GCC Presents KICKING IT, Including a Story by Lucienne Diver!

 Another member of our Girlfriends' Cyber Circuit is celebrating the release of an anthology. I'm excited to share with you: KICKING IT...

Featuring stories by SHANNON K. BUTCHER * RACHEL CAINE * LUCIENNE DIVER * CHRIS MARIE GREEN * CHRISTINA HENRY * FAITH HUNTER * CHLOE NEILL * KALAYNA PRICE * ROB THURMAN

New York Times bestselling author Rachel Caine has modern-day potions witches Holly and Andrew facing off against a firebrand politician who wears literally killer boots in a Texas-sized rodeo of trouble.

Boot-loving Cadogan vampire Lindsey must team up with off-again, on-again vampire partner Luc when a woman from her past is targeted by supernaturals in New York Times bestselling author Chloe Neill’s all-new adventure.

And New York Times bestselling author Rob Thurman features Trixa Iktomi from her Trickster series dealing with magical vengeance and magical footwear.

Taking kick-ass urban fantasy literally, USA Today bestselling authors Kalayna Price and Faith Hunter bring together the best of the genre to once again prove when you’re fighting supernatural forces, it helps to keep your feet on the ground.

Lucienne Diver's story – “The Parlor” (set in the world of the Latter-Day Olympians series)

Tori Karacis, P.I. and part gorgon, goes undercover in a gambling den to get the lowdown on a client’s delinquent husband.  What she finds are disappearances tracing back to The Parlor going back years and a sinister proprietess who makes sure that even when you win, you lose.

Excerpt:

Boss lady.  It was what my assistant Jesus (pronounced Hey-Zeus) called me.  Times like these I missed the hell out of him.  I could only imagine his scathing commentary on the place.  "Tinfoil bikinis, really?  It's like The Wizard of Oz meets the deli counter. If I only had a style..." 

Quotes:

Taking kick-ass urban fantasy literally, USA Today bestselling authors Kalayna Price and Faith Hunter bring together the best of the genre to once again prove when you’re fighting supernatural forces, it helps to keep your feet on the ground.” — All Things Urban Fantasy

“The writing in this anthology is excellent and the stories are a mix of fun, edge of your seat kick ass action, and great characters… Kalayna and Faith did a great job of bringing together some of the best writers of urban fantasy!” —Kings River Life

“If you need a break and want to read some short and sweet, yet plenty kick-ass, urban fantasy gems featuring plenty of girl power, you’re in for a treat! There’s something here for just about every UF fan, and I only covered the tip of the spiked heel!” —My Bookish Ways

Author Bio:

Lucienne Diver writes the Latter-Day Olympians urban fantasy series for Samhain, featuring a heroine who can, quite literally, stop men in their tracks.  Long and Short Reviews gave the first in the series her favorite pull-quote of all times, "Bad Blood is a delightful urban fantasy, a clever mix of Janet Evanovich and Rick Riordan.”  Sequels: Crazy in the Blood and Rise of the Blood.  She also writes the popular Vamped young adult series (think Clueless meets Buffy the Vampire Slayer). Her short stories have been featured in the Strip-Mauled and Fangs for the Mammaries anthologies edited by Esther Friesner and, of course, the Kicking It anthology new from Roc Books.  Her essay on abuse is included in the Dear Bully: 70 Authors Tell Their Stories anthology from HarperTeen. 

Links:

Excerpt (at Bitten by Books): http://bittenbybooks.com/66257/kicking-it-exclusive-excerpt-from-author-lucienne-diver/

Author’s website: http://www.luciennediver.com/

Blog: http://luciennediver.wordpress.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/luciennediver

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lucienne-Diver/162714330443458

GCC Presents Sara Hantz and IN THE BLOOD!

I'm excited to welcome another Girlfriend from Girlfriends' Cyber Circuit to the blog!

Publisher: Entangled: Teen (November 5, 2013)

ASIN: B00FUWP3EG

For seventeen years, Jed Franklin’s life was normal. Then his father was charged with the abuse and murder of four young boys and normal became a nightmare.

