Wednesday, September 2, 2020

A Journaling Process I Use When I'm Stuck

I've talked about this before, but I feel like a lot of people who want to journal may be getting stuck because they are putting too much pressure on themselves to do it a certain way. Probably partly because they see how other people journal in social media post and all that jazz. I say just put pen to paper and go, but if you are really stuck and overwhelmed, there is a process that I sometimes use when I am feeling super stuck on what to write. 

Head on over to my Instagram to watch the IGTV video and find out what this process is!!

You can also download the free PDF that lists out these simple steps when you sign up for my newsletter!! The link is available in that IGTV video, and in the link in my bio!!

Happy Journaling, friends!! 

Wednesday, August 26, 2020

Cover Reveal | Rose Fallen by Brandi Hanson

 


╔══★‿¸.•*•.¸★ ☆ ★¸.•*•.¸‿★══╗

                 COVER REVEAL

╚══★‿¸.•*•.¸★ ☆ ★¸.•*•.¸‿★══╝

┊┊┊       •☆҉ •              •☆҉ • 

┊* ✶  🌹A ROSE FOR THE FALLEN🌹

               🌹BRANDI HANSON🌹 

 


 


Cover by: Covers by Christian


✶Paranormal romance/urban fantasy/new adult✶

FEATURES: 

Multiple points of view 

BOOK BOYFRIENDS

Strong leading characters 

HEAVY STEAM 

Medium burn 


Blurb:


This werewolf may be the death of her....


My name is Mona Kinkade, and I am the most powerful witch alive. The only caveat? I can't control my magick. Oh, and my werewolf boyfriend, Lupus, has a way of getting us into more trouble than we’re already in.


There is a Shadowbound—a witch made of pure malicious intent—after me. I am supposed to defend my coven, Aislin and  take this Shadowbound down, but how is that possible when I can’t even protect myself? 


Between my anxieties and Lupus’ antics, will I be able to do what is necessary to save Aislin or will I lose both Lupus and Aislin in the process?


Wednesday, August 19, 2020

Interview with Pintip Dunn | Author of Dating Makes Perfect

Amanda: Give us a quick introduction to you. Published books, what you write, etc. 

Pintip: Hi! I am a Thai American who grew up in a small town in Kansas. From there, I went on to graduate from Harvard with an A.B. in English Literature and received my J.D. from Yale Law School. I’m a NYT bestselling author of YA fiction, and I write in a range of genres, from science fiction to contemporary thrillers to rom coms. My #ownvoices Thai YA rom com, DATING MAKES PERFECT, is my eighth book! 

 

Amanda: Favorite book you’ve published so far?
Pintip: Now, that’s not a fair question! It’s like asking which of my children is my favorite. Like I always tell them, they’re all my favorite.:


I will say:
FORGET TOMORROW and STAR-CROSSED are the books of my heart.
I cried the most while writing REMEMBER YESTERDAY.
MALICE was the most complex book I’ve ever written.  
DATING MAKES PERFECT, to me, is pure joy. 
 

Amanda: Most fun character to write? Favorite character to write? (Because they can definitely be different. ;) ) Hardest to write?
Pintip: Ha! I think I may have pre-empted this question with my last response. Winnie from DATING MAKES PERFECT was the most fun to write. She made me giggle — a LOT. I don’t think that’s ever happened while I was writing a book before. She ties with Callie from FORGET TOMORROW as my favorite character to write. Callie is probably the most similar character to me, and her story was so much my heart on the page. Most difficult character? Hands-down Alice, from MALICE. Not only was her story incredibly complex, but I also had to write her character from two timelines.
 

Amanda: Did you like to read as a child? Favorite book? Do you still have that book or reread it now?
Pintip: On my goodness, yes! I was the biggest bookworm. Seriously. I was the type of kid who got in trouble for reading too much, and my goal was to read every book in the children’s section of my library. (I came pretty close, too.) My favorite book was ANNE OF GREEN GABLES, but I haven’t re-read it in decades.
 

