Hello my lovely book fanatics! Today I am participating in the Broken Wings Blog Tour! Today I will be doing an awesome guest post and excerpt, as well as a giveaway, so let's get started!!!!
Gilded Wings
by Amy Lignor
Series: The Angel Chronicles #2
Release Date: November 1, 2012
by Tribute Books
The Beloved Angel/Warrior Team from Until Next Time Returns!
When Matt and Emily are sent on their second mission they have no idea how truly dark human nature can become…
Emily never wanted to face humans again. With the heartache that went on down below, she’s still trying to figure out how to save souls that don’t deserve saving. The only one she wants to see again is Jason - the young man she fell in love with who became the soulmate she simply can’t forget…
Matt was trained to protect and defend the souls down below. Longing to feel the heartfelt emotions that come from being human, Matt wants nothing more than to have just one life - one chance - to live and love the girl of his dreams…
The powerful team find themselves in a brand new century, living in the Gilded Age of New York City. Emily takes over the body of Anya, a young Russian girl who arrives on Ellis Island after a hideous tragedy. There she meets up with a strangely familiar young man by the name of Drew Parrish, who helps Anya survive in an unknown world of luxury, snobbery and…obsession.
What Anya’s inner angel doesn’t know is that the soul she loves is also back. This time around Jason goes by the name of Max Carrow. Once a quiet and kind boy, he’s now part of the ‘Four Hundred Club,’ and wants nothing more than to be among the most admired as he climbs the shaky ladder of society’s elite.
As two worlds merge, Emily and Matt struggle under the weight of their “Gilded Wings.” Not only will they have to figure out who they should fight to save, but they must also face a romantic choice that could destroy them both.
When Matt and Emily are sent on their second mission they have no idea how truly dark human nature can become…
Emily never wanted to face humans again. With the heartache that went on down below, she’s still trying to figure out how to save souls that don’t deserve saving. The only one she wants to see again is Jason - the young man she fell in love with who became the soulmate she simply can’t forget…
Matt was trained to protect and defend the souls down below. Longing to feel the heartfelt emotions that come from being human, Matt wants nothing more than to have just one life - one chance - to live and love the girl of his dreams…
The powerful team find themselves in a brand new century, living in the Gilded Age of New York City. Emily takes over the body of Anya, a young Russian girl who arrives on Ellis Island after a hideous tragedy. There she meets up with a strangely familiar young man by the name of Drew Parrish, who helps Anya survive in an unknown world of luxury, snobbery and…obsession.
What Anya’s inner angel doesn’t know is that the soul she loves is also back. This time around Jason goes by the name of Max Carrow. Once a quiet and kind boy, he’s now part of the ‘Four Hundred Club,’ and wants nothing more than to be among the most admired as he climbs the shaky ladder of society’s elite.
As two worlds merge, Emily and Matt struggle under the weight of their “Gilded Wings.” Not only will they have to figure out who they should fight to save, but they must also face a romantic choice that could destroy them both.
Until Next Time
by Amy Lignor
Series: The Angel Chronicles #1
Pages: 255
Release Date: February 1, 2012
by Tribute Books
How does a girl choose between the one who steals her heart and the one who owns her soul?
Matt and Emily were created for a specific job. Raised and trained as the ultimate angel/warrior team, they are sent down to save, defend, judge and forgive, depending on the 'life' they've been assigned. What they don't realize is that the power of human emotions, such as love, anger, passion and fear can take over even the best of souls, causing them to make mistakes and follow paths that lead to confusion and heartache.
When the reason for their training is finally revealed, the angel/warrior team find themselves thrust into a world they know nothing about. Matt takes over the life of Daniel, a young man with a great deal of baggage. Emily becomes Liz, a girl living in a remote village who relies on nothing more than her own strength to survive. A violent storm erupts one night, and framed in the window of Liz's establishment is a frightening face. Let in by the soul of a Good Samaritan, the two visitors bring with them a past full of secrets that could literally change an angel's path and a warrior's plans.