His mom’s practically a walking zombie, he’s lost most of his friends, and the press camps out on his lawn. The only things that keep him sane are his little sis; his best friend and dream girl, Summer; and the alcohol he stashes in his room. But after Jed wakes up from a total blackout to discover a local kid has gone missing—a kid he was last seen talking to—he’s forced to face his greatest fear: that he could somehow be responsible.

In a life that’s spiraled out of control, Jed must decide if he chooses his own destiny with Summer by his side or if the violent urges that plagued his father are truly in the blood…

What they are saying:

“Sara Hantz doesn't pull any punches shaping this story of one of the toughest, most complicated family situations that a teen could face. Jed's emotions are raw and real. I ached and raged with him and frantically turned pages to see where he would end up.”  Stephanie Kuehnert, author of Ballads of Suburbia and I Wanna Be Your Joey Ramone

“In The Blood is a gut-wrenching look inside the mind of a young man living with a nightmare. Jared has to learn to face life after his father is accused of an unspeakable crime. A ripped-from-the-headlines story that illustrates the power of unconditional love.”  B. A. Binns author of PULL, and Being God

"A dark and deliciously tense story that will make you wonder how alike our parents we can be."  Kelley York author of Hushed.

Sara stopped by for a short interview:

1. Tell me about your book in seven words or less.

Dark, edgy, contemporary, disturbing, thought-provoking, gut-wrenching.

2. Other than your main character, who's a favorite character of yours in your novel and why?
Summer because she’s a perfect foil to Jed’s dark brooding nature.

3. What's one piece of writing advice you would give to aspiring authors?
Learn to be patient because publishing moves at a glacial pace. As an immediate gratification type of person I find this very hard.

4. What did you write when you were a teen? Did you journal? Write poetry? Write overly literary or emotional stories? Or avoid writing altogether?
I didn’t write when I was a teen, not because I was avoiding it, I just didn’t about doing it. I loved reading, but it was like authors were these amazing people and it didn’t enter my head I could be one.

5. What's the last book you read that you really loved?
The Associate by John Grisham

Links:

www.sarahantz.com

@sarahantz

https://www.facebook.com/sara.hantz.1

Bio:

Sara Hantz originally comes from the UK and is one of four children, having three younger brothers. Although she was an avid reader from a very early age, she didn't get the writing bug until much later in life, though English was always one of her stronger subjects. She's an avid sun chaser and now lives on the beautiful Sunshine Coast in Australia (via 10 years in New Zealand). Sara lectured for many years before deciding to devote more time to her writing and working in the family hospitality business. She has two grown-up children and when not writing, working, or online with her friends, she spends more time than most people she knows watching TV - in fact if TV watching was an Olympic sport she'd win gold. Sara’s books: In The Blood, The Second Virginity of Suzy Green and Will The Real Abi Saunders Please Stand Up (due out May 2014).

Congrats, Sara! 

GCC Presents Kelly Parra and SUPERNATURAL HUNTERS!

I'm excited to welcome another author from Girlfriends Cyber Circuit who is releasing a novella this week. Kelly Parra's latest teen kick-butt romance hits the shelves from Buzz Books this month!

"Just the right combination of butt-kicking and romance to keep you on the edge of your seat."

- Allison van Diepen, The Vampire Stalker

Supernatural teen hunters and kick-butt couple Jaz and Blake get trouble in their own backyard, the graveyard, when a ghoul is on the loose and looking for fresh meat. When a teen hunter on the verge of death arrives at their doorstep, they realize a much greater evil is upon them.

Jaz is satisfied with their makeshift foster family and fighting monsters, but Blake yearns for adventure and the truth about his biological family. Will Blake leave Jaz to search for something more...and to fend for herself? Can a relationship survive when death is lurking just beyond the gravestones?

