Enduring Light

I'm excited to reveal the book description for Enduring Light! I can't believe I'm working on the last book of the Afterglow Trilogy, but I'm looking forward to sharing the final chapter of Charlotte and Kevin's story. I plan to have a cover reveal later this summer.

Fighting darkness takes light.

Desperate to save James, Charlotte scours Energo for answers with Calvin and Liam at her side. Kevin and Samantha head to Alaska to find the one item that might destroy Blake, but the search is only the beginning.

As time runs out, Charlotte and Kevin discover that keeping Energo from eternal darkness will take a sacrifice no one expects.

I also wanted to share an awesome song that Jess from Lover of Paranormal shared with me that reminded her of the series-- and I have to agree with her, it fits it perfectly :)

If you haven't already, check out the Afterglow Blog Tour hosted by A Tale of Many Reviews. The tour features posts, interviews, reviews, and giveaways and will run May 14-18th. Be sure to stop back by here next Monday when I'll post the book description for Enduring Light (Book three of the Afterglow Trilogy)!

Afterglow Trilogy Blog Tour

Nostalgia and Flight

I've been feeling very nostalgic lately. Writing a book set where you went to college will do that to you. People always say to write what you know, and with the Crescent Chronicles I am doing just that. 


While writing the first draft of Flight, I remembered an odd experience from college. At a party at a so-called Vampire bar in the French Quarter, I witnessed a wedding. After watching the fanged bride and groom drink a red liquid from a chalice I asked my then boyfriend (and now husband) whether the couple really believed they were vampires. He responded with a smile, "Why, does that scare you?" I denied it but really he wasn't too far off. Like Allie, the main character in Flight, I experienced New Orleans for the first time at eighteen. Growing up in the suburbs of New York, I had no idea what to expect from the Crescent City, and the city never stopped surprising me during the four years I lived there. Although I never met any paranormal creatures (or at least I don't think I did :) ) there are a lot of personal experiences buried in this story. I can't wait to share Flight with everyone. I plan to release it by early September but I'll update with an exact date soon. 


Also, Julie at A Tale of Many Reviews is organizing a cover reveal for Flight on June 4th. The cover was designed by Claudia of Phatpuppy Art and I can't wait to show it off. If you want to participate, you can sign up here ATOMR

Flight (The Crescent Chronicles) 

Sometimes you just have to take flight.

A summer in New Orleans is exactly what Allie needs before starting college. Accepting her dad’s invitation to work at his hotel offers an escape from her ex-boyfriend and the chance to spend the summer with her best friend. Meeting a guy is the last thing on her mind—until she sees Levi.

Unable to resist the infuriating yet alluring Levi, Allie finds herself at the center of a supernatural society and forced to decide between following the path she has always trusted or saving a city that might just save her.

Add to goodreads

Behind the Gate Interviews: Jessica from Lover of Paranormal

Today I have the pleasure of welcoming Jessica from the blog Lover of Paranormal to Behind the Gate Interviews. If you haven't already checked it out, Lover of Paranormal is a fantastic book blog with a focus on paranormal and indie books but that also includes other genres and traditionally published books as well. It's a great source for reviews, interviews and giveaways— definitely a blog to follow!

1) What made you decide to create a blog dedicated to indie writers?

At first it was the price. Being a single momma really limits the amount I can spend on books. However, at the time I had no clue the reason why these amazing books were so cheap. I was new to the whole “E-Book” world and just assumed it was because I wasn’t getting anactual hard copy. When I grasped the reason, I was completely blown away. It just seemed unfair that these really great books weren’t lining the bookshelves in book stores around the world. I found out quickly that I was not the only one who felt this way. So the blog was a way to help promote these authors and a place where we “indie-lovers” can discuss these fantastic books.

2) What is it about paranormal and fantasy books that you enjoy so much?

I love the escape that the paranormal genre offers. We live in a harsh world, filled with unforgiving realities.  When I read a good book, I get to transport myself into a different world, where anything is possible. I get to go on journeys and watch the struggles and triumphs of my favorite characters, while cheering them on or crying with them. It is incredible.

3) Was there a particular book that turned you onto reading? What are some of your all-time favorites?

The Hobbit was the novel that turned me on to reading at an early age. All-time favorite would have to be The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, followed closely Pride and Prejudice. 

4) What do you look for in a good book?

Imagery is very important to me.If I can’t visualize the surroundings it limits my ability to engross myself into a book.  Of course, the charactershave to be relatable and convincing of their roles as well. The plot is important but I have found that if I can lose myself in the settings and lovethe characters, I am willing to go on any journey the author has planned in theplot.  

5) Do you share your love of reading with yourchildren? What do you they think of your blog?

