Bri Clark's Blog, page 16

Wait is a four letter word

If you've followed the Belle you know that waiting and anything vaguely resembling patience is  not my virtue.

I'm a woman of action and persistence comes more naturally than waiting.

However, there are times in your life where you really do have to sit still. Where you have to literally wait for the things around you to align so that you can proceed. That scripture , Be still and know that I am God, really comes into play here.




The cause for the waiting can be many things. Perhaps you can't go forward in a plan you have thought out, or you are ready to go but life has to catch up with you in order for it to be a wise decision. No matter the reason the waiting still hurts just the same. Well it does for someone like me with a warp 9, lets get it done, rock and roll personality.

If you have been reading the blog lately you probably came across, "I'm living life's country song." To sum it up, my husband suffered a back injury and has a very physical job, my van I had for 6-7 months engine blew up, and a host of other little everyday problems have happened the last month.

But don't the problems seem so much larger when there are so many?

Anyways the point of the post is that after thinking out together as husband and wife plans of action and seeking guidance through prayer. (You may prefer meditation If so rock on. Everyone knows I am a lover of all religions, creeds, and people in general except when your stupid then that sinner in me occurs) the prompting was  to wait.


WAIT! It's true four letters words are curse words. Because waiting is a curse to someone like me!

Nevertheless we did, and guess what happened.

My husband is getting the treatment he needs to relieve his back pain. My business Belle Consulting is doing well, and therefore eases the burdens of providing for our family. Not to mention I love my clients and really believe in them and their books. I know it's crazy but the greatest joy I'm having in the success of my business is relieving my husbands burdens and delighting in my clients success. The money is just a necessity. I'd do it for free if it was just happiness I needed.

And we got a vehicle. Not to mention after a careful inspection and cafax report there is no indication that it will blow up in a church parking love anytime soon. There is a seat for every family member, it has AC and heat, the seat belts works, and it has 4WD. Which is great in this state.
And better yet there is not loan with any bank.

Ain't she a bute?


So dear readers have you ever had to wait? How well did you do?

Pxyis: YA With Color

So I haven't been posting as normally as I'd like in the review categories. But I have some new gals coming on and I can't wait until they get started. Until then there are those special people that I just have to make time for. One of them is K.C. Neal and her debut YA novel Pyxis.

This is a story that breaks ideas that people have about YA by leaps and bounds. But wait...it's not time for the review. First I'll let you know that the benevolent KC has offered up a Kindle to win and all you have to do is follow The Belle of Boise. Like KC's Facebook page. All the links and stuff are at the bottom through rafflecopter. Now for more about KC, her book and my review.


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Most of K.C. Neal's days are filled with some combination of writing, reading, gardening, working, and watching stuff on Netflix with her husband and their maltipoo, Oscar. She has an irrational fixation with L.A., and during occasional trips there she pretends her life is more glamorous than it really is ("Entourage" is her guilty pleasure). She likes to surf and hang out on sandy beaches, where drinks are served adorned with tiny umbrellas.

Connect with KC!
My blog
Twitter (@KCNealTweets)
Facebook
Google
Goodreads





Book Blurb

Two worlds.... One 16-year-old girl must learn to protect them both. 

The nightmares haunting Corinne and her friend Mason hint at a universe that exists beyond the one they know. Her destiny is to protect a weakness between the two worlds, but the person who was supposed to teach her how is dead. As Corinne and Mason search for answers, she tries to ignore the sparks igniting between them, but can't deny she feels safe only when he's nearby. Will they find help before their nightmares break free?



Review


True Young Adult lit stay's true to the age of it's characters but respects the intelligence of the youth today. Pyxis is one of those books that are so popular in YA right now crossing genre's so subtlety at times you can't tell and at others jumping up and demanding you recognize if for the tone it's set. Elements like emotion manipulating liquids in the form of food coloring used at a bake sale, dreams and nightmares of prophesy and warnings, and magical lands make it clear this is paranormal. Paranormal at it's finest I might add. But then there are the other subtle genre's thrown in. You'll have to read it and look to find out what I mean.

