Limited Edition Covers for the Mystic Series

Happy Thursday, everyone! It's a nice, cool day here in Georgia and my printed proofs for Mystic~Melody arrived yesterday. We all know what I'll be doing with part of my day! On another note, I was looking at the stats for the blog and noticed I'm five posts away from four hundred. Maybe I'll cook up something special for that post! I did a little math, because I'm a curious sort (and you all know how long winded I am), and if I wrote a minimum of five hundred words per post, my blog alone is worth 197,500 words so far. My mind is blown.

Anywayyyyyy...

I know fans of my Mystic series will love getting to see the girls. So, while these covers will be released on the digital versions next year (after Markaza releases), I'm putting together some limited edition hardcover books for UtopYA Con that you'll only be able to get if you buy them off the table at the event. They won't be available in paperback until December 2014. Until then, this is all you get! I hope you love them as much as I do.

Anyone who's read the books, knows why the colors are what they are. If you haven't read the first three, you should go pick them up. I reduced the price of Bronya and Lily to just $0.99 each and the price of Shelia to $2.99. Melody will be $3.99 when it releases. Clicking on the names will take you to the buy page on Amazon.

You can enter to win a copy of Melody (with the tree and orb cover) over on Goodreads. There are four available so get your booties scootin'! Enter here. Coralie is written but needs some heavy editing. I'm aiming for a late October release. We'll see!

What do you think of the revamp? I'm eager to hear your thoughts.

Don't forget to check out the featured author this week. You can find M.R. Polish's interview here.

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

Jo

Winners and Mystic ~ Coralie

Happy freaking Friday, good people of the blogosphere! I know I've been out for a week, but I was in Missouri, the setting of The Bird. How exciting is that? I've also been doing some formatting and writing. I'm happy to announce that book four of the Mystic series, Melody, is now written and will be hitting the shelves within a month! Coralie, book five, is a chapter in. Today, I bring you the synopsis and cover of Coralie and the winners of my birthday week giveaways! The kids returned to school yesterday and I'm all fired up to get back to work. Without further ado...

Synopsis:

Coralie Meyers is struggling to find her footing as an actress in New York. A malicious attempt to thwart another girl's career ends in catastrophe and Coralie soon finds herself in a precarious situation.

As the fifth and final member of Women Save the World, a company created by Markaza Turner, Coralie possesses all the cunning the young ladies will need to defeat the evil that's rising under Central Park. If the women fail to save her, evil will rise and destroy the world.

Now that Markaza has gathered four of her chicks: Bronya, Lily, Shelia, and Melody, all that's left to do is bring in Coralie, train her, and go to war. But the ladies are struggling with their powers and their personal demons. Will they find the power within themselves in time to destroy the monster and save the world? Only time will tell; and that's one thing they're short on.

This fifth installment of the Mystic series is a lesson in what lies, hate, and judgment can do to the world when left unchecked.

Now, for the winners of the rafflecopter giveaways! Congratulations to everyone and thanks for participating. I'll be in touch today to find out how to get you your prizes.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


a Rafflecopter giveaway


a Rafflecopter giveaway


a Rafflecopter giveaway

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

Jo

Merry Un-Birthday! Day One

Happy Monday, good people of the blogosphere! This week, I'm starting some awesome giveaways. If you look here: Prize List you'll find a rundown of things to be given away. What an awesome two weeks it will be. You have fourteen days to enter every drawing but one. That one will be the purchase and review contest. It'll be revealed later in the week. No, I'm not saying what day! You'll have to wait to find out. But it'll be a quick contest (only 72 hours).

Today, I'm rolling out the entry form for the Mystic series. That link will take you to a page where you can find out more about them. Here are some snapshots of the covers:

Melody hasn't been released yet. But you'll get an advance copy when it is.

On to the rafflecopter!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Good luck!!

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

Jo

Completely Blown Away

Happy Friday, good people of the blogosphere! Today I'm feeling the love for sure! My Social Networking Schedule post has gone crazy. It seems you all want to know how to increase your Google rankings in just an hour a day. I don't blame you, it's something we all struggle with and I'm glad I could help out in some small way.

I've been sticking very tightly to the schedule myself. This week, I've done everything on the list from Monday through Friday. It's helping me, too! I'm managing things more easily and I'm not left wondering if I forgot to visit here or do that.

Because you've all been so awesome about sharing that post, I decided to do something for you, too! I reduced the price on six of my books yesterday.

Mystic ~ Bronya is now just $0.99
Mystic ~ Lily is now just $2.99
All three of The Abigale Chronicles books are $0.99 each.
Yassa is only $2.99

If you haven't picked up any of these titles yet, now's the time to do so. I'm only keeping them at this price for a month. Get on it! You can find a complete list of my books here:

Jo Michaels on Amazon

Thank you all for being awesome! I hope you enjoy the reads!

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

Jo

12 Days of Christmas Day 12

It's the twelfth day! Also, doomsday! Seems we're all still here... It's been a long twelve days but I'm really enjoying finding new indies to read and giving away prizes! I had exactly 11 people yesterday, who don't already have a copy of Mystic~Lily, comment! So, congratulations to: Tom A, Jamie C, Santa F, bashashhazbaz, Becky F, Sherry J, Sandi T, Felicia T, Kate B, Brian B, and Leonardo N!! I'll be in touch to send your prize!

