Friday, November 29, 2013

BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!!!! And Thanksgiving Post!!

I posted this on my other blog, http://lifeofachronicbibliophile.blogspot.com/, but I couldn't help posting this here as well. ;)

First of all, I want to wish you all a Happy Belated Thanksgiving! I hope that it was wonderful and you enjoyed it with people that you love! For so many of us, there is so much to be thankful for. Sure, I have Cystinosis and have to take upwards of 90 pills and about 800 ml of liquid medication a day. Plus all of the prepping meds et cetera that comes with it. But when I was born doctors told my parents that I wouldn't make it to sixteen. And here I am now, twenty-two.  So I'm thankful for that. Also for friends and family that understand as much as they can what I go through. As much as I dislike doctors sometimes, them too. At least those who have treated me for years and those who listen to what we have to say. My sweet little kitten, Sawyer. I'm thankful that I got my bachelor's degree. I am so thankful that I'm doing something that I love. I've wanted to be an author since I was eight. And my dream is coming true. Sure, it's a lot of work. And hey, sometimes I'll complain just a bit about all the other stuff that comes with it besides the writing, but I love it. Every minute of it. I really do. And now. to get the big announcement (that's why I have saved this for last) I'm thankful for my wonderful Matt. Who, just last weekend. proposed to me! :) In front a fair amount of people, I may add. Of course, I said yes. :) What a surprise. ;) So there's mu big announcement! We're engaged!! :D Happy Thanksgiving and Happy Hanukkah!!!


<3 Amanda Leigh

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

Second Giveaway of the Day ~ Two Year Blog Anniversary Giveaway! ~ NOW CLOSED ~

Can you all believe that I have successfully kept up this blog for two years? I personally can not believe that I have managed to keep up a steady blog for this long! I think that is a great accomplishment! And I'll say it again, I can't believe that it has benn two years! So, to celebrate, I am giving away things to YOU! Yes, another giveaway! This one is continental US only though. I'm sorry, guys. (To see an international giveaway in a few days, make sure to like my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAmandaLeigh Just a little something for reaching 100 likes. :)


GIVEAWAY!

First Giveaway of the Day! INTERNATIONAL! ~ NOW CLOSED ~

Hey guys! In celebration of my two year blog anniversary I'll be having a vouple of giveaways on this blog! The first giveaway is INTERNATIONAL and the prizes are generously donated by author Jennifer Weiser (guest post from Monday here: http://girlwithapenandadream.blogspot.com/2013/11/guest-post-with-jennifer-weiser-author.html) and author Ryan Ringbloom (author of Fast and Wait). Here's a bit more about both of them before we get to the giveaway!

Jennifer Weiser
I'm a young adult author, hoping that one day my humor and wit will charm the pants off of many. When I'm not lost in Neverland, singing at the top of my lungs, or frantically pounding away the keys in my writing cave, you can find me curled up along side my daughter--dressed in our best tiara's eating chocolates with diet Coke, our noses stuck in my newest YA obsession. Well, that and Fancy Nancy.

Website: http://jenniferweiser.blogspot.com/

Ryan Rinbloom
Ryan Ringbloom lives for anything Romance.  The passion, love, angst, awkwardness… she loves all of it. When Ryan needs a break from reality she sneaks off to read a romantic story or write one of her own. Drinking coffee, reading Tweets and hugs from her five year old are the best part of her day.

Website: http://www.ryanringbloom.com/

GIVEAWAY TIME!

Monday, November 25, 2013

Guest Post with Jennifer Weiser Author ~ “Query, Query, Quite Contrary”!!

Hi everyone! I have a guest post today with Jennifer Weiser! We met each other a few months back (but she'll tell you all about that in her post. ;) So, since she's going to tell you all about it, just a couple more things: 1) Tomorrow I am going to have author Ryan Ringbloom over on the blog! And Wednesday I will be doing my post! 2)At the end of this event (on Wednesday) I am going to put up the rafflecopter for a big joint giveaway that we are doing! So, with that, take it away Jennifer! 


