Carbs and Crisis

If you haven't noticed, the last few weeks on the blog have been a little sad. My blogs are somewhat few and far between and my usual flair for the dramatic has diminished under the weight of a few personal dramas. It's because of these dramas that I realised that although I aim to succeed, please and laugh along the way, I'm most definitely easily distracted and not great mates with focus.

For one, The Aligned, the third book in The Hunted series, has been in the editing stage for at least a year now. A new book I started to write in early January has been collecting proverbial dust as it waits for the tip-tap of Microsoft ink to appear on it's neatly typeset pages. Then to top it off, Goodreads has informed me that my previous status of awesomeness for being several books ahead in my reading challenge, has now disclosed that I suck and need to pick up a damn piece of fiction before I ask 'where are the pictures?'.

I mean Jeez, I just can't seem to get a grip on anything.

I find between earning the almighty dollar, sweating it out at the gym, squeezing in family time and hanging out with friends, I barely have a minute left to think. And what do I think about?

Food.

Oh my lord, have I been dreaming about peanut butter lately, and should I get started on the need to dive face first into a room full of fresh, buttered bread?

I think what I need is my study/work space back (and some carbs). Organisation was like a perfume that wafted from the smooth pine bench-top and custom built bookshelves, and productivity oozed from every aesthetically placed item and alphabetized file like an aphrodisiac of literary delight. 

Now I sit stacked against lumpy cushions on a futon with a TV dinner tray supporting my laptop and a rickety dryer spinning off-center in the background. It's a wonder I haven't written my opus.

So tell me, do you sometimes feel in such disarray that your life comes to a virtual halt? Do you wish you had more time and if you do, fluff around with the potential of it's productivity?

Let me know. I'd like to think I wasn't the only writer caught in a rut of her own making.

Kristy :)

Book Review: The Hunt by Andrew Fukuda

I may be about the one-millionth person to say this, but The Hunt is Vampires meets The Hunger Games, and yet, decidedly better. It's impossible not to compare these lottery based novels involving a death defying hunt, as truly it's the purpose of the book.
The Hunt follows the story of a human, or heper, as the vampires refer to them, with the designation - Gene.
Gene isn't normal. At least not by this world's standards, a world where vampires are the dominate race and hepers are a dying breed - their only purpose - to serve as fodder in the hunt.
Gene is extremely intelligent and has been taught by his now deceased father the value of assimilation. Masking body odours, shaving hair, and wearing fake fangs are all part of the camouflage. Partaking in the strange animalistic rituals is also a must – frothing at the mouth at the thought of human flesh, scratching wrists when amused, and schooling all emotion is all part of Gene’s survival techniques.
And then he is selected for the hunt. Randomly? We never really find out, but to also be paired with Ashley-June, the vampire he is inexplicably drawn to can only lead to heartache.
Will the heper institute learn of Gene’s ongoing deceit? And will he finally be exposed to a species he can finally relate, perhaps form relationships with the very creatures he’s been selected to hunt and kill?
What I loved about this book was that clear skip of detail regarding how the world became vampire ridden, or how humans were hunted into non-existence. Andrew Fukuda’s writing is such, that as a reader, you merely accept the world as it’s painted with information supplied when necessary and without complication. Paired with sumptuous imagery, and strange, albeit compelling characteristics of the vampires, and you find yourself enraptured.
With strong, descriptive prose that was filled with enough moments of suspense and interspersed action to keep my heart stuttering within my chest, and I can say without a doubt this is one of the best novels I’ve read in a long time. Thank you, Andrew Fukuda for the wild imagination – five out of five fangs.

Synopsis:
Against all odds, 17-year-old Gene has survived in a world where humans have been eaten to near extinction by the general population. The only remaining humans, or hepers as they are known, are housed in domes on the savannah and studied at the nearby Heper Institute. Every decade there is a government sponsored hunt. When Gene is selected to be one of the combatants he must learn the art of the hunt but also elude his fellow competitors whose suspicions about his true nature are growing.