Now, a few announcements!!
Mystic~Shelia released today! The third book in the Mystic series is now available for purchase! More about it:
Synopsis:
After a horrible accident takes the lives of her parents, Shelia Morgan is placed in the care of her Aunt Ivy and Uncle Melvin. For six years they work her like a slave. On her twelfth birthday, Uncle Melvin makes Shelia an offer that will destroy her life.

When she turns 19, the ugly truth about her past comes out during a therapy session, Uncle Melvin is arrested, and she's placed in the sights of everyone in town. Hurling insults, objects, and threats, the townspeople side with her uncle and call Shelia a liar. She loses her job, her boyfriend, and her freedom in one day. When a girl named Markaza shows up and tells Shelia she's part of a group of young women destined to save the world, Shelia begins to dream of a new life and true freedom from her personal demons.

She tells the jury her story and boards a plane destined for New York and her new life. Once there, she meets Bronya and Lily: Two other young women with special powers they must learn to harness in order to fight an evil that will rise on December 21, 2012, and destroy the world.

Markaza boards a plane to Atlanta to save the life of a young lady named Melody before her mind destroys her from the inside out. As Markaza fights for Melody's life, Shelia, Lily, and Bronya throw themselves into their studies and learn that even power from within can get out of control.

Read these rockin' reviews! Indie Reviews and Heather's Book Chatter to find out what others are saying!

Click here to buy it on Amazon for just $3.99 or here to buy a paperback for just $8.99.

Second announcement! Starting today and running through December 25, you can pick up a copy of Mystic~Bronya FREE on Amazon!!!! Click here to go grab yours!

Let's get started on today's fun! Friday, December 21 - Twelve people who comment will win an e-copy of Mystic~Shelia!!!

Before I tell you how to enter, I'll do a recap of the indie books pitched thus far. The last two winners will be announced this afternoon at 5pm EST.
Without further ado, here they are:
Andrea Buginsky - The Chosen Amazon link $0.99 *WINNER*
Michael Cargill - Underneath Amazon link $3.30 *WINNER*
Jennifer Lafferty - Offbeat Love Stories and More Amazon link $0.99
Jacques Antoine - Sen No Sen Amazon link $4.99
Brian Bigelow - Horror Bent Amazon link $2.99
Seeley James - The Geneva Decision: Pia Sabel #1 Amazon link $5.99
LJ - Fighting Destiny #1 Amazon link $3.99
Eric Dulin - Condemned (Deus Ex Machina Series) Amazon link $2.99 *WINNER*
Deborah Armstrong - Forever Love Amazon link $3.49 *WINNER*
Kate Baggott - Love From Planet Wine Cooler Amazon link $4.99 *WINNER*
David Manuel - Killer Protocols (Richard Paladin Series) Amazon link $3.99
Aaron Saylor - Sewerville: A Southern Gangster Novel Amazon link $3.99
Ryan Astaphan - Travelphan: Fear, Faith, & Glory in a Journey Across Asia Amazon link $7.99
Michael Meyer - Deadly Eyes Amazon link $2.99
Ginney Etherton - Looping in Limbo (Lainey Tidwell Series) Amazon link $2.99 *WINNER*
S.J. Hunter - Longevity Amazon link $2.99
Felicia Tatum - The White Aura Amazon link $2.99
Brian Author Levene and Anon Beauty - The Other Girls Get Lucifer Everyday Amazon link $4.99 FREE today!
Troy Jackson - The Elementals Amazon link $4.99
Rebecca Elswick - Mama's Shoes Amazon link $3.79
Angela Graff - The Awakening Amazon link $2.99 *WINNER*
Hayley Linfield - The Truth about Dandelions Amazon link $5.99
Tom Abrahams - Sedition Amazon link $2.99
Sarwah Osei-Tutu - Bingo: One Woman's Journey Through Life Amazon link $4.99
Marc Nash - Time After Time Amazon link $2.99
Mark Mackey - Kristen Flemings in a Ghost Story Amazon link $0.99
Jamie Canosa - Dissidence Amazon link $3.95
Elizabeth Los - Second On the Right Amazon link $2.99 FREE today!
Sherry Jesberger - Aislin of Arianrhod Amazon link $1.99
Leonardo Noto - Intrusive Memory Amazon link $4.99 *WINNER*

Those books look great! I've got samples of them all and a number of you have made it through this far in my process. Remember, if you pitched before, you're still in the running.

Here's how to enter today:
Go enter the giveaway on Goodreads for a copy of Mystic~Shelia and go tag the book on Amazon. Come back here and leave me a comment telling me about the last book you read and what you thought of it.

******ATTENTION******
I'm doing things differently today! Since it's the last day of the giveaway, the FIRST TWELVE people to comment will win!

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!

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

Jo  

Doomsday and Prophets

Happy hump day, good people of the blogosphere! If you make it through today, you only have two more days until the weekend. Can I get a, "Holla!" and a showing of hands if you're excited?

But wait! Another day passes and that brings us one day closer to Doomsday! Does anyone remember when they thought the Earth was going to experience some cataclysmic shut down on 12/31/99 at midnight?

 Why is it, every few years, we have some person who decides they must find a way to scare the crap out of a billion people by bringing forth a Doomsday prophecy? What if the Mayans just got tired of writing down dates? Maybe they didn't know what would happen when the planets "aligned" on 12/21/12 and didn't want to assume. After all, you know what happens when you assume things!

