Showing posts with label books and goals. Show all posts
Showing posts with label books and goals. Show all posts

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Wednesday Thoughts, #goals #Runes #Immortals #GuardianLegacy @yaednah_walters

1. I have a trailer reveal of Runes (book #1) next week on Monday. I'm super excited about that

2. I just finished Immortals (book #2) and sent it off to my editor.

3. I'm back working on Forgotten, the next GL book.

                  I am at 20,000 words, 80,000 to go.

4. I'm also writing the next Fitzgerald book (my adult romance). It is tentatively titled Surrender to Love.

5. If I finish the two books in the next 2-3 months, I plan on writing book #3 of the Runes series and then a NA story that's driving me nuts.

6. Winner of the Spring Hop which ended yesterday is Hannah Peasha. Congrats, Hannah. I hope you got my e-mail

COMING SOON:

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Meet SYKES from the #GuardianLegacySeries #YALit #teenromanc #YAfantasy @yaednah_walters



  • Congrats to michelle gilliland mcafee, winner of YA Giveaway Hop. I've e-mailed you, so get in touch asap.

  • Runes #2 is coming along, but not as fast as I'd hoped. Been busy with family matters. You know how it is. The family  always comes first. The meter is at:




MEET SYKES:
Teen Guardian with the ability to manipulate fire, energy and women...his words, not mine
(This interview first appeared on Katrina Whittaker's Page Flipperz YA



 

Katrina walks into the room to find Sykes sprawled on her chair, feet up on her desk and eyes closed. Dressed in relaxed jeans and a gray T-shirt Katrina had seen on a teen model on the cover of a trendy magazine, he looks like a fallen angel.
Not sure whether to wake him or not, Katrina stares, wishing she were a teenager again and he was her…
Sykes (eyelids lift to reveal sparkling amber eyes): Don’t stop now. You were getting to the interesting part. I were your…?
Katrina (blushes and fakes outrage): You are reading my thoughts?
Sykes (feet leaves her desk then he stands up…six-foot-two of pure muscles, eyes still twinkling): Of course. It’s the best way to pass time. Wouldn’t you do it if you had a chance?
Katrina (laughs): You’re impossible.
Sykes (walks to where she stands and gives her a hug): That’s my middle name, Katrina. Besides, I feel like I can be myself with you. Ednah thinks you rock.
Katrina (closes her eyes and inhales…ooh, he smells so good): She does?
Sykes (steps away from her and sits on her desk): Of course. You help her tell the world about our exploits. Anyone who sticks it to the High Council and their outdated rule about keeping our existence a secret is a friend in my book.
Katrina (chuckles and walks around to sit on her chair): Oh, okay. Then let’s break more rules.
Sykes (rubs his hands): Great! How about you and I run away together.
Katrina (tries to give him a stern look but fails miserably): I think your friends might miss you. After all, you are a powerful Guardian.
Sykes (cocks his brow):  Who cares about being a Guardian when we can be with someone you love.
Katrina (blows out air): Okay, enough with the flirting. Let’s get down to business.
Sykes (eyes narrows): Have you been talking to Lil?
Katrina: No. Why?
Sykes: She uses that same tone when she wants me to do something. (sighs dramatically then gets off the table and takes the chair across from Katrina). Okay, I’m all yours. No, I could have been if you were adventurous, but since you choose to be difficult, we’ll do things your way. Ask me anything.

