Monday 18 October 2010

Kristal and My Dyslexic By Kristal McKerrington.


As a teenager in High School my Scribes always thought I had dyslexics and for large portions of my High School years they always talked about it. They never did the test nor did they ever really help me with it.


My English Teacher for my Standard grades was harsh and would always put down my work till the point I never really wanted to hand in anything I did. They gave me a computer, but because I couldn't retain the basic grammar and sometimes spelling it didn't help.


Somehow with the aid of my best scribe I made it through. I took a 3 in English, which at that time they never thought for one moment I would achieve. Right before my exams they didn't think I would pass a single one. With the stress of the exams my condition called 'Rheumatoid arthritis' flaring and the mix of pain medicines made them convinced I wouldn't succeed, but I did.


I left school with my English teachers 'You have no imagination and you will never be a writer' ringing in my ears. I was convinced by all my teachers and all the adults in my life that I couldn't do it. So I didn't to begin with.


I went on to be a nurse, but just a quarter of the way through my course where I was getting help with my dyslexia I had to leave due to my condition. Through the years though I never stopped writing. I never quit that cause it was the air I needed to breathe.


Then I had a small Rheumatoid Arthritis blimp back in July last year and that was when I became a writer. I sat in the hospital in tears and knew there wasn't going to be much I could do with my life, since I was always unstable and every job I had I ended up having to leave cause of my condition flaring. Sometimes I need up to a month off at one time or another.


I wrote my first book 'Freedom Is Earned' and got a dear friend of mine Bernie Morris to edit it. I sent out letters to 30 different agents and over 35 publishers and not one was interested. I sent out my last batch, which contain 'XOXO Publishing, Carina Press and Noble Romance Publishing.'

I was convinced if these lot had rejected me then that was it I wasn't going to do it ever again.


I had pegged 'XOXO Publishing' the long shot after I saw that they had a really professional site and I was a little scared that I was going to get Huge rejection off them. I didn't I did get the rejection letters that nearly had be in tears from 'Noble and Carina Press' who weren't convinced my stuff was to their standards or to their marketing plans.


I was bummed then the news came from XOXO Publishing and my heart nearly burst out of my chest. They accepted my first book and they offered me the contract I never thought I would get.


Since then they have given me a team to help me with the Dyslexia and even the other authors of the company help an support me. After such a long time with no hope they gave me just that.


I have gone on with them to create 6 new series that will be coming out over the next few months, while break new grounds and doing what was thought the impossible.


I just want to say if you have this problem then you can work through it. There is people out there that can give you a chance and make your dreams come true. I never gave up and look where I am now. I have 2 pieces out and 9 more contracted! I can promise you there is hope out there and between us all we can make a difference for those people who are one in ten!



 There is help, and I got it.


http://www.dyslexia.help.co.uk and my books can be found at http://www.xoxopublishing.com/shop-online.

Kristal McKerrington.

Sunday 17 October 2010

Freedom Is Earned Contest



Freedom Is Earned Out Now!  

Blurb

What would you do if you saw two Street Hip Hop crews face off?

Would you recover from a shooting, then go on to lead your dance group to victory; not only to save your training ground, but to find out who tried to kill you?

In a love triangle of lies, who would you turn to?

What would your life be like after a showdown like that?

A confrontation that could tell you who tried to kill you, and disband the very people who were behind the attack: would it be worth the risk of you losing a crew that you had built up yourself with your own bare hands?

Welcome to Ambers life in 'Freedom Is Earned' where its all about the Streets and what you have to do to survive?

Can you heart take the heat?

Sample Page
Chapter 14: Stepping To You

Do you know what it feels like to be betrayed by the very person you thought you loved, or to have that feeling that you were never loved at all? Now I did. That was a realisation that I didn't like at all, but it had been haunting me since last night when Christian had taken two seconds to end our relationship.

