Friday, April 27, 2012

SHATTERED IDENTITY - K Dawn Byrd - Free E-Book


Tell us how much of yourself you write into your characters.
I try not to write any of myself into my characters, but occasionally will let them like something I do, such as a certain food or sports car.

What is the quirkiest thing you have ever done?
Quirky? Hummm. I'm a pretty serious person and so analytical that I usually think before I act. I guess I'm kind of quirky when it comes to new hobbies. When I endeavor to learn something new, I go at it like gangbusters. I absolutely MUST know everything there is to know about a subject. Once I feel I've mastered it, I usually move on to something else. Right now, I'm into ferrets and begging my husband for one or two of the furry little critters. We're in the process of building onto the house and he said I can have one when we're done. Oh....the wait is killing me!

When did you first discover that you were a writer?
I don't think I ever discovered it and am just now beginning to feel like a writer. I guess it took getting several publications under my belt for the writing gig to feel real.

Tell us the range of the kinds of books you enjoy reading.
I enjoy reading pretty much anything, but refuse to read horror or anything that's sad. I don't like to cry. I adore young adult romance and I love romantic suspense.

How do you keep your sanity in our run, run, run world?
In addition to writing, I work a full-time job. I attribute my keeping my sanity to the fact that I'm very organized by nature. It helps that I keep reminders in my Blackberry, forcing it to notify me to complete certain tasks.

How do you choose your characters’ names?
I usually find an internet website on names that were popular the year my characters were born and choose from there.

What is the accomplishment that you are most proud of?
I'm most proud of getting a masters degree and becoming licensed as a therapist.

If you were an animal, which one would you be, and why?
If I were an animal, I would be a fish. They look so calm and peaceful treading water. Is a fish even an animal? Oh well!

What is your favorite food?
My favorite food? I have more than one. Chinese. Spaghetti. Anything sour...like pickles, kraut, and olives. And let's not forget the great Mexican restaurant in my small town. I visit it at least once a week.

What is the problem with writing that was your greatest roadblock, and how did you overcome it?
My greatest roadblock was not having patience. I want what I want and now. This industry moves slower than a snail's pace. It reminds me of the Army slogan, Hurry up and wait. I had to either overcome it or quit. I chose to overcome.

Tell us about the featured book.
Here’s the blurb:
Lexi Branson thinks she's found the guy of her dreams. So what if he's older? Her new motto is, "Love knows no boundaries or age limits." Zack Bane loves her and treats her like a princess and that's all that matters.

Lexi soon discovers that she doesn't know Zack as well as she thought. He has secrets, the kind that shatter the lives of those who love him. When faced with the truth, Lexi tries to hang onto him because she has a secret of her own.

When Lexi ends up in danger, she discovers she has no one to turn to except her ex-boyfriend, Jeremy. Can Jeremy, who is still in love with her, keep her safe from Zack? When faced with a choice will Lexi choose to stay with the guy who has become a stranger or will she choose Jeremy, the guy who loves her with all his heart?

Please give us the first page of the book.
I told myself I didn't need Eden and maybe I didn't, but I sure did miss her. When she left my life, I lost my one and only true friend. Everyone seemed so shallow, so out to fulfill their own agendas, and I missed having someone around who told me the truth no matter how much it hurt.

Paula Botts plopped down on the beach towel beside mine, the one I'd spread out for Zack. "Hey, Lexi."

I rose up on one elbow and took a swig of my soft drink. "Hey." Just one look at the ditzy blonde, and I missed level-headed Eden even more. Her blonde ponytail swung back and forth with every movement and the oversized sunglasses she wore looked ridiculous.

Paula was such a pushover, always telling me exactly what she knew I wanted to hear. Eden had been the one who kept me in line. Okay, maybe she didn't exactly keep me in line, but she sure told me what she thought and most of the time it had something to do with morals and sin. Religion wasn't my thing, and that was part of the reason I wrote her off as my BFF.

Paula popped her gum. "So, what's up?"

