Category: Publishing

Publishing, Reading, Signing, Writing

Heart of Red, Blood of Blue

My newest novel is now available! I’m so excited for this one.

This project started years ago with a girl who popped into my mind and didn’t want to leave. Even as I worked on other stories, Gisela was never far away. She was looking for love, acceptance, some humor, and peace for her country—things most of us hope for in one form or another.

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Princess Gisela of Steinland was born without color. Albino. To add to this curse, her betrothal to Prince Jerrik of Kronga ends in his death and starts a ten-year-war her father is determined to win, even if it means bringing her out of hiding to do it. Now the savage Krongon war commander, Bloodless Kristoff, seeks the hearts of the entire royal family, especially Gisela’s.

Desperate, her father agrees to another alliance that involves her marrying an old brute of a king. Unwilling to be the sacrificial lamb, Gisela goes on the run. Thrown into the center of a battle between three kingdoms, she finds herself fighting for her life and the right to be truly loved.

Can the girl who started the war find a way to end it?

LOOK:

BUY:

EXTRAS:

 

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THE MUSIC (PIANO SOLO ALBUM):

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As part of this project, I’ve combined my two great passions, music and books. The idea to compose a “soundtrack” for my novel came a while ago, but I credit my daughter with being the one to help me see that not only could I do it, but I should. It’s been a blast. So I’ve written 11 original piano solos to go along with the story. Songs include: “The Betrothal,” “Ryder,” “The Battlefield,” “Vengeance,” “The Village,” “Tranquility,” and more.

LISTEN:

BUY MUSIC:

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I also need to give a quick shout out to five students at BYU. Four of them helped edit this book as part of their English language editing capstone course: Emily, Rachel, Erica, and Ashley. They have been awesome!

Along with them, Alyse Myers, provided the artwork at the beginning of the book. She did such a lovely job of envisioning Gisela!

Gisela the Red

 

Order Books

So check out the book and music and let me know what you think! And if you want to give a signed copy to your favorite readers for Christmas, order it here by Friday (US only).

Promo Order signed copies

 

Happy Holidays!

 

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Publishing, Writing

The Pursuit is Now Available

How far would you go to pursue happiness? What if that happiness isn’t just your own, but involves the safety and happiness of your family and friends?

The Pursuit is out, the final book in the Citizens of Logan Pond trilogy. I’m really excited about this one. :)

Here’s a little about it:

Six years ago, with the financial collapse of her country and the death of her parents, Carrie Ashworth swore to protect her siblings. She has fought to build a life for them in her illegal clan. In this battle for siblings and friends, for homes lost and freedoms stolen, the citizens must ask: How far would you go to pursue happiness? The stakes are pushed to their boundaries in this highly anticipated final book in Rebecca Belliston’s Citizens of Logan Pond trilogy, bringing her epic love story to an unforgettable end.

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“Loved this book full of suspense and surprises!”
– Cathy, My Book a Day

“Nail-biting conclusion to a riveting series…will satisfy readers who love Dystopian stories with a touch of romance.”
– Charissa, Joy in the Moments

“Couldn’t put it down. Love Love Loved it. Full of suspense and romance, and is a thought-provoking story on top of it all. I highly recommend this series!”
– Janet, Goodreads Review

As part of the fun, find out which citizen you are and TAKE THE QUIZ. Then let me know who you get.  

Audiobooks

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The Citizens of Logan Pond trilogy is now on audiobooks, read by the talented Rebecca Roberts! LIFE is already available, with LIBERTY, and THE PURSUIT coming soon. They’re available for MP3 download, CDs, libraries, Audible, and all that jazz. It’s awesome! I love audiobooks.

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If you happen to read any of my books, let me know what you think (and post a review so others can read your thoughts, too).

Love you guys!

 

Publishing

Countdown to The Pursuit

The Pursuit is less than one month away from release. I can’t believe it!

This Citizens of Logan Pond series has been near to my heart for eight years now. It’s hard to believe it’s coming to a close. Crazy.

I love these characters, and hope you do, too.

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To celebrate The Pursuit’s release, I have some book deals coming up.

The first starts today:

Life Free

Continue reading “Countdown to The Pursuit” →

Asking, Begging, Publishing, Writing

Rone Award Voting plus Audiobooks!

TWO THINGS TODAY:

Rone Awards

I just found out that LIBERTY is up for a RONE Award!!!! Yay. But to move to the next round, it needs A LOT of votes.

CaptureIf you guys have a second, can you vote for my book (new adult category)?

http://www.indtale.com/2016-rone-awards-week-one

The RONE Awards are hosted by In D’tale Magazine which said of LIBERTY, “this novel has a scary but very realistic premise which makes it a piece that should be required reading for young and old alike.” – In D’tale Magazine

They’ve placed LIBERTY in the NEW ADULT category, which has the reputation of a lot of hot, steamy, very adult romances. My book is NOT that type of romance. It’s squeaky clean, appropriate for readers of all ages, so it needs all the support it can get.

