Release Day – Shadowborn #lilagray

I always have such a hard time writing release day posts.  I mean, how can I possibly express all of the jitters and shivers and doubts that are going on inside me right now?  Okay, so I’m an author and I should be able to do that, so I’ll rephrase. 

How can I possibly express how I feel without filling the page with gleeful shouts and descriptions of my happy dance?  Without sounding like a sappy moron?  Without telling you just how badly I’m biting my nails over this one?

Hell if I know, so I’ll stop rambling and get right to the point.

Shadowborn is finally here!

It’s been a whole year since The Glass Man went head to head with Lila Gray.

Now she’s back and in a whole heap of trouble.  I’m betting she’s right pissed at me right now.  In fact, I have a summons to her city.  During my whirlwind blog tour that starts today, you’ll find out what happens when I go to visit her.  If I live to tell the tale, that is.

Stop by J. Taylor Publishing’s blog today to check out my first stop.

Here are the deets of the next installment of my heart and soul:

Back of the book:

Why me?

That’s the question Lila Gray asks every time yet another bad guy tries to destroy the earth, and she learns she’s the only one who can stop it. Once again, something’s on the prowl, leaving hundreds of comatose, soulless victims in its wake.

Couldn’t the deadliest assassins of the Otherworld go after someone else instead of the brand new Queen of the Seelie? One who still hasn’t adapted to her new role.

Lila would ask Liam Kane, King of the Unseelie, for advice, but something’s off with him, too. He’s holding back. In some way. About some thing. In fact, he refuses to tell her what’s going on.

The truth holds Lila back from the greatness of her role—the people she was born to lead—the man who she desperately loves—and the solution to the latest war raging around her.

To find the answers, she’ll need to fight through her own darkness and embark on a journey through her psyche.

If she doesn’t succeed, the Shadowborn will claim not only her world, but her soul.

Release date:  October 1st, 2012 (that’s now.  Squeeee!)

Genre:  Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance

Publisher:  J. Taylor Publishing

So, what do you think?  Sound intriguing?  If you’d like to pick up a copy, here are some handy dandy links for you.  Readers are made of awesome, the reason I write, so I hope with all my heart that I entertain you.  Enjoy!

Shadowborn:  Amazon, Barnes & Noble

The Glass Man:  Amazon, Barnes & Noble

Bookmark winners are …

Thanks to everyone who stopped by the blogzilla this week to laugh and celebrate with me.  Only 10 days left until Lila rides again!

As promised, the winners of the signed Shadowborn bookmarks are:

Amaleen Ison

&

Jaleh D

Congrats!

I’ll be in touch shortly to arrange for your prizes.

 

Five tips to surviving the author in your life #giveaway

There are only two weeks left until Shadowborn comes out.  That’s only fourteen days! 

Ahhhhh!

So much of my soul went into this one.  Yes, I know, it’s just a book full of words about people and places that don’t exist.  Still, I agonized over every word, and showing it to the world is rather like exposing a nerve and waiting for the critics to come and give it a good flick.

While writing Shadowborn and Rise of the Magi, I may have–kinda–been a little, um … cough *crazy* cough.  I don’t envy my family, nor anyone who crossed my path during my edits. Although nobody told me outright, I know it mustn’t be easy living with one of us writerly folk. 

So, to help out other folks like my dear hubs, I thought I’d put together these hints.

Five tips to surviving the author in your life without going crazy:

One

While talking to your author, her eyes glass over.  Please don’t fly into a snit.  She doesn’t think you’re boring or long winded; it’s just that you can’t compete with the epic battle between a glittering horde of fae and an army of gorgeous vampires forming in her head.

Do not interrupt her now, or you might get slapped!  Simply go and have a coffee and wait for her to return to the outer realm.  And if she takes too long, try again in the morning.  Or maybe next week.

Two

Your author may strike up a conversation in the car about how she thinks John might be in love with Sara, but it would never work because he’s in the secret service and she’s a Russian spy.  These are her characters, and they are as real to her as you are.  Yes, they are.  Trust me! 

Just keep nodding and appear fascinated by her genius.  Under no circumstances ask what the hell she’s talking about or laugh.  Unless you want to be killed slowly by her laser stare all the way to your mother’s house.

Three

If you find your author bent over her laptop, typing madly and muttering to herself, do not approach for any reason.  She’s probably been trying to get this scene right for the last two hours, and she’s almost there … if only she could figure out how David will kill the gargoyle!  Breaking her concentration for something silly like suppertime or to point out that the house is burning down might just be the last thing you ever do.

