tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40042356268442966922024-02-21T04:04:35.295-06:00Annika's AnnexAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568118558492638838noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4004235626844296692.post-65834221810916488002013-10-18T20:49:00.000-05:002013-10-18T20:50:32.681-05:00Progress?Here it is more than a month later than my last post and I'm at 27,000 words in my WIP. Do I wish it were more? Yes, of course. But I'm also excited that I've gotten this far.<br />
We are moving in two weeks. Two weeks! (stressing out? just a smidge...) And I guess my mind may have been occupied elsewhere, but I want this book written. I have so many scenes in my head I need to get down, I've taken to scribbling furious notes on whatever notepad is handiest so I don't lose my ideas.<br />
Exciting news, though. I have been asked to be a part of Celebrating Debutantes. A blog-a-bration of debut authors. (yep, made that word up. LOL) And I'm so excited to be a part of this! Check out the button on the sidebar, and check out these blogs: <a href="http://michelletheescapist.blogspot.com/p/celebrating-debutantes.html">The Escapist</a> and <a href="http://oopsireadabookagain.blogspot.com/">Oops! I Read a Book Again</a>. What a great event to discover some brand new authors!<br />
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I will keep you all updated on the progrss on the new book. Who know? the next time I blog, it may be from Texas! Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568118558492638838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4004235626844296692.post-85255688374024782962013-09-02T15:39:00.000-05:002013-09-02T15:39:40.201-05:00Almost Halfway...I've been having the urge to write a lot lately. (that looks like a bad sentence, lol). So, I finally sat down yesterday and wrote in the 2nd book to Ash's story. I'm up to 18, 218 words. The first book was about 55, 000, so I'm saying I'm almost halfway... haha I just need to sit down more often and just write. Recently, I read a post on Facebook from one of my editors about how she's doing a 15 minutes a day writing challenge. I think that sounds great. I can squeeze in 15 minutes of writing. Just think how far I can get. So there it is, I'm going to start putting in at least 15 minutes every day until this book gets done.<br />
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Now, I'm terrible at titles. I know if I want it to be a series, or even just a trilogy, it needs a name. I just can't come up with one, so if anyone has any suggestions, let me know!<br />
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In personal news, we are planning a move to Texas in the beginning of November. We live in Wisconsin. This is a huge move, but I'm very excited for the opportunities this move will give us. I'll keep you updated on how that process is going.<br />
In the meantime, have a great week! Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568118558492638838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4004235626844296692.post-12344060789260820932013-08-19T00:00:00.000-05:002013-08-19T00:00:02.241-05:00Blog Tour Starts Today!Yes, I've been away for awhile... Life has been crazy - good, but crazy. We are preparing to move cross country in a couple months, and that is taking up a lot of my brain space and time.<br />
But, WANTED goes on tour today, and I'm very excited! Here is the schedule if you'd like to follow along. I can't wait to see the reviews and get any feedback from the readers. There will be an interview with me, as well as a couple guest posts. Thanks to Sizzling PR for hosting my tour! Here are the stops:<br />
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19: Interview – <a href="http://www.yougottaread.com/" style="border: 0px; color: #1982d1; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">You Gotta Read Reviews</a></div>
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20: Spotlight – <a href="http://www.ichbineinteufel.blogspot.com/" style="border: 0px; color: #1982d1; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Lindsay’s Scribblings</a></div>
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21: Spotlight & Review - <a href="http://www.fictionalcandy.com/" rel="nofollow" style="border: 0px; color: #1982d1; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank" title="Fictional Candy">Fictional Candy</a></div>
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22: Spotlight - <a href="http://literalhottiesnaughtybookreviews.blogspot.com/" style="border: 0px; color: #1982d1; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Literal Hotties Naughty Book Reviews</a></div>
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23: Guest Blog -<a href="http://www.apassionforromance.blogspot.com/" style="border: 0px; color: #1982d1; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank"> Krista Ames</a></div>
