Author Interview and Giveaway with Carrie Butler featuring Strength (Mark of Nexus #1)

Guys, it's day four of the YA Crossover to NA event that I'm hosting all month long, and so far it's been pretty incredible! I'm excited to share all of these fantastic New Adult novels with you, as well as introduce you to some new and exciting author's. Today, I am joined by Carrie Butler who is the author of the scintillating and edgey new paranormal romance novel, Strength. This is such a dark, compelling, and intriguing read. I would definitely suggest adding this illusive gem to your collection.

For those of you who might have missed out on yesterday's awesome interview with the incredible Alycia Linwood, click the link above and it'll take you right to the post.

Now, how about I entice you a little bit more and share with you, some insight into this amazingly new and exciting world of paranormal romance that Carrie Butler has so creatively come up with?!

Strength (Mark of Nexus #1)
By Carrie Butler

Published: February 12, 2013

Publisher: Sapphire Star Publishing

Pages: 398

Age Demographic: New Adult Paranormal

When college student Rena Collins finds herself nose-to-chest with the campus outcast, her rumor-laced notions are shattered. Handsome, considerate, and seemingly sane, Wallace Blake doesn’t look like he spends his nights alone, screaming and banging on the walls of his dorm room. Hell, he doesn’t look like he spends his nights alone, period.

Too curious for her own good, Rena vows to uncover the truth behind Wallace’s madman reputation--and how two seconds of contact had left her with bruises. Of course, there are a few setbacks along the way: guilt, admiration, feelings of the warm and fuzzy variety…

Not to mention the unwanted attention of Wallace's powerful, supernaturally-gifted family.

They’re a bloodline divided by opposing ideals, two soon-to-be warring factions that live in secret among us. When Rena ends up caught in their crossfire, Wallace has no choice but to save her by using his powers. Now they’re really in trouble. With war on the horizon and Rena’s life in the balance, he needs to put some distance between them. But Rena won’t let go. If fighting is what it takes to prove her own strength and keep Wallace in her life, then that’s what she’ll do--even if it means risking a whole lot more than her heart.

To Purchase the Thoughtless Series visit: 

Amazon & Barnes&Noble

Watch the Trailer


A Insightful Interview With
Carrie Butler

Many people have their own thoughts as to what New Adult is or whether it should even be a genre of its own, what do you think New Adult is and do you think it has a place in the world of marketing books that appeal to mature young adults who are on the cusp of adulthood?

I like to think of New Adult fiction (NA) as a category that encompasses the transition between adolescence and adulthood. Protagonists typically fall between the ages of eighteen and twenty-six, and they are often portrayed experiencing: college, living away from home for the first time, military deployment, apprenticeships, a first steady job, a first serious relationship, etc.

(Other terms for NA include: Upper YA, Crossover Fiction, and Mature YA.)

As for NA having a place in the world of marketing books, I would say absolutely. This resurgence was a grassroots effort led by word of mouth. There's definitely a market out there, and for some, it's proving to be quite lucrative.

What is the most challenging aspect of writing New Adult?

Overcoming industry stigma. I wrote NA-type stories for four blissfully-ignorant years before I decided to pursue a writing career. By that point, the category had already been denounced by most agents and publishers. They said they couldn't sell novels with "college-aged" characters.

Obviously, that didn't sit well with me. In May of 2012, I helped found NA Alley—a site that has since become known as an informational hub for the category. Now, instead of dealing with industry professionals who dismiss the notion of NA, we get to field media misconceptions. Fun stuff, I tell you!

There have been some pretty disparaging remarks made recently in light of the New Adult genre, I've even heard it referred to as "YA with more sex" and I was wondering what your thoughts might be on pushing the limits of the stereotyping that New Adult has fallen prey to?

I think the only way to combat misinformation is to provide an equal (or greater) amount of accurate information. Whenever the opportunity arises, I make it a point to emphasize that NA works like any other category—it doesn't have to include sex at all. Dozens of genres fall under the NA umbrella, i.e. NA horror, NA thriller, NA sweet romance, NA fantasy, NA science fiction, etc. The sensationalist notion that NA is "YA with more sex" is inaccurate.

Describe yourself in three words.

