Nicole Zoltack's Blog, page 21
May 1, 2013
Adverbs and Clichés in a Nutshell
Too many adverbs and clichés in your writing? I've got just the fix for you.
by Jessica Bell
Writers constantly have rules thrown at them left, right, and center. Show, don’t tell! Stop using so many dialogue tags! More sensory detail! More tension! Speed up the pace! Yada yada yada ... it can become overwhelming, yes? I used to feel overwhelmed by it all too. In fact, I still do sometimes. It’s hard enough to get the words on the page, let alone consider how to put them there.
In Anne Lamott’s Bird by Bird, she says that in order not to be overwhelmed, a writer needs to focus on short assignments. She refers to the one-inch picture frame on her desk and how that little picture frame reminds her to focus on bite-sized pieces of the whole story. Basically, if you focus on one small thing at a time, the story will eventually come together to create a whole. I believe the same applies to learning the craft of writing. If writers focus on one aspect of the craft at a time, the process will seem less daunting and piece by piece it will come together.
My name’s Jessica Bell, and my own struggles with feeling overwhelmed inspired me to write the Writing in a Nutshell Series of pocket-sized writing guides. So you can learn to hone your craft in bite-sized, manageable pieces. In the first book of the series, I focused on demonstrating how to transition “telling” into “showing.” In Adverbs & Clichés in a Nutshell: Demonstrated Subversions of Adverbs & Clichés into Gourmet Imagery , I deal with another of the most common criticisms aspiring writers face: to absolutely avoid adverbs and clichés like the plague. But see, right now, I just used one of each. I also used a couple in the first two paragraphs of this post because they come naturally, and we utilize them frequently in everyday speech. But in fiction, too many adverbs and clichés weaken your prose. It’s considered “lazy writing,” because it means we don’t have to show what’s happening.
If your manuscript has too many adverbs and clichés, it most likely means that the emotion you felt while writing it is not going to translate to the reader in the same way. So how exactly can we approach the subversion of adverbs and clichés? For starters, play around with simile and metaphor when you’re trying to convey emotion, and for action, use strong verbs to show it happening in real time.
The key? Think smaller details rather than the bigger picture.
Need some help and inspiration?
In Adverbs & Clichés in a Nutshell: Demonstrated Subversions of Adverbs & Clichés into Gourmet Imagery , you will find thirty-four examples of prose which clearly demonstrate how to turn those pesky adverbs and clichés into vivid and unique imagery. Dispersed throughout are blank pages to craft your own unique examples. Extra writing prompts are also provided at the back of the book.
Purchase links:
Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon Ca | Kobo
Bio: The Australian-native contemporary fiction author and poet, Jessica Bell, also makes a living as an editor and writer for global ELT publishers (English Language Teaching), such as Pearson Education, HarperCollins, Macmillan Education, Education First and Cengage Learning.
She is the co-publishing editor of Vine Leaves Literary Journal, and the director of the Homeric Writers’ Retreat & Workshop on the Greek island of Ithaca.
For more information about Jessica please visit:
Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook
by Jessica Bell
Writers constantly have rules thrown at them left, right, and center. Show, don’t tell! Stop using so many dialogue tags! More sensory detail! More tension! Speed up the pace! Yada yada yada ... it can become overwhelming, yes? I used to feel overwhelmed by it all too. In fact, I still do sometimes. It’s hard enough to get the words on the page, let alone consider how to put them there.
In Anne Lamott’s Bird by Bird, she says that in order not to be overwhelmed, a writer needs to focus on short assignments. She refers to the one-inch picture frame on her desk and how that little picture frame reminds her to focus on bite-sized pieces of the whole story. Basically, if you focus on one small thing at a time, the story will eventually come together to create a whole. I believe the same applies to learning the craft of writing. If writers focus on one aspect of the craft at a time, the process will seem less daunting and piece by piece it will come together.
My name’s Jessica Bell, and my own struggles with feeling overwhelmed inspired me to write the Writing in a Nutshell Series of pocket-sized writing guides. So you can learn to hone your craft in bite-sized, manageable pieces. In the first book of the series, I focused on demonstrating how to transition “telling” into “showing.” In Adverbs & Clichés in a Nutshell: Demonstrated Subversions of Adverbs & Clichés into Gourmet Imagery , I deal with another of the most common criticisms aspiring writers face: to absolutely avoid adverbs and clichés like the plague. But see, right now, I just used one of each. I also used a couple in the first two paragraphs of this post because they come naturally, and we utilize them frequently in everyday speech. But in fiction, too many adverbs and clichés weaken your prose. It’s considered “lazy writing,” because it means we don’t have to show what’s happening.
If your manuscript has too many adverbs and clichés, it most likely means that the emotion you felt while writing it is not going to translate to the reader in the same way. So how exactly can we approach the subversion of adverbs and clichés? For starters, play around with simile and metaphor when you’re trying to convey emotion, and for action, use strong verbs to show it happening in real time.
