Category Archives: Pintip Dunn

Remember Yesterday Cover Reveal!

July 11, 2016mermaids, Pintip Dunncover reveal, FORGET TOMORROW, Forget Tomorrow series, Remember YesterdayPintip

Yippee! I can finally share the cover for Remember Yesterday, and I couldn’t be any more excited! I love this cover so much, and I’m dying to hear what you think of it!

Well…?

This cover reveal is brought to you by YaReads Blog Tours and YA Interrobang.

Book Title: Remember Yesterday (Forget Tomorrow, #2)

Author: Pintip Dunn

Release Date: October 4, 2016

Genre: YA Sci-Fi

Sixteen-year-old Jessa Stone is the most valuable citizen in Eden City. Her psychic abilities could lead to significant scientific discoveries, if only she’d let TechRA study her. But ten years ago, the scientists kidnapped and experimented on her, leading to severe ramifications for her sister, Callie. She’d much rather break into their labs and sabotage their research—starting with Tanner Callahan, budding scientist and the boy she loathes most at school.

The past isn’t what she assumed, though—and neither is Tanner. He’s not the arrogant jerk she thought he was. And his research opens the door to the possibility that Jessa can rectify a fatal mistake made ten years earlier. She’ll do anything to change the past and save her sister—even if it means teaming up with the enemy she swore to defeat.

Goodreads Book Link: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26091228-remember-yesterday

Amazon Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/Remember-Yesterday-Forget-Tomorrow-Pintip-ebook/dp/B0166RX44O

Barnes & Noble Buy Link: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/remember-yesterday-pintip-dunn/1122749494?ean=9781633754942

iBooks Buy Link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/remember-yesterday/id1046514286?ign-mpt=uo%3D8

Kobo Buy Link: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/remember-yesterday-1

Amazon.co.uk: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Remember-Yesterday-Forget-Tomorrow-Pintip-ebook/dp/B0166RX44O

Amazon.ca: https://www.amazon.ca/Remember-Yesterday-Forget-Tomorrow-Pintip-ebook/dp/B0166RX44O

Entangled Publishing: http://www.entangledpublishing.com/remember-yesterday/

Forget Tomorrow (Forget Tomorrow, #1) Book Synopsis:

Imagine a world where your destiny has already been decided…by your future self.

It’s Callie’s seventeenth birthday and, like everyone else, she’s eagerly awaiting her vision―a memory sent back in time to sculpt each citizen into the person they’re meant to be. A world-class swimmer. A renowned scientist.

Or in Callie’s case, a criminal.

In her vision, she sees herself murdering her gifted younger sister. Before she can process what it means, Callie is arrested and placed in Limbo―a prison for those destined to break the law. With the help of her childhood crush, Logan, a boy she hasn’t spoken to in five years, she escapes the hellish prison.

But on the run from her future, as well as the government, Callie sets in motion a chain of events that she hopes will change her fate. If not, she must figure out how to protect her sister from the biggest threat of all—Callie, herself.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24804505-forget-tomorrow

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Forget-Tomorrow-Pintip-Dunn/dp/1633752380

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/forget-tomorrow-pintip-dunn/1121154538?ean=9781633752382

iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/forget-tomorrow/id1003220432?ign-mpt=uo%3D8

Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/forget-tomorrow

Amazon.co.uk: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Forget-Tomorrow-Pintip-Dunn/dp/1633752380

Amazon.ca: https://www.amazon.ca/Forget-Tomorrow-Pintip-Dunn/dp/1633752380

Powell’s Books: http://www.powells.com/book/forget-tomorrow-9781633752382

Books-A-Million: http://www.booksamillion.com/p/Forget-Tomorrow/Pintip-Dunn/9781633752382

The Book Depository: http://www.bookdepository.com/Forget-Tomorrow-Pintip-Dunn/9781633752382

Entangled: http://www.entangledpublishing.com/forget-tomorrow/

Pintip Dunn graduated from Harvard University, magna cum laude, with an A.B. in English Literature and Language. She received her J.D. at Yale Law School, where she was an editor of the YALE LAW JOURNAL. She also published an article in the YALE LAW JOURNAL, entitled, “How Judges Overrule: Speech Act Theory and the Doctrine of Stare Decisis,”

Pintip is represented by literary agent Beth Miller of Writers House. Her debut novel, Forget Tomorrow, is a finalist in the Best First Book category of RWA’s RITA® contest. She is a member of Romance Writers of America, Washington Romance Writers, YARWA, and The Golden Network.
She lives with her husband and children in Maryland. You can learn more about Pintip and her books at www.pintipdunn.com

Author Website: http://www.pintipdunn.com/

Author Twitter: https://twitter.com/pintipdunn

Author Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorPintipDunn

Author Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13442212.Pintip_Dunn

Author Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pintip_dunn/

Newsletter: http://www.pintipdunn.com/welcome

The Darkest Lie

June 28, 2016Books, mermaids, Pintip Dunnbook birthday, new release, The Darkest LiePintip

Yippee!!! It’s my book birthday! I am so excited for THE DARKEST LIE, and I hope you’ll love this book as much as I do. Check out the book’s details and teaser, and be sure to enter the giveaway below!

