Monday, November 25, 2019

Resistance Audiobook Blog Tour Wrap-Up + Holiday Sales


So, technically, this post should have been up on Saturday. Oops. In my defense, I was not feeling well on Friday when I should have written it and I was gone on Saturday for my twin nephews' belated birthday party. SO. MUCH. CUTENESS. Ahem, anyway, here's a little wrap-up of the audiobook blog tour. Thank you so much to everyone who participated in the tour and helped promote the audiobook on social media last week!

Spotlights
Morgan Elizabeth Huneke
Elrich's Expressions
Read Write Breathe
The Music of a Story
Backing Books
Written Rest
Tricia Mingerink
Perfectly Quirky in Every Way

Author Interviews
Jenna Terese
Author E.E. Rawls
Allison Grace Writes

Narrator Interview
Liv K. Fisher

Giveaway Winners!
Congratulations to The Princess of Dol Amroth, Amanda G. and E. Rawls! I will be contacting you by email with the code for your audiobook download.

If anyone missed out on the tour, you can still find the Resistance audiobook on Audible and iTunes!


For those of you who may be wondering, Lance and I will begin working on The King's Scrolls audiobook in the next month or so! Just as soon as Lance finishes up his current projects. :)


Thanksgiving is coming up this week. I'm going to spend it with the rest of my family at my brother's house surrounded by my four little nephews and niece. <3 Thanksgiving also means lots of sales either started or about to start. Below you will find the sales I have to offer or are participating in.




I also have 20% off on these Etsy shops all this week through Cyber Monday: Nerd Cat Creations, Just the Write Place, and Blue Jay Shoppe.

Monday, November 18, 2019

Resistance Audiobook Blog Tour


I know things have been pretty quiet lately, but this week I'm very excited to be celebrating the release of the Resistance audiobook. I know many have asked about it over the years. I'm glad to finally be at this point and sharing the story in this format. You can listen to a sample of it below and learn more about my narrator, Lance Rasmussen. Be sure to also check out the other blogs that are participating in the tour and enter the giveaway!


Available now on Audible and iTunes!




About the Narrator
Lance Rasmussen is an audiobook narrator and actor based in Denver, CO. A graduate with a BFA in Acting from Utah State University, and an MFA in Acting from Louisiana State University, he now narrates and produces audiobooks from his home studio while working at various regional theaters across the country. More information can be found at www.lanceras.com. Follow him on Instagram at @LCRasmus







Giveaway
Share in the excitement of the release and enter to win one of 3 copies of the Resistance audiobook! Winners will receive a free download code to use on Audible. Open internationally!


Tour Schedule

Monday, November 18
·         Tour Start at Jaye L. Knight
·         Spotlight at Morgan Elizabeth Huneke
·         Spotlight at Elrich's Expressions
·         Spotlight at Read Write Breathe

Tuesday, November 19
·         Author Interview at Jenna Terese
·         Author Interview at Author E.E. Rawls
·         Spotlight at Active-Writing

Wednesday, November 20
·         Narrator Video Interview at Liv K. Fisher
·         Spotlight at Jessica Greyson
·         Spotlight at The Music of a Story

Thursday, November 21
·         Spotlight at Backing Books
·         Author Interview at Inspiration
·         Spotlight at Written Rest

Friday, November 22
·         Spotlight at Tricia Mingerink
·         Author Interview at Allison Grace Writes

Saturday, November 23
·         Spotlight at Perfectly Quirky in Every Way
·         Spotlight at Confessions of a Teenage Bookworm
·         Tour End at Jaye L. Knight

Monday, October 28, 2019

Resistance Audiobook Blog Tour Signup


Hey everyone! I know it’s been a while since there were any updates around here. But the good news is that the Resistance audiobook should be up on Audible and iTunes very soon! Hopefully within the next few days! Yay! To celebrate the release, I'm setting up a blog tour that will run November 18th-23rd. If you are a blogger, I'd love to have you participate! You can find the signup form below.

If you're not a blogger, you can still help generate a buzz for the audiobook by sharing on social media. I will provide all the links and promo images. If you would like a be a social media influencer for the audiobook and have all the information emailed to you, use the influencer sign up form.

