Fractured Soul + a giveaway!

I am thrilled to be a part of the blog tour for Fractured Soul, sequel to Fractured Light. Here's more info about the book from author Rachel McClellan:

About Fractured Soul (sequel to Fractured Light)

Llona will do whatever it takes to protect her new found friends and home, but the dark plot threatening Lucent Academy, a school that’s supposed to be a safe place for Auras, may be too powerful for even Llona to defeat. This fast-paced tale of love, loyalty, and overcoming the darkness will keep you on the edge of your seat until the last page!

What others are saying:

“I love these books! A kick-butt heroine and a hottie love interest, with a refreshingly original concept. Be prepared—once you start, these are hard to put down.”

—Paula Cotton, book reviewer at ReadingLark.blogspot.com

“Fractured Soul is a brilliant sequel, exceeding even the remarkable first book in the series. It will haunt your every waking moment between the times you’re reading it, and it will stay with you long after you’ve finished. It’s an amazingly well written and engrossing story that I highly recommend—after you’ve read the first one, of course.”

—Cindy Bennett, bestselling author of Geek Girl and Rapunzel Untangled

Author Bio

Rachel McClellan was born and raised in Idaho, a place secretly known for its supernatural creatures. When she's not in her writing lair, she's partying with her husband and four crazy, yet lovable, children. Rachel's love for storytelling began as a child when the moon first possessed the night. For when the lights went out, her imagination painted a whole new world. And what a scary world it was...

Find Rachel

Facebook  |   Blog   |   Website   |   Twitter   |   Goodreads  |  Book Trailer

Buy Fractured Light

Amazon   |   Barnes and Noble

Buy Fractured Soul

Amazon   |   Barnes and Noble 

And now the giveaway! One lucky winner will get an e-book copy of Fractured Soul. Just leave your name and email address in the comments and I'll randomly pick one winner. Good luck!

CassaStorm Cover Reveal!

CassaStorm by Alex J. Cavanaugh

http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/

A storm gathers across the galaxy…

Byron thought he’d put the days of battle behind him. Commanding the Cassan base on Tgren, his only struggles are occasional rogue pirate raids and endless government bureaucracies. As a galaxy-wide war encroaches upon the desert planet, Byron’s ideal life is threatened and he’s caught between the Tgrens and the Cassans.

After enemy ships attack the desert planet, Byron discovers another battle within his own family. The declaration of war between all ten races triggers nightmares in his son, shaking Bassan to the core and threatening to destroy the boy’s mind.

Meanwhile the ancient alien ship is transmitting a code that might signal the end of all life in the galaxy. And the mysterious probe that almost destroyed Tgren twenty years ago could be on its way back. As his world begins to crumble, Byron suspects a connection. The storm is about to break, and Byron is caught in the middle…

Release date: September 17, 2013

Science Fiction - Space Opera/Adventure

Print ISBN 9781939844002

E-book ISBN 9781939844019

Doesn't it look awesome? Congrats Alex!

News in the Random

* This is how I spent my Tuesday this week:

I think I've blown up my last balloon for a while, and I'm ready for a looong nap, but it was a great party and worth all the prep. :)

* In case you missed it, my good friend and CP Kathryn Purdie recently signed with Josh Adams of Adams Literary. You can read her inspiring story here. Yay! I'm so thrilled for her.

* PIECES by Michelle Davidson Argyle came out on Valentine's Day. Guys, I loved this book. You can find out more and how to purchase here.

* Speaking of books I love...remember my last post on SHATTER ME author Tahereh Mafi? Well, I found out she's here in town tomorrow to speak and sign books with Ransom Riggs (MISS PEREGRINE'S HOME FOR PECULIAR CHILDREN). I can't make it, but if you go, tell me EVERYTHING. :)

* My CP Taryn Albright is having a massive giveaway all week with new items to win each day in honor of her birthday this Friday...she's finally leaving the realm of the teenager. :) Check out all the cool offerings on her blog.

