Monday Muse: Rachel Taylor -- Silence Looks Good On You

This is a VERY powerful song, beautiful and haunting.

Monday Muse: The Wombats -- Greek Trajedy

It makes me bop. The video's a little gruesome...

Mid-Winters' Eve Giveaway Hop

Happy Holidays (both forthcoming and past)!  To celebrate, I'm giving away another signed copy of NEXIS plus some goodies to one lucky US/CANADIAN entrant!  Enter below and don't forget to check out all the other blogs participating in this great Giveaway/Hop!

NEXIS:  In the domed city of Evanescence, appearance is everything. A Natural Born amongst genetically-altered Aristocrats, all Ella ever wanted was to be like everyone else. Augmented, sparkling, and perfect. Then…the crash. Devastated by her father’s death and struggling with her new physical limitations, Ella is terrified to learn she is not just alone, but little more than a prisoner.

Her only escape is to lose herself in Nexis, the hugely popular virtual reality game her father created. In Nexis she meets Guster, a senior player who guides Ella through the strange and compelling new world she now inhabits. He offers Ella guidance, friendship…and something more. Something that allows her to forget about the “real” world, and makes her feel whole again.

But Nexis isn’t quite the game everyone thinks it is.

And it’s been waiting for Ella.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Reddit AMA

I'm doing a Reddit AMA (Ask Me Anything) on Wednesday December 16 starting at about 5pm.  You can check it out on the /r/books subreddit.  Please come and ask some questions!

Monday Muse: Black Veil Brides -- In The End

Because why not?

BEST OF 2015 GIVEAWAY HOP

Obviously I'm gonna feature this little gem, hehe!  I'll be giving away a signed copy of my new book, NEXIS.

NEXIS:  In the domed city of Evanescence, appearance is everything. A Natural Born amongst genetically-altered Aristocrats, all Ella ever wanted was to be like everyone else. Augmented, sparkling, and perfect. Then…the crash. Devastated by her father’s death and struggling with her new physical limitations, Ella is terrified to learn she is not just alone, but little more than a prisoner.

Her only escape is to lose herself in Nexis, the hugely popular virtual reality game her father created. In Nexis she meets Guster, a senior player who guides Ella through the strange and compelling new world she now inhabits. He offers Ella guidance, friendship…and something more. Something that allows her to forget about the “real” world, and makes her feel whole again.

But Nexis isn’t quite the game everyone thinks it is.

And it’s been waiting for Ella.



To Enter:

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Check out the other blogs participating!

Monday Muse: Night Riots -- Contagious

Oh, the pretties...

NEXIS is HERE!!!!

Today is NEXIS's birthday!  Come celebrate with me on this momentous occasion and throughout the month:

November 30: The NEXIS tee-shirt campaign begins!  Get your shirt and help a great cause -- proceeds from this sale go to Amputee Coalition of America!
December 1: NEXIS releases today!  It's available where ever books are sold, get your copy ASAP.
December 1: A.L. and some of her best YA/NA author buddies are hosting a Facebook release party for NEXIS today.  Stop in, chat, enter to win tons of prizes throughout the day.  To get an invite, friend me on FB and let me know via DM!
December 1: NEXIS Thunderclap hits at 1pm EST.  Join the noise to help support the book!
December 1: At 9pm EST join Kate Jarvik Birch (author of Perfected and Tarnished) as she and A.L. have #EllaDay on Twitter!
December 1-14: NEXIS Grand Giveaway is now active!  Prizes include a Kindle Fire HD 7, Amazon gift cards for both National and International participants, a Nexis goodie pack, and the chance to customize a character in the next Tricksters book.  Check in daily to increase your odds and please share with friends and followers.
December 1-14: NEXIS BLOG TOUR -- A.L. is being featured by tour host, YA Reads, on various different blogs.  Come read reviews, interviews, and guest posts.
December 2-6: A.L. is doing a driving tour to local Barnes and Noble stores throughout the Northeast.  If you live in MA, NY, NJ, RI, NH, north eastern MD, or eastern PA keep an eye out for signed books on your store's shelves!  CT residents, A.L. will be signing at Barnes and Noble during various times throughout December and January, check her blog for exact times.
December 3: A.L. and various other Entangled authors will be participating in a Twitter chat at 8pm EST.  Come with questions and a desire to win prizes.  #NeedMoreSciFi
December 3: A.L. is a guest on MagicalMusings.com
December 16: A.L. is doing a Reddit AMA on the /r/books page.
PLUS MORE EXCITING THINGS TO COME!

