Nichole Chase

The cool thing about being an author? Getting to chat with other authors!

2012-02-16T05:51:00.002-08:00

Have you ever wanted to sit down with an author you love and ask them questions? Sarah Ross and I recently sat down and had an awesome chat about everything from writing tips to our new books and even the crazy antics of our characters. And we’re sharing it with you! So grab a front row seat and live vicariously for a bit!

**Be sure to enter the rafflecopter at the bottom of the interview for your chance to to win each author's book!**

Sarah: So Nichole, you have two books out now. Since I'm working on my second book, tell me: what was easier about book two versus book one? Writing? Editing? Less stress?

Nichole: I learned a lot through the editing process of book one, which helped me write a better second book. Technically, it was easier to craft sentences to convey what I intended. Less newbie fumbling.

You're working on a book that is completely different from your first. Has it been difficult to switch gears?

Sarah: I thought that it would be, but it really hasn't. I've enjoyed the change of pace and the voices of the new characters. I didn't get as burned out as some authors do because it was completely fresh. And I agree, the writing/pacing/structure is so much easier with book two.

Nichole: I think you're right. As much as I love my Dark Betrayal Series and the characters, I'm looking forward to concentrating on some of my other writing projects.

Sarah: You're working on a new series too, right? What's it about?

Nichole: I don't have a finalized blurb at the moment, but I can tell you that it is completely different from the world Ree and her friends inhabit. It's set in the beautiful Bahamas and the title is Flukes. You will have to use your imagination from there.

Sarah: Ohh, that sounds enticing! I can't wait to read it!

Nichole: What about your new project? What does it involve?

Sarah: My second novel is Echo of an Earth Angel, and it's about a fallen angel with healing powers. I hope to have it released in April.

Nichole: Oh! Angels are very popular right now! What is it that draws you to that type of paranormal creature?

Sarah: I think it started when I read Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick. I hadn't read a lot of angel books before that, but it blew me away and hooked me into the whole concept and idea.

My new book is set in my hometown of Pittsburgh. Since you're in Savannah, do you think that using that as the setting helped enhance the story? Or will Flukes be harder since you're not as familiar with the location?

Nichole: I think that living in Savannah and writing a book in Savannah was a big help. I understood the way the city is laid out, the weather, and what the buildings all looked like. Plus, Savannah has a creepy past that is still noticeable today.

I've been to the Bahamas once before, so I think that it won't be as hard as writing about somewhere I've never been. Flukes needed to be set in a tropical climate and I love the laid back, comfortable vibe down there.

Sarah: I think you're right. I know for me, writing Awaken was a little harder because I not only had to create the characters, but their whole world. I felt a little like JK Rowling creating Hogwarts! LOL

Nichole: But you did it so well! At no point in your book did I feel like things didn’t flow well or make sense. You had a clear vision of where everything was and how everything worked in your book.

Sarah: Thanks! Now you're making me blush.

Nichole: It's well deserved praise!

Sarah: I liked the freedom of creating whatever kind of world I wanted, but it was a little overwhelming at first. I think that Echo has flowed so much easier because I know the layout. Do you have personal connections to anywhere in the Dark Betrayal series?

Nichole: Well, the pub that Paden’s family owns is based on one of my favorite pubs downtown- Molly MacPhearsons. The pizza place in the first scene of Mortal Obligation is where I used to go hang out with friends in high school. I guess that a lot of little places like that sneak into the book.

Now, you aren't from Florida. So does writing Echo make you homesick?

Sarah: Not right now! It's way too cold there!

Nichole: HA! We southerners *think* we want snow, but what we really want is a few days of 2 or 3 inches and then want to get on with our lives.

Sarah: But seriously, I do miss home when I write it. Pittsburgh will always be in my heart, but I love living by the beach and can't see giving that up

Nichole: I grew up in Florida and desperately miss the beaches and coast. I think that is one of the reasons I decided to set Flukes in such a tropical location.

Sarah: I'm pretty sure there are a ton of people who will be dreaming of those warm waters and soft sand tonight. We're quite the teases!

So if you had to pick (and you do because I'm twisting your arm): who was your favorite character to write besides Ree?

Nichole: Ow, ow, ow! Anyone ever tell you that you’re mean, Sarah Ross? Sheesh. I can't pick just one. Paden and Roland are tied for very different reasons. I also really enjoy writing my villain. He's like an onion- lots of stinky layers that make you want to cry.

So, let’s turn that around on you. Who was your favorite supporting character to write?

Sarah: For me, it's Elizabeth. It was so much fun writing what snarky, backhanded thing she'd say next

She made me laugh on numerous occasions.

Nichole: She made me laugh, too!

Sarah: I have got to find more ways to have her pop up throughout the series. She's too good (and bad) not to keep around! I think she and Roland would get along. Do you think?

Nichole: I'm actually giggling, because I can only imagine the things he would say to rile her. I wonder how long it would take before she threw a knife at him.

Sarah: Oh, I'd give it about ten seconds! She doesn't put up with much! LOL. But I'd be highly entertained by watching him try to rile her!

Nichole: You're probably right. Which he would think was hilarious. It would be fun. Maybe we will have a reason to stick them together one day.

Sarah: Oh we will definitely need to find a way to make that happen. It's too funny not to!

Nichole: Too true. Well, I have to go wake up my toddler or she will never sleep tonight. I had a lot of fun chatting with you!

Sarah: Me too! Thanks for chatting. And I’m sure I speak for everyone when we say we can’t wait for the next book in the Dark Betrayal Series!!

Sarah Ross is the author of the YA paranormal book, Awaken. The Pittsburgh native now lives in Florida with her family and is working on her second novel, Echo of an Earth Angel (due out Spring, 2012). You can find out more about her and Awaken at her Website. Or you can follow/stalk her on Facebook or Twitter.

Available for purchase at: Amazon, Barnes &Noble, and Smashwords for all other devices.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

TRANSFER STUDENT COVER REVEAL & GIVEAWAY

2012-02-14T06:50:00.000-08:00

I'd like to take a moment to introduce you all to an amazing author. Laura Elliott is the author of Winnemucca and 13 on Halloween. And today I have the honor of being part of her cover reveal for her newest novel!

TWO WORLDS. TWO TEENS. ONE WISH.

TRANSFER STUDENT is a science fiction Freaky-Friday romance/adventure about two normal teenagers struggling to survive high school and deal with their parents… typical rites of passage. The twist? One teen is an alien from the planet Retha. In a galactic teleporting experiment gone wrong, Ashley, a Beverly Hills High surfing fashionista, and Rhoe, the biggest geek on planet Retha, swap lives. Only by surviving life as their biggest nightmare do Ashley & Rhoe discover their dreams. How far would you go for someone you love?

WIN TRANSFER STUDENT BOOKMARKS SIGNED BY AUTHOR LAURA A. H. ELLIOTT!

To enter to win all you need to do is tweet this & follow my blog Laurasmagicday:
Nothing says #ValentinesDay like an alien #romance! TRANSFER STUDENT Cover Reveal! #TransferStudent #teenreads #kindle http://laurasmagicday.wordpress.com/

The first 100 tweets/followers win!

TRANSFER STUDENT BLOG TOUR: LEAP DAY, 2012 - MARCH 20th

Giveaways include free ebooks of TRANSFER STUDENT, Amazon gift cards & weekly surprise gifts that are out of this world!
TRANSFER STUDENT RELEASE DAY: MARCH 20th

I've talked with Laura and this book sounds amazing. I loved 13 on Halloween and can't wait to dig into this book too.

Sealed with A Kiss

2012-02-08T20:03:00.000-08:00

Thumping hearts, sweaty palms, cool lips, and my first kiss.

Okay, I could tell you about my first kiss, but the fact is that it just didn’t matter. I let someone kiss me, just to kiss me, and it was terrible. But, I can tell you about the first kiss that mattered. The one that stole my heart and sealed the deal.

Let me give you a little background first. Somewhere close to fifteen years ago, I saw my husband for the first time. My family moved from Florida to Georgia and I was walking across the parking lot of my new high school when I saw a blonde head turn and I caught the profile of someone that seemed familiar. I could tell you that weeks before I moved to Georgia, I dreamt of a blonde haired boy. I could tell you that I knew he would be the one for me. I could tell you that he had a dog with him in the dream that I would later meet at his parent’s house. I could tell you all of that, but you wouldn’t believe me. You would think I was making it up. I’m an author after all. I write about paranormal things, for goodness sake. I can understand why you would think I was crazy or pulling your leg. But this is the truth. And maybe, just maybe, this is where my fascination with the paranormal comes from.

So, back to my story. I saw this guy turn and my heart stopped while time seemed to slow down. There, standing in a high school parking lot in backwoods Georgia, was a guy that I had dreamed of months before even moving from Florida. It’s a hard thing to explain, but I’m going to assume that you can understand my shock and awe. I looked at one of my new friends and asked her who that was standing next to the incredibly ugly Thunderbird.

She raised her eyebrow and her mouth turned up into a small smile. “Who? Him? That’s Jonathan. Why?”

Even though my heart was beating quickly and I was questioning my own sanity, I shrugged and mumbled something about him looking familiar. I couldn’t help but look back once more and sure enough there were the same bright blue eyes, blonde hair, and adorable smile from my dream. I wanted to know everything about him, but at the same time I didn’t feel the need to rush. Something in the pit of my stomach felt secure in knowing that we would end up together. It was more than a crush. The rest of high school passed and we had several moments where we talked, seemed drawn to each other, but neither of us hurried anything.

Fast forward to our freshman year of college. He lived with one of my best guy friends. We saw each other often, and it was impossible to not want to spend more time with him. He invited me to a movie and we had a wonderful time. We stayed up all night talking, as if we had been saving up everything in our lives to share with each other. Despite all of that, he didn’t kiss me. In fact, he seemed a little shy when he was leaving, but gave me a small hug and said he would call. I wondered if maybe I had misread the signs. We all have our moments of doubt, crazy dreams or not. A few days passed, where we chatted on the phone, but didn’t see one another because of school and work. I took the time to make him a small cake for his birthday and took it to his house on my way to my apartment. He didn’t seem to want me to leave, but I had made up my mind that I was going to ‘make the drop’ and not linger. I was nervous, and didn’t want to seem clingy. I figured the cake was enough. He followed me outside to my car and we started talking. Again, time seemed to disappear while we talked. It felt like we were on the same page, could finish each other’s sentences. Eventually, he had closed the space between us, and placed his hands on my hips. Our conversation slowed and there were a lot of smiles and quiet jokes. It was quiet outside, and I swear that I could hear my heart beating. I would swear that he could hear it too. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, our heads drifted together and our lips touched. It was like something clicked together in my head. There in another person, I had found my match. My soul mate. I won’t go into detail, (I’m sure that my family is thankful for that) because that moment was meant for just the two of us. And it’s one that I will never forget. We’ve been together ever since, and I can’t imagine a better happily ever after for myself.

Photo Courtesy of Denise Gonsales

Now, I want to hear about your first kiss! Was it special and magical? Was it horrifying? Awkward? C'mon! I want the juicy details!

Be sure to check out the other stops on the Sealed with A Kiss hop!

February 1^st Abbi Glines

http://www.abbiglines.com/

February 2^nd Tiffany King

http://authortiffanyjking.blogspot.com/

February 3^rd Shelly Crane

http://shellycrane.blogspot.com/

February 5^th Amy Jones

http://amyjonesyaff.blogspot.com/

February 6^th Addison Moore

http://addisonmoorewrites.blogspot.com/

February 7^th Carol & Adam Kunz

http://cakunz.blogspot.com/

February 8^th Courtney Cole

http://courtneycolewrites.wordpress.com/

February 9^th Nichole Chase (Hey! That's me!)

http://nicholechase.blogspot.com/

February 10^th Fisher Amelie

http://www.fisheramelie.com

February 12^th Laura Elliot

http://laurasmagicday.wordpress.com

February 13^th Michelle Muto

http://michellemuto.wordpress.com/

February 14^th Michelle Leighton

http://mleightonbooks.blogspot.com/

Deltona Here I Come!

2012-01-22T13:58:00.000-08:00

In one short week, I will be joining the Paranormal Plumes Society in Deltona, Florida for a two-day event. I'm very excited about the trip and about getting to see my lovely friends again!

On Monday, Janurary 30th, I will be joining the Plumes at Deltona High School where we will spend the school day brainwashing... er... I mean encouraging the students to reach for their dreams and answering questions about writing and publishing. That night we will be back at Deltona Highschool for an open event that anyone is allowed to attend. We will be signing books, answering questions, and in general having a lot of fun. There will be lots of cool swag (books marks, postcards, candy, and other fun odds and ends) that I and the others have put together for the people that come!

On Tuesday, Janurary 31st, the Plumes and I will be repeating the same process, but this time at the Deltona Middle school! Here we will have the opportunity to corrupt...er... I mean enlighten the students of the importance of believing in ones self and never giving up. And again, that night there will be another open event where students and non-students can come, get a book signed, ask questions, and snag some swag.

For those that are interested in purchasing a book while at either of the events, Mortal Obligation and Mortal Defiance will be available for $10 each. (This is discounted from the cost of Amazon and Barnes and Noble. I am also donating a dollar per book sold to the reading program at the schools.) And do make sure to get some of the swag that I am bringing. I will be happy to sign any of it for you to keep or give away! Of course, you might just want to keep the candy for yourself. ;-)

If you would like to learn a little more about the authors that will be at the events, check out our website: http://www.theplumessociety.com/

Now, I am off to work on Immortal Grave and then to make some important decisions. Like what the heck to wear to these events!

Immortal Grave Cover

2012-01-17T14:09:00.000-08:00

Ask and you shall receive!

Here it is! The cover for Immortal Grave! (Please excuse me while I squeal. This is my favorite of all three.)

So, I know that it is a bit of a departure from the first two books. But to be honest, in the final installment of the Dark Betrayal Trilogy, Ree isn't hiding behind anyone or anything and I wanted that to translate on the cover as well. I can't wait to share the conclusion of their journey with all of you guys.

I owe my lovely mother in law something huge for all of the hard work she put into these book covers. I owe her a barrell of chocolate, a winning lottery ticket, or a trip to the Bahamas-- something awesome. Unfortunately, I don't know where to get a barrell of chocolate, or a winning lottery ticket, and don't think that the Bahamas would be her top pick of travel destination. So, I guess she will have to settle for my undying gratitude.

Book Three

2012-01-13T19:58:00.000-08:00

This is the begining of the end.

I'm currently working on the last book in my Dark Betrayal Trilogy.

And I'm ready to share a couple of tidbits about the upcoming book. Like the title and the fact that there will be a prologue. Which I haven't done with the other books. So, here it is. The title for the last book will be:

Immortal Grave

I can't tell you too much about the prologue. Though, I do plan on posting it when we get closer to the release date. I can tell you that it isn't from Ree's perspective. Don't worry, that's the only part of the book that changes. Instead, you guys will get a look at Tristan's last night as a human. From Tristan's perspective. It's important on a lot of levels for you guys to understand who Tristan is, the stupid reasoning behind his decisions, and it will give you a better understanding of things that happen later on. I will also warn you that it's a little steamy. I can't help but tease you a little. ;o)

...His gaze focused on the thumping of the artery in her neck. Moving back to her, he ran his hands up into her hair before yanking her head to the side.

“God, you smell divine.” Using his tongue he traced a path down to her shirt collar. ...

I'm a terrible blogger.

2012-01-08T20:24:00.000-08:00

It's true. I've been terribly negligent when it comes to my blog.

In my own defense, the holidays were incredibly crazy-- and I was incredibly sick. Which sucked, but doesn't really excuse my lack of blog posts. Please accept me apologies, dear readers. You guys are important to me and I would hate for you to think otherwise.

Well, a lot has happened in the last month. Mortal Defiance is now live. (Woot!) And you guys have been wonderfully supportive. I can't thank you all enough for the excitement you expressed while patiently waiting. Or your exuberance after finishing the second installment. Honestly, some of you have posted reviews that caused some rather goofy and dorky dancing around the house. (You are all to be blamed for the fact that my toddler now dances like a drunken monkey. What toddlers see, toddlers do. And I wasn't kidding about my dorky dancing.)

I spent some time this weekend looking back over last year. In a lot of ways, it was a scary and difficult year. And in others, the ways that really count, it was simply one of the happiest years I've had in a long time. In Februrary, I had to quit my job unexpectedly. In many ways, it was past time for me to have moved on, but I had been reluctant to leave my comfort zone. When it became apparent that I had no choice, I took the leap and became a stay at home mommy. It was difficult. We had to tighten out belts (several notches). And I struggled with finding a routine, with not feeling like I was contributing enough. But, it did give me the chance to focus on my dream. And for some reason that I will never be able to fully explain, I knew that I was finally doing the right thing. I felt as if I was moving in the right direction. So, in 2011 I began my journey to being published. I dusted off Mortal Obligation and it became my main focus. (Well, other than taking care of my daughter.) There were a lot of signs pointing me in the direction of my dreams, and some not so subtle kicks in the rump when I thought about straying from the path. And when I didn't, when I stuck to my guns, I had a sense of purpose. One that I had not felt in a long time. If ever.

Don't let me mislead you. Being a mother is very fufilling. I love my daughter to pieces. She is my heart. Literally. I think she's kind of pink and gooey, and can hold a good beat. Okay. Maybe not literally; but she gives me a sense of purpose. But writing? It feels different. It isn't about anyone else. It's about me. And my stories. There is something powerful in that. When I finished the first draft of Mortal Obligation, my husband took me out to celebrate. We went to Olive Garden and ordered our favorite foods. My daughter threw a crayon that landed in a dish full of spaghetti at the next table. (I swear the thing flipped end over end in slow motion as it flew past my face.) I was happy, other than the crayon thing. I had completed something that I had always dreamed of doing.

