Fraction of Stone by Kelley Lynn (New Release)

Aloha,

Just taking a hiatus from my hiatus (I'm officially "dark" until May to finish edits) to share the wonderful news about a fellow blogger!

In case you've been living under a nearly broken rock, there is a great new book, FRACTION OF STONE, which was released last week by Kelley Lynn :)

Take 'er away, Kelley (and sincere congrats :)

Fraction of Stone by Kelley Lynn

 

Release Date: March 21, 2013 by Sapphire Star Publishing

Genre: YA Fantasy

Author Links: Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

 

 

Book Description:

Wind tunnels, torrential rains and earthquakes tear apart Casden. The cause of the world’s imbalance is unknown, but the mounting occurrences suggest there’s little time before life ceases to exist.

Rydan Gale and Akara Nazreth are the only humans with the ability to wield magic. The tattoo on their necks and the discovery of an ancient book, dictate they are the key to the world’s survival.

But the greatest obstacle for saving mankind isn’t the bizarre creatures, extreme betrayals and magic-fearing men hunting them.

It’s that Akara doesn’t believe the world is worth saving. 

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16160501-fraction-of-stone


Book Trailer:
 

About the Author:

Eventually the day came when the voices in Kelley Lynn’s head were more insistent then her engineering professor’s. So instead of turning to her Thermodynamics book, Kelley brought up a blank page on her computer screen and wrote. Somewhere along the way she became a Young Adult author.

Kelley was born and raised a Midwestern girl. She’s not afraid to sweat and fills her free time with softball, soccer and volleyball. (Though you probably don’t want her on your volleyball team.) She occasionally makes guest appearances as a female vocalist for area bands.

You can find Kelley hanging out at her blog, titled in her name, as well as the group blog she shares with her fellow critique partners, Falling for Fiction. Kelley is a member of the Society of Children’s Books Writers and Illustrators.

Kelley Lynn's Links: Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Winners of the "Got Green?" Blogfest !!!

Aloha,

I wanted to thank everyone for taking the time to participate, comment (or do both!) during my "Got Green? Blog O'hop (version 2.0') last Friday.

 I had a great time reading all the official - and unofficial - entries and it was hard picking the winners, but after a second helping of ham and cabbage and a few pints of the Black Stuff, the choices were chosen.

I have linked each winning entry via the post writer.

If you haven't already, please stop by and I promise you'll enjoy a great yarn, a couple of true stories and I mustn't forget the French Connection :)


... Here, mister conductress, can I get a bodhrán roll please...

 

 

Some of Sia's family preps for Paddy's Day, 2012

     

 

    

 

  Grand prize: $25 Amazon/Visa Gift Card goes to: Sia McKye for her great family - and their wonderful traditions - I'm jealous :)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

·   First Runner-up: One three-chapter critique goes to: Sheena-kay for her flash fiction on love - and a lesson :)

·   Second Runner-up: A query critique goes to: Donna Hole for sharing her Irish roots.

· Thirty-third Runner-up: Family Size Box of Lucky Charms goes to: Elise Fallson and her unofficial entry.

 

Congrats again to the winners - I'll have my little people contact your little people and we'll go from there :)

 

PS: Good luck to everyone doing the A-Z Challenge (I have my own challenge to complete - final edits on the memoir. See you in May :)

"Top 10 Movie Countdown " BlogFest

Aloha,



Courtesy: NHN Alex :)

 

I’m participating in NHM (no-hyperlink-needed) Alex’s Top Ten Movie Countdown BlogFest.

 Oh, the simplicity of it all.

I’ve highlighted a couple, which are perhaps not as well known.

If interested, the links will bring you to Yahoo! or Wiki info pages.

In descending order:

 

10.  The Commitments

Courtesy: 20th Century Fox

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9. Memento

8. A Few Good Men

7. Four Weddings and a Funeral

6. Braveheart

5. Schindler’s List

4. Love Actually

3. Facing the Giants

Courtesy: Samuel Goldwyn Films

 

2. Shawshank Redemption

1. Band of Brothers (OK, it’s a HBO series, but still amazing.)

 

Courtesy: HBO

 

Cheers for reading and I'm looking forward to seeing some other diverse lists :)

 

 

Happy St. Patrick's Day! "Got Green?"

