T. R. Graves, Author

YA Indie Carnival - Name That Tune

2012-02-24T21:45:00.001-06:00

This week, the sponsors of the YA Indie Carnival are asking you to 'Name That Tune' while we share artists/songs that keep us writing. The passion these artists put to paper, the emotions they couple with their music, and the proof artists can be prosperous are perfect companions for writers striving to achieve success in a slightly different way. Because my choices are so eclectic, I thought it may be better to tell you who my favorite artists are (rather than make you guess) and the relevance of the songs they sing.

There are several recording artists mentioned throughout The Warrior Series. This topic makes themeligible for a more formal shout out. In addition to the singers who wereembedded within the series, I've included several songs emotionallypertinent to the story.

I love the way these posts always make me look at things in a new light.This one is no exception. With it, I've finally realized the songs most inspirational to me often havereligious undertones (while not being truly Christian...similar to Warriors of the Cross& Guardians of the Cross).

Adele

Really! Who's not inspired by someone with such a wonderfully beautiful voice? The passion she pours into her work is what I find the most motivating.

Kings of Leon

When I heard this was a group of brothers/cousins raised by a Pentecostal preacher, I was hooked. The religious traces mixed with the frank profanity and unique and raw talent draws me in every time.

Diane Birch

Diane's voice is phenomenal, and she is gorgeous. Forgivenessgives me chills.

Macy Gray

I Try will forever be one of my favorite songs because it is so not perfect that it is perfect.

Sheryl Crow

After hearing Redemption Day, I became a fan of Sheryl Crow's. This song is amazing!

Sarah Reeves

The second I heard Sarah Reeves' Come Save, I loved it enough to use it in Guardians of the Cross's book trailer.

Trading Voices

Like Come Save, Beautiful Design was my first choice when it came to Warriors of the Cross's book trailer.

Alison Krauss

This song reminds me of Sunday morning baptisms in Louisiana rivers and streams. It also conjures up images of The Sisters from The Warrior Series.

Alanis Morissette

This hidden track starts off with such hope and ends with so much despair that you feel like you've been on an emotional roller coaster once it's over.

Ememin

Emenim puts it all out there. Nothing is off limits. There is no denying his talent if you've ever heard Lose Yourself.

I'll Fly Away

This choice is more about the song than the singer. I heard I'll Fly Away week after week, sitting next to my grandmother in our pew at church. It's also the song she sang - folksy like this version - at my father's funeral...the funeral where she buried the last of her three children. By that time, she'd told me numerous times that she never wanted to outlive any of her children. When her last one died, it almost killed her. This song always makes me cry.

1.	Laura A. H. Elliott author of Winnemucca & 13 on Halloween, Book 1 in the Teen Halloween Series	2.	Bryna Butler, author Midnight Guardian series
3.	Heather Self	4.	T. R. Graves, Author of The Warrior Series
5.	Suzy Turner, author of The Raven Saga	6.	Cheri Schmidt, author of the Fateful Trilogy
7.	Rachel Coles, author of Into The Ruins, geek mom blog	8.	K. C. Blake, author of Vampires Rule and Crushed
9.	Patti Larsen, The Hunted series and The Hayle Coven series	10.	Amy Maurer Jones, Author of The Soul Quest Trilogy
11.	Dani Snell's Refracted Light Reviews	12.	Fisher Amelie, author of The Understorey
13.	M. Leighton, Blood Like Poison Series, Madly, The Reaping	14.	Kimberly Kinrade, Bits of You & Pieces of Me, Forbidden Mind
15.	Madeline Smoot, Missing, Summer Shorts, and The Girls	16.	Cidney Swanson, author of Rippler
17.	Gwenn Wright, author of Filter	18.	TG Ayer
19.	Melissa Pearl, Author of The Time Spirit Trilogy	20.	Heather M. White, author of The Destiny Saga
21.	Roots in Myth, PJ Hoover	22.	Courtney Cole Writes

Forever (The Wolves of Mercy Falls #3) byMaggie Stiefvater

2012-02-17T20:38:00.001-06:00

Forever (The Wolves of Mercy Falls #3) by Maggie Stiefvater

✯✯✯✯✯(5 Stars)

My biggest problem withForever (The Wolves of Mercy Falls #3) by Maggie Stiefvater is thefact that there's not a fourth book in the series (at least, not yet).

With Shiver (The Wolves of Mercy Falls, #1) and Linger (The Wolves of Mercy Falls, #2), I enjoyedreading about Grace and Sam...the evolution of their relationship, love, and commitment. With Forever (The Wolves of Mercy Falls #3), I found myself just as interested in Cole and Isabel and how they were going to react - or not - to each other.

As it has become customary, Maggie Stiefvater's description of the most mundane sliver of light or floating air particle made me feel like I was standing next to the characters in the middle of the story. As talented as she is with creating a setting, she's just as amazing at building relationships. She understands life-long love grows gradually with one tiny moment at a time. As the invisible bystanders, she allows us to experience those wonderful instants alongside with her characters. With each action, she creates a timeless world of true love, loyal friendship, and unconditional family. Maggie Stiefvater never disappoints.

This is a great series, and I would highly recommend it to almost anyone.

YA Indie Carnival - Kissin' and Tellin'

2012-02-16T20:08:00.000-06:00

On the heels of last week's steamy scenes, the sponsors of the YA Indie Carnival are sharing their favorite kiss-and-tell excerpts. I've chosen one from Guardians of the Cross (The Warrior Series, #2). It includes a very intimate kiss between Allison and Clark (not Brody). ENJOY!

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After getting stitched anddischarged, I waited alone on a bench outside of the ER lobby for Clark to bringthe car up to the entrance. AgainstBrody’s better judgment, I’d insisted he leave my side and let Dr. England knowabout our departure.

“Allison,” I heard someone callingmy name.

I looked around and cringed when Isaw both Suri and Betty coming my way.

Dammit!

I lifted the collar of my shirt,covering the knife’s wounds on my neck, and I pulled my hair toward my cheek,shielding the face cuts as much as possible. In damage control mode, I was thankful for the jacket Clark brought forme. It was the perfect camouflage forthe road burns covering my arms.

Watching as they bumped shouldersand egged the other on, I witnessed their mischievous grins switch to pretendmasks of concern the second they were in front of me. There was no way I would share anything aboutthe assault with them for obvious reasons. I learned from personal experience that they would take the smallestkernel of truth and twist and turn it until I became a monster who deservedbrutality.

“Allison, we missed you and Brodyduring morning’s rounds,” Betty crooned, openly insinuating Brody and I hadbeen together.

I glanced toward Suri. Evident was the red rage hate the stunningoriental beauty had for me. Intimidatedby her anger, I cowed and watched my wringing hands.

I’d known since the first day ofour residency Suri considered Brody an expedition into uncharted territory…achallenge she intended to conquer. Itwas a fixation reaching stalker levels after he saved her. She frequentlyused their bond to influence him, making him choose between us.

Refusing to battle her (or tearBrody apart), I’d spent months surrendering Brody to her claim. Since I would do anything for Clark, Icompletely understood - though resented - Brody’s passive acceptance of theunspoken agreement between Suri and myself. At least, he’d conceded until she tried to keep him away from me afterhe learned I was saving someone. He somehow knew I was using my powers andrealized I may need his assistance. Rather than allow that to happen, Suri forced Brody to choose betweenus. Ignoring her demands and severingtheir connection, Brody rushed to me and admitted his undying love.

As if kicked in the stomach, Surisuddenly sucked in a loud breath. Jerking my head up, I searched to see what had happened. That’s when I saw that Suri’s eyes had turnedblack with fury. Almost scowling, sheglared at the exposed side of my neck…the side where Daryl’s hickeys wentunhidden. Even Betty was shocked silentafter shooting a scandalous glance toward Suri and seeing her hate. We both knew Suri assumed Brody had given methe marks.

Crud! Crud! Crud!

It was too late to hide them. The damage was done. I, instead, had to find a way to protectBrody. He absolutely had to talk toSuri, but the time and place would be of his choosing. Nothere. Not now. Not like this.

“I-I woke up feeling sick,” I lied,praying they would leave before Brody returned.

“Oh, you were sick” Betty said,sending an unbelieving wink my way.

Behind them, Clark’s car screechedto a halt. His fury over my newestpredicament was the only emotion I could sense.

“Excuse me, my ride is here,” Isaid, squeezing between them and getting into the front passenger seat. Instead of buckling in, I moved quickly intoClark’s personal space. Face-to-face.

“Please just go along with me,” Ibegged.

After preparing him as much as Icould, I leaned over and kissed him with as much passion as I couldmuster. I put on the show meant toprotect Brody.

Clark hid whatever surprise existedand gave in to my embrace. Every strongemotion he’d had that day suddenly morphed into his own uncontrollabledesire. Within seconds, one of his handswound into my hair, and the other pulled me fiercely toward him. This is what he’d wanted since the momentwe’d met. Somehow, I’d been oblivious toits intensity…or he’d hidden it well.

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1.	Laura A. H. Elliott author of Winnemucca & 13 on Halloween, Book 1 in the Teen Halloween Series	2.	Bryna Butler, author Midnight Guardian series
3.	Heather Self	4.	T. R. Graves, Author of The Warrior Series
5.	Suzy Turner, author of The Raven Saga	6.	Cheri Schmidt, author of the Fateful Trilogy
7.	Rachel Coles, author of Into The Ruins, geek mom blog	8.	K. C. Blake, author of Vampires Rule and Crushed
9.	Patti Larsen, The Hunted series and The Hayle Coven series	10.	Amy Maurer Jones, Author of The Soul Quest Trilogy
11.	Dani Snell's Refracted Light Reviews	12.	Fisher Amelie, author of The Understorey
13.	M. Leighton, Blood Like Poison Series, Madly, The Reaping	14.	Kimberly Kinrade, Bits of You & Pieces of Me, Forbidden Mind
15.	Madeline Smoot, Missing, Summer Shorts, and The Girls	16.	Cidney Swanson, author of Rippler
17.	Gwenn Wright, author of Filter	18.	TG Ayer
19.	Melissa Pearl, Author of The Time Spirit Trilogy	20.	Heather M. White, author of The Destiny Saga
21.	Roots in Myth, PJ Hoover	22.	Courtney Cole Writes

FREE - Amazon Bestseller Warriors of the Cross

2012-02-15T07:21:00.001-06:00

Warriors of the Cross (The Warrior Series #1) by T.R. Graves
Allison La Crosse, beginning a challenging family medicine residency, leaves the protection of her family. With the transfer, her worst nightmares come true. Her closely guarded mystical talents – those which seldom appeared before the move – unleash themselves from her confinement and reveal their presence with very little provocation.

