Book Review Thursday: Rape Girl

Rape Girl by Alina Klein
Genre: Contemporary
Publishing Date: August 15, 2012
First heard of: Goodreads and Netgalley
Purchase: N/A
Source: Netgalley (e-book)

Summary on Goodreads: Valerie always wanted to be the smart girl. The pretty girl. The popular girl.

But not the rape girl.

That’s who she is now. Rape Girl. Because everyone seems to think they know the truth about what happened with Adam that day, and they don’t think Valerie’s telling it.

Before, she had a best friend, a crush, and a close-knit family. After, she has a court case, a support group, and a house full of strangers.

The real truth is, nothing will ever be the same.

Rape Girl is the compelling story of a survivor who does the right thing and suffers for it. It is also the story of a young woman’s struggle to find the strength to fight back


Review

Valeria at the start of this novel is a typical teenager who has a party when no parents are around. But things take a drastic turn when it ends not in the popularity and fun increase she wanted but instead filing a rape charge against popular high school boy Adam. She goes from average to zero fast and the struggle to stay afloat as people turn on you and your family starts falling apart is a big part of what makes this story so great, sad and real.

Before, she had a best friend, a crush, and a close-knit family. After, she has a court case, a support group, and a house full of strangers.

This one line sums up a lot of what happens in the book yet doesn't cover half of it. This isn't to be cryptic. This novel has several twists and turns as Valerie struggles to come to terms with what happened. As vicious rumours swirl around her a saviour comes in the form of a girl with a pick up truck and a chance to be a part of school life despite being 'rape girl' instead of Valerie. The consequences of alcohol and late partying without supervision are covered in a way that isn't preachy or self serving. This novel is both a touching story and strong warning against rushing into adult things too early and also about forgiveness and doing the right thing despite the social consequences.

I am so happy I chose this book and thank the publisher for accepting my request to read it. I plan to purchase the actual book when it comes out. Yes even after I've already read it. It's that beautiful and I believe there's not enough support out there sometimes for books dealing with real issues. Especially those faced by teens and young women.

Rating: 5 Stars and a handshake to the author

Author: Alina Klein


Next week's book: Sumo by Thien Pham

I'm on Falling For Fiction!!!

Today the prologue for one of my w.i.p.s is on Falling For Fiction. It's Circa and I have also created a page for it at the top of my blog. Today is Book Review Thursday but something went wrong and blogger (and the library computer ate my review. So I have to rewrite it and post it tonight. Sigh. Oh and I'm starting Bunowrimo tomorrow. Wish me luck.

Waiting on Wednesday: Shift by Kim Curran

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine and spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Publication: September 4, 2012.

Summary on Goodreads: When your average, 16-year old loser, Scott Tyler, meets the beautiful and mysterious Aubrey Jones, he learns he's not so average after all. He's a 'Shifter'. And that means he has the power to undo any decision he's ever made. At first, he thinks the power to shift is pretty cool. But as his world starts to unravel around him he realises that each time he uses his power, it has consequences; terrible unforeseen consequences. Shifting is going to get him killed. In a world where everything can change with a thought, Scott has to decide where he stands.

Shift

Sacrifice Her: A look inside

Please Note: There is an exclusive treat of a character interview with Veronica Hatfield. She is one of two teens to be sacrificed in The Choice (book 2). Click here for interview and more on The Sacrifice Series and info and dates of upcoming interviews with Deidra and Lord Brinn.

Sacrifice Her is book one in my young adult dystopia series. The M.C. is Deirdra Moore who escapes being sacrificed and runs off into the desert outside her city's walls. A teenager who doesn't believe in the gods that most of her people do. She sees her act as self-preservation against a crazy regime.

This novella main antagonist is Lord Brinn who is the leader of Faux and charged with the job of ruling his city and ensuring the God of Gore gets his sacrifice every month in exchange for divine protection. In their world you couldn't survive without divine protection. If you weren't some wanderer in the deserts, you'd be slaves to random gods and creatures much stringer than man. That's what has been believed forever. The ones who don't believe are in the minority.

