The Space Between~Early Release

The Space Between, the first part in my new series, The Book of Phoenix, is ripe and ready for release. The official release date is April 5, but the ebook will come out early. Woohoo! How early depends on how many Likes I can gain over on my Facebook page. I’m hoping this weekend? Maybe even today? Hmm…we’ll see.

Planning a release as an indie is kind of difficult. When we’re responsible for all of the pieces, you’d think making them come together by a certain time would be easy. We’re in control, right? Well, not so much. Especially when the retailers keep changing their parameters for the files that we upload. Or when they decide to take a day or two longer than normal to approve a new title.

Our editors and proofreaders may take longer or shorter to do their parts than we planned for. We ourselves may need more or less time than expected to do last minute fixes. Then there’s all the formatting for the various versions.

I always build in extra time because inevitably there are issues. I’m publishing my sixth title, but new problems still pop up. It’s such an exciting time to be prepping to push that PUBLISH button, but also extremely frustrating because regardless of how smoothly the process goes, it’s never smooth enough. I mean, why can’t everything work perfectly on the first try? Is that really asking for too much?

After the last couple of days of driving myself nutty with syntax coding errors (an extra space in a file name wasted three hours of troubleshooting time and that’s just one example), we’re pretty much ready to publish early. It’s not the first time I’ve been off by a few days, although it’s the first time I’ve been ready a week early.

Of course, now I start thinking, “That’s another week to read through and make any final changes to make it even more awesome.” We writers like to be insane, I do believe. So not to torture myself, we will be hitting PUBLISH very soon. Keep an eye out for The Space Between coming to ebookshelves in the next day or so.

About The Space Between, Part One in The Book of Phoenix:

When Life Falls to Pieces, Answers Lie in the Space Between

*****

Bestselling author Kristie Cook, with over 200,000 books sold, brings you another New Adult paranormal series, The Book of Phoenix

*****

“A completely unique story with a paranormal twist . . . the perfect blend of romance and mystery with a phenomenal plot that will keep you guessing.” ~ Jessica, Confessions of a Bookaholic

“I loved this book! The characters, the romance, the plot, the originality! It had everything to make it an amazing book!” ~ Kendall, Book Crazy

*****

After a month-long dance tour through Italy, 20-year-old Leni Drago returns to Georgia to care for her great-uncle, only to find him gone, the home they shared empty and any evidence he ever existed wiped out. All that’s left is a journal she can’t open.

Jeric Winters has been searching for a piece of his past for over a year, only to reach a dead-end in Georgia. When an urgent and magnetic pull draws him out of his hotel room, he comes face-to-face with the beautiful dancer who’s been haunting his dreams day and night.

Jeric’s one to stay away from—a bad-boy, hit-it-and-quit-it type—but Leni can’t escape the fervent feelings between them. As their own existences begin to crumble around them and shadowy forms that are more monsters than men attack, they realize there’s more to the connection between them than physical fascination.

To solve the riddle their lives have become, they must embark on a journey that requires them to face their pasts and release their true souls. And they must do it fast—dark ones from another world are closing in, intent on killing them. Permanently.

*****

“This is a completely new twist on the idea of a timeless love story with a paranormal twist unlike any other. The connection between the two characters is bone deep and resonates beautifully. I will never forget this novel.” ~ Heather McCorkle, Author of the fantasy Channeler series

“Kristie has done it again! Her Soul Savers series is my favorite by far and yet The Space Between is easily the best book she’s ever written! It's dangerous, suspenseful, and smokin’ hot.” ~ Marissa, Comfortably Read Book Reviews

“The Space Between is an amazing story of life, love and fates. Author Kristie Cook has you hanging on the edge of every page. This book stays in your head well after the last page.” ~ Mindy, Forbidden Reviews

**Mature Content** Recommended for ages 17+ due to sexual situations and language.

About Kristie Cook:

Kristie Cook is a lifelong, award-winning writer in various genres, from marketing communications to fantasy fiction. She continues to write the Soul Savers Series, a New Adult paranormal romance/contemporary fantasy, with the first four books, Promise, Purpose, Devotion and Power available now and the next book coming in June 2013. She’s also written a companion novella, Genesis: A Soul Savers Novella, currently available. Over 160,000 Soul Savers books have been sold, with Promise peaking at #54 on the Amazon Top 100 Paid list and at #1 in the Amazon Fantasy category.

The Space Between kicks off her second New Adult paranormal series, The Book of Phoenix.