Then, I published my book. I had no idea what to expect. I would lay awake at night completely freaked out and positive that people were going to throw tomatos through the computer screen at me. I started wearing red shirts just so that it would be easier to hide the stains. Okay. I didn't wear red shirts. But I was certain that people would call me a fake, a hack, a joke. I believed in this story. In Ree, Paden, and Roland. And even when I was suffering from horrible doubts, something inside me still said I had done the right thing. So I sat back and waited. I contacted bloggers. I sent out free copies of MO left and right. I added my book to Goodreads and chewed my finger nails. Then the reviews rolled in. My first review? 3.5 stars. Was I upset? Hell no. I was ecstatic. 3.5 stars from a tough blogger was more than I could have hoped! And she didn't call me a hack! Or a joke. She rated my book like she did all of those other books that I loved.

Something truly wonderful happened. Mortal Obligation did better than I had any reason to hope. People were buying it, telling other people to buy it! And then a thought occured to me. Holy crap, it was a crazy thought. People were waiting on the next book. MY NEXT BOOK! I got to crackin' and managed to publish Mortal Defiance before the end of the year. Yeah, it was a little later than I had intended. Yeah, it was on Christmas Eve. But, so what? I had published two BOOKS! Excuse me, dreams? You've been BLOWN away. Never would I have thought that I would have two books out in the world for people to read. I had accomplished one of my biggest life goals. Take that, Bucket List!

Now, I am working on the third book in my trilogy. It will be out in March. (Can you sense my desire to hop around like a dork again? Because believe me. Just typing that, my feet start twitching.) This time last year, I had a dream to publish a book. Look at me now. I've published two! And a third one is in the works. Am I Amada Hocking? Nope. But you know who I am? Nichole Chase. Author of two (and one short story), almost three published books. I say, that's not too shabby for a years worth of work.

Mortal Defiance (Amazon)
Mortal Defiance (Barnes and Noble)

A Slight Delay

2011-12-15T07:47:00.000-08:00

It looks like Mortal Defiance is going to be a few days late. I can't tell you how sorry I am for the wait.

It has been through editing and is currently with my final pass proofreaders. Once they have made sure that everything is correct, I will have it formatted and then upload to all of the sites. Because my readers mean so much to me, I am unwilling to risk putting out something that isn't perfect.

If you would like more up to date progress reports, check out my Facebook page. I will be updating that as the process nears completetion. And very frequently. I also run contests and giveaways ( Like the Show Me Your Roland contest) on the FB page, so you could win something!

http://www.facebook.com/author.nicholechase

Again, I apologize for the inconvience. And I hope that you will enjoy Mortal Defiance.

Show Me Your Roland!

2011-12-13T18:46:00.000-08:00

Okay, that title sounds a little dirty. o.O

I recently added a 'cast' for the Dark Betrayal Trilogy to my blog. (Just click on the link above to see my picks.) I wasn't really happy with my current choice for Roland (my apologies to the actor I chose. Your hot and all, just not Roland) so, I put out a call for help on Facebook. And boy did you guys bring lots of help to my Facebook pages.

I'm going to post the pictures of my top three choices so that you can see just how tough it was to pick the winner.

Top Three:

Mandy Twimom 101 Book Blog

Celina Ortiz

Becki Perkins

Awesome people that contributed hot guys for everyone to look at on my Facebook page:

Andrea Wilmot
Whitney Miter
Chelsi Robin Erickson
M.D. Christie
Tanya Contois
Mireille Chester
Anne Victory
Nikki Rhodes
Jennifer Stark
Jessi Gibson
C.G. Powell
Now, here is the fun part of the contest!

The Winner!

And the even funner part? Everyone that participated is getting an eARC of Mortal Defiance! Woohoo! *throws confetti*

Also, I feel like this guy just deserves a special mention.

*Warning*
Don't drool on your keyboard.

Happy Yule!

Happy Hanakuah!

Merry Christmas!

Happy Kawanza!

and

Happy every other holiday!

Thank you to everyone that played along. It was SO much fun to see what everyone pictured. And, now I can't wait to see what everyone thinks of Mortal Defiance.

To get your ARC copy of Mortal Defiance please comment with your email address or pm me on FB so that I can get it to you. If you don't want a PDF, please make sure that you tell me exactly what type of file you would like. (Keep in mind that it will take a little longer for anything other than a PDF. I have to wait for the formatter to finish.)

**These are ARC copies, so keep in mind that there might be a couple of things that will be changed after the final pass of my proofreaders, but the story will be the same!**

**Also, if I mentioned your name on the above list, just let me know!**

Tiffany King: The Ascended Blog Tour

2011-12-07T06:36:00.000-08:00

Today, the spectacular Tiffany King has stopped by my blog to answer some crazy questions. Since our books both come out on the same day, we decided to trade questions (5 each) and post the answers on the same day!

Tiffany King is a graduate of Daytona State College, in Daytona Beach, Florida. A teacher by day and book fanatic the rest of the time, she is now pursuing her life-long dream as an author. She has a loving husband and two wonderful kids. (Four, if you count her two spoiled cats). "Books provide the ultimate getaway for me. A good story is a vehicle that takes you to another place, another time, or another world. I love reading the words and letting my imagination do the rest. I appreciate and respect every author who has the courage to put your work out there for the world to see."

1. If your life was a movie, what would be your theme song? And who would play you in the movie?

My life is more like a T.V show heheheh. Right now, I’m smack dab in the middle of that Parenthood show. Just when we think we have a handle on things, life steps in and pulls the carpet out from under us. As for a theme song it changes daily and eeeek, I would feel bad for anyone stuck playing me J

2. I think that our choices in cartoons affect who we are when we grow up ;) What was your favorite as a child?

Okay don’t laugh but I loved He-Man when I was younger. Great even way back then I was obsessed with great pecks hehehehe. (Really? Not laugh at this??? I can't help it! This is too funny and a perfect example of why I love Tiffany so darn much. She's hilarious!)

3. If you were stuck on a deserted island and could only choose one fictional character to keep you company, who would it be? (Make sure you mention what book or movie the character is from!)

First, I was going to pick Edward Cullen but figured the low animal blood supply on an island would make me a goner. Then, I was going to pick Harry Potter but I figured he might be obsessive about stopping Voldermort. I was also tempted to pick Dumbledore but felt his endless knowledge may become tiresome. So, finally I decided to pick someone from a T.V show and that’s how I reached the logical choice of McSteamy (Mark Sloan) from Grey’s Anatomy. Because ultimately who needs sparkly hungry vampires & obsessively smart wizards trying to save the world when you can have just plain HOTNESS J

4. What is your dream vacation?

A snowy cabin in the mountains stocked with junk food galore, plenty of hills for sledding, big oversized fireplace, big screen T.V with a wide selection of movies and tons of games to keep my entire family busy.

5. In light of the holiday season, what is your big, selfish Christmas wish? (We all want world peace and for everyone to be well fed! Atleast, I hope we all want that!!!!)

Okay, I’m going to sound completely selfish saying this….maybe I shouldn’t….okay here goes my most selfish wish is for all three of my books to do well this holiday season ;)

1) If you had to eat the same meal for an entire month what would it be?

Ugh I know 3 days in I will regret my choice but I would have to say a burger and fries from Chili’s and okay a chocolate shake too J

2) If you had to pick your weapon of choice to deal with zombies, what would it be?

An ax for sure. They’re messier but they never run out of bullets.

3) If you had to cover a distance of 26.2 miles, would you rather run backwards, skate blindfolded, ride a tricycle or cover the distance in Fred Flintstone’s car?

Hands down Fred Flintstones car because at least it has a seat big enough for my bottom (tricycle seats are rather small).

4) What scares you most spiders, snakes, big animals or people with bad breath?

Spiders are by far my biggest fear. I would rather take on a room full of snakes, a hungry lion and a stadium packed with raunchy breath, than have a tarantula a foot from my hand.

5) Have you ever peeked at your Christmas presents early? When and how often?

It’s easier for me to say when I haven’t peeked at my Christmas presents, which I think was around 10 years ago….wait I peeked then too ;)

If you haven't already, check out the first two books in the Saving Angels series.

Meant to Be

Forgotten Souls

Be sure to grab your copy of the amazing conclusion to the Saving Angel Series on December 15th!

If you would like to see my answers to this question, be sure to stop by Tiffany's blog!

My Hero: Anne McCaffrey- April 1926 to November 2011

2011-11-22T15:57:00.000-08:00

People often have heros, or people that touch them through their work. Anne McCaffrey was one of those people. I speak not just for myself, but many readers that love her work. The charcters and worlds that she built were outstanding examples of what makes imagination so very important. She inspired thousands of writers to share the worlds that lived in their minds. Anne was a pioneer who changed the way women were viewed in science fiction. Her series, The Dragon Riders of Pern and The Harper Hall series, helped me get through middle and high school. Her stories inspired me to draw and paint. Not to mention, create my own worlds and characters.

The news of her death, breaks my heart and literally brings me to tears. It had always been a dream of mine to meet her, to tell her how her works touched me. I will never have that chance now. I can only imagine the pain that her family is going through. From everything I have seen online, in interviews, and her active handling of her website, Anne was a spitfire with a huge personality and even larger heart. If you've never read her books, I can not reccomend them enough.

These are just a few of her MANY books. The last three are books that I will forever have in my library. I can't wait to share them with my daughter.

Anne McCaffrey, you will be sorely missed. I wish I had the opportunity to meet you, while you were still with us. You inspired me in so many ways. My writing is stronger for having had a role model such as yourself. Thank you for the characters and worlds you built. My wish for you is that you know how many people your work has touched.

I hope that you are soaring with dragons.

R.I.P Anne McCaffrey.

Teaser Tuesday

2011-11-22T09:31:00.000-08:00

I know, I know. I fail at Teaser Tuesdays. Just know that it is because I am putting a lot of work into Mortal Defiance to make sure that it is a great read. So, this shall be short, but here is this weeks teaser.

“Bryce, the window, please.” Sophie’s voice was calm as she decided on a course of action. Bryce stood on the back of the booth and busted the glass out of the old window. Using the palm of his hand, Ree watched as he strong armed the metal bars out of the way.

“Got it.” Bryce hopped down on the floor next to Ree. “There are sirens heading this way.”

“Oh, shit. I’m too pretty to go to jail.” Weylin’s voice cut through the commotion of the room.

So, that's it for this week. You guys really don't have long to wait until you get to read more about Ree, Paden, Roland and the gang. Have a great week everyone! And Happy Thanksgiving! I hope it is wonderful and that you get to spend it with those that you love.

Teaser Tuesday and a Bonus!

2011-11-07T18:58:00.000-08:00

First let me apologize. I missed last weeks Teaser Tuesday. I was in an accident (no, I don't want sympathy. I'm fine!) last Monday and was still pretty sore last week. So a few things were put on the back burner while I focused my energy on the things that HAD to be done.

So, to make it up to you, I'm going to post TWO teasers today. I hope it will make up for last weeks miss.

Teaser #1

“Thanks, dad!” Shutting the door, she turned around and ran to the closet. When she yanked open the door and peeked in, Roland was holding up an old homecoming dress with his eyebrows drawn together.

“This is not the color for you,” he tsked.

Teaser #2

“Sorry, I was freezing.” There was something disarmingly seductive in his smile as he made his way towards her. Ree felt her eyes widen and she swallowed to wet her suddenly dry throat. There were no words to express the thoughts floating through her mind.

“Are those clothes for me?” He pointed at the shirt and pants she was clutching to her chest. Reality seemed to snap back into real time and she fumbled with everything she was carrying to free the clothes from her arms.

“Oh, yeah. Here.” She held them out to him after setting the plate and waters down on her night stand.

There it is! I hope you guys enjoy them. These are both from scenes that have become favorites of mine. I can't wait for you to read the whole thing! Soon, people. Soon!

Oh, and I PROMISE to post pictures from the Paranormal Plumes event sometime this week.

Happy reading!!!

Hauntingly

2011-10-31T08:14:00.000-07:00

Happy Halloween!

I had the distinct pleasure of spending this weekend with the Paranormal Plumes Society. We had so much fun, I can barely hold my head up today! I was exhausted yesterday, but it was worth it. I will be posting more about our spectacular time in Savannah later this week (with pictures!). But, today I thought that I would share a short story with you that I wrote as part of a Halloween bash. It's flash fiction, in other words it had to be less that 1800 words, but I enjoyed writing it. I also think that this may be turned into a full fledged novel. (Maybe even a series, because that's the way my brain works...) So, without further ado, here is my contribution to Halloween. I hope you enjoy it.

Hauntingly

By Nichole Chase

“Cut it out, Adam!” Shoving the football away from her head, Lily turned around to glare at her sister’s boyfriend.

“Lighten up, Lil.” Leaning back into the rear bench of the minivan, Sarah brushed some of her blond hair out of her eyes before looking at Adam. “She’s just freaked out about the ghosts.”

“I’m not worried about ghosts. I’m worried about getting hit in the head with your stupid football.”

“Sounds to me like you’re worried about ghosts.” Adam leaned forward, his arm brushing her neck. “You can always stick close to me. I won’t let anything get you.”

“I’d rather date a vampire.” Leaning forward, Lily tried to get away from the older boy’s touch. She would never understand why her sister dated him. He was creepy and Lily suspected that he bullied Sarah when no one was looking.

“Quit hitting on my sister, jerk-off.” Sarah shoved Adam playfully.

“Watch your mouth, Sarah!” Lily’s mom turned back to frown at her daughter.

“What should I call him instead?” Looking innocent, Sarah blinked at her mother.

“How about whack job?” Lily muttered to herself.

“Lily!”

“Sorry, mom.” Slumping against the door, Lily watched as they pulled into the parking lot near the cemetery. The truth was that she couldn’t decide if she was excited about the ghost tour or if it was going to be boring. She had lived in Savannah her entire life, but had somehow managed to never do any of the tours the tourists were so found of. However, her parents were set on doing ‘family time’ every week, and since it was Halloween, this had been their bright idea.

Sighing, she yanked the van’s sliding door open and hopped out. The tourists were lining up along the cemetery wall, and her parents made a beeline for the tour guide to claim their spot. There was a group of ladies wearing red and purple hats, another group was wearing Goth clothing and costumes, and the rest were all carrying cameras and talking about orbs. The only exception was the cute boy lingering behind a couple in the parking lot, talking quietly.

Well, the night is looking a little better, Lily thought to herself. His brown eyes flickered toward her. Smiling, she nodded her head at him and watched as he hesitantly returned the gesture. Trying to look casual, Lily leaned against the old brick wall and watched as her sister and boyfriend disappeared into the gates. Her parents were still talking excitedly to some of the tourists and Lily shook her head in wonder. So much for family time, Lily thought to herself. As the tour moved forward, the boy fell in step next to Lily and she couldn’t help the smile that slid over her face.

“Over here, you’ll see the statue that was a prominent part of the famous movie, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.” Wearing fake fangs, the tour guide sounded like he had a lisp. He made an exaggerated bow, taking his hat off and showing his bald head. “In fact there have been many movies filmed in the Savannah area and I’ve had the honor of being in several of them.”

“I don’t remember a vampire movie being filmed in Savannah.” Lily looked at the boy next to her and smiled.

“I think I remember seeing the back of his head in a Julia Roberts movie. Kind of hard to forget that shine.” Raising one eyebrow, his mouth quirked up, making Lily’s heart beat faster.

“I remember that. In the bottom left corner, right?” Lily kicked a rock out of the path.

“Yep, that’s it.” His laugh was contagious and Lily found herself joining in.

“Nice.” Their conversation petered out for a few minutes as they walked quietly.

“So, I haven’t seen you out here before.”

Lily looked at him and wondered if he was joking. He seemed sincere, which bothered her. “Um, does that mean you go on ghost tours often? Or just hang out in cemeteries?”

Laughing nervously, the boy blushed and nodded his head at the people walking in front of them. “My parents like to come, so I follow. You know how it is.”

“Yeah.” Sighing, Lily looked around for her family and saw her parents taking pictures of monuments. “Hey, have you seen my sister and her boyfriend? I’d hate for them to deface something.”

“I think I saw them head to the back of the cemetery.” He pointed over to a dark corner where there was no walkway.

“Crap.” Tearing away from the group, Lily headed for the corner.

“Want some company?” The boy matched his pace with hers.

“Sure. So, what’s your name?” Lily stepped around a tombstone and almost fell on a rock. She caught herself, but couldn’t help but notice that the boy stood there instead of offering help.

“Sam.” He shoved his hands into his pockets, a look of frustration crossing his features. “You?”

“Lily. So, where did you see them go?”

“Back near the big oak tree.” He stopped and looked around. “You know, I have a bad feeling about this. Maybe we should go back to the group.”

“No, I don’t want Sarah to ruin our parents’ night.” A sickening wet sound made Lily pause as she neared the darker shadows.

“Lily, I really think we should just go back to the tour.”

“Look, if you want to go back, then go. No one’s stopping you.” Looking at Sam, Lily hoped that he didn’t really want to go back. The truth was she was starting to get freaked out and didn’t want to be alone.

“No, I’ll stay and try to help.”

Smiling in relief, Lily looked at Sam. “Thanks.”

Another sound slid through the area and Lily scooted so that she was peeking out from behind a large monument. She could see their shadows and it looked almost like they were making out. However, her sister was making a weird sound.

“No.” The sound of her sister’s weak voice made Lily jump up and for the tree.

“Leave her alone, jerk.” Skidding to a halt, Lily stumbled on a short tombstone as she backed away from the scene that greeted her. Adam was covered in blood, and gripping Sarah by her shoulders. Her head lolled to the side, her eyes blank.

“Oh my god,” Lily whispered. Adam dropped Sarah to the ground and looked at Lily.

“She shouldn’t have told me no.” Silver glinted from the knife in his hand. “Are you going to tell me no?”

“You’re insane.” Lily’s eyes darted to the side as she tried to find a way to escape. It would take a miracle for her to outrun the school’s quarterback.

“Psst.” Sam was standing a few feet away from Adam. He pointed to where the tour was standing, near a large light post.

“I’m not insane. I just know what I want and I plan on getting it.” He wiped some of the blood from his face and started Lily’s direction. She turned to run, but her foot slid in the loose gravel. Oh my God, I’m going to die like those chicks in horror movies.

With a roar, Sam launched himself at Adam, knocking him off-step and allowing Lily time to find her feet. Cursing, Adam spun around wildly, looking for Sam.

“Run, Lily!” Sam ran past Adam on his way to Lily. “Go, go!”

