Monday, December 28, 2015

HUNT GREATNESS

Reebok has a line by JJ Watt (defensive end for the Houston Texans football team) and as you can read above, it says, 'HUNT GREATNESS'.

Santa brought me one of those t-shirts and I love it. To me, it goes beyond hoping for greatness, or working for greatness. It means searching with stealth and determination--giving up is not an option. You WILL find it.

That's going to be my mantra for 2016. HUNT GREATNESS.

Here are a few ways I'm starting:

Reading the life-changing magic of tidying up by Marie Kondo. (This book will be featured in January's blog posts over on the Five Pages of Something blog).

Finishing a writing project.

Blogging over on Five Pages about the craft of writing.

Taking control of my health (thanks to my health coaches Zack and Andrea Jackson).

It's a tall order, but let's do this together! Let's Hunt Greatness!

Where will you start?



Friday, December 25, 2015

Day TWELVE! Bloodline

12 Giveaways of Christmas





I'm excited to be a part of a great group of 'clean read' authors, who have come together this Christmas season, to offer twelve days of book giveaways! Each day, until the 25th, I will be sharing another authors giveaway, as well as my own!


Be sure to enter them ALL!!!

Please click the below link to enter your chance to win a paperback copy of my young adult, scifi book, Bloodline!


Goodreads Book Giveaway

Bloodline by Tara Ellis


Giveaway ends December 30, 2015. See the giveaway details at Goodreads. Enter Giveaway.

Thursday, December 24, 2015

Day ELEVEN! Featuring Angela Carling

Welcome to Day One of the Twelve Days of Giveaways!


Twenty four authors of all genres have worked together to bring you AMAZING giveaways and just in time to celebrate the big day of giving.

Today is Day One of the fun and it’s my giveaway day. Who am I, Young Adult Author Angela Carling. Here’s my bio for those of you seeing my name for the first time.

Angela Carling was raised in Palm Springs California, but lives Arizona with her husband, three kids and five felines. After years of denial she finally admitted that she is a hopeless romantic which led her to write her first Young Adult book Unbreakable Love. Since then she’s published three more books, Shackled, Becoming Bryn and The Secret Keeper. Shackled won the silver IPGA award in 2012 and has been optioned as a screenplay. She always eats the frosting off her cake and leaves the rest, and can be caught singing in public bathrooms just for the acoustics. When she’s not writing YA novels, she’s mentoring teen writers, making pizza with her family or dreaming of taking a nap, not necessarily in that order.

Now on to the fun part…here is what I am giving away. In this post I’ve given you a little information on each of my four published Young Adult books. All you have to do is look them over and choose your favorite. You even get to pick whether you want a paper or digital copy. Below, I've pasted in the blurb you'd read on the back of each book and the book's cover so that check them out as if you were browsing in a book story.

Anyone else love to spend hours combing through the book shelves?

When you’re all done, take a minute to enter to win your copy in my easy-peasy Rafflecopter giveaway and I'll contact you by email on December 26 so it'll be like extending Christmas an extra day. Meanwhile if you want to learn more about my work or read reviews you can drop by my website or Amazon.

Now, about the books...

The first book is called Becoming Bryn and it is a stand-alone tale with a ton of heart and a really hot kiss scene:)


For months, Jesse has been envious of her twin sister Bryn and even has a crush on Bryn’s gorgeous, popular boyfriend, Quinton. When Jesse awakens from a coma to learn that everyone thinks she IS Bryn, the option of actually taking over her sister’s life is beyond tempting, but there’s a downside. She’d have to give up her relationship with Ethan, her best friend and the only person she trusts. Could she actually live as Bryn for the rest of her life? And if her family and friends found out, would they ever forgive her?


Next is my award-winning, been written into a screenplay, stand-alone novel SHACKLED!

This one's sure to keep you awake reading and somehow make you believe in love at the same time.

After shy, quiet Lucy and her family move from their small hometown in Minnesota to Seattle, Washington, she is surprised when Ryan, the most popular boy at school asks her out. Soon, she is swept up in a whirlwind romance and her naïve and trusting nature allows her to fall head over heels in love with her too-good-to-be suitor. Suddenly, Lucy finds herself enraptured by the excitement of her new relationship, leaving her blinded to the warning signs of danger ahead. Can her fairy tale romance last, or will she find that her prince charming is more like a wolf in sheep’s clothing.


