Thursday, December 29, 2011

YA Indie Carnival: Indie Resolutions!

*If you are looking for my 12 hour Read - A - Thon!!! post click here.

Welcome to Amy Jones Young Adult Fantasy Fiction and the twenty - fifth post in the YA Indie Carnival. The carnival is designed for authors, readers and reviewers of YA Indie books. Each Friday this team of YA Indies will post on a common theme.

This week's post is: Indie Resolutions!

Well, before I get into what I hope to achieve in 2012 allow me a few moments to reflect upon the past year fondly. 2011 has been a great year!

Writing:
I published two novels, a novelette and cooperated with six other fantastic YA Indie authors in an anthogy.
Soul Quest
The Guardians of Souls
Soulless; the Story of Shayan
The Glassheart Chronicles

Blogs, Websites and Social Networking:
This is perhaps where I found the greatest wealth and success in the form of friendship. I set up my blog and website and created social networks in places like Facebook, Twitter and Goodreads and before I knew it I landed smack-dab in the middle of a wonderful and supportive family of bloggers and authors. Let me tell you, when I say family I am not exaggerating. These fabulous people are funny, caring, helpful, honest, loving and even crazy. This past year I have laughed with them, cried with them, whined with them, cussed with them... You name it and we went through it together.

I am filled with gratitude for the many people who have befriended me and supported me this past year. I can not thank you enough and I would not have come this far with out you.

I can't possibly list everyone but here are a few from the top of a very long list.

Evie Bookish
Evie was one of the first bloggers to take me under her wing I will forever appreciate her kindness and support.
Fantasy Book Chick
Thank you Jamie for being a supporter of my work and a great blogging friend.
Books A'hoy!
If you're looking for a friendly blogger to hang out with stop by Books A'hoy!
Tess
This young lady is perhaps the biggest cheerleader you might ever meet if you're an independent author. She is an indie author dream come true and a super teen!

The YA Indie Carnival/YA Author Club
Yes, I know this goes with out saying. If is wasn't for these fantastic folks you wouldn't be reading this post right now. I can never say enough in regards to what it has meant to me this past year to get to know all of you. Reading, writing and posting have been that much more fun since I became a part of this group. Thanks for the fun and friendship!

The Paranormal Plumes Society
Where do I even begin and how can I possibly express the depth of my feelings toward these incredible people. *grabs tissues and dabs eyes free of tears* It has been one thrilling ride so far with this talented and amazing group of writers. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with you in Savannah, GA and I am looking forward to more fun and excitement in Deltona, FL.

Much thanks and big hugs and kisses to all of my Plumes!
Abbi Glines, M. Leighton, C.A. Kunz, Fisher Amelie, Laura A. H. Elliott, Michelle Muto, Tiffany King, Courtney Cole, Nichole Chase, Wren Emerson, Shelly Crane and Trisha Wolfe

2011 was indeed an awesome year and I look forward to 2012 with even greater anticipation!

What are my goals for 2012?

Writing:
Soul Deep
Book #3 in The Soul Quest Trilogy
I anticipate this books release to be the summer of 2012. In this final installment of the trilogy the human Oracles will find themselves bound for the Scottish Highlands.  The human Oracle you have heard the least about will finally make her voice heard in this edition. Meena, the human Oracle of Water, finds her special abilities in demand this time around. Lefu and Etheline escaped them in Los Angeles and are now in pursuit of an evil and magical water creature that could give them the power they've been dreaming of. Fortunately, Meena holds the key to stop them and insure that human kind is once again safe from the perils of Daevas and Aengels.




Wildflower
Book #1 in The Wildflower Series
I decided to take a break from The Soul Quest Trilogy to cater some of my time to a few new characters who had occupied my thoughts recently.  I enjoy history and family geneology and over the summer I did a little research about my father's side of the family. What blossomed was a love story between a native american girl and an English boy during the time of Plymouth Colony.

The story flips back and forth between Wildflower and Joshua Bangs in Plymouth Colony and Laney Stillwater and Joshua Bangs in Plymouth, Mass. It is the story of  true love forbidden by prejudice. Wildflower is the daughter of a Shaman who is destined to succeed her father's place as the tribe's spiritual leader. She uses her spiritual abilities to forever bind the love she and Joshua share. The end result finds Laney Stillwater and Joshua Bangs, distant relatives of Wildflower and the previous Joshua Bangs, reincarnated and falling in love all over again in the modern day.

I anticipate the release of this YA book in March/April 2012.

My greatest anticipation and goal for the coming year is to figure out how to get more of my books into reader's hands. It is every authors dream come true to learn that their book has been read and cherished by another book lover.

I wish this same success and satisfaction to all of my indie author friends and I pray for my blogging buddies to find, read and adore the most amazing books this year!

Don't forget to check out the indie resolutions for the rest of my carni friends!



