Winner of Graveminder is

Robin K!  Congrats, Robin.  Email me your snail mail and I'll drop it in the mail to you.

Sorry this is late: DEADLINES are kicking my butt this week!

Also, I'll be in Houston at Murder by the Book  at 4 pm today  and Katy Budget Books tomorrow at 2 pm. signing Tempest Rising with the Chills and Thrills Book Tour!  Stop by and say hi if you're in the area :)

Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

Come See Me ...

Come see me ...

If you live in the Dallas area :)  I'll be at A Real Bookstore in Fairview at 2 p.m. today as part of the Chills and Thrills Teen book tour and I'll be at the Hurst, TX Barnes and Noble (Fortworth) tomorrow.  I'd love to see you!!!!

Since I'm on the road all weekend, I thought I'd ask what you're up to?  Any amazing plans?  Leave a comment and be entered to win a signed copy of the ARC for Graveminder by Melissa Marr.

What I'm Working on Now!

Hi Everyone-- I know I've been scarce lately, but let me tell you!  Launching Tempest Rising (directly after promoting Hidden Embers) has put me way behind in everything.  I'm on massive deadline (two books due like right now) and a bunch of other stuff right around the corner.  Anyway, first off, I wanted to say thank you to all of you for making Tempest Rising's release week such a big success.  I really appreciate it :)  I have the best fans in the world!!!

Also, I'm just finishing up my dragon short story, Eternal Embers, which will be online from Penguin this September, so I'll post something from that later in the week.  But today, I thought I'd give you a glimpse of my new YA.  Tentatively called Zero Day, it's the Pandora Book I keep telling you about-- the one where she opens an attachment instead of a box and hearkens technological Armageddon.  Anyway, here's a quick look-- hope you enjoy!

My seventeenth birthday starts with betrayal. 

Lies. 

Mayhem. 

Violence.

It ends the same way but that’s a different story—at least for now.

AP English is my first class of the day and for the past two weeks we’ve been doing a unit on Shakespeare.  Love sonnets.  A history in the form of Henry V.  Biography studies.  And now, a tragedy.  And not just any tragedy, mind you, but Othello, which just might be the most tragic of the tragedies, or so I’ve been told.  My best friends, Jules and Emily, assure me that they have it worse—they’re reading Hamlet in their regular Brit Lit class-- but I’m not so sure.  Shakespeare’s Moor is no picnic, especially at eight forty-five in the morning.

Even worse, Mr. March—who is usually pretty cool—has divided us into groups to analyze scenes.  Again, not such a bad thing, except for the fact that 1) we have to act them out in front of the class and 2) he was obviously off his meds when he chose our partners. My group consists of me, Senior class president and head cheerleader Tara McKinney (who wears about an inch of make-up every day and drives a Barbie Pink Hummer—Barbie Pink!  Need I say more?), Zane Connolly (the biggest nerd in the school, which is totally fine, except he has a crush on Tara and it’s painful to watch him try to get her attention) and the new guy, Eli Sanders (who I know nothing about, except that he’s seriously hot).  Sleepy green eyes partially obstructed by his shaggy blonde hair, super-broad shoulders and a really good face complete with strong jaw, full lips and a dimple. 

A dimple.

I melt a little at the sight of it, even as I tell myself to get a grip.  But it’s hard.  I’m a sucker for a dimple and always have been.  I try not to look at it, at him, as we push our desks together.  Getting to be with Eli might make putting up with the other two group members worth it, except for the fact that I look like hell. 

I know, I know.  You’re used to hearing girls say that all the time.  But I’m not one of those girls who freaks out every time she breaks a nail (though my best friend, Emily, is). Still, today has to be an all-time low.  Not just for me, but for girls everywhere.  I was up way too late last night (insominia, thy name is Pandora—see, I can do Shakespeare) and slept through my alarm this morning.  I didn’t get up until Jules called to find out why I wasn’t already at her house to pick her up.  Needless to say, dressed in the dirty jeans I found on my bedroom floor and the vintage Hendrix tank top I slept in last night, I’m not exactly at my best right now.  Or anywhere close to it.

Eli scoots his desk into the spot next to mine and I am painfully aware of the fact that my personal hygiene is a little lacking today.  I brushed my teeth—on the run—but I’m pretty sure my hair is sticking up in every direction imaginable.  And not because I arranged it that way.

