C. Lee McKenzie's Blog, page 18
January 13, 2021
A Fighting Chance Launch!
I had to know the answer to this question: Who is your favorite character in the Disaster Crimes series?
Here’s what the author, Chrys Fey wrote. Thorn. Hands down. And what’s interesting is that he wasn’t a character I had planned. In Hurricane Crimes (Book 1) Beth and Donovan carried that story and are the only characters (aside from Hurricane Sabrina) until one bad guy comes in at the end. Thorn comes into the series in Seismic Crimes (Book 2) because of the case against the murderers of Donovan’s brother, an Internal Affairs investigator. He wasn’t supposed to have a big role, but he wanted to come back for an undercover string. And then again after the earthquake. Okay, I thought, you’re cool and funny, so I’ll let you come along for the ride.
In Tsunami Crimes, we see him more often. We also see other sides of him. He’s not just the detective or the guy who likes to flirt with Beth to get on Donovan’s nerves. He’s also caring, comes to Beth and Donovan’s rescue, speaks wisdom to Donovan, and gets embarrassed when Beth cries. He was quickly becoming a character I wanted to write about more and more.
So, I did. In Flaming Crimes, Thorn is called upon by Beth and Donovan for help. We witness his impressive driving skills as a law enforcement officer, in fiery woods to boot. I also introduce a possible love interest…Amanda, and in doing that, uncovered yet another side of Thorn—his romantic heart. He was always a great friend, like a brother to Beth and Donovan, but he hadn’t had the chance to show any other aspect of love up until then. In Frozen Crimes, I expanded on that. I had to. It was too good to resist, and Thorn wouldn’t have let me. Before I even began writing Frozen Crimes, I knew Thorn would have his own story with Amanda.
I guess you could say Thorn stole my writer’s heart.
Pages: 154
Genre: Romantic-Suspense
Heat Rating: Hot
BLURB:
*A FIGHTING CHANCE is Book 6 in the Disaster Crimes series, but it’s a spin-off featuring a new couple, so it can be read as a standalone.*
Thorn has loved Amanda from afar, giving her whatever she needs as a survivor of abuse—space, protection, and stability. He yearns to give her more, though, to share his feelings, kiss her, love her, but he’s worried the truth will frighten her away.
And Amanda is afraid. She’s scared of her attraction for Thorn. Most of all, she’s terrified of her ex-boyfriend, who is lurking nearby where no one can find him. When she grows closer to Thorn, Damon retaliates, jeopardizing their happy ending.
Up against an abusive ex and Mother Nature, do Thorn and Amanda have a fighting chance?
Book Links: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / iTunes
EXCERPT:
Amanda looked up from the current list of up-to-date payments for classes. A movement outside the glass storefront caught her eye. She tilted her head to see a man coming up the sidewalk from the side where the picnic bench sat. Through the vertical blinds, she glimpsed a square face—a short, rugged beard and long, dark hair pulled into a man bun. Her breath fled from her lungs. Her body went from icy cold to flaming hot in the span of a millisecond. She dropped to the floor and slid under the counter, beneath the ledge where they put their purses and cell phones.
“What—” Beth peeked at the windows. Then she snapped her fingers at April and pointed at the stools.
April jumped into action. She pushed the stools in so they blocked Amanda. The bell attached to the door jingled as April removed the jacket she wore and draped it across the stools, creating a curtain to shield Amanda.
From a crack, Amanda watched Beth move to stand in front of the twins, who were in their walkers playing peacefully. “I’m sorry, but we’re going to be closing.”
“I don’t give a shit. I’m here for Amanda.”
The sound of Damon’s voice had her heart beating even harder. That voice had haunted her nightmares, had come back to life in her memories.
Beth cocked her head to the side. “Who? There’s no one by that name here.”
“Don’t bullshit me. I know she works here.”
His voice was closer now.
***FREE FOR A LIMITED TIME***
THE DISASTER CURSE
Book Links: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / iTunes
Author’s Note: I wrote The Disaster Curse to answer a few lingering questions readers may have after reading A Fighting Chance, and to tie the whole series together with a neat, shiny, perfect little bow. Plus, there was one disaster that I hadn’t written about yet. *wink*
The Disaster Crimes Series:
*The Crime Before the Storm (prequel)
Hurricane Crimes (novella, #1)
Seismic Crimes (#2)
Lightning Crimes (free short, #2.5)
Tsunami Crimes (#3)
Flaming Crimes (#4)
Frozen Crimes (#5)
A Fighting Chance (spin-off, #6)
The Disaster Curse (short story, #7)
*Free exclusive story to newsletter subscribers.
***LAUNCHING A WEBSITE***
TheFightingChance.org is a website dedicated to domestic violence and sexual assault awareness. Inspired by the Disaster Crimes series.