NEXIS:  In the domed city of Evanescence, appearance is everything. A Natural Born amongst genetically-altered Aristocrats, all Ella ever wanted was to be like everyone else. Augmented, sparkling, and perfect. Then…the crash. Devastated by her father’s death and struggling with her new physical limitations, Ella is terrified to learn she is not just alone, but little more than a prisoner.

Her only escape is to lose herself in Nexis, the hugely popular virtual reality game her father created. In Nexis she meets Guster, a senior player who guides Ella through the strange and compelling new world she now inhabits. He offers Ella guidance, friendship…and something more. Something that allows her to forget about the “real” world, and makes her feel whole again.

But Nexis isn’t quite the game everyone thinks it is.

And it’s been waiting for Ella.

Read Goodreads reviews.
Buy on Amazon.
Buy on Barnes and Noble.

 

Monday Muse: Eric Whitacre Singers -- Fly to Paradise

I've been saving this gem in celebration of NEXIS's release tomorrow. The song, along with the video, are perfect accompaniments to your read. I've just overwhelmed by the sheer number of people involved in this, how beautiful they all sound together, and the way the internet brought them together. A perfect NEXUS if I've ever seen one. ENJOY!!!!

THE NEXIS TRAILER

Oh hey! There's a trailer...

Monday Muse: Chills -- Down With Webster

This. And all of this...It came from you. ;p

Goodreads giveaway of NEXIS

Hello readers!
If you haven't yet, make sure you enter to win a free copy of NEXIS on Goodreads!

NEXIS is coming...

My first NY release, NEXIS, is going to be coming out December 1, 2015.  That's only two weeks from now!  To celebrate I have a whole bunch of things lined up for you guys.  Don't miss any of the action; check back here, on my Facebook, and Twitter to be involved.

What's coming?
November 8-27: Entangled is hosting a Goodreads giveaway of two copies of NEXIS.
December 1: NEXIS releases!  Pre-order your copy today or pick up a copy at your favorite book retailer (available where ever books are sold)
December 1: A.L. and some of her best YA/NA author buddies are hosting a Facebook release party for NEXIS.  Stop in, chat, enter to win tons of prizes throughout the day.  To get an invite, friend me on FB and let me know via DM!
December 1: NEXIS Thunderclap hits at 1pm EST.  Join the noise to help support the book!
December 1-14: NEXIS Grand Giveaway is active.  Prizes include a Kindle Fire HD 7, Amazon gift cards for both National and International participants, a Nexis goodie pack, and the chance to customize a character in the next Tricksters book.  Check in daily to increase your odds and please share with friends and followers.
December 1-14: NEXIS BLOG TOUR -- A.L. is being featured by tour host, YA Reads, on various different blogs
December 2-6: A.L. is doing a driving tour to local Barnes and Noble stores throughout the Northeast.  If you live in MA, NY, NJ, RI, NH, north eastern MD, or eastern PA keep an eye out for signed books on your store's shelves!  CT residents, A.L. will be signing at Barnes and Noble during various times throughout December and January, check her blog for exact times.
December 3: A.L. and various other Entangled authors will be participating in a Twitter chat at 8pm EST. #NeedMoreSciFi
December 3: A.L. is a guest on MagicalMusings.com
December 16: A.L. is doing a Reddit AMA on the /r/books page.
PLUS MORE EXCITING THINGS TO COME!

NEXIS:  In the domed city of Evanescence, appearance is everything. A Natural Born amongst genetically-altered Aristocrats, all Ella ever wanted was to be like everyone else. Augmented, sparkling, and perfect. Then…the crash. Devastated by her father’s death and struggling with her new physical limitations, Ella is terrified to learn she is not just alone, but little more than a prisoner.

Her only escape is to lose herself in Nexis, the hugely popular virtual reality game her father created. In Nexis she meets Guster, a senior player who guides Ella through the strange and compelling new world she now inhabits. He offers Ella guidance, friendship…and something more. Something that allows her to forget about the “real” world, and makes her feel whole again.

But Nexis isn’t quite the game everyone thinks it is.

And it’s been waiting for Ella.

Read Goodreads reviews.
Buy on Amazon.
Buy on Barnes and Noble.  

Monday Muse: Extreme -- Valora

This video...

Monday Muse: The Tenors (featuring Lindsey Stirling) -- Who Wants to Live Forever

All the things!!!!

Monday Muse: Shiny Toy Guns -- Stripped

An oldie but goodie! I've been so busy lately that I haven't really found anything new this week, but that doesn't mean I can't give you something old that is new. This is one of my favorite songs...

Monday Muse: Loreena McKennitt -- The Mummer's Dance

In honor of seeing Loreena McKennitt this past week, I'm going to share my favorite song (which she did not sing). Although, she did sing my other favorite song, so I can't complain too much. I tried to find the original music video for this, but apparently it doesn't exist here on YouTube. I know there was one, because I have it caught on a VHS of music videos I taped as a kid. Here's a pretty one anyway...

