My My, It Sure Has Been A While

Thank you for stopping by Words Escape Me. As you can see posts are far and few between these days. Unfortunately, I am not here to say that I will be blogging on a more regular bases, but more to let you know that after a year long hiatus I am getting back in the writer’s seat. This last year has been very hectic, both personally and professionally, and yet the characters in my head have grown impatient have decided they are not going to rest until I tell their stories.

As far as the life of this blog…I do not plan on updating it beyond this. My plans are to graduate to more of an “official” website, and leaving this blog as some what of a diary of the beginning of my writing career. I love looking back to my early posts reading everything through the eyes of a brand new writer/blogger.

So for now, if you want to keep in touch Facebook is the best place. Thank you for stopping by and happy writing!

Reading Update...The Iron Warrior and The Six of Crows

Tis the season to be completely swamped. But I've still managed to keep up with my reading and I thought I'd write a quick post and share a couple of thoughts.

First up~ The Iron Warrior by Julie Kagawa.

I LOVE the Iron Fey series. Megan, Puck, and Ash are some of my all time favorite characters. (Team Ash) So of course I had to follow along into the next series, but I have to admit I did't love it. The first two books I'd give a "strong like", and the last book, well...I barely finished. In fact I wanted to DNF it. By the time I hit 75% I mostly scanned through and read the last chapter. I just felt the story dragged and took to long to get to the point.

Next up~ The Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

The follow up to the Shadow and Bone series. Once again, I did not love it as much as the first trilogy, but I liked it enough to continue with the series. The characters were unique, flawed but likable, and the writing itself is absolutely to die for. Tension and conflict in every scene.

Now I'm reading The Fifth Wave, and have Winter on my Christmas list.

Got to go, thanks for stopping by and happy reading!

And Introducing...Author Ruth Silver

This week I am happy to feature, and interview author Ruth Silver. Ruth has a variety of books in multiple genres, more than I even kew about! So please, take a look around, I think you will find something you'll like!

Hello Ruth! Thank you for stopping by Words Escape Me and chatting with us today. I’m looking forward to sharing you’re works with the readers here. Lets jump right in!

While scrolling through the list of your published books I learned something new about you. That not only do you write YA Dystopian and Fantasy books, but that you also write Adult Romance under the names Allison West, and Ravyn Rayne. You have such a vast list of books to offer.

~Do you have one genre that you enjoy writing over the others?

I love all sorts of genres but my favorite is probably dystopian. I’ve written dystopian in both the YA and adult romance genres.

~What books have influenced your life?

I absolutely loved John Green’s The Fault in Our Stars. It’s not just the emotion and story but the way he writes, very poetic.

~What is your favorite part about living in Chicago?

I live in the suburbs of Chicago, but I love the Midwest. The people are far friendlier than some of the other cities I’ve lived in.

~Can you tell us what you are currently working on?

Sure! I’m working on a steamy adult romance that is set in the Victorian era. It’s about a governess with a bit of a sticky hand that finds herself constantly in trouble.

~What are you currently reading?

I’m reading a few books at the moment. Judging His Little Girl by Breanna Hayse and Outlander by Diana Gabaldon.

~Do you have any advice for the aspiring writers out there?

Write a lot. Then write some more. The only way to improve is to keep writing. 

Allison West & Ravyn Rayne Links

Romance Blog – http://spankingauthor.com

Facebook – http://facebook.com/allisonwestauthor

Facebook – http://facebook.com/ravynraynereads

Twitter – http://twitter.com/blushingravyn

Twitter – http://twitter.com/blushingallison

Ruth Silver Links

YA Blog – http://writeawaybliss.com

Facebook – http://facebook.com/writeawaybliss

Twitter – http://twitter.com/writeawaybliss

Local Book Signing!

On Saturday, November 21st, at 2:00 pm, I will be reading and signing at Vintage Books. If you live in the Vancouver/Portland area I'd love to see you. I will be reading from Awakened and Ensnared. Victoria will be reading from her middle grade novel The Tale of Willaby Creek and a children's Christmas story The Scandinavian Santa. For more on Victoria's book you can visit
http://www.victorialindstrom.com .