Sitting still, staring down at my phone, I felt my heart melt by what I saw, as the breath was dragged from my body. I sat there in the centre of the play park with my dear friends and crew all around me. The sting of anger and betrayal started to nip at my heels, as the pain still pricked away at my cheeks. Just when my emotions started to hit me that much harder than before, I dropped my treacherous phone onto the ground. I then got to my feet while Julia and Gemma stood up with me. My mind was awash with thoughts I didn't understand, as the need to move slowly pushed me forward toward the gate, before my feet picked up, and I couldn't stop myself from starting to run.
I felt my mind shift back to the numb blissful stage and it was then I started to head across the park and out of the gate that bound my loyalties to Christian. Out on the street, those misplaced loyalties broke apart, while I stared from left to right, trying to figure out where he might be. All I knew was that I needed to confront him. He had told me on our last date that he had started

Get your copy now before your left behind!

Prizes to be won, all you have to do is either name the 4 main characters in this story or buy a copy of Freedom Is Earned then email me:- kristalmckerrington@yahoo.com

Good luck!

Kristal McKerrington

XOXO Publisher Author
2 Pieces and Counting!!!
'Freedom Is Earned' Out NOW!
'The Highlander With The Ink' apart of the Tattoo Anthology out Now!
Blogspot for my latest updates:- http://kristalmckerringtons.blogspot.com
Author Site:- www.kristalmckerrington.webs.com
Twitter:- www.twitter.com/@K_Mkerrington
Facebook Fan Site:- http://www.facebook.com/pages/Kristal-McKerringtons-Offical-Fan-Page

Thursday 14 October 2010

HUGE ANNOUNCEMENT!!!!!!!

FREEDOM IS EARNED IS OUT NOW!

 http://xoxopublishing.com/shop-online/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=32&products_id=93

Here is an extract from the book!


  Out on the street, the wind started to pick up again and I shivered against it while I wrapped my wool cardigan around me tighter. The bitterness of the wind whipped at my face as I rounded the corner.
     In the distance, I heard the sound of a motor bike revving. It was a sound that I liked and it reminded me of the country boys on their trail bikes bombing around the hills.
Moving around the corner, I started to walk towards the entrance of the local children's playground when I heard the bike draw closer at a fast-pace.
I stopped now and took out my car keys while looking around for the bike. There was no sign of it even though it didn't sound far away now.
I walked on with a shiver. I now crossed the entrance to the playground and it was then that I saw a black shining Blackbird come flying around the corner, slowing ever so slightly as the rider straightened up the bike.
I noticed the bike was completely black, but I could tell it was a Blackbird by its headlights. Upon nearing me, the biker seemed to shift his hands and, as he grew closer, I realised he was holding a gun.
The next thing I knew there were a series of loud bangs, then I felt my body being thrown to the ground.  Pain swerved my body, pinning me to the ground harshly and with a force that knocked the air from my lungs.
I felt my mouth falling open where I let out a scream of pain that erupted through my throat and I felt alone and trapped in my searing pain-filled body, hearing the distant screams of my friends and, not long after they started, the sounds of distant sirens.
Struggling not to let my eyelids droop shut, I could see blurry images of my friends all around me, but was unable to communicate to them.
The searing, burning pain roared and stabbed harder at me before I slipped into the darkness that had been clawing at me to enter.
In the darkness, I found peace and felt myself drift away into nothingness.

Wednesday 6 October 2010

Book Deal of A Lifetime

Its Wednesday Night Madness at XoXo Publishing!Wednesday October 6, 2010 anytime during the day up to midnight your time. You can buy three XoXo Publishing ebooks on line athttp://www.xoxopublishing.com/shop-online.Submit your email and the ebook titles you brought and you'll receive TWO FREE mystery ebook. Plus get your name entered in our one day to WIN an autographed CD Sampler. contests@xoxopublishing.com Subject line: One Day Contest Buy 2 one Free.

Back On The Wrestling Love Stories

Hello Readers,

For a long time I have been getting questions of what ever happened to the Three Brother Wrestlers and poor wee Layla well I can tell you they are making a come back and she has made some changes to her story. The books hotter then ever and am working in some extra characters that you can either hate or love.

