AMAZING NEWS: I'm up for 2 UTOPiA Nominations.

I had the most amazing news a week ago; I discovered that I have been nominated for not just one, but TWO UTOPiA awards. I really can't tell you what this means to me.

UTOPiA is my creative home; it's the place, where once a year, I get to hug my friends, laugh with them, hug them some more, and hang out. To think that the UTOPiA academy has nominated both, 'When Sorrows Come' and 'Beautiful Freaks' for UTOPiA awards, blows me away.

It doesn't matter if they come last in the voting, the very fact they have been recognised by fellow UTOPiANs as worthy of standing beside the works of fellow UTOPiANs I not only love but admire.

So, 'When Sorrows Come' is up for Best Contemporary Book of the Year! and 'Beautiful Freaks' is up for the best Serial Series of the Year!

IF you have read either, and feel that you'd like to support the voting of the awards, you can find my works on this voting list -- and whilst you're there, don't forget to have your vote for all the other amazing categories (You don't have to vote in each category if the books and authors are unfamiliar to you, but I would recommend using it as an awesome TBR list!)

Here is the voting link: http://www.utopiacon.com/vote-in-utopia-awards-2016/ There are just a couple more days to cast your vote.

And here is a little bit more about the books that are up for nomination.


WHEN SORROWS COME: Nominated for BEST CONTEMPORARY BOOK OF THE YEAR.

Malachi: Mathematical Genius, Poet, Swimmer, and Narcissist. 

Ophelia: Artist, Poet, and subversive 

A poignant tale of first, enduring love. An Upper YA novel that explores the bitter-sweet emotions of first love against a backdrop of personal tragedy and metamorphosis into the adult world. 

At seventeen years old, both Ophelia and Malachi are already facing the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune. Ophelia has to survive frequent trips to the psychiatric unit to visit her bi-polar mother, and Malachi is battling the rage of his father's death, and his uncle's hasty marriage to his mother. 

It is amongst these turbulent parental legacies and accompanying self-destructive impulses that Ophelia and Malachi begin a twisted exploration of first love. They discover that nothing in life is certain except all choices have consequences. 

LINK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/When-Sorrows-Come-Katie-John-ebook/dp/B016P1X4I2

BEAUTIFUL FREAKS: Nominated for BEST SERIAL SERIES OF THE YEAR

A Serialised Story in 12 parts. 
SEASON ONE. Episodes 1-12 
A dark and twisted saga that winds its way through the Victorian streets of London like a luxurious and lethal ribbon. 
When a series of terrifying and seemingly paranormal murders occur at a rapid rate, panic and fear grip the city. Still haunted by the ghost of the Whitechapel Ripper case, Inspector Steptree is forced to admit the murderer he now pursues maybe even more wicked and brutal. As the case closes down on the mysterious No.7 club, owned by the enigmatic Evangeline Valentine, Steptree discovers that evil is far from a fantasy. 
It is against this backdrop that Kaspian Blackthorne turns eighteen and begins his apprenticeship under the scientific maverick, Doctor Greyson, a pioneer in brain surgery, and human transplantation. Whilst Kaspian is introduced to the horrors and wonders of man’s scientific progress, he also begins an epic adventure of self-discovery and infatuation. Guided into the decadent and luxuriant world of the London West End night scene by his new friend Hugh Denvers, Kaspian tastes the sweet temptation of a life less ordinary, but such a privilege comes at a terrible price. 
A cast of timeless characters and dark, grown-up fairy tales interweave to create a rich and haunting tale of fear and desire. 

Based on the original novel, ‘Beautiful Freaks’ written and published in 2013 by Katie M John, this series is a development of that world. This is the first season of a planned three seasons. You can find out more about this season and forthcoming seasons on the official site. www.katiemjohn.com 

LINK to EPISODE 1: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Beautiful-Freaks-Season-1-Episode-ebook/dp/B0164JRJYU 

UTOPIA 4 Months on

October 2015 and near as darn it 4 months on from UtopYA (UtopIa)  In some ways it feels an impossibly long time ago and in others, barely yesterday.

So here, along with many other resolutions that I made, is my monthly accountability post. A big element of Utopia is about focus and resolve. It's a space entirely yours to embrace your writing self, to reflect, to evaluate, to make those silent promises to yourself.

One of the things I did whilst at the Utopia conference was to create a spreadsheet titled 'OBJECTIVES' which runs along a time allocated grid. I can't tell you what a powerful tool that has been. It's seriously kept the chaos at bay.

