Emma Michaels's Blog, page 54

Owlet blog tour stop #6 at Paper Cuts YA

Take flight as the Owlet blog tour receives a warm welcome from Sam at Paper Cuts YA.
As a new character is introduced - Iris' father - in the read-along excerpt, and see what inspired Emma to create the Stryx tribes in her guest post.
And if you leave a comment at every stop on the tour, you'll be eligible for even more prizes in the Rafflecopter giveaway!
http://papercutsya.blogspot.com/2012/10/guest-post-emma-michaels-giveaway.html

Owlet blog tour stop #5 at BookHounds YA

The Owlet blog tour continues with a series of three posts hosted by Mary at BookHounds YA. Be sure to stop in throughout the day and check out all the fun!
Iris just wants to belong, so why can't the door to her Never-Never just open? Find out at the read-along excerpt.
And don't forget to follow the BookHounds YA site to be eligible to win Emma's fabulous painting (shown below).
http://foreveryoungadult.blogspot.com/2012/10/read-excerpt-blog-tour-owlet-by-emma.html

Owlet blog tour stop #4 at That Artsy Reader Girl

And the excitement continues today at stop #4 of the Owlet blog tour hosted by Jana at That Artsy Reader Girl.
Emma digs deep and talks about the important role Elena's garden plays in the life of her daughter, Iris, and in our continuing excerpt Iris discovers her Never-Never, but can't get in.
And of course, there's more giveaway options available for those following the entire tour.
http://thatartsyreadergirl.blogspot.com/2012/10/owlet-by-emma-michaels-excerpt-guest.html

Owlet blog tour stop #3 at The Daily Harrell

Iris fans! Welcome to stop #3 of the Owlet blog tour hosted by Jessie at The Daily Harrell.
Today check out an Owlet play list composed by Emma including Ellie Goulding and Florence and the Machine and in our continuing excerpt Iris becomes Wendy in her Peter Pan fantasy.

Not to mention all of the giveaway opportunities involved - enjoy!

http://jessie-harrell.blogspot.com/2012/10/owlet-blog-tour-excerpt-play-list.html

Owlet blog tour stop #2 at Reading to Penguins

Welcome everyone to stop #2 of the Owlet blog tour hosted by Chelsea at Reading to Penguins.
Please visit the following link to read a review ("I found the spiritual aspect of the world building to be refreshing and intriguing...") and see if Iris really jumps from the balcony in the continuing excerpt.

http://readingtopenguins.blogspot.com/2012/10/blog-tour-owlet-by-emma-michaels.html

Owlet blog tour kicks off at The Busy Bibliophile

Welcome everyone to the kick-off of the Owlet blog tour hosted by Andrea at The Busy Bibliophile!

Please visit the following link to read a guest post by Emma about what drives her and read the opening  excerpt from Owlet. Plus there's the Rafflecopter widget to enter to win a vast assortment of truly awesome prizes.

http://thebusybibliophile.com/guest-post-by-emma-michaels-owlet/

L M Preston on The Pack - Retribution release party!

Stop by facebook for The Pack - Retribution release party from 11am-10pm EST here:http://www.facebook.com/events/337549946331607/
Now for the 'lady of the hour' herself
L M Preston!

Favorite Character You've Ever Written and Why
I LOVE WRITING A MALE
Although my initial inclination is to write as a male, I still have tons of challenges trying to portray male characters correctly. Since my career as an engineer is a male dominated profession, it’s been a great source of subject matter to use when writing.

Male character’s experience emotion, they just show it in different ways than females. Not to mention their dialogue is different from most females. Those subtle differences a writer has to take the time to notice. Society has certain expectations and rules for males and writing as a male should fit those boundaries – otherwise, the reader will notice.

Aadi was easy for me to write, because I have a son that’s the same age as my main character. My kid somewhat fits Aadi’s character profile because he’s a jock and a good student. Most writers pull their character profiles from someone they know, researched, or imagined.

When I write in boy, it’s like I’m acting out that character’s adventure and it becomes my own. Writing Aadi was exciting to for so many reasons. I was able to shed my daily makeup as a girl, and for the months it took me to write him – I was able to be young again, strong, and powerful. Not just young, but be a boy.

I LOVE WRITING STRONG GIRLS
Writing a female main character allows me to express deeper emotions, to be what I am everyday – a girl. You know what? For me, it’s difficult, because writing as a boy I get to imagine a totally different persona. I’m a girl, and being a girl in my writing isn’t quite so exciting. So I cheat, I make her into a tough girl.

My main character in The Pack, Shamira, was especially challenging to write. I had to make it fun, because if my characters aren’t interesting, it’s hard for me to write them. So, I gave her it all - cool girly clothes, a motorcycle named Pearl, and a too die for hottie on her tracks. She’s a girl – but she kicks major booty and is somewhat cocky. I gave her outer appearance a feminine softness. However, she’s a trained fighter that carries herself with the sureness of a male that can protect himself.

