THE GODS OF MARKET STREET. See the NEW cover. Read it for nothing. Vote to keep it going.

The second chapter of THE GODS OF MARKET STREET is now LIVE. Along with this, the brand new cover. As much as I appreciated all the love the previous cover (with the same image) got it, was making me INSANE. I had to toss it together quickly to do the submission (think <5 min) so I went back and changed it up a bit.

PLEASE. Wander over to JukePop Serials and vote for it. You can vote for every chapter. As much as I love and want you guys to get to read this serial for nothing, this gig only pays if I do well. 

Provided no one dies, starting next week I hope to update it Tuesday & Thursday until it's completion. Apparently, my editors have the nerve to be human. In addition to the serial we are editing 3 full length novels--two of which are mine! I still owe you guys your 3 chapters of PIGMENTS OF MY IMAGINATION in honor of my hitting five thousand Twitter followers BUTTTTT I decided to roll it into this awesome thing starting tomorrow called Pages of Pigments. There is going to be SO MUCH AWESOMENESS involved.

Happy Birthday to my FAVORITE little hobbit!

Last night I hit some massive mile-markers on my journey as an author. It wasn't in books or stars, it was in followers and finders. People who care about me and what I do. People who look for me. Last night this blog, the one you are looking at RIGHT NOW rolled over 50,000 page views and I hit five thousand followers on Twitter.

I remember when I had eight Twitter followers and two hundred page views but more on that Wednesday; when as promised I shall be putting the first three chapters of PIGMENTS OF MY IMAGINATION, here. So everyone can read them. FOR FREE. Hopefully early in the morning. This after dinner blogging is for the birds.

Today is big freaking deal, because it's Frodo's birthday. Frodo, one of my favorite book bloggers. Everyone who is human despairs at some point, and it just so happened that he rescued me from a very dark time in my writing career. The pit where I would have gone to die--or at least the pit where I was planning on hiding all my stories away; to never, ever be seen by anyone else.

So if you like my books--you know who to thank, because I'd have given up without him. I wanted to give him something special! It hasn't seen the editor yet it's third in line so no one panic. But this is for you buddy. Chapter One of Barneby Knotts. I can't even post the cover, because that's for a different day, but I hope you like it! I know it's a shorty ;)

P.S.--the husband's birthday is tomorrow. He is going to wonder why he didn't get an EPIC blog post.

I held my breath willing the window not to squeal. If anyone heard me now, I'd never make it out. 

        I'd be a prisoner here for months, the whole summer trapped in this box. I'd go mad. At least, that was what happened last time mom caught me sneaking out the house.

Slowly, painfully slowly, I lifted the dusty frame up a millimeter at a time. My fingers damp with sweat, black grime sticking to them like fingerprinting ink leaving evidence of my crime. My window always jams halfway up, but it had to be enough. I couldn't risk sneaking out the back door again. My sister was on to me. 



When I was sure that was as far as my window was moving, I turned back in facing my bedroom. On my bed lay my  empty black Jansport. I shoved my school books deep under my bed, where I hoped my mother wouldn't dare look for anything. If everything went according to plan, I'd be off seeking treasure, and she'd think I'd gone to school early because I put off my math homework again.

Really the plan was almost flawless. 

Propped against my desk chair was the sword my father had given me for my last birthday. It had belonged to his grandfather, and now it belonged to me. You rarely need such weaponry in these urban gigs, but it felt wrong to leave it behind. 

I was still wearing the same sweat pants and over sized t shirt I always wore to bed, but under that were my favorite pair of jeans, and holiest band tee. I peeled off the top layer, and used it to wipe the black smudges from my window away before tossing them it the corner of my room. Just like I would do any other school morning when I as half awake. If I used the hamper my parents would know something was up. 

I used what little light came into my room from the window to glance into the mirror. My hair was a mess, just like always. Black tips falling into my face still held in place by yesterday's hair gel, the back flat where I'd feigned sleeping for a few hours. It was so dim my brown eyes looked black, pupil-less, but the circles under them stood out above anything else. A small price to pay for the chance of a lifetime, I told myself. Grabbing my bag I slid out my window soundlessly. My feet landed softly on the roof of the back porch. It was a bit of a chore to get the window to slide back down as this side of it was smooth but eventually I managed. 

