Courtney Allison Moulton

Fear The Reaper: Countdown to Wings of the Wicked Week 7

2012-01-24T23:05:00.000-05:00

Welcome, my little reapers, to FEAR THE REAPER Parte Deux!

This time we are counting down the release of WINGS OF WICKED 1.31.2012!

Join me at Schuler Books in Lansing, MI for the launch event on 2.1.2012!

The first chapter of Wings can be previewed in the ANGELFIRE paperback out January 17 along with an exclusive scene from Will's POV involving, Ragnuk, Bastian, Ivar, Geir, and Cadan.....

So much excitement!

In the Fear the Reaper tradition, I'll host a giveaway and post a song from the WINGS OF THE WICKED playlist each week, but because some of these songs are massively spoilery, I'll let the lyrics speak for themselves and I will say nothing about what the song means in relation to Wings. These songs will be posted chronologically with their scenes in the book You will have to find out for yourself!

Be sure to check out the Wings of the Wicked soundtrack

to hear songs for the book that I wrote myself!

CD's will be handed out on the Dark Days of Supernatural Tour in February!

Click here to listen!

Watch the trailer for WINGS OF THE WICKED:

Week 6 Winners:

Congrats to Renee @mcdonaldrenee!

Please email me your address (via my Contact page on my website) so I can send you prize.

Thank you to all who entered!!!

Week 7

Song: Save Me by Burn Halo

Cadan's song!! Eeeeee!!!!

I've been looking for my next mistake,

In every other little chance I take.

I've left my mark, everywhere I've been.

I think it's time for me to come back down,

I think it's time for me to stand my ground.

I don't know where I should begin.

I hope it's not too late.

Save me, cause I still believe,

There's something in me,(Worth saving)

Save me, from this disease,

That's feeding on the better part of me.

Save me.

Is there a reason why I am still here?

Nobody ever seem to make it clear.

I've been waiting here for so damn long.

I just need you to show me now,

If there was ever really any way out.

I've been ticking like a time bomb,

Every move I made was wrong.

I hope it's not too late.

Save me, cause I still believe,

There's something in me,(Worth saving)

Save me, from this disease,

That's feeding on the better part of me.

(There's still time for redemption)

Yeah, I still believe

(There's still time for redemption)

Yeah I still believe

(There's still time for redemption)

Yeah I still believe

(There's still time for redemption)

Yeah I still believe

Save me, cause I still believe,

There's something in me, (Worth saving)

Save me, from this disease,

That's feeding on the better part of me.{x2}

Save me

Giveaway: ANGELFIRE and WINGS OF THE WICKED

How to enter the contest:

For +1 entry ticket, leave a comment on this blog post

Please leave your email/blog link/twitter/something for me to contact you with if you win!

For +1 additional entry ticket, tweet a link to this contest

Please add the hastag #FEARTHEREAPER so I can find your tweet easily. No need to comment here with a link to your tweet or to @ reply me because the hashtag will lead me to your tweet.

For +1 addition entry ticket, make a blog post telling other about this contest

Sidebar links don't count because I don't have time to look for them. Please make a blog post of your own and comment on this contest post with a direct link.

Entries close Sunday 1.29.12 at 11:59PM EST
This contest is INTERNATIONAL =)

Thank you for entering!

Please vote for ANGELFIRE in

the Best of 2011 Debuts Awards!!

Best Paranormal Debut

Favorite Character

Favorite Couple

If we win a category, I've got an awesome THANK YOU gift

planned! Check it out!!!!

Awesome News!! A Starred Review for Wings of the Wicked!

2012-01-18T13:13:00.004-05:00

I couldn't be more proud of my fat little book! VOYA (Voice of Youth Advocates, a leading magazine for the incredible young adult librarians all over the country, has give WINGS OF THE WICKED a STARRED review!! I can only hope that librarians read this and decide that Wings is a great fit in their libraries and for their teens. Thank you, VOYA!

This gripping sequel in the Angelfire series continues with more action and more characters. It combines the forbidden romance of Twilight, the friendship and action of Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and the angelic/demonic mythos-urban fantasy/horror of Supernatural. Preliator Ellie is remembering more and more of her reincarnated soul’s past as archangel Gabriel. Her forbidden attraction to her Guardian, Will, is growing and becoming more distracting. Bastian seems to be back and with a bigger, more insidious plan to dominate humanity. Both Ellie and Will discover they have deep, dark powers not yet known and their long past together is both a strength and weakness.

This book, like its predecessor, will engage readers easily and many will not be able to put it down. The angst-filled, romantic tension; best girl/supportive friend; and fast-paced action sequences will keep readers wanting more in the next installment. This excellent book is a must-have purchase for all libraries, especially where horror, romance, and urban fantasy fiction is hot. Characters and plot continue to be very strong and the mixing up of traditional lore is appealing. Readers will eagerly anticipate the next in the series. This novel will provide crossover appeal to both older teens and adults.

Don't forget that Wings of the Wicked lands in stores on January 31!

Angelfire paperback release & Will's Point of View Teaser Prequel Scene

2012-01-17T14:53:00.007-05:00

Exciting news today, everyone! The paperback edition of ANGELFIRE has officially released and it packed full of Extras, including a guide to the world of angels and reapers, the first chapter of WINGS OF THE WICKED, and an exclusive prequel scene from Will's point of view. So celebrate, I'd love to share an excerpt from Will's scene with you for Teaser Tuesday!

~~~~~~~~~

My eyes were shut tight and my jaw clenched, determined not to make a cry of pain. That would only encourage them. It would take a lot of damage to kill me, but that wasn’t their goal. Reapers were patient, for they had eternity to do whatever they desired, and many loved to spill blood just to watch it run.

One of them grabbed a fistful of my hair and yanked me upright so that his yellow eyes could drive into mine. His mouth slid wide to show multiple rows of jagged, needle teeth.

“I thought you had passed out for a moment,” Geir said as he crouched in front of me. “That would have been disappointing.”

If the chains weren’t so tight around my arms, I’d have punched his face so hard those shark teeth would shoot out the back of his head. I jerked against the metal to their limits, but halted brutally with Geir’s throat just out of reach. I was too weakened to break free of the chains and of the angelic spell cast into the pentagram drawn on the ground around me. My body would heal and then they would begin again, tearing me up until I was near death only to let me heal so they could start all over. I didn’t know how long I’d been in this barn. I didn’t know if it was night or day. And I didn’t know if she was still alive.

I had to return to her. The reaper struck my face and blood ran over my eyes. I had to return to her.

He stopped after some time, releasing me roughly, but I was so numb from agony that it made little difference whether he was torturing me or not. The closer I was to death, the less it hurt. My chest heaved painfully in order to breathe. One of my lungs had collapsed and its desperation to heal was even more excruciating than the initial blow that had damaged it. When my eyes were shut, I saw her face. When I opened them, blinking through blood, I saw Geir’s face. Ivar stood behind him, talking to Cadan. He wrapped a hand around her cheek tenderly for a moment before leaving the barn with her. Their show of affection for one another was alien, so untrue to their natures. They were incapable of love. They didn’t even know the meaning of the word.

My teeth ground together as my heartbeat quickened with rage. Bastian had returned. He appeared from the Grim with a flash of black hair and shadows of power that made my skin crawl. I shivered and sank deeper on my knees, my knuckles dragging to the dirt floor. Geir moved aside as Bastian approached, the lesser reaper bowing out submissively.

Bastian’s icy indigo gaze met mine with satisfied amusement. “Hello, William. Did you miss me?”

“What took you so long?” I asked hoarsely, looking up into his face. “Geir hits like a bitch.”

The yellow-eyed reaper hissed and moved to strike me.

“Enough,” Bastian said in a low, calm voice. He didn’t need to shout for his thugs to obey. Often, one look was more than enough to send them cowering.

It was painful straining to see Bastian’s face above me, waiting for him to start torturing me again.

“I’m impressed you haven’t lost your spirit, William,” he said. “By now I thought you’d be begging for death, but I have to admit I’m pleased. I have a gift for you. He should be here soon.”

Fear The Reaper: Countdown to Wings of the Wicked Week 6

2012-01-16T18:38:00.002-05:00

Welcome, my little reapers, to FEAR THE REAPER Parte Deux!

This time we are counting down the release of WINGS OF WICKED 2.1.2012!

The first chapter of Wings can be previewed in the ANGELFIRE paperback out January 17 along with an exclusive scene from Will's POV involving, Ragnuk, Bastian, Ivar, Geir, and Cadan.....

So much excitement!

Be sure to check out the Wings of the Wicked soundtrack

to hear songs for the book that I wrote myself!

CD's will be handed out on the Dark Days of Supernatural Tour in February!

Click here to listen!

Watch the trailer for WINGS OF THE WICKED:

Week 5 Winners:

Congrats to our SIX winners of WINGS OF THE WICKED!

Crystal

Miki

Ishita/Fishy

WulfLuva

CYP

Ashelynn

Please email me your address (via my Contact page on my website) so I can send you prize.

Thank you to all who entered!!! You guys were INCREDIBLE and I wish I could give you ALL books <3

Week 6

Song: Prodigal by OneRepublic

We say good-bye

I turn my back

Run away, run away

So predictable

Not far from here

You see me crack

Like a bone, like a bone

I'm so breakable

And I take everything from you

But you'll take anything

Won't you?

Run away, run away

Like a prodigal

Don't you wait for me

So ashamed, so ashamed

But I need you so

And you wait for me

I'm on the road

To who knows where?

Look ahead, not behind

I keep saying

There's no place to go

Where you're not there

On your rope, I hold tight

But it's freeing

And I take everything from you

But you'll take anything

Won't you?

Run away, run away

Like a prodigal

Don't you wait for me

So ashamed, so ashamed

But I need you so

And you wait for me

Everybody wants to be right

But only if it's not day light?

I keep trying to find my way back

My way back

Run away, run away

Like a prodigal

Don't you wait for me

So ashamed, so ashamed

But I need you so

And you wait for me

Runaway

From you

Giveaway: ARC of EVERNEATH by Brodi Ashton

How to enter the contest:

For +1 entry ticket, leave a comment on this blog post

Please leave your email/blog link/twitter/something for me to contact you with if you win!

For +1 additional entry ticket, tweet a link to this contest

Please add the hastag #FEARTHEREAPER so I can find your tweet easily. No need to comment here with a link to your tweet or to @ reply me because the hashtag will lead me to your tweet.

For +1 addition entry ticket, make a blog post telling other about this contest

Sidebar links don't count because I don't have time to look for them. Please make a blog post of your own and comment on this contest post with a direct link.

Entries close Sunday 1.22.12 at 11:59PM EST
This contest is INTERNATIONAL =)

Thank you for entering!

Please vote for ANGELFIRE in

the Best of 2011 Debuts Awards!!

<3 Best Paranormal Debut

<3 Favorite Character

<3 Favorite Couple

If we win a category, I've got an awesome THANK YOU gift

planned! Check it out!!!!

Don't forget: ANGELFIRE releases in paperback January 17!

Fear The Reaper: Countdown to Wings of the Wicked Week 5.5

2012-01-14T09:11:00.000-05:00

Watch the trailer for WINGS OF THE WICKED:

Week 5

Song: Samhain by We Are the Fallen

Memories flood through my brain

Tears drown my heart filled with rage

Blinding silence takes your place

Broken forever by this life

Why

Wake from where you lie

Don't say goodbye

I'm praying for more time

Don't sleep tonight

Heaven hear me, hold them safe

Time stands frozen, no more strength

Broken forever by this life

Why

Wake from where you lie

Don't say goodbye

I'm praying for more time

Don't sleep tonight

Lay low, peaceful dreaming,

I'm safe till your last breath shall die

Giveaway: SIX Signed Hardcovers of

WINGS OF THE WICKED

I've added a SIXTH copy for you guys hitting 20,000 comments! Keep blogging and tweeting and telling your friends!!
<333 THANK YOU <333

Let's break blogger again!

This is PART FIVE of Week 5

In honor of the ANGELFIRE paperback release on January 17 (next Tuesday AHHH!!!)

I am giving away SIX signed hardcovers of WINGS OF THE WICKED

and the only way to win them is to break blogger.

Not like we haven't done that a few times before, right?

>=}~

Please vote for ANGELFIRE in
the Best of 2011 Debuts Awards!!
<3 Best Paranormal Debut
<3 Favorite Character
<3 Favorite Couple

If we win a category, I've got an awesome THANK YOU gift
planned! Check it out!!!!

As for points, you decide how many you accumulate.
The more you comment, blog, and tweet, the more points you get.
If you post on Facebook, be sure to tag me in the post so I'll see it <3
So comment a billion times, you get a billion entries. Each comment is one point. Each tweet linking back here is one point, each blog post link is one point - there is NO LIMIT to how many entry points you can accumulate. Winners are still chosen randomly but the more points you have, the more likely you are to win!

I have FIVE copies to give away so there will be FIVE winners!

If you tweet, please remember to add the hashtag #FearTheReaper so I can find them! Don't forget to give me some way of contacting you via blog link, email, twitter name... Whatever works!.

Entries close Sunday 1.15.12 at 11:59PM EST
This contest is INTERNATIONAL =)

Thank you for entering! HAVE FUN!!! Next week will resume as a normal giveaway :)

Fear The Reaper: Countdown to Wings of the Wicked Week 5.4

2012-01-13T20:59:00.000-05:00

Watch the trailer for WINGS OF THE WICKED:

Week 5

Song: Samhain by We Are the Fallen

Memories flood through my brain

Tears drown my heart filled with rage

Blinding silence takes your place

Broken forever by this life

Why

Wake from where you lie

Don't say goodbye

I'm praying for more time

Don't sleep tonight

Heaven hear me, hold them safe

Time stands frozen, no more strength

Broken forever by this life

Why

Wake from where you lie

Don't say goodbye

I'm praying for more time

Don't sleep tonight

Lay low, peaceful dreaming,

I'm safe till your last breath shall die

Giveaway: FIVE Signed Hardcovers of

WINGS OF THE WICKED

I've added a FIFTH copy for you guys hitting 15,000 comments! Keep blogging and tweeting and telling your friends!!
<333 THANK YOU <333

Let's break blogger again!

This is PART FOUR of Week 5

In honor of the ANGELFIRE paperback release on January 17 (next Tuesday AHHH!!!)

I am giving away THREE signed hardcovers of WINGS OF THE WICKED

and the only way to win them is to break blogger.

Not like we haven't done that a few times before, right?

Entries close Sunday 1.15.12 at 11:59PM EST
This contest is INTERNATIONAL =)

Thank you for entering! HAVE FUN!!! Next week will resume as a normal giveaway :)

The Best of 2011 Nominations for Angelfire!

2012-01-12T09:10:00.002-05:00

Guys!! Angelfire has been nominated in three categories for the Best of 2011 Debut Awards!

> Favorite Character
> Favorite Couple
> Best Paranormal Debut

I am beyond honored and bewildered to have been nominated among such incredible books - most of them I have read and adored. If you loved Angelfire, please help me vote! The awesome thing is that there is no limit to how many times you can vote, so please vote, vote, VOTE! <3

To thank you for your votes and dedication, I would love to thank you guys. If Angelfire wins any category, at least one of the three, I would love to write a scene JUST for you guys. To show how much I love you guys, I will let YOU decide what kind of scene I will write for you and which characters will be featured! You will even decide whose POV it is told from! I will write a scene between anyone, even a brand new character, in any situation YOU ask for. I will tally up similar requests and see what has been voted for the most. So here is a form for you to submit your requests. Go as crazy as you want! If you have any questions, please post them in the comments and I will do my best to answer them for you.

Please click here to vote for ANGELFIRE!

Voting ends January 26! LOVE YOU LITTLE REAPERS!!!

<p>&amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Loading...&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;gt;</p>

Fear The Reaper: Countdown to Wings of the Wicked Week 5.3

2012-01-11T21:48:00.001-05:00

Watch the trailer for WINGS OF THE WICKED:

Week 5

Song: Samhain by We Are the Fallen

Memories flood through my brain

Tears drown my heart filled with rage

Blinding silence takes your place

Broken forever by this life

Why

Wake from where you lie

Don't say goodbye

I'm praying for more time

Don't sleep tonight

Heaven hear me, hold them safe

Time stands frozen, no more strength

Broken forever by this life

Why

Wake from where you lie

Don't say goodbye

I'm praying for more time

Don't sleep tonight

Lay low, peaceful dreaming,

I'm safe till your last breath shall die

Giveaway: FOUR Signed Hardcovers of

WINGS OF THE WICKED

I've added a FOURTH copy since you guys are doing so great!
Thanks!!

Let's break blogger again!

This is PART THREE of Week 5

In honor of the ANGELFIRE paperback release on January 17 (next Tuesday AHHH!!!)

I am giving away THREE signed hardcovers of WINGS OF THE WICKED

and the only way to win them is to break blogger.

Not like we haven't done that a few times before, right?

>=}~

Don't forget to vote for ANGELFIRE for Best Paranormal Debut and Ellie and Will as Best Couple
in the Best of 2011 Debuts Awards!!
Please vote for us!!

As for points, you decide how many you accumulate.
The more you comment, blog, and tweet, the more points you get.
So comment a billion times, you get a billion entries. Each comment is one point. Each tweet linking back here is one point, each blog post link is one point - there is NO LIMIT to how many entry points you can accumulate. Winners are still chosen randomly but the more points you have, the more likely you are to win!

I have THREE copies to give away so there will be THREE winners!

If you tweet, please remember to add the hashtag #FearTheReaper so I can find them! Don't forget to give me some way of contacting you via blog link, email, twitter name... Whatever works!.

Entries close Sunday 1.15.12 at 11:59PM EST
This contest is INTERNATIONAL =)

Thank you for entering! HAVE FUN!!! Next week will resume as a normal giveaway :)

Fear The Reaper: Countdown to Wings of the Wicked Week 5.2

2012-01-10T18:30:00.000-05:00

Watch the trailer for WINGS OF THE WICKED:

Week 5

Song: Samhain by We Are the Fallen

Memories flood through my brain

Tears drown my heart filled with rage

Blinding silence takes your place

Broken forever by this life

Why

Wake from where you lie

Don't say goodbye

I'm praying for more time

Don't sleep tonight

Heaven hear me, hold them safe

Time stands frozen, no more strength

Broken forever by this life

Why

Wake from where you lie

Don't say goodbye

I'm praying for more time

Don't sleep tonight

Lay low, peaceful dreaming,

I'm safe till your last breath shall die

Giveaway: Three Signed Hardcovers of

WINGS OF THE WICKED

Yes, THREE!
and possible FOUR!

Let's break blogger again!

This is PART TWO of Week 5. If there's another 5,000 comments I will throw in another hardcover of WINGS OF THE WICKED to make the giveaway a total of FOUR. Your prize for breaking Blogger in 24 hours is an awesome teaser :) Enjoy!

In honor of the ANGELFIRE paperback release on January 17 (next Tuesday AHHH!!!)

I am giving away THREE signed hardcovers of WINGS OF THE WICKED

and the only way to win them is to break blogger.

Not like we haven't done that a few times before, right?

>=}~

Entries close Sunday 1.15.12 at 11:59PM EST
This contest is INTERNATIONAL =)

Thank you for entering! HAVE FUN!!! Next week will resume as a normal giveaway :)

Aaaaaaand now for you TEASER TUESDAY! For breaking Blogger in less than 24 hours, I give you an awesome Cadan teaser! This is spoilery and teasery but whatever. Enjoy :)