Keeping things a little intense, I'll introduce The Secret Keeper. This is book one of a three book series and is all kinds of suspenseful and surprising! Also, book two In the Dying Light comes out early in the New Year so you won't have to wait long to find out what happens next.

When Seventeen year old Winter Merrill made a bargain with the mysterious Secret Keeper, she knew there were rules. The most important one, the next time you have a secret, you will not be able to tell it….even if you try.
What she didn’t know is that her next secret if not told, would destroy her life and the life of Liam, the only boy she ever loved.

Can Winter find a way out of the dark bargain that binds her tongue or will her deal with the Secret Keeper bring devastating consequences unimaginable even to her?

Finally for all you romantics, here is Unbreakable Love. This was my first published book about a guardian angel that cannot touch the one he must protect. If you like cookies, love and other sweet things you'll enjoy this tender romance.

Jennie Townsend is unlucky in love, so she is suspicious when a mysterious new student named Nate tries to gain her friendship. Despite her mistrust of the boys at school she finds herself inexplicably drawn to Nate. Nate is captivated by her too, but lives in a rule bound world as a guardian angel. His sacred task is to protect Jennie during a dangerous time in her life. However, he’s strictly forbidden to touch Jennie and falling in love is completely off limits. The more time Nate spends with Jennie, the harder the rules are to follow. Will Nate be able to save Jennie from a premature end, or will his own emotions – and Jennie's – get in the way of completing the task for which he was specifically chosen?

Well, you've seen them all. Now all you have to do is enter to win and when I email you, let me know which one you want. Thanks for stopping by and hope your holidays are filled with good things and excellent books. Good luck!



Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Day TEN! Christmas Socks

Myself and 23 other authors are giving away one of our books during a very special 12 days of Christmas!



From Dec 14th to Dec 25th we are all giving away a book and winners will be announced daily. The book I am giving away is my new Children's book called: Christmas socks


Macy, Ally and Ruby love Christmas. But when Mom and Dad say they need to make Christmas presents for each other Macy isn't sure if she can make something her oldest sister Ruby will love. Find it on Amazon.com.

TO ENTER THE GIVEAWAY:

Its open from Dec 14th to Dec 23rd. On the 23rd I will announce a winner. Go to my Facebook page to enter.

I hope you enjoy Christmas Socks as much as I did writing it! :D
GOOD LUCK!!!


Cassie has loved stories since she was little. Her love of writing started even before she could write words. She was one to be found, reading late into the night, on the school bus or before she did her homework. In middle school she determined that she liked creating her own stories as much as she liked reading them; so she decided she wanted to be an author and keeps working on making that dream come true with every story idea that bounds into her head.

Find out more about Cassie and her books at her website: www.cassiemshiels.com or visit her blog: www.cassiethewriter.blogspot.com



Tuesday, December 22, 2015

Day NINE: The Archer's Hollow

Merry Christmas! I’m excited to share my fantasy adventure, The Archer’s Hollow with you. All you have to do is follow my blog: http://peggyurry.blogspot.com.


For the last six years, Siri has sought a way to fulfill a vow made during the last hours of her beloved mother's life. Faced with an unwanted betrothal, she knows any chance to honor her mother's request is dwindling. Risking her life to escape the arranged marriage, she unwittingly triggers an ancient elven curse. Death and destruction will begin with the rise of the next full moon. The only recourse is restoring an ancient talisman to the elves. But pleas to return it go unanswered. Siri's journey plunges her into a land of mystical creatures, some terrifying, some fascinating. As she begins to lose her heart to one very handsome Master Archer, his valley spirals toward irreversible ruin. Siri begins to wonder if she holds the key and how one lowly human could ever make a difference in a strange land of myth and magic.


About me: I'm a small town girl who loves the city and the ocean (and the mountains as long as I don't have to camp or hike). I credit the lack of television in my parents' home for my love of reading and my imagination. I credit the guy who hangs the moon for my belief in romance and true love. Along with him, five wonderful kids, extended family, and great friends keep my life exciting.

