Blog Tour: Q&A with Molly E. Lee

What was the hardest part of writing Love in the Friend Zone?

The most difficult part of writing Love in the Friend Zone was definitely the time-frame. In this series, all the character’s storylines take place either right before or during the epic grad night party. That is a huge challenge in creating an entire backstory, as well as an entertaining enough plot to fill an entire book. Ultimately, I found a balance and rhythm with the characters, and discovered it was quite fun attending this crazy party with them!

How many rewrites do you go through before you get to the final draft?

The first draft always comes out the fastest for me because I just let the story out. I don’t worry about pacing or editing or the mechanics. I let the characters dictate where we go. Then in the subsequent drafts, I add and cut and shape and mold it until it meets its much shinier end product. That can take anywhere between three to four takes depending on the book.

What book or books have had a strong influence on you or your writing?

This is always such a hard question! SO many books have influenced my writing style, and it never ends. Each book I read—whether it is young adult fantasy, contemporary, or adult paranormal—I learn something from it. That is one of the best things about being an author, there is always room for improving your craft. Of course, the books that I re-read constantly—J K Rowling’s Harry Potter series, anything by Kimberly Derting or Molly McAdams, and most recently Sarah J Maas’ books—are always pushing me to be better. Being inspired by great works is what keeps me fighting to take what I know and push it to the next level.

If you could introduce Braylen to any character from another book, who would it be and why?

I’m so in love with this question! I would love for her to meet Kate from the wickedly talented Cindi Madsen’s OPERATION PROM DATE. I think Braylen and Kate would totally get along, shipping couples and obsessing over fandoms together. In my mind, they end up sharing a dorm together freshman year of college and Cooper and Fynn are fast friends because of the love they have for their girls! :)

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating Fynn?

Fynn was such a fun character to write because his one flaw is being haplessly blind to what he really wants. I think that can be super relatable, even to those of us outside of high school. Sometimes it’s easier to let our desires, or what we think we want, be manipulated by what is expected of us. Watching Fynn slowly come to terms with what his heart was screaming at him all along was a great process, and just like in real life, having that moment of revelation in his self-discovery was a rush!

Other than writing what are you passionate about?

My family, of course, is my first response. I have two toddlers that keep me hopping from sunup to sundown. My husband is an amazing supporter of my author aspirations, so he’s in there, too! My bulldog, just because she’s the coolest dog ever, lol. But if we’re talking outside the family, I’m totally obsessed with the Walking Dead, Game of Thrones, and Deadpool. Friends of mine might say I get a little too passionate when discussing theories in these fandoms!  

When you walk into a book store, where do you head to first?

Lately it’s been the children’s book section because I never feel guilty about getting my babies more books! After that I’ll head straight for young adult fantasy and soak up all the awesome. Then I’ll pop over to contemporary romance, wave to all the friends I know, and grab some knew ones :) Then I usually take a gander at the journals…because you can’t ever have TOO many of those, right?

You're hosting a literary dinner party, which five authors would you invite? ( alive or dead)

This is so incredibly hard. Just five? Can’t this dinner party turn into like an event where we rent out an entire restaurant? No? Okay, well...

J.K Rowling. I’m not sure if I need to explain why she’s the first on the list but to sum it up…she’s brilliant and the intricacies in her writing never cease to amaze and inspire me.

Edgar Allan Poe, because the first time I read The Tell-Tale Heart as a young child it stuck with me. I devoured more of his works because of that and I remembered thinking how awesome it was that a story could still tickle your brain days, months, even years later. Plus, I think he’d be wicked cool to have a chat with.

Stephan King, because his novel, On Writing, is one of the best craft books I’ve ever read. I tend to flip back through its pages when in need of a little motivation. It’s simple, direct, and engaging. I’d like to thank him for taking the time out of an incredibly busy schedule to pen those tips down for hopefuls like me!

Beatrix Potter, because Peter Rabbit was the first book I ever remember being read to me. And it’s one I remember reading myself once I learned. It was the book that made me fall in love with reading. I’ve read all her books to my children as well, so her work has a very special place in my heart. I’d seat her next to Poe in the hopes that together they’d come up with a dark yet fun Ravenesque picture book.