~~~~~~~~

I drove somewhere I knew no one would find me, to the north side of town, to a park I’d been to with my parents a few times when I was little. It would be empty in the middle of winter and in the middle of the night, and I could avoid any contact with anyone, especially humans. I parked my car in the lot of an empty grocery store where it would be safe, and I walked beneath the lightly falling snow and lonely streetlights. A couple of cars passed me, and that was it for company. I relished the solitude and didn’t care that it was cold. When I got to the park, I trudged to its center and found a wrought-iron bench beneath a snow-covered tree and a single lamppost. I plopped down and immediately began to cry.

“This is a surprise,” said a voice to my side.

I jerked, startled, and looked up to see Cadan standing next to me. I wiped the tears on my face with my sleeve and made a very unladylike sniffle. I peeked at him and saw that he was staring at me with his head tilted curiously. “What do you want?”

“Did you even have a plan when you ran off?” he asked. “Where are you going? Do you even have a place to go?”

I snarled and wiped at the tears on my face before they froze solid on my skin. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“It’s no mystery that you’re very upset,” he said quietly as he sat beside me. “And your Guardian’s presence is nowhere to be felt. That is not a good sign.”

“Well, it’s nothing,” I snapped, and turned my gaze to the ground. “And you can go away now.”

“I don’t think so.”

“That was an order. I wasn’t asking for your opinion.”

“That doesn’t work on me, love. I’m not your Guardian.”

“Thank God for that.”

I expected a sharp retort, but he just looked at me. “I didn’t come here to fight with you,” he said.

“And I didn’t come here hoping to see you.”

He gave me a patient look. He seemed to tell by my hostility that I wasn’t in the mood for his jokes. At least he was smart. “I’m sorry, Ellie. I know what happened.”

I turned on him, snarling. “You don’t know shit.”

He narrowed his eyes, and fire flashed within them. “Don’t talk to me like I’m an idiot.”

The harshness in his voice surprised me. I didn’t expect him to say anything like that. Perhaps I deserved it. My gut twisted in a rage at the thought of the demonic reapers gloating behind my back. “Come to rub it in then?”

“I’m not your enemy, Ellie.”

“Aren’t you?”

He was silent.

I ground my teeth. Part of me wanted to fight him for the sake of fighting, but it’d do nothing to get me my revenge. “Why are you really here, then, if you already know what’s made me so upset? Do you want to tell me how sorry you are, or do you have another present from Bastian?”

He flinched and his gaze faltered. “I had nothing to do with that. I didn’t even know about it. If I had known what was going to happen, I would have done something to prevent it. I’m trying to help you.”

“You have nothing to do with everything, don’t you?” I snapped callously.

“I’m not going to take any of your crap, you know.”

I looked over at him, my mouth parting in shock. He had the nerve to talk to me like that?

His eyes were bright and gleaming, honest. “Your guard dog might be okay with getting bossed around and talked down to—”

“I don’t talk down to Will.”

“Oh?” He put his arms up on the back of the bench. “You sure about that?”

I opened my mouth to retort, but I had nothing to say.

“I’m sorry,” Cadan said.

I sighed. I had no right to be upset with him, since he was right, after all. “It’s fine. It’s all my fault anyway.”

“No, it’s not. The blame belongs to those who want to destroy this world and everyone in it.”

“I’ve managed to make Will hate me,” I grumbled. “I’m sure my grandmother thinks I’m a delinquent. Lauren’s petrified of me, and Nathaniel thinks I’m going to snap and kill them all . . . which I probably will.”

“Nah,” he said. “You’re not crazy.”

I huffed. “You haven’t seen me at my worst.”

“I’d still admire you for exactly what you are.”

“Don’t speak too soon.”

He smiled. “We all have our imperfections.”

“Most people’s imperfections don’t involve going berserk and trying to kill the people they love.”

He was quiet for a moment. “You have a lot more to deal with than most people. Nobody is like you. No one else is what you are, or has ever been what you are. You’re changing, trying to adapt to this world.”

“That’s not an excuse for me to let my power control me. There’s no excuse for me hurting innocent people.”

“True, but we have to try and understand you,” he said thoughtfully. “You are a being of two worlds, Heaven and Earth. What you’re capable of could be limitless. It’s not a question of if you can control your energy. Your body is human and your power is archangel—the most powerful being ever created. Something conflicts. An archangel was never meant to live as a human girl.”

What he said was almost exactly what Michael had told me when I asked him why I lost myself to emotion and to my power. Maybe he and Cadan were right. “There’s something wrong with me.”

“No,” he said softly, reaching forward to slide his fingers along my jaw toward my chin. The gesture was soothing, and in the frigid cold, his hand was surprisingly warm. The cold never affected the reapers. “There’s nothing wrong with you. Through your lifetimes, your humanity has grown stronger. Your human passion is taking over your angelic heritage, and I don’t think it knows how to handle all that divine power. Once you understand and can balance the two sides of yourself, you will be unstoppable.”

I looked away from him. “If Bastian doesn’t find a way to destroy my soul first.”

“I’m sorry for what he has done to you,” Cadan said. “For everything that he’s done to you. I’m not sure if I’m strong enough to kill him, but for you, I’d try.”

“I wouldn’t ask you to.”

He let out a long breath. “But I feel responsible. I should’ve done something sooner,” he said earnestly. “I wish I’d known that you aren’t some awful thing who only destroys. Maybe this would all be different.”

“I don’t think Bastian would’ve listened to you if you had tried to reason with him. He’s out to kill me for good. He’s pretty dead set on it, actually, if you’ll pardon my morbid pun. God, I’m making fun of myself dying. I am so screwed up.”

He shook his head. “You don’t understand.”

OMG DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT????? You 'll just have to wait and find out what the heck happened to get these two at this point.... MWAHAHA!

Fear The Reaper: Countdown to Wings of the Wicked Week 5

2012-01-09T20:46:00.000-05:00

Welcome, my little reapers, to FEAR THE REAPER Parte Deux!

This time we are counting down the release of WINGS OF WICKED 2.1.2012!

The first chapter of Wings can be previewed in the ANGELFIRE paperback out January 17 along with an exclusive scene from Will's POV involving, Ragnuk, Bastian, Ivar, Geir, and Cadan.....

So much excitement!

Be sure to check out the Wings of the Wicked soundtrack

to hear songs for the book that I wrote myself!

CD's will be handed out on the Dark Days of Supernatural Tour in February!

Click here to listen!

Watch the trailer for WINGS OF THE WICKED:

Week 4 Winner:

Congrats to BookishBaggins!!

Please email me your address (via my Contact page on my website) so I can send you prize.

Thank you to all who entered!!!

Week 5

Song: Samhain by We Are the Fallen

Memories flood through my brain

Tears drown my heart filled with rage

Blinding silence takes your place

Broken forever by this life

Why

Wake from where you lie

Don't say goodbye

I'm praying for more time

Don't sleep tonight

Heaven hear me, hold them safe

Time stands frozen, no more strength

Broken forever by this life

Why

Wake from where you lie

Don't say goodbye

I'm praying for more time

Don't sleep tonight

Lay low, peaceful dreaming,

I'm safe till your last breath shall die

Giveaway: Three Signed Hardcovers of

WINGS OF THE WICKED

Yes, THREE!

Let's break blogger again!

In honor of the ANGELFIRE paperback release on January 17 (next Tuesday AHHH!!!)

I am giving away THREE signed hardcovers of WINGS OF THE WICKED

and the only way to win them is to break blogger.

Not like we haven't done that a few times before, right?

>=}~

Entries close Sunday 1.15.12 at 11:59PM EST
This contest is INTERNATIONAL =)

Thank you for entering! HAVE FUN!!! Next week will resume as a normal giveaway :)

Wings of the Wicked 100 Page Sneak Peek & Countdown Widget

2012-01-04T18:58:00.001-05:00

Courtesy of Pitch Dark on Facebook, you have the chance to read the first 100 pages of WINGS OF THE WICKED for free!

Read the first 100 pages of WINGS OF THE WICKED!

I'm also giving away 5 copies of ANGELFIRE paperback editions on my Facebook page! It ends Monday, January 9.

The paperback ANGELFIRE releases January 17 and is packed full of 'Extras' including a sneak peek at the sequel, WINGS OF THE WICKED, and special prequel from Will's POV!

Spread the countdown to Wings of the Wicked love with this cool widget for your website! The Pitch Dark website has tons more widgets for other great paranormal reads too, so check them out!

Fear The Reaper: Countdown to Wings of the Wicked Week 4

2012-01-02T21:02:00.000-05:00

Welcome, my little reapers, to FEAR THE REAPER Parte Deux!