***GIVEAWAY***
Prizes: Hurricane Crimes (Disaster Crimes 1) and Seismic Crimes (Disaster Crimes 2) eBooks (mobi or epub), Hurricane Crimes Playing Cards, Girl Boss Sign, and a Volcanic Blast Scented Candle
Link: https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/23d974a92670/
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Chrys Fey is author of the Disaster Crimes Series, a unique concept that blends disasters, crimes, and romance. She runs the Insecure Writer’s Support Group Book Club on Goodreads and edits for Dancing Lemur Press. https://www.chrysfey.com
Author Links:
Newsletter / Website / Facebook Group /Blog / BookBub Instagram / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads / Amazon
January 6, 2021
The Great Conjunction
There wasn’t a lot to be excited about in 2020, so to make up for Covid arriving at our doorsteps, the skies treated us to a once in a lifetime spectacle. Yep. Unless you were here 400 years ago, you never saw Saturn and Jupiter so close together (a 10th of a degree apart) in their orbits around the Sun. They seem to catch up to each other about every 20 years, but they’re not this close and the event often happens during daylight.
Because I couldn’t miss something this fantastic, I sat outside, huddled against the December chill, and gawked as Jupiter steadily gained on Saturn, finally passing it. How close they seemed, and yet they remained hundreds of millions of miles apart in space. Watching the night sky, knowing I’d never see this again, trying to grasp the concept of just how immense our universe is was a humbling, but inspiring experience. Some things were as they should be, and that was surprisingly comforting as I got ready to say goodbye to a year in which nothing seemed to be as it should be.
Join Us NowOur Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.
Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say.
Remember, the question is optional!
Being a writer, when you’re reading someone else’s work, what stops you from finishing a book/throws you out of the story/frustrates you the most about other people’s books?
The awesome co-hosts for the January 6 posting of the IWSG are Ronel Janse van Vuuren , J Lenni Dorner, Gwen Gardner Sandra Cox, and Louise – Fundy Blue!
Of all people, I should be the last to point out “flaws” in other people’s writing. If I look at some of my work, I’ll find every one of these frustrating, book-closing examples. But here goes!
The first thing that stops me cold is a book that tries too hard. When I break this blanket statement down into descriptors the first on my list is the “unique phrase” strategy. I know every writer strives for a voice that’s his or hers, but it’s difficult for me to read on when instead of just telling the story, they reach for clever ways to do it.
The second descriptor is the “gore for effect.” I can read well-written horror, but like comedy, horror requires a lot of skill to pull it off. Give me a good stabbing or ghostly stalking figure, but give it to me with some nuance and some excellent prose.
“Clever attribution” might not make me stop reading, but it does annoy me. I guess I’m old-fashioned and I either like “he said” or some kind of action to make it clear who’s speaking. When people blurt, snort, guffaw, chortle, or howl I’m likely to start skimming.
“Repetition. Repetition. Repetition.” I have to admit that I read one book to the end so that I could complete my count of the word ceaseless. The writer fell in love with that word in the first chapter, and clung to it from then on. There was ceaseless love, ceaseless worry, ceaseless seas, ceaseless…well, you’ve probably already stopped reading.
Now, I’m off to edit some of my books and make sure I didn’t commit any of these irritations.
And here’s what we’ve been waiting for…the next IWSG Anthology!
An Insecure Writer’s Support Group Anthology
Discover dark matter’s secrets…
What is an AI’s true role? Will bumbling siblings find their way home from deep space? Dark matter is judging us—are we worthy of existence? Would you step through a portal into another reality? Can the discoverer of dark matter uncover its secrets?
Ten authors explore dark matter, unraveling its secrets and revealing its mysterious nature. Featuring the talents of Stephanie Espinoza Villamor, C.D. Gallant-King, Tara Tyler, Mark Alpert, Olga Livshin, Steph Wolmarans, Charles Kowalski, Kim Mannix, Elizabeth Mueller, and Deniz Bevan.
Hand-picked by a panel of agents, authors, and editors, these ten tales will take readers on a journey across time and space. Prepare for ignition!
Founded by author Alex J. Cavanaugh, the Insecure Writer’s Support Group offers support for writers and authors alike. It provides an online database; articles; monthly blog posting; Facebook, Twitter, & Instagram groups; #IWSGPit, and a newsletter.
Release date: May 4, 2021
Print ISBN 9781939844828 $14.95
EBook ISBN 9781939844835 $4.99
Science Fiction: Collections & Anthologies (FIC028040) / Space Exploration (FIC028130) / Genetic Engineering (FIC028110)
MEET THE WRITERS
Artificial – Stephanie Espinoza Villamor
Space Folds and Broomsticks – C.D. Gallant-King
Rift – Kim Mannix
The Utten Mission – Steph Wolmarans
Sentient – Tara Tyler
One to Another – Deniz Bevan
Resident Alien – Charles Kowalski
Nano Pursuit – Olga Godim
Resurgence – Elizabeth Mueller
Vera’s Last Voyage – Mark Alpert
What’s Next?
How to PitchQuote of the Month:
“Look up at the stars and not down at your feet. Try to make sense of what you see, and wonder about what makes the universe exist. Be curious.” | Stephen Hawking
December 2, 2020
Look Out! Cringeworthy 2020 Isn’t Done Throttling You.
