Seven 11 Blog Hop: teaser & a giveaway

Every month, I offer a 7-line teaser from a WIP on the 11th of the month. This month, there are prizes involved! It's also special because it's the last month on this blog. I'm working on a new site and I can't wait to show you guys, so stay tuned!

In the meantime, here are 7 lines from Generation, coming this Tuesday 10/13! This is book 3 (the final book) in the IMitation series. I am so excited to share this one with you guys--thank you for sticking with Ven and the gang. In the comments, tell me whose wrap-up/ending you're most looking forward to!

The pause stretches into a millennium of memories.

Linc standing in the foyer that first day, leather jacket in hand, a cold smirk on his lips. My first motorcycle ride, viciously cold and addictive in its thrill. Obadiah and his vintage blue car. Ida and Lonnie. Daniel. Melanie. Raven. Becoming friends with the ones I thought were the enemy. All to beat the monster before me.

Please be happy.

I hope they understand I did this all for them.

~~~

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Other authors/giveaways to check out:

Felicia Tatum giving away 5 ebooks of Scornful Sadie!
SC Ellington giving away a $25 GC!
Bethany Lopez giving away e-copy of 3 Seconds
Justine Winter giving away ebook of Sapphire's Divinity
Amanda Aksel giving ebook of The Man Test
Kayla Smith giving ebook of Return to Pandora

My Top 10 Favorite Villains Ever AND a teaser!

So, Fun Friday is a monthly blog shenanigan I do with my YA author buds over at The Society of YA Storytellers and since I was ALSO in on this blog hop on 10/11 for Seven Eleven, I decided to combine them.

Which makes me a day late (but NOT a dollar short) on my Fun Friday post AND it means you're getting two bits of magic in one shot. You're welcome.

First, my TOP 10 LIST (of which we could choose any topic) is below. I did my Top 10 Best Villains Evaaaa. Even though I don't like scary  movies. So, this is definitely the wussy list of best villains. Deal with it. Here we go.

1. Regina from Once Upon A Time. Hands down, she's the best. We hate her. We love her. Then we hated to love her. And now... I love her so much that I don't even care who gets in the way of her happy ending right now! You made me FEEL FOR the villain even more than the mc/hero??? You're a genius, ABC. Genius. #TeamReginaForever

2. The Beast from the Sandlot. Best villain because he wasn't really #spoiler and because he also became the hero in the end. That's pretty epic. And I have so much love for this movie. I can't let it slip by without pointing out how "scary" the Beast was for all involved. Until he wasn't.

3. Ursula from the Little Mermaid. When I was a kid, she was ultimate. I mean, her tentacles and her hairdo were both equally creepy. One couldn't have won out over the other in a creep-contest, for real. And then she stole Ariel's voice??? (another spoiler, sorry!) Genius. I need my villains smart and she is definitely a lady who thinks on her feet. arms? tentacles? whatever.

4. Megatron from Transformers. I'm probably only picking him because I love the Transformers movies so much but really, if it comes down to pounds per inch, he's going to kick your tiny human tail. And he just KEEPS COMING BACK. (Crap, another spoiler.)

5. Jafar from Aladdin. MUSTACHE twirler!!!! HELLooooo. That was your first clue he is BaaaaaD.

6. The Nothing from the Neverending Story. Nothing is pretty scary. I mean really, really scary. For me. Nothing sounds like the worst.

7. The Wicked Witch of the EAST. Okay, well both witches are pretty villainous. Or maybe it depends on which version of the movies you've seen BUT I saw Oz and the East Witch was realllly nefarious. The West witch was just sensitive and got her heart broken. SPPOILLLLERRR!

8. The Joker from Batman. Mostly Heath Ledger's version. He was scary and I don't even have a fear of clowns but there was something very convincingly disturbing about his brand of crazy. 

9.  Darth Vader. That mouth-breathing is cree-py. Plus the fact that he's willing to sacrifice his body and his kids for his cause. That's true villainous commitment right there.

10. Lokiiiiii!!! 

'nuff said.

I mean, if you don't know who that is, we can't be friends.

I would looove to know what you think! Who is your favorite villain? Especially for those of you who don't like truly scary movies. Hit me in the comments. 

And now the TEASER I promised. I'm doing Blood Rule, book 4 in my Dirty Blood series which is available now and if you aren't caught up on the whole series, you can get the Boxed Set books 1-4 for just 2.99 until 10/15!

Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0097U4DQG/

Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/dirty-blood-series-box-set

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/dirty-blood-box-set-books-1-4/id925857452?mt=11

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dirty-blood-box-set-books-1-4-heather-hildenbrand/1120481727?ean=2940046212419

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/479856

Steppe’s voice brought me back. Hands roamed over me, looking for purchase, and then I was half lifted, half dragged onto some sort of flat surface. There was some jostling as I was lifted into the air and then I steadied as they carried me in the opposite direction as the door I’d seen Wes leave through.

I craned my neck, trying to catch a glimpse through the crowd, some opening or hint of rescue. It couldn’t end like this. Wes arrested. Steppe winning.

    I tried searching for Emma or even George, but there was nothing. My mind was empty of any awareness except the pain.

****

And right now, I'm offering a signed paperback set of the entire series! AND get on an exclusive Q&A phone chat with ME on Nov 5!!! 

You can enter here:

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Check out these other blog hoppers and their awesome excerpts!

Kasi Blake

Bethany Lopez OH!! and be sure to enter her giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway 

Justine Winter

Kayla Smith

Amanda Aksel

Authors, if you want IN on this monthly bloggy hop of teasers, send me a note!

How Alloy Entertainment and I became buds.

I don't know if you really want to sit and read the entiiiirre story that is my friendship tale between myself and Alloy but I've been holding all this in for a WHILE now. Besides that, this is my blog, not yours, which puts you at my mercy. But then, the human attention span is only 7 seconds, which I've already exceeded depending on how fast or slow you read. So. I will try to compromise and tell you the high points--in all their embarrassing glory.

It's like this:
Back in March, I got an email from a publisher that was interested in purchasing the rights to Imitation (and the series). They said a ton of nice things about my ability to string words together and the story I'd created and my brain as a whole. I was obviously mucho flattered, like any author would be. But I also had never heard of them which, in my mind, made them small potatoes. Not that I wasn't the same size potato doing this on my own, but from a business standpoint, small potatoes is not enough to make me sign on a dotted line. Or a dashed line. Or any sort of signature line that you can really picture here.

SO I sort of told them no.

Yeah. I'm an idiot.

Luckily, they're persistent.

Whew. Can you imagine being the girl who told the freaking CW "No?" I would never live that one down. Anyway, on email round 2, I finally got my shit together and Googled them. And yeah. Now we ALLLLL know (Including Heather) that Alloy = CW = WfreakingB. Like, Les Morgenstein signed my contract. Holy shizz.

Once I figured out the WHO--and sufficiently happy danced--I went back to the metaphorical table and got to know everyone and said "hell yeah, let's do this" a lot of times in a row. Whatever THIS is. (seriously, for the business-savvy indies reading this, I put much more thought into it than I'm letting on here. It was a killer deal and I couldn't say no, trust. but this way is more fun to read about. Calm down, yo.)

My 2 fabulous editors got me on the phone long enough to repeat all the nice things to me, only with voices instead of typed words, and I fell hard. They're telling me I'm brilliant and a story-weaving goddess. I mean, you'd fall too. No question.

So, the deal was outlined. Terms were named. Stuff happened. Paperwork got signed. The rest, as they say, is history. I'm vaguing it up right now because honestly, the terms aren't important here. Not to you, the reader. What's important is this:

The story is essentially the same.
(I define the word "Essentially" like this: the characters, plot, and ending are the same. Most of the middle is tweaked to be awesome and different and re-readable, trust me. Linc is more Linc. Daniel is more ... Daniel. Ven has more muchness--to put it like the Mad Hatter. Go read it. Again, even.)
Oh, the cover is tweaked too, which makes it more hellaciously awesome. Check it:

Yay! Click to go see it on Amazon!

Don't worry. I fought for this cover to remain--because you guys would have my head if I didn't. I pretty much told them they were putting their own lives at stake if they changed the cover. So, you're welcome.

And Deviation. here's the deets about that: It's not "essentially" changing. It's COMPLETELY changing. That's on me. I had some problems (if we're being honest) with the first version and I kind of told my editors (because I'm just this side of insane when it's due yesterday) that I am throwing the whole thing out and starting over. Some other things needed to happen inside this story that just didn't, so this deal, for Deviation and it's readers, is the best thing that could've happened since sliced clones. (ew, right!)

Aaaaannnd there's a new and UH-mazing cover for that one as well!!!!

So awesome, I want to lick it.

Or something else equally creepy. It's brilliant.
