Judith Leger's Blog, page 11

The Twilight Saint - Jessica Penot

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Blurb:
It has been thousands of years since the fall of the great nations and the tribes that remain in the ashes of the fallen must fight to survive in the shadows.  In this desperate landscape, Ailive has spent her entire life fighting for the honor of her tribe and she has grown weary of war. When Ailive sees a chance to escape her fate, she flees into a chaotic landscape where death and darkness lurk behind every friendly face until she finds refuge in the peaceful city at the center of her world.  In this city, Ailive finds everything she’s ever dreamt of, but news of a strange prophet from the South brings whispers of war to Ailive’s peaceful home.  Now Ailive alone can stop the genocide of an entire tribe of people.  Ailive alone holds the key to bringing peace to the world and destroying the monstrous man whom she once loved, if she can only gain the courage to pick up her sword again and make herself fulfill the destiny she’s fought her entire life.

EXCERPT:I walk the way of the storm. It is all I have ever known. In the haze of early childhood memories, there exists brief moments before the storm, but now it has consumed everything. Every piece of me has been lost and all I can remember is fire and smoke and the remains of old dreams singed by death.  Even as I sat high above the city, looking down on the magnificent beauty of my tribe, the smell of death lingered. Our tribe’s city was alive, vibrant, and prosperous, but to me it was nothing.
I sat perched on top of the highest tower of the karash, looking down on what most people in our tribe would call the real world. I was a Xenderian. I was part of the most powerful tribe of its time. I was more than part of it; I was the sword that cut the path to its glory. I was a karake. I was born to fight for the glory of my people, but as I looked through the icy air, I felt dead inside. My scars were long and my nightmares haunted my every moment.
Check out the Author! [image error]
To learn more about Jessica Penot and her books go towww.jessicapenot.net or follow her on her adventures at her blog www.ghoststoriesandhauntedplaces.blogspot.com.
Amazon code Kindle:Click this to go to AmazonJessica Penot  Online:Website  http://www.jessicapenot.net/Blog  http://www.ghoststoriesandhauntedplaces.blogspot.com/Facebook  http://www.facebook.com/#!/jessica.penotTwitter  https://twitter.com/#!/Jessica_Penot

Review - Books by Terry Irene Blane - Promo Blitz

My first review of Colorado Silver, Colorado Gold.  It was nice to read a book reminiscent of the historical romances from the 1980's.  Ms. Blain's book reminded me of Rebecca Bradewynes' novels.

The story was smooth and enjoyable. I liked both the heroine and hero.  

I would definitely recommend this book to readers who enjoy diving into a true historical romance novel.






Blurb: 

To protect her sister, Juliette Lawson stole documents and fled west. Now Wes Westmoreland, undercover lawman, threatens both her plan and her heart.

Synopsis:

Socialite Juliette Lawson fled west from Philadelphia on a train and in disguise. In Colorado she’d be safe; she’d take work with her uncle at the Rio d'Oro, his smelting operation. Her actions back east had been wrong, but to protect her pregnant sister from scandal she would have done anything. Then she met a man as hungry for answers as she was for independence. A handsome, honorable man. For him, she wished the truth was hers to tell.

From the first, Wes Westmoreland knew he couldn’t trust her. Having grown up in the saloons and brothels of San Francisco, he saw trust, like love, as a luxury an undercover lawman couldn’t afford. Not on a job like this one, not with gold involved. This woman dressed as a widow was clearly hiding something; he’d felt it the moment they touched. But he’d felt other things too, stirrings in his heart, and for the first time ever, he saw riches worth the peril.

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My second review is on Kentucky Green.  Another great feat of storytelling by Ms. Blain.  I have so missed books set in this era and location.  I used to devour every one I could find.  It was nice to see such a strong heroine.  Would definitely recommend this book.






