TRS YA Release Party Giveaway Winners!

Congratulations to TRS YA Release Party Giveaway Winners

Charlene, Anna, and Cassandra

You've each won an ebook copy of Spell Check, Book 1: The Teen Wytche Saga

Thanks for attending the Release Party for Spell Struck, Book 2: The Teen Wytche Saga

Happy reading!

Wendy Knight's Fate on Fire

Please help us celebrate our first cover reveal; Wendy Knight's Fate on Fire novella, Feudlings in Sight! Available Thursday on Astraea Press, Amazon, and all other major ebook retailers!

Blurb: Boys of war suck at romance. Charity Delyle has lived in the shadow of her Prodigy cousin and his powerful Guard since the day she was born. And she doesn’t mind—really. Except that being in Hunter’s shadow means that he can’t see her. And she’d like that to change. Hunter has one purpose in life: Protect the Prodigy, or die trying. That means a social life, school, and even Charity come last until the war is over. For the most part, he’s okay with that—he can lose everything if he has to…except his seer. Starting at a new school should be much safer than living in a war-ravaged Carules headquarters. But this new school is different than the others. Friendships are forged and destinies are questioned, and Hunter’s decision could cost them all everything they’ve been hoping for.

 Excerpt:
“Okay, do you want to practice the ones we learned last week or just start new ones?” She had carefully color-coded the spell book with sticky tabs — spells they had mastered, spells they had practiced, spells that would come in handy one day — she was very organized. And if the Council ever found out she put sticky tabs in a book that was over three hundred years old, they would kill her completely dead.

 “Learn as much as you can, Shane. Gonna be hard to find a place to practice in the mountains of Utah, surrounded by Normals.” Hunter idly traced spells in the air, letting them fizzle and die without igniting them.

 “Well, alright.” Charity flipped to the red section — spells that would come in handy one day. She started at the top. “This one is called an Al-able.” The odd word rolled awkwardly off her tongue. “It’s like… it looks like it’s sort of a flat triangle of flames.”

 Hunter and Shane both walked over, studying the spell in the book before tracing it slowly into the air. The spell wouldn’t actually ignite until they lit it with the flames roiling through their blood, but they both wanted to make sure they could do it correctly so as not to explode them all to pieces or something.

 “No, no, Hunter. Less harsh lines. Softer.” Charity glanced down at the page and then up at Hunter’s disaster of an attempt. Sighing she laid the book on the metal next to her and pushed herself to her feet. She took Hunter’s hand, trying hard to ignore the way her own blood seemed to explode into flames. There’s no magic there, she told herself harshly.

“Like this.” She led his hand through the spell until the air smoked and the image burned in front of them. She looked up, got caught in his gold eyes. He watched her, an unreadable look on his face. It made her heart stutter in her chest. Before he could say anything she dropped his hand. “Now try it on your own. I can’t do everything for you, you know.” Charity grinned playfully, dodging out of the way as he tried to push her over. She rescued the book from the twisted metal and perched, watching them expectantly.

“Go. Do something.” Shane rolled his eyes. “Give the girl a book and she’s suddenly the boss.” He moved away several feet so he wouldn’t accidentally ignite her. He’d done it before, and Charity didn’t relish the idea of it happening again.

BIO: Wendy Knight was born and raised in Utah by a wonderful family who spoiled her rotten because she was the baby. Now she spends her time driving her husband crazy with her many eccentricities (no water after five, terror when faced with a live phone call, etcetera, etcetera). She also enjoys chasing her three adorable kids, playing tennis, watching football, reading, and hiking. Camping is also big: her family is slowly working toward a goal of seeing all the National Parks in the U.S. You can usually find her with at least one Pepsi nearby, wearing ridiculously high heels for whatever the occasion may be. And if everything works out just right, she will also be writing.

 Twitter: @wjk8099 Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AuthorWendyKnight Blog: www.writethroughthenoise.blogspot.com Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7009940.Wendy_Knight a Rafflecopter giveaway

My Magical Muse

Every writer needs a muse.
I had a muse. A great muse.
Then I lost her. Sort of.

To discover what went wrong with my muse, check out my guest article at Elaine Cantrell's lovely blog.
http://elainepcantrell.blogspot.com

Elaine believes in Hope. Dreams. Life...Love.

Release Party Ebook Giveaway!

Spell Struck, Book 2: The Teen Wytche Saga, is featured on The Romance Studio's YA only Release Party today. To introduce new readers to the series, I will be giving away three copies of the first book in the series, Spell Check.

The party lasts until midnight (EDT). To enter the giveaway contest click here: http://trsparties.com

See you at the party!