So here goes.
Things I've accomplished since  JUNE 2015

PUT OUR HOUSE ON THE MARKET
So you might be thinking this is a little obscure; well let me explain. UtopYA followed by our 3 week road trip in the camper van with the hubby gave us a LOT of time for talking. Something indefinable happened to me at UtopYA. It not only gave me a silver bullet, but put a pistol in my hand and taught me how to fire it.
The result is that we are selling our house in London.
It's not the only reason, but it's been the catalyst. We're selling up our cutesy bijou London Cottage with its postage stamp garden and amazing access to the city of London and we're moving out West to a house with a huge garden and enough bedrooms for me to run a writers' retreat for 3-4 people one week a month. A space in which peeps can come and stay in incredible luxury, beautiful, quiet rooms, be fed good homemade meals made with produce from my kitchen garden, given large glasses of decent red wine, where they can explore their objectives, use the hot-tub, get a cover designed --- heck even get their work published if they wish. It is also a space in which I can properly hand myself over to this whole crazy book world; have an office, have a beautiful garden and, most importantly of all, have space for the girls to explore and play freely.
So the house has been completely set with the help of builders and decorators and it went on the market 3 days ago. We're hoping to be moved by Christmas. Oh, I should warn you, the house we're looking at buying is going to be a HUGE project - because I'm just not busy enough!


CHAPTER.CON 2017

Established the foundations of Chapter.Con 2017. You can read more about that at www.chaptercon.weebly.com. We have panellists, opening Key Note, location, sponsors and website, ticket sales and social media platforms in place.

SECRET NOM DU PLUME PROJECT
I have written, worked and published a 10,000 novella under my other alter-ego.

COMPLETED BEAUTIFUL FREAKS
I have just today finished, written 'The End' (YAY CELEBRATIONS A GO GO) on a 12 part episodic serialisation based on the original novel by the same name written back in 2012 called 'Beautiful Freaks.' Each episode is 10,000 words and will be coming out weekly from the 4th December.

CRACKED ON WITH DEVILRY BOOK 3 OF the MEADOWSWEET CHRONICLES
The word count currently stands at 60,000+ words and there is still two months of writing time allocated on the 'Objectives' chart.

I have also done the artwork for Devilry and the cover release will be on October 31st

THE CREATION OF A STREET TEAM
After many attempts over the years of trying to streamline some kind of sensible approach to the whole creation of a street team, I have finally managed to organise my administrative systems to one single Google.Doc.Form and as a result have acquired a lovely, dedicated and supportive street team of twelve people so far (in the first week of request) who are going to help support, promote and spread the word about what it is I'm doing.

CELEBRATIONS: 5 YEARS OF KNIGHT TRILOGY and 1 YEAR OF MEADOWSWEET
Although not big tasks in themselves, they are important and part of my objectives list so here it is. This December sees my 5th year anniversary of being an 'AUTHOR', and the publication of 'The Forest of Adventures'. I have put together a media pack and rafflecopter giveaway pack to hand out to bloggers and author friends to do a birthday spotlight and giveaway post.

As well as this, I have also created media packs for the first year anniversary of 'Witchcraft' and for the launch of Beautiful Freaks.

THE APPOINTMENT OF A PR ASSISTANT
So I came to the conclusion that it was really very, very difficult going it alone and so I have finally relinquished some of my control (yeah, I do admit that is a failing of mine) to appoint the amazing Nathalie Raven to do 10 hours of PR work for me a month, which means hopefully I can hook up and connect with more blogs, bloggers and readers. She's going to help me sort out my mailing list - something also on the objectives list.

RE-ENERGISED THE BLOG
I took part in a 10 day intensive Blog Hop called #OctoberFrights in which I blogged everyday (well almost) with he intention of meeting new people, authors and readers. It was a chance to really boost the traffic to my blog and to focus my mind on getting some really meaty and interesting content on there. It was a great opportunity to play around with different types of blog posts and work out what worked and what didn't - I wouldn't say I have the answers, but I have learned a lot from it, and met some great folks.

FOUND MY NANOWRIMO PROJECT

Okay, so this might not be as impressive as some of the other achievements, but mentally preparing and dusting off the MS I have been working on for the last two NaNoWriMo projects is no easy undertaking in my chaotic filing system. This year I am planning on using NaNoWriMo in a slightly less conventional way. I want to finish 'Crow Man' which will be approximately another 25,000 words, and then I want to write a complete side novella to The Knight Trilogy, called 'DELTA' which I would like to come in at 25-30,000 words.

DESIGNED THE COVER FOR 'WHEN SORROWS COME'
Have begun the preliminary preparations for the release of 'When Sorrows Come' a stand alone Contemporary NA Tragic-Romance. The Cover is designed and other social media artwork underway.

If you would like to be part of the Katie M John Street Team, which basically means you can stick up pre-made blog posts onto your blog then please fill in the form below. THANK YOU x

Carlyle Labuschagne: Release News.

