The Big Apple

New York City.  Just saying it conjures so many grand visions and emotions.  I've wanted to visit that great city for as long as I can remember and I finally got to go.  And let me tell you, it doesn't disappoint!  It's everything you could ever expect it to be and more!

I'll just warn you now that I'm terrible about not taking pictures!  My husband did 90% of that and I have yet to download them, but I'm going to share some of the ones I DID have the presence of mind to take.  Most were in the first day or two. LOL  The longer we were there, the more caught up I became and the fewer pictures I took.  I'm such a ditz!  hehe  It doesn't help that I spent most of my time chatting.  I began nearly every encounter with, "Hi, I'm from the south, so I'm very friendly.  What's that building over there?" LOL  I'm happy to say that the vast majority of people were very kind once hearing that. I think they took pity on me, being from out of town and all.  Bahahahaha  But seriously, I met loads of awesome, awesome people!  A couple of cabbies, two waitresses, Dave Parker and three of our doormen were my favorites!

Anyway, here are some of the amazing things I saw and some of the amazing people I met.  Some of them were dear friends, a long time in the making (yet ones I've never met).  It was pure fabulousness!  And if you ever get a chance to go to the Big Apple, GO!  It's something everyone should experience at least once if you can:)

Much love to y'all and HAPPY MONDAY!  I'm off to dive into my next Wild Ones book, Some Like It Wild:)  YAY!

<3

Minxes Jenn and Tina

Maria, making me look like a gutter snipe.  I had just gotten out of the cab ride from Hell with  no AC and the windows down.  OMG!  

Minx Lauren

Me and the wonderful BFF in the worrrrrrrrrrrrrld, Courtney Cole

The super amazing Laurie at Bird Bash Thursday night.  Love her!

My awesome and wonderful editor, Kate Seaver.  I look like I ate two of her sisters:D #Amazon

Manhattan skyline from the Staten Island Ferry. The tall, tall bldg on the left is Freedom Tower. It's awe-inspiring and deeply moving!!

Lady Liberty was closed for repairs, but I got to see her from the water.  She's even more amazing in real life!

St. Patrick's Cathedral is being restored, but you can plainly see how magnificent it is, even surrounded by scaffolding

Best. Breakfast. Ever.  Chocolate Decadence French Toast at Norma's.  OMG

The Empire State Building and Manhattan from the Top of the Rock (Rockefeller Plaza)

"Hand of God" at the Met.  Awesome!

My favorite Degas! I love this painting

This is a Van Gogh I've never seen. I could stare at it for days. It makes me both sad and inspired.

Manhattan from the top of the Met, overlooking Central Park (the dark green)

The only cloudy moment was when the plane touched down.  It was sunny, hot and beautiful the entire rest of the trip!

I don't know how these ended up down here, but...

Minx Teresa

Breakfast at Nougatine with Courtney Cole, Teresa and her mom (left) and Anne Marie with  her sister, Teresa (right) Look at that view of Central Park!

Minx Jenny made a hilarious appearance

Memorial Day

I'd just like to take a second to give my heartfelt thanks to every single man and woman who has laid down his or her life for the freedoms and the ideals of the United States of America.  Without you, we would not be where we are today.

I'd also like to thank those who currently populate our military.  Knowing the dangers of serving your country, you voluntarily put your life at risk to ensure that our forefathers didn't die in vain.  What you do for us--for each and every person born into this amazing freedom--is selfless and remarkable, and I'm forever grateful.

And lastly, although certainly not least, I'd like to thank the families who have been left behind, whether through the death of a loved one or because their loved one has been shipped out to parts unknown.  You sacrifice much to support our troops.  For your unfailing contributions, I am profoundly appreciative.

May God bless every soldier and his or her family.  Without you, this country would not be the great nation that it is.  THANK YOU!!

Breakfast in New York, the WINNERS!

I know we're a bit late in posting this. I don't suppose I need to explain why:)  LOL  At any rate, Courtney and I revisited the Rafflecopter monster and drew names for our winners.  Court's winner is TERESA MARY ROSE.  And my winner is AMBER PRESLEY BOYD.