Her feet moved of their own accord, propelling her back in the direction of the people just beginning to turn and look at the commotion coming from the shadows. Refusing to look back, Lily focused on running and not on the sound of Adam closing in. The entire time, Sam’s voice urged her forward.

Falling into her father’s arms, she hollered for help and pointed at Adam. He had slowed down when they got closer to the crowd and turned to run in another direction. The other tourists gasped when they saw the bloody knife the deranged quarterback was carrying.

“Lily! Where’s Sarah? What the hell is Adam doing?” Lily’s father held her tightly, his voice worried.

“He killed her! Daddy, he killed Sarah!”

After the police had come and the paramedics had taken Sarah away, Lily sat on a bench holding a cup of hot chocolate that someone had handed her. Sarah hadn’t really been dead, but it had been close. Her mother had left with the ambulance, while Lily and her father were detained by the detectives to get information about Adam. They were hoping to find him since he was on foot.

“I’m sorry about your sister.” Sitting down next to Lily, Sam leaned forward and put his elbows on his knees.

Not sure what to say, Lily just shrugged and took a sip of her warm drink. “They said she should be okay. We’re heading over to the hospital after the detective finishes talking to my dad. Thanks for stepping in like that back there. I’d be dead if you hadn’t shoved him when you did.”

“It was no problem.” Looking uncomfortable, Sam ran a hand through his hair. “I wish I could have done more.”

“I think you did pretty well.” Wanting him to know how grateful she was, Lily set her hand on top of his. The sensation of cold water was the only thing she felt, as she watched her fingers slide right through Sam’s hand. For a moment she looked at their hands and couldn’t understand what she was seeing. Their hands overlapped as if they occupied the same space.

“I’ve never met someone like you. Someone that can see us.” Sam looked at her, his dark eyes sad.

Snatching her hand back, Lily looked at Sam in shock. After everything else that happened that night, she couldn’t muster up any fear. “You’re a ghost?”

Slowly raising a hand, he cupped her cheek and smiled. “Yeah. I follow my parents to all of these things in case they find a way to talk to me.”

Cautiously, Lily raised her own hand and touched the cool spot on her face. “I didn’t know.”

“I can’t stay. I’ve used too much energy as it is.”

“But your parents… Maybe I could—“

“Lily?” Concern laced her father’s voice and he motioned for Lily to join him. Raising a hand to signal she understood, she turned back to look at Sam, but the seat next to her was empty

“Thank you, Sam.”

Cold air touched her forehead briefly, and she knew that he had heard her.

Teaser Tuesday and a WINNER!

2011-10-25T19:14:00.000-07:00

Okay guys! It's time to announce the winner of the A Hidden Fire Giveaway! Drum roll, please....

(tat, tat, tat, tat-a-tat, tat-a-tat, tat-a-tat. Have I mentioned that I'm a dork? Eh, you've probably already guessed!)

CONGRATULATIONS SARAH!!!!!!

I will be passing your information along to the amazing Elizabeth Hunter and she will be in touch with you soon. You won't be dissappointed. This book is absolutely amazing and will leave you wanting more. And more. And more. Thank goodness we don't have to wait long! Book 2 will be out in December!

So, now for this weeks Tuesday teaser.

“Hunky Paden has two godly patrons?” Teagan pulled her feet down from the table and leaned towards Paden, her mouth curving into a sultry smile. “Now, that is interesting. Someone was planning ahead with you.”

So there you have it. Looks like Ree might need to watch her back ;)

So, now for some fun news... and speaking of news, I am going to be ON THE NEWS this Thursday. Laura Elliot and I will be appearing on Mid-Morning Live on WTOC to promote the Paranormal Plumes Indie Discussion and Book Signing this coming Saturday in Savannah. I'm excited and incredibly nervous! I will post the link for you to be able to watch the segment online later that night.

If you would like to watch it streaming live on October 27th at 10am: http://www.wtoc.com/story/3436885/mid-morning-live

If you are in the area, we would LOVE for you to come out and meet us on Saturday! We're all going to talk a little about our creative process and the indie publishing industry. So, if you have questions about our books, how to publish your own books, or anything thing else, stop by the South West Chatham Library on October 29th at 10am. We may even have some free goodies to hand out. :)

www.theplumessociety.com

The Authors:
M. Leighton
Tiffany King
Michelle Muto
Fisher Amelie
C.A. Kunz
Wren Emerson
Abbie Glines
Amy Maurer Jones
Laura Elliot
and of course, Me!

If you have any questions, feel free to contact me on FB or through my website: www.nicholechase.com

We would also like to give a special thanks to Jody and Tim of Mid-Morning Live on WTOC! And of course, the wonderful South West Chatham Library for hosting our event. (And a big personal thank you to Daniel O. for all of his good ideas. You rock my sock, Daniel!)

Mortal Defiance Cover Reveal!

2011-10-21T10:21:00.000-07:00

So, my amazing cover designer has really out done herself this time. We sat down for hours and discussed how to use the photos I purchased, where to place the text, what colors to use and even more importantly, managed to not kill each other. For those of you that don't know, my mother in law does all of the heavy lifting when it comes to my book covers. Isn't that cool? She is one talented lady!

So, without further ado, here is the cover for Mortal Defiance!

Coming December 2011

And now, to complete the reveal, here is your Teaser Tuesday... on Friday!

“Why is it I never get a goodnight’s rest when you’re around?” Ree squinted at Roland and frowned.

“I'm sure we could come up with something to help you relax.” Raising an eyebrow he smiled at Ree, making her pulse race.

So many exciting and important things happen in Mortal Defiance. I can't wait for everyone to read the next part of Ree's story.

A Hidden Fire- Interview and Giveaway

2011-10-18T05:37:00.000-07:00

Today is the release day of A Hidden Fire by Elizabeth Hunter. I have had the distinct pleasure of reading an advance review copy and let me tell you, this book is something you don't want to miss. So with out further ado, here is a little about the author and the amazing book she has written,

Elizabeth Hunter is the author and publisher of the Elemental Mysteries Series.

She is a graduate of the University of Houston Honors College in the Department of English (Linguistics) and a former English teacher.

A native of Central California, she now lives in Southern California with her husband, son, and an assortment of dogs. She enjoys reading, writing, travel, and bowling (despite the fact that she’s not very good at it.)

Someday, she plans to learn how to scuba-dive.

And maybe hang-glide ... but that looks like a lot of running.

Learn more about her writing at elizabethhunterwrites.com

What was the inspiration for A Hidden Fire?
The inspiration for A Hidden Fire was really the character of Giovanni Vecchio himself. I started thinking one day about what I would do with my time if I could actually live forever. The first thing I came up with was reading! I love books. And I loved the idea of this immortal being that did, too. His character started to develop, and with that came the idea for the novel.

Are you a panster or a plotter?
PLOTTER! I am a big time plotter. Before I ever start taking notes I will let an idea stew in my brain for at least a month or two. Then I start character sketches. Then plotting. Then timelines. I build theme graphs and even plot the tension levels I want in each chapter. After all of that, I start the outlining and actual writing. Does it change as I write? Of course! But I had the basic outline for the Elementals series finished before I was done with the first book.

How did you develop your characters? Is there one that you enjoy writing the most?
I do a lot of sketching, research, and time-lining. All of my main characters and most supporting ones have detailed backstories. Much of the time that information is never included in the book, but it adds layers to how I write them, so I need to know.

There are so many characters that are fun to write. I love writing dialogue between Gio and Beatrice. Caspar is a hoot. I’d say the one character that is pure pleasure to write is Carwyn. He has a lot of my husband’s humor, so he’s pretty fun to spend time with!

How long does it typically take you to finish a novel?
It depends on if you including all the planning and plotting! If you don’t include that, it usually takes me two to three months to write the first draft. I started planning A Hidden Fire about a year ago. I finished the first draft in May or June. I’m working on the final editing for the second book right now, and I’m a little over half done with the first draft for book three. It may seem fast to some writers, but the actual writing part is one of the easiest steps for me. The planning and outlining are far more taxing.

There is a good bit of Hispanic culture in your book. Did you have to do a lot of research to make sure you got that part correct?
Well, I grew up in California and I went to university in Texas, so a lot of that is just mainstream culture in both places! I ate chile peppers when I was a baby, and I was as likely to hear Spanish as English in the market growing up. I’m really lucky to have lived in two places where there are such large and established Mexican-American and Chicano communities. I think so much of that culture is woven through the American Southwest. So I did a little research, but most of it was very familiar.

Speaking of research, history plays a very large roll in the book. Did you spend a great deal of time researching any one thing? Was it difficult to work in all of the details into your book?

I did a lot of research into the Italian Renaissance, which was fascinating, but very challenging. I don’t think I worked even a quarter of the research I did into the book, but I wanted to make sure the bits of it that were included were as accurate as I could make them. I hope I did the subject justice. It’s a fascinating period in history. As far as the research into the more ancient periods of history went, I’m a bit of a classical studies nerd, so that part was really enjoyable!

How did you start writing? Is this your debut novel?
I had been a technical writer for years, and I’ve done some journalism, as well. Obviously, I did a lot in school, but very little for fun. I was more of a reader. I started playing with the idea of a different novel a couple of years ago, and then I discovered fan fiction online! I loved it, and I loved the idea of writing for fun within a fan community. I started doing that and really discovered the pure joy of writing for pleasure and storytelling. It was a great experience and it taught me a lot about plotting and writing for an audience. I also made some incredible friends, a lot of whom are my sharpest pre-readers now.

It was after that time that original ideas started popping around in my brain. A Hidden Fire is my debut novel, but my first written novel (unrelated to the EM series) has been published for free on my writing website. I haven’t decided whether I will edit that one for publication. I might if there is enough interest.

What are you currently working on? How many novels will follow A Hidden Fire?

I am finishing book two right now, the title of which is This Same Earth, and I’m in the middle of writing book three, but I won’t release the title until I’m done with the first draft! The main storyline of the Elemental Mysteries will be finished in four books, but there may be stand-alone stories for some of the characters, and I’m also toying with the idea of writing a novella around Christmas if I have the time.

I have a very persistent idea for a second series working its way through my brain at the moment, but I’m not writing anything down yet. It needs a bit more time to percolate.

Do you have a favorite novel or author? What genre do you typically read the most?
I read a lot of different genres. I love good biographies. One of my favorite authors is Michael Ondaatje; The English Patient was a huge book for me. As a Californian, I love Steinbeck. As far as paranormal romance and mystery goes, I’m a huge fan of Charlaine Harris, Chloe Neill, and Jeaniene Frost. Those ladies and their worlds are amazing.

I love the soundtrack you have set up for A Hidden Fire. Do you have a song that fits the series overall?
I have to pick one? Music is huge for me. All of my stories have soundtracks that I listen to obsessively while I’m writing and editing. If I had to pick one for the series it would probably be Sarah Brightman’s song, “Anytime, Anywhere.” It’s a beautiful blend of modern and classic, which fits the books. I’ll leave readers to find the translation for the lyrics online.

Elizabeth has been kind enough to giveaway a free ecopy of her spectacular novel. All you have to do is leave a comment here on my blog, with your email address and answer this question:

What book will you always have in your personal library?

The contest ends next Tuesday October 25th.

If you can't wait to read this spectacular novel, here are the links where you can purchase a copy. (And really folks, this is one you do NOT want to miss out on.)

Amazon
Amazon UK
Barnes and Noble
Smashwords

**Teaser Tuesday is moving to Thursday this week, but don't worry, it will be back and better than ever. I will also be releasing the cover for Mortal Defiance! And, I'm really in love with the new cover! I can't wait to share it with everyone.**

Teaser Tuesday #3 and Winners Announced!

2011-10-11T14:43:00.000-07:00

So! It's that time! Time to annouce who the lucky winners are of some cool Mortal Obligation swag!!! The lucky winners are Tee and Ifrah! Woot!!! Tee, you won the first prize pack so I have to know which keychain you want... though I think I can guess. ;)

I will be contacting the winners tonight and they will have seven days to respond. If I have had no response in the next seven days I will draw a new winner.

Now, on to...

TEASER TUESDAY #3!!!

“That’s me. The diligent student.” He reached out to tuck some of her hair out of her face.

“Hm. Diligent students wear their uniforms and bring backpacks full of paper and pens.” She pointed at his clothes and smiled. “I think your forgot the rest of your ‘Diligent Student’ disguise.”

“Don’t let my bad boy good-looks fool you. I came prepared.” He pulled a pen out of his jacket pocket with a flourish, making Ree laugh.

“I don't know," Ree said. She couldn't let the opportunity to pick on his pass her by. "I think you still might be ill-equipped.”

“Trust me, that definitely isn’t a problem.” Roland winked at her as heat rushed into her cheeks. “Besides, I'll just sit next to you and borrow whatever else I need.” His devilish smile made Ree's heart beat accelerate and she noticed some of the girls at lockers near the office make swooning motions.

Keep your eyes open for next Tuesday's teaser and a special interview with the amazing Elizabeth Hunter, the author of A Hidden Fire. She has written one of my favorite books of the year and I am very honored to be hosting her on the release day. She will giving away a copy of her book to one lucky commenter! So, don't miss out!

Also, before I skidaddle to write some more, I wanted to let you all know about the Paranormal Plumes Society Indie Discussion and Book Signing on October 29th. Eleven authors will be gathering here in Savannah at the Southwest Chatham Library to talk a little about the process and to answer any questions. I would love for everyone to come out and meet me, and to support all of these wonderful authors who are making the trip to our lovely town. Let's show them what Southern charm is all about!

If you would like to know a little more about the event, check out the amazing website Fisher Amelie and her husband put together: http://www.theplumessociety.com

We will also be doing a dinner and ghost tour, for those that are interested in joining us!

Mortal Defiance Tuesday Teaser #2 + Giveaway!!!

2011-10-04T10:49:00.000-07:00

Happy Tuesday!!!!

So, let's get the teaser out of the way first and then on to the giveaway!

“I see.” He was quiet as they neared the door. After a moment he asked, “And did you put her in her place?”

Ree looked up at him and couldn’t help the twitch at the corners of her mouth.“Something like that.”

Have I mentioned that I have a lot of favorite scenes in this book? Because, I do. Just so you know! ;)

and now for...

THE GIVEAWAY!

So, I have some swag that I have been DYING to give away. There will be two seperate swag-packs. (Is it just me, or does that sound weird?) The first package is a little larger, but the second one is still fun!

Without further ado, here is the first package:

This package includes: One mouse pad, one notebook, one signed postcard, and your choice of an I heart Paden or an I heart Roland keychain. (I am thrilled with how these products turned out!)

And for the second package:

This package includes: One notebook and one signed postcard.

So, if you're interested in getting some cool free stuff, you only have to do two small things. Be a follower of my blog and leave a comment telling me what's your favorite scene from Mortal Obligation. **Try to keep it spoiler free for those that have not had a chance to read the book yet**

I will be choosing winners on Tuesday, October 11th through random.org. Entries after 12:01am on Tuesday will not be accepted, so make sure that you get your entry in early!

Thanks for stopping by and good luck! I appreciate my readers so very much. I wish I could send everyone something!

ETA: Please be sure to leave your email address so that I can contact you. If the winners do not respond within 7 days, I will choose new ones.

Mortal Defiance Teaser #1 + 1000 Books Sold!

2011-09-27T09:32:00.000-07:00

Okay, I promised that I would start sharing teaser from the second book of The Dark Betrayal Trilogy, and today is the day! I've picked out some good ones from scenes that I absolutely love. I hope you enjoy them too!

So to start us out right, here is a little peek into one of my favorite scenes:

“What are you doing?” Standing up, he looked at her in question.

“I have a full size bed. There’s no reason you should sleep on the floor.” Tugging him behind her, she walked to the bed.

“I can think of a few reasons." His voice was rough with something that made Ree hot all over. "That’s the problem.”

So there you have it! Any idea who is in Ree's room? Am I a little bit mean for letting this be the first tease? Ha!

I also have some really good news. Mortal Obligation is currently on two top 100 lists on Amazon! This has been a very big month for me and my book baby. Not only have we crossed the 1000 books sold mark, I have actually managed to sell 1200 books on Amazon alone for the month of September. I am incredibly grateful for all of the love and support I have received. I am also thankful for all of my new readers. To show my appreciation, I will be throwing a giveaway next week full of some great new swag!!! Be sure to check back for a new teaser and a chance to win some fun items!

In other news, at the end of October I am getting together with a wonderful group of indie authors. We're going out to eat, a ghost tour, AND A BOOK SIGNING! I will be sure to get you the details once everything is finalized. I would love for you to come out and meet me!

Progress Report, Contests, and More.

2011-09-13T09:27:00.000-07:00

Book 2 is definitely a work in progress. I've already sent a little of it to one of my beta readers and it looks like I am on track with what I want to create. I know that I haven't blogged in a while, and I am sorry for that. I get so wrapped up in what I am working on that I don't take the time to keep you up to date. I'm sorry for that.
I thought you should know that I have been privileged enough to guest post on a couple of sites. I also did a couple of interviews. If you would like to read them, you can click here (there is also a chance to win one of two ecopies of Mortal Obligation), here, and here.

I also have a giveaway running on Goodreads where you can win one of three signed copies of Mortal Obligation.

Goodreads Book Giveaway

Mortal Obligation

by Nichole Chase

Giveaway ends October 04, 2011.

See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.

Enter to win

Now, for news that some of you have been waiting for. The title for book 2! Ready? Okay, here it is:

Mortal Defiance

I'm really excited about book 2, and can't wait to share some teasers with all of you. Starting in October, I will have a new teaser every tuesday! So, if you can't wait until December for more Ree, Paden, Roland, and the gang then you are in luck! There will be some fun little tidbits to whet your appetite.

Happy reading and writing!

Flying Pink Fur- It's Here!

2011-09-02T06:09:00.000-07:00

That's right! The Pink Snowbunnies in Hell anthology is now available! If you have no idea what I am talking about, here is the blurb:

A sleep-deprived author mixes up her metaphors.

A graphic designer has too much time on his hands.

Twenty writers, fueled by copious amounts of chocolate, dream up quirky, funny, and occasionally creepy stories.

And the Pink Snowbunnies in Hell Flash-Fiction Anthology was born.

