K.B. Miller's Blog, page 35

Traveling Vlog #7 8/31/12

Welcome back to my blog, one of the homes of the traveling vlog! Don't forget to look below the video after you watch for all of the extra goodies! AND, check out all of the cool links and tabs on my blog:)

Oh, no! I think that I have been burgled! 



Okay, just a warning. This vlog is around 30 minutes :) Here we go...

Harvest Moon's Cover
Featured Authors
Stacey Rourke
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Stephanie Meyer
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Nely Cab
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Cecilia Ahern
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Mary Ting
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Book Club pages that I'm obsessed with! Paranormal Reads  Paranormal Book Club I Love Books R&M Fab Book Reviews The Mystical World of Book Reviews   Cullen Edward


Next week we're back over at my friend, Jennifer Malone Wright's blog! Just click HERE and you will be taken directly to it:) PLUS... if you look at the top of my blog, you will see a new tab for the traveling vlog. All past episodes are there for your viewing convenience. Be sure to continue following us as we talk about THE hottest topics in the "book" world:) Until next time, Twitchy-Witchy Kisses, KB, XOXO
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My thought for the day 8/27/12

Is everyone as excited as I am about the fact that Halloween is right around the proverbial corner?
Every year, I look forward to this time of year... the smell of fresh pumpkin pie, the sound of the leaves crinkling under my feet, the color of the leaves, and  yes... Halloween! I love scary things, and I love "being" frightened. 
So, I am going to pose a question to you. What are your favorite things about our upcoming season?

Traveling vlog #6 with JH Glaze!!!!

I'm proud to display the latest vlog in the traveling vlog series, JH GLAZE!!!
Please watch enjoy and post your questions!

Don't forget, we're right back here on Friday with Vlog #7!!
I have secrets, shhh... LOL!

Destine Blog Tour Stop

Tempting Blog Tours Presents:The Watchers Trilogy Book 1DestinebyKatherine Polillo
Check out this awesome interview with the Author!

When did you start writing?Many writers will tell you that they have been writing since they were children and always knew that this is what they wanted to do.  I was not one of these cases.  I have been a lifelong reader and lover of books, but had never even attempted to write a short story, let alone a book, until I sat down to write Destine.  I was a history major in college with a minor in English and had read everything from the traditional literary classics, to the modern cult classics, to drug store paperbacks, but if I’m being honest it was the genre of Young Adult Paranormal Fiction that grasped my interests the most.  If I was going to read for enjoyment and pleasure that was the genre that I found most captivating, so it is with no great surprise that Destine is YA Paranormal Fiction, but this does not explain how I came to call myself an author.   I was teaching middle school social studies when the infamous budget cuts of New Jersey occurred and all non-tenured positions were eliminated.  It was mortifying to be called to the principal’s office like a child and be told “you’re great, but there is no money to pay you, so we are not renewing your contract.”  I felt cut adrift into a sea of uncertainty.  I had gone to college, I had worked hard, I had done everything right, so why did this happen?  As I struggled with finding a new job, I also buried myself in reading to escape the realities of my life.  It was during this time period, where I found myself with an abundance of free time, that I decided to try to write.  My husband had told me for years that I should write a book, but I had never made the attempt.  I sat down at my computer and my characters seemed to flow from me, as if they had always been there waiting to make their entrance.  I loved the feeling of creating a life for them that I had control over, when my own seemed out of my hands.  

If you had one chance to get people interested in what you do, what would you say to them to get them to want to buy your art?I am a feminist at heart and I think this comes through in my writing where I believe that nothing is impossible and every woman can be fierce and strong and find a man who appreciates her for exactly who she is. I’m inspired to write about strong female heroines who never settle and constantly challenge the world put in front of them.  The female protagonist of Destine is just such a character.  Michelle at the beginning of Destine is a passive observe in her own life, but as the book advances events thrust her into a role she first rejects and then finally accepts with determination.  I strive to write about characters that change, evolve, and grow throughout the course of the book.  I want to create true to life characters that aren’t perfect but strive to do their best, even if they are mythological or divine beings, and sometimes fail just like the rest of us. 