This time we are counting down the release of WINGS OF WICKED 2.1.2012!

The first chapter of Wings can be previewed in the ANGELFIRE paperback out January 17 along with an exclusive scene from Will's POV involving, Ragnuk, Bastian, Ivar, Geir, and Cadan.....

So much excitement!

Be sure to check out the Wings of the Wicked soundtrack

to hear songs for the book that I wrote myself!

CD's will be handed out on the Dark Days of Supernatural Tour in February!

Click here to listen!

Watch the trailer for WINGS OF THE WICKED:

Week 3 Winner:

Congrats to Poet!! I will contact you shortly to get your address so I can send you prize.

Thank you to all who entered!!!

Week 4

Song: Anywhere But Here by Safetysuit

Is this the end of the moment or just a beautiful unfolding

Of a love that will never be or maybe be

Everything that I never thought could happen or ever come to pass and I wonder

If maybe, maybe I could be all you ever dreamed, cause you are

Beautiful inside, so lovely and I can't see why I'd do anything without you, you are

And when I'm not with you, I know that it's true

That I'd rather be anywhere but here without you

Is this a natural feeling or is it just me bleeding

All my thoughts and dreams in hope that you will be with me or

Is this a moment to remember or just a cold day in December, I wonder

If maybe, maybe I could be all you ever dreamed cause you are

Beautiful inside, so lovely and I can't see why I'd do anything without you, you are

And when I'm not with you, I know that it's true

That I'd rather be anywhere but here without you

Is this the end of the moment or just a beautiful unfolding of a love that will never be for you and me

Cause you are

You're beautiful inside, you're so lovely and I can't see why I'd do anything without you, you are

And when I'm not with you, I know that it's true

That I'd rather be anywhere but here without you

Giveaway: ARC of INCARNATE by Jodi Meadows

How to enter the contest:

For +1 entry ticket, leave a comment on this blog post

Please leave your email/blog link/twitter/something for me to contact you with if you win!

For +1 additional entry ticket, tweet a link to this contest

Please add the hastag #FEARTHEREAPER so I can find your tweet easily. No need to comment here with a link to your tweet or to @ reply me because the hashtag will lead me to your tweet.

For +1 addition entry ticket, make a blog post telling other about this contest

Sidebar links don't count because I don't have time to look for them. Please make a blog post of your own and comment on this contest post with a direct link.

Entries close Sunday 1.8.12 at 11:59PM EST
This contest is INTERNATIONAL =)

Thank you for entering!

Wings of the Wicked Teaser Tuesday 1

2011-12-27T15:49:00.000-05:00

Here is the Wings of the Wicked teaser I promised for today! This was one of the most fun scenes to write in this book and it introduces a new angelic reaper named Marcus, who plays a large role in fight against Hell from here on out. He's a blast and has a huge personality, but his tendencies to mingle with regular humans makes Ellie wary of him at first.

