Emancipation Excerpt #2

Happy Thursday, everyone! So, as you all may know, I'm working on a psychological thriller. I can't even begin to tell you how twisted it is so far, but I'm about 15k in, and I have it on my calendar to share an excerpt with you today. I spent all day yesterday prepping for the big pitch party next month, and I'm happy to say it's all set up and ready to roll. Links aren't live yet, but we have an AMAZING grand prize this year. You'll have to wait until December to find out what it is. *grin*

Check out the post announcing the first full chapter publication here, and see a teaser letter from Jess to Tobias here.

If you're interested in joining the Facebook party for the release of Emancipation (March 22), you can do that here. Monthly prizes are being given away, and I have an invite contest where you can win some Amazon cash.

Without further ado, here's excerpt #2 (unedited, in case you were wondering):

“You better behave in there, Butler.”

“I will.” Giving his best smile, he waited for the door to be opened. Once he had a clear path, he stepped over the threshold and stared.

Jess was sitting at the table with her back to him. When the door banged closed, she turned, and a smile bloomed on her face. She stood up and walked toward him with her right hand extended. “Tobias. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you in person.”

Her voice oozed through his brain, and he drank her in from head to toe. Button up blouse, short skirt, and heels. To keep his loins under control—he didn’t want to pop a boner while shaking her hand for the first time—he forced his eyes to meet hers and played it as cool as he could. With a grip that was firm but gentle, he took her hand in his own and shook once. “Nice to meet you, too.” In the back of his mind, he wished all the formalities could be skipped and that they could go straight to f-ing against the wall. But he kept his face stoic, and he knew he’d passed when she laughed.

“Are we going to stand here all afternoon, or would you like to sit down?”

“I’m sorry. It’s just, when we touched, I felt something there.” He laid it on thickly, hoping she was as dumb as she was blonde. “I think we’re going to make quite the pair, Jessica.”

“Please, call me Jess. I liked it in your letter, and I’m positive I’ll like it now.” She blushed.

He noted the way she was looking at him and knew he had her. “Okay, Jess. Then you call me Toby.” With what he was sure was a pleasant smile on his face, he moved around the table and sat down across from her.

There was a box next to her briefcase, and she motioned to it as she organized her papers. “Brought you donuts.”

His jaw dropped. How the hell… “I’ve never heard of them letting anyone in here with stuff like this. How’d you manage that?” He reached for the box and lifted the lid, pulling out the first donut his hand could grab, lifting it to his lips, and taking a huge bite. Sugar melted on his tongue along with the yeasty dough, and he moaned as his eyes slid closed.

Jessica’s answer was barely heard. “I have my ways. Attorney, remember?”

“Mmm hmmm,” he said, as he chewed the third bite. When on the fourth donut, chocolate coated his tongue and sprinkles crunched between his teeth. Lost in the ritual of eating one of the sweet confections, taking them one after another, and savoring each bite, he allowed himself to relax for the first time in nearly twelve years. There was no one trying to take his food, stab him, or make him do anything. Being allowed to do what he wanted, when he wanted, was a luxury he’d taken for granted on the outside.

Never again.

When he’d consumed the last donut, he opened his eyes and smiled.

Jess was leaning forward, her chin resting on one palm, watching him intently. “Enjoy that?”

He nodded. “More than you know.”

