Samantha March's Blog, page 8
July 31, 2014
I Am Who I Am
I’ve been meaning to write this post a lot sooner, but to be honest, after last week it was almost draining to think about writing the follow up piece. I didn’t realize the emotional toll it was going to take on me to share a piece of my past, but I also feel extremely grateful that I did. I never expected all the comments and emails that I received, and all the good words people had to say. It was really quite amazing, and I even got to hear some of your stories, which was incredibly touching. Thank you all.
So in last week’s Who Am I post, I talked about my father situation and about possibly searching for my biological father, who was an anonymous sperm donor. I want to take a minute and tell you the story about when my mom told me, because I think it’s pretty crazy – crazy awesome. I had just turned twenty-three and Mom was visiting Iowa, when she explained that my biological father was an anonymous sperm donor and not the man who had fathered my sister and the man I thought was my dad. We never had a relationship, so it didn’t affect me like it might someone who was a “Daddy’s Girl,” but of course, it had an effect on me. It made me question a lot of things, but the biggest question was who was he? I was born in 1987 so this would have been 1986 that my mom went through the procedure, and they didn’t quite do things like they do now. My mom knew a few basic things about who she had chosen – ethnicity, age – but not a whole lot more. She did also know his occupation – book editor. Every time I say that it stops me in my tracks. I just find it so totally out there and incredibly cool that my biological father is (was? Still is?) in the same industry that I am today. How awesome is that?
Some people question why I want to find my biological father. I will say that I don’t need to meet the man or even know his name. Though I might not have a father figure, I’m not looking for one, especially an anonymous sperm donor. I would really like medical records, maybe know a little background. I’m German on my mother’s side of the family – what about his? Little things that a lot of people are able to know and take for granted I don’t have. It’s also a little scary to think about having kids when you have a whole unknown side lurking out there. Will I not have kids if I can’t ever find these answers? No. It would just be nice to know, that is all. If you were able to find something out about yourself, wouldn’t you want to? Maybe, maybe not. But I do.
Here’s where things get tricky – I live in Iowa. I was born in California. The clinic is in California. It’s not a place I can just waltz in to and have a consultation and explain my case. I also don’t know the legalities of this. Am I even able to request records? Do I need a lawyer? Ellen? (Just kidding – though I do love her.) The doctor is even still in practice she saw, and I found his contact information online. You might be asking why don’t I just call them up and ask them. Well, I did that. I called twice and each time was put on hold for over ten minutes. This was right after I found out the news and I was so nervous and confused that I thought it might be a sign to just give up. About a year later, I decided to try again. This time I wrote a letter explaining my situation and giving our names and asking for any sort of help or advice I could get. I never received a response, so that prompted me to give up again. Clearly, there was some sign out there that I should just drop it.
So why now am I trying again? I’m recently married and as kids get talked about more between me and my husband, it makes me want to be as informed as I can. I’ve also now got a large network thanks to everyone online who follows me eight million different accounts, so I thought maybe if I put it out there someone would know something on where I start or how to find this information. If not, that’s fine too. I won’t say I’m going to completely give up, because in a few years it might bug me again and I might do something more to try again. Maybe I won’t. Who knows? But here is what I do know. The doctor’s name is Dean Levitan, and the city is Visalia. When I looked him up today the clinic where he is at is: Visalia Women’s Specialty Med. And that’s all I got. But if anyone has any information on how to start a search or has a story of their own to tell, I would be more than happy to hear from you. Thank you for all the kind words and comments. Sharing this story isn’t easy, but hey, maybe someone else in my same shoes will learn something from this as well. And if I do find anything out, I’m happy to share it of course. Maybe it’s you, a friend, or a loved one that was conceived this way and is looking for answers. Maybe they just want the knowledge of knowing they know how to find the answers, even if they don’t want them yet.
But I’ll end this post on a happy note. The question last week was who am I – well, I’m Samantha. A daughter to a woman who wanted me so badly she went to great lengths to get me. A sister, an aunt, a cousin. A wife to a wonderful man. A friend to many. An author, editor, reader, entrepreneur. A puppy mom. I’m just me. That won’t change even if I do know the rest of my genetic makeup. I am who I am. A girl trying to live life fully.
July 25, 2014
CLP Blog Tours Interview and Excerpt: Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda by Tara Lee Reed
**Interview*
When did you know writing was for you?
It was sort of a fluke that I wrote a novel at all. It wasn’t so much that I wanted to be an author as I had a concept I was really excited about, which just happened to involve writing a book.
Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda is…complex. It combines choosable path novels like the ones you might have read as a kid with dating advice books and culture. Based on research from dozens of books and articles written by experts and individuals, the story arcs are comprised of hundreds of choices, each one a modern courtship conundrum. Assuming the role of protagonist, Elle Masters, you direct the love story between you and your new prospect, Nick Wright.
I was so caught up in the design mechanics that I never really thought of it as writing a book. And it took a long time to call myself a writer. Even after I’d finished the 529 page manuscript, I still didn’t feel like one. And while it sounds pompous, it was only after I received multiple publishing offers from top houses that I realized people would even take me seriously.
I enjoyed writing, feeling more confident with each stage, but it wasn’t until I sat down with the final paperback–professionally produced from top to bottom and inside out–that I realized, not only was I writer, but I wanted to be one.
Why was an interactive book one that you wanted to write?
Because I’m a sadist.
Had my idea been for a linear story, it’s unlikely I would have written it. I’d initially pictured it as a more of story book. “See Jane Date.” My brother convinced me to do a novel, which was the right call. It was harder, most definitely, but it made so much more possible in terms of depth and scope.
I hope to do an enhanced ebook soon, making it even more interactive, adding deleted scenes, sidequests and Easter egg content. Interactive books are catching up to film and television in terms of extra content. In fact, Century 21 Fox recently purchased an original Choose Your Own Adventure novel from the ‘80s for development. My guess would be for an Amazon Prime original series given the neat tie-in to selling the books.
How did the plotting work for you? All I imagine is post-it notes and index cards everywhere with all the different options readers can choose!
I think my hair has finally grown back – grayer.
As mentioned above, I researched a nutty number of resources, so I had notebook after notebook of Do’s and Don’ts, common dilemmas, and suggested solutions. I took the strongest candidates and wrote them on index cards, which I arranged as best I could in a “dating chronology” order. The rest was like a puzzle.
On any available surface, I slid and swapped around cards until I’d found a delicate balance of conflict, angst and butterflies that would be relatable to a wide group of women. The story was plotted before I’d even thought of characters. I just made it up as I went, letting the rigid structure and the end goal for each scene guide the story. It’s totally Jenga, so watching each stream for consistency in overlapping plot details is critical. If you figure out too late that concurrent storylines don’t jive, you may have to gut an entire stream, totally toppling the blocks.
What is the hardest part of the writing process for you?