I see Venus, Mars, and Jupiter moving ever closer together in the night sky and think about what I know of Astronomy. It eases my mind. I'll share something you may not know: The sun will be in alignment with the center of the galaxy but the planets won't actually "align." See, planets travel around their ellipsis and can come into "alignment" every so often when viewed from an overhead perspective. But if you were to look on a 3D model, you'd see the planets are on different planes so can never truly align perfectly.

Imagine it like this:

• You have 5 steps leading up to a door.
• That door is the sun.
• Mercury and Earth are on step 1.
• Venus and Saturn are on step 2.
• Mars is on step 3.
• Jupiter and Neptune are on step 4.
• Uranus and Pluto (not even considered a planet now) are on step 5.

Sure, you can put them all in a row, but they wouldn't actually be aligned. Do you see my meaning? Please don't take this as these are the planets that are aligned and blah blah blah. I was just using words to create a visual representation. After all, I'm a writer!

Why the heck is she talking about Doomsday? Great question!

In my Mystic series, the young ladies who are going to save the world must battle an evil that will rise on 12/21/12. Markaza is the prophet who's seen the end and knows what to do to stop it from happening. But it's no astronomical event that will cause the disaster, but our own dumb selves. I'm not going to tell you what the monster they must fight is borne from because that'll just ruin the whole series. What I will tell you is: I believe what I write in my novels has a very good chance of happening.

Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaat?

Wait a moment and hear me out! I'm not talking about a Doomsday prophecy. What I'm alluding to is much bigger than that.  I see it happening all around us more and more every day. If we don't find a way to stop it, we're going to run our own race into the ground. We'll destroy ourselves and have no cosmic event to blame for our end. Maybe, just maybe, a group of people will emerge that can save us. But we have to want to be saved.

What do you think will happen on Doomsday? How do you use prophets in your writing?

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

Jo

Woman v/s Women

Happy Black Friday, good people of the blogosphere! Today, I'd like to talk about that pesky word woman and the plural form women. I see this mistake so often, it's all I can do to not rip out my hair and bang my head on my desk. So, please be so kind as to read on and save me from uglification (holy crapballs, that's a word!).

Woman is the singular. Women is the plural. When you confuse the two, you look uneducated. Period. Grammar Nazi or no, you need to not confuse the simplest parts of speech if you want people to take you seriously as a writer.

Woman - Examples of correct usage:
That woman left her kids in the car all day with no air conditioning!
Would you please tell a woman today how beautiful she is?
Woman, bring me another beer!
Get that woman a mop, because she needs to clean my floors.

Note the word woman generally follows the word a or the word that. Singular. Not they, them, those, we, or otherwise.

Women - Examples of correct usage:
Those women need to buy a clue; that dude isn't interested.
We have five women here today to speak on behalf of our project.
Hard working women are God's gift to the lazy men of the world.
Women, as a collective, need to be kinder to one another!

Note the use of those, are, collective, and five. All of these words give you a clue that we're talking about more than one woman.

Incorrect usage:
That women left her kids in the car yesterday while she went into work!
Would you please tell a women today how beautiful they are?
Those woman are hard working.

I'm hoping you're getting my point. Please please try and remember the difference. An easy way: Men is plural for man. Easy peasy.

What confusion drives you batty?

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

Jo

Write From Life

Happy FRIDAY, good people of the blogosphere! At the bottom of today's post, I'm gonna list all the fantastic rafflecopters I have going on my blog so you can enter to win! First, I'm going to address something not many people may know about: writing from life. So grab those pens/pencils and notebooks and let's get going!

 

Most of what we writers put on the page comes from life. We can't help it. If you find a particularly good book, you'll know the writer pulled it right from life and was honest on the page. Characters that seem amazing and well rounded were likely based on someone the person knows in the real world.

Pulling from life may seem like a risk. For some, it's a huge risk (especially when it's an expose) but they're willing to take it. Why? Not to make a million bucks, that's for sure. If you're an author, you know that's a one in a couple hundred thousand shot. They do it because they want to share their story, the people they know, or because their imaginations can't be contained.

Yes, they do really see you with purple skin, six horns, and an eye in the middle of your forehead when they look at you. Calm down, it's not a knock!

They write because they're compelled to write. Something inside of them pulls them to the keys where they simply must tell the story their brains have created. It all comes from life. If you end up as a character in a fiction novel, shake the author's hand; they thought you were interesting enough to write about. If you're the villain, maybe you need to look in the mirror...

Most of us write the truth as we see it. Sure, there's a fictional twist here and there if we're fiction writers, but you'll find that your true self will be exposed if you end up in the pages of a book.

Many of my characters have my personality flaws. As I write, I work through some of them. Others, I adore and want to keep. After all, to be human is to be flawed. However, there's a good chance that reading a book someone has written with you as a main character will teach you how to interact with that person or give you insights into your life you never considered.

Writers are students of human nature. We watch, examine, listen like hawks, and throw in a little fiction before writing it down. It's writing right from life at its finest.

If you're a writer, talk to people, observe them, get them to open up to you in ways you only imagined possible on the pages. You can do it; everyone likes to be listened to. Keep in mind that you shouldn't judge and before long you'll have a notebook teeming with profiles for great, rounded characters.