These are very short stories, under a thousand words each. Some have actual bunnies. Some take rather offbeat trips through the underworld. And some just have a character that shares the sleep-deprived author's mixed metaphors.

All proceeds from this anthology are going to local animal shelters. Pink snowbunnies can take care of themselves, but thank you for helping us support those animals who do need a little assistance.

Stories included in the anthology:

Domestic Disturbance, by T.L. Haddix
Wedding Heaven, Ltd, by A.J. Braithwaite
When, by Robin Reed
Where's JoJo? A Bunny's Guide to Family Dysfunction, by Julie Christensen
Wingman, by Nathan Lowell
It Finally Happens..., by Heather Marie Adkins
Careful What You Wish For, by Barbra Annino
Of Demons and Bunnies, by Nichole Chase (Woot!)
Pink Snowbunnies are the New Pink Ribbon, by Jimi Ripley
One Wrong Turn Deserves Another, by Asher MacDonald
Marissa's Tattoo, by Steve Silkin
Eulogy, by Suzanne Tyrpak
The Taste of Pink Snow, by Susan Helene Gottfried
Revenge of the Peeps, by Camille LaGuire
Love in a Time of Bunnies, by Coral Moore
The Bunni and the Bird, by Penny Cunningham
The Recession is Hell, by Randi Rogue
Pink Snowbunnies Acrostic, by Molly Black
Don't Mess with the Meadow, by Rex Jameson
A Gift for a Very Special Girl, by Debora Geary

In honor of being included in the anthology, I am giving away an ecopy to one lucky blog follower. All you have to do is:
a) Follow my blog- c'mon, you know you want to anyways.
b) Leave a comment telling me what is your favorite animal.
c) make sure to leave your email address and the format that you would prefer!
That's it! The contest closes Saturday night at midnight, EST.

If you don't want to wait to read the anthology, you can purchase a copy from, Amazon, Barnes and Noble , and Smashwords. (Only $0.99!) All of the profits go to helping animal charities.

Really, can you tell that face 'no'?

EDIT: This contest is now closed. The winners (yes, winners. I'm a softie and everyone that participated received a copy) have been notified via email.

Paperback is Now Available!

2011-08-29T13:04:00.000-07:00

The paperback for Mortal Obligation is finally available! Woot! If you are interested in purchasing a copy, it is for sale on Amazon for $9.99. It will be available on Barnes and Noble and few other select stores, but may take a little longer.

In honor of the upcoming Labor Day, I have partnered with the Indie Book Collective and lowered the eBook price of Mortal Obligation to $0.99! This weekend be sure to check out the Indie Book Blowout where all of the ebooks on their site will be reduced to only $0.99. There will also be some really great prizes, including $100 worth of gift cards and a KINDLE! If you purchase any of the books from the website, you can enter your purchase code for FIVE extra entries! How awesome is that?

In book related news, I will be announcing the title for book 2 this weekend. I'm so excited about the next installment of the Dark Betrayal Trilogy! A lot if happening for Ree and her friends. Not to mention that things are heating up between Ree and two irresistible guys. Can she differentiate her current feelings from those of a past life? *Insert a Candice Flynn evil laugh from Phineas and Ferb here* I am loving the drama and angst in this book.

Okay, back to the writing cave for me. Have a good week until next time!

Quotes, Reviews, and Tornados

2011-08-22T20:07:00.000-07:00

This is going to be quick, so hold on to your shorts...

I was very honored to have a quote included in an article for the Huffington Post. Big thanks to Martin Perry for giving me the chance to spout my thoughts as if they are important ;) Seriously, though, I think it is pretty cool. If you would like to check it out, click here. If you enjoy the article be sure to "Like" it on Facebook, or tweet the link.

My very first blog review is up! Stop by Tigers All Consuming Books, comment, and follow. She has a very insightful blog full of well thought out reviews. I really appreciate the time she took to read my book and give an honest review. I can't say this enough: Book bloggers make the world go around. Seriously. If they stop telling people what to read, the Earth will fall off it's axis. I'm so not joking here. So, be kind to your favorite book bloggers: show them love, comment, and follow.

Today has been a whirlwind. (Lame pun. Har har.) A small tornado came though my neighborhood and completely destroyed the wooden fence in the backyard. (Now you get the bad pun... go ahead and groan. I did.) It ripped off the gates (Huge, heavy gates) and flung them across the street into a neighbors yard. It ripped off a lot of the siding from the house and flung it around the subdivision. Thank God, no one was hurt. It was a terrifying afternoon with my toddler tucked up next to me under a pile of pillows in the hallway. That low, but loud whump,whump sound reverberating through the house as I attempted to calm the munchkin by playing peek-a-boo with all of the pillows. We were so very lucky. Things could have been much worse than they turned out to be. As it is, most of the damage was superficial. My daughter and I were unhurt. My dogs were unhurt. Somehow, the flying gates of hell missed the cars that were sitting in the driveway 15 feet from where gate posts were cemented into the ground.

I'm sorry this is short and abrupt, but I am exhausted after this afternoon. I have a few things to do, but I am calling it an early night. I hope you all are safe and had a wonderful weekend.

A little bit about what is going on.

2011-08-17T20:43:00.000-07:00

I've been busy writing. It makes it hard for me to keep up with everything else, because when I am writing other things tend to land on the back burner. Well, except for the stuff concerning my daughter. She is always foremost in my mind.

So, this is going to be a quick little post to let you know about some things that are going on with the book. Sales are still relatively good, considering that I am a brand new author. Oddly enough, I have noticed that good sale days tend to alternate between Amazon and Barnes and Noble. (knock on wood it keeps going that way.) Let me clarify what a good sale day means for me. It means anything that is better than a no sale day ;) I still get excited by one sale. Two or three? Watch out... I might be signing and dancing around the house! Anything more than that and I am not fit to be around. It's hard to hold a conversation with someone that is squealing ;) Okay, I'm not that squeal-y, but it does make me pretty chipper.

I got the first proof for the paperback version of Mortal Obligation. It is hard to explain what it feels like to hold that physical copy in my hands. To open it up and see the words that I wrote, that I slaved over, written in ink... Well, to quote a famous commercial: Priceless. I had to make a couple of little changes, but will be ordering the next proof in a day or so. Once I make sure that everything is correct on that one I will hit the publish button. I will make sure that I post on here and on Facebook when the paperback is available.

In other news, I have some fun promotional things coming up. Guest posts on several different blogs, interviews, and book reviews. I will be sure to let you know when those go up as well. If you haven't purchased your copy of Mortal Obligation yet, there will be some giveaway opportunities too. I am also working on doing a giveaway here on my blog. Possibly a signed paperback, an eBook or two, and something a little more fun. I also have some outtakes that I will be posting from Book One of the trilogy, that Paden and Roland fans might find interesting >;o) Let's just say they have had conversations that poor Ree has no clue about.

So far, Book Two (nope, still not telling you the title) has been a lot of fun to write. I hope that translates well for the readers. Keep checking back, because I will be posting some teasers eventually. (I already have one picked out... *fans self*)

Hm, speaking of #2, I need to go work on the current chapter.

Adieu, people! I hope you guys are having a great week.

Goldfish Cupcakes And A Stuffed Cat

2011-08-10T19:34:00.000-07:00

Yep, you read that title correctly; Goldfish cupcakes and a stuffed cat. In this blog post, you can expect to find pictures of the cupcakes I made for my daughters 2nd birthday party, a picture of a little fake kitten that my daughter fell in love with-- and Nana willingly bought her. If you're lucky, I also might talk a little bit about the book, and what is going on with it at this moment. And, if you're really, really lucky I might talk about book 2! ;) (Okay, so you might as well figure you're going to get lucky. Um, er, you know what I mean...)

So, for my daughters 2nd birthday, we decided to keep it low key. For her first birthday we went a teensy bit overboard and apparently it mentally scarred my husband forever. So on top of the stress of releasing my book we decided we didn't want to do anything drastic this year. We had friends and family over, and since my daughter loves all things that have to do with water and being outside, we set up a mini water-land for the kiddies to play in. Her little pool, the awesome pirate ship water table that her grandparents bought, a sprinkler, bubble machines, sidewalk chalk, balloons... you know what? I think we didn't keep it too simple after all. Hmpfh. Anyways, the water theme is wear the goldfish came into the theme.

So, I was a little proud of my cupcakes :) They were a big hit with all of the kids, and VERY simple to make.

Now, as for the stuffed cat... I went shopping with my mother in law yesterday and my daughter fell in LURVE with this little kitten looking thing. It was curled up like it was sleeping in one of the display cases and my munchkin squatted down next to it and ooh'd and ahh'd and giggled like a little fiend over this kitten. When we would pick her up and walk away she would run back as soon as she could escape and make little tsking noises at the glass. Well, when Nana saw that, there was NO WAY she was leaving with out it. And as if my daughter had not just gotten a mountain of toys at her birthday party, we brought home that little stuffed cat.

Cute, right? Oh, wait! I didn't tell you the best part. It is made out of real rabbit fur and sheep skin... and it sheds. We carried that little kitten everywhere; Into the restaurant where we ate lunch (it sat on the table, and even on Nana's head) (BTW, Nana, you are lucky I didn't get a picture of that or it would have ended up on my blog. Payback for all of the times you've tried to embarrass me! >:o] ) and received kisses from everyone that she could solicit a smooch from for her kitten. And since that little kitten sheds rabbit fur that meant we had rabbit fur stuck all over our faces. Fun!

Okay, on to book stuff... Mortal Obligation has been out for almost two weeks now. It is doing pretty well for a brand new book from an unknown author. The last two days have been a little slow, but it is the middle of the week and a little of the new has worn off. I have several book reviewers (whom I respect and know that they will be honest) lined up to do reviews on their blogs. Most of those are set up for September, so hopefully I can manage to drum up a little exposure over the next couple of weeks until those hit. I will be sending out eARC's atleast a few weeks before the next book comes out. Which will hopefully work out a little better. (You live and learn, right?) Speaking of the next book...

I have spent a good bit of time this week working on book two. At this moment, I have a working title for it, but I'm not ready to share that just yet. Hopefully by the end of this month I will have made up my mind and will share with all of you. So far this book is flowing pretty easily. And let me tell you: There is going to be some drama, and some angst, and some steamy scenes!!! WOOT. In fact, I'm pretty excited about writing it all! This part of the process is so much fun. Everything is new and shiny in your head... unlike at the end of editing. LOL I also should tell you that at this point, my goal for book two, is to have it out and in your hands/ereaders by Christmas. Or shortly after! So, fingers crossed that it keeps going smoothly!!!

Okay, I'm almost done rambling, but I need to give a shout out for my friend Elizabeth Sharp. Her book Natural Selection comes out this Friday! (Yippeeee!) I have been waiting on this one. It looks great and the premise is really original. Be sure to check it out :) And if you buy it, be sure to leave a review!!!

Before I go, I want to take a minute to thank everyone that has bought the book and left reviews. Reviews, help other readers decide if they would like to give it a try. Indies live and die by word of mouth- So, thanks!

An Important Week: Book Release and a Special Birthday

2011-08-03T20:19:00.000-07:00

As many of you know, I released my first novel this past weekend. Barnes and Noble finally joined the party today-- making it completely official in my head. It is hard to describe how it feels to be published. On one hand it is utterly terrifying to know that people are out there, in places I don't know about, reading my book. On the other hand, I woke up this morning to 2 five star reviews on Amazon. TWO! And it was quickly joined by another! I also have reviews on Goodreads.com and Smashwords. How lucky am I? Yes, people are out there reading my book... and some of them apparently really enjoyed it! That makes my heart soar. Not much could compare to that... except...

Tomorrow is my daughters 2nd Birthday. Really, in less than one short hour, my little baby will be a little girl. That is just as gobsmacking as selling books. I mean, sure, it is what we expect for our children. That they grow up to be happy, intelligent, well adjusted adults. But to watch it happen? To know that a short while ago she could barely speak words, yet now she forms sentences, puts puzzles together, and plays make believe... that is the most astounding thing in the world.

Yes, I am proud of the book I have published. It was a long road, that required a lot of hard work and perseverance. But my single greatest achievement is by far my daughter. There is nothing to describe the pride I feel when I look at her dance around the house or chatter at her father about her day. Honestly? The only word I can think of is: joy.

Happy Birthday Baby. May all of your dreams come true. Xoxo

Sample Sunday

2011-07-31T08:17:00.000-07:00

Here is my first contribution to Sample Sunday :)

Mortal Obligation

Chapter 1

The spot just between her shoulder blades had been itching and crawling all night. She had the creepiest feeling she was being watched. It was an unnerving sensation that was almost tangible, growing stronger and stronger. More than once, she had found herself looking over her shoulder, trying to find out who was watching her. Ree had hoped it would go away, but from the time she had arrived at the restaurant with her friends it had only intensified. It didn’t help that the eerie glow of red and green holiday lights shining through the windows seemed more menacing than festive, and the drooping limbs of the Christmas tree in the corner felt like a bad omen.

She shivered and looked at the goose bumps on her arms as she pulled the sleeves of her black sweater down to cover her wrists. She had to be losing her mind. No one in the restaurant was even looking in her table’s direction. Her mouth pressed into an irritated line as her eyebrows pulled together in worry. It was happening again. Seeing things that weren't there. Imagining people were following her. Her dreams lately had become so realistic that she woke sweating, once crying out as she sat up in bed. There was always a strain on the whole family just after the winter holidays. Apparently two years was not enough time to heal the scars they all shared.

She looked out the window into the dark of the parking lot. As she looked past one of the old oak trees that filled Savannah, something moved between some of the cars in the back left corner of the parking lot. Whatever it was had been so dark and quick she couldn't be sure she had even seen anything. She licked her lips nervously and craned her head to try and get a better look. There was a flash of movement as something obscure seemed to disappear behind a truck. Her heart skipped a beat and her breath caught in her throat.

“Ree? Hello. Are you listening?”

Ree jerked her head around and looked at the people sitting at her table. Her face felt like it was on fire as she gulped and looked at her friends. All of them were looking at her in amusement. “Sorry. I completely zoned. What are you talking about?”

Bryce shook his head and chuckled at her expression. “I asked if you had heard the new song I posted on my blog. Doesn't it sound just like the beat for Impossible?” He rapped out a few beats on the table with his fingers.

“Um, I'm not sure I’ve heard that one.” She winced, knowing she had apparently checked out for a large portion of their conversation.

A couple of the people at their table chuckled and rolled their eyes. Ree was often in another world, a glazed expression on her face as she imagined some scene for a painting. No one really thought about her being in La La Land anymore. The only problem was that this time Ree hadn't been lost in some painting or planning some new art project; she had been trying to figure out who was staring at the spot just between her shoulder blades.

She looked out the window again and took a deep breath before turning to concentrate on her friends. The guys were still arguing the similarities between the band they were going to see tonight and some lesser-known indie band they were into. Juliette was laughing as she watched Paden groan and flail his hands out in denial. Bryce was hunched forward trying to make his point by drumming the beats of the two songs on the table again. Ree smiled watching them, and the tension in her shoulders lessened by a few degrees.

When Paden pointed at Bryce’s intent expression and laughed, it made Ree's smile grow even more. She slid her eyes to the side so she could covertly study his profile. Paden was tall, with brown, messy hair that seemed to enhance the constant focus of his dark green eyes. He had a rugged quality that made him look dangerous and, she had to admit, sexy.

Growing up with Paden constantly around had made her numb to his good looks. It was only a few years ago that Ree had finally understood why some of her friends swooned when he showed up at her parents’ home. How she had missed Paden’s appeal for all of those years still surprised her. Paden was everything a girl could wish for, but of course she would always be left wishing. He would always see her as Tristan’s little sister.

Listening to him laugh eased a little more of the tension gripping her shoulders and she decided to try and forget her nerves and just enjoy the company. She swirled the straw in her cherry soda and looked around the room. She couldn’t help grimacing when she saw two familiar faces approaching their table.

Michael and his girlfriend, Shannon, stopped in front of Ree and Paden, leaving their entourage at a different table. Something about those two always struck her as odd. They made her uncomfortable, and not just because she didn't belong in their popular group. In the hierarchy that was high school, Ree was clearly labeled as an art geek. But Michael and Shannon weren't just your typical evil popular kids, they never really did anything outlandish or horrible to anyone. It was something that emanated from them. It probably didn't help that Ree swore she could see black swirling around them at different times. Of course, that was another bag of crazy she didn’t want to deal with tonight.

Shannon made eye contact and gave her a small smile. On the surface it looked friendly, but something lurking in her eyes made Ree gulp. How could such a little person look so scary? Shannon's smile grew, turning into something altogether frightening. As if sensing Ree’s unease, Michael looked at her and jerked his head in acknowledgment.

Because Michael was on the soccer team with Paden, he focused his comments toward his teammate. When Ree looked around the table she was pretty sure everyone else was happy with that setup. No one really said much about Michael, but everyone knew Juliette couldn't stand Shannon. Even at that moment Juliette was busy muttering under her breath to Bryce. Ree was certain she was complaining about the short, mildly evil-looking brunette standing next to their table.

Shannon opened her mouth to address Ree and Ree tried to not grimace. She knew Shannon would call her by her full name – she always did. Ree would never understand why her mother had given her such a weird name. Really, what had her mother been thinking? And while Shannon's tone was generally friendly, Ree knew she did it just to irritate her as much as possible. They were in the same grade and had shared many classes over the years. Shannon never made an attempt to conceal the fact that she thought she was better than everyone else. Her imagined superiority was always there, waving like a banner for everyone to see. Using Ree’s full name was just another little way of calling her a weird art freak.

“Alastriana, how is the new job going?” Shannon asked over the guys’ conversation.

Ree’s eyes widened in confusion. This time, Shannon’s voice sounded unusual, like she was attempting to hurt Ree by using her whole name. Everyone at the table stopped speaking and turned to look at Shannon. The air in the room seemed to thicken for just a moment as Ree decided how to answer.

“Pretty good so far.” In fact, her new boss, Sophie, had been really awesome. She had even insisted Ree take the night off to go to the concert. Looking around the table briefly, she saw the uneasy looks on her friends’ faces. Paden rubbed a hand over his arm, and Ree noticed he had goose bumps.

