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Promo materials Posted by Renee Collins at 10:13 AM 5 comments: 
Entangled 12 Days of KickButt Christmas!

Happy Holidays Everyone!

Join us in celebrating Entangled Teen’s 12 Days of Kickass (Or on this blog: KickButt ;) ) Event! This event is going to be a blast!

Today, I'm proud to host the awesome Tracy Clark, author of SCINTILLATE. (Even the title sounds cool!) About Tracy:

And here's a little about her awesome book, SCINTILLATE!

Goodreads/Amazon/Barnes & Noble/The Book Depository

Sounds amazing, right? Check out this awesome exclusive excerpt, and make sure to check for the highlighted word!

Just when I began to sink back into my pillows, the door swung open again, and I couldn’t have been more surprised by who entered. Of course, I knew of Finn Doyle. The whole school knew of the intriguing new student from Ireland. Despite the fact that he was from the place of my birth, and that I’d cultivated a robust obsession with Ireland since my dad moved us to the States when I was little, I’d never tried to get to know him.

Finn Doyle had unfortunate taste in friends.

He was one of them. The banal, popular crowd I found so irritating, I nicknamed them the VIPs. (Vapid. Irritating. Populars.)

I gaped at Finn in his striped volunteer apron as he neared my bed, while trying to ignore the cloud of colors surrounding him. It wasn’t unpleasant, though. Kind of like the sun was setting over his shoulders.

“A guy candy striper?”

“That’s surprisingly discriminatory. The family friend I’m staying with, who since birth has been male, works here as a lab tech. And I do believe your doctor is a woman. I’m willing to bet the world’s ready to accept a guy candy striper,” Finn said in his thick Irish accent. He followed through with a wide, teasing smile.

There was something so focused about him as he spoke to me, it was unsettling. I scowled, getting on my own nerves for allowing Finn Doyle to make me self-conscious. I did my best to avoid the VIPs at all times. They were like soul sandpaper. Some of my humanity rubbed off with each interaction.

It didn’t matter that Finn had been in the States as a foreign-exchange student for only a couple months. They’d snatched him up and adopted him the minute he landed. Gorgeous guy from Ireland with impossibly adorable accent equaled immediate in with the VIPs.

“I’ll have you know a guy can deliver flowers as well as a girl can,” Finn continued.

“Perhaps better.” He gave a slight bow and whipped a bouquet of daisies from behind his back.

My dad always gave me daisies. “More flourish and technique.”

An insufferably amused smile curled the corners of his full lips. I noted a dimple on his left cheek and added it to the list of his irksome qualities. I looked away from him, out the window, anywhere else.

“I’ve seen you around school before,” he said thoughtfully. “You seem different somehow, up close.”

Did he have to point it out? “I’ve been sick.” I was sure he heard the word “moron” at the end of my sentence, even if I didn’t say it.

“Right. Well, I imagine being in the hospital would make anyone cross. Or is this your normal disposition?” he asked, setting the flowers on the bedside table and arranging a few stems to his liking.

I glanced sideways at him. “Yes.”

“Cross is okay,” Finn said, low and husky in a way that underscored his words. “There’s not a sailor on the planet who doesn’t love the challenge of a good storm.” I could see the smile in his eyes and how he fought to keep it from his lips.

Finn studied me a moment more. “Your eyes remind me of home,” he finally said, and walked out.

Haven’t read today’s other post? Stop by (NAME)’s blog and check out my excerpt/deleted scene.

Rafflecopter link:

We’re super excited to share all of these awesome posts with you and make sure to follow along on twitter and Facebook using the hashtag #12DaysOfKickass!
Posted by Renee Collins at 4:46 PM 8 comments: 
Relic Book Trailer

Fun Fact about Renee: I love movies. In another life, I could have been a filmmaker. I’ve chosen books and writing, and I’m happy with my decision, but I still have a special place in my heart for the art of film.

That’s what makes this so cool for me. A trailer! For my book! Maybe I’m just a visual person. Maybe I’m a sucker for epic soundtracks. But watching this fan trailer makes me absolutely giddy.


A huge, huge thanks to my amazing twin sister, Diana, for putting this together for me! It truly encapsulates the feel of RELIC. Watching this the first time, I got goosebumps (and okay, maybe cried a little,) because it just IS my book. It’s completely perfect.

