Winner of MY SOUL TO STEAL

Thank you to all who entered the drawing for a signed copy of Rachel Vincent's MY SOUL TO STEAL. As always, I used random.org to choose the winner. And the winner is:

Kitty

Congratulations! Please email me your mailing info, and I'll foward it on to Rachel. Thanks again for entering and happy reading!

Interview With Rachel Vincent

I've been a fan of Rachel's writing since I picked up STRAY, the first in her adult were-cat series. I was immediately immersed in the culture of the werecats, identified with the characters, and couldn't put the book down because I had to KNOW what happened next. When Rachel started writing YA as well, I couldn't wait to try her series. It has everything I love about Rachel's writing; vivid world-building, action-packed suspense, and fiesty characters I want to know (or want to kill ... all depending).  Here's a peek at her recent YA release, MY SOUL TO STEAL.

YOU WANT MY SOUL AND MY BOYFRIEND?

Trying to work things out with Nash—her maybe boyfriend—is hard enough for Kaylee Cavanaugh. She can’t just pretend nothing happened. But “complicated” doesn’t even begin to describe their relationship when his ex-girlfriend transfers to their school, determined to take Nash back.

 See, Sabine isn’t just an ordinary girl. She’s a mara, the living personification of a nightmare. She can read people’s fears—and craft them into nightmares while her victims sleep. Feeding from human fear is how she survives.

And Sabine isn’t above scaring Kaylee and the entire school to death to get whatever—and whoever—she wants.

I DON'T THINK SO.

When I asked Rachel to be interviewed on the blog, she chose the Spork of Doom. I believe the Spork may have finally met his match!

Spork of Doom

Rachel Vincent

Before we get to today's interview, it's time to reveal the amazing cupcake my hubby made for Rachel. (He would like Rachel to know he had to look up the word variegated before he could completely understand what kind of leaves she was talking about and that because of her extensive vocabulary, he spent much of his time cursing all writers in general.) Because one of the characters in MY SOUL TO STEAL feeds on people's fear and crafts nightmares for a living, my hubby decided to make a nightmare cupcake (complete with the curse-worthy variegated vines Rachel mentioned played a big role in the book). Without further ado, I give you the nightmare cupcake and Rachel vs. the Spork of Doom.

Nightmare Cupcake with VARIEGATED leaves

1. I’m all about world domination, and I’m always looking for good help. Why would you be an acceptable minion in my quest?


I wouldn’t. I’m no one’s minion.

2. *gives you doomy glare of DOOM* That's what they all say. At first. Being a Spork of Doom takes moxie. What’s the sporkiest thing you’ve ever done?

This interview.

3. When I’m not busy taking over the world, I like to eat pie. What kind of pie do you think is worthy of my Spork of Doom status?

I make a mean homemade deep dish caramel apple pie. But I don’t think you could handle it. That’s a lot of pie.

4. You DARE to cast aspersions upon my pie-eating ability? Tread carefully, madam. The last fool who questioned me got a tine in the cornea and spent the rest of his days going by the unflattering moniker Spork-Eyed Wilbur. What’s your favorite thing to do with a spork?

Eat noodles. The fork wrangles the noodles, the spoon holds the broth. Perfection.

5. Perfection indeed. *preens* I have the ability to be simultaneously spoon, fork, and weapon of mass destruction. What unique ability do you have?

I have the ability to snap a spork with only my mind. Fear me.

6. Spork-Eyed Rachel. It has a ring to it, don't you think? In this day and age, a savvy spork bent on world domination can’t afford to ignore a good marketing campaign. I’m thinking t-shirts with “Spork or Die.” If you made a shirt with your own slogan on it, what would it say?

“Save a Spork; Eat a Shish Kabob”

7. If I had to compare myself to anyone in history, I’d have to say I’m most like Napoleon. Only skinnier. And shinier. And smart enough not to lose my empire at a place with a ridiculous name like Waterloo. Who are you most like and why?

Any hermit who fights her battles with a pen.

8. I don't need a pen. I have titanium tines. Why is your job just as much fun as world domination?

Because I get to create entire worlds, not just dominate them.

9. *reconsiders the merit of a pen* In between conquests, I like to read a good story. What can you recommend and why?

The Forrest of Hands and Teeth. The only thing missing from that one was a spork.

10. So many authors fail to realize the genius of including a spork in their magnum opus. You need to accomplish a secret, night-time mission as my minion. Cloak? No cloak? Why?

Again, I’m no one’s minion.

11. Never mind my earlier nickname for you. I've changed my mind. Keep up the sass and henceforth you shall be known only as Rachel the Sporked. My best piece of advice to others is this: “Fear the spork!” What’s your best advice?

If you’re facing down a hellion with nothing more than a spork…run.

*glares* Fine. Run. But leave the pie. The pie is MINE.


Thank you, Rachel, for such an entertaining interview! To learn more about Rachel, visit her site. To purchase MY SOUL TO STEAL (Remember, it's book 4 in the Soul Screamers series. Start with MY SOUL TO TAKE.) go here.

