Summer Shack Released!

My new novel is released this week, plus I am one of the winners in 50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading to be released by http://www.theauthorsshow.com/!  Very excited!      

Deep blue eyes on the Greek Isles: "Deep blue eyes on the Greek Isles" by Dimitri ...

Deep blue eyes on the Greek Isles: "Deep blue eyes on the Greek Isles"
by Dimitri ...: "Deep blue eyes on the Greek Isles" by Dimitri Sarantis Information: 1) If you are kindly willing to review please specify addres...

Discussion With Young Adult Mystery Author Kelli Sue Landon 05/09 by Lynnette Phillips | Blog Talk Radio

Discussion With Young Adult Mystery Author Kelli Sue Landon 05/09 by Lynnette Phillips Blog Talk Radio

New Camp Forrestwood Review!

4.0 out of 5 stars Mystery and Fear Mount: Great YA Mystery, August 30, 2011

By 

Suzanne F. Parrott "Unruly Guides DIY ePublis... (Oregon) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Nightmare At Camp Forrestwood: A Young Adult Whodunit (Kindle Edition)

If you are a fan of YA Mystery, then you will love this book. I loved her first novel, 'Sudden Moves: A Young Adult Mystery', however, 'Nightmare at Camp Forrestwood' is even better. Intense and suspenseful. (Yes, Forrestwood is spelled correctly.)

REVIEW

The book has a slow start as each character was brought into play. Once the action starts, you get pulled through so quickly, you become part of the story -- frantic, scared, and running for your life through the dark woods, pursued by an unknown assailant.

The immature and "high-school" in-fighting between students was spot on, yet it seemed more like students from Detention on a camping trip, rather than the Senior class. Landon used this interwoven clash of classes to feed the nature of the plot.

Mystery and fear mounts as students start to disappear. I took a loud audible breath when the first victim was discovered brutally murdered. All 'tough guy' and 'upper class' facades crumbled, and what was left were teenagers, caught alone, in a horrific circumstance of murder. Speculation and accusations start to surface, as Landon takes fear to the next level -- terror. Panic ensues, resulting in rash behavior, causing students to run foolishly out into the night, unprotected and vulnerable.

Until the first murder, I was certain the entire "scare" was some horrible teen prank. I found myself pulled into the story, and running with them, struggling to survive. And what was unnerving, and expertly written, was the identity of the killer remained a secret until the end of the book.

"Nightmare at Camp Forrestwood" is Kelli Sue Landon's second novel and a hit. I recommend this for the tween reader on up... (there is minor cussing and a very minor suggestive segment, that adults may not find appropriate for younger children).

Thank you, Kelli, for another great YA Mystery. I look forward to your next adventure.

I received this novel directly from the Author.

Lynnette's Book World: Nightmare At Camp Forrestwood by Kelli Sue Landon ...

Lynnette's Book World: Nightmare At Camp Forrestwood by Kelli Sue Landon ...: "Adjusting to a new school isn't easy... especially when the senior class camping trip includes murder. Holly Jenson is the new student at M..."

Nightmare At Camp Forrestwood by Kelli Sue Landon - FiFiVideos

Book Video!!

Nightmare At Camp Forrestwood by Kelli Sue Landon - FiFiVideos

Blog lost

I am so tired of this happening, but now my Review Blog is lost!  I went to my Dashboard and this one came up instead.  I have two, because Blogger "loses" my blogs one at a time.  It's like I have to take turns accessing my own blogs at different times.  I wish I can figure this out.  I guess my Review Blog won't be back up until June or July.

Interview coming!

I recorded my interview for The Authors Show this morning.  Even though I was stumped by a couple of questions, I hope I sound okay.  I felt like uh uh uh, I dunno!!!  I was a bundle of nerves!  Watch for my interview in a few days! http://www.theauthorsshow.com/

Sudden Moves Facebook Community

Check us out on Facebook!
http://on.fb.me/eyNzZL

Another good review!!!!

http://leahsyabookshelf.blogspot.com/2011/02/sudden-moves-by-kelli-sue-landon.html

Avid Reader Book Reviews: Sudden Moves by Kelli Sue Landon (A Young Adult My...

Avid Reader Book Reviews: Sudden Moves by Kelli Sue Landon (A Young Adult My...: "Short story writer and first-rate storyteller Kelli Sue Landon has chosen to give us a young adult mystery as her debut novel. Sudden Moves ..."

Short Story Collection

Proof received today in the mail - should be going on sale through Amazon soon.  $6.99!  I hope to have a volume 2 someday!!  Eight thrilling tales from Kelli Sue Landon!

Great interview!!!

