FOLLOW FEST '14

Welcome! Follow Fest is a blog hop for the purpose of connecting authors. Writing is one career choice that does not put you at the top of the social sphere. It's difficult because most of the time we are closeted off to ourselves in our caves. Most of us are shy, introvert, book addicts (or is that just me) so this connecting is so important.

Today is the last day of the hop. You can still sign up here!

Name:

Angelica Steward – but I write under Dawn Brazil

Fiction or nonfiction? 

Fiction

What genres do you write?

Urban fantasy, paranormal romance, science fiction

Are you published?

Yes, I self-published my first book, Finding Me, in April of this year.

Do you do anything in addition to writing?

I love to cook and have talked seriously with my hubby about opening a Bed and Breakfast when our children are grown and out of the house. In addition to cooking, I love to read (of course) but I mean, I really like to read. I also love watching movies and eating York Peppermint patties.

A little about me….

I’m married and have three teenage kids that I adore – sometimes. I have a huge crush on Superman and will get into the silliest arguments with people who don’t think he’s as awesome as I think he is. I like to pretend that I’m Wonder Woman (when I was a kid, I’d bend wire hangers to make her head piece and put on a leotard and prance around the house). I’m from Michigan but not live in Texas…yeah, it was a huge adjustment at first just dealing with the weather. I would love to travel but haven’t had an opportunity except when I was in the military…but that so does not count for travel…IJS 

What are you reading right now?

I just finished reading a novel today, Ice Country by David Estes. It is the sixth book in the Dweller series. And is an awesome example of world-building and character depth/arch. I am finishing up Bloodlust by Nicole Zoltack, she’s an awesome writer of fantasy. And I just started The New Mrs. Collins by Quanie Miller.

Which authors influenced you the most?

Every author I read influences me in some way; even those books that I did not enjoy influence me as a writer. But if I had to narrow it down, Stephen King was Everything when I was a kid. I read his books in droves – still love him to this day.

Where can people connect with you?

Blog

Dawn Brazil’s Brilliant Babbles about Books

Twitter- @DawnBrazil

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AuthorDawnBrazil?ref=hl

Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8049152.Dawn_Brazil

Pinterest -  http://www.pinterest.com/brazildawn/

Amazon -  http://www.amazon.com/Dawn-Brazil/e/B00JBWGE08/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1411712500&sr=1-2-ent

Smashwords - https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/dawnbrazil

Wattpad - http://www.wattpad.com/user/AngelicaBrazilStewar

Do you have a newsletter?

Not yet, but I know I need one.

Is there anything else you’d like us to know?

Yes, I believe in supporting other authors. I’ll participate in cover reveals, blog tours, and even review books for other authors (when time permits). I’m a busy lady but I can’t keep a book outta my hands. I have a preference for fantasy and science fiction but will read most anything with great characters. I had an aversion to romance for years but I’ve started to evolve. I’ve even read Nicholas Sparks and you can’t get any more romantic than him.

 

Have a great day. Read a book and laugh!

Cover Reveal: The Test of Time by Nicole Zoltack

Hi, everyone! This is Nicole Zoltack. I've written a bunch of romances, a lot in the speculative realm, and finally wrote a time travel romance: THE TEST OF TIME. And I adore the cover. It's beautiful. Wanna see it? Sure you do!

 

 

I could not be happier with it. What do you think of it?

 

BLURB: Katia jumps at the chance to go to England with her best friend after Rose ditches her deadbeat boyfriend. While walking through the market, she spies a large mansion and recognizes the guy out front as her high school friend Tony. Just as they start to reconnect, Katia passes through times and lands in the arms of Lord Landon, who looks like Tony but certainly doesn’t act like him.

Soon, Katia learns that this 1815 is different from the one in history books. Trapped in a parallel world, Katia struggles to not fall for Landon but his charm proves too much for her. Just when she is about to confess her love for him, Katia travels through time yet again.

The course of love never did run smooth and if Katia can’t figure out and master the test of time, she’ll never see or friends again, or worse, never be reunited with Landon.

 

So I'm sure you're dying to know the release date and luckily it's not that far away! THE TEST OF TIME releases September 9th! Be sure to grab it on the 9th! :D

 

Add it on Goodreads!