William Shakespeare, because it would be wonderful for him to settle all the debates that were never agreed upon in my Shakespeare class in college LOL. Plus, I’d love to pick his brain about how he created some of the most memorable villains ever, and ask him how he made creating works that dealt with such universal yet intricate topics look so easy.

Is there anything that you would like to say to your readers and fans?

Thank you. I know that is a given but I’m constantly in awe of this wonderful book community! Readers are seriously the best, and I know I’ll never be able to thank you all enough. You are what breathes life into my characters. You are the lifeblood of my stories. I couldn’t do what I love without you, and that’s why I always thank you first and last and always.

LOVE IN THE FRIEND ZONE 
by Molly E. Lee 
Release Date 8/14 

Published by Entangled Teen 
YA Contemporary 
Barnes and Noble /  Amazon / Goodreads

The only thing worse than not being able to tell your best friend you’re head over heels in love with him? Having to smile and nod when he enlists your help to ensnare the girl of his dreams. Braylen didn’t even want to go to Lennon Pryor’s epic graduation-night party, but when Fynn begs her to be his “wingwoman,” she can’t deny him. Talking up her BFF—how he’s magic behind a camera, with a killer sense of humor and eyelashes that frame the most gorgeous blue eyes in the history of forever—is easy. Supporting his efforts to woo someone so completely wrong for him? Not so much. Fynn knows that grad night is his last shot before leaving for college to find true love. And thanks to Bray, he gets his chance with the beautiful Katy Evans. But over the course of the coolest party of their high school careers, he starts to see that perhaps what he really wants has been in front of him all along. Bray’s been his best friend since kindergarten, though, and he’d rather have her in his life as a friend than not at all.

Disclaimer: This Entangled Teen Crush book contains one epic party, complete with every high-schoolers-gone-bad shenanigan, and two best friends whose sexual chemistry is off the charts…if only they’d succumb to it. 


About the Author: Molly E. Lee is an author best known for her debut novel EDGE OF CHAOS, and as a fourth year mentor at Pitch Wars – a program which connects promising writers to established authors in the community. Molly writes New Adult and Young Adult Contemporary featuring strong female heroines who are unafraid to challenge their male counterparts, yet still vulnerable enough to have love sneak up on them. In addition to being a military spouse and mother of two + one stubborn English Bulldog, Molly loves watching storms from her back porch at her Midwest home, and digging for treasures in antique stores.

Website:http://www.mollyelee.com   Twitter: @MollyELee

Blog Tour: January Black by Wendy S. Russo - Excerpt + Giveaway

Tour Schedule

January Black Sixteen-year-old genius Matty Ducayn has never fit in on The Hill, an ordered place seriously lacking a sense of humor. After his school’s headmaster expels him for a small act of mischief, Matty’s future looks grim until King Hadrian comes to his rescue with a challenge: answer a question for a master’s diploma. More than a second chance, this means freedom. Masters can choose where they work, a rarity among Regents, and the question is simple. What was January Black? It’s a ship. Everyone knows that. Hadrian rejects that answer, though, and Matty becomes compelled by curiosity and pride to solve the puzzle. When his search for an answer turns up long-buried state secrets, Matty’s journey becomes a collision course with a deadly royal decree. He's been set up to fail, which forces him to choose. Run for his life with the challenge lost...or call the king’s bluff.  

Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Amazon Kindle

Praise Refreshingly intelligent and loads of fun! I lost a few hours as I read this book. It's a Young Adult novel that is refreshingly and astonishingly intelligent, and the love story is perfectly played out. ~Christine Ashworth, Amazon Review The mystery was intriguing - I loved how Wendy Russo weaved in all her secrets throughout the book, how she incorporated just enough to keep you reading, while never actually divulging much of anything. I was guessing for most of it and that's pretty hard to make me do. ~Julie, Clean Teen Reads Wendy Russo has created a masterpiece. ~Ivan Amberlake, Author   

Excerpt While walking south on Main Street, Matty and Iris traded shopping bags. She cocked her head sideways while looking at the cover of the book he bought her.

“Black Sheep,” she read aloud thoughtfully. “Alice Glass. Why do I know that name?”

“She wrote the novel that ‘Marker’ is based on,” he replied, referring to a SteerNet serial about to be cancelled in its first season.

“Ugh,” she said, dropping her hand. The book slapped her leg. “That show is horrible.”

“Agreed, but never mind that. ‘Black Sheep’ is by far her best work.”

