The Pixie Chick's Lana has invaded my blog!

"Lana Richmond will not be the left behind when all her friends are using the magic of Hobbitville to escape their small Midwestern town for more exciting places. She's been trying–and failing–to use the garden's portals. The bruises haven't quite faded when Lana takes matters into her own hands and meets a stranger who promises to help her…on Halloween. Will Lana have the courage to follow her wanderlust, or will she settle for being the only Pixie Chick who can't work the Hobbitville magic? "


Hey Everyone! Lana Richmond of Pixie Chick fame here. Once more I've beaten Regan to the blog! Cut her some slack, she can't possibly be as internet savvy as us teens! (besides, I know all the shortcuts) Alyssa's been awesome, posting stuff about Pixies and Regan all week - let's give her a big round of applause!

Tomorrow is Halloween! I love this time of year! And our school has a masquerade dance too which makes it all the more fun. Sort of a spooky-cool way to mingle. I've found people get really bold when they're hiding behind a mask. It's easy to be brave and strike up a conversation when the risk of a brush off or outright rejection is minimized.

The best part of this year's masquerade is that I can use it for cover to get into Hobbitville alone. My friends, the Pixie Chicks, are great, but we're sort of at an impasse and they're not all that supportive of my intentions. I want to use the magic of Hobbitville and actually see some part of the world beyond my hometown! And I met someone who can help me. The Pixies think I'm just leaping without looking, but what they don't know won't hurt them - and most likely it won't hurt me either. I'm adventurous, but not totally stupid.

Wish me luck!
Lana Richmond,
band geek, Pixie Chick, and Hobbitville magic seeker


Link for all my Kindle titles:
http://tinyurl.com/rbkindle

Echelon buy link for Shadow Stone:
http://tinyurl.com/TheShadowStone

Regan's Realm blog: http://www.regansrealm.blogspot.com/

Has Lana and the summary intrigued you? Here's an excerpt from Shadow Stone:

Lana is alone on the day before Halloween, on a mission to test every statue in Hobbitville.
She moved on before she made herself crazy with circular arguments. "The lost thing's always in the last
place you look because you stop looking once you've found it."

"It is pretty silly to keep looking once something's found," a deep voice rumbled out of the darkness.

Everything inside her jumped. The vertical leap would impress the NBA, if her body had actually followed
through. Instead, her heart was lodged in her throat, and she was having trouble forming any verbal reply.

"Over this way," the deep voice rolled over her again.

With that voice, he was surely no one she knew, except she should know everyone local who might be in
Hobbitville. Anticipation thrummed that this might be one of those ideal guys she'd been hoping for earlier. She turned slowly, letting her ears guide her closer to him, into the deep shadows thrown by a narrow arbor covered in fading moonflowers.

"I don't recognize you," she said, keeping her voice soft. It was really all the volume she could muster.

"You will."

"Is that supposed to sound ominous?" Something about him rattled her way down deep. She wasn't sure if she liked that yet.

He laughed, just as deep and warm as his voice, and she swore she felt the sound against her skin. Weird. Not scary. Not much anyway. She peered at him, wishing for more light.

He had to be someone from school messing with her. But no one at school had a voice like dark chocolate drizzled over a warm brownie. The sound of it made her feel gooey.

And now she was hungry, too.

Interview with Regan Black!

Today I have interview the one and only, Regan Black! You've been hearing about her stories - Pixie Chicks, Hot Spots, and Shadow Stone - all week, and now have fun and listen to what Regan has to say!

Also, make sure to check back in tomorrow when Regan will actually be guest blogging!

1. What inspired you to jump into writing?

I'm not sure. Probably reading. I have journals of poetry that go back to elementary school. Of course I jumped into novels when my husband came to work at home for the second time in two years. I'd been working on a poetry book then, and it never occurred to me that I could write a 'big' book, but having him underfoot drove me nearly crazy. I started ficitonalizing how we met so I could remember why I'd fallen in love with him. It's the worst romance novel ever written, but it saved my sanity (and probably his life) The best part was realizing I could write a 'big' book.


2.How long have you been writing?

When I look back, I can see that expressing myself through poetry, short stories and journals has always just been a part of my life.


3.What is your proudest achievement in writing to date?
The latest release. Always. Whether it's a short story or full length novel, I'm proudest when I earn another contract and release date. I was so excited when my first book, Justice Incarnate, sold and I'll never get over the amazing, overwhelming feeling when I held that first paperback in my hands. I guess it was an addictive sensation, because that's what I'm consistently working toward.