Now, without further ado, the rafflecopter widgets:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck, everyone!

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

Jo

200th Post Giveaway!

Hello, good people of the blogosphere! This is my 200th blog post! Talk about exciting! My stats are off the charts and I have my followers, fans, and friends to thank.

As a HUGE thank you, I'm doing a giveaway of all my books. That's right, even Shelia, the third book in my Mystic series. It won't be published until December 21st (doomsday) so this is a unique contest. International!

Enter below and win something :) Information/synopsis/cover art can be seen here.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Again, thank you all for visiting and being fans of my books and blog.

BIG HUGS!

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

Jo

My NaNoWriMo Suvival Kit

 It's that time of year again. NaNoWriMo is about to go into full swing. I'm girding myself and preparing like a person ready to survive a zombie apocalypse.

Why would I participate in something like this? I average 3k words a day, 5 days a week, anyway (I never write on the weekends). Why not? By my reckoning, I should have 66k words by the end of November just by doing what I do.

But demanding 3k words and flowing 3k words are two very different things. Goodbye blog post comments and Facebook updates for the month. Toodles to Tweeps! I'm going to be a very busy lady! All you'll get are my buffered posts.

I am pre-writing my blog posts for the month so I can have that time to write. Good stuff coming at you either way! And when I'm done for the day, perhaps you'll see me poke in here or there.

On to my survival kit! If you're doing NaNo, you should consider a survival kit. Mine includes:

Coffee (lots of coffee).
Pre-made dinners that I can throw into the oven out of the freezer (my kids will get sick of roast, I'm sure).
Sugar (to sweeten the coffee, duh!).
My Laptop.
My iPad with Evernote installed (in case I have to go somewhere).
A pen and notepad (for fact check notes).
MS Word and all the goodies I've prepared open and on the screen.
Pre-written blog posts for the month.
A strict schedule by which I will stick.
An out of town response on my e-mail (KIDDING).
Quick stuff to eat for lunch like sandwiches.
Nail clippers and a nail file nearby (ever try to type with long nails or a burr?).
Glasses (because I'm getting old).
Dance Central (for those moments when I don't know what else to do/write).

Hmmmmm... Have I forgotten anything? I don't think so... I'm sure I'll figure it out quickly if I did.

If you're a NaNo participant, add me as a writing buddy! Let's kick this thing's booty!!

Don't forget, go get your copy of the first book in the Mystic series FREE today. It's the LAST DAY!

The Amazon linky.

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

Jo

Mystic ~ Lily Released Today

 Women Save The World!

Today is the day you've all been waiting for! Book two of the Mystic series, Lily, is now available as both an e-book and a print book. Digital copies are $3.99 and a print copy will only set you back $8.99. Get one now! On Amazon or On CreateSpace.

IF you haven't yet read book one, Bronya, go get it now. On Amazon or On CreateSpace. It's FREE until tomorrow night at midnight. A little paranormal activity for you on Halloween!

Here are a few snippets from the reviews Bronya has gotten so far:

"Bronya is the first novella from the Mystic series, in this story we meet Markaza, a blue hair tattooed teenager and Bronya, a physically strong teenager living in a small town in Louisiana.

Markaza has the ability to see into the future and knows that she needs to recruit specific women from all over the US by befriending them..." ~ E. Mendez - 5 stars There's also a great interview over on Ms. Mendez's blog about the series. Check it out!

"I really found this book to be such an easy read that was quick and fast paced. Yet not so fast that nothing was ever not explained fully. Each of the characters presented were so rich and full of life as well as having flaws that made them so very likable. Characters that were judged by other people's standards and beliefs that made you want to root for the underdog to win out over all the haters, cheaters, losers, and liars of the world. Paranormal aspects of this story were cleverly woven in such a way that was just perfect blending into the background of the story and characters too." ~ Angie - 4 stars

"Congrats to Jo for writing a great novella. The characters are unique, and aren't often found in fantasy/paranormal stories. The writing and editing are both well done. It's a quick read, which is a bit disappointing - but only because I want more. Thankfully more are on the way!" ~ J. Chatfield 4 stars

Lily has also received a wonderful review over on Goodreads:

"The story of Lily picks up where Bronya left off. We see the main character Lily struggle with a big change in her life that left her unsure of where her place was in the world. We also find that people are not always what they seem to be such as fake friends who would rather laugh, ridicule, belittle, and be hateful of a person they claim to be friends with. In this book, we see a turning point for not only Lily but for Markaza and Bronya too." ~ Angie - 4 stars

Now for the synopsis of Lily:

Lily Conyers is a twenty-year-old who had it all going for her until a car crash left her with terrible scars, no modeling job, and an addiction to pain killers. When she meets a strange young woman named Markaza, Lily begins to re-build her life with encouragement from her new friend.

Problems arise when Lily leaves the safety of her apartment for the first time since her accident to venture back into the world she used to know. Her so-called friends shun her and her boyfriend recoils at the sight of her face. She rushes home with thoughts of suicide only to find a letter on her step from a company called WSTW; promising her a new life.

Lily packs her bags, bids Markaza goodbye, and sets off for the city. But going to New York is only the first hurdle Lily must jump. She must learn to use the power inside herself to help defeat an evil that is threatening to destroy the world. Once there, she meets a girl named Bronya and the two help one another re-build what was so negligently broken.

