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? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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 :) ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 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! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 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! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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. <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< 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. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 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. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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! <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< 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. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 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! <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< 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?
Even though Christmas is over, we decided to keep the celebration alive by asking the Inkspell authors about their favorite holiday present. Reading about the authors really gives you an insight into their lives and their stories! What do you think? Which is your favorite gift and why? Mark Jay Harris: Sleep in the afternoon after the kids have opened their presents. Santa's pretty tuckered out by that time, and sleep makes a wonderful gift! ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Rebecca Hart: The best Christmas gift I ever received was when I was either a junior or senior in high school. As the oldest of four children, I understood better than my siblings the "price" of Christmas for a large family. I thought I would hedge my bets for the one thing I wanted that year -- new skis -- by not asking for another thing that Christmas. I had figured, one gift request -- they gotta fill it, right? Well, at the end of the morning of opening gifts, I had all sorts of new gear -- new ski jacket, gloves, hats, etc. -- but no skis. I put on my happy face, knowing deep down the skis, boots and poles were just too expensive for my poor parents to be able to buy while still providing a Christmas to my sisters and brothers. My mother had other plans. She sent me into the bathroom to clean up because "there is no way I am going to shower in that nasty thing on Christmas day." So I went and dutifully cleaned up the bathroom -- grumbling the whole time about how the oldest always gets a raw deal. I grumbled until I returned to the living room to find the skis I had wanted pulled up from where they had been hiding behind our couch. The shock on my face must have been priceless. I spent close to the next 30 minutes bawling my eyes out, amazed at what my parents had done for me, knowing the sacrifices that must have been necessary for them to afford all the ski stuff they got for me. Like they always have, somehow, my parents managed to make Christmas perfect. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, everyone! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Annabelle Blume: Of course, I love books. It's always wonderful to get books, gift certificates for books, or anything even remotely related to books as a Christmas present. But as a mom, the best gifts are always how your children experience the holidays. My kids (3,6, and 8) have this unusual tradition of wrapping up things from around the house and giving them to each other for Christmas. They usually pick toys they've had for years. It's odd, and I don't know where they got the idea, but it's been going on for a few years now and I think it's hilarious. Watching them go though this gift exchange is undoubtedly my favorite gift of Christmas. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Majanka Verstraete: My favorite Christmas present would be a surprise romantic trip to a castle or monastery turned into a hotel. I saw something like that while I was browsing yesterday and I thought it must be wonderful to receive a present like that under the Christmas tree. Besides that, of course my answer would be books. I love books in all shapes and forms, and a bookish Christmas present always makes my day! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Deb Peterson: This one is easy. My most favorite Christmas present of all time is my sister! As I went to bed on that particular Christmas Eve I was surrounded by three brothers. Two that were older than me, and one a few years younger. I remember wanting a baby sister more than anything! And although our baby was supposed to arrive in January, I remember my father coming into my bedroom on that early, early Christmas morning (so early it was still dark. He flipped on the light and with a big smile on his face, said, "Merry Christmas, Deb! You have a brand new baby sister!" We've been the best of friends ever since! ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Stephanie Keyes: When it comes to Christmas, my favorite Christmas present is having everyone at home and together for the holiday. Over the past couple of years, there have been a lot of changes at our Christmas dinner. We lost some of our numbers, then added a few. Some of us have moved away. Each of these things has changed our family's dynamic. So for me, having everyone together, in one place…that's easily, the very best gift I could ever hope for. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone! ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ T. Michelle Nelson: My favorite Christmas present is my very first one. I was adopted in October of 1974 at six weeks old. My mom wanted to go Christmas shopping and my dad needed to go get some motor oil or some other manly type thing and had no interest in going with my mom to get presents for me. While they were out getting Dad's manly purchases, my mother no doubt pitched a fit about not having their new baby any gifts so when Dad came out of the store he had bought me this plastic fish. 38 years later and I still have it, maybe a little worse for wear, but it is my most prized possession. Everyone at Inkspell Publishing hopes that you had a wonderful holiday and received your heart's desire. We'd love to hear what your favorite gift was and why!With today's technology, writers can write just about anywhere. However, some writers like to have a permanent space to write with files and inspiration. Others like to be free to move where they'd like. We asked our Inkspell authors to tell us about where they write. Could you guess which stories were written where? Which authors like a neat desk while others scatter their items to the four winds? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Aubrie Dionne: This is actually a real picture of my messy desk! And yes, that's Jack Sparrow running around between my notebooks. Some post-its are quotes from great writers, others are reminders of who to email and thank in my acknowledgments, and others are plot points I'm afraid I'll forget about. One notebook is every single chapter of my Minstrel's Serenade manuscript along with the POV to make sure I rotate it back and forth equally, and another notebook is a list of the blogs I have scheduled on this blog. The notebook to the right is my word count notebook where I keep tabs everyday.
