Leigh Talbert Moore's Blog, page 17

Destined to be a Hit!

I hope everyone had a lovely Christmas with family and friends! Today's special post is part of the blog tour for writer-friend  Ali Cross (link) ! 
Tour stopsHer new book Destined (link) has just come out, and not only is it gorgeous, it sounds amazing. And at as a special treat, you can enter to win all three books in the trilogy and all kinds of cool swag below.

In the meantime, here's the scoop on Destined:

Get me today!Choosing is a bad idea, because Desi always makes the wrong choice, and sometimes there are no do-overs. Certainly not this time, when all has been lost and Desi can’t even save herself, let alone her friends. For Desi, the hardest thing is letting someone help her, to accept their sacrifice on her\behalf. But that’s exactly what she’ll have to do in order to save the worlds from Helena’s destruction.

The goddess of Helheimer, long imprisoned by Desi’s father, Loki, is free at last, and she’s bent on reclaiming what once was hers. The nine worlds will be drawn into war, over Hell, over Earth, with innocent humans as meaningless collateral.

While Michael and the Gardians of Asgard, along with the golden-armored Valkyrie, lead the battle for freedom, it’s Desi who holds the destiny of all the worlds in her hands.

Can she set aside her doubts, once and for all, and claim the gifts that are hers to bear? Can she accept the sacrifice that is made for her and Become all that she was created to be?

Her final choice will define not only her future, but the fate of humankind, forever more.

One word: Wow!
the lovely Ali Cross
Get it at Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Goodreads

Ali Cross is the sensei of the Writer's Dojo where she holds a black belt in awesome. She lives in Utah with her kickin' husband, two sparring sons, one ninja cat, two sumo dogs and four zen turtles.

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Hope you're having a super holiday week, reader- and writer-friends~ <3

A Supa Holiday Event

Merry Christmas Eve! Today is also my mom's birthday, so Happy Birthday, Mom!

Christmas 2012 feels very special to me. 2011 was filled with uncertainty for our little clan. We'd just relocated, we were traveling last year... my writer-life was in flux.

Everything changed this year! And it's crazy and fun and scary, and it feels like 2013 is going to be even more interesting. Here's wishing everyone finishes on a happy note. I mean, we're all still here, after all!

The lovely Michelle Muto (link)  has organized a special Supa Holiday Sale featuring 51 books by bestselling authors. It's for everyone unwrapping e-readers, and it runs through Dec. 31!

So without further ado, I'll turn it over to the event. And have a fantastic holiday week, reader- and writer-friends! <3



With the stress of the holidays nearly over, now is a great time to sit back, curl up in your favorite reading chair, and get lost in fabulous new worlds. To help you do just that, some authors have banded together and put all their titles on sale, right NOW!! Some of this season’s most popular e-books have been discounted to just $0.99!!! Don’t miss out!

