Bri Clark's Blog, page 26

Why Won't J A Konrath Accept My Friend Request & Why Does The Facebook Machine Insist on Taunting Me About It

So let me start out with explaining who this guy is. He is like the supernova of self publishing success. A very good friend of mine has an almost obsessive following for the guy (honestly I think there may be a tat somewhere on his body of his face. You know who you are.) So I hear about him ALOT! Anyway if you want to find out more about him he is HERE.

Naturally after checking out his blog and seeing his success at marketing and not to mention he's a dang good writer I check him out on Facebook. The guy has like 4688 friends and get this we have 32 friends in common. Again naturally I send him a request.  Guess what he turned it down!!!

That doesn't really bother me it's the fact that everyday the Facebook friend suggestor engine taunts the piss out of me about it. Every time my page refreshes there is JA Konrath up in the right hand corner as not my friend. I counted one day of how many times the Facebook taunt master friend suggestor suggested JA. Now granted I am on facebook alot...my friend Aaron Patterson said one time "If Bri Clark wrote as much as she facebooked she'd blow us all out of the water." It was 19 times. That is friggin ridiculous! And there is no way to make it stop. For the first time ever I am not happy with Facebook. Curse you Facebook...curse you!

Writer Wednesday: Every Author Needs a Website...Who Says? Elaine Cantrell That's Who

 Please welcome fellow Astraea Press author Elaine Cantrell author of A New Dream

Every author needs a website. In today's information age, people expect to find anything and everything on the internet, so it's crazy not to have one, especially if you're an ebook author. You can hire any number of professionals to make one for you, or you can plug in the keywords 'free websites' and take your pick from a huge number of free websites. I've had a website ever since I started writing, and these are the elements I think should be included.


1.Basic information about the author. I have one section on my website called How It All Began. There I give information about me and why I started writing. Watch that you don't get too personal, though. Things float around on the internet forever and could come back to bite you.

2.Blurbs. Readers need to be able to read the back cover blurb just as they would if they went into a brick and mortar bookstore.

3.Excerpts. Would you buy a book in a store without first flipping through it? Excerpts can vary in length, but I'd do no more than a chapter at most.

3.Buy links. Without buy links you may lose a sale.

4.Book Covers. I have a page for each book, and I also have them all displayed on the first page.

5.Newsletter Sign up. This is something that should be easy to do, preferably on the front page.

6.Blog Link. Have a predominately displayed link that will take readers to your blog.

7.Photos. I'd suggest only photos of the author at conferences, book signings, etc. That being said, some readers love pet photos. When I posted pictures of my cat in my newsletter everyone loved it.

8.Authors Favorite links. I think this is a good idea, but I don't have it on my own website. I posted links on my blog.

9.Book Trailers. They can be posted on the website or you can give a link so people can go to You Tube or wherever you have it.

10.Coming Soon. I like to know when my favorite author's new book is coming out.

There are two things that I hate when I visit other websites.

1.Music that plays automatically. I click out as quickly as I can.

2.Pages that are too busy. If it's too confusing I won't waste time trying to figure it out.

Not being a website designer myself, I've probably left out something important. Authors and readers, help me out. What do you think a website needs?

I agree with all these wonderful ideas Elaine. I also think that a blog can function as a website for an author quite well. I use mine and so far it's worked beautifully. Thanks again Elaine. Check out Elaine's A New Dream cover and blurb at the bottom







After an auto accident destroys his pro-football career, Matt McCallum struggles to find a new dream for his life, but nothing engages him the way football did. After a stint in rehab, he takes a job managing a grocery store where he meets Violet Emerson.Violet works in the bakery department, but her dreams carry her far beyond the doors of Chef's Pantry. As soon as she can save the money, she plans to open a catering business. And she thinks the new manager's broad shoulders and blue eyes are simply divine.Thrown together at work, Matt and Violet find a common dream for their lives, but a loose end from Matt's past returns to jeopardize their future. Will love be enough to save their new dream before it turns into a nightmare?