Besides writing, Kristie enjoys reading, cooking, traveling and riding on the back of a motorcycle. She has lived in ten states, but currently calls Southwest Florida home with her husband, three teenage sons, a beagle and a puggle. She can be found at:

Author's Website & Blog: http://www.KristieCook.com

Soul Savers Series Website: http://www.SoulSaversSeries.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AuthorKristieCook

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/kristiecookauth

A New Series? What?!

When readers fall in love with a series, they can’t wait for the next book and the next one and the one after that until the story finally ends. And then we’re sad it’s over and wish we could continue living with these beloved characters for the rest of our lives. Or maybe that’s just me, but anyway, the point is we can never wait for the next release because we’re dying to find out what happens next.

So what happens when the author of such a series pauses to write something else? Well, I certainly hope it’s not a death wish for the author, because that’s what I’ve done. I’m literally right in the middle of the Soul Savers Series, but have started something new as well.

Actually, I started last Spring, but put the new idea to the side to focus on the release of Power, the latest installment of the Soul Savers Series. I started the new idea all over again for NaNoWriMo and finally finished it last week. I love this story. I love the characters. I’m hoping my readers will, too. I really can’t wait to share it with the world.

Every time I mention something about it on the Interwebz, though, so many people say, “But what about the next Soul Savers book????? I can’t waaaaaiiiiit!!!” It’s coming, too! I promise! I’m working on it right now, writing it while also revising this new book. I won’t leave anyone hanging, I swear.

It’s just … for writers, when a story comes to us that has to be written, we can only put it off for so long. Otherwise, the characters will literally drive us to a breaking point where we either completely lose the bit of sanity we might have or say, “Okay, okay! I’m listening!” And we stop everything to pour out the story as it’s given to us.

Promise and Purpose were the first to grab my attention like this and I didn’t come up for air until that story was completely out of my head. Then came the rest of Alexis’s story that will make up the Soul Savers Series. Alexis has always been the loudest character in my head. Until now.

I’d put off working on this new book until I could no longer stand it because the characters’ voices were louder than Alexis’s. I couldn’t even hear her story anymore. So you see, I had to write this one. It was time. And the only way to be able to get back to Alexis.

So now begins the fun of working on two different series at once, with two different worlds and lots of different voices. We’ll see how that goes…

Anyway, I hope, if you’re a Soul Savers fan, that you don’t put out a bounty on my head for writing this new book before Soul Savers 5 or because it will be releasing first. Oh, release dates? Would you like to know about those? Well, I’ll be announcing those as well as other exciting news in my next newsletter coming out later this week. You can subscribe over on my blog (www.KristieCook.com).

~Kristie Cook

Author Website - KristieCook.com

Soul Savers Series

Holiday Fun and Wishes~Author Style

‘Twas the night before Christmas
And all through the house
Not a creature was stirring
Except for the writer desperately trying to meet her deadline.

Her chapters were typed
On the screen with care,
In hopes that her editor
Wouldn’t kill her if she was a day or two late.

The characters were talking
All noisily in her head,
While visions of destruction and torture
Danced in the writer’s mind as she hammered out the best climax scene ever.

And her with her coffee nearby
And chocolate in her cap,
She settled in for a night
Of writing that would likely go until daylight, rivaling any college finals all-nighter.

When out in the living room
Rose such a clatter,
She sprang from her chair
Knocking over her laptop, spilling said coffee and stepping on the cat.

Away from her desk
She flew like a flash,
Threw open the door,
And found two kids out of bed, fighting over the presents she forgot to wrap.

The lights on the tree
That still wasn’t trimmed
Gave a pretty glow
On the children’s dirty faces because she also forgot to give them baths before bed.

When, what to her caffeine-induced
Brain did appear
But a little old woman
Shaking her head in disapproval at the messy house, dishes in the sink and piles of laundry scattered about.

With the bun on her head
And the wand in her hand,
The writer knew in a moment
It must be her fairy-godmother come to save the day.

More rapid than children
On cookie, candy and pie sugar highs,
She whistled and shouted,
And called out, “You are a basket case and need my help!”

“Now! Laundry, now! Dishes, now!
“Bathrooms and kitchen
“On! Wrapping, on! Decorating, on!
“And bathing those poor kids and reading them a proper story and putting them to bed.

“To the shower for yourself!
“To the bed at a decent time!
“Now dash away! Dash away!
“Dash away from that computer, it’s Christmas Eve, after all, you can take a break every once in a while, you know!”

She waved her wand
Casting a spell
And the writer watched
As her house magically came together just like she envisioned Christmas should be but deadlines and release dates and kids’ concerts and ballgames never gave her the time to get it all done.

