New Years Resolution

My New Year's resolution is to read more books.

And to start watching Supernatural.

I win.

Top 6 Books Of 2013

I read a lot. 

A LOT.

Like you, I'm sure. So, instead of writing a blog post on the books I read in 2013, I decided to write one featuring my top 6 reads of 2013. That I can remember. 2013 was a good year for books, and it looks like 2014 will be even better. So, here you go. In no order at all.

1) Perfect Ruin by Lauren DeStefano - These chapter introductions were literally the most beautiful

words I read in 2013. I loved them, and the lyrical writing throughout this book.

2) The Lost Sun by Tessa Gratton - One of my very favorite writers. The writing was lush and gorgeous and I really loved the new ideas behind the story. I also loved that the novel is more a book of stories that are not said rather than those that are.

3) Just Between Us by J.H. Trumble - A story that needed to be written. Romantic and scary. I truly loved every word in this book, and eventually found myself in awe of the hope Trumble created throughout.

4) Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas - Honestly, I ate this book like I ate Harry Potter. Enough said.

5) The Book Theif by Markus Zusak - The story. The pictures. The words. I wasn't sure if I would like this one when I started it, but when I finished it a few days later I didn't want to leave. This is a story that stays with you, and I cried.

6) Rot & Ruin by Jonathan Maberry - A book about zombies taught me what it means to be human. That alone is an amazing thing, but I also loved the story and the world Maberry created in this book. The entire series is excellent, but this first one is my favorite. Also, the ending of Dust & Decay, the second book in the series, killed me.

 There you go! What were your favorite reads of 2013? What books are you looking forward to in 2014? I can't wait to read Andrew Smith's Grasshopper Jungle! Also, Ignite Me. 

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

Spine Poetry

Across a star-swept sea, 

lost voices 

 resist 

the gathering dark. 

These broken stars 

never fade. 

For darkness shows the stars 

every day-

unbreakable. ‪

Feature Story

This past week I was featured on the front page of the Troy High School newspaper. This is awesome, you guys! How cool!? The article, found HERE on their site, talks about the event we did a few weeks ago at the local Barnes and Noble. It was a great event, and the students from Troy High are beyond smart and amazing. What's more is that they love books just as much as me, so we had a lot to talk about. 

Also, be sure to ask your local Barnes and Noble (or any bookstore) to stock the new Light of the Moon: Special Edition!

LIGHT OF THE MOON: SPECIAL EDITION IS OUT NOW!

You read it! Light of the Moon: Special Edition is now available! Check it out! It has an amazing matte cover and exclusive extras on the inside INCLUDING a short story.

Light of the Moon: Special Edition - In Stores Soon!

Plus, in this Special Edition there are exclusive bonus extras! 

The Light of the Moon playlist is featured along with really cool discussion questions AND Magda's short story, The Witch's Curse, is in the back! Basically, you get two stories in one! Awesome.

Light of the Moon: Special Edition

So. Big news.

In just about a week (hopefully), Light of the Moon will be rereleased into the wild as a special edition book available for purchase INSIDE Barnes and Noble stores (and other retailers across the country). I'm pretty excited about this!

Light of the Moon: Special Edition will feature exclusive bonus content including the Light of the Moon playlist, exclusive short stories, and discussions questions. It will be available to be stocked in Barnes and Noble and other book stores if asked to be stocked, so I'll let you know when it's available! You'll still be able to purchase the older edition, and that one will stay available.

New Swag

I have some new book swag. Light of the Moon and Shades of the Stars bookmarks! 

And I can't wait to share the Shadow of the Sun ones. 

So, perhaps I'll have a giveaway soon. 

Maybe when we hit 1000 likes over on facebook? 

FACEBOOK, DAVID JAMES AUTHOR

Also, check back in about a week or so for a really cool BIG announcement. 

SHADOW OF THE SUN COVER REVEAL AND GIVEAWAY!

