Black Blade series

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    Dark Heart of Magic, Black Blade #2, coming Oct. 27 …

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    Dark Heart of MagicCold Burn of Magic, Black Blade #1, will be out on April 28 (almost here!), but I wanted to go ahead and give everyone some information about the second book in the series.

    Dark Heart of Magic is the title of Black Blade #2, and it will be released on Oct. 27. Woot! I really like this title, and I’m happy to share the cover art.

    Dark Heart of Magic is up for pre-order at the following sites:

    Amazon Kindle / Amazon print / Barnes & Noble / Books-A-Million / iBooks / IndieBound / Google Play / Kobo

    And here is the book description. It doesn’t contain any real spoilers, but if you absolutely want to remain spoiler-free, you might want to skip reading the description.

    SOMETHING WICKED THIS WAY COMES…

    As a thief, I stick to the shadows as much as possible. But when the head of the Sinclair Family picks me to compete in the Tournament of Blades, there’s no escaping the spotlight—or the danger.

    Even though he’s my competition, Devon Sinclair thinks I have the best shot of winning what’s supposed to be a friendly contest. But when the competitors start having mysterious “accidents”, it looks like someone will do anything to win—no matter who they hurt.

    As if I didn’t have enough to worry about, mobster Victor Draconi is plotting against Devon and the rest of my friends, and someone’s going around Cloudburst Falls murdering monsters. One thing’s for sure. Sometimes, humans can be more monstrous than anything else …

    I hope that everyone enjoys the sneak peak at Dark Heart of Magic, and I hope that everyone enjoys Cold Burn of Magic when it is released at the end of the month.

    Happy reading!

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    Print ARC giveaway for Cold Burn of Magic …

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    My publisher was nice enough to send me some print ARCs (advanced reading copies) for Cold Burn of Magic, Black Blade #1, which will be out on April 28.

    I have two print ARCs left, and I’m going to give those away here on my blog. If you receive an ARC, please consider taking the time to read the book and post a review on Goodreads, Amazon, etc.

    Note: To enter the giveaway, use the form at the bottom of this post. The giveaway is open to those 13 and older, U.S. only.

    Black Blade #1Cold Burn of Magic features magic, monsters, and mobsters. The book focuses on Lila Merriweather, a 17-year-old thief who lives in Cloudburst Falls, West Virginia, a town dubbed “the most magical place in America.” Tourists come from around the world to tour all the magic-themed shops and attractions, as well as see monsters like tree trolls, copper crushers, and more in their natural habitats.

    Lila has a Talent for sight, along with transference magic — in other words, magic makes her stronger. To survive, she does odd jobs for her pawnbroker friend. Lila also does her best to stay off the grid and avoid the Families — or mobs — who control much of the town. But when she saves a member of the powerful Sinclair Family during an attack, Lila finds herself caught in the middle of a brewing war between the Sinclairs and the Draconis, the most powerful Family in town.

    Cold Burn of Magic is up for pre-order at the following sites:

    Amazon Kindle / Amazon paperback / Barnes & Noble / Books-A-Million / iBooks / IndieBound / Google Play / Kobo

    And here is the book description:

    THERE BE MONSTERS HERE…

    It’s not as great as you’d think, living in a tourist town that’s known as “the most magical place in America.” Same boring high school, just twice as many monsters under the bridges and rival Families killing each other for power.

    I try to keep out of it. I’ve got my mom’s bloodiron sword and my slightly illegal home in the basement of the municipal library. And a couple of Talents I try to keep quiet, including very light fingers and a way with a lock pick.

    But then some nasty characters bring their Family feud into my friend’s pawn shop, and I have to make a call—get involved, or watch a cute guy die because I didn’t. I guess I made the wrong choice, because now I’m stuck putting everything on the line for Devon Sinclair. My mom was murdered because of the Families, and it looks like I’m going to end up just like her…

    You can read the first chapter of Cold Burn of Magic here. Scroll down and click on the Read Excerpt tab.

    Dark Heart of Magic, the second book, is tentatively set to be released on Oct. 27. The third book will probably be out in May 2016, but that is subject to change.

    I hope that everyone enjoys Cold Burn of Magic when it is released.
    a Rafflecopter giveaway

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    To pre-order or not to pre-order …

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    Note: I posted this over at Magical Musings last week and wanted to share it here on my blog as well.

    Do you pre-order?

    You know what I’m talking about — all those tempting little buttons next to books by your favorite authors. The ones that let you pre-order a new book months in advance.