For all of you who got new Kindles for Christmas, this is the perfect opportunity to start your new library!! Please spread the word and share this post with all your friends – they’ll thank you for it!
Heather Hildenbrand ::Across The Galaxy::Amazon Link B&N LinkRaShelle Workman::Blood and Snow Volumes 1-4::Amazon LinkMichelle Muto::Don’t Fear The Reaper::Amazon LinkB&N LinkStacey Wallace Benefiel::Zellie Wells Trilogy::Amazon LinkB&N LinkChristie Rich::Five - Elmental Book 1(FREE)::::Dark Matter Book2::Amazon LinkB&N LinkLaura A.H. Elliot::Transfer Student::Amazon LinkB&N LinkKaren Amanda Hooper::Grasping At Eternity::Amazon LinkB&N LinkDavid James::Light Of The Moon (Legend of the Dreamer, Book 1)::Amazon LinkB&N LinkLeigh Talbert Moore::Rouge::Amazon LinkHelen Boswell::Mythology::Amazon LinkV.J. Chambers::Breathless (FREE)::::Trembling (Jason & Azazel #2)::Amazon LinkV.J. Chambers::Tortured (Jason & Azazel #3)::Amazon LinkElizabeth Sharp::Natural Selection::Amazon LinkB&N LinkLeigh Talbert Moore::The Truth About Faking::Amazon LinkB&N LinkTaryn Browning::Dark Seeker (Seeker Book 1)::Amazon LinkB&N LinkHeather Self::The One::Amazon LinkB&N LinkL.P. Dover::Forever Fae::Amazon Link Nancy Straight::Blood Debt (Touched Book 1)::Amazon LinkNancy Straight::Meeting Destiny::FreeAmazon LinkB&N LinkChelsea Fine::Anew (Archers of Avalon, Book 1)::Amazon LinkB&N LinkRaine Thomas::Becoming::Amazon LinkB&N LinkAlyssa Rose Ivy::Flight (The Crescent Chronicles, #1)::Amazon LinkB&N LinkMagan Vernon::How To Date An Alien::Amazon LinkB&N LinkJanine Caldwell::Rematch::Amazon LinkB&N LinkCourtney Cole::Soul Kissed::Amazon LinkB&N LinkKarli Rush::Crescent Bound (Book 1)::Amazon LinkJennifer Snyder::Marked (Marked Duology 1)::Amazon LinkB&N LinkShelly Crane::Significance::Amazon LinkB&N LinkBethany Lopez::xoxoxo (Stories About Melissa, Book 2)Amazon Link B&N LinkJill Cooper::The Dream Slayer (Book 1)::Amazon LinkJill Cooper::Demon Royale (The Dream Slayer Book 2)::Amazon LinkA.M. Hargrove::Determinant (The Guardians of Vesturon #3)::Amazon LinkB&N LinkBonnie R. Paulson::Barely Alive (Barely Alive #1)::Amazon LinkB&N LinkBonnie R. Paulson::Falling Apart (Barely Alive #2)::Amazon LinkB&N LinkBonnie R. Paulson::Mostly Dead (Barely Alive #3)Amazon LinkB&N LinkAddison Moore::Ephemeral (The Countenance #1)Amazon LinkB&N LinkC.A. Kunz::The Modified::Amazon LinkB&N LinkAddison Moore::Ethereal (Celestra Series #1)::Amazon LinkB&N LinkAddison Moore::Tremble (Celestra Series #2)Amazon LinkB&N LinkSarah M Ross::Echo Of An Earth Angel::Amazon LinkB&N LinkSarah M Ross::Awaken::Amazon Link B&N LinkAmy Maurer Jones::Soul Quest (Soul Quest Trilogy #1)::Amazon LinkB&N LinkAmy Maurer Jones::Wildflower (Wildflower Series #1)::Amazon LinkB&N LinkThomas Amo::Forever ME::Amazon LinkAmy Harmon::Slow Dance In Purgatory::Amazon LinkCheri Lasota::Artemis Rising::Amazon LinkB&N LinkG.P. Ching::The Soulkeepers::Amazon LinkB&N LinkG.P. Ching::Grounded::Amazon LinkB&N LinkMina J. Moore::A Vampire’s Touch (Prequel to The Red Velvet Trilogy)::Amazon LinkLK Gardner-Griffie::Misfit McCabe (Book 1)::Amazon LinkM.R. Polish::Wolf Spell::Amazon LinkB&N Link

Marketing Results & Love, Tink

I have to start by saying a HUGE Thank You! To everyone who tweeted and shared and was just amazingly, fantastically awesome these past two days with the Rouge (link) marketing push!

Click to enlargeBy the end of Wednesday (Day 1) Rouge had reached #1 on the Best Seller list for Teen Historical, and there it stayed through the end of Thursday.

It went all the way up to #3 on Teen Romance, which is a harder list.

So I'm encouraged!

I've been advised series books often don't "take off" until there are more out there.

With The Truth About Letting Go (companion to TTAF) at the betas/critters and Christmas break upon us, I'm thinking it's family time. Then once TTALG is ready to go in January, I'll focusing on finishing Rouge #2, tentatively called Violet.

So now I wait and see what happens. If those thousand+ people who downloaded Rouge will read it, love it, and tell others about it.

Either way, Merry Christmas to all of you! You gave me a great gift these past two days... THANK YOU!!!

Now what's this Love, Tink?

Well, I have the privilege of unveiling a gorgeous cover for a writer-friend and fellow Indelible...

Introducing the LOVE, TINK serial series by Elle Strauss!

Told in novelette-length episodes, Love, Tink is a modern twist on the Tinkerbell and Peter Pan story.

"Things changed in Neverland when the lost boys arrived. At least they changed for me, and all because of the dark haired boy with sun-bronzed skin and a lousy shot."


Tink is hopelessly smitten with Peter, the leader of the lost boys, who mysteriously arrived at Neverland two years ago. Unfortunately, Peter is tired of the adventure and especially tired of dodging Captain Hook, who is after his head. He just wants to go back to New York City and live his life as a normal fifteen year old.

Tink is the only one who can help Peter return, but it breaks her heart to do it.  She just wants to make him happy, so she does the unthinkable and betrays the fairy king. Now her heart is filled with remorse. Should she go after Peter? Should she follow him to his New York?

The first episode of LOVE, TINK is coming January 02, 2013! Find out more about Elle Strauss at her blog: ellestraussbooks.com.

Is that not the greatest cover? I love it.

Have a wonderful weekend, reader- and writer-friends! <3

Elves and Free for ALLs!

I'm doing something BIG bloggy-friends! And I need your help...