“I’ll give it a try,” Iris said. “Take a look in yours.”

He pulled the small paperback out his. Peter Oldham was his mother’s favorite historical fiction author. Matty recognized “Drops in August” as soon as the corner of the cover cleared the paper sleeve. He bit his tongue to keep from groaning.

“Oh, God,” she said, likely in reaction to the cringe he failed to hold back. “Maybe this was a bad idea.”

Thinking of his mother, and her repeated suggestions that he read the book, Matty’s initial disappointment dissipated. “No, this is good,” he told Iris.

“That’s not what your face says.” She reached for the book.

“Oh, no!” He shook his head and moved his hand out of her reach. “This will do very nicely.”

“Nicely? For what?” She crossed in front of him and walked backward, reaching for the book as he whipped his hand up and behind his head.

“For a joke on my parents.”

She stopped cold in her tracks. He planted his feet so that he wouldn’t run into her, but his momentum carried him forward anyway. She put her hands forward to stop him from falling, but when he hit them, she lost her footing and stumbled backwards. He lunged forward and caught her in his arms.

When he regained his balance and stopped her fall, she was shocked, breathless, and completely supported in his arms at a sharp angle to the ground. People around them on the sidewalk applauded.

One man who passed them said, “Nice catch, kid!”

Matty stepped back and brought her to her feet. She seemed to be searching his eyes for something.

Finally, she asked, “Are you a brat, Matty?”

“Depends.” He felt as if he would shake apart if he let her go. “Do you like brats?”

As her lips pulled into a smile from ear to ear, she touched her forehead to his collarbone. A few moments later, she looked back up at him and squirmed just slightly. He let her shrug him off, and when her arms were free, she slapped his cheek playfully before skipping south on the sidewalk. All of his internal organs melted into his legs. About ten steps later, she turned around.

“Are you coming?” she yelled.

Matty shook off his daze and ran to catch up with her.

Book Trailer

Author Wendy S. Russo Wendy S. Russo got her start writing in the sixth grade. That story involved a talisman with crystals that had to be found and assembled before bad things happened, and dialog that read like classroom roll call. Since then, she’s majored in journalism (for one semester), published poetry, taken a course on short novels, and watched most everything ever filmed by Quentin Tarantino. A Wyoming native transplanted in Baton Rouge, Wendy works for Louisiana State University as an IT analyst. She’s a wife, a mom, a Tiger, a Who Dat, and she falls asleep on her couch at 8:30 on weeknights.  

FACEBOOK * WEBSITE * TWITTER

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More Information:

January Black 100th Amazon Review Giveaway

  Blog Tour Giveaway $25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 5/8/13 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.  a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hopeless Romantic Guest Post by Gregory G. Allen

Hopeless Romantic by Gregory G. Allen

     So when I started writing “Patchwork of Me”, I wasn’t ever sure if I was writing a true romance. I was writing a book about a woman in search of herself and IF a man happens to play into that- sweet! I knew the rules for ‘chick-lit’ and thought “hmmmm….I’m not playing by the rules.” But I seldom do. My books have twists and turns that cause traditional publishers to throw their hands in the air and get upset with me. Yet I believe life is that way. It’s not always perfect and safe and laid-out smoothly.

Nor are the worlds I create. And yet, I believe in love and romance. I enjoy seeing someone wooed and courted. I think I’ve watched every date movie there is. Love Nicholas Sparks and where he takes us in stories. And my all time favorite movie (and the book it is based on) is “Somewhere in Time”. To show what a true romance geek I am – I wrote a musical based on that movie years ago. Only I wasn’t able to get the rights (and now, 20 years later I hear they are working on one for Broadway). I also took a trip to Mackinac Island where the film was shot and was completely swept up in the magic of it all. Yes, I am a romantic at heart even if the characters that I tend to write about are going through major adversity in their lives.

I think the feeling of being in loved (and being loved) can get us through so many difficult times in our lives. Both those that are tragic when you need that person to cling to and even those that are comical when you think “I want more than anything to share this with x”. And when someone says ‘it is better to have loved and lost than to never have loved at all’, I know that many scoff at that. But I tend to believe it true. To have known that amazing feeling. To have shared life with another. To have had that special person (even if gone) so you know what it is you are looking for the next time around. I say it is all worth it.