Aloha,

 

Welcome one and welcome all to the Got Green? Blog O’hop (version 2.0’)

I promised I’d answer all the questions thrown at me with guile or guise, so if I may offer up the Oirish warrior call of Erin go Back!!, here we go...

 

Sheena-kay Graham said...

My question: What was it like growing up Irish as a child (or being Irish)?

The Home of one of my Best Friends in Rialto

I grew up in the inner city of Dublin, in a place called Rialto. It was a “dodgy” neighborhood and fairly dangerous even if you lived there (one fond memory is as a tween when a bunch of the older lads - in full-on, all-black Ninja gear) jumped over the wall of a neighbor’s house and they waded into about six of us. (I used to have the uncanny ability of crying on demand, so I went into fetus mode and wailed like a banshee… it worked a treat… I was the only one who didn’t get the bejaysus kicked out of me… fun times J

 

Elise Fallson said...

How tall are Leprechauns and what's their average shoe size?

Well, it’s funny you should ask this, Elise. The general rule of thumb (or in this case “sole”) is to take a standard can of SPAM. Now, look at the top, there is a small pull-ring thing. In Co. Mayo, (where Ketchup was invented by the Clan MacMustard in 1643) it is said that the foot of an adult Leprechaun will fit into the ring-pull thing, which is about an inch wide and two inches long. Taking this exact measurement and multiplying it by Apple’s Pie app, it can be gleaned that a fully extended Leprechaun is about “tirty-tree” inches tall (but has no available credit.)

 

Al Diaz said...

I would love you to tell me what the name of my favorite song is. I know it's Irish because I heard it first in an Irish themed movie but my case is helpless as I can't hum it to you.

Buenos Aires, Father Dragon (it’s always nice to have a member of the clergy stop by.) Well now, where do I start? I must ask about your last name, Diaz. That sounds like it comes from either Co. Cork (named after the 1289 discovery of the cap things they shove in wine bottles – and then make you take out… I never understood that one.) Perhaps you’re from Lisdoonvarna? And, if it is Lisdoonvarna, well you’ve answered your own question, because you’re surely talking about the famous Christy Moore song. Thanks for dropping by, Father. I’ll see you at the new roof fundraiser. Here’s that song:

 

 Elizabeth said...

Do the Irish laugh at the way we spend St. Patrick's Day? Is there anything we could do to further their amusement?

Well, Betty, can I call you Betty? Or Beth? J The Oirish always thought it was quaint that New York, Chicago and Bahstan had bigger parades than the Paddy’s Day parade in Dublin. I remember the Irish parades growing up were *terrible* (sad-looking horses led by depressed riders and everyone wanting to get out of the cold!) In the mid-‘90s, some smart fecker realized the Irish.gov could make some shillings out of the deal to where St. Paddy’s Day in Dublin is now a week-long festival. This squeezes every last Euro out of the gazillions of American tourists with no idea how the “funny-looking, multi-colored” money works – especially after the third pint of the Black Stuff J

Our last question comes from the delightful M. J. Joachim who said...

Have you ever met the Pied Piper? And dare ye to tell the story of the 3 and 4 leaf clover...

To be shure, me and PeePee are friends (even if he’s a bit wet around the ears.) I keep tellin’ him those pipes, the pipes he plays only attract the likes of that Danny Boy fellow (and he’s one that needs to grow up, let me tell you.) With the clover thing, as you know St. Paddy used the tree-leaved clover to explain the Holy Trinity to the heathen Oirish. (It’s not well-known that St. Paddy hired SIGGY O’Koopmans to create a painting of the three-leaved clover, but O’Koopmans added one too many curly bits and then cried like a big gurly gurl after St. Paddy banished him to the wee village of Rialto where he raised a family and created a dysentery…)



                               ###



Photo Credit: Scarlett's Husband :)

                                                            

Cheers to everyone who signed up to participate! I can’t wait to read the posts – and to all of you who helped promote this madness, I say: I’m going to get you back on Cinco de Mayo (did you know that Ketch-…)

"Got Green?" St. Patrick's Day Irish Blog O'hop - Last Call :)

Aloha,

 

Ah, to be shure, today is 3/13/13 or as I'd call it, "tree tirteen tirteen."