Shirley Martin from Canada gave been this wonderful interview - as well as information on my upcoming events!!

http://shirley-mybookshelf.blogspot.com/2011/02/sudden-moves-about-author-kelli-sue.html?spref=fb

New short story compilation!

I just discovered http://www.createspace.com/ with the advice of another author.  I published my book Short Tales (eight short stories) for nothing!  You can pay $39 for them to do it, but I was just playing around with Adobe Acrobat and formatted my stories into the size of the book - pdf file.  I hate Adobe because I can never figure it out, but it worked this time.  SHOCK!  I just now ordered a copy for review.  The only thing I have had to pay for is copies of my book which are half price.  The retail price I set is $6.99.  Watch for it on Amazon!!  From what I hear, books are available for purchase after 10 days!

Another excellent review!

Love this review from Shirley Martin of Canada!  Tomorrow, my interview will appear on her site!!  Check it out!

http://shirley-mybookshelf.blogspot.com/2011/02/book-tour-sudden-moves-by-kelli-sue.html

Radio interview!

I will be doing a radio interview!  They record it over the phone on Sunday Feb. 20.  I will let everyone know when it airs!  I am excited, and so glad it's not live!!!

http://www.theauthorsshow.com/

Interview from Author Jennifer Wylie

Interview with Author Kelli Landon

February 2, 2011 at 7:00 am (Featured Authors)

Super big welcomes to author Kelli Landon who is stopping by today!
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
I am 41 years old, married for the first time, three years ago, and live in a really small old house in Illinois.
What do you do when you are not writing? Do you have a day job as well?
Yes! I work full time for the U.S. Postal Service in Peoria IL, plus I am treasurer for our union.
When did you first start writing and when did you finish your first book?
I started writing Sudden Moves when I was on a two week vacation from work July 1, 2010, finishing in the middle of September. Everyday for two months.
How did you choose the genre you write in?
I have always been a fan of mysteries – they keep me on edge while reading and writing. I have to know what happens next.
Where do you get your ideas? Do you ever experience writer’s block? Do you work with an outline, or just write?
I get my ideas from life. For example, Sudden Moves was inspired by a girl I went to high school with. She actually left for Orlando, never to return. We were all told she moved there. We never found out why. This sparked a mystery. I do experience writer’s block! I have a writing exercise called The Writer’s Toolbox which helps spark an idea though creative games. I also have a book called The Writer’s Book of Matches that’s filled with writer’s prompts. Then I build my ideas from a single prompt. I do not do outlines! I can’t plan a story or book – it has to come naturally. I write as I go.
Is there any particular author or book that influenced you in any way either growing up or as an adult?
A Cry in the Night by Mary Higgins Clark. My mother gave it to me while I was a teen. It was the first novel I ever read. The mystery drew me in right off the bat and I was instantly hooked. A new fan of Mary Higgins Clark was born!
Can you tell us about your challenges in getting your first book published?
I couldn’t find a publisher who would accept a manuscript without an agent. This is sad, because so many great stories don’t see the light of day because of this requirement. I talked it over with my husband and decided to self publish. I had the money and it was something I always wanted to do. You know how most people say they want to have a big wedding and a family one day? Well, I always wanted to have a book!
If you had to go back and do it all over, is there any aspect of your novel or getting it published that you would change?
The only thing I would change is that I would go through my second publisher (Outskirts Press) ONLY. I went through two publishers because I couldn’t decide. Outskirts was much better, offering more for my money. I would also have someone edit the book better before sending it in. I was misinformed with my first publisher, thinking that I would have an automatic editing service. That didn’t happen.
How do you market your work? What avenues have you found to work best for your genre?
Mostly on the internet – Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, etc. I also placed ads in my local newspapers with the words “Local Author”. I am planning on having a book signing at a local bookstore soon. Dropping off printed bookmarks or postcards to the library is a good idea – so they can hand them out to customers as they check out books. I plan to do this as soon as they come in!
Have you written a book you love that you have not been able to get published?
No, Sudden Moves is my first one! I’ve always done short stories.
Can you tell us about your upcoming book?
It’s called Nightmare at Camp Forrestwood. A teen slasher story with a classic whodunit twist!
Is anything in your book based on real life experiences or purely all imagination?
The mother/daughter relationship comes from my life. I could relate to Michelle and her mother so well from my own life. I cannot get along with my mother for a long period of time! We get on each others nerves. To this day, my mother will not tell me how she feels about the book. I don’t know if she enjoyed it or not. There are parts of the book where affairs come in and I took that from my best friend, Tammy, (the character of Tami comes from me, but with her name) and her rocky marriage.
What project are you working on now? Will you have a new book coming out soon? Are there certain characters you would like to go back to, or is there a theme or idea you’d love to work with?
I always wanted to do a whodunit and I just finished that with Nightmare at Camp Forrestwood. That book should be out around May, if I chose to self publish again – which is very likely! I will then have one book set in the spring and one in the fall. My next one will be in the summer, probably two teens vacationing at a beach house – the trip is a graduation gift. When they arrive, not many people are staying in the other beach houses (which is not normal) because of news of bizarre murders in the area. Both girls’ parents were not aware of this and they don’t want to tell them (by calling home) or they might make them end the vacation. The theme of this story is unknown right now, so we’ll see where it goes. I like to write about different topics and people, so a series is out right now.
Do you have any advice to give to aspiring writers?
Keep on writing – every day! Keep at it, even if you are just jotting down notes, not being able to get to a computer. I would write down anything that came to mind while I was at work, then I would go home and get right to it. If I was stuck, I’d ask myself, “How can I make this better? What would they do next?” Or “Now what?” That question always seemed to help me when I put myself in Michelle Martin’s shoes from Sudden Moves. Most important – keep the story in your mind! I lived and breathed this story every day and night (while awake in bed, staring at the ceiling). This is how I got the book written so fast.
Is there anything that you would like to say to your readers and fans?
I just hope everybody enjoys the book and hopefully my next one! I appreciate everyone who is interested in the book, even if they just click “like” on my Sudden Moves Facebook fan page. That means alot to me! Oh, and please, tell your friends!! There’s more to come!