Monday Muse: Labratorium Piesni -- Sztoj pa moru

Polish words! I have no idea what's being said, but it's dang pretty. I love what people can do with their voices...

Monday Muse: Karliene -- We Don't Need Another Hero

So, this song is giving me all kinds of REDUX inspiration this week. Listen, enjoy.

Monday Muse: Genevieve -- Colors

This is dang catchy.

Monday Muse: E.S. Posthumus -- Mosane

Pretty!

Monday Muse: Citizen of the Planet -- Alanis Morissette

Remember this song, guys? I loved this woman when I was a teen and this song was so Sci-Fi in my brain.

Monday Muse: Breaking Benjamin -- So Cold

This is one of my favorite songs from one of my favorite bands. It's a bit of a throw back, but there is nothing wrong with that.

Monday Muse: Nathaniel Rateliff &The Night Sweats -- S.O.B.

A little rowdy for the kids, but it's so fun.

Monday Muse: Two Steps from Hell -- Starfall

The epicness that is this song!

Monday Muse: Meg Meyers -- Desire

So the tears of last week are all kinds of other feels now. I find this song super hot.

Monday Muse: Meg Myers -- Sorry

Oh, this song when I heard it...The friggin' feels. And then the video. I up and cried. I'll admit it. You're getting more Meg next week, something a little more hot.

Monday Muse: Rachel Platten -- Fight Song

Oh, the feels. How many times over the past few years?

Monday Muse: OMI - Cheerleader (Felix Jaehn Remix)

All the auditory nummyness of this song. The reggae overtones, his voice, the trumpet, and the need to bop my way through this song...

Why the Muse?

By now it's obvious to most of my blog followers that my blog is pretty much a music blog.  It seems sort of counter-intuitive as I am an author and reader and thus, my blog should center around that, right? 

Well, perhaps not. 

Not if you know me. 

To be fair, from nearly day one, this blog has had a musical element to it.  It also had a review, giveaway, feature, and personal post aspect, but let's focus on why it's all-the-way music for the time being.

My music posts come to you every Monday and they've been called "Monday Muse" from day one.  I chose Monday because Monday is pretty much the 9-5er's bane.  We severely dislike getting up early and having to go to work for another boring week.  We're zombies working on auto-pilot.  I chose Muse because a muse is something that inspires you.  While my music posts aren't always happy-fun-times, I chose them so that they invoke something within you -- wake you up and make you feel something.  At least, that's what they did for me when I first heard them and I want to share that experience with you. 

In many ways, me sharing music that I love with you is a much more coherent and tangible way of sharing a piece of myself with you.  Fancy that, an author who can't put things into words!  But, it's true.  There are some things that we feel so deep inside that it's not only hard to explain but also hard to invoke in another.  I try it in my books, but why re-create the wheel when it comes to music?  Someone already did it in these lyrics or that strand of melody, so why not give it the right to shine?

Above all, I believe in letting creative pieces shine as they should.  I'm a creative person when it comes to writing novels, yes.  But, what many of you don't know is that I'm also very creative in other areas.  I make jewelry, I paint and draw, I design clothing, and I write songs as well.  My love and appreciation for the creative arts is vast and thus, I feel it would be a travesty not to share these things with you. 

If you follow my Facebook or Twitter, you'll see that I tend to be a broad-range sharer of someone else's content.  Why is that?  Well, why not?  So many people are so consumed with creating their own original content -- of being in the spot-light -- that they don't let anyone else talk through them...And then we lose something very important to us -- the tiny things that unite us on a cultural level.  By sharing a "Brown Coat" shirt or a Buzzfeed video about being a survivor you define who you are and rally your community around one common bonfire where you can bond.  That's what makes book fandoms so fantastic.  Hundreds of thousands of people read Harry Potter and when you find out that someone else you know is a Hufflepuff, you're automatically a little more comfortable and trusting with them.  That's an incredibly intense thing!

Our genre preferences define us.  It's often what draws us together as friends and lovers.  These are our hobbies and shared loves.  Genres of music are like genres of books.  We, as humans, classify ourselves by what we read and what we listen to.  Some of us prefer many styles, some only one or two.  Some can tolerate everything, while anything but "the best" is bane to another.  The cool part?  Our preferences in music and our preferences in reading can be very misaligned and that gives us even more depth as human beings.  How many people look at me and guess I'm a total metal head?  Not many.

