Thursday, January 9, 2014

Today's Special - - Allie Burton


We're delighted to welcome Young Adult author, Allie Burton back to the Romance Dish. Allie didn’t realize having so many jobs would become great research material for the stories she writes. She has been everything from a fitting room attendant to a bike police officer to a professional mascot escort. She has lived on three continents and in four states and has studied art, fashion design, marine biology, and advertising.

When her kids asked, “when are you going to write a story we can read?” she switched from adult novels to Young Adult and Middle Grade and hasn’t looked back.

Allie is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators, Romance Writers of America including the Young Adult, Dallas Area Romance Writers and Heart of the Rockies chapters. She is also a member of Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers. Currently, she lives in Colorado with her husband and two children.





Why Take A Risk On A New Author?

            Picture yourself on your last birthday. Balloons, a big cake, and lots of shiny wrapped presents. You were curious and excited about what was inside the gifts.
Think of a new author or a new book the same way.
            The book cover is shiny and new, like a present waiting to be opened. And inside thousands of words are strung together like ribbons tied around your gift. The words promise to entertain and delight. Or to scare and terrify. Or to romance you off of your feet. It is a surprise present to yourself.
            Not that you would pick any book off the shelf and start reading. There are things to consider like
the genre. In the case of SOUL SLAM, it’s a mix of romance, adventure, and mystery. Three genres in one.
You also should look at the subject of the book. Do you find it interesting? SOUL SLAM combines Egyptian history and mythology, secret societies, mysterious powers, and love.
Let’s not forget about the promise of the book. Whether it’s a who-done-it or an edge-of-the-seat suspense, do you want what the author is promising? The ride of your life? A mystery you must puzzle out? A happy ending?
If you like all of those about the book and are curious, go ahead and read a few pages. You may be surprised. So, take a risk and give a new author a shot.

Thanks so much for hosting me!



Have you picked up any books by new-to-you authors and been happily surprised?

Allie is giving away one e-copy of Soul Slam to a randomly chosen person who leaves a comment on today's blog.  

Allie is also running a contest on her website for people who sign up for her newsletter.  If she reaches 100 subscribers, one person will be chosen to win a Kindle.  





Soul Slam
Soul Force Book 1

A sixteen-year-old on her first heist to steal an ancient Egyptian amulet inadvertently receives the soul of King Tut…and the deadly curse that comes with it.
            And Olivia is not alone at the museum.
            A member of a secret society, Xander believes it is his place to inherit King Tut’s soul and justly rule. He knows nothing about the society’s evil plan to control the world or the curse. Now, he must deal with the female imposter who stole the amulet.
            Xander convinces Olivia they must form a temporary partnership. The two teens develop a connection, and together they must figure out how to end the curse before it turns deadly. On the run, unable to touch because of the curse, and managing the male soul inside her female body, Olivia must learn to trust Xander.
As the mystery surrounding the amulet unfolds, Olivia and Xander start to fall for each other. But is love enough to save them and the world from destruction? 


27 comments:

  1. Sometimes it pays off to jump in & try out new authors. I have been pleasantly surprised on a number of occasions. I love being there at the beginning of a new author's published career. It's exciting.

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    1. Mary - I totally agree! It's fun to read the progress of a new author. How her ideas and her voice changes over time. Allie

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  2. Thanks for hosting me! I'm excited about Soul Slam because it combines romance, adventure, and mystery. I hope my readers, new and old, enjoy it too! Allie

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  3. Hi Allie! Thanks so much for being here today. Soul Slam sounds great. I'm buying a copy for the 15 yr old reader in my family...and a copy for me too! :)

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  4. Over the holidays I downloaded a book by an author I'd not read before. It sounded intriguing and was only $0.99. It was Christmas in Savage Bay by Ann Lawrence and I loved it! Happily, I also discovered Ms. Lawrence has a well-regarded back list. I love it when things like that happen. :)

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  5. Love reading new authors books, you find some great authors this way

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  6. Thanks PJ! I have a 15 year old as well and she loved it. She was one of my final proofers. Allie

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  7. Hi, Allie! I love finding a new-to-me author. Sarah MacLean is my latest.

    I love your Atlantis Series! The characters are addicting.

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    1. Hi Tracy! I'm a huge fan of Sarah MacLean too. She's a brilliant writer.

      Thanks for stopping by!

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  8. TracyG - Thanks so much! Funny you should mention the Lost Daughters of Atlantis series, I'm working on revisions for the next book right now. Very excited about how it is turning out. I haven't heard of Sara MacLean, but I have heard of Tracy Garrett. You write wonderful western romances. Allie

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    1. Funny you should mention the Lost Daughters of Atlantis series, I'm working on revisions for the next book right now.

      Glad to hear this, Allie! Do you have a projected release date? This year or next?

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    2. Atlantis Dark Tides releases in Spring 2014. So far there are 3 books and 1 novella in the series. Allie

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  9. I love finding new authors!

    And on a completely unrelated note, can I just say that "professional mascot escort" sounds naughty? :)

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    1. And on a completely unrelated note, can I just say that "professional mascot escort" sounds naughty? :)

      LOL! Wouldn't you love to know more about that? I would!

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    2. I worked for a PR firm and our client was the NHL All Star game. That year, many of the hockey escorts came to the event and one of my tasks was to escort them to radio and TV interviews. It was fun! Allie

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  10. Allie - all the best on the publication of your new book! woohoo! Last year I was asked to attend an elementary school career day and I told the children all about my teenager jobs - the laughed uproariously about the job I had dusting and polishing furniture - in a big furniture store. And it also included cleaning the bathrooms that the mover guys used. Not a top job when you don't like to clean!! Anyhoo, I have found it much easier to find new and interesting authors now that I have a kindle. I love reading all genres including YA, especially paranormals and brave new world tales. Keep up the good work.

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    1. Thea, I'm certain that some of my early jobs would elicit the same reaction from today's kids. ;-)

      Like you, the purchase of my Kindle has opened my reading world to many new-to-me authors. Never a bad thing!

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    2. Thea - I never thought about who dusted all the furniture in the store! I've worked retail too including a fitting room attendant, cashier at a small grocery store, and sandwich maker at a deli.

      Definitely agree on the Kindle thing. I also find I have more time to read because it is always with me and if I have an extra few minutes I can open it up and read! Allie

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  11. OMG! I judged this book in a contest and never knew who wrote it, but I hoped one day I'd get to read the whole thing. Now I can! Congratulations, Allie.

    As to new authors, I'm currently reading The Rosie Project, which is not only a new author to me, but a book unlike anything I've read. And I'm loving it. Thanks to all of my friends who raved about enough to convince me to buy it.

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    1. OMG! I judged this book in a contest and never knew who wrote it, but I hoped one day I'd get to read the whole thing.

      How cool is that! Glad you can now read the entire story, Terri.

      I downloaded The Rosie Project the other day. Looking forward to having time to finally read it. I've heard so many wonderful things about it!

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    2. Terri - It's such a small world! Thanks for judging and I'm so happy you finally can finish the story. I've never heard of The Rosie Project. I'll have to look it up. Allie

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  12. Allie, thanks so much for visiting with us today. Wishing you all the best with Soul Slam!

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  13. Some of the best books I have read lately are from new Authors to me and also new authors with their first book.

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    1. Sharlene - So true. It seems like because you are a new author you can take more risks. Allie

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  14. He was awesome though. I picked the only rainy weekend in San Diego to visit (bad weather follows me everywhere I go), but that didn't stop my best friend and I from making the best of the trip. electric bikes nz

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