I don’t know when to stop. I’ve never really thought of myself a perfectionist, but maybe I am. Or, far more likely, I’m just insecure and afraid I’ll be giving my editor something awful. I definitely got stuck in this cycle on Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda. I couldn’t figure out why everything was taking so long until I went over my process with my editor who all but smacked me upside the head, reminding me I was paying her for a reason. Things went a lot smoother (and quicker) after that. You’ll always want to tweak something – even years after you write it, I’m sure – but I’m trying to stick to the rule that if it doesn’t correct a mistake or clear up confusion, you just have to live with it and move on to the next book.
What are your favorite genres to read?
I like a little bit of everything and tend to binge on a genre obsessively for a couple of months before moving on to the next. I’m a sucker for a love story – no matter the genre. Memoirs and biographies take up a big chunk of my reading time. I love true stories as they’re always richer than fiction. I’m a big fan of Rob Lowe’s Stories I Only Tell My Friends, and recently finished Patience Bloom’s Romance is My Day Job, which instantly became a favourite.
What do you want readers to take away from your story?
It’s important to me that readers don’t see Coulda, Woulda, Shoulda as a “dating book.” Or an advice book. Or me as a dating expert. Yes, it’s about dating, but it’s not an instructional guide, it’s not telling you to get married (or standing in your way if that’s what you want), and there are no right or wrong answers. It’s just an adventurous, off-kilter, romantic romp.
And I think advice books are a great, anonymous way to get insight into matters of the heart, but I also think we’re too unique as individuals for any particular philosophy to be The One. It’s our personal experience that affects our choices and actions, as well as how we react to others’ actions. We also need to keep in mind that the same goes for the guys we date. So get all that advice, check in with you, and then pull a little from here and a little from there until you’ve got a method that works for you. It should be fun, not frustrating. Or at least frustrating in a fun way.
How important do you think social media is for authors these days?
That’s a tough question. I think it’s incredibly important for all authors, especially independent publishers, but from my professional experience in public relations, I don’t think most go about it the right way. I see too much blatant self promotion and too little engagement with readers. It’s wonderful and imperative to connect with other authors, but it’s only when we engage with prospective readers and make genuine connections based on things that have absolutely nothing to do with our original work, that we’re using it effectively.
I created an interactive social Eco-system with character-curated Pinterest boards, along with character-inspired playlists and an Unofficial “Official” Soundtrack on Spotify. There are also a series of original ecards with quips from the book (and matching cross-stitch patterns), as well as grown up versions of your favourite grade school games, like Fortune Tellers. I love it as it gives me opportunities to interact with readers while doing something I would do anyway. It’s also incredible for character development, and a large part of the reason I decided to move forward with a full series using the same cast of characters, but giving each one her own feature title with a different theme.
What would be your advice to aspiring writers?
Just get over yourself and do it! (And I mean that with love.) It gets easier with every page. If you’re not ready to develop a plot or characters of your own, try fanfiction for a TV show you love. You probably already know the characters and environments really well and (if you’re like me you) spend a lot your waking hours predicting plot or saying you would have done it differently. It’s a perfect outlet for that. (It’s also a great way to practice writing love scenes. Just sayin’.)
**Excerpt**
SECTION 53
From section 77
The week after you met Nick, you were all the clichés wrapped into one. You were walking on air, then on sunshine, all the way up to Cloud 9.
When a week passed and you hadn’t heard from him, you had the blues, were down in the dumps, and looked like you’d just lost your best friend.
By week three you were seeing red, mad as a hatter, and fit to be tied over the fact adults still take a person’s number with no intention of calling them.
Friday rolled around and you jumped at Rachel and Val’s invite to Mix after work, ready to pick yourself up and dust yourself off. You had no intention of meeting someone new, but Rachel still shoved a couple of condoms (one regular, one large) in your purse, insisting that if you do decide to get back on the horse, you won’t be going bareback.
And now here you are.
“How about him?” asks Rachel, nodding toward a spiky-haired guy across the bar. He’s cute – light brown hair, tall, dressed in black. The studded leather bracelet on his wrist isn’t really your thing.
“Nah,” you tell her and sip your drink. “Not my type.”
“Not for you, selfish – for me.”
“Oh. In that case, absolutely.”
She’s considering making her move – of standing there and waiting for him to come to her – when you spot Valerie on her way back from the ladies room. You know something’s off from her hurried pace and wide eyes.
“What’s eating you?” Rachel asks when she reaches you.
Val speaks quickly. “Nothing. Just bored. Hate the music. Should we go somewhere else? Let’s go somewhere else. Cab’s on me.”
“I was about to set a trap,” says Rachel. “Can you keep your panties on long enough for me to figure out if I want to take mine off?”
Val adjusts her glasses and steals a sidelong glance to her left. “We’ll get stuck in a line. Now’s a perfect time to go.”
“You’re extra weird right now,” you say. Rachel curses under her breath and you notice her eyes locked in the same direction Valerie keeps looking. You turn your head and curse, too – but not under your breath.
Nick. Right there in living color. And he’s walking toward you. You’re torn between meeting him halfway and cursing him a blue streak or getting the hell out of Dodge, but you can’t move. Before you know it, he’s in front of you. Looking sheepish. And gorgeous. Mostly gorgeous.
“Ladies,” he says with a half-smile, looking only at you. He rubs a hand over the back of his neck.
“Hey, jerk,” says Rachel, earning an elbow from Valerie.
Nick winces, but doesn’t waver. “Can I talk to you in private for a minute?” he asks you, clearly uncomfortable. Good. “Please. Just for a minute.”
“Here’s an idea,” says Valerie, always one for the benefit of the doubt. “I’m going to buy Rachel a strong drink and you two can chat.”
And then they’re gone. You don’t know if you want to kiss Valerie or kill her.
“Hey,” he says softly, resting a hand on your arm.
You exhale. “Hey.”
“I’m so glad you’re here.”
“And here I was worried you were using the ‘wait three weeks to call’ rule.”
He drops his hand to his side. “I went to call you the next day, but your number was incomplete.”
You roll your eyes. You entered your number in his phone yourself. He pulls it from the inside pocket of his suit jacket, hits a few buttons and holds it up to you. There’s your name and most of your number – it’s missing the sixth digit. You feel a flutter of hope, but there’s also a voice telling you to tread carefully.
“You could have just deleted a digit.”
He shakes his head. “I didn’t. I swear. I called eighteen people hoping the missing number was either the first or last one.”
You study his face hoping for a clue: a twitch, lack of eye contact – something. But this is the same confident guy you met a few weeks ago. He could be telling the truth, but how would you know? This could be a routine he and his buddies use on girls all the time.
“Look, you hardly know me, and you’ve got no reason to believe me, but I’ve been here every week hoping you’d show up.” He’s got the eye contact thing down, you’ll give him that. “We had a good time, right? I really want to see you again. Please?”
You’re torn.
You don’t know if you want to kiss him or kill him.
If you want to give him the benefit of the doubt, turn to section 314.
If you doubt he’s telling the truth, turn to section 259.
Author Bio:
Tara Lee Reed is the accidental writer from Toronto, Canada, not that chick from Sharknado. When her career in public relations was forced into hiatus by a jerky plot twist, she wrote the first in a series of interactive novels. When she received offers of single and multi-book deals from top houses, she turned them down to publish independently. Because she’s crazy.