Neal's ability to stay true to the characters created, like how Corinne is indeed loving but also young making sometimes irrational decisions, is solid through out the novel. The alternate world for me was an amazing piece, reminding me of The Neverending Story in it's vivid descriptions and conflict for the protagonist.

Pyxis is a definite 5 star read and I was glad to recieve it from the author and participate in this blog tour.

Side note: Phatpuppy art created the cover. The same amazing artist who works for Amanda Hocking and impresses her fans daily on Facebook.

So how about you dear readers...what do you think of the coverart? The premise?



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Attitude of Gratitude

I woke up at odark thirty aka butt crack of dawn on this Nov 1 not with thoughts of holiday shopping or Nano but with grateful joy.

I walked down my steps to my office and it only grew.

I sat down at the computer and began printing off coupons and organizing my lists with happiness waking me up more than any caffeine.

For you see last Nov due to financial stress I shared a tiny apartment with my family of six. And one of those six was away for over a year.

So now that this holiday season we are in a large, beautiful home I have to get up early and clip coupons and work long hours to afford.

I can't help but be thankful.

Because I get to work those hours from this home and all my family is here with me. And thousandaire or not I know I'd still be clipping coupons.

What were your thoughts this morning?

Four Strong Women: Everything is ok….I'm a professional.

Four Strong Women: Everything is ok….I'm a professional.: ***Welcome author, Bri Clark, with us today. Grab your coffee, sit back, read, relax and enjoy a few great chuckles.*** Have you ever writ...

Silent Service

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If you have followed the blog then you know I've recently had a car die. A car I bought in March with all my savings. I did talk to the dealer whose response was "You buy as is." In his think foreign accent.


However, I will not dog him online or reveal his dealer name. Because, his employees were deeply embarrassed that he treated me so and most apologetic. Guess what? They have families and need those jobs.

I know the power of word of mouth.


But my cause has not been ignored. Many have offered prayers, love and kind words. Through a pooling of our personal resources we are slowly getting funds together for another car.


However, two families that are friends of ours have graciously offered the temporary use of their extra cars. It is my belief that amazing blessings come through selfless service. However, if they are made public then sometimes the acknowledgement becomes the blessing. Because I am so deeply touched but truly want the most for them I'll not say their names.

But will say here this....you can't imagine the way in which you've eased my burdens.

Thank you.

Why must you provoke me?

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  Really? You really wanted to mess with my child?

Have you not heard of me at all? Not heard of the jail time served? The brass knuckles or the butterfly knife?


These are the thoughts that run through my head when anyone messes with my child. And let me tell you there is no prejudice based upon age, sex, religion, creed or color. The mom instinct crazies all equally in defense of her young. I'm like a lioness at the gate.

Most recently my easy going, laid back, does not have any enemies son (14) has had friends texting him and trying to get him in trouble because they know I read his text.

Example:

"Hey  Evan it's gabby I'm using dillon's phone. Can we meet up again soon behind that shed. ;)"

Mom's Response

"Hey Dillon, this is Evan's mom could you be a doll and give this message to gabby. I'm Evan's mom and gabby I'm going to be looking for ya today."

Shortly after I got a text back, on son's phone fully confessing it was a joke and that Evan had never done that. Then later Evan said the Dillon boy was afraid....very afraid.

I believe this because. A. My son rarely leaves the house. B. Where he goes have no flipping sheds. C. He doesn't brush his teeth enough to encourage kissing much less anything else.

Now this is the 3rd incident with them trying to get him in trouble and I gave my son the option of handling it himself. However, it hasn't stopped so I stepped in. He was appreciative and not upset. I told them I'm a 4 minute walk to their school and they should in all fairness warn their friends. I am not afraid to cause a scene in the lunch room and their little friends will be the ones to walk away humiliated.


My sons know this and share it proudly.

As a parent I want to help my children all I can. I realize they will be bullied and they need to learn to fight their own battles. However, they learned two things from this incident.


1. Mom is always there.
2.Direct assault is not the only tactic out there. (although it is mom's preference)


So what have you guys done for your kids?