Remember that time we all did the Amazon Chart Rush with writer-friend Talli (link)? Well, in an effort to increase visibility for my new book, today and tomorrow only, ROUGE will be FREE for ALL! (link)

Get or Give today! Not just Amazon Prime members-- EVERYONE gets it FREE!!! (link)

If you already bought it, don't be mad! (LOL!)

Writing is my full-time job now, so I'm taking a hit doing this. BUT! the hope is it will pay off in more visibility and future sales. And it will help me get back to what I do best... more writing!

How to help, you say?

*If you're planning to get it, please do so now (link).  Two clicks and you're done--easy peasy!

*Spread the word! Tell people on Facebook, or even consider tweeting this tweet:

#ROUGE is FREE! 2 days only; Get it: http://amzn.to/WOWxzP @leightmoore #freebies #fb

Thank you so much.

The hardest part about being independent is losing that marketing department, but that's why we help each other. And I'm here ready to return the favors!

Now, what about these Elves?

Well, as you may know, a few weeks ago PETE the Elf had a touch too much Eggnog at the Holiday Christmas Party and as he stumbled home, he lost Santa's NICE LIST.

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The North Wind scattered the papers to all four corners of the world, and The Bookshelf Muse put out a call to help find them in order to SAVE CHRISTMAS.

Ever since I read about it, I've been on the lookout. And then today, EUREKA! Yes that's right, I found part of Santa's missing NICE LIST.

There it was, fluttering in the wind, half caught under the corner of my welcome mat. And shock of all shocks, I recognized the names. I bet you will, too! Here it is below: 

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NAMES: Jolene Perry (link); Susan Quinn (link); Hart Johnson (link); Carolyn Abiad (link); Jessica Bell (link); Matt Rush (link); Sheri Larsen (link); Janet Johnson (link); Lydia Kang (link); D.L. (link); Stina (link); Lisa Ann (link); Old Kitty (link); Pat Hatt (link); Kelly Polark (link); Laura Diamond (link); Magan Vernon (link); Allie Brennan (link); Natalie (link); my dear Indelibles (link); OMG, I have to stop now... but if you're here, YOU!

LOCATION: The Blogosphere

NICE LEVEL: 1000%

NAUGHTY LEVEL: Just enough to be awesome!

OBSERVATIONS: For the most part, these guys have been with me since the early days, writing, getting agents, getting publishing deals, getting published, losing agents, breaking new ground, cheering each other on, always stopping by to say HI... You guys are irreplaceable to me.

RECOMMENDATION: I hope you all know I'm here always and as needed. I still can't wait for that day when we all have that huge party and Matt can DJ, and TH will insist everyone to go skinny dipping, and Jessica and Jolene can sing and play guitar, and Sheri can dance, and Lydia can examine our heads... LOL!
How about you, Readers? Is there someone you'd like to say Happy Holidays to, or tell them how much they mean to you? JOIN US! (link) There's plenty of days left until Christmas, and sometimes a kind word can lift people up in a way that they really need.

And have a GREAT week-reader and wrier-friends! Christmas is right around the corner~ <3

Can I just Stay in my Cave?

Well, reader- and writer-friends, I found out late that what was supposed to be here today wasn't ready to be here, so I was kind of left scrambling. Which is FINE. No worries!

I've been in sort of a whirlwind of getting books out and promoting books, and it's made me realize one important thing: Marketing eats up a lot of time.

I'm not sorry for my decisions, but I do miss the days when we used to be here blogging, kickin it. Discussing writerly events or world events. I value you, the friends I've made through blogging, so much.

Friday was a bad day.

Most of you know I've been in the writer's cave pushing hard to finish my new book The Truth About Letting Go before Christmas break. (It's a TTAF companion novel.)

So I've been all out of touch, and man, I've missed you guys!

Good news: I finished the first draft of TTALG, put on my running shoes and hit the trail at about 1:30 p.m. on Friday. Got home, stretched, showered and jumped in the car to get the kiddos from school.

Flipped on the NPR at about 3:15... just in time for the president's speech.

Yep, I was crying and processing and trying to get myself together by the time I had four elementary school kids--one of whom's in first grade--piling into my car.

Naturally, my oldest daughter is the duck on a june bug demanding to know What's Wrong!?!

I made up something that satisfied her.

What's the point? What's ever the point of something like this? I was raised in a house, in a family of hunters, gun owners, NRA members. I earned my Marksman First Class badge at summer camp when I was nine...

And I don't own a gun. Don't want one. Especially not while I've got children in the house.

Tru dat.But I hear all sides. And this is not a political blog. I have no desire to wade into those waters.

I guess my point is... sometimes the writer's cave is a nice place to be. And mental illness is a terrible thing. And I hate so much what happened on Friday.