Deidra is of middle class when she is chosen to be sacrificed. As a teenager this turns her life upside down. She was meant for a different life than this. Her escape leaves her with only the vast desert and freedom. Neither of which she can see the other side of.

Stock photo picture I'll be using for Deidra.

NOTE: Plans have changed since for Deidra cover. I won't be using the stock photo that used to be here so I have removed it in respect of the creator's copyright. Since I won't be using it (and of course that means not paying for it), I have removed it to prevent any negative blood with it's creator.

Kale is a wanderer she meets while on the run. He sees the world as curropt and that staying unattached is how he has remained free all this time. How will Deidra's presence change that? You have to wait for the August 2012 release to find out.

God of Gore is the God that is supposedly protecting Faux from being taken over and destroyed by outside forces. His price is human sacrifices. When Deidra runs Lord Brinn is charged with bringing her back or face certain destruction.

There you have it readers. A look inside Sacrifice Her. My debut novel coming out as an ebook August 2012. Thank you for reading.

Character Interview: Jessica from The Choice (Book 2 in The Sacrifice Series)

I sit behind a desk paper in hand. Today I'll be interviewing Jessica Hatfield. Jessica is one of two major protagonist (and M.C.) in The Choice book 2 in The Sacrifice Series. While the novella has an October/November release date. I just had the urge to do an interview with her now. June 6, I'll be doing an interview with Joseph Rowe, the other protagonist in this book. Saturday May 26 will be dedicated to a look inside of Sacrifice Her (book 1) and interviews with protagonist Deidra and antagonist Lord Brinn will be done June 8, 2012. This novella has an August release date . 


I clear my head and straighten my red top. I know Jessica is into fashion and want to look my best. I'm wearing  a red top, black skirt and black shoes. My raven coloured hair is in a high ponytail.

(Knock on Door)

Me: Come in.

The door opens and in enters a blonde teenager. She smiles showing perfect white teeth. She shyly closes the door and walks over. Her outfit is glamorous. A silky sapphire dress down to her ankles with sparkles of diamonds everywhere that compliments her white skin. I notice a peek of high heeled blue shoes and her blonde hair is done up in a sophisticated bun. Her make up and blue nail polish is flawless. Her blue eyes meet my brown as she sits and I smile.

Jessica: Good Morning.

Me: Hi, did you get escorted over alright?

Jessica: Escorted sounds so rigid. The guards and I are great friends. They're here for my protection, really.

Me: Well they're willing to wait outside the door so they must trust us.

Jessica: Chance City provides for us all. It's an honour to give up my life to keep such privileged ongoing for others.

Me: Yes. My first question. How did you come to be chosen?

Jessica: I was picked from birth. Women volunteer and the Chancellor picked a lucky few.

Me: Do you ever worry about dying at fifteen? So young?

Jessica: Knowing you have fifteen years makes it seem a lot longer. I've lived a life of luxury in exchange for my life at fifteen. I was born into this but I chose to do it.

Me: Do you know about those who refuse?

Jessica: (face flares) Traitors (comes out in a hiss, her fists clench and face contorts).

Me: (leans back) I'll skip the next question? Do you need a moment?

Jessica: Sorry, it just makes me so mad. Do you know some wait for the very day then kill themselves? So sick. Just say no and go off to the wastelands already.

Me: Do you think they all deserve that? Sorry, that's not on my interview sheet.

Jessica: That's ok. No but that rule came into effect after repeated rebellion from families hoping to get their relation back. When the hope was completely removed, the rebellion almost completely died down. The decision was done out of necessity, for balance.

Me: I was sad that as young as age six can be banished to the wastelands if they decide not to be a sacrifice.  I think they should at least have more time. But that's my opinion.

Jessica: And I can respect that. You live in a very different world. I like your ponytail.

Me: (blushes) Thanks. What do you think you'd do if you were allowed to grow up and have a job?

