Cover Reveal: RESISTANCE (The Variant Series, #2)

One month from today, Resistance (Book two in the Variant series) will be released!! I can't even begin to tell you how excited I am to finally put this book out into the world.

To celebrate the start of our countdown, today on the blog we're kicking things off with the official reveal of the cover!

So here it is, guys, the brand new cover for Resistance!

*****

Synopsis:

Alexandra Parker might be the most powerful Variant the world has ever seen—but even that won’t get her out of finishing her junior year of high school.

The challenge of keeping her abilities under wraps during class is daunting enough, but throw one surly, sandy-haired Jumper into the mix, and things can get downright complicated.

Declan’s new job? Watch over Alex while she’s at school and do everything in his power to keep her from losing control. But as sparks of every kind begin flying between Alex and her new bodyguard, she's left feeling more unstable than ever.

When avoiding her abilities results in a surprise visit from her parents’ killer, Alex’s worlds collide with a bang that nearly levels Bay View High.

With her freedom now squarely in the Agency’s crosshairs, Alex will be faced with the fight of her life... and a decision that could forever alter the course of her destiny.

 *****

So what do you think? Are you guys excited to read the next installment in the Variant series? 

Be sure to check back for more fun things like giveaways, blog tours for both Revival and Resistance, and a whole lot more during this month leading up to the release. And mark your calendars—on February 11th, 2014, Resistance will finally be available for purchase!

Want to add Resistance on Goodreads? Just click the buton below!

 

P.S. For those of you searching this post for the cover design credit... *nervously raises hand* Erm. It was me. I designed both covers in the Variant series myself. I realize this goes completely against the advice I always give about hiring someone to design your covers, but (in my meager defense) graphic design has been a hobby of mine for over ten years now. So I feel at least slightly qualified to do it myself... But still. This is most definitely a case of do as I say, not as I do! As an author, your book will always be better served by giving it the best cover possible—and if that means hiring a graphic designer instead of putting together a design of your own, then that's exactly what you should do. :)

Merry Christmas!

 

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays, everyone!!

I've been a bit quiet here on the blog lately, but I promise there's been a very good reason for my absence—I've been hard at work putting the finishing touches on Book Two in the Variant Series! The book is still in edits, but is on track to be released as scheduled on February 11, 2014! 

There will be two different blog tours leading up to the book's release, one in January for Revival (January 13–21) and another in early February, for Book Two (February 10–17). Also, bloggers! If you'd like to take part in the Revival tour, be sure to drop by this page for more information and to sign up!

The official title for Book 2 will be announced within the next two weeks, once I've finally made my decision. (Indecisiveness FTW, y'all.) Even more exciting, Book 2's official cover reveal will take place sometime right after the title announcement, in mid–January! It's looking fabulous and I really can't wait to share it with you all. :)

Here's wishing you all a warm and wonderful holiday season!!

Merry Christmas!

~Jena

Of Release Dates and Tempting Fate

GUYS.

Guys, guess what!

WE’VE SET A DATE!

Wait, no. Hang on… *rereads declaration* Not that kind of a date. That’d be weird. We hardly know each other.

Let’s try this again:

BOOK 2 IN THE VARIANT SERIES OFFICIALLY HAS A RELEASE DATE!!

(For anyone reading this site as text only, that's February 11, 2014!!!) 

That’s the day, y’all. That's the day I’ll finally be able to share Revival’s sequel with all of you!

I'd give it to you today, if I could, but events have conspired to push the release date back to February…. You wouldn’t want it today, anyway. Trust me. *cringes* It’s kind of a hot mess of typos and unnecessary ellipses.

But that's what edits are for! By the time February rolls around, the book will officially be the best it can possibly be, thanks to my super amazing editor and the input of my beta readers.

So why February? Why not release the book before New Year's, like I'd planned?

The answer's pretty simple: there's just no way to have it ready for you by then.