Amanda:  Have you always been a writer/storyteller? How did you start?
Pintip: I’ve wanted to be an author ever since I was six years old. I know because my first-grade teacher asked us what we wanted to be when I grew up, and I replied, “An author.” This response was surprising because I didn’t even speak English until I started school. (Thai was my first language, and the only phrase my parents taught me to say before starting pre-school was, “Can I use the bathroom?”) I didn’t speak much those first few years, since I was worried that the other kids would make fun of my pronunciation (which they totally did). I escaped by losing myself in fictional worlds. Even at that young age, the only thing I wanted to do was to create such imaginary worlds for others.

That being said, I didn’t write my first novel until after college.
 

Amanda: Do you write to music? If so, what kind? I love to hear about new music!
Pintip: I don’t, actually. This habit of not listening to music while I write stems from my days of dictation, which required total silence. More on that in question 8...
 

Amanda:  I know for me, there have been some funny stories since I’ve been deep in the trenches of writing. Like a realization about a work in progress or characters (the funniest has to do with the song Mirrors by JT.) Do you have any funny stories that you’d like to share?
Pintip: While I was writing DATING MAKES PERFECT, I visited my sister, Lana, for a week for a writing retreat. She would read the chapters as I wrote them, and I loved listening to her laugh as she perused the pages. I always say that Lana is the world’s best reader because she is so responsive. She’s definitely — by far — my biggest fan. One evening, my parents came over for dinner, and Lana proceeded to read aloud a scene between Winnie and her father. We all died laughing, because that scene was based on conversations that we’ve actually had with our father!
 

Amanda:  Do you have a typical process or any writing rituals? Anything you have to have with you while writing? (Besides computer, paper, typewriter, whichever…)
Pintip: I have fibromyalgia, which means that I can’t type on a keyboard without intense, debilitating pain. This condition started during college, so I had to dictate for about ten years (before I discovered a new method), and I hated every single minute of it. Luckily, when I got my first smart phone, I figured out that I could type on the small screen’s keyboard without pain, so long as the phone was locked in portrait position. (Even in landscape position, the keys are far enough apart to cause me pain.)

Thus, I’ve written my last eight books entirely on my cell phone.

 

Amanda:  Who is a character that has influenced you (not from your books)?
Pintip: Katniss, from THE HUNGER GAMES. This book changed my life. When I first started writing, I was hopping from genre to genre, trying to find the right place for my voice. After I read THE HUNGER GAMES, I knew I had found my home in the Young Adult category – and I haven’t looked back since.  

Katniss cared SO MUCH, and the entire story was built around her love for her sister. That showed me that I could also build stories around family love. All of my books have strong family bonds at its core, and DATING MAKES PERFECT is no exception.
 

Amanda: Which of your characters would you least want to go on a road trip with? Why? Most want to?
Pintip: Tough question. I love all of my characters, even the villains! Chairwoman Dresden, from the FORGET TOMORROW trilogy, is pretty nasty. Yes, she has goodness at her core, but I don’t think I’d be able to uncover that during a road trip. (It took until the very end of the third book to redeem her, after all!)

I’d probably pick Bandit from MALICE or Mat from DATING MAKES PERFECT to go on my road trip because they crack me up.
 

Amanda: Top three favorite books and authors right now.
Pinitp: CLAP WHEN YOU LAND, by Elizabeth Acevedo
FELIX EVER AFTER, by Kacen Callender
THE NIGHT CIRCUS, by Erin Morgenstern
 

Amanda:  Favorite writing craft book?
 Pintip: STORY, by Robert McKee

This or that:
Strawberry vs. Chocolate 
Poetry vs. Fiction 
First draft vs. Editing 
T. V. Show vs. Movie 
Book vs. Movie 
Hero vs. Villain 
Villiain vs. Anti-Hero 
Witch vs. Vampire 
E-book vs. Physical Book 
Tea vs. Coffee 
 

Amanda:  Can you tell us anything about what you’re working on now?
Pintip: I’m playing around with a couple projects, vastly different from each other. Both challenge me in a new, exciting way – which is always what I seek – and I’m greatly looking forward to seeing what happens. I also have a co-authored project in the works that I’m very excited about.   

