Welcome back @Amy_Durham to talk about ONCE AND FOR ALL, her new release!

Please help me welcome back fellow Kentuckian and friend, Young Adult author Amy Durham to talk about her newest release, ONCE AND FOR ALL. I'm currently reading it and really enjoying my 2nd trip to Sky Cove! I'm going to turn it over to Amy now so she can tell you all about her new book!

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First of all, thank you Taryn for the opportunity to come back and visit you here! I enjoyed hanging out at your cyber-home when my first book released last year, and I’m thrilled to be back!

ONCE AND FOR ALL is the second book in my Sky Cove series. The series is set in a fictional, coastal town in Maine, where the phenomenon of reincarnation simmers beneath the surface, pulling unsuspecting high school students into its grasp.

In book 1 (ONCE AGAIN), Layla and Luke must stop history from repeating itself by uncovering the truth about a tragedy that occurred hundreds of years ago. In book 2, ONCE AND FOR ALL, Phoebe and Todd must break an ancient curse that has existed for generations.

Reincarnation is a super fun paranormal element, because it is so versatile and can wind its way through whatever mystery and danger my mind conjures up! In ONCE AND FOR ALL, the two characters – Phoebe and Todd – really wormed their way into my heart. Especially Todd.

Todd was a total jerk at the beginning of book 1 (ONCE AGAIN). It was my intention for him to remain a jerk, but at some time during the writing of that book, he grew on me. So, I gave him a redeeming moment hoping readers wouldn’t hate him. Then, as I began to mentally plot out ONCE AND FOR ALL, I realized that he was the hero. I think of him as the “accidental hero,” because he didn’t start out that way. But boy, do I ever love him now!

Todd’s journey in ONCE AND FOR ALL is one of self-discovery and learning how to be himself, even if it means shrugging off the protective cloak of popularity that he’s always worn. Phoebe, the very reluctant heroine, finds herself in a position to help him, much to her dismay.

These two are thrown together against their will, and what grows from their uneasy partnership is a really beautiful relationship. Oh… and they have to break that pesky ancient curse along the way!

ONCE AND FOR ALL Blurb:

What happens when 180 pounds of football star collides with 105 pounds of art geek?

An ancient curse springs to life, of course.

Phoebe Campbell is anything but popular. Todd Miller is the epitome of the high school jock. Their socially opposite worlds collide when they are paired to work together on a project for art class. Attempting to cooperate for the sake of their assignment, Todd and Phoebe begin to look past preconceived notions and see each other for who they truly are. As genuine feelings begin to develop between them, they find themselves plagued by dangerous shape-shifting episodes and unexplained telepathic connections.

In order to stop the mysterious occurrences, Phoebe and Todd are forced into a mission to uncover the truth. In their quest, they discover unsettling stories that hint at a previous existence, and also clues to an ancient curse that has never been broken.

Can they learn to love each other despite the typical high school social expectations? And will their love be the key that breaks the ancient curse once and for all?

Contact Amy online:
amybdurham@gmail.com
www.amydurham.com
www.facebook.com/AuthorAmyDurham
@Amy_Durham on Twitter
 

Find ONCE AND FOR ALL at:

AMAZON

BARNES & NOBLE

ALL ROMANCE EBOOKS

SMASHWORDS 

KOBO

#Writerly Wednesday~ The LOOK #Writing Challenge

Last week I was challenged to participate in the "LOOK Challenge" by my good friend and fellow author, Teresa Reasor, but I was out of town visiting my folks and having a yard sale with my mom and sister. I was tickled Teresa included me in her author-buddies to tag, so I'm going to rise up to the challenge and share my own and challenge a few to participate as well!

Here's how it works:
Find the LOOKs in your current work-in-progress.
Choose your favorite 3 and post the paragraphs that contain them.
Pick some of your favorite author-buddies to "tag" and invite them to participate, too!


Since I'm not currently working on a WIP, I'll choose from my current manuscript that I'm prepping for my 1st self-pubbed novel, the first book in my Love By Series- Love by Design.

1. This woman captivated him. With every icy blue glare she shot in his direction, he felt certain she despised him. She looked as though the very idea of having to tread the same ground he walked upon might make her ill, but it was the warmth that drew him in. The shimmering warmth of those golden flecks in her icy gaze left him wanting. Fire and flame flickered beneath her cold icy surface.
2. The sudden intensity in Derrek’s eyes startled her. Pinpricks of awareness danced across her skin and the aching desire she had fought over the past couple of days gave way to a heart-thumping response to his tender embrace. She swallowed hard and tilted her head back to look him in the eye, the fight gone right out of her.
3. She wanted his flesh against hers, yet she felt like a shy innocent girl as she stood before him. His hips pressed against her. Her backside collided with the kitchen cabinet. His eyes locked with hers. She couldn’t look away, but she felt his hand go lower to inch up under her shirt. It came to rest again over her breast as his thumb taunted the hardened nipple beneath the lace.
   
   
   I'm picking Amy Durham, Hallee Bridgeman and C.C. Marks to participate!
   
   
   Have a fantastic Wednesday!
   I can see the weekend from here!

#Writerly Wednesday- I'm in Good Company @KYIndieWriters #Kentucky #Indie #Authors

I was thinking about my journey toward self-publication and those I have surrounding me, who encourage me that it CAN be done and it's worth it and I feel a surge of appreciation for the outstanding company I keep. We're an eclectic group of authors, who've all chosen differing paths for our writing career.


