Twentynine Palms Book Festival: Romance Books Author Panel

Twentynine Palms Book Festival

DATE: SATURDAY NOV 9th AT 2:45 PM

LOCATION: 29 PALMS COMMUNITY CENTER

6547 Freedom Way, · Twentynine Palms, CA

CHECK THE BOOK FESTIVAL AGENDA

Festival Agenda

 29 PALMS BOOK FESTIVAL 

Nov 9: EXPLORING THE DIVERSE APPEAL OF ROMANCE FICTION AMONG MODERN AUDIENCES. 

Join Jayce Carter and Ariella Moon, two distinct voices in the world of romance fiction, as they delve into the unique allure of the genre for younger generations. Jayce, known for her contemporary and paranormal romances featuring strong-willed women and the red-flag men who love them, contrasts with Ariella, whose shamanic experiences inspire magical tales of medieval Scotland and contemporary paranormal adventures. Together, they will explore what draws new audiences to their differing styles and how romance fiction continues to captivate across different worlds and narratives.

Learn More

See you there!

Ariella Moon

The Unwedding by Ally Condie: Book Review

 

Ally Condie did so many things well in The Unwedding, a Reese’s Book Club selection, that I didn’t expect to have any criticism. The short, crisp chapters and hook endings propel the reader through the story of Ellery Wainwright, who reluctantly takes a solo trip to the Broken Point resort in Big Sur, a trip she was supposed to take with her husband to celebrate their 20^th wedding anniversary.

 

That was before Luke asked Ellery for a divorce and took up with a girlfriend.

 

Condie does an excellent job of depicting a blindsided woman who had maintained hope despite mounting warning signs her marriage was beyond repair. She also perfectly captures a setting I know well: Big Sur resorts and the destructive storms that too often wipe out roads and communication in the area. In The Unwedding, a storm at Broken Point echoes the tempest within as Ellery, unmoored by her husband’s actions, also remains guilt-ridden by a past tragedy.

Isolated from her family and best friend because of the torrential rain, Ellery is alone at a resort where, compounding her heartache, a big wedding is about to begin.

 

When Ellery discovers a dead body, she thinks, not again. But as a fellow guest warns, there is never just one murder.

 

Brava to Condie for creating a page-turning mystery. She left enough clues to make the eventual reveal of a murderer feasible. But a few chapters later, when what appears to be an abrupt continuity error occurs and is followed by a lot of conjecture, I was thrown out of the story.

 

Despite its messy third act, I still recommend The Unwedding. See if you reach the same conclusion I did.

Happy reading!

Ariella Moon

 

 

Witchcraft to Wordcraft: Saturday's Writers Forum

 Happy Witchy Wednesday!

I look forward to seeing many Coachella Valley authors this Saturday, October 5, 2024, when Eduardo Santiago will interview Jayce Carter and Ariella Moon.

To learn more or to register for this free event: CLICK HERE

In the meantime, don't forget to download your FREE Kindle ebook, Spell Check, Book 1, The Teen Wytche Saga. Offer ends October 5, 2024.

Happy writing!

Ariella Moon

The Halloween I Became Radioactive

I still remember the year when Halloween loomed like a ticking clock. The heads of nuclear medicine at two hospitals had tried to convince me swallowing radioactive iodine was my only medical option.

Did I mention I am deathly allergic to iodine?   

                                                      

I purchased bags of candy in advance of becoming radioactive. We assured our neighbors I would be quarantined in the back bedroom and bathroom, far from the Kit Kats and Reese's Peanut Butter Cups.

On Halloween morning, I trailed a grim-faced head of nuclear medicine down a nearly empty hospital corridor, shuffling as though bound for the gallows. We entered a small restricted chamber. After consulting my file, which I noticed had ATTORNEY stamped in red block letters across every page, the doctor used three-foot tongs to extract a radioactive vial from a lead-lined canister.

"Swallow this."

"You first."

He was not amused.

That night, my husband (the aforementioned attorney) placed a heaping candy bowl on the front porch, then took our daughter trick-or-treating. I had a vision of a giant nuclear symbol on our front door. Others must have sensed the invisible symbol, too, because even the after-hours marauding teenagers bypassed our house.

