Laura Susan Johnson's Blog, page 6
November 4, 2014
Boughs of Evergreen book trailer!!!
Hi everyone!!! This is the introduction book trailer for Boughs of Evergreen - A Holiday Anthology Proceeds go to benefit The Trevor Project !!! I'm so excited!!!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pht-s...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pht-s...
October 19, 2014
BRIGHT 1 year anniversary give away!
To celebrate the 1st anniv of BRIGHT being pubbed on Smashwords, along with my birthday, I am giving BRIGHT away for free with code: AL42V Hurry, ends 26 October!
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view...
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view...
October 6, 2014
Meet The Character Blog Hop! And other cool stuff!
Lots of cool news! Firstly, my cat Ted came back to my Mom's house in Arkansas just a couple of hours ago!!!!! He's so skinny but he's so happy and ate lots of food when he arrived. I will be seeing him in a few days. I can hardly wait!!!!!
Next, I am creating a new blog/book site for PeachHam-Beach Publishing. It is called:
http://peachham-beach.com
We authors at Beaten Track Publishing are submitting short holiday themed stories for a collection called BOUGHS OF EVERGREEN. Each of us is introducing our "main character". Check out my MC from BOYFRIEND COMES HOME at:
http://peachham-beach.com/characterbl...
<3 Laura
Next, I am creating a new blog/book site for PeachHam-Beach Publishing. It is called:
http://peachham-beach.com
We authors at Beaten Track Publishing are submitting short holiday themed stories for a collection called BOUGHS OF EVERGREEN. Each of us is introducing our "main character". Check out my MC from BOYFRIEND COMES HOME at:
http://peachham-beach.com/characterbl...
<3 Laura
October 3, 2014
New FAQ Vlog For BRIGHT: Why Natalie as the surrogate?
Just made this new youtube about one of the most frequently asked questions about my 2nd novel BRIGHT:
ENJOY :D
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-d61b...
ENJOY :D
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-d61b...
September 19, 2014
Insomnia sucks the big one!
I really do hate being awake for 36 hours and counting. I am too tired to read the 4 or 5 books I am "currently reading". I'm sure the authors would like to have some feedback. I'm sorry it takes so long :( I loathe insomnia because even tho I can't sleep for shit, and can't turn off my mind, I also can't concentrate on reading a book!!!
Really depressed and anxious for the past 2 days or so. Gnawing nausea and abd. pain. I'm guessing severe gastritis or just really bad ascites. Have taken to eating oatmeal with my vegan butter stuff.
Our beloved tabby cat Ted, who we've had for 8 years, disappeared while my Mom was in hospital. So depressing. My Gma also turned down my invite to go to see the Christ of the Ozarks one last time. She is barely able to walk. I think it's too late, and the thought of her dying and being gone forever is really horrible for me.
Our other kitty Ernie is very ill with some unknown malady that came on the past week or so. Mom says he won't eat and is losing weight very rapidly. I had no idea we'd lose these 2 sweet kitties within 3 or 4 mos. of moving them to Arkansas from Idaho.
I also worry about my Mom, who just had a knee replaced. I want to be near her and help her, but I'm 1500 miles away.
This blog is a symptom in itself. I'm super depressed and just expressing my most personal thoughts and fears for this blog. I have been praying earnestly that I don't have another hideous panic attack like I did in Aug. 2013. I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy.
I have a YA paperback to read (a gift from a great friend), at least 2 or 3 freebies I got a few weeks ago on Free Ebook Day, and several stories from an anthology. I'm no speed reader, but I hope to have all my reading caught up soon and reviews posted. I know what it's like to wait with baited breath for some feedback :)
Pointless post...but I feel like I needed to do it anyway.
Really depressed and anxious for the past 2 days or so. Gnawing nausea and abd. pain. I'm guessing severe gastritis or just really bad ascites. Have taken to eating oatmeal with my vegan butter stuff.
Our beloved tabby cat Ted, who we've had for 8 years, disappeared while my Mom was in hospital. So depressing. My Gma also turned down my invite to go to see the Christ of the Ozarks one last time. She is barely able to walk. I think it's too late, and the thought of her dying and being gone forever is really horrible for me.
Our other kitty Ernie is very ill with some unknown malady that came on the past week or so. Mom says he won't eat and is losing weight very rapidly. I had no idea we'd lose these 2 sweet kitties within 3 or 4 mos. of moving them to Arkansas from Idaho.
I also worry about my Mom, who just had a knee replaced. I want to be near her and help her, but I'm 1500 miles away.