“I enjoyed watching it. Should’ve brought you more than six.”

~~~

RELEASES MARCH 22! Enjoy the book trailer!



Hope to see you at the party!

Well, that's all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!

Jo

UTOPiAcon Thanksgiving Week Party on the Event Page - Giveaways Galore!

Happy Wednesday! I'm here with another official UTOPiAcon post for you all. Ready? Let's get down to business!

Thanksgiving week, the amazeballs that is Janet Wallace will be partying it up and giving Utopia stuff away on the event page for Utopia 2016 alongside the official bloggers. Link to the event is at the top of the form below.

What's this form's purpose? If you'd like to donate items for the party! The bloggers will be hosting all week, and giving away a ton of goodies.




What do you think? Will you be joining us?

If you don't have tickets to this event yet, you need to get them right now!

Go here! Go, go, go!

Visit all the bloggers this month!
Week 1: Jo Michaels and Maria Pease
Week 2: Shana Benedict and Delphina Miyares
Week 3: Toni Lesatz and Ren Reidy
Week 4: Ashley Bodette and Kathryn Grimes

I can't wait to party with you all!

Well, that's all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!

Jo

Sea of Memories Release Day Blitz

Happy Tuesday, everyone! Today is the release day blitz for author Kelly Risser's novella collection from her award-winning series! You'll LOVE IT. Hang in here to find out more!

Clean Teen Publishing is proud to present a new series of novellas in the Never Forgotten Series by Kelly Risser, Sea of Memories.

Sometimes, we reach the end of a story and realize there is more to be told. This is the case with Sea of Memories, a collection of novellas set in the world of Never Forgotten.

Travel with Meara and Kieran to North America where they visit her grandparents and his family. Along the way, stop at Mirage, the dance club where the couple first met, and see the encounter from Kieran's point of view.
Struck in the Club - On the orders of his father, Kieran travels to Nova Scotia to spy on David's daughter. After an encounter in a dance club, he may have found more than he bargained for.

Journey to the past and meet Kieran's mom, Sera. Learn why she is no longer part of their lives.
What Will Be - Sera is a Selkie who enjoys her family and her daily routine of solitude. While out on one of her morning swims, she finds an injured man floating in the ocean. Unable to see anyone suffer, she rescues him, even after the warnings she received as a child about the evilness of human males. He may be safe now, but is she?

Go back to where it all started and discover along with Meara how her parents met and fell in love.
A Rock and A Hard Place – Visiting his maternal grandparents in Nova Scotia, David is determined to find out who murdered his parents and why. He doesn't expect the evidence to take him to a small fishing village called Peggy's Cove. He certainly doesn't expect to find love there, especially when it comes in the form of a spunky little brunette… and a human one at that.

Finally, join Meara, Ula, and other friends old and new to remember the past, celebrate the present, and anticipate the future.
Something Blue - Ula's been invited to a banquet at Ronac in her niece's honor. Because it will be Meara's first Christmas without her mom, Ula convinces her boyfriend, Vesh, and others that they need to throw a surprise holiday celebration. Selkies don't celebrate Christmas and neither do the Blue Men of the Minch. It will be a holiday full of surprises for all.


Order Your Copy Today!!!

                                                     Win a CTP eBook of Your Choice!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

                                                           About the Author

Kelly Risser knew at a young age what she wanted to be when she grew up. Unfortunately, Fairytale Princess was not a lucrative career. Leaving the castle and wand behind, she entered the world of creative business writing where she worked in advertising, marketing, and training at various companies. Currently, she works full time as an eLearning Instructional Designer, fitting her creative writing into the evenings and weekends.

She's often found lamenting, "It's hard to write when there are so many good books to read!" So, when she's not immersed in the middle of someone else's fantasy world, she's busy creating one of her own. This world is introduced in her first novel, Never Forgotten, and visited further in her second novel, Current Impressions, and her third novel, Always Remembered. The newest book, Sea of Memories, is a novella collection set in this world.

Kelly lives in Wisconsin with her husband and two children. They share their home with Clyde the Whoodle and a school of fish.

                                                           Connect With Kelly Here

 Kelly's Website

   

   

   

   

What do you think? Gonna check it out?

Well, that's all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!

Jo

Cover Reveal - 7

Happy Monday, everyone! OMG it's time to reveal the cover, blurb, and an awesome book trailer for the new collective by the award-winning authors of Fractured Glass, IIIII II--also known as 7. Ready? Let's get going! You've waited long enough. *grin*

First, some info about the book:

Title: IIIII II (7)
Authors: Casey L. Bond, Jo Michaels, Tia Silverthorne Bach, Kelly Risser, N. L. Greene
Genre: Adult Paranormal/Historical
Length: approx. 100k words

Blurb:

Seven marks upon a wall.
Tom may rise, but he may fall.
Through five lives, no one dares mention,
of the sin for which he seeks redemption.
Fates will meet, and you will see,
what will thus become of he.

Are you ready for the cover?

Yeah... Not just yet! Here's a trailer!

https://animoto.com/play/SqNj9J0WHz1Hcl4l8MV1IA

Now are you ready for the cover?