Monday, December 21, 2015

Day EIGHT! Demon's Heart


12 Days of Christmas Giveaway!

This Christmas, I’m pleased to give away a signed copy of my YA fantasy novel Demon’s Heart (Sweetwater Books). Enter here for your chance to win—and get it read before the sequel comes out March 2016!
***
Rustav is carrying a dangerous secret—one his uncle won’t hesitate to kill for. Now on the run, Rustav has only two options: turn and fight his uncle and the bloodthirsty demons of the island, or flee into the unknown and face the mysterious dangers of the forest. Forced to choose between following his destiny and saving his life, Rustav soon discovers that his only hope of surviving lies in the mysteries of his past . . . Get lost in this fantasy filled with a daring combination of action, adventure, and a hint of romance.
***
Praise for Demon's Heart
“A talented writer can convince a reader that fantasy is real; a gifted author makes it look easy from the opening scene. This was Emily Hall Bates’s novel Demon’s Heart! It’s a creative story that simply doesn’t stop. Intense action sequences, along with a brave and selfless hero, make this book highly addictive. Every reader who loves original, powerful fantasy will be absorbed in this compelling read.” —Rachel McClellan, Amazon best-selling author of the Fractured Light series and Confessions of a Cereal Mother

Bates’s style is striking and sophisticated. Her mastery of storytelling grabbed me from the beginning and still hasn’t let go! Demon’s Heart is a fantastic new fantasy that will appeal to fans of author R. K. Ryals and Rothfuss’s very popular King Killer Chronicles.” —Hannah Clark, author of Uncovering Cobbogoth Demon’s Heart takes the reader on a colorful adventure through lands of peasants and kings, soldiers and demons. Rustav’s tragic past and his solemn destiny make his journey one of poignant self-discovery.” —Adrienne Quintana, author of Eruption Bates has created a world rich in history and originality—a perfect backdrop for an epic romance.” —R. C. Hancock, author of An Uncommon Blue
***
About the Author
DSC_8533p

Emily lives with her husband, 2 daughters, and a goblin that sleeps in a cupboard. She can usually be found reading voraciously, writing madly, crocheting sporadically, or eating chocolate behind the fridge so she doesn’t have to share. Visit her Twitter, Facebook, and website for more news and excessive love of words and books. And don't forget to check out the rest of our 12 Giveaways of Christmas!



Sunday, December 20, 2015

Day SEVEN! The Firethorn Crown

12 Days of Giveaways

The Firethorn Crown (Firethorn Chronicles 1)
by Lea Doué


Princess Lily, the eldest of twelve sisters and heir to a mighty kingdom, desperately seeks a break from her mother's matchmaking. Tradition forbids marriage with the man Lily loves, so she would rather rule alone than marry someone who's only after the crown. Fleeing an overzealous suitor, Lily stumbles into a secret underground kingdom where she and her sisters encounter a mysterious sorcerer-prince and become entangled in a curse that threatens the safety of her family and her people. Lily can free them, but the price for freedom may be more than she's willing to pay.


About the Author: A native of south Georgia, Lea currently lives in Nova Scotia, Canada with her husband, their two boys, a rescue greyhound, and a cat. But, sadly, no dragons. Homeschooling and writing take up most of her time, but she also enjoys directing a small puppet team at her church. The Firethorn Crown, a re-imagining of Grimm's “The Twelve Dancing Princesses,” is the first novel in the Firethorn Chronicles, a series inspired by fairy tales and other stories.
- - -
What can I say—I love fairy tales! Enter to win a paperback or Kindle copy (winner's choice) of The Firethorn Crown! A Rafflecopter Giveaway.


The winner will be contacted on December 26. In the meantime, you can learn more about me or the Firethorn Chronicles here:

Website
Facebook
Pinterest
Twitter


Merry Christmas and good luck


Saturday, December 19, 2015

Day SIX! Phoenix Element, Mages of Vane

During the Twelve Giveaways of Christmas, you will have a chance to win the second book in the Phoenix Element series, Mages of Vane. This giveaway will take place over at Amazon, so be sure to bookmark this page (http://www.amazon.com/Phoenix-Element-Mages-Vane-2/dp/1516842235/) in preparation of the giveaway. Best of luck!
If you are a member of Kindle Unlimited, Mages of Vane (http://www.amazon.com/Phoenix-Element-Mages-Jennifer-Kibble-ebook/dp/B014E2Y44W/) is free to read on your kindle. Want a physical copy? Use coupon code 68K4VN9J to get $4.00 off from Createspace (https://www.createspace.com/5669886)!
Mages of Vane is the second book from the Phoenix Element series. Anya has now made her home at the Vane Magic School on the planet of Zerron. She is honing her abilities, and learning about auras. Behind the scenes, the Order of Blood is working to take down Vane. The mages must hold the magic school or the threat to the known galaxy will be that much greater.