Snowed in!

Rarely do we get snowed in, not being able to leave the house, but today, we did!  I do have my idea brewing about my third novel.  I am getting closer to starting it, regardless of my financial reports coming up for our union treasury.  My novel writing is much more fun and rewarding, don't ya think?  I do!  Just need one idea - if you were outside in the summer and did something spontaneously - without thinking - and hope nobody else sees, what would it be??  Comments welcome!!

The Tale's the Thing...: Emersed in the warmth of a million stares...

The Tale's the Thing...: Emersed in the warmth of a million stares...: "Kelli Sue Landon is a member of an elite club; adults who have the attention of organisms younger than the age of 20. It isn't easy to..."

Yet another great review!

5.0 out of 5 stars A Page Turner!, January 30, 2011

By 

Shirley Priscilla Johnson "Author/Reviewer -... (USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Sudden Moves: A Young Adult Mystery (Paperback)

School is beginning but will it be back to school as normal? Not in this page-turning YA book by author, Kelli Sue Landon. Michelle is concerned, her friend Katie isn't in school and no one is in her house, they are all gone. Where did they go and why didn't Katie let anyone know? Last she heard they were taking a Florida vacation, but she knew that wasn't true.
As Michelle and her friends begin to take it upon themselves to investiage the mysteries stack-up. When Michelle finds a body in Katie's backyard the race is on to find out the truth, but will both Katie and Michelle's lives be put on the line? Just what is the mystery behind this family?

This is an exceptional read. The author brings in the family life of Michelle and incorporates that into the storyline giving the reader a rich knowledge of MIchelle's feelings and what she herself is dealing with within her own family. That information drew you closer to her and once the events of the mystery heated up you were already invovled in Michelle's life. Now things were falling in around her and she was determined to see this through to the end and find Katie at any cost. But would the cost be her life?

This is a great read for teens. It has everything in it they could relate to, plus a true mystery story. Friendship, moral issues, deciet, family affairs and romance all wrapped together to make a great package. Very well done, a read any would enjoy.

Happy Birthday To Me!

My 41st birthday

Well, my birthday was on Wednesday and it was wonderful! I got some really good gifts, along with a great seafood dinner at The Fish House - my favorite place! My hubby got me wine, a gift card to B&N, Eat Pray Love on Blu Ray, movie crosswords and my first ereader - a Libre. He wasn't sure I wanted one since I love real books, so this is an off brand - very good to use! I have to hook it up in order to transfer my books to it. I just downloaded my first one - Cujo. I'm a Stephen King fan and have never read this! My mom made me some dish towels - embroidered the designs, a Burt's Bees set for winter - something I really needed! I also got a $50 gift certificate from her to my salon. I got some shopping money from my father and step-mom. So, I think I made out pretty good! On the bad side - I feel my sickness coming back. Sinuses have been bad today. I really want to get rid of this flu! Until next time....happy reading!

Good review!

Sudden Moves by Kelli Sue Landon

When Katie doesn't return from Spring break, rumors start flying about what happened to her.  The kids at school are told that her family decided to move to Florida, but some of Katie's friends just can't believe that.  Her friends, Michelle and Tami, and her boyfriend, Brad, decide to do a little investigating of their own.  What they find me be even more dark than what their young minds are imagining.

