(ONCE) AGAIN Blog Tour

Welcome to My Agent Sister's Blog Tour Pit Stop!

Your chance to view a teaser of her upcoming release and win a nice big prize.

What upcoming release you ask? Why this one of course:

(ONCE) AGAIN

Josh will have to reconcile his past…

In order to make Kat his future.

After surviving a real-life nightmare, Josh Wagner is sent home from his dream college on crutches. Bedridden and tormented by flashbacks, he’s just seen his world shattered and his baseball scholarship go up in smoke. Josh’s family hires a health aide to help take care of him, but when he opens the door, the last person he expects to see is his biggest regret…

Katherine Singleton is the only girl Josh has ever loved. Now, even though she’s only taking care of him because it’s her job, Josh is determined to win her back. But Kat had to move on after their breakup two years ago, and despite her feelings for Josh, a lot has happened since he left…

When Kat’s past comes back to haunt her, Josh decides it’s his turn to take care of her. But protecting her—and redeeming himself—will put Josh in the line of fire again. Will he survive this time?

And if that didn't fuel your interests, this just might...

Teaser Time!

Pre-Order Links

Amazon

Barnes and Nobles

This teaser comes with a bonus... a chance to win $100 Amazon Gift Card. 

Awesome right?

Enter Here

a Rafflecopter giveaway

And last but not least, the amazing person behind it all

Theresa Paolo lives in the same town she grew up in on Long Island, NY with her long time boyfriend and their fish. Her debut novel (NEVER) AGAIN, a NA romance, released in Fall 2013 with Berkley (Penguin). (ONCE) AGAIN will release this summer. She is also the coauthor of the Amazon bestseller KING SIZED BEDS AND HAPPY TRAILS and BEACH SIDE BEDS AND SANDY PATHS, a YA contemporary series, under her pen name Tessa Marie. She has a hard time accepting the fact she’s nearing thirty, and uses her characters to relive the best and worst years of her life. She put her love of writing on hold while she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing from Dowling College. When she’s not writing, she’s behind a camera, reading, or can be found on Twitter, Pinterest, Facebook and Goodreads.

MAGNETIC SHIFT has found a home!!!

SKWEEE!!! I’m getting published!!!

Yes that's right…I got the call. And not only did I have an offer, I had two…double SKWEE!!

But instantly my heart knew which press to call home. I’d had my eyes on them for a while and now I’m proud to say that MAGNETIC SHIFT will be published by Spencer Hill Press early 2016. Words do not express how I’m feeling right now. I’m so honored to have the chance to work with a great team and I look forward to getting started with this new chapter in my writing career.

There will be many good things to come, but for now, I've added a few pics and the official PublishersMarketplace announcement below. YAY!!!

TRUST IN ME Cover Reveal & A Giveaway

Again it is an honor and a privilege to help reveal yet another of Jennifer L. Armentrout's masterpieces. 

This time the cover of TRUST IN ME!

It’s Wait for You as you've never seen it. Trust in Me lets you in on Cam’s side of the #1 New York Times Bestselling story.

Cameron Hamilton is used to getting what he wants, especially when it comes to women. But when Avery Morgansten comes crashing into his life – literally – he finally meets the one person who can resist his soulful baby blues. But Cam’s not ready to give up. He can’t get the feisty and intriguing girl out of his head. 

Avery has secrets, secrets that keep her from admitting the feelings Cam knows she has for him. Will persistence (and some delicious homemade cookies) help him break down her barriers and gain her trust? Or will he be shut out of Avery's life, losing his first real shot at the kind of love that lasts forever?

Now for the giveaway!
Enter here to win some great WAIT FOR YOU stuff.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 You can also pre-order a copy of TRUST IN ME here...

For those of you who don't know who Jennifer is (shame on you...) here's what you've been missing.

Jennifer L. Armentrout

# 1 NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY Bestselling author Jennifer lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing. she spends her time reading, working out, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell Loki.

Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She is published with Spencer Hill Press, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen.

She also writes adult and New Adult romance under the name J. Lynn. She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.

Jennifer has a great online presence. You can find her on her Website, on Twitter and on Facebook, but her Blog is where she keeps everyone updated on a regular basis and hosts lots of great giveaways. 

