Book Trailer in the spotlight: Tangi's Teardrops by Liz Grace Davis

Hello everyone,

Last night I finally took the plunge and created a book trailer for Tangi's Teardrops. I just couldn't resist.
Anyway, here it is. Let me know what you think.Enjoy.

Before I forget, I'm looking book reviewers. If anyone is interested, please send me an e-mail at Liz_davis1@yahoo.com. I'm also available for interviews.

Have a lovely day for now.

Liz

Tangi's Teardrops: Paperback cover revealed

Okay guys,

I've good news for those of you that are more traditional at heart and would rather hold a paperback copy of a book rather than read an e-book. My cover artist is done with the back cover and spine of the print cover.
I thought I'd post it here for all of you to see how great it turned out before it goes into production. I'm in love. I can't wait to hold it in my hands and sleep with it under my pillow--I'm not sure I'm joking:-). Anyway, enjoy. Click for a larger view.

Tangi's Teardrops will be finally be available for purchase in paperback in one to two weeks. I'll keep you updated.
Now, for those of you who love e-books, as usual, you can purchase it HERE.
Bye for now.

Liz

Cover in the spotlight--Cold My Heart: A Novel of King Arthur by Sarah Woodbury

Here's the cover of the week, dear ladies and gentlemen. I present to you, Cold My Heart: A Novel of King Arthur by Sarah Woodbury. Isn't it gorgeous? If you like it and the blurb, click on the links below it. Enjoy

By the autumn of 537 AD, all who are loyal to King Arthur have retreated to a small parcel of land in north Wales. They are surrounded on all sides, heavily outnumbered, and facing near certain defeat.

But Myrddin and Nell, two of the King's companions, have a secret that neither has ever been able to face: each has seen that on a cold and snowy day in December, Saxon soldiers sent by Modred will ambush and kill King Arthur.

And together, they must decide what they are willing to do, and to sacrifice, to avert that fate.

Links

Cold My heart is available at  Amazon
Amazon UK:  Cold my Heart
paperback:  http://tinyurl.com/3cb9bko
Barnes and Noble:   http://tinyurl.com/3nv9bdx
Apple:  http://tinyurl.com/3wrjx8y
 
For international customers:
Paperback:  https://www.createspace.com/3596226
ebook at Smashwords:  Cold my Heart

Sarah Woodbury's website:  www.SarahWoodbury.com

Book Trailers in the spotlight-Beautiful Creatures&My Life Undecided

Here are the trailers of the week. Enjoy.

BEAUTIFUL CREATURES by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

MY LIFE UNDECIDED by Jessica Brody

Free on Amazon: Tangi's Teardrops by Liz Grace Davis

Hi everyone,

In order to celebrate, I made Tangi's Teardrops free today and tomorrow on Amazon. If you're interested in reading it, go and grab yourself a copy. Reviews would be very much appreciated.

Enjoy.

Liz

Tangi's Teardrops: Finally available for sale in Kindle Stores

Hi everyone,

I finally did it. I published my novel, Tangi's Teardrops, a YA fantasy novel. It's now available for purchase in Amazon Kindle stores in the US, UK, Germany, Italy, Spain, France.
Thanks to all my followers for traveling this journey with me and for all the support and encouragement you've given me along the way.
 I'm really excited and nervous all at the same time. Here are the deatails:

When Tangi's father dies, he leaves her nothing but three empty bottles. A kind uncle takes the poverty-stricken girl and her stepsisters in, and for a time life gets better on his farm. But Tangi remains a lonely outsider; her stepsisters tease her for her crippled leg, and the housekeepers use her like a servant.

Just before her thirteenth birthday, Tangi learns the truth about her father's strange legacy: the three bottles aren't empty any more. They're filled with all the tears she's cried since her father died, and her tears are enchanted. She must use them to travel to Rosevine, the world of her dead mother. Tangi not only belongs there but is necessary to keep Rosevine alive.

Tangi's tears will save Rosevine, and Rosevine will save Tangi from a cruelty-filled life, except for one thing: Tangi's lost the bottles. 
 
Novel available for purchase here: Amazon US
Will be available in print soon.

Author interview: Larissa Hinton, Author of Everblossom, a short poetry anthology

This is my first blog interview and I’m honored to be able to interview Larissa Hinton, a long time friend of mine and a brilliant author. She’s an author of YA novels but also writes poetry. She has recently published Everblossom, a short poetry anthology. 