Four

You come home from work to find your author hugging her kindle and bawling her eyes out.  No, you didn’t do something bad.  Her mother didn’t die of a heart attack.  Your dog is alive and well.  It’s just that she just had to kill off one of her favorite characters, and it broke her heart into smithereens. 

Do not tell her they’re not real and only exist in her imagination.  Seriously.  Unless you want her to break that kindle over your head.  Hugs work wonders, and if that doesn’t work, point out that she can always bring her character back in a dream or a flashback.  That’ll win you some brownie points.

Five

It’s the middle of the night.  Suddenly your author springs out of bed, chattering up a storm and racing around like a lunatic.  Don’t be afraid.  There are no bugs in the covers.  She isn’t in pain.  She’s not plotting to kill you even though her eyes are screaming crazy. 

Her mind has just solved the problem with her story arc and she can’t find a dang pen!  Find her something to write with and you can go back to sleep.  For now.  🙂

GIVEAWAY (International)

Comment below for your chance to win, and here’s what I’d like to know: 

Do you have any writers in your life? Or are you an author?  I’d love to hear about their/your quirks and rituals.  If you don’t know any authors, just tell me about your quirks.  The giveaway will end Wednesday at 8pm, when I’ll choose two commenters at random and send them each a signed Shadowborn bookmark.

Please don’t forget to leave me a way to reach you, email, twitter, facebook, etc. which will be used only for the purposes of arranging your prize.

To add Shadowborn to your TBR pile, click HERE

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Shadowborn winners are … #lilagray #shadowborn

Thanks to everyone who stopped by to help me celebrate the upcoming release of Shadowborn in October.  There were some great ideas of who could play Liam on film.

I’m kind of partial to this guy.  He’s not an actor, but he’s pretty in a rough sort of way just like Liam, don’t you think?  😉

This is Andrew Stetson, a Canadian model and high on the list of most beautiful men of all time.

Oh yeah, two of you won a copy of Shadowborn.  I guess you’d like to know whose names I drew out of the hat, huh?

Okay, here we go …

Congratulations to:

Émeraude

&

Wendy Seagondollar

You’ll be receiving your prizes soon.  Enjoy!

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Rise of the Magi is coming! #lilagray #bookannouncement

Looky-looky what my publisher announced today.  SQUEEEEEE! 

Final in Lila Gray series by Jocelyn Adams to release June, 2013

Jocelyn Adams’ novel, Rise of the Magi, the last of the Lila Gray novels, will release in June 2013.

August 20, 2012 – J. Taylor Publishing has a full schedule of releases planned for 2013 including Rise of the Magi, Jocelyn Adams’ third and final installment in the Lila Gray series, expected in June 2013. 

Rise of the Magi, a paranormal romance/urban fantasy, completes the circle that is Lila Gray and Liam Kane’s relationship and future.

“A final book is often hard on an author, but also on readers,” says J. Taylor Publishing. “We come to know and love a set of characters, we are part of their life and then in the last book, they are gone.”

“This was the most difficult, heart wrenching book I’ve ever written,” says Jocelyn Adams, adding, “First novels are easy, with one main storyline and a small cast to deal with.  The second was tough with the addition of new characters and having to set up for novel three.  With the third, I had the story lines across three novels to weave back together and tie up the lives of everyone.  Not to mention I’m pretty mean to poor Lila and Liam again.  Being so attached to the characters made it even harder for me to finish, because to type THE END, meant that I had to say goodbye to them.  Though, I may have left room for at least one spin-off novel in Lila Gray’s world starring two of my favorite supporting characters.”

Lila and Liam return to the final book, still told from Lila’s perspective, as do many of the supporting cast in The Glass Man as well as Shadowborn, set to release October 1, 2012.

All good series must eventually come to an end, and while the characters will live on in our hearts, their stories are told.

“Just like the end of a book, the end of a series closes out the overall story. Lila Gray needed three books to tell her story and now that she has that, the words ‘The End’ are painted in final letters,” says J. Taylor Publishing.

What does the end bring for Jocelyn?

“I have so many novels rumbling around in my head at any given time I have to get them out or I’ll go crazy.  I’ve already spilled out the opener of a series, and have a paranormal romance two-thirds completed.  I’m hoping to have finished four novels this year by the time Christmas rolls around, and I have at least three planned for next year.  Mind and fingers willing, of course.”

Rise of the Magi will be the first release for Jocelyn Adams 2013.  

