[Interview & Guest Post + GIVEAWAY] New Revelations by Heather Thopam Wood

**Don't forget to enter to WIN a $25 AMAZON GIFT CARD at the bottom.**

I would like to welcome Heather Wood to Mom With A Kindle, author of New Revelations (Second Sight Series ,#2). Heather glad you could visit today.

 Before we get started please tell us a little about yourself.I graduated from the College of New Jersey in 2005 with a bachelor’s degree in English. I work full-time as a freelance writer for publications such as USA Today, Livestrong.com, Outlook by the Bayand Step in Style magazine and I write fiction in my spare time. I live in Trenton, New Jersey with my husband and two sons.

    If you could have any superpower what would you choose?

Super speed for sure. Between writing and raising two little boys, it would be great to be able to get everything done as quickly as possible.

   Tell us your most rewarding experience since being published.

Hearing from people who read my books and felt a connection to the characters. I initially wrote only for personal enjoyment, so it’s nice to hear when someone actually likes your stories.

  Please tell us in one sentence only, why we should read your book.

The book has plenty of suspense while featuring funny and relatable main characters.

    Favorite food?

Peanut M & M’s. I’m dieting now, but when I was pregnant I used to devour the mega size bags.

   What book are reading now?

Breathe by Sarah Crossan

    What’s your favorite season/weather?

I love spring, especially after a long and dreary winter season.

  What was your favorite children's book?

Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss

   Beach or Pool?

Pool

    What is one book everyone should read?

The Host by Stephenie Meyer, even if you weren't a fan of the Twilight books.

 Any other books in the works? Goals for future projects?

I’m working on the third book in the Second Sight series while also outlining a book for the start of a new YA series about a dream interpreter.

Thanks so much Heather for being with us today. Gook Luck with all of your books in the future. I'm sure we will be "seeing" you around. 

If you would like more info about Heather visit her Website. Or you can follow her on Twitter, Facebook, and Goodreads.

New Revelations: Second Sight Book #2

Author: Heather Topham Wood

Date Published: 10/9/12

Life should’ve been perfect. Kate Edwards had won the heart of police detective Jared Corbett and was coming to terms with her psychic ability. Things were blissful—until the day she met Declan Brayden.

Declan also has psychic visions and wants to work alongside Kate. Kate doesn’t trust the damaged and arrogant seer, but she knows combining their abilities would allow her to help more people. This becomes vital when visions of a missing fitness instructor turn into a race against time to save the girl’s life.

Guest Post by Heather Wood

Why Book Covers are So Important

Think of your book cover like the initial impression given on a first date. On the date, do you want to appear sloppy and wear a haphazardly thrown together ensemble? Not if you want to see your date ever again. Book covers need to be attractive while also conveying what your novel is about.

Have you ever avoided a book because of the cover? Many readers will be turned off by amateurish looking covers. I personally have skipped a few books despite rave reviews because of covers. It’s presumptuous, but I figure the writing and plot will be as unappealing as the front image.

If you’re self-publishing and have no idea about cover creation, consider hiring someone. There are graphic artists who will design gorgeous covers for you from scratch. Give them some conceptual information to work from and be an active part of the process. Also, there are book marketing companies that have pre-made book cover designs for sale. Browse through their catalogs to see if you find any suitable to your novel.

If you’re comfortable working with photo editing software and want to do your book cover on a budget, then you can make one yourself. Before you go down this road, make sure that the images you use meet the specifications for book retailers. For instance, paperback covers made through Createspace require a minimum resolution of 300 dpi.

Start out with an image. Stock photography images can be purchased online or you can use your own personal photo library as a starting point. Choose an image that represents your book. Girls in pretty dresses are a popular choice, but don’t always relate to the content inside of the novel. Choose a couple of selections before making your final decision. Play around with fonts and colors when adding title and author name. Show a few mock-ups to friends and fellow writers to receive feedback on which one to settle on.

Don’t use a cover for your book unless you love it. With an attractive cover, you’ll gain readers who are interested in the novel based solely on the front image. This will build readership and ideally help increase your fanbase.     