1.Laura A. H. Elliott author of Winnemucca & 13 on Halloween, Book 1 in the Teen Halloween Series2.Bryna Butler, author Midnight Guardian series
3.Heather Self4.T. R. Graves, Author of The Warrior Series
5.Suzy Turner, author of The Raven Saga6.Darby Karchut, author of GRIFFIN RISING
7.Lexus Luke8.Cheri Schmidt, author of the Fateful Trilogy
9.Rachel Coles, author of Into The Ruins, geek mom blog 10.K. C. Blake, author of Vampires Rule and Crushed
11.Patti Larsen, The Hunted series and The Hayle Coven series12.Amy Maurer Jones, Author of The Soul Quest Trilogy
13.Dani Snell's Refracted Light Reviews 14.Fisher Amelie, author of The Understorey
15.M. Leighton, Blood Like Poison Series, Madly, The Reaping 16.Abbi Glines, author of Breathe and The Vincent Boys
17.Kimberly Kinrade, Bits of You & Pieces of Me, Forbidden Mind18.Madeline Smoot, Missing, Summer Shorts, and The Girls
19.Cidney Swanson, author of Rippler20.Gwenn Wright, author of Filter
21.TG Ayer22.Melissa Pearl, author of Golden Blood
23.Heather M. White, author of The Destiny Saga


Happy reading and Happy New Year!


Wednesday, December 28, 2011

The 12 hour Read - A - Thon!!!


Introducing my first ever 12 hour Read-A-Thon!!!!!

Author Tiffany King (Saving Angels Series) and Autumn (The Autumn Review) decided "Oh what fun it is to read on a blistering winter's day! Hey!" So, they came up with this Read-A-Thon! So keep your pj's on, grab some snacks and let's read!





When: December 30, 2011



What's involved:
*You will make a selection of books to read in a 12 hour time frame.
*You will start your 12 hour reading period from the time you wake on the 30th.
*Your books should be at least 200 pages each.
*You must post on your blog, tweet, or comment on this post to update status every hour.
*The person who reads the most books in the 12 hour period will win a prize.
*We will be giving away random prizes throughout the day on Twitter. They will be book related trivia questions.

Prizes will be listed on Autumn's blog soon!


Here are the books I aim to read:

Olympia Heights by Amy Strickland

Mortal Defiance by Nichole Chase

Burn by Addison Moore

Origins by Sean Hayden

Callum & Harper by Fisher Amelie


**If you make a blog post on your own blog please add your blog post link to the linky on Autumn's blog. In your blog post, include the guidelines for the read-a-thon, the books you are reading, and please include the link to Autumn's blog post for the read - a - thon.

***If you are an Author and would like to participate and/or donate prizes,
please contact Autumn.

Happy Reading and good luck!!!



Sunday, December 25, 2011

The Ascended Book Tour!



Amy Jones Young Adult Fantasy Fiction is a proud participant in The Ascended Book Tour. Not only is Tiffany King a fantastic lady and friend, she is one heck of a writer. I just love this series and I know you will too (See my review of Meant to Be on Goodreads).


Here is the synopsis for this fantastic finale!                  

The Ascended
is the final installment of The Saving Angels Trilogy. With Krista's life in turmoil, she is now struggling with the responsibilities that have been passed down to her. With the help of Haniel and her friends, Krista risks everything, including her soul, to march into the den of the Dark Angel. Their only chance for survival is for Krista to find the courage to accept the new role that fate has bestowed upon her, even if it means losing her loved ones forever


Check out an excerpt of The Ascended.

"A sentence that starts with ‘Shawn had a plan,’ is never a good sign," Mark said with a chuckle.
"If I didn't feel like a bus just ran me over, followed by a Mack truck, I might argue with you," I said, trying to find the strength to turn my head to look at him.
"Then why did you risk it?" He asked, angling my body so he could peer down into my eyes. "To help the other Guides and Protectors?" He probed.
"You know why," I said, feeling flushed. What if I had misread the situation? What if he had no feelings left for me now that our link was gone? I looked down at my hands, mortified. I was so stupid. Why hadn't I transported somewhere else, somewhere useful, where I could have helped the others? Instead, I let my feelings override everything else.
"Krista look at me," he pleaded quietly.
I shook my head no as my face burned out of control.
"Krista," he said again, using two of his fingers to lift my chin. I tried to avoid eye contact, afraid of the pity I would see there. The pad of his thumb swiped away a lone tear that had escaped without me noticing. He moved his thumb further down until it gently caressed my bottom lip.
"Krista, you have to look at me," he said more urgently.
"Why?" I whispered.
"Because, I need to look in your eyes before I kiss you," he murmured.
I pulled my eyes up finally and was lost as he lowered his mouth to mine. I kept my eyes locked on his until the last possible moment. They finally fluttered closed as he kissed me like never before. We had always had our share of passion from the supernatural link we shared, but this made every other kiss feel like child's play as Mark plundered my mouth with his own. I gasped as he nipped on my lip, encouraging me to open completely to him. His mouth was familiar in so many ways and yet I could feel multiple layers that had never been there before.

You can find Tiffany here:

Blog
Twitter
Facebook

And you can find the first two books here:

Meant to Be
Forgotten Souls

Here's how you can win an eBook from The Saving Angels series.
1) Every three days, Tiffany will compile a list of the names of people who have commented on the blogs for those days. She will then randomly draw a winner who will receive an eBook of one of The Saving Angels books.

2) For the grand prize, every person that leaves a comment on one of the blogs will be entered to win a signed poster of one of Tiffany's book covers. She will also be giving away a signed set of all three books. Soooo, you'll have four chances to win a grand prize. Extra entries will be given for every blog you leave a comment on, so if you visit all 24 blogs you will be entered 24 times into the grand prize drawing.