A wink of her eye
And another flick of her wand,
Soon gave the writer to know
That her deadline could wait, she’d figure it out later, this is the time to spend with her family and count her blessings.

The fairy-godmother bowed
Her head to the writer
“Enjoy this day, my dear,
“For tomorrow you have to get your butt back in that chair and finish this book because your editor and cover designer and readers and fans are all waiting to see what brilliant story you give them next."

And the writer gave
Her fairy-godmother a big hug,
They said in each other’s ears,
“You are wonderful and beautiful and so much appreciated. Merry Christmas to you and to everyone who’s reading this.”

Wishing you all safe and happy holidays! (And if you see that fairy-godmother, please send her my way!)

~Kristie Cook

Author Website - KristieCook.com

Soul Savers Series

Filling The Well

While I’m over here today, my author-friend Brenda Pandos is at my blog as part of her tour for the release of her first audiobook. Brenda and I had the immense pleasure of getting together last week for some writerly hooligans. She came to Florida all the way from California and, along with my publisher, we made the drive to Islamorada in the Florida Keys.

Originally, this was supposed to be a writers’ retreat where we would spend lots of quiet-time writing and break-time talking about writing. Brenda did write a little, but since I’m doing NaNoWriMo this year, I’m in the planning stages and was only able to write one page of notes. So, uh, no, we weren’t overly productive. At least…not on the surface.

What we did accomplish, however, was filling our creative wells. Every creative-type needs to do this, and it’s especially important after the completion of a big project (like releasing a novel), when our wells are likely depleted. Filling the well involves exploration of new things, reading, watching TV, movies and live performances, listening to music, and just plain living life.

These experiences inspire new ideas, create new connections in our brains, provide fresh perspectives and give us fodder to make our stories and characters come alive with details we wouldn’t be able to capture otherwise. So when writers look like they’re being lazy couch-potatoes or gallivanting about when they should be holed-up writing, we really are working. Yes, that’s what I tell The Man, The Boys, The Publisher and the IRS. Because it’s true.

Brenda and I saw an octopus in the water off the beach, tried new foods and drinks, talked writing and plotting and characters and books, laughed a lot, watched the sun set on the water, visited a marine park and swam with dolphins. We had a blast! And I’ve returned back to the writing cave with a fresh mind and soul, ready to take on a new project. My well is overflowing, and I can’t wait to get started.

Breaks are important for everyone, regardless of what work you do. We all need them just to give one part of our brains a rest. For writers and other creatives, they also refill our wells that we draw on while creating. Low and empty wells show in our work. To be at our best, we have to play on a regular basis. Once again, I have to say, “It’s great to be a writer.”

 ~Kristie Cook, author of the Soul Saver series.

Life After Release

The time right before a book’s release for an indie author is what some may call hectic. Others, particularly those of us going through it, may say it’s more like “head-spinning-eye-bugging-hair-pulling-never-going-to-get-this-done-in-time-who-needs-sleep” insanity.

There are the usual promotions of the upcoming release, getting ready to launch a blog tour, tweeting and Facebooking about how we are so excited that the book is about to come out, while behind the scenes, we’re scrambling in the final weeks and days with cover fixes, edits, blurb tweaks, last-second proof fixes, formatting, uploading files, fixing files because of a technical glitch, etc. It’s a mad dash for the finish line!

I don’t know about others, but I dream of lazy days after crossing that finish line. Sitting around reading and catching up on TV shows and movies, chatting online and in real-life with people you haven’t talked to in months. Sure, there are still blog posts to write and interview questions to answer, but the demands are nothing compared to the marathon-length sprint before release day. Easy-peasy.

When I released Power exactly a month ago, that finish line was even dreamier because within two weeks of the release, I also sent two kids off to college and closed a big deal with my other business that resulted in adding new team members who needed to be trained. My summer had disappeared in the chaos and I couldn’t wait for the 6 weeks of “after-life” with a workload that would be so light, I’d practically feel like I was on vacation.

Yeah, right. Four of those weeks have already passed, and although I haven’t been working nearly as hard as before, I’m already feeling overwhelmed. There’s always something to do in an indie author’s life. The print version of Power is still being tweaked and proofed and hopefully will be ready soon. The audiobook of Promise is being reviewed and getting ready to go on sale. New swag with the new offerings needs to be made. And then there’s the blog tour with guest posts and interviews.