Rebecca Hart: I have yet to carve myself out a "private" nook at the house to do my writing and when I consider doing it, I always feel a stab of guilt over shutting out the family I already don't see enough thanks to a FT job and an hour commute. So, to keep peace within myself and my family, who misses me so much when I am not about (awww), I do the lion's share of my writing while sitting on the bed in my room. This way the kids can find me when they need me and I still feel like I am part of the family, even when my mind may be a million miles away. There may come a time when I feel I can't get enough accomplished this way, and I may change the writing set-up I am using, but for now, it works for me. Deb Peterson: I have an office just off my library that my husband and I share. And, I have to admit, it’s where I spend most of my time. My books are handy and I have over fifteen gigs of music sorted into various “mood” playlists ready to go on my computer. I’ve grown so accustomed to my little work area, I find it difficult (but not impossible) to write anywhere else! Now that you've seen where our authors write, can you imagine them anywhere else? :)
Happy Halloween everyone! In honor of the holiday, we asked our Inkspell authors about their favorite candy! Can you just see them going out trick or treating and hording their favorites? Or do you think that they are all about buying something that they don't like so that they don't eat it all? What is your favorite and does it match our Inkspell authors? Rebecca Hart:My favorite Halloween candy has changed over the years, just like my taste in clothing and music have evolved. When I was small, I was addicted to Charleston Chews, couldn't get enough of them. That is, until the day I found my first Mounds bars. Dark chocolate and coconut -- how can you go wrong there? That's right. You can't. Now that I don't trick or treat anymore, and the focus is on bringing my kids out, I just let them know "the rules" before we leave the house. "I call dibs on all the Mounds bars." Thankfully, they don't seem to mind. Deb Peterson: I really don’t have a favorite. BUT if I had to make a choice right this minute, I’d ask for the caramel apples I used to get while trick-or-treating in my youth. I lived in a small town, covered with fruit orchards and since the apples were harvested in the fall, many of the farmers would offer homemade caramel apples to the witches, ghosts, and goblins knocking at their doors. Trust me...these candied apples were to die for! Brooke Moss: Actually, the candy bar that I can't live without is rare these days. It was my Grandpa's favorite, then became my favorite, and now I can only find them in specialty shops. It's called the Uno Bar, and it is light and fluffy and delicious! The sad thing is...whenever I find them, I buy as many of them as I can afford, and then I bring them home to horde them. My kids don't even get any. How mean is that? Mark Jay Harris: Peanut M&Ms with milk. I could live on them for days! Annabelle Blume: It's very hard for me not to overindulge this time of year. While I love the pumpkin-y treats of fall, like pumkpin bread, pumpkin pies, and pumpkin lattes (okay, that's not true, I can't stand pumpkin lattes, but you catch my drift), it's the Halloween candy that truly breaks my will power. Rich, satiny cubes of caramel, sticky sweet ropes of licorice, and decadent velvety squares of chocolate tempt my taste buds. I'm usually able to resist the forbidden fruit of the season. Yet, when you pair salty and thick peanut butter with the sweet creaminess of chocolate, I'm a quivering mess. My absolute favorite candies are the peanut butter cups from the Unreal candy company (getunreal.com). They're just like their mainstream cousin candy, without any nasty preservatives, artificial ingredients, or GMOs. I can feel slightly less guilty when I eat them, and eat them I do! Sasha Summers:I have a SWEET TOOTH – so I can’t pick just one. When it comes to chocolate I LOVE Almond Joys and the newly discovered Dark Chocolate Raspberry M&M – like I needed another candy to crave. But if we’re talking candy candy – I love sour spaghetti and super tart cherry sours YUM! Ironically I don’t get these things to hand out at Halloween because I would eat them all – and then I’d have to go dresses as a pumpkin. LOL! I tend to stick with the kid faves like Laffy Taffy, Tootsie Rolls, and Nerds… Perk – I don’t really like any of them so there’s plenty for trick-or-treaters! Happy Halloween! :) Stephanie Keyes: Snickers of course, Kellen's favorite! It's because of all the chocolate "carmely" goodness. Yum! Jill Kaelin:My sweet tooth is pretty large, so there’s not much candy I’ll turn my nose up at. Chewy, chocolaty, sour, sweet…I like them all. But naturally, I have a favorite that I find irresistible. Lindt Lindor white chocolate truffles. These are my weakness. There’s just something about that creamy white chocolate inside that makes me want to devour the whole bag. Unraveling that blue, twisty plastic and finding the perfect ball of chocolate inside, makes my mouth water as I’m writing this. I have my students to thank for this addiction. A few years ago, one of my little sweeties bought me a bag of these divine chocolates. I’ve been hooked ever since. But, in my defense, may I just add that chocolate raises antioxidant levels in our bodies, so technically it’s really healthy. Happy Halloween! Inkspell Authors, editors and everyone would like to wish you a very Happy Halloween! We hope you get all the candy you wish for and enjoy the spirit of the season!