This blog is a symptom in itself. I'm super depressed and just expressing my most personal thoughts and fears for this blog. I have been praying earnestly that I don't have another hideous panic attack like I did in Aug. 2013. I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy.
I have a YA paperback to read (a gift from a great friend), at least 2 or 3 freebies I got a few weeks ago on Free Ebook Day, and several stories from an anthology. I'm no speed reader, but I hope to have all my reading caught up soon and reviews posted. I know what it's like to wait with baited breath for some feedback :)
Pointless post...but I feel like I needed to do it anyway.
September 7, 2014
Mini review/feedback for Crush! And more news!
Received this email while I was asleep :D
"Hello Ms. Johnson.
A friend of mine tried to contact you before and she didn't hear anything back, so I'm not sure if you're getting messages or if you'd rather not hear from fans (either is fine, honestly). But I wanted to message you to tell you how much I love Crush and how excited I was to hear you might be writing more Tammy and Jamie soon. I really like the cover for Crush, which is unusual for me to say since I prefer more intimate covers, but I think the angel fits the story really well and it represents Tammy and Jamie perfectly.
Anyway, I hope I haven't bothered you too much. :/ I know you must be a very busy woman. Have a nice day,
Callie."
To Callie: No you haven't been a bother at all. A friend of mine alerted me to the fact that my email form on my "Bright" website was obviously not working. several people tried to contact me and were unsuccessful. So sorry about that. The best way to contact me is to just email me directly like you did. I hope lots of fans will try again to give me feedback about Bright especially, and Crush.
More news: I am communicating with a very gifted photographer in hopes of creating a new cover concept for Crush (later for Bright I hope). I don't want to reveal a whole lot prematurely, but this photographer is amazing and has worked with some popular romance and ya authors. If all goes well, we'll be collaborating this fall.
I am also hoping to be included in a holiday anthology from my UK publisher Beaten Track this fall/winter!!!
Other/minor news: I am turning 44 in October, and have suddenly developed an interest in coloring my dark blonde (with extremely stubborn grays/whites) with vegan hair colors by Splat, Manic Panic, Pravana and Ion. My first experiment will be "Siren Song" by Manic Panic (turquoise/aqua color) Hope I like it LOL. And is 44 too old to color my hair? Nah! Cyndi Lauper still does it, and she was 44 back in 1998! You're only as old as you let yourself be!
Hoping to take my paternal Gma to see the Christ of the Ozarks one last time before she dies. She's been depressed and angry lately at some situations in the family, and I'm hoping it will cheer her up. She drives me crazy but I do love her <3
"Hello Ms. Johnson.
A friend of mine tried to contact you before and she didn't hear anything back, so I'm not sure if you're getting messages or if you'd rather not hear from fans (either is fine, honestly). But I wanted to message you to tell you how much I love Crush and how excited I was to hear you might be writing more Tammy and Jamie soon. I really like the cover for Crush, which is unusual for me to say since I prefer more intimate covers, but I think the angel fits the story really well and it represents Tammy and Jamie perfectly.
Anyway, I hope I haven't bothered you too much. :/ I know you must be a very busy woman. Have a nice day,
Callie."
To Callie: No you haven't been a bother at all. A friend of mine alerted me to the fact that my email form on my "Bright" website was obviously not working. several people tried to contact me and were unsuccessful. So sorry about that. The best way to contact me is to just email me directly like you did. I hope lots of fans will try again to give me feedback about Bright especially, and Crush.
More news: I am communicating with a very gifted photographer in hopes of creating a new cover concept for Crush (later for Bright I hope). I don't want to reveal a whole lot prematurely, but this photographer is amazing and has worked with some popular romance and ya authors. If all goes well, we'll be collaborating this fall.
I am also hoping to be included in a holiday anthology from my UK publisher Beaten Track this fall/winter!!!
Other/minor news: I am turning 44 in October, and have suddenly developed an interest in coloring my dark blonde (with extremely stubborn grays/whites) with vegan hair colors by Splat, Manic Panic, Pravana and Ion. My first experiment will be "Siren Song" by Manic Panic (turquoise/aqua color) Hope I like it LOL. And is 44 too old to color my hair? Nah! Cyndi Lauper still does it, and she was 44 back in 1998! You're only as old as you let yourself be!
Hoping to take my paternal Gma to see the Christ of the Ozarks one last time before she dies. She's been depressed and angry lately at some situations in the family, and I'm hoping it will cheer her up. She drives me crazy but I do love her <3
August 29, 2014
More feedback for Crush & Bright
Received this nice fan letter today:
"Hello, Ms. Johnson.