Everyone should get to experience the amazing joy that is love. When you’re ready for it. When you’re ready to give it. When all of those things align (or in the world of writing: when my character is truly ready for it) – I believe it can happen.

So yes, Virginia…there is a Santa Claus and some men believe in romance. There…I’ve said it! And I didn’t have to use a fake pen name to be able to stand up and share that.




About Patchwork of Me

A product of the foster care system, Sara Butler spends her early thirties hiding from her past while striving for a normal life with her small group of quirky friends in Arizona. Seeking treatment for an invisible rash and abnormal dreams, her therapist helps her unlock a heinous past that she is unsure she wants to open. To patch her life back together, she realizes she must travel across country to Maine to confront that past in order to plan for a future.

Connect with the author

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Many authors see marketing as a bind. What are your thoughts? Guest Post By Deidre Havrelock

Many authors see marketing as a bind. What are your thoughts?

By Deidre Havrelock

I’m finding out just how tough marketing is. It’s a big world, and finding your particular audience is an art that I have yet to master. It is a bind. I have to do it, but I’m not sure exactly how to do it. But the good thing is, I’m willing to try new things and I love this whole idea of ‘virtual tours.’ They make so much sense and are fun! As far as marketing goes, I have three blogs. My first blog is ‘theagentchallenge.blogspot.com.’ I created this blog to journal my experience towards becoming published and also to help out other writers who are sharing in that same rather difficult journey. I started out with the simple plan of following the advice of agents themselves in order to bag me my own wonderful agent. Along that journey, I met many bloggers who had positive experiences publishing ebooks and so the idea of publishing an ebook became glaringly obvious, and I dived in. I’m still looking for an agent, however. Ebooks may be great for fiction and narrative non-fiction, but I’m not totally convinced it’s the right avenue for straight non-fiction (which is what my other book is). I guess, I’ll see.

My other blog ‘deidrehavrelock.wordpress.com’ is attached to my website. It’s there just so I can connect with readers. I have a third blog in the making; this one is attached to my conference website (which isn’t quite ready yet). I created this blog to explore the topic of “the femininity of the Holy Spirit.” I once read (in an agent’s book or blog somewhere) that you should market a book at least three years before it comes out, so since one of my books that I’m working to edit is called The MotherHeart of God: Biblical Evidence for the Femininity of the Holy Spirit, I thought it would be a good idea to have a conference and start a blog. You can check out (and ‘like’) the conference on Facebook, if you so desire…Wm. Paul Young (author of The Shack) has agreed to host the conference. No one said marketing has to be boring!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/MotherHeart-of-God-Biblical-Evidence-for-the-Femininity-of-the-Holy-Spirit/215590715200459?sk=app_237342086329077

Next, I’m looking at getting an audio book done.

About Saving Mary

 If you’re a fan of supernatural fiction then you will be captivated by this true story about a spiritually sensitive girl and the path that led to her possession. Part one of a two-part series, Saving Mary is the story of a modern-day Mary Magdalene—the woman from whom Jesus cast out seven demons.

Deidre Daily is drawn to anything seemingly spiritual, desperately seeking a spiritual existence. But inside this vibrant girl hides a terrified child who sincerely believes she has married the devil. Through a series of spiritual encounters her fear turns into reality, and she ends up possessed.

Deidre’s fascinating memoir relays her story from childhood to adolescence: invisible eyes leering at her from the corner of her bedroom, horrible nightmares tormenting her, and her desperate attempt to find God—only to end up possessed. It is a candid account of possession from a first-person perspective. This dark memoir brings to light an intricate world of deceitful spirits hell-bent on manipulating and damaging an innocent girl’s life, not only through her dreams, but also through seemingly every-day encounters.

Travel with Deidre into the mysterious world of spirits, ghosts and demons. Awaken yourself to a world that isn’t supposed to exist; a world that’s as intriguing as it is sinister. And then emerge as a new person—invigorated, aware and intent on living in the light. Saving Mary; Not just another story about a girl and her exorcist.

Connect with the author

Website / Goodreads

Blood Jewel by Georgia Cates Excerpt Reveal

                                                             Excerpt

Many exciting changes had occurred over the past couple of days. Although Chansey accepted my marriage proposal, she still didn’t know a lot about the world of vampires and there was much she needed to learn. “Do you think you would feel comfortable joining the others for dinner tonight? If you are going to live in a house of vampires you will need to become accustomed to the sight of blood drinking.”