You guys! You guys! This is it! I'm so excited to share the cover for the last Legend of the Dreamer book, Shadow of the Sun. I love it. A lot. It captures the book perfectly. War. Romance. Magic. This cover is everything I wanted it to be and more. What do you think?

This is the end.

And this time, no heart is safe.

A stunning read for fans of Laini Taylor’s Days of Blood & Starlight and Maggie Stiefvater’s The Raven Boys, Shadow of the Sun is the lyrical sequel to Light of the Moon and the epic conclusion to the Legend of the Dreamer series that will enrapture you.

"Destined for love, Calum and Kate will do anything to be together. With Kate trapped by a curse in Ashfall, Calum must find a way to save her before she is lost to dark magic. Before she is lost to him and the truth of their love is gone forever. Even if it means sacrificing himself, Calum will choose to keep Kate safe. 

A Warrior for the Order, Zack prides himself on being stoic and strong. As a Warrior, he never cries and never hurts. He does not love. But underneath Zack’s Warrior heart, love beats true. And when he finds someone who will finally catch him, Zack finds himself choosing to fall even if true love kills him. 

Though the heart never lies, everyone has a little darkness in them, and soon shadows begin to rise against the light. As deadly magic consumes their world, love may not be enough to save them all. Because even though sometimes being brave just means falling in love, one choice can destroy everything. This time, no heart is safe."

The end begins on 1.28.14.

Add it to your Goodreads shelf now!

Start at the beginning and get Light of the Moon, the first book in this epic series, today!

Light of the Moon for Kindle/Paperback

Light of the Moon for Nook/Paperback

Check out The Witch's Curse, the stunning and romantic novella that reveals Kate's history.

The Witch's Curse for Kindle

The Witch's Curse for Nook

Zack is fearless, but he wasn't always. Read The Warrior's Code and learn more about his past.

The Warrior's Code for Kindle

The Warrior's Code for Nook

All two novellas, The Witch's Curse and The Warrior's Code, are included in the Shades of the Stars anthology, along with an exclusive short story about the fire enchanter Lily. This enchanting anthology also features essays, playlists, deleted scenes, and an author interview.

Shades of the Stars for Kindle/Paperback

David James writes books about stars and kisses and curses. He is the author of the YA novel, Light of the Moon, the first book in the Legend of the Dreamer duet, as well as the companion novellas, The Witch's Curse and The Warrior's Code. A Legend of the Dreamer anthology, Shades of the Stars, was released July 2013, and includes the exclusive novella, The Enchanter's Fire. The final book in the duet, Shadow of the Sun, will be released in January of 2014. Living in Michigan, he is addicted to coffee, gummy things, and sarcastic comments. David enjoys bad movies, goofy moments, and shivery nights. 

Facebook  Twitter  Email  Goodreads  Blog 

Be brave. 

And you don't have to wait until 1.28.14 to get started! Enter the INTERNATIONAL giveaway below for a chance to win the Legend of the Dreamer e-book of your choice!

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Cover Reveal!

The Shadow of the Sun cover will be revealed on November 13! And along with the epic cover (it's awesome), I will be revealing the synopsis and release date of Shadow of the Sun! I can't wait to share it with you all!

And if you would like to help reveal the cover, sign up HERE!

Awesome "Halloween" Reads

Since I'm always looking for books to read this time of year, I thought it would be cool if I picked some "Halloween" books to share with you on the blog. These are books that are not exactly about Halloween, but have the feel of this time of year. Fall. Leaves. Cold. Dark. Mystery. Those kind of books. 

1) The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black

I really loved this dark, creepy story about vampires. While there is romance in this book, these vampires hunt like crazy. They're vicious and dangerous and I loved that. Amazingly written. 

2) Witch Eyes by Scott Tracey

This book is dark and light, serious and funny. And I loved it. It's refreshingly told, and the characters are very real. Since this book deals with dark magic in a small town where strange things happen, it's a perfect, creepy and mysterious read for this time of year.

3) The Demon's Lexicon by Sarah Rees Brennan

So. Good. This is a darker read about dark things. Mystery. Suspense. Love. Magic. I love every single page and was so glad it was the first of a trilogy. A truly wonderful book for the Halloween season.

