One of the big traditions with New Year's is to write resolutions. These goals are help make the new year even better than the old year. We asked the Inkspell authors what their resolutions are.  Here's their responses. What are your New Year's Resolutions?
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Rebecca Hart:
Being a big procrastinator, I have never been much for making resolutions. Mostly because I generally forget about them or try to ignore the fact that I made them within days of doing so. But, 2013 is a new year, so why not give it a go, right?

So this year, my resolutions are these:
1. Complete two novels and have ready for query at some point during the year.
2. Get on the new treadmill we got for Christmas at least twice a week. (this one is so not going to happen, but adding it makes me look good)
3. Set aside at least one hour each week for undivided "kid time" with my youngest daughter, Shelby.
4. DO NOT GET A NEW DOG THIS YEAR NO MATTER HOW CUTE THEY ARE.

That's it for me. Simple is better to my way of thinking, and I figure if I keep them small and manageable, I have a much better shot at keeping them.

Happy New Year, everyone :)



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Aubrie Dionne:

Both of my New Year's resolutions are writing related for 2013. I'm going to check my Amazon book ranks less- trying for once a month instead of three times a day! (What a time suck that is!) And, I'm not going to read my reviews. The bad ones just bring me down, and then it takes a whole day to get the courage back up to write again. Like last year, I'm vowing to write 1k a day everyday, so I end of with 365K at the end of the year. This past year I made it to 316,090. Almost. But in 2013, I'll make it to 365! 

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Lisa Voisin:
I believe in the power of intention and goal setting, and around the end of the old year, I review my year and assess where I am at, so I can chart my course for the future.

To that end, here are my intentions for 2013:

- to be physically active, and to that end, I plan to run another 10KM run. I did this in 2012, and was quite successful.
- to finish writing books two and three of The Watcher trilogy and see them through to publication.
- to make more time for myself in my meditation practice, for everything flows better from there.
- and on a personal note, to endeavor to not take things personally, remembering that other people's opinions of me are not only none of my business, but also reflections of their own world.

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Deb Peterson:
I prefer to think of them as "goals' rather than "resolutions," because as everyone knows, resolutions are only made to be broken and goals are made to be reached... ;) 

So with that in mind, my top priority goals for this year are to complete all three of my works in progress, become an expert in marketing...(I hate marketing, so anyone want to help me out with that one?) and spend far more time with my beloved family!


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Stephanie Lawton:
Other than the ever-repeating resolution to lose weight (ugh), I'm going to make it a point to write some edgy stuff in different genres under my pen name. I love YA and romance, but I'm craving the freedom to push the envelop into erotica, horror, fetish, etc. 

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T. Michelle Nelson:
I resolve to try even more new things, prove to myself that age is only a number and get into the best shape of my life.  To motivate myself to do this, I am signing up to participate in Tough Mudder, a 10-12 mile endurance event with obstacles designed by British Special Forces.  Most participants undoubtedly, will be younger and in better shape than me, but I fully intend on crossing that finish line. My mother has always told me there is nothing I couldn't accomplish once I set my mind to it, although I seriously doubt she meant anything like this.  


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Majanka Verstraete:
Here are my resolutions for the New Year: 

1) Write six new novels this year. I wrote four last year, so I'm trying to bring that number up. 
2) Make a list of weekly goals and a list of monthly goals and stick to them. 
3) Read and review 150 books (I reached this number last year and I hope I can do it again!)
4) Go on a trip out of the country. 
5) Exercise regularly (which means, at least three days a week) 
6) Finish last year of university and get my degree. 
7) Get my driver's license! It would be about time. 

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Brooke Moss:
This year my resolution is to put work on the back burner, and focus on my family as much as possible. Don't worry, I'll still be writing fun stories for my delightful readers to enjoy, but with five children and a wonderful hubby--as well as the horrific acts in Connecticut this past December--my priorities have shifted. I am so richly blessed with a gorgeous family, and I need to seize each day knowing that it could be taken away at any time. Happy New Year, InkSpell readers!

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Kristy Centeno:
My new year’s resolution list:

1-      Finish the MS I have started.

