M. Leighton's Blog, page 36
March 2, 2011
Wiccan, the book I haven't mentioned yet
It's the strangest thing, but I just realized that in all the excitement over The Reaping, I forgot to mention the book that I just published last week. It's called Wiccan. Obviously, it's got a "witchy" element in it. And while it's definitely a paranormal romance, it's heavier on the romantic aspect than The Reaping was. Wiccan is totally different than The Reaping, but I really like it. It flowed so smoothly and so quickly, I finished it in just over 2 weeks. My husband liked this one, too, if it's any consolation to any male readers out there.
In fact, just the other day, I had to confess to my better half that I thought I'd developed a bit of a crush on Grayson, the main male character of Wiccan. I don't know why, but he just took shape to me in a way that none of my other male leads have. It was really bizarre. As readers, I'd be curious to know if any of you who've read both were able to pick up on my overall fondness of Grayson. Am I really that transparent? Probably:)
Anyway, I just posted the book trailer for it. I finished it the day I published the book, but I just now heard back from A Life Divided about using the music. I know there's music on YouTube you can use, but I like to find a song that speaks to the book, not just some funky elevator music that's provided, ya know? I pulled the trailer until I heard back, just like I did with The Reaping book trailer. Still haven't heard back from them. I may end up having to use another song for it, which I would hate because "Alive" totally suits the book. *sigh* But, we do what we must. Because we're adults and do to anything less would be...well...not very adult. *another sigh* I miss being a kid.
Here's the trailer. Enjoy!!
In fact, just the other day, I had to confess to my better half that I thought I'd developed a bit of a crush on Grayson, the main male character of Wiccan. I don't know why, but he just took shape to me in a way that none of my other male leads have. It was really bizarre. As readers, I'd be curious to know if any of you who've read both were able to pick up on my overall fondness of Grayson. Am I really that transparent? Probably:)
Anyway, I just posted the book trailer for it. I finished it the day I published the book, but I just now heard back from A Life Divided about using the music. I know there's music on YouTube you can use, but I like to find a song that speaks to the book, not just some funky elevator music that's provided, ya know? I pulled the trailer until I heard back, just like I did with The Reaping book trailer. Still haven't heard back from them. I may end up having to use another song for it, which I would hate because "Alive" totally suits the book. *sigh* But, we do what we must. Because we're adults and do to anything less would be...well...not very adult. *another sigh* I miss being a kid.
Here's the trailer. Enjoy!!
February 26, 2011
Book Bloggers and Reviews
I just can't say enough about book bloggers and how awesome they are. I mean, yeah, it totally helps that thus far I've gotten good reviews and I hope that's always the case. It's certainly my aim--to please readers. But even if they don't favor one of my books, I have to give props to these amazing people who read so, so, so many books and then share their findings with the world. Their influence is unparalleled and their dedication unmatched.
I'm going to post links under the book heading that the review applies to (so far The Reaping since I haven't sent any of the others out:) and I highly suggest that you actually look at the blog themselves. They're entertaining and visually stimulating and just downright awesome.
Tip o' the hat to all the bloggers out there. I'm a loyal fan!
I'm going to post links under the book heading that the review applies to (so far The Reaping since I haven't sent any of the others out:) and I highly suggest that you actually look at the blog themselves. They're entertaining and visually stimulating and just downright awesome.
Tip o' the hat to all the bloggers out there. I'm a loyal fan!
February 24, 2011
Review of The Reaping
Well, it's official! I got my first review of The Reaping and it was great! I'm tickled beyond description and I have to tip my hat to Jessica at Firefly Book Loft not only for being the first person to review it, but for really "getting" it. To read her review click here.
And really, you should be visiting her blog anyway. She has the best personality and it spills out onto everything she talks about. I just love it. I may have a character some day soon who seems surprisingly similar to Jessica. Maybe even someone in the sequel to The Reaping. That would be fitting. And, Jessica, I promise not to kill her off :D
And really, you should be visiting her blog anyway. She has the best personality and it spills out onto everything she talks about. I just love it. I may have a character some day soon who seems surprisingly similar to Jessica. Maybe even someone in the sequel to The Reaping. That would be fitting. And, Jessica, I promise not to kill her off :D
February 21, 2011
An Amazing Idea
Those of you out there who are the creative types, whether a writer, an actor, a designer or a painter, you know how it feels to have that light bulb moment, that brilliant flash of a great idea. Of all the many, many satisfying moments in our lives, that has to rank up there among the top few, doesn't it?
