Dana Burkey's Blog

Hello everyone!

Now that it is officially 2016 I wanted to take a moment and look back at last year. It was a year of many new things, and I am still kind of shocked at all that I was able to accomplish! To make it easy, here are the 5 things I am most excited and proud of:


1. I published "Locket Full of Secrets." This book was quite a few years in the making, and was also my first full length novel. It was a lot of work, but it was something I was excited to share all the same! The book combined so many of my childhood memories, along with my extreme love of Chernobyl! I am fascinated by the mystery of it all, so making a book about the tragic historical event was a fun and exciting process!

2. I started working with audio producers to release my books on audio format! I have three books available at the moment, with three being worked on, and three more on the way after that! I love that readers can listen to my work instead of just reading it! And I have had the chance to meet some great actresses while recording with them on various projects!

3. This summer I started and finished a few projects, and also started some that I am still working on. It's not always easy to start something and see it through, but I am happy to say that my "Zombie Survival" series is getting two more books soon, all thanks to the one short I wrote this summer while having a bit of inspiration!

4. I released my SECOND full length novel last year! That's right, two in one year! "Playing For Love" was kind of a shock for me. It started as a short story this summer to keep me writing, but then it quickly turned into so much more. It went from a quick read, into my largest project to date as far as word count is concerned! It combines my love of sports, boys, and YA romance to make a book I still cannot believe I wrote! I am also happy to say it is going to be an audio book soon as well, something that I hope will add even more to the reading experience!

AND FINALLY....LAST BUT NOT LEAST:

5. Meg Cabot followed me on Twitter!!!!! No joke people! It was a shocking moment for me to stop and realize that someone I look up to so much actually wanted to follow what I had to say! I don't know if she really reads my tweets, or even my books for that matter, but it made me feel special and also like a total fan girl all the same. Maybe one day I can give someone else the feeling she gave me just by following me on social media!


So that is my year in review! And I am happy to say that I will be releasing quite a few new projects in 2016, hopefully making it another year to be excited about!


In the mean time, I hope all of you are off to a great New Year! My hope is that this year is productive and exciting for my writing, and that my personal life is just as much fun as the last year was, thanks to my amazing family and friends!

Best of luck to all of you in 2016!!
-Dana Burkey

Hello everyone!

I have not posted in a while since I have been super busy, but I am happy to say that I am now able to take a long and deep breath and just relax! I turned my final draft on my new book into my editor last night and now I just have to wait until it is finished then submit it to Kindle and Createspace for publication! That's right, a new book is coming your way!

Playing For Love













This book was a short story I wrote this summer, but it quickly turned into a full length story that I am excited to share with you all! In fact, I am looking for people interested in reading the ARC starting next week. I will sending out the ARC's starting on Thursday next week, so if you are interested please let me know!


Well, now that I have some time I am happy to say that I am relaxing with tea, reading a book, and just taking a break. I am still trying to decide if I should work on a book for NaNoWriMo this year or not, and hopefully I will know by November 1st and can let you all know!


But, in the mean time mark your calendars for the release of Playing For Love, and feel free to pre-order it on Amazon Kindle now:
http://www.amazon.com/Playing-Love-Da...



Thanks, and have a happy weekend!
Dana Burkey

Hey everyone! I am happy to announce that thanks to the lovely Sophia Tallon, I am here to share with you the dates and participating blogs for my Locket Full of Secrets Blog tour! Take a look at the blogs, follow along, and then head over to Amazon to pick up Locket Full of Secrets for yourself!

Sophia Tallon
Author Spotlight & Review
(24th of August)
sophiatallon.blogspot.com


The Book Bratz
Guest Post
(25th August)
http://thebookbratz.blogspot.com/

Mousey Books
Review
(26th August)
http://mouseybooks.com/

Loves All Things Books
Author Spotlight
(27th August)
http://lovesallthingsbooks.blogspot.c...