So mind the deal I had with all of you.  Since am doing this you will need to raise my work up to the Hardy's,  we need letters, tweets, Facebook posts.  We want you to go mental with 'A Different Life' fever!!!! Those who support the cause will not be disappointed.  Trust me. I have made this series longer, sweeter, hotter and is coming to you with an 18 +++ rating on it.

I can promise the girl on the cover of the second instalment will blow you away too. I have more stuff up my shelves so keep your eyes peeled cause I haven't abounden 'A Different Life' I have made it bigger and more explosive!!!!!!!

Your writer,

Kristal McKerrington

Writing books to blow your mind and taking risks no one else can handle!

Tuesday 5 October 2010

Halloween Anthology Review. 5/5

Halloween Anthology Review.
5/5
By
Kristal McKerrington.


The Halloween Anthology that was recently brought out by XOXO Publishing shows a great mix of favours of really scary stuff to a tough love that will have you hanging on every word. The mixture of Poetry and short stories is something else.


From the Talented Authors such as Sandy Sullivan who has a way with words as she leads her readers through quite a ride to Tim Spearman who always gets your mind racing with his masterful talent of words. To Brianna Martini who bring her own creative brilliance to the page. This book has been set up for not just my Keepers Folder, but into my all time favourites list.


Its a book you don't want to pass up and it deserves it 5 Stars rating for its abilities to get a reader going! I recommend it to all of my readers!


Kristal McKerrington.

Monday 4 October 2010

Tina Is Here With Me Today For A Hot Insight Into Her Latest Book.

Hello Readers,

I would like you all to give a warm welcome to Tina who is joining us here today.

  1. Tell us a little about your latest work and tell us about yourself.

My erotic romance In His Arms was released last month. To give you an idea of the story, here’s the blurb:



Owned by one man, loved by another. . .

Abducted and delivered into sexual slavery, Lori has surrendered her will in order to survive. For more than a decade, she’s been known as Summer, a lovely submissive, her owner’s possession until he gives her to his newest lieutenant, a mysterious man called RJ. Commanding and virile, RJ dominates without cruelty and possesses without threat, engendering a mixture of safety and passion. In his strong arms, Summer enjoys carnal pleasure she’s never known and tenderness she’s craved. In his heated gaze, she experiences a sense of recognition she doesn’t immediately understand until it proves dangerous in a way she could never have imagined. Bound by desire and their growing love, RJ traverses the shadowy world of human trafficking, risking all for Summer’s freedom only to learn she harbors a fateful secret that threatens to tear her from him, leading to an irrevocable event that risks both their lives.

And my bio:

Tina Donahue is a multi–published novelist in contemporary, historical and erotic romance. Booklist, Publisher’s Weekly, Romantic Times and numerous online sites have praised her work; she has reached finals and /or placed in numerous RWA–sponsored contests. She was the editor of an award–winning Midwestern newspaper, worked in Story Direction for a Hollywood production company, and is currently the Managing Editor for a global business document concern.

Website/blog: www.tinadonahue.com




  1. What Inspired This Piece or Pieces?

The idea for In His Arms came to me one night while I was watching the news. Yet another young woman had gone missing and her parents were frantic, fearful that she’d been abducted and sold into sexual slavery. When I saw other features about how prevalent this is in our society, the plot for In His Arms took hold.


  1. What do you look forward to the most as an Author?
Living with my characters. I simply love them. At times, they’re more real to me than the people I know. I so enjoy laughing with them, and when things go badly, I’m right there, crying for them.


  1. What do you Imagine the most and it never seems to happen?

Winning the lottery?

Seriously though, it would be nice to have romance novels taken seriously. It’s exceedingly difficult to write a story that makes a reader laugh, cry and sigh. Romance has gotten a bad rap as ‘fluff’ or ‘women’s porn’. Nothing could be further from the truth.


  1. What's your ultimate fantasy?

Being able to quit my day job and write full time. That would be heaven.


  1. What would be the hardest genre for you to write in if you had to choose one?

Probably sci-fi that’s really technical. I don’t like reading those types of works and I would imagine that the research involved would be daunting.


