LDStorymakers Writing Conference

 I just returned from the best weekend! I was at an amazing conference – LDStorymakers.

I learned so much – I will be sharing some things in the coming weeks- and had a great time hanging out with other crazy people that love writing!

Publication Primer Group

 This is my ‘Publication Primer’ group. It is a type of intensive critique group with a published author as a mentor. We lucked out and had two wonderful author/instructors: Renee Collins and Tyler Jolley. I had a great time meeting the other writers in my group and reading the beginnings to their stories. 

 

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Yay for writing buddies! These are some of the amazing people I have met through the iwritenetwork.com chatroom. We meet in there and brainstorm, chat, or sprint (set a time limit and see how much writing/editing/whatever we can finish in that time and then check back in). It was really fun to hang out with them in person. 

It is also one of the very few pictures I took at the conference. I always think ‘Oh, I will get my picture taken with the authors that I fangirl’ and then I get there and don’t even ask for a photo while they sign my books. Maybe someday I will remember/dare pull out the camera :D.

 

One thing I always do at these conferences. . . buy books. Seriously. I saved my Christmas monies.

To give you an idea of my. . . problem (I don’t have a problem!):

This is a picture of my ‘to read’ bookcase in my room. Keep in mind that it only shows the front layer, there is another set of books behind the ones you can see. That doesn’t count the pile in the library I still need to read either, or the ebooks. *sigh*

To read

So, what do I do?

 

new shiny books

I bring home a literal bag of new (signed!) books.

They followed me home! Honest 🙂

But really, how can you resist a new book? What I need now, is time to read!

 

What books/movies/hobbies do you like to look forward to?

 

 

Book Feature: Princess and the Prom Queen by Jaclyn Weist

 

Today I am featuring a new young adult fantasy book: The Princess and the Prom Queen, by Jaclyn Weist.

 

PandPcoverFinal

 

 

 

 

 

 

First, the back cover blurb for the book: 

Jenny’s had it with her life. Six siblings in an overstuffed house are enough to drive anyone crazy, and sometimes she dreams of escaping to some fantasy world. When she suddenly wakes up to find herself being kissed by a strange—but very handsome—prince, Jenny knows her life just got a lot more exciting. Now stuck in a medieval land of castles and royalty, when Jenny learns that the queen has agreed to marry her off to the prince, it’s time to take matters into her own hands. She goes on a quest to find out who dragged her to this time while trying to keep from falling in love with either of the boys vying for her attention.

Princess Genevieve has only known life under her mother’s rule. She wants to do more than go to battle or deal with suitors. She wakes to find herself in a new world filled with gadgets, electricity, and moving carriages. She finally has the freedom to be who she wants to be with a family who cares deeply for her and a boy worth any sacrifice. It’s more than everything she always wanted.

As Jenny and Genevieve settle into their new lives, they face an unknown evil which threatens everything they care about and makes them face tough questions—like who they are and what they really want their lives to become.

So I have to admit, I am a sucker for a fairy tale retelling. Especially when it is twisted into something original. This is a really fun version involving Sleeping Beauty. I enjoyed seeing the two girls adapt (and grow) in their new settings. I loved that they took charge of their own destiny and didn’t wait for things to happen to them. I loved that Jenny came from a functional (yet crazy) family and that both girls had a support system within their family. It was also a cause of angst for me as the story progressed, but (no spoilers) it was resolved nicely.  

The bad guy is sneaky and scary. I ended up staying up way too late reading this book because I just had to know ‘what happens next.’ And the cute guys and the kissing were a nice bonus :). 