Allison’s most terrifying power is her compulsion to cure the dying with her touch. Given her career, this gift would be valuable if she were not drawn like a magnet to the ailing person's every symptom. Some of which are fatal.

At the hospital and surrounded by life-and-death emergencies, Allison’s inability to manage her impulse turns deadly. When it does, her mentor, Brody, rescues her from her own demise. His resuscitation ignites an exciting and tempestuous bond between them.

Desperate for a cure, they join forces and embark upon a journey to uncover the origins of Allison’s lethal curse. In the midst of their adventure, Allison exposes a secret pursued by many…known by few.

Click here and download for FREE on Amazon until 2/18: Warriors of the Cross

Don't forget about the Kindle Touch Giveaway. See the top right hand of my blog to see how to enter.

ENJOY!!!

Linger (The Wolves of Mercy Falls #2) by Maggie Stiefvater

2012-02-10T22:09:00.001-06:00

Linger (The Wolves of Mercy Falls #2) by Maggie Stiefvater

✯✯✯✯✯ (5 Stars)

Linger (The Wolves of Mercy Falls #2) is proof that the second book in a series can bebetter than the first. A fact I never would have believed after finishing Shiver (The Wolves of Mercy Falls #1). When I read Maggie Stiefvater's writing, I'm amazed at the way she describes the tiniest things...instantlyconjuring up images making the unbelievable story suddenly believable.

I love the way she allows the readers to fall in love progressivelywith the characters. Even when twopeople are instantly bonded (Sam and Grace), she takes us through everydaysituations giving us - unknown/unseen bystanders - the chance to watch them fallin love. She understands how thecharacters' interactions during those innocent moments are more powerful atproving 'forever love' than dozens ofpassionate encounters. Because of this, readerswill dream of someone who folds paper birds for them, commemorating everyspecial occasion.

The introduction of Cole's and Isabel's turmoil and chemistrywere the perfect way to add a whole new - and phenomenal - dimension to thestoryline. In fact, the two of them aresuch strong characters they easily could have been carved out and given theirown series.

I'm always envious of writers who are talented enough toembed poetry and songs perfectly within their stories. Doing so adds another fantastic aspect to analready special (and poetic) tale. Between Sam and Cole, I expect this style to continue throughout theseries, and I can honestly say it's one of the reasons I've become a fan.

The The Wolves of Mercy Falls is a series that I wouldabsolutely recommend to anyone looking for a great paranormal romance series.

YA Indie Carnival - Steamy Excerpts

2012-02-09T20:54:00.000-06:00

Welcome back! This week, the sponsors of the YA Indie Carnival are sharing hot and steamy excerpts from books they've written or books they've read. I've chosen an excerpt from my book, Guardians of the Cross (The Warrior Series, #2). It was really hard for me to pick one from the many intimate scenes transpiring between Brody and Allison...their paranormal bond more compulsive than their need to save the dying. ENJOY!

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In the room, I opened the portfolioand slid James’ books inside the case.

“Brody, can you grab my toiletrybag from the bathroom?” I asked,pretending to need his assistance.

He chuckled. “No. You said you didn’t need my help. I’m just here to see what you’re up to.”

I looked up, shocked with hiscandor. When I did, he moved right infront of me…his face centimeters from mine. “I’m not sure of what you’re doing, but I’ll wait for you. Until the last breath I take, I’m yours.”

I began shaking. Lying was easier if he couldn’t see my face,so I looked down at my feet. He put hisfingers under my chin and forced me to look him in the eyes. When he did that some sort of power took holdof me. I couldn’t look away fromhim. I couldn’t move away from him. If anything, I only wanted to attach myselfto him and never let go.

Apparently, he was experiencing thesame response. He wrapped his armsaround the small of my back and pulled me into him. All I could do was squeeze myself evencloser. With his ragged breath in myear, he kissed my neck, letting his tongue caress the skin. With that very intimate touch, I moaned. When he sucked, I almost blacked out. This act was more powerful than the strongestmagnetic pull. I wanted him more thanI’d ever wanted anything.

He took full advantage of his newpower and used it to hold me prisoner. Jerking his shirt up and touching every inch of his bare skin, I knew Iwould do anything right then to be with him.

I took him in – kissing, touching,feeling, pulling – as if he was oxygen, and I was asphyxiated. His new uncontrolled need for me made it allthe more alluring, all the more necessary. It could have been the pure fear that this would be our last chance, buthis passion lacked its normal restraint. He was willing to forego everything to make me understand I needed himas much as he needed me. I was willingto let him.

A moan rolled out of mythroat. In response, Brody let ourbodies fall back onto the bed where his pinned mine down. Perfectly positioning himself, he lifted andguided my leg around him. I squeezed ittight. His hands slid up the back of myt-shirt and unhooked the back of my bra. He slid his hand around to the front, gently cupping and massaging mybreast. If I had to live out the rest ofmy life without him, I would have this memory. Using both my arms and legs, I pulled him closer.

I unbuttoned his shirt and liftedmine. Our skin-to-skin contact crankedthe entire encounter up a notch. Thistime, the moan I heard was Brody’s.

I reached down and began unsnappinghis jeans, letting Brody know exactly what I wanted…needed. He stopped me by taking both of my wrists inhis hands and lifting them above my head. He restrained them with one of his hands while slowly and meticulouslymassaging me all over with his other.

When his hand brushed the red,cross-shaped birthmark on my hip, a searing sting shot from my hip and extendedto every inch of my body. I felt like Ihad just been touched by a branding iron. Instinctively, I pushed Brody off me. Thankfully, the pain stopped the second his hand was removed.

✤✤✤✤✤✤✤✤✤✤

1.	Laura A. H. Elliott author of Winnemucca & 13 on Halloween, Book 1 in the Teen Halloween Series	2.	Bryna Butler, author Midnight Guardian series
3.	Heather Self	4.	T. R. Graves, Author of The Warrior Series
5.	Suzy Turner, author of The Raven Saga	6.	Cheri Schmidt, author of the Fateful Trilogy
7.	Rachel Coles, author of Into The Ruins, geek mom blog	8.	K. C. Blake, author of Vampires Rule and Crushed
9.	Patti Larsen, The Hunted series and The Hayle Coven series	10.	Amy Maurer Jones, Author of The Soul Quest Trilogy
11.	Dani Snell's Refracted Light Reviews	12.	Fisher Amelie, author of The Understorey
13.	M. Leighton, Blood Like Poison Series, Madly, The Reaping	14.	Kimberly Kinrade, Bits of You & Pieces of Me, Forbidden Mind
15.	Madeline Smoot, Missing, Summer Shorts, and The Girls	16.	Cidney Swanson, author of Rippler
17.	Gwenn Wright, author of Filter	18.	TG Ayer
19.	Melissa Pearl, Author of The Time Spirit Trilogy	20.	Heather M. White, author of The Destiny Saga
21.	Roots in Myth, PJ Hoover	22.	Courtney Cole Writes
23.	Rex Rising

FREE eBooks by Patti Larsen

2012-02-07T19:38:00.001-06:00

Who doesn’t love FREE books?

TWO DAYS ONLY: Wednesday, February 8th and Thursday,February 9th! Come and get ‘em!

For those with a love of YA paranormal: FamilyMagic (The Hayle Coven novels, #1) Sixteen year old Sydlynn Hayle is thedaughter of a powerful witch and a demon lord but she just wants to beordinary. Find it HERE.

And for those who like a thrill in their YA fiction: Run(The Hunted, #1) Reid thinks life has gone back to normal when his sisterrescues him from the foster system. All that changes when he is kidnapped anddumped in the wilderness, forced to run from those who want to kill him. Findit HERE.

Don’t have a Kindle? No problem! Download a FREEapp for your computer, iPad, smartphone and more!

Family Magic

Raising the Demon

“Haralthazar,”my mother glided closer to the statue, “we summon you this third night ofPower, nine days and nine nights from Samhain Eve, to tighten our bond with youand your realm.” She knelt at the foot of the altar, the picture of thesubmissive handmaiden. Could she be any more ridiculous? Seriously. “My love,come and be welcome.”

Theblinding flash that leapt from her to the statue continued to pour out of herin a deep blue rush of light. I turned my head slightly to the side, squintingin the glare, grateful for the edge of the cowl and the shadow it made. Thewhole room started to thrum, the floor vibrating with condensed magic as Momused the energy we had given her to make the doorway that would let my fatherthrough.

Sixteen-year-old Sydlynn Hayle is the daughter of a powerfulwitch and a demon lord of the seventh plane. The trouble is, she just wants tobe ordinary. Syd struggles to survive the minefield of her new high schoolwhile being torn between her attraction to football hero Brad Peters and thedarkly mysterious Quaid Moromond. When her coven comes under attack, Syd isforced to face the fact only her power can save her family’s magic.

What readers are saying about Family Magic:

“Thisbook has everything. Great family drama, hot boys, magic, witches, demons anddifficult choices. This is one of my new favorite books of 2011 and I CANNOTWAIT to read the rest of the series.”

“With a fantastic,empathetic heroine, plenty of magic, an intriguing mystery and incorporatingthemes involving the search of self, familial relationships, duty and freewill, Family Magic is an enchanting and enjoyable read.”

“I think Syd is one ofmy all-time favorite characters. She is funny and snarky but has a fierce lovefor her family. I am ready to follow Syd's journey through this series. I washooked from the first paragraph. I thoroughly enjoyed Family Magic, andI would recommend this to anyone who enjoys paranormal novels.”

(You can read the fullreviews on Amazon.com)

Amazon LINK

Run

Kidnapped

Alone, Reid gasps in one deep breath, another. It hurtshis ribs, his lungs. He manages to roll over on his right side and regrets it.His shoulder screams in protest. Still, he is finally able to wriggle his numbhands loose from what holds him and claws at the cloth around his eyes.

