Winter wrap up!

Ok, seriously, how is it the end of 2015? How? I could have sworn I just sat down and started planning all of the things that I was going to accomplish in 2015!

And to be honest, it went by so quickly that I feel like I worked my butt off and didn't accomplish anything. In both my personal life and my author life. I know that's not true, but whew, time needs to slooooow down just a titch so I can jump back on this treadmill and not feel like I'm going to go flying off the end all "gym blooper" style.

So come take a journey back in time with me, so I can reflect on the things I DID accomplish in 2015, and then we'll make a plan for next year.

2015 started with a bang, both good and bad. I learned that not only do I have a thyroid problem, I also have a circulatory problem which, after an ultrasound and a CT scan (with contrast. Have you ever had dye injected into your veins? It feels really weird!) I was officially diagnosed as "hypersensitive to stress". Aka, despite the best efforts of my amazing doctor and several top notch cardiologists, there is no other explanation for how I went from very serious narrowing of arteries to completely normal in 3 weeks. What can I say, I like being a challenge.

I also started a new job in January, in a completely different field than before. It was a huge adjustment, but I am still so excited that I made the switch. I think the hardest part has been figuring out the work, author work, life balance with the new schedule, which requires me working more hours and no more Summers/Christmas/Spring Break time off to work on my books. I'll get there, just be patient with me.

Angela Stevens, Lynn Strang, and me

Cascade's  Library invited me back, and I was able to meet some new (to me) authors and really enjoy spending time hanging out with them. There was a good crowd this year and it was a blast talking to people so interested in reading and publishing. While I did miss having my table to sprawl (I took the "everything but the kitchen sink" approach in 2015 lol), it really forced me to interact with the people around me instead of hiding behind my books/in my phone.



In April I was able to be at my second Battle of the Books finale along with author Valerie Muller. Our books were featured in the 2014-2015 battle and it was so much fun seeing some of the students and staff of my old school who were attending the battle. Once again, I was amazed by the knowledge the students were able to retain and impressed by the questions the judges created for The Lady of Steinbrekka.

May and June brought a new face to old favorites, as I worked with Elizabeth Sharp to re-do the Kaldalangra series covers (what, a series that looks like a series? No way!). They are absolutely gorgeous and she was fantastic to work with (as always)

That's me on the right,
ignoring the big glass
elevator high in the air

June I really stepped out of my box, when I drove (all by myself, eek!) to Nashville Tennessee to UtopiaCon 2015. It was an absolutely amazing, fantastic, eye-opening time and I am so glad that I went. It was the longest solo road trip I've taken (oh, what's that, check engine light coming on at the halfway point? yay!) and also my first really big convention. I met so many amazing authors, bloggers, and readers and can't wait to do it again in 2016.

Things slowed down a little after that, with me writing here and there, blogging here and there, and generally struggling through health issues again. It was like a little mini emotional hibernation, but like all hibernations, soon I'll emerge from the den. The ideas are still swirling around in my head, but the energy needed to get them out is tapped out. It's coming back though, day by day, ever so slowly, and when it does ...

Bring on 2016!!

Land of Kaldalangra cover reveal

It started out as one book, expanded to tell the "ever after", and then began to bring in the next generation. The Land of Kaldalangra has taken many twists and turns since it began with the publishing of The Lady of Steinbrekka back in 2012, and that now includes a full make-over!

When I started writing The Lady of Steinbrekka, I never realized that it would become a series, and the same happened with Heart of Kylassame, and Soul of Asimina. About the time I started working on the fourth book (hopefully to be out in 2016 or 2017) I realized that this wasn't going to end any time soon, and it was time for it to look like a series. 

I had such a great time working with Donna Dull of Sharp Designs (the same cover artist who did Finding Keepers) and she really did a great job of making the covers feel like a series, but still keeping pieces of the originals that I loved so much. It will also be much easier now when I release the next couple of books  (not for a little while though) to make them continue with the beautiful covers.

Presenting, the new look for The Land of Kaldalangra series!

These will be available for purchase at UtopYAcon in Nashville June 18th - 21st 2015, and are also available on Amazon.com and BarnesandNoble.com

Purchase these books through Amazon

The Lady of Steinbrekka

Heart of Kylassame

Soul of Asimina

Finding Keepers Cover Reveal!

