I was thrilled last week to see my upcoming September 2nd release WARRIOR, take out the SWOON AWARD on a reviewer’s website. She gave PROTECTOR (book one in the series) an honourable mention for its swoony scenes, although here’s what she had to say about WARRIOR (book two)–
Holly Underhill, YA/NA Reviewer — “I’m loving this series! So different and cool, and I just loved Silas’s and Hope’s relationship. 4.5 Stars.”
Her full review will be out on release day, but here’re the two SWOONY EXCERPTS which won the award.
–ooOoo–
“Missed you. Really missed you.” He kissed me, so fiercely I almost fainted again. He pulled back, a bare inch, his gaze darting all over me. “How do you feel? Your heart’s finally beating right. I’ve been so worried. You won’t ever do that to me again. Do you hear me?”
I flicked out my hands as they tingled, as blood raced through and returned to them. Even the red patches of sunburn on the backs of my hands healed with my restored skill. I sighed and wrapped my arms around his neck. “Righto, but you deserve some more lip action, and not the telling-off sort.”
No sooner were the words out than he took my breath away with a soul-claiming kiss. So hot. His need swirled through me as I dug my mind deeper into my sweet spot.
Oh, I was not leaving his mind, or his mouth.
He stroked along my shoulders, down my sides and over my hips.
My heart raced.
–ooOoo–
Silas’s sword clattered to the ground as he rolled off the couch and stared at me. Then he was no longer there. He ’ported the ten feet then wrapped his arms around me like bands of steel. “Are you real?”
Cupping his face in my hands, I grinned. “Kiss me and find out.”
Pushing me against the wall at my back, he did, or devoured was more like it.
I couldn’t think straight, and in that instant I didn’t care. I wanted him and only him.
Oh sweet heaven. More.
“We need privacy.” I clutched his shirtfront, my world spinning. “Bedroom. Now.”
–ooOoo–
I hope you enjoyed that. I can’t wait for WARRIOR to release.
BUT THERE’S MORE…
I’ve got an exciting project underway. I’ve written a novella in my historical HIGHLANDER HEAT line which I’m submitting and *fingers crossed* will be accepted and included in an anthology along with some other awesome authors. This anthology will release early November and is compliments of those authors. I can’t divulge who the publisher is, but I can say this collection of short stories will be FREE. Yay. I love FREE.I’ll keep you all posted on this. 🙂
And lastly, more fabulous news. My contemporary romance, WITNESS PURSUIT, has had its release date brought forward by a month, and will now arrive December 2nd. Wow, my hubby and kiddies haven’t been able to peel me off the ceiling this week. I’m floating on cloud nine.
Anyone else had a great week too? I hope you all have. Drop me a comment if you’d like to. I love hearing from you guys.
I’m here to celebrate this day with you even though I’m a Kiwi from New Zealand. I checked out exactly what Independence Day means to Americans and discovered the 4th of July 1776, was the day history was made as the United States declared its independence from Great Britain. I love that you celebrate this day with parades, shows, games, sports, bonfires, bells and all sorts of other whistles. And the 4th of July is right in the middle of your summer months. Wow. The perfect time to do so.
Although, with it being the middle of winter Down Under, I’m trying to ignore the rain, sleet and snow, and visualize a summer’s day so I can really get into that festive mood.
Hmm, I’ve almost got it.
Nope.
Let me just crank up the heater a little bit more.
No, still not working.
I’ll just shut the curtains so I can’t see the frost covering the ground.
Yep, done. 🙂 I’m there.
Happy 4th of July everyone! Have loads of fun. And to continue the celebrations, if you leave a comment WITH YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS you can go into the draw for a chance to win an ebook copy of PROTECTOR. Simply let me know what you’re doing this 4th of July since I’ve never celebrated one before. 🙂 Also, the winner will be chosen on July 9th 2013, and I’ll contact you via email to organise your prize.
PROTECTOR
To love and protect…across worlds.
Eighteen-year-old Faith Stryker is prepared to leap out into the unknown world beyond her home shores of New Zealand to experience life. Only she never expected to encounter Magio, a planet with two warring countries, where its people reach adulthood at eighteen by coming into their strength and prophetic abilities. Only after Faith discovers she’s a Halfling–thanks to her warrior father she’s never met–does her own skill of forethought develop.
Peacio’s Prince Davio Loveria is sent to the young Faith Stryker by his grandfather, but not all goes as planned. Davio discovers Faith isn’t just a Halfling, she’s also his soul-bound mate–an intense relationship he cannot, nor will not, give up.
With two wars now waging…one of land and the other of the heart…can the young lovers find their place in the world?
Keep hopping–You can find the complete list of participating authors right HERE.
Also, and only if you wish to, please consider “liking” my Facebook author page. For your convenience the link is just over on the right-hand sidebar. 🙂
If you’d like to add Protectorto your TBR list, here’s the link for Goodreads. Or it’s on the sidebar as well.
And for those keen on checking out Protector’s trailer on YouTube,it’s just below–>
Book Trailer:
Thank you so much for dropping by, and I wish you and yours a wonderful day.
Now, this is one other-worldly beach I’d like to visit.
Also, stay tuned, because at the end of the post I’m sharing some exciting news on my latest book submission. 🙂
World-building is a subject close to my heart. As a child some of my favorite books transported me directly into the new world the author had built. This started my love for the fantasy, science fiction and paranormal genres. There’s such a magical element to these stories where world-building occurs, and it’s also the ultimate opportunity for an author to allow their imagination to soar.
This imagination though needs a few parameters to keep the author’s world-building realistic and true. So, here are some crucial pointers for those authors wanting to world-build.
Firstly, determine whether your new world will be present day, futuristic, medieval, etc, and then keep in context the elements available on this planet to sustain it and your characters.
World-building takes research. You need to have a basic understanding of physics to ensure your invented planet doesn’t stray too far from the believable. Consider how life will be supported. How the society on your new world looks and acts.
Are the people human or something else? Maybe they’re based on mythology? Whatever you choose, keep in mind how our own world works. We understand the levels of structure. We care for each other, our planet and the animals we share it with. I’m pointing this out so you don’t go creating a world of people who only care about themselves and no one else. That could only lead to the potential extinction of the race you’ve just created.
Consider elements of travel. Are there space ships? If there are, what means have you provided to source and build these vessels, and then fly them?
Perhaps you’ve created magical means of travel. If you have, is time-travel involved? How are you going to incorporate this into the world you’ve built?
What kinds of laws govern this new world? And how do your characters fit into it? What kind of belief system is there? Are there other languages?
Never forget, that world-building can take a little time and practice to get just right. You’re after drawing your reader into a place that could realistically exist. Anything is possible, but it’s only believable if there are sustainable physics behind it. Lastly, get excited, because there is nothing more intriguing than building a new world and bringing your reader along on an incredible journey far beyond our shores. I certainly love where writing fantasy leads me. Oh yeah, our world is no longer the limit.
Lastly, I have some fabulous news, and I feel just like this puppy. I’m on the ride of my life.
And the news: ENCHANTER, book three in my YA (Magio-Earth) fantasy series has gone under contract with Lyrical Press, NY, with a release date of 5th May 2014. I’m beyond excited to see my series take flight the way it has. There are certainly a number of books still to come, each one featuring a different hero and heroine, and all with your favourite characters intermingled within. Huge thanks to the amazing Penny Barber and Renee Rocco of Lyrical Press. Also, a massive thank you to everyone who crossed their fingers and toes for me, for all your supportive tweets, emails and comments. You guys rock!
I wish you all a week as wonderful as mine has so far been, and if you want to drop a comment, make sure you do. I love hearing from you all.
What a magical moment I had last Wednesday. WARRIOR’s cover arrived from my publisher, which meant I spent the entire day printing off copies and pinning them around the house. Yep, my hubby and kiddies couldn’t walk anywhere without seeing the image. So, huge thanks to Renee Rocco of Lyrical Press NY for her skilful hand at cover-art.
Warrior is book two in my YA fantasy romance series. Each book features a new heroine and hero, and Warrior is the story of Hope and Silas. Although the characters from the first book, Protector, feature prominently throughout the second, so you’ll not miss catching up with Faith and Davio along the way. Also, as both the heroines from the two books are from the famed Wincrest line, the images of the two girls are strikingly similar. So, here it is, WARRIOR’s cover. I hope you enjoy.
WARRIOR ~~ Magio-Earth Book Two ~~ Young Adult, Fantasy, Romance.
COMING ~~ November 4th 2013 with Lyrical Press NY.
~~~
WARRIOR’s blurb
To love and protect…across worlds.
On planet Magio, Princess Hope Wincrest, of Dralion is on a quest to discover the lost heritage of a mother she’s never known. While in the Australian Outback, her home away from home, her warrior father warns her she is about to meet an enemy protector whom she must work with to uncover her heritage.
Silas Carver, of Peacio on planet Magio, follows his soul’s call only to discover his soul-bound mate is an enemy of his people. Dralion and Peacio are at war. He demands Hope release him from their bond, and she will, after he helps her learn about her mother.