Moolight Rises...Vincent Zandri Drowns

Product Description

"Life sucks. Then you die. Or, if you're Dick Moonlight, first you die and then you live."

Dick Moonlight is dead.

Really dead this time, now that three President Obama-masked thugs dressed all in black and communicating only with hand-held voice synthesizers pressed up against their voice boxes have beat the life right out of him inside a dark, downtown Albany alley. What are the thugs after? A box. Size, weight, description unknown. They also want him to stay away from his newest and only client: a handicapped nuclear engineer of dubious Russian heritage by the same of Peter Czech.

But then, now that they've killed him, Moonlight's problems seem to be over. In fact, as he undergoes an out of body experience, his soul floating above his train-wreck of a corpse inside the Albany Medical Center I.C.U., he feels pretty damned good. Great in fact. To make death all the more sweeter, his one true love, Lola, is standing by his bedside. With her long dark hair draping her chiseled face and big round Jackie O sunglasses hiding tear-filled eyes, she appears every bit the grieving sig other. Nothing could make the dead-and-gone Moonlight prouder.

But then something happens. Something bad. A man enters into the I.C.U. Some young guy. He takes hold of Lola's hand, and pulls her into him. Together, the two share a loving embrace over Moonlight's dead body. Now, what seemed like a peaceful death is anything but. Moonlight wants back inside his body so he can face-off Some Young Guy and find out if his true love has in fact been cheating on him. At the same time, he wants to find out the true identity of those thugs who killed him so he can exact his revenge. No doubt about it, Moonlight needs to live if he's going to uncover some pretty painful answers and take care of business.

Like a little kid dropping down a playground slide, Moonlight slides right back inside his bruised and broken body. Opening his eyes the white light blinds him. He feels the pain of his wounds and the pain of his breaking heart.

Life sucks, then you die.

But Moonlight rises.

Review 

Dick Moonlight is one of my favorite characters. Perhaps it's because he reminds me of so many ex boyfriends who were damaged beyond all hope, were sexy as all get out, and a bit of an alpha male. Or maybe it's because as much as I want there to be the happily ever after for him it will not happen. That's just not Moonlights destiny. But he still tries to give it to others...and that dear reader is the endearing trait that makes me love Dick Moonlight so much.

You can tell from the amazing blurb the essentials of what happens. And everyone knows that the Belle does not give spoilers. It's all about my opinion. I bet by now you are wondering when I'm going to start bashing Moonlight Rises because of that title. Well welcome to disappointment because that's not going to happen.

Moonlight Rises is tearing up the Amazon ranking system as we speak. Which is not surprising it's a Zandri. What do you expect. His writing is versatile, signature, and classic noir with a modern edge. If you like dark plots, real characters with flaws and honor, then you'll love Moonlight Rises.

As for Vincent Zandri drowning...and this isn't about that rumor circulating involving a hot tub in Cairo. He hasn't even been there in a while. It's about drowning in success. Vincent has landed a contract with a traditional publisher while he is still creating with is local indie pub Stone House Ink. Congrats are due all around to Vincent.

Moonlight Rises is a book to read especially on a dark storming night all alone.

Belle Overwhelmed

So if you follow the Belle you know she runs at warp 9 most days and only slows down due to illness, injury, or incarceration. Well I've recently opened Belle Consulting. Something I am immensely proud of and requires more time. While I still read like a demon possessed I don't always have the time to review like I used too. It is heart breaking to turn down reviews or not even have time to respond. So I'm going to do something I hardly ever do. I'm asking for help. The Belle of Boise is inviting those who are interested to apply to be a reviewer for The Belle of Boise.

