5 bloggers you should be friends with ... and my life in pictures.

It's Fun Friday on the blog! 

This week, the YA Storytellers and I want to share some blogger love. It's a whole month of focusing on being thankful and as an author, I am the MOST thankful for bloggers.
And my eyesight.
And typing hands.
And my weirdo brain that tells me things.
And my computer.
Okay, I'll stop.

Anyway, I want to share some blogger faves of mine with you. If you're an author, you should work with them. If you're a reader, you should peruse their blogs and reviews. And if you're a random person who is not a stalker, you should make friends with them. So, here's a list of just a few of the spectacular homies I call blogger buds, in no particular order.

Oh, and I have pics of my life at the bottom. So that you can say you're totally informed. Read on!


1. Kez's Korner is a really fun blogger that I found when she reviews A Risk Worth Taking for me a while back. She needs some FB love and she is always talking about books and authors I totally love! Our reading tastes are so similar.

To give her FB page a like, click here.


2. Shana Benedict from A Book Vacation. I. Fracking. Love. Her. Guts.
First, she's been there for me since the beginning. Whisper wouldn't be published if it weren't for her insisting I go through with it despite the throw-up threatening.... yeah, it was a rough day. And she's the manager of Heather's Hotshots now (my blogger street team) and words can't even express how grateful I am for her. She does so much for me and a ton of other authors and she does it beacuse she loves it. I have ridiculous love for this girl. And her reviews and literary opinions are so smart! You need to read her blog. Regularly.

Click here to find her on FB.

She also has the BEST Halloween costumes ever.

(UtopYA 2014)

3. Natalie @ Book Lover's Life is another. She is always there for me, always. And that makes her a Hotshot. Also, she is actually a Hotshot, a member of my street team and you can read all about her awesomeness as it relates to our group AND her as a human person. She rocks. Check her out.

4. Jackie @ Sated Faery. 

First, she lives in my city. Second, she's heading up the Moonshine Holiday Gift Exchange. That alone makes her my kinda girl. aka A Badass. Beyond that, she is ALWAYS there for me and other author in promoting and reading and reviewing in between her full life. I love her for all that.

You can check out her blog here. 

5. Last but NOT LEAST, my stalker. (Don't worry, she's official, so it's not weird.) Maghon from Happy Tails and Tales. She's another that's been with me since the beginning. Yeah, I like longevity. What girl doesn't? Anyway, Maghon is awesome on the blog about gushing over my books AND she's awesome in real life. She has about three million dogs and she's even written reviews from their POV. Hilarious. You should look them up. 

And last year, I got to spend a weekend in her city and hang with her where I tried Gator Bites for the first time. (tastes like chicken, okay not really.) I had a blast in Orleans with you, Maghon! Can't wait to go back!

October 2013 in New Orleans!

I'm stopping at 5 because otherwise, I would feel compelled to Energizer Bunny it and keep going and going and going and ... Yeah. So that's it for today for bloggers I adore. 

Oh, but I promised you pictures of my life. Right. So, here's what I've been up to since the end of summer in a picture story. 

writing and editing Deviation, the COMPLETELY NEW version coming to you 12/30. You can pre-order here! This one's going to leave you going "Whaaaa?"

Rode a Segway through SanFran. Rocked it. Mall Cop style.

Saw the Redwoods in California for the first time ever

#dream #fulfilled

Went home to Virginia for 2 weeks and hung out with my minions and took some quiet walks with the new husband in Williamsburg.

Wait, HUSBAND?!

Yep, got married.

Boom.

Done.

Beautiful setting! 

And now I'm back in Guam for a couple more weeks before heading home for the holidays. 

#MyOutRAGEousLife

My life. In pictures. 

You're welcome. 

My Top 5 Summer Movie/TV Picks ... and 2 crazy moments for charity

It's FUN FRIDAY, which means me and the gang at YA Society of Storytellers are doing a funnish post that we all share and link to so you can get to know us and we can "hang out" with each other for some virtual FRIDAY FUN. This week, I'm bringing you my top faves of summer movies (so far) and/or TV show picks and at the end, a treat of craziness to show you some charity stuff I've done lately. It's silly and ridiculous and those 2 things are always a good time.