At the same time, I believe in the good in people, in the love of small communities, and in our ability to rise above this.

It's Christmas. I feel like a John Lennon song might be appropriate right now. I miss our innocence, whether or not it ever existed. It's a beautiful dream.

Have a great week, reader- and writer-friends ((hugs))~ <3

Free Souls is HERE!

All you wonderful reader- and writer-friends, who I love. I'm at the end of The Truth About Letting Go, and I have cried, swooned... omg. I can't wait to share it with you.

In the meantime, I am PSYCHED about today's post. I've been great friends with Susan Quinn (link) for a few years, since I reviewed her very first book Life, Liberty, and Pursuit (link), a sweet, YA romance.

Susan's a rocket scientist. Yep. So it's only natural her next trilogy ( thrill-ogy ) is a science fiction story that ROCKS! I read and reviewed Book #1 Open Minds (link), and I had the privilege of critiquing her final installment Free Souls.

It. Is. AWESOME!!! Action paced, intense...

So without further ado, here you geaux~

Free Souls by Susan Kaye Quinn
(Book Three of the Mindjack Trilogy) Now Available!When your mind is a weapon, freedom comes at a price.
Four months have passed since Kira left home to join Julian’s Jacker Freedom Alliance, but the hole in her heart still whistles empty where her boyfriend Raf used to be. She fills it with weapons training, JFA patrols, and an obsessive hunt for FBI agent Kestrel, ignoring Julian’s worries about her safety and repeated attempts to recruit her for his revolutionary chat-casts. When anti-jacker politician Vellus surrounds Jackertown with the National Guard, Kira discovers there’s more to Julian’s concerns than she knew, but she’s forced to take on a mission that neither want and that might be her last: assassinating Senator Vellus before he can snuff out Julian’s revolution and the jackers she’s come to love.
All Mindjack stories available on Amazon, Barnes&Noble, Kobo, Smashwords, and iTunes
(Note Free Souls is not yet available on iTunes)
Early Praise for Free Souls

“Quinn paints a picture of a not-too-distant America where politicians inflame the hatred of one section of the populace for another—all for their own gain—and you worry that her world is not so far off from our own.” — Dianne Salerni, author of We Hear the Dead, The Caged Graves, and the forthcoming The Eighth Day
"Free Souls starts with a bang and doesn't let up. Like a mash-up of all your favorite science-fiction adventures from Star Wars to The Legend of Korra, it blends nonstop action, nail-biting escapes, and great romance. I absolutely loved it! A great series conclusion—a must-read."— Leigh Talbert Moore, author of Rouge and The Truth About Faking
“Susan did it again. Free Souls was WOW! I expected Kira to step up to her role as heroine but not like this. Surprises kept coming until the very end which tied up more loose ends than I knew existed. Warning: Don't start reading until you have time to finish. I didn't want to put Free Souls down for a second. It's that kind of book.” — Sher A. Hart, Goodreads Review
Interview
Susan's over at Amy Saunder's blog today (12.14.12), answering questions about how she came up with the mages' abilities, what kind of mage she would be, and all about her future works.

Digital Box Set
Since Free Souls is out, there is now a Digital Box Set of the Mindjack Trilogy for those of you who want the whole series!
Available on Amazon, Barnes&Noble
Mindjack Origins Collection
Want more Julian? Wondering how Sasha's ability really works? Looking for EXCLUSIVE DELETED SCENES from Free Souls? This collection of novellas, scenes, and other goodies is for those craving a bit more of the characters and drama of the Mindjack series.
Includes:

Mindjack Novellas
Mind Games (Raf's story)
The Handler (Julian's story)
The Scribe (Sasha's story)

TWO EXCLUSIVE DELETED SCENES from Free Souls (published nowhere else!)

PLUS Mindjack flash fiction, an (imaginary) conversation between Raf and Julian, and other goodies for readers who want just a little bit more of Kira, Julian, Raf, and the Mindjack crew.
Available on Amazon, Barnes&Noble
ENTER TO WIN
one of FIVE ecopies of the Mindjack Origins Collectiona Rafflecopter giveaway

Crazy Kings & Winning Stuff!

Y'all, I'm hitting the writing cave so hard, I'm going cross-eyed. Please forgive me for being the absentee writer-friend. I promise to be back very soon, with a vengance... and a new book!

In the meantime, I couldn't resist letting a fellow Indelible writer-friend Laura Pauling (link) . stop by today to tell us about her super-fun middle-grade book about the Mayans, ancient spells, and crazy kings, and down there at the bottom, you can win stuff!

