Thursday, 18 December 2014
You're never alone.
I know by posting this particular blog post, I'm just repeating what has already been said in the past, by many others. But I personally believe that it is a topic that needs to be thrown in the face of society every so often, just to reopen our eyes.
Bullying. It's all around us. Even when we think it's not.
It's a topic that I, like many others, try to shy away from but ultimately it's always brought to the light. Yes, I try to shy away from the topic of bullying, because it brings back so many horrible memories. But with these memories, and experience, I can honestly say that I lived through the worst of my life.
Before I really get into this post, I want to share my story.
My name is Christopher Thomas Chapman. I am a deli clerk at a safeway/sobeys (a grocery store), and a writer. I am a son, a brother, a friend. I'm also gay.
Being gay doesn't define me. I am all of these things, and then I am gay. I'm not a gay deli clerk, a gay writer, a gay son/brother/friend. I am all of these things, and then I'm gay.
At the age of sixteen, I finally stopped lying to myself and came out as a homosexual. Now growing up in a small town, this spread like wildfire.
"Did you hear? The Chapman boy is gay."
I couldn't walk down the halls at school, without several people yelling out 'Fag' 'Homo' 'Queer'. I walked with my head held high, not showing the hurt or pain that it caused. But really, it did hurt. People I grew up with, were now turning their backs on me because they didn't want to be taunted for hanging out with the 'Queer'.
I found myself falling into a very dark place. A place that no one should ever find themselves.
I turned to writing. Poetry. And it was very dark.
I've recently taken my experience with that darkness and I've decided to write a novel. A novel that has the characters face real problems, as well as fantasy problems.
Thankfully, even though I had dropped out of school, I had friends who were always there. Even when I didn't know that they were. They went out of their way to make sure that I had some good days.
What I guess I'm trying to say is that even when you think that you're alone, your not. You're not even close to being alone. I know people say that 'It gets better' once you make it through the teen years, but how does that help us now? The only way we're going to make sure that it does get better, and that it gets better quickly is if we all take the stand. Stand up for your fellow peers. Show them that they are not alone!
I'm thankful for the friends that I did have in school, because they stood there beside me the whole time. They never left my side. If you're not the one being bullied, don't be just a bystander. Be the friend who is there. And if you are the one being bullied, talk about it.
There's no shame in talking about it. There are plenty of people who will listen. Guidance Counselors, teachers, friends, me. If you think that you have nobody who will listen to you, I will. I may not be in your shoes now, but I have been in the shoes of the bullied.
They say change doesn't happen over night, and that's true. But change does happen with just one person.
If you've managed to sit here and read through all of this, please share it. I know that the grammar is probably really bad, but that's not the point. The point is to get the message across, that we are not alone.
Let people know that you're there for them if they need someone, or that you need someone to be there for you. We can get through this. Maybe not today, or tomorrow, but some day.
Tuesday, 18 November 2014
The Eternal Cover Reveal
A note from the author:
Thank you for helping me celebrate the release of the
cover to the third and final installment of the Mythology YA series! I’ve had
such an amazing publishing journey with these books, and I’m forever grateful
to fans both old and new who have supported me along the way.
Such exciting things are afoot with this series. It was
optioned out by Off the Grid Entertainment for potential movie/TV production
earlier this year, and starting in 2015, I’ll be writing the start to the
Mythology Adult series! Hopefully you’ll stay tuned to my website for future
developments!
With my ETERNAL love
and gratitude,
Helen
Boswell
And now, the cover….
BOOK TITLE: THE
ETERNAL (Mythology #3)
AUTHOR: Helen Boswell
GENRE: Young Adult, Urban
Fantasy/Paranormal
Coming: Winter 2014
BOOK DESCRIPTION:
Self-preservation, above all. That’s the credo by which
guardian Jonathan Draper justifies his existence. Or at least it was until he
found Hope Gentry. Backed by the powers of his beloved Hope and his most loyal
guardian Raleigh Peyton, Jonathan should have enough influence to save his
sector from destruction. But Buffalo is plagued by guardian unrest and
increasing threats from the city’s most evil entities, and Jonathan is stripped
of all authority.
Never harm a soul. That’s the credo by which the members
of the demon alliance live. Micah Condie has trouble fitting in, and it doesn’t
help that he has enough power to set anyone he touches on fire. He can’t return
home until he cancels out the debt he owes the most powerful immortals. But
when he uncovers an eighteen-year old secret that rocks the foundation of his
existence, Micah has no choice but to go back home. Now not only must he
placate the immortals, but he must face an uncertain future with his girlfriend
Hope Gentry, reconcile with the family he abandoned, and finally settle the
score with Jonathan Draper.
