Channeler's Cause

A portion of the proceeds from all three novels in the channeler series (The Secret of Spruce Knoll, Channeler’s Choice, Rise of the Rector) will go toward a new, fantastic charity. Some of you may have heard of it (say maybe the Vampire Diaries fans among you). It is the IS Foundation which stands for Ian Somerhalder Foundation (yep, the very one from Vampire Diaries)! I’m incredibly excited to be giving to this amazing charity because they do so much for not only animals, but the youth and the environment.

Since you, my friends and fans, will in essence be helping me help this charity by purchasing my books I will start giving you quarterly updates here on the blog that report how much we’ve raised together. The beauty of the Channeler’s Cause is that it is open-ended, meaning there is no deadline or cutoff. Compass Press plans to donate a portion of the profits indefinitely, reassessing the success rate of the cause each year, and likely continuing for years to come.

Support the cause by purchasing a copy of The Secret of Spruce Knoll (B&N, Amazon), Channeler's Choice (B&N, Amazon), or Rise of a Rector (click on the title to pre-order in paperback or hardback).

Friday Surprise Giveaway

The holidays still have me in their grip today so sorry peeps, no creature feature. I promise I’ll be coming back strong with them next month though so be ready for some fantastic shorts. It isn’t Christmas or New Year’s that has me in its clutches today though. Today I celebrate having survived another full year on this lovely planet of ours. I have much to be thankful for and reflect upon this year. One of the greatest of which, is all of you.

With that in mind, I’d like to celebrate my birthday by doing a giveaway to thank you for being part of what has made this year so wonderful. I’ll give away a paperback copy of The Secret Of Spruce Knoll to one commenter (being a follower is not required but I’d love it if you followed). The contest will be open for one week and the winner will be announced on February second. If you’d like extra points you can get three by adding The Secret Of Spruce Knoll, Channeler’s Choice, and In His Eyes (anthology) to your Goodreads to-read list. In His Eyes is a great anthology coming out in February that I have a short story in. This short is for you fans who have been wanting to know more about Fane! Plus it's full of shorts from other fantastic authors that you won't want to miss.

End of the Year Wednesday Writing Goals

I have so many this week I'm not sure where to start. I am editing the short, Born Of Fire, which I hope to release at the beginning of January for all of you (for free, yay!). And my goal is to have the editing and formatting completed this week. A bit of steep goal, but I'm determined to get it done. Then I'm beta reading for two people and my goal is to have their manuscripts done by the end of the week too. I have definitely taken on too much, but what the heck I figure go big for the end of the year.

How about you, any big writing goals you'd like to accomplish before the end of the year?

Teaser Tuesday~Hard Truths

Today's teaser is from The Secret Of Spruce Knoll: A Channeler Novel.

A staggering relief bubbled through Eren. She launched to her feet and straight into his arms. False hope held no hooks in her heart, though. As much as she wanted to hear it, she knew he wasn't going to tell her it had all been a mistake or a joke. The blue energy that had leaked out of her and threatened to make her explode had not been a hallucination.

Okay, your turn. Leave me an excerpt of something you're working on, something from a book you've wrote, or are reading. Don't have an excerpt? Then just let me know what you thought of mine.

Monday's Muse~Release Date!

My muse last week was a big one with a big announcement. The second book in the channeler series, Channeler's Choice, has a release date with Compass Press: February 27th! *throws streamers and breaks out party hats.* Okay, maybe it's a bit early for party hats, but I'm excited! And here is the lovely cover that I've been dying to share with you:

From the moment I saw the picture for the cover I knew it was perfect. This captured not only the essence of Eren and Aiden perfectly, but also that of the novel. It blew me away. And after design, it was even more amazing and perfect. I hope you love it as much as I do! Check back soon for a big contest to celebrate. Here it is on Goodreads if you'd like to put it on your 'to-read' shelf. 

Happy Holidays 2011

For those waiting on my creature feature, I'm sorry to disappoint, but the craziness of the holidays and other exciting projects has kept me from being able to write one this week. By the echo of few voices across the net, I know most of you have been busy as well. So I will bid you a very happy holidays and let you be on your way. I'll see you next week after the fun and festivities. Many great things await us in 2012 and I for one can hardly wait. Be safe and happy!

Wednesday Writing Goal~Gifts

Since my manuscript has been off to my editor this month I've been working on a very special writing goal, and I finally finished it! Well, almost finished. Now it's in the editing process. What's special about it though is that it will be my holiday gift to all of you as it will be free. It's a short channeler story, Born Of Fire, that gives you insight into Aiden's history and character that you won't find anywhere else. I was hoping to have it out by the holiday but it looks like I won't quite make it. I want it to be perfect for you all so I'm working very hard on it.

I'm shooting for a January upload onto Smashwords and Wattpad, and of course I'll have a PDF file available for those who don't have ereader and just want to read on their computer. While it will be a late gift, hopefully it will be perfect for all of you who have ereaders hiding under your tree! The cover is by CP Design, hope you love it as much as I do!

Tuesday Writing Tip~Editing

Today's writing tip is about editing. With more and more authors choosing the independent path, the importance of editing and not getting in a hurry are more vital than ever. You are the last line of defense between your novel and the world. Don't let it go out into such a cruel place without making it into a lean, mean, fighting machine. Once you hit publish it's out there for the world to see, agents, publishing house editors, everyone. It can make or break you even more so than querying.

Tip: Put your manuscript through the ringer; critique partners and/or beta readers, and if you are going indie, use a good freelance editor after you've put it through the paces. Golden bonus tip #2: Don't be in a hurry to put it out there until it is polished to perfection.

Monday's Muse~Vampire's Trill

Today I'd like to wish a happy release day to Vampire's Trill, a novel by author Lorelei Bell. She's been gracious enough to give us an excerpt but here is about about Lorelei to start us off:

Lorelei: When not at my day job, I work on my novels, inventing new characters and places/worlds where they dwell. My writing has been compared to Anne Rice's more gritty novels, but with a humorous twist in the tradition of Charlaine Harris.

My interest in vampires came in my teens watching the old horror classics of “Dracula” on TV late at night. As a result, I was considered odd because of my interests in the macabre, horror/vampire movies—way before it was 'cool'. I wanted to create a heroine who has to learn who and what she was from the beginning and throughout the series, rather than plopping my readers in the middle of things and doing a lot of back story.

Here is the excerpt:

I landed on something solid, yet it wasn't flat. It had form.