Friday, December 18, 2015

Day FIVE! Raft 9 of The Peninsula Series

 (Episode 1)

The 12 Days of Christmas Giveaways is here! Yippee!
Two dozen authors are giving away goodies. Each day one of the authors will be featured and I’ll be sharing about their giveaways on social media.
I’m going to be the featured author on the 18th December, but you can access my giveaway for the whole 12 days leading up to Christmas.
This is an exclusive giveaway. You won’t find it anywhere else.
I’m giving you a book! FOR FREE! Merry Christmas!There’s always Plan B…
One hundred years from now accomplished aerospace engineer, Sara Ahmed, and the crew of Raft 9 are forced to flee from impending nuclear holocaust to the Peninsula, a space station waiting just beyond the moon. Chased by the blast, with no means of communication, and unsure of what the future holds, their launch seems doomed to fail.
Will they escape in time?
This first episode in The Peninsula series will have you perched on the edge of your seat.
See for yourself why advance readers are saying of Raft 9:
“I felt like I was racing along with the characters to hurry and get off the planet!”
“Can’t wait to find out what happens next”
“Exciting!”
Warning!This face-paced, action-packed story will leave you wanting more… but you’re in luck! Episode Two is coming soon.

Thursday, December 17, 2015

Day FOUR! Dream Series


The Christmas season is my favorite time of year, by far, and I’m happy to be joining with several other fantastic authors for an event we’re calling the Twelve Days of Christmas giveaway! 

If you’ve read any of my Dream Series novels, you know that several of them are set around Christmas (DREAM STUDENT, DREAM CHILD, WAKING DREAM and DREAM HOME, to be exact). Christmas gifts, obviously, play an important role in the stories, and I’d like to share a gift with all of you. 
I’ve got two neat prizes to give away: a signed paperback copy of one of my novels (winner’s choice), and a USB flash drive with ALL the books preloaded on it. All you have to do for a chance to win is CLICK HERE and enter your name and email address. And just for doing that, I’ll also send you one free Dream Series ebook or audiobook of your choice. You really can’t beat that! 

And in case you’re new to the books, here’s the basic idea in a nutshell: what if you could see everyone else’s dreams?

DREAM STUDENT answer that question as we follow Sara, a young woman who has the ability to do just that. Over the ten books of the Dream Series, we see Sara wrestle with this gift (or curse!) and try to balance it with all the other responsibilities in her life. There’s romance, suspense, humor and plenty of heart, and i think you’ll really enjoy the books! 


Here are all the authors invoiced – be sure to check them all out for the fantastic giveaways! 

December 14: Britney Mills & Tamara Passey 
December 15: Jason Zandri & Melanie Mason 
December 16: Nicole Zoltack & Ava Mallory 
December 17: Writing Dreams (you’re here now!) &, KJ Traynor 
December 18: AJ Harred & Rachel Skatvold 
December 19: Jennifer Kibble & Kari Trumbo 
December 20: Lea Doue & Brenda Anderson 
December 21: Emily Bates & Stacy Monson 
December 22: Peggy Urry & Anna Del C. Dye 
December 23: Cassie Sheils & Valerie Ipson 
December 24: Angela Carling & Frances Hoelsema 
December 25: Tara Ellis & Marianne Sciucco

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Day THREE! Love before Honor

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Nicole Zoltack here. I'm so glad to have this chance to talk to you, readers. Christmas is one of my favorite holidays. I love the sense of hope and peace it brings, the family togetherness, and, of course, giving.

But I'll get back to the giving in a moment.

First, I wanted to talk to you about two of romances, both Christmas romances.


LOVE BEFORE HONOR

A medieval knight. A Regency lady. The magical Christmas that brings them together.

It's only 99 cents!