2-      Find a bigger house to move into.

3-      Focus a little more on life outside of work.

4-      Go to Disney with the kids.

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Stephanie Keyes:
I love making New Year's resolutions. A clean slate and a fresh start for a brand new year! I have a short list for 2013 that consists of the following:
-Release The Fallen Stars
-Edit and Release The Star Catcher
-Write a brand-new Paranormal Romance!
-Continue to spend more time with my family
-Continue with my workout regime

Happy New Year Inkspell readers!



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Naya Nikki:
My new years resolutions are:
1) Get a 2:1 in my 2nd year at university
2) Do a good deed everyday
3) Get experience in publishing/editorial work so I can pursue it as a career

Share your resolutions? Do you have any in common with our authors?

Happy New Year Inkspell readers. We wish you all the best in 2013!

 
 
Because it takes a lot of work to make Mondays fun, we at Inkspell decided to start a new blog feature we like to call Eyecandy Monday. Each Monday we will feature the characters from one Inkspell novel and share with you all the fine details and tasty tidbits we can dig up about these
interesting and well written main characters.

Max and Amy started out as friends in Familiar Ties. They leaned on each other while raising their daughters but the spark of passion ignited and they became more than friends. Can you see how easy that would be with these two good looking people? Wouldn't you risk your friendship for love?
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Name: Max Nathanial West
Age: 27
Hair: Blonde
Eyes: Blue
 
Distinguishing Features: Cheeky Grin
 
Famous Person they resemble: Chase Crawford /Kellan Lutz
 
Character Teaser: A single father who looks after his 4 year old girl while chasing his dream of becoming a writer as well as going after the girl he really loves. Although a dedicated father Max is torn between doing what he thinks is right for his daughter and what is really right for her.

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Name: Amy Sue-Ann Riley
Age: 26
Hair: Brunette
Eyes: Grey

Distinguishing Features: Always wears a silver necklace
 
Famous Person they resemble: Sophia Bush
 
Character Teaser: Amy, a fashion designer who has achieved her dream of becoming a mother as well, is always looking for love. Thinking she found it in her boyfriend Jack, she was faced with disappointment when he left her and their daughter for his directing job on the other side of the world.

 
 
Last week we found out about our authors' first crushes.  It was fun to see just who they dreamt about.  This week, we asked our authors to share their favorite strong female characters from a book.  Again, they come through with some wonderful and exciting choices.
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Naya Nikki
My favorite female character is Jo March from Little Women. She is strong,brave and independent in a time when women were not thought to be. She writes her own novel as well as plays which inspires women to break those glass ceilings that we have been given. I mean she even cuts her hair so her family has money...can you get any more bad ass than that??

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Sasha Summers
I can’t give you my absolute favorite female character because I have several. But a character that’s stayed with me since I read her story years and years ago would be Judith Dunbar from Rosamunde Pilcher’s World War II novel, Coming Home. You meet Judith when she’s 14 and
stay with her through the war, experiencing her life in a very personal and poignant way. If you haven’t read it, you should. It’s a lovely book.

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T. Michelle Nelson
My favorite strong female character? It may sound trite and overdone, but as a southern woman, it would be almost offensive for me to overlook the obvious choice of Scarlett O’Hara. Putting aside her ability to turn men into goo and her uncanny fashion sense, Scarlett was a woman who was strong and independent in a time when women weren’t supposed to be anything but pretty and quiet. She was resilient and managed to not only survive the Civil
War and it’s aftermath, but eventually flourish.Scarlett’s appeal only magnified as Margret Mitchell revealed all her character flaws. Selfish, manipulative, vain and anything but maternal, Scarlett is one of the most real and for me, most likeable heroines of all time. If you’ve only seen the movie, I recommend reading the book. I found myself literally laughing out loud at her antics.

