WIP

Here you go.  Here's an excerpt from the new fantasy novel I'm working on.  Let me know your thoughts!

             He took a step closer to me again.  I backed up.  Amusement danced in those eyes of his. 

          “Surely, you’re not afraid of me?”

          Forbidden was more like the term that came to mind.  We weren’t to interact with creatures of the dark, and likewise, they with us. 

          I knew I should reveal to him my name, but I didn’t want to.  I wasn’t thinking clearly.  My head seemed to be filled with fog. 

          I wondered why he didn’t at least take me as a creature of the light.  Perhaps it was my enormous wings the color of coal tucked in securely to my back.  They always gave me the appearance of being a darker shade than the other angels.  I could only make the assumption that this Draco took me as one of his own.

          His hands grabbed onto my waist and pulled me forward into his chest. 

          “Draco … no,” I whispered.

          “Say it again,” he pleaded, his lips gliding across the top of my forehead as he spoke.

          The energy I felt within me being next to him was unlike anything I had ever experienced before.  It engulfed every inch of me.

          “Say what?” I asked, completely aware of how close our faces were.

          He chuckled, the noise radiating into his chest that I now realized I had both of my hands pressed against.

          “My name.”

So it's Friday night, and my husband fell asleep but shhh don't let him know that I'm secretly happy about that because we usually watch a movie on Fridays, but now that he's sleeping... I can write instead! 

I have been busy with my next WIP.  I'm not sure if I'm allowed to reveal the title yet... I don't know that we're 100% sure what the title is.  When I say "we," I mean Wendy and I.  I'll have to see where she stands with the title.  Anyway, I am just LOVING these characters, the direction they're headed.  Super excited to introduce you all to them and to set a tentative date of release.  This will be another trilogy. 

I hope everyone has a fantastic Thanksgiving holiday.  I know I sure have a lot to be thankful for this year including surviving a major motor vehicle crash in July and for another year filled with family and true friends.  If you don't celebrate Thanksgiving, have a beautiful day anyway.  I'll be traveling to see family and hope to get in a lot of writing, which may prove difficult with a house of 7 kids who are 11 and under ... :)

 

 

 

 

Leaving you with a taste of Sarenah from my current fantasy project.

 

 



I just got done with a vampire novel.  I thoroughly enjoyed the Twilight Series and then attempted to read a spin off soon afterwards, and well, it was terrible, absolutely terrible.  Bella Forrest's pretty cover on her book, A Shade of Vampire, has caught my attention for awhile now.  They say readers have to see a cover multiple times before deciding to purchase it.  Well, that is true for this reader (me) for this particular book.  I had the time today, so I decided to start the book and I finished it within a few hours.  It's not a long book, I think only 150-some pages, but it was very well written. 

This brings me to the question at hand as I go to the book I'm currently writing, what is it about strong alpha men that lure us in as women readers?  No matter how many different ways you come across it, the characters' names are different but their personalities very similar, it's still intriguing each and every time. 

Is it a kind of forbidden love between the two of them that grips onto our emotions and pulls us in until we can literally feel their pain, their love, their everything together?  Do these kind of men actually exist in real life?

I think back on Emry Logan and Anna James, the characters in my Strange in Skin Trilogy, and think his character is very much the same.  He's strong, powerful, hot-headed and just plain hot.  Anna is the epitome of the female role. 

And onto the characters I'm currently writing about in a series not yet titled, Draco, the male character very much fits this type of male personality.  He's dark, mysterious, strong ... But then there's Sarenah, and unlike a weaker female character, she has her own strengths, temper and almost a coldness when it comes to Draco.  It's fun to switch it up a little, but nevertheless, I find I am one of those female readers myself, sucked into another love story where the man is a monster whose soft side is only unveiled by the one he loves. 

So I have some surprises to blab.  My dad always called me a blabber.  It's hard for me to keep information in when I'm so excited.

First of all, the creative juices are flowing.  I'm jumping right back into a new fantasy series.  I have no idea what the title will be of either the first book or the series, but I can tell you it's about angels and that it's going to be amazing if it comes out like it is in my head, which I'm sure it will!  :)  

Also, another secret, I am co-authoring this fantasy series with my wonderfully talented publisher, Wendy Chartier of Planettopia Publishing.  Shooting ideas around with someone is a new experience and one I'm looking forward to. 

I'll keep everyone posted on its progress!!

I was really hoping to have a new book out for everyone for December.  I started writing I Call Her Psycho in September, and really, it just has not turned out how I'd expected it to.  I've gone back to it three times thinking if I just switched this part or added this part but it's coming out way too flat for my liking, and I am not going to just publish a book that I don't think has depth to it.  I'm just not feeling it, so I'm pulling it, tossing it aside.  Maybe it's something I can look into in the future.  The idea is just not coming forth like it had in my head.  I apologize to anyone anticipating another book, but I don't want you reading crap. 