Blurb:  April Williamson’s heart calls her across the frontier, but only one man—a handsome army scout with a tormented past—can get her safely to freedom. Synopsis:  Daniel McKenzie was an army scout—quiet, capable, handsome…and utterly unwilling to be the trail guide April Williamson needed to reach Kentucky. The Indian attack at Blue Licks was but one bitter taste of the American frontier, a massacre that had taken her father just as cholera had taken her mother. But April would not give up on her dream. At journey’s end was independence, and nothing would stand in her way.The young widow was beautiful and determined, but the months of travel involved in her plan would be too hard. Without the general’s order Dan would have told any woman no, but April especially. His secret would destroy her—or she might destroy him. April’s kiss was like the country itself. Restless and sweet, it promised a love that denied every boundary and looked only to freedom and the future.



Giveaway  (10)
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Terry Irene Blain

Bio:  Terry Irene Blain was lucky enough to grow up in a large Mid-western family with a rich oral tradition. As a child she heard stories of ancestors’ adventures with Indians, wildlife, weather and frontier life in general, so she naturally gravitated to the study of history and completed a BA and MA then taught the subject at the college level. Married to a sailor, now retired, she’s had the chance to live in various parts of the U.S. and has traveled to Hong Kong, Australia, England and Scotland.

“My degrees and my teaching experience make me a natural to write historical romance. Writing historical romance gives me the opportunity to pass on stories of who we are and where we come from while exploring the relationship between men and women. What could be more exciting than that?”

Running Away

At one time or another, we all wish we could run away.

Don't you?  I know over my life, I've desired to do that.  When difficult situations arise, the need to escape...run away is overpowering.  I never have done it. Somehow I've found the strength to carry on. Yet I've realized that I'm running away from my writing.  Right now I working through two difficult scenes in my current WIP.


Why are they difficult? Because they deal with abuse and the aftereffects on the person who was abused.  I've been through a lot of stuff in my life.  I wouldn't say a ton of it was abuse but the way it affected me and my reaction was very similar to what is happening to my character.

It's hard.

I am putting off writing the critical points in the scenes.

It's too much of a reminder of what happened to me.

You think because years go by that it won't hurt anymore but though the pain is not as fresh, if you dig deep enough, the wound still oozes. It's taken me a long time to realize what I've been doing.  I don't want to write these scenes.  I want to let my character be happy without them but his story is there and it has to be told so I am going to do my best to put the words on the page.

Will what I'm feeling help this story?

I think so...I hope so.

Anyway, thought I'd share with you guys.

Beth Revis' Blog and Les Floyd's place!

I found two cool blogs.

The first was one I came across on twitter.  I love this author's outlook.  She has some great ideas and suggestions so be sure and check out Beth Revis' blog.  Here's the Link.


And yes, I am going to do some shameless promo for her.  (I don't know the woman but I do adore her blog.  Helps other authors and that's a huge plus in my book!)


A love out of time.

A spaceship built of secrets and murder. When Amy is frozen aboard the interstellar spaceship, she expects to be woken in 300 years on a new planet. Instead, someone wakes her up early…and if Amy doesn’t figure out soon, the next people woken up might not survive–including her parents.

So if you want to read some great posts, go check out her place!

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The other blog is from a guy who followed me on Twitter.  I usually check out the websites of the people who follow me cause you just don't know what to expect from some people these days.  Anyway, I went to his blog for one main reason.  I couldn't figure out what the heck Lesism was so off I clicked.  I ended up on  an informative and insightful blog.


So be sure and check him out too.  Here's the link to his blog.


Judith Leger

Wow, this year is almost GONE!

And to think, in less than 6 months, the world will come to an end.



Sure. I sooo believe that.

But the Mayans said it's true!

Uh, well, maybe some of them.

Have you guys read about this new find?  It's really interesting.  There are so many places yet to be discovered and this is just one that was recently found.

http://www.usatoday.com/tech/science/story/2012-05-08/maya-apocalypse-calendar-2012/54879760/1

So yeah, I can definitely see this happening. The Mayans were an expansive people.  They did things BIG. Look at all their buildings. So limiting themselves to a certain time span seems really out of character for them.