Diary of a Teenage Zombie: Excerpt "Chapter Two"

Hello my wonderful blogger friends and pledges! Since the pledging is coming along swimmingly (I'm at 35% which you can see on the left side of the page), I thought I'd reward you all with a short excerpt from the novel. Bear in mind my editor is still looking this all over so there may be a few minor changes here and there, but it's still just a little slice into the life of Katie Palmer, zombie extraordinaire.

Your continued support is greatly appreciated, I have less than two months to go, and honestly, if everyone that reads this post donates even just $5 - $10 I am in with a chance, plus anyone who donates $10 or more gets a copy of the book anyway, so pledging = good karma and prizes!

Thank you again!! 

Dear Diary,

I found a tiny padlock on Jack’s bedroom door last night. I suspect Mum and Dad are a little worried about my flesh eating tendencies bad temper. They must have found the Nelson’s cat in our backyard.

But my complexion looks awesome today and that’s a good thing, because Connor called me yesterday and organised a date training session for this morning. I couldn’t exactly think of a reason not to, considering my armpits smelled okay and Mum double-washed my jogging gear in preparation.

Bless her.

I’m also going to meet up with Nikki after classes this morning to organise the classroom lock-in, the first stop on our social calendar for the year. Right now I think it’s a great idea, but I’m well fed in a good mood. Who knows how I’ll feel at the end of the week when my skin starts peeling away from my face?

Katie xo

Connor was already waiting for me on the back oval by the time Mum dropped me off at school. Being awake at such an ungodly hour meant I was still yawning, scratching at my belly and rubbing pockets of dried sleep from the corners of my eyes.

I know I paint a pretty picture. I’d have rather worn a low-cut top and slapped on some make-up, but it was only just after six and running a few miles would make me sweat like a pig. Practicality was key.

‘Palmer,’ Connor greeted me, a broad smile plastered across his face. ‘I’m not keeping you up, am I?’

‘I usually train in the afternoon,’ I complained, covering my mouth as another yawn threatened to escape. Suddenly my tired brain remembered that this was the hottest guy in school and that he’d woken up early especially to go running with me. I quickly changed my attitude.

Happy dance.

‘Boo-hoo,’ he teased, blonde hair flopping in front of his eyes. Connor smoothed his fringe back from his forehead and continued to reach up with the one motion, stretching his arms high above his head.

‘Let’s just hope you can keep up.’

Small wonder that I found words at all given my current distraction. A quick glimpse at Connor’s toned abdominals and exposed Calvin Klein briefs had my imagination overflowing with unladylike, erotic thoughts.

‘Is that a challenge, Palmer?’

‘Take it how you want,’ I said, shaking my head in an effort to break the spell his underwear apparently had over me. Languid scenes of our sweaty flesh pressed together stirred my desire, threatening to weaken me at the knees.

Connor’s knowing grin suggested he was more than aware of my eyes on him, plotting the possibilities.

Fuck.

Embarrassed by my open gaze, I sniffed and rolled my shoulders, reaching back to grip an ankle and stretch out my quadriceps, then hamstrings and calves. I didn’t need the preparation but I wanted to look anywhere but at Connor, certain there was a flashing neon sign above my head screaming ‘desperate’.

‘You ready?’ Connor asked, patting me on the back.

Was it wrong to savour that casual touch, deciding to embellish upon it in my fantasies later on? As far as I was concerned, that innocent gesture would be re-counted as brazen fingers grazing my spine, warm palms flattening against me, and sliding down my back until they cupped my ass. Connor would tell me he could crack walnuts on it.

Yes. That would be how inaccurately I’d remember this moment.

I took a deep breath, inconspicuously sniffed my armpits and then nodded. Connor had already bolted from the starting plate with a hiss and a roar, setting an unsustainable pace in his eagerness to impress. An oxygen tank loomed in his foreseeable future, as several laps at this speed would lead to him to undoubtedly coughing up a lung.

After circling the track a few dozen times and nabbing the five kilometre unspoken goal, I slowly realised that Connor was not built for endurance. Keeping pace with his frenetic stride was almost too easy, yet he struggled on and tried to match my predatory gait. Sweat trickled down Connor’s face and saturated his shirt. He was puffing like a geriatric chasing a big-breasted blonde; his face was rose-tinted and his blue eyes were bulging.