Which means this Friday is the Got Green? Blog O’hop (and the full, simple details are here).

 If you're interested in signing up for a bit of a laugh ahead of St. Patrick's Day this Sunday, the Linky List is below :)

Me? I'm going with something new for this year's post.

See, I’ve lived in America for seventeen years and I still get questions about life growing up in Ireland.

So, I’m throwing up the Emerald curtain and opening the floor to you, the wee Reader.

In the comments, feel free to leave me a PG13 question about anything Oirish that you've ever wanted to know.

Using 100 words or less, I will answer all the questions received by Thursday 6 p.m. EST by Friday 12:01 a.m. HST :)




Ahh... SIGGY

 (If I know the answer, you'll be the first to know... if I don't, I won't look and you'll get a tall tale for your worries:)

(It drives my wife *nuts* when I come up with a clever response to something on which I have *no* idea what I'm talking about...

It's the gift of the gab, I tell ye... and look it this way, if I was into fashion design, it would be the gift of the garb... and I know which one I'm better at... this is me dressed as SIGGY :)

For example, did you know that:

·        Lucky Charms are not sold in Ireland?

·         On St. Patrick's Day, Irish kids don’t get pinched on their way to school (but if they do, the coppers normally find them by the end of the day.)

·         Speaking of coppers, did you know that in Ireland, the cops are called the Gardai, (“the guards.”)

·         The most northern part of Ireland is in the South?

I could go on and on, but you get the gist, I hope…

So, if there was ever a time when you had an inkling to discover Ireland (that would make a great logo…. Oh…) well, now’s the time.

This will either be my second shortest post ever (the shortest is here) but, if you have a wicked sense of humor, you can really have fun with this one...

Can you handle the truth - or is it an Irish fable ye want? :)

Like I said, I’ll post all the answers Friday when the Blog O’hop goes live.


Cheers to everyone who's participating and here's the Linky List. Feel free to jump in - the water's warm and it's a wonderful shade of bluey greenish blue... :)


The Southernmost rock in the U.S. (Big Island, HI)

Interview with Carrie Butler, author of STRENGTH

Aloha,

I wanted to jump on the happy paddy wagon to celebrate Carrie Butler's first book, STRENGTH, which dropped this past Thursday.

Carrie was kind enough to agree to one of my abmormal interviews...

You're also a graphic designer and very generous with your time and talents... where doze skillz come from? Is that the day job?

Thank you, Mark! The skillz are mostly self-taught. I've always been "artsy," but I didn't have a chance to explore the digital side of things until I found myself jobless and in serious need of a distraction. (Womp, womp.) I'd really like to get a full-time writing/designing career going, though!

You spoke a lot about NA Monday and it's fair to say your feathers were a wee bit ruffled... so, how did you end at NA and not some other genre that is perhaps not applicable (or n/a :)

Me? Ruffled feathers? Pfft... ;)

With this series, I needed a contained environment to keep the momentum going—circulating rumors, frequent run-ins, growing relationships, etc. But at the same time, I wanted my characters to have the freedom to come and go as they pleased, and the opportunity to make mistakes with real consequences. What better setting than a college campus? Perfect NA material! P.S. I see what you did there. :P



How do you work writing around a family? Is there a Mr. Carrie and mini Carrie-ettes running around? How do you balance your writing time? Do friends look at you strange when you explain you are an author?

Simple answer: I don't. There is no Mr. Carrie, nor are there any mini Carrie-ettes running around. I'll probably end up adopting a clowder of cats, with whom I shall spend my golden years, whilst yelling at neighborhood kids to get away from my yard... That's kind of sad.