Darkness. But not complete. The moon is up. Trees loomover him, the smell of spruce and fresh air so sharp it almost hurts. He jerksat the plastic ties around his ankles while. his vision swims through a veil ofpain-laden tears. He manages somehow to force his screaming hands to work theties loose and he is free.

Sixteen-year-old Reid thinks life is back to normal. Hissister Lucy pulls herself together and cuts him free from a year of fostercare. She promises to take care of him, that her new boss and her new life arewhat they both needed to start again. Until Reid is taken in the middle of thenight, dumped in a wild stretch of forest far from home with no idea why he isthere. Lost and afraid, he learns to run from the hunters who prowl the darkness,their only pleasure chasing down kids like him. And killing them.

What readers are saying about Run:

“The fear, the thrill,the emotion that comes through in the writing is amazing. There is never a dullmoment in this story of survival.”

“If you're a fan of YAbooks that make your heart pound with the unknown and leave you cringing atplaces (but in a totally cool kinda way) then Run's the book for you.”

“Reid is such a greatstrong character and when the story ends, we are left begging for what is tocome in the next of the series. This story was unique and SUPER fast-paced! Itwas a great festival of suspense.”

(You can read the full reviews onAmazon.com)

Amazon LINK

Thank you for taking the time to check them out!

Happy reading!

About theAuthor: Patti Larsen is amiddle grade, young adult and adult author with a passion for the paranormal.Her YA thriller series, The Hunted, is available now. The first fourbooks of The Hayle Coven series, Family Magic, Witch Hunt,Demon Child and The Wild are also out now. Her YA paranormalnovel, Best Friends Forever, and steampunk series, Blood and Gold,are due early in 2012. She is a full time writer and a part time teacher of herGet Your Book Done program. Patti lives on the East Coast of Canada withher very patient husband and four massive cats.

You can find her:

On her website
On Facebook
Her writingblog
On Twitter
On Amazon.com
On Goodreads

Shiver (The Wolves of Mercy Falls #1) - by Maggie Stiefvater

2012-02-04T07:33:00.000-06:00

Shiver (The Wolves of Mercy Falls #1) by Maggie Stiefvater

✯✯✯✯✯ (5 Stars)

There are many things to keep you interested while you are reading Shiver (The Wolves of Mercy Falls #1).

First, you are constantly reminded of the temperature. By the end of the book, you are conditioned to need that 'clue' to help you know if the chapter is going to be a good one or a struggle for life. I will forever remember 15 degrees.

Second, the chapters are so short that you don't have time to become bored. It also makes everything seem very fast paced.

Third, the way Maggie Stiefvater describes smells is incredible. It reminded me of the way Erin Morgenstern visually described everything in The Night Circus (one of my favorite books).

Fourth, Maggie Stiefvater instantly bonds Grace to Sam by frequently reminding us that Sam is Grace's 'wolf'...solidifying our desire for them to beat the odds.

After coming off the Hunger Games Series, this book was perfect. There is nothing too serious (i.e. no famine, war, or brutal murder). This book allows you to read for the pure and simple joy of reading...vegging...enjoying a great story created by a phenomenal author.

I should also mention that I love the book's cover.

Unfurl (Ripple #3) - by Cidney Swanson

2012-02-03T06:35:00.000-06:00

I want everyone to join me in welcoming Cidney Swanson to my blog. Cidney and I are members of the YA Author Club. I'm a fan of hers, her books, and her books' cover designer. As part of Unfurl's Tour, Cidney is my guest host today, and I'm using some of her time to make sure everyone knows Unfurl is available.

For me, it's exciting to let Cidney host my blog and do a Ripple Trilogy giveaway. In order to win the giveaway, you will need to follow her via Google Friends Connect on her website http://cidneyswanson.blogspot.com/. At the bottom of this post, you will be able to enter for the giveaway (click on read more).

To each of you, best of luck! To Cidney, congratulations on your series and thanks for giving me the opportunity to support you!

❇❇❇❇❇❇❇❇❇❇

Higuys! I’m so happy to be here today as part of my UNFURL blog tour. I thoughtI’d address an issue that I get a lot of questions about: Writer’s Block. So,here are my thoughts. I hope you find them useful!

Writer'sblock can cover a host of issues that stem from a number of sources rangingfrom something as simple as fatigue to something as complex as clinicaldepression. Most of the time though, it doesn't come from anything quite sodramatic. Most of the time, writer's block crops up when we're afraid to commitour words to paper or when we have "run out" of things to say.

Althoughthese causes are really dissimilar, the solution for both is the same. B-I-C.Butt in chair. As in: you need to sit down and just write.

Haveyou ever primed a pump? There's a campground I visit every summer where we haveto do that. You pull that handle up and down a few times and it seems likenothing is happening, but then all the sudden you're jumping backwards to avoidbeing drenched in icy fresh water.

Yourbrain is like that pump. It needs to be primed, and often it will look likenothing is happening for the first little bit of B-I-C time. Inspiration reallydoes follow perspiration though, and as you get your mind to recognize that youare going to go through with this activity right now, your mind willusually supply you with a few things to jot down. And then a few more.

Stillfeeling stuck? Here are my two favorite ways to get unstuck.

1:Interview your characters. You can ask them anything, really. Sit at your[writing instrument of choice] to do this, and actually write out the Q's andthe A's. I find out all kinds of amazing stuff when I start asking mycharacters questions.

2:If you’ve truly tried, truly done your B-I-C time and you’re still stuck, go takea walk. Sometimes a little change in scenery will loosen things up. Or maybeit’s the physical motion that does it. I’m not sure. But before you take yourwalk, ask your brain, “So, what happens next?” and see what comes up!

Thanks so much, everyone, for the chance to stop by and visittoday! Come say hi anytime!

Links (click on them):
Cidney Swanson's Blog

Cidney Swanson's Facebook
Cidney Swanson's Twitter

Buy Books on Amazon

Goodreads Author Profile

Librarything Author Page

Email

cidneyswanson at gmail dot com

a Rafflecopter giveaway

YA Indie Carnival - To Trailer or Not to Trailer...

2012-02-02T20:46:00.000-06:00

This week, the sponsors of the YA Indie Carnival are offering their opinions regarding the importance of a book trailer. As an indie author, I'm exciting to hear other author's opinions regarding the investment of their time/effort/energy in creating trailers.

Here's what I've learned. Book trailers can be simple...or they can be difficult. I spent lots of time (time I could have been writing) trying to develop a great book trailer. No matter how long or hard I worked, I was never successful in creating one I liked. At least, that was the case until I discovered Animoto. Animoto allowed me to quickly and easily make book trailers. All I had to do was provide a few pictures with some accompanying captions after picking a design and a song. Suddenly, making a book trailer was simple.

Here's what I know. While the absence of a book trailer will not prevent the book from being successful, the existence of a quality trailer opens the author up to new and inventive marketing techniques for their book. In the end, that edge will lead to a more popular release and additional sales.

Below are the trailers for Warriors of the Cross & Guardians of the Cross:

1.	Laura A. H. Elliott author of Winnemucca & 13 on Halloween, Book 1 in the Teen Halloween Series	2.	Bryna Butler, author Midnight Guardian series
3.	Heather Self	4.	T. R. Graves, Author of The Warrior Series
5.	Suzy Turner, author of The Raven Saga	6.	Cheri Schmidt, author of the Fateful Trilogy
7.	Rachel Coles, author of Into The Ruins, geek mom blog	8.	K. C. Blake, author of Vampires Rule and Crushed
9.	Patti Larsen, The Hunted series and The Hayle Coven series	10.	Amy Maurer Jones, Author of The Soul Quest Trilogy
11.	Dani Snell's Refracted Light Reviews	12.	Fisher Amelie, author of The Understorey
13.	M. Leighton, Blood Like Poison Series, Madly, The Reaping	14.	Kimberly Kinrade, Bits of You & Pieces of Me, Forbidden Mind
15.	Madeline Smoot, Missing, Summer Shorts, and The Girls	16.	Cidney Swanson, author of Rippler
17.	Gwenn Wright, author of Filter	18.	TG Ayer
19.	Melissa Pearl, Author of The Time Spirit Trilogy	20.	Heather M. White, author of The Destiny Saga
21.	Roots in Myth, PJ Hoover	22.	Courtney Cole Writes

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

2012-01-27T21:22:00.000-06:00

Mockingjay (The Hunger Games #3) by Suzanne Collins

✯✯✯✯✯ (5 Stars)

This powerful book should come with a warning: May cause depression

Somehow, Suzanne Collins described Katniss' unbearably bleak situation from the beginning of Mockingjay until the end in such a manner that I began feeling sad myself. No. Not sad. My emotions would best be described as depressed, dejected, disenchanted, and frustrated. Anything but happy, cheerful, idealistic, or satisfied.

While the writing was phenomenal (or why else would I feel so many emotions), my mental health is not worth re-reading this book...ever again. I'm sure that the point of this series was to portray war as horrific. We all know - in our hearts even if we've never been in a real battle for our lives - how horrible it would be to see our family and friends tortured, murder, mutilated, burned, mentally raped, etc. I never want to live through any of that. With Mockingjay, I feel like I have.

If I had one wish for this series, it would have been for it to end on a high note rather than the anticlimactic 'it is what it is' ending I was met with after enduring the mental trauma I was made to suffer throughout the entire book.

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

2012-01-25T22:07:00.001-06:00

Catching Fire (The Hunger Games #2) by Suzanne Collins

✯✯✯✯✯ (5 Stars)

Catching Fire (The Hunger Games #2) is a phenomenal follow-up to The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games #1). Now that it's finished, I feel like I'm suffering from a strange compulsion...one pushing me to read Mockingjay (The Hunger Games #3) as soon as possible in order to find out what happens to people who have - for all practical purposes - become friends: Katniss, Peeta, Gale, Haymitch, Cinna, and Prim. I was extremely glad to see the introduction of a great new character: Finnick. More than anything, I'm glad to find the traits I loved most about The Hunger Games were constants within Catching Fire.