Animated, determined, and persistent.

What inspired you to want to be a writer?

Oh, this one is easy. It was equal parts job market and persistent muse. ;)

In three words or less, can you describe sexy swoon-worthy Wallace?

Tortured, intense, and conflicted.

What were the ups and downs of writing Strength? The likes and the dislikes?

I had a great time writing Strength—unaware of industry politics, free from pressure and deadlines. It was fun. The less-than-desirable moments came afterward: rejection, people scoffing at NA, me second-guessing myself, etc.

This career is an emotional rollercoaster, and there are always going to be highs and lows. The important thing is that I keep moving forward, learning as I go. If I had stayed down after those rejections, I never would have experienced the high of getting a book deal!

Was there anything in particular that inspired you to write this novel? If so, what was it?

For years, I'd been toying with the idea of a unique, supernatural race. (Okay, three races.) One night, for whatever reason, I couldn't stop thinking about the concept of balance. I started jotting down notes while listening to music, and "All I Know" (the 2005 Five for Fighting cover) came on. The lyrics sparked something, and the next thing I knew, the romance element had fallen into place.

Do you plan on writing anymore books featuring the characters from Strength, will this become a series?

Yes, Strength (Mark of Nexus #1) is part of a proposed series. I'd also love to do a few novellas that focus on secondary characters, like Cole.

What do you hope to accomplish with your writing?

I just want to give readers an interesting world to escape to for a while. :)

Are there any must-have's or cravings that you absolutely cannot live without, while writing?

H2O! Is that boring? LOL

In Tweet-Style (140 character's or less), can you tell us what your novel is about?

When Rena falls for the campus outcast, she provokes supernatural warfare that puts a whole lot more than her heart at risk. (124 characters.)


SOUL BLAST

Ebook or Hardcopy/Paper? Ebook
Night or Day? Night
Chaotic or Organized? Organized
White or Dark Chocolate? Dark
Tea or Coffee? Tea
Black, White, or Gray? Black
Dog or Cat? Dog
The Walking Dead or The Hunger Games? The Hunger Games
Downton Abbey or Doctor Who? Doctor Who


If you had a spirit animal (can symbolize certain aspects or quality of your personality, skills, traits, or emotion), what do you think it would be and why?

Would it be cheating if I Googled "spirit animal" and took a quiz? Because apparently I'm a wolf—protective, loyal, and passionate!

Is there anything else that you would like to mention?

May I take this opportunity to thank you? I really enjoyed stopping by A Soul Unsung today! :)

Carrie has been sweet enough to offer a e-copy of Strength (Mark of Nexus #1) to one lucky winner. Just fill out the Rafflecopter below to enter the giveaway. Good luck! :)

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Website | Twitter |Facebook

Carrie daydreamed her way through college—until they thrust a marketing degree into her hands, slapped a summa cum laude seal on the corner, and booted her out into a less-than-stellar job market. Instead of panicking at the prospect of unemployment, she used her Midwestern logic to steer into the skid and point her life in the direction she really wanted to go: writing out those daydreams.

Author Interview & Giveaway with Alycia Linwood featuring Element Preserver's Series

Guys! I'm incredibly excited and super exhilirated to have the amazingly fun and talented Alycia Linwood on the blog today, talking about her New Adult paranormal series, Elemental Preserver's. This is such a super fantastic series that I discovered a few months back and I couldn't help but gobble up the first book in this captivating series, Dangerous. Plus, the fact that it's free for those who have a Kindle on Amazon.

So, for those of you who might want to check it out and see what this totally awesome series has in store for you, you don't have to pay anything for the first book. Just check it out on Amazon and give it a shot. Guys! This is paranormal New Adult, not contemporary romance. I think it's definitely worth a shot! I'm just sayin'...but, don't mind my lunacy over such a compelling series. Hahaha.

For those of you who might have missed out on yesterday's awesome interview with the incredible S.C. Stephens, click the link and it'll take you right to the post.

Now, how about I entice you a little bit more and share with you, some insight into this wow-worthy paranormal world that Alycia Linwood has so creatively come up with?! Don't ya wanna know, come on...you know you do! Come to the dark side of NA...we have cookies! (Possibly Darth Vader shaped! lol.)