Just when you thought the Christmas holiday was sweet and lovely with lollipops and mulled wine, good old Krampus puts in an appearance–carrying a big stick and jingling bells as he comes! If you’ve been a bad child—in Austria at least–there’s a good chance this guy will appear to teach you a lesson. So forget worrying about the Ides of March and start fretting about December 5, the night before the Feast of St Nicholas.
It used to be that this demon roamed the streets, carrying sacks or baskets to gather up the “bad” kids and haul them away. Today, Austrians have decided to spare the rod, toss the sack, and host parades instead. After watching this video, I decided I’d rather skip this tradition and go for the tamer version of “Better watch out. Better not cry.”
Now that your holiday spirit is all warmed up, Here’s the important stuff. #IWSG Question, which is–as always optional.
Join Us NowAre there months or times of the year that you are more productive with your writing than other months, and why?
I’ve always written when I have something I want to write, and I’ve never paid attention to the time of year that that happens. However, I’m much more likely to write for longer periods when it’s rainy or gloomy or just too freaking cold to go outside.
Spring and summer always entice me to hike or be in the garden, and while I often write in my head while I’m out and about, not much goes onto the page until I sit down and put my fingers on the keys.
I will tell you that I’ve been doing a very different kind of writing for the past few months–starting early summer and rolling right into this month. I’m collaborating on a series with another writer, and it’s not Middle Grade or Young Adult. I’m saving that “reveal” for later.
This project started with a conversation and a few sips of wine during a great June beach day. It seems there’s nothing like a long stroll in the warm sand to generate ideas. I’ve always thought having a writing partner would be interesting, and it is. Not only is it interesting, it’s fun. I love to see how we both tackle a scene to achieve what we’ve agreed on. As this project progresses, I’ll share some of what’s happening throughout the seasons. And who knows, but maybe I’ll discover I am more productive at different times with this new way of creating a story. After all, the idea came in summer when I’m usually distracted by the world outside and computers might just as well not exist. I’ll pay more attention to my productivity over this next year, and let you know.
I’m sure others here today will have some interesting things to say about their productivity and the calendar.
The awesome co-hosts for the December 2 posting of the IWSG are
Pat Garcia, Sylvia Ney, Liesbet @ Roaming About
Cathrina Constantine, and Natalie Aguirre!
It’s #IWSGPit time again, so hope you have your pitches ready because this is going to be one great event! Click HERE to find out all you need to know about pitching your manuscript.
Quote of the Month: “Spring passes and one remembers one’s innocence.
Summer passes and one remembers one’s exuberance.
Autumn passes and one remembers one’s reverence.
Winter passes and one remembers one’s perseverance.”
― Yoko Ono
November 11, 2020
Time for Liftoff!
Tyrean Martinson has a new book out! Congratulations and thanks for the Guest Post today. Take it away, Tyrean.
Sci-Fi Trope: Say What?
Language Barriers Lifted with Ease
Tropes can be symbolic and helpful for our understanding of plot and characters. We can use them, bend them, or try to avoid them. In science fiction, language barriers are often lifted with ease at the beginning of an alien-human interaction because attempting to break a language barrier could take up most of a book or film.
There are various ways science fiction films, books, and stories lift the language barrier quickly so humans and aliens can interact.
Language barriers are lifted by the combination of an interpreter and a computer translator like in many episodes and films in the Star Trek universe.
Language barriers are lifted by a technological “universal” translator, as in some versions of Star Trek, Men in Black, and Doctor Who.
Language barriers are lifted via translators or droid translators, as in Star Wars.
Language barriers are lifted by an alien life form, like the Babel Fish in The Hitch-Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.
Language barriers are ignored and not mentioned, as in Stargate.
Arrival is an example of a film where the language barrier is lifted through an arduous process, and this process is one of the main focal points of the film.
In Liftoff, I didn’t have a great deal of time to spend on this, so I handled it in three ways: a downloaded universal language, aliens who could speak English, and dialogue about how slang can be confusing.
Liftoff: The Rayatana Series, Book 1
A spaceship in disguise,
An Earth girl searching for a sense of home,
And a Thousand Years’ War between alien races,
All collide on a summer afternoon.
An old movie theater welcomes Amaya in and wraps her up in the smell of popcorn and licorice. But one sunny afternoon during a matinee, the movie screen goes dark. The theater rumbles.
Amaya gets trapped in the middle of an ancient alien conflict. Angry and frightened, Amaya entangles herself in a life-changing cultural misunderstanding with Sol, a young alien who keeps omitting key information, even while they’re on the run from his enemies.
What will it take to survive a battle between alien races involved in an ancient war?
Liftoff is a fast-paced read for fans of Code 8, Guardians of the Galaxy, and Cobra Kai.
