Please vist my NEW blog!

Click on the link below to be redirected to my current blog. :) 

http://chelseafinebooks.com/home-page/my-blog/

Archers of Avalon AUDIO BOOKS!

Remember waaaay back in January when I said Audible.com had picked up my Archers of Avalon series? Well, it is finally here!

Anew, Awry, and Avow are now available as audio books!
*throws confetti and dances*

Want to hear a sample? (Because, let’s face it, who doesn’t like free samples?)

Eeeep! So exciting, right? You can buy and download the rest HERE! :)

ARCHERS OF AVALON AUDIO BOOKS

Original Music Inspired by the Archers of Avalon

The incredible Amanda Havard wrote and performed this Archers of Avalon inspired song, and performed it at this year's UtopYA Con awards show. It is AMAZING. I got chills the first time I heard it and bawled my eyes out at the awards show when she sang it. Take a listen:

It's amazing, RIGHT? Don't you just LOVE it?

*happy sigh*

AND GUESS WHAT? You can totally buy it on iTunes!

http://bit.ly/ElectricitySong

WHOO-HOO! 

Body & Blood by Amanda Havard + A GIVEAWAY!

Happy Release Day to my wildly talented friend,
AMANDA HAVARD

and her third installment of The Survivors series, 
BODY & BLOOD!

THE BOOK

How many answers you seek are just a part of you, waiting to be found?

What NOT To Do At A Book Conference

Four Lessons I Learned At UtopYA Con Last Year
(a video originally posted on My Pathway to Books)

UtopYA Con 2013

June 28th-30th

Rule #1: Don't wear a strapless maxi dress to the airport

Rule #2: Don't wear ridiculously high heels on the first day

Rule #3: Double check which country's flag is on your T-shirt

Rule #4: Don't chew gum when on a panel

Thanks for watching my crazy. I love your guts! :)

UtopYA Con 2013 Award Nominees

The 2013 UtopYA Con Award Nominees are now up and open for public voting and the Archers of Avalon series has been nominated for several categories!

Best Cover (Avow)

Best Edited Book (Avow)

Best Kiss (Tristan & Scarlet)

Best Couple (Tristan & Scarlet)

Best Supernatural Series of the Year

Book of the Year (Avow)

(and I may or may not have been nominated for Author of the Year--eeeeek!)

 AHHH!!!! :) Is anyone else freaking out? Because I AM! 

And guess what? 

YOU GUYS CAN VOTE HERE!

  (it only takes like thirty seconds)

So go vote for your favorites in each category (there are SO many fantastic nominees!) and spread the word! 

You guys rock!

DELETED SCENE Avow (Scarlet, Tristan & Nate Tracking Ashmen)

IN THIS SCENE

Scarlet, Tristan and Nate have just realized that Gabriel and Heather are missing and their only lead is a wandering Ashman. 

(Again, I know this doesn't fall into the final version of Avow, but whatever.)

***

“Shh!” Scarlet waved at Nate to stop speaking as a shadow at the far end of the alley moved through the moonlight.

An Ashman.

Scarlet pulled her knife back, ready to throw.

“Wait,” Tristan said, motioning for her to lower the weapon. “If we follow the Ashman he might be able to lead us to Gabriel and Heather.”

“Ooh, good thinking,” Nate whispered.

The three of them crept up on the Ashman—who looked a bit disoriented and lost—and stayed hidden as they started to follow him out of the alley, across the street, and through a few neighborhoods.

Two miles later, Nate was out of breath. “I think we gave up on the dungeon/black van idea too quickly. This is a lot of walking. If I’d known we’d be trekking through the entire city, I might have suggested taking the car.”

Tristan followed behind Scarlet as she slinked through the outskirts of the parking lot. “Right. Because that wouldn’t be obvious. Driving through alleys and parks behind a dead guy.”

Nate shrugged. “I’m just saying this was poorly thought out. What if this Ash dude isn’t returning to Raven? What if he’s hoofing it to Texas to watch a bull riding competition? This could be a really long walk.”

“We’re not even to the edge of town yet. Quit complaining.” Tristan watched Nate’s labored breathing. “And maybe invest in a treadmill so the next time we have to track a bad guy by foot you’re not reduced to wheezing.”

