Blog Tour – Page 26 – Sydney Aaliyah Michelle

Q – Quotes

Published on April 19, 2013 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle6 Comments

Another quick pause in my A to Z Challenge theme to bring you another cool blog tour. This guest post includes another of my obsessions, quote.

Let me introduce you to Rebecca Berto.

Favorite quotes for writers and readers

We social media addicts are suckers for a good quote. From our favorite books. One of those inspirational pictures on Facebook. The right quote can make your day, and being the social media junkie I am, I have my favorite ones from books and writing in this guest post to get you going.

As the author of Drowning in You, I have many favorite quotes and snippets, but these are others I’ve collected and I hope they resonate with you, too.

I know. You’re welcome. Here you go:

“First drafts are like falling in love; you think everything is great. Second drafts are like marriage; you see all the faults.”

— Rebecca Berto

I came across these from Tweeters and still I cry, “YES!” when re-reading:

“Overly describing a passing character is like hiring a decorator for a hotel room you’ll only be staying the weekend.”

— @PureText

“Female PoV characters notice more facial expressions, male PoVs typically notice posture more.”

— ‏@RayneHall

And then there are my favorites from awesome authors that make me LOL:

“i have never regretted staying home with a book. i have often regretted having conversations with people.”

— @TaherehMafi

“I’m listening to that Mariah Carey song ‘Always Be My Baby’ because I need to unlock my inner-high school angst to write this book.”

— @MirandaKennealy

And, my bookish addicts, these are some from my favorite books:

“It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities.”

— J.K. Rowling, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

“He’s like a drug for you, Bella.”

— Stephenie Meyer, Eclipse

“The moment my lips touch yours, it will be your first kiss. Because if you’ve never felt anything when someone’s kissed you, then no one’s ever really kissed you. Not the way I plan on kissing you.”

— Colleen Hoover, Hopeless

“There are infinite numbers between 0 and 1. There’s .1 and .12 and .112 and an infinite collection of others. Of course, there is a bigger infinite set of numbers between 0 and 2, or between 0 and a million. Some infinities are bigger than other infinities. A writer we used to like taught us that. There are days, many of them, when I resent the size of my unbounded set. I want more numbers than I’m likely to get, and God, I want more numbers for Augustus Waters than he got. But, Gus, my love, I cannot tell you how thankful I am for our little infinity. I wouldn’t trade it for the world. You gave me a forever within the numbered days, and I’m grateful.”

— John Green, The Fault in Our Stars

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On book quotes, I truly love those that are about love, but also the struggles in life. Drowning in You is the type of book that will take you on a journey of love and pain. I hope you can find a favorite quote from the novel as I have, too!

K – Kind of Off Topic

Published on April 12, 2013 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle5 Comments

I’m taking a topic break to share a special Tattoo Tuesday post. I know it’s Friday, but this couldn’t wait. It’s that good. I conducted a cool character interview to celebrate Magan Vernon’s new release, The Only Exception.

Allow me to introduce you to Monica Remy.

1. Tell me a little about your background. Where are you from and what was your childhood like?

Well, just getting right into it, aren’t we? Um, okay, where to start? I’m originally from Central Illinois and lived there most of my life besides a brief stint at Taylor college in the Chicago suburbs. My parents are still together (shocking I know) and I have a brother in high school who only seems to talk in one word sentences. I think my childhood was pretty normal, I wasn’t like a cheerleader or an honor student or anything, but I went to school football games, graduated, went to college, joined some student organizations and all that jazz.

2. I run a feature on my blog called Tattoo Tuesday and I would love for you to answer my 3 Tattoo Questions:

How old were you when you got your first tattoo? Eighteen
Tell me your tattoo story? It was right after I decided to transfer out of Taylor and I wanted something uplifting. I didn’t want a Phoenix, but something with the same “rise from the ashes” message. I found out about the princess flower that grows in volcanic soil and to have something so beautiful come from such destruction was very uplifting.
Tattoos on significant others, like or dislike and why? I never mind a bad boy with some tattoos, but I’m really starting to prefer the more clean cut and polished guys, no tats, no piercings, and maybe they wear dress shirts all the time…maybe.

3. You recently transferred to Central, why did you leave your old school and why Central?
(This is a big spoiler so I’m going to dance around it). I had many reasons for leaving Taylor. Sometimes it’s just nice to be closer to my family and sometimes we all just need to escape. My family is less than an hour from Central and I know if I need them, they’ll be there.

4. What is your major?
Political Science and Women’s Studies.

5. You are partnered with Trey Chapman in debate class, what’s it like working so close with the Governor’s son?
Ugh, Trey Chapman is a pain in my ass. Seriously. Did you know when I met the guy he immediately asked if I wanted literature on his dad’s campaign? *Sigh* On the other hand, the guy knows his stuff. He isn’t one of those headline readers, but really knows what he is talking about and I cannot lie; there is something very attractive about a guy that knows what he wants and goes for it.

