Published by Ellysian Press Goodreads
Title: Marked Beauty
Author: S.A. Larsen
Publisher: Ellysian Press
Release Date: October 2017
Uncovering hidden secrets can sometimes kill you . . . or worse, steal your soul.
Anastasia Tate has a secret. She can feel the emotions of others through their life energy auras. Not a welcome gift for a teenager. Especially when a sinister presence begins stalking her.
Viktor Castle also has a secret. He’s tasked with protecting humanity yet cursed by an ancient evil to destroy it.
After Viktor saves Ana’s life, her abilities grow stronger. Drawn together, she senses Viktor has answers to lifelong questions. Only he shuns her at every turn, knowing he has saved her only to put her in more danger.
As Ana struggles with her attraction to Viktor, he tries everything to bury his unexpected feelings for her. But they must find a middle ground. For only together can they combat the dark forces threatening both their lives . . . and their souls.
Link to Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35114147-marked-beauty
Purchase Links:
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S.A. LARSEN is the author of the award-winning novel Motley Education, the first book in a fantasy-adventure series for middle grade readers. Her work has appeared in numerous local publications and young adult anthologies Gears of Brass and Under A Brass Moon by Curiosity Quills Press. Marked Beauty is her debut young adult novel. Find her in the land of snowy winters and the occasional Eh’ya with her husband of over twenty-five years, four children, a playful pooch, and three kittens. Visit her cyber home anytime at www.salarsenbooks.com.
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My Path to Publication
by S.A. Larsen
My road to publication hasn’t been a straight one. Like most writers, I’ve had to balance myself while swerving around twists and unexpected bends in the road, and what I like to call teeter-totter decisions. I began writing community interest pieces for small local news publications. My children were young at the time, and I found it fun and a great way to stay connected. I moved onto youth athlete articles for a martial arts magazine, and eventually a few young adult anthologies.
A year or two before the anthologies, I accidentally started my blog Writer’s Alley. Yes, by accident. Honest. I lived in a cozy house, and all that cyber space was so vast I pressed a few keys on my keyboard and I suddenly had a blog. So, I decided to give it a go. Blogging was the best thing that could have ever happened to me. I slowly immersed myself into the writing community and have never left. Surrounded by so much comfort and encouragement, I finally gained the courage to write my second YA novel. (The first one is The One Not to Ever Be Spoken.)
After many near-miss signings with agents and at the urging of my husband, I decided to submit to publishers on my own. This vetted me multiple offers, which pretty much dropped me to my knees. I couldn’t believe it. After taking advice from more experienced author friends, I informed a few agents that I’d received offers and one offered me representation. The first few months were amazing. My manuscript was being read by some of the Big 5. I was elated. But soon, communication petered and a year and a half later my agent and I parted ways, amicably. It was one of the hardest decisions I’ve ever had to make. I wanted to wallow, and maybe go back to dental assisting or get my hygiene license.
But my husband would have none of that. He encouraged me to submit to publishers one my own, again, and within two weeks I had gained multiple offers again. I chose my young adult publisher, and I was excited to move forward. But, to my utter surprise, eight weeks later I received an offer for my middle grade novel MOTLEY EDUCATION from a middle grade publisher. Motley actually released last October and I’m currently finishing up book II.
See, I told you it was curvy twisted and full of potholes. But you know what? That’s okay. If it was perfectly straight what would I have to write about?
Blog Tour Giveaway:
- One (1) winner will receive a $25 Amazon Gift Card (INT)
Release Party Giveaway:
What better way to celebrate a book birthday then by a giveaway! There are many ways to enter, which you’ll find below. You can win an iTunes, Amazon, or Starbucks gift card, an authentic Vera Bradley Little Crossbody in Cobalt Tile, an assortment of bookish swag, and even a KINDLE Fire HD 7″! The giveaway runs from release day, October 17, 2017 to December 5, 2017. Winners will be announced via social media December 7, 2017.
*No purchase necessary to win*
However, if you have read Marked Beauty or purchase it and read you can earn extra entries by posting a review on any major online retail bookstore and Goodreads! All the information you’ll need is in the form below.
BUT there’s more…
FOR WRITERS!
Writers who enter can WIN a first five pages critique!
