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Imagination is the beginning of all creation. ~George Bernard Shaw

Monday, October 27, 2014

Zombie Crawl Blog Party!

For this blog stop, I'm giving away an ebook of Released from the Darkness, book two in the Concealed in the Shadows (because book one is already FREE). For a chance to win, download my free ebook, like my series' FB Fan Page, or become a fan on Goodreads and/or add one of my books to your TBR pile. Leave a comment on this blog post to let me know how you entered! :)

Thank you Band of Dystopian Authors and Fans for creating this unique blog tour! Halloween is my favorite holiday, so I always pounce on opportunities to participate in the creeping and crawling that goes on this time of year. That being said, I can't believe I don't have a photo to share of myself gored up as a zombie! I gutted the insides of my computer, but could not produce one.



I haven't read many books featuring zombies, but I enjoyed the twist in the Maze Runner series. I was constantly trying to determine the main antagonist as I read. Was it the maze? Grievers? Wicked? *SPOILER: the real enemy was the virus that spread like wildfire after the flare and turned humans into... you guessed it--zombies!

I am Legend and World War Z are two of my favorite movies that center around zombies. I know both movies were based on books (as so many good movies are), but I have not read the books.

Where is your all-time favorite zombie group featured?

Don't forget to visit BandofDystopian.com for the grand prize!


Now keep crawling along you brain dead, flesh-eaters. ;)

Zombie Crawl Blog Party Schedule

Party Host & Grand Prize: Band of Dystopian

October 22

Hope To Read | Author Jamie Canosa

October 23

Author E.R. Arroyo

October 24

Author Christy Sloat | Author N.W. Harris

October 25

Author David Moon

October 26

Two Girls & A Book

October 27

Secret Life of a Townie | The Writer’s Roadtrip

Author Michael Halliday | Author Aria Michaels

Imagine, Create, Share, Repeat!

October 29

Precious Monsters | Author Kate L. Mary

Z Plan - Zombie Book Series | Author Michelle Muckley

October 30

Author Rhiannon Frater | Author Cameo Renae

Author Angela Cavanaugh

October 31

Author Jessica Meigs

I Feel the Need, the Need to Read

Thursday, October 16, 2014

"Smoke Rising" Cover Reveal

COVER REVEAL: KINDLING FLAMES (SMOKE RISING) by Julie Wetzel

KINDLING FLAMES— Smoke Rising by Julie Wetzel
Publisher: Crimson Tree Publishing
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Release Day: December 19, 2014
Book #2 in The Kindling Flames Series

Is there such a thing as a normal life when you live with an ancient vampire and a temperamental hellhound? 

Victoria Westernly was just starting to think so. With Samhain just around the corner and the promise of a Halloween Ball, her life was looking good. Even the addition of a new master vampire couldn’t bring her down. 

When Victoria and Darien become the victims of a series of unfortunate accidents, they know something’s up. Where there’s smoke, there’s fire. But, the question is… who is burning what?

CRIMSON TREE PUBLISHING NEW RELEASES NOW AVAILABLE:

KINDLING FLAMES (GATHERING TINDER) 
FREE!



KINDLING FLAMES (FLYING SPARKS) by Julie Wetzel





ABOUT AUTHOR JULIE WETZEL

Originally from Ohio, Julie always dreamed of a job in science. Either shooting for the stars or delving into the mysteries of volcanoes. But, life never leads where you expect. In 2007, she moved to Mississippi to be with her significant other. 

Now a mother of a hyperactive red headed boy, what time she’s not chasing down dirty socks and unsticking toys from the ceiling is spent crafting worlds readers can get lost it. Julie is a self-proclaimed bibliophile and lover of big words. She likes hiking, frogs, interesting earrings, and a plethora of other fun things. 

Julie Wetzel is the author of Kindling Flames, Book 1 in The Ancient Fire Series. Kindling Flames is scheduled to release through Crimson Tree Publishing in the Fall of 2014.


More from Crimson Tree Publishing:



Monday, August 11, 2014

Giveaway! 2000 Likes and 26 Years Old!

The Concealed in the Shadows Facebook Page has reached the 2000 likes milestone! I would like to thank my supporters by offering a giveaway!

**Winners outside the domestic US will receive a signed bookmark as an alternative 3rd or 4th prize, or a signed bookmark and a RftD ebook as an alternative 2nd or grand prize!