(Also check out:)
Bryna Butler's Top 10 Summer Blockbuster quotes of 2014

1. The Fault in our Stars Movie

aka TFioS

I'm a total John Green fan and a #nerdfighter. I loved this book to itty bitty pieces. And the movie was no exception. I wished they'd inserted a little more of the amazing lines from the book into the dialogue (like the whole meaning behind the title, for example) but overall, I thought they did great. I mean, I cried, so yeah. Good job, guys.

Besides, I am officially a die-hard Shailene Woodley fan now. (Thank you, Divergent) Liking this one was inevitable.

the egging scene was one of the best parts of the movie version for sure. 

The thing you should know about my movie list I that I am really lenient when it comes to book-to-movie adaptations and the like. I recognize the boiled-downness of it all is that I'm here to be entertained. So, I don't set a lot of expectations. I know a lot of people who were disappointed by some of these types of movies (Vampire Academy, anyone? Yep, LIKED IT!), but (I think because I look at them as separate pieces of art from the written work), I'm able to enjoy them. What do you guys think?

2. Guardians of the Galaxy Movie

This one was funny and entertaining but without the humor would've just been MEH. Some of the scenes didn't feel like a very smooth transition between the humor and the suspense/seriousness. But I did laugh a lot and it was different and I'm a fan of both of those things.

Now, this would've been a longer movie list but these are the only 2 movies I've seen this summer. Seriously. 

I know, not much of a list but hey, I'm busy writing books for you guys! Cut me some slack!

So, to round it out, I'm throwing in what I've been watching on TV. SO,

3. Meet the Fosters

I definitely cried for like, the first 4 episodes. I've always wanted to be a foster parent and now, after EVERY episode, I turn to Awesome Boyfriend, and am like: Can we get a kid???

Loving this one.

4. Lost Girl

I found this while trolling Netflix 

(The Awesome Boyfriend was away in Thailand and I was banned from watching Meet the Fosters without him. I had to do something!)

And I wasn't too keen on it after episode 1 or even 2 but somewhere between 2 and 3, it good good and I got hooked. (I don't think that was proper grammar. Don't tell anyone.)

Anyway, I love Dyson and Kenzie and the whole gang now so this one is a keeper. If you like adult paranormal (especially Richelle Mead's succubus series!) you will like this one.

5. In the Army Now

I know, this one isn't exactly CURRENT but -- WE just watched it because the Awesome Boyfriend had somehow NEVER SEEN it, so it gets on the list.

(And now he walks around saying he's a "craaazy boy!")

Who else LOVED Pauly Shore in this??

I ordered the DVD from Amazon to keep because I just knew once he saw it, he'd love it. And I wasn't wrong. So that's what I'm watching lately. What are YOU watching?? No, seriously, I need recommendations for once I'm done with all of these TV shows! Leave your answers in the comments!

AND now, because I promised, the 2 silly things for charity ....

1. Eli the Elopus

My writer friend and fellow YA Society member, Bryna Butler, emailed me last week in need of a short story for a charity scavenger hunt she does every year for GISHWHES (Greatest International Scavenger Hunt the World Has Ever Seen) to support the charity Random Acts, whose mission is to "inspire acts of kindness around the world both big and small." The short story had to feature the GISHWHES mascot, an elopus (part-elephant, say what????), Misha Collins (from Supernatural), and the Queen of England. The hard part, it couldn't be more than 140 words (this from the novel writer with always lots of words to say.) Yeah, that part was a challenge. But I did it and here's the proof:

You can Read Bryna's blog post with the FULL deets on her scavenging and the crazy things she did. Looks like fun! maybe I'll have to get in on this next year!