Do you prefer YA or Adult?I prefer YA.  As an avid reader I find that often Adult books lack the extraordinary, and magical. I find myself drawn to the paranormal and strange and even as an adult I still believe in fairytales.  YA literature isn’t restrictive or bond to reality, and that’s what I love.  I want to live in a world where fairies and shape-shifters are real, and amazing things can happen to ordinary, everyday people.  

Any shout outs to people who have helped you along the way?Of course I want to send a shout-out to my publisher Stacey Rourke and Anchor Group Publishing, and my editor Melissa Ringstead.  I also want to thank Christy Sloat who has been a friend, a crutch, and a mentor to me through this entire process.  She is an amazing author and you should check out her books as well, The Brown House and The Many Lives of Avery Snow.


Dream place to live and why?
I would love to live in J.R.R. Tolkien’s creation of The Shire with the hobbits.  All the green grass and nature surrounding you, living in a hollowed out tree, being cut off from the harsh realities of the world at large, yup sounds about perfect to me.


Favorite holiday... Halloween or Christmas?
Halloween is definitely my favorite holiday.  Any day when you get to dress-up and pretend you are that thing you’ve always wanted to be, or that person you wish you were.  The ability to step into a costume and become someone or something else is truly magical.  I am 28 years old and I still get dressed up for Halloween every year, and I doubt that will ever change.  Not to mention the chocolate!


Do you use videos to promote your work? Do you think that giving people a visual helps with sales?
I do have a book trailer or video.  I think in today’s visual society it’s important to have a video to promote your work.  People are bombarded constantly with television, movies, video games, phone graphics, and bright photographic marketing ads.  In order for books to compete with all this visual stimulation, authors need to make visual representations of their work. A book trailer provides more visual representation than just a cover can because even though you should never judge a book by its cover, a picture is worth a thousand words.


Could we see a sample of your work?I nodded and kept my mouth shut. This was just another one of Cami’s fads. She had been vegan for two weeks until I told her that chocolate milkshakes are not vegan, and she promptly revoked that declaration. When we were in fourth grade she had decided she was vegetarian. She had stuck with that one for a couple of months, until Thanksgiving when her mother cooked her tofurkey, and the rest of the family ate turkey. Then she had gone through her yoga phase, and her feng shui phase, her surfing phase, and a karate phase. Each phase was eventually forgotten and left for Cami’s next big plan. This eating only locally grown phase would fall by the wayside as soon as she realized that Doritos were not locally grown.Cami turned to me and blurted, “Have you seen the new guy?”
The change in topic stopped me for a minute, but I eventually caught up. “Yeah, he’s in my science class.” 
“Lucky, I haven’t seen him yet. I heard he’s like a total bad boy who got kicked out of his last school and his parents had to move here so he could finish high school. How cool is that!” she shrieked. 
I arched an eyebrow at her and chewed the pizza that was in my mouth. “Wow, being a juvenile delinquent is awesome,” I responded sarcastically.Cami rolled her eyes at me. “Whatever, I hope he’s in my next class. I heard he has a motorcycle and a tattoo!” 
“You know he’s not locally grown, so he’s probably not healthy for you,” I joked. 
Cami was not the slightest bit deterred by my awful attempt at humor. She was practically jumping up and down in her seat, and I prayed for this guy not to be in Cami’s next class. At this rate she’d question him to death. I scanned the crowded lunchroom as she prattled on. I spotted him across the room sitting alone, reading while he ate.I pointed across the room. “Cam, that’s him over there, reading.” 
I heard her sharply suck in air between her teeth. “Don’t point! What if he sees you?”
“Chill, he’s reading. He’s not even looking this way.” As the words exited my mouth he looked up from his book and looked directly at us from across the room. I was left pointing at him awkwardly and feeling the heat climb my face. I lamely put my hand down and looked away.“Smoooooooth,” Cami teased.  


