Sunday, September 17, 2017

Halloween

Hi all!

So...Halloween is approaching and if you know me, it's my favorite holiday (yes, even over Christmas!).

Darkness Within Ezine will be having a pre-halloween party on facebook on 10/29 so come join us!! We'll have games, trivia and prizes!

As for me, I'm still working my way through book 3 in my Immortal series and also looking for pictures for my Vampire Queen covers when I re-release them next year.

Hubby, his eldest daughter and I will be going to Universal Studios when she flies in at the end of the month and I LOVE Harry Potter so I've been on this low carb diet so I won't have a problem fitting on the rides. We went to Universal Studios Florida in 2010 (granted I was 100 lbs heavier) and I couldn't fit on the main Harry Potter ride. I was so embarrassed and bummed I missed the ride! So, I was determined to lose more weight for this trip to California! Well...I've been doing the diet for 2 weeks and only lost 6lbs and have been starving myself almost along with beating myself up for going over my carbs for the day. So, I decided to try to keep my diet as much as possible but not count carbs or exercise...just go with the flow. Hopefully that will work and I won't beat myself up for it not working fast enough.

Here's the rundown of our week:

Saturday 9/30 She's flying in around 2:30. Going to go see a magic show, eat at Ramsey's Burger's the go see Fremont street where I'm told is amazing.

Sunday 10/1: Rest day for her and I while hubby watches football.

Monday 10/2: Leave at 3am ish and drive to California for sight-seeing (USS Iowa, Long Beach hospital where hubby was born, Santa Monica Pier as I've just always wanted to see it) then head to the Air B&B. This is a huge surprise to her. Hubby's been rubbing it in every time he talks to her and she keeps guessing but hasn't been right yet...ha ha ha!

Tuesday 10/3: Go to Universal at 8am for early entry and go straight to Harry Potter land!!! Yay!

Wednesday 10/4: Rest day

Thursday 10/5: Daddy/Daughter night on Vegas strip (Nice restaurant, a show, etc). I get to stay home and rest.

Friday 10/6: Rest day & order pizza.

Saturday 10/7: Rest day and hubby will cook at home or go to Hibachi place as it's her favorite.

Sunday 10/8: She flies home.

Hubby has been texting her every day with the countdown. It's so cute AND she turns 21 on 9/20!!

Well, that's enough for now. If you have any ideas on what we should do on the rest days, please comment below.

Keep Reading!
Jodie Pierce

Sunday, September 10, 2017

Next...

Hi all!

It's now fall and my all time favorite holiday, Halloween!!!! Did you guess it right? If you really know me you did...lol!

So, I decided to finish book 3 of my Immortal Series, Immortal Vultures and then move on to my previously traditionally published The Vampire Queen trilogy.

I don't know how many of you know but I Own/Run a paranormal/horror ezine called Darkness Within Ezine. You can see it here. For the upcoming holiday, I am running a rafflecopter contest for anyone who would like some free books. You can enter here. If you're interested in submitting some of your work or even take over your own article, there is a contact form on the website, write in to me and we can discuss things more in detail.

So, don't forget to enter the contest above, the website for more information and look for book 3, Immortal Vultures!

Keep Reading!
Jodie Pierce

Sunday, August 20, 2017

What's next for me...you choose.

Hi all!

So, books 1 & 2 are now available on Amazon, Smashwords and Draft2Digital!!! Yay!!!

I've started on book 3 and am moving along nicely.

I recently got my publishing rights to my first 4 books back from the original publisher. I know my first 2 books (of a trilogy, 4th book is paranormal erotica) need some work and they all need new covers which I will be making. My first book is The Vampire Queen and since I'm thevampirequeen1, I feel maybe I should work on book 1 and get it up to keep my brand going. However, in my Immortal series of 4 books, each book is left with a cliffhanger so I don't want the readers to have to wait very long and lose interest.

What do you all think? Please leave comments to advise. I look forward to hearing your opinions!