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[Promo & GIVEAWAY] Not Long Ago by Susan A. Royal

Not Long Ago

by Susan A. Royal

Published June 22nd 2012 by MuseItUp Publishing

Genre: Time travel adventure/romance

Cover Artist: Suzannah Safi

While doing research for a novel set in the Middle Ages, Erin and her employer, March, are transported to a time where chivalry and religion exist alongside brutality and superstition. Things are not quite right at the castle, and Erin and March feel sure mysterious Lady Isobeil is involved. Erin must cope with crop circles, ghosts, a kidnapping and death before the truth of her journey is revealed.

 Forced to pose as March’s nephew, Erin finds employment as handsome Sir Griffin’s squire. She’s immediately attracted to him and grows to admire his courage, quiet nobility and devotion to duty. Yet, she must deny her feelings. Her world is centuries away, and she wants to go home. Despite that, Erin can’t stop thinking about her knight in shining armour.

Buy Links

Museitup: http://tinyurl.com/85vgye3

Amazon: http://tinyurl.com/7uy9yvf

Goodreads: http://tinyurl.com/9akty5f

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[Promo Blitz] The Legends of Regia: Forbidden Forest by Tenaya Jayne

The Legends of Regia: Forbidden Forest

Author: Tenaya Jayne

Pages: 236
Genre: YA Fantasy Romance

Book Blurb

Born in shame. Cast from society. Shape Shifter/Elf hybrid, Forest must fight for any respect she can get. Targeted in her youth by a vampire noble who placed an illegal slave mark on her, she is forced to obey him, no matter what. Slipping the grip of her master and abandoning the prejudice of Regia, her native world, Forest takes a job on Earth, guarding the portal, using her skills as a warrior to enforce Regia's laws. Now, called home for a black ops mission, Forest must put aside her own prejudice to transport the vampire prince, Syrus, through enemy territory in a time of war. Prince Syrus, mage and master of the Blood Kata, wants Forest more than he's ever wanted anything. In spite of their mutual mistrust, their attraction cannot be denied. Through the danger of their mission, and the secrets they both keep, it doesn't matter what they feel. Forest is forbidden.

  

 Forest pressed her back against the cool concrete wall, wanting to remain aloof from the entity of the crowd. She chose her position in the shadows, out of the paths of the roving, multi-colored spotlights. She closed her eyes and enjoyed the feeling of the undulating human pheromones flying around on the air. At the beginning of every shift, she allowed herself a few minutes of this alien/human experience, though she didn't fully comprehend the combination of dancing, drinking, and ear-breaking sound waves. They loved it, however, and never seemed to deviate from the recipe. These were the people she was sworn to protect. She had developed a light affection for the human race and considered them a benign, if not slightly silly, bunch of creatures. Her religious passion for her job was rooted in hatred of that which harmed the humans, not a superhero tendency to protect the weak. Forest opened her eyes and focused all her senses to sniff out the illegal suckers that tried to sneak through the portal. She was in the zone tonight, and not for the first time did she feel that hers was the best job in existence. It was a shame she couldn’t legally kill suckers in her native world. Over the next two hours, Forest didn’t move from the wall. She monitored the light traffic through the portal: two shifters and one elf, each of which nodded to her respectfully as they passed. Yawn. The shifters left the club to enjoy the delights of Austin’s nightlife elsewhere. The elf would have been breaking Regia’s law had he left the club, but he dutifully seated himself at the bar and ordered a fuzzy navel. He wore a plaid, porkpie hat, pulled down over the tops of his pointed ears. Forest didn’t know him personally, but she had seen him in here before. The bartender surveyed him with narrowed eyes as the elf nervously tugged his hat down further and ordered a few more girly cocktails. Intent on making sure that not one sucker was able to sneak past her, Forest was blindsided by the drunk bubba who had been trying to catch her eye for the last twenty minutes. He had finally decided to stagger over to hit on her. “Hey babe, you’re too beautiful to look so lonely. How’s ‘bout I buy you a drink?” “How’s ‘bout I call you a cab instead?” Forest mimicked his drawl. “Only if you share it with me, Darlin.” He leaned in closer, and Forest’s throat began to sting from the noxious fume of booze mixed with his natural musk. “While I appreciate the offer, Jethro, It seems only right to inform you that I’m not actually attractive at all. If you leaned in a little closer, you’d see that you’ve fallen victim to the effect of beer goggles. A hag like me can’t take advantage of a stud like you.” As he leaned in, Forest instantly enlarged her nose, pockmarked her skin, evaporated her front teeth, and added a large black mole with a long hair sprouting from it for good measure. “You’re no hag, baby! You’re the sexiest little thing in…I…uh… ” He stumbled backward. “Good grief! Sorry, sorry…” he stammered, retreating. “I’ve gotta quit drinking,” he mumbled as he turned away. Forest chuckled to herself once he absorbed back into the crowd. Being a shape shifter sometimes had unusual perks. 

