Shyla Colt's Blog, page 23
September 21, 2012
Friday Free for All: Grand Reveal!
Hello My lovelies I know my Friday Free For all is late, but that’s because I’ve been putting last minute touches on my grand reveal! :Bites finger nails: I’m nervous. Here’s my brand new Blog! I hope you all Enjoy!!
September 19, 2012
Mid week Inspiration: It Get’s Better
Mid week Inspiration: It Get’s Better
This week I’m getting a little heavy. I have a lot of close friends going through rough times and this is for them.
The funny thing about character building situations is we never see them for that they are when we’re in them. They seem like a never ending black cloud that hovers above our heads, refusing to budge as bad luck and adversity dogs are every footfall. We wonder why us? What have we done to deserve such karma? Why is everyone else having such an easy time of things? No one understands how we fell. We practically revert to that high school mentality. How dare I say this? Because I’ve been there…many times. So I can say with one-hundred percent certainty it gets better. This is but a test, a moment in time that will pass and yield a stronger you and good fortune. They say it’s always darkest before the dawn because it’s true. Just around the corner is goodness, happiness, and joy. It’ll be that much sweeter for all you’ve gone through.
I want to share a story with everyone. When I was younger I didn’t fit into the mold, it’s why I related so much to punk rock music and lifestyle. To me then and now, punk was about being who you were and standing up for what you believe in. About not conforming to what society thought you should be doing and living for what felt right. I still believe that philosophy.
I’ve always felt like an old soul. My friends will agree. I was never the prettiest or the smartest but I had a sense of self, a vision of who I wanted to be and I refused to let others take that from me. I clung on to my beliefs, values and dreams like a drowning man hanging on to a life preserver. I continued to turn the other cheek, do my best to ignore heckling and be me.
I sound a bit melodramatic right now, perhaps, but I was picked on a lot. Why? Numerous reasons, all of them idiotic. ( I say that now as an adult, but oh it was painful then) I was a book worm. I spoke with proper English and big words, yet I was black. I dressed in an alternative manner and basically didn’t give a f$*k about what others were doing. Some of you are shaking your head right now and saying what does she mean? Well I was told I wanted to be white, I was “proper”. It’s ridiculous, I don’t understand it now and I didn’t then, but it happened. Still does I’m sure. I never understood why people expended so much energy to make others feel like crap. Didn’t they have anything better to do? They were the pretty popular folk… why not just be happy with that? Because they aren’t happy with their life and people envy strength, confidence and when your different they see it as a threat. ( Again things I wish I’d known then)
In the end I left school and my home town behind. I traveled, went to college and had a dozen different adventures I cherish and friends who loved me for me. I married my best friend, had two beautiful kids and I’m living my dream. I always wanted to stay at home with my children and write. It was one thing I was certain of; here I am doing just that. There were a lot of downs on this journey. Mountains that seemed insurmountable, days so dark I couldn’t see the light. Times I lay in bed and cried myself to sleep. But I made it through and you will too. You will rise above this situation eventually. I promise you things get better and people are kinder than we think.
I wanted to make a little soundtrack for those going through things.
It Gets Better:
Florence and the Machine :Shake it Up
Rise Against: Make it Stop
Don’t Panic: Cold Play
Let Go : Frou Frou
Let it Be: The Beatles
With a little help from my Friends :The Beatles.
These are just a few. I could go on but as usual this busy momma is strapped for time. For all of you going through something I encourage you to batten down the hatches, did your heels in and know it does get better, you can make a difference and people are kinder than we think. I urge you to talk to those you trust and care about. I’m sure we all have a story about overcoming something. I’d love to hear all about them.
September 15, 2012
Contest Winner
Congrats to June who’s the winner of the Author Appreciation contest! Shoot m eyour info @sassy3134@gmail.com and I’ll get it sent out to you.
Shy
September 14, 2012
Friday Free For All: Book Spotlights
Today I’m going to do something a bit different for Friday Free For All. I have two fabulous author friends who released books today and I wanted to shine some spot light on them. They have no idea I’m doing this. They’re both wonderful women, and authors. So I won’t to pay it forward. Also I’ll be announcing the winner of the Fan Appreciation Contest tomorrow 
It’s Friday and you’re looking for something good to read… look no further.
Worth the Price by Delilah Hunt
Blurb
While spending an entire summer listening to her father curse the name Brandon Sharpe, Danika finds herself intrigued by the newcomer to Hart’s Fall…until she encounters the scarred and burly Irish rancher face to face. Her girlish fantasies are shattered and transformed to tantalizing curiosity. When her father’s business falls on hard times, Danika recklessly turns to Brandon for help, never anticipating the price for loving a man like Brandon.