What you'll get

You'll have your own reviewer page where we will list your bio, picture, contact info, genres preferred and forms that you read. ie. eBook printYou'll be added as an admin to post your reviews. All your social media contacts will be addedYour own signature  Your posts will be shared on all my outlets
What is Expected

Reviews should be honest, concise, include buy links, cover art and product description. Posted in a timely manner.If I see you posting a book I have a problem with I will not let you review it here. I don't have a list of what's ok because I'm pretty easy going. So it's shouldn't be a big deal
How it will work

A Google Calendar will be created. I would like for reviews to be posted on Fridays. Post the book you want to review on what day. This will help us stay organized. If you find a blank Friday and want to post something go ahead.  You will have requests come in over time. I get them myself and will forward any I can't do and you can choose from them. Or if you got a book from a blog tour you signed up for, one you bought, or one you borrowed from the library those are great too. You can do your own interviews or giveaways with authors as well.
If interested please go here and fill out the questionnaire and good luck.

Romantic Thriller Review Wired

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Blurb

Mary Elizabeth and Charlie's marriage is fading away as Charlie tries to just get along and Mary Elizabeth struggles not to disappear completely. A murdered teenager is discovered at the local teenage hangout on a bluff high above main street bringing back memories to Mary Elizabeth that she would rather forget but may hold the key to saving an entire town. But when the bodies keep popping up everyone must struggle with feelings of guilt, shame and redemption.

Review

Now those that read this blog know that I am a sucker for romance and thrillers. Well in Wired I got both. Martha Carr's writing is an interesting blend of characterization, plot, and dialogue that is so real and dynamic you think you are reading a movie. Only the screen is in your head. I'll also mention movie rights are being discussed. I'm not surprised.

It is expected in any novel that the reader identify with the main protagonist. That the readers feels what they feel, cries with them, roots for them and just all around connects with them. While you will feel, cry and even root for Mary Elizabeth it is hard to like her...until the end.  From the first paragraph I didn't hate her but I didn't like her. Charlie, her husband, was typical yet layered. It's obvious he has a much better relationship with their adorable son. It takes talent to make a reader to feel so strongly about the characters as I did in Wired.

Martha has a craft similar to thriller authors like Vincent Zandri where they reveal a little here and there. And then at some point you start having these moments where things begin to click but still leave you surprised with the ending.

However, her writing of the sexual scenes and thoughts were tasteful yet emotional and poignant like the romance authors I adore some much.

I highly recommend Wired. It's a great read especially for right before Halloween.  Tour Notes:Enter to win 1 of 3 free paperback copies of this novel on the official Wired blog tour page. The winner of the give-away will be announced on Wednesday, October 26 – be sure to enter before then! Just can't wait to read Wired? Pick up your copy in the Kindle, Nook, or iTunes stores or visit Smashwords with the coupon code AK95A to receive a discounted price (just $2)!Don't forget to vote for my blog in the traffic-breaker poll for this tour. The blogger with the most votes wins an Amazon gift card and a special winner's badge. I want that to be me! You can vote in the poll by visiting the official Wired blog tour page and scrolling all the way to the bottom.Learn more about this author by visiting her website, Facebook or GoodReads pages or by connecting with her on Twitter. You'll definitely want to check out Martha's Mystery Blog--each week a new short thriller is serialized Monday through Friday. The entries are nice and short, easy to read via smart phone or tablet. It's all at www.MarthaCarr.com.

Living Life's Country Song

So I've cracked the joke lately that my life became a country song. You know the cliche... Your car breaks down, spouse cheats/leaves, dog dies, BFF sleeps with your sister, your trailers repoed and you don't realized it until your flying in it in a wrecker down the interstate.

You get it.

Well it's not that bad. Truly. But my van I bought in March's engine seized and I have no funds to purchase a new car or fix it. And my husband was in a car wreck in Feb and is in a law suit and turns out slipped 5 disks from said wreck. Not to mention he's in construction and we are hitting the slow time.

But that's not what this post is about. It's about what I do have. Health, love, shelter, food, food storage, the bills are currently current (my editor will love that.) and a host of amazing friends. Online, close by, and faraway. They support me with honest guidance, kind words, well couched and placed reminders of my blessings. Not to mention two are willing to share the use of some spare wheels.

So let's talley

Blessing:10
Trials: 3

I'll remember that when it's hard and smile.

So dear reader how's your trials vs. blessings lately?