Katrina: First, would you like something to drink…tea, soda, coffee. Name your poison.
Sykes (gives her a slow smile): Pretty women, so I’m good.
Katrina (blushes again): You know we won’t get this interview done if you keep flirting with me. Lil won’t like it if we don’t do this.
Sykes (gives her a censoring look): Okay. Fine. I’ll behave.
Katrina: She’s your Achilles’ heel, isn’t she?
Sykes (shakes his head): No comment. Next question.
Katrina (picks up a paper from her desk and glances at it):  How does it feel to be a Guardian?
Sykes: Great! Train till you drop, live for hundreds of years, no worries about money and kick demons’ asses…I can’t imagine doing anything better. No, I can, but I need a willing woman.
Katrina (shakes her head):  What’s the coolest thing about your powers?
 Sykes (raises his right hand and a blue energy ball the size of a soccer ball materializes. He grins at Katrina):  What do you think?
Katrina: I think you’re amazing.
Sykes (smirks): I can make it bigger if you like. Bigger is better, right?
Katrina (giggles): No, that’s fine. Let’s talk about Lil. She has all the abilities of a great guardian, and her powers are stronger than all of you guys’ combined. Does this bother you at all? (Raise her eyebrows) Maybe even scare you a little?
Sykes (grins): No, I think powerful women are hot, so she doesn’t scare me. Also, Lil is very caring and would never hurt anyone,  not deliberately.
Katrina: What do you think about the demons loyal to her? Are you worried?
Sykes (shakes his head): I’m not because if they step out of line, she’ll blast them straight to Tartarus. You have to see her battle to realize she takes no crap from demons.
Katrina: We know you like her. A lot. Can you tell us more about your feelings for her?
Sykes (grins): Who wouldn’t be attracted to Lil? She’s awesome, gorgeous and powerful.  Even Remy would have gone after her, but I told him she was mine the moment we met. I didn’t know about Bran at the time. (The smile disappears from his face, eyes become dull). He doesn’t deserve her.
Katrina (sighs): What would you tell her if you had a chance?
Sykes (stares at the ceiling then at Katrina, his expression serious): I’d never make her shed a single tear or give her a reason to worry. (shudders). Enough with morbid topics. Ask me something fun.
Katrina: Why do you like to piss off Bran when you can just ignore him?
Sykes (smirks): Because it’s fun. I like to remind him I will be there for Lil when she kicks him out.
Katrina: Do you think that will ever happen?
Sykes:  Oh yeah. I have a whole team of people rooting for me. Are you on my team?
Katrina: Of course.  What do you think about your group of guardians?
Sykes: The best team ever. Remy may be anal but he’s a great strategist. I’m not his number one fan, but Bran is more experienced than us and is great during a battle. Izzy and Kim are awesome too, and hot.
Katrina: Would you date either of them?
Sykes: Hell no.
Katrina (laughing): Why not?
Sykes (shudders): They have too much attitude, mouthy.
Katrina: Your favorite pastimes?
Sykes: Fight demons…video games…hooking up. Not necessarily in that order.

Katrina: Favorite video game?
Sykes: Halo, Call of Duty
Katrina: Favorite Food?
Sykes: Pasta.
Katrina: Favorite TV series?
Sykes: Don’t have time, but I catch Supernatural now and then. Funny series. They have a few facts straight.
Katrina: Music
Sykes (sticks out a leg and pretends to play a guitar while nodding his head): Zeppelin, Aerosmith, Ac/dc…classic rock all the way.
Katrina: How long do you think the feud between demons and Guardians will last?
Sykes: Eternity, unless the powers-that-be decides enough is enough. I don’t mind. I’d rather go out smoking a demon or… (winks)… hooking up with a beautiful woman. Then there’s always the chance that Lil will come through and fulfill her destiny.
Katrina(laughing and gets up): I hope so, because we’re stuck right in the middle of your war. Thank you for this wonderful interview. We should do it again.
Sykes (jumps to his feet): Yes, let’s. (Walks to her side and gives her another hug) Remember, I’m available if you ever decide to be adventurous.
Katrina grins, as he steps away from her. He salutes then teleports.

 

Monday, December 31, 2012

Happy New Year: more #Fitzgeralds #Guardians&demons #romance @ednahwalters http://amzn.to/ww3nEF


So what does the future hold for you? Any plans? Goals? Resolutions? I hate resolutions coz I never fulfill them. Goals are good coz you need one even if it is a tentative one.

Here is my to-do list for 2013. What do you think?
  •  Write 6 full-length books-finish the next GL book, write the next 2 Runes book (these are YA, 80,000 words), 1 paranormal adult romance (a new series,) and the next 2 Fitzgerald books (adult contemporary romance)
  • Write 2 contemporary novella
  • Save the world at least 3 times (that's what my paranormal series are about, men and women saving the world from total annihilation)
  • Find a publisher for my picture books
  • Cure world hunger one child at a time (my family is planning on supporting a child in an orphanage in Kenya, $35 a month this year)

 It seems like a daunting list, but I’m at that place where I’m certain I can do all 5 things. Eight books, LOL, I'm pushing it, but hey, they say dream big, right? If I make it, I'll be Queen of the Bookdom. Will start working on one next week.
 
In the meantime, let me know what your plans are.

Ooh, before I forget. Winner of Mid-Winter HOP is: Holly Underhill (hope you got my e-mail)

Here’s to 2013!!!

Monday, December 17, 2012

COVER REVEAL: The Devil's Triangle by Toni De Palma


 
 
IT IS HERE!!!

The cover reveal for another YA book.

The Devil's Triangle

by

Toni De Palma

When 17 year old Cooper dies in an attempt to burn down his school, he finds himself in the afterlife. Lucy, the Devil's sister who has crossed party lines, decides to give Cooper another shot at heaven. The deal? Cooper returns to Earth and has to find a girl named Grace. The rest is up to him.