The Darkest Lie

Publisher: Kensington YA

Publication: June 28, 2016

“The mother I knew would never do those things.

But maybe I never knew her after all.”

Clothes, jokes, coded messages…Cecilia Brooks and her mom shared everything. At least, CeCe thought they did. Six months ago, her mom killed herself after accusations of having sex with a student, and CeCe’s been the subject of whispers and taunts ever since. Now, at the start of her high school senior year, between dealing with her grieving, distracted father, and the social nightmare that has become her life, CeCe just wants to fly under the radar. Instead, she’s volunteering at the school’s crisis hotline—the same place her mother worked.

As she counsels troubled strangers, CeCe’s lingering suspicions about her mom’s death surface. With the help of Sam, a new student and newspaper intern, she starts to piece together fragmented clues that point to a twisted secret at the heart of her community. Soon, finding the truth isn’t just a matter of restoring her mother’s reputation, it’s about saving lives—including CeCe’s own…

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Excerpt from The Darkest Lie

“I’ve been researching the story of her suicide,” Sam says. “And I came across something in my research that nobody could explain.”

“What is it?” I say dully, even though I can probably guess. I mean, there’s lots that’s inexplicable about my mom’s behavior. Tons.

Like: How could a grown woman be sexually attracted to a boy? Or more importantly: Why would she act on it? And my personal favorite: Did she have any kind of moral fiber—even a few lost threads—at all?

But Sam bypasses all the obvious questions and picks up a lock of my hair. I feel the slight tug all the way to my roots.

“Her hair.” He rubs my strands between his fingers, and I suppress a shiver. “It was chopped off, jagged. One article said it looked like it was lopped off with a butcher knife.”

I shrug, but even that simple movement is infused with the awareness of his touch. Still, he doesn’t let go.

“They said she was crazy,” I say. “Out of her mind. Maybe she was disfiguring herself as a sign of her shame. Who knows what motivated her actions?”

But even as I repeat the explanation the detectives gave for just about everything, my dad’s words echo in my mind: I knew your mother. She wasn’t capable of those things. I don’t believe she did any of it.

All of a sudden, my excuses sound exactly like what they are—easy, surface-level assumptions designed to make it easier for the detectives to close the case.

Sam frowns. “I guess I could buy that if I hadn’t seen the interview with her hair stylist in one of the local papers.”

Oh. One of those. Every newspaper in a fifty-mile radius went berserk when my mom committed suicide. Every day, there was a new article, featuring interviews with her fellow teachers, former students, even our lawn guy, for god’s sake. If there was a story on her hair salon, I must’ve missed it.

“The stylist kept saying your mom’s haircut was inconceivable, and I couldn’t understand why. So when I was scooting past Cut & Dry the other day, I stopped to talk to her.”

“Did she confirm my mom was a natural redhead?” I raise my eyebrows. “Reveal the exact color of dye she used to cover her silver sparkles?”

“Not at all,” he says, and something about his tone stops me. The chill begins at the base of my spine and crawls its way up, one long spider leg at a time. “The stylist said she’s been cutting your mom’s hair for two decades. And in all that time, your mother never let her cut more than half an inch. In fact, she came into the salon two days before she died, and they had the exact same argument. The stylist tried to talk her into a bob, and your mom adamantly refused.”

Abruptly, he lets go of my hair, and the strands swing back over my shoulder, loose, unencumbered, and very, very cold.

Sam’s eyes pierce right into me. “So what I want to know is: What could’ve happened in two days that made her change her mind? Unless . . . she didn’t.”

About Pintip Dunn

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads

Pintip Dunn graduated from Harvard University, magna cum laude, with an A.B. in English Literature and Language. She received her J.D. at Yale Law School, where she was an editor of the YALE LAW JOURNAL. She also published an article in the YALE LAW JOURNAL, entitled, “How Judges Overrule: Speech Act Theory and the Doctrine of Stare Decisis,”

Pintip is represented by literary agent Beth Miller of Writers House. Her debut novel, FORGET TOMORROW, is a finalist in the Best First Book category of RWA’s RITA® contest. She is a member of Romance Writers of America, Washington Romance Writers, YARWA, and The Golden Network.

She lives with her husband and children in Maryland. You can learn more about Pintip and her books at www.pintipdunn.com.

Giveaway

There are 2 prizes! One winner will win a signed copy of THE DARKEST LIE (US only), and another winner will receive a $50 gift card to Amazon or Book Depository (international)!

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The Darkest Lie Excerpt and Giveaway!

March 21, 2016mermaids, Pintip Dunnexcerpt, Kensington Publishing, The Darkest LiePintip

The Darkest Lie by Pintip Dunn - JenHalliganPR.com

I’m so excited about my second novel, YA thriller, THE DARKEST LIE! Check out the book below, along with the teaser excerpt, and be sure to enter the TWO giveaways! I will be giving away a five-pack of my favorite YA contemporary thrillers (along with my first novel FORGET TOMORROW). Kensington Publishing will also be giving away FIVE copies of THE DARKEST LIE in a Goodreads giveaway.