‘Palmer!’ he gasped. ‘What kind of stride do you call that?’

‘The one you set?’ I felt a little bad. I was breathing easy and had just lapped him for the second time in five minutes. Nikki had made it clear that in order to win Connor’s affections I had to embrace my athleticism but also not show him up. Something about damaging his ego, which she’d likened to kicking him in the balls.

‘You’re not jogging, you’re running!’ Connor panted. He was tripping over his own feet, his arms windmilling to keep himself upright.

I slowed, my inner predator rolling her eyes as I fought to contain a hysterical outburst. ‘I’m sorry. Do you need a rest?’

Connor was well behind me now. He had regained his balance but was swaying, perhaps on the verge of passing out. Bent in half and with hands propped against his knees, he attempted to draw in great gasps of air but instead started to cough like he’d just contracted emphysema.

I doubled back, concerned by the sudden pale sheen of his skin. ‘Are you okay?’ I asked, tentatively smoothing my hand across his back. The muscles bunched and tightened under my palm, but Connor was inconsolable, shoving me out of the way. Seconds later he was emptying the contents of his stomach onto the field.

‘Wow,’ I yelped, jumping free of the partially-digested debris, ‘I guess we know who’s going to win this upcoming marathon, huh?’

The contemptuous glare Connor shot me while wiping his mouth suggested I was not doing my best to lure him in with my feminine wiles.

Fuck.

The Damned (volume 2 The Hunted) It's coming ...

Great news peoples. The Damned - the long overdue, much anticipated second installment in The Hunted series is almost here. The books are in print and should be shipped and in my hot little hands within a fortnight.
And have no fear! For those of you super keen on e-books, they're being organised as you read this, including new formats for The Hunted. So in light of this fact, I've decided to post the preface for you to have a read through - whet your appetite so to speak.
Enjoy, my friends. The real deal will be here lickety split. Thanks for your patience.

