Indie-Liscious Interview: Something New and Fabulous from A.M. Hargrove

One day, on her way home from work as a sales manager, A. M. Hargrove, realized her life was on fast forward and if she didn't do something soon, it would quickly be too late to write that work of fiction she had been dreaming of her whole life. So, she rolled down the passenger window of her fabulous (not) company car and tossed out her leather briefcase. Luckily, the pedestrian in the direct line of fire was a dodgeball pro and had über quick reflexes enabling him to avoid getting bashed in the head. Feeling a tad guilty about the near miss, A. M. made a speedy turn down a deserted side street before tossing her crummy, outdated piece-of-you-know-what lap top out the window. She breathed a liberating sigh of relief, picked up her cell phone and hit #4 on her speed dial.

Boss: Hello

A.M.: Boss, is that you?
Boss: Why yes, A. M., who else would be answering my phone?
A.M.: Er... right. Well, I'm calling to let you know you can pick up my luxury Ford Focus at Starbucks near the interstate.
Boss: Why ever would I want to do that?
A.M.: Because I quit!
A.M. hit the end button and speed dialed her husband.

Welcome Indie-Liscious author, A.M. Hargrove. It is a pleasure to have you here on the blog today. I think most readers think of The Guardians of Vesturon series when they hear your name, but you have a few other master pieces on the bookshelf as well. I'd really like to know what makes you tick, on and off pen (or keyboard). 

What do you enjoy doing when not writing?
"You mean there's something other than writing? Hehe! Well, I volunteer in some local organizations where I live. I like outdoor activities as well, although lately it seems I'm writing most of the time. I try not to work full days on the weekends so I can have family time."

 When did you begin writing?
"In 2009, the company I worked for was bought out by a larger one and my job was eliminated. I'd always wanted to write, but never had the time to dedicate to it, so I decided to go for it and do a complete career change. I really started writing in early 2011. I took some time off to figure out if that's what I really wanted to do. Everything seemed to point me in this direction, so I ended up publishing my first book, Survival, in late November 2011 and my second one, Resurrection, in early January 2012."  

If you could be any paranormal character or have a supernatural talent what would it be and why?
"In my book, Dark Waltz, which is in the adult genre, (it's really a blend of paranormal and sci-fi), the main character is a Praestani, and he's super powerful. One of his supernatural abilities is he is able to shift into energy and move anywhere in the universe. I would love to have that power. I think it would be so awesome to think about being somewhere and then suddenly, you're there. No waiting on planes, traffic, what have you."  

Whoa, that would be cool and just think about it, you would never have to be late for anything! Oh, wait, that's me, sorry. So...

What book are you currently reading, just finished reading or going to read next?
"I just finished Wallbanger by Alice Clayton and I'm getting ready to read (when it's released!) How it Rolls by Lila Felix." 

Excellent choices AND Lila Felix is another Indie-Licious author, yay!

What other projects are you working on or having coming out next? 

"My next release is an adult contemporary romance called Shattered Edge...it's part of my Edge series. It will be released on Valentine's Day. I'm also working on reEMERGENT, Book 4 of the Guardians of Vesturon. It's my YA/NA series and I'm hoping to have it out by the end of March. I'm also writing Death Waltz, the sequel to Dark Waltz. As you can see, I have several WIP's. I just picked out the cover art for the 3rd Edge book as well, which I haven't named yet, but I'm getting close."

Holy smokes, chica, you've been hard at work!  Okay folks, you heard it, book two of the Edge series is only days away. 

ATTENTION, ATTENTION!!! *clears throat* SHATTERED EDGE WILL BE RELEASED ON VALENTINE'S DAY! YES, I AM YELLING AT YOU BECAUSE THIS IS MAJOR, EARTH "SHATTERING" NEWS!

Maybe A.M. will be kind enough to post the links in comments to this post when they are up. Make sure beg, ech hem, I mean, ask nicely in the comment section below.

Here is the synopsis for Edge of Disaster, the book that precedes A.M.'s Valentine's Day release, Shattered Edge.

Alexia Hammond, broken and destroyed by a tragedy she can’t seem to recover from, is on a downward spiral toward destruction. A life of partying, alcohol, drugs and men has brought her near the edge of disaster. That is until one night while at work as a waitress in an upscale restaurant, she falls under the spell of one of her customers, Pearce Middleton. Once she gazes into his smoky gray eyes, her life takes on new meaning. But can she put her past behind her and allow herself to fall for the exciting and gorgeous Pearce, or will her lewd behavior come back to haunt her and ruin her chances of happiness forever?