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Brooke Moss
When I was a kid, I read a book called "Poor Gertie", by Larry Bograd, and it literally changed my life. Growing up, my family didn't have much money. In fact, there were times when we were downright poor, and that's why I connected with Gertie so well. She was plucky, and defiant, and determined to help her family. Plus, she liked to draw and write stories, which was (obviously) right up my ally. I've been searching this book online for years now, and to my
knowledge, it has gone out of print. Which is sad, considering how very much Gertie and her story touched me. I feel like every middle grade kid should read it. It's *that* important! I did manage to score an old discarded copy from a library in Brooklyn, which was quite the feat, considering I live in Washington State. My ten year old daughter loves it, and I can't even begin to describe how proud I am that Gertie and her story have touched another kid.

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Aubrie Dionne
My favorite strong female character in a book would have to be Jane Eyre. She stuck to her beliefs even when her heart wanted something else, and she had the strength to withstand hardships I couldn't imagine. She's small like me, but she doesn't let her physical appearance weaken her resolve. She won't settle for anything that isn't true love. Jane Eyre is a truly exceptional character.

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Stephanie Keyes
One of my favorite female characters (because I can't just pick one) is Laurel
from OR Melling's The Summer King. She is a no-no sense character with a level of skepticism about the paranormal that makes me smile. She doesn't put up with much and I like that!

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Majanka Verstraete
Phew, that’s a tough question! If it was female character in general, I’d reply “Buffy The Vampire Slayer” in a heartbeat. She has it all: she’s tough when needed, she’s strong and confident and she saves the world every year, give or take a few. But when it comes to book characters, I have to go for Katsa from Graceling. She’s an amazing character, and Kristen Cashore’s writing is sublime. She makes the character come to life on those pages. Katsa is a strong warrior graced with exceptional skills, but that isn’t what makes her a strong character. It’s her personality, her will to keep going on even when everyone else has long given up. Her true strength is in her determination and her ability to put other’s needs – and the kingdom’s needs – above her own.

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Kacey Vanderkarr
Tris from Divergent had me captivated from the beginning. She’s fierce, brave, and someone who refuses to take no for an answer. She leaves her “safe” Abnegation faction and her family to join Dauntless, and doesn’t give up, even when she’s the smallest one there and the least likely candidate to actually become a Dauntless “fighter.” If she’s not big enough to out-power an opponent, she outwits them, and goes from being the lowest ranked trainee to one of the
highest. Just reading about her courage made me wish I was brave enough to become Dauntless as well, though I think I would’ve wimped out on day one!

 
 
The heartfelt journey of Max West and Amy Riley in to your hearts begins today at Inkspell Publishing. It comes with a special discount too! Enjoy 30% of this brand new contemporary romance as we celebrate release day.

The book birthday girl, author Naya Nikki cannot catch up with sleep these days. She says, "It has been a long process filled with twists, turns and bumps but it has all worked out. I am so grateful for this opportunity and it really is a dream come true to see my 'baby' out in the open for everyone else to share. I do not think I will ever get used to seeing my name in print but now my ‘baby’ is there for you all to love as much as I do." Of course we love the book, Naya. Its been an honor for us to be part of Max and Amy's journey. 

We are celebrating the book release with a fabulous exclusive discount on our website.  Buy the book from our web store and enjoy 30% discount on both print and ebook! Hurry, because the offer lasts only till 30th May!! 

And now, presenting you Familiar Ties, a contemporary romance novel by Naya Nikki! 
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Print Price: $12.99
eBook Price: $4.99
Pages: 250
Length: Novel
Format: eBook and Paperback 
ISBN:  ebook: 978-0-9850115-6-7
           Paperback: 978-0-9850115-5-0

Max West is a widower raising Phoebe, his four-year-old daughter. Phoebe has to live with the fact that the day she was born is also the day of her mother's death. As her fifth year without her mother approaches, Phoebe finds solace in her godmother, Amy Riley, and her daughter, Grace Crawford, another single parent family.
 Amy Riley is a successful fashion designer who spends most of her days raising her four-year-old daughter, Grace, while her wayward boyfriend is travelling the world making the next best film. As the fifth year without her best friend looms she finds comfort in her ex-boyfriend, Max, and his daughter, Phoebe.
  These two “broken” families have a tough week to face as the dreaded day approaches. However through their past, present and debatable future will their choices affect the outcome both parents clearly want and are simply denying? Or will Phoebe and Grace lose the only “whole” family they have ever known?



