Monday, January 26, 2015

Coming Soon: 'Naked' by Stacey Trombley


Naked

Release Date: 07/07/15
Entangled Teen
305 pages

Summary from Goodreads:

A teenage prostitute looking for redemption must face her secrets before they destroy her…

When tough teenager Anna ran away to New York, she never knew how bad things would get. After surviving as a prostitute, a terrifying incident leaves her damaged inside and out, and she returns home to the parents she was sure wouldn't want her anymore.

Now she has a chance to be normal again. Back in school, she meets a boy who seems too good to be true. Cute, kind, trusting. But what will he do when he finds out the truth about her past? And when a dark figure from New York comes looking for Anna, she realizes she must face her secrets…before they destroy her.



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About the Author

Stacey Trombley lives in Ohio with her husband and the sweetest Rottweiler you’ll ever meet. She thinks people are fascinating and any chance she has, she’s off doing or learning something new. She went on her first mission trip to Haiti at age twelve and is still dying to go back. Her “places to travel” list is almost as long as her “books to read” list. 

She wants to bring something new to the world through her writing, but just giving a little piece of herself is more than enough.

Keep a look out for her debut novel NAKED, coming from Entangled Teen in 2015

Author Links:
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Thursday, January 22, 2015

'The Dream Slayer' Series Finale by Jill Cooper

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Resolve  EbookThe epic two book finale starts here. The stakes are higher. And the enemy is one of their own. It's all come to this. This moment in time. Everything Natalie Johnson has fought for.

Newly promoted paladin commander Natalie Johnson is about to bring the demonire tracking system online. If she's successful Meadow's Creek may finally be safe from bloodsuckers. If not, the egg on her face will be enough to make a gourmet omelet.

But when old friends and foes begin showing up in town under questionable circumstance, it's clear something new is on the horizon. The murder of a prominent official threatens to cripple the brittle peace Natalie has brought to town.

Alternate realities and timeline jumps all converge revealing truths, deceptions and worst of all, roads not taken. Natalie must face her worst fears, her biggest regrets, and most of all a deep longing that nothing will ever be the same again.

Meanwhile a long sought after ally brings them all to the brink of madness. And his betrayal? Could be the biggest heartbreak of them all.

In the tradition of young adult vampire fiction such as Twilight and Buffy the Vampire slayer, comes The Dream Slayer.

Buy on Amazon

 

Fury EbookThe 2nd part in the epic finale starts here.

Once [SPOILER] believed in her and now, one last time, Natalie will put everything to the test to bring him back.

But with half of Natalie’s team in critical condition, the fight won’t be easy. WOMP’s order to shoot [CENSORED] on sight to protect their vast empire of secrets will pit Natalie against the organization she’s been faithful to since she first heard the word paladin.

Now that relationship will be put to the test.

Natalie will find a way to restore his soul, no matter the risks. No matter the stakes. Even if it means revealing her identity and location to her mortal enemy. And the end?

Well, it might just prove to be the very beginning.

In the tradition of young adult vampire fiction such as Twilight and Buffy the Vampire slayer, comes The Dream Slayer.

Buy on Amazon


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jillcooper

About the Author:


I could write this in the third person. I could tell you what I like, where I was born, and what my favorite things are.

But instead, I'll say I don't want to write like everyone else. I don't want to craft stories you've read a thousand times before. I want my novels to be a cinematic experience, blending themes, genres, and situations unlike any you've ever read.

I want to break the rules. I want you to break out in a cold sweat as you read my books out of fear, love, and excitement. I want my books to be an experience. When you finish, I want you to feel something. Good or bad.

If you do, then I'll have succeeded. If not, I'll keep trying.

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Read an excerpt from 'Adventures with Ragweed' by Linda Lou Crosby



Humor
Date Published: February 10, 2014

Whimsy - Humorous Tales of Adventure, Friendship and Outdoor Ventures For Young Adult Readers and those young at Heart

Adventures with Ragweed is a collection of humorous short stories filled with adventure and family themes.

