Bri Clark's Blog, page 24

Status Updates...I'm Sorry It Became An Addicton

This is a post apologizing for my overzealous Twitter and Facebook status updates and tweets. As an author it's essentially the cornerstone of your platform. You want to share your newest blog post, then you see another great post, contest or idea and you want to share it as well. Next thing you know you have like 18 posts. Now for me with several hundred friends I don't notice it if others do it. However, those that don't your updates dominate their news feed. For those that this happened to... I apologize. I'm over it. It won't happen again.

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Published on June 04, 2011 13:45

Feature Friday: Spotlight on Jeanine Frost

This review post is different in that I am including a crap load of books. I found Jeanine Frost's Night Huntress Series a few months back and fell in love with Bones and Kat. Along with several other characters.That's the beauty of this author's talent she created remarkable protagonists but the secondaries become connected as well. Then she went a step further and produced novels that go along with the series and allowed the amazing secondaries to have their own books too. If you love paranormal romance, specifically vampires you will love Jeanine.

Disclaimer: This is a book that would be rated R.

This is the blurb and cover of her first book Halfway to the Grave.

Half-vampire Catherine Crawfield is going after the undead with a vengeance, hoping that one of these deadbeats is her father—the one responsible for ruining her mother's life. Then she's captured by Bones, a vampire bounty hunter, and is forced into an unholy partnership.
In exchange for finding her father, Cat agrees to train with the sexy night stalker until her battle reflexes are as sharp as his fangs. She's amazed she doesn't end up as his dinner—are there actually good vampires? Pretty soon Bones will have her convinced that being half-dead doesn't have to be all bad. But before she can enjoy her new found status as kick-ass demon hunter, Cat and Bones are pursued by a group of killers. Now Cat will have to choose a side . . . and Bones is turning out to be as tempting as any man with a heartbeat.

If you want to check out any of her books just click the cover on the carousel. &amp;amp;&lt;span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word"&gt;lt&lt;/span&gt;;A &lt;span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word"&gt;HREF&lt;/span&gt;="http://&lt;span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word"&gt;ws&lt;/span&gt;.amazon.com/widgets/q?rt=&&lt... style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word">lt;span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word"&gt;tf&lt;/span&gt;_cw&amp;amp;&lt;span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word"&gt;ServiceVersion&lt;/span&gt;=20070822&amp;amp;&lt;span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word"&gt;MarketPlace&lt;/span&gt;=US&amp;amp;ID=V20070822%2FUS%2Fwidgetsamazon-20%2F8010%2F25c37dbb-5d9a-4730-ad52-edd01d1b3d69&amp;amp;Operation=&lt;span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word"&gt;NoScript&lt;/span&gt;"&amp;gt;Amazon.com Widgets&amp;amp;&lt;span style="background: none repeat scroll 0% 0% yellow;" class="goog-spellcheck-word"&gt;lt&lt;/span&gt;;/A&amp;gt;

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Published on June 03, 2011 10:06

My Life In Review: The Other Side of the Novel...The Reviewers Side

I once did a post on how an author today has many responsibilities...or wears many hats. (You can read it here.) One of those jobs I have is as a book reviewer. I know with that line several of you author's eye brows shot up to your hair line. If you want to know about review guidelines they are here. Anyways, there are two sides for me when reviewing. I'm sure it's that way for authors who review as well. I was thinking about this conflict and decided to address it. Here are a few scenarios I've had to deal with.

When I first started reviewing I accepted everything offered. Bad idea. There were many books that just were not my taste. There was no way I could offer an honest review. I had nothing to compare too. Furthermore I didn't enjoy the genre. So i was already tainted. Enter conflict...I had committed to it but I knew I couldn't lie. As an author I knew the hope that the book's author had to see the review. On the reviewer side I didn't want to lie or feature something I did not like. So I walked away. Now that I have established myself as a reviewer I review for regular blog tour companies. If you aren't familiar with this concept I'll explain it. Most blog tour services have a website you can go to, check out books, and offer to review. Once you've done this enough they add you to a regular email list. On that list you will hear first about any new books for review. I love blog tours. They are fun. The two I appreciate the most are Novel Publicity and Pump It Up Blog Tours. Now what to do if you commit to a book and you don't like it? Thankfully I haven't had that happen before...but there is a great post that addresses that here. The author/reviewer role I try to balance is hard. On one hand you know how hurtful a bad review or even a mediocre one can be. As a reviewer you have a reputation to maintain to provide your followers with honest feedback. In the end I have always gone with my gut.