6. Any chemistry there? Has he seen your tattoos?
He likes to comment on my eyebrow piercing every chance he gets. As far as chemistry, well I’ll openly admit that a guy has a way of getting under my skin in a good and bad way.

7. If you don’t mind me getting personal, what do you look for in a man?
And the tattoo question wasn’t personal? I kid, I kid. Um, I like someone that likes me for me. A guy that doesn’t expect me to be something that I’m not or fit into a perfect box. It doesn’t hurt for him to have a brain, either. I like actually having a conversation with someone. And I like brunettes with green eyes…and dimples *daydreams* WHAT? Okay sorry to drift off there. Thanks for having me and I hope I answered all of your questions!

Blurb: Fiercely liberal Monica Remy prefers to blend in. Despite her tattoos, piercings, and outspoken personality, she transferred to Central to escape—before she finds out that her next door neighbor is the uber conservative governor’s son, Trey Chapman.

No matter how hard she tries to avoid Trey, he still finds a way to get under her skin. Monica can’t stand his crisp white shirts or his staunch views on women. But she can’t help counting every freckle on his face and wondering what it would feel like to have him stop talking politics and kiss her.

A class debate project forces the unlikely pair to work together, and the political lines are blurred in late-night make out sessions. But despite their fiery chemistry, Trey’s politics threatens to smother their relationship for good.

Magan Vernon is a Young Adult and New Adult writer who lives with her family in the insurance capital of the world. She is in a very serious, fake relationship with Adam Lambert and constantly asks her husband to wear guyliner. He still refuses. She also believes her husband is secretly an alien, disguised as a southern gentleman.

Author Bio:

Magan Vernon started out by writing olympic fan fiction and now writes YA and New Adult fiction. She lives with her husband and kids in the insurance capital of the world and still dreams of winning an olympic gold medal for most books read in a single sitting. You can find her online at www.maganvernon.com

Trust in Me Book Blitz

Published on March 12, 2013 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle4 Comments

Trust in Me by Bethany Lopez
Series: Friends & Lovers #3
Genre: New Adult Contemporary

Synopsis:

Roni’s dreams of becoming a contemporary dancer were smashed under the brutal rage of her ex-husband’s fists. Getting divorced and starting over at the age of twenty-two was never her plan, but maybe in Texas, she’ll find her path. When the town’s local player, Rich, opens a Rec Center, she sees a way to rekindle her dancing dreams…and maybe have a little fun with her sexy new boss.

Rich never expected to fulfill his dreams in the town he planned to leave behind, but that’s just what he’s doing. His reputation as a noncommittal ladies’ man might make it challenging to earn respect in the business world, but he’s willing to prove that he’s serious. In fact, when it comes to pursuing Roni, he’s more than willing. But she’s taking a page out of his book, not wanting to risk another relationship. Can he convince her that his playboy days are over and that she can trust him with her heart?

GOODREADS: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17209441-trust-in-me

PURCHASE:

Barnes & Noble Amazon Smashwords

TRAILER:

—

AUTHOR BIO

Bethany Lopez was born in Detroit, Michigan, and grew up in Michigan and San Antonio, Texas. She went to High School at Dearborn High, in Dearborn, Michigan, which is where she has set her Young Adult series. She is married and has a blended family with five children. She is currently serving in the United States Air Force as a Recruiter in Los Angeles, California. She has always loved to read and write and has seen her dream realized by independently publishing her novels through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Smashwords.

Author Links:
Website: http://www.bethanylopez.blogspot.ca/
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5021061.Bethany_Lopez
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bethany-Lopez/214630865247702
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BethanyLopez2

Excerpt 1:

When she walked in, his breath caught and his entire body seemed to stiffen.

Her hair was piled on top of her head, black boy shorts showcased her long, lean legs, and a small black tank molded to her slender form. Her feet were bare. For some reason that last bit of bare skin made Rich feel like he was going to lose his mind.

She padded softly across the wood floor to the radio and hooked her iPod in. She stretched languidly in front of the mirror, seeming to have forgotten Rich’s presence.

With each stretch, Roni became more limber, and Rich became harder. He was starting to think this audition was a terrible idea.

Terribly awesome.

When she was finished stretching, she pressed play on her iPod and positioned herself in the center of the room. As Christina Perri’s voice filled the room, Roni began to move.

Rich couldn’t have uttered a sound if he wanted to. He was completely, and utterly mesmerized.

Her body seemed to be made for this. The movement was so natural, so sensual, Rich had to focus on keeping himself in the chair… his entire body seemed to scream at him to get up and go to her.

As the music stopped, Roni turned to him, her chest heaving as she fought to catch her breath.

“That’s the contemporary. It’ll be for the advanced classes. I can show you the basic ballet and tap steps for the younger classes if you’d like.”

Rich tried to speak, but squeaked instead.