MISTLETOE, MARRIAGE, & MAYHEM

In this collection of novellas, the Bluestocking Belles bring you seven runaway Regency brides resisting and romancing their holiday heroes under the mistletoe. Whether scampering away or dashing toward their destinies, avoiding a rogue or chasing after a scoundrel, these ladies and their gentlemen leave miles of mayhem behind them on the slippery road to a happy-ever-after. 

***All proceeds benefit the Malala Fund.*** 


Again, only 99 cents!


And now, back to the giveaway!

I'm giving away a print copy of BLACK HELLEBORE. It's the first book in a trilogy, the Heroes of Falledge. Hey, even superheroes need love too, right? 

Note from Peggy: I cannot get the Rafflecopter link to work, so go to Nicole's beautiful blog and enter! You will definitely want to after you read the book description: 

Once a year for the past decade, Nicholas Adams returns to Falledge and leaves a black hellebore on his girlfriend's grave. While fleeing Falledge, he spies a shady man sneaking into the laboratory. Nicholas chases after him and dies for his trouble. A witch brings him back to life, only Nicholas is not the same man. Turns out, magic combined with a black hellebore in his pocket changed him into a kind of a super man.

Julianna Paige, his girlfriend's twin and deputy of Falledge, struggles to solve several murders. Nicholas, and his alter ego the Black Hellebore, helps her, even as she helps him move on and start to truly live again.

Unfortunately, Nicholas wasn't the only one changed in the laboratory explosion, and now a super villain is bent on destroying Falledge, and killing the Black Hellebore. But falling in love might prove more dangerous than any super villain.


See? Doesn't that sound intriguing? So go to Nicole's blog and enter!

Tuesday, December 15, 2015

Day TWO! by Jason Zandri

As part of my involvement in the Twelve Giveaways of Christmas Blog Tour I am doing a couple of things. 

I am, of course, posting my own post and promoting all the others and I am also doing a Rafflecopter giveaway. That is what this post is. 

Each day, I am going to kick off with this same summary information (that you've just read) and then I am going to cross post the links to the blogs on the tour. 

I am going to ask each of the readers to my blog and everyone I hit across my social networks, to follow the links to the other blog posts. Catch the writings and the spirit of the season. 

For each post of mine (including this one) I am going to offer one part of the "10 Painfully Obvious Truths Everyone Forgets Too Soon" posting (Credits: by Marc Chernoff, marcandangel) and my own thoughts on it. 

Today's is:

1. The average human life is relatively short. 

We know deep down that life is short, and that death will happen to all of us eventually, and yet we are infinitely surprised when it happens to someone we know. It’s like walking up a flight of stairs with a distracted mind, and misjudging the final step. You expected there to be one more stair than there is, and so you find yourself off balance for a moment, before your mind shifts back to the present moment and how the world really is. 

LIVE your life TODAY! Don’t ignore death, but don’t be afraid of it either. Be afraid of a life you never lived because you were too afraid to take action. Death is not the greatest loss in life. The greatest loss is what dies inside you while you’re still alive. Be bold. Be courageous. Be scared to death, and then take the next step anyway. 

A number of things come to mind when I read this, but I suppose it's the simple thought of "plan your life like you might live forever but live it as if it might end tomorrow." 

Yes, you want to make sure to take the time to save for a house, a vacation, retirement, and so forth, but no one ever lay on their deathbed saying "damn, I really wish I could have put in 100 more hours at work." 

* Take the vacation. 
* Go for a walk. 
* Buy an ice cream cone for yourself. 
* Step outside on a sunny day; soak in the rays. 
* Step outside into the rainstorm; let the water wash over you. 
* Grab an extra hour of sleep. 
* Call a loved one and just BS on the phone. 
* Go over and see them. 
* Buy a bag of dog food and bring it to the animal shelter. 
* Clear out the canned goods that are about to expire at home and donate them to a food pantry for the less fortunate. 
* Sing or dance like nobody is watching / listening. 
* If there are people around, do it anyway. 
* Play with your kids / grandkids. 
* If they are older, take them to lunch (or that ice cream cone). 
* Forgive someone for their trespass; you do not have to forget what occurred, but perhaps it's time to let part of it go. 
* Ask for forgiveness for a trespass of your own; if you are not forgiven by them, at least forgive yourself. 

I will close my thoughts by looping back on what I said prior - "plan your life like you might live forever but live it as if it might end tomorrow." 