  Hello. My name's Tenaya and I'm an addict. I mean author. When I was growing up, writing was just something I played at from time to time. I knew I wanted to be a writer, but I was one of those people who could never finish anything. When my eldest son was diagnosed with Autism, I began to write seriously. Writing became a necessity for me in the midst of my heartbreak. It was either that or take up drinking. I 'm thankful I chose writing as my escape because I discovered it truly is my thing. I want to be swept away when I read. That's what I want my books to do for you.The main goal of my writing is to entertain you. I want to help you escape everyday life for a little while. I hope you enjoy my stories as much as I enjoy sharing them with you! I have a wonderful husband and two beautiful sons. I'm an advocate for Autism awareness, and women trapped in abusive relationships. I try to always look on the bright side and help others do so too. I've lived many places but I currently reside in Missouri. I love reading, indie and foreign films, gardening, and moody music. 

 For more info about Tenaya check out her website. Or you can follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.

Blog Tour [Review] The Life And Death Of Lily Drake by T. Michelle Nelson

The Life and Death of Lily Drake

by T. Michelle Nelson

Published October 2012 by InkSpell Publishing

Summary Goodreads

For Lily Drake, slaying vampires is easy...Dating them is the hard part.

Lily Drake is your everyday hard-working single mom…until a gorgeous vampire shows up on her front door who she mistakenly assumes is her blind date for the evening. As one crazy scenario after another unfolds, Lily finds herself falling in love with two vampires, slaying the evil ones, and being prophesied as the savior of the entire undead race. 
Deciding between pizza and Chinese take-out will no longer be one of the hard decisions facing Lily Drake once she is emerged into vampire society. Humanity or immortality? That doesn't hold a candle against this question - which of the two handsome vampire cousins?

The Life and Death of Lily Drake is not your typical vampire love story. It’s a tale about the humorous mistakes a woman makes simply trying to survive not only life, but the dating scene. How will Lily manage working full-time, taking care of her young son and fighting the undead at every turn?
Lily will have to figure it out, but who better to save the world than a mom?

I know most of you remember the time when vampire books were the "thing". Everyone was writing them after Meyer’s Twilight which was obviously a big hit. Now days dystopian has taken over and I do love those. And some people are still writing books with vampires. I have stayed away from vampire books until just recently and I have read three that I have really liked but they have been on total opposite ends of the literary spectrum...good vampires bad vampires.

I absolutely LOVED this book! It definitely made me open to read more vampire books. 

The Life and Death of Lily Drake is about a single mom named Lily who does the every day tasks of being mom and loving and taking care of her 12 year old son. Lily thinks she is going on a blind date but ends up being taken by a vampire to his mansion. These vampires are not your "normal" vampires. They make the comment that Lily had been watching to many movies. Not once did they "hunt" for blood or kill any humans. They don't sparkle and Yes! they can go out in the sun. Unless you knew they were vampires you could never tell.

Lily doesn't start out as a vampire and she really doesn't want to be changed. She doesn't want to be that "chosen" vamp her Aunt Rose is telling her she will be one day. She has more important things to consider like raising her 12 year old son instead of killing the rouge vampires. Then one event changes everything. You know how you hear one sentence during the day that changes the course of your day or even your month, year, etc? That was Lily and the only way to save the one thing she holds closest to her heart in her life she must become a vamp. Lily knew the life she knew would change forever when she made that decision. But sometimes moms have to do things we wouldn't otherwise do for our children. Within just a few moments her life changed for eternity.