The evolution from a game impacting a few people to a game impacting an entire universe of people was perfect. The need - soul-deep yearning - for Katniss to save this world of people who are mentally and physically abused by the District (and President Snow) is so real that even I, the reader, am overwhelmed with the task. Somehow, Katnis does what I'm not sure I could ever do.

I've said it before, and I'll say again when I review Mockingjay, but Suzanne Collins is an AMAZING, GIFTED, and EXTRAORDINARY writer! If you haven't begun to read this series, I would strongly recommend that you stop what you are doing, proceed to the nearest bookstore (online or down the road), and get all three. Trust me...you will not be able to stop once you start.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

2012-01-24T06:59:00.001-06:00

The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games#1) by Suzanne Collins

✯✯✯✯✯ (5 Stars)

TheHunger Games is one of those timeless books that will stay with you forever. Insome ways, it is reminiscent of The Lottery combined with a modern-dayreality show similar to Survivor. It's an talented author who candescribe starvation in such a way the reader feels like they have endured famine...whocan build life-threatening events with such reality the reader's heart poundswhile hormones of anxiety course through their veins...who can make the readerfall into heartwarming love at the same moment the book's characters do...whocan make you mourn - with real tears -when great characters die. SuzanneCollins is just such author. Amazing. Inspiring. One of the greatest.

Katniss' selflessness and willingness to give her life for others along with hermorals/ethics make her the perfect heroine. Katniss' tales describing her friendship with Gale and their likenessesmeans there is no way to ignore the strength of their bond and makes you wonderif she unknowingly loves him. Peeta's tendershow of unrequited love makes the reader's heart squeeze, and they cheer forhim as emphatically as they pull for Katniss to be the winner of the HungerGames.

The Hunger Games and the Capital and the Districts. The world which was created within the coversof this book is very real, making this unbelievable story suddenly plausibleand horrific.

I would highly recommend this book for people of all ages. In fact, I'm dying to tackle CatchingFire (The Hunger Games, #2), which will be one of my nextbooks. Stayed tuned for that review.

Kindle Giveaway & Amazon Exclusive Debut

2012-01-21T17:45:00.001-06:00

In honor of my most-recent agreement with Amazon, I'm celebrating with a Kindle Touch giveaway.  Before I summarize the details associated with the giveaway, I want to explain the reasons I, an indie author, made the decision to offer The Warrior Series' e-books exclusively on Amazon and apologize to those who will be unable to buy my books for the next 90 days.

I'm fast approaching my one-year blogger/indie author anniversary. With that amount of time behind me, I have facts and data to help support my decisions (things I didn't have before). For example, I know I sell more books on Amazon than all other outlets combined (at least ten times more). That is because Amazon does a fantastic job at engaging independent authors and making their books available to readers who may never have known about the author's non-traditional published books without Amazon.

Because Amazon is the site where the majority of my books are sold, I'm comfortable my choice will not isolate me - too terribly much - from the people most interested in reading my books.  The agreement I've made is to make my books available exclusively on Amazon for the next 90 days. My decision makes me eligible for a share of the Kindle Owners' Lending Library Fund, which is calculated based on a share of the total number of qualified borrows of all participating KDP titles. In the end, I'm considering this endeavor to be one more phase of my indie author education.

Wish me luck by participating in my giveaway...and telling others. THANKS! THANKS!

✤✤✤✤✤✤✤✤✤✤

The Warrior Series Giveaway

I'm not going to make this too difficult, but there will be a simple hurdle (or three) to cross before you can become eligible to win a great new Kindle Touch and some fabulous books by some inspiring Indie Authors.  It goes without saying that Warriors of the Cross and Guardians of the Cross will be two of the books included in the package.

The contest will go on indifinitely until all three of the following goals are met and the winning contestant must have contributed to the success by LIKE'ing or Following in all three places. Click on each link below and LIKE or FOLLOW:
✣ T. R. Graves Facebook Fan Page has 1,500 LIKES
✣ T. R. Graves' Blog has 500 Followers
✣ WARRIORSSERIES has 1,500 Twitter Followers
✣ BONUS: You'll get 3 extra indie author ebooks if you've become a T.R. Graves Goodreads Fan.

Yes, you will have to move your mouse and click your finger a half-dozen times (oh the work) in order to be eligible to win this contest, but I'm absolutely sure you have done more for less.

Rules:
✣ Above goals must be met (1,500 LIKES on T.R. Graves Facebook, 500 followers on T.R. Graves Blog, & 1,500 WARRIORSERIES twitter followers).
✣ Once the milestones are achieved, the person who is number X,XXX (the preselected number can't be disclosed...yet) to LIKE my Facebook Fan Page will be the winner of:
     ✦ 1 - Kindle Touch (& Prime Member 30-day free trial = Kindle Owners' Lending Library )
     ✦ 1 - Warriors of the Cross e-book
     ✦ 1 - Guardians of the Cross e-book
✣ The final winner has to have LIKE'ed the T.R. Graves Facebook Fan Page, followed the T.R. Graves blog, AND followed WARRIORSSERIES on Twitter.
     ✦ If not, I will go backwards until I find someone meeting the eligibility requirements.

YA Indie Carnival - Reading's Lessons for Authors

2012-01-20T04:46:00.003-06:00

This week, the YA Indie Carnival sponsors are talking about the things they learn when reading. Without a doubt, the lessons I've learned are as vast as the sea of books within the largest library. Every book's hundreds of pages and thousands of words hold power and knowledge - for those searching - deeply embedded within its character development, excitement, adventure, and romance.

Through resilient lead characters, I've learned no man is an island. No matter how strong, independent, or powerful, the main character must have a team of people supporting his/her efforts and at least one adversary trying to prevent him/her from reaching their goals. Think Marked (House of Night #1), Zoey, and her gang.

The most awesome hero(ine) will not take you far if the reader does not fall in love with him/her...have a vested interest in their outcome...feel completely horrible when they lose...and beyond happy when they win. For this to be the case, I've learned the importance of portraying passion, devotion, commitment, and friendship in ways so real the readers experience the characters' emotions. Think Vampire Academy (Vampire Academy #1), Rose, Dimitri, and Lissa.

Through books, I learned the setting is as much of a character as anything else described between the covers. Because of this, I make sure to write about places I know well, describing the look, feel, and smell in ways that produces images in the reader's mind, pangs in their heart, and scents in the air around them. Think Dead Until Dark (Sookie Stackhouse #1) and Bon Temps.

Through great authors, I've come to understand how powerful a book can be if the reader suffers alongside the characters in a manner that makes them feel like they would know what it's like to be in the character's shoes...even if they've never taken one step in them. Think The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games #1) and Katniss' starvation and survival.

I love to read. Studying the characters and the way the authors write sentences - ones that can be structured dozens of ways - and noticing how the writer's version is truly the best because it flowed from them during their writing trance or while they pounded through their writer's block.

Now, join me in finding what my fellow authors/blogger have learned while reading:

1.	Laura A. H. Elliott author of Winnemucca & 13 on Halloween, Book 1 in the Teen Halloween Series	2.	Bryna Butler, author Midnight Guardian series
3.	Heather Self	4.	T. R. Graves, Author of The Warrior Series
5.	Suzy Turner, author of The Raven Saga	6.	Cheri Schmidt, author of the Fateful Trilogy
7.	Rachel Coles, author of Into The Ruins, geek mom blog	8.	K. C. Blake, author of Vampires Rule and Crushed
9.	Patti Larsen, The Hunted series and The Hayle Coven series	10.	Amy Maurer Jones, Author of The Soul Quest Trilogy
11.	Dani Snell's Refracted Light Reviews	12.	Fisher Amelie, author of The Understorey
13.	M. Leighton, Blood Like Poison Series, Madly, The Reaping	14.	Kimberly Kinrade, Bits of You & Pieces of Me, Forbidden Mind
15.	Madeline Smoot, Missing, Summer Shorts, and The Girls	16.	Cidney Swanson, author of Rippler
17.	Gwenn Wright, author of Filter	18.	TG Ayer
19.	Melissa Pearl, Author of The Time Spirit Trilogy	20.	Heather M. White, author of The Destiny Saga
21.	Roots in Myth, PJ Hoover	22.	Courtney Cole Writes

Clockwork Prince - by Cassandra Clare

2012-01-15T18:57:00.003-06:00

Clockwork Prince (The Infernal Devices #2) by Cassandra Clare

✮✮✮✮✮ - 5 stars

Clockwork Prince (The Infernal Devices #2) is a fantastic follow-up to the Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices #1). Of course, I would expect nothing more from Cassandra Clare. What a phenomenal author, writer, and story-teller.

This is one of those books that will make you want to stop the rest of the world so you can devote your undivided attention to Tess, Will, Jem, and the vivid world Ms. Clare has created. If you do just that, you will not be disappointed. Once finished, you will endure withdrawals and anxiously await Clockwork Princess (The Infernal Devices #3).

I love the way Tess is torn between Will and Jem. I find myself pulled in exactly the same way...like the one she is with is the one I think she should be with. Then, I feel guilty for it later. In fact, I really, really want to see who Tess ends up with and how Ms. Clare does it in a manner whereby the parabatai relationship between the two men remains strong and powerful since their demon-hunting success is dependent on it.

Making this book's characters real is the disappointment I feel anytime the Shadowhunters are betrayed...especially when that disloyalty comes from people who are deep within the Institutes circle of trust.

In the end, I would say this series, its characters, its excitement, its world is absolutely comparable to The Mortal Instruments, one of my all-time favorite series.

YA Indie Carnival - Books Worth Giving Thanks For

2012-01-13T08:16:00.000-06:00

Welcome back to the first YA Indie Carnival post of 2012. Today, the blogger/authors sponsoring this collaboration are sharing books they are thankful for. I could easily let this post get out of control. There are millions of great books to read, hundreds of authors who have impassioned me, and just as many new authors to discover. In fact, if I don't concentrate on one book at a time, I become completely overwhelmed with my to-be-read list.

As an author, I'd be lying if I said my books were not the first ones on my Thankful List. It never occurred to me that I could write a book when I was a young child. In my mind, becoming an author was an unattainable goal. At no point did it occur to me that one day I would be one of 'those' people who wrote exciting and addicting stories.

