Interview with Autumn Doughton!!

Currently, Autumn lives in Gainesville, Florida with her two daughters, two dogs, two cats, two rabbits, three ducks and one lovely husband. She writes books. Fun books for you, and your sister, and your best friend, and your hair dresser, etc. She thinks of writing as a sort of therapy, and the results tend to be feel-good odes to her lost youth, which is exactly how she likes it.

When Autumn isn't working or looking for recipes that include avocado as a key ingredient, she can be found skulking around the movie theater or local bookseller. Generally with chocolate somewhere on her person because she never leaves home without a treat.

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I’m having a HUGE fan girl moment right now. I love your books! I read ON AN EDGE OF GLASS and loved it so much that I immediately went and bought your other book I’LL BE HERE. Okay, so this isn’t really a question, so I better stop fan girling and get on with the interview!

On an Edge of Glass is the BEST book I’ve read all year. I loved every second of it. Could you give us a brief summary of what the story is about?

First of all… THANK YOU! I love, love, LOVE your books and am basically in awe of you. I laughed and cried and swooned during FALLING FOR HADIE and I can’t wait for your next release, so to get a good review from you is incredible!

Now, back to the question. ON AN EDGE OF GLASS centers around college senior, Ellie Glass. Ellie is your typical Type A personality who has her whole life planned out. One afternoon she’s sitting in a coffee shop and has a chance encounter with a scruffy, downright sexy musician. Over the next few days she can’t get him out of her head, and when fate intervenes and the two are thrown together, Ellie gets more than she bargained for. Pretty soon she finds herself feeling and doing things that she never thought were possible.

I'm so glad you enjoyed Falling for Hadie! Coming from you, that is a huge compliment!

Reading your book was like poetry for me. Each word, each bit of description was so meaningful and beautiful. Where did you pick up this style of writing? Is it something that will be present in each of your books?

I get a lot of inspiration from music and the lyrics, so I suppose that has a lot to do with the “poetic” descriptions. Sometimes I struggle because I worry that I’ve gotten too flowery with my words and other days I feel like everything I write is a complete bore and I have to go back and make it more descriptive. It’s a tough balance to find and I hope that with each book I get a little better.

On an Edge of Glass is a story about love and misunderstandings. Did you draw from any real life experiences? Are Ben and Ellie characters that you can relate you?

The story behind ON AN EDGE OF GLASS is sort of an embarrassing one. It begins on the day that the Avett Brothers (my favorite band) were coming to Gainesville for a concert. I was walking my dog on the UF campus (like I do almost every day) and I was jamming out to their latest album getting ready for the show that night and thinking, "Wow, wouldn't it be unreal if Bob, Scott, Joe, or Seth were on campus RIGHT NOW and I caught a glimpse??"

Well... who do you think I look up and see jogging straight at me? Seth freaking Avett. My heart may have actually stopped beating. So, there I was--all sweaty and gross and (because I'm a good pet owner) holding a bag of dog poop. A BAG OF DOG POOP. Basically, the story goes that every single part of me froze up and I said absolutely nothing and before my brain cells could manage to reboot, the moment had passed and I was left standing like a moron staring at Seth Avett's back wondering if I should chase him down like a lunatic stalker and ask for an autograph. I didn't go after him. What I did was walk home on shaky legs with my head lost in a cloud of misery as I relived the moment on an endless cycle of what-ifs that all boiled down to: what if I were less of a dolt?

A few days later, Ellie and Ben just popped in my head and I knew that I wanted to write a love story about a chance encounter and a missed opportunity.

Um, wow. That is super awkward! But at least we got Ellie and Ben from that experience! =)

Can you share your favourite scene or quote from On an Edge of Glass?

I love Ellie’s best friend Mark so much, and I think I enjoyed writing the scenes with him in it the most. He’s actually based on a friend of mine so it was easy to imagine what he would say and what he would do. My favorite line is when Mark tells Ellie: “Happiness isn't something that you plan for. It comes knocking unexpectedly, just like opportunity. And it's up to you to answer the door and invite it inside.” That isn’t just something that I wrote. It’s something that I truly believe.

