L.M. Schukraft's Blog, page 10

Goodreads Giveaway Contest!!

Extra! Extra! Read all about it!!!

Starting today – February 18th, 2017 – and running until February 25th, 2017, you can enter for a chance to win your very own copy of Even Halos Can Be Crooked by L. M. Schukraft!

What do you need to do to enter this amazingly awesome contest? Just check out the information below!! Click on “Enter Giveaway” and that should take you right where you need to be to join this contest! Good luck everyone and check back often for more updates and giveaways!

Even Halos Can Be Crooked

by L.M. Schukraft (Goodreads Author)
Release date: Feb 07, 2017
Hello All!I am a brand new indie author. I’m also brand new to Goodreads. As a new author, I’m on a quest to find readers for my novel Even Halos Can Be Crooked. I’d love some reviews too!!



My novel is a Paranormal Romance that has been suggested if people like watching the TV series Supernatural, they might like reading my book.

I love my characters. I started reading it again when I got my print proof just a few days ago and have laughed a couple of times out loud in just the first 6 chapters. It’s a fast, light read and I think people would enjoy it if they gave it a chance :)The deadline for this contest is February 25th, 2017. Let’s have some fun reading something new and helping this author out!!





Enter Giveaway

Giveaway ends in: 7 days and 16:57:39

Availability: 1 copy available

Giveaway dates: Feb 18 – Feb 25, 2017

Countries available: US

Format: Print Book

Event: Guest Author Article on The Story Reading Ape March 22, 2017 1:00 am UTC

The Story Reading Ape website will be sharing a guest author article of mine where I’m interviewed by Desmin, the Devils Spawn Minion, from The Crooked Halo series. A direct link to the article will be provided after it has gone live on March 22, 2017 at 1:00 am UTC (London, UK time).

You can RSVP for the Event on The Crooked Halo Series Facebook page here:

The Crooked Halo Series Facebook RSVP Event for Guest Article

Link for The Story Reading Ape blog site:

https://thestoryreadingapeblog.com/

Image Credits

I had absolutely no idea what to call this post but I felt it was important to share where the images I used for my blog page header came from. With the exception of the galaxy photo, all the photos were taken by me. Below I’ve noted where these images were taken for your reference. I’ll be adding pictures periodically. This could be kind of a Places to Check Out page, too.

 

These pictures were taken in May 2016.

Location: Webster, NY

Ontario Bay  near the Pier

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These pictures were taken at the Butterfly Garden.

Location: Strong Museum of Play

Rochester, NY

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This picture was taken along the Erie Canal Path

Location: Fairport, NY

 

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This picture was take at Sonnenberg Gardens.

Location: Canandaigua, NY

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This picture was taken somewhere along I90 heading towards

Geneva, NY

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All right, I’ve spent 30 minutes searching for the name of this place and my toddler is screaming at me so I’m just going to give a general location. It’s a church in Highland Park, Rochester, NY. It’s near a school of dentistry and its up on a hill. It’s pretty awesome to check out if you get the chance to.

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Like The Crooked Halo Series on Facebook

Below is a quick link to The Crooked Halos Series Facebook Page. If you like the first book in the series, please help this new author out by liking the page, sharing the page, and following it! Maybe post a quick review for others to read. All of this really helps spread the word so others can enjoy something new! The page will be updated regularly with blog updates, promotional giveaways, events, book releases, and other fun information such as new short stories or guest author articles for everyone to read.

Click here to Like and Follow The Crooked Halo Series on Facebook

Follow L. M. Schukraft on Goodreads

Below is a link to my Goodreads Author page. You can find my novel there for purchase as well, read it, and review it! If you are a member with Goodreads already, please be sure to check out my page and review Even Halos Can Be Crooked. I also might have promotional giveaways posted there from time to time so be sure to follow me for updates.

Click here to follow L. M. Schukraft on Goodreads

Event: Podcast Live Release Date for Desmin’s First Assignment March 03, 2017 6 pm CST

Desmin’s First Assignment, a flash story in The Crooked Halo series,  is scheduled to go live on the March 3rd podcast of 600 Second Saga, episodes go live at 6pm CST/ 7pm EST.