PULLING IT TOGETHER
All of my books are composed of a strong array of male and female characters. I love to write with multiple lead characters. Why? Because when I was a kid, I loved to have friends around. Also, it allows me to write characters that are both male and female yet bonded together in friendship.
By: LM Preston, author of Explorer X – Alpha and The Pack www.lmpreston.com, http://lmpreston.blogspot.com

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Thank you for stopping by my blog and for hosting such an amazing tour! Now off to have a blast at the party! I hope all of you readers out there will join in on the fun! Don't forget:http://www.facebook.com/events/337549946331607/10 hour Party (www.lmpreston.com) Spotlight Authors, trivia games, food, itunes gift cards, list of freebie party favors, interactive chatting, singing, dancing, nonstop games, music, prizes and free stuff!! Author segments each hour that are themed and more giveaways!!!
THE PACK - RETRIBUTION, Revenge has met it's match, and she has someone worth fighting for....

Prize list:
- itunes gift cards
- free books of course
- Swag galore from multiple authors
and so much more

11am - LM Preston Opens Party
12pm - KaSonndra Leigh
1pm - Nicole Olea
2pm - LM Preston
3pm - Emma Michaels
4pm - Nicole Langan
5pm - Nicole Langan
6pm - Nagede
7pm - Lindsey Sablowski
8pm - Bryna Butler
9pm - Christina Leigh Pritchard
10pm - LM Preston Closing Party

L M Preston Tour Hostess Lindsey Sablowski

Have you heard the latest L M Preston buzz? Well I have!  There will be a twitter party on (Friday) September 28th at 7pm-9pm EST just use the hashtag #ThePackRetributionPartyandA facebook part on (Saturday) September 29th from 11am-10pm EST here:http://www.facebook.com/events/337549946331607/
Time to meet another hostess for the L M Preston release party When You’re Not Writing What Do You Do First off I want to thank Emma for letting me stop by her blog! Secondly, a huge thank you to the mastermind behind this blog tour and talented author of The Pack-Retribution, Lm Preston.
When it comes to writing, it’s like the air I breathe. It feels like an everyday thing to me, and I’ve been for as long as I can remember. I spent six years querying agents and publishers (four of those on my first book, the other two on Cursed With Power), and I’m thrilled that those years payed off. And while writing is a major part of my life, there is a lot more that goes on before/during/after/in between books.
I started college this year, and I’m majoring in English. Yes, yes, go ahead with the sighing and disapproving frowns. English majors aren’t exactly the most popular college students, but as of right now I don’t know what other major I’d have interest in... Besides maybe history?
With college starting, I’ve been thrown into the ocean. Or at least it feels that way. College has really made me appreciate one thing in life: sleep. I cannot sleep enough; I literally look forward to coming home so I can sleep.
Besides that, though, I also do chores around the house with my family. You know how family is. If you don’t spend enough time with them, they take it personally. My younger sister lives at home and is in high school, so I also try to spend time with her too despite the craziness. And of course, I love seeing my friends when we all have the chance to get together.
Then at night I spend hours studying. Once that’s done, I’m a bookworm. I have tons of books lined up that I can’t wait to read. Unfortunately this also means I’m a “night owl;” I stay up later than I should, but personally I feel I’m most productive during the night.
I suppose when it comes down to it, I’m not doing anything that’s out of the ordinary. Is being a history nerd when it comes to the Camelot time period ordinary? Okay, probably not... But yes, I live comfortably enough that somehow at the end of the day I’m able to include all the things I like into my life.
To read more about my new release, Cursed With Power, visit my personal blog: lrenees-fictionalwriter.blogspot.com
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L M Preston Tour Hostess Bryna Butler

Have you heard the latest L M Preston buzz? Well I have!  There will be a twitter party on (Friday) September 28th at 7pm-9pm EST just use the hashtag #ThePackRetributionPartyandA facebook part on (Saturday) September 29th from 11am-10pm EST here:http://www.facebook.com/events/337549946331607/
Now to meet one of the hostesses, the amazing Bryna Butler author of the Midnight Guardian Series!
When You’re Not Writing What Do You Do?Guest Post by YA Paranormal Author Bryna Butler
Thanks for having me on the blog today, Emma. I’d also like to give a special shout-out to L.M. Preston, author of The Pack-Retribution. L.M. is the genius behind this week’s whirlwind book tour.

Fiction writing has certainly been a whirlwind for me. I’ve spent the last sixteen years (gosh, I can’t believe it has been sixteen) writing non-fiction for finance and banking. In 2010, I decided to take the leap into fiction and I’m so glad I did. My Midnight Guardian young adult novels have unlocked a whole new world for me.

And yet, while writing is my first love, it is not my only love. While I’m not writing, I’m a farm wife and mother to two of the coolest guys in elementary school. I know that every Mom says it, but my boys are truly the smartest, kindest, most talented young men in the world.