Poseidons99
Guest Post
(28th August)
https://poseidons99.wordpress.com/

Mello and June - it's a Book Thang!
Interview
(29th August)
http://mellojune.blogspot.com/

Becky on Books...and Quilts
Author Spotlight
(29th August)
http://beckymmoe.com/

Mythical Books
Interview
(30th August)
http://mythicalbooks.blogspot.com/

Book Room Reviews
Author Spotlight
(31st August)
http://www.bookroomreviews.com/

My Own Little Corner
Guest Post
(1st September)
http://www.bookroomreviews.com/

Dowie's Place
Author Spotlight
(2nd September)
http://www.dowiesplace.com/

Around the World in Books
Author Spotlight
(3rd September)
http://www.aroundtheworldinbooks.ca/

Fictional Rendezvous Book Blog
Author Spotlight
(4th September)
http://fictionalrendezvousbookblog.bl...

Confessions of a Book Lover
Guest Post & Review
(5th September)
http://confessionsofabooklover.weebly...

Books on Fire Tours
Author Spotlight
(6th September)
http://fit4amom.blogspot.com/

JBronder Book Reviews
Author Spotlight
(6th September)
http://jbronderbookreviews.com/

Bronagh's Beauty and Books
Review
(7th September)
http://bronaghsbeautyandbooks.com/

Books, Authors, Blogs
Author Spotlight
(7th September)
http://therightbook4u.blogspot.com

One year ago today I published my first book on Kindle....


It is crazy for me to think that was already a year go! It seems like just a few months ago that I was sitting in my living room, deciding to take the leap and put my writing out there for people to read! I didn't tell anyone, not even my closest friends or family. It was just something I felt like I needed to do on my own, to see if I could do it, and to prove that I had something to say.


Now, 356 days later, I am almost at 100 Goodreads review for that first book Just Pretending. I also have now put out two more book that connect to that first book: Changed? and Stage Lights. Together these three books form Hearts to Follow Series. Next, I wrote a NA short story called Big City Farming. But all of that was a warm up for a project I was working on the whole time.


This past November I participated in NaNoWriMo. In one month I wrote a first draft that soon became Locket Full of Secrets! This book was 3 years in the making, and is something I am so proud of myself for finishing and getting out there. It was scary and hard and really awesome at times, and now I am blessed as reviews come in from readers.


In the last week I have finished two more YA short stories: I Will Survive: tips and hints to help you survive in this zombie infested world and The Kiss Dare. And I am just a few chapters from finishing the first draft of my next project Babysitting Charlie.


Even listing all of that makes me shocked at this last year! I have also met a lot of authors, worked with great editors, was blessed to have a good friend design book covers, and also had the chance to guest blog on a super cool blog!


So what is coming up in this next year? Great question! I have a few projects I am working on, and a few more planned. But more than that, I hope that in this next year I can continue to meet readers, write stories worth reading, and bring joy to those of you who take the time to read the words I decided to self-publish on Kindle.


All in all this has been a great year, and I cannot wait to look back another year from now and see what news I have to share with you then!!


THANKS FOR READING!
-Dana Burkey

Hello one and all!

It had been a LONG time since I wrote a blog post, but so much has been going on and I have been quite busy with it all!

First of all, I am happy to announce that my new YA suspense novel is now available on paperback and Kindle! You can read more about it here:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00W...


I want to think everyone that helped me get the book ready and out to readers especially my sister RED Dawn! I also enjoyed working with some great blogs and readers in the last week to get reviews and reactions on the book. It has been a really excited week to see what people thought of the project!

Speaking of projects, I have a new one to announce!! Much like last summer, writing short and sweet romances seem to help me beat the summer heat. So, I started work on a new short story called "Babysitting Charlie." It will be a stand alone for now, although I am not against making it into a series. It will involve a cameo from a character from my Hearts to Follow Series, so stay tuned for more information on that one!