No stranger to glares and whispers, Brandon knows his pickings are slim when it comes to women. As owner of the Bar S ranch, Brandon values his privacy and solitude. Yet, when faced suddenly with the possibility of claiming the daughter of his enemy for his own, Brandon seizes the chance and bargains with Danika Prescott—become his wife in exchange for the money she desperately needs.
But after a string of cattle thefts on his ranch and mounting suspicion of those involved, will Brandon be left to wonder if being with Danika was the worst mistake or the biggest reward of his life?
You can find out more about Delilah here
http://delilahhunt.wordpress.com/
Demon Mine by Nikki Prince
Samael is a fallen angel doomed to repeat his life, and experience his love for Liliana Jackson, over and over again. That is until she finally remembers who she is and the reason for the curse that has befallen them both. Are they doomed to keep repeating the past? Or will there be a new future for the reincarnated lovers?
http://www.evernightpublishing.com/de...
You can find out more about Nikki here.
http://nikkiprince.blogspot.com/2012/08/coming-in-october-cauldron-of-tales.html?zx=d6847b8797e50b40
September 12, 2012
Mid Week inspiration: You.. Yes you are an Inspiration
Hey Guys, I’m pulling into the blog late today because the Mr. is off for training and it’s me and the kiddos… you can imagine the crazy that comes with a toddler and a three month old lol. I had something amazing happen to me last night that I wanted to share.
When I was nineteen I worked for a year to get money for college. I had a job as a waitress at a Ruby Tuesdays and I met a wonderful woman named Natasha. She was about four years older than me, brilliant, full of life, funny, talented, educated… the list goes on. ( If the word had existed then I’d say I had a girl crush). I really looked up to her. She showed me all the possibilities that were out there. When you’re 18/19 you’re on the cusp of being an adult and sort of in a bubble. You’ve only been around your family … most of us, and you’re not really sure what you want to do. I was always sort of different in high school. I knew what I wanted, what I liked, and I dressed and acted accordingly, trends be damned. Now that’s the “in” thing to do, but back then it was going against the grain. Meeting Natasha made me feel like there were others out there like me and that it was okay to be who I was I’ll always be forever grateful for that.
Tasha even took me to New York for my first time. We saw the Backstreet Boys in concert, ( Yeah I aint ashamed, I still rock out to them ) visited her friend who worked for Liz Claiborne, and saw my first broad way play, Kiss me Kate. ( it was excellent by the way). My mind was blown. I come from the Midwest, seeing woman with high powered jobs, following their dreams and traveling isn’t necessarily the norm. Yet these women did just that. It gave me hope and lit a fire. In my family I was one of the first to go to college.
Over the years Tasha and I moved around, went to school, got married. We lost touch for a bit, but God always brought us back together. You think I’m exaggerating, but about six years ago I was staying in Virgina during my stint as a flight attendant. I was walking to the bathroom, and guess who was walking in. Yeap , Tasha! Squeals and hugging ensued, and we reconnected. What are the odds of that? The other night she asked me if I remembered that trip to New York, and said she knew then that I would become someone amazing. :Blushes: I cannot tell you what that meant to me. I don’t think she even knows how much she and especially that trip affected me.
It got me to thinking. We do things every day, never realizing how our decisions, actions and word have affected others. When you’re feeling down because you’re not where you want to be, your life is at a stagnant point, or you wonder if you’ve made a difference remember this. Sometime, somewhere, somehow , you’ve inspired someone and been a positive influence in their life. It’s my belief that when I leave this earth the only thing I leave behind that will remain is (other than my kiddos) the change I’ve brought about, the words I’ve written and the positivity I’ve spread.
Do you have someone special in your life? I’d love to hear your stories.
September 7, 2012
Friday Free For All : Reader Appreciation contest!
Friday Free For All:
Late post today ladies and gents is been bananas over here at my house this week. Plenty of appointments ripping and runnning, which of course left me with a pile of laundry that threatened to eat me every time I walked by it, lol. I’m all caught up now, and ready to chat with my lovelies.
Fan appreciation giveaway!!!! Today I’m springing a surprise on you! You all have amazed me with your support! My book, What the Heart Knows continues to be on the featured books at ARE since it’s release. I am humbled, overjoyed and bursting to the brim with excitement about this. Answer the following question to be entered to win.
What’s your favorite kind of romance, and why? Mine is paranormal hands down. Why? Because its’ the genre I really feel in love with, and the one that inspired me to write my own. As I write I like that there are no rules, which in my book is always a plus, and a way to drum up some creative juices. I like the fact that I can make up whatever I want, put a new spin on a classic, and the only limitations are my own mind.
As a reader I love the beautiful worlds writers come up with, the fantastic detail and unique characters. No two vampires, or witches, or… well you get the picture, are exactly the same. I like funny paranormal, dramatic, romantic, even historical. The things that go bump in the night have always fascinated me. It’s a part of why I lurve horror movies so much.