My favorite scene is when Ellie and Ben have their first date and he brings her the Gummi Bear bouquet. I just loved the idea of that so much and that he was nervous and a little shy about it.

I really loved Mark, too! And that scene between Ellie and Ben was adorable!

I’ll Be Here was an excellent read too. I found myself swooning over Alex and hoping that things would work out for Willow. The way you described Willow’s heartbreak was so real and it really affected me. How did you manage to make her emotions so real?

I tried to write those scenes from experience. I know exactly what it’s like to be seventeen and tied up in knots and have your heart ache over a boy who is all wrong for you because I’ve been there.  

Before I wrote the break-up scene between Willow and Dustin, I looked through my high school yearbook to get back into the teenage girl mindset. By the time I was done writing it, I was actually a little sick to my stomach and I felt like looking up my ex-boyfriend on Facebook to thank him for breaking my heart back then so that I could channel the emotions.

What was your favourite part about writing I’ll Be Here? What made you want to write this story?

When I started writing, I actually didn’t have a clear direction. I had Willow’s voice in my head and I knew that I wanted to bring her to life and that her message was about learning to pick yourself up after falling flat on your face. I played around with some ideas and none of them seemed to be right. Then I was at a restaurant and there was a teenage girl next to me and she was telling her friend about her break-up and a light went off in my head. The rest of the characters just came to me and I went from there.

You have a knack for writing swoon-worthy men. Even now, I can’t decide if I’m more in love with Ben or Alex. What’s your secret to writing men that make us weak at the knees?

I don’t want his ego to get too bloated, but I have to say that my husband is a pretty spectacular guy and there are big pieces of him in both Alex and Ben. And I drew inspiration for those characters from other men in my life—real and fictional, past and present. I’m a complete romantic and it’s easy for me to get caught up in the romance so I often times have to give myself a reality check to keep those characters grounded in real life.

What have you loved the most about your journey as an author?

Well, I have to admit that getting to work in my pajamas is pretty awesome. But, honestly, it’s the connections that I’ve made. Connections with other authors like yourself, and with readers. Every time someone emails me and tells me that they enjoyed the book or that they related to Ellie or Willow, it makes my world brighter.

FUN FACTS

Pen or keyboard?

A little bit of both actually. I like to keep a notepad on me and play around with ideas using pen and paper. I’ll write lines, or sketch something, or simply one word that I know I want to use. I glance at the notepad for inspiration when I’m writing on my laptop.

Amazon or bookstore?

This is a hard one. I am a bookstore junkie. I love real books—the smell, the feel, the way they look on my shelves, but the kindle has changed my world. With the kindle, I can take an entire library with me wherever I go. And I’m infamously impatient so I love the fact that with Amazon, if it’s two in the morning and I read a review for a book that I think I might like, I can download it in seconds rather than having to wait for the bookstore to open.  That being said, I hope that brick and mortar bookstores stick around. There are certain times I just want to browse real books. I think of it as watching a movie from home or going to the movie theater. Being at home is convenient and wonderful and I’m glad that I can pause the movie when I have to pee and don’t run the risk of getting a seat next to a smelly guy, but there’s something special about going to the movies. It’s an “event.”

Are you more like Willow or Ellie?

I think there are parts of myself in every character that I write. I’m definitely neurotic and insecure like Willow, but I put pressure on myself the way that Ellie does.

Alex or Ben?

Though I love Alex, I have to say Ben. I LOVED writing him. It was hard to finish the book and move onto something new because I missed Ben so much.

Team Damon or Team Stefan?

Team Damon all the way, baby!

Thank you so much for your time, Autumn! You’re the best!

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Find out more about Autumn on her Facebook page or her official website.

My upcoming contemporary release: THE STORY OF US

For anyone who missed out on my announcement, I just wanted to do a post here to let you know that after Wrong Side of Town releases in July/August, my next release of the day (and possibly my final release for 2013), will be The Story of Us.

The Story of Us will be a Mature Young Adult Contemporary that is a stand alone. It has no connection to the With Me series. The blurb is below and here is the link to Goodreads if you want to add it to your TBR. Thanks!


