Real Girls Don't Rust

Some of you may remember, quite some time ago I announced that my short story, Seeing Red, had been picked up to be part of a YA steampunk anthology called Real Girls Don't Rust. Well, the press that originally planned to publish it closed their doors. Fortunately, the editor for the anthology was able to pitch it to her new publisher, Spencer Hill Press.

SHP picked it up and it is scheduled to release September 17th! (Which is also my husband's birthday, so there will be lots of celebrating in the Schieffelbein house.) The best part is Real Girls Don't Rust will now be available as an ebook and in print!

Real Girls Don't Rust is a Steampunk anthology of seven short stories ranging

from reimagined folk tales to unique alternate histories.

 

 

I am really looking forward to the release of Real Girls. I can't wait to read the stories from the other six authors. (Especially the one that inspired that super cute cover!)

 

My story, Seeing Red, is a retelling of Little Red Riding Hood. But in my version Rose is one tough cookie, and has little to fear from the big, bad wolf. ;)

Back when I thought this was going to be ebook only, I bought some really cool Little Red Riding Hood postcards to give away with an ecopy. But now I'll be giving away the postcards and an actual print copy of the book. :) And probably a critique, too. So stay tuned. :)

 

You can add Real Girls Don't Rust to your TBR list on Goodreads,

and it's available for preorder on Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

 

Have a great weekend everyone!

Lizzy Charles on Inspiration and Minnesota

Hey Lizzy! Since you're from Minnesota like me, I want to hear more about where the book was set. I know you used some real MN locations. Can you tell us about them?
 

Oh, I love this question! As a Minnesota native, I’m so proud of my state. I couldn’t help but incorporate three of my favorite places into the novel.

 

The main location that Justin and Lucy explore in the novel is the James J. Hill House. The house is my favorite historic location in St. Paul.

 

James J. Hill was the builder of the Great Northern Railway. Needless to say, he was loaded. The mansion is gorgeous and available for tours. My first tour was in second grade and I had one of those life experiences that I’ll never forget!

 

During the tour, they showed us the seamstresses room. There was a photo of the seamstress that held my attention through the tour guides entire shpiel about the seamstresses responsibilities. The lady in the picture drew me in. She looked so intelligent, deligent, and kind. Later on the tour, in the kitchen, the tour guide shared that they no longer have any of James J. Hill silverware and do not know where it had gone.

 

Fast forward to me climbing off the bus and having the great surprise of my grandparents waiting at home. I told my grandma all about the tour. She listened intently as I told her about the seamstress. For some reason, I thought she was so cool (she played with the kids a lot.) My grandma laughed. The seamstress was her cousin!

 

WE WERE RELATED!

 

And that silverware?

 

Given to the seamstress by James. J. Hill himself. So it’s in our family somewhere! How cool!

 

After that, I was a goner. I fell in love with the mansion. I’ve gone on many tours and it will always be one of my favorite places in the Twin Cities.

 

Another location in the novel is W.A. Frost & Company, a stand-out restaurant in St. Paul. I’ve had a few summer dates on their patio with my high school boyfriend (now my husband.) It’s delicious but a bit on the pricey side, especially for a high school and college student budget. But for a special treat, totally worth it (Hint. If you plan to visit and you are on a budget, go in the summer when you can eat on the patio. The patio food is much cheaper than the kitchen menu… and just as good. Get their calamari. Yum!)

 

Lucy stops at Nina’s Café, across the stress from W.A. Frost. Nina’s is one of my favorite coffee shops. I actually wrote a good chunk of my novel there on a few afternoons. It’s a great environment, wonderful staff, and good eats. I can’t comment on their coffee, because I’m not a coffee drinker. But I’d definitely check it out.

(Lizzy had another photo for this but unfortunately I couldn't get it on here for love or money.)

 

Your cover is beautiful, how did it feel to see it for the first time?

 

The first time I saw the completed cover, I was in awe. It was exactly what I had imagined, despite the fact we chose the cover prior to me sending in my requests! It was gorgeous and unique. I love that the girl is walking away at twilight and it fits perfectly in with the last chapter EFFORTLESS WITH YOU.

 

What's the most recent book you read where you fell in love with the leading man?

