Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Bella's Taliban Crashes into Supernatural: Aka A to Z Challenge for Y

QUICKLY: My amazing Pal, Elizabeth Seckman is unveiling her newest book cover. Check out this beauty!

Did you know? Bella is given a Cherokee rose in the story. The pretty little white flower grows wild in North Carolina. Legend has it that the tears from Cherokee moms who lost their children while on the forced march from their home to a reservation in the west, The Trail of Tears. 


Isabella Troy Stanley is a divorced, slave freeing pariah surviving in the shattered post Civil War south the only way a fallen debutante knows how. 
She heads to a Yankee prison and buys herself a husband. 

Jack Byron is the former Troy plantation stable boy and object of young Bella's affection. He rejected her then, and he's still not sold on the idea of marrying her now.  

 It’s complicated.

 Though to Bella, it’s simple: make Jack love her, marry her, and live happily ever after. The plan seems to work...at least until her secret is revealed.

Elizabeth is a wife, a mom, and a writer. She has four wonderful boys, one dusty house, and three published books to her credit. Feel free to check them out and buy them HERE! Erm, the books, not the kids or the house...though all things in life are negotiable ;)

You can find her here - Blog // Facebook // Twitter

Cover art by Sprinkles on Top Studios.



True heroes are all around us, in our every day lives, but some people stand out. During this A-Z Challenge I hope to share several of my real life heroes, and invite you to share yours in the comments.

ousafzia, Malala: Pakastani woman and hero. Malala has always been outspoken, especially on the topic of women's rights, and specifically in relation to education. Because of this, she was shot in the head at close range by a member of the Taliban.

She wrote an anonymous blog about living and seeking an education under the threat of the Taliban. This threat was very real, and as the militant group banned music, television, women from shopping and placed limits on women's education, the tension grew. People who disobeyed were killed.

Malala knew she was being targeted because of her outspokenness, but she didn't stop. Things came to a head when she was identified as the writer of the blog and interviewed in New York. Afterwards a masked man entered her school and threatened to hurt everyone unless they identified her. She was shot in the head.

Everyone thought she would die. She was in critical condition and transferred to a hospital in the UK. Miraculously, she survived.

Her survival led to petitions and change in education and forward leaps for women's rights. Malala continues to be a voice and symbol for the continued campaign.

Malala inspires me to hold my ground and moral issues the world or society may call trivial or old fashioned. She's an inspiration and proof that one voice really can make a difference.


Two more days to get MOONLESS at $1.99.

Jane Eyre meets Supernatural

How would you like to meet another hero? Although he's a bit tight lipped, meet Kiren. (Interview originally hosted on Mary Waibel's blog.): 

Ginger hair frames Kiren’s clean-shaven face, straight nose and piercing blue eyes as he takes a seat. A jagged white scar cuts from below one eye down his cheek. 

Where do you live?
*shifty eyes* Primarily on the road.

How long have you been living without a proper home?
I never said I lack a proper home, only that I rarely occupy one.

Why?
*jaw clenches as he leans forward* Do you know what happens on moonless nights?

No. What happens on moonless nights?
*shakes his head* If you’re ignorant, you are safer. 

That sounds slightly freaky.
*nods* 

That scar on your cheek, where did it come from?
The person who taught me what really matters in life.

And who was that?
*crosses his arms and stares*

What’s the best/worst gift you’ve ever received?
*slides a hand over his chest, revealing the outline of a chain through the material* The best and worst gift is the weight my father placed around my neck. 

What do you miss most about being a kid?
My family. 

What happened to them?
*eyes close*

Are they gone?
*looks away*

How old were you when you lost them?
Six.

Do you think you’ve turned out the way your parents expected?
No. But I dare believe they would be pleased with what I’ve become. 


Do you have any living heroes? Have you ever taken a stand for something you truly believe? What do you think of Elizabeth's book cover? Does Kiren's tight-lip-edness make you curious, or is it frustrating?

98 comments:

  1. Elizabeth's book looks good! My husband is definitely a real life hero for our family.
    I do take stands against injustices everyday in my job and I write books against injustices too.
    doreenmcgettigan.com

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  2. Wow, the cover for Bella's Point is absolutely lovely!

    So tragic about Malala, thought. It's definitely miraculous that she survived. What an inspiring woman!

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    1. I think she was meant to survive, if you know what I mean.

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  3. My my this book sure sounds original, I like it (I'm a sucker for a good historical) and thanks for talking about Malala she's a great inspiration and role model.