 

 

BIO: Nicole Zoltack loves to write in many genres, especially romance, whether fantasy, paranormal, or regency. When she’s not writing about knights, superheroes, or zombies, she loves to spend time with her loving husband and three energetic young boys. She enjoys riding horses (pretending they’re unicorns, of course!) and going to the PA Renaissance Faire, dressed in garb. She’ll also read anything she can get her hands on. Her current favorite TV show is The Walking Dead. To learn more about Nicole and her writing, visit http://NicoleZoltack.blogspot.com.

HELLO...

Yeah, I know...it's been a while. I've been busy writing the sequel to Finding Me, titled, Enlighten Me. I'm having a ball writing it but between writing, the kids, the hubby, and the day job, well the blog has taken a sorta back seat.


Of course, I haven't been just writing. I've always got a book tucked away so I can feed my reading addiction. So instead of boring you with the mundane details of my everyday life, I thought I'd share some of  my newest loves.

What I'm currently reading: 

Bloodlust by Nicole Zoltack

This is the first book I've read by Nicole and I'm enjoying it so far! I'll write a full review when I'm finished.


Ice Country (The Country Saga) by David Estes

This is book 2 in the Country Saga series but also book 5 in the Dweller Series. And I freaking love these books. David is a genius at world building. One day I'm going to beg him to do a guest post on world building on the blog.

What's next on my TBR list:

Water and Storm Country (The Country Saga) by David Estes
This is book 3 in the Country Saga and book 6 in the Dweller series.


The Earth Dwellers (The Dweller Series)
This is the last book in the Dweller/Country Saga Series. I'll be sad to end the series...I might even cry.


Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover
I purchased this book at a book signing and can't wait to dig in to it. I've read other books by Colleen and they pack a strong emotional punch.

Best book I've read this year:

Fire Country by David Estes
There are so many great things that must combine for me to say that I absolutely love a book. I like a lot of book. I hug myself and daydream about all my book boyfriends. I gush to my friends, who couldn't care less, about a great book I read recently. But this book is addictive. This book is different. This book has set a new standard for me.  This was a fun, romantic, adventurous, read. I loved every minute of this reading experience. I found myself speaking the strange Fire Country language in my everyday speech. I highly recommend this book to anyone that wants a story that is original.






What have you read recently?




Have a great day. Read a book and laugh!

Ready. Set. Write!

Welcome to Ready. Set. WRITE! If you’re wondering what RSW is all about, it’s a summer long writing intensive with the purpose of writing, revising, planning, and keeping each other accountable. We will be sharing our goals on Mondays, keeping our posts BRIEF (2-3 lines per heading) so we can spend more time on writing and less time on blogging. You can sign up at any of the host blogs (Alison‘s,Katy‘s, Erin‘s, Jaime’s) every Monday. And don’t forget to hop around to encourage other participants. For more info about RSW and a link to their super fun buttons, go here.

 

 How I did on last week’s goals

 

 Not great. I wrote about 8.5K but I did pull out my WIP for V.O.L.T and I added an ending to it. I was so excited that I did my happy dance in front of other people. I won't be doing that again any time soon...

 

 My goal(s) for this week

 

Write 10K on current WIP, Enlighten Me. Start to edit other WIP, The Awakening or V.O.L.T.

 

 

A favorite line from my story OR one word/phrase that sums up what I wrote/revised

 

 

My one word sum up of the week's writing: Revelations

  

 

 

The biggest challenge I faced this week (ex. finding time to write)

 

 

Balance... again. It was my youngest daughter's b-day weekend so she had a sleep-over...mother's of tweens you understand.

  

 Something I love about my WIP

 

 

The geekery. Yes, I love being a geek and my story reflects this. I love super-heroes and super villains.

 

READY. SET. WRITE!

Welcome to Ready. Set. WRITE! If you’re wondering what RSW is all about, it’s a summer long writing intensive with the purpose of writing, revising, planning, and keeping each other accountable. We will be sharing our goals on Mondays, keeping our posts BRIEF (2-3 lines per heading) so we can spend more time on writing and less time on blogging. You can sign up at any of the host blogs (Alison‘s,Katy‘s, Erin‘s, Jaime’s) every Monday. And don’t forget to hop around to encourage other participants. For more info about RSW and a link to their super fun buttons, go here.

