April 2014 – Sydney Aaliyah Michelle

Z – Zeros and New Release

Published on April 29, 2014April 30, 2014 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle19 Comments

As in three, two, one, zero – The clock is at all zeros. A to Z Challenge is over! Congratulations to those who brave the ups and downs that is A to Z.

Thank so much for all those who stopped by to like, share, comment and even reference one of my posts. It was an amazing month and I am so happy I could share my debut novel with all of you. If you want to see what all the hype was all about, please feel free to pick up a copy of Another New Life on June 2nd. If you forget, no worries. I’ll remind you a couple more times between now and then.

Other Acknowledgements

Consistant Commentor: Alex Cavanaugh & Tom Benson

Favorite Comment: “WOW!! I want to read your book now. 🙂 I want to see why Troy has to apologize for what happen to Miranda.” – Thanks Stephanie Smith

Most popular post: S – Seven, Seventeen & Seventy

My favorite theme: Rachna’s Scriptorium – Emotions and Feelings writers experience

My favorite post: M is for Madness – Rachna’s Scriptorium

Thanks again to Arlee Bird, Nicole Ayers and my fellow minions.

What where some of your favorite moments of the 2014 A to Z Challenge?

Quick shot and congratulations to Faith Sullivan on her new release, Hold Me Tight (Take Me Now #3). Check it out below!

Title: Hold Me Tight
Author: Faith Sullivan
Release date: April 30, 2014
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Group: New Adult
Ebook available at: Kindle | Nook | Smashwords

HOLD ME TIGHT Synopsis:

He loves me. He loves me not.

Ivy’s heart shatters upon hearing Eric’s crushing ultimatum. Despite how much she cares for him, she won’t give in to his demands. She has no choice but to leave, even if it’s the hardest thing she’s ever had to do.

She loves me. She loves me not.

When Ivy walks out, Eric can’t help feeling betrayed. Unwilling to put her at risk, he values her safety above all else. By refusing to compromise, he’s blindsided when she moves in with a man who’s already stolen so much from him.

I love you. You love me not.

Lauren sees Eric and Ivy’s split as an opportunity to end their relationship once and for all. When Ivy places herself at the mercy of Eric’s rival, Lauren plots to destroy the fragile tie binding them together, even if she endangers Ivy’s life in the process.

Y – Yes!!! Tattoo Tuesday – Special Addition

Published on April 29, 2014April 28, 2014 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle10 Comments

One of my favorite scenes in the book happens at the very end. You know that thing about the best way to ensure a relationship won’t last is the get the persons name tattooed on you body. Well, Troy found a way around the rule. Let’s hope Miranda doesn’t freak out:

I walked back into D&D, coffee in hand, ready to lecture Dan on his lack of directional skills, but I stopped when I noticed Troy’s right hand. I almost dropped the coffee.

He had words written on the space between his thumb and index finger. It spelled Miranda Preston in a beautiful cursive, but it wasn’t just written, it was tattooed.

“What did you do?” I looked at Troy. He looked quite proud of himself, but his face fell when he saw my expression. “Why did you do that?”

He took the coffees out of my hand and sat them on the counter.

“Okay, before you freak out, let me explain.”

He grabbed my hand. “I didn’t get the name of my girlfriend tattooed on my hand. I got the name of my best friend.”

“What?”

“You’ve been my best friend my entire life, and that’s never going to change.”

“What?” I understood but wasn’t sure whether to kiss him or smack him for doing something so stupid.

I couldn’t believe he did that. He had my name … tattooed on his skin … forever.

How could I possibly express to him how crazy and stupid and precious and amazing he was to me for doing that?

“I want one too,” I said.

“Yes!!!! She bought it,” Dan said as Troy pulled me in his arms and kissed my lips.

I still don’t recommend it, but if you’ve been friends since you were four years old, it might be ok.

Anyone ever got a significant others name tattooed on their body? Are you still with the person? Is the tattoo still there?

My new ink inspired by Another New Life!!

Thank so much to Manny from Bob Shaw Tattoo! He is my tattoo guy for life.

X – XOXO – Acknowledgements

Published on April 28, 2014April 28, 2014 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle12 Comments

THIS is my favorite part of the writing process. Acknowledging all those who have contributed to making Another New Life happen.

First, I have to thank God for his grace and patience. It took me a while to find my gift and now that I have found it, I am forever thankful for His blessings.

