#UtopyaTimeWarp - How one decision changes you...for the better!

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One decision.
One event.
That's all it took to change my life. Dramatic? Possibly. Truth? Definitely.


In early 2013 I made the decision to buy a ticket to UtopYA Con 2013 after hearing about the 2012 event from bloggers and authors I respected. I was getting ready to publish 'Never Let You Fall' and I thought what better way to figure out this whole Indie/self-publishing industry than to dive in.  
At this point I was a stay at home mom whose youngest child had just started school and whose husband supported her, but didn't quiet 'get it'. I talked him into going, "Hey, it's Nashville and we've always wanted to go!", secured my fabulous mother-in-law to come watch our kids, and prepared for my first event as a published author.

Best. Decision. Ever.

The number one reason I say this: my spouse. When he walked into UtopYA 2013 he was given a crash course on 'how to be the spouse of a writer'. He realized after listening and talking to other attendees that YES, Facebook and Twitter ARE a necessary tool 90% of the time and I'm actually working while on there (most of the time). He sat in on Marketing and sales panels, he listened to other woman, dreamers like me, who have made their dream of writing a reality. He learned that yoga pants, sweatshirts and take-out will be our new normal - and that it's okay! :) THIS changed my life. He was always supportive but now he GOT IT! #Win

Two other things that happened that first year:

1) A blogger I'd been co-blogging with had to back out of a panel she was supposed to Moderate and UtopYA founder, Janet Wallace, had the crazy idea to put me in her place (WOW!) Here I was, a newly published author about to moderate my very first panel (on blog tours) with some of the BEST ladies around - Amy A Bartol, Addison Moore, Nancy Straight and Tess Watson

First I have a HUGE love for Amy, you all know this by now. I'd already planned my stalking and now I was going to get to 'interview' her about stuff! Add Nancy and Addison and Tess whom I'd been chatting with on-line for several months. This panel was amazing and being a moderator allowed me to set up in the 'bookstore' and sell my book baby for the first time.


2) Then, I won the Grand Prize dinner with keynote speaker Jennifer Armentrout. Yeah, J freaking Armentrout. Not only was did I get dinner with Jenn, but a bevy of other authors/UtopYA staff too.
Authors: Sarah Ross, Raine Thomas, Heather Self, Jenn, Adam Kunz, Tiffany King and Carol Kunz

I was blessed to sit at a meal and just talk to these amazing people. I was also mortified when Jennifer asked me what my book was about and all I could do was freeze. **Have a pitch perfected people!**  

   
There are a million reasons this event is important to me. Over the past two years, I've made amazing friendships with authors and fans thanks to the fabulous community UtopYA fosters. I've learned invaluable information not only from the keynote speakers and panelists at the event but from the Facebook groups and official blog posts too.

Authors: UtopYA isn't just a signing or sales event. You don't come expecting to make a bunch of money - you might, but don't expect it. Come to UtopYA to learn, to meet, to lift others up and to find a tribe, be validated as an author and to share life with amazing creative souls and book lovers like yourself.
Readers: UtopYA isn't an event where you write your name on a sticky note and get two seconds with an author.With the exception of perhaps the keynote speakers (because they are usually only at the event for a few hours) you have a TON of access to authors all weekend. You  WILL have time to stand and chat, perhaps do lunch or drinks, with authors. Everyone with a UtopYA Con ticket is considered a part of the team. 

Consider buying a ticket to UtopYA 2015 this year. Author or fan its an amazing event and I'd LOVE to see you there. 