If you love fairy tales, magic, cool girls that can wield swords and adventure, this is a book for you: you can find it here –  http://www.amazon.com/Princess-Prom-Queen-Jaclyn-Weist-ebook/dp/B00JY0AX7W

 

 

Jaclyn Weist

 

 

Jaclyn Weist is an Idaho farm girl who grew up loving to read. She developed a love for writing as a senior in high school, when her dad jokingly said she was the next Dr. Seuss (not even close, but very sweet). She met her husband, Steve, at Brigham Young University, and they have six happy, crazy children who encourage her writing. After owning a bookstore and running away to have adventures in Australia, they settled back down in their home in Utah. Jaclyn now spends her days herding her kids to various activities and trying to remember what she was supposed to do next. You can visit her online at www.jaclynweist.blogspot.com

 

Author Interview: Wendy Knight, SPARK OF A FEUDLING

Author interview time again! This time, we have Wendy Knight visiting. She recently released the final book in an amazing series of YA fantasy that began with FEUDLINGS. The latest book is actually a prequel. – Check out this gorgeous cover! (and the book blurb)

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Hate can start a war, but a shattered heart can fuel it for centuries.

Everything Ada does is wrong. She’s the daughter of a Duke but she isn’t proper or formal. She prefers the company of her servants—particularly Christian, the boy she’s loved since she was six years old, and his sister, Charity, Ada’s very best friend in the entire world.
Ada isn’t just the daughter of a Duke. No, she’s the daughter of one of the most powerful Edren sorcerers alive, and no matter how strong she is, it isn’t strong enough. Ada will give up almost everything to earn her father’s pride.
Christian has loved Ada since the day his mother became her governess. But two societies are determined to keep them apart—the aristocracy who say a groom will never be good enough for a Duke’s beautiful daughter, and the sorcerers who say a Carules and an Edren can never be together. Christian will do anything to make Ada his—even drive himself to madness.
When Ada suspects her father of hurting Charity and Christian in his quest for knowledge, she is torn between loyalty to him, and a fierce determination to protect them. The division tears her soul and breaks her heart.
The pieces of her broken heart will start a war that can only be stopped by the death of the most powerful warrior alive by the hand of the boy who loves her.

 ****

**Bonus Story –Feudlings in Peace**Join  Ari, Shane, Ada, Christian and everyone they love as they chase their happily ever after.

 

Sneak peek into the book with an excerpt:

He sprinted down the path, into the forest, leaping over huge rocks and tree roots and through streams he couldn’t see but his magic told him were there. He had no idea where he was going, but there seemed to be a tether from his heart to hers — he always knew where Ada was. He ran straight to them, nearly colliding with her father’s guards as he raced through the thick trees.

“What happened to her?” he bellowed, jerking Ada out of Davis’s bloodstained arms.

“She was hit, saving me,” Harrison answered. “Can you help her?”

If there had been time, any time at all, Christian would have paused at that. How exactly had his tiny little Ada saved the giant Harrison? But there wasn’t time. He laid her on the thick grass, searching for the wound. But there was so much blood.

“There!” Davis snapped, jabbing the air above her stomach.

Flames roiled across Christian’s hands and he held them above her, letting the flames soothe the skin before he tried to touch it. They swirled through the air, seeping and mending the broken, charred skin.

“Does she breathe?” Harrison asked, crouching close to put his face next to her mouth.

Christian ignored him. He didn’t care if she breathed or not.

She would breathe, or he would die with her.

“She does.” Harrison sat back, relieved.

“Can you not heal at all? Stop the blood flow from her shoulder!” Christian snapped.

Harrison gaped at him. “We’re Edren. We don’t heal.”

“I’m Carules and I can throw a lirik if need be,” Christian muttered under his breath, but he couldn’t argue with them now.

She moaned.

They all froze in shock, and then redoubled their efforts. Davis jerked his shirt off and held it to her shoulder while Christian’s blue flames leaped and danced from his hands, fighting the poison eating through her body.

“Christian. I knew—” she whispered as her skin healed, leaving only pink burns behind.

“Shhh. Don’t speak. You’re still very weak.” He moved from her stomach to her shoulder, pushing Davis’ shirt out of the way. It was stiff with dried blood and she shrieked when he ripped it from the wound. “Forgive me, dear one,” he whispered, his mouth near her temple, kissing the pain away. “Forgive me.”

