A hello from Shalea - Guest blog and GIVEAWAY by YA Author J.Lilley

Please give a warm welcome to J. Lilley. I'm delighted to have her back on my blog, and this is why...

That's my Teen daughter, who is a huge fan of the series, with her print copy that arrived this week.

Over to you Jo :-)

*****

I have difficulty believing this week. Not only did I get my print copy of books 1-3 The Shalean Moon, (all under one lovely cover), But Accepted, book 3 came out as an eBook.

Look! Now is that not a great cover? To be honest each one in this series is special, and all designed by Mina Carter.

Accepted is about two male teens, trying to sort out their partnership. As one is human and one Shalean, it's not that easy. The fact there are people who want to bring down Shalea, by any means, adds to the complications.

Here's the blurb

Andy is Shalean and in love with a human, but had no idea how to make such a relationship work.

Sam has no idea that Shalea exists, only that he is fed up waiting for Andy to make the first move. Overjoyed to find his feelings reciprocated Sam starts seeing strange things.

Something is afoot and Andy seems right in the middle of it.

What Sam discovers rocks him to the core. But he is determined to fight for their chance of happiness. Human he may be, but as long as Andy wants him, they can face anything, can't they?

Excerpt

Sam was whistling as he left the school buildings. At last he'd decided to ask Andy straight out to go to The Cave with him. And he'd agreed—almost.

He'd admired and yes, fancied him for months, years, he amended silently. Ever since he'd accepted he was gay he'd known Andy was the one for him, recognized him as the one person he could be himself with. But Andy, macho, rugby playing Andy, had always seemed somewhat aloof. Friendly up to a point, helpful, chatty, but always keeping part of himself hidden.

Then within the last few weeks, Sam has sensed a change in Andy. Almost he thought, as if he had made peace with himself. He'd become more open about his sexuality, actually saying out loud to a crowd of classmates that yes of course he was gay, and so what? And then winked at Sam!

So, nothing ventured, and all that. So he'd ventured, and now, well, way to go, I've got a date —almost.Hopefully Andy would confirm it the following day.

And if he doesn't? Not even going to think about that.

Typical, trust me to leave the car in the furthest corner of the car park. And it's raining and shit…what? No way… no bloody way.

Sam blinked. Nothing. But he's bet his next try at rugby there'd been a fox in front of him. But what a fox. If that's what it was. Silver, and…nah, had to be a dog. You're losing it. The thought of going out with Andy, and you're losing it. Gotta be a dog.

As he got into his car and drove away, he could have sworn he'd seen eyes glinting at him from the bushes. But these eyes were not the color of a fox, or most dogs for that matter. Big bright, piercing blue, like the flash of light from a glacier on a summer's day, they stared at him. He blinked.

Nothing. Just the rain on the windscreen, the wipers passing monotonously over it.

Weird.

A person on the pavement caught his eye and he pulled up, and opened the window.

"Hi Aibhlinn isn't it? It's Sam. Sam McIlwain, I'm in your class. Do you want a lift anywhere? You're getting soaked."

The person turned, and looked at him, the hood of her coat slipping as she moved , uncovering her long pale hair. As she stared, her eyes seemed to go straight through him, and Sam shivered. Then she spoke, the soft Scottish accent refreshing, and as she spoke she smiled, and her face lit up.

"That’s kind, but no need, my mum will be here in a second. I'm just walking to meet her at the corner."

In the rain?

"Well do you want me to drop you off there?" he asked. She looked cold, and the rain was spiking her hair, darkening it; drops running down her face and onto her coat.

Then her eyes flashed, frosty and unfriendly. Gone was the seemingly friendly girl of a few seconds before. Instead now there was a stranger. One who was looking through him.

And again, weird. Those eyes!

"No thank you." She didn't even smile but walked on.

Okay, here's your hat what's the hurry. Mentally shrugging, he put his car in gear, pulled up the handbrake and…where the hell has she gone?

*********

So have I got your interest? I hope so…There's another three books to come to complete the series. Or does it?

One lucky commenter within a week, will have the chance to own their very own ecopy of Accepted

jlilleyauthor.com

jlilleyauthor.blogspot.com

Books available from

www.lycaonpress.com

www.omnilit.com

and amazon

Guest Interview and GIVEAWAY with YA Author Suzanne Fuller

I am delighted to have a personal friend and member of my lovely Crit group UCW on my blog today with her brand new YA release North: The Lycans.

