Author Guest Post: Charlotte Blackwell

Please help me welcome the author of the Embrace Series,

Charlotte Blackwell

Author Links:
Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Book Trailer

Hello to all the readers of A Book and A Latte, thank you for having me here.

My name is Charlotte Blackwell the author of The Embrace Series. My young adult paranormal romances first released this summer with book one Immortal Embrace. I have been releasing more books in the series about every two months. Forbidden Embrace was the exciting follow up to book one, and most recently Mystic Embrace which just released this month. Mystic Embrace is my favourite thus far and is filled with action and emotions that I think will surprise everyone.

The Embrace Series is about a vampire and her family learning to love and trust others. Along the way they find strong bonds to a family of witches and even a few mortals. Together they all hope to find happiness and meaning to life ever after. Of course happiness never comes without a fight, and they take on all the challenges thrown at them in hopes that they can protect and save the innocent.

I wrote this series with my children in mind. I wanted to make sure I have some important messages for teens and adults alike, and if my books can open up the lines of communication all the better. I have loved the supernatural since I was young and The Embrace Series allows me the opportunity to live in my own little supernatural universe.

I began writing professionally only a few years ago and have been on a whirlwind ride ever since. Writing has helped me to realize that anything is possible as long as you believe. Through writing I’ve found myself and something I love to do. Although I’m new to the world of writing, I have tons of aspiring authors looking to me for advice. The best I can do is share some of the things my mentors shared with me.

1. Always continue to improve your writing and learn how you can do better.
2. Research, do your research when searching for agents, publishers or those many of us consider to be of higher being. LOL, yeah that was my attempt at a funny.
3. Keep reading and keep writing.
4. Believe in yourself and your work. If you don’t believe in it, how can you expect someone else too?
5. And my favourite, there is no new ideas only extensions or variations of old ideas, do your best to make it your own.

So for all you aspiring writers, I hope my few small words of advice helps. I also hope you all join the readers that have already become Embraced and enjoy my debut series about vampires, witches and a whole lot of supernatural mixed into our world. Currently I'm working on a fourth book in the series, which should be available early 2012.

Thank you Charlotte for stopping by to tell us about your Embrace Series, and to share your encouraging advice to aspiring writers. Here's the synopsis for Immortal Embrace, the first book in the series:

Sophia Pierce has suffered since her brother left, and is unsure if she will ever get over it. That is until her family decided to move to Wenham, Massachusetts. Her and her siblings have been ordered to protect their little sister, and must return to High school. This is where Sophia finds her soul mate Nathanial and life as she knows it is about to change.

As a vampire, Sophia has always kept to herself, but as a high school student will she learn to step out of her comfort zone a little? Sophia has found a best friend in a powerful witch and a love to call her own. That is until something tragic happens and blood is spilled. Will Sophia be able to resist the sweet scent of her beloved's blood?

This is Sophia's story, a story of a girl who finds herself, love and everlasting friendship. The excitement of this story wraps mortals, vampires, witches, and shape shifters all into a romantic tale of young love, friendship, the meaning of family. The story of a girl who tries to finds herself when she thought it was all lost. (Goodreads)

Blog Tour: Crossroads by Mary Ting & Giveaway

Today A Book and a Latte has a special guest! Please help me welcome the author of Crossroads, Mary Ting.


Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

About the author: 
Mary Ting resides in Southern California with her husband and two children. She enjoys oil painting and making jewelry. Writing Crossroads was a way to grieve the death of her beloved grandmother. It was inspired by a dream she once had as a young girl. 

About Crossroads
by Mary Ting

I started writing Crossroads after my grandmother passed away about 3 years ago. When these characters came to life in my mind, along with the character Gamma, inspired by my grandmother, it was a way for me to heal. I decided to start from a dream I had in high school, chapter one. Chapter two is also based on my dream as well. I didn’t think I would have much to write about, but when I made Claudia to be more like me, it was easy. Her first car, her first job, her first experience at camping and her grandmother having a stroke was all part of me. Too bad Michael wasn’t real…lol!!!

Many people like Davin, which I’m really happy about because his character was inspired by my friend who passed away. He was very likable and was a best friend to all his friends. Patty is my friend from church. She is exactly how I described her, social butterfly who knows everything about her friends and fashion. I named Claudia after a student I once had many years ago. I can still picture her face, just like an angel. When I was much younger, I had a crush on a boy name Michael, but his character is based off my husband, protective, romantic, and silly at times. No… he doesn’t have wings…lol!!!

Though I was busy with work, being a wife, a mother, and PTA president, I would always find time to write, even if that meant typing while I was cooking or brushing my teeth. Crossroads was written for a fast, fun reading with likable characters. Many have emailed me to let me know how Crossroads has helped them escaped from their everyday stress. Also, how they’ve connected to this book because of chapter one, having a loved one passed away. I took on a journey not knowing how rewarding it would be for me. I’ve meet so many wonderful people from all over the world through facebook, goodreads and blog sites. I’ve made everlasting friendship where friendship knows no boundaries. And I have to thank my grandmother who continues to watch over me from Heaven.

[my review]

Claudia Emerson has a good friend who shares the same first name and last name. That friend unfortunately dies in a tragic accident during homecoming dance. Claudia is distraught at the loss of her friend, but is even more disturbed by her dreams, which seem to take her to another place called Crossroads. Unknown to her, Crossroads is like a second heaven, a place between heaven and earth. It is where the souls of humans in comas or near death experiences may wander. Where, Claudia meets Michael, a nephilim, a half angel, half human, whom she often meets in her dreams. It turns out that this isn’t her first visit to Crossroads, which is an enigma for no human can ever travel there until Claudia.

Now the fallen and demons are after her, suspecting she must be special and it is up to Michael and the other nephilims to protect her. Her dream becomes a nightmare as more secrets are revealed, about who she really is, and the true identities of the people she loves most. Can Michael fight his growing feelings for Claudia and protect her as a guardian angel should? (Goodreads)

Buy the book: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

As part of her stop here, Mary Ting is giving away a copy of Crossroads to one of A Book and a Latte's readers! To enter, fill out the rafflecopter below, then scroll down to enter the tour's grand prize.

Mary Ting is also generously giving away a signed copy of Crossroads, a Swarovski crystal heart necklace, and bracelet. Winner will be announced on September 28, 2011 on her blog! To enter, fill out the form at the link below.

Contest Form 

Many thanks to Mary Ting for stopping by on her tour!