Good luck!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monday, July 21, 2014

Vlog #3 "Confessions"

Creations, confessions, and questions, OH MY!

Watch to see what crazy quirk I'll confess! Eek!

Wednesday, July 9, 2014

Hidden Monster COVER REVEAL and GIVEAWAY

We are excited to share the official COVER REVEAL AND ARC GIVEAWAY for Hidden Monster by Amanda Strong. Hidden Monster is scheduled to release by Clean Teen Publishing on November 4, 2014. This young adult sic-fi thriller will keep you on the edge of your seat as you try to determine who the bad guy is. You will be suspecting everyone all the way until the stunning conclusion at the end. HIDDEN MONSTER is book one in The Dragon Fae Series. 

HIDDEN MONSTER by Amanda Strong


The breathing halted as the ski mask cocked to one side. His voice slurred, “What do I want?” I bit my lip to keep from gasping. He’d never responded before. “It’s obvious isn’t it? I want you to fall in love with me.”

For seventeen-year-old Samantha Campbell, running back woods trails usually means freedom from her less-than-perfect life. That is, until the day a morning run turns into a living nightmare. When Samantha wakes up to find herself bound to a dirty, pinstriped mattress, she realizes she’s anything but free. With a masked abductor repeatedly injecting her arm with an unknown substance while holding her captive, Samantha tries in vain to find out what he wants, but he refuses to speak. Until the day he breaks his silence and his twisted words are worse than what she’d imagined. He promises her one day she will fall in love with him but the best part will be that she won't know who he is... until it's too late. 

Finding herself freed from captivity, with her captor still at large, Samantha is on guard against everything and everyone around her. Unfortunately, walling up her heart proves difficult when eighteen-year-old Blake Knightley moves in next door. When Samantha starts experiencing strange changes within her, she realizes her captor may have left her more damaged than she originally thought. Now she must turn to Blake for help in order to unearth the truth behind the monster who started this all... or risk experiencing worse things than just falling in love.

ENTER TO WIN: 
1 Digital Advance Release Copy of Hidden Monster 
(Be the first to read the book before it releases in November!)
1 Digital Copy of The Awakener by Amanda Strong
SWAG: Bookmarks and Bracelet



Are you excited about Hidden Monster? Well you don't have to wait until November to read one of Amanda Strong's amazing books! Check out The Awakener today! 

THE AWAKENER
Young Adult Paranormal Romance
Clean Teen Publishing

A simple touch will change their lives forever. 

Seeing Micah for the first time in years, fifteen year old Eden wants nothing more than to run and hide, but instead in a moment of sheer embarrassment, she throws her arms around his neck; unaware she just changed her childhood friend forever.

With eyes’ opened to the realm of angels and demons, Micah discovers he has become the Seer, called to save the world from an impending fire.  Shy and awkward, Eden stumbles through high school clueless her guardian angel shadows her every move, keeping her safe while she unknowingly “awakens” others to their spiritual gifts. Micah will need those Eden touched to complete his mission which began long ago in the ancient City of Enoch and its secret underground temple. 

With angels and demons fighting around them, both Eden and Micah must find their own personal courage and faith in order to know what to do for the battle that awaits them, one they must triumph or risk losing everyone they love.




More About Amanda Strong:


Born in Dekalb, Illinois, Amanda Strong has called Utah, Arizona, Hawaii, Virginia and now New Mexico home. Amanda has been spinning tales since she was a child. Her family still remembers finding young Amanda with her bright pink glasses, hiding in random corners of the house while scribbling away in one of her many spiral-bound notebooks. You could say that some things never change since Amanda is still writing today. Amanda began her writing career when she uploaded The Awakener, her first full-length novel, on Wattpad where it received over 430,000 reads in four weeks. She was blown away and humbled by the reader support and feedback she received. Because of The Awakener's success as a non-published book, she was asked to talk on 1400 KSTAR about her story. 

In September 2013 Amanda Strong signed with Clean Teen Publishing for publication of The Awakener, which is scheduled to release in late October of this year. The Awakener is the first book in an all-new young adult paranormal romance series called: The Watchers of Men.  

When Amanda isn't writing, you can find her chasing her three rambunctious children around the house and spending time with her wonderful and supportive husband. On some occasions you can still find Amanda with her not-so-pink glasses, hiding in a corner reading her favorite young adult fantasy novels or working out only to blow her diet by eating ice cream. 