It is my great pleasure to inform you that Carlyle Labuschagne has a new release coming out this week, Dead of Night.

"Dont be crippled by fear, let love give you wings"

Carlyle Labuschagne

Website. Twitter. facebook. .Goodreads Amazon.

Coming soon

In a world where love is outlawed could Aecker and Opel 

survive the fatal penalties...

Carlyle is an South African award winning author, with a flair for mixing genres and adding loads of drama to every story she creates. For now she is happy to take over the world and convert non Sci-fi believers.

Her goal as an author is to touch people's lives, and help others love their differences and one another by delivering strong messages of faith, love and hope within every outrageous world she writes about.

"I love to swim, fight for the trees, and am a food lover who is driven by my passion for life. I dream that one day my stories will change the lives of countless teenagers and have them obsess over the world literacy can offer them instead of worrying about fitting in. Never sacrifice who you are, its in the dark times that the light comes to life."

Carlyle used writing as a healing tool and that is why she started her very own writers support event - SAIR bookfestival.

 "To be a helping hand for those who strive to become full times writers, editors, bloggers, readers and cover artists - its a crazy world out there you dont have to go it alone!"

follow @CarlyleL for all the crazy updates on all things me.

Founder of SAIR Book Festival
Co Founder of Fire Quill Publishing.
Founder of Help build a library in South Africa. 
Amazon

RADIO INTERVIEW

Utopia 2 months on

This post is a week early, but as I am going on holiday next week, and I am really rubbish at scheduling posts, here goes.

UTOPIA and TRIBE: A POWERHOUSE OF AWESOMENESS.
So the effects of Utopia have calmed a little. Fellow Utopians are busying away with their WIPS and other cons, and all the other craziness of life that is the life of an author. However, what has happened out of that great explosion of socialisation is the cementing of some extraordinary friendships.

I have found a tribe, a sisterhood, and we speak most days and at least a couple of times a week via Facebook messaging, and we're getting brave enough to even attempt a proper video call -  I know, crazy social cats that we are.

This is what ultimately Utopia has given me - the feeling that I am not alone, and for someone who doesn't really mind going it alone, or at least that's what I have convinced myself over the years, the effect of friendship, understanding and shard vision has been quite transformatory. (Yep, making words up again)

BUILDING CHAPTER.CON: THE POWER OF THE TRIBE
It's this sense of tribe that has allowed me to embrace my fears and charge forward with Chapter.Con in a way that has made some crazy dream a few months ago into a serious reality. When I look at website, how full and rich the con promises to be, I am excited -- and I am proud of what I have built. However, it would not have been built without the love, belief, encouragement and spirit of my tribe.

My Tribe is AWESOME! Get used to that phrase because I am going to be using it a lot over the coming year. It was there willingness to reach out a hand and step up that has allowed Chapter.Con to take flight. They have promised to fly half way around the world to stand by my side, to share their knowledge, expertise, creativity and love with a UK book community.

And because of their faith and their willingness to tread this journey by my side, others have joined us. Seriously, you should check out the panel for Chapter.Con - it's mind blowing. And because of the panel, I have managed to entice a truly amazing Key Note speaker, who I can't wait to share with you at a later stage.

There's a Utopian core statement, 'Lift as You Climb' and I can not tell you how engraved this is in my heart. Creating Chapter.Con has been a real chance to payback to some people in the book world who have been there from the early days of my writing career. For example, I am so honoured to have Megan Mc Dade (From Reading Away The Days) to be our Official Chapter.Con Blog Co-ordinator and I know we are both extremely grateful to Jo Michaels who is acting as a Mentor and Guide (as well as one of my soul-sisters). Having Megan on board has allowed me to hand all of that side over to her and for a great blog team to be created. Utopia taught me to do that - to trust, to collaborate, to hand over to others. Something I've never really been very good at.


Then I get a reach out from the lovely Dena Ellis Oneal - a chance meeting at Utopia caused a spark of creativity. She wanted to know about Readers, and whether there was a special place for them at Chapter.Con - hell yeah! Without readers there are no authors (well not ones that eat) so between us we created the Chapter.Con Book Club, 'Reading My Way to Chapter.Con'. This is a brilliant idea on so many levels. You can find out more about it at the official website Book Club page (linked) or by visiting the Unofficial Facebook Page (linked)

Oh, yeah, about that! So because Megan and the blogging team, and Dena are amazing, they are establishing the joint fansite and book club group page for Chapter.Con so that the community can really start building.

So that's Chapter.Con and I guess you can tell from how much of the post it has taken up just how much life time it has taken up too.