The key? Think smaller details rather than the bigger picture.
Need some help and inspiration?
In Adverbs & Clichés in a Nutshell: Demonstrated Subversions of Adverbs & Clichés into Gourmet Imagery , you will find thirty-four examples of prose which clearly demonstrate how to turn those pesky adverbs and clichés into vivid and unique imagery. Dispersed throughout are blank pages to craft your own unique examples. Extra writing prompts are also provided at the back of the book.
“Jessica Bell's latest pocket guide, Adverbs & Clichés in a Nutshell, will inspire you to leave bland behind and pursue your creative best. With force and clarity, she demonstrates how adverbs and clichés hobble vibrant writing. She then marks a course toward unique expression and provides workouts that will help writers at every level develop a distinctive voice.” ~Laurel Garver, freelance editor, author of Never Gone and Muddy-Fingered Midnights
Purchase links:
Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon Ca | Kobo
Bio: The Australian-native contemporary fiction author and poet, Jessica Bell, also makes a living as an editor and writer for global ELT publishers (English Language Teaching), such as Pearson Education, HarperCollins, Macmillan Education, Education First and Cengage Learning.She is the co-publishing editor of Vine Leaves Literary Journal, and the director of the Homeric Writers’ Retreat & Workshop on the Greek island of Ithaca.
For more information about Jessica please visit:
Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook
April 29, 2013
Casting Call for Quest of the Hart by Mary Waibel
Mary Waibel is one of my critique partners and let me tell you, Quest of the Hart is an amazing story. I love it! Seriously, guys, you should check it out. You will not be disappointed!
Mary played the role of a casting agent and pick out talents to portray the MCs in Quest of the Hart.
First up is Kaylee, the princess who goes on the quest to save the sleeping prince. Kaylee is Britt Robertson.
Next up is the sleeping prince - Devlin. If only Chace Crawford had longer hair, he would be perfect for the part!
Sabrina plays a crucial role in helping Kaylee on her quest. She's Shelley Hennig. (I'm starting to think Mary's a fan of Secret Circle. There's nothing wrong with that! I enjoyed the show and was upset when they cancelled it.)
Finally, there's Princess Arabella - the villainess. If Phoebe Tonkin had violet eyes and blacker hair, she'd be a dead ringer for Arabella.
And bonus - Thaddues, a knight, played by Jake Sandvig.
A reverse Sleeping Beauty tale where the
princess goes on the quest to save the prince.
Princess Kaylee has never had to fight for
anything. Her entire life has been arranged, even her marriage. But when Prince
Devlin falls under an enchantment, she finds she is willing to do anything to
save him, even if it means fighting a dragon.
Devlin's own sister, Princess Arabella, is
behind the deadly plot. She wants the throne and will use any means necessary
to gain it. Her perfect plan unravels, leaving Devlin caught in a magical sleep
that is slowly spreading through the kingdom of Breniera. All Arabella needs to
finish her spell and claim the crown is a drop of Kaylee's blood, but obtaining
the single drop is proving more difficult than expected.
To save her betrothed, Kaylee embarks on a
quest to find an ancient sword and gather a drop of dragon's blood, while
trying to stay out of Arabella's traps. But Arabella's traps aren't the only
danger. Time is everything. For once the last inhabitant of the kingdom falls
asleep, the spell will be sealed, and not even true love's kiss will break it.
Mary lives with her husband, son and two cats. When she
isn't twisting fairytales, she enjoys reading, playing games, watching hockey,
and camping. Her debut novel, Quest of the Hart, will be available from
MuseItUp Publishing April 19, 2013. The Lost Princess, a companion
novel, will be available from MuseItUp Publishing in August 2013
a Rafflecopter giveaway
You can find Mary Waibel at:
http://marywaibel.blogspot.com
https://www.facebook.com/authormarywaibel
@mewtweety14
Buy Link (Quest):
https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore2/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=620&category_id=6&manufacturer_id=292&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1
Book Trailers (Quest):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5SvEAbFQtE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3d-ohY2CEVo
Excerpt:
Arabella’s fingers trembled on the hilt of the dagger as
desire for the animal swept through her. He was perfect, not a point out of
place or a blemish on his coat. She gazed longingly at him, until a sound from
Kaylee brought her back to the task at hand.
Shaking her
head to clear it, she watched Kaylee speak to the creature. Did she honestly
expect him to answer? Arabella stopped her snort before it gave away her
presence. There would be no better chance than this.
Holding the
dagger before her, she lined up Kaylee with the tip of the blade. It had to be
a perfect throw, as she would not get another chance. She dipped the blade
forward once, twice, thrice, then let it fly through the air with a flick of
her wrist. The blade spun, end over end, sailing forward. Arabella held her
breath, watching, praying her aim was true.