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    1. I'm a bit of a sucker for a good historical too. =)

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  4. Elizabeth's book looks interesting, I will have to make a note to myself to check that out when it's released. I also thought your book looked good so I got it off Amazon ;). I love young adult supernatural!
    The Five Dog Blog

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  5. Congratulations Elizabeth!
    I remember hearing her story. She is a fighter.

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  6. You couldn't have picked a better person to represent Y. And a school girl too! We should all be so brave.

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  7. She's an amazing young woman - an inspiration to all of us!

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  8. Malala is such an inspiration to me! And I hope to so many more people :) Awesome choice!!

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  9. What an amazing woman! Seriously brave and inspiring!

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  10. That is a truly amazing book cover. Malala, the modern definition of bravery. :)

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  11. Elizabeth's book cover is stunning. I like the book title too.

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  12. Elizabeth must be a supermom with four boys!! And she has such a lovely book cover. Sounds like a great book:)

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    1. Seconded. I'll be one of those people reading it for sure.

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  13. Isn't Malala an incredible girl?? She's humbling...and makes so many things in the western world, insignificant. Really a good choice for a hero!

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  14. Big, huge congrats to Elizabeth. What a stunning cover!! And what an amazing testimony of someone who was willing to stand up for what she believed in, no matter what the cost! Great post.

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  15. Great cover on Elizabeth's book, and Crystal, your post and chosen hero is inspiring.

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  16. Your book, Moonless, is going in my Kindle ASAP. What a gorgeous book cover, Elizabeth! Congrats on your release!

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  17. Malala is an extraordinary human being. She can be in my book of Heros any day. The Trail Of Tears has a ride once a years. Thousandos of motorcycle riders hit the road and ride from Coast to Coast just to be there. Very humbling indeed.
    Katy Did

    Life's Ride In Between

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  18. Love that interview! Okay, I have Moonless on my to-read list, will get it now instead of waiting! Thanks for posting about Malala. Some people clearly have a purpose in life, and honor it. Malala's purpose is huge...almost as big as her heart and devotion to her/our cause.

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    1. LOL. I won't complain. =)

      I agree, she definitely has a purpose. The thing that gets me is how young she started all this.

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  19. I didn't know any of this about Malala! What an incredible story!

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  20. Malala sounds like a brave hero.

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  21. Elizabeth's book sounds so good, and the cover is beautiful! I love the legend behind the Cherokee rose, too. Thank you for sharing that tidbit. :)

    Malala is amazing! I haven't read her book yet, but I plan to this year. Regardless, her story is so inspirational and can teach us all.

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  22. Malaya is amazing. And Elizabeth's book cover is delicate and pretty.

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    1. I know! Doesn't it make you want to pick it up?

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  23. Malala stood up in the face of true adversity and survived to tell the rest of us about it. She has genuine courage and I appreciate her and those who have helped her along the way for making her story known.

    The Immarcescible Word

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    1. I'll second that. If her story had never gotten out, her sacrifice wouldn't have nearly as large an impact.

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  24. Elizabeth's book cover is lovely! Malala's story is a perfect example of why American-backed democracy won't work in many countries. Far more people in that country would prefer it if women were seen and not heard and have tons of other abhorent opinions. (And it's not just the men or bullied women. Many women support that ignorant view also because of tradition and religion.)

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    1. I know. It takes people like Malala and generations to bring about change in a society, but the attitude is rooted, and it will hopefully grow stronger over time.

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  25. I love Elizabeth's cover! It's so classy.

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  26. The book cover is beautiful, as is the story of the The Trail of Tears. Malala's story is a powerful one. She is truly a hero!

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  27. Elizabeth's cover is gorgeous! I hadn't realized Malala survived. She's an amazing woman!

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  28. Malala is such a huge shero. I recently saw a quote from her father, who broke tradition and listed her in the family tree after her birth, even though she wasn't a son. Her commitment to education and equality began with the example her parents set at home.

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    1. Behind every true hero stands a good set of parents, eh? (Or at least, almost always.)

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  29. A brave and heroic story.
    Great cover, Elizabeth.

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  30. That girl really is amazing, so brave. :) And a living miracle.

    Elizabeth's cover is so pretty.
    And I love character interviews! They're so telling and so much fun. Yay Kiren! ^_^

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    1. I agree, she is definitely a miracle, and Elizabeth's cover is AWESOME.

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  31. I was amazed by Malala's story the first time I heard it. Truly a remarkable person.

