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Hexes & Kisses from Seattle: Cover Reveal

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This is the second time, and hopefully the last one, I write this post because after composing a long, and rather witty story about Hexes & Kisses from Seattle my next series’ release, I clicked on the wrong arrow and deleted everything. The lesson here is to always save, every step of the way…

Anyway, you came here for a cover reveal, and I’ll give you three because I’m nice that way.

Lavender & Cinnamon: Book One

The pastry chef witch & the billionaire dragon-shifter: Not your usual meet-cute…
So… it doesn’t happen every day that you see a dragon shifter’s junk, up close and personal. 
Well, you’d think it’s this witch’s lucky day, but nope. Not even close. In fact, this day has been disastrous so far.
But let me rewind the story for you. Hi, my name’s Aubrey, and I own Lavender & Cinnamon, the award-winning pastry shop conveniently located in one of the coziest neighborhoods in Seattle. My life’s filled with cupcake and hexes, and I like it exactly the way it is.
Yesterday, I received ominous news from Mr. Stuart, my landlord—you guessed correctly, he’s the owner of the junk mentioned before. Anyway, he wants to evict my shop to build a high-rise on top of it.
The last thing I need is a domineering billionaire who thinks he can do whatever he wants because he’s rich. Sure, the man is unbearably handsome, generously endowed (I took a good look at it) and makes me weak in the knees… but rest assured I won’t give up my shop without a fight.
PS
If you want to know more about the junk incident, you need to buy the book…

Lavender & Cinnamon: Book Two

Hi! It’s me, Aubrey, again! Lavender & Cinnamon remains open! Yeah for me! 
Unfortunately, that’s the least of my worries.
It turns out Andrew (you remember Mr. Stuart and his enormous… attitude) and I were hexed and chained together by an invisible rope. It could be worse, you might think, being him a hunk and all.
I’d agree with you if it weren’t for the small detail of the striking blonde who just entered the scene. She’s Andrew’s fiancée. What?
Did you see that coming? I sure didn’t…
Andrew better have a very good explanation for forgetting to mention he was engaged while he was enthusiastically groping me, or the chain hex will be the least of his problems.

Lavender & Cinnamon: Book Three

Where were we? Right… I’m Aubrey, the witch and pastry chef from Seattle who got hexed alongside a handsome dragon-shifter.
In the meantime, I might’ve fallen for the hunk (okay, I’ll admit I’m head over heels in love with him), and he seems to be quite smitten with me as well—which, given my sparkling personality, shouldn’t come as a surprise. 
The only problem is that both my dad and Andrew’s ex-father-in-law are vehemently opposed to our idea of happily ever after and are fighting us with fangs and spells. Plus, it would seem that our story started a few centuries ago…
But love always conquers all, right? 

Hexes & Kisses from Seattle: Cover Reveal

Renegade Vampire

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After a long hiatus from blogging, I am happy to announce I am back with news about my Immortals. Book #12 in the series, Renegade Vampire is finally out. In the last year and a half, I’ve been so focused on my publishing schedule and advertising that I forgot about popping here for an update. Since my last post, I wrote more than I could publish, I experimented with shared-world projects and collaborations, I spent money on Facebook and Amazon ads… I have learned a thing or two in the process, but the most important lesson is that I need to take it easy. So here I am, hopefully sticking to the resolution.

See you soon,

Monica

PS

If you’d like a sneak peek from Renegade Vampire, head here.

Renegade Vampire

Creatures: Cover Reveal

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CreaturesA long time in the making, but I’m finally able to reveal the cover for the box set I am in: Creatures. For this project, I wrote The Fifth Moon’s Dragon, the first book in the brand-new exciting trilogy set in the distant future in a far away galaxy. You have already read Valentine and Mirella’s story, not it’s time for Dragon and Jade to shine.

And now, a few words about this box set:

CREATURES is a collection of otherworldly tales from today’s indie-favorite New York Times, USA Today, and International bestselling authors!
You are about to enter the realm of Creatures, a boxed set packed with more than twenty enthralling tales of urban fantasy and paranormal romance! From witches to vampires, shifters to fae, and every dark creature known to lurk the pages of fantasy fiction, you’re sure to find yourself up past your bedtime and reading well into the witching hour!

So curl up on your sofa with a steaming cup of tea and PreOrder today if you dare brave the beasts!

