Violet Dawn Blog Blitz!!!

Violet Dawn (Violet Night #2) by Lynn Rush

Genre: New Adult Paranormal Romance

Publisher: Crescent Moon Press

Release Date: April 1^st, 2013

 

In the darkest place, the Light shines brightest.

 

Emma’s love saved Jake from life as a vampire. But their happily ever after is threatened by a savage Vamp seeking retribution for destroying the Avenos Trinity of Evil.

 

A mysterious stranger enters the mix, coinciding with the first Vamp attack in months. Emma’s new friendship, and the suspicion and deceit surrounding it, further drives a wedge between her and Jake.

 

To complicate things, Emma is bitten by a Vamp with abilities no one has ever seen before, and that bite has left its mark.

 

A mark that might tear Jake and Emma apart forever…

*squeeeeee* I adored Violet Midnight: book one of this trilogy and I can’t wait to get my hands on this one! Lynn Rush’s new spin on vamps and hunters is enthralling and addictive! Here is where you can find more about the trilogy!

 

Amazon

Goodreads

Violet Dawn Book trailer

Website

 

 

 

 

 

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The 20 Questions Spectacular with Sophie Davis & Madison Daniel!

1. Well hello there, Madison.  We’ll start off this game of 20 Questions with an easy one: How much of you is in Max, your protagonist in the Ember series?

 

 

MD: Probably about 50% me, 50% rock star superhero. Ember and the character of Max were the first things I created in literary form (back in 2008), and at the time, I was told to “write what you know...” Well, that’s what I did. And all I really KNOW is 80’s movies, comic books, music and the awkwardness of teenage angst. Ha.

 

SD: I can totally picture you as Nicolas Cage in that 80’s cinematic masterpiece, Valley Girl ;)  Hahaha, I hope our readers look up the cover!  (kidding, kidding)

 

 

2. How about you, Sophie? How much of yourself goes into the stories you create?

 

SD:  Talia, the main character in Talented has some similarities, both physical and in personality.  But I have other characters that have a lot more of me in them, and some with a lot of my closest friends.

 

3. I know that Max has trouble choosing between the two female characters in Ember; how much of a ladies man were you in high school?

 

MD: Hmmm...tough question. There were two versions of me back in school, the easy-going, soft-spoken, front-man to my local rock band AND then there was the shy, awkward, hopeless romantic, that just wanted to connect with that “one” special person. Let me put it this way, I looked like the kind of boy your father would hate for you to bring home, but was actually the exact kind of young man your parents always told you to look for. Basically, a ‘good boy’ in a ‘bad boys’ body.

 

SD: Haha, so a wolf in sheep’s clothing?  Nice.  Sounds like my kind of guy now, though back in those days I would have gone for the straight-up wolf.

 

4.        All right, describe your teenage experience in 10 words or less...GO. :)

 

SD:  Fun, embarrassing, bad decision making, some of my favorite years!

 

5. Tell us about your first girlfriend.

MD: Enlightening, artistic, challenging and smelled like strawberries. That’s all you’re getting...hehehe.

 

SD: Strawberries… now why does that sounds familiar?  Ohhh, right, that’s Samantha from Ember’s scent…you heard it here first ladies- we found Madison’s kryptonite!

 

  6. Tell us about your LAST relationship. BOOM.

 

SD:  It’s a tragic tale of love, Madison.  We first met in college, where we bonded over dirty dishes and pickles – we worked at a sandwich place.  I fell in love with his long hair and angry attitude, not sure what he saw in me, but I did wait tables in some very short shorts.  While it was obvious we both pined for the other, we never professed our love.  I left our small college town for D.C., while he headed south to warmer weather – Miami to be exact.  He married a Brazilian supermodel.  I got a Master’s degree.  He divorced the Brazilian supermodel.  I got a law degree.  And then if finally seemed like the right time to get together.  Unfortunately, our mutual attraction only existed in theory.  In reality, we had nothing in common.  So after a year of flying back and forth between DC and Miami, we parted ways.  Since then, only one boy sleeps in my bed, my Benji look-alike, Humphrey.

 

7. Who were you most nervous to have read your first book?

 

MD: He hasn’t read it yet. So, I can’t answer that question just yet. BUT it’s always nerve-racking to show your words to your family.

 

8. What was the most surprising reaction you received after showing your work to the ones closest to you, good or bad?

 

SD:  My uncle called my mother to tell her how funny the first book was.  He said I must have a terrific sense of humor.  The only problem is, the book wasn’t supposed to be funny…

 

9. Do you have a writing outfit?  Do you get dressed every day when you’re working on a novel, or are you the ratty bathrobe, holey boxers type?

