Cindy C. Bennett's Blog, page 61

Learning About Unconditional Love

I thought I knew what love was. I really did. I loved my parents, my siblings, and I definitely loved my husband. But I didn't understand the true depth of unconditional love. That all encompassing kind of love that eclipses all else in your life, where you would absolutely do anything for someone else without a moments hesitation.

I learned that kind of love 26 years ago today when I gave birth to my first child. (I was -3 years old at the time, by the way, since I'm only 23 now ~ lol)


Age 2Ryan came into the world the way he lives his life: boldly and without hesitation. He was an 8 lb 6 oz bundle of screaming, laughing, plunging-headfirst-into-life joy. As soon as they finished measuring, weighing, poking and prodding at him they laid him in my arms. I spoke to him and his screams immediately subsided as he heard my voice. His blurry-sighted eyes tried to focus on me and he gave a sigh, as if to say "There you are!" My heart tumbled and it's never been the same since.

Ryan was the perfect first child because he is a natural born leader. Fear isn't something that rules his life. He quickly proved himself to be stubborn (didn't get that from me at all! haha) and rambunctious. Not much holds him back. At nine months he walked, at twelve months he climbed out of his crib for the first time, prompting us to get him a toddler bed. He ran leaning forward, indicative of his personality ~ always in motion with somewhere to go.

When he was around 5 or so, the neighbors poured a new piece of sidewalk in front of their house. Troy, who owned the house and was aware of Ryan's propensity to perhaps make inappropriate use of the wet cement said to him, "Now, Ryan, you can't walk through the cement while it's wet." Ryan readily agreed, promising he wouldn't. Ryan did keep his promise. He didn't walk through the wet cement. He did, however, ride his bike through the cement. No one told him anything about riding through it.


Age 15When Ryan was 15 and a sophomore in high school, he decided for the first dance of the year he'd ask one of the hottest girls in school. It never occurred to him that a sophomore shouldn't ask a hot, 18-year-old, senior girl to prom. She went, and they had a blast.
First Solo FlightRyan also got his private pilot license before graduating high school.

Ryan is currently one busy boy! He goes to the University of Utah's Business School, he works part time at our cabinet shop, he is one of the directors of K-Ute Radio (the U of U's radio station), works part time for Clear Channel Media, and also is one of the founding members and helps run Bobo Broadcasting. And oh yeah, he does a weekly podcast which he plans, records, edits, and publishes himself. In between all of that, he's a newlywed (got married in June).

I recorded the podcast with Ryan for about a year, which was an absolute blast (now I'm just an occassional guest). I don't know a lot of moms who enjoy spending time with their son like I do. Ryan and I can talk for hours about Star Wars, movies, DC vs. Marvel, TV shows . . . everything, really. He's not just my son, he's my friend. How lucky am I?

Me, Ryan, and his wife Sammy
Ryan, Sammy and their "baby" Leia Ryan and I on the MDA ride  Find Ryan online: Geek Revolution Radio Bobo Broadcasting Facebook Twitter

Feature

Thanks to Clancy Tucker, author of Gunnedah Hero, for featuring me on his blog.

You can read the interview here.

Fractured Soul

Rachel McClellan is not only one of my favorite authors, she's one of my favorite people, which is why I asked her to review an ARC of Rapunzel Untangled. She graciously said yes and then even better asked if I'd read and review an ARC of her novel Fractured Soul. Being a fan of the first book in the series, Fractured Light, I absolutely jumped at the chance. You're going to get to read my rave of her book on Friday. Meantime, you can read below to see what she had to say about Rapunzel Untangled. For the full review, and her interview with me, click here. 

http://blackbirdinmywindow.blogspot.com/2012/09/book-review-rapunzel-untangled.html 



Blackbird in my Window:Rachel says: "It was so refreshing to read something new for a change!" "This YA novel was so original and yet, pleasingly familiar like sitting next to a fireplace sipping a cup of hot chocolate with marshmallows swirling on top." " I won't say more except for this book is really good. Keep your eye out for this one!"

 

Healer's Destiny Book Blast

Author Julee Page is sponsoring a media blast for her novel, Healer's Destiny, along with Prose by Design. She'll be giving away a $50 Amazon Gift Card, as well as copies of Healer's Destiny.


