SOULLESS by Crystal Collier: Cover Reveal: A MUST READ

Have you met the Soulless and Passionate? In the world of 1770 where supernatural beings mix with humanity, Alexia is playing a deadly game.

SOULLESS, Book 2 in the Maiden of Time trilogy

Alexia manipulated time to save the man of her dreams, and lost her best friend to red-eyed wraiths. Still grieving, she struggles to reconcile her loss with what was gained: her impending marriage. But when her wedding is destroyed by the Soulless—who then steal the only protection her people have—she's forced to unleash her true power.

And risk losing everything.

What people are saying about this series: 

"With a completely unique plot that keeps you guessing and interested, it brings you close to the characters, sympathizing with them and understanding their trials and tribulations." --SC, Amazon reviewer

"It's clean, classy and supernaturally packed with suspense, longing, intrigue and magic." --Jill Jennings, TX

"SWOON." --Sherlyn, Mermaid with a Book Reviewer

Crystal Collier is a young adult author who pens dark fantasy, historical, and romance hybrids. She can be found practicing her brother-induced ninja skills while teaching children or madly typing about fantastic and impossible creatures. She has lived from coast to coast and now calls Florida home with her creative husband, three littles, and “friend" (a.k.a. the zombie locked in her closet). Secretly, she dreams of world domination and a bottomless supply of cheese. You can find her on her blog and Facebook, or follow her on Twitter.

COMING October 13, 2014

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DANCING DEMONS Update

It's been longer than I intended since my last post. However, I've had more important matters to work on - say, DANCING DEMONS. Quite frankly, I'm impressed with myself, and I'll explain why.

The very ORIGINAL draft (then titled Hunted) was an eye-bulging 180,000 words. Since then I've cut and honed it and, while the essence is the same, the writing is tighter, story-line improved, AND the word count is now down to 85,000.

Whoo-hoo-hoo - big difference!

I say again: once 180K is now 85K.

I never thought THAT would be possible - ever. But I pushed myself and made the cuts I never thought I'd be able to. Lo and behold, it reads so much smoother and tighter! So everyone, never be afraid to cut (as well as rewrite). Yes, every word is an extension of your soul, I know, but... sometimes your soul is a little too clingy and you have to learn to let go. Burn those bridges. You'll be better off.

And now after all that, I've prepped it to the point that I've started the querying process up. Going to have to double up on my happy meds for sure; life's anxious enough without querying agents about your manuscript you've slaved over. Yes, that was purposely melodramatic. ;) One thing is definitely for sure, though - you absolutely must love what you do because this is not the right business to coddle your self-esteem lol.

I'll leave it at that. Just wanted a quick update on my recent endeavors.

Until next time!

Katie S. Taylor

WORTH THE EFFORT - Ella's Story COVER REVEAL, by Kai Strand

Cover Reveal for WORTH THE EFFORT: ELLA’S STORY

Hi everyone! My name is Kai Strand. I’m visiting Katie’s blog today to share the cover of my upcoming young adult contemporary romance novella, out next month. I’m super excited. After you read the blurb and excerpt, and see the great cover, I hope you will become excited too. Thanks for reading!

About the book:

Ella Jones is a coward. There is a teen boy living in the alley behind her work and she is terrified of him.

Desperate to leave behind the stereotypical and judgmental world she was raised in, Ella forces herself to make a true connection with seventeen-year-old Ayden Worth. As their friendship grows Ayden’s quiet, gentle ways teach her true courage.

But there’s more to Ayden’s story than Ella knows. When their worlds collide in the most unexpected place, Ella feels betrayed. Will she find the courage to learn who Ayden really is, or will she determine he’s not worth the effort?

Excerpt:

My heart accelerated to a terrifying pace as my unwanted visitor stepped into the light—rumpled, dirty clothing, shaggy hair, head down, concentrating on the ground. As he approached, I still couldn’t move. I don’t know if it was some misplaced politeness—that I didn’t want to cause him embarrassment by showing my petrifying fear of him—or if I was afraid my fleeing would kick start a predator instinct inciting him to give chase. I’m still bothered by the fact that I couldn’t make myself run away.

Available May 6, 2014

Add Worth the Effort: Ella's Story on Goodreads. Subscribe to my newsletter.

Excerpt junkies will find a different snippet to read on each of these sites:

Once Upon A Book

Bookscape Reviews

Paty Jager

Mary Waibel

Love is a Mystery 

Ashelyn Drake

About the author:

When her children were young and the electricity winked out, Kai Strand gathered her family around the fireplace and they told stories, one sentence at a time. Her boys were rather fond of the ending, “And then everybody died. The end.” Now an award winning children’s author, Kai crafts fiction for kids and teens to provide an escape hatch from their reality. With a selection of novels for young adult and middle grade readers and short stories for the younger ones, Kai entertains children of all ages, and their adults. Learn more about Kai and her books on her website, www.kaistrand.com.