“You don't actually work with the antiques, do you? My mother has a chair there for repair. I know she would have a fit to know a high schooler was playing with it,” Shannon said. The short girl flipped her hair over one shoulder and sneered at Ree.

“I’m sure Ree treats everything like it’s special.” Paden’s deep voice brokered no argument. He turned to look at Ree with eyes that had an intense quality she didn’t understand. She gulped. “Isn't that right Ree?”

“Um, yeah. Old things deserve a lot of respect and care.” Ree didn't look away from his eyes; she wanted to understand what was going on in his head, but the conversation and the serious look just didn't match. She wondered if even he knew what he was thinking.

Juliette cleared her throat before asking Bryce if he was going to finish his pizza. He looked at his half-eaten slice, then pushed it toward his girlfriend. Michael and Shannon left soon after; apparently they had tickets for the concert, as well. Bryce asked for the checks when the waitress came back and everyone rose to pay their bills.

Paden grabbed Ree's bill before she could even look at the total. “I asked you to come; I’m paying.”

Ree sighed. He was always trying to take care of her. When would he realize she was practically an adult? She was a junior in high school, with her very own job. Just because he was a year older didn't make him any more mature. “Really, Paden, I can pay for my own dinner! Besides, I'm getting a free concert out of the deal because your friend bailed on you. I should probably pay for your dinner.” She put a hand on her hip and gave him her stubborn face.

“I don't think so, Ree. I'm paying.” He flashed his lopsided grin before turning to follow the others. He turned back to look at her over his shoulder and jerked his head to signal that she should follow.

Sighing, she joined everyone at the counter. Bryce and Juliette were in line behind Michael and Shannon, waiting to settle their bill. Bryce was running his hands up and down Juliette’s arms in an attempt to warm her up.

“Are you cold? Why don't you put your jacket on?”

She shrugged. “I think I'm just standing in a draft. I got goose bumps all of a sudden.”

Shannon snickered and turned to look at Juliette.

“Jules, are you not feeling well? Maybe you’re coming down with something.” She smiled like that was a joke.

“I certainly feel the need to vomit.” Juliette scrunched up her face and looked around the room. “But maybe I'm just allergic the cheap perfume I smell.” She glanced back at Shannon and sniffed loudly in her direction. “Yep, most definitely something cheap.”

Ree bit her bottom lip to keep from chuckling. Juliette could never give a good reason why she hated Shannon so much. She said it was just natural, like rain, the sun, and Adam Sandler's jokes. Jules had a thing for Sandler, which was really lucky for Bryce. It was rare to find a beautiful, smart, and athletic girl that also enjoyed a good fart joke.

She looked at Shannon and her smile froze. The short girl’s eyes were dark, too dark. She tilted her head toward Juliette and made a sound that was something like a quiet snarl.

Jules stood her ground, bared her teeth in a weird grin, and said, “I should have known you escaped from a zoo.”

Michael turned around and put a hand on Shannon's shoulder. “Now, now, you two. You guys really could get along if you tried, you know.” Shannon straightened up, and tossed her dark hair out of her face. She sniffed and turned around without saying anything.

“Yeah, only if I ate out of a dog bowl,” Jules muttered. But it was quiet and she didn't take her eyes off of Shannon.

Ree was still looking at Michael, unable to look away. There was a cloud of black circling around his head. She blinked, but it didn't vanish liked she had hoped. As if drawn by her stare, he met her eyes and his mouth pulled at the corners in some parody of a smile. For the third time that night, Ree sucked in air through her teeth with surprise. Michael’s eyes were black. The pupils were so dilated you couldn’t see the normal brown. He chuckled after looking at her face, then turned back to the cashier to pay the bill.

Bryce turned and looked at Ree, his eyes wide. “Holy crap. Did you see that? He had, like, black eyes or something. Do you think they’re on drugs? Maybe that’s why they’re so weird,” he said in a harsh whisper.

Michael and Shannon stalked off toward the exit, his arm around her shoulders. They caught up with their friends and headed out the swinging doors.

Ree sighed when they were out of earshot. She hated being around those two. “What is with them?” Ree asked. “They really give me the creeps.”

“They smelled different. Did you notice that?” Juliette said quietly after they had all paid their bills. “I mean, I don’t think it was really perfume. They just smelled off, like old deli meat.”

“Old deli meat?” Bryce chuckled. “Maybe you’re coming down with a stomach bug.” Juliette pushed his shoulder and stuck her tongue out at him as she shoved through the door.

Ree shook her head and looked at the clock above Paden’s shoulder. With a surprise she realized they were running a little late. Hopefully the friends they were meeting weren’t waiting for them in the cold. Of course, knowing Melanie and Weylin, they had probably already made friends with the other people waiting outside and were involved in an animated conversation about computer graphics or special effects.

“We'll see you at the Civic Center,” Paden called as he and Ree made their way to his Corolla. He hit the unlock button on his keychain and walked to the passenger side of the car. Ree raised an eyebrow in question, but he merely shrugged and held the door open for her. This was somewhat new. She didn't really know how to respond, so she bit her lip and sat down in the seat before buckling the belt. He closed the door gently behind her. She looked up at him through her window as he turned around. For just a moment he paused, looking quickly about the parking lot and then shrugging to himself as if confused. He made his way to the driver’s side and reached for the handle. Again he paused, his gaze lingering on the dark corner Ree had watched earlier, and she felt a thrill of fear. Could he feel it, too? Had he seen something? Finally he opened the door and sat down in his seat. She immediately hit the automatic lock, making him look at her and smile.

“Afraid of the dark?” He asked with a quiet chuckle. But she noticed his eyes looked a little tense, and his smile a bit strained. He put the key in the ignition.

She rolled her eyes, trying to be nonchalant. “Just random muggers, vampires, and aliens.”

He laughed and turned the key to start the car.

Suddenly a violent shudder racked her body, causing her teeth to chatter. Her hand gripped the handle bar on the door, her knuckles white. If the feeling of being watched in the restaurant had been intense, it didn’t come close to explaining the fear that coursed through her body at that moment. Something dark ran in front of the car, barely brushing the bumper before the headlights came to life.

“What the hell was that?” Paden exclaimed, looking toward the moving bushes.

Ree shook her head and did her best to slow the beating of her heart. For the first time in her life, since all of the weird things had started happening to her, she prayed it was all her imagination. Nothing more than an overactive fantasy life. She had always wanted proof she wasn't insane, but now she would be happy to know it was only shadows playing tricks on her. She was pretty sure that a lot of artists were insane on some level, anyway. She took a deep breath, and tried to calm her heart. Yeah, she could work with the whole quietly insane artist thing. Paden’s hand touched her arm, causing her to jump. She cursed softly and looked up at him, her eyes wide.

“It's alright, Ree. Probably just a bird or something. Freaky timing, though.” He shook his head ruefully and pulled out of the parking lot.

Thank you for reading. I hope you guys enjoyed this Sample! If you would like to read more, you can check it out on Amazon or Smashwords. Barnes and Noble should also have Mortal Obligation available in the next day or so.

It's ALIVE!

2011-07-30T19:53:00.000-07:00

It is official! Mortal Obligation is available for purchase! Eeeep! I'm a published author! Someone pinch me-- this can't be real. My dream has finally happened. People can read my book; a labor of love and persistence. Oh my gosh... people can READ my book! Okay, focusing on the positive here... *takes deep breath, in through the nose and out through the mouth*

People have been asking me how I feel: Are you excited? Are you nervous? I just nod my head, because honestly? I am feeling a lot of everything. I am so excited that I have been dancing around the house and singing at the top of my lungs. Suddenly vascilate to being so nervous I can barely move! I'm pretty sure that this is normal. So, I will gladly ride this rollercoaster and then get back in line to do it again.

If you would like to check out Mortal Obligation, here is the link.

It is also available on Smashwords and should be up on Barnes and Noble by tomorrow. After all of the stories I have heard about lag time between uploading and your book being available on Amazon, I was completely surprised that it only took three hours. Fingers crossed that is a good omen ;)

Tomorrow I will be posting the first chapter. So, stay tuned. Until then, have a great night and a wonderful Sunday.

Ninja Nichole

2011-07-23T21:58:00.000-07:00

Ninja Nichole kicks, slashes, and brutally attacks to-do lists. After demolishing edits, crafting adorable birthday invitations, and cleaning the house, she has plenty of time to spend a beautiful summer Saturday with her family.

Ninja Nichole is a well rounded woman. Capable of writing witty prose while doing the dishes, story plotting while potty training, and crafting while sleeping-- In other words, she is really kick ass.

Ninja Nichole is not available for parties or public events. If you have an emergency, you should get off the internet and call 911. If it is only a minor emergency, Ninja Nichole recommends that you seek out a friend and rant like a lunatic. After all, Best Friends are often just Ninja's in disguise.

For any of those that are curious, Ninja Nichole thought you would like to know that Mortal Obligation is almost ready for publishing! *round house kick that turns into an awesome back flip* "Hiya!!!!" If everything goes smoothly from here on out then the book will be ready for purchase this coming weekend. *Ninja Nichole glares at all possible obstacles*

Almost... There...

2011-07-19T19:16:00.000-07:00

I am a little bit stressed this week. I'm trying not to be, but the honest truth is that publishing a book is stressful. I always figured it would be exciting and maybe a little nausea inducing. Well, it is all of those things, but I also have a to-do list that is a mile long. That would be part of the stress. The other part of the stress is all of the other mundane, mommy type things that I have to do.

Book things to do:
adjust cover to fit appropriate parameters
edits
formatting
final proofreading
set up eARC's
upload book
beg bloggers for reviews
finish outline for next book
commit more time everyday to the 2nd book's first draft
etc, etc, etc

Normal mommy things:
finish making 2nd b-day invites for daughters party (and mail them!)
buy decorations
get stuff to make cup cupcakes
go b-day shopping for daughter
CLEAN THE ENTIRE HOUSE
start doing pilates again... (sitting at a keyboard is starting to take it's toll)
stress about publishing a book
work on toilet training the almost two year old (Again. Sigh.)
teach self how to use photoshop

... And, I'm going to stop there. Just looking at that list is making me want to panic. LOL. So, I refuse to add anything else to it right now.

This summer has been a great one. We haven't gone anywhere different or done anything spectacular, but it has been a summer of changes, excitement, and love. I have been able to spend a lot of time with my family over the last few months and I am very grateful for those moments.

So, when I am stressed about my to-do list I take a moment to think about the little things that have made life so great.

What do you do when you are stressed out?

The Sight- Book One of the Glamour Series

2011-07-17T19:23:00.000-07:00

Hey guys! I wanted to do this earlier, but I have been running a little behind. My friend, M.D. Christie, is having a cover and blurb reveal on her site! You guys should check it out! The official release is set for Samhain, the 1st of November. (BTW, I totally love that release date! It is my fave time of year :))

So, without further ado, here is the blurb!

Ever since the night of her Parents Disappearance eight years ago; 17 year old Ella St. John has known she was different.

The CREATURE… did he take her parents that night, or was it a delusion?

FLASHBACKS… Keep her from living her life.

AUNT SAGE… Keeps secrets. Does she know more than she lets on?

The sudden feeling of BEING WATCHED…. What does it all mean?

When Ella St.John Heads home from her shift at the Pink Java Cafe, she hardly expects to be attacked. Much less by the same creature responsible for her parents mysterious disappearance eight years earlier. This is Ella's first encounter with a dark creature of Murumendi; but it certainly won't be her last. Within moments Ella's life as she knows it is ripped away, forcing her to discover who and what she really is. Will she be able to handle the truth?

The Sight Book One of The Glamour Series will take you on a Fantastical Journey of Love, Loss, and the Battle between Good vs. Evil.

http://www.mdcwrites.com

My internet is being wonky, so I can't post the awesome cover M.D. has for her first book. Make sure you head over to her website to see the cover and to check out the prolouge!

Bzzzzzz, Bzzzzzzz

2011-07-12T19:14:00.000-07:00

I have been a very busy bee. Last week was a 'staycation' for my family. We took the munchkin to see Cars 2 in the theater, which was an experience, let me tell you. The only good news was that it was a matinee and other families had brought their children and their children were worse behaved than mine! ;) Seriously, it wasn't a terrible ordeal... but it wasn't a lot of fun for me either. Oh, and Cars 2 was really a great movie. At least, I think it was... I didn't get to see all of it. I was busy toddler wrangling. I will say that it is a lot more violent than the first one though. Cars die, man. Die! In the first few minutes. I don't think my munchkin really understood that, but older kids around 3 or 4 might notice.

We also took some time to do things around the city. Trip to the park, fireworks for the 4th, s'mores. The Hubby and I also got a night out while the munchkin spent some time being spoiled by her grandparents. We went out to eat with some friends and saw Transformers 3. Yep, the theater got a lot of money from us last week! All-in-all, a really great week.

As for book business: Mortal Obligation is in the hands of Anne at Victory Editing. She is helping make my book polished and ready for publishing. I will let you guys know when it goes live. I can't wait to hear what you think of it! I have also been working on book two of the Dark Betrayal Trilogy. Whew, is it going to be angsty! :)

How have you guys been spending your summer? Any big plans or fun adventures? Who else is excited about Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2? I can not wait to see it. Kind of sad that it will be over, but exciting nonetheless.

Big News!

2011-07-06T10:14:00.000-07:00

About a month ago I posted that I had submitted a short story for consideration for an anthology. Well, yesterday I heard back and... MY STORY WAS ACCEPTED! I am so thrilled to have been chosen for the Pink Snowbunnies in Hell anthology. I can't wait to hear what everyone thinks of my piece, Of Demons and Bunnies. It is a really short, (and I hope) fun read.

I have to say that I am really glad that I didn't have the difficult job of being a judge. After reading some of the stories that didn't make it into the book, I can't imagine how they were able to pick!

The anthology should be released sometime in early August. I will make sure to keep you all posted.

I'd like to also wish Debora Geary a Happy Birthday! She is the mastermind behind the anthology and the brilliant author of several novels and a novel nibble. (How cute is that? Novel Nibble...)

In other news, I am frantically working on Mortal Obligation to finish all of the little details that need to be done before publishing. I hope to have eARC's available for review a week or so before publishing, but that is one of those things that will be determined a little closer to the publishing date. I have also started working on the second novel in The Dark Betrayal Trilogy. I hope to have that one ready for publishing in November. Don't hold me to that... it is just a goal at this point, but one that I am serious about!

Also, keep checking back for the new and improved first chapter of Mortal Obligation. I should have it posted either this weekend or next weekend. I am so excited and nervous about my looming publishing date. There are so many things to be taken care of and managed. It is completely worth it though. I am so glad to be doing what I love.

Drum Roll, Please!

2011-06-29T09:16:00.000-07:00

Okay, folks! I can't believe I am getting to show you the cover for Mortal Obligation, but here it is! What do you think? Isn't she gorgeous? I am so excited. I can't wait to hold a copy of this book in my hands. It has been a long time coming.

And now for the next part-- the book blurb! Does it make you want to read???

Ree will face the darkest form of betrayal before the year is out.

Seventeen year old Ree McKenna has three goals: get through high school, convince her crush she is more than his best friend’s little sister, and save money for college. Fate, though, has other plans for her. After the untimely death of her older brother, Ree is haunted by dreadful nightmares and terrifying visions. To make matters worse, Ree has started to suspect that something dangerous is stalking her from the shadows.

A night full of frightening surprises leaves Ree with unsettling news. Gifted by the gods with unusual powers, she must devote herself to a battle that could very well lead to not only her death, but the demise of everyone she knows and loves. After all, Ree is the only mortal standing between the Earth and utter darkness.

Set in Savannah, Ga, Mortal Obligation is the first book of The Dark Betrayal Trilogy.

So, the count down begins! If everything goes as planned this book will be available on July 29th. I hope you all will enjoy it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Also, please take a minute to 'like' my new Author Facebook page! This will be the quickest way to find out more info about the book release and books to come.

Is That Book Ever Going to be Done?!?

2011-06-22T19:40:00.000-07:00

Publishing a book is like running a marathon. Not that I have ever run a marathon, mind you. But it is like what I imagine running a marathon would feel like. I do have a good imagination after all. To run a marathon it takes a lot of preparation, a lot of work, and a lot of determination. All of those things are required to publish a book. The good news is that I am in the last leg of the race. I'm rounding that last corner and I can see the finish line.

Mortal Obligation will be released by August 1st.

That date may change by a week or so, but it will be out by August. I'm tying up the loose ends and finalizing issues at this point, but it very well may be out a week earlier than August 1st. I can't tell you how excited and nervous or how ecstatic and nauseous that I am. The last leg of this adventure is proving to be incredibly busy, but of course trying to raise a toddler while writing a book kind of makes that a moot point. The entire time I have been busy and constantly running. (No really, you wouldn't think something with such short legs could move so fast!) But I wouldn't trade a moment of it! I love my life. I love my family. I love my job. That's right. Writing is my job and I love it.

So, the main point of this post was to let you know that Mortal Obligation will be out in a month! (Eeek) So now that I have made my announcement I am going to go work on all of the little details that need to be taken care of and try to not throw up. ;)

--Completely off topic, but I took my daughter to see Sesame Street Live today at the Civic Center. She had a blast, and I loved watching her dance to the music and clap for Elmo. Too cute. It was all fun and games until someone brought out the Elmo balloons. $10 for a balloon? You have got to be kidding me! And people were buying them up! *headpalm* By the time we left there were several hundred dollars floating around the rafters. The moral of this story is-- don't spend $10 on a balloon! LOL.That's just crazy.

What Have I Accomplished?

2011-06-12T20:06:00.000-07:00

Well, I have been incredibly busy. Life likes to throw us curve balls, you know? I could tell you all about it-- but really, who cares? Lol. Instead, let me tell you about what I have accomplished in the last week.

I wrote a short piece of flash fiction to submit to the Snowbunnies from Hell anthology. It is due on the 15th, so I am cutting it close. Thank goodness for Scott, who pushed me to finish the piece, otherwise I may have caved to stress. I'm not sure about the rules about publishing the short on my blog-- but if it turns out that I can, I will do so. It is a short piece, that I think is a fun little read. If I am lucky it will end up in the anthology, and I will be able to say I am a published author. (Eeep!)

