Posts in Category: Wendy Russo
January Black by @wendysrusso & Touch of Frost by @Rush_Monroe Release Par-tay!
Books! Giveaways! Parties! Read on!
Wendy S. Russo is re-releasing January Black in print on the 15th, and Kindle on the 25th. Purchasers of the print copy will be able to pick up a Kindle copy for $0.99, and members of Amazon Prime will be able to read the book for free via Kindle Unlimited until March 25, 2015.
January Black Blurb:
Sixteen-year-old genius Matty Ducayn is the son of The Hill’s commandant. As such, he’s expected to conform to a strict, unspoken code of conduct. Small acts of defiance over years—such as walking on the grass—have earned him a reputation for being unruly. When sarcastic test answers finally get Matty expelled from school, King Hadrian offers him a diploma if he can answer a deceptively simple question, and then dismisses the only answer.
To prove his worth to society, Matty wrestles with the king’s word games, the kingdom’s historical record, and laws that don’t make sense. He meets Iris Locke, a street smart gardener, along the way. After enchanting him at a glance, Iris helps his research, keeps him out of trouble, and finally breaks his heart.
Alone again, Matty finds himself on collision course with a deadly law, one he will have to break to answer the king’s question. Was Hadrian challenging him, or teaching him a lesson? Without Iris, it won’t matter, because Matty won’t stand down for anyone else.
January Black is the 2013 Readers’ Favorite Silver Medal winner for YA-Coming of Age.
Book Links:
Kindle USA: http://bit.ly/januaryblack
Amazon Print: http://bit.ly/januaryblack-print
Kindle UK: http://bit.ly/januaryblack-UK
Kindle CA: http://bit.ly/januaryblack-CA
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/januaryblack-GR
Wendy’s Bio
Wendy S. Russo got her start writing in the sixth grade. That story involved a talisman with crystals that had to be found and assembled before bad things happened, and dialog that read like classroom roll call. Since then, she’s majored in journalism (for one semester), published poetry, taken a course on short novels, and watched most everything ever filmed by Quentin Tarantino. A Wyoming native transplanted in Baton Rouge, Wendy works for Louisiana State University as an IT analyst. She’s a wife, a mom, a Tiger, a Who Dat, and she falls asleep on her couch at 8:30 on weeknights.
Connect with Wendy on Facebook (http://facebook.com/wendysrusso) and Twitter (@wendysrusso).
LYNN’s INFO:
I have three novels releasing on the 15th–The Touch of Frost Trilogy. Originally they were released Amazon (digital) Only. But now, it’s everywhere, **including print**. So, since three books can be overwhelming, feel free to just focus on the Frostbite cover if that works for you. I’ll send a graphic that has all three covers on it. 🙂
BOOK BLURBS:
Frostbite (Touch of Frost #1)
–Book Trailer here: http://youtu.be/azsucCVtXL4?list=UUjjm2Iqo7D67gGnKG17tv2g
Amanda gives a whole new meaning to cool…
Amanda Smith is sick of getting chased from town-to-town. So when she lands in tiny Trifle, Arizona, she hopes it’s her last move for a long time. Despite hating the smallness of the town, she settles in and finds a best friend, and even a boyfriend. Normality at its finest.
But for a girl who can shoot snow from her hands and lift a two-ton truck over her head like a bag of feathers—normal is not an option.
The scientists who murdered her mother come barreling into Amanda’s quiet life. She must decide if she’ll run again or stay and fight. The price of either choice might be her life or the lives of those she’s come to love…
Absolute Zero (Touch of Frost #2):
Death may be the only way I can live…
The Center is destroyed. Mandy and Georgia have their own place near campus and are ready to start their new lives as college students. All that’s missing is Mandy’s steamy relationship with Zach. His sudden distance and irritability has Mandy wondering…and possibly wandering.