 Amanda: Any last comments to share? :)
Pintip: DATING MAKES PERFECT releases on August 18!

If you like hilarious, heartwarming family dynamics and an enemies-to-lovers romance, I hope you’ll consider picking it up. Author Darcy Woods tells me she wants to date this book, and well, that’s one of the biggest compliments I could ever receive. There’s even plenty of mouth-watering Thai food in this story to create the perfect atmosphere!


Thanks so much for having me! This was such a fun interview!



A first-generation Thai American, Pintip Dunn grew up in a tiny town in Kansas. She went on
to graduate from Harvard University, magna cum laude, with an A.B., and to receive her J.D. at
Yale Law School.

Pintip is a two-time RITA® award winner and a New York Times bestselling author of young
adult fiction. Her books have been translated into four languages, and they have been nominated
for numerous awards, including the Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice Award and
a Kirkus Best Book of the Year. 

She's obsessed with penguins, and her childhood dream was to marry someone whose last name
is “Gwynn” — so that her name could be “Pin Gwynn.” Alas, she got stuck with Dunn instead,
but her husband and three children are worth the sacrifice.

They all visit Thailand yearly in order to stay connected with her family.

Social Media Links:
Website Facebook Twitter Instagram Goodreads

 
 
The Tech sisters don’t date in high school. Not because they’re not asked. Not because they’re
not interested. Not even because no one can pronounce their long, Thai last name—hence the
shortened, awkward moniker. But simply because they’re not allowed.

Until now.

In a move that other Asian American girls know all too well, six months after the older Tech
twins got to college, their parents asked, “Why aren’t you engaged yet?” The sisters retaliated by
vowing that they won’t marry for ten (maybe even twenty!) years, not until they’ve had lots of
the dating practice that they didn’t get in high school.

In a shocking war on the status quo, her parents now insist that their youngest daughter, Orrawin
(aka “Winnie”), must practice fake dating in high school. Under their watchful eyes, of
course—and organized based on their favorite rom-coms. ’Cause that won’t end in disaster.
The first candidate? The son of their longtime friends, Mat Songsomboon—arrogant, infuriating,
and way too good-looking. Winnie’s known him since they were toddlers throwing sticky rice
balls at each other. And her parents love him.

If only he weren’t her sworn enemy. 

Tuesday, August 18, 2020

Forbidden: a Beauty of the Dark novella is out now!!

 


FORBIDDEN by Amanda Leigh is LIVE!

One-Click today: https://amzn.to/2PQZ4OI

Add it to your TBR! https://bit.ly/ForbiddenTBR


The story you don’t hear in Scarred.

Witches and vampires were never supposed to mix. But after saving Melinda from an attack in an alley, centuries-old vampire, Kaleib, finds himself strangely drawn to the beautiful witch Melinda and her adorable young daughter, Kiara. Melinda’s husband is an absolute jerk and resents the fact that she’s a witch. In fact, he’s so disgusted with his daughter’s powers that he practically ignores her existence, an issue that turns Kalieb’s stomach every time he thinks about it.

All Kalieb wants is to keep Melinda and Kiara safe, but maybe the biggest threat of all isn’t physical, but rather the heartbreak and loneliness of a mother and daughter chained to the wrong man.





Start the Beauty of the Dark Series today!
Books MUST be read in order!

MEET THE AUTHOR:
Amanda Leigh is the multi-genre author of numerous titles, including the Mature YA Paranormal Romance, the Beauty of the Dark series. She’s made up stories all her life, and written them down since she was eight. In college she got her degree in English and Communications, and worked as the Assistant Managing Editor on the literary magazine. Amanda advocates for mental health, cystinosis/rare disease awareness, and literacy. Strength: Lives Touched by Cystinosis is an anthology to raise awareness and money for cystinosis. She has a cat she adores and loves cooking, music, art, Psychology, Marvel, Harry Potter, and Elvis Presley. Not necessarily in that order. Find her online at www.authoramandaleigh.com and feel free to get in touch with her.


Friday, July 31, 2020

Cover Reveal | Forbidden: a Beauty of the Dark novella by me!!