Someone is masterminding a plot to destroy all of the
guardians and human souls in existence. Only if Jonathan and his most unlikely
ally, Micah, can join forces will they be able to save them.
The fate of all depends on the will of one: THE ETERNAL.
MYTHOLOGY (Mythology #1) and THE WICKED
(Mythology #2) are now available on Amazon.com. Read for free with the
KindleUnlimited Program.
About the
Author:
Helen Boswell credits her dad, an avid fiction
reader, with encouraging her to read ALL OF THE BOOKS on his shelves from the
time she was a teenager. Originally from upstate New York, Helen spent much of
her early adult life tromping around in Buffalo, NYC, Toronto, and Las Vegas,
those cities now serving as inspiration for the dark and gritty backdrops of
her stories. She is the author of YA urban fantasies MYTHOLOGY, THE WICKED,
and THE ETERNAL (coming Winter 2014), and NA contemporary romance LOSING ENOUGH
(GOING FOR BROKE; coming Spring 2015).
Monday, 13 October 2014
Between the Stars and Sky Blog Tour
NOW AVAILABLE
BETWEEN THE STARS AND SKY
is a vivid contemporary novel from Young Adult author David James.
Lyrical and romantic, BETWEEN THE STARS AND SKY is a heart-stopping,
contemporary read for fans of Maggie Stiefvater and David Levithan.
SYNOPSIS: "In the small,
lakeside town of Huntington, the Firelight Festival marks the end of summer. A
time to laugh, to live, to love. And for Jackson Grant, it is a chance to begin
again.
But there is a darker side to the
Firelight Festival, a deadly tradition known as the Firelight Fall. A secret
game. A legendary lie. A test of bravery. Those who fall risk everything, and
Jackson is on the edge. Until he meets a girl who pushes him over.
For Jackson, falling for Sarah Blake might
be as dangerous as jumping in the Firelight Fall. As summer burns away, Jackson
and Sarah ignite an unstoppable love game. For her, his heart is on fire. And
soon, Sarah shows him life, saves him from loss, and opens his heart to an
infinite and wild love found between
the stars and sky."
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
STALK LINKS
A novel of poetry, strung together beautifully to pull at the strings of your heart.
The moment that I finished reading this novel, I had died. Or at least it felt like I did.
I could only see the picture that David painted in my imagination,
I could only breathe the words that he had written.
It's like I was living in the world that he had created, standing there, an innocent bystander. A wallflower, watching the story unravel before my very eyes. And I couldn't look away. I wouldn't look away.
Between the Stars and Sky is a novel that everyone has to read. Everyone needs to experience the beauty of this story.
Beauty is all around us, we just need to open our eyes to see it. It seems David did just that, and then decided to put it to words. This story shows you the beauty in simple things, things that we tend to overlook.
David may write about stars, curses, and kisses. But now he also writes about star-filled eyes, losing/finding love, and underwear.
It's not often you find an author of the YA genre who is able to write well in the contemporary, David has shown us that he is a man of many talents.
For his first contemporary novel, it was, breathtaking!
This story will not only open your eyes, but your heart as well.
During Between the Stars and Sky blog tour, David has decided to book his novel on sale! Go pick up your copy today!
GIVEAWAY
Thursday, 2 October 2014
Deja Vu
But before I get into my review for Deja Vu, the novella by the talented Dani Morales. Lets get to know the author a bit with her Bio.
Author Bio
Dani Morales is a native Texan currently residing in Las Vegas, Nevada with her three boys and her mother. She adopted the boys in December of 2011 and loves spending every minute playing with them. On her spare time you can find a book in her hand or sitting in front of the computer typing out stories that run rampant in her mind. Her debut novel Entrelacen was released April 2013.
Now that we have a sense of who Dani Morales is, let's get on with what this novella is about!
Amy Preston: Famous graphic designer.
That's Amy's goal. To be known for her talent. For now, Amy is a college student trying to finish her degree and make the right decisions to accomplish her goal.
When a chance meeting with Lubbock's royalty, Marcus Tyler, lands her in an exclusive club, she realizes it's the opportunity of a lifetime.
But not everything Amy is offered will lead her to her dreams. If she's not careful with her choices, not only will she lose the chance at her biggest break. She could lose something she never dreamed she needed.
If it has already peaked your interest, you can purchase a copy here!
