Welcome to the Alyx Rayer Chronicles Blog Tour. The two books in this paranormal romance series by S.J. Pierce so far is Marked for Vengeance and Tethered by Fate. Please enjoy the guest post by Pierce where she talks about the five things every writer should know. And don’t forget to enter the giveaway for either book below.
Marked for Vengeance by S.J. Pierce Series: Alyx Rayer Chronicles #1
Publication date: October 10th 2012
Genre: Adult Paranormal Romance
Find It: Goodreads | Amazon
Summary
Alyx Rayer’s existence in Atlanta, the eternally bustling capital of Georgia, is one of routine and blending in among the worker bees. But her ‘normal’ life is actually a façade for a higher calling; she’s a three hundred year old soul, encased in a human vessel and sent from the darkness between heaven and Earth to capture her Marked when summoned by her superiors.
Alyx Rayer’s existence in Atlanta, the eternally bustling capital of Georgia, is one of routine and blending in among the worker bees. But her ‘normal’ life is actually a façade for a higher calling; she’s a three hundred year old soul, encased in a human vessel and sent from the darkness between heaven and Earth to capture her Marked when summoned by her superiors.
During the initial, routine stake-out of her Marked, a dream prophet named Isaac Walsh, Alyx is thrown for an emotional loop when his allure captivates her heart from two rooftops away. The event marks the very instance when her sense of what’s right and what’s wrong is brutally challenged as her contact with him is strictly forbidden.
While already trapped between honor and desire, her emotional struggles are further challenged by a man in a black suit who continually pops up when she least expects it, his presence evoking a strange response from the scar she was branded with at birth. The scar tingles like a warning beacon, alerting her that something is amiss. Because her superiors never told her what this would mean, or much of anything except what to do when they summon, she can only conclude to try and keep her sanity, and her life, from completely shattering to pieces.
This engaging first book of the series is a Paranormal Romance novel interlaced with twists, turns, and thrilling suspense that is sure to satisfy readers of any genre.
Tethered by Fate by S.J. PierceSeries: Alyx Rayer Chronicles #2
Publication date: November 29th 2012
Genre: Adult Paranormal Romance
Find It: Goodreads | Amazon
Summary
Where fate would take the both of them now, Isaac wasn’t sure, but either way their paths were irrevocably tethered.”
Where fate would take the both of them now, Isaac wasn’t sure, but either way their paths were irrevocably tethered.”
Hurled into the midst of a holy war between the sinister fallen Angel of War and their beloved Creator, gifted humans, Angels, and Spirit Guides unite to create a formidable, ethereal army. With the imminent battle only days away, continue to follow the story that captivated your hearts as a Protector Angel named Alyx struggles with her own inner conflicts between right and wrong, love and honor.
Passionate, engaging, and filled with surprising twists and turns — see which path fate will lead our beloved Angel down next in this second book of the Alyx Rayer Chronicles.
The Five Things Every Writer Should Know
by S.J. Pierce
What a fun subject! Of course, I can only speak from my short experience as an Indie author, but I feel like I’ve already picked up enough to impart a few jewels of wisdom.
One: First thing’s first – you have to love it. If you get into it only for the ‘insta-fame’ and cash flow you think it might bring, you won’t last long. Not everyone writes an instant bestseller. It takes time, patience, and most of all, perseverance. You could write twenty novels before one ever hits a bestseller list. And notice I said “might bring” in regards to cash flow. 🙂 You have to do it because you couldn’t see yourself doing anything else, because it fulfills you. Not for any other reason. If you end up making the big bucks, even better.
Two: You have to have a thick skin. This is a tough industry no matter if you’re traditionally published or not. It’s important to heed other’s advice and take the good with the bad. Bad reviews happen to all of us, even scathing ones. I remember my first one and it still stings! Just remember to take what you can out of it, chalk it up as a learning experience, and move on.
Three: Be professional! Your image is just as important as your writing, in my opinion. I cringe every time I see a writer fire back at a reviewer or act like their mommas didn’t teach them any sense – which, possibly, they didn’t. I’ll put it this way – the internet has a lengthy memory and you aren’t doing you or your brand any favors by acting out on others for their opinions of your work. Also, reply to your fans. If they take the time to send you emails or comment on your website/ blog, interact with them. Show appreciation!
Four: Try to read as much as you write. Personally, this is a hard rule for me to follow, which is why I said ‘try’. 🙂 I write a few hours everyday but maybe only read a few hours a week. No matter how much you’re able to fit in, I believe it’s important to keep your writing from getting stagnant. I learn something useful every time I crack open a book!
Five: Network! Find writer’s groups on Goodreads, Linked In, Facebook, etc. It’s fun to bounce ideas off of each other or ask advice on marketing, writing and editing from other seasoned authors who have been doing this for years. Relationships with other writers can be just as important/ beneficial to your career as your relationships with your fans.
Author BioSusan James Pierce has a degree in Marketing Management, works for a Fortune 500 company in Atlanta, Georgia, and devotes her precious, spare time to writing Fantasy and Sci-fi novels. Even though her full-time career has nothing to do with books at all, she has always enjoyed complex storytelling with fascinating characters, and has had a penchant for the written word since grade school. As a matter of fact, her first publishing credit was a poem she wrote at the age of twelve. Why her love for writing never translated into a career, she can only attribute to ‘life happens’, but her wish is that she can redirect her career path into something that satisfies her creative inner-self.
Enter for a chance to win either the Marked for Vengeance or Tethered by Fate ebook. Winner chooses. Open internationally. Details on the rafflecopter.
karin
Thanks for the giveaway it sounds like a great book!
Jennifer Bielman
Good luck.
Sarah Elizabeth
These sound good.
Hatsunekai Aribal
The books sound intriguing… It makes me want them even more xD
Jennifer Bielman
Yay, that’s awesome. Hope you get a chance to.
wanderherz
Thanks for the great giveaway 😀
Jennifer Bielman
Good luck
Giselle
Aaah thick skin! That would be my downfall. While I can take some criticism I could not deal with book reviews of my own work. I would cry every time i think lol.
Great post, ladies! 🙂
Jennifer Bielman
I know. I get so sad when people don’t like my work. I need thicker skin.
Jaclyn Canada
Those are all great points! I agree that you have to have thick skin to be an author and also the tip about keeping professional is fantastic and very important. The books look very interesting. I’m curious what the shapes mean on the covers. Thank you so much for sharing! Jaclyn @ JC’s Book Haven.
Jennifer Bielman
Yeah, you’re right. I wonder what the shapes mean.
S.J. Pierce - Author
Thanks for hosting me on your blog today! And thanks to everyone who’s commented! 🙂
Jennifer Bielman
Thanks for the lovely guest post.
Meghan
Yes! Totally can’t wait to read this! Adding it to my TBR list… Love that cover, too ; ) I always wonder how much power they have over the direction of the design of their book cover. My brother just got into designing book covers and would like to know what he should expect! Thanks for sharing with us and Thanks for the giveaway!
mestith at gmail dot com
BookLady
What a fascinating series! I love paranormal romance and will be adding these books to my TBR list. Thanks for sharing and thanks for the giveaway.
Jennifer Bielman
Great, hope you enjoy it.