Author Cheri Schmidt: fairies

Showing posts with label fairies. Show all posts

Spring Reading Sale! This is your chance to get Fractured for half off!

Monday, April 22, 2013

If you read Fateful and have been waiting to snatch up the next two books in the trilogy,

this is your chance!!!

(Click on the images below to buy from Amazon.)

And remember that Fateful is FREE!!!

Review by http:The Library Mouse one of my favorite UK readers:

This review is of the entire series and does contain spoilers.

Read on if you're just too curious to mind...

The Fateful series was what I can only describe as a beautifully sweet vampire tale narrated using the style of Jane Austen.

Set in the present day, Danielle isn't your usual main female character. She's not a tomboy trying to act tough, she's not an antisocial creature because she's peculiar in some unexpected way and she hasn't got a personality that sets her apart from the usual crowd. Danielle is a regular girly girl. She doesn't do blood, gore, violence, injuries or dead bodies (undead or otherwise). It almost felt like she had been literature-transplanted out of a Jane Auste novel and into modern day time with a couple of upgrades. With a penchant for wearing skirts and dresses, a fondness for pastel colours and a rather strong artistic streak for painting scenery; Danielle was a typical girl and not what most recent heroines are like. Her parents were so concerned with her fragility and female defenselessness that they insisted she have karate lessons, to the extent that when we meet her she is a lethal-when-necessary black belt. The good this will do her, in the paranormal world she is rudely awakened to, I'm not sure of.

The combination of strength and weakness in this character was complex and forever changing depending on the perceived angle, forcing me to stop and reflect several times. The fact that she was able to defend herself in our reality, but that when put into the context of a paranormal one she was weak and harmless made her all the more real to me.

Through all her trials, adventures, fortunes and misfortunes, unlike most characters who adapt quickly to the knew knowledge, Danielle remained faithful to her beliefs, ideals and female squirmishness.

From what would appear a very simple and easy to understand character, I would not have expected the depth and incredible number of facets that I found. Danielle's simplicity was endearing and eye opening, making me dwell and appreciate aspects of a paranormal romance and situations I had not previously considered.

Of course this series would not be complete unless our Austen-like fan, found her corresponding Mr Darcy.

Ethan was a worthy Mr Darcy alter-ego for this paranormal romance. Forever a gentleman despite the course of centuries having passed him by, he held fast to his upbringing, ideals and traditions. The only modern thing about him were his clothes (which he had no choice in unless he wanted to arouse suspicion and generate medical mental health interest) and his love for his cars. I found his jealous and slightly possessive streak surprisingly sweet and funny, considering he had nothing to fear as Danielle had eyes for no other.

He was a Mr Darcy attempting to adapt to the current century whilst desperately trying to cling to his ways of life, and I loved every second I read of it. He was a knight in regular clothing but who knew how to wield a sword, treat a girl like a lady and get any parents' blessing. What can I say, he was without a doubt too good to be true.

True to his century he was looking for someone special, a girl and not a tomboy; someone to whom he'd be willing to give the world and his life.

Unlike most romances, Ethan and Danielle didn't fight what they felt for each other. They knew it to be true and real, which is all that mattered to them. What they did have to fight was everyone else, to preserve what they had and their future.

Cheri Schmidt narrated their sweetly moving story, that revealed itself to be more than I expected. Confronting present day issues and morals, the more I read the more I enjoyed it.
I particularly appreciated Cheri Schmidt's ability to describe beautifully romantic scenes that made me feel at peace whilst sitting alongside the characters.

Everything about this series screamed Jane Austen, from the setting, the manner of speaking, down to the behavioural quirks. Being an admirer of Jane Austen's work, narrative style and storyline I very much enjoyed this series. Unlike most paranormal romances which are described as forever but feel more like an immediate lightning passion, The Fateful series spoke of a steady strong burn that would last forever where it counts the most: heart and mind.

The Fateful series was a sweet and tender paranormal romance that I would recommend to anyone in search for a tale of modern nights in shining armor with a hint of magic.

Thanks for visiting my blog!

I love comments as much as I love reviews.... Thanks to everyone who has taken the time to post either for me. I'm very grateful.

Romance Is In The Air Giveaway Hop

Thursday, February 7, 2013

Welcome to an awesome Giveaway Hop hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and Rachael Anderson.

This giveaway just closed. Thank you to everyone who entered!

It's February and romance is in the air. In this book, there is sweet proposal with white roses and fairies involved. A batchelorette party in Paris. And a romantic wedding with vampires and fairies lurking about. Don't worry, there's plenty of action and a bit of scary stuff too. The Fateful Trilogy is YA paranormal romance that's clean.

The Prize choices:
One winner will receive the Kindle, Nook or Kobo eBook copy of Fractured (Book 2 in the Fateful Trilogy).