Make sure you don't miss the last two stops in the tour:
December 28th John Harden 

December 29th Sean Hayden

Thanks for stopping by The Ascended Book Tour and Amy Jones Young Adult Fantasy Fiction. Don't forget to leave a post here on this blog and increase your chances of winning!


Friday, December 23, 2011

Secret Santa Giveaway!

Welcome to Amy Jones Young Adult Fantasy Fiction and the twenty - fourth post in the YA Indie Carnival. The carnival is designed for authors, readers and reviewers of YA Indie books. Each Friday this team of YA Indies will post on a common theme.

This week's post features the winner to The Secret Santa Giveaway! Let's take another look at what the winner to this event will enjoy reading this holiday season.



Of Sun & Moon
by Bryna Butler

Warriors of the Cross
by T. R. Graves

Guardians of the Cross
by T. R. Graves

Blood Like Poison
by M. Leighton

... and as a surprise added bonus!

Soul Quest
by me!

That's right folks! Five fabulous books!

Now, the moment you've all been waiting for, the winner to
Amy Jones Young Adult Fantasy Fiction, Secret Santa Giveaway!!!

Kelly! You've won!

Congratulations to Kelly and thank you so very much to everyone
who participated in my Secret Santa Giveaway!

Kelly, I will be in touch with you soon regarding your prize.

But wait, there is more...

 The winner of The Secret Santa Grand Prize is Vanessa Eric!
Woot! Woot! You just won a sleigh full of fantastic reads!

And, may you all have a very merry Christmas and a blessed New Year!







Wednesday, December 21, 2011

"The 25 Day Tour of Bad Aces"


Amy: Please help me welcome Fisher Amelie to the blog today. Fisher is the author of The Leaving series and her latest work, Callum & Harper. Welcome on board, Fisher! Why don’t you start by telling us a little bit about yourself.

Fisher: I'm *smashes hand over mouth* years old. I'm married to a wonderful guy who might be slightly insane himself to put up with my crazy butt. I also procreated with said husband and now we have a kickin' two year old who rules our house. I'm a copywriter by day and an author by night. I wear my sunglasses at night. So I can, So I can...something. What does he even say there?

Amy: It’s an incomplete sentence so we can just fill in the blanks, LOL! Scary thought, right?



Speaking of filling in blanks, just exactly how long have you been a writer and what inspired you to put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard)?
Fisher: I've been writing for close to ten years but only started writing books in late 2010.
The reason I started writing books? Hmm. Ever had one of those moments where things just 'click'? I mean, you're moseying along and suddenly cogs start turning in that old brain of yours and maybe you weren't even the one who wound the key, but somehow it dawns on you that you should have realized that this most important idea churning inside your head should have been brought forth, not now, but at birth; that the idea was always at the tip of your conscience but never came forth until it was ready to be cultivated. That was what writing books was for me. Stories were something I'd always done well, always loved, always appreciated but I never 'realized' until the day my brain 'clicked' that others might like them as well.

Amy: You’re my kindred spirit, Fisher! Seriously, I feel the same way. Perhaps when we’re younger we lack the emotional maturity or depth to take on such an endeavor. Who knows…

What is your favorite book genre? Why does this genre appeal to you more than the others?

Fisher: Romance. I love to be in love and love to see others in the same predicament. I get a sick kind of thrill, too, when characters tentatively discover each other, when both are afraid to make their move but their hearts are aching to wrap their arms around the other.

Amy: OK, so when you go to the movies do you prefer thrillers or chic flicks?

Fisher: Chic-flicks, baby! Although, I do love a good thriller, romance always trumps it.

Amy: How did I know you were going to say that? Chick flicks rule! I really hate to fall victim to a stereotype but this time we are guilty as charged!
What is your favorite song or type of music?
Fisher: Right now, my fav songs are Who Are You, Really? And, I love you (I Always Have) by Mikky Ekko. I generally listen to Alternative but I am fairly eclectic with my taste. Start with a little Vitamin String Quartet and end it with a little Copperpot...that's my range, man.

Amy: Awesome! Please tell us 5 random facts about yourself.
Fisher:
1. I never clean unless I am absolutely forced to.
2. I've played the violin poorly for over fifteen years.
3. Heels were invented by the devil himself but I wear them anyway. I have no idea why.
4. I love to put the random stuff my family says into my books.
5. When I'm done writing a character, I feel a sense of loss.

Amy: If you could be a fictional character, who would you be and why?

Fisher: I'd be the female version of Puck from Julie Kagawa's Iron Fey Series. Puck is so freaking fun! I love mischief. Love it...as long as it's not cruel. Hate cruel mischief, love ornery mischief.


Amy: Tee hee, me too!

OK, so you’re getting ready to release Callum & Harper. Can you tell us what inspired the idea of this book?


Fisher: When the hubs and I tied the knot, we searched the city in hopes of finding something affordable yet beautiful. Not an easy feat, right? Exactly. We booked the YWCA. I know, I know. Super romantic, right? But give me a chance. The YWCA near my town is this old brick building built in the eighteen hundreds. It's got these fantastic plaster ceilings and old, dark wood floors. It is incredible. It is also affordable.