The dagger
flew on target, but just before it buried itself in Kaylee’s back, the princess
moved, and the dagger embedded itself into the chest of the hart.
Mary played the role of a casting agent and pick out talents to portray the MCs in Quest of the Hart.
First up is Kaylee, the princess who goes on the quest to save the sleeping prince. Kaylee is Britt Robertson.
Next up is the sleeping prince - Devlin. If only Chace Crawford had longer hair, he would be perfect for the part!
Sabrina plays a crucial role in helping Kaylee on her quest. She's Shelley Hennig. (I'm starting to think Mary's a fan of Secret Circle. There's nothing wrong with that! I enjoyed the show and was upset when they cancelled it.)
Finally, there's Princess Arabella - the villainess. If Phoebe Tonkin had violet eyes and blacker hair, she'd be a dead ringer for Arabella.
And bonus - Thaddues, a knight, played by Jake Sandvig.
A reverse Sleeping Beauty tale where theprincess goes on the quest to save the prince.
Princess Kaylee has never had to fight for
anything. Her entire life has been arranged, even her marriage. But when Prince
Devlin falls under an enchantment, she finds she is willing to do anything to
save him, even if it means fighting a dragon.
Devlin's own sister, Princess Arabella, is
behind the deadly plot. She wants the throne and will use any means necessary
to gain it. Her perfect plan unravels, leaving Devlin caught in a magical sleep
that is slowly spreading through the kingdom of Breniera. All Arabella needs to
finish her spell and claim the crown is a drop of Kaylee's blood, but obtaining
the single drop is proving more difficult than expected.
To save her betrothed, Kaylee embarks on a
quest to find an ancient sword and gather a drop of dragon's blood, while
trying to stay out of Arabella's traps. But Arabella's traps aren't the only
danger. Time is everything. For once the last inhabitant of the kingdom falls
asleep, the spell will be sealed, and not even true love's kiss will break it.
Mary lives with her husband, son and two cats. When sheisn't twisting fairytales, she enjoys reading, playing games, watching hockey,
and camping. Her debut novel, Quest of the Hart, will be available from
MuseItUp Publishing April 19, 2013. The Lost Princess, a companion
novel, will be available from MuseItUp Publishing in August 2013
a Rafflecopter giveaway
You can find Mary Waibel at:
http://marywaibel.blogspot.com
https://www.facebook.com/authormarywaibel
@mewtweety14
Buy Link (Quest):
https://museituppublishing.com/bookstore2/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypage.tpl&product_id=620&category_id=6&manufacturer_id=292&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=1
Book Trailers (Quest):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r5SvEAbFQtE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3d-ohY2CEVo
Excerpt:
Arabella’s fingers trembled on the hilt of the dagger as
desire for the animal swept through her. He was perfect, not a point out of
place or a blemish on his coat. She gazed longingly at him, until a sound from
Kaylee brought her back to the task at hand.
Shaking her
head to clear it, she watched Kaylee speak to the creature. Did she honestly
expect him to answer? Arabella stopped her snort before it gave away her
presence. There would be no better chance than this.
Holding the
dagger before her, she lined up Kaylee with the tip of the blade. It had to be
a perfect throw, as she would not get another chance. She dipped the blade
forward once, twice, thrice, then let it fly through the air with a flick of
her wrist. The blade spun, end over end, sailing forward. Arabella held her
breath, watching, praying her aim was true.
The dagger
flew on target, but just before it buried itself in Kaylee’s back, the princess
moved, and the dagger embedded itself into the chest of the hart.
April 25, 2013
Win a Print Copy of Woman of Honor
First ever Goodreads giveaway! Want to enter to win a print copy of Woman of Honor? Here's your chance! Good for those in the US and Canada. If it goes well, I'll probably do an international one too. So what are you waiting for? Hurry up and enter!
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Goodreads Book Giveaway
Woman of Honor
by Nicole Zoltack
Giveaway ends May 31, 2013.
See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.
Enter to win
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Goodreads Book Giveaway
Woman of Honor
by Nicole Zoltack
Giveaway ends May 31, 2013.
See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.
Enter to win
April 10, 2013
Inspired Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer has a new site
Inspired Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer has launched a new site aimed at bringing you the best Kindle Ebook Deals and Steals.
Each day on feedyourreader.com you'll find a new list of available ebook deals (most for under $3).
And of course there will be lots of Featured Freebies too!
To celebrate the launch of the new site she is giving away a Kindle Fire, Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash.
Win a 7" Kindle Fire (US only)
Or $100 Amazon.com Gift Card (International)
Or $100 in Paypal Cash (International)
Giveaway Details
1 winner will receive their choice of a Kindle Fire 7" (US Only), $100 Amazon Gift Card or $100 in Paypal Cash (International).
Ends 5/5/13
Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. Prize value $100-$159 US.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Each day on feedyourreader.com you'll find a new list of available ebook deals (most for under $3).