How To Turn On Text To Speech On Kindle Fire

Hello folks. This one is for the writers.

I wanted to share a link to Tattered Page Ink (my book design site) that seems the getting a lot of hits. It's an article about finding typos in your writing, and a short video on how to turn on the text to speech feature on the Kindle Fire. Incase you were ever wondering how to that...click here. I hope you find it useful.

Happy writing!

What the Heck is Faerieworlds?

One thing I do every year, without question, is attend the absolutely coolest festival on the entire planet...Faerieworlds. When I talk about my expeirences at Faerieworlds everyone always asks what it is about.

Well first of all, it's a real life faerie realm here on earth. It's about community, making new friends, and listening to great music. I could go on and on, but you know as they say, a picture is worth a thousand words, or in this case, a video.



Here is a link to a post I wrote about my first Faerieworlds where I got to meet Melissa Marr!  It was quite entertaining to say the least.

OMG! I Can Hardly Stand the Wait....A Drop of Night by Stefan Backmann

This post was inspired by an article I read on Itching for Books. Thank you, Shane. I'm so excited I want to share it too! Yes I know the cover was released in June, but it's new to me, so there.

I am huge fan of Stefan Bachmann. I love his writing style, snarky tweets, The Peculiars, and his contributions to The Cabinet of Curiosities. A couple of years ago I had the pleasure of meeting him at Wordstock in Portland Oregon. While there he was promoting the upcoming The Cabinet of Curiosities, and his most recent release, The Whatnot. During his Q & A session he briefly talked about a YA novel that he was writing. Being that YA is my favorite genre, my interest was piqued. Without further ado, I share with you, A Drop of Night. Available March of 2016.

Add to Goodreads

Five gifted teenagers are selected out of hundreds of other candidates to fly to France and help with the excavation of a vast, underground palace buried a hundred feet below the suburbs of Paris. Built in the 1780's to hide an aristocratic family and a mad duke during the French Revolution, the palace was sealed after the aristocrats fled there. No one has set foot in it for over two centuries.

Now, in the present day, the teenagers enter with cutting-edge technology, state-of-the-art security, scientists and chaperones. And then a brutal accident occurs. No way out. Caught in the dark.

They will have to fight to survive. But are they really alone in the depths?





Doesn't it sound wonderful. I would pre-order it, but I can't decide if I want it on my Kindle, or hardback. Decisions, decisions. Here is a link to Stefan's blog where he revealed the cover for the first time, and he talks about how he hated the title! (Only at first, though. It is quite common for the publisher to choose book titles, despite what the author wants. Who knew? Now all of you do.)

From left, my friend, author Victoria Lindstrom, Claire Legrand, Stefan Bachmann, and Emma Trevayne (and a random lady who had no idea she photo bombed this awesome pic)

My personalized copy of The Whatnot

Introducing...Tattered Page Ink Interior Book Design and Formatting

For the last year I've been working on two things, publishing Ensnared, and working as a book designer. I've been keeping the book design thing on the down low until I was established and had a permanent online presence.

Tattered Page Ink has its own blog where I will talk about the publishing world, as well as offer helpful information for self published writers to help bring their future best sellers to life. Here are a couple examples of my most recent work. I'm also offering a giveaway for a free design.

by yours truly

The Tale of Willaby Creek by Victoria Lindstrom

It's Finally Live

Finally! After two long years I present to you Ensnared. It has been a long time coming. I'm so excited that I can finally share Jade's fate with the world. (Buy links in the side bar.)

Facing monstrous demons, a ravenous dragon, and a malicious faerie queen are the least of Jade’s worries. 

It has been a fortnight since Jade confronted Draven, and he has emerged from the battle more terrifying than ever. Armed with a new plan and fueled with unrelenting determination, Draven casts a dark spell and calls forth new players that no one ever expected, bringing him one step closer to opening the portal to The Fathom.

Jade vows to bring an end to the madness she feels responsible for and works to harness her elemental power, but unforeseen consequences arise. Her power is growing beyond what she can control, and it’s on the verge of destroying her from within. 