Ragweed is a tribute to the whimsical part of each of us. Follow this young teen and her best friend, Marney as they travel to Mexico for a fishing trip, where the family is to shoot a pilot for a television show, instead, find themselves in an unexpected sea storm.

Laugh out loud as Ragweed takes on the tennis elite at the country club or attempts to rearrange their perfectly cut lawns.

Always one to learn new things, this young freckled face gal with the unruly blonde hair, builds a float, rides a horse and grows a garden - always getting into unintentional trouble and conning her friends to partake. Each task done with her own unique vies of the world.

Light Hearted and Funny

These stories are meant to entertain. It's difficult to narrow it down to one specific genre as the book is a collection of short stories suitable for young adults as well as for an older crowd with a sense of humor. Family Relationships, Friendships, Essays and Humor are categories all presented within the pages of this book.

If you like the outdoors you might enjoy reading about Ragweed's horse riding exploits or her compost-creating stunts. She spends a great deal of time playing sports and in the garden. Most of the stories are based on the author's own experiences when she was a young adult but some of us know that inner youth tends to follow us into adulthood - so if you have similar backgrounds, these tales will make you grin.

Beautifully Illustrated

Each story in this humorous collection is beautifully illustrated. The pictures capture the character and facial expressions of the gals in these short stories and in our opinion add to the text. There is also an animated video on the author's page that is worth watching. The artist tried to capture the fun-spirited character of Ragweed and when the pictures were put into film, the story came alive visually. It's like a short cartoon.

Read an excerpt:


Ragweed Grows a Garden - LL
It was a lovely spring day. Clouds circled slowly over the San Fernando Valley. The blue sky was really blue. And although Ragweed was a mere five years old, she was old enough to recognize that her parents perfectly manicured lawn and garden was boring. It lacked luster. It lacked…well, plants.
Ragweed loved Lupines. They popped up unannounced in the spring, all purple and fun. You never knew where they might be, but you knew they were coming any day. Why people mowed down perfectly good flowers that smelled delicious, and put in camellia bushes, that were dull and didn’t smell at all, and a lawn, was an astonishing thing to Ragweed. And the gardener that came weekly to mow grass, pull weeds, and generally flatten the landscape was completely convinced that anything uninvited was “outta there.”
The gardener, Carl, was a nice enough guy, but he lacked vision. He apparently thought that life consisted of mowing anything uninvited down. In his serious minded fashion, his job was to mow things. Once Ragweed had “dropped” a stuffed bear underneath the kitchen window, just to see what would happen. Sure enough, it got mowed. Unfortunately for Carl, it was a windy day, and the stuffing flew everywhere. Although that was fairly satisfying to Ragweed, something else needed to be done. Ragweed’s manicured parents would never understand. They thought lawns were great. They never walked on them, or had picnics on them, or even noticed them really…unless there was an issue of some sort, like a brown spot, which Carl would never allow.
Ragweed hated lawns. They were ridiculous in her eyes. Once they were grown, and mowed, then you couldn’t weren’t allowed to run and play on them anymore. So what was the point? Of course, back East you have to mow the grass, otherwise you wouldn’t be able to find your home in about a month. But that was different. That was about survival. This was Southern California. Grass just wasn’t a normal thing. Yet people thought nothing about how much watering it took to keep the grass green and growing, only to turn around and mow it down.
One day, for no apparent reason that Ragweed could fathom, Moms and Pops told Ragweed she could have a little part of the yard for her very own first ever garden.
“I would like to plant a garden,” Ragweed told her parents, who lent their support to the idea even providing seeds and tools. Ragweed planted a few things, and ran out everyday to see how the seeds were doing.
Relatives and friends of the family were surprised with Ragweed’s interest in the garden, as many believed her to be allergic to plants and flowers. After all, Ragweed got her nickname because she sneezed so often. Her parents thought it was allergies.  Little did anyone know it was foolishness that spurred the symptoms – for instance when asked to wash dishes, Ragweed had a sneezing fit. And after Ragweed had sneezed all over the dishes, no one wanted her help anyhow. Being given orders of any kind also seemed to bring about a sneezing attack, like “It’s bedtime.” Ragweed’s sneezing would clear out the den, then she had the TV to herself for the night.
Truth be told, Ragweed loved the outdoors, the smell of the earth, the way each wildflower perfumed the air. As long as things were going her way, Ragweed never really needed to sneeze.
Taking the seeds Mom and Pops gave her, Ragweed planted little onions, carrots and tomatoes. She delighted in watching the little seeds sprout. Every day she would run out to see if her garden had flourished. And Carl could barely keep himself contained as he would leer over at Ragweed’s little garden, with his mower at full throttle, and scowl. “Too bad”, thought Ragweed. “Scowl away.”
Once Ragweed’s ”garden plot” began to take shape, the grass surrounding it looked even more disgusting, and another “plot” began to form. Strolling along the edge of the lawn, Ragweed contemplated on just how to change a bigger part of the landscape, without anyone knowing how it happened. But how? She thought about an overnight planting of Elephant Ear with its giant leaves. “It might be a little hard to sneak those past Carl,” chuckled Ragweed. Plus it would be a huge amount of work, which Ragweed was really allergic to. Then, all of a sudden, she remembered her beanbag toys, and a smile began to lighten up her face.
The ever-resourceful Ragweed would plant her own beans. She would miss her two beanbag toys, but those beans would do the trick. They would get watered; they would grow; they would annoy. With her “plot” hatched, Ragweed crept inside, and grabbed the beanbag toys. She then meticulously cut a hole in each bag, just big enough to let a few beans out at a time, and then snuck back outside, strolling casually across the grass; going about the entire yard, planting “bean” seeds everywhere. To tell the truth, Ragweed was more than a little amazed at how many beans it took to put a toy together. Then Ragweed sat back and waited.
With all the water and fertilizer, it didn’t take long for little bean plants to sprout; all over the place; in no certain order. Up they came. Much to Ragweed’s delight, Carl, the gardener, was mystified on a weekly basis with the sprouting of these little plants. Every week he would come, more would be sprouting up out of that highly manicured grass, in different spots than the week before. He mumbled things like. “What on earth are these? I don’t understand what is going on. I used the same grass seed. Where did these things come from? And why are they ruining my lawn?” Just when Carl thought he had gotten them all, more would pop up in defiance. He apologized many times over to Moms and Pops, who thought Carl had probably been tipping a bit of the “sauce”, and should spend more time paying attention to their lawn.
Ragweed just watched and smiled as a symphony of Mother Nature’s making was played out on the lawn. For a short period of time, the lawn had become a wild place where anything could happen and it was fun to watch. Finally the seeds quit sprouting up, but Ragweed didn’t care. And even when there were no more sprouts, Carl continued to come out each week with a giant vat of poison, just in case a sprout would rear its ugly head. He was crazed over his lack of lawn control. It was great. He would never be the same.
Ragweed never told anyone what she had done, and never would. It was a delicious memory; a mystery that only she would know about. And whenever Moms would bring up the odd little plants that sprung up from nowhere, Ragweed would smile. And Carl would get a crazed look on his face, and go home early.
And, best of all, Ragweed had learned a lesson.  She realized she could now look at any lawn and even grass could always be just one step away from a garden. 


http://amzn.to/1JhMagd



Linda Lou Crosby is a video producer, storyteller and former professional athlete. Like Ragweed, she has a unique approach to life. Ragweed is a part of herself she wanted to share with others. Linda Lou has a great sense of humor and likes to laugh and make others laugh too.
She currently lives with her husband in Montana and California where on clear days you can find her fishing, hunting or hiking.

She and Ragweed hope you will enjoy each tale in this book as much as Ragweed enjoyed living the adventures.

Tuesday, January 20, 2015

'Forever Now' by Elise Sax



Release Date: 11/29/14

Summary from Goodreads:

When Tess's mother abandons her during her senior year at high school, she must find a way to keep the secret and survive until graduation. She's surprised when Cruz, her crush and an aspiring model, moves in to help. Tess has dreams of studying in Paris, France and becoming a writer...impossible dreams without money or family. But as Tess and Cruz's relationship grows closer, Cruz will do anything to make sure Tess's dreams come true. But at what price?