Buy Links
If the synopsis did not do it for you, maybe this will!
Excerpt
A few blocks down by campus, there’s a Starbucks. I
practically live here during finals week, and I pull Jill inside so we can grab
a Double Chocolate Chip Frappuccino. We get comfy on the couch by the window so
we can people watch. It’s one of my favorite games, and Jill cracks up when I
peg their drinks by their looks. It’s a little judgmental, but it’s all in good
spirit. I mean it’s not like I say he’s getting a Chai Latte because he’s gay,
or that she’s getting a Skinny Non-fat Vanilla Frappuccino with no whip cream
because she’s fat. It’s more like I can see the person behind their clothes and
accessories. It’s a gift my art professors raved about throughout school.
“What is tall, dark, and brooding getting, Ames?” Jill’s
voice holds a challenge.
I examine the guy. He’s definitely tall, probably around 6’2’’
with black hair. The skin I can see is tanned, and he’s wearing some dark
washed blue jeans with a light blue button up. Preppy but not overly so. I
would peg him as either a business or architect major, and I start going
through a list of possible drinks in my head.
“You better hurry, Ames. He’s getting ready to order.” She
laughs at the length it’s taken me to decide on a drink for him.
“He’s going to get a Venti Café Americano with a double
shot, no cream,” I say as he approaches the counter.
Pulling out my phone, I see that I have a few missed calls
from my dad, and I make a mental note to call him back. I open up the browser
to search for places to take Jill out tonight. It needs to be out of the way of
campus so we don’t run into the jerk and his new girl, but close enough if we
have to walk home.
“Can I get a Venti Café Americano with a double shot,” a
smooth, deep voice echoes around the shop.
I look up to see every girl looking toward the back of the
store where the guy just ordered what I predicted. Something about his voice
draws my attention to his back, like I want to examine him further.
“Told you, Jill,” I say through a smile as I look over at
her and away from him.
“You sure you’re not psychic?” She locks eyes with me and
then they flicker away to only widen.
“What? Don’t tell me Stephen is here with that girl, Jill. I
will personally take him out of the store and beat him senseless.” I get ready
to turn around when a chuckle has me frozen in my chair.
“Do you ladies mind if I join you?” It’s the voice from the
guy who just ordered.
Jill shakes her head no and gestures with her hand for him
to take a seat. I stare daggers at her, but she just shrugs at me. Resting back
into my chair, I continue the search for the right club, but can’t come up with
anything that would guarantee a Stephen-free night.
“Marcus!” the barrista calls.
I look up to see the guy next to us eye me as he rises to
fetch his coffee. Turning my attention to Jill, I see her study his ass and
grin. She obviously likes what she sees.
“No creamer right?” I lean over and whisper at her.
“None. He’s coming back this way though.” Smiling at me, her
eyes shimmer.
“What, why?” I let out.
“Why what?” Marcus asks as he sits down in the chair
opposite me.
“Nothing.” I reply like I’m annoyed at his intrusion. He
just shrugs it off like it’s not a big deal, and I decide to ignore him.
“So, I think we’re going to need to get ourselves a DD so we
can go out tonight, Jill.” I smile at her.
“Come on, Ames. I don’t want to run into him,” she pleads
with me.
“I know. I’ve been looking at clubs further out, which is
why we would need a sober driver to accompany us.”
“I don’t mean to include myself in this conversation, but
why don’t you just go to the new club that opens tonight. Déjà vu is on the
corner of Main and Avenue X, so it’s close to the campus,” Marcus offers with a
smile.
“No offense, but if it’s new, it’s a sure thing that her
ex,” I point at Jill, “will be there, and the point of the night is to have
fun.”
“Well, I have it on good authority to say that the only
people getting into the club are ones with their names on the list.”
His smirk graces his face and it pulls my attention to
examine him. Gorgeous set of lips that I could get lost in kissing, a nose
that’s slightly crooked from being broken, and when my eyes make their way to
his, a blue that’s not entirely blue. They have specks of green and yellow
floating around and glinting off the light in the coffee shop. My train of
thought goes fuzzy for a second, and I look away from him by grabbing my drink
off the table while I try and process why all of a sudden I feel the need to
wrap my body around his.
“Right, so a VIP list that our names wouldn’t be on either.
How does that help?” The words fly out of my mouth. I tend to speak fast when
I’m nervous.
Hopefully the Excerpt helped you make the decision to purchase a copy of Deja Vu!
Now onto my review!
