The Fulfillment Series

The Fulfillment Series

Monday, February 24, 2014

My Writing Process

Today is Blog Hop Day. This blog tour is where writers and authors answer questions about their writing process. My friend and editor Katie Carroll posted his last week. You can check out her writing process here: Katie Carroll.

If you dare to enter the mind of Erin Albert (insert evil laughter), proceed with caution!  ;)

What am I working on?

I am always working on multiple projects. Currently, I am revising the final book in The Fulfillment series, The Fulfillment, to go along with my young adult fantasy novels, The Prophecy(available now) and The Outlanders (in my editor's capable hands).  I also have a futuristic thriller called Number 25598, a middle grade fiction in the vein of Judy Blume called Met Kit: An American Boy, and another young adult fantasy novel without a title, all in progress.

How does my work differ from others of its genre?

I try to take traditional young adult plot themes and turn them on their heads.  In addition, I seek to inspire teens to think outside the box, to be different and unique.

Why do I write what I do?

I write young adult books because I LOVE young adult books.  My friend and Dream Team member Danielle Craver (she created all the crest for The Prophecy) got me hooked on the YA genre, and I’ve read that almost exclusively ever since.  Epic high fantasy appeals to me because I’ve always loved Arthurian legend. When George R.R. Martin combined that time period with fantastical elements, my mind sprung to life.  Reading fantasy allows a person to fully immerse in a totally different world, escaping this one completely.  Who doesn’t need a good escape every now and then?

How does your writing process work? 

I am a total pantser, which means I do not plan a thing.  I have a rough idea of how I want the story to start and how I want it to end, but I let the characters take over for the middle. Sometimes that gets me in some logic trouble, but I’m fortunate enough to have my Dream Team and critique partners to catch those little snafus.

The demands on my life and time afford me a very short window to get my writing done, usually between 3pm-5pm.  I have ADD, so I always have to drink something caffeinated to help me focus. Also, a little container of chocolate is a creative must.  I seek to write a chapter a day (my Dream Team member and timekeeper, Kim Sharp, requires a new chapter to read each night which keeps me on task). 

The creative portion of my work takes me very little time. I wrote the entire Fulfillment Trilogy in 3 months.  But I am also an anal grammar freak, so editing the work takes me MUCH longer.  It’s a painstaking process.

So, to recap:  Afternoon writing time with chocolate and caffeine, 1 chapter a day, and edit, edit, edit!

Thanks for stopping by and reading my post!!  
 


Comments

02/24/2014 8:53am
Fun post, Erin! I didn't know you are writing middle grade too. Cool.

02/26/2014 12:43pm
Yay for Pansters! Only way to write! (well, not really, but the best way, haha!)

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

The Last Prospector by Cairn Rodrigues

Today, I am happy to be hosting my super fun and spunky Twitter friend Cairn to promote her new book The Last Prospector. It sounds TOTALLY fascinating!! Woot!!
THE LAST PROSPECTOR
Picture
Solstice is a world apart, created by a mysterious Boss and shaped by tempers of warring twin goddesses.  Once it was a playground for sisters Ylumya and Ynoirya, but then the wars began.  Now Solstice is the stage for the final battle between light and dark. Everyone must choose a side.

The Boss sired the first prospector 1,000 years ago.  Charged to search for a treasure unnamed, an unbroken line of men have been caretakers, shepherds and warriors for Solstice since the misty times.  Now, Grayme Ceruleya is the last prospector, he is destined to find the treasure.  But what happens to Solstice when he does?

 A runaway slave dies giving birth alone in the desert.  The nomads who find the baby don’t realize that the child is the pawn of the gods and wields more power than they can comprehend.  Except for one boy, broken-hearted Tonyo who makes a tremendous sacrifice to ensure the baby’s safety.

In Solstice the unlikely is probable, magicks are mundane and all the stories are true.  It’s a land of stunning natural beauty, filled with exotic wildlife and vibrant cultures.  Powerful factions like the whore’s guild make the rules, ancient enemies find new strength and dreamers are waking up all across the land with one message.

The Final war between the Twins has started.  A victor must be decided this time. 

ABOUT CAIRN RODRIGUEZ 
Picture
Cairn Rodrigues is a former professional chef who found that keyboards offer fewer cuts and burns, so she turned to writing. A lifelong nerd, she has affection for marzipan and a potentially unhealthy Twitter addiction. She resides near her hometown of Sacramento, California in a poorly decorated house.










Amazon page  http://amzn.to/1dnQYjR

Blog  http://thelightstealerssong.com/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/TheLastProspector

Twitter  https://twitter.com/CairnRodrigues

G+  google.com/+CairnRodrigues

Goodreads  http://bit.ly/19XGeYR


BUY IT NOW
 


Comments

02/20/2014 11:20am
Congrats, Cairn! It sounds like a great read!!