~Ariella Moon

Love's Refrain: The Latest from Patricia Kiyono

Blurb: Lady Laura Montgomery would much rather spend her summer at the family estate, but instead she must act as her stepsister's chaperone for the London season. She takes solace in her poetry books and in her love of music. They're all she has to comfort her as she once again faces the one man who stole her heart ten years ago. Andrew Bradford, Earl of Covington, needs an heir, but he's not looking for love. His mother has made her selection, but he can't help being drawn to the girl's chaperone. Can he hope to make a match based on more than beauty and suitability? Bio: Love's Refrain is Patricia Kiyono's seventh release with Astraea Press. During her first career, she taught elementary music, computer classes, elementary classrooms, and junior high social studies. She now teaches music education at the university level. She lives in southwest Michigan with her husband, not far from her children and grandchildren. Current interests, aside from writing, include sewing, crocheting, scrapbooking, and music. A love of travel and an interest in faraway people inspires her to create stories about different cultures. Excerpt: Andrew had just settled back in his chair when the most beautiful music floated through the open window. At first, he thought it was his imagination. But the uplifting of his soul was not imagined. The smile on his face was real, as was the voice he heard. Quiet at first, as if the singer tried to hide it, the smooth soprano melody was barely discernible. But gradually, the singer gained confidence, and the volume grew, to Andrew’s delight. The song was one familiar to him — a Scottish air his nanny had sung to him when he was small — and he absently hummed the melody along with the singer. He leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes. Suddenly, the weight of his worries drained away. The dull ache in his forehead eased, and he breathed more easily. Who was the mystery singer? The voice was cultured and had the maturity of a woman but without the force of one trained for the stage. Still, the music was pleasing to his ears… and to his world-weary soul. He settled back to enjoy the performance. But as soon as it had begun, the singing stopped. An undistinguishable voice called out a command, the singer responded, and footsteps receded away from him. And as the volume of her footsteps decreased, so did his state of euphoria. Silently, he thanked the singer for providing a welcome respite from his daily drudgery. It had been a pleasant interlude, but now it was time to return to his life and responsibilities. With a rueful twist of his mouth, he sorted through the day’s correspondence. Author links: Patricia Kiyono can be found at her WEBSITE |BLOG | FACEBOOK | TWITTER Purchase Links: ASTRAEA PRESS | AMAZON |

Leading a Magical Life

You know you're leading a magical life when:

• You're the only one to see the dragon peeking out from behind a waterfall.
• You're asked to exorcise an entity while touring Wales.
• Jewelry catapults off you whenever the spirit of your mischievous stepfather visits.

Did I mention I'm a shaman as well as an author? To read more about "Leading a Magical Life," please visit me today on J.F. Jenkins' blog:

http://adragonslove.blogspot.com

And since dragons are on my mind this morning, here's a photo of one I took at a secret fairy pool in Wales. It's to the right of the fairy falls.

Make every day magical.
~Ariella Moon

Literary Agents, Writing Contests, and My Path to Publication

Writers, have you ever wondered:

• Do I need an agent? 
• How do I get one?
• Can writing contests help my career?

I answer these questions and discuss my path to publication as guest host today on the blog of Christi Corbett, best-selling author of Along the Way Home. Please stop by and join us!

http://christicorbett.wordpress.com

Christi Corbett

Along the Way Home

Lynn Spangler Puts Spell Struck in the Spotlight

Today's To Do list today:

DO: Finish writing Book 3: The Teen Wytche Saga.

DON'T: Finish eating the brownie I bought at Aspen Mills Bakery. (I know I still have 2 pounds to lose, but the bakery is next to my eye doctor, and I had lost my prescription sunglasses. I live in the desert where you can't last a day without sunglasses. So I was sort of forced into buying the brownie.)

I'm sure you understand.

Lynn Spangler

Lynn Spangler

Lynn Spangler

I hope Lynn Spangler's blog is on your To Do list today.


The author of Whiskey Whispers of the Past (intriguing title!) and Love Flourishes, features Spell Struck, Book 2: The Teen Wytche Saga, on her blog today. Please stop by and tell her "hi."
http://lynnspangler.blogspot.com/2013/07/in-spotlightariella-moon.html?m=1

E.A. West Spotlights Spell Struck

E.A.West, author of Battlefield of the Heart, an intriguing romance that delves into post traumatic stress syndrome, showcases Spell Struck, Book 2: The Teen Wytche Saga, on her blog today.
http://wp.me/pXkX5-iH 

Bea's Book Nook Features Spell Struck

Her blog is just as cozy as its name implies. Check out Bea's Book Nook to read the latest on upcoming fiction, including Spell Struck, Book 1: The Teen Wytche Saga.

http://www.bloglovin.com/frame?blog=3015549&group=0&frame_type=b&link=aHR0cDovL2JlYXNib29rbm9vay5ibG9nc3BvdC5jb20v&frame=1&click=0&user=0

Sophie Turner a Spell Check Lookalike?