I'm also looking into getting my Immortal series put on Audiobooks so wish me luck! lol

Keep Reading!
Jodie Pierce

Sunday, August 13, 2017

Book 2 Release Day!!!!

Hi all!!!

Well, today is the day for the release of the Immortal Series, book 2, Immortal Desires!!!

I'm so excited to be able to share this series with you!

I'm working on book 3 now and it's slowly coming along. Should be out in the next couple months. I already have the cover for the book done which was a great motivator. Here it is:



What do you think? Like the cover?

I just got the paperback copies of book 1 and 2 in my own little hands last Friday and was squealing like a little girl!

Hope you have enjoyed my Immortal series so far and don't forget, if you read it, please leave a review.

As for Darkness Within, keep your eyes peeled for some Halloween aspects to the October issue and possibly a Facebook event on 10/29 (Sunday).

Until then, keep checking back for more information!

Keep Reading!
Jodie Pierce

Sunday, August 6, 2017

Immortal Series Book 2

Hi all!!!

Just wanted to give you an update on Book 2, Immortal Desires from the Immortal Series.

It is going to be released on 8/13 (my dad's birthday who passed a little over a year).

This is the book where Larissa and Lance come together as a couple and start slowly exploring each other sexually so while this is not an erotica book, it does have muted sex scenes and is a 18+ book. Also, they are on the run while trying to protect each other. Larissa decides she wants to be a vampire but there's never been a known case of a vampire/dragon shifter and Lance is nervous about doing it. After a short time of luxury with a companion coven leader, Larissa is taken off the grounds, leaving the others behind to figure out the how, who and why.

Here's a reminder of the cover:



Book 3 will be Immortal Vultures and follow the torture of Larissa and the return of Lance to his fathers castle but will he be able to save her in time? Will she be the same person coming out as she went in? Did his fathers Scientists get to her and hurt her? All this is unbearable to Lance. All he wants in the world is to marry her and have their own coven one day in hopes of uniting the vampire covens and dragon clans.

More next time! Until then...

Keep Reading!
Jodie Pierce


Sunday, July 30, 2017

Sunday feelings!

Hi all!

Well, this is going to be a somber post but based on my life (if any of you are interested keep reading), this weekend was rough for me emotionally.

Today marked the two month passing of my mom. I have many regrets with her and I just hope in the end, though she couldn't communicate, she knew she was loved, hubby and I took great care of her and that she received what she wanted most at the end...to be with her husband of 51 years in heaven.

This leads me to Saturday. I was a crying, sobbing mess all day! I'd lost my best friend in my dad who'd passed one year ago but it felt like yesterday. For the last year or so of his life, we did so much together and he taught me a lot! It felt like there I was, sitting at his bedside, holding his cold hand as I watched his heart monitor slowly go down to zero where I'd lose him for forever. I would have to say that was the hardest day of my life. My only consolation was that he was no longer in pain.

So, while my mom had 51 years with him, I'd had 41 years with him in my life and I was truly a 'daddy's girl'. When he was no longer comfortable driving, I was there to take him wherever he needed/wanted to go. We spent precious time in his garage where he secretly smoked cigarettes (mom didn't know) and we talked about anything and everything. He showed me how to use tools and equipment (saws, working with wood, painting, etc). He always made sure I had what I needed and even slipped me a $20 bill from time to time when he could.

For the last seven months of his life, hubby and I lived in his basement so I was there to help care for him and mom (dementia). We would go 'shopping' together which meant he got to get out of the house, would give me his list and money and then sit in the car and smoke while I ran into the store...lol. He was and always had been a character with the jokes he told (that he'd been telling the same ones I heard all my life) and he would just make people laugh which was his goal.

Through four colostomy bags, stomach surgery with mesh and a woundvac for a while, he still got outside and planted things, pulled weeds and puttered around though he was allergic to the sun. He always wore a long sleeve shirt and hat in an attempt to protect his skin. He'd been in and out of the hospital for various reasons.

