residency (8 1/2 years ago!), I knew I wanted to do Psychiatric ER work and I’m finally able to do it!

My new schedule (second shift, AKA evenings) allows me to be free of the alarm clock (except for Saturday mornings, LOL) AND I have more energy to write in the morning. After only a couple weeks, I feel much more refreshed and energized. Talk about a relief!

On the writing front, I struggled with burn out. Like SERIOUS I’m-gonna-quit-writing burn out. It was after writing and re-writing THREE novels in a FOUR month period of time. I met all my deadlines and polished up the manuscripts until they sparkled, but by the end, all my creative juices had been used up. *sad face*

Looking back, I can say the hard work paid off. But LORD, I wouldn’t want to have to do it again!

Anyway, born out of this revolving door of drafts, edits, and copyedits are:

TSAVO PRIDE (a self-pubbed, YA paranormal romance/horror short story spin-off to NEW PRIDE and SHIFTING PRIDE)

ENDURE ( YA Dystopian pubbed July 2013)

EVOKE (YA Dystopian; sequel to ENDURE; coming January 20, 2013 by Renegade YA)

THE ZODIAC COLLECTOR (YA adventure coming May 2014 by Spencer Hill Press)

 

PLUS, I have an essay in the Indie-pubbed collection titled: INDIESTRUCTIBLE: INSPIRING STORIES FROM THE PUBLISHING JUNGLE. 100% of proceeds are donated to BUILDON.org, a movement which breaks the cycle of poverty, illiteracy, and low expectations through service and education.

So, what’s in store for 2014?

• I somehow got my writing mojo back in late 2013 (like Nov/Dec late, LOL!), so I’m not quitting. 😉
• EVOKE and THE ZODIAC COLLECTOR will hit the virtual shelves as E-books and paperbacks.
• SUNSET MOON, a YA novella, will go through editing and polishing for a LORE anthology.
• BEAT, a YA thriller will be drafted (hopefully I’ll finish it by the end of February).
• I *might* try querying agents again. *bites fingernails*
• I NEED to get through my gargantuan (and still growing) TBR pile.

Ok, so it’s your turn to share. How was your 2013 and what’re working on in 2014?

Is Blogging Still A Thing? Maybe Not For Me…

I’m sure you’ve heard the statement, “Blogging is dead.” It seems to circulate the interwebz every few months. I gotta say, I never thought it to be the case. Until now.

My change in perspective has to do with my own approach to blogging. Most of you have no doubt noticed the change in my blog. Since summer, I’ve cut waaaaay back on posting. Part of it had to do with juggling three novels at once (never want to do that again–talk about skirting the edge of burn out!!!!) and some struggles I was having at the day job. Initially, I thought I’d be back in business by fall. Well, that didn’t happen. Deadlines got pushed out for various reasons, the day job stuff didn’t lessen, and my creativity took a nose dive. I pulled back to completing the essentials while letting the extras slide.

I hate the idea that my blog became an “extra.” I know I’ve lost readers. I know it’s because I’m not actively reading and commenting on others’ blogs. I also know I can’t keep it all up anymore. The momentum I’d gained with my first releases, New Pride and Shifting Pride, has ground to a halt.

And I don’t know where to go from here…

Sure, I’m still actively writing and will have 3 new publications in the coming year (Endure’s sequel, Evoke, with Etopia Press, The Zodiac Collector with Spencer Hill Press, and a sekrit project). WOOT!

I love my stories. I’m proud of my publications. And I’m hopeful for the future.

Getting back to blogging…

One thing is for certain. I’m going to have to reinvent part of myself. And when I say myself, I mean my online presence, my platform. I’ll have to try new ways of connecting with readers.

I’m not sure what that’s going to look like, but I’m considering it part of the process, part of the journey, if you will.

How about you? How do you keep your blogs going? Have you reinvented yourself? How’d you do it? What’s your favorite strategies for reaching readers?

 

YAtopia, INDIEstructible, Zodiac Collector, and Coffee with Endure

LOTS of updates today, folks!

This summer has been a balls to the wall, full-throttle adventure of writing and editing THREE books. ENDURE came out in July and EVOKE (Book Two in the series) will be going into edits in the coming weeks. ZODIAC COLLECTOR, a stand alone YA pararom with Spencer Hill Press is in second pass edits–WOOT!

Today, my debut post with YAtopia goes live and I share my thoughts on UNhappily Ever After endings. Stop by and drop your two cents; I’d love to see you there!

On Wednesday, September 4th, author Ally Shields and I are enjoying a nice hot cuppa and chatting on her blog about ENDURE.  Hop on over to check it out! (LINK)

 

 

And for the grand finale of announcements! 😉

 

 

***HELP SUPPORT THE INDIE AUTHOR AND AN AMAZING CHARITY!***

September is a very special month.

I, along with HUNDREDS of other authors, am celebrating the launch of an anthology, written and created, by indie authors, FOR indie authors.

Need motivation and inspiration to self-publish or sign that contract with an interested small press? Have you done all the research you can, but still feel ambivalent about the idea? Indiestructible: Inspiring Stories from the Publishing Jungle brings you the experiences of 29 indie authors (including me!)—their passions, their insights, their successes—to help you make the leap into indie publishing.