She was voted Most Sarcastic Female at her high school prom, which she went to alone. (Not that she thinks about it.) She can fit her whole fist in her mouth (which makes the prom thing surprising), and she can sing with her mouth closed, but she can’t do both at the same time.
Her tweets on The Bachelor have been aired in a live broadcast and picked up by national media. She once appeared on the cover of a romance novel with her longtime partner, who has done 79 more – with other women. She thinks that’s qualification enough to write this book.
Connect with Tara!
Website www.doorflower.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DoorflowerCo
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CouldaWouldaShouldaBook
Google + https://plus.google.com/u/0/?tab=mX
Pinterest http://www.pinterest.com/DoorflowerCo/
Instagram: http://instagram.com/doorflowerco
Buy the Book!
July 22, 2014
Who Am I?
In the spirit of talking about more serious subjects, today I’m going to touch on why I thought to take myself down this path. The reason is I’m actually looking for help – from the virtual world. But before I can ask any favors, let me give you the back story…
When I was only months old, my mom and dad divorced. While my sister would often have visitation with our father, I rarely did. She lived with him at times, I never did. He would call and talk to her, give birthday gifts and Christmas presents…to her. Growing up, it was confusing. Why didn’t our dad like me? Why did he choose her over me? Around middle school age, I started to tell people I simply didn’t have a father. He never acted like one, 
was rarely if at all in my life, so I just didn’t have one. It was easier to make myself believe that than to question why, but it still constantly plagued me. What had I done so wrong to this man to make him shun a daughter out of his life? Maybe if it was just me it wouldn’t have been so bad, but knowing he still chose to keep in contact with my sister was the unsettling part. Why didn’t he love me?
When I was twenty-three, my mom was visiting Iowa to help celebrate my birthday. Over dinner one night, she gave me the explanation I had been searching for throughout the years: The man who I thought was my father was not my biological father. My mom used an anonymous sperm donor in order to conceive me, as he was unable to produce any more children after my sister (we are eight years apart). Now, does it make it right that he basically abandoned me after their divorce? No. Sure I wasn’t his biological daughter, but he was in the delivery room when I was born, his name is on my birth certificate, he held me when I was a newborn. You see so many stories nowadays about sperm donors and surrogates and regular ole adoption in general, and those parents say they are 100% Mom and Dad. Just because they might not share the same genes doesn’t make them any less of a parent. So even though I finally had a reason to why he dropped me and not my sister – his biological daughter – really didn’t make me feel any better. And to have to question myself and my worth for so many years – especially as a young girl – was hard on me. I’m getting emotional just writing this post and having to relive those feelings and fears.
That was four years ago that I learned the truth about where I’ve come from, but the explanation only opened more questions for me: who is my biological dad? Can I ever find him? Do I have siblings out there? How can I find my health history? Who am I?
Part 2 coming next week….
July 15, 2014
CLP Blog Tours Interview and Excerpt: Aqua Alaskan Nights by Amanda S Jones
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**Interview**
When did you know writing was for you?
-I’ve always loved writing and but it was when stories entered my head and wouldn’t leave me, that I knew I needed to do something! Scenarios and characters kept returning and asking for attention! And then there were all the captivating places I’d travelled to, filled with romance and adventure. And the food! They were stories that needed to be told, places that needed to be shared, food that needed to be tasted. When these loose strands and all the things I loved (travel and food) started coming together into a solid story, I knew I had found that zone for writing.
Why the Aqua series?
-I love the idea of a series where we get to know characters intimately over a number of books. I thought it would be fascinating to follow characters as they explore their own lives and the Mediterranean via travel. The Aqua series is the ongoing story of the cruise ship Aqua, where crew members such as Chef Amber and Captain Hallmann appear frequently, and other favourite passengers make cameo appearances. With each book in the series, the familiar characters and their stories grow and weave together more and more. Each story in the series stands on its own, but the more you read along the entire series, the more you get to know and understand the cruise ship, its passengers and regular crew members.
This format is partly because I fell in love with some of my characters and didn’t want to see them go, so in having the staff return in each series, I can continue to share their ongoing story. That’s where the cruise ship setting works so well as the staff are on the boat, even as it travels to new destinations. In this latest book, I’ve even had two of the favourite characters from my first book, Venetian Nights, return for a cameo appearance. And you’ll meet the characters from this fourth book in the series, Hayley and Trevor, in all upcoming books for the Alaskan and Caribbean series as well.
The destinations also play a key component in the series – the destination, and the cruise ship itself, is like a character in my mind. The first book in the series was inspired by a romantic trip to Venice but I LOVE the entire Mediterranean so returned to that destination in my second book! And there are so many romantic destinations coming up that the cruise ship will be travelling to. And the food, oh God the food! I wanted to create a series that covered my love of travel and love of food. I’m fascinated by the power food holds over all of our senses. I want readers to be hungry for love and for food, and to realize how the two go so well together, after reading the book.
I love your cover! Can you tell us who created it and how much input you had?
-The cover was created by the publisher and they involved my input at every step of the way. The turquoise, for example, is my favourite colour! And I really wanted to have an image that represented the setting for the story – Alaska. When we found an image that also had a cruise ship, I knew it was the one! I love the soft colours and the wide sweeping view of the scenery. It was fun to see the various renditions of the cover and to be involved in the whole process. To me, the cover is the final touch for the book – the gift wrapping so to say, and when I see that, the book is complete.
What is the hardest part of the writing process for you?
-Rewrites! The characters speak to me and then I like to run with the story but it’s getting down to the details, checking for consistency (especially between a series). I keep detailed notes on each character, especially the cruise ship staff.
What are your favorite genres to read?
-I love to read romance but also fantasy – it’s a great escape. At the same time, I love memoirs, mysteries and historical fiction. I just love reading in general 
What do you want readers to take away from your story?
-Hold onto your own self worth no matter what your situation. I find there’s a general theme starting to emerge. The first book in my series was important to me because it reflected a woman’s life as she faced the looming question of a mastectomy. With the rising rates of breast cancer and the serious implications women (and their supporting loved ones) face, I wanted to show women that they still are beautiful and can find love despite what is waiting for them. Each book has a different scenario. In Alaskan Nights, Hayley has just lost her job, and while struggling to make ends meet, she allows her career status to define her. She finds inspiration in a successful photographer, Trevor Tott, but their professional aspirations clash when she experiences his questionable ethics along with unwanted advances from her overbearing boss. With the help of the ship’s crew, stunning Alaskan backdrops and a leap of faith, she touches upon her own self worth, and, finds business can be mixed with pleasure 
How important do you think social media is for authors these days?
-It’s very important. I’ve made great friends along the way, and that’s where I actually found out about these blog tours! And each social media platform is important so I’m on Pinterest, Facebook, Twitter and Google Plus. I really enjoy Pinterest because it’s so visual – I guess it appeals to my creative side. The difficulty is that it takes a great deal of time to be on various social media platforms, and all of that takes away from writing time. When I’m writing I turn everything off. And if I’m tight on a deadline, I go quiet for a while
What would be your advice to aspiring writers?
