Cover Reveal: Lost Eden (The Soulkeepers #5) by G.P. Ching

Everyone should know that I'm a big The Soulkeepers fan. The author, G.P. Ching, is also my friend. I'm so excited to share with you the cover for the fifth book in the series. Check it out!

BOOK & AUTHOR INFO:

Lost Eden by G.P. Ching
(The Soulkeepers #5)
Publication date: November 18th 2013
Genres: Fantasy, Paranormal, Young Adult
Cover Designer: Steven Novak

Synopsis:

Rules. Balance. Consequences. War.

When Fate gave Dane the water from Eden to drink, she did more than save his life. She changed his destiny.

Since the beginning, a compact between God and Lucifer has maintained a tenuous peace, balancing Soulkeepers and Watchers and the natural order of things. Dane upset that balance the day he became a Soulkeeper. Fate broke the rules.

Now, Lucifer is demanding a consequence, requiring Fate to pay the ultimate price for her involvement. God intervenes on the immortal’s behalf but in order to save her soul must dissolve the compact and with it the rules, order, and balance that have kept the peace. A challenge is issued. A contest for human souls begins. And the stakes? Earth. Winner take all.

The Soulkeepers are at the center of a war between Heaven and Hell, and this time, nobody, anywhere, is safe from Lucifer’s reach.

 

 

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18324346-lost-eden

AUTHOR BIO

G.P Ching is the author of The Soulkeepers Series and variety of short fiction. She specializes in cross-genre paranormal stories, loves old cemeteries, and enjoys a good ghost tour. She lives in central Illinois with her husband, two children, and one very demanding guinea pig.

 

Author Links:

Website: http://www.gpching.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/GP-Ching/254188694618137
Twitter: https://twitter.com/gpching
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4666971.G_P_Ching

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cover Reveal -- Momentum by Emily Ann Ward

Momentum

What’s a cruel ex-boyfriend compared with a government organization out for your powers?

Aaron and Anna have fallen in love, despite an ex that threatened to tear them apart. When they start zapping evil cheerleaders with their powers over electricity, they’re forced to break off their relationship to avoid attention from the Agency. A part of the Department of Defense that studies Pairs like Aaron and Anna, the Agency is searching for the source of the Pairs’ powers and doesn’t care who gets in the way.

Anna tries to blend in at the camp where she and Aaron start working for the summer, but it’s not easy when touching your not-boyfriend invites lightning storms. Only weeks pass before a dark secret and an attack from the Agency tear apart their temporary place of refuge. If the camp isn’t safe, where is? 

Sign up for Emily’s newsletter to be alerted when Momentum releases August 27th

Add it to your Goodreads shelves

Read the first book, Connection on Amazon or Barnes & Noble (or jump in with Momentum, it’s totally possible to start with book two!)

Emily around the web: Facebook, Twitter, Website/Blog

Emily Ann Ward is the author of Finding Fiona, Le Garde series, and The Protectors series. One of her first stories featured a young girl whose doll came to life. The rest is history. When it comes to fiction, she writes mainly young adult, contemporary, and fantasy. She also writes nonfiction, ranging from stories of her travels to thoughts on the Bible. Aside from writing, she loves traveling and she’s a content editor with Entranced Publishing. Currently, she lives in Oregon with her husband Chris and their cats. Visit her website at http://emilyannward.com

The Ginnie West Adventure Series by Monique Bucheger Cover Reveal and Contest

The Ginnie West Adventure series gets new covers! 

To quote Ginnie: "They are totally awesome sauce!"

THE SECRET SISTERS CLUB: A GINNIE WEST ADVENTURE (Book 1)

Twelve-year-old BFFs—Ginnie and Tillie—want to be sisters. Tillie's divorced mom plus Ginnie's widowed dad could equal a lifetime of round-the-clock girl talk and slumber parties. Too bad Dad vowed to never marry again. Ginnie and Tillie form a secret club and come up with the perfect mission to change his mind: ‘Operation: Secret Sisters’.

 Before long, Tillie seems happier about gaining a dad than a sister. Ginnie suspects that Tillie has turned ‘Operation: Secret Sisters’ into a scam called ‘Operation: Steal My Dad.’ Things get more complicated when Ginnie stumbles across her real mom’s hidden journals. Ginnie can finally get to know the mother she doesn’t remember and Dad doesn’t talk about. When Dad discovers she has the journals, he takes them away. Ginnie needs to figure out why before her relationship with her father and her best friend are ruined forever.

