Abduction #sixsunday

Merry Christmas, everyone! (Or Happy Holidays)

It's been a very long time since I've posted on Six Sunday, but now that my newest novel is over half-finished, I thought I should start sharing.

This week's excerpt comes out of Chapter One. Abigail Nichols (character named after Kid #2) has just returned home from a date with Mark, slammed the door in her best friend Derick's face (he was being rude), and just when she was about to go upstairs someone knocked on the door!

Enjoy!

~"I'll get it!" I'm going to swear at him. I balled my fists and marched for the door. "What now?"

My breath hitched in my chest. Derick wasn't at the door—it wasn't Mark either.~

Who do you think is at the door? It's definitely not anyone she knows, and his intentions . . . not good!

To read other Six Sunday entries, visit the official site. *DISCLAIMER: Not all sites are appropriate for children under 18!*

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Wilde's Fire            -           Wilde's Army              -            Wilde's Meadow

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Who Knew Paint Could Be So Much Fun?

My paint-inspired video!

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Sweet Dreams

Last night, I stayed up until midnight doing this:

Then, at 4:00 a.m., this happened:

Kid #3 barreled down the hall, her feet pounding the floor like a herd of elephants. "Mommy! Mommy! Mommy! Where are you, Mommy?"

Pantry doors opened, then slammed.

Thump, thump, thump went her feet on the stairs.

My bedroom door squeaked as she opened it and ran across the room, leaving the door open behind her so that the dogs could make their exit.

"Bailey! Get back in here."

My poor Aussie lowered his head and returned to his spot on the floor next to my bed.

"Shut the door, Clarissa."

More elephants.

Then, her beautiful, smiling, awake face was right next to mine. "Can I have these, Mommy?"

She held up a bag of these:

I took the bag of semi-sweet morsels and dropped them on my nightstand. "No, Clarissa. Go to sleep."

"I sleep in your bed."

"Fine. Just be quiet." Fluffing the pillow, I grumbled my way back into a comfortable position.

Clarissa patted my back. "I watch tv."

"No."

"Yes. I watch tv."

"No."

"Watch tv. Watch tv. Watch tv."

"No." I wrapped the pillow around my head, trying to drown out her incessant question? Demand? Annoyance!

"Please?"

Then, somehow, my alarm went off. I wanted to cry. I wanted to call in sick. I wanted to eat some of those semi-sweet morsels to drown out my sorrows. (I have a love of chocolate; apparently, so does my daughter.)

But what I had to do was get up for work.

Sigh.

<3 Krystal

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Wilde's Fire            -           Wilde's Army              -            Wilde's Meadow

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Ten Reasons to Dump Your Man

My Christmas gift to all you ladies in the dating game is advice.

First, always respect yourself.

You are the most important person in your life. I know, I know, I hear you saying that you should put others first. In many ways, you're right, but your heart is something that is yours to protect. No one else will care about it as much as you do, and if you're out there not showing any love for yourself by sticking around while he treats you like crap, how can you expect someone else to love you?

So, sit back, relax, enjoy, and remember: intuition is your best friend.

1. He never initiates communication

So you've gone out a few times, you've laughed and joked, you've kissed, and maybe even hung out at his place (or vice versa), but if he never calls—or texts—you first, something's up. 

Maybe he's a poor communicator, but if you feel like everything is one-sided, girls, it probably is. 

2. He never asks about you

When a guy is truly interested in you, he asks questions about your likes and dislikes. He doesn't pretend to listen while you describe the things that make you unique, your passions and desires. 

What's worse? If you start talking about yourself and he cuts you off to talk about him. 

Not good. 

3. He doesn't introduce you to his friends

Okay, so this one is tough. Say you've gone out a few times and really hit it off. He's a great communicator, maybe he has the softest lips of any guy in the world, but if he's truly boyfriend material, he'll introduce you to his friends. This doesn't have to be frequent, but if there is no effort on his part to include you in his life, why stick around? 

4. He acts differently with you around his friends

So he does take you out to meet his friends, maybe even his family, but say he's uncomfortable, rarely looks at you, sits ten feet away. How does that make you feel?

I'm not saying he has to break every PDA rule/law there is—gross—but if he's unwilling to hold your hand or sit next to you, or talk to you while you're out with him and his buddies, chances are he's not that into you.

5. He refuses to commit to you and only you

Say you've passed most of the hurdles I've already mentioned, you've dated for some time and are ready to commit but know he's seeing other people.

Have you brought it up?

If the answer is yes, and his answer was no, then what are you doing?

Good relationships are based on people whose desires are mutual. I'm not saying you have to like all the same things and wear matching sweaters at Christmas; I'm saying that if he doesn't want you and only you, why do you want him and only him?

6. He doesn't take you out

This is slightly different from #3, but equally important. If the only thing you're doing is going over to his place or he's coming to yours, chances are you aren't in a healthy relationship.

Go out. See a movie. Eat at a fancy restaurant. Do something other than *that*.

7. He doesn't share anything personal/emotional about himself

Okay, so you like the guy and he likes you, but you know nothing about him. I'm not talking about what he likes between his sandwich slices either. If you don't know about all the times he was made fun of in high school for his crooked teeth or big nose or small feet (things you find incredibly adorable), then maybe he doesn't feel comfortable talking to you.

Bad sign.

Do you talk to him? Have you shared parts of yourself with him? If not, open up. If he doesn't want to hear it, run away.

8. Refuses to compromise

Think you've beat all those other reasons to dump him? Well, if he refuses to compromise (AKA, he's controlling, stubborn, unwilling to bend at ALL), FLEE!

Need I really explain?