SUPERNATURAL HUNTERS (Buzz Books, Oct 2013) is the first novella to follow Jaz and Blake's whirlwind, action-packed romance started in PROM DATES TO DIE FOR and SOMETHING WICKED. With an eye for great dialogue and fight scenes, SUPERNATURAL HUNTERS is a fast-paced, fun read.

INTERVIEW WITH KELLY PARRA:

1. Tell me about your book in seven words or less.

Kelly: Teen Supernatural hunters must battle a Necromancer!

2. Other than your main character, who's a favorite character of yours in your novel and why?

Kelly: That would have to be Oz. He’s a warlock sworn by an oath to protect and train Supernatural Hunters. He wears glasses, has red hair and freckles, and loves Asian culture! A very fun character to write.

3. What's one piece of writing advice you would give to aspiring authors?

Kelly: Learn to adapt. When I first was published ebooks weren’t as popular, and the first kindle had just been introduced. Now look how ebooks have caught on! I have had to learn to adapt to marketing digitally, not just with blog tours and interviews. It’s been a learning experience and I’m still learning.

4. What did you write when you were a teen? Did you journal? Write poetry? Write overly literary or emotional stories? Or avoid writing altogether?

Kelly: I wrote angst filled poetry and some short fiction. It was the reading I avoided, now you can’t stop me.

5. What's the last book you read that you really loved?

Kelly: STUPID CUPID by Tina Ferraro

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT KELLY AND SUPERNATURAL HUNTERS:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Supernatural-Hunters-Novella-Chronicles-ebook/dp/B00FIWOULU/

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/supernatural-hunters-kelly-parra/1117004196?ean=2940148775423

Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/supernatural-hunters-a-novella

SUPERNATURAL HUNTERS Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SajhInnzEb4

Author website: http://www.kellyparra.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorkellyparra

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kparra

OCTOBER CONTEST

Like Kelly Parra’s author page (https://www.facebook.com/authorkellyparra) during the month of October (and the giveaway post) for a chance to win the SUPERNATURAL HUNTERS SWAG giveaway on Halloween!

 

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kelly Parra debuted into young adult fiction in 2007 with her Latina novel Graffiti Girl, which garnered attention as a double nominee for the Romance Writers of America RITA award, a Latinidad YA top pick, as well as chosen for the California High School Reading Collection and National Book Foundation "BookUpNYC" program. Her novel Invisible Touch hailed fresh praise from bestselling author Lauria Faria Stolarz, and given the Gold Award of Excellence from TeensReadToo. She is a member of Romance Writers of America and co-author of the popular young adult blog, YA Fresh. Kelly resides in her agricultural hometown in Central Coast California with her husband and two beautiful children, where she continues to write entertaining novels for teens. Learn more at website www.kellyparra.com.

GCC Presents Diana Rodriguez Wallach and REFLECTING EMMY!

Today on Girlfriends Cyber Circuit, I get to highlight a short story! This one is called Reflecting Emmy, and is part of the story collection Mirror Mirror. 

Background About REFLECTING EMMY and the MIRROR, MIRROR Trilogy

 Diana Rodriguez Wallach, author of the award-winning YA series Amor and Summer Secrets, has created a modern take on the myths of Narcissus and Nemesis in a contemporary teen setting.

Her Mirror, Mirror trilogy debuts September 3^rd with “Reflecting Emmy,” followed by “Nara Gazing” in October, and “Shattering GiGi” in November. Each title will be a $0.99 short story sold in digital ebook format for Kindle, nook, and kobo. The titles will be combined to create the complete Mirror, Mirror trilogy, along with bonus materials and a prequel short story, in December 2013.

In early 2014, Diana’s Mirror, Mirror trilogy will be combined with the works of YA authors Jammie Kern and Magda Knight to create the Mythology High anthology, available in ebook and paperback through Buzz Books.

REFLECTING EMMY is about...

Eighteen-year-old Emmy is in the family business-trapping vapid narcissistic souls into her silver compact mirror for all eternity. It’s what the Rhamnusia family has been doing for thousands of years, all under the direction of Great Grandmother. Only Emmy’s latest assignment, Nara, is about to prove more challenging than she ever expected.