With all that said, I'm thankful for Warriors of the Cross because it gave me and my readers the opportunity to get to know Allison La Crosse and her entourage. I'm thankful for Guardians of the Cross because it allowed me to continue Allison's journey toward learning who she is and what God's preordained plan for her is. I'm also grateful for Guardians of the Cross because it gave me the chance to introduce two books from my next series, Worth Living For, Underwater Series #1 & Worth Dying For, Underwater Series #2. Finally, I'm in the middle of writing Enemies of the Cross. I'm thankful for the fresh direction of this series...the chance to introduce greater characters, new villains who are so evil they put the others to shame, and a magical setting that will be unlike anything anyone has ever created.

Now, I'm going to include other books which have inspired me with their words, their characters, and their storyline (first in the series when applicable). I should mention that none of these are indie books for two very simple reasons: 1) I'd never heard of indie books until I became an indie author - an opportunity I will forever be grateful for - and 2) I have to do a lot of my 'reading' through audio books which generally lends itself to traditional publishers.

City of Bones (The Mortal Instruments #1) byCassandra Clare

When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder -- much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It's hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing -- not even a smear of blood -- to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy?

This is Clary's first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It's also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace's world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know. . . .

Exotic and gritty, exhilarating and utterly gripping, Cassandra Clare's ferociously entertaining fantasy takes readers on a wild ride that they will never want to end.

Dead Until Dark (Sookie Stackhouse #1) byCharlaine Harris

Sookie Stackhouse is just a small-time cocktail waitress in small-town Louisiana. Until the vampire of her dreams walks into her life-and one of her coworkers checks out....

Maybe having a vampire for a boyfriend isn't such a bright idea.

The Night Circus byErin Morgenstern AMAZING! Really, I'm not sure I've ever read a book where every sense is completely satisfied. Erin Morgenstern's descriptions are so flawless you know exactly how foods you've never eaten taste. She details fragrances in such a manner that - while they are nowhere near - they waft around you and awaken your senses. She makes places, which are absolutely foreign, feel like home and complete strangers seem like trusted friends. In other words, she is one of the rare authors who can perform magic with her words...similar to the way her characters perform their illusions within The Night Circus.

Twilight (Twilight #1) byStephenie Meyer

Isabella Swan's move to Forks, a small, perpetually rainy town in Washington, could have been the most boring move she ever made. But once she meets the mysterious and alluring Edward Cullen, Isabella's life takes a thrilling and terrifying turn. Up until now, Edward has managed to keep his vampire identity a secret in the small community he lives in, but now nobody is safe, especially Isabella, the person Edward holds most dear. The lovers find themselves balanced precariously on the point of a knife-between desire and danger.Deeply romantic and extraordinarily suspenseful, Twilight captures the struggle between defying our instincts and satisfying our desires. This is a love story with bite.

Vampire Academy (Vampire Academy #1) byRichelle Mead

Vladimir’s Academy isn’t just any boarding school—it’s a hidden place where vampires are educated in the ways of magic and half-human teens train to protect them. Rose Hathaway is a Dhampir, a bodyguard for her best friend Lissa, a Moroi Vampire Princess. They’ve been on the run, but now they’re being dragged back to St. Vladimir’s—the very place where they’re most in danger. . . .
Rose and Lissa become enmeshed in forbidden romance, the Academy’s ruthless social scene, and unspeakable nighttime rituals. But they must be careful lest the Strigoi—the world’s fiercest and most dangerous vampires—make Lissa one of them forever...

Marked (House of Night #1) byP.C. Cast, Kristin Cast

The House of Night series is set in a world very much like our own, except in 16-year-old Zoey Redbird's world, vampyres have always existed. In this first book in the series, Zoey enters the House of Night, a school where, after having undergone the Change, she will train to become an adult vampire -- that is, if she makes it through the Change. Not all of those who are chosen do. It's tough to begin a new life, away from her parents and friends, and on top of that, Zoey finds she is no average fledgling. She has been Marked as special by the vampyre Goddess, Nyx. But she is not the only fledgling at the House of Night with special powers. When she discovers that the leader of the Dark Daughters, the school's most elite club, is misusing her Goddess-given gifts, Zoey must look deep within herself for the courage to embrace her destiny--with a little help from her new vampyre friends.

I could really, really go on for days, and I'm sure that later today I will remember dozens more authors/books that make me want to be a better writer and story-teller. Until I have time to blog about others, join me in finding out which books my fellow indie authors are thankful for.

1.	Laura A. H. Elliott author of Winnemucca & 13 on Halloween, Book 1 in the Teen Halloween Series	2.	Bryna Butler, author Midnight Guardian series
3.	Heather Self	4.	T. R. Graves, Author of The Warrior Series
5.	Suzy Turner, author of The Raven Saga	6.	Cheri Schmidt, author of the Fateful Trilogy
7.	Rachel Coles, author of Into The Ruins, geek mom blog	8.	K. C. Blake, author of Vampires Rule and Crushed
9.	Patti Larsen, The Hunted series and The Hayle Coven series	10.	Amy Maurer Jones, Author of The Soul Quest Trilogy
11.	Dani Snell's Refracted Light Reviews	12.	Fisher Amelie, author of The Understorey
13.	M. Leighton, Blood Like Poison Series, Madly, The Reaping	14.	Kimberly Kinrade, Bits of You & Pieces of Me, Forbidden Mind
15.	Madeline Smoot, Missing, Summer Shorts, and The Girls	16.	Cidney Swanson, author of Rippler
17.	Gwenn Wright, author of Filter	18.	TG Ayer
19.	Melissa Pearl, Author of The Time Spirit Trilogy	20.	Heather M. White, author of The Destiny Saga
21.	Roots in Myth, PJ Hoover	22.	Courtney Cole Writes

YA Indie Carnival - New Year's Resolutions

2011-12-31T07:28:00.000-06:00

This week's YA Indie Carnival topic is New Year's Resolution. 2011 has been a great year for The Warrior Series. My hope for 2012 is that The Warrior Series and my new series, Underwater City, will become bestsellers. In my efforts geared toward that goal, I've formulated my New Year's Resolutions.

╰☆╮ I plan to finish writing Enemies of the Cross (The Warrior Series #3). In it, Allison La Crosse's world is in a tailspin. After learning she has the power to cure the dying with her touch (a lethal curse when wielded), she is viciously attacked. More unsettling than the violence is the identity of her assailant. Devin turns out to be the first person she ever saved and her mother's killer. When her soul met Devin's an unbreakable bond was formed. Now, Allison must save Devin - again - from his twin brother's control or kill them both. If she fails, she'll lose those closest to her...including the love of her life, Brody, and her best friend forever, Clark.

╰☆╮ I will begin and finish writing Worth Living For (Underwater City #1). This is the first of the two books described in Guardians of the Cross written by James Joya. This book will detail how James and Julia fell in love. Be prepared for an underwater world unlike any other for this series.

╰☆╮ I will begin writing Worth Dying For (Underwater City #2). This is the second of the two books described in Guardians of the Cross written by James Joya. It will be the continuation of Worth Living For and will reveal the lengths James will go to save Julia.

╰☆╮ I will not worry about doing the right thing by my characters. Let me clarify. I'm not going to feel guilty about the minimal number of curse words embedded within the series (when the situation absolutely calls for it), AND I will not break out into hives when I think about others reading the passion-filled moments between Allison and Brody. The story is ultimately a romance; they are bound by forces greater than them; and the scenes are required in order to make the story and their craving for each other believable.

1.	Laura A. H. Elliott author of Winnemucca & 13 on Halloween, Book 1 in the Teen Halloween Series	2.	Bryna Butler, author Midnight Guardian series
3.	Heather Self	4.	T. R. Graves, Author of The Warrior Series
5.	Suzy Turner, author of The Raven Saga	6.	Darby Karchut, author of GRIFFIN RISING
7.	Lexus Luke	8.	Cheri Schmidt, author of the Fateful Trilogy
9.	Rachel Coles, author of Into The Ruins, geek mom blog	10.	K. C. Blake, author of Vampires Rule and Crushed
11.	Patti Larsen, The Hunted series and The Hayle Coven series	12.	Amy Maurer Jones, Author of The Soul Quest Trilogy
13.	Dani Snell's Refracted Light Reviews	14.	Fisher Amelie, author of The Understorey
15.	M. Leighton, Blood Like Poison Series, Madly, The Reaping	16.	Abbi Glines, author of Breathe and The Vincent Boys
17.	Kimberly Kinrade, Bits of You & Pieces of Me, Forbidden Mind	18.	Madeline Smoot, Missing, Summer Shorts, and The Girls
19.	Cidney Swanson, author of Rippler	20.	Gwenn Wright, author of Filter
21.	TG Ayer	22.	Melissa Pearl, author of Golden Blood
23.	Heather M. White, author of The Destiny Saga

Guardians of the Cross - Now Available

2011-12-23T18:08:00.000-06:00

TODAY'S THE DAY! Like every author ever, I hope and pray my nonstop plotting, planning, writing, editing, and formatting will lead my book, Guardians of the Cross, straight to every bestseller list known to man. A book loved by all. The fact that the day of release has finally come is somewhat surreal. I'm sure there will be tweaks made over the next few weeks, but for the most part, it's done. It's ready for public consumption and the inevitable opinions, reviews, and ratings.

For me, everything loved about Warriors of the Cross becomes deeper embedded and more fully developed within every action-packed page, making Guardians of the Cross an exciting continuation.

Moving to the next level, relationships evolve...suspense builds...and characters 1) reveal themselves for who they are, 2) love each other unconditionally, and 3) protect their leaders with their lives.

The only thing I can say about Allison and Brody (Allison and Clark) is it gets BETTER & HOTTER so be prepared!

One thing is for sure...Guardians of the Cross is not for the faint of heart. The end will leave you crying right before you beg for Enemies of the Cross to become immediately available. To that I say, 'It won't be ready until mid-to-late 2012'.

ENJOY!

Click below to buy Guardians of the Cross ebook:

✥ Amazon

✥ Barnes and Noble

✥ Smashwords

Click below to buy Guardians of the Cross paperback:

✥ Amazon

T. R. Graves

YA Indie Carnival - Secret Santa Winners

2011-12-23T06:45:00.000-06:00

This week the YA Indie Carnival are announcing the winners of our Secret Santa & Naughty or Nice Giveaways. Before I go any further, I want to say thanks to all who participated and congratulations to these lucky, lucky winners!