And available for PRE-ORDER. GO now, sillies! I'll wait!

Anywho.
I couldn't tell you all any of this because of the 3rd party that's sort of silently involved in all this. (again, not important for the readers because it doesn't change the story, etc but I owe you an explanation.) This whole thing with Alloy is a partnership that is called "Powered by Amazon." Which means they have both hands and at least 3 feet in the pot as well. Decisions weren't really singular here. They were made as a group and as such, the group was informed of the decision to KEEP QUIET on EVERYTHING about this until D-Day. Or P-Day (publishing day?? get it??) or whatever.

AND FINALLY I get to talk about it!!! Yayyy! and party and celebrate and converse and revel and throw confetti and dance in the metaphorical streets in my virtual underwear (or whatever happens with the wine cork popped)...

In short, I am fracking over the moon about this whole thing!
And not only that, I've been so lucky to be able to share this experience with two other incredible authors. Tracy Banghart and Aimee Salter also have books available today under the new Alloy/Powered by Amazon label. If you enjoyed Imitation, you will love both of these. You definitely want to check them out.

Every Ugly Word by Aimee Salter

Click here to check it out on Amazon!
Aimee's blog has some powerful words formulated into an inspiring message. Check it out.

Rebel Wing by Tracy Banghart

Check it out on Amazon!
and check out Tracy's blog for a chance to win something.

And last but never least, a love letter to all of my dedicated readers: THANK YOU guys for sticking with me and being patient while I basically went "radio silent" these last few months. I hated not being able to share the details of my current wip with you. But now, all the things! Let's talk about all the things! To answer any more questions, I'm taking part in a Twitter party on Thurs, August 7 from 8-10p eastern.

#YAauthorparty will be for YOU GUYS, the fans, to ask anything you want about the books, the publishing deal, or the process we went through to re-release these amazing stories to you all. See you there!! And thanks for hanging in! Mwah!

(P.S. if you want to tweet a question early or at all, be sure to use the hashtag #YAauthorparty so I can find you and tell you what you want to know!)

And if you want to read the official press release via the New York Times because you're into that sort of newsy thing, the link for that is here.

And--if you want to stay updated on future stuff like Deviation's re-release or anything else, make sure to sign up for my Love Birds newsletter so you can get all the info as it comes in. (see top right corner of the blog.)

xoxo

Phoenix: Author Ink --$200 PRIZE!

The big day is here!!! *throws confetti* *dances in a dizzying circle*

Phoenix: Author Ink, my author consulting business, launches today!!! To mark its launch and its purpose, I am also releasing The Indie Author Guide: A Self-Publisher’s Toolbox. It’s a how-to-when-to guide that delivers MORE THAN the necessary information each aspiring author should know as they build their own publishing business and release their first book along with a specific timeline for when you should be implementing all of these tools.

I am so excited to “give back” with all of the awesome things I’ve learned throughout my journey as a self-published author. I can’t wait to share it all with you! 

Get it on Amazon 

The Indie Author Guide: A Self-Publisher’s Toolbox

Whether you’re an aspiring author or have been published for a year, this guide is full of information, links, and support sites that can help increase sales and streamline your business as a self-published author. This guide is not like other self-help books on publishing. It includes very specific how-to instructions along with a timeline so you also know when to implement each item. If you’re looking for vague instructions or easy banter, this guide is NOT for you. If you need a little sarcastic humor and someone in your ear telling you to get off your butt and make your dream happen, this IS the guide for you!

What’s inside:

–An extensive list of links to editors, cover artists, formatters, and bloggers is included. 

–Marketing, blog tours, release day blitzes

–Formatting, cover art and artists for hire, editors, what to ask when hiring out

–Garnering reviews, how and where to meet bloggers

–Where to find review groups, beta readers, critique partners

–Branding, blogging, and social media

–Time management, daily goals, sales strategies, what works, what doesn’t.

All of this and more is included in this hold-your-hand-style guide.

Heather Hildenbrand is the YA and NA author of more than eight novels including the bestselling Dirty Blood series. She is a co-founder of Accendo Press, a collaborative publishing effort dedicated to publishing stories that ignite the imagination, a fiction author, and the owner of Phoenix, an author consultant and coaching company that provides support and information for new and experienced self-published authors as they navigate the waters of self-publishing and marketing.