Gorgeous and self-absorbed, Nara is unflinchingly cruel to her classmates. Even her boyfriend, Luke, can no longer tolerate her actions–much to Emmy’s relief since she finds Luke a little more than intriguing. But when Emmy tricks Nara into gazing into her mystical mirror, what she finds there is not what she’s expecting.

What People Are Saying:

"A fun, fresh and thoroughly entertaining modern twist on the Narcissus myth. Readers will love Emmy and her (mis)adventures. Wallach packs a lot of story into a small packing--romance, friendship and the power of one person to make a difference. The only thing missing... is more!"

~ Tera Lynn Childs, award-winning author of Oh. My. Gods., Forgive My Fins, and Sweet Venom.

"Diana Rodriguez Wallach’s Mythology High is too much fun. Emmy collects narcissistic souls for the family business but after making one tiny little mistake she finds her life turned upside down. These three stories are a must for anyone who loves Greek mythology, feisty heroines and second chances. My only complaint is that I didn’t want them to finish." –Amanda Ashby, author of Fairy Bad Day and Demosity

The Interview:

Diana stopped by for a short interview about her story. 

1. Tell me about your book in seven words or less.
It’s based on the myth of Narcissus.

2. Other than your main character, who's a favorite character of yours in your novel and why?
I consider Emmy (the reimagined Nemesis) to be my main character, so I’d say my next favorite character is Nara (a revamped Narcissus). She’s the beautiful, shallow, self-absorbed teen whom Emmy is trying to wipe off the planet. Emmy is a paranormal secret agent tasked with trapping Narcissistic teen souls in her silver compact mirror. And Nara is nothing like her other targets.  She might be vein and sometimes cruel, but she’s also got some glimpses of humanity in her. Her heart was broken, which has softened her a bit, making her different from your average Narcissus.

3. What's one piece of writing advice you would give to aspiring authors?
The road to publication is a long one. If you want to be an author—I mean, really want it—then you need to be prepared to settle in for the long haul. Everyone gets rejected—some spend years trying to find an agent, others years trying to find an editor, other years trying to create a fan base. Love the acting of writing so much that it makes everything else worth it.

4.What did you write when you were a teen? Did you journal? Write poetry? Write overly literary or emotional stories? Or avoid writing altogether?
I wrote in a journal, mostly in high school. I still have it, actually. I turn to it every once in awhile when I’m working on the romantic entanglements in my novels, so I can more vividly remember what it felt like to be a teen with a crush, or a teen with a broken heart. There are some un-mailed letters to ex-boyfriends in there that still get me every time I read them.

5. What's the last book you read that you really loved?
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn! It hooked me from the first paragraph. The story is really intriguing and the writing is really inspiring, especially as I work on my next project, which is a YA thriller.

About the Author

Diana Rodriguez Wallach is the author of Mirror, Mirror, a short-story collection based on the Narcissus myth, that includes Reflecting Emmy, Nara Gazing, and Shattering GiGi (Buzz Books 2013). She is also the author of three award-winning YA novels: Amor and Summer Secrets, Amigas and School Scandals, and Adios to All The Drama (Kensington Books).

 

In 2011, she published a highly regarded essay in Dear Bully: 70 Authors Tell Their Stories (HarperCollins), and in 2013, she will be featured in the anthology Latina Authors and Their Muses (Twilight Times Books). In 2010 Diana was named one of the Top Ten New Latino Authors to Watch by LatinoStories.com, and she placed second in the International Latino Book Awards. She hold a B.S. in Journalism from Boston University, and currently lives in Philadelphia with her husband and daughter.

Find out more about Diana or her writing...