This pretty much sums up how I felt about what to do with this book ...

Hehe.... onto the next idea!

I don't know how it's November already.  Life is so very busy and feels like there's no slow down in sight for awhile.  This month I have 3 trips planned, so I'm sure before I know it December will show its face. 

Strange in Skin Trilogy blog tour is in full force.  I'm grateful for everyone reading and reviewing the books and their feedback.  I'm also meeting some awesome bloggers. 

Every night I am working on I Call Her Psycho.  I decided to revamp it, switch it up a little bit and have written a completely new beginning.  I have 2 weeks to finish it if it's going to be out for December.  I'm hoping to drag my laptop along on some of these trips and be able to write some then.  It's always irritating when I'm working on a project and my brain is already processing thoughts for future stories.  I think my brain wants me to work on multiple projects at a time.  I see some authors doing this, but I haven't taken the leap yet.  I'm afraid to lose focus on what's currently in front of me. 

The Dating Game - I Call Her Psycho

Meet Cain Bastian.  He's the main character of my new upcoming series The Dating Game.  Book 1 is titled I Call Her Psycho. 

Cain's parents are rich.  They had him when they were older, and he's never quite felt like he's fit in with them or their lifestyle.  They're socialites.  He's a bartender, and he doesn't even own the bar he works in. 

He's not gorgeous, and he doesn't dip into any of his parents' money, yet girls try to get close to Cain because his last name is Bastian.  He's a one night stand kind of guy. 

Now he's turned 30.  All of his buddies are settling down and getting married.  His one inexperience is relationships.  He's never allowed himself to get close to anyone, but he's wondering if he should give it a go, see what all the fuss is about in the game called dating.  He's cocky, really sarcastic and has the worst kind of reputation, and he's about to attempt to give up being a bachelor. 



I am loving writing this book.  Cain Bastian is all of my male friends wrapped up into one guy.  It's refreshing to write from a man's point of view.  I'll share more later ...

Strange in Skin Trilogy Blog Tour!

I'm getting excited about all the bloggers signing up for my very first blog tour starting November 4.  It's going to be running for almost 2 months.  If you're a blogger, there is still time to sign up! 

Here's the link:  Strange in Skin Trilogy Blog Tour

Solace is in Paperback!

I just got word this morning that Solace paperbacks are available.  I ordered some to come in, so let me know if you would like one and I'll make sure to get it to you!

After I get the new covers put on Strange in Skin and Evadere paperbacks, all paperbacks are going to be available to be ordered directly through my website at a discounted price. 

Busy, Busy

This week has been busy, but productive.  I finally got my hands on the final copy of paperback for Solace.  They look AMAZING.  I cannot wait to order them myself.  There are going to be links on my website for all paperbacks so you can order directly from me.  I will sign each book and you can even let me know if you want a specific message written in it, and I'll get those mailed out as soon as an order comes in.  I hope to have bookmarks and Strange in Skin Trilogy book thongs on there as well. 

What else...

Well, I had been toying with some ideas in my head about the Strange in Skin Trilogy.  Should I get new covers for Strange in Skin and Evadere to match Solace OR have a trailer made.  I have 2 month blog tour coming up from November 4 through January 2, so covers it is.  Stefanie Fontecha came through again.  I LOVE these covers, and I'm so glad everyone else is approving of them also! 

 

 

I've also been busy writing my new series, The Dating Game.  I don't want to give away too many details yet, but it's so funny and so sarcastic.  Every time I sit down and write more, I am busting out laughing.  I have no idea where this character came from, probably a mix of the male friends I've had over the years combined into one ugly man who thinks he's gorgeous.  I'll give more away in the coming weeks. 



Erotica Being Pulled from Shelves

Well, today the writing industry is all in a buzz about what started with Kobo and has now gone to Amazon as well.  Self-published erotica is being pulled due to certain words put together in titles and if it's inappropriately geared towards teenagers and children.  Now it seems in the uproar that a lot of self-published books are being pulled, some of them not even related to this stuff. 

Here's one article out of many floating around:  The Digital Reader

What do you think?  Are innocent authors getting their books pulled unfairly?

Music and Authors Together

Recently I was introduced to a classic rock music station, 92.6 The Blitz.  It's a station dedicated to the indie arts of authors, musicians and filmmakers. 



 

After listening a few times, it wasn't hard to see that the station's host, Tom Slick, is a natural.  He is enthusiastic and funny, and his voice is absolutely perfect for radio.  There were a lot of advertisements about books.  I was definitely interested.  This was unlike any station I had ever heard before, good music, learning about new authors and their books, good times.  Tom is very quick to respond to his listeners.  He takes song requests, gives shout outs and if you message him on either Facebook or Twitter, he responds within minutes even while on air.  I guess he can multitask pretty well, which is a little odd considering he's a guy ...