If you have time, drop me a note and let me know what you think of Pandora.  She's very different than Tempest, to say the least!

The Chills and Thrills Teen Book Tour

Hi, Everyone!  Forgive me for cross-posting on my blogs these last couple of days, but I'm trying to get all the info out :)  I promise new content very soon, LOL.

 Thanks so much for all your support and well-wishes these last couple of days.  Tempest's release day was a blast for me (yes, I went to BN to stare at my pretty book on the shelves, LOL) then I went to lunch with two of my closest friends to celebrate!!!!!

I'm a little late on getting this up, but in case you haven't heard, I'm part of the Chills and Thrills Teen Book Tour that is going through Texas in the next couple of weeks. Authors signing are:

Tracy Deebs
Tera Lynn Childs
Sophie Jordan
Mari Mancusi
Lara Chapman
Jennifer Archer
Jordan Dane

and we'll be signing at:

Saturday, May 14th
La Cantera Barnes and Noble, San Antonio
12-2 p.m.
(Btw, Rick Riordan is signing right after us, in case any of you are interested!)

Sunday, May 15th
BookPeople, Austin
2-4 p.m.

Friday, May 20th,
Barnes and Noble, Waco, TX
6-8 p.m.

Saturday, May 21st
A Real Bookstore, Plano, Texas
2-4 p.m.

Sunday, May 22nd
Barnes and Noble, Hurst, TX
2-4 p.m.

Saturday, May 28th
Murder by the Book, Houston, TX
4:30-6:30 p.m.

Sunday, May 29th
Katy Budget Books, Houston, TX
2-4 p.m.

Now, not all of us will be at all the stops (though I will be, LOL) so for more info, check out our website at:
http://chillsandthrillsteenbooktour.wordpress.com/  It's got all the info on our books and who we are, along with addresses, etc. for all our stops.  Hope to see you at one of the stores!

Tempest Rising Releases Tomorrow!!!!!!

I can't believe that Tempest Rising will finally be on the shelves.  It seems so long ago that I decided I wanted to write a YA about mermaids (October 2009) and yet it's finally time, nineteen months after I originally conceived of the concept.  It gives me shivers :)


So far, the reviews coming in are really good.  Here are a few links, in case you want to check them out:


'Tempest Rising is an unpredictable and magical tale about sea creatures and destiny that entranced me. I thoroughly enjoyed my time with this book and was really sad when I finally closed the novel." --IB Book Blogging


http://www.ibbookblogging.com/2011/05/review-tempest-rising-by-tracy-deebs.html


"Romance and adventure abound in this mermaid tale that’s a fin above the rest. "  --All Things Urban Fantasy

http://allthingsurbanfantasy.blogspot.com/2011/05/early-review-tempest-rising-by-tracy.html

"Tempest Rising was a thrilling, exotic, and romantic read with many twists and turns ... I'm beginning to think that the thrill of the water is more appealing than an eternity of night..." --Allykatzz

http://www.allykatzz.com/page/forus/member_blog_detail/?member_id=60483&source_id=1218866

 

"TEMPEST RISING, by Tracy Deebs, is a wonderfully crafted 'coming of age' story about a girl who needs to decide between the life she has always known or another life under the deep blue sea.  I absolutely loved this book."   --Sit Here and Read
http://www.sithereandread.com/2011/05/blog-tour-tempest-rising-by-tracy-deebs.html

“Among the recent spate of mermaid books this easily stands as the darkest ... an exciting  story ... which many young readers will love.” – Kirkus Reviews

And remember, if you're planning to buy Tempest Rising, remember that you have until Wednesday to show me proof of purchase to be entered for a $75 gift card to the online bookstore of your choice  :)

Have a great week!

A Tempest Rising Preview

With the release of Tempest Rising only a few days away (yay!!!!) I thought I'd post another preview of the book.  And don't forget to check out the contest I'm running over at http://www.tracy-deebs.blogspot.com/ in order to win a $75 giftcard to the online bookseller of your choice. 

Up in the sky a full moon the color of a pure, sweet tropical pearl cast a glow over the trees, the only light besides the lone street lamp at the end of the cul-de-sac.  For a moment, I felt like the only person on earth.

     Crossing the street, I ignored the gravel and small rocks that bit into my toes and heels until I could sink my feet into the blessed relief of cold, winter sand.