Flinging my backpack on one shoulder I stopped to listen. No one in the house was awake to catch me escape, and I was one jump closer to getting away with it. I stared over the edge of the roof, wondering which way down would make less noise. Shimmying the column or just dropping?

I sucked in a breath and stepped off. 

The night was warm, it was almost summer in Texas. The wind whooshed in my ears on the way down. I landed on my feet but with a much louder thump than I was hoping. I ran, not looking back to see if anyone had heard me. I thought I heard footsteps echoing on my path, but they were surely mine because the night was dark and empty. 

Read my new book THE GODS OF MARKET STREET for NADA!

That's right! I have turned my unreleased novel, The Gods of Market Street into a serial and listed the first chapter on JukePop Serials. I originally wrote the book for the 2011 Three Day Novel contest. I *really* wanted to add another book to my list in the first half of the year, (other than the ones scheduled Pigments of My Imagination, Dust of the Dead Sea, Barneby Knotts) but I just couldn't fit it in.

This is a fun new venue I am trying out. It helps me give away my books for free, which I enjoy, in a completely different environment. The only thing I ask is that you take a moment to vote for The Gods of Market Street if you enjoy it. Chapter 2 and 3 will be up soon. 

Want to win a $40 Amazon giftcard? Check out the details below!

Contest runs until 11:59 PM EST 4/30




Here is the blurb:
Grace Teller is no one. All that is left of her former existence are shadows of memories, no weightier than the daylight, and fading just as fast. Yet, in the center of her being, are the things the universe is made of--and something even older than that. As the storm inside her mind becomes a cloudburst over New Orleans, Grace seeks out the only person who might know who she was supposed to be: her father. Only when she is around the god-like Carawyn does Grace wonder if who she is right now is maybe all that matters.

But as the newness wears off on her new life, the person responsible for erasing the old one resurfaces--claiming that she belongs in Grace's new family as well.

The Gods of Market Street is a Young Adult Paranormal Romance.




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This Cover's a Dandi! COVER REVEAL for Dandi Summer 2013 Release

So, funny story. I had the cover reveal for this book during February, Indie Author Month over on A Love 4 Lit. It went up, and then I never talked about it. I can't even recall if I ever told you guys I was writing it. But I did. We can all be shocked together! Dandi is a young adult contemporary romance. (SEE shocker!) Add it to your Goodreads TBR list here. Here's the blurbish:

Dandi’s not exactly a delicate flower, but she’s starting to feel the lawn closing in. She longs to run barefoot in the buttercups and clover but her daddy, Pastor Scott, thinks it’s high time for her to be settling down; and he’s got the perfect boy picked out. Nolan White is rich, compliant, and from a family who knows how to keep its secrets buried deep. Now there’s two problems with their potential match, and both of them seem to involve the sexy Rhett Wilder. Rhett, who is complicated enough all by himself, is the son of the town drunk, and grounds keeper to cemetery that makes up Dandi’s front yard.

You will be happy to know that Larry Kollar is about to pry Pigments of My Imagination out of my  ink stained fingers. After that, I think the books will be released in the following order:


Barneby Knotts I: Hire Yourself a Hero
Dust of the Dead Sea, The Hollows Series Book Two
Dandi

And the year doesn't really slow down after that! I even have another cover real next week. See you then!

Don't hit me, I'm sorry

2013 might be the year of the snake, but for me it's the year of the GIANT HAMSTER WHEEL. I'm running and running but I just can't get off. I had so many opportunities this year that just fizzled out. So in brief here is my list of Thanks & Regrets.

Margaret from A Love 4 Lit. Put up with my crap during Indie Author Month. I wanted to rock that! But my laptop died, and my posts went missing, and she didn't kill me when I couldn't make time to fish everything out of my dead computers guts. February 2013 was one of the most stressful months of my life. I was trying to replace me vehicle, the military expected my husband to work so many hours he was making roughly minimum wage, and I could not keep my family well. Despite all that; I was really glad I got the shot so thanks for being awesome M!