While Cooper figures out his mission, he's thrown into the life he's always wanted. Great parents, a spot on the Varsity football team and a real future are all within reach. But what he really wants is Grace, a feisty girl with an abusive boyfriend that can pound Cooper into pulp if he doesn't watch out.

While Lucy plays demonic-puppeteer, clues to an unknown past between Cooper and Grace start to unravel. Cooper discovers that what's keeping him and Grace apart is far more sinister than anything this bad boy could have ever imagined.

ISBNs

978-1-939173-03-4Devil’s Triangle print
978-1-939173-04-1Devil’s triangle Ebook
Find Toni and The Devil's Triangle here:

 

Monday, November 26, 2012

DREAMING OF SUMMER: Start #Guardian Legacy series @yaednah_walters @ednahwalters #mustread #Awakened & #Betrayed




First Congrats to the winner of Gratitude Giveaway Hop: #38 (i already e-mailed you)

True Random Number Generator
 

38
Powered by RANDOM.ORG


NOW from November 27th to December 2nd

With winter upon us, let's warm up by sharing some of our favorite beach/summer reads! Thanks to Me, My Shelf and I & I Am A Reader Not A Writer for hosting this blog hop.

For those who haven't ready the GL series with  brooding and tortured hero Bran the charming and funny Sykes and the girl they love, Lil, here's a chance to start.

HUNTED, which will be released April 2013 is going to be an amazing summer read.
Add it on Goodreads. Before it hits the stores, start the series by reading BETRAYED (book #1). Book will be mailed from Book Depository or Amazon



Reviews on Ednah Website or Goodreads


 
TO ENTER (INT):

CHOOSE 1 WAY TO FOLLOW ME:

1. Leave a comment with an answer to this question: Which one do you prefer? Contemporary romance or Paranormal/Urban Fantasy romance and why? (Mandatory)
 
Follow me on:






Tuesday, November 20, 2012

The Next Big Thing: Essence (book 1 of the Runes) @yaednah_walters @ednahwalters

Today, I get to play with a few of my fellow authors.

The Next Big Thing is a blog circle where authors tag each other, giving fellow authors an opportunity to share their current Works in Progress (WIP).

Monique DeVere tagged me, so I'm grabbing the baton and off we go! Thanks, ladies! :)

Ten Interview Questions for the Next Big Thing:

 


What is your working title of your book?

ESSENCE (book #1 Runes).

Where did the idea come from for the book?

I love mythology, any kind of mythology, so I was reading on runes and their origins when the idea popped in my head.

What genre does your book fall under?

YA Paranormal Romance with mystery and suspense.

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?

Torin St. James could be played by Greg Vaughn

Raine Cooper could be played by Michelle Trachtenberg

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

Raine believes her new neighbor is superhot, until he marks her and insists he has to protect her from others like him, but he forgot to tell her who will protect her from him.

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

It depends on my agent. If she finds a home for it, then great. If not... I don’t wait around for anybody. Life is too dang short.

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?

I started it 6 weeks ago (I thought about it for three months). I had 30,000 words when I joined Nano and my target is 80,000. I’m presently at 62,000…

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

Nightshade by Andrea Cremer

Need by Carrie Jones

Who or what inspired you to write this book?

I’m re-watching the TV series Charmed and one particular episode stayed with me, so I started doing research on Norse mythology, runes and magic.

What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

If you like mythology, strong, yet vulnerable heroine, and a hero willing to break rules for love, then you should read this.



EXCERPT:


I lifted my chin, hating that I had to look up at him. At five-seven, I was above average for girls, but he was taller. Six-one or two, I’d guess. Worse, my face stared back at me from the surface of his dark sunglasses, making me feel like I was talking to myself.

“Stop being rude and condescending for starters,” I said.

He chuckled, the sound rich and throaty. Sexy. A delicious shiver ran up my spine. “I thought I was being extremely polite.”

I snorted. “Right.”

“Do I need to apologize?”

The mockery in his voice said he wouldn’t mean it. “Not if you don’t mean it.”

He shrugged. “Then I won’t.”

I debated whether to just step back and slam the door on his face, but I couldn’t bring myself to do it. He was looking for Sayre. “Okay, what’s the favor?”

“Tell your boyfriend he and I need to talk. Today. In the next hour if possible.”

That annoying, commanding tone got to me again. I saluted him. “Yes, sir.”

He chuckled then did something strange. He reached out and touched my nose. “Cute. Nice meeting you, Raine with an E.”


*****

Tagging Monique Devere and Teresa Blue

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!!!!