~Or~

If you don't have an eReader yet... then you may choose a handmade beaded bookmark made by me. It will be something like one of the bookmarks in the picture below, and shipped to you for free.

P.S. (You must have an account with Amazon, Kobo, or Nook to accept the eBook prize. USA only for eBook. HOWEVER, I will open the bookmark up to my international readers. Happy Valentines Day!!!)

To Enter:
Simply follow my blog via GFC or email subscription and fill out the form at the bottom of this post so I know who to contact if you win.

(Click on the pic to see the bookmarks in greater detail.)

Thanks for visiting my blog and good luck!

Synopsis:
The Fateful Trilogy continues with Fractured. No, it's not called Fractured because Ethan and Danielle break up, because they don't...in case you were wondering.

They had thought they'd escaped most of the danger surrounding them, when in truth they've made it worse by unintentionally sparking a civil war amongst vampires. Many vampires want to protect them for discovering the cure to the curse binding their kind. However many more want to destroy them for that same discovery.

Ethan's and Danielle's struggle for survival intensifies while they sink deeper into the midst of this danger. The romantic fairytale bliss they once had will soon fracture under the pressure of the curse....

Review by Jaterry: She out did herself!

OMG!!!! If it was even possible Cheri Schmidt outdid herself with this, it is a million times better then Fateful with twists at ever turn! I couldnt put it down, it even made me late to work!

Please dont read this book if you havent 1st read Fateful, and for all the people who said it was a Twilight knock off, you have to read this book, it by far blows Twilight out of the water! and I am a huge Twilight fan.

Ethan and Danielle dont fail to deliver on the romance and surprises! And the action of the vampire civil war will keep you on your feet! this was an easy book to get wrapped up in, I easily felt Danielle's excitement, fear and disappointment, and even cried for her at one point.

Without any spoilers, I really wish we could have seen more of Lilith and a better description of "goth" Ethan but other then that, I have no complaints! you have to read this book, what are you waiting for click the button!!!!

Can not wait for book 3! I would love to see Danielle get her revenge (more then what was done) on Celeste!

Young Adult Faeries & Fantasy Giveaway Hop

Monday, January 7, 2013

This years hop is hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer, and co-hosted by Gabrielle from The Mod Podge Bookshelf For many many more chances to win free books, simply click on either one of those hot links.

This giveaway will run from January 8th to the 14th.

I wonder if artist Paul Busse has read Forever...During the holidays I went to the National Botanic Garden to see the holiday display, which was designed by Paul Busse and had a fairy theme. When I looked into one of the little holes with a fairy room inside, it immediately took me to a scene in Forever almost exactly as I'd described it! Of course I was enchanted and had to go see it twice. For those of you who have read Forever, can you imagine a fairy sitting in the rocking chair with a baby in her arms like I can?! Or is it just me?

If you like fairies, there are lots of them in Forever as well as vampires, werewolves, pixies, witches, and mermaids...

The Prize choices:

~This giveaway has ended. Thanks to everyone who visited my blog and entered. The winner will be contacted very soon!~

One winner will receive the Kindle, Nook or Kobo eBook copy of Forever (Book 3 in the Fateful Trilogy).

~Or~

If you don't have an eReader yet... then you may choose a handmade beaded bookmark made by me. It will be something like one of the bookmarks in the picture below, and shipped to you for free.

P.S. (You must have an account with Amazon, Kobo, or Nook to accept the eBook prize. USA only for eBook. HOWEVER, I will open the bookmark up to my international readers. Happy New Year!!!)

To Enter:
Simply follow my blog via GFC or email subscription and fill out the form at the bottom of this post so I know who to contact if you win.

(Click on the pic to see the bookmarks in greater detail.)

Thanks for visiting my blog and good luck!Note: If you'd like to win signed copies of my books, shipped to USA and internationally, go to my Facebook Fan Page here: https://www.facebook.com/cheri.p.schmidt?ref=tn_tnmn#!/pages/Cheri-Schmidt/170239616364397 For my birthday, which is this month, I'm giving away a complete set of the Fateful Trilogy.

Fangs, Fur & Fey Giveaway Hop

Monday, October 1, 2012

Welcome to the second annual Fangs, Fur, & Fey giveaway hop hosted by the rocking I Am A Reader, Not A Writer & Reading Lark!!!

The Prize:
Win Fateful, Fractured, or Forever in either Nook, Kobo, or Kindle eBook formats. (You must have an account with either Barnes & Noble, Kobo, or Amazon to accept this prize. USA only. Except Kobo is also available to my Canadian readers as well! However, if you have an account with the US site but live outside of the US, you may also enter! ;)

To Enter:
(This giveaway just closed. Thank you to everyone who entered and took the time to post a comment! I'll contact the winner very soon!)

The Fateful Trilogy is full of furry werewolves, fluttering fey, and fanged vampires. Here's an excerpt from Forever that covers two of them, and mentions the other.