The podcast will be available here:[image error]

iTunes

Stitcher

YouTube

Facebook

Twitter

Or just go to 600 Second Saga

How to listen to podcasts

Desmin’s First Assignment gives a little more insight into what happened when Desmin was given his very first Crooked Halo to protect, which is briefly mentioned in the first book.  600 Second Saga will be reading the story as a podcast and it will be aired live for the first time March 3rd, 2017. I will share the story here on my blog, in text, after the podcast airs.

Please check in with the Facebook Page Event to let us know you will be listening:

RVSP by liking The Crooked Halo Series on Facebook and joining the event!

Where to buy

Even Halos Can Be Crooked has finally been released for purchase!!

You can pick up your very own copy at the following links:

CreateSpace print copy:

Even Halos Can Be Crooked trade paperback

Amazon.com print and  eBook:

Even Halos Can Be Crooked Amazon eBook

Barnes and Noble print only:

Barnes and Noble link for Even Halos Can Be Crooked

This Goodreads link lists a number of stores that Even Halos Can Be Crooked is available to be ordered from. Please check out the link, friend me on Goodreads, and share a review if you care to:

Goodreads link for Even Halos Can Be Crooked

Libraries and Bookstores can also order Even Halos Can Be Crooked via Ingram!

Please be sure to stop by and let others know how much you enjoyed the story by posting a review on Amazon. Reviews really help new authors and I would love to hear your (please be gentle) feedback!

Happy reading!!

 

A Flash in Time – A Crooked Halo Series Flash short story

I was given the opportunity to submit a short flash story to the 600 Second Saga site.  The site produces podcasts narrated by Mariah Avix. My first flash story was a little too long and rather than lose the time and effort Mariah put into the podcast, she gave me the file and permission to share the audio here. Please be sure to check out her page:   600 Second Saga      My second attempt, Desmin’s First Assignment, will be scheduled for her podcast March 3rd, 2017!

Link to the Podcast audio:

A Flash in Time

A Short Story in The Crooked Halo Series by: L. M. Schukraft

This short story gives the audience a brief look into a moment in the characters lives from The Crooked Halo Series. In this reading, the audience gets to see Autumn as a little girl.

“ Murie!”

I rolled my eyes, knowing mom couldn’t see me, “Mu-ooom, it’s Mattie!! I told you that!”

“And I told you that’s your given name and I’m not going to call you Mattie!” I made faces as she yelled back up. “It’s almost dinner time.”

I went back to playing with my new stuffed toy. I don’t know why I’d picked the skunk out other then she was cute. She was based on Flower, from Bambi.

“Murie Autumn Topaz!! Did you hear me?”

I cringed. I don’t think mom had a good day at work. “Yes, mom!”

“Five minutes!”

“Okay!” Things were harder now that dad wasn’t around. Mom says she’s fine whenever anyone asks but I hear her when she cries late at night.

I don’t want to get sad thinking about that night the man in the blue uniform showed up at our door. That was really scary and mommy was so sad for a long time afterwards. She is still sad.

She had told me daddy had an accident and wouldn’t be coming home. She said he was waiting for us in heaven. I’d gotten so mad and yelled, “Tell heaven to let daddy go!!”

She’d laughed through her tears,and told me, “Heaven doesn’t let people go once they are there. Heaven holds them safe for us.”

Mom was right. Daddy never came home after that night. I really hope he’s waiting for us in Heaven.

I wiped the tear that had slipped from my eye. See? That’s why I didn’t like thinking about that night. I hugged the skunk to my chest and buried my face in her fur.

“Don’t cry, baby.” 
I pulled back and dropped the toy, worried mom had caught me crying again. I try hard to not cry in front of her. It makes her cry too. I looked but she wasn’t in my room. “Ouch!”

I had no idea where the voice was coming from. I looked around my bedroom, not seeing anyone but myself and my toys. My bright red curls flashed in the mirror above my dresser. My closet door was open with clothes and shoes spilling out of it.

