Writing – Page 13 – Sydney Aaliyah Michelle

A – Another New Life

Published on April 1, 2014April 1, 2014 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle48 Comments

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.

The Great and Powerful Theme Reveal Bloghop

Published on March 21, 2014March 20, 2014 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle35 Comments

2014 A to Z Challenge

I can’t believe I’m going to do it. WriterlySam is asking me to reveal my super secret theme for 2014 A to Z Challenge. There is a certain commitment associated with revealing your theme ahead of time. I bet that is why she is making us do it. Like once it’s out there, you kind of have to follow through and participate in A to Z. Well, here it goes.

My Theme for 2014 A to Z Challenge is Another New Life by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle. Yes, that’s me and that’s my debut novel. I am going to spend an entire month, 26th posts, telling you all about it.

I have a few interesting post all ready to go, like B – By the numbers and K – Kiss. My personal favorite, I – It’s Cover Reveal Time when I reveal my cover. See what I did there. haha.

I figure by the end of the month, you will either be completely sick of it or you can’t wait to read it.

If the stars are aligned correctly and everything happens the way it’s supposed to happen between then and now, on May 1st, you can buy it.

Wish me luck! For more information on Another New Life, check it out on Goodreads.

There’s still time to sign up for the challenge, here.

Click here, to check out other blogger’s themes. What is your A to Z Challenge Theme?

Cover Reveal Sign Up – Another New Life

Published on March 16, 2014 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle4 Comments

I am super excited for my cover reveal on April 10th, 2014, but I need your help.

If you have some time and some space on your blog or Facebook page, please sign up for my cover reveal.

Each blog that participates will be entered to win a $25.00 Amazon gift card.

Who couldn’t use $25.00 worth of Amazon greatness.

Thanks so much for everyones help and support!

“From the first day we met, it was Troy and me against the world.”

Another New Life by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle

New Adult Contemporary Romance

Book Blurb: Miranda Preston is a walking contradiction. Talent, 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.

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 live, 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.

Can Miranda focus on her future with Troy while preventing her past from tearing them apart all over again?

Sydney Reviews Shattered Veil by Tracy E. Banghart

Published on March 11, 2014March 10, 2014 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle2 Comments

Disclaimer: I received a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

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Synopsis: When everything that defines you is stripped away, who do you become?For Aris, a talented wingjet pilot, war means sacrificing everything: her home, her name, her face–and the one promise she swore she’d never break.In the small village of Lux, everyone flies wingjets, but nobody flies them like Aris Haan. When she’s not dancing through the skies, she’s spending every minute with Calix, whom she’s loved since childhood. They plan to Promise, but instead he is sent to defend their dominion against a bloody invasion. Determined not to lose him, Aris follows, joining an underground network of women inside the male-only military. Using secret technology that allows her to pass as a man, she becomes “Aristos”, a Flyer in a search-and-rescue unit.As Aris grows stronger on the battlefield and more comfortable in her guise as Aristos, her personal mission becomes less and less clear. When she and her enigmatic commander, Major Vidar, uncover an astonishing conspiracy that could destroy everything, she must make a choice that will determine not only the fate of her heart, but the future of her dominion.

Mulan meets Battlestar Galactica in Shattered Veil, the story of how one young woman’s quest to save her beloved leads her to save the world.

Review: It’s been a recent occurrence in my long reading life that I have grown quite fond of science fiction books. I am envious of the skill of world building. Creating a world from scratch and being able to describe the site, sounds, smells, air, ground, and space for the reader is nothing short of a miracle to me.

Tracy E. Banghart doesn’t this like a master and Shattered Veil is a well done book. The world she builds, the technology she invents, the characters she creates makes me want to pack up and move to this world and see it up close and personal.

On top of the amazing new world, there is a great New Adult story about a girl who though her world was heading in one direction, but finds herself in a situations that turns her world upside and changes the way she thinks about everything. Typical New Adult theme taken in a completely different direction and I enjoyed the journey it took me on as I read the book.

I also want to take the opportunity to thank Banghart for making this book the start of a true series. I’ve read so many 1st books in series where I had no desire to see what else happens to the main character. Writing a series seems to be the popular thing at this time.

Shattered Veil is book 1 because Aris’ story isn’t done and I am so looking forward to seeing how she continues to grow.

I am ready to declare Aris the new Katniss. Shattered Veil is all that is good about New Adult Science Fiction books and more.

A few of my favorite things

Tattoo References: “blood-red tattoo that encircled the women’s shaved head. ” “a tattoo of a sleek blue and black fish dove down his cheek, another curling under his ear and along his throat.” “large and black with leaf-green accents, impossible to miss. She’d asked for an olive tree to remind her of Lux.” It was a tattoo rich environment.

Movie References: The book had a great movie-like pace and I loved the characters. It would make an amazing movie.

Favorite Line: “Travelers often suffered vertigo when visit Lux; the milky walkways that connected the buildings, built high on carbonated stilts, were translucent, and the impenetrable chest-high path walls transparent.” – An amazing example of Banghart’s world building.

*Just a few of my favorite things.

Author Bio:

Tracy E. Banghart is a cheesy movie–loving, fantasy football–playing (go Ravens!), globe-trotting Army wife who began “practicing” her craft at the age of five, when she wrote her first story. She loves visiting the international friends she met while pursuing her MA in Publishing and spends a portion of every summer at her family’s cabin in Canada, where she finds inspiration and lots of time to relax on the dock. She lives with her husband, son, two lazy dogs and one ornery cat. When not writing or spending time with her family, she is on a mission to bake the perfect cupcake.

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Cover Reveal – Hold Me Tight by Faith Sullivan

Published on February 14, 2014February 14, 2014 by Sydney Aaliyah Michelle2 Comments

Release Date: April 30, 2014

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.

What readers are saying about HOLD ME TIGHT:

“Seriously – I’m considering sending Faith Sullivan an email every week until the next book is released. I need to know what happens!”
– Elnora Romness

“I’m really hoping Eric and Ivy can find a way to work things out, and that fate will give them a bit of a break—but if there’s one thing this series has proved to me, it’s that Faith Sullivan’s books will take us to places unexpected and impossible to predict.”
– Stephanie Parent

“Faith Sullivan is so good at keeping me guessing and making me eagerly anticipate this book. Looking forward to see what’s in store for Ivy and Eric.”
– Kelly Hashway

“I so totally love Faith’s books. Honestly, it’s such a treat to nab them up and enjoy them.”
– Meradeth Houston

“I really can’t wait to read the conclusion to this series…I think it’s going to be even better than the first two books!”
– Kelli Nash

Books in this New Adult Contemporary Romance trilogy:

About the Author:

Faith Sullivan is an author of New Adult contemporary romances including the HEARTBEAT trilogy, the TAKE ME NOW series and the 9/11 novel, UNEXPECTED.

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