 

Friday Night Alibi by Cassie Mae. I loved how fun Chase was. All the teasing, games, and flavored kisses. Lovely! Also, I have to say, the novella I read prior to that had a totally swoon worthy leading guy too! (*cough* *cough* Lance from SECONDARY CHARACTERS! Such an amazing, talented author wrote that one!).

Aw gee. *blushes* Thanks! I'm so glad you liked it!

 

In Effortless with You, Lucy gets a summer job painting houses.  So, some random questions, what color is your house? What's your favorite color? Have you ever been in a paint (or paintball) fight?

 

My house is poop brown. Seriously. I don’t get to choose my house color because I live in a townhome association. The board holds the fate of my house color in their hands every five years, when they decide what route to take for repainting.

 

My favorite color? Blue! J

 

I’ve NEVER been in a paintball fight. But I have shot my brother in the neck with paintballs, to help him try to pull off a hickey as a paintball bruise. J How’s that for sibling love?

 

Rachel! Thank you so much for the lovely interview. It was so much fun!!!

 

 

 

Thanks for joining us, Lizzy! It was great having you here!

 

You can find Effortless with You on Amazon and Barnes and Noble. And don't forget to add it on Goodreads!

 

Super Awesome Cover Reveal: SWITCHED

It's cover reveal day for Cassie Mae's newest book, SWITCHED! The cover is gorgeous. The book is amazing. (That's right. I've read it. Be jealous.) ;)

Cassie Mae redefines the New Adult genre with a novel that answers the eternal question: What do you do when you’re head-over-heels for your best friend’s guy?

Ever since high school, Kayla has been crazy for gorgeous football player Talon. But before she could muster the courage to tell him, he became a hot item with her beautiful BFF, Reagan. The only person who knows Kayla’s secret is Wesley, Talon’s best bud—and he’s got it bad for Reagan. Now they’re all in college together, hanging out 24/7. For Kayla, seeing the two lovebirds together is absolutely unbearable. So Kayla and Wesley hatch a plot to drive them apart. But time is ticking and they must act now, before Talon gives Reagan the Christmas gift she’s been waiting for.

Sure enough, the once-happy couple is fighting, Reagan suddenly can’t get enough of Wesley’s goofy sense of humor, and Talon seems to be paying more attention to Kayla than a guy who’s “just a friend” ever should. But something just isn’t right. Then Kayla and Wesley accidentally spend a night together, and discover a hitch they never considered: that switching partners may not lead to a perfect ending after all.

Cassie Mae is a nerd to the core from Utah, who likes to write about other nerds who find love. She’s the author of the Amazon Bestseller REASONS I FELL FOR THE FUNNY FAT FRIEND, and is the debut author for the Random House FLIRT line with her New Adult novels FRIDAY NIGHT ALIBI and SWITCHED. She also has a three book deal with Swoon Romance Publishing, including her book HOW TO DATE A NERD. She spends time with her angel children and perfect husband who fan her and feed her grapes while she clacks away on the keyboard. Then she wakes up from that dream world and manages to get a few words on the computer while the house explodes around her. When she’s not writing, she’s spending time with the youth in her community as a volleyball and basketball coach, or searching the house desperately for chocolate.

And now... the reveal

*dramatic drumroll!*

Okay, how much do you love it? They are both adorable and I love the colors and, well, everything!

Congratulations, Cassie!

And don't forget to go add SWITCHED on Goodreads!

Thanks for stopping by, people! Congratulations, Cassie!
And now I'm off to Canada for a horse show, see you next week!
Have a good one!

IWSG: Many Thanks

I can't believe I forgot it is Insecure Writers Support Group day! (Especially since I was just bragging it up to people last night.) So if you don't know about the IWSG yet, you check it out HERE. Big, big thanks to host and founder of IWSG, Alex Cavanaugh! And to M. Pax, Karen Walker, and Melissa Maygrove for co-hosting this month. You people rock! Thank you!






Yesterday I did a reading and Q & A at my local public library. It was a lot of fun, and of course one of the things that came up was critique partners. (Because I mentioned how awesome mine are.) ;) A lady asked how I met them and I told her through blogging.

Which led me to go on about how awesome the blogging community is and how if you want to be a writer I highly recommend getting into blogging to connect with other writers. Then I said join the Insecure Writers' Support Group!