The Grandprize Winner is: Vanessa Eric

*Books included in the Grand Prize Package are listed below.

In addition to the GRAND PRIZE, I had my own THE NAUGHTY OR NICE PRIZE PACKAGE for the person leaving a naughty or nice post on this website. The WINNER of three great books (Into the Ruins, Vampires Rule, & Soul Quest) is Kelly Fox.

Finally, the WINNER of the FAN/FOLLOW GIVEAWAY for an ebook of Guardians of the Cross (due to be officially released tomorrow) & Warriors of the Cross is Demetra Giote.

GRAND PRIZE PACKAGE:

1.	Laura A. H. Elliott author of Winnemucca & 13 on Halloween, Book 1 in the Teen Halloween Series	2.	Bryna Butler, author Midnight Guardian series
3.	Heather Self	4.	T. R. Graves, Author of The Warrior Series
5.	Suzy Turner, author of The Raven Saga	6.	Darby Karchut, author of GRIFFIN RISING
7.	Lexus Luke	8.	Cheri Schmidt, author of the Fateful Trilogy
9.	Rachel Coles, author of Into The Ruins, geek mom blog	10.	K. C. Blake, author of Vampires Rule and Crushed
11.	Patti Larsen, The Hunted series and The Hayle Coven series	12.	Amy Maurer Jones, Author of The Soul Quest Trilogy
13.	Dani Snell's Refracted Light Reviews	14.	Fisher Amelie, author of The Understorey
15.	M. Leighton, Blood Like Poison Series, Madly, The Reaping	16.	Abbi Glines, author of Breathe and The Vincent Boys
17.	Kimberly Kinrade, Bits of You & Pieces of Me, Forbidden Mind	18.	Madeline Smoot, Missing, Summer Shorts, and The Girls
19.	Cidney Swanson, author of Rippler	20.	Gwenn Wright, author of Filter
21.	TG Ayer	22.	Melissa Pearl, author of Golden Blood

YA Indie Carnival - Secret Santa Giveaway

2011-12-14T21:04:00.000-06:00

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

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

GRAND PRIZE: A Kindle or Nook copy of the books featured on the Grand Prize List!

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

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

Below you will find the three wonderful books by phenomenal authors/people that I will be giving away to anyone POSTING a tale on this site about bring NAUGHTY or NICE this year (don't forget to leave an email address).

In addition to the GRAND PRIZE & THE NAUGHTY OR NICE PRIZES, one person will be entered to win a copy Guardians of the Cross (due to be released December 24th) and Warriors of the Cross if he/she becomes a T. R. Graves FAN on Goodreads (CLICK HERE) & he/she LIKE's the T. R. Graves Facebook Fan Page (CLICK HERE).

✥✥✥✥✥✥✥✥✥

Author: Rachel Coles

Author's Bio:

Rachel Coles lives and works in Denver, Colorado with her husband Adam, and young daughter Rosa. An anthropologist by training, Rachel pursued her love of diverse cultures and passion for mythology into writing. She is from an Ashkenazi Jewish family, and grew up with a rich background in Semitic and Middle Eastern folklore. Together with her husband and daughter, she enjoys martial arts, science fiction, fantasy, and horror, in all their forms. They are, in fact, the proud parents of one of the youngest Trekkies in the state.

Rachel Coles' other stories include the story Orphans of Lethe in the new anthology What Fears Become from Imajin Books, and Into The Ruins anthology available on Kindle.

Stay tuned for her debut novel, Pazuzu's Girl in the spring!

Visit Rachel Coles at www.rachelcoles.wordpress.com, Rachel Bernstein Coles on Facebook, rcoles66 on Twitter, or zhadum6@yahoo.com

Into The Ruins Description

Why do zombies come back, if it's not a virus or a curse? Is there an organism that could really take over the world with a single bite? What were the plagues of Egypt really like? Could artificial intelligence crop up in places we don't think about? Many humans love the taste of good beer, and love its other effects. What about other animals, and how might it affect their behavior? Into The Ruins is an anthology about world-changing events, small or large, subtle or wide-ranging.

Excerpt from Into The Ruins: An Anthology of New Beginnings:

Thefirst thing I remember after the pain in my chest from the heart attackeveryone had been warning me I’d have, was the dark stink of my own coffin. AsI screamed and shoved at the lid, weighted down by pounds and pounds of dirt, Iwished I’d worked out more, thanked God I hadn’t eaten beans, and prayed Iwouldn’t have another heart attack. Someone heard me and came to my rescue. Itwas a landscaper. After he frantically dug me out, I spent the next twentyminutes chasing him, trying to explain that I wouldn’t eat him and that Iwasn't from Hell.

"DiosMio!" He launched into a litany of prayers in Spanish, all while runningfor the cemetery entrance.

"Wait!Buddy, the only thing I want to attack is a Big Mac! Besides I don’t believe inHell!" I yelled, trying to keep up and failing.

"See,'dis what happen to you!" He shot back over his shoulder as he ran.

"Ok,if I agree to say some Hail Mary's will you stop running and just listen?"

Hepaused and turned around, keeping a safe distance. "I don’t think it helpyou now, amigo. But maybe God’ll take a late payment and deport you back to thegrave."

I juststood there, hands on my knees. "I…" I raised a finger to ask him towait and panted some more. I gotta stopsmoking, I thought. Never again! I'moff the cigarettes! I gasped, "Ok, you think God buried me alive becauseI don't believe in Hell? The pack-a-day and fried Snickers bars probably didmore than God. By the way, thanks for getting me out!"

He juststared at me for a second. "Uh, amigo. You not alive."

"I'mtalking to you, aren't I?"

"Sí, butyou're dead." He pointed to my hands.

I looked down. My fingersand palms were torn in deep furrows. I felt nothing, and there was no blood. Iopened my shirt to bloodless sutures tracking my chest. I realized that while Iwas feeling panic, I wasn't experiencing any of the bodily signs of panic,racing heart, dizziness, constricted throat. In fact, the fatigue I'd thought Ifelt melted away. But not the horror, and it just sat there in my mind with nowhereto go. I sat down hard. "Can you help me?"

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Author: K. C. Blake

An Urban Fantasy, YA author. I write about ghosts, vampires, witches, monsters, and more.

Title: Vampires Rule

Blurb: Lonely for human companionship, Jack returns home every year. He checks on his brother, walks through his childhood home, but he can’t let anyone see him because Jack is a vampire. Now, ten years after being turned Jack’s wish comes true. He’s mortal again. Now he can live a normal life. Or so he thinks. Destiny has other plans for him. The head
werewolf is teaching English at the high school, the girl Jack is crushing on is a hunter, and his brother can’t make up his mind if he should welcome Jack home or stake him through the heart to be on the safe side.

Genre: YA Urban Fantasy

✦ Amazon

✦ Smashwords

✦ Author website
(click above to access)

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Author: Amy Maurer Jones
Title: Soul Quest (The Soul Quest Trilogy Book One)
Blurb:

Do you remember how horrified you were about the idea of attending high school? I remember ticking off those last miserable days of my summer vacation following my eighth grade year. Maybe you don’t, maybe you were one of those people. You know who I’m talking about, people like Melissa Small, the distinguished District Attorney, Larry Small’s daughter, popular, gorgeous and absolutely terrifying to someone like me, Liv Glyn. No, I am far from measuring up to the standards required to make Melissa’s crowd. I’m not even close. I’m just a simple man’s daughter, mostly tolerated by my peers with average looks. If this isn’t depressing enough for you, stay tuned, it gets worse.

I was commanded with Spirit at birth by the Great Spirit, Hala. I know, it sounds crazy but it’s true. If you think it's difficult being a teenager, try being a teenager who was born destined to save the world from soul sucking Daevas and their mutant progeny Aengels.

There are four of us. My companions of Spirit are Laith, Brayan and Meena. Melissa Small is Laith’s step sister and she is always meddling where she doesn’t belong, further complicating our lives. To make matters even worse, my best friend Jedd is apparently aware of things that are typically undetectable to ordinary humans. So, I have to lie to Jedd, the boy who has been my constant standby since the third grade, to shield him from the horrible and very dangerous truth. Did I mention that I think I’m falling in love with him? The term awkward doesn’t even begin to cover it, trust me.

Welcome to the mess that is my life.

✦ Amazon
✦ BN.com

✦ Other

✦ Author website
(click above to link)

Reviews for Soul Quest:
✦Soul Quest is rich with re-imagined folklore and has a great teen narrative voice... This is one complex world cool enough to lose yourself in.
- Aubrie Dionne, author of Nebula's Music

✦I love the way Ms. Jones captures not only the full high school experience, but masters the young adult voice so perfectly... I highly recommend this author and I cannot wait to read the next in the series!
- Addison Moore, author of the Celestra series

✦This was a fun read and when Amy pulled me into the plot and action, the story moved fast for me...
I really liked the concept of Daevas and Aengels as the villains!
- Cheri Schmidt, author of the Fateful series

✦The descriptions in Soul Quest are quite beautiful. I especially like the description of Arcadia (and that she chose to call it that). Her interpretations of demonic infection, guardian angels, and soul mirrors are clever and serve the story well.
- Amy Strickland, author of the Olympia Heights series

1.	Laura A. H. Elliott author of Winnemucca & 13 on Halloween, Book 1 in the Teen Halloween Series	2.	Bryna Butler, author Midnight Guardian series
3.	Heather Self	4.	T. R. Graves, Author of The Warrior Series
5.	Suzy Turner, author of The Raven Saga	6.	Darby Karchut, author of GRIFFIN RISING
7.	Lexus Luke	8.	Cheri Schmidt, author of the Fateful Trilogy
9.	Rachel Coles, author of Into The Ruins, geek mom blog	10.	K. C. Blake, author of Vampires Rule and Crushed
11.	Patti Larsen, The Hunted series and The Hayle Coven series	12.	Amy Maurer Jones, Author of The Soul Quest Trilogy
13.	Dani Snell's Refracted Light Reviews	14.	Fisher Amelie, author of The Understorey
15.	M. Leighton, Blood Like Poison Series, Madly, The Reaping	16.	Abbi Glines, author of Breathe and The Vincent Boys
17.	Kimberly Kinrade, Bits of You & Pieces of Me, Forbidden Mind	18.	Madeline Smoot, Missing, Summer Shorts, and The Girls
19.	Cidney Swanson, author of Rippler	20.	Gwenn Wright, author of Filter
21.	TG Ayer	22.	Melissa Pearl, author of Golden Blood

YA Indie Carnival - Designs & Designers

2011-12-09T19:18:00.001-06:00

Coming December 16! You let us know why you've been naughty or nice and enter to win books at each carni's booth all week, from 12/16 to 12/23. On Dec. 23, find out what books you've won. Good luck!