Release Date: November 10, 2020
Paperback ISBN: ISBN: 978-0-9889933-8-9
Ebook ISBN: ISBN: 978-0-9889933-9-6
Copyright Tyrean Martinson November 2020
Publisher: Wings of Light Publishing, Gig Harbor, WA, USA
Professionally Edited by Chrys Fey
Cover Art and Interior Design by Carrie Butler
LINKS: Kindle Barnes and Noble Kobo Smashwords Goodreads
About the Author: Tyrean Martinson is an author and teacher from Washington State. As a former fencer and kickboxer, she enjoys writing fight scenes in fast-paced novels and novellas. As a teacher and writing tutor, she loves to get students writing and reading comfortably by any means: talk-to-text, short writing assignments, short stories, novellas, and adventures. She wrote her latest novella, Liftoff, for herself during COVID, but realized it also fits a dream she’s had for a while: to create a short, fast-paced read for teen/YA readers who love popcorn movies, adventure, and sweet romance.
Author Links: Blog Newsletter Instagram Twitter Facebook
November 9, 2020
New Book Alert
Welcome Shannon Lawrence and her latest publication.
Happy Ghouliday
Take it away Shannon!
To celebrate the release of my new holiday horror collection, I put together a family-friendly list of holiday horror films everyone can enjoy!
Thanksgiving: Addams Family Values
While not a horror film, it’s all about a dark, macabre, and yet loving family. As someone who has Native American heritage, this film is a must-watch every single Thanksgiving, all due to the Thanksgiving play they put on at summer camp. Hilarity ensues.
Christmas: Gremlins
I saw this in the theater when it came out, and it scared the bajeebers out of me, but it has since become a favorite. In my defense, I was quite young when it released. The gremlins delight in spreading mayhem through a small town on Christmas, and it’s an equal delight to watch them.
New Year’s: Ghostbusters 2
There’s no movie quite like this one for a rousing New Year’s sing-along. All in the name of saving the city from a giant marshmallow monster. Along the way, enjoy the foibles of the nerdy heroes who get into their own shenanigans.
Groundhog Day: Happy Death Day
Okay, this one’s not actually set on Groundhog Day, if I’m remembering right, but since it’s a horror version of the Murray flick, I figured I’d use artistic license and include it. This one’s a horror flick with a sense of humor. The main character keeps getting killed and coming back to the same day. In order to stop the cycle, she has to figure out who’s killing her.
Valentine’s Day: My Boyfriend’s Back
A slapstick zombie flick. What do you do when you die full of unrequited love? Why, you come back, of course!
While my book is not one I’d consider family friendly, I hope you can enjoy these flicks with the family, then maybe retire for some reading time on your own. The stories are in loose order of the holiday they represent, so they can be read all at once or on the related holiday.
Release day is November 20. The Kindle version is available for Amazon Kindle. It will also be widely available from online retailers.
Family time can lead to murder and mayhem, especially during the holidays. A turkey with a tale to tell, elves under attack, sorority sisters putting on a killer party, a woman’s desperation to save her family, and a stranger ringing in the New Year. These and other tales of woe await you beneath the mistletoe.
Be careful who you offer a kiss. It may be your last.
Pre-order link for Kindle: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08MDZR9K5
BIO: A fan of all things fantastical and frightening, Shannon Lawrence writes in her dungeon when her minions allow, often accompanied by her familiars. She writes primarily horror and fantasy. Her stories can be found in several anthologies and magazines, and her collections, Blue Sludge Blues & Other Abominations and Bruised Souls & Other Torments, are available in stores. You can also find her as a co-host of the podcast “Mysteries, Monsters, & Mayhem.” When she’s not writing, she’s hiking through the wilds of Colorado and photographing her magnificent surroundings. Though she often misses the Oregon coast, the majestic and rugged Rockies are a sight she could never part with. Besides, in Colorado there’s always a place to hide a body or birth a monster. What more could she ask for?
Find her:
My website: www.thewarriormuse.com
My Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thewarriormuse
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thewarriormuse
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Shannon-Lawrence/e/B00TDKPOAO
November 4, 2020
November’s #IWSG 1st Wednesday
Ray Bradbury was thirty when he started a story called The Fireman. It was 1945 just after the end of WWII. The setting in the story was an anti-book culture in which books were banned, and whenever someone discovered any, firemen were dispatched to destroy them.
Bradbury set this story aside for a few years, but when Senator Joseph McCarthy launched his anti-communist campaign, accusing almost everyone and their pet spaniel of disloyalty to the U.S., Bradbury pulled his old manuscript out and finished it. He felt the McCarthy era could very well usher in a society much like the book-banning one in The Fireman.
Once he was done, Bradbury wasn’t satisfied with the title, and on a whim, called the chief of the LA fire department to ask at what temperature paper burned, and guess what? Yep. Fahrenheit 451 was the new title.
Join Us Today
Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say.
Remember, the question is optional!
November 4 question – Albert Camus once said, “The purpose of a writer is to keep civilization from destroying itself.” Flannery O’Conner said, “I write to discover what I know.” Authors across time and distance have had many reasons to write. Why do you write what you write?
