Friday, February 19, 2016

The Lie by KC Sprayberry - YA Done Right!

Song Stuck on the Brain: With or Without You by U2

Friend and fellow Solstice author, K.C. Sprayberry is back with another new release! How excited are we? Very! Her latest foray into the Young Adult market brings a dark and suspenseful tale that you won't want to put down. Check it out and be sure to share it with your reading buddies.


Spotlight on The Lie

Welcome to the release tour of The Lie. The Lie is a young adult psychological thriller for older teens, similar to such edgy books as Sasha Dunn’s Oblivion, Michael Northrop’s Trapped, Norah Olson’s Twisted Fate, and E. Lockhart’s We Were Liars. This is a dark novel, a story that asks one question—How well do you know your friends?

The Lie releases March 4, 2016




Blurb:

For high school siblings, Amy and Bryce, the night began with a football game. Bryce was stuck at home with a cold, brought on by an uncaring coach. Amy was in the stands, playing with the band whose funding had been taken away and given to the football team.

Her best friend, Jane, brought the band together to play a prank on the team in protest.

The prank went wrong. Horribly, tragically wrong.

And the lie that started it all would not stop.

About the Author:

Born and raised in Southern California’s Los Angeles basin, K.C. Sprayberry spent years traveling the United States and Europe while in the Air Force before settling in northwest Georgia. A new empty nester with her husband of more than twenty years, she spends her days figuring out new ways to torment her characters and coming up with innovative tales from the South and beyond.

She’s a multi-genre author who comes up with ideas from the strangest sources. Some of her short stories have appeared in anthologies, others in magazines.



Book Trailer:


Excerpt:

Amy ♫
           

The sun is peeping over the mountains all around us. The members of the Landry High School Band fill in the last of the holes where we placed our planned revenge to go off tonight. None of us has had any sleep since we woke up yesterday, yet we’re charged up and ready for the rest of today and well into tonight.
“Where are your friends?” I ask.
Jane Preston, my bestie, the true mastermind of this prank, smirks at me.

◊ Bryce ◊


I hear Amy coming home. She doesn’t know that I’ve been awake all night, waiting on her. Not that she sneaks out much—she never does stuff like this, unless it’s a Jane plan. I pretty much figured that from what I caught of the muffled phone conversations going on until eight last night. That’s when I heard the window going up, a box being hidden behind the bush, and Amy sneaking away.
She’s lucky that Mom and Dad didn’t catch her. Thanks to me. If I hadn’t gone into the kitchen, faking that cough, Amy would have been in major trouble.

Social Media Links:









Manic Readers:

AUTHORSdB:


Sunday, February 14, 2016

Romance Week: Valentine's Day WINNERS!

Thank you all so much for spending the week with me and my cast of characters. I had a blast and I hope you all did too. Have a Love Full Day. 

The Winners are:

Congratulations Aaron R., you are the Grand Prize winner of the Super Romance Bundle!


Congratulations Bethany D., you won the Romance Bundle!


 Congratulations Amy R., you won the Romantic Suspense Bundle!

Thanks again to Authors Susanne Matthews at Living the Dream,  A.B. Funkhauser of HEUER LOST AND FOUND, and Mary Ann Cortez of The Write Place for participating in Romance Week with me. Be sure to check out their pages for more great writing. 




PLUS, ONE LAST FREE GIFT FROM SOLSTICE PUBLISHING: 
Solstice Publishing is proud to present Sweets for My Sweet, a FREE cookbook full of wonderful recipes from Solstice authors. Download this cookbook and other free books at Solstice Publishing

Saturday, February 13, 2016

Romance Week Day 6: Cast party!

Song Stuck on the Brain: Everything I Do I Do It For You - Bryan Adams


Welcome to the last day of Romance Week hosted by the cast of Justice Burning and Dysfunction Junction! Every day this week different characters have shared their tips and ideas on how to have the sweetest and/or most romantic Valentine’s Day. It's been so much fun sharing this sweet holiday with all of you.

Today the cast is back for one last minute tip to ensure that tomorrow is the best Valentine's Day it can be.


