Authors, Kai Strand & LA Dragoni

January's #InkRipples topic is book covers. Throughout the month I’m exploring the making of a book cover. So far this month I’ve shared the progression of a couple covers as I worked with digital artists, I shared my experiences working with an illustrator, and the challenges of covering a series. Today I'm sharing my favorite cover collaboration to date. The cover for Finding Thor was such a challenge in so many ways and my publisher and cover artist were SOOOO patient through the process. Such a gorgeous cover. I want to write a book I could use this cover for! Finding Thor is a romantic suspense, which means there are two important aspects to the overall story that should be portrayed on the cover. 1) The reader needs to know that there is suspense and intrigue in the story. 2) They also need to know that the love story is an integral part of the story line. Though real life often twines suspense and drama throughout your love life, it isn't as easy to combi...

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...

Happy February. Thanks to St. Valentine, this is a month often associated with love. And what better way to show your love than with chocolate. Sweets for the sweet, right? I'm afraid to admit this out loud for fear it might change your opinion of me, but I'm not a chocolate fanatic. I go through short bursts of chocoholic phases where I can't get enough of the stuff, but then I come out of it and will turn my nose up at it for months on end. Even I think my Jekyl & Hyde treatment of chocolate is strange, but it is as much a part of me as is my intense love of Triscuits and squeeze cheese. When my taste buds are tuned into the creamy delight, I tend to prefer dark chocolate. I'm even more pleased if it's smothering caramel and nuts or if maybe it's in the form of a peppermint patty. But usually by the time my tasters come back around to letting chocolate in, I'm not too picky - brownie, hot fudge sundae, hot chocolate - it's all chocolate to me a...

For more info & for a complete list of blogs, visit the #IWSG site Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds! The co-hosts for November are: Tyrean Martinson   http://tyreanswritingspot.blogspot.com/ Karen Walker   http://karenfollowingthewhispers.blogspot.com/ Denise Covey   http://dencovey.blogspot.com/    Stephen Tremp    http://authorstephentremp.blogspot.com/ Please be sure to visit their sites to thank them for hosting! *** Today I'm insecure about book signings! I have an event coming up in a real live bookstore. I've done bookstore events before and I really, really enjoy them-when people show up! Those of you who've had events before know it's hard to attract guests to book signings, plus this one is t...

Writing is a funny thing. I spend months inside a story—creating, revising, refining—and then it’s published and I don’t see it again. It’s like having a really close friend for a year and then abandoning her. Sure, I have to spend time promoting each story. Most unfortunately, that never stops, but it isn’t the same as when I’m truly inside that story working it. Trying to find the absolute best order for the words so the story creates a physical reaction in the reader. Tears, laughter, racing pulse, gutted emotions, cheers—something, anything, or all of it at one point or the other between the covers. Most recently, I’m missing Cara and Nik from FindingThor . Their relationship isn’t quite as emotional as Ella and Ayden’s from Worth the Effort , but they have a lot more suspense and certainly more humor in their lives and I really miss working with them. Is this why stand alone books become series? The author simply misses her characters and has to discover the next advent...

Happy Memorial Day weekend! I've put together a quick giveaway for the weekend. If you are on Twitter, I hope you'll participate. All you have to do is click on the following link. It will take you to a pinned post on my twitter profile. Retweet the post and your retweet will enter you to win an ecopy (pdf or Kindle) of Finding Thor. http://bit.ly/1FCEqcA Super simple, huh? You have until 11:59 pm on the 25th to retweet the message, so hop over now so you don't forget. Thanks for your support. About the book: Cara Cassidy always envisioned love as Thor, slamming his hammer into the earth, and the vibration resonating within her for a lifetime. She never expected love would be a thousand tiny actions from a normal boy. When international intrigue hits small-town America, more than the car chases will get your blood pumping. Tragedy has left Cara Cassidy broken and the only thing keeping her from giving in completely is her guilt. Until Nik Rock. Nik ...

YA Bound is hosting a book blitz and giveaway for Finding Thor. You'll see posts crop up all around the Internet until the 22nd of April. The giveaway is open through the end of the month. I would GREATLY appreciate if you could participate by hopping over to several blog sites, leaving comments, tweeting, adding FT to your Goodreads shelf (or claim the entry if you already have), follow some of the fantastic blogs. Bloggers who are kind enough to sign up to host for book blitzes are simply AWESOME. I want to thank each and every one and the best way to thank them is if you could take the time to visit a few of their sites and let them know you appreciate the opportunity to participate in the blitz. (Sorry the formatting is off, but you can still click on the blog link to get to the blog.) Book Lovers Life http://bookloverslife.blogspot.ie/ Hungry for Goodies http://hungryforgoodies.blogspot.com deal sharing aunt http://dealsharingaunt.blogspot.com/ Victoria Simcox...

I'm excited to announce the release of my tenth published novel. Finding Thor is a young adult romantic suspense. Cara Cassidy always envisioned love as Thor, slamming his hammer into the earth, and the vibration resonating within her for a lifetime. She never expected love would be a thousand tiny actions from a normal boy. When international intrigue hits small-town America, more than the car chases will get your blood pumping. 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 ...