Blurb

An anthology that will quench your thirst for more than the ordinary.

Everblossom is a journey through poems and short stories that may seem ordinary on the surface but dig a little deeper and the world not only shifts. It changes.

So prepare yourself to delve into the three stages of the flower from bud to blossom then back to seed, you'll go through them all with a whole new perspective on what it all truly means. 

Now back to the author.

Larissa thanks you so much for taking the time to be a guest on Novel Moments. I truly appreciate it. Let’s get started, then. 

1.     Larissa, I know you've probably been asked this question a lot of times, but forgive me for asking again. Why do you write?

Tough question! But I write because I have to. It's not really a choice. It's like being a medium sometimes. You don't get to choose to be a medium. You do it because you were chosen to do it. You have to write down these character's stories and share them with others. You have to write down every little thought or budding story in your head because it's what you were made to do. That's how it is for me anyway. I love to write and share. At first I wrote for myself, but now it's a mixture for my readers and for me.

2.       How does your daily writing schedule look like?

I wake up every morning at 10am, edit for an hour on Angel Diaries, then for the next hour I work on Angel Diaries 2. Then during the day, I carry my little notebook for short stories and write in every spare second I have to write stories in it.

3.      How does your marketing schedule look like?

Ah, good question. I never thought about this but basically, after I'm done editing for the two hours, I check my email for any book review requests. If I get any yeses then I answer them then answer them accordingly. Then I start signing into various networking sites, here are a few: Book Blog Ning, Twitter, Facebook and Kindleboards. Then start networking my butt off for the next three to four hours. Usually, I try to find opportunities to talk about my blog, my books or awesome books I've read recently.  

4.       Which marketing channels do you consider to be most effective? Why?

I don't think one marketing channel is more effective than the other. I really think it's up to the author to use it the best ways possible. Every marketing channel is useful, it's just how you use it is what counts.

5.     How do you deal with writer’s block?

This may sound weird, but I usually go to sleep. That usually cures it. Sometimes, I just keep writing or I switch to marketing stuff. It just depends on what exact type of writing block it is.

6.     How did it feel to become a published author?

Ah, the age-old question. I didn't feel any different once pressing the publish button, but now a few months later, I feel like an author. I feel like somebody who has a business that constantly needs tending to but every time I tend to it, I love it. I love having an audience for the first time for my works and hearing all of these interesting detailed reviews of my books. I really love having great motivation to wake up and write every day.

7.    How did you celebrate?

No celebration as of yet. I do plan on buying Wicked tickets and attending that play live! They've FINALLY come to Virginia, so I'm def going to try to get the tickets. So excited!

8.     What other question are you dying to be asked?

Oh, if I have any advice for budding writers?

9.   And the answer is?

I have plenty of advice for budding writers! They can check out these links on my blog here:

·         http://teacherwritebookaholicohmy.blogspot.com/2011/11/considering-self-publishing.html

·         http://teacherwritebookaholicohmy.blogspot.com/2011/10/tips-and-tricks-how-not-to-request-book.html

·         http://teacherwritebookaholicohmy.blogspot.com/2011/10/truth-about-traditional-publishing.html

·         http://teacherwritebookaholicohmy.blogspot.com/2011/09/why-is-editing-soooo-expensive.html

·         http://teacherwritebookaholicohmy.blogspot.com/2011/09/quick-tip-of-day-blurbs.html

·         http://teacherwritebookaholicohmy.blogspot.com/2011/07/hot-topic-tuesday-best-of-best-or.html

·         http://teacherwritebookaholicohmy.blogspot.com/2011/07/tips-and-tricks-friday-editing.html

·         http://teacherwritebookaholicohmy.blogspot.com/2011/05/tips-and-tricks-time.html

·         http://melissaseclecticbookshelf.blogspot.com/2011/11/guest-post-larissa-hinton-author-of.html

But overall, I'd say keep writing and keep reading. Do your research. Do not limit yourself with traditional publishing or self publishing. It is possible to do both. 

10.  Is there anything else you would like to add?

Yes, I would love to thank my readers for trusting me to take them on an epic journey through the realm of fantasy and mystery. 

And if any of those lovely readers need to contact me, they can shoot me an email here: pocahantas89@yahoo.com

Also, they can drop a comment on my blog here: http://teacherwritebookaholicohmy.blogspot.com/

Oh, and one last thing: I would also like to thank Liz for being with me every step of the way! She's a great writer and I can't wait until she publishes her works. Thanks so much Liz for allowing me the grand opportunity to speak on your blog! 