THE DARKEST LIE
by Pintip Dunn
Publisher: Kensington Publishing
Release Date: June 28, 2016

“The mother I knew would never do those things.

But maybe I never knew her after all.”

Goodreads | Pre-order from Amazon or Barnes & Noble!

“This one will tug your heart and leave you breathless!”
–Natalie D. Richards, author of Six Months Later

Excerpt from THE DARKEST LIE

It’s time to view the body. Family first.

Well, technically, me first. There was always only three of us in the nuclear unit, and Dad’s been locked in the den for the past seventy-two hours. I’ve only seen him once, when he shuffled upstairs like a pajama-clad zombie and asked me if I’d eaten.

That was it: Did you eat?

Not: I prefer the cherry wood casket. Or: Let me make your grandma’s travel arrangements. Or even: I know this was Mom’s favorite dress, but isn’t the neckline a little…low?

Did I eat?

Yes, Dad. I had soup from the can and microwaved pizza rolls and a bowl of cereal. The food sloshes in my stomach now as I walk down the runner to the casket I picked out because of its mauve tint.

Calla lilies pile in urns around the viewing room, and the air-conditioning wars with the sweat along my hairline. My mom smiles at me from a portrait erected behind the casket. Her eyes are hesitant and a little wary, as if she knew, somehow, some way, she would wind up here. Lifeless. Pumped full of formaldehyde. About to be gawked at by a town full of gossips.

This was only going to end one of two ways—with Tabitha Brooks dead or in jail. I never thought I’d say this, but I’d give anything to see my mother behind bars.

I wade through the dense, chilly air and stop a few feet from the body. Behind me, my grandmother and aunt sit, a box of tissues between them, blowing their noses like it’s a sport.

“Look at our Cecilia,” Gram sniffs. “So brave. Not a single tear shed.”

If she only knew. I’m not brave. Fifteen minutes ago, I was retching into the toilet bowl. Five minutes from now, when the doors open for the visitation, I’ll be long gone, leaving Gram to shake people’s hands and deal with the bit lips, the knowing eyebrows, that inevitable speaking-in-a-funeral-parlor whisper. I can hear the titters: “Is it true? Tabitha’s heart stopped while she was boffing the high school quarterback? Why, she must’ve been twenty years his senior!”

Twenty-three years, to be exact, and a high school English teacher to boot. But she didn’t actually die during sex. Instead, a few days after Tommy Farrow came forward with their affair, my mother took her own life.

What could be a clearer admission of guilt? She might as well have been caught in the act. The investigation was shut down before it even began.

I take a shuddering breath. Two more minutes. A hundred and twenty seconds and then I can leave. I steel my shoulders and walk the final steps to my mother’s body.

Oh god. It’s even worse than I thought.

The room whirls around me, and nausea sprints up my throat. My hands shoot out to grab the casket, stopping short of actually touching the corpse.

This . . . this thing . . . can’t be my mother. She never smiled like that, all serene and peaceful-like. She never wore this much makeup; her red hair was never chopped so closely to her head. My mother was chaos and passion, devastation and joy. Dad used to say you could reach deep into her eyes and pull out a song.

Well, her eyes are closed now, and I’m not sure there’ll be any music in my life, ever again.

About the Author

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Goodreads

Pintip is represented by literary agent Beth Miller of Writers House. She is a 2012 RWA Golden Heart® finalist and a 2014 double-finalist. She is a member of Romance Writers of America, Washington Romance Writers, YARWA, and The Golden Network.

She lives with her husband and children in Maryland. You can learn more about Pintip and her books at www.pintipdunn.com.

Giveaways (2!)

The Darkest Lie Blitz | Prize Pack | JenHalliganPR.com

One winner will receive a prize pack including the following 5 books: Forget Tomorrow by Pintip Dunn; Six Months Later by Natalie Richards; Find Me by Romily Bernard; and From Where I Watch You by Shannon Grogan; Lies I Told by Michelle Zink

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Goodreads Book Giveaway

The Darkest Lie

by Pintip Dunn

Giveaway ends March 28, 2016. See the giveaway details at Goodreads.

Enter Giveaway

Mermaids Immortalized in Romance Fiction (And a giveaway to boot!)

January 29, 2016Alethea Kontis, Avery Flynn, Carlene Love, Dana Rodgers, Denny S. Bryce, Giveaway, Kerri Carpenter, Kimberly MacCarron, Loni Lynne, Masha Levinson, mermaids, Pintip Dunn, Robin Covington, Susan AndrewsCollege, Contemporary Romance, Giveaway, Let Me See, Male Exotic Dancer, mermaids, New Adult, new release, These Three WordsCarlene

Hello fishy friends!