 

 How I did on last week’s goals

I wrote about 5k - not my goal. I had planned on at least 10k. But work, the kids, my husband's broke foot all took me away...

My goal(s) for this week

 

Write 10K on current WIP, Enlighten Me. Start to edit other WIP, The Awakening.

 

 

A favorite line from my story OR one word/phrase that sums up what I wrote/revised

 

 

With a sideways glance at my tingling arm, the same slimy green color skated up my left hand. It wrapped itself around my wrist, twisted itself past my elbow… Shit, I’m turning into the Incredible Hulk.

 

The biggest challenge I faced this week (ex. finding time to write)

 

 

Balance...it's always balance. The "juggle" is real people.

 

 

 Something I love about my WIP

 

 

The raw emotion...and humor. Who knew I could be funny and serious?

 

New Release Alert: Second Daughter by Susan Kaye Quinn

NEW RELEASE

Second Daughter (The Dharian Affairs #2) Assassins, skyships, and royal intrigue... Kindle, Kobo, AllRomance Second Daughter is the second book in The Dharian Affairs trilogy (Third Daughter, Second Daughter, First Daughter). This steampunk-goes-to-Bollywood (Bollypunk!) romance takes place in an east-Indian-flavored alternate world filled with skyships, assassins, royal romance and intrigue.

Reviews of the first book, Third Daughter:

"The author fuses carriages, steam trains, airships and clockwork with the rich eastern culture that underlies Bollywood storytelling..." - Cherie Reich

"The political intrigue, the steampunk gadgets, and the beautiful costumes kept me in wonderment." - Tony Benson

“Third Daughter is vividly breathtaking. Quinn delivers royal intrigue, exotic locations, and sweeping romance. Not to be missed!” - Pavarti Tyler, author of Shadow on the Wall

ON SALE - 99cents until 7/21 Third Daughter (The Dharian Affairs #1)

Kindle, Nook, Kobo, iTunes, AllRomance (also available in print) The Third Daughter of the Queen wants her birthday to arrive so she'll be free to marry for love, but rumors of a new flying weapon may force her to accept a barbarian prince's proposal for a peace-brokering marriage. Desperate to marry the charming courtesan she loves, Aniri agrees to the prince's proposal as a subterfuge in order to spy on him, find the weapon, and hopefully avoid both war and an arranged marriage to a man she does not love.

NEW

Both books now have a map!

Download the map free here

Speedy Tweets to Share: NEW RELEASE: Second Daughter (Dharian Affairs #2) Assassins, skyships, royal intrigue #steampunk #fantasy #romance http://bit.ly/SDAmazon WIN Gift Card and PAPERBACK Third Daughter (Dharian Affairs #1) #steampunk #fantasy #romance http://www.susankayequinn.com Skyships, saber duels, royal romance: Third Daughter (Dharian Affairs#1) ON SALE 99cents http://bit.ly/ThirdDAmaz

Thank you so much for helping me get this book out in the world! Win paperback copy of Third Daughter  $10 Amazon Gift Card

check out the gorgeous formatting of the print book!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

FINDING ME, THE MOVIE AND A GIVEAWAY

Today is release day for Finding Her and I thought I'd share something that is crucial to my writing process: Discovering what my MC's look like. It's scary and exciting. And oh so fun! It's a movie in my head.

So it's not actually being turned into a movie. I wish...I think. It's just in my head. But I love to put a face to my characters while I write them. I spend hours going over pictures. I scour magazines, watch movies, and have my kids help with suggestions.

Meet the cast of my fictional movie:

This is Christopher "Chris" Thomas (Alex Pettyfer)....MC for Finding Her which releases today and Chloe's leading man in Finding Me

This is Chloe "CC" Carmichael (Nina Dobrev)...MC for Finding Me and fierce New York native.

In honor of my release today, I'm hosting a giveaway. There's an Amazon gift card ($50), a copy of Finding Me and a copy of Finding Her up for grabs. There will be three winners.

