Work, Life, & Anticipation

Happy Friday Darling Readers,

I hope everyone is doing well. I've been running around being wife, mommy, and writer. 

I got some material out to an agent who requested some chapters of a WIP (work in progress) of mine. I expect it'll be a while before I hear back. Agents are incredibly busy and they also have their real lives to think of, too. But I'm praying for a contract. I really like this agent and the agency the agent represents.

I posted my review of C.C. Hunter's final installment of Della's story, Unspoken. I really enjoyed it. I think her fans will NOT be disappointed.

Currently I'm looking forward to a bunch of things that aren't my projects:

C.C. Hunter's Shadow Falls going to Internet screen show series.

Jennifer L. Armentrout's Oblivion release and the Lux Series going to screen. (I think TV?)

Kiera Cass's announcement about The Selection going to the big screen.

Reading the last book in Lesley Livingston's Starling series (whenever that happens).

Reading the new Rick Riordan series (and finishing up Heroes of Olympus series).

Seeing the new Peanuts and Star Wars movies. I also want to see Inside Out and the Minions movies.


I'm also loving this season of Once Upon A Time!

What things are you working on and looking forward to in the book, movie, or TV world?

Have a Fantastically Fabulous Friday!

Blog Swap With Author Larynn Ford...

Happy Monday All,

How was everyone's 4th of July? Mine was interesting. It rained here, but it let up enough that there were fireworks around. I turned on PBS and watched a little of the Capitol Hill celebration.

Today it's my pleasure to introduce to you all fellow Soul Mate Publishing author, Larynn Ford.

Larynn was kind enough to agree to a "blog swap" with me. Over the weekend she featured me on her blog and I agreed to do the same for her (I just try not to post on the weekends--especially since I was trying to get some writing in. I did get some in--not as much as I wanted, but I got some).

 Larynn Ford began reading romance in her early teens and became interested in writing in high school. She’s a daydreamer and a romantic who is intrigued by the paranormal and loves to let her mind wander, always searching for a happily ever after ending to her dreams.

She began reading with a renewed passion in 2006, fell in love with romance all over again, and began thinking how much fun it would be to create a fantasy world all her own.

In 2009, she began writing down some ideas that actually blossomed to book length and in 2010 joined Romance Writers of America. She is a member of Southern Magic Chapter in Birmingham, Alabama.

To her delight and constant amazement, her first book, IN MY WILDEST DREAMS was released April 16, 2013. Her desire for more grows constantly. She's going to continue writing, dreaming, and searching for those happy endings.

Larynn has a new novel coming out, that's due to release on July 16th of this year. She's graciously agreed to share the blurb and a teaser quote from her upcoming release, Rescued as well as her intriguing cover:

Fiercely independent and determined to be taken seriously in a man's world, PI Rose Baxter will do whatever it takes to find the

kids that are disappearing from the streets and home safe, even teaming up with PI Marty Brown, a man hot enough to burn whatever part of her gets too close -- her fingers, her sheets, her life, and her other nature's whiskers.

But her other nature knows whiskers grow back and will accept nothing less than this man as her mate for life, a plan Marty's all in on. Sparks fly when she refuses to be the little woman. Besides those kids need her, and their time's running out. But, thrown together 24/7 can she fight it?

And here's a little taste for all of you to enjoy:

Without flinching, she purred, “I’m not little, I’m nobody’s lady, and I don’t need your help.” She slammed the butt end of the cue stick into his ribs, and with the same smooth motion came back to make a perfect shot and win her third game of the night. She straightened from the table with a satisfied grin.

You can find Larynn Ford on her website (click here), on Facebook

(click here), Twitter (click here) on Amazon (click here) on the Soul Mate Publishing website (click here)

I think it sounds like Larynn has an interesting take on the shape-shifting Paranormal genre. Mark your calendars for July 16th for when Rescued is released!

Have A Magnificently Merry Monday!

**PLEASE NOTE:  Remember, all comments come to me to be posted before they show up on this blog. This was because of some problems people had in the past with commenting. If you don't see your comment by the end of the week, send me an email to let me know. Thank you for your understanding and patience.**

Waiting For Fall & This Week's Releases...