About Jocelyn Adams

Jocelyn Adams grew up on a cattle farm in Lakefield and has remained a resident of Southern Ontario her entire life, most recently in Muskoka. She has worked as a computer geek, a stable hand, a secretary, and spent most of her childhood buried up to the waist in an old car or tractor engine with her mechanically inclined dad. But mostly, she’s a dreamer with a vivid imagination and a love for fantasy (and a closet romantic — shhh!). When she isn’t shooting her compound bow in competition or writing, she hangs out with her husband and young daughter at their little house in the woods. For more information about Aimee Laine, please visit http://www.joceadams.com/

About the Publisher

J. Taylor Publishing is an Independent Publisher who, thanks to the Internet, has a worldwide reach. Our debut authors are in Australia, the United States, United Kingdom, and Canada. The company produces print and electronic books. For more information about J. Taylor Publishing, please visit www.jtaylorpublishing.com.

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Who wants to read Shadowborn? #giveaway #lilagray

There’s only a month and a half left to go.  Almost an entire year has passed since the Glass Man invaded kindles everywhere.  Can you believe it?

A year has passed in Lila Gray’s world, too.

She’s about to be put through the wringer and torn down to her darkest self.  No less than four men want a piece of her.  Two for love and pleasure.  One wants her to save him.  One wants her her soul.  The gauntlet will be brutal before she finds her way through the latest quagmire to befall the fae.  And her.

You’ll visit new worlds and meet new characters.  Some you’ll want to punch.  Others, hug and kiss and curl up in front of the fire with them.  Well, I hope you do, anyway.

Are you ready?

Would you like to read it now instead of waiting until October 1st?

Yeah?

I just happen to have not one, but two Advanced Reader e-copies to give away.  Here’s what’s up for grabs:

Back of the book:

Why me?

That’s the question Lila Gray asks every time yet another bad guy tries to destroy the earth, and she learns she’s the only one who can stop it. Once again, something’s on the prowl, leaving hundreds of comatose, soulless victims in its wake.

Couldn’t the deadliest assassins of the Otherworld go after someone else instead of the brand new Queen of the Seelie? One who still hasn’t adapted to her new role.

Lila would ask Liam Kane, King of the Unseelie, for advice, but something’s off with him, too. He’s holding back. In some way. About some thing. In fact, he refuses to tell her what’s going on.

The truth holds Lila back from the greatness of her role—the people she was born to lead—the man who she desperately loves—and the solution to the latest war raging around her.

To find the answers, she’ll need to fight through her own darkness and embark on a journey through her psyche.

If she doesn’t succeed, the Shadowborn will claim not only her world, but her soul.

What do you have to do to win?

Simply leave a comment below and tell me who you would cast as Liam Kane if The Glass Man was made into a movie.  If you didn’t read the book, no worries, just throw in a name anyway for fun.  Oh, and don’t forget to leave me a way to contact you if you should win.

You have until next Monday, August 20th to enter, the same day I have an announcement so share.  Squee!  I’ll post the winners on Tuesday.

Cheers, and good luck!

Shadowborn Trailer Awesomeness!!!!! #shadowborn #lilagray

The ARC of baby number two, Shadowborn, has recently been released.  (bites nails)  This is really happening soon.  The continuation of Liam and Lila’s story will be on the virtual shelves in four short months.  Yikes!

I’m not sure why I’m so nervous about this one.  Maybe because I really like it and I hope others do, too.

Lots of neat little bits and bobs arrive from my publisher during the whole publishing process, and other than the cover reveal, this is the one I look forward to receiving.  The new trailer for Shadowborn is ready, and I get to share it with you today!  After opening the email, and when I finished hopping up and down, I checked it out.  And again.  And again.  I’ve watched it about a hundred times already.

It.

Is.

Awesome!!!!!

It captures the ominous, dark feeling of the book to perfection, right down to the music.

Check it out.

So, what do you think?  Would you pick up the book after watching this?

Giveaway Winners

I have two, yes, 2 winners to announce tonight.  This post was meant to go up this morning, but, alas, WordPress ate it on me.  Oh well.  I’m going to make it short and sweet.

First up is the winner of my bloghop giveaway of a signed paperback of The Glass Man, an ebook of Tidal Whispers and a Glass Man bookmark is:

ERLessard! 

Congrats!

Second, the winner of my signed Shadowborn book cover and book mark is:

Emeraude!

Yahoo!

I’ll be in touch shortly to arrange for your prizes.

Shadowborn Teaser #lilagray #giveaway

I’m having a rare double-post kind of day, which doesn’t happen very often, but I have something mucho important to share with you today!