**Financially speaking - There are typically people looking for roommates in our unofficail UtopYA FB group. I can tell you many people will split 4 to a room making the room roughly $100 per person.** 
http://utopyacon.com/









BUYING LINKS

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**Click on the store and it will bring you to the site**

YOUNG ADULT TITLES

The Prophecy of Tyalbrook Series

Book One - Never Let You Fall
Publication Date 5/1/2013
Amazon (E-book & paperback)
Amazon UK, AU

Book Two - Never Let You Go
Publication Date 1/30/14
Amazon US, Amazon UK, Amazon AU, Amazon CA
Barnes & Noble
Smashwords
iBooks

From The Wreckage Series

 From The Wreckage, Book One
Publication Date 6/11/2014
Amazon (E-book & Paperback)
Amazon UK,AU
Barnes & Noble (E-book & Paperback)
Kobo
Smashwords
iBooks

Out of Ruins, Book Two
Publication Date 7/17/14
Barnes & Noble
Amazon (E-book & Paperback)
Amazon UK, AU, CA
Smashwords
iBooks
Kobo

All That Remains, Book Three
Publication Date 8/27/14
Amazon US UK


NEW ADULT TITLES

Last Call
Publication Date 10/21/2013



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I like to try and share new and upcoming releases by my fellow Red Coat PR authors every once in a while. Here's what I have for you today!

*Disclaimer - I have not read these books and am therefore not promoting them for a specific age group. Please check the genre/age suggestions.







Stranded in the desolate Dark Lands, Kyr and Ty share a bittersweet reunion. Alametria lies on the brink of darkness. Their people are still reeling, believing she’s dead at Ty’s hands. With no other choice, many have turned to the Guardians and Advisor Vycor for guidance, never suspecting they’re being led to slaughter.

Kyr and Ty encounter overwhelming challenges in their fight to save their people: a deadly environment, murderous Marauders, and powerful protections preventing them from reaching the palace. When the journey itself could mean their deaths, the one thing that keeps them going is the thought of bringing VycorDane to justice.

Facing a battle on multiple fronts, lacking resources, and significantly outnumbered, Kyr and Ty must rely on each other in the race to save their planet. Will they beat the odds and restore peace to Alametria...or will Vycor’s evil destroy them all?








 Raine Thomas is the award-winning author of bestselling Young Adult and New Adult fiction. Known for character-drivenstories that inspire the imagination, Raine recently signed with multiple award-winning producer Chase Chenowith of Back Fence Productions to bring her popular Daughters of Saraqael trilogy to the big screen. She's a proud indie author who is living the dream. When she isn't writing or glued to e-mail or social networking sites, Raine can usually be found vacationing with her husband and daughter on one of Florida's beautiful beaches or crossing the border to visit with her Canadian friends and relatives.


Twitter 
http://twitter/Raine_Thomas

Facebook 
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorRaineThomas

Goodreads
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5053436.Raine_Thomas

Amazon Author Page
www.amazon.com/Raine-Thomas/e/B005FLP14E/

Pinterest 
http://pinterest.com/raine_thomas/

Linkedin 
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/raine-thomas/53/111/bb3

Website
http://rainethomas.com

Blog 
http://RaineThomas.com/blog/












Tony Bale must stop a deadly virus before it’s launched on the United States, and resist an undefeatable desire to take Lumin’s innocence. Mission success probability: slim. 

Since their brief meeting, Lumin Edenridge can’t squelch her dreams of the handsome Navy SEAL who moved through her life like a shadow. By daylight he was gone, but the craving in his gaze left a mark. When she wakes up next to a dead scientist involving her in a terrorist plot, street smarts won’t help her survive. She needs Tony. 

The stunning aerialist Tony left in Las Vegas lingers in his memory. A seven month deployment looms when he answers Lumin’s distress call. Defending her is his first priority. When terrorists turn her into a weapon, Lumin hides to protect him. His team name is Tinman, and he has twelve hours to rescue the woman who possesses his heart in “Code Name: Luminous”.


Amazon: http://amzn.to/1t3Y5Fq
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1wqAfcX
Amazon CA: http://amzn.to/1twY0PP
Amazon AU: http://bit.ly/1rOSpPh
B&N: http://bit.ly/1EbGrIg
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1vBXtZu
Smashwords: http://bit.ly/1o6V5wd


Code Name: Luminous


“Lumin?”

“I’m sorry,Tony, but I didn’t know who else to call.”

“What’s going on?”

“I think I’m in big trouble. You need to tell me what to do.” The signal cut out, and her heart leaped into her throat. “Are you still there?”