How’s everyone doing? I hope your 2016 is off to a great start. I’m humbled and honored to say January is wrapping up very nicely with the release of my eighth published novel. Let Me See (Book 2 of the These Three Words series) just came out today. I’m so very happy I get to share this story with you but guess what really has me smiling?

I’ve missed my fishy sisters so much since moving away from their area nearly two years ago. But today I get to be with them again. Sort of.

I hope you’ll enjoy this excerpt from my new release in which the Waterworld Mermaids become immortalized in romance fiction. **Be sure and leave a comment below for a chance to win a free e-copy.** Let’s see if you can spot them…

Copyrighted Excerpt from Let Me See (These Three Words, 2) by Carlene Love…

Jay normally spent as much time out front chatting with the guests as he did on stage performing for them but right now he wanted a few extra quiet moments alone to let the importance of tonight sink in.

“Jay, come.”

Having thought that, Marie was rarely persistent with him like this. So he followed her out front, forgetting for the time being that he was only half-dressed for his solo. He ran his hand over his abs, rubbing away some of the sweat already sticking to his skin. He’d barely crossed paths with Julian but the bump-in had been enough and he had the man’s angel wing glitter all over his black pants. Jay dusted it off as best he could, eventually giving up. Jay hooked his thumbs in his suspenders. He left the newsboy hat that would—pardon the pun—cap off his college prep outfit in homage to Maggie, in his locker and followed Marie out front. One thing he recognized for sure was the extra pep in her step. If he didn’t know better, he’d have thought she was playing Cupid or something ridiculous like that. Too bad he couldn’t just tell her he’d officially taken his heart off the market, for good, two weeks ago when he’d been stood up again by the girl who had somehow taken his everything prisoner.

“Yes, ma’am,” he said and followed her out, pumping himself up for the night and walking to the beat of Gabe’s solo song.

“So you guys had a pretty successful adoption event at the last shelter drive?”

“Yes, Marie. Why do you ask? You sure are talking to me a whole lot tonight. I mean, I love it. But, do you swear everything is okay with you?” He’d do anything he could to help her. She worked hard and he knew she had issues she kept hidden. Jay knew how that could eat at a person.

“I’m in the mood to do some good and you think there’s something wrong with me? Gee, thanks, Stud.”

He wasn’t sure exactly what to say back to her, to be honest. It was tricky with Marie because Jay knew he had to keep his flirting to a minimum, remembering how wrecked it had made him when D had gotten too loose with his flirty words for Kelley. “My apologies to the lady.”

They walked single file through the last bits of the cramped back hallways until they got to the door that led into the public portion of the club. Jay took an extra-long step to put him in front of Marie so that he could get the door for her. He ushered her through but then noted how she quickly jumped back in front of him. Guess she really wanted to be the leader.

“Accepted. And you’re right, it is odd that I’m feeling so chipper. It’s freaking me out but I’m going with it for this night only. I just feel like this burst of goodness came inside earlier. Apparently your sister’s spirit of positivity has its claws in me tonight.” She winked and smiled softly at him. “Anywho, recognize anyone?”

Marie suddenly stopped walking when they’d only made it a few feet into the club, clearly waiting for him to stop too and have a look around. Okay, he’d play along and checked out the bar area since that was where he associated Marie as being most often. “Drunk Al. Tina and her mom and her sisters. Um, Brad?” He noted the faces he could see this far in the dark.

“Ahem.” She cleared her throat and pulled him around by the suspender until he was facing the stage. She let go and the elastic snapped his skin. It didn’t really hurt but he let out a yelp just to tease her. “Ouch.”

Now he did see a ton of familiar faces. “Do you really want me to start naming everyone? Cause there’s Liz, Kerri, Dana, Kim, Alethea, Pintip, Susan, Loni, Masha, and Denny, just for starters.” It gave him an immense feeling of joy that so many of the regulars were already here supporting the cause. “Oh, and let’s see … Lynne, Robin, and Avery. I can keep going—Jen, Keely, Deb, Denise, Sue, Lil. Ooo, Becky’s looking supa-hot tonight. She turned fifty in here last week, you know. Still fricking gorgeous. Did you know she’s the drummer in a band? I think I’m going to give her a late birthday lick later on. In fact, I think I’m gonna go over there with my sexy self and lick her right now.” Of course he was just teasing, watching Marie’s face get more and more perturbed with him. It was his playful payback to her for bringing him out before he’d gotten dressed and then being so secretive. But honestly, who did she want him to see?

“Ugh. You’re impossible. And you wonder why I don’t talk much to you boys. Gabe—”

But she may as well have stopped speaking.

The second he changed his line of sight to the stage where Gabe currently held court as a half-dressed military hero, he saw the one thing he never would have expected, not in a million years at this point.

She didn’t even have to turn around for him to know.

*****

Eek! I hope you liked it!

Take my friendly fishy advice. If you find yourself missing those who you care about and can’t be near, write them something. Whether it’s a letter, an email, a text, or yeah, in this case a novel. Reach out. Let them know you’re thinking of them. I call it a paper hug. xoxo

**Giveaway Info: Say hi, or better yet, say hi and leave a message for someone you’re currently missing in the comments section and I’ll enter you into the drawing for a free e-copy of Let Me See. Winner will be randomly picked on Sunday night, 1/31/2016. Good luck!

