Category Archives: Announcement

Release Giveaway and Interview

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Release Blog Tour: Interview & Giveaway

Posted: 04 Jan 2013 05:00 AM PST

YA Fantasy
Release Date: December 10, 2012

After uniting the shifters and calling in reinforcements, Chase has to face his toughest challenge yet: learning to control his emotions. But as tensions rise and his powers grow, controlling his emotions becomes the least of his problems.

Terrorized by a multi-shifter who is hell-bent on turning him, Chase questions just how far he’s willing to go to stop his father. Meanwhile, Tiki’s virtuous nature has placed him in the middle of Vincent’s past, leaving Chase to oppose a senate of vampires and defend a demon he hates.

Trying to balance his friends, his enemies, and his inner demons, Chase is left searching for answers about the Mark, his destiny, and where he can find the next soul piece. Stopping Riley is his top priority, but as more obstacles arise, he finds himself doubting all the decisions he’s made – especially regarding Rayna.

One thing is for certain: Chase has finally realized that he doesn’t know anything. The light doesn’t always quell the darkness, the monsters don’t always stay in the shadows, and the past doesn’t always stay in the past – sometimes, the demons inside are the hardest to fight.


When did you begin writing?

I’ve always loved writing, but I started writing fiction about two years before I published Exiled. That was the story that really just took me by storm and put the writing bug in me.

Have you ever been discouraged in regard to your writing ability and if so, how did you get past it and move forward?

All the time. I’m so back and forth with it, sometimes I think I’m crazy. Maybe that doubt comes with the territory? You’re always seeking the next level of validation.

What’s your favorite thing about writing?

I love being able to disappear into another world, and know there are no limits. Anything that comes to my mind, I can amplify and create into something bigger, scarier, more beautiful. I love that all I need is my imagination to fabricate something I *hope* people will enjoy.

What is your writing style? Do you like to outline or just write as you go?

This varies from book to book. I don’t know if it will always be this way, but right now I think I’m still trying to find where I fit. Each story requires something different, and I try to be relaxed in that approach.

Do you have a favorite spot where you like to write?

I love writing with my laptop at the kitchen table, after everyone’s gone to bed. Sometimes I get all cramped up there since my table is high, and then I have this really comfortable chaise lounger that I love to sit on. It’s perfect.

What is something you’ve written that will never see the light of day?

Any and all of the poetry I’ve written.

What is your writer food?

Cereal! And Candy. Specifically, Milk Duds.

What inspires you to write?

Everything. But the original inspiration came from telling my daughter bedtime stories. That’s what pushed me to try writing a book, and it’s what has kept me going. Those bedtime stories showed me a passion for story telling I never knew I had.

Would you say you relate to any of your characters? If so, which one and why?

On some level, I relate to all of them. But mostly, Chase. His mindset and thought process works just as mine did when I was a teenager. It doesn’t matter who tells you anything, you always think you’re right and you always learn things the hard way. Sometimes the really hard way.

What’s the hardest thing about writing for you?

Getting out of my own way. I over think things and get inside my own head. Regularly, it destroys all my motivation and takes me time to step back out and get into story telling mode. I really am my own worst enemy.

What authors do you like to read?

Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child, J.K. Rowling, and I’ve recently discovered a love for Stephen King.

This or that. Sweet or Salty?

Sweet!

If you were deserted on an island, which author would you want to be stranded with?

Either J.K. Rowling, or Stephen King. I’d have endless books…err sand-written stories?

About the Author
 M.R. Merrick is a Canadian writer and author of The Protector Series, a Young Adult mash-up between Urban and Epic Fantasy. Having never traveled, he adventures to far off lands through his imagination and in between cups of coffee. As a music lover and proud breakfast enthusiast, he’s usually found at the computer between a pair of headphones and in front of a large bowl of cereal.
                            Exiled (Protector #1)           Shift (Protector #2)
Grande Prize Pack (3 Winners)
 3x Signed paperbacks (Exiled, Shift, Release)
3x Signed 8×10 posters (Exiled, Shift, Release)
5x Bookmarks
1x Notebook (Winner’s choice of cover)
1x Magnet
 
Runner-up Prize Pack (5 Winners)
1x Signed paperback (Winner’s choice of Exiled, Shift, or Release) with signed poster
1x bookmark (Winner’s choice)
1x Magnet
   
 
Secondary Prizes A (10 Winners)
Release eBooks
  Secondary Prize B (10 Winners)
1x bookmark (winner’s choice)
1x The Protector magnet
 Winners will be chosen as follows: First 3 names drawn from Rafflecopter will get the grand prize. The following 5 names get the runner-up prize. The following 10 names win ebook copies of Release, and the final 10 names win the swag pack.
There will also be multiple opportunities to win signed paperbacks, signed posters, notebooks, swag packs, and bookmarks throughout the tour on both Twitter (@MRMerrick) and Facebook Fan Page .