* This was delivered to my door yesterday:

I LOVE fresh flowers. I'm the weirdy that buys them at the grocery store for my dining table just because. This beauty, though, was from my husband and was such a nice surprise. He is THE BEST. :)

* WINNERS!!! Thanks to those of you who commented on my Favorite Things post. I promised to choose my favorite three comments. Here are the lucky winners:

Kathryn who said one of her favorite things is ME. Haha. Except I know she already has a TRANSPARENT bookmark, so I'm demoting her to honorable mention and will think of something else to give her. :)

Suzi who shared a Nutella Smores recipe. Um, yes please.

Jaybird who named all of MY favorite things--I could have written her comment...especially chilling at the beach, people watching, and The Killers. :)

Tonja mentioned a fluffy blanket under a crackling fire. Considering the cold we've had in my part of the country lately, that sounded sooo nice.

Winners please email me your address at ilimatodd AT gmail DOT com, I will send you a bonafide Transparent bookmark (and maybe another goodie or two). :)

* Come back to the blog on Friday for a cover reveal and on Sunday for a book review AND giveaway!

Do you have any random news? Feel free to share in the comments. Ready for even more random? Here's an awesome song but random video of all the things you shouldn't do in a pretty white dress. :)

Promoting Your Book

UNRAVEL ME, the second book in the SHATTER ME trilogy, came out a couple of weeks ago. I haven't read it yet, so no spoilers please. Not if you want to live. Just saying.

I recently came across some promotional videos from author Tahereh Mafi that I LOVE. It makes me want to do something cool and original to promote my books. You know, when I like, have a book to promote and stuff.

Anything unique you have done or want to do to promote your book so I can steal admire your idea? And if you've read SHATTER ME, tell me...are you Team Adam or Team Warner?

Happy Valentines Day!

Pick up a good romance novel and enjoy it today. I think I'm gonna go with some Lola and that yummy Boy Next Door. And I give you permission to eat chocolate. Lots and lots of chocolate. Hopefully while reading your romance of choice.

What's your favorite romance novel?

This one's dedicated to my husband, because his love is better than chocolate. In fact, it's better than anything else that I've tried. ;)

Ilima's Favorite Things

I'm gonna go totally Oprah today and share some of my current favorite things.

Warm Bodies. It's been out just over a week and I've already seen it twice. That's how much I love this movie that poses as a zombie film but is really a chick flick. I laughed a lot, swooned over Nicholas Hoult, and reveled in the amazing music. Go and watch it.

Title To Come. Because we writers need another distraction online to keep us from actually writing. Check it out here.

Smooth Dining Table. Tabletops with a million grooves in the surface should not exist. Ever. Most especially if you have small children--the clean-up is a nightmare. Which is why we gave ours away and now I'm crushing on my new smooth one. *bliss*

Nutella. Preferably straight from the bottle with a plastic spoon. Because who needs dirty dishes?

Transparent. I got to read this ARC from the amazing Natalie Whipple. Pitched as X-Men meets The Godfather. Um, yes please. It was as awesome as it sounds. Add it to your TBR pile. It comes out 5/21. And in case you missed it last week, here is Natalie showing off her awesome dance moves--PSY style.

Liquid Chalk. It makes the chalkboard in my writing room so pretty with inspirational quotes...or what we're having for dinner.

Amazon Prime. 'Nuff said.

Birdy. I don't normally like covers of songs I like, but this 15-year-old musical genius blows me away with her amazing covers. Just, wow.

What are some of your favorite things? Let me know in the comments, and the three people to blow me away with their genius will get a genuine Transparent bookmark. See? I'm totally like Oprah.

Really, Mom?

One day about a year ago I was driving in my car and this new song came on that I really liked. I looked to the handy dandy display on my car's radio where it tells me who's singing and it read: COLDPLAY FEAT RIHANNA. When I got home, I told my daughter (13 y.o.) about this cool new song from Coldplay (she's a fan) and Rihanna and some group named Feat. Yeah. I really want to be kidding, but I'm not.

Of course she didn't miss a beat, rolled her eyes, and said, "Really, Mom?"

Doesn't she look thrilled to be taking a picture with me?