As Lily is boarding the plane bound for New York, Markaza boards another headed to Tennessee so she can collect the next young woman on her list: Shelia.

You can pick up a digital copy of Lily at Amazon or a print copy over on CreateSpace. You do not want to miss this second installment of the Mystic series.

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

Jo

Who Where Why

Good Monday, people of the blogosphere! Glad to have you back. Today, I'll be talking about 3 Ws of writing: Who, Where, and Why.

I do hope you'll take a little trip with me down the road of lessons. Let's address these Ws in order. As you all must know, I'm releasing Lily tomorrow so I'll use the Mystic series when giving comparisons. Nothing like a good tie-in eh? Grab your pencil and paper and let's get going.

Who
This is usually your protagonist. There's always a who. Whether it's a person, animal, or insect. This is the person you build your story around. But let's look at it from another angle, shall we? Who is also the supporting cast, the antagonist, and any creature in the book that helps the plot along. In Mystic, the primary who is Markaza. Supporting whos are: Bronya, Lily, Shelia, Melody, Coralie, Johanna, and the monster. These aren't folks that make an appearance and go away. Those, I like to call: Whonots. In Mystic, they would be: Cecilia, Grammy, Uncle Melvin, Aunt Ivy, Wilhelm, the other models, and folks I don't build well because I don't want them to be remembered when the book is done. I've been asked why I didn't name Cecilia's boyfriend. So you would forget him. I only want you to remember the main characters; those that pull the story along throughout the entire series. Good tip: Don't name someone you want people to forget.

Where
Every character is on a journey. They must start somewhere and end somewhere. Markaza is traveling all over the U.S. but she ends up right back where she began - in New York. Every supporting who also ends up in New York. They travel from their homes to join Markaza in her quest to save the world. So, New York is our main setting. Other places are secondary but equally as important. I've been to every state I write about and it's helped me describe the landscapes and scenery. If you can't visit, look at a ton of photos and read weather reports to get the gist.

Why
This is the whole reason you're writing a book. There's some compelling reason your protagonist must begin their journey. In Markaza's case, she must round up other women to help save the world (as only women can do). Her visions are a result of something that happened to her when she was young. But it's that occurrence which drives the whole series. Without her visions, she would never have embarked upon her journey the series is written around. You must have a why and a journey to resolution.

As a reminder, Lily releases tomorrow and Bronya is still free today! If you'd like to help a fellow indie out, tweet this:

#freekindlebook through Wed! http://amzn.to/PhxwdW 4star avg rating on #Amazon #paranormal Share with friends and go get one today!

or share this on your FB wall:

Lily releases tomorrow! Preview in the back of Bronya http://amzn.to/PhxwdW Free through Wednesday on Amazon. Please like and share this great beginning to the Mystic series by Jo Michaels. 4 Star average rating!

If you want a copy for yourself, go grab one here: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009015NVQ

Come on back tomorrow for news on the release of Lily!

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

Jo

Winners Cover Reveal and FREEBIE

Welcome to the Saturday Blog Party Winner Announcement!

Before we get to the winners, I have two announcements.

First, enjoy a cover reveal for the second book in the Soul Sisters series written by Janiera Eldridge. Janiera does a lot of great things for my blog and my books; so help me thank her by taking a minute to check out her series and see if it's something you may enjoy reading. Clicking on the title will take you to the book's Goodreads page.

Dark Expectations by Janiera Eldridge

Synopsis:
With Ani taking her place as queen, there are some enemies lurking she could never imagine! There's a secret compound in California that wants to know the secrets to making a vampire or werewolf.

When they kidnap Ani during a trip back to California they might actually get what they want. Her sister Dana, her lover Diego and other vampires do everything they can to get her back. If they don't succeed, they face being controlled completely by the human race forever!

Dark Expectations is the exciting sequel to Soul Sisters that's full of adventure, danger and what it means to be queen!


This cover was designed by: Strong Image Editing

Second, the next book in my Mystic series, Lily, releases on Tuesday. In honor of the release, I'm offering the first book, Bronya, for free on Amazon for the next five days. If you haven't read it, go grab one and get to it. Here's a cover image and synopsis for each:

Synopsis:
Bronya Thibodeaux is a senior at Houma High School whose life is about to be changed forever. She's always felt like an outcast, but thinks she may have found a friend when a strange, new girl named Markaza who has blue hair, a number of tattoos, and a strange way of dressing appears. She accepts Bronya for who she is and the two hit it off.

Markaza isn’t around long before she moves away. Bronya goes back to feeling lonely and different. Trouble arises when Bronya's love interest - a girl named Cecilia - is accidentally revealed to the entire student body. Bronya’s life choices make her a pariah in her small town. After getting thrown out of school, not being able to find a job, and being subjected to ridicule and cruel treatment, Bronya chooses to leave her old life behind forever when she receives a compelling invitation from a mysterious company named WSTW.

What Bronya doesn't know, is the mysterious company is owned by Markaza; a mystic who knows the end of the world is coming and is gathering together the only people who can stop the evil that's threatening to take over. Bronya is just the first. But going to New York is only a baby step toward her true journey. As Bronya races against the clock to unlock a power she never knew she had, Markaza races to collect the others: Lily, Shelia, Melody, and Coralie.