Sticking with the theme, I'm keeping this blog entry short and sweet! I hope you all have a great weekend, and time a minute to check out me new books! :)

-Dana Burkey

Happy Friday!

After a short but still packed 4 day work week, I feel like we all might be in need of a pick me up! So, I have released the first 5 chapters of Locket Full of Secrets!!!

That's right! You can now get a sneak peek of the first 5 chapters of my new YA suspense, Locket Full of Secrets

The full book is due out on July 4th, but in the mean time, enjoy a little taste! The book is FREE at the following locations:

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view...

Wattpad: http://www.wattpad.com/myworks/409663...

Scribd: https://www.scribd.com/doc/266975405/...






I hope you enjoy this look at the beginning of the book! If you want to read more the day it comes out, pre-order now to save BIG on the final list price:

Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00W0D1V3K

Amazon CA: http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00W0...

Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B0...






Enjoy this sneak peek, and I look forward to hearing what you think, as well as sharing the full book with you in just over a month!!

Have a great weekend!
-Dana Burkey

Hello one and all!

I feel like the last few blog posts have been about new projects and a lot of tell you guys about websites to check out....so today I wanted to bring you a bunch of random facts about me! Ya know....just because! ENJOY!


1. Do you sleep with your closet doors open or closed? I do not have a closet door, but I keep my laundry room door closed.
2. Do you take the shampoos and conditioner bottles from hotels? Nope, and I usually don't even use them!
3. Have you ever stolen a street sign before? Yes, and more than one!!
4. Do you sleep on your right side or left? Both, and sometimes on my stomach as well.
5. Do you like to use post-it notes? Kind of....I really am in the air about it!
6. Do you cut out coupons but then never use them? Not really. I don't cut them. I'll print them or use apps usually.
7. Would you rather be attacked by a big bear or a swarm of a bees? Big bear. I am allergic to bees so I would have a slightly higher chance of surviving a bear attack!
9. Do you always smile for pictures? No.
10. What is your biggest pet peeve? People who chew with their mouth open.
11. Do you sleep with your sheets tucked in or out? Uh, in I think. I don't know that I understand this question....
12. Do you ever count your steps when you walk? No.
13. Have you ever peed in the woods? Yes! And once on top of a mountain too!
14. Do you ever dance even if there’s no music playing? Always!
15. Do you chew your pens and pencils? Eww! No!
16. Who is your best friend? Mair, Hellen, Ellie, Tabitha, Hayley, Monique!
17. Do you like to eat eggs? I go through stages....
18. What is your “Song of the week”? Anything country!
19. Is it okay for guys to wear pink? Absolutely!
20. Do you still watch cartoons? YES :D.
21. Whats your least favorite movie? Any chic flick!
22. Where would you bury hidden treasure if you had some? In a geocache!
23. What do you drink with dinner? Water.
24. What do you dip a chicken nugget in? Honey or branch(bbq and ranch)
25. What is your favorite food/cuisine? Sushi or tacos!
26. What movies could you watch over and over and still love? Battle LA, Terminator 3, X-Men, Edge of Tomorrow!
27. Last person you hung out with? D'Andre.
28. Were you ever a boy/girl scout? Nope. Tried once but there were not enough troops in my town for how many girls wanted to join.
30. When was the last time you wrote a letter to someone on paper? Earlier today!
31. Can you change the oil on a car? Add to it...but not change it....
32. Ever gotten a speeding ticket? Nope. And never even stopped for speeding!
33. Ran out of gas? Yup! Just once!
35. Best thing to eat for breakfast? Pancakes, or a fruit smoothie!
36. What is your usual bedtime? Midnight-ish.
37. Are you lazy? Sometimes.
38. When you were a kid, what did you dress up as for Halloween? All sorts of random things. My mom made all my costumes!
