Toi Thomas's Blog, page 78

Count Your Blessings 09

Family

Even though I’ve provided a reference point, family is something that is not so easily defined. I have a feeling that the world has changed in ways in which those who defined this word could not have imagined. For whatever family means to you, you must realize just how blessed you are to have one no matter how big or small, wealthy or poor, functional or dysfunctional.

I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t always like all my family, but I never stop loving and appreciating them, and there isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for them. I’m blessed to have people in my life who drive me crazy and help make me who I am. Even though I’m sure they don’t like me all the time, it seems that they always like me when I don’t really like myself.

I’m blessed to be part of family, whether by blood, marriage, or association.

Thank you for taking the time to read this post. If you like it let me know and share it with others. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #thetoiboxofwords

Filed under: Blessings Tagged: blessings, family, gratitude, life

Posts from the Past: EC:GA Other Supporting Characters

These are previous posts that have been dusted off, updated, and freshly presented to an audience that’s never seen them. These limited posts originate from the companion blogs I’ve written for the first two installments of the Eternal Curse Series (40 Days and Nights of Eternal Curse & EC: Battleground a Survival Guide).

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This story has several other characters that are mentioned, and or described, to help develop the background of the main characters and the overall plot of the story. The characters listed below are the most important and interesting of them all.

Leo- His sole purpose is to make their lives easier and keeping them from having to deal with other people. He’s a gofer and a go-between for Abraham. He brings him things they need and takes care of their mail and security.

Sarah- Sarah is the late wife of Abraham. She doesn’t do a whole lot in the story, but she is mentioned and talked about several times. She’s the anti-Yoko. She never comes between Abraham and Giovanni’s friendship, but considers it just a part of the life they lived together.  (If you’re a Yoko fan, relax, it’s just an analogy.)

Seth- Seth is a fallen angel who becomes human. He is an ancestor to Giovanni. He’s  an important part of Giovanni’s dream struggle.

Marcos- Marcos is a fallen angel who becomes a demon. He is also an ancestor to Giovanni and a dominant part of Giovanni’s dream struggle.

Bletsian- Bletsian is the ultimate hero of the story once the action really begins to get thick, but he doesn’t truly shine until the next book. Throughout the current story, Bletsian is mainly an ideal that’s hidden away, just waiting for the moment when he needs to shine above and beyond what Giovanni is capable of.

While these characters don’t take up a lot of the action in this story, many of them will find themselves more involved in other aspects of the series, overall.

Thank you for taking the time to read this post. If you like it let me know and share it with others. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #thetoiboxofwords

Filed under: EC: Giovanni's Angel, Post of Past Tagged: angels, author, blogging, book, break down, character, demons, dreams, ebook, Eternal Curse, fantasy, fiction, good vs evil, journal, life, process, profile, purpose, shape-shifting, stories, try this, writing

Happy Eternal Curse Release Day! 2014

I’m so happy this day is finally here; now I can breathe. I’d like to sit here and proclaim to the world that this book is on its way to being a bestseller, but who really knows. I’m sure there is so much more I should be doing to promote it, but for now, I just want to enjoy it. Afterall, I didn’t write this book to spend the rest of my life trying to sell it; I wrote it because I felt I needed to, because it made me happy to do so, and because at my very core I am a writer.

I hope many of you will read my book and hope many of you will also like it and perhaps share it with others. Today this book is available at the following e-retailers (Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Tate) and can be ordered from any local bookstore. I am currently working on efforts to have it stocked in a few local stores (in the Hampton Roads area of VA) and will promote them when available….

Oh, and there’s still time to enter my Release Day Giveaway!

Please click here to visit Goodreads.com to read some of the current reviews of this book and add it to your bookshelf. Thank  you all for sticking with me this far and hopefully you’ll stick around for what’s to come.

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 Last day of my Kindle Countdown Deals on Legend of the Boy and Unexplained, featuring two romantic tales, Encounter and Our Place.  Deals end at 11:59 pm EST today!