I clearly had some sort of form myself, now — thank you! Meanwhile, landing knocked the breath out of me, and it took me a while to pull it back in. There’s nothing quite as scary as being unable to get air for a few seconds. Whatever I was laying upon also took one giganticbreath and let it out with a deep groan. My panic rose anew. I thought I was lying on a bear.

I looked up and saw Tremayne's face above mine. As his head rose from its reclined position, I realized I lay right on top of him, chest to chest, as though we had both landed exactly this way.

“Oh, sorry,” I said as I pushed up. My hands grasped each of his wide, muscular shoulders, my legs were sandwiched between his thick thighs putting my knees in a decidedly awkward position against him. Oh Momma! It was too late to remedy this situation, and my panic cord had broken.

“Not at all. You can be on top any time,” he smirked. Hands grasping my waist, he helped me sort of roll off him to land awkwardly on my butt. Oow.

Face burning, I threw him a well-deserved scowl. Then, someone's muffled voice caught our attention. It seemed to be coming from underneath Tremayne. He rolled to the side, and underneath was Rick, sputtering swears that nearly burned my ears.

“You stupid blood-sucking pantie wipe!” Rick fumed as he slowly rolled over and struggled to his knees, his body bent in half.

“Uh-oh, you crushed the leprechaun,” I said.

“Sorry, sorry,” Tremayne said, dipping down. He grabbed Rick by the back of his coat and hoisted him up with one swift motion. Righted and standing on his two feet, Rick looked as mad as a rumpled leprechaun could look. I wasn't sure why Tremayne was so accommodating, apologizing again and again, but it probably had a lot to do with the fact that leprechauns were magical. I guessed that if Rick were truly mad, he could do something to Tremayne. Something nasty.

In the next moment, I lost sight of Tremayne and felt, rather than saw him move with lightning speed somewhere in front of me. We were in a dark place. My eyes were trying to adjust. I saw red and purple lights flashing, mostly, above me, and they seemed to bombard the walls that surrounded us. I didn't look up to see where it came from. Instead, my focus was on Tremayne whose body blocked my view of something that was in front of him. Hunched over, he was in a fighting pose. Growling from both Tremayne and the other creature in there with us filled the chamber. In one swift move, Tremayne had slammed someone, or something, up against a stonewall.

“Holy crap! Come here, darling,” Rick said with a hoarse squeak. He didn't touch me, but I launched away from the fracas that was going on mere feet away, and slammed into the opposite wall.

“Sorry. You okay?” Rick asked in a soothing tone. I realized he'd used his magic to move me quickly out of the way of something long and undulating.

“Yeah, I'm fine. Stunned, but fine.” What's a little bump on the head if it saves me from real danger? I turned my attention to the affray. “What is that?”

“I'm not quite sure yet, but it is buuuutt ugly.”

Their struggling breaths and hissed curses in some other language filled the room, if it were a room, I couldn't yet tell. I couldn't see everything, because Tremayne's huge body was in the way, but slowly I made things out in this weird light, I saw enormous leathery wings, like Vasyl's. They flapped a few times and then cruel, clawed fingers curling into Tremayne's unprotected back. It wasn't until I looked down that I saw a greenish and brown mottled tail coiling around his legs. I was thoroughly confused. Was he fighting an ancient vampire, or a giant snake— or both? Then I realized it was two tails, not just one. It serpentined about Tremayne's body. It was large enough to crush him, but I had a feeling it was merely toying with the big vampire.

Then, they broke apart. Laughing.

Congratulations to Lorelei on this latest installment in your series! 

Spruce Knoll Contest Winners

The Spruce Knoll for Endangered Species tour has come to an end but the journey is far from over. I can’t thank you all enough for your amazing support and excitement for both my book and my cause. The journey has only begun as I plan to donate a portion of the proceeds from this novel until 12-12-2012. I’m honored to have taken the first steps of the journey with all of you though. I wish I could award each entrant and supporter, but alas, I must pick only two for now.

Winner #1:

Theresa Milstein 1st place

Theresa you’ve won a signed hardback of The Secret Of Spruce Knoll, a swag bag, and an endangered species adoption of your choice from this list ($50 donation by myself to the charity and a certificate of adoption and symbolic stuffed animal).

Winner #2:

Vickie Reljin 2nd place

Vickie you’ve won a signed paperback of The Secret Of Spruce Knoll and a swag bag (I don't have any contact info for you so be sure to leave me a comment with a way to contact you, no worries, I won't post it!).

Now I feel a bit like a game show hostess. J Congratulations! Leave me a comment with your email address ladies and I’ll be in touch to find out your mailing address. For those who didn’t win, don’t worry, I’ll be doing another big contest in February to celebrate the news I’ll be revealing soon, as well as the release of my friend Christine Fonseca’s upcoming release, Dies Irae.

Last Stop On The Tour

Today is the last stop on the Spruce Knoll for Endangered Species tour. I'm kind of sad because it has been a lot of fun and the support shown to both my book and my cause has been so amazing that it has left me speechless at times. But the giving doesn't end with the tour. I'll be donating a portion of the proceeds of all sales of the Compass Press edition of The Secret Of Spruce Knoll until 12-12-2012.

I hope you'll drop in on my author friend Lisa Nowak as I chat with her about prairie dogs, then come back and enter the contest on this link (or you can click on the sidebar picture for the contest). Entries will be closed at midnight (Pacific Time) tonight and the winner will be announced tomorrow.

First place prize is a signed hardback of The Secret Of Spruce Knoll, a copy of The Gift by Cecelia Ahern, some fun Spruce Knoll swag, and a symbolic endangered species adoption of the winner's choice (a $50 donation to the charity by myself, and a stuffed critter and certificate to the winner).

Second place prize is a signed paperback of The Secret Of Spruce Knoll and some fun Spruce Knoll swag.

Stop Along The Tour And Contest Winner

For today's stop along the Spruce Knoll for Endangered Species tour I'm over at author Erica Chapman's place with some new info on white tigers. We're nearing the end of the tour so be sure to check back in after you visit me at Erica's and click on the link on my right sidebar to enter the contest!

In other great news, the winner for LK Gardner-Griffie's new release celebration is:

Tanya

Congratulations to Tanya, you've won a paperback copy of Misfit McCabe and a paperback copy of The Secret Of Spruce Knoll! LK should be emailing you shortly.

Wednesday Writing Goals 12-13

Before I get to the writing goals, today for the Spruce Knoll for Endangered Species Tour, I'm over at author Christine Bryant's blog chatting about giraffes. I hope you'll stop by! We're getting close to the end of the tour so don't forget to come back here and click on the button on the right sidebar to enter.