So Pit Crew, what did you all think? Let me know in the comments.

YAY! I have an Agent!

     I am ecstatic to announce that I have signed with a literary agent this past weekend. That means I am one step closer to being able to share my fast driving and fun loving characters with the world.

     I met Brittany Booker at the RT Convention in Kansas City last May in a face-to-face, 3-minute pitch at the Pitch-A-Palooza event. Brittany at the time had requested fifty pages. To my excitement, those fifty pages turned into a full request last month, and then an offer of representation by months end. :)

     She’s sweet, fun, and totally in love with MAGNETIC SHIFT. Her clients rave about her work ethics and her determination. Although I took the time to consider her offer, do my research, and weigh my options carefully, I was excited to take the plunge and say yes.

Signing with my MAGNETIC SHIFT pen for good luck

     This has been a tough journey and I know it’s going to get even tougher as I continue to pursue my career, but it’s nice to know that Brittany and The Booker Albert Literary Agency will be there to support me along the way.

 But right now, it's time to P.A.R.T.Y, why??? Cause I gotta!!

 

RT Convention 2013 Recap

I did it again. I survived another RT Convention. And let me tell you, that is not an easy task!

KANSAS CITY, MO - 2013

Since the pre-con class I signed up for didn’t start until Tuesday, I thought ahead and emailed the Kansas Speedway in hopes of getting some kind of tour to do a bit of research. I didn’t think I’d hear back from them but to my surprise, they were over and beyond accommodating. The Track’s PR Rep contacted me, and we set an appointment for me to visit.

As a writer of stories revolving around racing, this look into the NASCAR world was a fabulous opportunity, but as a longtime fan of the sport, this look into the NASCAR world was a monumental SKWEE!!!! moment in my life. It was so spectacular I can’t even describe it…

The Pre-Con Plotting class with Cherry Adair was a great experience. The woman can plot a story in minutes. She even thought up one of her next stories right in front of us. Cherry also met with us one on one to talk about our own plots and what we could do to improve them. Although her methods may not be for everyone, I got a lot out of this class, and I seriously recommend taking this one if you ever get the chance.

Cherry Adair & Me

The convention portion was intense. So many authors to meet, connections to make, business cards to hand out, workshops to go to, socials to attend, and networking to do at the bar. Needless to say, I hardly got any sleep all week, but with all I’ve learned and the friends I’ve made, it was all so worth it.

Riley Darkes & Me - Friend from SavvyAuthors.com

Waiting in line for the Teen Party

Me & Stacey Kade

Kiera Cass after making the NY Times Bestsellers list

We found a lost pass at the RT Gala

One of the exciting things that happened to me this year was that I was named a finalist in the American Idol Writer Contest hosted by agents Nicole Resciniti & Louise Fury.

During the finals, I was a complete ball of nerves. I didn’t win, but I got some great feedback and a friend got a sweet offer from one of the agents. All in all, I’m glad I participated.

My biggest goal this year was to conquer my nerves and actually pitch my story to agents face to face, and I’m happy to report that my nails are still intact. My 10 min pitch appointment was kind of a fail. My nerves got the better of me, and I blabbered my way through the whole thing. But when came time for the pitch-a-palooza, I found my confidence. A few full requests and a few partial requests later, I walked away bursting with a sense of success.

My big fan-girl moment (yes, I fan-girl once in a while... Don't judge me) was ending up in an elevator with Jennifer L. Armentrout. I'd been in her presence before and even spoke to her last year, but for some reason, after following her success throughout the year and admiring her work (when I say admiring I mean, pouncing on every book she’s ever written) I froze, said nothing and left the elevator feeling like a total idiot. But later I got to talk to her in the hotel bar, when a friend brought her down to meet me. SKWEE!!!!

Jennifer L. Armentrout & Me

Again this year the amount of books and swag I got was insane… Look at all this stuff!! (Lookout for Giveaways)

Swag & Books

And now that I’m home, exhausted, overwhelmed, yet grateful of my experience, I’ve marked my calendar yet again for next year. RT Convention 2014 in New Orleans… here I come!!

Sleep… who needs it!!!