Connect with A.M. Hargrove:

Facebook
Twitter
Blog
Goodreads

Where Edge of Disaster can be purchased:

Amazon Kindle and Paperback
Barnes and Noble Nook and Paperback

New book reveal - VAMPIRE VALENTINE: SUCKING THE LIFE OUT OF ME by Amy Maurer Jones

Synopsis:
How is it that vampires, werewolves and witches always manage to become glamorized in Hollywood? They are forever portrayed as the overwhelmingly gorgeous, record-breaking athletic types with off-the-chart SAT scores! This is such a load of crap. Let's be honest with ourselves for a minute. It's never easy being different, even under normal circumstances. Now, factor in the reality that your DNA is something far from human and imagine yourself wandering the halls of an ordinary mortal high school. You still think this would be cool, right? Well, you would be dead wrong (no pun intended). Take it from someone who can claim this miserable fate, it totally sucks!
The name's Rhapsody Ripper and I am a freshman as Mundane High. Everyone in my school hates me and my two best friends, Hardy Hunter and Samantha Spell. Why? The answer is very simple. We're freaks of nature, complete outcasts. We're para-ab-normal misfits and we don't fit in. Our peers go out of their way to avoid us on a regular basis but today something happened that has never ever happened before.
One of them was nice to me. Actually, he was much more than nice. With only five days remaining until Valentine's Day, Reese Good, the deliciously warm-blooded star quarterback, invited me to the Sweetheart Dance. Maybe this year I won't have to spend the holidays invented by a greeting card company alone.

Where to buy:
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Smashwords

Amy Maurer Jones is a 1993 graduate of The University of North Carolina at Greensboro where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Dance Education. She have eighteen years of experience in education and currently teach Dance and Theater Arts to high school students in southeastern North Carolina.

Amy has been happily married to her own version of Edward Cullen for fourteen years. She and her soul mate, Kelly live in Tabor City, North Carolina with their two beautiful children, Olivia and Keaton.


Follow Amy online!
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Indie-Licious Interview: Author Amy Maurer Jones Serves up Vampires for Valentines

Amy Maurer Jones is a 1993 graduate of The University of North Carolina at Greensboror where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Dance Education. She has eighteen years of experience in education and currently teaches Dance and Theater Arts to high school students in southeastern North Carolina.
Amy has been happily married to her own version of Edward Cullen for fourteen years. She and her soul mate, Kelly live in Tabor City, North Carolina with their two beautiful children, Olivia and Keaton.
Dancing, acting, and writing are all forms of communication. Each form requires exceptional creativity and passion to inspire and impress and audience. Amy has enjoyed a passion for reading, writing, and the arts since she was a child. As an adult, she has enjoyed having the opportunity to share her passion for the arts with children. It only seemed appropriate that delving into the world of teen fiction would be the next logical step in her life.

Wow does this Vampire / Werewolf  / Witch misfit story sound unique! A vampire with crooked fangs and braces? Now that's a twist on paranormal. Awesome! I can totally picture the TV series.

Welcome Amy to the other side of interviews at Indie-Licious. I always ask the question of inspiration, so I'm interested to know what or who inspired Rhapsody Ripper, the brace-faced vampire heroine in Vampire Valentine? (I just love the sound of her).

"The idea for Rhapsody (and Hardy and Samantha, for that matter) stemmed from the fact that I am a high school teacher. I witness teenage social interactions on a daily basis, and sadly those interactions are NOT always pleasant. High school is a scary place - expectations are high, competition is steep, and teenagers are MEAN! So, I got to thinking about numerous YA books and movies that glamorize paranormal creatures. They are ALWAYS portrayed as being perfect, beautiful, athletic, smart, etc . . . but in reality, anyone who is perceived as being the least bit different or odd in high school ends up being shunned. This is where the idea evolved. I guess it preaches to bullying, but I didn't want to write too deep or heavy so the supernatural became the super freaky!"

 Who would you pick to play Rhapsody, Hardy, and Samantha if this fabulous story should become a movie?

"Hmm . . .We've been debating this a little bit over the Vampire Valentine Release Party on FB. Rhapsody Ripper, (blonde and beautiful, even with crooked fangs) I envisioned this brace-faced vampire, fifteen, pretty, and petite. I was thinking about the Vampire Diaries' Candace Accola (Caroline)."

 

"Hardy Hunter I picture as dark-headed with a continual five o'clock shadow, despite his age. I also see him with one blue eye and one brown eye, like a husky . . . hehehe . . . I think Zayn Malik of One Direction is really cute and would make for an adorable Hardy."