Independence Day or July fourth is a big deal in America. We enjoy celebrating our independence from England and the Declaration of Independence with parades, cook-outs, and fireworks. We asked a few of our Inkspell authors about their holiday plans. We hope you enjoy hearing about their events and have a wonderful holiday too! Brooke Moss: "This year my family is spending Independence Day with my oldest brother and his family. He was a 20 year marine, and now works in national security, so our American pride really comes out when we're together. He survived 3 tours in Iraq, and has devoted his life to protecting the freedoms that so many of us take for granted." Rebecca Hart: This July 4th, the family is heading to "Tortuga", our seasonal, pirate themed campsite in Upstate, NY for a few days of nature, sunshine, BBQs and campfires. No fireworks or big parties, but there is always something for the kids to do or someone for them to hang out with, and you can't beat the fresh air. I can't wait to sink into five days of outdoor bliss. I might even manage to do a little writing. *fingers crossed* Stephanie Lawton: All our family is a thousand miles away, so we don't have any plans for Fourth of July. The weather is insanely hot this time of year in the Deep South--we'll probably just grill hot dogs and eat them in the comfort of our air conditioning! Annabelle Blume: I'll be enjoying some family time pool-side! My cousin, Kym, and her family have the most amazing backyard. It truly looks like a resort, complete with waterfall flowing into the pool, fire pit and cabana bed. It's going to be a full day of catching up and relaxing. It sounds like our authors have some wonderful plans for the holiday. How will you celebrate Independence Day?
Ellie is finally here - of course waving at us from the sea! She is glad that finally this generation will understand her need to break all rules and sail away as a pirate. None in 1600s did! She also thanks her author, Rebecca Hart, for telling her story. Have you picked up a copy yet? No? Even after this beautiful cover page? Then, this should do the trick. "Call Of The Sea" is 30% off only on our website till 30th June! Grab your copy now! Print Book Price: $9.79 (Only at our website!) eBook Price: $3.5 (Only at our website!) Author: Rebecca Hart Genre: Paranormal Romance Length: Super Novel ISBN: 978-0-9850115-9-8 (Print) 978-0-9851483-0-0 (eBook) Neither can deny the call of the sea, but how long can they deny their feelings? Elysandra Winters has always yearned for a life of adventure on the rolling seas and is willing to do whatever it takes to fulfill her dream. When her Privateer father continually refuses to allow his only daughter to sail, Ellie defies him, disguises herself as a boy, and goes in search of a captain who will give her a chance to prove her worth. Thanks to the cursed selkie blood coursing through his veins, Daniel O'Rourke needs the sea to survive. After giving up on his humanity and spending three years in seal form, he decides to give his human side another chance. Daniel goes in search of a job and a sense of normalcy, earning himself a position aboard Captain Winter’s ship, The Siren's Call. However, his new captain’s first assignment has nothing at all to do with sailing, and everything to do with his headstrong young daughter. Years later, when the leader of a band of bloodthirsty pirates murders Captain Winters, Daniel and Elysandra’s lives come crashing back together with the force of a hurricane. Both experts in deception, they must find a way to trust each other in order to quell the raging storm between them or have any hope of hunting down the captain’s killer. Eyecandy Monday: Meet Elysandra Winters and Daniel O'Rourke from Call of the Sea by Rebecca Hart6/18/2012
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. This week we are featuring the main characters from the upcoming release on June 21st of Call of the Sea by Rebecca Hart. Elysandra Winters isn't a typical "girly" girl. From her childhood, she has always wanted to sail the open seas aboard her father's ship. As a young woman, she has a strong opinion and the fortitude to follow through on her dreams. Name: Elysandra Winters "Ellie" Age: 20 Hair: Red Eyes: Sea blue Distinguishing Features: a whole lot of attitude Famous Person they resemble: Emma Stone Character Teaser: If you are interested in a girl that can "hang" with the boys, knows her way around a sailing vessel, can curse like a sailor, and hates dressing in women's clothing, Ellie is your girl. Magical is one word to describe Daniel O'Rourke. As a selkie, he has the ability to become a seal or human. The water is second-nature to him. However, his compassionate nature is sure to please any woman. Name: Daniel O'Rourke Age: 23 Hair: Brown Eyes: Brown Distinguishing Features: Innate selkie ability to attract women Famous Person they resemble: Brad Pitt (From Legends of the Fall) Character Teaser: Headstrong and loyal, Daniel is a perfect gentleman when warranted, but knows his way around a ship, and isn't afraid to tell you what he thinks. He has a gift for patience, and a secret talent and affinity for the ocean. Read Call of the Sea today for their touching story. Wouldn't you love to sail off in the sunset with these two?