9. Can't say 'I love you'

Been dating for a year? Two? Longer? Haven't heard those three little words that you've so desperately craved hearing?

Have you said it but he can't? Eep! That's scary, and a sign that you two operate on different wavelengths.

10. He cheats on you

This is not something most people can recover from. When someone destroys the trust you have in them, it's really hard to build that back up. And really, what would keep them from doing it again? This is truly the most unforgivable act.

Cheating ruins lives.

Cheating ruins everything.

So, that's it. Think about these things. Add to this list if you have suggestions. And please, love and respect yourself.

<3 Krystal 

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Wilde's Fire            -           Wilde's Army              -            Wilde's Meadow

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Drool Over This?

Every good writer does research. Hell, every bad writer probably does too.

But I wonder how many writers stumble across something so luxurious, so lavish and rare and expensive, that they think who the eff has that kind of money?

Enter The Streets of Monaco yacht. While researching for Shattered Secrets, I came across this beauty of a yacht?—a town? a new way of life?—and really pondered my miniscule existence on this planet.

I mean, how can anyone afford a yacht that's expected to cost $1.1 billion—that's right, billion—dollars? Why would anyone need something so large that boasts beaches instead of swimming pools, and has enough room for casinos, racetracks, a go-kart track, and a Hotel de Paris?

And how could something so large only house 16 guests? Does anyone else hear brakes squealing? You heard me correctly. 16 guests. Now, it has room for a crew of 70, but look at that thing! Just really look at it. Doesn't it seem that there should be room for hundreds?

So, if it only houses 16 guests, that means it's meant for a family. This is not a new version of a cruise liner. This is someone's personal craft.

Even though I am not using The Streets of Monaco for Shattered Secrets, I did dig a little further into the yacht to see if it's being built for someone.

It is.

Enter Roman Abramovich, Russian-Jewish business tycoon and the main owner of the private investment company Millhouse LLC. He is known outside Russia as the owner of Chelsea Football Club, an English Premier League football team (Wikipedia).

From a quick Google Image search, I see he totes around a pretty woman. Sorry all you single ladies out there; he's taken.

Me? I prefer a down to earth man. And I'm not saying Roman's not, but judging by his taste in watercraft . . . .

I'll choose my husband a million more times before I choose that.

I'm sure my husband's wiping his brow right now, right, honey?

Anyway. Have you ever stumbled across something while researching your novel that made you think OH. MY. GOD?

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Wilde's Fire            -           Wilde's Army              -            Wilde's Meadow

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Kissing Under a Parasite

I'm sure everyone knows the age-old tradition of kissing under the mistletoe, but maybe not everyone knows that you're actually kissing under a parasite!

You heard me.

This morning my coworker gave a few of us a Christmas mistletoe, complete with glitter and bows. It was a thoughtful gift, totally unexpected, which is the kind of thing that makes Christmas so special. When we asked her where she bought the live plants, she said she didn't have to; it's a fungus and grows wild in the tops of trees. So, she and her daughters went around their back yard and shot them down.

She shot them down!

Okay, that's not really the point, but I did take a second to laugh about that. I love my coworker; she's so real!

So, my boss and I looked at each other and said, "So we've been kissing under fungus all these years?"

I added, "Hope it's not contagious."

After we went our separate ways, I decided to research this fungal infection of trees, and sure enough, she was almost right. Mistletoe is actually a parasitic plant, sucking the nutrients out of the trees they grow in. The little infector of deciduous things can actually kill their host.

Sigh.

The more I read, the more I couldn't figure out where this kissing tradition came into play. Wikipedia says it had something to do with Christianity, though the reasoning is vague. The most definitive answer said the custom may be of Scandinavian origin.

Seriously. We have kissed under mistletoe for how long, and no one knows why?!

If you go back, pre-Jesus and pre-kissing, I kind of like the mythological uses of mistletoe:

• - a remedy for barrenness in animals and an antidote to poison;


• - a representation of divine male essence (and thus romance, fertility and vitality), possibly due to a resemblance between the berries and semen;


• - in Prose Edda, Baldr is killed by his brother, the blind god Höðr, by way of a mistletoe projectile;


• - mistletoe is believed to be The Golden Bough of Aeneas, ancestor of the Romans.

Whatever the real purpose of mistletoe may be, tonight I will go home and hang mine and I will kiss my husband, and I'm sure my children will giggle and try to avoid the "kissing parasite" as much as possible.

What about you? Do you hang mistletoe? Will you think differently now that you know what it really is?

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Wildest Moments Blogfest Announcements

Well, guys, the time is here. It's time to announce the WINNERS of my Wildest Moments Blogfest. You've followed along, you've played in the games, and you've even written some amazing stories.

So, without going on and on, I'll make these announcements!

The grand prize winner of the Kindle Fire ($199) is PK HREZO!

Why did I pick PK's story out of all the others?
Well, for one, she up and TOOK OFF to escape oppression from her fiance (how come I can't get that little thing to go over the e, huh?)  And what a JERK he was. So, congratulations to you for changing your life while vacationing in Europe. You have courage, girl, and I applaud you for it! (By the way, this story made me cry!)

The runner-up/winner of the Kindle Fire Skin ($25 value), and someone who've I come to realize is so much like me it's scary, is Tamara from OneMagicBeanBuyer.

I picked Tamara's story, mostly because I thought it was extremely brave of her to write about her "hard" times. But these hard times we go through shape who we are now, and frankly, I think Tamara is awesome.

And last, but certainly not least, the third place winner of Wildest Moments ($15 Amazon Gift Card) is Courtney Worth-Young.