We're accepting anyone who has a blog to join in. It's pretty easy. We'll send you the info you need for the post. You post it anytime between Oct. 30 - Nov. 2. Your post will include the cover, blurb, and purchasing info about the book. Other options you can choose from are: reviewing the book (we'll send you an eCopy), interviewing the author, or having the author guest post on your blog on a subject of your choice.

What do you get? For posting a blog, you get a spot on the Rafflecopter to have entrants either follow you on FB, Twitter, or by GFC for extra entries. We'll also have a link to all of the blogs that participate.

If you are an author with a book you'd like to give away in the contest, or even a book blogger with swag you'd like to give away, we'll add that along with the prizes Julee's providing. This is great advertising for you with a single day's post. To have a giveaway, you must also have a post on one of the days listed above, the same as any other blogger.

Fill out the form below to enter.

Loading...

Life on Hold Book Blast

I've joined the Life on Hold Book Blast, hosted by I Am a Reader, Not a Writer. You can read about Beverly Stowe McClure's new release, Life on Hold below, then join via Rafflecopter for the chance to win a $25 Amazon gift card from the author. Good luck!


Life on Hold by Beverly Stowe McClure


A paper found.
A secret revealed.
A girl's life changed forever.

Myra Gibson's life is a lie. For sixteen years her parents have kept their secret, but the adoption paper she discovers while cleaning the guest house tells the truth. As the past and present collide, Myra finally stands up for herself and begins a journey she may regret.



Reviews:

"All I can say is wow! Beverly Stowe McClure knocked this one out of the ballpark. The story of Myra and her search for the truth touched upon one of the fundamental needs of all children (and teens): the need for a father in their lives. ... The school librarian at the middle school where I teach is already looking into buying a copy for the school library. It's that good."
~Award Winning Author Darby Karchut- http://darbykarchut.blogspot.com

"Beverly did an awesome job with this book. Myra's character and the decisions she make throughout the book are believable. Her friends, family and love interest, Jeremy, are all characters that the readers can relate to."
~Peggy Tibbetts - http://www.peggytibbetts.net/



About the Author:

When Beverly Stowe McClure was a child she hated to read. Even though her eighth grade teacher sent her poem “Stars” to the National High School Poetry Association, and it was published in Young America Sings, an anthology of Texas high school poetry, she hated to write. In spite of her rocky relationship with books, she attended Midwestern State University, where she read too many books to count, and graduated cum laude with a Bachelor of Science in Education degree. She taught in elementary school for twenty-two years. Reading Dr. Seuss to her sons and Newbery winners to her students made Beverly realize what she’d been missing: Reading was fun.
Now, she reads most every day. She also writes. Her articles for children’s magazines, many of them about activities her classes did in school, have been published in leading children‘s magazines. One article was reprinted in a Scott Foresman Anthology, Grades PK/K. Her doggie story appeared in a Chicken Soup for the Soul book.

Beverly’s five novels for teens and tweens are published by small Indie Publishers. Her YA historical novel, Caves, Cannons, and Crinolines, is a finalist in the 2011 Next Generation Indie Book Awards, Novella Division. The book also is a finalist in Dan Poynter’s Global eBook Awards, Teen Fiction, and is an Honor Award Winner in the Reader's Favorite Book Award Contest, YA Category, as well as an Honor Winner in the Eric Hoffer Book Awards, YA Category.  Listen to the Ghost was a finalist in the 2003 Dream Realm Awards. Her first picture book came out in June 2011. Her latest book, Life on Hold, is a YA contemporary novel. She lives in the country with her husband, two cats, and a variety of wild critters that come to visit.

Links:
http://beverlystowemcclure.wordpress.com
http://beverlystowemcclure.blogspot.com
http://twitter.com/beverlymcclure
http://www.goodreads.com/beverlysmcclure
http://www.facebook.com#!/beverlysmcclure




$25 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway
Ends 10/4/12
Open to anyone who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code. 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's permission. 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. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Banned Book Hop: A Light in the Attic

It's time once again for the 2nd Annual Banned Books Week Hop sponsored by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer and I Read Banned Books.

Last year I participated in the Banned Books Blog Hop to promote the much maligned book Flowers in the Attic by V.C. Andrews in celebration of banned books week, which bring light to books banned or challenged. Some of the books on the list are understandable (not that I agree with banning, I don't), some are surprising, and some are downright shocking. The sad thing is that there are so many to choose from.

This year the book I chose shocked me. Why? It's a book my own daughter read as a young girl, that I read with her. It's an amusing and fantastic book of children's poems and awesome drawings. The book I chose is A Light in the Attic by Shel Silverstein. Surprised? Wait until you hear why it's been challenged or banned.