As a writer of fantasy, few stories set in reality succeed in capturing my interest so thoroughly that they leave me wanting more. With her spirited personality and flare for fun, Ginnie West does just this as she draws the reader into her unique world from the start and never disappoints. An engaging read that entertains the young as well as the young at heart, this novel manages to become what most rarely do--memorable. ~~ S.E. Gerard, A Fracture In Time

I LOVED this book! I didn’t know a book without zombies could be good! ~~15 yr-old Amanda

TROUBLE BLOWS WEST: A GINNIE WEST ADVENTURE (Book 2)

Putting her body in motion before her brain is in gear creates a mountain of problems for 12 year-old Ginnie West. She is certain that defending her twin brother, Toran, from the biggest bully in sixth grade was the right thing to do. But Ginnie couldn’t be more wrong. She quickly figures out that Toran doesn’t appreciate being rescued by a girl any better than Pierce likes being knocked down by one. 

When Pierce seeks revenge on Ginnie, Toran sets aside his anger and helps her plot a playback prank at Pierce’s house. Sadly, Ginnie learns that Pierce has a reason for being a bully when she sees his dad drop him to the floor like a rag doll. Realizing he's a boy in big trouble, Ginnie decides to be his ally, even if he won’t let her be his friend.

If you like farms, friends, horses, and secrets, you’ll love: Trouble Blows West: A Ginnie West Adventure. So saddle up and be ready to ride with Ginnie as she explores the true meaning of friendship. ~~Debbie Shakespeare Smith, middle-grade author of The House of Chicken

An excellent book that deals with the sensitive topics of bullying, abuse, and forgiveness. It is action packed and full of raw emotions. Bucheger does an amazing job of writing this story, without giving a cookie cutter answer to the problems Ginnie faces. The characters are full and rich—which makes me wish I could be part of the West family as well. ~~ Karen D. 

SIMPLY WEST OF HEAVEN: A GINNIE WEST ADVENTURE (Book 3) 

Twelve-year-old BFFs schemed to get Ginnie’s widowed dad to fall in love with Tillie’s divorced mom. When their parents go along with the matchmaking, the girls are stoked. Sweet! Not long after though, Ginnie stumbles upon her late mom's journals, making life even more awesome sauce … until her dad confiscates the journals, determined to protect Ginnie from a danger he won’t name. Ginnie is counting on her future sister's help to make Dad change his mind, but Tillie's not so sure the ghost of Ginnie's mom will make a good addition to their new family tree. 

Besides, Tillie is too busy trying to keep the memory of her abusive, no-good , rotten-excuse-for-a-birth-father from bubbling to the surface to worry about what's bugging Ginnie. He left six years ago and Tillie’s knows a better dad when she sees one … Ginnie’s dad. The girls' world gets flipped upside-down when a blast from the past shows up and makes Tillie go nutburgers. Ginnie is torn between helping her best friend and what could be the answer to her prayers. Life gets complicated lickety-split in what is sure to be the most pivotal summer of Ginnie’s life. 

With the charm of The Little House books, and the courage of today’s American Girl, Bucheger has created a series that has staying power. ~~Mikey Brooks, The Dream Keeper

As a mother I couldn't put these books down. While they may be written for middle grade children, I was not only entertained, but inspired. ~~ Courtney W.

When Monique Bucheger isn’t writing, you can find her playing taxi driver to one or more of her children, plotting her next novel, scrapbooking, or being the “Mamarazzi” at any number of child-oriented events. Even though she realizes there will never be enough hours in any given day, Monique tries very hard to enjoy

the journey that is her life. 

She shares it with a terrific husband, her dozen children, an adorable granddaughter,  a son-in-law, three cats, and many real and imaginary friends. She is the author of several books and plans to write many more. You can find more about Monique and her works at: www.moniquebucheger.blogspot.com

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Exciting weekend!

My nerves are all a buzz. There are two exciting happenings in the world of Angela Carlie this weekend. I've had to reach deep to find the patience not to spill the beans on the first event, which is the cover reveal for my debut adult novel, JENNY'S BLUE VELVET. More on this below.

On Sunday, Fred and I are going to run in our first half marathon. This is something we've been working toward all year. This time last year we ran our first 5K. The goal for this run is to just finish. Now, Fred is much more of a runner than I ever will be. I'm just so excited to cross that finish line! I bet it'll feel amazing!