From murder to redemption, this angel/warrior team must find a way to keep the faith they have in each other in a world that's ripping them apart.
Matt and Emily were created for a specific job. Raised and trained as the ultimate angel/warrior team, they are sent down to save, defend, judge and forgive, depending on the 'life' they've been assigned. What they don't realize is that the power of human emotions, such as love, anger, passion and fear can take over even the best of souls, causing them to make mistakes and follow paths that lead to confusion and heartache.
When the reason for their training is finally revealed, the angel/warrior team find themselves thrust into a world they know nothing about. Matt takes over the life of Daniel, a young man with a great deal of baggage. Emily becomes Liz, a girl living in a remote village who relies on nothing more than her own strength to survive. A violent storm erupts one night, and framed in the window of Liz's establishment is a frightening face. Let in by the soul of a Good Samaritan, the two visitors bring with them a past full of secrets that could literally change an angel's path and a warrior's plans.
From murder to redemption, this angel/warrior team must find a way to keep the faith they have in each other in a world that's ripping them apart.
~Guest Post~
What’s the Real Selling Point of Your Book?
The Cover!
We are a completely visual society. From computers to phones to iPods to all the vibrant colors coming at us from almost every direction, we usually make our decisions based on how the ‘scene’ effects us. Colors, pictures - these are used in many different ways: From scaring us on the news with graphic images to making us fall in love with a product because a cute, white, fuzzy puppy was on the commercial, and we can’t forget about it. This is how heavily we rely on images to find out what we really love or hate.
When it comes to the literary world, cover art is one of - if not THE most important - part of selling your book. Millions will buy a book written by Stephen King, JK Rowling, Tom Clancy, Dean Koontz, J.D. Robb - and it’s because they already know the ‘name.’ They are already a fan because these writers have been doing this a good, long time and have built a fan base that is completely loyal. In fact, they don’t much care what’s on the cover of the latest Stephen King book; just as long as his name appears on the cover that’s good enough to make the sale.
But for smaller, unknown, or debut authors, cover art is sometimes more important than plot. Now, don’t get me wrong, the story has to be great in order to get the wonderful reviews you need to build a reading list of loyal fans, but the very first thing a reader will judge about your book is the cover. It has to be outstanding. It has to grab the attention of the reader and make them want to research the title further. They need to be lured into the story, and once the book is purchased, THEN it’s up to you to thrill them and excite them with your characters, storylines, etcetera.
Finding a cover artist who can take a book and literally create the image that YOU know you want because, as the author, you’ve been thinking and dreaming about it for years, is difficult. A lot of cover artists don’t even read the manuscript, which I find hard to understand seeing as that they have to have some background about the book and what you’re trying to say in order to even begin to work up a design. But, what can I say? There are some designers out there who work as if they’re on an ‘assembly line’ and just cannot put in the time it takes to understand or even like your story.
I say all this because I was one of the lucky ones. When The Angel Chronicles found a home with Tribute Books, I was introduced to their cover designer - a woman by the name of Emma Michaels. (http://emmamichaels.blogspot.com)
Emma is not just an artist who draws what the author wants. She is one of those rare people who read the book cover to cover, comes up with ideas about various scenes, and discusses options and paths to take in order to create the perfect cover. She takes suggestions, ideas and really works with the author to make the book a unique masterpiece that fans really take a shine to.
Emily and Matthew have been in my mind since I was thirteen years old. Seeing as that I was born when Jesus was just a boy, that’s a long time to have these imaginary people in your brain. Emma Michaels had the amazing skill and unwavering talent to take my ideas and my story and draw the characters as if she was looking at them face to face in my own head.
So, remember, whether you go the self-publishing route, sign on with an independent, a small press - whatever it may be - make sure to remember that the cover of your book is the very first thing readers will see. And if the cover doesn’t ‘speak’ to them, the book is automatically dead in the water - even if the next Gone with the Wind or Harry Potter awaits the reader inside.
Until Next Time, Everybody,
Amy
~Excerpt~
Hope reached out and patted her hand. “You’re very brave to take on so much for one so young. How old are you, child?”