What do you get when you combine the writing of Kristi Strong with the digital talents of Elizabeth Sharp? A brand new cover of awesomness!

Finding Keepers is Kristi Strong’s first Young Adult novel, and first non-fantasy novel.

Story Blurb:

Starting a new life is never easy, but Alyssa Doe has turned it into an art form. Abandoned by her parents at age twelve, four years in foster care has taught Alyssa how to get through life the hard way.

Now sixteen and growing desperate for a stable life, Alyssa finds herself puzzled by her newest keeper, twenty-five year old Jessica Sona. A feisty woman who does not accept no for an answer, Jessica’s insistence on safety, family, and unconditional love begin to break down Alyssa’s walls and bring her hope, a dangerous emotion.

Can such a thing as family and love exist for a girl whose birth name is Doe, or will Alyssa be forever left finding keepers?

Excerpt

“None of us stand a chance,” Alyssa mumbled as she pushed her eggs around.

Jessica looked up from her plate, but remained silent, giving Alyssa time to process her thoughts.

“The rules made sense,” Alyssa said, glancing up at Jessica, the lack of surprise on the woman’s face confirming that some of the memories had fallen from Alyssa’s lips as she relived the past, along with her reading Alyssa’s records. “I get it, especially now. The alarms were to make sure no-one snuck over to the other bedrooms, or tried to run away. A couple of the teenagers tried, because they were lonely, I guess. They didn’t even realize when Jenna did it, because she disabled the alarm, until they found the pregnancy test she stole from the pharmacy and questioned the boys ... The obsession with cleanliness and order a necessity, because with eight children in a house, things would become chaotic so quickly.”

She felt a tear trickle down her cheek and rubbed it away angrily. “But I was just fourteen. I wasn’t trying to be bad when I set off the alarm. I just had a nightmare and was so scared. They didn’t believe me though, and so they sent me away the first chance they got.”

“Do you still have nightmares?” Jessica’s voice was soft, low, her gaze on Alyssa’s hand holding the fork, the trembling causing the fork to vibrate the eggs where it rested.

Alyssa nodded. “Every night. The police car comes for me, and ... ” The words were strangled, as if her heart was pushing them out, while her head was forcing them back in. Confessions were dangerous, ammunition to use against you in group therapy, proof that you were not right in the head and needed more intensive care, institutionalized care.

“Alli,” Jessica’s hand slipped over Alyssa’s where it lay on the table, trembling like a leaf. “My door is always open, no matter if it is day or night. You don’t have to be alone in the darkness anymore. I’m here now, and forever.”


Excerpt:


The rubber swing creaked as she swung, cold twilight air rushing against Alyssa’s face as she gave Brianna time to find the words to describe her feelings. A creak sounded from the swing beside her, and she heard Brianna take a deep breath.

“I don’t know what to do, Alli.”

“About what?” Alyssa glanced at her, noticing that her friend had dug a small hole in the dirt under the swing, and now sat with her cheek pressed against the chilled metal.

She shrugged, the herringbone pattern of her thick wool coat rising and falling with the motion. “Everything. School. Friends. Life. It’s just so damn hard, and I don’t know why. Sometimes just breathing is such a struggle.”

Alyssa remained silent a moment, pushing her swing back and forth with her feet, trying to find the right words to help.

Brianna wiped away a tear and leaned back in the swing. “You know what, it’s stupid. Just pretend I didn’t say anything. Everything is fine.”

“Hey,” Alyssa gently pulled on the chain of Brianna’s swing to bring her closer. “If it has you this upset, then it’s not stupid. Definitely not nothing, which means it’s something. And you are totally not fine right now.”

“I have no right, none at all, to talk to you about life being difficult.” She gave a bitter laugh that turned into a sob and swatted at another tear that dropped from her eye. “That’s what makes it harder though. I have absolutely nothing to complain about, and yet ...”

“Bri,” Alyssa began.