"Query, Query, Quite Contrary" 

I’m so excited to be a part of Amanda’s very special week! Let me just start by saying Happy Blogoversary Amanda! What a very awesome time to be celebrating, what with Thanksgiving this week, and of course the biggest shopping holiday of the year, this anniversary falls in a very top notch week!

I met Amanda a few months back through our mutual love of all things Rachel Harris and Victoria Scott! We hit it off right away and I was beyond thrilled when Amanda reached out to me to help celebrate her big week! With all guest posts the questions become what to write about? What to really tell all the followers that will keep them interested? I debated for a few days before a light bulb went off in my head. And when I say light bulb, I really mean Amanda. :) She suggested I tell the tale of my query letters and how they are progressing. So, snuggle in my darling followers of Amanda. I’m about to take you on a magical journey, I like to call “Query, query, quite contrary.”

Once upon a time there sat a very nervous YA writer. For over a year she worked, sun up till sun down on a manuscript she was sure would kick major butt come the time. For months she revised, edited, revised and edited. Finally after large debates, she sent it out for beta testing. Nail biting as it was, she sat and waited patiently while readers read her work. It was only four days out when the first review came back. Holding her breath she read the report. Positive! Excitement bubbled up in the nervous writer as she held her breath for the next eleven to come in. After hearing a few good and a few bad, revisions and edits came next. The nervous writer decided now wasn’t the time to try for agents.

The manuscript needed work and some missing touches, but the nervous writer had a very supportive best friend who had published both by literary house and self and would not allow the nervous writer to back out of her dreams, just because of fear. The nervous writer was stalling, and the best friend knew that if it was ever to be done, now was the time. With her gentle nudge the best friend encouraged the nervous writer to stop stalling and go for it. A deadline was set. One month was all the best friend and the nervous writer would give herself. One month to finish edits, begin the letters and send, send, send. This deadline was set for November 1st, 2013. Would the nervous writer commit to her deadline, or drown in the pool of fear?

Well, this nervous writer is happy to report that the first letter went out a week before the deadline. October was a very busy month for me, what with cutting words, researching agents and publication houses, and the writing of the letter.

This may be the most important detail in the entire query process. It sets up your book, you and your characters. I wrote my first letter, probably eight different times, which I sent back and forth with my bff YA author Ryan Ringbloom. Ryan, bless her, would read every line and instantly email me back with what she liked, didn’t like and what needed just to be thrown out. Frustration began to set in. All I wanted to do was write the freaking letter. But, that quickly becoming the hardest part! How do you sum up 105,000 word manuscript into three very short but very descriptive paragraphs?

It seemed like a very impossible feat to me. I couldn’t even sum my own book up when someone would ask me what it was about. All I could say was, take the Salem witch craft trails, mix it with a dystopian world that is rebuilding after tragic wars, and add in a girl with dark secrets that whisper of death and shake in two very hot boys, who will stop at nothing to save her and that’s the book..well almost. There’s also deceit, deceptions, betrayal, lust, the building of an oncoming war, and sinister secrets...that basically sums up the book, but agents don’t want to read that. I wouldn’t either.  No, I needed to come up with something that was catchy but also really grabbed everyone’s attention. So, how do you sum up a book with so many different aspects?

You break it down, one part at a time. You read the jackets and backs of every book you can get your hands on! After getting a general idea of what caught me to buy that book, I began to work out the key elements of the story that were going to kick the adrenaline of “I need to read this now!” into overdrive. Trust me when I tell you, this is harder than it sounds, but once you get it, you face palm your forehead because you realize it was there all along. You just didn’t see it.

After I had the breakdown of my book, it was time to put that with the letter. I had already generated a list of agents months before. I spent days reading their submission requests, and learning about themselves so that I would be able to include a few key things in each letter. I didn’t want to seem like a stalker, but if I’m honest, I stalked most of their blogs every day for months before I decided to actually send my letter to them. And some I’m still cyber stalking.

After days of working my letter and emailing back and forth with Ryan, the nervous feeling I had disappeared, instantly replaced with “just send it already” feeling. I actually became sick of my own letter, just like I had my manuscript. I didn’t want to read them any longer, so I woke up one morning and decided that I was going to send it.