“Oh, I’m sorry Mr. I-jog-everyday-and-shoot-arrows-in-my-free-time. We can’t all be freakishly in shape and built like gladiators.” He made a face. “And what do you mean, next time? How often do you plan on us tracking people?”

“Look,” Scarlet said, nodding to the Ashman who had just moved down a hill and into the warehouse district at the edge of town.

They followed after him and crouched at the top of the hill, watching as the Ashman entered through the backdoor of an old brick warehouse below. Three other Ashmen stood guard in front, staring blankly at the night.

Tristan glanced at Nate. “I guess we’re not going to Texas.”

“Shut up.”

“Do you think Gabriel and Heather are in there?” Scarlet frowned at the large brick building.

Tristan inhaled. “Maybe. We need to get a look inside. Stay here. I’ll be right back.” He stood and started moving down the hill.

“Stay here?” Scarlet whispered across the night with fight in her eyes. “Why do we have to stay here?”

“Because one person sneaking around is less obvious than three,” Tristan whispered back.

“I am not obvious!” Nate’s whisper was louder than the others and one of the Ashman guards looked up. He pursed his lips and quieted his next whisper. “Just kidding. Carry on.”

DELETED SCENE Avow (Gabriel & Crazy Heather)

There are so many deleted scenes. It was really hard for me to choose!

IN THIS SCENE...

Heather has just been poisoned with water from the Fountain of Youth and, being a magical substance, it is slowly making her lose her mind. Gabriel was put in charge of her safety at the cabin while the rest of Team Awesome prepared for their journey to find the fountain.

(I know this doesn't really fall in line with the final version of Avow, but just go with it.)

Enjoy! :)

***

Gabriel banged his head against the wall and muttered, “I feel like I’m being punished.”

“You think of me as punishment?” Heather’s face scrunch up into an almost-fit and Gabriel knew he was screwed.

“Oh no. No. No," he said. "That’s not what I meant. I meant—I meant—

Damn, what had he meant?

Heather broke into a wail, crying unabashedly against his expensive comforter. Loudly. “You don’t like me. You think I’m punishment.”

Tears and snot ran down her face and he tried not to be disgusted at the sight. “No, no, no. Don’t cry.”

Dear god, don’t cry. I hate it when she cries.
She sobbed even louder, shoving her blonde face into his pillow dramatically. “Numph-mum-muph-mee.”

Gabriel was utterly helpless. “What?”

She raised her face half an inch and wailed, “Nobody likes me!”

“No. No, that’s not true. Hey.” He waited for the crying to calm, but the torrents of tears kept coming, drenching her face—and his pillow—in a very boogery way. “Hey, now. Don’t cry. Uh…”

What do I do, what do I do?

Gabriel stood up and carefully inched his way over to the crying time bomb of crazy. “Shh." He reached a hand out to sooth her, but let it hover above her small back, not sure if he wanted to make contact with the wet mess on his bed. “Shh, there-there.”

Since when did he say shit like “there-there”?

Since Heather, dammit.

“You’re not punishment and everybody likes you,” he said.

Hesitantly, he set his palm on her back—still shaking with sobs—and rubbed it a little. It felt awkward and extremely uncomfortable.

Heather whipped her head around, her eyes hard with fury and pure crazy. “Don’t pet me like a rabbit, Gabriel! I’m not a rabbit! Do I look like a rabbit to you? Do I have fur on me? Look at me! LOOK AT ME! Do I have fur?”

Scratch that. This felt awkward and uncomfortable. “Uh…no?”

“Then don’t pet me like a farm animal!”

“Okay.” No touching the crazy chick.

That wouldn’t be a problem. Like EVER.

Gabriel stepped back and stood over the bed as she went back to crying. He was at a total loss. And his bedspread was in need of a serious washing.

Eventually, Heather’s sobs turned into quiet whimpers and then subsided all together. He thought she’d fallen asleep and was about o make a vey quiet exit-- from his own damn room—when he saw her slender arm reach up and start twirling a blonde curl.

Shit. The crazy wasn’t over yet.

She sighed happily, as if she hadn’t just lost her mind and boogers on his bed, and said, “You know what I think?”

