L.M. Preston's Blog, page 33

It's Party TIME!

Mini Blog Tour: July 13th - July 28th ending in Twitter Appetizer and Facebook Party!
 
Please join in the Fun with BLOG Tour, Twitter Appetizer and FACEBOOK Release Party! Offering Amazon Gift Cards, Books, Keychains, Magnets and More! Star Author guest to be announced July 13th and spotlighted.


TWITTER Party Appetizer - Friday - July 27th, 5pm-6pm use hashtags #FlutterOfLuv and #FlutterOfLuvParty use www.tweetchat.com to participate easily

Facebook Release Party-Saturday - July 28th, 12pm-11pm! More Prizes and Fun! CLICK HERE!


Description:

Dawn, the neighborhood tomboy, is happy to be her best friend’s shadow. Acceptance comes from playing football after school with the guys on the block while hiding safely behind her glasses, braces, and boyish ways. But Tony moves in, becomes the star Running Back on her school’s football team, and changes her world and her view of herself forever.

GRAND PRIZE Woot!!!!!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Mini Blog Tour: July 13th - July 28th ending in Twitter Appetizer and Facebook Party!

LM Preston’s Ramblings - 7/13/2012
http://lmpreston.blogspot.com/

A Little Bit Of R&R - 7/13/2012
http://www.alittlebitofrnrreviews.com/

Doreen McGettigan - 7/17/2012
http://doreenmcgettigan.com/

Writer’s Alley - 7/17/2012
http://writersally.blogspot.com/

I Want To Read That - 7/18/2012
http://www.iwanttoreadthat.com/

Cheryl Rainfield - 7/18/2012
http://cherylrainfield.com/blog/

The Daily Harrell - 7/19/2012
http://jessie-harrell.blogspot.com/

Word Forge Books - 7/20/2012
http://wordforgebooks.com/blog/

Searching For An Escape - 7/21/2012
http://www.officialmhafh.blogspot.com/
http://www.facebook.com/MHAFH

The Write Game - 7/23/2012
http://writegame.blogspot.com/

Stephen Penner - 7/24/2012
http://stephenpenner.blogspot.com/

Black Words White Pages - 7/26/2012
http://www.blackwords-whitepages.blogspot.com/

Curiosity Key - 7/27/2012
http://www.curiositykey.blogspot.com/

SomeoneWhoActuallyCares - 7/27/2012
http://someonewhoactuallycares.blogspot.com/

LM Preston’s Ramblings - 7/28/2012
http://lmpreston.blogspot.com/

Tribute Books Reviews & Giveaways - 7/23/2012
http://tributebooksreviews.blogspot.com/

Tribute Books Mama - 7/24/2012
http://tributebooksmama.blogspot.com/

The Character Connection - 7/25/2012
http://thecharacterconnection.blogspot.com/

The Plot Thickens - 7/26/2012
http://theplotthickensbookblog.blogspot.com/

City Girl Who Loved To Read - 7/27/2012
http://citygirlwholovestoread.blogspot.com/

Twitter Party Appetizer - 5pm-6pm - 7/27/2012 #FlutterOfLuv and #FlutterOfLuvParty

Facebook Release Party Even t - 7/28/2012
http://www.facebook.com/events/340720479326022/LM Preston (www.lmpreston.com) , author of THE PACK, EXPLORER X-Alpha and BANDITS

Networking the tools of Inspiration

Let me just say that this year's first UtopYA has been one of the best events to feed my author's spirit in a long long time.

When I was first invited to attend I didn't have high expectations as this was their first year having an event such as this in Tennessee. However, I'd caught wind that some authors I've been following, stalking, adoring and just plain loved were going to be there.

However, let me say this was a pleasant and wonderful surprise ... Oh and guess what? There were a few male authors there also!

This is me and my fabulous summer intern, Cathy, doing the book giveaway and signing thing.

And would you know it, this was the first time I met Cathy face to face?! Oh and I met a litany of wonderful guest at this small cozy event. I also got to talk to just about all of them. Each author was open, inspiring, supportive and the entire event literally bought tears to my eyes with the amount of support given.

But to the biggie when going to these events - NETWORK!