My skunk had fallen off the bed and I peeked over my soft, Strawberry Shortcake, pink comforter to see where she had landed.

The skunk was gone!

“Hi, honey.” I heard right by my ear and jumped, bumping into something soft.
“Hey, watch it a fardon second, there! I already transported once and I hate -hate- doing that!!”

Holy cow! The skunk was on the bed. It was on the bed and it was talking to me!!

“Desmin…” I heard another voice say and quickly looked for where it was coming from.

Oh, no way! There was someone in my mirror! I looked over my shoulder but no one was there. My head whipped back around to the mirror so fast I had to pull strands of my hair from my mouth. My wide eyes stared back at me as did the pretty man’s that was in my mirror.

My eyes kept going back and forth between the man in the mirror and the talking toy skunk on my bed. Wait until I tell mom!

“Why are you in my mirror?” I asked the man. He had a shiny ring above his head that glowed and pretty wings behind his shoulders.

“She can see you!” The skunk bounced on my bed and turned to look at the man in the mirror. “Hey, Castle! She can see you in the mirror! I thought you said she wouldn’t be able to!”

“She shouldn’t be able to. This is very,” The man paused. I slid off the bed and went over to my mirror. “….interesting.”

“Interesting?” The skunk burst out. “He says it’s interesting when the kid can see him. Something she’s. Not. Supposed. To. Be. Able. To. Do.”

I reached out to touch my mirror as they talked. “Who are you?”

“Yes, interesting, Desmin.” The man flicked his gaze to the skunk before he looked quickly back at my hand. He looked worried as I reached out a finger. “Ah, should she doing that?”

“I’m thinking not.” The man’s eyes went wide as my finger touched his sleeve. I could feel it. “Are you in some kind of special room?” I asked. “And who are you?”

“Yeah, who are you, Castle?” My skunk sounded funny. Not like Flower in the movie. “Are you Castle?” I asked. The man just kept staring at me.

“Uh…yes.”

“Hi, Castle.” I tilted my head as I looked up at him. “Do you smell cookies?”

“She can smell you! She can see you and hear you AND smell you!!” My skunk kept saying.

“Yes, I can see that, Desmin.”

I turned to my skunk, “Desmin?” I asked as I looked back at Castle. “Why are you calling Flower ‘Desmin’?

“Flower?” My skunk sounded like it smelled something funny. It shook its head like it had fuzzies in it.

“What are you? Are you an Angel? How are you in my mirror?” I started to climb up on my dresser. “Can I come in there with you?”

“No!!” Both my skunk and Castle shouted at me.

“Murie!! Who are you talking to?”

My skunk and Castle looked scared now. Castle put a finger to his lips and said, “Sshh, your mom can’t see or hear us. Tell her you’re not talking to anyone.”

“Ok, but I’m not supposed to lie to my mommy.”

“Murie?? Don’t make me come up there!”

“It’s okay. It’s not a lie,” Castle said, “when your mom can’t see us.” I wasn’t so sure my mom would agree.

“Ah…Castle?”

“Murie?”

I looked into the man’s eyes and asked, “Are you an angel?” At his nod, I answered my mom. “No one, mom!”

“Dinner is just about ready. Make sure you wash your hands before you come down here!”

“Yes, mom!”

Both my skunk and the angel let out big breaths of air. “That was too close, Castle. You said we were just checking on her and now look what happened. Would ya look what happened?”

“Would you calm down, Desmin?” The angel hissed at him. “She’s not going to remember this. Or us.”

“I won’t?” I asked.

They both leaned towards me, but Castle answered. “No, Murie, we’re just checking on you. You’re not meant to remember this.”

“Are you in heaven?”

“Not right now. Right now, I’m with you.”

“But mommy said that they don’t let people go once they are in heaven.”

“Awww, Castle, I can’t take it. Did you hear what she said? Aw, man, this is why they don’t assign Devil Spawn Minions to kids.”

Desmin looked like he was going to be sick. “You’re not going to be sick are you?”