I look forward to hearing what you like and giving away a goodie bag! 
September 5, 2012
Mid week Inspiration- Giving writer’s block the Boot
Mid Week Inspirations- Give Writer’s Block the boot
Hey all I have to start of by saying I’m visiting my good friend and fellow author today Lorraine Nelson talking about my up coming release, Cursed. This is the second stop on my Blog Tour, and there’s a chance to win a wonderful gift basket. http://lorrainenelson.wordpress.com/
And now on to the post : Winks:
I know this is a mid-week inspiration, and the title may have you saying. Hmm how does this fit in with the theme? Well the exact opposite of writer’s block is being inspired, right? Mhmmm :Nods: head. Now you’ve come over to the dark side aka my way of thinking : Muhahaha: Seriously though this is one of those questions I’m asked frequently, and as a writer I am always looking for new tips to keep the muse chatty, so I’m sharing what I’ve learned on my writing journey.
Don’t think for one minute professional writers are immune from writer’s block. I think we all hit the wall and have the moment where our muse decides he/she/them are going to take a vacation for an undetermined amount of time, and bully on us if we’re stuck out in the cold. At least that’s how my muse works. Francesca, yes she has a name, is a sassy gal who does what she wants when she wants, and often plots with my characters to overthrow me, my outline and anything else she can get her hands on. :Winks: Not that I don’t love her to pieces. Without her I’d be lost. When she goes silent and nothing seems to spark me here’s what I do.
First I take a break. Step away from writing, and do the other things I love like, reading, crafting, spending time with the family, watching my favorite shows/movies, and listening to music. If that fails I know it’s an internal thing not burn out or stress related. So I go for a long drive. For me there’s something magical about the open road, good music and having no time frames to follow. I pack up the kids, hit the highway, rock out and usually a spark ignites. If that doesn’t work I talk it out, Brainstorming is still just as amazing as it was back in high school. Get with a trusted friend and hash things out. Bounce ideas of one another , you’d be surprised what might turn up.
One of the major keys to overcoming writers block is to write. Say whaat? I know sounds crazy, but bear with me. You may think you have nothing to say, or that whatever you’re writing down is crap, but it’s something. Words can be edited, drafts rewritten. But if you have nothing that’s what you have to work with… zip, zero, zilch. You see where I’m coming from? One of the best tips I’ve picked up is to remember it’s what you’re working on is your first draft. Things don’t have to be perfect. Just get the words down and come back and revamp it later.
Last but not least, get out. As writers we can find ourselves chained to the desk, so to speak. The world out there is beautiful, alive and full of inspiration just waiting for you. Look around at your surroundings.
I hope some of these tips may have helped you. I’d love to hear any you may have. How do you give Writer’s block the shake?
September 4, 2012
Guest Author Misty Burke talks about her latest release The Midnight Cup
Hi everyone! My name is Misty Burke and I’m so happy to be visiting with you today. In fact, I’d love to take a minute and tell you a little more about my newest release – The Midnight Cup.
Here is a short blurb to whet the appetite:
The Midnight Cup is a story that follows the romance between a white witch and her man … turned slayer … turned vampire … turned soul mate.
Marcus McKinney is a trained member of the Society and a vampire slayer. With an ancient hieroglyphic tattoo to ward off his own personal demons, he travels to a small college town in the Midwest. It is here that he finds The Midnight Cup. A quaint coffee house with a backroom filled with vampires.
The owner of this little establishment is Serenity Baker and she’s a Natural. With her long blonde hair and sparkling blue eyes, she’s a beautiful white witch that offers light magic with a simple touch. It is this power that draws the coven of vampires to her small coffee shop which in turn brings Marcus into her life.
The Midnight Cup tells their story amidst a brewing war. With a circle of witches, a coven of vampires, and a league of Society members, who knows what could happen next.
Here is a small excerpt to get a taste for the story itself:
Standing in the moonlight, he watched the neon sign blink in the window of the coffee house across the street. College kids came and went around him. Yet none seemed to notice his presence. The stranger had spent years learning to blend into the shadows.
The night hours slowly passed. It wasn’t until he could feel the coming dawn that he strode across the street and walked inside. Only a few students were left as he took a seat at a corner table. He was keenly aware that the backroom was now empty and this fact pleased the woman behind the counter.
Oddly though, she hadn’t stopped staring at him since he entered. The delicate beauty could somehow see through his shades of practiced darkness and it unnerved him. The tattoo that circled his left bicep felt like it tightened.
They locked eyes as she approached. “What are you?” She leaned in and pretended to wipe down his table.
“I was just wondering the same thing about you.” She reminded him of a skittish foal. He reached out to touch her hand and she jerked back.