Happy Monday All,

It's back-to-school for a lot of people (including my offspring) and I'm looking toward Fall. I love Fall and Winter (just not snow and ice) and fortunately I live in a place that can get cold but generally doesn't snow and hardly ever has ice. Warm sweaters, long pants, cozy blankets. Sign me up!

I'm also looking toward the first weekend in October. Why? It's the Northwest Houston RWA's annual Lone Star Conference and it's my 5th year going! Contrary to previous years that I've gone, it's going to be the FIRST weekend in October, rather than the 2nd. Saturday, October 5, 2013 all day long. If you haven't signed up, go check it out and see if there's still room! You do NOT want to miss this opportunity. This year Donald Maass is our keynote speaker.

There are so many great books coming out this week, I just know I'm going to miss one (or more) but I'll do my best...

Elvis Is A Keeper by Shauna Allen (book 3 in The Cupid Chronicles)

The Witch On Twisted Oak by Susan C. Muller (author of The Secrets On Forest Bend)

The 25th Hour by Jaye Garland (debut Romance Time-Travel novel)

The Vampire With The Dragon Tattoo by Kerrelyn Sparks (part of the Love At Stake series)

Descendant by Lesley Livingston (book 2 in the Starling series)

Origin by Jennifer L. Armentrout (part of the Lux series)

I'm sure there's many others coming out, but this was off the top of my head.  What ones are coming out this week that you're looking forward to?

Have A Marvelous Monday!

What's Going On?

Happy Tuesday All,

Strep throat decided to visit my house. Offspring has it, but he's doing well. He's on antibiotics. I've got a touch of it or something like it. So I'm on antibiotics, too. I'm tired, but other than sore throat, doing okay.

Revisions continue on Immortal Dreams Book 1:  Dream Weaver. We'll see what happens with that. Started Book 2 of the series, but I won't reveal the title right now.

Working on writing book 2 in the Third Realm books. All's Fair In Love & Lion is the first one. The second will follow Loralyn Xavier and is currently titled Out Of The Flames. Once that's all set, we'll see what happens next. 

In the right hand margin there's options to subscribe to this blog, and to also sign up to receive my Newsletter. To keep up with what I'm doing, be sure to add your name. (I'm also on Facebook and Twitter).  There's also a link to my official website in the margin, too.

Currently reading book 3 in the Starcrossed Trilogy (by Josephine Angelini). I loved the other two, so I'm sure I'll enjoy this one.

New Releases this month (August 2013) from the following authors:

Susan Muller  (The Witch On Twisted Oak)

Jaye Garland (debut release, a time travel Romance:  The 25th Hour)

Shauna Allen (Elvis Is A Keeper)

Lesley Livingston (Descendant)

Kerrelyn Sparks (The Vampire With The Dragon Tattoo)

Jennifer L. Armentrout (Origin)

And if that wasn't enough to pique your interest...Exciting cover reveal from C.C. Hunter on her blog today.

And if that's still not enough...check out these authors I recently got interested in:

Shona Husk  (read The Goblin King)

Marie Hall (read Her Mad Hatter)

What's going on in your world? What book releases are you looking forward to?

Have A Terrifically Thrilling Tuesday!

Announcements, Blog Tour, & More...

Happy Tuesday All,

So much is going on! It's all very exciting as July 10th draws closer and closer...I can feel it, can you?

Now before you click on anything, make sure you read the entire blog post--I wouldn't want you to miss anything.

First of all, my Bethany Averie Author website has been launched! Some of you have already been to it. For those who have not, click here. There's a blurb for All's Fair In Love & Lion (below it a special notice about a surprise coming soon), and information on other things I'm working on, plus other fun things.  Enjoy.

Second of all, the Bethany Averie All's Fair In Love & Lion Blog Tour kicks off this Friday (June 28, 2013) as I make a guest appearance on Four Foxes One Hound, as Tonette's guest. This blog post is an interview--so you'll get to know me and my writing technique better.

Thirdly...

Inspired by author Edgar Allen Poe, Mary Lindsey brings to life a brand new Young Adult (YA) Gothic novel. His fellow islanders have always shunned Liam. He's crippled and rumored to be a demon. However, when Annabel falls in love with the gentle young soul, supernatural powers plot to test the couple. Is their love enough? Find out in Ashes On The Waves (from Penguin Group), when it is released on June 27, 2013. Read an excerpt from Chapter 1 by clicking here. (I was fortunate enough to read an ARC of this novel...beautiful and suspenseful).