Published by Pugalicious Press

Get me! When Bianca and Melvin brave the jungle to rescue their grandfather, they stumble upon the ancient Maya city of Etza, where the people haven’t aged in 2,000 years. They must learn to work together as they face loincloth-wearing skeletons from the underworld, a backstabbing princess, and an ancient prophecy that says in three days the city will be destroyed.

No problem. They’ll find Zeb and zip right out of there. The fact that a crazy king wants to serve Bianca up to the gods as an appetizer is just a minor technicality. But this ancient evil dude has finally met his match.


The Story Behind the Story
I remember the day. This was before I started writing. Sure, I’d dabbled in it but it hadn’t taken hold in my life as a daily activity or a possible career. The scent of a story would hover around me, begging me to write. I’d watch a movie or read a good book and the urge would increase, weighing me down, until I had to spit out some words and start plotting.

I’ve always loved time travel and I love learning, so I chose a culture I knew absolutely nothing about! The Maya. Oy. (More to come on research later.)

Eventually I had a first draft. A crappy first draft. I remember reading advice to revise. But I looked over my story and I couldn’t think of one thing to change. Ha! Then I joined a critique group. Oh boy, did I revise, rewrite, re-envision. Over a couple years it was shaping up.

Something still wasn’t quite right. The title was okay. But something in the words and the tone of the story felt flat. I put it aside and wrote a second and third story. And I realized I never should’ve spent three years rewriting the same story. I should’ve moved on a lot earlier.

Eventually, with more experience behind me, I revisited my middle grade time travel. And bingo! I realized that rewriting it in first person might add that special pizzazz I knew was missing. And the title changed to what it is today. Of course, more scenes were added and deleted. It wasn’t just a matter of switching out pronouns.

I queried for a bit. Then I moved on. Last spring, I self published my YA, A Spy Like Me, and then started writing the sequel. But something about How To Survive Ancient Spells and Crazy Kings wouldn’t let go of me.

So after much debate, I submitted to Pugalicious Press. And Voila! I’m extremely excited to send this book baby out into the world. It’s been inexistence in one form another for years!

Thanks, Leigh, for hosting me on the tour!

How To Survive Ancient Spells and Crazy Kings released in November. Pugalicious Press did a fantastic job, and I’m extremely happy with the results. This book would make a fantastic gift for boys or girls who enjoy adventure stories with lots of excitement!

You can purchase it on Amazon or Barnes and Noble. You can read the first chapter here. Check out the teacher's guide.

Thankfully, my journey is just beginning and I’m excited to see where it leads.

Click here for the list of blog tour stops! Enter to win these prize packages!
Prize Package One (signed paperbacks)
Prize Package Two (signed paperbacks)
Prize Package Three

Refresh the page if you can't see the Rafflecopter form!

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Also, a quick shout out to Juliana Haygert!

Her new book Her Heart's Secret Wish (link) releases today, 12/12/12.
Get me!
What a fun release date!

Be sure to check it out, and have a super rest of the week, reader- and writer-friends!

I'll be back Friday with a Big Surprise! It's so great to see all our writer-friends doing so well.

More soon~ <3

The Truth About... Writing Faith

Merry Christmas, reader- and writer-friends!

I hope you're all getting into the spirit. I'm in the writing cave typing like the wind to finish The Truth About Letting Go , a new book that's a companion to The Truth About Faking (link) .

TTALG is different from TTAF in that it's not a romantic comedy. It's a romantic drama. But it's still a coming of age story set in Shadow Creek (the ritzy neighborhood next to Shadow Falls).

The main character is Ashley Lockett, who you briefly meet in the last bathroom scene in TTAF. And like TTAF, one of the main characters is a person of faith, which causes a unique set of "problems" for Ashley.

Back when I started TTALG in 2010, Laurel Garver and I exchanged first chapters, and we were struck by the similar themes in our books. Fast forward almost three years, and I did a post on her blog about religion in romantic comedies (link).

Laurel is here today to discuss how she tackled issues of faith in her new book Never Gone (link) . So without further ado, I turn the spot over to Laurel~

Getting Real About Faith... and Doubt
by Laurel Garver (link)

In my novel Never Gone (link) , fifteen-year-old Dani believes her dead father has come back as a ghost, in part because the strain of trying to live without him is unbearable for her.

GarverFrom the outset, it’s clear that her dad gave her a lot of emotional support and encouraged her artistic talent. But he also shaped her values by raising her in the Anglican church, just like he had been.

The way Dani identifies her dad and her faith so closely makes grief especially complicated. Her devout dad is happily in heaven now, everyone tells her, so she’s really not supposed to be upset. But the very real pain and anger she feels can’t be easily argued away or healed with nice-sounding platitudes. The secure faith of her childhood begins to waver.

In places of great pain, any belief system will take a beating—even if it’s a secular belief in the power of friendship or family love. I think that aspect makes my novel a relatable story no matter where you are on the faith/doubt/indifference spectrum.