Element Preserver's Series
Dangerous, Runaway, Divided, No One, & Restless
By Alycia Linwood

Publisher: Self Published

Age Demographic: New Adult Paranormal

In Dangerous, Ria is an 18-year-old girl who has just started going to the University of Magic, a special university for those who have one of the four elements: fire, water, air and earth. There she meets Michael, a boy whose element is different from hers, which makes their romantic involvement seem impossible because mixing of elements can have horrible consequences. She also feels threatened by Adrian, a very dangerous magic disease carrier. Magic disease, which surged as a result of bad mixing of elements, turns people into cold-hearted killers, who have a strong desire to take someone's element as they do not have their own. Ria's best friend, Paula, is fascinated by Adrian like most of the girls at the University and wants him to help her with her research about the disease. All Ria's beliefs are put to test when she starts having the symptoms of the disease and the only person she can turn to is Adrian.

Following Dangerous in Runaway, surprised by Adrian's sudden disappearance, Ria is determined to find him, even if that means she has to trust her brother and go to her father's party. However, soon she realizes that her father, as the president of the newly founded Element Preservers Organization, plays a big role in the future of not only magic disease carriers, but also everyone with an element. As the secrets surrounding the magic disease and elements are revealed, Ria doesn't know who she can trust. But when an ex-lover turns into an enemy and a tragic accident changes everything, you can't just run away.

Moving along with Divided, after spending some time on her own, Ria thinks she is ready to meet Oliver's group of magic disease carriers and find out what her brother really wants. But when her father reveals the secret that affects the whole world, she will have to make a series of decisions that could change her life forever.

And in No One a novella told from Adrian's pov, aware that Ria's condition is getting worse, Adrian is determined to do whatever it takes so he can touch her again without weakening her, and the only ones who might be able to help him are his greatest enemies. Haunted by the memories, he has to get the information he needs without putting his live in danger, but that is easier said than done... Especially if there is no one you can trust.

Restless the forth novel in the Elemental Preserver's series, will be released in June of 2013.

To Purchase the Element Preserver's Series visit: 

Amazon & Barnes&Noble

A Fun-tastic Interview With
Alycia Linwood

What inspired you to want to write for the New Adult genre, versus writing for either YA or Adult in general? Were there any authors or books that might have you lured you into this genre?


Actually, when I started writing my first book, I didn't really care about the genre. I only wanted to tell a story that I couldn't get out of my mind. It turned out that the book was Mature YA or New Adult. At the time that I wrote the book, I didn't even know New Adult existed since it wasn't popular as it is now. I decided to write about characters who go to college/university mainly because all the books I read were set in high school and I wanted my characters to deal with different situations.

What is the most challenging aspect of writing New Adult?


The most challenging right now seems to be figuring out what exactly New Adult is and how to explore its possibilities.

What was the first New Adult novel that you read and what did you find so inspiring about it?


I've read some books that could be classified as New Adult but that are marketed as YA, so I'm not quite sure which one was the first.

If you could go back in time and tell the "young writer" in yourself anything, what would it be and why?

Probably to start writing sooner and actually finish a story or two. When I was younger, I used to start many stories, but I rarely finished them. I'd certainly have more books written and less ideas flying around in my head now. Or maybe not. I have way too many book ideas.


If you could pick any character from your book(s) to be your favorite, who would it be and why? Which character was the most fun or was there a character that sort of resembles who you are as an individual?


Can a mother choose her favorite child? I can't, and I feel like I'm the mother of my characters since I created them. I always have a lot of fun when I write from Ria's perspective (the protagonist of Element Preservers) because she's my opposite in many things and she sometimes drives me crazy, especially when she goes shopping and spends hours searching for a perfect outfit. I could never go shopping with her without losing my mind.

What was the most interesting thing you discovered while writing the Element Preservers series?


I discovered that I can actually write a series! When I finished the first draft of Dangerous, it was a standalone book, not a series. But then I realized the book couldn't end where it did because I had so much more to tell.


Dangerous is available for free on Amazon right now. If you had to one chance only to encourage people to read this book, what would you say to them to convince them this is a book they should be reading?



If you like books with a bit of magic, romance and action, Dangerous is the right book for you.