We won’t even mention the messy state of my office or the rest of the house, the doctors and dentist appointments that need to be made or the remodeling project. This “after-life” is supposed to be made for dealing with these things, as well as for refilling the creative well. So far, I’ve accomplished less than half of what I wanted to, and already the itch to start writing again is growing. Which is good, because I need to start on the next book soon.

Such is the life of an indie author. It’s a never-ending ride. But would any of us trade it for another? I don’t think so.

~Kristie Cook

Author Website - KristieCook.com

Soul Savers Series

Celebrating a New Release

A little over a week ago, my two oldest sons went off to college. Although we’d done this—sent our baby out into the world—once before, it never gets easier. The excitement, the fear and the wonder never go away, whether it’s your first child or your last. Part of you is ready to let go so they can truly become their own people, and part of you wants to keep them close, afraid of what the world will do to them. But, alas, we can’t hold onto them forever.

Last Thursday I sent another baby off into the world—Power, the fourth book in the Soul Savers Series. And like letting go of my human children, letting go of my book-babies never gets easier. I’m always afraid it’s not ready yet, the world isn’t going to like it, people won’t be kind. But as I have to do with my children, at some point, I have to let my books fly the nest.

And regardless of the nerves, it’s a time to celebrate. Because the thrill and the sense of accomplishment of completing yet another book never goes away, either. So I just have to say, “Yay! With a lot of help from others, I did it. Again.” Thank you to everyone, including the Indie Elite, for your unending support!

I invite you to celebrate with me and the Soul Savers fans. The Power release tour is just getting underway, with many stops planned throughout September and into October, including guest posts, interviews, reviews and giveaways. Come join the fun.

Oh, and in case you’re wondering, yes, among the tears, there was a little happy dance and celebration for the boys leaving home. 2 down, 1 to go! Woohoo! Um, I mean, boohoo.

~Kristie

Kristie Cook is the author of the popular Soul Saver series. To learn more about Kristie and her books, click here. 

Four IE Members Books have gone FREE

Four of the Indie Elite members currently have novellas that have gone free on Amazon and Barnes and Noble! Grab them up quick because you never know how long Amazon or Barnes and Noble will keep them free!

Born of Fire by Heather McCorkle is FREE on Amazon (hopefully it will go free on Barnes and Noble soon, we'll keep you updated). Here is a bit about it:

The story of the night Aiden was born has never been told, until now. Fleeing the Hunter's, Kevan and Shannon O'Reilly find their way to Spruce Knoll Colorado, assuming they'll be safe in America. Their unborn son is special, even for a druid, or channeler as the American's like to call their kind. But why the Hunter's, people who are sworn to keep their kind safe, are after them is a mystery. All they know is that if they don't outrun them they'll be killed.

Trouble has followed them to Spruce Knoll and just when it seems it may be too late, they discover why.

Dies Irae by Christine Fonseca is FREE on Amazon and Barnes and Noble. Here is a bit about it:

Some sacrifices should never be made—even for love.

Mikayel lives by one rule—obey the orders of the angelic Council at all costs. That is, until he and his friends, Azza and Demi, are sent to Earth. Assigned as Watchers while they await their decision of which angelic order to serve, the three assume the bodies of teenagers and experience life as human.

The sensations are overwhelming as the angels experience a host of human emotions—rage, terror, love—and come ever closer to breaking one of the unbreakable rules—never fall in love.

But being human isn’t the only problem facing the three angels. Unbeknownst to the Council, demonic activity is on the rise, threatening to break a tenuous peace that has existed for a millennia; a peace Azza seems bent on destroying.

Caught in a struggle for power with unseen demonic forces and Azza, and fighting against his rising emotional attachment to Demi, Mikayel must now decide how much he is willing to sacrifice for his new found love—a decision that could reignite an ancient war and will threaten the only thing that matters to the angels, the survival of humanity.


Mea Culpa by Christine Fonseca is FREE on Amazon (hopefully it will go free on Barnes and Noble soon, we'll keep you updated). Here is a bit about it:

Everything has a price, especially duty. And love.

Azza's attacks are always deadly...ALWAYS. But that was before Nesy. And before Mikayel and Zane. Now, death has a new enemy. But, what's the cost for saving a life?

MEA CULPA follows one angel's quest to save his best friend. This novella is a bridge between Christine's first full-length novel, Lacrimosa, and her second full-length novel, Libera Me (releasing soon).




Seaweed by Elle Strauss is free on Amazon. Here is a bit about it:


Dori Seward can’t wait to get out of Eastcove, a sleepy fishing village on the border of New Brunswick and Maine. She bides her time by hanging out with friends, attending swim club, and holding her biggest competition, Colby–who wants more than just friendship, at arm’s length.