She swallowed hard. “Where do they get the blood?”

“There is a community of humans called Black Swans that know about us and support our cause. Some of the Black Swans choose to become Blood Swans, which means they freely give of their blood supply for our sustenance.”

She looked thoughtful and asked, “Do you bite the Blood Swans?”

“I’m sure there are Blood Swans that would like to be bitten, but we do not drink directly from them. There are humans that allow themselves to be bitten, but we discourage it because it is too easy to lose control. There are groups of humans called Seekers that desire the company of vampires and wish to be turned. Seekers willingly allow vampires to bite them as a way of being introduced into the community. Then, there are also Blood Dolls. They enjoy and are addicted to the act of being bitten because of the umm...ecstasy they receive from it. They refer to the pleasure of the bite as The Kiss.”

“Have you ever bitten a Blood Doll?”

My answer was not going to please her. “We have all had a Blood Doll at some point in our existence, but it was a very long time ago.”

The angry versus jealous expression on her face told me she didn’t appreciate my honest answer. “How many have you had?”

I looked to the ground for help, but found none. “Only one.”

“What was her name?”she asked, jealously.

“Her name was Luciana and our relationship meant nothing. It can’t really even be considered a relationship. I drank from her. There was nothing romantic between us because it isn’t like that for vampires. The only thing we feel romantic about is the blood we crave. And our Agápes,” I explained.

Her hands went to her hips. Uh oh. Not a great sign for me. “Did your relationship with her last a long time?”

I was probably about to shoot myself in the foot or cause her to shoot me. “Depends on what you consider a long time.”

She was becoming aggravated with my vague answers and slightly raised her voice as she interrogated further. “Please, answer the question that you are avoiding. How long was Luciana your Blood Doll?”

“A little more than two years,” I admitted. Although two years was nothing for a vampire, it was rather significant in the life of a human and I knew by the look on her face that my answer didn’t sit well with her.

She became silenced by my unintentional hurtful admission. Now, she looked at the ground in search of the right words. The silence surrounding us emphasized the beat of her rapid heart before she finally continued, “What ended your relationship with Luciana?”

“She thought she loved me. I failed to convince her that it was the result of The Kiss she loved, so I ended all contact with her.”

Chansey took a deep breath. “What happened to her?” she asked.

“She found another vampire to feed on her and he eventually turned her.”

This hole I was digging was getting deeper with each question I answered. Chansey took the stance I had unfortunately become quite familiar with when she shifted her weight over to one leg. “Incredible! There’s a second vampire out there somewhere that’s convinced she’s in love with you? You are quite the lady’s man, aren’t you?”

“Luciana is a vampire, but she is not in love with me. She’s a vampire in love with the blood she drinks,” I clarified.

“Vampires have romantic relationships with other vampires, so how do you know she isn’t still in love with you?”

“She just isn’t,” I argued.

I reached for her arm and she stepped out of my reach. “But, how do you know, Curry?” she insisted.

“I’ve seen her since she was turned and she isn’t interested. Nor am I. I was never interested in her for any reason other than using her for blood when she was human.”

I cheated and used my vampire speed to catch her before she could pull away from me again. I wrapped my arms around her and kissed the top of her head as I pleaded, “You are the only one I have ever loved in my human life or in my years as a vampire. The only one. Ever.”

She finally returned my embrace and said, “I’m sorry. I know I must look like a jealous fool.”

I certainly couldn't fault her for feelings she couldn’t control. “I understand because I have experienced some jealousy issues when it comes to your admirers.”

“I don’t have admirers,” she argued.

“It certainly looks like it to me, but why don’t we just call all of it water under the bridge?” I suggested.

“I think I can agree to that and my answer is ‘yes’ to your earlier question. I would love to join you and your family for dinner tonight. Make mine AB negative,” she laughed.

“My, Miss Leclaire. You have a choosy palate. AB negative is the sweetest and most difficult to come by.”

“It’s good to know I’m sweet and in high demand,” she said as she walked her fingers up my chest.

“Your blood type is AB negative?”

“All day and all night long,” she laughed.

I wouldn’t have guessed that from when I tasted her, but I only had a few drops. Maybe it was the Agápe bond throwing it off or maybe I just didn’t have enough to be able to tell. “Chansey, don’t tell anyone that. Always keep that to yourself.”

