Gated by Amy Christine Parker

Now that the Gated cover has officially been revealed, I am free to post it here in case anyone missed it over at Iceybooks.

Coming August 27, 2013 from Random House. I can't wait to hold a copy of this book my hands. And there's still time to win an ARC!

Another Cover Reveal

This one belongs to my wonderful critique partner, Amy Christine Parker. Her novel, Gated, comes out August 27, 2013, and I can tell you, it's one you'll definitely want to read. Here's the description from Amazon.

"Welcome to Mandrodage Meadow, a typical middle-class, close-knit community. The families here are drawn together by shared values and a commitment to living a peaceful life in a beautiful, somewhat insular suburban development. But there's a problem: you're actually not welcome—at all.

The last thing anyone inside the compound wants is attention from the outside world. For over ten years, the members have lived happily under the direction of Pioneer, the charismatic leader who took them away from their sad, damaged lives. So when Pioneer pinpoints the end of the world and plots a very specific and drastic course for his cult (they must arm themselves and prepare to move into an underground silo to save their community) everyone falls in line; even seventeen-year-old Lyla. At least she's trying to. Lyla wants to paint instead of take target practice. And she'd rather think about the possibilities and people outside the compound (like Cody, the cute son of the local sheriff) than imagine married life in the silo with her intended, Will. As the end of days draws closer, Lyla will have to do more than daydream—it's time to pick up a gun, take a side, and let her family know exactly where she stands."

It may be a while before the book's release, but her cover is being revealed this Friday exclusively at IceyBooks. Make sure to check it out. You might even win something!

Legasea Cover

I'm here once again with some very exciting news. I have received my cover for Legasea, and I am very excited to share it with you. First off, let me say this cover is almost exactly how I imagined it. A few months ago, I was given a worksheet and asked how I envisioned the cover. Here is my version. Witness my mad drawing skillz.

Fast forward to a week or so ago when I received this in my inbox.

 

 

How incredible is that? Look for Legasea coming soon from Curiosity Quills.

The Best Christmas Gifts of All

I dedicate this post to all of the wondrous gifts out there this holiday season. My first find came this past weekend when we were searching for a tiny tree to put in Small Child's bedroom. We found the tree, but we also found these.

They were so stealthily hidden, it's a wonder I found them in the first place.

And for those of you deeply saddened by the whole Hostess kerfloffle, cry no more, for you can now make your own Twinkies at home.

 

Next up, we take a step back in time to the year 1975 where these were all the rage in every household.

Now, I understand there is a definite need for this item as some of us still have some treasured vinyl stored away. (Ahem, hand raised ever so slightly.) However, I found it odd to see so many at a book store that doesn't even sell music.

 

And finally, the pièce de résistance. This item is so spectacular, I have no words. But feel free to supply your own comments below.

Yep, that's right. Now you can have your very own Justin Bieber duck tape.

What magical gifts have you found this holiday season?

All I Want for Christmas...

I was digging through my grandmother's old cedar chest and found a letter I wrote to Santa in either kindergarten or first grade. (This is based on the fact that my name is listed as Krystalyn Thompson on the envelope. My last name was changed when I was six.)

 

Dear Santa claws claws How do you spell your name x______________

1. I want a Alarm clolck 2. and from Animal barn I want tweety bird and a kangeroo and elephant 3. I want a plush toy dog 4. all the sweet treets collection one cookie purse one Ice cream sunday and one spoon full and some furniture to go with the Ice cream sunday 5. dolly pops 6. Kelly and Elly

sign Krystalyn

whew I'm finhesh at last

contund on the other side (I guess I wasn't quite finished.)

write Yes for yes write n for no
x___________________
Y. N. (Clearly I expected him to write back.)

Kissy Kissy
Santa Claws! (Yes, I adored Santa. And check out my mad art skills.)

Most of the toys I discovered from TV commercials, but Kelly and Elly, I found in the Sears catalog. I remember pulling that thing out many, many times so I could stare longingly at Kelly and her little stuffed elephant.

And what did I find under my tree Christmas morning? (Click on picture for more detail.)

Yes, the only item on my list that Santa brought me was Kelly and Elly.

So, did Santa make the right decision all those years ago? I can tell you this: I had to Google most of the items on my list, and have no clue what I meant by Animal barn, but I knew exactly where to find Kelly and Elly.

I'm pretty sure I still have her pajamas too.

Wilde's Meadow by Krystal Wade

Earlier this month, Krystal Wade, one of my fellow authors over at Curiosity Quills, released the third and final book in her Darkness Falls trilogy.

Happy endings are hard to find, and even though Katriona is in the middle of a war with someone who’s already stolen more than she can replace, she aches for a positive future with her Draíochtans.

Armed with hope, confidence in her abilities, and a strange new gift from her mother, Kate ventures into the Darkness to defeat a fallen god.

Losses add up, and new obstacles rise to stand in the way. Is the one determined to bring Encardia light strong enough to keep fighting, or will all the sacrifices to stop those who seek domination be for nothing?

 

***

About the Author: Krystal Wade can be found in the sluglines outside Washington D.C. every morning, Monday through Friday. With coffee in hand, iPod plugged in, and strangers--who sometimes snore, smell, or have incredibly bad gas--sitting next to her, she zones out and thinks of fantastical worlds for you and me to read. How else can she cope with a fifty mile commute?
Good thing she has her husband and three kids to go home to. They keep her sane.

 

 

 

You can find Krystal here:

www.krystal-wade.com

www.facebook.com/author.krystalwade

Click here to go to Krystal's Amazon page and view the other titles in this series.

 

And make sure you check out Krystal's Wildest Moments blog fest. The prize is a Kindle Fire!

Operation Christmas Child

I consider us pretty lucky in that both my husband and I have work, we manage to pay our bills, put food on our table, and keep our child in nice clothes. Our child is lucky that we have a very generous family, and his Christmases are packed with toys and fun. As Small Child grows older, we're trying to teach him to be generous as well. This year, his day care is taking donations for Operation Christmas Child, and we decided to use that to show him how he can help others.

 

 

We went shopping yesterday and picked out some presents at the store.

 

 

Then we packed the box.

 

All done!