Still, it’s hard to ignore how deeply polarizing religion can be. When I initially sat down to write this post for Leigh, we were in the midst of one of the ugliest presidential races I’ve ever witnessed. And I have to admit that during that time, when faced with the task of discussing how I use religious themes in my work, I emotionally imploded.

Christians on both ends of the political spectrum were behaving badly, and any attempt to have a civil discussion was looking pretty fruitless. I don’t know if it was wise or simply cowardly to hold off writing this post; all I could see was how Christianity had become the Tar Baby. So I’ve waited to let the rancor subside and to gather my thoughts a little longer.

Writing religion is risky. Beliefs and values are so core to our identities, our vision of the good life, and these beliefs often come into conflict. And yet teens need to see themselves in fiction. In this Huffington Post interview, “Religion lifts YA books from ‘darkness’,” YA author Rae Carson expresses well the idea that pushing religion out of books marginalizes groups and their real experiences.

Spiritual questions about the nature of life and of a higher power naturally come up when a person is grieving. To remove religious thinking on the topic seems to me inauthentic.

My approach was simply to write a character for whom faith is a natural part of life. It’s Dani’s framework for understanding the world, just like her artistic ability is. The imagery and stories of her faith weave through her thought world as much as the language of painting and drawing. Like any teen raised in a Christian home, she goes through a coming-of-age process in which she has to decide if she truly believes for herself, rather than believing in her parent’s belief.

Most centrally, Never Gone is a dramatic story, not a handbook or a “how to grieve well” manual. Readers walk with Dani through sadness, longing, first love, turmoil, broken relationships, confusion and doubt. The adults in her world sometimes help, sometimes fail her badly. She has to come to grips with what is really real, with who God is, and with how she must grow and change in order to become her best self.

I don’t think you have to be a Christian to read a story like mine and get something positive out of it. I’m not Jewish, but I really love Chaim Potok’s stories, which give me a glimpse into Hasidic and Orthodox Jewish communities. One of the most lovely things about literature is how it opens a window into other worlds, gives us a chance to understand other perspectives by living inside them for just a little while.

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Laurel Garver is the author of Never Gone, a novel about grief, faith and finding love when all seems lost. A word nerd, Indie film enthusiast and incurable Anglophile, she lives in Philadelphia with her husband and daughter. 

Trailer for Never Gone



Add it on Goodreads. Read a sample chapter.

It is available as an ebook and a paperback at Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, Kobo, Smashwords, CreateSpace.

Jessica Bell in a Nutshell

(It rhymes!)

So I said I was going to do this once a month, and here I go doing it twice in a row. Today, I'm interviewing one of my very first bloggy friends, Jessica Bell (link) .

Jessica (she sings)I met Jessica in 2010 after she sent me an email that said, "Hey. I've been seeing you everywhere. We should be friends."

True confession: I respond well to blunt people. I'd much rather someone who just flat out tells me what they think to polite folks who make me guess what's up. I'm not a good guesser.

Jessica is just such a person, and we've been tight ever since. She's got a fantastic new writer's resource out, Show & Tell in a Nutshell (link). 

If you're a writer, you've been told at least once, "Show don't Tell." But how do you know if you're showing and not telling? It can be really hard sometimes!

Never fear, Jessica is here. And she doesn't just tell, she shows with fantastic examples of "This is telling" turned into "This is showing."

It's amazing.

And trust me, she's the organizer of the annual Homeric Writer's Retreat (link) , a published author, an award-winning poet, a professional editor, and a second-generation rock star. Jessica knows what she's talking about.

Here's the poop her new book, and after that, my interview.

Get me... I'll make
 you better. Have you been told there's a little too much telling in your novel? Want to remedy it? Then this is the book for you!

In Show & Tell in a Nutshell: Demonstrated Transitions from Telling to Showing you will find sixteen real scenes depicting a variety of situations, emotions, and characteristics which clearly demonstrate how to turn telling into showing. Dispersed throughout, and at the back of the book, are blank pages to take notes as you read. A few short writing prompts are also provided.

The author, Jessica Bell, also welcomes questions via email, concerning the content of this book, or about showing vs. telling in general, at showandtellinanutshell@gmail.com.

Reviews:

“Jessica Bell addresses one of the most common yet elusive pieces of writing advice—show, don't tell—in a uniquely user-friendly and effective way: by example. By studying the sixteen scenes she converts from “telling” into “showing,” not only will you clearly understand the difference; you will be inspired by her vivid imagery and dialogue to pour through your drafts and do the same.” ~Jenny Baranick, College English Teacher, Author of Missed Periods and Other Grammar Scares

“A practical, no-nonsense resource that will help new and experienced writers alike deal with that dreaded piece of advice: show, don’t tell. I wish Bell’s book had been around when I started writing!” ~Talli Roland, bestselling author

Purchase the paperback:
$4.40 on Amazon US * £3.99 on Amazon UK

Purchase the e-book:
$1.99 on Amazon US * £1.99 on Amazon UK * $1.99 on Kobo

And now for our interview! Buckle up...

