A to Z Challenge 2013 - B is for Books

I'm posting snippets from a story for this year's challenge.

You can enjoy them on their own, or you can read the complete abbreviated tale starting with A.

  B IS FOR BOOKS

Danielle bent to retrieve some books she'd knocked off the desk during the fight. “No, Libby ran into her father's room.” She paused after setting the books on the desktop and smiled. “That's another longing I'd love to explore too. That man is smoking hot.”

Really, Danielle. You need to keep your mind on the job. Fenn's words were clipped by his Nordic accent. You do realize this is the third time we've killed a monster in Libby's room. It's highly unusual.

“I know.” Danielle's lips thinned. She picked up a stuffed monkey and set it gently on the bed. “She's having a rough time of it. Her mom died a few years ago, and there's only her and her dad. He's a good guy, a really good guy, but he has to work. She's lonely and scared. I'm surprised we don't see more kids with multiple monsters.”

That's because when the monster is slain, the edge of fear that created it is gone. They're past it and they move on. Fenn lectured. It doesn't mean the fear is gone, but the power in it is. Children grow up and their fears no longer have the magic to create monsters.

A to Z Challenge 2013 - A is for Apples

It's the first day of the 2013 A to Z Challenge! Yay!

I'm so excited. I can't wait to read your blogs and see what you've come up with this year.

Thank you so much to the A to Z Team. You guys are amazing.

If you haven't joined the challenge yet, there's still time. Click here!

This year I'll be sharing snippets from a story we'll call Fearless 2.

It's not a sequel, but it takes place in the same world as the story I wrote last year for the challenge.

You won't need to read Fearless to enjoy this story, but you can pick up your copy for free!

A IS FOR APPLES

 

The gangster mummy burst like a pinata. There were no candies were razor sharp teeth, but those were almost preferable to the black sludge. It was thick like tar and smelled like rotten apples.

Danielle Sawyer stood with her legs apart in a ready stance. The blue glow radiating from her wickedly curved blades faded before the weapons retracted into her hands. Body relaxing, she prodded the pile of goo with the toe of her boot. “Where's the withered zombie body?”

You were hoping for a zombie? Please don't tell me you were hoping for a zombie. Fenn sighed.

“Well, I've never fought a zombie before. You'd think they'd be more common these days.” Danielle wiped her hands on her jeans. “Though I guess I can count the mummy as a zombie. That's all they are, right? Zombies done up in fancy packaging.”

Yes, whatever you say. Fancy packaging, indeed. Fenn sniffed. Where's the child, by the way? You didn't forget her in your longing for a zombie, did you?

One day until the A to Z Challenge!

One more day until the A to Z Challenge!

Are you ready?!

I'm ready and bouncing in my chair.

In case any of you missed my A to Z reveal, I'll be posting snippets from another story from the world of the Fearless this year. Last year was so much fun, and I got a great response, but the one complaint was that my posts were too long. Hopefully everyone will enjoy bits of the story as much as they did the full story.

This is also not a sequel to FEARLESS.

I know how loved Tawa is. And Abby and Demetrius.

Yet there are hundreds of Fearless around the world. So many stories to tell.

This April, you'll meet Danielle and her guide Fenn.

You don't need to read the original story to enjoy this one. All you need to remember is that the Fearless battle monsters born of children's imaginations like monster under the bed or in the closet.

Onward, A to Z warriors!

You can do it!

Winner of Frailties of the Bond giveaway

Thank you to everyone who stopped by and commented on the Frailties of the Bond book blitz! I'm reading the book right now and I'm loving it.

The lucky winner of the giveaway is

Dana at The Daily Dose!

Congratulations to Dana! 

Wish The Awakening review

Blurb:

Most residents of Pine Hill shy away from seventeen-year-old Lelah without knowing why. It’s the Djinn magic surging through her blood. She lives in a world where wishes are really curses, dark power meant to twist and deceive in unimaginable ways.

When a fit of temper exposes Lelah for what she really is, she must flee to a sanctuary only whispered about, before her family is exposed and enslaved by their ancient enemy. What she discovers is a treacherous path filled with power, lies, and betrayal – a path that’s destined to ensnare her and destroy a civilization.

My review:
Lelah may be a Djinni, one of the most powerful beings on Earth, but she only wants to fit in with the humans at her school. She loses control when she sees her best friend about to be attacked and causes a horrible disaster, killing several students. Lelah flees and searches out Sanctuary, a safe place for the Djinn. Yet it is there she discovers something more frightening: her destiny is tied to the survival of her race and humans. She's manipulated and confused, not even sure she can trust her best friend any more. Lelah must find the truth amongst the lies or be used as a tool to eliminate the human race.