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway is now closed. Winners will be notified.

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ARCHOS TABLET MEGA-GIVEAWAY

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This post comes from http://ladaray.wordpress.com, so  to leave any comment, please go  to: THE EARTH SHIFTER Launch & ARCHOS TABLET Super-Giveaway!

EARTH SHIFTER MASTER

Join the epic EARTH SHIFTER quest, and enter a new world!

PLEASE HELP SPREAD THE WORD!

Yes, it’s finally here!

Priced at an affordable $2.99, THE EARTH SHIFTER ebook is now live at:

Smashwords    

Amazon US   UK   CA   DE   ES   IT   FR   JP   BR  

THE EARTH SHIFTER Goodreads page

Barnes & Noble Nook  Nook UK (Note, I’ve de-linked BN links due to the fact that the Nook site is experiencing technical difficulties and ebooks don’t seem to be uploading right. As they fix it, I’ll re-link the book.)

It is also coming shortly to Apple, Sony, Kobo, Diesel, and other ebook retailers. All buy links, as usual, will be posted at my official website LadaRay.com. For those who have asked me, paperback is planned for 2013, date TBD.

Synopsis:

Mankind would never know how close it came to annihilation on June 30, 1908. Somewhere in the murky depths of the Cosmos, the Comet of Karma is born. When all hope fades, it is sent to planet Earth, its sole mission to wipe out a failing civilization. It has happened before, and it can happen again. Except this time, the Earth Keepers would not interfere.

The Comet of Karma tasked with destroying a failing civilization… The Earth Keepers endowed with supreme powers over the planet and agonizing over the ultimate decision… The Protectors risking their lives to keep the world intact… A beautiful brunette with hidden agenda, who is infinitely more than anyone knows… Two ambitious and unscrupulous men, who’ll stop at nothing… Global secret society bent on usurping power on Earth… A woman, ready to betray in order to save her son… Old spy organization with a secret human weapon… The Shifters, with power over mind, matter, time and space… 

And three teenagers, two of whom are destined to become mankind’s salvation—the all-powerful KEY of DESTINY. They will open a new era for Humanity, if they succeed in keeping their souls uncorrupted… and if they manage to come together before it’s too late.

Book category: fantasy historical, fantasy contemporary, YA crossover, geopolitical/spy thriller, visionary/metaphysical, epic/quest

THE EARTH SHIFTER is a true YA crossover suitable for most readers, teen through adult.

Word Count: 103,900. Page count: 400

Explore the world of THE EARTH SHIFTER:

The Epic Journey Begins: characters/setting/excerpts galore

THE EARTH SHIFTER Mystical Setting: Lake Baikal, Siberia

THE EARTH SHIFTER Release Countdown: Excerpt 2

THE EARTH SHIFTER: Excerpt 1

..

ANNOUNCING!

ARCOS Tablet Giveaway

As mentioned above, THE EARTH SHIFTER is priced at only $2.99 (or Euro/UK equivalent) as an ebook so that as many people as possible could easily afford to read and enjoy it. My immediate goal is to sell 15,000 ebooks in a relatively short period of time.

This giveaway is a thank you to my readers and fans for their readership and support. No purchase is required; I am equally grateful to all those who would buy and enjoy my book, and to those who would help me promote it by spreading the word. This is because I strongly believe in THE EARTH SHIFTER message, and in its value to the readers! Therefore, all of you will be able to benefit from this giveaway.

I am giving away several very valuable prizes. All giveaways can be entered simultaneously. Enter one giveaway or all! There is no limit to the number of entries. The more entries, the more chances to win! Sky is the limit!

GRAND PRIZE

ARCHOS 8o G9 Turbo with WiFi, 8″ Touchscreen Tablet, value $349

It includes: Android 4.0 ‘Ice Cream Sandwich,’ HD, and amazing multimedia!

ARCOS TABLET image

 I love my ARCHOS Tablet! If you are an avid reader, this is your solution! With ARCHOS, you can download ebooks in any format, including Kindle, Nook/epub, PDF, and others. Unlike with e-readers, you are not limited to a specific retailer and can enjoy your books from various sources! I also love the fact that it doubles as a lightweight, super-compact wifi PC, and that I can watch my fave YouTube vids on the go! There are so many other awesome functions this tablet includes that I haven’t even scratched the surface!