In the beginning, I chose to blog music because music is the basis of my books.  Wait, what?  Yeah, does that surprise you?  Almost every word I've thought of and written (and read, for that matter) has been done with music in the background.  Action scenes are played out music-video style in my head.  I fantasize about which composers will create the soundtrack to each of my books when it becomes a movie.  I create Youtube playlists for each of the books I've written so that you can all listen to them.  After a while, it just became easier to talk to you in music notes than it did in words.  I save the words for the books.

Besides...

Music is everywhere.  Pay attention to how often it's around you in one day.  It's background to movies, TV shows, and commercials.  You'll listen to it at any point when you're traveling or working out.  They play it in every store you walk in.  You'll mentally start singing or humming to yourself.  Someone will start tapping out a tune while they're sitting next to you.  It's often mentioned in books you read.  Even human language tends to have an almost melodic characteristic to it.  You can't escape music -- it's just as prevalent as the written word.  Perhaps more. 

Personally, I'm willing to bet that music was the very first art form created by man.  And shouldn't we give that respect?  So no, I haven't been posting much about books lately, but that shouldn't bother any of you.  Because I bet you love music almost as much as you love books, you just don't realize it.

But why videos every Monday?  Why not just clips?  I don't always have a good video for a song, especially if it's not well known.  But, I like having videos for some of these songs.  I love both the audio and visual aesthetic and I love to see what the artist's interpretation of their own piece is.  Sometimes the video is better than the song, to be quite honest.  As humans we want to be fed, both visually and aurally.  Even if you just listen to music with your eyes closed, chances are you'll start doing a little Fantasia-style visual work in your head.  We can't help it.  It's our own creative minds feeding off of each other.

Some of you might wonder: Why don't I critique music like so many other blogs?  Well, why should I?  There are already plenty of blogs who do that.  You can make your own choices.  The most I do is share my personal likes and dislikes about a song or video, but I'm not going to go into mechanics and say something is good or bad.  That's your job.  A song can be good to someone and bad to another for entirely different reasons.  That's what makes art art.  Sometimes I don't say anything at all, sometimes I don't know WHAT to say.  It's like taking a bite of something awesome or awful and then immediately handing the spoon to someone else and saying, "Taste this."  You want them to experience it on their own, make their own decision about it.

Every Monday morning, I hand that spoon to you guys and I want to know what you think. So, tune in on Mondays for my muses.  Maybe you'll find something you like or bond over a particular song.  Please feel free to leave comments about what these songs and videos invoke in you, I'd love to see how various people react. :D

Monday Muse: Kari Sigurdsson -- Alive

I don't normally do general instrumental music for Monday Muse, but it's mostly what I listen to when I write. Obviously in my effort to finish Annex by deadline, I've been listening to more than normal. This particular song stood out to me above all the others even when I was in writerly mode, so I wanted to share it with you.

Monday Muse: Of Monsters and Men -- Crystals

Post-apocalyptic gypsy, that's what this video reminds me of. But, the song is so spiritual feeling.

Monady Muse: U2 -- Bullet the Blue Sky

Today I encourage you to channel your inner hunter and go run with the wolves.

Monday Muse: Elle King -- Ex's and Oh's

I love her voice! Also, I love this song...and all this video. Story of my life, right?! Bahahah!

Monday Muse: Jarryd James -- Do You Remember

This song has sexy times written all over it...

Monday Muse: Bad Blood -- Taylor Swift

You can hate on Taylor all you want, but I like her. And I love this video for all its kick-butt girlyness, it's absolute truth, and the fact that I totally want to go to this school for deadly divas. XD

Monday Muse: Karliene -- Become the Beast

This song is so haunting and beautiful. Karliene's voice is fantastic and beautiful. Across the board, all of her work embodies something that I love, so I can't help but love her!

Monday Muse: Jukebox the Ghost -- Postcard

Monday Muse: New Politics - Harlem

I have a crush on this one...

Monday Muse: Editors -- Sugar

This man's voice...

Monday Muse: Paramore -- Decode

I'm feeling nostalgic.

Monday Muse: Vanessa Hudgens -- Identified

In honor of my weekend at Northeast Fire and Arts Festival, something to move to...

Monday Muse: My Type -- Saint Motel

Oh, the retro...But it's kinda catchy...

Monday Muse: Passion Pit -- Lifted Up (1985)

Because 1985 is my year. And there are songs that talk about it! And my name! I feel the specials...

What Happens in Vegas Stays in Vegas...Unless I Tell You.

Hello everyone,

Now that I'm decently over my post-con introversion, it's time to tell you all about how The Novel Experience Event (TNEE) went!

Travel both to and from Las Vegas went smoothly and I'm happy to report that I didn't suffer from jet lag while I was at the con.  Although, afterwards was a bit rocky.  I can also say that I escaped con plague, which is always a plus!