Last night I had what I think is a great idea for a book and this morning, hours later, I'm still riding that high. I'm so excited, I can't stand myself (that happens often, but for myriad reasons:). I am in the middle of finishing a project, but I can hardly wait to get it done so I can start on my next new and exciting journey. The one small comfort that I have is that I have a notebook that has been within a foot of my body since last night when creativity struck. At least I can sort of "work on it" until I am freed up and able to really work on it.
One of the most awesome things, in my opinion, about being a writer is that every few weeks (or every day if you so choose), you can live another life. You can be anyone anywhere at any time doing anything. Today I'm Mercy in Pennsylvania getting ready to spend an evening with Grayson. Next week, though, I'll be a girl in the not-so-distant future on the world's most important mission with only a pen and paper to guide me to the one person on the planet who can help me. Life is good!
Last night I had what I think is a great idea for a book and this morning, hours later, I'm still riding that high. I'm so excited, I can't stand myself (that happens often, but for myriad reasons:). I am in the middle of finishing a project, but I can hardly wait to get it done so I can start on my next new and exciting journey. The one small comfort that I have is that I have a notebook that has been within a foot of my body since last night when creativity struck. At least I can sort of "work on it" until I am freed up and able to really work on it.
One of the most awesome things, in my opinion, about being a writer is that every few weeks (or every day if you so choose), you can live another life. You can be anyone anywhere at any time doing anything. Today I'm Mercy in Pennsylvania getting ready to spend an evening with Grayson. Next week, though, I'll be a girl in the not-so-distant future on the world's most important mission with only a pen and paper to guide me to the one person on the planet who can help me. Life is good!
February 15, 2011
Less a post than a question
Is the term "smart phone" a hideous misnomer?
February 14, 2011
I love the Grammys!
The Grammys. So prestigious. So glamorous. So magical. So FUNNY!
My guilty pleasure is Hollywood smut. I love the gossip about all the stars--what they're doing, who they're dating, what kind of collosal faux pas they've made (cough, cough--Christina Aguilera messing up the National Anthem). And the Grammys are like crack for the smut addict. I love to see who they come with and what they're wearing.
Their outfits are always something amazing to see. I mean, a lot of them look great, but there's always a few that make a huge spectacle upon their arrival. Whether they come in an egg with points plastered on their shoulders or in an animal print with a poodle atop their head, they're always fascinating.
And then there are the performances. Some are awesome; I could watch them over and over again. But some...some make you wonder how in the world these peole ever got a recording contract. They also make your ears grateful for the effects achieved by studio. And then there are the oddities like publicly abused women who get up on a stage for all the world to see and sing about liking the way things hurt. That's irony at it's very best.
I went to bed last night satisfied. I had a stomach full of doughnuts (great smut-watching food BTW) and a head full of crazy costumes and botched performances. Is it sad and terrible that it made for a great night of television and a peaceful night's sleep?
My guilty pleasure is Hollywood smut. I love the gossip about all the stars--what they're doing, who they're dating, what kind of collosal faux pas they've made (cough, cough--Christina Aguilera messing up the National Anthem). And the Grammys are like crack for the smut addict. I love to see who they come with and what they're wearing.
Their outfits are always something amazing to see. I mean, a lot of them look great, but there's always a few that make a huge spectacle upon their arrival. Whether they come in an egg with points plastered on their shoulders or in an animal print with a poodle atop their head, they're always fascinating.
And then there are the performances. Some are awesome; I could watch them over and over again. But some...some make you wonder how in the world these peole ever got a recording contract. They also make your ears grateful for the effects achieved by studio. And then there are the oddities like publicly abused women who get up on a stage for all the world to see and sing about liking the way things hurt. That's irony at it's very best.
I went to bed last night satisfied. I had a stomach full of doughnuts (great smut-watching food BTW) and a head full of crazy costumes and botched performances. Is it sad and terrible that it made for a great night of television and a peaceful night's sleep?
