Saturday, March 14, 2015

Welcome Bethany Averie

Today, I would like to welcome Bethany Averie to Carly's Corner. Check out her guest blog and her books below.

Thank you, Carly, for having me.

When trying to figure out what I would say as a guest that wouldn’t sound trite or “been done”, I talked to a fellow author friend of mine and she suggested I talk about writing in the Paranormal/Fantasy Romance genre novels that aren’t dark and trend more towards Sweet/Sensual, rather than hot and super-sexy. In essence, what it’s like to be different.

I imagine most of us have felt “different” or “out-of-place” at one point or another. I could probably name more than one instance where I have. And as an author, being different can be a blessing and it can be hard. Hard because of expectations readers might have; a blessing, because you stand out. People notice you and they want to know what makes you different. And in writing, standing out means readers notice you. Which is important, so that they can find your work.

My long-time critique partner has often told me that there’s an audience for every book, you just have to find it. Finding an audience isn’t automatic. You have to build one. With my writing, I like to reach out to the people who love mythology, fairy-tales, and humor. My writing contains all these things. Magic and all the stuff that makes you feel good. But I do have danger and adventure (especially in my Immortal Dreams Trilogy) just to keep you guessing and wondering what will happen next.

It’s not always easy to write what I do. I can sense the expectations seeing some of the novels that come out. Some of them are very edgy. Some dark. Some extremely sensual. But I’ve known from the get-go what I could and couldn’t do. I know who I am as a writer. Which is important, because no matter what you choose to do in life, you have to stay true to yourself. You want to be able to look at yourself in the mirror and say, “Hey, I know that person.” If you aren’t true to who you are, you won’t know that person in the mirror. You’ll still be searching.

When I look at my stories, I know I’m different, and I’m okay with that.  I have a lot of fun writing in the paranormal/fantasy genre. It gives me joy to intersperse humor into my work. I’m also hopelessly romantic, so having romance in the stories is fun.

Some people might say different in writing is a risk. However, I can’t tell you how many times readers have told me they really enjoy my work. They like the fact I’m different. For me, that’s the point of writing: creating stories for people to enjoy as much as I enjoy writing them. I know who I am as a writer. I know my strengths and weaknesses, which makes it possible for me to write and improve my craft accordingly.

What about you? When you look in the mirror, do you know your strengths and weaknesses?



Bethany Averie is the second-to-the-youngest of eight children. As a kid, she loved fairy tales, especially Cinderella and Beauty & The Beast. Bethany still loves fairy tales, Greek & Roman Mythology, and romance. She resides in the Lone Star State with her real life hero, and a shadow who calls her 'Mom'. When not writing, Bethany enjoys time with family and friends and dreaming up new worlds. You can reach Bethany at http://writebybethany.blogspot.com/ and/or on her website: http://bethanyaverie.wix.com/authorbethanyaverie She can also be found on Twitter and Facebook.


 All’s Fair In Love & Lion by Bethany Averie:
High school Junior year English teacher Sasha Brighton has always dreamt of having her own Prince Charming. But she doesn’t believe it’s possible. After all, fairy-tales are just stories, not reality.
However, when Monroe Dubay steps out of her dreams and into her apartment, she’s forced to rethink the whole concept of what’s real and what’s fairy-tale. But believing means she’ll have to choose between everything she knows, or give it all up for the unknown.
Meanwhile, another female from his world doesn’t think Sasha should have Monroe; and she’s prepared to do whatever it takes to stop Sasha and Monroe from having their happily-ever-after. No matter what.



Immortal Dreams Book One: Divine Love blurb:
Laney Alberts should be enjoying her senior year of high school. Instead, she’s mourning the death of her beloved father—her hero. Even after a year without him, she still feels directionless.
Things take a complete one-eighty when she literally walks into Jason Magnus, the hot, new guy at school. He’s different from anyone she has ever met, and intrigues her in ways she never guessed possible.
But, there’s more to Jason than Laney realizes. Before she knows what’s happening, she’s thrown into the world of Immortals. To prevent a goddess bent on world domination from destroying both the human and Immortal worlds, Laney and Jason must embrace the Fates’ destiny for them.
Human and Immortal collide in this, the first of the Immortal Dreams Trilogy.



Immortal Dreams Book Two: Astral Love blurb:
Laney Alberts and Jason Magnus eagerly proceed with their prom plans, determined to have a normal night in spite of their Immortal destiny. However, when a mysterious visitor appears claiming the Astra Queen desires the pair’s presence, everything changes.
Despite his skepticism, Jason finally agrees to visit the queen so Laney can learn about her Astra background.
Too late they discover an enemy has set a trap for Laney. In his attempts to free her, Jason’s powers are tested. But, when faced with shocking details of his past, Laney must decide whether or not she’ll continue the mission.
With their futures and the fates of both worlds at stake, everything depends on Laney’s choice. And their survival.


Coming Soon

8 comments:

  1. Oh, yes, I see all my weaknesses and a few strengths. And I think all writers are a little different. I know, I am.

    Great blog!

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    1. Thank you, Christie! Your input means a lot to me. And you're right. I just happen to notice my differences in terms of not being as "edgy" or "sensual" as some writers (I'm NOT bashing them, just noticing that my writing isn't exactly that way). :-)

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  2. Great blog! I'm right there with ya on YA/NA not needing to be sizzling. Sometimes less is more:)

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    1. Anne,

      Thank you! True. Sometimes less is more. It really depends on the person and what their preferences are. :-)

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  3. My NA also doesn't sizzle. LOL There are readers who want sweet. It can be sensual to leave things to the imagination...

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