Some have gone through publishers, big and small and others have struck out onto the Indie path full speed ahead. It's amazing to hear what's going on, and sometimes overwhelming, too, to hear about the numbers, the rankings, Amazon's bizarre algorithms, and the tremendous hard work that goes into taking on being the writer and publisher of your own work.


I find it refreshing and inspiring to feel I'm part of a new generation of revolutionaries in the publishing field. We're all heading toward the same goals~ To reach readers and touch hearts, to bring laughter and joy and even yes, sometimes sorrow, but happy endings and satisfying conclusions.



We have far too many stories jam-packed inside us...like that little cartoon where the guy's at the doctor's office and the doctor is showing him an x-ray of his body, wherein lies a book. "See, you have a book inside you, just waiting to get out."


Well, I'm sure for most of us, it's more like a bookshelf. I know mine is. I've written 11 manuscripts already, but I know I'm far from done. I have more to tell, but if I'm going to take this journey into self-publication, some of those stories will have to wait until I can get a few of the finished ones polished and out there in the world, in the hands of people who love books as much as I do.


Our stories span all kinds of genres and themes from edgy inspirational to historical, to contemporary romance and young adult, to erotica and women's fiction, military, suspense, horror.


They cover themes such as dystopian futures, time-travel and reincarnation...from reuniting with their soulmate from the very distant past, to finding love the second time around. I think books are food for the soul. Without the great and wonderful stories of authors the world over, I can only imagine what a dull and dreary life we would lead.



All stories spilled forth from the wellspring of authors who enjoy writing as much as reading, who sometimes have no choice but to write because they know if they didn't, something would be missing, that without writing they are incomplete.



These authors with whom I share email conversations, the joys and pains of writing, the highs and lows of self-publishing and the pleasure of their online company are dedicated and full of determination. Their persistence encourages me, driving me forward toward my own goals. They are writerly inspiration and amazingly talented!



They are not only my friends, but my people, for no one quite understands a writer's mind or a writer's journey in life like another writer can.

This is not all of them for we are a growing bunch, but these are the ones who've been most influential for me as a writer and I'm proud to say I'm a part of this extraordinary group of authors.

I'm over at @Amy_Durham's #Blog Today- Come see me! #readers #writers #Author #Interview

Please stop by and see me today while I sit in with Amy and answer some questions. Would love the company as I'm making my rounds visiting other blogs.

Tuesdays with Taryn- Amy Durham

Tuesdays with Taryn

Click image above for Amazon Print version. Other buy links are listed at bottom of the blog.

Please join me in welcoming Amy Durham to my very first Tuesdays with Taryn. Amy is a fellow KYRW chapter-mate, debuting her Indie-pubbed first young adult novel, Once Again.

What book(s) most influenced you as a writer?

First and foremost, “Fair Haven”, by JoAnn Ross. I’ve always been an avid reader – and I’ve loved writing since the 6^th grade – but it was Ross’s “Fair Haven” that said to me, “You can do THIS, and you SHOULD do this.”

What book do you read over and over again?

Well, aside from “Fair Haven”, I also re-read “Jewels of the Sun” by Nora Roberts. And yes, I’ll admit it, I re-read the “Twilight” books! I think they really demonstrate the cross-over appeal of Young Adult fiction.

Tuesday Trio-

1) Movie- When Harry Met Sally

2) Music- “Love Song” by The Cure

3) Decadent Dessert- Crème Brulee

What’s the most interesting or bizarre bit of trivia you’ve learned from researching for a novel? It’s not really bizarre, but I was surprised to learn that many Maine residents don’t have air conditioning in their homes. Their summers are short, so a lot of folks don’t think they need them. My cousin Adrienne was my “research” for ONCE AGAIN. She moved to Maine from North Carolina when she got married, and it was her opinion that an air conditioner was, in fact, necessary… even in Maine!

Novel on your Nightstand:

Who/what are you currently reading? “On Lavender Lane” by JoAnn Ross. Yes, I’m a BIG fan of hers!

Whom would you cast as your Hero & Heroine if your book became a movie? I always picture Layla Bradford very much like Emma Roberts, who played Nancy Drew. She’s a very “natural” beauty. And I think Logan Lerman, who played Percy Jackson, would make a perfect Lucas Ellis! He’s got that “boyish charm” I always imagine when I think of Lucas.

BLURB:

Reincarnation sucks! Unless it comes with a cute guy. That’s what sixteen year-old Layla Bradford discovers when she moves to Sky Cove, Maine, a small-town she thought was ordinary, but turns out to be an episode of “Cold Case” on steroids. Layla doesn’t want to fit in; she wants to blend in and stay out of the spotlight. But the spotlight is where she winds up when she catches the eye of school cross-country star and all-around-nice-guy Lucas Ellis. She quickly learns there’s more at stake than high school reputations when she and Lucas discover they are the reincarnations of a young married couple from the mid-1800s who suffered a horrible tragedy at the hands of a madman who was never brought to justice. After a series of frightening visions show Layla and Lucas glimpses of their past-lives, they realize that the villain of their previous existence has also been reincarnated, in the form of a fellow high school student who targets them with teenage pranks that soon turn dangerous. As they grow closer, will Layla and Lucas be able to uncover the truth in time to stop the same tragedy from unfolding once again?

Amazon Kindle
Barnes & Noble Nook
Smashwords (available in multiple formats)
iBooks

You can also find Amy at her website/blog-

Amy Durham
Imagination & Escape for the young...
and young at heart

Thanks again for visiting today, Amy! So glad to have you on!