FORBIDDEN by Amanda Leigh is releasing on August 16th!

Add it to your TBR! https://bit.ly/ForbiddenTBR

Cover Designer: Najla Qamber Designs


The story you don’t hear in Scarred.

Witches and vampires were never supposed to mix. But after saving Melinda from an attack in an alley, centuries-old vampire, Kaleib, finds himself strangely drawn to the beautiful witch Melinda and her adorable young daughter, Kiara. Melinda’s husband is an absolute jerk and resents the fact that she’s a witch. In fact, he’s so disgusted with his daughter’s powers that he practically ignores her existence, an issue that turns Kalieb’s stomach every time he thinks about it.

All Kalieb wants is to keep Melinda and Kiara safe, but maybe the biggest threat of all isn’t physical, but rather the heartbreak and loneliness of a mother and daughter chained to the wrong man.



Start the Beauty of the Dark Series today!
Books MUST be read in order!

MEET THE AUTHOR:
Amanda Leigh is the multi-genre author of numerous titles, including the Mature YA Paranormal Romance, the Beauty of the Dark series. She’s made up stories all her life, and written them down since she was eight. In college she got her degree in English and Communications, and worked as the Assistant Managing Editor on the literary magazine. Amanda advocates for mental health, cystinosis/rare disease awareness, and literacy. Strength: Lives Touched by Cystinosis is an anthology to raise awareness and money for cystinosis. She has a cat she adores and loves cooking, music, art, Psychology, Marvel, Harry Potter, and Elvis Presley. Not necessarily in that order. Find her online at www.authoramandaleigh.com and feel free to get in touch with her.


Wednesday, July 29, 2020

Interview with Cindy Ray Hale | Author of the Destiny Clark Saga

Amanda: Give us a quick introduction to you. Published books, what you write, etc.
Cindy: Hi! I’m Cindy Ray Hale. I write YA Contemporary and Sweet Romance. I have a nine book YA. Contemporary series called The Destiny Clark Saga. It’s based off of The Destiny Trilogy, but it’s expanded and quite a bit longer overall. I released two books in July. One is a small town sweet romance called Her Senator’s Second Chance, and it’s part of the Love Under Lockdown boxset. The other book is a YA Contemporary called My Best Friend Prince Charming. It’s the sixth book in the Sweet Mountain High Series.


Amanda: Favorite book you’ve published so far?
Cindy: Definitely Destiny. It’s the first book I ever wrote, and I put so much of my heart and soul into it. I get goosebumps just thinking about it.



Amanda: Most fun character to write? Favorite character to write? (Because they can definitely be different. ;) ) Hardest to write?
Cindy: Hannah from the Destiny books. I adore her. She’s witty and impulsive and hilarious. I’d say she was the most fun and my favorite too. I think Shannon from My Best Friend Prince Charming was the hardest character to write. She went through a lot of tough emotions in the book and some of it hit a bit too close to home for me.


Amanda: Did you like to read as a child? Favorite book? Do you still have that book or reread it now?
Cindy: I devoured books as a kid. Even before I knew how to read I would sit for a long time, looking at the pictures of all our books. I loved the Babysitter Club books when I was in third and fourth grade. I don’t have them anymore, but it would be pretty interesting to reread them. 
Amanda: I read some of the Babysitter Club books when I was younger!

Amanda: Have you always been a writer/storyteller? How did you start?
Cindy: I started when I was barely able to write. I don’t even remember what I was writing about, but I don’t think it was very good. Lol! I did write a short story when I was seventeen that ended up getting published in a magazine. I got married young and didn’t write for about twelve years. We hit some financially hard times, and I began writing to help support the family. That was back in 2012.

Amanda: Do you write to music? If so, what kind? I love to hear about new music!
Cindy: I do! I have a playlist on YouTube. I make different playlists for each book and I listen to them while I write. It helps me feel like I’m really one with the story. Music is huge for me. Here’s the playlist I put together for My Best Friend Prince Charming. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVBZzPnHa76zry6KqRX0UxmJg7SdUgajD
Amanda: I do that for every book that I write, too. I always make a playlist for the books I write. It's so much fun, and even if I don't listen while I write, I'll listen before I start writing so I can get in the right headspace.