I hit send, and didn’t look back. With the first letter out, I sat for a few days and digested the feeling of accomplishment and nerves, swallowed down with fear of rejection. Most agents will post on with their submissions guidelines that it may take up to a few weeks before they respond, but I had it in my head that if I didn’t hear within 48 hours, I totally sucked.

Maybe I did, maybe I didn’t. At that point, I was actually beyond caring. This was my dream and I couldn’t just send one letter and that would be it. No. I wouldn’t go quietly. So I queried again. This time to a small publication house. And then again, to another small publication house. And again to two more agents. I found that after the first letter, the other were a breeze. What had I been so worked up for? By this point, I can’t really tell you. It’s funny because it was only the beginning of this month, and yet thinking about it as I write, I don’t know why I was so nervous. Maybe it was the unknown, or the idea of actually sending the book to someone who may love it or hate it. Or maybe it was because I was finally living out my dream. It could have even been the fear of rejection.

Which, oddly enough, the first agent I submitted to, I heard back from two weeks later. And yes, it was a rejection. Not that I can say I was surprised. I had a feeling, but I wasn’t completely defeated. Yes, I cried. For a few hours. I even went as far as questioning my work and if I was worth publishing, but then I read the email again. Why? To punish myself further? Maybe, but I needed to see the words one more time. Funny thing, the first time I read it, I swore it said, “Totally sucked. Better luck...never.” What it really said was that although she didn’t love it, she liked it. LIKED it. So it wasn’t loved. But it was liked. Could it have just been a nice way to say, “You suck.” Yes, but I don’t see it like that. I truly believe it was liked, but just not the cup of tea she was looking to sample.

When you think about it, as writers we put a lot of pressure on ourselves to be well understood and liked. If our work isn’t liked or receives a bad review, instantly our lives are burning to the ground. When we get positive feedback or a great review, we don’t want to believe it for a second. We are so sure we are going to fail that all of the good goes out. We only believe the bad. Well, I can tell you from experience, that just because it wasn’t liked or received well by one doesn’t mean there isn’t someone out there who isn’t going to think it’s the next best thing since sliced bread. We are all awesome in our own right. Don’t ever forget that.


And even though, I have spent the last three weeks working on getting more letters sent out and still haven’t heard a yes or a no, doesn’t mean I’m going to give up. As I said, I won’t go quietly. This won’t be the last you’ve heard from me. That’s a promise. :)

About Jennifer Weiser
I am a YA author searching for the right words to stain the pages of my first novel. When I'm not becoming lost in the pages of my favorite books or busy creating a world of my own, I am living out fairy tale dreams along side my beautiful daughter and husband, who not only inspire but allow inspiration to color our world together.

At The Cool Table Website: http://www.atthecooltable.com 

Thank you so much Jennifer! :) 

<3 Amanda Leigh

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Interview with Rebekah Palmer (friend and fellow Cystinosis survivor) ~ Author of A Letter to My Friend!!

Today I have a special interview. An interview with Rebekah Palmer author of A Letter to My Friend. Rebekah and I met each other through the same Facebook Cystinosis support group that my boyfriend and met each other through. Yes, Rebekah also has Cystinosis. I recently found out that she had written a book, So of course, I asked her if she would be interested in doing an interview on my blog. she said yes and here we are. :) One of the things that has really helped Rebekah is her faith (Christianity). Her book, A Letter to My Friend, focuses a lot on this. Here it is: 


 

A book for teenagers written by a teenager. If you are a young person not quite on your own, in college or a young adult, this book was written with you in mind. The truths expressed inside will help you on your journey to becoming an adult who makes Holy Spirit-led decisions and takes on responsibility for those around you.

Now, on to the interview! 

Amanda Leigh: First, tell us a little bit about yourself. Give us a little introduction to you. :)
Rebekah Palmer: I am a daughter, a sister, a girlfriend, and soon-to-be Aunt! I love my family, my boyfriend, and my God Jesus Christ. I enjoy reading books and writing, especially poetry.