4.How did you come up for the idea for the Hobbitville Saga?
Honestly, it's a page out of my past. Shh- don't tell anyone back in my hometown. Aside from the statuary being portals to parts unknown, Hobbitville was the nickname for the private garden where kids from my high school would dare each other to trespass. As an adult, I can tell you it was actually a beautiful example of a sculpture garden, but back then it was a little creepy after dark. My imagination often ran away with me even then. We thought we were living on such a razor's edge - how silly and sheltered it must seem to teens today. None of us ever vandalized the place or did damage, but the woman who owned it had to know we'd been through, teenagers just aren't that quiet even when they think they are.


5.Do you have any other Hobbitville stories in the works?
Yes. I'm working with Echelon Shorts for a special New Year's story. And I'm planning a bigger book detailing Claire and Shane's adventures mapping the Hobbitville gardens around the world.


6.What would be any advice you’d give to aspiring writers?
WRITE! Generally the more you write, the better you get. Study the how-to guides, join a writer's group, read and re-read your favorite novels, and keep writing. Short stories, epic novels, and poetry: write from the beginning to 'the end' and you'll learn so much about yourself every time. And one last thing - Believe! Only you can tell the story in your heart the way it was meant to be told.

The Shadow Stone by Regan Black

Shadow Stone by Regan Black

From Echelon Press:

"Lana Richmond will not be the left behind when all her friends are using the magic of Hobbitville to escape their small Midwestern town for more exciting places. She's been trying–and failing–to use the garden's portals. The bruises haven't quite faded when Lana takes matters into her own hands and meets a stranger who promises to help her…on Halloween. Will Lana have the courage to follow her wanderlust, or will she settle for being the only Pixie Chick who can't work the Hobbitville magic?"


A Halloween-themed Hobbitville treat, we now are granted access to Lana’s story. Not only are we enabled to see who she is now (as well as her determination to be able to jump), but we also learn a little bit about her past before the Pixie Chicks. What’s most important, though, is the discovery that all of the jumping through Hobbitville doesn’t always lead a person to ideal places…

A bit different from the previous two Hobbitville stories, Shadow Stone has a more mysterious edge to it with a hint of creepiness that makes the story an absolute joy to read!

The plot itself was creative and slightly different from Hot Spots and Pixie Chicks. Its branch into the mysterious was beneficial not only to the plot, but to the characters as well. It served a great purpose to further advance Lana’s character and allow us to fully understand her adventurous, yet lacking of patience, personality.

Furthermore, the new information we receive regarding jumping, and the different locations one can jump to, is interesting to say the least. Black has taken an idea and has slowly created a phenomenal world – a magical world with both its good and its bad – out of it. Kudos to Black!

Now that I’ve read stories on Brie, Clarie, and Lana, I am anxiously waiting for (or should I say hoping for) another story focusing on the fourth Pixie Chick, Austin.


Check back in tomorrow when I will be interviewing the one and only Regan Black!

Hot Spots by Regan Black

Hot Spots by Regan Black

From Echelon Press:

The gardens of Hobbitville are full of secrets, and the Pixie Chicks will do anything to keep it that way, including some innovative matchmaking. But even the efforts to keep Sierra clear of the garden can't hold off fate.

While trying to divert her best friend's pesky neighbor from breaching the gates of their haven, Claire is having trouble keeping her personal secrets. What can possibly be important enough not to tell the other Pixie Chicks?

And does the surprise visitor at Brianna's house have anything to do with it?


Contrary to The Pixie Chicks’ focus on Brie’s exploration of Hobbitville, Hot Spots is more tuned to Claire’s own experiences of jumping. Sierra, meanwhile, also becomes less of a pain as the Pixie Chicks have found an effective means of drawing her attention elsewhere.

I must say that Hot Spots is a great continuation of the Hobbitville Saga. As this is the second introduction to the characters, they begin to have a more developed feel as Black delves deeper into their personalities and motivations. The reader has the opportunity to understand Sierra’s feelings toward The Pixie Chicks as well as catch a glimpse into her own emotions for a certain member of the opposite sex. Claire's own motivations for jumping are revealed in a delightful manner, and I know that I definitely wished for Claire's happiness in the situation.

Furthermore, for lack of a better term, there are no dead words or scenes in the story. Black sticks to a tight format, only adding scenes necessary for the overall plot without leaving it boring and dull. This format creates a fast pace for Hot Spots that is both enjoyable and entertaining to read.

