Monthly Archives: May 2012

YA Indie Carnival…Location! Location! Location!

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From the trapeze artist’s tent, I can hear the barker calling already, “Location! Location! Location!”. This week at the YA Indie Carnival the topic is Settings.

I am constantly enamored by the rural vistas of the Ohio River Valley (above). This photo actually comes from my farm which was the inspiration for the Hayes Family Farm in the Midnight Guardian series. One of the things I love most about those novels is that they give me the chance to write about a place that is very familiar, the Hayes Farm, and a place that is completely make believe, the Mogdoc Empire, a land of endless midnight sealed from the human world.

I’m currently working on a werewolf trilogy set Continue reading →

Top 10 Most Memorable Graduation Scenes

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The YA Indie Carnival topic of the week is Graduation/Last Day of School. Keira and her friends are still over a year away from graduation, but I’ve been working on the scene since the very beginning. Where do I get the inspiration? I’m so glad you asked. Here’s my personal Top 10 Most Memorable Graduation Scenes (TV & Movie).

10. Facts of Life – First to show graduation for the organized chaos that it really is.

9. She’s All That – Freddie Prinze, Jr. and a soccer ball, need I say more?

8. Billy Madison – On the list for sheer magnitude of graduation scenes, he graduated a grade every two weeks!

7. High School Musical 3 – I’ll admit it. I watched it and I loved it…maybe even shed a tear.

6. 90210 (original) – My high school boyfriend (who’s now my hubby) was totally addicted to the show and made me watch. I remember snuggling up to watch this episode which aired days before my own college graduation.

5. Eclipse – I absolutely loved Jessica’s speech. “Take the wrong train and get stuck somewhere. Fall in love…a lot. Major Continue reading →

YA Indie Carnival: YA Picks for Mom

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HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY

This week in the big top we’re discussing books that Mom would love. In preparation for today’s assignment, I asked my mother what she is currently reading. She said that she’s reading Midnight Child again. I absolutely didn’t expect that. Ain’t that like a Mom? Supportive even when we don’t know they’re being supportive.

I asked Mom to put together her TBR list. I needed to stop and explain what TBR is, though I didn’t mind. You definitely won’t find her on Continue reading →

WIP: Shadows Rising Sneak Peek

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This week’s YA Indie Carnival topic is Work in Progress. I have a special treat for you, an exclusive sneak peek at Book 4 in the Midnight Guardian Series, Shadows Rising, which hits stores this fall.

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ImageThe scent of orange and ginger meat roasting over an open flame was nearly choked out by the stench of the alley. Even in the ever present darkness, buyers and sellers packed the market. Low voices rumbled in heated negotiation over things like food and weapons, lit only by a sprinkling of strategically placed torches on the towering outer walls of the Citadel.

The night was warm, season-less, like it always is on the other side of the barrier. Ann Martin and Keira Ryan kept watch over the scene from a secure rooftop above the marketplace just outside the mogdoc Citadel, the home of the Empress.

A light breeze drifted past and lifted Keira’s hair. She moved the stray strands from her face and as she did, her eyes wandered to the satin sky.

“Do you think they miss them?” Keira asked with a sigh.

“Who misses what?” Ann replied, unable to tear her eyes away from her duty.

“The stars,” Keira said. “Do you think Continue reading →