Before you start reading!!! Please know this does contain spoilers if you haven't read the books!

Forever (Chapter 2)

The Things of Nightmares

“What do they eat?” Danielle asked tucking her feet beneath her and setting her untouched plate of cake on the nightstand next to the bed. She couldn’t stomach even chocolate right now. Werewolves were creepy enough and now Lucas was one of them? If they were like wolves it might not be so bad, but these things were nightmarishly frightening with distorted human faces semi-cloaked beneath a wicked-looking mask of a beast. A shudder rolled up her spine and she looked at Ethan to see if he’d noticed.

Apparently he hadn’t. He seemed really distracted, like he had the weight of dark and wicked things on his shoulders. A little sigh blew past her lips, because he probably did. Staring straight ahead like he was, she could see his profile perfectly. His golden eyebrows were drawn low over his straight nose. Wire-rimmed glasses were perched there and Danielle’s mouth wanted to smile at how handsomely adorable he was with them on. She preferred him this way, slightly blind, and completely normal.... But her smile never made it to her lips because his mouth was pursed with deep thoughts—thoughts that were likely tormenting his peace of mind. His usually calm, blue-eyed gaze reflected the distress within. Again she wondered if he regretted the return to weak-mortal-ness, even though he’d been the one to first partake of the candy before prompting her to follow. He dragged a hand through his blond hair which needed a trim and hung into his eyes until he pushed it back. After a long pause, Ethan finally answered her question. “During a full moon? Flesh ... probably.”

“You don’t know for sure?” she asked, trying not to let what he just said totally freak her out.

His eyes shifted to hers. “No. Their kind is even more reclusive than fairies are.”

Danielle turned away from the upsetting things she could see within his expression, and nudged the plate of cake out of the way as she reached for her tea. Maybe that would help settle her stomach, because it was churning at the idea of Lucas with a whole mouthful of pointy teeth instead of just a pair of fangs. He’d been scary enough as a vampire, and now he was something she knew very little about. A sip of creamy peach liquid filled her mouth and then slid down her throat as she swallowed. “Then how can we fight them?” she asked. Danielle decided the tea was helping a little and took another sip, watching the little rosebud painted inside it disappear as she rocked the cup level again.

“It doesn’t seem like they can do anything to vampires. We’ve fought them before, as you know, and none of us were affected adversely. I suppose it could be due to the fact that the curses were placed by different sorceresses.”

“Hmm,” she murmured as she drank, again watching for the pink rosebud with green leaves inside her cup.

“I love watching you do that.”

Startled by the sudden change in topic she looked at Ethan, who was smiling. “Do what?”

“Watch for the flower.” When she wrinkled her brow at him, confused, he added, “The one inside your teacup.”

While rounding, her eyes swung back as the flower in question disappeared halfway below the liquid line. “You noticed I do that?” Had she even noticed she did that?

He popped a few pieces of popcorn in his mouth and said around it, “I noticed that, and the fact that you’re not really paying any attention to the picture.”

With eyes returning to the television, she figured it had been playing for a while and she had no idea what was going on. Is that what he’d been so focused on earlier? Somehow she doubted it. On a sigh she said, “I need to know more about them, more about what to expect from Lucas now.”

...Note: This series is not suitable for anyone who doesn't like glittering fairies, vicious pixies, hot vampires with British accents, creepy werewolves, the dashing Mr. Darcy, or large amounts of snogging...

(I LOVE comments, by the way...did you like the excerpt? Thanks for visiting, and staying for a bit!)

I LOVE guests as much as comments. ;)

And for more chances to win go here I Am A Reader, Not A Writer or here Reading Lark!!!

Where to find books by Cheri Schmidt:

Amazon around the world:

USA
http://www.amazon.com/Fateful-ebook/dp/B004VT0RJK/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_1

UK
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fateful/dp/B004VT0RJK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=digital-text&qid=1303005553&sr=8-1

Germany
http://www.amazon.de/Fateful-Book-Series-ebook/dp/B004VT0RJK

Italy
http://www.amazon.it/Fateful-Book-Series-ebook/dp/B004VT0RJK/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1337779900&sr=8-1

Spain
http://www.amazon.es/Fateful-Book-Series-ebook/dp/B004VT0RJK/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1337779955&sr=1-2

France
http://www.amazon.fr/Fateful-Book-Series-ebook/dp/B004VT0RJK

If you'd rather have print, discounted copies are available from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and for free international shipping, get your books from The Book Depository. And don't forget about the signed copies of my books available via my website.

More than I deserve & feeling slightly blown away by it...

Thursday, August 16, 2012

Honestly, I don't really think I deserve as much praise as Emillia, one of my amazing readers, gives me with this. But I'm extremely humbled that my silly cookbook could touch someone's life in this way. Anyway, I was soooo moved, I just had to share it with you.

Emillia posted pictures of a fairy party she did for her daughters to help celebrate the life of her dear mother, who adored fairies. Emillia is a wonderful mother!!! Check this out!

