Welcome to the 2014 Blogging from A to Z Challenge. My name is Sydney Aaliyah Michelle and my theme for A to Z is Another New Life by me. It is my debut novel scheduled for release in May 2014. I can’t wait to tell you all about it.
You may be sick of it by the end of the challenge, but my hope, after 26 posts, you’ll want to read it.
I want to take a moment to thank and congratulate Mr. Arlee Bird on hosting another A to Z Challenge, the best blog hop of the year.
Special thinks to my Minion Leader, Ms. Nicole Ayers This is my second time on Nicole’s Mighty Minion Bureau and I couldn’t be more proud. Also, a quick shout out to my fellow minions, Dale, Andrea, Sheri, Deniz and Melody-Ann. Make sure you visit their blogs and show them some love.
For the A post, I thought I’d tell you a little about my novel, but I have a request, read my blurb and tell me what you think. Be honest, I can take it.
Book Blurb:
Miranda Preston is a walking contradiction. Talented, smart and beautiful on the outside and insecure, haunted and damaged on the inside. Despite these contradictions, she’s ready to start Another New Life.
When her talent wins her a piano performance scholarship to the University of Texas, Miranda arrives on campus determined to experience everything college has to offer and to keep her secrets in the past where they belong.
An easy task, until the first guy who catches her eye happens to be someone, she’s known all her life.
Eight years have passed since the last time Miranda and Troy saw each other. He reminds her of the best and worst times of her life, but she can’t think about one without dwelling on the other. As they grow closer, every day their attraction reminds them they are no longer kids.
The epic romantic love story that is Miranda and Troy seems to be destined for a happy ending, but Miranda knows it’s only a matter of time before her secret is discovered. A secret that will not only destroy their relationship, it will destroy Troy, too.
Can Miranda focus on her future with Troy while preventing her past from tearing them apart all over again?
So, what do you think? Does it make you want to read the book? Suggestions are welcome.
And, as if I hadn’t asked enough, here is one more request.
Please add Another New Life to your Goodreads list.
Sydney Aaliyah Michelle 
Many people face the world with a brave face. It will be interesting to see if love conquers all in this book, and to find out if Miranda reveals her secret.
MJ, A to Z Challenge Co-Host
Writing Tips
Effectively Human
Lots of Crochet Stitches
That is the question, isn’t it. Oh love. Thanks for stopping by MJ and good luck with A to Z.
Interesting! 🙂 Can’t wait to hear more throughout the month!
Thanks Tracy.
I liked that blurb. It gave a real sense of truism, because I think we all carry around secrets and are walking contradictions. We wear a mask, hiding our true feelings most of the time. It also piqued my interest because you didn’t say WHAT the secret was and why it would destroy Troy! Yeah, this sounds like an interesting read! Thanks for sharing and congrats on your upcoming release!
Good luck with A to Z!
Jamie Dement (LadyJai)
My A to Z
Caring for My Veteran
Thanks Jamie. That’s the feeling I want people to get.
Wow, what secret could destroy both of them?
Alex, you will have to read it to find out. Haha!
It sounds great! (small note for second sentence–it should be talented) Other than that, you’ve got a great blurb here that did intrigue me.
Thanks so much for the suggestions. That’s what I need. I appreciate it.
Ditto on “talented.” It’s not really my kind of book*, but the blurb is intriguing. Keep polishing the prose on it, though. It doesn’t quite flow perfectly for me–and you want the blurb to be the best you can do, both for content and polish.
*Old cynic that I am not to like love stories??!
Rebecca at The Ninja Librarian
Hey Rebecca, It’s not for everyone. Thanks for the suggestions. The blurb is a work in progress. Love getting constructive feedback.
I love the intrigue!
Every person has secrets… it’s part of the human condition… so I like the realistic feel to your story 🙂
Off to add it to my Goodreads list.
Writer In Transit
Thanks Michelle. You’re awesome.
From the blurb sounds like I something I would pick up and look at.
