Muse... speak to me!

Writers need a muse, and said muses can be a little bitchy at times, keeping you waiting when you are ready for a writing session or showing up in the middle of your sleep. Mine loves to come out when I have music on. One song and you get the story of a lifetime, a love story, a break-up, sorrow, all of the emotions you can think of.

I am not going to lie, books also help my muse’s selfish attitude, but as often as music does, so below is a short soundtrack of some of the songs I listened to constantly while re-writing and revising Feathermore.

The Pretty Reckless – Make me Wanna Die

Within Temptation – Dark Wings

Plumb – Cut

Within Temptation – The Howling

30 seconds to Mars – This is war

Within Temptation – Jillian

The Pretty Reckless – Just Tonight

Now, there are probably a 100 more songs that I replayed once or twice, but nothing like these. Anything by Within Temptation is gold for my ears, so you can usually find it in the background when I write.

At the moment though, I am a little obsessed with “Safe and Sound” by Taylor Swift, It is such a sad lullaby. What song/s do you have on replay? Tell me, I am always looking for new music. I am currently writing the second book on the Feathermore Trilogy, so I am open for new music

Exclusive Cover Reveal: POSSESSED by Kira Saito

It is here! It's really, really here!

The big reveal for Kira Saito's third book in the Arelia LaRue series, "POSSESSED".

How gorgeous is this!? I love the fact that all of her covers (although they have the same background), vary in the pose of the model and are all  themed by colors. I absolutely love it!
But mostly I am dying to read 'Possessed'. Huh? Huh?! Who's with me? I cannot wait to read what kinds of trouble Arelia will get herself into this time.


Read on for a little TEASER!

Chapter 1

Anger is All I Have Left

         “Oh queen. You break what’s left of my heart with your naivety.” Ivan gave me a smirk as he placed his arms around my waist and pulled me close to him.

          My body was limp in his powerful embrace. He brought his lips to my ear. “You really think you’re strong enough to take me on? I’ve been around a long time baby. I’ve seen things that you can’t even begin to imagine.”

         “You sound like such a cliché,” I said, as I dug my nails into him and tried to wiggle out of his arms.

I had no idea if I had successfully sucked out all his powers. At this point, all I wanted to do was get far away from him as possible. Maybe my plan had been a little rash. I should have asked more questions when Gran-Ibo had given me the oil like what the hell do I do right after?

He let out a dry laugh, but didn't say anything. Instead, he placed a finger over my lips and wiped off some of the Black Arts oil. He put his finger into his mouth and tasted the oil.

“I’m the cliché? You’re the one using Black Arts oil and…” He sniffed my neck and gave it a little lick. “Come to me Oil. Amateur moves queen. I expected something more dramatic from you. Perhaps a voodoo doll? Or a creating a zombie to attack me? Yes. In case you didn’t know, we are capable of creating zombies. You should have hit me with anything but the atypical oils. How boring. I guess I over estimated you after all.”

There were a thousand things I probably could have done at that exact second. I could have called on Soussan Pannan or Erzulie. Instead, I relied on good old fashioned defense mechanisms and kicked Ivan hard in the groin. He immediately released me and let out a low moan.

“Never underestimate your opponent jerk,” I said, as I made a mad dash out of the ballroom and upstairs. “And stop calling me queen. It’s pretty damn annoying!”

I remembered that I had passed red brick dust outside our bedroom door. If I made it there, I would be safe until I could figure out my next move. I was supposed to understand Ivan and help him, but he was making it awfully difficult. I knew he wasn’t stupid enough to murder me, but he was a very angry soul. From my experience, people tended to do extremely stupid things when they were angry. I was living proof of that.

I ran halfway up the spiral staircase when I heard Ivan right behind me. His hand gripped my ankle. I fell with a thud which temporarily disorientated me.

“Easy queen.” I felt Ivan’s arms around me as he scooped me up from the ground like a helpless ragdoll.

Before I had a chance to say anything, he placed his hand over my mouth and carried me up the stairs. I revolted wildly against him, but he was totally unfazed by my little antics. He tossed me a stupid grin.