 

So Tom Slick is really Thomas Amo, and he's an author himself.  There is a story behind this writer and his unique radio station and how he's combined it all:

 

"I went into the theatre when I was 14 years old, and by 17, I was with a professional company and acting for a living, not making much but getting paid none the less. Through the years, I joined several other theatre companies and fell in love with comedy, British comedy, in particular. Audiences loved British farces, but most theatres are very agenda driven, so back in the real world where I had to eventually get other backup employment, I worked as a death investigator for the coroner's office.  For Christmas one year, they took us for our Christmas bonus to see a show at a dinner theatre.  It was the worst show ever.  However, I thought to myself...I could do this as I had a dinner theatre background, so I began planning.  In January, 1997, I gave notice, and in April, 1997 began rehearsals for our first show.  I found a venue, and on May 3, 1997, I opened Smiler's Comedy Playhouse.  For the next decade, I produced 66 shows, directing, acting, writing plays that audiences loved.  We were a huge hit, but the economy changed and eventually we had to let it go.  Easiest money I ever made in my life.

 

 

 

I took a year off and then began writing novels again, so in 2010, got into the indie publishing game praying to be the next Amanda Hocking but never could get the exposure needed outside of the bumps on ENT or Pixel of Ink.  Then this year I began to think, how could I promote my work and help others? Blogs, Twitter, FB, none of these things seem to be really working...FB groups.  It's mostly all authors and not readers! I've been the guest on several blog talk radio shows, and I thought what if I could create a radio station that would feature indies only?  How could I make it different from blog talk shows? Then I thought, if I could play classic rock 60s, 70s, 80s and make it like when radio was radio...fun DJ, sound bites and songs,while promoting indies, would people tune in?

So I did my research for making sure I could legally broadcast the music and be covered for royalties.  I launched a station via loudcity.com on Independence Day, July 4th! Now 3 months later, my 30 minute show has turned into a 3 hour show and advertisers have come to me and indies are also finding the station.  We are still very small.  Our listener capacity is 500 right now, but the fact that we get business advertisement proves that it's not just authors listening! I thought it would be fun to put together a show where indies could get featured, interviews, etc., shout their news for free and help out while at the same time maybe promote my own work."  - Thomas Amo

Here's where you can listen in to 92.6 The Blitz.  If your a reader, you can find out about all kinds of interesting novels, new releases and author events.  If you're an author, you can get advertisement for your novels.  Check out pricing for ads.  They're very affordable (I know from personal experience).  Listen in.  You might find a fun, new addiction in The Blitz:  92.6 The Blitz - Monday - Friday 9 AM - Noon PDT

Here are some fun pictures Tom shared:

Here's a shot of film director Rob Reiner (A Few Good Men) and I on the set of "The Sure Thing" staring John Cusack. This was March, 1984.

 

Myself with actress Janet Leigh (Jamie Lee Curtis's mom) Psycho. Met at a dinner party, 1985.

 

Fun one...myself and my boyhood crush, Exorcist actress Linda Blair...we were both in the same show at the same time in different theaters. The show was called "Run For Your Wife" she was in the American version and I was in the British version. She was so thrilled to talk to someone about something not Exorcist related.

 

Need some stalker links for Thomas Amo because he is a super awesome author and radio host?

Here you go:

 

Facebook Author Page

 Twitter:  @AuthorThomasAmo and @926TheBlitz

Thomas Amo's Books on Amazon

An Apple for Zoe on Nook

Thomas Amo on Goodreads - Add These to Your TBR List!

 

Go tune into 92.6 The Blitz and say hello to Thomas Amo.  He's created something truly unique in the indie industry with this station.

 

 





I am so happy to have completed the Strange in Skin Trilogy and am able to share these pieces of my imagination with all you wonderful people.  It kind of amazes me that it's done, but I left it open so that there's the possibility of more to come in the future.  Somewhere in the middle of 2014 I hope to be playing around with some characters from this trilogy and see where it takes me.  I have my next 2 projects lined up, which I'll be giving you more information about SOON!  Lots of things are headed my way with this trilogy including a blog tour and the possibility of a trailer.  I asked on my FB page if people watched book trailers or not.  The majority said yes, they do.  I have to admit, I like a good book trailer myself, especially if it's animated.  It's neat to see it unfold as almost a movie.  I don't think they need to be very long.  I've quit long ones in the middle. 

I had one reviewer comment that they started the Strange in Skin Trilogy with Evadere, Book 2, and that they didn't get certain parts.  Well, that's because Book 1, Strange in Skin, has a lot of details and information about what's going on that leads to Book 2.  I could never start any series in the middle.  Here's the 3 books.  Everyone loves Emry and Anna and everyone seems to really hate Atavia.  Poor Atavia ... a good queen gone bad when power is the only thing she has left to depend on.