Thursday, November 1, 2012

NEW WIP @yaednah_walters, #mustread #Betrayed #urbanfantasy #YAromance http://tinyurl.com/97jnzav

1. I just finished edited of Hunted, so woohoo. Sending it off to the editor today.

2. I'm doing Nano with my critique group, starting today. That means by the end of the month, I'll have another WIP to clean up. Nice.

I had already written 30,000, so I need the Nano's 50,000 to complete it.

3. The winner of Spooktacular Giveaway hop is:Ash Krafton. Send me your addy.

4. Holly Letson, you won from Hollow Blog Hop, need you addy

Monday, October 8, 2012

Coming soon: Book Release Party @ednahwalters


Come and celebrate women’s ability to survive abuse and fly. Amy Kincaid, my heroine in FOREVER HERS, is a survivor, a fighter and a strong woman who will do whatever it takes to protect herself and those she loves.
 
 
 

When is the celebration? A week from today during the release day of FOREVER HERS, book #5 of the Fitzgeralds. Katrina Whittaker, the lovely lady who runs my fan page, has created an event page on Facebook, so come and join us.

Of course, we can’t forget that FOREVER HERS is a romance book and there’s a superhot, super flawed hero involved; a man who is not afraid to face the challenge of winning over a damaged woman, a man who will stand by her when she faces her worst moments. Did I mention he’s smoking hot? We have goodies celebrating this wonderful man and an addition to the Fitzgerald heroes.
 
 

Stop by the event page and join us, and don't miss the teasers on my fanpage


IMPORTANT***
I've had readers of my YA series ask for the CLEAN version of my adult series. If you are interested in CLEAN ROMANCE and would like to read a CLEAN version of this book, e-mail me at ednahyaauthor@aol.com.

For those who read contemporary romance with suspense, romance about ordinary women you can identify with, overcoming various situations and the gorgeous, flawed men who love them, you will love this series. There's romance, suspense, strong family bonding and an amazing array of characters.


On a different note, the winner of banned books is: The PixieSprinkles. CONGRATS!!!!

Friday, October 5, 2012

COVER REVEAL: Awoken by Timothy Miller

Another cover reveal from Spencer Hill Press! Gorgeous, isn't it?





Fourteen-year-old Michael Stevens has never been ordinary; no orphan who hears music coming from rocks considers himself a typical teenager. But life gets a lot more complicated when two-foot-tall, albino, doll-like men sneak into his room one night, transforming the harmless music into a frightening ability he cannot control.
Soon, strangers in black suits begin to ask unsettling questions while unnatural animals with mismatched eyes haunt the streets. They are hunting, and not just Michael: anyone he cares about is in danger.
With the help of a mysterious drifter, an annoying girl he's accidentally mutated, and one of those creepy doll men, Michael finds himself in the middle of a war that could forever change the world he knows - reconstructing the very definition of humanity.


Title: Awoken
Author: Timothy Miller
Publisher: Spencer Hill Press (www.spencerhillpress.com) Please feel free to use any images, text, links, etc. from our website.
ISBN: 978-1-937053-53-6
Release Date: August 13, 2013
Formats: Paper, e-book

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Writer's Block or fatigue

1. Do you ever feel so mentally drained you can't plot or write? That's where I'm at. I pushed myself hard to finish, polish and worked on the edits of my next romance book, Forever Hers, book #5 of the Fitzgerald Family series, and I'm totally burnt-out (burned-out). But everything is on schedule...woohoo.
Realese date is October 15th, 10 days to go....








2. Meanwhile, I have two YA WIPS I'm working on. So far I've written about 20,000 words for each of them, 60,000 to go on one and about 80,000 on the other. My problem is, I can't seem to summon strength to write for long. I write a few pages and get frustrated and move to the other.

Anything llike this ever happen to you? How do I focus on one? The last two weeks, I've just read my critique partners' WIPs to try and get out of the funk, but it's not working. I want to write these two stories so badly. I even gave myself Dec 31st deadline. Nothing is working.

Any ideas?

Monday, September 17, 2012

MONDAY MADNESS, New WIP & all


Sorry I took a break from blogging the past week, but my brain needed a rest, so kicked back and rejuvenated with a good book.

1.      I finally read Unwind by Neal Shusterman. If you haven’t started reading this series, you should. Why? One, the movie is coming out soon and if you are into horror or chill-factor, you do not want to miss out. Two, Unwholly, the second book in the series was just released amid rave reviews.  Just bought it.
                                                                                           
 
The series is based in a dystopian world where they got rid of abortion but instead parents can choose to unwind their children between ages 13 and 17, have their body parts and organs harvested and given to other people. This way, the children don’t really die. Some even retain memories of their past lives. It is all in how the unwinding is done (no spoilers). Unwind follows three teen escapees who don’t want to be unwound. There’s adventure, romance and a moral dilemma. Think about it? When a child refuses to behave or acts out, should you unwind them? It’s New Age discipline. Be a good child or I'll unwind you...scary. Oh, my problem with the series is the multiple POVs. My daughter, who introduced me to the series, loves it. It drove me nuts. Still can't wait to read Unwholly.