Nelson's writing is so realistic. I know that doesn't really sound like a compliment, but it is. I could feel what Lily was feeling for her son. She transfers the reader straight into Lily's life as she meets Mathis, Val, and Rose. We experience Lily falling in love with Mathis and becoming best friends with Val. When once she had no family we are excited to see her now have Aunt Rose in her life. Even if she's a Great Great Great...etc. Aunt Rose. We feel the stress of Lily trying to stay human for her son but learn to fight off the other vamp's that are trying to kill her to keep her from becoming the "prodigal" vampire.

Lily doesn’t want to be a vampire. But love for her family new and old, opens her eyes up in the end. She realizes that she’ll never be free of her destiny, but she can sure make the most of it. This book has surpassed all the other vampire books on my Kindle that are in that same category. Lily is a freaking awesome vampire. She is strong and courageous. I hope that this story continues because I can't wait to see what happens.

**I received this ebook from the publisher for a fair and honest review.**

This book and Lily deserve 5 stars! Read It!! You will enjoy it!

[Promo Blitz] Dead Heat by Lisa Nowak

Dead Heat

Author: Lisa Nowak

Alex is a machine whisperer. He can tell what’s wrong with a broken-down car with a touch. But his gift can’t save him from the brutality of his meth-addict father. For two years, Alex experienced kindness through Cole, his mentor. Now Cole’s dead, and the violence in Alex’s life is escalating.

When Cole reappears as a ghost, Alex clings to the tenuous link. Then he learns Cole might’ve sacrificed his chance to cross over. Jade, the first girl to look beyond Alex’s past, assures him Cole can reach the Other Side—if Alex escapes from his dad. But a previous terrifying attempt has convinced Alex it’s impossible. Unless he can find the courage to try, his friend may be earthbound forever.

In addition to being a YA author, Lisa Nowak is a retired amateur stock car racer, an accomplished cat whisperer, and a professional smartass. She writes coming-of-age books about kids in hard luck situations who learn to appreciate their own value after finding mentors who love them for who they are. She enjoys dark chocolate and stout beer and constantly works toward employing wei wu wei in her life, all the while realizing that the struggle itself is an oxymoron.

Lisa has no spare time, but if she did she’d use it to tend to her expansive perennial garden, watch medical dramas, take long walks after dark, and teach her cats to play poker. For those of you who might be wondering, she is not, and has never been, a diaper-wearing astronaut. She lives in Milwaukie, Oregon, with her husband, four feline companions, and two giant sequoias.

For more info about Lisa and her books visit her Blog or subscribe to her newsletter. You can also follow her on Twitter and Facebook

After Alex’s mentor Cole dies in a wreck at the speedway, Alex takes his truck and trailer to his wife, then goes back to the track, where his grief overcomes him and he collapses.

Chapter 2

For a long time, I lay on that wet asphalt, wishing I was dead. It’s like I’m not even here, like the hurt’s so big I disappear in it. Something soft brushes my shoulder, near the base of my neck. Pain knifes through me, and I choke on a sob. Then I feel that touch again. I lurch up off the track to look around. Nothing.

I’m soaked, numb clear through, but the chill don’t do a thing to dull the fire of losing Cole. That wells up so big and powerful, I can’t hold it back. I scream as loud as I can, till I’m still yelling, but no sound comes out.

I can’t do this. No way can I go back to how things were. Didn’t I do all I could to make sure nothing like this would happen? All them lies I told, why couldn’t they keep him safe?

I shove the wet hair from my eyes and go get my bike. I rip out of the parking lot hard and fast, daring the cops to come after me, hoping I skid under the wheels of some car.

I got no idea where I’m going, but I wind up at Ivan’s Automotive, the shop where I work. Soon as I pull into the lot, the answer comes. My bike might not’ve done me in, but I know something that will.

I find a piston in the scrap bin outside and use it to bust the glass in the back door. When I get in, I turn on the office light, but leave the rest of the place dark. Don’t want nobody calling the cops before I finish this.