Riley Olssen is a born and bred Lycan who lives in the quiet suburbs of Valdez, Alaska. Her life is simple: she goes to school, comes home, and shifts in the forest behind her home. When her father receives word that his brother has died, they must return to his home in Sweden to take care of the pack Davin left behind.

Soon after they arrive, Riley realizes there is much more to the small town than she'd ever expected. She discovers that the Lycans are not the only creatures to hide behind a human façade. Falling in love with the wrong Lycan is only one of the problems she encounters. In one day, her life is forever changed, and she must discover her own inner strength because all signs seem to point to a war heading her way.

Please give a warm welcome to Suzanne Fuller!

Hey Suz, great to have you here J

Hiya Doris! It's great to be here! I'm very excited.

Make yourself all comfy like.

Oh dear, I needed permission? *quietly places feet back on floor from being on table*

*giggles*

Q. Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

I sure can! I'm a 26 year old author and currently living in Central Scotland. I've been married for 2 ½ years but have been with my husband for 8 ½ years! We have three mental cats, which always make for an interesting day. I lived in the U.S. for ten years, where I discovered my love for Creative Writing.

Q. What made you write ‘this’ story?

I had a dream about the Series, which is entitled "North". A group of kids aged between sixteen-eighteen, stranded in a winter wasteland with only the aurora to light their way in the dark. I could feel an evil presenting itself to them, but I could not see what that evil was…when I woke up I had Riley Olssen, a sixteen-year-old Lycan from Valdez, Alaska demanding I write her story. I tried to ignore her as I had other things going at the time, but she was relentless, so here I am!

Q. Did you always want to write YA?

No. Not because I don't enjoy YA. In fact, I read quite a lot of YA books, some of which have put themselves on my favourites list. I only didn't attempt because of the strict rules and guidelines you have to follow. I'm not one for staying inside the box. But as you read above, I didn't have much choice. Pesky characters… ;)

LOL, I hear you. Those characters have a mind of their own, for sure.

Q. Tell us about your cover.

Ohhhh! My cover! *squee* I LOVE my cover! Anyone who knows me knows how picky I am…to the point of being just a plain nuisance (don't roll your eyes at me Mrs O'Connor!). Victoria Miller from Lycaon Press has truly outdone herself. When I look at it, I can see my dream all over again, and Riley is perfect. Also, pay close attention to the Aurora in the background. You might see something you didn't before. ;)

Q. Describe a typical day’s writing for us

I'm a creature of habit, much like many other authors out there. I wake up, do my morning stretches as I recall my dreams (to see if there's anything worth jotting down…you just never know!), make myself a nice tall cup of strong tea with a splash of milk, enjoy my morning cigarette (nasty habit, I know…) and sit down at my Mac. The daily calls of life unfortunately knock me out of place more often than not, so I write whenever I can. As long as my characters haven't gone silent on me. They can be buggers like that!

A trick to get you going quickly is to stop mid paragraph. NOT at the end of a chapter or chapter-break. It pulls you back in much faster than having to come up with yet ANOTHER good first sentence, when you're not quite in the right frame of mind, yet.

Q. What inspires you?

Everything! When I'm forced to leave my Mac and the house I love to people-watch. Everyone is different and it's the perfect way to pick up habits you may never have thought of. I also cannot write without music. If I have a story in mind, characters there, setting there, I make a playlist that would suit the atmosphere I want to create. It puts my brain in the right place. I also make character playlists. It might sound sad but when a character shuts up, put on some of their favourite music and you'd be surprised how quickly they come out of hiding…well…some of them, anyway.

I also find inspiration in images. The two sites I visit most would be Pinterest and deviantArt. Be warned, they contain what I like to call 'the-writers-blackhole-of-death'. You'll lose yourself very easily if you're not careful.

Q. If you weren’t a writer what would you be?

A zoologist. Definitely. I love animals. I think it'd be incredible to work with primates, especially Lemurs. They're so fascinating! Take a look at an Aye-aye and tell me that is not a mystical creature!

Oooh, interesting!

