L – Love and a Giveaway

Published on April 14, 2014April 14, 2014 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle6 Comments

I had a short post for L, so I decided to share a give away. I would LOVE for you to win $50 and introduce you to a novel about secrets, which is the central theme to Another New Life.

First LOVE – Miranda used a Jedi mind trick to get Troy to profess his love for her:

I watched the shape his lips made when he said my name. I placed my fingers on his lips as he said my name over and over again. I loved the sensation on my fingertips. I loved the way it sounded coming off of his lips.

I loved the way he held me and looked into my eyes. I loved the way he made me feel.

My thoughts stopped when he leaned over and whispered, “I love you, Miranda.”

Did he just read me mind?

Have you used any Jedi mind tricks in your relationship?

Win $50!

Welcome to the April Easy Money Giveaway! Every month, EasyMoneyGiveaway.com gives away free gift cards to one or more lucky giveaway winners. Entering is simple–just follow the directions on the rafflecopter at the bottom of this post! But first, take a moment to learn about an amazing book from one of our giveaway sponsors!

Bound by Time

by A.D. Trosper

It’s her destiny to break the seal and his to keep her alive…

Isobel Moore is looking forward to spending her summer break alone while her parents are overseas. Until she returns from college to find her home isn’t quite the welcoming place it used to be. The stained glass window her parents installed is more than just a beautiful piece of history; something sinister is sealed within the colored glass.

When Isobel meets her new neighbor, Damien DeLuca, she discovers the gorgeous and mysterious stranger has plenty of his own secrets. Including the knowledge of what’s happening in her home.

As her world spins out of control, she unravels a past that not only tests her limits, but also everything she thought she knew. The darkness within the window yearns to be free and it will do anything to escape—including killing Isobel.

***

THE GIVEAWAY!

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How to Save a World from Dying

Soul Taken

Bound by Time

Fallen

K – Kiss

Published on April 12, 2014April 12, 2014 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle21 Comments

My favorite scenes to write in any novel is the first kiss scene:

Troy’s proximity made it hard for me to breath normal. My heart raced, and a drop of sweat started at my neck and slid all the way down my spine. As it descended, the panic ascended to my throat. The anxiety attack was inevitable. He grabbed my arm with more authority and moved closer, our faces inches apart.

He hesitated for a split second, but it was all the time I needed for my anxiety to get the better of me. I seized the opportunity to escape and headed for the door, but after one step, the grip on my triceps grew stronger. Troy had no intentions of letting go. When I turned back to protest, there was no hesitation this time. His lips landed on mine.

At first, it didn’t register. My surprise prevented me from kissing him back. He must have noted this, too. He pulled away. My stress level rose again because for him to stop kissing me seemed like the worst idea in the world. A hurricane, earthquake, and volcanic eruption combined didn’t seem as big of a disaster as Troy’s lips leaving mine. So I kissed him back.

I felt the relief in his lips as he relaxed.

I was keenly aware of the way his lips tasted, all smooth and wet and there was a hint of peppermint. Maybe I imaged it, but it made me giggle. I stopped when Troy stopped kissing me.

“What’s so funny?” he asked.

“I thought you would taste like peppermint, and you do.”

Do you have a favorite first kiss scene (reality or fiction) you would like to share?

Available June 2nd, 2014!

If you can’t wait for June 2nd, you can sign up for my blog tour and release day blitz organized by Mark My Words Publicity.

To Participate in the Release Day Blitz ( June 2nd ) sign up HERE.
To Reserve your Spot on the Blog Tour ( May 26th- June 1st ) sign up HERE.

Still time to sign up for the $10 Amazon Gift Card. Sign up HERE.

J – JuNoWriMo 2013 Journal

Published on April 11, 2014April 10, 2014 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle19 Comments

The first novel I ever wrote was during the first year of JuNoWriMo in 2012. It’s called I’m Coming Home and I wrote the first draft, 75,000 words in 30 days. I felt such a sense of accomplishment and have been hooked on WriMo’s ever since.

JuNoWriMo holds a special place in my heart. Another New Life was written during JuNoWriMo 2013. Each WriMo, I kept a daily journal about my writing process. You can read the entire journal, here.

One of my favorite excepts from Another New Life’s journal:

Today’s Date: June 8, 2013

Word Count: 2,191

Observations: After a long day running around town and pontificating with my cousin, I thought I would be to mentally tired to write, but I wasn’t. I did a two hour session and added a couple of scenes tonight to clean up some holes in the story. Very productive writing session. I am getting an average of 2,000 words per scene and I feel like each scene could be so much more with description and more emotion both good and bad from the MC. It will be another lesson in edits and rewrite on this one. I am actually looking forward to it. Not sure why, it could be the wine talking. Tomorrow, I hope to get into the ‘time to make a decision’ scene. Should be a good one. Hope to have a first kiss and more before the days out. My characters are so luck.

Do you keep a journal about your writing process? Do you drink when you write? haha!

JuNoWriMo 2014 is coming soon. If you have a story you need to get on paper, JuNoWriMo is the most supportive and encouraging program to join. I’ll be writing book #2 of a series I am working on and running some sprints from the @JuNoWriMo twitter handle. I would love it if you would join me.

H – Hoo-Ha

Published on April 9, 2014April 8, 2014 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle9 Comments

Miranda had a lack of quality parental figures in her life and her parents are the last people she would want life and relationship advice from. When her roommates father (married for 28 years and raised 11 children, most of who turned out ok) offers her some advice, she is all over it.

“I told her as you go through life, things are going to happen to you, both good and bad. But when you sit down by yourself, get your mind quiet, and think over your life, what do you come back to? What do you reflect on? Do the memories you hold closest to your heart make you laugh or cry? If you laugh more than you cry, then your spirit is good. No matter what happened to you in the past.”

“I’m afraid to look,” I said.

“Don’t be a scared. I think you might be surprised at what you find out about yourself if you’re quiet enough to hear.”

“Mr. Albritton, I would never have guessed you to be into this introspective hoo-ha.” A word I ‘d learned from Darcy.

“It’s Mrs. Albritton, she made me this way, and you know, I don’t mind.” He laughed. “But don’t tell her I said so.”

Pretty sensitive words of wisdom from a old Arkansas rancher.

What is the best advice you’ve heard about love and life?

Please add Another New Life to your Goodreads list.

G – Gals and Guys of Another New Life

Published on April 8, 2014April 8, 2014 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle10 Comments

Alaina – Miranda’s aunt. She lives in Austin, but they aren’t close. She’s a folk singing, painting, vegan.

Brooke – One of the first people Miranda meets at school. She’s a sophomore and offers Miranda some good advice about UT Austin guys.

Becca – Brooke’s best friend. Insecure, flighty and doesn’t know when to shut up.

Stacy – Jeff’s girlfriend and Rhonda’s (you remember Rhonda) best friend. At one point in the book, someone calls her a gold digging bitch.

Ryan – Troy’s best friend since the sixth grade and star running back for the Longhorns. They are like brothers and Troy spent a lot of time with his family in high school.

Todd– Offensive lineman for the Longhorns and Troy’s roommate. He tries to break up with his girlfriend of two years with a text message.

David – Wide Receiver for the Longhorns and Troy’s roommate. He’s hot, but he giggles like a little girl.

Brandon – Miranda’s therapist. He helps her navigate through all the craps she has been carrying around for eight years.

How many secondary characters are too many?

Two more days until my cover reveal, there’s still time to sign up!

Please sign up, here! and add Another New Life to your Goodreads list.