You want to do whatever you can that is timely and practical as far as working and savings so that you can have the best chance to have the same kind of life in your final years as you experienced your working adult life. 

With that I emphasize two additional 'moderation' thoughts: 

Do something 'small' tomorrow for yourself, in case it does in fact end up being your last day. 

You are never going to see an armored car follow a hearse; find a balance in what you are putting off for 'down the road' and what you could do, streamlined, next weekend.


Monday, December 14, 2015

Day ONE! #ShareChristmas by Britney Mills

Guest post by Britney Mills

I am so excited to be part of this fun book giveaway for Christmas! There are a bunch of fun authors participating and so many chances to get a great book!



I'm giving away a few copies of my book, #ShareChristmas, that I finished a few weeks ago. I love Christmas stories, the short ones that make you want to cry because of the goodness of people.

The reason I wanted to write a bunch of short Christmas stories is because there are so many different family situations that you might come across during the holiday season and I think by showing what people are going through, we can all be a little bit more sympathetic.

There are ten stories that are all fiction but based on things that have happened in my life or in other's life that I have witnessed and so hopefully you can connect with a few of them. This is a great book to add to your Christmas collection and even has a bunch of fun activities to do with your kids to keep the real meaning of Christmas in your home during this great holiday!


Plus, I'm also giving away a few more editing opportunities! Make sure to enter now at my blog WritingUnblocked!



Monday, December 7, 2015

Coming Soon...

I'm so excited to be participating in this fun event.

Starting December 14


Come back each day until Christmas for exciting author giveaways that you won't want to miss. This is a great way to find new books and authors to love, so don't miss out!



Thursday, December 3, 2015

The Suspect's Daughter: COVER REVEAL!

If you have read any of my post about author Donna Hatch (or have read one of her books), you will know why I am so excited about her new book. I'm thrilled to participate in her latest book's cover reveal and I hope you are too. So, read on, my friends (and don't forget to enter the giveaway):




Donna Hatch is the award-winning author of the best-selling “Rogue Hearts Series.” She discovered her writing passion at the tender age of 8 and has been listening to those voices ever since. A sought-after workshop presenter, she juggles freelance editing, multiple volunteer positions, her six children (seven, counting her husband), and still makes time to write. Yes, writing IS an obsession. A native of Arizona who recently transplanted to the Pacific Northwest, she and her husband of over twenty years are living proof that there really is a happily ever after.


Follow Donna on her Social Media pages:
http://donnahatch.com/
http://www.amazon.com/Donna-Hatch/e/B002BMG9KK/
https://www.facebook.com/DonnaHatch.Author
https://twitter.com/donnahatch
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2072970.Donna_Hatch

Now let's take a look at the book!

Determined to help her father with his political career, Jocelyn sets aside dreams of love. When she meets the handsome and mysterious Grant Amesbury, her dreams of true love reawaken. But his secrets put her family in peril.
Grant goes undercover to capture conspirators avowed to murder the prime minister, but his only suspect is the father of a courageous lady who is growing increasingly hard to ignore. He can’t allow Jocelyn to distract him from the case, nor will he taint her with his war-darkened soul. She seems to see past the barriers surrounding his heart, which makes her all the more dangerous to his vow of remaining forever alone.

Okay here is the cover!!!!
*****
***
 * 


Follow along on the event Facebook page to enjoy all the fun of this cover reveal!


a Rafflecopter giveaway



Monday, November 23, 2015

I'm Falling Apart, I'm Falling Apart

When I was a young girl, my sister had this adorable little doll. Its body and head were connected by a cord. When you pulled it apart, it would shimmy back together while chanting, "I'm falling apart, I'm falling apart." We loved that crazy doll and even now sometimes will repeat her words.

As evidenced by my somewhat lackadaisical approach to blogging over the past couple of weeks, "I'm falling apart, I'm falling apart." The holidays are difficult. I like to keep it simple, but the people I love prefer a whirlwind of busyness that sucks up my not-so-ordered life and spews it in all directions. Even with the Accountability Partnership I'm lagging behind.

I have read a few books, though, as I put my youngest to bed. They're mostly light reading, fun reads that you come away from with a little happy sigh.