My best to you and yours!

Fishy kisses,

Carlene Mermaid

Are you sure you’re ready to see what’s inside?

Two hearts beating…

S Club dancer and extrovert, Jay, has worked very hard for this eye-opening moment with his reluctant and shy friend, Kelley. Unfortunately, a humorous attempt to get her to open up serves to push her further away. Now it’s nearly impossible to convince her he’s not just out to play.

Hundreds of scars in need of hiding…

For good reason, Kelley has yet to let Jay see all of her whereas he takes his clothes off nightly for a living. Her respect for him runs unmatched because she sees who he is inside. There’s just no way to ever reciprocate and that’s not fair to him. His interest in her has never made sense. The best option is convincing Jay there really is nothing to see.

One dark night to shine some light on their healing…

Sometimes, it just takes one very patient man, one dimly lit room and one safe set of arms.

Check out more from Let Me See HERE at the Evernight site or HERE at Amazon. xoxo

Cannot Write Without by Pintip Dunn

November 24, 2015Cannot Write Without, Pintip DunnEntangled Teen, FORGET TOMORROWPintip

The question in the lagoon this month has been: What’s the one thing you cannot write without?

We’ve had a plethora of fabulous answers from writers all over the world. Today’s answer comes from: me!!!!

********************

This answer will not surprise any of the mermaids or anyone who knows me… Can you guess?

My answer is: I cannot write without my iPhone.

I have long-standing fibromyalgia/RSI, which means I can’t type on a keyboard without debilitating pain.

Before smart phones, I coped by having a typist, taking exams orally (even the bar exam!), and using a voice-activation program such as Dragon Naturally Speaking. I made it work for about ten years, but I hated every minute of it. For whatever reason, I just don’t enjoy dictating my words.

And then, I got my first iPhone, and my life changed. I discovered I could type on the screen’s keyboard with minimal pain, so long as it was locked in “portrait” position. (Even the keys in “landscape” position are too far apart for me.) I was so happy to be “typing” or at least “tapping out” my words again.

FORGET TOMORROW was the first novel I wrote on my iPhone. Since then I have written three more. Just finished the first draft of that third one today, in fact.

**************************

FORGET TOMORROW Synopsis:

Imagine a world where your destiny has already been decided…by your future self.

It’s Callie’s seventeenth birthday and, like everyone else, she’s eagerly awaiting her vision-a memory sent back in time to sculpt each citizen into the person they’re meant to be. A world-class swimmer. A renowned scientist.

Or in Callie’s case, a criminal.

In her vision, she sees herself murdering her gifted younger sister. Before she can process what it means, Callie is arrested and placed in Limbo-a hellish prison for those destined to break the law. With the help of her childhood crush, Logan, a boy she hasn’t spoken to in five years, she escapes.

To learn more about FORGET TOMORROW, click here.

LET’S CELEBRATE PINTIP DUNN’S DEBUT RELEASE: FORGET TOMORROW

November 3, 2015mermaids, Pintip Dunndebut release, Entangled Teen, FORGET TOMORROW, Pintip DunnDenny S. Bryce

Today is release day for Mermaid Pintip Dunn’s debut novel, FORGET TOMORROW! That’s right. It’s finally here, today Nov. 3, 2015, from Entangled TEEN! And borrowing a bunch of sparkle tosses from Mermaid Kerri, we also have a video to share and a raffle to help us celebrate! (READ MORE…)!

Pintip is giving away a signed hardcover copy of FORGET TOMORROW to one lucky winner! (U.S. only). Please click on the Rafflecopter below for a ton of easy ways to enter, including watching the book trailer above. Enter today! Contest ends Tuesday, November 10. Winner to be announced by Friday, November 13.

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Synopsis:

Imagine a world where your destiny has already been decided…by your future self.

Or in Callie’s case, a criminal.

Pintip’s Social Media: Facebook Twitter Instagram Goodreads

Buy Links: Amazon Barnes & Noble Kobo Book Depository iTunes Powell’s Books-A-Million

Cover Reveal: Pintip Dunn’s FORGET TOMORROW!

May 29, 2015Cover Reveal, mermaids, Pintip DunnEntangled Teen, FORGET TOMORROWKimberly MacCarron

We, in the mermaid lagoon, are super excited to share the cover reveal for our own Pintip Dunn! Mermaids all across the country are flipping their fins over the complete fantabulousness of this cover! Thanks, Pintip, for letting us share with Mermaids and Friends everywhere. This cover rocks, and so do you! 🙂

Forget Tomorrow

by Pintip Dunn

Release Date: 11/03/15

Entangled Teen

Summary from Goodreads:

Imagine a world where your destiny has already been decided…by your future self.

Or in Callie’s case, a criminal.

