Chelsea Fine's PERFECT KIND OF TROUBLE Cover Reveal

Today we are excited to be sharing the cover for Chelsea Fine's Perfect Kind of Trouble! 

PERFECT KIND OF TROUBLE (Forever E-Book; June 3, 2014; $4.99)

Daren Ackwood is a bad boy with a mysterious past. He’s the kind of guy who knows he can get any girl he wants. Kayla doesn’t do bad boys—in any sense of the word. They have a tendency to leave scars and dust trails in their wake, and Kayla isn’t running short on either. So when Daren rolls up to her father’s funeral in his shiny sports car, Kayla knows she needs to keep her distance during her brief stay in this tiny God-forsaken town. She’s here to take care of her father’s will, nothing more. The trouble is, Daren doesn’t see it that way. And he usually gets his way. 

Amazon | B&N | iTunes 

About the author

Chelsea lives in Phoenix, Arizona, where she spends most of her time writing stories, painting murals, and avoiding housework at all costs. She's ridiculously bad at doing dishes and claims to be allergic to laundry. Her obsessions include: superheroes, coffee, sleeping-in, and crazy socks. She lives with her husband and two children, who graciously tolerate her inability to resist teenage drama on TV and her complete lack of skill in the kitchen. 

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Cover Reveal for Choke (#2 in The Breathless Novelette series)

Hi guys! :)

I have a new Breathless novelette, CHOKE, coming out Monday, June 24th that I am very excited about. 

The cover was once again done by the infamous Vania over at VLCphoto. For those who don't know, Vania has done ALL of my amazing covers (and I can say that because she did them :)...and I adore her and her work!

CHOKE is the 2nd in a series of sci-fi novelettes. You can learn more about the first novelette in the series, Suffocate, if you missed it!It is a 20,000 word young adult thriller that combines the dystopic and science fiction genres. The book will be available on ebook only starting Monday, June 24th for only 99 cents! 

The 3rd novelette in the series, EXHALE, is scheduled for Nov 2013. 

=====================

When Eria escapes her home in the Biome, she uncovers more about her
features and specifications as a HumaNot. Following her father's
instructions, Eria embarks on a journey into a dangerous and unpredictable world.

Along the way, she encounters a young rebel, Dirk, who explains he's from the Anarchy, an underground human resistance rising up against the BOTs--advanced man-made robots gone wild. Together, Dirk and Eria battle underground serpents, desert dingos, sand storms, and advanced Bots that are always hot on their trail. As they become closer, Dirk reveals his hatred of machines, forcing Eria to hide

the secret of what and who she really is.
When the truth of her identity comes out, Eria is forced to become the very thing she hates the most.

====================

So here it is.....

Soul Catcher Cover (G.P. Ching)

It's here! I can finally share with you the cover of the fourth Soulkeepers novel, Soul Catcher.

Dane Michaels has been to Hell and back and isn't interested in repeating the experience. But as a human caught up in the Soulkeeper's world, his life isn't exactly his own. No one can explain why Dane was allowed through the gates of Eden, but it's changed everything. Now, the only one who can make him feel safe is Ethan, the telekinetic Soulkeeper with a dark past and a heart of gold.

When Malini asks Dane to be part of a mission to find the last Soulkeeper, Cheveyo, more than one team member thinks she's tempting Fate. But Malini suspects Fate has had a hand in Dane's life for some time and that he could be the key to unraveling Lucifer's latest plan of attack.

Add it on Goodreads!

About The Cover

Adam Bedore of Anjin Design creates all of the covers for The Soulkeepers Series. Book four revolves around Dane, pictured here, and introduces Cheveyo, a Hopi indian boy and the last Soulkeeper on the list Dr. Silva conjured in book 3. Cheveyo is represented by the dream catcher and adobe wall behind Dane.  Fate, also known as Fatima, plays a role in the story.  You can see her shadow hanging from the red stone in the dream catcher. (Yes, she is represented as a spider. She is a master weaver after all!) And if you think there is something up with that shadow behind Dane, you are not mistaken.  There's more to him than meets the eye.

 About The Book

Soul Catcher is slated for a March release and is the fourth book in the bestselling Soulkeepers series.

Cover Love Giveaway!