LTM: So, Jessica, You're from Australia. David Letterman once referred to Australia as "the United States on Spring Break." Just how long is spring break in Oz, a.k.a., the Land Down Under?

JB: Um ... probably as long as  Emer O'Toole's armpit hair?

(LTM Note: OK, I had to Google that, and ... OMG--LOL! You have to see this--link. This is why I love Jess.)

LTM: Speaking of the Land Down Under, since all Australians know each other AND since your parents were in a 1990s alt-rock band, what do the Men At Work like to do on Spring Break?

JB: I think they're still traveling in a fried-out combie, on a hippie trail, head full of zombie. Pretty sure the strange lady they met still makes them nervous and cooks them breakfast. And I'm positive that when Aussies listen to that song it makes them want to throw up every breakfast from the last decade. This song makes me want to break spring. Shame it's already broken.

(LTM Note: I get this. As a so-La. native, I have problems with The Princess and the Frog... OK, except for Ray.)

LTM: We've known each other a few years now, so I happen to know you were a goth in school. I've seen pictures. Just how hard is it to keep that corpse skin tone while you're on spring break for so long?

Goth Jess (link) .
I'm diggin that red wig...JB: Have you experienced Melbourne weather? Gotta carry your entire wardrobe in the boot. Nature doesn't make it difficult.

(LTM note: First time I read that, I thought, "Your whole wardrobe fits in your boot?" For like five secs.)

LTM: You're a musician and a poet—your poetry book Fabric (link) was up for a Goodreads Choice Award this year (squee!). I also love your debut novel String Bridge. If that weren't enough, you're the voice of Miffy (the cute little bunny, link). Is it hard for you to keep all these alter-egos straight?

JB: Honey, you should take a look in my drawers.

(LTM note: This feels like that time you called me a "dag." Does drawers mean the same thing in Oz as in the U.S.?)

LTM: If I say to you that you were a cute little goth, will you strap on your combat boots and kick my tushie to a bloody pulp? (Are you going to do it now because I said "tushie"?)
Miffy, the cute little bunny
has Jessica's voice.
JB: I'd probably just give you Twisted Velvet Chains (link) , and say, "Read it and weep."

(LTM Note: Done...)

LTM: Finally, have I ever told you my father's younger sister married a Bell? Their oldest daughter is named Jessica. Are we secretly related? (And does that further mean I'm a goth?)

JB: Ha! No, you never told me that! I'm really put out that there are so many Jessica Bells out there. I've got a lot of competition. Wanna be my hit man? If you'll be my hit man, I'll let you look in my drawers.

(LTM note: Not sure I'm scary enough to be a hit man. I'd better stick to carrying your pink poodle. Not a euphemism.)

LTM: I said "finally" up there, but one more. You live in Greece now. Feta is not as good as Greek yogurt, which is less good than hummus. Discuss.

JB: My sweet chick pea I think you need some Greek wine.

(LTM note: Yessss... I hoped you'd say that. Let's geaux.)

Whee! Thanks, Jessica! And there you have it, reader-friends our great writer-friend Jessica. Now you know her even better--and don't forget to grab your copy of Show & Tell in a Nutshell (link) !

Get me and snuggle... * * *One last thing: another bloggy friend (and fellow Aussie)  Lynda Young (link) has her short story "Birthright" in a special holiday anthology collection Make Believe (link).

Birthright by Lynda R. Young
Christa can mask the pain and hide the scars, but running from a birthright is impossible. 

She’s tried to escape her grief by fleeing to a small town in Florida. Much to her frustration, the locals think they recognize her even though she's never been there before. To make things worse, a man named Jack spouts outrageous theories about her. 

Both spur Christa to bolt, to start fresh yet again, but there’s something about Jack that intrigues her enough to stay. The only problem? Someone else wants her to leave, and they won’t stop until she’s dead.

It sounds amazing, so do snag a copy (link)~

And have a super week, reader- and writer-friends! I'm headed back into the writing cave--woo hoo! and I am so excited. <3

Start of Something New

So I was thinking about when I first started blogging. I used to write these reaally looong posts, and besides JRM (my husband) and a few close friends, there were only like five of us suffering through them. (LOL!)
You're on the sides;
I'm in the middle holding on. :o)
Hart appeared first, then Rayna/Natasha , then Carolyn , then Matt --only because I asked him to comment on my boy books post (link)--then Vickie and Anne , Stina and Katie , Jessica , DL , you...