Last week we sat down with Hollywood Ever After author Sasha Summers to find out more about herself and her writing. This week we are going to ask all our authors a question and you get to see all the responses! It is like a mega interview!
Lisa Voisin My first crush was a french exchange student named Pascal. I was in the ninth grade and everyone in my french class in Vancouver did an exchange with another family in Quebec as a way to learn about the language and the culture of our French-speaking province. We stayed a week in each other's homes. I was one of the few girls who had a boy to billet with, not Pascal, but one of his friends. So, in the short time we had, we spent a fair bit of time together, and I soon fell head over heels. Sadly, one of my friends thought it would be fun to get a boy who I liked to like her instead. I was totally out of my league. But as soon she proved she could get him, she turned him away and told me she just wanted to win. She broke two hearts that day: his and mine. He never spoke to either of us again.
Rebecca Hart I'm not sure if this is normal or not, but my first crush was actually on my 7th grade Science teacher. I've always seemed to like older men *wink* Since I still live in the same general area as him, I'll withold any names, but I used to hang out in his classroom for my daily study hall, and feign interest in his collection of strange science specimens just to get the chance to hang out in his classroom, and listen to him talk. *blushes* Stephanie Keyes My first crush was on Tom Selleck. At the time, though I know I'm dating myself, the hot show on TV was Magnum PI. I remember that I wrote to his official fan club and I received one post card from Tom, thanking me for signing up. My mom went out and got me a Hawaiian shirt just like Tom’s in the picture. Later the following year, my little brother Adam, was born. One night, I was placed in charge of watching him and he promptly threw up on the Tom Selleck shirt. No stain-removing products were successful in getting out the baby formula stain. The vomit on the Tom Selleck shirt has been a point of contention for the nearly thirty years that have followed the event. My brother, who is now a chaplain, was told by a patient just last week that he looks like a young Tom Selleck. Oh the irony! Annabelle Blume My first crush was a little boy named Shaun in preschool. We played “Greatest American Hero” every day on the playground (it was our favorite show, obviously) and we never failed to save the day. His stellar pretend-flying skills were a great compliment to my crime fighting smarts. We made a great team and I was sure we would marry. Alas, we did not. Although, my husband is routinely told he’s the spitting image of Clark Kent, so it seems I married a Superhero after all. Sasha Summers My first crush was a celebrity – Christopher Reeves in “Somewhere in Time”. He was so… so… perfect. I know he was also Superman, but I wasn’t really into the man in tights thing. It was this part that ‘did me in’. His love for Elise, and his determination to go back in time just to be with her made my heart flip-flop and my tummy knot-up. And come on, he was so gorgeous. And the film was a tragic love story, my favorite kind, so I was done for. None of the boys I knew could compete! Debbie Peterson In all likelihood, from the time I knew guys existed, I probably had a crush of one kind or another, even if an actor from a movie or TV series. (I can’t help it; I’ve always been a romantic and I like guys!) But, having said that, the first flesh and blood “crush” that popped into my mind was Russell Bowers, one of the students in my third grade class. He was tall, dark, and handsome…yes he was. And, as destiny smiled down upon my smitten heart, he became my square dance partner during the P.E. portion of our school day. Why? Because he was the tallest boy, and I just happened to be the tallest girl at that time. Yes indeed, the snowy winter was the most memorable season of my third grade year! Majanka Verstraete Believe it or not, but my first crush was on a book character. When I first read “In The Forests of The Night”by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes, I immediately fell in love with one of the main characters, a vampire named Aubrey. Mind you, this was all before vampires became popular, even before Buffy The Vampire Slayer aired – or at least, before I was old enough to watch it. Originally I had borrowed the book from the library, but after reading it over thirty times in one week, my Mom bought a copy for me. However, according to my Mom, my first ever crush on a real life person was back when I was in kindergarten. I used to chase one of my best friends and try to give him kisses on the cheek. I don’t remember that though – but I’m glad I don’t! Kristy Centeno My