“I knew… you would come. I knew you… could heal me.” Her eyes fluttered open, dazed with pain, dark orbs barely reflecting the moonlight.

“Always, Ada. Forever.”

Introducing, Wendy: 

Wendy Knight Photo

Wendy Knight is the bestselling author of the young adult series Fate on Fire and Riders of Paradesos. She was born and raised in Utah by a wonderful family who spoiled her rotten because she was the baby. Now she spends her time driving her husband crazy with her many eccentricities (no water after five, terror when faced with a live phone call, no touching the knives…you get the idea). She also enjoys chasing her three adorable kids, playing tennis, watching football, reading, and hiking. Camping is also big—her family is slowly working toward a goal of seeing all the National Parks in the U.S.

You can usually find her with at least one Pepsi nearby, wearing ridiculously high heels for whatever the occasion. And if everything works out just right, she will also be writing.

Social Media Links:
Blog: www.wendyknightauthor.blogspot.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorWendyKnight
Twitter: https://twitter.com/wjk8099
Instagram: http://instagram.com/wendyjo99

 

 

 

 

 

 

And now for our interview, as always, based on the title of the book-

 

SPARK OF A FEUDLING

S is for spells: your characters can do some amazing spells. If you could do a magic spell (not just the kinds your characters can do) what would it be?

Well of course, if I could choose any magic, it would be to end world hunger or create world peace. BUT, pretend someone already did that—I would have a magic that would make sleep unnecessary. Seriously, it takes up so much writing time!

 

P is for problems: What do you feel like your characters learn (without spoilers) from the problems that they face?

They learn that one, destiny might always win but it can still be on your terms. And two, that loyalty, love and friendship will overcome any trial, any evil, against all odds.

A is for admire: What things do you admire that inspire you in your writing?

I have to say, human nature is my biggest inspiration. I know there are so many bad things in the world, but I see so much good, so much strength, caring and love. I want to take those characteristics and capture them in my writing. I try to give them to my characters.

R is for wRiting: (see what I did there? 😉 )  Now that you have finished Feudlings, what are your next projects that we can look forward to?

Haha! I love it. Right now I’m working on a few different projects. I am just starting the final installment in the Riders of Paradesos series, which is about my battle unicorns and the teenagers who help them save the day. I’m also just finishing up a series I am involved in with five other authors called The Gates of Atlantis. My story is about a hybrid banshee who has to learn to embrace both halves of herself to save her brother and help save Atlantis. And I’m about half-done with the first story in a new trilogy—it’s a New Adult urban fantasy called The Soul’s Agent about a girl who is sort of a probation officer for ghosts. She recruits lost souls to fight in her army against demons. And of course, there’s this guy she can’t get over messing up her plans…

K is for kiss: You write some really great romantic relationships and elements in your stories. Who is your favorite couple in literature?

Oooh that’s a hard one! Okay, I’m going with the couple from The Scarlet Pimpernel. One, because I desperately love that story. Two, because I read it when I was in high school, and one scene has stayed with me ever since. When I write a romantic scene, I try to remember how it made me feel—when Marguerite walks away and Percy kisses each place her fingers touched the banister…swoon!

Feudlings: this is the end of a wonderful series, where did you get the name ‘feudlings’ from?

Well, I made it up. I started writing this story, and I was telling my brother about it, and he asked me what the name was. I didn’t have a name. But it was about two feuding sides, particularly, the people fighting—they were my Feudlings. And there was my title!

 

Thank you for visiting with us today, Wendy!

Everyone- run like Wendy’s Facebook author page so you can get the latest updates on all her new books!

New Cover Reveal- The Princess and the Prom Queen by Jaclyn Weist

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Trifecta Books is proud to announce a fun YA urban fantasy by author Jaclyn Weist—The Princess and the Prom Queen.