2.      I started fast drafting my next WIP. Will keep you posted. Do you find it easier to fast draft a sequel or a new story? This is a sequel and for the entire week, I couldn’t get my characters to talk to me…sigh...hence the kicking back (LOL). I like new WIPs better. They give you room to play around with your characters. When writing sequels, you must stay true to the previous books, which meant praying and begging them to come back and chat with you.

3.      My next adult romance book will be out Oct 15th -woohoo, and I can’t wait to share the trailer. To see the trailer, stop by dult romance blo, E.B. Walters Weblog or my YOUTUBE channel. Let me know what you think. If you review adult romance, e-mail me and I'll add you to the list of my reviewers.

Friday, August 24, 2012

Fun Friday Stuff and US Mid-West idioms

What a crazy week. Where to begin?
First, some fun stuff to share then not-so fun writing tidbit.

1. Betrayed was chosen as  one of the favorite Books of the Summer by author Kelly Hashway. Not only is Kelly an avid reader, she writes amazing YA stories and children picture books.


I can't wait to read her latest book: TOUCH OF DEATH (You can pre-order it now)



2. The lovely Minnie of Sunsetreaderreview, who also runs Read 2 Review and Author's Little Corner on Goodreads, had her girls read both Awakened and Betrayed  and posted their reviews on Goodreads. Here are a few of them.

Conclusion (Awakened):
Bran is a good kisser...Elle said so and Lil agrees

As I was reading this, I didn't really think "oh, this is an angel book" like you sometimes do with vampires or werewolves. It was so seamlessly written in that it simply makes sense... Melanie's Reviews


Conclusion (Betrayed):

Normally second books aren't that great - Hi, New Moon (don't get me wrong, I love the Twilight series, but New Moon was just... not that great) - but Betrayed just blew me away.
I can't believe I hadn't heard of this author before, but now I am a legit fan...Maria Stanica's Reviews.



My thoughts: OMJB! I loved this book, Ednah Walters FREAKING DELIVERED! It was fantastic and it kept getting better from there...Annie's Reviews



3.  I encountered the dreaded sagging middle of my WIP, the one I finished a few weeks ago, and needed inspiration to fix it. As any author would tell you, it doesn't hurt to look at the ending of your story and work backwards to fix the middle or check your secondary characters and make them shine.

So I went with the secondary characters and realized why they were so bland. I didn't make them sound authentic enough. How do one go about making mid-western folks sound authentic? Do they have distinct accents like Texans, New Yorkans or Bostonians? Maybe not but their language is pretty corlorful

Rural mid-west people say the darnest things like (Check the whole list here):

-so ugly she had to sneak up on a glass of water to get a drink
-slick as the deer gut on a doorknob
-nuttier than a crapper at a peanut festival
-their INGs have no Gs, walkin', smokin', you betcha
-Top of the morning to yah
- Mad enough to chew horse shoes and spit nails
- Grinning like a mule eatin' saw briar
- Grinning like a possum eatin' sour persimmons
-So skinny she had to jump around in the rain to get wet
-Got beat with a ugly stick when she was born


Do you have some more to share. Not necessarily from mid-west

Monday, August 20, 2012

NEW RELEASE: Grace Doll by Jennifer Laurens-Free for 1 Week ONLY



1. Ooh, exciting news!!!! 
Today is the release day of Grace Doll, Jennifer Laurens latest book. If you'veread Heavenly series, you will not want to miss this one. It's amazing, dark with a hero to die for and a heroine that you will cheer for.

Best part? It's FREE on kindle for one week only. Get it from HERE



2. I slaved the last week and finished with edits of HUNTED...first edits, which meant slicing off about 12,000 words.


3. It's off to my editor while I work on the WIP I finished a few weeks ago. That should take up the rest of my week.


What are your plans for this week?

Wednesday, August 8, 2012

Getting Organized and Writing More

Inspired by my fellow Spencer Hill Press author friend Kelly Hashway, who's finished 4 WIPs this year alone...so far...and plans to add two more, I've decided to be more organized when school starts and the kids are gone. I plan to finish 2 more WIPs by the end of the year, one YA  and one adult, both paranormal romances, both first book in a new series, both around 75K.

Tall order, right? I've been thinking about them for over six months. That's why I usually do first, think about the story, the characters, their goals, motive and conflicts (GMC).

We'll see how it goes.

