Jodi Stone's Blog, page 4

FREEBIE FRIDAY IS HERE AGAIN!

Hello dear friends and fellow authors! I have exciting news for you...today, one of my favorite authors is allowing the download of her book, "Embrace" for free!!!! No catch...all you have to do is click on the link below and download to your Kindle or computer for FREE! Stacey Rourke is the wonderfully talented author..all of her books so far have shown talent/humor/adventure/romance...what more could you ask for in one book????? And the great news is...that's right...today only this book is FREE! You'll love the depth in all of her characters...order today free...read...review...that simple!

http://www.amazon.com/Embrace-The-Gry...


Until next time...happy writing and reading!

It's FREEBIE FRIDAY!

Last week, I shared a book on Friday that was FREE! I hope most of you took the opportunity to download your free book! If not, you must order this amazing book "Golden" by Monika Pardon! It is an amazing book that takes you on a journey of a modern day fairy tale with a twist...and best of all...it's free! but only for today. Click on the link and order your book! And if you love it as much as I do, write a review!

http://www.amazon.com/Golden-ebook/dp...

My sweet mama

I have been missing my mama a lot lately. For those of you who don't know, my sweet mama lost her battle to PKD in February of 2008. After she died, I found solace in my family and friends, but also in a wonderful therapist. He recommended that I talk to her...not in that crazy way where I talk to her and look like I'm talking to myself. But to write to her. Okay, that might sound crazy too, but let me explain. I used to write letters online when I was missing mama. Somehow this helped me cope with not being able to call her. Mama and I were very close, and that was one of the hardest things after she died...not being able to pick up the phone and call her. We talked everyday, and saw each other at least once a week. After mama's kidneys failed, I took her to dialysis three days per week, and as I found comfort in the talks we had, I think she found comfort in knowing I was there to help...by simply putting curlers in her hair, helping her get dressed, or driving her. I wouldn't trade those moments for anything. So, with this being July...July 30th was her birthday, I find myself missing mama more than ever, and wishing I could walk through her front door and see her sitting there, legs crossed, dressed even if she had nowhere to go, working a crossword and telling me the reason she was eating peanut butter cookies for breakfast was because it was the only thing that sounded good. I have been planning my youngest daughter's birthday party, and as I have been reminiscing through pictures, I came across a picture of mama...one of Savannah's 1st birthday party...one where she was dressed as Minnie Mouse, and my mama was feeding her cake. That was the last birthday party for my girls mama was able to attend due to her ailing health, but I'll never forget it. So, if you see a blog post entitled letter to mama over the next few days, you may read it freely, but I send it into space somewhere knowing somehow it brings a little piece of her to me, and a lot of comfort. If you have the blessing of having your mama still around, the best thing I can suggest is to hug her with all your might...tell her you love her. Thank her for all she has done. Because you never know when you'll be writing a letter like mine.
Until next time,
Happy Writing...Jodi

ATTENTION: READ AND ORDER THIS BOOK...IT IS FREE! BUT JUST FOR TODAY!!

http://www.amazon.com/S-P-I-R-I-T-Fir...

Who doesn't love a FREE book? You must must must click on the link and order this amazing book, "Spirit" and be taken on an unexpected journey! And, did I mention it's free...but only for today! so order NOW!!!! :)

I love a great book!

