I know I been absent from posting my weekly post of each week, but this usually happens when I get to college, and well between homework and writing three books, plus a short story. Well let’s just say I barely have time to even breath. However, I’m not here to ramble about my poor use of time managements skills. I’m here to show you guys the cover of Whisper to me Softly. This little short story follows the first book in The Shadows Saga, and sets up the opening world of the spin off series tittle The Obsidian Saga set in the same world of the Shadows. I can only give you guys the cover for now, because I’m trying to give the description of the short story a good one in a way that I don’t want to spoil the first book and give much into the story. Anyhow, enough of me and enjoy the cover.
“Her promise will become her curse.”
Whisper to me Softly
by Alouy Martinez
a short novella from the world of
The Shadows Saga
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If you haven’t read The Shadows {The Return Has Begun}
What lurks in the shadows may change the destiny of six young lives forever. That is, if they can survive at all. The Shadows: The Return Has Begun, the heart-pounding young adult debut novel by Alouy Martinez, is a tale of mystery, suspense, action, and romance that charts the perilous course of six young characters as their fates unfold, and their true identities are revealed as the formidable entities known as The Shadows. Dramatic, dark, and alluring, this enthralling work of fiction goes where no vampire or werewolf novel has ever gone before. The Shadows: The Return Has Begun shares the points of view of the six young characters as they journey together to Paris, France. They are Ashlenn Vandenhoff, Melinda Wadsworth, Darcy Roswell, Christopher De Groot, Kaden Worthington, and Justin Fraser. In Paris, each must grapple with his or her own inner demons. However, it soon becomes chillingly evident that someone is in bloodthirsty pursuit of them all. They soon thereafter realize their destiny as The Shadows, beings created over two thousand years ago to restore order to the unbroken rules of The Heavenly Laws. Upon their demise in 486 AD, a prophecy was born as they took their lives into their own hands. That prophecy marked their return. However this time, destiny won’t control them. At the onset of the novel, Ashlenn is having visions of her parents’ death, but she chooses to ignore them. As the novel shifts perspective from one character to the next, plots diverge, then intertwine again. Similarly, each of the characters in The Shadows brings into light his or her most hidden moments, only to face a destiny that may be even more terrifying yet. Will they overcome forces that are primed to wage deadly battle against them all? And can they face their own demons as they do? The Shadows: The Return Has Begun creates a new legion of deadly foes that rages through every gripping page of this wildly inventive, gripping new novel.
Everybody knows Cate Cahill and her sisters are eccentric. Too pretty, too reclusive, and far too educated for their own good. But the truth is even worse: they’re witches. And if their secret is discovered by the priests of the Brotherhood, it would mean an asylum, a prison ship – or an early grave.
Before her mother died, Cate promised to protect her sisters. But with only six months left to choose between marriage and the Sisterhood, she might not be able to keep her word . . . especially after she finds her mother’s diary, uncovering a secret that could spell her family’s destruction. Desperate to find alternatives to their fate, Cate starts scouring banned books and questioning rebellious new friends, all while juggling tea parties, shocking marriage proposals, and a forbidden romance with the completely unsuitable Finn Belastra.
If what her mother wrote is true, the Cahill girls aren’t safe. Not from the Brotherhood, the Sisterhood – not even from each other.
This book has two different covers. The Hardcover version is the one above as well feature in the video, and here’s the paperback version. Do you guys like the new cover? I actually do, but I also love the other cover as well, I have equal love for both covers.
Chelsea lives in Phoenix, AZ where she spends most of her time writing young adult fiction, painting murals, and avoiding housework at all costs. Her obsessions include: superheroes, coffee, sleeping-in, and crazy socks. She lives with her husband and two children, who graciously tolerate her inability to resist teenage drama on TV and her complete lack of skill in the kitchen.
Her first novel was Sophie & Carter published in Jun 20, 2011 followed by the first book of the Archers of Avalon- Anew- in Dec 7, 2011. The following year she published Awry in June 29, and recently this Dec 9, 2012 the latest book in the Archers of Avalon- Avow Dec 9, 2012. So as you all can see, Chelsea Fine is a pretty busy lady with publishing two book each year, to me that’s amazing. I have recently got the first two book of the Archers of Avalon which I can’t wait to read, and I defiantly will keep my spotlight shinning with this amazing author. I’m sure there’s a lot come from here. Now go buy her books, and by the way, the book trailers are amazing.