“I’ve been brutally beaten countless times, been forced to work under pretty crappy circumstances, without any health insurance by the way, and survived depressing pangs of starvation. I’m pretty sure I can handle the antics of a scrawny, love struck voodoo queen.”

Obviously, Ivan had no idea who he was up against. Or maybe he did. Faking being all powerful and brave was vastly different from actually believing it. When I had tried to suck out Ivan’s energy, I had felt myself waver. In that moment of doubt, I know I had sealed my miserable fate. And now I had to face the consequences. Crap.

****

HOOKED? Yeah, I thought so.

Follow Kira on her BLOG for more information on her books. 

Purchase her books:

BOUND   

 PUNISHED

                                                                                                       

Why I write YA

WHY I WRITE YA

As an avid reader, I will pretty much read any genre that comes my way. I don't discriminate against genres.

When I started reading as a child, I was obsessed with R.L. Stine. My parents had a clothing store at the mall and I would spend hours at the bookstore, sprawled all over the floor reading Goosebumps. Whenever I came across any kind of money at all, it would go toward a book, which at that age felt like such a mature thing to do. As I started growing up, and although I kept reading Stine’s books, my taste became a little bit broader. Now, however, whenever I had money I spent it on clothes or going out with my friends, and that is why I began reading my Mom’s books. She, like I, has to go to sleep with a book in hand. And so there were plenty for me to choose from, however her genre was a little different that mine, she loved romance novels. Think Nora Roberts and Danielle Steele. And so I began daydreaming of handsome and romantic men that would come sweep me off my feet; that's when the romantic in me was born. I went on, for years reading anything my mom purchased. The DaVinci code drove me wild!

But it wasn’t until I was told about Twilight that I became a DIE HARD reader. I was working at the hospital at the time. I had taken a very lunch break and so I was completely alone in our break room. On the table was a paperback of Twilight. The TV wasn’t working and so I picked it up, after all, I had half an hour to kill. OH MY GOD, the half an hour disappeared. I don’t know how it is possible, but time fast forwarded! I had gotten so into the story that by the time I came up for air it had been an hour! I was so busted. Reluctantly I put it down and headed back to work. I couldn’t concentrate, I had Meyer’s story engraved in my mind. 7pm came around and I bolted to my car. I didn’t go home, I told my Mom I would pick up the kids a little bit later and drove like a maniac to the bookstore. By then, the first three were already out, so I bought them all. It might have taken me a week before I had read them all. I was ADDICTED. Since then I have read all four about 10 times each, and every time, it’s like the very first.

It was because of the Twilight saga that I decided to become a writer. I wanted readers to feel the way Meyers had made me feel. To become the character and have a break from our everyday lives. I wanted to create an escape that readers would want to escape to.
And so my genre of choice was easy, Young Adult. It is the genre I like reading most.
How many of you were told by a parent, aunt, grandmother how we would one day miss our teenage years? How we would one day want to turn back time and be in high school again? Everything my Mom has ever said to me and was brushed off as “Yeah, right. Whatever” has come true. And so, what better way to re-live those days than by creating my own?

The Young Adult genre is not just for teenagers, it is for everybody that misses those days and wants to, even if for a few hours a day, go back and reminisce. YA is also for the teenagers dealing with the realistic issues sometimes mingled in the stories, in the case of Feathermore, bullying. I was bullied when I was younger and I completely stand against it. It breaks people and scars them for life in one way or another. For adults, as I said before, YA is a getaway to times already passed.

What is your genre and why?

2 eBook Giveaway

Hi All!

I am giving away 2 eBook copies of Feathermore. If you would like to enter the giveaway, all you have to do is comment below with your name and e-mail address. Winners will be picked on March 31st after 5pm EST.

Xoxo and Good luck!

Imagination: Isn't it a wonderful thing?

Imagination: isn’t it a wonderful thing?