The Strange in Skin Trilogy:

Book 1 - Strange in Skin - How Emry Logan and Anna James' romance begins.

Book 2 - Evadere - Discovery of a beautiful, yet cruel world.



Book 3 - Solace - Will there be peace for Emry and Anna?

Cover Designer

If you're an author, one of the most crucial parts of publishing your book is your cover designer.  I have to admit, I was sweating bullets a little bit when thinking up a Solace cover in my head, how exactly it was going to look and what my readers were going to think.  I didn't want it to be boring.  I wanted it to stand out while portraying the story of Solace. 

I want to share with you today a designer I stumbled upon on Facebook, and boy, am I ever glad I did.  This designer is the best of the best, reasonable prices, wonderful to work with, and I will be going back to work her.  Even in just browsing her sample covers that are pre-designed, there isn't one that isn't totally awesome.

Designer Stefanie Fontecha is the creator of Beetiful Book Covers, custom and pre-designed.  When I first contacted her about a cover for Solace, she told me she wouldn't be able to get back to me for a couple hours.  A couple hours?!  I was fully expecting to have heard a few days, but I could certainly handle a few hours.  She is very prompt, and coming from Mrs. Impatient here, yours truly, a few hours was great. 

Here's the great job she did with the Solace cover:

I was curious to know a little bit more about Stefanie and what she's been working on.  This is straight from the designer herself:

"I love books! Books are my number one source for procrastination. I also love graphic design. I created my first website 16 years ago, the summer after 7th grade. I've been in love with design ever since. I decided to combine my two passions and created Beetiful which offers graphic design services for authors and their books. Beetiful officially launched in August 2013. In the last two months since launching, I've been a busy bee. I've designed 7 book covers for authors (not to mention the 100+ pre-designed book covers offered on my website) and launched the first Beetifully designed book website. Currently, I'm working on the first Beetifully designed author website which I'm extremely excited about. I'm not going to announce who this author is until the website is launched, but I'll give you a clue: he's won multiple literary awards including the Printz award. Check back with Beetiful in a week or so to find out who!" - Stefanie Fontecha

She makes websites, book covers, Facebook covers, web ads, book marks, etc.  You can find Beetiful online at beetiful.com.  Beetiful book covers can be found at bookcovers.beetiful.com and Beetiful webs can be found at websites.beetiful.com.  Beetiful has 2 Facebook pages:  Beetiful Facebook Page and Beetiful Book Covers Facebook Page.  Beetiful is also on Pinterest. 

I have her working on a small project for me right now and look forward to more covers from this awesome designer.  I'll be checking back with her to see just which author's website she has been making.  Let me know what you think of her covers and go give her a like on Facebook.  TGIF everyone!

It's A New Day

So on my old website I had a small section for a blog.  I wrote like 3 entries and was turned off by the idea.  My excuse was I didn't have the time.  Now it's a little over a year since I've been a published author.  I feel like I've gotten to know a lot more people, other authors, readers, bloggers, designers, and now I can genuinely contribute to a blog.

I think there's going to be some pretty neat stuff going on here with what I'm writing, what's going on with my books, conventions, giveaways, other authors' stuff I'm interested in that I think you may be interested in too.  So, I may be a newbie, but I'm a writer, so I can pretty much BS the pants off of you if I want to and you might even be entertained by it haha.  Please don't be afraid to give me your opinion.  I can handle it.  You know, I have my own opinions too.  Feel free to comment on anything or email me.  I work full-time from my computer at home, so I'm on here pretty much all day.  And also, if you are a blogger/reader/author, if you need anything, don't be afraid to ask.  Some authors are like don't bother me.  Everyone has to get started somewhere.  If not for Jonas Saul and his wife, Brenda Grate, who had taken me under their wing, I wouldn't have gotten started, so if you have questions, ASK.  I'm giving you permission. 

Now that I've gotten that out of the way, today is a new day.  Wash your hands of things of yesterday and move on.  I'm trying to remove stress out of my life, stress away from my marriage and children.  It doesn't do anyone any good to worry or dwell on a subject all day long.  Get it out of your system and move on.  What's the use of looking back?  You can't change yesterday, but you can put yourself in the right direction for tomorrow.  This is just my advice.  Some things have come up in my own life, and well, here's to a stress free tomorrow.  Enjoy your day everyone!!

Welcome to the new blog of Author Sara V. Zook.....



Just Released...09/30/2013

Emry and Anna's love has always been forbidden. They've been hunted, seen those around them murdered and still don't know who to blame or who to trust. In a world where Anna is considered just a human, can peace be achieved between those inhabiting Evadere and those cast out and left for dead? They have to find out who is after them before it's too late, before one of the lives lost is their own, but are Emry's powers strong enough to save the one he loves? As their wedding day approaches, so does a war, and no one sees it coming.

Buy at Amazon