As promised here is another sneak peek into Witch Hunt. This is only a partial scene. I don't want to give too much away. In this scene Starr Hughes is eavesdropping on two members of the It-Squad. She is hoping to hear more about this mysterious game they're going to play.
"Freak-show is staring at you again," Bex said, heavy sigh. "You want me to go over there and make her stop? It would be my great pleasure to put that girl in her place."
Starr's entire body tensed. Clenching her fists beneath the table, she forced her eyes to stay on them a moment longer. If she jerked her gaze off them too fast, they might figure out she could hear them. Then she'd be dead meat.
She reached for her sunglasses, picked them off the table, and returned them to her face. She had to be careful not to dislodge the earpiece. At least now they wouldn't be able to tell if her eyes were on them.
And what was with the weird girl callling her a freak anyway?
Bex didn't have much room to talk. Her short-short platinum blond hair looked like someone had gone at it with a machete and she treated her face like a canvas, painting it with special dyes she made in her basement. Today she sported a swirled pattern with emerald glitter accents. It actually looked kind of cool, but Starr wouldn't admit that if they tortured her. She would die before she gave that snotty girl a compliment.
Bex added, "I could blind her for a few hours."
Starr tried hard not to breathe or move or do anything that would cause static in the earpiece. She eagerly awaited Dylan's response. Although she assured herself she didn't care what Dylan thought, she knew it wasn't true. She cared too much.
In a laid-back husky voice he said, "I think it's kind of cool the way she looks at me."
End of Teaser Tuesday. Hope you enjoyed it. Come back next week for another teaser.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Friday, February 24, 2012
Name That Tune
This week at the YA Carnival we are going to talk about music. Do we listen to music when we write? What music do we listen to? Why is it important?
If you have any thoughts on the matter, please leave them below. Also, click on the other Carnis below and see what they have to say on the subject.
Music is extremely important to me when I write. Personally, I think books should come with a soundtrack. :) So what do I listen to when I write? It depends on the scene and what sort of mood I am trying to set. Here is a short list of songs I've used.
1. Crushed: If you've read it, you know there is a sultry and beautiful scene between Zach and Kristen where they dance together and share a romantic evening. I call it 'the red dress scene.' For this scene I listened to Lady in Red by Simply Red. It's the song they danced to, so I listened to it over and over as I choreographed their dance.
2. Witch Hunt: I listened to the songs the kids were listening to at the time. The Squad likes to get together and dance and sometimes throw spells at each other.
3. Bait: This is a top-secret project at the moment, and I don't want to give away too much. So I'll just say that I listen to Chris Daughtery and his band while writing for the lead in this book. Listening to great music while writing makes it awesome fun to write.
4. Vampires Rule: I know I listened to a lot of music while writing this book, but I can't remember a single song now. Wow. Blows my mind how quickly I forget.
5. Crushed: I also listened to a lot of Avril Lavigne while writing this book, or as I like to call it angry-girl music.
So that's it. That's how I use music to write my books. Happy writing!
If you have any thoughts on the matter, please leave them below. Also, click on the other Carnis below and see what they have to say on the subject.
Music is extremely important to me when I write. Personally, I think books should come with a soundtrack. :) So what do I listen to when I write? It depends on the scene and what sort of mood I am trying to set. Here is a short list of songs I've used.
1. Crushed: If you've read it, you know there is a sultry and beautiful scene between Zach and Kristen where they dance together and share a romantic evening. I call it 'the red dress scene.' For this scene I listened to Lady in Red by Simply Red. It's the song they danced to, so I listened to it over and over as I choreographed their dance.
2. Witch Hunt: I listened to the songs the kids were listening to at the time. The Squad likes to get together and dance and sometimes throw spells at each other.
3. Bait: This is a top-secret project at the moment, and I don't want to give away too much. So I'll just say that I listen to Chris Daughtery and his band while writing for the lead in this book. Listening to great music while writing makes it awesome fun to write.
4. Vampires Rule: I know I listened to a lot of music while writing this book, but I can't remember a single song now. Wow. Blows my mind how quickly I forget.
5. Crushed: I also listened to a lot of Avril Lavigne while writing this book, or as I like to call it angry-girl music.
So that's it. That's how I use music to write my books. Happy writing!