I have also written my -new and improved- author bio to put on my new website. (Coming Soon to Computers Near You!) So, here it is:

Nichole Chase is a daydreamer. No, really, just ask any of the math teachers that had the misfortune of seeing her name appear on their class schedule. For years she has had story lines and characters begging for attention, but she resolutely pushed them aside to focus on more normal (read, boring) jobs. Well, no longer! She is currently heeding the voices in her head and frantically writing their stories. Nichole resides in South Georgia with her husband, energetic toddler, three dogs, and two cats. When not devouring novels by the dozens, you may find her writing, painting, crafting, or chasing her daughter around the house while making monster noises.

And there you have it! I am headed to try and catch up on some sleep! Have a great week everyone :)

Stomach Churning Nerves

2011-06-05T17:17:00.000-07:00

Well, I did it. I finished the second draft of Mortal Obligation. If you noticed the word count go up on the progress bar, that would be why! I added about 4,000 extra words... Well, 4,000 after I subtracted and then added more words. I am happy with the end result. However, that doesn't mean that I am not incredibly nervous about what my beta readers and editor will say. I want the truth, no matter what. But I also really hope that people like it! I'm going to go out on a limb here and assume that most writers hope that readers enjoy their work.

Maybe, I differ a little bit, because I also hope that my beta's won't tell me what I want to hear. Rather, I hope they will tell me anything that needs to be fixed so that I can make Mortal Obligation perfect. I don't want to rush publishing and turn out a product that isn't ready. Of course, the perfectionist in me will probably never think that it is ready... that is why I need my beta readers and editor. Hopefully, with their help I will be able to put out a wonderful book that others will enjoy reading.

So, for now I am going to focus on some of the other things on my to-do list and distract myself while I wait for their responses. I also need to start the outline for the second book. Look! My list of distractions is growing by the second. And if that fails, I can always read one of the new books I got for my birthday... and maybe sit on my hands so that I don't text people!

Wish me luck, you guys. And my dear friends that are reading Mortal Obligation, please don't leave me hanging! It may cause sanity issues... although that was really a questionable issue to begin with! ;)

Editing With One Sick Baby

2011-06-03T09:17:00.000-07:00

Editing with a sick baby, basically means that there isn't much editing happening. So, I am going to keep this sweet and simple. I have spent most of this week holding a miserable, feverish baby while she shifted and fretted constantly. Right now we are watching Toy Story 2 for the umpteenth time this week. We have had a daily diet of Toy Story, Toy Story 2, Toy Story 3, and Monsters Inc. Lather, Rinse, and repeat. These are the shows that keep her interested and still. I hate seeing her sick, it breaks my heart.

My writing and editing have taken a backseat this week, so that I can take care of my munchkin. However, that doesn't mean that I haven't been thinking of my long to do list. There is so much that I need to get finished and finished soon if I want to publish my book this summer.

I need to:

(Quite obviously) Finish the second draft (I'm almost there!)
Send the book to my editor (the amazing, spectacular Heather Darenberg)
Send the book to beta readers
Write a Blurb
Come up with a tag line
Get with the cover artist and decide on a dirction
Decide on a series name
Make a book trailer
Stress myself sick
Write my author bio
Design business cards
Think about swag
Scout places for possible book signings and readings
Pull my hair out in frustration
Come up with a theme for my new website (Yep! Nicholechase.com will hopefully be launched sometime soon. Thanks to my great friend Shawn for the early birthday present.)

So, as you can see, I have a lot to get accomplished once the munchkin is feeling better. Hopefully the antibiotics will get her to feeling more like her normal, zany, toddler self soon.

For those of you going the self-publishing route, what is on your to do list?
What about those seeking the traditional route? What do you have on your to do list?
Com'on guys, make me feel a little better about my long list! I'm not the only one with a ton of things that still need checking off, right? Right?!

Coffee Shop Writing

2011-05-27T11:29:00.000-07:00

As one of my fellow writers pointed out, I am a prime example of the writer cliche. Here I am sitting in a trendy little coffee shop with my laptop, notebook, and iced coffee drink. I am the writer you see in every movie, huddled over in the corner typing furiously away. Well, depending on when you look over here anyways. Sometimes you might catch me scratching my head while deep in thought, or shaking my head in amusement. You might even catch me nodding my head enthusiastically as I write a scene that has me really excited. You know what I am talking about! (Stop shaking your heads, you're only making my point for me.) See, another cliche proven true today... The crazy writer- mumbling to themselves, groaning in frustration, or simply smiling like a lunatic.

Basically, the hubby gave me a pass for the day. He pointed at my lap top and then at the door. He willingly accepted munchkin duty so that I can work on finishing this draft. Isn't he awesome? So, I better get to it and prove that it was a useful escapade. Maybe that way I can run up to this little coffee shop another time in the name of uninterrupted writing. Or maybe I will take my little cliched butt to another coffee shop and write there! I'm up to two now. Might as well find some more...

Overused Words

2011-05-22T11:57:00.000-07:00

So, I am going through Mortal Obligation and laughing to myself. The wonderful, amazing, and superb editor Heather Darenberg has brought to my attention that I over use the word odd. Which is a really odd word to over use, you know? Maybe I am just the odd writer that can't get enough of the word odd.. Am I the only author that overuses a word? Am I really that odd? Does it make me a bad writer? Hopefully I don't slip it into odd places in conversation as well! How irritating would that be for the people I am talking to! I'm sure that once I am out of earshot they refer to me as that odd writer that has a weird penchant for using odd words. Wouldn't that annoy anyone?

So, I have decided to list some useful synonyms for future reference.

Unusual
abnormal
bizarre
curious
different
eccentric
random
erratic
peculiar
irregular
strange
deviant
aberrant
chance
flaky
occasional
accidental
spare
psycho
fortuitous
atypical

Are there any words that any of you overuse? I'd love to hear that I am not alone in giving one word a little too much attention. By the way... ODD! ;)

May 21, 2006

2011-05-21T07:20:00.000-07:00

Okay, so I am taking a moment to be sappy. I hope you don't mind, after all it is my five year anniversary. My husband is a difficult man. It's true. (What? Yes, I am going to get to the sap. But you guys need a little background. Now, if you are done interrupting...) He is stubborn, and has a hard time admitting when he is wrong. But, I love him anyways. Why, you might ask? Well, he has a cute butt. No, really. It is the most perfect butt you will ever see. (Are you blushing baby? LOL.) Okay, seriously it is a cute butt, yet not the reason that I fell in love with him. Once when I was in college I didn't have enough money to pay my rent. I was working full time, split shifts around my class schedule, and still had to juggle bills. After hearing from a friend that I was contemplating eating nothing but ramen noodles for the next month, he showed up at my house with the extra money. It was the last of his savings, though I didn't know it at the time, and he insisted that I take it. I will always remember him telling me that if I didn't take the money he would just leave it on my doorstep. Not exactly romantic, but really sweet intentions. (Remember the stubborn comment? He knew I was stubborn too, so if he wanted to help he knew he was going to have to force me to swallow my pride.) He can be rough around the edges, but has a big heart. That short little story illustrates who my husband is at the core. I fell in love with him because of his generous spirit, and yes even for his stubbornness.

(Okay, hold on to something sturdy because the sappiness is about to flow...)

He is loyal to a fault, and will drop anything he is doing if he has a friend in need. There isn't an animal that doesn't trust him, and I think that says a lot about a persons character. (He has some kind of weird juju that attracts hurt animals to our house, and he will spend hours treating them and getting them back on their feet- or slithering on their scales.) I can't count the number of strays we have found homes. Really, I am not exaggerating here. My mother in law bought us a little statue of a porcupine holding a sign that says, "All Animals Welcome"! He would rather be outside than watching a football game, and would rather be fishing than playing a video game. He laughs at my goofy jokes. (Or he just laughs at me. Either way it works!) He isn't high maintenance and appreciates the simple things. He is an amazing father, who will chase our daughter around the house for hours acting liking a tickle monster. For those of you that have children, then you will understand when I say that there isn't anything sexier than watching your spouse play with your kids. It is something buried deep in our genes, most likely to encourage us to continue the population. I am sure there is a scientific name for it, but I am just going to stick with sexy. He is my perfect fit in every way. Yes, we butt heads at times. Yes, we confuse each other and get frustrated. But we are also the ones that comfort each other during difficult times. He is literally my other half, the balance to my creative nature. He is the solid to my wishy-washy, and the practical to my whimsy.

I am so lucky to have been married to my best friend for the last five years. He is the rock that keeps me steady when life tries to wash the sand out from under my feet. There isn't anything that we can't accomplish together.

I love you, Sweetheart. Forever and Always.

Editing and Stonehenge

2011-05-11T18:27:00.000-07:00

I need to apologize to all of my lovely, brilliant, and wonderful blog followers. (No, I don't think that I am laying it on thick...) Why, you might ask? Well, I have been a pretty bad blogger! I need to blog much more often to keep you updated on the progress of Mortal Obligation and things in general. So, right now I am going to take a few minutes to tell you about the editing, or 'fluffiing', that I have been working on for the last week.

Well, a couple of days after I finished the first draft, I was still unsatisfied with part of the story. It was something that the characters were telling me, but I couldn't understand the 'why' of it. I had come up with a reasonable way of explaining it, but it left me unhappy. Then on the way home from the allergist lightning struck my brain. Okay, not really, but I did have a major epiphany. I felt like the clouds had split and a giant beam of glorious sunshine was basking my car in all of its brilliant warmth. No really, that is how I felt! I even did a little dance in my seat making the people in cars next to me glare and speed away nervously. This idea made everything click into place, and my characters all smiled and nodded at me in relief. I had finally gotten what they had been trying to tell me. (If you are worried about the fact that my 'characters' were nodding at me while I was driving on the highway... well, I can't argue with you. I am a little bit crazy. But my muse sings the clearest while driving. What's a writer to do?) So, I have been going back and fleshing out that story line, adding little pieces of information, and loving it! Oh, the drama! The angst! Makes me giggle. It makes everything perfect and I am so happy to share it with everyone. Maybe in a few weeks I will put up another sample.

Now, about Stonehenge. I happened to catch a special about Stonehenge on PBS tonight. They were trying different possible ways of how those long dead people moved those monstrous stones. I have always been fascinated by Stonehenge, and hope to go to that powerful place one day. The theories they had about the tools and skills they needed were very interesting. They still aren't convinced that they used the system they tried on the show, but I am thinking that it is possible. I think that they were trying to get it done faster than the people would have been able to, or inclined to do and that would have made it more possible. You have to factor in determination in the equation. When I look at that place, I see so much human spirit and persistence. They wouldn't have given up if it took them forever to dig out trenches, or if rain washed out those trenches. It was something they felt had to be done and the work it required wasn't going to stop them.

Now, ready for me to tie these two topics together? That's right. I have a point! Writing a book is a little bit like creating your own Stonehenge. It requires a LOT of work, persistence and pain. But it is worth it all, because you are making something that holds a part of your spirit. And I am pretty sure that those monolithic stones hold a great deal of its builders spirit. Writing is something that you have to believe in, something that you really want to do.

I won't be writing for the rest of the week, I have some important stuff to attend to this weekend that will keep me busy and away from the computer. I will be back next week, and will try to post more often. Happy writing and reading everyone! I hope you have a great weekend :)

Don't those pictures make you want to hop on a plane and go visit England?

Realization

2011-05-05T20:25:00.000-07:00

This week is a really great question! I hope you will join in the fun.

What moment has validated you and made you feel like a writer? If it hasn't happened yet, what do you think it will be?

This is something that I had to sit down and really think about. When did I first feel like a writer? What was my validation? I have been writing for years. In fact the idea for Mortal Obligation first occurred to me while I was still in college (forgive me for not dating myself by telling you how long ago that was!). But when did I finally feel like a writer? Maybe it was when my husband gave me the go ahead to cut back my work hours so that I could focus on getting my book finished. Maybe it was when my best friend looked at me and said, you can do this. Was it when I let some other people read what I had written and instead of wincing or avoiding my eyes they seemed excited? Perhaps it was when I started a Facebook author page, or this blog. Maybe it was when I broke down and did something I swore I would never do- open a Twitter account. In all honesty it was a combination of everything. Not only do I have a complete draft finished that I am busy poking and dissecting, but I have already started outlining the next book. It wasn't any one thing, but a slow realization of self. This is what I am supposed to do, and even when I have my moments of doubt, deep down I know this to be truth.

And one more thing, the one person that has stood behind me every step of the way has been my sister. She pushed me until I could see what she already understood. Thanks, Becca.

Now I want to know when you felt like a writer. Join our hop with these simple rules:

Follow this blog.
Follow Elizabeth Sharp, the originator of this hop
Follow the featured author of the week, VK Tremain.
Go to Sharp words and copy the image code found there and paste it in your blog. Add your name to the link at the bottom of the post while you are there.
Copy and paste the rules in your blog, as well as this week’s question.
Answer the question
Follow, follow, follow. This is about networking, people, making connections with people in your community. So talk to us. We don't bite!
If someone stops by, says hi and follows you, the polite thing to do is follow back.
Comment here and introduce yourself and you just might find a new follower or two.

Suffering

2011-05-01T17:55:00.000-07:00

On the very day that I finished the rough draft for Mortal Obligation, I received word of a terrible tragedy. Nick Adams, a friend and superb artist, lost his two nephews to a house fire. They were only 2 and 1 years old. My daughter is not 2 yet, and I can not imagine having her future of possibilities taken from her at such a young age. I'm not ashamed to tell you that I cried for those two boys. I cried for their parents, and for their little sister who would never know them. I cried for an uncle that would not get to watch his nephews grow up, never get to give them pick up lines to use on girls, or help them learn to drive.

A paypal account has been set up to accept donations for the family. They have an infant girl who no longer has a crib, clothes, bottles, or a nightlight. Much less a place to plug that night light in. If you can, I ask that you take a moment and a few dollars and donate to a family that is in real need. It doesn't have to be much. Every little bit helps, and often it is just knowing that there are other people in the world that care about you that provides a little hope during dark times.

To read Nicks blog, please click here. There is a button on his website for donations. Please take a moment to at least read their story. Those two little boys deserve that.

Happy Dance Time!

2011-04-29T07:41:00.000-07:00

That's right! I have completed the first draft of Mortal Obligation! I know, it's been a long time coming and I still have a lot of work to do. Editing, revisions, cover art... PANIC! But first, I am just going to enjoy the fact that I accomplished one BIG step. Really, the most important step. You can't have a book without a rough draft. On Wednesday my husband came home from work, took one look at my face handed me the laptop and kicked my butt out the door. I was so close to being finished, but the baby was not willing to share me with the computer and I didn't get to work on it. Once I was alone with no distractions I managed to write almost 5,000 words in four hours. By Thursday morning I was down to one scene and I could barely believe it. WOOHOO! It was exciting and sad all at the same time. I was finally finished. The story that had been living in my head for years was out... typed into the computer and soon to be printed on paper.

Today, I will print out the rough draft so that I can read through it and make notes. Doing that part in long hand will help me to keep track of my changes and additions. But, for today I am going to enjoy the fact that I finished the rough draft of Mortal Obligation. And clean the house, because it was neglected the last few days as I scrambled towards the finish line.

To celebrate, I thought I would resurrect a video that always makes me laugh...

Feel free to join in on my happy dance at any point!

Yep, It's Follow Friday Time!

2011-04-22T06:50:00.000-07:00

This weeks question is: What is your most referred to website for your writing?

I would have to say, that when it comes to my writing Google is my best friend. Really, I am thinking that there are a lot of authors that make the FBI watch list based on their Google searches. Doesn't everyone need to know how to hide a body and to make explosions that have green flames? And of course, I can't forget Thesaurus.com. This keeps me from using the same words all of the time. Well, most of the time.

Come join our blog hop, and check out this weeks featured author! Michelle Ferguson is a wonderful author that has a book that will be up for publication soon.

The rules for the hop are simple!

1) Follow Elizabeth Sharp, the originator of this hop

2) Follow the featured author of the week, Michelle Ferguson.

3) Go to Sharp words and copy the image code found there and paste it in your blog. Add your name to the link at the bottom of the post while you are there.

4) Copy and paste the rules in your blog, as well as this week’s question.

5) Answer the question

6) Follow, follow, follow. This is about networking, people, making connections with people in your community. So talk to us. We don't bite!

7) If someone stops by, says hi and follows you, the polite thing to do is follow back.

8) Comment here and introduce yourself and you just might find a new follower or two.

Almost There

2011-04-20T21:20:00.000-07:00

So, for those of you who do not know... I am about four or five chapters from wrapping up my first draft of Mortal Obligation. It's been a hectic couple of weeks, so I have been balking on finishing. The next few scenes are extremely important and I want to devote my complete attention to them as I write. I think that I am going to try a different way of working out the first draft for the next book. Adjusting to being a stay at home mother, while writing a novel has not been as smooth as I would have liked. I really need to stick to a better schedule and work a little harder on not being distracted by other things.

And I am very good at being distracted!

Look at that face! Who wouldn't be distracted? Her cheeks are so pinchable :)

Part of the reason my schedule has been so hectic is because of that cute little monster you see perched on my back. Okay the main reason my schedule has been hectic! Honestly, if you had asked me how my daughters sleep schedule was going a year ago, I would have told you that it was splendid! That I have the best little sleeper in the world. Then we entered what I affectionately refer to as 'Teething Hell'. I don't remember the last time I slept more than four hours in a row. It probably doesn't help that I stay up late to write, or work on stuff that I can not get done while the Little One is awake. It means that I get through the week catching a nap with her when I can, or moving through out the day in zombie fashion. *Shuffle, shuffle* Some people can function on three hours of sleep- I am not one of them. I know my limitations, and I work in them as much as I am able. (My heart hurts for some of my friends, and fellow writers that also have 'troubled sleeper'. At least I can nap at home once and a while.)

So, I leave you with this short post so that I can try to catch up on some much needed sleep. I am guessing that at this point I may get two or three hours of beauty rest (HA!) before I have to get up and calm down the baby. Then, maybe, I can attack those last few chapters with a refreshed mind. Hopefully, with a little bit of luck and perseverance I will be telling you all about my finished draft by Monday. Then you can all listen to me whine as I work on editing! ;)

Follow Friday: What Is In A Name?

