Release Day: Beyond the Hope by @CLSmithbooks #YA #paranormal #romance

Beyond the Hope

(The Division: Book Three)

By Connie L. Smith

ISBN: ebook: 978-1-945910-23-4

Buy Links:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Beyond-Hope-Division-Book-Three-ebook/dp/B0722H9QMH/

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/beyond-the-hope

Blurb:

In the aftermath of the latest battle, the stakes are higher than ever before. Time’s hardly an ally to Nicholai’s army of paranormal soldiers. The Tomes remain hidden, and the clock is ticking for the Essenced poisoned with the demon’s incurable toxin.

Beyond those worries, magic might be vanishing—a twist that could insurmountably cripple the army’s capabilities prior to the war’s conclusion.

Never has the conflict felt so desperate, with danger escalating and hope disappearing with the slow drain of the hourglass.

Will the answers surface in time, or will the band of warriors fail to prevent the ruin of the world?

Excerpt:

She couldn’t deny that their story might soon end, but his promise of a lifetime sounded much better. So she nodded, clung to that vow, and closed her eyes. “We’ll survive this. But in case we don’t—”

“We will,” he countered.

“It’d still be worth it if we didn’t,” she insisted. “Demons can’t take over the world. But if we do die… Julius, you… I… We…”

“Sweetheart?” he interrupted with a tender smile. “I know. But we’re surviving. We’ll be stealthy. Like pirates.”

She sniffled. “Ninjas.”

He furrowed his brow and leaned back from her. “Ninjas?”

She rolled her tear-filled eyes, loving that he knew her well enough to let the conversation go in such a random direction. That distraction and the carefree banter were exactly what she needed in that moment.

“Yeah,” she said. “Ninjas. Pirates are riotous, which isn’t very stealthy. Even if they weren’t, ninjas are more awesome than pirates.”

He playfully narrowed his gaze. “We might have to break up now.”

“You can’t seriously think the other way. There aren’t giant, talking pirate turtles.” She wrinkled her nose and sighed. “Really, Julius. It’s just about considering the facts.”

He stared at her for several seconds until he finally laughed. “You really are crazy.” But we’ll have to continue this some other time. Your crystal’s almost ready.”

Glancing down at it, she tensed because of the nearness of their upcoming task, but forced herself to think on the good possibilities in front of her. “The war’s almost over. Our friends will be safe. Roxie will be safe.” Then she let her attention travel across the remainder of the hidden room, and a small smile formed on her lips.

About the Author:

Connie L. Smith spends a decent amount of time with her mind wandering in fictional places. She reads too much, likes to bake, and might forever be sad that she doesn’t have fairy wings. And that she can’t swing dance. Much of her preferred music is severely outdated, and as an adult she’s kind of obsessed with Power Rangers. She has her BA from Northern Kentucky University in Speech Communication and History (she doesn’t totally get the connection either), and her MA in English and Creative Writing.

Websites:

Main Site: http://conniesmithbooks.weebly.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/clsmithbooks

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Connie-L.-Smith/e/B00E8969DG/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1474405833&sr=8-1

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7257320.Connie_L_Smith

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CLSmithbooks

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/clsmithbooks/

Sewing/Quilting Blog: http://www.sewingmachinesplus.com/sewblog/author/conniesmith/

Book Release: Through the Ashes by @CLSmithbooks #urbanfantasy #YA

Through the Ashes (The Division: Book Two)

By Connie L. Smith

ISBN: 978-1-945910-09-8

$3.99

BUY LINKS

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06W9MR2DP

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/through-the-ashes

Itunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1207713753

The war has begun. The battle’s unfolding. And victory feels so distant…

The Essenced had prepared and trained, but never imagined the true horror of watching demons tearing through the Division to invade the realm. Every claw is horrific—every snarl disgusting—and the responsibility of keeping that vile terror from expanding beyond the battlefield’s borders rests in the teenagers’ hands. They thought they were ready for that challenge…

But then their confidence is shaken when a deadly new weapon emerges from the enemy’s arsenal, and well-kept secrets from the Essenced’s angelic superiors begin to surface.

In the midst of the carnage, can the teens find the strength within themselves, and among themselves, to grasp victory in blood-tainted hands?

