Chapter One - Emancipation

Happy Monday! Oh man, what a crazy couple of weeks this has been. Anyway, I have some awesome news for you. *grin* I was struggling with how to do this, because the blog is a public thing that I want to keep appropriate for ALL ages, and my new book isn't for those under the age of eighteen.

Yeah, there's some strong language in there. My guy is in prison. I kept it real. There's violence, too.

So, how do I let you read chapter one while keeping the blog a "safe" place for everyone?

I decided to use Wattpad as a buffer. They check the age of anyone on the site, and I was able to mark the content mature so it can be moderated appropriately.

Oh, and I'm sharing the cover today!

Win/win!

Don't forget to join the Facebook party here. If you're interested in helping out with the release day stuff, fill out this form. And if you want an ARC, fill out this one.

Without further ado, here are the details:

Title: Emancipation
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Blurb:
Tobias Butler has been sitting on death row since being sentenced for a gruesome murder in 2007. Bored out of his mind, he decided to apply to the online pen pal program in 2012. It's a pleasant distraction—nothing more, nothing less—for three years, until he's contacted by a beautiful, smart young lawyer named Jess. She's convinced he's innocent and wants to see him freed. As they organize their attack on the judicial system, he wonders how she plans to get his conviction overturned—because he's guilty, and he knows it. Jess is desperate to release him—and he's desperate to feel his hands squeeze the life out of her once she does.

Read chapter one right now FREE on Wattpad HERE.

If you like it, give it a vote!

Add to your Goodreads TBR HERE.

Come on back here and tell me what you think.

I hope you enjoy. Seriously. It's gritty.

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

Jo

The Gatekeeper's Trilogy 99 Cent Sale

Readers are calling this series, "Amazing," "Addicting," and "One of the best modern retelling of ancient myth." Kirkus Reviews wrote that it's "sure to thrill Hunger Games fans," and Midwest Book Reviews calls it "a powerful young adult fantasy."  
A teen becomes entangled with the gods of Mount Olympus when one of them, Thanatos, the god of death, wants his chance at love. He makes a deal with his father, Hades, but not all the gods want him to succeed.

Part paranormal romance and part adventure story, this trilogy follows Therese's adventures as she struggles to overcome the challenges the gods dish her in her quest to become like them. For one week only, from September 20th to September 26th, the digital box set of The Gatekeeper's Trilogy, usually $5.98, can be downloaded from any ebook retailer for 99 cents! That's three full-length novels, a total of 230,564 words, for less than a buck!  

Here are the download links:

Kindle Nook iBooks Google Play Kobo Smashword

What do you think? Gonna grab them?

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

Jo 

Teaser Tuesday - Emancipation

Happy Tuesday, everyone! I have the most exciting thing to share with you today! Only a few folks are aware that I've been working on a new novel, and I'm going to share an excerpt and a teaser right here, right now! This is a taste of what's coming. So, sit back, relax, grab a cup of Jo, and let's get going!

If you think you might like to read and review, sign up here!

Title: Emancipation
Genre: Thriller
Release date: March 2016

I'm sharing the first letter my inmate (Tobias) receives from the woman he's talking about in the teaser image below. And... GO!

Dear Toby,

I hope it’s okay that I call you that. I think it’s sweet.

My name is Jessica Phang.

I’m going to start this by saying I’m a lawyer, fresh out of school (I’ve been practicing about a year now). I have to be honest; I sought you out specifically. Details surrounding your case have given me a lot to think about over the last few years. You probably find all this confusing, but I hope to sort it out with this letter.

I found your profile on penpalaninmate.com after performing a search for you online; I was drawn immediately to you. Your photo is wonderful. I see such depth in your eyes. There’s no proper way to express how pleased I am that you signed up so I didn’t have to do more research to find your prisoner number. While I knew where you were housed, your link made the process much easier. Besides, I got to see you outside the images in your case file (which are less than flattering, I must admit).

I’m including a picture of myself with this letter. It’s not much, but I wanted you to see me. It seemed unfair that I would be able to look at you anytime I wanted, and you’d be left in the dark.

If you’re interested, I’d like to get to know you better. Your eyes don’t say “killer.” I’m an excellent judge of character, and I see a person who’s deep, caring, and has a lot of love to give if someone were there to accept it. Besides, after looking carefully at the details of your case, I’m convinced you’re innocent.

I’ll tell you a little about myself, since I feel like I know so much about you from your profile (excellent writing, by the way) and your case file. I’m 24 years old, and a criminal defense attorney in the state of Tennessee. I grew up just outside Knoxville, and I graduated from Austin East—you know, that magnet school on the upper-east side—where I studied science. I was then accepted to UT and graduated from Duncan a year ago. I’ve been in private practice as a criminal defense attorney ever since.

While attending Duncan, I ran across your case as part of an assignment. I dove right in and got to know a lot about you, and the particulars, along the way. Yes, I’ve had a number of relationships over the last few years, but I’m ready for something different. Besides, most guys I dated got tired of hearing the name Toby on my lips every five minutes as I examined your case. Not only would I love to interact with you, I think I can get your conviction overturned. I do hope you’ll write me back. My address is on the envelope.

All my love,

Jessica

Join the Facebook party for the release here! We're giving away some Amazon cash.

Now for the teaser image!

What do you think? Gotcha interested yet?

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

Jo

Cover Reveal - Wrought-Iron Roses The Curse Collectors Book 2

Happy Friday! Today, I have a cover reveal for you all from the awesomesauce that's Elizabeth Kirke! I hope you enjoy it!