In her vision, she sees herself murdering her gifted younger sister. Before she can process what it means, Callie is arrested and placed in Limbo―a hellish prison for those destined to break the law. With the help of her childhood crush, Logan, a boy she hasn’t spoken to in five years, she escapes.

Pre-Order Links:

Amazon│Barnes & Noble

About the Author When my first-grade teacher asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I replied, “An author.” Although I have pursued other interests over the years, this dream has never wavered.

I graduated from Harvard University, magna cum laude, with an A.B. in English Literature and Language. I received my J.D. at Yale Law School, where I was an editor of the YALE LAW JOURNAL. I published an article in the YALE LAW JOURNAL, entitled, “How Judges Overrule: Speech Act Theory and the Doctrine of Stare Decisis,” and received the Barry S. Kaplan Prize for best paper in Law and Literature.

I am represented by literary agent Beth Miller of Writers House. I’m a 2012 Golden Heart® finalist and a 2014 double-finalist. I’m a member of Romance Writers of America, Washington Romance Writers, YARWA, and The Golden Network.

I live with my husband and children in Maryland.

Author Links:

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Cover Reveal Organized by:

Deals with the Universe

March 18, 2015mermaids, Pintip Dunn, WritingGolden Heart, RITA, The Call, waitingPintip

In a little over a week, calls will be going out to notify writers of their finalist status in RWA’s RITA® and Golden Heart® contests. At this very moment, hundreds — if not thousands — of writers are fixated on a certain date, even as they try desperately to ignore it.

March 26. March 26. March 26.

I know this obsession well. Although I’m not entered this year, I was in the running for the previous three years. The wait and anticipation and nerves were nothing short of exquisite torture. What is unique about this “call” is that you know exactly when it’s coming — or not coming. The countdown to Call Day was enough to make me jump out of my skin.

That is, until fellow mermaid, Kimberly MacCarron, taught me a method for waiting. Now, Kim is brilliant for a number of things, but this may be her most brilliant idea yet. It’s called “Deals with the Universe,” and it’s as simple as it sounds. You say, “Hey, universe. Let me make a deal with you. If I do X by a certain date (where X is a challenging but realistic goal), then you’ll give me Y (where Y is anything you want).” And that’s it.

You can vary this structure however you would like. For example, I sometimes like to get fancy and make tiered goals. If I can write 25,000 words by Friday, the universe will give me A. If I can write 30,000 words, the universe will give me A & B. And so on. Also, I always share the wealth and include my friends in my deals.

This method is an effective way to wait on many levels. First, you’ll be so busy trying to hold up your end of the bargain, you won’t have time to feel anxious. Second, it gives you a sense of control about something over which you have no control. And third, and perhaps most importantly, if the Universe *doesn’t* come through — because it can be fickle like that — you can still feel good about yourself. Instead of wasting your time worrying, you instead had an extremely productive week that brought you that much closer to your goals.

And finally? It’s just fun! I’m the kind of person who likes to buy a lottery ticket so that I have the “right” to daydream about what I would do with the money. Similarly, I sometimes make outrageous deals with the universe just so I can imagine what it would be like if X, Y, and Z.

GOOD LUCK to everyone entered in the Golden Heart and RITA competitions this year. I am very excitedly cheering you on! And if you’re finding the wait to be unbearable . . . try making a deal with the universe.

You might just find the universe is good to you.

What deal would you like to make with the universe? What other methods of waiting would you recommend? Please share!

Mermaids Present: The Way to Your Sweetie’s Heart…A Valentine’s Day Menu!

February 11, 2015Carlene Love Flores, Kimberly MacCarron, mermaids, Pintip Dunn, Susan JefferyValentine's Day RecipesCarlene

Greetings, fishy friends! With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, a few of the mermaids and I have dug deep into our treasure chests to put together one sweet menu for you and your special someones out there. Lots of stuff went into these culinary masterpieces, but the key ingredient was of course, Love. So enjoy and hey, if the food doesn’t wiggle its way into your lover’s heart, then give these delicious words a try…

“You are the butter to my bread, and the breath to my life.” ~Julia Childs

MY FUNNY VALENTINE, a drink to liven your spirits by Susan Mermaid:

Rim a glass in sugar, fill with ice, add:

1 oz. Jack Daniels Honey Whiskey

1/2 oz. Drambuie

1/4 oz. Triple Sec

Slice lemon, squeezed and dropped into glass

Top with seltzer to taste!