Amanda: I know for me, there have been some funny stories since I’ve been deep in the trenches of writing. Like a realization about a work in progress or characters (the funniest has to do with the song Mirrors by JT.) Do you have any funny stories that you’d like to share?
Cindy: First of all, I love Mirrors and have it on one of my playlists too. I remember writing a scene at four in the morning once and I had the characters kiss and then one of them immediately bursts into tears. I read it the next morning and was scratching my head over it. I ended up deleting it and rewriting the next day when I wasn’t loopy and exhausted.
Amanda: Sometimes I take notes when I have ideas at night. Actually, I do that a lot. But sometimes I swear I am still asleep and when I try to read it I can't make out a thing!

Amanda: Do you have a typical process or any writing rituals? Anything you have to have with you while writing? (Besides computer, paper, typewriter, whichever…)
Cindy: I like to make a word count goal for the day before I get started. Then I sit down and write until I hit the goal. I have a rocking Lazy Boy type chair that I love to sit in and I keep my laptop on my lap when I write. I usually have my big cup of water next to me and my headphones on with my playlist to keep me focused. Otherwise, I get distracted by every little thing.

Amanda: Who is a character that has influenced you (not from your books)?
Cindy: Lizzie Bennett. I love her strength and independence and snark. She’s so fantastic.

Amanda: Which of your characters would you least want to go on a road trip with? Why? Most want to?
Cindy: Aspen Adams. She’s a total snot, and she’s incredibly fake. She would drive me nuts. I’d love to go on a road trip with Hannah. She’s beautiful and funny. We would have a blast.

Amanda: Top three favorite books and authors right now.
Cindy: I’m sooo excited for Midnight Sun by Stephenie Meyer. I need to preorder it ASAP. I read the leaked pages of it back in 2008, and I’ve been ready for more ever since. I even helped to start a FB group call Midnight Sun - Twilight Reunion Party. You can join the party here. https://www.facebook.com/groups/322829822028633/



I also love The Hunger Games and Pride and Prejudice.




Amanda: Favorite writing craft book?
Cindy: Save the Cat by Blake Snyder. Also Romancing the Beat by Gwen Hayes for romance.



This or that:
Strawberry vs. Chocolate
Poetry vs. Fiction
First draft vs. Editing
T. V. Show vs. Movie
Book vs. Movie
Hero vs. Villain
Villiain vs. Anti-Hero
Witch vs. Vampire
E-book vs. Physical Book
Tea vs. Coffee

Amanda: Can you tell us anything about what you’re working on now?
Cindy: Yep! I’m writing a RomCom that will be part of The Funny Thing About Love boxset. My book will be called Oops! I Kissed Him Again. It takes place in the same small town as Her Senator’s Second Chance.
Amanda: I love that title!



Amanda: Any last comments to share? :)
Cindy: Thanks so much for the opportunity! The questions were lots of fun!
Amanda: Thank you so much for being on the blog today! I loved reading your answers. It's always so much fun to read all of these answers. <3

Tuesday, July 7, 2020

Blog Tour | Sacred Bond by C. A. Harms and Evan Grace


Sacred Bond by C.A. Harms and Evan Grace is releasing on July 7th!

Available on Amazon and free in Kindle Unlimited:
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2O1XGYW
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/38yH5Ff
Amazon AU: https://amzn.to/38DndRx
Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/2NZ1aLN

Add it to your TBR today!


From the outside, Stone Ridge appeared to be a small, welcoming town in Montana with sweet shops and friendly faces. Yet no one knew the true powers it held, the ancient secrets that were hidden, or the pain that had unfolded when the ancestors were met with a force so great it left them all in shambles.

The key to resurfacing the powers of the land fell into the hands of Merick. But in order to do so, he would need to build an army. One big enough to withstand those that threatened him and all that he stood for.

Taryn left the big city life looking for a change, a chance to discover herself. Little did she know, her life would unravel in more ways than she could’ve ever imagined. And all because of one man. 