Forever Now is the first book in the Forever YA / NA trilogy about finding love, living dreams, and overcoming great odds.

Forever begins now. 



Check out this teaser:
It was a kiss to last a year. We melted into each other, desperate to hold on to a part of us, even though we would be so far away. Our tears flowed and mixed together, making the kiss salty and wet. 
“Don’t forget any of it,” he said, finally, his voice wracked with emotion.

“I won’t.”

Available from:


About the Author

Elise Sax worked as a journalist for fifteen years, mostly in Paris, France. She took a detour from journalism and became a private investigator before writing her first novel. She lives in Southern California with her two sons.

She loves to hear from her readers. Don’t hesitate to contact her at elisesax@gmail.com, and sign up for her newsletter at http://elisesax.com/mailing-list.php to get notifications of new releases and sales.

Author Links:

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Monday, January 19, 2015

'Fifteen (The Dreamwalker Diaries Book 1)' by Jen Estes


FIFTEEN (The Dreamwalker Diaries Book 1) 
by Jen Estes
Publisher: Curiosity Quills
Release Date: January 15, 2015
Format: eBook, paperback & hardcover

Legend has it if you die in your dreams, you die in real life. Fifteen-year-old Ashling Campbell knows that’s not true because when she closes her eyes each night, she doesn’t dream about public nudity or Prom dates. Instead, she’s catapulted to the front row of her future self’s execution - fifteen years from now - where monsters have taken control of her hometown and she, or rather, her 30-year-old counterpart, is their public enemy number one.

For three months and counting, it’s been the same dream… until an encounter with an antique dreamcatcher. Ash falls asleep to discover she’s no longer a mere spectator in these dreams - now she’s astral-projecting into the body of her future self. Each night, she goes on the run with a ragtag group of rebels - who have no idea she’s really a high school sophomore and not their noble warrior. She has to make it through each night so that she can wake up and find a way to change the future. For every action she does in the present day, she falls asleep to discover it had an equal impact fifteen years later. It’s up to her to manage her two worlds and make sure she’s still got a place in both.

http://amzn.to/1yCzcda


About the Author:

Born and raised in the Midwest, Jen had to choose between staring at corn or reading books. Corn husks just didn't have the appeal of the Baby-Sitters Club, and so a bookworm was born. Reading later turned into writing and in 2011, Jen published her first novel with Camel Press. After releasing four books in the mystery genre, Jen finally gave in to the literary demands of her inner teenager with her YA debut, FIFTEEN (The Dreamwalker Diaries).

Jen is an active member of the National Writers Union. When she isn't writing, Jen enjoys sci-fi in all its mediums, attempting yoga, using her passport, watching baseball, and reading a good book. She lives in Illinois with her husband Nathan under the tyranny of their three cats: Wrigley, Ivy and Captain Moo. To balance the feline:human ratio, they are expecting their first child in the early spring. You can find Jen on the web at www.jenestes.com, on Tumblr as AuthorJenEstes, and tweeting under @jenestesdotcom.

Read an excerpt from 'Bridges Burned (A Going Down in Flames Novel)' by Chris Cannon


Bridges Burned (Going Down in Flames #2)
by Chris Cannon
Release Date: 01/19/15
Entangled Teen

Summary from Goodreads:

Don't just fight the system…burn it.

Since discovering she is a shape-shifting, fire-breathing dragon on her sixteenth birthday (surprise!), Bryn McKenna’s world has been thrown into chaos. Being a “crossbreed”—part Red dragon and part Blue—means Bryn will never fit in. Not with dragon society. Not with the archaic and controlling Directorate. And definitely not when she has striped hair and a not-so popular affection for rule-breaking…

But sneaking around with her secret boyfriend, Zavien, gets a whole lot harder when he’s betrothed to someone else. Someone who isn't a mixed breed and totally forbidden. And for an added complication, it turns out Bryn’s former archnemesis Jaxon Westgate isn’t quite the evil asshat she thought. Now she’s caught between her desire to fit in and a need to set things on fire. Literally.

