Wildflower Mini - Blog Tour and Release Day Giveaway, June 1, 2012!

Welcome to the Wildflower Mini - Blog Tour!

Wildflower is here early. You can download a copy on Amazon.com
now if you can't wait until Friday for the Giveaway!

Here is the schedule of my incredible hosts!

May 27 - Fisher Amelie

May 29 - Nichole Chase

May 30 - Michelle Muto and Fantasy Book Chick

May 31 - Tiffany King
June 1 - Courtney Cole
*The Autumn Review will host a post release date tour day on June 8!

Thank you so much to these fabulous and beautiful people (yes, they are ALL beautiful. I know this for fact!) I can not express enough my appreciation of your support, and not just for the tour, just for being awesome in general.

The release of Wildflower approaches! I've added a second teaser to get everyone psyched up for the big reveal on June 1st! Additionally, I will be hosting a giveaway for Wildflower right here on the blog. I will give a free copy of Wildflower to the first ten people to comment about the book/giveaway on the release day (flattery and offerings of virtual chocolate help a lot, just kidding!)

My Dearest Wildflower,

I know not why I write this letter. I know it will not find your eyes with understanding. My ink smeared words are no more sensible to you than the obstinacies plaguing our love. Though our native lands separate us by oceans our hearts beat as one. This fragile parchment is an analogous representation of my heart breaking beat by beat, always yearning for your beauty and warmth. I feel my soul fading each day in your absence and rejuvenate each night when you visit my dreams. I live for sleep where my soul will find yours in a world that will hold us. Find me again, love. Save me from this wretched exile. Carry me in your heart now and forever more.

Love always,

Joshua Bangs

The days were insufferably long with out her smile and ease to pass the time. I cherished the night when the stars shone as bright against the velvet sky as my love’s glistening grey eyes sparkled amidst her long, wavy, black tresses. Only in my dreams could I dare to love my heart and soul with out repercussions.

“Joshua, Joshua…” Wildflower’s soft, sweet voice called to me in my slumber.

“Wildflower, you have come back!” I rejoiced, filling up with happiness as I tenderly encircled her in my arms once more. “I shall never let you go.” I breathed with content.

“We must be careful, Joshua. My father will one day learn of our secret. When he does he will put an end to our last hope of being one.” she cried. “All too soon this will end and I do not know how I will go on.”

“Do not cry, my love. We must not give up hope. Is there not a way for us to stay here in our dreams?” I begged.

Wildflower pulled out a quill. It looked like any ordinary quill. Only, I knew what she was capable of doing once her fingers finished guiding it along the parchment. She began sketching an outline of a cluster of birds with the black ink. There were at least a half a dozen in the flock.

“With each new life we breathe our souls will migrate toward one another. Our souls will carry us over land and water to be reunited again and again.” she smiled as she replaced her quill and began chanting in her native and mysterious language.

Like magic, the ink evaporated off of the paper and swirled in circles in the air until it found purchase on skin. A cluster of delicate birds were suddenly embedded at the nape of her neck. I felt tingling warmth spread over my chest. When I looked down I found one more imprint engraved over my heart.

My father saw the Wampanoag’s rituals as witch craft, as the devil’s bidding. The English people of Plymouth Colony feared Wildflower and her Shaman father. They refused to accept her or her people. The Wampanoag’s were just as difficult. They could not entrust the Shaman’s daughter to an Englishman. To my father, Wildflower’s people were nothing more than heathens and savages. Wildflower’s father perceived the white man to be a threat to his tribe’s way of life. No reconciliation could be reached.

I glanced down at the winged figure permanently seared into my skin and smiled. They would not separate us. We would be one forever because my heart would always belong to Wildflower, in this life and every future life

I hope you enjoyed the added teaser! Please don't forget about the Release Day Giveaway, June 1st!

YA Indie Carnival; Graduation or End of School Scenes

Welcome to Amy Jones Young Adult Fantasy Fiction and 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 deals with scenes from Graduation or the end of another school year. I  have chosen and excerpt from the first chapter of the second book in The Soul Quest Trilogy, The Guardians of Souls.

Chapter One

Liv Time - July 3, 2015

Place - Liv's house

Queens, New York

"Forgiveness is a virtue of the brave."

- Indira Gandhi

    It’s been almost one month since I spoke to Jedd. The last four months of school were not easy to say the least. It had been awkward for everyone knowing that Jedd knew about the spirit world. Brayan was fine with it but Meena was furious and Laith was worried.