Thank you so much for your help and support!





Wednesday, August 14, 2019

The Divided Nation Blog Tour - Guest Post


Today I'm helping Angela R. Watts celebrate the release of the first book in her new series. This is especially fun because I got to meet Angela at Realm Makers just last month. Yay! First, here's a bit about the book and then a guest post from Angela herself.


WHEN THE NATION DIVIDES, THE INFIDELS MUST RISE.

The United States has fallen. Three years after the 2024 presidential election and the declaration of martial law, the nation is at war against itself. Gangs battle, civilians struggle for survival, and officials of the United Nations thrive. West Johnston, heir to the most powerful ganglord in the country, refuses to continue the family legacy. But, in order to defeat his father, he must become him: bloodthirsty and willing to do whatever it takes for control.

West gains control by helping fellow gangsters, Nate and Simon, when they form an alliance with one of the last remaining townships in America. After years of surviving and winter fast approaching, Springtown is in desperate need of supplies from the two teenagers. When the town leader’s daughter, Rene’, is kidnapped by an unknown rival, Nate and Simon risk their reputations to save her and the town they now love. But without help from West, their rescue mission will fail.

Told in multiple bold, abrasive narratives, THE DIVIDED NATION steps into a future where brotherhood bonds must be stronger than iron to survive a broken world, and faith without courage is dust in the wind.



What For? | The Question Every Author Asks

Angela R. Watts

Writers are usually lonesome, strange creatures. We make coffee or tea and let it go cold as our fingers fly across our keyboard. We talk to ourselves while cleaning as plot twists work their way through our minds. We watch people in the grocery store like they’re specimen waiting to be understood. We spend hours on writing and cry over worlds that the naked eye cannot see.  What is all this for? Hours of work, lots of tears, countless sleepless nights… for a book that can fit in someone’s hands. It might not even make us money. We might not get any support or any readers. So, allow me to answer the question: “What for?”

It took me about 7 months to finish my dystopian novel, The Divided Nation. This was my first time writing a book with heavy Christian content for the general market. Not all of my close friends or readers supported this new novel because of the PG13 content. And it grew difficult, at times, to find encouragement. I’m not really the kind of person who needs a lot of support, honestly, but there were moments when I realized I was losing things… And I didn’t like it.

I had to focus on the “what for”. Am I writing to please every reader or am I writing for God? It’s ironic that I learned so much about loving people while writing the darkest novel I’ve written to date. But honestly, I was enjoying the novel but dreading the *socializing* aspect. Why? I’ve had rough times helping authors, reading things I wouldn’t usually read or didn’t even enjoy, just to help fellow Indies. And I found that not many people are willing to do that kind of thing in return. I wasn’t building up my author platform. I was wearing myself out. What for?

There is a balance to this writing journey, y’all. We cannot please everyone. But we can love every single person without pushing ourselves to the limit all the time. We can fully trust God that He knows exactly who needs our novel, and He will bring them to it, if we are faithful. We don’t have to chase readers down. And that is “what for”! I adore writing and allow myself to love others, even if they don’t always return that love. How do we keep the balance of being ourselves and loving other authors?

Be inspired by your fellow Indie authors. Publishing is not a competitive race. You don’t have to be the best Indie author to matter. So be inspired! Does your favorite Indie author have a stack of self-published novels? Finish your own novel. Decide in your heart that you want to have a pile of your own books out in the world one day! If you choose to be encouraged and inspired, instead of jealous or envious, by other authors, you will enjoy yourself more.

Be encouraging to your fellow Indie authors. Comments on social media take seconds, y’all. No matter how *popular* your favorite Indie author might seem, literally everyone appreciates a comment, so don’t be shy. Don’t think they won’t hear you. Be encouraging to the *big* Indies and the *newbies*, no matter where you are on that scale. We’re all human who want to hear “You got this, I believe in you.”

Be supportive. Supportive friends are rare. There, I’ve said it. But that’s OK. God is the most supportive friend we’ve got, so don’t stress. Just try to be the most supportive friend you can be while staying focused on your own goals. Maybe this is as simple as brainstorming with fellow Indies in a chat group. Maybe it is sticking with them through the gritty times. It is a hard balance, but Indies need each other in the long haul.