Website: www.dianarodriguezwallach.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/dianarwallach  

Facebook: www.facebook.com/diana.rodriguezwallach

Tumblr: http://dianarwallach.tumblr.com

Pinterist: http://pinterest.com/dianarwallach/boards/

Girlfriends Cyber Circuit Presents DEMONOSITY by Amanda Ashby

I'm excited to welcome another GCC author today, Amanda Ashby, with her latest release:

The Black Rose–a powerful ancient force–has been let loose and has taken up residence in Celeste Gibson, popular girl at Cassidy Carter-Lewis’ high school. Thomas Delacroix is the spirit of a fourteenth-century knight who is devoted to protecting the Black Rose, but he needs a contemporary living being to take on the challenge. That’s where Cassidy comes in.

She’s a quirky high school junior who just wants to dress in her vintage clothes, hang out with her best friend, and take care of her father, who is recovering from surgery. She’s the last person who would ever volunteer for such a task, but no one actually asked her.  Now, like it or not, she finds herself training before dawn and battling demons at parties, the mall, and even at school. But hey, no one ever said high school was going to be easy.

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

“With interesting characters and a fresh plot, this absorbing read addresses everything from peer pressure to intelligent guy pals to self-reliance, with just enough paranormal activity to maintain an edge. The message never overwhelms the fun in this frothy paranormal romp.” Kirkus Reviews

“Ashby’s frothy romp percolates with lighthearted humor and droll dialogue, while an involving plot and themes exploring friendship and self-reliance add satisfying substance.” School Library Journal

THE INTERVIEW

Amanda stopped by for a short interview to talk about her new book:

Welcome, Amanda! Can you tell me about your book in seven words or less.

Fun bundle of action, romance and adventure.

Other than your main character, who's a favorite character of yours in your novel and why? 

I love Nash. He’s my heroine’s best friend and not only is he an asexual genius with striking good looks (that are of course wasted on anyone else) but he also walks around in big highwaymen coats and an attitude. I also might have listened to a lot of Adam Ant while I was writing him!

What's one piece of writing advice you would give to aspiring authors?

Do as I say not as I do – hahahaha! Actually, I’m not even joking because I’m a terrible writer. I lack discipline and I break the rules all the time (usually without even knowing they were a rule in the first place!) But in all seriousness, despite my flaws I was always determined to get published, so I guess my only advice is that if this is what you want then you have to find a way to fight for it.

What did you write when you were a teen? Did you journal? Write poetry? Write overly literary or emotional stories? Or avoid writing altogether?

I avoided writing altogether. I was always really good at English and read anything I could get my hands on but it never occurred to me to write in my spare time. I was probably too busy planning my wedding to Shaun Cassidy!

What's the last book you read that you really loved?

I’ve just finished The Cuckoo’s Calling by Robert Galbraith/JK Rowling and I really adored it. I also really loved The Casual Vacancy as well, which was dark, depressing and kind of fantastic! The thing that’s always appealed to me about her writing is that she reminds me of all the English authors that my dad used to read like Jerome K Jerome and PG Wodehouse so it’s a cozy, comforting reminder of my childhood all at the same time!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Amanda Ashby was born in Australia and after spending the last sixteen years dividing her time between England and New Zealand, she’s finally returned home for some sunshine. When she’s not moving country, she likes to write books (okay, she also likes to eat chocolate, watch television and sit around doing not much, but let’s just keep that amongst ourselves, shall we?)

She has a degree in English and Journalism from the University of Queensland and is married with two children. Her debut book, You Had Me at Halo was nominated for a Romantic Times Reviewer’s Choice award. Zombie Queen of Newbury High was listed by the New York Public Library’s Stuff for the Teen Age 2010. Fairy Bad Day was selected by Voya as one of their Top Shelf Fiction for Middle School Readers 2012 and was a SCBWI Crystal Kite Award finalist for the Australia/NZ region.

FIND HER

http://www.amandaashby.com

https://twitter.com/amandaashby

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Amanda-Ashby

Author Interview: Jessica Brody and UNREMEMBERED!