This last week while on vacation I was working on a special writing project that I hope to have finished very soon. It falls somewhere between a short story and a novella and I plan on releasing it for free hopefully before the holiday as a gift to all of you. If you've ever wondered what really happened to Aiden's parents then you are really going to want to read this! My goal was to get at least 2,000 new words written on it by the end of the week and I'm thrilled to say I did! My goal for this next week is to finish the first draft, put it through my editing process, then send it off to my beta.

How about you? Are your writing goals surviving the holidays or have they been post-poned in all the festivities?

Tour Stop Dec. 13th And Gift Ideas

Today on the Spruce Knoll for Endangered Species tour I'm over at Talli's Roland's place and at Carolina Valdez Miller's place. Hope to see you at both! Two stops means two chances for more entries/points for the contest!

And now to the fun gift ideas! My good friend, and author of Between, Cyndi Tefft has put together some fun gift ideas for fans of her novels. That means you Aiden's Angels! I'm not just featuring this because her main character shares a name with my main character (and hotness traits) but because she is a fabulous lady who deserves my support! For starters, you can get a signed copy of Between right from Cyndi's blog. Signed books are always great gift ideas and many authors, including myself, offer them on their sites.

But if you're already a fan, or know a fan, then you'll definitely want to check out what Cyndi has put together on Cafe Press for Aiden's Angels. The items on there are definitely going on my wish list! :)

Monday's Muse~Good Friends

My Seattle trip to visit my Critique Sisters and meet new friends was fantastic! Though the weather was wet it wasn't nearly as wet as I expected, and I had a wonderful time. Celebrating the holidays with friends makes all the craziness worth it and all the hardships of the year melt away.

I wish I could celebrate with each and every one of you in person, but for most of us, we'll have to settle for social networking celebrations! I'm so thankful for all of you though, I hope you know that. As for what's feeding my muse on the literary front, I'm reading a signed copy of Between by Cyndi Tefft.

Today on the Spruce Knoll for Endangered Species tour you can find me over at The Fiction Enthusiast with my friend Christie chatting about cougars. You know you can't resist that!

Release Celebration And Tour Stop

Today for the Spruce Knoll for Endangered Species tour I'm over at my good friend Saba's blog talking about the polar bear, one of my favorite creatures! I hope you'll drop in. And now for my author friend Lisa Nowak's fabulous new release. If you need a gift for a guy this season, look no further!

Getting Sideways: Book 2 in the Full Throttle Series Getting shipped off to live with his uncle Race was the best thing that ever happened to fifteen-year-old Cody. Then a wreck at the speedway nearly ruined everything. Cody’s making every effort to get his life back on track—writing for the school paper, searching for the perfect girlfriend, and counting the days until he gets his drivers’ license—but there’s no escaping the nightmares that haunt him. A chance to build his own car seems like the perfect distraction. Until Cody realizes he’ll have to live up to Race’s legendary status. But that’s the least of his worries, considering he doesn’t have his dad’s permission. All he has to do is the impossible: keep Race from discovering his lie until he can convince his dad that racing’s safe. Yeah, sure. That’ll be easy.

• Buy it on Amazon
• Buy it at Barnes and Noble
• Buy it on Smashwords

Haven't read the first book? Running Wide Open is on sale now for 99 cents. Running Wide Open: Book 1 in the Full Throttle Series Cody Everett has a temper as hot as the flashpoint of racing fuel, and it's landed him at his uncle's trailer, a last-chance home before military school. But how can he take the guy seriously when he calls himself Race, eats Twinkies for breakfast, and pals around with rednecks who drive in circles every Saturday night? What Cody doesn't expect is for the arrangement to work. Or for Race to become the friend and mentor he's been looking for all his life. But just as Cody begins to settle in and get a handle on his supercharged temper, a crisis sends his life spinning out of control. Everything he's come to care about is threatened, and he has to choose between falling back on his old, familiar anger or stepping up to prove his loyalty to the only person he's ever dared to trust.

Praise for Running Wide Open: "It doesn’t matter if you are a racing fan or not, Running Wide Open will captivate you and capture your heart." – Cari J, Amazon reviewer.
“The roar of engines practically explodes off the page in this compelling, heart-thumping debut. Cody Everett is a straight-shooter with attitude, smarts, and whip-cracking wit; he doesn’t pull any punches, and neither does author Lisa Nowak. The collision of Cody and the world of stock car racing makes for a great story, one of the best I’ve read in a long time. Running Wide Open is a book not to be missed.” - Christine Fletcher, author of Tallulah Falls and Ten Cents a Dance.
"The racing is easy to understand and does not get in the way of a rattling good story. I still couldn’t put it down on a re-read." – Elisabeth Miles, Amazon reviewer.
"We race stock cars during the summer and even though this is a recommended read for Young Adults, we are seniors and enjoyed every page. We can hardly wait for the sequel to come out. MUST READING!" – Maxci Jermann, Barnes and Noble reviewer.
"I say read this book, it’s fun, it’s beautiful, it’s a very cool read that will give you a feel-good state of mind. Awesome read." - L.E.Olteano, Butterfly-o-meter Books.

• Buy it on Amazon
• Buy it at Barnes and Noble
• Buy it on Smashwords

Author Bio: In addition to being a YA author, Lisa Nowak is a retired amateur stock car racer, an accomplished cat whisperer, and a professional smartass. She writes coming-of-age books about kids in hard luck situations who learn to appreciate their own value after finding mentors who love them for who they are. She enjoys dark chocolate and stout beer and constantly works toward employing wei wu wei in her life, all the while realizing that the struggle itself is an oxymoron. Lisa has no spare time, but if she did she’d use it to tend to her expansive perennial garden, watch medical dramas, take long walks after dark, and teach her cats to play poker. For those of you who might be wondering, she is not, and has never been, a diaper-wearing astronaut. She lives in Milwaukie, Oregon, with her husband, four feline companions, and two giant sequoias. Connect with Lisa online:

• Twitter: http://twitter.com/Lisa_Nowak
• Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LisaNowakAuthor
• Google +: http://bit.ly/LisaNowakGooglePlus
• Blog: http://lisanowak.wordpress.com/
• Subscribe to her newsletter for updates about coming attractions: http://bit.ly/LisaNowakNewsletter

December 10th Stop Along The Tour

Today for the Spruce Knoll for Endangered Species tour I'm over at my good friend Christy's (of Erica and Christy) blog chatting about the breathtaking emerald hummingbird (yay two people picked it!). You have to see this amazing creature to believe it! I hope you'll stop by to say hi, and of cAourse to get another point in the contest!