And of course there will be lots of Featured Freebies too!
To celebrate the launch of the new site she is giving away a Kindle Fire, Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash.
Win a 7" Kindle Fire (US only)
Or $100 Amazon.com Gift Card (International)
Or $100 in Paypal Cash (International)
Giveaway Details
1 winner will receive their choice of a Kindle Fire 7" (US Only), $100 Amazon Gift Card or $100 in Paypal Cash (International).
Ends 5/5/13
Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. Prize value $100-$159 US.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
April 8, 2013
L. Blankenship, Author of Disciple Part II, is talking about pop culture's "medieval" vs.Historical reality
Today, L. Blankenship is talking about pop culture's "medieval" vs.Historical reality as a part of the Disciple Part II blog tour!
We
all know that movies aren't a good place to find historical accuracy. Their job
is to entertain us, first and foremost, and accuracy can get in the way of
that. Over time, movies, television and novels have build up their own
conventional ways of representing medieval Europe -- habits that started out as
honest mistakes or for the sake of drama and looking good.
I'm
going to point out a few of these. I'm going to stick to world-building
details, since the particulars of things like politics, social morals, the
treatment of women, etc., varied from place to place and century to century --
and one must always leave room for individual variation in things like that.
Not everybody in a given place or time would perfectly conform to the letter of
what's been passed down to us.
For
clarity, a definition: the medieval period, in Europe, lasted from the fifth
century until the end of the fifteenth century.
Costuming problems
This
is an easy detail to pick on. Movies go for aesthetics over accuracy, since
vegetable-dyed wools just aren't as pretty as bright, swishy synthetic fabrics.
All the evidence points toward most medieval folk wearing warm, boring clothes
and directors want their stars to look sexy. It's worth looking up photos of
(or meeting) serious re-enactors who put a lot of effort into dressing themselves
accurately.
Corsets
The
earliest references to corset-like undergarments date from 1530 at the earliest
-- which is the sixteenth century. So strictly speaking, there were no corsets
in the medieval era. Ladies' dresses might be tailored to fit snugly in the
bodice, and they might use structure and lacing to encourage that snug fit, but
they didn't wear true corsets.
Pants
Medieval
men didn't wear pants. But the ancient Romans and the Vikings did, so what the
heck happened? To put it simply, pants turned into underwear. Men wore
full-length robes over them in the early middle ages. As those robes got
shorter over the centuries, socks got longer to make up the difference. They
started calling the socks hose, or stockings -- and those eventually evolved
back into pants in an ass-backwards manner.
Plate armor
Knights
always wear a full harness of metal plates, right? Not until the late 14th
century. Components began showing up earlier -- breastplates are ancient -- but
it wasn't a full suit until the medieval period was almost over. Before plate,
knights wore mail (chainmail, to D&D gamers) suits, and it was a very
different style of armor.
Military combat
It's
difficult to judge exactly what was done on medieval battlefields, but we know
this much: a pell-mell race across a field to attack the enemy is a good way to
get slaughtered. We've all seen this in movies, though. It's exciting
and dangerous. One-on-one combat in a chaotic field looks great, and it gives
characters a chance to have dramatic, easy-to-see fights.
It's
also what helped Rome conquer the world: they hunkered down behind their shield
walls and cut those disorganized charges to hamburger. Passion in battle is a
great thing, but it's been proven beyond all doubt that discipline and
organization will beat passion every single time.
Medieval
tactical writers knew this too. They describe knights charging in
stirrup-to-stirrup lines and defensive formations for the polearm-wielding
infantry. Shield walls persisted long after the fall of Rome -- because they
worked. Individual combat on a chaotic field is immensely risky. Terrifying.
Standing shoulder to shoulder with men you trust, behind a wall of wood, is
much more heartening. Your chance of surviving is much better.
This
isn't to say that individual combat on the battlefield never happened. In small
engagements or ambushes, it's more plausible. But still, what you want to do is
bunch up with your friends, not stand out there all by yourself.
If
you're interested in a place to start, with medieval tactics, check out these tagged posts
at I, Clausewitz' LJ.
These
are some points where you can differentiate your work from other stories. By
stepping away from pop culture expectations, you can add greater individuality
to your world and challenge yourself creatively.
-----
The
prince first kissed Kate Carpenter for fear of missing the chance if they
didn’t survive the journey home through the monster-prowled mountains.
Now
that kiss seems like a fever dream. It’s back to work for her, back to the
fellow physicians jealous of her talents and the sneers of an infirmary
director who wants her shipped off to some tiny village. Kate means to be on
the front lines to save lives. She’s worked too hard to overcome her past to
let them deny her the chance to serve her homeland when the enemy’s army
reaches their kingdom.
The
grand jousting tournament is a chance to prove she can manage combat wounded,
and at the royal Solstice banquet Kate means to prove she isn’t an ignorant
peasant girl anymore.