Of course, the fun isn't over yet! Rachel is giving away a signed copy of MY SOUL TO STEAL to one lucky commenter. The contest is open internationally. Here's how to enter:

1. Earn entries:


*Comment on this post = 1 entry
*Be a follower of this blog = 2 entries

*Tweet the link to this interview = 3 entries (Use @cjredwine or leave url to tweet in your comment so I can see it.)

*Post the contest on your blog or facebook= 3 entries (Include link in your comment.)


2. Tally it up:

Please tally up your entries and leave the total in your comment.

3. Check back:

The contest is open until 8 p.m. (central time) Sunday, April 3rd. Please check back to see if you've won and to claim your prize!

Good luck to all, and happy reading!

Winner of DARKNESS BECOMES HER

Thank you to all who entered the contest to win a signed copy of Kelly Keaton's DARKNESS BECOMES HER. As always, I used random.org to pick the winner. And the winner is

Rachel Leigh

Congratulations, Rachel! Please email me with your shipping info and I'll forward it on to Kelly. Thanks again for entering and happy reading!

Finished!

Tonight, at about 3:23 a.m. (so technically this morning, but whatever) I typed THE END on my current manuscript.

That means I get to turn it in on time.

And it means I need a serious nap.

I'm so excited about this book!! It's the biggest and best thing I've ever written. I hope to get to share it with you soon. But first, off to agent Holly!

On Dreaming

I was going to write a post about following your dreams (it's been percolating in the block of Swiss cheese I call my brain for a couple of weeks now), but then I saw this commercial on another blog and realized nothing I could possibly say would ever live up to this:



With thanks to Josh Spector on whose blog I found this.

Interview With Kelly Keaton

I adore Kelly Gay's adult urban fantasy series. Her worldbuilding is lush, her characters captivating, and her plot full of fabulous twists. So, when she told me she had a YA coming out under the pen name Kelly Keaton, I couldn't wait to get my hands on it! Take a peek at the summary and the book trailer, and I'll bet you'll feel the same:

Ari can’t help feeling lost and alone. With teal eyes and freakish silver hair that can’t be changed or destroyed, Ari has always stood out. And after growing up in foster care, she longs for some understanding of where she came from and who she is.

Her search for answers uncovers just one message from her long dead mother: Run. Ari can sense that someone, or something, is getting closer than they should. But it’s impossible to protect herself when she doesn’t know what she’s running from or why she is being pursued.

She knows only one thing: she must return to her birthplace of New 2, the lush rebuilt city of New Orleans. Upon arriving, she discovers that New 2 is very...different. Here, Ari is seemingly normal. But every creature she encounters, no matter how deadly or horrifying, is afraid of her.

Ari won’t stop until she knows why. But some truths are too haunting, too terrifying, to ever be revealed.

See what I mean? Holy Awesomesauce, Batgirl. The second I turn in my current novel, I'm reading this! I couldn't wait to have Kelly on the blog again, and this time, she decided to take on the Spork of Doom.

Spork of Doom

Kelly Keaton

Because DARKNESS BECOMES HER is set in New Orleans, Kelly asked for a Mardi Gras cupcake. My hubby rose to the challenge beautifully (Even though he was disappointed that I nixed his original design because while green and purple boobs are highly appropriate for Mardi Gras, there's something disturbing about the thought of multi-hued breasts made out of cake.) Without further ado, I give you the Mardi Gras cupcake and Kelly's interview with the Spork of Doom.

1. I’m all about world domination, and I’m always looking for good help. Why would you be an acceptable minion in my quest?

Because I like pie.


2. Your answer is acceptable. As long as you don't try to take my pie. Being a Spork of Doom takes moxie. What’s the sporkiest thing you’ve ever done?

Went to the mall in my flannel jammies and slippers. Hey, a dares a dare.

3. I dare you to help me take over the world. When I’m not busy taking over the world, I like to eat pie. What kind of pie do you think is worthy of my Spork of Doom status?

Cheesecake. It’s really a pie, people!

4. So few realize that. You're beginning to look like top notch minion material. What’s your favorite thing to do with a spork?

Pie!

5. I had no idea pie was a verb. *ponders this* You may be on to something. We should pie the entire world! Mwahahaha! Wait. You did mean "pie" in an evil, world domination sort of way, right? I have the ability to be simultaneously spoon, fork, and weapon of mass destruction. What unique ability do you have?

A stare down of awesome proportions.

6. If you stare yourself down in my shiny, titanium sides, would that cause an existential crisis for you? In this day and age, a savvy spork bent on world domination can’t afford to ignore a good marketing campaign. I’m thinking t-shirts with “Spork or Die.” If you made a shirt with your own slogan on it, what would it say?

Here Comes Trouble.

7. Interesting. Very, interesting. I think I'll use you as an advance guard. If I had to compare myself to anyone in history, I’d have to say I’m most like Napoleon. Only skinnier. And shinier. And smart enough not to lose my empire at a place with a ridiculous name like Waterloo. Who are you most like and why?