Another little check on my Writer Dreams Come True list!
Posted by Renee Collins at 8:51 AM 7 comments: 
The Big, Huge, Awesome RELIC Pre-Order Contest!

****There has been a slight change in rules. It's now even easier to enter! See below*****

August is here! And for me, that means one incredible thing: Relic comes out THIS. MONTH. And so, it’s time for my Big, Huge, Awesome Relic Pre-Order Contest!

Why am I so excited about this contest? Because EVERYONE who enters can get a prize! And it’s a really-really-cool-omg-i’m-so-excited-to-show-you prize.

So, as you may know, in the world of Relic, fantasy creatures like the dragon and mermaid once existed, but are now long extinct. Their bones, however, retain their magical properties. These relics are a rare, precious commodity that are mined and traded and sold around the world.

In my book, the characters occasionally consult a relic almanac, a field guide of sorts, that lists, identifies, and catalogues the many relics out there. From the beginning, I  dreamed about letting you all see a peek inside one of these texts. And now, thanks to the AMAZING talents of Jared Rawle (a fantastic new artist I suspect we will be seeing much more from soon), you can all have an authentic relic almanac page of your own!

Here is just a tiny peek at one page: Intrigued?? Wait until you see the whole thing! Each one truly is a work of art.

For my pre-order contest, EVERY PERSON that enters will be sent their own digital relic almanac page!

There are eight pages, with eight different fantasy creatures. I won’t say which ones, because I want it to be a surprise! Also, the distribution of pages will be proportionate to the distribution of relics in Maggie’s world, so you’re more likely to get one of the common creatures, but you could get lucky and get a rare one!

Which relic will YOU get?

But there’s more! By entering the Relic Pre-Order Contest, you will be eligible to win one of three fantastic prize packages!

2nd Prize: A set of ALL EIGHT relic almanac pages, printed and signed by me and my amazing artist, Jared!

1st Prize: A printed, signed set of all eight relic almanac pages AND a gorgeous, handmade relic amulet!

Grand Prize: A printed, signed set of all eight relic almanac pages, a handmade relic amulet, AND a $50 Amazon Gift Card!!

You’re wondering, how do I enter? It’s an easy, two-step process:(***Now even easier***)

1. Pre-order Relic!

Both paper and ebooks count. You can do that at Barnes and Noble, Amazon, iTunes, Books-A-Million or The Book Depository. If you’ve already pre-ordered Relic, you are (of course!) eligible.

2. Enter the Rafflecopter below! *OR* send a short email to email@example.com letting me know you've pre-ordered Relic!

***It's that simple! You no longer need to show proof of purchase, unless you win one of the three main prizes, (in which case, I will verify that you bought it when you said you did, only since the prizes have monetary value.)***


**Note 1: If you enter with the Rafflecopter, you will still need to send an email to firstname.lastname@example.org, if you want your digital relic amulet page. But remember, no proof or purchace. It can be a simple, "Hey! I ordered Relic today!" or "I ordered Relic six weeks ago." etc.

And to be clear, it's not required to email if you don't care for an almanac page. You can just stick with the Rafflecopter, if you choose.**

Note 2: Given the craziness of my schedule, it may take me a little while to get the almanac pages to you, but don’t despair! I promise it will come!

Note 3: Due to the high rate of shipping to international locations, the First Runner Up and Grand Prize are open to US residents only. HOWEVER, you are still eligible for the Second Runner Up prize of all eight relic amulet pages, printed and signed. AND international entrants will definitely get their digital relic almanac page, as promised!

And there’s one other way to get extra entries. Once you’ve received your amazing, beautiful relic amulet page: spread the word! Tweet which relic almanac page you got, using the hashtag #MyRelic and a link to this blog post. For example:

I pre-ordered RELIC by Renee Collins, and #MyRelic is a dragon! *link*
#MyRelic is a Yeti! Pre-order RELIC by Renee Collins to see what YOU get! *link*

Throughout the contest, I’ll make note of the tweets in the #MyRelic hashtag, and make sure to assign extra special bonus points accordingly.

And that’s the contest! I hope you will all enter! There are some fantastic prizes. And admit it, you’re curious which relic you will get and what amazing powers it will bring you. Your life may change forever!!!