Including stories from…

New York Times bestselling author A K Michaels
USA Today bestselling authors Gina Kincade and Kimberly Gould
USA Today bestselling author Bianca D’Arc
Boone Brux
Morgan Wylie
Felicia Beasley
Kyoko M
Jules Barnard
Monica La Porta
Heather Marie Adkins
Aoife Marie Sheridan
Alex Owens
Juliana Haygert
E. M. Moore
Skye Knizley
Shelique Lize
Lydia Sherrer
Wendy Owens
S.M. Blooding
Stephanie Marks
J & L Wells writing with Laura Greenwood
USA Today bestselling author Erzabet Bishop

You can buy your copy here:

Amazon US

Amazon UK

Amazon CA

Amazon DE

Amazon AU

iTunes

Nook

Kobo

Creatures: Cover Reveal

Elyse Salpeter’s Flying to the Fire is out!

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Pageflex Persona [document: PRS0000038_00069]Elyse Salpeter’s newest release is finally out and it sounds like a fascinating read. Second in The Flying series, Flying to the Fire is a young adult, metaphysical suspense novel that follows the story of Danny, a deaf teenage with a special power: he knows what happens after a person die. On a personal note, I think the covers in this series are visually compelling, and they alone would have made me click to read more.

Flying to the Fire: Book #2 in the Flying Series

An evil black mass has burst through Danny Anderson’s nightmares to attack him in broad daylight. If it weren’t for his birds, he would have died. Danny soon realizes that this monster is not coming for him, but for his little sister, Katie…because while he looks up to a place of light and peace, Katie looks down into realms of darkness and cruelty. Time is running out. The monster grows stronger with each attempt to steal Katie away to these dark dimensions, forcing Danny into the fight of his life to save his sister–before she is lost to him forever.

 

Elyse, who is the author of seven novels and a host of short stories, likes mixing “the real with the fantastic” in her books. She loves taking different scenarios and creating worlds where things just aren’t what they appear to be.

Her New Adult Dark Fantasy Series, The World of Karow and The Ruby Amulet take us to other realms filled with magic and evil. Her contemporary adult thriller, The Hunt for Xanadu is about a young girl on a mission to avenge her parents, murdered in their quest to find the mystical land of Xanadu.

When she’s not writing, she’s cooking, working out, running after her twins and eating shock food in her Gastronaut Club. Please come on over and learn more about her at her webpage.

Flying to the Light: Book #1 in the Flying Series

flying to the lightSeventeen year old Michael Anderson and his deaf kid brother, Danny, find themselves in mortal danger after their parents are kidnapped. Michael discovers Danny has a special gift—he knows what happens after a person dies—and now others want to know too. The brothers must outwit and outrun Samuel Herrington, a lethal biophysicist, the FBI, and even fellow Americans in a harrowing cross-country chase, because whoever gets to Danny first will have the power to rule the world.

If you want to keep in touch with Elyse:

www.facebook.com/elysesalpeterauthor

www.twitter.com/elysesalpeter

www.elysesalpeter.wordpress.com

www.elysesalpeter.com

Elyse Salpeter’s Flying to the Fire is out!

A Ripple in Time is back and with an offer you can’t refuse!

Monica La Porta, , , 2 Comments
 
Lovely Sunday, everybody, from the Pacific Northwest. Today, my guest is Julia Hughes, a British author and a dear friend. Julia is one of those rare storytellers who are able to mix different genres in the same novel to create exquisite world building. From sweet romance, to dystopian and alternate realities, time travel, magic, a tad of paranormal, a hint of horror, griffins, sinking ships, and detective stories, she does it all, and exceedingly well.
Now, she has outdone herself. Performing the magic trick of the millennium, Julia Hughes will give the lucky winner of the A Ripple in Time giveaway the most incredible gift: a special edition of A Ripple in Time with the winner’s name in the Titanic’s passengers list!
 

A Ripple in Time: Synopsis

Celtic Cousin Wren makes a psychic connection with a girl emigrating to America in 1912. Through his eyes, she is able to foresee the fate of the ship taking her across the Atlantic.
Consequently, RMS Titanic steams safely into New York Harbour: an anomaly which creates devastation for future generations. Twenty-first century Britain still has an Empire, and World War One continues to ravage Europe.
Wren must somehow turn back time, and repair history; even if it means sacrificing everything he loves.
 