“No!” she interrupted. “I know it’s true. I have two loving parents in a committed marriage, and a big house, and pets, and a room filled with clothes, and pretty much anything I ever wanted, within reason. I’ve never had to worry about having food to eat, or clothes to wear, or boys touching me without permission. It’s not like I’m rich, and going to be driving a Benz or anything, but I know that when I get my license I’ll have a car to drive and parents who will let me drive it and be able to call it my own.”

Brianna paused, and Alyssa could see the metal chain shaking from the trembling of her friend’s body. She reached out and held out her hand, palm up, in the air next to her. Brianna reached out and took it, linking her fingers with Alyssa and holding tight, as if it were a rope ready to pull her to shore.

About Kristi's Novels

While Finding Keepers is her first Contemporary Young Adult novel, she also has three books currently published in her New Adult Fantasy series, the Land of Kaldalangra.

The Lady of Steinbrekka 
(The featured fantasy book in the 2014-2015 LCPS Battle of the Books competition)

Rhea Aralia lived an uneventful life in Virginia, until the fateful night of her kidnapping. Taken to a strange realm of destruction, despair, and mysterious people with dark secrets, the young woman must learn a new way of life to survive.

With the help of her new companions, Rhea discovers the courage to defy the tyrant King Verikhan and his heir, the cleverness to deceive the court, and the power within herself to transform this world of darkness into one of beauty and hope.

Will Rhea triumph over those who seek her destruction, or will she be forever lost in the darkness known as Kaldalangra?

Heart of Kylassame

   It has been two years since the reign of the tyrannical King Verikhan has ended, and the realm of Kaldalangra flourishes.
   Nyssa has taken her place as Queen of the realm, with her secret love, Sebast, now openly at her side. She rules with a fair hand, striving for justice and prosperity for all of her people.
   Rowan and Rhea travel the realm, spreading peace and healing wherever they go. In Kylassame, they have formed a strong bond with friends and spread deep roots in the community.
   The people of Kaldalangra are joyful, and life in their world is better than ever before.
   But a string of tragedies has the ability to bring Rhea to her knees, and with her, the entire realm. While Rowan struggles to recover the village of Kylassame from a devastating crime, Rhea’s faith in her own strength weakens, with dire consequences.
   Re-enter the world of Kaldalangra, and join the adventure as Rhea and Rowan endeavor to continue upon their chosen destiny.

 Soul of Asimina

In the land of Kaldalangra, one woman stands at a crossroads 

  Sabina de Nespa has known a life of freedom and peace, thanks to the actions of her heroic parents. As a child of royalty, she has kept her intentions pure and her heart guarded, always aware that the crown of the realm may one day rest upon her brow. 

  When two strangers stumble across her path, she finds her peace shattered as dangerous family secrets begin to emerge, along with a malignant force that threatens to destroy her entire world. These men have the ability to help her rise to brilliant heights, or cause a devastating plunge into darkness. 

  It is now up to Sabina to continue her parents’ legacy of honor, courage, and strength through adversity. With the fate of Kaldalangra upon her shoulders, she has vowed to follow the path of righteousness, or die trying.

About the Author:

Fixing broken computers, wrangling a very spirited little toddler, and creating new fantasy worlds are all parts of the average day for Kristi Strong. While she has called Virginia her home for two decades, her head has rested in two countries, three states, and far too many houses to count. She was more than happy to give up her nomadic lifestyle and settle down with her husband, daughter, cat and chinchilla.

Want to learn more and connect with Kristi?

Strong Novels Blog

Strong Novels Facebook

Strong Novels Twitter

Strong Novels Email

Creative tables for an author signing, take 1!

I only have 3 more days to prepare for my time at the Cascades Library 2nd Annual Authors Fair and I'm excited and terrified and omg I'm never going to be ready! Or something like that. I've been trying to find different ways to be prepared, to be friendly, to have an awesome table, and there's actually surprisingly little out there. 

Oh sure, there are a lot of great articles on having a successful signing, which sum up to : be friendly, connect with potential readers, don't hide under the table (crap). But there isn't a whole lot out there for how to actually design a table!

Here's my table last year, and I don't think it's bad for having 5 minute set-up time and only one book out (at that time). But it's also not very exciting. It was a perfect reflection of "me" at the time, a little scared, a lot shy, not quite ready to bust into the author scene and go "Hello readers, I'm here!"