Xpresso Book Tours has done a wonderful job at organizing the cover reveal for JENNY'S BLUE VELVET. Steven Novak is the fabulous cover designer who made this cover possible. When I received the list of bloggers participating, I was surprised how many signed up. I figured that maybe a handful would be interested, but exactly sixty-nine bloggers are participating. Sixty-nine is a lucky number, right? Well, I think it is... Take a moment to check some of these awesome bloggers out!

www.faerietalebooks.org
http://mythicalbooks.blogspot.ro/
http://staceywallacebenefiel.com
www.readyourwrites.blogspot.com
http://sharemydestiny.blogspot.com
http://momwithakindle.blogspot.com
http://adreamwithindream.blogspot.com
http://theindigoquill.blogspot.com
http://red-reader.blogspot.com
http://bianca2b.wordpress.com
http://ki0lu.wordpress.com
http://tanyasbooknook.blogspot.com
http://melissaseclecticbookshelf.blogspot.com/
http://www.bookwormbrandee.blogspot.com
http://bibliophilesthoughtsonbooks.blogspot.com/
http://www.whirlwindbooksandreviews.com/
http://www.bookythoughtsandme.com
http://adiaryofabookaddict.blogspot.com/
http://hotofftheshelves.blogspot.com
http://sofialovesreading.blogspot.gr/
http://www.ajbennettauthor.com/
http://na-obsessions.blogspot.com/
http://www.rottenapplereads.com/
www.imabookshark.com
http://missriki.com
www.bookishthingsandmore.com
http://bookbloggerparadise.blogspot.com
http://read-a-holicz.blogspot.com
http://xjessiexbellex.blogspot.com/
http://bookscoffeeandwine.blogspot.com/
http://trinesreviewcave.com
http://www.bookittyblog.com/
http://www.booklovingme.com/
www.yabound.blogspot.com
www.bridgerbitchesbookblog.com
http://jacitamati.blogspot.com/
http://booksbooksmorebooks.blogspot.com/
http://sarahelizabethsbookshelf.blogspot.co.uk/
http://headstrong-tomgirl.blogspot.com/
www.evie-bookish.blogspot.com
http://two-tall-tales.blogspot.com
http://lolabookreviews.blogspot.com
http://bibliophiliaplease.blogspot.com/
http://shadowsireview.blogspot.co.uk/
http://www.paranormalsisters.blogspot.com
fic-talk.com
http://debdebreviews.wordpress.com
www.faerietalebooks.org
http://www.kvlovesbooks.blogspot.co.uk
Http://www.mouseheadandtales@weebly.com
bookishlover.blogspot.com
http://adiaryofabookaddict.blogspot.com/
http://theindigoquill.blogspot.com
Www.thephantomparagrapher.blogspot.com
http://jesstimetoread.blogspot.com
http://enchantingreads7.blogspot.com/
http://literaryetc.com
http://ki0lu.wordpress.com
http://alwaysjoart.blogspot.com/
http://www.jessicalovesbooks.com
http://smolderingheat.wordpress.com
http://chrisbookblogemporium.blogspot.com/
http://kindreddreamheart.blogspot.com/
flutterealreads.blogspot.com
http://sherismuse.blogspot.com
http://www.reviews.snarkybooks.com
http://turnersantics.blogspot.com
http://pnrurbanfantasyreviews.blogspot.com/
http://reviewinginchaos.blogspot.com

Have you checked 'em out? Aren't they cool? Well, even though you've probably now seen the cover, I'd still like to share it here. This is the moment we've all been waiting for!  hehe

Introducing...
The One...
The Only...
JENNY'S BLUE VELVET

Jenny's stuck.

She's tried just about every occupation she can think of and will be digging out of student debt for a very long time, but has nothing to show for it. Her everyday routine feels like a prison. And her marriage? Well, let's just say it's been a little one-sided lately and the money she threw down on the toys from Lover's Erotic Store was well worth it and then some.

Jenny decides her next big step is to become a romance writer. Romance books are flying off the virtual shelves, after all. This will be her big break, her escape from the prison, and a way to freedom. Self-publishing is all the rage these days. She'll be a best seller in no time.

When Jenny makes friends with a woman named Cassandra from the gym, she instantly decides that her new friend will make a perfect main character in her upcoming book. After the first chapter, real life begins to resemble the fiction she's writing. Her friendship blossoms, sex with her husband turns into a daily feast, and her job gets more interesting with each chapter written.