Was learning to use her magical ability the beginning…or the beginning of the end?

New To My Shelf...The Witch Hunter

Back in the olden days my favorite thing to do was visit my favorite real life book store, Borders. It was a time before Amazon and book bloggers ruled the kingdom and publishers were forced to win me over with nothing more than a snazzy cover and catchy summary. It was always a surprise to see what I could find and I loved scouring the shelves and hunting for treasure.

Now I probably shouldn't admit this, but some time back I quit following book blogs and stopped reading reviews on Amazon. I wanted to get back to what I loved while I still have an actual brick-and-mortar store to frequent. The newest and most popular books still pop up in my Twitter feed, but I go out of my way not the read about them, unless a friend makes a point to recommend it.

So after spending a half hour walking up and down the YA aisle in Barnes & Noble, this is what I decided to give a try. The Witch Hunter, by Virginia Boecker. I've never heard of the book or the author, but I liked what I read on the flap copy and thought  I would give it a try.

The Witch Hunter~

Your greatest enemy isn't what you fight, but what you fear.

Elizabeth Grey is one of the king's best witch hunters, devoted to rooting out witchcraft and doling out justice. But when she's accused of being a witch herself, Elizabeth is arrested and sentenced to burn at the stake.

Salvation comes from a man she thought was her enemy. Nicholas Perevil, the most powerful and dangerous wizard in the kingdom, offers her a deal: he will save her from execution if she can break the deadly curse that's been laid upon him.

But Nicholas and his followers know nothing of Elizabeth's witch hunting past--if they find out, the stake will be the least of her worries. And as she's thrust into the magical world of witches, ghosts, pirates, and one all-too-handsome healer, Elizabeth is forced to redefine her ideas of right and wrong, of friends and enemies, and of love and hate.

Virginia Boecker weaves a riveting tale of magic, betrayal, and sacrifice in this unforgettable fantasy debut.

We're Almost There!

A quick update on Ensnared. All I need to do is approve the proof and we're in business! I estimate that Ensnared will be available for sale in about one week!

For those of you with the Kindle subscription service, Awakened will be free until August 21st. I am pulling it from the program so that it will again be available on all platforms. So if you've been waiting to download, you better hurry!

NW Book Festival and New Books To My Shelf

Book Modeling. It's totally a thing.

Last Saturday I attended the 7th annual NW Book Festival in downtown Portland. As luck would have it, it was the first weekend in twelve weeks that Portland had seen rain. But being that I've lived the Pacific Northwest my entire life, doing things in the rain is something I'm quite used to. Thanks to fellow writer and friend, Victoria Lindstrom, we had a canopy with walls to protect us. Thanks again, Vic!

I met loads of new people and I look forward to attending next year.

Oh look, there's Blue. How did he get in there?

I did not leave empty handed, and both of these books were written by authors local to me! I got to meet Margaret at the festival and I came home with this gem. Dulci's Legacy is a YA mystery and I cannot wait to dive in it. And of course I can never go downtown without visiting Powell's City of Books. There I walked away with The Daughter of Smoke and Bone. It's been on my TBR shelf for years and I found for only $5.00. What a deal.

Two Weeks and Counting!!

In exactly 14 days Ensnared will be in the hands of my most awesome editor for its final proofread. If everything goes according plan, which I am confident it will, Ensnared should available by the end of July!

I'll keep you posted!

And Introducing...The Tale of Willaby Creek Release Event

Welcome to the release event for The Tale of Willaby Creek by Victoria Lindstrom! This is a middle grade adventure fantasy that has just released! 

About the Book:

A magical tale of amazing sacrifice...

When a violent windstorm strikes an enchanted rain forest many of the woodland creatures of Willaby Creek are stranded, injured, or lost forever to the frenzied force of the tempest. Basil, a black bear full of doubt and fear, becomes the unlikely leader to head the woodland creatures' rescue. He is joined by Daphne, a spunky blue dryad; Oliver, a wise horned owl; Elbert, a noble elk; and a host of other creatures that inhabit the enchanted rain forest.