In celebration of the Uncontrollable cover release I am holding a giveaway for SIGNED copies of both Untraceable and Uncontrollable! Just enter the rafflecopter below!

a) Tweet, Blog or FB

• You can post the cover on your blog, FB, or tweet it. 
• When you do - fill out the rafflecopter below. 
• You get one point per channel above (total of 3 points here)

b) Pinning on Pinterest (extra 2 points)

• Sign up for Pinterest if you are not on it.
• Create a “Nature of Grace” board
• Pin BOTH Nature of Grace covers- Untraceable and Uncontrollable - on it
• Pins must include a link to this contest (so the post you are reading right now) within the description 
• You must fill out the rafflecopter below
• If users have trouble entering by rafflecopter email kate@srjohannes.com with the appropriate links
• Contest ends July 27th, 2012
• Winners will be announced on the July 31st, 2012

Note: for every point - you get one entry!

COVER LOVE Prize: Contestants can win a signed ebook or paperback copy of Untraceable AND Uncontrollable (Outside US will receive ebooks)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cover Contest Time!

Summer is just heating up and before you know it Uncontrollable will be out to the hands of readers everywhere!

In anticipation for the release of Uncontrollable on Sept 24th , I am throwing a contest!




"Make your own Cover" Contest


Rules:

• Join Pinterest (if you haven't already
• Create a Nature of Grace board
• Pin both covers
• Create your own cover for either book
• You must fill out the rafflecopter below
• If users have trouble entering by rafflecopter email kate@srjohannes.com with the appropriate  links
• Contest ends July 27th, 2012
• Winners will be announced on the July 31st, 2012 (there must be at least 5 entered to win package)

"Make your own cover" Contest Prize: Contestants win a Nature of Grace prize pack! Untraceable, Unspeakable, Uncontrollable, and book swag. Winner will be promoted on social media outlets. (outside US will receive ebooks)


a Rafflecopter giveaway


What are you waiting for? Start pinning!

Uncontrollable Cover Reveal!

Uncontrollable (Book 2 in The Nature of Grace series) is set for release on Sept 24th. 

To be honest, I wish it could have been sooner but I really can't seem to get books out as fast as others. I guess I personally need to take more time and sit with my stuff before feeling comfortable in releasing it. :)

• Here is a teaser of the first chapter if you missed it.
• Here is where you can add Uncontrollable to your Goodreads. (so you don't forget me)
• Here is where you can sign up for blog tour or interview if you havent already.

Be sure to come back Monday for a Cover Contest that runs through July with tons of prizes! :)

Now for the summary for Uncontrollable:

As Grace recovers from tragedy, her science class is chosen by Agent Sweeney at the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service to help with research on the new "Red Wolf Reintroduction Program". 

While she’s excited about helping with the conservation of the endangered wolves, Grace knows this means being outdoors in the worst winter recorded, in a place she no longer feels comfortable. It also means working closely with Wyn (her ex) and his annoying girlfriend (Skyler), a girl whose idea of getting close to nature is picking silk plants and growing fake plants. 

After a couple of wolves show up dead, Grace almost quits. However, when a fellow project team member goes missing, Grace continues the assignment under a renewed suspicion that someone might be sabotaging the conservation program. She quietly begins to hunt for clues. 

Little does she know, she is being hunted too. 

And possibly, by more than one person.

===================

PRAISES FOR UNTRACEABLE

"Grace is a spunky, independent, nature girl who doesn't need a boy to save her. With wilderness survival, a juicy love triangle, and more twists and turns than a roller coaster, this fast-paced novel had me holding my breath until the very last page—and still begging for more!" -Kimberly Derting, author of the The Body Finder series (Harper Teen) and The Pledge series (S&S)

"This thrilling story is a dramatic entanglement of mystery, deception and teen romance. The action flows like a brisk mountain stream interspersed with rapids, holding suspense to last page." - Kirkus Reviews

"Johannes has done a marvelous job of creating a suspense-filled mystery with surprises that keep you guessing all the way to the end. Untraceable is a thoroughly engrossing and riveting page-turner."- IndieReader

2009 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Quarterfinalist (under the original title of Grace Under Fire) - Judges Reviews:

"This story starts out with a bang...it reads like the young woman were narrating it to a friend, and had the ring of a young person's style and intensity. Grace sees authority people, or at least those she knows, as a bit bumbling, which is true to age. Authentic representation of youth in action also. Original in premise and style, and good use of background...Good story!" - Sue Grafton, author of bestselling Kinsey Milhone series

"This murder mystery features a teenaged heroine, but she has the self assurance of a woman twice her age. The prose is very descriptive...and the dialogue is genuine. The setting of small town North Carolina and the surrounding woods is appealing. The story moves along at a brisk clip, and it feels as if we already have some important clues. We look forward to seeing what's in the case file and what Grace and her motorbike, Luci, will be up to next." - Sue Monk Kidd, author of Secret Life of Bees

==============

Now for the cover :) ....