Because if Bryn can’t adapt to the status quo…well, then maybe it’s time for her to change it.

Read an excerpt:
Valmont helped clean the mess from dinner. “Need anything else before I go?” 
“No. Thanks for coming to check on me.” 
“If I could, I’d camp outside your door just to make sure you were safe.” He sighed. 
“Knowing you could’ve been hurt eats away at me. And yes, I know it sounds like I’m obsessed, but since I became your knight, you’re my number one focus. I tried asking around for advice, but there hasn’t been a citizen of Dragon’s Bluff who’s stepped forth to protect a dragon in more than a century.” 
“Why did you intervene that day?” 
He clasped her right hand between his and stared at her like she was the most beautiful creature in the world. “There’s something about you, something special, something worth fighting for.” 
Wow. If there ever was a perfect thing for a guy to say, that was it.


Buy Links:


Check out the first book in the series!

Going Down in Flames
by Chris Cannon
Release Date: 06/30/14
Entangled Teen

Summary from Goodreads:
If her love life is going down in flames, she might as well spark a revolution.
Finding out on your sixteenth birthday you’re a shape-shifting dragon is tough to swallow. Being hauled off to an elite boarding school is enough to choke on.

Since Bryn is the only crossbreed at the Institute for Excellence, all eyes are on her, but it’s a particular black dragon, Zavien, who catches her attention.Zavien is tired of the Council’s rules. Segregated clans, being told who to love, and close-minded
leaders make freedom of choice almost impossible. The new girl with the striped hair is a breath of fresh air, and with Bryn’s help, they may be able to change the rules.

At the Institute, old grudges, new crushes, and death threats are all part of a normal day for
Bryn. She’ll need to learn to control her dragon powers if she wants to make it through her first
year at school. But even focusing on staying alive is difficult when you’re falling for someone
you can't have.


About the Author

I love reading and writing snarky, kick-butt characters who take on the world and win.

My truths: You can never have too many books, shoes, or purses.
Coffee is the Elixir of Life.

There should be a National Nerf Bat Day where you are allowed to whack annoying people upside the head.


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Thursday, January 15, 2015

'Nine Lives (The Katran Legacy Part 1)' by Karin DeHavin


Blurb: 

Eighteen-year-old Taylor knows two things for sure: ONE: She’s dead. TWO: Heaven looks like a run-down version of the Las Vegas Strip. The more she discovers about a heaven full of teens like her, the more mysterious it becomes—especially when her afterlife coach turns out to be her tyrannical fifth grade teacher.

Plagued by questions her whole life, Taylor finds Heaven prompts even more. Why can’t she remember her death? Why isn’t Heaven the idyllic place she thought it would be? While Taylor tries to solve the mysteries of Heaven as it slowly crumbles around her, she learns there are dark forces at work behind the celestial show and they are after her. This leads to the biggest question of all: Is she the only one who can stop them?

Buy links

About the author:

Karin De Havin is a historian, turned writer. Karin writes Young Adult fantasies as well as New Adult contemporary stories from her timber frame home in the Pacific Northwest. She lives with a pair of tuxedo cats that like to help her write by jumping on the keyboard, and her pianist husband who occasionally is known to wear a tuxedo and tinker with the keyboard too.

Follow the latest news about new releases at:
Karin De Havin website: http://karindehavin.yolasite.com/

Karin loves to hear from her readers.
Contact her on her Facebook Fan Page: https://www.facebook.com/authorkarindehavin

Tuesday, January 13, 2015

Cover Reveal! 'Uncharted Redemption (Uncharted #2)' by Keely Brooke Keith



Title: Uncharted Redemption
Author: Keely Brooke Keith
Release Date: February 24, 2015
Publisher: Edenbrooke Press

Description: 
Levi Colburn, resentful of his father, haunted by his mother’s tragic death, and pained by his love for the unattainable Mandy Foster, breaks from the Land’s tradition and begins to build a life of his own. When rebels tear through the village of Good Springs, Levi vows to deliver justice and restore the woman he loves. As tradition stands in the way of redemption and threats from the outside world begin to appear, Levi must learn his greatest battles cannot be fought with his fists. Romantic, suspenseful, and filled with adventure, Uncharted Redemption weaves dramatic new layers into life in the Land.