The awesome co-hosts for the November 4 posting of the IWSG are
Jemi Fraser, Kim Lajevardi, L.G Keltner, Tyrean Martinson, and Rachna Chhabria!
I wish I had something noble to write as my answer to this question, something that at least came knee high to the likes of Camus and other greats, but my answer’s pretty simple. I write because I enjoy the process.
Each time I imagine a story, then populate it with characters, put it into a time, and envision a place, I think, “How in the hell am I going to do this so it’s readable?” Along the way, I frequently know I have a dud on my hands or I am a dud when it comes to writing more than my name. Then I type–one day after another–on that rollercoaster of “Yay, this is great!” “Yikes, it’s rotten!” until I look up and there I am at The End.
It’s easier to tell you reason I don’t write. Money (no surprise there), fame (another non-shocker), save the world (I’ll let Camus do that), change the world (too big a job), inspire greatness in others (I’m struggling to be a tad above average), discover who I am (I already know that).
It will be interesting to see how others take on this question because it’s a perfect one for people who write.
Something interesting happened last month. I received an invitation from an Irish Writers Group to create a video and read from one of my books. This is the result. There are so many Irish writers on this site, and some I’ve had the good fortune to meet in my hometown during Irish Writers Week! Small world indeed.
Dancing Lemur Press has a holiday special going. Take advantage of their sale and scoop up some gifts at bargain prices. Some Very Messy Medieval Magic is in this mix of great reads.
There are some great books out or about to launch BTW. Have you seen these?
One undercover FBI agent protecting a boy.
One Lodge owner protecting his town.
One undeniable connection.
Amazon (US) Amazon (CA) Apple B&N Kobo Google Play BookBub Goodreads Website
No one knows who built the Great Wells across the world or why. To linger near makes the skin crawl and the mind drift in nightmares. Yet this one calls to Ash in whispers that pull her closer. Soon she’s caught in a mystery that can kill. She must find the answers before she loses her sanity and her life.If you like dragons, magic, and a fierce heroine with a wounded heart, then you’ll love Well of Ash, a YA Fantasy novella by Elle Cardy. Available now as an ebook and paperback on Amazon. OR, for a limited time, pick up a free copy when you join Elle’s VIP newsletter club.
Well of Ash is now available via Goodreads, Bookbub and Amazon.
The official release date is TODAY!
Order your copy now and put it your TBR list.
Amazon Goodreads Bookbub
Red Dove, Listen to the Wind
Sonia Antaki
Abandoned by her white father, thirteen-year-old Red Dove faces another lean winter with her Lakota family on the Great Plains. Spirited and proud, she is presented with a stark choice: leave her people to live in a white world, or stay and watch them starve. Red Dove begins a journey to find her place and discovers that her greatest power comes from within herself.
Bookshop . Amazon . Target
What will it take to survive a battle between alien races involved in an ancient war?
Liftoff is a fast-paced read for fans of Code 8, Guardians of the Galaxy, and Cobra Kai.
Releases November 10
Quote of the Month: “You must stay drunk on writing so reality cannot destroy you.” Ray Bradbury
October 7, 2020
October IWSG
January of this year was the New York Public Library’s 125th year anniversary. Part of their celebration included a list of their most checked out books over the span of all those years. In the adult category they listed 1984, Fahrenheit 451, and How to Win Friends and Influence People. In the children’s category they listed thousands more. Only three in the adult and thousands in the children’s? That’s interesting, isn’t it? Also of interest is the fact that the most popular children’s book ever was not included on that list. Good Night Moon. And that was because it wasn’t acquired by the library until 1972, twenty-five years after it was published.
But why wasn’t it included in their collection? The reason was one woman, Ann Carol Moore. She didn’t like the book and gave it her infamous “Not Approved By Expert” stamp–the kiss of death, according to early children book writers. She nixed a lot of children’s books this way because if the New York Library didn’t acquire them, others didn’t either. ACM was a lover of fantasy and believed children, especially those inner city kids without a lot of resources in the home, needed escape, not reality. For years, she dominated the library’s book acquisitions, so books about garbage trucks or things kids saw everyday didn’t reach the shelves.
Now you might label her as a mean-spirited, cranky old librarian, yet ACM is credited with not only getting children into the library (they weren’t allowed until very late 1890s), but creating a special space for them. When they checked out a book, they had to sign a paper, saying they’d take good care of it and return it on time–a first lesson in citizenship. So while we can criticize her for her book bias, we have to acknowledge her contribution to early literacy.
Well, it’s another first Wednesday and another chance to consider a writing-related question.
Remember, the question is optional!
When you think of the term working writer, what does that look like to you? What do you think it is supposed to look like? Do you see yourself as a working writer or aspiring or hobbyist, and if latter two, what does that look like?
The awesome co-hosts for the October 7 posting of the IWSG are
Jemima Pett, Beth Camp, Beverly Stowe McClure, and Gwen Gardner!