** This is a guest post I wrote for the blog tour and was posted on author Rachel Harris' blog**

Imagination is used by authors to create the stories, the worlds and characters we all fall in love with and those we even hate. Their distinct descriptions, the way they make us (the reader) feel and how easily it is to be transported into a book; it’s just magical.
Imagination in a reader is just as important. It is easy to read a book, but can you really seeit? Can you feel the way the breeze is described as wrapping around the main character, the way her hair whips all over her face? Can you see the dystopian world the author is portraying?
We all have our own way of seeing things, and most of the time; no two people will imagine the same thing about the same exact book. One of the things I love most about books is, of course, the main characters. I am always trying to find the perfect person that fits the part, whether that is someone I know or an actor. It’s is almost like a challenge. Many times I never found an actual face to the character and so I created my own.
I figured it would be fun to show you who I was thinking of when I wrote Feathermore and/ or who I would cast for the movie:

Jade Lovecraft
- Elizabeth Gillies –
Elizabeth plays Jade in Victorious, a Nickelodeon T.V. show. I have kids, that is why I watch these shows. That is my excuse and I am sticking to it! In the show, Jade plays a very angry teenager who likes to play with scissors. In Feathermore she is not like that, BUT her appearance is the same: pale skin, dark hair and ethereal green eyes.

Also, as seen in the cover of Feathermore, Abby Marie Summers would be a great Jade, too:

Avan Thomas
- Avan Jogia –
When I started writing I had in mind Avan Jogia. I know, I am so original in the name picking! Avan (Jogia) also plays in Victorious as, well, Jade’s boyfriend (gasp!) But then I found this photo (below) and it just fit RIGHT IN. I don’t know who he is, but… **wipes drool off her chin** Yeah, exactly!

Claire
- Isabel Lucas –
I actually didn’t have anyone in mind when I wrote it, I had thought of Sophie Monk but she is far from being my Claire. Isabel Lucas seems to fit the bill, she is girlie and gorgeous, anyone would be jealous around her.

Nathaniel (Nate)
- Alex Kristiansso –
Alex is actually someone I follow on Instagram, an iPhone app. He is absolutely gorgeous and can’t help but swoon over him. The moment I saw him, I knew I had found my Nate.

Blake
- Maxwell Zagorski –
Maxwell is an Abercrombie & Fitch model and actor, and totally hot. Blake, although not for much, is older looking than the rest of the gang. He has the same green eyes as Jade.

Now I would LOVE to hear who Feathermore readers believe should be casted if it were to become a movie. I am very curious.

Feathermore's Grand Prize Giveaway WINNER!!

I asked my Twitter friends to pick a number form 1-134. Christy Brown chose number 7 and The winner is:

HOLLY H

@betweenbookends

Congratulations Holly! I will e-mail you shortly. And Thank You Christy for your help!

XOXO

Feathermore's Blog Tour: Final Day!

And as soon as it started, it is already over. No bueno. But I did have so much fun and I want to thank all the bloggers who have made this tour SO amazing. You guys rock! A big Thank you to all the readers and thosticipated in the tour!
Today, on the final day, I will be at:

Fiction Fascination

Good Choice Reading

Guest Post at Shadow Kissed Cassie

As always, don't forget to enter the giveaways!

Feathermore's Blog Tour: Sixth Day

The Tour is almost over.. NOOOOO! So go over these two blogs and check out the review and Q&A. Interviews are always so much fun!

Tana Rae Reads

Q&A at In Between YA Book Reviews

Feathermore's Blog Tour: Fifth Day

Today Marylin and Jo are reviewing Feathermore. Let's check out what they have to say and enter the giveaways!

Writing on the Sunny side of the street

Dreams are what make writing happen

   Q&A at Rachel Book Reviews

Feathermore's Blog Tour: Fourth Day!

Hey Guys, today I am being interviewed in two different blogs and Sarah is doing a review of Feathermore. Also, don't forget to enter the giveaways!

Sarah's Point of View

Q&A at YA Word Parade

A little addiction of mine

This song has been a bit of an obsession for the past couple of weeks. The video I could live without, but the song, it's so wonderfully sad. I can't help but want to wrap my arms around it, make all the torment in it go away.
At the moment I think of my friend, Shawn Huntington, his wife and her sister, whom were all tragically and sensessly taken from this Earth by a drunk driver. I will not go into PSA mode, but come on people... Three lives were cut short, all in their twenties, for what? Because one selfish man decided to drink WAY too much, get on the wrong side of the highway and get into a head on collision with another car?
Let's be smart. We all like to have a good time, but dont put your own self and others at risk for it. So many good people die this way...
Anyway, I hope you all enjoy the song as much as I do.