For more information on Phoenix and what I offer, visit www.phoenixauthorink.com

What people are saying:

"The Indie Guide is a must read for new writers, or writers that are still just bumping their heads in frustration with the business! Hildenbrand knows what you need and gives it to you, both barrels!" –Misty Provencher, Author of the Cornerstone Series 

“Breaking into the writing industry can be a scary process, but Heather's Indie Guide provides you with a plethora of knowledge to make the leap a little less intimidating. With step by step instructions and suggestions on where to go no matter where you are on your journey, the Indie Guide can be your road map to creating an amazing opportunity for yourself.” –Megan Curd, Author of Steel Lily

And as a thank-you-slash-I-am-so-excited-to-be-here gift, I am offering one lucky winner the chance to work one-on-one with me for ONE MONTH of encouraging, butt-kicking, accountability-induced inspiration and HELP as you get ready to publish or boost your marketing platform HUGELY. You will get phone consultations and in-depth planning sessions and at the end of the 30 days, you will feel so much better, more focused, and excited about your business!

There are also two awesome prize packs with signed books up for grabs, because, yeah, BOOKS. It’s why we’re here. I hope you’ll spread the word about Phoenix as well as The Indie Author Guide and get yo’self entered to win! Good Luck!

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New Adult... New beginning

I have started and stopped this blog post forty-bagillion times. Okay, like three. Feels like a lot.
I've written it in my head as I fall asleep at night. I've composed witticisms to include while I do dishes or mow the grass or ride my motorcycle.
I've debated and chewed on it. Spit it out. Walked away.
All to figure out how to say it.
That post where I explain where I've been, the reason for going "dark" for months--I've scaled WAY back on my social media time of late, or haven't you been refreshing your screen for the awe-inspiring prose that is my status updates???--and an all-around explanation of the stuff that makes up my personal life. In my head, it all sounds too revealing or too boring or too drama. It depends on my mood as to which.

You all know I am not an over-sharer. I tend to err toward the less-is-more school of thought. But then a couple of years ago, something monumentally tragic happened to me when I lost my baby boy, Tyler, at the age of five days old. And then I blogged about it and you guys were so fracking AWESOME in your response that I am still, to this day, smiling as I remember the flood of love and support and strength I received--and then in turn gave back to my readers. Thank you guys for stepping up and being real with me when I got real with you. I am so much more grateful for you guys after connecting that way.

So. with that warm fuzzy feeling in mind, I'm going to tell you what's been up with me. Mostly because I feel like there's this whole taboo mindset that I shouldn't say it publicly. And if you know me, you know I hate secrets. Which is the exact reason I will, after a year of shutting up, tell you: I am getting divorced.

It's so weird how simple the sentence is to write when I could barely say it aloud a year ago. And not because I'm ashamed or sad or broken up or worried what people think. I haven't said it because I have this nonsense ingrained into me that you don't share your problems with the world. But over the past year or two, my world has become so built up with people who welcome the opportunity to support me and so this is me letting go--and letting them.

In A Risk Worth Taking, my NA that just released (ohmygod I wrote sex!!!!!! my tagline is now: "Heather Hildenbrand, not just for YA anymore."), Summer's parents get divorced and it hits her hard. A lot of her emotions and anxieties were inspired by the events in my own life. I always find real-life emotions are best for funneling into my work and this was no exception. I won't say mych more than that about the book because I don't want to give it away. BTW, A Risk Worth Taking or #ARWT is now available in ebook so go grab yours!

B&N OR Amazon: 

AND enter the giveaway for the "country beauty basket and gift card here

But before everyone gets sad and comments below with how sorry you are, DON'T.

I am happy with my choice and I am living such a full and purposeful and successful life now, and I don't want sympathy or pity or sadness. I want everyone to know that while it was SCARY as hell, it was my choice. And I don't apologize for it (there was a time that I did) and I don't care what people think of it because it was the right thing for me. It has freed me. And while I wish my (ex)husband well, I know I've done what I needed for me, for the first time in so long I can't remember.

This past year has been tough and sad and lonely sometimes but also so amazing and full of the biggest adventures I never would have had otherwise. I learned how to ride motorcycles and I've owned a total of 3 in the past year. Currently still have 2 of them. Traveled more. Discovered I actually do like tent camping--under the right conditions, gotten to know my kids better, stood on stage at a Zac Brown Band concert to a sold out crowd, met Plain White T's, released three books, lived off my writer income as a full-time work-from-home mom, rented my own house in MY own name, visited CO--a lifelong dream of mine, stood front row-center at a Rocket to the Moon/Andy Grammer concert, learned how to hang and twist on silks (you know that aerial ribbon at the circus???), went swimming on horseback, fallen in the kind of love I thought only existed in stories, and SO MANY MORE AMAZING THINGS!!!!