2011-04-15T07:21:00.000-07:00

Happy Friday Everyone!

This week's question is: Shakespeare asked What's in a name? But we all know better. So let's talk about names, specifically our blog's name. How did you come up with yours?

Wow, I have a very lame answer this week. I kept my blog name short, sweet and simple. I used my name so that it would be easy to find. That may sound boring, but the joke is on you! I am never boring! So, how could my name as a Blog title signify anything other than pure excitment, awesomeness, and unbridled thrills? Exactly right my friend. The adventures are a dime a dozen around this blog! So hold on to your butt! Uh huh. Thrills abound...

So, do you want to join in the fun? Here is how you tell everyone how much more interesting your blog title is than mine!

The rules

1) Follow Elizabeth Sharp, the originator of this hop

2) Follow the featured author of the week, Paige W. Pendleton.

3) Go to Sharp words and copy the image code found there and paste it in your blog. Add your name to the link at the bottom of the post while you are there.

4) Copy and paste the rules in your blog, as well as this week’s question.

5) Answer the question

6) Follow, follow, follow. This is about networking, people, making connections with people in your community. So talk to us. We don't bite!

7) If someone stops by, says hi and follows you, the polite thing to do is follow back.

8) Comment here and introduce yourself and you just might find a new follower or two.

Not Many Understand

2011-04-14T19:21:00.000-07:00

Not many understand what it is like to have a story floating in your head, or the need to share it. Not many understand how much that story is a part of your soul. It is one of the things that make you- You. Not many understand how hard it can be to put your heart out for complete strangers to examine. Not many people understand what it is like to have fought your true calling for years because it is an unrealistic dream. Not many understand trying to fit into jobs that kill your soul and make you feel like a failure. Not many understand what it is like to be a writer. But, S.E. Gordon does. In one short post, he manages to explain exactly how I feel about my need to write.

This Fear by S.E. Gordon

My confession?

I’ve failed at everything I’ve tried.

Except this.

Stupid. Worthless. Loser. How many times have people hurled these words like stones?

But I’m not made of glass. There’s stronger stuff below; a belief that runs right to the core.

I am destined for greater things.

My words will change the world.

Let the legions cast their venom; they do not know me.

Let the critics sneer; the joke is ultimately on them.

I know I can do this. A writer I am meant to be.

Forget about the past failures; they’ve made me who I am. The external world does not faze me; the real challenge lies deep within.

This fear. I must get over it.

What will they see when I am finally revealed? Will they give me a chance? Identify with me?

No.

It does not matter.

They will see I am just like them.

Full of hope. Conviction. Dreams.

And that is all that matters.

I need this, I must confess.

I must find a way to make this work. Find a way to finish. Only then will they see the masterpiece underneath.

I will put myself before them. The entire tapestry, not just a shred of cloth. Myself. My whole self.

I refuse to cower. Refuse to give up.

This fear…just a fool’s errand…

Words echo inside me, fire threaded destiny. Can’t hold them back any longer.

Then I realize what’s gnawing at me.

These words, flowing so beautifully. Such emotion, raw and pure. My one talent, my only talent, please don’t let me screw this up.

I take a deep breath. Calm my mind. And ride the lightening.

This lingering fear is vapor.

I am ready for the next step.

And just in case you missed the link above- You should check out his blog. Not only is he full of motivation, he is a damn good writer, currently working on a Vampire Thriller titled Enura. ( <--- Keep your eyes open for this one ladies and gentleman. These vampires are the real deal.) He also has several humorous (read: crazy, laugh so hard you cry) parodies.

Thanks for sharing this with us, Scott. You are made of Awesome!

Fairies, Aligators, and Wolves. Oh My!

2011-04-11T19:14:00.000-07:00

This weekend, my family went to the Oatland Island Wildlife Center. They were hosting a Fairy and Gnome house festival. I knew that it was going to be a beautiful, sunny (if hot) day, so we loaded up the car and headed for the coast. The children were encouraged to wear their fairy or gnome costumes, and to build houses out of things they found in nature. My little fairy was too little to build a fairy house of her own, but we had fun watching the other kids work on theirs for the contest. She of course did wear her fairy wings, and as you can tell from the pictures below- was terribly cute.

There were a lot of wonderful animals to look at, and thankfully the heat (we broke at record for April at 91 degrees! Whew) didn't keep them all hidden where we couldn't see them. There were a lot of local animals like alligators, birds, foxes, lynx, and some farm animals. The big attraction are the wolves, of course. It was hot so they were being pretty lazy but we did get a few good photos.

The wolves were huge! It is so hard to explain how big they are without a clear reference in the photos- so you will just have to trust me when I say that they are BIG. Also, I can't help but laugh at the photo of the cow. Even the animals are suffering from allergies. Thankfully we humans have tissues and sudafed.

Me? I'm the Featured Author!

2011-04-07T19:32:00.000-07:00

So it is that time again, and guess what? I'm the featured author! If you are part of the writing community, it is likely that you have heard about the post that inspired this weeks Follow Friday question. If you haven't heard about the terrible author response, you can read it here in the comment section. Be warned that there is some foul language. Having said all of that, here is this weeks question:

Inspired by the spectacular melt down of Jacqueline Howett on Big Al’s Book Blog, how do you deal with a bad review?

I haven't officially published any of my works yet, but I hope that I would handle a bad review with grace. I think that the only appropriate way to respond to a review is to say thank you, and in most cases only in a private forum (email, or private message). Bad reviews hurt, even if they are handled in a professional manner. The hurt the author experiences should be kept private, and only shared with friends. Eat some chocolate cake, and watch a good movie- That is how I would handle a bad review. Probably shed a few tears to my friends or my husband, and then move on! You can always get better.

Want to join in the fun? Here are the rules!
The rules
1)         Follow this blog.
2)      Click the quill photo and follow Elizabeth Sharp, the originator of this hop.
3)      Follow the featured author of the week, Nichole Chase. ( <---- That's me!)
4)      Copy the image code found there and paste it in your blog. Add your name to the link at the bottom of the post while you are there.
5)      Copy and paste the rules in your blog, as well as this week’s question.
6)      Answer the question
7)      Follow, follow, follow. This is about networking, people, making connections with people in your community. So talk to us. We don't bite!
8)      If someone stops by, says hi and follows you, the polite thing to do is follow back.
9)      Comment here and introduce yourself and you just might find a new follower or two.

Follow Friday

2011-03-31T19:58:00.000-07:00

It's that time again! This weeks featured writer is Liz Schulte of Bat Country. To find her answer to this weeks question, please click on the picture of the quill and ink bottle. To see my answer to the question, just keep on reading.

Some people like to do it in the office. Others prefer it in bed. Some people like it on the dining room table. Get your mind out of the gutter, I'm asking where you like to write!

Now that I am a mother to a toddler, I find that the only place I can really sit down and get lost in my story is in the office. If I am at the dining room table, she thinks it is time to eat. Cheese! Cheese! is all I hear if I am any where near the fridge. She is going to turn into a really cute mouse any minute and start singing songs from Cinderella. Er, I went off on a tangent, didn't I? Okay, back to where I like to write. I have been working on setting up a place to write on the back patio. I want lots of plants, and a good breeze. (Not that I can control the breeze.) That way the munchkin can run around and play with the dogs while I talk to my characters. Not sure how that will work out, but it is the ultimate goal. The backyard is really a lovely place to sit on a cool, bright day. But with all of this rain, I will just content myself for now with a fan, and a flourescent lamp while sitting at my computer desk.

How do you join in the fun? So glad you asked. It’s really quite simple.

The rules

1)Folllow this blog.

2)Follow Elizabeth Sharp, the originator of this hop

3) Follow the featured author of the week.

4) Go to Sharp words and copy the image code found there and paste it in your blog. Add your name to the link at the bottom of the post while you are there.

5) Copy and paste the rules in your blog, as well as this week’s question.

6) Answer the question

7) Follow, follow, follow. This is about networking, people, making connections with people in your community. So talk to us. We don't bite!

8) If someone stops by, says hi and follows you, the polite thing to do is follow back.

9) Comment here and introduce yourself and you just might find a new follower or two.

Got rain? Hit the Stacks!

2011-03-30T08:08:00.000-07:00

Okay guys, it is storming something fierce right now so I thought I would share some books that are on my TBR list. After all, isn't a thunderstorm the best time to sit down with a good book? Thankfully, April is bringing some wonderful books along with all of the rain. I know I should be writing, but I'm not even sure if the power will stay on long enough for me to finish this post, much less have time to work on my own novel!

City of Fallen Angels (Mortal Instrument series) by Cassandra Clare

This is the fourth book about Clary, Jace, and Simon. At first I was worried about this book, because originally The Mortal Instruments were intended to be a trilogy. The last book wrapped up a lot of loose ends, and I wasn't sure I could stand the torture of extending the love story between Clary and Jace. I won't say anymore than that because I don't want to ruin the series for any of you. But, I should have known that I couldn't fight the pull of Ms. Clare's writing. She has released little tidbits here and there that have made me crave even more. Jace is one of my favorite book hero's. He is strong, sexy, damaged and has a huge heart. Perfect combination!

Look for CoFA on April 5th!

The next book that I am really looking forward to is Defiance (Strange Angels, book 4) by Lili St. Crow.

Dru Anderson is one of the toughest heroines in Young Adult books that I have come across (And I have serious passion for Young Adult books). Dru has always been odd, moving from place to place with her father who hunts things that go bump in the night. Things take a definite downhill turn in the first book when her father comes home one day- as a zombie. From that moment everything changes for Dru: she is alone, scared, and being hunted. The series grows momentum with each book, and I can not wait for Dru to finally 'Bloom'.

Defiance will be available on April 19th.
(Seriously, if you haven't read these books, run don't walk to your nearest book store and get your copy!)

The Gathering (Darkness Rising, Book 1) by Kelley Armstrong

You may recognize Kelley Armstrong from her adult series about The Otherworld. She also has another YA series, Darkest Powers, which is how I found her books. I love that all of these books are set in the same world, yet the different characters have such a wide range of reactions and understanding about it. I am hoping that some of my favorite characters from her other books will make an appearance in the new series, and Kelley has hinted that it is a possibility! Yay!

And of course *drum roll, please* A Tale of Two Goblins, by H.P. Mallory

This is the second book in the Dulcie O'Neil Series and boy am I excited about it! This book is out right now (So go, go now people and buy it!) but I haven't read it yet. I am saving it as incentive to reach 60k words on Mortal Obligation. I know that once I start this book, I won't be able to stop it until I finish. H.P. has a way of making these wonderful realistic characters. The kind of characters that you can imagine hanging out with on a daily basis. I can't think of better incentive to reach my word count goals than to have this book waiting for me. And have I mentioned Knight? The yummy, delicious Knight that will leave the readers wanting... more!

Okay, I think that is enough books to keep you guys busy for a little while! I am off now to try and work on my novel for a little while since I still have power at my house. (Which is amazing, really, considering that I good stiff wind will sometimes leave me without power for several hours. Gotta love living in the country!)

Do you guys have any books to recommend that I didn't mention?

Follow Friday for Writers

2011-03-25T07:39:00.000-07:00

The Brilliant Elizabeth Sharp has started a new way for all of us to connect and network. If you have a blog then you are a writer and are welcome to join the fun. The rules are simple.

1) (Required) You must follow my blog

2) (Required) You must follow the guest poster featured in the blog hop post.

3) You must add you name to the link bar.

4) You must copy these rules, the hop link and the featured question with your answer on your own blog. This blog serves as a place for new followers to say hi.

5) Follow, follow, follow. This is about networking, people, making connections with people in your community. So talk to us. We don't bite!

6) If someone stops by, says hi and follows you, the polite thing to do is follow back.

7) Comment here and introduce yourself and you just might find a new follower or two.

So, I think that I am supposed to answer the following question and you guys are supposed to love it. Just kidding! After you read my response go check out the links at the bottom for their response.

What inspired you to start writing?

I have always had an overactive imagination, so the better question would be what wouldn't inspire me to write. I see stories everywhere, in everything. There isn't anything happening around you at any given time that can't be used as inspiration for a book, a short story, a poem, or music. Not that I write music or poetry, and if I did you really wouldn't want to hear it. I guess that if I approach this question from the angle of what inspired me to start writing Mortal Obligation, I could be a little more precise. About two years ago, (maybe a little longer) I was listening to music and an image formed in my mind. A girl standing in a square in downtown Savannah. She knows that something is coming for her, something big, something dangerous. She could run and hide, but she knew that they would just be waiting for her to come out. The girl knew she could handle whatever they were going to throw at her, but she had to master her fear. The more I listened, the more happened in the scene playing in my mind. I would find myself thinking about it while doing random things, like eating, sleeping., the laundry. You get the picture. Eventually it took over everything, and that scene seemed to spiral. I started writing, because I had to get the scene out of my head. And then I had to know how it all began and how it all ended. I guess you could say that writing is a compulsion. It is something that I just have to do.

I have other stories that I have written over the years. The earliest that I can remember was written in crayon and color pencil. It involved a green rose, a giant wall, a witch and a happily ever after. My grandmother still has it, and brings it up when I talk to her. Every time. I love it, because even though the story was a wretched mess, it reminds me of my roots. The beginning of my writing career! I haven't wanted to stop writing since then, even if I got distracted by life at different times.

Memetastic Award!

2011-03-24T08:07:00.000-07:00

Okay, I have been included in the Memetastic Award. Just a little fun with some fellow bloggers :)
So here are the rules:

1. You must proudly display the absolutely disgusting graphic in a post. (Looks like a pre-k bulletin board.)

2. You must list 5 things about yourself, and 4 of them must be bold-faced lies. Your readers are to guess which one is the truth by posting a comment on your blog.

3. You must pass this awesomely, prestigious award on to 5 deserving bloggers.

One truth, four lies. Can you figure it out? If you are the one that knows the answer then you will win an awesome friendship with me! Isn't that much better than money, or yummy treats? (No, writer friends, not the zombie kind of yummies.)

1. I am related to Robin Leach of The Rich and Famous.

2. When I was little I was bitten by a monkey.

3. I have eaten chocolate covered grasshoppers.

4. I was cast in the movie The Last Song as a pregnant extra while they were filming in Savannah, Ga.

5. While growing up I wanted to be an architect.

I will now submit five other people to the torture of this terrible graphic.

So which is the truth? EH, eh?? Guess away!

Playlist Muses

2011-03-21T10:49:00.000-07:00

Music helps get my creative juices flowing. Sometimes, a scene will be completely based on a song that I have heard. Driving to work (when I used to work), on the way to the grocery store or the pediatricians office, I can hear a song that inspires an entire little movie in my head. In fact Mortal Obligation started out in just this manner. A song inspired a scene in my head and it spiraled from there. I had to know how it started, and how it ended. I. Had. To. Know.

So, here are the songs that inspire scenes in my book. (The list below is in no particular order. Just the random songs that go with the book.) There are also songs the represent certain characters, and the tensions that play throughout the novel.

This is the song that started it all:
Imaginary by Evanescence

It's Not My Time by 3 Doors Down
Untouched by The Veronicas
Knights of Cydonia by Muse (Over all Theme)
All Around Me by Flyleaf
Whispers in the Dark by Skillet
You Are the One by Shiny Toy Guns
Hysteria by Muse
Falling into You by Jem (Romantic Tension)
Sleep by My Chemical Romance
Hand of Sorrow by Within Temptation
Never Alone by BarlowGirl
Hero by Skillet
Better by Plumb (Over all book theme)
Diary of Jane by Breaking Benjamin
Good Enough by Evanescence
Animal I Have Become by Three Days Grace
Rolling in the Deep by Adele
Make You Feel My Love by Adele (Romantic Tension)
Comatose by Skillet
Running Out of Time by Muse
Jillian by Within Temptation
The Only One by Evanescence
Awake and Alive by Skillet
Our Solemn Hour by Within Temptaition

Some of my friends from my Writing Group (*Hi Guys*), are also listing their playlist for their Work In Progress. Head on over and check their selections out. (I think it is funny that we all have similar songs.)

VK Tremain (These lovely ladies have their playlist on the side of their blog.)
Bat Country
Some Sharp Words
The Bookish Snob: Writings of a Dreamer
The Musings of M.D. Christie (Includes a link to her playlist)
Spell Checked by C.G. Powell (Another technically savvy lady with her playlist set up as part of her blog.)

Do you have a song that inspires you? I'd love to hear about it- I am always looking for new writing music.

On Being a Mother and a Writer

2011-03-15T11:26:00.000-07:00

When I sit down to write, there is always something else that needs to be done, to be washed, or to be loved. I should be clear that in my world, being a mother comes light years ahead of being a writer. No matter how much I want to sit down and type my little heart out, no matter how loud my characters clammer to get out, I am a Mom first. So, if that means constantly getting up to chase my daughter around the house while she squeals in delight, so be it. If that means staying up untill one in the morning writing, only to have that baby wake up as I am getting in bed? Well, that is my life. And really, I am in love with my life. It isn't perfect by any means, but I think that is one of the reasons it works so well for me. Perfect would be just a little bit boring. It is true that I would like to be able to sit down and write when I want to, to focus on my project the moment inspiration strikes. But, I will work with the time that I have and make the best of it.

The last couple of weeks, it has been difficult to find time to write. I squeeze in a few hundred words here and there, but not the word counts I would like to be achieving. When things slowed down a little on the home front, it was hard to get back into my writing process. It was a struggle, and I became very frustrated. Thankfully, some friends from the HP Writers' Group on Facebook, had some wonderful suggestions. (Thank you guys!) I ended up turning on the play list for my book, and cleaning the house. Not only was I taking charge of something that I could control (cleaning up behind my daughter), my Muses woke up while listening to the music. I planned out a painting I want to do and VOILA! I was ready to write. Last night I got a good bit written, and finally went to sleep content. I felt like I was back on the road to finishing my book.

Watch out ePub world! Here I come.