2. The #ALSIceBucketChallenge

Have you heard of this? If not, be ready. because your friends could tag you at ANY. TIME and then you have no choice but to douse yourself with a bucket of ICE COLD WATER. 

It's a charity/awareness campaign for the ALS Foundation. You drench yourself within 24 hours being challenged OR you have to donate $100 to the ALS Foundation. Your choice.

I decided to get drenched. (I also whined about it but that's no longer a point.)

Check me out:

I sent this to my daughter who promptly wrote back "this is the coolest thing you've ever done, Mom."

Huh. I need to get out more.

#minionlove

And let's see what my nominee does .... 

In the meantime, you should go enter some giveaways before they end right here.

Fun Friday: giveaways and cover love!

Lots of fun stuff to share with you for the weekend!
First, I made it to Guam. YAY!! Catching up on work and jet lag today and then going to ride motorcycles this weekend. Pictures of killer views will follow. And as for books, SO MUCH exciting stuff is coming between now and the end of the month! New covers (3) and new releases (2) and so many fun parties and announcements (too many to count!) Stay tuned. Trust me, this will be so awesome!

Okay, so, giveaway time. First up, the Society of YA Storytellers--of which I am a member--is doing a SUPER exciting giveaway for this week's Fun Friday!

One winner is going to get a completely NEW and never before seen short story featuring a character from one of the books of the participating authors listed below, winner's choice!!!!

Must be at least 18 years of age to enter. Entry and drawing will be conducted via Rafflecopter. Entry deadline is 11:59 a.m. EDT on August 30, 2014. Winner will be notified via email and winner annoucement will be made on Society’s social media outlets. If response on author choice is not received from winner within 14 days of notification, prize will be forfeited. Winner will receive a flash fiction story of approximately 1,000 words from his/her author of choice from those participating in the Story Event. Winner does not receive copyright or other rights to the story provided as the prize. Prize shall not be considered work for hire. Prize may not be re-sold by winner and can only be shared, in digital or physical form, with author’s express written permission. Society reserves the right to deny any entry for any reason. Void where prohibited.

AND then-- there's this:

All you have to do to enter is FOLLOW us on Twitter!

Go now!

A new winner will be chosen monthly!

Details for both of these are on the Society's website.

And last but not least, for Friday Fun-ness, it's cover reveal time!!!

Whisper is being re-released as an NA Paranormal (cover reveal next week! EEP!) and is going to be featured in a boxed set called FATED coming in August! SO many amazing authors in one book! 

Check out our sexy cover!

Share this post & grab an extra point towards a $10 Gift Card
*** COVER REVEAL ***
"Sometimes love has other plans."
Sign-up for a Fated Bonus Bundle, Entry in $50 Gift Card Giveaway and Live Phone Chat with the Fated 5 Authors: Rachael Wade, Stacey Marie Brown, Alyssa Rose Ivy, Heather Hildenbrand and Nikki Jefford
Releases: August 21st
Cover: Najla Qamber Designs
(Follow link to Rafflecopter & click "Share the Fated Cover" to grab your point.)

Add it to Goodreads.

Go get entered for all the goodies and check back here next week for more announcements and fun stuff! Happy Friday, Love Birds!

Top 5 Fictional Couples

It's FUN FRIDAY!!!!

YAY!

Wait, what does that mean? Oh, yeah! It means the YA Storytellers are all posting about the SAME fun topic which is... Favorite Fictional Characters. If you want to read someone else's list besides mine, you can go to the YA Storytellers site and pick someone else to stalk.




For everyone still here, here's my list in PRIORITY ORDER! I have serious opinions about this subject!

1. Clary and Jace. No question.

Think about it, any other who can make you wonder if the leading couple are actually brother and sister and STILL make you want to see them make out AND not make it WEIRD, that's success! You know it. I know it. 

And Jace is, without question, my number one book boyfriend. #handsoff

 

2. Hazel Grace and Augustus Waters from The Fault in Our Stars. 

"Okay?"

"Okay."