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26: Spotlight – <a href="http://www.frellathon.com/" style="border: 0px; color: #1982d1; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Frellathon</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.frellathon.com/" style="border: 0px; color: #1982d1; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">27: Spotlight & Review - <span style="border: 0px; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS'; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Laurie’s Paranormal Thoughts and Reviews</span></a></div>
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28: Guest Blog & Spotlight – <a href="http://www.lunarhavenrd.com/" style="border: 0px; color: #1982d1; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Lunar Haven </a></div>
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30: Review – <a href="http://maw25.wordpress.com/" style="border: 0px; color: #1982d1; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Love Laughter Friendship</a></div>
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31: Review & Spotlight - <a href="http://theramblingsofatoddlersmom.blogspot.com/" rel="nofollow" style="border: 0px; color: #1982d1; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">Kayla’s Place</a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568118558492638838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4004235626844296692.post-387392233306589602013-05-14T12:02:00.001-05:002013-05-14T12:02:36.444-05:00Day off, but working... I have a day off from work today - so I use it to do my other "work." Honestly, I wish I could do this every day. Write, network, make money from home, work in my PJs. :) Who wouldn't want to make a living like that? Working on putting together a couple blog tours for the Summer, and later, I'll get back to Ash's story and see what happens next. I'm also catching up on my DVRed shows - The Voice, Deadliest Catch, Supernatural, and The Vampire Diaries. I might even go for a run later. The weather is gorgeous here today - Sunny and in the 80s. Loving it! Thanks for stopping by! <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1yOez9cLqRJ-y99JUc7IuIR9rFNZRAZNwXaBQJcFG2ZKCA9LcHrm4q_5kJ_WFyb5HJI5bJUYnDYCQkG7y_nM7vz-IL_TFbwwGoR9c7lUNYIM5mAHyJGgfAY75ccSm_7j0yl1tFMEwWkw/s1600/work.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1yOez9cLqRJ-y99JUc7IuIR9rFNZRAZNwXaBQJcFG2ZKCA9LcHrm4q_5kJ_WFyb5HJI5bJUYnDYCQkG7y_nM7vz-IL_TFbwwGoR9c7lUNYIM5mAHyJGgfAY75ccSm_7j0yl1tFMEwWkw/s320/work.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568118558492638838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4004235626844296692.post-23356657267333241092013-05-12T11:34:00.000-05:002013-05-12T11:34:17.021-05:00Happy Mothers' Day!I have the most awesome mom in the world. No, really, I do. :) She is one of the strongest women I know and I can only hope to be a fraction of the woman she is. I have always looked up to my mom, she has done so much in her life and I remember, when I was little, I wanted to be just like her. When I was young, we lived in Chicago and she worked for a major hotel chain. She got to travel all over the world, and that probably grew my obsession with travel. Thanks to her, I've had the opportunity to visit Spain 3 times and see Paris. Spain, especially Barcelona, is one of my favorite places on Earth! So, thanks for that, Mom!<br />
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She has also always encouraged my writing. Even when I was young, I can remember her encouraging me to write and she never once told me being a writer was too far-fetched of a dream. She has always told us kids we could do whatever we set our minds to. She's probably my biggest fan, and I'm hers!<br />
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We may differ on some things -like the fact she's STILL a Cubs fan, and as a Brewers fan, that just makes me shudder - but my mom is my hero and I love her. She has done so much for me, I couldn't ever repay her.<br />
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Thanks, Mom, for everything! Love ya!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568118558492638838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4004235626844296692.post-89634646902490430772013-04-19T08:38:00.000-05:002013-04-19T08:38:17.368-05:00Writing!I realized I need to blog more. I follow many authors and several of them blog every day - I don't think I have that much discipline, but I can at least try to blog every week. :)<br />
I have the day off from work today, so hopefully I will get some writing done on the sequel to <u>Wanted</u>. I'm watching my DVRed "The Voice." This is the first year I've actually watched this show, and I'm in love! Watching the coaches interact is hilarious, and there is some serious talent on this show!<br />
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Anywho, I'll keep you updated on my progress on <u>Claimed</u> - that's what I'm tentatively calling it right now. :) I'm about a quarter of the way through right now, and can't wait to see where the story goes.<br />