Larissa, thanks again for being here and for the great links packed with information. I wish you all the best of luck in your writing projects.

In case you’re interested in finding out more about Larissa Hinton or her published book, Everblossom, here are some links for you:

http://teacherwritebookaholicohmy.blogspot.com/

http://www.amazon.com/Everblossom-Short-Poetry-Anthology-ebook/dp/B005H5GKIY/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1313954227&sr=1-1

http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/80600

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/everblossom-larissa-hinton/1104907595

https://www.createspace.com/3671006 

Covers in the spotlight--Gastien Part 1&2 by Caddy Rowland

The covers of this week are breathtaking. I chose to display both because it's a series and also because both are just so gorgeous. This series is romance/drama.

Enjoy and let me know what you think.

Gastien Part 1: The Cost of the Dream:

Stunningly handsome Gastien has two dreams that burn relentlessly inside of him.  First, he wants to become a great artist. Nineteenth century France is a hotbed of new ideas in art; unfortunately, naïve young men, hoping to achieve impossible dreams, die in the gutters of Paris every day.   

     

Gastien also wants to become a great lover. That will not be so difficult.  So far, nineteenth century women can only dream of a man who cares if he actually satisfies them!

      

He has no training, no money, and no connections. And, he is a virgin…so far.

      

What does he have? Raw, natural talent, a willingness to learn, and a face and body no woman will be able to resist. He vows to stop at nothing to make his dreams come true.

      

Gastien Beauchamp, Paris is yours for the taking.
      

Sometimes, the "impossible" is possible. But the cost can be extremely high.

Gastien Part 2: From Dream to Destiny:

I am Gastien Beauchamp, artist and lover. Any Frenchman would tell you that a peasant could never own property in nineteenth century France. Yet here I am, in my very own studio.

The personal cost was horrendous. I barely survived the choices I made, and my sanity was pushed to its limits.

Still, I finally now have security, peace, and freedom. For the rest of my life I can spend time “making love to the color”, making love to beautiful women, and enjoying the wild nightlife of bohemian Montmartre. What more could a man need or want?

Then, one night, I see her. One look at Sophie, and my heart wants to betray me! I try to tell myself that I know better. Who needs love, anyway? I am already married-to my art!

No woman would ever understand and accept my lifestyle; nor am I about to give that lifestyle up! Not when I paid so dearly for it. Besides, I am too badly damaged to ever open up my heart…

 If you like the covers and you think you'll be interested in the novels, here are some links for you:

Caddy Rowland blog: http://caddyrowlandblog.blogspot.com Writer of Fiction, Painter of Life & Energy

Meet Gastien Beauchamp:http://www.facebook.com/Gastien.Beauchamp(hit the "like" button)

"Sometimes, the "impossible" is possible.  But the cost can be extremely high."

Gastien Part 1: The Cost of the Dream

Available in Paperback at https://www.createspace.com/3664944

Available on Amazon.com for Kindle http://tinyurl.com/3ecu8ku

Available on Barnes&Noble.com for NOOK http://tinyurl.com/3ue4a7h

Gastien Part 2: From Dream to Destiny

Paperback coming January 2012

Available on Amazon.com for Kindle http://tinyurl.com/bv9zosn

Available on Barnes&Noble.com for NOOK http://tinyurl.com/cx87deq

Book Trailers in the spotlight

Here are the book trailers of the week. For this week i chose a series by Carries Jones. I love the book trailers. They don't give away too much (don't tells us how the characters should look) and they do make me want to read the novels. Actually, I think I just might. I also love the music used.

So, the novels are:  

• Need by Carrie Jones
• Captivate by Carrie Jones and 
• Entice by Carrie Jones

ENJOY

 

Cover in the spotlight--A Little Magic by Valerie Gillen

This week's cover in the spotlight, A Little Magic by Valerie Gillen was also designed by Tamra Westberry. It's also the cover that made me decide to hire her. I just love it. The title says it all. It does have A Little Magic. Don't you think?

A Hidden Power: Stepdancer Siobhan Kelly didn't believe in magic - until the magic chose her.

A Promise Made: She's been warned magic is evil, but with her grandmother felled by a deadly curse, she must make a bargain with the local Fairie prince - the return of their sacred Jewel in exchange for her grandmother's life.

And it just might work too - if only she can escape the dark witch who's made Siobhan her prey in the hunt for a deadly blood spell.