Years later, Halloween became the ticking clock in SPELL CHECK, Book 1, The Teen Wytche Saga.

The Kindle Edition of SPELL CHECK is free October 1- 5, 2024. All four TWS novels are available in Kindle Unlimited and in paperback.

Happy reading, and happy Halloween!

~Ariella Moon

AMAZON

DOES SOMEONE IN YOUR NOVEL NEED TO DIE?

 "Mauled Men, Drowned Dames and Crispy Critters;

 a Body Disposal Primer for Writers"

Presented by Jeanne Adams for the Palm Springs Writers Guild

Thursday, September 12. 1:00 - 3:00 Pacific Standard Time

DOES SOMEONE IN YOUR NOVEL NEED TO DIE?

You’re writing your fabulous novel and, as you go on, you realize you absolutely HAVE to kill someone to make the plot work. In order to bring that hero/heroine together, or tear them apart, and tangle everyone up over wills, funerals, murder, mysterious death or serious mayhem, someone’s got to die.

Once you’ve silenced that nagging dead guy, then what? You have to do SOMETHING with the body, but what? Whether or not you want the forensics, murder, death or dis-appearance to be central to your story, there is that annoying dead guy to dispose of. Discover the pernicious particulars of body disposal and how to trip up your characters, throw them together or drive them apart with the particulars of the business of death.

To learn more or register, CLICK HERE About Jeanne Adams Jeanne Adams writes award-winning romantic suspense, paranormal and urban fantasies, as well as space adventure that’s been compared to the works of Robert Heinlein and Jack McDevitt. She’s a sought-after speaker, teaching classes on body disposal for writers, worldbuilding and collaboration, plotting for pantzers and how to write a fight scene that works! Jeanne lives in Washington, DC with her husband and two growing sons, as well as three dogs – two Labs and an Irish Water Spaniel. Don’t tell, but she’s prone to adopting more dogs when her husband isn’t looking. You can find her books on all major platforms, and connect with her on the web at: www.JeanneAdams.com I am SO looking forward to this online writing lab! Hope to see you there! To learn more or register, CLICK HERE Happy writing! Ariella Moon

I Loved Simply the Best by Susan Elizabeth Phillips

Need a mental health break? Head to the library or your favorite bookstore!

Simply the Best: A Chicago Stars Novel by Susan Elizabeth Phillips is a fun read with a colorful cast of eccentric characters, delightful dialogue, and a murder mystery with well-crafted red herrings.

 

Rory Garrett is a broke chocolatier, and a rootless failure when compared to her overachieving football star half-brother. Despite their sibling rivalry, Rory still tries to protect Clint by setting a trap to expose his avaricious girlfriend, Rory’s neighbor, Ashley.

 

Brett River, Clint’s highly successful, hyper-focused sports agent, is wary about Ashley and warns Clint she is after his money. When Ashley breaks up with Clint, the heartbroken football player blames his agent. Brett, for whom failure isn’t an option, is afraid he will lose his high-value client, especially after Brett realizes the mystery woman he hooked up with is Clint’s sister.

 

On the surface, Simply the Best is an entertaining opposites-attract romance and whodunit murder mystery. But wait for it… Susan Elizabeth Phillips has a jaw-dropping surprise waiting below the surface. Once you get it, you will happily realize she did warn you. Well played, Ms. Phillips!

 

My Writing Progress

The third book in my Two Realms Trilogy is currently with my editor.

What to write next? I am torn between writing a spin-off novella for the Two Realms, a short story for The Teen Wytche Saga, or something new! Brain overload... I may need to head back to the library to clear my head.

Happy reading!

~Ariella Moon

Book Review: Another Great Novel From A.J. Finn!

END OF STORY

By A.J. Finn

 

I loved A.J. Finn’s debut novel THE WOMAN IN THE WINDOW. Now I am ecstatic over his second novel, END OF STORY.

