Judge this Book by the Cover - VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE & WIN!

It's time to judge a book by the cover! Those of you who follow my blog know that I'm working on a science fiction novel, The Deep Beneath, the first in the H.A.L.F. Trilogy. I'm hoping to have it in the hands of readers in May (*crosses fingers*).

My cover artist for this project, Derek Murphy, has created some draft covers. I don't know which concept to choose!? Can you help me decide?

Cover Option 1

Cover Option 2

Cover Option 3

Please submit your vote in the comments below by stating whether your favorite is Option 1, Option 2 or Option 3. And let me know what you like and what you don't like about these design concepts.


But wait! Why not make a contest out of it?! If you pick what ends up being the winning cover, you'll be entered into a drawing to win a signed ARC of The Deep Beneath!


Rules & Fine Print for the Contest: In order to win, you must leave your e-mail address either in your comment OR sign up for my newsletter (at the very top of my blog on the right side). Winner will be picked at random from all those who voted for the winning cover.


Thanks everyone!

Friday Book Review: Fracture

This weeks' Friday Book Review is of Fracture, a debut novel by Megan Miranda.

Premise/Plot: Seventeen year old Delaney is getting ready to play man hunt with her friends around a frozen lake (they live in Maine). The ice begins to crack and Delaney falls through. Her friends, being from Maine, know how to rescue people from the ice and set about gathering rope. When they finally pull Delaney out, she has been in the water for 11 minutes and is officially dead.

Delaney's best friend, Decker, begins CPR and Delaney is brought back to life but is in a coma. Miraculously, Delaney comes out of the coma and appears normal. Well, she appears normal. While scans show significant damage to her brain, she is completely fine except that she is drawn to people that are dying. Delaney keeps this fact secret from all but one person, Troy Varga, who it just so happens was once in a coma and has the same affliction/gift that Delaney has.

What ensues is a book that is part love quadrangle, part exploration of the meaning of life, with a splash of paranormal (sort of) thrown in.

Review: I'm doing this review in sandwich format - some good, some not so good, and some good again at the end ;-)

First the Good: The novel starts out right in the middle of some great action with Delaney falling through the ice and dying right off the bat. Since it is told in the first person, it is chilling to hear Delaney describe her own death. I was hooked immediately and felt compelled to keep reading. I liked Delaney's witty and somewhat sassy voice.

Out of the chute this is a fast-paced and intriguing read. The author does a great job describing the brain injury and sets up a plausible scientific explanation for why Delaney may have her strange ability while still leaving an open question: Is it just a brain anomaly? Or is there a true paranormal aspect that happened to her because of her own death? The questions set up in the first 50 pages or so (plus the blooming love interest with her best friend Decker and the new guy on the scene, Troy) move us into the middle of the book.

The Not So Good: While I devoured this book in one day, upon reflection there are some things that keep me from loving it completely. First there's the relationships. Delaney is making out with one boy before her coma, but in love with Decker, her long-time best friend (though they don't actually talk about their feelings for each other), then there's Troy Varga, the creepy fellow who stalks her and has the same ability (condition?) she has. Delaney's actions are all over the place which I can buy to a point. Sometimes it's just confusing how one feels. But she is a very bright young woman (vying to be first in her class) yet she just goes along with Carson making moves on her when she seems to not want him to. Is she completely powerless? At first she seems like a kick-ass female character but soon falls into the damsel in distress, going along with the "cool" guy to save face, even if it means hurting her friends or compromising her own needs. From a writer's standpoint, it seemed like perhaps the author wasn't totally clear what Delaney wants or who Delaney is. The character seemed inconsistent.

Second, there is the whole paranormal aspect. While I really appreciated a more literary take on paranormalcy, at the end of the day I'm not even sure this is paranormal fiction. It seemed in some respects that the author was steering us in the direction of a "rational" scientific explanation for Delaney's ability. Which is it? I was really loving the literary telling of the paranormal story, the author putting quality into the telling of this kind of story. But then it lost its paranormal feel and that's when I felt a bit disappointed.

The story then switched in some respects to being a story about the meaning of life. I recently read The Fault in Our Stars by John Green (a 5+ Star book, BTW, you must read it - NOW! here's my review of that one), and there are aspects of Fracture that reminded me of Fault in Our Stars. Both books explore death and life through the eyes of teens that have experienced death - either their own or loved ones. Both have active roles for the parents in the book, something that is lacking in most YA books. And I think both authors in some respects come to the same conclusions. I enjoyed this aspect of Fracture - the more literary aspect.

In my opinion, Fracture was, well, fractured. It tried to be two stories at once and didn't 100% succeed at either.