It was my first time going to Vegas and I didn't know what to expect.  Most people just think show girls, gambling, and drunken elopement when they think about Vegas and while all of these were certainly options, there is a lot more to Vegas than what we think.  I shall now tell you the good, the bad, and the ugly of my experience in Vegas.

Let's begin.  Firstly, on the trip to Vegas, I finished reading The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani (Read my review here).  Upon arrival at McCarren International, I had an easy time getting through the airport and retrieving my bags.  And yes, there are even slot machines in the airport!  I was able to find the cab waiting area with ease and was promptly whisked away by a friendly cabby who made me fear no more or less for my life than your normal New York City cabby.  The ride to Planet Hollywood was quick and straight forward, costing me less than 10 bucks.

Planet Hollywood...Oh, where to begin.  When the cab dropped me off, there were no automatic doors.  In fact, they were pull doors...and while there was a gentleman who worked for the hotel standing just inside the door (watching me) he did not assist me or my three bags through the door.  The signage was a bit confusing, so I could not figure out where I was supposed to go to get to my room (north or south tower).  Eventually, I found a nicer, more helpful gentleman than the jerk who watched me struggle with the doors and he found out exactly where I needed to go.  However, he did not offer to call a bellhop for my convenience and there were no baggage carts to the visible eye.  So, I struggled with my three bags all the way to the Blues Brothers Suite where I stayed with a friend.

Upon settling in, I left with some readers and author friends to go to Culinary Drop-Out at Hard Rock.  It's an adorable place with a half indoor, half outdoor layout with braziers and sofas.  Our waiter wasn't exactly what I'd come to expect considering the way the restaurant staff is described, but he was friendly, knowledgeable, and provided excellent service.  I ordered sweet tea, which they didn't have, though they made a delicious attempt at it for my pleasure.  At our waiter's suggestion we ordered the pretzel and provolone fondue appetizer.  The appetizer was amazing and I had to keep count of how much I ate so I didn't hog it all, LOL!  For my entree I ordered the grilled cheese sliders, which I was really excited about...but they were a disappointment.  My sliders were made on very thick bread that had either been toasted for too long or left to cool for too long.  Either way, they were very hard and difficult to eat, which took away from the flavor entirely.  I didn't end up finishing them.  To be fair, everyone else seemed to really enjoy their meals.

After that, we went back to hotel room and played a rousing game of Cards Against Humanity.  I had just enough time to go support a friend getting a tattoo (yes, TNEE does have resident tattoo artists and yes they are amazing...they also have a corsetiere, who is even more amazing).  Then, it was bedtime...  The hotel's beds were pretty fantastic...

Next day (Thursday) I got up and ready.  While I loved our epic bathroom, I promptly discovered that the water in Las Vegas and my hair are not friends.  Normally, I don't care about my looks enough to care about my hair -- except when it's so bad that I feel greasy after getting out of the shower.  I vowed to resolve this, ASAP.  I registered early for the con and went in search of breakfast.  I hit the Mirage Mile Mall, which is attached to Planet Hollywood and found a jem of a surprise.  Just look at how the interior looks!  I got so caught up in exploring that I didn't have time to sit and eat, so breakfast came to me in the form of a Starbucks panini (don't judge me) and a venti Chai (One of many while I was there). 

I had just enough time to eat and get back in time to prep for my YA panel with Brad Keene, Ava O'Shea, Jennifer Lynn Catz, Bianca Sommerland, and Kristen Strassel.  The panel went wonderfully and I tip my hat to the authors involved.  Following the YA panel came a SF/F panel with J.M. Gregoire, Amber Benson, Tameri Etherton, KC Klein, and Michelle C. Reilly.  This panel also went very well and thumbs up to the noobies for doing so well.  Also, hooray for everyone involved, both panel and audience, for not fan-girling it out in the presence of Amber Benson (who some of you might recognize from Buffy). 

After the panels, I had lunch with Michelle C. Reilly at Blondies in The Miracle Mile then it was time to get my tourist on!  With my trusty buddy, author TJ Michaels in tow, we hit the Walgreens around the corner for a few quick things (including new shampoo to strip all the gunk from my hair).  Then, it was off to Bellagio to see the Japanese flower garden in the conservatory.  We found the Bellagio so lovely that we took a little walking tour of the inside.  It was at this time that I started to realize there is more to Vegas than the casinos.  The buildings!  As a lover of architecture and art, I could not get enough of how the Bellagio (hotel, casino, mall) was a fabulous marriage of both.  After we got our fill of the Bellagio, we headed out toward The Flamingo to see the animal habitat.  On the way, we got a chance to see the Bellagio fountain display.  I learned a few things about the streets of Vegas: there are buskers and homeless people everywhere, get used to it; there are a ton of cosplayers to take your pictures with; there is no simple way to get from Point A to Point B, so plan ahead to spend twice as much time walking than you thought you would.

