That Moment When YA Anthology #1 In Dystopian and Short Stories!

Dec4

That Moment When is an anthology of young adult writing featuring some of today’s hottest new talent in young adult fiction. Find your next favorite author as you read through 40 thrilling short stories.

Get it on Kindle / Get it on iBooks / Get it on Kobo

Love YA paranormal, urban fantasy, science fiction and dystopian books?

We’ve gathered a handful of thrilling stories from all of your favorite genres and put them together into an epic anthology of young adult fiction. Some of them are just the beginning of a unique adventure, while others are complete stories that will spark your imagination.

With over 200,000 words (about three full-length novels) That Moment When will provide weeks of reading pleasure.

OUR THEME
Have you ever reached a moment in your life when everything changed? A crossroads of sorts; a point of no return. An event or realization so enormous you knew it would impact you forever in ways you couldn’t begin to understand? Discoveries so momentous they changed everything you thought you knew about the world, and yourself?

That Moment When is filled with exactly these kinds of moments.

If you read the stories in this anthology, I guarantee you’ll find at least a few that thrill and excite you. Make sure to follow the authors if you want to read more – most of us have at least one free book on our sites.

All your favorite YA genres!

PARANORMAL & URBAN FANTASY

Inconvenient Curiosity, A.M. Lalonde
Melissa, Kaitlin Bevis
Reflection, Katlyn Duncan
Push, Leia Stone
The Wrath of the Fury, Michelle Madow
Sanctuary, Melle Amade
The Volunteer, Melissa A. Craven

SCIENCE FICTION

AVLYN, Jenetta Penner
Zoo girl, Jennifer Bardsley
The Guardians, SL Morgan
When I find you, Norma Hinkens
Humanity’s Protectors, David R. Bernstein

DYSTOPIAN & POST-APOCALYPTIC

Drift Away, Rob L. Slater
The End, Melissa Algood
Sand and Starships, Heather Lee Dyer
Provisions, Kira Lerner
Misery, Patti Larsen
Translucents, Kelly St. Clare
Taste, Derek Murphy

FANTASY

The Confectioner’s Guild, Claire Luana
Unicorn Magic, Roz Marshall
Another World, Rachel Morgan
Running Toward Illumia, Angel Leya
Jarra, Shaun L Griffiths
Arrows & Angels, Kristin D. Van Risseghem
The Birth of the Immortal Queen, Katherine Bogle
Emerald Eye, S. McPherson
The Dry Season, Cassidy Taylor

THRILLER & HORROR

The Waiting, Laurie Treacy
Desperate, Stacy Claflin
More Than a Crush, Kat Stiles
Second Chances, Jackson Dean Chase

AND MORE (UNIQUELY SPECULATIVE FICTION)

Fox Red, Amy Laurens
Silk and Service, David Kudler
Learning to Fly, Laura Diamond
Underbelly Circus, Hilary Thompson
Glimpses, Avril Sabine
Doormaker, Jamie Thornton
The C in Summer, Jaime Munn

Get it on Kindle / Get it on iBooks / Get it on Kobo

The Alliance of YA Authors is a community of over 1000 young adult writers. Many of us are award-winning, bestselling authors; others are brilliant debut authors just starting out. We team up to make it easier for you to find your new favorite reads, with book giveaways, contests and joint book promotions.

The Big Deal

May11

Guys. GUYS. This is so exciting. A bunch of Spencer Hill Press Teen and Young Adult ebooks are discounted via Amazon’s The Big Deal NOW through May 24 AND The Zodiac Collector is one of them!

Please check it out if you haven’t already purchased The Zodiac Collector, and please share the news!

If you’ve read The Zodiac Collector, please consider writing a review–it’s SO important for authors to get reviews because it helps improve visibility and outreach.

Thanks so much!

THE BIG DEAL

The Zodiac Collector ebook for $2.99

Distant Relatives?