    "How could you do this, Liv?" Meena demanded. "It isn't logical to let him be a part of our world. It increases the danger for both him and us. Do I have to remind you about what happened to Melissa?" she scolded.

    Laith looked at the floor.

    "I'm sorry, Laith... but it's true" she apologized to Laith.

    "That isn't fair. Shy told Melissa about the spirit world, not us. Besides, Laith said Jedd had already clued in on his own for the most part." Brayan defended me.

    "They aren't supposed to know about us. It is too much for them." Meena insisted.

    "I agree, it is too much for the average human but Jedd is different. He has a special gift and he wants to help." I said. "... and I think we should allow him to, within reason." I argued further.

    "He will become a liability." Meena disagreed. "I can't believe you are backing her up on this." she accused Brayan.

    "As long as Jedd is only functioning in the observatory sense and he isn't directly in the line of fire... well, an extra spiriter is an asset we can't take for granted. It's been over four months since Shy disappeared and no one here or in Arcadia is any closer to locating him." Brayan reasoned.

    "Liv? I think you should tell Jedd to stay out of this." Laith said.

    He looked so sad. Losing Melissa changed him. He had lost some of his bravery and macho. He wasn't Laith anymore.

    "Finally, someone with some sense." Meena snapped at me.

    "Don't be mean, Meena!" Laith complained. He was quiet for a moment before he finally lifted his head to look me in the eyes.

    "I mean it, Liv. I think it's a mistake. I think it's not safe for Jedd or us. Please, will you just think about it some more?" Laith's eyes were pleading.

    I felt my head nodding in agreement. "I promise Laith. I will think about it." I finally surrendered. I hated to cause him any more pain.

    So it went like that for the four of us for a while. Brayan and I defended Jedd's knowledge and involvement in our world while Meena and Laith refused to accept it. We never spoke about our differences in front of Jedd but I knew he sensed it. He can see auras and feel allures. He sensed Meena and Laith's anxiety about him as much as he sensed mine and Brayan's trust in him. Meena and Laith were not alone in their anxiety toward Jedd. Beau and Naomi were fiercely against the idea of involving a human in our matters. Kevin and Belinda remained neutral. In the end Hala sided with Brayan and I. For now, at least, Jedd was in the loop. Not that it mattered.

    Jedd isn't even speaking to me right now. At the end of the school year we had another one of our big blow outs. It was the same scenario. He wants to fight on the front lines and I want him stay in the background.

    "Why can't I go with you?" Jedd had demanded on the last day of school.

    Me and my companions had conveniently provided ourselves with an alibi for the summer. We told Amber, Ray, Jedd and Drue that we were going to summer camp and we would be gone sporadically as a result. Jedd knew what was up. He knew Hala had plans for us to search for Shy this summer, where ever that may lead us.

    "Jedd, you can't even go to Arcadia. Only Spirits can go to the Spirit world. Duh!" I said frustrated.

    "I can still be a part of your search party when you're here on Earth." he argued.

    "No... you... can't." I said emphasizing each word. We had been over this one million times. "We made a deal, Jedd." I said. "You are supposed to stay behind the scenes where it is safe." I reiterated.

    "No, you made a deal... not me. I never agreed to those terms." he said.

    "It is more than just a deal between you and me, Jedd. It is a deal between you, me and Arcadia." I clarified.

    He didn't know about the concession that had been made about his knowledge of the spirit world.

    "What?" he wondered.

    He was clueless. I sighed. I had not wanted to get into this with him. I knew the conversation would end badly.

    "Jedd, the Spirit world is OK with your knowledge of its existence as long as you stay out of harms way. That means you stay in the background." I explained. The look on his face was incredulous. As the meaning of my words began to register so did his heart break. "Jedd, please understand. Please don't be upset. We just want you to be safe." I tried to ease his pain but my words only seemed to inflict more.

    "We... I used to be included in there somewhere, but not anymore." he said looking away from me.

    I knew what he meant. I was breaking my promise to him. I had promised him that nothing would ever come between us. Now, I realized it was a promise I was not of authority to make.

    "I'm sorry, Jedd. Please forgive me." I had begged him.

    That was the last time we spoke. He has since refused to return my phone calls, emails and text messages. I am not forgiven.