This is probably pretty spoilery for those who haven't read Angelfire, but it won't ruin your life or anything if you go ahead and read it.

~~~~~~~

Will laid a hand on my shoulder and his fingers tightened. I turned my head to look up at him, but instead he bent over and whispered into my ear, “Don’t be angry.”

That was random. “What are you—?” And then I saw him.

Marcus.

The reaper stood just inside the doors everyone used to get in and out of the basement without bothering Kate’s parents. He hadn’t even taken two steps into the party and already he was surrounded by girls. He stood a head taller than most people there, so he wasn’t easy to miss. Plus, he was hot and he was fully aware of that, which probably made girls flock to him. Even in the low light, I could see that sweeping smile across his face that made him even more attractive.

Of course I wasn’t fooled.

I shot to my feet, but Will grabbed my hand before I took a single step.

“He’s not going to hurt anyone,” Will said with a serious expression.

That wasn’t even the point. He was a reaper, and I didn’t want my human friends exposed to the supernatural world. Will was more than enough. Despite my annoyance, I couldn’t help but admire Marcus for plainly displaying his gnarled burn scar around his collar as if he wore it proudly and felt no shame at all.

When Marcus spotted me, he waved and pushed through the gaggle of girls. Blatant hate twisted their faces when they saw him ease right toward me.

“Ellie, Will, how are—?”

“What are you doing here?” I demanded.

He blinked in surprise. “Well, I—”

“You shouldn’t be here,” I said, not letting him finish. “I told you not to come.”

Will’s voice was gentle in my ear, soothing. “He doesn’t mean any harm.”

I glared at him. “Don’t defend him.” I turned to the other reaper. “Marcus, you need to leave.”

“Oh, I’m not leaving,” he said with a soft laugh.

“Who’s your friend?”

I practically leaped into the air and spun around to see that Kate had walked up behind me. I slapped the back of my hand against Marcus’s chest, hard enough to force him back a step. “This is Marcus. Ignore him. He’s a bad seed.”

As she checked him out, that growing smile of hers told me she was up to no good. She held out a hand for him to take. “Hi. I’m Kate. I’m a bad seed, too.”

Instead of shaking her hand, he swept it up and bowed his head to press his lips against the back of her hand. “A pleasure.”

If I were Kate, I would have swooned. But I wasn’t Kate and she wasn’t me. Instead of doing something apocalyptically uncool, she let two simple words roll off her tongue as if we were all in some classic Hollywood movie: “All mine.”

Marcus let go of her hand and she turned to me. “Where did you find this one?”

I thought quickly. “He’s a friend of Will’s . . . from . . . school.”

She glowered at me. “Why do you always get the hot college guys, and why didn’t you tell me you were bringing an extra?”

“Oh, I’m even more shocked than you are,” I said through my teeth as I smiled bitterly at Marcus. His eyes were glued on Kate. She had that effect.

“So, Marcus,” Kate said. “You go to college with Will?”

His smile widened almost imperceptibly. “Foreign exchange.”

“Interesting. Where are you from?”

“Spain,” he answered smoothly, voice like cream. “While I’m here, I hope to explore every last inch of America.”

Her brow arced suggestively. “Oh?”

I looked up at Will pleadingly. Strangely, he didn’t feel bothered at all by Marcus’s interest in a normal human girl. Was it common for reapers to date humans, or did they just sleep with them? If Will seemed to think it was okay for Marcus to do so, then was he guilty of it himself? The thought of Will with another girl was sickening, but I had to accept the fact that he was a guy, even if he was a reaper. Mortal girls practically threw themselves at him. Not to mention, there was Ava and whatever history I suspected they had together.

“Would you like a drink, Marcus?” Kate offered.

“I’d love a drink,” Marcus replied.

“Okay then.” She beckoned for him to follow her into the kitchen.

I looked at Will. “Stay right here.”

He frowned. “I’m not a dog, Ellie.”

“Fine,” I chirped. “Then no biscuit for you.”

When I smiled at him, he grinned and rolled his eyes. “You don’t have to throw him out. Just leave him be.”

“I’m only going to talk to him,” I assured Will, and jogged to catch up with Marcus. I put a firm hand on his arm, stopping him before he went into the kitchen.

“What do you think you’re doing?” I demanded.

“As I please.” He gazed down at me, his eyes challenging me. He had no fear of me.

“Why would you come here, when I asked you not to, and then shamelessly flirt with my best friend? Who is human, no less.”

His expression darkened, and he leaned over me so close that I felt his breath on my cheek and no one else could overhear us. “Need I remind you, Preliator, that I am not your Guardian? You cannot control me.”

The way he said that reminded me of how very dangerous he was, no matter how well I had known him in past lives or the fact that he was an angelic reaper. But I wasn’t about to let him walk all over me. “But you serve the angels. I am the archangel Gabriel.”

He took a deep breath through his nose, brushing the tip of it across my cheek, very much like an animal. “You smell human to me.”

Reapers were very weird. At least Will didn’t sniff me like I was dinner. When I tried to speak, I realized I’d been holding my breath. “What are your intentions with her?”

He drew away, and that devil-may-care attitude returned in a heartbeat. “They’re entirely chaste, I assure you.”

“If you hurt her, reaper, I will take both of your balls.”

He stared at me for a moment before he huffed and smirked. “You’d try.” That momentary hesitation told me he knew I sure as hell would try. I’d probably succeed, too.

Marcus knew me just as well as I knew him from decades ago, and he knew what I was capable of. I didn’t quite remember his full strength, but his pause after my threat gave me hope that I could handle myself if things really went down.

Marcus walked past me into the kitchen without another word.

I closed my eyes, rubbed the bridge of my nose with my thumb and forefinger, emotionally exhausted. These reapers were going to kill me. Again.

I entered the kitchen to find Kate and Marcus laughing and joking. Marcus had on a genuine smile, rich and gracious. It was strange to see him act so normal, like he was just another guy at a party talking to a pretty girl, and not an immortal Hellspawn fighter. The other vir I’d known acted aloof, like they thought they were better than humans. Or they were like Will, who felt he just didn’t belong around humans. Even Nathaniel didn’t attempt to make friends with humans other than Lauren, and in that case they’d met under special circumstances.

“So really,” Kate said, touching his shoulder. “Where did you get the scar?”

His grin was playful, but I could tell he was dead serious. “I told you. It’s from a fight. The guy had a knife that was practically a sword.”

There was puzzled look on her face behind her smile. “But it looks like burn scars, a very clean line of burn scars.”

“I’m not lying.”

I crossed my arms over my chest when they noticed me. “Well, aren’t you two just hitting it off?”

Kate kissed me on the cheek and petted my hair when she saw my frown. “Marcus was just telling me stories of back home in Spain. We should go backpacking through Europe this summer after we graduate. Wouldn’t that be amazing?”

It would, but only if I survived to see my diploma. “Definitely, as long as we avoid any hostels. I saw those movies.”

Marcus laughed. “That was fiction, Ellie. The hostels are a great place to stay, and you meet incredible people from all over the world.”

“Mmm-hmm,” I said sarcastically. “I’m sure.”

I sensed a body behind me and knew instantly it was Will. I turned to see him.

“So are you and Marcus finally getting along?” he asked.

“She threatened to castrate me,” Marcus said.

I nodded. “Sure did.”

Will blinked and stiffened uncomfortably. “Oh.”

“That’s not nice, Ell,” Kate scolded. “Boys need those.” She turned to Marcus and looped her arm through his. “Let’s go enjoy the rest of the party, shall we?”

As they left the kitchen, Kate flashed me a gentle smile, but it didn’t make me relax. I just had a bad feeling about the whole thing.

Fear The Reaper: Countdown to Wings of the Wicked Week 3

2011-12-26T12:53:00.000-05:00

Welcome, my little reapers, to FEAR THE REAPER Parte Deux!

This time we are counting down the release of WINGS OF WICKED 2.1.2012!

The first chapter of Wings can be previewed in the ANGELFIRE paperback out January 17 along with an exclusive scene from Will's POV involving, Ragnuk, Bastian, Ivar, Geir, and Cadan.....

So much excitement!

Be sure to check out the Wings of the Wicked soundtrack

to hear songs for the book that I wrote myself!

CD's will be handed out on the Dark Days of Supernatural Tour in February!

Click here to listen!

Watch the trailer for WINGS OF THE WICKED:

Week 2 Winner:

Congrats to Christina Madison!! I will contact you shortly to get your address so I can send you prize.

Thank you to all who entered!!!

Week 3

Song: Draw Your Swords by Angus and Julia Stone

(this song has a *GASP* bad word in the lyrics *GASP*
but I think we're all emotionally mature enough to handle it lol)
(A special thanks to Leah Clifford for sending this song to me!)

See her come down, through the clouds

I feel like a fool

I aint got nothing left to give

Nothing to lose

So come on Love, draw your swords

Shoot me to the ground

You are mine, I am yours

Lets not fuck around

Cause you are, the only one

I see them snakes come through the ground

They choke me to the bone

They tie me to their wooden chair

Here are all my songs

So come on Love, draw your swords

Shoot me to the ground

You are mine, I am yours

Lets not fuck around

Cause you are, the only one

The only

Cause you are, the only one

The only one

So come on Love, draw your swords

Shoot me to the ground

You are mine, I am yours

Lets not fuck around

The only one

Giveaway: Signed ARC of WINGS OF THE WICKED

How to enter the contest:

For +1 entry ticket, leave a comment on this blog post

Please leave your email/blog link/twitter/something for me to contact you with if you win!

For +1 additional entry ticket, tweet a link to this contest

Please add the hastag #FEARTHEREAPER so I can find your tweet easily. No need to comment here with a link to your tweet or to @ reply me because the hashtag will lead me to your tweet.

For +1 addition entry ticket, make a blog post telling other about this contest

Sidebar links don't count because I don't have time to look for them. Please make a blog post of your own and comment on this contest post with a direct link.

Entries close Sunday 1.1.12 at 11:59PM EST
This contest is INTERNATIONAL =)

Thank you for entering

Fear The Reaper: Countdown to Wings of the Wicked Week 2

2011-12-19T19:55:00.000-05:00

Welcome, my little reapers, to FEAR THE REAPER Parte Deux!

This time we are counting down the release of WINGS OF WICKED!

The first chapter of Wings can be previewed in the ANGELFIRE paperback out January 17 along with an exclusive scene from Will's POV involving, Ragnuk, Bastian, Ivar, Geir, and Cadan.....

So much excitement!

Be sure to check out the Wings of the Wicked soundtrack

to hear songs for the book that I wrote myself!

CD's will be handed out on the Dark Days of Supernatural Tour in February!

Click here to listen!

Watch the trailer for WINGS OF THE WICKED:

Week 1 Winner:

Congrats to Minas!! I will contact you shortly to get your address so I can send you prize.

Thank you to all who entered!!!

Week 2

Song: Buried Beneath by Red

My eyes have adjusted to dark and so is my heart

The weight of the world has covered me

I'm in over my head

Am I living or dead

Can anyone hear me calling out

I'm calling out

Finally breaking so where are you now

It's been such a long time

But I've tried to live without

I'm suffocating I need you to breathe

So reach down and pull me up

Pull me up before I am buried beneath

I built this house on the shore

All I want was more

But I felt the sand start shifting

I saw the cracks in the walls

I painted over them all

I tried my best to just ignore

I can't ignore

Finally breaking so where are you now

It's been such a long time

But I've tried to live without

I'm suffocating I need you to breathe

So reach down and pull me up

Pull me up before I am buried beneath

I Thought I was climbing out

But it's dragging me down

What's hidden here with me

Thought I was alone

But it pulls me deeper now

I can't escape

Finally breaking so where are you now

It's been such a long time

But I've tried to live without

I'm suffocating I need you to breathe

So reach down and pull me up

Pull me up before I am buried beneath

Giveaway: ANGELFIRE t-shirt featuring Will

Men's/Unisex Size Small High Quality T-Shirt

How to enter the contest:

For +1 entry ticket, leave a comment on this blog post

Please leave your email/blog link/twitter/something for me to contact you with if you win!

For +1 additional entry ticket, tweet a link to this contest

Please add the hastag #FEARTHEREAPER so I can find your tweet easily. No need to comment here with a link to your tweet or to @ reply me because the hashtag will lead me to your tweet.

For +1 addition entry ticket, make a blog post telling other about this contest

Sidebar links don't count because I don't have time to look for them. Please make a blog post of your own and comment on this contest post with a direct link.

Entries close Sunday 12.25.11 at 11:59PM EST
This contest is INTERNATIONAL =)

Thank you for entering!

A new Wings of the Wicked wallpaper

2011-12-14T20:26:00.000-05:00

I had way too much fun fiddling with the Fear the Reaper banner that I made a desktop wallpaper featuring six characters and a quote from WINGS OF THE WICKED.

(Characters from left to right: Ellie, Will, Nathaniel, Cadan, Ava, Marcus, and Bastian)

And here is the cover desktop for you to enjoy :)

Fear The Reaper: Countdown to Wings of the Wicked Week 1

2011-12-12T22:15:00.002-05:00

Welcome my little reapers to FEAR THE REAPER Parte Deux!

This time we are counting down the release of WINGS OF WICKED!

The first chapter of Wings will be in the ANGELFIRE paperback out January 17 along with an exclusive scene from Will's POV involving, Ragnuk, Bastian, Ivar, Geir, and Cadan.....

So much excitement!

In the Fear the Reaper tradition, I'll giveaway a book and post a song from the WINGS OF THE WICKED playlist each week, but because some of these songs are massively spoilery, I'll let the lyrics speak for themselves and I will say nothing about what the song means in relation to Wings. These songs will be posted chronologically with their scenes in the book You will have to find out for yourself!

Be sure to check out the Wings of the Wicked soundtrack

to hear songs for the book that I wrote myself!

CD's will be handed out on the Dark Days of Supernatural Tour in February!

Click here to listen!

Watch the trailer for WINGS OF THE WICKED:

Week 1

Song: Faster by Within Temptation

I can't see, cause it's burning deep inside.

Like gasoline, a fire running wild.

No more fear, cause I'm getting closer now.

So unreal, but I like it anyhow.

I go faster and faster and faster

and faster and faster and faster and faster.

I can't live in a fairytale of lies.

And I can't hide from the feeling cause it's right.

And I go faster and faster and faster and faster for love.

And I can't live in a fairytale of lies.

I can feel that you've mesmerized my heart.

I feel so free.

I'm alive, I'm breaking out.

I won't give in, cause I'm proud of all my scars.

And I can see I've been wasting too much time.

Giveaway: Signed ARC of WINGS OF THE WICKED

How to enter the contest:

For +1 entry ticket, leave a comment on this blog post

Please leave your email/blog link/twitter/something for me to contact you with if you win!

For +1 additional entry ticket, tweet a link to this contest

Please add the hastag #FEARTHEREAPER so I can find your tweet easily. No need to comment here with a link to your tweet or to @ reply me because the hashtag will lead me to your tweet.

For +1 addition entry ticket, make a blog post telling other about this contest

Sidebar links don't count because I don't have time to look for them. Please make a blog post of your own and comment on this contest post with a direct link.

Entries close 12.18.11 at 11:59PM EST\
This contest is INTERNATIONAL <3

Thank you for entering!

Mini Story Winners & Wings of the Wicked Soundtrack

2011-12-11T17:46:00.001-05:00

Hello my little reapers! A million apologies for posting the winners of the Halloween contest so late. I'm scrambling desperately to finish Angelfire book 3, which is no longer titled HYMN TO THE FALLEN. The new title is official and EVEN BETTER but my publisher would like me to keep it quiet for now. Soon it will be revealed, I promise!

For taking so long to complete this contest for you lovelies, I am adding a special prize in with the original packs. Not only will the winners get a signed copy of WINGS OF THE WICKED, a full set of character bookmarks, and an awesome little glowy walking skeleton thing, but a CD featuring the four songs on the WINGS OF THE WICKED soundtrack that I created myself. One of the songs is performed by Justin Reed, a very talented guitarist who allowed me to adopt a beautiful and sorrowful track as the song Will wrote for Ellie in WINGS OF THE WICKED. Please go listen to the rest of his gorgeous tracks: http://soundcloud.com/justin_reed

Before I announce the winners, I would be proud to reveal the complete WINGS OF THE WICKED soundtrack for you. I hope you like it!

"The Mortal Archangel" by Courtney Allison Moulton ft. Justin Reed

"The Hammer of Gabriel" by Courtney Allison Moulton

"You Look Like A Cupcake" by Courtney Allison Moulton

"Will's Song" by Justin Reed

And now for the winners of the Mini Story contest! You guys. YOU GUYS. These were amazing. It was nearly impossible to choose just three, but I managed it! Thank you to everyone who entered the contest and took the time to think up your own inventive reaper character. I had so much fun reading these!