Q. Do your characters ever surprise you?

All the time! In fact, I'm currently working on the second story in the "North" Series, "The Wardens". Arabella is stubborn and around ten-thousand words into the Manuscript she decides that she's not going the way I'd planned. She'll do what she likes or she'll shut up forever. *facepalm*

We might create these characters, but we certainly don't have control over them. Once they're there, they're there. But, thanks to Ara I've realized that I'm a panster, not a plotter.

Yeah, with you there.

Q. What could not do without when you’re writing?

Coffee, tea, music in my earphones, and no disturbances. If I look like I'm in a trance, it's for a reason!

Q. What words of wisdom do you have for the aspiring authors out there?

Never give up! I know the whole thing sounds terrifying. You're sending your child into the world for others to judge. It's never easy, but I promise it's all worth the hard work and stress.

I'd also recommend you find a good and truthful critique group to work with or a good friend (not spouse…unless you want an early divorce) to read your work. None of us ever like our own work, for the most part. It's your own words and you'll find things you hate everywhere if you look too often. A fresh pair of eyes is the best solution.

Q. Where do you see yourself in ten year’s time?

Well, in my dreams I see myself at a beach-house in Northern California or a cabin in the woods somewhere in Sweden. Or both, why not, right? This is MY fantasy after all! And of course, my nose will still be stuck in my Mac, writing til the day I die.

Q. Do you have a favourite quote?

" Deep into that darkness peering, long I stood there, wondering, fearing, doubting, dreaming dreams no mortal ever dared to dream before." – Edgar Allan Poe

Edgar Allan Poe is a legend anyway, but this quote is beautiful and really…perfect.

Q. Do you ever suffer from writer’s block?

Unfortunately. But more often than not it's a silent character. If I have more than one story on the go I can usually work on the other while the previous starts speaking again.

Q. What other books can your readers look forward to?

Well, as I said before I'm working on the next North Novella "The Wardens". I hope to see that coming out soon, too.

Myself and fellow YA author J Lilley have just signed a contract for our Scottish-Mythlore Series entitled "The Daihlredhe". Look for the first "Myth" sometime in the Autumn/Winter of this year.

Q. And finally can you share an excerpt with us?

I'd be delighted to! J

***

The line began to move, and once I handed my ticket to the flight attendant to rip, I barreled down the Jetway, making a few passengers uncomfortable as it swayed under us, and practically fell in the door of the plane. Two men were checking seat numbers. One of them giggled at me, the other rolled his eyes. I beamed as brightly as I could at them–the most fake smile I have–and ran to my seat. 32F, window seat behind the wing. The seats were well cushioned and there was a sufficient amount of leg room, although I wondered how my six-foot-four father would fare for nine hours.

I strapped myself in, kicked my backpack under the seat and waited for mom to give me my book, a new Jeff Lindsay thriller, and sit down next to me. Dad always took the aisle so he could stretch out. The engine roared to life and mom held my hand, knowing that my nerves would be racking up by then. I might be eager, but take off always terrifies me.

I see a red door, and I want it painted black.

Singing a song in my head always seemed to calm my nerves. We were on the runway now, moving forward. The engines roared again and my heart kicked into overdrive. Sweat seeped from everywhere, and I gripped mom's hand even tighter.

No colors anymore, I want them to turn black.

We were moving fast, the seat belt sign blinked a few thousand times, and I scrunched my eyes shut. The plane tipped up, the floor beneath us shook, and I could hear my breath echoing in my ears. Midnight woke up, her whines turned to growls, and soon I was struggling to keep her in. My chest burst into flame as I sensed her trying to escape. I looked at mom, who had been watching me from the moment we took off. She looked worried, and I panicked. I unbuckled and shuffled past mom and dad and, clutching my chest, my nails already in transition, I ran to the bathroom.

"Hey! We're still in takeoff! You can't get up!" The flight attendant said and tried to grab me. I ripped my arm from his grasp. Midnight growled, the flight attendant cowered, and I locked myself in the bathroom. Sliding against the door, I pushed Midnight down and tried to tell her to stop, but she wouldn't listen.

I shifted. 10,000 feet in the air, a black wolf squeezed into a tiny box.

Shit! Midnight, stop! Not now, dammit!

The plane began to shake and jump, and with my paws outstretched I slammed into every wall at least a dozen times. I tried to turn, but my head just got wedged between the door and the sink.