 

MD: I’m definitely a jeans and T-shirts kind of guy. Casual, yet proper. Nothing feels as good as a nicely worn, old pair of jeans.

 

10. Your perfect location to work, write, and play...the beach? Or the park?

 

SD:  The beach.  I recently went to a destination wedding in St. Croix and I spent the majority of my time sitting on the beach with my HUGE laptop, writing.  It was the best week of my life.

 

11. What was it like writing from the perspective of a teenage girl?

 

MD: I love it. I’ve only done it a little bit, in the Ember series. BUT I’m actually working on an all new series from the perspective of a teenage girl. Honestly, I think boys and girls are fundamentally made up of all the same ingredients. Fear, love, acceptance and the joy of discovering something new. We just process those ideas a little differently, that’s all.

 

12. What’s your favorite character emotion to write about in your stories?

 

SD:  Hmmmm.  Hard one.  Oddly I’m going to say anger.  I think about every time the parking attendants ticket my car at 7:01 (it has to be moved at 7:00am for street cleaning), just as I am running outside in my pajamas to move it, and I put all of that frustration at the parking people into my characters.

 

13. How have you found the transition from writing songs to writing out whole novels?  Did any of your books start as songs, but then you realized that the story needed to be told in depth?

 

MD: They’re quite different. There is a similarity in the layout and structure building though. My song writing is usually based around the song title or the groove or hook of the song AND I’ve found that my stories come to me the same way. Either a title sets me in the direction of the story I am writing or the main plot twist or hook decides the path I choose. Great question!

 

14. Any favorite bands? Songs? Music inspiration?

 

SD:  Definitely the Foo Fighters; I even traveled across the pond last fall just to see them play at the Reading Festival!  They played a three-hour set and I was in heaven.  I’ve also been known to rap Biggie Smalls in some of my finer moments.  In general, though, I listen to a lot of different music for inspiration when I write.  I have playlists for books, scenes, characters, you name it.

 

15. What are the worst song lyrics you’ve ever written?

 

MD: Ha. Probably something to do with “big butts.” Just kidding. :)

 

SD: Those other brothers can’t deny…

 

16. Any literary crushes? Favorite authors or books?

 

SD:  I don’t think I have any literary crushes right now- that special place in my heart reserved for character crushes is all Agent Derrick Morgan from Criminal Minds.  Favorite authors, hmm, there are a lot.  Stephen King, Dean Koontz, and Mary Higgins Clark are my old standbys.  I read just about any new book they put out, regardless of whether it sounds good.

 

17. What is your biggest quirk?

 

MD: I’m a bit of a gadget whore. I’m always chasing after the newest electronics. I think it has something to do with all the pretty lights! I’m also addicted to eye drops. The stronger the better. Not too weird, I hope.

 

SD: Me too!  My best friend and I always crack up about the ridiculous number of chargers we have to pack every time we take a trip.  It’s a far cry from when we backpacked around Europe, carrying around paperbacks and –gasp- sans cell phones.  As for the eye drops… yeeeah, totally normal…

 

18. What’s the nicest thing you’ve ever done for a complete stranger?

 

SD:  Wow, really making me dig deep for this one.  I guess the nicest thing I’ve ever done for a complete stranger is pay for difference when she didn’t have enough money for the bill at Target.

 

19. If you had a helicopter, what would you name it?

 

MD: Easy! “THE REAPER!” Why? Because when someone says they’re scared to fly in my chopper I can jump up and scream... “DON’T FEAR THE REAPER!” That would rock! No? Okay then, how about “Hank.” Yah, I like Hank. Come fly the friendly skies with me and Hank. Word.

 

SD: Best. Answer. Ever.  Definitely stick with the first one- more cowbell, anyone?

 

20. If I offered to fly you anywhere in my helicopter, where would you like to go the most?

 

SD:  Can you take a helicopter from here to Switzerland?  My favorite place in the world is Interlaken, Switzerland.  You can run off the top of an Alp with a parachute and spend 10 minutes just floating down.  You can also be pushed off of one in a big rubber ball- it’s called Zorbing- but I drew the line at that.

 

Sophie, I just wanted to take a second to thank you for sharing your thoughts with me and our readers. This interview was a blast! You’ve been fantastic to get to know. I see great and epic things ahead for you. I’m sure your fans think the same. Let’s do this again! Write on! Rock on!

 

~ M

 

Thanks Madison!  And thank you for taking the time to answer my questions; we’ll definitely have to do it again.  I wish you continued success with your books and music!

