A ginormous THANKS to all who participated in Dawn of the Vie’s launch earlier this month! Over 120 bloggers helped spread the word with the cover reveal and blog blitz. Beyond awesome. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
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The Goodreads giveaway for a copy of Dawn of the Vie is still going on. You have until 11:59pm on October 31, 2016 to enter! Click HERE to enter. Good luck!
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Here’s what early reviewers are saying:
“An interesting, fast paced and new idea!” Amazon reviewer
“What a wild ride!” Goodreads reviewer
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The paperback is now available in addition to the Ebook. I’ve included links to Amazon and B&N below…
Remember, reviews are crucial for authors. If you’ve read Dawn of the Vie, PLEASE consider leaving an honest review on the links above. It only has to be a couple of sentences, but it makes a HUGE difference. Thanks!
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If you’re in the upstate New York area, I’ll be attending the Glens Falls Chronicle Book Fair on Sunday, November 6. I’ll have copies of The Zodiac Collector (now SOLD OUT at B&N in Albany, NY), as well as Under My Skin AND Dawn of the Vie will be making its debut! Hope to see you there! đ
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Book Two of the Immortal Aliens duology, Blood Rush, is almost ready. It’s due for release Spring 2017. I can’t wait to share the conclusion of Alex, Justin, and Cara’s story with you. It’s EPIC, I promise. đ
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As an aside, my dragon story, LEARNING TO FLY, will be hitting the virtual shelves as part of a multi-book anthology. I’ll keep you updated on social media regarding purchase links, publication info, and cover pics.
Here’s a short blurb about the story:
In Ming Dynasty China, fifteen-year-old Jung discovers the nightmares cursing him are really the dreams of the slumbering dragon within. Waking the beast may free him, but taking flight means heâll have to give up all heâs ever known and loved.
Dawn of the Vie Laura Diamond (Immortal Aliens, #1) Published by: Curiosity Quills Press Publication date: October 3rd 2016 Genres: Dystopian, Science Fiction, Young Adult
Since their Arrival less than 30 years ago, immortal Vie rule the planet like the super-predators they are. Enslaved humans are their servantsâŚtheir entertainmentâŚand their food. Anemiesâhumans with various types of anemiaâare simply exterminated. Their nutritionally deficient blood is useless to the Vie.
Or so itâs thoughtâŚ
_________
Alex, an Elite Vie, is a bit of a Renaissance Alien. Part scientist, part Raid Specialist, part drug addict, he knows Anemie blood is valuable. Rather than blindly carrying out his bossâs kill order, he convinces some colleagues to spare a few Anemies, not only for study, but also to reserve a secret stock.
The more Anemie blood Alex drinks, the more he slips into delusion, and the more his double life threatens to crumble. But quitting Anemie blood is not an option. Every Anemie has their own personal flavor. Each gives a unique high.
When Alex takes a hit of Justinâs blood, his hallucinations bleed into realityâŚ
_________
Anemie Justin knows his little sister, Sammie, and he are living past their expiration dates. It becomes a guarantee when theyâre bitten by a Vie named Alex during a raid. (The bite is fatal, thanks to a toxin carried in Vie saliva.) Alex adds insult to injury by promising Justin a second chanceâan antidote in exchange for agreeing to be a lab rat.
And a muleâŚof his own blood.
When Justin says no, Alex takes off with Sammie.
All Justin has to do is find them, beat Alex, and cure himself and Sammie. All he has is a stake and serious lack of self-preservation.
I hated afternoons the most. Soon after came darknessâthe time when a raiding squad could snatch you out of bed and drain all the blood from your body. It was amazing that any Anemies survived with the extermination campaign ridding the world of us red blood cell-deficient freaks.
I gently squeezed my sisterâs hand to make sure she kept up. Dirt caked under her fingernails like it caked under mine. The cuff of her torn sleeve had stains like mine. Her pant cuffs were rolled up six times⌠also like mine. A younger version of meâmouthiness and allâin girl form. Unlike me, Sammie tended to dawdle, and since we held onto the last rung of the society ladder by the tips of our fingers, giving in to distraction could get us hurtâor killed.
My gaze jumped to the pale, indifferent sky then jittered to the partially constructed biodome edge as I walked. Large, clear panels filled the metal framework in a beehive of hexagons. Eventually, the damn thing would cover the entire city, including the river surrounding the island and part of the ocean capping the south side. The project had been progressing since before I was born.
Once the construction workers completed the biodome, Vie wouldnât have to fear the destructive UV rays of our sun and could wander freely during the day. Weâd have no safe period whatsoever. Vie could get us any time.
Author Bio:
Laura Diamond is a board certified psychiatrist currently specializing in emergency psychiatry. She is also an author of all things young adultâboth contemporary and paranormal. An avid fan of sci-fi, fantasy, and anything magical, she thrives on quirk, her lucid dreams, and coffee. When sheâs not working or writing, she can be found sniffing books and drinking a latte at the bookstore or at home pondering renovations on her 225 year old fixer upper, all while obeying her feline overlords, of course.