This was another tear-worthy entry!
Courtney ran away from home, much how I did, but for very different reasons. She made a life for herself on her own, fought for what she believed in, and she was successful. I don't recommend teenagers all just up and run away if they think they're parents are jerks, but if you deep down know you have to get away, you should follow your instincts, and Courtney did.

So, ladies, please shoot me an e-mail at krystalwade70 at yahoo dot com, and we'll discuss the details of your prizes.

<3 Krystal

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Wilde's Fire ~ Wilde's Army ~ Wilde's Meadow

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And You Are . . . ? Blog Hop

While I'm trying to figure out the winner of my Wildest Moments Blogfest and while I'm waiting for GoDaddy to officially move my domain name to this blogger site, I thought I'd play a little game.

Enjoy!

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Once eggnog hit the shelves, Mrs. Claus thought it’d be funny to “juice up” Santa’s drink. Now the jolly elf is passed-out after one cup, and Mrs. Claus can’t keep up with the pre-Christmas demands.

So, to find those most deserving of Santa’s toys, Mrs. Clause asked Emily and Tammy for help. And so was born the “And You Are . . .?” Blog Hop!

My interview:

1. How many speeding tickets have you gotten?

One. I was 16 and on my way to my brother's house in Mansfield, Texas. I was wearing a Santa hat, and pretty packages were stacked precariously in the passenger seat. I sang at the top of my lungs--something I still do--and had a huge smile on my face . . . until the lights behind me started blinking. I thought for sure the cop was going to pull the guy over who'd just blown by me like I was sitting still, but no. He pulled ME over. I cried. Like a baby. I was driving 77 in a 70, and it was Christmas Eve, and the guy knew half my friends and family--and I still got a ticket. Jerk.

2. Can you pitch a tent?

Of course. This is how it goes: "TJ, honey, can you put up this tent? Use Kid #1 if you have to. I'll be reading a book. Thanks. I love you."

3. What was your worst vacation ever?

I hear Jeopardy music . . . I can't seem to think of the worst vacation. In fact, I have pretty awesome vacations. Not sure I have anything for this. :-)

4. What was the last thing you bought over $100?

Thing? Like one singular item? Cause I spent over $100 on groceries yesterday. Hmm. I'm going to have to say a pair of Keen boots. They are freaking amazing, and they were really expensive, and I will wear them forever.

5. We’re handing you the keys to what?

1972 Super Beetle, fully restored, dark blue or deep purple. I can never decide.

6. What was the last meal you cooked that made even you sick?

Funny enough, it wasn't something that I'd cooked but that I'd reheated from my brother cooking the night before. It was tacos or something, back in 2001. I wound up in the hospital.

7. Fill in the blank: Oh my gosh! Becky, look at her butt! It is so big. She looks like  ____?

This is kind of out of my league. I don't think I talk about people this way. (Insert Halo)

8. What was your first car?

Well, the first car I drove regularly was a 1982 Audi 5000 Turbo-Diesel. My dad bought it off a man who'd let the car sit in a field for 10 years. The floor was rusted out. The leather seats were split, but dammit, it had a sun roof!

9. Your best friend falls and gets hurt. Do you ask if he/she’s okay or laugh first?

Laugh while helping the idiot up. :-)

10. What’s the worst song ever?

I can't think of any songs I loathe . . . though I'm sure they exist.

Curious to see the answers of other participants? Check out the full list of participants.

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Almost Gone. Get More Stuff!

It's the end of Week Three of my Wildest Moments Tour/Blogfest, and as promised, I have another very special giveaway planned.

Entry is easy.  And look at these prizes!

THE GREEN-EYED MONSTER by Mike Robinson

BECOMING by Raine Thomas (ebook)

EVER by Jessa Russo (ebook)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Pretty Nails

Kid #2: Mommy, I want to paint your nails.

Me: Maybe later.

5 minutes later.

Kid #2: Mommy, I want to paint your nails.

Me: Grrr. How about tomorrow?

Husband: Oh, just let her paint your nails.

Me (Grumbles because I want to let her but know it will be messy): Oh fine.

Result:

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Don't forget to celebrate forgetfulness! Enter this easy contest. You might win a signed set of all three of my books!

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Give Thanks

I have a lot to be thankful for this year. 2012 has been a whirlwind of publishing books and taking on major roles within a publishing house and making friends.

It's also been a year that I've realized great things are within my reach, and trust me, I'm about to grab them!

So, with that, I'm here to THANK YOU. My family, my friends, my peers, my fans, everyone who reads my blogs or my books or helps spread the news I'm always blabbering about.

Without you and your help and support, I'd be nothing. It is through your faith in me that I can do the things I do, and it is through your smiling faces that I continually move forward.

I hope everyone in the U.S. has a wonderful and safe Thanksgiving, and to those who don't live here, I hope your Thursday and Friday and every day for the rest of your lives are filled with JOY!

Now that all the mushy gushy is out of the way, I need to let you in on a little secret. Curiosity Quills, my publisher, has decided to host a Black Friday Blowout! Every one of our titles is now just 99 cents! Can you believe that?

If you've been waiting to buy Wilde's Army and Meadow (Wilde's Fire was already 99 cents), you don't have to wait any longer.

But you have to HURRY! This 99 cent Blow Out lasts through Sunday, then the prices go up to $7 or $9 or something like that!

And, just so you know, if you purchase any of my titles, a portion of the proceeds will go to Hurricane Sandy relief funds.

What could be better than that?

Check out the Curiosity Quills catalogue and then head over to Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, iTunes, or wherever you buys books and grab your copy today.

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Want Stuff? I've Got More!

It's the end of Week Two of my Wildest Moments Tour/Blogfest, and as promised, I have another very special giveaway planned.

Entry is easy.  And look at these prizes!