Posted by Renee Collins at 8:55 AM 5 comments: 

While preparing to write this post, I've decided that "blurb" is one of the stranger words in the Writing World vernacular. Say it five times, and you'll see that I'm right.

Sometimes it sounds like an expression of distaste. "Bluuuuuuurb." And that's ironically appropriate. The process of procuring blurbs for your novel is universally agreed upon to be one of the least fun aspects of getting published. The whole situation feels a lot like asking the coolest guy in school to the Prom. The fear of rejection runs strong. Personal insecurities blossom.

But then! Sometimes you hit the jackpot. I feel that way about my experience. Today I'm so excited to share with you some of the amazing blurbs I've received for Relic. I feel so lucky and grateful! Just look at them!


"Weaving the allure of the Old West with layers of magic, Collins' debut is an intriguing, enchanting ride." -Kiersten White, NYT bestselling author of the PARANORMALCY series, MIND GAMES, and the upcoming CHAOS OF STARS.

"RELIC is like nothing else I've read - a historical fantasy teeming with ghost coyotes, duplicitous Haciendos, sexy cowboys, and dangerous relic magic. I loved spending time in Collins' magnificent reimagining of the Old West!"-Jessica Spotswood, author of BORN WICKED and the upcoming STAR CURSED.

"A magically romantic tale of how the West should’ve been won. Collins’ debut drew me in and held me until the breathtaking end." -Kasie West, author of PIVOT POINT and the upcoming THE DISTANCE BETWEEN US.


See why I'm over the moon? Kasie, Kiersten, and Jessica are all authors that I knew of long before Relic. I've read their books. I've loved their books. So, to have them read and love mine is a feeling unlike any other. When I got each of their emails, you better believe I was doing the happy dance around my living room.

To Jessica, Kiersten, and Kasie: I know I already said it, but let me publicly thank you again. It means so much to me that you took the time to read my book. And of course, it's also pretty dang amazing that you loved my book. So THANK YOU! If I could, I would bake you the sugary treat of your choice.

So in conclusion, while the process of gathering blurbs may not seem like fun at first, in the end, it's really pretty fantastic. Which is why, the word also works an exclamation of delight. Come on. Say it with me "BLURB!!!"

Add RELIC on Goodreads
Pre-Order RELIC on iTunes, Amazon, Barnes and Noble and The Book Depository
Posted by Renee Collins at 10:49 AM 7 comments: 
YA Scavenger Hunt! 

Rules: Open internationally, anyone below the age of 18 should have a parent or guardian's permission to enter. To be eligible for the grand prize, you must submit the completed entry form by SUNDAY, APRIL 7th, at noon Pacific Time. Entries sent without the correct number or without contact information will not be considered. Today, I am hosting Jessica Shirvington on my website for the YA Scavenger Hunt!

Embrace was Jessica's first novel. She has since followed with Entice, Emblaze, and ENDLESS, and the final book in the series is due for release in 2014.
The books have now sold into eight international markets and the CW Network, along with Steven Spielberg's Amblin Entertainment and CBS Studios are currently developing Violet's story as a potential television drama.
Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, Jessica and her ex-olympian husband of 12 years share two gorgeous daughters. When asked why she chooses to write YA, she says the answer is simple. She never considered writing anything else." When you are hanging off the edge of a volcano, how do you make the most important decision of your life? For Violet Eden the decisions between right and wrong are getting harder and harder. Because apparently being a half-angel Grigori doesn't always make you right.
Where is the good in having to choose between the life of her best friend and saving humanity? How does she balance a soul-crushing need for her Grigori partner, Lincoln, and the desire to keep him safe at all costs? And what if the darkest exile angel of all, Phoenix, isn't as bad as she thought?
Violet has one chance to make the right choice...
Here's the awesome exclusive content for EMBLAZE!
Deleted scene from Chapter Two.(The opening scene in Chapter One of EMBLAZE later replaced this.)

Steph did a good job of hiding it, but I noticed her stiffen as we neared the door – and for good reason. I already knew what was out there.

‘Better you than me I guess,’ she said, eyeing off the barely-bad weather, pulling out her Burberry umbrella. ‘How many do you think there’ll be today?’ she asked, like it was now an ordinary question.

‘Of us or them?’

She considered. ‘Both.’