* I know that this is not related to my book, or being a mother, or writing (Or maybe it is.), but I wanted to take a moment to say how much my heart hurts for the people of Japan, and their loved ones spread around the world. There is so much fear and pain in that region, it is staggering. My most sincere hope is that they are able to cool the nuclear plants and stop the spread of radiation. They do not need any more disasters to deal with at this time. If you or anyone you know has relatives or friends in Japan, I hope that they are unharmed, and you are able to make contact with them soon.

Sneak Peek: First Chapter

2011-03-08T20:59:00.000-08:00

I am posting the first chapter of Mortal Obligation. Please keep in mind that this is unedited, and only the first draft. A lot of people have been asking me about the book and I thought this would be a good way to share. I have to admit that this makes me more than a little nervous. Up until this point, only family and friends have read any of the book. But, it is time for that to change. I value your feedback, and would love to hear what you think.

Ok, I'm going to post this now before I loose my nerve.

Chapter One

The spot just between her shoulder blades had been itching and crawling all night. She had the creepiest impression that she was being watched. Continually growing stronger and stronger. It was an unnerving feeling, all most tangible. More than once, she had found herself looking over her shoulder, trying to pick out the eyes that were fastened on her back. She had thought that it would go away, but since she had arrived at the restaurant with her friends, it had only intensified.

She shivered and looked down at the goose bumps on her arms as she pulled the sleeves of her black sweater down to cover her wrists. She had to be losing her mind. No one in the restaurant was even looking in her tables direction. Her mouth pressed into an irritated line. It was happening again. Seeing things that weren't there. Imagining that people were following her. Her dreams had become so realistic that she woke sweating, once crying out as she sat up in bed. Every year at about this time things always seemed to become strained. She chalked it up to the time of year. There was always a strain on the whole family just after the winter holidays.

She looked out the window, into the dark of the parking lot. As she looked at the cars, something moved to the left of the window. Dark, and quick, she couldn't be sure that she had even seen anything. She licked her lips nervously and craned her head to try and see better around the cars. There was a flash of movement in the back of the parking lot as something obscure seemed to disappear behind one of the cars. Her heart skipped a beat and her breath caught in her throat.

“Ree? Hello. Are you listening?”

Riana jerked her head around, blushing and looked at the people sitting at her table. She gulped and looked at the faces of her friends. Most were looking at her in amusement. “Sorry. I completely zoned. What are you talking about?”

“Geez, Riana. I asked if you had heard that new song they're playing on the radio. Doesn't it sound just like the beat for Impossible?” Weylin asked. Her friend looked at her intently with his brown eyes as if trying to force her agreement.

“Um, I'm not sure that I've heard the new song,” She tried to not look lost but Weylin just shook his shaggy head and moved the conversation along.

A couple of the people at their table chuckled and rolled their eyes. Riana was often in another world, a glazed expression on her face as she imagined some scene for a painting. No one really thought about her being in Lala land anymore. The only problem was that this time, Riana hadn't been lost in some painting, or planning some other work of art. She had been trying to figure out who was staring at the spot just between her shoulder blades.

She looked out the window again, and took a deep breath before turning to concentrate on her friends. The guys were arguing the comparisons between the band that they were going to see that night and some lesser known band. Juliette was laughing with Melanie as they watched Bryce flail his hands out in denial. Weylin was hunched forward trying to make his point by drumming the beats of the two songs on the table. Ree smiled watching them, and the tension in her shoulders lessened by a few degrees. She loved being with her friends. They always had a good time.

The person sitting directly on her right laughed loudly. It was a warm sound that made Ree's smile grow even more. She slid her eyes to the side so that she could covertly study his profile. Paden was tall, with brown messy hair that seemed to enhance the focus of his dark green eyes. He had a rugged quality that made him look dangerous, and she had to admit, sexy.

She had grown up with Paden watching out for her. It was only a few years ago that Riana had finally understood why all of her friends swooned when he showed up at her parents home. How she had missed the appeal that Paden held for all of those years still surprised her.

Listening to him laugh eased a little more of the tension gripping her shoulders. And she decided to try and forget her nerves and just enjoy the company. She swirled the straw in her cherry soda, and looked around the room. She grimaced when she saw a group of people approaching their table.

Michael and his girlfriend Shannon were in the lead, with some of their friends trailing behind. Ree paused as she scanned the group. Something about those two always struck her as odd. They made her uncomfortable, and not just because she didn't belong with the popular group. In the hierarchy of high school she was clearly labeled as an art geek. But Michael and Shannon weren't your typical evil popular kids. They never really did anything outlandish or horrible to anyone. It was something that just emanated from them. It probably didn't help that she swore she could see black swirling around them at different times.

Shannon made eye contact and gave her a small smile. On the surface it looked friendly, but something lurking in her eyes made Ree swallow. How could such a little person look so scary? Shannon's smile grew, turning into something all together frightening, then she winked. At that point Michael looked at Ree and jerked his head in acknowledgment of her stare and then went back to speaking to the friends that they had brought for the concert.

She looked at the new faces in curiosity. Michael introduced them as friends, and that was all. Because Michael was on the soccer team with Paden and he mainly addressed him. When she looked around the table she was pretty sure that everyone else was happy with that set up. No one really said much about Michael, but everyone knew that Juliette couldn't stand Shannon.

As for the people with them, they weren't their normal entourage. She had never met the tall, thin guy, nor the much shorter young girl. Paden seemed to know the guy named Adam, but didn't speak to the younger girl. She was short, and average looking. The dark circles under her eyes caught Ree's attention, making her wonder if the girl was sick. She jerked every time the waitress came near, and had seemed to shrink in on her self when ever anyone addressed her directly.

“Alastriana, how is the new job going?” Shannon asked over the guys conversation. Ree growled quietly and rolled her eyes. Why did she always insist on using her full name? She would never understand why her mother had given her such an odd name. Really, what had her mother been thinking? And while Shannon's tone was friendly, she knew that she did it just to irritate her as much as possible. They were in the same grade, and had shared many classes over the years. Shannon never made an attempt to conceal that she thought she was better than everyone. Her imagined superiority was always there, waving like a banner for everyone to see. Using her full name was just another little way of saying that Ree was a weird art freak. That was all normal for Shannon but this time, her voice sounded odd, like she was attempting to hurt Ree by using her whole name. Everyone at Ree's end of the table stopped speaking and turned to look at Shannon. The air in the room seemed to thicken for just a moment, as Ree decided how to answer.

“Well, everything seems to be going well so far. The boss seems really comfortable working around my school schedule.” In fact, Sophie, had been really awesome so far. She had even insisted that Ree take the night off to go to the concert. Looking around the table briefly there were almost angry looks on her friends faces. Paden rubbed a hand over his arm, and Riana noticed that he had goosebumps.

“You don't actually work with the antiques, do you? My mother has a chair there for repair. I know she would have a fit to know that a high schooler was playing with it,” Shannon sneered.

“Don't worry Shannon. Antiques can't find better hands than Ree. I'm sure she treats everything like it is special.” Padens deep voice brokered no argument. He turned to look at her, his eyes had an odd intense quality. She gulped. “Isn't that right Ree?”

“Um, yes. Such old things deserve a lot of respect and care.” She didn't look away from his eyes. She wanted to understand what was going on in his head. But the conversation and the serious look just didn't match. She wondered if he even knew what he was thinking.

Melanie cleared her throat before asking Weylin if he was going to finish his desert. He looked at his half eaten plate, then pushed it towards his cousin. No one really looked very hungry after that odd exchange. Mel ate a few bites of the pie and then loudly proclaimed that she was stuffed. Thankfully Michael and Shannon left soon after that, apparently they had tickets for the concert as well. Bryce asked for the checks when the waitress came back, and everyone rose to go pay their bills.

Paden grabbed Ree's bill before she could even look at the total. “I asked you to come, I will pay.” Ree sighed. He was always trying to take care of her. When would he realize that she was practically an adult? She was a junior in high school, with her very own job. Just because he was a year older didn't make him any more mature.

“Really Paden, I can pay for my own dinner! Besides I'm getting a free concert out of the deal because your friend bailed on you. I should probably pay for your dinner.” She put a hand on her hip, and gave him her stubborn face.

“I don't think so Ree. I'm paying.” He flashed his lopsided grin before turning to follow the others. He turned back to look at her over his shoulder and jerked his head to signal she should follow.

She sighed and joined every one at the counter. Bryce and Juliette were standing behind Michael and Shannon waiting to settle their bill. Bryce was running his hands up and down Juliettes arms in an attempt to warm her up.

“Are you cold? Why don't you put your jacket on?” He asked her.

She shrugged. “I think I'm just standing in a draft. I got goosebumps all of a sudden.”

Shannon snickered and turned to look at Juliette.

“Jules, are you not feeling well? Maybe you are coming down with something,” she smiled like that was a joke.

“Yeah, probably a stomach virus. I suddenly feel like I might puke.” Juliette scrunched up her face and looked around the room. “Or maybe I'm just allergic the cheap perfume that I smell.” She glanced back at Shannon and sniffed loudly in her direction. “Yep, most definitely something cheap.”

Ree bit her bottom lip to keep from chuckling, knowing that Jules couldn't stand Shannon. When pushed she never could give a good reason. She said it was just natural, like rain, the sun, and Adam Sandler's jokes. She had a thing for Sandler. Which was really lucky for Bryce. There weren't very many combinations of beautiful, smart, athletic, girls that also enjoyed a good fart joke.

She looked up at Shannon and her smile froze. The short girls eyes were dark, too dark. She tilted her head towards Juliette and made a sound that was something like a quiet snarl. Jules stood her ground, bared her teeth in a weird grin, and said, “I should have known that you had escaped from a zoo.”

Michael turned around and put a hand on Shannon's shoulder. “Now, now you two. You guys really could get along if you tried, you know. I bet you have lots in common.” Shannon straightened up, and tossed her dark hair out of her face. She sniffed and turned around without saying anything.

“Yeah, only if I ate out of a dog bowl,” Jules muttered. But it was quiet and she didn't take her eyes off of Shannon. Ree was still looking at Michael, unable to look away. There was a cloud of black circling around his head. She blinked, but it didn't vanish liked she had hoped. As if drawn by her stare, he met her eyes and his mouth pulled at the corners in some form of a smile. For the third time that night, Serene sucked in air through her teeth. Michaels eyes were black. The pupils so dilated that you could not see the normal brown. He chuckled after looking at her face, and then turned back to the cashier to pay the bill. Okay, that was just freaky.

Bryce turned and looked at Ree, his eyes wide. “Holy crap. Did you see that? He had, like, black eyes or something. Do you think they are on drugs? Maybe that is why they are so weird,” he said quietly.

Michael and Shannon walked off towards the exit, his arm around her shoulders. They caught up with their friends and headed out the doors. The smaller girl turned and looked at Serene. She glared at her, her eyes flashing with something dark. Finally she smiled, stuck out her tongue, and the ran off after the others.

“What is with them?” Ree asked. “They really give me the creeps.”

“They smelled odd. Did you notice that?” Juliette said quietly.

Ree shook her head and looked towards the door where Paden was waiting. He had paid before Michael and was waiting patiently for the others to get finished. Weylin and Melanie settled their bills and they all went out to the parking lot. Melanie, Weylin, and Juliette rode in Bryce's SUV. Serene made her way to Padens Toyota Corolla, and waited for him to hit the unlock on his key ring.

“We'll see you at the Civic Center,” Paden called as he walked to the passenger side of the car. Riana raised an eyebrow in question, but he merely shurgged then held the door open for her. This was somewhat new. She didn't really know how to respond, so she bit her lip and sat down in the seat before buckling the belt. He closed the door gently behind her. She looked up at him through her window as he turned around. For just a moment he paused, looking quickly about the parking lot and then shrugging to himself. He made his way to the drivers side and reached for the handle. Again he paused, looking around the parking lot. His gaze lingered on the dark corner that Ree had watched earlier, and she felt a thrill of fear. Could he feel it too? Had he seen something? Finally he opened the door and sat down in his seat. She immediately hit the automatic lock making him look at her and smile.

“Afraid of the dark?” He asked with a quiet chuckle. But she noticed that his eyes looked a little tense, and his smile a bit strained. He put the key in the ignition to start the car.

She rolled her eyes trying to be nonchalant. “Just random muggers, vampires, and aliens.”

He laughed and turned the key to start the car.

Suddenly a violent shudder racked her body causing her teeth to chatter. Her hand gripped the handle bar on the door, her knuckles white. If the feeling of being watched in the restaurant had been intense, it did not come close to explaining the fear that coursed through her body at this moment. Something dark ran in front of the car, barely brushing the bumper before the headlights came to life.

“What the hell was that?” Paden exclaimed, looking towards the moving bushes.

Ree shook her head and did her best to slow the beating of her heart. For the first time in her life, since all of the weird things had started happening to her, she prayed that it was all her imagination. Nothing more than an overactive fantasy life. She had always wanted proof before, that she wasn't insane. But now she would be happy to know that it was only shadows just out of sight. In fact, she was pretty sure that a lot of artists were insane on some level. She took a deep breath, and tried to calm her heart. Yeah, she could work with the whole quietly insane artist thing. Padens hand touched her arm causing her to jump. She curse and looked up at him, her eyes wide.

“It's alright Ree. Probably just a bird, or something. Hell of a timing, though.” He shook his head ruefully and pulled out of the parking lot.

Thank you for taking the time to read. I hope it peaks your interest.

That Mother Writer

2011-03-04T08:30:00.000-08:00

So, I am That Mother Writer. You know what I am talking about. I am the one that chases her kid around the playground the whole time working out book scenes in her head. Or better yet, acting out the dialouge from an intense part of her book. I am That Mother Writer. The one that has the cute kid that you don't want your children to play with because then you might have to converse with me. And I just might give you parts and places to stand to help me figure something out.

I'm the woman pushing the shopping cart around the grocery store while making up stories about the other shoppers. I am the Mom that listens to mood inducing music, that goes along with the scene I am working on. Over and over, and over again. I am That Mother Writer. The one that nods her head to whatever you say, and then asks what the name "Sir Poopsmoocha" brings to your mind. I am That Mother Writer.

I have a dazed look on my face while making dinner, and I can't remember the last time I really sat down and watched television. Who is this Kardigan family that you always talk about? Do they have special powers, fur, or fangs? No? Oh. Then why would I watch it? I am That Mother Writer.

Maybe once I have my book published, and you've read it at your book club, then we can be friends. And you won't refer to me as, That Mother Writer, like it is a curse. Even if it is just a little bit.

Mortal Obligation

2011-02-28T09:08:00.000-08:00

So, I have been playing around with book titles, and have come to a decision. Mortal Obligation is the first book in a series about Alastriana. I am not sure what the series will be titled, I am still playing around with words. At this point I have an outline for a trilogy. I'd love to hear your thoughts on the title. Does it sound appealing? Or do you think it needs tweaking? I'm open to suggestions.

It feels a little ambitious to want my first book to be part of a trilogy, but hey, go big or go home! Ha! Those of you who know me, know that is totally not my normal mantra. I am a worry wart, and will be stressed about this untill I publish the third book. And then I will worry about little things like, publicity, reviews, and starting the next book. Yep, you read that right. I figure that I have, hm, maybe twelve different book ideas floating in my head at any given moment. Four of which I am very, very serious about writing. And one of those would be atleast two books, possibly more.

I managed to get 4,000 words done this weekend. That is roughly two and a half chapters. My chapters are pretty loose at this point-- Some of them are pretty clear cut, and others are a little more ambiguous. The more I write the clearer they become.

Well, I am off to write some more. My goal is to have 20,000 words done by this weekend. I know, thats a rather large number but I want to aim high for a lot of reasons. I'm just shy of 40,000 at this moment and I am wanting to double that in the next couple of weeks.

Let me know what you think of the book title, and if you have any suggestions!

Late Night Writing

2011-02-25T08:59:00.000-08:00

I stayed up rather late last night. Well, I should say that it was late for me-- midnight is well past my mother-of-a-toddler bedtime! But, the house was quiet and I was able to sit back and let the creative juices flow. It is simply amazing how much writing I was able to get done last night. 1500 words in just (as in 10 minutes) over an hour. I woke up this morning, and thought back to what I had written the night before. Suddenly I was curious as to just how much I had gotten done. So, after breakfast I came into my (newly cleaned and spiffy) office (that untill yesterday was in fact the guest room/ giant mess) and did a quick word count.

To say I was proud that I had gotten that much done, might be an understatement. 1500 words doesn't always flow that easily. I really think that it is because it was the characters themselves doing all of the work. They were alive last night, and having a serious converation. I was just engrossed in what they had to say! Hopefully I will be able to contiue this writing streak today, or rather tonight. With a toddler, there just isn't a lot of uninterrupted writing time during the day. But, I do get time to plot and plan while cleaning macarroni off the dinning room floor. Plus, she giggles and does her happy food dance when she is eating macarroni, and that is just so darn cute!

I am working on getting a better description of my book. Hopefully I will post that sometime this weekend. That way you guys will be able to understand a little better what my book is all about.

T.G.I.F everyone!

So, this is happening...

2011-02-23T13:39:00.000-08:00

It feels a little more official now-- I am writing a book! I even have my very own blog. After putting off my dreams for so many years, it feels surreal to be doing all of this. I am in talks about a cover design, and joining writers groups. I have an official author Facebook page. Now, I just need to write some more! I know that my crit partners (one who happens to be my super awesome sister, and the other a great friend), are probably wondering why I am wasting time on a blog instead of handing them more chapters. Well, I promise to get to that, I can hear my muse calling my name. But first, I want to tell everyone that is supporting me in this venture thank you. Some of you have believed in me from the begining, and others have simply supported me in anything I do. I love you guys.

Okay, I am done with the mushy stuff. I want to tell you a little bit about the book that I am working on now.

It is a Young Adult Urban Fantasy set in Savannah, Ga. Alastriana, Ree as her friends call her, has not always had an easy life. Her older brother died in a drunk driving accident a few years ago, her mother named her Alastriana (that can't be easy on any school aged kid), and her crush of two years thinks he is her surrogate older brother. But the trouble doesn't stop there, she is also seeing things that aren't real and feeling emotions that aren't hers. Just when she decides that she may be losing her mind, a man that looks like death shows up asking for her. Asking for her by name. "Give us the Alastriana."

I can't wait to share more with you. This is such an exciting time for me!