No. Please, don’t tell me.

“I think,” she said. “That if I was a bunny, I’d be pretty. Don’t you think so?”

Well, how the hell was he supposed to answer that question?

“Sure.”

“Sure? Sure?” she looked like she was going to cry again.

“Yes! I meant yes! You would be a pretty bunny.”

My life sucks.

She smiled dreamily at him, closed her eyes, and started to snore.

Kindle Daily Deal - ANEW!

Hey, hey, hey! Guess what? 

Anew is featured today in Amazon's Kindle Daily Deal for Romance! 

What does that mean? 

Anew is now on sale for only .99¢!

WHOO-HOO! 

In honor of this special occasion, I think I just might post a deleted scene from the Archer of Avalon series later today. Stay tuned...  ;)

WIP Excerpt: New Adult Title (3)

A short excerpt from my upcoming New Adult book, which I haven't yet titled because naming books stresses me out. For now, let's just call it A story about guilt and forgiveness and loss and love and trust and hope. (See why I have trouble naming my books?)

***

We fall on his bed and the kissing turns into something more, which is right about the time my eyes—and my mind—start to wander.

Why is his room so clean all the time? I mean seriously. Everything is so tidy and organized. His desk is spotless. His shoes are in neat little pairs in his closet. It’s not natural.

And why is it so quiet in here? He lives in a campus apartment, for God's sake. Why aren’t his neighbors throwing a kegger and blasting music through the walls? A little noise would be nice.

Before I know it, our shirts are gone and his hand moves down my ribcage as he settles on top of me, trailing kisses along my neck. I stare down his broad back with a frown. I should probably do something here, like sink my nails into his shoulder blades or grab his ass or something.

Meh.

I slowly flatten my palms against his back in a symmetrical way and try to relax my arms. Why is he always so warm? And why the frack is he still sucking on my neck?

He just ate popcorn and now he’s tonguing my throat and leaving a trail of buttery germs in his wake. And I swear to God his scruffy jaw is going to rub my skin raw.

The germs start to spread lower as my eyes wander back to his desk. There’s not even a pen out of place. Should I have my eyes closed? Why is he breathing so hard? Is that a piece of gum on his ceiling?

Focus, girl. Focus.

My eyes flutter a bit as his hand glides over my thigh and up between my legs. My skirt has ridden up, so I’m pretty much just laying here in my panties, holding onto his overly-warm back as his jeans press against the inside of my legs.

He brings his popcorn tongue up to my mouth and kisses me deeply. I force my eyes shut and try to concentrate on kissing him back as the scruff on his jaw scratches against my face like a bristle brush. Maybe I’ll buy him a new razor. But not an electric one. Those aren’t always reliable.

Who invented electric razors? Who was shaving their face one day and thought, you know what this flat knife against my throat needs? A battery. Perhaps I should invent a razor with a cord—

Matt yanks back from me and sits up on his knees with a frustrated exhale.

"What?" I sit up and cover my boobs. "What’s wrong?”

I notice his hair looks perfectly styled. Aren’t people supposed to have messed up hair after sex—or almost sex? That’s probably my fault. Shoot. I need to remember to mess up his hair.

He runs a hand over his mouth. “Maybe I should ask you.”

“Uh…” I glance at his spotless desk again.

“You’re not into this.”

“Yes I am,” I say quickly. Too quickly. “Sex. Let’s do this.” I roll my hips in an embarrassingly unflattering way and clap my hands together like I'm breaking up a football huddle.

Go team, go!

God, I am such a nerd.

A nerd who can't seem to get into having sex.

What is wrong with me?

***
Thanks for reading, guys. :)  Have a great week! 

Picture Post! Here's to the beginning of 2013...

A picture update of my 2013, so far.

READER TATOO

Check out this awesome Archers of Avalon tattoo one of my readers got! 

I love it, love it, love it!

Me and two of my fabulous readers, Richelle (left) and Allison (right).

I heart you guys!

Last month, I was featured in Valley Lifestyles Magazine.
*cue epic screaming and joyous dance moves* 

So crazy. SO CRAZY! Ahhh!!! 

 

To read the article, click HERE. (page 17)

Me with cover photographer, Ashley Bugg (left). I love this girl! And a pic my friend took while at her dentist's office (right). TV Guide...People...then BAM! There's my face.