Absolutely! Well, with my daughter. My 8 y/o son is missing the “reading gene” so far. He prefers to beread to. Emily, on the other hand, is as in love with reading as I am. I feelso blessed that I have someone so close to share this passion with. We will spend hours in a bookstore together, it is something special her and I share. She is only 10 y/o so I don’t let her read the YA Paranormal Romances that I favor, but when she is a little older I will have killer collection of books for her!  

6) If you found a hidden gate in your backyard,where would it lead to?

*Sigh* If only! It would probably lead to a place eerily similar to Energo… with a much older Calvin waiting on the other side! 

 
7)  Tell us four random things about yourself.

    Ehhh…I am a bit of a strange one and a huge nerd at heart (not the smart kind), so try to excuse my lame-ness…

1. My favorite comfort food is Beef Ramon Noddle (crushed) with Salt and Vinegar chips as my spoon. I know I know, sounds gross. But I LOVE IT!

2. I will purposely look for ways to use Will Ferrell movie quotes in everyday conversation and then am disappointed when noone gets it.

3. Water-logged, wrinkly fingers, touching me… gives me chill bumps while simultaneously making me want to scream.

4. I  ALWAYS get the giggles in the absolute worse possible situations; it is seriously hardwired in my brain to laugh at the wrong time.

Thanks for coming by Jess and for having such a great blog! We have very similar taste in books, Lord of the Rings and Pride and Prejudice are also some my favorites. I totally understand the giggle problem, I do the same thing sometimes.

Be sure to check out Lover of Paranormal and to follow on Facebook, Twitter and Google+

Perilous Light Now Available

Perilous Light, Book Two of the Afterglow Trilogy, is now available on the Kindle, Nook, and in paperback! :)

One of the best novels I’ve read this entire year. I absolutely adore Alyssa’s writing style, her characters, her story line, and basically everything about this book. Just read it and you’ll see what I mean. ~ Danica Page (Taking It One Page at a Time)


Perilous Light makes me want to have my own Guard, go fight the bad guys and help save Energo! This series is truly awesome and I can't wait to see how it all ends in the final book, Enduring Light! ~ Queen of teen fiction

The New Faces of Beckoning and Perilous Light

I wanted to share the newest covers for Beckoning and Perilous Light!! I had some issues with the previous covers and took the opportunity to work with Claudia of Phatpuppy Art to get some amazing new covers for the series. I promise no more cover changes after this :)

Kiev and a Perilous Light Excerpt!

In Perilous Light, Charlotte gets the chance to see her favorite band, Kiev, play. Featured on Liam's Playlist from Beckoning Light, Kiev's sound is often described as a more jazzy and eclectic Radiohead. They are based out of L.A. and recently won the Best Indie Band award at the Orange County Music Awards. I thought I'd share a video of Kiev and a short excerpt from Charlotte's first chapter in Perilous Light.

“How was your coffee date?”

“I had fun hanging out with Liam,” I snapped. I was overwhelmed enough with my feelings for Calvin, I didn’t need James trying to make me feel guilty about spending time with Liam.

James laughed. “Okay, fine. I already know you were only there to fuel your coffee addiction. It isn’t healthy, you know.”

“I’m not addicted to coffee.” I wasn’t about to admit my weakness to James.

Thankfully, we passed the rest of the two-minute drive in silence. James parked the car in my driveway. “I have another birthday gift for you.” His eyes danced with excitement as he ran his hands through his dirty blond hair. He had let his hair grow out, and he seemed more comfortable. I think he enjoyed no longer having to pretend to be someone else.

“Another?” Turning toward him, I let the door I had just pushed open close again. Over the past few weeks, James had given me a bunch of gifts. He handed me an envelope. I opened it slowly, not sure what to expect. “Wow, seriously?” I eyed the two tickets. “You got Kiev tickets? But wait…” My excitement waned as I realized the tickets were for a small venue I had never been to because it was strictly eighteen and up.

“What?” James asked with the barest hint of a smile.

“I can’t get in there. I’m underage, and unlike you, I don’t have a fake ID.”

“You don’t?” James grinned as he slid something into my palm.

I looked down to see a South Carolina driver’s license with someone else’s name. “You got me a fake ID?” I wasn’t really surprised. James might take his role of Guardian seriously, but he never really understood or cared about a lot of the laws in my world.

“Of course I did. It wasn’t exactly difficult. So we should be all set for Friday night. In case you were wondering, the second ticket is for me.”

“Yeah, I figured that much. But James, do you realize how much trouble I’ll get in if I get caught?”

“Well, then, it’s a good thing you won’t be getting caught.”


Perilous Light is now up on Goodreads!