Dawn of the Vie Laura Diamond
(Immortal Aliens, #1)
Published by: Curiosity Quills Press
Publication date: October 3rd 2016
Genres: Dystopian, Science Fiction, Young Adult
Since their Arrival less than 30 years ago, immortal Vie rule the planet like the super-predators they are. Enslaved humans are their servantsâŚtheir entertainmentâŚand their food. Anemiesâhumans with various types of anemiaâare simply exterminated. Their nutritionally deficient blood is useless to the Vie.
Or so itâs thoughtâŚ
_________
Alex, an Elite Vie, is a bit of a Renaissance Alien. Part scientist, part Raid Specialist, part drug addict, he knows Anemie blood is valuable. Rather than blindly carrying out his bossâs kill order, he convinces some colleagues to spare a few Anemies, not only for study, but also to reserve a secret stock.
The more Anemie blood Alex drinks, the more he slips into delusion, and the more his double life threatens to crumble. But quitting Anemie blood is not an option. Every Anemie has their own personal flavor. Each gives a unique high.
When Alex takes a hit of Justinâs blood, his hallucinations bleed into realityâŚ
_________
Anemie Justin knows his little sister, Sammie, and he are living past their expiration dates. It becomes a guarantee when theyâre bitten by a Vie named Alex during a raid. (The bite is fatal, thanks to a toxin carried in Vie saliva.) Alex adds insult to injury by promising Justin a second chanceâan antidote in exchange for agreeing to be a lab rat.
And a muleâŚof his own blood.
When Justin says no, Alex takes off with Sammie.
All Justin has to do is find them, beat Alex, and cure himself and Sammie. All he has is a stake and serious lack of self-preservation.
Laura Diamond is a board certified psychiatrist currently specializing in emergency psychiatry. She is also an author of all things young adultâboth contemporary and paranormal. An avid fan of sci-fi, fantasy, and anything magical, she thrives on quirk, her lucid dreams, and coffee. When sheâs not working or writing, she can be found sniffing books and drinking a latte at the bookstore or at home pondering renovations on her 225 year old fixer upper, all while obeying her feline overlords, of course.
A few months ago the rights for my YA dystopian duology were returned to me. I was bummed about my book babies leaving the virtual bookshelf, but also excited at the prospect of breathing new life into the series.
Last week, something wonderful happened–Endure & Evoke got a second chance to greet the world!
Vicki Merkiel, the Acquisitions Editor at Curiosity Quills Press, offered contracts for both books…and I accepted. (Yay!!!)
The Publisher’s Marketplace announcement:
“Laura Diamond’s ENDURE, about a seventeen-year-old who must try to save his kidnapped sister from an immortal race of aliens known as the Vie, while keeping the Vie from draining his anemic blood and using it as a drug, and EVOKE, to Vicki Merkiel at Curiosity Quills Press, for publication in Spring 2016.”
I’ve got some plans on how to revamp the duology, adding twists that weren’t seen in the first version, so it looks like I’ll be busy over the next few months refining the prose, solidifying the world building, and brightening the characters with the goal of bringing you a new and improved dystopian tale of survival and sacrifice. (Double yay!!!!)
And the series will likely get new titles too, so stay tuned. (Triple yay!!!)
I can’t thank Vicki and the wonderful team at Curiosity Quills enough for the opportunity.
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. đ
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.
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. đ
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):
Last week, Natasha Hanova shared her review of my YA paranormal romance, SHIFTING PRIDE and she hosted me for an interview where I discussed my characters and upcoming projects.
Since it’s the holidays, she’s been gracious enough to host a giveaway as well–hop on over to her blog to enter for a chance to win a book of your choice penned my moi! (Deadline is THIS FRIDAY, December 20.)
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!
On Wednesday, September 4th, author Ally Shields and I are enjoying a nice hot cuppa and chatting on her blog about ENDURE. Â Hop on over to check it out! (LINK)
And for the grand finale of announcements! đ
***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!)âtheir passions, their insights, their successesâto 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 theyâve 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 Indiestructibleâsupport the indie author and an amazing charityâTODAY!Â
Sarah Fae is a writer, blogger, reviewer, tat lover, animal lover, all around FAB gal. She’s hosting a 4000 follower giveaway and it. Is. AWESOME.
Click HERE for deets–there’s tons of items on the list, including an ecopy of ENDURE! Be sure to sign up!
The giveaway ENDS on:Â Friday 20th September 2013 12:00am UK Time.
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Psst, I got to see a sneak peek at the cover for ZODIAC COLLECTOR, my YA pararom with Spencer Hill Press! I’m SO stoked to show you guys–hopefully soon!
I’m so excited to have Ally Shields here today to talk about her latest book in the Guardian Witch Series, Burning Both Ends. This is definitely a series to check out if you haven’t already.
Welcome, Ally!
Thanks so much, Laura, for inviting me to your blog for a little BSP (Blatant Self-Promotion)!