ATTENTION ATTENTION: The Belle Has Implemented Changes....

I ,Bri, the belle of Boise, has decided to implement some new scheduling on the blog. So shall it be written so shall it be done. Now to write it....

Bri Clark the Belle of Boise shares posts on the writing and publishing industry on Wednesdays, aka Writer Wednesdays. Thursdays are where she features her fiction writing skills. Right now there is a series called Gone Fishing about a 40 something woman and her adventures in dating and meeting guys on line. It's hilarious to say the least. On Fridays are book reviews and or author interviews of books she has read. If you are interested in her reviewing your book please reference the review tab on the page for info. Sunday's are Six Sentence Sunday's where she shares Six Sentences from one of her books. Now that's the planned schedule sometimes there will be days that extras are done. Thanks for viewing and supporting me.


 

Pump it Up Blog Tour: One Pelican at a Time: A Children's Book

Boy are we doing some different stuff here at the blog. And there will be more to come but today I am showcasing a children's book called One Pelican at a Time written around the Gulf oil spill. Check it out....

Blurb
Bella and Britt love living by the beach. When they find oil washing to shore from a gulf spill, they want to help but are told there is nothing for kids to do. But when their old friend, the pelican, becomes covered with oil, they help save his life by their quick thinking and action. Suggested age for readers: 7 to 12 












Review

While the suggested age is 7-12 I read this with my youngest two girls 6 and 9 and they loved it. I think you could even go a little younger if you have had a habit of reading to your child since they were younger. The story does a great job explaining on a child's level about the terrible even that was the Gulf oil spill. And like most children who are eager to help and make a different Bella and Britt wanted to help...like most adults overwhelmed at the time they say there's nothing you can do. However, when the girls favorite pelican is found covered in the black poison they act quickly and think on their feet and save his life. A really fun read with wonderful illustration. 

A Vampire Narcise: An Unwilling Seducer of Mortal and Immortal Men

Skilled in the seduction of men, both mortal and immortal, Narcise Moldavi is the greatest weapon in her twisted brother's war among the Dracule. Until she falls for Giordan Cale.Her first searing encounter with Giordan seals their fierce connection for their eternal lives. But Giordan's vow to help Narcise escape her brother's rule is followed by a betrayal more agonizing than sunlight.Wounded but determined, Narcise ensnares vampire hunter Chas Woodmore in her quest for revenge and to reclaim her life. He wants her, worships her, will kill for her. And the Dracule never forget a wrong— nor do they forgive. 




The Vampire Narcise is the last so far in the Dracule Series by Colleen Gleason. This one was the hardest for me to read. The characters are so dynamic and relatable that Narcise was one that I was scared to connect with. Having been introduced to her character in The Vampire Dimitri and The Vampire Voss I expected her to be cold, caluclating and not at all a victim. When in acutality she is the most amazing character out of the series. 

Two men love her and will do anything for her. Chas Woodmore, the vampire hunter, and Giordan Cale another Dracule. Chas, loathes that he loves a vampire, and Cale he just loves her. Foolishly, wholeheartedly and arrogantly loves her. Through misunderstanding and the maniplations of her immortal affliction, her brother, Narcise falls into Chas' waiting arms and freedom after she lives through Cale's very unbelievable betrayal.   

After Voss and Dimitri's transformations I expected something along those lines for Narcise. I was pleasantly surprised that it was far from the expected. Colleen Gleason is a visionary that respects the romanticism with vampires but also cuts her own notch in this paranormal world of "balls, beaux, dance cards and fangs." 

Disclaimer: This is a sensual romance like the other two in the series however this one got a little intense in areas at times and I had to skip over those parts. But that's just me. It may not be a problem for you and therefore that's why I won't say which parts they are.  

Thursday's Series: Maude's Adventure Gone Fishing Part 1: You are a special kind of idiot.