Nate Ashcroft, a beautiful, but mysterious, guy literally falls into Mandy’s life, shattering her already unstable relationship with Zach. When an unknown agency sets its targets on Mandy and Georgia, ugly truths of Mandy’s powers, her parents’ deaths and the people she’s chosen to trust send her life into a tailspin.
One only her death can stop.
Cryostorm (Touch of Frost #3):
They made his body, she’ll awaken his soul…
Three months ago, my twin sister, Georgia, and I had to die so our loved ones would be safe from the scientists hunting us. After months of searching, we’re close to finding the one person who can help us find closure, Georgia’s adoptive mother, Lois.
Snowstorms and an unexpected run-in with GenCorp, the latest entity charged with capturing us, delay our mission and break our spirits. The only light in my supernaturally chaotic life is Nate. He’s given up everything to protect and take care of me, and each minute I’m with him confirms how much I love him. Finally ready to share my heart again, I take the next step, admitting my true feelings.
The mad scientists who want to tear me apart and use my body for a freak show, once again taint my happiness with a disturbing technology that rips Nate from my arms. As I battle GenCorp’s warped technology to save my soulmate, I’m faced with the vivid reality: the Nate I knew and fell in love with may be lost forever.
And if I get him back, will I still be able to say those three precious words?
LINKS FOR TOUCH OF FROST BOOKS:
Frostbite:
Kindle USA: http://bit.ly/FrostbiteAMZN
Amazon Print: http://bit.ly/FrostbiteAMZNPrint
Kindle UK: http://bit.ly/FrostbiteAMZUK
Kindle CA: http://bit.ly/FrostbiteAMZCA
Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/FrostbiteBN
Barnes & Noble Print: http://bit.ly/FrostbiteBNPrint
Kobo: http://bit.ly/FrostbiteKobo
iBooks: http://bit.ly/FrostbiteiTunes
Absolute Zero:
Kindle USA: http://bit.ly/AbsoluteZeroAMZN
Amazon Print: http://bit.ly/AbsoluteZeroAMZNPrint
Kindle UK: http://bit.ly/AbsoluteZeroAMZUK
Kindle CA: http://bit.ly/AbsoluteZeroAMZCA
Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/AbsoluteZeroBN
Barnes & Noble Print: http://bit.ly/AbsoluteZeroBNPrint
Kobo: http://bit.ly/AbsoluteZeroKobo
iBooks: http://bit.ly/AbsoluteZeroiTunes
Cryostorm:
Kindle USA: http://bit.ly/CryostormAMZN
Amazon Print: http://bit.ly/CryostormAMZNPrint
Kindle UK: http://bit.ly/CryostormAMZNUK
Kindle CA: http://bit.ly/CryostormAMZNCA
Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/CryostormBN
Barnes & Noble Print: http://bit.ly/CryostormBNPrint
Kobo: http://bit.ly/CryostormKobo
iBooks: http://bit.ly/CryostormiTunes
LYNN’S BIO:
Growing up in the land of 10,000 lakes and cold, snowy winters, Lynn Rush has been known to weave a little of that cool Minnesota climate into her stories, but these days, she much prefers desert living. She resides in Phoenix, Arizona, with her husband, and when she’s not busy writing her next trilogy, she can be found pounding the pavement, training for her next endurance event.
Connect with Lynn on Twitter (@Rush_Monroe), through Facebook (Facebook.com/LynnRushWrites), or her website LynnRush.com.
Don’t forget to enter the giveaways! Prizes are: #1: $25 e card, #2: Magical Swag Pack from Wendy Russo; #3: Frosty Swag Pack from Lynn Rush. GIVEAWAY is Open 12/15-12/31/14.
And don’t forget to join the Facebook party tomorrow! I’ll be there, too! Here’s the link: https://www.facebook.com/events/743540915729689/
#petthecover: January Black by @wendysrusso
Sixteen-year-old genius Matty Ducayn is the son of The Hill’s commandant. As such, he’s expected to conform to a strict, unspoken code of conduct. Small acts of defiance over years—such as walking on the grass—have earned him a reputation for being unruly. When sarcastic test answers finally get Matty expelled from school, King Hadrian offers him a diploma if he can answer a deceptively simple question, and then dismisses the only answer.