I know, I know...I am a children's book author and illustrator so I'm sure there are people out there wondering why I don't only read children's books. (I've been asked this before...crazy, right?). So, don't be shocked when I tell you I read 50 Shades of Grey and LOVED IT! Yes, I like all types of books...from "Anne of Green Gables" to "50 Shades of Grey." I'm ecclectic, what can I say. Anyhow, the best thing about reading is when you pick up a book, open the first page and BAM you are sucked into this other world...a world where you can imagine everything from what the characters look like to what the surrounding visuals are. I love this because it takes my otherwise very occupied brain into this place of my own. Yes, the authors make up thier own work, but that's the amazing part...they created this world where we can escape our everyday craziness and fill our minds with love, action, humor...wherever said book has chosen to take us. I grew up in a house where my mom was an avid reader. She would escape to the bathroom for an hour sometimes, and my young mind would just think my mom had to use the bathroom a lot, only to find out it was her sane time...time just for her to escape into her book of choice. I didn't understand it then, and though she tried to teach me to love the written word then, I didn't appreciate it then as much as I do now. As I started to grow up, my grandmother introduced me to Harlequin Romance, and you know how steamy those can be...thank you, grandma! lol. I loved the books, and though my mom might not have agreed all the time with my reading choices, she allowed me to read most of them and expand my mind into each page of every adventure. As my education has furthered along, I have been opened up into a world different than one I might have chosen ten years ago. I have learned to love and appreciate Jane Austen, and Ernest Hemingway. I have also found a love for most British Literature, though time will now allow me to tackle some books I'd like to read. So, in the 37 years I have been in this life, I have grown a deep apprecation for a great book. That is what leads me to appreciate the author I'm going to tell you about. Stacey Rourke is not only a successful author, but she is also the head of Anchor Group Publishing. I picked up, "The Conduit" after hearing about the storyline, and was hooked from page one. This young girl takes a journey...an unexpected one, but a journey to find she has been given a gift. She might not see it as a gift at first, but comes to realize the importance of her gift over time. The book has action, drama, humor and romance...all the makings of a great book. I could visualize perfectly each and every character as I read. I didn't want to stop reading, and though I now appreciate even more my mom's excuses to go to the bathroom to read, I cannot go into the bathroom to escape into a book for longer than ten minutes without interupption. I loved this book from beginning to end, and as I usually do when done reading a great book, I felt sad when it was over...yet knowing there are two more books for now in the series...a bit of hope for time to allow me to start the next one brought a smile. In closing, I def. recommend this book, and hope that each one of you finds inspiration in some form from each and every book you read. Until later...happy writing (and reading!)

please visit this link,and follow this blog!

Hello, everyone!
I am in the mood to share tonight...As most of you know, I recently signed a contract with Anchor Group Publishing, and our fantastic editor, Melissa Ringsted, has created an amazing blog for Anchor Group! Please read and follow the blog so you can follow all of these amazing authors with Anchor Group!
Until next time,
Happy Writing!
Jodi


http://anchorgrouppublishing.blogspot...

My cheerleader, my ballerina, and my softball gal

It's amazing how much life can change in the blink of an eye. Before the Fall of 2012, I didn't really know much about putting our children in activities. I had previously put my eldest two daughters in ballet, but at seperate times so there wasn't much to it besides traveling to the dance studio one day a week. But as our family has grown through the years, so have our activities. We signed our oldest, Brooke up for Cheerleading last summer, and quickly discovered how much time one activity could possess. I was in school, so it fell upon my hubby to take her to practice most nights...and that was full time...three nights per week and we both made sure to attend every game, every Saturday. Because I didn't want to leave our other two daughters out, we signed our middle child, Alexis up for art classes. I figured this would not be a problem as art was only one night per week. And last but not least, we signed our youngest up for ballet, also one day per week, to make sure all three were keeping busy, but more importantly helping each to discover an activity that they liked. Brooke quickly fell in love with cheer, and we found that we did too. Going to the games and watching our daughter smile was worth it all. Then competition time came, and Brooke was involved with her team in three within the matter of just a couple of weeks. It was the competition that tore on our heart strings the most. We watched our daughter's team win 2nd place. It was gut wrenching. This team had formed amazing friendships, and although I thought second place was great, it was hard to explain that to a broken hearted pre-teen who had worked her booty off for months. The second competition was even worse, as we waited all day to see her win 2nd again. How do you tell a child that 2nd is great, and that there were many little girls that had worked just as hard as she had that didn't place at all? I didn't want to teach the wrong lesson, yet I told her it was going to be alright, and somehow after all the frustrations and hard work, the team placed 1st in the last competition, and those frowns that were once upon thier faces were gone. My heart must have lept out of my chest a million times over during that season, yet I knew if Brooke wanted to cheer again this year, we'd be there 100%. Leading to Alexis, one night a week of art returned rewards beyond our imaginations as well. Lexi loved drawing, and taking this class taught her so much. Although the class only lasted until December, Alexis was excited each week as she put her art bag together and went to class. Her instructor praised her, and for that I am grateful, and as art class ended, I told Lexi to pick one art piece she had created and that I would send it in to Highlights magazine just for fun. We both forgot about the magazine, and though Lexi's art class ended for now, her love of art continues. She amazes me when she puts pencil to paper. I love her imagination. We began Lexi in softball in January, and she fell in love with that too. Although not many games were won, Alexis proved she was talented in ball too, and made me smile with every move she made on the field. AT the end of the season, the girls had all formed a tight bond, and Lexi proudly brought her trophy home and it sits next to her art supplies. Not too long before the season ended, I received a letter in the mail...it was from Highlights, and they had offered to publish her artwork online. If only the smile on Lexi's face could be frozen in time...wars would never start again. And with the end of the school year, so came the end of ballet for my Savannah. Savannah had taken ballet since September of 2012, and also seemed to be finding a love of her own. As June approached, so did the time for her recital, and to be honest, this was very nerve wracking for us both. Every practice for the last two months was leading up to this moment, and all Savannah could say was that she was unsure she would want to go on stage. My baby was nervous as could be, so I promised her that when that time came, if she decided she couldn't go on stage, she would not have to. The day of the recital, something clicked within my angel girl. We spent time putting on her makeup, which she utterly loved, and then fixed her hair just right. We put on her ballet costume, and she said, "I am nervous,mama." I told her again we would go there, but she would never be forced to do the show. When we got to the recital hall, somehow her nerves jumped from her belly to mine, and I watched as my beautiful ballerina did exactly what she was taught. The same came for the recital, and she told me afterwards that she could not wait to do it again. So here we are on summer break: something at times during the hectic schedules of cheer, ballet, art and softball, I thought we'd never find. Yet something in me can't wait again for these activities to begin again...because they put the most beautiful smiles on the most beautiful girls on planet...my angel babies. I can see the running back and forth as I type, and though I know time will be crunched, my love for them will not. And though they are growing fast and though they love thier activities now, I know some might change, but I also know in my heart of hearts that I will never forget my cheerleader, my ballerina, and my softball gal.