ZOMBIE BEDTIME STORIES 1-3 by Thea Isis Gregory (ebook)

WOMAN OF HONOR by Nicole Zoltack (ebook)

BROKEN DESTINY by Carlyle Labuschagne (ebook)

a Rafflecopter giveaway


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Celebrate Forgetfulness

We've all been known to forget a thing or two, right?

Absolutely.

Some days I'm sure I forget many things.

So, when I realized my blog tour stop hosts forgot to post what we'd arranged, I didn't get upset. Instead, I'm deciding to celebrate their forgetfulness!

Just play along with the Rafflecopter below, and on December 5th, I'll choose three winners for signed paperback copies of all three of my books. Depending on participation, I may increase the amount of books I give away.

<3 Krystal
a Rafflecopter giveaway

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On My Kindle

While busy prepping for the release of Wilde's Meadow--which included writing, promoting, editing, promoting, biting off my nails, promoting--I missed out on a lot of reading time.

So, for the last couple weeks, all I've done is read read read! I love reading, as you can imagine, and I've missed it so terribly.

I'm here to share with you what crazy little stories have appeared on my Kindle and kept me up late at night--sometimes into the wee hours of the morning--with wonderful, imagination-tantalizing pleasure!



First, let's start with Hidden by PC and Kristen Cast. This mother and daughter team of writers were brought to my attention by my mother in law, who, accidentally, purchased a boxed set of books 1-5 when she mistook it for a different series I'd asked for.

I figured why not? Right?

That's a good way to find a new book. And while I was intrigued by the first couple books in the series, they keep getting worse and worse and worse. Honestly, I'm not sure why I kept reading this one. It was just a wash, rinse, repeat version of every other book in the series. Frankly I just want it all to end, but I'm not the giving up type.

This book received 2 stars from me.



The next book I read is The Evolution of Mara Dyer. I love Michelle Hodkin.

She is awesome.

This book far surpassed the first in the series, and it left me a little heartbroken and screaming NOOOOOAAAAHHHH!

For fans of this series, you will not be disappointed. If you haven't read The Unbecoming of Mara Dyer, I suggest you pick it up and devour it! Amazing work, and a really strong character. While Mara does some things that outright grate on my nerves, I think that's all the more awesome because she feels so real!

I rated this book 4 stars, but it could have easily received 5.



And we cannot forget Anna Dressed in Blood, or the sequel Girl of Nightmares. These books were recommended to me by my good friend Susie, who Dughbal likes to call Susanna--muahhahaa.

They came as an AWESOME surprise. Who knew I'd like YA horror so much? A few bodies ripped in half, a little romance, some high school drama, crime, mystery, and demonic crap?

Yep, I love it!

They were not what I expected at all. The author delves into the paranormal while mixing in some Celtic-ish fantasy as well.



She achieves this with great success too. Especially in the second book, which is much more adventurous than the first and delves into deeper childhood problems--like friendship, and we all know friendships suck when your a teenager.

Right?

That was just me? Fine.

Anyway, want action, adventure, and ghosts, and a little romance? Read these books!

I rated the first a 4 star and the second a 5.



Last, but certainly not least, is City of Bones by Cassandra Clare. This book isn't new to anyone but me really, but that's okay. I'm late to the scene. I get it.

There's also a movie coming out about this one. I watched the trailer. It looks very not close to the book. Go figure.

Anyhoo. Where do I start with this one? The first 30% of the book--that's how I gauge things on my Kindle--seemed to drag on for me. It's a front-loaded high fantasy, meaning there is a TON of information/world building thrown at you from the get go. Overwhelmingly so. So much so that I kept falling asleep while trying to read.

But, if you can get past that, and I advise you should, you will be treated with a wonderfully developed tale of angels, demons, and humans, and a war all located in New York City.

I've been trying to tell people for years that NYC is not a nice place. :-P

The pace and action pick up, and the little history lessons get dribbled in at all the right moments.

Now, I have to warn you, there is a plot device in this book that turned my stomach sour. Really sour. Nearly vomiting sour. I wouldn't buy the next book in the series until I read every blurb for the other published book in this series to see if that plot device ever resolved itself. When I was satisfied, I purchased City of Ashes.

Because of the slow start, and that disgusting plot device, I rated City of Bones 3.5 stars. (This could be because I'm totally in love with Jace. Who knows. You should read it and find out!)

That's all for now. I have a bunch of other books I plan on reading starting tonight.

Happy Bookworming, everyone!

<3 Krystal

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My Wildest Moment

So I've asked you guys to post your Wildest Moment for the blogfest/blog hop, and I think it's time for me to talk about mine. Yes, talk. Sometimes my most inspired moments occur in the car, and rather than pull over and write them down, I record them.

LISTEN HERE====>>>>>My Wildest Moment<<<<=====LISTEN HERE

For those of you who'd prefer to read a transcript of my Wildest Moment, I've been generous enough to type this for you.

Enjoy!

I've had a lot of wild moments in my life. A lot of wild moments. But not all of them were particularly inspirational. A lot of them were definitely life changing. Not always for the better either.

If you're close to me, you know that my teenage years were troubled. Troubled would be putting it lightly. If you're not close to me, you probably think that I'm a very innocent, modest woman who rarely uses foul language and is sweet as pie--and you would be totally wrong.

Although I'm not that same troubled teenager I was--I have definitely recovered from that dark period in my life--it's definitely made me the strong woman I am today. Now, however, this is about wild moments.

So, again, I had a lot of wild moments. But one particularly wild moment in my life, one that really changed my course, was when my poor parents couldn't take my troubled youth-self anymore. You know, they put me through hell, I put them through hell, and we both seemed to be fighting for what we believed in and what was right, and they just kind of hit a breaking point with me. They asked me to sign a contract to live under their roof. They thought, alright, she doesn't want to be homeless, let's have her sign this contract. She has to abide by a certain amount of rules, and if she doesn't, she can't live here anymore.