Under the Mistletoe Collection by Heather B. Moore, Sarah M. Eden, Julie Coulter Bellon, Annette Lyon, Jennifer Griffith, and Cindy Roland Anderson (I received this in exchange for an honest review)





Cookie Girl Christmas (my personal fave) by Christene Houston





The Mariposa Hotel by Heather B. Moore, Julie Wright, and Melanie Jacobson  (I received this in exchange for an honest review)


and





Sarah M. Eden British Isles Collection by, of course, Sarah M. Eden (I received this in exchange for an honest review).







I recommend all of them.



Thursday, November 5, 2015

Two Weddings and a Book I Can't Wait to Read

You already know that my daughter got married, but 11 days later, my niece got married. Crazy schedules and family in town and tons of fun and beautiful gowns and slacking on blogging. So this is going to be quick.


Four ways to get Banished from the last surviving city on earth are: 1. Cut out your emotion tracker, 2. Join a religious cult, 3. Create a rebellion against the Legislature, 4. Fall in love. Jezebel James does all four.


For the next 29 days, Kindle Scout is open for nominations of books they're considering for publication. There is one by Jane Redd (click to see how to win $100 Amazon gift card, titled Solstice.

I cannot wait to read it.

I read the excerpt that is available and wanted to keep punching the down arrow for more when it was over. Check it out

https://kindlescout.amazon.com/p/19YG70FO7KJU7.

And, if you like it,  nominate it when you're done.



Monday, November 2, 2015

Turned Out So Lovely

The wedding day was amazing and so grateful to have Jamee Edwards do the photography because it is phenomenal. Here are a few pictures:

 

 





Monday, October 26, 2015

Pornography: To Write It or Not to Write It.

The American College of Pediatricians has posted an article about the Impact of Pornography on Children. The article also cites studies that show a negative impact on young adults and adults alike. No one is unaffected. Please take the time to read it, to ponder how to protect our young people, and to commit to being a force for good in what you write.

In the article, Miriam-Webster is cited as defining pornography as "the depiction of erotic behavior (sexual display in pictures or writing) that is intended to cause sexual excitement".

Consumption of pornography is associated with many negative emotional, psychological, and physical health outcomes.2

You can write whatever you want. But before you do, read this article. I know the lean is not toward clean or proper romances, but when we understand how pornography (written or in pictures) affects our society, maybe it's time to take a stand. Stand with me for clean literature, for novels that don't need sex to sell, and against this erosion  that is so readily available.


There is a wonderful book listed in the Resources, Good Pictures Bad Pictures by Kristen Jenson and Gayle Poyner, available that you can read with your children that gives them tools to deal with exposure to pornography. 



http://www.acpeds.org/the-college-speaks/position-statements/the-impact-of-pornography-on-children; "www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pornography Accessed 6/4/15"

2 http://www.acpeds.org/the-college-speaks/position-statements/the-impact-of-pornography-on-children


Monday, October 19, 2015

Advice from Author of The Book Thief

It's easy to hand out advice, to play cheerleader, to pretend I know something about the craft of writing. But what if it came from someone who had actually published a best-seller, a book made into a movie? Enter, Markus Zusak, author of The Book Thief, in an interview by Sarah Kinson.

His advice

"Don't be afraid to fail. I fail every day. I failed thousands of times writing The Book Thief, and that book now means everything to me. Of course, I have many doubts and fears about that book, too, but some of what I feel are the best ideas in it came to me when I was working away for apparently no result. Failure has been my best friend as a writer. It tests you, to see if you have what it takes to see it through."

The secret to writing according to Mr. Zusak?

"The best ideas come to you when you're sitting down, working. That's when most of the breakthroughs occur--simply by doing the work. If someone wanted to be a runner, you don't tell them to think about running, you tell them to run."

So if you're gearing up for National Novel Writing Month (affectionately referred to as NaNo or NaNoWriMo), get your outline (even if it's a very rough sketch), your meal plans, and your calendar ready. If you're not, set a goal to write every day, even if it's just 100 words. This is a marathon, not a sprint, and you have to get moving if you want to reach the finish line. 

Write On, my friends! 




Monday, October 12, 2015

Lofty Goals

"Shoot for the moon. If you miss it, you will still land among the stars." --Norman Vincent Peale

Well, here goes, I'm shooting for the moon:

BMO HARRIS PHOENIX HALF-MARATHON






Sometimes we have to set our goals so lofty that we cannot escape the work that goes into it every day. I know that if I want to run (or walk, as I am doing) a half-marathon (or even a full), that I have to commit to an exercise regimen six days a week. It's okay to miss a day here or there, but never two in a row.