And right now, I have a special project in the works that is the next building block in my dream of being a successful entrepreneur and a mom who is always home to get her kids off the bus. And it includes giving back to the very people who have helped put me where I am today. I can't wait to tell you more about it. (Look for an announcement in November!!)

I honestly wake up every morning loving my life. Thank you for that. Readers, Fans, Friends--you are the best part of me.

So, this is not a "Woe is Me" post. This is a, "Be strong and claim your happiness" post. And a post to say: Just like Summer in A Risk Worth Taking, let go of the struggle, let go of a past you couldn't control and can't change, and face forward.

Take a Risk. Seize the Day. Create a purposeful life filled with things that make you smile.

"Set your life on fire. Seek those that fan your flames." -Rumi

Inhale Exhale

Inhale Exhale, a New Adult Contemporary romance from my friend, Sarah M. Ross, releases May 7^th.   I can't wait for this one and she offered us a sneak peek today!

Check out the BLURB:

Jillian had a plan: celebrate the end of her first year of college with an amazing summer full of beaches, barbeques, and bonfires. When her mom insists she needs a summer job, and her boyfriend spends more time with his band than with her, Jillian’s plans go down the drain. 

Grant had a plan: finish his Masters, get a great job at Google, and get the hell out of Georgia. He might be giving up some of the fun of his youth, but he knows his all work and no play method would be worth it when his dreams came true.

But things never go according to plan. 

When temptation brings them together and tragedy tears them apart, Jillian and Grant will be forced to choose: fight for their dreams, or fight for each other.

Wanna read more? Here’s an excerpt:

“Are you sure you’re not breaking it just so I can come back out here? Cause if you want to see me, you don’t have to break expensive equipment to get my attention,” Grant asked earlier that day.

It was the third time I’d had to call IT, and the third time I’d gotten to see the mischievous smile on his face as he walked toward me.
“No, I promise you. I really am this dumb.” I winked playfully, allowing myself to flirt for a minute. It was harmless, right? I’d never actually act on it.
“I’m pretty sure the fact you can say that sentence in several other languages suggests otherwise.”
“Sono davvero questo stupido,” I repeated in Italian.
Grant ran a knuckle down my arm, leaving a trail of goose bumps along the path. “Beautiful,” he said in a whispered breath. My own breathing hitched at his words. “See? Like I said, not a dumb bone in you.”
The all-too-familiar blush crept back onto my face. “You don’t know me that well.”
“I’d like to change that. What are you doing tonight? A bunch of us from work are going to this beach party. I’d love it if you could come.”
For a moment, I pictured myself there. Laughing and having fun around a bonfire and splashing in the ocean. Grant in his board shorts that would hang low, revealing that deep V I was sure was there. But then I snapped out of it, remembering how inappropriate my thoughts were. “I have a boyfriend. I can’t.”
“It’s not a date, Jillian. Just a group of friends hanging out.” He packed up his supplies, but paused before leaving. He stared deeply into my eyes, making my palms sweat. Leaning in close, he whispered in my ear. “If I were asking you out, it wouldn’t be with a group of people. It would be only us—alone—so I wouldn’t have anything distracting me from admiring every nook and cranny on your beautiful face, Cupcake.”
I swallowed down the lump that formed in my throat. My mouth had gone dry; I was unable to form a thought, let alone words.
“Here.” He reached out and gently took my hand. “I’ll do this old school since you don’t like technology.”
My mouth opened, but I couldn’t respond. I stared at him as he took out a pen. He picked up my tiny hand, which shook slightly, and held it in his own. The contact was slight, but powerful. I was frozen in place as he wrote on my palm. The only movement came from my heart that pounded in my chest. Before he let go, he gently blew on the ink to help it dry, causing me to emit the faintest of moans.
“In case you change your mind,” he whispered, then winked and walked away.

Be sure to add this to your Goodreads page:

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17348805-inhale-exhale

To find out more about Sarah and her books, stalk her here:

Website: www.sarahmross.com

Email- sarah@sarahmross.com

Twitter - https://twitter.com/#!/SarahtheAuthor

FB- http://www.facebook.com/SarahtheAuthor

The Modified: an exclusive soundtrack

I have C.A.Kunz here today with an EXCLUSIVE preview of something really exciting! Chapter one of their new YA dystopian/sci-fi novel, The Modified, is featured in the back of Imitation because it ROCKS and, like Imitation, it is very unique and different from what's out there right now. Below is the debut of something VERY cool they've put together. Read on...