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Teaser Tuesday
To me nothing is more exciting than the weeks leading up to a book's release. Witch Hunt will be coming out in April. I am totally stoked. Now to get this party started. Every Tuesday until it is out I will be putting up a teaser on Tuesday. This is the first one, the summary of the book. This is what will be on the back cover if you buy a paperback or on the page at Amazon if you get an ebook. Here it is:
A magical game of Hide n Seek begins.
Find the missing player and win.
The game resets.
They all forget... and start to play the game again.
Seventeen-year-old Starr Hughes hasn't believed in magic since her mom died. Cold hard facts. That's what she believes in. As an aspiring reporter, she always gets her story. So when she hears the popular kids (a group calling themselves the It Squad) are about to start a secretive game, she knows she has to get the scoop. Hiding under the headmaster's desk, planting bugs, and breaking into a classmate's house. Starr is willing to do anything to learn the truth, especially since she has a crush on the Squad's leader, a gorgeous boy named Dylan.
Together with her boy-crazy best friend, Starr will risk everything on her hunt for the truth. She discovers not only are witches real, but they need her help... even if they don't know it. Someone is using the game to steal their powers, their memories, and maybe even their lives.
Hope you enjoyed the teaser!
A magical game of Hide n Seek begins.
Find the missing player and win.
The game resets.
They all forget... and start to play the game again.
Seventeen-year-old Starr Hughes hasn't believed in magic since her mom died. Cold hard facts. That's what she believes in. As an aspiring reporter, she always gets her story. So when she hears the popular kids (a group calling themselves the It Squad) are about to start a secretive game, she knows she has to get the scoop. Hiding under the headmaster's desk, planting bugs, and breaking into a classmate's house. Starr is willing to do anything to learn the truth, especially since she has a crush on the Squad's leader, a gorgeous boy named Dylan.
Together with her boy-crazy best friend, Starr will risk everything on her hunt for the truth. She discovers not only are witches real, but they need her help... even if they don't know it. Someone is using the game to steal their powers, their memories, and maybe even their lives.
Hope you enjoyed the teaser!
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Calling All YA Bloggers!!!!
Starting either at the end of March or the start of April the Witch Hunt Tour will begin. I am still looking for interested bloggers to join in. You can interview me or if you'd rather, I can do a guest post. I would love to do one a day and spread the news about Witch Hunt. If you are interested, leave contact information below or email me at kblake234@hotmail.com Be sure to let me know if you want to interview me or have me do a guest post. All of the blogs will be listed on this blog when the time comes so interested parties can blog-hop with me. Come on. Join the Witch Hunt Tour. You know you want to. :)
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
Kissing Scene
This week the YA Indie Carnival will be posting kissing scenes from their books. At least that's what I think we're supposed to be doing. I missed last week's post because I was sick. Feeling better now, so here it goes. I will post a partial of a scene from Vampires Rule. This is the first time Jack and Silver kiss. It is bittersweet--on his part--because he knows he is about to break up with her for her own good. He wants to keep her safe. So we know she's about to get dumped, but she doesn't have a clue.
Vanessa's words replayed in his head. He needed to say nasty things to Silver, hurt her. Fortunately he'd come prepared. Just in case he decided to break up with her, he'd written a note. Even before Vanessa's advice on being cruel, he'd done it. Maybe it was true what they said about great minds thinking alike.
"I can't get over how cute you look in those pajamas," he said.
She blushed. "Thanks. They're new."
"Even though I'd lost a lot of blood that first night, I was right about you. You are beautiful." He caressed the apple of her cheek. He leaned closer and his voice lowered. "You smell good, too."
Her gaze dropped to his mouth.
He pulled her closer.
She tilted her head and awkwardly bumped noses with him. A short-lived giggle burst through her parted lips. He cupped her face between his hands to keep her still. His eyes closed. Their mouths briefly touched.
They both moved at once, meeting in tempting exploration. His fingers dove into her hair. Her hands grabbed at his shoulders, pulling at him. They kissed like two lovers reunited after years of forced separation. Because he had more experience than her, he let her control the situation. Attuned to the smallest of sounds coming from her and the feel of her hands, he waited for her to decide when it had gone far enough.
Silver didn't know it was a good-bye kiss.
Want more??? You'll have to read the book. :)
Check out the kissing scenes on these other great sites:
Vanessa's words replayed in his head. He needed to say nasty things to Silver, hurt her. Fortunately he'd come prepared. Just in case he decided to break up with her, he'd written a note. Even before Vanessa's advice on being cruel, he'd done it. Maybe it was true what they said about great minds thinking alike.