Jenny’s had it with her life. Six siblings in an overstuffed house are enough to drive anyone crazy, and sometimes she dreams of escaping to some fantasy world. When she suddenly wakes up to find herself being kissed by a strange—but very handsome—prince, Jenny knows her life just got a lot more exciting. Now stuck in a medieval land of castles and royalty, when Jenny learns that the queen has agreed to marry her off to the prince, it’s time to take matters into her own hands. She goes on a quest to find out who dragged her to this time while trying to keep from falling in love with either of the boys vying for her attention.

Princess Genevieve has only known life under her mother’s rule. She wants to do more than go to battle or deal with suitors. She wakes to find herself in a new world filled with gadgets, electricity, and moving carriages. She finally has the freedom to be who she wants to be with a family who cares deeply for her and a boy worth any sacrifice. It’s more than everything she always wanted.

As Jenny and Genevieve settle into their new lives, they face an unknown evil which threatens everything they care about and makes them face tough questions—like who they are and what they really want their lives to become.

The Princess and the Prom Queen will be available on Kindle April 29th, 2014, with print to follow shortly. You are invited to attend the online launch party on Facebook by clicking here at 7:00 pm on that day. https://www.facebook.com/events/312279742253197/

Author interview: Krista Wayment, TRUSTED (middle grade fantasy)

We have another fun author interview today: Krista Wayment is here. Her new book, TRUSTED, (Middle Grade Fantasy) comes out this week! (March 27th)

There is also a Rafflecopter contest entry at the end (for a 10$ Amazon Gift certificate)

First, here is the cover and a blurb about the book:

Cover

Renick, the fifth son of a dragon breeder, crashes into an unexpected adventure that challenges everything he thought he knew about dragons, history, and himself.

 

Stranded in the massive Helath forest, Renick meets two other passengers: Thane, a noble training to be a dragon knight, and Lainey, the orphaned niece of a healer. Together they survive an attack by vicious wolves, rescue a baby dragon with a broken wing, and escape from a band of dragon hunters as they make a perilous climb into the mountains. What they discover there will change everything.

 

 Here is Krista Wayment:

author

 

Krista Wayment has been making up stories since she learned to talk. Writing naturally grew out of that. Krista is an avid Fantasy and Science Fiction fan, and a total nerd. She is also a software engineer and loves playing video games. Although, curling up with a good book is still one of her favorite past times.

Author Website: www.kristawayment.com

Book Website: dragonstrust.blogspot.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Krista-Wayment-Author/223311651035091?ref=hl

Twitter: https://twitter.com/KristaWayment

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5764548-krista-wayment

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20803900-trusted

 

 

And our interview, based on the title of the book: 

 

TRUSTED

T is for Trusted: What can you tell us (without huge spoilers)about the significance of your title?

Hmm, let me see. I can tell you in the world of Dragons’ Trust that dragons, especially young ones have the ability to see to the core of a person. They often give a person a name that identifies they greatest strength. Plyth, the baby dragon gives Renick the name, “Trusted.” There are more layers to the title but they are all spoilers 🙂

R is for reading: What is your favorite genre to read?

Fantasy. I also really love Science Fiction. But my main love is fantasy. Magic, dragons, castles, knights. I love it all.

U is for Unique: What is something that you feel is unique about your characters?

I think that the most unique thing about my character has to do with how they interact with each other and the world around them. Renick is very quiet and strong. He connects with people really easily and feels things very deeply.

Lainey is bright and spunky but has experienced a lot of pain in her life. She has a hard time letting people in but is very loyal.

Thane is brave. And more than just the monster fighting/hero saves the day kind of brave. He could face anything and conquer it, though he doesn’t know that yet. Thane is a protector and will come to the rescue of those he cares for no matter what the danger to himself.

S is for share: Would you share your plans for future books?

Yes. Book 2 of the Dragons’ Trust series is in the works right now. I don’t want to give too much away but it involves a rogue dragon and Thane gets the chance to be a hero. I’m also working on a humorous science fiction series that will probably be released after the Dragons’ Trust series is complete.