Out of the blue, a person who is a close friend with her husband and who is dating Cassandra disappears. As the mystery behind the missing person unfolds, Jenny wonders if she might be responsible for his possible death. And if she is, what will be the consequence? What has this writing business gotten her into?

JENNY'S BLUE VELVET is a dark thriller for adults only

 I'd love to know what you think! Please feel free to comment below. Have an AWESOME weekend!

Cover Reveal Sign up!

The cover reveal for JENNY'S BLUE VELVET is fast approaching. I can't believe it's almost here!

If you would like to participate next Friday, June 14th, please sign up at the below link. Xpresso Book Tours is in charge of the reveal.

Sign up here: JENNY'S BLUE VELVET COVER REVEAL SIGN UP

The talented Steven Novak is responsible for bringing the cover to life. Eeep! I can't wait to show you. :)

Here's a bit more about JENNY'S BLUE VELVET.

Jenny's stuck.

She's tried just about every occupation she can think of and will be digging out of student debt for a very long time, but has nothing to show for it. Her everyday routine feels like a prison. And her marriage? Well, let's just say it's been a little one-sided lately and the money she threw down on the toys from Lover's Erotic Store was well worth it and then some.

Jenny decides her next big step is to become a romance writer. Romance books are flying off the virtual shelves, after all. This will be her big break, her escape from the prison, and a way to freedom. Self-publishing is all the rage these days. She'll be a best seller in no time.

When Jenny makes friends with a woman named Cassandra from the gym, she instantly decides that her new friend will make a perfect main character in her upcoming book. After the first chapter, real life begins to resemble the fiction she's writing. Her friendship blossoms, sex with her husband turns into a daily feast, and her job gets more interesting with each chapter written.

Out of the blue, a person who is a close friend with her husband and who is dating Cassandra disappears. As the mystery behind the missing person unfolds, Jenny wonders if she might be responsible for his possible death. And if she is, what will be the consequence? What has this writing business gotten her into?

JENNY'S BLUE VELVET is a dark, humorous, romantic thriller for adults only.

Cover Reveal - SOUL CATCHER by G.P. Ching

It's here! I can finally share with you the cover of the fourth Soulkeepers novel, Soul Catcher.

Dane Michaels has been to Hell and back and isn't interested in repeating the experience. But as a human caught up in the Soulkeeper's world, his life isn't exactly his own. No one can explain why Dane was allowed through the gates of Eden, but it's changed everything. Now, the only one who can make him feel safe is Ethan, the telekinetic Soulkeeper with a dark past and a heart of gold.



When Malini asks Dane to be part of a mission to find the last Soulkeeper, Cheveyo, more than one team member thinks she's tempting Fate. But Malini suspects Fate has had a hand in Dane's life for some time and that he could be the key to unraveling Lucifer's latest plan of attack.

 

Add it on Goodreads!

About The Cover

Adam Bedore of Anjin Design creates all of the covers for The Soulkeepers Series. Book four revolves around Dane, pictured here, and introduces Cheveyo, a Hopi indian boy and the last Soulkeeper on the list Dr. Silva conjured in book 3. Cheveyo is represented by the dream catcher and adobe wall behind Dane.  Fate, also known as Fatima, plays a role in the story.  You can see her shadow hanging from the red stone in the dream catcher. (Yes, she is represented as a spider. She is a master weaver after all!) And if you think there is something up with that shadow behind Dane, you are not mistaken.  There's more to him than meets the eye.

 

 About The Book

Soul Catcher is slated for a March release and is the fourth book in the bestselling Soulkeepers series.

_________________________

G.P. Ching is the author of The Soulkeepers Series, The Grounded Trilogy, and a variety of short fiction. She specializes in cross-genre paranormal stories, loves old cemeteries, and enjoys a good ghost tour. She lives in central Illinois with her husband, two children, a brittany spaniel named Riptide Jack and a very demanding guinea pig. 

 

Visit her:

www.gpching.com 

www.TheSoulkeepersSeries.com

Author Facebook Page

Series Facebook Page

Twitter

Happy Belated Birthday, Dream Smashers

Dream Smashers celebrated her first birthday all alone in March. I'm a horrible book parent and didn't even throw her a party. To make up for it, I gave her a facelift. I hope she likes it. And I hope her readers like it, too.