I'm emailing you because I've read both your novels, Bright and Crush, and I loved them both. If I had to pick a favorite, it would be Crush, which is my favorite book of all time and it's also one that took me a long time to read. Only because I had no issues with that one at all. It was such a beautiful, beautiful book, and I loved the cover, the one with the angel and the one with the swing (I will admit I would love to see Tammy and Jamie). But I have a feeling you've heard people sing your praises about Crush many times before this, as I believe it is slightly more popular than Bright.
As for Bright. Overall, I love that novel, too, and I found it to be such an engaging, heartbreaking read. I love your writing and I thought it flowed beautifully with the story. My only complaint, and it's only because I've been there, is the surrogacy storyline. I have been in Natalie's shoes, I guess. I was the surrogate for my amazing younger brother and his wonderful, wonderful boyfriend. I had twins for them three years ago and I am about to do it again for them. Anyway, I understood where you were coming from with that storyline and the ending, but it did leave me feeling uneasy. With Natalie's feelings, I feel it would be very unrealistic that she would stay and that she could be as close to them. It's one of the things that came up when I did it for my brother, and I knew my place. But I've never been in love with his partner. I hope I haven't offended or upset you with this. I just thought you might like to know, in case someone mentions it a little more, unkindly (I really hope I haven't been unkind) than I am here. Apart from that, I did enjoy the book and it was a 4 star read for me. Hopefully your next book will be another 5 star read, like Crush, and I hope you continue with your career.
Best wishes,
Sincerely,
Yoshi."
Thank you, Yoshi :)
"Hello, Ms. Johnson.
I'm emailing you because I've read both your novels, Bright and Crush, and I loved them both. If I had to pick a favorite, it would be Crush, which is my favorite book of all time and it's also one that took me a long time to read. Only because I had no issues with that one at all. It was such a beautiful, beautiful book, and I loved the cover, the one with the angel and the one with the swing (I will admit I would love to see Tammy and Jamie). But I have a feeling you've heard people sing your praises about Crush many times before this, as I believe it is slightly more popular than Bright.
As for Bright. Overall, I love that novel, too, and I found it to be such an engaging, heartbreaking read. I love your writing and I thought it flowed beautifully with the story. My only complaint, and it's only because I've been there, is the surrogacy storyline. I have been in Natalie's shoes, I guess. I was the surrogate for my amazing younger brother and his wonderful, wonderful boyfriend. I had twins for them three years ago and I am about to do it again for them. Anyway, I understood where you were coming from with that storyline and the ending, but it did leave me feeling uneasy. With Natalie's feelings, I feel it would be very unrealistic that she would stay and that she could be as close to them. It's one of the things that came up when I did it for my brother, and I knew my place. But I've never been in love with his partner. I hope I haven't offended or upset you with this. I just thought you might like to know, in case someone mentions it a little more, unkindly (I really hope I haven't been unkind) than I am here. Apart from that, I did enjoy the book and it was a 4 star read for me. Hopefully your next book will be another 5 star read, like Crush, and I hope you continue with your career.
Best wishes,
Sincerely,
Yoshi."
Thank you, Yoshi :)
July 28, 2014
Newest reviews/ratings?
I'm having trouble finding my newest reviews/ratings for Crush. I can see the mean/average rating going up and down from 4.07 to 4.09 and # of ratings going from 175 to 177. Is there a new way to retrieve an author's latest reviews? Thankx in advance :D
July 12, 2014
Another anonymous review for Bright
I have been getting lots of feedback via email for Bright. A few of the contributors didn't even ask to be anonymous but I did it out of respect for their privacy as they did not post reviews on the main review page. Today I got another email by a young lady who does want to remain anonymous, and I love this review...it has an unusual point of view about what many other readers do not enjoy reading about: the cheating content!
"Honestly, I really loved your writing and the emotion in your story. It packed a punch and definitely made me feel a lot of things. I really felt for Walter and Monty. I think the hardest part was Monty. I was mad at him and yet, I did see that he needed to hit rock bottom. I grew a tough skin over the years and all the cheating did was make the book more angsty, which I love! Angst is good for me. And the health struggles Walter had were heartbreaking. I felt really bad for him, and part of the reason my anger at Monty was so strong at times, was because of Walter's health complaints. But saying that, I really did love the cheating aspect because it was believable and not stupid and just because the author wanted to make people angry."