This is a complicated question, and by that I mean I’m not sure of the answer. I’m not a hobbyist, so rule that out. I’m still aspiring because I want to be better at my craft. If describing myself as a working writer means making money is my primary goal, then I’ll have to rule that out. It’s always nice when the royalties drop into my account, but I didn’t set out to make money. I set out to write the best book I could. In fact, each time I start a new project, that’s always my goal. I’ve never thought, “This one has to be a money maker.” I’ve always thought I hope it’s a story that people will enjoy or a least read and react to.
I’m curious about how others will answer this question, which BTW, is darned thought-provoking.
It’s time for another #WEP. This one should be a fascinating contest. Just look at the theme.
If you want to join in this month’s contest, check out the How To Join Page.
Available on Amazon
And because it’s my favorite month which has my favorite holiday, I’m going to run a giveaway for my Adventures of Pete and Weasel Series. If you’d like signed copies of these three books (all quite HALLOWEEN and KID (8-12 years) appropriate enter my Rafflecopter Giveaway. Sorry, but I’m going to have to keep this limited to the U.S. only.
Blurb: Pete’s always in trouble, and his bookish friend, Weasel, is always pulled into whatever mess Pete manages to stir up. Follow their adventures that start with Alligators Overhead and an alligator war in the Ornofree Swamp, then journey back to jolly old England when Queen Victoria is only 16 in The Great Time Lock Disaster. In Some Very Messy Medieval Magic, they’ll take you to the year 1173 to find a missing Time Traveler and save the world.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Quote of the Month: The only thing that you absolutely have to know, is the location of the library. —Albert Einstein
September 30, 2020
Frozen Crimes Blog Hop
Frozen Crimes Blog Hop Prompt: Whom would you want to be stuck with during a blizzard, and what would you do?
My Answer, which was great fun to write. Thanks for the interesting prompt, Chrys.
If I had my druthers, I’d choose Winnie the Pooh. He may not be the most witty of companions, but he’ll be friendly and thoughtful and have a good deal of common sense to share.
I already imagine myself snuggled inside his cozy tree house, the iron stove hot with coals. There’ll be tea, of course, to stave off the chill of the blizzard just outside the door, and hunny. Lots of hunny. To pass the time, Pooh and I will chat about his remarkable adventures and all of his friends.
I’m sure we’ll part good friends with promises of more chats and much more hunny.
Hop around to the other participants to read their answers: Frozen Crimes Blog Hop
When disasters strike around every corner, is it possible to have a happily-ever-after?
BLURB: Beth and Donovan are expecting their first child. Life couldn’t get any better…until a stalker makes his presence known. This person sends disturbing messages and unsettling items, but it isn’t long before his menacing goes too far.
Hoping for a peaceful Christmas, Donovan takes Beth to Michigan. Days into their trip, a winter storm named Nemesis moves in with the goal of burying the state. Snowdrifts surround their house, and the temperature drops below freezing.
Except, the storm isn’t the only nemesis they must face. Everyone’s lives are at stake—especially that of their unborn child. Will they survive, or will they become a frozen crime?
BUY LINKS: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iTunes
EXCERPT:
The crunch of the shovel pounding into the snow and ice filled his ears. It was all he could hear. The rest of the street was silent beneath its wintry blanket. Breathing was difficult with the icy air clogging his lungs. His nose burned. His throat was dry and on fire. But he ignored it, focusing on his task.
Crack, crack, crack.
He jabbed the shovel into a hunk of snow. On the third hit, it shattered into several pieces. He scooped them up and flung them to the side. He surveyed what remained. There was one big ball in the middle of the path that needed to be dealt with next. He moved over to it and struck it. That one impact had it severing in two. He was about to hit it again when something crashed into the back of his head.
Explosions of white light danced over his vision. Pain enveloped his skull.
The shovel slipped from his fingers. Blackness cloaked his mind, coaxing him into its depths.
Beth. Her name was a whisper in his head, as if his thoughts were being sucked into a wormhole.
His legs collapsed under his weight.
Cold. It seeped into him, consuming him. And then his consciousness fled down that same void that ate his thoughts.
***HUGE DISASTER CRIMES GIVEAWAY***
Prizes: 4 eBooks (Disaster Crimes 1-4: Hurricane Crimes, Seismic Crimes, Tsunami Crimes, Flaming Crimes) + Girl Boss Magnets (4), Inflatable Cup Holder (1), Adventure Fuel To-Go Cups (2), Anchor Fashion Scarf (1), Mermaid Nail Clippers (2), Citrus and Sea Salt Scented Candle (1), Snowflake Handmade Bookmark (1), Insulated Cooler Bag (1)
Eligibility: International
Number of Winners: One
Giveaway Ends: October 30, 2020 12:00am EST
***FREE EXCLUSIVE EBOOK***
To get the exclusive prequel to the Disaster Crimes series, sign up for Chrys’ newsletter. By signing up, you agree to receive Chrys Fey’s newsletter. After you confirm subscription, you will receive an email (so check your inbox and spam folder) with directions on where to snag your eBook copy of THE CRIME BEFORE THE STORM.