Eighteen-year-old Hope’s adult strength abilities are emerging and one of them could be deadly to her. She must lay her life in Silas’s hands during a journey deep into foreign lands. Theirs is a battle of the heart and of the land. Can the mated pair find their place with each other in a world at war?
If you’d like to add WARRIOR to your TBR list, the link is here–> Goodreads.
Thanks so much for joining me in celebrating the release of my cover. I’m currently working hard on Book Three in the series, and having a blast writing Silvie’s story. She’s one fiery redhead who knows how to have fun. I should have this one ready to send out for submission at the end of May. So close. I can’t wait. If you want to drop me a comment, you know I love hearing from you.
I wish you all a safe and wonderful week. Catch ya later.
Without a doubt, YA (young adult) is a very hot genre to write. It’s been around for a while, although there was a turning point in 2008 when it truly exploded. A number of writers tried their hand at it. Some found YA was for them, and others discovered writing this genre is tougher than it looks. Although, YA isn’t about to slow down anytime soon. Readers of YA are committed. They’re always after more, and for writers of this genre, we’re here to deliver.
Now, what makes YA so popular?
Those teen years we go through, are an incredible time. They’re exciting, fun, awful, painful, scary, amazing, and everything in between. It’s when we discover the world and where we fit in. In our teen years, our emotions are pure, and all that we go through is intense and totally confusing.
That’s why YA captures such a wide-ranging readership base. It crosses the generations, and is read by young adults and adults alike. There is no age barrier to YA. Even my 88-year-old grandmother has recently read my YA fantasy romance. It was her first foray into this genre, and she was fascinated by how enthralled she became. (Phew.) The story reminded her of the time she lived by the seat-of-her-pants. (Yep, seat-of-her-pants. She was such a rebel in her younger years.) She wants more YA–and just like that, she’s hooked.
So, let’s cover what YA writers should be aware of. There are certainly some points to note.
YA books focus on the essence of what teens go through, and I’m not talking about learning to drive a car, going to prom, or that very first date.
YA readers are smart. They want deep storylines, and fast-paced action, so don’t even attempt to write simple. Teens will spot simple a mile away, and just get annoyed.
In fact, it’s often said writers must pay attention to the three core questions which should be at the heart of every YA novel.
Who am I?
Where do I belong?
How do I get there?
A ton of new questions can arise from these three core ones, but fundamentally they make great building blocks when writing YA.
Your characters are about to take the journey in discovering the answers they seek. There’ll be struggles and mistakes, bends and twists in the road, triumphs and tears, but that’s how teens uncover all life has to offer. The journey they undertake must be deep. They must challenge themselves to sort out any inner fears and frustrations, and while doing so, remain completely relatable.
All in all, YA books are about teens coming to terms with who they are, and experiencing all life’s ups and downs along the way.
Okay, so if you’re after some YA novel guidelines, here are some helpful pointers.
So far, there are no forbidden subjects, but whatever you delve into must be done with sensitivity and care, taking into account the age of the teen reader. Often we can allude to something, and then fade out the scene. The YA reader is smart, and they’ll be aware of what’s happened.
Overall, teens will identify more strongly with the character’s feelings, and this is why intense situations don’t always need to be written in.
Characters are teens, and aged within those years.
YA novels generally run between 40,000-75,000, but you will find books either side of that. If there is a particular publisher you’re after then make sure you check out their website’s submission guidelines to see if they have a preferred word count.
There are also no vocabulary restrictions for YA, but make certain any coarse language is age or topic appropriate.
YA is predominantly written in 1st or 3rd Person (I said, or she said.) Although there are some in 2nd Person (you say.)
And lastly, any subgenre is enjoyed, like fantasy, romance, paranormal, contemporary, sci-fi, historical, mystery, adventure, humor. There are no limitations on this.
I hope this post has been helpful for those writers wanting to delve into YA, or for those who just want to know a little more about this intriguing genre. Even in writing this post, I was surprised by how much I had to share. YA is certainly not easy to write, although it’s incredibly enjoyable.
If you have any questions, just leave me a comment. I love hearing from you. And if you’d like to read a YA novel, one getting some fab 4&5 Star reviews, then PROTECTOR’s buy links are just below. Enjoy, and take care this week.
I was thrilled last week to see my upcoming September 2nd release WARRIOR, take out the SWOON AWARD on a reviewer’s website. She gave PROTECTOR (book one in the series) an honourable mention for its swoony scenes, although here’s what she had to say about WARRIOR (book two)–