This contract was like a beacon for my troubled teenage self. It screamed SIGN IT SIGN IT SIGN IT. BREAK IT BREAK IT BREAK IT.

LEAVE.

This is all I ever really wanted to do was leave, run away from my problems. I wanted to be--it's not so much that I wanted to run away from my problems, but I thought that if I could get a fresh start, if I could get out of the rut I was in, that I would somehow magically be better.

I was wrong, of course, but anyway, I digress.

So I signed this contract, gladly, knowing that I had every intention of breaking it. And I did. Really fast. And I remember the argument with my parents. I'm sure it tore them--they probably remember it more than I do. But I just remember that feeling of relief when I came home after breaking that contract and thinking finally I have an escape, I can escape all this darkness, I can leave it behind me.

And so I left. We fought. I left.

And I kept my job at an Ihop, and I lived in my friends' apartment with them.

And let me tell you: life wasn't any better.

I was a 16 year old girl trying to live on my own, and luckily I had friends who had apartments and I wasn't totally homeless, and I did have a good job where I made decent money as a waitress, which is not a lot of money, but as a 16 year old, you don't really have a lot of bills. So it seemed like a lot then.

But, since I was a 16 year old girl, my parents had a conversation with my employer, and my employer let me go. My parents came to me, waving a white flag, and they said, alright Krystal, you can't keep going down this path. This isn't the life you want to live.

I knew they were right. For once, I kind of agreed with them.

I knew this was not the life I wanted to live. Krystal Wade--not my real name, but Krystal Wade--did not want to live a life of working in restaurants and living out of other people's apartments and having a broken family life.

I knew that. I knew that's not what I wanted.

So when they came with their white flag and said, your sister, in Virginia, has offered for you to come and live with her. I jumped on it.

I left everything behind. I didn't say goodbye to my friends. I didn't say goodbye to my boyfriend. I just got in my parent's car, let them take me down to my brother's house in Dallas while I was waiting for my plane trip. I had a small duffle bag full of things that I probably didn't need, and I flew to Virginia.

All because I was wild and I broke that contract.

And let me tell you: my troubles followed me because part of my trouble was with myself. My trouble was that I didn't believe enough in myself, I didn't believe I was truly a good person, I didn't believe I was deserving of love--and not even my own love.

But that move, that move, that wild moment where I just fled, I knew that I could make things better. And I did. I worked really hard. Things did get worse before they got totally better, but I made a life in Virginia. And let me tell you, you can make your own life, you can carve out your path in any mountain that stands before you. All you have to do is carry that determination with you and move forward, and it doesn't matter who stands in your way, you can carve out a wonderful life for yourself . . . if you try.

So, the point of this story: even when times are dark, even when you are at your wildest--maybe not best but wildest--moment and you do something totally life changing, it can still work out okay, and I'm living proof of it.

Every day, I think that thank God, thank GOD!

So, that is all. That is my wildest moment. I do not recommend that anybody ever get in enough trouble where they have to sign a contract to live at home with their parents. That is all.

Thank you for listening.

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Wildest Moments Blogfest

It's time to write those stories, folks. Share your Wildest Moment, and you might win a brand new Kindle Fire!

All you have to do is blog about a time you did something wild, something life changing. Jumped from a perfectly good airplane? Quit your job to write full time? I’m looking for fun, heart-pumping, or inspirational stories that you have experienced. “Wilde” things you've completed on your quest to grow up or move on.

Don’t blog? Put the cover of WILDE’S MEADOW up on your FB wall, pin it on Pinterest, or change your twitter avatar to the cover. Use the words “Wildest Moments” somewhere to go with the picture and link back to this post. (I will still enter you to win a $15 Amazon Gift Card–or B&N–and all three Darkness Falls books on December 5th)

Anyone who posts their Wildest Moments between November 12th-23rd can enter to win a Kindle FIRE ($199), Kindle Fire Skins, or a $15 Amazon Gift Card. Yes, this means I will visit each blog and read your “wildest” moments.

 

Don't forget that this is a blog hop!!

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Only In Her Nightmares

I'm taking a break from promoting Wilde's Meadow to bring you a cover reveal for Christina McKnight. She's been a superb supporter of mine, so it's only fair I continue supporting her!

Right?!

We're in this together, folks!



Can he defy his destiny to claim the woman who rules his nightmares?
 

 

You can find out more about Christina and her awesome work here:

Website www.christina-mcknight.blogspot.com

Twitter https://twitter.com/CMcKnightWriter

Goodreads http://www.goodreads.com/ChristinaMcKnight

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

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Want Stuff? I've got it!

It's the end of Week One of my Wildest Moments Tour/Blogfest, and as promised, I have a very special giveaway planned.

Entry is easy.  And look at these prizes!

FADE by A.K. Morgen (ebook)

WILD AT HEART VOL. 2 by Brinda Berry and Romance Trading Cards

THE TRUTHS ABOUT DATING AND MATING by Jaycee Delorenzo

a Rafflecopter giveaway


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Day Four of Wilde and Craziness

Well, due to some website issues, this post is going up a tad bit late, but better late than later, right?

Anyway, I didn't have any giveaways yesterday, but there are a few going on now. If you're following my Kismet tour, you can enter to win the Google Nexus 7 (and other great prizes) over at Stacy's blog. You can also read about what songs helped shape the story of Wilde's Fire.

If you're following along on my tour, you will find me on Brinda Berry's blog today, discussing my biggest distractions and giving away an ecopy of Wilde's Meadow and a $5 Amazon gift card.