Aidan McLeod
Keegan McLeod
 Aidan: What a great week. Valentine's Day was a difficult holiday for me after losing my wife, but rediscovering it through the eyes of my kids has changed the way I feel. Romance is wonderful, but love should be celebrated  with everyone - family, friends and co-workers.

Keegan: I agree, and as I learned last year, the gifts are fun - but it's the time spent with the one you care about that makes the time special. Of course, on that note guys (yes, I'm talking to you guys at the station) this is NOT an excuse to avoid any kind of gift at all. Loving someone means knowing them as a person. Give them a gift that suits them personally. 
Rissa Fuller

Rissa: Good advice, Keegan. Girls, if the guys can be satisfied with gifts given from the heart, so can we. Of course chocolates and cards and jewelry are awesome. Sometimes those gifts are possible and sometimes they're not. We can all spend this holiday looking deeper at our relationships and acknowledging to the one we love that, "Yes, I see you. I know what you like. I care about you enough to put time and effort into you. You are my Valentine."

Alexa: That is beautifully put, Rissa.
Ember McLeod

Ember: Yes; and after your help Alexa, I think Dad, Ash, Kindall and Cole are in for a great Valentine's Day supper.

Ash: Yes, thanks for that, Alexa. I don't think we could have handled her special Valentine's Day Chocolate Bar Chili.

Alexa Fehr
Ember: Hey! Remember, it's the gifts given with love that are best for the heart.

Ash: That may be, little Sis', but its how your gift affects my stomach that I was more concerned with.

Alexa: LOL. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised, Ash. Ember's culinary skills are growing. 
Kianna: If anyone can make an amazing Valentine's Dinner, it's Alexa. She can Cook! Her food makes me sing. Maybe even deserves a song written about it...

Alexa: Oh, please! Whatever. Your love songs are better focused elsewhere. By the way, you and Ash came up with an awesome Romance Day playlist. I loved the Power Ballads.

Kianna: We had fun finding all the songs.
Ash McLeod

Ash: We were up until after 1 a.m. and I had to force her to stop. I think she's still sneaking songs on the list.
Kianna Ravencamp

Kianna: I am, but I know you are too. Just own it.

Ash: Okay, I admit, I can't leave it alone either.

Alexa: I'm having the same problem with the Romantic Meals pinterest board. I keep finding new meal ideas to add!

Hope: You are such a Pin-head!

Morgan: I do not think that word means what you think it means...

Hope Campbell
Hope: LOL! I meant she's addicted to Pinterest. But I can see you're a Princess Bride fan.

Morgan: I am. Couldn't pass up that opportunity, you just left it wide open.

Kianna: She does that a lot, Morgan. It's one of the things we love about her.

Morgan Daryl
Hope: Good, if you love me so much, how about sending me a friendship bouquet to remind me.

Rissa: I'd send you zinnias any day, Hope.

Keegan: Would you like a zinnia bouquet, Aidan?

Aidan: Sure, baby brother. Go ahead and buy me flowers, just be sure Emily's bouquet is better.

Keegan: Not a problem. This year I ignored the guys taunts and got in touch with my inner romantic. Thanks to everyone here, Emily is going to be blown away. 

Kianna: Aww, that's sweet. I hope everyone here has an amazing day. LOVE to you all.

Happy Valentine's Day!


Don't forget to enter the Valentine's Day Super Romance Giveaway for a last chance to win 1 of 3 prize bundles! Winners will be announced Sunday, February, 14, 2015.

To enter, simply fill out the entry form below and complete at least one option to be entered. Complete additional options for extra entries. Good Luck!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Connect with Hope and her girlfriends on their Pinterest pages! Follow April's board Dysfunction Junction: Kianna Ravencamp on Pinterest.
Follow April's board Dysfunction Junction: Alexa Fehr on Pinterest.
Follow April's board Dysfunction Junction: Hope Campbell on Pinterest.
Follow April's board Dysfunction Junction: Carissa Fuller on Pinterest.
Follow April's board Independence, MO - Hometown Lowdown on Pinterest.


Looking for more romance and excitement? 