Did you have a favorite character while writing this series? If so, who was it and why?


As I already mentioned, I don't really have favorites since I've created all of my characters and there is always something I love about them.

Was it difficult to write for one character, than it was for another?


I always find it easier to write for characters that are different from me because I love to put myself in their position and see how they think. When a character has a lot in common with me I'm always afraid that they won't have their own personalities but be a projection of me and my own beliefs. That's why I have to be very careful when I write that type of characters.

Where do you draw your inspiration from, in terms of creating the world for the Element Preservers, the characters, and the plot?


It would be easier to find what doesn't inspire me. I mostly find inspiration in music, music videos, everyday life, TV shows and books. The world of the Element Preservers has a lot in common with our world, so the inspiration for creating it came mostly from everyday life. I love to use fantasy worlds and characters to comment on or twist certain aspects of our world.

Adrian or Michael? Who would you choose?


Neither. :D

Do you plan on writing any more for the Element Preserver's series, can we expect a novella or something in between some of the books featuring some of the other character's or are you finished with it?


I'm working on the next book in the series and I already have a novella, No One, which is written from Adrian's point of view and it follows the events after book 3 and before book 4.

It is so awesome to see that there is more to the New Adult category/genre, than contemporary romance with steamy smoldering scenes. How do you hope to see this category/genre, expand and grow?


I really hope it will expand and that there will be New Adult books of various genres. Even though contemporary romances with steamy scenes are the most popular, New Adult is much more than that and I hope other books will get their deserved attention.

Are there any cliche's or tropes that you feel are overused in YA or New Adult novels that you've come across?


There are certainly cliches and tropes that are overused in YA and New Adult, but that isn't necessarily a bad thing. I love certain tropes and I could devour any book with them, so if authors started to avoid them just because it has been used in almost every book, I'd be really unhappy. It's very easy to add a twist to a cliche and turn it into something amazing.

Is there anything new, in the way of novels, that you may have in the works?


I've started another New Adult Paranormal Romance series and a Post-Apocalyptic New Adult or something like that. Sometimes it's impossibly hard to categorize a novel since it could belong to more genres, but we'll see. If I had time to turn all of my ideas into books, I'd have thousands of books. The biggest problem is how to decide what to write and what to let go.

SOUL BLAST

Ebook or Hardcopy/Paper? Ebook.
Night or Day? Night.
Chaotic or Organized? Chaotically organized.
White or Dark Chocolate? Dark Chocolate.
Tea or Coffee? Neither. I'm probably the only person in the world who dislikes both coffee and tea.
Black, White, or Gray? Black.
Dog or Cat? Dog.
The Walking Dead or The Hunger Games? The Hunger Games.
Downton Abbey or Doctor Who? Don't know. Never watched any of it.

If you had a spirit animal (can symbolize certain aspects or quality of your personality, skills, traits, or emotion), what do you think it would be and why?


A horse. I don't know why. Probably because wild horses are free, they can run anywhere they want and jump over any obstacles.

Is there anything else that you would like to mention?


Never give up on your dreams, and happy reading!

Alycia has been sweet enough to offer a digital giveaway bundle of the rest of the available books in the Elemental Preserver's series to one lucky winner. Since Dangerous is available for free on Amazon, if you are the lucky winner you will be receiving a digital copy of Runaway, Divided, and the novella No One that is from Adrian's point of view. Trust me, you guys are gonna LOVE that for sure! :)

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Alycia Linwood is the author of the Element Preservers series (Dangerous, Runaway, Divided, No One, Restless - coming out June 2013) and Human. She's a big fan of paranormal romance, urban fantasy, dystopian and young adult fiction. Writing is her biggest passion, closely followed by reading and listening to music.

#08 Wishful Wednesday Featuring: Where the Stars Still Shine by Trish Doller

Wishful Wednesday was inspired by Waiting on Wednesday and Desperately Wanting Wednesday by Breaking The Spine and Parajunkee.