But then there is the retaliation weakness. As an author if you offer a bad review, refuse to review or showcase a book you don't support you are vulnerable to an attack by that author or their friends. They can go to websites and give bad reviews to any of your work. Has it happened to me...not yet. Do I expect it? Let say I wouldn't be surprised.

No with all that being said I don't regret what I do. I adore it. Before I ever started writing or reviewing I was a reader. Doing both jobs enables me to read even more.

So what are you thoughts? Are you a reviewer? Have you had any bad situations?

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Published on June 02, 2011 08:27

Writer Wednesday: Book Trailers: I made it myself

So today we are talking about book trailers. I'm going to show you my first one.( It's a little sad.) You will also see my two newest ones. I will also provide you with a helpful post that pointed me in the write direction. Lets get started.

Book Trailer Two

Book Trailer Three

Elaina Lee the cover artist at Astraea Press is the one who taught me how to do book trailers. She also guest post, sharing her knowledge, here.

So what do you think? In comparison to my first trailer and my recent two...am I getting better?

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Published on June 01, 2011 05:23

In Leah's Wake...A funeral or a rampage

Review

In Leah's Wake is contemporary fiction at it's best. The menage of characters and their strengths and flaws pulled together creating a tapestry to be viewed again and again. As an author myself I appreciate the ability to use multiple points of view in a novel. Mrs. Long did an amazing job utilizing this obvious talent. A book to read, share, then read again.

Leah: Oldest child, big sister, soccer star, falls for the wrong guy and rebels. Will it ruin her life? Her family?

Justine: Youngest daughter, little sister, deeply religious, intelligent and loves Buffy the Vampire Slayer. When her sister's behavior sends her family in a spiral her faith is tested. What will she believe in the end?

Zoe: Mother, Wife, woman trying to find something for herself. The struggles of her life are heart wrenching, motivating and relatable.

Will: Husband, father, former athlete, struggling business man. Will loves his family but struggles under the pressure of his own expectations and those of the world. Even though he makes some bad choices you find yourself rooting for the guy anyways. He's literally out numbered 3 to 1 in a house of women.

Protecting their children comes naturally for Zoe and Will Tyler—until their daughter Leah decides to actively destroy her own future.

Leah grew up in a privileged upper-middle class world. Her parents spared no expense for her happiness; she had all-but secured an Ivy League scholarship and a future as a star athlete. Then she met Todd.

Leah's parents watch helplessly as their daughter falls into a world of drugs, sex, and wild parties. While Will attempts to control his daughter's every move to prevent her from falling deeper into this dangerous new life, Zoe prefers to give Leah slack in the hope that she may learn from her mistakes. Their divided approach drives their daughter out of their home and a wedge into their marriage.

Twelve-year-old Justine observes Leah's rebellion from the shadows of their fragmented family. She desperately seeks her big sister's approval and will do whatever it takes to obtain it. Meanwhile she is left to question whether her parents love her and whether God even knows she exists.

What happens when love just isn't enough? Who will pay the consequences of Leah's vagrant lifestyle? Can this broken family survive the destruction left in Leah's wake?

Tour Notes:

Please vote for my blog in the traffic-breaker poll for this tour. The blogger with the most votes wins a free promotional twitterview and a special winner's badge. I want that to be me! You can vote in the poll by visiting the official In Leah's Wake blog tour page and scrolling all the way to the bottom.

The next word for the book give-away is (YOUR WORD IN ALL CAPS AND BOLD). Learn more about the give-away and enter to win 1 of 3 copies on the official In Leah's Wake blog tour page. The other 2 copies are being given-away courtesy of the GoodReads author program, go here to enter. And don't forget to stop by the Q&A with Terri Giuliano Long Group to discuss In Leah's Wake (including questions from the official book club guide), the author, her writing process, and advice.

Book Trailer for In Leah's Wake:

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Published on May 30, 2011 13:41

Six Sentence Sunday: More Glazier

Blurb
Marie Kincaid is devastated after losing her family in a violent crash…so she runs. One morning, she awakes in an infirmary with total memory loss and a new power: Glazier. The cold frozen mists of Glazier's instincts enable Marie to embark on a new life free of pain but most importantly free of the past. Heightened senses, accelerated strength,speed, and learning abilities make Marie a perfect candidate to be a spy…also a perfect companion for Henry Tenison, the only other known Glazier. Henry, a loner and proud rogue finds his world upended when his connection to Marie is forged. Unsure of how to progress, he endeavors to keep it strictly professional. As far away missions and romantic surroundings entice him into pursuing his deeper desires, he caves. However, Marie's love changes everything.
Determined to free them both of the spy world and the hold Glazier has over their lives, Henry implements a plot to disappear. However, when things become dangerous in their latest mission and memories of Marie's past surface suggesting another man…will Henry's efforts come too late? If Marie remembers her past, will she still want their future?