“Almost eighteen.”
Hope nodded and twisted the soft blanket in her hand. “I’m a bit older,” she said, with a smirk. “Why did you leave Russia?”
The gruesome image of the girl in red once again sprang into the Anya’s mind and she could feel the blood drain from her face.
“No matter,” Hope said quickly. “Everyone leaves home for some reason or another. Past is past, I always say. But everybody in this house has a story. We have a cook who also doubles as the pastry chef; he’s Dutch and goes by the name of Drake. Makes the most beautiful desserts you’ve ever laid your eyes on. We have a few maids from Germany, France, even Poland. And, I suppose,” she said, rolling her eyes, “that you’ve already had the pleasure of meeting our resident British pain in the backside.”
Anya was taken aback by the words of this Southern lady.
But Hope just laughed. “I always say what I feel, darlin’. Nasty habit, I suppose. Won’t ever be a lady of any house with my kind of lip.” She smiled wide. “The future is right at your fingertips, Anya. Anything can happen in this place—some good, some bad. By bringing you here, Drew has started you off with the best possible chance that you and Gregori could ever dream of having.”
Anya tried to stifle a yawn.
“I do tend to rattle on, don’t I? Now, I’m right next door if you need anything. You best get some sleep. I’m sure your trip was...horrible.” Hope pushed herself off the bed and padded across the thick carpet to the door. “Good night, Anya.”
“Good night.” Anya smiled. “Thank you, Hope.”
“You bet.” She grinned. “Welcome to America.”
“Almost eighteen.”
Hope nodded and twisted the soft blanket in her hand. “I’m a bit older,” she said, with a smirk. “Why did you leave Russia?”
The gruesome image of the girl in red once again sprang into the Anya’s mind and she could feel the blood drain from her face.
“No matter,” Hope said quickly. “Everyone leaves home for some reason or another. Past is past, I always say. But everybody in this house has a story. We have a cook who also doubles as the pastry chef; he’s Dutch and goes by the name of Drake. Makes the most beautiful desserts you’ve ever laid your eyes on. We have a few maids from Germany, France, even Poland. And, I suppose,” she said, rolling her eyes, “that you’ve already had the pleasure of meeting our resident British pain in the backside.”
Anya was taken aback by the words of this Southern lady.
But Hope just laughed. “I always say what I feel, darlin’. Nasty habit, I suppose. Won’t ever be a lady of any house with my kind of lip.” She smiled wide. “The future is right at your fingertips, Anya. Anything can happen in this place—some good, some bad. By bringing you here, Drew has started you off with the best possible chance that you and Gregori could ever dream of having.”
Anya tried to stifle a yawn.
“I do tend to rattle on, don’t I? Now, I’m right next door if you need anything. You best get some sleep. I’m sure your trip was...horrible.” Hope pushed herself off the bed and padded across the thick carpet to the door. “Good night, Anya.”
“Good night.” Anya smiled. “Thank you, Hope.”
“You bet.” She grinned. “Welcome to America.”
~Giveaway~
~Follow the Tour~
'Gilded Wings' Blog Tour
Read Along Excerpt Schedule
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~Get to Know Amy Lignor~
Bio:
Amy Lignor began her career at Grey House Publishing in northwest Connecticut where she was the Editor-in-Chief of numerous educational and business directories. Now she is a published author of several works of fiction. The Billy the Kid historical The Heart of a Legend; the thriller, Mind Made; and the adventure novel, Tallent & Lowery 13. She is also the owner of The Write Companion, a company that offers help and support to writers through a full range of editorial services from proofreading and copyediting to ghostwriting and research. As the daughter of a research librarian, she is also an active book reviewer.
Connect:
Emily, thanks for inviting Amy and the angels to stop by. We appreciate it.
ReplyDeleteP.S. And I know Emily, the heroine of the series, is pleased to meet another Emily :)
Emily - Thank you so much for having the angels on your incredible site. I hope you and your readers love Emily & Matt's second adventure! Happy New Year!
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