2015 Reading Challenge - Week Five

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I didn't update last week due to my hectic schedule! I'm trying to finish up the book that never ends. So I haven't been reading very much over the last two weeks. :(

Week Five Update...

Finished Reading

Book with one word title - Inspire by Cora Carmack NA Fantasy Romance - enjoyed this one. It has a cliffhanger ending and is way steamier than Cora's other endeavors thus far. Fans of mythology will like this one.

Currently Reading

I've been Alpha reading Mindy Hayes next Romance 'Me Without You' and will finish that up this weekend. Alpha reading, for those of you who don't know, is critique reading where you help an author find plot issues, character development issues, etc.. It's something many authors do with what we call our CPs (Critique Partners). We get to be brutally, but nicely, honest to help our friends write the best book they can. 

Up Next...

I received two pre-ordered books this week: Hero by Samantha Young and Verum by Courtney Cole so I may try to work those into my challenge. I'm dying to read Verum - book one Nocte was AMAZING. 
I'm also still working diligently on Into The Fire so I may not get much of anything read. I'm still ahead of my challenge though!


Completed Previously

  1. Book you own but haven't read - Wide Awake by Shelly Crane  YA Romance/Mystery *Standalone (Wk One Post
  2. Book you can read in a day - Never Never by Colleen Hoover and Tarry Fisher YA/NA Mystery/Romance/What IS this?? *Series (Wk One Post)
  3. Book by a female author (what a silly category) - Easy Virtue by Mia Asher Erotic Romance (Wk Two Post)
  4. Book by an author you haven't read yet - Beauty in the Ashes by Micalea Smeltzer NA Drama/Romance (Wk Two Post)
  5. Book at bottom of To-Read pile - Jane Austen Girl by Inglath Cooper - Contemp Romance.
  6. Book with non-humans - Kaleidoscope by Mindy Hayes - YA Fantasy. FREE 
     

What have you read this week? Let me know in the comments...

#TuesdayTease- Into The Fire

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This week I plan on writing 20k on Into The Fire. Think I can? My goal is to have this baby done by my birthday, February 6th. Cross your fingers (and toes!) for me cause when this one's done I'll be back in Tyalbrook.
This girl in on a mission!! 
Three book releases coming up by summer!

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Into The Fire (ITF) is book ONE in the Wrecked series. These are standalone novels following characters introduced in the From The Wreckage (FTW) series. Each book in this series will be a bit different in tone.
ITF follows Dani and takes place before, during and after events of the FTW series. You do NOT have to read FTW books to follow Dani's story. This is a realistic fiction, drama, romance and I will have trigger warning on this one for self-harm/depression. 
You can add Dani's story to you TBR pile on Goodreads HERE

Blurb TEASE - Last week I gave you the first line. I'll add to that this week ;)

At fifteen, an accident turned my world upside down. Scarred in everyway possible, I shut down, finding comfort by self-inflicting pain.

I’ve grown accustomed to the truths of my life, but I’m tired.
Tired of this reality...
Tired of the need...
Of the pain... 

#MondayMelodies - KD Carrillo

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Happy Monday friends! Today I'm happy to introduce K.D. Carrillo and her musical muse...

Right now I've got my very eclectic playlist rocking through my speakers, and my fingers flying across the keyboard.  Sometimes songs inspire what I'm writing, but more often I find songs based on what my character needs to hear at that moment.

I'm a writer, but not many people know that I started off expressing myself through music.  I've always searched for the perfect song to express what I'm feeling at a particular time in my life.  When I started giving into the urge to release my characters from my mind and onto the page I found myself playing the same song on loop to feel what I was writing.

When I started writing Destroy Me, which has some content a little closer to home than I'll describe, the songs really hit me.  Some of the songs expressed where I'd like to be at this stage in life, while others gutted me by reflecting how I feel right now.  The music helped me see Kate, and make her more real to me than any other character has yet.

Destroy Me has some dark elements of abuse and PTSD.  While the book is ultimately about healing, there are moments where the characters surrender themselves to the feelings created by the actions of others.  Sometimes there aren't words for these feelings, which was the case for Kate in one seen that may have brought some tears to my eyes.

Reed tries to tell her that he'll be there for when she needs him by playing, "I Will Wait," by Mumford and Sons (Mumford & Sons – I Will Wait).  Kate isn't ready to bare her soul to him at this point, but doesn't want him to wait for her when she feels too broken to be accepted.  She replies by playing him, "Slow it Down," by the Lumineers (The Lumineers – Slow It Down).

This is the part of the song that got me:

"I feel a filth in my bones.  Wash off my hands till it's gone.  The walls, they're closing in with velvet curtains..."

In the first line of the song I knew how Kate felt about herself, and I could see that Reed would feel it too.

Now I'm on to the last book in this series as well as a completely new project.  I'm discovering new artists, and new ways to be influenced by music. 

Here is the Destroy Me playlist on Spotify:

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Twitter:          @centralcoven
www.kdcarrilloauthor.com

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2015 Reading Challenge - Week Three

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Week Three Update...

Finished Reading

  1. Book at bottom of To-Read pile - Jane Austen Girl by Inglath Cooper - Contemp Romance. This was a cute romance with a little everything. Following several characters, you have adult romance (clean), broken relationships, YA romance, family drama. 
  2. Book with non-humans - Kaleidoscope by Mindy Hayes - YA Fantasy. FREE Looking for a great YA Fantasy? Give this one a try and fall in love with the Fae. 

Currently Reading

  1. Book with a one word title - Inspire by Cora Carmack NA PN Romance

 

Completed Previously

  1. Book you own but haven't read - Wide Awake by Shelly Crane  YA Romance/Mystery *Standalone (Wk One Post)
  2. Book you can read in a day - Never Never by Colleen Hoover and Tarry Fisher YA/NA Mystery/Romance/What IS this?? *Series (Wk One Post)
  3. Book by a female author (what a silly category) - Easy Virtue by Mia Asher Erotic Romance (Wk Two Post)
  4. Book by an author you haven't read yet - Beauty in the Ashes by Micalea Smeltzer NA Drama/Romance (Wk Two Post)

What have you read this week? Let me know in the comments...