Amanda Leigh: Where did the idea for "A Letter To My Friend" come from? Is it something that you've been thinking about for a while? The description says "A book for teenagers written by a teenager." Does this book have things that you actually wrote as a teenager or did you go back and sort of re-write your teenage thoughts?
Rebekah Palmer: The idea for "A Letter To My Friend" came about because of a journal I was writing my thoughts in specifically for a gift for a high school friend of mine. I was a senior in high school and was about to leave my underclassmen friends for  college and I wanted to write what I had learned being where they are now. I wanted to give this specific friend advice that helped me through high school. It turned out my heart was so big I wanted to share the truths I learned with all teenagers.

Amanda Leigh: What was the process like for writing/putting this book together?
Rebekah Palmer: Basically, anything I felt I needed to work on in my own life I wrote about, for example: the need to obey authority, love one another not just a specific boy or girl exclusively, and having a cheerful spirit. I wrote what I felt I needed to hear and if I needed the advice so did other teenagers.

Amanda Leigh: You and I know each other through the Cystinosis community via Facebook. I know that personally for me, writing a book with the fatigue that many of us face was/is a challenge for me. Was that a challenge for you as well? How did you handle it?
Rebekah Palmer: I wrote when I felt like writing, mostly at night. I wrote bits here and there in a notebook then at night just typed it all out on the computer.

Amanda Leigh: Your book focuses (from what I can tell) a lot on faith and your faith and how that can help young Christian adults or Christian teenagers in their life? How has that helped you in your life - your faith?
Rebekah Palmer: I have the tendency to be an anxious person. My faith helps me look to a brighter future. Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, faith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." Living with Cystinosis has put much fear inside me. As a little girl, being sick all the time, I would quote Psalm 56:3 "What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee."

Amanda Leigh: I follow your blog "Map of My Heart". You occasionally post your poetry on there. Are there plans for a poetry collection in the future? Is there any poetry in "A Letter to My Friend"?
Rebekah Palmer: I do have a poetry collection. It is being judged in a contest right now. There is poetry in "A Letter To My Friend"-8 poems I wrote in high school.

Amanda Leigh: What made you decide to start your blog?
Rebekah Palmer: A guidance counselor suggested I start a blog since I voiced the desire to be a writer.

Amanda Leigh: I'm sure that you have been building up advice for a while. Why did you choose to put it into a book at this point in your life?
Rebekah Palmer: I wanted to leave behind some kind of legacy. The written word seemed like the perfect object I could show my loved ones and people in general.

Amanda Leigh: Are you a reader of poetry as well? Do you have a favorite poem? (I love poetry and am very curious. :)
Rebekah Palmer: Yes! I read poetry-I love Meg Kearney, Marilyn Nelson and Lisa Sandell. My favorite poems are Jabberwocky by Lewis Carrol, The Owl and the Pussy-Cat by Edward Lear and The Lady of Shalott by Alfred Lord Tennyson.

Amanda Leigh: Anything else you'd like to add? Words of advice to writers or advice in general?
Rebekah Palmer: Writers: Keep on writing! Write for yourself and your loved ones.


About the Author:
Rebekah Palmer graduated in 2010 from Providence Baptist College in Elgin, Illinois, with a degree in secondary Christian education. She is currently enrolled as a creative writing student at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. She is excited about the path that God has placed her on and continues to share the truth and love He places on her heart with those with whom she comes in contact.

Thank you so much to Rebekah for stopping by the blog and doing an interview! Congratulations on A Letter to My Friend! Stop by her blog, Map of My Heart, if you're interested: http://reba-mapofmyheart.blogspot.com/

Buy Link for A Letter to My Friend: http://www.shop.lifesentencepublishing.com/A-Letter-to-My-Friend-6310.htm?categoryId=-1 

<3 Amanda Leigh

Monday, November 18, 2013

Book Blitz ~ Reap by Christina Channelle (Excerpt and Giveaway!)


Reap
Release Date: 10/11/13

Summary from Goodreads:
Foreign, or rather unfamiliar, would be the word I would use to describe how I felt.

Faintly, I could hear the glimmer of voices surrounding me in this dark haze, caressing my ears like skin against silk. I felt like I was in a cocoon of sorts, protectively enveloped, quietly drifting in some far-off place. I wanted to stay that way forever.