Wishful Wesnesday is my own little version of "Waiting On Wednesday". Every two weeks or so, I'll pick a topic or genre and list a few upcoming books (or book) that I'm anticipating the release for. This week, that book is going to be Where the Stars Still Shine by the super fiece and amazingly talented Trish Doller. I just finished reading her debut novel New Adult novel, Something Like Normal and absolutely fell in love with her writing. She is definitely on my auto-buy list, for sure! So, stay tuned into the blog, because there will be a review for Something Like Normal, as well as an interview with Trish Doller and giveaway coming to the blog June 25th (as part of my YA Crossover to NA event) that you don't want to miss out on!

Where the Stars Still Shine by Kasie West
Expected Publication: September 24, 2013
Publisher: Bloomsbury USA Childrens
Age Demographic: YA/NA Contemporary
Pages: 216

Stolen as a child from her large and loving family, and on the run with her mom for more than ten years, Callie has only the barest idea of what normal life might be like. She's never had a home, never gone to school, and has gotten most of her meals from laundromat vending machines. Her dreams are haunted by memories she’d like to forget completely. But when Callie’s mom is finally arrested for kidnapping her, and Callie’s real dad whisks her back to what would have been her life, in a small town in Florida, Callie must find a way to leave the past behind. She must learn to be part of a family. And she must believe that love--even with someone who seems an improbable choice--is more than just a possibility.

Trish Doller writes incredibly real teens, and this searing story of love, betrayal, and how not to lose your mind will resonate with readers who want their stories gritty and utterly true.

TO PURCHASE A COPY OF WHERE THE STARS STILL SHINE BY TRISH DOLLER visit:
Amazon | Barnes&Noble | Book Depository

Blog | Twitter & Goodreads

I've been a writer as long as I've been able to write, but I didn't make a conscious decision to "be" a writer until fairly recently. For that you should probably be thankful.

I was born in Germany, grew up in Ohio, went to college at Ohio State University, got married to someone really great, bounced from Maine to Michigan and back to Ohio for awhile. Now I live in Florida with my two mostly grown kids, two dogs, and a pirate. For real.

I've worked as a morning radio personality, a newspaper reporter, and spent all my summers in college working at an amusement park. There I gained valuable life skills, including counting money really fast, directing traffic, jumping off a moving train, and making cheese-on-a-stick. Also, I can still welcome you to Frontier Town. Ask me sometime.

These days I work as a bookseller at a Very Big Bookstore. And I write.

Have a WoW or Desperately Wanting Wednesday list?! Share the link with me in the comments below and I'll come check it out.

Author Interview with New Adult Author S.C. Stephens featuring the Thoughtless Series

Hi Guys! So far we've had an awesome kick-off to this fantastic event, with an interview from Hilary Weisman Graham and a totally awesome giveaway for a copy of her book, Reunited. If you somehow missed out on that like fun light contemporary reads, then click the link above and it'll take you to where both the interview and the giveaway are on the blog.

Today, we're going to keep the fun alive and going with a fun and interesting interview with S.C. Stephens featuring her awesome New Adult series Thoughtless. So, stay tuned if you're interested in that. It's one of the many great New Adult contemporary series that I've come across and I would definitely recommend you giving it a try.

Thoughtless Series
Thoughtless, Effortless, & Reckless
By S.C. Stephens

Published: 06/11/11, 01/08/13 & 03/05/13

Publisher: Self Pub&Gallery Books

Age Demographic: NA Contemporary

Pages: 530, 487, & 544

In Thoughtless, for almost two years now, Kiera's boyfriend, Denny, has been everything she's ever wanted: loving, tender and endlessly devoted to her. When they head off to a new city to start their lives together, Denny at his dream job and Kiera at a top-notch university, everything seems perfect. Then an unforeseen obligation forces the happy couple apart.

Feeling lonely, confused, and in need of comfort, Kiera turns to an unexpected source—a local rock star named Kellan Kyle. At first, he's purely a friend that she can lean on, but as her loneliness grows, so does their relationship. And then one night everything changes...and none of them will ever be the same.

Following Thoughtless in Effortless, after being caught in the middle of a love triangle which led to a devastating betrayal, Kiera pledged to learn from the mistakes she’d made. She was determined to never again inflict that kind of pain on anyone, especially the soulful, talented man who held her heart. But life offers new challenges for every relationship, and when Kiera’s love is put to the ultimate test, will it survive? Love is easy . . . trust is hard.