 

Finn is the master of mysterious protagonists, plot twists, and surprise endings. In END OF STORY, terminally ill crime novelist Sebastian Trapp invites his longtime correspondent Nicky Hunter to visit him and write his life story. Nicky hopes the reclusive author will reveal the truth about the night, twenty years ago, when Trapp’s first wife and son mysteriously vanished.

 

Finn seamlessly shifts between multiple points of views: Nicky’s, Sebastian’s, Sebastian’s daughter, and his second wife’s. San Francisco and Sebastian’s eerie manor house provide palpable backdrops to the past and present mysteries. END OF STORY kept me guessing until the end, although I did figure out a major plot twist just before it was revealed. END OF STORY is a page-turning cat-and-mouse mystery that will leave you in awe of Finn’s writing.

MY WRITING UPDATE

The third novel in my Two Realms trilogy is in the capable hands of my fabulous editor, Barbara Millman Cole. Yay! 

Haven't read the first two novels or the Two Realms companion novella? 

THE BELTANE ESCAPE, 

THE AMBER ELIXIR, and 

THE VIKING MIST can be read for free with Kindle Unlimited, or purchased in ebook or paperback. 

Happy Reading!

Ariella Moon

2 Events That Will Help You Market Your Books!

 

Upcoming Events!

Image by Survivalist Castle on Pixabay

 Author Panel on Book Marketing

June Writers Forum

June 1, 2024, 11:00 AM - Noon (Pacific Standard Time)

Mizell Center, 480 S. Sunrise Way, Palm Springs, CA 

Presented by the Palm Springs Writers Guild

What works, and what doesn't work?

Please Join authors Ariella Moon and Joanne Hardy for a panel discussion on Book Marketing moderated by Kristina Hoffman. 

Learn more or register

Image by Geralt on Pixabay

Social Media For Writers

An online Zoom class presented by Ariella Moon

and the Palm Springs Writers Guild.

June 7, 2024, 1:00 M - 3:00 PM on Zoom

• Do you need to be on all social media platforms?
• Which social media platform do your readers likely use?
• How do you balance creating content for social media with writing your book?
• What is the “must have” platform for every writer?

 In “Social Media for Writers,” Ariella Moon will answer these burning questions, plus give writers tips on blogging, using Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest, and explain how to use social media to connect with readers.

Learn more or register

An ebook $0 .99 Sale and More!

Two Realms Book Bargain 

               Amazon Kindle $0.99 Sale   Read For Free With Kindle Unlimited

Praise for The Beltane Escape

“Ms. Moon creates a magical world and a complex cast of characters that leap right off the page!” ~InD’tale Magazine, Crowned Heart for Excellence review.

 

“I want the second one, I want more of everything. More Fenella, more Wizards, more Fae, more half-Viking hotties…just more of everything! If this novel has any foreshadowing of how the rest of the series is going to be, I can’t wait!” ~Jessica, Taking It One Book at a Time

 

Writing News 

The sequel to The Beltane Escape and The Viking Mist is EPIC! The manuscript will go to my editor this weekend. In honor of this milestone, and to celebrate the Celtic festival, Beltane, I have created a kindle $.99 sale for The Beltane Escape, good through May 7, 2024 

The Beltane Escape, The Viking Mist, and The Amber Elixir, a Lady of the Lake novella, are also available in paperback, and Kindle Unlimited.

Cat Consultants 

Thank you to all who heeded my call for Cat Consultants! 

 

Muirgen, the fairy cat in The Viking Mist, returns to play a vital and sometimes humorous role in the upcoming third book in the Two Realms Trilogy. (Stay tuned for the title and cover reveals!)

 

When I first conceived Muirgen’s character, the only facts I knew about cats were:

 

1.     I am allergic to them.

2.     They will bypass a room full of cat lovers to rub against me.

 

Recently, I happily welcomed a new cat consultant team, Suze and Beanz.