Dangerous twists and turns in this animal adventure fantasy cause Basil to discover a courage, and a conviction, he never knew he had. The answers to the ancient mysteries in this magical tale emerge in an extraordinary finale under the tall timbers of the hidden hinterland.

Add to your Goodreads shelf

Buy from Amazon Hardcover | Amazon Kindle | Nook  

A Note From the Author:

For seven years my husband and I owned a cabin on the shore of Lake Quinault, near Willaby Creek. We spent many weekends enjoying the beauty and tranquility of the Olympic National Forest. While there, we saw: Black bears, Roosevelt elk, eagles, herons, river otter, raccoons, one bobcat, and a host of other little critters.
In December 2006 the Hanukkah Eve Windstorm hit the Pacific Northwest causing severe damage to parts of the Olympic National Forest. One afternoon following the windstorm I wondered: What happened to all the animals? After that, a seed of the story that was to become The Tale of Willaby Creek tumbled into my mind.

As writers, we are told to write what we know; the setting for The Tale of Willaby Creek is definitely a familiar place to me!

Willaby Creek Falls

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About the Author:

VICTORIA LINDSTROM is a full-time writer, a voracious reader, and the author of the children's picture book, The Scandinavian Santa. She loves to wander through the woods, capture the beauty of Nature in photographs, and visit museums and fine art galleries. She and her husband, Michael, live near the shore of the Columbia River in the Pacific Northwest. You may visit Victoria at: www.victorialindstrom.com

Facebook | Twitter @AuthorLindstrom | Goodreads | Pinterest 

Giveaway:
One $50 Amazon gift card (INT), One hardcover copy of The Tale of Willaby Creek (US) and an ebook of The Tale of Willaby Creek (INT) as well as 3 bookmarks (US)
Ends 7/13

a Rafflecopter giveaway

This event was organized by CBB Book Promotions.

My Thoughts... The Young Elites by Marie Lu

The Young Elites
By Marie Lu

My thoughts~

I have mixed feelings about this book. I will start of with the things that I liked.

I loved the writing style. Marie Lu writes very believable settings and her characters move around very naturally. Everything was so clearly written I felt like I was watching a movie. The tone and feel of the book is on the edgy side which in return enhanced the vivid imagery.

This doesn't happen very often, but what I liked most about this book was the secondary characters. They are a wild bunch, but they care about each other and each individual contributes to the story in a unique fashion.

Now for what I did not really care for. The main character. I just didn't connect with her and I didn't like her that much. In fact, my feelings toward Adelina actually made me quit caring about the story.

But in the end I enjoyed the writing so much I am going to give Legend a try.

Summary~

I am tired of being used, hurt, and cast aside.

Adelina Amouteru is a survivor of the blood fever. A decade ago, the deadly illness swept through her nation. Most of the infected perished, while many of the children who survived were left with strange markings. Adelina’s black hair turned silver, her lashes went pale, and now she has only a jagged scar where her left eye once was. Her cruel father believes she is a malfetto, an abomination, ruining their family’s good name and standing in the way of their fortune. But some of the fever’s survivors are rumored to possess more than just scars—they are believed to have mysterious and powerful gifts, and though their identities remain secret, they have come to be called the Young Elites.

Teren Santoro works for the king. As Leader of the Inquisition Axis, it is his job to seek out the Young Elites, to destroy them before they destroy the nation. He believes the Young Elites to be dangerous and vengeful, but it’s Teren who may possess the darkest secret of all. 

Enzo Valenciano is a member of the Dagger Society. This secret sect of Young Elites seeks out others like them before the Inquisition Axis can. But when the Daggers find Adelina, they discover someone with powers like they’ve never seen. 

Adelina wants to believe Enzo is on her side, and that Teren is the true enemy. But the lives of these three will collide in unexpected ways, as each fights a very different and personal battle. But of one thing they are all certain: Adelina has abilities that shouldn’t belong in this world. A vengeful blackness in her heart. And a desire to destroy all who dare to cross her.

It is my turn to use. My turn to hurt.