Don't forget, if you're in the Seattle area, today I'm appearing at Tully's coffee shop (the one on Western Avenue) at 3:00pm for a meet and greet. Of course I'm happy to sign for anyone who brings their books along! I'll be armed with swag!

December 8th Tour Stops

Today there are two stops along the Spruce Knoll for Endangered Species tour, which means two more chances for another entry/point in the contest! First I'm over at my author friend LK Gardner-Griffie's blog talking about the arctic fox. For the second stop I'm over at my book blogger friend's blog, Melanie McCullough, talking about the emerald hummingbird, which is a breathtaking creature you have to see to believe. I'll be dropping in on both to stops to chat with peeps so I hope to see you in both places!

To see what's up for grabs, and to enter the contest, click on the button on the right sidebar for the tour.

Talli's How To Build A Man Book Release

For those checking in on my stop for the Spruce Knoll for endangered species tour, I'm over at Simon Larter's blog today. Come on over to learn about hellbender salamanders and to get an extra point/entry in the contest. On to my feature! If you don't know who bestselling author Talli Roland is, then you're in for a treat because she is one of the most supportive, fun people I know. First a bit about her new release, How To Build A Man:

Slave to the rich, rude and deluded, cosmetic surgery receptionist Serenity Holland longs for the day she's a high-flying tabloid reporter. Unfortunately, every pitch she sends out disappears like her clients' liposuctioned fat, never to be seen again. Then she meets Jeremy Ritchie -- the hang-dog man determined to be Britain's Most Eligible Bachelor by making himself over from head to toe and everything in between -- giving Serenity a story no editor could resist.


With London's biggest tabloid on board and her very own column tracking Jeremy's progress from dud to dude, Serenity is determined to be a success, even going undercover to gain intimate access to Jeremy's life. But when Jeremy's surgery goes drastically wrong and Serenity is ordered to cover all the car-crash goriness, she must decide how far she really will go for her dream job.


You can find Build A Man at these retailers:

Amazon.co.uk

Amazon.com

Barnes & Noble 

Now for a bit about the fabulous Talli:

Talli Roland has three loves in her life: chick lit, coffee and wine. Born and raised in Canada, Talli now lives in London, where she savours the great cultural life (coffee and wine). Despite training as a journalist, Talli soon found she preferred making up her own stories – complete with happy endings. Her debut novel, The Hating Game, was an Amazon Top 100 bestseller and shortlisted for Best Romantic Read at the UK’s Festival of Romance, and her second, Watching Willow Watts, was selected as a 2011 Amazon Customer Favourite. Build A Man is her latest release. Talli blog is here and she can be found on Twitter here.

Since she's far too modest to say it, I have to tell you, she's an outstanding author and you'll love her books! So if you love chick lit, great humor, and excellent stories, go order your copies now! You won't be sorry. 

Tour Stop And Teaser Tuesday

Today for the Spruce Knoll for Endangered Species tour I'm over at my good friend and author Roland Yeomans blog. Roland's blog is always a fun place to drop in, not to mention, you'll have a chance to gain another entry/point for the contest!

Now for the teaser. This is from page 52 of the Compass Press special edition:

Aiden went very still. After a painfully long silence, Eren reached over and touched his arm. He turned to her, revealing eyes that were filled with regret.

"What is it? What do you know?" she asked.

"I want to tell you everything but it isn't my place. It kills me not to talk to you about it, you have to believe me, please," he said.

Monday's Muse And Tour Stops

There is so much wonderful stuff going on this week that I hardly know where to start. For those looking for my Spruce Knoll for Endangered Species tour stops, I'm over at my author buddy Danyelle Leafy's blog chatting about snow leopard, and on my critique sisters blog with Linda chatting about ring-tailed lemurs. Remember, both tour stops are an opportunity to gain another point/entry so I hope you'll stop by! Then don't forget to come back here and click on the tour/giveaway button on the right sidebar to enter.

The books and coffee photo is my inspiration as I'm doing my first unofficial author appearance and signing this coming weekend! I'm attending the Women's National Book Association (Seattle chapter) Christmas party this coming Saturday with my critique sisters, then I'll be off to Tully's coffee shop for a meet and great (the unofficial appearance and signing) with a few friends in Seattle. If you are in the Seattle area this coming Saturday around 3:00pm, stop in at Tully's coffee shop and say hi! I will have a few copies of my book on hand and of course some swag to give away. Go here for the official announcement and address (it's the one on Western Avenue).

My final exciting announcement is that today is the release day for my friend Magan Vernon's novel, How To Date An Alien. If that title doesn't make you want to read it, this great cover will:
I hope you'll join me in celebrating with Magan and stop by her website to congratulate her. When you stop by her site be sure to click on her blog link and enter her fantastic giveaway. An eBook version of The Secret Of Spruce Knoll: A Channeler Novel is among the many prizes!

New Release by the Fabulous LK Gardner-Griffie

For those wondering where I'm at on the Spruce Knoll for Endangered species tour today, I'm over at my friend Jessie Harrell's place. I hope you'll stop by to learn more about dolphins and get an extra entry in the contest! Today please welcome my friend and fabulous author, LK Gardner-Griffie. She has a new release out in the outstanding Misfit McCabe series. LK and her main character Katie are her today to tell us all about her new novel Tattered. Take it away LK!

LK: First of all, I'd like to thank Heather McCorkle for hosting the Tattered tour today. Heather and I met on Twitter, but got to know one another better through another blog tour to help a mutual friend celebrate signing with an agent. As writers we learn to celebrate every single success! Heather recently launched her debut novel, The Secret of Spruce Knoll and right now is doing a blog tour of her own with a special edition of her novel and some of the proceeds will go toward helping endangered species, so definitely check that out while you're here.

1. For today's prize of a paperback copy of Misfit McCabe along with The Secret of Spruce Knoll by our host, Heather McCorkle, simply comment on this post.
2. To get a free ebook copy of Misfit McCabe:
• Put together the puzzle and write down the code. Each day will give another part of the coupon code. Please note at the top whether it is for eBook or Print.
• Once you have collected the entire code, go to Smashwords and purchase Misfit McCabe input the code and download whichever ebook version you need for free.
3. To get 50% off the print version of Misfit McCabe:
• Put together the puzzle and write down the code. Each day will give another part of the coupon code. Please note at the top whether it is for eBook or Print.
• Once you have collected the entire code, go to Griffie World Store and purchase Misfit McCabe input the code and receive 50% off the purchase price.
4. To win the KINDLE FIRE
• Support this tour by commenting on each of the daily stops -- It's only 11 days, not even as long as the 12 days of Christmas.
• And since Heather was nice enough to help me promote my new book, please check out Heather's tour (all stops are listed under news/events) and her author page on Facebook.