When I first found out what this novella was about I thought to myself, I wonder how Dani is going to make it her own. There's hardly any original ideas anymore, it's all about how we throw it all together, and that's why I wanted to know what Dani would do. To take a concept that has been done over and over again, but that never seems to get old.
While I was reading, each word, sentence, paragraph, made me want more. The way that Dani writes is so beautiful, you can't help but want more, even when the story is finished.
This story could have easily been made into a full length novel, and possibly a series, but Dani decided to go a different path. Choosing to write novella is never an easy decision. Needed to keep things short and simple, and always getting to the point. I think Dani made the right decision to make this story a novella because it was just that. Short and Simple. Beautiful and Elegant. And even though it made me want more when the story was finished, it left me satisfied.
The characters are believable. They're all slightly crazy in their own way, which makes sense, because we all are, aren't we? They're people that you see on the street, or in the club. People that you see everyday. And that is something that I really look for in a story, if the characters don't seem real the story just feels off. Well this story did not feel off at all! It had a little bit of everything. Making me laugh out loud on more than one occasion.
Deja Vu, a novella by Dani Morales. A novella that will leave you wanting more. I personally believe that you will not be satisfied with life unless you find that one story. This is one of those stories!
If someone told me a couple years ago that I would enjoy a romance story, I would have laughed in their face (original right?), but then I read Deja Vu. It's going to be hard to top it!
If you'd like to get to know Dani a little bit more, you can stalk her in a few places. These are the places!
Stalk Dani
Before you leave, be sure to enter the giveaway that Dani has going on!
Sunday, 3 August 2014
Soul Promise Blog Tour
Before I get on with the Soul Promise Blog Tour, I thought I would fill you all in one something that you should probably know. Soul Promise is a second book in a series, True Connection being the first. So I would like to share a little bit about True Connection first.
True Connection, the first book in The Soul Mate series, a YA novel written by the talented Rachel Walter.And while True Connection may not have been the first novel that Rachel started working on, it was the first novel that she completed and release. Making it her debut novel! This is the novel that Rachel broke out onto the indie scene with, and a wonderful first novel it was.
Synopsis:
'It's going to take a fight, I know that. But it's more than just a fight for my life. It's a fight for my soul and my soul mate.'Jazzy Williams is not your average coffee-loving teen. She's struggling with her grief, her famous uncle’s fans, an overprotective big brother, and a depressed mother, all while trying to make friends at her new school. In the first week, she meets a gorgeous green-eyed hottie who turns out to be more than just some high school crush - he's more than human. And she unknowingly enrages a very dangerous breed of immortal who wants her soul or life as payment. With the help of supernatural friends and protectors, Jazzy thinks she's safe until what remains of her family is put in danger. Does Jazzy have what it takes to save her family, life, soul and soul mate, or will all be lost?
My review for True Connection.
True Connection. Even before I had the chance to read it, I was in love with the novel. I talk to the author regularly, and over the time of getting to know her, she let things leak from the novel for me. When this blog tour came around I knew that I had to do as much as I personally could to help promote this novel, this author.
True Connection. That is what I had with this novel! There was that connection when I picked it up, I couldn't put it down. With the exception when I had a manuscript of it outside on a windy day, and it blew all over my lawn. Be warned, once you pick this novel up, you will not be getting ay sleep. You'll want to stay awake and finish it because Rachel has written it beautifully and leaves the reader wanting more after each chapter.
When I started to read True Connections I had high expectations for it, and I for sure was not disappointed. Right off the bat I was hooked. The first chapter got me, it made me curious as to what really happened to Jaz and Henry. The story seems to tell itself. I was just there for the ride. If I do recall, I was crying every other chapter. Rachel has made this book an emotional one, but don't get me wrong, I'm a sap. I've laughed out loud, and screamed at a few characters. It is a summers must read novel!
When the True Connection blog tour was going on last year, I did up a quick interview with Rachel. Here is that interview!
C:Well hello there Mrs. Rachel Walter. I have a few questions that I would like to ask you if you don't mind.
R:Hi Chris! *waves* go ahead, ask away
R:Hi Chris! *waves* go ahead, ask away
C:How long have you been writing?
R:Well, when I was in high school I had some issues... And writing was suggested. I started with poetry but sort of failed, at least, I thought I did. So it's been roughly 13-14 years. Didn't start my first novel (True Connection) until 2012.
C:At least you thought you failed at poetry? Was there someone who told you otherwise?
R:A good friend of mine said they were good (I never believed him), but my writing worried him. When I write I get really into what I'm writing. And he thought I was pulling away from everyone around me and putting everything into the poems. So I eventually have up poetry.