#cursescanbebroken – Thank you for taking the time to read this post. If you like it let me know and share it with others. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #thetoiboxofwords

Filed under: BlogHop-Promo, EC: Giovanni's Angel Tagged: angels, book release, books, demons, ebook, Eternal Curse, faith, family, fantasy, fiction, Giovanni's Angel, good vs evil, goodreads, love, paranormal, promotion, reviews, romance, shape-shifting, spec-fic, Toi Thomas

Character Files from the ToiBox 49: Mira- Preferences

Preferences: Subject EC:GA 4-Mira

Favorite Color: blue

Favorite Food: anything, a foodie

Favorite Book or Movie: It’s a Wonderful Life

Favorite Music: jazz

Favorite Pastime: reading and research

Other: Hard sleeper, social networker, and likes to go for walks.

Last day of my Kindle Countdown Deals on Legend of the Boy and Unexplained, featuring two romantic tales, Encounter and Our Place.  Deals end at 11:59 pm EST today; Happy Eternal Curse Release Day!

Thank you for taking the time to read this post. If you like it let me know and share it with others. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #thetoiboxofwords

Filed under: Character Files, EC: Giovanni's Angel Tagged: #thetoiboxofwords, angels, character, demons, ebook, Eternal Curse, fiction, Giovanni's Angel, meme, Mira, preferences, reading, spec-fic, Toi Thomas, writing

Listography of Toi 08: Fears

These are the lists that tell my life story. They are in no particular order and some of them are very personal. Please be nice, and if you want to share, I’d be glad to take a look at what you have.

My Fears

-Falling (but not afraid of heights)

-Bugs and rodents in my home

-Identity Theft

-Home Invasion

-Rape

Listograhy are books and a website dedicated to helping you write or consider your autobiography through the process of making lists.

Day 4 of my Kindle Countdown Deals on Legend of the Boy and Unexplained, featuring two romantic tales, Encounter and Our Place.  Deals end at 11:59 pm EST 2/18; Happy Release Day!

Thank you for taking the time to read this post. If you like it let me know and share it with others. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #thetoiboxofwords

Filed under: Listography-Top5-MyLife Tagged: author, biography, fear, life, lists, Toi Thomas

Sample Sunday 33

Here is approximately 100 – 150 words from a randomly selected original piece for your enjoyment. These samples can include excerpts from my all my WIPs and my Eternal Curse Series, but only as works in progress (not the final products). These samples of published and unpublished works are protected under the U.S. Copyright agreement.

Eternal Curse: Battleground chapter 4.2 (wip)

Pretty soon, it seemed as though the presence of evil was following us around and preparing to attack. After about a year of patrolling together, it seemed that at least three nights a week Mira and I or at least myself, were caught up in some sort of physically altercation, with us fighting for our lives and those of others. The more good we tried to do, the more opposition we seemed to face, but we couldn’t stop and turn our backs on all the people that came to depend on us. We didn’t know at the time how much our lives were truly about to change. Nothing would ever be calm, simple, and neat again.

Day 3 of my Kindle Countdown Deals on Legend of the Boy and Unexplained, featuring two romantic tales, Encounter and Our Place.  Deals end at 11:59 pm EST 2/18; Happy Release Day!

Thank you for taking the time to read this post. If you like it let me know and share it with others. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #thetoiboxofwords

Filed under: EC: Battleground, Samples Tagged: angels, demons, Eternal Curse: Battleground, family, fiction, reading, sample excerpt, spec-fic, Toi Thomas, war, wip

Eternal Curse Release Week! Saturday Sample 2014

Eternal Curse: Giovanni’s Angel, from chapter 3

Eternal Curse: Giovanni’s Angel Copyright © 2013 Toinette Thomas

It had been one of those rare nights when Giovanni was tired enough to attempt sleeping through the night. The night ended commonly enough with him being tormented with twisted dreams instead. His sleep never quite seemed to offer him the rest he sought, and, apparently, his body didn’t need the rest very much, as he’d grown used to going days without sleeping.