*rubs hands together and gives a maniacal laugh*

The time for incessant teasing is upon us.  My Shadowborn book marks are now in my hot little hands.  The calendar is ticking ever closer to the big event.  October sounds like a long way away, but it’s really not.  Until then, when book two of Lila Gray’s story will hit the shelves, I’m going to provide you with a taste or two of what you will find between the sheets … er … covers of the book.

Giveaway

Anyone who leaves a comment on this post will have their name thrown into the hat to win the following:

1 signed Shadowborn cover

&

1 signed Shadowborn bookmark

Are you ready?

Okay, so I’ve been given this polished tidbit to share with you, the first 500 words, courtesy of the editing team at J. Taylor Publishing.

Squeee!  Here it goes …

Chapter 1

On a battle cry, Nix slammed into my back. Air rushed out of my lungs, leaving me hunched in a coughing fit. I wheezed and staggered forward. “You are so dead.”

“As you keep saying.” The captain of my guard snickered, the infuriating sound jacking my frustration to a new level. “It’s about time you buck up and get it done, don’t you think?”

Gritting my teeth, I planted my left foot and kicked back with my right. He swept my supporting leg out from under me. I crashed chest-first onto the floor, my boob damn near exploding underneath me. Pain spiraled up my spine, and the stone walls of the training room blurred.

A roll brought me to my weary feet, and the room back into focus. Red tinted my vision.

Rage swelled in my soul, stirring a dark energy Parthalan left behind after he’d bonded with me. Nix rushed me again. I dodged, grabbed his wrist and used his momentum to send him into the block wall, his grunt bringing a smile to my face. He pushed against the stone with his foot as I raced to crush him against it. His elbow cracked into my ribs and sent me to the floor staring at the red ceiling of the Seelie Castle again.

“God dammit.” I rubbed my chest and focused on the white, rib-like cross beams above my head, though little white faeries dancing in my vision obscured most of it. “When I asked you to teach me how to fight, I didn’t mean for you to beat the hell out of me every damn day.” Testing the tender bruise on my shoulder, I said, “I still have marks from yesterday. If I was human, I’d probably be dead by now.”

Nix chuckled and leaned over me, a few strands of his platinum blond hair falling loose from the tie he’d secured it with. “You ask, and I deliver the goods. You know that.”

I jumped to my feet and paced the length of the small space, my hands pushing at my sweaty hair as I considered my next move. “You know why I need this training.”

He crouched, wary eyes following my movements. “Not really. Every time I ask you what happened the day you killed Parthalan, you change the subject. Maybe I should ask Liam.” As usual, Nix said the new Unseelie king’s name as though he’d licked dirt off his boot.

The jab snapped my energy to attention. Roaring, I ran at Nix, threw my elbow into his ribs and knocked him off balance while I tried not to relive the memories resurfacing after more than a year of keeping them at bay. “Rourke killed Garret while I could do nothing but watch. He was just a kid.” My brother. I’m so sorry I failed you.

“Shit. No wonder you’re so driven.” Nix edged closer, rubbing his mid-section. “I think we should stop—”

“I can’t stop! I should have been able to save him. And I should be kicking your ass by now.” With a launch forward, my foot struck out in search of his knee, but he sidestepped with a quick leap. My finger jammed in his direction. “Something’s coming. Something bigger than Parthalan. Bigger than the fall of civilization.”

~~~~

Dun, dun, dunnnnn!  So, whatcha think?  Did I wet your appetite for a little more Lila Gray?  I’m so mean to her in this book, just you wait and see.  You only have to wait until October to find out just how cruel I was.  Muahahaha!!  Okay, I’m shutting up now.  Don’t forget to leave a comment to win my goodies along with a way to reach you.

Indie Author Giveaway Hop

Hello and welcome to another stop on the Indie Author Giveaway hop.  Thanks so much to Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer & Krazy Book Lady for co-hosting.  To see the rest of the participants in this hop, please click the logo below and enter to win more great prizes.

GIVEAWAY – International

(These books are intended for adult audiences)

Here’s what I’m offering one lucky commenter:

A signed paperback copy of

The Glass Man

an e-book copy of

Tidal Whispers

AND a signed bookmark for The Glass Man (front & back shown)

  

What do you have to do to win?

It’s simple.  Just tell me in the comments below who your favorite villain of all time is, the one you love to hate.  🙂  Please include a way to reach you, email, Goodreads, Facebook, Twitter, etc. (it will only be used for the purpose of sending your prize if you should win)

I’d also be grateful for a like on Facebook and a follow on Twitter, but it’s not mandatory.

On June 20th I’ll choose a commenter using random.org, announce it on my blog and contact the winner, who will have 48 hours to respond.  If I don’t hear from them, another winner will be chosen.

Cheers, and good luck!