But I've grown a lot in the last 10 months, and I'm hoping this year's table can have a little more bang and pizzazz. So I've looked for inspiration from author's I look up to, people whose tables have no problem saying, "Hello readers, come discover your next favorite book!"

A table shared by the wonderful authors Andrea Heltsley and Elizabeth Sharp. I love all the book covers in the background, and the fun table accents.

Another one of Andrea's tables. Nice and orderly, with her books on beautiful display.

A table by Bethany Lopez, a great example of really standing out even if in a smaller space

This table is highting the work of Devyn Dawson and Tressa Messenger. They actually put boxes under the table cloth to get the books to go higher. *smacks head* Why did I never think of that?

The wonderful Elaine Fields Smith! I love how everything on this table ties into her books, set in the 1980's, from the cars to the 8-track tapes!

Want to just highlight one book? Lisa Collicut is a great example for this. While there is only one book being shown on this table, there is no doubt that you should go over and get it!

Screw the candy bowl. Liz Long gives her readers cupcakes! One for me, please!

Here is Sarah Ashley Jones, and how can you not want to go talk to a person with that smile and bright purple hair? Another great example of a small space set-up done well.

The first joint signing with Ashley Lavering and M.R. Polish. 

And Ashley Lavering's side of their table at UtopYA. I love the purple banner that they have and the tablecloth. So gorgeous.

There you have it, a ton of different ideas for you (and me) to use when planning author signing events! After the Cascades event and my guest speaking position at Brian Woods High School next week, it's time to collaborate with the amazing Elizabeth Sharp for our joint table at the Live Hope Believe event in August!

Supernova release

Today, as part of the release of Supernova, I've been asked to share my superhero alter ego. Now, normally that's the kind of thing one should keep under lock and key, but since Elizabeth asked so nicely, I've decided to share my secret identity.

My superhero identity would be...Adaptor! (no, I did not misspell that, it was intentional).
See, I thought about being invisible and how awesome that would be, but then you run into the problem of people running into you, or dropping things on you, or when someone shuts the door on you because they don't realize you are behind them.

So instead...I adapt, to every situation and can blend in with any crowd. No matter where something is happening, I am there, and you would never even know it.

One important part of being an Adaptor is being able to change my physical appearance at will. Whether it be jeans and a t-shirt, a business suit, or thigh-high black boots, not only will you not notice me (until I take you down, so criminals beware!) but you also won't remember me afterwords (which can be a bummer, because it's very hard to get recognized for all of your good deeds when people don't remember you).

Want more superheroes? Ones with a bit more of a story? Then be sure to check out Supernova, the newest release from Elizabeth Sharp!

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Blurb:

On Cleo’s first day at St. Aloysius Gonzaga Academy, things get pretty weird pretty fast. After being confronted by a strangely hostile boy, she meets two girls and instantly bonds with them. Before long danger threatens the entire student body, in the form of a soul eating possessor fae. When her brother is savagely beaten and left coma, the girls decide to use their fae powers to become superheroes and the possessions.

They quickly learn things are a lot more complicated than they had ever imagined. A government plot that had begun when they were infants endangers them all, and a demented former soldier bent on revenge is after them. The line between friend and foe has become so blurry, Cleo has no idea who she can trust. Will their superhero plot help them save the day, or just get them killed?

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Buy Links

Paperback   Amazon   B&N   Smashwords   

About the Author:

Elizabeth has a near crippling Facebook addiction, dwarfed only by her need for Dr. Pepper. A self-proclaimed techno geek, she loves cell phones, computers, tablets and all things technological. The internet has to be the greatest invention since wheel, in her opinion. She lives in a quiet subdivision with her husband, one-year-old son, three cats, and far too many electronics. It’s quite possible she has some raccoon in her DNA, because she loves glitter and anything sparkles. She enjoys making jewelry and costumes. Halloween is her favorite holiday since it’s the one day of the year that you can be whatever you want. But her first love will always be writing. Otherwise, hearing voices in her head would make her feel schizophrenic.