Celebrate the Milestones!

Today's post is less of a mood-downer. No worries. Actually I'm quite pleased with myself. I'm down to 89K in Dancing Demons. Not a big deal to some, but considering the original draft started out at 180K, and I NEVER thought I'd be able to lower it to a decent word count, it's a great milestone for me. I feel like it has a better chance at reaching readers too, because let's face it, anything over 100K is scary in the YA universe, and I can completely understand why.

With each revision, my writing gets tighter and the overall story has improved as well. I'm actually quite grateful for any rejections I received on it in the past. Comparing this version to the old drafts, I shudder to think of it in the hands of readers. So to any CP's who read the old version, I'm so sorry.

My characters have developed even more - namely Kaleb. His background was always a bit of a mystery, but he's finally whispered his secrets to me. And I gotta say, I'm pumped. He's one kick-butt dude, if I do say so myself. He's definitely not a white knight or prince charming. Then again, Dancing Demons isn't exactly a fairy-tale.

I just wonder how Amberlyn will react when everything comes to the light.

Until next time!

Dancing Demons Pg 99 Excerpt

DANCING DEMONS, Pg. 99

Disclaimer: Image does not belong to me. Unsure of artist.

             I spin, eyes wide as they land on a shadowed figure. Hooded in some kind of dark-colored jacket with equally as dark gloves covering his hands. Tall. Svelte. Still. The figure, male from the lack of swell and curve, doesn’t move. Doesn’t look up. My breath sounds short and rattled, even to myself.

“Who – who are you?”

A horrible silence hammers away at my ears. No shrieking wind, no awful calls from the dreadful forest. Only a much more harrowing quiet that leaves me terrified. Where’s the monster that always craves my death and makes me writhe in agony as it rips me apart?

Violent trembles quake through my small frame, hard enough that when I take a step toward the hooded figure, my balance is unstable. Undergrowth, fallen branches, and rocks pierce my bare feet, cutting through the fragile flesh with searing heat. I curse the sharp pain, the stale night, and the thick mist that covers the forest floor like a razor-laced woolen blanket. Still, I keep going.

Suddenly, the figure turns, walking into the forest without the loud crunch of desiccated leaves, snapping twigs, or blind feet.

“Hey! Hey, wait!” I shout, hurrying to catch up and reach the mysterious figure. Rocks, undergrowth, and branches forgotten – all but running, and still I only catch the briefest glimpse of a silhouette, as the figure walks through the obsidian woods, the silver vapor closing around him.

It frightens me. I run forward, calling after him. The whispers and chitter-chatter come alive, sharp and piercing through the night’s silence. I run harder. My heart pounds and my skin burns hot. Sweat beads my flesh despite the chill silver swirling around, pressing against me like small, razor fine diamonds. Threatening, but never breaking the skin.

 © Copyright 2014 Katie S. Taylor

Stay Tuned for More

Over the next few weeks, I'll be interviewing different writers about the works and the journey to get them where they are now. Personally, I'm psyched to have this opportunity. It helps get their name out there and gives everyone a chance to discover them, and I'm all about helping other writers out. Do unto others and all that jazz =).

I'll probably do two a week. Once I get the schedule lined up a bit better, I'll let everyone know so you can stay updated. If you're a writer and interested, feel free to drop me a line.

Now, about my recent endeavors. Still waiting to hear something back about Dancing Demons. I'm about to send a few  more queries out, see if I get any bites. In the meantime, I'm working on a YA dystopian fantasy titled DEADLOCKED. I had started it a couple years ago, but for one reason or another let it dwindle away. Then I forgot about it. One night I dreamt about it out of the blue, and to make a short story even shorter, decided to pop it open and start on again.

Must say, I have a pretty good feeling about it too. I'm almost to the half-way mark, so I'm pretty pumped. As I mentioned in another post, I'm trying a new writing style. So far it's working fabulously! Instead of getting every detail the first go around, I'm more focused on getting the actual story down. It's increasing my productivity and speed. Not to mention, I'm not falling victim to writer's block as much. Always a great day when writer's block isn't involved! For anyone who hasn't suffered writer's block, it's the devil. Period.

But I'm off to do some more writing before the hubby gets home. The Soul Eaters have just attacked, and Helena has a choice to make. Save Maddy, or find the person who could save the world. It's a toughie!!

Until next time =)

Katie

Do What Your MS Needs - Not What You Want It To Do

Because sometimes what you want isn't good for its health. 

