COVER REVEAL: PARALLEL TRIANGLES by Kimberly Ann Miller

Title: Parallel Triangles
Release date:  April 28th 2015
Publisher: Spencer Hill Press
Formats: Paper, e-book
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20656543-parallel-triangles

Book Blurb:

How does a cruise change your life?

By sailing through the Bermuda Triangle.

Carly Carmichael has one goal in life--to perform on Broadway. She refuses to have a Plan B because she's never needed one--until now. When Carly's parents send her on a cruise as a graduation present, she takes her best friend and their boyfriends along with her. Once the ship sails into the Bermuda Triangle, Carly finds herself unable to sing or walk, much less perform. And things just go downhill from there. Hoping for help from the ship's doctor, she ends up with more questions than answers about the mystery behind the Bermuda Triangle and why her life is now unrecognizable. If Carly can't get her real life back on track, she may end up spending the next sixty years trapped in a life the Triangle chooses for her. 

Author Bio:

Kimberly Ann Miller received Bachelor's degrees from Georgian Court University and Rutgers University and a Master's degree from The University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. She’s an avid reader and particularly enjoys true crime and young adult novels. She grew up in New Jersey and currently lives in Monmouth County with her husband and three cats. When she's not writing, she loves to travel to sunny islands where she snorkels by day and stargazes by night. She always takes her Nook.

Scorned by Josephine Templeton

Me:  Fellow Crescent Moon Press author, Josephine Templeton, is on my blog today. Welcome, Josephine!

Josephine:  Hey, Toni!  I’m super-psyched to be on your blog today.  Thank you so much for inviting me!

Thanks so much for being here! Can you tell us about Scorned? Love the cover by the way!

My latest release is about Angelle, a former fallen angel who has to save a certain number of souls in order to get back in to Heaven.  Scorned, an urban fantasy with romantic elements, is the first in a series, and she must save Jack, an arcane hunter, from another dimension.  Can she find him before time runs out, and she is sent back to Hell?

Great premise! Can you tell us more about Angelle, your main character?

Angelle, God’s first Angel, fell from grace along with Satan. However, after thousands of years as Satan’s girlfriend, Angelle wants back into heaven and becomes human. Now she must atone for her sins and save as many souls as she damned while fighting vampires and demons. One more condition — she must remain celibate.

Well, that's a bummer. Tell us about Jack!

Jack, a vampire hunter, visits Angelle’s bar, and their attraction is instant. But after watching her walk away from a car accident, he’s convinced she’s a vampire and must die. When Angelle doesn’t burst into flames at sunrise, Jack joins her quest to save souls. The partnership is jeopardized when two of the Scorned Bride’s daughters enthrall him.

Angelle must save Jack from another dimension, but in doing so, she risks her salvation. 

Hmmm... Will Jack want to be saved by the time she finds him? And if they survive the Scorned Bride, can they survive each other? I guess your readers are going to have to find out!

You can check out Scorned at crescentmoonpress.com. Also visit Josephine at her website at www.josephinetempleton.com, and her blog on Good Reads (www.goodreads.com) and her fan page on FaceBook.

Thanks for coming on my blog, Josephine!

Thanks again for having me! Enjoy the demon-wings!

COVER REVEAL: The Zodiac Collector

For almost-16 year-old Anne Devans, the annual Renaissance Faire means
three things—her dad spending weeks in the smithy, her bipolar mom
doing some manic costume making, and another ruined birthday for her
and her twin sister, Mary.

This year, Anne wants things to be different, and she's going to do
things her way.

On the eve of the Faire, Anne (along with a reluctant Mary) conjures
up a spell that will make their 16th birthday party a whirlwind event.
Little do they know that it's a literal request.

After the mini tornado in their room subsides, the girls realize
they've invoked the power of the Gemini Twins, Castor and Pollux.
That's the good news. The bad news is they also caught the attention
of a sorceress named Zeena who has been collecting children born under
each Zodiac Sign to enhance her power. Once she captures Anne and
Mary, Gemini twins, the entire Zodiac—and the world—will be hers.

Anne leads the fight against Zeena, but her one-sided decisions could
throw them into a world so far from home, even the Renaissance Faire
would seem like a brilliant vacation. Between managing their new
Zodiac powers, dodging their manic mother and trying to stop Zeena,
they'll get a 16th birthday they'll never forget.