Then Tor Riley comes to town and he has everything Dori dreams of in a boyfriend–looks, athleticism and mystery.

But Tor also has a tantalizing secret and Dori is determined to find out what it is. The truth is crazier than her wildest imaginations and more dangerous, too. Dori has new enemies, and they will do anything to get to her.

Her life, her dreams and her love for Tor are all weighing in the balance. Will Dori risk it all in order to have it all?

Both Promise (the first full-length novel in the Soul Saver series) and Genesis: A Soul Savers Novella by Kristie Cook, have gone free on Amazon! Here is a bit about them both:


Prequel to the award-winning, best-selling Soul Savers Series by Kristie Cook. "Kristie Cook did it again! Immerse yourselves in the Amadis history, rich with deception, suspense, and oh the passion." - Brenda Pandos, Author of The Talisman Series *** A father who reveals his truth. Twins who take different paths—one light, one dark. Angels who have plans for them both And Demons who do as well. So the Earthly battle for souls ignites… A tale that is over 2,000 years old, this is the story of the Amadis beginnings.

When Alexis Ames is attacked by creatures that can't be real, she decides it's time she learns who she really is, with or without the help of her mother, who guards their family's secrets closely. After meeting the inhumanly attractive, multi-talented Tristan Knight, however, Alexis retreats behind her façade of normalcy...until she discovers he's not exactly normal either. Then their secrets begin to unravel.
Their union brings hope and promise to her family's secret society, the Angels' army, and to the future of mankind. But it also incites a dangerous pursuit by the enemy - Satan's minions and Tristan's creators. After all, Alexis and Tristan are a match made in Heaven and in Hell.

Now stretch out those clicking fingers, go download, and get ready for some fantastic free reads!

The Soul Savers Tour And Massive Giveaway

We're thrilled to be participating in author Kristie Cook's Soul Savers Book Tour to celebrate the release of the latest novel in her Soul Savers series, DEVOTION. Not only are there amazing prizes up for grabs, but we have a special visit from a new character in DEVOTION. It's available in print and eBook formats at Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

Readers, I'd love for you to meet the hot Aussie, Jax (one of my new favorite hearthrobs). So Jax, tell us, what is the biggest betrayal you've experienced?

Jax: The sheila who bit me, turned me into a croc and then took off into the bush – I’d say that was a big betrayal, don’t you think, mate? Just left me to figure things out for myself. It’s alright, though. She got what she had comin’.

I bet she did! I wouldn't want to cross a croc-wer, even one as hot as Jax. *shudders* Now, I'll bet you're wondering about those fabulous prizes. Take a look at what you can win:

*Grand Prize – Nook Simple Touch (US only)

*1st Prize — All 4 of my books signed (US only)

*2nd Prize — Soul Savers Swag bag (US only)

*International Prize — All 4 books as ebooks

To enter go to Kristie's site.

Here is a bit about DEVOTION:

With powerful abilities gained from the Ang’dora and Tristan back by her side, Alexis thinks she’s ready for the next challenge— protecting her son from what appears to be the inevitable. But she has so much to learn about her powers, her new world and the people in it. Nothing is what it seems to be on the surface, including the Amadis.

Power-hungry politicians comprise the council and make impossible demands. A traitor lurks among them all, inciting trouble that could destroy the Amadis and, ultimately, humanity. The Daemoni wreak havoc in the human world, with the ultimatum that they’ll continue attacking innocents until Alexis and Tristan are expelled from the Amadis’ protection. The couple’s own society begins to shut them out. But that’s not all.

Someone’s keeping a secret. A big one. Faith and hope in Alexis and Tristan will be restored if she can uncover the truth in time.

But the search for answers leads only to the discovery of more betrayals by those closest to Alexis. Her devotion is put to the test—devotion to her husband, to her family, to her people and to her beliefs—leaving her to question whom she’s fighting for and why she should even bother. But if she won’t fight . . . who will?

Genesis Swag Pack Winner

We had so much fun celebrating the release of Genesis with author Kristie Cook. Thank you for making us a part of the celebration Kristie! And now, for the winner of the swag pack from the release tour:

Diana

Congratulations Diana! Enjoy all the great swag coming your way. Kristie will be in touch shortly using the email address from your Blogger profile. If you need to be contacted via a different manner, be sure to leave us a comment. Thank you to everyone who participated and celebrated with us. 

Look for a big giveaway and live chat with author Heather McCorkle coming soon!