So far this year, I've finished 2 books, one adult romance and one YA, and this will make the 3rd one. If I can two more...

As of this morning, this is where I am at with my present WIP. I should be done by tomorrow night if the muses stay with me.



*Congrats to Shauna Olen Buck for winning a copy of Betrayed and swags in the Annual Summer Giveaway Hop"

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Beware Bloggers and Authors!!! Copyrighted Images on blogs and FB, You could be sued

This is where I'm at with my WIP. I'm lagging behind a bit, but at least my computer woes are over. Thank you, Dell! No, sorry Dell, I'm shifting to HP Laptops when this one slows down or conks out on me. Your desktops are great. Laptops? Not so much.



Have you heard the latest on image rights? If you are using a picture you've gotten online, you know,Googled and fixed it up a bit and slapped it on your banner. Or cropped and photoshopped it and slapped on your Hunk of the Week, of Hump Day or Eye Candy, the photographers with copyrights will sue your pants off.

Just as we authors lament piracy, these photographers have a right to demand you ask their permission to use  their pictures or pay for them. I recall when I was looking for a dagger to use on the cover of my book... that is when I tried to self-publish it before my super agent Leticia found a home for it, I found a beautiful kris dagger online. It is in a gallery somewhere in Mississippi. I e-mailed the guy gazillion times but never heard from him. Needless to say, I never used that daggger.

Also, I use a painted picture on my YALITCHAT and Youtube Channel, which reminds me of my MC in the Guardian Legacy series. I saw the picture and fell in love with it, so I contacted the artist. He's an Italian painter and his pictures are effing amazing. I mean this guy is super talented. I love his work because they have fantasy elements and the paintings just pop. Once he gave me permission, I was happy to link back to him. Thank you, Artist (lost his link when I changed computers but will find it)

However, it is so easy to Google pictures and post them on FB or Tumblr or your blog. Not anymore. I know of authors who've gone over their blog posts and deleted every picture they've ever used. Others are changing their banners.

Will I remove my pics? Yes. As soon as I can. Here is the author who got sued over one picture and her lawyers were involved in the case and she had to pay the photographer for a picture she didn't need. Head over there and read what she learned from her lawyers.

Bottom line? Bloggers and authors, no more posting pics on FB unless you've bought copyrighted free stock pictures.

To buy pictures, try Dreamstime and iStock .

Lucky for me, I have quite a few pictures I'd bought from Dreamstine, which I use on my book trailers. Dreamstime also have some freebees, so always check the free ones first before you buy any. 

Anyhew, just wanted to share. As for the saga of pirate sites selling your books, will blog more on that on Friday. It keeps getting worse...seriously.

Keep reading.

Monday, July 23, 2012

PIRACY-downloading free books hurts Authors

I'm starting Monday with a bang! Saturday night put me at 59,000words, so I'm happy.  Using the old desktop while waiting for Dell people still sucks big time. Miss my baby *clears throat*...laptop.


Meanwhile I'm trying not to think about a new book the characters are begging me to write. Don't you hate it when characters won't leave you alone when you can't afford to be distracted. Hate it!!

I'm writing the ideas for scenes down though.

Now on to my pet-peeve:

Websites that give away copies of books without an author's permission. I am a stay-at-home mother of five and writing is how I make a living. Now when my editor contacts me and tells me look what he's found, it drives me crazy.

Do you know how often we stay up late and agonize over our characters, stress over making the stories come alive for YOU, readers? A lot. Sometimes our homes don't get cleaned, our laundry goes unfolded and we live on takeouts...translate that to neglecting our families, just so we make deadlines, or because the muses are hounding us.  And how do some readers pay us, they DOWNLOAD our books for free.

FYI, these websites don't pay us a dime for these books. They haven't bought the books or a right to give them away for free or even distribute them. They may not charge you, but the more traffic generated to their websites means more companies will PAY THEM to place ads on their websites. In other words, they are making money off our sweat and readers make this possible. You ENABLE them by downloading our books for free.

Funny, if some of you e-mailed me and asked for an e-copy of my book in exchange for a review, I would send it to you. What's even worse, most of these books are only a few dollars. Some authors even sell theirs for $0.99, yet readers would rather download them for free.

Please, if you see any website selling any of my books, both adults and YA, drop me a line on FB or e-mail me. This way, my publisher can send them a warning letter to cease and desist.

For now, here is one one website... either boycot it or tell the moderators what they are doing is illegal.  FINDFREEMEDIAONLINE.COM


Thank you.
Keep Reading
 I'm off my soap-box.