 

I’d also like to give a shout out to Derinda Love over at YATR- she made it possible to get this out to our readers on all of these amazing blogs, and she donated the gorgeous charms bracelets with our book covers (made by Cassie Chavez over at Cassie’s Crafty Creations!)

 

Now let’s give away some prizes!

Sophie <3

 

 

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Chatting with the Lovely Tiffany Carmouché

We have the lovely Tiffany Carmouché, author of The Alaska Trilogy on the blog with us today! But before we get to chatting, here are the Amazon links to both of her books. Check her out and if you read them, please leave reviews. You have no idea how important it is to review your favorite authors’ books!

 

Amazon:

The Impostor

Obsession and Sacrifice

Paperback

Barnes & Noble:

The Impostor

Obsession and Sacrifice

 

 

Q & A with Tiffany Carmouché

 

Most of my favorite authors are indie or self-pubbed, what made me you decide to go that route?

 

For me it was control.  I was told that there was a formula for writing romance and I didn’t want to write a formula. The voices in my head kept pestering me and I wanted to tell the story. When I did a query with an editor they told me I had too many characters in my novel and I would have to get rid of some.  So I got beta readers feedback and it was just what I needed.  I figured I would have readers of my target audience tell me what they liked or didn’t like instead of an editor.  Most of them loved the characters and how they were woven together.

 

I had some awesome Beta Readers for both books!  I cannot begin to tell you how important Beta Readers are. As an author feedback is so important. (For The Impostor) I had Aleta Obrien, Rocky Guzman, Indie Wilson, Julianna Padget, Gale Deitch, Stephanie Newland, Holly Berardi, and Amy Barnhouse!  They were great! Then I hired a wonderful copy editor highly recommended by Jeanette Rallison, an amazing YA author who has been extremely successful in the traditional publishing.  I loved Sandra Udall. She didn’t try and change my voice.

 

For the second book I decided to ask two fans that had written me letters about how much they enjoyed The Impostor to become my Beta Readers- Nicki Wilson and Theresa Stuart. And I also had Liz Dimaggio and Holly Berardi beta read for me.  Again, I have to say my Beta readers were amazing! I hired Gale Deitch to do the editing for the second book.  I loved her as well because she to, allowed me to keep my voice. 

 

I remember going to a writer’s conference and a woman was complaining that the publishing company was making her revamp her image. She had to change her name again and become someone else. I guess one of the main reasons I went indie is I just wanted to be able to be me!

 

What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?

 

How much I loved it and how amazing my fans are. I cannot tell you how much it means to me to get an email, or a note or a tag on facebook about how much someone liked my book. The tags about what team they are on make my day. And pictures or videos inspired by my books are always such a gift! It is like Christmas! And some of the letters from women who have begun their life over or are trying to get the courage to begin again always find a special place in my heart. I can’t believe that my scribbling is being read around the world. It is such a blessing to hear from fans.

 

Out of all the books you have written which is your favorite?

 

This is a really hard question and you will find in different interviews I will answer it differently. The Impostor is my baby. It is based on my experiences in Alaska and so there will always be a special place for it. 

 

Obsession and Sacrifice was so much fun to write. It is layered with different issues and I met with someone who works for NCIS over bubble tea, to get into the mind of the serial killer. Nicole wakes up from a coma and it was a lot of fun to have her re experience life again.  And then there is this new book I am working on, Out of the Shadows. Women who have been abused and have broken free, share their story. I have been honored to meet so many amazing women! It is so hard to choose a favorite… (Wide eyes opened, hoping you will forgive me.)

 

Which of your characters are you most like?

 

That is easy. Much of Nicole’s experience in the first book was based on my experiences when I escaped an abusive relationship and fled to Alaska to get away and begin again. I did fall in love with the breathtaking landscape and adventures. And I did have to escape a stalker.  She is sassy, naive, and stubborn much like me. 

 

Least like? 

 

Least like… I would say the serial killer J (or maybe not…I shrug, dragging the dead body into the woods)J

 

 

Do you have a particular writing habit?

 

I don’t. I write where ever I can find a corner and a scrap piece of paper. Much of The Impostor, A Love Story was written in my car in a tattered notebook while I waited in between classes. I love quiet so often write at night while the house isn’t stirring.

 

I love to be alone so I don’t feel guilty. I cannot say I have any habit because I have so many other responsibilities I have to dive in when I have a few moments. I really even used a napkin at a restaurant and eyeliner in my purse to capture a scene. 

 

 

If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?