Synopsis:
Lily Conyers is a twenty-year-old who had it all going for her until a car crash left her with terrible scars, no modeling job, and an addiction to pain killers. When she meets a strange young woman named Markaza, Lily begins to re-build her life with encouragement from her new friend.

Problems arise when Lily leaves the safety of her apartment for the first time since her accident to venture back into the world she used to know. Her so-called friends shun her and her boyfriend recoils at the sight of her face. She rushes home with thoughts of suicide only to find a letter on her step from a company called WSTW; promising her a new life.

Lily packs her bags, bids Markaza goodbye, and sets off for the city. But going to New York is only the first hurdle Lily must jump. She must learn to use the power inside herself to help defeat an evil that is threatening to destroy the world. Once there, she meets a girl named Bronya and the two help one another re-build what was so negligently broken.

As Lily is boarding the plane bound for New York, Markaza boards another headed to Tennessee so she can collect the next young woman on her list: Shelia.

There's a preview of Lily inside Bronya so grab that booger and get to reading. WOMEN WILL SAVE THE WORLD!

Now for the moment you've all been waiting for!! The winners of the huge giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Congratulations to you eighteen lucky folks!! The authors from the party and I will be in touch to find out where to send your prizes.

Winner C.E. Hart gets a copy of Depression Cookies by Tia Silverthorne Bach
Winner C.E. Hart gets one of Sandi Tuttle's mugs with the "If I have wings" artwork
Sandi Tuttle gets the WSTW mug - how apropos...
C.E. Hart and Sandi Tuttle both get printed, signed copies of The Indie Author's Guide to: Building a Great Book
Tia Silverthorne Bach and Alana M each get a copy of Sex, Death,  & Mind Control (for fun and profit)
C.E. Hart wins $10 Amazon gift card, printed, signed copy of Yassa, and a digital copy of each of the following: The Abigale Chronicles Bundle Pack (books 1-3), Mystic ~ Bronya, Mystic ~ Lily, and The Indie Author's Guide to: Building a Great Book.
And these 10 people win a signed Mystic bookmark!!

Entry #150Becky F.

Entry #241Charlene T.

Entry #263Ashley

Entry #165C.E. H.

Entry #121Alana M.

Entry #74Heather B.

Entry #110Heather W.

Entry #115Ellie M.

Entry #18Beth J.

Entry #50Sandi T.

C.E. Hart, you certainly got a lion's share of the prizes!! Congratulations to everyone that won!!

Me or the author will be in touch with everyone on Monday to find out where to send the prizes!!

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

Jo

Interview with Lily Mystic Book Two

Hello, good people of the blogosphere!! To warm you up for my author interviews and blog party next week, I'm giving you a look at the main character in Lily, book two of my Mystic series. I hope you all enjoy meeting her.

Jo: Hi Lily! It's good to have you here today.

Lily: Thank you. It's good to be here, verbally, rather than on-screen - I'm not sure I'm ready for that yet.

Jo: I understand your fear. If I'd gone through what you went through, I'm not sure I'd be sitting here either.

Lily: *laughs* I'm thankful to have been rescued from the hell I was in.

Jo: I bet. So, tell us a little about your modeling career.

Lily: I was famous. I appeared in every fashion magazine that exists by the time I was nineteen. My career really took off when I was eighteen and had already been working for a year. My ex and I did a campaign for Guess and that was the beginning of success for us. We were booked through the next two years after that ad hit the shelves. It was like a fairy tale come to life.

Jo: Will you please tell our readers what happened?

Lily: Well, I was drunk and decided - like a fool - that I should drive home. I crashed on the exit ramp and went through the windshield. I almost killed my ex-boyfriend in the process.

Jo: That's quite a burden to carry. How did you deal with it?

Lily: I'd prefer not to talk about that. Can we talk about Markaza instead?

Jo: Sure. I understand if the memory is too painful. How did you meet Markaza?

Lily: She moved into the beach house next door. That crazy fool went swimming in the Atlantic ocean in January! Afterward, she collapsed on the beach. I put an umbrella up so she didn't get crispy-crittered. She returned it, and we met.

Jo: How did she help you?

Lily: She helped me find a way to love myself again. I'm beautiful, even if I am scarred. It's my heart that counts.

Jo: How right you are. Tell me about moving to New York. Why did you make that decision?

Lily: I got accepted to a program in a college here where I'll be studying ophthalmology. I got a full scholarship from a company called WSTW - Women Save the World - and I took it.

Jo: Tell me about WSTW. What do you know about them?

Lily: Very little. All I could find online was their mission statement: "WSTW is on a mission to empower women and bring the strongest of them together to right the wrongs in the world." Pretty powerful stuff, huh?

Jo: Yeah, it is. How do you like your roommate, Bronya?

Lily: She's great. We haven't had a lot of time to get to know one another though. What I know and what I've seen, I adore. She seems really eager to make friends.

Jo: I interviewed her a few weeks ago. She's marvelous and has a huge heart. Well, Lily, thank you for your time today. I enjoyed talking with you. One last question: If you could choose who would play you in a movie rendition of Mystic, who would it be?

Lily: Thank you, Jo. I enjoyed being here. If I had to choose... Taylor Swift. She seems innocent enough.