Be sure to visit Susanne Matthews at Living the Dream to read more about her Romantic Suspense The Harvester Series. A sensual romantic suspense series that will take you "From the streets of Boston to the wilds of Alaska..." 

Love beyond this world? For something out of the ordinary, try A.B. Funkhauser's Award Winning post mortem mortuary romance complete with happy ending! HEUER LOST AND FOUND 

Visit Author Mary Ann Cortez at her blog The Write Place and enter to WIN an autographed copy of First Love anthology and a bookmark with heart charm. 

That magic moment for a teen. The realization that the person you’ve liked is a little more than a friend. Chance meetings. Old friendships. Even a social media post. These can all lead to that first love. Solstice Publishing is proud to present First Love, a Summer Solstive Valentine's Day Anthology.

Friday, February 12, 2016

Romance Week Day 5: Petals and Purpose

Song Stuck on the Brain: Then by Brad Paisley


Welcome to Romance Week hosted by the cast of Justice Burning and Dysfunction Junction! Every day this week different characters will be sharing their tips and ideas on how to have the sweetest and/or most romantic Valentine’s Day.

There is also a contest to win 1 of 3 prize packs containing books and music. Be sure to check out the contest and enter at the bottom of the post.

Today, we welcome Morgan Daryl from Justice Burning, book 1 in the Heroes in Justice Series and Hope Campbell from Dysfunction Junction, book 1 in the Dream Big Series


Drew Barrymore, my cast as
Hope Campbell
Hey, Morgan, thanks for hanging out with me today.
Guten tag, Hope, I'm glad to be here. Wow, you have a lot of flowers in here.
Aren't they pretty? I found this awesome book about how different flowers have a different meaning. Roses are beautiful, but girl, there are so many other ways to say I Love You with flowers!
That's really interesting. I've heard of a few, but never looked deeper.
My cast for Morgan Daryl
Don't you do handwriting analysis?
Yes, I have a degree in graphology, it was part of my schooling in Germany when I was at University. Why? Do you have a love note you want examined?
Oh, I wish! That could be very interesting! No, I just think that reading the meaning behind the flowers is kind of like reading between the lines, or in your case, between the script. 
I suppose in some ways it is. So do we read the flowers as representing the person sending them? Or, are the flowers a descriptor of the receiver?
Good question, Morgan. I think it can be both. Let's see if we can make up a few bouquets and see what we can come up with. I placed a descriptor tag in front of each flower, we just need to combine them. 
Alright, I want to create an arrangement for my mother. She's Gracious but Spirited. Sincere and Inspiring, Faithful and Caring and I Admire her a great deal. So that would be a combination of: 

Camelia - Graciousness
Freesia - Spirited
Hyacinth - Sincerity
Iris - Inspiring
Violet - Faithfulness
Pink Tulip - Caring
This would be a really beautiful arrangement, but for someone wanting something more simple, just choosing 1-2 of the flowers would be nice too.
Yes and including a handwritten note explaining your message would be nice for those who haven't studied the meanings. 
Right! How touching would it be to know someone cared enough to put this kind of meaning and thought into your gift?
So what about a romantic bouquet? What would you choose, Hope?
Ooo, so many choices! It would depend on where you are in your relationship and the kind of message you want to send. Red Roses for Passion is an obvious and popular choice. Timeless and will probably always be the most popular. But Anemone's are becoming popular and represent fragility and could be for new, fledgling romances. Yellow Chrysanthemums say secret admirer. Forget-Me-Nots are a sweet message to long time lovers that they will always be remembered. 
Red Roses - Passion
Anemone - Fragile

Yellow Chrysanthemum - Secret Admirer
Forget-Me-Not Remembered Forever



All of those are such sweet options, and it's so interesting that one flower can mean different things depending on the color. I chose pink tulips for Mom to represent caring, but Yellow Tulips represent being hopelessly in love.
Yellow Tulips - Hopelessly in Love

I love how there are so many ways to say someone is special. This has been so much fun. These yellow roses are for you, Morgan. I'm glad we've become friends.
How sweet! It has been fun and so wonderfully fragrant. I think these Zinnias are perfect for you. Happy Valentine's Day, Hope. 
Yellow Roses - Friendship

Zinnia - Friendship
Learn more about flower meanings HERE.

