Just finishing the first round of copy edits for Avelynn2!
So… close. 😉
I was fortunate enough to visit Blue Heron Books in Uxbridge, Ontario this past Thursday, June 23rd for their annual event Babes Shop Brock. What a hoot that was! I signed copies with my amazing Viking guests and chatted with all the wonderful shoppers strolling along Brock St. If you haven’t had a chance to check out this quaint bookseller (voted number #1 Independent Bookseller in Canada) you’re missing out! Tell them Marissa sent you. 😀
Here’s some photos from the event.
And always, don’t forget to support your local independent booksellers!
In gratitude,
Marissa xo
Ladies and gentlemen, I give you a fall 2016 release date for Avelynn 2!
St. Martin’s Press has opted not to exercise their first rights of refusal on the second book in the Avelynn series, and rather than shopping it out to smaller presses, I have decided to self publish the remaining titles in the series!
The publication team is full steam ahead, and we are working towards cover design and final edits to get Avelynn 2 out this fall! BUT I don’t have a title!
I’m giving away a $25 Amazon Gift Card, a signed copy of the original manuscript, and an awesome printed poster to the winning entry (picked by moi). So, get those ideas jumping.
Up for grabs! A signed copy of the original manuscript! |
To help you in your quest for the best new title in the Avelynn series, here for the first time ever is the thrilling cover copy for this exciting new book:
It’s the year 871. Charges of treason, murder, and witchcraft follow Avelynn into exile as she flees England with Alrik. Arriving in Wales, they find refuge among Alrik’s friends in the Welsh nobility. Cast out by his half-brothers, Alrik seeks to regain his honor and earn favor with the gods. When war threatens, Alrik embraces gold and the opportunity for his crew to become mercenaries, aiding the Southern Welsh kings in their fight against Rhodri the Great.
Desperate to return home, Avelynn seeks to find a way to prove her innocence, pitting her against Alrik as their desires for the future clash. With battle looming, Avelynn’s faith in their relationship is further tested through a bitter struggle with Marared, a jealous lover from Alrik’s past. Marared’s threats turn deadly, and Avelynn runs afoul of magic and sorcery, causing her to question her beliefs and role as priestess.
When the very friends Avelynn and Alrik had come to trust betray them, Avelynn is captured and Alrik is charged with regicide. The two become separated, a chasm of greed, deceit, and ambition driving them apart. In an act of harrowing faith, Avelynn will stop at nothing to find her way back to Alrik and break them both free from Wales’ bloodthirsty grasp.
Good luck!
Did #Vikings have scissors? Why, yes. Yes, they did.
An excerpt from #Avelynn2
“Tell me what to do.” Angharad surveyed the room.
I pulled out the vellum and, using a pair of scissors, cut two small sections away. I handed her one, kept the other piece, and placed the rest back in my satchel.
My photo from the #Viking Exhibit at the Canadian Museum of History #Ottawa
In gratitude,
Marissa xo
An excerpt from #Aveynn2. Perhaps Avelynn would drink from a vessel such as these.
The smell of meat and broth filled the cottage with a warm robust scent, and my stomach growled. Over the hearth, a heavy iron cauldron rested on its tripod, a brew of thick bubbling stew simmered within. A platter of bread trenchers sat on the table. A jug of wine and two fine glass beakers had been set beside them. I smiled at Angharad’s thoughtfulness. I’d eaten little since I broke my fast this morning at St. Dogmael’s.
My photos from the #Viking Exhibit at the Canadian Museum of History #Ottawa
In gratitude,
Marissa xo
I have a wild event planned for Uxbridge, Ontario on Saturday, March 5th!
I’ll be at Blue Heron Books from 2-4pm. And I’m bringing friends. 😀
Since I’m going to be signing copies of Avelynn, I wanted to showcase the rich historical detail outlined in the book. In order to do that, I needed Vikings.
So, I found some wonderful young men who were willing to hangout at the store on March 5th, shirtless, whilst handing out chocolate and posing with fans.
In anticipation of the event, I had a photo shoot to give everyone a little taste of what to look forward to. Here’s a little behind the scenes peek into what my Saturday night looked like.
Hope to see everyone at Blue Heron Books on March 5th!
So much fun, I cannot wait until the 5th!
In gratitude,
Marissa xo
Here’s a sneak peek at a post I wrote for Relentless Writers! Check it out to read the full article. xoxo
THE END
Two of my favourite words. To a writer, they are the culmination of days, months, or years of blood, sweat, and tears. But they are misleading. We write them, sit back, and revel in our cleverness, in our determination, our grit, our savvy, our persistence, and our sheer magnificent brilliance. It could grace the page of a blog post, social media blast, short story, novella, screenplay, or novel. Writing THE END feels incredible, but it’s just another beginning. THE END is the start of EDITING.
I recently attended Bookapalooza, which is a really cool venue in my hometown where local authors get together and sell their wares. There were speakers and panels and celebrity guest authors. I was honoured to sit on a panel with fellow romance authors Molly O’Keefe and Mary Sullivan. These ladies are veterans. They’ve written a lot of books. They’ve been doing this a long time. Avelynn is my debut historical romance. I was the newb in the room, but they welcomed me with open arms. I was humbled and thrilled to sit at the table beside them. *girlie fan crush moment over* Back to my point: one of the audience members asked the panel a question, “What do you like better, writing or editing?”
Click here for the remainder of this fabulous article. 😀
In gratitude,
Marissa xo
As a huge thank you to all the wonderful people who have purchased a copy of Avelynn, I am running a Monster Avelynn Swag Giveaway!
You must have purchased a copy (either ebook or paperback) of Avelynn to enter. If you haven’t purchased your copy yet, the contest will stay open until December 31st. Lots of time to get in your Christmas shopping! 😀
Included in the prize lot: T-shirt (size medium or large), mug, mouse pad, notebook, pen, two bookmarks, and two Avelynn cover magnets.
Also included is a necklace with a Prosperity Rune engraved on the pewter pendant.
You can earn BONUS entries by posting a review to one of the book sites listed. Post to all 5 sites and earn an extra entry!
Good Luck!
To enter the contest click here: a Rafflecopter giveaway
Terms and conditions will apply. Contest open to North American Residents only. 🙂
In gratitude,
Marissa xo