Oh, and this: "You're so busy being you that you have no idea how utterly unprecedented you are." -Augustus Waters. I love that one so much, I didn't have to look it up to type it here. And it's been a year and a half since I read the book. Any book with a quote that unforgettable gets into this list.

Augustus Waters IS true love.

Nothing else even needs to be said here.

3. Ren and Kelsey from Tiger's Curse by Colleen Hoover

Spoiler Alert: HE GAVE HER TO HIS BROTHER!!!!!!

Complete and total White Fang scenario!!!!!!

And I know she went for it for a while but that's because SHE was White Fanging him back!!! #TrueLove

*sigh*

4. Jess and Nick from New Girl. 

I know, I know. It's not a book. I. Can't. Even. Care.

Have you seen the episode from Season 1 where they kiss for the first time?????

THAT'S that shit where Every Girl Should Always Be Kissed Like That Forever to stay in love. Period. It was amazing. I smoked a cigarette after watching it. And then I watched it again.

*goes to find the DVR remote*

5. Okay, so I got this far and now I'm stuuuuck. There are sooo many!

Zoey and Stark from House of Night by PC Cast. #somuchtruenessinthelove

Alec and Magnus Bane from The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare

Trys and Four from Divergent by Veronica Roth

Katniss and Peeta from Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

NO. WAIT. GOT IT.

Nora and Bram from Dearly, Departed by Lia Habel

If you haven't read Steampunk Zombies, you're just playing around. Get serious. 

This book was UH-mazing. it's a series. Go. You're welcome.

Okay, I think that's my final answer. This post was hard/fun/entertaining to write! Who is YOUR favorite fictional character?

Fun Friday: A Supernatural This or That with Liz Long!

This week is another Fun Friday post brought to you by the amazingness that is the Society of YA Storytellers!

This week is "host a storyteller" which is most awesome because it means I got to hang with the talented and gorgeous Liz Long! Liz is cool because, among other things, she writes about a supernatural circus. 

And since we both adore the paranormal, for our topic, we decided to do a "Supernatural This or That!"

Check out Liz's answers below AND if you want to know MY answers, you'll have to read her blog here.

1. The one you choose lives. The one you don't is stuck with Elana forever: Stefan or Damon? Oh I definitely choose Damon!! 

2. You have to pick one meal for the rest of your life: Blood-sucking or face-eating? Blood-sucking. Eyeballs are probably full of empty calories. 

3. Flying or mind-reading? Flying - no one needs to hear the awful things people can think! 

4. Do you want to attack Mordor (Lord of the Rings) or take on an entire army of Death Eaters? Death Eaters, mostly because that means I'm not being chased by Orcs. 

5. You're in Wonderland and you have to choose: would you eat the cake or drink the juice? Cake, of course! 

6. Let's say you're thrown into the Hunger Games - what weapon do you go for, bow and arrow or big sword? Big sword, cause I'd probably run out of arrows before I hit a real target.

7. The Winchester brothers take you on a hunt and decide to split up - go with Dean or Sam? Dean. Always, for anything at all, Dean. (The question doesn't really matter. Dean.) 

8. Out of all the Deathly Hallows, which one would you keep: Cloak, Wand, or Stone? Cloak of Invisibility

9. The power to wield and control fire or ability to transport anywhere at your will? Transporter - Firestarters are cool and all, but I like my house in once piece. Also, think of the money you'd say not needing to buy plane tickets!

10. Witchy powers or ability to help ghosts move on to their next life?  Witchy powers for sure!

And if you want to check out Liz's circus book. Gifted, you can get it here on Amazon for just .99!

Still want more about Liz? Okay, okay. Here it is. 

My name is Liz Long and I’m a writer, photographer, dreamer, and Twitter stalker (you can also put “nerdy” in front of all those things). Whether you’re looking for a new fantasy read, need marketing and social media tips, or want some writing advice from an indie author, I promise to provide in the best way possible.