Purchase Links:

Pre-order signed paperbacks: Uncharted Redemption

Add Uncharted Redemption to your shelf on: Goodreads, Shelfari, FictFact, and LibraryThing

Have your ebook of Uncharted Redemption signed via Authorgraph

Uncharted Redemption is the second book in the Uncharted series. If you haven’t read The Land Uncharted, it’s best to start here: The Land Uncharted


Book One:
Title: The Land Uncharted
Author: Keely Brooke Keith
Release Date: October 21, 2014
Publisher: Edenbrooke Press

Summary:
Lydia Colburn is a young physician dedicated to serving her village in the Land. Day and night, she rushes by horseback to treat the ill and injured, establishing a heroic reputation as the village’s new doctor.

Naval Aviator Connor Bradshaw is flying over the South Atlantic Ocean on a mission to secure any remaining sources of fresh water in a 2025 world torn apart by war. A malfunction activates his aircraft’s ejection system, parachuting his unconscious body to the shore of a hidden land. 

Lydia risks her safety to help the injured outsider despite the shock of his mysterious arrival and the disastrous implications his presence could have for her peaceful society, which has gone undetected for seven generations.

Connor searches for a way to return to his squadron, but his fascination with life in the Land makes him protective of Lydia and her peaceful homeland. And while Lydia’s attraction to Connor stirs desires she never anticipated, it also pushes an unwanted admirer to stage a dangerous attempt to win her affection.

As Connor tries to keep the Land off the radar, he learns the biggest threat to Lydia lurks in her village. But when Lydia’s greatest passion and darkest fear collide, will she look to the past or the future to find the strength to survive?

Add The Land Uncharted to your shelf on GoodreadsShelfariLibraryThing, or FictFact

***
Pre-order today!
 Have your ebook of The Land Uncharted signed via Authorgraph!

Advance Praise for The Land Uncharted:
"Not only is Keely's writing beautiful and full of vivid detail, but the story and characters are incredible! I love the way she crosses genres and how well it all blends together.” -Christina Yother, author of Reverie

The Land Uncharted captured my interest from the opening lines. Keely Brooke Keith skillfully weaves an engaging story that explores the possibilities of a simple, peaceful existence in a society set apart from a world ravaged by conflict. Equal parts suspense and romance, this debut novel is a compelling read.” -Heidi McCahan, author of Unraveled

About the Author
Keely is a bass guitarist and lives on a hilltop south of Nashville. When she isn’t writing stories or playing bass, Keely enjoys dancing, having coffee with friends, and sifting through vintage books at antique stores. 

Author Links:

Monday, January 12, 2015

Cover Reveal! 'Life Unaware' by Cole Gibson


Life Unaware
Release Date: 04/28/15
Entangled Teen

Book Summary:
Regan Flay has been talking about you. 

Regan Flay is on the cusp of achieving her control-freak mother's "plan" for high school success―cheerleading, student council, the Honor Society—until her life gets turned horribly, horribly upside down. Every bitchy text. Every bitchy email. Every lie, manipulation, and insult she's ever said have been printed out and taped to all the lockers in school. 

Now Regan has gone from popular princess to total pariah. 
The only person who even speaks to her is her former best friend's hot but socially miscreant brother, Nolan Letner. Nolan thinks he knows what Regan's going through, but whatnobody knows is that Regan isn't really Little Miss Perfect. In fact, she's barely holding it together under her mom's pressure. But the consequences of Regan's fall from grace are only just beginning. Once the chain reaction starts, no one will remain untouched... 

Especially Regan Flay.





About the Author

Cole Gibsen first realized she different when, in high school, she was still reading comic books while the other girls were reading fashion magazines.

It was her love of superheroes that first inspired her to pick up a pen. Her favorite things to write about are ordinary girls who find themselves in extraordinary situations.