If you want to know what Lily struggled with and how she dealt with it, you'll have to read the book!! Her story will be released 10/30. It's a hair-raiser. Don't forget to pick up a copy of Mystic~Bronya and get up to speed on what's going on! Just $3.99 for Kindle on Amazon!

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

Jo

Coffee and Writing

That's right, you know what I'm talking about: the stuff of life. Those rich, dark, enticing brews we all know and love called: coffee. The perfect friend for writers when they're struck by the muse and need to keep their peepers open or for the mom who just needs a helping hand to get moving in the morning.

Happy Thursday, good people of the blogosphere! Today, I'm chatting about something I imbibe great amounts of on a daily basis. Join me!

I've been drinking coffee for more years than I know. It's always been a part of my life; kinna like breathing.

Things I've learned about coffee through the years:

• Some like it hot
• Some like it cold
• Some like it strong
• Some like it weak
• Some like it sweet
• Some like it bitter
• Some prefer cappuccino
• Everyone has a preference

Beyond how people like their coffee prepared, most of them are brand-loyal. There are many brands out there to choose from. My favorite is Community, but I know some who like Folgers, Doughnut House or StarBucks; to name just a few. I've been lucky enough to find a partner who loves coffee as much as I do. May you all be as blessed!

How does this pertain to writing besides keeping you awake so you can? Oftentimes, I find my characters having a chat about things while sitting around. I introduce coffee. Coffee mugs give them something to do with their hands. It can be spilled, thrown, or make someone ill. Making coffee gives a reason for a character to leave the conversation for a moment to think, reflect, or calm down. Java can give them the jitters or enhance tension in the room. It can also provide fuel for keeping them up all night having a chat.

I've had many many conversations over a cup of coffee; some were life-changing. I write what I know.

Markaza, Bronya, Lily, and some of the other ladies from my Mystic series are always drinking coffee. Why? Because it's in their character bios. How you take your coffee can say a lot about you. Keep this in mind when creating your characters.

I leave you all with a question: How do you like your coffee?

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

Jo

Winners and a Blog Party

Hello, good people of the blogosphere! Welcome to this special Saturday edition of my blog!

Why am I posting on a Saturday? To announce the winners of my giveaway, of course! Just for that? No! I'm putting out a casting call, if you will, for a blog party I'm planning to run from October 15-19. If you missed the last blog party, no worries, you can participate in this one.

Here are the details:

For one week, I'll promote your blog or your book right here on my blog. I will also share via facebook, pinterest, and twitter. Best of all, it's free! I do ask that you be an indie author. No traditionally published folks, please.

All that I ask of my participants is they give something to my readers and promote the posts the week of. This can be done via a rafflecopter giveaway, a free download, or swag of any kind. Your choice.

I do expect you to follow through with your offer and if you don't, I'll ban you from future giveaways or interviews on my blog. Everyone must keep to their word when we collaborate. You don't want me forgetting to post your stuff, I don't want you leaving people who enter the contest hanging.

I will only do one featured blog or author per day. I do list other blogs I follow or find and give readers helpful links after the interview. For an example of a past blog party post, you can look here:

http://jomichaels.blogspot.com/2012/07/a-few-of-my-favorite-blogs-part-3-of.html

That post will give you an idea of what you can expect. If you want an interview done with me, you need to let me know by Wednesday of this week (10/5/2012). After that date, I will only agree to post bios and your book cover/synopsis.

I have four slots left:
Monday, October 15
Wednesday, October 17
Thursday, October 18
Friday, October 19

When I request your information, get it to me within 48 hours, please. These posts take a while to put together and if you wait until the last minute, you're causing ME stress. If I don't hear back from you within the designated time period, I'll give your slot to someone who will.

Now, for the fun news! The winner of Bronya and Lily, the first two books in my Mystic series is:

Lyza J.

And the lucky winner of a copy of Bronya is:

Sandi T.

You'll be contacted Monday for information about where I should send your prize. They will be mailed on Monday if you get your address back to me quickly.

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!

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

Jo

Mystic ~ Shelia Synopsis and Release Date

Happy Thursday, good people of the blogosphere!! Today I'm going to let you in on the idea behind Shelia, book three of my Mystic series. So, without any ado whatsoever, here you go!

Mystic ~ Shelia (Book 3 of the Mystic series) - Paranormal

Synopsis:
After a horrible accident takes the lives of her parents, Shelia Morgan is placed in the care of her Aunt Ivy and Uncle Melvin. For six years they work her like a slave. On her twelfth birthday, Uncle Melvin makes Shelia an offer that will destroy her life.

When she turns 19, the ugly truth about her past comes out during a therapy session, Uncle Melvin is arrested, and she's placed in the sights of everyone in town. Hurling insults, objects, and threats, the townspeople side with her uncle and call Shelia a liar. She loses her job, her boyfriend, and her freedom in one day. When a girl named Markaza shows up and tells Shelia she's part of a group of young women destined to save the world, Shelia begins to dream of a new life and true freedom from her personal demons.

She tells the jury her story and boards a plane destined for New York and her new life. Once there, she meets Bronya and Lily: Two other young women with special powers they must learn to harness in order to fight an evil that will rise on December 21, 2012, and destroy the world.