Be wise. Seasons change, friends leave, support systems dwindle. It may be sad, though it is just life. I’m not here to advise on how to make more friends. I am here to remind you that people are out there. If you’ve lost support, if you’ve watched your audience lose interest, keep going. Don’t panic or say “I won’t make it!” because every author struggles. Struggling doesn’t make you an author, but pushing through them makes you a stronger human.

Find joy. Some days, we won’t meet our writing goals. Some days, we will have an author friend drop out last minute on something important. Some days, we’ll have to help family instead of edit. Whatever the *mishap*, find joy. Don’t let things drag you down for long. Authors are still human. We still want support, love, and peace. We make sacrifices for writing, editing, and cover design. If we don’t choose joy, we will probably lose our minds. So remember, God has a reason for everything in our life and writing journey. What we see as a setback? He can use to build us up.

All of this to now say… what for? The Divided Nation taught me many things, but the lessons it taught me about friendship aren’t ones I’ll forget easily. I am so thankful for a supportive and growing Indie community. I want to encourage every writer that they have their own journey. We’re all human. We all struggle. But God made us to love each other and being lonely authors doesn’t quite shake that, ha! If you want to go far, stay true to your story and be a genuine person. God will help you every step of the way.

God bless,
Angela R. Watts

About the Author

Angela R. Watts is a Christian fiction author who strives to glorify the Lord in all she does. She’s a homeschooled highschooler living at Step By Step Sanctuary, Tennessee, though with Gypsy and Norwegian in her blood, she tends to travel. She’s been writing stories since she was little, but also enjoys chores, painting, and watching sunsets.

LINKS

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AngelaRWattsauthor/
Website: https://thepeculiarmessenger.wordpress.com/
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Angela-R-Watts/e/B07F97JNMY?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1564688304&sr=8-1
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angelarwattsauthor/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17597325.Angela_R_Watts



US shipping only. If an international winner is drawn, they will receive an ebook only.

1st place: hardback copy of The Divided Nation. A custom mug with a quote from the book, bookmark, and an exclusive snippet from The Infidel Books.
2nd place: paperback copy of The Divided Nation, bookmark.
3rd place: ebook copy of The Divided Nation.



Blog Tour Schedule

August 12th
Author Interview @ Taking Up My Cross
Book Spotlight @ Unicorn Quester 

August 13th (RELEASE DAY)
Author and Character Interview @ HauntingGhostTown
Character Interview @ Imperial Scribis 
Character and Author Interview @ FaithLaneAuthor

August 14th
Book Spotlight @ The Writer’s Song
Guest Post @ Jaye L. Knight

August 15th

August 16th
Book Review @ We’ve Got Pockets 
August 17th
Author Interview @ Gabriella Slade
Book Spotlight @ Stories by Firefly
Book Review @ Scribes and Archers 

August 18th
Author Interview and Guest Post @ Tangled Up In Writing
Guest Post @ Read Write Breathe

August 19th
Book Review @ Reveries 
Book Review @ Just Writing
Author Interview @ Allison’s Well

Tuesday, August 6, 2019

Midnight's Curse Blog Tour--Author Interview + Giveaway

Midnight's Curse Blog Tour Mock-Up
Today I'm helping to celebrate the release of Midnight's Curse, book two in the Beyond the Tales series by my good friend, Tricia Mingerink! Beyond the Tales is a series of fairy tale retellings with hints of allegorical elements set in a world based on the Appalachian Mountains.

Don't miss the giveaway at the end of this blog post nor the invite to the Facebook party for more giveaways!


About the Book


Midnight's Curse_Internet Use

The glass slippers might be her dreams come true...or her worst nightmare. 

High King Alexander rules the Seven Kingdoms of Tallahatchia—a divided nation on the brink of yet another war. When an invitation arrives from the king of Pohatomie, Alex knows it must be a trap, but could it also be his opportunity to unite the kingdoms?

Daemyn Rand has lived a hundred years, served an arrogant prince, fallen in love with a princess, and lost himself somewhere along the way. He has already died for his loyalty. Will standing at the high king’s side cost him his last chance to truly live?