Author Links:
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Wednesday, January 7, 2015

Meet Randall Barnes, author of 'The Diary of Aaliyah Anderson'

Meet Randall Barnes, the 18 year-old author of The Diary of Aaliyah Anderson

What was the inspiration for your book?
I got the inspiration for the book from the remarkable young women I see every day. I knew that I wanted to pursue my dream of becoming an author but I was stumped at which one of my stories were publishable material. It takes more than just remarkable writing talent in the publishing industry. Now days you have to have a product that’s proven to sell or you’ll get kicked out of the industry as sure as you came in. Since I saw that females are the main consumers of books in this country, I decided that I wanted to write a novel that caters to the female audience.

Even though the business aspect of the novel was the first thing I thought about, I still wanted to write something real. I wanted to market my work as something more than a fly-by-night read. I wanted my readers to learn something while their being taken an emotional ride. That’s when I created the character of Aaliyah Anderson. Then, everything else fell in place.
Which character spoke to you the most during the writing process?
Of course Aaliyah speaks the most to me! She’s the one writing the story. I’m just the person that puts it all together! Seriously though, the whole concept of the project is to make it where it’s more than a simple YA novel. I wanted the reader to feel as if Aaliyah was a real person. The reader isn’t reading about Aaliyah and Willowsfield, they’re proverbially going everywhere Aaliyah takes them. They see her adventures and various run-ins first hand. Aaliyah is the best friend or younger sister that you wish you had. If a boy reads the novel, she’s the girlfriend that would push you to upgrade yourself and pursue greater from life. To make Aaliyah a universal character I had to channel her voice. So, she was the character that spoke the most to me.
How much of yourself is in this book?
According to the young women around me that have read the novel, Aaliyah is the female version of me! Based off that brilliant observation, the novel is 100% me. From the societal observations to Aaliyah’s fiery personality and undying determination, the story embodies my unique ideology and philosophy on life as a millennial in the 21st Century. And many of the situations that Aaliyah got into were inspired by what’s happened to me. A perfect example of this is the saga between Aaliyah and Mrs. Connor. I’ll leave it at that!
What was one of your favorite scenes?
Off top, I’d say the heated, but professional, argument between Miss Carter and Mrs. Connor over Aaliyah’s first office referral of her school career. But I have to say my favorite scene comes later when Aaliyah turns reluctant and attitudinal 7th grader Theresa Williamson onto reading. Just like me, Aaliyah is a very influential and persuasive person. She was easily able to get Theresa out of her shell and now she’s an avid reader that got two one-hundreds on the book report that Aaliyah helped her on! Also, I gave a brief summary of my argument on why many teenagers aren’t reading. Simply put, it’s because we usually see nothing that grabs our attention. Books are being made into movies and T.V. shows every month now so what’s the point of sitting down and entangling yourself in a interesting novel? Right? 
Aaliyah proved in the chapter “Major Progress” that, if you give a reluctant reader something that they can relate to, it’ll show them that there is some variety and exciting stories in the literature realm. These same people may now be inspired to go and find more books that peek their interests, just like Theresa in The Diary Of Aaliyah Anderson.
Can we expect to see these characters again?
Oh, no doubt! The Diary Of Aaliyah Anderson: Volume II is already finished and expected to be released the first part of this year.
What are some of your other written works?
My eShort Riverview High: Circumstances is on Amazon now. It actually debuted #2 on the Amazon charts the week of it’s release and holds a strong five star rating. Make sure to go check that out family!
On what projects are you currently working?
I’m in the phase of brand building. I’m actively getting ready to debut my TDOAA Appeal line to the world this year. Speaking of Riverview High, I’m also working on a play adaption to the eShort as we speak. I’m hoping to be done with that soon so I can meet some new people and turn them into fans of my work.
What is the best writing advice you ever received?
The best writing advice I’ve ever received is that I need to write from the heart. You can’t force art! You can’t monetize your art too early as well. If you’re writing just to make a quick buck, you’re not going to get very far. Where’s your passion? Where’s your drive to create literary work that’ll stand the test of time? To be a successful writer you have to be authentic and innovative. That advice helped me in writing The Diary Of Aaliyah Anderson.
When not writing, what can we find you doing?
Mainly working out, playing basketball, reading, watching select T.V. shows and hanging out with my friends and family.
How does writing fulfill you?
It gives me a constructive platform to address the issues I see around me, in my community and in the world at large. When I write something, folks tend to listen and take heed to what they read. I’ve received hundreds of email and messages from young ladies around the world thanking me for writing The Diary Of Aaliyah Anderson and telling me that it’s a perfect representation of them. Some young ladies have even told me that the story changed their life. Hearing that definitely fulfills me. As a matter of fact, it gives my life purpose!
What is something readers may be surprised to learn about you?
In all of its glory, The Diary Of Aaliyah Anderson almost didn’t happen. I almost allowed my inner critique to take me over.