The idea of the Djinn hooked me immediately. Laura Eno has created a fascinating mythos, but there's still plenty of mystery surrounding these beings. Their power can destroy civilization, but I love it that wishes are double-edged swords. It's no wonder the Djinn see "wish" as a bad word. Most of the Djinn keep to their own kind and see humans as slaves, but Lelah is different. She grew up around humans. Her big heart might get her in trouble, but it's her compassion that makes her so likable.

The plot is twisty with so few people that Lelah can trust. There's a light touch of romance. It's easy enough to get distracted by a gorgeous smile and a good kisser after all. The immensity of everything else overshadows the romance, though. It's an amazing start to the series. I can't wait to see what Laura Eno has in store for us next.

Purchase links: KindleUS * KindleUK * Nook * Smashwords * Trade Paperback

Author bio: Laura Eno lives in Florida with a very tolerant husband, three skulking cats and two absurdly happy dogs. After spending years immersed in English literature courses, she now writes novels late at night with the help of muses from the underworld.

Find Laura at: Website * Facebook * Twitter * Goodreads 

Frailties of the Bond book blitz & giveaway

In Frailties of the Bond, it only takes one bite to change a life.

Two teens...
Two lies...

Their paths collide...
When one bite changes a life.

Excerpt:

I parked in front of Geekout, our video game and RPG hang out, then walked the few paces to where Mouse stood. “Tell me you didn’t.” I smiled, knowing full well she’d bought a new outfit for our little venture.

“Perfect timing!” she squealed, dumping her purchases with Matt and yanking me, Charlie, and Shelley back inside.

It was the only place vampires could shop no matter what time of day. No windows. No sun.

I loved looking at the clothes, mostly Old World fashions and fabrics for tailor made outfits, with a few of them on display. Alessandro , the owner, kept a close eye to the “What’s hot, What’s not” section of the PQ. I adored being in the know, but I wasn’t into the trends.

I loved my high top converses and Doc Marten boots. Graphic tees every day of the week. Cargo jeans with ten pockets and “NO” to cute capris. Mom taught me how to walk in heels but I stayed away from them as much as possible.

Before I could whine, Mouse had me in front of the corsets, a red half-piece held aloft for inspection. “You have your mother’s double-decker cleavage but your father’s ripped abs. I would hate you if you weren’t my friend."

I rolled my eyes.

She tsked. “Let’s get Alessandro to measure you.”

I opened my mouth. “I--”

Mouse lifted her finger. Alessandro quickened to us in a blur.

“Miss Chevelianne, how may I assist you again?” He bowed to Mouse.

When he lifted his eyes to me, I noticed a flicker of shadow quickly replaced by sky blue.

“Are the garments I sold you not meeting your needs?” He focused on Mouse. “We can certainly rectify that if -”

“No,” Mouse interrupted, flashing her winning smile. “My friend here needs something.” She didn’t give my name. Not needed. Older fangs knew me as a freak of nature, the blood sucker born from the womb instead of turned like a real vampire. I’d heard the whispers and let them be.

 Purchase links: Amazon * B&N * Kobo

Author bio: Born and raised in Little Rock, AR, Angela now calls Central Texas home.

Reading and writing have been lifelong passions. It was around the time she gave birth to her forever-love, nicknamed Chipmunk, that she really took writing seriously. After all, how could she teach her child to follow her dreams if she hadn't tried herself?

As a YA fantasy/sci-fi reader and author, she favors the magical, mysterious, the darker side of life...even harbors a secret fright for things that go bump in the night.

NEVERLOVE is a special project spawned from a blog-challenge-turned-blog-opera, the Abby and Basil affair. It is the first in the Shadow Jumpers series.

FRAILTIES OF THE BOND is the first in a series of novellas and short stories introducing heroes and heroines of the secret organization, NEO – Network of Extraordinaires and Otherwordlies.

Here's where to find Angela: 

Blog * Goodreads * Twitter * Amazon * Partners in ParanormYA * PIP Facebook

GIVEAWAY!
You can win a digital copy of Frailties of the Bond by commenting on this post. Please be sure to leave your email address and the format you wish the ebook to be in if you win.
The winner will be chosen on the 30th by Random.org.  

I survived my interview with Tammy Theriault

Barely.

Don't miss the craziness! Tammy Theriault interviewed me, and look, I didn't jump off the roof of my house! Ignore the limp. The drainpipe didn't hold.

She asked the most intelligent thought-provoking interesting questions. Yes, interesting is a term we can apply to it. I was left wondering how many princesses she has buried in her backyard.

And guess what? YOU could be the next honored interviewee. Tammy still has some slots open for interviews. Pop on over and let her know you'd love to sit down for a chat with such an insane, I mean, lovely woman. Go on. You know you want to!