But
the prince’s kiss still haunts her. Their paths keep crossing, and the easy
familiarity they earned on the journey home is a welcome escape from their
duties. It’s a small slip from chatting to kisses.
This
is no time to be distracted by romance -- a vast and powerful empire is coming
to slaughter anyone standing between them and the kingdom’s magical fount.
Kate
ought to break both their hearts, for duty’s sake.
Disciple, Part II on sale now
along with Disciple, Part I
at all major
online retailers
More
information, updates, and extras at Disciple of the Fount
Sample of
Part I • Sample of
Part II
Disciple, Part III coming in late 2013
Disciple is complete
in six parts and will make a lovely doorstop
when
all 400k words have been published.
Goodreads
links:
Disciple,
Part I • Disciple,
Part II
We
all know that movies aren't a good place to find historical accuracy. Their job
is to entertain us, first and foremost, and accuracy can get in the way of
that. Over time, movies, television and novels have build up their own
conventional ways of representing medieval Europe -- habits that started out as
honest mistakes or for the sake of drama and looking good.
I'm
going to point out a few of these. I'm going to stick to world-building
details, since the particulars of things like politics, social morals, the
treatment of women, etc., varied from place to place and century to century --
and one must always leave room for individual variation in things like that.
Not everybody in a given place or time would perfectly conform to the letter of
what's been passed down to us.
For
clarity, a definition: the medieval period, in Europe, lasted from the fifth
century until the end of the fifteenth century.
Costuming problems
This
is an easy detail to pick on. Movies go for aesthetics over accuracy, since
vegetable-dyed wools just aren't as pretty as bright, swishy synthetic fabrics.
All the evidence points toward most medieval folk wearing warm, boring clothes
and directors want their stars to look sexy. It's worth looking up photos of
(or meeting) serious re-enactors who put a lot of effort into dressing themselves
accurately.
Corsets
The
earliest references to corset-like undergarments date from 1530 at the earliest
-- which is the sixteenth century. So strictly speaking, there were no corsets
in the medieval era. Ladies' dresses might be tailored to fit snugly in the
bodice, and they might use structure and lacing to encourage that snug fit, but
they didn't wear true corsets.
Pants
Medieval
men didn't wear pants. But the ancient Romans and the Vikings did, so what the
heck happened? To put it simply, pants turned into underwear. Men wore
full-length robes over them in the early middle ages. As those robes got
shorter over the centuries, socks got longer to make up the difference. They
started calling the socks hose, or stockings -- and those eventually evolved
back into pants in an ass-backwards manner.
Plate armor
Knights
always wear a full harness of metal plates, right? Not until the late 14th
century. Components began showing up earlier -- breastplates are ancient -- but
it wasn't a full suit until the medieval period was almost over. Before plate,
knights wore mail (chainmail, to D&D gamers) suits, and it was a very
different style of armor.
Military combat
It's
difficult to judge exactly what was done on medieval battlefields, but we know
this much: a pell-mell race across a field to attack the enemy is a good way to
get slaughtered. We've all seen this in movies, though. It's exciting
and dangerous. One-on-one combat in a chaotic field looks great, and it gives
characters a chance to have dramatic, easy-to-see fights.
It's
also what helped Rome conquer the world: they hunkered down behind their shield
walls and cut those disorganized charges to hamburger. Passion in battle is a
great thing, but it's been proven beyond all doubt that discipline and
organization will beat passion every single time.
Medieval
tactical writers knew this too. They describe knights charging in
stirrup-to-stirrup lines and defensive formations for the polearm-wielding
infantry. Shield walls persisted long after the fall of Rome -- because they
worked. Individual combat on a chaotic field is immensely risky. Terrifying.
Standing shoulder to shoulder with men you trust, behind a wall of wood, is
much more heartening. Your chance of surviving is much better.
This
isn't to say that individual combat on the battlefield never happened. In small
engagements or ambushes, it's more plausible. But still, what you want to do is
bunch up with your friends, not stand out there all by yourself.
If
you're interested in a place to start, with medieval tactics, check out these tagged posts
at I, Clausewitz' LJ.
These
are some points where you can differentiate your work from other stories. By
stepping away from pop culture expectations, you can add greater individuality
to your world and challenge yourself creatively.
-----
The
prince first kissed Kate Carpenter for fear of missing the chance if they
didn’t survive the journey home through the monster-prowled mountains.
Now
that kiss seems like a fever dream. It’s back to work for her, back to the
fellow physicians jealous of her talents and the sneers of an infirmary
director who wants her shipped off to some tiny village. Kate means to be on
the front lines to save lives. She’s worked too hard to overcome her past to
let them deny her the chance to serve her homeland when the enemy’s army
reaches their kingdom.