So with the ending of my Tuesday posts on HCG and bootcamp I found I wanted to do something creative at the blog with my writing. I am a writer, right? So with that in mind I decided to invite a story I have had brewing into the blogosphere. It's about a woman who is single, has been a single mother most of her kids lives. With her son and daughter grown, married and moving on with their lives she decided to move on as well. After a massive weight loss and the new found energy that came with it she joined a local online dating service called Fish...There's Plenty. These are her stories....




Maude applied her make up in the mirror as she got ready for work. When you work at Fashionista you have to look like one. At least that's what Mrs. Doreen the manager said. Forget the fact that Maude worked in the office and was hardly on the floor. It seemed Mrs. Doreen hadn't required Maude to even follow that protocol until she lost that 110 pounds. It seemed lapband surgery had other sideeffects the ads didn't mention. Like the fact skinny people are expected to look great all the time or something. Maude applied her eyeliner and thought back over the night before events. She had checked on to Fish first thing. The local online dating website she had joined eight months back. It had really caused drama in her life. Some good…some bad but at least it was something to look forward to. With a daughter her maliciously moved her only grandchildren two thousand miles away and a son who eloped with his wife in Hawaii where the army had stationed him life with her two children away was dull to say the least. This latest guy, Ricky, seemed ok. They had talked back and forth a few times through Fish and on the phone. He had asked if he could friend her on Facebook and she agreed. One of the preliminary questions she asked a potential suitor on Fish was "Are you a rebound guy? Are you still in contact with your ex? Have you recently broke up with someone?" All of which he answered vehemently no. He had been single for a year didn't even talk to her anymore. After a little while of Facebook chat he said he had to get off and get some sleep. So they said their good nights. Only Ricky didn't get off. He started posting videos from YouTube of country love songs and asking if "Crystal" liked them. Maude realizing the utter liar that Ricky was immediately unfriended him and wrote him a message.
Dear Ricky,You are a special kind of stupid. I asked you if you were over your ex and you told me you hadn't even seen her in a year. Only that was a lie…right stupid?! You get off Facebook with me presumably to go to bed and you are posting country love song videos to Crystal. Who I can only assume is your ex. Well I ain't having it. Goodbye.Maude
An involuntary smile lit up Maude face form the memory. It was time for blush now. When she reached for the brush her phone lit up indicating a Facebook message. Looking at the screen it also indicated a friend request pending.
Dear Maude,I'm sorry if I lied to you about going to bed. I really was. I forgot I had to go through some songs. My cousin Crystal is getting married and she asked me to help find some songs to play at the rehearsal dinner. Ricky
Well  no blush was needed at this point. She deleted the message and checked the friend request. Sure enough it was Ricky. Thinking to herself for a minute she considered accepting. But then hit ignore. Because any man who thought a woman who embarrassed herself that much and still wanted to be friends really was a special kind of stupid.                                                                                                                                                                             

So who wants to hear more of Maude's story?

Review for Stilettoes and Scoundrels: A must read this summer

I know that usually we do a Writer Wednesday today but I was supposed to review this on Monday and my calendar got screwed up. Anyways on with the review...

Review

Stilettos and Scoundrels pulled me in with it's fun title and equally enticing cover. After reading the blurb (which you will find below) I knew I had to check it out. Laina weaves a splendid tale of a small town girl returning home to find that the statuses of long ago high school chums have changed dramatically as adults. There is the former hunk who is not so hunk, and the bad boy turned cop. In fact technically there are two of those I suppose. 

She created and excellent balance between two genres, chick lit and mystery. The almost obsessive like mention of name brands especially in shoes will appeal to the chick lit readers and the murder mystery provides just the right balance to keep the story moving at a great pace. The characters for me were realistic, flawed and completely engaging each with their own secret agenda that only added to the plot line. This is a great summer read by the pool, at the beach or hiding in doors.