Tattered is the third novel in the heartwarming young adult series, Misfit McCabe. A little about the book:

What do Sunday afternoon court proceedings, cheerleader tryouts, and a book burning have in common? Katie McCabe is back in action.

After her nemesis Harvey is found guilty and sentenced to community service, Katie wants to believe her troubles are over, but Harvey won’t rest until he gets revenge. When blackmail rears its ugly head, she’s caught between friends and enemies putting her growing relationship with Tom at stake. Books go up in flames and Katie’s world rains down in tatters.

I'd like to introduce Katie McCabe, the fourteen-year-old main character of Tattered and she's going to talk about the character pictured in the puzzle below.

Katie: Hi! Thanks for having me on your blog today, Heather. I was really excited when I found out I got to go on the tour too. The cute guy in the picture is Tom Pike. He's a junior and the captain and quarterback for the football team. Okay, I know what you're thinking... typical jock, but you're wrong. Tom is the nicest, sweetest, most sensitive guy I know, and it doesn't hurt that he's hunky. And... I'm not used to saying this, 'cause it's kinda a secret, but he's my boyfriend.

I promise not to go all mushy on you and gush for the next fifteen minutes on what a fabulous guy he is -- he is, and that's all I need to say about that. Tom was the second person I met, outside of family, when I came to town. The first was the despicable Harvey Denton, Jr. (Ugh!) but I don't have to talk about him right now. But he kinda comes into the story of how Tom and I met. Harvey's mom made him show me around town and over at the park I saw these guys tossing a football around. Before I could really check them out, I mean say anything to them, Harvey showed his true colors and I punched him. Tom congratulated me for being the first person to put Harvey in his place. Then he offered to show me the way back when Harvey went off and left me.

I recently learned that Tom's parents are really strict... I thought Uncle Charley and Sarah were strict, but they are NOTHING compared to Tom's folks. *whispers* They don't like me much. I guess it didn't help when I got into an argument with them before I knew who they were. Maybe I should give them some credit because Tom is such a good guy, but I like to think that he's such a good guy in spite of the way his parents are. Anyway, I know that when you get to know him as well as I do, you'll like him just as much.

LK: Put the puzzle below together for part of the code to receive 50% off Misfit McCabe at the Griffie World Store. And make sure you visit Eisley Jacobs on tomorrow's stop on the tour. And for all details on the tour, the prizes, and the stops, please visit Griffie World.

Stop Two Along the Tour

I'm sorry to say that I don't have a Friday Creature Feature for you today. I had planned on a great one as I'm going to be featuring endangered species (real critters!) this month. But I'm sick and my head is so fuzzy I can't form sentences very well. You don't want to know how long it took to write this short post.

But I won't let you go completely emptied-handed. Today on the Spruce Knoll for Endangered Species tour I'm over at my friend Theresa's blog, Tales of Teaching Tribulations and Typing Teen Texts. Whew, I'm exhausted just typing that. We're featuring the panda so come on over to learn more about it, and to get an extra entry/point for the contest! Then, to enter, come back and click on the sidebar button for the contest.

Winner of the New Author Blog Hop Giveaway

Thank you so much to everyone who entered to win a copy of Spruce Knoll through the New Author Blog Hop giveaway. I was blown away by the amount of people who entered. You peeps made my month. :) I won't keep you in suspense. The winner of the first copy of the Compass Press edition of The Secret Of Spruce Knoll: A Channeler Novel is:

Persephone

But if you didn't win don't worry, there is another great giveaway going on right now during my tour, Spruce Knoll for Endangered Species! To enter click here. Then I hope you'll join me over at my good friend Elle Strauss's place for the first stop along the tour.

Last of the I Love Dark YA Blogfest

To read my entry for the last day of the I Love Dark YA blogfest (which is the dark YA novel I'm most looking forward to) go here!

Spruce Knoll For Endangered Species

To celebrate the release of the special edition of The Secret of Spruce Knoll: A Channeler Novel from Compass Press, I'm doing a special giveaway. Tomorrow the mini-tour for this novel begins and so do your changes for winning a prize.


From December 1st~17th: The Spruce Knoll For Endangered Species tour and giveaway is occurring! Between it's publication date and 12-12-12, a percentage of the proceeds from the sale of each Compass Press edition of this novel (all formats) will go toward my favorite charity that specializes in saving endangered species. My goal is to raise at least $10,000. Together we can make a difference. To see a list of the tour stops, click on the News/Events page.

1st place: *A symbolic adoption of an endangered species ($50 donation by me. Symbolic stuffed animal and adoption papers sent to the winner). You get to choose the species here. 

*A signed hardback of the Compass Press special edition of The Secret Of Spruce Knoll: A Channeler Novel
*Great swag

2nd place: A signed paperback of the Compass Press special edition of The Secret Of Spruce Knoll: A Channeler Novel
*Great swag

Prizes will be mailed on December 19th (as long as the winners get their addresses to me quickly) so hopefully they'll arrive in time for the holiday! To enter, be a follower and leave a comment on this post.

To earn extra points/entries:
+1 for spreading the word on Twitter, Facebook, or other social networks.

+2 for writing a blog post about the contest and/or for placing a link on your sidebar (leave me a comment and I'd be happy to send you my tour button). 

Happy Book Birthday To Untraceable

Teaser Tuesday is postponed to celebrate the book birthday of my friend Shelli (S.R.) Johannes's Untraceable. This is one book you don't want to miss, trust me (and I LOVE this cover)! Here's a bit about it to show you why:

16 year old Grace was reared in the wilderness. Her first pet was a bear named Simon. Her first potty, an oak tree. And, her first swing, a forest vine. Grace has lived in the Smokies all her life, patrolling with her forest ranger father who taught her everything he knew about wildlife, tracking, and wilderness survival.

When Grace's dad goes missing on a routine patrol, unlike everyone in her sleepy mountain town, she refuses to believe he’s dead. After finding a Cheetos bag and stolen government file, Grace is convinced she’s one step closer to proving all the non-believers wrong.