A number of months ago one of my CP's told the rest of our group about this cool new slang the kids were using these days: toads. Like as in short for "totally". Ex: I am toads going to finish my book today because I am toads amazing. Trendy writers for teens as we were, we started using said new word everywhere, including online. Then the teen CP of our group who shall not be named finally emailed us and said, "Guys, it's totes, not toads." Yep.

Glutton for punishment that I was, I told my daughter about it. Eyes=rolled. "Really, Mom?"

I never thought I'd be the embarrassing mom, you know? The one that dances awkwardly in the car to a song she loves, wears a Jacob t-shirt to the latest Twilight movie, posts embarrassing pictures of her kids on her blog...wait. Um.

So when my daughter's BFF came over after school and said my daughter told everyone at school about FEAT and TOADS, I thought--maybe I'm not embarrassing her after all. Then the BFF said she couldn't stop laughing all day long about it.

Hmm.

That's okay. I may not be the coolest mom in the world, but I'm me, and that's what counts, right?

Maybe if my radio shortened "featuring" to "ft." like this youtube video title, I wouldn't have been so clueless. Or would I have wondered why there was a unit of measure involved in this song? Why'd  you have to go and throw water on my flame?

Overcoming Adversity

You know who's overcoming adversity? Andrew. 

Andrew has cerebral palsy. As if his physical challenges aren't enough, Andrew and his family are petitioning the Scottish government to build a college in Scotland for young people with complex needs. And in the mean time, Andrew will be going out of country for college to pursue his interest in film editing. How amazing is he, right?

His step-father, Nick, has put together this bloghop to feature short writing pieces about overcoming adversity for something you believe in, whether it be from your life, fiction, or even poetry. Entries will be compiled into an anthology with all proceeds going to Andrew's fund.

How could I resist supporting such a great cause? Here's a short fiction piece I wrote for the bloghop about making sacrifices for what's most important. I hope you enjoy it.

You can find out more about Andrew on his facebook page. 

A Very Important Date

I glance at the clock on the microwave and jump in surprise. Oh no, I’m going to be late. I carefully place the dough in a bowl and cover it with a cloth, then try to peel off the sticky stuff from my fingers at the sink. The counter is covered in flour from my kneading, but that mess is going to have to wait.

I run to my bedroom, a trail of clothes falling behind me as I undress on the move. I flip through the clothes hanging in my closet and settle on a knee-length sundress that matches the blue specks in my eyes. It’s a little wrinkled, but it will have to do.

After slipping into a pair of heels I rarely wear, I hobble to the bathroom mirror, trying to convince myself it’s the right pair for today. With pearls on my neck and wrists, I glance at the mirror and scoff. Adding a wide-brimmed hat on my head, I hope it hides the tangled mess that is my hair. With a quick dash of bright red on my lips, I nod at my reflection. I’m ready.

As I rush out of my room and through the hallway, I can’t help but spy the pile of bills on my entry table, the hamper overflowing with laundry, and the stack of dishes in the sink. I pause at the top of the stairs as the phone rings, then shake my head, ignoring it. Kicking toys to the side as I descend the stairs, I smooth my dress down and walk out the sliding glass doors in the back of the house. The sun is bright, and I duck my head, grateful for the shade of my hat.

I find her immediately, sitting at the bright yellow table, beautiful as always. I slow as I approach her, my smile widening as she glances up at me with a cheery greeting.

“Good afternoon, Mommy.” She lifts her six-year-old chin and motions to a chair beside her, indicating I should sit.

“Thank you, Miss Elizabeth.” I take my seat and smooth my napkin across my lap as she pours imaginary tea into our glasses. “You are looking quite lovely today.”

“Why, thank you,” she says, then nods to the teddy bear and baby doll seated to her right. “We are all so glad you could join us. I hope we haven’t inconvenienced you,” she says, waving a hand in the air. “I do so look forward to our afternoon tea.”

As our glasses clink and I bring the empty cup to my mouth for a sip, I can’t help but smile, knowing there’s no other place I need, or want, to be.



A little birdie told me Andrew loves Pink Floyd, so today I'll leave you with one my favs that I think is fitting for today's post. No more turning away...