BlurbMichelle Cross is an average, seventeen year old girl growing up in a small town in New Jersey. Up until her senior year, her life has consisted of a rather unglamorous existence, until a handsome new boy finds her at school. Little by little Michelle's world is turned upside down. The new boy claims to be the Archangel Gabriel cast from heaven, her best friend falls for the Antichrist, and come to find out Michelle's mother has seen it coming all along. So instead of being consumed with prom and graduation, Michelle finds herself battling the evils of Hell in her small town. Can Michelle stop the powers of Hell in time? Can love bridge the world between heaven and earth? Michelle and Gabriel find themselves the pawns in a very dangerous game between an ancient power with a mysterious message and Satan himself.
Sometimes your Destiny finds you...

Author BiographyKatherine Polillo originally planned to grow-up and run away with the circus, but after realizing that she had a debilitating fear of heights that squashed her dreams of being a tight-rope walker, she instead pursued a career in education. She currently teaches high school history and fabricates fictional stories in her free time. She never really out grew her imaginary friend stage, and instead has created lives and stories for the creations of her imagination to live in. When she is present in reality and not off on an adventure with her imaginary friends, she lives in a small, New Jersey town with her husband and their two spoiled rotten, ungrateful cats. 
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Mel's Review of Bright Black Moon by Wayne Hixon

In Bright Black Moon Wayne Hixon returns with the second installment in his sprawling, unconventional vampire saga. A mysterious storm blows through the town of Lynchville, Ohio, trapping two teenagers on a farm. It turns out that one of them might be a monster and , if that isn't enough to deal with, the evil Ilya has returned to try and finish what she started.
One evening Rachel Stokes is yanked from her bed and dragged into a black a van by two young abductors. They refer to her as a chosen sacrifice and her mind races, wondering where they might be taking her.  She thinks she knows. There's a house located in a hollow of rural Lynchville. It's called the sad house, a place of legend. Rumors say it appears and disappears. Even worse than the house are the people who live in it. They could be vampires. The could just be ghosts with teeth. They've come after Rachel before and she narrowly escaped. And now they've come back to finish what they started in this horrifying and suspenseful novel by first time author Wayne Hixon.

Mel's Review of book 1 Fanfrickintastic! A dark, creepy, disturbing work of awesomeness!!! Let me say though this book is not for everyone, it has some very disturbing GRAPHIC scenes. If you are easily upset or offended, please don't read this. That being said I usually read paranormal romance and although in a weird way this was exactly that, it is like no romance I have ever read before. I happened to win it as a free first read so I figured I would give it a go and I am glad I did. Wayne Hixon weaves a hell of a story that had my emotions reeling for his characters and I have a feeling this book will stay at the back of my mind for quite a while. If you're looking for a great read that will keep you on your toes and make you squirm then I highly recommend Bright Black Moon.
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My thought for the day 8-23-12

My thought for the day 8/21/2012

Sometimes we all need this little reminder, I think :)Happy Tuesday!KB, xoxo

Have you guys gone on the scavenger hunt yet? If not, I d...

Have you guys gone on the scavenger hunt yet? If not, I don't know what you're waiting for! This giveaway completely awesome! I did it myself just to see how it's done and I giggled the entire time. I haven't had this much fun playing games as an adult in a long time:)Just click the link above and join us in The Paranormal War is Hell Scavenger Hunt Giveaway!!

In memory of my best friend, my mom...