The wonderful and amazing Jaycee DeLorenzo also opened up her blog to me today. She gave me a sweet shout out this morning, so make sure you stop by and thank her!

In case you don't have time to hop over to Brinda's blog for the giveaway, I've included the Rafflecopter event here.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


And last but not least, don't forget about the Wildest Moments blog hop that starts next week. Share your Wildest Moment, and you might win a Kindle FIRE!

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Wilde Day Three

Well, it's day three here in the Wilde's Meadow release month, and I have more winner announcements to make!

Apparently the LUCK GODS favor our raffle winner, because she not only won an ecopy of Wilde's Meadow, she also won the $5 Amazon gift card.

Everyone can now glare at Amanda Robinson, all while she laughs and shouts SUCKERS in her head. (Your gifts are on their way, Amanda!)

Onto the tour announcements. You can find a nice little interview by Hannah by visiting her blog--and this is also the place where you can enter to win the Google Nexus 7 (and other great prizes)!!

Also, you can visit my great friend Johanna Pitcairn and read about her Wildest Moment--yes, she's posted a tad early, but that's okay--but if you comment, you will be entered to win Skins for your phone! How cool is that?

Or, if you're looking for some straight-from-the-source tips on How to Survive Encardia, visit my other amazing friend Ayden Morgen.

Last, but not least, be sure to enter the Wildest Moments Blogfest (bloghop) for your chance to win a Kindle Fire!

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Tour de Wilde

Day 2 of the Darkness Falls Tour is here! Before I share the links to great prizes with you, I want to announce the winners of yesterday's Raffle!

Laura Archer and Shannon Romein, come on down. You're the first winners of the ridiculously easy giveaway on my blog! Your prizes will be on their way shortly! Keep an eye on your inbox (or your spam!).

Now, if you want your chance to win a Google Nexus 7 (or many other great prizes), visit: Pam @ Paranormal Reads.

If you want another opportunity to win a ebook copy of Wilde's Fire or a $5 Amazon gift card, visit Mandy Anderson (she has an exclusive excerpt from Wilde's Meadow, too! And if you don't have time to stop by her blog, I've copied the Rafflecopter onto my blog as well. You'll find it below.)

OR

If you want to spend some time with the amazing, the funny and witty Jamie Ayres--who asked me a few questions and thinks my day job is TOP SECRET, check out her BLOG NOW!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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The Wildest Moments Blogfest starts next week! Make sure you check out the details!

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Wilde's Meadow Release Day

Well, the day is here, the day Wilde's Meadow hits virtual stands and a few physical stands.

To celebrate, I'm all over the web with reviews, interviews, giveaways, etc.

One of my fellow busy authors seems to have misplaced my release day giveaway post, so I'm here to offer you all an opportunity to win an ebook copy of Wilde's Meadow or a $5 Amazon Gift Card.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Make sure you visit all the tour stops . . . there's a chance to win a Google Nexus 7!! And don't forget to sign up for the Wildest Moments Blogfest where you could win a Kindle Fire!

November 5th - Jen
November 6th - Pam
November 7th - Hannah
November 8th - Stacy
November 9th - Shreya
November 12th - Damaris
November 13th - Jessica
November 14th - Susan
November 15th - Benji @ The Non Reluctant Reader
November 16th - Colette at A Buckeye Girl Reads
November 19th - Anagha
November 20th - Terri
November 21st - Tori
November 22nd - Laurie
November 23rd - Ana



November 5 - Mara Valderran
November 5 - Matthew Graybosch - Interview and Giveaway
November 6 - Jamie Ayres - Interview
November 6 - Mandy Anderson - Excerpt and Giveaway
November 7 - Johanna Pitcairn - Giveaway
November 7 - Ayden Morgen - 10 Rules for Surviving Encardia
November 8 - Brinda Berry - Biggest Distractions and Giveaway
November 8 - Jaycee DeLorenzo
November 9 - Jessica Wentz - Interview and Giveaway

November 10 - My Blog - Giveaway (ebook FADE, ebook WILD AT HEART VOL2, Romance Trading Cards, THE TRUTHS ABOUT DATING AND MATING-signed paperback)

November 12 - Susie Levine - Giveaway
November 12 - Thea Gregory
November 13 - Kay Froebel
November 13 - Nicole Zoltack - My Favorite Lines
November 14 - Carlyle Pretorius
November 14 - Charity Bradford - Giveaway
November 15 - Talynn Lynn - Giveaway
November 16 - Amanda Foody - Interview
November 16 - Mike Robinson - Excerpt

November 17 - My Blog - Giveaway (ebook ZOMBIE BEDTIME STORIES 1-3, ebook WOMAN OF HONOR, ebook BROKEN DESTINY)

November 19 - Krystalyn Drown
November 20 - Raine Thomas - Excerpt
November 20 - Jessa Russo - Review
November 21 - Vicki Trask
November 22 - Christina McKnight
November 23 - Carrie Slager - Interview

November 24 - My Blog - Giveaway (THE GREEN-EYED MONSTER, ebook BECOMING, ebook EVER)

November 26 - Farrah Sayyed - Interview
November 26 - Debra Kristi - Interview
November 27 - Felicia Wetzig - Interview and Giveaway
November 27 - James Wymore -
November 28 - Carolyn Brown
November 29 - Dawna Raver - Review
November 29 - Sylvia van Bruggen - Interview
November 30 - Lisa Collicutt - Review

December 1 - My Blog - Giveaway (MINDSCREENS, THE GATHERING DARKNESS and Swag)

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Me and a Tree

I looked up the eighty-foot tall tree in our backyard and cringed when I saw a man tethered to harnesses, a chainsaw hanging from his belt.