A setback, or just another hill to climb on this mountain we call life

So,I've had a little setback in my plans. I was all on track to graduate from USF this August with my Bachelor's Degree, and was so happy when I got my grades from this past semester showing I'd passed my classes and that I was ready to register for my last semester and apply for graduation. I got on my computer ready to type in those last three courses when in searching I realized something awful...the Creative Writing course I needed to graduate was not being offered until the Fall. The Math and Spanish II were there, but no Creative Writing. One class. Oh geez I was sad. I cried. Then I was mad. How could life throw me this setback? I have worked my tail to the bone this past year making sure I'd graduate within under a year of going back and already facing so many setbacks in life on this path through school I was sure I could not handle this one. I went about my business that night, but nothing seemed right. I was missing my mama more than ever, as she always seemed to know just what to say. The next day, though I slept very little that night, somehow I woke up with a clearer mind. It's okay, I told myself. Things happen for a reason. Okay mama, I hear you coming through my mind. LOL. So I went back online determined to sign up for the Fall and that I did. I got all of the courses I needed, and found that when two of the three I could take during the day while my kids were in school, I almost felt relieved. I've been going to school for night pretty much my entire school career, and knowing my hardest courses I could take during the day and leave me time to study made me see that it's true. Things do happen for a reason. I could spend this last summer home with my babies as my last little one will be headed off to kindergarden and when they leave the baby nest, mama can find time to actually get things done and it not be midnight. Again, part of me still felt bummed about not graduating in August, but when I saw my graduation date become December...I reaized: hey, that is only four months later. I've been going to school with interupptions of babies, life, a very sick mama, and many other interupptions and made it this far in so many years...by God I could wait another four months if it meant receiving that hard earned degree and knowing I would finally walk across that stage wearing proudly that cap and gown. It's times like this we have to not look at what stops us...we have to look at what keeps us going. My mom used to say wisely, "school will be there...for you when you are ready...it's not going anywhere, but you are." I'll never forget her words, and I know on that day in December when I finally graduate, she'll be with me walking on that stage in spirit, and I'll be there as proud as I can be.