“I’m here, sweetheart, what kind of trouble?” he asked, his voice hardening. “Is it Quadero? Did he find out you helped us?”

“No, it’s not Quadero"

Lumin hooked her fingers in a strand of hair, tugging to replace her rampaging fear with pain. She hesitated.

“Don’t hang up,” Tony commanded as if sensing her misgivings. “You can tell me, Lumin. I can hear you’re scared. Whatever it is, you’re not alone, okay?” 

“Do you know what Yersinia Pestis is?” she blurted.

A deep rumble from Tony’s throat preceded his answer. “The Bubonic Plague.”

“Yes. In the Middle Ages it was passed through contact, but imagine if it were engineered into an airborne virus and mutated every thirty-six hours. It would kill millions of people.” She licked her dry lips. “I think they’ve made one.”

“The Bubonic Plague is a bacteria, and who is they, Lumin?”

“I—don’t know who they are, but I think they know who I am.” Her voice stuttered. “You must have contact with people who can look into this. I heard a name, Dr. Clifford Bjornson. That might lead you somewhere. I have to go.”

“Wait! How do these people know you?”


Lumin dropped the sheet and reached for her dress. She pulled it over her head. Squeezing the phone between her ear and shoulder, as she did up the buttons she said, “Because Dr. Bjornson’s partner is lying dead in my bed.”



http://youtu.be/HOHkkKXLjEE






I grew up on the beautiful West Coast of British Columbia with the Pacific Ocean on my western doorstep, and thousands of acres of forest on the other. After finishing school, my life took a drastic twist, and a lifelong working relationship with the marine industry began.
After a twenty-year hiatus from my creative writing, the stories swirling in my mind began to swim hard to resurface, and I threw them a life ring. I juggle my creativity during my days off, and then get back down to business, working in Vancouver Harbour. My life is a mix of creativity vs. black and white procedures. With a lifetime of working in the marine community, there’s plenty of stories to tell. It’s a different world, different language, unsung heroes and heroines aplenty, heated moments, and blissful silence when all is well. Reading and writing is the way I turn down the loud hum that my work causes, and after thirty years of humming, it’s time to vent.

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 Oh Captain, My Captain presents Brody Ross of the Indiana Mustangs.


Brody Ross was one of the youngest captains in the hockey league. His one and only goal is lift the Cup over his head. That is until he moved next door to Selene Porter. When he approaches her with a proposal, their friendship takes a turn. However, it comes at a price when an ex-flame appears in the picture.

Selene Porter has two loves: her dog, Bonkers, and hockey. She’s been a lifelong fan of the Indiana Mustangs and their Captain. She refuses to let anything take away what means so much to her and Brody, his career, and his old fling has her wondering if love is worth the risk.

With the unwanted presence, can Brody and Selene stick together or will Selene back out of the proposal?



 Amazon:
Smashwords: 
B&N: 
Kobo:

iBooks:



I’m about to unlock my door when I hear a rustling in my bush.

“Bonkers, if you don’t come here right now, I’m turning you into a purse.” I hear a harsh whisper around the corner of my porch. I roll my eyes. I walk down the stairs over to where Selene’s butt is in the air as she's searching through my bushes. I have to say for a stalker, she has a nice ass.

“Having issues again?” I ask.

She screams and turns to me, clenching her chest. “Are you trying to give me a heart attack?” she semi-yells at me.

“You’re in my bushes,” I remind her.
She puts her hands on her hips. “My dog got loose again. I’ll have to get that gate fixed, so he’ll quit running from me. Plus, he doesn’t listen.”

“Bonkers? Bonkers got loose again?” Is she using that dog as an excuse? I shake my head.

“I swear. I’m truly not stalking you.”

“I can tell because you’re not wearing my jersey.” I point at her.

“What? You think you’re the only player on the Mustangs that I like? For your information, I like all the players on the team.”

I nod at her. Maybe she’s a loyal fan. “Bonkers! Come!” I yell. Instantly, the dog appears at my feet, waggin’ his tail and trying to climb up my leg. I bend down, pick him up, and he licks my face.

“Damn dog,” she mutters.  