Bookanistas: Cover contest for THE 13TH SIGN

Below is the hot-off-the-presses cover for THE 13^TH SIGN by Kristin O’Donnell Tubb (January 8, 2013 from Feiwel & Friends):

And the jacket copy:

What if there was a 13th zodiac sign? 



You’re no longer Sagittarius, but Ophiuchus, the healer, the 13th sign. 



Your personality has changed.

So has your mom’s and your best friend’s. 



What about the rest of the world? 



What if you were the one who accidentally unlocked the 13th sign, causing this world-altering change—and infuriating the other 12 signs?  



Jalen did it, and now she must use every ounce of her strength and cunning to send the signs back where they belong.

Lives, including her own, depend on it.

To celebrate, Kristin is hosting a COVER REVEAL CONTEST! Here’s how it works:

• 1.     Search the cover above for THREE zodiac symbols. Got them? Good! Then…
• 2.     Email your answers directly to Kristin at ktubb@comcast.net by June 30 to…
• 3.     Be entered into a drawing! The following will be doled out randomly to three folks who send in correct answers:
• -a $50 IndieBound gift card!
• -a signed hardcover of SELLING HOPE plus a signed paperback of AUTUMN WINIFRED OLIVER DOES THINGS DIFFERENT!
• -a book “basket” including three middle grade books: BRIDGE TO TIME by Lewis Buzbee, THE STRANGE CASE OF ORIGAMI YODA by Tom Angleberger, and THE GIRL WHO CIRCUMNAVIGATED FAIRYLAND IN A SHIP OF HER OWN MAKING by Catherynne M. Valente

4.   BONUS! Anyone who includes a FOUTH zodiac symbol in their answers will    get double entries for the above drawing!

And that’s it!  Start searching and emailing! (Please remember to email answers rather than post them in the comments! Thanks!)

P.S. If you’d like to preorder THE 13^TH SIGN, you can do so here  (Amazon) or here (Indiebound)! You’ll be automatically be eligible for the upcoming THE 13^TH SIGN Preorder Contest!

For more Bookanista recommendations, visit

Elana Johnson can't get enough of See You At Harry's

Shannon Messenger shares some YA cover lust 

Shelli Johannes-Wells talks about the cover for The 13th Sign--with a contest!

Stasia Ward Kehoe and Nikki Katz gush about Surrender

Jessica Love has feelings for The List

Katy Upperman lays it on the line for The Book Thief

Suffocate Cover Reveal and Cover Tips

I have a new novelette series starting next Monday 5/21.

It will be available on ebook only for 99 cents.

Suffocate is the first novelette in THE BREATHLESS series. It is a 15,000 word young adult thriller that combines the dystopic and science fiction genres.

For centuries, the world outside the Biome has been unlivable. Today, marks the first time anyone will attempt to leave the suffocating ecosphere. Eria is not worried because her scientist father has successfully tested the new Bio-Suit many times. It's a celebratory day until something goes horribly wrong. In the midst of tragedy, Eria uncovers a deep conspiracy that affects the very air she breathes. 

If those responsible find out what she knows, they won't stop hunting her until she takes her last breath.

The 2nd novella in the series, CHOKE, is scheduled for Fall 2012. The 3rd, EXHALE, is scheduled for Winter 2013.

===========

This cover is a good example of a great cover that costs less than $300. One that is not from an original photo shoot and uses a few different stock photos. You can get affordable professional covers if you use the right person and know what to look for.

You can use stock. But it has to be the right stock. The right resolution.

One major key to a good cover is in the photo shopping skills. If you are doing your own covers and you do not know photoshop, you are missing an opportunity to blend the layers and colors more effectively so the covers don't appear home-made.

Vania is great at doing photoshopping as well live the photo shoots so if you are in the market for a cover...trust me - she is worth every penny and she is very affordable. She has such an amazing eye. It's sic. But you don't have to spend 500 - 1,000 if you don't have it.

I asked Vania to give us a few tips when making a cover. She said...

1. Pick images that are clear to your story or theme and that will be interesting to look at. 

2. When photoshopping keep it simple and clean. No rough edges or busy compositions.

3. Blend, blend, blend. Don't stick images on top of each other like paper cut outs. 

4. FONT! Typography is just as important for you cover as the image itself. Pick something that fits in theme but that will also be easy to read when in small thumbnail. Nothing too thin. 

5. Ask for advice. Ask you fellow writers on what they think about your cover. Many times they can help you improve it, even if slightly. Don't be scared! They do it with love! 

Now for the cover!

What do you think? What is one of your favorite covers? Favorite indie cover? What do you look for in a cover?

Comment for a free copy.