PREFACE

The stranger lifted the warm mug of AB negative to his lips. He took a few swift gulps, felt the sweetness of the warmed fluid caressing his tongue and setting his tastebuds aflame. Like liquid velvet it slid down his throat, strengthening and replenishing his body from within, and filling him with the rich satisfaction that could only come from the taste of blood.
He could feel his arteries dilate, his senses sharpening as life-force began to satiate his awakened thirst. His pulse throbbed under the influx, eventually slowing to a stop again once the blood had dissipated into his system.
It was good to be a vampire.
Body still burning for more, the stranger gestured to the barman for another. This packaged stuff known as Synth Blood could sustain him but was nowhere near as gratifying as fresh blood from a warm human body. He longed to bury his fangs in the neck of an unsuspecting victim, rend at flesh until the warmth of their essence spilled across his tongue, making him whole again. For now he had to suppress his instincts, though, to prevent his detection from the ones still hunting him.
Only one month had passed since the stranger had last killed but his skin already itched with the need to taste a human’s fear. As he revelled in his memories of the hunt, an image of his wife came to mind, and with it a sadness that was all consuming. His wife had shared in his bloodlust, his uncontrollable desire to feed. She had hunted beside him, night after night, and eventually murdered because she had rightfully lived as the predator she was created to be. The stranger’s blood still boiled thinking about her unrighteous death and the creature that had caused it. But the time for retribution was coming.
He would make sure of it.
The stranger glanced around the bar. It was mostly empty; no real surprise considering it was high noon. The turned vampires would all spend their daylight hours hiding in darkened spaces, waiting for nightfall. Born vampires were able to move around in the daylight but were still forced to avoid direct sunlight. At this point, as the thirst still rode him, the stranger cared little for shelter.
‘You travelled far this evening?’ the barman asked, setting down a fresh mug of heated blood and jogging the stranger from his reverie.
He accepted it gratefully and took a sip. ‘Not especially,’ the stranger said, eyeing the barman from head to toe.
The barman was a turned vampire, probably no more than thirty years of age. He had short, sandy blonde hair and unassuming blue eyes. Despite being slightly rotund in the mid-section he was still as beautiful as the rest of his race.
‘Are you from Spain or Italy?’ the barman asked, an eyebrow rising. ‘I’m trying to pick your accent.’
The stranger took another sip. ‘I’m Italian.’
‘No kidding?’ He wiped at a spill on the counter top. ‘You must be part of Lucius Valerius’s coven.’
The stranger contained his desire to sneer. ‘No. I belong to no coven and I especially do not answer to Lucius Valerius. At least, not anymore.’
‘Here, here. The last sixteen years under Lucius’s rule have been difficult. I really used to enjoy hunting humans before it was outlawed.’ The barman absently wiped at another spill. ‘Granted, I make money from the sale of Synth Blood and the shelter my neutral bar provides, but it’s not the same as the thrill of hunting for fresh blood. The only way I can function now, without being hunted down by Lucius or his thralls, is to stay here where I have all the blood I need. Confrontations with humans are too ... tempting.’
‘That’s pathetic,’ the stranger said.
The barman frowned. ‘We all do what we can to survive. Sometimes that means swallowing your pride and advocating for the Devil.’
The stranger smiled. The barman didn’t realise how on the money he was. Lucius was demon spawn.
Taking the stranger’s smile as an invitation to talk further, the barman leant forward on his elbows, smiling warmly. ‘So what brings you to Paris, anyway?’
The stranger wasn’t in the mood for idle chit-chat, but doubted that the barman would leave him alone. ‘I’m looking for someone.’
‘Perhaps I can help?’
The stranger shook his head, taking a few more gulps of blood. It wasn’t his favourite brew, but the liquid was undeniably starting to satisfy his primal cravings. ‘I don’t think so.’
‘If you’re looking for a vampire in Paris, I know everyone by name.’
The stranger gritted his teeth. ‘I thank you for the drink,’ he said, holding up the mug, ‘but I wish to finish it in peace.’
The barman scowled. ‘I was just making conversation.’
‘Unwanted conversation. Go find another patron to annoy.’
‘There are no other patrons.’
The stranger looked around, noting that the few other patrons had left. He’d always had that effect on people.
He glanced at the barman.
Pity.
The stranger drained the remaining contents of his mug and pushed it back towards the barman.
Frowning, the barman turned his back on him.
‘Barman, I require another drink.’
‘In a minute. I gotta clean,’ he said, busying himself with the relatively unimportant task of filling a small sink behind the bar with hot, soapy water.
The stranger drummed his fingers on the counter impatiently. The barman started to wash and stack glasses, now ignoring him completely.
‘Barman, I bid you pour me another drink before you make me angry. And before I do something that you will regret.’
The barman glanced around and smirked insolently. ‘I’ll pour you another drink when I’m ready.’ He went back to stacking glasses. ‘And do not threaten me. I am Vampire, just as you are.’
The stranger sighed. He could have left the bar. He could have sought nourishment from some other venue or even hunted down his own humans. But, now, that wasn’t enough.
The stranger, moving with inhuman grace, was behind the bartender moments later, his hands gripping the creature’s sides so tightly it could barely move.
His rage could no longer be contained.
‘What the―let go of me!’
‘Are you ready now?’ the stranger whispered, spinning the barman around to face him. In one swift motion, he sank his fangs deep into the barman’s throat, ripping out his jugular in a vicious shower of crimson-slicked gore. As his victim thrashed in his embrace, warm blood poured down the stranger’s chin and sprayed the front of his shirt. As the stranger felt the last of the barman’s life leaving his body, he tossed what remained onto the floor with a resounding thud.
He wiped the excess blood from his lips, spitting onto the floor. 
‘Much better,’ the stranger murmured, stepping over the body and moving towards the front door without so much as a backward glance. ‘Turned vampires―as easy a prey as humans.’ 
He pushed open the front door and cringed. Where the rays from the midday sun struck him, blistering lines burned across his features. Searching quickly for a shady area through which to walk, he soon spied a darkened alleyway and hurried out towards it. 
He considered the next step in his plan carefully. He needed leverage, something that would turn an enemy into a friend, or at the very least, an enemy into an ally. 
The Vânătors, a fierce race of fanatical werewolves, were not exactly known for their negotiating skills. They were hungry predators, born from the blood of the Vampire and completely uncaring of anyone’s needs but their own. They were wild, the very worst variation of a vampire’s genetic nature, and were the perfect tool for his vengeance. 
The Vânătors penchant for vampiric blood would definitely work to the stranger’s advantage. Their mating habits produced large packs, enough to cause any vampire trouble. Also, their ability to shapeshift into the form of any human they had previously fed from meant they could move around mostly undetected—a useful trick. 
He just needed to figure out what it was the Vânătors desired. 
The stranger smiled. He saw the future in his mind, laid out in the front of him. It was a future he hoped to share with other, likeminded vampires, with any other supernaturals tired of suppressing their natural instincts. The stranger’s future would mean no more hiding in the shadows, where vampires reigned supreme and blood was the word on everyone’s lips. 
A future he could really sink his teeth into.