"Samantha Spell is tall, thin, and flat-chested - she gets teased about this by the humans - with bright red hair and jade-green eyes. She has a very cute girl-next-door appeal. Samantha was tougher to cast, maybe Emma Roberts? What do you think?"

 Personally, I love Emma Roberts and think she would make a PERFECT witch!

Can you share with us a favorite line from Vampire Valentine?

"In this scene, Hardy and Samantha are chastising Rhapsody about her 'table' manners.

"I don't see what the problem is. If the mortals get hungry, they just grab a Snickers or something. If I get hungry, I open the closest human vein."

Hilarious line!
What was the most exciting part of your writing / being published career?

"I think it is a tie between seeing Soul Quest, my first novel (The Soul Quest Trilogy) in print and meeting one of my fans in person for the first time (Tess Watson of My Pathway to books - http://tessmw.blogspot.com/ at a book signing in Savannah, GA in the fall of 2011."

Do you have a favorite site for writing tips that you can share with us?

"Writers can find a wealth of information on the Kindleboards online - 
http://www.kindleboards.com/index.php It's a great place to network with other authors, both indie and traditional, seek advice and support, writing tips, etc . . . You can find out just about anything you want, or get pointed in the right direction, all in one spot."

 Amy, thanks so much for stopping by and captivating us with insight into Vampire Valentine.

How is it that vampires, werewolves, and witches always manage to become glamorized in Hollywood? They are forever portrayed as the overwhelmingly gorgeous, record-breaking, athletic types with off-the-chart SAT scores! This is a such a load of crap. Let's be honest with ourselves for a minute. It's never easy being different, even under normal circumstances. Now, factor in the reality that your DNA is something far from human, and imagine yourself wandering the halls of an ordinary mortal high school. You still think this would be cool, right? Well, you would be dead wrong (no pun intended). Take it from someone who can claim this miserable fate, it totally sucks!

The name's Rhapsody Ripper, and I'm a freshman at Mundane High. Everyone in my school hates me and my two best friends, Hardy Hunter and Samantha Spell. Why? The answer is very simple, we're freaks of nature, complete outcasts. We're para-ab-normal misfits, and we don't fit in. Our peers go out of their way to avoid us on a regular basis, but today something happened that has never ever happened before.

One of them was nice to me. Actually, he was much more than nice. With only five days remaining until Valentine's Day, Reece Good, the deliciously warm-blooded star quarterback, invited me to the Sweetheart Dance. Maybe this year I won't have to spend the holiday, invented by a greeting card company, alone.

Character Profiles:

Rhapsody Ripper - Blonde and beautiful, even with crooked fangs, this brace-faced vampire is a hopeless romantic. She's had her sights set on winning the affection of the handsome star quarterback of the Mundane High's varsity football team and has finally captured his attention. Just when she thinks things are going her way, her life becomes very complicated.
Hardy Hunter - This werewolf is an asset to Mundane High's football team as long as he doesn't get distracted or lose his temper. His loyalty to his friends is unwavering, even when he becomes jealous and envious of attention they receive that he doesn't. More than anything, this guy just wants to fit in and be accepted.
Samantha Spell - This witch can't master her spells or earn passing grades in her classes at Mundane High. Not only does she fail to fit in with the humans, but she fears she'll never get the hang of being a witch. This chick is in dire need of a serious boost in self-esteem.

Want to learn more about Amy Maurer Jones and her books?

Amy's Blog  ~ Website ~ Amazon ~ Barnes and Noble ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

Buy Vampire Valentine!
Amazon 
Barnes and Nobles
Smashwords

Blog Hop Sign-Up for February 10!

It's Tuesday. Do you know what that means? Sign-ups for this weekend's blog hop are OPEN! Head on over to the Linky List page and enter!

~Krystal

Tools & Tips ~ Five Things Not To Do When You Self Publish

Five Things Not To Do When You Self Publish

by Laura Howard



How many times have you heard the term self-publishing and twisted your face in disgust? “Oh, that’s not for me,” you think. Because everyone knows that in order to be legitimate in the literary world, you have to go through a Big Six publishing house, right?

I admit to having this attitude just one short year ago. When I read about the possibilities opening up for self-published authors I remember thinking, “Well, that’s great for THEM…” 

But in 2012, I started actively researching self-publishing and discovered that there is so much more to it than just writing a rough draft and sticking it up on Amazon. (Yes, that really is the attitude I had.)

For the last year, I’ve investigated what works and what doesn’t when it comes to self-publishing and have connected with many authors who’ve decided to self-publish for varying reasons. My blog, Finding Bliss, has become a gathering place for writers who’ve traveled the self-publishing road. Through the stories and tips shared by the trail-blazing independent authors I’ve interviewed for my blog and have connected with via social media, I’ve learned so much about what works and what doesn’t when it comes to publishing your own work. My novel The Forgotten Ones is slated to publish May 15 ’13.