I'm still not over it.

I saw Muse in concert! Whoo-hoo! (Me and my BFF, Kristen, on the floor--because that's where all the dancing happens.)

 

Two incredibly practical purchases I've made so far this year: a harp and a war hammer. I'm a conundrum, I know.

My 2013 is off to a killer start!

The Friday Run-Down 3/22/13

This week, I randomly started writing a gritty, urban romance about a drug dealer, an orphan, and a hustler. Why? I have no idea. The story just popped into my head so I started typing. I'm not sure if I'll develop it or not (since I have so many other projects I'd like to finish first) but I'm happy I got down a few thousand words at least. It's unlike anything I've ever written before, with a male protagonist and minimal dialogue, but something about the desperate feel of the story really appeals to me. So we'll see.

Me and my BFF, Kristen, at the concert.

I saw Muse in concert last weekend and it was incredible! They put on a great show and, had it not been for the giant teenage boy blocking my view while accidentally elbowing me in the boob the whole night, it would have been a flawless experience. Yay, for standing room only.

But seriously, it was a great show. :)



My dreams this week:

*I want to visit Maine and eat lobster. (Random, I know.)
*I want a pool in my backyard. <-- Someday, this will happen. It WILL.

My favorite quote this week:

"I've come to realize that romance should be less like a flower and more like an earthquake." - Apology by spoken word poet, Shane Koyczan. (See below for video.)

There you have it, my Friday Rundown. 

What are your dreams this week? Your favorite quotes? 

Have a great weekend! :) 

The Friday Run-Down 2/22/13

This week I decided to completely rewrite a huge chunk of my New Adult novel--because I'm impulsive and ridiculous.

This is the problem with NOT outlining books before I write them. I don't always know where I'm going, which leads to word casualties. It's not very efficient. But then again, neither am I.

This isn't me, but it may as well be.

Last week I went skiing, which reminded me that I am a snowboarder, NOT a skier. They are very different sports, and I suck at the one involving two long sticks and a pair of sharp poles.

From now on, I'm sticking to my snowboard. The less crap I have to strap to my body and keep track of down the mountain, the better. For like everyone. (I apologize to any and all small children who were pegged by my flying poles and rogue skis.)


My dreams this week:

* I want to learn how to sing and play drums at the same time. Have you ever tried to do it? It's crazy hard.
* I want to see Muse in concert.
* I want a pet pig. Seriously.



My favorite quote this week:

"Mom! I need my skates to show off my talents!" -Chris, from the movie Just Friends

There you have it, my Friday Rundown. 

What are your dreams this week? Your favorite quotes? 

Have a great weekend! :) 

Pressure

Pressure motivates me, drives me, encourages me...but sometimes it also crushes me. Weird how that works.

It's strange to think I can benefit from something just as often as I am wounded by it. But maybe that's just life.

This isn't a cry for help or anything. :) I was just sitting here, overwhelming myself with expectations and fears, when I realized that the very thing I'm fighting against--the pressure to be more--is the very reason I've accomplished anything worthwhile in my life.

So to pressure, I say, "Bring it on."

Meet singer/songwriter Justin Breit

A few weeks ago, this popped up on my Twitter feed and my jaw dropped:

#FunFact : When writing one of my original songs I drew inspiration from the book #SophieAndCarter by @chelseafine
— Justin Breit (@breitmusic) January 18, 2013

 
I was like, "No way! Sophie & Carter inspired a SONG???"

So of course I immediately hunted Justin down and mauled him with smiley faces and then I went and YouTubed him like a stalker.

And HOLY CRAP he is amazing. 

Just watch this:

WIP Excerpt - New Adult Title (2)

Every once in a while, I post an excerpt from my current Work In Progress--just to give you guys a little insight into my upcoming projects. This week's excerpt is from my New Adult title.

***

He’s so distracting. His arms are all raised, and his shoulders are all broad, and he’s fixing crap, and it’s just...just...annoying.

I pry my eyes off his back and force my feet to the stove where I throw vegetables into a pan, grab a wooden spoon, and ignore his close proximity.

My body hums.

I ignore that too.