"I can't get over how cute you look in those pajamas," he said.
She blushed. "Thanks. They're new."
"Even though I'd lost a lot of blood that first night, I was right about you. You are beautiful." He caressed the apple of her cheek. He leaned closer and his voice lowered. "You smell good, too."
Her gaze dropped to his mouth.
He pulled her closer.
She tilted her head and awkwardly bumped noses with him. A short-lived giggle burst through her parted lips. He cupped her face between his hands to keep her still. His eyes closed. Their mouths briefly touched.
They both moved at once, meeting in tempting exploration. His fingers dove into her hair. Her hands grabbed at his shoulders, pulling at him. They kissed like two lovers reunited after years of forced separation. Because he had more experience than her, he let her control the situation. Attuned to the smallest of sounds coming from her and the feel of her hands, he waited for her to decide when it had gone far enough.
Silver didn't know it was a good-bye kiss.
Want more??? You'll have to read the book. :)
Check out the kissing scenes on these other great sites:
Monday, February 13, 2012
Valentine Day Contest WINNER!!!!
You may or may not remember this, but I announced a contest last month. The entrants had to email me about why they liked one of my books because I am giving away one copy of a print book, autographed. I received many interesting emails. My friends and I picked the winner without too much trouble. This email stood out above the rest. The winner is.....
JENNIFER MCDONALD
Why did we choose Jennifer? Because she saw the underlying theme in Crushed: which is love. I enjoyed reading all of your letters, and I will have another giveaway soon. Thank you all for participating.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Teaser Tuesdays
I am nearing the end of my edits on Witch Hunt and will be posting small pieces from it on Tuesdays starting on the 21rst until it is released. This coming Tuesday is Valentine's Day so I will announce the winner of the Crushed Contest then. Thank you, and happy (reading) writing!
Saturday, February 4, 2012
Check Out the New Books on KDP Select
Who doesn’t love FREE books?
TWO DAYS ONLY: Wednesday, February 8th and Thursday, February 9th! Come and get ‘em!
For those with a love of YA paranormal: Family Magic (The Hayle Coven novels, #1) Sixteen year old Sydlynn Hayle is the daughter of a powerful witch and a demon lord but she just wants to be ordinary. Find it http://www.amazon.com/Family-Magic-Hayle-Novels-ebook/dp/B005W5R79A/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1328361636&sr=8-2
And for those who like a thrill in their YA fiction: Run (The Hunted, #1) Reid thinks life has gone back to normal when his sister rescues him from the foster system. All that changes when he is kidnapped and dumped in the wilderness, forced to run from those who want to kill him. Find it http://www.amazon.com/Run-The-Hunted-ebook/dp/B005HZJX9W/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1328361816&sr=1-1
Don’t have a Kindle? No problem! Download a FREE app for your computer, iPad, smartphone and more!
Raising the Demon
“Haralthazar,” my mother glided closer to the statue, “we summon you this third night of Power, nine days and nine nights from Samhain Eve, to tighten our bond with you and your realm.” She knelt at the foot of the altar, the picture of the submissive handmaiden. Could she be any more ridiculous? Seriously. “My love, come and be welcome.”
The blinding flash that leapt from her to the statue continued to pour out of her in a deep blue rush of light. I turned my head slightly to the side, squinting in the glare, grateful for the edge of the cowl and the shadow it made. The whole room started to thrum, the floor vibrating with condensed magic as Mom used the energy we had given her to make the doorway that would let my father through.
Sixteen-year-old Sydlynn Hayle is the daughter of a powerful witch and a demon lord of the seventh plane. The trouble is, she just wants to be ordinary. Syd struggles to survive the minefield of her new high school while being torn between her attraction to football hero Brad Peters and the darkly mysterious Quaid Moromond. When her coven comes under attack, Syd is forced to face the fact only her power can save her family’s magic.
What readers are saying about Family Magic:
“This book has everything. Great family drama, hot boys, magic, witches, demons and difficult choices. This is one of my new favorite books of 2011 and I CANNOT WAIT to
read the rest of the series.”
“With a fantastic, empathetic heroine, plenty of magic, an intriguing mystery and incorporating themes involving the search of self, familial relationships, duty and free will, Family Magic is an enchanting and enjoyable read.”