Gretchen TEN Cover Reveal Contest

More good news for UNTRACEABLE - can you stand it? (are you annoyed by me yet?)


I just got notified that I am nominated for GEORGIA AUTHOR OF THE YEAR! Evidently 5 other writers are in the YA category and the formal press release is coming (can't wait to see my competition! *rolls up sleeves*) . Winner isn't announced until June (boo!)


=================


Okay now for MUCH MORE important things.


My lovely friend and awesome blurber for On The Bright Side :), Gretchen McNeil, is doing a Ten Day Countdown to her Cover Reveal. (I can not wait!) 


(If you haven't already, be sure to pick up her other book, Possess!)


Now, I read an earlier version of this YA horror book and it is A-MA-ZING! Scary and creepy. She will be the Stephen King of YA!! Mark My Words.


If you don't know about Gretchen, here are a few facts:

• She is sweet as hell. (oops I mean heck.)
• She is even funnier than she is sweet.
• She tells it like it is. I know I can get the truth from her.
• She is loyal which makes her my great friend.
• She can sing her touche off and performs in an LA based circus troupe. (Yes she does it all).
• I would die for her gorgeous red hair.
• And she is a great writer.

TEN Contest

You can enter to win a signed and annotated copy of the unbound galley of TEN.  A one of a kind prize, out before the ARCs.  How awesome is that?


You can start the hunt from the beginning on her blog to collect ALL ten clues for a chance to enter the contest on day of the cover reveal (which is next Friday, February 24.)

TEN Synopsis

And their doom comes swiftly.

It was supposed to be the weekend of their lives – three days on Henry Island at an exclusive house party. Best friends Meg and Minnie each have their own reasons for wanting to be there, both of which involve Kamiak High’s most eligible bachelor, T.J. Fletcher. But what starts out as a fun-filled weekend turns dark and twisted after the discovery of a DVD with a sinister message: Vengeance is mine.

Suddenly, people are dying and the teens are cut off from the outside world. No electricity, no phones, no internet, and a ferry that isn’t scheduled to return for two days. As the deaths become more violent and the teens turn on each other, can Meg find the killer before more people die? Or is the killer closer to her than she could ever imagine?

My Clue is "BEN"

Next in the Countdown is tomorrow with Jen Hayley so you have plenty of time to catch up!

Good luck!

On The Bright Side Tour & Cover Reveal

Don't forget Tonight's Indelible Chat For All Writers!
Calling all writers. Go to Indelible blog tonight from 8-9 EST and simply log in at the chat window.  About 20 of us will be there to answer questions about indie pubbing, book marketing, and have TONS of giveaways. Join us!


Official On The Bright Side blog tour announced tomorrow.

Until then, a few of the blog events are happening this week so give them some love too

OTBS Blog Tour stops so far this week:

• Jan 16 - The OTBS inspiration with fellow Indelible, Heather McCorkle 
• Jan 17 - Thuy at Read Now Sleep Later - My View on Guardian Angels
• Jan 18 - May Richard at Firestarbooks- Get to Know Me (The fun side)

Also, I stopped by Shannon Messenger's blog today to talk about marketing to tweens.

On The Bright Side Cover Reveal


YAY! - here is On The Bright Side's First Cover Reveal. Thanks to Story Siren for the shout out today! On The Bright Side comes out Jan 31st, 2012. Yes, I know crazy! Add it to your Goodreads. 

Vania at VLC Photo did the cover again and I love it. I love here :) Checkout her blog because she is currently running a contest and winner gets a cover design! 

On the Bright Side is a hilarious road to guardian angeldom paved with so much drama and due-paying that it makes middle school look painless.

As if the devil’s food cake at her wake and the white fat pants she’s stuck wearing for eternity weren’t bad enough, fourteen year-old Gabby is quick to discover that Cirrus, the main rung of Heaven, is a far cry from the Pearly Gates. Here, Skyphones and InnerNets are all the rage. Until Gabby finds out she has to protect Angela, her school nemesis, in order to move up through the training levels of heaven. Problem is, Angela is now hitting on Gabby's should-have-been boyfriend. (awkward!)

Instead of protecting Angela, Gabby pranks her (like tripping is a sin?) at the hopes of cooling off the new couple. At first, they seem harmless until the school dance sabotage gets completely out of control. Then, her Celestial Sky Agent, who happens to have anger management issues of his own, puts Gabby on probation, threatening her eternal future. 

Determined to right her wrongs, Gabby steals an ancient artifact that allows her to return to Earth for just one day. Without knowing, she kicks off a series of events and learns what can happen when you hate someone to death. 