The day he passed, he'd went into surgery for a routine debridement of a spot on his back. In recovery he suffered a heart attack and was down for over 20 minutes. He was taken up to ICU where he continued to have heart attack after heart attack as I stood in the hall sobbing hysterically every time the alarms went off...knowing I was losing him. He was on a ventilator and a doctor came in and told me he had a punctured lung which they could go in and fix. We'd discussed this as a family and we agreed that if we were only being kept alive by machines then we were to pull the plug. I asked the doctor if he thought dad was brain dead and he said most likely. I told him to stop everything and just let him go.

As humans, that's the last thing we want ts to let our loved ones 'go' but I think that's selfish to make them hold on and suffer because I can't bare the thought of letting him go. Near the end, I stroked his hair and told him it was okay for him to go and be with his parents (one of whom he'd never met).

After he passed and I got home, mom was waiting for an update as she couldn't physically walk through the hospital to see him so she was anxious as I hadn't returned her calls. When I told her what had happened, she almost slid out of her chair with a 'WHAT!?'. I sobbed and said I was sorry over and over and felt like I let everyone down. Later she told me I made the right decision but it sure didn't feel like the right decision as that moment.

After that, mom was a mess so I went into survival mode. I handled all the phone calls, final arrangements, etc. I'd always told hubby that when my dad passed, I'd be a mess and I'd need him to step up and help mom. Well, I think I didn't really get that period of time to properly grieve so a year later I'm a mess!

Just after he passed, on the suggestion of a close friend, I wrote letters to him in my journal but when we moved in November from Ohio to Nevada, I kinda got out of the habit. After speaking with my current therapist, who had no knowledge of my journal letters, asked me what my plans for the day were. I said I was just going to lay in bed and cry. She suggested I write a handwritten letter to dad...but what should I say? We shared so much in life together, through good times and bad that I didn't really know what to put in the letter. I finally was able to write one but it was morbid.

Hubby tried to console me but I needed way more than that! I needed my daddy back! I felt like my heart had shattered into two pieces...one for hubby and one for dad which was slowly turning black and dying inside my body. How was I expected to just 'get over it'? Everyone afterwards kept telling me that with time it would get easier. Well, after a year, if was just as hard if not harder than that day so people tell you what you want to hear (my conclusion). I missed him more than anything in my life (the loss of my home, the repo of my car, loss of job, etc) and there was nothing I or anyone could do to make it better, even at least just a little better.

So, I lit a candle for him, looked through some pictures of him and sobbed.

Sorry for the morbid, long post. I didn't plan on it being this long, it just turned out that way. Thanks for taking the time to read this and next Sunday's post will be about the release of book 2 of my Immortal Series which is going to be released on my dad's birthday, 8/13 to honor his memory. Can't wait for you all to read the series. Book 1, Immortal Heirs is already available on Amazon, Smashwords and Draft2digital so go check it out because the books need to be read in order to understand what's going on.

Keep Reading!
Jodie Pierce

Sunday, July 23, 2017

The Vampire Queen Trilogy

Hi all!

I just wanted to let you all know why my Vampire Queen Trilogy is no longer available on Amazon.

A new publisher (Caliburn) came in and took over Eternal Press who had published my book previously but was having some difficulties at the end so they sold the company.

My contracts on my books were up and after much disagreement, the rights to my books were given back to me but I cannot use the original covers as they belong to the publisher.

So, after my Immortal Series, I am going to go over my Vampire Queen Trilogy, book by book and re-vamp (yes, pun intended) them and give them new covers before putting them back up on Amazon and hope they won't give me any problems.

Condemned by a Vampire also falls into the above category but that will be my last project. I've found I really enjoy making covers and if I get some done before the books, I'll post them on here for you all to see.

Keep Reading!
Jodie Pierce

Sunday, July 16, 2017

My Immortal Series

Hi all!

I know it's been a while but I've been very busy! I have managed to come up with a new vampire/dragon shifter series I think you are going to absolutely LOVE!!! I'm calling it my Immortal Series as here are the titles so far:

1. Immortal Heirs
2. Immortal Desires
3. Immortal Vultures
4. Immortal Freedom

Book 1 was released on 7/2/2017 and is still .99cents on Smashword.com.

