Angelia Almos

Welcome to the New Year! Hope you had a great night and are looking forward to an even better year. To celebrate the new year I am going to be giving away an ecopy of my space opera Encounter at Shalana (Adventures of Kristy Ryan) This giveaway is international and the winner will receive a Smashwords coupon code to claim their free ebook. Enter in the Rafflecopter below and check the linky list for all the other Blogs participating in the New Year Giveaway Hop. Space pirate Captain Kristy Ryan grew up the only daughter of a notorious privateer in the Border Planet Region. She learned her trade the hard way - there were no free rides on her father’s ship. Now, she has her own ship, the Unicorn , and successfully works in the shadows, the fringes of legitimate trade. Her life is just how she wants it even on those days when her pilot and lover, Andrew Bennet, drives her crazy. But an unexpected visit from the Military Space Alliance changes everything. Her father

Since my last update on Prince, he's had several more training sessions and I've had two more lessons on him as part of his training. He continues to live in his little pasture with his buddy Boone. We had a real treat over the weekend. We were off the hill and swung by to say hi and give Prince a little attention. We were surprised to find him and Boone in a full out play session. Galloping around, rearing, bucking, and play fighting. And when I say full out - I really mean it. We watched for a while not wanting to disturb them (I'd say a good 15 minutes). I then tried to get some on film, but as soon as I got out of the truck they stopped and decided it was more interesting to drink from the mini-lake in their pasture (it's been pretty rainy and snowy bringing the water table way up). Here's a little video of them - Prince is the one chasing and they slowed down as soon as I opened the truck door. Prince is getting much more balanced and consistent with his

Some of my readers already know, and maybe remember, that I bought a pony about a year and a half ago named Prince Charming. He's been an interesting pony. Not quite what I was looking for in some ways while exactly what I was looking for in other ways. A picture of me with him is just to the right of this blog. He is a cutey despite his insecurity. His insecurity has proved very challenging for me. He's not a joy to ride on the trail, but more of a chore. I had wanted to send him to a trail trainer this Fall, but the plans fell through. Instead I made the decision to send him to a show trainer for November and December for him to learn his flying lead changes and other skills which would make him more marketable as a show pony in case I can't solve our trail issues. Seeing the trainer ride him was a reminder of his athleticism and a lot of the training he already has that I never really use. The trainer has informed me that Prince is incredibly smart (think Border Coll

I went back and forth on what I wanted to do for Black Friday through Cyber Monday, but I've finally settled on offering ALL of my ebooks for $.99. Below you will find links to my author pages on three major retailers: Amazon - Barnes and Noble - Smashwords . Though my books are at other retailers I can't guarantee that the prices have shifted down in time. But you are welcome to check iTunes , Kobo , and Sony . Maybe they are working faster than normal. ;-) Amazon - Barnes and Noble - Smashwords     

A winner has been selected for my Fall Into Fantasy Hop Givewaway! Congratulations Chasity! An email has been sent off to her for her to claim her ecopy of Unicorn Keep and $5 Amazon egiftcard.

Welcome all to my giveaway for the Fall Into Fantasy Hop! Here is your chance to win an ecopy of my recently released young adult fantasy Unicorn Keep and a $5 egiftcard from Amazon. Just use the Rafflecopter form below to enter. You can find plenty of other giveaways in the Linky list below. Jiline of Ainsley is dismayed when her best friend is selected by the mages to become a unicorn keeper at the Keep, an isolated mountain fortress. Especially since Madelen is in love and engaged to the richest boy in the village. Jiline on the other hand has no prospects of marriage or a trade in their small village. So, she comes up with a plan to take Madelen’s place at the Keep and hopefully flunk out of unicorn keeper training before the mages can discover the deception. Unfortunately, the unicorns have their own plans for her. Mage Herrick, son of the Keep Mage, returns home to the Keep as the trainee keepers arrive. A chance encounter with Jiline, who he believes is M

The lucky winner of a The Moon-Spinners by Mary Stewart in DVD and paperback is........Tammy. I'll be emailing her to let her know and get her prize off to her.

