Authors, Kai Strand & LA Dragoni

Welcome to Three Times A Charm. I love to introduce readers to the people involved in children’s publishing. Today we welcome young adult author, AC Land. AC, can tell us a little about yourself? Ever since first reading about escaping to Neverland and a slew of wild creatures hiding in a Mitten, I dreamed of telling stories. Growing up in the rural sticks of Missouri, not five miles from the Meramec River, I always wanted to write about people just like me. Big stories about small towns. So that's just what I did. I remember the magical feeling of completely falling into a story. I still fall, but not as entirely as I did as a child. Tell us about your young adult book, A Shot of Bourbon . Shot centers around Luke and Charli, two teenagers who are struggling in their own ways. Though Charli has grown up having everything she could possibly want she’s never known who her father is, and has always been curious as to why he’s never wanted to be part of her lif...

Welcome to Three Times A Charm. I love to introduce readers to the people involved in children’s publishing. Today we welcome middle grade author, CM Savage. Carolyn, can tell us a little about yourself? Thank you so much for hosting me! I write under the name C. M. Savage. I have always enjoyed writing, but did not see it as a career option when I was growing up. Instead I followed my passion for animals. I ended up working with and protecting endangered birds in Hawaii and with rehabilitated wildlife that could not be returned to the wild in Oregon. Once I had two wonderful daughters though, I decided to revisit my passion for writing so that I could stay at home. After committing to myself that I would give writing a serious try, it took about five years of writing whenever I could, often late at night or in small increments, to finish my manuscript. I’m excited to say my persistence paid off. My debut novel was published last October by Saguaro Books. Here are a few ...

Today I'm excited to participate in the cover reveal for the upcoming New Adult novel,  She Laughs in Pink by Jessica Calla! Title :  She Laughs in Pink  (Sheridan Hall Series, Book 1) Author : Jessica Calla Genre : New Adult Release date :  May 17, 2016 Publisher :  BookFish Books Blurb: Four years after her twin is murdered, Juliet Anderson still struggles with guilt, her parents, and her relationships. Two things keep her from falling into a deep, dark place—dancing and her best friend, Ben. So when Ben decides to play football for New Jersey University, Juliet doesn’t hesitate. She follows. Finally away from her past, there is nothing to stand in the way. Juliet will win Ben's heart. Then she meets Ben's roommate, Chase. On probation and hell-bent on adhering to a “new life plan,” aspiring artist Chase leaves his New York City home for New Jersey University and meets Juliet before even stepping foot on campus. For him, their connection...

I'm happy to be a part of the tour for Cheryl Carpinello's book, Tutankhamen Speaks. Cheryl joins us today to talk about research and to offer a chance for you to win a gift card. Thanks, Cheryl! And now, take it away... *** Researching Historical Fiction: Determining What Type and How Much To Do By Cheryl Carpinello Many writers struggle with this, including me. Unless you’ve built your own world, it’s hard for most authors to physically visit the places their characters live. If you’re a writer of historical fiction, like I am, it is impossible to transport readers back to those time periods without extensive research. So far, I’ve written in two time periods: 400-500 Medieval England and 1330 BC Egypt. For my first two Arthurian stories set in Medieval England, I started with guidebooks and maps—both modern and historical. I used these to get a sense of the landscape, which may have changed a bit, but not that much over the centuries. I also have an extensiv...

Finding Thor is turning one year old and I invite you to celebrate with me. Be sure to check out the giveaway below. International intrigue hits small-town America. Tragedy has left Cara Cassidy broken and the only thing keeping her from giving in completely is her guilt. Until Nik Rock. Nik stirs up feelings in degrees she has never experienced, and causes her to do things that most assuredly give him the wrong impression – like kiss him before their first date. Somehow, he breaks down the walls around her emotions until she has no choice but to forgive herself and feel again. But a mysterious, troubled past follows Nik, and Cara may prove to be his weakest link. When a royal princess shows up looking for Nik, and an international gang arrives looking for missing jewels, Cara lands in mortal danger. Will she be able to save herself? What will happen to her newly repaired psyche if she loses Nik? Romance, mystery, and high stakes – just another day in high s...

March #InkRipples  theme is feminism. Be sure to visit  Mary Waibel  &   Katie L. Carroll 's blog too. After you enter my giveaway!  I was raised by a strong, independent woman. She was a leader. A trailblazer. A boss. I didn’t know she was a feminist. She raised me with her values. She imparted her strengths. I didn’t know I was a feminist. I rarely ran into roadblocks based on my gender and now I wonder if I simply refused to see them as I barreled through them, climbed over them, shattered them. Thanks, Mom. Over the years feminism has gotten a bad rap, but there is a resurgence within the population and I wanted to find out what feminism means to today’s young women. It just so happens my daughter is a rather outspoken feminist, so I didn’t have to look too far. Mom: Tell us what feminism means to you. Alex: Feminism is, by definition, the social, political, and economic equality of men and women. But feminism to me means men, women, a...

Santa Muerte (The Daniela Story Book 1) by Lucina Stone   Amazon    Lucina Stone blends Mexican folklore with modern technology and time travel in this seductive new series where the lines between right and wrong, protagonist and antagonist, truth and fiction, love and lust, and life and death have never been more blurred. THE YEAR IS 2030. IN A DRAMATIC, final attempt to free her inner demons, twenty-year-old Daniela Delgado tempts fate and winds up on a strange farm in 1923. With an olive complexion due to her Mexican/Italian heritage and a fresh pixie cut, she is mistaken for a “boy of color.” Her only shot at survival now is to play it cool, pose as “Danny,” and figure out how to get back home to her two, loving moms. And then she meets Daphne—an abused, motherless farm girl in desperate need of freedom and a friend. Having escaped Daphne’s father, the two of them are now roaming the streets of New York City disguised as a young aristocrat and her male ser...

Today I am offering a rare and early review. I've known this book from infancy. I've watched it grow, try new things, rebel and comply. It's like a teenager itself! But it is one of my favorites of my lovely critique partner, Beverly Stowe McClure. Under the Purple Moon Eden Rose has learned to deal with her mother's criticism that she can do nothing right. What she can't deal with are the arguments between her parents. To escape their angry words, she finds refuge in an old abandoned house. She always returns home, hoping her mother will love her one day, even though Eden's not sure what the word love means. Three other teens with problems also hang out at the Old House. Meeting Murphy, Toby, and Josh changes Eden's world, and she begins to have faith in herself. Perhaps she can do something right, after all. Thanks to the boys, she begins to understand the meaning of love. But will it be enough to save her broken home life? My thoughts: Though ...

Welcome to Three Times A Charm. I love to introduce readers to the people involved in children’s publishing. Today we welcome author, Heidi Angell. Heidi, can tell us a little about yourself? I am a wordsmith, bibliophile and lexicomaniac. What can I say, I love everything about the written word! When I am not writing (which is a rare moment, indeed!) I can be found getting my groove on while cleaning, hiking or swimming with my family, watching movies, or planning some adventure in the kitchen. Adventures in the kitchen – sounds like a book in itself. Tell us about your book, Hell School: Fresh Meat . High school is hard, especially when you're a freshman in a new town, surrounded by people you don't understand and who don't understand you.  Sam was overwhelmed just trying to fit in. Then she is singled out with the first letter. While some girls envy the “romantics” of this unknown admirer, Sam can tell something isn't right.  Sam wanted to just ble...