The dark-haired stranger. The one that felt so familiar, yet she had no idea why. They’d never met before...or had they?

Whenever he was near she felt a strong connection, one that could not be denied. That feeling of déjà vu. Like she’s lived that moment before, seen those eyes, heard that voice. Even his touch felt electric. 

A Sacred Bond had formed. 

Turns out, Taryn was the key to it all. She was written in Merick’s destiny, long before their time.

One-Click:
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2O1XGYW
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/38yH5Ff
Amazon AU: https://amzn.to/38DndRx
Amazon CA: https://amzn.to/2NZ1aLN





Meet The Authors:
C.A. Harms is an avid romance and mystery reader. She's always had a love for books, getting lost in writing and storytelling even as a young girl. She enjoys happy endings and HEA love stories. 

She lives in Illinois and enjoys spending time with her husband and two children. She holds an addiction for Starbucks White Chocolate Mocha’s and KitKat when she should really be focusing on water and maybe a fruit or two to make herself feel less guilty, but that feeling quickly passes...thankfully. 

She is easy going, fun, and although she may seem like one of the quiet ones at first, you just wait until she gets to know you better...that quietness changes, fast.

READER GROUP


A Midwesterner and self-proclaimed nerd, Evan has been an avid reader most of her life, but five years ago got bit by the writing bug, and it quickly became her addiction, passion and therapy. When the voices in her head give it a rest, she can always be found with her e-reader in her hand. Some of her favorites include, Shayla Black, Jaci Burton, Madeline Sheehan and Jamie Mcguire. Evan finds a lot of her inspiration in music, so if you see her wearing her headphones you know she means business and is in the zone.

During the day Evan works for a large homecare agency and at night she’s superwoman. She’s a wife to Jim and a mom to Ethan and Evan, a cook, a tutor, a friend and a writer. How does she do it? She’ll never tell.

Wednesday, July 1, 2020

Cover Reveal | Ruin by Rebecca l. Garcia


Title: Ruin

Genre: YA Fantasy

Designer: Dark Wish Designs


Release Date: August 25th, 2020


Blurb:

Only the beautiful can love, the graceful thrive, and the powerful reign… and I am none of those things 
Fated to be the ugly princess, I was locked away behind castle doors. My father reigned with immortal power, and brothers and sisters were adored and loved by our people, and the throne that was supposed to belong to me would go my brother instead.

I wanted it all...

I turned to a darker magic, one without limits that would set me free... but love had other plans. My powers demanded sacrifice, but little did I know the greatest would be my heart

Ruin releases August 25th

Pre-Order Link: https://bit.ly/RuinTFOC



Tuesday, June 30, 2020

Teaser Tour | Sacred Bond by C. A. Harms and Evan Grace


Sacred Bond by C.A. Harms and Evan Grace is releasing on July 7th!

Add it to your TBR today!


From the outside, Stone Ridge appeared to be a small, welcoming town in Montana with sweet shops and friendly faces. Yet no one knew the true powers it held, the ancient secrets that were hidden, or the pain that had unfolded when the ancestors were met with a force so great it left them all in shambles.

The key to resurfacing the powers of the land fell into the hands of Merick. But in order to do so, he would need to build an army. One big enough to withstand those that threatened him and all that he stood for.

Taryn left the big city life looking for a change, a chance to discover herself. Little did she know, her life would unravel in more ways than she could’ve ever imagined. And all because of one man. 

The dark-haired stranger. The one that felt so familiar, yet she had no idea why. They’d never met before...or had they?

Whenever he was near she felt a strong connection, one that could not be denied. That feeling of déjà vu. Like she’s lived that moment before, seen those eyes, heard that voice. Even his touch felt electric. 

A Sacred Bond had formed. 

Turns out, Taryn was the key to it all. She was written in Merick’s destiny, long before their time.



TEASER REVEAL:

Meet The Authors:
C.A. Harms is an avid romance and mystery reader. She's always had a love for books, getting lost in writing and storytelling even as a young girl. She enjoys happy endings and HEA love stories. 