  

Excerpt:

“Yeah,” Travis spoke up. “What’s the big strategy here?” He confidently held his hands out to either side of him. “This can’t be the whole plan. We killed hundreds of demons, and now we’re waiting for hundreds more to show up. Then we’ll kill them and wait for more. And we’ll keep doing that until the Division’s so huge that humans and demons alike can walk from one realm to the other without any real effort at all. This strategy doesn’t have an end, so either there’s more or it’s pointless.”

Paige frowned at the Incubus-Essenced warrior. “That was my point.”

Travis nodded. “And it was a good one. How about we get it answered?”

After silently debating how much he should tell the soldiers, Nicholai uncomfortably cleared his throat and settled more of his weight on his desk. “There’s more to the plan,” he hesitantly offered.

Travis shrugged. “Then what is it?”

“I’m afraid I don’t know all of the details as of yet,” Nicholai confessed.

“Could you give us the ones you do have?” Johnny asked with a new cigarette shamelessly dangling from his lips. “Our neighborhood pervert has a point here.” He tipped his chin toward Travis in what he meant to be a quick motion, but what he saw with that glance had him doing a double-take to glare at the Incubus-Essenced pack leader. “Hey! Stop staring at my girl!”

With his own shrug that seemed to embody the phrase, “I can’t help it,” Travis reluctantly brought his stare back to Nicholai. “We’re putting trust in you here. We’re fighting, and we’re winning for the most part. Don’t you think we deserve the same trust? Shouldn’t we know what’s going on?”

…Nicholai’s gaze never wavered, but it grew more serious with each second. “The Tomes.”

About the Author:

Connie L. Smith spends a decent amount of time with her mind wandering in fictional places. She reads too much, likes to bake, and might forever be sad that she doesn’t have fairy wings. And that she can’t swing dance. Much of her preferred music is severely outdated, and as an adult she’s kind of obsessed with Power Rangers. She has her BA from Northern Kentucky University in Speech Communication and History (she doesn’t totally get the connection either), and her MA in English and Creative Writing.

Websites:

Main Site: http://conniesmithbooks.weebly.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/clsmithbooks

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Connie-L.-Smith/e/B00E8969DG/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1474405833&sr=8-1

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7257320.Connie_L_Smith

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CLSmithbooks

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/clsmithbooks/

Sewing/Quilting Blog: http://www.sewingmachinesplus.com/sewblog/author/conniesmith/

Cover Reveal: Through the Ashes #YA #paranormal

Through the Ashes (The Division: Book Two)

By Connie L. Smith

ISBN: 978-1-945910-09-8

$3.99

BUY LINKS
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B06W9MR2DP
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/through-the-ashes

The war has begun. The battle’s unfolding. And victory feels so distant…
The Essenced had prepared and trained, but never imagined the true horror of watching demons tearing through the Division to invade the realm. Every claw is horrific—every snarl disgusting—and the responsibility of keeping that vile terror from expanding beyond the battlefield’s borders rests in the teenagers’ hands. They thought they were ready for that challenge…
But then their confidence is shaken when a deadly new weapon emerges from the enemy’s arsenal, and well-kept secrets from the Essenced’s angelic superiors begin to surface.
In the midst of the carnage, can the teens find the strength within themselves, and among themselves, to grasp victory in blood-tainted hands?"


About the Author:
Connie L. Smith spends a decent amount of time with her mind wandering in fictional places. She reads too much, likes to bake, and might forever be sad that she doesn’t have fairy wings. And that she can’t swing dance. Much of her preferred music is severely outdated, and as an adult she’s kind of obsessed with Power Rangers. She has her BA from Northern Kentucky University in Speech Communication and History (she doesn’t totally get the connection either), and her MA in English and Creative Writing.