"OK so I have to say I didn't handle my moms passing as well as I thought I would...I also do not want my girls to forget Grandma Kairlee...When my girls think of fairies they always think of my mom because my mom had loved fairies and such. she even glued a little fairy door in her room."

"I bundled up a party package with a letter from "Grandma Kairlee" and left it on our doorstep and doorbell ditched my house. I told them it was from Grandma Kairlee and read their notes to them. It really helped Itylee who was having a hard time with dealing with her death. So I thought it was time to throw another party. I had told my girls Grandma must of had help from the fairies to make all these magical fairy food. They were so happy just to think Grandma and Fairies had come to our house while they slept."

(I thought this was such a cute idea. ~Cheri)

"I was so lucky to have just bought the BEST cookbook in the world recently. It's called Sophia's Cookbook For Mortals by Cheri Schmidt. It's a cook book from a point of view of one of her character from her Fateful trilogy and has recipes from some of the stuff they ate in the books, and lucky for me there is a section of fairy food! It was perfect, and the recipes are amazing!!

I highly suggest all of her books and if your lucky you might be able to get them while they are on sale! I got Sophia's Cookbook For Mortal for only .99 cents. Best .99 cents I have ever spent!!"

(Now I'm blushing...~Cheri)

"This book is more than a cookbook to me. It's has really help in my healing process too. I know my mom would of totally loved all of Cheri Schmidt's books and I really wish I could of shared them with her, but for now when I read or make something like fairy food it really helps me remember my mom and how amazing she was and I know this is something she would do. So thank you Cheri you have really made a difference in my life with your books. Don't ever stop writing!"

(And now I'm crying...~Cheri~ If you'd like to read the entire post, go here.)

Dear Emillia took some great pictures. Below you'll see Raspberry-Kissed Lemon Fairy Cake, Fariy Cakes with a lemon curd filling, Fairy Fruit Dip, Inside-Out Cheescake Bites, and Magic Fairy Juice. All of these recipes are in Sophia's Cookbook for Mortals, but I think she added her own charming spin on them, and actually made them better than I do. (How sweet is this?)

One reason I was so very moved by this is that even though I haven't lost my mother yet, she also loves fairies, so obviously, I can really relate! My mother is probably the one who started my love for fairies in the first place. She had an old copy of this book:

I would spend hours upon hours of time just looking at all of the illustrations. So when I grew up and got married, I asked for it. My wonderful mom, said yes! The copy I have is an antique, and it's a bit tattered. Plus I fear I was the silly child who drew in it. : ( I don't remember doing it, so I suspect I was too young to know better.

And, you might like this if you love whimsical things, but The Giant Golden Book of Elves and Fairies is in print again!!! I bought a copy of this too, so now I have an old one and a new one. So cool! Well, at least I think so...but I'm weird and sappy like that...

Anyway, because of my "fairy-loving past" I saw Emillia's idea as extremely thoughtful and charming. What a wonderful way to keep fond memories of Grandma in their lives!

An announcement about the cookbook mentioned in this post:

~This cookbook will be signed up into Amazon's Prime program sometime this week. So if you have Nook or Kobo, this is your chance to snatch up Sophia’s Cookbook for Mortals! Don't miss out!~

You can put your ereader right on your cookbook stand! How handy is that? Or, if you prefer print, This cookbook will soon be available as a spiral-bound book. Just as soon as I finish with the back cover, it will be released.

To get the ebook of Sophia's Cookbook for Mortals with lots of fairy-friendly recipes click on one of the links below.

For Nook
For Kobo
For Kindle

Happy baking, and thank you for visiting my blog! xoxo

YA Indie Carnival ~ Huh?

Friday, April 20, 2012

I was always the good girl, and when I first read the title of our topic, well, I was completely lost. I’ve never put the use of "substance" in any of my books either. So I’ve chosen a different excerpt where the characters are under the influence of something else...fairy magic....

From Forever, Ethan's point of view:
(Hint-start the music at the bottom before you start reading. ;)

It seemed there were no adverse side effects to consuming food tainted with fey magic. It’s true that he felt slightly ... what was the word? He wouldn’t say drunk exactly, because he didn’t feel out of control like that. He didn’t feel muddled either, but ... perhaps the word he was looking for was charmed. And healed, he thought, as his hand slid beneath the table and dropped to his knee. That felt even better than it had before he’d been dropped by the pixies and the juice had been the only thing where he could feel the magic work within his body.

His gaze swung to Danielle who was licking her fingers clean of something purple and sticky-looking. Clearly she had completely forgotten her upset from earlier. The look of pleasure that curled her mouth into a contented smile told him that. He mentally thanked Alora and the other fairies for the small gift as he vowed to offer his gratitude in person later. She still wore her shirt instead of having it tied around her waist and he was grateful for that too. Ethan didn’t know how much longer he could restrain the streak of violent jealously within him when he’d caught Casanova noticing how snuggly her T-shirt hugged her fully-bloomed body.