From the author, Julia Hughes:

An iconic image of the last century, the Titanic represents hope, ambition and tragedy. It also marks the beginning of the end of an era.  However, “A Ripple in Time” isn’t all about the Titanic. It’s about making unbearable decisions, taking chances and allowing faith, and love to grow.

About this book:

“A Ripple in Time” is a time travel romantic adventure. Protagonist Wren Prenderson was nominated for “Best Hero” in the E-Festival of Words 2013 Awards Hall, and voted by readers into joint second place.
“A Ripple in Time” has been newly re-edited for a smoother reading experience on your ebook reading device.
Available from all good virtual bookstores, including: Nook Books, from Amazon, WH Smith and Smashwords and in paperback from December 10.



WIN! A customised copy of “A Ripple in Time” FREE entry: unique to you, as your name will appear in print as a passenger on board RMS Titanic. Paperback to be released on December 16.





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A Ripple in Time is back and with an offer you can’t refuse!

Friday Snippet #45

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Summer Turmoil

Sunny, exceptionally sunny in Seattle. Therefore, I have little to say about this past week other than I walked miles and miles and  got sunburned. Rewriting Elios is hard and I’m struggling through the process, but I am working on it every day. Conversely, drawing with Fresh Paint is easy and I’m having fun with it. Summer Turmoil is one of my latest drawings.

From Elios (working title)

“Are you up for a session?” Kam had the uncanny ability to check on me whenever my mental defenses where at my lowest.

I closed the window, stepped inside and sat on the lonely chair. Breathed in and out and let the rest of the room disappear one item at a time. First the wall in front of me, then the one on my right, next the one on my left. A blank screen engulfed my vision. The mosaic marble tiles with their floral pattern followed the walls. I was sitting on a floating chair. Then, I was simply floating and the blank screen zoomed toward me. A slow moving tunnel sucked me in and I emerged at the other end to face a smiling Kam.

“You made it.” He raised an eyebrow. “You look horrible.”

“Thank you.” Next time, I should be more careful in composing my mental appearance. I had been successful so far to keep both Kam and Areel unaware of my inner turmoil. “Where is Areel?”

“Unexpected session with his Guide.” Kam materialized the furniture in the astral room as he strolled toward the center.

I had to move out of the way to make space for a chair and two cabinets. “Why do you bother?” I regretted my words as soon as they were out of my mouth.

“You know why.” He blinked and the old, battered couch we had spent so many hours sitting on appeared before him. “I like our dig to be lifelike. It makes our shared time here all the more enjoyable.” With a tilt of his head, Kam gestured for me to join him on the soft cushion he was patting.

The fabric let out a fine cloud of dust that reached my nose. I waved my hand to dismiss my earlier statement. “You’re right of course.” I added a few pillows and rugs to the floor and went to lie there instead. “So, is Areel having problems again?” Our friend was still healing after the trauma of his first mission’s end.

“It takes time to adjust to the idea you had to doom an entire species to oblivion.”

Friday Snippet #45

Julia Hughes

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The Griffin Cryer web useToday, I have a special guest on my blog, author Julia Hughes. She just released a YA fantasy novel, The Griffin Cryer, which I recently read and highly recommend. One of the many five stars reviews this novel has already received says: “Among the vast sea of titles labeled for young adult readers, The Griffin Cryer is a gem worth discovering. Julia Hughes’s novel is a fresh take on griffins’ folklore, and her fifteen years old heroine, redhead Frankie Shaunessy, is fierce and full of life. The story flawlessly intertwines the expected drama of a teenager in high school with the unexpected factor of parallel universes temporarily opening into ours. By calling her dog, Frankie accidentally summons a griffin and his Rider. What happens next is a ride full of action that will make you laugh and cry along the way. I couldn’t put the book down. For young adults and adults young at heart.”

Now, let’s read Julia’s answers to my eight questions.

When you were a kid you wanted to be…?

An Explorer! I wanted to find lost pyramids, discover the resting place of the Titanic, and be the first woman on the moon.

The first book you read was…?

I’m pretty certain my first ‘read alone’ was “One Rainy Night” written and illustrated by Pelagie Doane. It’s about a little girl who couldn’t resist the gentle patter of rain falling, and slipped out of her bedroom in her nightgown to explore the dark and rainy night.

 

You discovered you were quite good at writing when…?

My English teacher kept embarrassing me by reading out my work to the class. It wasn’t until recently that I had time to write a full blown novel, then I discovered just how much I still had to learn!