My Hectic Life & A Giveaway

Hi. It's me. I'm still alive. It’s been such a busy few months, and we have entered THE craziest month of the year. Let see. Let’s recap some of the highlights shall we.

Besides all my usual crazy life stuff  and my full time job, I was able to find the time to go to a book signing… very exciting. I got to meet Cassandra Clare, yes THE Cassandra Clare. The genius behind The Mortal Instruments (the first in the series becoming a big motion picture in 2013, but I’m sure you already know that) and The Infernal Devices.

She was in Toronto visiting the sets of the film, and dropped by the Indigo bookstore for a scheduled book signing. It was a full house.

Cassandra Clare, Toronto 2012

I have to thank my hubby for accompanying me on the 5 hour drive to Toronto, and for waiting in line for another 5 hours with me. He’s a keeper!

As a BIG, and I mean HUGE, fan of NASCAR, I couldn't resist planting my butt on the couch and teeter on the edge of my seat to watch the last big race of the season. Homestead Miami. I did it hard core with subscriptions to driver scanners and the whole bit. Unfortunately, my guy had some unfortunate car issues and didn't get the cup this year, but hey... there is always next year, right?

www.jimmiejohnson.com

 Go Jimmie Go!

But the biggest killer was that, for the past three months, I've been taking a Savvy Authors editing/mentoring workshop given by Heather Howland, Senior Editor at Entangled Publishing. I learned so much and am working hard to incorporate all of that knowledge into my manuscript.

Now, we're in December… need I say more? 

Work Christmas parties, friend’s Christmas parties, Family Christmas parties, oh and should I mention Christmas? There is also New Year parties and…. You get the picture.

So, because I’m not your typical schedule blogger, I wanted to host a little giveaway just to show how much I appreciate those who stuck around for my little rants or random posts in 2012. You are the best! So how about a giveaway for the book of your choice… how does that sound?

For a maximum value of $15, you can pick any book you want at the Book Depository. Giveaway open internationally a long as the Book Depository ships to your address.

Good luck to everyone and I look forward to reading about your busy month.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I've Been Tagged: The Next Big Thing Blog Hop

I have been tagged by my RT Con Pal Katherine Skye for this circulating blog hop. It’s an opportunity to discuss my latest project. Be sure to check out Katherine’s work in progress as well.

     What is the working title of your book? 

       Magnetic Shift

     Where did the idea come from for the book? 

       I’m a NASCAR junkie and they always tell us writers to write what we love. :)

     What genre does your book fall under? 

       Young Adult Paranormal Romance

     Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition? 

       Not sure, but I did write this story while hubby was deep into playing Resident Evil 6, the video game. So the hottie in my story closely resembles Leon Kennedy from those games… lol

     What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book? 

       A teenage girl adamant about keeping her magnetic ability a secret must embrace her emotions and her ability and risk exposing herself to save the boy she loves.

     Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

       I will be seeking agent representation for traditional publishing.

     How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript? 

       Three weeks for the first bone dry draft… much longer to revise and edit though. Still working on it.

     What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

       Not sure…

     Who or What inspired you to write this book?

       My dreams, my need to write, my love of the sport and my hubby

     What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

       It’s a paranormal set in the world of NASCAR with a yummy stock car driver. What more could a girl want? :)


Now for step two of the blog hop, it’s my turn to nominate 5 wonderful writers. But the ones I know have already participated. I’ve nominated 1 awesome writers and I’m leaving it open for anyone else to join in.

• Amalie Howard

Smart Chick Kick it Tour

I've been so busy lately, writing, revising and editing, that I've neglected to keep you up to date, but today I got the opportunity to attend the Smart Chick Kick it Event at the Chapters in Point-Claire, Quebec and I just had to share.

This event was organized by Kelley Armstrong & Melissa Mar and 2012 is their third (and final!) Smart Chicks Kick It tour. I missed it last year when they came to Ottawa, Ontario and I was glad to have had the chance to attend this year.

The authors were amazing, up beat, very entertaining and they were kind enough to sign books and take pictures with their fans and readers.