She lives in Illinois and enjoys spending time with her husband and two children. She holds an addiction for Starbucks White Chocolate Mocha’s and KitKat when she should really be focusing on water and maybe a fruit or two to make herself feel less guilty, but that feeling quickly passes...thankfully. 

She is easy going, fun, and although she may seem like one of the quiet ones at first, you just wait until she gets to know you better...that quietness changes, fast.

READER GROUP


A Midwesterner and self-proclaimed nerd, Evan has been an avid reader most of her life, but five years ago got bit by the writing bug, and it quickly became her addiction, passion and therapy. When the voices in her head give it a rest, she can always be found with her e-reader in her hand. Some of her favorites include, Shayla Black, Jaci Burton, Madeline Sheehan and Jamie Mcguire. Evan finds a lot of her inspiration in music, so if you see her wearing her headphones you know she means business and is in the zone.

During the day Evan works for a large homecare agency and at night she’s superwoman. She’s a wife to Jim and a mom to Ethan and Evan, a cook, a tutor, a friend and a writer. How does she do it? She’ll never tell.

Thursday, June 18, 2020

Cover Reveal | Sacred Bonds by C. A. Harms and Evan Grace


Sacred Bond by C.A. Harms and Evan Grace is releasing on July 7th!

Add it to your TBR today!

Cover Designer: Sarah Paige, Opium House


From the outside, Stone Ridge appeared to be a small, welcoming town in Montana with sweet shops and friendly faces. Yet no one knew the true powers it held, the ancient secrets that were hidden, or the pain that had unfolded when the ancestors were met with a force so great it left them all in shambles.

The key to resurfacing the powers of the land fell into the hands of Merick. But in order to do so, he would need to build an army. One big enough to withstand those that threatened him and all that he stood for.

Taryn left the big city life looking for a change, a chance to discover herself. Little did she know, her life would unravel in more ways than she could’ve ever imagined. And all because of one man. 

The dark-haired stranger. The one that felt so familiar, yet she had no idea why. They’d never met before...or had they?

Whenever he was near she felt a strong connection, one that could not be denied. That feeling of déjà vu. Like she’s lived that moment before, seen those eyes, heard that voice. Even his touch felt electric. 

A Sacred Bond had formed. 

Turns out, Taryn was the key to it all. She was written in Merick’s destiny, long before their time.



Meet The Authors:
C.A. Harms is an avid romance and mystery reader. She's always had a love for books, getting lost in writing and storytelling even as a young girl. She enjoys happy endings and HEA love stories. 

She lives in Illinois and enjoys spending time with her husband and two children. She holds an addiction for Starbucks White Chocolate Mocha’s and KitKat when she should really be focusing on water and maybe a fruit or two to make herself feel less guilty, but that feeling quickly passes...thankfully. 

She is easy going, fun, and although she may seem like one of the quiet ones at first, you just wait until she gets to know you better...that quietness changes, fast.

READER GROUP


A Midwesterner and self-proclaimed nerd, Evan has been an avid reader most of her life, but five years ago got bit by the writing bug, and it quickly became her addiction, passion and therapy. When the voices in her head give it a rest, she can always be found with her e-reader in her hand. Some of her favorites include, Shayla Black, Jaci Burton, Madeline Sheehan and Jamie Mcguire. Evan finds a lot of her inspiration in music, so if you see her wearing her headphones you know she means business and is in the zone.

During the day Evan works for a large homecare agency and at night she’s superwoman. She’s a wife to Jim and a mom to Ethan and Evan, a cook, a tutor, a friend and a writer. How does she do it? She’ll never tell.

Friday, May 29, 2020

Interview with Maria Claridge | Author of Hare and Tortoise Have Counselling

Amanda:  Give us a quick introduction to you. Published books, what you write, etc.
Maria: Hi, my name is Maria. Hare and Tortoise Have Counselling is my first self published book.
I am currently writing a pre school/children’s book about Japanese culture and also a fiction book about a young woman having bipolar.