"I'm waiting for Zack."

She pulled her hair back into a ponytail, tying it with a snap. "Have you told your mom about him yet?"

"No."

"What are you waiting for?"

"She'll say he's too old for me."

She popped her gum again and I cringed. "Could you please not do that?"

"What?"

"Stop popping your gum. It's driving me crazy."

Paula lay down and propped her head on her hands. That's okay, Zack would tell her to get lost when he arrived. She was okay when I didn't have anyone else to hang out with and was pretty enough to draw lots of attention from the guys, so I kept her around.

She pulled off her sunglasses and squinted into the sun, an annoying habit that caused her to sneeze. "So, when are you going to tell her?"

"I'm not." I sighed, wishing I'd never told Paula Mom didn't know I was dating an older guy. Maybe I was overreacting. Maybe Mom wouldn't even care. She stayed messed up most of the time anyway. Apparently, rehab hadn't done her much good.

"You're nineteen. What's it matter if you want to date a twenty-five year old guy?"

I rolled over on my stomach, breaking eye contact and hoping to end the conversation. "Exactly."

"Guess who I saw yesterday?"

I didn't bother to answer. She'd tell me anyway. She was the kind of person who could carry on a conversation with herself.

Paula flipped over on her stomach. "That Eden girl you used to hang out with. I saw her yesterday."

"So?"

"In the pizza parlor where she works. Channing was with her. They're still together. Can you believe it?"

How can readers find you on the Internet?
 website: www.kdawnbyrd.com
young adult blog: www.zoe-mack.blogspot.com

Thank you for the interesting interview.


Readers, here’s a link to the book. By using it when you order, you help support this blog.
Shattered Identity - Kindle edition


Leave a comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. Please tell us where you live, at least the state or territory. (Comments containing links may be subject to removal by blog owner.)

Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.

The only notification you’ll receive is the winner post on this blog. So be sure to check back a week from Saturday to see if you won. You will have 4 weeks from the posting of the winners to claim your book.

If you’re reading this on Feedblitz, Facebook, or Amazon, please come to the blog to leave your comment if you want to be included in the drawing. Here’s a link.
Http://lenanelsondooley.blogspot.com

12 comments:

karenk said...

thanks for the chance to read this story ;)

karenk...from PA
kmkuka at yahoo dot com

Unknown said...

i have been looking for this novel! it sounds great, though perhaps in a heartbreaking way. Thank you, Dawn and Lena for the interview and opportunity to win!

Marianne - Peace River Country, Alberta

mitzi underscore wanham at yahoo dot com

fredamans said...

I just won a copy of Mistaken Identity, but would love to read this one also. Please include me in the great giveaway, thank you.

Freda from Ontario, Canada.

Katie Marie said...

Neat lookin book!

Katie from Florida

Anonymous said...

WOULD LOVE TO WIN A COPY OF THIS BOOK.THANK YOU FOR THE CAHNCE.
ANGELA FROM KY

Linda Kish said...

I would love to win/read this book. It sounds terrific.

California

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Nancee said...

This sounds like a fun story. Thanks for offering a giveaway!
Nancee in Western Michigan
quiltcat26@sbcglobal.net

K. Dawn Byrd said...

Thanks for all the comments! I don't consider Shattered Identity to be a really sad novel because I don't go into graphic detail about the abuse in the relationship. I love a book that ends well and this one does.

Joanna Richmond said...

sounds very interesting. enter me
Thanks and God Bless
Joanna Richmond,
Blanch NC

apple blossom said...

sounds like a cool book thanks for chance to win

live in ND

ABreading4fun [at] gmail [dot] com

K. Dawn Byrd said...

Shattered Identity is my favorite of the five young adult books that I've written. I've enjoyed young adult very much and have one more to write to finish out my contracts for this year. Young adult novels are such fun to write!

Sharon Richmond said...

Enter me I would love to win a copy of this book it sounds and looks like a great story!! Thanks and God bless.
Sharon Richmond
Blanch, NC.