4) Ballad by Maggie Stiefvater

A perfect Autumn read. If the cover doesn't capture you, get glasses. This book is amazing, like a song. Stiefvater's writing is flawless and gorgeous, and the story itself will hook you. I swear I could feel the leaves burning.

Truth Quotes

"As a reader, I don't feel a story has an obligation to make me happy. 

I want stories to show me a bigger world than the one I know."

-John Green

Four Things I Learned About Veronica Roth After Reading Allegiant

After reading Allegiant, here are four (get it?) things I've learned about Veronica Roth. 

*NO SPOILERS*

1) Veronica Roth is brave, incredibly so. To end a series is an impossible task, because even though the books have been written the characters find a way to live on in our minds. For an author, a series never really ends. The story might end, but there are always new readers, new thoughts, and random scenes that appear in your mind. Ending a series is brave.

2) She knows her characters and is not afraid to show their faults. She is not afraid to tell the story of a girl who is both strong and weak. She is not afraid to tell the story of a boy who is both strong and weak. And I think that is amazing. Men and women, we are all everything at once. We are not just one thing, strong or weak. These are brave things to feature because readers tend to look at (some) flaws negatively - especially when it comes to ideas about sexism and gender equality. This is why I will always love Tris and Tobias - because they are everything at once, as it is. I've found more comments from readers of Allegiant that the ending "blew" because Four appeared weak. And if you've read the ending, you'll know (hopefully) why comments like this are ridiculous. Fear, tears, sadness, love, hope, and loss are never signs of weakness no matter who wears them. Boys will not be boys and girls will not be girls, at least not in this series - and that is something wonderful.

3) Veronica Roth is brave because of that ending. Because it made sense. Because it was vivid and real and raw. And because the ending stayed true to the characters. More importantly, knowing how readers would react makes Roth an even braver soul than most. She knew. For the most part, authors and publishers and agents and editors always do. Knowing that and still writing something because it has to be written is brave. 

4) Veronica Roth is brave. The end.

And in the end, I don't know if this was the ending I was hoping for, but it surely was the ending I needed. The one that was meant to be. The one that should have happened. And the one that, no matter what, will teach us to live freely and move forward and, like Tobias says, "mend each other."

AND THE GIVEAWAY!

Here it is! In honor of over 900 likes on facebook, you can enter the giveaway for a chance to win one signed paperback of Light of the Moon, one signed paperback of Shades of the Stars, and/or a swag bundle of bookmarks and whatnot! Awesome! Liking the facebook page is mandatory because this was a "facebook exclusive" giveaway (the winners will be announced on there), but I decided to give you the option of tweeting about the giveaway for some additional points if you want (you actually get more for liking the facebook page, but can get more easily by tweeting). I added two giveaways - one US only and one International. Feel free to enter both if you live in the US, but I wanted to do something for everyone because there are so many awesome people from around the world on facebook! The giveaway ends Sunday so get to it! 

LIKE the facebook page here.

https://www.facebook.com/davidjamesauthor

Check it out and tell all your friends! 

US only giveaway for some paperbacks!

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And here is the International Giveaway for some Kindle/Nook copies!

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GIVEAWAY

Want signed paperbacks of Light of the Moon and Shades of the Stars? Be sure to like the facebook page in order to enter! I'll be having a giveaway soon! The more people who like the page, the more paperbacks I'll give out - so make sure you tell all your friends!

https://www.facebook.com/davidjamesauthor

Philip Pullman's Carnegie Medal Acceptance Speech

Just because this entire speech is amazing, and so very, very true.

"There are some themes, some subjects, too large for adult fiction; they can only be dealt with adequately in a children's book. 