Title: The Zodiac Collector
Author: Laura Diamond
Publisher: Spencer Hill Press (www.spencerhillpress.com)
ISBN: 978-1-937053-63-5
Release Date:  July 2014
Formats: Paperback, e-book

If you’d like to request an ARC, please use the reviewer form on our
website (http://www.spencerhillpress.com/reviewers.html). ARC’s will
ship in or around March 2014.

The Devil's Temptation (Book 2 in the Devil series)

Yay! It's here. The second book in the Devil series is hot off the presses!

  

Synopsis:

Fighting the Devil brought Cooper and Grace together. But without a little evil to spice things up, the everyday life of a normal teenager is pretty dull. A summer job crewing on a billionaire’s yacht in sunny Italy might be just the ticket to rekindle passion. While the setting is perfect, the winding, sinister back streets of Naples are also the perfect playground for a scorned Lucifer to wreak havoc. And if evil doesn’t rip them apart, the sultry billionaire’s daughter and the sexy First Officer might be what it takes to finally destroy Cooper and Grace’s love forever.

Goodreads

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COVER REVEAL: The Shadow Prince

Novella Blurb:
 
This prequel novella will be FREE and available on Goodreads, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble on March 25, 2014!

Every sacrifice has consequences.

Sixteen-year-old Rowan has spent most of his life living among the mortals—learning to control the element of fire, impatiently awaiting the day his vengeful mother, Queen Prisma, will abdicate her throne. When he finally returns to Avalon for his coronation, his mother insists he must first prove his loyalty to the court by completing a secret mission: 

Kill Kalin, the half-human, half-elemental daughter of the air court king. 

Willing to do anything to remove his mother from power, he agrees to sacrifice the halfling. He returns to the mortal world with his best friend, Marcus, determined to kill the princess. But as he devises a plan, he starts to question whether or not he's capable of completing such a heinous task. And what price he will pay if he refuses?

 

 
Add to Goodreads  
 
Author Blurb:
 
Stacey O'Neale started her career in publishing as a blogger turned publicist for two successful small publishers. She loves to write stories with swoony paranormal heroes, snarky heroines, and lots of kissing.

When she's not writing, she loves blogging and fangirling about books on twitter. Occasionally, she leaves her computer to go outside.

Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest
 
 
Rafflecopter:

https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/preview/128/
 

The Devil's Temptation Cover Reveal!

 

 

The Devil's Temptation (Book 2 in the Devil Series) is coming March 14th. Here's the beautiful cover and a little about the story:

 

Fighting the Devil brought Cooper and Grace together. But without a little evil to spice things up, the everyday life of a normal teenager is pretty dull. A summer job crewing on a billionaire’s yacht in sunny Italy might be just the ticket to rekindle passion. While the setting is perfect, the winding, sinister back streets of Naples are also the perfect playground for a scorned Lucifer to wreak havoc. And if evil doesn’t rip them apart, the sultry billionaire’s daughter and the sexy First Officer might be what it takes to finally destroy Cooper and Grace’s love forever.

 

If you haven't picked up the first book, The Devil's Triangle, and you want to catch up on the excitement, you can get a copy here: Amazon

 



Reading With Me!!!

 

 

Reading With Me is a fabulous virtual book club of awesome, concentrating on books released by Spencer Hill and Spencer Hill Contemporary. It's a way to squee with fellow fangirls and fandudes about the latest Spencer Hill releases, authors, and to ponder the ever-present mystery of Where Is Spencer Hill? (Which is like Where's Waldo? but with books and not a random dude in the same striped shirt over and over again.) At Reading With Me, we promote books that we're excited about and our goal is simple: Read them. Love Them. Come back for more.

You can find us on Tumblr (www.readingwithme.tumblr.com), Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Reading-With-Me/653999211278640?ref=ts&fref=ts), and Twitter (@ReadingWithMeSH).