Castle reached out his hand to gently turn my chin towards him. “Murie, heaven doesn’t let people go once they are there but Angels are different.”

“My daddy’s in heaven!” I protested. “He’s an…an…Angel! Don’t you say otherwise!” I sniffed, wiping my nose on my sleeve.

“Oh, now you’ve done it Castle!”

Castle ran his hand down his face.

“He is!”

“Yes, Murie. Your Daddy is in heaven but I’m a different kind of Angel. Your daddy can’t come back.” Castle looked at me over his fingers as they covered his mouth.

“Why not?” I demanded, sticking out my chin.

“Because…because….” Castle looked at Desmin for help.

“Because…heaven has a lot of different kinds of angels, Murie.” Desmin said. “Mommies and Daddies are special angels that stay and wait for you to find them when it’s time.”

“Is it my time now?” I didn’t understand what they were telling me. Why couldn’t my daddy come see me? How come Castle could but he couldn’t? “I want to see my daddy.” I stuck my lip out, pouting.

Desmin clutched his heart like it hurt and keeled over. “I can’t,” he said. “Castle, we’re making it worse.”

Castle gave the skunk a look before turning to me. “Murie, you’re not going to remember most of this but someday you will see your dad. It’s just not time right now. You are needed here, on Earth. You are destined for great things.”

“Don’t lay it on too thick, Castle.”

“Would you shush? I’m handling this,” Castle snarled at Desmin. “Unless you think you can do better??”

“Murie!! Dinners ready!”
 We all jumped when my mom yelled that.

“I gotta go.” I said hesitating. “Will you still be here when I get done with dinner?”

“No, honey. You won’t be able to hear or see us.”

“Even my toy skunk?” I asked scooping it off my bed and hugging it. I felt it hug me back.

“The toy will be here but it won’t move or talk on its own anymore.”

“Murie!”
I looked over my shoulder and called, “Coming mom!”

“Will I see you again?” I asked as I set my skunk down and headed for the door. They both nodded yes.

I paused in the doorway. “Is heaven really keeping my dad safe for us?”

“Yes, Murie.” Castles ring above his head glowed, changing to a purple color.

I quickly ran back to my dresser, climbed up on it, and wrapped Castle in a hug. I could feel him stiffen, before he awkwardly hugged me back. I sniffed and smelled cookies. “Thank you.” I whispered against his chest. He laid his hand against my hair, holding me gently in his arms. I pulled slightly back so I could reach up and touch his ring.

“That’s my halo.” Castle said quietly, as I lightly touched the glowing ring. “It’s pretty. How do I get one?”

Castle went stiff. Desmin sucked in air. “That’s not going to happen for quite awhile yet.”

“But I get one? And I get to see you both again?
”

“Yes.”

“Okay.” I scrambled down off the dresser, and called over my shoulder as I headed down for dinner, “Thanks for keeping my dad safe. I’ll see you later!”

 

The beginning….

 

Even Halos Can Be Crooked

Even Halos Can Be Crooked

A Paranormal Mystery Romance by: L. M. Schukraft

The first book in the The Crooked Halo series coming soon!

       I’m Autumn. I’m having an interesting couple of days you could say. See, I almost died and was sent back from Limbo because I haven’t built up enough good Karma. I know. It sounds far out there but imagine if you were living it?

 

I don’t have to because I already am.

   [image error]   Now I’m seeing halos everywhere. I even have one and it’s crooked! Can you believe that? My halo is crooked!

  Apparently my soul is imbalanced and is now in a power struggle between Heaven and Hell. I’ve been given the chance to straighten out my halo, so if and when I do die, I can go to Heaven. They’ve given me a sexy guardian angel to help protect my soul. He’s yummy, smells like cookies, and is smoking hot eye candy that tempts my body. If I’m not careful, he may just tempt my heart.

       Along with my golden-eyed Angel, I’ve been assigned a wise-cracking Devils Spawn Minion, Desmin, to help me complete my task set by the Heavens themselves. Follow me on this wild adventure as I battle creatures spawned from the depths of Hell and unravel a mystery bigger than any of us could have imagined.