 The reason for that is that in adult literary fiction, stories are there on sufferance. Other things are felt to be more important: technique, style, literary knowingness. Adult writers who deal in straightforward stories find themselves sidelined into a genre such as crime or science fiction, where no one expects literary craftsmanship. But stories are vital. Stories never fail us because, as Isaac Bashevis Singer says, "events never grow stale." There's more wisdom in a story than in volumes of philosophy. And by a story I mean not only Little Red Riding Hood and Cinderella and Jack and the Beanstalk but also the great novels of the nineteenth century, Jane Eyre, Middlemarch, Bleak House and many others: novels where the story is at the center of the writer's attention, where the plot actually matters. The present-day would-be George Eliots take up their stories as if with a pair of tongs. They're embarrassed by them. If they could write novels without stories in them, they would. Sometimes they do. But what characterizes the best of children's authors is that they're not embarrassed to tell stories. They know how important stories are, and they know, too, that if you start telling a story you've got to carry on till you get to the end. And you can't provide two ends, either, and invite the reader to choose between them. Or as in a highly praised recent adult novel I'm about to stop reading, three different beginnings. In a book for children you can't put the plot on hold while you cut artistic capers for the amusement of your sophisticated readers, because, thank God, your readers are not sophisticated. They've got more important things in mind than your dazzling skill with wordplay. They want to know what happens next. Now I don't mean children are supernaturally wise little angels gifted with the power of seeing the truth that the dull eyes of adults miss. They're not. They're ignorant little savages, most of them. But they know what they need, and they go for it with the intensity of passion, and what they need is stories. Why do they spend so much time watching TV? They're not watching documentaries about Eastern Europe or programs about politics. They're watching drama, film, story. They can't get enough of it.

There's a hunger for stories in all of us, adults too.

We need stories so much that we're even willing to read bad books to get them, if the good books won't supply them. We all need stories, but children are more frank about it; cultured adults, on the other hand, those limp and jaded creatures who think it more important to seem sophisticated than to admit to simplicity, find it harder both to write and to read novels that don't come with a prophylactic garnish of irony. But those adults who truly enjoy story, and plot, and character, and who would like to find books in which the events matter and which at the same time are works of literary art where the writers have used all the resources of their craft, could hardly do better than to look among the children's books. And there's a spin-off too, a social benefit.

All stories teach, whether the storyteller intends them to or not. They teach the world we create. They teach the morality we live by. They teach it much more effectively than moral precepts and instructions.

Give the books to the teachers, and then leave them alone; give them time to read and think and talk about the books with one another and with their students, so that they can put the right book into the hands of the right child at the right time. We don't need lists of rights and wrongs, tables of do's and don'ts: we need books, time, and silence.

Thou shalt not is soon forgotten, but Once upon a time lasts forever."

"Speak your mind, even if your voice shakes."

Cover!

I saw an early version of the Shadow of the Sun (book 2) cover and it is epic! Seriously. And Calum might be shirtless. You are welcome. That will be revealed in the next few months.

Writing Advice Part 2

“Tell your story. Don’t try and tell the stories that other people can tell. Because [as a] starting writer, you always start out with other people’s voices — you’ve been reading other people for years… But, as quickly as you can, start telling the stories that only you can tell — because there will always be better writers than you, there will always be smarter writers than you … but you are the only you.”

 - Neil Gaiman

Writing Advice

Q: Should I always follow writing advice and writing rules?

A: Absolutely not. Make your own rules. Break them. Create new ones. 

As corny as it sounds, following your heart is the best path to go down as a writer. There's so much static out there about rules and queries and things you should do and not do, but it all comes down to what you think is best. How you define success. What you want to write. What is your art.

Most of the advice out there is from amazing authors who know what they're talking about. Should you listen? Of course. They know what they're talking about. But you should also understand that no advice is right for everyone. No rules stays unbroken. A lot of advice out there is personal advice that works for that specific person - but it might not work for you. Some people forget that advice is not universal.

So, break rules.

Create new ones.

Fall a a few times and get back up.

Keep trying.

Find what works.

Find your voice.

And keep writing.

Mythology: The Wicked release day!

IT’S RELEASE DAY FOR MYTHOLOGY: THE WICKED!