So, we booked it but you won't believe the back story behind the reception hall.

I'll give you a little knowledge, folks. Did you know, that in most states in America, when kids are shuffled through the state foster system, if their foster parents don't decide to keep them on out of the kindness of their hearts, they're turned out into the streets the second they turn eighteen with nothing but a hundred dollar check?

Yeah, that's what I said! The lady at my reception hall told the hubs and I this story and I was balling half way through.

So, where do these kids go? I don't know about you but when I was eighteen I was definitely not ready for the real world and the YWCA agreed. That's why the top two floors of the building my reception was at are apartments for orphans who are turned out at eighteen. They pay their way for them, find them jobs, set them up for the real world, so to speak.

And all the proceeds from the reception hall is what gives them this second chance. Let me tell you, I couldn't sign on the dotted line fast enough. And all the orphans had to do to earn their way, was clean up the reception hall every Friday and Saturday night. I met a few of these kids and I have to say, their stories shattered my heart in heavy, splintered pieces right at their feet.

Afterwards, I thought of the experience of having to endure what they'd endured and the story rolled off my tongue in less than five minutes. The hubs thought it was , and I quote, "the best idea you've ever had" which I didn't know whether to take as a compliment or not but ultimately decided to take it as a positive thing. *wink, wink* (I tell you, writers are a cynical lot.)


Amy: What an incredible experience for you and your husband to share. You know, I never knew that about foster kids. I bet many people have no clue but now that you’ve written Callum & Harper maybe your story will shed some light on the situation.

Which character in this story inspires or impresses you the most and why?

Fisher: Harper Bailey inspires me the most. Although Callum comes from a crappy background, he hasn't had to endure the hardships Harper has. She still came out a strong, capable, intelligent girl. She has enough sense of her own self-worth to really defend herself. She's amazing.

Amy: If Callum and Harper was made into a movie, who would you cast for it?

Fisher: So funny you ask this because I wrote a whole blog post on it! LOL! Here's my Dream Cast!

Amy: How convenient is that?

Are you currently working on anything new? Can you tell us a little bit about it?

Fisher: I'm in between projects right now. The Canopy, second book of The Leaving Series, hits Summer 2012 because I want a break from the series to cultivate my new love of Contemporary Romance. I can't decide between a novella of a few characters in Callum & Harper or a new, bigger project that I've been secretly harboring an obsession with about a girl and boy who pretend they hate each other but totally don't. LOL! Want to help me decide?

Amy: Everything sounds great but I’m quite intrigued by the last idea. What does the blogging world think? Let Fisher know.

Now, the moment we’ve all been waiting for, the big reveal!!!

"The 25 Day Tour of Bad Aces"
Author Bio:

Fisher Amelie resides in the South with her kick ace husband slash soul mate. She earned her first 'mama' patch in 2009. She also lives with her Weim, 'Jonah', and her Beta, 'Whale'. All these living creatures keep the belly of her life full, sometimes to the point of gluttony, but she doesn't mind all that much because life isn't worth living if it isn't entertaining, right?

Fisher grew up writing. She secretly hid notebooks and notebooks of dribble in a large Tupperware storag container in her closet as a kid. She didn't put two and two together until after college where it suddenly dawned on her,
"Hey, I like writing". She's a bit dense.
"No, I'm not."
"Yes, you are. Put down that Oreo, your butt can't take any more."
"You're rude."
"Yeah, yeah."
Anyway, she likes to write and has finally beaten her self-esteem into submission enough to allow herself to be scrutinized under the 'other readers' microscope. "No! No! Not a cover slip! Last time it gave me a ra...." (mumbling)

Callum & Harper description:
Life sucks for orphans Callum Tate and Harper Bailey.

Kicked out of their foster homes because they suffer the 'eighteen disease' with nothing but a hundred dollar check from the government and a pat on the back, they're forced to rely on a system that failed them miserably.

So they sit. They sit inside Social Services, waiting for their social workers to call their names and offer them the miracle they know will never come but they sit anyway because they have nowhere else to go, no other options on their very literal and figurative empty plates.

But as they sit, they notice the other. Although captivated, they each come to the conclusion that life is complicated enough without throwing in a boiling tension that can't ever be acted upon because they're both too busy thinking about where their next meal will come from but when their names are called and both are placed on a year long waiting list for permanent housing, suddenly relying on each other seems like a very viable plan B.

And, oh, how lovely Plan B's can be.

Well, except for the psycho from Harper's past that haunts her and, oh, yeah, there's the little issue that neither of them knows they're in love with the other.

Needless to say, Callum & Harper's life just got a bit more complicated.

“One day, you and I are gonna’ wake up and be alright. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow but one day. One day. I promise you.” - Callum Tate

Links and such:
Fisher is running a contest for the length of her book tour! To win a signed copy of Callum & Harper just click here

Visit Fisher at her website. www.fisheramelie.com
Watch her Book Trailers here
Find Fisher on Goodreads
Find Fisher on Amazon
Find Fisher on Barnes&Noble
Find Fisher on Facebook
Find Fisher on Twitter

Feel like talking to her in private? We don't blame you, she is easily persuaded into doing illegal things. E-mail her at fisher@fisheramelie.com. Don't worry, she's put up a firewall that no government agency could penetrate.