Read an excerpt from the novel!
“Amy,” Max warned, “You’re not going to just take pictures.”

He chuckled as he stood behind Amy, who was trying to figure out the new camera. Grace and Phoebe were posed perfectly on the sofa like little angels, big smiles showing rows of shiny white teeth, with the odd one or two missing. “You see,” he showed her. “There's this new, fancy thing called a timer. This means that all of us can be in the picture, including you.”

She playfully swatted him, as he jumped back, “Oh zip it.” She laughed, “I look a mess. Anyway I want a picture of you three for my desk, not me.”

Grace sat up as she swung her little legs off the edge of the sofa, her feet not even scraping the floor. “Come on, Mommy! Pwease?” She was missing her two front teeth and therefore she couldn’t pronounce her L’s properly. Amy thought it sounded so cute and secretly hoped that they’d never grow back.

How could she possibly say no to her little darling? She watched as Grace began to pout and bat her big, grey eyes at her. It was her infamous look that could make anyone fall for her, including her mother and her Uncle Max.

“No, not the pout,” she joked. “Anything but that, Gracie you know I can’t resist that cute little pout of yours.”

Once Max finished setting the timer, he curled his fingers around Amy's pale bangle covered wrist and pulled her towards the girls and the sofa. As they both sat down, on either side of the girls, he leaned over the girls’ heads to whisper, “I taught her that pout.”

“Yes, I know,” she replied. “Because that’s how you got Anna to fall for you.” She was about to laugh when she realized what she’d said. There was a moment of silence as both contemplated the loss of Anna. “Sorry,” she whispered to him. “I shouldn’t have said that.”

“It’s fine,” he whispered back, before he could say anymore Phoebe crawled onto his lap. He smiled and saw the splitting image of his deceased wife staring back at him. He didn’t mind that Anna was gone, because she’d left him the most precious of gift. Amy smiled as she lifted Grace onto her lap. Both parents shuffled closer together as a unit.

“How long do we have, Daddy?” Phoebe asked, as she snuggled into her father’s chest.

“Thirty seconds,” he answered. “Can you smile big for me?” he asked.

Phoebe nodded as she smiled her massive toothy smile and reached for Grace's hand. “You too, Grace!” Phoebe instructed her friend. “Smile really, really big!”

For a moment, Amy remembered Anna again. They’d both been only eight years old when they’d sat and posed for a different camera. Amy still had that picture on her bedside drawer, next to one of Phoebe and Grace as babies. 'Smile real big,' Anna had said as she’d tilted her head against Amy’s to become one.

The smile on Amy's face wasn’t a sad one anymore. She was fortunate that she could feel Anna’s presence, through her charming daughter.

As she looked at the camera, she hadn’t realized that Max had put his free arm around her waist, pulling them closer. The camera started to blink, indicating to be ready. “Ready?” she asked them. “On the count of three, okay? One…Two…”

“Three,” they all said together, smiling big for the camera, to produce the perfect family photo, to anyone who didn’t know them.

 
 
Another cover reveal!!!! We absolutely love this part of publishing. We have another exciting cover page for you all.
If you enjoyed "Dear John" or "Where Rainbows End", you are going to love this book! Read the tale of two best friends who discover the courage of confessing their love through none other than their daughters. Check out the blurb and, well of course the cover! 
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Max West is a widower raising Phoebe, his four-year-old daughter. Phoebe has to live with the fact that the day she was born is also the day of her mother's death. As her fifth year without her mother approaches, Phoebe finds solace in her godmother, Amy Riley, and her daughter, Grace Crawford, another single parent family.

Amy Riley is a successful fashion designer who spends most of her days raising her four-year-old daughter, Grace, while her wayward boyfriend is travelling the world making the next best film. As the fifth year without her best friend looms she finds comfort in her ex-boyfriend, Max, and his daughter, Phoebe.

These two “broken” families have a tough week to face as the dreaded day approaches. However through their past, present and debatable future will their choices affect the outcome both parents clearly want and are simply denying? Or will Phoebe and Grace lose the only “whole” family they have ever known?