Praises for On The Bright Side


"S.R. Johannes delivers a cute paranormal thrill ride for middle graders! Even in death there is a BRIGHT SIDE!" - Addison Moore, author of the bestselling Celestra series, soon to be a TV series with 20th Century Fox.

Clever and charming, ON THE BRIGHT SIDE is the story of a reluctant guardian angel, her still-breathing crush, and the frenemy she’s assigned to protect. A great read! 
-Suzanne Young, author of A Need So Beautiful, A Want So Wicket (6/12), and The Program (2013)

“ON THE BRIGHT SIDE is both hilarious and heart-warming – a tale that’ll have you hoping that there really *are* spunky and determined angels like Gabby who’ve got our backs.” 
- Kristin O’Donnell Tubb, author of Selling Hope & The 13th Sign (2013) (Feiwel & Friends)

"With a smart, snappy heroine and a heart-warming crush, ON THE BRIGHT SIDE is a page-turning new take on guardian angels that left me begging for a sequel!" 
- Gretchen McNeil, author of Possess and Ten (9/12) (Balzar + Bray)

Cover Reveal! Kate Hawkings

The Sphinx Project By Kate Hawkings


Not many people can say their entire existence has been one big lab experiment: poked and prodded by scientists, genetically modified to be the best and endure the worst, subjected to daily tests and trials that would kill a normal human. All Michaela wants is her own life, to be able to go to school, flirt with boys, maybe eat ice cream now and then. So when the chance to escape finally comes, Michaela and her sister grab it, taking their friends with them.

But they weren't the only ones to find their way out of those labs. Following close behind are another breed of creature, one that doesn't know the difference between right and wrong, who exist only to feed their own hunger. The appearance of a strange boy who seems too much like them to be a coincidence makes things even more confusing. But as the world begins to literally fall apart around them, Michaela must accept his help, especially when she could lose the very thing she holds dearest: her sister.

Add it on Goodreads
Follow Kat's blog

More behind the scenes

The Official Blog Tour 


I will announce the Peeps and schedule tomorrow! yay! I will also have a banner if anyone wants to grab it for their blog.




Behind The Scenes Sneak Peeks

Don't forget - the BIG cover reveal is on Friday! 

Stay tuned to Novel Novice's blog andVania's blog this week - they are doing a big expose, showing different cover shots for Untraceable with the REAL ONE popping up on Friday. 




Here are a few more shots from behind the scenes:

Vania build a net of sticks.
It was a cool shot and I loved it but
looked too much like Forest of Hands and Teeth.

Model lying in vines. Grace would lie down and rest
so this ended up not working for the cover.

Jae charging across the bridge

Me, Jae, and Vania or Author, Model, Photographer

Do you guys have any questions for me or Vania on the shoot or cover? What is your favorite cover of all times?

Cover Release: Possess by Gretchen McNeil

Housekeeping Stuff

The winner of the Sean Boudin book is Jess. Please email your address to sjohannes@bilaninc.com

The next phase of Pay it Forward Agent Contest will be announced Friday (I hope!) I will choose 3 queries to move on to the next round and get query critiques. The winner gets a referral to my agent, Alyssa.

Also starting back (by popular demand - thx for emails!) is a Marketing Monday and Friday Roundups of the best Marketing bests for the week.

Now for the Cover release.

Gretchen McNeil just got the Cover for Possess - scheduled for August 2011.

ifteen-year-old Bridget Liu just wants to be left alone: by her overprotective mom, by the hunky son of the police officer who got her father killed, and by the eerie voices which she can suddenly and inexplicably

hear. Turns out the voices are demons--the Biblical kind, not the Buffy kind--and Bridget possesses the rare ability to banish them.

San Francisco's senior exorcist and his newly assigned partner from the Vatican enlist Bridget's help with increasingly bizarre and dangerous cases of demonic possession. But when one of Bridget's oldest friends turns up dead in a ritualistic sacrifice that mirrors her father's murder, Bridget realizes she can't trust anyone. An interview with her father's murderer reveals a link between Bridget and the Emim: a race of part-demons intent on raising their forefathers to the earth in human form. Now Bridget must unlock the secret to the Emim's plan before someone else close to her winds up dead, or worse--the human vessel for a Demon King.

Oh isn't it gorgeous and spooky all at once??

I cannot wait for this one!!

Course I also adore Gretchen to death so she could write the dictionary and I would buy it more than once. But her writing is amazing and her heart is lovable.

I LOVE it!

Congrads Gretchen!

Head over to Gretchen's blog for more information on the cover. Oh yeah, and your probably want to follow her too. I think she's going places :)