One of my favorite subjects are books to movies. I LOVE watching adaptations and studying the skill of turning a book into a movie. Adaptations are getting a lot of attention now with the success of the Twilight and The Hunger Games series. I could go on and on about the skill it takes to adapt a movie from a book, but I won't bore you. Instead I'll just give you a couple of my favorites: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen ~ Pride and Prejudice (A&E version) Emma by Jane Austen ~ Clueless The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum ~ Tin Man Cinderella ~ Ever After How to Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell ~ How to Train Your Dragon For the hop I decided to giveaway a copy of another one of my favorite adaptations. This is the first movie I consciously remember knowing it was based on a book and actually went out and read the book. The specifics of the plot are different, but the characters and overall arc are the same. Besides Hayley Mills is charming in the role

After two years off from officially homeschooling, I will be jumping back in this school year with a 1st and 7th grader. My older daughter decided two years ago that she wanted to go to school. After lots of discussion and tests we made the decision to enroll her in our local elementary school. Despite lots of negatives (judging be her complaints) she LOVED school. Last year was the jump to middle school. Neither my husband or I were comfortable with her going to the local public middle school so we made the decision to enroll her in the private catholic school. Part of the decision was based on her younger sister entering Kindergarten the same year and her wanting to go to school if sissy did. Both went to the private school as it suited the younger one better. Unfortunately, the older daughter hated the school, we waited for it to grow on her, but it never did. Because she disliked it so much we gave her the option to attend the public middle school this year. But both her and her

Hello All....I was hoping to have this on my actual Facebook page, but alas Rafflecopter and Facebook don't seem to be cooperating. So, instead I'll be posting my giveaway here. I have reached 200 Likes at my Facebook Page and to celebrate I'm going to give one lucky winner a print copy of Horse Charmer, Unicorn Keep, or Spectors (US only, outside of US may enter, but will receive an ebook version). a Rafflecopter giveaway

Welcome to my Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday snippet. You can read other #sffsat snippts here. And we continue on with my current WIP; the sequel to Horse Charmer . Title hasn't been decided yet for Horse Charmer 2 . For those of you who read Horse Charmer , Cassia is now the official queen of Karah and is stuck with all the duties and problems that come with the job. Including, the continued threat of Vespera and lots of people telling her what to do. Cassia plans on using Kali's truth-detecting abilities to find out if one of Torr's companions is an assassin sent to kill her.   *** Kali shifted under her, letting her know that riders approached. Torr and his companions were being escorted by a Karahan cavalry guard to their location. Torr rode slightly in front of his men. She stared at both Alan and Hanley. Either of them could have been sent to kill her she supposed. It was odd to think of someone being sent to kill her. A silly theory , Kali snorted.

Why Sci Fi? I thought it would be easy to write about my choice to become a science fiction novelist. After all, I’ve been a fan of science fiction novels, short stories, movies, and TV shows for decades. But explaining why science fiction holds such an appeal for me is harder than I expected. Of course, there are all the usual responses to “Why do I like science fiction,” but none quite covers it adequately. Science fiction does allow for a welcome element of hope. Humanity is pretty screwed up in many ways, and it’s wonderful to imagine there are other creatures out there who have a truly healthy concept of civilization and society. But, seriously, how many science fiction stories are about well-adjusted species? No, we prefer to read about creatures just as messed up as we are. So that can’t be it. In the introduction to a recent edition of her masterful novel The Left Hand of Darkness, Ursula K. Le Guin says, “Science fiction is metaphor...If I could have said it

Welcome to my Six Sentence Sunday snippet. You can read other #sixsundays here . Unicorn Keep is a young adult fantasy romance about a girl who swaps places with her best friend to become a unicorn keeper. This scene occurs after the unicorns have selected Jiline/Madelen as a keeper and asked a very special favor of her. She's worried others have discovered her intent to assist the unicorns. *** She supposed she should be thankful Mage Brennah agreed with Marta’s suggestion as she slid down the cliff face to the valley in front of everyone. She was the only trainee going down this time. Mistress Marta had removed her red sash before sending her down. She didn’t know where the five keepers currently in the valley were stationed, but she was sure she was being watched and judged. She just hoped the unicorns knew what was going on and wouldn’t abandon her. They had to choose her again if she was to have any chance of helping them. *** Available as an ebook from Amazon

Welcome to my Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday snippet. You can read other #sffsat snippts here. And we continue on with my current WIP; the sequel to Horse Charmer . Title hasn't been decided yet for Horse Charmer 2 . For those of you who read Horse Charmer , Cassia is now the official queen of Karah and is stuck with all the duties and problems that come with the job. Including, the continued threat of Vespera and lots of people telling her what to do. Cassia has offered Prince Torr of Vespera and his two companions sanctuary, but the threat of assassins still weighs heavily on her mind.   *** Yaffa fidgeted, her weight shifting for a moment before she scurried down the hall. “You sure you want her as your lady in waiting, she’s…skittish,” Maconahay said, watching her go. She frowned at him a defense on her lips, but she couldn’t fault his reasoning. “Abiga suggested her since she’s my age and has already been trained by Ula to be a handmaiden.” Maconahay didn’t se

The Plutonians by Angelia Almos is free for a short time. Adalena, a Plutonian, has lived undercover with her team on Earth for over one thousand years. But when the New Horizons automated spacecraft arrives at Pluto and takes pictures of one of their cities, she knows everything is about to change. You can download your copy of Plutonians from these e-retailers - Amazon , Sony, Kobo , Diesel , and Smashwords . 