Elara Ashen is a lowly, miserable servant. All she wants is to spend even one night in a fancy dress dancing with the high king. When she is offered a pair of glass slippers, it seems that all her dreams have come true.

But dreams have a price, and gifts can be curses in disguise. What will it cost to stop this curse from tearing Tallahatchia apart yet again?

Fairy tales meet the Appalachian Mountains in this adventurous fantasy retelling of the classic Cinderella story.


Dreamy green color forest

The first book in the series Dagger's Sleep, a Sleeping Beauty retelling where the prince is cursed to sleep and the princess must wake him, is on sale for $.99 on Kindle! Follow this link to snag this deal while it lasts!

Author Interview


What was the first story you ever wrote?

Technically, my first story was a picture book I drew with my crayons when I was 2 about a family of talking horses. It was filled with cutesy stories about the baby horse getting a magical goose and going on vacation with her parents…and getting mauled by both a lion and a tiger at different points with liberal use of my red crayon to make realistic dripping blood.

Did I mention I grew up on a farm? Apparently even at 2 I knew about dripping blood.

After that, I moved on to short story fairy tale retellings and from there gradually lengthening fantasy stories.

What do you typically turn to for the most inspiration?

Hikes in the woods are my favorite, but when that’s not possible, then reading some of my favorite books usually reminds me why I love stories so much. Watching some of my favorite princess movies also works.

If you could spend a day with any historical figure, who would it be?

I would love to spend a day with Betty Zane. She lived on the frontier of Ohio back in the 1700s, and she was pretty cool. Zane Grey wrote about her since she was an ancestor of his, and that was one of the first Zane Grey books I read. Betty Zane dashed across an open space during an attack to fetch more gun powder for the fort. No one shot at her at first because everyone was too stunned, but even though she was shot at during her return trip running across the open field toting a sack of gunpowder, she made it to the fort without injury and the fort and those inside were saved.

What are three random facts about you that most people probably wouldn’t know?

1. I’m not a great cook. I’ve been getting better with practice, but I apparently don’t have the most discerning taste buds, so the whole “season to taste thing” is beyond me.
2. Thanks to those weird taste buds, I don’t like coffee or tea. Both of them taste super bitter to me. I don’t like Pepsi or Coke either. Um, yeah. I’m picky. It’s pretty much Mountain Dew level sweetness or water.
3. I love Barbie movies. The original 10 or so, at least. They are so adorable and girlie and even tomboy me adores them.

And because I’m sure all of us fangirls have “book/fictional boyfriends,” who is one fictional character you would particularly love to date? ;)

I fangirl as much as the next girl, but I’m not one to imagine myself “dating” the characters or picking a fictional boyfriend. Most of them are already taken anyway, lol.

I’m just going to cheat and list one of your characters and two of mine.

Jace or Leith would be fun, lol. Though, my personality would probably fit better with Daemyn. He’s a quieter soul than Leith, and I’m a lot more like Rosanna than I am Renna. 

About the Author


DSC09450-2Tricia Mingerink is a twenty-something, book-loving, horse-riding country girl. She lives in Michigan with her family and their pack of pets. When she isn't writing, she can be found pursuing backwoods adventures across the country. You can connect with Tricia on her blog, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.












Facebook Party!

Facebook Party Announcement 

 The Facebook party should be a blast with giveaways of Midnight's Curse, Dagger's Sleep, and over ten other Cinderella retellings by indie authors! Follow this link to join the Facebook party.

Giveaway!


Blog Tour Giveaway 

Enter to win signed copies of Dagger's Sleep and Midnight's Curse (it will be the actual copy, not a proof copy as shown) as well as a Currently Reading 4oz candle from Novelly Yours Candles. Due to shipping, the giveaway is open to the US only. Void where prohibited. a Rafflecopter giveaway


Blog Tour Schedule

Monday – August 5
Tuesday – August 6 – Release Day!
Wednesday – August 7
Thursday – August 8
Friday – August 9
Saturday – August 10

Tuesday, June 11, 2019

New Covers for Time Captives

Well, I was supposed to post this yesterday morning. Oops. But I JUST moved into my new rental house (yay!) and spent most of the day getting my office/computer/internet set up, so here is the post a day late. My friend and soon-to-be Realm Makers roommate, Morgan Huneke, has updated the covers for her Time Captives series! Pretty, yes? (For some reason, my brain is adding "preciousssss" to the end of that question. xD )


About Time Captives

In a perilous quest that spans two worlds, four siblings must team up with their long-lost ancestors and a rebellious slave to deliver an enslaved people from the cruel strytes who invaded their land.



