Trailer Reveal: OPAL (Oh you know it, Kitten!)

THIS IS A PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT... THE D.O.D. HAS REPORTED MULTIPLE SIGHTINGS OF A MYSTERIOUS ILLUMINATED BEING ALL ACROSS THE NATION AND BEYOND, INCLUDING MULTIPLE SOCIAL MEDIA TAKEOVERS. PLEASE BE ADVISED AND PROCEED WITH CAUTION. THESE BEINGS, REPORTEDLY IDENTIFIED AS LUXEN, ARE KNOWN TO CONFUSE THE SENSES WITH THEIR IMPOSSIBLE GOOD LOOKS AND FIERCE DEVOTIONS. 

OPAL (The third book in the Lux Series)

Available in both print and digital version on
December 18, 2012
Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Official Opal Book Trailer... 

Please find a quiet place free of all distraction as you DO NOT WANT TO MISS ANY OF THIS! You asked, you pleaded, you downright groveled. Now here it is...

Hold on to your Obsidian shards ladies, 'cause it's about to get all Luxen up in here.

Whew!!!! Did I tell you, or did I tell you! Holy mother of all HAWT alien babies! Personally, I watched this trailer like 20 times at least. That one sort of sideways kiss.... Oh dear GAWD makes me want a Luxen of my very own.

Ahem...

As you know, The lovely and UBER talenten Jennifer L. Armentrout is the goddess who has brought us Daemon and Katy. Isn't she pretty? Don't you just want to hug her and say, "Will you be my friend?" Just me? Oh crap.

Please, if you haven't already, check out Jennifer L. Armentrout on the following sites:
Facebook
Twitter
Official Website

Like her -- follow her -- stalk her...it's all good. She's game.

SHOULD YOU BE IN NEED OF ANY OFFICIAL ASSISTANCE, SUCH AS RESUSCITATION FROM HOTNESS OVERLOAD OR SEXUAL TENSION FAINTING SPELLS, PLEASE SEEK OUT YOUR NEAREST D.O.D. REPRESENTATIVE. 
THIS CONCLUDES OUR PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT...

The Next Big Thing (Week 25)

How did I not know about this awesome longstanding writer meme So You Think You Can Write A Novel? Nice little play on my all time fave show So You Think You Can Dance! If you know me, or follow my randomness on Twitter, you know I get all sorts of gushy over the show.

Anyway, so my pal Alisha Klapheke tagged me in this wee meme where we get to [gasp] share some tidbits of our [lip quiver] current WIP and post a [near faints] Q & A session about it. Oi. If you're not a writer, you probably don't understand the palm-sweat-inducing nerves that posting bits of your coveted baby on the world wide web creates. Granted, if you're published, this is 'meh' to you. BUT! For us who still linger in the shadows, it can be darn right frightening. 

So here goes! [cracks knuckled and pops neck] Let's do dis.

#1. What is the working title of your book? BLOOD SHIFT, and that's the 3rd working title so far. Heh.

#2. Where did the idea come from for the book? After reading far too many YA novels than should be considered normal, a mini-movie starting flipping through my head. I also attribute it to my endless fascination with all things speculative as well as Celtic folklore.

#3. What genre does your book fall under? Hmmm. Good question. Young Adult Urban Fantasy is my guess.

#4. Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition? Oh boy! Love this. Okay. [rubs hands together with devilish glee] This part isn't nearly as fun without the visual aid, and it also eliminates the Wha...? Who? factor.

Bree has always been a Nina Dobrev (with curly hair) to me.

Kennon is rep'd by this one picture of Sam Claflin. 

All of Sam's other pics don't work. Or I would go with an Alex Pettyfer. Cuz...yummm

Tess is Blake Lively.

Lucy is Lauren Prepon, but with short hair...

Franco has been a young Dario Franchitti in my head. Now Dario's not an actor, but an Indy Race-car driver. The hot Scottish kind. Grrrr.

And G-ma I see as a Lois Smith.

#5. What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book? Ew. Hate this part. Ahem. When a seventeen year-old girl discovers the truth behind the whacked dreams plaguing her for months, she learns she has two choices: either suck it up and become the fighter her bloodline dictates, or turn away from her legacy, surrendering her soul to her birthright's wild energy.

#6. Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency? Not sure yet. Have some Indie Pubs that I'm looking at...

#7. How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript? The first horrific rough draft? Four months. The last year attempting to make it not so horrific.

