Exciting upcoming release: Something About Love by Elana Johnson

Guys! I am SO excited about Elana Johnson's newest release, Something About Love. First, I fell completely, totally in love with her contemporary novel-in-verse, ELEVATED, and while this one is not related, it's done in the same style, and I think Elana is a genius at writing in verse.

Lucky me, I get to read it early! It's at the very top of my list this week as a reward for me finishing an edit I need to finish (but I am SO tempted to read it before then!).

Also, look at the pretty! Is this not a gorgeous cover?

About SOMETHING ABOUT LOVE: High school senior Olivia Winging gave up her love of photography when she gave up her boyfriend, Trevor Youngblood, a year and a half ago. She broke things off with Trevor because her mom married his dad, and dating your step-brother? Creepy. 

Livvy hasn’t been on good terms with her mother since, and one of her stipulations for staying at the Youngblood’s every other weekend is that Trevor can’t be there. When she gets nominated for the Junior Photography in Excellence award, Trevor insists she enter. She agrees—only if every photo in the portfolio can be of him. Knowing that Livvy can capture a person’s deepest secrets through her lens, Trevor hesitates before accepting the deal.

As Livvy gets behind the lens of her camera again, her love of photography is rekindled. Unfortunately, the time she spends with Trevor also re-ignites the old flame for him she’s kept smothered for so long.

In order for Livvy to finish her portfolio, she’ll have to face her feelings for Trevor as well as deal with the animosity between her and her mother. Livvy’s always been able to capture a person’s soul from behind the camera—but she’s not sure she likes it when the lens is suddenly focused on her. If she can’t find a way to forgive her mother and admit how she feels about Trevor, Livvy may end up losing more than just the photography contest. She could lose her heart. 

You can Pre-order SOMETHING ABOUT LOVE on Amazon and also talk about it on Goodreads.

And guys, this is very exciting too. ELEVATED, the book I mentioned above and which is my favorite of all favorites by Elana, is FREE on Amazon September 15-19 as a special promo as SOMETHING ABOUT LOVE releases. Make sure you grab it. You will NOT regret it. Promise.

Praise for Elana’s first verse novel, Elevated:

“The taut poetry keeps tension high. The plot is deftly paced, as past intrudes on present, like a photograph emerging in developing fluid.” ~San Francisco Book Review

“Every word Johnson writes carries an emotional heft that lifts readers up to the highest happiness and then sends them crashing down to the depths of despair. It is easy to flow from the first word to the last without ever putting down the book. Johnson shows outstanding talent in this form, and her words are beautiful, important and deeply felt.” ~The Deseret News

About Elana Johnson: Elana Johnson’s work, including Possession, Surrender, Abandon, and Regret, published by Simon Pulse (Simon & Schuster), is available now everywhere books are sold. Her popular ebook, From the Query to the Call, is also available for free download, as well as a Possession short story, Resist. 

Her self-published novels include two YA contemporary novels-in-verse, Elevated and Something About Love, as well as a YA/NA futuristic fantasy series, which includes Elemental Rush, Elemental Hunger, and Elemental Release.

School teacher by day, Query Ninja by night, you can find her online at her personal blog or Twitter. She also co-founded the Query Tracker blog, and contributes to the League of Extraordinary Writers.

Social Media Links:

Website/blog: http://elanajohnson.blogspot.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ElanaJ

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorelanajohnson

Tumblr: http://elanajohnson.tumblr.com/

Wattpad: http://www.wattpad.com/user/elanajohnson

League of Extraordinary Writers: http://leaguewriters.blogspot.com/

WriteOnCon: http://writeoncon.com/

Elana on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4044383.Elana_Johnson

Awesome Books WEEK!!! (And yet ANOTHER contest.)

OH. My. Gosh. You guys!