Ever wondered what happens to an author when they sit down to write the second book in a series, and then realize that all their best ideas amount to nothing but a dozen or more failed attempts?

I could wax poetic about fickle muses and tempting fate by promising the world a book you've yet to actually write... But Libba Bray (amazing author of the Gemma Doyle Trilogy and, most recently, The Diviners) said it best in this blog post titled "On Writing Despair (Juicebox Mix)," after she ran into stumbling block after stumbling block while trying to write a sequel to The Diviners.

If you want to understand the hell that is a dozen failed attempts at a novel, click that link. Oh. And you might want to grab a juice box and a lovey before you head over. It will help you survive the read. In the words of Mrs. Bray, "Doom goes better with juice."

In addition to my writing woes, real life decided to throw in a few kicks while I was down. It's made the whole process... less than pleasant.

Luckily, I'm nothing if not determined. :)

Also, I come heavily armed with dark roast coffee and an undying love for each of the characters in this series. Which helps.

I'll be making announcements in the coming months regarding Book 2's official title and the cover reveal, so stay tuned!!!!


P.S. If you're a blogger and would like to read and review Book 2 ahead of its release, be sure to send me an e-mail so we can work out the details! Thanks!

The Anti-Bully Project

 The ever so lovely Amy from Lady Reader's Bookstuff has organized a fantastic, month-long project to help raise awareness about an epidemic that hits close to home for so many of us—bullying. In addition to a Facebook discussion taking place on Thursday, October 10th, there will also be a plethora of posts and giveaways from different authors who will be discussing their own experiences with bullying via the Anti-Bully Project website!

Please take a moment to visit the site and find out more about the project!

Join us to discuss the topic of Bullying. We will have a Q&A, fun games and prizes. The discussion will take place on the Anti-Bully Project FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/AntiBullyProject Thursday 10/10 at 7:00pm (EST) - 11:00 (EST)

The discussion is a virtual event/Facebook party. Please come prepared with questions and anything that you'd like to discuss and/or talk about. For any questions or comments, please contact Amy Del Rosso. 

 

Anti-Bully Project Links:

Website: http://antibullyproject.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ladyreaderstuff
Email: amy@antibullyproject.com
FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/AntiBullyProject
FB Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/665932906755055/
FB Virtual Discussion: https://www.facebook.com/events/665932906755055/

As a side note—if you're looking for another way to support the project, be sure to check out the fantastic Anti-Bully Project 2013 merchandise available for sale here!

Of Writing Retreats and Missed Deadlines

Ever had so much to do that you just up and decided to flee to another state?

Because that's pretty much what just happened to me.

The only difference here, is that I've fled toward the work in question, and not away from it....

The first draft of Revival's sequel was supposed to be finished today. And, um, well I think it's pretty safe to say I won't be meeting my deadline.

*sigh*

It's my own fault. I allowed myself too much time off in August and then, when the inevitable happened and I ran into problems with Book 2's story arc, I realized I'd made a pretty serious tactical error.

And so (after the inevitable nervous breakdown had come and gone) I decided it was time to shut out the world entirely and get back down to business. I needed a writing retreat, stat.

One of the great things about working from home, is that your office is pretty easy to pack up and relocate.... So I threw two weeks of clothes in the back of my car, packed up everything I needed for writing and work, and I hit the road.

I'm now writing this post from the living room of a cabin in Virginia.

(The view from the front porch. So, basically, I've temporarily relocated to paradise.)

No distractions, no excuses... This book is going to be finished before I leave to head back home.

With a little luck, a lot of work, and a crap-ton of coffee, Book 2 should still be on schedule for a late Fall release! So yay for that.

That said... Break time is officially over for the morning. Time to get back to work!

If you're feeling generous, please send music rec's and positive vibes my way... Something tells me I'm going to need all the help I can get.

And thanks again for all the support, everyone! You guys rock!

Buzz for Free Books, Updates and A New Mailing List!

Hey guys!