Click here to sign up and get The Crime Before the Storm FREE!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Chrys Fey is author of the Disaster Crimes Series, a unique concept that blends disasters, crimes, and romance. She runs the Insecure Writer’s Support Group Book Club on Goodreads and edits for Dancing Lemur Press. https://www.chrysfey.com
Author Links:
Website / Blog / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Amazon
September 29, 2020
The Finale of YASH!
Welcome to YA Scavenger Hunt! This bi-annual event was first organized by author Colleen Houck as a way to give readers a chance to gain access to exclusive bonus material from their favorite authors…and a chance to win some awesome prizes! On this hunt, you not only get access to exclusive content from each author, you also get a clue for the hunt. Add up the clues, and you can enter for our prize–one lucky winner will receive one book from each author on the hunt in my team! But play fast: this contest (and all the exclusive bonus material) will only be online for 120 hour. The contest closes October 4 at noon Pacific Time, so get going and scoop up some great books and some interesting EXCLUSIVE CONTENT from these authors.
Go to the YA Scavenger Hunt page to find out all about the hunt. I’m a part of the BLUE TEAM–but there is also a red team and a purple team with a chance to win a whole different set of books!
If you’d like to find out more about the hunt, see links to all the authors participating, and see the full list of prizes up for grabs, go to the YA Scavenger Hunt page.
SCAVENGER HUNT PUZZLE
Directions: Below, you’ll notice that I’ve posted my favorite number below. Collect the favorite numbers of all the authors on the blue team, and then add them up.
Entry Form: Once you’ve added up all the numbers, make sure you fill out the form here to officially qualify for the grand prize. Only entries that have the correct number will qualify.
Rules: Unfortunately, this year due to Corona Virus, this contest is not open internationally. So sorry. Anyone below the age of 18 should have a parent or guardian’s permission to enter. To be eligible for the grand prize, you must submit the completed entry form bythe deadline, at noon Pacific Time. Entries sent without the correct number or without contact information will not be considered.
On this hunt I’m hosting Rysa Walker and here’s here’s this author’s bonus material.
SCAVENGER HUNT POST
Today, I am hosting Rysa Walker on my website for the YA Scavenger Hunt! RYSA WALKER is the author of the bestselling CHRONOS Files series and the Delphi Trilogy. Timebound, the first book in the CHRONOS Files, was the Young Adult and Grand Prize winner in the 2013 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Awards. The CHRONOS Files has sold over half a million copies since 2013 and has been translated into fourteen languages
Find out more information by checking out the author website or find more about the author’s book here!
EXCLUSIVE CONTENT
First, thanks so much to C. Lee McKenzie for hosting me during the YASH 2020 Scavenger Hunt.
Music has always played a huge role in my creative process. It keeps me company when I’m writing in the wee hours of the morning, and on the rare occasions that I write during the daytime, it helps block out the various background noises that sometimes distract me– kids, my golden retriever barking at a delivery, solicitors who ignore the sign that says don’t knock unless you have Girl Scout cookies, and so on.
But music can also serve as an inspiration, either helping to set the mood of a scene or, in one case, dropping the key elements of a story straight into my head. That was the case with The Delphi Effect.
I’ve never been a morning person, and neither are my sons. But back when I first began writing the Delphi series, my two youngest were both in middle school, and the person in charge of our school district apparently believes teenagers need to be in their desks when the sun is barely over the horizon. So we were forced to haul our groggy selves into the van, and since we were too grumpy for conversation, we listened to our carefully curated playlist of songs that all three of us liked or could at least tolerate. Mornings are sucky enough as it is. Having to listen to crappy music–or worse, a chatty morning show host telling lousy jokes–just adds insult to injury.
One morning while driving back home, two songs played, one right after the other, from that playlist. The first was “Oh, Lately It’s So Quiet,” by OK-Go. The second was “42,” from the Viva La Vida album by Coldplay that my youngest really liked at the time. Both songs deal with ghosts, but one line from the Coldplay song–“Those who are dead are not dead, they’re just living in my head”–really stuck with me. As soon as I got back to the computer, I began writing the first scene from The Delphi Effect.
Later, I heard Tegan & Sara singing “Walking with a Ghost,” and while I didn’t hear Muse’s “MK-Ultra” until long after I’d realized the role that government program would play in my narrative, it was still cool to have it pop up on Pandora while I was writing one day.
The other songs I’ve included either inspired me while writing or they connect to key characters and themes of the story. I’ve added to it over time, and it now includes songs that are either mentioned in the two final books of the trilogy or that in some way deal with the elements of the book…like “Heathens” by TWENTY-ONE Pilots or “Spiderhead” by Cage the Elephant.
I hope all of you enjoy the playlist, and that you’ll check out The Delphi Effect!
ABOUT RYSA’S BOOK, THE DELPHI EFFECT
It’s never wise to talk to strangers…and that goes double when they’re dead. Unfortunately, seventeen-year-old Anna Morgan has no choice. Resting on a park bench, touching the turnstile at the Metro station—she never knows where she’ll encounter a ghost. These mental hitchhikers are the reason Anna has been tossed from one foster home and psychiatric institution to the next for most of her life.