Kristy :)

Want more information? Head to this link to keep you updated; The Hunted Facebook page

The Damned is Coming ...

Hey guys,

Guess what? I finally have my files for The Damned, the second installation in my Hunted Series. And because you've all been waiting so long for this release, it is my gift to you to provide 5 free days of Kindle downloads of The Hunted to get you ready! (Go here for Download)
Yes, you heard me. I am putting the first novel The Hunted for free on Kindle for five days!
This is your chance to grab a copy, tell your friends and family and generally just share the information so when the Damned is released everyone is ready for round two.
The promotion starts on the 23/2/2013 and will run until the 27/2/2013. Remember  these promos run on Pacific Standard time, so keep checking in if it's not registering free when you read this post.
If you've never heard of The Hunted series, check out the two trailers below to whet your whistle, view the upcoming cover for The Damned and read the synopsis's right here!
Cheers guys, thanks as always for your support and don't forget to share, share share!

The Hunted Book Trailer (Book one)

The Damned Book Trailer (Book two)

The Hunted Synopsis:

Elena Manory is by no means an ordinary teenage girl. Being born with the ability to heal herself from any injury, and with the knowledge that on her eighteenth birthday she will become a Vampire, Elena is aware that she is more than a little different from other girls her age. 

It isn’t until she meets William Granville, an alluring and impossibly handsome vampire, that she begins to question her destiny and what secrets the Institute of Magical Intervention and her adopted family have withheld—secrets that could change the fates of not only her own life, but of the lives of all the immortals.

As events spiral out of control, William may be the only person Elena can place her trust in. He, and Elena’s magical family, must fight to save her, joining forces to defeat a common, deadly foe. For William, it is his chance to save the girl that he has searched eternity to find.

The Damned Synopsis:

Life for Elena Manory skipped past ordinary just over a month ago. Discovering she was born a practically invulnerable vampire-werewolf hybrid was shocking enough, but she’s also become a target. Elena is being hunted by the Alpha werewolf Roshan, who’s fixated on the properties of her unique blood and the pleasurable possibilities of her flesh.

Moving to the Institute of Magical Intervention in Romania was supposed to provide her with protection and anonymity, but Elena soon realises her enemies are legion. None are as they seem, with no agenda truly without nefarious intentions. 

A strange twist of fate and the actions of a vampire previously pressing for her affections lead Elena into the arms of another—one whose middle name spells trouble. Himself a vampire, Sebastian is perplexingly familiar, handsome, and arrogant. He introduces Elena to a world she never thought possible, uncovers a past believed long buried, and unearths a future she may not survive.

Kristy :)

Followers

Okay, so this is an extremely short post today. Mostly because I've just been given the most awesome news about the release of my second novel in The Hunted Series, The Damned (yes people it is finally coming!) so I've got a lot to do to get it out and printed ASAP.

I basically wanted to acknowledge all the people that love and support what I do - especially your recent patience in regards to the release date of this novel. 

Anyway, it came to my attention the other day that I've reached over 300 followers on my blog, 580 on my Facebook page and 480 on my Twitter account. This is fabulous!

I mean I used to think it was creepy before someone explained to me that you weren't all going to camp out in my front yard seeing Kumbaya through the open windows. A follower is a friend, a supporter, or someone just plain interested in what you have to say. And, the reason I wanted to say thank you to all of my followers worldwide is that I still can't believe you regularly tune into to read my musings.

You know I talk a lot of sh#%t right?