I focused on my senses, a little of my amethyst mist rising from me and then floating lightly to the ground where it then disappeared. Steph didn’t see. Humans couldn’t see a lot of things. I’d explained it to her before, but it was one of those see-it-to-believe-it things.

I bit down on my lip and concentrated on my feet not picking up pace. ‘Griffin said to expect two Grigori.’ But there was three I realised unhappily. I knew full well who that third Grigori was. ‘As for them...’ I grabbed a hold of the door and swung it open. ‘Only one today.’

Spence walked out, unperturbed and I looked over my shoulder to Steph who had paused at the door. ‘I’ll let you know when the coast is clear.’

Steph nodded. This would only take a minute.

I was so sick of being cockroach bait.

I don’t know why Phoenix kept sending exiles to fight me. The schedule had become repetitive and almost easy to stay on top of. School – sometimes before, sometimes after – and outside my home at night.

Other than consuming people’s time and annoying me – it achieved nothing. Only sending one or two at a time, usually newly exiled and not much of a challenge – the worst that had happened on our side was a few broken bones. Hardly worth his loss in numbers and, tactically, none of us could work it out.

I took in the after school scene. A few stragglers were hopping into cars, or walking down the sidewalk towards the bus stop. I spotted our friendlies, Beth and Archer, strategically positioned across the road.

I couldn’t see the third Grigori but I could sense him further afield. I was fairly certain Griffin hadn’t felt he was needed. But like most days, Lincoln tended to think otherwise.

‘Damn well lurking,’ I mumbled under my breath.

Spence took position at the top of the steps as I sprung lightly down the stairs and dumped my bag. It only took about thirty seconds for the exile to emerge. Right on cue and eyes only for me.

He was young. I was willing to bet he hadn’t been here for more than a year or two. Millennia of existence as an angel really didn’t prepare them for human forms. He looked awkward in his body, like it was almost the wrong fit. No surprises it was male. From their point of view male forms were the superior, females the lesser race with the added disadvantage of monthly bloodletting.


He didn’t look more than me and his bright red hair looked suspiciously like a failed attempt at a mohawk.

He clearly expected me to be scared of him, and well, I was. But I guess I’d be a lot more scared of him if he was intelligent enough to know that already, behind him, two more kickass Grigori had moved in. This was four against one. Five if I counted Lincoln.

The exile started to stalk me. He was about to make his move. Archer moved in, too, but I wasn’t interested in being saved by anyone. I leapt into the fight zone and got the formalities out of the way.

‘Humanity or judgement?’

He struck me across the face.

Not exactly an answer, but good enough.

I responded using the same form of communication.

The exile was surprisingly resilient. He took the hit, which came at him with deadly force and barely stumbled. Instead, he ducked and grabbed me at the waist, twisting my body as he did and slamming me back first, onto the concrete ground. My head hit hard. Damn.

I got up in time but Archer was already there. Uninterested in my desire to hold my own and only concerned with getting the job done, he put a foot into the exiles thigh from a side angle, taking him by surprise and breaking his leg. Before the exile fell to the ground, Archer’s dagger had finished the job.

Shit. He’d been an amateur but still, he’d bettered me.

I put my hands on my hips and refused to feel the back of my head for blood. I knew it was there without seeing it but it wasn’t bad. ‘I had him.’

Beth joined Archer’s side.


A thought that only hurt as I looked beyond them to where Lincoln hovered in the shadows.
Archer sheathed his dagger as Beth looked around making sure we hadn’t had an audience.

‘Griffin said you have a training session to get to,’ Archer said, a small smile in his voice. He was old hat. Archer’s training days were long since done.

I picked up my bag and gave Steph a half-assed coast-is-clear wave. She’d already moved closer to where Spence was still hanging out anyway. ‘Whatever. I still had him.’

‘Course you did kid, just thought you’d want to get on with your day,’ Archer said with a cheeky wink.

Pretty fantastic, right? And don't forget to enter the contest for a chance to win a ton of signed books by me and more! To enter, you need to know that my favorite number is 123! Add up all the favorite numbers of the authors on the Red Team and you'll have all the secret code to enter for the grand prize!


To keep going on your quest for the hunt, you need to check out the next author! The amazing LISSA PRICE!

Tweet #YASH

Posted by Renee Collins at 12:00 PM 5 comments: Follow! I might amuse you. (No promises.) Felllow Writers Subscribe To . . . ME!