Making a visual pass over the table, his eyes landed on the guards. It seemed they were finished eating as well. The two who irritated him the most, Casanova and Richard, were busy talking at the far end of the table. Night had fallen and the vampires were on guard with their magic, avoiding his gaze and keeping a physical distance.

Leaning back in his chair, he again watched his wife. The persistent beat of the music pounded through his veins and he decided he really wanted to dance. With her. “Shall we?” he asked, although he frowned at how strange his voice sounded. He couldn’t pinpoint what was wrong with it either, so he shrugged it off and reached for her hand.

She giggled and mingled her fingers with his. “I’d love to.”

As they moved toward the dance area, fairies flitted about, as some danced alone and others twirled like couples in love. The colorful glow coming off the fairies looked quite a bit like laser lights as they streaked from one side of the clearing to the other. And the way the darkened trees glittered with fairy dust seemed just like a mirrored ball hung somewhere unseen within this wooded place. For some odd reason, he had to concentrate really hard to find his voice when he commented on the scene. “It’s like we’re at a dance club.”

Danielle glanced around, and it seemed like she was having as much trouble finding words as he was. “Hmm, I hadn’t thought of it like that before.” She laughed and then murmured, “I just love dancing with the fairies.”

He loved it too, but again, that was something he couldn’t bring himself to own to verbally. Too girly. Instead he grinned, and lifting her right arm, he twirled her in a circle. She staggered slightly but smiled when he led her into another spin before capturing her about the waist.

Ethan kept Danielle well outside the ring of mushrooms where many fairies pranced on top of the red and white spotted fungi. First, he didn’t wish to step on any of them, and second, he recalled their strict warning about never wandering into the ring.

The lilting measure slowed until it became a tender melody that moved the soul, and Danielle’s arms came up around his neck. He drew her close and smiled down at her as they began to sway to the music. Her pretty face tipped up and she returned the smile. She’d undone her hair. The braided sections of it had maintained a wave that caressed her left cheek and drew his fingers. As the silky strands slipped through his fingertips, he decided she looked like a beguiling wood-nymph with the naughty intention of stealing his heart. But she can’t steal something she already possesses, he thought with a laugh.

The sight of her made his heart squeeze and he was easily entranced by her clear eyes that looked more like shards of steel-blue instead of brown in this subdued lighting that leached color from everything. His deep love for her rose up within him and he suddenly found it hard to breathe because he was reminded of all the things threatening to take her away. With his lungs seizing, Ethan wondered how much longer she could tolerate the danger his past had brought to her life. While leaving her would never be an option for him because that would not bring her safety, in the back of his mind he feared she might actually leave him. He was the one in danger of losing everything.... Ethan attempted to swallow whatever it was lodged in his throat. If she left him, the guards, who were much more loyal to her than him, would follow ... and then they’d move in on her. They weren’t weak and mortal like him. They didn’t need glasses like he did. He nudged them up the bridge of his nose because they’d slipped. His nostrils flared. He held his breath and ground his teeth.

“Are you okay?” she asked, jerking him out of his internal panic with the soft-spoken query.

Catching his eye, Danielle gave him that look of hers that told his soul she loved no one more than him, knew no one else like she knew him. It was that look that brought back such a strong sense of recognition between them that he couldn’t question how she felt about him. Somehow he knew they’d felt this way about one another for much longer than either had been alive. So why was he questioning her commitment now when he never had before? Ethan let himself breathe again. He noticed the fine tremble that had started in his fingers when he trailed the backs of them along the high bone of her cheek. But even with that knowledge in his head, he couldn’t stop himself from saying, “Please don’t ever leave me.”

She blinked at that. “Have you lost your mind? I could never leave you.”

Mentally shaking his head, Ethan wondered what was wrong with his brain. His thoughts were clearly not rational at all. One moment he was laughing like a fool and the next he was on the edge of sheer anxiety. “Forgive me, it seems I—”

Danielle’s mouth mashed against his so quickly he just stood there for a moment with his eyes wide. They flickered shut as the taste of her touched his tongue and he hugged her to his chest more tightly than he should. She squeaked and he loosened his grip, but only a little. His amazing wife kissed him until she brought comfort back into his mind. Bless her. Ethan was sure she had no idea how much he needed that kiss at that moment, but he was eternally grateful to her for it.

With the change in rhythm of the music, his mood returned to his wish to dance. The tune sounded suspiciously like a samba. In the quiet depths of his thoughts, the roller coaster of emotions within him still seemed irrational, but he didn’t take the time to try and figure it out. He was surprised the fairies even knew such a tune, but he went with it anyway and led Danielle into the bouncy dance.

Laughing and looking at him like perhaps he had lost his mind, she asked, “What is this?”