To my family for putting up with my hair brain schemes, this one I actually finished. Mom, Dad, Kevin, Jimmy, Patrina – Love you!

Pk Hrezo, Tianna Doyle, Emily Robertson & Vanessa Aapiah. The most honest, supportive and enthusiastic beta readers I’ve had the pleasure of working with. You all brought a unique perspective and made my story better.

A big thank you and your the best, to Jade at Black Firefly who answered all my questions and guided me through the whole production process. We created a beautiful book, don’t you think?

Huge thank you to Rachel Marks and the team at Mark My Words Book Publicity. They took on my book like it was their own and helped me navigate the world of marketing.

Thanks to Allyson Whipple and her editing assistance.

Special shout out Jenny Sims at Editing 4 Indies. She proofread Another New Life, but will be my editor of choice for future projects.

Another special shout out to Arijana Karčić at Cover It! Designs. She is a vision personifier (is that a word). She made my characters come to life in the form of book cover genius.

An enormous amount of gratitude goes to Suzanne Van Rooyen for being my musical guru. She shared her extensive knowledge in piano and musical performance and helped me make Miranda a true music prodigy.

A special shout out to some of my favorite, most inspirational, and motivational bloggers who I have gotten to know over the last three years.

Alex J. Cavanaugh

Arlee Bird

Nicole at Madlap Post

Katie Cross – my most consistent commentor

Kitt Crescendo

*Many more that I could name, but I only have a page to work with.

All the members of the New Adult Authors Unite! Facebook Group

All the members of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group

My fellow inked up writers featured on Tattoo Tuesday

And, finally, I wanted to acknowledge a few NA authors with recent releases who blogged, Facebooked and tweeted about their journeys and made me feel like I could do this, too. (Note, I’m not even sure if I am allowed to mentioned them in the book, but I want to make sure and mention them here.)

Claudia Bradshaw – Sin for Love

AJ Pine – If Only

Brianna Lee – Rush Into You

Paige Rion – Written on Her Heart

Faith Sullivan – Hold me Tight

Cassie Mae – How to Seduce a Band Geek

XOXO Kisses and Hugs to everyone. If I forgot anyone, please forgive me, this is my first time. Thanks to the A to Z Challenge bloggers, as well. Do you like writing your acknowledgment page or do you worry you might forget someone?

W – What Others Are Saying About #Another New Life

Published on April 26, 2014 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle10 Comments

I can’t believe it did that. For some of you, you already read my X post. I skipped right over W and I am so sorry. W is a great letter. It didn’t deserve that. I should never work past 1:00 am.

If you read X, great. You will get to read it again on Monday, but here is W.

There is no better felling for a writer then when you receive positive feedback about your work. Over the beta and critique process, these are some of the things others said about Another New Life.

“Great pace.”

“I am so loving this right now.”

“I’ve read the first chapter and I really like it!!! Main characters definitely likable.”

“The characterization and writing are great.”

“First and foremost, I LOVED IT !!!!!!!!!!”

“I absolutely loved it.”

“LLLOOOOVVVEEEEDDD IIITTTT!!!”

If you want to hear more, check out my reviews on Goodreads!

What’s your favorite compliment you ever received about your writing?

Author Spotlight on Who’s Reviews

ANL Excerpt & Teaser on Nevaeh’s New Adult Book Blog

V – Vomit

Published on April 25, 2014April 24, 2014 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle15 Comments

Every one know what feels like to vomit, but did you know there are three different types of vomit triggers?

There is the spoiled food or drink trigger.

There is the inebriated or hung over trigger.

There is the emotional trauma induced trigger.

Miranda experienced the later.

I lost it. My insides clutched together like in a vise and my whole body convulsed as I threw up breakfast and lunch. After I had emptied my stomach, my body continued to dry heave and shake. I willed myself to stop before I hurt myself. I wiped the sweat out of my eyes and tried to stand up straight. Dizziness took over, and I grabbed the tree again.

When the dizziness and panic subsided, all I had left were tears. Hot, thick tears fell from my eyes. I didn’t bother wiping them away. I took one step forward while still holding on to the branch for support. I took another step and confident I could walk on my own. I let go. I walked past the party and down the street. I turned left at the corner and then took off in a sprint.

What triggered the last time you . . ., you know?