Nore

This story was my favorite! Not only was it well-written and grabbed my attention, but I feel like this scene actually could have happened in one of the Angelfire books. Awesome work!

"Ah, Miss Bellard! How pleasant to see you after such a long time!" The receptionist stood up behind his counter when I entered the large, empty hall.

Three days? Such a long time? Yeah, right… I stopped myself from looking at him like at an imbecile. I bet he was practicing these lines since he had learnt I was coming.

I was looking straight ahead, pacing toward the elevator past the man whose name I didn’t even know. It started with an ’L’, I think. Larry. Maybe Leroy. Like it mattered...

I pulled the two long pins out of my hair that kept my tight bun in place. That damn bun which made me feel like my scalp had been torn off my skull. I dropped the pins with a nonchalant move and allowed myself a moment to enjoy the sensation of my hair falling down my back, cascading about my shoulders.

Then Mr. L appeared by my side, apparently trying to gain my attention. "You are ravishing as always." How sweet! And pathetic.I took off my blazer and thrust it aside, right in the waiting arms of the man. At least he was compliant. Good boy.

"You’re awaited, Miss Bellard, in the conference room." Like I didn’t know. What the hell would I be doing here otherwise? I rolled my eyes, but remained silent, eyes locked on the target. Just a few more steps. "Have a nice staying." Obviously it didn’t bother him that he could have been talking to a statue as well, he would have got the same result. Nothing.

I reached the elevator, this oversized jewel-box. Marble floor, shiny golden buttons and mirrors on each wall. I turned on my heels as I stepped inside, pushed a button, and finally looked at Mr. L. A mischievous smile formed on my lips as I reached back and started to pull down the zip of my dress. I spun when my hand was at the small of my back, and I let the dress slip off my shoulders. It fell on the floor just after the doors had closed with a ding.

For a moment though I saw L’s face, his eyes wide, mouth agape. It was the expression that I used to see on people’s faces when they were in terrible pain. Poor man, he didn’t even know what was going on here. If he’s lucky enough, I will kill him myself before he figures anything out. For his sake. And mine if I’m hungry. Only if he didn’t get a heart-attack now.

In the moving elevator I had too short time alone. I made some clothes appear I was more familiar with, like a bodice, tight pants and boots. Hopefully I wouldn’t need any weapons. If it came to that though, I’d rather not be unarmed, but that could be solved in a split moment.

The elevator had already stopped a while ago, but I was just gazing at my reflection in the mirror. Originally, I had wanted to brace myself against the next minutes, but my thoughts drifted away. I had to get hold of myself. And so I did. With a deep inhale I left for the conference room where he was waiting for me, sitting on the far side of a long table.

"Cadan!" I gave him my most brilliant smile, like I was so glad to see him. Well, I might be glad if… "Have you brought me what I asked?" I took a seat at the head of the table in front of him. That 25 feet distance between us was somehow reassuring.

"Do you have anything to offer in return?" He finally spoke, though for some seconds I seriously doubted he would say anything.

"This little task of yours turned out to be a bit more complicated than expected." I leaned back in the chair putting my feet on the table.

"Should I take this as a no, Astrid?"

I looked up and met his glowing gaze. "No. Of course not. I’m just concerned that the payment doesn’t equalize the risk and time I’m taking to accomplish this project. I’m afraid you can’t afford me. Now, do you have what I’ve asked?" Honestly, I was content with myself, I sounded determined enough.

A faint smile fell about his lips and my blood ran cold. "Dear Astrid, if my memory doesn’t forsake me, we have a deal. You bring me information about the Preliator and you get what you asked when the contract was made. No backing out." He laced his fingers together and cocked his head to the side watching me so intently, I suddenly felt the urge to flee. "So, do you have anything to tell me or you will blabber about being underrated until I get bored of you and find myself repainting this lovely room with your blood?"

Very well, it’s time to change strategy then. I stood up on the table and walked to Cadan looking as calm as ever. I sat down in front of him, hooked my feet under his chair and pulled him closer. As I lowered myself onto his lap, I wrapped my arms around his neck. I even managed a smile when I conjured up my dagger and skimmed its point over the back of his neck drawing idle patterns as I spoke. "Always so business-like, why don’t you rest sometime? Let me soothe these tensed muscles, you know you are in good hands." My voice was barely over a whisper and I leaned so close to him I felt his warm breath on my skin.

At first he didn’t move, he was just regarding me curiously, his eyes wondering like he couldn’t decide whether I was sane. I was asking the same question from myself. Then suddenly, with no previous sign, he grabbed me by my hips, pushed me off him and the next thing I knew was that I was lying on the ground, Cadan’s fierce grip on my neck pinning me to the floor. A sharp pain shot through my body with the impact and a dull throb began in me head. It was too long ago I’d last eaten, I figured. I knew the pupils of my eyes had turned into thin slits as they usually did when I was in any kind of danger. My free hand curled into fist by my side, the other held the dagger tighter, ready to use it, but other than that I made no move, not wanting to make my situation worse.

"Let’s stick to the subject, shall we? Do you have any information or not?" He asked me, his face like and avenging angel’s; cold, beautiful, yet deadly.

It was quite hard to talk while being choked. "I told you, it’s more difficult than we thought. They aren’t fools, I need more time." So much of my long price.

"Then maybe if you are more goaded you will work harder. You wanted better remuneration? We will see how much you appreciate your life." And with that he was gone.

Nicole

I love everything about the way this character is presented! Not to mention, the bit of sexy at the end totally won me over!

I don’t care all that much for vir reaper’s anymore-they're all the same-but out of all I’ve met so far, the one poised in front of me holds my attention. He’s dressed in a white button-up shirt, torn and bloody from my advances with my angelfire, as well as soot-stained jeans and bare feet. He may have been beautiful once, looking at the right side of his face lit by the shadows of the licking flames, with buzzed blonde hair and angular cheeks. But when he turns to me and grins hungrily, half of his face is nothing but scarred meat. I grit my teeth to not show my astonishment, but he must have seen my reaction in my eyes because his grin widens.
“Gruesome huh?” The reaper flexes his fingers around his swords. “We’ve met before, Preliator.”
I tilt my head at his words. I should be used to reapers telling me that they know me, but it’s exhausting trying to remember them all. A small glimpse of a memory shoves itself into my head.
My grip tightens on my own swords. “Aiden,” I whisper.
The vir reaper sneers. “Very good, Preliator. I see your memory is returning. Too bad.” He takes a step towards me. “It’ll make it that much harder for you to die at my hands, knowing that it’s already happened.”
Aiden strikes at me then, but I’m ready. I block his advance, and spin to avoid his other sword. Where are you, Will? He was only a few minutes behind me, but taking a second to glance around the dark, fiery woodland, I see he’s nowhere near me. My momentary distraction gives Aiden just enough leverage to block my attacks and push me to the needled ground. I scramble backwards on my hands until I feel a stabbing pain and my back makes solid contact with a tree trunk.
In a blink, the reaper’s there, standing over me, swords raised.
“I must say, Preliator,” Aiden sneers. “It’s a pleasure killing you twice.” His voice grows tight.
“Let this be the last.”
His swords swing towards me—and mine thrust up, crisscrossed to meet his. I catch him off balance and push upward; he’s flung back, landing on a pile and embers. He hurls himself back up instantly, leathery wings erect and nearly blending into the black night above. He growls inhumanly. Then, he cocks his head to the side, like he’s listening for something. Aiden sheaths his swords reluctantly, but I’m too dumbstruck to take advantage.
His sadistic smile is gone when he speaks again. “This. Isn’t. Over.” And with that he takes off into the night.
When he’s out of sight, my arms grow weak and my swords drop to the ground, disappearing. Seconds later, Will appears in their place. His eyes widen as he takes in the blazing scene of the barn and woodland, and then me, with my torn clothes and wild hair.
“What the hell happened?” he asks.
“You wouldn’t know, would you?” I say, plopping gratefully on a fallen tree trunk. “This is what happens when you’re not punctual, Will.”
His jaw tightens. “Who did this?”
I push my ruined hair aside. “Does the name Aiden ring a bell?” His eyes harden. “I take that as a yes.”
Suddenly his hands are on my face, and he kneels before me. He hasn’t touched me like this in so long and my breath catches. “If he comes around again—and I have no doubt he will—you must wait for me to fight him.”
“How?” I ask breathlessly.
His eyes flit to my lips and his brow draws downward. “Any way you can.” And with that he drops my face and turns from me.

HayleyAG

This scene really captured Ellie's and Will's characters to perfection. I freaked me out a little how familiar they felt here! My favorite thing about this scene is that the reaper appeared as a brand new species, showing some awesome creativity. Also? SCARY!!!! Totally in love!!

I took a deep breath as I sprang to the water’s surfice. My whole body shivered from the cold water, but I got over it, as long as I kept moving.
“Come on in the water’s great!” I half-lied.
Will’s green eyes looked back at me like I’d lost my mind. “Ellie, I really don’t think that now’s the time to be swimming when we should be looking Pegatha. This is her domain and she could be anywhere.”
“Will, listen, sometimes you need to take a break and just enjoy your surroundings.” I playfully splash water his way.
After a pregnant pause, Will finally gives his head a little shake as starts to undo the buttons on his shirt.
I continue to splash water his way, while I nonchalantly watch the striptease playing out in front of me. Will shakes off the last of his pants and gives me a smug and satisfied grin, clearly he caught me watching.
Standing there on the sandbank, he continues to smile, his green eyes full of life and mischief. He takes slow steps down the bank until the water has reached his hips. He stands there shivering as his flesh begins to fill with tiny goosebumps.
Unable to control myself, I dive down into the water and grab at his ankles. He body immediately begins to wiggle at my efforts. Haha I think triumphantly as I have just found a week spot on this man.
Using my currently occupied state of mind, to his advantage, Will grabs me around the waist and attempts to dump me deep into the water. But before he can get that far I wrapped my legs around his waist and squeeze tight.
“Listen buddy, if I’m going in, than I’m taking you with me.” I say with my sweetest smile.
“Is that right? Well we’ll just have to see about that won’t we?” Will responds with mischevious eyes.
I can’t help smiling back, I wrap my arms tighter around his neck, “Well I guess we w-“ I was cut off by a sudden clawing at my ankles.
“What happened?” Will asks worriedly.
I just shake my head as I attempt to see through the dark murky water, “I don’t kn-“
I’m cut-off again as the claw grabs on tight and pulls me deep into the water before I have time to catch my breath.
“Ellie!” I hear Will’s panicked shout.
I try not to panic as I’m pulled further. Getting my bearings, I lash a tight jab with my left foot and make contact with something boney and slimy. The kick disorients my attacker enough to give me the chance to rip free from it’s grasp and reach the surface.
I gasp and cough.
“Ellie watch out!” Will has grabbed his khopesh sword from his pants. His eyes are trained behind me.
I turn and gasp again at the sight emerging from the water before me. This reaper is unlike any other I’ve ever seen. It rises up to at least eight feet high, each of it’s sides has at least ten gills, that spring open with every breath it takes. The weirdest thing is, that it’s entire body seemed to be made completely of fluids, giving it the ability to go transparent.
I was left staring at the spot where I last saw the reaper when suddenly I felt a twisting constraint on my throat. My hands try to claw at the constraining vice, when suddenly the reaper appears, it’s soulless black eyes staring into mine. It smiles, showing off to rows of the most jaggedly sharp teeth.
Continuing to smile it responds, “Preliator, I believe you were expecting me.”
Everything around me grows quiet, I can no longer hear Will battling his way toward me, all I see is the grotesque face of the reaper before me. Just before I black out from lack of oxygen I say the one word I know this reaper will want to hear, Pegatha…

I will do my best to get in contact with the winners, get their addresses, and ship out their prizes!

The last thing I have to say today is stay tuned on my blog and twitter tomorrow because FEAR THE REAPER kicks off once again! I am holding ten giveaways to count down to the release of WINGS OF THE WICKED. The release date for Wings moved up to February 1st, so the last couple weeks of Fear the reaper will take place after Wings is already on shelved.

SO MUCH EXCITEMENT!!!!!!!

Wings of the Wicked Release Date Change & Tour Alert

2011-12-01T14:13:00.000-05:00

Hey guys! Quick update for you all while I'm up to my eyeballs in words, trying to get Angelfire #3 finished. The new title is confirmed, but I can't share it yet. Soon, I hope! I can, however, share other exciting news!

The release date for WINGS OF THE WICKED has moved up to February 1st! This is great news for those of you excited to read it :) Don't forget that the paperback for ANGELFIRE releases January 17 and contains a glossary of creatures and terms in the Angelfire world, an EXCLUSIVE scene from Will's POV, and the first chapter of Wings of the Wicked! I haven't heard news on whether the paperback date will move up or not. I'll let you know if it does!

Also, here's the super fantastical Dark Days Tour dates and locations! Come out and see me and the other fabulous ladies I'll be chilling with: Cynthia Hand (HALLOWED), Brodie Ashton (THE EVERNEATH), and Jodi Meadows (INCARNATE) <33

February 16th @ 5pm Barnes & Noble Southlake, TX
February 17th @ 7pm Barnes & Noble Austin, TX
February 18th @ 4pm Blue Willow Bookshop Houston, TX

It's A Very Fear the Reaper Halloween Contest!

2011-10-24T00:00:00.002-04:00

It's my favorite time of the year again - HALLOWEEN!!! We're going to have some fun celebrating too, because I've got THREE copies of Wings of the Wicked to give away and I've got a fun contest idea to boot. Each prize awarded to the winners will contain one signed ARC of Wings of the Wicked (personalized if you'd like!), all 3 Angelfire character bookmarks, and an awesome glow-in-the-dark walking skeleton dude! Before I go into details of what you'll have to do to enter, I'm giving you a teaser page and the first song I made for the Wings of the Wicked soundtrack that I'll be handing out CD's of on tour.

From the WINGS OF THE WICKED soundtrack:

"The Hammer of Gabriel"

This is a spooky song I made about Will

A teaser page from WINGS OF THE WICKED

“Quite the show,” said an achingly deep voice behind me.

I spun, lighting my swords up with angelfire. Two vir reapers, a male and a female, stood twenty feet away from me, their forms half hidden in the darkness between the snowy trees. What startled me, though, was that I couldn’t feel either of them. Even when reapers suppressed their powers, I could still sense them a little, but these two were just dark. Like two black holes sucking in my emotions and what was left of my strength. Like zero energy.

“I am impressed,” the male added as he moved toward me, his voice rough and gravelly, echoing through my gut. Twisted bull’s horns stuck out of his bald head and his body was massive and brawny, but he didn’t look like his size would slow him down. His skin was dark, and his accent was thick and unfamiliar. And his eyes—frigid and the color of moonlight on snow—drilled into mine. “You must be the Preliator. How small you are. I could break you in half.”

“Who are you?” I asked, studying them both. My first thought went back to Cadan’s warning about the vir reapers who would come for me if the nycterids failed. I guessed these two were old—very, very old—and equally skilled, that they could suppress their powers enough that I didn’t have a clue what they were really capable of. I made a silent cry to Will to return soon. If I had to fight them both at once, it wouldn’t be pretty.

“I am Merodach,” he said. “This is Kelaeno.”

My fears had just come true. The female, Kelaeno, looked at me with holly red eyes and a sharp-fanged grin. With long, tangled dark hair, she was more disturbing than frightening. I stared at her face, perplexed by her skin moving as if something stirred beneath it. Her features contorted just enough to be noticeable, as if the bones changed under her skin. Every other second, her face looked like an animal’s, and then it would look like a woman’s. I couldn’t tear my eyes away.

“Ellie!” Will landed beside me in the snow, his white wings outstretched, and Ava wasn’t with him. He stepped forward and cast out his sword, poising it at the newcomers. He was still out of breath from the battle, and I hoped that the new reapers weren’t here to fight.