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Have a great Friday!! Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568118558492638838noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4004235626844296692.post-43774343581582258322013-03-01T00:00:00.000-06:002013-03-01T00:00:01.681-06:00WANTED Blog Tour!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5gcffbPrjN5KoTH6c7pqyJRnY_by-AXbLNZmk01nuj3z4XvZIvxUcMe3OTgJ8j5nOWlAphpZcgigijz3zInoWsfrnAJriVi6VA2GFLCDxFiver6citFxPbboJGI4dgOPQuOKp1mPZiXo/s1600/Wanted+Button+300+x+225.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5gcffbPrjN5KoTH6c7pqyJRnY_by-AXbLNZmk01nuj3z4XvZIvxUcMe3OTgJ8j5nOWlAphpZcgigijz3zInoWsfrnAJriVi6VA2GFLCDxFiver6citFxPbboJGI4dgOPQuOKp1mPZiXo/s1600/Wanted+Button+300+x+225.png" /></a></div>
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<br />
<u>Wanted</u> is going on tour!! Presented by Bewitching Book Tours - <u>Wanted</u> will be featured on several blogs beginning today! Here's the lineup. Stop by, give these blogs some love. You might learn more about me, the book, and the characters. You might also get a chance to win a free copy! <br />
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March 1 Interview</div>
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Michelle @ Mom With A Kindle </div>
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<a href="http://momwithakindle.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://momwithakindle.<wbr></wbr>blogspot.com</a></div>
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March 1 Spotlight</div>
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Sapphyria's Book Reviews: </div>
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<a href="http://saphsbookblog.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://saphsbookblog.blogspot.<wbr></wbr>com/</a></div>
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March 2 Spotlight</div>
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Inkk Reviews </div>
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<a href="http://inkkreviews.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://inkkreviews.blogspot.<wbr></wbr>com</a></div>
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March 2 Review</div>
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Books, Books, and More Books</div>
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<a href="http://dream-reader-dreamer2229.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://dream-reader-<wbr></wbr>dreamer2229.blogspot.com/</a></div>
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March 3 Guest blog and review</div>
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happy tails and tales</div>
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<a href="http://magluvsya03.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">http://magluvsya03.wordpress.<wbr></wbr>com</a></div>
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March 4 Guest blog</div>
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Paperback Princess</div>
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<a href="http://princess-paperback.blogspot.com.au/" target="_blank">http://princess-paperback.<wbr></wbr>blogspot.com.au</a></div>
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March 4 Spotlight</div>
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Bornean Bookworm Reads</div>
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<a href="http://borneanbookworm.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://borneanbookworm.<wbr></wbr>blogspot.com</a></div>
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March 4 Review</div>
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The Bookmark Blog</div>
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<a href="http://www.mybookmarkblog.com/" target="_blank">www.mybookmarkblog.com</a></div>
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March 5 Spotlight</div>
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A Bibliophiles Thoughts on Books</div>
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<a href="http://bibliophilesthoughtsonbooks.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://<wbr></wbr>bibliophilesthoughtsonbooks.<wbr></wbr>blogspot.com/</a></div>
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<div>
March 5 Review</div>
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Crazy Four Books</div>
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<a href="http://www.crazyfourbooks.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://www.crazyfourbooks.<wbr></wbr>blogspot.com</a></div>
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March 7 Guest blog and review</div>
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My Guilty Obsession</div>
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<a href="http://myguiltyobsession.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://myguiltyobsession.<wbr></wbr>blogspot.com/</a></div>
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March 7 Interview</div>
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Books in the Hall </div>
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<a href="http://www.booksinthehall.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://www.booksinthehall.<wbr></wbr>blogspot.com</a></div>
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March 8 Interview</div>