Anyway, thanks again my faithful followers, my successes are via your inspiration and support.

Bless!

Kristy :)

Hi All!
I just wanted to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! To all my followers you have been a massive support and to those of you that read my posts regularly, leave comments and amazingly don't die of shock from my sometimes ferociously inappropriate subject matter, I wish you all the very best!
It has been an amazing year with a few more of my books due to be released early 2013, so I'm shutting down until after New Year so I can get all of this finished for the eager Hunted fans. Oh, and there will be zombies on the horizon in the New Year ... lots and lots of zombies.
Anyway, you should probably get your hands on a copy of 'The Hunted' for Christmas either for yourself or for a friend or both. I've been told by one of Santa's big-mouth elves that if you don't have a copy under the tree or sitting on your bookshelf then you will be added to the 'naughty list'.
This is fact. *Maniacal laughter*
So now that you're all on the 'nice' list, I'm going to head off, enjoy my Christmas and bid that you all do the same - be safe, be happy, be merry, and of course do what I'm going to do and eat ridiculous amounts of food despite that I know there will be a week long crying sesh followed by massive regret when the scales whisper to me 'one at a time please'.
Have a good one everyone!

Kristy :)

Buy The Hunted on Amazon Now!

Follow Friday #50

Happy Friday everyone!

Yes, it’s that time of week again where bloggers unite to participate in the Follow Friday venture. The idea behind #FF is to promote traffic to your own blog, make new friends with other like-minded bloggers and discuss new and interesting topics each week.

Participating is simple. First you need to follow my blog because I’m totally awesome, then you can follow me on Twitter @kristyberridge (actually you don’t have to do this, it’s wishful thinking), but do follow my blog or assassins will get you …

Then you must follow our illustrious hosts Rachel of http://www.parajunkee.com/ and Alison of http://www.alisoncanread.com/ If you want more details on how to enter your own blog in the follow and hop, all directions are on their webpages

Now, once you’ve followed, check out my answer to this week’s questions and don’t forget to leave a comment so I can do the right thing and follow you back!

This week's question: Activity! Who do you want to be? If you could choose any character from a book. What do you think that character looks like and what do you have in common?

My answer: Truthfully, my character Elena Manory from The Hunted Series is pretty much me as a teenager but with a set of big, brass balls. While writing, I just kept thinking to myself, what would I do? What would I say? I don't think I planned it that way, it's just that this five book series is very close to my heart and I couldn't help but inject a bit of myself into it.

The Hunted Book Tour

Hey guys, I have to apologise. I won't be posting as regularly as I usually do as I'm about to head off on a Eastern coast book signing tour between Cairns and Brisbane. I'll also be attending the Supanova - the biggest comic book convention in Australia, so I'm going to be crazy busy.
So if there are any fans who want to meet up with me along the way to have a chat or even bug me incessantly about the release of The Damned, feel free to stalk me at the following bookstores on the following dates:

Sunday 4/11/2012
Signing at Collins Bookstore, Mackay 10.00am – 12.00pm 
(Shop 13-14, Sydney Street markets, Cnr Sydney & Gordon Streets, Mackay)

Monday 5/11/2012
Signing at Another Story Bookstore/Café, Rockhampton 10.00am – 12.00pm
(2B Denham Street, Rockhampton)

Thursday 8/11/2012
Signing at Collins Booksellers, Morayfield 11.30am – 1.30pm
(Shop 62, Morayfield Shopping Centre, Morayfield road, Morayfield)

Friday 9/11/2012
Signing at Dymocks Bookstore, Chermside 10.00am - 12.00pm
(Shop 249 Westfield Shoppingtown, Cnr of Gympie & Hamilton roads, Chermside)

Saturday 10/11/2012
Supanova - RNA Showgrounds - all day long (next to the Dymocks stand)

Sunday 11/11/2012
Supanova - RNA Showgrounds - all day long (next to the Dymocks stand)

Monday 12/11/2012

Signing at Dymocks Bookstore, Carindale 10.00am – 12.00pm
(Shop 2008 Carindale Shopping Centre, Old Cleveland & Creed roads, Carindale)

I look forward to posting you all the details and photos when I get back!