Larry Kollar, who holds my hand like every day. He does all the things I can't stand to make myself do with out complaining. He is my best book buddy, so I should probably stop reminding him he's old enough to be my dad. Especially since he seems to have more energy than I do recently!

My POOR husband; who has to put up with this craziness everyday. I am so far behind schedule that I ended up spending half of every day FREAKING OUT that I was so far behind--and as you can guess that didn't really help anything.

My daddy, who bought me Ruby. My father in law who bought and drove my Honda Odyssey from Houston to Las Vegas because they cost so much less there. My family is the best!

I'm sure I'm forgetting people, because I have been forgetting things all year. The good news is, things seem to be getting back to normal. It only took three months! Let's hope this is the last apology blog for 2013 at least.

AND GUESS WHAT? Pigments is headed to the editor this weekend, so I will have something new to freak out about.

Free Books, Boy Books, and Books--Delayed

Ang here! Finally, making the announcement that Heroes & Vallenez is LIVE! Amazon took their sweet, sweet time on this one; it was "publishing" for 24 hours!

Just to recap here is the info from goodreads:

Victor Vallenez might not be a villain, but that doesn’t make him a saint. At age 16, Vic could be a career criminal, but instead he spends his time lurking in corners and telling other peoples' secrets—for a price. As a professional snitch, money is the only thing that talks more than he does. Still, as much as Vic hates to admit it, there are some things even blood money won’t buy—mainly Emily. So, when her chivalrous butthead of a boyfriend shows up and asks for his help, there is one very good reason he won’t turn him down—and that’s his angle.

 

And some personal notes, this is a middle grade novella. Basically Vallenez is a huge tease, and this is the setup for my new urban fantasy MG series about Barneby Knotts. Feel free to get attached to bad boy VV though, his novella series is slated for three titles.

 

Now, that giveaway I promised for Friday--early even! I am not planning a book tour. The truth is, I don't really like doing them as I don't like talking about myself; so I am trying to bribe you into talking about me! Stop giving me that look mom! This is how it is, you post my book info on your blog--you come back and link it here. You don't have to read it, you don't have to review it, you don't have to write a lengthy post about it--but if you want to that is great. (If you are a book reviewerer and would like a copy let me know)

 

What you absolutely need to have in your post is 1.)something about the book--i.e. the blurb, or that is is MG etc. 2.)the cover 3.)the link to Amazon

 

Do this anytime before March 13th, and add your linky and you could win. a $60 Amazon Giftcard. One winner void where you know it! (And don't forget you still have a few hours to enter to win a Kindle Fire)

 

To go with the H&V launch, The Skeleton Song is currently FREE on Amazon. It's only going to be free a hand full of days so get it now, and tell your friends!

AND LASTLY!

WHERE IS POMI? You said the day was set in stone! I did, but then my laptop died and it took me a while to decide on the details of a new one and have it shipped to me; so we are a bit delayed. Don't yell at me--it's hardly enough of a delay to mention! Look for more on that soon.

Meet Lola, our new pet

This is our new Pet. Her full name is LOLA, 30% OFF. The first thing you need to know about Lola is, she's evil. The second thing you need to know is YES she was 30% off but that wasn't why I bought her exactly. Lola has not been handled a whole lot--so sometimes she hisses and bites (but it's really more like a pinch). You'd hiss and pinch too if you had to live in a glass box that was way too small for you. Lola is a Chameleon and she isn't supposed to live in glass--and she was returned once already so she was really to large for the place she was living. I had planned on buying an Iguana, but I became moderatly obsessed with the fact that the wrong sort of people might take Lola home--and that she'd end up being returned again. Trust me, she's much happier in my office in her large all mesh habitat, with real live plants, dripping water, and humidifier; and even though I HATE bugs. I managed to feed her a couple of crickets this morning before making the man take over.

I'm a good lizzard mom; but I can't help but thinking that LOLA, 30% OFF would make an awesome book title.

BTW, I uploaded Heroes & Vallenez; expecting to make the announcement about it being live tomorrow but for you adventurist types it will be up soon. Expect to have another giveaway for those who help me spread the word it starting Friday. Until then you still have a few more days to enter to win a Kindle Fire HD--HD because we had more than 500 entries! Thanks to you guys who helped me spread the word!