Read and excerpt from Callum & Harper right here at Amy Jones Young Adult Fantasy Fiction!
Oh dear Lord, we’re leaving at the same time. If she hadn’t stopped attempting to hide her smile, I would’ve been forced to reveal my plans to toss the stranger outside against the brick and kiss her face until the sun set.

She passed ahead of me and I caught a whiff of her shampoo, involuntarily sending my eyes into the back of my head. This chick was a walking version of the Pixie’s “Where Is My Mind?”. Sexy. As. Hell. Though, now that I think about it. Is hell sexy? I’m guessing not. I continued to watch. Her hips could have kept time with the damn beat.

“Here, let me get that for you,” I said, throwing open the door. The sun cascaded down her copper hair and made her eyes feel transparent.

“Thank you,” she shyly said but offered up a cute lopsided grin as if to say ‘good boy’. Thanks for the bone, buttercup.

She took the wrought iron steps down to the sidewalk two at a time, which told me she was in a hurry and since it was nearly sunset, I was willing to bet that she and I were heading in the same direction. I scrambled at what to say while her feet scurried along the pavement.

Say something! “Where you headed?” Clever.

She stopped and turned.

“Uh,” she said, seeming embarrassed. She thought twice for a moment before stiffening her body and raising her chin. “I’m headed to..” Confusion set in. She glanced down at the same piece of paper I, as fate would have it, held in my own hand. “Hope House, on One Hundred and Second,” she finished.

“What a coincidence,” I teased with a slight grin.

“You too?” She asked, one eyebrow raised. Cynical, a product of the system.

“Yup, what can I say? Looks like we share the same amount of luck.”

“Which would be?” She asked.

“Nil, if you’re going to Hope House.”

She laughed at our dire situations which was pretty much all you could do.

 “Want a ride?” I asked. She didn’t answer me, obviously not willing to trust me, so I offered, “Listen, by the time you walk there they’ll be closed and definitely won’t have any spaces open. If you ride with me, at least we have a chance of getting a spot for the night.”
She sighed. “A valid point,” she said, looking around for my car.

I’m embarrassed by this. “Uh, “ I said, scratching the stubble on my chin with the backs of my fingers. “I don’t actually own a car.” I point to my vintage nineteen-fifty Indian motorcycle. “Come on. It’s better than walking, right?” I stuck my hands out in offering.

She smiled slowly in appreciation, her mouth curling up at the sides and her eyes squinting into the sun. Her head bobbed slowly up and down on her neck. A silent yes. “I’d probably pick this over any car on this street.” She stood back and admired it. “Solid black,” she said. I nodded, intrigued. “Nice,” she simply added.

“You think so? I plan on fixing her up when I get the time and, of course, the money. She’s been good to me, though,” I said, patting the handlebars. “She’s pretty much all I have in this world.” Harper looked at me as if in pity or maybe it was understanding. I really hoped it was understanding because if a girl that beautiful pitied me, I didn’t think I could stand it. “Hop on,” I said. She straddled the back of the leather seat and slid her duffel across her chest to sit behind her. “Uh, you might want to, uh,” I said awkwardly, struggling with how to ask her to push her hair back so I could fit my helmet on her.

Instead, I set the helmet on the seat between her legs and brazenly ran my fingers through her hair. It flowed off her shoulders and settled onto her back. The scent of her shampoo bombarded me one more time and I swayed slightly at the assault but regained my stance. I grabbed the helmet off her lap and fit it onto her head. She giggled at the awkward familiarity of it.

“Sorry,” I said. “But I wouldn’t dream of putting you on the back of my bike without this.”

“It’s alright,” she said, but paused. “Why? Are you an unsafe driver?”

 "No, uh, my parents died in a car accident when I was four,” I said matter-of-factly.

 "Oh, I'm so sorry.” She had the decency to look sincere. That was pretty refreshing, actually.

"It's alright," I sighed, shrugging my shoulders. "I barely remember them."
 "I don't know anything about mine," she said, studying her feet, then realized what she was doing. "Harper Bailey," she said cheerfully, holding out her hand, revealing a dimpled grin.

I buckled the clasp around her delicate chin, resting my hands on the top of the helmet playfully. "My name is Callum Tate and I’m going to take care of you, Harper Bailey."

Her extended hand dropped into her lap. Her eyes went wide and her mouth dropped open. "Wh...what did you say?"

Shit. Was that was too forward? "I'm sorry,” I said, shaking my head. “I'm Callum Tate. It's a pleasure to meet you, Harper Bailey." I grabbed her thin hand and a shot of warmth crept up my veins and shocked my heart into a frenzy.

The smile that had so quickly faded before came back with a vengeance. She squeezed my hand in greeting and whispered, "It's very nice to meet you, Callum."

I climbed on to the front part of the seat and started the engine. Harper settled her hands on the side of my ribs and I couldn't think of anything I wanted more than her arms wound tight against my chest. Suddenly, I couldn't get on the road fast enough.



Thank you, Fisher Amelie for hanging around on Amy Jones Young Fantasy Fiction. There is never a dull moment when you're around. Best of luck with your book. I just know it is going to be a great success! I, for one, am dieing to read it!













Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Introducing the Souls for Stars Giveaway!


The Souls for Stars Giveaway!
Cast Your Way to Free Indie Books!

Liv: Hey guys, have you heard the great news? As your Spirit Guide, it is my duty to inform you that Amy Maurer  Jones is going to do a giveaway on her blog!

Kevin: Oh really? I suppose the intent of this giveaway is to feature, yours truly? I am the coolest and most handsome Guardian Spirit in Arcadia, after all...

Belinda: (makes gagging sound) Oh, shut up before I lose my lunch! (Kevin glares at Belinda, Belinda smirks back) Liv, don’t pay any attention to the idiot. What’s this all about?

Liv : Well, like I was saying (eyes Kevin impatiently), Amy is going to hold a giveaway on her blog during the month of January. You know, it will be a sort of New Year’s celebration.

Belinda: Sweet! Which book is she giving away?

Kevin: Yeah, spill it, I’ve got to make room for all of the new fan mail I’m going to receive (Liv and Belinda roll their eyes).

Liv: Actually, the winner of the giveaway will have a choice of a myriad of indie books. Of course, The Soul Quest Trilogy books will be up for grabs within the stock pile, but the participants will not be limited to Amy’s books alone. 

Kevin: Awe man, that totally bites! I hate having to share the spot light… (mumbles something inappropriate under his breath).

Amy: Alright, Kevin… What did I tell you about keeping your attitude in check?

Liv : Forget it, Amy. He’s hopeless. You should know.

Belinda:  Seriously, it’s like talking to a brick wall.

Kevin: (ignoring Liv and Belinda) Hmph…  You wrote me this way, woman!

Amy:  Yeah, keep it up and in the final installment of the trilogy, Soul Deep {due summer 2012} I just might add to your list of talents a passion for Ballet dancing or a fetish for women’s under-ware!

 (Liv and Belinda snicker)

Kevin: (Gasps loudly, faces scrunches into a mask of horror and disgust) YOU WOULDN’T DARE!!!

Amy: Oh, but I would (folds arms and raises an eyebrow).

Kevin: (studies Amy closely to see if she’s bluffing and realizes she isn’t) Fine! (pouts with his bottom lip out)

Amy:  Cheer up, Kevin. I’m featuring you in this post, aren’t I?

Kevin: (still pouting) ‘Bout time. You give the human Oracles so much more Chapter time than me. You do realize that you are wasting an abundance of characterization here (gestures to himself fondly)?

Amy: … so I’ve heard.

Liv:  Don’t worry, Kevin. She still has one more book to write for us.

Belinda: (smiles with excitement) Yeah, she might even kill you off in the final installment!

(Kevin’s eyes widen in shock)

Liv: Geesh, Belinda! Don’t be so morbid.

Amy: (shrugs) Maybe. (Kevin tenses) … just kidding.

Liv: OK, so how is this giveaway supposed to work?

Amy:  Well, I thought a casting contest might be fun.

Belinda:  Neat!

Amy:  Seeing as YA books are taking the silver screen by storm these days, I thought it would be really cool to let my fans and blogging friends cast Soul Quest.  Each week I will post an excerpt from Soul Quest on the blog. The entrants will read the excerpt and suggest actors and/or actresses who they feel would best fit the role of the characters within the blurb. The next week (along with the new blurb and casting call) I will set up a poll to vote on the nominated actors/actresses.  By the end of the giveaway (the month of January) I will tally up all of the nominations and votes (each nomination/vote counts as one point) and the entrant with the most points will win! The winner will take home the whole reading pile!

Liv: THAT IS THE BOMB!!!

Amy: Yeah, I thought so too. Now, let’s get the word out!

Giveaway Prize List!

Significance by Shelly Crane
Significance (Significance, #1)

Don’t Fear the Reaper by Michelle Muto
Don't Fear the Reaper (Netherworld #1)

Mortal Obligation by Nichole Chase
Mortal Obligation (Dark Betrayal Trilogy #1)
Callum and Harper by Fisher Amelie
Callum & Harper
Blood Like Poison by M. Leighton
For the Love of a Vampire (Blood Like Poison, #1)
Every Last Kiss by Courtney Cole
Every Last Kiss (The Bloodstone Saga, #1)
The Childe by CA Kunz
(a print copy)
The Childe (The Childe Series, #1)
Existence by Abbi Glines
Existence
Forgotten Souls by Tiffany King
Forgotten Souls (The Saving Angels, #2)
Soul Quest by Amy Jones
Soul Quest (The Soul Quest Trilogy)
The Guardians of Souls by Amy Maurer Jones
The Guardians of Souls (The Soul Quest Trilogy)
Soulless; The Story of Shayan by Amy Maurer Jones
Soulless; The Story of Shayan (Prequel to The Soul Quest Trilogy)

Amy Jones Young Adult Fiction and Fantasy would like to extend big cyber hugs and kisses to the awesome indies who donated their books to this giveaway! You guys rock!!!!
The Souls for Stars Giveway will kick off the first of January and wind down around the end of the month.  Stay tuned! Each weak you will receive a new casting call and additional chances to earn more points!!!

Sunday, December 18, 2011

Paranormal Perfection; A 5 Star Review for Existence by Abbi Glines!



