New WIP hint

Curious where my mind has been going since the book sale?? Not the announcement, but the SALE?
Well, Like BROKEN, which I played very close to the vest, I won't say much about this one either. I will tell you it is the most complicated, research-heavy concept I have ever dared to bat around. I've contacted two different experts in the separate fields, even. And below is a picture hint, but even if you guess it, you'll still be missing the most of it.

I SOLD MY BOOK!!!!!!

Oh yeah, peoples. *buttdance in the typing chair* We've been sitting on this news for a little while now, but I finally get to share!! And the press release says it so prettily:

Strange Chemistry, the YA imprint of Angry Robot Books, is delighted to announce the signing of another wonderful author. A. E. Rought has been signed to Strange Chemistry in a two book deal with worldwide English rights negotiated between Amanda Rutter and Gina Panettieri, of the Talcott Notch Literary Agency.
The first of these two books will be called Broken and will be published by Strange Chemistry in early 2013.

About Broken:
Imagine a modern spin on Mary Shelley's Frankenstein where a young couple's undying love and the grief of a father pushed beyond sanity could spell the destruction of them all. A string of suspicious deaths near a small Michigan town ends with a fall that claims the life of Emma Gentry's boyfriend, Daniel. Emma is broken, a hollow shell mechanically moving through her days. She and Daniel had been made for each other, complete only when they were together. Now she restlessly wanders the town in the late Fall gloom, haunting the cemetery and its white-marbled tombs, feeling Daniel everywhere, his spectre in the moonlight and the fog.
When she encounters newcomer Alex Franks, only son of a renowned widowed surgeon, she's intrigued despite herself. He's an enigma, melting into shadows, preferring to keep to himself. But he is as drawn to her as she is to him. He is strangely... familiar. From the way he knows how to open her locker when it sticks, to the nickname she shared only with Daniel, even his hazel eyes with brown flecks are just like Daniel's.
The closer they become, though, the more something inside her screams there's something very wrong with Alex Franks. And when Emma stumbles across a grotesque and terrifying menagerie of mangled but living animals within the walls of the Franks' estate, creatures she surely knows must have died from their injuries, she knows.

AE said: “When my agent told me Strange Chemistry was interested, I think I squealed out loud. Angry Robot has an amazing reputation, and to be welcomed into their YA imprint? Bliss. Nerdvana. I'm absolutely thrilled to be with Strange Chemistry and working with Amanda.”

Amanda Rutter says: “As soon as I received the email from Gina detailing the premise of Broken, I knew that I had to read this book. I was thrilled to discover that the writing was just as good as promised and I have no doubt Broken will prove to be a massive hit!”

SQUEE!!!! *deep inhale* SQUEE!!!!! Do the Sold Book Dance with me.

Repost from the Oasis blog: Writing prompt

borrowed from http://fotolympus.deviantart.com/

I'm between WIPs right now, waiting on news, researching to keep my mind busy... And on my ceaseless trolls of the Internet, I found this picture. I love the blues, the streaks in the sky and the way they echo the waves in the foreground, and the mysterious ship. So, I decided to make this week's Whoseywhatsit Thursday, a no more than 250 word writing prompt. If you play along, make sure to hit all the senses. Make us see, smell, hear, heck, maybe even taste what this picture makes you see. I'll take a wild stab at it:

Ship's log, 25th May.
We're stranded here, the shore in the distance, out of reach and mocking me. The salty air sits in my nose, parches my skin. Father had promised so much when he dragged me on board this ship--I know now those promises were hollow. How can he make good on the sunlit beaches, the sweet fresh fruit, the girl he said was waiting, when he's lying on his rack coughing blood? The mutinous crew took everything, even siphoned the fuel and then beat my father, the captain, near to death.
"Thomas," he rasps, a dry rattle knocking around in his chest, "water..."
"Of course, Father." My parched lips crack. Iron tickles my sinuses, red smears my sleeve when I drag it over my chin.
I dip the tin cup into the bucket, scraping the bottom to get the last drops--our last drops. Maybe it will rain tonight, the clouds look ready to weep. My hand shakes, the precious water splashing in the cup, but I won't spill.
A sick smell comes from his mouth, pushed out by a groan when I tilt his head. I touch his chin, let him know the cup is coming. Blood shines in the split skin of his lips when he sucks the water down. Then a wracking spasm of coughs grip him, and the water is lost in the mix of blood and spittle flying to stain his cheeks and bed clothes.
"Leave me," Father commands. He's so weak he can't even roll to the side to spit. How can I leave him? Would I want to die alone? No. I will stay with him these last moments, I vow. Father flails a limp, broken hand at me, his words hardly a whisper when he says, "Leave me."
"I can't, poppa. I can't."
Father eyes sag, matching his sunken cheeks. He has no strength left, still he lifts that shattered hand and places it on my cheek. His skin is cold. White clouds his eyes. "Love you, son."
"Love you, too."
One last breath escapes him, his chest sinks, and outside rain begins to fall.
I wish it would fall in here, and take the place of the tears my body can't produce.