There was a time when I was certain how my life would turn out. 

It would be us going to prom. It would be a spring wedding. It would be having two kids. It would be with you.

That's not how it ended.

That night, you destroyed me. You broke me in ways I never imagined. You shattered every hope and every dream I ever had. Sure, things were at a low between us. Sure, we both made bad choices that night, but we could've made it work. We could've made us work.

But now there's no prom. No wedding. No kids. No future. Now there's just misunderstanding and regret. Now there's just me, left to look back on what went wrong.

This is the story of how we fell apart. 

This is the story of us.

Two reviews, an interview & a giveaway!

I'm kinda glad you guys can't hear what I sound like right now because I totally sound like a hot mess...except not the "hot" part. So, basically, I sound like a mess. Yeah, I have the immune system of a packet of toilet paper; basically, it's non-existent. There is a point to this status, I swear. 

Jodie and Bree from Fab Fun & Tantalizing Reads are awesome. They know this because I've told them many times. Also, they spotlighted me and my books today. They have reviews of both Hadie and Impossible, an interview with me, plus an awesome giveaway where you can win a paperback of Hadie and many e-copies.

I'm going to pass out on my sofa from taking too many cold & flu tablets. I suggest you guys don't do that. Maybe go and check out that awesome spotlight thingy. Yeah, that sounds like a better idea.

Check it out here!

Interview with Heidi McLaughlin

Please welcome USA Today Bestselling author, Heidi McLaughlin to my blog today! I'm so happy to have her join us!


Originally from the Pacific Northwest, Hedi now lives in picturesque Vermont, with her husband and two daughters. Also renting space in her home is an overhyper Beagle/Jack Russell and two Parakeets.

During the day you’ll find Heidi behind a desk talking about Land Use. At night, she's writing one of the many stories she plans to release or sitting courtside during either daughter’s basketball games.

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Thank you so much for joining me today, Heidi! I’m so excited to have you on my blog!

Tell us how you got your start in writing? Was it a childhood passion or something you began recently?

Reading was always something my grandma and I did together and when I was young I wanted to be a writer because I saw the smile my grandma would get when she’d read. In those days you had to go to college and get your masters before you’d be considered. Of course, times have changed and we can all express ourselves and share our stories now.

I recently read FOREVER MY GIRL and loved it! For those unfamiliar with it, can you briefly tell us what the story is about?

FOREVER MY GIRL is that high school romance that you had, but ended for one reason or another plus ten years. It’s about finding your soul mate without compromising who you are or who you’ve become.

What inspired you to write FOREVER MY GIRL?

Believe it or not, I saw a picture and this story just flashed before my eyes.

How did you respond to the success of FOREVER MY GIRL?

It’s still very hard to believe and when people say I have fans, I’m like no way. I’m so grateful for everyone who has read and suggested FOREVER MY GIRL to their friends.

I am eagerly anticipating your next release LOST IN YOU. Could you tell us something about it? (Maybe share a teaser if possible?)

LOST IN YOU is a coming of age book with alternating points of view about America’s pop princess (think a young Carrie Underwood) and a blue-collar high school student who meet and fall in love.

Someone like Hadley Carter can have anyone she wants. She’s having this after-party and yet she’s out here on her balcony keeping someone like me company. For all I know she’s taking pity on me because I was alone and about to leave. I suppose leaving her party would’ve made her look like a fool.

I’m close to her, so close that I can touch her if I wanted. I could move my fingers slightly and let her skin light mine on fire. I want to ask her what it feels like for her when we touch because for me it’s as if her skin is full of electricity and my body wants to know what it’s like to be touched by her repeatedly.

Hadley shifts, her knee brushing lightly against my fingers. I don’t move, afraid that she’ll notice. There is a light tingling sensation coursing from her to me. I look down, briefly. She moves closer.

As a writer, do you have any quirks or routines you follow?

Each chapter I write goes to my friend, Yvette. She is also my number one brainstorming partner. If I can’t sell her on my story idea, I’m not going to write it.

