411 on Books, Authors & Publishing

EXCITING NEWS – HOT OFF THE PRESSES! 

This is one of the best parts of being an author…the buzz just before the release of your latest book, marking the end of all the hard work of writing, editing and publishing it and then being filled with anticipation to see how readers will like the book while you celebrate the dates just before and just after that book becomes fully published and available for sale.  With sincerest congratulations to KateMarie for her 2nd book release, it is my pleasure and honor to share the following information with you, dear reader, so you too can join in the celebration!

Available first on the Solstice publishing website on 5/15/13 – you can book mark this page and then search for the book on the 15th or check back for an updated link once the site updates on that day: http://store.solsticepublishing.com/

Make sure you also check out her first book here: http://store.solsticepublishing.com/daughter-of-hauk/

I had the pleasure of reading the first one and reviewing it, check out my review here: Daughter of Hauk Book Review, and KateMarie was kind enough to give us an interview too and you can learn more about this wonderful author:  KateMarie Collins Author Interview on Talk Radio with NO Radio

I also used my investigation skills and found out how you can get her autograph!  How cool, I know I like having an author’s autograph in my collection…here ya go:   www.authorgraph.com and search for KateMarie Collins. Then, you can request an autograph and it’ll go straight to your Kindle!

How can you connect with this author?

Twitter:  @DaughterHauk

FB:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/KateMarie-Collins/217255151699492

Blog:  http://www.katemariecollins.wordpress.com

Here’s a quick blurb about the new book, Mark of the Successor and its followed by the actual Prologue from the book.  I hope you enjoy and will visit the other sites listed, stop by and say hello to this author, I know she’d love to hear from you!

Dominated and controlled by an abusive mother, Lily does what she can to enjoy fleeting moments of normality. When a break from school only provides the opportunity for more abuse at home, the sudden appearance of a stranger turns her world even bleaker.  Disappearing without a trace, he has left a lingering fear in Lily. His parting words to her mother, “Have her ready to travel tomorrow,” is something her mind refuses to accept.

Running away is the only answer. But before Lily can execute her plan, a shimmering portal appears in her room. Along with two strangers who promise to help keep her safe. With time running out, she accepts their offer for escape and accompanies them into a brand new world. A world in which she is the kidnapped daughter of a Queen, and the heir to the throne of Tiadar.

Can she find her own strength to overcome both an abusive past and avoid those who would use her as a means to power?

Prologue

“But why do I have ta go, Mama?” Tears streamed down Lily’s cheeks.

Mama bent down, enfolding her in a tight embrace. “It not my choice, Lily. Them folk down the road, the ones that keep tryin’ to talk us into going to church with them, they did call important folk. Them think they knows more than I do.”

“No one knows more than you do, Mama!” Lily pulled back a little, wiping at the tears with the back of her hand.

“You just remember that, Lily, when them teachers tell you something different!” Mama straightened up. “Now, you go down to the end of the driveway. There goin’ to be someone come pick you up. You be brave, now. I be here when you come back.”

Lily knew better than to try and kick up rocks or dirt on the walk to the main road. Mama didn’t like that. She got mad at the delivery man one day, even got the shotgun down when he drove too fast. Told him to go slow and stop making the dust kick up or she’d shoot him.

The end of the drive loomed ahead. A small wooden shed with a bench, open on one side, shone bright in the morning sun. It was newly built, the yellow pine still had the fresh cut look to it. The folk down the road must’ve built it.

Lily waited next to it, not knowing what it was for.

A low rumble reached her ears, slowly growing in volume. Lily quickly checked her raven black hair, making sure it was arranged in the way Mama liked. Mama didn’t like the back of her neck showing for some reason. If anyone else saw it, Lily would go to hell, Mama told her.

A strange thing came rolling down the road. It was huge! Lily’s green eyes bulged in terror as it lumbered toward her. It was yellow, with bright glowing eyes below a dark forehead. Or was that a mouth? Black smoke bellowed from behind, reeking like sulfur and coal. She swallowed hard as the great beast pulled up, screeching to a halt in front of her.

A door opened at the side. Lily glanced up, and saw a long row of windows revealing other young folk trapped inside. A set of black stairs led up. A man sat at the top of them. He was looking at her, expectantly. One huge hand rested on a large black wheel. The other held the handle of some shiny device. Mama said the reason men had such big hands was so they could hit girls harder when they didn’t obey their Mamas.

“C’mon, sweetheart. I haven’t got all morning. Got more kids to pick up.” The man’s deep voice made her shiver.

Lily took a deep breath and slowly mounted the steps. The creature was full of seats. Lots of other kids stared at her like she was a freak. She stopped, panic rising in her.

“Find a seat, sweetheart. I can’t move until you do.” The voice made her jump.

Remembering what Mama had said about making men happy or they beat you, she slid into the closest empty seat. The black material felt hot.

The creature lurched as it moved forward, making her slam into the back of the seat.