 

Upcoming titles that will be read:

 

October 15: RECLAIMED by Sarah Guillory

October 22: THE DOLLHOUSE ASYLUM by Mary Gray

November 2: SENTINEL by Jennifer L. Armentrout

November 12: EXTRACTED by Sherry D. Ficklin & Tyler H. Jolly

November 19 : WHISPER FALLS by Elizabeth Langston

November 26: FIREBLOOD by Trisha Wolfe 

 

COVER REVEAL: THE MONSTER WITHIN By Kelly Hashway

THE MONSTER WITHIN

By Kelly Hashway

 

     The moment seventeen-year-old Samantha Thompson crawls out of her grave, her second chance at life begins. She died of cancer with her long-time boyfriend, Ethan, by her side--a completely unfair shot at life.

     But Ethan found a way to bring her back, like he promised he would. Only Sam came back wrong.

     She's now a monster that drains others' lives to survive. And after she kills, she’s tortured by visions—glimpses into her victims would-have-been futures had she not killed them. Barely able to live with herself and trying to make things right, Sam ends up a pawn in a vicious game of payback within the local coven of witches.

     But when the game reveals what Ethan had to do to save Sam, she must make a choice that will change all their lives forever.

 

 

Title: The Monster Within

Author: Kelly Hashway

Publisher: Spencer Hill Press

ISBN:  978-1-937053-85-7

Release Date: 4/7/2014

Formats: Paper, e-book

Goodreads TBR: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15839932-the-monster-within

 

If you'd like to request an ARC, please use the reviewer form on our website. ARCs will ship in January 2014.

QUERY CORNER – Successful Queries

Today I’m going to post another query of mine that received a lot of requests. I have since shelved this novel, but the query I wrote really did a good job of getting attention. Since this was my very first try at querying, I posted my original query on the forums at QueryTracker.net and got some wonderful feedback. I encourage everyone to enlist the help of other writers in the querying stage and to take the advice of those who have had successful queries. They can point out any issues with the query and help to perfect it before you send it out. Here is my query for Soul Stalker:

Dear Agent, (Of course, here I put the agent’s name)

High school senior Liz Grayson is no stranger to love triangles—she just doesn't know it yet.  When perfect-in-every-way Mina Manson moves to town and tries to steal Liz's boyfriend, Chris Edwards, the real challenge isn't keeping Chris.  It's dealing with the proof that they battled for his love in another lifetime.  And somebody ended up dead. (This paragraph, and last sentence, should hook the agent/editor and make them want to read more)

When Mina first starts flirting with Chris, Liz is unaware of their unusual history.  Soon Mina catches Liz alone and makes a baffling demand: hand Chris over.  Liz seeks advice on how to deal from the new guidance counselor who believes in karma and reincarnation as much as college planning.  With her help, Liz uncovers the evidence that she'd been involved in a dangerous love triangle with Chris and Mina in another lifetime.  Fearing for their future and her life, Liz searches for ways to stop Mina's interference before someone ends up hurt, or worse, dead again.  What Liz doesn't know is that Mina has her own reasons for going after Chris, and they aren't what she thinks. (This paragraph should read like the back cover a book—it should sound enticing and interesting without giving too much away)

SOUL STALKER is a 67,000 word young adult paranormal romance.  This novel is a standalone with series potential. (This paragraph includes the title, word count, genre, and lists any submission guidelines that were followed)

Thank you for taking the time to consider representing my work.  I look forward to hearing from you. (It is always a good idea to thank them for their time and close the letter professionally)

 

Sincerely,

Kimberly Miller (Following my name would be my contact information—address, phone number, email address, and website, social media links)

Kimmy :)

TRIANGLES, Kimberly Ann Miller, Spencer Hill Press, June 2013

Authors and Books that Take You Places!

Alissa Grosso is the author of the YA novel Ferocity Summer published by Flux. Welcome Alissa! We here at TheWritersbytheshore blog believe in BIC (butt in chair), but we also think that writing (and life) should take us and our readers to fun destinations. So here we go...

Tell us a little about your book. Will we need our passports?

My new book, Ferocity Summer, takes place in my home state of New Jersey with the exception of a road trip to Florida. So, no passports are required, but you should definitely pack some sunscreen.

Wow! Sounds great. So, if I was going to have dinner with your main character, what exotic locale would we be dining at?

Oh, boy. In the book my main character does eat at least one meal at the Budd Lake Diner in Budd Lake, NJ, which I'm pretty sure doesn't qualify as exotic. That said, you can't go wrong with their feta cheese omelette. 