At The Flamingo, we found the habitat -- which wasn't as exciting as I had hoped it would be, but was still stocked with some lovely little critters.  By then, we were hungry and TJ had to be back for a panel, so we grabbed a quick bite to eat at Cabo Wabo in The Miracle Mile.  The salad I ordered was pretty good, the tortillas and guacamole were to die for.  Our waiter was a little shady.  I mean that literally and figuratively -- he wore sunglasses the whole time and he also disappeared for an exorbitant period of time, which shorted me the dessert I'd been eying and made TJ have to leave early while I stayed behind to pay the bill and catch her up later.

After that was all squared away it was prep for a night out.  A group of authors and readers made our way to Serendipity 3 at Caesar's Palace (home of the thousand dollar sundae).  I wasn't terribly hungry because I'd just eaten with TJ, but I had some sweet potato fries -- which had the best chipotle sauce to go with them) and a spiked frozen hot chocolate (which was massive and totally worth the $20 dollar price tag).  The waitress here was also the best one that I had the whole time I was in Vegas.  Caesar's is HUGE and the outside is so cool!  There's even a cute little Buddhist shrine by the restaurant we ate at.  one thing I did learn?  There are chapels at almost all the hotels... 

It was back to the hotel in our evil shoes and then some more Cards Against Humanity -- which went unfinished as we were all pooped.  Back to bed!

Friday morning went much better for my hair...at least I thought so until the waiter at Cheeseburger dropped a syrupy fork in my hair at breakfast -- that's after he spilled the syrup container all over my breakfast. XD  Syrupy hair aside, breakfast was your typical breakfast which I was not disappointed by.  The walk back to the hotel provided me a little shopping experience at the sparklies store.  I have no idea what it was called, but everything was sparklies.  I got my tiara for the upcoming AAD Tiara Ball and then some excellent earrings and a goodie for one of my friends back home.  All at 50-75% off because I'm a shopping diva!!!

After breakfast I had a Cross-Genre panel with KC Klein, JM Gregoire, Amber Benson, Brad Keene, Rebecca Fisher, and Marie Sexton.  I have to say Ms. Sexton's shoes were fabulous, I think I told her that like five times...  That panel went well once it got started, we probably could have kept talking...  Apologies to the panel after us for running a pinch over!

After my last panel it was time to get to business!!  I set up my table for the mass signing and grabbed a bite to eat at Chipotle (I still like Moe's better) and stopped by the Sketchers store with TJ.  Then it was the VIP preview.  For those of you that are not aware of how TNEE works, the mass signing is open to the public, but you can pay for a VIP pass which allows you access to all the panels, parties, and outings, as well as a chance to have time all to yourselves with the authors the day before the mass signing.  I got to have some lovely, in depth conversations with fans and that's why I like the VIP day better.

After the VIP preview, I teamed up with some more readers and authors and we headed out to the Luxor to expereince the Titanic Exhibit.  This was an amazing exhibit with scale recreations of sections of the boat, articles that were brought up from the depths, a massive piece of the hull on display, and a creepy chunk of ice with hand prints in it.  One of the quirky parts of this exhibit is that you're given a ticket at the beginning telling you what passenger you are.  At the end of the exhibit you check your name against a memorial wall to see if you lived.  My nineteen year old, recently married passenger lived.  My new husband lived.  My dog Frou Frou died.  Upon further inquest, I found that the baby I'd been carrying while on the Titanic was born safely afterward but ended up dying a few days later.  Then I got in a horrible debilitating accident, my husband divorced me, I ended up contracting an awful illness, and then died the same day my husband got remarried.  I feel bad for this poor girl!  I did get a piece of genuine coal from the Titanic and my assistant gifted me some White Star Line coasters.  I'm still sore I didn't buy myself some First Class china though...

After Titanic, I needed my spirits raised, so my assistant took me to see more sights.  A night of exploring the various architecture and splendor of the hotels, watching some street performances, and trying my hand at the slot machines ensued.  My highlights: the Lucky Cat and the Chandelier Bar at the Cosmopolitan; a night time techno display at the Bellagio Fountain, the casino and restaurant level of New York, New York, the facade of Excalibur, the surprise that the Luxor was Egyptian themed!, the massive golden lions of the MGM, and the futuristic look of the facade of the Aria.

