Guest Post Below Unforgiven (Movie #1) by Kimberly Stedronsky and the BIG Indie-Credible Authors' Giveaway

Expected Publication: December 14th, 2013

Description:

Only one year from college graduation, Vivian Hale feels like she has pressed the fast forward to failure button. She has no idea how she ended up spending the summer in small town Pennsylvania. Working for minimum wage in the old trailer-turned-video-store, she is willing to do whatever it takes to make enough money to get a place of her own and pay the debt that she feels that she owes- anything, of course, but sacrifice her pride.

Back home for the first time in seven years, wealthy and powerful director Keaton Thorne is determined to survive one weekend with his family. As best man in his little brother’s wedding, he has one job- show up with his gorgeous wife. No problem… if they hadn’t separated six months ago.

Vivian knows the difference between right and wrong. 

Between moral and immoral… 

Between harmless… and dangerous. 

One night. One man.

One yes that could break her heart.

GUEST POST

Second Chances at Love 

Below Unforgiven (Movie Trilogy, Part One) is a new adult romance. Vivian Hale has moved to the small Pennsylvania town where her grandmother lives, trying to run from a love that left her broken hearted and an acting career that ended before it ever began. Academy Award winning LA director Keaton Thorn has returned to his family’s house for the first time in seven years for his little brother’s wedding, not expecting to find Vivian working in his sister’s trailer-turned-video-store. Vivian agrees to accompany Keaton to the wedding as his girlfriend, an acting gig that quickly becomes something more. 

Vivian is an emotional runner. Rather than dealing with the pain and grief of her loss, she closed the door on both her ex, Matthew, and their life together. Closure is something unfamiliar to her, and she refuses to deal with the emotions that left her broken. Matthew gives her space, allowing her to run to her grandmother and escape. He never anticipated that he’d lose her in the process.

Vivian quickly finds that love has no schedule, and doesn’t happen when most convenient. Keaton is nearly a decade older… unconventional, brash, and sarcastic, and going through a divorce. He lives in an entirely different world than she does. The spontaneous, dramatic side of her craves his impulsive, exciting nature, and within days she is captivated.

Suddenly, she is faced with a choice- doing what is easiest and most exciting, or dealing with a love that once consumed her entire heart? Can you truly love another person when you haven’t closed your heart to the first?

Below Unforgiven is about two kinds of love- one that is safe, secure, and unconditional… and one that is new, unstructured, and unplanned. Is she really being offered a second chance at love, or has the first been the better one all along, patiently waiting for her to heal?

Below Unforgiven is the first in a romance trilogy coming December 2013.

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Be sure to visit all blogs participating! We can find the schedule here or here. If you'll do it, you'll find new great authors and their work. Certainly they will be the future our stars!!!

Now, the generous Indie-Credible Authors' Giveaway

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Kimberly Stedronsky Interview and Giveaway (ICA part 3)

It's time for you to know more about Kimberly! So, please, read our interview:

What do you think most characterizes your writing?

I believe my writing is best personified by my character development, plot, and voice. My style has grown over the past year, and I tend to romanticize, allowing the reader to apply his or her own personality and idealism to my story. 

What is in your opinion the secret ingredient for a successful book?

I believe that the “secret ingredient” for a successful book is to touch many readers on a personal level. Basic human needs like love and belonging, safety, problem-solving, confidence, respect… they are universal. Including those aspects as the primary theme of a story will draw a reader into a world that she can identify with.

How do you feel about ebooks VS. print books and indie VS. “traditional” publishingg?\

I discovered indie books and our indie author community a few months after hitting “publish” for the first time. I actually had zero exposure to the indie author world. When I began researching my choice between self-publishing and traditional publishing, I discovered this entire community of bloggers, authors, and readers who love to interact, support, and encourage each other. Becoming part of this community has been the best part of publishing for me so far.

On your website you present yourself as “horror, new adult suspense romance thriller” author. Which do you think is the ideal proportion between romance, suspense and thriller?

Grouping my books into a specific genre ultimately had me wondering if listing what it wasn’t would be easier (not sci-fi, not western, lol, etc.) Ideally, I don’t think of the themes in proportions, but rather just develop the story based on the overall plot. While I love romance, I quickly get bored with too much angst or drama. Enter the suspense, thriller… and lately, horror. 

What do you think are the limits that an author should be influenced by the public reaction?

As long as the public influence is positive (encouraging different points of view or more of certain characters) I have no problem allowing the suggestions into my writing. However, I quickly had to learn that what pleases me may not please everyone. Ultimately, I write the story that I want to write. That is the true story.

I read Roam books’ descriptions and the one of Book #6 intrigued me! Now, I cannot wait to read them! Tell me did you have the entire series planned for the beginning or you build it gradually? How hard is it to handle such series?