#8. What other books would you compare this story to within your genre? I'm horrible at this, sorry, and really have NO idea how to answer this. I believe readers who liked the HUSH, HUSH series by Becca Fitzpatrick and maybe the LUX novels by Jennifer L. Armentrout would like BLOOD SHIFT. For those who've CP'd feel free to chime in here...

#9. Who or What inspired you to write this book? My friend Rachel. [BIG grin] She was the person who said "GO FOR IT" when I said I had an idea for a book. Heart her.

#10. What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest? Pishaw! I wrote it, duh! Totally kidding. Seriously, besides hot boys with accents who are swoonishly deadly, I believe it's a story about strength. Finding strength in those around you and also, and most importantly, within yourself.

You get all that? Fantastic! Now I'm going to tag a couple of wickedly talented people I know to continue this tradition for Week 26 next Wednesday.

The wonderfully sparkly Isabel Bandeira and uber awesome M.R. Polish (who might need a NaNo stress relief about now) will share some loveliness on their blogs next time so keep a watch out!

Political Humor at its Best

Best -- Video -- EVER! A-men, brother...uh, sister? A-men.

CollegeHumor's Favorite Funny Videos

UtopYA Con - Part Deux

Howdy reader/writer peeps!

I just wanted to pop in for a wee announcement from Nashvegas. Some of you may remember, or even attended, the virgin voyage of UtopYA Con last July. Well, things are ramping up for 2013! That's right, UtopYA Con is back for another round! WOOT!! And if the most recent feedback, inquiries, and general buzz (and awesomeness) is any indication, next June will ROCK - YOUR - SOCKS. Please feel free to check out the website for more information on the Black Friday sale and newly listed Exhibitor information.

UtopYA Con 2012, our local nod to all things YA and it's all around awesome, was stocked full of local and not-so-local authors, writers, and fans. If you're an author looking to network or boost your presence, this is an awesome way to get your name out there. I know, from personal experience, that UtopYA is a great way for readers to find new authors to love and fan-girl over. And you just never know who you'll see in attendance in June...(wink wink). If you are a HUGE fan of the young adult genre, then there is NO reason you shouldn't join in the party.

UtopYA is not your average Con. Please read this post I did earlier this year to catch a glimpse of how wonderful it is. It was nothing short of amazing and I cannot WAIT for June.

The best part? It doesn't matter if you are self published, independently published, or even pubbed by the big boys! All are welcome and encouraged to come. And the second best thing? Well, maybe a tie for best. UtopYA Con is once again at the Scarritt-Bennett Center (aka: Hogwarts Lite) for 2013. If you've been there, you know how wonderful this campus is. If you haven't, just check out the pics on their website and you will see just how beautiful Scarritt-Bennett is.

Hope to see y'all there for this 'heavenly' event! *cough, cough* Yeah, I'm lame, but you love that about me.

If you attended the last UtopYA, please feel free to chime in on the comments below. What did you love about it? Who did you discover at UtopYA? What author did you meet that you secretly (or blatantly) adore (or stalk) while at UtopYA? Who would you love to see at UtopYA Con 2013?

Just in case you forgot

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Trailer Park Tuesday (9): WHAT'S LEFT OF ME

Blood, Sweat and Books hosts the Trailer Tuesday meme and you can check out their awesomeness as well. Since I live in Middle Tennessee, I decided to country-fy my meme and go the trailer park route. *snortle* In my home away from home, I will spotlight some of the awesome book trailers out there in the world.

This week I'd like to talk about the uber cute Kat Zhang. She's a Nashville lass so that makes her even more awesome. Jus sayin. Anyway, her debut WHAT'S LEFT OF ME had a book birthday back in August and it looks pretty darned cool if you ask me. Dual souls in one body... Sort of Sci-Fi and Fantasy-ish... Oh how I love the idea! Actually, it reminds me a smidgen of THE HOST from Stephenie Myers. Say what you will about that woman, but I really enjoyed THE HOST.

Sorry, got off track. WHAT'S LEFT OF ME truly looks like an awesome read. All that I've seen, heard, read, proves that Miss Kat is on a fast track to awesomeness. .

In the meantime, check out the fab trailer below! I LOOOOOVE the very end. Creeeeeepyyyyyyy. *giggle* Feel free to post your own thoughts in the comments.