Lindsay Paige (on the right) is a romance author from North Carolina who has published eight books on her own. She is a huge hockey fan of the Pittsburgh Penguins and loves read. When not writing, Lindsay is focused on completing college.

Mary Smith (on the left) was born in Chicago, Illinois, but currently lives in West Virginia. She is an avid reader, co-founder of Book Nerds Across America, and author of the Ice series and Always Forever. She goes nowhere without her cell phone or Kindle. Mary loves anything to do with Chicago Blackhawks, Patrick Sharp, and hockey related!!


Despite their love for different teams and players, Lindsay and Mary write hockey romances to vicariously live through their characters and their experiences with these hot hockey players. Together, they have written The Penalty Kill Trilogy and the Oh Captain, My Captain series.


Lindsay Paige






Mary Smith


 Facebook:
 www.facebook.com/authormarysmith
Twitter: 
www.twitter.com/maryms1980
Blog: 
www.authormarysmith.blogspot.com


WIP (Work In Progress)

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Things in the works
*These are the ideas that crawl around in my head. That doesn't mean they'll happen 100%

1) A young adult paranormal/thriller series with romance, of course. *2015
2) Last Call #2 - A sexier new adult/adult book sharing info about the guy Savannah chooses (no spoilers here, just in case) before they met, his point of view on their relationship, AND their continued journey after Last Call ended. His Call
3) Secret Prophecy of Tyalbrook selections. Possible novellas that will delve into certain characters some more from their own points of view. ;)
4) Prophecy of Tyalbrook #3 Never Without You
5) From the Wreckage companion novels. Standalone novels centering on a few of the side characters from books 1-3. Currently working on Into The Fire (Dani's story)


PUBLISHED WORKS

My Debut

Never Let You Fall
Young Adult Fantasy
Published May 1, 2013

Orphaned at 7, with no memory of her past or the family she lost, 17 year old Skye Martin is tired of being alone and afraid. After a hard night of partying, Skye wakes up alone in an unfamiliar hotel. All she can remember is the deep voice of her rescuer and his promise: “I am safe.”

Xander has been tasked with watching Skye from afar for the past two years, in order to keep her safe from the demons that hunt her. An easy job - until a pair of red glowing eyes reveal themselves to Skye, and Xander, in a moment of weakness, is forced to break his cover to protect her.

Never good at trusting people, Skye is inexplicably drawn to Xander and the immediate bond she feels for him. However, Xander is filled with secrets and ties to her past that threaten to thrust Skye into a world she could never imagine existed…

As she begins to unravel the truth about who Xander is and the details surrounding her family, she discovers that she might just be the key to saving everything...

And, most importantly, she finds that there has always been someone by her side who would never let her fall…
Never Let You Go

Young Adult Fantasy
Book 2, The Prophecy of Tyalbrook Series
Published: January 30, 2014

Two souls desperate to discover the truth about the past and determined to save their future…

SKYE
The usual warmth I felt deep in my soul when Xander was near me was beginning to dull. Yet I still remembered the warning: “Be careful, my Princess…you will lose all you love before you can win what you want.”
XANDER
I could feel it; she hadn’t been here. Two days of hell, riding as fast as we could and only taking small breaks, and yet she had outrun us. How?

A PRINCESS set on regaining her Kingdom and protecting those she loves…
A GUARDIAN who will stop at nothing to find the woman who stole his heart…
An EVIL FORCE who will destroy everything they know in order to have power over all…

The journey continues in Never Let You Go, book two in The Prophecy of Tyalbrook Series.
Last Call
New Adult Romantic Comedy / Suspense
Released: October 21, 2013

“You are cordially invited…” 

Four words that spark the fear of God into any gently bred, single southern woman. 

When Savannah Guthry receives an invitation to her cousin’s wedding back home in Charleston, South Carolina, her first thoughts aren’t of flowers and dresses. Instead, she's reminded of the groom: her first love and the reason she ended up at a college 500 miles away from home. 

Determined to show up and dazzle not only her ex but her spoiled cousin too, Savannah allows her friends to set her up on a series of dates looking for Mr. Right. 