Some have stopped blogging; some are doing other things. I've cut back to once a week...

But this is how we found each other and started supporting each other and critiquing one another's work. Blogging became this amazing writers' circle that I love and miss so much when I'm swamped.

Back then I was so focused on finding an agent, and now... well, just LOOK at how much has changed!

Feb. 2010 Leigh would never have dreamed I'd be where I am today, doing what I'm doing. But one thing I would have predicted is how important you guys would remain to me.

SO I've decided to start something new!

The first Monday of every month, I'm going to spotlight a writer-friend! I don't have a model for how, but my goal is to make it funny and different--little-known facts revealed in an entertaining way.

(I need a name. Ideas? I don't need a name, you say?)

Kicking us off is my prolific writer-friend and amazing cover designer Jolene Perry!  (#1-Because I stole this idea from her; and #2-Because... uhh...) Let's see what she has to say.

Jolene
(Her name is sung to her...
A LOT.)LTM: Shortly after we met, I learned you live in Wasilla (AK), which to me says your life is a mixture of "Northern Exposure," "The Proposal," and "Insomnia." How much of each? And are you raising Ryan Reynolds' secret family?

JBP: YES! My life is exactly like those, which is crazy since NONE of them were actually filmed here... My life is much more "Northern Exposure" than anything else, but Wasilla IS a little bigger than Sicily, Alaska - we have a Target ;-) And Ryan Reynolds. He's hot, but a little needy... I know, you wouldn't think that. But it's true. He's always asking me to pet his abs, and the first few times it was pretty hot, but it's getting old...

(LTM Note: JBP's a bit braggy about her secret husband. Sorry.)

LTM: Sarah Palin can see Russia from her house, so of course, you can, too. When you go ice fishing, do you spy on them? What are they doing in Russia? Which one of your books is most popular in the former Soviet Union?

JBP: Night Sky (link) is the most popular in Russia because the ebook cover is sparkly... :-/ Fishing with Sarah - you know, you'd think she couldn't be more annoying when she's not on TV, but I'm here to tell you that ain't true...

(LTM Note: JBP did not deny being a spy.)
I've read it; get it!
LTM: You've co-authored several books with writers like Steph Campbell (My Heart for Yours), Nyrae Dawn (Dizzy), and Janna Watts (10 Weeks). All but one of those is a pen name... Which of these authors is a fake person?

JBP: HA!! I'm going to throw you here, because they're ALL real people. One of them just happens to be a recluse. Her true identity will remain faithfully hidden...

LTM: (follow up ignoring previous answer) Since one of these authors is really your split personality, what makes her easy and hard to work with?

JBP: I'm assuming you're referring to my reclusive friend, and I will say that if she and I were smooshed together, we'd almost make a fully functioning person ;-) Honestly, she's not online much, but she's like a sister and made of awesome.

(LTM Note: Smooshed is not a real word.)

LTM: It has become evident you have a shoe full of book babies. Tell us about your newest baby! And why you love her more.

JBP: Last night I pulled up four manuscripts that I've started and have half mapped out but haven't had time to write. One of my girls was running through this hilarious monologue as the teacher at her private Christian school prayed to baby Jesus and I laughed so hard I woke up my husband.

Haven't read yet; get it! And after reading through what I had of those four, and telling myself - WORK ON ONE OF THESE NEXT - I fell asleep thinking about a different book... Yeah.

BUT the elusive Janna Watts and I are working on a book that we've both (separately) wanted to do for a while, so when she mentioned her idea, and I was like - OH! I've totally had that same idea! We started to throw it together - 3 SIDES TO A CIRCLE - is the working title of our college-age romance, and maybe I'll slap it up on GR, just for fun :-)  Man. Ask me about my babies, and you're gonna get an earfull... Right now I'm so thrilled that people are loving Dizzy. I adore Dylan and Ziah - and we all know that Nyrae Dawn writes a great boy. They play off each other so well, and the only other book I've written that's made me laugh this hard is Misplaced, which Nyrae and I wrote together, and will come out with Entangled Teen in Fall 2013.

THANKS FOR HAVING ME LEIGH!!!!!!!!!!!

Thank you, my friend~

(LTM Note: Jo's books are seriously amazing. Every one I've read, I've LOVED.

Get FALLING : Amazon * Barnes & Noble

Get DIZZY : Amazon * Barnes & Noble)

Up next month is the prolific, sci-fi indie superstar Susan Kaye Quinn!  Mark it, Jan. 6. A Do Not Miss!

Finally, this week's my blog tour for ROUGE, which is 99 cents TODAY ONLY (link)! Here's where all I'll be ( link ). Wish me luck!

And have a great week, reader- and writer-friends~ <3