But we all know that what you want never really seems to happen in the real world.


Something’s not right in Mia’s head.

The first thing is that her name isn’t Mia. In fact, she has no clue what her name is—who she is. All that she knows is that she’s not like the ones who found her: Dante with his kind blue eyes, Amy with her child-like demeanor, James with his questioning gaze.

And Briggs.

The one she cannot decipher no matter how hard she tries.

As Mia tries to fit in with these people, a strange occurrence is amidst outside. And as she finally remembers who she is …

Well, let’s just say that things get a little more complicated.

(YA Paranormal Romance Novella)



Excerpt:
 I opened my eyes but had to squeeze them shut against the harsh lights. My lids felt swollen, heavy with fatigue. My eyes burned, tears leaking from their corners.

It was the most uncomfortable of feelings.

I must have been dreaming.

“Hello?”

Although the word seemed alien to me, almost as if I had never heard it before, I instantly understood its meaning. The voice that had spoken was warm, making me feel as if I were suddenly sitting in front of a fireplace, wrapped in a heavy blanket, flames crackling. The heat of the word practically licked my skin.

Again, I tried opening my eyes, this time a bit more cautiously. Blinking, I slowly adjusted to the artificial lights, now able to see.

I found myself staring back into a pair of bright blue eyes, a look of wariness in their depths. For a brief moment I couldn’t look away as I stared up at him. Then he cleared his throat and glanced away, as if uncomfortable with my gaze. With the spell of his eyes broken, it was then that I noticed I was lying on the ground—no, on hardwood floor.

And with not one, but three interested faces peering down at me.

I sat up, then winced at the abruptness of my movement, bringing my hand to the back of my head.
Pain, my mind whispered.

“Careful now.”

I directed my eyes toward the person who had spoken such kind words. It was the first person I had noticed, the one with the blue eyes and the warm voice. His voice was deep and calming, and as I sat there I tried to think of the emotion I should be experiencing. Inhaling softly, I closed my eyes, ignored the painful throb in my head, and waited for the proper term to flutter into my mind.

Gratitude.

“Where did you come from?”

Satisfied I had found the correct word, I opened my eyes again to the voice speaking to me. It was a pleasant voice, reassuring to say the least, and immediately captured my attention.

At that moment, I didn’t notice the black hair atop his head, a striking contrast against his blue eyes that looked like I was staring into an ocean. I didn’t notice that the corners of his eyes crinkled up when he smiled kindly at me, complementing the single dimple in his right cheek. By just looking at him, anyone could tell that he was someone who knew how to laugh. But I didn’t notice any of that.


All those things I would notice later.

Available from: (only $.99!)
 photo B6096376-6C81-4465-8935-CE890C777EB9-1855-000001A1E900B890_zps5affbed6.jpg  photo 111AD205-AA04-4F9E-A0F4-C1264C4E9F30-1855-000001A1E8CEB6D7_zps9b730b94.jpg  photo KoboIcon_zps515cdc1a.jpg  photo iconitunesbooks_zps8d729d7e.jpg  photo smashwordsicon_zps931b0409.jpg

About the Author
A dreamer, Christina Channelle holds two degrees in health sciences but has always had a passion for writing. You will find her reading other young adult novels, or typing up a new story on her computer. When not writing, Christina spends her free time at the movies, listening to music, or eating sushi. She's a reality TV junkie and has a close relationship with many characters on TV that have been a topic of many heated discussions among friends. She resides in Ontario, Canada.


Her next project is the YA Paranormal Romance, REAP, to be released October 11, 2013.


Author Links:
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*GIVEAWAY*
3 - Ebooks of Reap with bookmark (INT)

Book Blitz hosted by:

Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Book Blitz ~ Dark Musicals Trilogy by Laura DeLuca!


Summary from Goodreads:
The “Phantom” was a musical phenomenon that Rebecca had always found enchanting. She had no idea that her life was about to mirror the play that was her obsession. When her high school drama club chooses “Phantom” as their annual production, Rebecca finds herself in the middle of an unlikely love triangle and the target of a sadistic stalker who uses the lines from the play as their calling card.