And finally in Reckless, the question is can love survive when life gets Reckless?

When the band hits it big, Kiera and Kellan must ask themselves: Can their love for each other survive the constant pressures of superstardom? The friendships they've formed, the new family they've found, and the history they've forged will all play a part in helping them navigate the turbulent waters of the band's exploding popularity. A greedy executive hell-bent on success, a declining pop star looking for an edge, and a media circus that twists lies into truths are just some of the obstacles the lovers will have to overcome if they are going to remain together. Fame comes with a price-but will it cost Kiera and Kellan everything?

To Purchase the Thoughtless Series visit: 

Amazon & Barnes&Noble

An Eye-Opening Interview With
S.C. Stephens

Was there any other career choice that you might of chosen to work in, if you weren't a writer? If so, what would it be?


I worked in an office as a bookkeeper before I started writing full time, and I really liked that. I’d go back to doing that if I needed to.

Writer's block, every great or aspiring author has had to deal with this at some point in their writing career, is there any tips or techniques that you use to help you with this? If so, could you share them?


I listen to a lot of music, try and find time to do nothing but daydream, and switch stories. If something isn’t working for me, I’m okay with shelving it for a while and trying to find a spark with something new. Switching POVs is sometimes helpful as well. It opens up the potential for new storylines.

Was there anything in particular that inspired you to write the Thoughtless series?


It all started around a daydream that I couldn’t get out of head. I went home after work and typed out the entire scene, then I started wondering how the characters got there, and I worked my way back to the beginning of the story. It was a lot of fun!

If you had to choose between Denny and Kellan, which one would you choose to be your book boyfriend and why?


Book boyfriend? Kellan, definitely. Actual boyfriend? Hmm, I might choose Denny in that case. As much as I love Kellan with all of my heart, I don’t think I could handle dating a rock star. But, then again, I do love going to concerts…

What was the most difficult thing you encountered while writing the Thoughtless series?


I wrote it out of order, and things continuously changed on me as the characters and plotlines developed. I ended up doing a lot of rewriting, which was frustrating.

Do you prefer love triangles or soulmates, when it comes to writing?


Love triangles are fun to write because of the level of angst involved. I’m a sucker for soulmates though too. I’ve written about both, and have had a lot of fun with both.

What or whom inspired you to become a writer?


I’ve always had the desire to write. It’s something that has been in the back of my head for as long as I can remember. I guess I was just waiting for a good story to tell!

Is there anything new, in the way of novels, that you may have in the works?


I wrote several stories a few years ago that I’ll be publishing in the near future. In the fall I’ll be releasing my Conversion series.

SOUL BLAST

Ebook or Hardcopy/Paper? Ebooks are nice, but I still prefer paper.

Night or Day? Depends on what I’m doing. I can be a night owl or an early riser.

Chaotic or Organized? Organized! I get stressed when things are too chaotic.

White or Dark Chocolate? White chocolate. Mmmm…

Tea or Coffee? Coffee, all the way.

Black, White, or Gray? Hmmm, probably black.

Dog or Cat? Goldfish? Anything that doesn’t require a lot of maintenance. :)

The Walking Dead or The Hunger Games? The Walking Dead

Downton Abbey or Doctor Who? Doctor Who


If you had a spirit animal (can symbolize certain aspects or quality of your personality, skills, traits, or emotion), what do you think it would be and why?


I think it would be a bear. Kind of a loner, a little grouchy, protective of its young, and likes to sleep for long periods of time. Yep. That’s a lot like me.

Is there anything else that you would like to mention?


I want to thank all the readers and bloggers for loving my story and sharing it with others. You guys are amazing!!

Website | Twitter Facebook

S.C. Stephens is an independent author who enjoys spending every free moment she has creating stories that are packed with emotion and heavy on romance.

Her first attempt at a full-length novel was Thoughtless. She wrote the angst-filled love triangle in early 2009 and published it that summer on FictionPress. Amazed and surprised by the response, more stories were quick to follow.

In addition to writing, Stephens enjoys reading other people’s fabulous novels, loading up her iPod with writer’s block reducing music, heading out to the movie theaters, and spending quality time with her children.