Take a look. Isn't she pretty?

Dream Smashers has needed a new cover for a while now. It's an important story, but often gets overlooked. The original cover, which I love, wasn't sitting well with the readers. It even was nominated for a most ugly cover list over on Goodreads. The second cover was an experiment, something I whipped up myself, and not very professional.  I believe this new cover captures the emotion of the story, but also has appeal for the readers. I adore it!

About Dream Smashers:

Letting go is hard to do, but sometimes, it's all you can do.

Sixteen-year-old Autumn is a human heartache. Everywhere she turns people are stomping on her hopes and dreams. Her mom's a tweaker. She's lived with her chain-smoking grandmother for as long as she can remember. Even her best friend has issues. Autumn seems to be the only responsible person she knows and she's sick of putting up with it all.

When she meets Evan, a hot guy without a worry in the world, she can only wonder if he's for real or just another Dream Smasher.

A girl who no longer wants to care and a boy who cares enough for the both of them. Dream Smashers is a love story, but most of all, it's about letting go.

Thanks to my good friend, Megg Jensen, for inspiring me to get 'er done, and Rashelle Workman who referred Megg who then referred me to the cover artisan Steven Novak. Go check him out. He's awesome.

Dream Smashers is available on Amazon Kindle and wherever else eBooks are sold.  It may take a day or two for the new version to be available.

So tell me, do you like it?

Cover Reveal - Closed Hearts by Susan Kaye Quinn

Cover Reveal for Closed Hearts

Coming May 23rd...

Closed Hearts (Book Two of the Mindjack Trilogy)

When you control minds, only your heart can be used against you.

Eight months ago, Kira Moore revealed to the mindreading world that mindjackers like herself were hidden in their midst. Now she wonders if telling the truth was the right choice after all. As wild rumors spread, a powerful anti-jacker politician capitalizes on mindreaders’ fears and strips jackers of their rights. While some jackers flee to Jackertown—a slum rife with jackworkers who trade mind control favors for cash—Kira and her family hide from the readers who fear her and jackers who hate her. But when a jacker Clan member makes Kira’s boyfriend Raf collapse in her arms, Kira is forced to save the people she loves by facing the thing she fears most: FBI agent Kestrel and his experimental torture chamber for jackers.

 

Release Date: May 23rd, 2012 

Click Here to sign up for the Virtual Launch Party on May 23rd! There will be prizes, reviews, bonus content, did I mention prizes? Come join the fun!

PRAISE FOR

Open Minds (Book One of the Mindjack Trilogy)

“Being a fan of dystopian and sci-fi in young adult books this was exactly the type of book I was hoping to fall in love with and absolutely did ...YA readers who love authors like Ally Condie, Veronica Roth, Lauren Oliver and others would be missing out if they failed to pick up Open Minds by Susan Kaye Quinn. Join Kira on her journey to save her fellow mindjackers and potentially change the landscape of her world forever.”

— Danielle Smith, book blogger at There’s a Book

“Susan plunges readers into a compelling and frightening world where nearly everyone can read minds when they come of age. The very idea makes me shudder. This is easily one of the best books I've read not only this year, but in recent years.”

— Heather McCorkle, author of The Secret of Spruce Knoll

"Susan Kaye Quinn's Open Minds is an edge-of-the-seat YA sci-fi, where 16 year-old Kira dodges psychological bullets from all sides."  — Catherine Stine, author of Fireseed One

Open Minds $2.99 on Amazon, Amazon UK, Barnes&Noble, and iTunes

Susan Kaye Quinn, Author

Susan Kaye Quinn grew up in California, where she wrote snippets of stories and passed them to her friends during class. She pursued a bunch of engineering degrees and worked a lot of geeky jobs, including turns at GE Aircraft Engines, NASA, and NCAR. Now that she writes novels, her business card says "Author and Rocket Scientist" and she doesn't have to sneak her notes anymore. All that engineering comes in handy when dreaming up paranormal powers in future worlds or mixing science with fantasy to conjure slightly plausible inventions. Susan writes from the Chicago suburbs with her three boys, two cats, and one husband. Which, it turns out, is exactly as much as she can handle.

Way too often, you can find Susan on her blog, facebook, and twitter.