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Blogger and Reviewer at Sweet Southern Home</div>
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<a href="http://www.sweetsouthernhome.net/" target="_blank">http://www.sweetsouthernhome.<wbr></wbr>net</a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
March 8 Guest blo </div>
<div>
Michelle's Paranormal Vault of Books</div>
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<a href="http://concisebookreviewsbymichelle.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">http://<wbr></wbr>concisebookreviewsbymichelle.<wbr></wbr>blogspot.com/</a></div>
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Hope to see you at these blogs!! </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568118558492638838noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4004235626844296692.post-62832452923896742192013-01-18T02:00:00.000-06:002013-01-18T02:00:14.195-06:00Release Day!!!<u>Wanted</u> comes out today!! I am so excited, I can't put into words what this means. The realization of a lifelong dream - that's for sure.<br />
<br />
Buy the book here at <a href="https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore2/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=570&category_id=69&manufacturer_id=269&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1">MuseItUp</a><br />
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If you do read it, please leave a review somewhere. If you review it on your blog, let me know and I'll stop by. Thank you for all your support!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08568118558492638838noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4004235626844296692.post-79669025246940926292013-01-15T11:42:00.000-06:002013-01-15T11:42:07.654-06:00Wanted Available For Pre Order!My soon-to-be-published YA novel, <u>Wanted</u>,<u> </u>is now available for preorder on the <a href="https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore2/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=570&category_id=69&manufacturer_id=269&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1">MuseItUp</a> website for 20% off! I'm so excited for the impending release of my first book! This is the beginning of a fantastic journey, and I'm excited you are here to join me! Here are links if you want to stalk me. :)<br />
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<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17234333-wanted">Goodreads</a><br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Annika-James/328778377231617">Facebook</a><br />
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And a little teaser:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj05fecOYjpGorOjycTmFd1hYFaw2rLmORaacCRcXALNCawfZJjMDNjqf1fsW6da3uFaeKaBH5nb6IBIYkabfwzdU54vTvDpMnFjhtqRGxj5buuCseXpjBJDde03V1CXS9Va_5a3Bz3gLc/s1600/wanted333x500(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj05fecOYjpGorOjycTmFd1hYFaw2rLmORaacCRcXALNCawfZJjMDNjqf1fsW6da3uFaeKaBH5nb6IBIYkabfwzdU54vTvDpMnFjhtqRGxj5buuCseXpjBJDde03V1CXS9Va_5a3Bz3gLc/s320/wanted333x500(1).jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Attacked
as a young witch and left for dead, Ashlinn is deathly afraid of being
bitten again. Having survived until she’s almost eighteen without
donating blood to any of her vamp friends, Ashlinn figures she’ll
continue to live bite-free. After her crush reveals how powerful she is,
however, the Vampire Council declares she be claimed as a familiar,
which requires biting. Ashlinn doesn’t want to be owned, even by hot
vamp, Conor. Luckily, her best friend, Matt, volunteers for the job. She
is given one week to choose her protector, and the list of willing
biters keeps growing. Will she go with best friend Matt, hot vamp Conor,
or someone else to protect her? Will she be able to get her power under
control by then? Will she overcome her phobia of being bitten? And who
says she needs to be protected, anyhow?</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Excerpt:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Ash,
we kind of have a problem,” Matt said, leaning forward, bracing his
forearms on his thighs. My stomach clenched. “What?” It came out in a
whisper. “Your power. It’s strong,” he said. I shrugged. “I’m almost
eighteen. Mom said it would get stronger until then.” He looked away
briefly. Cora threaded her arms around one of mine, holding me
protectively. “Get to the point, Matthew,” she told him harshly. I loved
that she kept calling him Matthew. He ran a hand through his hair and
looked at Conor again, who gave a slight nod. Matt turned back to me.
“Yeah,” he said roughly. “But it holds a certain appeal to some of us.”
“Us?” I inquired.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Vampires,”
Conor spoke for the first time. His low and seductive voice brought me
back to the library when he’d told me to read. I shivered. “What kind of
appeal?” Cora broke in. I felt small and vulnerable, again realizing
all my friends were vamps. My power appealed to them? Matt and Cora had
never said anything before. “It calls,” Conor said softly.
