Wednesday, November 6, 2013

CITADELS OF FIRE Cover Reveal. So Cool!

CITADELS OF FIRE by Liesel K. Hill has an awesome cover. It looks so dang cool!


Blurb:

In a world where power is paid for in blood, no one ever aspires to more than what they were born to, and danger hides in plain sight, Inga, a maid in the imperial Russian palace, must find the courage to break the oppressive chains she’s been bound with since birth. Inga’s life in sixteenth century Russia is bleak until a man she crossed paths with as a child returns to the Kremlin. Taras is convinced his mother’s death when he was a boy was no mere accident and has returned to try and discover what really happened, all during the reign of Ivan the Terrible, the most brutal and notorious ruler ever to sit the throne of Russia. While Taras finds only lies and silence where he seeks truth, Inga struggles with the feelings of oppression that have plagued her for most of her life. Taras gives her the chance to leave her loneliness behind forever, but the cost and future of such a liaison is uncertain and Inga is afraid. Up against the social confines of the time, the shadowy conspiracies that cloak their history, and the sexual politics of the Russian imperial court, Inga and Taras must
discover their past, plan for their future, and survive the brutality that permeates life within the four walls that tower over them all, or they may end up like so many citizens of ancient Russia: nothing but flesh and bone mortar for the stones of the Kremlin wall.


JFP Press Release:

PROVO, UT—Jolly Fish Press (JFP) is proud to announce the successful acquisition of L. K. Hill's stunning historical novel, Citadels of Fire, the first installment in Kremlins, a three-book series depicting the rise and fall of fifteenth-century Russia under the violent rule of Ivan the Terrible.

Following the literary traditions of Ken Follett's The Pillars of the Earth and Tracy Chevalier's Girl with a Pearl Earring, Citadels of Fire chronicles the unexpected turn of events that transpire within the walls of the Kremlin through the eyes of a palace maid as she is unwillingly pulled into the dangerous web of political espionage, royal scandals, rebellion, and savage wars, in her pursuit of love and a better life outside of the palace walls. In Citadels of Fire, Hill captures the grandeur of Russia in her meticulous description of a country that is both breathtaking and desolate, leaving the reader with the appetite for more, yet the fear of what comes next.

Hill has a degree from Weber State University, and has won numerous writing awards, including garnering first place in the 2011 League of Utah Writers Writing Contest. Citadels of Fire is slated for a Spring 2014 release.

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

ELEANOR Cover Reveal! Just beautiful!

Cover reveal for Johnny Worthen's young adult paranormal novel, ELEANOR! 

“Eleanor is a modest girl, unremarkable but extraordinary, young but old, malleable but fixed. She is scared and confused. She is a liar and a thief. Eleanor is not what she appears to be.”


ELEANOR is scheduled for release Spring of 2014, so the most we can do now is tease it. ELEANOR is a stand-alone title, but also the first of a three book series all to be published by Jolly Fish Press. 

Congratulations on a beautiful cover, Johnny. Jolly Fish Press has done an awesome job again!

Join Johnny at his "Blog Mansion" for more information and updates on ELEANOR.
http://johnnyworthen.blogspot.com/2013/11/eleanor-cover-reveal.html

Tuesday, October 22, 2013

CINDERSKELLA by Amie and Bethanie Borst


Cinderskella - a middle-grade fiction
Cindy is just a normal eleven and three-quarter year-old. At least until she wakes up one night and finds out she’s dead. Well, she isn't technically dead—she just doesn't have any hair . . . or a nose . . . or skin. Yep—all bones, no body. Human by day and skeleton by night, Cindy is definitely cursed. And because her mother recently died, Cindy has no one to turn to except a father who’s now scared of her and an evil stepmother who makes her do the housecleaning with a toothbrush. To make matters worse, the Spring Fling dance is approaching, and Ethan, the cutest boy in sixth grade, doesn’t seem to know Cindy exists. Of course, Cindy doesn’t think letting Ethan find out she’s part skeleton is the best way to introduce herself. While facing such perils as pickled pig’s feet, a wacky fortune teller, and a few quick trips to the Underworld, Cindy’s determined to break the curse—even for a single night.