Megan Miranda, Author of Fracture

The Rest of the Good Part - Wait, before you think I'm not recommending this book, I do recommend it! As I said, I read this in one day and it was a compelling read. The faults I've noted above were found more upon reflection than in the moment. Despite a few blemishes, this is a compelling read. If you enjoy literary fiction, I think you may very well enjoy this offering by Megan Miranda. If you are a fan of paranormal fiction, give this one a try and let me know if you enjoy the different feel of this author's treatment of paranormal. I think this is a wonderful first effort by Megan Miranda and I look forward to her next book.

4 Hawks to Megan Miranda's novel, Fracture

WINNER: February Book Giveaway

CONGRATULATIONS to Haley Marie Nolan who is the winner of the February Show the Love for Readers book giveaway. Haley has won a signed copy of Emily's House and some swag. Congratulations Haley!! Please e-mail me your mailing address and I'll pop that book in the mail to you.

There are still some opportunities to win giveaways that are currently going on. Check out this post and hop to the blogs to enter the giveaways!!

I'll be posting another giveaway on this blog and on Facebook and YouTube soon so stay tuned.

Fierce Reading Blog Tour!!!

Come join the fun on my first ever blog tour! The tour runs from 2/16-2/29. Check out these amazing book blogs for reviews of Emily's House, interviews with moi, guest posts and GIVEAWAYS! Lots of Giveaways. Just click on the link & go have fun :-D


February 29 - Last stop on the tour, head over to Jaclyn's Musings for a review and Giveaway! 

February 28- Stop by Celtic Lady's Reviews and read the latest review of Emily's House and check out her very cool site.

February 27 - Hop on over to This is From My Heart Book Lovers Paradise for the latest stop on my blog tour. Janeira has a fun interview with moi and other fun stuff. Check it out!

February 24 - Read the latest 5 Star Review of Emily's House and enter a Giveaway at Books Complete Me. And hang around and check out her very wonderful book blog!!

February 23 - Check out my Guest Post at Literary Exploration to hear the true story of what inspired me to write Emily's House! A story that may be stranger than the fiction ;-)

February 22 - Head over to Heather Robbins' awesome blog, SupaGurl Books to read my guest post there and find out my favorite books and more.

February 21 - THREE great blogs to check out. Head on over to Amanda's Writings to enter her awesome domestic and International Giveaway.

Then check out my latest 5 Star Review of Emily's House on Chocolate Coffee Books (what more could we want?!). Thank you Neriah for your read & review.

And then head over to Indie Author How-To and check out Lakisha's blog.

February 20, join me on Lisa Ann Richard's blog, Lisa Loves Books, where you can read her review of Emily's House AND enter her giveaway! So hop on over and join the fun!

February 17, join me on Marlene Frierson's blog, Read with Love where you can read her interview with moi and explore her site to enter giveaways and check out her reviews.

First stop on February 16 is Krystal Larson's cool site Live to Read. Click on the link to read her review of Emily's House and leave a comment on her blog to be entered in a giveaway! And if you leave a comment here to, you'll be entered in two giveaways - how easy is that?

Show the love on these great book blogs by following them and posting comments. These lovely ladies read, review and host giveaways just for the love of books and none of them are paid for hosting their blogs or paid for reviews. So show the love for book bloggers!

And remember, for the entire month of February, post a comment here on any blog post OR post a comment on my Facebook page and you are automatically entered into the February Book Giveaway Contest. Check out this post for complete contest details. Post early. Post often!

Writer Chat Wednesday: The Gift of Allowing

I am hard at work putting together more insightful, fun, informative and provocative Writer Chat's with wonderful authors from around the globe. Today the writer chat is with . . .

Me!

Here's a word I've been thinking about a lot this week: Allow

I started the week with a wonderful Chakra Reading and block removal with the wonderful Rosemary Sneeringer, aka The Book Nurturer. It was a powerful process that brought much clarity to my writing process and simmering projects. But the word that most stuck with me was "allow."

Allow what? What do I mean by allow?

Allow abundance. Allow ideas. Allow inspiration. Allow all the wonderful things that are flowing toward me to come.

Can you relate to this? Do you ever put up walls or barricades or dams to ebb the flow of abundance that is flowing to you?

My experience with it is that I will go through periods where I'm "in the zone." It's like I'm riding the river and going with the current and everything is lining up and buzzing in the right way. It was during such a period that I won my trip to Ireland I had so desperately wanted (read about that bit of magic here). I've manifested other wonderful things while riding the current.

But then it happens - life throws you a curve ball. It always will. We should expect it. But we don't. We're in the stream, riding the ride of life, having fun and them WHAM! Shit happens. We're thrown off course, the waters are turbulent - hell we may even get thrown from the boat! We're in the roiling waters flailing our arms, kicking and screaming and trying to get back in the boat or at least make it to shore alive.