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  32. Malala is an inspiring and courageous woman to stand up for equality. Good choice!

    Enjoyed Kiren's interview. He's so evasive.

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    1. I know! About time that guy started opening up, eh?

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  33. Malala is indeed an inspiration. Talk about courageous.
    Like the sound of Elizabeth's book. Her heroine is one spunky girl.

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  34. I saw an interview with Malala and her father a few months ago. She's a brave and very impressive young lady.

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  35. YAY ELIZABETH! Congratulations!! The cover is lovely :)

    And Crystal, I'm totally with you on today's hero. I was wondering what you'd pick for Y - and this is a beautiful one.

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  36. Congrats to Elizabeth! And yes, her cover is gorgeous! Crystal, your interview with Kiren was fun!

    What a heroic woman. Very inspiring.

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    1. I know! I can't wait for Elizabeth's book, and Malala is totally inspiring.

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  37. Love the theme and especially today's post. I think next year when I teach the hero's journey I'll include a project on real-life hero journeys. via A to Z Challenge

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  38. I love Malala's story. She's definitely an inspiration to everyone when it comes to speaking your mind. It inspires me to put my outspokenness towards something that's worthwhile. ;)

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  39. Congrats to Elizabeth - the cover is lovely!

    I get weepy every time I read or hear about Malala. I can't imagine being that brave at any age, much less as a teen. She is so very inspiring.

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    1. She is amazing, but I think when you come that close to death, you gain some perspective on what truly matters. She is awesome.

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  40. Have you seen Girl Rising? The bff and I went to see it in the theater last year. All the vignettes were issues that are important to me, so I wasn't as shocked as my friend, but it was still well done. You can check it out on youtube. Powerful film. Malala is mentioned in the trailer.

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    1. I haven't seen that, but I should. I just need to block out a time and make it happen. =) Thanks for the heads up!

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  41. Elizabeth's cover looks beautiful and the story sounds intriguinh.

    Malala is an inspiration to girls and women everywhere. I admire her strength and bravery. Go Malala! :)
    ~Jess

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    1. I totally admire her strength and bravery too. She's amazing.

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  42. I'm so glad you picked her for Y. She is definitely one of my heroes- so courageous- a courage I can't even imagine!

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  43. Congratulations to Elizabeth! That is such a lovely cover. I want! I want!

    And perfect choice for Y, Malala is amazing. ;)

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    1. I'm right there with you. Can't wait for the book.

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  44. Congrats to Elizabeth! The book cover is so fabulous!

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  45. A good call, Crystal. An inspiring woman.

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  46. Congratulations Elizabeth.

    Love Kiren, Crystal. He's such a chatterbox :)

    As to Malala, to be such a strong hero.. and she hasn't even turned 17 yet, I believe. She is a strong young lady to be a hero when girls her age are still contemplating getting through their senior year of high school.

    Baby is a year younger and I have a hard time imagining her going through what Malala has already been through.

    Damaria at http://foodgardeningsa.blogspot.com

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    1. LOL. Yeah, Kiren is SO talkative...

      I know what you mean about Malala. My son is 13 and to think about him in any kind of dangerous situation? *shudder*

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  47. What a gorgeous cover! and oooohhhhh now I want to know the secret :(
    An interview with Kiren is always insightful ;) almost finished Moonless yay if unnecessary things like work didn't keep getting in the way :(

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    1. I want to know the secret too!

      Yay! Well, you know, you can always call in sick. (Kidding, kidding...kind of.) ;)

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  48. Malala is an amazing survivor and activist.

    I love Elizabeth's cover.

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    1. Let's just hope more people join in her cause, eh?

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  49. There could be no other hero for the letter Y. I hope that other women in her part of the world will continue to be inspired by her courage. Thinking back to what she did you realize that she is one of those once in a lifetime true heroes.

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    1. Completely. She stands for something, and the women in her culture need to stand with her. I know I do. (Different culture, but you get what I'm saying.)

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  50. Malala is such an amazing young woman, I cannot imagine being faced with such dangers and being that brave even now, let alone at her age.
    Elizabeth's book cover is beautiful.
    Tasha
    Tasha's Thinkings - AtoZ (Vampires)
    FB3X - AtoZ (Erotic Drabbles)

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  51. You are the best of pals! I totally LOVE how you merged the two topics. LOL. There is no limit to your creativity!

    Oh and BTW, I'll totally take a Writerly Wednesday in July...book me baby!

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Hit me with your cheese!