Soon she’s enmeshed in a web of conspiracy, deception, and murder. And it’s going to take a lot more than a compass and a motorcycle (named Lucifer) for this kick-butting heroine to emerge from an epidemic that’s spreading like wild fire, threatening everything and everyone she’s ever loved.


There is much fun to be had on Shelli's tour. Check out this link to learn all the stops on the way and to learn more about Untraceable, then add this one to your holiday shopping list!

Monday's Muse~Supporting Authors

I'm happy to be participating in a great giveaway in support of four debut authors. There are many ways to win so be sure to read through all the details. Here they are:

Support Four Debut Authors and Snag $125! 

On November 28 and/or 29, purchase 1 or all 4 of the debut author’s books listed here. Then forward proof of purchase (the receipt Amazon sends you will do just fine) to: motionsrider@yahoo.ca and get up to 4 entries into a draw for a $100 Amazon gift card! It’s that easy, no reviews, no hoops to jump through. Just a great .99 book or two. Or three or four. AND, if the person who wins the $100 Amazon Gift Card has purchased all 4 books, an additional $25 Amazon Gift Card will be awarded to the winner!

On top of that, 2 random commenter’s picked from 2 of our participating blogs will receive $5 gift Amazon gift cards . So, be sure to leave a comment and let us know what you think of the promo, the books, or the authors. Winners will be chosen randomly, one entry per person, per book. All winners will be announced on December 7th on Wringing Out Words.

The books: 

Between by Cyndi Tefft

It just figures that the love of Lindsey Water's life isn't alive at all, but the grim reaper, complete with a dimpled smile, and Scottish accent.

After transporting souls to heaven for the last 300 years, Aiden MacRae has all but given up on finding the one whose love will redeem him and allow him entry through the pearly gates.

Torn between her growing attraction to Aiden and heaven's siren song, Lindsey must learn the hard way whether love really can transcend all boundaries. 

Until Dawn: Last Light by Jennifer Simas

When darkness falls, whose side will you be on?

For the past six years, Zoë has been anything but “normal.” Struggling to accept her immortality and thrown into a war that’s been waging in the shadows for over a thousand years, Zoë must now become who she was meant to be, joining the other Chosen to save what’s left of humanity. When the endless night falls over the Earth, will she be able to save the one man who reminds her of what it is to be human, or will it be too late?

Until Dawn: Last Light is a story of death and despair, love and longing, hope and hopelessness, and the ability to survive and keep going even when it seems impossible – when you want nothing more than to give up.

The Kayson Cycle by Jonathan D. Allen

A stranger enters a dying town and makes a desperate plea…

The Kayson Cycle introduces the Kayson Brothers, a pair of faith healers who once wowed crowds in a traveling show but went their separate ways after a night in which a healing took a dark turn. Jeffrey Kayson disappeared into the wilderness and William Kayson, wracked by guilt, moved to the failing mining town of Calico Hills to build a nice, quiet life – one that has lasted for over ten years.

His quiet, predictable life crumbles when a mysterious stranger walks into his tavern bearing a proposal to find his long-lost brother and do the one thing that William has sworn to never do again - have his brother heal a woman. William soon learns that he can’t escape his family – or his destiny.

Includes an exclusive sample chapter of The Corridors of the Dead. Please note that this is a Kindle Single, and around 6,000 words in length.

Sundered by Shannon Mayer

A miracle drug, Nevermore, spreads like wildfire throughout the world allowing people to eat what they want, and still lose weight. It is everything the human population has ever dreamed of and Mara is no different. Only a simple twist of fate stops her from taking Nevermore.

As the weeks roll by, it becomes apparent that Nevermore is not the miracle it claimed. A true to life nightmare, the drug steals the very essence that makes up humanity and unleashes a new and deadly species on the world that is bent on filling its belly. Locked down within their small farm home, Mara and her husband Sebastian struggle against increasingly bad odds, fighting off marauders and monsters alike.

But Sebastian carries a dark secret, one that more than threatens to tear them apart, it threatens to destroy them both and the love they have for each other.

Now Mara must make the ultimate choice. Will she live for love, or will she live to survive?

Don't forget, you can win by purchasing the books and forwarding proof to motionsrider@yahoo.ca or by commenting on this post, so be sure to leave a comment. Best of luck to all of you and happy reading!

Friday Creature Feature~Selkies & Tangled Tides

Today’s Friday Creature Feature is special because it is in celebration of the release of Tangled Tides, by Karen Hooper. There is a war going on amidst the sea creatures and those of us participating in Karen’s tour are taking sides. Take a look at this amazing cover. Doesn’t it make you just want to pick it up?! Here is a bit about the book:

Yara Jones doesn’t believe in sea monsters—until she becomes one.

When a hurricane hits her island home and she wakes up with fins, Yara finds herself tangled up in an underwater world of mysterious merfolk and secretive selkies. Both sides believe Yara can save them by fulfilling a broken promise and opening the sealed gateway to their realm, but they are battling over how it should be done. The selkies want to take her life. The merfolk want something far more precious. 

Treygan, the stormy-eyed merman who turned Yara mer, will stop at nothing and sacrifice everything to protect his people—until he falls for Yara. The tides turn as Yara fights to save herself, hundreds of sea creatures, and the merman who has her heart. She could lose her soul in the process—or she might open the gateway to a love that’s deeper than the oceans.

I can hardly wait for my copy to arrive! Join in the fun and stop by Twitter where Karen is giving away a signed copy along with some fun sea creature giveaways. To enter all you have to do is tweet using the #TangledTides hashtag, choose a side (mermfolk, selkies, gorgons, or sirens) and why. You can learn more about Karen at her Author Website and can find Tangled tides on Amazon, B&N, and Goodreads. 

And I choose selkies! Why, because they're one of my favorite Irish legends. :) I can hardly wait to read about them in Karen's book. 

I Love Dark YA Blogfest~Life Changing Novel

Today is sadly the last post for the I Love Dark YA blogfest. I've been having so much fun and have met so many amazing people. For today's post we have to choose a dark YA book to feature that has touched our lives. I've chosen the very first dark YA book that I read as a teen. The only reason I read it was because it was required reading, and I'm so glad it was because it opened my eyes and changed something inside me.







Friendship, love, hardship, tragedy, and learning to accept people as they are, The Outsiders has it all. It was a classic then and still holds the title today. What dark YA novel has touched your life?

Scroll down to see my entry for the New Author Blog Hop, and enter the giveaway!