 About the book

Blood Jewel The Vampire Agápe Series #2

"With the mystery of Chansey Leclaire and Curry Brennan’s connection solved, they are free to explore their newfound love for one another. Or so they thought...

When Marsala uses a witch and black magic to discover Curry’s whereabouts, he and Chansey are left with no choice. The newly engaged couple is forced to relocate away from their families at the new compound in Savannah, which causes some major changes in the plans for their upcoming wedding.

Relocating to Savannah might have saved Curry and Chansey from being discovered by Marsala, but it doesn’t stop her attempts to reach Curry or her efforts to harm Chansey through the use of black magic. As Marsala closes in, Curry faces the decision he never wanted to make. Will he keep Chansey human or condemn her to eternity as the thing he hates most? 

As Curry waits for his hand to be forced, a newly turned vampire arrives at the Savannah compound in need of help. Not only is she a fledgeling in transition, she brings reports of escaping from a vampire cult still in possession of her sister, a human. Any attempt to save the captive human from a cult of vampires puts everyone in jeopardy. Can they risk entering a large cult to save one human being? And is so, how could they possibly do it successfully?

Love will grow. New mysteries will arise. A battle will ensue. A Blood Jewel will be found."

About the author

I am a wife, mother of two daughters and a labor and delivery nurse. I have recently added Paranormal Romance Writer to my list of things to keep be busy, but I am ecstatic to release my debut novel, Blood of Anteros, the first book inThe Vampire Agápe Series.

Like others that enjoy a great story of paranormal romance, I am easily bored by the tale of an obtainable, ordinary romance and was inspired to create The Vampire Agápe Series. When I am not tied up with my family or delivering babies, I am working feverishly on the second book in The Vampire Agápe Series.

Interview with Lauren Hammond

Today I would like to welcome Lauren Hammond author of Insanity to Book Flame

1.What inspired you to write Insanity?

When I get an idea for a novel, it’s more of a ‘what if’ that pops into my head. I ask myself what if this happened? How would someone react? Would they lose it? That’s mostly how Insanity was created.

 2.How do you come up with the names for the characters in your books?

I like different names. So I always try to think of unique ones that aren’t too off the wall. Most of the time, when I’m writing the character though, the name kind of just comes to me out of the blue. It’s weird, I know, lol. For Adelaide though, I have a niece named Addison. We call her Addy. Adelaide was in a way born from that.

3.Who do you think is the most complex character in Insanity?

Dr. Elijah Watson. You don’t get to see all of his layers, but there is definitely more to him than what is written in Insanity and you’ll get to delve further into his quirks and flaws in White Walls the sequel to Insanity.

4.Which fictional character would you most like to meet?

Luna Lovegood. I’d like to hear more of her take on gnargles.

5.What is one book everyone should read?

Wow. This is a tough one because they are so many books that I feel teens should read. I’m gonna go with Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson. I loved this book. As a teen I felt it educated me on the way the world is. What happened in the book happens in real life and it’s important that teens know and understand that. And it’s important that no matter how rough life can be, you can always overcome the obstacles that are in your way. You can build strength from weakness and I think that’s a beautiful and amazing thing.

About the book

Sometimes love...can drive you crazy.

Adelaide Carmichael and Damien Allen couldn't be more opposite.

Adelaide's mother abandoned her when she was ten years old, leaving her to be raised by her abusive and alcoholic father.

Damien on the other hand came from a wealthy family, was a local celebrity, and seemed to have a bright future ahead of him.

Despite their differences, Adelaide and Damien were young, wild, and fiercely in love.

And they had a plan.

They were going to run away.

Be together forever.

And their plan was set in motion, until tragedy struck and for some reason, Adelaide wound up in The Oakhill Institution for the insane.

Adelaide has no idea what she did to wind up at Oakhill, but she knows one thing for sure...

She wants out.

And after Damien follows her there to aid her in escaping, Adelaide slowly begins putting together the pieces of her memory that are missing.

And it doesn't take Adelaide long to figure out that sometimes...

That one true love never dies.

Excerpt~

Shoving my feet off the side of the bed, new surroundings burn my eyes. Tan plaster walls instead of thick white padded ones. One oblong barred window. Two dressers. Two closets. Two beds.