When a chance touch leads her to pick up the insistent spirit of a girl who was brutally murdered, Anna is pulled headlong into a deadly conspiracy that extends to the highest levels of government. Facing the forces behind her new hitcher’s death will challenge the barriers, both good and bad, that Anna has erected over the years and shed light on her power’s origins. And when the covert organization seeking to recruit her crosses the line by kidnapping her friend, it will discover just how far Anna is willing to go to bring it down.
Thanks so much, Rysa. What a fantastic playlist!
Now, readers and YASH contestants, if you’d like a free copy of my short story TSANTSA (only people on my mailing list will ever read this because I don’t plan to publish it) sign up HERE.
This is the last YASH, so to send this great contest off in style, I’m offering a signed copy of The Princess of Las Pulgas and a signed copy of Sudden Secrets.
ENTER TO WIN
Don’t forget to enter the contest for a chance to win more books by me. You can find out about my EXCLUSIVE CONTENT at HELEN VIVIENNE FLETCHER’S site. She’s hosting me today. Thank you, Helen! To enter, you need to know that my favorite number is 13. Add up all the favorite numbers of the authors on the blue team and you’ll have all the secret code to enter for the grand prize!
CONTINUE THE HUNT
To keep going on your quest for the hunt, you need to check out the next BLUE TEAM author! Yvonne Ventresca!
September 2, 2020
IWSG Wednesday
I’d figured out a way to manage and even enjoy the quiet of the Covid 19 shutdown. My walking challenge carried me over 400 miles in four months. I discovered new trails, enjoyed beautiful oceanfront scenery, and did most of my errands around town on foot. I wore out one pair of shoes, and seriously broke in another. Life was working for me. I’d adapted.
But just when I thought I could see that circle of light at the end of the metaphor, life decided to seal off that promise and sent in her lightning brigade. There’s nothing like a 3 a.m. streak of fire across the sky followed by the sound of large colliding boulders overhead to pump up the old adrenaline. Then looking out the window to find columns of smoke across the canyon shifts you into Emergency mode like nothing else. Find the flashlight (obviously, there’s no power), get out the Must Take With Me list, open the gate and garage door for a quick getaway, turn on battery operated radio, then pace while listening to the emergency alert system. That sound alone can drive you mad.
I’ve been evacuated twice before, so I’m not a novice. Still when it’s dark, when the sky’s raining a billion volts of electrical power (did you know that?) all around you, and you’re thinking maybe Covid 19 isn’t that big a deal, it’s hard not to panic, and that doesn’t serve you well at all. When the sun came up (100+ degrees– thank you for that), I took advantage of natural light and loaded the car with important papers and some irreplaceables. I waited, keeping an eye on the ridge until the air became so thick I couldn’t breath–even inside–then I took off and headed south. Finally, the wind blew the fire and smoke away from my side of the canyon, and for the moment, I could return and stay sheltered in my place, like in the good old days when only a virus threatened my life.
I’m thinking of those who were caught in this maelstrom and hoping they can return to their abandoned homes, although I already know several friends who will be rebuilding or moving.
Life.
Unpredictable.
Challenging.
Fascinating.
Join Us Now
Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.
Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say.
Remember, the question is optional!
September 2 question – If you could choose one author, living or dead, to be your beta partner, who would it be and why?
The co-hosts for the September 2 posting of the IWSG are PJ Colando, J Lenni Dorner, Deniz Bevan, Kim Lajevardi, Natalie Aguirre, and Louise – Fundy Blue!
Now that is a great question. And it’s so difficult to answer. If I choose one of those literary luminaries like Dos Passos or Faulkner (one of my favorite and most challenging authors) I know they’d chew up my prose and spit it out after the first paragraph. So how about Hemingway? I treasure his writing, but he shot animals to prove his manliness, not to mention his penchant for not being a very nice guy. So not him. Twain might work. Maybe he could teach me how to capture wit and humor in my writing, how to tweak noses without being pendantic. So moving on…Isabel Allende, Margaret Atwood, Barbara Kingsolver. I could learn so much from them, but, like the others, I would have absolutely nothing to suggest by way of improvement in return. A beta partnership has to be a two-way street.
I think I’ll have to set my sights on a writer who is still striving to improve their craft and who I see doing that each time they publish another book. I want to list my choices here, but sure as I do, I’ll leave out someone and regret this post, so I’ll just say there are a lot of writers I’m connected with who I admire for their diligence and determination. I’ll choose one of them.
I’m eager to see how others answer this question today.
The WEP had an awesome theme this month, so I entered because I love to do Flash Fiction once in a while. It gives me chance to “play” with characterization and dialogue in the short form. Here’s my contribution.
The entries for the IWSG Anthology Contest are coming in like crazy, and they’re good, so readers will be in for a treat when this one comes out.
Quote of the Month: “If you evade suffering you also evade the chance of joy.” Ursula K. Le Guin