40. How many languages can you speak? One...or sometimes only like 3/4! ;)
41. Do you have any magazine subscriptions? Yes...cuz all my former students do magazine drives and ask me to sign up for them to raise money for school! UGH!
42. Which are better -Legos or Lincoln logs? Legos!!!
43. Are you stubborn? About certain things
44. Who is better…Leno or Letterman? Letterman
45. Ever watch soap operas? Yes, in middle school and high school!
46. Afraid of heights? Yes
47. Sing in the car? Always
48. Dance in the shower? Sometimes, but I try not to in case I fall!
50. Ever used a gun? Yup! Lots of them, but only ever on a range.
51. Last time you got a portrait taken by a photographer? Later this week for my enhanced license!
52. Do you think musicals are cheesy? Not at all! I have been in a few!
53. Is Christmas stressful? Not really!
54. Ever eat a pierogie? YES!! AND LOVE LOVE LOVE THEM!!!!!
55. Favorite type of fruit pie? Apple and berries
56. Occupations you wanted to be when you were a kid? Writer, actress, and for a really long time a vet/zoologist!
57. Do you believe in ghosts? Yes, but not in the really scary way.
58. Ever have a Deja-vu feeling? For sure!
59. Take a vitamin daily? When I remember too....oops!
60. Wear slippers? Always! I have my bright pink ones on right now!
61. Wear a bath robe? Nope.
62. What do you wear to bed? Yoga pants and a tank top!
64. Wal-Mart, Target or K-Mart? Target all the way! Love my red card!
65. Nike or Adidas? Asics! ;)
66. Cheetos Or Fritos? Uh....Hawaiian sweet onion chips! ;)
67. Peanuts or Sunflower seeds? Peanuts.
68. Ever hear of, “gorp”? Maybe...I think....
69. Ever take dance lessons? Not lessons, but a tap and jazz class in college.
71. Can you curl your tongue? Yes.
72. Ever won a spelling bee? Not even close! I am a horrible speller!
73. Have you ever cried because you were so happy? YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!
76. Regularly burn incense? Not at all!
78. Who would you like to see in concert? Hanson...although I have seen them 10 times already!
80. Hot tea or cold tea? Hot!
81. Tea or coffee? COFFEE!!!!!!!!
82. Favorite kind of cookie? Oatmeal raisin or samoas!
83. Can you swim well? Yup!
84. Can you hold your breath w/o manually holding your nose? Yes,
85. Are you patient? Kind of....
86. DJ or band, at a wedding? DJ!!!
87. Ever won a contest? Yup!
88. Ever have plastic surgery? No! And no thank you!
89. Which are better black or green olives? Both are AMAZING!
90. Can you knit or crochet? Yes. I taught myself how to knit using a Youtube video!
91. Best room for a fireplace? Living room.
92. Do you want to get married? Yes :)
95. Do you cry and throw a fit until you get your own way? Nope!
96. Do you have kids? Just the ones I work with for now! :)
97. Do you want kids? For sure!
98. Whats your favorite color? Blue
99. Do you believe in evolution? In the sense that things chance, yes. In the sense that we came from monkeys...NOPE!
100. Do you miss anyone right now? Yes. Really missing my best friend Mair right now!


So.....there it is! 100 random things about me! I found it online, and figured it would help you, my readers, know me a little better! I hope you enjoyed it!


-Dana Burkey!

Happy Friday!!

This weekend is a busy one for me with a local kids race where I am coaching two teams, and also a parade in town tonight as well! But, before all of that craziness I wanted to fill you all in on some exciting stuff!

First of all I want to give a big shout out to my good friend Bethany Walters who designed the covers of my Hearts to Follow Series! She is on Etsy, and makes all kinds of fantastic wood made products! Check her out here, and also marvel at her amazing work on my covers:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/SheLikesLet...





While I am on the topic of book covers, I have been making EXTREME changes to the book cover to my new book Locket Full of Secrets! The book is a YA suspense, with some mystery and even a love story thrown in for good measure!
This is, hopefully, the final version of the cover! Enjoy!!