“It sounds like a samba to me.”

“No way!”

With a wink, Ethan held her hand in his left and placed his right hand on her shoulder blade. “Do you know the ballroom samba?”

“Kind of.”

They made a pass around the fairy ring and Ethan decided she knew how to shake it better than “kind of,” the little minx. He was practically drooling with the way she rolled her hips, the way her clothes stretched over her sexy curves, the way she smirked at him with desire in her eyes. Deciding he needed to kiss her again, Ethan drew her back against his chest. His thumb found the bottom edge of her jawbone as he carefully nudged her face toward his. Stepping backward, he administered the sort of snogging she deserved for moving like that.

As the music lulled him into a magic-induced bliss, his focus became only that and Danielle. Then in one moment he was kissing and holding her, and in the next he was blinking up at a black span of space dotted with fuzzy but colorful lights.

What?

“Get out of the ring, Ethan,” someone said.

Ethan blinked, unable to even register what that meant. A groan drew his eyes to his left where he found Danielle unconscious next to him. Worried, he rose up onto his elbow and bent over her. With arms and legs sticking out at strange angles it appeared as though she’d collapsed. Ethan wondered why he hadn’t caught her before he realized he’d passed out too.

Only then did he grasp the alarming fact that instead of being outside of the fairy ring as they had been while they’d danced, they were now inside it, exactly where they’d been told repeatedly to never go. He curled his hand around Danielle’s hip and shook her gently but urgently. “Danielle, wake up.”

She groaned again and rocked her head back and forth before mumbling something he couldn’t understand.

When he tried to get to his feet so he could carry her to safety, the world went black again.

And, I just heard a song that really brings this scene to life for me. Enjoy, Close to You by Black Lab:

Release update!!!!

In Sophia's Cookbook for Mortals, she gives you many fairy-influenced recipes. Hopefully they won't make you loopy if you make the recipes at home. The cookbook will be released very soon! I'm not finished, but here is a preview of what the cover will sort of look like. And scroll down a couple of posts to get one of Sophia's recipes for free. Until next time!

Check out my fellow carnis in the links below:

New!!! Liz Long, Just another writer on the loose.
Also new!!! Ella James author of Stained
Laura A. H. Elliott author of Winnemucca & 13 on Halloween
Bryna Butler, author Midnight Guardian series
K. C. Blake, author of Vampire Rules and Crushed
Heather Self
T. R. Graves, Author of The Warrior Series
Suzy Turner, author of The Raven Saga
Cheri Schmidt, author of the Fateful Trilogy
Rachel Coles, author of Into The Ruins, geek mom blog
Patti Larsen, The Hunted series and The Hayle Coven series
Amy Maurer Jones, Author of The Soul Quest Trilogy
Dani Snell's Refracted Light Reviews
Fisher Amelie, author of The Understorey
M. Leighton, Blood Like Poison Series, Madly, The Reaping
Cidney Swanson, author of Rippler
Gwenn Wright, author of Filter
Melissa Pearl, Author of The Time Spirit Trilogy
Heather M. White, author of The Destiny Saga
Courtney Cole Writes

Follower Love Giveaway Hop!

Monday, February 6, 2012

(This giveaway is now closed. Thank you to the 185 people who entered. As soon as I have the names entered into Virtual Hat, I'll email the winner directly.)

Wow!!! With more than 300 chances to win, this giveaway is massive! Thank you I'm a Reader, Not a Writer and Rachael Renee Anderson for hosting. Please tell your friends about this one folks, don't let them miss out on such a great giveaway!

The prize:
Win Danielle's Fairy necklace just like the one mentioned in Forever, book 3 in the Fateful Trilogy!!!

This beautiful piece was given to Danielle by the fairies in Forever. It is handmade from antique brass findings and chain from VintaJ. The aqua crystals are real Swarovski faceted beads. The center drop is a pale aqua, 8mm, Amazonite bead. The beautiful antique brass bead in the back is so pretty you can wear it backwards for two different looks. This Victorian design is unique and will be a piece that people will ask where you got it from. The matching aqua crystal earrings are included in the set. On my website, I charge $39.99 for this set. (Note: The three-way connector in the center will be slightly different, seems I can't purchase that one any longer, but the replacement is equally as nice, if not better! If I have time, I'll take some more photos for you.)

To Enter:
MANDATORY: Follow my blog via GFC or email and fill out the form at the bottom of this post so that I may be able to contact you if you win.

Optional for extra chances to win:
+1: Like my Facebook Fan Page.
+1: Post a comment telling me why you want to win this necklace.
+1: Share this giveaway with your friends via Facebook or Twitter. (You may only do this once during the 8 days this giveaway runs. ;)

Thank you for visiting my blog, and thank you for entering my giveaway. Before you go, may I share a special valentine message from me to you, my wonderful followers...

A writer is not successful if not for their readers.