However, other great things have been happening too. I have embarked on a currently secret project with two of the most phenomenally inspiring women I have ever met. It's a really exciting project and one which I am going to take immense pride and pleasure in sharing with you in a few months time when details have been secured. All I can really say is I AM EXCITED and INSPIRED!

WRITING LIFE.
Book Three of The Meadowsweet Chronicles is half written; progress has been a little slower than hoped, but I'm still perfectly on schedule according to the XCEL spreadsheet. I love spending time with my WIP - at the moment, with everything else going on, it's a perfect escape. Because it is Book Three, the characters pretty much write themselves; they are living real people who live and love and battle inside my head.

Planning out the next three books in the series has given me the confidence to just sit down and write without worrying - as a result, when I do get an hour or two, the word count jumps up. it is a direct result of listening to the UTOPIA panel on series, and the advice of Rachel Higginson and Bella Roccaforte that inspired me to take that goat by the throat and plot it all out. See, panels aren't just about ideas, they are about action.

However, due to the explosion that has been Chapter.Con, my plans to serialise 'Beautiful Freaks' are a little delayed (only by a week or so, but with my spreadsheet, that could be a problem.) I have a rescue plan in mind though.

DAY 11: UtopYA from your Armchair + Epic-scale UtopYA swag giveaway

 

So this is the last day of bringing you a little taste of the UtopYA Author and Reader con direct to your armchair and today it's time to welcome you to my store. I hope you like it. Along with the other authors in this series, I have thrown a whole selection of swag into the bag.

Don't forget to enter the epic-scale UtopYA Swag giveaway at the end of the post. You can enter everyday of the virtual con and a full list of prizes and details can be found in this post HERE

KATIE M JOHN

 BLURB: The Knight Trilogy

A contemporary YA Arthurian legend series set in Cornwall.

Mina's life is nicely ordered, thank you very much. She has a clear handle or reality and a well plotted life plan. But when she finds herself unwillingly falling for the mysterious new boy at college, she discovers that sometimes destiny has a different design.

With his seductive combination of mystery and handsome good looks, Blake proves an irresistible lure. And although being swept off of her feet by a knight on a white horse was not part of Mina's original plan, she finds herself increasingly enchanted by the world he inhabits.

As terrible, heartbreaking events rock her daily world, Mina finds herself retreating deeper into a world she only thought existed in fairy-tales. But every fairy tale has its wicked witch, and Morgan Le Fay is the wickedest witch of them all; especially as she has designs on Blake's heart. All too soon Mina realises that even in a fantasy world, there is no guarantee of 'a happily ever after'. 

BLURB: The Meadowsweet Chronicles

Ever since its earliest days, the small English village of Heargton has been steeped in the occult. Tales of witchcraft and paranormal activity have been part of the local folklore for generations. Some people blame the lay lines that intersect at the very centre of the village, others blame a terrible curse.

700 years on, Heargton Village still holds dark secrets, and when one of the village girls falls victim to a terrible ritual killing, the old superstitions resurface.

At the heart of these whispers are the Meadowsweet sisters. All beautiful, all charming, all eccentric, but it is the middle daughter, seventeen-year-old Fox, who captures the imagination of American newcomer Jeremiah Chase; a deviant New York playboy sent to live with his Aunt in the Chase ancestral home of Coldstone Hall. A place that has its own grisly history.

But, as Jeremiah discovers the history of the Meadowsweet Sisters, the Chase family history is also unearthed, leading Jeremiah to understand that good and evil are not always on opposing sides.

A tale of witchcraft, demons and ghosts, blending traditional English folklore with the American Gothic.

ABOUT KATIE

Writer of the Amazon Best Selling YA series, The Knight Trilogy, Katie is married to a handsome giant and mummy to a mud-puddle fairy. She likes to write whilst drinking tea and eating jaffa cakes. Most of the time she lives in a fairytale world but other than that she is completely and utterly normal.

Katie's debut YA fairtytale series, 'The Knight Trilogy' has become an international best-seller in several chart categories, Contemporary Fantasy, Myths and Legends, Paranormal Romance. It has also been an Amazon No 1. Best-selling Fairytale.

She has just released Book 2 in her new 7 book series, 'The Meadowsweet Chronicles' a paranormal series that blends together English folklore and the American Gothic in a fast paced, action filled mash-up.