He felt his face grow warm as he cleared his throat and tried again, “Um, no. That won’t be necessary.”

Roni stretched a bit as she walked towards him, a puzzled smile on her face.

“You okay?”

Rich stood, willing his legs to hold him as he tried to look cool and unaffected. “Yeah, I’m great.”

Are you Ready to Exhale? Blog Tour

Published on March 8, 2013 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle3 Comments

Congratulations to Jennifer Snyder on the release of her YA Contemporary Romance Exhale.

BLURB:

Inhaling in life is easy. It’s the exhaling—the letting go— that’s the hard part.

Katie Elliot has always known the Conner twins. For years she secretly pined after one, while playfully averting the advances of the other. Once upon a time, she was fine with that. Then came the moment when her twin of preference kissed her and changed everything.

As if realizing love can be complex—even when it’s reciprocated—isn’t hard enough, tragedy strikes, tearing Katie and the boy she’s always desired apart. Finding herself torn between love and guilt, Katie must learn when it’s acceptable to let go—when it’s finally okay to exhale.

GENRE: Young Adult Contemporary Romance

Jennifer Snyder lives in North Carolina were she spends most of her time writing young adult fiction, reading, and struggling to stay on top of housework. She is an instant coffee lover with an obsession for spiral bound notebooks and smooth writing pens. Jennifer lives with her husband and two children, who endure listening to songs that spur inspiration on repeat and tolerate her love for all paranormal, teenage-targeted TV shows.

GIVEAWAY:

One (1) print copy of Exhale. US ONLY.

One (1) Ebook copy of Exhale.

Amazon B&N Smashwords

Connect with Jennifer Snyder

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Stardust Summer Blog Tour – Title Trauma and Cover Art Challenges

Published on March 1, 2013February 28, 2013 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle1 Comment

When searching for the perfect title and best cover art for my latest book, Stardust Summer, I’ll admit that this novel presented me with several challenges. My first two novel titles came into my head fully formed (Stay Tuned and Dancing Naked in Dixie), but, this time, finding the right title took almost as long as it did to type, edit, and proofread the entire manuscript!

Stardust Summer explores the tragic loss of a daughter-father relationship and how those ripple effects play out over the course of several weeks in Upstate New York. Single mom Grace Mason is wrenched out of her idyllic, quiet existence as a teacher in Mississippi when her estranged father suffers a heart attack. Grace’s journey is a physical and emotional one, as it forces her out of her comfort zone—and straight into facing a multitude of issues she’s kept buried since childhood.

While the story does examine family dynamics, parental drama and broken bonds, the manuscript is not purely a tearjerker. The novel also explores opportunities for forgiveness and second chances—and finishes on an uplifting note (for those of you who like happy, but not cookie-cutter-perfect endings).

One day, about two months ago, after reviewing what felt like one hundred possible combinations for my title, I stumbled across Frank Sinatra’s version of the song, “Stardust.” The haunting melody seemed to fit the mood and manuscript, and I added the “Summer” to represent the season during which the book takes place.

Thankfully, the cover concept came a little easier, with many thanks to my brilliant creative designer, Damonza. I sent him recent photographs of Keuka Lake in Penn Yan, New York, where the story takes place. Perhaps I’m biased, but I am thrilled with the result and feel that he captured the essence and magic of a “Stardust” time of the evening—a deep blue twilight—when the color begins to fade from the day and the moon and stars peek over the horizon.

The water’s edge image that Damon chose for the cover also accurately depicts Keuka Lake’s shoreline. The photograph bears uncanny resemblance to the scene from my parents’ cottage; a vision which I can bring to mind in a moment’s notice. When I close my eyes, I can almost hear the water lapping against the dock, the soft purr of fishing boat engines, and the flap of birds’ wings in swaying trees overhead. The air is sweet and fresh, perfumed with peach groves and berry-ripe bushes along gravel paths.

I also love that the title and cover design represent the end of a day, which, on a conceptual level, can also represent the conclusion of Grace’s relationship with her father. While this transition isn’t easy, the stars in the sky make me think of heaven and afterlife, which bring comfort to Grace, her son, Evan, and Henry’s wife, Kathleen.

I’ve often spent long evenings on the dock outside my parents’ cottage, contemplating life and love—I’d like to think that Grace would be doing the same—and knowing that, for her, the sun will come up in the morning. Part of Grace’s journey is the realization that forgiving her father and forgiving herself free her to live the rest of her life in a healthy and happy way. She becomes a better mother, a better friend, and a better daughter, even after her father’s death.

Overall, I couldn’t be more pleased with the outcome of the title and cover art. The creative process—given enough time—is always rewarding. Sometimes, if you wait long enough, I’ve found that the answers just appear when the time is right. (Who knew that Frank Sinatra could have helped me with this title?)

How do the titles of books and cover art impact the novels you buy? What are some of your favorite, most memorable book titles?

Title: Stardust Summer