Thank you, I’m glad it sounds intriguing!! Yes, I’ve had the entire story planned from the very beginning. I actually wrote the original story (what the prophecy is based off of) years ago in high school. The research, keeping track of the times, the moving back and forth in time- yes, it was difficult to remain organized, but with great notes I was able to stay on track. It really helps that the story itself is genuinely familiar to me, and I feel that I know all of the characters so well. The plot came naturally.

And having in mind the Roam series – what a happy ending means (for Roam and for you in general)? Why do we need happy endings?

Happy endings are so very important to me. I believe in them, both in fiction and in real life. They give us faith, optimism, and hope. Ultimately, I can promise that with every story I write, the series will end happy. That’s just the way I roll. J

Speaking of prolific writers: in 31st October and 14th of December you’ll publish two new books, both from distinct series. They seem so different from Roam books. How did you change the genre and why?

Eighth Note (Fire Ballad One) is a spin-off from the Roam Series, and it is a horror. The horror genre has always been one of my favorites (Stephen King will forever be in my top five favorite authors) so I’ve been anxious to start a horror series. Eighth Note will be released on October 31st.

Below Unforgiven (Movie Trilogy, Part One) will be released in December. This is a new adult romance. I know- gigantic genre jump! I didn’t consciously switch genres for any particular reason; the story has been close to me for a while, begging to be written. So I listened. Hope it works!

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Kimberly's Giveaway

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Guest Post Eighth Note (Fire Ballad #1) by Kimberly Stedronsky (ICA part 2)

Expected Publication: October 31st, 2013

Description:

Eva Reed saved the world. 

Actually, she saved two worlds, but who’s counting? 

Finding herself in the middle of present day suburbia, married and a mom at only twenty years old, she’s beyond bored. Even with her popular music blog and her handsome husband Will catering to her every impulse, she longs to use the incredible powers that she possesses.

But Earth is no place for magic.

When Cole Mathison arrives, asking for Eva’s help in solving the death of a famous pop star, she cannot resist the overwhelming pull to use her abilities again. 

Eva finds that there is more to the sinister murder than what the evidence shows. People who listen continue to die, and she must rely on her immortality to protect her from a frequency that is shattering minds and stopping hearts. 

There are forces at work that she could never have imagined...

And evil will be heard.

GUEST POST

Music and Levels of Consciousness 

Eighth Note (Fire Ballad One) is a spin-off, stand-alone horror series featuring Eva, Will, and Cole from the Roam Series. Eva’s power over music has led her to start a blog called Fire Ballad, where she interviews musicians and artists as well as reviews new albums and songs. 

Cole comes to her and asks for her help in solving the death of a famous pop star whom she interviewed, Nina Fayette. Their journey to the Catskills, New York, leads them to the star’s father, psychologist Dr. Gerald Fayette. 

He explains that though music, altered levels of consciousness have been achieved since the beginning of time. Long ago, in the deepest, most southern parts of India, music became a door between worlds. Music and religion spread across those lands, through Africa. Repetitive beats (drums) were used by slaves to preserve their religion, to meditate, and to remain loyal through worship. Specific rhythms were used to call upon gods. In Haiti, it is called Voodoo, in Brazil, Condomble, and in Cuba, Santeria. 

He suggests that altering these levels of subconscious opens up the possibility for entrainment- brainwave synchronization. His suggestion is that an external stimulus can alter the brain’s frequency. Ultimately, he studies hypnosis and meditation through music and frequency. 

The plot of Eighth Note revolves around this suggestion, and involves the use of auto-tuning in the music industry. Eva has the ability to bend sound and mix frequencies, and she fully understands that our universe holds just as much evil as it does good. What if these frequencies are opening our consciousness, leaving us vulnerable to an evil that is simply waiting on the wings, preying to get in to our minds? 

And… what if that evil does get in?

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Indie-Credible Authors Tour: Kimberly Stedronsky (part1)

It is our pleasure to be part of Indie Credible Authors event!

And it's a bigger honor to present you today a wonderful author and person: 

KIMBERLY STEDRONSKY

 you must come back because today we'll  have a lot to tell you about Kimberly and her works 

(and two great giveaways)
Guest Post Eighth Note HERE
Interview and Giveaway HERE
Guest Post Below Unforgiven and the (huge) Indie-Credible Authors' Giveaway HERE

Kimberly Stedronsky is an Ohio author who prefers an epic love story. As a child, she began with crayons and eventually upgraded to a Commodore 64. When she was not playing the floppy disc version of the Summer and Winter Olympic games, she spent her youth journaling, writing poetry, and working on the several million baby stories growing in her overactive imagination.

First published in 7th Grade in the Kent State University literary magazine, she entered and won several writing contests through her school’s Power of the Pen program. Continuing to write fiction throughout high-school, she then collided with a wall of writer’s block until July of 2012.

Roam was her first published novel. She aspires to write not only adult and new adult romance, but paranormal romance, thrillers, suspense, comedy and horror… and eventually, a children’s series. Maybe all in one. She holds a degree in Early Childhood Education, which she uses as an excuse to be as immature as possible on a daily basis.