Her work is a blend of rich imagery and fast paced action. Before writing full length novels, Katie wrote poetry, her works being published in several anthology publications.
Find out more at www.katiemjohn.com
Follow on Twitter
Like The FACEBOOK PAGE
Buy Book One of The Knight Trilogy at Amazon.co.uk
Visit Katie's AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

 ENTER The Epic-Scale UtopYA Swag Giveaway

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DAY 10: UtopYA from Your Armchair + Epic-scale UtopYA Swag Giveaway

Day 10 in the Big UtopYA household and the authors are getting a little authory. Here's the 10th day bringing the awesome experience of UtopYA Author and Reader Con right to your armchair. Today it is my great pleasure to share with you the authors, Vanessa Kimball, author of the series, 'Piercing The Fold' and 'The Evan Series' and the author, Nichole Green, author of the series, 'The Mystic Seeker'

Don't forget to enter the epic-scale UtopYA Swag giveaway at the end of the post. You can enter everyday of the virtual con and a full list of prizes and details can be found in this post HERE

VANESSA KIMBALL

 

Blurb: 'Piercing The Fold'

 

“I'm Jesca. I have intense nightmares nightly and hallucinations of dark auras closing in on me daily. Strangers’ faces distort before my eyes and I hear voices in my head. All symptoms of insanity, ‘illusions in reality’, right? Wrong. This is my reality and it has been set askew.”

Jesca Gershon Sera discovers that she is part of a legacy and a fellowship of guardians destined to protect the human race from a galactic event that will invade and evolve our world.

*The Piercing the Fold series is intended for Mature Young Adult and Adult readers due to the the paranormal and unorthodox scientific concepts addressed throughout. This series contains a rich mixture of the paranormal, science fiction, romance, adventure, and suspense.*

 

About Vanessa

 

Venessa Kimball, born October 21, 1975, is a graduate of The University of Texas at Austin. Her hometown is San Antonio, Texas. She currently resides in Amarillo,Texas with her loving husband and 3 amazing children.

For 3 years, she taught at an Austin, Texas middle school. For 6 years, she was a full-time Texas Realtor in the Austin Metro Area.

In 2010, she revisted her writing roots that were so prominent in her high school years. Piercing the Fold, her debut novel, was born on November 23rd of that year. Venessa is a full-time, independent author.

When Venessa is not writing, she is keeping active with her husband and three children; chauffeuring said children to extracurricular activities, catching a movie with her hubby, and staying up way too late reading.

To find out more about Venessa Kimball and future projects, including the 2nd book in the Piercing the Fold series, visit www.VenessaKimball.net.

 

Find out more at www.venessakimball.net

Follow on Twitter

Buy Piercing The Fold on Amazon.co.uk

Visit AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

 

 

NICHOLE GREEN

 

Blurb: Twisted

 

Growing up isn’t always easy. But for most teenage girls, they can rely on their best friend to help them get through the process. A BFF is something that is truly treasured and completely irreplaceable. You share all of your secrets, and are loyal and honest with each other, even when you’re acting just a little bit crazy. You have each other’s backs no matter what and you form a bond that is virtually unbreakable.

At least that’s what normal teenage girls experience.

Nat and Mel have been bestie’s since childhood and Nat has followed her blindly ever since. But as Nat’s friendship with Mel begins to lead her down the wrong path, she starts to question the sincerity of their relationship. Nat starts to see Mel’s manipulative, deceitful ways become more focused on her. Will Natalie hold on tight to the friendship she’s had her entire life, no matter what it cost her? Or will she let her heart lead her to a relationship that’s not so twisted.

***Attention*** Although this book is a YA book based on the ages of the characters, it is a raw and intense book that contains underage drinking, strong language, drugs, and sex. It's a story that tells that harsher realities of teenage life.

 

About Nichole

 

N.L. Greene, who is 1/2 of the author duo Riana Lucas, has decided to venture outside of the Fantasy world that she and her best friend created with Poppy and The Deadly Flowers Series to write a few books on her own. While she loves working with her best friend, writing solo has allowed her to explore interest that had solely been her own. She spends a lot of time reading her favorite authors which range all over the place and in every genre, but spends just as much time with her husband and two daughters, traveling, shopping, and playing video games. Nichole was born in Pennsylvania but grew up in Florida, where she and her high school sweetheart live with their two children

 

Find out more www.nlgreene.blogspot.com

Follow on Twitter

Buy Twisted at Amazon.co.uk

Visit Nichole's AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

 

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DAY 9: UtopYA from Your Armchair + Epic-scale UtopYA Swag giveaway

Welcome to Day 9 of bringing the UtopYA  Author and Reader Con direct to your armchair. Today it is my pleasure to introduce you to the authors, Brenda Hiatt, author of the 'Starstruck' series and Catherine Stine, author of 'Dorianna'

Don't forget to enter the epic-scale UtopYA Swag giveaway at the end of the post. You can enter everyday of the virtual con and a full list of prizes and details can be found in this post HERE

BRENDA HIATT

***Free eBook Download***

 

Blurb for 'Starstruck'

 

Who would have guessed that tiny, out-of-the-way Jewel, Indiana could hold secrets with the potential to change the course of human history? Certainly not nerdy nobody Marsha Truitt. Who, it turns out, isn’t such a nobody after all.