"He's either very brave or very stupid," I said to my husband, who was taking tons of pictures of the people removing dead trees before Hurricane Sandy's arrival.

"Nah. He's a professional." The awe in his voice—or was that jealousy—made me worried he might make a trip to the climbing store and try to take a few trees down on his own.

Please, God, no!

Limb after limb fell to the ground with earth-rattling thuds, and thousands of red and yellow leaves drifted through the air like snowflakes in winter.

The scene captivated me, rooted me in place, and I watched with sweaty palms and a cup of coffee. After about a half-hour of cutting and tying off and dropping the branches, the crew climbed down and then cut down the massive trunk.

My family clapped and cheered, and Kid #3 cried, "Pick it up, Daddy. Pick up that tree!"

She was serious, too! I've never seen her look so upset.

And me, well, I wanted in on the action. I wanted to watch them remove more trees. I wanted to hold a chainsaw and understand the expression hot knife through butterwhen people referred to the power of the logger's best friend.

I wanted to cut down a tree.

Good thing we had a few more that needed removing—ones that were small enough for us to handle and too expensive to have the tree guys remove.

So, we loaded up our family and drove to Lowes. A small investment in rope later, and we were back at home, putting Kid #3 down for a much needed nap, pulling out our gloves, the 4-wheeler, the chainsaw, and all that other stuff.

Once the baby was sleeping peacefully, I rode the 4-wheeler through the woods—yes, I totally love living in the "sticks." I helped my hubs tie the rope around one tree and the winch of the 4-wheeler, then we tied the 4-wheeler to another tree.

We decided it would be best for me to stay with the 4-wheeler while he used the chainsaw—yeah, he's smarter than me; I would have killed myself—and we even worked out hand signals.

"While I'm cutting, you press the 'in' button to keep tension on the line. Got it?"

I nodded, held my breath, and waited.

He started the chainsaw and the cutting.

Wait? Which way's in? What if I hit the wrong button? What if the tree crashes into the house? What if we didn't tie the 4-wheeler down properly?

I probably shouldn't sit on it.

Checking the buttons repeatedly, I pressed 'in', then watched the weight of the tree slowly pull the line back out.

Shit! What if it's too big for the winch?

My hubs moved away from the tree and put his thumbs up in the air.

Gulp. I pressed the 'in' button, and the effing 4-wheeler lifted off the ground!

It liftedoff the ground! "The 4-wheeler's moving!!"

"Okay."

He restarted the chainsaw and returned to cutting, and I returned to freaking out, keeping as much tension as I possibly could while he was beside something that could easily take his life.

What were we thinking?

Hubby moved away from the tree and stuck his thumbs in the air again, and next thing I knew, all the tension went away and a crack echoed through our woods.

Crack, crack, crack.

Oh. My. God. That tree is coming right toward me!



I knew I was far enough away, but what would you do if a fifty-foot tree fell in your direction? Run. That's what you would do; don't say you wouldn't!

The ground vibrated, and I laughed my ass off.

Boom!

"That was awesome!" I shouted, running toward my husband and jumping over dead branches.

He smiled at me, all proud and probably in shock that his wife didn't eff things up.

We spent the next few hours removing tiny trees and clearing the felled ones from the path, and then I took Kid #2 and #1 on 4-wheeler rides.

Overall, it was a pretty spectacular day . . . and no one got hurt!

Score!

<3 Krystal

Don't forget about the Wildest Moments Blogfest - Sign up here!

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Wildest Moments

Wildest Moments Blogfest!

WILDE'S MEADOW comes out next Monday. Can you believe it?

Me either!

You may have to pick me up and smack my face! Three books published within six months of each other . . . I better get back on track here.

So, I have 4 weeks of giveaways and blog tour posts planned for the month of November. (Full tour and contest info is at the bottom of this post.)

Beginning the second week of November--that's the 12-16--I'll be hosting the Wildest Moments Blogfest. This is something anyone, anywhere can participate in.

All you have to do is blog about a time you did something wild, something life changing. Jumped from a perfectly good airplane? Quit your job to write full time? I'm looking for fun, heart-pumping, or inspirational stories that you have experienced. "Wilde" things you've completed on your quest to grow up or move on.

Anyone who posts their Wildest Moments between November 12th-23rd can enter to win a Kindle FIRE ($199), Kindle Fire Skins, or a $15 Amazon Gift Card. Yes, this means I will visit each blog and read your "wildest" moments.

Don’t blog? Put the cover of WILDE'S MEADOW up on your FB wall, pin it on Pinterest, or change your twitter avatar to the cover. Use the words “Wildest Moments” somewhere to go with the picture and link back to this post. (I will still enter you to win a $15 Amazon Gift Card--or B&N--and all three Darkness Falls books on December 5th)

Sign up for the blogfest in the LinkyTool below (and make sure you grab the Wildest Moments badge to put on your blog).