Mar16

When I found Julian Alexander at the Renaissance Faire a couple of years ago, I thought I’d found a truly original, fantastical, magical creature. He was so fantabulous, that he earned a cameo in The Zodiac Collector. (Both sisters, Anne and Mary, have a Drabbit-like creature.) Drabbits are part dragon and part rabbit. Interested in more info? Check out this website HERE, where Drabbits are born.

Julian is refined, intellectual, and driven.

Today, I met Julian’s distant cousin, Labbitus Tigrus Rotundii, AKA the Labbit.

Mustachioed, chubby, and prone to binge-watching Netflix, the Labbit tends to be more of a wallflower than the Drabbit, but you must admit, he’s just as fantastical.

So, what say you? Are these animals distant relatives or utterly and entirely independent species?

Reading Jag

Mar9

I’m a book binger. Stick a pile of books in front of me and I’ll binge on them like a food addict at an all you can eat buffet. I can’t help it. I can’t stop myself.

This past week has been a particularly productive binge. (Doesn’t help that I’ve shopped at the bookstore like three times in the past couple of weeks!)

So what have I read?

SOLD by Patricia McCormack. Soon to be a film, it captures the life of a Nepali girl sold into sex slavery in India. A tragic story; an excellent book.

FIRE AND FLOOD by Victoria Scott. The first book in the series, it shows how far someone will go to save a loved one. I picked up the sequel straight away because I enjoyed it so much!

THE MARTIAN by Andy Weir. I’d give this a hundred thousand stars if I could. It’s about an astronaut who gets stranded on Mars and how he struggles to survive. This one is also going to be a movie and I can’t wait to see it!!!

HOLLOW CITY by Ransom Riggs. This is book two in the Miss Peregrine’s Peculiar Children series. I love how the author includes old, strange pictures and weaves them into the plot.

A DARKER SHADE OF MAGIC by VE Schwab. Magic, intrigue, & multiple Londons–AWESOME! I just started this one & I’m in love!

What are you reading these days?

The Zodiac Collector Tour

Oct20

Today kicks off the week long blog tour for The Zodiac Collector, hosted by Bewitching Book Tours. Thanks, Roxanne, for all your hard work and thanks to all the bloggers willing to help spread the word about The Zodiac Collector!

Here’s what you’ll see on the tour:

An interview where I share my favorite books, why you should read The Zodiac Collector, and what I’m working on next
My fascination with astrology
My top ten favorite witchy-type movies
The radical differences of twins Anne and Mary
Why you’re never too old to read YA
An excerpt from The Zodiac Collector

There will also be FOUR PRIZE PACKS (click on the links below to get to the Rafflecopter):

Prize pack 1: Autographed set of Shifting Pride, Endure, & Lore (an anthology) and swag bookmarks
Prize Pack 2: Autographed copy of Lore (an anthology) and swag bookmarks
Prize Pack 3 &4: Swag postcards of books, a zodiac ring, & a zodiac bracelet representing main characters from The Zodiac Collector (Libra & Gemini)

Bonus: I’ll give an ecopy of my short story, Tsavo Pride, to everyone who purchases The Zodiac Collector!!! Simply email me proof of purchase and I’ll send the short. My email: authorlauradiamond@gmail.com

Here’s the tour stops (some days have multiple spots):

The Zodiac Collector Tour Schedule
Oct 20-27
October 20 Interview
Mom With A Kindle

October 20 Spotlight
3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, &, Sissy, Too!

October 21 Guest blog
Kaitlin Sivley

October 21 Spotlight
BabyCakes Book Blog

October 22 Guest blog
Fang-tastic Books

October 22 Spotlight
Roxanne’s Realm

October 23 Guest blog
Accepted Wisdom

October 23 Spotlight
Cassandra M’s Place

October 24 Spotlight
CBY Book Club

October 24 Spotlight
Fantasy Book Lane

October 24 Spotlight
Book Bliss

October 27 Guest blog
Mythical Books

October 27 Spotlight/Excerpt
JeanzBookReadNReview

October 27 Spotlight
The Review List

Looking forward to seeing you around the Interwebz!