The poem "How Not To Have To Dry The Dishes" supposedly encourages kids to break the dishes so that they don't have to wash them and to be disobedient.
The poem "Little Abigail and the Beautiful Pony" was considered too morbid for children since it discusses death, particularly that the little girl died because her parents wouldn't purchase her a pony.
The book was often criticized for mentioning supernatural themes, including demons, devils, and ghosts, and promote disrespect, horror, and violence. Really? A children's poem book? As I read it with my young daughter, not once did I think it taught, promoted, or encouraged any of those things.

It was, in fact, number 51 on the list of most frequently contested books of 1990-2000. However on Amazon it has 4.8/5 stars after 130 reviews, which is a bit unfair because the three 1-star reviews all come from the same annoying person who WRITES IN ALL CAPS. And it has won and been nominated for several awards.

So, because I feel like this is a book to be appreciated and treasured, I've chosen to give away a hard copy of it via Amazon to my lucky winner. Once the contest is over, I'll contact the winner for their address and have it sent directly from Amazon.

Here's the info about the book with a few excerpts. Make sure to enter using the Rafflecopter and then click on the linky list to hop to other blogs participating in the Banned Books giveaway for a chance to win more great prizes.

Last night while I lay thinking here
Some Whatifs crawled inside my ear
And pranced and partied all night long
And sang their same old Whatif song:
Whatif I flunk that test?
Whatif green hair grows on my chest?
Whatif nobody likes me?
Whatif a bolt of lightning strikes me?...

Here in the attic of Shel Silverstein you will find Backward Bill, Sour Face Ann, the Meehoo with an Exactlywatt, and the Polar Bear in the Frigidaire. You will talk with Broiled Face, and find out what happens when Somebody steals your knees, you get caught by the Quick-Digesting Gink, a Mountain snores, and They Put a Brassiere on the Camel.
From the creator of the beloved poetry collections Where the Sidewalk Ends and Falling Up, here is another wondrous book of poems and drawings.

      a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters

I am a HUGE Jeremy Renner fan, and a huge fan of fairytales (which is pretty obvious by my Enchanted Fairytales series). When I found out Jeremy Renner is going to star in a movie based on a fairytale, my head about burst! What could be more perfect? Anything? Anyone? No? Okay, then I'll continue my rave.




Hansel and Gretel I admit is not one of my more favorite fairytales, for the singular reason that there isn't any romance in it, and I think we've established by now that I'm a complete, hopeless romantic. Still, it's an intriguing story. The film, titled Hansel and Gretel: Witch Hunters has my heart pounding. Okay, half the reason for that is just the fact that it stars the hunkalicious Jeremy. But the other half is because of the trailer. The premise is that it's years later, after the siblings killed the witch, and now that they've had a taste of witch blood, they want more. So they've made it their mission to scrub the world of all the wicked witches. Now there's a new, super evil witch taking children. How much must that tick off the siblings who've already experienced that themselves?




I also have to give props to Gemma Arterton, who you might know from Quantum of Solace (Strawberry Fields), Clash of the Titans (Io), or Prince of Persia: Sands of Time (Princess Tamina). She totally kicks butt in the trailer. Famke Janssen from X-Men (Jean Gray) and Taken (of which I can hardly wait for the sequel) as leader of the coven of witches rounds out the fantastic cast.


Rumor is it's to be released January 11, 2013, having been pushed back from Spring of 2012. Apparently the studio was worried about a "Jeremy Renner overload" this year. Seriously? Is there such thing as a Jeremy Renner overload? I was thinking we're experiencing a Jeremy Renner drought. Give us more Jeremy! Okay, enough of the fangurl screams.




I'm pretty excited for the release of this Jeremy Renner fairytale movie. (Have I mentioned I really like Jeremy Renner? No? Well, I do! In case you're not convinced, go back and count how many times I mention him in this post.) I'm sure you'll be hearing about it again after I go see the midnight release of it in January. Until then, I'm just going to give a squeal every now and then while I wait impatiently for this one. Now, watch the trailer below and tell me what you think.



Links:
http://enchantedfairytales.blogspot.com/
http://www.hanselandgretelmovie.com/

More Blogger Love

Thanks to Sonya at Sonya's Stuff and Hope at 2 Geek Girls Review Books for taking the time to read and review Heart on a Chain . I really appreciate them doing so! Go to their blogs to read their entire reviews.