CONGRATULATIONS, LADIES!!!  If you'll each message us, respectively, we'll give you the location information.  OMG I'm so excited!!!!!!

UPDATE 5/26:  One of the winners has a scheduling conflict and will be unable to attend, so a alternate winner was chosen.  Congratulations to ANNE MARIE!  I hope to hear from you today!!!

Giveaway: Breakfast with me and Courtney in the Big Apple

First of all, let me assure you that there is ample squealing going on in my house right now as I contemplate my first trip to New York City.  OMG OMG OMG I still can't believe it!  I'll be attending BEA and my fabulous BFF Courtney Cole will be there as well!

Us.  There.  Together.  In New York City.

New.  York.  City.

*jumps up and down like a crazy person*

Well, in celebration of this awesomeness, we've decided to take 2 people and the "plus one" of their choice out to a posh breakfast and private signing in amazing NYC on Saturday morning, June 1st at 10:00 a.m. (airfare/travel and hotel not included).  The location will be sent by invitation to the winners.  I can promise you two things:  1.  If there are mimosas, we'll both be having one; and 2. I'll say something goofy.  It's my way.  Just go with it;)

So, if you're going to BEA or if you'd like a reason to go to NYC, or if you'd just like to come hang out, then enter right over on my sidebar for your chance to win.  It's easy as pie:)  You can enter here AND at Courtney's blog.  The contest ends May 18th at midnight.

Also, I don't think I'll be spoiling anything by saying that there will be some gifts and special prizes that you'll get as well; I just can't tell you what they are.  hehe  *wink wink*  Let's just say we'll be doing our best to spoil you and to put the epic in...well... EPIC!

Now help me sing!

Two new releases today! Welcome Sam and Bethany!

 Ari Johnson wishes adjusting to living with her boyfriend was her only source of excitement and anxiety.

She wishes a lot of things.
But then wishing was what got her here in the first place.

Ari chose to be a Guild Hunter. She wanted to hunt dangerous Jinn and destroy them before they could harm innocent people. But now that Ari is a member of The Guild, she finds herself in the impossible position of hunting her ex-best friend – human-turned-dangerous sorcerer, Charlie Creagh. As Ari struggles to come to terms with her duty, an ancient Jinn and his companion want revenge on her for using the command of the Seal against them; the White King refuses to give up on his quest to resurrect Lilif, and Asmodeus isn’t done toying with her.

When Ari can take no more, rushing to the Sultan Azazil’s side to demand of him the favor he owes her, the events she sets in motion will not only alter everyone’s lives, it will kindle a darkness that will shake the realms to their very core.

About the Author

Samantha Young is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author from Stirlingshire, Scotland. She's been nominated for the Goodreads Choice Award for Best Author and Best Romance for her international bestseller ON DUBLIN STREET.

She is a 27 year old Scottish book addict that graduated from the University of Edinburgh in 2009. She studied ancient and medieval history at uni, and it was in her  first year there, in the middle of a classical literature lecture, that she first came up with the idea for The Tale of Lunarmorte. She’s  been writing since as long as she can remember, and she writes in a number of genres including romance, paranormal, urban fantasy, fantasy, and contemporary.
She loves pulling pieces of historical fact (or mythology) and twisting it to fit my stories, and she is more than thankful her degree is being put to good use in her writing. She began self-publishing in 2011 and now writes full time. 

Where to Stalk

 Samantha Young's Blog

Fire Spirits Blog

 Goodreads

 Twitter

 Facebook

Fire Spirits Series (books 1-3)

Where you can buy 

Samantha Young's books:

 Amazon

 Barnes and Noble

GIVEAWAY:

One lucky winner will win an ebook set of the Fire Spirits series (Books 1-4)

4 winners will win an ebook copy of Darkness Kindled

ANNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNNND...

Please join me in celebrating the Release Day Blitz for Bethany Lopez's YA Contemporary Fantasy, Nissa: a contemporary fairy tale.