Kelley Armstrong & Myself

Me & Rosemary Clement-Moore

Me, Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl

Me, Melissa de la Cruz & Melissa Marr

I had an awesome time. Makes me anxious for the RT Convention next May. I love going to these type of events.

Now I must crawl back into my cave and get to work. Creativity doesn't take breaks. I know. I've asked.

Has anyone here ever attended any similar events? Books signing, launch party etc... let me know in the comments. I'd love to read about it.

My Writing Journey ... So far

     I've been on a roll these past few days with my witting and loving every minute of it.

     That’s a lie.

     Yes, being on a word count roll is something to be proud of, but it’s not been easy, and it doesn’t mean I haven’t veered off course or been stuck a few times, having to figure out where I might have gone in the wrong direction. I’ve been agonizing over my ending and shed a few tears about not knowing what to do with my characters next. I’ve had plenty of moments where I just sat at my laptop wanting to write, but nothing poured out.

     I recently shelved my second manuscript without finishing it. I loved my characters, but somewhere down the line, I lost my plot line and the story fell apart. I mourned the death of my story and made the grave decision to put it away and start something new.

     This new WIP has me excited again and wanting to write.

     I guess the message and the lesson learned, is that writing the story isn’t always as simple as we want it to be. I mean, I always thought editing, revising, writing query letters and synopses were the hard part and that writing the first draft was the easy part, but I’m learning that this isn’t always the case. Not for me anyway.

     I’d always pictured writers sitting at their desks, hashing away at the keys, producing page after page of story off the top of their heads and enjoying every minute of it. Now I know that’s not true for at least 75% of writers including me. I can actually say I’d rather revise and edit than sit down and write the story from scratch, but that doesn’t mean I don’t enjoy it even though it’s hard. Writing the story is just as hard or just as much work as the rest of the process.

     With all that said, I now realize what an accomplishment it is to complete a Novel, and how proud I should be that after all that hard work, I'm eager to do it again and again whether I get published or not.

Happy New Year

       Another year has come and gone. 2011 was a good year. It’s the year I decided to take my writing to the next level, the year I took my three week road trip to California and the year I met up with long lost friends and spent the last night of 2011 with. I met many great authors online and in person that have inspired me, like Kristi Cook, Amalie Howard and Becca Fitzpatrick to name a few.

      This year I feel different, I know what my goal is and I’m looking forward to achieving it. This year is my writing year. I know what I want to write, I know my audience, I just need to continue to learn and hone my skill and do the best I can in hopes that it will pay off.

      I have so many things to look forward to in 2012 like the many great novels coming out this year that I desperately have to get my hands on, my big trip to Chicago in April to attend my first RT Convention and the Nationwide Nascar and Rolex Series Grand-am race in Montreal in August. I’m also heading up north to visit my sister in October.

      This is going to be a great year, and I wish you all the same.

      I’d love to hear how your 2011 ended and what you look forward to in the new year.

The Muse I left behind

     It's been two weeks since we’ve been back from our once in a life time trip to California and I'm having a hard time getting back to my daily life, especially in my writing.

     Before I left, I had been spitting out 2000 to 3000 flowing words per day, losing myself in the story and enjoying where it was going. Now, I can't seem to cough out a single word and not from lack of trying or wanting.

     I decided to take a break and read to get inspired. Sometimes reading beautifully structured sentences gets my mind in the right mood to create my own. I read through Becca Fitzpatrick’s Crescendo and Silence in the matter of days. Amazing story that kept me glued to the pages. Although it's motivated me to want to write, the mental block still persists. I've been using the downtime to do some online research to help me hone my craft, but what I truly want is to find the muse I left behind before I left for California.

     I realize this is something that many writers suffer through, and it’s happened to me before. I know I will move past this eventually, but it's hard to accept when you sit down to write, and you desperately want to lose yourself in the momentum of your words, but your fingers just can't seem to type a single sentence that makes sense. The idea is right there, at the forefront of your mind, but nothing is happening.

     Many blogs posts have been dedicated to this very topic. Many offer tips and tricks that have worked for them, but for me, I know I can't force it. The best I can do is continue to read, research and learn everything I can that could be of use to my writing, and hope that the wall breaks down soon.

     Until then, If you see me lurking through your blog's writing tips and experiences, say hi.