Jessica: I used to think about that when I was little. (Giggles) I wanted to be a consultant on what wives of top officials wear. If not I'd still like to work in a job that involves clothes and fashion.

Me: In my world you'd probably be a fashion designer. Celebrities would be the most fun in my opinion.

Jessica: What's a celebrity?

Me: Umm...probably someone like your chancellor but without the politics.

Jessica: Sounds exciting. May I ask you a question? Two?

Me: (Recalling the contract I signed to get this interview) Sure?

Jessica: First, not to offend...but what colour are you?

Me: I'm black, also dark-skinned or dark brown. Depending on the preference of the individual labeling me.

Jessica: Oh, everyone is one colour in Chance City. I think it's caucasian around here.

Me: Yes it is. Your next question?

Jessica: (Face brightens) Do you eat candy?

Me: Yes. Why...no, no, I was strictly told...

Jessica: Please? I'm not allowed because I get cavities easily and we have limited medical facilities. (She does a quivering lip on me) I only have a short time left.

Me: Ugh fine. (I fish chocolate out my pocket) I only eat plain chocolate so if...

(Jessica grabs it and eats it delicately. She pops in strawberry Listerine strips afterwards)

Me: Wow you really planned that out.

Jessica: Oh no, a girl at the food supply store was handing out some of these. Said it freshens your breath.

Me: You mean the supermarket?

Jessica: Oh yeah, confusing name. The chancellor allowed a short tour. Not that I can buy anything.

Me: (Digs into my pocket) Knock yourself out. I was told one of the guards understands the currency here.

Jessica: (Takes the money) Yay!!

Me: Only three questions left. What is a typical day like for you?

Jessica: I think I can reveal a typical Monday. I'm awaken by my lady servant Anna and led to my bath, then I meditate and at around 8:00 a.m. I have breakfast of blue berries, honey and toast with lemonade tea. I go to classes and at lunch I have two slices of meat pie and chilled water, then I get to do my own sessions in which I look over the latest fashions and before dinner I recite our pledges as sacrifices and then eat whatever is prepared. Then I meet privately with a special guest and before bed get a dessert of milk, strawberries and whipped cream, really rare.

Me: Oh. That's great. Have you been the Revelation Ball yet?

Jessica: No that's about a month away. After we're shown to the public we have a week before we sacrifice ourselves.

Me: Final Question. Do you want to do this? And what do you have to say to those who feel you're manipulated.

Jessica: First off yes, I've made my choice to do this. And if this were manipulation why have rejections been  made public record? Wouldn't it be better to hide it? And if there was no choice, no one would be going off to the wastelands.

Me: Thank you Jessica for this honest and lovely interview. I will miss you but respect your right to decide.

Jessica: I will miss you too Sheena-kay. Goodbye. (She curtsies then leaves).

I get up to go when a guard peeks in. I smile at the stern faced man and nod. He closes the door. My hands shakes slightly as I turn off the tape recorder in my pocket.

My Entry for the 2nd Annual Flash Fiction Blogfest

The Lightning flashed blogfest will be held between Monday May 21 to Wednesay May 23. Cherie is hosting.

My entry: Flash Fiction

Word Count: 299 (minus Title)

Hope During the Storm

Lightning flashed. I peeked out my window at the rising water. Today was supposed to be a fun time at the beach. Instead I'm cooped up at home wondering if our 'wood shed' of a house can keep the water out long. Theresa had offered I stay at her house. A solid victorian style structure. But no I decided to go home because I wanted to be with my mother during a storm watch.

"Brenda," my mom slurred, "what's that racket?"

I kicked away empty vodka bottles as I left the window. "It's rain mom, a storm."

"But wasn't it supposed...oh my head."

"Yeah but it did some freak turn and hit us." I wasn't exactly a weather woman.

A window broke and air rushed in. My mother shrieked as I pulled her into our bedroom. We were going to die here. Two dumb squatters. QAt least I wouldn't have to show up for school. Trig tests are murder.