Websites:
Main Site: http://conniesmithbooks.weebly.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/clsmithbooks
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Connie-L.-Smith/e/B00E8969DG/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1474405833&sr=8-1
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7257320.Connie_L_Smith
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CLSmithbooks
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/clsmithbooks/ 
Sewing/Quilting Blog: http://www.sewingmachinesplus.com/sewblog/author/conniesmith/

Release Day: Withing the Essence (The Division: Book One) by @CLSmithbooks #YA #paranormal #urbanfantasy

Within the Essence (The Division: Book One)

By Connie L. Smith

$3.99

ISBN: 978-1-945910-02-9

Buy Links:

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/within-the-essence

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Within-Essence-Division-Book-One-ebook/dp/B01N1KO581/

Blurb:

As the demons near, the Essences rise…

AJ had never been particularly athletic or coordinated, so waking up to realize she suddenly has super-human strength is a massive, mind-shaking shock. Finding that she’s gained a stalker overnight is another mark in the unusual category, and when she discovers she’s always had the essence of a werewolf in her blood, her world all but shifts beneath her.

Demons, she’s told, are looming in the world’s future, and the only hope humanity has of surviving their arrival is if she and teenagers like her surrender their humanity to dive into their mythical essences. Fairies, dragons, dwarves, mermaids… The remnants of seventeen different fantasy species must come to life to save the lives of everyone.

Someway, an army of supernatural teenagers must prepare to meet the demons escaping from their dimensional banishment, or everything ends. Can these teens succeed and save the world?

About the Author:

Connie L. Smith spends a decent amount of time with her mind wandering in fictional places. She reads too much, likes to bake, and might forever be sad that she doesn’t have fairy wings. And that she can’t swing dance. Much of her preferred music is severely outdated, and as an adult she’s kind of obsessed with Power Rangers. She has her BA from Northern Kentucky University in Speech Communication and History (she doesn’t totally get the connection either), and her MA in English and Creative Writing.

Websites:

Main Site: http://conniesmithbooks.weebly.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/clsmithbooks

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Connie-L.-Smith/e/B00E8969DG/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7257320.Connie_L_Smith

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CLSmithbooks

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/clsmithbooks/

Sewing/Quilting Blog: http://www.sewingmachinesplus.com/sewblog/author/conniesmith/

Cover Reveal - Within the Essence (The Division Book 1) #YA #urbanfantasy

Blurb:

As the demons near, the Essences rise…

AJ had never been particularly athletic or coordinated, so waking up to realize she suddenly has super-human strength is a massive, mind-shaking shock. Finding that she’s gained a stalker overnight is another mark in the unusual category, and when she discovers she’s always had the essence of a werewolf in her blood, her world all but shifts beneath her.

Demons, she’s told, are looming in the world’s future, and the only hope humanity has of surviving their arrival is if she and teenagers like her surrender their humanity to dive into their mythical essences. Fairies, dragons, dwarves, mermaids… The remnants of seventeen different fantasy species must come to life to save the lives of everyone.

Someway, an army of supernatural teenagers must prepare to meet the demons escaping from their dimensional banishment, or everything ends. Can these teens succeed and save the world?

Excerpt:

“You can't see them, and the individuals themselves are gone. But their essences aren’t.”

She tried to make sense of the last statement, but could only mutter, “Huh?” in response.

“Their essences. Their beings. When mingled with magic, they’re what make werewolves, dragons, and all other mythical creatures. The individuals from the war wouldn't last, but some of those essences had to, or the world wouldn't stand a chance.”

“Oh, this keeps getting weirder.”

“And it’ll get stranger still,” he added without missing a beat. “You asked if they retired. This is what happened to them. They gave up their essences and their magic—since magic was draining from the world—to preserve them for future use. It killed them, but they did it.”

“Well, where did the essences and magic go?”

“Exactly!” He smiled, seeming proud of her for asking that question. “The magic was bottled up and given to a collection of angels for safekeeping. Its release was dependent on one particular angel's judgment as to when the Division was too big to ignore.”

She could sense something very bad about to be revealed, but she'd come this far. There was no point in turning back now. “‘Was’ dependent?”

He looked right into her eyes as he confirmed her suspicion. “The magic was released, sweetheart.”

Her terror multiplied with that admission, both for what it meant for the world in total and for what it implied for her specifically. “The Division was too big? Demons will be here soon?”

“Afraid so.”

“But what about the essences? Don't they have to mingle with the magic and save the world?”