-Believe in the story you want to write and listen to your inner voice. Don’t be influenced by what’s hot in the market – your story will be discovered by the right people when the time is right. All it takes is one person and the momentum grows. When the writing gets tough, stick with it, because there’s a gem waiting for you around the corner. If writing were easy, then it wouldn’t be as rewarding.
[image error]**Excerpt**
HAYLEY CAUGHT her hat as a strong breeze blew onto the deck. She shoved the brim in her pocket, pulled her red curls into a ponytail and kept her eye on the camera screen as an iceberg floated down the glacier-carved fjord. The sun bounced off the blue glass as it bobbed in the sea, the summer light shimmering as if the water was a celestial globe. She pressed the shutter release but by the time the camera processed the picture and took the photo, the image was blurry. Why did she ever think of doing this?
Minutes earlier the glacier had released the clear blue ice with a sound louder than a cannon blast. She had watched in awe as it calved and cascaded into the thin arm of the bay, pushing water onto the glacial plateau, rocking the smaller ice pieces around it. An iceberg had been born before her eyes.
Hayley looked toward the maze of islands and coves that stretched along the Inside Passage. These were the moments she lived for – the raw beauty of the wilderness stirred a longing deep inside of her each time she stood in its midst. To her, nature was a kindred spirit and since she was a teen, she’d lived to protect it, from picketing at zoos to chaining herself to trees to protest against clear-cuts. That passion had led her to investigative reporting and she had covered the environment beat ever since.
She turned back to her camera. She had been in such awe of the moment, that she missed taking a photo and now struggled to capture the iceberg in some fashion. Words were her ability, to describe a moment rather than take a static image, but her prose wasn’t valued anymore. In the last round of cuts at the newspaper, her job landed on the chopping block. They no longer needed an environmental reporter – the stories from the wire were good enough.
To her dismay, the only job she could land was in public relations – she had crossed to the other side. And of all things, she was assigned a cruise ship company. Not only had she left her meaningful beat behind, she was now covering luxury travel, far from the world she had vowed to protect. Hayley spent years journeying to destinations, uncovering a story, or highlighting an area with natural heritage features, but in her new PR position she had an endless laundry list of tasks: photograph daily scenic shots, attend the workshops, interview the crew, plan the media trip with the photo workshop leader.
While her client was dining with the captain, she was running all over the ship to deliver the requested photos on time. And worse was, she didn’t have a creative eye. Some people could write music, others could dance to any beat, and photographers could capture a moment in one single image. She never could and always relied on publicity photos for her articles.
Yet she needed the job. She had a mortgage, car payments and college debt to pay. She had to hold onto the position at least until she found something better.
What made it worse was the client. Blake Harrison. The name already sounded harsh. He made it seem as if the free cruise was a big perk, yet with the workload she wouldn’t get much time to relax. On top of it, he didn’t cover any expenses and only dangled the carrot of a one-year contract if the cruise went well. She had to cobble together the money for the plane ticket to Vancouver and didn’t have much left over for a good camera. She had bought a cheap digitalhoping it would do the job. She spent the first few days learning how to use it and then realized its deficiencies. It was slow in capturing images no matter what speed she set it for – how would she ever get the wildlife pictures she needed? And she never knew she had a shaky hand – all the years she wrote for the paper, if she used a camera, it was their top of the line models that had an image stabilization feature.
She looked over to the man on her right. He had more than one camera body, a large format camera in his hand and then a Nikon with a telephoto slung over his shoulder. After so many years of holding down a steady job, one in which she won awards, it was hard to believe that she was starting over. Her life had been set, and then the entire global economy got turned on its side and her industry took the biggest fall. At times it seemed her life was coming apart and there was no way she could hold it together. It was at moments like this that she felt tears building up, and she pressed her lips together to fight them off. It was so unprofessional, in the middle of strangers on the deck of a ship, on a work assignment, but lately she couldn’t control her emotions. She had dipped into her savings and was at the brink of financial collapse, not knowing where she would live or get health insurance from. The pressure month after month had become too much and she worried how she would cobble her life together.
She looked back to the sea, where the iceberg had turned exposing a large gap in the shape of a heart. Two thin arms of ice reached out to form an arch above the turquoise water. She felt small in the presence of these large cities of ice, these mountains that folded into the distance. It made her life and her problems seem inconsequential in the grander scheme of things.
The glacier was built one snowflake at a time, over thousands of years and it had now come to the end of its lifecycle, gracefully floating to whatever awaited it. Mammoth next to the ship, but the size of an ice cube when it reached the open ocean, it was changing, sliding to the edge, holding on, and then breaking, tumbling into the sea, sloshing about till it found solid footing in a new environment.
How unlike this piece of ice she herself was. It might float for years, enduring elements as it traveled along the coastline. It would eventually melt, bit by bit, erode and be forgotten. Would her life be much different? In time, her work would be cast aside, buried in cyberspace, nullified among more timely articles. Nor did her life matter to anyone but herself and her cat. She would be forgotten.
This is why she found solace in nature. It talked to her without a word. Thoughts slipped into her mind and found a home, made sense. There were times, in fact, that she found she was more interconnected with nature than people.
Hayley dropped her chin into the wide collar on her jacket and turned back to her camera bag. She pulled out an old tripod and started extending the legs. It was the one good thing about this cruise – when she was out in nature, she forgot the rest of her life. Even if she was stuck behind a camera lens for some of the next two weeks, she was still close to the one element that soothed her.
“Don’t bother setting up your tripod.”
The voice pulled Hayley out of her thoughts and she looked toward the man with broad shoulders and a pointy face. “I always use one.”
“You’ve never shot on a ship before.”
“Of course I have,”she lied, fumbling with the tripod legs splayed on the deck. She was in a time crunch to get a shot of the ice slab before the ship turned.
“It’s a moving platform.”
“I’ve got lots of space,”she said curtly. She looked beyond him, toward the fjord that stretched into the distance, then at his long lens and bulky camera bag. Perhaps he did know something.
“True but you’ll be buffeted from the wind.”He pointed his chin toward the fast-moving clouds, his windbreaker billowing from the breeze. “It will be useless.”
“I have an anchor,”she said sharply and hung her bag to the center post. She walked toward the other end of the deck to scout a scenic shot.
“Don’t leave your camera unattended.”
She didn’t have time to be interrupted – she had to get a good image and deliver it to her client in an hour. She threw her arms out toward the water surrounding them. “What? Someone’s going to run off with it?”
“I never leave my camera unattended.”He wrapped his long fingers around the body of his camera. “It’s too expensive.”
“Never say never.”
He paused for a moment. At the top of his head, a small patch of bald skin glistened in the afternoon sun that poured over the mountainous coast. “I never leave my camera.”
She rolled her green eyes. The man irritated her but the scenery was so beautiful that she didn’t want to leave the deck and miss something.
He walked toward her, then dug around in his bag and handed her a camera. “I used to shoot with this.”