VALENTINE’S DAY SPREAD, a delish appetizer to leave them wanting more by Kimberly Mermaid:

1 3 oz package of sun dried tomatoes

1 Tbsp Balsamic vinegar

1 tsp olive oil

1 large garlic clove, crushed

1 tsp lime juice

1 package of cream cheese, softened

8 oz feta cheese, crumbled

7 oz prepared pesto

1. Pour boiling water over the sun dried tomatoes and let soak for ten minutes to soften. Then drain.

2. Put sun dried tomatoes in food processor with vinegar, olive oil, garlic and lime juice.

3. Mix softened cream cheese with feta.

4. Line a round cake tin or pie plate with plastic wrap. Cut out a piece of wax paper to fit on the bottom.

5. Spread a third of the cheese mixture on the bottom of the tin/plate. Freeze for ten minutes.

6. Spread tomato mixture on top of the next layer. Freeze for ten minutes.

7. Spread a third of the cheese mixture on top of the tomato layer. Freeze for ten minutes.

8. Spread pesto layer over the cheese mixture. Freeze ten minutes.

9. Spread last cheese layer over the pesto. Freeze for ten minutes.

10. Put in refrigerator until ready to serve. When ready, flip the tin onto a plate. Surround with crackers.

11. Enjoy. 🙂

SMART & SEXY CEVICHE by Carlene Mermaid for the seafood lover in us all:

Warning: I’m not a cook, therefore certain parts of my recipe might be missing but guess why that rocks? Because it’s oodles more fun that way!

First get yourself some large, fresh shrimp. I don’t know exactly how many, maybe a couple hands full. You’ll want to remove the tail and clean and de-vein them. Cut the shrimp into bite size pieces and then put them in a medium bowl. Next you’ll want the juice of several fresh limes or lemons, your choice, to squeeze over the shrimp. This is how you will “cook” them so be sure you have enough juice to give your shrimp a good soaking. Next you’ll need to dice up a red onion, a cucumber, a couple roma tomatoes and some cilantro. Toss all that into your soaking shrimp, season with sea salt and pepper, and let sit until the shrimp are a pretty pink color. Enjoy over a crunchy tostada shell or with tortilla chips or crackers. Oh, and if your honey likes it spicy, feel free to add a few squirts of your fave hot sauce or even some diced fresh jalapeno. Easy peasy! xoxo

SIMPLE, INSANELY GOOD RASPBERRY PIE to delight the senses from Pintip Mermaid:

Very simple, but insanely good recipe for Raspberry Pie. The key is to use fresh raspberries. We make this every summer after picking our own raspberries.

Ingredients:

– 1 recipe pie pastry for 9 inch double crust pie

– 4 cups raspberries

– 1 cup white sugar

– 2 1/2 tablespoons tapioca

– 1 tablespoon lemon juice

– 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

– 1/8 teaspoon salt

– 4 teaspoons butter

– 1 tablespoon half-and-half cream

Directions:

1. Mix together the raspberries, sugar, tapioca, lemon juice, cinnamon, and salt until raspberries are well covered.

2. Pour into 9 or 10-inch pastry shell. Dot with butter, top with crust.

2. Make slits in the top crust and brush with cream. Bake in a preheated 425 degree oven for 15 minutes, then at 375 degrees for 25 minutes.

*recipe taken from http://m.allrecipes.com/recipe/12349/raspberry-pie-iii/ *

BACON IS FOR LOVERS because hello, it’s chocolate and bacon together! by Susan Mermaid:

Very simple!

– Heat the oven to 350.

– Cover a baking sheet with aluminum foil.

– Lay the desired number of bacon strips on the foil. Make sure they don’t touch!

– Place in the preheated oven for 20 minutes.

– Check to see if the strips are crispy enough – don’t let them burn!

– Remove baking sheet from oven. Sprinkle dark chocolate chips on the hot bacon and allow them to melt.

– Remove to paper towel to drain.

– Sprinkle lightly with sea salt.

– Serve with a side of ice cream – yum!

ALL WRAPPED UP IN YOU APPLE TART to end your meal on a fruity sweet high, but one that comes straight from the heart, by Susan Mermaid:

Heat oven to 350 degrees.

– Remove a ready-made pie crust from its box and set it aside to come to room temperature (20 minutes or so).

– Peel and slice in a bowl: 3 large Macintosh or Granny Smith apples (4, if they’re small).

– Toss apple slices with 1 T. lemon juice.

– Mix ½ c. brown sugar, 1 T. flour, and 1 tsp. cinnamon.

– Combine apples and sugar mixture.

– Measure out about 15 inches of parchment paper. Lay it on a flat clean surface beside a baking sheet.

– Unroll the pie crust on the parchment paper. Using a rolling pin, roll the pie crust out a bit – It will be a little more tricky to handle, but having it thinner will make it SO much more tender.

– Soften 1 T. butter in the microwave (15 sec. or so). Spread across the pie crust.

– Pile the apple/sugar mixture in the center of the pie crust.

– Now for the fun part. Lift the edges of the pie crust up and over the apple/sugar pile, and see it you can make it into a pastry pouch.

– Ease the parchment paper, with the pastry bundle on it, onto the baking sheet.

– Bake 45 minutes in 350 degree oven.

– Remove. Let cool.

– Serve with whipped cream.

And as the wise and culinarily talented Susan Mermaid once said, “You can’t get it wrong – it’s like love: be patient!”

From our kitchens to yours, dear friends,

Have a Happy Valentine’s Day filled with love, sweets and lots and lots of laughter.