THAT'S YAMORE BLOGFEST POST

This post is a little longer than the 250-words. But we said swoon-worthy, so I went for flat-out Hot and Steamy! 

EXCERPT FROM DRENCHED (out on submission):

From there, my normal shower routine takes a massive skew away from normal. I turn to undress and find I’m not alone. Steam curls from around the white curtain, but cannot match the heat in Thorn’s gaze. My temperature rises in response to his finger hooked in the waistline of my pajama pants and reeling me in.

“What’re you doing?” I ask.

“Helping you get undressed.” His voice is rough velvet on my ears

My brain locks on the feel of his fingers slipping beneath the hem of my t-shirt, and the electric sensation of them brushing my ribs. I draw in a sharp breath after he growls, totally wolf, and drags me to him. Instead of kissing my lips, he sets my nerves afire by nibbling my earlobe, nipping and kissing down my neck. My t-shirt inches up just underneath my breasts, guided by his searching fingers.

Heat floods me, and the fire triangle appears in my head, a rhythmic pulse of flame to match my pounding heart.

“Mm,” he whispers, then licks across my collar bone. “You’re so hot.”

You have no idea, I think. Combustible and you’re playing with matches.

He leaves my shirt halfway up my body. Steam from the shower clings to my skin—I refuse to think he’s making me sweat.

Thorn drags his fingers slowly down my bare sides to my waistband. The fire symbol flares, tugs on my cellular puzzle as his hands meet at my spine and he uses them to pull me closer. My nerves sizzle and snap beneath his teeth when he playfully bites my shoulder. Catching fire under his hands is a huge possibility and I don’t really care. Tingles follow his fingers from my spine to my pelvis, tracing the path of his fingertips along the inside of my pants. The fabric inches down, matching the general direction of his lips along the v-neck of my shirt.

Then, when I’m ready to cave and yank the rest of my clothes off for him, Thorn stops and in one fluid motion disappears behind the outer curtain.
NOW FOLLOW THE LINK AND READ SOME MORE Y-AMORE!!

Well, Christmas is over, and the new year fast approaches. I've scanned a few 2011 Top Ten lists and feel so woefully inadequate in my reading. Divergent was on almost every list and I totally agree. Then there were the contemporaries. Yeah... Not my thing. I want more, the paranormal/supernatural/something other in my reads. I could probably do a list of Top Ten Stinkers easier than I could do my own Top Ten, but I won't stick my head on any chopping blocks.

But I will give you my Top Five favorite reads this year:
Divergent
Across the Universe
Hourglass
Die for Me
The Iron Fey series (read them all this year)


Come on, 2012!! There are SO many books I'm anticipating in the coming months. What about you? Favorite reads? Anticipating a great one?

NEW WIP

Well, I think y'all might now by now, when I get quiet on here, Facebook and Twitter it's because I'm in over my head in a story. Well, I am so totally in over my head, and loving it! The dark atmosphere, the beauty of twisted characters and the heart-wrenching romance... My agent and I are playing this one really close to the vest, so the only hints I'll give are the picture above, and it may or may not have something to do with Gothic Fiction, and I call it NewToy online. I'm sharing the playlist, thinking maybe you can get a feel for the story through music. Some songs are for sound, some are from her, some are for him, all get played over and over.

NewToy Playlist

Eclipsed -- Evans Blue

So Much -- The Spill Canvas

All Around Me -- Fly Leaf 

Breaking Inside --Shinedow

Perfect -- Burn Season

Closer -- Burn Season

Staplegunned -- The Spill Canvas

Decode -- Paramore

You're Not Alone -- Saosin

Fix Me -- Ten Years

Monster You Made -- Pop Evil

CONTEST LINKAGE

Oo! Y'all, my Oasis sister is having a contest on her blog to celebrate her 3-book deal with Tor Teen. Trust me, you want to go enter, so, Go already! Jessica Souders Book Deal Extravaganza