He’s unscrewing the cover of the fire alarm and his arm moves with the motion. Why does he have so many muscles in his forearm? That can’t be healthy.

I drop my eyes to the pan and focus on bell peppers. Because bell peppers are interesting and they don’t have forearm muscles or backs the size of Alaska.

The forearm muscles that I’m not thinking about brush against my shoulder and we both freeze.

Awk-ward.

I casually turn down the heat on the stove like that’s the reason I’m suddenly sweating and go back to stirring. Levi goes back to screwing.

Bell peppers.

I’m thinking about bell peppers.

Then his arm brushes against me again, but this time it’s not my shoulder that feels the friction, it’s my breast. My body goes wild like I’m some love-starved teenager and the stove gets hotter and now I’m having trouble breathing and suddenly even the bell peppers look sexy.

I see his Adam’s apple bob with a nervous swallow, which can only mean one thing. The boob brush was an accident.

Well crap.

If he had been trying to cop a feel with his hulkish forearm, I could have responded with some kind of snarky “you’re a pervert” comment. But it wasn’t on purpose and somehow that makes it sexier and now my body’s all awake and why the HELL is this stove so hot?

He lowers his arms for a moment, his eyes still on the alarm, and stretches his neck.

Ah, the neck stretch. Then universal sign of stress. Well at least I’m not alone in my misery. My hot, distracting, pants-are-so-inconvenient misery.

He keeps stretching his neck and now I can’t look away because he has muscles in his NECK, dammit, and they’re looking at me with all their muscle-like hotness and I’m looking back and—screw the veggies.

I toss the wooden spoon to the side, move back to the ingredients list, and stare at it with great interest like I don’t know what goes into a spinach and cheese omelet. 

I'm never going to survive the summer.

***


Thanks for reading, guys. :)  Have a great week!

The Friday Run-Down 2/8/13

This week was primarily dedicated to working on my New Adult novel. I wrote a ridiculous scene about making out with Captain Hook. It probably won't make the final cut, but the scene I wrote about Tinkerbell might. ;) So...yeah. Stay tuned for some college-aged drama with Peter Pan references. 



I read Losing It by Cora Carmack this week. It was hilarious and wonderful and made me wish my hubby had a British accent. I also read Under The Never Sky by Veronica Rossi and freaking loved it. I have a Perry crush.

Also, I bought a harp. -------->
BOOM. That just happened.


My dreams this week:

* I want to learn how to play the theme song from Pirates of the Caribbean on the harp.
* I want to see the Northern Lights.



My favorite quote this week:

"Be happy for this moment. This moment is your life." -Omar Khayyam

There you have it, my Friday Rundown. 

What are your dreams this week? Your favorite quotes? 

Have a great weekend! :) 

WIP Excerpt - SOPHIE & CARTER Sequel

Every once in a while, I post an excerpt from my current Work In Progress--just to give you guys a little insight into my upcoming projects. This week's excerpt is from the sequel to Sophie & Carter.

***

“Why doesn’t Carter sleep by you?”

I open my eyes to find Chloe staring at me.

“What?” I blink.

“Why does Carter sleep on the couch every night and you sleep in here with me?”

I can’t exactly explain to a six year-old how Carter and I haven’t had sex—but we want to—but we can’t because there are five people living in this two-bedroom apartment made of paper walls which make sleeping arrangements less than ideal, so instead I smile.

“Because I like sleeping with you.” I kiss her nose.

“But isn’t Carter lonely by himself?”

Probably. I uprooted him from his whole life and now he’s working his butt off and trying to keep my spirits up as we try to run this broken home. And he’s out there sleeping on the uncomfortable couch. My heart drops.

“Don't worry about Carter. He’s a big, tough guy,” I say.

“Big people don’t get lonely?” Her little eyebrow quirks.

“Yes, baby. Everyone gets lonely sometimes. But Carter doesn’t want you to get lonely—so he sleeps out there so I can snuggle beside you.” I wiggle closer to her and poke my nose into her cheek a few times until she giggles.

“You’re silly.” She pushes my nose pack with a smile.

“I know. Now go to bed.” I kiss her forehead and close my eyes, but there’s no way I can sleep now because I’m thinking about Carter in the cold living room all by himself. I wait until Chloe’s breathing becomes even before sneaking out of bed and padding my way down the hall.