Friday, July 20, 2012

Haha, I'm baaack: Determined to write one book in a month

So after a nasty flu and many, many computer bugs...my laptop of less than a year old is effed up big time. Freezes every few minutes, so I spent yesterday with Dell peope and it is still not fixed. Grrr! The muses don't want me to finish this book!!!


Then my older laptop just upped and quit on me. Seriously? I was like, WTF? Turns out the mother board short-circuited. The stupid machine won't even turn on. Luckily I bought a hardware warranty for it and have 4 months before it expires, so a Dell rep will be here next week to replace it...YES!!!

So today, I decided to us my old...old...desk top. Have you any idea how weird a desk top keyboard feels after you've been using a lap top the last 2 years? Very weird.

I managed to scrape a little over 3000 words. Not bad, huh?

**




NOW I'm off to Girls Night Out. Woohoo!

Till Tomorrow.

Keep Writing.

Monday, July 16, 2012

Down with the Flu---Grrrrr!

So thre was no posts today and there will be none tomorrow because I'm down with the flu.
I didn't factor that in when I decided to write a chapter a day for a month, did I?

Still I'm halfway there....yeah!!!!




Well, I'll have something to post on Wednesday... I hope.


Anyway, here are the winners from Betrayed Tour. Thanks to Catie at Forbidden Passions Reviews for organizing. You are amazing, Catie. Luv you.

The winners of a signed book, a magnet and a bookmark. Congratulations too:
Raquel a.k.a. Skyla
Phoenix Carvelli
Shadow Kohler
Lisa Cox
Maria Behar

The winner of the Betrayed Tshirt, pen, magnet and bookmark are:
Jackie Lane
Kathy Ross
Allyson Brann
Michelle Grayce
Minnie Medina
Diane Sallans
Denise Zaky
Aliaa Jordan El-Nashar
Maegan Morin

And now for the winner of the grandprize Kindle Fire:
Susan Hatala

Congratulations to everyone who won a prize and thanks to everyone who entered this contest.

Sunday, July 15, 2012

First Fan-Fic for Guardian Legacy series @ednahwalters

Okay, so I'm completely stroked that a fan wrote a short scene for one of my teen Guardians. I have these amazing bloggers who love the GL series and they even astarted blogs for their fav characters.

The Guardians, if you haven't started the series, have abilities to manipulate elements. Since there are 6 teens in the junior team, the guys seem to have quite a following (poor ladies). Needless to say, there's Fire/Energy Guardian (Sykes)  blog, that's where the fan-fic was posted, Water/Ice Guardian (Bran) blog and the more recently started Earth/Solid Guardian (Remy) blog. If you've read the series, join your favotie team.

Anyhew, enjoy the fan-fiction below. Meanwhile, my WIP is nearly 50% done...woohoo!!!


HERE IS THE FAN-FIC. by Jeanette (From Team Fire Blog)...ENJOY

Ok, so here's some fan-fic for Ednah who has created these characters that we love so much. I'm so excited! I'll set it up for you. Sykes meets a girl, and ~gasp~ her name is Jeannette. She's just moved with her younger half-brother and her mom from Texas. This is Sykes & Jeannette's first encounter
I saw her storm out the front door of the school with her backpack slung over one shoulder. She hit the door so hard I heard it bang against the outside wall. Whoa, this girl was feisty. I ran after her. 

 “Hey! Hey wait up. Jeannette. It’s Jeannette right?” She stopped but didn’t turn around. One hand was in a tight fist while the other held on to the strap of her backpack. I could see her take a deep breath like she was trying to fight down rage or tears, I couldn’t tell which. The breeze blew her brown wavy hair and I could smell her vanilla shampoo.

“Hey, I’m sure whatever it is that’s got you so worked up, it’s not worth getting caught skipping class your first week of school.”

She slowly turned and looked at me. Anger flashed in her dark brown eyes. She took another deep breath. “Why does it matter to you if I get in trouble or not?”

 I grinned at her. “It doesn’t really. I’m a sucker for a girl who likes a little trouble.”

 “Uh huh. Well I’m sure that adorable smile and bad boy charm works on all the other girls, but my B.S. limit has been reached for the day. So, I’ll see ya.” She turned and started walking, completely unaware of how her southern accent affected me.
“Wait, can I at least walk with you? I’ve got a free hour and I need to stretch my legs.” She stopped and without turning said, “Whatever.”
“So, where’d you move from?”
“Texas.”
“Nice. How are you adjusting?” Out of the corner of my eye I saw her mouth tighten. After a few seconds I wasn't sure she was going to answer.
“Well, considering I didn't know we were moving until two days before it happened, my mom is acting all weird, my step-dad is MIA and my only friend is my little brother, I’d say I’m just peachy. I have no idea why I just told you all of that.”
Grinning, I said, “I have that effect on people. And hey, you can count me as a friend.” I looked over at her as she rolled her eyes.