JULY 2013:  My chapter mate, Linda Bennett Pennell has her debut release (from Soul Mate Publishing), Al Capone At The Blanche Hotel. I saw the cover art for this novel and it's an awesome one and the blurb is intriguing, too.

Have A Tantalizingly Treat-Filled Tuesday!

New & Upcoming Releases For Your Summer Reading Enjoyment...

Happy Thursday Everyone,

Thank you for the prayers and positive thoughts for offspring and I. Offspring is doing better--and I'm working on getting better.

There's been several new releases lately and I've been utterly remiss in posting about them, so here we go:

In no particular order:

Author pal of mine, Wareeze Woodson's debut novel, a Historical Romance, Conduct Unbecoming A Gentleman was recently released. You can find it on Amazon. 

I did announce when C.C. Hunter's YA Paranormal final book in Kylie's Shadow Falls series, Chosen At Nightfall. I did a short review of this one.

Teri Thackston put out a Paranormal Romance, Wait Until Moonrise, available in E-Reader format. 

J.D. Faver has a new Romance, The Reluctant Rancher available through Amazon. 

Contemporary Fantasy Author, Shanna Swendson has her newest Enchanted Inc. book available in print (I don't know if it's available on E-Reader yet. Last I saw it was going to be coming soon). Book 7, Kiss And Spell is now available through Amazon. 

I recently got into Kiera Cass's YA series, which includes a novella called The Prince, but the first full-length novel in that series is called The Selection. The newest release is The Elite. Very fun series. (And yes, I've read all 3 stories--interested to see what comes next!)

Author pal of mine, Will Graham, has another Thriller, One Minute After Midnight is available through Amazon for your E-reading pleasure. 

In no particular order (aside from what month):

Shauna Allen's matchmaking angel will return soon in The Halo Effect. (May 2013) (Paranormal Romance).

Josephine Angelini's YA Paranormal Starcrossed Book 3, Goddess. (May 2013).

Author pal of mine, Jenn Langston will have her debut novel, a Historical Romance, His Perfect Bride, coming out in June 2013. 

Of course, there's my debut Romance (Fantasy & Paranormal elements), All's Fair In Love & Lion coming out on July 10, 2013. But y'all already knew that. :-)

Lesley Livingston has her second book in her Starling series, Descendant, coming out late August 2013. (YA Paranormal).

There's an author pal of mine who I believe has her debut Romance coming out in August 2013. I'll double-check details and have to get back to you all on that. (It's not listed on her site or Facebook page, so I'll have to ask her).

What other novels are coming out in May, June, July, and August that you're looking forward to? Please share that information in the comment section. Thank you!

Side note:  For anyone new to commenting on my blog:  All comments come to me FIRST for review. Once I see them, I publish them, and then they show up in the comment section. I know this seems a little tedious, but after some problems I had in previous years, this seems to work best. It also cuts down on duplicate comments, since I can eliminate any extra same posts when I review them.

Have A Tantalizingly Thrilling Thursday!

Christmas Gets Extended & Boxes Of Awesomeness

Happy Monday/Tuesday All,

Given that I'm writing this after 8pm on Monday night, I figure this post will serve as Monday & Tuesday's posts.

I have received a Box Of Awesomeness. Actually 2. The first one is in the form of my younger brother's Christmas present to me, that somehow got detained on its travels from its starting location to my parents' house. You see, originally brother was going to be at parents' house to receive said package. However, given it was detained, he was back at his house (many miles away from parents' location) when it arrived. So my parents, being the Box Of Awesomeness they are, kept it for me. I was able to pick it up on Sunday.

My younger brother hit it out of the park in his selection of Christmas present!

I received the following THREE books:

Opal by Jennifer L. Armentrout (book 4 in the Lux series--really good series)

Much Ado About Magic by Shanna Swendson (book 5 in the Enchanted Inc. series--fantastic series!)

Starling by Lesley Livingston (Book 1 in the Starling series, featuring Fennrys Wolf, a character from her Wondrous Strange trilogy, a series I absolutely loved).