Book 2 has been written and I'm in the re-editing process before I send it off to my amazing Editor, Jessica Sawa.

Book 3 is writing itself in my head at all times and I can't wait to get started with it.

For these books, hubby bought me some new graphics software and with the help of the lovely Brandi Kennedy, I've been able to make my own covers for the three books so far. Wanna see the covers? Here we go!







(Yes, I have a cover for a book I haven't written yet but I was on a roll!)

You are the only ones to have seen the covers for books 2 & 3 (besides Brandi) and I hope you like them. Some feedback in the comments would be nice...(hint...hint...hint)...lol!

Well, that's my update for now. Hope to get back on a regular schedule with you!

Happy Summer & Keep Reading!
Jodie Pierce




Friday, March 31, 2017

Sandie Will and The Caging at Deadwater Manor

Hi all!!

It's been a little while but there is this great book coming out that I want you to know about. The Caging at Deadwater Manor by Sandie Will is awesome!!!




NEW RELEASE! 

Author Sandie Will has released her debut novel, The Caging at Deadwater Manor. Set along the Florida Gulf Coast, this young adult psychological thriller is a heart-wrenching, edge-of-your-seat story about eighteen-year-old Jeannie Kynde who is locked away in Deadwater Manor, a psychiatric hospital with an unscrupulous past. In her words, she shares what it’s like to endure psychiatric treatments, mentally unstable patients, a sadistic nurse and a tempting attendant. Can she find the strength to survive the nightmare that is now her world?

Book Trailer

Book Blurb:

On a cold, January evening, fourteen-year-old Jeannie Kynde is told that her beloved mother drowned in the murky waters along Florida's Gulf Coast. Her distraught father turns on Jeannie, no longer the caring father she once knew.

Four years later, Jeannie is finally old enough to escape her father's clutches, but he has different plans. He imprisons her at Deadwater Manor, a psychiatric hospital with an unscrupulous past. 

Will she be locked away forever? Or can she fight against the nightmare that has now become her world?

Links:





So, what was the inspiration for this story?

As the cover states, Deadwater Manor was inspired by true events, so I wanted to share what this means.

About eight years ago, I wanted to see if I could write dark. I had already written a historical time travel, which was more on the adventurous side (this will be released later this year). At first I thought I'd write a ghost story, and I remembered that my dad worked at psychiatric hospitals during short spurts of his life, both state and private. He rarely talked about his time there. My mom had said it was because he was upset over things he saw.

So, I finally asked him. There were no ghosts, but he mentioned how he felt bad for the young girls because sometimes they were admitted against their will by families who didn’t understand depression or other milder psychiatric conditions. He also shared patient routines and how the hospital rooms were set up. And as he continued, he remembered a discovery he made in the attic. It gives me chills just thinking about it, even now, and it became the central part of the story.
So, though the story and hospital are completely fictional, it is based on a girl admitted against her will, my dad’s discovery and some of the patient routines, outbursts, clothing and treatments he mentioned. The rest is based on research.

Sadly, my dad has since passed away from Alzheimers. He was a wonderful man, unlike the father in the story (which he always reminded me to make clear!). Before he became too confused, I let him know I dedicated the book to him. I knew he understood when he became weepy. I'll be thinking of him on March 31.

About the Author:



Sandie Will was born in Poughkeepsie, New York and moved to Florida during the 1970s. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Geology degree from the University of South Florida and Master of Science in Environment al Engineering Sciences degree from the University of Florida. She is currently working as a hydrogeologist and manager at a state agency that protects water supplies and natural systems. She primarily manages well construction and aquifer testing operations.  During her career, she has written numerous technical reports and articles for various science-related publications. Now, she is adding fiction to her writing repertoire with her debut novel, The Caging at Deadwater Manor. Sandie currently lives in Florida with her husband, Charlie. They have two grown sons, a lovable lab-mix and a pesky cat.  Her website and blog can be found at www.sandiewill.com.

Thank you for the support! I truly appreciate everyone who has helped me during this long journey.