Jessica Brody has a new book out! This one looks awesome, and it's the start of a series, so I'm really excited about that. Read on, because Jessica stopped by to talk a little about UNREMEMBERED, and left a link so you can read the first five chapters!

SUMMARY: The only thing worse than forgetting her past...is remembering it.
 When Freedom Airlines flight 121 went down over the Pacific Ocean, no one ever expected to find a single survivor; which is why the sixteen-year-old girl discovered floating amid the wreckage—alive—is making headlines across the globe. She has no memories of boarding the plane. She has no memories of her life before the crash. She has no memories…period. As she struggles to piece together her forgotten past and discover who she really is, every clue raises more questions. Her only hope is a strangely alluring boy who claims to know her. Who claims they were in love. But can she really trust him? And will he be able to protect her from the people who have been making her forget?
 Set in a world where science knows no boundaries and memories are manipulated UNREMEMBERED by Jessica Brody is the first novel in a compelling, romantic, and suspenseful new sci-fi trilogy for teens.

 INTERVIEW WITH JESSICA:

Welcome, Jessica! Can you tell me about your book in seven words or less?

Some memories are better left...unremembered.

Other than your main character, who's a favorite character of yours in your novel and why?

I have to say Cody, Seraphina’s 13-year-old foster brother.

 This genre was brand new for me. My first time venturing into the world of sci-fi. And as all my contemporaries were comedies, it was oftentimes a challenge for me to write something darker and more serious (see evidence above.) Cody, however, is the comic relief of the novel. So writing him was like a little link back to my comfort zone. I always felt like I was “home” when I wrote him. And it gave me the opportunity to make fun of myself a little. While Sera’s storyline is rather dark and mysterious and all these harrowing things are happening around her, Cody can always be counted on to lighten the mood with a comedic crack on her situation. 

What's one piece of writing advice you would give to aspiring authors?

Regardless if you’re a bestselling author with twenty books under your belt or you’re just starting out, writing is a craft that needs to be constantly honed.  Try to write every day. Even if the stuff that’s coming out reads like a third grade book report. Sometimes you have to get the crap out in order to get to the good stuff. And sometimes, writing just to write is the only way to get a book done. Even if it means having to go back later and delete it all!

What did you write when you were a teen? Did you journal? Write poetry? Write overly literary or emotional stories? Or avoid writing altogether?

I wrote really bad poetry. No one will ever see it again. Even me.

What's the last book you read that you really loved?

I’m currently reading GONE GIRL by Gillian Flynn and it is beyond brilliant. I have gasped aloud more than once. Now that’s how you know when you have a good book in your hands. 

REVIEWS:

“Unremembered is a story brimming with mystery and suspense, star-crossed love and mad scientists. I felt like a detective putting together the pieces of Seraphina’s forgotten past right along with her, and the masterful way the puzzle was finally revealed left me speechless.”—Marissa Meyer, New York Times bestselling author of Cinder

“Unremembered is an awesome book! I was pulling for Seraphina from the opening chapters, and couldn’t wait to read what happened next—and I LOVED the twist at the end.” —P.C. Cast, New York Times Bestselling author of the House of Night series.

“Gripping story…harrowing action…The first in Brody’s new science-fiction series should snare enough attention to have folks tapping their feet for the sequel.”
- Booklist

"Unremembered" is the first in a young adult sci-fi trilogy that is a page-turning adventure of self-discovery.” – Deseret News

“Fast-paced and sure to satisfy romance-oriented readers”
- Kirkus

AUTHOR BIO:

JESSICA BRODY knew from a young age that she wanted to be a writer. She started self “publishing” her own books when she was seven years old, binding the pages together with cardboard, wallpaper samples and electrical tape. She is the author of 52 Reasons to Hate My Father, My Life Undecided, The Karma Club, and now, Unremembered. Her books have been translated and published in over 15 countries. She currently splits her time between California and Colorado. www.jessicabrody.com

Readers can download thefirst five chapters FREE!

Like the Unremembered Trilogy on Facebook:

Meet Jessica on tour this month!