When the waters get rough that is the time we most need to allow but that is also the time it is most difficult to relax. Allow means letting go.  Allow means forgetting our useless attempts to control. Allow. Let it Be.

The beautiful thing about my time with Rosemary was not that it told me anything I didn't already know - at least on some level - but that it reminded me in a powerful way that the missing component was the allow part. I need to get out of my own way. Do you relate to this?

Time to relax. Let it go. Allow.

In the words of McCartney & Lennon:

There will be an answer, let it be . . . 

Is there anything that you're not allowing? Are you riding the stream and enjoying the ride? Or are you paddling like mad against the current, fighting it every step of the way?

I love hearing from you so leave comments here, or my Facebook page and remember for the month of February, everyone who leaves a comment is automatically entered into the February book giveaway for a signed copy of Emily's House. Complete contest details here.

Manic Monday: Can Fun Conquer Fear?

Joe Burbank, Orlando Sentinel

My nine-year-old daughter has two major fears: Flying in airplanes and being on boats. The fear of flying is so great in her, she trembles during takeoff, her face ashen with fear. She's a trooper and rises to the challenge, but it terrifies her so much that this year we thought "road trip." Sort of a "Griswold" family vacation, driving to California and seeing some of America's wonders. Not the thrilling adventure that I tend to enjoy, but hey, these are the types of sacrifices we make for our kids.

People who see my daughter and I together call her a "Mini Me." We look a lot a like and have many things in common. But I'm an adventurous person at heart. I'm no dare devil, but I tend to be more on the risk taking side of things. Summer vacation, to me, is foremost an opportunity to see new things. Go places I've never been. The more exotic the better. Oh, and if you can throw in warm water for snorkeling and white sand, I'm there.

I remember the first time I flew and remember loving it. The thrill of the take off - my heart pounding and the excitement of seeing the big old Earth become so wee that you can't even make out houses or cars or even skyscrapers. I still enjoy takeoff and would love flying still if it weren't for the fact that airport security, wait times, scanners and surliness have made flying pretty much suck.

But alas my "Mini Me" hates heights, is terrified of take off, and would rather ride in her van for 14 hours with her parents than get in a plane. 

So it was to my utmost surprise when she said she wanted to go on a Disney Cruise this summer.

"You want to ride for days on a boat?!"

She looked it up on the Internet. She pointed to the commercials on T.V.

"You do realize we would have to fly for a long time just to get to Florida then get on a boat where you'll be for days?"

"That's true," she said with a look of disappointment and worry shadowing her face.

I could see the desire. A mad desire welling in her like I've not seen except for in the month of December when she's beside herself with anticipation for her favorite day of the year.

"Why do you want to go?"

"I don't know mom. It's just calling to me. I feel like I'm meant to go."

Magical words to a mom who believes in fate and serendipity. How can I deny her opportunity to meet up with destiny?

We watched videos about cruising. Read the brochures. Talked about what it would be like. A few days later she said,

"I can do this."

"You want to go?"

"I want to go so bad I'm even willing to fly!"

I saw the steely determination in her eyes lit with the joy of expectation. The call of adventure has lit a fire in her. The desire for fun, overcoming the obstacle of her fear.

Bon Voyage my little one.

Have you ever overcome a fear? How did you do it? Are there any fears that you have that paralyze you or prevent you from doing something that you want to do?


Remember, February "Show the Love For Readers Book Giveaway" going on now! Post a comment to any blog post OR sign up for the mailing list (top right of this blog) to enter. See this Post for complete details.

Writer Chat Wednesday: Joanna Penn!

Joanna Penn, Author

Welcome to Writer Chat Wednesday where each week I get inside the mind of some of my favorite authors. This week I have a very special Writer Chat, via Skype, with British author Joanna Penn. If aren't yet familiar with Joanna's work, let me be the first to introduce you to this fabulous author. Eavesdrop on our Skype Chat which took place February 2, 2012:

Joanna Penn is the author the thriller Arkane series. Her first book in the series, is Pentacost.

Pentacost was released January 6, 2011. Joanna's most recent release is Prophecy.

You can view my full review of Prophecy here. And you can view my Goodreads review of Pentacost here.

If you are a writer and you aren't already a follower of Joanna's popular blog, The Creative Penn, then go check it out. Joanna provides some of the most consistently helpful advice for writers that you'll find anywhere.

Connect with Joanna!

Facebook

Twitter

Have you read Pentacost or Prophecy? If so, what did you think? 
Do you enjoy reading books in the thriller genre? Are there Indie authors you'd like read or see a chat with?


February "Show the Love For Readers Book Giveaway" going on now! Post a comment to any blog post OR sign up for the mailing list to enter. See this Post for complete details.