Rebecca lands the lead role of Christine, the opera diva, and like her character, she is torn between her two co-stars—Tom the surfer and basketball star who plays the lovable hero, and Justyn, the strangely appealing Goth who is more than realistic in the role of the tortured artist.



Almost immediately after casting, strange things start to happen both on and off the stage. Curtains fall. Mirrors are shattered. People are hurt in true phantom style. They all seem like accidents until Rebecca receives notes and phone calls that hint at something more sinister. Is Justyn bringing to life the twisted character of the phantom? Or in real life are the roles of the hero and the villain reversed? Rebecca doesn’t know who to trust, but she knows she’s running out of time as she gets closer and closer to opening night. Only when the mask is stripped away, will the twenty first century phantom finally be revealed.



Summary from Goodreads:
When Justyn and Rebecca set off to attend the New York School of Performing Arts, they think their dreams are about to come true. To their dismay, they aren’t in high school anymore, and the competition is steep. Rebecca must compete against accomplished singers for a role in the production of Demon Barber, including a stunning Gothic diva with her sights set on Justyn.


It doesn't help that things keep disappearing from their apartment or that Rebecca's father refuses to accept that Justyn is an essential part of her life. Yet, all this seems minimal in comparison to the serial rapist terrorizing the campus.



Consumed by fear and obsessed with revenge, Rebecca and Justyn start living the story of Sweeney Todd—both on and off the stage.



Summary from Goodreads:
Rebecca Hope has looked death in the face twice and lived to tell her tale.




She and the love of her life, Justyn Patko, land a summer internship at a local dinner theater, performing the musical Hyde. While they are excited about their first paid acting gig, they soon find themselves surrounded by more experienced cast mates, jealous of their success. As if the tension isn’t bad enough, they soon discover that the business might be a front for something much more sinister.



When Justyn is accused of a crime that she knows he would never commit, Rebecca must decide if she wants to follow her head or her heart. While trying to prove his innocence, she makes a shocking discovery of her own.

Everyone has something to conceal in the grand finale of the Dark Musicals Trilogy. Rebecca has to look beyond the façade to discover the true Hyde or face her final curtain call.

 

Phantom Excerpt:
The orchestra tuned for its virtuoso, and Justyn stood ready. But no one else was ready for the magical performance he began. Beside her, Carmen was rambling on about something mundane. Rebecca elbowed her to silence so she could listen to the perfectly thrilling tenor. As she listened to the song unfold, the world around her started to slip away. Gone was the high school auditorium. Gone were the rowdy teenagers. The Gothic stranger on the stage had become the embodiment of Erik, and Rebecca watched him in all his dark glory, belting out his tormented love through the words of his song. And she was as breathless with wonder as Christine herself must have been when the masked stranger serenaded her in the candlelit labyrinth of the opera house. In that moment, Justyn wasn’t just portraying the phantom. Justyn was the phantom.

                                               “Let the music touch your soul.
                                                 Let the darkness make you whole.
                                                 Do not fear what is unknown.
                                                 Your true path has now been shown.
                                                 Listen to the words I sing.
                                                 Embrace the peace that night will bring.”

     As he continued to sing in his deep but somehow angelic voice, Rebecca found that she couldn’t tear her eyes away from him. With every line, her heart began to beat faster.  She truly felt the arms of night wrapping her in a warm embrace. She could almost feel the hands of the phantom glide along her body as the words poured forth. The music caressed her. It possessed her—mind, body and soul. Each word left her longing, yearning for more.

     She was gawking so obviously, it was hardly surprising when Justyn felt her eyes on him and steadily met her gaze. She realized her mouth was hanging open in stunned awe, and she quickly snapped it shut. His lips moved into just a small hint of a smile. He never took his eyes off her while he sang the final verse, making her cheeks flush to the point that she felt almost feverish. But it wasn’t embarrassment but excitement, arousal even, which was sending her mind spinning in so many directions.