Here are the five biggest things NOT to do when self-publishing:

Don’t Sell People Your Book- In social media, those who constantly talk about themselves and their work become like the car salesmen or the telemarketers of the internet. They get tuned out or unfriended completely. Please don’t be that guy– be social, pay it forward and enjoy others who share your interests. There is a phenomenon on the internet that when people like or care about YOU, they want to share your work for you. Joanna Penn’s blog The Creative Penn has been a great source of inspiration to me in the realm of Relationship Marketing– letting people like, know, and trust you.

Don’t Wait to Build Your Platform- Platform can come across as a dirty word, but you must have an audience of people who actually want to hear about you and your latest news. I’m not sure what the ideal time frame for this is; I’ve heard everything from six months to two years. But, honestly the best thing you can do is start where you are: you know you want to publish your work, so get socializing, build one relationship at a time and get your work out there. An excellent resource for tips on building your platform is Robert L Brewer’s blog, My Name is Not Bob.

Don’t Skimp on Editing- I don’t simply mean comma placement and sentence structure here, although grammar and mechanics are extremely important. I’m talking about working with someone who can actually help you see the things you’re not able to see because your work is your darling. Developmental editing can push a story from amateur to professional. This is why self-publishing can be a misnomer– it takes a village to build an outstanding book. Erin has been instrumental for me in getting my work to the level it’s at now, and she shares numerous resources here on The Lit Coach’s Guide and on her Twitter feed.

Don’t Ignore Metadata- As a writer, you don’t want to think about things like which categories to best place your book. You want to be editing and polishing. Even those who are being published traditionally can’t afford to ignore the need to perfect the placement of their books not only on retail sites (Amazon, Barnes&Noble), but also book-cataloging sites (GoodReads, LibraryThing). Know your market and look into how other authors are listing their books. It will improve the searchability of your book on these sites and help readers find your book for as long as you have it available. An excellent resource for figuring out categories to list your book at is Aggie Villanueva’s blog Promotion a la Carte.

Don’t Stop Writing- In the dozens of interviews and author features I’ve done on Finding Bliss, the number one biggest regret I’ve heard from authors is stepping aside from their actual writing to focus on the promotion and platform building I just mentioned above. But consider this, you write one great book and what will your fans want? That’s right, another great book. Who will be more successful over time – the author with one fabulous book and a Twitter following of 20,000 or the author of ten fabulous books with a following of 5,000 devoted fans who are eagerly sharing your work with their friends? The point is, you must have something to sell first.

You can find out more about Laura Howard at her Blog.

If I am not producing magic potions, traveling to far off lands and falling in love with mythical creatures, then I am awake - tripping over toys, chasing my kids and conjuring ways to unknowingly booby trap our house for my husband. (Yes its unknowingly, I swear I never placed the tiny plastic army man in his path for him to find in the dark of midnight!) I love my husband and my four wonderful children (all of whom help with the booby traps!) We are Nevadians and are happy, although I envy and miss the beautiful mountains of Idaho. I love writing Young Adult and Adult Fantasy and Paranormal with Romance, although you never know what could show up in my books! 

Welcome Indie-Liscious author, M.R. Polish. I am so excited to have you here on the blog today. First, let me congratulate you on your recent publication of Wolfspell, a YA paranormal romance novel which is rapidly climbing the charts in the world of YA fiction. Before we discuss your book, can you tell us a little bit about your passion for reading?

What was the first book you fell in love with?

"Oh that is easy. To this day it still remains one of my very favorite series. It is the Savage Destiny Series by Rosanne Bittner. I will always LOVE Zeke from that series - he was my first fictional love. I have read all seven of those books at least (very minimum) twenty times over, and each time is like the first."

I've never heard of this series. I'll definitely have to check it out!

What’s your favorite scene from your book?

"Well, that question is harder lol. I have so many I love. I really like the pool fight between Victor and Es because that is when she really begins to use her powers, but I really love it when Ian enters the picture, all the bantering that goes on makes me smile. Maybe it's Ian that makes me smile, but either way once he's there I get happier."

I really love a great YA paranormal read, especially with lovable characters. I can't wait to read your book and meet all of them!

Do you have any advice for new writers?

"Don't give up. We are our own worst critiques and are harsh on ourselves, but whatever you do, if you have a story in your heart, don't give up."

I agree with you one-hundred percent!

What are you working on now? Can you share a blurb from your new book? 