MYTHOLOGY: THE WICKED (Mythology #2)

Book Description

A demon with a pure heart, Micah Condie lives his life by a code of ethics, but breaking that code may be the only way for him to survive. A supernatural entity in her own right, Hope Gentry would do anything in her power to protect her loved ones, but she may be the one who puts them in peril.

When the Demon Impiorum challenges the laws that keep guardians and demons in balance, ancient enforcers of justice intervene. Micah, Hope, and their mentor Jonathan become entangled in a conspiracy that will test even the deepest love and trust.

Someone will commit an act of betrayal. Someone will forever abandon a loved one.

Someone will enter THE WICKED.

Amazon: http://bit.ly/MicahCondie

Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/mythology-the-wicked

GRAB BOOK ONE FOR JUST 99 PENNIES!!!

MYTHOLOGY (Mythology #1)

 

Book Description

Hope Gentry doesn’t believe in Fate. Born with an unusual power to see the dark memories of those around her, Hope just wants to be a normal teenager. But on the first day of her senior year of high school, she finds herself irresistibly drawn to a transfer student named Micah Condie. At first glance, Micah seems like a boy that most girls would dream about. But when Hope's powers allow her to discover Micah's darkest secret, she quickly becomes entangled in the lives of mythical entities she never dreamed existed. Was this her destiny all along? And will her powers help her survive the evil of the Demon Impiorum?

Mythology isn’t just for English class anymore.

Amazon.com   |   Barnes and Noble   |   iTunes Store   |   KoboBooks

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Originally from upstate New York, Helen Boswell spent several years of her early adult life tromping around in the city of Buffalo with frequent trips to Toronto, Canada. These two cities in particular serve as inspirational settings for her urban fantasies, and while Helen has since moved to live in the southwestern United States, she will have fond memories of urban life and high-heeled sneakers for all eternity.

Helen earned her Ph.D. in Biological Sciences from the University at Buffalo and dedicates her time to teaching biology and other fun things to college students, spending time with her wonderful family, and eating chocolate while writing.

The YA urban fantasy MYTHOLOGY is her first novel and the first one in the Mythology Series.

Find out more about Helen at http://www.helenboswell.com.

Want to become a character in Book Three or win other cool prizes?

ENTER THE INTERNATIONAL GIVEAWAY!!!

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Some #Teaser Extras!

Diversity Writing Advice

Anyone can write diversity. It won't be right for everyone, but you'll get it right for some. Boys can write girls and girls can write boys. Avoid clichés, but realize there aren't single types of people no matter race, gender, or sexuality. "Cliché" is ambiguous - there will always be someone who says you're wrong. No matter, you'll get it write for someone (see what I did there?), and that someone will feel a little more right in the world. Try. 

Shadow of the Sun teaser - Zack's

Zackery Solts from Shadow of the Sun

"Sometimes, when the dark of night was quiet and still, and I was feeling reckless with hope, I thought of the moment when I would be completely happy. At home with myself and with him. In love, lost in the perfect escape where dreams and reality met. 

A moment I didn’t have. 

A moment I wanted. 

“You okay, Zack?” Calum asked. 

I answered, “I’m fine. Just thinking.”

-from Shadow of the Sun, the sequel to Light of the Moon

COMING SOON

Add Shadow of the Sun to your Goodreads shelf!

Read Zack's short story in The Warrior's Code - out now!

And be sure to like the facebook page for updated teasers and exclusive extras!

https://www.facebook.com/davidjamesauthor

Books I NEED Now!

Some new books coming out soonish I want NEED as soon as possible! 

Any books that you're excited for?

Okay. And I know Sinner doesn't have a cover yet BUT COME ON I WANT IT. So good.

GIVEAWAY!

Check it out! You could win an e-copy of Light of the Moon, the first book in the Legend of the Dreamer duet, AND an e-copy of Shades of the Stars, the epic anthology in the Legend of the Dreamer duet which includes THREE short stories and exclusive extras with a look at the upcoming sequel. I'll pick TWO winners! E-copies are available in both Kindle and Nook versions. Enter below!