Want to READ MORE from Clean Teen Publishing?
Check out our huge selection of amazing reads! There's sure to be something for every reader!

Sunday, July 6, 2014

Breaking the Chains of Fear

Last week, I collaborated with a very talented photographer to create this image:
"In Chains" ©Kelsey Campion
When the photographer described "In Chains" to me, I couldn't help but relate the concept of the image to my own life. The subject is chained - to what, we don't necessarily know - yet she is somehow content, so much so that she is able to fall asleep in her captivity.

For me, the chain is not attached to a person or an object, but to a concept - fear. It could be fear of the unknown or fear of failure, as both have been known to paralyze me, but only because I've let them.

In the spring of 2012, I woke up. I realized I wasn't following my dreams because I was afraid I would fail. While still chained, I began to write a novel in secret. Upon its completion, I felt proud of myself. My pride gave me power and courage. I broke the chain, and shared my work with the world.

Did I meet rejection? YES! Time and again. But did I fail? NO. How can you fail by sharing a piece of yourself with others?

I would have failed if I let fear cripple me and put my talents to sleep. Instead, I confronted my fears. I challenge you to do the same, the same way I still challenge myself to defeat my fears in other aspects of my life.

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Once Upon a Time, A Bear Followed Me Home

I am a crazy animal lover who, maybe because of that, has had some crazy animal experiences. Let it be known, I am on the prowl for more this summer! Here are five of my wildest encounters:  

5. I scare deer, and not the other way around.
One morning, I was enjoying one of my routine runs around the best plot of land in Ham Lake. Like usual, my eyes were darting all about the woods in hopes of spotting creatures who also call the area home. I heard birds, one pheasant, the buzz of pesky mosquitoes, and something small tramping through the underbrush. I was quite satisfied when I happened to look up and see four raccoons huddled together in a tree. I suppose that was the moment I began to run harder and enjoy the woods less. As I rounded one corner, a doe sprang from her slumber under a deer stand (truth) and bolted. It's incredible that I didn't see her since she was laying along my footpath, and awesome that I wasn't the least bit startled by the large mammal who leaped from the woods as I passed. I love stalking deer, but I'm no hunter. I'm bound and determined to pet a wild one! This story was the closest I've come to date.  

4. I witnessed the meeting of two famous cats.
I am a living testament to the possibility of both loving cats way too much and still being (somewhat) cool. It's indisputable: I am a cat lady. In August, I attended the 2nd Annual Internet Cat Festival at the Minnesota State Fair, where the audience cooed when sensations Little Bub (the cute) and Grumpy Cat (the despicable) met on stage for the first time ever. Both were rather intimidated by each others' fame, but it was still awesome to see them together!

Lacy watches my author interview.
My cats are photographed as if they're famous.
Different kind of headlock.
      


 

3. Caterpillars grow into butterflies... in my mouth.
Since becoming a teacher, I have fallen in love with collecting monarch caterpillars in August and watching them change into butterflies. Initially, it was an introductory science unit to kick off a fun, hands-on school year. Since then, raising the monarchs has been my own quirky passion. That was, until I began have a recurring nightmare in which all the caterpillars chose the same, unique location to spin their silk button, insert their spinnerette, and hang out in J-phase until it was time to turn into a chrysalis. That location? My mouth. Even in my dreams, I was worried about disrupting the creatures during their most delicate stage of the life cycle. Naturally, I had my mom (who would often accompany me on these caterpillar-hunting sessions) reaching in two hands at a time to take the caterpillars out while I gagged on them and her fingers. There's nothing like a good summertime nightmare, especially one that keeps coming back long after the caterpillars have transformed and flown south!

2. A seagull once cast a spell on me.
I was walking to class one morning in Duluth, Minnesota when one of my strangest animal encounters occurred. A seagull suddenly swooped down from the sky to look me in the eye, quite literally. It was a methodical descent, not a agitated one, which made the occurrence totally unnerving. Surprised, I kept still while the bird slowly flapped it's wings to hover at eye-level. I felt like time slowed down. It was unreal! It just stared at me! I think it would have let me pet it in midair if I'd tried. Finally, I ducked down and ran under the bird to continue on my way. It lurched backward toward me, but also lifted a bit. I think it cast a spell on me. For what, I'll never know.