"Baby, I'm sorry," mom said, "I know you came back because of me."

My throat swelled. It was true and now we'd die together. So much for me proving I was better than white trash. Here I go dying after getting a full scholarship for high school.

Suddenly there was a rap on the door. Then something hard hit it and we both screamed. When a figure showed up outside our door we nearly died on the bed.

"Brenda, Amy....I mean Miss Dewberry?" a voice asked.

I recognized the voice as Joshua. Theresea's Down Syndrome uncle. He was like any typical adult with the condition except he didn't let it stop him from being a storm chaser. Then I remembered.

"You're in your Weather Chaser aren't you?" I hoped.

"Yeah, come on," he said hurrying us out.

So my mom and I ran out the door and into the RV of our canary coloured saviour. As soon as we were all in Joshua pulled off the hood of his rancoat and drive off.

"How did you find us?" my mother asked.

""Theresa wanted to go check on you but my sister wouldn't let her go near a door," he said, "so I snuck out and used my GPS."

"That was very smart of you," I said hearing how accomplished he felt.

"It was nothing."

My mother and I clutched to each other under a blanket. It was everything to us.

I'm joining the 2nd Annual Flash Fiction Blogfest

Yes I have signed on for another blogfest. This time it's a three day flash fiction writing fete where I and at least 32 others will be posting for both fun and prizes. This blogfest is hosted by Cherie Reich and for more information click here or read below. See you guys on monday.

From Cherie's Blog:

Last year in May, I hosted a Flash Fiction Blogfest. It was so much fun hopping to people's blogs and reading their flash fiction, so I decided to host it again this year.

Here are the rules:

1. Entries must begin with the two words: Lightning flashed.

2. Entries must be 300 words or less and be in prose. I'm not versed enough in poetry verse to judge it properly.

3. Entries must be posted on your blog between May 21 - 23.

4. You must sign up in the linky below to have your entry be counted.

On May 25, I will announce the six finalists and open voting through May 28th.

On May 29th, my third year blogversary, I will announce the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners as well as a random winner selected from the participants list. All ties will be broken by Random.org.

Now what are the prizes?

First place - $25 gift card from Amazon

Second place - $20 gift card from Amazon

Third place - $15 gift card from Amazon

Random prize - $10 gift card from Amazon

If the winner prefers an alternate gift of equal value, I'm good with that. Contest in open internationally.

If you have any questions, please ask in the comments.

So sign up for the blogfest below. *smiles*

This is a Blog Hop!

Book Review Thursday: Lullaby (A Novella)

Lullaby (a novella) by Jane Orcutt         
Genre: Christian fiction
Published: February 26, 2002
Source: Bought from Logos, a christian ship.
First heard of: When I saw it on Logos
Purchase: Amazon

Summary from Goodreads: Merrilee wants only the best for the child she cannot keep. Nora dreams of being a mother to a child of her own. "Lullaby" is a tender story of a courageous teenage girl and a woman who longs for a baby. A stirring novella that explores the depths of a mother's love. Perfect for gift giving at Mother's Day.

Review: This novella is beautiful beyond words. I was still in high school when I got this and I rate it up with other highly acclaimed novels. Jane created a world and characters that you feel for and get attached to from the get go. From Merrilee's tough choice of giving up her baby and Nora's struggle to adopt a baby along with her husband. The big climax brings a whole new spin on this story and the powerful measure of God's love and mercy is deeply felt. Teen pregnancy is a big issue today and this book is really an eye opener not only on a teen left to make a big decision on her own but the grown women who struggle to have a child then have to go through the tough business called adoption agencies. Merrilee and Nora bring these voices forth respectively and Nora's husband Steven has his role to play no matter how small compared to the females. The fact that this is a novella and not a novel only enhances Jane's work. It's not the word count that makes a book great, it's the quality and the strength of the story itself. A book for everyone no matter your moral beliefs or religion.


Rating: 5 Stars

Author: Jane Orcutt

Waiting on Wednesday: Rape Girl by Alina Klein

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine and spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Publication: August 15, 2012.