Still the thought of some horrendous destruction of the planet in less than 6 months really gives the imagination food for thought. Yep, I have scenes and scenes floating around where the world is over and the survivors have to...well, survive.


Here's the video about the find. I love these types of discoveries. There's so much here on land and I believe, under the sea, that we have yet to discover. Look at the site off the coast of Japan.  They estimate it to be over 10,000 years old.  This was a time scientists believed men hadn't created any large structures. Most scientists believed men were still hunter/gathers at this time. But who knows?  Who says it's impossible for men to have created such structures during that time? Look at the world's major sites  with the pyramid structures throughout the world. Similar but different. How did people from different areas around the world come up with the same shape?

Makes you wonder, doesn't it?




Any thoughts on the subject?  Just post and let me know!



Judith Leger

To Agent or Not?

I had a recommendation today to submit a book to an agent.  This is wonderful but in today's marketing, is this feasible?

Agents used to be a method to reach the larger presses. Now, seems like they're hungry cause the epubs are leading the pack with sales. Times change with the advent of easier forms of submissions to epubs.  Online is the best way to go when an author is out shopping for a buyer for their book.

So is an agent feasible in the e-publishing world?  I'm teetering on the edge here.  Would love to hear any feedback/opinions/personal experiences on this matter.

Oh BTW, today is my 33 year anniversary.  Yep, me and the old man have been together for a long time.  Who knew...

Peace and Blessings,

In Memory of My Mom

Mother's day is right around the corner. During the last nine years, I think often of my mother.  She went to meet my Dad on June 15, 2003, Father's Day that year.

I still miss her but I know she's in a much better place.

She suffered from Alzheimer's.  This was a very difficult time for me and my sister. So in a way to help overcome my grief, I wrote a short essay about her death.

If you would like to read it, please go to Angie's Diary. 

It helped me to heal and move forward just like I know my Mom would have wanted me to.

http://angiesdiary.com/beauty-health/medical/one-last-visit/

My mother was an extraordinary woman. Of course, most mothers are.  She was raised in Mississippi at a time when the world was growing and changing.  She grew up during the depression era but she always carried an air of sophistication and class about her.

 
So, here's to Mom!
Happy Mother's Day!

Klutz Here. Just Ignore the Bruising.

You ever heard of clumsy before? 
You know, the people who end up busting their asses when they don’t mean to? 
Points to chest.  Yep, that would be me.
My family and I had a get together this weekend.  Family came and I had the grandbaby there, too. (YES!  Love my little girl.  She’s almost 3.) We have two barns.  A big one and a little one which is the one my hubby cooks at sometimes.  Well, he cooked Saturday.
I went out there with my youngest son and the grandbaby.  As I was turning to go back to the house, me and my feet decided to do a zombie dance around the butane bottle. 

1 for the bottle – 0 for Judith.  



I fell, sitting on the lip of the bottle.  It dug into the back of my thigh then I slowly did a roll to the left--which to me is amazing since I was facing the left to begin with.  In slow motion, I dropped the foot or so to the concrete where I did a little bounce.  The food on my plate…yeah, flew up and splattered.

Oh, and did I cry? 
Nope. Sticks out chest with pride.  I was strong.
I wanted to bawl like a new born but Granddaughter was watching.
And she loves her Ma big time.
She would have cried if Ma had cried. I can't stand it when she cries.
So I hopped up, exclaiming, “I’m fine!  I’m good!”
I helped to clean up the mess and prepared another plate.  I even managed to walk to the house with no further accidents.  Of course, I went straight to the medicine cabinet where I took some Advil.
The next morning, I could barely move.  There were bruises where I really didn’t think there would be bruises. But I’m good.
Just another day in the life of a klutz!!!

Tactical Planning - No lost of life involved.