Six Sentences from Glazier
From Henry Tennison's POV
As I made my way to Abrams office, it was like walking with cinder blocks as shoes. It cut me deep to leave her. Even worse was pretending as if I didn't love her. Love didn't begin to touch it. She was the existence I never knew I needed. The night we shared at the cabin would be the pinnacle of my life.

Glazier releases in just a few weeks. You can purchase it at Amazon and here. Check out more Six Sentence Sunday posts here.
So what do you think of Henry?

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Published on May 28, 2011 07:38

The Great Jammy Adventure of The Flying Cowboy

Attention Jammy Adventurists! Your ticket to high adventure is right here within these pages-where you ll meet Noah and Jaden, the Flying Cowboy, Captain Bad Guy (who never wins) and you ll wonder why somebody hasn t invented a Get-Out-of-a-Jam Kit for real. This is a very unique hybrid coloring book-that the readers get to render however they want because-they get to color in most of the details. Perfect for kids; even better for adults, because the story is fantastic and short! Wow, what an idea.

Review

Today we are doing it a little different at the blog. There will be no mention of vampires, romance, or damsels in distress. Actually I'm featuring a children's book. I purchased this book for my daughters 6 and 9. There were many aspects about this book that sets it apart from regular children's literature. First, it's the book that's okay to color in. Yes it's a book to read and a book to color in. Second the illustrations were just fun. my favorite was the purple spotted cows with grass in popcorn holders. They were a hoot. Then there is the story. It's truly an easy flowing read that celebrates the imagination in two adorable little boys.

About the Author

Chris White is a stay at home dad with an overactive imagination. He s pretty sure that s more dangerous than pinto beans and extended camping trips. His boys are the inspiration behind the Great Jammy Adventures-an entire book can be written around five minutes of time spent with Noah and Jaden-oh, wait, that s precisely what this is.

Find Chris on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/whatnorthbetr...
Chris' Blog:http://thegreatjammyadventures.blogsp...

So what do you think of the concept of a children's book that's ok to color in?

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Published on May 27, 2011 07:11

Maude's Adventures: Raptor or Rapture?