From the bottom of my heart, THANK YOU for taking a chance on me, and for allowing me to share my stories with you! It’s my deepest wish that I’ve been able to entertain you, or enchant you, or distract you from any distress that might be in your life, or touch your heart, or uplift your soul with my books...even in one small way.

I’m perfectly aware of the fact that I’m nothing special. I’m just someone with an over-active imagination. Because of this, I’m not sure how to adequately express how much your uplifting blog posts, kind comments, and encouraging emails mean to me. Each one touches me and brings a smile to my face that lingers for days. I cherish each one of you for your generosity towards me. If it was not for your kindness, I couldn’t keep sharing the stories that are such a part of me. I’m sharing a bit of myself with you and that’s a terrifying thing sometimes. Again, I say THANK YOU!

Another Release!!!

Thursday, January 19, 2012

The complete Fateful Trilogy just went live on Amazon. Read about it on my website, and buy it here:

Description:
This is a collection of all three books in the Fateful Trilogy in one file: Fateful, Fractured, and Forever. See way thousands of readers are devouring this new series with a unique take on vampire romance.

What are readers saying?
"OMG by far the best of the Fateful series! It has a little bit for everyone, vampires, werewolves, witches, pixies, faires, mermaides, and awful spiders! All I have to say is poor Danielle, how much can one person endure and still come out like that! she is my new hero! You definatly get to see a more vunerable side to Ethan. If you havent read the others in the series you definatly have to read them first. Forever was well worth the wait! and out of everything that has happend to them, you will cry with joy and relief when its all over (not to mention sad that the story is over)
and if your aracnaphobic like me, you will definatly have nightmears. :) Its definatly a book I can see myself rereading a thousand times! *the whole series is*" by Ali (Note: This review is in regards to Forever, book3 in The Fateful Trilogy.)

Also, Fateful will be FREE from Amazon on Sunday, January 22nd!!!! Don't miss it and make sure you spread the word. If you haven't tried this series, now is your chance to begin!

Dreaming of Books Giveaway Hop

Friday, January 13, 2012

Thanks for entering! This giveaway is now closed. I'll email the winner as soon as I have the names entered into Mr. Virtual Hat.

Welcome to another awesome blog hop hosted by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer, and Reviews by Martha's Bookshelf.

In Forever, book 3 in the Fateful Trilogy, both Danielle and Ethan have quite a few dreams. In celebration of my birthday and the very near release of Forever, enjoy this "dream themed" excerpt:

Why is everything so bright? Ethan wondered. The world was so saturated with sunshine that he couldn’t comprehend why he wasn’t squinting against it. Not only was everything kissed with a blinding halo of white, but not a single sound disturbed the silence in this place. He peered to his side and saw Danielle beside him, smiling. Ethan looked down and realized his hand was linked with hers. How did he get here? How did they get here?

The corners of her pretty brown eyes crinkled as the smile widened and then they were running across a mist-covered field. They came up to a tree and their hands broke apart. Danielle looped one arm around the trunk and swung around it to face him. The white dress she wore fluttered in a breeze he couldn’t feel. With the way her lips parted, the way she bent forward, and the way her nose wrinkled, he knew she was laughing, but he didn’t hear it. The breeze blew her long brown hair forward. Her hand reached up as she brushed it out of her face. Silky strands slipped free of her fingers and feathered down against her shoulders. Smiling at him, her lips moved around words he still couldn’t hear. As though he had responded to her, however, he moved forward and kissed her mouth after first touching his lips to her eyelids and her nose.

Lashes swung up as those brown and gold-flecked eyes captured his. Again her full mouth shaped words. Again he could not hear them.

Like in a dream, the scene changed. And as before, the world glowed with a curtain of white, like a blinding solar flare caught on film. This time she sat nestled between his legs and he was startled to realize Danielle was crying, her body jerking against his with each heartbreaking sob.

Why?

With her chin on her shoulder, she peered back at him with sadness tightening her features. She was rattling off her displeasure at him in words he couldn’t hear, and too fast for him to read visually. It was as though he wasn’t really the one doing it, as he kissed her forehead and rubbed her arm, because what he really wanted to do was ask questions. It seemed like he was reliving this and not actually dreaming it....

Now how the bloody hell did I wind up on my back? Ethan pondered as he stared up at a pitched roof of roughhewn branches. The branches were so roughly hewn, in fact, that they still had green leaves attached and vines crawling the surface. A line of bewilderment formed between his eyebrows. His memory came back to him in sections, like assembling a complex puzzle where the image wasn’t recognizable until enough of the pieces were in place. He remembered the misty place. He remembered the dancing. He remembered the strange irrational thoughts muddling his mind. He remembered the feast.... Ethan jerked upright. “They lied!”

Danielle swung up next to him like his outburst had wrenched her from a deep slumber. She covered a yawn with her hand. “Who lied?”