 

The middle of nowhere just got a lot more interesting!Nerdy astronomy geek Marsha, M to her few friends, has never been anybody special. Orphaned as an infant and reluctantly raised by an overly-strict "aunt," she's not even sure who she is. M's dream of someday escaping tiny Jewel, Indiana and making her mark in the world seems impossibly distant until hot new quarterback Rigel inexplicably befriends her. As Rigel turns his back on fawning cheerleaders to spend time with M, strange things start to happen: her acne clears up, her eyesight improves to the point she can ditch her thick glasses, and when they touch, sparks fly--literally! When M digs for a reason, she discovers deep secrets that will change her formerly mundane life forever . . . and expose her to perils she never dreamed of.

Book 1 of the award-winning Starstruck series, where teen romance blends with science fiction to open a whole new world of action, adventure and discovery.

 

About Brenda

Brenda Hiatt is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of twenty novels (so far), including traditional Regency romance, time travel romance, historical romance, and humorous mystery. She’s currently having a fabulous time with her award-winning YA sci-fi STARSTRUCK series. In addition to writing, Brenda is passionate about embracing life to the fullest, to include scuba diving (over 60 dives so far), Taekwondo (she’s currently pursuing her 3rd degree black belt), hiking and traveling.

 

Find out more www.brendahiatt.com

Follow on Twitter

DOWNLOAD FREE COPY OF  Book One of Starstruck series on Amzon.co.uk

VISIT Brenda's AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

 

 

CATHERINE STINE

 

Blurb for 'Dorianna'

 

Internet followers, beauty, power. It all sounded good. Until it transformed into a terrifying reality Dorianna couldn’t stop Dorianna is a dark twist for the Internet generation on A Picture of Dorian Gray. When her father is jailed, her mother ships lonely, plain Dorianna to her aunt’s. There, Dorianna yearns to build a new identity, but the popular Lacey bullies her—mostly for getting attention from her ex, Ander. Ander takes Dorianna to Coney Island where Wilson, a videographer, creates a stunning compilation of her. She dreams of being an online sensation, as she’s never even had a birthday party, and vows she’d give anything to go viral. Wilson claims he’s the Prince of Darkness and warns her the pledge has downsides. Dorianna thinks he’s joking. She has no idea of the dire consequences. She’s thrust into the spotlight, and an incomprehensible nightmare. Not only is she prettier, she’s gaining harmful powers of manipulation. When her powers grow beyond anything she can control, she’s desperate but clueless as to how to stop it.

 

About Catherine

 

Catherine Stine’s novels span the range from futuristic fantasy to paranormal to contemporary. Her futuristic thriller companion novels Fireseed One and Ruby’s Fire are both indie award winners. Her paranormal-horror YA, Dorianna won Best Horror Book in the Kindle Hub Awards. She also writes new adult fiction as Kitsy Clare. Her new adult Art of Love series includes Model Position and Private Internship. She suspects her love of dark fantasy came from her father reading Edgar Allen Poe to her when she was a child. Presently, she’s at work on a paranormal historical set in 1932 about a witch.

 

Find out more www.catherinestine.blogspot.com

Follow on Twitter

Buy 'Dorianna' at Amazon.co.uk

Visit Catherine's AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE HERE

Like the Facebook Page

 

 

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DAY 8: UtopYA from Your Armchair + Epic-scale UtopYA Swag Giveaway

Welcome to Day 8 of me bringing you some of the best, loveliest and most generous authors from UtopYA Author and Reader Con 2015. Today it is my pleasure to introduce you to the authors, Sharon Rose Mayes, author of 'The Pact' series and 'Twisted Fate', and author, 'Amy Leigh Strickland', author of  'Olympia Heights' and 'The Royer Goldhawk' series.

Don't forget to enter the epic-scale UtopYA Swag giveaway at the end of the post. You can enter everyday of the virtual con and a full list of prizes and details can be found in this post HERE

SHARON ROSE MAYES

 

Blurb for 'Blood Pact' (Book 1 of series)

Riley Spencer has spent most of her life doing what is normal for her: attending school, spending time with her mother, and training to hunt vampires. It was how she grew up as part of the organization and when Nick comes to town and joins her team everything changes. Now Riley and the rest of her team begin to question everything they have learned about vampires and the organization that trained them to hunt the vampires that hide in the world.