- Step out your shell and say hello
- Exchange business cards and always follow up by tweeting, Facebook like/friend each person, and support their work
- Keep a catalog or spreadsheet of who you met and where
- And follow up with a tweet hello or facebook howdy!

This is how I've found great friends in this writing business, not to mention wonderful mentors. So don't be shy, get out and network so you realize that 'No' you aren't the only obsessive writer out there.

LM Preston (www.lmpreston.com) , author of THE PACK, EXPLORER X-Alpha and BANDITS

The Amazing Spider-Man -Movie Review

I love myself some Spider-Man. I own all the movies and let me tell you, this one didn't dissapoint.





IMDb Blurb: Peter Parker finds a clue that might help him understand why his parents disappeared when he was young. His path puts him on a collision course with Dr. Curt Connors, his father's former partner.


Director: Marc Webb

Writers: James Vanderbilt (screenplay), Alvin Sargent (screenplay)

Stars:Andrew Garfield, Emma Stone and Rhys Ifans | See full cast and crew


My Review: I have to say I was skeptical. I had really grown attached to the previous installments of the retelling of the Spider-Man comics. Also, I was rather ticked that they would have an overlap of how spider-man was created. However, after watching the movie, I didn't feel like I was watching a replay of the first movie. The change for Spider-Man was different. This Spider-Man to me seemed a bit more ... uh ... edgey. There were some repeat or similar scenes like him getting beat up by Flash. But overall it was a different taste. Also, his love affair isn't with Mary Jane. Now to the best part of the movie - I never got bored. Nope, it was fast-paced, great special effects, sweet romance, action and so much more. Just what the doctor orders to give you that feeling of escape and suck you into a great and exciting super world. I loved it! So I give this baby a 5 out 5 webs.

LM Preston (www.lmpreston.com) , author of THE PACK, EXPLORER X-Alpha and BANDITS

Indie Author Spotlight-Willow Cross

Willow Cross is one of my favorite Indie Authors. Here's a run down of her awesome books! THE DARK GIFTS Series


Birthright
For one-thousand years, Druid prophecies foretold of a young witch destined to alter the fate of both human and immortal alike. This witch-turned-vampire would be capable of harnessing the supernatural abilities of both and, in a bloody rise to power, would rule with unwavering control. Unwillingly thrust into a world she never dreamed existed, Liz Markum is catapulted into an ancient war between rival vampire factions. She must choose between those she loves and the ever-present darkness attempting to devour her very soul. Only one question remains: Will Liz claim her birthright or surrender to the dark gift? One choice. One chance. Two destinies.

Inheritance

It all started with a gift...

When Sarah and her older brother received a house from an Aunt they never knew existed, they counted it a blessing. For the first time in her young life, Sarah had a real home. Within months, the once beloved dark gift revealed a hidden curse. As the full moon rose into the heavens, the only person she’d ever been able to count on had become a monster.

Desperate to save her brother, Sarah embarks on a nightmarish journey into their lineage in hopes of discovering answers and a cure. If only she’d known beforehand...her brother wasn’t the worst monster out there. And he certainly wasn’t the most dangerous. To make matters worse, they’d been searching for her since the day she was born...

Oceans of Red Volume One

By 2015 the streets of Los Angeles have been transformed from a thriving metropolis to a hostile world ravaged by demons bent on assimilating the human race. Standing between this total apocalypse of humanity and their chance for survival is 19 year old Remy Martin.

A warrior in her own right, trained to think on her feet and kill if the situation requires, she is flanked by her older brother and younger sister. Together, they devise a plan to take back the streets. Against the wishes of their father, who commands the resistance forces, they venture into unknown realms of the supernatural in a race against time with the fate of the entire world in their young hands.
Join them on their mission into darkness where death lies around every corner, it is virtually impossible to distinguish your enemies from your allies, and a single mistake could result in the annihilation of everyone you've ever known and loved. Show More Show Less

A Higher Calling

A daughter’s mistake.

A mother’s wrath.

An impossible choice.



Sophie’s plans were simple: Leave the supernatural behind and raise a child of her own creation. For twenty years life couldn’t have been better, until the day her daughter showed up on her doorstep bloodied and bruised. They say, “Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.” But the wrath of a mother, whose only desire was to protect her child, is unfathomable. Those pure of heart can rest easy. However, if you carry the slightest tinge of darkness, beware the Higher Calling.