“I think Syd is one of my all-time favorite characters. She is funny and snarky but has a fierce love for her family. I am ready to follow Syd's journey through this series. I was hooked from the first paragraph. I thoroughly enjoyed Family Magic, and I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys paranormal novels.”
(You can read the full reviews on Amazon.com)
Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Family-Magic-Hayle-Novels-ebook/dp/B005W5R79A/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1328361636&sr=8-2
Run.
Kidnapped
Alone, Reid gasps in one deep breath, another. It hurts his ribs, his lungs. He manages to roll over on his right side and regrets it. His shoulder screams in protest. Still, he is finally able to wriggle his numb hands loose from what holds him and claws at the cloth around his eyes.
Darkness. But not complete. The moon is up. Trees loom over him, the smell of spruce and fresh air so sharp it almost hurts. He jerks at the plastic ties around his ankles while. his vision swims through a veil of pain-laden tears. He manages somehow to force his screaming hands to work the ties loose and he is free.
Sixteen-year-old Reid thinks life is back to normal. His sister Lucy pulls herself together and cuts him free from a year of foster care. She promises to take care of him, that her new boss and her new life are what they both needed to start again. Until Reid is taken in the middle of the night, dumped in a wild stretch of forest far from home with no idea why he is there. Lost and afraid, he learns to run from the hunters who prowl the darkness, their only pleasure chasing down kids like him. And killing them.
What readers are saying about Run:
“The fear, the thrill, the emotion that comes through in the writing is amazing. There is never a dull moment in this story of survival.”
“If you're a fan of YA books that make your heart pound with the unknown and leave you cringing at places (but in a totally cool kinda way) then Run's the book for you.”
“Reid is such a great strong character and when the story ends, we are left begging for what is to come in the next of the series. This story was unique and SUPER fast-paced! It was a great festival of suspense.”
(You can read the full reviews on Amazon.com)
Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Run-The-Hunted-ebook/dp/B005HZJX9W/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1328361816&sr=1-1
Thank you for taking the time to check them out!
Happy reading!
About the Author: Patti Larsen is a middle grade, young adult and adult author with a passion for the paranormal. Her YA thriller series, The Hunted, is available now. The first four books of The Hayle Coven series, Family Magic, Witch Hunt, Demon Child and The Wild are also out now. Her YA paranormal novel, Best Friends Forever, and steampunk series, Blood and Gold, are due early in 2012. She is a full time writer and a part time teacher of her Get Your Book Done program. Patti lives on the East Coast of Canada with her very patient husband and four massive cats.
Her Website: http://www.pattilarsen.com/
TWO DAYS ONLY: Wednesday, February 8th and Thursday, February 9th! Come and get ‘em!
For those with a love of YA paranormal: Family Magic (The Hayle Coven novels, #1) Sixteen year old Sydlynn Hayle is the daughter of a powerful witch and a demon lord but she just wants to be ordinary. Find it http://www.amazon.com/Family-Magic-Hayle-Novels-ebook/dp/B005W5R79A/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1328361636&sr=8-2
And for those who like a thrill in their YA fiction: Run (The Hunted, #1) Reid thinks life has gone back to normal when his sister rescues him from the foster system. All that changes when he is kidnapped and dumped in the wilderness, forced to run from those who want to kill him. Find it http://www.amazon.com/Run-The-Hunted-ebook/dp/B005HZJX9W/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1328361816&sr=1-1
Don’t have a Kindle? No problem! Download a FREE app for your computer, iPad, smartphone and more!
Raising the Demon
“Haralthazar,” my mother glided closer to the statue, “we summon you this third night of Power, nine days and nine nights from Samhain Eve, to tighten our bond with you and your realm.” She knelt at the foot of the altar, the picture of the submissive handmaiden. Could she be any more ridiculous? Seriously. “My love, come and be welcome.”
The blinding flash that leapt from her to the statue continued to pour out of her in a deep blue rush of light. I turned my head slightly to the side, squinting in the glare, grateful for the edge of the cowl and the shadow it made. The whole room started to thrum, the floor vibrating with condensed magic as Mom used the energy we had given her to make the doorway that would let my father through.
Sixteen-year-old Sydlynn Hayle is the daughter of a powerful witch and a demon lord of the seventh plane. The trouble is, she just wants to be ordinary. Syd struggles to survive the minefield of her new high school while being torn between her attraction to football hero Brad Peters and the darkly mysterious Quaid Moromond. When her coven comes under attack, Syd is forced to face the fact only her power can save her family’s magic.