Have you seen the awesome that has been released this week? And by awesome, I mean books, of course. There are so many, and I am excited for every one. SO EXCITED. Like, majorly. BIG TIME. Enough to use three exclamation points in the title of this post, and I never condone actions like that. That is how stoked I am.

Also, I am so very bummed, because all these releases mean launch parties in places where I am not, and so I will be missing some seriously stellar events. There will be tears. No avoiding it. But I am still so excited about these books that I just have to share them with all of you. Because, seriously, if I can’t be to the events, the least I can do is cyber-celebrate.

And because I can’t be with the authors on their big days, I think a little drawing thingie is in order. Here’s what I’m thinking. I want pictures. Send me a picture of you and YOUR copy of any of the following books (or all of them!) and I will enter you into a drawing to win one FREE e-copy of my book, DESCENDANT. That’s right. FREE! You can send me your pics via Facebook or Twitter (tag me using my handle @nicholegiles), or email me at writenichole @ gmail . com by no later than midnight on Saturday, June 8^th, and I will draw a random winner. Winner will be announced Wednesday, June 12^th- -ish. One entry per book purchased (if you buy all of them, you’ll have an entry for all!). Open internationally.

Deal? Okay then.

Here are your options:

Happy reading, happy buying, and…oh, um, happy June!

All the Things About Last Week

Holy wow, you will not believe how much crazy fun I’ve had since DESCENDANT was released on May 1^st.

First, a flight to Utah for the release party here.

 

The King's English Book Shop

Lots of people came—the chairs filled and…

the line went out the door.

My publishers, Rhett and Emmaline Hoffmeister came.
And also my publishing sisters Donna K. Weaver and Michelle Davidson Argyle.

Next, a beautiful few days spent networking and a little bit of family visiting,

Cooking lessons with my oldest.

Dinner with these FABulous ladies! (Minus Raylene.)

Launch party pics still--I'm horrible about remembering to snap pics sometimes. But I spent time with all these people! 

And these people too.

And my good friend Windy.

and then this fabulous conference, where I presented.

Lots of catching up with my writing family.

A little visiting with each of these ladies.

Partying with Authors Incognito.

 

Photo courtesy of Heather Zahn Gardner
Reunion with my Utah critique group.

Photographer Heather Zahn Gardner and me,courtesy of well, Heather. 

Some eating on the job.

Fantastic looking group, yes?

Breakfast and lucky pie with Elana J.

Some silliness and book signing.

Some more catching up.

Debbie Davis and me.

Shopping and late nights with FAB #3. (Yes, this is an old pic too.)

And then Mother’s Day with my oldest son and both my mothers (bio and step) before heading back to Texas to the rest of my family, where I was greeted with these.

Lots of stuff in one week, yes? But so much amazing, my brain is still spinning. And now to get back to writing!

Don’t forget to stop by the Descendant blog tour stops for exclusive information, interviews, playlists, and excerpts—also for multiple chances to enter the MASSIVE contest. Don’t miss out! 

Celebrate Good Times, Come On! (A massive DESCENDANT giveaway)

Yahoo. Dun dun dun dun dun dun…

*dances around the house where I’m staying*

*sees you looking*

*sheepishly blushing*

Oh, uh, yeah. Hi! So today is the beginning of the Descendant Blog tour, and that means PARTY! Also, FREE STUFF! Yep, that’s right. You are invited to visit any of the participating blogs, where you will have the opportunity to enter to win.

But, um, what do you win? Well.

Do you know what a galley is? It’s basically a printed, unbound copy of the book. Sometimes they have author notes and other doodles in them. Sounds cool, right? (Or lame—I don’t know. You tell me!) I will be giving away one complete doodled galley copy of DESCENDANT. IF we make the review goals, this will include the three bonus scenes I promised (but if we don’t make it, I can’t reveal them. Sorry!).

Also, because there are healing crystals involved in this story, I have a few of these beautiful healing crystals, which have been put into necklaces by my good friend Gail. I will give away Four of these.