 

About Sharon Rose

 

Sharon lives in Lufkin, Texas with her two sons. She chronicles her daily life at her personal blog Not Your Mom Blog and has been active in the blogosphere for seven years. When she is not chasing her kids and participating in roller derby she writes and dreams of all of the places she can't wait to travel. She loves to write Young Adult stories about vampires, vampire hunters, witches, reincarnation, paranormal, and even a little bit on the New Adult side under the name S.R. Mayes

 

Find out more at www.notyourmumblog.com

Follow on Twitter

Follow on Facebook

Go to the AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

Buy Book One of the series, 'Blood Pact' on Amazon.co.uk 

 

 

AMY LEIGH STRICKLAND

***Free eBook Download***

 

Blurb for 'Olympia Heights' (Book 1 of series)

Olympia Heights follows a group of teens in Miami Florida who find out that they are the Greek Gods reborn. As they struggle to balance school, relationships, and emerging powers, thy also have to field attacks from powerful and vengeful Titans.

 

They say that lightning never strikes the same place twice, but for Zach Jacobs, that just isn’t true. It’s hard enough being seventeen-- juggling school, football, friends, and teenage romance-- but Zach’s about to find out just how complicated it can get when he begins to suspect that maybe he was the lightning. Teenage woes hardly seem significant when you’ve got lightning shooting from your fingertips and a couple of murderous Titans trying to settle an ancient score.

 

About Amy

 

Amy Leigh Strickland is a teacher and writer from Massachusetts, living and working outside of Birmingham, AL. She writes contemporary, YA, and historical fantasy with a mythological twist.

 

Find out more at www.amyleightstrickland.com

Follow on Twitter

DOWNLOAD FREE copy of Book One of 'Olympia Heights' at Amazon.co.uk

 

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DAY 6: UtopYA from your armchair + Epic-scale Giveaway

Welcome to Day 6 of my virtual UtopYA con here on the blog. Today I'm introducing you to the virtual stands of Elizabeth Sharp. author of the 'Forces of Nature' series and Amy Evans. author of 'Clicks: The Dolphin Prophecy'.

Don't forget to enter the epic-scale UtopYA Swag giveaway at the end of the post. You can enter everyday of the virtual con and a full list of prizes and details can be found in this post HERE

 

ELIZABETH SHARP

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Blurb: The Forces of Nature

Amelia thinks she's painfully ordinary, but when she learns about the magical world she's a part of she has to find out who is killing her kind before her family becomes the latest victims.

 

Average, plain-bodied Amelia Hoffman has resigned herself to a life of mediocrity, unable to escape the shadows cast by her all-too-perfect siblings. Worse, her feelings for her brother’s best friend are getting stronger.

Everything changes after the brutal murder of her close friend.

Suddenly, Amelia’s life is transformed and she is thrust into a wondrous and frightening new world of myths and legends. As she explores this new world hidden within the layers of her own, secrets are revealed. When her body miraculously changes overnight, Amelia is forced to hide in her home for her own protection. But as danger circles closer, Amelia has to figure out who is committing the ruthless homicides.

Otherwise, she could be next.

 

About Elizabeth

 

Elizabeth Sharp is the pen name used by Donna Dull. A full-time mom and part-time dreamer, Donna has replaced her addiction to Dr. Pepper with one for Facebook. A self-proclaimed techno geek, she loves cell phones, computers, tablets and all things technological. The internet has to be the greatest invention since the wheel, in her opinion. She lives in a quiet subdivision with her husband, young son, three cats, and far too many electronics. It’s quite possible she has some raccoon in her DNA, because she loves glitter and anything that sparkles. The artist behind Sharp Cover Designs, she is in love with all things creative. She enjoys making jewelry and costumes. Halloween is her favorite holiday since it’s the one day of the year that you can be whatever you want. But her first love will always be writing. Otherwise, hearing voices in her head would make her feel schizophrenic

Find out more at www.elizabethsharpbooks.com

 

Follow on Twitter @SomeSharpWords 
Download FREE Book One of The Forces of Nature at Amazon.co.uk

Elizabeth's Amazon Author Page HERE

 

 

AMY EVANS

 

Blurb: 'Click' Book One of The Dolphin Prophecy

Clicks are the sounds the universe makes to tell you what's going to happen next. They're the biggest truths that you see in your heart long before you see with your eyes. Sixteen year old Cami and all the rest of her generation have been focused on what they can see, which means they spend all their time surfing and running beach patrol instead of discovering the mysteries that hide underneath their island home. When people start to get sick, they're forced to discover ancient secrets and talents that are hidden inside their DNA in order to save lives

 

About Amy

Amy Evans is a young adult romance author who believes all books are better with kisses, and that wishes come true when they're shared. All of her books seem to take place on the beach.