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 A lyrical and romantic story of true love and dark curses, Light of the Moon is an enchanting read for fans of Laini Taylor's Daughter of Smoke & Bone and Kami Garcia's and Margaret Stohl's Beautiful Creatures. One night long ago, a constellation disappeared and fell from the sky in the form of a boy... Secrets are being kept in the sleepy town of Lakewood Hollow, Colorado. Life unfolds in shades of red for Calum, until a mysterious girl named Kate Black enrolls at his school and everything changes. Suddenly a dangerous world of demons, enchanters, and witches unfurls before Calum. He learns that the stars have forever held his destiny, and that the constellations above are much more than what they seem. But life is not so easy for Calum, and he can feel his heart beat faster whenever Kate is close. Worse, Kate's blood holds a dark secret even more dangerous than the war between the demons and enchanters. Soon the two find that there are worse things than loving someone you shouldn't. For Calum and Kate, even love and the fiery power of stars may not be enough to break a curse as dark as the blood that binds their destiny. Sometimes being brave just means falling in love.

Shades of the Stars is a perfect read for fans of the Defy the Dark anthology and Lauren Oliver's Delirium Stories collection. This Legend of the Dreamer anthology features playlists, essays on the magical world of the Order, deleted scenes from Light of the Moon (Book 1), an author interview, and a special look at the sequel, Shadow of the Sun (Book 2). The pulse-pounding short stories The Witch's Curse, The Warrior's Code, and an exclusive story called The Enchanter's Fire are included for the first time together in this edition. In The Witch's Curse, Magda cannot stop her heart from running rampant with the beating drum of love. Whenever her eyes find Samuel, she can feel the pull of strings so vividly alive against her heart. But for Magda, love goes against fate; her destiny as a witch forbids her to need anything but the dark binds of magic. Soon, the witch's curse begins to call to Magda. To deny her love for Samuel would be unthinkable, but to defy her destiny would be impossible. Before the curse can consume her, Magda must decide between Samuel and destiny, and her heart may beat too savagely for anyone to stop. In The Warrior's Code, Warriors fight for justice, freedom, and peace. Becoming a Warrior is an honor given to few, and twelve-year-olds Zackery Solts and Kate Black will do anything to have a place among the elite. Zack and Kate must compete against eighteen others and pass three deadly tests of courage and skill. Above all, they must be strong because while the dangers of the tests are unknown, one thing is clear: not everyone will survive. In The Enchanter's Fire, Lily Woods is a girl on fire. Literally. Her element burns as fierce as her heart, and very few enchanters want to get close to a girl with such radiant power. None except for Shane Spencer, a boy as calm and cool as his icy element. But fire and ice don't mix, and the element Lily burns inside her is growing stronger. Unstoppable. Soon, Lily's fire may be the end of them all. Taking place during the final, pulse-pounding moments of Light of the Moon, The Enchanter's Fire burns with action and romance.

Teaser Tuesday

A teaser from Shades of the Stars (out now!): 

“Matters of the heart are different than matters of the mind, Lily.” Zack looked toward the lake. He broke the arrow in two and fed it to a burning lantern near me before he turned to walk away. “Sometimes you have to think with your heart and act before you can understand what you’re doing. Sometimes we all need a little help when it comes to love.” 

I Read Banned Books

"Submitting to censorship is to enter the seductive world of 'The Giver': the world where there are no bad words and no bad deeds. But it is also the world where choice has been taken away and reality distorted. And that is the most dangerous world of all." 

- Lois Lowry 

I Like Banned Books And I Cannot Lie

A Quick Word On Love

Just because love happens quickly or instantly does not mean it is always cliché. 

Sometimes it just happens. 

And that is awesome. 

Teaser Tuesday

Check out the exclusive teaser only on facebook! 

Kate's POV and a little bit of swoon added in for good measure!

https://www.facebook.com/davidjamesauthor

I wonder if it's possible...