At 900 years old, Nissa is finally ready to follow her mother's path and become the best Fairy Godmother she can. She’s not thrilled when her first assignment turns out to be a teenage human girl with self-esteem issues, but she knows she has to start somewhere. Her assignment has dealt with bullies since her freshman year and they haven’t let up. If Nissa can’t help her regain her self-confidence her future is bleak. To complicate matters Nissa experiences all the signs that she's met the being fated for her. This impossibility distracts her from her purpose. After all, fairies and humans aren't meant for each other. How can her heart believe otherwise? Can Nissa successfully complete her first assignment as a Fairy Godmother? Will the fates allow Nissa and Levi to be together? And even if they do, will Levi believe Nissa once she reveals the truth?

Buy Links:

Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CF88XO0

Barnes & Noble - http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/nissa-bethany-lopez/1115125446?ean=2940016665139

Smashwords - https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/307124

Bethany Lopez was born in Detroit, Michigan, and grew up in Michigan and San Antonio, Texas. She went to High School at Dearborn High, in Dearborn, Michigan, which is where she has set her Young Adult series. She is married and has a blended family with five children. She is currently serving in the United States Air Force as a Recruiter in Los Angeles, California. She has always loved to read and write and has seen her dream realized by independently publishing her novels through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Smashwords.

The Wild Ones Audio and T-Shirt Giveaway

I finally got my copies of The Wild Ones, extended edition, on audio!  YAY!  I don't know how many of y'all listen to books, but for those who do, I'd like for you to have a chance to win one:)  That and a tasty "Pick Trick" t-shirt ( sizes M, L, XL).

Now, because I'm a good girl and a law-abiding citizen (even if it's FB law- hehe) I'm doing this with a Rafflecopter.  To enter, you must like my FB author page.  That just seemed like a good place to start.  LOL But you can get one extra entry for following me on Twitter (@mleightonbooks) and an extra entry for tweeting about the giveaway.  Here's what you say:

I'm entering to win The Wild Ones by @mleightonbooks on audio, as well as a Pick Trick t-shirt!

I think Rafflecopter does that automatically somehow. Sounds like awesome sorcery to me:)  hehe  I wish everything were that easy!

This is kicking off my reintegration into the living world. LOL  I know I've been caving it a lot lately, but I'm making some changes.  And this is first.  Also, for those of you who shared some stuff a while back and got the raffle tickets, I'll be giving away some goodies starting at the end of this month, so stay tuned!

As always, thank y'all for reading my work and for spreading the word about it.  I'm forever grateful and I plan on doing plenty of giveaways to show you just how much.

Okay, so what'cha waiting for?  Go to my sidebar and enter!!

The Bad Boys- Covers and alternate blurb

Here are the full covers for the three Bad Boys books.  Although books 1 and 2 are getting new covers, there will be NO NEW CONTENT!  So don't worry about your current copy.  It'll just have a pretty new cover:)

Also, below, I'm putting the alternate blurb for Everything for Us, but BE WARNED!  THERE ARE SPOILERS!  Do NOT read it if you haven't read boos 1 and 2!!!

Okie dokie, here we go!  I hope you enjoy the covers and the blurb!!

Alternate blurb for Everything for Us

** includes spoilers**

For seven years, Nash Davenport has been forced to watch from afar as his twin brother lives the life he’d worked so hard for and always planned on enjoying.  But now he’s back. 

With an insatiable thirst for blood, Nash wasn’t planning on feeling anything other than the satisfaction of taking the life of the man who killed his mother.  But he gets an unexpected surprise in the form of a girl who stirs in him a hunger that’s nearly enough to eclipse his burning desire for revenge.

Marissa Townsend had everything a girl could ask for—a great job, a privileged life, and all the friends she could ask for.  Or, better yet, all the friends money can buy.  But one case of mistaken identity turned her world upside down and turned her into a decent person.  An abduction gone wrong throws her for a loop and lands her in the lap of the sexiest, most dangerous man she’s ever met. 

Marissa knows Nash would never hurt her; in fact, he saved her life.  But it’s not her life that’s at risk.

It’s her heart.