T is for trials: What are a few things your characters learn through the trials they encounter and what do you think you learned from their growth?

Renick learns a lot about leadership and trust. He kind of gets thrown into being the leader because he is the one the others trust the most. He also learns to be confident in himself. Renick’s growth taught me that even though we may not want to utilize one of our talents—we are not really our true selves until we do.

Lainey is terrified of dark enclosed places. At one point she is faced with a choice, over come her fear and save a life—or let her fear stop her. She taught me that fear, no matter how strong, is not stronger then we are. Who we are always manages to shine through even the darkest of trials.

Thane learns a lot about companionship and what it is like to care for people who care for you in return (something he hasn’t had a lot of experience with). He also learns about friendship. Thane taught me that sometimes we have to set our pride aside before we can really let anyone in.

E is for exciting: What kinds of things are exciting to you? What are your favorite things to do?

Reading and writing, but that’s a given, right?

I LOVE getting packages in the mail. And I’m kind of a tracking junky. If I order something and it has a tracking number I check the website like 50 times a day. At any given time you can ask me where in the country  my package is and I will know 🙂

The thrill of solving a puzzle or accomplishing something that I have been working on for a while also excites me. I notice this a lot when I play video or board games (I’m a gamer.)

Learning is another thing that I enjoy doing. Mastering a new concept is really exciting to me.

D is for Dragons: (Because DRAGONS 🙂 ) What draws you to dragons, what is your favorite thing about them?

I’ve thought a lot about this lately. When I think of dragons, I think of wise old beings who have lived a lot time and gained knowledge from their experience. They are also beautiful and graceful. I think it is the ability to imagine what a real dragon would be like that draws me to them. Plus, you know they fly and breathe fire which is totally cool! 

 

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Finally: The contest entry! (click the link)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

New Cover Reveal for the Blood Inheritance series by Adrienne Monson!

You have to see this beautiful new cover!

9781631630064

Defiance Blurb

Leisha and Samantha barely survived the vampires and immortals six months ago. Now, an explosive battle between the vampires and immortals seems imminent. 

It’s more important than ever before that the prophecy child is found, but there’s a problem—Leisha has lost her powers. She seems like nothing more than a human. Her newfound humanity is further complicated when Tafari, her old lover, appears with a desire for reconciliation.

Can Leisha lock up the past to save those she loves? Or will fate tear everything from her once again?

Author Bio

Authorpic small

Monson’s debut novel, Dissension, book one of the Blood Inheritance trilogy, came out in 2013.

Defiance (book 2) is slated for release February 24, 2015.

She lives in Utah with her husband and two kids. When she’s not writing, she enjoys Zumba, kickboxing, reading, and trying new recipes.

Web site: http://www.adriennemonson.com/

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/adriennemonson

Twitter: https://twitter.com/adriennemonson

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6584385.Adrienne_Monson

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/adriennemonson

If you like your vampires compelling, bloody and sexy, this is the series for you. While it will be really hard to wait a year for this to come out- you should go read the first one!

Thanks, Adrienne, for sharing your incredible cover with us today!

Twist of Luck Scavenger Hunt

Twist of Luck Blog Tour
 
 
 
Every day a different blog will post a question. When you find the answer, send an email to Jaclyn at:   jaclynweist@gmail.com
She will draw a winner each day from those that got it correct. You can find the answers on Wikipedia.
The answers will also be posted the next day on the next post in the tour, along with the next trivia question. Some questions deal with colors of the rainbow. Other questions deal with leprechauns. 
And, of course, at the end of the rainbow, there’s a pot of gold. In that pot of gold will be an Amazon gift card! Those that answer questions by sending her an email will be entered to win the gift card on the last day.
And don’t forget to purchase a copy of book one, Stolen Luck. The great news is that it’s $.99 right now! That link is here
Good luck!!
 

Yesterday’s Answer:
 
Ireland’s flag is green, white and ORANGE.