 

My father. He wrote children’s books and so our styles are so different. He had that southern Mark Twain kinda feel. He quit his job working for the government to follow his bliss. I remember traveling around at his speaking engagements and book signings. He would always open his talks with two powerful words. “What if?”  Sometimes it gets you into trouble… I have 3 different endings for the trilogy because I will wake up in the middle of the night and my muse will haunt me with… What if…. My parents always made me feel like the world was mine to create, whether it was a story, a canvas, a photograph, a poem or a playground game.

 

Are there any new authors that have grasped your interest?

 

Many! Many! Many! I always feel guilty answering this question because I leave so many talented people out!

 

Who designed the covers?

 

I have to say that Earthly Charms (for my cover) and Benjamin  Carrancho  (for the formatting) did an amazing job capturing the essence of the books and listening to my ideas. I love the paperbacks! They are works of art.

 

Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?

 

For me, final edits are a nightmare. I have found no matter how amazing your editors are there is still something that they often miss. Little things are hell! Auto correct is my worst enemy!  Little typos hide in 360 pages! 

 

And the whole marketing aspect is a challenge. That can be a full time job in and of itself and I would rather be writing!  It cost so much money to promote books and most indie authors aren’t millionaires. We rely on word of mouth because we don’t have a big marketing firm behind us. Bloggers and Street Teams are so valuable to indie authors.  Thank you so much for what you do!  Really you have no idea how much you mean to me!

 

What are your current projects?

 

I am working on book three in the trilogy. I should have a title picked out by late spring.  Right now I call it Blood of an Angel, but I have other titles I am playing with as well. 

 

I am working on a project called Out of the Shadows.  It is a book where survivors of abuse tell their story. I would like to give hope to people trying to build the courage to break free from an abusive relationship. If any of your readers would like to be a part of this project please have them contact me.

 

I have a few spin offs of the Alaska Trilogy mapped out and a Paranormal Romance crying to be written. I have a book of poetry coming out and my story, Because of Love is in the works.  And last but not least I have a few non fictions in the making. I need more time to write. I wish I could get a cabin in the woods and disappear for awhile. 

 

Do you have any advice for other writers?

 

Trudy get out your pom poms…!  J Give me a “W”!   Give me an “R”!   Give me an “I” !   And a “T.E”!

WRITE! Plan and simple! Just do it! Find a stolen moment in the day. Pull out a napkin and an eyeliner if you have to, and scribble down the bleedings of your soul! The canvas is yours… CREATE! (And do it for you!)

 

 

You are wildly popular with the Indie crowd, what is one thing you would like to tell your fans?

 

One thing I would like to say right now is…We are in this together! I couldn’t have done it without you. Every time you share, tweet, pin, recommend my books to one of your friends, or you write me and let me know what you liked about my books…it means more then you will ever know! You are amazing!

 

Describe yourself in three words.

 

Sassy, Adventurous, Compassionate

 

I know characters are like children but if you could chose, who’s your favorite?

 

Jessica. J She was based on the daughter I escaped to Alaska with, so she has a special place in my heart. J  Although, I joke that when I meet Bradley or Dylan… I will consider getting married again!

 

Can you share a little of your current work with us?

 

I looked in book three in the trilogy, but there are so many twists that if I give away a part of the book it would ruin the experience in reading… Here is an excerpt from Obsession:

 

From Obsession and Sacrifice by Tiffany Carmouché~ 

The light danced off the snow and it sparkled almost like diamonds. I stood for a moment almost fascinated. And then it kissed me, my first snowflake, and then another. The tiny cold droplets caressed my face, one at a time decorating my eyelashes. I giggled.

        I closed my eyes and tilted my head back, leaning on the two of them, and I opened my mouth, letting the tiny cotton flakes melt onto my tongue. I opened my eyes and watched the white flakes descend on me. Learning back, I squinted. The porch light illuminated Bradley and Dylan’s silhouettes as if they were angels--almost as if I were experiencing heaven. God sent them to me. These beautiful angels, who knew me by name and appeared in my life to protect me and make everything wonderful. Maybe I had died. Maybe this was heaven.  I stared up at their images looking down at me.

“My angels.” I sighed.

“Snow angels? You want to make snow angels?” Dylan swept me off my feet and dropped me gently into the snow.

I quickly sat up. “Hey what was that for?”

“Snow angels, I thought you wanted to make a snow angel.”  

 

I want to thank you for hanging out today! Don't forget to checkout Tiffany's links below.

 

Thank you so much for having me! I really was serious, I could not do any of this without the amazing support of bloggers and readers. You are helping me realize my dream. I will forever be grateful! Live laugh ad love and escape in the pages of books!

 

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