Giveaway

To celebrate, Morgan will be giving away a complete set of brand new Time Captives books! Be sure to enter! Giveaway open to U.S. residents only.

Friday, May 17, 2019

Midnight's Curse Cover Reveal + Giveaway!



Today we have the cover reveal for Midnight's Curse, book two in the Beyond the Tales series by Tricia Mingerink. The Beyond the Tales is a series of fairy tale retellings set in a world of curses and gifts and an Appalachian Mountain-like setting.

Midnight's Curse releases August 6, 2019!


Isn't it stunning? The cover was designed by Savannah Jezowski at Dragonpen Designs. You can find more examples of her work here.

About the book:

High King Alexander rules the Seven Kingdoms of Tallahatchia—a divided nation on the brink of yet another war. When an invitation arrives from the king of Pohatomie, Alex knows it must be a trap, but could it also be his opportunity to unite the kingdoms?

Daemyn Rand has lived a hundred years, served an arrogant prince, fallen in love with a princess, and lost himself somewhere along the way. He has already died for his loyalty. Will he have to sacrifice his last chance to truly live?

Elara Ashen is a lowly, miserable servant. All she wants is to spend one night in a fancy dress, dancing with the high king. When she is offered a pair of glass slippers, it seems all her dreams have come true.

But dreams have a price, and gifts can be curses in disguise. What will it cost to stop this curse from tearing Tallahatchia apart yet again?

Fairy tales meet the Appalachian Mountains in this adventurous fantasy retelling of the classic Cinderella story.



About the author:

Tricia Mingerink is the author of the bestselling The Blades of Acktar series and the Beyond the Tales series. She lives in Michigan with her family and their pack of pets. When she isn't writing, she can be found pursuing backwoods adventures across the country.

You can connect with Tricia on her blog, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
To celebrate the cover reveal, Dagger's Sleep, a Sleeping Beauty retelling and book one in the series, is on sale in Kindle for $.99 this weekend!  Click here to purchase on Amazon.



Giveaway!

To celebrate even more, there's a giveaway for a paperback copy of Dagger's Sleep and a 2oz Plot Twist candle by Novelly Yours Candles.

To enter, share the above sale graphic for Dagger's Sleep, the cover for Midnight's Curse, or the below Midnight's Curse promo graphic and make sure you use hashtag #MidnightsCurse and tag @triciamingerink on any social media site to enter.

The giveaway will end May 22 at midnight. Please note this giveaway is only open in the United States. It is not sponsored by Novelly Yours Candles.






Monday, May 13, 2019

Ilyon Chronicles Audiobooks

Have you ever wanted Ilyon Chronicles to be made into audiobooks? I know many people have asked me if I ever well make that happen. Maybe you are one of them. If so, good news! I've begun the process to have them professionally produced with a narrator I really like that I've had bookmarked on my computer FOREVER.


To make this happen, I can either do a royalty split with him where I don't have to pay him to record the book and we spilt royalties as the audiobooks sell. However, that is risky for him as a narrator after all the work he will put into the project. I would love to pay him outright for that work. Of course, being the typical starving artist/writer that I am, that doesn't exactly fit into my budget.



That is why I am coming to you! If you are interested in helping me make this happen, I've set up an Indiegogo campaign to collect funding for the production of Resistance's audiobook. This is the first time I've ever tried crowdfunding (ahhhh!), but if I get enough funding, I'll be able to cover the production cost of Resistance and get my narrator the payment he deserves for his work. Check out the campaign here or by clicking the image below. I'm not just asking for your money. Each backer gets some special perks as well! :D And even if you can't help financially, you CAN help by sharing! Visit the campaign page where you'll find a bunch of share links.