To prove his worth to society, Matty wrestles with the king’s word games, the kingdom’s historical record, and laws that don’t make sense. He meets Iris Locke, a street smart gardener, along the way. After enchanting him at a glance, Iris helps his research, keeps him out of trouble, and finally breaks his heart.
Alone again, Matty finds himself on collision course with a deadly law, one he will have to break to answer the king’s question. Was Hadrian challenging him, or teaching him a lesson? Without Iris, it won’t matter, because Matty won’t stand down for anyone else.
January Black is the 2013 Readers’ Favorite Silver Medal winner for YA-Coming of Age.
January Black will be available for pre-order on Amazon 11/28/2014.
About the Illustrator
Liliana Sanches started studying Visual Arts at the age of 16 and soon felt attracted to the Romantic artwork from the 19th century. The Pre-Raphaelites and Friedrich were her biggest inspirations at the time, and she felt compelled to explore this graphic language of desolated landscapes that were the reflection of the painter’s emotions.
After graduating college, specializing Graphic Design, she created her own business under the name of “Princess of Shadows.” Her style had now evolved and had technical knowledge to support it. Intricate concepts with a much better grasp of image composition and visual balance, and also used color and shape psychology to imprint her work on the viewer.
Along the years she has been working with musicians, authors and even other designers who have allowed her to express her creativity, develop visual communication skills and explore different graphic styles to better suit each project.
Nowadays, here personal work has been exploring the human psyche, imbuing it with a dark surreal feeling. Her biggest inspirations are J-Horror movies, dreams/ nightmares and mental health pathologies.
About the Author
Wendy S. Russo got her start writing in the sixth grade. That story involved a talisman with crystals that had to be found and assembled before bad things happened, and dialog that read like classroom roll call. Since then, she’s majored in journalism (for one semester), published poetry, taken a course on short novels, and watched most everything ever filmed by Quentin Tarantino. A Wyoming native transplanted in Baton Rouge, Wendy works for Louisiana State University as an IT analyst. She’s a wife, a mom, a Tiger, a Who Dat, and she falls asleep on her couch at 8:30 on weeknights.
Amazon | Blog | Facebook | G+ | Goodreads | Pinterest | Tumblr | Twitter
YA Book Alert: #JanuaryBlack by @wendysrusso
About January Black
Sixteen-year-old genius Matty Ducayn has never fit in on The Hill, an ordered place seriously lacking a sense of humor. After his school’s headmaster expels him for a small act of mischief, Matty’s future looks grim until King Hadrian comes to his rescue with a challenge: answer a question for a master’s diploma.
More than a second chance, this means freedom. Masters can choose where they work, a rarity among Regents, and the question is simple.
What was January Black?
It’s a ship. Everyone knows that. Hadrian rejects that answer, though, and Matty becomes compelled by curiosity and pride to solve the puzzle. When his search for an answer turns up long-buried state secrets, Matty’s journey becomes a collision course with a deadly royal decree. He’s been set up to fail, which forces him to choose. Run for his life with the challenge lost…or call the king’s bluff.
January Black is the silver medalist in the 2013 Readers’ Favorite Book Awards, Young Adult – Coming of Age category.
Kindle | Nook | Other Digital | Paperback | Signed Paperbacks | Add to Goodreads Shelf
Praise
Reader Reviews
- Excellent Debut Novel!
- Thoughtful, exciting, and fun
- You don’t want to miss this book!!
- A quest for the meaning of liberty in a modern world
- Refreshingly intelligent and loads of fun!