"Well, I don't have a blurb yet, at least not one I want to share... Those things are tricky to write lol. BUT I can let you in on my projects and give you a teaser.

I have just finished the first draft of Ageless Sea, a New Adult / Adult Fantasy-Romance."

Ooh! That sounds fantabulous! What's the scoop?

TEASER:(unedited)

      ~He reached with his other hand around her neck, pulled her down to his lap and kissed her. It was deep and powerful. Her body burned as it connected with his on a level only known by them. Everything and everyone became a black void in their minds, long forgotten. Even Magnus and Alexis were beyond comprehension as the world swirled and carried them off. He made his claim on her with three words and a single kiss. She was his.~

"I also have a Sci-Fantasy (with dragons) series that I am co writing with Bill Morgan, called the Mysts of Santerrian Series. We just finished the first book titled Mark of the Dragon and it is in editing processes right now. AND All the Wolf Spell fans will be happy to know that I am hard at work on Wolf Dream, the second in the series."

Wooo Hooo! Both of the titles sound AMAZING!

What fuel flavors your prose? 

"Chocolate! I am trying to watch what I eat and shed some m&m's from my thighs so I haven't been eating as much lately, but I love chocolate and I will say that so far all my muses love it too!" 

Girlfriend, let me just tell you, I completely sympathize with your addiction. I cannot live without chocolate. If I were allergic to it I think I might just have to die, but boy would that be one heavenly way to go! LOL!

Thank you for joining us at Indie-Liscious, M.R. Polish and congratulations on Wolfspell. 

With a death starts a new beginning...

Eighteen-year-old Esmerelda thinks she’s just a normal girl, but all of that changes the day of her mom’s funeral, when a warlock, intent on using her special powers, kidnaps her. Powers she didn’t know existed. Thrown in the middle of a magical battle, Es struggles to learn her magic while fleeing both vampires and warlocks, at the same time, hunting for the witches that can help defeat her adversary. The only problem is that they are dead.

Thankfully, she has the help of Jarak—her Guardian—who quickly captures her heart, but she wonders if she can win his? Just when she thinks Jarak is the one for her, Ian appears with daggers drawn to save Es from a vampire attack. Ian is cocky and rude, but there is something magnetic about him—something that attracts her to him. With her heart torn between two men, she faces the foes that are out for her blood. Can Es do the unthinkable and awaken them from their graves before time runs out?

Connect with M.R. Polish:

Facebook

Twitter

Blog

Goodreads

Where Wolfspell can be purchased:

Amazon Kindle

Amazon Paperback

Barnes and Noble Nook and Paperback

Smashwords

New book reveal- THE KNIGHT'S ILL-THOUGHT BARGAIN by Rebecca Rynecki

It's been two years since Alaina and Gabriel left Isleen. Forty years have passed there, and the kingdom is in danger. The king is dead. The queen's powers are weakening, and an evil sorceress is intent on carrying out her plan. A plan that involves a bargain that Gabriel made...

Excerpt:
Alaina skidded to a stop the open door at the very end of the hallway. Astra looked small in the large bed; pillows propped up around her.
"I carried her in," Gabriel whispered.
"She must've weighed nothing," Alaina murmured. She walked in slowly, then slumped down in the chair next to the bed. "Are you sure she's just asleep?"
"She's breathing."
"What are we going to do?" she muttered. "This is a total mess. I can't be responsible for saving Isleen again."
Gabriel shook his head. "No. No, of course not."
"But, Baba Yaga-" she started to protest. 
"She was dying!" he hissed. "She probably had no idea what she was saying!"
They looked at each other silently. "It really is up to me...isn't it?" Alaina stared at Gabriel, her eyes dark. "Isn't it? You just don't want to think about it."
He knelt down next to her. Gabriel was about to reach for her hands when she pushed them away. Her lips quivered as if she was going to say something, before she slowly stood up, and headed out of the room.
Gabriel jumped up, scrambling after her. "Alaina, wait, Alaina!"
"Stop!" She swerved around, her finger shaking as she pointed at him. "I'm angry at you. I'm...so angry."
"I know," he whispered, defeated. His breath came out in short bursts. Gabriel's stomach clenched, and he licked his lips nervously.  He let out a small growl before he reached over and kissed her. 

Where to buy:
Amazon- http://www.amazon.com/The-Knights-Ill-Thought-Bargain-Alaina/dp/1481823566
B&N- http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-knights-ill-thought-bargain-rebecca-rynecki/1114171950?ean=2940015949902

Rebecca is also the author of The Secret World of Alaina Downs, the first book in the Alaina Downs series. She works as a librarian on weekends which involves a lot of glaring at people. Believe it.

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