“The essences were hidden in bloodlines,” he said. “Humans were the newest beings during the war, ones who required no magic to live. They would survive. They had to carry on the essences. Each potential essence was hidden in a different bloodline with the humans never knowing what was in their genes. Once the magic connects with the essence, the characteristics of that species surface from within the person. And, sweetheart, it already has connected and brought those essences to life.”

She knew, but she had to ask, barely managing a whisper. “When?”

“It was released Sunday night, AJ. It’s why you had such an odd Monday.”

Buy Links:
$3.99
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/within-the-essence

About the Author:

Connie L. Smith spends a decent amount of time with her mind wandering in fictional places. She reads too much, likes to bake, and might forever be sad that she doesn’t have fairy wings. And that she can’t swing dance. Much of her preferred music is severely outdated, and as an adult she’s kind of obsessed with Power Rangers. She has her BA from Northern Kentucky University in Speech Communication and History (she doesn’t totally get the connection either), and her MA in English and Creative Writing.

Websites:

Main Site: http://conniesmithbooks.weebly.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/clsmithbooks

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Connie-L.-Smith/e/B00E8969DG/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1474405833&sr=8-1

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7257320.Connie_L_Smith

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CLSmithbooks

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/clsmithbooks/

Sewing/Quilting Blog: http://www.sewingmachinesplus.com/sewblog/author/conniesmith/

Tuesday Teaser - Enscrolled by Connie L Smith #YA #fantasy #paranormal

Excerpt:
McKenna watched him leave before refocusing on Johnny, confused at the expression her boyfriend wore. “What are you smirking at?”
 He shrugged. “I’m just not sure how this could be such a bad memory. My girl glued to my side.” Wiggling his eyebrows, he continued. “Playing nurse…”
 “Well, you are poisoned,” she deadpanned. “That puts a damper on these types of situations for most people.”
 “Oh, you’re serious again.” His smirk broadened. “Are you gonna yell at me like you did when my leg was broken? That was attractive…”
 Though she fought against it, her smile emerged, spreading over her lips as she shook her head. “You’re impossible. You know that?”
 “Nah. I just learned along the way how to make my girl smile.”
 Her grin lingered until her attention descended to his leg, the spot of the poison’s initial contact. Then she frowned, her eyes filling with tears and her hands beginning to tremble. Just ten days, she thought.
 “Hey.” Johnny cupped her face, gentling bringing her gaze to lock with his. “We’re not gonna think about that because that’s gonna get taken care of.” Tobias again entered the medical room, moving directly to the corner reserved for the cure’s research to recommence his work. “See?” Johnny nodded his head toward the angel. “Look how dedicated he is to finding this. Think of all the soldiers around us who are perfectly capable of getting whatever weird ingredients he comes up with. If you do, ten days will seem like a lifetime, because it’s plenty of time.”
 And then she was the one smirking. “That’s quite optimistic.”
 He laughed, shrugging. “I told you that you’re rubbing off on me.”
 “And you’re trusting others. Like you finally flipped a switch.”
 “It isn’t like flipping a switch.” He smiled, revisiting the lecture she’d given him while stranded on a cliff. “It’s like deciding not to be in the darkness anymore. You take steps, and the light comes a little at a time until the darkness is gone.”
 She quirked an eyebrow, chuckling. “That seems vaguely familiar.”
 “Someone really smart once told me that.” Pulling her closer, he tapped the tip of her nose with his finger. “She was really hot, too.”

Blurb:
In the aftermath of the latest battle, the stakes are higher than ever before, time hardly an ally to Nicholai’s army of paranormal soldiers. The Tomes remain hidden, and the clock is ticking for the Essenced tainted with the demon’s incurable toxin. And beyond those worries, reason exists to suspect that magic might be vanishing, a twist that could insurmountably cripple the army’s capabilities prior to the war’s conclusion.

Never has the conflict felt quite as desperate, danger escalating and hope lessening with the slow drain of each issue’s hourglass.

Will the answers to these dilemmas surface in time, or will the efforts of the band of warriors fail to prevent the ruin of the world?