Between running to football and soccer practice, I’m a HUGE movie fanatic and T.V. nut. I even have a collection of short snippets of my fave scenes on my DVR. Yeah, I’m that good with the remote. Over and over I’ve watched the Doctor say goodbye to Rose (Doctor Who), the president inspire us to kick alien butt (Independence Day), Bella suck in a breath (end of New Moon), Jensen in red gym shorts (Supernatural), snow in Sunnydale (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), and Harry fly his first broom (Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone).

Thanks again to Emma for inviting me to the blog today. Be sure to check out her guest post on my blog, www.brynabutler.com

Thank you for joining us Bryna! If you would like to find out more about Bryna here are some of the places you can find her around the web!Author Blog/Website: www.brynabutler.com
Currently Available Books in eBook & Paperback:
Of Sun & Moon (Book 1, Midnight Guardian series)
Whispering Evil (Book 2, Midnight Guardian series)
Midnight Child (Book 3, Midnight Guardian series)
Coming this Fall – Shadows Rising (Book 4, Midnight Guardian series)
Buy Links: Amazon | Apple iBooks | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Smashwords | Sony eReader Store
Get to Know Bryna: Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube

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L M Preston Tour Hostess Christina Leigh Pritchard

Have you heard the latest L M Preston buzz? Well I have!  There will be a twitter party on (Friday) September 28th at 7pm-9pm EST just use the hashtag #ThePackRetributionPartyandA facebook part on (Saturday) September 29th from 11am-10pm EST here:http://www.facebook.com/events/337549946331607/

One of the amazing hostess - Christina Leigh Pritchard, author of the C I N Series, answers the question  “What are the TOP TEN most horrifying moments you experienced working in the service industry?” First off, hello everyone and thank you, Emma, for having me on your blog today! I also want to give a special shout out to L.M. Preston, author of The Pact: Retribution (available September 28th!) for putting this mini blog tour together. It’s been wonderful learning about new books and authors!
“Top Ten”

As a server, you meet some interesting people! I’m currently writing eBooks on what it’s like to deal with the public. Here’s my top ten ‘most horrific moments working in the service industry’:

1. The “it’s cold so I’m not tipping” client. Yes, sometimes it’s freezing in a restaurant, but guess what? As your server, I don’t control the temperature. ;o(

2. The “I’d like a glass of water and bread, please” client. Would you believe there are people who come to a restaurant, order water, expect free bread, then, just never order anything from the menu, and never pull out their pocket book to offer up a tip to the waiter? The customer’s bill (or anti-customer) $0.00, time at table? 3 hours, tip $0.00. In 3 hours I could’ve made $20.00-100.00 on that table alone (with 2-3 turns of paying customers). Please don’t come back, please… Go to a place where there aren’t servers relying on tips to pay their bills. Nobody wants to work for free.

3. “The Pasta is Raw” Client. I have a client who orders the most expensive meal on the menu, eats the bread, the salad and all of the seafood (lobster, mussels, clams, shrimp, scallops and fish) which comes on top of his pasta. Then, he waves me over, shows me his plate of ‘pasta’ as that’s all that’s left, and demands a $36.95 refund because his pasta is raw. Raw?! Really? LOL.

4. “Let me try all your wines” Client. And, then, after I’ve tried 5-6 types (when your limit is 3) I’ll decide to drink water, thank you.

5. Coupon tippers. “The bill was 12$ (actually $24.00 but you have a coupon) so I’ll leave $1.00 even though I ran you ragged and you’re sweating because of me.” Tip off the original bill. Would you like to get paid less because your employer decided to run a promotional offer to customers? Be nice, people. You’re already getting a deal, why make the servers unhappy to see you? You do know we talk about you, right?

6. “I made a reservation” Client. “I called and left you a voicemail, why didn’t you reserve my table?” Says the liar. Sorry, we don’t have an answering machine. Please don’t lie, we’ll give you a table—we want your business but now that you’ve lied, no one wants to serve you.

7. “Can you cook my fish?” People actually want you to cook their food and expect you to do this for free—and tip you 0.00. Stay home, please.

8. “I am a regular” client. There’s always the one who thinks because he comes in twice a year that we’re going to remember him. Yes, if you tip 20% or more, you’re going to be treated like a superstar but the moment you stiff us —consider yourself forgotten.

9. Customer Brawls. Sometimes the clients go at it, causing a scene. Please don’t fight around the families who came out for a quiet, peaceful, evening.

10. The Homeless attack. We try to be helpful, but when you come in to use our bathroom, don’t spit in the cheese or tell us your name is Michael Douglas!

To learn more about the C I N Series and future books visit the blog dedicated to the series or check out the debut novel C I N on Amazon.

Blog: teeny120.wordpress.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Christina-Leigh-Pritchard/118941638145057
Twitter: twitter.com/teeny120
C I N Series Blog: cinseries.com
Gadaie Series Blog: gadaie.com
Amazon for C I N: http://www.amazon.com/Lynn-city-never-Series-ebook/dp/B003T0G84A/ref=pd_sim_kstore_1

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