New Author Blog Hop And Giveaway

I'm honored to be participating in Saba's~from Of Thoughts and Words~New Author Blog Hop. I'm to provide details about my book and links where it can be found, and as the special edition from Compass Press has just released, the timing couldn't be better. Here is a bit about my YA urban fantasy, The Secret Of Spruce Knoll:

Following the death of her parents, Eren Donovan moves to Spruce Knoll to live with an aunt she’s never met. Little does Eren know, the entire population are channelers—magical people who immigrated there when they were driven out of their homelands. Channelers are tied to the fate of the world, and as it slowly dies, they are going extinct—and they alone have the power to save the earth. Soon, Eren learns she not only lives among them, but she is one. When she meets local boy Aiden, his charm convinces her that being a channeler may not be all bad though.

As Eren and Aiden’s relationship develops, so too does a mystery in Spruce Knoll. The town holds many secrets—and many dangers. It soon becomes apparent that the untimely death of Eren’s parents was no accident and that her life might be in danger too. Only time will tell if Eren can embrace her unwanted power and protect the only family she has left.

This is a special edition that contains an extra chapter and deleted material not published in the Abbott Press version. But what makes this version special is that a percentage of the proceeds from every copy of the special edition sold~digital and bound book~will go to my favorite charity that specializes in protecting endangered species. I hope you'll join me in trying to raise $10,000 for the charity by December 12th of 2012 by ordering a copy of the special edition for yourself or your loved ones. You can pre-order a signed paperback by clicking on the 'buy link' on the left sidebar. Or, you can purchase the eBook from Amazon or Barnes and Noble now. Look for my tour and another giveaway starting December 1st! Together, we can make a difference.

If you'd like to win a copy of the paperback of this novel, all you have to do is be a follower and leave me a comment. The winner will be announced December 1st! To see the other great authors participating in the blog hop, and to enter even more contests, check out Of Thoughts and Words.

Tuesday Writing Tip~Most Important Tip

Last week was a rough one for me and my writing for many reasons. My friends helped pull me through it though (yes you!) and I emerged on the other side, perhaps not unscathed, but I emerged! As writers we all go through rough patches where something is challenging us, rejections, editing, outlining, that first draft, or outside forces. This tip~and you wonderful people~got me through it.

The most important writing tip ever: Never give up. The moment you do, that's the moment you fail. But if you never give up, then you can never fail. Friends will be there to pull you through. Don't be afraid to talk about it or even ask for help. 

One of the helping hands that lifted me up and made me smile last week was Christie from The Ficiton Enthusiast who wrote this sweet review of The Secret Of Spruce Knoll and blogged about my upcoming giveaway. How about you, any writing tips of your own to share? 

Monday's Muse~Helping Hands

This beautiful snowy view out my window with the bald eagle kept me going and inspired me despite the fact that I felt like I was stuck in an eternally burning pit with demons snapping at my heals (formatting will do that to you). It was a rough week to put it lightly. But all is well, and I’m back on track. Whew! For anyone who has every had one of those days (weeks, months, years), I’m raising a glass of wine to you tonight during the #WritersRoad chat on Writing Helping Hands. I hope you’ll join us. It’s a half hour chat followed by a half hour word war (writing sprint). Click here to join us at 6pm PT.

These last few weeks I’ve been reading Glow by Amy Kathleen Ryan. I had trouble in the beginning. The writing just didn’t pull me in and the striking (and numerous) similarities between this and a friend of mine’s book (Across The Universe by Beth Revis, which I loved by the way) were too hard to ignore. The deeper I got into the book though, the more I realized how different the two novels were, and the more drawn in I became. Soon I couldn’t put it down. Both books are wonderful and unique in their own way and they are a great example of how two similar books can both be successful. I must admit though, the end~or lack thereof~of Glow made me want to throw it against the wall. I don't normally need a nicely wrapped up book, but this is the kind of ending agents normally hate (and reject books for), so it kind of ticks me off to see them allowing it for some and not others.

What inspired you last week? Reading anything good, or have you read either of these books? If so, what did you think?

I Love Dark YA Blogfest Casting Call

Today for the I Love Dark YA Blogfest we're picking one of our favorite dark YA novels, casting it, and giving it a soundtrack. There are a ton of YA novels I love, but because I'm strapped for time~and because I thought you might like to know who I'd cast~I'm going to pick The Secret Of Spruce Knoll.

Vanessa Hudgens are Eren Donovan. Her hair is a bit light since Eren has truly black hair, but that can be fixed. Otherwise, she has the same slightly exotic look, and despite some cheesy roles, she can act (no seriously!).

Taylor Kisch as Aiden Moldovan. Need I say why? *sigh* Those hazel eyes are just perfect and his ability to play a lost, slightly sullen teen is unparalleled. Okay, maybe not, but I'm smitten, what can I say? Sure, he'll be too old by the time the movie is ever made, but a girl can dream.

I've always thought Michelle Rodrigues would make the perfect Aunt Sylvia. It's time someone gave the lady a role besides a bada** with a gun. Don't get me wrong, she plays that role fabulously, but I have faith she can do so much more. Besides, Aunt Sylvia is a bit of a bada**.

As for the soundtrack, that's easy. Avril Lavigne in her dark days did music that inspired all throughout writing the channeler series. So what do you think of my case and soundtrack? Is it what you envisioned or not?

Writing Tip Tuesday~Extra Eyes

This week's writing tip is one that I didn't always embrace. It can be hard for us writers to share our babies with others. There is a lot of fear in handing over your work to someone else for their critique. However, it is essential to having a truly polished novel. Your critique partners, beta readers, or editor will catch things you can't.

Tip: Find someone whose opinion you trust and have them read your novel, or at least key chapters of your novel, to help you with it.

If you don't know anyone then it might be time to join a writer's forum, find other writers on Twitter (the weekly #WritersRoad chat on Twitter every Monday night is a great place), blogger, or even on Facebook. Reach out, there are always people who are willing to help.

Monday's Muse~Special Tour

Last week I was deeply inspired by the amount of friends who wanted to be part of my mini-tour for the release of the special edition of The Secret Of Spruce Knoll. Thank you so much to all of you, I'm touched. The tour will be from December 1st through the 17th. This tour is dear to me as it is the launch of the novel that will help save endangered species. Between it's publication date and 12-12-12, a percentage of the proceeds from the sale of each Compass Press edition of this novel (all formats) will go toward my favorite charity that specializes in saving endangered species. My goal is to raise at least $10,000. It's a lofty goal, I know. But I figured why not reach for the stars?