They've moved me to a different room.

A gentle squeaking noise bounces off the walls and my eyes avert to my right. Oh crap. They put me in a room with a nut job.

They say I'm a nut job.

But not like this.

Not even close.

She rocks back and forth on her cot, knees to her chest, twisting a piece of her wiry, red hair between her fingertips. Her freckled arms are trembling. She sings with vibrato.

I am slowly going crazy. One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Six.

Switch.

Crazy going slowly am I. One. Two. Three. Four. Five. Six.

Switch.

I think about screaming again. I think about plugging my ears. Somebody turn her off.

She lifts her head slowly, a maddening look in her big, brown eyes, an eerie smile crawling across her pale, freckled lips. “Shh,” she whispers. “They're coming for us.”

“Who's they?”

She shakes her head and lets out a cackle laced with the deepest kind of crazy. I think they put her in here with me purposely. They're trying to break me. They think if they put me around truly insane people that I'll accept my place here.

Well...They are wrong.

 Purchase Insanity: Amazon eBook    Barnes & Noble eBook 

About the author:

It all began with a dinosaur, a T-Rex to be exact. He was the main character in my very first short story. Me and T, well, we went places. He is the reason I won my first essay contest at age ten. And he is probably one of the number one reasons, I pursued a career in writing.

Throughout highschool, I was what you would call a rebel. Someone who had convinced herself that she had life figured out at age sixteen. Still, writing was my only safe-haven during that time. I wrote notebooks full of poetry, even writing fellow classmates papers for them.

Unbeknowest to me, creative writing, seemed to be my one, true calling, my passion in life.

At age twenty, I began writing my first novel. After that, everything seemed to fall into place.

I won Best Poets and Poems of 2007, and The Editor's Choice award for my poem, Summer Days.

Also, during that time I wrote or co-wrote fifteen different screenplays, some which earned me finalist spot in various screenplay competitions.

In 2010, I've come full force, with my novel Love Sucks, that was released by Punkin House Press, in August of 2010. On top of Love Sucks, I have six novels that are slated to be released through the next five years. Also, doing some various marketing work for authors and publishers.

I pride myself in telling fellow writers to always follow their dreams. Who knows where I would be if I would have given up.

Connect with Lauren Hammond

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Why your Cover art sucks and its Killing your Sales by Shannon Mayer

Today I would like to welcome Shannon Mayer to Book Flame

Why your Cover art sucks and its Killing your Sales
By Shannon Mayer

Harsh, I know, but the truth often stings us in our most sensitive bits.

You know, right in our babies, our books, our belief that we have the BEST cover art EVER.

And, it's all a lie.

Now, you have to realize this has ZERO to do with your cover artist. That's right, zero. This problem has to do with YOU (and by you I mean me too) not being able to give your/my cover artist something to work with.

For instance, my book, “Sundered”, originally had a very cool cover. This one, right here. OI loved it, and felt that the artist captured a part of the story in the artwork.

It took TALENT to produce this cover, something I do not have. What I also didn't have was an understanding of what I would NEED to have on the cover in order for it to sell to my MARKET.

This book cover is great, but it really doesn't sell to my market, which is ZOMBIES and monsters, horror and gore. Much as there IS a romance in the book, that is just a bonus, and not the full scope of the story.

It took some hard, but honest advice from Carolyn McCray, bestselling Kindle author and her Optimization Workshop to set me straight.

What I learned blew my mind. NO, really it did. As proud as I was of “Sundered's” cover, it wasn't helping me sell my book. It was scaring away potential readers because the book cover said one thing (erotic romance apparently ;) while the blurb said Zombies, Monsters and high action. A contradiction that scared readers off.

So I took Carolyn's advice and had a second cover done. Again, a talented artist, but THIS time, I knew what I was looking for. Zombie, monsters, freaky looking. I knew my market better, understood what my readers were looking for and I gave it to them.

Now, what did the cover change do for me? It increased sales by 800%. Yes, you read that right. Because now, what I show my potential readers and what the blurb says MATCHES.

All because I finally had someone tell me the truth, as difficult as it was to hear. My cover art sucked because I didn't recognize my market, and wasn't able to then give the ideas to my artist. Those two simple things, were KILLING my sales.