But that’s not all! Oh no. My amazing friend Tova, has created some lovely, and oh-so-amazing healing body spray. And yes, it really does HEAL things. She also created these gorgeous DESCENDANT lip balms. (Tell me those aren’t the cutest things ever!) So I’m going to give away one bottle of healing spray and a lip balm as a package prize.

And also, I love the idea of packaging all these things together, so I will offer one more prize that includes a body spray, a lip balm, a healing crystal a signed poster, a wrist band, some bookmarks, AND… a doodled, signed galley segment that includes at least two chapters of DESCENDANT.

Sound good? Cool. Okay then. Go forth and enter, my friends! Good luck to you.

*Bloggers may enter as long as the entry doesn’t come from their own blog.
**Sadly, I need to restrict this giveaway to USA mailing addresses only.
***Contest runs from today, May 6, 2013-June 5th, 2013.
****You may enter once on each participating blog, but please be kind and leave the bloggers a comment. Thanks!

  

May 6    A Dream Within A Dream                   

              No Thought 2 Small                    

May 7    Coffee, Books,and Me                               

May 8    Cari's Book Blog    

May 9    My Passion for Books            

              Fire and Ice          

May 10  Krista's Dust Jacket           

               Basia's Bookshelf                    

May 13  Manga Maniac Cafe            

May 14  Romancing the Dark Side                                                             

May 15  Cari's Book Blog                                                              

              My Reading Room                                                                     

May 16 Views from Hobbit Hole                                                                 

              Me, My Shelf, and I                                                                                   

May 17 Books and Coffee                                                            

              An Avid Reader's Musing

             Bookworm's Multiverse 

May 20 Late Bloomer Online                             

May 21 Books of Love                                                                                   

May 22 Min's Read and Reviews                                            

             What's Beyond Forks?              

May 23 Tarheel Bibilobabe                                

             Kathleen Brebes                  

May 24 Lily Pond Reads                   

May 27 Books and Coffee                  

May 28 Read-A-Holicz              

              Reading Lark               

May 29 Reader Girls                                                  

              My Bookish Fairytales         

May 30 Girls in the Stacks                    

May 31 Rex Robot Review      

Worth the Work

I’m not going to lie. The next month is going to be crazy busy for me. Yes, the fact that my book is officially “released” into the world is part of it. I’m currently in Utah to celebrate that, and also to attend and present at my all-time favorite writing conference. Those things, along with a little visiting and socializing, will take up the first half of my May. And THEN…

Moving. Again.

Yes, yes. We did just move. Uh huh. It has only been six months. Here it is: from crappy rental house—into nice home-we-will-own.

It’s a lot of work, and a lot of stress. And a lot of brainpower. But in the end, we believe all the work and stress will be worth it. Kind of like it’s worth all the work and stress it has taken for me to see this book through the publication process. And worth what it's going to take to find time to write the next one.

I believe that all the best things require sacrifice and hard work.

So what about you? What hard thing do you believe is worth working for this spring/summer?

TodayTodayToday TODAY!

It’s officially official. My book comes out today!

The sun will come out, tomorrow. Bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow…I mean today, today TODAY…there’ll be sun…

Yeah, I’m singing. And now maybe you are too. I’d apologize, but…NAH! If you have a song stuck in your head, maybe you’ll remember who put it there in the first place, and maybe then you’ll remember why.

That person is obviously me. And the reason? MY BOOK IS OFFICIALLY BORN! Release day is here, and this is reason to celebrate. To throw confetti and dance around and eat nummy treats and all that. And that is what I will be doing today.

Also, packing like crazy. Because tomorrow I leave for Utah. So while I’m not doing a huge “MY BOOK IS OUT LET’S CELEBRATE” online party YET, I am still planning an online celebration in conjunction with the blog tour. There are prizes involved. And teasers. And playlists. And other fun things you won’t want to miss. This awesome celebration starts May 6^th and goes through the 31^st, so there will be lots of chances to win, and lots of things to see.