Writing isn't any different. If we want to write that novel, we have to commit to writing a little bit every day. SO much easier said than done. Life gets in the way sometimes. But you know what? Every day except Sundays and the occasional day I have an early appointment, I am walking 3-4 miles. My husband goes along too, he's my walking Accountability Partner. If I'm tired or don't feel like walking, he's there, encouraging me to put my shoes on and get out the door. (I love our long walks, so it's a pretty easy persuasion).

Find an Accountability Partner for your writing. Set personal goals. Do a little every day. Make it a habit. Our writing group has a goal of 2300 words before we meet again. It's only 100 words a day (excepting Sundays). Easy peasy, right? But if I want to reach it I have to change my ways and start writing just a little every day. I'll be reporting to my APs, my group, and here on my blog. Would love to have you join me. Leave a comment and let me know what your goal is. As always, Write On my friends!











Friday, October 9, 2015

The Dress (Mid-Week Post)

Short post today, but thought I'd post the wedding dress for those who wanted to see it. (You will also see why I'm a writer not a photographer.)


Monday, October 5, 2015

Of Weddings and Blessings and Getting Things Done

I grew up in the sticks. One gas pump at the small country store. If you didn't want to cook, you headed to the saloon. My mom and dad, in their wisdom, joined 4-H and dragged us along.
It was awesome. I learned about raising chickens, working with leather, art, and a variety of other things. But one of the best things my mom taught me was how to sew. Until last Halloween, I hadn't sewn anything in a long time. I'd forgotten how much I love it. You can see the project at my post on Creativity.

My daughter is getting married and the dress she fell in love with was way outside my budget. I looked at the dress and knew I could make it. I spent hours gathering what I needed. One thing I lacked was motivation, another was a block of time. (Does that sound familiar with novel writing?) My mom, again to the rescue, came to stay and has been my task master, reminding me we have a dress to make and helping me sew and fit it and stay on task.

Who helps you stay on task? If you don't have an accountability partner, find one. They make a difference when you need that extra push.


Monday, September 21, 2015

It Most Definitely IS Important

Is what we do as writers really that important? It's like a stone skipped on water or simply thrown to the middle of the lake. We cannot know the far-reaching effects of our labors. I would argue that we absolutely don't, and shouldn't, write for that reason, but it is for that reason we cannot give up. We must tell our stories and I want to share this because I think we sometimes forget. Write On, my friends, and thank YOU Dean Koontz for reminding and inspiring us to not give up.

Recently an email came through from Publishers Weekly which contained the following from Dean Koontz:




Monday, September 14, 2015

Efficiency

Efficiency: n the state or quality of being efficient (Random House Webster's)

Efficient: adj performing or functioning effectively with the least waste of time and effort


Take a good look at this envelope. I got it in the mail last week. What is so utterly bizarre about that? Check the date I mailed it. August 2014. It took over a year to be returned to me. Seems a little inefficient to me. But maybe I'm wrong. Maybe the French post decided to walk it to the ocean (Pacific or Atlantic, take your pick, it really doesn't matter), then handed it to a sailor who had decided to break some world record for sailing a dinghy around the world, sticking it in a bottle (just in case, you know, it gets knocked overboard). Let's say that was good planning on the sailor's part and eventually it drifts ashore somewhere in the Americas (North or South, either works). A Canadian Goose (I went with North), liking the color, picks it up in his beak (evidence near the stamp) and flies South for the winter. The other birds became jealous and in order to protect himself, he flips it at a white milk truck. Only it isn't a milk truck, it's my mail carrier. Hooray, it finally finds itself back on my desk. 

If I asked any one of those people/geese if they could improve the process, what would be their response? What would be your response if I asked you if you could improve your writing process, trim some things, make the process more efficient? 

Is there an area where you spend too much time? (research, FB, email, games--I'm guilty of a few of those on any given day). What can you do to make your writing time (or even your 'free' time) more efficient? Commit to one little change. Even if it's tiny. And, as always, Write On my friends.



Book Sale!

Need some sweet romance to sigh your way through the holidays? Here you go: Merry Christmas and happy wishes for however you celebrate!