(Click on the Image to visit her website)
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Anew (The Archers of Avalon Book 1)
by Chelsea Fine
Two years ago, Scarlet awoke in the forest alone, afraid, and without her memory. Lost and confused, her life was a mystery until she met a boy with a familiar voice named Gabriel Archer. Intrigued by his voice, Scarlet immerses herself in Gabriel’s life only to stumble upon a secret he’s kept hidden from her: His brother. Once Scarlet meets Tristan Archer her life becomes even more muddled. While she’s instinctively drawn to Gabriel, she’s impossibly drawn to Tristan–and confused out of her mind. Why does Gabriel seem so familiar? Why is she so attracted to Tristan? And why are both brothers convinced she’s been cursed to die? Scarlet doesn’t have the answers…but the Archer brothers do.
Three curses. Two brothers. One love triangle.
Sometimes love is meant to be. But sometimes love…is the death of you.
Seventeen-year-old Scarlet has just died. Only, dying isn’t unusual for a girl under a centuries old curse that left her semi-immortal. This time, though, she comes back to her current life instead of awaking in a new one, and she realizes the curse is changing. With the help of the immortal Archer brothers, Scarlet must piece together her life and try to break the curse before her impending death comes again.
Scarlet remembers. Everything. Her past lives, Tristan, Gabriel, Nate: she remembers it all–including how to get to the Fountain of Youth. But time is running out.
Heather and Gabriel have been kidnapped by Raven, while the curse that has plagued Scarlet and Tristan for centuries has shifted, putting the star-crossed lovers in more danger than ever before. Water from the Fountain of Youth is the only thing that can save Scarlet and her loved ones. But the water comes at a price.
With lives–and hearts–at stake, Scarlet leads her friends on a dangerous journey to the Fountain of Youth. Where eternal life is possible, but death is certain.
Next-door neighbors Sophie Hartman and Carter Jax grow up witnessing the shameful secrets of each of their families and, amidst the heartache, form an unspoken bond of friendship. But events during their senior year of high school will change both of them forever. As their lives unravel, Sophie and Carter rely on one another for strength, encouragement and hope…and begin to realize their feelings for each other might just be deeper than friendship….
There you guys have it, your Indie Author of the week, let me know if you have read any books by Chelsea Fine? And what other authors you guys would like to have in the spotlight?
Mia Price is a lightning addict. She’s survived countless strikes, but her craving to connect to the energy in storms endangers her life and the lives of those around her.
Los Angeles, where lightning rarely strikes, is one of the few places Mia feels safe from her addiction. But when an earthquake devastates the city, her haven is transformed into a minefield of chaos and danger. The beaches become massive tent cities. Downtown is a crumbling wasteland, where a traveling party moves to a different empty building each night, the revelers drawn to the destruction by a force they cannot deny. Two warring cults rise to power, and both see Mia as the key to their opposing doomsday prophecies. They believe she has a connection to the freak electrical storm that caused the quake, and to the far more devastating storm that is yet to come.
Mia wants to trust the enigmatic and alluring Jeremy when he promises to protect her, but she fears he isn’t who he claims to be. In the end, the passion and power that brought them together could be their downfall. When the final disaster strikes, Mia must risk unleashing the full horror of her strength to save the people she loves, or lose everything.
It’s been three months since Alexis helplessly witnessed Lydia Small’s violent death, and all she wants is for her life to return to normal.
But normal people don’t see decaying bodies haunting photographs. Normal people don’t have to deal with regular intrusions from Lydia’s angry ghost, sometimes escalating to terrifying attacks.
At first, it seems that Lydia wants revenge on Alexis alone. But a girl from school disappears one night, and Alexis spots one of Lydia’s signature yellow roses lying on the girl’s dresser the next day. Soon, it becomes clear that several of Alexis’s friends are in danger, and that she’s the only person who can save them. But as she tries to intervene, Alexis realizes that her enemy is a much more powerful ghost than she’s ever faced before… and that its fate is tied to hers in ways she couldn’t possibly imagine.
One choice can transform you—or it can destroy you. But every choice has consequences, and as unrest surges in the factions all around her, Tris Prior must continue trying to save those she loves—and herself—while grappling with haunting questions of grief and forgiveness, identity and loyalty, politics and love.