Markaza boards a plane to Atlanta to save the life of a young lady named Melody before her mind destroys her from the inside out. As Markaza fights for Melody's life, Shelia, Lily, and Bronya throw themselves into their studies and learn that even power from within can get out of control.

Mystic ~ Shelia will be released just before Christmas, 2012.

If you don't have a copy of Bronya, go grab one today. $3.99 at Amazon, $8.99 at CreateSpace. This is a series you do not want to miss and Lily releases October 30, 2012!

As a bonus, go check out Home School Your First Grader written by Beth Jones. It's free today on Amazon for Kindle.

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

Jo

Release Day and Special Bundle Pack

It's release day! You can now purchase The Abigale Chronicles - Book Three at Amazon!

But WAIT! I have a super special for all you folks with kids who love Abigale! You can get ALL THREE books for half the price! How? I've released a special bundle edition in celebration! Keep reading...

I decided that I wanted to do something special for all of Abigale's fans. So, for half the price of buying each book individually, you can own all three! This three book collection will be pulled from the shelves in February 2013 so you want to jump in and grab it now. Here's the deal:

At just $2.99, you're saving almost three dollars by buying the complete collection as one.

It will NOT be available in print. This is a Kindle ONLY limited edition.

Available on Amazon.










The Abigale Chronicles - Book Three - Young Readers (Series)

If you already have the first two, you can pick up The Abigale Chronicles - Book Three for just $1.99 on Amazon. If you prefer print books, feel free to hop over to CreateSpace and grab a paperback copy for just $5.99.

Synopsis:
Abigale Fontenot is turning thirteen. Just when she thinks her birthday couldn't possibly get any worse, a new adventure takes hold. Abigale and Emmett are whisked away to a world of fantasy where knights, dragons, and princesses are the order of the day. Abigale is kidnapped by an evil prince in a nearby kingdom, and it's up to Emmett to rescue her. But Abigale finds that escape is not the most important thing; restoring the evil prince's kindness that has been locked away in a magical book by a wicked sorceress must come first. While Emmett is trying to rescue Abigale, she is trying to free the prince from his curse. Will she succeed in her quest before the evil prince kills Emmett, or will she fail and lose her new best friend? Will death matter if the whole thing is a dream, or are the adventures real and truly dangerous?

While you're here, don't forget to go enter the rafflecopter drawing for your chance at Bronya and Lily; book one and two of the Mystic series.

Click me to get to the widget!

I'd like to say thank you again to the 100 great fans of my FaceBook page for making it happen!

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

Jo

Writing and Designing

Today is one of those days where I'm going to write a lot and work on a cover design for a friend. I am leaving you all in the very capable hands of my rafflecopter to ease your mind and give you something to do. :)

Enter to win!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Remember, The Abigale Chronicles - Book Three releases officially tomorrow. Read more about it here. I may have some goodies up my sleeve for the release, I may not. You'll just have to come back tomorrow to find out!

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

Jo

100 FB Page Like Giveaway!

Easy to enter, easy to win!! One printed copy of each of the books below, signed. Plus! One printed copy of Bronya, signed.

You have 1 week to enter as many times as you wish. GO!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Here are the fabulous prizes:

A copy of Mystic ~ Bronya
Synopsis:
Bronya Thibodeaux is a senior at Houma High School whose life is about to be changed forever. She's always felt like an outcast, but thinks she may have found a friend when a strange, new girl named Markaza who has blue hair, a number of tattoos, and a strange way of dressing appears. She accepts Bronya for who she is and the two hit it off.

Markaza isn’t around long before she moves away. Bronya goes back to feeling lonely and different. Trouble arises when Bronya's love interest - a girl named Cecilia - is accidentally revealed to the entire student body. Bronya’s life choices make her a pariah in her small town. After getting thrown out of school, not being able to find a job, and being subjected to ridicule and cruel treatment, Bronya chooses to leave her old life behind forever when she receives a compelling invitation from a mysterious company named WSTW.

What Bronya doesn't know, is the mysterious company is owned by Markaza; a mystic who knows the end of the world is coming and is gathering together the only people who can stop the evil that's threatening to take over. Bronya is just the first. But going to New York is only a baby step toward her true journey. As Bronya races against the clock to unlock a power she never knew she had, Markaza races to collect the others: Lily, Sheila, Melody, and Coralie.

A PRE-RELEASE copy of Mystic ~ Lily
Synopsis:
Lily Conyers is a twenty-year-old who had it all going for her until a car crash left her with terrible scars, no modeling job, and an addiction to pain killers. When she meets a strange young woman named Markaza, Lily begins to re-build her life with encouragement from her new friend.

Problems arise when Lily leaves the safety of her apartment for the first time since her accident to venture back into the world she used to know. Her so-called friends shun her and her boyfriend recoils at the sight of her face; leaving her standing in the road alone - crying. She rushes home with thoughts of suicide only to find a letter on her step from a company called WSTW; promising her a new life.

Lily packs her bags, bids Markaza goodbye, and sets off for the city. But going to New York is only the first hurdle Lily must jump. She must learn to use the power inside herself to help defeat an evil that is threatening to destroy the world. Once there, she meets a girl named Bronya and the two help one another re-build what was so negligently broken.

As Lily is boarding the plane bound for New York, Markaza boards another headed to Tennessee so she can collect the next young woman on her list: Sheila.

Good Luck to you all!!

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

Jo