Buy Link: http://www.amazon.com/Enscrolled-Division-Chronicles-Book-Three-ebook/dp/B00O5J3EVY

Giveaway Link: https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/111090-essenced

Author bio: Connie L. Smith spends far too much time with her mind wandering in fictional places. She reads too much, likes to bake, and might forever be sad that she doesn’t have fairy wings. And that she can’t swing dance. Her music of choice is severely outdated, and as an adult she’s kind of obsessed with Power Rangers. She has her BA from Northern Kentucky University in Speech Communication and History (she doesn’t totally get the connection either), and is currently working on her MA.


Links:
Main Site/Blog: http://clsmithbooks.blogspot.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/clsmithbooks
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7257320.Connie_L_Smith
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Enscrolled-Division-Chronicles-Book-Three-ebook/dp/B00O5J3EVY/
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/conniel0194/
Readwave: http://www.readwave.com/connie.l.smith/

Tuesday Teaser - Emblazed by CL Smith

Excerpt:

AJ sensed him there, standing wordlessly some feet in the distance, just like she always recognized his presence when he lingered near. She absorbed the comfort and happiness he brought her – not that she’d admit that out loud – before sighing and speaking. “It’s called making a bed, Julius. It’s pretty commonplace.”

He didn’t push away from the doorframe, instead leaning further against it while he continued to observe her. “Sweetheart, nothing’s commonplace when you do it.”

Hearing the grin and affection in his voice, she smiled, peeking at him over her shoulder. “Is that a compliment or an insult?”

He gazed upward to stare at the ceiling with a thoughtful expression, then returned his attention to her, his shrug carefree. “Both.”

She smirked. “Sweet talker.”

“Odd ball.” He finally moved from the threshold, unhurriedly advancing toward her. “You know, most people make their beds in the morning. Not ten o’clock at night.”

She snorted. “Yeah. I’m gonna make my bed as soon as I roll out of it at six AM. I wouldn’t be making it now if I didn’t have to wrestle the sheet back on four times a night.” Finally setting her pillow in its position, she turned to him with an unashamed grin.

He chuckled, his adoration plain, and brushed a lock of hair from her face. “You’re one of a kind, you know that?”

“Compliment or insult?” she teased again.

“Compliment.” He smiled, cupping her cheek. “Definitely a compliment.”

“Sweet talker,” she repeated, standing on her tiptoes to press a kiss to his lips. Wrapping her arms around his neck, his circling her waist, she dove into the moment, reveling in the wonderful sensations only Julius incited. Safety. Warmth. Passion. So many more she couldn’t quite put a name to, the combination too heady and consuming to adequately decipher. It was simply a Julius effect, and its wonder had no equal in her life. Gradually breaking away, she knowingly lifted an eyebrow. “You didn’t come here just to make fun of me over my bed-making habits.”

“Maybe I came up here just to kiss you.”

“If that were the case, dear Julius, you wouldn’t have waited until I kissed you.”

Narrowing his eyes, he barely restrained his smirk at her forwardness and how well she’d grown to understand him in their time together. “You have a point.” He stepped back from her embrace, grasping her hand in his. “Come on. We have a mission.”

“A mission?” Her brow furrowed, though she made no move to retrieve her palm from his, following him in confusion as he neared the hallway. “At ten o’clock at night?”

“I believe we already covered the time in this conversation, AJ.” He made a clucking noise with his tongue, shaking his head in mock disappointment. “You really need to keep up with matters a bit more.”

She glared at the back of his head, lips thinning despite her vexing boyfriend’s inability to see her from his location. Realizing the futility of her frustrated efforts, she clenched the fingers he clutched, smiling in accomplishment at his grunt of discomfort. “Yeah, we covered it, but in household chore way. Not in a mission way. What could we possibly have to do this late at night?”

He sent her an amused glance – one she deemed condescending, particularly after the physical hint of her annoyance  – while tugging her through the doorway. “You do realize it isn’t ten o’clock everywhere, right?”

“Of course I realize that! I’m not a moron!”

“I never said you were…”

She growled, steeling her feet against the floor and prying her hand from his. “You didn’t have to. Your little grin said it all for you.”

His stare revealed sincere bewilderment – maybe a speck of frustration as well – and his arm dropped to his side. “So let me get this straight. You’re angry at me… because I smiled at you?”

Her eyes widened in fury, one finger raising to point at his chest while her left fist braced against her hip. “Don’t try to turn this around like I’m crazy!”