“Is that why you’re here?” Looking hurt, then angry, she motioned to the door. “Get out.”
“You’ve got this all wrong.” The stranger shook his head in confusion and then pointed toward the red curtain. “I’m here to help you with your little…problem.”
She froze and gave him a long, hard look. “I’ll ask you again. What are you?”
He pulled a large wooden stake out of his trench coat and laid it on the table. “I’m a slayer.”
She sat down at his table and spoke with soft, hesitant words. “Are you part of the Society?”
The question hung in the air as he watched tiny sparkles of gold dance in her light blue eyes. Unknowingly, he reached for her again. The jolt of electricity that followed caused him to take in a quick breath of air. The surge was sudden and left warmth. Staring down at their point of contact, his large hand covering hers, he smiled in awe. “I’m Marcus McKinney. And yes, I’m with the Society.”
“Then you know I’m a natural,” she paused only a moment, “don’t you?”
The glowing warmth evaporated as quickly as it had arrived. In one fluid motion, he disconnected from her and picked up the stake. Damn it, Josh. This was not in your report. He hid the weapon back in the folds of his trench coat and questioned his next move. There wasn’t supposed to be any other paranormal element. The Society might care, but his fight was only with the vampires. This white witch was not his problem.
The woman across from him looked so innocent. “Whatever it is that causes your heart to darken…”
The slayer pushed back his chair and stood. “Let’s get this straight. I’ve no interest in your natural magic or your pity. My assignment is only the coven of vampires you harbor. Don’t get in my way.”
****
Serenity didn’t have to watch him leave. She could feel it. This slayer, with his curly brown hair and eyes the color of dark chocolate, had an aura she hadn’t experienced before. It was more complex and torn than the simplicity of a human. Yet it didn’t have the vast emptiness of the vampire either. His soul was different, unique, hidden in shadow. Marcus McKinney was circled with a deep fog. There were layers to this man she just couldn’t see and that intrigued her.
In fact, she couldn’t think of much else as she closed up the coffee shop. Even after saying goodbye to her staff and locking the doors, she couldn’t get him out of her mind. It was clear to her that his fight with Ivan’s clan was personal. For he might be shaped like a slayer, with years of physical training, but there was more to him than that. Marcus wasn’t just another Society drone. He couldn’t be.
You can find more information on The Midnight Cup, and my other stories, at http://mistyburke.com
September 1, 2012
Saturday Hoping
Hey Lovelies
I hope everyone’s having a fantastic weekend. Just a reminder that my blog tour kicks off today over at the fabulous Nikki Prince’s page
http://nikkiprince.blogspot.com/2012/09/guest-blogger-shyla-colt-with-newest.html
Also be sure you swing by Lucious Literaries which opens it’s door today. Yay! :throws confetti:
http://lusciousliteraries.wordpress.com/
August 31, 2012
Friday Free For All : Updates & Giveaways
Hello My lovelies,
I have so much to share with you all! Next month I’ll be achieving a huge goal I set for myself, self-publishing! That’s right, I’ll be presenting you wonderful readers with a Paranormal Romantic Comedy called , Cursed. Don’t let the Romcom label fool you. There’s plenty of steam to go around. I have some racy scenes I’m looking forward to hearing some feedback about. :winks: I explore the lighter side of witches in this town set in small town that centers around a cursed family, and the witches who cast the original spell.
This is my first book in the Edgeworth Men series, and I’ll be doing a giveaway along with a blog tour. I’ll be listing the tour dates below at the end of this post.
I’m also entering into another new venture, Co –Blogging that i’ll talk about later in this post.
Baxter Blog Tour & Giveaway :
Come and join me for a tour of Baxter, Mississippi. A small southern town where everyone knows each other’s business and a curse abounds. Once a week we’ll learn a bit about Baxter, and experience the delicious , mysterious and charming things the city where my upcoming release, Cursed it set. Be sure to stop by, because there will be a winner every week. 
Sept 1st : Nikki Prince http://www.nikkiprince.blogspot.com/?...
Sept. 5th Lorraine Nelson http://lorrainenelson.wordpress.com/
Sept 10th Dahlia DeWinters http://dahliadewinters.com/
Sept 16th W Lynn Chantale http://wlynnchantale-decadentdecision...
Sept 28th London St. James http://londonsj.blogspot.com/?zx=bee481b3c2161970
Launch of Luscious Literaries
My first Co-Blogging website.
I will be joining seven other fabulous woman in this venture
W Lynn Chantale
Kassanna
Dahlia DeWinters
Nikki Prince
Chacellyn Pierce
Lorraine Nelson
Angelina Rain.
We’ll be given away some goodies for bloggers who comment at the end of the month so be sure to stop by and comment to be entered.
We open our doors September 1st
http://lusciousliteraries.wordpress.com/