The humidity in the sunroom was stifling as Maude's sweat damp hair clung to her forehead. She pumped her legs and arms hard on the elliptical trying to get the emotions that plagued her out of her system. As she thought back over the previous day her pace slowed and the iPod's music that blared in her ears faded to the background of her consciousness. Friday was supposed to be great. With the schedule for the next, two weeks done and no one calling in Maude actually got to leave early for once beating the Friday traffic. All day Brian had been texting and emailing her updates. Gainesville was a good five-hour drive from Linden and she appreciated the ongoing contact. It assured her he wasn't just toying with her at the time…boy was she wrong. A beep on her cell phone, heard only because an ear bud fell out, brought her back to the present. Stopping the music and gliding her elliptical to a halt she grabbed her towel and water and checked her phone. It was a text from Diane. This was the fourth one since last night. She knew Diane wanted to know if Brian made it, if she was safe and how things were going. Maude would have to talk to her soon, just not yet. A breeze blew in through the open windows with the smell of ferns and Dogwood. Since her plans for the weekend literally disappeared, she thought perhaps she would work in her flowerbeds. Maude took a shower feeling somewhat better and logged onto her Facebook. Diane had messaged her there as well. Scrolling through her friends' status updates on her wall she laughed aloud at the obsessive attention "The Rapture" was getting all over social media. Supposedly, some man that led a small Christian congregation had prophesied that the world would end today at 6:00 pm and all the people who were righteous would disappear. So if you were left here after six you were basically wicked. Posts like "should I wear sturdy tennis shoes or sexy stilettos for the rapture" made Maude roll her eyes. People weren't wasting time utilizing the advertizing potential either. There were three event invites at the local music venues with titles based around the rapture. A beep caught Maude's attention. Picking up her phone, she had a missed call…Diane. Who was now calling again. Deep breath in, hold it, let it out. Maude hit the answer button."Hello." she said."Hey, what are you doing?" Diane answered, the years of constant smoking giving her voice a deep gravelly timber never ceasing to make Maude smile."Just got out of the shower, that's where I was when you called.""Killer." Diane responded making Maude grin again at Diane's signature saying for the last three decades."What you showering for? Work up a sweat?" Diane asked. "Yeah I was working out. It's really humid in the sun room in the morning.""Hold up…where's Brian?" "Your guess is as good as mine. All I know is all day Friday he emailed, called and text letting me know he was on his way. At 9:30, he sent me an email saying he was caught in traffic in Marian. I didn't think anything of it since its Friday night and that is a college town. But it's only a couple hours away. I stayed up until 1:00 AM. I was worried out of my mind.""I'm sure you've tried to call and text him. When is the last time you tried?" "Around 11:00 this morning. My last words to him were Satan has a special place in hell for cruel ass holes like you. I'm sure he had this planned from the beginning. I swear I'm done with meeting men online! He was probably with his buddies while he sent those emails saying he was on his way." A lone tear escape Maude's eye. She wiped it and sighed. "That's one idea. What else do you think happened? He could have been in a wreck?" Diane suggested. "No…I doubt it. I looked online there were no deadly wrecks at all between here and there that have been reported. Or any with serious injuries. That in itself is a blessing I guess for a Friday night.""Huh…" Diane replied. Maude knew she was trying to find something comforting to say. "I did have a dream last night though." Maude offered."Really…do tell.""Well I dreamed he stopped at a rest stop late last night. It was completely deserted except for some tractor-trailers. He went in and used the bathroom. When he came out, he thought he heard something. You know rest stops here they are surrounded by woods. Anyways he walked faster to his truck. But when he stopped to unlock the door something jump in the bed. He looked up and there looking back at him was Raptor.""What?" Diane asked. "You know the dinosaur. Anyways, he took off running and then the rest of the Raptors surrounded him and they ripped him to shreds." Maude finished. Silence was her reply."I fell asleep watching Jurassic Park Diane." With that, Diane busted out in her raspy nicotine coated laughter. Maude smiled too. When Diane finally stopped the line got quiet again as if she was thinking."Or…" Diane offered. "He got caught up in the rapture…and it was early." Maude laughed so hard she cried.
To see Maude's other adventure click below...Number 1 Number 2 Number 3

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Published on May 26, 2011 08:01

Writer Wednesday: Editing Mule Backwards

So as I approach my final days before the release of Glazier it has not been without turmoil. Made it through the content edit now on to the copy/line edits. It seems this is the hardest part. However, this will be the only novel I expect to be this hard since my writing had evolved tremendously since Glazier's initial draft.

When editing I tend to find myself facing several issues with a novel I've been intimate with four years now. For the following reasons...

I read it from the last chapter on. So in other words backwards. While I know what's going on I still am able to not get caught up with the flow because now I'm swimming upstream. Read it out loud. With the combination of starting from the end and reading out loud I am able to better see any discrepancies in flow and grammar. (well the grammar part I ain't great at.)Finally there's an editor for that. You have a content and line editor that goes through with new eyes and helps correct the mistakes you can't see. So how do you deal with edits especially those last minute one when you feel the release clock ticking away?

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Published on May 25, 2011 07:08

Six Sentence Sunday: Glazier

Marie Kincaid is devastated after losing her family in a violent crash…so she runs. One morning, she awakes in an infirmary with total memory loss and a new power: Glazier. The cold frozen mists of Glazier's instincts enable Marie to embark on a new life free of pain but most importantly free of the past. Heightened senses, accelerated strength,speed, and learning abilities make Marie a perfect candidate to be a spy…also a perfect companion for Henry Tenison, the only other known Glazier. Henry, a loner and proud rogue finds his world upended when his connection to Marie is forged. Unsure of how to progress, he endeavors to keep it strictly professional. As far away missions and romantic surroundings entice him into pursuing his deeper desires, he caves. However, Marie's love changes everything.
Determined to free them both of the spy world and the hold Glazier has over their lives, Henry implements a plot to disappear. However, when things become dangerous in their latest mission and memories of Marie's past surface suggesting another man…will Henry's efforts come too late? If Marie remembers her past, will she still want their future?
"No weapons tonight." He no longer hid his eyes and if it was possible his smile grew. As he blatantly admired me in my towel, I felt the scarlet blush stain my skin. Therefore, I didn't argue."Fine." I said.
To see more great Six Sentence Sunday contributions click here. Thanks

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Published on May 22, 2011 07:06