Saturday, April 27, 2019

The End of an Era


I haven’t blogged in a while, but it seemed wrong not to write this post, being the Marvel fangirl that I am. This week marked the end of an era. What started with Iron Man in 2008 ended with Avengers: Endgame, at least for our original Avengers. I got to see the movie yesterday morning with my brothers, sister-in-law, and friends from church. I wouldn’t necessarily call this a review. More just my thoughts 24 hours later. So, beware, SPOILERS ABOUND. If you haven’t seen it yet, this is where you stop reading. Or, if you like spoilers, then, by all means, carry on…


Monday, February 25, 2019

Book Review--Between Two Shores


About the Book

The daughter of a Mohawk mother and French father in 1759 Montreal, Catherine Duval finds it is easier to remain neutral in a world that is tearing itself apart. Content to trade with both the French and the British, Catherine is pulled into the fray against her wishes when her British ex-
fiance, Samuel Crane, is taken prisoner by her father. Samuel asks her to help him escape, claiming he has information that could help end the war.

Peace appeals to Catherine, but helping the man who broke her heart does not. She delays . . . until attempts on Samuel's life convince her he's in mortal danger. Against her better judgment she helps him flee by river, using knowledge of the landscape to creep ever closer to freedom. Their time together rekindles feelings she thought long buried, and danger seems to hound their every mile. She's risked becoming a traitor by choosing a side, but will the decision cost her even more than she anticipated?

My Review 



The 18th century is one of my favorite time periods so this book caught my interest as soon as I read the description. I can’t say the beginning grabbed me as much as I would have liked. The abundance of backstory seemed to have quite a few areas of telling instead of showing that didn’t feel smooth to me, but overall it was a very interesting book. I reenact this time period, so I loved all the history. It wasn't the romance novel as I was expecting, but I am a hopeless romantic so that’s just my preference. If you like fiction that really immerses you in history, then I definitely recommend Between Two Shores.

Friday, February 22, 2019

Live Without You Blog Tour--Book Spotlight




Today I’m sharing a spotlight for Sarah Grace Grzy’s new contemporary Christian romance!

About the Book
Piper Redding is a loner, but lonely. Everyone she loves has abandoned her and opening her heart to others is just asking for more pain. She can’t help but blame herself for her brother’s tragic death six years ago, and in her guilt, she shuts herself off from the world. No one could love her—not even the God who promised to be there for her but wasn’t.

For paramedic Ezra Bryant, failure is not an option. He’s had enough of it, and only by God’s grace is he able to put it behind him. But when a traumatic event brings Piper’s greatest fear and Ezra’s failures to light, can they use that event to allow God to mend their broken pieces? Can love triumph over fear, and grace over guilt?








About the Author
Sarah Grace Grzy is a voracious reader, and if it weren’t for this crazy thing called 'Life,' she’d be tempted to spend all her days in front of a wood stove, book in one hand, coffee mug in the other.

A lover of learning, she finds enjoyment in many things and has more hobbies than she knows what to do with. Sarah Grace is a freelance web and graphic designer, and when not working, spending time with her ever-growing family, or reading, she can be found painting, playing the piano, or fangirling with her sisters and friends. She inhabits the State of Great Lakes, and wouldn’t want to live anywhere else—unless it meant she could have a baby penguin, in which case, she’d gladly move to the South Pole.

Newsletter Signup: http://eepurl.com/geaL6D
Goodreads: Author: https://www.goodreads.com/sarahgracegrzy
Profile: https://www.goodreads.com/sarahgraceg
Twitter: twitter.com/esteticodesigns
Instagram: instagram.com/sarahgracegrzy

Giveaway!
Grand Prize ~ $20 Amazon gift card, Signed Paperback of Live Without You, Specialty designed mug.

Second Prize ~ $5 Amazon gift card, ebook copy of Live Without You

3 Third Prize Winners ~ Ebook copy of Live Without You

Grand prize open to US entrants only, 2nd and 3rd prizes available internationally. Giveaway runs from 12AM 1.21.19 - 12AM 1.23.19. Victoria Lynn Designs retains the right to disregard any entries that they deem bogus or spam. Good luck to the entrants!