Feathermore's Blog Tour: Third Day!

Today, on the third day of the blog tour, I am being hosted by book lovers and reviewers:

Cindy's love of Books

The Wormhole

These wonderful ladies also hosted me while doing the Death by Chocolate Tour. They are amazing!


** Today is the last day to dowload Bloody Valentine FREE, so go get your copy! The first chapter of Feathermore is there, too. **

Feathermore's Blog Tour Second Day

Today we continue the tour with Kristin and Monique, the amazing ladies behind Book Sniffers Anonymous!

And the uber talented Rachel Harris, where I am Guest posting Rachel Harris Writes.

Don't forget to enter the giveaways!


**For the next two days, Bloody Valentine, will be offered FREE, so download your copy! The first chapter of Feathermore is there, too. **

Grand Prize Giveaway

You can enter at all of the Feathermore Blog Tour stops for more chances to win! The giveaway will run until Sunday 5pm EST. Only US residents only.

Grand Prize:

• A signed paperback copy of Feathermore.
• A Feathermore necklace.

Once winner is chosen I will send an email to said winner and you will have 24hrs to respond with your mailing address, otherwise, I will choose someone else.

Here's you first chance to enter:

Feathermore's Blog Tour Kick-off!

Today is the Blog Tour Kick-off! Below you will find the 3 blogs that will be hosting me. Also, don't forget to enter their giveaways, as well as the grand giveaway (signed paperback and necklace) that will be on every tour stop. The more stops you follow and enter, the more chances to win! Enjoy, good luck and thank you for participating.

**For  the next three days, Bloody Valentine, will be offered FREE, so download your copy! The first chapter of Feathermore is  there, too. **

Gothic Angel Book Reviews

Kira Saito

Guest post at The Bookish Babes

Feathermore Giveaway

Hi Guys,

Feathermore is live on AMAZON and BARNES & NOBLE to download, but, if you are anything like me, you need your own copy, your own paperback. There is nothing that will EVER replace the feel of a book in your hands, the sound the pages make as you turn them, the scent... okay, okay! Enough will my drooling over books.

For those of you who purchase (and have already purchased) a paperback copy of Feathermore you will be instantly entered to win one of the three Feathermore necklaces below. They are absolutely gorgeous, I own one of each as well :) There's a silver, gold and dark one.

 (for some reason it comes up vertical, even though the picture is not!)

All you have to do is click on the PayPal link below and pre-order your copy. Release date is March 19th, but I will most likely be sending them before then. I will post a video here of the moment I pick the winners and you will also be notified by e-mail.

Name to be signed

**GIVEAWAY ENDS MARCH 15TH AT 5:00 PM EST**

**NOTE: The cost of the book to pre-order is $8.99 + tax and shipping and it lasts until March 15th. Everyone else will sell for $12.99 + tax and shipping. Don't miss out on this chance!**

Book Reviewers Needed

I am looking for book reviewers who would be interested in participating in the Feathermore blog tour (March 19th- March 25)

If you are interested, please leave me a comment below with a link to your blog and contact information OR email me directly at authorlucyswing at gmail dot com.

Please make sure that if you agree to review, you will post the review and will do it on the date scheduled.

**NOTE: I will gladly accept multiple blogs per day, so do not be afraid to shoot a date. However, if I have too many requesting the same date, I will ask you to pick another date.**

BLOG TOUR DATES

March 19th - Gothic Angel Book Reviews
                          
                                 Kira Saito

                                 Guest post at The Bookish Babes

March 20th - Book Sniffers Anonymous
                           
                                 Guest Post at Rachel Harris Writes

March 21st - Cindy's love of Books
                              
                                  The Wormhole

March 22nd - Sarah's Point of View
                                
                                   Q&A at YA Word Parade

March 23rd - Writing on the Sunny side of the street
                             
                                  Dreams are what make writing happen

                                  Q&A at Rachel Book Reviews

March 24th - Tana Rae Reads
                            
                                  Q&A at In Between YA Book Reviews

March 25th -  Fiction Fascination

                                   Good Choice Reading
                             
                                   Guest Post at Shadow Kissed Cassie


Thank you all so much for your help and support!