 

Find out more at www.amyevansbooks.com

Follow on Twitter

Like the Facebook Page HERE

Buy 'Click' on Amazon.co.uk

 

 

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Day 5: UtopYA from Your Armchair + Epic-scale Giveaway

Day 5! Hope you're enjoying meeting the wonderful authors in this series. Today it is my pleasure to introduce you to the virtual stands of authors, Shawn McGuire, author of the series, 'The Wishmakers' 'Together Again', and author, Liz Long, author of the series,  'Donovan Circus' and novels, 'A Reaper Made' and 'Witch Hearts'.

Don't forget to enter the epic-scale UtopYA Swag giveaway at the end of the post. You can enter everyday of the virtual con and a full list of prizes and details can be found in this post HERE

SHAWN MCGUIRE

***FREE eBOOK DOWNLOAD***

 

Blurb: The Wishmakers

You can make a wish or you can make it happen. Books about life...with a touch of magic.

 

Everyone has a dark side. Mandy’s just moved in with her.

The last time sixteen-year-old Mandy Matteo broke a rule, her sister died. Since that day she has done only what is expected of her, but life as a goody-goody has made Mandy so boring her friends have all but abandoned her. And she’s given up on ever getting Ethan, the boy she’s liked forever, to notice her. Desperate, Mandy makes a wish to simply be happy.

Enter Desiree, a hippie from Woodstock serving a fifty-year indenture as a Wish Mistress (aka a genie). Years of only granting and never receiving her own wish have left Desiree bitter. Arranging for Mandy to right her biggest wrong – the exact thing Desiree would wish for – only makes things worse.

Still, Desiree does her job and grants the wish and happiness arrives for Mandy in the form of Lexi, her childhood imaginary friend come to life. Magical wishes have conditions though: Once started, the wish cannot be altered or revoked. Also, once Mandy is truly content with her life again, Lexi must go back to where she came from. However, the longer Lexi is alive the more she loves being alive, and she’ll do whatever it takes to stay that way.

 

About Shawn

 

Shawn McGuire is the author of young adult novels that blend contemporary settings and issues with a touch of fantasy and magic. She started writing after seeing the first Star Wars movie (that's episode IV) as a kid. She couldn't wait for the next movie to come out so wrote her own episodes. Sadly, those notebooks are long lost, but her desire to write is as strong now as it was then.
Her books deal with harder topics (dating violence, death of a sibling, divorce, substance abuse, runaways, bullying etc.) because she believes it is important to talk about these things. Those kinds of topics can be hard to handle and a bit overwhelming, so she infuses a bit of humor in her work as well because she also believes that a sense of humor can help you get through just about anything.

Shawn lives in Colorado with her family where she loves to read, cook and bake, craft, decorate her house, and spend time hiking and camping in the spectacular Rocky Mountains.

 

Visit Shawn's AMAZON PAGE HERE

DOWNLOAD FREE Book One of 'The Wishmakers' at Amazon.co.uk

Follow on Twitter @Shawn_McGuire

Find out More at www.ShawnMcGuire.com

 

LIZ LONG

 

Blurb: Donovan Circus Book One 'Gifted'

All Lucy ever wanted was to be normal amongst the freaks.

Even in a world of freaks, being a Firestarter is considered a dangerous Gift.
Lucy was born with the ability to create and control fire. She longs to leave the human world for one filled with Earthshakers, Transporters, and Chameleons, to name a few. When she rejoins the circus, it's everything she hoped it could be - new friends, a potential love interest or two, and a place where she can be herself.
When troupe members begin turning up dead, however, Lucy is suspected of foul play. She must not only prove her innocence but also realize the full extent of her power. To find the real murderer, she must uncover the truth behind her father's fiery legacy while figuring out whom to trust within her new circle. Little does she know the history of the Donovan Circus and its enemies might actually destroy the entire gifted world.

About Liz

 

Liz Long is an indie author from Roanoke, VA who writes about supernatural circus, witch serial killers, teenage Reapers, and more. She is a social media and PR strategist at her day job, as well as the PR Coordinator for UtopYA Con. Be sure to say hi on Twitter at @LizCLong!

Liz Long is a ridiculously proud graduate of Longwood University with a BA in English. Her inspiration comes from action and thriller genres and she spends entirely too much time watching superhero movies. Her fabulous day job as a social media strategist includes writing for a publishing company in Roanoke, VA.

Her first book, Gifted, is the first book in the Donovan Circus series. Burned is the second adventure. (Best described as "X-Men meets the circus with murder mysteries.") Her standalone book Witch Hearts is a story about a serial killer hunting witches for their powers. Her newest release, A Reaper Made, follows a Reaper as she tries to save her family's souls from demons. All titles are available at Amazon on Kindle and paperback.

 

 

Visit Liz's AMAZON PAGE HERE

Buy Book One of 'Donovan's Circus' at Amazon.co.uk

Follow on Twitter @LizCLong 

Find out More at  www.lozclong.com  
 
 


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