I am lucky enough to have my dream job as the Social Media & PR Strategist at LeisureMedia360, where I run the social sites (blogs, website, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest) for our publications: The Roanoker, Blue Ridge Country, and bridebook. I also write articles for print issues, though my focus is online content. You can a more in-depth profile at my portfolio on the Career Writing page.

I also lead social media workshops such as the 2014 Roanoke Writers Conference and Roanoke Wedding Network sessions. I was an editor and writer at Bella Magazine, as well as a marketing associate at a small book publishing firm in Nashville, TN. I’ve also worked in radio as a DJ and promotions assistant.

Questions or comments? I’d love to hear from you! Email me at lizclong[at]gmail[dot]com!

A teaser for Valentine's Day!

Me and some of the other awesome authors over at The YA Storytellers do a really cool thing called Fun Fridays where we post about the same theme every couple of weeks. This week, the theme is Romantic Teasers, for Valentine's Day.

And what better way to TEASE than with my upcoming sequel to Imitation?????
I, for one, would really enjoy Linc Crawford--for Valentine's Day or any other day!! And the cover for this one will be revealed on MONDAY!!! wooohoooo!

Here's a romantic peek at book 2:

The darkness is so complete it leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. I raise my hand in front of my face but the blackness remains undisturbed. I blink. Still nothing.
“Ven?” Linc’s voice is low and gravelly. It echoes around us.
“I’m here,” I say, whispering so the sound of my own voice doesn’t startle me.
Sometimes, all I have is a flashlight and a stick. Morton gave me the stick after that first time I came through alone. Linc had been on assignment and I’d come alone.  I was a shaking mess by the time I’d reached the entrance. It’d taken me two hours to muster the courage to leave. Titus had sent security to look for me. I’d almost blown it despite Linc’s assurances that he’d remotely masked my GPS reading.
Now I have the scrambler. Linc made me promise not to use it unless absolutely necessary. He’s programmed it to redirect instead. “Remember how Williams ran in all crazy-eyed when he thought he lost you? Yeah, scrambling does that. We don’t want to alert the cavalry. Only divert them.”
I agreed and let him do the fancy finger swiping—but only if he promised to show me the workings of the device later.
I use my stick like a cane, lightly tapping the floor and wall as I shuffle forward. I don’t like the darkness here. I don’t like darkness anywhere. It feels too unpredictable. Darkness, like memory, is the sort of thing people disappear into and never surface from again.
After my previous trips navigating this tunnel, I should be accustomed to the pressing blackness. The dampness. The slimy walls and squeaky rodents I imagine scampering around at my feet. But it’s still just as terrifying as the first time Obadiah brought me here. I wish there was a better hiding place for them, but so far, I haven’t found one.
I fumble for Linc’s hand and slip my fingers through his, pulling them tight until we’re hooked securely together. Linc squeezes once, and I am reassured enough to press on. “Ready?” he asks.
“Ready,” I say.
“Let’s go.”
We move slowly, dragging our feet to detect any change in the floor.  My shoes, black ankle boots that lace up the side, scuff louder than Linc’s. I scowl at the sound—and that my wardrobe is not exactly ideal for a covert outing.
Two right turns and a low overhang of metal piping later, Linc stops. There is the slightest bit of shadowed light filtering from the path that veers left before abruptly disappearing. It’s enough to create a silhouette of Linc’s features. He hovers in front of me, his body language protective even in the absence of danger.
“Why are we stopping?” I ask, breathless from anxiety and Linc’s proximity. Now that I can see him, my senses are on alert and I am aware of how close—and how alone—we are down here in the depths of the warehouse district.
In answer, Linc leans forward and cups my cheeks with his hands. His mouth hovers less than a breath away and he whispers, “I just wanted a minute alone with you.” His lips brush the edges of my mouth. “Is that all right?”
I nod and wait, mouth open and eyes closed, for our lips to connect. When they do, it sends a ripple of pleasure through me. A small noise escapes me and Linc deepens the kiss. I am lost in a sea of passion and disbelief that these feelings are mine to experience. Linc’s tongue slips out to trace the inside of my lip and my knees weaken. I wrap my arms around his shoulders for support and lean into him. I could kiss him forever and the miracle of it would still never grow old.
His mouth leaves mine to trail kisses across my cheek. “Linc …” I whisper. His hands drift lower, cupping my hips. His mouth dips to my neck and finds its way to the space just below my ear. I shiver.
“God, I love the way you feel in my arms,” he murmurs.
I offer silent agreement in the form of more kisses.
Linc’s hands wander, slipping underneath the gauzy fabric of my blouse and working their way up my ribs. His fingertips graze the underwire of my bra. I tense.
He backs off, lowering his hands to my waistline while slowly tempering our kisses. Even so, by the time he pulls away, my chest rises and falls heavily.
I reach up and trace his lips with my fingertip. Their shape is curving and I recognize a smile. I can feel his eyes on me, a delicious tingle of awareness that trails over my skin and down my back.
I hope he’ll kiss me again.