Friday was another quick Starbucks breakfast and then I spent most of the day glued to my seat for the TNEE signing.  Yes, it was a bit slow.  But, it was also the weekend of Easter, it was being held out of Romance Ink's normal territory, and Planet Hollywood sucked on all fronts with EVERYTHING.  They would not promote the event, they would not let TNEE promote for the event, they misdirected and misinformed people attempting to find TNEE, and they also sucked with giving TNEE attendees a good room deal.  We paid the full price for rooms, which was $189 a night...which is steep for anyone -- not to mention the higher prices for food, transportation, and entertainment in Vegas.  Plus, they charged us upwards of ten dollars just to use a bottle opener!!!  Meh!!!  Are you getting the idea that I hate Planet Hollywood?  Because I hope you are...  My point?  Never stay there...

Back on track.  There is some mixed content going around the internet about TNEE, I personally didn't find it to be a waste.  I met a number of new readers, networked with many authors and bloggers, had a fabulous time in Vegas and got a chance to do some book shopping myself.  As for the other political things that are going around.  As someone who knows the staff and con director personally, I know exactly what happened and I personally think much of what is being said is slanderous.  Rules were posted then either ignored or broken.  General etiquette was pushed to the wayside.  I still intend to go to TNEE and AAD in future years and I encourage readers and authors of all backgrounds, preferences, and genres to also attend so long as you're willing to follow simple and fair rules.

After the signing, I went to see Ka, which is a Cirque du Soleil show at the MGM.  And OH EM GEE....I cannot, in words, express to you how I feel about this show.  I'd just make all sorts of squeals and exaggerated expressions.  Needless to say, it was incredible.  When you first walk in, you feel like you're being seated in some post-apocalyptic underground industrial complex, which is only emphasized by the outfits worn by the staff, the random plumes of fire, the belching mist, the the sounds of miners deep below.  Then, the story unfolds...

Ka has an actual story line, which is a little different than some of the other Cirque shows that just have a thematic element.  Despite this, Ka still manged to touch the humor, intense beauty, and deeply human aspects that I have come to expect from Cirque du Soleil.  I had thought from reading about it that Ka would be Asian inspired, but it borrowed from a number of cultures from all over the world and created entirely new cultures depicted in the show.  It's the largest and most complex of the Cirque shows, taking up a full eight floors.  I had been a bit apprehensive because this is a floor show without a water feature, but they make use of some intense acrobatics and the stages actually move and rotate.  There are also a number of scenes that imply water, which are so amazingly done you don't miss the water features.  As someone who is hard of hearing, I was so pleased to find that the seats actually have speakers built into them, so I had no trouble hearing any of the sound effects, speaking, or the great musical score.  My favorite parts are opening ship, the bird, and the rainforest.  My only complaint is that a few of the scenes at the beginning were just a pinch drawn out, though I have a feeling that's because they were stalling for time while other things were being prepared behind the curtain...

Thoroughly stoked from my Ka experience, I finished up my last night in Vegas by grabbing some amazing hush puppies at New York, New York; taking a stroll through the Venetian, grabbing some dessert in Paris, and then having a midnight snack at Oyster Bay in the Miracle Mile Mall...where a rainstorm in the middle of the mall totally freaked me out!!!

One last night at Planet Hollywood -- topped by random charges to our cards -- we left for the airport.  I read The Iron Witch by Karen Mahoney (read my review here) on the way home and that was that!

I'm totally going back to Las Vegas the first chance I get.  Although I'm totally not staying at Planet Hollywood.  :P  You should totally come next time!!!!

Monday Muse: All Time Low: Satellite

I am in loves with this song. In the LOVE!!!!

Monday Muse: Muse -- Dead Inside

I love when my Monday Muse actually ends up BEING Muse...LOL!

NEXIS preorders are up!

Hey all!  The Amazon Pre-Order page for NEXIS is now up and running.  Go forth and populate the shelves of everyone you know who loves Sci-Fi, Romance, Fantasy, or Young Adult literature because it will appeal to them all!

NEXIS: In the domed city of Evanescence, appearance is everything. A Natural Born amongst genetically-altered Aristocrats, all Ella ever wanted was to be like everyone else. Augmented, sparkling, and perfect. Then…the crash. Devastated by her father’s death and struggling with her new physical limitations, Ella is terrified to learn she is not just alone, but little more than a prisoner.

Her only escape is to lose herself in Nexis, the hugely popular virtual reality game her father created. In Nexis she meets Guster, a senior player who guides Ella through the strange and compelling new world she now inhabits. He offers Ella guidance, friendship…and something more. Something that allows her to forget about the “real” world, and makes her feel whole again.

But Nexis isn’t quite the game everyone thinks it is.

And it’s been waiting for Ella.