Today’s Question:
Along with leprechauns, imps play a big part in this book. What is one thing they crave, and how do they try to get it? The prize:
Necklace

Find the answer and tomorrow’s question at:

 http://www.jamesduckett.com

 

Along with the scavenger hunt, we also have a fun interview based on the title of the book! With the first book in the series, we interviewed Jaclyn, the author. This time, we have Megan and Jared, two of the main characters, answering the questions. 

So, Jared and Megan, I have a few questions for you two. I spoke with Jaclyn last time, so now it is your turn to shine:

Twist of Luck

T is for “terror”: In this installment, you take on some pretty frightening things. What is it that you are really afraid of?

Megan: The imp. I hated having it follow me everywhere

Jared: I’m not scared of anything.

Megan: Yeah, right.

Jared (Laughs): Okay, fine. I think it wasn’t the creatures I was scared of. It was more watching Megan doing all these things she shouldn’t have been doing.

Megan (grinning): And this is why I like this guy.

W is for “wishes”: What are the dangers of wishes? Would you advise someone to make wishes or avoid them?

Megan: You have to be really careful with what you wish for. Leprechauns can twist anything you say.

Jared: Yes, watch out for the loopholes. Megan had to word her wishes carefully to get her luck back. It helps to have another leprechaun backing you up, though. We have Henry to thank for that.

I is for “Inspiration”: What inspires each of you to keep going when things are tough?

Megan: My family. We are really close, and while my parents aren’t thrilled with me running around saving the day, I know they have my back. Jared and Beth are pretty awesome to keep me going. When things were the toughest, they were right there to pick me back up.

Jared: I have good friends that push me, and my family is awesome. I’ve been taught my whole life to work hard and do my best. I don’t like seeing Beth or Megan get hurt, so that means I have to step and fight harder.

S is for “secret world”: You guys encounter others who have had interactions with this secret world of Leprechauns and such. Why do you think they do (or don’t) keep it a secret?

Megan (laughs) Would you believe anyone if they told you about leprechauns?  I’m actually amazed at how many people know about this world and don’t say anything.

Jared: I know I didn’t believe Megan when she said something. Part of it is being afraid to be believed, but I also think it’s to protect other people. All this trouble was caused when we got stuck in the middle of the magical world.

Megan: Yeah, sorry about that.

Jared: Hey, you know me. I live for adventure.

T is for “twist”: There are some really cool twists in this story of your experiences. What helps you to handle things when they don’t go your way?

Megan: Having my luck stolen in the first book kind of prepared me for most of it. It’s frustrating but I know I have help — even if I sometimes run into the middle of trouble on my own.

Jared: Sometimes? I think it’s more like all the time. There’s a reason you have fairies following you.

Megan: Hey, I do pretty well before you guys get there. And I think the fairies are part of the problem.

Jared: Good point. I think the biggest thing we have going for us is that we all have different skills that feed off each other. When something is too much for one person, we have two other people that can step up and take over.

Luck:  If you could give a huge pile of luck to someone else, to whom would you give it and for what reason?

Megan: I think I’d give it to my parents. They could use some after everything I’ve put them through.

Thanks for stopping by today, you guys. Good ‘Luck’!

About Twist of Luck: 
 
Megan finally has her luck back and hopes that life will return to normal. Unfortunately, the magical world has other plans. Suddenly, she find she has fairies following her to provide security, dragons become a constant threat, and an imp tracks her every move. As if that wasn’t enough, her luck begins to manifest itself in ways she could never imagine.
 
About Jaclyn:
 
Jaclyn is an Idaho farm girl who grew up loving to read. She developed a love for writing as a senior in high school, when her dad jokingly said she was the next Dr. Seuss (not even close but very sweet). She met her husband, Steve at BYU and they have six happy, crazy children that encourage her writing. After owning a bookstore and running away to have adventures in Australia, they settled back down in their home in Utah. Jaclyn now spends her days herding her kids to various activities and trying to remember what she was supposed to do next.