Are you an avid reader and if so, what are some of your favourite books of all time?

I used to be until I started writing more, now I read maybe a book every two weeks. I wish I had more time, but working a full-time job and writing at night doesn’t leave a whole lot of time. Not sure I have a favorite book – I like a lot of series though. Right now I’m in love with The Assassins Series by Toni Aleo. Love The Vampire Queen novels (Infinite Days and Stolen Nights) by Rebecca Maizel and The Body Finder Series by Kimberly Derting.

Do you have any exciting projects coming up?

I’m currently working on MY UNEXPECTED FOREVER – book #2 in The Beaumont Series.

What’s something important you’ve learned on your journey as author?

My author friends and my best friend, they’ve been amazing and so supportive.

Thank you so much for your time! I really appreciate it!

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You can find out more about Heidi in the following places:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Twitter

Facebook

FALLING FOR HADIE new cover and sale!!

You know what? I suck. No, actually, I'm the suckiest of the suckiest. Falling for Hadie got a new cover and is currently on sale and I haven't even blogged about it! Ugh!

Okay, so the new cover was designed by the wonderful, awesomest Eden Crane and the cover image was taken by the talented Regina Wamba of Mae I Design. Can I just say that I am in love?

But before you head off to check it out, I just wanted to let you know that to celebrate the new cover I have put Falling on Hadie for sale. It's currently $0.99 but will go up to its usual price of $1.99 soon, so get your copy quick smart! Buy it here on Amazon! =)

“Sometimes there is a single moment that changes your life forever.”

Hadie Swinton is giving up on boys.

After a disastrous relationship, she is convinced that all males are the same—arrogant, self-assured, and complete jerks.

Lincoln Bracks is giving up on his old life.

After moving to a new town to escape the problems plaguing him, he is set against ever getting close to anyone again.

When Hadie and Lincoln’s worlds collide, their intrigue for one another leads them to open up to each other against their better judgment. Despite the attraction that is pulling them together, insecurities, secrets, and shattered hopes stand in the way of them ever being together.

At a time when darkness consumes their lives, Hadie and Lincoln learn that hope and love can still be found in the most unlikely place.


*Recommended for mature readers aged 17+ due to language and sexual content

**This is the second book in the With Me series but can be read as a stand-alone

SELLING SCARLETT by Ella James is on sale!

Whoo! I can't wait to get my own copy! DYING to read this!

Cover Reveal: A SHARD OF ICE by Alivia Anders

Title: A Shard of Ice

Series: Black Symphony Saga

Publisher: Red Alice Press

Release Date: April 14th, 2014

Synopsis:

THEIR SOULS, REAWAKENED

When 13-year-old Lilix Morgan is found alive and floating on a bed of ice at sea, everyone counts it a miracle. Kidnapped nearly four weeks earlier, she remembers nothing of her mysterious abduction. When she tries to remember what happened, she hears only a melody – a faint and delicate set of notes, strung together in a tune she doesn’t understand.

THEIR POWER, UNMATCHED

A year later and desperate to put the lingering nightmares of her past behind her, Lilix crosses the country to enroll at Baelmorte Academy, aiming to become the violinist she once dreamt of. Things seem to be finally going well, and Lilix settles into a routine of sheet music and inspiration among new friends.

Then the dreams start.

The melody and night terrors she thought she’d left behind return with a vengeance, threatening to ruin her fragile version of normalcy. Then an unlikely ally tells her that she isn’t alone. That there are others just like her, fighting to hide their own shocking truths from coming to light. That they know who she is, and what she’s been through. Now, accompanied by four other girls, Lilix discovers her nightmares are larger than a single trauma; they’re a window to a hidden part of her soul, a place of immense power with a destiny that cannot be ignored.

THEIR BATTLE, IS ONLY BEGINNING

With this knowledge comes a new and frightening reality. For Lilix has been reawakened to stop an age-old enemy, one thought to have been destroyed centuries ago. Trapped by her destiny, Lilix is torn between what feels right and what she remembers. Her memories tell her of a star-crossed love waiting to be reunited, of friendships and trust broken in the past. But can she save that love when reality brings her an enemy, and an evil that will be the undoing of them all if they don’t destroy it?

