Wistful YA SPOTLIGHT ~ The Offering

Despite taking this new year to revamp my focus for Writer's Alley to a more personal road, I did mention that I'd still highlight special reads, authors, and tours now and again. When I was contacted about this next YA read, I knew I had to share it with you. AND read it myself.

 Please welcome Kimberly Derting and her fantastic story THE OFFERING. Plus, she has a wonderful giveaway going on. Remember to enter!

   The Offering by Kimberly Derting 

True love—and world war—is at stake in the conclusion to The Pledge trilogy, a dark and romantic blend of dystopia and fantasy.

 Charlie, otherwise known as Queen Charlaina of Ludania, has become comfortable as a leader and a ruler. She’s done admirable work to restore Ludania’s broken communications systems with other Queendoms, and she’s mastered the art of ignoring Sabara, the evil former queen whose Essence is alive within Charlie. Or so she thinks.

 When the negotiation of a peace agreement with the Queendom of Astonia goes awry, Charlie receives a brutal message that threatens Ludania, and it seems her only option is to sacrifice herself in exchange for Ludanian freedom.

 But things aren’t always as they seem. Charlie is walking into a trap—one set by Sabara, who is determined to reclaim the Queendoms at any cost.

  Praise for The Offering "This was a truly epic ending to the series." --Crystal Perkins, Goodreads Review "The final book in Kimberly Derting’s Pledge trilogy is a thrilling conclusion. I was immediately swept up into it and powered right through. It was pretty much what I wanted with a few surprises along the way." --Krys at Bibliopunkk Reads

  Author Kimberly Derting Kimberly Derting is the author of the BODY FINDER series, THE PLEDGE trilogy, and THE TAKING (coming April 2014 from HarperTeen). She lives in the Seattle area, with her husband and three children, who often find the outrageous things they say either in the pages of her books or posted on Twitter or Facebook for the entire world to see.  
    Tour Giveaway $25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Ends 1/21/14 a Rafflecopter giveaway  

AND if you haven't done so already, feel free to take my writer's pledge for 2014. Just go HERE or click on the badge in my right sidebar to signup! LUV to have you.

A Writer's CREED for 2014

This is my official first post of 2014. I've had a fantastic break ~ spending time with family, baking, relaxing, and catching up on some reading. I also typed THE END on my three and a half month journey writing my middle grade novel, and I did it just under the wire - 12/31/2013. I hope you had a wonderful holiday season and new year's break, and are as excited as I am to take 2014 by the horns.
But life is life and we can all use a little encouragement now and again. 
As I explained in this POST, for the past two years I've offered up a Writer's Rebel CREED with brief reminders and support for the writing life. Basically, I dubbed it Sheriisms. In December, I asked for your ideas on important focuses for writers and the writing life in general, instead of me simply coming up with my own. This is a unified writing community, so I felt that was a better way to go. As expected, you did not fail. 
Today's the day I reveal the top five suggestions plus two extra ones that pertain solely to our writing community--both were extremely popular among the suggestions I received.
Here's your official Writer's Rebel CREED 2014.

I would be honored for you to join me in committing to this CREED. All you have to do is add your name to the linky list below. There are two optional committments you can also make:

1. Copy the CREED Badge and paste it on your site, encouraging others to join us. I've included a smaller size for your convenience. Or you can copy and paste the larger image and size to you're liking.
2. Write one post a month somehow related to your journey in following the CREED. Choose a day and time to your liking. Just include the badge in your post, linking back to this post so others can join in. Share your post via Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr or however!

Remember - neither of those are required, only suggested. Best of luck with the CREED and keep in touch! Last year we had 99 writers commit. Let's see if we can double that or even more, this year!