Here's some more information on Sandie for you:
What type of genre do you write?

I love to write YA thrillers, historical time travel and paranormal. After my first debut, I will be releasing the first book of my time travel series later this year.

What genre to you personally read?

Pretty much anything, but I tend to want to read dark, creepy books, science fiction and historical novels. I especially love novels that stay with you for a while or make you question reality.

Tell me about your latest?

The Caging at Deadwater Manor is based on a discovery my dad made while working at a psychiatric hospital. It gives me the creeps just thinking about it! He also shared patient routines and hospital routines that helped me provide a more realistic storyline. So, the story is fiction, but it’s inspired by my dad’s discovery and I’ve incorporated some actual happenings here and there.

Is there a message in your book that you want readers to grasp?

There is. This book is for mature young adults because there are some situations where the main character, Jeannie Kynde, struggles to choose the right path for herself, especially since she is drugged and her survival instinct is kicking in. I think young adults have (unfortunately) had to make difficult choices at times, and I hope this story helps them see that they should stick to their own ethical values. Also, sometimes you need to forgive yourself, which can be so hard.

What does your workspace look like?

I have an old writer’s desk I found in an antique shop a few years back. It’s in front of a set of windows on the second story of my home surrounded by old oaks and visiting birds. It’s a peaceful place – my sanctuary!
(see photo)

After this book, what is next?

The first book of The Time Lands Series called The Hunger will be released later this year. This book is about a girl from today who meets a guy from Ireland who is going through desperate times. There’s a bit of first love, adventure, suspense and comedy all wrapped in a sweet story. Remember the names: Carly Matthews and Liam Healy – they’ll be sharing their adventures in time for a while!

Currently, I’m writing on another psychological thriller and researching historical information for a paranormal.

Your website? www.sandiewill.com

Your blog? www.sandiewill.com/blog

Other websites? www.deadwatermanor.com for the book release. I also have a science blog where geologists share their typical day and projects from around the world at www.rockheadsciences.com.

Where can your book be found? Please purchase my ebook on March 31 or April 1 on Amazon to help with my ranking. The link to Amazon will be available at www.deadwatermanor.com. After that, all the regular outlets such as Barnes and Noble will be fine. The printed copy will be available the week after the release.

Thanks so much, Jodie, for allowing me to be part of your blog and for running my blog hop during this important time. I appreciate all the support you have given me over the years.

Thank you Sandie for joining us today! Everyone, seriously, check this book out and follow the links!

Keep Reading!
Jodie Pierce

Wednesday, February 1, 2017

Brandi Kennedy Blog Hop-Jump Right In!

Hi all!

I'd like to welcome Author Brandi Kennedy to my blog today!!





About Brandi:
Brandi Kennedy is a romance novelist who is finally living her childhood career dream. As a child, books were her world and through adulthood, that love of words has never changed. Brandi is now a contemporary romance novelist and poet with a deep love of writing and a curiously adventurous desire to someday write in several other genres.

A woman of varied interests, Brandi loves photography, music of all kinds, knitting, crochet, and of course, mothering her two young daughters. Currently, she finds her home in the heart of Knoxville, Tennessee, among the mountains and the members of her extended family, where she spends her days at the computer, bringing fresh and incredibly real characters to life.
Bibliography:
Fat Chance: The Kingsley Series #1




Prescription for Love: The Kingsley Series #2




Wrestling Harmony: The Kingsley Series #3





More than Friends: The Kingsley Series #4





Selkie I




Selkie II






Fighting for Freedom




Courageous (a short standalone novella)






Where to Find Brandi:
Twitter: @brandikennedy84
Instagram: @authorbrandikennedy
Snapchat: @brandikennedy84

**For some exclusive fun, different and exciting new information as well as an extra monthly flash fiction, join her for as little as $1 per month at:

Now, hop on over to the other blogs hosting Brandi for the entire month of February:


Stop by these blogs and leave a comment…there may be a prize for the person who’s visited and commented on the most blogs (other than the blog participants…aw shucks)!