This has to be the smallest damn bathroom ever!

"Are you all right in there, miss?" A man said from the other side of the door and knocked.

Double shit! Now what am I going to do?

The seat belt sign went off with a ding. There was a rustling outside the door and muffled voices. Mom was coming to our rescue. We could smell her, and then her motherly voice spoke to us.

"Riley? Are you all right, darlin'?"

Midnight whined but I managed to muffle most of it and force her to sit back.

"Think of the snow between your feet," she whispered so only we would hear. "Think of the lands you can run wild in when we get there."

Midnight latched to that thought and started to let me regain control over my body. She retracted slowly, and I curled in a ball next to the door, naked as the day I was born and staring at my torn clothes as if I could mend them together with my mind. I slid the lock along for mom, and she sneaked inside, a change of clothes and shoes at the ready. She smiled sweetly and rubbed my shoulder.

"Don't worry, honey. You'll gain control of her soon." She kissed my forehead and helped me clean up.

I would like to take a quick second to talk about the Interactive YA Blog, Dark & Dusk, myself and J Lilley have put together. We are launching this week and are still looking for young (14-18 years old) writers, reviewers to join our ranks! If so please contact myself and J at: darkanddusk@rocketmail.com

Lycaon link: http://www.lycaonpress.com/index.php?main_page=product_free_shipping_info&cPath=1&products_id=6

My website: http://suzannefuller.weebly.com/books.html

Dark & Dusk Interactive YA Blog: http://darkanddusk.blogspot.com

*****

Thanks for stopping by Suz!

Suzanne has kindly agreed to hold a giveway. Just leave a comment for a chance to win a copy of this great story!

Guest Blog and GIVEAWAY by new YA Author J.Lilley

I am bringing you something very different today, so listen up :-)

I have a very special visitor. J. Lilley's heroine Rach, who's here to tell us all about the Shalean series. I must admit I have a personal interest in this series, as the original idea was inspired by my search for a shifter book for my own Teen daughter. J Lilley wrote her that story, a publisher got wind of it, and the rest is beautiful history, as they say.

But don't just take my word for it. Read on and find out more about Shalea.

****

Hi all, I'm Rach. I thought I'd give you a wee peek into my world. Gah, see, I'm picking up the slang already, and I've only been up here a few months. I'll be saying "I ken ya." And "haud yer wheesht" before long. No idea what it really means. But I reckon it’s a version of —hold on let me check dad's not listening—shut your gob!

 Oh I forgot you have no idea what I'm on about do you? Sheesh, there's the Scottish bits again. I'll start again.

Hi there, my name is Rach Connor, and I've just moved to Scotland with my dad, started a new school and made new friends, and sadly enemies. Oh and evidently I'm Shalean.

No I didn't know what that meant either.

See in my first week at school, I met this boy. Fit and er well fit, if you get my drift. But when my dad came to pick me up from school, and Brios—that's the boy— told dad his name he, dad I mean, went awful quiet. And when we got home he went ballistic, absolutely apeshit. Told me I couldn't see him again, yadiyadiya.

Well I mean, that was so not on, so for the first proper time, cos lets face it I'm not counting, sneaking an extra biscuit or stopping out ten minutes late here, I'm talking big time, I defied him.

 And ohhh, shit!

Life sure changed then. And boy was my imagination stretched. But it was all true, I had a lot to learn. Poor dad, I bet there are times he wished he'd never moved up here. Me? Oh, I'm so glad we did. Okay my life will never, ever, be the same again, but I've found a whole new side of me, and its brilliant. Well most of it is anyway, and if you read the book, you'll find out just what's what.

 Fancy me, Rach having a book written about her life eh? And not only that, there's another five showing you what happens later.

 So here's the blurb, boy I love that's what it's called…oh first the cover… drool at the Leopard! I've got dibs on him.

            When Rach moved to Scotland she knew there would be changes. She hadn't expected them to be quite so dramatic. Not only was there a new house, new school and new friends, there was also a secret to discover.

            Brios Parde was a Patriarch in waiting. When the powerful leopard shifter senses a new Shalean he is amazed to discover it's the new girl. All his senses tell him Rach will be important to him.

However the Rogues try to destroy the budding relationship. Will Rach decide to side with Brios or help stage an uprising?