The boys’ bedroom door is open and Michael is passed out on his sheets, looking too old and big to be the little Michael I knew yesterday. Abram is asleep with his mouth hanging open. He looks older too.

Do I look older? 

I frown. Eighteen probably looks like forty on me.

I silently close their door and move through the house. Carter is on the couch, asleep with his shoes still on as the TV murmurs in the corner. I turn off the TV and pull his shoes off before unfolding the blanket at the foot of the couch and setting it over him.

His hair’s a mess but his face is peaceful and my heart clenches as I stare at my best friend. I quietly pull back the blanket and climb onto the couch with him, wanting to feel him. Wanting to remind him that he’s not alone.

I lay my body beside his, trying not to crowd him too much. I just need to be here for two minutes. Two minutes, then I’ll go back to bed with Chloe.

“Soph?” his sleepy voice cracks. Streetlights outside the window cast an orange glow on his furrowed brow and groggy eyes.

“Sorry,” I whisper. “I wasn’t trying to wake you. I just wanted to be by you.”

He pulls me against his chest, wraps me under the blanket with him, and kisses my head. “I like you by me," he whispers back.

I’m not leaving in two minutes. I might never leave at all.

Because here in Carter's arms I feel like the safest thing in the world. 

***


Thanks for reading, guys. :)  Have a great week!

The Friday Run-Down 2/1/13

I spent most of this week working on Sophie & Carter's sequel. I had trouble with how to let the ending unfold so I put it away (eek!) and I won't get it back out again until the ending comes to me. *sigh* This poor sequel. I've really struggled with finishing it since the beginning and I'm not sure why. But my personal rule when writing is "if I don't FEEL it, then I don't write it" and I don't "feel" the ending yet. So yeah. When the ending comes to me, easy and beautiful, then I'll finish it.



In other news, I'm on my way to Florida today to visit some of my writer friends and I canNOT wait! I have been looking forward to this trip for months and I'm seriously ecstatic about it! I can't wait to hang out with some brilliant authors and pick their brains about life and love and writer's block and caffeine addiction. ;)


My dreams this week:

* I still want to learn to play harp.
* I want to see Elie Goulding in concert. (She's on tour right now.)
* And I want to make new friends at this writer's retreat this weekend. Friends are the best. :)



My favorite quote of the week:

"Just keep following the heartlines on your hand." -Florence + The Machine

There you have it, my Friday Rundown. 

What are your dreams this week? Your favorite quotes? 

Have a great weekend! :) 

Let's Talk About Rape

I buy about two e-books a day and try to finish at least three of those books a week. Lately, I've read a lot of books that have left me feeling unsettled--and that's what I want to blog about today.

RAPE.

It seems rape is trending in the book world right now, in multiple genres, and I'm a bit perplexed by its popularity as a theme. I understand rape is a gut-wrenching, tragic, and intense subject matter, so incorporating rape as a thematic story element sometimes makes sense.

But must it be so gratuitous? Why have I read so many books lately where rape was written in such a way as to grip readers--to entertain them--rather than inform them?

WIP Excerpt - Fantasy Title

Every once in a while, I post an excerpt from my current Work In Progress--just to give you guys a little insight into my upcoming projects. This week's excerpt is from my YA/NA Fantasy title.

***

He tenses and for a moment I fear he is going to run his sword through my chest. I cannot defeat him, not ever, and I am foolish for continuing to provoke him. But he doesn't move. The fight in his eyes dissolves and he pulls his weapon back slightly.

“What did you say?” His face softens in disbelief and I hate him for being so beautiful. Enemies should not be beautiful.

I grip my weapon tighter, too stubborn and terrified to move as I repeat my name--the name that has him so perplexed. My breathing is more elevated than before and my misty exhales cloud the air between us.

His gaze trails over me and he seems confused. Angry, even. When his eyes return to mine he pinches his lips and turns away from me, cursing into the wind. Why is he upset?

Why do I care?

With his back to me, he is vulnerable. I could pull back and swing and bring him to the ground. I could cut through his chest and be on my way. He is my rival. This is what I should do.

I hesitate.