“It’s old.”
“But good quality.”
He pushed his sunglasses onto his forehead, and showed her the camera settings. He had soft blue eyes, the color of the ice floating past them, and his long face led to a warm smile. Then he handed the camera to her. “Go get that iceberg.”
HAYLEY’S PONYTAIL bobbed from side to side as she walked toward the bow. Trevor watched her kneel next to her backpack and remove a filter. Even though she was tiny, her fiery curls gave her away from across the boat.
She rested her elbows on the railing and took a photo, then checked it in the viewfinder. A smile spread across her face and she turned to him with a thumbs-up. She walked further down the deck and took more pictures.
He knew the pressure of getting a good photo and could sense it a mile away. Besides, he had watched her for a while that afternoon. She seemed to be a perfectionist, muttering to herself and criticizing each shot she took. In time, she had stressed herself so much that it seemed nothing was working.
And then, the iceberg drifted by and she lowered her camera in awe. He heard her talk to it as if it were a human, and then she murmured over and over, “Stay strong,”and, as she did, her shoulders dropped. Trevor edged closer to her, drawn to the exclamation and the wonder in her expressions. She wasn’t the only one susceptible to the iceberg – the lower deck was crowded the moment the iceberg calved with a loud boom, and when he looked down all he witnessed was a maze of hands pointing, and then the gasps and shouts. But among that chaos there was a sense of peace with this woman, as if she had stepped into a bubble of calm. She said, “Stay strong”one more time and at that moment, he felt a warmth spread through the palm of his hand. The unthinkable had happened to Trevor. The entire time the iceberg had drifted by, he hadn’t taken one photo. Not one.
It seemed she had come to the realization at the same moment and fumbled with her camera. He focused his zoom lens and took a few photos, then turned back to her. It was then that he mentioned the tripod, and in doing so, seemed to pop her out of the magical bubble she was in. It didn’t surprise him when she got defensive – perfectionists always did.
Trevor looked back toward the woman who now leaned her chin on the far railing, watching. He zipped up his bag and jotted down a note, then speared it on the hook of her tripod’s center post. It read: “Play with the camera this afternoon. I’ll see you around. -T”
He hadn’t signed his name – he wanted to leave her with an air of mystery.
Author Bio:
Romance author, Amanda S. Jones, loves travel, chocolate and red wine. You’ll find all of these elements in the books she writes! Her first romance series, “Aqua” takes place on the cruise ship, Aqua, a slow-burning pleasure dome of food and attraction that spurs the reader’s imagination. Each book has exotic locations, sumptuous foods, seduction, enticement and true love, so open the pages and step aboard to see what’s in store for characters with the help of the ship’s crew, a romantic destination and a leap of faith.
If you’re interested in updates on Amanda and her book series, sign up for the Aqua Club newsletter on her website!
SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:
Blog: http://amandasjones.com
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7453935.Amanda_S_Jones
Twitter: https://twitter.com/amandasjones
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Amanda-S-Jones/100006740383911
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/ajones1029/boards/
Google +: https://plus.google.com/114026149107028910525/posts
AMAZON BOOK LINK FOR ALASKAN NIGHTS:
AMAZON BOOK LINK FOR OTHER BOOKS IN THE SERIES:
Aqua – Christmas in New York City http://amzn.to/1hzZnoN
Aqua – Mediterranean Nights http://amzn.to/1huCOl9
Aqua – Venetian Nights - http://www.amazon.com/AQUA-Venetian-Nights-Romance-Travel-ebook/dp/B00GYHWRRC.
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July 11, 2014
Don’t Be Such a (Negative) Cliche
Don’t Be Such a (Negative) Cliché
Today I’m digging a little deeper here with my blog post, as promised a few weeks back. I thought about talking about myself or my family life, but baby steps seems to be the best route. So while brainstorming, I remembered a bone that I picked with myself a few weeks ago, and thought it might be a decent topic to chat about.
The scenario I’m talking about is when someone asked recently how married life is (I tied the knot in September). My response was to roll my eyes and say “It all goes downhill from here, right!” Um…that’s not really how I feel. I don’t have any complaints about marriage or my husband. I still get a thrill when I hear him introduce me as his wife. So why did I say that? A friend recently got engaged, and in the midst of congratulations, there were also some: “You still have time to run!” comments. We’re all happy for the newly engaged couple, so why are we still saying negative comments? Why is our first thought to put down marriages?
Let’s move on to weight – always a fun topic. When I was out for dinner recently with friends I ordered a salad instead of fries because I simply wanted a salad and I didn’t like the restaurant’s fries. But when asked about my choice, I said, “I need to watch what I’m eating. Ugh, I’m fat.” Er…I’m not fat. When I get stressed I tend to go under the normal BMI range. So why in the world am I calling myself that? Why am I just another girl complaining about her image and looks?
So many of us tend to fall into a cliché, whether it’s putting yourself down or simply exaggerating something that isn’t what you truly feel. I caught myself the other day about to put down marriage, and stopped myself just in time to say what I really felt about it – how happy I am to be married and how wonderful I think my husband is. Maybe we fall into the clichés because it seems accepted, almost normal. Or are we secretly fishing for compliments and/or sympathy?
I talked last week about starting The Cheeky Chicks with my girlfriend Holly, and our mission is to be inspiring and motivating – whether it has to do with fitness, friendship or life in general. As I search for upbeat sayings and try to create my own to share, I need to keep remembering to apply these to myself. I’m not saying I’m always positive and that I can’t complain now and again to my friends, but trying not to let myself fall into those negative clichés is a goal of mine. And think about it – when you put yourself down, the person you’re talking to often chimes in with what they think is wrong with their image/body/life, etc. So flip it. Talk about your positives and hopefully they will to, putting you both in a completely different mindset. I want to challenge myself (and you can take the challenge too!) to each day say something good about myself or my life when in conversation with someone. Hopefully that will shake me from becoming such a (negative) cliché!
July 10, 2014
Marching Ink #SunNFun 99 Cent Sale and Giveaway!
Summer is officially here, and Marching Ink wants to celebrate with you! For a limited time, get the following titles for just 99 cents: Zoey & The Moment of Zen, Hard Hats and Doormats, and A Questionable Friendship, and don’t forget to enter the #FunNSun giveaway! We have a beach bag filled with summer items for you to win: sunglasses, a beach towel, and a picnic set including a tablecloth, carafe, napkins and cups. Also included is a $20 Amazon gift card that will be sent digitally. Please note this is open to US/Canada residents only. Follow the instructions below to enter, and a winner will be chosen Saturday, July 12. Happy Summer from Marching Ink!
Zoey & The Moment of Zen – Cat Lavoie
When coffee shop owner Zoey Everwood takes her obsession with ex-boyfriend Braden too far, everyone—except Zoey—is convinced a bit of fun in the sun at the Moment of Zen Wellness Resort will help her get over him once and for all.
But Zoey’s relaxing vacation turns out to be anything but peaceful when she meets Shane Lawson, a resort guest who bears a striking resemblance to Braden. And things get even more complicated when the resort’s owner starts spilling secrets about Zoey’s aunt Nessa, the woman who raised her. Add a snarky Wellness Coordinator and Nate Holmes—Shane’s grumpy friend—to the mix, and you’ve got the recipe for a perfect tropical storm.
When Zoey comes back home with a new husband instead of tacky souvenirs, she must convince everyone she hasn’t completely lost her mind. As Zoey and Shane struggle to keep the magic alive outside the resort, Zoey discovers that she isn’t the only one having trouble letting go of the past. And when Nate drops a bombshell that changes everything, Zoey must decide if the old saying is true—what happens at the Moment of Zen stays at the Moment of Zen.
Buy Now! amzn.to/1pkerOM
Hard Hats and Doormats – Laura Chapman
Lexi Burke has always been a stickler for following rules and procedures. As a human resources manager for a leading Gulf Coast chemical company, it’s her job to make sure everyone else falls in line, too.
But after losing out on a big promotion–-because her boss sees her as too much of a yes-woman––Lexi adopts a new policy of following her heart instead of the fine print. And her heart knows what it wants: Jason Beaumont, a workplace crush who is off limits based on her previous protocol.
While navigating a new romance and interoffice politics, Lexi must find the confidence to stand on her own or face a lifetime of following someone else’s orders.
Who says nice girls have to finish last?
Buy Now! amzn.to/1v6IQgV
A Questionable Friendship – Samantha March
Brynne Ropert and Portland Dolish have been best friends since being paired as roommates in college. Seven years later they are now twenty-five, married, and living in Maine–– but the two women couldn’t be more different. Brynne finds fulfillment in her life as a wife, mother and owner of a small café and bookshop, but is struggling to expand her family. Portland is still coping with her mother’s death during her childhood, and her marriage is unraveling before her eyes. Portland envies her friend’s seemingly stable and easy life while Brynne doesn’t understand the growing distance between them and cannot begin to guess what secret Portland is hiding about her husband and crumbling marriage. While one woman feels shut out, the other enters into a web of lies to protect herself.
A Questionable Friendship explores what really makes someone a true friend, a support system, a sister. How much trust goes into a friendship and when is being a friend not enough? Brynne and Portland’s story will attempt to answer those questions, and show that happily ever after isn’t in the cards for everyone.
Buy Now!
amzn.to/1yOLfS6
a Rafflecopter giveaway
July 9, 2014
CLP Blog Tours Interview and Excerpt: If I Say Yes by Brandy Jellum
**Interview**
When did you know writing was for you?
Writing has always been my thing since I was a child but before I started writing full length novels, I wrote poems as a way to express myself and short stories. It wasn’t until I really sat down at wrote my first book a couple of years ago that I knew writing was I wanted to do with my life. Granted, the first book I wrote was absolute garbage, and I now have it under lock and key. It was a gateway that lead me to where I am now.
Why was If I Say Yes a book you wanted to write?
To be honest, I originally wanted to write in the YA genre, considering it was the genre I read most. I had this one sentence, I can’t even remember it now, which kept consuming my every thought. I started writing If I Say Yes around that sentence just so I could move on and continue on my current WIP at the time. But apparently, the characters and story of If I Say Yes wasn’t okay with it. And day by day, I had a story forming from that one sentence which is how If I Say Yes was born.
Can you talk about your experience working with your publisher BookTrope, a company that supports a “team” approach to publishing?
I am so lucky to be a part of the Booktrope family. It’s an amazing company and I am so fortunate that they took a chance on a new author. Booktrope approaches publishing by using the best tools from self-publishing and traditional publishing. I am still in very much control of the creative aspect and just about everything else with the back of a wonderful company, and everyone –including authors- alike. My experience has been nothing but amazing and if anyone ever has a chance to work with them, they’d be silly not to jump at the opportunity.
What is the hardest part of the writing process for you?
I am a stay at home wife and mother of 4. So the hardest part for me is just finding the time to write. It’s hard trying to balance my time between writing and family but we’re finally getting it figured out. Of course, it’s still difficult when my youngest child does not like the fact that I write. LOL.
What are your favorite genres to read?
Young Adult
Romance (almost all subgenres)
Mystery/Thrillers
What do you want readers to take away from your story?
That despite what has happened in your past, you can’t let your past define who you are. You have to embrace the things that happen as they come along and face them head on. Running only solves the problem temporarily and usually creates a bigger problem. And that through love, anything is possible.
How important do you think social media is for authors these days?
Social media is key to succession. Especially for those who aren’t signed with one of the BIG 5. Sites like Facebook, Twitter, etc, have opened the door to much more avenues for self-published authors, and authors who don’t have the backing of a HUGE publisher. Also, I love how much social media has allowed authors to read and engage with their fans. There is nothing more rewarding than being sent an email, or a tweet, or even a post on our author fan page, by someone who loves our work. It allows us to connect with more people in the world at a deeper connection and allows us to connect with the amazing community that has developed between authors and bloggers.
What would be your advice to aspiring writers?
Never give up. Don’t hold back. Of course you’re going to second guess yourself, everyone does, but that doesn’t mean you aren’t good or you should quit before you start. Nothing about writing is easy, from the characters to the story, to publishing and promoting. Always remember, write the story that YOU want to write, not the story that you think others want to read and that you think will sell. If you do, you’re selling yourself and your work short. Also, always write. Just write. No matter what it is or how long. As long as you write every day for even twenty minutes, after time, it becomes a habit. As long as you’re writing, you’re making progress, and strengthening your skills every time.
**Excerpt**
Prologue
Six years ago
Blood covers every surface. On the pristine, white marble flooring, the grand staircase and handrail, and what used to be a tall, square wooden end table by the large double doors I just walked through. The table now lays scattered across the foyer, broken into jagged pieces. The large, antique ceramic bowl that served as a key holder had set on the table, but now, it too is scattered amongst the broken wood and the blood bath. I follow the trail of dark crimson fluid up the stairs, my hands shaking and my breath catching. Upstairs is worse, far worse. The plush white carpet is saturated a deep shade of red; splatters and droplets are everywhere.
My heart is pounding, urging me to go, to leave, to run and call for help. My head tells me otherwise, to follow the trail of blood down the hall. The blood is smeared on the walls, as if someone was trying to grab ahold of something to prevent being dragged this way. The trail leads to my parents’ bedroom. My heartbeat quickens, and a bead of sweat forms along my hairline. The door to my parents’ room is slightly ajar, and I nudge it open a little farther, just enough so I can slip past the door.
A piercing scream escapes, and I quickly clamp a hand over my mouth. My eyes are glued to the sight before me. There’s no mistaking the familiar blonde hair attached to the crumpled body on the floor, discarded as though she is a piece of garbage that nobody wants. Just left there with a pool of blood surrounding her body. The blonde hair, the only thing I share with my mother, is drenched in the dark fluid. Another cry escapes my lips as I rush across the floor and collapse next to her, brushing the hair out of her face. My heart drops to the pit of my stomach, and I feel bile rising to the back of my throat.