I have one really positive thing to say about this book and one really negative.  First, though, it was a great read.  I was immediately sucked in and didn't want to put it down until I'd finished.  The characters are interesting and lifelike.  The story is presented well and plotted well.  It's definitely a satisfying read.  Now on to the pro and con that really stuck to me.

First, the good stuff.  When I had several chapters left, a good friend texted me and asked what I was doing.  Of course, I responded with reading.  They asked if the book was any good and so I went on a tirade about how I love mysteries but I always seem to figure them out half through and this book is no exception.  At that point, I had the mystery all figured out and was just waiting for the characters to catch up to my brilliant deduction abilities.  They asked if this meant the book would get a bad review and I responded with 'Heavens no!  I usually do have the mystery figured out...it's all a matter of whether I want to keep reading once I have and I definitely want to keep reading this.  Whether I have it figured out or not, I'm still having a blast with it.'  So, before the good thing happened, I was already pleased with the fact that I could keep enjoying the book after the mystery was gone for me.  Then, the most amazing thing happened.  I was wrong!  I freely admit it!  A wonderful little plot twist was tossed right in and I was wrong!  I love it!  I sat the book down, looked out into space and said 'Well, I'll be, Kelli!  Way to go!' 

Now, sadly, the bad news.  Keep in mind, this is just my perspective.  Most of the time, through their actions and dialogue, I imagined them to be 12 or 13 years old at the most.  Every time one of them talked about driving it really threw me.  It was like my mind was on a yo-yo of imagining what they looked like.  One minute they're girls on the cusp of adulthood and the next their supposed to be young adults.  Definitely don't let this sway you from reading the book.  You all know I have to be honest though and I don't want somebody reading it and thinking this and calling me a skunk for not warning anybody ahead of time. 

One last note....it's edited well!  I think I found only one mistake!!!  Woo hoo!

Kelli - My explanation on the ages - I think all teens these girls ages are on the cusp of adulthood as well as a young adult.  What do you think??

Another great review!

Rex Robot Reviews gave a rave review of Sudden Moves!  I love it when someone describes my book as "edge of your seat"!   Not seeing the ending coming is what I live for when I write!  This is the reason I love being an author!!!  Thanks Andrew from Rex Robot Reviews for this!  I am over the top thrilled!!

http://www.rexrobotreviews.com/2011/01/sudden-moves-by-kelli-sue-landon-review.html

Sudden Moves Blog Appearance!

I was contacted by someone from Clover Hill Book Reviews, wanting to be a part of my virtual blog tour.  She wasn't able to read Sudden Moves to review it, but posted my interview on her blog anyway.  Pretty cool!!  Hope this sparks some interest to her readers!
http://cloverhillbookreviews.blogspot.com/2011/01/author-interview-kelli-sue-landon.html

Nightmare at Camp Forrestwood

Production started today on my second novel!  I am so excited!  I know this one will be different, but I hope everyone enjoys it as much as Sudden Moves.  It is getting excellent reviews and hopefully more to come!  Looks like Nightmare may take until April to be released.  Hope to have editing done on it, so that may back it up.  Virtual Blog Tour on Sudden Moves is now announced on Outskirts Press!  Watch for that in February!!  Soon I have to start thinking of my third novel.  Don't have much of a plot yet, so I may have to drag out my Writer's Toolbox.  Until next time, happy reading (and writing)!

Emily Hale

Teen writer Emily Hale has big dreams about getting her writings published (we all do, don't we?)  Her book The Bully Effect has great meaning and would be an excellent read for kids everywhere!  If anyone knows of a good publisher for her without spending the money to get this book out there, please let me know!  Can't wait to read this book in it's entirety and feature it in my blog in the future!

Sudden Moves trailer

Book Signing!

I got some goodies to give out at the book signing!  (Interior of the book store is above). My magnet calendars came out really good!  Vistaprint has such great savings and my book cover image came out perfectly!  I also got my book on a shirt to wear to the signing!  I'd like to wear that out to advertise the book, hoping to get more sales!  Virtual Book Tour is coming up in about a month - I will let everyone know when!

Right now, I know this great up and coming author, Emily Hale.  She is a bright teenager who can write like no other teen I have seen!  I never wrote this good at her age!  She has a great future ahead!  Going to read her newly finished book about bullying, hoping this will be published someday!

Old blog lost

Apparently Blogger lost my blog!!  This is very disappointing!!  I do have an update - my book trailer for Sudden Moves is now up on my site!!  Check out http://www.kellisuelandon.com/  I also have sent Nightmare at Camp Forrestwood off to Outskirts Press for publication!  Let's see how good this one is gonna go over!!  I am hoping to start my Virtual Book Tour mid February.  I hope to get many interviews!!  Until next time....happy writing!