I pick the ’89 Taurus ’cause emission standards aren’t so strict for a car that old. Once I got the keys, I grab one of the hoses we use to vent exhaust from the shop. I stick one end on the tail pipe and put the key in the ignition so I can roll the window down a little. I snake the other end through till it’s resting on the passenger side floorboards. There’s a big gap, so I find some towels and cram ’em in to stop it up.

When I crank the engine, I have one thought of Momma, but the pain’s so big and deep it chases even that away. I close my eyes. For a second, I wonder if I’ll see Cole, or if it’ll just be over, but either way it don’t matter.

There’s this whir, and all four windows start going down. What the hell? I jab the master control to raise ’em. The second I take my finger off, they head south again. Are you kidding me? Real quick, I roll ’em up, kill the engine, and get out of the car to pull the fuse. Whatever’s going on, them windows can’t work if they don’t have no juice.

I get back in and crank the starter. The engine revs for just a second before it dies. I try again. The car sputters and stalls. One more shot, and this time it won’t run for nothing. Pissed, I twist the key and don’t let go until the starter sucks every bit of life out of the battery.

“Son of a bitch!” I slam my fist against the wheel, beating it again and again. Finally, I got nothing left. A sob grabs my throat and I slump forward, pain crashing down in waves that want to drown me.

Then something touches my shoulder. I jump and swing around. This time I see him, right beside me.

Cole. Only not Cole—he’s sorta sunk down into the seat a little, and the fabric shows right through him.

The shock stops my breath. I stare at him and he stares back, sadder than I ever seen him. That look is so damn Cole it rips a hole in me. I got no doubt that if he could, he’d take every bit of my pain and carry it himself.

When he puts his hand out, I feel that feather touch again.

“I’m sorry, Ace,” he says, “but I can’t let you do this.”

So what do you think? Will you add it to your TBR list? Leave me a comment and let me know. 

 

SPOOKTACULAR GIVEAWAY HOP

Welcome to the Spooktacular Giveaway Hop

This hop was organized by I Am A Reader Not A Writer. 

Over 500 participating blogs are offering a book related giveaway and we are all linked up together so you can easily hop from one giveaway to another.  The hop runs from Oct. 24th - 31st.

I have a great giveaway for you today. 

Giveaway 

You can choose (1) one Vampire or Zombie related book of your choice from The Book Depository. Open Internationally. It can be an already released or I can preorder it for you. Your choice any Vampire or Zombie book!! 

Happy Hopping!!!!

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[Interview & Promo] 6 Seconds Of Life Tonya Fitzharris

 

Today I have the privilege of welcoming Tonya Fitzharris author of 6 Seconds Of Life to Mom With A Kindle. I hope she feels right at home.

Tonya Please tell us a little about yourself before we get started.

Hi well  I'm a writer, reader, blogger, mediocre cook, photographer, runner, Florida native, and cat lover. I used to be a Middle School English Teacher, but now I'm trying out the whole novel writing thing. I live in New Jersey with my husband and my Belgian cat named Waffles.

What was your favorite book when you were a child/teen?

Are you there God, it’s me, Margaret by Judy Blume, was my personal bible growing up—I must have read at through at least five times when I was thirteen. I also adored the Babysitter’s Club series through my childhood and early teen years—and I might have had a total fangirl moment when I met Ann M. Martin at a book signing a few years ago. She was very sweet about it thought.

If you could live anywhere in the world where would it be?

Well seeing as I’m just now moving home from several years of living in Europe, I should say home is the best place to be. BUT I visited so many amazing places lately, and if I could pick one to stay forever, it would have to be Edinburgh, Scotland. It is by far the most beautiful city I’ve seen. Barcelona, Spain would be a very close second though.

How did you know you should become an author?

I’m an only child, so I grew up pretty much talking to myself and creating stories in my head. It’s something that has never gone away. I always knew that one day I should finally stop keeping the stories in my head and actually get them down on paper.

Favorite Food?

I love Thai food more than anything. I could eat it everyday without a problem—although my husband can’t usually handle my level of spiciness when I cook it so he might not enjoy that too much.

What was your favorite children's book?