Summary from Goodreads: Valerie always wanted to be the smart girl. The pretty girl. The popular girl.

But not the rape girl.

That’s who she is now. Rape Girl. Because everyone seems to think they know the truth about what happened with Adam that day, and they don’t think Valerie’s telling it.

Before, she had a best friend, a crush, and a close-knit family. After, she has a court case, a support group, and a house full of strangers.

The real truth is, nothing will ever be the same.

Rape Girl is the compelling story of a survivor who does the right thing and suffers for it. It is also the story of a young woman’s struggle to find the strength to fight back.

I got this book off netgalley over the weekend and I'm excited to read it. So I decided to post about it this week instead of my pre-planned book. Haven't started it since I just joined Netgalley but I'm excited by the summary and story line. Doing the right thing in worst case scenarios are hard. And rape is pretty much one of the hardest. Hope you readers get interested like I did.

Hi Everyone!

Hey it's me. Just saying hey and letting everyone know I'll complete my fist draft of Sacrifice Her soon. Then I'll gather CPs to help me look at it more closely. Toodles!

Yay NetGalley!!

I joined netgalley this week and already have several stories available for review. I am so excited!

The list includes:

1. The Booby Trap by Anne Browning Walker

2. Sara by Greg Herren

3. Samtha Moon by J.R. Rain

4. Rape Girl by Alina Klein

I plan to read Rape Girl first. This is so exciting! I plan to review each one after I'm completed. Look out for reviews!

Movie to see on Cable: Attack The Block

From the producers of Shaun of the Dead, ATTACK THE BLOCK is a fast, funny, frightening action adventure movie that pits a teen street gang against an invasion of savage alien monsters. It turns a London housing project into a sci-fi battleground, the low-income apartment complex into a fortress under siege. And it turns a crazy mix of tough street kids into a team of kick ass heroes. It’s inner city versus outer space and it’s going to explode.

My Opinion: I saw this movie on Starz in March and loved it. It has among the most realistic reactions to an alien invasion I've ever seen. And from the nurse who got mugged to the gang kids who turn from thieves to protectors this film will have you watching til the end.

Books to Come: Shadowfell by Juliet Marillier

Book: Shadowfell by Juliet Marillier
Publish Date: September 11, 2012

Summary: Its name is spoken only in whispers, if the people of Alban dare to speak it at all: Shadowfell. The training ground for rebels seeking to free their land from the grip of the tyrannical king is so shrouded in mystery that most believe it to be a myth.

But for Neryn, Shadowfell's existence is her only hope. She is penniless, orphaned, and utterly alone - and concealing a treacherous magical power that will warrant her immediate enslavement should it be revealed. She finds hope of allies in the Good Folk, fey beings whom she must pretend she cannot see and who taunt her with chatter of prophecies and tests, and in a striking, mysterious stranger, who saves her from certain death but whose motives remain unclear. She knows she should not trust anyone with her plans, but something within her longs to confide in him.

Will Neryn be forced to make the dangerous journey alone? She must reach Shadowfell, not only to avenge her family and salvage her own life, but to rescue Alban itself.

This first novel in a new trilogy from enchanting fantasy author Juliet Marillier is a captivating tale of peril, courage, romance, and survival

Book Review Thursday: The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner: An Eclipse Novella

The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner: An Eclipse Novella    
Genre:
Published: June 5, 2010
Source: Bought at Barnes and Noble
First heard of: Online, Me being a fan of Twilight series
Purchase: Barnes and Noble, Amazon











Summary from Barnes and Noble:

Fans of The Twilight Saga will be enthralled by this riveting story of Bree Tanner, a character first introduced in Eclipse, and the darker side of the newborn vampire world she inhabits. In another irresistible combination of danger, mystery, and romance, Stephenie Meyer tells the devastating story of Bree and the newborn army as they prepare to close in on Bella Swan and the Cullens, following their encounter to its unforgettable conclusion.