But also, also, ALSO…there’s this:

As soon as DESCENDANT reaches 50 reviews on AMAZON, I will post a deleted scene that is not in the book or on any website anywhere. At 75 reviews, I’ll post another one, and at 100 reviews, one more. If by some amazing chance, we pass 100 reviews and make it to 150, um, I might be forced to give away some really, really special stuff. Like doodled galleys, and swag, and maybe something else. Something big. Maybe I could spring for a Kindle? Maybe. 

(Also, I’d love to make that many reviews on Barnes and Noble and Goodreads, and if we reach 50, 75, and 100 there as well, I will be forced--FORCED, I say--to offer other fun prizes. Tip: your one review can be pasted into all three sites.)

Now, just to clarify, these aren’t just random scenes. They’re ones that are relevant to the story, original scenes that were ultimately cut from the book for various reasons, but that matter. I want to share them with readers, and I am not a patient person, so I’m going to make that offer now. The catch? All this has to happen by May 30th. *gulps* Yep, a time limit. Can we do it? I believe it can be done. 

So go forth and purchase, and be sure to REVIEW! (But please read the book first! One star reviews from people who haven’t read books are just plain mean.)  You can buy it on Amazon or Barnes and Noble. (And psst! It's on sale!)   

Huge hugs! Thanks for celebrating with me today.

Some Cool April Things

It’s April. And with the new month comes some cool things. Some VERY cool things. Like…

1.       Descendant is officially available for pre-order, and it’s entirely possible you *may* be able to get it in ebook form within the next couple weeks. Just…you know, if you’re interested in that little tidbit.

2.       The launch party will officially be held at The King’s English book store in Salt Lake City, UT on Saturday, May 4^th, 2013 at 4:00 pm. I hope to see lots of you there!

My flower in honor of Descendant.

3.       Because of that launch party, and also because of the upcoming LDStorymakers writer’s conference, in Provo, UT during the following weekend, where I am presenting, I have purchased my plane ticket and will be going to Utah in ONE month. Actually, less than one month. So yeah. Lots of excitement over here.

4.       Spring has sprung in Texas, and I found this at the store the other day. Matches the one on the cover of Descendant, so I had to have it. Flowers make me so happy.

5.       I am planning to write a new book this month. Going to be tricky, since I have TONS of other things to get done before May, but it seems like I work best with tricky. Going to give it a shot.

What about you? What are you excited about this April?  

Spring Things

I don’t know about you, but I’m really quite relieved to say goodbye to February and usher in March. It’s like the light at the end of the long winter tunnel. Also, this spring I am looking forward to lots of things. Spring THINGS!

Like my cover reveal. Because I’ve been waiting to show that off for weeks and weeks, and now I finally can!

And blog tour and book launch planning, searching for contest prizes, stuff like that. Because I like to give things away, and I am ridiculously excited about the release of DESCENDANT and can’t wait to share it with the world.

And like spring break. Wherein we take our kids and drive a few hours to Galveston, TX, where there is a cruise port, and we board a ginormous ship and leave all our troubles behind for a week. (Yes, it’s a Carnival Ship, YES, we were scheduled to sail on the Triumph and had to change our reservation, and no, we are not nervous to sail on the Magic, because we’ve cruised before and we know that what happened a couple weeks ago is not something that happens often. It’s like flying on a plane. Crashes happen so rarely that when they do, it’s BIG news. But there are thousands of planes taking flight every single day.)

I am also anxious for spring flowers and planting season and sea turtle hatching season. (Oh my goodness, there’s a national beach near me where this is a seasonal thing and you can go watch the baby turtles waddle out to sea. True story!) And dolphins in the harbor and baby bunnies which show up randomly on my front lawn.

And Cadbury Mini Eggs, because, well, who isn’t excited about those?

Now it’s your turn. What are you most excited about this spring?