Like many nights before, his body had become drenched in sweat as he lay beneath his sheets. While he tossed and turned in his bed, he became entangled in the fabric as it began to cling and stick to his body. As he dreamed of war, Giovanni could feel the warmth of a slow burning fire growing all around him. The intensity of the battle in his mind was so great that heat began to radiate from his body as though he were actually in the line of fire and apart of the battle.

In his mind, Giovanni could see a battlefield suspended in the highest high of the sky, engulfed in clouds, with mountains of flattened bodies stacked all around. A smoky dust began to fill the air in the forefront of this nightmare, where there stood a victorious warrior standing tall over his defeated foe. The warrior’s body seemed to emit a golden glowing light as angelic pristine white wings rose up, soaring from behind him. He was truly the epitomized image of purity, majesty, and strength. The warrior angel clutched a sword in one hand with diamond clusters for a blade and deeply dark onyx for the handle. In his other hand, he toted a shield of shimmering gold and silver.

Giovanni stretched out his neck and squinted his eyes, but he could not make out the face of the angelic warrior. As the victor knelt down and placed his hand over the head of his foe, Giovanni could see that he was looking down at the slain face of a youth; a golden boy, curled up like a wheel with his head pressed into his feet. His body was covered with a thousand crying eyes that now remained forever shut behind their resting lids.

There seemed to be a black smoke-like spirit fading away, almost seeping, from the corpse as it disintegrated into ash. Giovanni was nearby struggling to break free, as forces of anger and hatred held him down. He could not see this enemy, this dark force that was digging its claws into his flesh, causing blood to trickle painfully from his body. Giovanni so wanted to break away from his adversary and fight the good fight face to face, but he couldn’t.

This book is published by Tate Publishing and Enterprises, LLC.

Eternal Curse: Giovanni’s Angel releases worldwide on February 18th,

so be sure to check it out and enter my Release Day Giveaway!

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 Day 2 of my Kindle Countdown Deals on Legend of the Boy and Unexplained, featuring two romantic tales, Encounter and Our Place.  Deals end at 11:59 pm EST 2/18; Happy Release Day!

I hope you are enjoying Eternal Curse Release Week! If you like it let me know and share it with others. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #cursescanbebroken

Filed under: EC: Giovanni's Angel, Samples Tagged: angels, book release, demons, Eternal Curse, excerpt, fantasy, fiction, Giovanni's Angel, giveaway, good vs evil, promotion, rafflecopter, sample, spec-fic, Toi Thomas

Eternal Curse Release Week! Friday Book Review 2014

********************Happy St. Valentine’s Day!********************

Ann, Jan 05, 14 (visit and or rate this review here)

This was given to me in exchange for a review.

I must admit the first couple of chapters were a little slow for me but I am glad I did not stop! It has turned into a OMG book!

You can read the Blurb as to what it is about. I could not put it down!

This story is FULL of so many emotions! I laughed at times and was on the edge of my seat! It is a beautiful story and only the first in a series!

I am usually attracted to action books which this first one is not, but don’t despair for I think a lot of action is on the way!

The more I read the more I was sucked in!

This one is a story of love, trust, secrets and learning who both of the characters are! How they are meant for each other and their struggles to fully open up to one another.

Written very well as it gives nothing away! It’s a story to make you happy, sad, laugh and cry! A lot of surprises!

To see author M.C.V. Egan interview Toi Thomas, click here.

Eternal Curse: Giovanni’s Angel releases worldwide on February 18th,

so be sure to check it out and enter my Release Day Giveaway!

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 Today begins my Kindle Countdown Deals on Legend of the Boy and Unexplained, featuring two romantic tales, Encounter and Our Place. Deals end at 11:59 pm EST 2/18; Happy Release Day!