What readers are saying about Family Magic:
“This book has everything. Great family drama, hot boys, magic, witches, demons and difficult choices. This is one of my new favorite books of 2011 and I CANNOT WAIT to
read the rest of the series.”
“With a fantastic, empathetic heroine, plenty of magic, an intriguing mystery and incorporating themes involving the search of self, familial relationships, duty and free will, Family Magic is an enchanting and enjoyable read.”
“I think Syd is one of my all-time favorite characters. She is funny and snarky but has a fierce love for her family. I am ready to follow Syd's journey through this series. I was hooked from the first paragraph. I thoroughly enjoyed Family Magic, and I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys paranormal novels.”
(You can read the full reviews on Amazon.com)
Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Family-Magic-Hayle-Novels-ebook/dp/B005W5R79A/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1328361636&sr=8-2
Run.
Kidnapped
Alone, Reid gasps in one deep breath, another. It hurts his ribs, his lungs. He manages to roll over on his right side and regrets it. His shoulder screams in protest. Still, he is finally able to wriggle his numb hands loose from what holds him and claws at the cloth around his eyes.
Darkness. But not complete. The moon is up. Trees loom over him, the smell of spruce and fresh air so sharp it almost hurts. He jerks at the plastic ties around his ankles while. his vision swims through a veil of pain-laden tears. He manages somehow to force his screaming hands to work the ties loose and he is free.
Sixteen-year-old Reid thinks life is back to normal. His sister Lucy pulls herself together and cuts him free from a year of foster care. She promises to take care of him, that her new boss and her new life are what they both needed to start again. Until Reid is taken in the middle of the night, dumped in a wild stretch of forest far from home with no idea why he is there. Lost and afraid, he learns to run from the hunters who prowl the darkness, their only pleasure chasing down kids like him. And killing them.
What readers are saying about Run:
“The fear, the thrill, the emotion that comes through in the writing is amazing. There is never a dull moment in this story of survival.”
“If you're a fan of YA books that make your heart pound with the unknown and leave you cringing at places (but in a totally cool kinda way) then Run's the book for you.”
“Reid is such a great strong character and when the story ends, we are left begging for what is to come in the next of the series. This story was unique and SUPER fast-paced! It was a great festival of suspense.”
(You can read the full reviews on Amazon.com)
Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Run-The-Hunted-ebook/dp/B005HZJX9W/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1328361816&sr=1-1
Thank you for taking the time to check them out!
Happy reading!
About the Author: Patti Larsen is a middle grade, young adult and adult author with a passion for the paranormal. Her YA thriller series, The Hunted, is available now. The first four books of The Hayle Coven series, Family Magic, Witch Hunt, Demon Child and The Wild are also out now. Her YA paranormal novel, Best Friends Forever, and steampunk series, Blood and Gold, are due early in 2012. She is a full time writer and a part time teacher of her Get Your Book Done program. Patti lives on the East Coast of Canada with her very patient husband and four massive cats.
Her Website: http://www.pattilarsen.com/
Thursday, February 2, 2012
To Trailer or Not To Trailer
This week at the YA Indie Carnival we are talking about book trailers. I'll tell you what I think about them. Then you can weigh in if you want. I'd especially like to hear from you if you've used a book trailer or know someone who has used a book trailer.
Personally (and I know a lot of people will disagree, but please don't throw stuff at me) I think book trailers are kind of silly. You can't tell if a person can write or not by watching them. I do think some of them are cool, but I wouldn't bother with one unless I could afford to pay a professional. I've seen some that people have thrown together for themselves that look terrible and I wouldn't rush out to buy the book after seeing it. But that's just me.
What is your opinion on them?
I don't have time to list all of the other Carnis below right now. If you want to see what they have to say on the subject, please go to my January post on Interview with a Villain and click on them. Thank you.
Personally (and I know a lot of people will disagree, but please don't throw stuff at me) I think book trailers are kind of silly. You can't tell if a person can write or not by watching them. I do think some of them are cool, but I wouldn't bother with one unless I could afford to pay a professional. I've seen some that people have thrown together for themselves that look terrible and I wouldn't rush out to buy the book after seeing it. But that's just me.
What is your opinion on them?
I don't have time to list all of the other Carnis below right now. If you want to see what they have to say on the subject, please go to my January post on Interview with a Villain and click on them. Thank you.
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