He turns back to me with a torn expression and, in that moment, staring into silver eyes that look just as frightened as I feel, I know I've already lost. Not because he is mightier than I, but because I am now more curious of him than fearful.

I do not hate him, I realize.

I do not hate him at all.

And this terrifies me more than his sword through my heart.

***


Thanks for reading, guys. :)  Have a great week!

The Friday Run-Down 1/25/13

I've spent this week working on my YA Fantasy title as well the sequel to SOPHIE & CARTER and every minute I spent writing made me feel alive. There were several days I stayed in my office all day without taking a break from my keyboard. <-- That's when the good stuff happens. :)

I failed at being "online" this week since I rarely checked my Facebook and Twitter feeds, but I just got so caught up with my stories! :) I'll try to do better next week.




My dreams this week:

* I want to learn to play the harp. Seriously.
* I want to get through the 1600 emails in my inbox this weekend. #mailfail
* And I want a reason to wear these shoes out in public. So if you're throwing a fabulous shoe party or something, let me know.

My favorite quote this week: 

"Shine, don't shadow." -The Good Mad

There you have it, my Friday Rundown. 

What are your dreams this week? Your favorite quotes? 

Have a great weekend! :) 

WIP Excerpt - New Adult Title (1)

Hey guys! :) I think I might start posting an excerpt from whatever manuscript I'm working on every once in a while--just to give you guys a little insight into my upcoming projects. So here goes...  ;)


This is from my New Adult contemporary WIP (work in progress) coming out later this year:

***

I didn’t know how to face Levi, so I never did. And now here I am, living in the room next to his, trying to ignore all the things that come up between us. Like my scar.

And Charity.

And the magnetic heat that magically appears whenever we're near one another…

Yeah. Lots of ignoring going on.

I finish showering and wrap a towel around my body before stepping into the hallway. Levi walks out of his room and our eyes meet. 

At first it’s really uncomfortable.

Like, Oh crap, I was hoping to avoid you for the rest of my life.

And then it’s normal.

Like, Hello, old friend whom I grew up with and trust with my life.

And then it’s dangerous.

Like, Can I help you out of your towel and slip you into something more comfortable? Like my bed, perhaps?

His gaze strays from my face to my barely-covered body and, for a moment, the past doesn't exist. The pain. The only thing standing between us is the sexual tension filling up the hallway and dammit if it doesn't feel good to forget.

But then our eyes meet again and the corridor crowds with memories and guilt.
He stomps down the stairs as I stand barefoot and damp by the bathroom door, wondering if we'll ever be okay again. We're broken--we're completely broken--and it's all my fault.

*** 

Thanks for reading, guys. Have a great week! :)

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Best-selling books. Best-selling authors.

Reviewer Appreciation Giveaway Winner

Thank you so much to all of you who participated in the Reviewer Appreciation Giveaway!!! :) Avow got 93 reviews! That's so awesome!!! My readers are AH-MAZING! ;)

And the winner is...

Alyssa P.

Congratulations, Alyssa! You've won signed paperbacks of Anew, Awry and Avow!

Thank you so much to everyone who left reviews of the series! You guys are amazing and I appreciate your support more than you'll ever know! :) Love you guys!

Video Blog: News! (Audible.com, foreign rights, UtopYA Con and more!)

If you want to skip the video (because let's face it, who has time to watch me ramble? :) I've listed the highlights below. Love your guts! Mwah!


The Highlights:

* Avow (the third and final AoA book) is now available!     Kindle     Nook     Paperback

* My Archers of Avalon series has been picked up by audible.com! Whoo-hoo! A big thanks to my super awesome agent, Suzie Townsend!

* Rights for the AoA series have been sold to Turkey! Yay! Again, thank you, Suzie!
http://www.publishersmarketplace.com/members/sztownsend81/

* I'll be a panelist at UtopYA Con this June--come visit me!
http://www.utopyacon.com/

* Check out my "Coming Soon" page for info on what I'm working on next! http://www.chelseafinebooks.com/p/coming.html 

* Reviewer Appreciation GIVEAWAY!
http://www.chelseafinebooks.com/2012/12/reviewer-appreciation-giveaway.html

Happy New Year, guys! :)