“Oh geez. Does that crap really work on the girls around here?” Shaking her head “and y’all question our intelligence.”  We had reached the end of school property and she turned toward the wooded area bordering the football field. She glanced over. “Are you just going to follow me like some hall monitor on a power trip?”

I chuckled. She reminded me a little of another feisty girl with a sharp tongue. “I’m no hall monitor. I don’t think they’d trust me to enforce the “no running in the halls” rule. I just thought I’d get a little fresh air and see what had you damaging school property.”
We came to a small cluster of trees where she chucked her bag to the ground, sat down with her back against a tree. She leaned her head back and closed her eyes. Some of the tension left her body as she took another deep breath. I sat down next to her our knees touching. She opened one eye and looked at me. “You do know what personal space is right? “
“Yes, but the presence of another warm body can often ease a person’s anxiety.”
“Seriously, do girls really eat that up? They must since you seem to have a line for everything.”
Instead of answering her I leaned back with my hands behind my head and looked up at the sunlight shifting through the leaves. It was one of those days when the weather seemed to make a conscience effort to be enjoyable. I found it interesting that I just wanted to sit there and relax. I usually felt like a lightning bolt was zipping through my veins. Weird. “Are you going to tell me why you stormed out of school?”
She sighed. “Algebra and that stupid algebra teacher, whatever his name is. It’s not like I don’t know how to do the problems. We just learned a different way of doing them. I mean who cares what strategies you use as long as you get the right answer.” I could see her fists clench like she was trying to hold on to something. Or hold something inside.
“Yah, Landis is a stickler for his way or no way. You know I've forgotten my manners. My name is Sykes.”

She turned her head but didn't open her eyes. “Oh I know your name. I've heard it spoken by almost every female in school, faculty included. Your reputation precedes you.” She smirked and turned her head back.
“Hey, don’t fault me for being such a friendly guy. Most people would consider that a good thing.”
“Well I’m not most people. So if you want to go spread your version of southern hospitality to those who appreciate it, you’re not required to stay.” I looked over at her. The breeze picked up a strand of her hair. I caught it and ran my thumb over the soft wave. Before she opened her eyes I let it go.
“How long has your step-dad been gone?”

 She stiffened. “I don’t know. A couple of months I guess.” Shrugging she said, “It’s not like we were that close. But it hurts my little brother and mom.”

 I nodded.
Then she opened her eyes and looked at me. Her dark eyes standing out against her pale skin sprinkled with freckles. “She won’t give me a straight answer as to why she moved us here or why he HAS to go to THIS school. We've never had secrets."

I could see the confusion and hurt swirling like a storm inside her.
The wind blew a small leaf on to her arm. I brushed it off and as soon as my hand touched her I felt that lightning bolt zap something inside of me. She jumped back, shocked. I breathed out, “What the hell?”
She swallowed. “What the heck was that?”
I stared at her. What was it about her that calmed me one minute then electroshocked my heart the next? “You’re not all human are you?”

She blanched. “What?! We shock each other with static electricity or something and the first thing you jump to is I’m not all human?! Who asks that? I guess you've reached your nice guy limit.” She picked up her backpack and stormed off towards the school. After a few yards she stopped and turned to look at me. Shaking her head she turned back to the school and rounded the corner. I had no idea what had just happened, but for the first time in my life a girl had freaked me out.


LOVE IT!!!!  What do you guys think???

Friday, July 13, 2012

Cover Reveal: Grace Doll @JenniferLaurens





Yippee, my writer friend is about to release her next book, GRACE DOLL. Congrats Jenn. Grace Doll will be released August 20, 2012.

Blurb: Grace Doll had everything a girl could want: Fame. Fortune. Beauty.

Everything except, of course, her freedom. So when a powerful movie producer forces an experimental treatment on Grace--one that's purported to make beauty immortal--she stages her own death to escape him.

With the help of trusted friends, Grace slips into hiding. She's forever flawless, forever young and forever pursued by her past.

But when a stranger arrives on her doorstep, holding the key to a life she thought she'd left behind, Grace must decide between the safety she's known...and embracing the role she was born to play.

Publisher: Grove Creek Publishing 220 pages. Available in paperback, on Amazon Kindle, B&N Nook and in the iBook Store.

The Grace Doll Book Tour starts Aug 14-20. Over 30 book bloggers have signed up to read and review the book. I hope you'll join us for interviews, character chats, giveaways and the coolest Hollywood "premier" party a book launch has ever seen on August 20th!

WAY TO GO, JENN.


Where am I on my WIP?  Right here: