Authors, Kai Strand & LA Dragoni

Proof of Lies (Anastasia Phoenix, #1) by Diana Rodriguez Wallach Published by Entangled Teen  Published on March 7th, 2017  Genre: YA Contemporary/Mystery Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28143051-proof-of-lies?ac=1&from_search=true Entangled Publishing: https://entangledpublishing.com/index.php/proof-of-lies.html Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Proof-Lies-Diana-Rodriguez-Wallach/dp/1633756084  B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/proof-of-lies-diana-rodriguez-wallach/1124230937?type=eBook  Some secrets are best kept hidden… Anastasia Phoenix has always been the odd girl out, whether moving from city to international city with her scientist parents or being the black belt who speaks four languages. And most definitely as the orphan whose sister is missing, presumed dead. She’s the only one who believes Keira is still alive, and when new evidence surfaces, Anastasia sets out to follow the trail—and lands in the middle of a m...

Going Down in Flames (Going Down in Flames #1) by Chris Cannon Published by Entangled Teen Published on June 30th, 2014 Genre: YA Paranormal/Fantasy Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22591993-going-down-in-flames https://entangledpublishing.com/going-down-in-flames.html If her love life is going down in flames, she might as well spark a revolution. Finding out on your sixteenth birthday you’re a shape-shifting dragon is tough to swallow. Being hauled off to an elite boarding school is enough to choke on. Since Bryn is the only crossbreed at the Institute for Excellence, all eyes are on her, but it’s a particular black dragon, Zavien, who catches her attention. Zavien is tired of the Council’s rules. Segregated clans, being told who to love, and close-minded leaders make freedom of choice almost impossible. The new girl with the striped hair is a breath of fresh air, and with Bryn’s help, they may be able to change the rules. At the Institute, old grudges, new...

This month #InkRipples is exploring the topic of literary tropes. For my post I’m going to use the Wikipedia definition of the word   trope   which has come to be used for describing commonly recurring   literary   and rhetorical devices,  motifs or clichés in creative works. It’s interesting to me that agents, publishers, other authors, and even readers call out for originality, yet tropes – like a story formula – are popular. Yes, walking that line between originality and familiarity can be very difficult. I asked a few of my super smart author friends what some of their favorite tropes are for both reading and writing. Editor and author coach and YA author,  Trish Wilkinson  likes the trope of the victorious underdog. She uses the trope in both fiction and nonfiction. Marie Harte – who knows her way around a spicy love story – loves the enemies to lovers trope. I admit, I do too. I discovered it in my late teens/early twent...