C: And by have you mean gave, yes?
R:Yes lol.
C:So, you started writing True Connection in 2012, do you remember which month?
R:February (I think), but I didn't tell anyone I was writing a story until April or May.
C:What was the hardest thing for you, when you first started writing True Connection?
R:At the beginning, when the idea first came to me I had no idea how to start it. I started it seven different ways before something clicked. After that, the absolute hardest thing for me was the title. True Connection was referred to as "Book One" well after the first draft was written.
C:And how long did it take to write the first draft?
R:Five or six months.
C:With kids running around the house, how often did you get the chance to get any writing done?
R:Funny you should ask that, I was just literally talking to a friend about this earlier today. When I started writing TC I mostly wrote at night. Until my 14yo stepdaughter read what I had. Then she would say "can I take 3yo upstairs/outside to play so you can write?" She pushed me to finish the story. Her excitement for it blew me away.
C: It's amazing how the opinion of the rough age group has on your story actually pushes you to get more writing done, more often.
You've done most of your writing at night, how much sleep do you think you lost because of this?
R:I'd say none. Before I started writing as much as I do now, I was reading. I'd read nearly all night an grab a handful of hours of sleep and get up and do it again the next day. I don't read near as often as I did before but I still read a lot .
C:And what was the hardest part, for you, in the editing process?
*I'm grinning wildly* because of the next question I'm about to ask.
R:Show, not tell. Still troubles me. I've read some books (I won't name) that I'd pick spots out and say "that's telling." But I can't do it for myself. Well, I can, but I think in my rewrites I only picked out a handful. I was lucky enough to have help with that.
C:Going back to the previous question, were they proper uses for commas?
LOL!
R:Don't get me started on commas! That's a love/hate relationship. Evil little buggers! Lol!
C:I'm sure everyone would like to know the story on the commas, care to share?
R:Hah. Okay, I'll tell.
These itty bitty things ------> , <----- the comma. We don't get along all the time. I've been known to overuse them, underuse them, and even "why is there a comma there?" use of commas. My other Critique Partner, Emma Hart, wrote me up a cheat sheet to help with most of them. After that I spent three or four days in "Comma Hell." I went through, line by line, checking every sentence. Even if there wast a comma to begin with, just to make sure the commas were placed as properly as I could get them. (No, I haven't checked all comma placements in any of these answers! LOL)
These itty bitty things ------> , <----- the comma. We don't get along all the time. I've been known to overuse them, underuse them, and even "why is there a comma there?" use of commas. My other Critique Partner, Emma Hart, wrote me up a cheat sheet to help with most of them. After that I spent three or four days in "Comma Hell." I went through, line by line, checking every sentence. Even if there wast a comma to begin with, just to make sure the commas were placed as properly as I could get them. (No, I haven't checked all comma placements in any of these answers! LOL)
C:LOL!
Just two more questions.
R:Should I be worried?
C:Not at all, or at least I don't think so.
R:*takes a deep breath* awesome.
C:I've read recently that the title of book two has finally come to you, would you mind sharing the title with everyone?
R:I suppose I can do that.
Book Two of The Soul Mate series is titled: Soup Promise
Book Two of The Soul Mate series is titled: Soup Promise
**** Soul
(Autocorrect got me!!)
C:Soup Promise, sounds like it should be an interesting book.
R:Nooooo! Soul! Soul!!! Lol
C: LOL!
Okay, last question.
When are we going to see Soul Promise hit the shelves?
R:I'm in the rewriting process now. (I had well over half written when I started rewriting True Connection, so a LOT needs to change) I'm hoping for early 2014
C: I look forward to that.
Thank you for this Rachel Walter. It's been a pleasure.
R:Thanks for having me Chris!
And now let's get this blog tour started!
I am one of the few people who are kicking off the Soul Promise Blog Tour. I'm sure there were more people who wanted to kick it off, but I was chosen by the wonderful Dani Morales to be the only review for today. Let's hope that I do not disappoint.
As you should know by now, Soul Promise is the second book in The Soul Mate Series, written by the beautifully talented, Rachel Walter. Over the past year I've gotten to know Rachel on a personal level. I not only know her as a beta reader, or a critique partner. I know her as the crazy author that she is, and I feel honored to call her a friend. If you ever get the chance to sit down and talk to Rachel, you should take it, you never know what will come up in conversation.