What this means is that if your sales are struggling, it likely has very little to do with your writing. People, readers (myself included) do judge books by their covers. A sad fact of life, but a true one. How do you fix this? Simple. Don’t be so attached to your work, that you aren’t willing to make a change. Not every cover artist has the time to read your book to learn what it’s about. You as an author, need to be able to identify your market, what fits the mold of your market and what will make you stand out.
Once I learned to do this, when I went to my next cover, I was able to clearly identify what would work in the urban fantasy market I was aiming for, and what wouldn’t. Here is what we came up with.

Because I have learned the lesson about covers, I now move forward recognizing the three most important things about them. 1. Does it fit the genre? (YES)
2. Does it intrigue and excite the eyes, while making you wonder about the story? (YES)
3. Does it stand out of the crowd, while still fitting in the genre? (YES)
4. Am I so attached that I won’t be willing to change it at a later date? (NO)

If you can answer those questions, then you have a cover that is ready to stand up with the best.

Blog Tour: A World Without Books by Perry Martin (Guest Post)

A world without books …

By Perry Martin

   A world without books!  What an absolutely horrifying concept!  For starters, where would Hollywood get 90% of it's ideas?   I mean, once they've used up all the comic book characters, old television series' and remakes, what's left if there aren't any books?  That's not to say that there haven't been some brilliant films made directly from excellent screenplays.  But most of the movies I see these days seem to be adapted from novels.  Two almost larger-than-life examples come to mind in "Lord of the Rings" and "Harry Potter".

   But it's not just the effect a world without books would have on the movie industry.  I believe it would have a detrimental effect on society in general.  Movies and television, in this modern age and with the incredible technology available, provide the viewer with a visual feast that, while it's sometimes an exhilarating experience (e.g. "Avatar)  leaves little to the imagination.  The audience is not invited to contribute and I believe that's why some of the expected blockbuster movies fall flat.  They are all style and no substance.    Hollywood hasn't yet learned that it's not just about the biggest explosions, car chases and crashes etc etc.  I think that kind of thing eventually dumbs the audience down and I also think that many of them resent it, if only on a subconscious level.  Evidence the success of a movie like "The Sixth Sense".  One of my all-time favs, by the way.  That proves that people still like to be challenged by, and be involved with a story - - not just have it thrown at them with as much noise as possible. 

   The success of the first "Matrix" movie, compared to the two sequels, is another example.  The second two movies were effects-laden extravaganzas and they didn't do as well at the box office as the original.  Why?  In my opinion it's because they didn't involve the audience as much.  The first movie, as well as having amazing special effects, had an intriguing plot, a mystery that kept the audience guessing for quite a while. 

   A well-written book, on the other hand,  truly invites the reader's participation.  When you're reading you're expected to use your mind, to conjure up your own pictures based on the author's descriptions.  In a way, with the help of the author (if he's good) you create your own world and, in the case of a really good book, you can become completely lost in it.  I'm aware that can happen with a really good movie, too.  But, for me, there's something more personal about losing yourself in a book. The characters in the story can look just how you imagine they would look.  In fact, I had this illustrated to me perfectly with my own novel, "Pretty Flamingo".   Several people I knew personally, who read the book, each gave me their descriptions of one of the central characters - - and all of them saw her slightly differently.  That, to me, is the beauty of a book - - the reader contributes something of his own to it, whether he realizes it or not. 

About Pretty Flamingo

You’ll be taken on an emotional journey with David Perry, the central character, as he unlocks the mystery of a part of his past he never knew existed—a past that’s been hidden from him for thirty-five years. As the lost memories unfold David discovers a love so powerful it transcended the purely physical; a loss so devastating that it changed his whole life. And a promise that, if he can keep it, will return to him all that he cared most about in the whole world.

About The Author

 In his long and varied career as a musician, songwriter and producer Perry has worked with such people as Lefty Frizzell, Hank Snow Jr. and Sheb Wooley. Over the years as a solo performer or with a band he has also been the supporting act for such show biz luminaries as the Bee Gees, Ambrosia, Little River Band, B.J. Thomas, Hal Ketchum and Lonestar - - to name just a few.

More recently he completed his first novel, "Pretty Flamingo". Based on actual personal experiences the book is essentially a mystery/love story that takes some very unexpected twists and turns. 

Connect with Perry Martin on Twitter & Facebook
Website http://www.prettyflamingothebook.com/