Susan’s Other Works

Open Minds

In His Eyes Anthology (includes Mind Games, a short prequel to Open Minds)

Life, Liberty, and Pursuit (a teen love story)

Full Speed Ahead (short afterstory to Life, Liberty, and Pursuit)

Cover Reveal: To Ride A Puca by Heather McCorkle

Heather: I'm so excited to share the cover of my young adult historical fantasy novel, To Ride A Púca, with you. I've been waiting for so long to reveal the news and the cover that it's been driving me crazy! This novel is special to me, as many of you know, because it felt like my heart and soul has gone into it. It isn't a part of the channeler series, though it is a tie-in novel as it's about one of Eren's ancestors. This is a stand alone of a very different flavor and I hope you love it as much as I do.

Here is a bit about it:

Invaders are coming to take what isn't theirs, again.

Neala wants to stand and fight for her homeland, but as one of the last druids, she may be standing alone.

Persecuted, hunted down, forced to live in obscurity, the druids have all but given up. Can the determination of a girl who has barely come into her power bring them together? Or, just when she finally finds her place among her kind, will they end up losing a homeland their very magic is tied to?

This novel is intended for mature teens and adults as it contains some difficult subject matter. 

I had to throw that warning in because I had one person who was disturbed by some of the subject matter in The Secret Of Spruce Knoll. To Ride A Púca is a much darker novel than Spruce Knoll and will certainly not be appropriate for some readers. Slavery, oppression, and violent situations are within this novel. It certainly falls under the dark YA catagory. But it is also about hope, love, and belonging. It releases this May! To add this novel to your Goodreads lists click here. To pre-order a signed hardback (to ship at the end of May), click here.

A Shiny New

I'm pounding away on Spider Wars and it's turning out to be quite different than Loramendi's Story. It's dark and creepy, just what you'd expect a story with spider shifters to be, but not in a heebie jeebie sort of way. In a totally stellar, rock your socks off way.

For now, I'll tease you with a blurb and a fantastic cover--you're going to love this cover. I do. ♥ Robin Ludwig has wooed me again with her cover art skills.

Jess' life has never been ordinary. After all, life on the road with an immortal family of gypsies is hardly predictable. Living in the small town of White Salmon, Washington has brought some normality to her life. But when her cheating, unofficial boyfriend, Nicu, gets involved with a group of arachno-shifters, life gets a little sticky. Will she be able to save him from the web he's spun? More importantly, how much is she willing to risk at a chance at love?

Spider Wars 

A Lords of Shifters Novel

by Angela Carlie

Coming 2012

Dream Smashers eBook Wrapper

As mentioned in a previous post, we are repackaging the eBook edition of Dream Smashers.The paperback edition will not be changing.

Sixteen-year-old Autumn is a human heartache. Everywhere she turns people are stomping on her hopes and dreams. Her mom’s a tweaker. She’s lived with her chain-smoking grandmother for as long as she can remember. Even her best friend has issues. Autumn seems to be the only responsible person she knows and she’s sick of putting up with it all.

When she meets Evan, a hot guy without a worry in the world, she can only wonder if he’s for real or just another Dream Smasher.

A girl who no longer wants to care and a boy who cares enough for the both of them. Dream Smashers is a love story, but most of all, it’s about letting go.

It's not my original vision for the cover, obviously, but I'm falling in love with this cover more every time I look at it. On top of that cool tidbit, what makes it even better is I made it myself with the ever helpful critiques from my fellow DarkSide Publishing authors. So there's a little pride for ya.

This cover should be live on all the storefronts by midweek.

What do you think? Do you like it?

Behind the Cover

TODAY is the day! The stunningly dark cover for Land of Corn Chips has been announced! Have you admired it yet? If no, go now. You won't be sorry.

INTO THE MORNING READS

THE READING PIXIE

THE CAFFEINATED DIVA READS

LISA THE NERD

ONCE UPON A TWILIGHT
TIGERS ALL CONSUMING BOOKS

Didn't that just make your day?

It's not exactly the cover I had originally envisioned when I began the process of having it created. See, that's a cool thing about being independent in the author world, we are in control over how our cover looks. In addition to the forlorn field and factory, I wanted zombie children with missing body parts and pieces of skin dripping out of the cornfield. But, as an independent, I also discovered credit for the coolness factor of the cover also meant responsibility for the cost. 

This cover, without the carnage, is so much better anyway. It conveys the desolate darkness I hoped for and the dragon pulls in a little fear and mystery. Don't you think?