“How am I supposed to write a whole novel from the perspective of a teenage girl? I’m a guy!”
“This isn’t going to sell. Folks will think I’m being too preachy. I need to write a relationship, street or sports-driven novel instead.” 
It’s safe to say I was wrong! The novel has reached heights I never would’ve expected and I know this is just the beginning. 2015 is definitely going to be bright!
Do you make any New Years Resolutions? If so, what is one of them for 2015?
My New Years Resolution was to continue chasing success with the newly acquired status, resources and networking connections that I accumulated in 2014. This year is all about growing the Randall Barnes brand. We’re starting with the play adaption of Riverview High: Circumstances and the TDOAA Appeal line and branching out some more as the year rolls on.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Thank you for reading this interview! Make sure to check out The Diary Of Aaliyah Anderson and Riverview High: Circumstances on Amazon and leave a review. Make sure to follow me on social media as well.
Twitter: @AuthorRandallB



Blurb:

Meet Aaliyah Anderson, a beautiful, intelligent, ambitious thirteen-year-old young woman ready to take over the world. With her mom being a superstar broadcast journalist and her older brother Damon being an acclaimed writer and star sports player. Aaliyah lives a fantastic life. Aaliyah quickly learns that her good life, doesn't separate her from life's problems. She has to deal with tons of hardships and avoid many obstacles along her path to achieving her short term goal of finally making it to high school and what she feels will bring her closer to her dreams of being a CEO of a company.

Aaliyah has to deal with overwhelming family issues such as the divorce of her parents and the result of her "father's" unfaithfulness, infidelity, and a family secret that turns her world upside down. As if her family wasn't messed up enough, her eleven-year old brother turns to the streets and joins the Eastside Rydahz, one of the most notorious gangs in the city. Her eldest brother Jeffery, or high-ranked Rydah 808, hates everything about Aaliyah and she doesn't understand it. All Aaliyah wants is to have the ideal loving, united family and it hurts her that their situation is seemingly fractured beyond repair.

To make things even more pressing, she lives in the ruthless city of Willowsfield, statistically the #1 most dangerous city in America, where senseless community violence is the norm and life expectancy is low. With the pressure to succeed and make it out of the ditch that Aaliyah calls her hometown, she still has to deal with more problems that test her patience.

With its realistic characters, life-like setting and dynamic message, The Diary of Aaliyah Anderson is entertaining and a sure fire conversation starter on what we need to do as a generation.

~~Read another excerpt here~~

Buy links

About the author:

Randall Barnes is an eighteen year old author, internet radio personality, public speaker and mentor who currently resides in Macon, GA. Randall is already renowned for his positive, realistic, moral driven writings. His first novel The Diary of Aaliyah Anderson has garnered over 46,000 reads on Wattpad.com and universal acclaim. He writes for the popular news website Urban Intellectuals, the relationship blog Courting Her and literary blog Straight, No Chaser. Randall is also the author of the eShort Riverview High: Circumstances, which hit number #2 on the Amazon charts in the week of its debut.

Randall is currently a senior at William S. Hutchings College & Career Academy. Along with being a talented writer, Randall also has the gift of public speaking. He won first place in the FBLA Region 5 Public Speaking Competition in January of 2013. Randall also was also the first student in history to represent Hutchings in the Rotary Club Speech Contest. The best has yet to come for this young man. Look out!