Tris’s initiation day should have been marked by celebration and victory with her chosen faction; instead, the day ended with unspeakable horrors. War now looms as conflict between the factions and their ideologies grows. And in times of war, sides must be chosen, secrets will emerge, and choices will become even more irrevocable—and even more powerful. Transformed by her own decisions but also by haunting grief and guilt, radical new discoveries, and shifting relationships, Tris must fully embrace her Divergence, even if she does not know what she may lose by doing so.
New York Times bestselling author Veronica Roth’s much-anticipated second book of the dystopian Divergent series is another intoxicating thrill ride of a story, rich with hallmark twists, heartbreaks, romance, and powerful insights about human nature.
Jackson Godspeed is the hottest young Angel in a city filled with them.
He’s days away from becoming a full Guardian, and people around the world are already competing for the chance to be watched over by him. Everyone’s obsessed with the Angels and the lucky people they protect – everyone except for Madison Montgomery.
Maddy’s the one girl in Angel City who doesn’t breathlessly follow the Angels on TV and gossip blogs. When she meets Jackson, she doesn’t recognize him. But Jackson is instantly captivated by her, and against all odds the two fall in love.
Maddy is swiftly caught up in Jackson’s scene, a world of glamour, paparazzi – and murder. A serial killer is on the loose, leaving dead Angels’ wings for the police to find on the Walk of Fame. Even the Guardians are powerless to protect themselves in the face of this threat & and this time it’s up to Maddy to save Jackson
What if there were teens whose lives literally depended on being bad influences?
This is the reality for sons and daughters of fallen angels.
Tenderhearted Southern girl Anna Whitt was born with the sixth sense to see and feel emotions of other people. She’s aware of a struggle within herself, an inexplicable pull toward danger, but Anna, the ultimate good girl, has always had the advantage of her angel side to balance the darkness within. It isn’t until she turns sixteen and meets the alluring Kaidan Rowe that she discovers her terrifying heritage and her willpower is put to the test. He’s the boy your daddy warned you about. If only someone had warned Anna.
Forced to face her destiny, will Anna embrace her halo or her horns?
For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon.
But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn’t want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.
Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she’s made for herself—and realizes that the life she’s always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.
And then there was a car crash, a horrible injury, and a hospital. But before Evening Spiker’s head clears a strange boy named Solo is rushing her to her mother’s research facility. There, under the best care available, Eve is left alone to heal.
Just when Eve thinks she will die – not from her injuries, but from boredom—her mother gives her a special project: Create the perfect boy.
Using an amazingly detailed simulation, Eve starts building a boy from the ground up. Eve is creating Adam. And he will be just perfect . . . won’t he?
Two days before the start of her junior year, seventeen-year-old Janelle Tenner is hit by a pickup truck and killed—as in blinding light, scenes of her life flashing before her, and then nothing. Except the next thing she knows, she’s opening her eyes to find Ben Michaels, a loner from her high school whom Janelle has never talked to, leaning over her. And even though it isn’t possible, she knows—with every fiber of her being—that Ben has somehow brought her back to life.
But her revival, and Ben’s possible role in it, is only the first of the puzzles that Janelle must solve. While snooping in her FBI agent father’s files for clues about her accident, she uncovers a clock that seems to be counting down to something—but to what? And when someone close to Janelle is killed, she can no longer deny what’s right in front of her: Everything that’s happened—the accident, the murder, the countdown clock, Ben’s sudden appearance in her life—points to the end of life as she knows it. And as the clock ticks down, she realizes that if she wants to put a stop to the end of the world, she’s going to need to uncover Ben’s secrets—and keep from falling in love with him in the process.
From debut author Elizabeth Norris comes this shattering novel of one girl’s fight to save herself, her world, and the boy she never saw coming.
Humans and androids crowd the raucous streets of New Beijing. A deadly plague ravages the population. From space, a ruthless lunar people watch, waiting to make their move. No one knows that Earth’s fate hinges on one girl. . . .
Cinder, a gifted mechanic, is a cyborg. She’s a second-class citizen with a mysterious past, reviled by her stepmother and blamed for her stepsister’s illness. But when her life becomes intertwined with the handsome Prince Kai’s, she suddenly finds herself at the center of an intergalactic struggle, and a forbidden attraction. Caught between duty and freedom, loyalty and betrayal, she must uncover secrets about her past in order to protect her world’s future.