1. A bear followed me home from church one day. It was a sunny summer day in Duluth, Minnesota. I had just gone to church on campus, and was walking back to my house when something terrifying decided to join me on the stroll. A HUGE black bear emerged from the woods, crossed the road, and stepped onto the sidewalk like a civilized creature. He was anything but that. His fur was rough and matted. One of his ears was bitten and bloody. I. Was. Terrified! My heart raced and my pace naturally quickened. To my dismay, his did too! The bear lumbered along the sidewalk behind me. Finally, he took a turn toward an apartment building where I later learned bears frequent the dumpster. Maybe he was hungry and on a quest for a better breakfast than skinny-white-girl. Maybe, like me, he just wanted to get close enough to pet such a wild creature!

Monday, June 30, 2014

Vlog #1 "Introductions"

Introducing ... my new vlog! This video blog will be posted each week to share anything that I've created the previous week and answer your questions regarding my work. So please, share your comments and questions! You can also subscribe to my YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/user/garrowsmith13 and post comments there. I'm looking forward to this vlogging adventure!

Thursday, May 29, 2014

Are You a Fan of Revolution? Did You Love Firefly? Then Try Reading Concealed in the Shadows!

Following the example of another author, I made these images as a creative way to introduce my book to people who enjoy the TV series shown below. I don't watch much TV myself, so please tell me what you think! I'd love to pull in fans of other television shows, movies, or even other books, so if you think of any that remind you of the Concealed in the Shadows series, let me know!


Monday, May 19, 2014

Check out the Clean Teen Publishing Music Video!

I made this to celebrate CTP's one-year anniversary (which coincided with mine, being their first author)! Tell me what you think! Enjoy!


Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Publiversary Party Celebrating Concealed in the Shadows


Concealed in the Shadows was published by Clean Teen Publishing on May 17th, 2013 (it was the first book they released). Let's celebrate an amazing year with fun games and prizes! Stop by anytime during the party for chances to win!

Join the Facebook Party!

Saturday, April 19, 2014

Please Vote for Concealed in the Shadows!

You can vote daily until the contest closes on May 18th!

Sunday, April 13, 2014

Learning at Home by Rhonda Cratty


Learning at Home gives parents an idea each week with which to challenge and motivate their children.

Excerpt: Family Gardens Trigger Curiosity

Take a trip to your library and find gardening books. Then read, research, plan, and shop for your garden together. Let your child watch you learn and develop new skills from research. As they watch your positive attitude toward learning and mastering gardening, you encourage learning within your child.

Let it be their garden:
-Filled with their favorite vegetables to eat.
-An ABC flower garden, filled with plants from A to Z.
-They could make it in the shape of a heart, a star, or a magic old English rock trough.

Some “tiny-vegetables” with which to charm young gardeners are:
‘La Belle’ - mini filet bean
‘Little Ball’ - mini baby beet
‘Planet’ - a small, ball-shaped carrot
‘Early Aviv’ - baby onions
‘Cherries Jubilee’ - tiny potato
‘Munchkin’ - mini pumpkins

Even with the smallest, most unlikely spaces, you can awaken the love of gardening in your children.

One of the best books to instill the love of gardens in your children is Frances Hodgson Burnett’s The Secret Garden.

Rhonda Cratty includes her experiences of 30 years of public school teaching, raising children of her own, and articles written for on-line and hard copy publications within the pages of Learning at Home. This new parent resource can be purchased through Amazon. For more information visit famfunlearn.com.

Saturday, April 12, 2014

COVER REVEAL: WICKED POWER by DelSheree Gladden

Book 2 in the Someone Wicked This Way Comes Series. 
Release Day: May 1, 2014
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance
Clean Teen Publishing 

Find out why Kirkus Reviews said: The pairing of a formulaic start and formula-breaking ending makes the book ideal for paranormal-romance readers seeking a new spin on the familiar. 



“Wicked Power is what he craves. He collects it and turns it into wicked glory—the glory of ruling everything and everyone.”

Even after Vanessa and Zander Roth barely survive the Eroi's attempt to expose them for what they are, they aren't safe. Sitting balanced on the edge of impending death and unthinkable power, they reluctantly turn to the other Godlings for help. 

What they find and learn while being trained by the arrogant leader makes them question whether they are being trained to be a weapon for good or evil. Soon enough, Van and Zander find themselves once again on opposing paths. 