Merodach surveyed Will’s show of aggression curiously. “The Hammer of Gabriel,” he said with a dark smile. “In the flesh.” Wings, leathery and black as night, spread from his back like a cobra spreading its hood.

At that moment, I felt a quick flash of smoky black power from Merodach, strong enough that I lost my balance as it rushed past my body. The warning was clear and imminent: He was powerful and more than willing to kill.

“What do you want?” Will asked, not flinching from the demonic vir’s display of power.

“We have a warning for the Preliator,” Merodach boomed.

Kelaeno stepped forward, pointing a taloned hand at me, her eyes still on mine. Her face continued to change, like its form was unstable, and dusty gray-brown wings appeared out of her back and spread high and wide. Shadows cast over her face from around the splayed feathers like daggers, making me blink hard as I wondered if I was seeing what was truly in front of me. The skin on her face sank and grew taut over the bones as they stretched, elongating until her appearance was utterly inhuman, and then her face returned to normal. She began to speak, her lips having difficulty forming the words as her face transformed back and forth.

Why this song and this passage? Because this contest is all about character creation, one of the most fun parts of writing a story. All you have to do in order to enter this contest is create your very own vir reaper character like the ones in the Angelfire series and shown in the above excerpt from Wings. Your reaper can be angelic or demonic, and you can give him or her any attributes you'd like. In your mini story, your reaper can be described in any way you'd like, using descriptive passages, dialogue, multiple reaper characters of your own invention, and/or your character interacting with the characters in Angelfire.

(No bonus points for writing a story about your character getting his head lopped off by Ellie or Will, but you do get a high five.)

The simple version of the rules: Write me a mini story about a vir reaper character you made up.

(scary, bloody mini stories also get high fives from me.)

Check out the Halloween treats!

You have until 11:59 October 31st to post your mini story!

I will read every entry and pick my three favorites.

Yes, this contest is INTERNATIONAL :)

HAVE FUN!!!

If you have questions, please them here or @reply me or whatev, and I will try to help you out!

Winners of the Naming Contest and Soundtrack Previews

2011-10-16T00:29:00.002-04:00

This post is long overdue because I've had a hard time choosing, so I'm going with more than four names!

Thank you so much to Tammi for the name Xastur, Jenn for Calix and Icarus, Jena for Evolet, Samm_Rose for Anders, and to Poet for Adara!

I'm definitely using these names and thanking you all in my acknowledgments for Hymn to the Fallen <3 For those who used online nicknames in the comments, would you like me to address your real name in the acks? Up to you!

THANKS SO MUCH!!

Because this is so late getting posted, I've uploaded some teasers of the Wings of the Wicked soundtrack I've been working on. These songs will be available for free download and I'll be giving away CD's at book signings for Wings :) I hope you enjoy them!

The Hammer of Gabriel

The Mortal Archangel

You Look Like A Cupcake
(This is probably my favorite of the finished songs so far. It's really cute and bouncy and so Ellie <3)

Wings of the Wicked ARC Tour Signups

2011-10-11T18:59:00.001-04:00

Life as the Preliator is harder than Ellie ever imagined.

Balancing real life with the responsibility of being Heaven’s warrior is a challenge for Ellie. Her relationship with Will has become all business, though they both long for each other. And now that the secret of who she really is has come out, so have Hell’s strongest reapers. Grown bold and more vicious, the demonic threaten her in the light of day and stalk her in the night.

She’s been warned.

Cadan, a demonic reaper, comes to her with information about Bastian’s new plan to destroy Ellie’s soul and use an ancient relic to wake all the souls of the damned and unleash them upon humanity. As she fights to stay ahead of Bastian’s schemes , the revelations about those closest to her awaken a dark power within Ellie that threatens to destroy everything—including herself.

She’ll be betrayed.

Treachery comes even from those whom she loves, and Ellie is broken by the deaths of those who stood beside her in this Heavenly war. Still, she must find a way to save the world, herself, and her love for Will. If she fails, there will be hell to pay.

Courtney's debut ANGELFIRE was a 2011 Indie Next Pick.

"This is one heroine who's happy to take matters (and angelic swords) into her own hands."
-- Publishers Weekly

"A dark and compelling world of action and intrigue... Readers will find themselves engrossed in the story until its powerful conclusion - then anxiously awaiting the second installment."
-- VOYA

"The action scenes have enough intensity and adrenaline to send Buffy home hanging her head in shame, and Ellie is likable both as a high-octane heroine and a regular girl coping with family and social drama. The biblical mythology the story is based upon is compelling, and, of course, the sword fighting and butt kicking make this a ride worth taking."
-- BCCB

"At last a YA novel about a sword-yielding, butt-kicking 17-year-old girl who has been destined to fight the forces of evil; by her side is Will, her guardian angel protector. Ellie is not that contemporary teen of other novels, who constantly needs rescuing by her immortal boyfriend. Packed with blistering action, mystery, romance, and terror, readers will be glued from the first page to the last, breathlessly waiting for book two of this exciting trilogy!"
-- Becky Anderson, Anderson's Bookshop

The amazing Page Turner's Blog is hosting the official WINGS OF THE WICKED ARC Tour! They have two copies to go around to 20 bloggers who have read and reviewed ANGELFIRE. Those who participate in the ARC tour will receive this print of ANGELFIRE artwork signed by me as a personal thank you :) <3

Click HERE to view the official signup post!

Don't forget to check out the WINGS OF THE WICKED Goodreads Giveaway! HarperCollins is giving away 10 advance copies!

Click to enter to win one of 10 copies of WINGS OF THE WICKED!

Introducing Avery

2011-10-03T00:15:00.005-04:00

I'm going over the names you guys suggested to me and deciding which ones will win! I have 2 chosen for sure and I will announced all winning names tomorrow :)

In the meantime, here's a prize for everyone since you all did so amazing with the contest. This drawing is of a character named Avery from a book I'm not sure will ever be published, but it's one of my favorite stories. Below are the opening pages of Avery's book, SANCTUARY. Enjoy!

Footsteps in the hallway told me they were coming back, as if my heart weren't withered enough. They'd come so many times that I knew exactly how long it would take for the orderlies to unlock the door of my room, shove me down, and for the nurse to pump more mind-numbing chemicals into my veins.

I had precisely three minutes and twenty-four seconds before I would slip into oblivion yet again.

The linoleum floor beneath me and the scuffed up wall I curled my body against was cold through my sheer hospital gown, but at least I could feel something. To feel was bittersweet. Sense was almost brain-stabbing overwhelming or nothing at all.

I listened to the muffled voices outside my door. A key jostled the lock and the knob turned, the door opened, and a sliver of fluorescent light blinded me. I turned my cheek away and into the wall, my dark tangled hair a protective sheet over my face. The light was bright even through my squeezed-shut eyelids. They kept my room dim for the same reason they sedated me every evening: to keep me calm. To keep me from harming myself. To keep me from killing anyone.

"Avery," the nurse cooed in a low voice.

Avery couldn't see Nurse Ripley, but the woman's typical perfume of roses and antiseptic was enough to make me gag. I pressed myself deeper into the wall, my medical bracelet cutting into my wrist. I dragged my chipped and bloodied nails across paint, my fingertips dipping into old gouges in the sheetrock.

My chapped lips parted and I dry-swallowed painfully. "No," I rasped.

"I'm sorry, sweetie," Nurse Ripley said, "but it's bedtime and you need your medicine. Can you stand for me?"

I slid myself away from Nurse Ripley and into the corner, tugging my limbs to my chest. "No… medicine."

The woman sighed gruffly, her patience waning. "Don't be difficult tonight, please."

The two orderlies with her shuffled across the floor toward me. I peeked one eye open to see them approach, hands reaching for me, their heavy male scents no match for Nurse Ripley's nauseating atmosphere. Their icy fingers made me jump upon contact, waking me up just a little more. I threw an arm out, but they deftly grabbed hold harder and yanked me to my feet. I begged them to leave me alone, my chanting pleas ignored as they dragged me toward the little bed on the other side of the room. They threw me down onto the hard mattress roughly and I buried my face into the thin pillow and my wild hair.

One of the orderlies made an ugly noise and jerked my face forward by my chin, his large, unkind hands on my skin and shoving my hair back. "Come on. Show me those freak eyes of yours."

Freak. I squeezed my closed eyes even tighter, taking long, deep breaths to stop the fear stirring in my chest. My heart was starting to pound, my pulse picking up speed. The more they noticed my fear, the faster they'd work. They wouldn't make the mistake of allowing me to panic before they knocked me out. Not again.

"I need her arm," Nurse Ripley ordered. She was right above the bed now, no doubt pulling out the needle and syringe, preparing for injection. The second orderly yanked my arm away from my body and stretched it out flat.

"Stop, please!" I cried, but the men overpowered me physically by several times. "I don't need it. I don't need it!"

Down the hall, the other patients stirred from their beds, yelling from their rooms, and beating their fists against walls and doors. I felt my mind reaching out to them and uselessly tried to rein it back in. I couldn't control it, couldn't control myself. The others felt it, the ones whose own minds were fragmented and damaged unlike the minds of the institution staff who couldn't sense my abilities until it was too late.

"You were scratching your face again," Nurse Ripley tsked. "You don't want any more scars, do you?"

"Trying to scratch your eyes out?" the first orderly sneered, his breath blasting my face. My mind wrapped around his hostile emotions, making my skin burn and itch. I thrashed against him, desperate to scratch, unable to handle the aggravating sensation. I couldn't handle it, couldn't take it. I needed to be free or my skin would sizzle off my bones. This man didn't care if he hurt me, didn't care that he was bruising me.

My eyes snapped open, taking in the familiar and unwelcome faces above me. They flinched as I did so—they always flinched when they saw my eyes—and I focused my terror-stricken gaze on the orderly who taunted me. He froze a moment to regain his composure and cruelty.

"There's my little freak," he said with satisfaction, but a twinge of uncertainty trembled in his lip.

The nurse hovered over me, tapping the syringe before aligning it with the vein in my arm. My mind lashed out, cracking across Nurse Ripley's hand. The woman cried out and dropped the syringe.

"I'm sorry!" I gasped, appalled at what I'd done. "I'm so sorry."

The first orderly back-handed me, making my face snap to the side. "Don't even start it!"

Pain lanced through my jaw and down my neck, my body twisting to the side. My mouth opened, but no sound came out. I was too busy trying to rein back in my mind for me to cry. I was going to lose control—I could feel it. My reason was no match for my instinct to protect myself.

Nurse Ripley retrieved the syringe with shaking hands. "Avery, sweetheart…"

"Just stick her already!" the second orderly hissed.

I slowly turned my gaze back to the nurse. The instant I felt cold metal against my skin, I erupted.

My mind slammed into the woman's chest, expelling the air from her lungs and sending her flying across the room. Nurse Ripley shattered the wall and fell to the ground in a limp heap. I sent a blast at the orderly who'd spoken a moment ago. His body careened into the door, yanking it off its hinges, and the man disappeared into the hallway in a cloud of dust. The orderly who struck me wound his hands around my throat, all hope of sedating me gone with the lost syringe. I choked and gasped for air, my nails clawing at his skin. My mind lunged forward and wrapped around his consciousness, digging into it, driving like railroad spikes into his brain. He screamed and released me, whipping his body upright, his spine contorting in ways it shouldn't have. His hands clamped down on his skull as my mind ripped through his without mercy, unyielding to his desperate plight. I watched him flail his body, shrieking in agony, his fingernails cutting into his face as he held his head and thrashed from side to side. I skewered my mind into his even harder, overloading his consciousness with my own.

"Make it stop! Please, God, make it stop!" He spun into the wall and slammed his forehead against it with maximum force, smashing the wall into dust as he pounded his skull over and over. Slam, slam, slam, slam. Something cracked and the man made a pitiful gurgling sound before dropping his hands from his face. His knees buckled and he hit the floor and lay still. Red pooled on the linoleum in a halo around his head.

I pulled my mind out of his, letting it coil up inside me where it belonged. My power seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, as if it'd been waiting for violence for far too long. Cold reality settled on me heavily like wet snow as my eyes captured the bodies around me.

Shouts echoed through the hospital and mixed with the cacophony of footsteps on tile and the manic cries of other patients locked in their own rooms. This time I would welcome the needle—anything to take me out of this world of fear and blood. I longed for the oblivion the chemicals sent me to, to forget about all the bodies I'd left littering the ground in my wake.

"Not again," I moaned, burying my face in my hands, my hair pouring over my shoulders. I balled up in the far corner, the mattress springs squeaking beneath my shifting weight, the stench of fresh blood clouding my senses.

What have I done?

Weekend doodles

2011-10-01T18:11:00.002-04:00

I've been a bit overwhelmed trying to finish Hymn to the Fallen, so I spent some time doodling this weekend for therapy. Here is everything that I did so you can see them all in one place! Hope you like :)

Ellie

Ellie and Will

The demonic reaper villains Merodach and Kelaeno from WINGS OF THE WICKED

And a mystery couple! You'll find out all about them in WINGS :)

Music Monday

2011-09-26T22:41:00.000-04:00

I don't blog enough, especially about music. How I love music. I need to write and I need it to live.

Since I began writing HYMN TO THE FALLEN (ANGELFIRE #3) I have been listening to Within Temptation's 2011 album The Unforgiving just about nonstop. In fact, I can't stop. It's been on repeat for months as I write. I'm a huge WT fan and this album seems to reflect my very favorite kind of heroine to write about: vengeful and merciless.

The song Shot in the Dark is my current Ellie theme song I've been playing over and over as she kicks mass amounts of demonic reaper ass through this book. Only a handful of people have read WINGS OF THE WICKED, know what happens in that book, and understand what I mean by it being so much darker than ANGELFIRE was. I've been surprised to find, as HYMN unfolds in the first drafting process, how it's even darker than WINGS.

So here you go, enjoy listening to an awesome rockin' tune.

Hymn to the Fallen Giveaway Name Contest

2011-09-25T21:58:00.001-04:00

I'm nose-deep in the first draft of the third ANGELFIRE book, Hymn to the Fallen, and there are a LOT of characters in this book! I love to include readers in the drafting, so how about we have a fun contest to help me name some of these characters?

Ellie meets a lot of new angelic and demonic reapers on her adventure, and they need names! I need two female names and two male names. It'll work like this: You guys submit up to 5 names to me by commenting to this blog post. For your very favorite of the names you're submitting, you will need to explain to me 50 words or less why I should pick that name. I will look over all of the names suggested and pick the ones which will work best for the characters. The winners will be posted here at 10pm EST next Sunday, October 2, and the name suggesters will be thanked in the acknowledgements of Hymn!

Again, I need two female names and two male names for reapers who appear in Hymn to the Fallen. You may submit up to five names and must provide a 50 word or less explanation of why I should pick your favorite name from the names you suggest.

Here some hints for what I'm looking for: the reapers are immortal and generally the ones Ellie meets are centuries old. I need names that are ancient in origin, somewhat unusual, but not terribly difficult to pronounce. I try not to use super hard to say names for my characters as not to confuse readers.

Good luck!! Thanks for participating and I'm excited to see what you come up with! There is no rush to post names as quickly as you can, so you have all week to really come up with some great ideas for me!

Angelfire Spoiler Q&A Vlogs parts 1 - 5

2011-08-18T16:21:00.001-04:00

As promised, here are the answers to your questions from the last blog post! These are all pretty spoilery of the Angelfire books, so have fun! There are a few hints to what's coming up in the next books so pay attention ;-) Thank you for all your great questions and I hope you enjoy!