I told them about Alex and this group and how supportive it is. Seriously, you guys are made of awesome. Since joining the blogging community my writing has improved so much, and so has my spirit. Getting to know other writers means learning that most people go through the same ups and downs.

This idea is awesome! My writing stinks! I can't do this! I wrote a book and it's awesome! No, it's a complete pile of crap!

And so on and so on apparently forever. ;) Writing is hard, self-doubt is hard, but it helps to know that you are not alone. So thank you IWSG members! Whether you are up or down right now, remember that you are getting stronger and better all the time and that by sharing those highs and lows you are helping others get stronger and better, too. :)

Cover Reveal for (Never) Again by Theresa Paolo!

Today is the day! The official cover reveal for (Never)Again, by Theresa Paolo, to be published by (Berkley) Penguin on October 15th, 2013. The cover is seriously gorgeous, people. Plus, the book is awesome! I loved it and can't wait to read more from Theresa Paolo.

Just when she had finally moved on…
…He moved back.

When college freshman Liz Wagner hears her ex's voice for the first time since he moved clear across the freaking country, she does what any respectable girl would do: Dive into the girls' bathroom.

Zach Roberts—the Zach Roberts—is back. And he’s everywhere Liz looks—infiltrating her friend group, buddy-buddy with her brother. It’s enough to ruin college altogether. But what choice does she have but to put on a happy face and pretend he didn't leave her vulnerable and alone in a pile of emotional wreckage?

Pretending works, until tragedy strikes and the only person available for comfort is the one person she wants to stay away from. When Zach turns out not to be the jerk she convinced herself he was, but the boy she used to love, Liz needs to decide whether to open her heart again to the boy who tore it out.

Doesn't that sound good?! And I love the cover. :) It's available for preorder on Barnes and Noble and Amazon. And don't forget to add it to your TBR list on Goodreads!

Theresa Paolo lives in the same town she grew up in on Long Island, NY with her boyfriend and Milton, their big eyed goldfish. She has a hard time accepting the fact she’s nearing thirty which is why she writes New Adult and Young Adult books, reliving the best and worst years of her life through her characters. She put her love of writing on hold while she received her Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing from Dowling College. On November 11^th 2011 at 11:11 she made a wish. Two hours later she was laid off. Jobless for the first time since she was sixteen she was determined to make her wish come true. Writing became her life again and after many nights of ignoring her boyfriend to spend time with her characters, she finally received the call that all her hard work, finger crossing and eye crossing paid off. She signed with Berkley (Penguin) and her debut novel, (NEVER) AGAIN, a NA romance, will be out in Fall 2013.  When she’s not writing, she’s behind a camera or can be found in the blogosphere or on Twitter, Pinterest and Facebook.

 

 

And hey, I am doing a reading at my local library tomorrow! Wish me good luck, or (better yet)

 give me some advice! Thanks!

Cover Reveal: The Funeral Singer

I'm very excited to be taking part in the cover reveal for my Swoon sister, Linda Budzinski. Her YAcontemporary romance, The Funeral Singer, comes out from Swoon Romance on September 24th and I'm excited to read it!

Being a funeral singer was a dead-end job until it led her to him ...

Seventeen-year-old Melanie Martin has witnessed her share of lame eulogies and uninspired epitaphs while singing part-time at her dad's funeral home. She's determined to be more than a funeral singer, more than just someone's "beloved wife" or "loving mother." 

When Mel's impromptu rendition of "Amazing Grace" at a local rock star's graveside service goes viral on YouTube, she becomes an Internet sensation, gains thousands of fans and followers, and snags a hot rock star boyfriend--Zed Logan, bass player for The Grime. 

But instant fame isn’t easy—and neither is love. Especially when Mel realizes she’s falling for another guy—one who may just want her heart more than her voice …

And here is the beautiful cover!

In other news, my computer is broken and I have to send it out to be fixed. It could take anywhere from a week to a month to get it back. :( In the meantime, I will only be able to get online periodically, when I can make it to the library or talk a friend into letting me use theirs. :) So I won't be around quite as much until it's fixed, but I will try to respond to everyone who comments-it just might take awhile. 

And on Monday I have another lovely cover to reveal! So come back then to check it out! :) Thanks everybody! Have a great weekend!