Did I ever tell you that I don't like interruptions?
I have them, all the time. At work, home, even when I'm trying to soak in the tub.  Bet you have them too.
Take for instant the other night.  
My beloved husband of 32 years strolls into my office.  I’m right in the middle of an intense scene.  The hero is about to speak of his undying love when DEAR hubby starts talking.
My fingers freeze over the keys. Thoughts scattered to the wind. I try the ‘uh huh’ with a nod to at least show him I’m listening while I scramble to recall the incredible sentence I was writing.
“You’re not listening.  You do that all the time.  Act like you’re listening and you’re not.” 
Was that annoyance I hear in his voice?
“Yes, I am. You just said…” and I calmly repeat (not verbatim but close enough) to please him. This is obviously a sign that I want to listen to every golden utterance falling from his lips.
My fingers are beginning to cramp from holding them still so long. Staring at the computer screen, I try patience but it's not working. I hear one out ten words he’s saying while responding with a nod or a yes while I try valiantly to regroup.
It’s impossible.  I consider stuffing something in his mouth.  My gaze wanders along my desk, searching.  I stop at the stapler. No, won’t go through his lips. 
There is NOTHING on my desk that'll make him be quiet.  Ten minutes that's all I need to finish.  Just a measly amount of time to capture the essence of the scene. 
Sweat starts to drip down my brow.  I have to finish this scene. If I don't capture the awesomeness before it flies out the window gone forever then this entire book is ruined.  And it's all his fault.  I frown.  Is that grounds for divorce.  I discard that idea.  I adore my honey when he's NOT interrupting me.   
My heart is racing and I'm having difficulty in controlling the building panic. This is getting critical. And he’s still going strong. 
Gritting my teeth, my last “uh huh” comes out abrupt.  He stops and I feel his gaze on me.  Crap. If he even suspects I want him to leave me alone, he’ll stay just for the heck of it.
The phone sits on the corner of the desk. A light bulb goes off and my mood lightens.
Turning, I face him with my most charming smile and ask, “Have you talked to your Mom lately?  I haven’t talked to her in a few days.”
One little white lie won't hurt.  Hopefully, Ma in law won't mention we'd talked yesterday.
He stutters and stalls, surprise evident on his features. “Uh, well, no.”
Another bright grin causes him to blink. Rapidly. “Why not give her a call? See how she’s doing?”
With a nod, he reaches for the phone and stands.  “That’s a good idea.”
He’s dialing before he’s completely out of the room.
A sigh of pure bliss escapes. I slap my hand over my mouth to keep him from hearing.
With a low wicked chuckle, I turn back to my WIP!

To Thesaurus or not?

Makes me envision dinosaurs when I see that word. Whoever thought that name up must have been reading a book on dinos. Would love to see a thesaurus with blue/purple iridescent scales and bright red feathers.  It'd be 4 stories high and have every word in every language in it. Wouldn't that be grand?

Okay, I digress. But I'm curious. How many of you use a thesaurus to write?

I have a three inch thesaurus. The size of my thesaurus is no  match for any extinct reptile. My book is titled, The Synonym Finder by J. I. Rodale. Do I love it? You betcha!

The pages are marked with colored tabs (I put them there) to mark words I use too often. Yes, I have a terrible habit when I’m writing to use the same word over several times. The thesaurus helps me find another word in its place. I also think it adds a wonderful flavor to the story too.

I even found a name for my hero in the my novel Dragon Wish from this thesaurus. I searched the words brave, honorable, warrior. When I reached warrior, the name popped out. Paladin. Perfect match for my character so that's his name!

My thesaurus has over one million synonyms along with their acronyms. I’ve had it for about eight years now and the pages are a little yellow and bent. Did I say how much I loved this book? It was an excellent investment for my writing. I’ve tried the computer’s synonym finder but it’s not the same. The selections are small and don’t work well with what I’m searching for. Sort of like having an affair. I feel guilty using any other word search. Did I tell you I can be a little warped?

Do you have a favorite thesaurus? How often do you use it? Let me know.