To check out her awesome books: CLICK HERE Want to find out about more More INDIE Authors for INDIEPendence Day! Go here: http://indeliblewriters.blogspot.com/... Preston (www.lmpreston.com) , author of THE PACK, EXPLORER X-Alpha and BANDITS

The Kill-Joy

Believe it or not, me – yes, I was accused by my dear husband early on in our marriage of being a kill-joy. Every time that man came up with some crazy out of this world adventure or idea, I’d tell him tons of things he should ‘be aware of’. However, he saw those times that I mentally or verbally weighed the pros and cons as killing his enthusiasm for his dream. Was I? Maybe? Could be… but I didn’t think so.

SEEING THE BAD doesn’t MEAN you can’t SEE THE POSSIBILITY

Just because I pointed out the possibilities (bad and the good), I always had this way in which my mind worked to puzzle out my odds of success and plan how I would gain it. Now I never was one to jump head on into something. I usually prepared for it, knowing from my own career and life that things don’t always go as well as planned – but a backup plan or two can still garner you much success.

BEING AN AUTHOR CAN BE A KILL-JOY

Yep, if you are an author, you have got to be ready for everyone’s kill-joy opinion. Like, that you can’t possibly make a living at this. Or, that you’ll never be rich at this. Or that your story stinks and no one will buy it. The list goes on.

Now they aren’t always telling a lie – it could be the truth. However, for everyone that hasn’t at least tried to reach their dreams, it’s a definite reality.

So as a writer who faces many kill-joy’s you get tougher, more determined and better informed in order to build YOUR OWN path to success. Then you can turn back and wink at the ‘kill-joy’ and tell them, “Thanks for the warning. ”LM Preston (www.lmpreston.com) , author of THE PACK, EXPLORER X-Alpha and BANDITS

Flutter Of Luv - Party Palooza!

Please join in the Fun with BLOG Tour, Twitter Appetizer and FACEBOOK Release Party! Offering Amazon Gift Cards, Books, Keychains, Magnets and More! Star Author guest to be announced July 13th and spotlighted.


TWITTER Party Appetizer - Friday - July 27th, 5pm-6pm use hashtags #FlutterOfLuv and #FlutterOfLuvParty use www.tweetchat.com to participate easily

Facebook Release Party-Saturday - July 28th, 12pm-11pm! More Prizes and Fun! CLICK HERE!


Description:

Dawn, the neighborhood tomboy, is happy to be her best friend’s shadow. Acceptance comes from playing football after school with the guys on the block while hiding safely behind her glasses, braces, and boyish ways. But Tony moves in, becomes the star Running Back on her school’s football team, and changes her world and her view of herself forever.

Mini Blog Tour: July 13th - July 28th ending in Twitter Appetizer and Facebook Party!

LM Preston’s Ramblings - 7/13/2012
http://lmpreston.blogspot.com/

A Little Bit Of R&R - 7/13/2012
http://www.alittlebitofrnrreviews.com/

Doreen McGettigan - 7/17/2012
http://doreenmcgettigan.com/

Writer’s Alley - 7/17/2012
http://writersally.blogspot.com/

I Want To Read That - 7/18/2012
http://www.iwanttoreadthat.com/

Cheryl Rainfield - 7/18/2012
http://cherylrainfield.com/blog/

The Daily Harrell - 7/19/2012
http://jessie-harrell.blogspot.com/

Word Forge Books - 7/20/2012
http://wordforgebooks.com/blog/

Searching For An Escape - 7/21/2012
http://www.officialmhafh.blogspot.com/
http://www.facebook.com/MHAFH

The Write Game - 7/23/2012
http://writegame.blogspot.com/

Stephen Penner - 7/24/2012
http://stephenpenner.blogspot.com/

Black Words White Pages - 7/26/2012
http://www.blackwords-whitepages.blogspot.com/

Curiosity Key - 7/27/2012
http://www.curiositykey.blogspot.com/

SomeoneWhoActuallyCares - 7/27/2012
http://someonewhoactuallycares.blogspot.com/

LM Preston’s Ramblings - 7/28/2012
http://lmpreston.blogspot.com/

Tribute Books Reviews & Giveaways - 7/23/2012
http://tributebooksreviews.blogspot.com/