The other Box Of Awesomeness I received came today. It was my new business cards, which now include my Twitter name (@WriteByBethany). Yay! So I finally have those. :-)

Out of my Christmas presents (both from brother and a friend) I have finished 2 books and started another.

A friend of mine gave me The Christmas Candle by Max Lucado. It's a pretty good story. Fast read, with a nice message about believing in miracles. Ooops! In the original text of this post I got my authors mixed up! Mitch Albom wrote Tuesdays With Morrie. I'm very sorry about that. Thank you, Kathy, for reminding me. I should've remembered that. I'm so embarrassed.
However, one of the other things Max Lucado is known for (and I've double-checked this on his website so I wouldn't be getting mixed up again) are the Hermie stories (popular Inspirational fiction for Children). 

The other one I finished was Much Ado About Magic by Shanna Swendson. It was glorious to finally find out about Owen and now I'm very excited about book 6, No Quest For The Wicked, which is already out. Folks, if haven't read this series, you're missing out. Great fantasy fun, with a contemporary feel. There's suspense, action, dragons, magic, romance, New York, it's got all kinds of fun (kissing frogs to find a "prince") I absolutely love this series.

I started Opal by Jennifer L. Armentrout. I haven't gotten real far, but that will change quickly. I've been very much looking forward to reading this book, so I'm glad it's finally here!

There's a lot of excitement in the air over upcoming books (particularly on Twitter). I'm pleased to be able to share some of this with you:  I found out that Shauna Allen has a release date for her Inked By An Angel, (Ooo! So excited about this book) which is January 30, 2013! Two other books in this series are under contract, and I believe the next one comes out later this year. This is a contemporary Romance. I've read about the first 5 pages awhile back and I can't wait to read the rest. Her cover art is awesome, too.

Anyway, what have you been reading lately?

Have A Marvelous Monday Evening and a Totally Terrific Tuesday!

September, New & Upcoming Releases...

Happy Tuesday All,

Today we remember and pray for those involved in the tragedy of 9/11, and we also remember all the brave men and women who defend the USA. May God bless them and be with them.

This year September is bringing weather to the South of the promise of Fall. It's not as cool as I'd prefer, yet, but it's cooler. One of the little trees in my backyard has already got some red leaves on it (pretty!) and another one is showing signs of Fall. Fall and Winter are my favorite seasons. What's yours?

Before I forget...

There's releases coming right around the corner:

Sophie Jordan's 3rd book in her YA series, Hidden, is out TODAY!

Kerrelyn Sparks has the re-release of her Historical under the title The Forbidden Lady (out on September 25, 2012). Also, her next Love At Stake book, Wild About You will be out on November 27, 2012.

C.C. Hunter's newest installment in her Shadowfalls series, Whispers At Moonrise will release on October 2nd.

Laura Childs' next Scrapbooking Mystery, entitled: Postcards From The Dead will also be out on October 2nd.

What books are you looking forward to that are coming out this Fall?

Have A Thoughtful Tuesday!

Fangs Or Fur?

Happy Thursday All,

Near the end of this month Kerrelyn Sparks will have a new release out and in April C.C. Hunter will, too. Both of these authors write paranormals (Kerrelyn writes Paranormal Romance and C.C. writes YA Paranormal).

I got to thinking about all that and decided to get you, my dear readers, involved in a discussion:

If you could choose which type of being your significant other was, would you choose werewolf or vampire?

In some stories, werewolves can turn into their wolf self anytime they please and in others, only during the full moon. In almost every case they have extra powers of some nature. Sometimes it's just extra strength, sometimes it's other things.

Vampires have a myriad of traits, depending on which author you read. In some books they have speed, strength, and hearing. In some stories, vampires never sleep, in other stories they sleep during the day. In some stories any kind of silver hurts vampires, and they burn up in the sun, in others silver and sunlight don't do anything to them.

In a lot of stories there are good werewolves and vampires that try to protect humans and bad werewolves and vampires that try to hurt humans.

Keeping all these things in mind, which one would you choose? (And if you already have a significant other, if you could choose which type of being they were, would you choose vampire or werewolf?)

Have A Thrilling Thursday!