About the Author:
Rachel is a wife and mother from Central Pennsylvania. Her favorite season is fall, for hockey, changing leaves, pumpkin everything, and bonfires often. She’s also a coffeenista with an insomnia problem. When Rachel isn’t playing with the people inside her head, making her family believe she belongs in the loony bin, she enjoys spending time with her family, friends, species confused cat (he believes he’s part dog, love him), and finding new books and music.Regarding writing, her first love is Young Adult Paranormal, but she’s venturing outside of her comfort zone and opening up to writing more genres. Be on the look out!
When Rachel is not found at her laptop doing the work that she should be doing, so that I amazing books on my shelf, she can be found slaving over a sink full of dishes, or herding the many children that she cares for. She can also be found searching ridiculous things that she seems to throw into her novels every so often. She's quick witted, and she'll almost have a comeback to anything that you can say. Like many authors, she doesn't like when things don't go her way, or the wrong main character is talking the loudest. But most of all, she hates spiders, almost as much as she hates the comma.
A few places that Rachel likes to be stalked at are; Facebook
Be sure to go stalk her, and tell her that The Cowboy sent you, she'll know who you mean.
“Broken is finding the light and the healing you crave,
and knowing you can never have it.”
After the attack on his sister and his newfound abilities forming, Henry Williams is struggling to keep it all together. His wolf does not allow him to sleep, and he is beginning to hear voices, torturing him mercilessly.
Henry feels as though there is a war brewing inside of him and he is unable to control it. As a protector, he must find a way to fight his inner demons before he is left vulnerable to the real ones.
But an unexpected love finds Henry and he tries hard to resist it. Will Henry be able to overcome his inner demons? Will he be able to protect his mate?
Reminder!!!
*** This is book number 2 in this series. Please note that it is suggested to read the series in sequential order. ***
*Warning* This novel is intended for mature YA readers. 15 + for language and mild violence.
Because I talk to Rachel regularly, I decided that I would ask her a few questions for this blog tour as well.
- Rachel Walter: Without spoiling anything for anyone.... I'd have to say the beginning. In the beginning Henry chooses a path that grates against his nature, and mine. Maintaining that was difficult.
- Christopher Chapman: And the easiest?
- Rachel Walter: The banter. The game. The prank. Some of the fights between characters.
- Christopher Chapman: When was the exact moment you knew you wanted to write SP?
- Rachel Walter: I was about half finished TC.
- Christopher Chapman: And what triggered the story for SP?
- Rachel Walter: To be honest, I knew from the start that Henry was special. When Henry found out about his biological parents, what they were... I knew then that he had a story. His parentage came with a heavy pill to swallow, that negatively affected those he cares about. I knew I had to write him a story that would do him justice, and I hope I did that in Soul Promise.
Now before we get on to the review part of this blog, I believe I will share a little bit more about Soul Promise. Yes, I'm going to make you wait for the review, and don't even think about scrolling down to the bottom to read it.
Excerpts:
Finding Dad and Sophie’s graves, I shift back to my human form and slip the elastic belt loose to release my shorts. I put them on and walk between the stones to sit right in front of Dad’s headstone. Seeing his name, Curtis James Williams, I nearly lose myself. I break my stillness by wiping away some dirt from the face of the stone.
“Hey, Dad,” I whisper. Taking a seat in the grass, I begin pulling weeds, my usual routine. “Things have been…well, pretty insane.”
I think back over the last few weeks since the last time I visited. Between finals in school, working out, pack duties, learning things of this world that I never knew possible, fighting and not fighting with Skeeter, things have been intense and nonstop crazy.
“Football will start in August. I don’t think I’m doing the playbook boot camp again this year. I know it’s important, but I’ve got a lot on my plate now. I won’t give up football,” I promise my dad.
With a hard swallow, I decide to move into updating him on the family. “Mom is trying to be Mom,” I say, yanking a weed from in front of his headstone. “She’s okay, I think. I know it’s harder on her than she lets on, but she’s trying to live for us, which is more than she did a few months ago. She has days where the tears just won’t stop, but they’re not as constant now. She seems angrier than usual.” I wince as memories zoom around me. Mom got angry at me for throwing my wet towel in the hamper, ripped into Leland over a brand of peanut butter he bought, and has been suspicious of Jaz and Seth for no reason. I’d rather not rehash all that again, so I continue on with the family updates.
“Alex is talking more. Sometimes we can understand him. He just started calling me Heywe the other day,” I say proudly. Alex is Leland’s son and is a little over a year old. He only says “dada” and “Heywe.” Mom and Jaz were a bit upset about that and are still trying to teach him new words.