Quick, someone buy my book to distract me! *Grins*

Seriously, though. Being single allows me to have a flexible writing schedule. I can stay up until five or six in the morning, if that's when inspiration strikes. And as for friends looking at me strangely... well, they've always looked at me that way. I can't imagine why. ;)

OK, so I've gone through your Personal Blog (but I had a chaperone) and there is a *LOT* of weird stuff that happens in and around Zanesville. Has anyone ever considered changing the name?
You mean the fact that we had fifty-some exotic animals on the loose? Or maybe you're referring to the freak storm that knocked out our power last summer? Yeah, it's an interesting place to live. Maybe we should change the name—go for something a little less zany. I propose The Sovereign Kingdom of Carriopia. 

What's next? From your personal blog, it seems like this a series... will Paul (I just named Cover Guy - sue me why don't you:) make it back to the cover of STRENGTH II? Will he still be in his pants?
It is a (proposed) series! In fact, I'm almost done with the first draft of the sequel. :)  And I hate to break it to you, Mark, but you actually have more in common with Wallace (the book's hero) than you might think. You're both referred to as the Madman, you're both known for being shirtless, and you both... have eyes. Anyway! If it's up to me, I'd like to feature Rena (the heroine) on the sequel's cover—which means I should probably keep the "pants" theme going.
GOOD LUCK, CARRIE :)
Thank you! :D


About STRENGTH:

Links:BOOK PAGE | GOODREADS | PUBLISHER | FACEBOOK | PINTEREST | BOOK TRAILER

 

When college student Rena Collins finds herself nose-to-chest with the campus outcast, her rumor-laced notions are shattered. Handsome, considerate, and seemingly sane, Wallace Blake doesn’t look like he spends his nights alone, screaming and banging on the walls of his dorm room. Hell, he doesn’t look like he spends his nights alone, period.

Too curious for her own good, Rena vows to uncover the truth behind Wallace’s madman reputation—and how two seconds of contact had left her with bruises. Of course, there are a few setbacks along the way: guilt, admiration, feelings of the warm and fuzzy variety…

Not to mention the unwanted attention of Wallace's powerful, supernaturally-gifted family.

They’re a bloodline divided by opposing ideals, two soon-to-be warring factions that live in secret among us. When Rena ends up caught in their crossfire, Wallace has no choice but to save her by using his powers. Now they’re really in trouble. With war on the horizon and Rena’s life in the balance, he needs to put some distance between them. But Rena won’t let go. If fighting is what it takes to prove her own strength and keep Wallace in her life, then that’s what she’ll do—even if it means risking a whole lot more than her heart.

 

Retailers:

AMAZON  |  KINDLE  |  BARNES AND NOBLE  |  NOOK  |  SONY READER STORE  |  KOBO  |  DIESEL  |  BAKER & TAYLOR

Praise:

“Carrie Butler is now on my must read list.” ~Lynn Rush, author of Violet Midnight

"I carried Strength with me everywhere. Grocery shopping, the dinner table, you name it. The storyline was addictive, and the characters were hilarious. I couldn't put it down." ~Jessica Therrien, author of Oppression

"...Carrie Butler’s debut novel is brilliant, riveting, imaginative and seamlessly written." ~Lisa Regan, author of Finding Claire Fletcher

“This is definitely one to buy for the bookshelf.” - All's Fair with Pen and Paper

“I love that Carrie took so much time in building the relationship between them. Yay for no instalove!” - Read It, Reviewed It

“I freaking loved every last word on every page.” - Scelest's Journal

“I'd definitely recommend this to anyone who's interested in reading a bloody good book. :)” - The Life of a Total Book Nerd

“I devoured this book in two days - staying up until the early hours because I didn't want to stop reading!” - Kyra Lennon, author of Game On

“I love when a ‘bad guy’ has me feeling unsure about his ‘bad guy’ status. I won't say more, as to not give anything away, but Butler does a fabulous job walking this line.” - Kelley Lynn, author of Fraction of Stone

 Title: STRENGTH
Series: Mark of Nexus - Book 1
Publisher: Sapphire Star Publishing
Category: New Adult (NA)
Genre: Paranormal Romance (PNR)
Release Date: March 07, 2013
Formats: E-Book & Paperback
Paperback ISBN:9781938404351
E-book ISBN:9781938404368