Yes indeed. I do make people angry. As the reader above says, it's not in a way where I sit back and laugh at readers being repulsed and angry. But the things I write about? They make people very angry. I can imagine some readers' disgust when they read Crush and come upon the child abuse and rape content. Yes, you're supposed to be disgusted, yes you're supposed to be angry as hell at people who harm and rape their children! If you feel sickened in body and soul reading these scenes, you are a human with a healthy conscience. The same goes for Monty cheating on Walter, Monty treating Walter with complete and utter disregard, trying to make light of his deeds, calling it "casual sex" and accusing Walter of "taking things too seriously". It ought to make one angrier AFTER they get married. If you're angry, that's what I'm shooting for. Emotional reactions in readers are the gold in your pan. :D
Please tell all your friends who like m/m erotica: BRIGHT is completely and totally FREE on Smashwords until after July 31st! See link below. No coupons needed, just click on it and it's yours! Thank you all for your support and wonderful letters!!!!
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view...
"Honestly, I really loved your writing and the emotion in your story. It packed a punch and definitely made me feel a lot of things. I really felt for Walter and Monty. I think the hardest part was Monty. I was mad at him and yet, I did see that he needed to hit rock bottom. I grew a tough skin over the years and all the cheating did was make the book more angsty, which I love! Angst is good for me. And the health struggles Walter had were heartbreaking. I felt really bad for him, and part of the reason my anger at Monty was so strong at times, was because of Walter's health complaints. But saying that, I really did love the cheating aspect because it was believable and not stupid and just because the author wanted to make people angry."
Yes indeed. I do make people angry. As the reader above says, it's not in a way where I sit back and laugh at readers being repulsed and angry. But the things I write about? They make people very angry. I can imagine some readers' disgust when they read Crush and come upon the child abuse and rape content. Yes, you're supposed to be disgusted, yes you're supposed to be angry as hell at people who harm and rape their children! If you feel sickened in body and soul reading these scenes, you are a human with a healthy conscience. The same goes for Monty cheating on Walter, Monty treating Walter with complete and utter disregard, trying to make light of his deeds, calling it "casual sex" and accusing Walter of "taking things too seriously". It ought to make one angrier AFTER they get married. If you're angry, that's what I'm shooting for. Emotional reactions in readers are the gold in your pan. :D
Please tell all your friends who like m/m erotica: BRIGHT is completely and totally FREE on Smashwords until after July 31st! See link below. No coupons needed, just click on it and it's yours! Thank you all for your support and wonderful letters!!!!
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view...
July 11, 2014
One year!
I would really love to be able to go to an Author book signing event exactly one year from this time in Dublin, Ireland. I have some goals to accomplish first and I'm really going to try.
How does one overcome severe shyness brought on by a lifelong exposure to family fights, loud screaming and cursing, being forced into responsibilities I wasn't ready for at such a young age. I remember my first severe panic attack in 1991. It was a nightmare. Only a few years after that, I became a nurse, and with that came the knowledge that I was in charge of making sure people survived under my watch. I never had developed good eating and nutrition habits, but when you take on a career like nursing, poor dietary and activity habits will take their toll on you. You are already stressed and dealing with elevated cortisol, which packs fat and flubber onto you in no time flat. On top of all of this, I picked up another habit...smoking...and we're talking chain smoking. I probably made patients sick with the smoke all over my smocks.
In a nutshell, I didn't take care of my own health while I was in charge of others' health. I am giving myself one year to get down to a healthy weight, and come out of my shell. Because of my illness, my strange sense of humor, and above all, my physicality, I am probably the shyest person alive. I'm a chatterbox on social media, but in person, you won't recognize me. I hope I can change that.
How does one overcome severe shyness brought on by a lifelong exposure to family fights, loud screaming and cursing, being forced into responsibilities I wasn't ready for at such a young age. I remember my first severe panic attack in 1991. It was a nightmare. Only a few years after that, I became a nurse, and with that came the knowledge that I was in charge of making sure people survived under my watch. I never had developed good eating and nutrition habits, but when you take on a career like nursing, poor dietary and activity habits will take their toll on you. You are already stressed and dealing with elevated cortisol, which packs fat and flubber onto you in no time flat. On top of all of this, I picked up another habit...smoking...and we're talking chain smoking. I probably made patients sick with the smoke all over my smocks.
In a nutshell, I didn't take care of my own health while I was in charge of others' health. I am giving myself one year to get down to a healthy weight, and come out of my shell. Because of my illness, my strange sense of humor, and above all, my physicality, I am probably the shyest person alive. I'm a chatterbox on social media, but in person, you won't recognize me. I hope I can change that.