Presley Thurman, a sassy, thirty-something red-head, was looking to reinvent herself. She didn't allow the fact she was recently fired to bother her - she was ready to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming a writer. Presley is a lover of shopping and Starbucks, and even though she sometimes had bad taste in men, she always had great taste in clothes. Not looking back on corporate America, Presley decided to follow her dream. With her feisty nature and a spirit to not "sweat the small stuff," she was ready to tackle any challenge (even if she had no idea how she would pay the bills). When her friend Trevor offered her a job with his online magazine to interview public figures, she jumped at the chance. However, the new job turned into something unexpected when the U.S. Senator she was slated to write about was murdered - in her home town! Presley was excited - she hadn't seen so much buzz since the spring sample sale at Saks. She was ready for this adventure, even if it didn't seem to fit neatly into her life. She couldn't pass up the opportunity to be in the middle of the buzz. Presley was determined (not to mention curious) to find the killer and write her story. After all, she couldn't afford her shoe habit without a job and she was certainly not one to shy away from danger. The only thing standing in her way was an old high school fling, Cooper Sands, head of the Senator's security. He was not actually standing in her way, but because of his good looks, he was the biggest distraction and one she was having the hardest time overcoming. Cooper felt it was too dangerous for Presley to look for a killer and tried to distract her with reliving the past; which Presley found more dangerous than any killer. While she attempted to resist Cooper's good looks and charm, Presley was able to discover the Senator's wife, Helen, had been having an affair... with her best friend's boyfriend! Did Helen kill the Senator? Or was it the Senator's love of gambling that got him killed? And what was Cooper's secret tie to the mob boss Garrison Palazzo? Presley was betting her favorite pair of Manolo's she will find the killer... but will time run out!

Dear HCG....Yes This is a Dear John

Dear HCG,

I'm breaking up with you. Frankly it's not me it's you. I can't work out if I am with you. If I do I become angry, extremely cold, irritable, moody very weak and tired. I can do all that on my own without your help. While I know that you have had many successful relationships with others, men and woman both, we are simply not compatible. 


So on the advice of my husband I have decided to end this before I hurt you or someone else. I will continue to eat better and exercise 5x's a week as I have been. And when he said "You aren't fat anyways hun." I knew that he was right. I am smoking hot and nothing you can do will change his mind or mine. 


Regards,


Bri

The Vampire Voss: More of the Dracule Series

Voss, also known as Viscount Dewhurst, relishes the sensual pleasures immortality affords. A member of the Dracule—a cabal of powerful, secretive noblemen marked with a talisman that reveals their bartered souls—the mercenary Voss has remained carefully neutral…until Angelica.Angelica Woodmore possesses the Sight, an ability invaluable to both sides of a looming war among the Dracule. Her very scent envelops Voss in a scarlet fog of hunger—for her body and her blood. But he is utterly unprepared for the new desire that overcomes him—to protect her.Now Voss must battle his very nature to be with Angelica…but this vampire never backs down from a fight. 

Disclaimer: These vampires don't sparkle but they entice you like the brightest jewel. A sensual romance. 
I have always been a fan of vampires. Since finding Colleen Gleason's Dracule series I am now a worshipper of Regency Vampires. A Vampire Voss is an amazing tale of finally finding what you desire most and how desire can create the an equal amount of pleasure and pain. Voss is a player among today's standards. Never one to take a side but remaining wise and unloyal has served Voss well through the centuries. That is until Angelica.
Angelica carries a the burden's of gypsy power. Burdens she can't share with anyone not even her siblings. That is until those very visions she carries her to her destiny and her agony, The Vampire Voss.
This is my favorite Dracule book between all three, The Vampire Dimitri, The Vampire Narcise and The Vampire Voss. Voss and Angelica's chemistry on the paper were so easy to imagine and a thorough delight to journey with them. Colleen Gleason does an amazing job of taking a series of events and writing about them in three different books but also from multiple POV's. Each books adds another layers but also expands the story so that you are chomping at the bit for the next book.