Check out all the specs here!

In fact, I loved my Archos Tablet so much that I purchased the second one, in order to award it to one of my readers/fans after THE EARTH SHIFTER release! It is currently sitting in its original box, unopened, ready for you to claim your prize!

Here it is:

IMGP5932

 IMGP5933

How to enter ARCHOS TABLET Giveaway

*ARCHOS Tablet Giveaway has an open date, and the winner will be chosen after 15,000 copies of THE EARTH SHIFTER ebook have been sold. Preliminary drawing date is April 17, 2013 (finalized date will be announced). There are several easy ways to enter:

1. This is especially for the readers of THE EARTH SHIFTER! Please answer my 2 questions: 1) In the end of the book, where does Red meet with her mother? 2) Who does Sasha attempt to rescue during her LAST time travel? Correct answers will get 10 entries. Please email your answers to Lada at LadaRay dot com. DO NOT post your answers in the comment section!

2. Copy and post THE EARTH SHIFTER book banner below (together with its link) to your website homepage or blog sidebar, and get 20 entries. Please provide a link to your website/blog at THE EARTH SHIFTER Launch & ARCHOS TABLET Super-Giveaway!, or by emailing Lada at LadaRay dot com.

Earth Shifter Banner

An example of the book banner on a website: LadaRay.com/EarthShifterGiveaway

3. Copy and post THE EARTH SHIFTER book cover below, together with its link,  to your website homepage or blog sidebar, and get 15 entries. Please provide a link to your website/blog iat THE EARTH SHIFTER Launch & ARCHOS TABLET Super-Giveaway!, or by emailing Lada at LadaRay dot com.

EARTH SHIFTER MASTER

An example of the book cover post on a website: http://www.bzhercules.com.

4.Wordpress bloggers! Reblog this post, and get 5 entries. Please provide a link to your reblog in the comment section of this post. 

5. All bloggers! You can go one step further and guest-post this post on your blog in its entirety and get 10 entries! NOTE: This post can be shortened to suit your format. Please make sure you link back to my original post on top and bottom of your post! This is the link: THE EARTH SHIFTER Launch & ARCHOS TABLET Super-Giveaway! Please provide a link to your blog guest post at THE EARTH SHIFTER Launch & ARCHOS TABLET Super-Giveaway!, or email it to Lada at LadaRay dot com.

6. Mention/tag this post on your Facebook page, and get 2 entries. Please provide the url of your Facebook page at THE EARTH SHIFTER Launch & ARCHOS TABLET Super-Giveaway!, or by emailing Lada at LadaRay dot com.

7. Mention this post on Google+, Pinterest, Tumblr, StumbleUpon, Reddit, and/or Digg and get 1 entry per mention. Please provide the appropriate link(s) at THE EARTH SHIFTER Launch & ARCHOS TABLET Super-Giveaway!, or by emailing Lada at LadaRay dot com.

8. Add THE EARTH SHIFTER to your bookshelf on Goodreads, and get 1 entry: THE EARTH SHIFTER Goodreads page. Become Lada Ray fan on Goodreads – get 1 entry. Both – 2 entries! Please provide the url of your GR bookshelf  at THE EARTH SHIFTER Launch & ARCHOS TABLET Super-Giveaway!, or email it to Lada at LadaRay dot com.

Very flexible and convenient! Enter one or all! The more you enter, the more chances to win!

NOTE: 1 (one) ARCHOS Tablet will be given away. ARCHOS Tablet Giveaway is open in the USA only (sorry for the inconvenience). All other giveaways are open worldwide.

Prize 2

Premium Ebook Formatting for Kindle or Smashwords (choose one) provided by my fabulous book formatters, Mike and Maddy of DWD. One lucky winner will receive Kindle or Smashwords formatting of any ebook of up to 100,000 words! It is very easy to enter. The winner will be randomly chosen by Rafflecopter. Drawing: 1/26/13. **Click here to enter.

MICHAEL LOGO 1

Prize 3

Professional editing of 25 pages of your manuscript by my editor, Beth Lynne, Ed.D., of BZ Hercules – 1 winner will be selected.  (Note: the winner, please submit your 25 pages double-spaced, in Times New Roman 12 point font only.) The winner will be randomly chosen by Rafflecopter. Drawing: 1/26/13. **Click here to enter.

hercules logo

Prize 4

A complete set of Accidental Spy Adventure Series ebooks: Gold Train (Russia Adventure), Stepford USA (US Adventure), Green Desert (Prequel novelette). Up to 3 lucky winners will be selected depending on the number of entries; the more entries the more copies will be given away. It is very easy to enter. The winner will be randomly chosen by Rafflecopter. Drawing: 1/26/13. **Click here to enter.