Kimberly is married to a stand-up comedian Marine veteran, and their three children are appropriately sarcastic.

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We'll start with her great series:

ROAM

Roam is about an ancient prophecy, a mythical world, soul mates, reincarnation... sounds like something we all are interested in

Guest Post
Time Travel and Past Lives

The predominant plot in the Roam Series involves time travel and past lives. Our hero, West Perry, is an immortal who has been given seven chances- seven lifetimes- to find our heroine, Roam Camden. Roam is born again, and in each lifetime, faces the dangerous prophecy that threatens her life- and the life of her unborn child. 

The notion that one could travel through time to their own past life has always intrigued me. Years ago I read a book called Many Lives, Many Masters by Brian L. Weiss for a high-school research paper. Weiss was the head of the psychiatric department at the Mount Sinai Medical Center in Miami Beach. He describes a patient plagued by anxiety, depression, and phobias. Through hypnosis, he helped the patient remember repressed childhood traumas, as well as eighty-six past lives. 

Being sixteen years old, I was utterly intrigued by the accounts and began researching hypnosis and psychiatry, and that eventually led to learning about world religions and reincarnation. The seed for Roam’s tale was planted long ago as I wrote out the initial story of a castle, a king, a queen, and a kingdom called Icepond. 

The original story ended in the queen’s death. After my readings about past lives, I began to ask… what if? What if no story ever really ends? What if what we take the pieces of an essential puzzle from one life, constructing who we become in our next lifetime? 

In each of the six lifetimes, West finds Roam… he finds her soul, reincarnated into different faces, different names, but always her. Ultimately, the story of Roam and West beg the question… Is there such a thing as a love… that can last forever?

West Perry has spent his existence searching for- and finding- Roam Camden. In every lifetime that he has found her, he has set out to save her- and in turn, save our world. He has failed six times throughout history to protect her from an immortal evil. Now, in their last life together, seventeen-year-old Roam discovers a way to travel through time and try again, knowing she must save herself, the man that she loves... and the life of their unborn child.

After learning that her life’s purpose is to fulfill a prophecy to save our world, Roam finds that she is pregnant- and missing the love of her life with all of her heart. Logan, her best friend, stands by her, helping her to find a way back to West… despite his own love for her.

On a journey that will take her to another body and life in 1955 and, eventually, to another world, Roam will discover that before she can rise and protect our world and her child from an immortal evil…

She must fall.

Roam, imprisoned in an ancient land and left to the mercy of Troy's cruel reign, longs for freedom, her child, and West. Surviving with only Logan's presence to save her from certain insanity, she turns to herself and finds that she alone possesses the strength and power to save her own life.

Deep within her soul, Roam remembers her timeless love for West and their child. Drawn together for the final battle, Roam and West cling to each other… and the promise of one last life…

Together.

Logan Rush had everything that he had ever wanted until the day his world was shaken by an ancient prophecy.

Now, with the painful coordinates etched into his arm and nightmares convincing him to kill the girl that he loves, he struggles to redeem his immortal, evil soul.

Violet settles into his heart when he least expects her, giving him purpose and a reason to love again. Finally reunited after the horrors of the castle, they plan for their lives together as husband and wife.

A stranger arrives, his intentions made clear as Logan is forced to acknowledge that his past is gone…

But can never be forgotten.

WEST is a short Novella, told completely from West's point of view, during the first book in the Roam Series.

I tried to resist her. She was smarter this time.

Naive.

Needing. 

Nothing good could come of this, of her in my arms again, her breath on my lips, her body beneath me.

I knew what I needed to do. I knew what I had to do. Everything would be different this time, this seventh life, this last chance. I had a path... a remedy... a plan.

Until the moment I touched her again.

Since Eva's birth, Will has done everything in his power to protect her from harm. Icepond, burning slowly from the overwhelming power of two suns, must turn to its king for survival. Eva has known of the prophecy all of her life and understands the decision she must face. When Will comes to Eva as the sun threatens his kingdom and his people, asking her to live in Icepond, Eva demands that she be more than a savior to his world... she will settle for nothing less than queen.

The king of Icepond struggles to shield his heart from his own young, fiery queen, realizing what he has truly known from the moment he saved her infant life one cold, snowy night...

He was destined to love her.

Long ago, the betrothal of a beautiful princess to a young, powerful king was set to unite kingdoms for centuries. Mina and Troy, from the moment they touch, fall into a love that will eventually ignite a timeless vengeance between two worlds.

Roam, now a wife, mother, and warrior with memories never forgotten, is thrust into her ancient life with Troy. West, first knight to the king, and Logan, the king's own brother, have fallen into the past... with no hope of return.

Sent back not only into this very first life, but also back into time, Roam, West, Logan, and Troy will realize that, from the very beginning...

They created their very own end.

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