I Have A Book In A Bookstore

Oct13

When I first started writing, I never really believed I’d see a book with my name on it resting on a shelf in Barnes & Noble, but I fantasized about what it’d look like. It only took five years to see it come true, lol! And here it is, The Zodiac Collector, available at my local Barnes & Noble: After the initial shock wore off of seeing my book under the “New Teen Fantasy and Adventure” section (I kind of stood staring for a while, then I snapped a few pictures, then I stared some more, then I took more pictures–God, I wonder what people thought!), I snatched the copies off the shelf and autographed them. The store manager added The Zodiac Collector to the other autographed books they have at the Info Desk under Noteworthy Selections and invited me to schedule a book signing (which will likely be next year). She and another employee took my picture to commemorate the occasion. Super sweet, right? They totally made my day! I’ve got a TON of folks to thank for helping me realize this dream, from beta readers, other writers, family, friends, supportive co-workers, and, of course, my editor, publicist, and the team at Spencer Hill Press. MOST importantly, I send a huge

THANK YOU

to my readers. I hope you enjoy The Zodiac Collector. 🙂

Make sure you come back next week when I kick off a week long blog tour with Bewitching Book Tours for The Zodiac Collector!

Cover Reveal: RELUCTANT PRINCE By Dani-Lyn Alexander

Sep26

Reluctant Prince

Kingdom of Cymmera
Book One

By: Dani-Lyn Alexander

Betrayal lies cloaked in shadow.

Seventeen year old Ryleigh Donnovan is certain her life is cursed. Nothing ever goes smoothly, and her first job interview is no exception. An earthquake rocks the building, sending Ryleigh on a frantic search for her younger sister, a search which lands her in the hospital. Terrified they’ll push her for answers she can’t afford to give, Ryleigh flees with a mysterious stranger.

Jackson Maynard is about to be ordained as a Death Dealer, a warrior for the Kingdom of Cymmera, but first he must pass one more test. When he fails to acquire the human girl the prophet has chosen, he’s forced to stand trial for treason. Banished from his realm, he seeks out the girl from the vision, Ryleigh Donnovan, and together they embark on a journey to save his dying kingdom.

Now Available on Net Galley

Buy Links:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Advance Praise:

“A gorgeously wrought fantasy realm with a heroine who will make you cheer!”

~Wendy Higgins, NYT and USA Today bestselling author of the Sweet Evil trilogy.

“Reluctant Prince grips you from the beginning and won’t let go…fresh and engaging.”

~ Ally Shields, author of the Guardian Witch series.

“A thrilling ride on a rollercoaster of danger that’ll keep you gasping for breath with every turn of the page.”

~ Laura Diamond, author of The Zodiac Collector.

“Dani-Lyn weaves a tale of family bonds, untapped abilities and an alternate world of fantastic wonders, all discovered by a courageous heroine and a swoon-worthy hero I want to see again and again!”

~ Contemporary Romance Author, Theresa DaLayne.

“Reluctant Prince takes readers on a heart pounding journey through the realms. Fantastical world building and a captivating hero keep pages turning to the end.”

~ Julie Anne Lindsey, author of Prophecy and Deceived

Bio:

Dani-Lyn Alexander lives on Long Island with her husband, three kids and three dogs. She loves spending time with her family, at the beach, the playground, or just about anywhere. In her spare time, which is rare, she enjoys reading and shopping—especially in book stores. Some of her favorite things include; Bernese Mountain Dogs, musicals, bubble baths and soft blankets. She’s an incurable insomniac and has an addiction to chocolate.

Meet Dani-Lyn on the Interwebz:

Website

Facebook

Twitter

It’s THE ZODIAC COLLECTOR’s Birthday!!!!

Sep23

It’s finally here–ZODIAC’s birthday!!!! *throws confetti*

Click HERE to check out a giveaway on Chandara Writes blog.