Queen Elizabeth I. Anyone who dons a silver breastplate over a white velvet gown to address the troops, rules an empire, and wears the Crown jewels is woman after my own heart.

8. Well, I suppose that's acceptable. But only if you remember all your empires belong to ME. Why is your job just as much fun as world domination?

Because I am a god in my world. I control everything.

9. Through the clever use of pie, no doubt. *is intrigued* In between conquests, I like to read a good story. What can you recommend and why?

I just read this book about the offspring of a spoon mum and a fork dad… very sad, misfit-feeling Spork he was. Could have led to the whole world domination thing *cough, biography! cough*

10. If being cut out to rule the world makes me a misfit, then pie on you and pie on everyone else! Now, BOW before my titanium fabulosity. You need to accomplish a secret, night-time mission as my minion. Cloak? No cloak? Why?

Definitely cloak at first. If I engage any bad guys, though, the cloak comes off in a flourish to flaunt my awesome Elektra-esque outfit as I dole out the whoopins.

11. I like your style. Especially since it sounds like your outfit will be shiny. You can never underestimate the power of shiny. My best piece of advice to others is this: “Fear the spork!” What’s your best advice?

Um, don’t forget to check that all clothing is in its proper place when you leave the bathroom?


Thank you for such a fun interview, Kelly! To learn more about Kelly, visit her site. To order your own copy of DARKNESS BECOMES HER (and you know you want to!), go here.

Of course, the fun isn't over yet! Kelly is giving away a signed copy of DARKNESS BECOMES HER along with some cool DBH swag! The contest is open internationally! Here's how to enter:

1. Earn entries:


*Comment on this post = 1 entry

*Be a follower of this blog = 2 entries

*Tweet the link to this interview = 3 entries (Use @cjredwine or leave url to tweet in your comment so I can see it.)

*Post the contest on your blog or facebook= 3 entries (Include link in your comment.)

2. Tally it up:

Please tally up your entries and leave the total in your comment.

3. Check back:

The contest is open until 8 p.m. (central time) Sunday, March 27th. Please check back to see if you've won and to claim your prize!

Good luck to all, and happy reading!

Accidental Idiocy Abounds

1. Because apparently nothing says sexy like a pair of spray painted goat hooves on your feet.

2. I worry about people sometimes. I really do.

3. I worry about myself more, though.

4. Because I have a habit of accidental idiocy.

5. Like when I couldn't figure out how to make gmail chat work this week (Don't. Ask.) and had to ask for instruction.

6. Bonus points to Mandy for not delivering said instruction with the scorn it deserved.

7. Or the time (also this week) when I couldn't understand how to work the new Google image thingy to get to the actual site, and Myra had to explain to me that I needed to close the pic first.

8. I'd give her bonus points for lack of scorn, but it was in her eyes.

9. And in her laugh.

10. So NO POINTS FOR YOU, MYRA.

11. But really the best example of accidental idiocy from this previous week is the following tweet I posted on Thursday night:

Have a quiet house and a Sonic peach teat. Going to dive into my WIP and write!

12. I'm sure you see the problem.

13. To my knowledge, Sonic has yet to offer its consumers flavored teats.

14. An oversight I'm sure they'll rectify once I provide them indisputable proof of its appeal.

15. I didn't realize my error until I checked my email some thirty minutes later and found COPIOUS emails from Twitter listing new followers of my account.

16. Most were those with some sort of teat fetish.

17. A few may have been misguided peach farmers.

18. It's possible there was a cow in the mix somewhere.

19. I'd like to smoothly transition into my next topic, but sadly, it has nothing to do with teats, or peach farmers, or cows and everything to do with BOYS.

20. Myra called me the other day while I was at Books A Million writing. The conversation went like this:

Myra: Hey. Um, I was just driving by your neighborhood on __insert busy street name here__ and I think I saw your children balancing on top of the subdivision sign right next to the busy street. I'm pretty sure they were your boys.

Me: Please tell me they were clothed?

Myra: Yeeeesss, I think so.

Me: Were they peeing on the cars as they drove past?

Myra: Definitely not.

Me: Well, that's something, at least.

Myra: Yeesss, but I thought maybe it was concerning because they are playing next to a really busy street?

Me: Oh. That. Yes. Of course. I'll call them right away.

And I did. And now they think I have spies everywhere. Which can only work to my advantage.

21. And because apparently I cannot think of a transition to save my life, I'm going to abruptly begin discussing progress on the book I'm turning in this coming weekend.

22. I've typed an insane amount of words over the last month.

23. Many of them were keepers.

24. Some of them were not.

25. I need to write 15k more (approximately) to finish the book. I'm really excited about this one. It's my first foray into the YA genre (Which is my go-to genre to read so I don't know why it took me so long to write it.).

26. There's really no way I can tie that in to ugly goat shoes, peach teats, or boys peeing on cars either because a) I'm mostly brain dead at the moment or b) ... nope, let's go with A.

27. Tune in Wednesday for an interview with debut YA author Kelly Keaton and her incredible novel DARKNESS BECOMES HER. Just the sneak peek of it will have you begging for more. I promise.