The
grand jousting tournament is a chance to prove she can manage combat wounded,
and at the royal Solstice banquet Kate means to prove she isn’t an ignorant
peasant girl anymore.
But
the prince’s kiss still haunts her. Their paths keep crossing, and the easy
familiarity they earned on the journey home is a welcome escape from their
duties. It’s a small slip from chatting to kisses.
This
is no time to be distracted by romance -- a vast and powerful empire is coming
to slaughter anyone standing between them and the kingdom’s magical fount.
Kate
ought to break both their hearts, for duty’s sake.
Disciple, Part II on sale now
along with Disciple, Part I
at all major
online retailers
More
information, updates, and extras at Disciple of the Fount
Sample of
Part I • Sample of
Part II
Disciple, Part III coming in late 2013
Disciple is complete
in six parts and will make a lovely doorstop
when
all 400k words have been published.
Goodreads
links:
Disciple,
Part I • Disciple,
Part II
April 5, 2013
Kindle Fire HD 7" G*veaway
Kindle Fire HD 7" Giveaway
The winner will have the option of receiving a 7" Kindle Fire HD (US Only)
Or $199 Amazon.com Gift Card (International)
Or $199 in Paypal Cash (International)
Sponsoring Bloggers & Authors
I Am A Reader, Not A Writer
Author Jennifer Laurens
Author Lena Sledge
Kelly's Lucky You
Author Lori Verni-Fogarsi
Phantasmic Reads
Author Rebecca Talley
Author Ednah Walter
Author Heather Bixler
Girls With Books
My Life With Books
Author Rae Z. Ryans
All Fantasy Worlds
Author Michael Young
Book Angel Booktopia
Lori's Reading Corner
Books R Us
Books 4 Tomorrow
Author T. Lynne Tolles
Good Choice Reading
Curling Up With A Good Book
Auggie-Talk
A Bookish Escape
Paranormal Book Club
Reviews by Martha's Bookshelf
Amethyst Daydreams
Pink Fluffy Hearts
Love. Without You
Books, Books, the Magical Fruit
Author Lisa Voison
Tasty Book Tours
Fae Books
Author Cindy C. Bennett
Author Emma Michaels
Author Lia Fairchild
Fade Into Fantasy
Pieces of Whimsy
Author Rachael Renee Anderson
Feed Your Reader
Lovely Reads
Giveaway Details
1 winner will receive their choice of a Kindle Fire 7" HD (US Only), $199 Amazon Gift Card or $199 in Paypal Cash (International). Ends 4/30/13
Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the participating authors & bloggers. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. Prize value $199 US.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
April 4, 2013
Cover Reveal - A Change of Plans by Donna K. Weaver
Author: Donna K. WeaverGenre: Adventure Romance
Publication Date: Jun 1, 2013
Publisher: Rhemalda Publishing
When Lyn sets off on her supposedly uncomplicated and unromantic cruise, she never dreams it will include pirates. All the 25-year-old, Colorado high school teacher wants to do is forget that her dead fiancé was a cheating scumbag. Lyn plans a vacation diversion; fate provides Braedon, an intriguing surgeon. She finds herself drawn to him: his gentle humor, his love of music, and even his willingness to let her take him down during morning karate practices. Against the backdrop of the ship’s make-believe world and temporary friendships, her emotions come alive.
However, fear is an emotion, too. Unaware of the sensitive waters he's navigating, Braedon moves to take their relationship beyond friendship--on the very anniversary Lyn is on the cruise to forget. Lyn's painful memories are too powerful, and she runs from Braedon and what he has to offer.
Their confusing relationship is bad enough, but when the pair finds themselves on one of the cruise's snorkeling excursions in American Samoa things get worse. Paradise turns to piracy when their party is kidnapped and Lyn's fear of a fairytale turns grim. Now she must fight alongside the man she rejected, first for their freedom and then against storms, sharks, and shipwreck.
Author Bio:Donna K. Weaver is a Navy brat who joined the Army and has lived in Asia and Europe. Because she sailed the Pacific three times as a child, she loves cruising and wishes she could accrue enough vacation time to do more of it with her husband.
At fifty, Donna decided to study karate and earned her black belt in Shorei Kempo.
After recording city council minutes for twenty years, Donna decided to write something a little longer and with a lot more emotion--and kissing.
Donna and her husband reside in Utah, they have six children and eight grandchildren who live all over the world.
Twitter:
Donna K. Weaver @TheDonnaKWeaver
Rhemalda Publishing @Rhemalda
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Donna-K-Weaver/417995298257527?fref=ts
https://www.facebook.com/RhemaldaPublishing
Goodreads:
A Change of Plans is also listed on Goodreads. We would appreciate it if you would encourage those you share the book with to add the book to their to-read list. In addition, adding A change of Plans to book lists and voting for it on the lists it is already listed on is another way to help Donna promote the book. Any and all book promotion is much appreciated.http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17696146-a-change-of-plans
March 21, 2013
Aubrie Dionne Author of Playing the Maestro Talks About Music
State of the
Orchestra in Today’s World
One of the reasons why I decided to write Playing the Maestro was to bring
attention to classical music. Sure, there’s smooching, romance, adventure, and
wickedly evil deceit, but underlying all of the personal dramas is the story of
a struggling orchestra and what it has to do to survive in today’s modern
world.