It looks like Zodiac is earning some FIVE star reviews–thank you!!!!

“FIVE STARS. I knew this novel was promising when I read the blurb on Goodreads, and it far surpassed my expectations. A dystopian with mounting suspense, tons of conflict, and an interesting theme, this novel was hard to put down! Anything but predictable, Laura Diamond had me guessing what was going to happen next, throughout!” ~April Wood, blogger of A Well Read Woman

In case you haven’t seen it, here’s what THE ZODIAC COLLECTOR is about:

For almost-16 year-old Anne Devans, the annual Renaissance  Faire means three things—her dad spending weeks in the smithy, her bipolar mom doing some manic costume making, and another ruined birthday for her and her twin sister, Mary.

This year, Anne wants things to be different, and she’s going to do things her way.

On the eve of the Faire, Anne (along with a reluctant Mary) conjures up a spell that will make their 16th birthday party a whirlwind event. Little do they know that it’s a literal request.

After the mini tornado in their room subsides, the girls realize they’ve invoked the power of the Gemini Twins, Castor and Pollux. That’s the good news. The bad news is they also caught the attention of a sorceress named Zeena who has been collecting children born under each Zodiac Sign to enhance her power. Once she captures Anne and Mary, Gemini twins, the entire Zodiac—and the world—will be hers.

Anne leads the fight against Zeena, but her one-sided decisions could throw them into a world so far from home, even the Renaissance Faire would seem like a brilliant vacation. Between managing their new Zodiac powers, dodging their manic mother and trying to stop Zeena, they’ll get a 16th birthday they’ll never forget.

Book Details:

Young Adult Fantasy/Paranormal

Paperback, 328 pages

Published by Spencer Hill Press

Publication Date: September 23, 2014

Purchase Links:

Amazon.com

Barnes and Noble

Kobo

Goodreads

So I thought it would be fun to share information about our zodiac signs (you’ll see me posting on Twitter and FB about it!). Please add your zodiac sign and a couple characteristics in the comments. 😉

I’m LIBRA–fair, indecisive, and must have balance!!!

THE ZODIAC COLLECTOR Comes Out In ONE WEEK!!!

Sep15

Hey gang! I’m SUPER STOKED about Zodiac’s release next week. On Tuesday, September 23, 2014, The Zodiac Collector is officially available in ebook and paperback. YAY!!!

Here’s an early review from a reader:

5 stars

A well-written and very unique story, with smart and likable characters, unlike any other book I’ve read. Since I read so much, it doesn’t happen very often that I come across a truly unique book, which captivates me from the first page. There was nothing I didn’t like, and lots that I liked a lot.

SQUEE!!!!

Here’s info on Zodiac, in case you want to take a gander:

Goodreads

Amazon

B&N

As a bit of a pre-release celebration, I’m going to be signing at Chapter By Chapter Book Rave (The Big Apple Author Signing!) in New Rochelle, NY on Saturday, September 20. It’s hosted by Jennifer L. Armentrout!!! Lots of FAB authors will be there–can’t wait to meet and greet everyone!

Another update: I recently received rights back for my shifter series (New Pride and Shifting Pride) and my YA dystopian duology (Endure and Evoke), SO they’re temporarily unavailable at this time while I ponder what do do with them. 😉

Tsavo Pride (A Shifter Short Story) is still available on Amazon.com. And my novella, Sunset Moon, is still in LORE.

Susan Kaye Quinn Indie New Release Giveaway!

Apr11

Indie Extravaganza: New Book Releases You Should Check Out – PLUS Gift Card Giveaway!

Looking for some great NEW indie reads?

All of these books are New Releases in the last few months. Skip to the genre you love, sample a new indie author… and enter the giveaway at the bottom! (Also check out the FREE books associated with these New Releases at the bottom.)
And THANK YOU for supporting indie authors!
(click on covers to learn more)

p.s. is it me, or are these indie covers amazing?

Young Adult Science Fiction