First of all, we want to congratulate Heather Hildenbrand on the release of her new novel, Imitation! We seriously can’t wait to delve into this book, and be immersed in yet another wonderful world Heather has created.

So, you can imagine our excitement when were approached by this awesome author to have the first chapter of our dystopian/sci-fi novel, The Modified, to be at the back of her new release. To celebrate this news and the release of Imitation, we’re going to DEBUT the two title tracks from The Modified music soundtrack. This is the first time anyone, other than us and the artists that performed them, have heard any of these songs. Buuuuut first we wanted to tell you a little bit about The Modified and its companion soundtrack.

Back Book Blurb:

What would you sacrifice to save the ones you love? To save the one who holds your heart? To save the world?

Kenley Grayson is all too familiar with these questions.

After Earth is thrust into its first intergalactic war with an unknown race called the Bringers, our military forces begin to suffer heavy losses. Desperate for a solution, the Allied Federation issues a worldwide draft for every able seventeen year old to enlist. As Kenley turns seventeen, she finds herself thrown into the very war that took her older brother’s life.

This year’s draft is a little different than in the past though. A new program, known as the Magnus Project, has been introduced, and only the best and brightest qualify. Kenley is amongst a select few whom are chosen to join this elite group of soldiers, and as a part of this project, undergoes a modification procedure that leaves her and her peers endowed with powers beyond their wildest dreams.

As Earth continues in its struggle against the Bringers, Kenley is transported to a high-tech training facility, the Magnus Academy, to prepare for the major battle that lies ahead. It’s here that she meets the California heartthrob, and son of a legendary war hero, Landon Shaw. As unexpected feelings toward Landon begin to develop, Kenley wonders if this is the right time or place for romance to bloom, especially when those feelings start to interfere with her training.

With the weight of the world on her shoulders, Kenley is constantly reminded of how important she and the rest of the Magnus cadets are to the fate of humanity. She is one of the Modified, Earth’s last line of defense against utter destruction.

The Modified soundtrack was produced and created by the amazing musician and engineer, Marvin (Lee) Wilson. After reading our novel, Marvin became inspired to write songs based on his reactions and the emotions the book brought out in him. The final soundtrack will include anywhere from 9 – 10 full length songs and is very close to being finished. We all hope that you enjoy the two title tracks off of the album, “Gravity” and “Fortify Me”, which you can find in a playlist below:

We must thank author Heather Hidenbrand once again for being the AMAZING person that she is by allowing us to be on her blog today to do a little promotion. We hope that you will all pick up a copy of her new release, Imitation, because we can pretty much guarantee that you’ll absolutely love what you read. Happy Reading!

This is SO COOL!!!! I love these songs and that they've been written exclusively for this story/series! Let me know in the comments below which one is your favorite. On Friday, I will pick a winner randomly and the winner will receive an e-book of BOTH The Modified AND Imitation... =) 

Of course, if you don't want to wait that long, Imitation is available now for Kindle and Nook for $2.99! 

And don't forget to follow the blog tour kicking off today! Watch Facebook for updates on where you can enter to win some awesome prizes!

Breaking Radio Silence

I'm such a slacker.

I just looked at the date of my last blog post and it's been a ridiculous amount of time. So much so that I now have people/readers/bloggers emailing me asking if I'm okay or still here or whatever. Sorry, guys. I'm fine, just slacking.

To be fair, I think I had some slacking time coming, though. I've already published two books this year and three last year and before the indie movement of publishing books faster than we change our underwear that would've been a lot. Either way, I've been holing up in my blood-red-walled dining room and concocting sentences out of everyday words and putting them to digital paper at a much slower rate than usual. Also, there's Real Life, which has been chaotic and unpredictable and spinning me around like Dorothy inside that twister. (And yes, I've officially landed in Oz. I mean, it must be Oz because I don't recognize ANY of the scenery here.) All of that adds up to the fact that I've become a hermit and a stalker even by internet standards, reading FB posts without commenting and dialing back my obsessiveness with Twitter in a way that a 12-stepper would be jealous of. (Side note: Instagram is where you'll probably find me these days.)

The thing is, I miss you guys. And apparently you miss me too--or you're just nosy, if the emails I'm getting daily are any indication. Let's go with you miss me. I like that one better.