Tribute Books Mama - 7/24/2012
http://tributebooksmama.blogspot.com/

The Character Connection - 7/25/2012
http://thecharacterconnection.blogspot.com/

The Plot Thickens - 7/26/2012
http://theplotthickensbookblog.blogspot.com/

City Girl Who Loved To Read - 7/27/2012
http://citygirlwholovestoread.blogspot.com/

Twitter Party Appetizer - 5pm-6pm - 7/27/2012 #FlutterOfLuv and #FlutterOfLuvParty

Facebook Release Party Even t - 7/28/2012
http://www.facebook.com/events/340720479326022/LM Preston (www.lmpreston.com) , author of THE PACK, EXPLORER X-Alpha and BANDITS

Fiction Fireworks - scenes with sparks

So for YA Indie Carnival the topic of today is 'Scenes With Sparks'

I have to tell you I'm an action junkie - not personally a daredevil or drama queen - I love to see it unfold. And I have to admit, I've been heavily influenced by this in my writing.


WHAT gives SCENES Sparks?

For me to really enjoy an action packed scene, I have to see the following list of building blocks:

- Tension
- Emotion
- Action of course
- Body Language
- Flow (very important)
- Sentence Structure (good pacing can be built by sentence length)


Some of my favorite authors that can pull this off in multiple genre's are listed below and the books that got my blood pumping.

YA Action Packed


Mystery with Action (Just the way I love them)


Young Adult Action Packed Horror



So if you want some action - the above authors deliver in each of those genre. Support them, learn from them and enjoy.

If you want to visit some of the other YA Indie Carnival participants please click HERELM Preston (www.lmpreston.com) , author of THE PACK, EXPLORER X-Alpha and BANDITS

Brave VS Madagascar 3

I had a movie marathon with my youngest son since his sister's have been away at camp. He misses them, especially my 11yr old daughter who's his best buddy.

So what is a mom to do? I played hide and seek, let him beat me in all the video games of his choice and allow him to hang out with his 17yr old big brother.

And when all that failed - I took him to a double feature. BRAVE and MADAGASCAR 3-Europe's Most Wanted!

Oh boy did he want to see this. He loves animals and just gets hyped up at a new Madagascar flick.



* I have to say, I love the title! MADAGASCAR 3-Europe's Most Wanted *

Here's the Blurb from IMdB:

Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Gloria the Hippo, and Melman the Giraffe are still fighting to get home to their beloved Big Apple and of course, King Julien, Maurice and the Penguins are all along for the comedic adventure. Their journey takes them through Europe where they find the perfect cover: a traveling circus, which they reinvent - Madagascar style.



Here's my 8yr old's and my review:

Now I will preface this to say my husband 'grudgingly' came along. My 8 yr old went from flipping out - to staring with jaw dropped - to laughing outloud - to asking us if he can see it again (like right after the movie ended he wanted that to be his double feature.) Now to my husband's 2 cents, "That was good, I'll stay with him and take him to see it again - if you want to go see BRAVE." *jaw dropped* Okay, so yeah, it was really good. It had enough humor for parents, action + colors and great music for an 8yr old, and as far as circus' go, the best darn circus I've ever seen. We gave this 5 out of 5 cannons!



Now to the 2nd Movie we went to see:


My most desired movie to see was BRAVE. I have to admit I was totally biased when I took him to see this movie - AFTER - Madagascar.

Here's the Blurb: *Of which I have to admit never made me want to see the movie, just the girl with the wild red hair and the bow got me at 'hello' *

Merida is a skilled archer and impetuous daughter of King Fergus and Queen Elinor. Determined to carve her own path in life, Merida defies an age-old custom sacred to the uproarious lords of the land: massive Lord MacGuffin, surly Lord Macintosh and cantankerous Lord Dingwall. Merida' ;s actions inadvertently unleash chaos and fury in the kingdom, and when she turns to an eccentric old Witch for help, she is granted an ill-fated wish. The ensuing peril forces Merida to discover the meaning of true bravery in order to undo a beastly curse before it's too late.