Wait! How about a teaser first?

Okay, okay! Here you go! May I present, THE COVER:

And, the full wrap!

Follow the authors:
Casey L. Bond
Twitter
Facebook
Pinterest
Goodreads

Jo Michaels

Twitter

Facebook

Pinterest

Goodreads

Tia Silverthorne Bach
Twitter
Facebook
Pinterest
Goodreads

Kelly Risser

Twitter

Facebook

Pinterest

Goodreads

N. L. Greene
Twitter
Facebook
Pinterest
Goodreads


Each of the bloggers have special teaser images, so be sure you check them ALL out! Here's the list:

http://lizclong.com/blog
http://paisleyreader.com
http://www.lulofangirl.com
http://www.valeriebiel.com/blog
http://facebook.com/voluptuousbdiva
http://bethanylopez.blogspot.com
strongnovels.blogspot.com
anewlookonbooks.wordpress.com
https://www.facebook.com/WeReadWithAGlassOfWine
http://www.triciacopeland.com/blog--e-newsletter.html
http://elusivelyella.weebly.com/
http://stalkingshelves.blogspot.com/2015/11/cover-reveal-for-7.html?spref=fb 

My teasers:

Those are from section one, written by the FABULOUS Casey L. Bond!

This title hits the shelves January 7!

Well, that's all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!

Jo

Tracking Your Universal URL

Happy Friday, everyone! Ohhhhhh, snap! It's weekend time. Hope you all have amazing plans! Today, I'm gonna show you a quick trick to track those links we made a couple weeks back.

So, pull up this post. Go through the steps there, and then come on back here to add a bonus level.

Ready? Great! Get those clicking fingers ready and let's get going.

So, you have a link now that looks a little like this:

http://a-fwd.com/asin=B00HQHF7PI

and will take folks in every country to the correct page on Amazon. Win!

Now, you throw it into the big, wide world that's the Internet, and pray someone clicks it, right?

Wrong.

You're likely taking that link and adding it to the back of books you've written, putting it on your website or blog (or the blogs of others), posting it on Facebook, or Tweeting it to every bird that follows you.

But how the heck can you know which one of those avenues is working?

Easy. You shorten that tiny link with something like bit.ly, that allows you to track all your clicks. You'll know where the clicks came from, and that will help you determine which marketing avenues are doing what.

Start by taking that cute link above and heading over here: https://bitly.com

Sign up for an account and log in, please!

Now, pull up a blank Word document or blank Notepad. Make a couple of headlines:

• Twitter
• Facebook
• In the back of (title of book) [make one of these for each book you have]
• Website
• Blog 
• Anywhere else you may market

Back to bit.ly! On your main page, you'll see a cute little puffer fish up in the top, left hand corner. He looks like this:

Take the link from a-fwd and paste it in the puffer box.

You'll get a pop-up on the right hand side of the screen with a shortened link in it. Looks like this:

Copy that one and paste it under the first headline in your document (Twitter).

Now, go on back to bit.ly. Click the tiny icon that looks like a price tag:

Type in Twitter (title of book) and click the checkbox to create new.

Click apply. Go to the search box at the top of the page and type in Twitter (title of book). You'll get something that looks like this:

Now, see that tag?

Click the text inside the tag:

Voila! You get all the links tagged with that exact title:

Now wash, rinse, and repeat until you have a separate link for each marketing avenue.

You can reuse tags on other shortlinks:
Back of book 1 Mystic Series (for each book you link there)
Website
Blog

Stuff like that. Then, when you want to find all the results on all your bitlinks for your website, you click the tag and poof! You're in the money! Alllll that data at your fingertips!

Yes, it's going to take you a minute to set it all up the first time. But you'll get better, and faster, as you go along!

Did this help? Got questions? Ask 'em!

Well, that's all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!

Jo

7 Cover Reveal Monday and How We Wrote the Book

Good morning, and happy Thursday, everyone! I'm so excited I can't stand myself. In just four days (on Monday) the cover reveal for 7 happens. It's completely different from anything I've seen on the shelves today, and the story inside is along those same lines.

BUT!

Today, I'm gonna tell you all how we wrote the book(s). That's right, there's more than one. Yes, they'll be released as a set, because we feel you can't read one without having the others IN your hands.

As we created the story, we nearly drove one another nuts. *grin*

Why? Because of the process we used. So, if you're ready, sit back, relax, and let me regale you with a story on how this novel was conceived and written.

As you may know, the five of us, Casey L. Bond, Tia Silverthorne Bach, Kelly Risser, N. L. Green, and myself, all go to the author event Utopia. During the con, we set aside time to brainstorm new collectives. Our first attempt was Fractured Glass, which released at the end of 2014. It was so well received, and we ladies loved working together so much, we decided to write something else together. This will become a tradition. Every year, you'll get something new and different from us.

Anyway, we met in one of the rooms at the hotel with journals in our hands (surprisingly, we all brought the exact same journal) and started talking. Idea after idea was tossed around until we all said "oooooooh, yes!" at the same time.

Hours passed as we fleshed out our tale, and suggestions were received and added to the journal pages. In time, we had a plot that left us all with our bottom jaws swinging. We decided to all write in third person, past tense, with no restrictions on POV, and we fleshed out the main character.

Then, we gave it a title. Because of restrictions, we've taken to calling it 7. Not the word, but the number, because it's represented by this:

It was decided that we'd use our own names in the story, but we wouldn't write about ourselves. That task was assigned to the lady sitting to our right. How fun is that?

This novel has the following construct:

Part One was written by Casey.
Part Two, by Jo.
Part Three, by Tia.
Part Four, by Kelly.
Part Five, by N. L.
Part Six, by all five of us at once.
Part Seven (a bonus short story), by all five of us at once.

Yep. It has seven sections. But, until the conclusion (Part Six) was completely written, we didn't get to see what any of the other women had done.

It made for the most interesting construct I've ever seen.

We used Google Drive to write Parts Six and Seven, and we all penned it at once, like programmers do when writing code. Rapid fire questions and answers happened, and we've been blown away by our ability to pull it off.

I hope you're as excited about this book as we are, because I can guarantee you've never seen anything like it before.

And the story... Well, none of us knew what would happen in the end, so we hope you're as surprised by it as we were.

There will be a Goodreads giveaway that will start right after the cover reveal. Keep an eye out for that, and for the FACEBOOK launch party! YAY!

What do you think? Gonna try it? Eager to read the book? Tell us what you think in the comments.

Well, that's all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!

Jo

Chasing Destiny Release Party

Happy Wednesday, everyone! Yay! I know you're all super excited about this one. I won't mess around today. Let's get going!

Join the Chasing Destiny release party over on facebook here.

Friday, November 13, 2015 from 3pm-10pm EST

There's an amazing lineup of authors! Plus, it's Friday the 13th! Helloooooo!

If you're not familiar with this series, let me give you the 411:

Author: Tia Silverthorne Bach
Genre: Young Adult Paranormal

Chasing Memories is the first in the series (and is FREE on Kindle). It was released June 5, 2013. Here's the blurb and cover: 

There isn’t another way; not now. The others are coming. I can’t let them have you…

Seventeen-year-old Reagan has a problem: She can’t remember what happened the night her brother was taken. Now, the dreams haunting her from the incident are becoming more intense by the day. All the while, the lines between what’s real and what’s a product of her paranormal-obsessed mind are becoming blurred.

Is she losing her mind or has she just stepped into a world she thought only existed in books?

Caught in a web of worried parents, competing boys, Wiccan relatives, protective amulets, and psychiatrist babble, Reagan must determine the truth before it’s too late.


Chasing Shadows is book two, and it came out May 4, 2014. Here's the blurb and cover:

2014 Reader's Favorite International Book Awards Finalist in Young Adult Paranormal

Reagan thought one night changed her life forever, but her fate was written long ago.

Merging creature and white blood,
One of flame, one of night,
At eighteen years it will commence,
Spiritual warrior and power,
Will bring an end to the lawless ones.
A war looms: One that pits brother against brother for werewolf supremacy. Angels and demons will each have a say before a victor is chosen.

With her eighteenth birthday only six months away, time is running out. Reagan must find a way to harness the two powerful, ancient bloodlines coursing through her: Werewolf and Wiccan. Then, she has to figure out her role in the century-old prophecy foretold by her great-grandmother.

However, if Reagan can't save her family from her most vicious rival, Rafe, the forces of Hell will be unleashed and the war will be over before it starts.

Chasing Forgiveness is a companion novella, and tells the story of two sisters. It released April 11, 2015. Once again, the blurb and cover:

2015 Utopia Award Nominee Best Companion Novella

When terror strikes, forever altering your life, it doesn’t ask permission or forgiveness.

Madeleine and Amélie’s quiet lives are ripped apart by a creature they never imagined could exist outside a horror story. Their mother is murdered, their father is missing, and the only safe haven is with a family full of secrets. But rescue comes at a price.

Ripped from the light of youth, the sisters are forced into the shadows—where they meet brothers Rafe and Rowan.

It’s not the time for infatuation or love, but the heart rarely listens to reason.

Now, the young women have decisions to make. Will they be able to achieve their unified goal of stopping evil, or will it consume them from the inside out?

They soon learn some choices can’t be undone.

Now, we get to celebrate Chasing Destiny, book three of the series. It will release November 12, 2015. Here's the blurb and cover:

An ancient prophecy set forth her ultimate destiny:
Destroy the lawless ones or Hell’s gate will burst open.

So much has changed since Reagan shifted for the first time. She found the grandfather and brother she thought were dead, reunited with her grandmother and aunt, met a twin sister for the first time, discovered a powerful magic pulsing through their family’s veins, fell in love, and became part of a pack.

Evil also came into Reagan’s life in the form of Rafe, a madman who commands a demon-werewolf army. He’ll stop at nothing to destroy everything good.

Destiny may have determined Reagan’s fate, but she refuses to allow it to define her path. To save the world, she must:

Gather powerful allies.
Call forth a team of angels.
Form an unholy alliance.
Discover an angel sword.
Survive devastating losses.

Along the way, Reagan will discover that strength comes from faith, from believing in the unbelievable, and a new battle cry emerges…

With Faith, We Fight

How amazing does that sound? 

Yeah. So come on over and join the party!

Well, that's all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!

Jo