Happy Mothers Day

It's hard to believe that Mother's Day is this weekend. It seems like we were just celebrating Christmas, yet we blink and almost half of another year has gone by. And with the joy I feel with Mothers' Day, there is also a sense of loss I feel on that day. I lost my mother to Polycystic Kidney Disease over four years ago, and Mothers' Day of course has never been quite the same. I always put on a brave face, because I am a mother too and lord knows I wouldn't trade my beautiful girls for the world. Yet there are memories of days past with my own mom and growing up. I remember the first cake I tried to bake for my mom. I was in the tenth grade and so proud that we'd learned to bake a cake in Home Ec...or at least I thought I'd learned it. I went home, determined to bake my mom the best cake ever. I spent time prepping and baking the cake, and much to my suprise it actually looked like a cake when out of the oven it came. My mom had no idea, and so I put on the frosting and carefully wrote "Happy Mother's Day" on top...put the cake cover on top and set it aside for later. The rest of the day I anxiously awaited the opportunity to suprise my mom with this beautiful cake I'd made. Every year since I could remember, my mom worked hard in the kitchen on mine and my brother's birthdays making sure we'd had a cake, and by God it was her turn. After dinner, I went to get the surprise and brought it over...grinning from ear to ear I took the lid off and UGH!!!!!!!!!! Apparently I'd forgotten the part about waiting until the cake cooled to put the frosting on, and all the frosting had melted down to the sides. I cried, but my mom held me and thought it was beautiful. It was the ugliest cake on the planet, yet my mom and family ate it and complimented me on it, though I can't quite remember the taste. I just remember us laughing over that story for years and now that I think about it...I'm so happy that happened. It's not the perfect cakes we recall or the perfect gift, yet most of the time our best memories center around those funny mishaps. So, with my sweet mama in heaven now, I can't help but recall that cake, and though I miss her more than words, I know deep down somewhere she is smiling too. If you are blessed enough to still have your mom here with you...tell her how much you love her. Not just on Mother's Day, but everyday. God bless.

I Believe

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"Supporting Authors One Read At A Time"

With such an ever-changing society we live in, you have to wonder sometimes when all innocence is lost, or maybe forgotten?

Let me rewind to my childhood. I grew up as a very fortunate child as I had two parents who loved me unconditionally, even despite my crazy years between 13 and 17 when I went through a big hair nightmare and they supported my need for a crazy supply of Aqua Net. They supported my decisions, mostly but with major parental supervision which I might not have understood completely at the time, but nonetheless appreciate now as a mother myself. From the time i have memory, I recall birthday parties and Christmas's and first crushes and playmates. I recall a time when the fashion police should have arrested me, and a time when I realized my parents love was overflowing. I also realized at some young age we don't live forever, and remember sometimes taking in the little moments with my mom and dad and brother knowing they would soon be distant memories that I would tuck away safely. When I was 13, I was still playing barbies (though I might not have let my friends know at the time) and playing house and school and such with my best friends. Yet now, 13 year olds seem less concerned with dolls and more concerned with makeup and crushes, and that is a scary truth. When did it become hip to grow up fast? With three daughters, and one on the verge of teenage-hood, the thoughts of what she is going to experience over the next decade scares me. I know I'm protective, but I see young kids making bad decisions. I know we all make mistakes. I still make mistakes and I'm much older than a teenager, but I live with them and try and learn from those mistakes. It hurts my heart to see shows like, "16 and Pregnant" and know how common even motherhood at a young age seems to have become. What did those girls learn growing up that I did not? Many instances, it seems to be the effects of society or even the effects of home life that add extra pressures to an already stressful teenage existence. When did those very girls think it was okay to grow up so fast, and what influences did they have that made them stop believing in fairies and pixie dust and well, barbie dolls. A huge part of my life is trying to keep my kids' childhood thriving, and though my oldest is almost 12 and suddenly into lipgloss instead of barbies, I will make it an important part of my very existence to keep tea parties and dolls and all things mystical and magical around. I still love Christmas and feel like a kid when it comes around, and try to instill as many magical memories in my own children when special days come around, but I also try to instill the magic of bubbles on a windy day and fairy doors on our tree, and fairy dust we throw in our firepit to call the fairies out. I will keep writing until my dieing day stories of my girls in magical places and read them bedtime stories as long as they'll let me. I will still make cocoa and put in extra marshmallows, and say I made it with extra love, and kiss them good night and hug them a million times over as they grow from little ones into individuals. I will do these things and more because I believe with just the right amount of rules and love, they can be inspirations in this one life we are given. I Believe...do you?