    Cold Burn of MagicWhenever I’m talking about my books on my blog, Facebook, or Twitter pages, I usually include pre-order links to major retailers like Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million, iTunes, Kobo, IndieBound, and Audible (audiobooks). For example, on I’ve got several pre-order links up on my website page for Cold Burn of Magic, Black Blade #1, my young adult urban fantasy book that will be out on April 28.

    I’ve heard from many folks that when you pre-order a book — especially an e-book — that it’s a nice little surprise when you fire up your e-reader and see the book waiting there for you to start reading any time you want to. The same thing goes for getting an e-mail that the audiobook is available, a package in the mail with a print book, or getting a call from your local bookstore saying that the book has arrived.

    But me? I don’t pre-order books too often. Usually, most of my pre-orders are movies or TV shows because it seems like you can get a better deal on those online.

    But if there is a book that I want, I will bookmark it on my computer. Then I’ll wait until it comes out, go to the store, and buy a print copy, mainly because I still like to read print books over e-books. Or, if I think that my local stores might not have the book, then I will pre-order a print copy a week or two ahead of the release date. I also make sure that I order enough items to get free shipping. I am all about free shipping. LOL.

    What about you guys? Do you pre-order books, movies, or music? Why or why not?

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    Blogging, e-newsletter, and social media sites …

    Here is a roundup of places where you can find me online and get my latest book news:

    1) If you don’t already, you can follow me on Facebook and Twitter. These are the two online sites where I am the most active. I usually post on both sites several times a day, respond to comments/tweets, and more. I also do weekly features on these sites:

    Teaser Tuesday — a brief excerpt from one of my books

    Waiting on Wednesday — a book I am looking forward to (this is a weekly meme hosted by Breaking the Spine)

    Friday Reads — what I’m reading

    Weekend Watch — what movies/TV shows I’m watching

    I also respond to friend requests and comments over at Goodreads.

    2) I blog here on my own blog on Mondays. I have four books out this year, so I’ll be posting a lot about those books — back cover copy, cover art, excerpts, and more. You can subscribe to my blog feed by clicking the icon at the top right corner of this page or going here.

    3) I also blog over at Magical Musings, a group blog with several authors. My blogs usually appear every fourth Tuesday. My next blog dates are Feb. 17, March 17, April 14, and May 12. I will probably be posting those blogs here to my site as well.

    4) I also send out an e-newsletter every month, which features my latest book news, upcoming guest blog schedule, book recommendations, and a recipe. I try to send that out the first week of each month. Also, when I have a new book out, I also send out an e-blast about that book, usually on its release day.

    To subscribe, go to my home page, scroll down, and fill out the form in the right sidebar. You will get an e-mail asking you to opt-in and confirm your subscription to my e-newsletter. I do not share anyone’s e-mail address.

    And that’s where you can find me online.

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    Release schedule for 2015 …

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    Today, I thought I would share my book release schedule for 2015. Just keep in mind that this is subject to change.

    Also, my books usually come out the last Tuesday of the month before they are published. For example, Cold Burn of Magic is a May book, which means it will be out on April 28, the last Tuesday before May 1.

    Black Blade #1April 28 — Cold Burn of Magic — Black Blade #1 — This book will kick off my new Black Blade young adult urban fantasy series about Lila Merriweather, a thief who lives in a tourist town full of magic, mobsters, and monsters.

    Lila tries to stay out of trouble, but that doesn’t happen, and she finds herself working for the Sinclair Family, one of the most powerful mobs in town.

    Cold Burn of Magic is up for pre-order at the following sites:

    Amazon Kindle / Amazon paperback / Barnes & Noble / Books-A-Million / IndieBound / iTunes / Kobo

    July 28 — Spider’s Trap — Elemental Assassin #13 — Another urban fantasy adventure with Gin and the gang. The book is up for pre-order at the following sites (with more sites coming soon):

    Amazon Kindle / Amazon paperback / Books-A-Million / iTunes / Kobo

    Oct. 27 — Dark Heart of Magic — Black Blade #2 — The second book in the Black Blade series. This one should be up for pre-order in a couple of weeks.

    Dec. 29 — Elemental Assassin #14 — More good times with Gin. Although Gin would probably say that they are bad times. LOL. This one should be up for pre-order in a couple of weeks.

    To be determined — Bigtime #5 — I am hoping to write and self-publish another work in my Bigtime paranormal romance series sometime in 2015. Not sure if this will be a long novella or a shorter book. Just keep in mind that my writing schedule is already full for 2015, so I’m not sure if this will actually happen or not. We shall see.

    And that’s it. Lots of stuff coming from me to read in 2015. I’ll be posting the cover art, blurbs, excerpts, pre-order links, and more as they become available. Hope that everyone enjoys the books. Happy reading!