*********************

If you want to read more YA romantic teasers, check out these other YA Storytellers:

Liz Long

LM Preston

Christy Sloat

Kasi Blake

Interview with Liz Long, YA Author

Friday Fun: An author to author interview series by the Society of YA Storytellers. Author Liz Long stopped by the blog today for a fun Friday the 13th author interview. You can find me returning the favor here. 
Thanks for stopping by, Liz. I can't wait to check out your books!

What would we find in your refrigerator right now?

Brita pitcher, sweet tea, spaghetti leftovers, maybe butter and cream cheese, and sandwich meat. Hunh. Sounds like I need a grocery store trip.

If you got arrested, what would be your crime?

Honestly? Probably verbally assaulting an idiot.

Werewolf or Vampire? 

Werewolf - they can walk around in the daylight, too. Plus, that whole drinking blood thing sort of gives me the heebs AND the jeebs.

If you took the aptitude test from Divergent, which faction would you be assigned to?

I'd say Amity (the Peaceful). I'm laidback and pretty upbeat, plus I'm definitely more a creative type than anything else. I like to keep the peace and avoid confrontation.

What is your favorite scary movie? 

Scary movies aren't high on my preferred watching list, but I've always remembered Scream really setting that sit-on-the-edge-of-your-seat bar.

You write YA and we have to know: Describe yourself as a teenager:

I was pretty quiet and preferred keeping to myself and reading a lot. I had plenty of friends and participated in things like Colorguard/marching band and Yearbook, but I spent far more time sitting alone on my balcony under the stars, writing in journals and obsessing over Harry Potter.

About you, as the writer:

What do you write?

Fantasy! 

What are you working on now?

I'm about to release my third book: Burned, A Donovan Circus Novel, which is the second in the series. Next up is an NA title with a unique twist on Reapers.

Which of your characters is most like you?

I would probably have to say Lucy - while I'm not as fiery as her, I tend to let my snark get ahead of me. I also try to think logically about all my options, and above all value my relationships with family and friends. 

About LIz:

I am lucky enough to have my dream job as the Social Media Editor atLeisureMedia360, where I run the social sites (blogs, website, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest) for our publications: The Roanoker, Blue Ridge Country, and bridebook. I also write articles for print issues, though my focus is online content. I will be leading social media workshops at the 2014Roanoke Writers Conference and over the next year for work-related interests. I was an editor and writer at Bella Magazine, as well as a marketing associate at a small book publishing firm in Nashville, TN. I’ve also worked for publicity in radio and newspaper. (Now you know I have some experience with the articles I write for you.)

And if that doesn’t do it for you, I was a hipster and did the fan fiction writing and online socializing thing back when the Internet was still a baby. Now I wish someone had taught me code so I could’ve built Facebook (and subsequently a small fortune) first.

Let’s rock this. Got questions or comments? I’d love to hear from you! Email me at lizclong@gmail.com!

Twitter: @LizCLong

website: http://lizclong.com/

Thanks, Liz! Happy Friday the 13th!!!