Amanda: Favorite book you’ve published so far?
Maria: Hare and Tortoise haha as it’s the only book I have published so far. ☺

Amanda:  Most fun character to write? Favorite character to write? (Because they can definitely be different. ;) ) Hardest to write?
Maria: I found the counselor animals fun characters to write, choosing which animal they would be, and how they would interact with the Hare and Tortoise.
Being someone who likes goal setting, I found the Hare more relatable than the Tortoise so it took slightly longer to write the Tortoises story, as I wanted to ensure I got it right.

Amanda: Did you like to read as a child? Favorite book? Do you still have that book or reread it now?
Maria: I loved reading as a child! Growing up I read Roald Dahl and Enid Blyton. I am a huge fan of Jacqueline Wilson. Girls Under Pressure is a book all girls should read. The Phillip Pullman and JK Rowling book I also found very magical and inspirational. I still love rereading all these books.

Amanda:  Have you always been a writer/storyteller? How did you start?
Maria: I have always enjoyed writing short stories and poetry from a young age. I’m actually working on some stand up comedy, where I am learning how to tell stories in a comedic way.

Amanda:  Do you write to music? If so, what kind? I love to hear about new music!
Maria: I actually just wrote a short song (with the help from a dear friend) for my partner as an anniversary gift. I can’t sing very well, so I sing on top of my friends voice.

Amanda: I know for me, there have been some funny stories since I’ve been deep in the trenches of writing. Like a realization about a work in progress or characters (the funniest has to do with the song Mirrors by JT.) Do you have any funny stories that you’d like to share?
Maria: Through having counseling, and now studying counseling, I have learnt allot on what NOT to say as a counselor. We were taught early on not to make suggestions and I recall having a counselor who made endless suggestions to try solve my problems.

Amanda: Do you have a typical process or any writing rituals? Anything you have to have with you while writing? (Besides computer, paper, typewriter, whichever…)
Maria: Anything I write, I like to check it over with my partner as he always gives me very honest feedback! I like practicing yoga and mediation before I write, as ideas always come to me before writing.

Amanda: Who is a character that has influenced you (not from your books)?
Maria: Ellie from Girls in Love, Girls Out Late, Girls in Tears, Girls Under Pressure - Jacqueline Wilson

Amanda:  Which of your characters would you least want to go on a road trip with? Why? Most want to?
Maria: The current book I am writing, I write about an ex boyfriend, who I definitely would not want to go on a road trip with.

Amanda:  Top three favorite books and authors right now.
Maria: Bernardine Evaristo - Girl, Woman, Other – everyone needs to read this
Harriet Tyce - Blood Orange – gripping read
Morgan Harper Nichols – Story Teller - such inspiring poetry

Amanda: Favorite writing craft book?
Maria: The Illusion of Money (not a craft book, but really motivated me to write the book, and to follow passions)

This or that:
Strawberry vs. Chocolate  Chocolate always
Poetry vs. Fiction.  Ohooo BOTH
First draft vs. Editing.   First draft
T. V. Show vs. Movie.  Movie
Book vs. Movie. Book
Hero vs. Villain  Hero
Villiain vs. Anti-Hero Villian
Witch vs. Vampire.  Witch
E-book vs. Physical Book  Physcial Book
Tea vs. Coffee.       Green tea

Amanda: Can you tell us anything about what you’re working on now?
Maria: Yes!
Children’s book called ‘The Hafu Child’  - this is the story about a half English, half Japanese girl trying to understand her cultures and identity at her primary school in England.
Young Adult/Adult book called ‘This Girl Can…Sometimes’ – this is book about a young adult experiencing love, depression and mental health issues. You go on her journey and witness all the good, bad and the ugly.

Amanda: 
Any last comments to share? :)
Maria: Thank you so much for this lovely interview!
Amanda: Thank you for stopping by!!


This is a story based on the characters from the Aesop’s Fable, ‘The Hare and Tortoise.’ For those who are unfamiliar with the story, Hare and Tortoise decide to have a race. In the race Hare decides to take a nap, allowing Tortoise to overtake him and win. But what happens to the Hare after losing the race? How does Tortoise come to terms with his new found fame? Through the different types of counselling Hare and Tortoise embark on a journey of self discovery.

Maria’s website
Amazon UK
Amazon US