Pagan Moore is not your average 17 year old. No, not hardly, unless you consider seeing ghosts average... Pagan has been crossing paths with the drifting dead ever since she can remember. This is nothing unusual, until one day one of them speaks to her. If this isn't disturbing enough, Pagan finds herself attracted to this conversational soul. What insues is an emotional tug o' war between wanting what she can't have and wanting to be normal. Neither desire is panning out too well for Pagan in this paranormal, romantic adventure. To make matters even more complicated, there is a really terrific human dude (super hot, popular and a quarter back) who is falling madly in love with Pagan. Eventually, she finds herself forced to make an impossible choice. She can save herself or save the guy she loves.

Mrs. Glines out did herself with Existence. This is the first novel I have read by this indie author and I am eagerly awaiting the next installment in this series.

I loved the characters imagined in this story. The author did an excellent job of capturing the teen voice throughout the book. As a high school teacher I could imagine my students saying and doing similar things. Of course, I loved Dank in all of his brooding and sexy mystery, but I must admit that I had a soft spot for Leif. He was just so sweet and devoted to Pagan that you couldn't help but root for him just a little bit. And then, we can not forget Miranda, adorable and crazy Miranda, who is Pagan's BFF and grasp on the human world and reality. Every girl with paranormal abilities has to have a friend like Miranda to keep them sane.

Make sure when you sit down to escape in this young adult read that you alot yourself plenty of time. Once I began reading I could not put this book down. I picked it up and finished it within a 24 hour period, I kid you not! This novel has many exciting twists and turns that will leave you dieing of suspense with every chapter you complete. The ending is what blew me away the most. The last line of the book, spoken by Dank, is a doozie! I'm talking hook, line and sinker! Hurry up, Abbi Glines! Please write the second one ASAP!!!

I absoluted loved this book and would recommend it to the reading audiences of Stephenie Meyer, Melissa de la Cruz, Addison Moore and Nicole Williams.

I gave Existence 5 stars!

Thursday, December 15, 2011

The YA Indie Carnival: Secret Santa Giveaway!



Welcome to Amy Jones Young Adult Fantasy Fiction and the twenty - third post in the YA Indie Carnival. The carnival is designed for authors, readers and reviewers of YA Indie books. Each Friday this team of YA Indies will post on a common theme.


This week’s post theme is the Secret Santa Giveaway!


Remember when you were in school and someone decorated your locker with wrapping paper and candy canes and big red bows? Today there’s a note taped to the outside of your locker.


It reads:
Enter the Secret Santa Giveaway from Dec. 16 to Dec. 22, 3PM Pacific and on Friday, Dec. 23, Noon Pacific! You could find TONS of books inside!
<3 SECRET SANTA



GRAND PRIZE: A Kindle or Nook copy of the books featured on the Grand Prize List!
http://yaauthorclub.blogspot.com


To enter the Secret Santa GRAND PRIZE Giveaway just
FOLLOW http://yaauthorclub.blogspot.com & comment on a
carni’s site telling us why you’ve been naughty or nice this
year. Each carni will have individual giveaways too so be sure
to visit all the carnis to win as many books as possible!



ALL WINNERS ANNOUNCED 12/23/2011, Noon Pacific.


Take a gander under my tree... 



Author:  Bryna Butler
Title:  Of Sun & Moon, Book 1 Midnight Guardian series


Blurb:  
Teens are disappearing in a small river town in southern Ohio as Keira Ryan begins her freshman year. Kidnappings aside, her worries mount as she crushes on an older guy, her best friend starts dating a spoiled cheerleader, and the parents that abandoned her at birth arrive at her doorstep. And, oh yeah, she’s a tooth fairy destined to kick some butt and bring about the end of a royal line of vicious, blood-sucking tyrants.

Over the years, humans have pieced together sightings and assumptions to create the myth of the tooth fairy. As it turns out, they were pretty much wrong. 

Book Links:







Author: T. R. Grave
Titles: Warriors of the Cross (now available)
Guardians of the Cross
(release 12/24/11)

Enemies of the Cross
(fall 2012)


Book Links:
 

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Smashwords




 


T. R. Graves Bio:
 The debut author of The Warrior Series, lives in Texas with her husband of twenty-five years. Together, they raise their seventeen-year-old daughter and six-year-old son. Besides being blessed with a supportive family, she counts her career as a registered nurse in not-for-profit hospitals among her most fulfilling accomplishments.



T. R. Graves Blurb:

Because writing is so personal, there were many things compelling me to embark upon this journey. My reasons were diverse. First, I wanted to find a way to bond with my daughter. I quickly found our young adult book dialogues opened the lines of communication and allowed us to discuss issues, which may have been very uncomfortable in any other situation. Second, I craved an ingenious way to preserve my mother-in-law’s and my father’s mannerisms. Time was steeling away their memories faster than I was willing to let them go, telling me my children would never really know them if I didn’t do something quick. I began this series with a plan to embed them solidly into the book in hopes that my children would be able to fall in love with them vicariously through eerily similar book characters (my son must be older to read the books…obviously). Finally, patient care is a wonderful career. I wouldn’t change my profession for anything. At the same time, the emotions I’ve witnessed while caring for people’s family members and the emotions I’ve felt have left a soul-deep and permanent impression in me. I cried so many times with grieving family member and for innocent victims. I wish – down to my core – I would have been able to miraculously ‘save’ some of my patients from their untimely deaths. With this series and in my books, I can.