I hope you enjoyed Liv's - end of the school year - flashback from The Guardians of Souls. The third and final book in The Soul Quest Trilogy is slated for release in mid - July 2012.

Don't forget to check out the rest of the carnival! Here are links to my amazing carni friend's pages!

1.	Laura A. H. Elliott author of Winnemucca & 13 on Halloween, Book 1 in the Teen Halloween Series	2.	Bryna Butler, author Midnight Guardian series
3.	Heather Self	4.	T. R. Graves, Author of The Warrior Series
5.	Suzy Turner, author of The Raven Saga	6.	Cheri Schmidt, author of the Fateful Trilogy
7.	Rachel Coles, author of Into The Ruins, geek mom blog	8.	K. C. Blake, author of Vampires Rule and Crushed
9.	Patti Larsen, The Hunted series and The Hayle Coven series	10.	Amy Maurer Jones, Author of The Soul Quest Trilogy
11.	Fisher Amelie, author of The Understorey	12.	M. Leighton, Blood Like Poison Series, Madly, The Reaping
13.	Cidney Swanson, author of Rippler	14.	Gwenn Wright, author of Filter
15.	Melissa Pearl, Author of The Time Spirit Trilogy	16.	Heather M. White, author of The Destiny Saga
17.	Courtney Cole Writes	18.	Liz Long | Just another writer on the loose.
19.	Ella James	20.	Maureen Murrish
21.	Valerie Sloan

Please be sweet and retweet!

A teaser for Wildflower, to be released June 1st!

The release of Wildflower approaches! I've extended the teaser to get everyone psyched up for the big reveal on June 1st!

My Dearest Wildflower,

            I know not why I write this letter. I know it will not find your eyes with understanding. My ink smeared words are no more sensible to you than the obstinacies plaguing our love.  Though our native lands separate us by oceans our hearts beat as one. This fragile parchment is an analogous representation of my heart breaking beat by beat, always yearning for your beauty and warmth.  I feel my soul fading each day in your absence and rejuvenate each night when you visit my dreams.  I live for sleep where my soul will find yours in a world that will hold us. Find me again, love. Save me from this wretched exile. Carry me in your heart now and forever more.

                                                                                    Love always,

                                                                                    Joshua Bangs

The days were insufferably long with out her smile and ease to pass the time.  I cherished the night when the stars shone as bright against the velvet sky as my love’s glistening grey eyes sparkled amidst her long, wavy, black tresses. Only in my dreams could I dare to love my heart and soul with out repercussions. 

“Joshua, Joshua…” Wildflower’s soft, sweet voice called to me in my slumber.

“Wildflower, you have come back!” I rejoiced, filling up with happiness as I tenderly encircled her in my arms once more. “I shall never let you go.” I breathed with content.

“We must be careful, Joshua. My father will one day learn of our secret. When he does he will put an end to our last hope of being one.” she cried. “All too soon this will end and I do not know how I will go on.”

“Do not cry, my love.  We must not give up hope. Is there not a way for us to stay here in our dreams?” I begged.

Wildflower pulled out a quill. It looked like any ordinary quill. Only, I knew what she was capable of doing once her fingers finished guiding it along the parchment. She began sketching an outline of a cluster of birds with the black ink. There were at least a half a dozen in the flock. 

“With each new life we breathe our souls will migrate toward one another. Our souls will carry us over land and water to be reunited again and again.” she smiled as she replaced her quill and began chanting in her native and mysterious language.

Like magic, the ink evaporated off of the paper and swirled in circles in the air until it found purchase on skin. A cluster of delicate birds were suddenly embedded at the nape of her neck. I felt tingling warmth spread over my chest. When I looked down I found one more imprint engraved over my heart.

My father saw the Wampanoag’s rituals as witch craft, as the devil’s bidding. The English people of Plymouth Colony feared Wildflower and her Shaman father. They refused to accept her or her people. The Wampanoag’s were just as difficult. They could not entrust the Shaman’s daughter to an Englishman.  To my father, Wildflower’s people were nothing more than heathens and savages. Wildflower’s father perceived the white man to be a threat to his tribe’s way of life.  No reconciliation could be reached.

I glanced down at the winged figure permanently seared into my skin and smiled.  They would not separate us. We would be one forever because my heart would always belong to Wildflower, in this life and every future life. 

I'd love to hear your first impressions about Wildflower.