Kristy :)

Awesome Author Blog Hop

Okay, so I’m a crazy person participating in yet another blog hop and on the same night that I already roll around with the Follow Friday crowd. But, I’m a big believer in trying new things and since I’ve been tagged as an awesome author, I’m not exactly going to say no, cause let’s face it, I am freaking awesome *shrieks with laughter*.

So the name of the game is to answer the five questions below and then tag another five awesome authors and hope the random spamming doesn’t encourage a slap on the forehead from my writer buddies.

Here we go:

What is the working title of your book?

I’m going to roll with my up and coming release “The Damned” for these questions.

Where did the idea come from for the book?

I’d already written The Hunted, the first in the series but naturally, my wayward fingers kept on going and before I knew it, a second novel was staring at me from my laptop screen. Freaky!

What genre does your book fall under?

Young adult horror

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?

Okay, I’ve actually done a massive blog post on this before so I’m going to be lazy here and insert a link. There are just too many to write down!

And for the authors I have tagged:

James Garcia Jnr – author of “Dance on Fire” (Blog) @danceauthor

Madison Daniel – author of “Ember” (Blog) @MadisonDaniel13

Nicole Suzanne Brown – author of “Pride” (Blog) @Nicole_S_Brown

John Hundley – author of “The Draculata Nest” (Blog)

Alexia Purdy – author of “Ever Shade” (Blog) @AlexiaPurdy

The Damned good Giveaway - Winners!

Thank you so much to everyone who participated in the competition and I do have three, random lucky winners to announce who I will contact shortly to send their autographed, first edition copies of The Damned!:

Ann-Marie Boland (Cairns, Australia)

Kelly Mills (Kansas, USA)

Tianna Scott (USA)

Funnily enough I know all three of these beautiful women who contributed to the competition and I want to say a massive thank you for all your constant posts, shares, likes and complete and utter dedication to The Hunted series. I hope you enjoy The Damned, and naturally, write me an awesome review (hint, hint)

Here are all your photo entries from the comp!!!

The Damned Cover Reveal!

Hi everyone!

Well, it's the moment that a lot of you have been waiting for, and I know, very patiently at that. I can't apologise enough for the delays in the release of The Damned, but I can promise you this ... it will be worth the wait!
So without dragging my feet, here is the cover release for the second book in The Hunted series "The Damned" - I hope you love it as much as I do, but please feel free to leave opinion. You guys know how much I love your comments. Oh! And don't forget about the giveaway! Click this link to take you to the sign up page!
Have a good one,

Kristy :)

Here's the synopsis again if you missed it!

Life for Elena Manory skipped past ordinary just over a month ago. Discovering she was born a practically invulnerable vampire-werewolf hybrid was shocking enough, but she’s also become a target. Elena is being hunted by the Alpha werewolf Roshan, who’s fixated on the properties of her unique blood and the pleasurable possibilities of her flesh.

Moving to the Institute of Magical Intervention in Romania was supposed to provide her with protection and anonymity, but Elena soon realises her enemies are legion. None are as they seem, with no agenda truly without nefarious intentions.

A strange twist of fate and the actions of a vampire previously pressing for her affections lead Elena into the arms of another—one whose middle name spells trouble. Himself a vampire, Sebastian is perplexingly familiar, handsome, and arrogant. He introduces Elena to a world she never thought possible, uncovers a past believed long buried, and unearths a future she may not survive.

And the trailer!

The Damned - Photos (Giveaway)

Hey guys,

Due to the giveaway this month I probably won't do a lot of my usual crazy posting as I want you to really get involved with the competition. I'm super excited about the up and coming release of my second book in The Hunted series, The Damned - it's going to be epic. Not only was it my favourite book in the series to write, it also introduces a few new characters that I think you all are going to love.
So as not to keep flapping my gums for the sake of talking, you can follow the icon on the side bar to get to the comp, scroll down to the next post or click the highlighted link above. But, i thought I would at least show you some of the amazing photos I've received from 'Hunted' fans thus far ...

Chuck Norris and Bruce Lee fight it out for my book. My money's on Chuck.

Rock on, Iron man - make sure you get me Thor's number while you're at it!