I can hardly recognize my mother’s soft, delicate face; she was a natural beauty, one that everyone wanted to star in their next movie at one point in her life. Her face is mangled with large, jagged cuts that run across it. The blood is already starting to dry. Examining the rest of her body, I see she is covered from head to toe with multiple stab wounds. Under the cross-hatch of wounds, I can see faint bruises forming from the multiple contusions she has suffered as well.
“Mom,” I whisper. I scoop her body into my arms and pull her close to my body. Her head rests against my chest as I begin to rock back and forth. “Don’t be dead…please, don’t be dead.” I know my plea is useless; she is already gone. The amount of blood throughout the house and pooling around her, and the blank expression in her blue eyes is proof enough. Tears form in my eyes. “You can’t be dead.”
I cry out loud, and my body begins to shake involuntarily. “I didn’t mean what I said…I forgive you.” My voice breaks and barely comes out. I think back to the last conversation we had. Which, honestly, isn’t anything outside the norm, since we fought constantly the little time we are around each other. We had a toxic mother-daughter relationship. If there’s an award for worst parents ever, mine would win, hands down. But today, today’s argument was different. It had been the final straw in her attempt to break me down. I had yelled at her, uttering all the same obscenities and same ‘I hate you.’ I had told her that she was the worst mother in the world and that I would be better off if she would just die. I never really meant that last part. No matter how unloving, cruel, and horrible they were, neither of my parents deserve to die, at least not like this.
I shake my mother slightly, but she doesn’t stir. Of course she doesn’t; she is long gone. “Please…please… just come back.” I choke out the last three words. It doesn’t matter that I have spent a lifetime hating her nor does it matter that she took the one thing that made me happiest in the world right out from under my nose. At the moment, I could care less about all the horrible things she has said and done. Nothing, I repeat nothing, she has done warranted her death. I begin to cry, sobbing uncontrollably. I cry because however rotten she was, she is gone, and I never got to say goodbye or to take back any of the things I have ever said to her.
“It’s a shame things had to end like this.” I snap my head up and find my father leaning against the door frame. His dark brown hair is a tousled mess. He is still wearing the charcoal suit I last saw him in, minus the jacket and tie. His forehead is creased, and his dark brown eyes, the exact same shade as mine, narrow. In one hand, he is holding a large, white, terry cloth towel stained with blood. In the other is a large butcher knife dripping blood. His lips quirk up into a sinister grin that sends a chill down my spine. “You can’t really be sad, can you? Not after what she did to you…to me…to us.”
His words linger in the air.
“Y-Y-You did this?” I ask weakly.
He struts across the room toward me, and I pull my mother closer, as if I can protect her from any further harm. I glance up at him hovering over me, and my eyes flicker to the knife in his hands. My father follows my gaze and smiles. He tosses the knife onto their oversized poster bed and wipes his hands off with the towel before tossing it onto the bed as well.
“Of course I did,” he sneers. My father smiles, not showing one ounce of remorse for what he has done.
“Why? Why would you do this?”
“The bitch had it coming.” He smiles again and sends another wave of chills down my spine. “I did it for us, but more importantly, I did it for you, Elizabeth.” Then he lunges for me…
Bio:
Brandy’s passion for writing began long before she actually sat down to write. As a child, she has had an obsession with reading, everything from the classic stories by Jane Austen to YA Fiction by Richelle Mead. Finally, in 2012, she decided to create her own stories for people to fall in love with. Brandy bounces back and forth writing both Romance and Young Adult Fiction (which is mainly just for fun).
At the beginning of 2014, Brandy signed a contract with publishing company Booktrope. She is very excited about the next chapter of her life and cannot wait to share her books and passion with readers.
When she isn’t writing, she can be found chasing after her husband, her four children and her black lab, Diesel. Or curled up on her favorite corner of the couch with her newest book.
Social Media Links:
Website: http://brandyjellumbooks.wordpress.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrandyJellum
Twitter: @Brandy_Jellum
Buy Links:
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1iB0yYt
Barnes and Noble: http://bit.ly/1fQV7ik
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July 2, 2014
CLP Blog Tours Interview and Excerpt: Tax Cut by Michele Lynn Seigfried
**Interview**
When did you know writing was for you?
I really didn’t know writing was for me until a year and a half ago. I had thought about writing a book for over 10 years before I actually did it. I had written newspaper articles in my early 20s when I worked at a local community publications house, but I lacked the confidence and the know-how!
Why was Tax Cut a book you wanted to write?
My debut novel was Red Tape, a cozy mystery. After receiving some good feedback and awards, I knew I couldn’t let my characters go. Bonnie had too many funny sayings I just had to share. Hence, Tax Cut, the 2nd in the series was born and so far, it’s my favorite out of the two books. Bonnie is going to be starring in the lead in the 3rd book in the series, Community Affairs due out later this year.
What is the hardest part of the writing process for you?
Finding time! I had a momentary lack of judgment in recent days and adopted a puppy. I’m not sure if it was the story of how he was abandoned at only three days old or my daughter’s constant wondering of what happened to our 16-year-old dog who recently passed away, but something tugged at my heartstrings. So, now with a full-time job, and 3 babies to take care of—my two-year-old daughter, the puppy, and my husband, lol—I have a hard time finding quiet time alone!
What are your favorite genres to read?
I love cozy mysteries and action adventure type novels. Books that make me laugh and that are full of action!
What do you want readers to take away from your story?
If my readers can escape from reality for a couple of hours, get a few laughs, and end the book with a smile on their face…that’s all I need to be happy!
How important do you think social media is for authors these days?
I don’t think authors could do without social media these days. It’s a way to connect with readers on a more personal level. I love hearing what my readers thought and Facebook, Twitter, email, and other sites are an incredible way for people to get in touch with me. I’ve made great friends this way who share their love of books with me.
What would be your advice to aspiring writers?
I’d say to start your networking now! Get yourself a Facebook page and Twitter account and start learning from others who are already writing. It’s never too early to start letting people know what you’re writing about and when it will be available. So many others have helped me along with way and I don’t know that I would have found some of these people without the help of the internet!
**Excerpt**
I suddenly heard a strange sound overhead. I asked Bonnie if she heard it too. She did.
“Sounds like someone is walking up there,” I said. We were in a single-floor building, so I couldn’t imagine why anyone would be walking around in the ceiling.
“Maybe they are working on the air conditioning or pipes or something,” Bonnie said.
I shrugged my shoulders. The sound of footsteps persisted and prevented me from concentrating. I desperately needed to get some paperwork done since I spent the day cleaning up after Marc. I stepped out of my office and over to Bonnie’s desk.
“I can’t concentrate with that noise. I’m going to go ask around and see if anyone knows what is going on…”
Crash.
A body plummeted through the ceiling. Startled, Bonnie and I both jumped back. Luckily, we didn’t get hit. I took a step closer, and saw the body was none other than Mike Nero. He let out a groan.
“What the eff, Zero?” Bonnie yelled. He groaned again.
“Bonnie, call 9-1-1. This bozo looks hurt,” I said. Mike’s eyes rolled back in his head. I leaned over him. “Nero? Nero?”