Pump it Up Blog Tours: It's a Freebie Kind of Day: Who Wants a Book Like No Other? Life Choices Is The One

Today at the Belle we are featuring Life's Choices by Judi Moreo. This is a collaborative work by 26 authors who pulled together under Judi's amazing tutelage and shared how they made their dreams a reality one brave decision at at time. One lucky commenter will get a free print addition of this book and this is international. Without further ado Life's Choices

Blurb

If you have ever had a dream that you wanted to pursue but didn't have the courage, if you've ever wanted to do something that you didn't think you could do, if you have ever wanted to go somewhere but didn't believe it was possible… READ THIS BOOK. Twenty-six authors share with you how they pursued their passions and made their dreams become reality.













Read an Excerpt"It was one of the most magical moments of my life  The following Monday I went back to my day job and a co-worker walked up to me and said, "Congratulations!  You are so lucky to be able to get up in front of an audience and speak like that.Lucky?  I wanted to explode.  Well meaning, she saw the end result.  She did not see the beginning.  So many people think you are born funny or not….that you are born a great speaker or not.  There is that one percent that are.  I hate them too!  For the rest of us, it is a process."###"It was disheartening.  Even as I raised this issue with our senior leadership, no one was prepared to listen.  I felt that remaining with this company was compromising my integrity.  Yes, I could continue to work there but was that simply selling my soul for money???"###"The first and greatest hurdle was to allow myself to say, "I am a writer."  It took some courage.  Who was I to write a book?  People study or write articles for years before they dare.  They enter hundreds of contests for short stories and enroll in workshops and writers groups.  I skipped all that.  I didn't have time.  But I did keep in mind what those brilliant Greeks said 2500 years ago,Be what you wish to seem."
###"This is madness," I muttered into my helmet.  I raced down a dirt road, going 90 plus miles per hours, and at 53 years of age, found myself competing with people 30 years younger.  The bike and I roared through the desert, a rooster tail of dust in our wake. 40 miles previously, I took a trip over the handlebars as the front wheel dug into some silt at 50 miles per hour and catapulted me to the ground.  Now I was riding with a broken collarbone.#####"He asked if I could sing and if I knew Marilyn's songs.  I said yes to both and started to list which of her songs I knew.  He asked me to sing, "I Wanna Be Loved By You," so I did.  By now, I wasn't even nervous.  I was comfortable singing a capella.  I had never really sang any other way.  I had never even sang outside of the shower."###                                                                                                                                                    Bio
Judi doesn't just talk about success…She Lives It!  In 2003, the US Business Advisory Council named her "Nevada Business Person of the Year" and the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce awarded her company, Turning Point International, with a "Circle of Excellence" Award.  In 1986, the Chamber also honored her as "Woman of Achievement – Entrepreneur."
As an international business leader, Judi knows first hand what it takes to be successful…especially amidst political, social, and cultural differences.  In 1991, she moved to South Africa and became an executive in South Africa's most prestigious media group. Today, she lives in Las Vegas, Nevada and serves as President of Turning Point International, a performance improvement company with offices in Las Vegas and Johannesburg.  Her client list reads like a Who's Who of the World's Most Prestigious Companies and Organizations.
Judi served on the Boards of Directors of the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce Women's Council, the Las Vegas Professional Speakers Association, the World Modeling Association, the International Association of Model Agents, and  Women in Communication.  The American Women in Radio and Television awarded her their "Outstanding Achievement and Community Service Award."
A speaker of both substance and style, Judi combines her wealth of knowledge and expertise with the inspiration of a motivational speaker and the humor of an entertainer to bring you a program guaranteed to enrich the lives of all who hear her.
Her latest book is Life Choices: Pursuing Your Passion.
You can visit her website at www.judimoreo.com.