Johnathan Brock
02/20/2014 12:47pm
After finishing The Prophecy, you (Erin) have reestablished hope in fantasy in my opinion! This blurb sounds amazing! Also, I love the complex-simplicity of the cover! Sometimes, less really is more!! Congrats Cairn!!

Erin Albert
03/03/2014 11:01pm
Wow, Johnathan!!! I am all kinds of honored!!! <3

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Cover Reveal-- FATAL by T.A. Brock

My sweet friend T.A. Brock's book Fatal releases with Ominific Publishing in March!! WOOT! I am so excited for her and totally thrilled to be part of her cover reveal. Without further ado, I present the cover of Fatal...
Picture
ABOUT FATAL
First love can be brutal. Sometimes it can be Fatal.

Grayson Patch hasn’t been human since he was seventeen years old… and that was nineteen years ago. When he rose from the dead, he had no memory of his former life. Grayson desperately wants to recapture his lost humanity. And he’s been told that there is one person in this world who can save him from his current fate before he begins to decompose. One person, whose life must be sacrificed for his.

Cori Abbott has a million things to worry about. She’s the new girl in a school that’s a fraction the size of her old one. Her antisocial tendencies are crippling her ability to make new friends. And then there’s the recent, sudden death of her father, the only man who ever understood her. The last thing Cori wants is the attention of a strange, withdrawn, and consistently angry guy who seems to hate her for no apparent reason. A guy she can’t stop thinking about.


Will Cori break through Grayson’s cold exterior and find the human within, the boy who can love and understand her like no other? Will Grayson sacrifice Cori to rid himself of his undead curse, even if it means losing her forever?
ABOUT TA BROCK
Picture
T.A. Brock lives in Oklahoma, where Zombies do not thrive. When not immersed in the world of fantasy writing, she enjoys spending time with her big girl, baby boy, and hubs. Some of her favorite things are coffee (specifically with cream, sugar, and chocolate), music (especially something with a good beat), books (especially paranormal), and Tennis. She despises raw meat and therefore is exceedingly glad she's human.

ADD TO GOODREADS
 


Comments

02/19/2014 11:26am
Love the cover! He kind of looks like Eminem, and I adore him. <3

The blurb sounds awesome. Can't wait to read it! Definitely adding it to my TBR. Heading to Goodreads right now!

02/19/2014 11:53am
Woot! What a great cover, T!!! And this sounds like must read. Heading to Goodreads now to add it to my shelf!

Congrats!!!

Sunday, February 16, 2014

Cover Reveal for Faery Marked by Mary Waibel

Today I am thrilled to be a part of the cover reveal for FAERY MARKED, a YA Paranormal Romance by Mary Waibel releasing this summer from BookFish Books. The cover was designed by the amazingly talented Anita B. Carroll from Race-Point.com. Learn more about the behind the scenes of this cover, as well as about Anita herself, at Waibel's World

Book Blurb:

No one ever warned her magic came with a price.

When Callie Rycroft wakes to purple flames on the ceiling, she discovers that not only does the Faery realm exist, but she is the human who must save it. Chosen as Champion by the Faery Queen, Callie is tasked with finding the Cordial, a magical elixir to strengthen the portal between the Human and Faery realms.

The upside? Reece Michaels, the boy she's been crushing on for years, is assigned as her Guardian. Callie hopes by spending time together, he'll start to see her as more than just his best friend's sister.
The downside? She's in a race not only against time, but another Champion and Guardian-a Guardian who stands to threaten her developing relationship with Reece.
Magic, mistaken identities, and hidden agendas are the least of Callie's worries when she learns the Cordial requires a sacrifice. Will Callie be willing to risk all, even Reece, to complete her task as Champion, or will she let the portal fall, destroying both realms?


And now, the cover for FAERY MARKED.





And here' the entire cover:



Isn't it just gorgeous?? 
 


Comments

02/17/2014 5:02am
Thanks so much, Erin!

02/17/2014 10:57am
Great cover, Mary! Sounds exciting and congratulations on your new book!

Curl up with a killer – Cozy Mysteries
The Ginseng Conspiracy by Susan Bernhardt
www.susanbernhardt.com

02/17/2014 11:08am
Thanks Susan!

I'm looking forward to this series releasing. And Anita did a fantastic job on the cover. Fits so perfectly!!

02/17/2014 2:45pm
I just love this cover. The colors are so beautiful!

Michelle
Author of PODs

02/17/2014 4:38pm
Thanks Michelle!