Welcome to my Six Sentence Sunday snippet. You can read other #sixsundays here . Unicorn Keep is a young adult fantasy romance about a girl who swaps places with her best friend to become a unicorn keeper. This scene occurs after the unicorns have selected Jiline/Madelen as a keeper and asked a very special favor of her. She's worried others have discovered her intent to assist the unicorns. *** She closed her eyes in despair. What could it be but the unicorns for her to be summoned by the Keep Mage? Marta opened the door and not too gently pushed Jiline in over the threshold before shutting the door. Mage Brennah sat behind a large wooden table covered with what Jiline could only assume was magical items since very few of them looked familiar to her. Brennah rose from her seat and walked slowly around the table. “Do you know why you have been summoned, Trainee Madelen?” *** Available as an ebook from Amazon , Barnes and Noble , Kobo , and Smashwords . Availabl

Welcome to my Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday snippet. You can read other #sffsat snippts here. And we continue on with my current WIP; the sequel to Horse Charmer . Title hasn't been decided yet for Horse Charmer 2 . For those of you who read Horse Charmer , Cassia is now the official queen of Karah and is stuck with all the duties and problems that come with the job. Including, the continued threat of Vespera and lots of people telling her what to do. Maconahay, her personal guard, and Cassia are discussing the need for more bodyguards besides him. *** “Too many and not enough.” “You’ll need to pick one eventually, guarding me seven days a week during all waking hours is going to burn you out.” She turned and walked toward the family quarters up several more flights of stairs.   “The decision can’t be rushed,” Maconahay said quietly.   She bit back a smile before looking over her shoulder. “I trust you, Captain, I know you’ll pick the correct people.”   Her

Welcome to my Six Sentence Sunday snippet. You can read other #sixsundays here . Unicorn Keep is a young adult fantasy romance about a girl who swaps places with her best friend to become a unicorn keeper. This scene occurs after the unicorns have selected her as a keeper and asked a very special favor of her. She's snuck down to the unicorn valley for the second time. *** Breaking into a run, she headed toward the third wood she had been led to the night before. A glint of white told her she was heading in the right direction. This time three unicorns waited for her at the ancient tree. She stumbled to a stop and tried to catch her breath as she waited. None of them spoke right away.  “I’m here.” *** Available as an ebook from Amazon , Barnes and Noble , Kobo , and Smashwords . Available in print from Create Space , Amazon, and Barnes and Noble .

Welcome to my Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday snippet. You can read other #sffsat snippts here. And we continue on with my current WIP; the sequel to Horse Charmer . Title hasn't been decided yet for Horse Charmer 2 . For those of you who read Horse Charmer , Cassia is now the official queen of Karah and is stuck with all the duties and problems that come with the job. Including, the continued threat of Vespera and lots of people telling her what to do. Picking up from last week's snippet, Cassia is talking to her adviser Donaly about offering Prince Torr of Vespera and his companions sanctuary.  *** “You’re sure of what Torr told you?” She shrugged. He’d already asked her that direct question as soon as he’d entered the room. “He was telling the truth. But as to whether the assassin was a Karahan or not, I can’t say. You would know better than I.” She asked the question she had been holding in until he had let out most of his steam. “You didn’t send an assassin

Welcome to my Six Sentence Sunday snippet. You can read other #sixsundays here . Unicorn Keep is a young adult fantasy romance about a girl who swaps places with her best friend to become a unicorn keeper. This scene is between Jiline/Madelen (the main character) and Herrick (the hero), and occurs after the unicorns have selected her as a keeper and Herrick has begun to suspect she isn't what she seems. *** “Why would someone pretend to be a chosen trainee, Madelen?” She was tempted to confess, but no words came to her. Her promise to the unicorn forced all words out of her mouth. She must return to the valley floor. She shook her head. “I don’t know, Mage Herrick.” *** Available as an ebook from Amazon , Barnes and Noble , Kobo , and Smashwords . Available in print from Create Space , Amazon, and Barnes and Noble .