He didn’t answer me. I slapped his cheeks several times. No response.
“The paramedics are on the way. Is he breathing?” Bonnie asked.
“I don’t care if he’s not. There is no way in hell I’m giving him CPR.”
“Me neither!” Bonnie exclaimed.
I felt bad saying that. I wasn’t a bad person…normally. Bonnie gave him a swift kick in the side. He said, “Ow.”
“He’s breathing,” Bonnie said.
Mike opened one eye. “My love,” he said to me.
“You’re an idiot,” I said. “You could have snapped your neck. What the eff were you doing up there?” I asked.
“Umm,” he said.
“You little freak. You need to stop stalking her,” Bonnie said.
“I’m not stalking her. I just wanted to see her,” Nero said as he sat up.
“Hey, freak…walking in the attic and falling through the ceiling is a form of stalking. She’s not interested. You need to knock it off.”
“But we are destined to be together,” he said.
“Listen here, Zero…” Bonnie said.
“The name’s Nero.”
“Like I said, Zero, if you come near here again, I will kick you so freaking hard in the baby maker that you’ll need your nuts surgically removed from your bung hole. Capisce?”
The EMTs arrived and, after giving him a thorough once-over, they told Nero that he would need some stitches. They carted him off to the hospital.
I didn’t even have to say, “What is wrong with him? Why would anyone creep around in the attic to just see me?” Bonnie must have read my thoughts.
“Dangling participles,” she said.
I shook my head.
**Everyone who leaves a comment on the tour page will be entered to win a $20 Amazon gift card! Anyone who purchases a copy of Tax Cut by July 14 and sends their receipt to Samantha (at) ChickLitPlus.com will receive 10 bonus entries!**
Author Bio:
Michele Lynn Seigfried is an award-winning novelist, children’s book author/illustrator and public speaker who was born and raised in New Jersey. In her mystery novels, she draws from her personal expertise in the area of municipal government, in which she has served for over 16 years in two different municipalities. She holds a B.A. in communication from the College of New Jersey with a minor in art. She obtained the Master Municipal Clerk certification from the International Institute of Municipal Clerks in 2010. She also holds the Registered Municipal Clerk certification and Certified Municipal Registrar Certifications from the State of New Jersey. In combining her love of writing with art, Michele began writing and illustrating children’s picture books in 2013.
Connect with Michele:
Website: www.michelelynnseigfried.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/MicheleLynnSeigfried
Twitter: www.twitter.com/micheleseig
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/MicheleSeig
Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/MicheleSeig
Amazon: www.amazon.com/author/micheleseig
Email: MicheleSeigfried@gmail.com
Google+: www.google.com/+MicheleLynnSeigfried
To Purchase Tax Cut (Jersey Shore Mystery Series #2):
Amazon: http://t.co/dZvYKmEy51
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/tax-cut-michele-seigfried/1117789686?ean=9781494215330
To Purchase Red Tape (Jersey Shore Mystery Series #1):
Amazon: http://t.co/asOvRiAD9J
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/red-tape-michele-seigfried/1115098453?ean=9781482012880
July 1, 2014
BFF’s Chasing Dreams
When I talked last week about digging a little deeper and trying new things, I took the advice to heart. Recently, my best friend and I decided to try something new together – starting a simple Instagram page. Holly and I have been friends for over five years, and I think we can freak each other (and others) out by how much we are alike. Not just similar looks, but our personality and attitudes are nearly mirrors of one another. We have a lot of the same interests – fitness, health, beauty, so about a month ago we decided to team up and make something of it. The Cheeky Chicks was born, and to start off we created an Instagram page, where we post photos and motivational quotes, fitness tips and workouts, plus makeup shots and the products we’re using. Last week, we took it up a notch … and recorded our first video.
Now, neither of us are good with cameras or technology. I’m an author, Holly’s a RN. Sure I can run a blog, but I often lean on others for the tech side – to creating graphics to coding. So the video was done on my phone with my husband recording it and we had to get it in one take as we have no idea how to cut and trim videos. It took us about two hours on a Saturday night to get the video uploaded to YouTube, but we did it. We’re scared (more like terrified) of bad comments and backlash, but we also know that is a part of putting yourself out there in the virtual world. We hope to get better and more experienced with time, and maybe even upgrade to a real camera at some point
Why did we do this? Besides for getting to do something together and doing something we both love, Holly and I watch a lot of YouTube videos ourselves, from workout routines to makeup tutorials, and they inspire us. We particularly both love Carli Bybel, who started out just like us – wanting to explore her passion on a different level, and she has gone on to be hugely successful and was recently on Project Runway and now seems to have a sponsorship with Target. You know when people say “chase your dreams?” That’s what we’re doing. I think it parallels with what I have recently done with my career. No one handed it to me. I worked hard for many years and put a lot of effort into becoming successful in the book industry, and now I get to call it my career with pride. So we don’t take it to heart when people think we’re being silly or ridiculous, because we know that we’re making things happen for us. And who knows? Maybe something will turn out from it. Maybe we’ll inspire one other person out there to start chasing their dreams instead of just dreaming about their dreams.
GIVEAWAY!!To celebrate our launch, we’re hosting a giveaway on our Instagram and brand-new YouTube page. All you need to do to enter is follow us @TheCheekyChicks and share a photo of one your favorite products while tagging us and using the hashtag #CheekyChicksGiveaway1, and you’ll be entered to win a bundle of our favorite products. Please visit our pages (links below) to follow along and we’ll be drawing winners this Friday, July 4.
Instagram: http://instagram.com/thecheekychicks/
YouTube: http://bit.ly/1yYmMts
June 24, 2014
Being Brave…Next Week
I’ve been doing a lot of thinking lately about blog posts. More and more I am seeing fellow author’s share really personal posts – about family, dating, really life in general – and I’m always thinking how cool that is. A way to really get to know someone that you might never meet in real life. And isn’t that the point of blogging – a way to express yourself, a way to connect with others in the virtual world? My blog posts have always been fairly tame. Lately they’ve been mostly about my dog – LOL. But even when I start to get serious (for example, in the post expressing how much I truly love Aries) I always reel it in right when I’m about to get too serious. Why? I just haven’t felt comfortable going there. I’ve been confining myself to this little box, to afraid to do much more than toe the line. But as I see 
other posts go up, I thought to myself – why am I holding back? I don’t hold back when I’m writing my novels. All three of my books talk about pretty serious subjects – from abortion to abuse to addiction all the way to murder – but I can’t dig deep for a blog post?
So, this is my first task in trying something new. I’m still feeling a little nervous, so I thought putting a blog post out there saying how I shouldn’t be nervous is a good first step. I’m hoping it will convince me to share more of myself with the virtual world. I may only be twenty-seven, but I feel I’ve lived life and I have some topics I could discuss on here. I also have a big question that I’m hoping maybe someone will see and be able to give me an answer to. But enough being cryptic…I’m off to brainstorm a few new posts that will hopefully be coming your way soon. If I don’t chicken out!
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