I distinctly remember having a copy of The Velveteen Rabbit when I was really young that never left my side. I’m pretty sure I didn’t even know how to quite read yet, but I remember sitting and just flipping through it, making up my own words over and over again.

Nickname?

I’ve never really had a good one that’s stuck. My husband is called “fitz” by all of his childhood friends, so maybe I should adopt that now that I have the same last name.

You have won one million dollars what is the first thing that you would buy?

I would get myself out of student loan debt! Of course it’s nowhere near a million dollars—but it feels that way to me right now. Grad school is NOT CHEAP, by the way. After that I would buy a modest house and modest car—nothing too extravagant. It would be nice to simply have no mortgage and no car payment. Then set up a college fund for our future kid.

Wow, reading through that response again makes me sound so OLD.

Who or what inspired you to become an author?

I always had the desire, but I lacked the drive. I was afraid of failure as well. As cheesy as it sounds, it was my husband telling me that he believed in me and supporting me that really pushed me to go forward with it. He was the first person I ever really shared my writing dream with.

Ok, sappy moment over.

Print or Ebook?

Although I do love the smell of a brand new print book, I love the convenience of e-books even more. Not only can I read about a book and own it in less than five seconds, but it makes me feel like I’m doing my part by not killing tons of trees (I buy A LOT of books). Plus, without the revolution of ebooks, I might not be where I am today!

M&M’s or Skittles?

If I can find the almond M&M’s, then I will always pick them, hands down. But they’re not easy to come by these days. So Skittles wins.

What book are reading now?

I’m actually finishing up a neat little book called Pinfluence which is all about using Pinterest as a marketing tool. I love learning about new ways to reach potential readers.

What was the hardest part about writing your book? 

 I think the hardest part about writing is wondering whether or not you’re creating a story that matters. Sure, it may be important to me as I’m writing it, but is anyone else going to care enough to spend several hours reading my drivel? Will it matter? It’s a tough thing to figure out sometimes.

       Can you share a little about the current title you are working on?

My current “drivel” is another New Adult novel about a college sophomore studying abroad in Germany. I wrote it while I was living there (long before I wrote 6 Seconds of Life) and I’m just starting to acclimate myself to it again. It should be out in November!

Tonya Thanks for stopping by today and Good Luck in the future. I'm sure we will be "seeing" you around. 

Find out more about Tonya on her  WEBSITE.   Or Follower her on Twitter, Facebook, and Goodreads.

6 Seconds of Life

Author: Tonya Fitzharris

Date Published: 9/1/12

Maura has just jumped.

 Now she has precisely six seconds until she hits the water below her—just six more seconds until she is finally freed from her mundane and aimless existence.  Freed of all of the regrets and disappointments that have haunted her throughout her nineteen years.

 She just needs to be free.

 But as she falls, the most pivotal points of her life start to replay like a movie in her head: her family falling apart, her first love, her first heartbreak, her first true friends, and her first betrayal.  As she remembers these moments that brought her to this point, will she feel a sense of peace?  Or will her death be her greatest regret?

Purchase Links 

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Smashwords

[Interview] At First Touch (First Touch Series, Book 1) by Mattie Dunman

Hi Mattie and welcome to Mom With A Kindle. I'm Michelle and I hope you enjoy your visit with us. Mattie before we dive right in, would you please tell us a little about yourself. 

Sure. I'm a lifelong resident of "Wild & Wonderful" West Virginia, and have dreamed of being a writer since I first held a pen in hand.

I have pursued several useless degrees to support this dream, and presently enjoy teaching (or tormenting, as the case may be) college students the dying art of public speaking. And I spend most of my free time writing, but I also indulge in reading and traveling.

I am the proud owner of an adorably insane American Eskimo named Finn, and a tyrant cat named Bella, who take up more of my attention than they probably should.

 If you could have any superpower what would you choose?

It will probably sound weird, but I've always wished I could turn myself into rubber at will. I know, I know, not very impressive and it probably won’t help me save the world, but I’m the world’s biggest klutz and I've fallen down more stairs than I can count. I think it would be great to just bounce when I hit the ground instead of landing flat on my face the way I usually do.

   Tell us your most rewarding experience since being published.