Fishy kisses,

The Waterworld Mermaids

xoxoxoxo

In Memory of Karen E. M. Johnston

March 6, 2014mermaids, Pintip DunnKaren E. M. JohnstonPintip

“Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some people move our souls to dance. They awaken us to new understanding with the passing whisper of their wisdom. Some people make the sky more beautiful to gaze upon. They stay in our lives for awhile, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never ever the same.”
— Flavia Weedn

“Don’t cry,” Karen said to me, after she told me her doctor had given her two months to live. “I’m not afraid. I want to see my dad again.”

Funny that in this scenario, she should be the one comforting me. But it shouldn’t surprise me. Throughout the duration of her illness, this has been her refrain. “Don’t cry.” “Don’t cry.” “Don’t cry.”

And so I didn’t. For Karen’s sake, I swallowed my tears and I talked of my writing, about which she never failed to ask. I told her (and Stephanie and Sharon, with whom I often visited) how my kids were doing, and we reminisced about old times.

I saved my crying for later, when I was in the privacy of my own home. Because it’s one thing to be strong for someone with as much grace and dignity as Karen, even in the face of her own passing. It’s another, nearly impossible, task not to shed tears over the loss of someone so special.

Why is Karen E. M. Johnston so special? This is where my powers of writing fail me. I’m afraid, deep down to my bones terrified, I will never be able to do her justice. And so a big part of me doesn’t even want to try. That part wants to shut myself away and grieve in private, where my feelings and memories can’t be judged unworthy.

But I won’t. Because Karen would want me to try. She believed in my writing from the very first time she read it. Her faith in my abilities exceeded what I dared hope for myself. I think Karen would tell me not to be scared. To do my best, and that it would be enough.

More than anything else, Karen deserves to be remembered. For whatever small memories I or anyone else can contribute. And so, for one of the kindest and most beautiful individuals I’ve ever known, here goes:

I met Karen when we both volunteered as time-keepers for the pitch appointments at the WRW retreat. She had the shift after mine, and I was free to go after she arrived. After exchanging a few words with her, however, I was entranced. By her smile, her earrings, her scarves, her charm. Instead of leaving, I sat with her for the next hour, and we talked about everything from writing to family to life.

A few months later, I came across Karen’s contact information on an SCBWI database and emailed her to see if she would be interested in critiquing together. Now, you have to understand Karen had plenty of CPs. She was already meeting two other critique groups on a regular basis. All she had to do was explain the situation to me, and I would’ve understood. Instead, she offered to form a third critique group, just so I could be in it. When I protested she was already overextended, she laughed. “I love writers,” she said. “Who couldn’t use more writer friends?”

As a writer and CP, Karen was unparalleled. In addition to her published middle grade novels, she had wide-ranging interests, from YA to women’s fiction. She went to Wegman’s every single day, where she sat from 8am to 2pm, and dedicated herself to her craft. Her words made me laugh out loud, marvel at her wit, and choke back deeply-felt emotion.

When I was on the agent search, she dictated to me word-for-word what I should write in my correspondence. When I was in revision mode, she would be “on-call” for days at a time, where she would respond within five minutes to the ten or so scenes I would shoot her throughout the day.

The writer in Karen never left, even when she got sick. After she was diagnosed, she immediately came up with four new story ideas inspired by her brain tumor — one picture book, two women’s fiction, and one erotica. During the last two years, she wrote and queried a picture book, as well as continued to revise and resubmit one of her women’s fiction manuscripts. What’s more, even when she lost the use of her hands and could only read large-print material, she continued to serve as my critique partner, offering her wisdom on pitch paragraphs and story ideas and first chapters.

In the end, though, all these memories are just facts, and Karen is so much more than that. I think my daughter summed it up best.

Last summer, I took my kids to have lunch with Karen. Before we arrived, I said to my six-year-old: “Now, I don’t want you to be surprised. Karen’s been sick, so she might not look the same as a healthy person.”

But my warning proved unnecessary. Maybe it was because kids understand so much more than we give them credit for; maybe it was because, even at her young age, my daughter sensed something in Karen we all knew and loved. Maybe, like her mother, she was simply entranced. For whatever reason, over the course of the next two hours, she stood next to Karen’s wheelchair for long minutes at a time. Neither of them spoke. Neither engaged in busy work with their hands. They were just being together.

Afterwards, my daughter said to me, “Mommy, I don’t know what you’re talking about. Karen didn’t look sick; she was nice.”

I think, in one simple statement, my daughter captured Karen’s essence more thoroughly than I ever could. Because she wasn’t talking about Karen’s pleasant demeanor or her exceeding generosity — to which anyone who ever knew her can attest.

My daughter was getting at something else entirely. The intangible quality that is so hard to define. The spirit that made Karen who she was. The something so unique and powerful and beautiful in Karen E. M. Johnston even a six-year-old could pick up on it.

Karen, I will be forever grateful you have entered my life, however briefly. You move my soul to dance. You make the sky more beautiful to gaze upon. You have left a footprint on my heart.

And I will never, ever be the same.

***

What footprints has Karen left in your heart? If you would like, please share.