Review: Bree Tanner is a charcter both to be mystified by and to pity. Those who are familiar with the Twilight series know how this story will end. But this novella shines in the how, leadup and why. In this novella we also meet up with other characters including Diego the other vampire in this army made to fight the Cullen vampire clan. She falls for him and both want to find out more about life on the outside as well as the vampire who created them but is only known as 'her'. As secrets are revealed and Bree gets closer to another vampire named Fred things become more dangeruous. I love this novella because it drew me in and had me reading straight to the end. The characters are captivating and the story is compelling. Another great work by Stehenie Meyer.

Now here's the bad news. Not a big faux pau but the issue with this novella is also the fact that those familiar with the Twilight series know how it ends. This makes us including myself a little more interested in the surrounding elements in some parts of the novel than Bree. Fred took a lot of shine from Bree both because he's not well known and all his short appearances in the book carry deeper meanings. A minor character should compliment not outshine the main character and that is how this book fails. But it is a small failure and should in no way keep you from buying this book if you're interested in vampires of the 'Stephenie Meyer' variety. Carpenter vampires they are not.

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

For more on the novel: Goodreads, Bree Tanner

Stephenie Meyer's Site: StephenieMeyer.com

Author Stephenie Meyer

Waiting on Wednesday: Undeadly

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine and spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Publication Date: November 20, 2012

Summary on Goodreads: The day I turned 16, my boyfriend-to-be died. I brought him back to life. Then things got a little weird...

Molly Bartolucci wants to blend in, date hottie Rick and keep her zombie-raising abilities on the down-low. Then the god Anubis chooses her to become a reaper—and she accidentally undoes the work of another reaper, Rath.

Within days, she’s shipped off to the Nekyia Academy, an elite school that trains the best necromancers in the world. And her personal reaping tutor? Rath. Who seems to hate her guts.

Rath will be watching closely to be sure she completes her first assignment-reaping Rick, the boy who should have died. The boy she still wants to be with.

To make matters worse, students at the academy start turning up catatonic, and accusations fly—against Molly. The only way out of this mess? To go through hell. Literally


The premise caught my attention. It must be hard for Molly to not only learn to control her powers. But also dealing with being forced to undo resurecting Rick, the guy she wants to be with. Personally I'd tell that Academy to 'suck it.' Yeah, I wrote that. Can't wait for it to come. My birthday is November 29. Nothing to do with W.O.W. Just giddy about this book.

Book Teaser: Divergent by Veronica Roth

Book Teaser. Pick a random page of a novel you've read and post one intriguing paragraph.

Teaser: My eyes burn, and it's not artifice, unlike the wincing. I believe Tori's warning now. Pter, Drew and Al were ready to throw me into the chasm out of jealousy - what is so unbelievable abut the Dauntless leaders committing murder?


Summary:

In a future Chicago, 16-year-old Beatrice Prior must choose among five predetermined factions to define her identity for the rest of her life, a decision made more difficult when she discovers that she is an anomaly who does not fit into any one group, and that the society she lives in is not perfect after all.

I read this book in December and fell in love with. The sequel is out now and I plan to read it as well.

Giveaway from fellow Blogger : The Glimpse by Claire Merle

Go to Pages from my Thoughts for a chance to win The Glimpse  by Claire Merle.

The Giveaway is opened internationally to any country. You just have to enter via Rafflecopter widget below the post. This Giveaway is Internationally Open, Good Luck :)
Giveaway Opened : Internationally to any country
Date of Enter : 01/05/2012 to 25/05/2012
Winner Announcement : 26/05/2012 on Announcement section. Winner will be notified withing 48 hours by email

Book Blurb : Once you've seen into the future, can you change your destiny?

In a near future, society is segregated according to whether people are genetically disposed to mental illness. 17-year-old Ana has been living the privileged life of a Pure due to an error in her DNA test. When the authorities find out, she faces banishment from her safe Community, a fate only thwarted by the fact that she has already been promised to Pure-boy Jasper Taurell.