Don't forget to enter the Valentine's Day Super Romance Giveaway for a chance to win 1 of 3 prize bundles! Be sure to share this with all your friends and loved ones too, who knows it just might make your day!

To enter, simply fill out the entry form below and complete at least one option to be entered. Complete additional options for extra entries. Good Luck!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Connect with Hope and her girlfriends on their Pinterest pages! Follow April's board Dysfunction Junction: Kianna Ravencamp on Pinterest.
Follow April's board Dysfunction Junction: Alexa Fehr on Pinterest.
Follow April's board Dysfunction Junction: Hope Campbell on Pinterest.
Follow April's board Dysfunction Junction: Carissa Fuller on Pinterest.
Follow April's board Independence, MO - Hometown Lowdown on Pinterest.


Looking for more romance and excitement? 

Be sure to visit Susanne Matthews at Living the Dream to read more about her Romantic Suspense The Harvester Series. A sensual romantic suspense series that will take you "From the streets of Boston to the wilds of Alaska..." 

Love beyond this world? For something out of the ordinary, try A.B. Funkhauser's Award Winning post mortem mortuary romance complete with happy ending! HEUER LOST AND FOUND 

Visit Author Mary Ann Cortez at her blog The Write Place and enter to WIN an autographed copy of First Love anthology and a bookmark with heart charm. 

That magic moment for a teen. The realization that the person you’ve liked is a little more than a friend. Chance meetings. Old friendships. Even a social media post. These can all lead to that first love. Solstice Publishing is proud to present First Love, a Summer Solstive Valentine's Day Anthology.

Thursday, February 11, 2016

Romance Week Day 4: Look What's Cooking Now!

Song Stuck on the Brain: L-O-V-E by Michael Buble

Welcome to Romance Week hosted by the cast of Justice Burning and Dysfunction Junction! Every day this week different characters will be sharing their tips and ideas on how to have the sweetest and/or most romantic Valentine’s Day.

There is also a contest to win 1 of 3 prize packs containing books and music. Be sure to check out the contest and enter at the bottom of the post.

Today, we welcome Ember McLeod from Justice Burning, book 1 in the Heroes in Justice Series and Alexa Fehr from Dysfunction Junction, book 1 in the Dream Big Series
Alicia Silverstone,
my cast for Alexa Fehr