As a reader, your favorite genre is…?

In fiction: Thrillers – I’m also a proud beta reader for Stephen Spencer, an indie writer whose Paul Mallory Adventures are in my opinion amongst the best. Non fiction: I’m currently reading Bill Bryson’s “A Short History of Nearly Everything.”

No, really, what’s that title you’re hiding in your kindle…?

LOL my last kindle read was “Linda of the Night” an excellent fairy tale, and I’m not hiding anything!

 

You write…?

With more passion than expertise – There are three Celtic Cousins’ Adventures – “A Raucous Time“; “A Ripple in Time” (check out the beautiful artwork on this one’s cover!) and “An Explosive Time“. “The Bridle Path” is my romance, I was enormously pleased when someone commented it read like an old fashioned Mills & Boon but with an edge!

Finally, “The Griffin Cryer” is my latest title, written for the YA audience, but suitable for anyone who’s ever dreamed of riding on the back of a griffin.

The praise about your writing you like the most is…?

Any! Seriously, I cherish each and every positive review – from the one liners “enjoyed this book!” to the most amazing readers who really make a connection and want to express more fully what they took from the story.

What’s next…?

“The Griffin Cryer” is to be published as a paperback, and should be available at all good bookshops, as well as your favourite online stores round about the 20th March. To celebrate, a free promotional run of “The Griffin Cryer” in ebook format is planned for 26th – 30th March. I hope your readers will grab a copy for their kindles – there’s also a free contest to win a signed paperback copy of “The Griffin Cryer” and entry couldn’t be simpler. Anyone leaving a comment on this post at your site will be entered automatically, or your readers can enter by ‘liking’ and leaving a comment on the Griffin Riders’ facebook page. Tweeters can follow and retweet Griffin Riders on Twitter for extra entries. In addition to the first prize, there’s also runners’ up prizes up for grabs – including all three “Celtic Cousins’ Adventures” in ebook format, and some very special prizes donated by the griffins of Ella-Earth.

Julia’s website: Julia Hughes

Tweet to @Tinksaid

“The Griffin Cryer” is free from 26th March – 30th March – why not download a sample on your kindle now so you’re ready to roll with Frankie and friends!

Julia Hughes

Write, Edit, Publish: Possibly In That Order

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Yesterday, I went to sleep and I thought, “I can’t wait to wake up tomorrow.” The mere idea of spending a whole day writing, reading, and editing made me smile. I consider myself extremely lucky, because I can do what I like and I’m surrounded by people who let me do it. Having a good editor and a good cover artist behind my books also help achieve peace of mind.

When, three years ago, I decided to start writing in English I knew it wasn’t going to be easy. To begin with, Italian and English require two different parts of the brain to be learned, spoken, and written. Moreover, writing a novel is a demanding affair by itself without adding the language challenge. But, I do like to be challenged and I’m a patient person. I write every day and I don’t need holidays or breaks from it, because it’s something I want to do. Writing energizes me. It’s my personal vitamin D.

I strive to reach 1000 words written every day, sometimes I end up with more, other times less. Since I embarked on this journey, I’ve written 800k words: 8 finished novels, and 2 short stories. Not every one of them will leave my pc. My first Nanowrimo’s attempt, 56k words, it’s an example of fantasy gone terribly wrong and isn’t salvageable. Although, it was a good exercise  and I learned a lot from it. I’m constantly working on my writing until it reaches the point where I think it’s worth hiring an editor.

The Priest was edited by not one, but three different editors, plus the final proofreader. Being the first time I tried to publish anything, I didn’t know what I needed to get the novel out and I made a few mistakes along the way. Fortunately, when I thought the time had come for my little book to see the light of day, I was told by the editor hired for the very final pass before publication that there were several problems with the manuscript. She didn’t have any opening soon, but was nice enough to send The Priest’s first chapter to Amy Eye, so that she could give me an example of her editing skills. She is currently working on Pax in the Land of Women, and I already booked her for the third and final installation in The Ginecean Chronicles, which sums up what I thought about her editing skills. Lesson learned, catastrophe avoided, and all is well that ends well (literally translated from Italian).

Morale of the story: work hard, be scrupulous, and never give up. Eventually, you’ll find the editor who’ll make an honest writer out of you.

Write, Edit, Publish: Possibly In That Order