Hot Spots should be on the list of all young adults looking for a quick and fun read.

Check in tomorrow for a review on Regan Black's newest release - Shadow Stone! The third installment in the Hobbitville Saga.

Pixie Chicks by Regan Black

Pixie Chicks by Regan Black

From Echelon Press:

"For a quartet of girlfriends known as the Pixie Chicks, life takes on a delicious new flavor when their normal Friday night walkabout through the Hobbitville Gardens reveals secrets and adventures previously unimagined. Who knew the statues were portals to similar, magical gardens around the world? Or that only a select few can travel by statue and fewer still can arrive at their desired point? These four will reach for the stars despite the risks of the unknown to embrace an adventure suitable only for the boldest of teens."

To begin, Black's use of characterization is phenomenal! Her different characters and motives are clearly defined, so it is not necessary to skim over past pages in a full-blown effort to find a single defining trait that can somehow be used to distinguish the different characters. Furthermore, her characters easily enable the reader to be drawn into the story and feel as though he is actually in it and not merely an outsider intruding upon private moments.

Black also mixes fantasy with romance with such ease that it appears seamless. The fantasy aspect provides the story with a magical and light air that wonderfully works hand-in-hand with the romance angle, creating a light-heartedness that perfectly encompasses the story. Coupled with the story dealing with normal teenagers who have access to a magical garden and the story becomes a creative and delightful mix of the average and the fastasy.

(Reposted from my 5-1-09 blog)

Check back in tomorrow for a review of one of Regan Black's new short stories, Hot Spots. And make sure to check in Friday when Regan guest blogs as part of her tour for her new story, Shadow Stone.

I am Pleased to Announce....

That Michael Springer is now available from Echelon Press Shorts!

Finals. Even with an amazing boyfriend who is calm when finals are upon them, Sarah finds herself avidly studying for the dreaded tests whenever she finds an empty spot in her schedule. The last thing she needs, on top of the never-ending stress of acing each exam, is to begin to feel sick when finals have arrived.
While she’s in the library one morning before classes start, she meets Michael Springer–a nice guy who seems to be the only one crazy enough, beside herself, to arrive early enough to school early to catch a few moments of studying. She continues to run into him, and he becomes adamant that she return home and rest; staying will only cause her illness to worsen.

Michael might be a great new friend, but finals are the most important time of the semester after all. Rest will come over winter break.

And why is it that even though she’s been at the school at year, this is the first time she’s ever seen Michael Springer?

So why don't you all head on over to Echelon Press and Buy Michael Springer now!

And make sure to visit Echelon Shorts' Blog tomorrow to read my guest blog on the site!

You're Excited.

Yes, I know you're excited. You want to know how I know?

I can see you jumping up and down, smiling. And that generally represents excitement to the public.

So, then, why are you excited?

(Thinks for less than a second)

I know why you're excited! Can't say I blame you. It is a very exciting thing, after all. Why would you not be excited?

For those of you who don't know why this person is excited, I'll clue you in.

Tomorrow is the release of my new short, Michael Springer. Yes, that's right, the day is finally almost here! It is being released from Echelon Press tomorrow, and I will be blogging about it on the Echelon Press Shorts blog on Monday.

So head on over to Echelon Press tomorrow to check it out!

Alyssa

Only 5 Days!

That's right! You read that correctly. There are only five more days left until the moment you've all been waiting for...

The release of Michael Springer!

(Cue music)

Today I will be posting its summary to get you all excited for Thursday!

Finals. Even with an amazing boyfriend who is calm when finals are upon them, Sarah finds herself avidly studying for the dreaded tests whenever she finds an empty spot in her schedule. The last thing she needs, on top of the never-ending stress of acing each exam, is to begin to feel sick when finals have arrived.

While she’s in the library one morning before classes start, she meets Michael Springer – a nice guy who seems to be the only one crazy enough, beside herself, to arrive early enough to school early to catch a few moments of studying. She continues to run into him and he becomes adamant that she return home and rest – staying will only cause her illness to worsen.

Michael might be a great new friend, but finals are the most important time of the semester after all. Rest will come over winter break.

And why is it that even though she’s been at the school a year, this is the first time she’s ever seen Michael Springer?

So take out those red pens and mark your calendars for five days from now! Michael Springer will be out before you know it!

Alyssa