     I walked along the beach for a long time—right where the tide met the sand--unaware of time passing as the water tickled my toes.  I played tag with the waves, tried to avoid the never-ending cycle of tides as they rolled in.  I lost more times than I won.

     I didn’t have any firm destination in mind as I walked, but when I ended up a mile or so down the beach at my thinking rock, I wasn’t surprised.  I’d been coming here for six years, whenever life got to be too much for me and, geez, did this week ever qualify as too much.

     I climbed the craggy rock swiftly, my hands and feet finding familiar footholds in the rough crevices.  Though I was fast, I was also careful—my legs and hips, even the back of my right hand bore numerous scars from the mistakes I’d made while climbing here in the past.

     The ocean seethed in a crazed cacophony while I settled myself at the top of the rock, a perfect reflection of my mood as I looked out over the water I both loved and despised, praying for just a little bit of the peace I usually got when I was out here alone.   

     But there was no peace tonight.  How could there be?  The ocean throbbed and pulsed while the very air itself crackled with electricity.

     I gazed out over the waves as I searched my very limited knowledge-base trying to figure out how the hell to get out of the mess I was currently in.  Things were happening so quickly that I couldn’t find a way to stop them. 

I didn’t know how to stop them.

     “No!”  I screamed so loudly that my throat hurt.  “No, no, no!”  Again and again until my voice was hoarse and my throat raw.

     The ocean seemed to pulse in and out in time with my screams and I watched, fascinated, as wave after wave pounded the shore—each one bigger and harder than the one before.

     It was great surfing weather.  Dangerous, sure, if you didn’t know what you were doing, but good nonetheless.  For a minute, I longed for my board, the call of the ocean so strong that it was painful.

     You don’t need a board.  The thought slipped in slyly.  You’re a strong swimmer.  Go on out there and see what you’re really made of.

     Overhead, lightning crackled, was followed closely by a burst of thunder that shook my rock and the ground beneath it.

     Go ahead, the little voice at the back of my head whispered again. You know you want to.

     And I did want to, so badly that I could almost taste it.  That was the kicker in all of this—a part of me longed to give myself over to the violent water, a part that was getting harder and harder to deny.

     What would it hurt? the voice urged.  A midnight swim, a chance to—

     I was off the rock before I knew what I was doing, heading towards the ocean with a single-minded purpose I couldn’t imagine denying.

     My gills ached.  My lungs burned, blistered.  My skin stung, itched, like a thousand wasps had gotten to me.

     Yes, go.  The voice was louder now, more insistent.  Triumphant even.  And I gave myself to it.  Let it pull me to where I wanted to be anyway.

     I walked a few steps closer to the water, the sand squishing beneath my toes.

     You belong there.  You need to be in the water, to feel it around you.  Beneath you.

     The water lapped at my ankles, my calves.  I took another step, then another.   Felt it on my knees, my thighs.  The cold sting of it penetrated my near trance-like state and I stopped, confused.

     Just a little more, a few more steps.  The voice was clearer now—ringing in my head, in my ears.  Flowing through me until it was a drumbeat in my blood.  Until it was all I could think about.  All I could feel.

     I took another step.  Then another and another and another.  The water was around my chest now and I was only going deep enough to—

     “No!”  Another voice, fainter and more frantic than the first.  “Tempest, stop!”

     Ignore him, said the first voice.  You’ve wasted enough time.  Come to me.  Come to your home.

Have a great Wednesday!!!!

Big Giveaway at my Tracy Deebs blog :)

Hi Everyone :)  I'm just back from a quick trip to Salem, MA for the New England RWA conference (yes, I really am everywhere this year).  Anyway, it's nine days until Tempest Rising releases-- can you believe it?  I'm so, so, so excited!  Anyway, in honor of Tempest Rising, I'm giving away a $75 giftcard to the online bookseller of your choice, along with other cool prizes.  Check out my blog: http://www.tracy-deebs.blogspot.com/ to find out how to enter :)

I'll be back tomorrow, I promise, with fun tidbits about my trip to Salem-- what a great place for a writer to visit!

The Winner of the RT Basket is ...

PamK :)  Congrats!!!!  Contact me at tracy@tracywolff.com with your snailmail and I'll get it out to you ASAP.