With American Idol, sold out rock concerts, and Lady Gaga’s
theatrics, classical music can seem very stuffy and boring. Less and less
people go to orchestra concerts, and I consider classical music a dying art
form. The NH Symphony- the first orchestra I soloed in front of in high school,
went out of business years ago, and orchestras all over the country are
struggling- the same struggles you’ll read about in Playing the Maestro.
The sad part is, classical music improves test scores, it
makes kids smarter. It teaches them discipline, perseverance, and how to use
their hands to do something other than play video games and text. It is totally
worth it and essential to a well-rounded society. Besides that, it’s part of
the classics like Pride and Prejudice in literature, and part of history. It
shouldn’t die along with the white wigs and tights.
The main hero in the story, Wolfgang Braun, makes it his
life mission to replace every video game controller with an instrument. We need
more of these heroes today.
What do you think about the decline of classical music in
today’s society? Do you think it should be saved?
She’ll have to play her boss to come out on a high note…
Playing the Maestro ~ Maestro Series Book One
Melody Mires has sworn off dating musicians, but when the sexy European conductor Wolf Braun takes over her struggling symphony, her hesitation almost flies out the window with the notes of her flute—until he opens his mouth. Wolf is arrogant, haughty, and seems to have a personal vendetta against Melody. Oh, and he’s her boss. If she wants to keep her job as principal flutist, she’ll have to impress Wolf while simultaneously keeping her undeniable attraction to herself.
Wolf came to America to get as far away from his past as possible, and to recover some of the swagger he had as one of the world’s best maestros. He never imagined being forced to reassess the entire orchestra’s talent—and potentially fire anyone who doesn’t make his cut. Dating the attractive flutist is out of the question, but as their feelings reach a fever pitch, can they risk both their careers for a chance at love?
About the Author:
Aubrie grew up watching the original Star Wars movies over and over until she could recite and reenact every single scene in her backyard. She also loved The Goonies, Star Trek the Next Generation--favorite character was Data by far--and Indiana Jones. But, her all time favorite movie was The Last Unicorn. She still wonders why the unicorn decided to change back to a unicorn in the end.
Aubrie wrote in her junior high yearbook that she wanted to be "a concert flutist" when she grew up. She majored in flute performance at the University of New Hampshire on a full scholarship, then secured two teaching jobs at a University and a local community music school. While playing in orchestras and teaching, stories popped into her head, and she used them to make the music come alive for her flute students. Her students said they were so good, she had to write them down! Maybe they were right, who knows? Two careers seems to keep her busy. For now.
She is represented by Dawn Dowdle and writes sweet and adventurous fantasy, science fiction, and contemporary romance.
www.authoraubrie.net
http://authoraubrie.blogspot.com
@authoraubrie
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2964057.Aubrie_Dionne
GIVEAWAYS!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Orchestra in Today’s World
One of the reasons why I decided to write Playing the Maestro was to bring
attention to classical music. Sure, there’s smooching, romance, adventure, and
wickedly evil deceit, but underlying all of the personal dramas is the story of
a struggling orchestra and what it has to do to survive in today’s modern
world.
With American Idol, sold out rock concerts, and Lady Gaga’s
theatrics, classical music can seem very stuffy and boring. Less and less
people go to orchestra concerts, and I consider classical music a dying art
form. The NH Symphony- the first orchestra I soloed in front of in high school,
went out of business years ago, and orchestras all over the country are
struggling- the same struggles you’ll read about in Playing the Maestro.
The sad part is, classical music improves test scores, it
makes kids smarter. It teaches them discipline, perseverance, and how to use
their hands to do something other than play video games and text. It is totally
worth it and essential to a well-rounded society. Besides that, it’s part of
the classics like Pride and Prejudice in literature, and part of history. It
shouldn’t die along with the white wigs and tights.
The main hero in the story, Wolfgang Braun, makes it his
life mission to replace every video game controller with an instrument. We need
more of these heroes today.
What do you think about the decline of classical music in
today’s society? Do you think it should be saved?
She’ll have to play her boss to come out on a high note…
Playing the Maestro ~ Maestro Series Book OneMelody Mires has sworn off dating musicians, but when the sexy European conductor Wolf Braun takes over her struggling symphony, her hesitation almost flies out the window with the notes of her flute—until he opens his mouth. Wolf is arrogant, haughty, and seems to have a personal vendetta against Melody. Oh, and he’s her boss. If she wants to keep her job as principal flutist, she’ll have to impress Wolf while simultaneously keeping her undeniable attraction to herself.