As emails from cover artist Amanda Matthews reached me in Wales, I watched with delight as the cover art for Spell Check, Book 1: The Teen Wytche Saga unfolded. Amanda's depiction of Evie O'Reilly, my teen protagonist, was quite different from my own mental image of Evie. But the face on the cover of Spell Check reminded me of someone. I just couldn't figure out who.

Distracted by fairy forests, grand manor homes, and royal palaces that appeared to have sprung from the sea, I never did solve the mystery. Back home in southern California, my attention was split between the nation's largest wildfire raging a few miles from my home, and the release of my second Young Adult novel, Spell Struck, Book 2: The Teen Wytche Saga. 

An email from a close friend finally solved the mystery. Marhya wrote asking me if I had noticed the keen resemblance between the girl on the Spell Check cover and Sophie Turner, the actress who plays Sansa Stark on Game of Thrones.

There are other photos that do a much better job of highlighting the resemblance, but I went with this one because it was free to reproduce under Creative Commons. But those of you who watch the show, will agree Marhya was right. Perhaps Sophie Turner modeled before she landed the series.

What do you think? Lookalike, or no?
~Ariella Moon

Lisa Orchard Hosts Ariella Moon

Lisa Orchard, author of the The Super Spies series for teens and tweens, spotlights Spell Struck, Book 2: The Teen Wytche Saga, on her blog today. Hmm...spies and witches. Lisa, maybe we should collaborate!

Lisa has a wonderful site. Hope you'll stop by!

http://lisaorchard.wordpress.com/2013/07/22/ariella-moon-introduces-her-new-release-to-us/

July's Full Moon

Blessing Moon

Monday, July 22, 2013

Moon enters Aquarius at 2:07 p.m., Eastern Daylight Time

World cultures named each month’s full moon as a way to track the passing year. July’s harvests and storms gave rise to many names: Blessing Moon, Thunder Moon, Hay Moon, Full Buck Moon, Mead Moon, and Ripe Corn Moon.

The July moon is a good time to reflect upon the blessings in your life and to see the magic in all you have accomplished.

~Ariella Moon 

God is Dog Spelled Backward..

For awhile, when you pulled up Spell Struck on Barnes and Noble's Nook Books site, it was shown with Michael Ellerbe's book, Dog is God Spelled Backward. Now, the link shows Spell Struck and Spell Check, Books 1 & 2: The Teen Wytche Saga. 

Good news for me, but Miss Gracie is quite unhappy. Perhaps this morning's monsoon severed her spell link. Hmmm...

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/Spell-Struck-by-Ariella-Moon?store=ebook&keyword=Spell+Struck+by+Ariella+Moon

Mountain Fire Reaches 25% Containment

Clouds shrouded the San Jacinto mountains this morning, fostering hope that rain would help stem the Mountain Fire. By late afternoon the clouds had burned off, revealing much smaller plumes of smoke and no flames on the Palm Springs side of the range.

As the sun set earlier this evening, planes continued to fly over the fire dropping orange fire retardant. 3500 fire fighter battle the blaze. Today's favorable weather helped them reach 25% containment. Rain likely tomorrow.

Feeling safer. Back to work writing book 3 of Teen Wytche Saga.
~Ariella Moon

Amy Mullen Spotlights Spell Struck

Amy Mullen, New York author of A Stormy Knight, features Spell Struck on her blog today. Hope you'll stop by! I love to hear from readers, so comment if you'd like.




Amy and I share a publisher, Astraea Press, and the fabulous Amanda Matthews designed both of our covers.

Thank you Amy!
~Ariella Moon

Mountain Fire Spreads

Mountain Fire, Day 5

The nation's top priority fire rages a scant few miles away. Today was the first day ash and soot didn't rain down upon my home, and breathing was a little easier. Winds are strong and fickle in these parts. They, the steep and rugged terrain, and the triple digit heat that remains in the 80s overnight, make this fire difficult to contain. 

On the best of days, desert residents stay indoors to avoid the summer heat. After sunset, heat still radiates around me. A neighbor watching the blaze on the sidewalk beside me says, "It's too hot out here. I'm sweating. I'm going inside." I can't imagine how the firefighters manage with their 45 pounds of gear, working in the belly of the dragon.

Like all the residents in the towns and cities threatened by the fire, I am grateful for the brave, hard-working men and women - 3,000 strong - fighting the blaze. Stay safe and good luck. 