That’s the point, now isn’t it. Thanks Tracy. Smile!
Sounds a great blurb, I would happily read more. Thanks for stopping by my blog.
Sounds really interesting! It’ll be fun to see how you handle the rest of the month’s challenge, too.
Sounds good, I’ve added it on Goodreads. I’ll be checking back each day to find out more. Good luck with your debut.
Thanks Michelle. I appreciate that.
A nice way to kick off the alphabet! Happy April, and good luck with your launch 🙂
Yes, it makes me want to read it. Let me know when it is done as I love reviewing books.
I am definitely wanting to know more 🙂
Congratulations on the novel! Looks like you had a convenient “A” topic as well 🙂
Sounds like a fun romance. Loving participating in the A-Z again!
Ohh, the “secret” – what could it be? That will hook people and make them want to read it.
The allusive “secret”. It draws me in, too. And, I know what it is. haha.
Fix ‘talented’ in the second sentence, but otherwise a good blurb, and yes, I would read the book after seeing this blurb. Good luck with it.
Best,
Deb@http://debioneille.blogspot.com
Thanks Debi. I will make the change.
Another New Life sounds like an awesome romance, Sydney. I’ve added it to-read on Goodreads. 😀
Thanks so much Lanise. I can’t wait to share it with the world.
ooh, interesting! It definite has a great hook.
Thanks Lynda. That means a lot coming from you.
Found your link on the AtoZ site, I’m so pleased to be your new follower it’s nice to connect. I’m looking forward to reading your book
Nice to meet you Charlotte.Thanks for following.
The blurb does make me wanna know what her secret could be.
J.L. Campbell writes at The Character Depot and the Jamaican Kid Lit Blog.
Sounds good to me. It is basic but it flows. There is enough information/storyline to pull a potential reader in but not too much to give any secrets away. Quick, concise, and catching. That is what a blurb should be. Good luck on the novel release. I’ll be seeing you around the A to Z Challenge.
Thanks so much Kevyn. I guess I did my job.
Definitely makes me want to read!
Damyanti
Co-host, A to Z Challenge 2014
Twitter: @damyantig
#atozchallenge
Stopping by from the #atozchallenge !
@JLenniDorner
It sounds fairly interesting. The word “haunted” is what intrigued me the most. I feel like the blurb is 98% of the way there. If it were food, I’d suggest adding a little lemon or salt or something. I don’t know. It’s good, I just think that a tiny nudge could make it great. Does that make sense?
I could, of course, be wrong. It’s just my opinion. I’m not a blurb expert.
No, I think your right. It still needs a tiny tweak. That’s why I asked. haha.
Good hook, but not the genre I read. All the best for your debut book launch and Happy A to Z-ing. 🙂
Thanks so much.
It sounds like an interesting read, and there’s a good hook in there – I already want to know what the secret is.
Well, you’ve got me curious as to what kind of secret she has that could not only ruin their relationship but Troy as well? Wow, that’s a doozy.
I like your blurb, but I’d like it better if you could shave about 50 words from it. That’s not a criticism of the prose – I just think you might be giving away a little too much.
Remember, the blurb is to capture the interest in the story; not tell it.
Your first 3-5 pages then have to hook the reader.
Romance is not my ‘usual’ read, but I believe as writers, we should all read a wide variety of genre. My first eBook on Amazon ‘Ten Days in Panama’ is a romance, but there is some intrigue and action in there too, which is why I’ve gone that direction with my other writing.
LOVE your A to Z format to promote your book. Excellent idea!
For your blurb, I’d like a shorter version, maybe just one of the paragraphs. Maybe just this one:
The epic romantic love story that is Miranda and Troy seems to be destined for a happy ending, but Miranda knows it’s only a matter of time before her secret is discovered. A secret that will not only destroy their relationship, it will destroy Troy, too.
Looking forward to reading more.
Visiting from A to Z via Pass the Sour Cream.
Very nice Mr. Carbonneau. I might use that for some other things. I appreciate your input.