I love talking about my books, but I was a reader first. From the time I was first introduced to urban fantasies about fifteen years ago, I fell in love with it. But I find there are readers who don’t understand why some books are just labeled paranormal and others are urban fantasy. The lines are definitely becoming blurred, but the simple distinction is in the word: urban. A city setting, and in particular a contemporary city setting, where the real world and the supernatural world both exist. It makes for very interesting cultural conflicts while blending the everyday world we know with another world that only exists in the writer’s and reader’s imaginations. I hope you’ll take a moment to step inside the urban fantasy universe I’ve created.
Burning Both Ends (Guardian Witch #3) Blurb:
Friend or lover. Life or deathâŚ
Supernatural cop Ari Calin arrives at the hostile Toronto vampire court with an ultimatum from the Riverdale vampires: Sebastian, Torontoâs vampire prince, must stop his unprovoked attacksâor else. Ari wasnât expecting a fightâthe âor elseâ was typical vampire grandstanding. But even with vampire Andreas De Luca by her side for a show of strength, things get ugly fast. Torontoâs vampire world is in crisis, and surrounded by enemies, Ari and Andreas find themselves under attack.
Then Ari gets the call from the Magic Council ordering her home. Steffan, a good friend and leader of Riverdale’s werewolves, has gone missing during top secret negotiations with the US government, and is believed to have been kidnappedâor killed.
Andreas can’t abandon the Toronto vampires, and Ari canât leave him to face impossible odds alone. Neither can she disobey her orders from the Council, or leave her friend Steffan to be tortured and killed. Ari’s loyalties pull her in two directionsâthe closest thing to love sheâs ever known on one side, and friendship and duty on the other. If she can stay alive long enough for the choice to matterâŚ
Excerpt:
Fangs flashed where her cheek had been an instant before. Ari whirled, crouching to meet the vampireâs return charge, and her fingers sparked, witch blood clamoring for action. Refusing its urgent call, she threw the magic powder as he wheeled and sped toward her in a blur. Green particles sparkled. A loud thump. The vampire recoiled from the invisible barrier and took two staggering steps. A direct hit. Before a smile more than touched her lips, the dark figure recovered and leaped. Ari backpedaled, but his weight drove her to the hard ground.
He grinned down at her, a lock of dark hair falling across his forehead. Trapping her arms above her head, he leaned close, his dark eyes glittering. He brushed her lips with his and whispered, âBetterâbut not yet good enough.â Andreas shifted his six-foot, muscled body, sprang up, and offered her a hand.
Ignoring the courtesy, Ari scrambled to her feet. Getting pinned by your boyfriend wasnât always a good thing. âBack off, bloodsucker,â she grumbled. She shook out the fallen leaves and pine needles that clung to her long, honey-colored hair.
Andreas chuckled. A rich, warm sound. âTouchy tonight. Did I put your nose out of joint, little witch? And here I was, trying to help with your training.â Andreas glided across the forest clearing with the smooth grace of a natural predator. He collected their cell phones from under a park bench where theyâd stashed them earlier in the evening and handed her one.
âThanks.â Ari avoided his eyes. Damn right she was annoyed. She was competitive, and second place wasnât good enoughâeven against a master level vampire. Especially one who wasnât really trying to kill her.
Andreas studied her face, his voice pragmatic. âI am glad you are taking this seriously. Other combatants will be less charitable than I, less mindful of breaking your pretty neck. I can almost guarantee Sebastian will continue his fight with Prince Daron, and next time he may lead the attack. You might have to face him again.â
âOh, come on. You canât really believe heâd come to Riverdale. Heâs too comfortable lording it over everyone in Toronto.â Andreas shrugged. âIt is unlikely, but a sobering thought. With Sebastian, anything is possible.â He frowned, obviously thinking about the brutal vampire leader. âHe has grown more aggressive, erratic, perhaps less sane, as sometimes happens with the elder ones. Our defeat of his minions will only fuel his rage and make him more determined.â
âMinions? What kind of word is that?â Ari demanded. âYou really should update your vocabulary. Being born in seventeen hundred and something is no excuse for using words no one understands.â She was just being bitchy. In truth, she wouldnât change a thing about Andreasâs speech or sexy voice. The archaic words, the faint accent of Italian aristocracy, and the shivers of sensation it produced were all part of him. She never got used to the seductive effectâŚeven when she wanted to be annoyed.
Ally Shields was born and raised in the US Midwest, along the Mississippi River, the setting for her urban fantasy series. After a career in law and juvenile justice, she turned to full-time writing in 2009, and Awakening the Fire, the debut novel in her Guardian Witch series, was released in September 2012. Ally still lives within driving distance of the Mississippi with her Miniature Pinscher, Ranger. When not writing, reading, or spending time with family and friends, she loves to travel in the US and abroad. Way too often she can be found on Twitter.
Awakening the Fire (Guardian Witch #1), published September 2012
Fire Within (Guardian Witch #2), published Marsh 2013
Blood and Fire (Guardian Witch #4), coming in the fall of 2013
Wonderful excerpt and trailer, Ally! So cool!!! Thanks for sharing such a wonderful series with us!Â
Author Laura Diamond--Lucid Dreamer 