I rewrote chapter 1 of Dancing Demons.  After the feedback I received, I needed to.  There wasn't any way around it, and if you want your MS to succeed, you have to put it first. Do what it needs, even if it isn't what you originally wanted.  Instead of Amberlyn having a flashback of the party (and only the first half of it at that), I actually wrote the party and hospital scene out and ended it with Ava's cryptic message over Kaleb.  Hopefully that way I can set up Amberlyn's growing suspicion better.  Now, I'm just waiting to see if the changes really did help, and go from there. 

If they didn't, I'm going to have to do some serious brainstorming with the trusty CP's and find out what worked and what didn't.  Even if it does work, I'll still have to play with the ending.  It's too weak.  As I wrote it, I knew it was a first draft so I didn't keep slaving away at it.  I let it end, now I'm letting it sit for a bit, so hopefully when I do go back to it I have a better grasp and can write a kick-ass ending for it.  So now I'm just waiting.

As I do, I'm going to keep writing as my outline dictates.  There's been another murder and Amberlyn has to contend with Riggs one more time.  Fun, fun! At least for me; not so much for Amberlyn =).  Oh, the things we put our characters through (*insert evil laugh*).  Heh.

Katie S. Pendergrass

The Next Big Thing Blog Hop - DANCING DEMONS. Check it!

I've been chosen, by the wonderful T.C. McKee for The Next Big Thing Blog Hop.  Seriously, you should check her out - go, now (or wait until after you read this, =}) . 

So, without further ado, welcome to the freaky and fantastical world of Amberlyn Winters and one very hunky Kaleb Dantes. ;P

THE NEXT BIG THING

1. What is the working title of your book?
Dancing Demons

2. Where did the idea come from?
Imagination =).  I wanted to write something where the damsel didn't want rescued by the knight and could take care of herself.

3. What genre does your WIP fall under?
Either YA or New Adult Urban Fantasy or Paranormal Mystery

4. Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?
Oo, it was some close calls, but I think these are the best choices.  Drum roll, please!
 
Amberlyn Winters - Allison Miller

Kaleb Dantes - Henry Cavill

Special Agent Riggs - Clark Gregg

Colin - Paul Bettany

Noah Lowell - Tyler Blackburn

Micah Hollis - Taylor Kitsch

Lindsey Hollis - Jessica Lowndes

Ava Harbinger - Aubrey Anderson Emmons

Sebastian - Dijmon Hounsou

Felix - Jonathan Rhys Meyers

My main characters and important minors - yeah, I got carried away *blushes.*

5. What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
Oo, that's a toughie.  Let me think...

Protecting the people I love from the Nosferatu has been my lifelong goal, one that is even more important to me now when one more person is taken away, and the one person I thought I could trust most in the world may just want me as dead as I want the monsters. (A big thank you to Mary for this one!)

There's nothing I loathe more than the Nosferatu, so when they take one more person from me, I'm determined to stop them this time - no matter the risk, no matter the cost - because if I don't, more people will die, and the guy I was falling for might just be behind it; all I know is nothing is as it seems, and the person I thought I could trust, he might just want me dead.

6. Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
When I know, you'll know.  Promise.

7. How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
The very, very, very first draft - I'll say 3 or 4 months.  I've revised and rewritten it a couple different times, though.  Trying to get it perfect.

8. What other books would you compare this story to within its genre?
Ehh... I hate this question.  Um, I would say as far as the UF and Paranormal thing goes - Anita Blake by Laurell K. Hamilton (before it was riddled with raunchy sex) but minus the language; or the Sookie Stackhouse series.  Without the sex.  Perhaps even the Victoria Gardella books by Colleen Gleason (minus the Regency, enter the modern).  YA - maybe THE VAMPIRE ACADEMY by Richelle Mead, or DEMON KISSED by H.M. Ward

9. Who or what inspired you to write this book?
Girl power.

10. What else about your book might pique reader's interest?
There's new mythology - a new twist to something old.  Let's just say that.  Also, the main character - you won't see her falling down and needing caught; she'll catch herself.  Woman power - hear her roar.  Also, the characters are flawed - not sugar and sweetness.  There's time, like in real life, you won't like them.  That they come across as real arses or supreme witches, and make you think "What's wrong with her/him - ugh."  Then, other times, you'll love them.

Now, on to tag more awesome people: 

Christina Rice 
Erica Hart
Randi Lee
Troy Jackson
Jadie Jones
K.E. Skedgell


Also, check out these other awesome writer's who've also been tagged (and who happen to follow me; it could be you ;P):
Mary Waibel
T.C. McKee
Crystal Collier

~Katie S. Pendergrass