Jasper is from a rich and influential family and despite Ana’s condition, wants to be with her. The authorities grant Ana a tentative reprieve. If she is joined to Jasper before her 18th birthday, she may stay in the Community until her illness manifests. But if Jasper changes his mind, she will be cast out among the Crazies. As Ana’s joining ceremony and her birthday loom closer, she dares to hope she will be saved from the horror of the City and live a ‘normal’ life. But then Jasper disappears.

Led to believe Jasper has been taken by a strange sect the authorities will not intefere with, Ana sneaks out of her well-guarded Community to find him herself. Her search takes her through the underbelly of society and into the pits of the human soul. And as she delves deeper into the mystery of Jasper's abduction she uncovers some devastating truths that destroy everything she has grown up to believe, but she also learns to love as she has never loved before.

Rachael Becoming Red Shelved, Other Works to be Released

I have reached a decision. Rachael Becoming Red will be shelved for a complete overhaul of the Red Series. This was a tough decision for me. I had made a facebook page, done promotion and even had two authors of their own books declare excitement to me personally and place as to-read on Goodreads. But I knew it was the right decision. As much as I wanted to release it, I began to realize there were a lot of issues relating to plot holes, story line, poor plot lines and other problems. The book was too 'historical' of Rachel's life before becoming an agent of the T.O.

Originally I was going to start with her in T.O. as a teen. But I decided after starting that book to make it book two. Wanting to do an actual book one before she was an agent. While it started well I belkieve I fell into the trap of trying to be different and not remembering my audience. A few misgivings went ignored but as the release day came at hand, I knew the truth. This book wasn't going to be ready for release. In fact it needed to be axed from the series itself. So after grappling with it I decided to axe the release and shelve the series until late 2013, early 2014. I have other novels to focus on and 2013 will be when I plan to start querying Circa and Lyric World if they're ready.

My focus will now be on three other works set to be self published this year. The Sacrifice Series that came to me early this year is going well and I plan to publish the first two novellas in 2012 as ebooks. Click here to find out more. The next book is Snow, a novel set in my home country Jamaica. It's a contemporary version of Snow White with Samantha a.k.a. Snow hating her father and doing everything possible to make him and his step-family miserable. This novel is coming out in November as both paperback and ebook. Will post more about it in the coming months.

Life as a writer was never meant to be easy. Looking at my cover for Rachael is hard. I feel that I put all this work in just to shelve the book. But I know it's the right decision. It will be a much better series when it comes out late next year earliest. I wanted to post about this earlier but computer issues, nerves and other things held me back. Thank you for reading and I hope you continue to follow me on my writing and blogging journey. Special thanks to all my dedicated and ongoing followers and commenters. Hi to all new ones.

Goodnight.

Waiting on Wednesday: Wake: Watersong #1

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine and spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Summary on Amamda's Blog: Beautiful. Fearless. Dangerous. They're the kind of girls you envy; the kind of girls you want to hate. Strangers in town for the summer, Penn, Thea, and Lexi have caught everyone's attention, including the eye of practical Harper. But it's her sister, Gemma, they've chosen to be part of their group.

Sixteen-year-old Gemma seems to have it all - carefree, pretty, and falling in love with the boy next door. But her greatest passion has always been the water. She craves late night swims under the stars, where she can be alone yet belong to the sea. Lately she's had company. Penn, Thea, and Lexi spend their nights dancing, singing, and partying on the cove--and one night Gemma joins them. When she wakes up groggy on the beach the next morning, she knows something has changed.

Suddenly Gemma is stronger, faster, and more beautiful than ever. As she uncovers the truth about her new mythical powers, Gemma is forced to choose between staying with those she loves or entering a dark world brimming with unimaginable secrets.

Wake is being released with St. Martin's in North America and her sister Pan Macmillan internationally. It will be published August 2012.

I love Amanda Hocking's novels. Personally I can't wait for this book to come out. She is an amazing writer.