This is not a how-to guide. This is the best of the indie tradition of experienced authors paying forward what they’ve learned, giving you information to help you on your journey. The personal essays in this book will leave you itching to get your work into the hands of readers and experience, first-hand, all the rewards indie publishing has to offer.

Not only is this anthology packed full of interesting and unique information, and totally worth the 99c (only 99c!!!), 100% of proceeds will be donated to BUILDON.org, a movement which breaks the cycle of poverty, illiteracy, and low expectations through service and education.

Pretty amazing, huh?

What are you waiting for?

Buy Indiestructible—support the indie author and an amazing charity—TODAY! 

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE INDIESTRUCTIBLE

eBook: $0.99 USD
Publisher: Vine Leaves Press
ISBN 10: 0987593102 ISBN 13: 9780987593108

Compiled & Edited: Jessica Bell

Contributing authors:

Alex J. Cavanaugh <> Angela Brown <> Anne R. Allen <> Briane Pagel <> C.S. Lakin <> Ciara Knight <> Cindy M. Hogan <> D. Robert Pease <> Dawn Ius <> Emily White <> Greg Metcalf <> Jadie Jones <> Jessica Bell <> Karen Bass <> Karen Walker <> Kristie Cook <> Laura Diamond <> Laura Pauling <> Laurel Garver <> Leigh Talbert Moore <> Lori Robinson <> Melissa Foster <> Michael Offutt <> Michelle Davidson Argyle <> Rick Daley <> Roz Morris <> S.R. Johannes <> Stephen Tremp <> Susan Kaye Quinn

ENDURE RELEASE DAY!!!!

WOOT!!!!!

Book One of the Endure Series, ENDURE, is now available via Amazon and B&N, and will hopefully be available soon on Omnilit!

I hope you guys enjoy it. Book Two, EVOKE, is currently in editing. Hold tight, cuz it’s a wild ride. 😉

Please consider leaving a review on Amazon, B&N, and/or Goodreads–it’s like a great big hug for an author.

THANK YOU!!!!

Immortality ends with a few drops of blood…

Seventeen-year-old Justin’s anemic blood is a blessing. Or a curse. It all depends on who you ask.

In the Post-Collapse world where the immortal Vie lord over the rapidly diminishing humans, Anemies like Justin and his sister are rabidly sought after. Their blood is a drug—and a scourge. Justin’s blood causes the Vie to age—a priceless hope for the Earth’s downtrodden humans.

When Justin’s sister is kidnapped by the Vie, he strikes a deal with the human resistance, but they’re nothing more than a cult with delusions that a messianic Anemie will free them all. They believe that person is Justin. Justin thinks they’ll need someone a lot stronger than an anemic kid who can’t run twenty feet without getting dizzy. Between saving what’s left of humanity and saving his sister, Justin can’t decide which will get him killed first.

 

I’d like to give a BIG shout out to YA Bound Book Tours for hosting a FAB book blitz for ENDURE. THANK YOU!!!!

Cover Reveal: ENDURE

Hi all!

I’m SUPER stoked to share the cover of my upcoming YA dystopian, ENDURE. It’s the first book in a two book series by Etopia Press. This book has been in the works since 2009, so it’s about time y’all get to take a look! 😉

Title: ENDURE (Book One of the Endure Series)

Author: Laura Diamond

Publication Date: July 12, 2013

Genre: YA dystopian

Synopsis:

Seventeen-year-old Justin’s anemic blood is a blessing. Or a curse. It all depends on who you ask.

To most of the immortal Vie, his blood is a scourge: untouchable and useless. To some Vie, his blood is a drug. To Justin, it’s something that gets him in a lot of trouble. Being poisoned by a Vie is just one example. His sister getting kidnapped is another. Whether it’s being coerced by a deluded cult leader, or negotiating with Alex—an Vie scientist addicted to Anemie blood—Justin struggles to keep every mutated drop of blood he’s got.

His fight for survival gets more complicated when he meets Alex’s slave, Cara. Despite coming from different worlds, they’re both prisoners, at risk of being drained by a hungry Vie any moment. When she risks her own neck to help Justin find his sister, he’s left with a terrifying choice.

Saving what’s left of humanity.

Saving his sister.

Saving the girl he loves.

Or sticking a stake in Alex’s chest.

Justin can’t decide which option will get him killed first.

Please visit ENDURE on Goodreads and add it to your To Be Read list! 😉

I’d like to give a BIG THANKS to the following bloggers who’ve helped me spread the word about ENDURE’s cover!

You guys RAWK.

* Karen Y Bynum

* Nicole Zoltack

* Mary Waibel

* VB Tremper 

* Ally Shields

* Stephanie Sauvinet

* Theresa McClinton

* Lacey Wolfe

* Cate Peace

* Erin Danzer

* Catherine Cavendish

* Ellie Garratt

* Dani-Lyn Alexander

* Catherine Johnson

* Angela Brown

* Rebecca Enzor

* Amie Borst

* Sara Hubbard

* Christine Fonseca

Also, a SPECIAL THANKS to my AWESOME editor, Rhiannon Morgan! WOOT!

And, the following book blog sites:

Marissa and Michelle at Novels On the Run

Steph at FakeSteph.com

Sarah Elizabeth’s Bookshelf

Debbie at Snuggling On the Sofa

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.