Who is the character you would vote as "Most likely not to make it through customs" and why?

That's a tough call. Scilla's best friend Willow is battling drug addiction. So, there's a pretty good chance she wouldn't clear customs. Then there's Bill who is busy spending his summer building a bomb to overthrow the government. Really, the more I think about it, I'm not sure if there's anyone in this book who would breeze through customs. 

If your main character was stranded on a desert island, what would be an essential travel item for them to take along?

Like me, Scilla is a reader. So, she would definitely want a good book to read. Of course, like me she tends to be pretty voracious in her reading habits. She might have a tough time picking just one book to bring along. Has anyone come up with a solar powered e-reader, yet? That might be a good solution.

What advice would you offer to other writers embarking on their own writing adventure?

First and foremost, I would say write the book that you want to read because the most important thing is enjoying the journey.

Thanks, Alissa and Bon Voyage!

Toni De Palma
http://www.tonidepalma.com/

QUERY CORNER – Successful Queries

A query letter is your first, and often only, chance to impress a potential agent or editor. Writing a good query letter is essential to getting your work in front these publishing professionals. There are many websites and blog posts already dedicated to this topic, and many suggestions on what way is the best way to write them. But one piece of advice is consistent—your letter must hook the agent or editor into wanting to read more of your book. Today I will post the letter that got me a full request for my manuscript from Spencer Hill Press, followed by an offer of publication for my debut YA novel, Triangles. As always, it’s very important to follow the agent’s or editor’s guidelines and send them exactly what they ask for. Some writers personalize their letters, others don’t. I usually do, but if you’ve been invited to submit or are submitting following a contest win or referral, always mention that in your opener. Here is my query:

Dear Ms. Kaynak, (The opening should always address a specific person)

I took part in "The Great Query Contest of October 2011" and received a request to submit my YA novel, TRIANGLES, to Spencer Hill Press when you reopened to queries. I hope you will consider TRIANGLES for your list. (Personalization, especially when you’ve been invited to submit or were referred, should be in this first paragraph)

The travel brochure promised an ‘escape from reality’. Her sister promised it would be the best family vacation ever. But when seventeen-year-old Autumn Taylor's ship glides into the Bermuda Triangle, her days become a blur of Twilight Zone episodes—and she's the star of the show. (This paragraph, and last sentence, should hook the agent/editor and make them want to read more)

During her time in the Triangle, she speaks to her dead father, fights with a stepbrother she doesn't have, and finds herself stuck in the middle of a heated love triangle with a coworker and his half-brother. Waking up with cancer pushes her to the edge of a mental breakdown, sending her to the ship's clinic for help. The doctor warns her that any of these alternate lives could become permanent—after all, it happened to her during her own trip through the Triangle. Autumn struggles to figure out what’s going on, but everyone on the ship, including her sister, accepts each day as if it were the norm. When Autumn returns to the clinic for more answers, she finds the doctor is not on the ship's registry and never has been. (This paragraph should read like the back cover of a book—it should sound enticing and interesting without giving too much away)

Now, with no one to help her, Autumn has a few things to figure out: a way out of the Triangle, why she's the only one who's been affected by the strange occurrences, and why this is happening to her. If she can’t get her real life back on track, she may end up spending the next sixty years trapped in a life she was never meant to live. (The body of the query can be two to three paragraphs, each meant to pique the interest of the agent or editor and leave them wanting more)

TRIANGLES is a 63,000 word young adult urban fantasy. This novel is a standalone with series potential. Per your guidelines the first ten pages are pasted below. (This paragraph includes the title, word count, genre, and lists any submission guidelines that were followed)

Thank you for taking the time to consider representing my work. I look forward to hearing from you. (It is always a good idea to thank them for their time and close the letter professionally)

Sincerely,

Kimberly Miller (Following my name would be my contact information—address, phone number, email address, and website, social media links)

Kimmy :)

TRIANGLES, Kimberly Ann Miller, Spencer Hill Press, June 2013

Authors and Books that Take You Places!

Avery Olive is the author of the Paranormal YA A Stiff Kiss published by Crescent Moon Press. Welcome Avery! We here at TheWritersbytheshore blog believe in BIC (butt in chair), but we also think that writing (and life) should take us and our readers to fun destinations. So here we go...