Hello, Ember, thanks for joining me today. I hear your a junior at Justice High this year, how is that going?
Hi Alexa! School is great, it keeps me busy. I am so excited to finally meet you.I hear you're an awesome cook. 
Thanks, do you like to cook?
Molly Quinn,
my cast as Ember McLeod
I do! I like trying new ingredients and creating new recipes. I watch the cooking shows sometimes to get ideas.
That's impressive. What was your most creative dish?
Peanut Butter Tuna Fish casserole.
Oh... well, *cough* that sounds... interesting. How did it turn out?
Not as well as I'd hoped. I watched a show about Thai recipes and they used peanut sauce a lot and it just looked so good. Fish seemed like a good option, but all we had was tuna in a packet. I added some chunky peanut butter to the casserole and thought it would be great, but no one but dad even made an effort to eat it. I have to admit, it did smell a little funky. 
Aidan McLeod is a good dad. :) It sounds like you have creative ideas that just need refining. With practice you'll be great. How would you like to help me plan a Valentine's Day dinner?
That would be fantastic! I would love to surprise Dad and the family with an awesome dinner. 
Good. What did you plan to cook?
I had a couple of ideas. The guys at the firehouse love chili and I saw a really cool magazine picture for Chocolate chili. That seemed like a cool twist. I bought chocolate bars to stir in so it would be really creamy.
Okay, well, chocolate is used in a mole sauce, but it's not made with regular candy bars. The sugar wouldn't flavor well in the chili. Plus, for those wanting a romantic dinner... well, beans should probably be avoided. Chocolate could be used in the dessert though. How about steak or roast?
That sounds good, roast is popular, but it doesn't seem very special. How do we get it to stand out?
Oh there are lots of recipes to make a roast stand out, but when it comes down to it, a super tender, slow cooked pork tenderloin or beef brisket that melts in your mouth is a star all on its own. Check out this Garlic Rosemary Pork Tenderloin.
Oh, this looks delicious. I think I could cook this. 
Garlic Rosemary Pork Tenderloin
Sure you can, just follow the directions. Spicing up a recipe isn't bad, but you need to know flavors and how they work together first and that takes practice. 
So, now I need a side dish. Oh, how about twice baked sweet potatoes? Sweet potatoes are so popular right now. We could add brown sugar to mash with butter and garlic, maybe some green onions. Top it with bacon, cheddar and sour cream.
My, you do have a creative palate. Twice baked sweet potatoes might taste fine, but I'd skip the garlic onions and other traditional toppings and maybe use cinnamon and mini marshmallows instead. Or, you could try Parmesan-Herb Roasted Potatoes instead. 
Yum, those look delicious. You're good at this. What would you serve for a Valentine's Dinner?
Oh, I've got a dinner for you! Let's start with an appetizer, stuffed mushrooms are delicious with beef. Then for our vegetable either roasted asparagus or roasted Brussels sprouts. Serve that with a perfectly seared steak and buttery soft homemade rolls. Sounds good right?
Sounds amazing! What about a potato or starch?
The roasted potatoes would be perfect and for dessert? How about a strawberry chocolate tart? 
That's beautiful. This looks like a lot of work, do you think it's too hard? 
No way, with practice and good time management, you can do all of this, it's wonderful rich flavors but not overly complicated to cook. And if your family or sweetie likes things less fancy? Then do that. Serve those amazing chocolate chip cookies that Keegan mentioned earlier this week. The dinner should be about celebrating the relationship of those enjoying it. Don't try to be something you aren't - but don't be afraid to be adventurous either. New flavors are fun to find! 
This is so cool, I can't wait to surprise my family this Sunday. Thanks for the tips, Alexa. Happy Valentine's Day. 
You're welcome, Ember. Bon Apetite!

Bacon Blue Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms 

with Creamy Hot Sauce

Roasted Brussels Sprouts

Roasted Asparagus with Garlic and Parmesan

Parmesan Herb Knots

Pan Seared Steak
No-Bake Strawberry Chocolate Torte
Cream Cheese Chocolate Chip Cookies


If you want to add a finishing touch, try one of these super tasty and refreshing drinks. 
Mock Champagne and Raspberries

Mint Limeade Fizz

 Want more dinner ideas? Check out all the yummy options on the Romantic Meals Pinboard.

Follow April's board Romantic Meals on Pinterest.


Don't forget to enter the Valentine's Day Super Romance Giveaway for a chance to win 1 of 3 prize bundles! Be sure to share this with all your friends and loved ones too, who knows it just might make your day!

To enter, simply fill out the entry form below and complete at least one option to be entered. Complete additional options for extra entries. Good Luck!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Connect with Alexa and her girlfriends on their Pinterest pages! Follow April's board Dysfunction Junction: Kianna Ravencamp on Pinterest.
Follow April's board Dysfunction Junction: Alexa Fehr on Pinterest.
Follow April's board Dysfunction Junction: Hope Campbell on Pinterest.
Follow April's board Dysfunction Junction: Carissa Fuller on Pinterest.
Follow April's board Independence, MO - Hometown Lowdown on Pinterest.


Looking for more romance and excitement? 

Be sure to visit Susanne Matthews at Living the Dream to read more about her Romantic Suspense The Harvester Series. A sensual romantic suspense series that will take you "From the streets of Boston to the wilds of Alaska..." 

Love beyond this world? For something out of the ordinary, try A.B. Funkhauser's Award Winning post mortem mortuary romance complete with happy ending! HEUER LOST AND FOUND 

Visit Author Mary Ann Cortez at her blog The Write Place and enter to WIN an autographed copy of First Love anthology and a bookmark with heart charm. 

That magic moment for a teen. The realization that the person you’ve liked is a little more than a friend. Chance meetings. Old friendships. Even a social media post. These can all lead to that first love. Solstice Publishing is proud to present First Love, a Summer Solstive Valentine's Day Anthology.