Here's my solution: Since half the questions and emails I'm getting revolve around Dirty Blood and the series and "when the hell is the next book coming out anyway?" I propose a Q&A via vlog wherein YOU, the reader, send ME, the author, all your nosy, um, I mean, well-thought-out and concerned questions about WHATEVER YOU WANT and I will answer them and post the video here for your viewing (and listening) pleasure.

And to sweeten the pot--because that's how I roll--I am offering up a signed paperback set of ALL 3 BOOKS: Dirty Blood, Cold Blood, and Blood Bond to one winner and e-book sets of the same titles to TWO more lucky winners.

Check out the new cover for the omnibus currently available on Amazon:

Sweet, right? SM Reine has mad skills...

You can enter for the set via the rafflecopter below. PLEASE be aware that I will pick and choose which questions I answer. If you ask me something dumb, be prepared for a dumb response. I reserve that right as someone who is good with words on paper but not always via vocal cords. You've been warned.

P.S. Contest ends 11/15 (or midnight 11/16 to be exact). I will (hopefully) post the vlog on Fri 11/16 and announce winners then. Yay!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Predictions... courtesy of a scotch-sipping psychic

My good friend, and mentor of the occasional lunch-date variety, Warren Murphy, stopped by and left me with this article. He wrote it over ten years ago, predicting the future of e-books. Or, what I like to call: the present. I thought it was interesting to see how spot-on he was then--and now. 

The Millennium.  And about time, too.

The French, who seem to have a dopey statement for every occasion, have this one too:  Le plus ca change, le plus c’est la meme chose. The more things change, the more they remain the same.

Hoohaw, not this time, Pierre. Not any more. Not in publishing. The times, they are a’changin’ and changing for good.  And the only wonder is why it took so long.  

I once wrote an article for some rag about the warm feeling I got holding my new book and thinking that it started with blank paper and now it helped contribute to the magic of publishing. Until I realized that I was holding the book and still hadn’t been paid for acceptance of the manuscript. Why not? Well, admittedly some blame is mine. I should have paid more attention but I had been drunk for some time and was beyond bookkeeping detritus. The publisher? He just didn’t give a damn. I could wait because he didn’t need me for another year until my next book was done.

Writers, you see, come last. That bears repeating: in the old world of publishing, writers always come last.

          Item: They’ll pay millions and millions for the bio of some guy who makes lightbulbs—“golf, next Tuesday, Jack?”—but can’t find any money to foster their young writers.

          Item: Books are savaged and careers destroyed by surly snots who write anonymous reviews and publishers can’t be bothered to protest this institutionalized corruption. “Hey, writers are always bitching. Who cares? Besides, we’ve got the new Socks-the-Cat book to hump.”

          Item: Slush piles and lost manuscripts and editors who can’t edit but are kept around because they have a good eye for what sold well yesterday, and reserves-against-returns and bookkeeping practices that would befuddle Stephen Hawking.... Just look, and you see an industry that is not only in full retreat but is fleeing the battlefield with its pants around its ankles.

And why not? So many good publishers, good editors, and all suffocating in an industry whose business practices were old a hundred years ago and dumb even earlier than that.

Old boys, lean close. I’ve got a secret for you. It’s over. We Trotskyite deviationists used to warn, “Comes the Revolution.” Well, it’s here and it’s called electronic publishing. E-books. Print on demand. Downloads in seconds; pocket readers no bigger than Gameboy units. A world in which no book is ever out of print. No reserves. No returns. No industry regularly held hostage by West Coast treehuggers driving up paper prices. Royalties of 50 percent, not six, and paid monthly.

Hello? Anybody home?

The estimable agent-cum-publisher-cum-futurist Richard Curtis commented not long ago how publishing theorists complained about the impossibility of the marketplace absorbing the 50,000 books published every year in America. “What,” Maestro Curtis wondered aloud, “will they say when the figure reaches 500,000?”

We’ll find out soon.

Now, don’t think this brave new world comes without pain and suffering. Birth rarely does. There will be an amazing amount of junk published, although one is tempted to ask, in an ocean of celebrity biographies, as opposed to what? And a lot will depend on technology that is still shaking the bugs out of its cuffs. But it’ll arrive. And the signs of success are already here. Stephen King, as he so often does, has shown a lot of young writers the yellow brick road to the future. Melisse Rose rode her book from on-line self published to the Times best seller list. Even as we speak, more are coming.