Tell us a little about your book. Will we need our passports?

A Stiff Kiss is a Young Adult Paranormal Romance. I think it's a reverse sleeping beauty tale with a twist. It's got a little bit of some darker themes but it's a romance through and through. Not everyone will need a passport to get to rainy Silversprings, Oregon but I sure do since I'm a Canadian ;)

Wow! Sounds great. So, if I was going to have dinner with your main character, what exotic locale would we be dining at?

If you were dining with Xylia I suspect you'd be in Transylvania. She loves historic castles, graveyards and the chance to maybe come across a ghost--if they exist--along with anything on the spooky side.

Landon would pick something romantic like Venice, for sure. He'd buy you a gondola ride through the canals, without a doubt.

Who is the character you would vote as "Most likely not to make it through customs" and why?

That would be Xylia. She'd try to get on a plane spur of the moment and forget her passport, or try to carry on some questionable items. Not to mention with her slightly goth, dark personality and clothes she's sure to draw attention even if she's done nothing wrong.

If your main character was stranded on a desert island, what would be an essential travel item for them to take along?

Xylia's up for any adventure. She'd want a book, or map, something to point her towards a creepy cemetery, or where to find the most trouble.

What advice would you offer to other writers embarking on their own writing adventure?

Do your research. Everyone has to start at the beginning and learn how to wade through the never ending learning curves that come with writing, querying, editing and publishing. I know that sometimes you may want to take the easy way out and have the answers given to you, but it's best to find a great support group, writing circle and allow yourself the chance to succeed by being prepared. Writing and getting published isn't as simple as completing a book and getting it published, there are many steps in between.

Thanks, Avery and Bon Voyage!

Toni De Palma
http://www.tonidepalma.com/

OUR FIRST GIVEAWAY!

Today is our first giveaway here at WritersByTheShore! What are we celebrating? How about everything! Summer is just about here, the weekend is upon us, and we've made it through our first month blogging with very few hitches!

We are giving away an ARC of Altered by Jennifer Rush. You can read about it here. The book isn't coming out until January 2013, but it sounds amazing! So - if you would like to be one of the very first to read this debut novel, just 1) be a follower of our blog and 2) leave a comment and tell us who your favorite YA author is or what YA book you love most. Be sure to leave your email address so we can contact the winner as well. This giveaway is limited to US residents, but be sure to check back for other events available to everyone around the globe!

Easy, right? Comment away, and we will pick a winner next week to give everyone time to join in on the fun!

Book Release: Suffocate by S.R. Johannes

It's May 21st and guess what that means?

S.R. Johannes’ Suffocate is out today!

Suffocate is the first novelette in THE BREATHLESS series. It is a 15,000 word young adult thriller that combines the dystopic and science fiction genres.

Here’s a little about the novelette…

“For centuries, the world outside the Biome has been unlivable. Today, marks the first time anyone will attempt to leave the suffocating ecosphere. Eria is not worried because her scientist father has successfully tested the new Bio-Suit many times. It's a celebratory day until something goes horribly wrong. In the midst of tragedy, Eria uncovers a deep conspiracy that affects the very air she breathes. 

If those responsible find out what she knows, they won't stop hunting her until she takes her last breath.”

The 2nd novella in the series, CHOKE, is scheduled for Fall 2012. The 3rd, EXHALE, is scheduled for Winter 2013.

You can purchase Suffocate for only 99 cents at Amazon or B&N!

Also, you can add it on Goodreads! - http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13648347-suffocate

About the author –

S.R. Johannes is author of the Amazon Bestseller Untraceable and a current nominee of the Georgia Author of the Year in the Young Adult category. After earning an MBA and working in corporate America, S.R. Johannes traded in her expensive suits, high heels, and corporate lingo for a family, flip-flops, and her love of writing. She lives in Atlanta Georgia with her goldendoodle Charley (notice he is listed first :), her British-accented husband, and the huge imaginations of their little prince and princess, which she hopes- someday- will change the world.  You can find her hanging out online and visit her at srjohannes.com

Twitter- https://twitter.com/#!/srjohannes

Facebook- https://www.facebook.com/srjohannes

Pinterest- http://pinterest.com/srjohannes/

Goodreads- http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5235537.S_R_Johannes