A Reliant Love | Teaser Ten

Happy weekend everyone! Not much to report on, so I'll get right to the good stuff. Here's a teaser from A Reliant Love. Conversation with Cindy and Nathalie after she begins dating Sam. Enjoy!

“Dude, what’s going on?” Cindy asks the second we’re dismissed.

“Sam and I are together.” I allow myself to smile as I tell her.

“That’s awesome!” She leans over the desk and hugs me. “Pete was acting really weird about it last night. You’re going to have to break it to him slowly,” Cindy says, frowning as she speaks. 

“He knows. He freaked out on Sam this morning,” I say as I quickly pack up my things. “I’m getting really annoyed with him.”

“You know he only does it because he cares,” she says as we walk together into the crowded hallway.

“Something else is going on here. Something happened between them in the past. I have to find out so I can fix it.”

“You can’t fix everything Nathalie,” Cindy says. “Just focus on your relationship with Sam and getting that on track. I’ll talk to Pete and tell him to back off a little.”

“Thanks,” I tell her.

Writing Wednesday | Prompt 37

The Birthday Post

Before I get to my exciting birthday post, enjoy some gifs that aren't mine! But I love them like they were. And I mean, come on, who doesn't love some birthday partying. *CUE PARTY MUSIC*

So it's official, I'm...

And while that's exciting and all, I don't feel any different. Instead of just partying it up with you all virtually, I decided that for today's post, I'm going to take a walk down memory lane. Since my blog is only a little over one year, I don't have much to go by, BUT let's take a peek at my year.

My most popular blog post to date is: Tuesday Top Ten Reading Quotes.  Number one on that list is... 1. "Reading is dreaming with open eyes." --Yoyo and number ten on that list is... 10. "Reading is the sole means by which we slip, involuntarily, often helplessly, into another's skin, another's voice, another's soul." --Joyce Carol Oates. I loved writing this post because quotes are awesome and everyone loves quotes--clearly!

In a close second for popularity is: Friday Tease Time from May 17, 2013. It was a teaser from The Thousand Year Curse. Here's a little snippet,

“Aristeus, to what do I owe this pleasure?” Charon asks amused.

“I need a ride to the main gates.” Ari cuts right to the chase. I hold my breath for the guys answer. Please say yes, please say yes. I can’t swim in there. Please don’t make me. 

“You know I cant do that.” Charon answers stoically. 

“I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t urgent.” Ari pulls out his sincere voice and tries persuading him.

“You put me in a tough place.” Charon answers back, seemingly regretful. 

“I brought you something.” Ari reaches into his backpack and takes out two golden discs. They don’t look like much to me but from the expression on Charon's face they mean something to him. His eyes practically pop out of his head. He reaches for the discs but Ari pulls them back, just out of reach.

While we're talking books, I've released TWO in the past year! The Thousand Year Curse was released August 2013, and The Curse of Betrayal was released February 2014. I've linked to their amazon sites. I'm very proud of this series, it's my first baby. TTYC's average rating is 4.16 on goodreads and TCOB has an average rating of 4.55. Thanks to everyone who's read them and reviewed. I owe ya one!

Personally, this was a great year, too. My boyfriend of five years, Chris, proposed to me on December 22, 2013. We're getting married August 2nd, 2014 so I already know that 23 is going to be a freaking awesome year! I have so much in store for you guys book wise this year. A Reliant Love is due out in just weeks. Wingless is going through editing and expected to be released soon. And of course the last Curse Book is in the works. I know 23 is going to rock!

BUT I couldn't have done so well during year 22 without all of you. You've each helped me grow as both a person and a writer. Between helping me with choosing covers and names, to entering giveaways and commenting on my posts. I love doing my weekly writing prompt post and seeing what you all write. I love the support of my followers, likers and friends. I could never do it without you. 

Thank you and here's to another prosperous year! 

Enjoy this goodreads giveaway in honor of my special day!

Goodreads Book Giveaway

The Curse of Betrayal

by Taylor Lavati

Giveaway ends June 03, 2014.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter to win

A Reliant Love | Teaser Nine

All I have to say is... Thank goodness it's Friday. Has this week been extremely long for anyone else? Pure torture. And what's with the rain. Blech. First, I would like to congratulate Jen Wool on winning a paperback copy of The Thousand Year Curse and The Curse of Betrayal. She's an old friend from high school and I'm SO happy she won them!
Now, onto the teaser. Today is one for A Reliant Love (as if you couldn't tell from the title of the post). It's from the perspective of Nathalie. Our favorite girl!