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Click HERE to discover exciting announcements related to our YA Indie Carnival Authors' books, etc.

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This week's YA Indie Carnival topic is Designs & designers. Early on in my indie author career, the cover was one of the most intimidating aspects of publishing the book myself. I had no idea how I was going to create the make-or-break, first impression, front for any of my books. As soon as I began researching my options, I hit pay dirt.

For the rest of my life, I will be grateful for the stars which aligned and led me to Claudia Bartoli-McKinney with Phatpuppy Creations. She is an awesome partner and a talented artist. The best-of-the-best. I'm not sure Claudia knows how many of her book covers have made it to the bestseller lists, but she has 29 listed on her site. While I suspect there are more, Claudia has 54 jackets showcased.

Above, I've included two admirable works of her art. They exemplify her ability to create an entire story through stunning designs. Sometimes, I want to write stories befitting her art just so I can use them. Months ago, she created a collage. To the right, I'm including it as a sample of some of her early book covers. ENJOY!

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1.	Laura A. H. Elliott author of Winnemucca & 13 on Halloween, Book 1 in the Teen Halloween Series	2.	Bryna Butler, author Midnight Guardian series
3.	Heather Self	4.	T. R. Graves, Author of The Warrior Series
5.	Suzy Turner, author of The Raven Saga	6.	Darby Karchut, author of GRIFFIN RISING
7.	Lexus Luke	8.	PJ Hoover, Author of SOLSTICE, Blogging at ROOTS IN MYTH
9.	Cheri Schmidt, author of the Fateful Trilogy	10.	Rachel Coles, author of Into The Ruins, geek mom blog
11.	K. C. Blake, author of Vampires Rule and Crushed	12.	Patti Larsen, The Hunted series and The Hayle Coven series
13.	Courtney Cole, author of The Bloodstone Saga	14.	Amy Maurer Jones, Author of The Soul Quest Trilogy
15.	Dani Snell's Refracted Light Reviews	16.	Fisher Amelie, author of The Understorey
17.	M. Leighton, Blood Like Poison Series, Madly, The Reaping	18.	Abbi Glines, author of Breathe and The Vincent Boys
19.	Kimberly Kinrade, Bits of You & Pieces of Me, Forbidden Mind	20.	Madeline Smoot, Missing, Summer Shorts, and The Girls
21.	Cidney Swanson, author of Rippler	22.	Gwenn Wright, author of Filter
23.	TG Ayer	24.	Melissa Pearl, author of Golden Blood

Breaking Dawn & Real Life Emergencies

2011-12-02T22:40:00.001-06:00

My daughter and I took advantage of the Thanksgivingholiday to see BreakingDawn.While there, something happened to make me pause and acknowledge The Warrior Series hits closer to home than I previously realized.

We were sitting in the middle of the pitch-black andcompletely packed theatre and watching Renesmee’s birth, an especially bloodyscene. Suddenly, a voice overpowered theaction holding our attention. The words utteredwere those you never want to hear…ones that instantaneously pump adrenalinethrough your veins. “SOMEBODY CALL911!” Without delay, I popped up, lookedback, and saw several people standing. Before I could move, my daughter said, “Go help, Mom!”

It’s been years since I’ve performed hands-on patientcare, but jumping into action was second nature for me because of the time Ispent in ICUs. I rushed to the top ofthe theatre, squeezing past people still sitting in their chairs like the moviewas more important. “I’m a nurse, pleaseexcuse me,” I said passing each movie-goer. Realizing the critical nature of what was happening, they finally began risingand clearing the area.

At the end of the row and against the wall, I found a twenty-four-year-oldman who was no larger than a very young teenage boy. He was pale, clammy, and sinking down intohis seat and toward the floor. I grabbedhis wrist and – frightening me more thananything – found his pulse so weak and thready it was almost nonexistent.

Worried about what I had just blindly encountered and mentallypreparing for the worst, I heard a woman behind me say, “I’m apediatrician. Let’s get his legselevated.” I immediately followed her instructions. We lifted the arms on several of the movieseats and spread him out. I knelt on achair and held his legs as high as possible.

All around, I heard people making the 911 calls, askingquestions of the man’s mother, and conveying the information back to theoperators. She told the messengers herson had been known to pass out when the doctor’s office drew his blood. Everyone instantly assumed the bloody scene had elicited this man’s reaction, one eerily similar to Bella’s in Twilight when she was exposed to bloody finger pricks.

While waiting for the ambulance, I rubbed the young man’slegs, wordlessly assuring him he would be fine. After a few minutes, the pediatricianconfirmed the boy’s pulse was getting stronger, and he began looking better. BeforeEMS arrived, my newest friend (one whose name I’ll never know, but a man I’llnever forget), said, “I think I’ve ruined vampire movies for myself.” Everyone’s anxiety was quickly relieved withhis ability to make a joke and poke fun at himself at a time when an entiretheatre of people was standing over him and staring him down.

Afterwards, my daughter – joking – looked at me and said, “I’m never going anywhere with youagain. This happens every time.” I stared at her trying to understand what shemeant. Then, it occurred to me she was notliterally right, but she was correct that I had been involved in similiar situations on numerous occasions…andshe was present for a few of them.

Last Christmas, she and I were shopping when a woman collapsedto the ground right in front of us. Assoon as she fell, a door slammed onto her ankle. Checking on her and trying to decide whatneeded to be done, I found that she was a diabetic who had not eaten after injectingher insulin. Aftershe was stable, I offered to drive her to the emergency room. She refused, but we did not leave her sideuntil we knew she had someone to make sure she was safe.

A few months before that, I was driving home from work. I was on the feeder road – in the middle of Houston – talking to myhusband on the phone and letting him know I was on my way. From the corner ofmy eye I saw something in an abandoned parking lot that wassurreal. A grown man had a small boy onthe ground beating him with a belt. Protectinghimself from the very violent lashes, the boy curled in a ball. When he did, the man began kicking him.

My instincts took control. I stopped in the middle of the road, laid down on the horn, rolled thewindow down, and began screaming for the man to stop beating the boy. Fortunately, he stopped. I waited where I was (unable to make it to the parking lot from my location), hung up with my husband, and called 911. The man made some threats geared toward hurting me, picked the boy up,threw him in the car, and dared me to follow him. I provided the license plate number to thepolice, but they called back later and told me they had not located the car, man,or boy.

While I have been involved in many other unexpected emergencies involving coaches,friends, and co-workers, the most memorable incident happened while myfamily and I were out having dinner. Ahysterical woman rushed into our dining room, “DOES ANYONE KNOW CPR?” As soon as the words were out of her mouth, Ijumped up, handed my son over, and followed her to the next room. There, I found her husband in cardiac arrest. One of the restaurant’s workers joinedme in performing CPR while the wife knelt by us and begged us not to give up…forus save him. After several minutes, wewere successful in getting his heart beating again. EMS took over when they arrived, and I wasescorted back to my dining room.

I may never know the exact outcome of most of thesesituations, but I’ll forever be grateful God embedded a passion in my heart tostep up and help those who can’t help themselves. While I’m in no way glad that theseemergencies happened, I realize now that every action, reaction, and emotionencountered during these crisis have become critical parts of my books. I’ve come to learn, writing about them allows me to process the incidentand sort through the powerful emotions which are stirred up afterwards. Despite my formal training and experience.

Feel free to share with me some of your own heroic experiences. Also, let me know if you would mind if I change your version up a bit in order to use it in a future Warrior Series book (if ever a scene arrives where it would fit perfectly).

YA Indie Carnival - Recipe for Plotting

2011-11-26T21:50:00.001-06:00

This week's YAIndie Carnival topic is Recipesfor Plotting Stories. To this I say…nothing I do is customary. I learned early on that there was an expectation forme to write a book following the 'perfection' of traditional formulas. Instead, I created a series unlike any beforeit. It’s one that could only be writtenand published by an indie author.

My recipe is simple:

· 1 Distinct Idea

o A physician with the ability to heal thedying

· 1 Story Filled With Enough Realism To Makethe Paranormal Believable

o The real-life hospital emergencies act as theperfect balance to the main character’s miraculous abilities.

· 3 Great Main Characters (and lots of great supporting characters)

o Allison La Crosse (beautiful resident)

o Brody Kennedy (gorgeous chief resident)

o Clark Ardent (amazing friend, land lord, andattorney)

· MoreThan a Dash of Romance…Drama…Action

o Allison& Brody OR Allison and Clark

o SuriChan’s (who has a stalker-like crush on Brody)

o Goodvs. Evil

· 18Chapters (432 pages) To Tell The Story

Chapter 1 – ABridge to the Other Side

Chapter 2 – Satan’sSect

Chapter 3 – TheCatalyst

Chapter 4 – Rosesare Red

Chapter 5 – TheSalvadare

Chapter 6 –Observation

Chapter 7 – GoodLuck Charms

Chapter 8 –Stranger Anxiety

Chapter 9 –Betrayed

Chapter 10 – It Is What It Is

Chapter 11 – Breaking and Entering

Chapter 12 – Lighthearted

Chapter 13 – God Grant Me the Serenity

Chapter 14 – Deadly Sins

Chapter 15 – Warriors

Chapter 16 – Disciples

Chapter 17 – Violated

Chapter 18 – Miracles Do Happen

Aftercombining the above ingredient, you will read and re-read. With each pass, you will build on everydetail, fine-tune each aspect of the story, and edit, edit, edit. When you think that you are completelyfinished and the book is perfect, put it aside for a few weeks. Then, got back and read, build, fine-tune,and edit for as many times as it takes for you to feel comfortable. After you’ve vetted the story and its editingthrough someone who is completely objective, and they’ve given you the thumbsup, you can publish your book.