Imagine, writers with power over their own work. And readers too, learning from other readers what books are good, instead of relying on the corrupt opinions of a few institutional halfwits.

Not convinced? Think the internet is just a flash in the pan? Then, ostrich-person, consider this:  a couple of young guys made a movie, two minutes long, and posted it on the internet. Why not? It’s cheap, fun, and no law against it. This little film was titled “True,” and it hung around online and then was seen by an ad-man who brought it to his agency who brought it to their client and thus began the saga of the ubiquitous beer commercial “Whassup? Whassup? Whassup?” If the movie cost $5 to make, the creators overpaid. But now one of them has a contract to develop a sitcom; his partners are media stars and getting rich. Because of a two-minute homemade movie. That’s internet power.

And, dear publishers, your business is next. Just over that hill, the crowds are massing, manuscripts in hand, and their attack will begin very soon. Do yourselves a favor:  sue for peace.

Warren is the author of about a gazillion books, including The Destroyer series, Grandmaster, and The Forever King <--- one of my favorite books EVER. You can check Warren out here on Facebook. 

Out of the ashes...

I believe that if I should die, and you were to walk near my grave,
from the very depths of the earth, I would hear your footsteps.
-Benito Perez Galdos


As most of you know, (and if you don't you can read about it here) I gave birth to a baby boy in December who, unbeknownst to us throughout the pregnancy, had a heart problem. He was born very sick and died five days later at the UVA Children's Hospital in Charlottesville, VA. Those five days have understandably impacted me in a way that I cannot describe, as has the grief that follows that sort of loss. 


What that means for my personal life is that I take it one day at a time, one breath at a time, and I spend a lot of time remembering while simultaneously trying to forget - at least to the point where I can get through. 

What that means for my writing is that I wasn't able to jump into my next scheduled project (book 3 in my Dirty Blood series). Instead, I started something new. At first, it was simply journaling. A way to pour out the emotion that was way too big to remain contained inside me. But then it evolved, as most stories do, and it became something more. It became Whisper. The character herself is reflective of me but also, of everyone who has lost someone dear to them. She is the voice of our collective grief. She is you. 

Whisper's story is one of loss, but also one of acceptance and new life found. There are paranormal elements and love, which makes it a Paranormal Romance. But its different than most. Its no doubt bigger and heavier than what you're reading now. That's the point. My hope is that you will connect with it, in some way. That you will be encouraged by it. That you will see the hope in it, for Whisper, and maybe even for yourself. 

I wouldn't have made the decision to publish Whisper without all of the support and encouragement I've received from readers and bloggers and friends. I sincerely hope my journey will be of some help or leave a lasting mark somewhere, with someone who needs it. I have to believe that my story has meaning and a purpose. That something amazing will come out of the ashes. 

* * *

Now, on to the goodies -- because there must always be goodies. The tour I've put together, to launch Whisper, is titled "Fact or Fiction". The reason is that so much of Whisper came out of my own life, that I thought it would be fun to share which is which. Braine at Talking Supe made up the fabuloso button for us. Feel free to grab it! 

The tour schedule is listed below, with each blogger featuring a different post that explains which topics featured in Whisper are "Fact" and which are "Fiction". For example:

Cherokee background: Fiction - I am not Native American, though that would be awesome, because then I would have a year-round tan and look good in leather skirts. (I mean that in a seriously impressed and not racist kind of way). Actually, I am Dutch and German.My dad's family is from Holland, MI. And there is a town in Germany called Dannenberg, which is my maiden name. 

Dannenberg City Hall, Germany

This gives an idea of what I'll reveal on the tour. There are giveaways at each stop, so be sure to check them all and enter! 

A Diary of A Book Addict - 4/19

AwesomeSauce Book Club - 4/20

What's Your Story Book Reviews - 4/21

Cambria Hebert, Author of Masquerade - 4/22

A Book Vacation - 4/23 - SIGNED PB giveaway! 

The Bookish Babes - 4/24

Nightly Reading & Taking It One Book At A Time - 4/25

Magnet 4 Books - 4/26

Talking Supe - 4/27

SupaGurl Books - 4/28

Seeing Night Reviews - 4/29

The Rest Is Still Unwritten - 4/30

Bookerella Reviews - 5/1

Also, happening on Accendo's site is a hop sponsored by I am a Reader, Not a Writer, where we are giving away a paperback copy of The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa, avail on April 24th. Be sure to get in on that!