Without a doubt, it’s seeing the reviews. I've been writing for as long as I could read, but it’s been a rare occasion that someone other than my family and friends has ever commented on my work. To see that At First Touch is out there, knowing people are reading it and enjoying it, is absolutely transformative. I’m completely addicted!

      Please tell us in one sentence only, why we should read your book.

At First Touch tells the story of a strong, independent young woman with a unique paranormal ability who is thrust into a hidden world of danger and suspense, even as she confronts the unexpected joy and pain of first love.

    Favorite food?

It depends on my mood and the season, but generally I waver between spaghetti and meatballs or my mom’s cream of crab soup, which is better than any restaurant version I’ve ever had. The soup is best in cold weather, but nothing tops spaghetti for comfort food.

     What book are you reading now?

I read a lot, usually two to three books a week (more when I’m on vacation), so it’s hard to answer that, but I’ve just finished Shadow of Night by Deborah Harkness and really enjoyed it. I love all things paranormal and anything to do with history, so that book really hit the spot.

   What’s your favorite season/weather?

Autumn. I’ve lived in West Virginia all my life and grown up anticipating the changing leaves every year. The weather is perfect for me too; I hate being hot, so the sixty-five degree days and overcast skies draw me outside way more than a sunny summer day. Some of my best memories surround the fall season as well, so October is pretty much my favorite month.

    What was your favorite children's book?

Gina Farina and the Prince of Mintz by Nancy Patz. It’s a story about a baker’s daughter who joins a traveling troupe of actors to find adventure only to have a prince beg her to stay and make pies for him. What I loved about this book was that Gina doesn't give up her dream, but keeps on traveling the world, even as she manages to make everyone around her happy. Not a bad lesson for a kid with more daydreams than she could write down.

   Beach or Pool?

Beach, absolutely. Although I don’t really do much when I’m there apart from read and guzzle fruity drinks with little umbrellas.

    What is one book everyone should read?

Man, this is a tough one. There are a vast number of phenomenal, life-changing books out there, and I can think of so many that have come along at just the right moment for me. I think one of the most influential books I’ve ever read, however, was Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand. Although it means something different for everyone who reads it, I picked it up during a difficult time in high school and it really helped me to recognize my own self-worth and stop questioning my dreams and goals. It’s a controversial read these days, but there is an underlying message of strength of character and determination from which I think so many could benefit.

 Any other books in the works? Goals for future projects?

I am one of those insane people who works on multiple projects at any given time, so there’s always something brewing on my laptop. At the moment, I’m working on the sequel to At First Touch, and I hope to publish it by this spring. I've also just recently completed work on another YA Paranormal about a girl who cannot be lied to, and I’m looking into publishing it as well. There are several other projects on the back burner, but most of my focus is on getting the word out about At First Touch and working on completing the trilogy. 

WOW!! Thanks so much Mattie for being with us today and I am sure the At First Touch series is going to be a big hit. :D

To find out more answers to your questions visit Mattie's website. Or follow her on Goodreads.

At First Touch

First Touch Series, book 1
by Mattie Dunman

 Cover Artist: Deirdre Robertson

Book Description:

Liz Hannigan has been on the run since she was twelve years old. Her mother is dead. Her father has lost his job. And thanks to an experimental procedure, Liz is now able to ‘download’ the contents of every brain around her with a simple touch. Forced to hide from both the federal government and a darkling group of morally deficient scientists known as the Coalition determined to exploit her abilities, she moves with her father to the bucolic coal town of Pound, West Virginia.But the hunt for Liz and her abilities hasn’t ended, and her hopes for peace are shattered when she inadvertently downloads the enigmatic Carey Drake, whose unusual good looks and charm conceal a secret as shocking as her own. Stunned by the knowledge that she has found someone else who has extraordinary abilities, Liz finds herself drawn to Carey, discovering a deep attraction, and dares to hope for the first time she might find love.

But when an agent of the Coalition begins stalking her, Liz must find a way to work with the government agency she most mistrusts as she strives to build a longed-for normal life and take down the agent who has tracked her down. Caught up in a struggle to save herself and those she loves, the girl who sees all is blind to true danger until it is too late.

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