Fall under the spell of Wake—the first book in an achingly beautiful new series by celebrated author Amanda Hocking—and lose yourself to the Watersong.
Gorgeous. Fearless. Dangerous. They’re the kind of girls you envy; the kind of girls you want to hate. Strangers in town for the summer, Penn, Lexi and Thea have caught everyone’s attention—but it’s Gemma who’s attracted theirs. She’s the one they’ve chosen to be part of their group.
Gemma seems to have it all—she’s carefree, pretty, and falling in love with Alex, the boy next door. He’s always been just a friend, but this summer they’ve taken their relationship to the next level, and now there’s no going back. Then one night, Gemma’s ordinary life changes forever. She’s taking a late night swim under the stars when she finds Penn, Lexi and Thea partying on the cove. They invite her to join them, and the next morning she wakes up on the beach feeling groggy and sick, knowing something is different.
Suddenly Gemma is stronger, faster, and more beautiful than ever. But her new powers come with a terrifying price. And as she uncovers the truth, she’s is forced to choose between staying with those she loves—or entering a new world brimming with dark hungers and unimaginable secrets.
There you have them. Your top 10 book trailers of 2012! Happy New Year! I hope you have a wonderful one, and will see what book trailers for 2013 will make the cut in one year from now. Take care XOXO Alouy Martinez
I believe is time for a giveaway, and thanks to Goodreads here’s the chance for you to win one of two copies of The Shadows {The Return Has Begun} book one of The Shadows Saga. Feel free to re-post, or tweet this giveaway.
Destiny is about to change.”
What lurks in the shadows may change the destiny of six young lives forever. That is, if they can survive at all. The Shadows: The Return Has Begun, the heart-pounding young adult debut novel by Alouy Martinez, is a tale of mystery, suspense, action, and romance that charts the perilous course of six young characters as their fate unfold, and their true identities are revealed as the formidable entities known as The Shadows. Dramatic, dark, and alluring, this enthralling work of fiction goes where no vampire or werewolf novel has ever gone before.
The Shadows:The Return Has Begun shares the points of view of these six young characters as they journey together to Paris, France. They are Ashlenn Vandenhoff, Melinda Wadsworth, Darcy Roswell, Christopher De Groot, Kaden Worthington, and Justin Fraser. In Paris, each grapples with his or her own inner demons. However, it soon becomes chillingly evident that someone is in bloodthirsty pursuit of them all. After they manage to escape these demons, they soon discover their true calling as The Shadows, formidable beings created over two thousand years ago by the hands of the Gods to restore order to the unbroken rules of The Heavenly Laws. Upon their demise in 486 AD, a prophecy was born as they took their lives into their own hands, marking their return. However this time, destiny won’t control them.
At the onset of the novel, Ashlenn is having visions of her parents’ death, but she chooses to ignore them. As the novel shifts perspective from one character to the next, plots diverge, then intertwine again. Similarly, each of the characters in The Shadows brings into light his or her most hidden moments, only to face a destiny that may be even more terrifying yet. Will they overcome forces that primed to wage deadly battle against them all? And can they face their own demons as they do? The Shadows: The Return Has Begun creates a new legion of deadly foes that rages through every gripping page of this wildly inventive, gripping new novel.
SUL ROSS STUDENT PENS, PUBLISHES SUPERNATURAL NOVEL
By Steve Lang, News and Publications
Sul Ross State University student Alouy Martinez believes he possesses sufficient imagination – and collected background information – to write more than 20 novels.
He has at least 19 to go, including a goal of finishing three more in the coming year.
Martinez, Presidio, recently published “The Shadows: The Return Has Begun,” a young adult novel that explores the supernatural. The book debuted Oct. 27 and is published by CreateSpace, the publishing engine of global online retailer and publisher Amazon. _Createspace offers on-demand manufacturing of books, DVD’s and music formats for independent artists and businesses.
Martinez’ book is described online as “a tale of mystery, suspense, action, and romance that charts the perilous course of six young characters as their fates unfold, and their true identities are revealed as the formidable entities known as The Shadows.”