So I've returned from the Wizarding World of Harry Potter with a renewed love for the series, a suntan and these:

And if I need to explain either of those purchases to you, well... *Pats the non-initiated on the head* We still love you. It might be in that red-headed stepchild sort of way... But we do love you.

It was a fantastic way to spend my birthday! A little crowded, a little warm, but still a wonderful trip. 

(If you'd like to see more pictures from my vacation, just check the photos in my Twitter feed!)

Okay, so... UPDATES!

First up:

Buzz for Free Books!!!

 

Want a chance to earn a free copy of Revival?  Then it's time for you to check out the Newest Slice of Awesome on the Internet...

It's called Libboo, and it's ready to change the way you discover books!

How it works is simple... Authors offer rewards to their most devoted fans—and you can earn these rewards by sharing your favorite books with friends via social media sites.

Want to recommend a book to your friends on Twitter? Just Buzz it! In the process, you'll earn points that will bring you closer toward claiming that week's reward.

And you can always check back in the following weeks to see what new rewards are on offer!

Right now, sharing Revival with your friends will help you to earn a free copy of the eBook, but in the coming weeks, I plan to change up the rewards, so be sure to keep checking!

Ready to start sharing Revival and earning this weeks reward? (And perhaps discover some new favorite novels in the process?)  Then just click the link below and—

—START BUZZING! :)

Next up...

 

 The Jena Leigh Mailing List

Looking for a way to keep up to date with giveaways, book releases and announcements related to the Variant Series and other Jena Leigh books? Sign up for the mailing list!

You have my word—no spamming. The most you'll ever receive is two e-mails a month (Unless I have some SUPER AMAZING ANNOUNCEMENTS that need to be made... but I'll try to make those extra posts worth your while by offering something shiny along with the announcement. Like free books. Or cookies... Because who doesn't love cookies?)

Subscribe to the Jena Leigh mailing list!

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That's all for now... Hope you all have a great week!!!

Tune in Tuesday—Vacation Mix!

So my birthday's right around the corner on the 15th and, to celebrate, I'll be taking a quick break from my writing hermitage and heading to Orlando for a few days!

That's right, ladies and gents! I'm FINALLY going to see the Wizarding World of Harry Potter! (When you live an hour and a half away and still haven't been, it tends to reflect badly on your life decisions. Just sayin'.)

Butterbeer, Hogwarts and rides, oh my!

...I may be a tad overly excited for this trip. My mother keeps reminding me that I'm turning 29, and not 12. But I think that's just because she's failed to fully understand my love for those books!

So, yes.

Vacation!

Yay, vacation.

To celebrate this excellent departure from my work schedule, I've pulled together a few songs that we'll be listening to during the trip....

And by we, I mostly mean me. Mom and I differ a bit in our music taste... But I TOTALLY intend to play the birthday card and veto any dubious music choices during the ride to Orlando. ( It's one of the few perks that comes with entering the last year of my twenties.)

~   *   ~   *   ~

 

Tune in Tuesday is a weekly music feature that was originally hosted by Ginger at GReads and is now run by the lovely Katelyn of Kate's Tales of Books and Bands. It's probably obvious by now that I love music almost as much as I love books! When I found out about Tune in Tuesday, I couldn't resist getting in on the action! Be sure to check back every week for new music and if you'd like to join us, just drop by Katelyn's blog and link up your post!


I decided to do things a little differently this week... Instead of linking to videos, I've put together a quick soundcloud playlist of the tracks.




Making the playlist this week are two tracks by the Swedish band NONONO (You might recognize "Pumpin Blood" from that Sparkling Ice commercial they play during nearly every break on HGTV... *clears throat* Not that I'd know anything about that, seeing as how I spend ALL my time lately working on Book 2...), two tracks from the amazing newcomers Sir Sly, as well as the new Ellie Goulding song "Burn" and a track from the Revivalists that I've had on repeat a lot lately...

With any luck, you'll find something new there to enjoy!

Happy Tuesday, y'all! I've got some last-minute packing to do!