Website</ a>   Facebook   Twitter   Goodreads</ a>   Email</ a>

Kaldalangra Scavenger Hunt

Are you ready for our first party game? I am! And so are some wonderful authors and bloggers who have agreed to help give you an awesome time.

This party game is a classic scavenger hunt with a digital twist. Scattered throughout the online world are little known facts about Kaldalangra. Don't panic, the list of blogs hosting these facts can be found below  :) After you have collected all of the facts, be sure to head over to the Give-away post of my blog to see what you can win!

~ * ~ * ~

And now...your first previously unknown fact about the Land of Kaldalangra series

* All of the books received their official (aka published) titles after the book was completed. The Lady of Steinbrekka was titled, The Green Lady during the writing process, and Heart of Kylassame was called, "R&R Book"

~ * ~ * ~

Be sure to check out these other great blogs for more facts of Kaldalangra!

An Awfully Big Adventure
 Elizabeth Sharp Books
Have You Met Heather
Michelle Nicole - Share the Love
Write as Raine
Bonnie R Paulson
Amy Jones Books
Christie Rich - Book Obsession
Erin Danzer

Better Nature Release!

Better Nature Release It's finally here! It's been a year and half, but I'm so happy to finally share Better Nature with you.

Everything in Amelia Hoffman's life has led to this. An evil plot threatens to destroy humanity and the future of the human race lies in Amelia's hands. Working through the tensions between Otherworld species, torn between two men and squabbling with her siblings—all while trying to get a college degree. The pressure is a killer—literally. Does she have what it takes to save the world?

Where to buy: Amazon  B&N

Author Bio:

Elizabeth Sharp is a self-proclaimed techno geek, I live in a quiet subdivision with my husband, one-year-old son, and far too many cats. My addiction to Facebook is dwarfed only by my addiction to Dr. Pepper. She learned to read by the time she was three, thanks to her sister Theresa. Since she was always a storyteller, Elizabeth started writing as soon as she learned how.

A naturally crafty person, Elizabeth makes jewelry, sews, crochets, and crates digital art, when hse isn't chasing after a toddler. Her favorite holiday is Halloween, because it's the only day of the year you can be whatever you want to be.

You connect with Elizabeth through Facebook, Twitter or Goodreads.




Now for ways to win. check out Elizabeth's blog, where she has a Rafflecopter to win several amazing prize packs. Or follow this list of link to find and unscramble a nature quote by Albert Einstein. 

Andrea Heltsley

Christie Rich

Raine Thomas

Bethany Lopez

Kristi Strong

Erin Danzer

Elizabeth Kirke

Angela Carlie

Lisa Collicut

Dawna Raver

Morgan Wylie

If you want to learn more about The Forces of Nature, you can find all three books on Amazon.

Natural Selection ~ Book One

What do you do when you find out your family isn't your family, death is knocking at your door, and that guy you can't stop thinking about knows more about who you are than you do?

Amelia Hoffman was just a normal 15 year old until she found out the truth. Now ancient myths, supernatural beings, and murder have changed everything. Tests and school dances are no longer the biggest worry in her life-- she has to figure out how to save everyone she loves and accept the future in front of her before its too late.

Available in paperback, Kindle, Nook and other formats.

Second Nature ~ Book Two

Amelia Hoffman always knew she would be with Nathaniel Peplow forever, but after they bonded everything started to go wrong. Nate treats her like the enemy, her siblings are in danger, and an old threat grows closer. As Nate pulls away and Amelia’s burgeoning friendship with a handsome stranger blossoms, she worries she made the biggest mistake of her life. If sorting out her love life wasn’t enough, a new drug emerges that not only threatens the ones she loves, but seems to be part of something larger than she could ever imagine. Amelia’s new and old friends must work together to not only save themselves, but the whole world.

 Available in paperback, Kindle, Nook, and other formats

Better Nature ~ Book Three

 Everything in Amelia Hoffman's life has led to this. An evil plot threatens to destroy humanity and the future of the human race lies in Amelia's hands. Working through the tensions between Otherworld species, torn between two men and squabbling with her siblings—all while trying to get a college degree. The pressure is a killer—literally. Does she have what it takes to save the world?

Available in paperback, Kindle, Nook, and other formats to come.