You can purchase your copy of Finding Her here and Finding Me here today!

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/6b6bfe1/" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway

WHAT'S HAPPENIN'

I absolutely love my job: writing. Unfortunately, its not my only one. Those other jobs pull me in so many different directions. I guess, what I'm trying to say is, sorry for being away for so long. I've been busy, writing, working, parenting...

My oldest daughter graduated from High School. YAY!!!! We went on an awesome vacation right after. And during this time, I did no writing. No marketing. No blog posts...LOL and no relaxing. Well, just a little. But the kids kept us on our toes - well, on my feet because I'm too big a girl to be on my toes.

While I've been away, there's been some exciting movement in the writerly world:

1.  Kelly Hashway's The Monster Within, released today. I'm really excited about this book. Already on my TBR.

2. Lauren Stewart released Unseen. Another must read book. And my TBR is overflowing...but truthfully, it always is.

3. And I'm releasing my novella, Finding Her on Saturday, 6/21.

Go check out these awesome books, add them to your TBR on Goodreads, and purchase them on Amazon.

Short and Sweet

So sorry, I've been neglecting the blog. I've been super busy...writing. And living. I have a daughter graduating high school and a son moving up to high school. And both of their birthdays are in May, too. Yikes! And if you have teenagers you know how they can be...

I'm finished with the first draft of my novella, Finding Her. Its a companion novella to Finding Her, told from Chris's POV. I've also added it to Goodreads so please add this to your TBR list.

I thought I'd give everyone a little teaser:

Her lips were so soft. I could suck on them all night.

But there were other parts of her body I wanted to explore. I lifted my head and placed it in the crook of her neck. Then I ran my tongue slowly down the side. She moaned and arched her back off the mattress. I smiled into the fold of her skin knowing I was responsible for her pleasure.

I traced my kisses back up her neck and held my lips dangerously close to her mouth. Our eyes locked. A small gasp escaped from her lips. She blew my mind. She was walking perfection. And she’s mine.

 She reached behind me and tangled her delicate hands into my hair. With a light tug she pressed our lips back together. And we fell back into each other completely - lips and tongues colliding.

She pushed me back, panting. “Chris. I miss you so much. I really need you to find me. I’m lost. I’m alone. Please.” Heavy tears flowed from her brown eyes.  She threw her hands to her face.

My stomach flipped. “Amanda. I’m here. What are you talking about? I’m right here.” I tried to pry her hands away but she refused. Finally, she spread her fingers apart so I could see only a sliver of her face. Then she slowly peeled both her hands away.

“See that’s the problem. I’m not Amanda.”

I sat up so fast I nearly knocked the large print of New York that covered the wall behind my bed on top of my head. My heart beat like a trapped guerrilla in my chest. I inhaled three deep breaths to calm myself.

It didn’t work.

Cover Reveal – Curse of the Granville Fortune by Kelly Hashway and

Welcome to the Cover Reveal for

Curse of the Granville Fortune by Kelly Hashway

presented by Month9Books!

Be sure to enter the giveaway found at the end of the post!

Find the fortune, break the curse!

The hunt is on for an ancient treasure tied to nine-year-old J.B.'s family history. He's been having visions that make him sweaty, lightheaded, and certain he’s turning into some kind of freak—or worse, going insane. But things are worse than he imagined. The visions stem from a family curse. An ancient ancestor was accused of stealing the massive Granville fortune, and now J.B.’s entire family will suffer.

To break the curse, J.B. must find and return the Granville’s stolen property. But he's not the only one searching for the treasure. As he sets out on his journey through a dark and foreboding forest, he'll battle his worst fears and fight terrifying creatures along the way. And when he meets two others who share the missing pieces of his visions and suffer from the same curse, the three soon realize they need to work together to break the curse before it's too late.

Reading is a thing of magic. It has allowed me to enter into worlds I never would have known. I’ve cried, laughed, and been scared right alongside my favorite characters. And my hope is that one day kids will do the same for my characters. I want kids to see that reading is one of the greatest gifts. Luckily, my daughter already agrees with me!

Connect with the Author: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Complete the Rafflecopter below for a chance to win!

(Winners will receive their book on release day)

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