“He’s getting a lot better with walking, too. He’s not tottering as much and doesn’t need help all the time. Mom fusses when he falls down, but I know she’s enjoying watching him walk and try to reach different milestones. Leland had to baby proof the living room and kitchen, too, because Alex thought his gold fish crackers belonged in the VCR and DVD player. That was a mess. Leland just tossed it after attempting to shake out all the crackers.” I snort.
I don’t tell him about the time Alex put his teddy in the cabinet next to the oven. None of us could find it and he had no way of letting us know where it was, even if he could remember. I can laugh now, but that was a rough two days. He screamed almost non-stop for that thing. Jazzy finally found it when she went to make waffles, and he conked out as soon as he got his little hands on it. Dad had picked out that teddy bear just for Alex the day Psycho Sammy, Leland’s ex, dropped him off, calling him freak spawn. That teddy is Alex’s best friend now.
I grab a few more weeds and pile them off to the side. It’s not many, and the landscapers usually get them all, but they don’t come out often.
If you're anything like I am, you want to know everything that the author does while they are writing certain novels. And because of this, we (the bloggers) have been given the playlist that Rachel Walter would listen to while she wrote Soul Promise. How awesome is that!!!
I don't know about you, but I'm glad that we were given the playlist. It gives us a slight glance into Rachels head while she was doing her writing.
Now I know that when I find a book that I enjoy, I try to look more of their work. We are going to make that easy for you.
More from this Author
True Connection (The Soul Mate Series) #1
Young Adult Paranormal Romance
Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and iBooks
Add on Goodreads
A Message of Flowers (A Pocono Valley Romance) #1
Adult Contemporary Romance
Available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and iBooks
Add on Goodreads
Coming Soon
Pucked
Young Adult Contemporary Romance
Release Date: To be announced 2014
Catching Breeze (A Pocono Valley Romance) #2
Adult Contemporary Romance
To Be Announced
Twisted Destiny (The Soul Mate Series) #3
Young Adult Paranormal Romance
To Be Announced
Now, for the review!
Soul Promise, the second novel in The Soul Mate Series, and a novel that was worth the wait. When I first started reading this novel, I was thrilled. I had loved True Connections, so I was curious as to what Rachel had planned for this one.
I do have to say that Rachel knows what she's doing with the YA novels. The way she writes is amazing. The way the words just flow together, effortlessly on the pages before our eyes. The way she paints the pictures of the scenes that we read, even down to the smallest of details. While reading Soul Promise, I was not disappointed.
I had a problem putting down this book, literally. There was a point where I sat in a tub full of cold water, which was hot at one point, because I didn't want to stop reading for the short five minutes it takes to dry off and move to the sofa. And it's not that I didn't want to stop reading it, I couldn't stop reading it. Rachel leaves not only each chapter with a cliffhanger, she leaves the cliffhangers at the end of each page.
The characters are a riot. We all know those people who are completely ridiculous, and that's what Rachel did with her characters. It's as if she plucked people out of real life and just threw them into a book, writing her own story around them. Kind of a scary thought, eh?
I laughed out loud.
I sobbed quietly into a pillow.
I bawled my eyes out.
And I thought about life.
Soul Promise. The title says it all, doesn't it? This novel, this story, somehow sort of complete me. If you haven't had the chance to read True Connections, do it. True Connection is a wonderful novel, but Rachel outdid herself when she wrote Soul Promise. It is a must read this summer, this autumn, winter, spring. It's just a must read!
And we cannot have an awesome blog tour for Soul Promise without a giveaway for you folks!!!
U.S. and Canada giveaway only.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
If you've made it this far down my tour page for Rachel, I applaud you!
You should go check out these blogs today as well. They are all hosting things for the Soul Promise blog tour!
SBM Book Obsession -Promo
Katie's Stories-Cast of Characters
Books Direct –Excerpt
If you've made it this far down my tour page for Rachel, I applaud you!
You should go check out these blogs today as well. They are all hosting things for the Soul Promise blog tour!
SBM Book Obsession -Promo
Katie's Stories-Cast of Characters
Books Direct –Excerpt
Sunday, 27 July 2014
Promote Your Fellow Indie Writers
At approximately four-thirty this morning it hit me like a ton of bricks. The only real time I see someone promote an indie authors book is normally around the time of the release, during a blog tour or release tour. I never really see anyone promote anyone besides themselves outside of this time.
I told myself after an author that I once knew failed to show interest in a fellow author, who helped promote her, that I would never be that way towards the people I've grown to care about. I've signed up for most of their cover reveals and blog tours, but I always did very little. A quick promotional act to make myself feel better. So I can tell myself that I did my part, and that is that.