  1. What can we look forward to in the future for your writing?

I’ll continue to write erotic contemporary romances, because I enjoy the genre so much. However, I’m also moving into paranormal romance. My novel The Yearning is being released from Samhain in February 2011. I might also try my hand at urban fantasy.


  1. If you could choose a country to tour, which one would you choose?

Spain. I wrote an historical romance Just One Kiss that took place in medieval Cordoba. During my research, I fell in love with the country.


  1. Out of All of your Books and Stories, which is your favourite?

I’d have to say my latest – In His Arms. It’s moved me the most. No matter how many times I read the end, I still cry. It’s also received absolutely terrific reviews. Here are a few:

Brandé at Book Junkie gave it FIVE flowers and wrote: “Love it, couldn’t put it down. From the first pages of IN THIS ARMS by Tina Donahue I was captivated, more like ensnared, actually commandeering every fiber of my heart and taking it for one heck of a wild ride!”

The Romance Studio gave it FIVE hearts and wrote: “This was a seriously sexy, heartbreaking yet heartwarming contemporary erotic romance. If you are looking for a must-read modern narrative pick this one up.”

It received FIVE teacups from HEA reviews where the reviewer wrote: “This book is so intense it had my attention from the very beginning. It’s a book worth reading more than once.”

TwoLips Reviews gave it FIVE lips and a Recommended Read. The reviewer wrote in part: In His Arms is a deeply emotional, heart-wrenching story about one young woman among many taken from their loving families and forced into sexual slavery devoid of the basic human rights, freedom and the pursuit of happiness as written in our constitution. Tina Donahue stretches the boundaries to write a story so moving it will touch your soul.”

Other stellar reviews can be found at this link: http://www.tinadonahue.com/reviews/



  1. If one of your Characters or Hero's could be brought to life, which one would you choose?

RJ from In His Arms. He captured my heart from the first pages.


If you want to add an excerpt or a blurb then please paste them below and if you would like a book cover on here then please copy and paste that in here as well.

Here’s an excerpt from Chapter One for In His Arms—when Summer first sees RJ:

Two sharp raps hit the front door. At the sound, Summer turned her head, her heart twisting slightly as it always did as these evenings began.
Hogan placed his glass next to an antique lamp with a frilly gold shade, looked through the peephole and turned the deadbolt.
Flinching at the noise, Summer admonished herself, allowing no other reaction. Her face a mask of compliance, her mind resigned to whatever happened, she glanced up from the knob as Hogan swung the door open.
In the hall stood the man who’d spend the evening with her.
Involuntarily, her pulse jumped. Adrenaline accelerated her heart, driving pulsating warmth through her body at what she saw.
No more than early thirties and tall, probably six-three, he had a young man’s build—broad, muscular shoulders and a trim waist. Shoulder-length hair, shiny and clean, in a deep cocoa shade, matched his brows and shadow of beard. His sculpted mouth and straight nose added to his male beauty, though his eyes captured most of Summer’s attention.
An incredible bluish gray, they seemed translucent behind his sooty lashes, knowing, focused as he kept his attention on Hogan, speaking in low tones to him and to Farrell, another of Anthony’s men who’d escorted him to the suite.
Forgotten for the moment, Summer allowed her gaze to roam the stranger, dressed casually but expensively in a black leather coat reaching his knees, a dove gray crew-neck sweater, charcoal pants and dress boots. Sparks of interest stirred her heart, feeding her foolish fantasy that he was here to pick her up for their date. That she’d be safe in his arms, cherished, protected.


To celebrate the release of In His Arms, I’m offering a contest today. One lucky commenter will have her choice of one of my following books**:

    1. Lush Velvet Nights – ebook
    2. Adored – ebook
    3. Deep, Dark, Delicious – ebook
    4. Close to Perfect – mass market paperback
    5. Bad Boys with Red Roses – trade paperback
    6. Take My Breath Away – trade paperback

** Winner chosen at random. Winner in continental US has her choice of one of the six. Winner outside continental US has her choice of one of the ebooks.




Well its been nice to have Tina here today and I hope that you all enjoyed her interview as well as her excerpt. She is a talented author who I think we will be seeing a lot of.

Kristal McKerrington.