      When the song was over, and Rebecca had recovered just a hint of her composure, she couldn’t help but burst into a healthy round of applause. A few scattered people joined in, including Debbie and Carmen after she nudged them in the ribs. But only Miss King seemed to truly appreciate the brilliance of his talent as much as Rebecca did.

      “That was amazing, Justyn!” the teacher gushed.

      “Lord Justyn,” he corrected as he stepped down from the stage.

      A few others complimented him as well, but he took in all in stride. In fact, his serious expression never faltered as he stepped down from the stage. He seemed almost bored, like it was all he could do to hold back a yawn, despite the smiles and words of encouragement.

     But not everyone in the crowd was pleased as Justyn glided down the aisle, so ethereal in his dark garments that he still resonated the spirit of the Opera Ghost. Miss King might have been excited about the newest male addition to her cast after being limited for many years, but Tom and his group of boisterous companions glared at him as he passed them by.  Jay sneered and tossed a balled up piece of paper in Justyn’s direction, but the Goth was quick, and caught it in his hand without missing a beat.

    “I think you dropped something,” he said.

    His speaking voice was no less melodic than his singing voice, but something about his tone made Rebecca shiver. He tossed the paper back at Jay, who was nowhere near as coordinated as Justyn. He practically fell off his seat in his efforts to catch it.

     “Hey vampire,” Tom called when Justyn went to walk away. “Are you sure you can handle the competition?”

     Justyn smiled, a cool, sarcastic half-smile, and crossed his arms over his chest. “Are you?”

     Miss King didn’t notice the short confrontation, and Justyn vanished from the auditorium as quickly and mysteriously as he had appeared. Only Rebecca had noticed the very real tension between the two boys. She wondered if it was a bad omen for them to start off the production with hard feelings and envy. That could only lead to trouble. The kind of trouble that could end with someone getting hurt.  The kind of trouble that Rebecca would do whatever it took to avoid.

About the Author
Laura "Luna" DeLuca lives at the beautiful Jersey shore with her husband and three children. She has been writing stories for as long as she can remember. Old high school friends would tell you she was always scratching in her notebook instead of paying attention in class and the children she used to babysit for always loved to hear her scary stories at bedtime. In addition to writing fiction, Laura is also the sole author of a popular review blog called New Age Mama. She is an active member of her local pagan community, and has been studying Wicca for close to eight years.


Author Links:

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***GIVEAWAY***
Geode, incense, gothic bracelet, gothic keychain, sterling silver pentacle charm, mini Buddha figurine, lavender purification bath salts, natural stone pendant and two rough crystal points. Open to US only.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Book Blitz hosted by:

Friday, November 8, 2013

Cover Reveal ~ Playing Pretend by Juliana Haygert!

Playing Pretend
 Genre: NA Contemporary Romance

Word Count: 65,000
Release date: March 2014
Cover: Berto Designs



Summary from Goodreads:
As the Governor’s daughter, Charlotte McClain is an expert in playing pretend. High society, the men her mother shoves in her direction and a Pre-Law major are all a part of her perfect pretense. But when she pretends to be a nobody during Spring Break, she meets someone who rocks her world.

Mason Rowell knows heartbreak and Spring Break don’t mesh well, so he allows the mysterious Charlotte to seduce him. What should have been a fling, results in something deeper. After Spring Break has long since passed, he moves to Washington to pursue his graduate degree, but what he never expected to find living among the rich and pompous, was the girl who gave him the strength to change and the desire to start anew.

When the guy Charlotte can’t forget goes from a sensual memory to temptation in the flesh, her facade is put to the test. If she surrenders to his charms, she risks ruining her mother’s perfect career and master plan. Playing pretend is what Charlotte does best, but how long can she pretend she doesn't love the man who made her proud of her true self?


**A light, sexy NA Contemporary Romance**


About the Author:
New Adult author and contributor at NA Alley blog.
While Juliana Haygert dreams of being Wonder Woman, Buffy, or a blood elf shadow priest, she settles for the less exciting—but equally gratifying—life of a wife, mother, and author. Thousands of miles away from her former home in Brazil, she now resides in Connecticut and spends her days writing about kick-ass heroines and the heroes who drive them crazy.

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