first mayor crush happened after my mother took my brothers and me to live overseas. I was about ten at the time and going to a new school in which all children spoke a language I could barely speak myself was in itself intimidating. However, when I walked through those metal gates on my first day of school and caught sight of a tall boy with long brown hair and hazel eyes my heart caught in my throat. Suddenly, the new school didn’t seem so bad after that. His name was George and he was sweet and had a smile that could render you speechless. His morning ritual consisted of bringing me a box of candy and then would smile sheepishly when the others boys gave him a hard time for it. Although we dated for a time when we got older, we ultimately decided remain friends. Aubrie Dionne My first crush was Christian Bale when he played the cabin boy in Treasure Island back in 1990. I first saw it in English class in 6th grade, and I was smitten. I made my sister watch it over and over again, and I even had an alternate ending worked out in my head involving me and him! Maybe that's how my writer's brain got started? Stephanie Lawton I was born boy-crazy, but I think my first crush was Michael Jackson. In kindergarten, I even wore one silver glove to school and had a silver glove necklace. I'd swoon whever he came on the radio and make up little dance routines to his songs. It is fun to see all the different men who inspired our first crush. Now that you know a little about our authors's first crushes, who was yours?
Today we have yet another amazing cover reveal! We are so proud to announce the cover of "Call Of The Sea" by our talented author Rebecca Hart. This is a true pick for all those pirate fans for our young heroine is a perky, little red-head pirate and she does some major kick-ass in the book! Without further ado, here is the blurb and the cover!! Neither can deny the call of the sea, but how long can they deny their feelings? Elysandra Winters has always yearned for a life of adventure on the rolling seas and is willing to do whatever it takes to fulfill her dream. When her Privateer father continually refuses to allow his only daughter to sail, Ellie defies him, disguises herself as a boy, and goes in search of a captain who will give her a chance to prove her worth. Thanks to the cursed selkie blood coursing through his veins, Daniel O'Rourke needs the sea to survive. After giving up on his humanity and spending three years in seal form, he decides to give his human side another chance. Daniel goes in search of a job and a sense of normalcy, earning himself a position aboard Captain Winter’s ship, The Siren's Call. However, his new captain’s first assignment has nothing at all to do with sailing, and everything to do with his headstrong young daughter. Years later, when the leader of a band of bloodthirsty pirates murders Captain Winters, Daniel and Elysandra’s lives come crashing back together with the force of a hurricane. Both experts in deception, they must find a way to trust each other in order to quell the raging storm between them or have any hope of hunting down the captain’s killer. Have you seen that movie, Gone in Sixty Seconds with Nick Cage and Angelina Jolie? If you haven’t, the basic plot revolves around a group of car thieves, really good ones mind you, who are able to jack a car in sixty seconds flat. Quite a feat when you stop to think about it. When I learned that Inkspell Publishing wanted to publish my debut novel, Call of the Sea, the emotional rollercoaster ride that ensued reminds me a lot of that movie. I went from a celestial high, where I wandered around the house with a Cheshire cat grin on my face and randomly shouted a hearty squee, to the low where it occurred to me that people would actually read my story, see its cover, and judge it on its literary merits. My squees turned to “Holy Mother, what did I just do? Am I ready for this?” -- all in about the space of sixty seconds. Suddenly, it was all real. I was about to become a published novelist. There’d be editing rounds, of course, but also cover art to collaborate on, book blurbs to write, promotions to participate in. For the first time, my name wouldn’t appear alongside a list of other contributors. This book, this story I love, and have worked so hard to get onto paper would be mine alone. I’d have no one to share the spotlight with, nor would I have anyone to stand behind or blame if it wasn’t well received. All just me and my little dream. Scary, right? Like being on stage in front of your whole high school class buck naked. *shudders* Where am I going with all this rambling nonsense about books and movies? Simply this. You will never know if you can fly, until you jump off the roof and flap your arms. I’ve decided I want to fly, and I’m about to jump. Care to come along? |