Warriors of the Cross:

Dr. Allison La Crosse has the power to cure the dying with her touch. Given her career, this gift would be valuable if she were not drawn like a magnet to the person's every symptom. Some of which are fatal. At the hospital and surrounded by life-and-death emergencies, Allison’s inability to manage her impulse soon turns deadly

Warriors of the Cross
Kindle Readers Favorite Quote:

“A true test of someone’s love is how they act when they’re stressed and not how much they love you when everything’s goin’ good.”


Warriors of the Cross Recent Reviews:
Michael Maedo – Breathtakingly beautiful – “This is the first book I have ever written a review on for amazon. If I could give it more than 5 stars I would. I voraciously read multiple books a week but this is one of the best books I have ever read. The love of God and the desire to do the right thing permeates this book but does not hit you over the head. Brody, Allison, and Clark are so real. I feel like a better person after having read this book. I can't wait until the next book comes out.
Gloria “I have never wrote a message on the books I have read. But I have enjoyed this book. I am looking for the other books in this series. I am suggesting it to all my friends. It was amazing.”Roseycortes cortes “This book was fantastic. I read about a book per day or two, don't love most of them. Characters are real. Living people. They are likable and you care what happens to them. Dying for the next book!”
ebgb – Very Entertaining Read! – “This book was so interesting, I read it twice! I can't wait for the sequel to be released. The plot twists are very creative, and being a nurse, I especially enjoyed the medical aspects.

Guardians of the Cross Back Cover
– Release Date 12/24/11
Allison La Crosse's world is in a tailspin. After learning she has the power to cure the dying with her touch (a lethal curse when wielded), she is viciously attacked. More unsettling than the violence is the identity of her assailant. Devin turns out to be the first person she ever saved and her mother's killer. When her soul met Devin's an unimaginable bond was formed. Now, Allison must save Devin from his twin brother's control or kill them both. If she fails, she'll lose Clark and Brody forever.





Enemies of the Cross Back Cover
– Release Date Fall 2012


Enemies of the Cross will be the most exciting book of The Warrior Series. Continuing the life-threatening adventure, Allison reunites with Devin, the first person she saved – from the womb – and her mother’s murderer. After he reveals secrets never meant for her to know, she becomes more torn and confused about her destiny. In the end, her only options are to scrutinize her undying commitment toward the people she loves, learn how to control her deadly powers, and fight the Satan’s Sect members with everything she has.







Author:  M. Leighton

Title: Blood Like Poison:  For the Love of a Vampire (Book one of three)

Blurb: 
Like most seventeen year olds, Ridley Heller thought she had her future all planned out. What she wanted most in life was to get out of small town Harker. Her only goal was to keep her mouth shut and her grades high so she could win a cheerleading scholarship to Stanford. But that was before she met Bo.

In Ridley’s wildest dreams, she could never have planned for someone like Bo, for a love so intense it left her breathless. No human girl could.
A haunting stranger that watched her from afar, Bo stole Ridley’s heart from the moment she laid eyes on him. But he has secrets. Bo’s a vampire. Both his past and his present are a danger to Ridley, but the biggest threat is not her blood; it’s her heart. He’s feeding a thirst for revenge that will cost him his life, and it may already be too late.


The more darkness Ridley uncovers, the more she realizes that her life will never be the same—with or without Bo. Can she sacrifice her future and her heart for someone who has a death wish?

Find it:


Blog:
Well, now you know what's under my tree. What's under yours?

To enter the my giveaway:

1 -  Comment on my blog about why you've been naughty or nice this year!
2 - Follow these FB pages!

Amy Jones
Bryna Butler
T. R. Graves
M. Leighton

Make sure you make rounds to the rest of the carni stops in the carnival!


1.Laura A. H. Elliott author of Winnemucca & 13 on Halloween, Book 1 in the Teen Halloween Series2.Bryna Butler, author Midnight Guardian series
3.Heather Self4.T. R. Graves, Author of The Warrior Series
5.Suzy Turner, author of The Raven Saga6.Darby Karchut, author of GRIFFIN RISING
7.Lexus Luke8.Cheri Schmidt, author of the Fateful Trilogy
9.Rachel Coles, author of Into The Ruins, geek mom blog 10.K. C. Blake, author of Vampires Rule and Crushed
11.Patti Larsen, The Hunted series and The Hayle Coven series12.Amy Maurer Jones, Author of The Soul Quest Trilogy
13.Dani Snell's Refracted Light Reviews 14.Fisher Amelie, author of The Understorey
15.M. Leighton, Blood Like Poison Series, Madly, The Reaping 16.Abbi Glines, author of Breathe and The Vincent Boys
17.Kimberly Kinrade, Bits of You & Pieces of Me, Forbidden Mind18.Madeline Smoot, Missing, Summer Shorts, and The Girls
19.Cidney Swanson, author of Rippler20.Gwenn Wright, author of Filter
21.TG Ayer22.Melissa Pearl, author of Golden Blood