***

cool eh?…

And here's an excerpt, now hey, this isn't shown anywhere else except in the book, so its sorta special if you get me *wink*

Excerpt

“So, how was your day?”

 “Sheesh Dad, you sound so American, ‘How was your day?’” Rach parroted. “ My day was fine. You know I met some cool friends, and one of them has a fit brother.”

“Now you sound so American,” he retorted. “Or is that just teen-speak? Don’t forget I’m a poor old man who doesn’t understand these things.”

“Yeah, yeah, whatever.” Rach rolled her eyes and made a face. Instead of laughing like he usually would, or tweaking her nose or something, he grimaced.

What’s wrong now?

Her dad, who had always been open and honest, was holding something back. She’d bet her Lady Gaga download on it.

“Dad, are you okay? You look weird.”

He nodded, but Rach wasn’t convinced. A weird dad was so not okay with her. She knew something was grossly up, with a capital ‘U’.

“Da-ad.” That usually guaranteed the answer she wanted, but not this time. Instead he kissed her nose and said absently, “Chicken, it’s all fine.”

Chicken? Chicken, why on earth does he always call me chicken? It might be just a pet name, but I don’t like it!

She wondered what he was worried about. She’d be sixteen in a few months. She bet he’d had friends of both sexes at her age.

Probably indulged in, whoa—don’t go there Rach, too gross.

She liked everyone she’d met today. Well, nearly everyone she amended silently; that Struan guy had seemed a bit off, but Leira and Brios had been great to talk to, and had waited until her dad turned up to get her. Brios had even introduced himself; shook hands with dad and told him who he was, where he lived and stuff; really mature and adult like. Her Dad had acted really strange though; quite short and not very friendly, not like him at all. When she asked him whether he liked Brios and Leira he’d just said he didn’t know them, and changed the subject.

“What’s for tea?” she asked to take her mind off Brios and how good he looked; and how he made her go all tingly. She’d bet another download, or ten, that he was a great kisser. Not that she thought he’d want to show her. She might be nearly sixteen, well fifteen and a bit, but he must be nearly eighteen. He probably just thought of her as his sister’s friend.

Pity! I’d love to see him in boardies. Gah Rach, stop thinking about Brios in boardies; so un-cool.

“Shall I cook?” She wrinkled her nose hoping he would say no. He was a way better cook than her.

“No need. I made fish pie and it just needs heating. There’s salad to go with it, and don’t screw your face up. I didn’t put radishes in it, I kept them separate.” She watched as he seemed to hesitate, and then he asked, “What do you know about that boy today?”

******

So, see what I mean about dad? So not like him. Oh and Leira? She's Brios sister and my best friend, but boy if you think I've got problems you've gotta read her story. That's in book 2, Renounced. And how great is this? If you can't wait to read some more of our stories, books 1-3 will be out in print at Lycaon and Amazon on Friday, under one heart stopping cover, so a three in one!

Well anyway, I guess I'm getting used to stuff now, and enjoying myself. And I want you all to enjoy my life as well, so, I asked J if we could give an eBook away, and she said sure. She's pretty cool like that.

So for a chance to win my story, (well my story so far anyway), leave your comment and answer my question. "If you shifted, (or if you are a shifter) what animal do you change into? Any clues why?"

So as The Shaleans and I'm one as well, so as we say.

"Our gods and us"

Take care all of you,

Rach and J x

Oops J sad to remember to tell you where you can buy my awesome story.

So,

www.lycaonpress.com and oh you can preorder here as well, cos don't forget Canada where Lycaon lives is behind us—timewise, timewise lol

www.amazon.com and www.amazon.co.uk

www.allromanceebboks.com

www.bookstrand.com (all from Friday)

 smashwords, barnes and noble will follow, please be patient tho', you can just go to the Lycaon web of course lol

And J had a great blog and web site. She says when she gets to 50 followers, she's going to do a giveaway!

www.jlilleyauthor.blogspot.com

www.jlilleyauthor.com

(thanks again, off to drool over my lovely covers.

Rach)

****

So, there you have it straight from the Shalean's mouth so to speak. Thanks so much for stopping by Rach. Now go and calm your author down, cause I know she is just a tad overexcited. As for the rest of you, spread the world and go and read it! You won't be disappointed.