Thank you to all my fellow authors on Goodreads and Facebook that gave me advice on how to make the cover look even more fabulous! Also, if you are as in love with the locket on the cover as I am, head over to Etsy to check out the locket in different birthstones and even order one so you can have the actual locket used in the book:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/17603161...

Finally, for those of you who are counting down the days until you can finally READ Locket Full of Secrets, it is on pre-sale for only $.99! This will be at least a $2 savings on the list price when it comes out on July 4th, so take advantage of this great deal while you still can!

Well,I hope you all have a great rest of your weekend! I am off for parades, races, and hopefully a good book to read when it is all over!

-Dana Burkey

Hello once again!

After a wonderfully LONG week in Key West, I am back home in Washington State where the weather is mild and there are no sharks! And in case you all wondered....I SAW A SHARK!! While snorkeling over the reef, I saw a reef shark swimming away from me. It was the best moment of my vacation, since it has been a dream of mine for YEARS to see a shark in person! And to see it in the open ocean and to swim away with all of my limbs still intact was great!!


Well, now down to some business!

Now that I am home I have two major things I am working on that are making me feel like I need more hours in my day! This first is that I am training for a triathlon! My race is in 50 days, so each night I am on my stationary bike and treadmill, working out for between an hour and an hour and a half! It makes for great sleep, but not much time for other things!

The second thing I am working on, is of course writing! I finished the second draft of Locket Full of Secrets before I left for vacation, but I am also working on my next book All For Fame, as well as working on an outline for a new series I want to possibly use during NaNoWriMo. Thanks to so much working out for my tri there is not enough time it seems! Fingers crossed that changes soon.

Since I do not want to leave you with any bad news, I wanted to share something exciting with you all! With the release of Locket Full of Secrets only a few months away, you can own your own locket, identical to the one featured in the book!! Check it out here on etsy:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/17603161...


Well, I am off to run....or bike....or maybe even to write! Be sure to check out the lockets if you need something to read, pick up a FREE copy of Stage Lights today and tomorrow on Kindle:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00O7BLKD4


Have a fabulous weekend!
-Dana Burkey

Hello from Florida! (or at least the air somewhere above it)

I am currently heading out for a long due week of vacation in the Florida Keys with my family! So, that means this blog post will have to get you through the next two week! But, to make it worth your wile I have some great stuff to share!!

First of all I want to give a MEGA SHOUT OUT to my friends that support me so much! Mair, Tabitha, Ellie, Hayley, Ciara, Libby, and Randall give me lost of support and keep me writing when I want nothing more than to quit before the editing is done!

That being said.....THE EDITING IS DONE!! I just finished the second draft of Locket Full of Secrets!!! In fact, I just put it in the mail to my sister(Dawn) so she can give it a read and let me know what changes will make the book even better. She is my biggest help in getting this next book out to readers, and is both hilarious and helpful all at once! Without Dawn and her support in this long process of editing such a big project, I feel like I would have a sub-par book to share with you all in the end. But now, thanks to all she has done and is doing, I know the story you will all read soon is going to be a great!

So, when can you read it? Great question! Locket Full of Secrets will be out on July 4th! However..........I am starting to think that I want to release it sooner!! I am just not patient(as I talked about in last weeks blog). But, there is still a lot of editing and other fun to go before I can get the book out. So, maybe you really will need to wait for July! In the mean time, pre-order the book here:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00W0D1V3K


One thing you will not have to wait until July for, however, is the audio book copy of Big City Farming! I am working with the amazingly talented Kandace Peppers, and she is working over time to get the book done and ready for listeners! While you wait for the official audio book to be ready, pick up the ebook now for only 99c!
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00US8AYZA



Well folks! I am off to tan, drink rum, and play a lot of cards with my family! Oh.....and fingers crossed I get to see a shark! It is my MEGA GOAL for this week of vacation! Stay tuned, cuz if I get I see one I will be posting photos RIGHT AWAY!! haha


Thanks for reading, and see you all again soon!
-Dana Burkey!