 

Beanz was originally shown at the Frisky Business Palm Springs Cat Café, a coffee shop that features shelter cats to help them get adopted. But among so many cats, shy Beanz returned to the shelter, where he remained for about six weeks until he met Suze. Beanz wouldn’t leave his hiding spot for the shelter volunteer, but when Suze stuck her hand in, Beanz head butted her hand, then placed his paw on it. Suze and Beanz are now enjoying their Happily Ever After and send me article links about cat whiskers.

 

 

Photo of Beanz by Suze.

Happy reading!

Ariella

Kindle countdown ends May 7, 2024!

Random in Death Book Review

 

Random in Death

By J.D. Robb

 

My writing breaks from revising my next book in the Two Realms Trilogy have been spent reading thrillers. My latest from the library's "Hot Off the Press" table:

Random In Deathby J.D. Robb is a thrilling futuristic crime mystery. Robb expertly builds suspense and increases the stakes as Lieutenant Eve Dallas of the NYPSD pursues a serial murderer with a vendetta against women, especially sex workers.

 

Dallas, her wealthy husband Roarke, and her police team use the limited evidence, particularly the unusual murder weapon, to build a profile of the killer. As they race the clock chasing down leads, each new discovery reveals a more horrifying picture of the killer and increases the desperate need to find him before he strikes again.

 

Robb gives us a chilling, slowly revealed, and expertly fleshed out villain. The skillful plot, likable victims, and lightning pace will keep readers rooting for Lt. Dallas, Roarke, and the rest of the NYPSD. 

Don't miss my 99 cents kindle deal for The Beltane Escape May 1-May 7, 2024!

 

Or read The Beltane Escape and its sequel, The Viking Mist, for free with Kindle Unlimited. Both books are also available in paperback.

Both Books on Kindle

The Beltane Escape on Amazon

The Viking Mist on Amazon

Brandon Sanderson's Frugal Wizard: Book Review

 

Fans of Terry Pratchett’s offbeat humor and world building will enjoy Brandon Sanderson’s The Frugal Wizard’s Handbook For Surviving Medieval England.

This is the first Sanderson book I have read, and it is not linked to any of his other series. However, the fake author of the book-within-a-book, Cecil G. Bagsworth, has appeared in other Sanderson novels. (A fact I learned by reading the Postscript.)

 

Skewing towards science fiction, the novel is set in an alternate dimension of medieval England, which our totally unprepared, amnesiac hero suddenly finds himself. Sanderson cleverly embarks “Johnny” and the reader on a rollercoaster of partial memories, hopes, fears, love, and shame all while Johnny and his new friends struggle to survive Hoardamen, Vikings, gangsters from Johnny’s past, and Woden, an insecure god.

 

I appreciated the strong female characters and loved that the bizarre magic eventually made sense. Being inside John’s mind proved to be an excellent journey in self-discovery.

Manuscript Update

I have finally typed THE END on my manuscript for third book in the The Two Realms Trilogy!!!

Once I've done another read-through, revised and polished, I'll send it off to my fabulous editor, Barbara Millman Cole. Stay tuned for more updates.

Happy reading,

Ariella

AMAZON

 

A.I. For Authors: What Every Writer Should Know About A.I.

 

 

“What Every Writer Should Know About AI”

February 16, 2024

1:00 - 3:00 Pacific Standard Time 

Online zoom class for writers

$55.00 PSWG Members

$110.00 Non PSWG Members

 

 

In the rapidly developing field of artificial intelligence, authors and other creatives

may be tempted by AI’s promise of shortcuts and easy money. But using AI the wrong way can pose several risks to your publishing contracts, your copyrights, and your monetary interests.

 

·     How generative A.I. collects text, images, and other content

·     The US Copyright Office stance on A.I.

·     Legal challenges and legislative proposals concerning A.I.

·     Audible restrictions on A.I. generated audiobooks

·     Copyright restrictions on A.I. generated images used in graphic novels

·     Positive ways authors, artists, and other creatives can use A.I.

 

Award-winning author Ariella Moon will walk registrants through the current issues involving generative AI and how (and why) some authors, and several author and creator-led organizations, are fighting to protect writers’ intellectual property and copyrights in the United States and Europe. 

To learn more or to register: Palm Springs Writers Guild Event