GOLD TRAIN COVER BLOG 2012

STEPFORD COVER BLOG 2012

GREEN DESERT MASTER

**Note, due to the fact that WordPress platform does not support Rafflecopter, I am hosting the Ebook Formatting, Editing, and Accidental Spy Series Giveaways at my official author website, LadaRay.com. The giveaway is just one click away!

ENTER HERE!

But that’s not all!

As a heartfelt “thank you” to my biggest fans and supporters, those who have been most active in helping me promote THE EARTH SHIFTER, will become some of the first readers of the following upcoming ebooks: LEMURIAN CRYSTAL & ATLANTIS. Projected release: February – March 2013. These are books 2 and 3 of the enchanting new series of novelettes/novellas, EARTH KEEPERS CHRONICLES, which I am creating as companion and prequel to THE EARTH SHIFTER. You may have read the first in the series, the top-rated CATHARSIS (Legend of the Lemurians). Check it out:

Amazon   B&N Nook   Smashwords

All about CATHARSIS, Legend of the Lemurians

These people, who’ve been most active in helping me promote THE EARTH SHIFTER, will receive FREE early edition copies of the LEMURIAN CRYSTAL & ATLANTIS ebooks in the format of their choice, incl. kindle, epub, PDF for PC, etc. This part of the giveaway is open worldwide!

Thank you for your interest and participation

and I hope you enjoy

EARTH SHIFTER Image

PP.

P.S. I provide free ebooks to my reviewers. If you would like to become one of THE EARTH SHIFTER’s first reviewers, please email @ Lada at LadaRay.com or go to the link below:

THE EARTH SHIFTER Launch & ARCHOS TABLET Super-Giveaway!

This Event is over. To see the Winners, follow The Earth Shifter link above.

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Awards From My Fellow Blogger Ella Medler

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Guess what? I’ve been nominated for a new award: the Liebster! Thank you, Ella Medler for the nomination. She also nominated me for the Shine On Award, which I chose to include here. Thank you, thank you, thank you. ^_^

shine-on-award

Here’s more about the Liebster:

Liebster Award

And the rules:

1. Thank the person who nominated you. Well, of course. Thank you, Ella!

2. Post eleven random facts about yourself. I hate talking about myself.

3. Answer the eleven questions asked by the person who nominated you.

4. Think of a new set of eleven questions and nominate eleven others to answer them.

~~~

So here are those eleven random facts about me:

1. I hate dusting, who doesn’t?

2. I love the sun and water.

3. I suck at Golf, but love to play.

4. I am a bit of a perfectionist, but have learned to relax my standards. Live is too short to sweat the small stuff.

5. I love sports cars and going fast.

6. I am a bit of a loner. I find it very easy to entertain myself.

7. I hate cell phones, but find them very convenient.

8. I love dogs, but don’t really want to be bothered by a pet at this time.

9. I love TV.

10. I love to play Texas Hold ’em.

11. I love Rock and Roll.

~~~

The questions Ella asked for me to answer:

1. What did you last have for dinner?

Chili, my favorite food for a chilly evening.

2. If money were no object, would you fly to the moon?

Yes, I love to go where I’ve never been before.

3. What was your bravest act in the last 12 months?

Can’t think of anything. I’m more of a spectator than a participant.

4. I don’t expect you to remember the title or author, but what was the plot of the worst book you ever read?

I really can’t think of anything offhand. It’s very rare when I don’t finish a book.

5. What is the sport you wish you mastered to perfection?

It doesn’t really matter to me that I haven’t mastered Golf, but I sure do wish I played a little better.

6. Where would you go to spend your last day on Earth?

To the beach.

7. What is the most romantic gesture you ever came up with for your loved one?

I bought my hubby a spaceship lawn decoration. He had seen it at the landscape place and we even went back to get it, but I had already bought it and had to pretend someone else bought it. I had to wait five months to give it to him, that was a secret very hard to keep.

8. If possible, in what century would you rather have lived? Or is this one just fine for you?

This century is just fine by me.

9. If you had the chance, what new genre would you like to introduce? Describe it, please.

I really can’t say. I am always pleasantly surprised when an author surprises me with twists and turns and new slants on stories.