Something I forgot to mention in the video: I often get asked "Why do you use reincarnation in a world based on Judeo-Christian lore?" Yes there is a huge difference between resurrection and reincarnation, and in fact most groups of Christianity, Islam, and Judaism don't believe in reincarnation. Even though I up in a Christian family, I chose to include a few Eastern beliefs, because I like to explore other religions, particularly ancient religions. The idea of reincarnation began with the Orphic religion in 6th century BC Greece and in early Hinduism and Buddhism. If you want to look more into it, I recommend checking out the Bardo Thodol, or the Tibetan Book of the Dead. Cool stuff!

Spoiler Q&A Vlog and Shatter Me Giveaway

2011-08-08T21:17:00.001-04:00

So Angelfire has been out for a few months and I've had a lot of questions that were a bit too spoilery for me to answer publicly. I think it's about time for me to host a Q&A that I will answer during a vlog. To make it even more fun, I will be giving away an ARC of SHATTER ME by Tahereh Mafi!

If you have totally spoiler-filled questions you'd like me to answer, leave a comment on this blog post with whatever questions you have. I will do my best to answer as many as possible.

In order to enter to win SHATTER ME, you only have to post a question for me about ANGELFIRE. Please leave your blog or email address so I can contact you if you're the winner.

If you'd like an extra 2 entries in the contest, tweet a link back here and don't forget to use the hashtag #FEARTHEREAPER so I can find your tweet easily.

The contest will end Sunday the 14th at 11:59 PM and the winner will be announced in the vlog. I will also close the spoiler questions at that time, answer the questions Monday and hopefully get the vlog up on Tuesday. You can ask ANYTHING about Angelfire, even the spoileriest of spoilers! If you haven't read Angelfire yet, I would not read the questions posted here or watch the vlog unless you don't care about being spoiled.

This should be so much fun! So yeah! Ask away! I may skip questions that spoil Wings of the Wicked or Hymn to the Fallen, or answer without *answering*, but I'll be a good author.

To clarify, I won't be answering any generic questions about publishing or writing. This giveaway and vlog are my gifts to my readers who have questions about the story and characters.

Anna Dressed in Blood giveaway and interview with Kendare Blake

2011-07-27T10:00:00.002-04:00

ANNA DRESSED IN BLOOD

Cas Lowood has inherited an unusual vocation: He kills the dead.

So did his father before him, until he was gruesomely murdered by a ghost he sought to kill. Now, armed with his father's mysterious and deadly athame, Cas travels the country with his kitchen-witch mother and their spirit-sniffing cat. Together they follow legends and local lore, trying to keep up with the murderous dead—keeping pesky things like the future and friends at bay.

When they arrive in a new town in search of a ghost the locals call Anna Dressed in Blood, Cas doesn't expect anything outside of the ordinary: track, hunt, kill. What he finds instead is a girl entangled in curses and rage, a ghost like he's never faced before. She still wears the dress she wore on the day of her brutal murder in 1958: once white, now stained red and dripping with blood. Since her death, Anna has killed any and every person who has dared to step into the deserted Victorian she used to call home.

But she, for whatever reason, spares Cas's life.

Yeah. The book is as sweet as its cover and description. How often does that happen? Pretty rarely, and this book is truly a gem. It was exactly what I'd hoped for and more - it was so kickass and cool as Hell.

ANNA DRESSED IN BLOOD releases August 30th!

Pre-Order on Amazon and Barnes and Noble!
Follow Kendare on Twitter and visit her website!

Interview with Kendare Blake

1. You're awesome. Tell us a little about yourself.

You're awesome. So there. But a little bit about me...Before I gave myself over 100% to the writing thing, I got a finance degree. Was going to be an analyst. I enjoy a day of good manual labor; working in a horse stable was one of the best jobs I've had. I can throw hay with the best of them. Up to the third row. Then it's too high, as I am a short person.

2. Anna Dressed in Blood is getting rave reviews! Congrats! How does it feel to have your first book coming out in just a few weeks?

It feels...weird. And the reviews feel weird. Great, but terrifying. There are nightmares of huge trucks full of Anna Dressed in Blood being returned to my doorstep. I'm trying to not overthink it and just remain calm. She's going to do what she's going to do. And I'm going to love her regardless, just like I still love my first one, Sleepwalk Society, and that sold like poop. Is it weird that I've started referring to books as third parties?

3. I have never felt so terrified and so sympathetic for a homicidal ghost before. How did you get the idea for this story?

Ha. You know that was one of the most prickly issues? How do I have my central character be so...horrible and violent, and still be likable? Oddly enough though, it was Cas's personality that was deemed too prickly at first. He was way more defense-mechanism-y in early drafts. If you can believe that.

The idea for the story grew from one passing thought. It went sort of like this. "Hey. You know what's fun? Scary things. I like scary things. Oooh, I should get that new Silent Hill. But I don't know if I want to play that by myself. I should get someone to play that new Silent Hill with me. I never do scary stuff anymore. I used to write scary stuff. That was fun. I should do that again." And then, a short while later, in one of THOSE moments, I thought of her name. Anna Dressed in Blood. And that was pretty much it.

4. What are some of your favorite horror books/movies?

Favorite horror books: Stephen King's IT, Stephen King's THE STAND, Joe Hill's 20th CENTURY GHOSTS and HORNS, Caitlin R Kiernan's THE RED TREE, Bret Easton Ellis's LUNAR PARK (yeah, I'm counting it) more that I can't think of right now.

Favorite horror movies: The Nightmare on Elm Street films, Event Horizon, Insidious, The TV movie of IT (come on, it's adorable), The Exorcist, The Others, more that I can't think of right now.

5. I know many authors create a playlist for their books as they write. Do you have any favorite Anna Dressed in Blood songs?

I have no playlist! Not for Anna at least. I wrote in silence. Now I write with Call of Duty in the background. Or to Indie rock. I have a fondness for They Might Be Giants. And Fleet Foxes. If Anna had a song, it might be the Fiona Apple cover of "Sally's Song" from The Nightmare Before Christmas.

Win an ARC of ANNA DRESSED IN BLOOD!

Kendare's awesome editor was kind enough to send me an extra copy to give away on my blog. My personal copy has made its odyssey around through my friends and I've successfully converted several people to Team Anna. This book is incredible, you guys, and Kendare is so sweet and has awesome taste in horror.

The winner of ANNA is Baggins! Congrats!! Thanks so much to everyone for entering and for your excitement about this awesome book!

Wings of the Wicked ARCs & swag requests!

2011-07-10T12:17:00.000-04:00

The After Dark tour is all over... I'm so sad! It was way too much fun! I'll write a post up about it with pictures soon. In the meantime, I received Wings of the Wicked ARCs! Aren't they GORGEOUS?????????

If your would like a copy of your own, please contact my publicist Marisa Russell Marisa.Russell@harpercollins.com and not me personally. She's the book fairy, not me =P I only get a couple of copies sadly. However! I do have swag! At the bottom of this post, you can submit a form for bookmarks, ect. Again, please don't email me personally for these. I check the form submissions regularly and whoever submits first gets goodies first.

I have news about the paperback edition of Angelfire as well! It releases 1.17.2012 and in the back will feature the first chapter of Wings of the Wicked, a critter glossary, and the prequel scene from Will's POV that is on my website. Woohoo!!

Here is a fun desktop wallpaper you can play with in the meantime! Wings of the Wicked releases 2.14.2012! Save the date! =3

Wings of the Wicked contest - Giveaway of Angelfire!

2011-06-10T00:30:00.003-04:00

I promised two hardcover copies of Angelfire to my little reapers who haven't had the chance to read it yet!

If you have NOT read Angelfire and would like to, post here and I'll draw names randomly!

This will end June 10 at 11:59 EST =)

Winners!!!!! Congrats to Ash and Raychelle! CONGRATS!!

Wings of the Wicked contest Part 4!!

2011-06-09T21:36:00.001-04:00

Oh my darling, darling little reapers.... The end is nigh!

You guys can play in this post until midnight or you can keep going until after I've announced the winners. And I do believe I owe you some teasers...... ;)

WINNERS!!!!

The grand prize winner of

WINGS OF THE WICKED, STARCROSSED, DIVERGENT, VAMPIRE KISSES, and ILLUSIONS

is Chen Yan Chang!

The second winner of

WINGS OF THE WICKED

is Momo!

The third winner of

WINGS OF THE WICKED

is Kira!

Congrats girls!! Thank you all SO MUCH for playing with me and commenting and generally making my life freaking amazing. There just aren't words good enough to describe your awesomeness.

Don't forget I'm giving away TWO hardcover copies of Angelfire to little reapers who haven't read it yet!

Wings of the Wicked contest Part 3!

2011-06-09T00:32:00.000-04:00

Day 3! Can you little reapers get to 15k entries by the time the contest ends at midnight? <333

I'm adding two hardcover copies of ANGELFIRE to entrants who haven't read the first book yet! If you haven't read ANGELFIRE, just let me know and I'll add you to the list!

Here's the original contest post!

Wings of the Wicked contest Part 2

2011-06-08T10:10:00.000-04:00

Wow! 5,000 comments in less than 24 hours! Well, here you go for round 2 =) I'll start it off with a teaser for hitting 5k. Just like last time, I'll post a short teaser for every 1,000 comments.

Click here to view the original post will all contest rules and special goodies!

Wings of the Wicked cover and giveaway!

2011-06-07T12:04:00.007-04:00

Watch the book trailer to get a first look at the cover to Angelfire's sequel!

Life as the Preliator is harder than Ellie ever imagined.

Balancing real life with the responsibility of being Heaven’s warrior is a challenge for Ellie. Her relationship with Will has become all business, though they both long for each other. And now that the secret of who she really is has come out, so have Hell’s strongest reapers. Grown bold and more vicious, the demonic threaten her in the light of day and stalk her in the night.

She’s been warned.

Cadan, a demonic reaper, comes to her with information about Bastian’s new plan to destroy Ellie’s soul and use an ancient relic to wake all the souls of the damned and unleash them upon humanity. As she fights to stay ahead of Bastian’s schemes , the revelations about those closest to her awaken a dark power within Ellie that threatens to destroy everything—including herself.

She’ll be betrayed.

Treachery comes even from those whom she loves, and Ellie is broken by the deaths of those who stood beside her in this Heavenly war. Still, she must find a way to save the world, herself, and her love for Will. If she fails, there will be hell to pay.

Add WINGS OF THE WICKED on Goodreads!

Giveaway

To celebrate the reveal, I'm giving away THREE signed ARC's of Wings of the Wicked to three random winners. The grand prize winner will also receive four signed books by my fellow Dark Days of Supernatural authors and lots of Angelfire and Dark Days goodies!

This giveaway is INTERNATIONAL.

Let's break blogger again!

As for points, you decide how many you accumulate.

The more you comment, blog, and tweet, the more points you get.

So comment a billion times, you get a billion entries. Each comment is one point. Each tweet linking back here is one point, each blog post link is one point - there is NO LIMIT to how many entry points you can accumulate. The more points you have, the more likely you are to win!

If you tweet, please remember to add the hashtag #FearTheReaper so I can find them! Don't forget to give me some way of contacting you via blog link, email, twitter name... Whatever works!

The entries close on June 9 at 11:59 PM EST

Check out the newest artwork by Yue Wang!

You can see more of her brilliant work on her website:

http://sakimichan.deviantart.com/

Some badges for you, my wonderful little reapers!

The After Dark Tour

2011-06-01T12:01:00.001-04:00

It begins tonight.... After Dark!

Well not really after dark since it's summer and the sun goes down at like 9pm BUT!

Humor me here.

Lisa Desrochers (author of PERSONAL DEMONS and ORIGINAL SIN), Leah Clifford (author of A TOUCH MORTAL), and I are going on the road beginning tonight for the After Dark Tour! We've got a couple of fabulous celebrity guest authors joining us for a few stops, so come see us all!

Wednesday, June 1, 2011 6:30pm
With Leah Clifford and Lisa Desrochers
Barnes & Noble
198 Crocker Park Blvd
Westlake, OH 44145

Thursday, June 2, 2011 6:00pm
With Leah Clifford, Lisa Desrochers, and Aimee Carter
Schuler Books & Music
2820 Towne Center Blvd
Lansing, MI 48912

June 20, 2011 7:00pm
With Leah Clifford and Lisa Desrochers
A Real Bookstore
113 Prairie Road
Fairview, TX

June 21, 2011 5:00pm
With Leah Clifford, Lisa Desrochers, and Sophie Jordan
Barnes & Noble
1201 Lake Woodlands Dr
The Woodlands, TX

July 5, 2011
With Leah Clifford and Lisa Desrochers
Books of Wonder
18 West 18th Street
New York, NY 10011

July 6, 2011 7:00pm
With Leah Clifford and Lisa Desrochers
Barnes & Noble
98 Middlesex Turnpike
Burlington, MA 01803

Winner of the BEA Week Giveaway!

2011-05-29T22:58:00.001-04:00

And the winner is..... Idris!!! http://twitter.com/idroskicinia Idroskicinia@aol.com
Congrats hon! I will be emailing you shortly to get your mailing address for all the goodies!
Stay tuned for MORE giveaways, as I have a few doubles from BEA!

BEA Week Epic ANGELFIRE Giveaway!

2011-05-21T00:08:00.003-04:00

The greatest celebration of literature is upon us once again and I have the amazing opportunity of getting to experience it for the first time! I'm so excited to meet readers and my favorite authors. I will be attending the Teen Author Carnival on Monday and signing at Table One at BEA on Tuesday at 10:30 so drop by and say hi!

To start this week off, I'm giving away a bag of prizes right here on my blog! Check this out:

All that you see is what you'll get!

(click the image to view full size)

1 signed copy of ANGELFIRE

1 signed copy of A TOUCH MORTAL

1 copy of THE GODDESS TEST

1 ANGELFIRE "Will" T-shirt size Medium (unisex)

All 3 ANGELFIRE character bookmarks

1 ANGELFIRE sticker bookplate

1 ANGELFIRE pin button

1 DARK DAYS of SUPERNATURAL bookmark

1 WITCH EYES bookmark

2 different THE MORTAL INSTRUMENTS/INFERNAL DEVICES bookmarks

How to enter:

You may accumulate up to three entry tickets.

1 entry for leaving a comment telling me why you want this junk so bad

1 entry for linking to this contest from your blog

1 entry for tweeting a link to this contest and include the hashtag #FEARTHEREAPER (so I can find it)

YES! This contest is international =)

You must at least comment on this post in order to enter.

Please leave your email address and/or blog link so I can contact you

This contest ends at 12:00AM May 28, 2011

Good luck and thank you for entering!

The Lucky/Unlucky Panel at Anderson's Bookshop this Friday!

2011-05-11T16:21:00.000-04:00

YEAH BUDDY

This Friday the 13th, I'll be at Anderson's Bookshop in Naperville, IL with Lisa & Laura Roecker, Leah Clifford, Sara Bennett-Wealer, Julia Karr,Sarah Rees Brennan, Saundra Mitchell, Aimee Carter, and Christine Johnson!

Quite the roster, eh? =D

The Deets:

Lucky-Unlucky Panel
Friday, May 13 7:00pm
Anderson's Bookshop
Naperville, IL

http://andersons2.indiebound.com/events

Come on out and meet us and get your books signed! If you're not there, then DJ P0N3 will remix no more tunes for you. You have been warned.

Update on the German edition of Angelfire!

2011-04-23T20:39:00.002-04:00

WE HAS COVER! Check out this two-page spread for Angelfire in Random House Germany's fall catalog! It will release in October and here's my (bad) translation of the jacket description! (feel free to laugh at me - my German is terrible)

Angelfire - My soul is yours
The big fantasy event 2011! The new hit series
For fans of Evermore
Romantic mystery full of action, drama, and tension.
She is strong.
She is fierce.
Only she can save the world.
First came the nightmares. Every night Ellie is visited by them. She is pursued and killed by horrible creatures. But are they dreams - or are they memories? And there is this mysterious stranger, Will. It's as if she knew if before, as if their souls recognize each other. And he knows more about them than she does - as he reveals to her that she has magical powers, ones she can't remember. The terrible beings in her dreams are reality, dark creatures after the souls of men. Ellie is the only one who can fight them and stop them. But first she must settle her own past, even if the memories are almost too painful to endure.

See the full catalog here! http://www.randomhouse.de/content/download/vertrieb/vorschauen/pageundturner_he2011.pdf

Thank you, Carolin! http://twitter.com/carolinseidenk

Making bookmarks for a limited time

2011-04-23T15:16:00.001-04:00

Want bookmarks to promote your upcoming book or blog?

For a limited time, I'm opening up slots for bookmark commissions to help pay for the surgery to fix my horse's broken leg. I will do full color double-sided bookmarks in large quantities inexpensively. I have over fifteen years experience in graphic design and extensive knowledge with Photoshop. They are in high res, 300 DPI, CMYK format for printing.

Here are a few examples of bookmarks I've done recently:

(click to view full size)

PRICES:

500 2x7 Full Color Front/Back

Gloss UV Coating Both Sides

$200

1000 2x7 Full Color Front/Back

Gloss UV Coating Both Sides

$220

2000 2x7 Full Color Front/Back