Wolf came to America to get as far away from his past as possible, and to recover some of the swagger he had as one of the world’s best maestros. He never imagined being forced to reassess the entire orchestra’s talent—and potentially fire anyone who doesn’t make his cut. Dating the attractive flutist is out of the question, but as their feelings reach a fever pitch, can they risk both their careers for a chance at love?
About the Author:Aubrie grew up watching the original Star Wars movies over and over until she could recite and reenact every single scene in her backyard. She also loved The Goonies, Star Trek the Next Generation--favorite character was Data by far--and Indiana Jones. But, her all time favorite movie was The Last Unicorn. She still wonders why the unicorn decided to change back to a unicorn in the end.
Aubrie wrote in her junior high yearbook that she wanted to be "a concert flutist" when she grew up. She majored in flute performance at the University of New Hampshire on a full scholarship, then secured two teaching jobs at a University and a local community music school. While playing in orchestras and teaching, stories popped into her head, and she used them to make the music come alive for her flute students. Her students said they were so good, she had to write them down! Maybe they were right, who knows? Two careers seems to keep her busy. For now.
She is represented by Dawn Dowdle and writes sweet and adventurous fantasy, science fiction, and contemporary romance.
www.authoraubrie.net
http://authoraubrie.blogspot.com
@authoraubrie
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2964057.Aubrie_Dionne
GIVEAWAYS!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
a Rafflecopter giveaway
March 19, 2013
Enjoy a Fun Quiz from Sharon Bayliss Author of The Charge
Sharon Bayliss has two wonderful items to share with us today! The first is a quiz centering on her new release The Charge.
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Quizzes by Quibblo.com
The second being a query critique! Isn't Sharon awesome? All you have to do to enter is to leave a comment! What side are you on in the Charge?
Blurb:
When King of the Texas
Empire kidnaps Warren's brother, Warren embarks into a still Wild West to save
him. On his journey, he makes a discovery that changes his life forever—he and
his brother are long-lost members of the Texas royal family and the King wants
them both dead.
He gets help from an
activist Texan named Lena, who's itching to take on the King and happens to be
a beautiful firecracker Warren can't stay away from. Convincing her he's not
one of the bad guys becomes harder when a mysterious energy stirs in his body,
turning his brain into a hive of emotions and memories—not all his own.
A legacy of violence is
not all he inherited from the brutal Kings of Texas. The myth that the royal
family possesses supernatural powers may not be myth at all.
Gone are the days when
choosing a major was a big deal. Now Warren must save his brother and choose
whether or not to be King, follow a King, or die before he can retire his fake
ID.
Excerpt: http://sharonbayliss.blogspot.com/p/sample-chapter-of-charge.html
An audio recording of
Sharon reading from The Charge: https://soundcloud.com/sharon-bayliss/the-charge-reading
Trailer: http://youtu.be/-r_6XNVfsAg
Purchase Links: http://amzn.com/B00BNPCHGQ http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-c...
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheChargeBook
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17239442-the-charge
NetGalley (free review copies): https://www.netgalley.com/catalog/show/id/28197
Or the Goodreads "Add this" widget:
Giveaway: The
giveaway is open from 3/1-3/31. Please feel free to include with your post!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
About SharonBio: Sharon Bayliss is a native of Austin,
Texas and works her day job in the field of social work. When she’s not
writing, she enjoys living in her “happily-ever-after” with her husband and two
young sons. She can be found eating Tex-Mex on patios, wearing flip-flops, and
playing in the mud (which she calls gardening). You can connect with Sharon at www.facebook.com/authorsharonbayliss and www.sharonbayliss.com.
Blog/Website: www.sharonbayliss.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/authorsharonbayliss
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sharonbayliss
Google +: https://plus.google.com/u/0/103722620541134203282
March 18, 2013
Cover Reveal - Eye of the Soul by Terri Rochenski
Eye of the SoulPool of Souls #1
by Terri Rochenski
Release Date: October 7, 2013
Adult Fantasy
Escape.
That should be Hyla’s first thought as her people are chained and imprisoned for no imaginable reason.
Instead, Hyla finds herself traveling through a land void of Natives, with human soldiers pillaging in desperate pursuit of her, and in search of the mystical Pool of Souls—home to the one man who can save her people.
Or so she believes.
Led by her faith in the deity Fadir, Hyla is met along her journey by Jadon—a human male and fierce King’s warrior, and his childhood best friend Conlin—one of the few Natives aware of his Fadir-given Talents.
Protected by Jadon, guided by Conlin, and with an unfailing belief in the purpose of her pilgrimage, Hyla carries on.
Like her, though, another searches for the Pool, and should he gain access first, everyone she loves, and everything she knows, could be lost.
Forever.
URL: http://www.jtaylorpublishing.com/books/33