I don’t know how much time passes, but I wake up to hushed voices. I try to fall back asleep, but they continue to argue, and it irritates me, forcing me awake.

“Why is she sleeping with you? I’ve never seen you snuggle, let alone be so lovey,” a male voice says. I know the conversation is about me, so I pretend to be asleep, so I can eavesdrop.

“We’re just friends. Go the fuck upstairs,” Sam says, his voice harsh. His chest rumbles underneath me, and I can feel him tense up like he’s going to fight. His heart beats a little faster, and in turn, it makes mine speed up.

“Dude, I’m just looking out for you. You’re being protective, and Kar said you were acting weird in the car. What about your plans?”

“My plans aren’t changing. She’s nobody to me.” I break from the inside out at Sam’s words. I choke, trying to hold back a sob, and Sam’s entire body goes rigid. He must know I’m awake. I suck in my emotions and pretend like I didn’t hear a thing.

Sam looks down at me, trying to gauge my reaction, so I don’t give him one. “Sorry…I was so tired.” I rub my eyes, but it’s more to keep my tears inside.

Writing Wednesday | Review Group

A Reliant Love | Teaser Eight

Hey there everyone! So much is going on right now. I don't even know where to start! First, here is a super long teaser for you. It's from Sam's perspective (the main guy in the novel). Enjoy. Don't forget to enter the giveaway I posted yesterday here. It's a great chance to win Book one and Book two of A Curse Books series before the last comes out soon. 
YESTERDAYS POST
This excerpt is from A Reliant Love. This isn't edited fully and is subject to change. 18+ some language and drug references.

“Fill me in.” Nathalie breaks my daydreaming with her hypnotic voice.

“On what?” I lean back in the plastic booth, resting my arm on the top.

“Last night, stupid,” she drawls, lifting her eyes to roll them at me.

“You know, you have a real problem,” I tell her, mimicking her eye roll. She just stares at me, and I can tell she doesn’t get what I’m talking about. “Your eyes are going to get stuck like that, and you’ll forever be staring at your brain.” Of course, she just rolls her eyes at me—again.

“Then I won’t have to look at your ugly face,” she says, making sure to lift those light eyes again. Her lip curls in such a way that I want to lean forward and suck on it, pulling it into my mouth. I crave tasting her so much it almost hurts me to deny myself the pleasure.

“You’ve wounded me deeply.” I play with her, placing my hand on my chest with a fake dagger stabbing into my rotten, black heart.

“Tell me, you brat,” she says, taking the salt shaker and dropping few kernels onto the table to amuse herself. They line up on the beige table in a near perfect line. I don’t know what she knows about me, but it feels like she doing it on purpose to toy with me. She takes her long nails and drags them through the white salt, making the line even more narrow and long.

I don’t like seeing it in front of her—more so since I’m sitting right here staring, wondering what she’s doing. It looks so appetizing and perfect, almost real. It calls to me, telling me I can forget it all with just one hit. I consider taking it all in my nose right then, but realize that it’s fucking salt.

I blow out a breath, ruining her line and making the salt blow back onto her lap. She frowns at me as she dusts it off of her. She looks up, her eyes hard. 

“Why’d you do that?” She situates herself back in the seat after standing so the salt slides off of her. She stares at me longer, trying to dig her way into my soul. I take the salt shaker and place it next to me so she can’t touch it anymore and tease me.

“You were acting like a child.” I dig into her sore spot. I can see in her eyes that I’ve hurt her. I’ve upset her just like I wanted to and made myself into the bad guy—a role I am used to playing.

Random Giveaway

Hey guys! It's way too quiet around here. So... I think it's time for a random, flash giveaway! Today I'm going to give you all a copy of The Thousand Year Curse AND The Curse of Betrayal. Start the series before the last installment comes out this summer! I promise, it'll be worth it. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Here's what people are saying about the series...
An exciting new YA fantasy series that combines Greek mythology with sparkling teenage romance.‘The thousand year curse’ is a spectacular YA novel full of magic and mythology.Highly imaginative and dreamlike, Taylor’s novel cleverly plays tricks on the subconscious whilst allowing your imagination to soar. I loved the likable, memorable characters that were the sole focus of this character-driven story; that I would state is more of a romance than fantasy book. As a fan of love triangles I could not help but become emotionally involved in this terrific trio – leaving me sat in suspense as to who would claim Ryder’s heart?!

The striking, eye-catching (…I know, that comment is a bit cliché!) cover of this book is what drew me instantly to it like a magnet. I would highly recommend this to all fans of the genre, as it is a thoroughly entertaining read that will keep you transfixed for many hours. 