Author: Kat Zhang

Publication Date: 9/18/12

Goodreads Connection

Eva and Addie started out the same way as everyone else—two souls woven together in one body, taking turns controlling their movements as they learned how to walk, how to sing, how to dance. But as they grew, so did the worried whispers. Why aren’t they settling? Why isn’t one of them fading? The doctors ran tests, the neighbors shied away, and their parents begged for more time. Finally Addie was pronounced healthy and Eva was declared gone. Except, she wasn’t… 

For the past three years, Eva has clung to the remnants of her life. Only Addie knows she’s still there, trapped inside their body. Then one day, they discover there may be a way for Eva to move again. The risks are unimaginable–hybrids are considered a threat to society, so if they are caught, Addie and Eva will be locked away with the others. And yet…for a chance to smile, to twirl, to speak, Eva will do anything.

My Thoughts: PROTECTING TRUTH

Seraphina’s keeping a secret from her Wandering team: she’s perfecting her fighting skills. But telling Sam and Bishop the truth would only alert them to her plan: to go back in time, save her mom, and finish what she started. With the help of Turner, Bishop’s handsome twin, she progresses toward her goal but plummets deeper into dangerous territory where the lines of friendship and romance are blurred. One passionate kiss changes everything, leading Sera to unravel a shocking web of family secrets, heartbreaking ulterior motives, and sinister agendas. Love and lies collide in a haunting climax, where the truest souls may not survive.

Miss Michelle has done it again. I had the distinct pleasure of reading PROTECTING TRUTH recently, and I have to say… It’s AWESOME! I just love Michelle Warren and her stories. If you missed the first installment to the SERAPHINA PARRISH TRILOGY, WANDER DUST, you seriously need to go catch up. You can get this delish piece of reading at a crazy reasonable price for your eReader. Just DO IT! 

WANDER DUST laid the perfect groundwork for PROTECTING TRUTH. In WD, we are introduced to our characters and this underground world of Wandering, a type of time-traveler. Miss Michelle took us on this wild journey of discovery and wicked action scenes that still have me foaming at the mouth. We met Sera, who totally needs to be my friend, and her uber wonderful Protector, Bishop. ‘Scuse me whilst I swoon a bit….

PROTECTING TRUTH had all that….and then some. We come into the story with the yummilishious Bishop overseas visiting his family and Sera is up to her blue-violet eyes in defense training. Side note: There are few things in this world that I love more than a butt-kicking heroine (literally). Our girl is beating herself silly to be a better fighter. Why? ‘Cause she has a date with Cece, the evil B that’s holding her mom prisoner. The I’m-taking-you-down kind of date. And Sera is getting seriously good at this fighting stuff. Problem is, Bishop doesn't know, and Sera really doesn't want him to find out.

There’s also this little problem with Bishop’s elusive fraternal twin, Turner, who we didn't really get to meet in WD. ‘Scuse me whilst I swoon again… Boy do I love me some Turner. He’s intelligent, good with his hands (Erm…for inventing/creating trinkets and hologram machinery of course so get your mind out of the gutter), and has this dark side to him that is holy-mother-of-time-travels HAWT. But something doesn't seem right with Turner. Bishop hinted at some ‘sibling rivalry’ but it goes waaaay deeper than that.

PROTECTING TRUTH still had some action to die for, wonderfully descriptive holographic circuses that left me breathless, and swoon-worthy dates in London, but it was the deeper aspect that really drew me in. Miss Michelle brings us deeper into the Wandering world and we finally see how corrupted it is. Traitors are welcomed back into the halls of Washington Square Academy, Terease, or The Lady in Black, still terrorizes but there is much she’s not sharing, Sera believes the students are being bribed into the Wandering life, Bishop is holding devastating secrets, and Sera can’t fight the infuriating attraction she holds for Turner. The Academy is breached, the Underground holds too many cards, and we meet new people only to lose them. Tears, yes there are tears. PROTECTING TRUTH was truly non-stop and I loved every page.

The best part of PROTECTING TRUTH is the truth of the characters and their journey. Sera is wonderfully conflicted and I fell in love with her even more. She wants to do right, but somehow doesn’t quite make it. She battles with some major life-changing events and her growth through them are spot on. Sera’s far from perfect, but yet she is.

I've been a fan of this series from the very beginning and I cannot wait to see what’s next for Sera, Bishop and Sam. More please, Michelle!

In closing’ I’d like to share a snip-it to leave y’all salivating, much like I was reading it… Enjoy!

“To touch him would release his secrets. To kiss him would set him free.”