Now available:  A Little Magic by Valerie Gillen http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005OUHOXM
Smashwords/Barnes & Noble:  ISBN 978-1-4660-9180-1

NOTE: I'm still not done with redesigning my blog. I keep trying out different things until I find what's right.

Warning--Construction site

Please don't freak out if you find my blog looking funny. I was bored with my blog design so I'm in the process of changing it.
Just wanted to warn you.

Liz

Cover in the spotlight--Tangi's Teardrops (Designed by Tamra Westberry)

So, as you can see, the cover has totally changed. It was hard to let go of my self designed cover, but
even though it was beautiful, it didn't fit the genre of the book. I was also going for the fairytale feel.

That's why I decided to hire a cover artist. I hired Tamra Westberry after reading so many great reviews about her. And she was fantastic and I love my cover so much, my heart beats faster when I look at it. She was such a lovely person to work with and we really worked very well together. I sent her a long description and she did exactly what I wanted and much more. I would highly recommend her. I had a lot of fun searching for images and was so glad when I finally found my model. Tamra found most of the other images.

For now we just did the front cover and after a week or two when the final proofreading is done, she'll design the back and the spine and the book will be ready for publishing. I can't wait. Okay, here's the cover in the spotlight. What do you think.























For those interested in finding out more about Tamra, here's the link to her website:Tara West or you can find her on face book: Tamra Westberry

Eye Candy--Book trailers

This morning I woke up determined to create a book trailer for Tangi's Teardrops. I know I could spend the time editing but I'm finally DONE. My part at least. I've sent the book off for final editing/proofreading. I also hired a cover artist to tweak my cover. I also scheduled an appointment with a blurb doctor.

That left me with a lot of time on my hands and I needed something to do. I could start doing the final editing on my novel, Chocolate Aftertaste, which I plan to get published not long after Tangi's Teardrops, but I need a break from editing right now.

That's when the trailer idea set in. I collected the photos I needed, listened to royalty free music clips and opened up my video maker software (I've done a few videos before for fun so I wasn't nervous at all).

After all the excitement, however, in the end, I decided not to do it. The reason is, I read a few articles and conversations in writer forums and many people claim that sometime book trailers push them away rather than draw them in. When they read a book, they want to use their own imaginations instead of having images dished out to them on  a computer screen.

Book trailers take a long time to create and if I have to create one, I want it to increase the fans for my books instead of decrease them.

Don't get me wrong, some people love book trailers and a few have bought books based on some but from what I've read, not many.

I don't know. I might change my mind about book trailers at some point and surprise you with one. Come to think of it, it might be sooner than later because I just love book trailers and I would actually be tempted to buy a book after watching one (If I loved it).

But before that, I'll be sharing ones that I love. So every week, in addition to posting novel covers, I'll also post one or two book trailers.

Here is the first batch.

                                                        SKIPPING A BEAT BY SARAH PEKKANEN

                                                        SECRETS OF SURRENDER BY MADELINE HUNTER
         This was one of the very first book trailers I saw about a year ago loved, especially the music.

 

AN AFFINITY FOR SHADOWS BY LIZ R. NEWMAN

Enjoy and tell me what you think.

Cover in the spotlight--Sterling (A Mageri Series Novel) by Dannika Dark

Hi everyone,

Here's another cover I just really love. It's also one of the covers I saw on Kindle Boards that made me want to display covers on my blog. "Sterling" is an Urban Fantasy series by Dannika Dark. This is book 1 of the Mageri series.
What do you think of the cover? I think it's simply stunning.

Zoë Merrick leads a less than ordinary life. Late one evening, she crosses paths with a man who brutally attacks her. In one shattering instant--a stranger with a knife alters the course of her future.

Unconscious and covered in blood, Zoë is found by a man named Adam. She undergoes a physical transformation, and strange new abilities begin to surface. Without hesitation, he takes her under his wing and an unexpected friendship forms between the two. Unable to return to her former life, Zoë feels lost.

Serendipity leads her to Justus. He is handsome, arrogant, and not entirely human. Justus gives her the truth she has longed to hear--that she is a Mage. He offers her answers and protection, as a young Mage cannot survive on their own. Forced to trust him, she must come to terms with accepting her new life and identity.

When her immortal freedom is threatened by the one man who has a right to claim her, Zoë learns the price of freedom...and the value of loyalty.

"Sterling" is available on Amazon: CLICK HERE
Dannika Dark's Official Blog