Land of Corn Chips will be available on an eReader near you on June 6, 2011. Stay tuned before then for sneak peeks into the story and other newsworthy information. Because we all know stories are newsworthy.

If you are looking for a fabulous cover artisan to work with you on your visions or to print business cards and promotional material, Robin Ludwig Design is the best!

Peace out for now!

Awesome Co-Workers and Land of Corn Chips Cover Reveal

I complain a lot about my hands hurting all the time. It's an occupational side effect. One I'm going to have to let go of soon, else pay for it later in life. Although my job isn't good for my hands, the people I work with are good for my soul.

After giving my last massage for the day, I entered the laundry room to find this most awesome gift. It wasn't my birthday or anniversary so it took me a few moments to realize why anyone would give me something on a non-gift-giving day.

In the card were small messages of encouragement, like: "Roses are red, violets are blue, I'm reading your novel, but I'm only half-through!" -- Dr. Rayn, "May all your dreams come true, Angie." -- Sharon, "You really are an inspiration." -- Sammy, "I'm so proud of you for publishing Dream Smashers." -- Katie, "Congratulations!" -- Alicia, "You're such an inspiration achieving such a dream." -- Brittany, "Hope you sell plenty." Dan and Abby.

The most perfect gift a writer could ever want. A cork board to use as a story board and a basket full of stationary, inspirational plaque, tea, hilighters, pens, candles, tea cups, and important writerly things. Plus, a beautiful charcoal drawing by Katie and a lovely plant whose life may be very short. Tell me I don't work with the best people ever and I'll call you a liar. I thank them for the encouragement!

Onto the cover reveal.

The Land of Corn Chips cover will be revealed on Friday, April 29, 2011. Six gracious bloggers have agreed to participate in the reveal.

INTO THE MORNING READS

THE READING PIXIE

TIGERS ALL CONSUMING BOOKS

THE CAFFEINATED DIVA READS

LISA THE NERD

ONCE UPON A TWILIGHT

Go to any or all of these sites on Friday to see the rad cover for Land of Corn Chips. I'm so excited for you to see it!

Peace out for now.

Greatness of Stories and Land of Corn Chips Cover

We watched "Water For Elephants" today. It was my full intention to read the novel prior to seeing the movie, but time slipped away, as it often does, and the movie appeared on the marquee before I knew it. I was angry throughout most of it and on the verge of leaping out of my seat to attack the main antagonist. This got me thinking. What makes a story great? What is it about a great story that forces so many to believe in its greatness?

I think we can all agree that a great story is one that stays with the audience long after the book is closed or the credits are rolling or the teller says, "The end." It haunts thoughts. It lingers in dreams. It wrenches hearts. Sometimes, though, great stories have a way of uplifting the spirit and in other times the audience is left thinking and questioning certain issues or situations.

Years ago, when I worked as a glass artisan for our family business, I pondered the subject of what made our art better than other art. The best definition of art that I found at the time and still remains with me is something along the lines of this: Art evokes emotion. Therefore, art is a very personal experience. What may evoke emotion in me, may not do it for you and vice versa. So, what is that common thread that makes art considered great by many?

It's harder to pinpoint with fine arts, but in literature, I've come to the conclusion that great stories always portray a common truth. A truth that rings familiar with many is read by many. This may be a no-brainer to some, but when the truth is expertly illustrated through words to where the audience isn't actively aware of it, that, in my opinion, becomes the grace of a great story.

This brought me to the next question I'm not sure I can answer to appease my esteem. Will my art ever be considered great by many if art at all? If I concede my conclusion above, the answer is maybe someday. Since my truths are not common, my stories may be great to some, but not many. For now, I'm happy to know that my stories are considered art by a handful of people. That they've touched the heart of a few is such an awesome feeling. What is accepted as truth may change in the future, and then my stories just may be considered great by many. How cool is that?

On Friday, April 29th, the cover for Land of Corn Chips will be revealed. I'll announce the bloggers who have graciously agreed to reveal the cover on Wednesday, April 27th. For now, here's a brief synopsis for Land of Corn Chips:

Eleven-year-old Nate Hansen never believed in dragons before an eccentric man with a purple-feather hat kidnaps him. Spirited to the Land of Corn Chips on the back of a mechanical yellow dragon, Nate must find a way to avoid being ground into compost. His only hope of escape is to earn the friendship of the local wrestling gang and zombie kids, and to believe in a parent he no longer trusts.

Peace out for now.