Welcome to my Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday snippet. You can read other #sffsat snippts here. This will be the first time I've participated with a WIP. I'm currently working on the sequel to Horse Charmer and thought I would share some snippets from Horse Charmer 2 . Title hasn't been decided yet. For those of you who read Horse Charmer , Cassia is now the official queen of Karah and is stuck with all the duties and problems that come with the job. Including, the continued threat of Vespera and lots of people telling her what to do. In this snippet, Cassia is outside the protection of her castle walls with only her personal guard, Maconahay, and Kali to protect her. Torr is the prince of Vespera and just arrived unexpectedly with two men. *** One of the men next to Torr shifted with a grunt and Maconahay stepped so he was blocking her again. Torr gestured to the man. “He’s not a threat, Captain. My friend, Alan, is upset on my behalf. He's the one who s

Welcome to my Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday snippet. You can read other #sffsat snippts here. Unicorn Keep is a young adult fantasy romance about a girl who swaps places with her best friend to become a unicorn keeper. This scene is shortly after last week, back in Jiline's POV, and after she gets back from the unicorn valley. *** The spots stopped dancing in front of her eyelids and she slowly opened them to see two pairs of shoes standing in front of her. Carefully raising her head, her brain was foggy and didn’t quite register that Herrick was Mage Herrick despite his robes. Then it hit her - Mage Herrick. She jumped up and swayed, trying to remember exactly how she was supposed to greet a mage who addressed her. “Sit,” he commanded and stepped forward to nudge her down into the chair. “Get her some water.” Jiline closed her eyes and decided not to worry about what she was supposed to do. She had a right to be completely and utterly confused not to mention ove

May 1st: Starter Day Party @ I Heart Reading May 2nd: Book Excerpt Post @ Megan Likes Books May 4th: Interview and Review @ A Tasty Read May 5th: Review and Guest Post @ Darlyn and Books May 7th: Review and Giveaway @ I Heart Reading May 8th: Guest Post and Giveaway @ Soul Unsung May 10th: Review @ Howling Books and Design May 12th: Guest Post @ Equestrian Ink May 13th: Review and Giveaway @ Katrina DeLallo’s Blog May 14th: Character Interview @ Katrina DeLallo’s Blog May 15th: Author Interview @ I Am a Reader, Not a Writer May 16th: Book Excerpt Post @ Reader Girls Blog May 18th: Guest Post @ Pretty Opinionated May 20th: Character Interview and Review @ Pageturner by Beth May 21st: Guest Post and Giveaway @ Good Choice Reading May 23rd: Guest Post @ Allyn's Blog May 25th: Review @ Sutton Fox’s Blog May 26th: Review @ Linda Andrews’ Blog May 28th: Review and Interview @ Books, books and more Books

Welcome to my Science Fiction Fantasy Saturday snippet. You can read other #sffsat snippts here. Unicorn Keep is a young adult fantasy romance about a girl who swaps places with her best friend to become a unicorn keeper. Adding a note for clarification: This scene is from the POV of Herrick, the other main character, and takes place while Jiline is down in the unicorn valley for the first time. His mother is the mage in charge of the Keep.  *** His mother's hands moved in a soothing gesture. “Besides there could be several trainees in that slice of woods. We don’t know if it is just her.” He sliced the air with his own hand to cut off the incantation she was attempting to weave around him. Slamming his hands against the wall, he attempted to shatter it with a magical blow, but it bounced back. Helplessness filled him. He shook off her hand and bolted for the door that would lead him inside the Keep. There was more than one way to the trailhead.  He slammed into

Horse Charmer has been available now for one year as an ebook. As with Jumping Thoughts , I wanted to do a blog post going over how things went for the year and see if I could make any conclusions by looking back at sales and other information. Horse Charmer was released on May 16, 2011 through Amazon, B&N, and Smashwords. It was also distributed to other e-retailers, but didn't appear in those stores until June. So I went back and look at my sales. Over one year, I sold 99 copies of the e-version (the print version came out in September, but I'm not counting those sales toward this post). My highest selling month was January with 15 e-copies. My second highest selling month was December with 11 e-copies. I attribute these sales to Christmas e-reader gifts and gift cards. I didn't do any release promo beyond Facebook, Twitter, and a few writer BB announcements when it first released. I never got any pro reviews for it. I have recently been using it as a giv

Congratulations to Lauren M. for winning the ecopy of Horse Charmer.