He scrunched his forehead, gaze traveling up and down her form while he held his hands out, as if silently offering his evidence.

She groaned, unhappy, turning away from him to rein in her irritation. For several seconds, she simply scanned her room, livid exhale after livid exhale falling from her lips, but the attempts did little to calm her turmoil, Julius actually flinching when her focus again landed on him. “It’s the grin you used. It’s the same one that was on your face when you drove into New Mexico, and I was surprised the facility was stationed here. Like I’m the dumbest person in the world and your number one source of entertainment.”

Instantly, his expression softened. “You can’t possibly think that I think that way?”

She just glared at him.

“Look, I’m not gonna lie.” He approached her, smiling tenderly. “You do amuse me, but not because I think you’re stupid. You’re… animated. And quirky. But not stupid. And I get it’s late, and no matter what time zone we’re entering, it’s ten o’clock here and we’re handing over sleeping hours, but Nicholai insists we need to go now.”

She kept pinched eyes on him, but her posture loosened a bit.

He laughed, reaching for her hand once more. “See? Animated. I can pretty much watch the wheels in your head turn.”

“Does that make you my mental stalker, too?”

Processing the playful edge of her words, he kissed her knuckles and led her into the hall. “Trust me, sweetheart. I have no desire to wander through your mind. I can’t imagine all the weird things I’d encounter.”

She tilted her head to the side, smiling. “Compliment or insult?”

Smirking over his shoulder, he caught her eyes with his. “Insult.”

 

Blurb:

After all the preparations, Nicholai’s warriors stand on the threshold of warfare, the demons entering the realm in battalions and the world unknowingly depending on the army’s success to continue intact. But the battle is only the beginning of deadly struggles, and the soldiers will soon realize how little they know, how many things are at stake, and how much they have to lose.

Love, hate, hope, despair, anguish, joy… The journey is a gauntlet of emotion and combat, threatening their resolve as much as their lives.

Will their training and ties be enough, or will the complications and the forthcoming evil forever cripple the world’s last hope of survival?

Emblazed - http://www.amazon.com/Emblazed-Division-Chronicles-Book-Two-ebook/dp/B00IEHTT4O/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1392239535&sr=1-2&keywords=emblazed

Here is the link for Essenced, Book One of the series. This is FREE right now!

Essenced - http://www.amazon.com/Essenced-Division-Chronicles-Book-One-ebook/dp/B00E83O344/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1392410191&sr=8-3&keywords=connie+l.+smith

Author's links:

Blog/Main Site: http://clsmithbooks.blogspot.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CLSmithBooks

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/clsmithbooks

Pinterest:  http://www.pinterest.com/conniel0194/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7257320.Connie_L_Smith

Interview with Connie L Smith, author of Essenced #YA UF

Please welcome author Connie L Smith to the blog, on the release of her UF YA novel Essenced.

Please tell us a bitt about yourself: First off, I’m pretty terrible and writing descriptions of myself! My name’s Connie (obviously), and I live in Kentucky. I have my BA in Speech Communication and History, and my music collection is severely outdated. And I make great peanut butter rolls.

Tell us about Essenced: It’s the first book of a trilogy (The Division Chronicles), and it’s basically about the human population – a select few – having to prepare for a demonic war. Centuries before, there was a war between evil (demons) and good (mostly creatures that are mythical – mermaids, sirens, vampires, fairies, etc.), and when the good guys won, they banished the others from the realm, opening a divisional door to send them elsewhere. Unfortunately, the last demon through the portal tore it. The portal would never fully close, and would slowly reopen as time passed. Since magic was draining from the universe, and magical creatures were dying off, their essences were placed in humans, and what remained of magic was bottled away. When the portal grew too open to ignore, the magic would be released, and the essences within humans could be brought to life. This book focuses mostly on the initial changes and training.

What inspired you to write this particular story?: I have a habit of adding characters in when I’m watching or reading fiction. AJ came about like that. Eventually she jumped out of that context and a story sort of built around her.

Which comes first for you – a character's looks, personality or name?: Typically the name, I’d say. I might change a name after the character description’s been created, but I don’t usually struggle picking them.