Tuesday, February 11, 2014

Angelites by Richard Moran--Book Blog Tour

Today, I am pleased to host the Angelites blog tour!  
The Angelites, By Richard Moran

Genre: Paranormal/Fantasy           

Pages: 195

Self Published
Picture
MY REVIEW
Angelites is a fast paced, plot twisting tale with many great elements! First, I love strong females, and Richard Moran delivers. Gina, Alex, Veronica, and Natalie each hold their own in unique ways. I also enjoyed Moran's take on angels versus demons. When I read, I wish to be entertained, transported from this world into another, and Angelites granted me that pleasure. Moran packed his book with action and suspense, twists and turns. The reader is left breathless and clamoring for more from this author. Definitely read!!
BOOK JACKET
NYPD Detective, Gina Vasquez, who's life went completely off track after making one near-fatal mistake. After serving prison time, she relocates to New Mexico to start her life over as a county sheriff. After arresting vandals who stole from an artifacts shop, Gina is suddenly thrown into a battle of good vs evil – angels vs demons, where the fate of humanity and all ways of life hangs in the balance. Now Gina must decide whether to stay exiled or lead a new band of warrior angels known as The Angelites.
EXCERPT
Gina was standing barefoot in the middle of what seemed to be nowhere, wearing black silk pajamas. Fog covered the darkness like a huge wool blanket. Towering above her were the tallest of buildings and 6-foot billboards. She fanned away the fog in an attempt to see what was on the other side.

What she saw was a total contrast to the usual New York City nightlife. The streets were deserted. Electricity was sucked out from every structure like there was a citywide blackout. Human activity was nonexistent. She was alone.

What the hell is going on here, she thought. Resting in her hand was a badge, shining bright in the dense darkness, pure platinum gold with a custom-made design of wings behind a cross. Gazing at it, Gina thought it should be on display in a museum.

Suddenly, glowing pulses surrounded the shield and a warm sensation slipped into her fingertips, expanding throughout her hand. She felt less of the ground under her feet, as if her veins had been pumped with helium. Her body began to glow as bright as the badge, and she felt a strong power pump in her heart. In fear she threw the badge to the floor and the glow had diminished.

This can’t be real, she thought. I must be dreaming. But the feeling was so real that she truly couldn’t tell. She looked around the urban wasteland, wondering if she even alive.

Gina picked up the badge and put it in her pajama pocket. Her mind returned to where she was and how was she getting home; if there was a home to get back to.

After passing a few dismal blocks, she heard spine-rattling echoes shriek through her eardrums. Horrid shapes were emerging from the fog bank, and they rapidly drew closer. Her heart jumped into her throat when she noticed what they were. Demonic-looking zombies exploded onto the street with an appetite to kill.

Their blood-colored eyes widened on their disfigured faces. Volumes of yellow venom bubbled on the sides of their mouths. Slabs of molten matter decorated their physiques and they were clothed in ripped-up police uniforms.

Frantically, Gina ran through the dark streets, not knowing which direction was safe. An abandoned building was coming up. She thought it might be a good place to hide, but it was also perfect for an ambush, as more zombies rushed out. She ran as fast as she could, but not enough to lose them. Buildings were locked and manhole covers were sealed tight. No place was safe.

Gina ran around a corner and spotted a church down the middle of the block. Beams of light were shining from the ceiling windows, and the front doors were wide open. She ran toward the holy fortress, hoping to find someone there who could enlighten her as to what was happening.

            With the zombies quickly approaching, she leaped up the stairs like a frog on a hotplate, and then barricaded the front doors with pews. The loud pounding against the wood crept under her skin.

            Strands of her auburn hair were stuck to the sides of her sweaty face. Uneasy and exhausted, Gina looked around, astonished at the size of the church. It was like an ancient Greek cathedral, with stained-glass windows and enormous statues that stood against the walls.

She collapsed on a bench and took a few deep breaths, trying to get a hold of herself. Where did those things come from? Why were they after her? Was she in purgatory?

“This must be a dream,” she said. “Please, let this be a dream.”

Then she heard panting nearby, as if someone else was in the church with her. “Who’s there?” she shouted, but nobody answered. She realized then that someone had to have let her in, the church had been practically begging her to come in with its welcoming bright lights.

The panting grew louder, and she looked out a window and saw a woman standing under a spotlight, holding a large wooden staff. There wasn’t a drop of rain in the sky, but her long brown hair and navy blue sleep shirt were soaked. She was swinging the staff wildly around her, with full force.

            “Hey!” yelled Gina. “Over here! Come inside! Do you hear me?”

Gina pounded on the glass to get her attention, but she couldn’t hear anything except terrifying snarls, which must have been coming from the zombies. The woman hopelessly looked up at the sky, and as she did Gina recognized the face under the thin-rimmed glasses.

            “Alex!” Gina yelled, banging on the glass. “Get the hell out of there! It’s me, Gina! Do you hear me?”