February 12, 2011
The new book trailer for The Reaping
This is freakin' me out...but in a good way:)
February 8, 2011
Book Giveaway - drawing 2/21/11
If you're interested in throwing your hat in the ring for a free eBook copy of The Reaping, sign up at Electrifying Reviews HERE
Book Bloggers -- A beautiful thing
Some people may have been out there reading these fantastic people all this time, but me? I had no idea that book blogs were even a thing until recently.
After publishing my first eBook, THE REAPING, to Kindle last week, I discovered book bloggers. And these guys are amazing! They spend their free time reading and often reviewing books. Some of them are fairly limited as to what they will review, but still, these folks do amazing things for authors and book sales. They can provide incredible visibility and their recommendations carry a tremendous amount of weight.
So, I'm doing a shout out (I've always wanted to say that, and since I'm not gonna be winning an Oscar anytime soon, this is my chance) to the all the frickin' awesome book bloggers out there. Thanks for doing what you do, which I'm sure at times feels more like a job than a hobby, and for supporting us authors. I hope the rest of you will start reviewing Indie Authors and self-pubbers (hint, hint, cough, cough, ME!!). You can still be selective, but maybe you could just try it. It just may very well be that you're missing out on some talented people out there who've just decided to take a different road. Another thing to consider is that the road less traveled (eBooks) is quickly becoming a path traveled nearly as frequently as the traditional way of big publishing houses. I'm anxious to see what the next couple of years does to the industry. It's a brave new world out there, guys, and I'm goin' with it!
After publishing my first eBook, THE REAPING, to Kindle last week, I discovered book bloggers. And these guys are amazing! They spend their free time reading and often reviewing books. Some of them are fairly limited as to what they will review, but still, these folks do amazing things for authors and book sales. They can provide incredible visibility and their recommendations carry a tremendous amount of weight.
So, I'm doing a shout out (I've always wanted to say that, and since I'm not gonna be winning an Oscar anytime soon, this is my chance) to the all the frickin' awesome book bloggers out there. Thanks for doing what you do, which I'm sure at times feels more like a job than a hobby, and for supporting us authors. I hope the rest of you will start reviewing Indie Authors and self-pubbers (hint, hint, cough, cough, ME!!). You can still be selective, but maybe you could just try it. It just may very well be that you're missing out on some talented people out there who've just decided to take a different road. Another thing to consider is that the road less traveled (eBooks) is quickly becoming a path traveled nearly as frequently as the traditional way of big publishing houses. I'm anxious to see what the next couple of years does to the industry. It's a brave new world out there, guys, and I'm goin' with it!
February 1, 2011
My Favorite Things
Ok, so Amazon lets you put things that they sell on your website or blog as a quick access point to purchase those items, which I think is very cool. Sooooo, I am going to take a leaf from Oprah and start a "Michelle's favorite things" slideshow. I'm going to change it every week and just put random things that I enjoy, things that I see/watch/hear/read/purchase that someone else might like, too. And, yes, there will probably always be at least one pair of shoes on there. They don't sell coffee or chocolate at Amazon, but shoes are right up there underneath them as some of my favorite things.
I used to be a tomboy, like BIG TIME! I even used to hunt with my dad years and years and years ago (strange, I know, since I'm such an animal lover now). But when the realization hit that I'm a girl, it hit HARD! I totally went the opposite direction, favoring everything pink, sparkly or scented (if possible, all three at once). So here I am today, one of those people who can be easily distracted by something shiny, but I'm owning it:) You could probably spot me at the mall; my ADD really kicks in there. Wish I was at the mall....[sigh].
Anyway, check out the first few things that I love and stay tuned for more. There's always more!
I used to be a tomboy, like BIG TIME! I even used to hunt with my dad years and years and years ago (strange, I know, since I'm such an animal lover now). But when the realization hit that I'm a girl, it hit HARD! I totally went the opposite direction, favoring everything pink, sparkly or scented (if possible, all three at once). So here I am today, one of those people who can be easily distracted by something shiny, but I'm owning it:) You could probably spot me at the mall; my ADD really kicks in there. Wish I was at the mall....[sigh].
Anyway, check out the first few things that I love and stay tuned for more. There's always more!