Our Review: I'll start with my 8yr old. He thought it was alright, but .... MADAGASCAR3 was 'way better' *say what?* Okay, my husband he thought it was cute and a total 'girlie movie' but he sat through it (but not with the same enthusiasm or laughing he did with uhum - that other movie). As far as my review goes, I loved it! And yes, it was a total mother/daughter movie. A spoiled hot-headed redhead daughter who wished her mother was not her mother. She didn't realize that the wish would turn her mother into a bear. The only thing I didn't like - okay, it wasn't a big deal but I kinda wanted it anyway was...a love interest, that didn't happen so I give the movie 4 out of 5 arrows (My 8yr old gave it 3.5 out of 5 thumbs up and my husband promised to take the 8yr old to see Madagascar 3 again).LM Preston (www.lmpreston.com) , author of THE PACK, EXPLORER X-Alpha and BANDITS

UtopYAcon is July 6th-8th

I'm so excited! I just can't hide it! I'm going to be at UtopYA this July and hope you will too!



The Young Adult conference for women authors of paranormal fantasy & the fans who love them
Friday, July 6, 2012 at 8:00 AM - Sunday, July 8, 2012 at 12:00 PM (CT) in Nashville, TNI'll be speaking at two of the panel's! Woot! See the times and topics I'll be speaking on below:

Saturday , 7/7/12  10am – 11amWhich Publishing is Right for You?
              2pm – 3pm                  How To Make a Hollywood-worthy Book
It's the first con of it's kind to focus solely on female YA paranormal authors. Pretty sweet huh? So if you're a fan, come check it out and meet some of the people who write your dreams (and maybe your nightmares) OR if you're an aspiring/new/old/traditional/indie author who wants to come network/learn/chat with other authors, here is your chance!
 The event is July 6-8 in Nashville, TN and you can buy tickets here See what other bloggers are saying about UtopYA here AND spread THE word :-DLM Preston (www.lmpreston.com) , author of THE PACK, EXPLORER X-Alpha and BANDITS

What’s the nastiest character you’ve ever written?

YA Indie Carnival's "What's the Nastiest Character You've Ever Written?"

Introducing Gavin Steele , he's the #1 villain in my coming 2013 new series PURGATORY REIGN

He's the most evil, conniving, slightly deranged character I've ever created. And he scares me. I'm going to share just a taste of what happens when he comes on the scene.

Note: this isn't the final edited excerpt from Purgatory Reign

Gavin knew from experience he’d only have a short time to get his answer before the greedy one would consume the spirit in which it hid and demand the price. “The name of the one who can stop me, the one I should remove from the equation,” he demanded from the psychic.


She hissed, and her white pupils turned on him. “Peter. Peter Saints.”
Her body jerked from side to side in an attempt to fight her way free of an invisible force, but it was too late, the price would be paid. For one moment, shock and fear laced her expression before she slumped to the floor, permanently silenced. He slipped his hands into his pocket, pulling out rubber gloves and a knife that he calmly unfolded. For a brief moment he stared in space while in thought. 
“Peter. Peter Saints.” the sound of the name left a foul taste on his tongue.
Shrugging off his jacket, he grinned. Messes, he hated to leave messes. And tonight, like all the other nights, he’d clean it up. Brief description of Purgatory Reign:

Seventeen-year-old Peter Saints’ life stinks. But things are about to get much worst. First, his parents are murdered in front of him. Then another victim dies in his arms.
Visions plague Peter with warnings that something wants him for a sinister cause. It desires the one thing that Peter refuses to give – his blood. Peter carries within him the one gift or curse that could unlock a secret to destroy the human race.
On the run with Angel, a girl disguised as a scruffy kid, Peter starts to unravel the mystery. It’s the one treasure the heavens sought to hide from the world. Unfortunately, when Peter finds the answer he hopes that will save them, he opens the door to a great evil that happens to be salivating to meet him.

WANT MORE? Well drop into the other bloggers in the YA Indie Carnival's "What's the Nastiest Character You've Ever Written?"

If you want to visit the rest of the participants drop by their blogs - and tell them I sent you :-D

Here's the Blog Posting Schedule for the Carnival at YA Author ClubLM Preston (www.lmpreston.com) , author of THE PACK, EXPLORER X-Alpha and BANDITS