Most of you know the story, but for those that don't I will share it with you. The picture below is of my mom and dad.
I know, they're cute right! My parents were the love of each others' lives, the one that we all search for... that EPIC kind of love. My mom was my best friend, she was an amazing listener, a fierce protector, and a true role model. She was a foster care mother. Her love for children wouldn't allow her to know that a child suffered anywhere, without her intervention. In 1997, my family's world was rocked to the core of its foundation... my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer. She had a double radical mastectomy, chemo and radiation treatments. We were so hopeful.But, that hope wouldn't last... In January 2000, we were rocked again with the news that the cancer had spread and was now classified as stage 4 and terminal. My hubby and I were scheduled to be married in July, but the doctor's didn't think that she would make it till then. So, we moved it up. My mother was there and as beautiful as ever. She fought so hard. We thought just maybe...However, the day after my birthday in 2001 she took her last breath. The last words my mother said to me were, "Happy Birthday Kymmy, I love you."My heart still breaks, and aches for her daily. My mother fought for an additional 14 months. She was actually there for my one year wedding anniversary. Because of my mother's fight and every other woman, man, and child that has been affected by this disease -  because this is what she would want... I PROUDLY  Dear Mom,I miss you every minute of every hour of every day. I love you so much and I promise to ALWAYS fight like a girl in your name.Love,Your KymmyMaryann Burks9/24/54-4/3/01

The Adventures of Baby Jaimie Blog Tour Stop

Tempting Blog Tours PresentsThe Adventures of Baby Jaimie: Baby Jaimie has a Crush
by: Jaimie Hope
A question I seem to get a lot is, Are there any causes that you support? If you follow me on Facebook or
Twitter you know I am a huge supporter of young people trying to achieve their dreams and of small
business owners trying to acquire grants when their business has educational value that will be beneficial to
children for generations to come. 

What you might not know is I am a big supporter Spina Bifida Associations. For two years in a row now Ihave agreed to raise funds to help a Spina Bifida Association for a Spina Bifida walk. Last year I asked for
donations, but this year I have decided to try something a little different.

From now through October, I will be donating 25% of the CafePress store's proceeds to the Spina Bifida Association of Central Florida. 

I am also offering 25% of royalties on the following titles and paperback links:
The Adventures of Baby Jaimie: Baby Jaimie Gets Stage Fright
When You Come Back to Me Again
The Adventures of Baby Jaimie: Baby Jaimie Goes to School
The Adventures of Baby Jaimie: Baby Jaimie Has A Crush
The Adventures of Baby Jaimie: Baby Jaimie Gets Stage Fright Coloring Book
The promotion also applies to print and e-book editions of the above mentioned titles purchased through
Amazon.com.
To Access my Amazon page please click  HERE



Book Blurb:From the minute she met him everyone thought Baby Jaimie's first crush wasDerek. Derek even thought so. That's why he asked her first grade teacher,Mrs. Smith if he could come visit her. The day of the visit didn't go asplanned. While Derek was introducing himself a new student, Jack, enteredthe room and stole everyone's attention. Especially Baby Jaimie's. Forthat reason Derek took an instant disliking to the new kid. Baby Jaimie isforced to choose between Derek and Jack and she doesn't know what to do.Is there a way to combine old friends with new friends? Can't they all just get along? Find out in The Adventures of Baby Jaimie: Baby Jaimie HasA Crush.



Author Bio:Jaimie Hope was born on November 3, 1976 in New York. It wasn't until high school, where she joined the newspaper staff, that she decided she wanted to be a writer. After graduation, writing was put aside for a while. Theauthor went to college and received an Associates degree in 1999. Then shemoved to Florida where she was an active volunteer in the local historicalsociety and remained active in the arts. It wasn't until 2005 that Jaimiewrote her first children's book, The Adventures of Baby Jaimie, publishedin 2006 and Who Says You Can't Go Home? in 2008. The Adventures of BabyJaimie: Baby Jaimie Goes to School in 2010. Her Autobiography, Roll With It followed by the third volume in her children's series, The Adventuresof Baby Jaimie: Baby Jaimie Gets Stage Fright, and her first ParanormalRomance, When You Come Back To Me Again were released in 2011. Finally, The Adventures of Baby Jaimie: Baby Jaimie Has a Crush was released in2012. What's next for this author? Currently, she has the fifth volume inthe Baby Jaimie series under contract and a couple novels are also in theworks. 

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