Title: Wrought-Iron Roses (The Curse Collectors Book 2)

Blurb:

Mure

Sisters Rachel, Angie, and Jo may have survived their first encounter with a curse, but hundreds more are lurking within their aunt’s antique shop. There’s just one problem: Peter, the apprentice, has no idea how to start teaching two untrained rune-casters and keep them safe at the same time.

Naet

It isn’t fair to Jo that she has no magic, but her sisters both do. She feels useless and left out. Worse yet, she knows that she’s a liability. She would leave… but, something in the shop is calling to her, reaching out … and she won’t leave until she finds it.

Ail

Every night, Angie’s dreams are haunted by a man who claims he was cursed, and she’s the only one who can save him. When she starts to get sick, Peter and her sisters are sure the cause is her mysterious dreams. How can they convince her that the person she’s determined to help could be the one killing her?

Eles

Rachel never expected to get a magic power and a boyfriend when she inherited the antique shop. Better yet, she’s actually good at curse-breaking. It seems as though she’s found exactly what she was meant to do. But, when a curse strikes two people she cares about, Rachel is faced with the harsh truth that she might only be able to save one.

Releasing October 30, 2015

Find out more, read a chapter, and get your own rune at http://elizabethkirke.com/blog/the-curse-collectors-series/

Ready for that cover?

Here you go!

Isn't it prettiful?

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

Jo 

Social Media Mayhem

Happy Thursday, everyone! Today's post is going to be super duper short. To sum up a very long and stressful story, I've been having some issues with my social media stuff. I'm not pissed because it's hurting me, but it's having an impact on everyone I've posted (and wanted to share) stuff for this week.

Because I'm frustrated as hell, I'm writing on my new novel. I'd give you guys an excerpt, but it's wrought with foul language (set in a prison, gotta be true to the environment), and this blog is PG-13 at it's worst.

So, you'll have a cover reveal tomorrow, and a special sale post next week, but I'm planning a short break after that to see if I can get all this crap fixed and get some words written. I need the injection of peace for a hot minute. *grin*

You guys keep writing while I'm away. Planned return date is  9/28.

Hugs all around!

I'll see you again soon!

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

Jo

New Release - The Ex Trials - Plus, a Gift Card Giveaway!

Happy Wednesday, everyone! Today, I have some awesome news about a new release for you all. Plus, there's a giveaway for either a B&N or Amazon gift card going on at the bottom of the post. Ready? Get your clicking fingers ready and let's get going!

Information about the book:

Title: The Ex Trials (Falling for Autumn Book 3)
Author: Heather Topham Wood
Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance
Length (print): 184 pages
Buy Link: Amazon Kindle $2.99

Blurb:
One dream vacation in paradise.
One co-ed bachelor and bachelorette party.
One week marooned with my ex.

Six months ago, Casey Silvers ended her scorching romance with sexy rocker Cole Caldwell. None of her friends know the true reason behind her sudden change of heart. Despite her claim of their chemistry fizzling out, her feelings for Cole had never gone away.

After receiving the invitation to her best friend’s co-ed bachelor and bachelorette getaway, Casey knows she must once again face Cole. For one week, she’ll be forced to party alongside the man who has come to despise her. The tropical cruise is meant to be a trip to paradise, but Casey is certain it will turn out to be a vacation from hell.

But as the ship leaves port, past secrets are revealed—secrets that could change the fate of Casey’s romance with Cole. With forces keeping them together, Cole and Casey soon discover that the passion between them has yet to extinguish.

***Standalone New Adult Romance-Ages 17+ Due to Strong Language and Sexual Situations***

If you all remember, I wrote a review for Finding Autumn on the blog here. Such an excellent book (as everything I've read by Heather has been)!

Now that you know about it, enter to win some cash to help you buy it!

a Rafflecopter giveaway  

Good luck!

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

Jo

New Release - Queen of Always

 

Now Available The Epic Conclusion To The Stolen Empire Trilogy

LONG LIVE THE QUEEN

If her time at court has taught Catherine anything, it’s that there is no room for weakness in Imperial Russia. With the Empress’ health failing and rumors of a change in the line of succession, her place in the royal line is once more in jeopardy. Tormented by her sadistic husband and his venomous mistress, Catherine must once more walk the fine line between pleasure and politics—between scandal and survival.

When her young son becomes the target of those rebelling against Peter’s reign, Catherine will have to rise up to protect herself, her child, and her nation from his unstable and potentially catastrophic rule. This means putting herself at odds with the most dangerous man she’s ever known, trusting those who once proved to be her enemies, and turning a nation against its sovereign. In the ultimate battle for the crown, new alliances will be forged, loyalties will be tested, and blood will be shed.

Don’t miss this breathtaking conclusion to the Stolen Empire series!

Queen of Tomorrow is a YA historical fiction based on the life of young Catherine the Great. Fans of the hit TV show REIGN will devour this scandalous glimpse into the life of one of the most dynamic women in history.

Start The Series Now - Book 1 is FREE!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

About The Author

Sherry D. Ficklin is a full time writer from Colorado where she lives with her husband, four kids, two dogs, and a fluctuating number of chickens and house guests. A former military brat, she loves to travel and meet new people. She can often be found browsing her local bookstore with a large white hot chocolate in one hand and a towering stack of books in the other. That is, unless she’s on deadline at which time she, like the Loch Ness monster, is only seen in blurry photographs.

She is the author of several novels for teens and young adults and in her spare time she co-hosts the Pop Lit Divas Radio Show.