Amie Borst still believes in unicorns, uses glitter whenever possible and accessorizes in pink. She enjoys eating chocolate while writing and keeps a well-stocked stash hidden away from her family. A native New Yorker she currently resides in Northern Virginia with her husband, three children and a cute dog named Lily. She wishes she had a hot-pink elevator with carnival lights to travel the world. But for now, her minivan will have to do.

Bethanie Borst is a spunky 13-year-old who is an avid archer with Olympic dreams, enjoys the outdoors, loves reading and is quick to make lasting friendships. When she is not writing, she swings on a star.

You can follow Amie and Bethanie on:



Where to check out the book:

Monday, October 14, 2013

NEW HOME for the PARK FAMILY!

Front of house
Well, my husband and I finally found and bought a house (YAHOO!) that we will be in for a long time. The house is right next to my in-law's where were were temporarily living for 9 months. We had an easy time moving our belongings after my husband cut a gap in the fence between the properties (with his parent's permission, of course - LOL). Though I'm staying extremely busy with all the unpacking and organizing, I'm grateful to have found a good home on almost an acre of property where we plan to plant fruit trees, a garden and add some more lawn. The cute home was built in the early 80s, but has been well cared for by a great family. It isn't a big house, but fits within our tight budget, and also fits our family, so we're extremely happy and feeling blessed. :)
Maple trees with autumn leaves in front of house

Driveway lined with beautiful trees and vegetation

Side view of back patio surrounded by lovely trees

My husbands shop - his "man cave" : )
The biggest and most beautiful kitchen I've ever had (disregard the messy counters while I'm still organizing)

Living Room with our old couches, ratty coffee table, my digital piano and a giant plush fish under some pillows in the corner

Friday, October 11, 2013

BEEN MOVING - SLOW SOCIAL NETWORKING

Hi ya'll! Just a quick post to let you know that I've been really slow with social networking and posts because I bought a house (YAHOO!) and have been moving into it for the past seek. I am up to my eyeballs in unpacking and organizing. Will pick up on social interaction when things settle down for again.

Friday, October 4, 2013

Book Signing October 5th in Murray, Utah!

FOR THOSE IN MURRAY, UTAH, or close by, I'm signing books at the Murray Barnes and Noble (5249 South State Street) tomorrow, Saturday, October 5th from 12pm to 4pm. For those watching General Conference, you can come between sessions! :D (I'll be catching up on the talks later on the internet). If anyone knows anyone in the area who would be interested in the signing, please share, please please please! I'll also be signing on the 9th of November at the Sugarhouse Barnes and Noble.

Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Lehua Parker and ONE SHARK, NO SWIM



ONE SHARK, NO SWIM, is the second book in author Lehua Parker’s amazing Niuhi Shark saga for middle-grade and adult readers alike, the first book being ONE BOY, NO WATER.

ONE SHARK, NO SWIM overview:
There's something bugging adopted Zader Westin, something more troubling than his water allergies where one drop on his skin burns like hot lava. It's bigger than his new obsession with knives, designing the new murals for the pavilion with Mr. Halpert, or dealing with Char Siu's Lauele Girlz scotch tape makeover. Zader can't stop thinking about a dream, the dream that might not have been a dream where Lē'ia called him brother then jumped into the ocean and turned into a shark. Zader's got a lot of questions, not the least being why he's hungry all the time, restless at night, and why he feels a constant itch on the back of his neck. It's making him feel like teri chicken on a pūpū platter, but Zader doesn't want to think about chicken, not with his growing compulsion to slip it down his throat-raw. With Jay busy at surf camp and Uncle Kahana pretending nothing's happening, Zader's left alone to figure things out, including why someone-something-is stalking him before it's too late. Summer in Lauele Town, Hawaii just got a little more interesting.

Product Details
ISBN-13: 9781939967107
Publisher: Jolly Fish Press
Publication date: 9/21/2013
Pages: 302
Product dimensions: 5.50 (w) x 8.50 (h) x 0.68 (d)

Find ONE SHARK, NO SWIM here:           

Amazon:

Barnes & Noble:

Goodreads:

ONE BOY, NO WATER overview:
11 year old Alexander Kaonakai Westin (Zader for short) is allergic to water. One drop on his skin sears like white-hot lava. Too bad a lifetime of carrying an umbrella and staying away from the beach isn't the answer, especially when his popular almost twin brother Jay looks destined to become the next Hawaiian surfing sensation.But avoiding water is just the tip of Zader's troubles. Eating raw seafood and rare meat gives him strange dreams about a young girl in a red cape and nightmares about a man with too many teeth. There's also the school bullies who want to make Zader their personal punching bag, the pressure of getting into Ridgemont Academy, and the mysterious yearly presents from his birth family that nobody talks about. It's enough to drive Zader crazy, especially when he suspects old Uncle Kahana and 'Ilima know a secret that explains his unusual biological quirks. After all, they were the ones who found him newborn and abandoned on a reef and brought him to the Westins to adopt. Uncle Kahana swears Zader is 'ohana-family-by blood as well as adoption.  Too bad he's not saying more. When Jay quits surfing after a shark scare, Zader decides it's time to stop hiding in the shadows and start searching for answers. Growing up adopted in Hawai'i just got a little weirder.

Find ONE BOY, NO WATER here:               

Amazon:

Barnes & Noble:

Goodreads:

Author Biography:
Lehua Parker is originally from Hawaii and a graduate of The Kamehameha Schools and Brigham Young University. In addition to writing award-winning short fiction, poetry, and plays, she is the author of the Pacific literature MG/YA series the Niuhi Shark Saga published by Jolly Fish Press. One Boy, No Water and One Shark, No Swim are available now. Book 3, One Fight, No Fist will be published in 2014.
So far Lehua has been a live television director, a school teacher, a courseware manager, an instructional designer, a sports coach, a theater critic, a SCUBA instructor, a playwright, a web designer, a book editor, a mother, and a wife. She currently lives in Utah with her husband, two children, three cats, two dogs, six horses, and assorted chickens. During the snowy Utah winters she dreams about the beach.

Connect with Lehua Parker here:

Blog & Free Short Stories: http://www.lehuaparker.com/
All things Niuhi Shark Saga: http://www.niuhisharksaga.com/
Twitter: @LehuaParker

ONE BRAVE KNIGHT instrumental ballad from SHADOWS OF VALOR now on Youtube!



ONE BRAVE KNIGHT instrumental ballad from SHADOWS OF VALOR now on Youtube!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQWeQmS-374

ONE BRAVE KNIGHT (instrumental) is one of three ballads I composed for my medieval romantic fiction, SHADOWS OF VALOR, first published by Jolly Fish Press and then aquired and reissued by Amberjack Publishing. I mixed this arrangement on my Cubase music program, adding in some fun instruments not available on my digital piano. The sheet music to this, and my other two ballads, can be found on this blog at: http://elsiepark.blogspot.com/p/blog-page_16.html

Sunday, September 22, 2013

A WONDERFUL BOOK LAUNCH!

Cover Model: Brady Knighton. Photo by Yelena Baykova.
I had a great time at my book launch for my medieval romantic fiction, SHADOWS OF VALOR at Barnes and Noble (an awesome host). I saw SO MANY family members, good friends, Jolly Fish Press reps, fellow authors, and met fantastic new people as well. I was nervous to play my musical medley in front of a crowd, but all went well and people told me the music sounded beautiful *phew*. The sheet music that accompanies my story can be downloaded for free on this blog at http://www.elsiepark.blogspot.com/p/blog-page_16.html. I enjoyed chatting with everyone and loved hearing about their own writing projects and lives. I was flattered that so many people came to see me and get the book signed. Made me feel SO special. One of the cover models for Shadows of Valor, Brady Knighton, a sweet young man (and a perfect portrait of my hero, The Shadow), stopped in to chat and buy the book he’s featured on. In turn, he graciously signed my own personal copy of my book :). AWESOME! Thanks everyone for making my night a wonderful experience.

Now I just need Paulina Baykova (female cover model who portrayed Elsbeth) to sign my book and my personal copy will be complete :)

Friday, September 20, 2013

SHADOWS OF VALOR - BOOK LAUNCH THIS SATURDAY!


SEPTEMBER 21, 2013 - Book launch for SHADOWS OF VALOR at the Layton, Utah, Barnes and Noble (1780 North 1000 West,  Layton, UT 84041) from 5:00 - 8:00pm. I will be playing a 5-minute piano medley of the songs I composed for the story and then having a short reading before the book signing, so come at 5:00pm if you want to see all that. Can't wait to see you all there!