LINKS:

Facebook for Alivia Anders: http://www.facebook.com/aliviaanders

Twitter for Alivia Anders: https://twitter.com/AliviaAnders

Blogger for Alivia Anders: aliviaanders.blogspot.com

Official author website (still under construction): aliviaanders.com

A Shard of Ice on Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17207178-a-shard-of-ice

Good news & bad news

Guys, guys, I have some bad news and good news for you. The bad news is that I will not be releasing my Paranormal novel RUNAWAY MORTAL in May as planned. I am so sorry about this and I can't even begin to tell you how upset this makes me. 

RUNAWAY MORTAL is a project I started in February 2011 and I love it to bits; I can't express how much I love the story and the characters. However, I have a lot of rewrites to do for it before it even gets close to what I want it to be. There is no way I would EVER compromise the quality of the work for the sake of getting something out there by a deadline. I would never do that to my readers. I don't see how I can get it done by the deadline without it dragging into June or July. If that happens WRONG SIDE OF TOWN will be majorly delayed. Now, I know there are waaaay more people waiting for WRONG SIDE OF TOWN than there are for RUNAWAY MORTAL. I mean, the readers wanting to read RUNAWAY MORTAL are just as important (trust me, I love you guys!) but there are a lot more readers to disappoint if WRONG SIDE OF TOWN is delayed, say, until October. I will work on RUNAWAY MORTAL at a later time and I would still like to get it done by the end of the year (I love Katerina too much to stay out of her head for too long) if all goes well, but for now the release date is uncertain. I promise I will have an update on this matter when I am closer to finishing rewrites. 

So what does that mean for WRONG SIDE OF TOWN? Well, it means that it will probably be released sooner! I won't set a date, I won't even promise anything, but the good news is that I am off to work on Vincent and Estella's story in the next couple of days. I truly am sorry about this and feel free to get angry at me for disappointing you. I hope we can still be friends. ♥

Cover Reveal: SHUDDER by Samantha Durante

I'm so excited that Samantha Durante has been kind enough to give me the opportunity to share the cover of her next release along with the blurb with you guys. There is also a fun giveaway for all of you where you have a chance to win a paperback copy of Shudder!

Shudder is the second book in the Stitch trilogy and I am really excited for its release because I enjoyed the first book, Stitch, so much! Here is my review of Stitch so you can see what I thought of it.

It’s only been three days, and already everything is different.

Paragon is behind her, but somehow Alessa’s life may actually have gotten worse. In a wrenching twist of fate, she traded the safety and companionship of her sister for that of her true love, losing a vital partner she’d counted on for the ordeal ahead. Her comfortable university life is but a distant memory, as she faces the prospect of surviving a bleak winter on the meager remains of a ravaged world. And if she’d thought she’d tasted fear upon seeing a ghost, she was wrong; now she’s discovering new depths of terror while being hunted by a deadly virus and a terrifying pack of superhuman creatures thirsting for blood.

And then there are the visions.

The memory-altering “stitch” unlocked something in Alessa’s mind, and now she can’t shake the constant flood of alien feelings ransacking her emotions. Haunting memories of an old flame are driving a deep and painful rift into her once-secure relationship. And a series of staggering revelations about the treacherous Engineers – and the bone-chilling deceit shrouding her world’s sorry history – will soon leave Alessa reeling…

The second installment in the electrifying Stitch Trilogy, Shudder follows Samantha Durante’s shocking and innovative debut with a heart-pounding, paranormal-dusted dystopian adventure sure to keep the pages turning.

It sounds great, doesn't it? Why don't you guys go ahead and add it on Goodreads? And for those of you who haven't read Stitch, you can purchase it on Amazon and add it on Goodreads. I recommend reading Stitch before reading Shudder, but there's still two months to go so you still have plenty of time to read the first book!

Samantha is lovely, so she has an awesome international giveaway for you guys where you can win a paperback of Shudder! Sounds great!

Enter the Giveaway HERE!!!