Full Tour (there are two--A Review and Interview tour through Kismet, and an Interview, Review, Giveaway, Promo tour via ME!) Schedule:

 



November 5th - Jen
November 6th - Pam
November 7th - Hannah
November 8th - Stacy
November 9th - Shreya
November 12th - Damaris
November 13th - Jessica
November 14th - Susan
November 15th - Benji @ The Non Reluctant Reader
November 16th - Colette at A Buckeye Girl Reads
November 19th - Anagha
November 20th - Terri
November 21st - Tori
November 22nd - Laurie
November 23rd - Ana



November 5 - Mara Valderran
November 5 - Matthew Graybosch - Interview and Giveaway
November 6 - Jamie Ayres - Interview
November 6 - Mandy Anderson - Excerpt and Giveaway
November 7 - Johanna Pitcairn - Giveaway
November 7 - Ayden Morgen - 10 Rules for Surviving Encardia
November 8 - Brinda Berry - Biggest Distractions and Giveaway
November 8 - Jaycee DeLorenzo
November 9 - Jessica Wentz - Interview and Giveaway

November 10 - My Blog - Giveaway (ebook FADE, ebook WILD AT HEART VOL2, Romance Trading Cards, THE TRUTHS ABOUT DATING AND MATING-signed paperback)

November 12 - Susie Levine - Giveaway
November 12 - Thea Gregory
November 13 - Kay Froebel
November 13 - Nicole Zoltack - My Favorite Lines
November 14 - Carlyle Pretorius
November 14 - Charity Bradford - Giveaway
November 15 - Talynn Lynn - Giveaway
November 16 - Amanda Foody - Interview
November 16 - Mike Robinson - Excerpt

November 17 - My Blog - Giveaway (ebook ZOMBIE BEDTIME STORIES 1-3, ebook WOMAN OF HONOR, ebook BROKEN DESTINY)

November 19 - Krystalyn Drown
November 20 - Raine Thomas - Excerpt
November 20 - Jessa Russo - Review
November 21 - Vicki Trask
November 22 - Christina McKnight
November 23 - Carrie Slager - Interview

November 24 - My Blog - Giveaway (THE GREEN-EYED MONSTER, ebook BECOMING, ebook EVER)

November 26 - Farrah Sayyed - Interview
November 26 - Debra Kristi - Interview
November 27 - Felicia Wetzig - Interview and Giveaway
November 27 - James Wymore -
November 28 - Carolyn Brown
November 29 - Dawna Raver - Review
November 29 - Sylvia van Bruggen - Interview
November 30 - Lisa Collicutt - Review

December 1 - My Blog - Giveaway (MINDSCREENS, THE GATHERING DARKNESS and Swag)

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Paradise Earth

Another cover reveal? Really?

Yes. It's true. Curiosity Quills is pumping out the beautiful covers, and I'm here with the cover of fellow author, Anthony Mathenia's, Paradise Earth.

This novel releases December 21st from Curiosity Quills Press!



When the ground quakes and blazing balls of fire fall from the sky, a religious sect interprets it as the fulfillment of long-held prophecies foretelling the end of the world. The members flee to their religious sanctuary, believing that this global cataclysm is the portent of a new paradise of eternal happiness.

Inside, one cold and starving man struggles to hold onto his hope for the future. He’s sacrificed everything for his faith in the prophecy, including his family. As the tortuous night drags on, he struggles to hold onto his hope for the future and grapples with a lifetime of beliefs, and expectations. If he survives to see the paradise earth, will it be worth it?

Interesting release for the day the world is supposed to end, huh?



Anthony Mathenia is a novelist and freelance writer. He has a weekly romance serial titled Happiness: How to Find It published on curiosityquills.com and a weekly offbeat travel column on Vagobond.com. Paradise Earth: Day Zero is his debut novel. He was raised in a religious cult and sincerely apologizes for waking you up on Saturday morning in order to recruit you.

 

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Live Interview with Susie

So, as many of you know, Wilde's Meadow releases November 5th!

Last week, I sat down with Susie Levine (from Reviews by Sus), and we had a fun chat about what you should expect from the last book in my Darkness Falls trilogy.

Hopefully you'll enjoy this interview as much as we did!



Happy endings are hard to find, and even though Katriona is in the middle of a war with someone who’s already stolen more than she can replace, she aches for a positive future with her Draíochtans.

Armed with hope, confidence in her abilities, and a strange new gift from her mother, Kate ventures into the Darkness to defeat a fallen god.

Losses add up, and new obstacles rise to stand in the way. Is the one determined to bring Encardia light strong enough to keep fighting, or will all the sacrifices to stop those who seek domination be for nothing?

 

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Sanity Vacuum #CoverReveal

Hi, guys! I'm taking a break from the Haunted Clinic and Contest to bring you another amazing cover from the team at Curiosity Quills!

Sanity Vacuum (by Thea Gregory) releases December 6th!



Vivian Skye just finished university, and qualified for her first-choice internship. Not many would consider the distant and isolated Extra-Galactic Observatory cushy, but it’s a dream come true for Vivian. Hailing from the low-tech planet of Aurora, she studied hard for this opportunity—and to leave her old life, and planet behind.

Her assignment is simple: perform a routine upgrade for the station’s supercomputer, quIRK. Her reception isn’t a friendly one, and eccentric quIRK becomes her only friend. However, the station’s administrator, Bryce Zimmer is obsessed with quIRK—he suspects that the station’s computer may have achieved sentience, something explicitly prohibited by the ABACUS Protocol. Compounding their issues, Bryce’s traumatic and privileged past makes him distrust Vivian from the beginning. Desperate to keep control, he sabotages quIRK in order to eliminate Vivian. But, his plan threatens to consume the entire station and send them into the unknown void of intergalactic space.

Vivian must struggle to survive not only Bryce’s megalomania, but also the emerging artificial super intelligence that is quIRK. Can Vivian and quIRK learn to trust each other and work together, before it’s too late?

Sounds awesome, right?! I know I can't wait to read it!



Thea Gregory is a farm girl from English Western Quebec, a total nerd, and she loves science fiction, zombies and physics. Between marathon cooking sessions, her clerktastic day job, and part-time studies, she manages to find time to write. Author of the Zombie Bedtime Stories, her debut sci-fi novel, Sanity Vacuum releases December 6. Thea's blog can be found at http://nerdygnome.wordpress.com

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