Gloss UV Coating Both Sides

$280

Prices include artwork and design for both sides of the product, printing, and shipping fees.
They typically arrive on your doorstep in two weeks, so there is still time to get bookmarks to give away at BEA.

If you're interested, please email me at courtney@courtneyallisonmoulton.com
Thank you SO MUCH for hiring me so I can pay for my horse's surgery. You have no idea how awesome you are.

xoxo

New doodle to share with you: Terminator Ellie!

2011-04-10T19:05:00.000-04:00

I'm almost finished with copy edits for Wings of the Wicked (Angelfire #2) and last night I doodled an image of Ellie gone Terminator! This is very quick and messy, but I'm showing you guys anyway. Hope you like!

My adventures on the HarperTeen Dark Days Tour

2011-04-08T14:06:00.000-04:00

Long time no blog! I finished up a fabulous book tour with Kimberly Derting (author of THE BODY FINDER) and Claudia Gray (author of EVERNIGHT), then spent a week-long vacation in Arizona. Freshly recuperated, nails done, and sporting a tan, I'd love to tell you guys all about the tour and share some pictures!

Also posted here: http://www.facebook.com/notes/pitch-dark/post-tour-wrap-up-with-courtney-allison-moulton/212253292124667

I just returned from my first book tour. Wow. Even days later, it still doesn’t feel real. In fact, I’m quite sure that I dreamed it all up. This also might be because when I got home, I literally slept for two days. Going on book tour was even more grueling than a horse show! I knew the Dark Days tour was going to take a lot out of me, but I never imagined I’d go to sleep every night and wake up every morning feeling so exhausted and excited at the same time.

My car arrived on Thursday morning to take me to the Detroit Metro airport, where I boarded a plane for Minneapolis. There, I met my best friend and author of A TOUCH MORTAL, Leah Clifford, who joined the Dark Days tour for that stop! How lucky was I to go on book tour with my BFF? The car took us to the hotel, but we didn’t stay long. It was windy and freezing in downtown Minneapolis, but we were on a mission to roam. We grabbed burgers at an Irish pub and had root beer floats in honor of Will from ANGELFIRE! Our server wasn’t so sure about us at that point... When it was time to head to location, we met the fabulous Claudia Gray, author of EVERNIGHT. I’m a huge fan of her series (especially Balthazar! *swoon!*) and thankfully I had met Claudia before, so I had most of my fangirliness under control. Kimberly Derting, author of THE BODY FINDER (another of my favorite series!), arrived at the store and the event began. I’d done a big signing and reading at my launch party a few weeks before, so I wasn’t completely clueless, but I was no less terrified! I met some amazing fans and friends, and even met some potential new readers! We piled into the media escort’s car and went back to our hotel. After a light, late-night dinner to wind down from our first tour event, we hit the sack, knowing we had a crazy day in Chicago to look forward to.

I was asleep by midnight and when my alarm went off at four in the morning, I was too excited to worry about how tired I was. Claudia, Kim, and I were picked up to catch our very early flight to Chicago where we met Ellen Schreiber, author of VAMPIRE KISSES and my editor sister! Our media escort took us straight to Metea Valley High School, where we met with awesome students who loved reading and writing. They asked great questions and had tons of books for us to sign. Afterward, we went to our Chicago Public Library event. My amazing editor, Sarah Shumway, flew out from NYC to cheer Ellen and me on! We had a couple spare hours after the event, so Sarah, Ellen, and I went out for delicious stuffed pizza at a parlor in downtown Naperville before our event at Anderson’s Bookshop. I was told there were over one hundred people at the Anderson’s Bookshop signing, and I even took a picture for proof! So many fans came to see us and I signed so many books I was beginning to lose feeling in my right arm! An awesome young girl even brought fan art she drew of my characters, which is now proudly adorning my bookshelf.

Our next event, in Miami was at Books and Books, and what a gorgeous store that was. Everyone was so friendly! I met amazing fans, including a girl who read my book six times, and potential fans who loved the excerpt I read for them. When it was all over, I was so sad. I wanted to keep going, but I also wanted to sleep!

It was an amazing experience to spend so much time with such talented, generous women whose advice I’ll take with me throughout my career. I feel so blessed and honored to have been included in the Dark Days of Winter, which gave me the opportunity to meet so many readers and friends, and learn so much. I’ll remember this adventure for the rest of my life!

Angelfire Deleted and Web-Exclusive Scenes

2011-03-13T15:26:00.001-04:00

Angelfire has been out for a few weeks now, so I've added exclusive content to the website, included a deleted scene from Angelfire and a scene from Will's POV that you won't find in any of the books. Hope you like!

Check out the Extra Content here!

Many of have asked if the cover and synopsis for Wings of the Wicked will be revealed soon and the answer is yes! I'll post in April or May, so stay tuned!

BCCB gives Angelfire a "Recommended" Rating and Reviews!

2011-03-09T13:41:00.000-05:00

My editor sent me this amazing review from the Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books who "Recommend" Angelfire for collections! Definitely on Cloud Nine now!

Moulton, Courtney Allison Angelfire. Tegen/HarperCollins, 2011 [464p] ISBN 978-0-06-200232-7 $17.99 Reviewed from galleys R Gr. 9-12

The things that go bump in the night become terrifyingly real when high-school senior Ellie meets Will, a mysterious but vaguely familiar boy who informs her that she is the current incarnation of the Preliator, an ancient being fated to battle the hellish reapers that are gathering human souls for Lucifer’s army. Of course, Ellie initially thinks Will is more than a little crazy, but this perception is quickly put to rest when she is attacked by a demonic hellhound and instinctively knows how to defeat the creature with the rather large swords she suddenly finds herself wielding. Now Ellie must recover the memories of her past lives if she is to prevent the Apocalypse, all while dealing with day-to-day hassles of high school and struggling with her new (old?) crush on Will. The narrative stalls a little in exposition and scene-setting, but that won’t matter to readers: the action scenes have enough intensity and adrenaline to send Buffy home hanging her head in shame, and Ellie is likable both as a high-octane heroine and a regular girl coping with family and social drama. The Biblical mythology the story is based upon is compelling, and, of course, the sword-fighting and butt-kicking make this a ride worth taking. KQG

Opening up the floor for questions!

2011-03-08T16:05:00.000-05:00

My book ANGELFIRE has been in stores for a few weeks now, so I've created a formspring page for readers, aspiring writers, dog walkers--anyone!--to ask me questions. You may ask as many as you'd like, whatever you'd like, and you don't have to have an account on formspring, so you may post anonymously if you'd like.

Do you have a question about any of the characters in Angelfire? The story? The world of reapers? Are you an aspiring writer and have questions about finding and agent and publishing? You may ask anything you'd like!

Not all questions can or will be answered, in case the answers reveal spoilers, or if the question is spammy or rude. That said, have at it!

<a href="http://www.formspring.me/camoulton">http://www.formspring.me/camoulton</a>

FEAR THE REAPER Giveaways: Week 15

2011-02-22T00:03:00.001-05:00

Angelfire is officially in stores <3

On Music Monday of each week for 15 weeks I will post a song and lyrics from the ANGELFIRE playlist (some songs are on my website, some are not) to give you a taste of what ANGELFIRE and its main characters, Ellie and Will, are like. I will also post a contest to win a book from this list (in no particular order). The winner will be announced on the Monday of the next week, when the next contest is posted.

Week 14 winner of ANGELFIRE is Ashelynn http://agypsywriter.blogspot.com!

Congrats! I'll email you shortly for your address to send your prize.

Here's the stack of awesome books and swag I will be giving away to YOU.

(Dragonite and little reapers not included)

Week 15 Giveaway

Song: Bring Me To Life by Evanescence

You might be thinking, oh hell, not Evanescence. They still rock and this song literally changed my musical existence. I remember the first time I heard this song, exactly where I was, and knew at that moment I wanted to write a book to this song. Eventually I did with Angelfire. There's so much I want to say about this song and what it means to me that I can't articulate words. 8 years after I heard this song for the first time, the book I dreamed about is published and Bring Me To Life sort of wakes me up again. It is Ellie and Will to the soul.

how can you see into my eyes like open doors
leading you down into my core
where I’ve become so numb without a soul my spirit sleeping somewhere cold
until you find it there and lead it back home

(Wake me up)
Wake me up inside
(I can’t wake up)
Wake me up inside
(Save me)
call my name and save me from the dark
(Wake me up)
bid my blood to run
(I can’t wake up)
before I come undone
(Save me)
save me from the nothing I’ve become

now that I know what I’m without
you can't just leave me
breathe into me and make me real
bring me to life

(Wake me up)
Wake me up inside
(I can’t wake up)
Wake me up inside
(Save me)
call my name and save me from the dark
(Wake me up)
bid my blood to run
(I can’t wake up)
before I come undone
(Save me)
save me from the nothing I’ve become

Bring me to life
(I've been living a lie, there's nothing inside)
Bring me to life

frozen inside without your touch without your love darling only you are the life among the dead

all this time I can't believe I couldn't see
kept in the dark but you were there in front of me
I’ve been sleeping a thousand years it seems
got to open my eyes to everything
without a thought without a voice without a soul
don't let me die here
there must be something more
bring me to life

(Wake me up)
Wake me up inside
(I can’t wake up)
Wake me up inside
(Save me)
call my name and save me from the dark
(Wake me up)
bid my blood to run
(I can’t wake up)
before I come undone
(Save me)
save me from the nothing I’ve become

(Bring me to life)
I’ve been living a lie, there’s nothing inside
(Bring me to life)

Giveaway: ANGELFIRE by me! Courtney Allison Moulton

(Signed Hardcover)

1 Entry Point: Leave a comment on this blog post

1 Additional Entry Point: Post a link to this giveaway on Twitter using the hashtag #FearTheReaper

1 Additional Entry Point: Post a link to this giveaway on your Blog

The entries close on February 27 at 11:59 PM EST

You can accumulate up to 3 entry points.

If blogging, please provide links in your comment.

This contest is for US residents only - I'm sorry!

Add ANGELFIRE on Goodreads

Pre-order ANGELFIRE on Barnes and Noble

Pre-order ANGELFIRE on Amazon

Watch the book trailer for ANGELFIRE!

I introduce ANGELFIRE and teach you how to kill reapers with swords:

The Angelfire Launch Party!

2011-02-20T18:17:00.000-05:00

Wow. People are amazing. There really is no way to articulate how incredible yesterday was. So many people came out, bloggers, authors, friends, family - even old friends from high school! A few people told me they saw my interview on the Michael Patrick Shiels show and brought their kids in. The book store that hosted me, Schuler Books and Music in Lansing, ordered 95 books.

Every. Single. Book. Sold.

They sold out the entire stock. I'm so bewildered and humbled that so many people came out to support my book and me. My mom, aunt, and grandmother flew up from Texas to help out and they passed out cookies and root beer floats to guests. I was asked questions including, how I came up with the characters, tips for NaNoWriMo, and who my favorite uncle is (this was asked by my uncles.)

I read the scene from Chapter 8, where Will and Ellie are training. It's a fun but really cool, action-packed scene that's one of my favorites! I was a little nervous reading but everyone was a great sport!

I must have signed 100 books! I only messed up the personalizations and notes a few times, and I used two copper metallic markers up dry. I gave away five Angelfire totes each filled with a signed copy of Angelfire, two more books, an Angelfire shirt, tons of bookmarks, stickers, buttons, glo sticks, SillyBandz.... Wow there were tons of goodies in them! AND! Harper was awesome and sent a bag of goodies to give away too! It included all of the Dark Days of Summer books, and even DIVERGENT and STARCROSSED! I almost stole it and ran, but I was a good author and gave it away.... *pouts* ;-)

Before the launch, a bunch of authors and bloggers, including really good friends Leah Clifford and Scott Tracey, met up for lunch. We took over the restaurant and were pretty loud and obnoxious, but that's okay because we were excited! I also met some new bloggers and authors and have made some new friends! I'm so grateful they came out to meet me!

At the end of the day, we were all exhausted, but the awesome employees at Schuler made sure things ran smoothly and nothing went wrong - well, besides running out of books!

There's just a few more weeks until the Dark Days of Winter Tour begins and I'll be on the road with Kimberly Derting, Claudia Gray, and Ellen Shrieber! Check out my Events page for exact tour dates and locations. If you weren't able to win any Angelfire swag, we've got tons of shirts, hoodies, totes, and more in the Angelfire Shop!

Not to mention, The Book Vlogger paid a visit and made a really awesome video from my launch, including my reading from Chapter Eight! Thank you so much for making this video!

Angelfire has taken flight! Plus a Teaser Tuesday!

2011-02-15T22:09:00.002-05:00

One question every author gets asked is, "When did you first start writing?" This is a hard question for me to answer. My earliest memories of writing are of scribbling my own stories into the inside covers of library books and getting the crap beaten out of me. But I'm sure they were great stories.

This was my dream. I knew exactly what I wanted to be when I grew up and this was it. I worked hard at it, fought for it, and I never gave up. Funny thing about dreams is, they can come true, but not if you're sitting around on your butt waiting for them to happen.

Basically, what I'm trying to say is, you can be whatever the hell crazy effing thing you can dream up in your head. But you have to make the dream happen yourself. If you want to be a veterinarian, then study your ass off and get ready to have no life. If you want to be an astronaut, then figure out how to be smart enough to fly a space shuttle because holy crap you don't want it to fall out of the sky. If you want to write books and be an author, make sure you're at least mostly mentally unstable, prefer not to live in the real world since it's boring as hell, own lots of cats, and devote at least eighty percent of your living space for books, manuscript pages, and cups of coffee. And also never have a tan because once you're on deadline, you'll be stuck inside, sitting in a chair, getting secretary to turn that project in on time.

And those were this debut author's paltry words of wisdom for you. Feel free to ignore them.

Here's the actual cool part of this post. This week is my last Teaser Tuesday for you and it's actually a scene you won't find in any ANGELFIRE book. This is a scene I wrote a long time ago from Will's POV. The first of Ellie's flashbacks in Angelfire was originally the opening scene for the book, but was moved during edits. In that scene, her incarnation of the era is killed in battle, and as a character exercise, I wrote from Will's POV when he learns of her fate. Though he might be quiet on the outside or say something snarky here and there, he is truly passionate on the inside and his narration comes easily to me. All of the characters in this scene you will meet in Angelfire and learn even more about them in the sequel, Wings of the Wicked. I hope you enjoy this scene!
The whole scene can be found over at A Good Addiction, so I will jst post a snippet. If you want to read the rest of the five pages, then head on over to that blog!

The last time I held her in my arms was the last time she died.

I feared for her, more afraid for her life than my own, because she was all that mattered. I could be replaced—would be replaced—but she was most precious in all the world. She was the only one who could save it.

My eyes were shut tight and my jaw clenched, determined not to make a cry of pain. That would only encourage them. It would take a lot of damage to kill me, but that wasn’t their goal. Reapers were patient, for they had eternity to do whatever they desired, and many loved to spill blood just to watch it run.

One of them grabbed a fistful of my hair and yanked me upright so that his yellow eyes could drive into mine. His mouth slid wide to show multiple rows of jagged, needle teeth.

“I thought you had passed out for a moment,” Geir said as he crouched in front of me. “That would have been disappointing.”

If the chains weren’t so tight around my arms, I’d have punched his face so hard those shark teeth would be shooting out the back of his head. I jerked against the metal to their limits, but halted brutally with Geir’s throat just out of reach. I was too weakened to break free of the chains and of the angelic spell cast into the pentagram drawn on the ground around me. My body would heal and then they would begin again, tearing me up until I was near death only to let me heal so they could start all over. I didn’t know how long I’d been in this barn. I didn’t know if it was night or day. And I didn’t know if she was still alive.

Want to read the rest of this five-page scene? Head on over to over at A Good Addiction!