But I haven't done my part, not even close.
I personally believe that indie authors write because if they didn't they would explode. They don't write to become famous, or to make a ton of money. But who, or what is stopping us from continuously promoting books that we've enjoyed reading?
So I would like to take a moment here to give you a list of people that I would like to apologize to. David James, Helen Boswell, Christopher Waltz, Rachel Walter, and most of all Dani Morales.
These five people have all written wonderful novels, and I believe that the only time I've promoted them were during cover reveals and blog tours. I never took that extra step to help promote them after all of this. Not even the simplest tweet letting people know how awesome their novels were.
I have decided to take it upon myself to promote each of these authors, and all of the other indie authors that I have read more often. And during the next little while, I will be making a blog post, every week with a new author. Or just a new book from an old author.
We as indie authors are not going to get out name out there if we're not willing to take the time to help each other. An eye for an eye. A tooth for a tooth.
As today is a Sunday, I'm going to say the first promotional blog post will be put up by Wednesday. So stayed tuned. You may just find a book that you might just like to read.
Cheers!
Christopher T. Chapman
Tuesday, 15 July 2014
Cover Reveal for David James
Available this September, BETWEEN THE STARS AND SKY is a vivid contemporary novel from Young Adult author David James. Lyrical and romantic, BETWEEN THE STARS AND SKY is a heart-stopping, contemporary read for fans of Maggie Stiefvater and David Levithan.
SYNOPSIS: "In the small, lakeside town of Huntington, the Firelight Festival marks the end of summer. A time to laugh, to live, to love. And for Jackson Grant, it is a chance to begin again.
But there is a darker side to the Firelight Festival, a deadly tradition known as the Firelight Fall. A secret game. A legendary lie. A test of bravery. Those who fall risk everything, and Jackson is on the edge. Until he meets a girl who pushes him over.
For Jackson, falling for Sarah Blake might be as dangerous as jumping in the Firelight Fall. As summer burns away, Jackson and Sarah ignite an unstoppable love game. For her, his heart is on fire. And soon, Sarah shows him life, saves him from loss, and opens his heart to an infinite and wild love found between the stars and sky."
SEPTEMBER 2014
FIND THE PLACE WHERE LOVE IS INFINITE
David James writes books about stars and kisses and curses. He is the author of the YA novel, LIGHT OF THE MOON, the first book in the Legend of the Dreamer duet, as well as the companion novellas, THE WITCH'S CURSE and THE WARRIOR’S CODE. A Legend of the Dreamer anthology, SHADES OF THE STARS, was released July 2013, and includes the exclusive novella, THE ENCHANTER'S FIRE. The final book in the duet, SHADOW OF THE SUN, will be released in 2015. Living in Michigan, he is addicted to coffee, gummy things, and sarcastic comments. David enjoys bad movies, goofy moments, and shivery nights. Visit David’s blog at djamesauthor.blogspot.com and facebook at facebook.com/djamesauthor to learn more about his novels.
Monday, 12 May 2014
Cover reveal for Supernova by Dani Morales!
With 2 full length novels and 1 novella out in the New Adult Genre, Dani Morales decided it was time to branch out into the Young Adult crowds with Supernova, a Scifi Romance novel. Release date is set for JUNE 9, 2014 so be ready for it!
Author Bio
When
the one place you call home is destroyed and the very life you know is no
longer an option, what do you do? For seventeen year old Nova Michaels, life in
Calyx is over. Following the plans of her father, Nova and her mother, Luna, leave
their home in hopes to blend in with the humans on Earth - Newport Beach , California
Aaron
McCarthy is a typical high school boy enjoying his summer break, until
something drops from the sky. And when a girl with fire red hair walks to shore,
he knows his summer just got interesting.
The
captivation and pull is something neither can explain. They get lost in each
other every time they lock eyes and when they touch, a spark ignites with a
blinding light encompassing their skin. Nothing is as it seems; Nova isn’t what
she seems. Before you can have a future, sometimes you have to deal with the
past.
Dani Morales is a native Texan currently residing in Las Vegas, Nevada with her three boys and her mother. She adopted the boys in December of 2011 and loves spending every minute playing with them. On her spare time you can find a book in her hand or sitting in front of the computer typing out stories that run rampant in her mind. Her debut novel Entrelacen released in April 2013, followed by Deviation, her second novel and first in the Deviate Series, in August 2013.
Links
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)