Any tips for aspiring authors?: This is my first book, so I’m not exactly an expert. All I’ll say about it is to make yourself write, and get ready to do some major work to get your book exposure. It’s a time consuming process, but knowing you’ve done it and people are reading it is a pretty amazing feeling.

Questions for fun:

If you had the power of time travel, is there anything you would go back and change? Why/why not?: Wouldn’t do any good to try to change anything with the whole grandmother paradox thing. I wouldn’t know to change it if it had never happened, so I wouldn’t have stopped it, so it would’ve still happened. But if I could go back in time, I’d probably go to the 50s, buy a poodle skirt, and go see Elvis. As for why… Because he’s Elvis!

What super-power would you choose?: Jedi!!! (Yay, me too!)

Which fictional universe would you like to live in and why?: Most likely, I’d either be thrown into a Drizzt novel in hopes of running into Jarlaxle, or Wonderland. There’s something so awesomely quirky about that place…

If you could have three wishes, what would they be?:  I’d want my school loans paid off, my life to temporarily become a musical (with Hinder as my own personal band), and a chicken fajita.

Which fictional mythical creature would you like to own, and why?: Well, I’d love to be a fairy, but to own… I’m gonna go with Pegasus. It would be beautiful, it would fly, and it *probably* wouldn’t make me into its dinner. (I hadn't considered that aspect... *eyes dragon nervously*)

And to finish:

What is your favourite book? (aside from one of your own!): Small Gods by Terry Pratchett is my favorite fiction book. A story about a one-eyed turtle god is my kind of novel. (ooo, another Terry Pratchett fan!)

Favourite genre and why?: Fantasy!!! My first reading love was the Drizzt series, and I’ve never been able to get it out of my system. Everything is so magical as compared to real life. Although I won’t lie. I’ve been getting pretty heavy into YA and contemporary books lately.

Favourite colour?: Purple or Turquoise. I argue in my own mind over this sometimes.

Upcoming news and plans for the future?: I’m currently working on a prequel novella for The Division Chronicles that will be out in a couple of months. I’m hesitant to give you a title just yet, but you’ll be able to find it on my web pages. It’s Paranormal Romance, through and through. Other than that, book two of the series (Emblazed) should be out *hopefully* early next year, with book three (Entwined) following in the months after.

Thank you so much for taking the time to talk to us, and the best of luck!

Blurb: Years ago, demons were forced out of the earth’s realm by a band of supernatural fighters, banished from the place and its people in the aftermath of a horrific war. It should’ve ended there – would’ve – if not for the final demon’s claw snagging on the open portal. What felt like victory became only a reprieve, the winning warriors understanding that the tear would spread, and the demons eventually would escape exile. It was only a matter of time, and a need for future defense – a question of genetics and essences, magic and power.

Now centuries later, a new army must bind together – one of teenagers with inhuman potentials and abilities…


AJ went to bed Sunday night an average teenage girl, clumsy to a fault and athletically lacking. So when she wakes up Monday morning with super-strength, she does what any rational person would do: She goes into denial. When a smoking hot guy in a suit shows up, rambling about the end of the war and demons spilling through some kind of rift, she refuses to listen, telling herself he’s insane. Except weird things just won’t quit happening, and the guy keeps popping up in her life, trying to explain the changes suddenly happening within her. Is she crazy, or is this guy… not so crazy after all?

Buy Link: http://www.amazon.com/Essenced-The-Division-Chronicles-ebook/dp/B00E83O344/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1376778754&sr=8-1&keywords=essenced

Bio:

Connie L. Smith spends far too much time with her mind wandering in fictional places. She reads too much, likes to bake, and will be forever sad that she doesn’t have fairy wings. And that she can’t swing dance. When she isn’t reading or writing, there’s a good chance she’s goofing off with her amazing, wonderful, incredible, fabulous nieces and nephew, or listening to music that is severely outdated. She has her BA from Northern Kentucky University in Speech Communication and History (she doesn’t totally get the connection either) and likes to snap photos. Oh, and she likes apples a whole big bunch.

Other Links:

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7257320.Connie_L_Smith

Twitter: https://twitter.com/CLSmithBooks

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/clsmithbooks

Blog: http://connielynnsmith.wordpress.com/