            Desperately, Gina looked around the church for something to break the window. On the altar she found large candleholders, and she lifted one onto her shoulder like a javelin and swung it into the glass. But the window was undamaged. Repeatedly, she swung the rod with the same result. From the other windows came more cries for help from behind the colored glass. Some were scared to death and running for their lives, some were hiding in cocoons of despair. Was she looking into the future?

            “I can’t save them!” Gina said helplessly.

            The pounding against the doors grew louder and heavier. Pieces of wood were starting to shatter, bloodcurdling screams from the hungry zombies sneaking through the cracks. Gina felt fear swell through her body like heat. Her mind was breaking down; she was running out of ideas.

            Splinters and woodchips rained inside of the church, and as the doors shredded away into nothing, the howls became clearer. Zombies ransacked one another to get inside. Gina’s heart pounded faster, drowning in a flood of emotions. Stress raced in her veins like a bad drug.

She found herself staring at dozens of glowing red eyes. Their hideous faces were coming closer. She was reaching the breaking point. From inside her pocket, the badge started to throb. Not knowing what else to do, feeling like all hope was lost, she released everything in her with the loudest scream she could muster. The volume of her voice multiplied through the church, sounding like the cry of a wailing banshee.

As the sound waves rumbled through the deserted metropolis like an earthquake, the zombies began to shatter. Bones exploded and crumbled into piles of dust. Buildings came crashing down like a demolition project. Clouds of debris blanketed the city. Updrafts had shot out from beneath Gina’s feet with enough strength to make the church walls shake. Stained glass showered down like candy from a piñata. Dead remains were violently blown through the air, winds gushing through the roof like a geyser and out into the twilight. Gina looked up and saw the moon shimmering like a giant searchlight. The regurgitated screams faded away as the last of the clerestory fell down around her.

Gray ashes flew through like leaves in the fall. She couldn’t believe what she had done. This church, once so beautiful, was now in ruins. Tears flowed down from her brown eyes, and as she was relieved that the chaos had ceased, she whispered, “Thank you.”

The victory was short-lived, however, as vociferous thunder roared from the heavens. The black sky morphed into a firmament of flaming red with lightning striking across. Hideous flying creatures, with wings of a vulture and red fur covering their scaly skin, swarmed over the wrecked church. They could smell the terror pouring from her flesh. Black nails stuck out of their tree-twig fingers.

Gina was ready to make a run for it when sandy hands arose from the dusty remains and clutched onto her ankles. The harder she tried to break free, the more hands latched onto her. She looked up and saw the razor-tipped nails coming moments away from shredding into her face. Before she tasted their pain, she woke to a fight with her blankets, screaming in absolute terror.

Her nerves took some time to settle before she realized she was in the confines of her bedroom. The alarm clock on the night table read 1:11 a.m. It was pin-drop quiet outside in the suburban streets of Eagle Nest, New Mexico, where she’d been living for the past four years.

            She sat on the edge of the bed and flicked on the nightlight, wiping sweat from her hairline as clips of the terrible dream played in her head like a horror movie. She pulled out her wallet and examined her Silver Star badge. Eagle Nest Town Sheriff was engraved in the middle. It looked nothing like the one she had in her dream.

What just happened? she thought. What made her have such a horrible dream all of a sudden? She took a few hours and a bottle of vodka trying to figure it out.

            It was now 7:25 a.m. and peeking sunrays pulled open Gina’s reluctant eyelids. She had thirty-five minutes to get to work. Luckily, the station wasn’t too long of a drive. Deputy Silverblaze had left three messages on her cell phone, which was set to silent.

Rolling out of her bed and knocking over the empty bottle, Gina wasn’t sure who she was anymore. Looking in the mirror, she saw what she’d seen every day for years since being released from jail: guilt. Every day she wished that night had never happened. Leaving New York made it easier to deal with the past, but it hadn’t made her forget.

BUY IT NOW
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Picture
I was the born in the Bronx, N.Y; the youngest of two children. I have a loving and supportive wife who has given me two precious boys. I’m a firm believer of God and prayer and devote my life to him. My biggest joys, besides watching movies and TV dramas, are drawing, making music and writing. I have a wild imagination and it’s helped me come up with some creative works over the years. I started writing about ten years ago and The Angelites was the first story I started. But, so many things had gone in my life that I had to put it back on the shelf several times. Now I finally had momentum on my side and completed the first of two introductory stories to this series. I hope you enjoy it, because if you don’t, then I have plenty of other stories coming your way that I know you’ll fall in love with at least one of them. I’ll just be happy with that.

Social Media Links:

Twitter: @RMoranTheAuthor

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Richard-Moran-The-Author/138532112973641

Goodreads:https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7012509.Richard_Moran

Book Blogs: http://bookblogs.ning.com/profile/RichardMoran