Vegas Baby!

I'm going to be in Las Vegas until Monday, April 6th so apologies beforehand if I'm slow to respond or not as active as normal.  Also, sorry for the photobombs ahead of time...

Why am I there?  I'm a featured author signing at The Novel Experience Event at Planet Hollywood on April 3 and 4.  Please come by and visit me and many other amazing authors!  I'll be handing out lots of SWAG and selling autographed copies of For Your Heart.

Monday use: The Golden Age -- The Asteroids Galaxy Tour

I thought this was appropriate for my week in Vegas.

Monday Muse: George Ezra -- Budapest

Monday Muse: The Veronicas -- You Ruin Me

NEXIS Cover reveal!

Woooo!!!!  I finally get to show you all the pretties!!!!  Ahem, coming to a bookstore near you on December 1, 2015...

NEXIS:

In the domed city of Evanescence, appearance is everything. A Natural Born amongst genetically-altered Aristocrats, all Ella ever wanted was to be like everyone else. Augmented, sparkling, and perfect. Then...the crash. Devastated by her father's death and struggling with her new physical limitations, Ella is terrified to learn she is not just alone, but little more than a prisoner.

Her only escape is to lose herself in Nexis, the hugely popular virtual reality game her father created. In Nexis she meets Guster, a senior player who guides Ella through the strange and compelling new world she now inhabits. He offers Ella guidance, friendship...and something more. Something that allows her to forget about the “real” world, and makes her feel whole again.

But Nexis isn't quite the game everyone thinks it is.

And it's been waiting for Ella.

**Nexis is a YA Sci-Fi novel that will appeal to readers of Ender's Game, Across the Universe, and Cinder; and watchers of The Matrix, Avatar, TRON Legacy, and Sword Art Online.

Add to your Goodreads
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Listen to music inspired by the book

Monday Muse: Sehppard -- Geronimo

Monday Muse: Bear's Den -- Agape

Monday Muse: Bleachers -- Rollercoaster

Monday Muse: Awolnation -- Hollow Moon (Bad Wolf)

NEXIS Cover Reveal sign-ups!

As you may all know, my YA sci-fi book NEXIS sold last summer to Entangled Teen.  The exciting part about this book is that, even though Entangled is a digital publisher and the contract was for digital publication, the mother house for Entangled, Macmillan, has agreed to release NEXIS in print.

I'm still waiting to hear back about whether NEXIS will be hardcover or trade paperback, but it's looking like the release date for the book will be November/December 2015.  That said, we're moving right along and starting the cover reveal!  I'm so excited about my cover as it's so very lovely.  Also, I've just been sent the blurb for the back of the book!  *swoon*

I've been working long and hard on this book and I'd love it if you ladies and gentlemen would help spread the word by getting involved.

Entangled is doing a cover reveal for NEXIS with YA Bound Book Tours on February 24.  If you're interested in participating in the cover reveal, you can sign up here.

If you'd like to learn more about the book, here's some additional info and the new blurb.  Feel free to put it on your Goodreads TBR list:

Genre flags: futuristic, science fiction, cyberpunk, dystopian, fantasy, virtual reality, disabilities, environment, social norms, technology
Age Bracket: high school and adult
Fans who Watch: TRON Legacy, Avatar, Sword Art Online, .hack//Sign
Fans who Read: Ender's Game, Cinder, Across the Universe, Uglies, Neuromancer, Robopocalypse

Nexis:
In the domed city of Evanescence, appearance is everything. Yet Ella Drexel is a Natural Born, living amongst genetically-altered Aristocrats who permanently “modify” themselves to be beautiful and flawless to the point of excess. Unlike Ella, who resents living in the skin she was born with. All she ever wanted was to be like everyone else—augmented, sparkling, and perfect. Then...the crash. Devastated by her father's death and struggling with her new physical limitations, Ella discovers she is now little more than a prisoner. Her only escape is to lose herself in Nexis, the hugely popular virtual reality game her father created. But Nexis isn't quite the game everyone thinks it is. And it's been waiting for Ella.

Monday Muse: Luca Stricagnoli -- Thunderstruck

His names are a little creepy, but OMG he can play...

Monday Muse: The National -- I Need My Girl

This is such a beautiful song.

Monday Muse: Laura Marling -- Devil's Spoke

This song makes me want to dance with a shawl, Stevie Nicks Style.

Monday Muse: My Brightest Diamond -- Pressure

This is such a strange combination of things. It's unique and snappy. I like it. Plus, this lady looks like she belongs in Nexis, so I am okay with her.

Monday Muse: Escape the Fate -- Gorgeous Nightmare

Monday Muse: Banks -- Beggin' for Thread