YA Indie Carnival - A Thanksgiving Story

2011-11-23T10:50:00.001-06:00

This week's YA Indie Carnival topicis A Thanksgiving Story.Since I don't have any Thanksgiving passages in my books, I thought I wouldshare an excerpt from Guardians of the Cross. The scene is one immediately following a horrific attack on AllisonLa Crosse. In the center of this meal – and Allison’s speech – is love, family,and God. This is as close toThanksgiving as I could get.

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Chapter 12

Control

When we made it to the beachhouse, The Sisters ran from the deck to welcomeus. While awkward, I found it waspossible for three people to hug one person at the exact same time. As soon as I was cocooned within theirembrace, they broke out into prayers filled with pleas of mercy and love.

“God. Thank you for the miracle you’ve allowed usto witness….for delivering Allie, Brody, James, Clark, Trevor, and Mallory backto us. Give those who lack faith in youthe ability to understand the magnitude of your power and your love. Please keep your almighty hands on your Warriors, your Disciples, and your Judiciariesand bring them safely back to those who are unable to follow them into theirbattles. In you all things arepossible. Amen.”

Amazingly, their loving andspiritual words were spoken in unison as if they’d recited the same phrases a thousandother times. I kissed them for all theprayers I knew they had uttered while I endured my newest attack.

Afterwards, they ushered us tothe deck where they’d prepared a meal fit for the army we were fast becoming. I hadn’t eaten for days so the food spreadbefore me made my stomach rumble. BeforeI could make a plate, Lita had one prepared and was shoving it toward me. The scent of the garlicky tomatoes coveringthe noodles and meatballs was every bit as appetizing as Daddy’s homemade gumbohad been when we were in Louisiana.

The instant I sat down, a basketfilled to the brim with warm buttered bread made its way to me. I quickly grabbed two pieces and passed the wickercontainer to Clark, who was next to me. Inoticed him seize a piece of the bread and take a bite before he’d even passedthe basket along to the next person. It occurredto me that he’d been as unable to eat while I was held hostage as Gillian hadbeen. I reached over and took hishand, secretly apologizing for everything I was putting him through. He kept his hand squeezed around mine.

Watchingmy family and friends, I saw them celebrating the win of our battle. I was thankful and happy, but I could not fullyenjoy the moment because I knew there was still a war to be won.

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To all my friends, family, followers, and fans: Here’s to hoping you've lived well, laughed often, and loved much over the last year.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

1.	Laura A. H. Elliott author of Winnemucca & 13 on Halloween, Book 1 in the Teen Halloween Series	2.	Bryna Butler, author Midnight Guardian series
3.	Heather Self	4.	T. R. Graves, Author of The Warrior Series
5.	Suzy Turner, author of The Raven Saga	6.	Darby Karchut, author of GRIFFIN RISING
7.	Lexus Luke	8.	PJ Hoover, Author of SOLSTICE, Blogging at ROOTS IN MYTH
9.	Cheri Schmidt, author of the Fateful Trilogy	10.	Rachel Coles, author of Into The Ruins, geek mom blog
11.	K. C. Blake, author of Vampires Rule and Crushed	12.	Patti Larsen, The Hunted series and The Hayle Coven series
13.	Courtney Cole, author of The Bloodstone Saga	14.	Amy Maurer Jones, Author of The Soul Quest Trilogy
15.	Dani Snell's Refracted Light Reviews	16.	Fisher Amelie, author of The Understorey
17.	M. Leighton, Blood Like Poison Series, Madly, The Reaping	18.	Abbi Glines, author of Breathe and The Vincent Boys
19.	Kimberly Kinrade, Bits of You & Pieces of Me, Forbidden Mind	20.	Madeline Smoot, Missing, Summer Shorts, and The Girls
21.	Cidney Swanson, author of Rippler	22.	Nicole Williams, author of Eternal Eden, Falling Eden
23.	Gwenn Wright, author of Filter	24.	TG Ayer
25.	Melissa Pearl, author of Golden Blood	26.	YA Fantasy

YA Indie Carnival - The Rise of YA Fantasy

2011-11-18T19:12:00.001-06:00

This week's YA Indie Carnivaltopic is The Rise of YAFantasy. The fact that I just finished reading (okay...listening to) Destined(House of Night #9) by P.C. Cast, Kristin Cast makesthe timing of this subject perfect.

My most favorite YAbooks/series (House of Night isdefinitely one of them) reminds me of the time in my life when I was naïveenough to think good always prevails…love was all it took…and anything waspossible.

House of Night follows a heroine, Zoey Redbird, and her ‘circle' of friends who have thepower, motive, and desire to make a world-changing difference. In addition to the beautiful writing and theendearing characters, this series is written by a mother/daughter team. That detail is the reason I read the firstbook, Marked (House of Night #1). While I’m unbelievably impressed with everyaspect of the storyline, I’m also reminded that I began writing Warriors of the Cross in order to get closer to my teenaged daughter. I’ve often wondered if the House of Night series had the same positive impact on P.C. & Kristen’s relationship that I’ve experienced with my daughter.

Like most YAFantasies, House of Night's heroine saves the world while finding and fallingin love. Keeping House of Night interesting, Zoey Redbird is constantly being torn between lots of SUPER HOT Vampyres,Trackers, Consorts, Guardians, and Immortals.

As with anygreat book, family and friends are great supporting characters in Destined. I can honestly say I shed more than a few tearswhile Grandma Redbird mourns for her daughter, Zoey’s mother. The death was treated like it was animportant part of the story without making the book or its charactersdepressing.

The final aspectof Destined (and most other YA Fantasies) is the battle between good and evil. As with the rest of the books in the series, the battles are minor and ongoing. I can honestly say that I’m living to find out the outcome of this particularwar!

If you read one orall of the nine of the House of Night books, you will not be disappointed.

1.	Laura A. H. Elliott author of Winnemucca & 13 on Halloween, Book 1 in the Teen Halloween Series	2.	Bryna Butler, author Midnight Guardian series
3.	Heather Self	4.	T. R. Graves, Author of The Warrior Series
5.	Suzy Turner, author of The Raven Saga	6.	Darby Karchut, author of GRIFFIN RISING
7.	Lexus Luke	8.	PJ Hoover, Author of SOLSTICE, Blogging at ROOTS IN MYTH
9.	Cheri Schmidt, author of the Fateful Trilogy	10.	Rachel Coles, author of Into The Ruins, geek mom blog
11.	K. C. Blake, author of Vampires Rule and Crushed	12.	Patti Larsen, The Hunted series and The Hayle Coven series
13.	Courtney Cole, author of The Bloodstone Saga	14.	Amy Maurer Jones, Author of The Soul Quest Trilogy
15.	Dani Snell's Refracted Light Reviews	16.	Fisher Amelie, author of The Understorey
17.	M. Leighton, Blood Like Poison Series, Madly, The Reaping	18.	Abbi Glines, author of Breathe and The Vincent Boys
19.	Kimberly Kinrade, Bits of You & Pieces of Me, Forbidden Mind	20.	Madeline Smoot, Missing, Summer Shorts, and The Girls
21.	Cidney Swanson, author of Rippler	22.	Nicole Williams, author of Eternal Eden, Falling Eden
23.	Gwenn Wright, author of Filter	24.	TG Ayer
25.	Melissa Pearl, author of Golden Blood	26.	YA Fantasy

Crossed (Matched, #2) by Ally Condie

2011-11-16T06:00:00.000-06:00

✯✯✯✯✯ 5 Stars

How can such a benign thing as a book of white pages filled with black words – ones that mean nothing when uttered separately – become so powerful? DO NOT GO GENTLE… DO NOT GO GENTLE… DO NOT GO GENTLE. The words resonate in my mind, reminding me to stand up for all that is right…for all that have been wronged…for what I believe.

For me, the best books are those which leave thoughts in your mind and a passion in your heart. Yes, the characters are great; the story-line is fresh; and the descriptions are such that you can envision the blues, greens, and reds being described. But, it is the underlying morals and ethics and messages of love taking this book (series) to the level of timeless.

The way Ally Condie describes her character’s longing for lost works of art makes me want to go back and 1) read every great book ever written in order to appreciate the gift of words that author has given to us; 2) look at every masterpiece and admire the thousands of strokes it took for the artist to complete the work; and 3) most importantly, to thank every soldier who has died protecting the freedoms we enjoy. Because of them, we have the ability to choose our mates/our hometowns/our jobs, to freely read any genre we like, to enjoy uncensored art, and to travel anywhere our feet will take use. Only a great author could make us mourn that which we have as if it had been stolen from us when it was stripped from the book’s characters.

Thanksgiving Wishes - Early

2011-11-13T06:35:00.001-06:00

In the spirit of the season, I’m thankful for lots and lots of things this year. As a mother/wife/friend, the gratitude deeply embedded inside of me specifically carved out for my family and friends will always be first on my lists. As a nurse, I’m thankful to have a job which allows me to give back to the community and make a difference to a cause near and dear to my heart, nonprofit healthcare. As a writer, I’m beyond grateful for every opportunity that I’ve been given during my debut year. The road has been long and arduous, but it has been every bit as rewarding as my healthcare advocacy job. Since the release of Warriors of the Cross, I’ve met dozens of great Indie authors (all phenomenal & special & talented people) and hundreds of friends/fans/followers/

commenters/reviewers who are passionate about reading, writing, and blogging. I have learned something from each of them, and their lessons will never be forgotten.

In preparation for December’s release of Guardians of the Cross, I’m sending out a Warriors of the Cross link along with a coupon which will allow the most-recent edition Warriors of the Cross to be downloaded for *FREE*. If you have an older version, please feel free to use the coupon to update your Kindle/Nook/IPAD/etc.

Finally, you are welcome to share this on your blogs/Facebook/Twitter…if you like. It will be good until 12/20/11. As with any gift, there are no strings attached. If downloaded, there are no obligations to read, review, fan/friend/follow, or comment. All you have to do is sit back and ENJOY!

https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/44277 - coupon LY87N

From me to you, have a great Thanksgiving!

T. R. Graves, Author

Warriors of the Cross
Guardians of the Cross

Enemies of the Cross