“It’s…alluring.” I looked at Matt. “Matt, you’ve never said anything. Is
it like that for you?” He wouldn’t meet my eye, shaking his head. Cora
spoke what I had been wondering. “So when you say ‘us’ you mean…”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">“He means me, mostly,” Conor cut her off, reaffirming what we’d all been thinking.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I gave a short bark of laughter. “What?” I asked sarcastically. “So, you’re a chocoholic and I’m a chocolate bar?”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Conor’s
face twisted in disgust. “Please don’t trivialize it. Yes, you seem to
be irresistible to me. I can feel your power, almost taste it, and I
want it. I can restrain myself—if restraint is needed.” Matt cleared his
throat. Conor’s eyes moved to his friend then back to me. “Which it
is,” he added with a small grin.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I
shifted, clenching the blanket in my fists, as this all sunk in. “So,
in the hallway, and at your house, you don’t want me to just be a donor.
You want my…power?” I was incredulous, and could feel my face growing
hotter. Which was worse? Using me for blood? Or my power?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">“I told you she’d get mad,” Matt mumbled.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I
stood, letting the blanket fall to the floor. I watched both boys’
gazes drift down my bare legs and back up to my face. I rolled my eyes.
Boys!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Matt, how long have you known this?”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Since this morning,” he replied, meeting my angry glare. “Sit, Ash. Let me explain.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I obeyed, reluctantly, sitting on the edge of the couch. My anger receded a little with the promise of an explanation, finally.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Matt
rubbed a hand over his face. “Okay. I called Conor this morning to ask
him what he’d been playing at in the hallway the other day. I wanted to
know what to expect at the party. He…” Matt looked at Conor, who was
looking at me. Conor nodded for Matt to continue. “He said your power
was suddenly there, in the hallway, calling to him. He’d never really
noticed it before, until you walked into him. He got closer to double
check and…”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">“I wanted you,” Conor finished simply.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I looked at him sharply. “You wanted my power,” I corrected.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">So
that was it. He had a taste of my power in the hallway and wanted more
in the library. He must have loved it when I used my power to throw him
across the room, further proving to him how strong I was.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The boy raised a shoulder like it was nothing. “Your power is you.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I
shook my head at him. “It’s not the same thing. You don’t actually like
me.” My dumb voice broke a little. Cora put a hand on my shoulder,
solid and reassuring. “You only like what I can give you.” Now my dumb
eyes grew hot and traitorous with threatening tears.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Isn’t
that what all relationships are?” he asked, “What someone can give you?
How they make you feel? Isn’t that why we’re attracted to certain
people?”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">I would not be persuaded. “It doesn’t matter. It’s not happening. No one’s going to bite me. Ever.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Conor looked to Matt. “Matthew,” he said softly.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Matt shifted and looked at me, dejected. My anxiety level spiked.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Ash,” he started, wringing his hands, brows furrowed. “You have to be claimed by someone.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">My eyes widened. “What do you mean, claimed?”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">“You have to let someone make you their familiar, claim you under their protection.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Oh,
Goddess. The only way to become a familiar was to be bitten, not just
once, one had to be a regular donor to a certain vampire, and ingest
their blood. My heart sped up. “What? Why? What the hell does that
mean?”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Matt
pressed his lips together, face paling. “The Council thinks your power
will begin to attract vamps from all over. You need someone’s protection
or…”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">He trailed off and looked at the ground.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">“Or every vamp in the tri-county area will be trying to bite you,” Conor filled in.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Cora’s
hand tightened on my shoulder. Horror washed through me, my mouth hung
open in shock, cold seeping into my core. I will not freak out. I will
not freak out, I thought.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Matt moved to stand, probably to come to me. Conor put a hand on him, holding him still.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">“I’m
sorry, Ash.” Matt’s voice was full of sympathy. “I didn’t know before
today.” He paused. “The Council wants you claimed by the end of the
week. Otherwise they’ll force it on you to prevent any fighting.”</span><br />
<br />
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