A lot of things happen to Godlings as they near their sixteenth birthday, including the impending full strength of their hunger. When Van starts exhibiting some strange abilities, which include a heightened intuition and frightening visions of the future, she soon learns that she's not like the others. She knows she must do everything she can to protect her secrets from their leader, who will use her as a weapon if he finds out. Thankfully, Van is not alone. She has the help of her best friend—and the one boy she shouldn't be falling in love with—Ketchup. 

While Van is dealing with her own problems, Zander finds himself embracing the training of the Godlings, even though their methods are cruel and harsh. He finds himself clinging to the hope that he can redeem himself, even after falling into Ivy's trap and putting their family's lives in danger. Along the way, Zander finds himself falling for an unlikely accomplice, who has him wondering if he even loved Ivy at all. 

Redemption and protection both take a backseat when a shocking discovery puts everything they have worked for in jeopardy. The choice between safety and freedom has never been more important, and in the end… they may not have a choice at all. 

Wicked Power is the second book in the all-new paranormal series, Someone Wicked This Way Comes.


WICKED HUNGER by DelSheree Gladden

AVAILABLE NOW!
Genre: YA Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Clean Teen Publishing




“Save him and hurt him, don’t save him and hurt him. Pain, either way. Delicious pain. Hunger will be the only one that wins. Hunger always wins.”

Vanessa and Zander Roth are good at lying. Their whole life is a giant web of deceit made in an effort to conceal the deadly secrets that plague their family.

Zander will do anything to forget his mistakes, including pushing everyone away. He was barely surviving in his self-forced solitude before Ivy Guerra entered his life. The new girl in school, with her pink-striped hair and unyielding curiosity, incites something wicked inside Zander that can only be blamed on his family genes. Now Zander is forced to fight an internal war and make a choice between loving Ivy Guerra and killing her.

Vanessa wants nothing more than to shed the strange powers she wields and be normal. Because if Van were normal, she’d be able to have normal things… Like a relationship with the boy she’s been secretly in love with for years. Unfortunately, her life is anything but ordinary. That boy who owns her heart just happens to be her brother’s kryptonite and a potential liability for her entire family. When choices between love and family loyalty have to be made, Van finds herself faced with an impossible decision.



As if the Roth family needs anything more to worry about, a vicious plot to expose Van and Zander for what they are is uncovered. When it becomes apparent that someone close to them is at the center of this devious plan, the fight to maintain control and keep their cover ensues. It's a seemingly impossible battle because something is causing their powers to stir stronger than ever before… and it won’t stop until Van and Zander give in to their wicked hunger.

Wicked Hunger is the first book in the all-new paranormal series, Someone Wicked This Way Comes.


KIRKUS REVIEW OF WICKED HUNGER

Teenage siblings with a dark secret find their lives complicated by the arrival of a mysterious girl.

Zander and Van are tougher and heal faster than ordinary teenagers. However, the price is a terrible, mysterious hunger—a bloodlust that becomes intensified by specific individuals. Younger Van does her best to suppress it so she can have friends and a normal life; Zander instead keeps everyone at arm’s length and warns Van that once her 16th birthday hits and her powers reach full strength, she should do so as well. Ivy, a new girl—cousin to one of Van’s friends—puts everything at risk. Both Zander and Van hunger to hurt her, but Zander falls for her in a push-pull love story reminiscent of Twilight, right down to Zander’s sneaking into Ivy’s room to watch her sleep. Van, however—when she’s not busy with a love triangle of her own, with a mysterious boy she’s just met and her trusty best friend, Ketchup—is suspicious that certain things don’t add up with Ivy. The conclusion, made strong by unraveling secrets and formula-shattering twists, sets up a sequel.

The pairing of a formulaic start and formula-breaking ending makes the book ideal for paranormal-romance readers seeking a new spin on the familiar. (Paranormal romance. 13-17) 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:


DelSheree Gladden lives in New Mexico with her husband and two children. The Southwest is a big influence in her writing because of its culture, beauty, and mythology. Local folk lore is strongly rooted in her writing, particularly ideas of prophecy, destiny, and talents born from natural abilities. When she is not writing, DelSheree is usually reading, painting, sewing, or working as a Dental Hygienist. Her works include Escaping Fate, Twin Souls Saga, The Destroyer Trilogy, and Invisible. The first book in the Someone Wicked This Way Comes series, Wicked Hunger, is scheduled to be released through Clean Teen Publishing on April 1, 2014.

Want to READ MORE from Clean Teen Publishing? 

Check out our huge selection of amazing reads! There's sure to be something for every reader!