  

 Sonya's Stuff: Sonya says: "This Young Adult story is really popular with women of all ages due to the lead male character. I see people all over the internet asking for books with, ‘Heroes like Henry’." "Dealing with domestic abuse and bullying, as well as a serious teen romance, this isn’t an easy YA read, but I can definitely see how it came to be loved by so many." "As I said, this isn’t a light-hearted book. But then who doesn’t like their YA books deep and angst-ridden?"


 2 Geek Girls Review Books: Hope says: "It’s a very intriguing story." "Henry was the boy who became Kate’s friend. I loved getting to know him and seeing that boys can in fact be gentlemen." "Kate’s transformation. You slowly read about Kate’s story and how it changes her." "There are several graphic abuse scenes in this novel, but they way they are written and the story insight these scenes told made it feel real for me. I was there. I felt it. It gave me a deeper understanding of Kate and her actions." "Go forth and read my pretties!"

Celebrating Bloggers

Terri Guiliano Long has a blog called The Art and Craft of Writing Creatively. She had the brilliant idea of running a series of posts called "Celebrating Bloggers" on which she interviews various bloggers. What a fantastic idea! Why didn't I think of that. If you've followed my blog, you know how much love I have for book bloggers.

This week she happened to interview one of my very favorite bloggers, Jeannette Whitus of Walking on Bookshelves. Jeannette has always been fantastically good to me, always willing to read and review my books. She's one of the first bloggers I think of when I'm looking for reviews. She's really great to all of the indie writing community, really.

Imagine my surprise when I read the interview and she mentioned me by name! I was doing a little happy dance - okay, a big happy dance - when I read it. In fact, my dogs were looking at me like I was a little crazy. Luckily, they were the only ones home with me and won't tell anyone.

So, to give myself a little ego-boost-pat-on-the-back, here's what Jeannette said:

Terri: When reviewing, do you often find real gems? What, for you, says a book is a gem?
Jeannette: I try to read at least one book by an Indie author a week. I have some of the best books! Cindy C. Bennett is one of my top five favorite authors. Her characters are so pragmatic and three dimensional. That’s what makes a book a gem to me. If I can relate to the characters and their reactions to what is happening to them is realistic. If a book stays in my thoughts weeks or months after I’ve read it also makes it a treasure to me.

*Sigh*

Thanks to Terri Guiliano Long for being smart enough to realize that bloggers deserve their day in the sun. And an especially huge thanks to Jeannette Whitus for her kind and generous comments, and for all of her willingness to help a new, struggling author to get her name out there.

Visit Jeannette's blog and Terri's to see why they're both so great.

   

Great Giveaway by Author Sherry Gammon





Sherry Gammon


My good friend and fellow author Sherry Gammon is having a great giveaway on her blog to celebrate the release of her new book, Souls in Peril . I was lucky enough to read this book as she wrote it, and I can tell you how much I love this book! It's heartbreaking, frustrating, lovable, hopeful, and unforgettable. All the things that make a book great. You can read my review of the book below.

If it weren't enough that she's giving away a couple copies of this fantastic book, she's also giving away some Souls in Peril swag, a couple of her other books, and she has several other books by authors Cheri Schmidt, Marie Higgins, IC Fisher, Pendragon Iman, and Daniel Coleman. And, oh yeah, she just happens to be giving away a couple of books by yours truly: a paperback copy of Geek Girl and an eBook copy of Red and the Wolf
So click on this link and hop on over to her blog to sign up for some great prizes.
Souls in Peril 
My review:

Souls in Peril is seriously one of the best books I've ever read. It had me in turn laughing and crying, my heart aching for all the characters involved.

Max is a kid who has it all: he's popular, athletic, has a great family and the perfect girlfriend. Then, in an instant his life changes.

JD is the opposite of Max in luck. Overweight and bullied, both at school and at home, JD's only bright spot in life is his friend Izzy.

Max and JD's lives become inexorably intertwined, and for the first time in his life Max is forced to understand what it is to "walk a mile" in JD's shoes.

This book gripped me from the first page and refused to let go until I'd read all the way to the end. The ending isn't all flowers and sunshine, either. It's real. Like life. But I promise you won't be disappointed.

Gammon's writing is full of humor, sorrow, realism, and pulls you into places you might not want to go, but will be happy you did when all is said and done. I HIGHLY recommend this book!