“Those horrible, cunning, winged and glittering little—”

“The fairies?” Danielle asked, obviously appalled at his angry tone, as if to say, How could anyone be angry with fairies?

Now for the Giveaway!!!

The Prize:

A copy of one of my books (your choice) shipped to you from The Book Depository. By doing it this way, I won't be able to sign it for you, sorry. But I can more frugally ship to my wonderful international readers!

Many of my international readers complain that they have difficulty getting books from American authors. The Book Depository is a great place for you since they ship internationally for free!

To Enter:

Follow my blog via email or GFC and fill out the form at the bottom of this post.

For an extra entry to win, like my Facebook Fan Page.

Thanks for visiting my blog, and good luck!

YA Indie Carnival ~ Writer Resolution

Friday, December 30, 2011

Mine is super simple... I resolve to just keep writing! Here is a list of the books I have planned for the coming year:

Forever is my next finished work. This book completes Danielle and Ethan's story. (And here are two preview shots of the cover! I haven't decided which one I like best yet. The center solar flare or the side solar flare. Which one do you prefer? And can you find the pixies?)

Danielle and Ethan may have solved their problem with vampires, but other magical beings have taken interest in the ones who discovered the cure. On the run trying to escape a gaggle of evil pixies, a clan of creepy werewolves, a coven or two of wicked witches, and a school of lovely but naughty mermaids, they fight to have a normal life with the aid of slightly dishonest fairies and flirtatious vampire bodyguards. The end of Celeste and Lucas will be revealed, as well as how Ethan and Danielle recognized each other...and how they finally get their happily forever after.

I know you'll miss these two characters. However, two novellas will come out to supplement the Fateful series. Max and Nadia, and Beon and Sophia will get their stories... One will take place in a historical setting, the other will start out historical and move into modern times. Richard will likely get his own novella as well, and if you keep asking for more...I'll probably keep going....

Before those novellas, though, I'll release Sophia’s Cookbook for Mortals ~ A fun recipe book featuring recipes Sophia likes to mess up her apron with.

Christian and Tessa from Fair Maiden will get a novella about their wedding since many of you asked for that.

Following that, will be The Trapping club (A sequel to Fair Maiden) ~ Beginning with a magical masquerade and a kidnapping, The Trapping club is the tale of second sons as they struggle for survival in a society that leaves such forgotten. Those who’ve read the first book will be surprised to find that the hero of this next enchanting tale is the brother of the villain in Fair Maiden, and the heroine will be a grown-up Emma...

Book 3 in the Fair Maiden series, is titled The Mistaken Reformer. Peter, Christian’s brother, will be the hero and the heroine is still a mystery as of yet...

And somewhere in the middle of all of this, I'll release The Fairy Ring Enchantment ~ This is the first story I dreamed about, thinking it would be a short picture book. But when I started writing, it was turning into a novel. With no plans of becoming a writer, I was extremely confused by that. I never thought I'd have a novel in me. This is a story about fair rings and why you shouldn’t step inside them...

Thanks for visiting my blog and don't forget to enter my New Year Giveaway Hop in the post right below this one. And if you'd like to check out more awesome books from my fellow carnis please go here.

YA Indie Carnival ~ Blast From The Past and Forever Excerpt

Friday, November 4, 2011

I have the children off to school...so now I can do my post. :)

Our theme this week is about sharing our high school writings with you. Sorry, folks, I don't have any of that because I was more into art and photography back then. My past writings just don't exist any longer. But, art is still very important to me, and it's a huge reflection of who I was in high school. So today, I would like to share some of that with you.

In Fateful, a drawing like this is described:

"Creating another sad painting, she decided it made her feel a little better. But only a little. This time a distraught fairy emerged from her pencil. The little sprite sat curled up under a brown mushroom, her arms wrapped around her bent legs, her cheek resting on her knees, and desperate tears trickled down her tiny cheeks. Even her little wings drooped sadly. Danielle understood how she felt as she filled the fairy in with the wash of soft watercolors."

As you can see, the description was based on a real piece I'd created. This was a very sad time for me. Obviously, I didn't have the same reason Danielle did for creating it, but I had been betrayed by a very close friend. I'm pretty sure I was crying as I drew and then painted it. I do feel very close to this sad little fairy because of that, and she will be framed and hung in my new home.

Here is another just for your viewing pleasure. This one hasn't been painted yet:

If you hadn't noticed, I love fairies and they have made their way into all of my finished writings so far. I don't expect that they will be in everything I write.... If you don't like fairies, then don't read the Fateful Trilogy.

In the very near future, just in time for Christmas, I plan on opening an Etsy store where you can purchase handmade items that relate to my books. These things will include: replica art, like the one above, replica jewelry, like Danielle wears in the story, bookmarks, and even an apron like Sophia's.

Of course my top priority is finishing Forever...so to treat my readers who are waiting patiently, here is another excerpt:

Chapter Two