Of course there will be prizes on this tour! Entrants must be followers of this blog. Winners will be drawn December 18th and announced December 19th. An extra point/entry will be given to those who follow the blogs that are stops along the tour (one extra entry/point for each that you follow) so let me know who else you follow that is on the tour. To see a list click on the News/Events tab above. There are a few dates still available if you'd like to be part of the tour!

1st place: *A symbolic adoption of an endangered species ($50 donation by me). You get to choose the species here. 

*A signed hardback of the Compass Press special edition of The Secret Of Spruce Knoll: A Channeler Novel

2nd place: A signed paperback of the Compass Press special edition of The Secret Of Spruce Knoll: A Channeler Novel

Prizes will be mailed on December 19th (as long as the winners get their addresses to me quickly) so hopefully they'll arrive in time for the holiday! So mark your calendars, and come back in two weeks for the big celebration! What inspired you last week?

Dark C.A.R.M.A. Book Birthdays

We're interrupting Friday Creature Feature to bring you the fabulous Dark C.A.R.M.A. tour! Three of my friends are having a book birthday today and you don't won't to miss these amazing books. Be sure to stop by the link above to enter the giveaway. But first, a bit about their books:

Become, by Ali Cross: Sixteen-year old Desolation Black wants nothing more than to stay in Hell where it’s cold and lonely and totally predictable. Instead, she’s sent back to Earth where she must face the evil she despises and the good she always feared.

When Desi is forced to embrace her inner demon, she assumes her choice has been made—that she has no hope of being anything other than what her father, Lucifer, has created her to be. What she doesn’t count on, is finding a reason to change—something she’s never had before—a friend.

Bound, by C.K. Bryant: When a photo shoot ends in tragedy, Kira discovers her best friend, Lydia, has been keeping a secret. Knowing the truth, and accepting it, will change Kira’s life forever and thrust her into a world of ancient curses, magical objects, and savage enemies. What happens next will challenge everything Kira knows about her world, herself and the shape-shifting warrior she’s falling in love with. No longer the timid mouse her mother accused her of being, but a woman who finds the mental and physical strength to endure and survive.

Exhiled, by Rashelle Workman: Stubborn, sixteen-year-old Princess Venus of Kelari wants one thing, to become a kelvieri, that is, until someone exiles her to Earth, kills her irrihunter and takes her family.
Now she wants revenge.

First she’s got to get home. But before she can return to Kelari, the Gods have commanded her to help an arrogant boy named Michael find his soul mate.

Only she doesn't know the first thing about love.

I Love Dark YA Blogfest Week 2

This week during the I Love Dark YA blogfest we're supposed to write a 500 word short on this photo. Here goes:

The hatch protests with a horrible screech as it opens for the first time in ten years. Pale sunlight pours into the tiny opening to the surface world, blinding even it's softness. But it's beautiful, warm on my skin. I have forgotten how it looked, how it felt. But it isn't the bright, beautiful yellow I remember. It's white and muted, like it used to look on cloudy days.

With limbs that shake from anticipation, I climb the hatch ladder. The natural light hurts my eyes, forcing me to shade them as I take my first steps onto the surface. Peeking through my hands, I see that the world is now washed out shades of gray. Where is all the green? Gone, all gone. My eyes sting with tears.

A twig snaps, a hollow, dead sound. I am not alone.

Now I'm off to visit the other blogfesters! I hope you'll join me. 

Teaser Tuesday And Swag Pack Giveaway

Before we get to Teaser Tuesday, I need to announce the winner of Kristie Cook's Soul Saver swag pack from her Genesis tour giveaway! And the winner is:

Anonymous: christina.irelan@gmil.com

(I'm not sure if that's your complete email address so be sure to leave a comment so Kristie can get a hold of you). Congratulations to Christina!

Now for Teaser Tuesday. Today's teaser is from The Secret Of Spruce Knoll page 14:

Eren's knee hurt and her elbow stung, but she forgot about them both in an instant. Above her hovered the most amazing hazel eyes framed by a shock of tousled brown hair streaked through with black highlights. It was a boy, and he was lying on top of her. She fought a flush of embarrassment and lost.

Okay your turn! Leave me a teaser from your work in progress, or from what your reading if you would like!

Monday's Muse~Snow

Last week the snow was my inspiration. The way it blew in and blanketed the world around me, heralding the arrival of winter, seemed to reflect what is going on in my writing life (for those who are wondering, this view is out my back door. I know, I'm so lucky!). Things are a whirlwind of activity with my special edition of Spruce Knoll coming out at the end of this month, but in a good way. I'm starting to get ready for preparing my mini blog tour in December so if you'd like me to stop by your blog leave me a comment! The focus of the mini tour will be Spruce Knoll For Endangered Species.

I'm reading Glow by Amy Ryan. The writing style reminds me of the way sci-fi used to be written, with a bit of detachment. While tons of people love this style, I'm not one of them so it hasn't exactly pulled me in yet. I'm hoping it will grow on me though. It has kept me reading after 50 pages so I have hope!

What inspired you last week? Reading anything good, or have you read Glow and have a different opinion?

I Love Dark YA Blogfest~Favorite Read

Every Wednesday this month I'm joining my co-hosts Christa, Kelly, E.R., YAtopia and many other blogger friends in celebrating my love of dark young adult novels. So you won't see my Wednesday Writing Goal posts for a month. But the timing is great since I know many of you are busy with NaNo. Each week we have a different theme. You don't want to miss all the stops because it will be a ton of fun and we'll be doing a giveaway at the end of the month. To see what the themes are, and who is participating, click here.

This week we're blogging about our favorite dark YA novel (s). There are so many great ones that I had a lot of trouble choosing so I'm featuring three.

The first is Crank by Ellen Hopkins. It is the epitome of dark. In fact, it's a subject most people don't want to touch and Ellen tackled it beautifully. Any and all of Ellen's books fall under this beautifully dark category. She isn't afraid to go where others won't tread and I respect her tremendously for that.

The second is Under My Skin by Judith Graves. Judith takes an overly used theme, breathes exciting new life into it (no pun intended), and makes me want to read about vampires and werewolves again. Her wonderful, edgy novel puts a unique twist on the paranormal and will surely re-kindle your love of the genre.

The third is a series that I have just recently discovered and was blown away by how much I liked it. The Gone series by Michael Grant is all about dark. It has been described as "if Stephen King had written The Lord Of The Flies," and I must say, that is a perfect description. With graphic scenes of violence, it isn't for the faint of heart but it is definitely for those seeking a thrill ride packed with paranormal elements.

If you read dark YA, what's your favorite novel?