I hope you are enjoying Eternal Curse Release Week! If you like it let me know and share it with others. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #cursescanbebroken

Filed under: EC: Giovanni's Angel, Reviews Tagged: angels, book release, demons, Eternal Curse, fantasy, fiction, Giovanni's Angel, giveaway, good vs evil, Interview, promotion, rafflecopter, review, spec-fic, Toi Thomas

Eternal Curse Release Week! Thursday Interview 2014

This is a Youtube clip of a radio interview. While there are images that do shift a bit from time to time, this is not a visually stimulating presentation. However, the interview is quite thorough, informative, and entertaining to listen to. The entire interview is less than 15 minutes long and offers great insight into the experience that is the Eternal Curse.

Eternal Curse: Giovanni’s Angel releases worldwide on February 18th,
so be sure to check it out and enter my Release Day Giveaway!

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 1 day until my Kindle Countdown Deals on Legend of the Boy and Unexplained, featuring two romantic tales, Encounter and Our Place.  Deals begin at 6:00 am EST 2/14; Happy Valentine’s Day!

I hope you are enjoying Eternal Curse Release Week! If you like it let me know and share it with others. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #cursescanbebroken

Filed under: EC: Giovanni's Angel, Interviews Tagged: angels, book release, demons, Eternal Curse, fantasy, fiction, Giovanni's Angel, giveaway, good vs evil, Interview, promotion, radio, rafflecopter, spec-fic, TheAuthorShow, Toi Thomas, video, youtube

Eternal Curse Release Week! Wednesday Blog Hop 2014 #howdoyouwoo

My first official date with my, now, husband ended with me going to the ER. What can I say, I really know how to turn the fellas on…at least I was memorable.

Honestly, my husband and I already had a bit of history before our first date. We were friends, so when I started to have breathing problems and needed medical attention, it was really more of a friend looking out for another, but for me, it was the sweetest thing. When I woke up groggy the next day, all neatly tucked into my bead, I was confused. Then I walked out into the hall and saw my date passed out on the couch. He had stayed the whole night to make sure I was ok. My husband has never disappointed me in the romance department and luckily for him, I’m not high maintenance. Tulips when he can get’em, chocolate anytime, comic books, action figures, a visit to the zoo, ice cream, and a fresh new pair of fuzzy socks; he knows how to romance me any day.

As for him, he also likes comic books and actions figures, as well as a home cooked meal, a cool watch, graphic tees, hot dogs, me in something pretty that’s not denim, and all the sports he can watch. After almost nine years of marriage we haven’t lost our sense of romance, it’s just taken on some different forms…

And now, here’s a snippet of budding romance from my debut novel, Eternal Curse: Giovanni’s Angel, from chapter seven.

“Giovanni wondered why he was so affected by Mira’s touch, but it was more than just that. As they walked along together, among the trees and gardens preparing for their winter rest, Giovanni could smell a sweet fragrance emitting from Mira that kept him dizzy and off focus. Giovanni had never before enjoyed and adored the aroma of another person, but he simply couldn’t ignore the scent of Mira. As the day grew colder, Giovanni and Mira headed back toward the house and Giovanni remained puzzled by new sensations and emotions.”

Eternal Curse: Giovanni’s Angel Copyright © 2013 Toinette Thomas

See the 1st review of this, 3rd edition, release of

Eternal Curse: Giovanni’s Angel, by Neal James.

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Be sure to visit other stops on this blog hop by clicking here.

Don’t forget to leave me a comment and talk about wooing for your chance to win a box of Ferrero Rocher®. Winner announced Friday, February 14th.

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 2 days until my Kindle Countdown Deals on Legend of the Boy and Unexplained, featuring two romantic tales, Encounter and Our Place.  Deals begin at 6:00 am EST 2/14; Happy Valentine’s Day!

I hope you are enjoying Eternal Curse Release Week! If you like it let me know and share it with others. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #cursescanbebroken

Filed under: BlogHop-Promo, EC: Giovanni's Angel Tagged: angels, blog hop, book release, demons, Eternal Curse, fantasy, Ferrero Rocher®, fiction, Giovanni's Angel, giveaway, good vs evil, How do you Woo?, promotion, rafflecopter, spec-fic, Toi Thomas