-Lucinda from Goodreads

Overall, The Curse of Betrayal by Taylor Lavati is a fantastic read. This book has a great cast of characters, a super interesting plot, and a very immersive world. Miss Lavati is a very talented writer, and I enjoy reading her work. Will I be reading the next book in the series? Most definitely!

I'd give The Curse of Betrayal (Curse Books #2) by Taylor Lavati a 4.75 out of 5.

-Heather from Goodreads

Writing Wednesday | Prompt 36

Writing Process Blog Hop

First and foremost, I want to thank +Krista Quintana for inviting me to join in on this hop. I met Krista online and we swapped some posts. I was so excited when I saw she wanted me to join in! Here's her blog, Color Coordinated. 
Krista's Bio:
I am a twenty-something female finally focusing on her dream of writing.  I’ve written stories since kindergarten, but it’s been only recently that I’ve decided to pursue this seriously.  I have several hobbies that I’ve picked up, including piano, singing, coloring, cake making and spending time with the hubby.  Professionally, I am a nurse, a job that is more fun than work! 
The bunnies will lead us to the HOP...

What am I working on?
I have a lot going on right now. My first priority is A Reliant Love. I'm reading through it and editing. I owe my editor my last draft and then it's DONE and I will publish it. I'm hoping to get that for May 26 (the day before my Birthday). Then I'm working on Wingless. It's written, but still in the beginning stages. So I'd like to get a final draft of that done so I can send it to my editor. Lastly, I'm working on the outline and name for The Curses #3. I really want to get that novel out this summer and to be honest, I'm way behind! I blame it on the wedding. 

How does my work differ from others of its genre?
My books are all different because of my voice. When I sit down to write, I don't just start. I really dive into the mind of the character I'm writing and try to become them. I know that sounds weird, but it's true. I write these character sheets and write the most random things about characters. For example, when I started The Thousand Year Curse, I decided that Ryder was going to love Golden Retrievers. This fact was never brought up in the book, BUT I think it translated because I knew it in the back of my mind. She gravitated towards people like Junior, who had qualities one would think a Golden would have, such as loyalty, compassion, but also fun. I believe little quirks that I have make my writing stronger, but also differentiate it from any other author's work.
Why do I write what I do?
Why does anyone do what they do? Firstly, I've fallen in love with the craft of writing. I have to be honest, and if you know me, you know that I was never planning to become a writer. I had a dream and I was so amazed by the length and quality that I wrote it down. The dream became a novel within a week. I haven't done anything with the dream, but I'll cherish it because it turned me on to the idea of writing and gave me the courage to do go through with it. After that dream, more and more ideas blossomed and I wrote. I don't like to think that I write only one genre. I feel that at this moment in my life, I write fantasy and romance because that's what I like right now. But I never want to limit myself. If an idea were to come from a completely different genre, I'd still give it a go. But mostly, I love writing; the creativity of it, the way it makes me feel to start and finish a book, and the fact that I'm constantly amazed my brain concocts these ideas.
How does my writing process work? 
Most of my stories come in a dream. After the dream or thought, I write it down and then let it go. But I never forget it. It's always in the back of my mind. Of course, there's always an exception. Wingless, for example, needed to be written right that moment and it was. But mostly, I try to let the idea percolate.  Then, when I'm ready, I'll look at what I've written and try to map out characters. I'll do some research and reflect on where I'd like it to go. Sometimes, I'll just start writing, others I'll write an outline. It all depends on the novel. My fantasy books I like to make a map and extensively write about the world. World building is important to me. But for romance, I just write and see where the characters take me.
 I use Scrivener to write my novels in and I LOVE IT.

That's actually my work. There's not even black in there, which was the original writing color. I go hard with Scrivener, but it's awesome.
The first draft usually takes me about 3-4 weeks to fully write. Then I dive back in and read it from start to finish, adding or deleting what I think the novel needs. That's the easy part. It's the editing that I hate, but it must be done. After editing as much as I can/want, I hand it off to my editor.  She goes through it and then I get it back. I read what she's said, fix what needs to be fixed. Then I print it. Then I read it. When my changes and fixes have been made, it goes back to my editor for the last time. Then when I fix her changes, we have a book! Of course, this usually ends up being different depending on the novel. And I'm sure it will change as I change, but right now, that's what going on with my novels and how my writing process works.   From a Facebook group I belong to for Indie authors who write Young Adult Fantasy, I found TWO people who want to participate in the blog hop... Please, check them out! I'll link to their posts soon. 
+Beth Barany  +Elliot Page 

Writing Wednesday | Prompt 35