Blog Reviews
Wendy S. Russo got her start writing in the sixth grade. That story involved a talisman with crystals that had to be found and assembled before bad things happened, and dialog that read like classroom roll call. Since then, she’s majored in journalism (for one semester), published poetry, taken a course on short novels, and watched most everything ever filmed by Quentin Tarantino. A Wyoming native transplanted in Baton Rouge, Wendy works for Louisiana State University as an IT analyst. She’s a wife, a mom, a Tiger, a Who Dat, and she falls asleep on her couch at 8:30 on weeknights. She can be found online in the following places:
Amazon | Authorgraph | Crescent Moon Press | Facebook | Google + | Pinterest | Twitter
The Year of the Snake
Today marks the beginning of the Chinese new year. According to the Chinese Zodiac, 2013 is the Year of the Snake. Some of the things that the snake represents are deception, delusion, and opportunism. Dun, dun, dun!
Wendy Russo came up with the brilliant idea to help celebrate the new year and those cunning snakes by posting a scene from our writings that has to do with deception, delusion, and/or opportunism.
Here’s my scene from The Grave Winner:
The [news] woman turned towards me. Her eyes grew brighter as she click-clacked her ruby red high heels faster than I’d ever seen anyone go. Before I could run or react, she took my elbow and dug her sharp red fingernails into my arm.
“What do you think is causing the dead to return to life?” She shoved her furry microphone at me.
I glared at her over-excited, makeup-plastered face. “I… try not to think about it. But people like you make that impossible.”
Something flickered across her eyes, and she gasped. Was she shocked that I wasn’t eager to participate in this news circus? She stared at me a beat past uncomfortable, smoothed an eyebrow, then smiled into the camera. “Perhaps it’s the result of too much processed food. We’ll have more at ten on this developing story.”
“And we got it.” The cameraman lifted the bulk off his shoulder and pressed several buttons.
“What do you think you’re doing?” a female voice hollered. Mrs. Rios, the Spanish teacher, dodged reporters and trotted up to the woman. “There’s no way you had enough time to contact this student’s parents for permission to put her face on TV. You just got here.”
The news lady removed her grip from my arm. “Relax.” She turned and glared at me. I was getting a lot of that today. “We’ll cut her attitude and just use a shot of her lunch tray.” She gave Mrs. Rios a chilly smile. “No harm done.”
Yep, it’s short and non-spoilery, and it’s deceptive and opportunistic in more ways than one. My evil laugh goes here.
If you’d like to read more slithery Year of the Snake inspired scenes from other authors’ works, here is a list of participants. You should definitely check these out!
Happy Book Birthday to January Black
Actually it’s a belated birthday, but it still counts! My fellow Crescent Moon Press sister, Wendy S. Russo, has just released her debut YA book called January Black.
Here’s the cover:
Pet it. Love it. It’s so pretty!
Here’s the blurb:
As the son of The Hill’s commandant, sixteen-year-old Matty Ducayn is expected to conform to a strict, unspoken code of conduct. Small acts of defiance over years—such as walking on the grass—have earned him a reputation for being unruly. When sarcastic test answers finally get Matty expelled from school, King Hadrian offers him a diploma if he can answer a deceptively simple question.
What was January Black?
The challenge takes Matty, and his girlfriend Iris, beyond The Hill’s walls and tightly controlled media into a gritty world kept in check by riot police. There, the young couple follows a path through old books and clandestine news pages that becomes a collision course with a deadly royal degree.
As he realizes he’s been set up to fail, Matty must make a choice: walk away from the challenge with Iris and his life. Or call the king’s bluff.
It’s available at Amazon in both Kindle and paperback versions, and it’s available at Barnes and Noble. You should totally go read it!
A Midsummer Night’s Blog Hop Character Interview
My lovely and talented Crescent Moon Press sister Wendy Russo put together a super fun blog hop. I joined (duh!), and Wendy paired me with the lovely and talented Diane Haynes, also a fellow Crescent Moon Press sister. Our main characters were to interview each other. Leigh is my main character from The Grave Winner. Micah is Diane’s main character in her book Rift Healer (more info about it below). When these two characters got their mouths flapping, sparks flew, and not the romantic kind either.
This is how it went down:
