Promo - A review

This review really made my day. The young characters in Flight are based loosely on my grandchildren. One of my daughters gave me a child with signs in Air, Water. Earth and Fire. Janet

Flight by Janet Lane Walters
Publisher: Mundania Press
Genre: Action/Adventure, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Age Recommendation: 12+
Length: Full Length (233 pgs)
Rating: 4 Suns
Reviewed by Aloe

"We’ve been betrayed." Those words spoken by the Dom and Doma of the Wesren henge awaken their four children—two sets of male-female twins.

Each child has an affinity for one of the four elements—earth, air, fire and earth. In secret, the young teens flee their home to seek a place of safety and teachers to hone their control. They use their emerging talents in ways they never imagined.

Will their quest succeed or will they become pawns of He Who Walks In Darkness?
Would you like to have an affinity that is magical and gives you powers? What if you aren’t sure how to use or what to do with it?

This is the story of two sets of twins that have such a talent. The oldest twins are just celebrating their 14th name day when disaster hits. Soldiers are at the gate and a rival Dom is ready to take over their henge (a castle-like structure).

Ash is the oldest and is given responsibility for her twin and two younger siblings. They are guided into a secret tunnel and sent out into the woods and on to a neighboring community named Cedris. Their parents remain behind.

What intrigued me about this story was that it included two sets of twins and magic. They are young and just beginning to understand what their abilities are, but they don’t have full control of their magic yet. And then the world they know falls apart…

The author does a good job of expressing their loneliness, fear and insecurities in the traveling they have to do and the new life they must begin. The siblings all have their strengths and weaknesses. The youngest girl is very impetuous and impulsive. There is squabbling between the siblings as well as very nasty dangers facing the group. There is good and evil in the world they live in, and they are caught in the middle with no guidance on how to proceed. The characters are resourceful, full of spirit and resilient. They also make a few mistakes along the way, which makes them seem more human.

This is a fast-paced, well-written story that grips you and carries you along, wanting to see what is going to happen next. The world this author created has richness and poverty, enslaves and tortures children and adults, and rival groups seeking power. You can feel the children’s terror, admire their ability to find food and survive, and you know they can’t trust anyone they meet.

The book indicates this is the first novel in a series, and two more are planned. I’m glad. This was an entertaining read and has just enough danger and imagination to keep your attention. I’m looking forward to seeing how the twins conquer their problems.

Virtual Book Tour

Crossed Out Virtual Book Tour August ‘10

Authors on Tour, Featured — By Dorothy Thompson on July 1, 2010 at 1:41 am




Join Kim Baccellia, author of the young adult fiction novel, Crossed Out (Lachesis Publishing), as she virtually tours the blogosphere in August ‘10 on her second virtual book tour with Pump Up Your Book!



About Kim Baccellia

Kim Baccellia has always been a sucker for the paranormal. She blames it on her families’ love for such things such as having picnics at cemeteries, visiting psychics, and reading her mother’s copies of the daily horoscope. She even had her own horoscope column in middle school, which was a big hit! Kim’s other works include the poem, “My Father”, which appears in the anthology Mind Mutations, published by The Sun Rising Press. Her essay about the adoption of her son, Finally, Our Turn, appeared in Adoptive Families magazine. Her YA multicultural fantasy, Earrings of Ixtumea, is published by Virtual Tales and available now at Amazon. A member of SCBWI, Kim is currently writing the sequel to Crossed Out, her latest paranormal young adult fiction novel. She’s also putting the finishing touches on an upper MG fantasy No Goddesses Allowed. She lives in Southern California with her husband and son.



You can visit her website at www.kimbaccellia.com.



About Crossed Out

Following the light can’t be that hard, right? So why don’t the dead just do it and leave Stephanie Steward alone? However nothing is ever as simple as it should be as Stephanie learns when her hidden ‘gift’ becomes more than a nuisance, quickly turning into a liability. If she can’t learn to trust someone with her secret, the world as she knows it will go to hell. Literally. But if she doesn’t choose wisely, she might just end up learning firsthand how hard it is to follow that light. Because she’s next on the list to be crossed out.





Crossed Out Tour Schedule

Monday, August 2

Book spotlighted at Examinerhttp://www.examiner.com/los_angeles



Tuesday, August 3

Interviewed at Review From Herehttp://reviewfromhere.com/



Wednesday, August 4

Interviewed at As the Pages Turnhttp://asthepagesturn.wordpress.com/

Book spotlighted at Between the Covershttp://bookexcerpts.wordpress.com/



Thursday, August 5

Interviewed at Literarily Speakinghttp://literarilyspeaking.net/



Friday, August 6

Guest blogging at Literarily Speakinghttp://literarilyspeaking.net/

Interviewed at Pump Up Your Bookhttp://www.pumpupyourbook.com/



Monday, August 9

Interviewed at Blogcriticshttp://blogcritics.org/



Tuesday, August 10

Guest blogging at A Fanatic’s Book Bloghttp://www.afanaticbookblog.blogspot.com/

Guest blogging at The Bookish Typehttp://www.thebookishtype.blogspot.com/



Wednesday, August 11

Guest blogging at The Writer’s Lifehttp://www.thewriterslife.blogspot.com/

Book reviewed at A Fanatic’s Book Bloghttp://www.afanaticbookblog.blogspot.com/

Book reviewed at The Bookish Typehttp://www.thebookishtype.blogspot.com/



Thursday, August 12

Guest blogging at The Book Boosthttp://www.thebookboost.blogspot.com/



**And more to come!  Come by and visit.  Leave a comment for a chance to win a signed copy of Crossed Out and other swag!



Kim Baccellia’s CROSSED OUT VIRTUAL BLOG TOUR ‘10 will officially begin on August 2 and end on August 27, ‘10.

Virtual Book Tour

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Beverly Stowe McClure
E-mail: Beverlysmcclure(at)aol(dot)com

TRAVEL BACK IN TIME

Imagine living in a cave, the earth quivering with each cannon shot, dust sifting down in your hair and your eyes, the walls threatening to collapse and bury you alive.

Iowa Park, TX June 15, 2010. Author’s novel explores the effects of the American Civil War on one family’s life through the eyes of the young daughter. Travel along with Beverly Stowe McClure on her Virtual Book Tour, August 2nd through the 13th and meet the Stamford family in their daily struggle to survive a changing way of life. Follow the blogs below. Be sure to leave a comment for the chance to win a signed copy of Caves, Cannons, and Crinolines.









Mon. Aug. 2: http://childrensandteensbookconnection.wordpress.com/ - Cheryl Malandrinos



Tues. Aug. 3: http://thewritingjungle.blogspot.com/ - Lea Schizas



Wed. Aug. 4: http://sgcardin.blogspot.com/ - Stephanie Burkhart



Thur. Aug. 5: http://

Crystal wizard (Kelly) and Jean Lauzier



Fri. Aug. 6: http://nasharpe.blogspot.com/ Interview and Guest Post http://cybrarianbookreviews.blogspot.com/ Review - N. A. Sharpe



Sat. Aug. 7: Book signing at Tom Burnett Memorial Library, Iowa Park, TX. 11AM to 1 PM.



Sun. Aug. 8: http://trtbookclub.blogspot.com/ - Teens Read Too, Jen Wardrip



Mon. Aug. 9: http://joyce-anthony.blogspot.com/ - Joyce Anthony Interview



Tue. Aug. 10: http://joyce-anthony.blogspot.com/ - Joyce Anthony Review



Tue. Aug. 10: http://blogcritics.org/ - Mayra Calvani



Wed. Aug. 11: http://katiehines.blogspot.com/ - Katie Hines



Thur. Aug. 12: http://donna-mcdine.blogspot.com/ - Donna M. McDine Guest Post



Thur. Aug. 12 http://pennylockwoodehrenkranz.blogspot.com/ - Penny Lockwood Ehrenkranz Guest Post



Fri. Aug. 13: http://pennylockwoodehrenkranz.blogspot.com/ - Penny Lockwood Ehrenkranz Review



Fri. Aug. 13: http://blogs.bethbencereinke.com/bethsbooksbasket/ Beth Bence Reinke



About the author: Beverly Stowe McClure is the author of novels for teens including Just Breeze, Listen to the Ghost, Secrets I Have Kept, Rebel in Blue Jeans, and her latest Caves, Cannons, and Crinolines. A native Texan she lives in the country with her husband, cat, and a variety of wild critters.



# # #

Book Trailer for When Mike Kissed Emma

Last year as I was anticipating the publication of When Mike Kissed Emma, I decided to put together a book trailer. The idea being much like a movie trailer, it gives a visual impression of the book and hopefully induces someone to want to read it.

I put it together myself, and even snuck in a couple of pictures of my kids among the stock photos I bought. It was a lot of fun to make and I eagerly await my next book sale so I can make another one!

Intro - JennaKay Francis

A new place, a new beginning. Again. How often have I encountered a blank white page, paper or electronic, and wanted to fill it with words? I've lost count. Sometimes the words flow easily, as if an unseen narrator were feeding them to me. Other times, not so much. It's a struggle to get the words out, in the right order, making sense. Lately, it's been a struggle. I'm not sure why.

I've written dozens of books, some good, some not so much. I've written in different genres - science fiction, childrens, fantasy, erotica. I have to say that I'm the most comfortable in the fantasy genre. Although I did pen a short piece for Hitchcock Magazine way back in the day. It was for a contest and, although I didn't win, I did get an honorable mention.

I started working on my YA series The Guardians of Glede about 20 years ago. Yes, 20 years. It doesn't seem like it's been that long, though. I worked and reworked and reworked that first book; in fact the first three chapters. Then finally, I changed the main character's race and it all clicked together. The first three books discharged like a rocket on its way into space.

I had never intended on writing three books, let alone the 26 that now fill the series. I am playing around with book 27 even now. In the meantime, I tossed in three vampire books and three stand alone fantasy romances, plus a couple of erotic romances.

Now? I procrastinate. I find other things to occupy my time. I edit. I read. I refinish furniture. I contemplate. I always feel that I don't so much as create a story as I do simply retell it. The characters speak to me and I listen. Sometimes they take a break. And so do I.

But now, I feel another book burbling below the surface of my consciousness. I am waiting patiently for it to gel, come together, form itself. And I will be once again filling that blank, white page with words.

JennaKay Francis
http://www.jennakayfrancis.com

Not on Oprah

Hi, you've probably never heard of me and that's why I'm here and not on Oprah. Or maybe that's because I've never been on Oprah. No matter, the point is that I am part of this new blog because I fit the description: A YA Author You've Never Heard Of.

Or, perhaps you have heard of me, in which case I have to say: "Hi, Mom!"

So, about a year ago something happened that I'd been dreaming about since I was twelve. I had a book published. A book that people could buy and read and take to the beach with them. Is that not the stuff of dreams?

And my life changed forever from that day forward.

Okay, actually nothing changed at all, except that I could call myself a writer and produce a book to back that claim up. I still had to get the kids to school and do the laundry and the grocery shopping. The house still didn't clean itself (this is the 21st century, shouldn't we have self-cleaning houses by now?)

My book officially released while we were on vacation at Busch Gardens, so I took the book with me and made sure to include it in our vacation photos. I also brought in on the flume ride, which was probably a mistake - I can definitely tell which copy of the book went on vacation with us.

So, while the book: When Mike Kissed Emma, went to Busch Gardens, it did not make it to Oprah, and you probably won't find it in your local bookstore, though you can buy it at various places online.

So, that's a little about me. As the weeks go on, I'll spend time talking about my book and about writing and I'm not sure what else. It will be great to become an author you have heard of! (If Oprah calls, be sure to get her number!)

Finding time

So many people have said to me, "Oh, I wish I could write a book - but I just don't have the time!" (As if time were the only necessary element to writing). I often wonder about that. I'm a pretty busy gal myself. Now I only have one child, so I bow to those authors who are juggling the lives of their three kids, all going in separate directions. But still...
My child is active in two sports a year, and football is a time suck beyond all others. 
I work (part-time) and
go to Graduate School (part-time).
Guess who's Team Mom?
I manage slush for a small publisher
And I am active in two group blogs, plus am my own webmaster and I have my own blog.
I do my own book promotion.
I try and exercise five days a week. (you see how that's at the bottom of the list?)


But I still find time to write.

I think the key to finding writing time is a)scheduling and b) determination. You have to WANT to make time. And if are determined, you can make a schedule and stick to it. During the school year, I wake up at 5:30 am (yes, Virginia, there IS a 5:30 am) to read for school. At least half an hour. If I'm working that day, I have plenty of time to shower and all that. If I'm not working - bonus! I get my son up for school at 6:30 (he's a slow riser, like me). On Sundays I work on school stuff. Sometimes I write in the morning, sometimes at night, but I have a schedule and work around everything to find that writing time.

My schedule is flexible. This is key for me. Mostly I have a word goal of 500 words/day. Some days I write all 500 words at once, sometimes it's 250 in the morning and 250 at night. Sounds weird, but 500 words a day is 3,500 words a week, which is around a chapter for me, depending on what I'm working on. That's how you build a book - one word, one sentence, one paragraph, one chapter at a time. Even if it's 300 words, that's more than you had before, right? Some days I'll write 1,000 words and some 400, but it balances out in the end.

Once we're settled into the football season, I will take my netbook and write there, since practices are pretty much dead time for me. I write at work, when the kids in my class are at special. Or I'll read for school, which frees up some home time. I write at lunch. I take Boy to play at McDonalds and write. When he was little, I wrote while he napped, or in the blessed silence between when he would go to bed and my bedtime. I watch more Netflix than TV now, too. TV is a time suck, even the good shows.

There are all kinds of nooks and crannies of time to be had if you really want to write. Sometimes, other things suffer. I don't exercise as much during the school year (it's about priorities, don't judge me :P ). You might have to say no to things people ask of you. Not that I would know anything about that, I just never can seem to do it. Just squeeze it in - who needs to clean the house, right? You may need to turn off the Facebook and stop Twittering for just a little bit, but make it a reward, like I do - NO INTERNET until the words are done.

I won't give up my writing time, and I don't know a single writer out there who will. This is what we love, and even if we have to give up sleep, it will be done!

Think for a little bit - could you find more time if for something you REALLY want?

Hi! I'm really excited to be a part of this group. YA is sizzling hot right now. Sure, there's other blogs where YA authors help get word out on their books but not really one for small press authors. One thing I learned in my time as both a Cybils panelist and a reviewer for YA Books Central is all that really matters is great writing. Most people aren't aware of the other smaller press out there. I think this group will be great to let others know about us.

I'm a YA author currently with two books out. Earrings of Ixtumea and Crossed Out. I'm a reviewer at YA Books Central. I'm also a reader for an agency.

Next month my YA paranormal Crossed Out will be part of a virtual book tour. I'll be sharing that with everyone too.

Once again I'm excited to be a part of this!

Welcome!

Welcome to the very first post of the YA Authors You've Never Heard of! Please excuse the mess as we are in the middle of setting up and getting the place ready for regular use. A little paint, some furniture...it's going to be great! We'll be all set very soon, and then everyone will introduce themselves and we'll all get to be the best of friends.

Meantime, you're probably wondering what the heck is going on here. Well, that's a good question. I am Christine Norris, and I have four (soon-to-be five) MG and Tween books published. They are not usually in bookstores, and they are not with any publisher you've probably heard of, because they are all with small presses. Most people don't know it, but there are dozens of little tiny publishers in the world. They put out books of every stripe and flavor, every genre you can think of, including Kid Lit. But becasuse the publishers are small, they can get lost in the shuffle. There are some pretty terrific YA books out there that many people never even know about!

So I decided it was high time that these terrific YA authors (and MG too!) get together and make ourselves heard. And the YA Authors You've Never Heard Of club was born. I put out the call for small press YA authors, and the response was fast and furious. We've got a small group to start, but I think we'll be growing quickly.

Anyway, that's who we are and why we're here. I'll let the authors introduce themselves individually once we're all organized. That's why we're here, right - to talk about ourselves! I expect that as we go on we'll do contests and giveaways,  and have all kinds of wacky fun, so pay attention!

Come back soon!