Plus, because I’ve been so out of it this week (2 kids with the flu; ugh), I didn’t realize voting has been going on ALL WEEK LONG. It’s Thursday now. Not sure how it is, but it is indeed Thursday today.

So anyway, if you have a second and can vote for my baby, I mean, my book, I’d love you forever! (I’ll love you forever even if you can’t.) :) 

Thanks!!!!

AND SECOND THING:

Audiobooks

The Citizens of Logan Pond trilogy is coming to audiobooks!!!

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Most of the ‘reading’ I do these days is through audiobooks. I love them. For a while now, I’ve wanted to get LIFE | LIBERTY | THE PURSUIT onto an audio format.

Well, I’m thrilled to announce that it’s happening!

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Rebecca Roberts, audiobook narrator for the Citizens of Logan Pond trilogy

Rebecca Roberts, a talented narrator, is narrating and producing the three books, and Blackstone Audio, the largest independent audiobook publisher will be doing the distribution, getting it into bookstores, libraries, Audible, etc. So cool.

Rebecca is doing such a lovely job with the story and the characters. I can’t wait for you to hear! (See Rebecca Robert’s other works here and here.)

Here is the tentative release schedule for the audiobooks:

So if you’re a fan of audiobooks like I am, they’re coming!

(Speaking of The Pursuit, many have asked when the release date is for the print/ebook version. I don’t technically have a release date yet, but that too is coming. I’m working hard, trying to wrap up all loose ends in the trilogy to make sure it ends with a bang! I’ll keep you posted.)

 

Editing, Marching, Publishing, Writing

MBM: 10 Things Your Freelance Editor Wishes You Knew by Sarah Belliston

Welcome to the fifth day of MARCH BOOK MADNESS! (Full explanation and schedule here.)

Today my sister-in-law, writing partner, and friend Sarah Belliston is here to help us with our editing, specifically working with a freelance editor, which she is. Sarah is incredibly smart and graduated from BYU with a degree in English when she was fourteen years old or something (okay, she was a little older, but not a lot). She’s been a huge supporter of my writing over the years, and I love her to pieces. She edits novels, picture books, doctoral theses, queries, and lots of other academic papers. She’s great.  So are you ready for some tips when working with a freelance editor?

Continue reading “MBM: 10 Things Your Freelance Editor Wishes You Knew by Sarah Belliston” →

Editing, Marching, Publishing, Writing

MBM: How to Self-Edit Your Work by J.J. Lyon

Welcome to the second day of MARCH BOOK MADNESS! (Full explanation and schedule here.)

  • Life by Rebecca BellistonSide Note: One of our guest posters, Ranee S. Clark, is hosting March Cover Madness this month. My cover for LIFE (Citizens of Logan Pond bk 1) is up. Make sure to check in each day for the Cover Madness brackets. 

Today our first guest author is my friend J.J. Lyon (JoLynne). JoLynne has been around since the very beginning of March Book Madness, so this makes her fifth post with us. How cool is that? I’m glad she gets to start us off this month. (Check out her previous posts below her bio.) So here she is: Continue reading “MBM: How to Self-Edit Your Work by J.J. Lyon” →

Creating, Designing, Publishing, Writing

Writing a Book” is SO Much More Than Writing the Actual Book

As an author and composer, I feel like I’m running a small business. But I’m the only employee.

Sounds weird, right?

But I am the:

  • author/composer
  • editor
  • publisher
  • marketer/publicist
  • cover designer
  • interior formatter
  • social media strategist (and implementer)
  • website manager
  • accountant
  • and who knows what else I’m forgetting.

Sometimes I hire these things out, but most of the time it’s just me putting on many different hats. Some hats fit me well. Others . . . I need A LOT of help with.

For many authors today, this is the the case. Luckily for me, I love all of it!

If you’re interested in writing (which so many people tell me they are), I just wanted to make you aware that “writing a book” is SOOOOO much more than writing the actual book.

The actual “writing” part for me is maybe 10% of my time.

Even if you get a publisher and literary agent, a lot is still expected of you as the author. Which is fine and great and fun, I just didn’t realize all of this before I started writing. I wasn’t sure if you were aware either. :)

(If you ever have a question about any of the process, email me. I’ll try to help.)

Writing A Book

Giving, Publishing, Signing

New Cover, Same Book: Citizens of Logan Pond LIFE

Happy April!

Yesterday was Carrie’s birthday. Who’s Carrie? Glad you asked. :) She’s the main character in my new trilogy, Citizens of Logan Pond.

But more importantly…

Yesterday, LIFE (Book 1 in my new adult dystopian trilogy), was re-released with a new imprint. Due to the upheaval in the book industry, my publisher closed its doors March 31st, so now the trilogy is back in my domain. I’m really excited about this because it means I can choose when, how, and where to place it on sale. I can do more promos and giveaways and all that fun stuff.

This new version is available for NOOK for the first time and includes discussion questions that are great for book clubs.

First things first:

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New Cover:

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Purchase:

 …… Citizens of Logan Pond Trilogy

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Continue reading “New Cover, Same Book: Citizens of Logan Pond LIFE” →