Wrapped up in her memories of the past and the drama of her new romances, Savannah doesn’t see the dangerous threat to her life coming… 

She might not land her Prince Charming before her Last Call.

From The Wreckage Series
Coming of Age Drama (Realistic Fiction) Contemp Romances

From The Wreckage, book 1
Released: June 12, 2014

“In a matter of minutes on a Friday night, I lost my school, my identity, the security of my first love, the personality of my sweet fearless brother, my best friend, my town, everything as I knew it. Everything changed.” 

"Minutes - that’s all it takes to change your entire life. How do you deal with that?” 


For high school senior Jules Blacklin surviving the storm is only the beginning. Faced with the new reality of her life, she must find a way to rise From The Wreckage and answer the question - how do you get back to normal, when everything that was normal is gone?

 Out of Ruins, book 2
Released: July 17, 2014

“Guilt. A painful, lonely feeling. It seeps into your pores slowly as you go through life day by day. Like a disease, it blackens your heart with thoughts and memories of what you did, or in my case, what you didn’t do.”
Surviving the storm was only the beginning for Jules. Surviving the guilt? That is something only love can help her overcome.

All That Remains
Releasied: August 27, 2014

Storms come and go, but true love remains.


#TuesdayTease - Into The Fire, Wrecked#1

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You can add Into The Fire to your TBR now HERE

If you've read Out of Ruins and All That Remains then you've met Dani. She plays a small roll in West and Jules' story but her own story is much bigger. And darker.
While writing Out of Ruins this girl jumped out at me. She was larger than life in my head and I knew I was going to have to write more of her. It wasn't planned, honestly these characters take on a life of their own! So I gave her some time in All That Remains thinking she'd quiet down. Nope, I knew I wasn't done with her yet. That is why you find the 'Authors Note' in the back of All That Remains letting you know about the Wrecked series coming soon. Dani created Wrecked. 


I tried in vain during September and October to ignore her. I said I was going to wait until next year to write her story - I have other books I NEED to write first.

Dani did ^^^^ THAT!

She won't shut up people! This girl had haunted me. I'd see these little glimpses into her life and I'd run to jot them down and then go back to Never Without You. Then two crazy things happened. 

1) The amazing Regina Wamba at Mae I Design had the perfect cover photo for me. *cue angels singing and sun shining down* 
2) The final piece of the puzzle hit me in the head on my three hour drive to YALL FEST on November 6th.

This is the same event that jump started my writing career back in 2012. How funny that the drive there this year would give Dani's story a clear direction. I'd been debating on a few things and my road trip, coupled with a LOT of very loud singing in the car, brought everything to me. Dani's story was ready. 

Today you get a small taste of Dani....(subject to editing and change before final release)   

“How about you tell me something that makes you angry. Anything,” Dr. Panos suggests.
For the past four weeks, Gram has dragged me into Dr. Panos' office and forced me to spend an hour sitting in her black leather chair so I could be subjected to a barrage of questions I had no intention of answering. Each session has been the same. A staring contest, a battle of wills. Dr. Panos stares at me, and I stare at the tiles on her ceiling. All one hundred and ninety-two of them.
“These sessions make me angry,” I reply, and immediately regret breaking. I’ve answered a handful of her questions these past four weeks; I’m sure she is delighted I’ve opened my mouth.
“How about healing? Does your healing make you angry?”
Tricky woman. Today’s score: Panos - 1 Dani - 0. I resolve not to answer her again.
Later that evening, I analyze the way I felt when Dr. Panos asked me that question. She hit a button, she made me answer her. Healing, does it make me angry?
Yes. That’s an easy answer. Telling why it makes me angry, that’s harder.
Why would I be angry about my body healing? A few months ago I would be in excruciating pain if I so much as moved wrong. For weeks I laid in a bed, heavily sedated, as doctors and nurses cleaned and prepped my burnt skin on a daily basis. It never mattered how much medication they gave me; unless they put me to sleep, I could feel the pain.

The pain was comforting in a strange way because I deserved it.