GET IT HERE!

Pre-release 'Damned' good giveaway!

Hey everyone! Well I have some exciting news for all you 'Hunted' fans out there. The release of The Damned is now imminent, the second and long-awaited book in The Hunted Series. Cover design is just finishing up and my Galley releases or ARC's (advanced reader copies) as some of you may know them, will be on my doorstep within a few weeks!
So what does this mean to you?
Well, what it means is that I want to give three lucky readers the opportunity to grab one of the these freshly printed, autographed paperback copies of The Damned to read in advance! Yes, you will get your copy weeks before anyone else will get their hot little hands on a purchasable book.
So how do you get one?
Easy. All you need to do is follow the Rafflecopter instructions at the bottom of the blog if you haven't already :D.
But, how I will draw the winners is entirely up to you. I am going for total global domination here, so think big! I want you all to take photos of the first book 'The Hunted' in creepy, horrifying, creative, and exciting places. Jump in the picture too if you don't mind your face on my blog, but the point is - post it everywhere! The most creative photos posted regularly where you tag me in are more likely to win - so get cracking.
I can't wait to see where The Hunted will show up next! Also, keep your eyes peeled on the blog, there will be some cover and synopsis revelations soon for The Damned ...

Kristy :)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Follow Friday #39

Happy Friday everyone!

Yes, it’s that time of week again where bloggers unite to participate in the Follow Friday venture. The idea behind #FF is to promote traffic to your own blog, make new friends with other like-minded bloggers and discuss new and interesting topics each week.

Participating is simple. First you need to follow my blog because I’m totally awesome, then you can follow me on Twitter @kristyberridge (actually you don’t have to do this, it’s wishful thinking), but do follow my blog or assassins will get you …

Then you must follow our illustrious hosts Rachel of http://www.parajunkee.com/ and Alison of http://www.alisoncanread.com/ If you want more details on how to enter your own blog in the follow and hop, all directions are on their webpages

Now, once you’ve followed, check out my answer to this week’s questions and don’t forget to leave a comment so I can do the right thing and follow you back!

This week's question: What would you do over if you were to start your blog again from scratch?

My answer: Nothing!! I freaking love my blog! So much so, I totally ignore my website which is super sad because nobody really plays with it anymore. But you can play with it if you want ... if it doesn't freak you out! Kidding, it's an author site - not "exorcisms are us".

Have a great weekend all, and don't forget to check back tomorrow night, I'm going to have an absolutely awesome competition starting for those of you that are fans of my 'Hunted Series'.

Follow Friday #33

Happy Friday everyone!

Yes, it’s that time of week again where bloggers unite to participate in the Follow Friday venture. The idea behind #FF is to promote traffic to your own blog, make new friends with other like-minded bloggers and discuss new and interesting topics each week.

Participating is simple. First you need to follow my blog because I’m totally awesome, then you can follow me on Twitter @kristyberridge (actually you don’t have to do this, it’s wishful thinking), but do follow my blog or assassins will get you …

Then you must follow our illustrious hosts Rachel of http://www.parajunkee.com/ and Alison of http://www.alisoncanread.com/ If you want more details on how to enter your own blog in the follow and hop, all directions are on their webpages

Now, once you’ve followed, check out my answer to this week’s questions and don’t forget to leave a comment so I can do the right thing and follow you back!

Okay, so this week's question is weird for me. I'm an Aussie and we celebrate Father's Day in September. But in the spirit of wanting to know who my favourite father figure in a book is, well, it's only fair to participate.

Answer: Roland from Richelle Mead's Storm Born Series. He may be a step-father figure, but this guy crosses spiritual planes in order to protect what he deems is his daughter - Eugiene Markham. He fights demons, he kicks ass, and he defends her honor - he sounds a lot like my dad (minus the completely unrealistic plot).

On another completely unrelated note- I just thought I'd drop a quick mention too for those of you that have been following The Hunted's progress. It is now officially selling on Amazon for $4.99 to celebrate the up and coming release of The Damned. So if you've been wanting to dip into this awesome supernatural fiction practically dripping with untamed violence, sexy vampires, and wild werewolves, then now is your chance! Follow this link for more information!

Kristy :)