Sul Ross Student Publishes Novel
Sul Ross student Alouy Martinez, Presidio (right), presents copy of his novel, “The Shadows: The Return Has Begun,” to President Ricardo Maestas. Martinez’ novel was released in October by CreateSpace, the publishing arm of Amazon. (Photo by Steve Lang)
The Shadows, beings created more than 2,000 years ago, seek “to restore order to the unbroken rules of the Heavenly Laws,” the summary continues. The book shares the points of view of six primary characters and describes an on-going battle of good and evil between angels and demons.
For Martinez, a Sul Ross freshman majoring in English with a creative writing emphasis, the novel culminates seven years’ work, begun at the age of 13. In the interim, he shifted from third person to first person narrative and at one point, re-started the project when his computer crashed, erasing his first draft.
“It was a difficult time, especially since my first language is Spanish,” he said, “but it was fun. The book went through a lot of changes and revisions, but I also got to know a lot about the publishing world.”
Martinez did not originally intend to seek publication of his work, but later changed his mind. He wrote numerous query letters to publishing houses, contacted agents and authors, endured numerous rejection letters and gathered useful information.
“When I decided to look into publishing, I was not aware of how the publishing world works,” he said. He did learn that some publishers were reluctant to consider “The Shadows” when Martinez said that the book would be the first in a series of seven novels.
“Of 16 agents I contacted, just one got back to me,” he added, but said he gained some valuable knowledge from some authors who responded to his questions, particularly those who self-published. Eventually, he contacted CreateSpace and found a willing publisher.
In working with CreateSpace, Martinez edited his manuscript to 82,000 words and 283 pages. In addition, with the encouragement of his Presidio High School art teacher, he included his own illustrations for each chapter. He has also sketched the characters he has created.
“I have all these characters in my head,” he said. “When I’m walking around, I am thinking of what they do. I wonder what they look like and how they behave. (Sketching profiles) helps me understand them,” he said.
His inspiration for his book stems from an interest in the supernatural and a study of Greek mythology. In addition, Martinez has studied political science, government, religion and history to provide authenticity to time periods addressed in his writing. He has developed a flowchart of time lines and details for future subject matter.
Martinez averages about 2,000 words of fiction per day, in addition to maintaining a full academic schedule that includes online courses in creative and technical writing, history, botany and a botany lab.
“I have to write every day,” he said, adding that he draws inspiration from his classes as well.
“Creative writing has also helped me to step away (from “The Shadows”) and to work on other genres, such as historical fiction and contemporary subjects.”
At present, though, he is working on three more novels, a second in “The Shadows” series and two “spin-offs,” which feature minor characters from “The Shadows.” His goal is to publish all three in 2013.
“I am working on all three,” he said. “I jump from one book to the other.” He added that he has not experienced difficulty in writing his second book of “The Shadows” series.
“Many writers have said it’s hard to write a second book. I find it easy…maybe because I spent so many years on the first book that I know now how the story is going to go.”
For future books, Martinez plans to title, outline and sketch an illustration for each chapter. “I want to incorporate my love of art and writing,” he said.
Meanwhile, “The Shadows” is being marketed through Amazon, both in the U.S. and Europe. Martinez has his own website, alouymartinez.com, and has also sent copies of his book to bloggers for reviews.
“It has been a fun experience,” Martinez said, adding that the end of the month will be even more enjoyable.
That’s when his first royalty checks are scheduled to arrive.
What lurks in the shadows may change the destiny of six young lives forever. That is, if they can survive at all. The Shadows: The Return Has Begun, the heart-pounding young adult debut novel by Alouy Martinez, is a tale of mystery, suspense, action, and romance that charts the perilous course of six young characters as their fates unfold, and their true identities are revealed as the formidable entities known as The Shadows. Dramatic, dark, and alluring, this enthralling work of fiction goes where no vampire or werewolf novel has ever gone before.
Follow them all as they journey together to Paris, France, where it soon becomes chillingly evident that someone is in bloodthirsty pursuit of them all. They soon realize their destiny as The Shadows, beings created over two thousand years ago to restore order to the unbroken rules of The Heavenly Laws. Upon their demise in 486 AD, a prophecy was born as they took their lives into their own hands, marking their return. However, this time destiny won’t control them.
Will they overcome forces that are primed to wage deadly battle against them all? And can they face their own demons as they do? The Shadows: The Return Has Begun creates a new legion of deadly foes that rages through every gripping page of this wildly inventive, gripping new novel.
“Her promise will become her curse.”
Destiny is about to change.