10. What gadget couldn’t you live without and why?

My computer, seeing I spend so much time on it.

11. What is the most infuriating thing about today’s world, in your view?

Politics and the sense of entitlement that too many politicians today have.

~~~

My 11 questions for my nominees:

1.  What is your favorite holiday and why?

2.  I love cars. If money was no object and you could own any car, what would it be?

3.  If you could go anywhere, even a fictional world, where would it be?

4.  What is your favorite hobby when not reading or writing?

5.  What is your favorite season of the year and why?

6.  Do you prefer TV or the movies?

7.  What is your least favorite daily chore?

8.  If you had to choose between your computer and your phone, which would it be?

9.  Where is your favorite place to read or write?

10. What is your favorite animal to have for a pet?

11. Do you prefer to read on your electronic device or hold a physical book in your hand?

~~~

And my nominees are (it’s all right to take your time, but it can be fun to play along). Many other bloggers are curious and like to learn more about the bloggers they follow.

1. Tiffany – http://escapingonebookatatime.blogspot.com/

2. Tiffany – http://trh87books.blogspot.com/

3. Autumn – http://www.autumnreview.com/

4. Andrea – http://andreaheltsley.blogspot.com/

5. Tiffany – http://tiffanylovesbooks.wordpress.com/

6. Mandy –   http://twimom101bookblog.blogspot.com/ 

7. Sarah – http://ssbookreviews.blogspot.com/

8. Adele – http://adelesymonds.wordpress.com

9. Julia –  http://novelnexusreviews.blogspot.com

10. Michelle –  http://mleightonbooks.blogspot.com

11. Scott Nicholson – http://hauntedcomputer.blogspot.com

Please accept these awards in the spirit they were given.  If your blog is award free or you do not post awards, just know I am happy to share your site with others.

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Fanged Mania #9

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To join in, copy and paste these rules and the above banner into your Fanged Mania post and add your link to this week’s Fanged Mania post at Elisabeth Wheatley’s Blog. Fanged Mania is a Friday meme counting down to the release of Fanged Princess and displaying all things vampire and awesome. Fanged Mania posts can be a review of a vampire book, a quote from the latest Vampire Diaries episode, a showcase of a cool vampire book’s cover, or whatever you like so long as it is vampire related. Don’t forget, participants will be entered in the drawing to win a fanged-abulous prize pack!

The prize pack I mentioned includes Vampire Diaries and Breaking Dawn posters as well as a paperback copy of Erica Steven’s Captured (my review here) and the complete collection of The Vampire Hunter’s Daughter stories by Jennifer Malone Wright, in paperback, too! =D

Oh, and the contest is international. And the more Fanged Mania posts you have, the more entries you get! So what are you waiting for? Hop on the bandwagon!

vampires Pictures, Images and Photos

Vampires Pictures, Images and Photos

Vampires Pictures, Images and Photos

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You Have To Check This Out

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PAPERBACKS and a really, really HUGE Kindle.

Reblogged from

Yeah, so I went to Best Buy and bought two Kindle Fires last week, thinking I was buying the normal Kindle Fires that I always get for giveaways.  It wasn’t until I got home and looked at the receipt and the monstrous SIZE of these babies that I realized I bought the gigantic, 8.9 inch screen, 32G, almost $400 freaking dollar Kindle Fire HD’s.  You might need a wheelbarrow to haul this thing around if you win it.  See how big it is compared to my big, fat paperback?

kindlefirehd

Win it?

How can you win it, you ask?

**********************************This Giveaway Has Ended!!!!!!!*********************

You have to go to her link to enter!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Easy.     http://colleenhoover.com/2013/01/08/paperbacks-and-a-really-really-huge-kindle/

WINNERS!!!! of Being Mrs Dracula by Faith Marlow Giveaway

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My favorite time of any giveaway is announcing the winners. So without further ado, the winners of the Being Mrs Dracula by Faith Marlow Giveaway are:

Emily

Brokebookbank

Laura

Pragya

                    Midu

Congratulations to all the winners.

Thanks to all of you for the wonderful comments. I hope you will continue to follow fundinmental.

To see all my Giveaways, go HERE.

To see my Review, go HERE .

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WINNERS!!! of the Blood Warrior by H. D. Gordon Giveaway

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My favorite time of any giveaway is announcing the winners. So without further ado, the winners are:

Emily

Shana

Susan

Martha

Jennifer

Congratulations to the winners.

Thanks to all of you for the wonderful comments. I hope you will continue to follow fundinmental.

To see all my Giveaways, go HERE.

To see my Review, go HERE .

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