~Ariella Moon

Jennifer Rae Gravely Spotlights Spell Struck

Big thanks to author Jennifer Rae Gravely (Knight of the Dead), for spotlighting Spell Struck on her beautiful blog today! Hope you'll stop by and leave a comment.
http://jenniferraegravely.blogspot.com

~Ariella Moon

10 Fun Facts About Ariella Moon

Earlier this week, 50 Astraea Press authors, including me, participated in a marathon Facebook Fan Fest. One of the highlights for me was reading each author's 10 Fun Facts. In case you missed it, here are mine:

                                         
                                                      Photo by Charlie Stinchcomb

Little Known Facts

1.     I’m tiny. Bigger than Tinkerbelle. Taller than the Seven Dwarves. But eye-to-eye with middle school students.

2.     I’m allergic to cats. So, of course, they adore me.

3.     I won a national essay contest in the 6^th grade.

4.     I know a teacup Chihuahua named Nano and a Dachshund named Elphaba.

5.     I once worked a J.K. Rowling book signing. She was very nice. J

6.     I used to kidnap my daughter from school (okay, I’d lie and say she had an “appointment”) so we could see the first showing of the Harry Potter movie.

7.     I grew up on Moon Drive.

8.      I’m a shaman and an author, so chances are, if you need me, I’m in another realm.

9.     I once worked as a psychic on a police case.

10.  If you ask me to do math, I will cry.

~Ariella Moon

Spell Check and Spell Struck, Books 1 & 2, The Teen Wytche Saga

Astraea Press

http://www.astraeapress.com/#!/~/product/category=662245&id=25881125

Amazon

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=Spell+Struck+by+Ariella+Moon&rh=n%3A283155%2Ck%3ASpell+Struck+by+Ariella+Moon

Barnes and Noble

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/Spell-Struck-by-Ariella-Moon?store=ebook&keyword=Spell+Struck+by+Ariella+Moon

Spell Struck, Book 2: The Teen Wytche Saga Releases Today

What if the one person who saw through your lies and loved you, harbored a secret that could cost you everything?

Of course my internet crashed on Spell Struck's release day, and the huge wildfire near my home continues to spew ash everywhere. Cars send up billowing clouds of the stuff, like Pig Pen in the old Charlie Brown comics. 

Despite these complications, Spell Struck, Book 2: The Teen Wytche Saga, released as planned. Yay! Here's a little bit about it:

Spell Struck, Book 2: The Teen Wytche Saga

Goth outcast, Salem Miller, believes her love spell failed until Aidan Cooper arrives at Jefferson High. When he chooses her over the popular girls, Salem knows magic brought him. But can she summon enough wizardry to save her sister? Salem fears Amy’s next suicide attempt will succeed. Magic brought Aidan. Maybe it can cure Amy. Salem’s last hope lies hidden within a damaged grimoire, nearly destroyed by a wrongful love spell. Was her rightful love spell enough to restore it?

Newest Jefferson High transplant, Aidan Cooper, doesn't expect to be attracted to a goth. Then he realizes Salem is throwing a glamour—pretending to be something she’s not. Guess it takes one to know one, since his whole life has been a lie. But if his kidnappers discover he's broken their No Attachments rule, he'll never see Salem again. Worse, he’s terrified they’ll harm her when they discover she possesses the ancient grimoire. To protect Salem, Aidan must destroy the grimoire, and escape his captors.

While Salem races to unlock the Get Well Spell, Aidan scrambles to overcome his past. With their star-crossed paths at odds, will time run out for both of them?

Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=Spell+Struck+by+Ariella+Moon&rh=n%3A283155%2Ck%3ASpell+Struck+by+Ariella+Moon

Spell Check, Book 1: The Teen Wytche Saga

Two girls, One guy, and a Spell Book. What could possibly go wrong?

Spell Check has a fabulous new cover! At Astraea Press and Amazon, the e-book version of is on sale for 99 cents! I'm sure Barnes and Noble will soon follow. The sale is limited. In case you are new to the series, here's a bit about Spell Check:

Ever since Evie’s photojournalist dad died, paralyzing fear prevents her from picking up a camera. If Evie can’t pull it together soon, she’ll lose her position as Yearbook Photo Editor and suffer academic failure. Even worse, Evie will lose Jordan, her secret crush, if she can’t stop her supposed friend, Parvani, from casting a love spell on him. Despite a falling out, Evie never forgot Jordan. Now they are lab partners, and the chemistry between them definitely sparks. Soon the moon will be in the optimum phase for magic. Parvani possesses a brimstone-hissing spell book. To save Jordan, Evie must join forces with Salem, the school Goth. The clock is ticking. Can Evie get her mojo back in time to check this spell?

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=Spell+check+by+Ariella+Moon