April Aasheim's Blog, page 11

June 16, 2014

Goodreads Giveaway

If you're on Goodreads enter to win my second book in The Daughters of Dark Root series. In paperback! Its about four witchy sisters who have returned to their magical hometown of Dark Root, Oregon, only to find life isn't as easy as they expected.
When they attempt to make things easier through witchcraft, things go a bit, um, wrong.
Can be read as a stand alone book.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22445939-the-magick-of-dark-root
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Published on June 16, 2014 10:30

Meandering Monday

A marvelous Monday, yet I feel lost.
So much to do this week and I'm not sure where to get started.
I have a book launch party on Wednesday, a book blog tour I'm getting ready for, a book Im currently writing (you'd think writers would have an easier life right? sitting around eating bon bons in between commercials) and a yard sale on Saturday.
Don't get me wrong. I'm not complaining. Life is good.
There was a time in my life when I was going to school AND being a parent. There were even times in my life where I was homeless and not sure where my next meal would come from. I'm not sure how I got through that. But I did.
Now I fret over which incredibly
amazing task I have to conquer each day.
For now, I will stare at my cat as he's staring out the window.
He's longing to be outside, and I'm just cozy and happy, glad to be inside.
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Published on June 16, 2014 10:27

June 9, 2014

Trust the Process

Well, I'm done writing the last book and I've officially begun the next book. The only thing is, it's really hard to find my voice this time. Jumping from a suspense book to a comedy can be daunting. I'm hoping as time goes on I will relax into it.

I have to have faith though. They've all worked out so far. I'm not a huge plotter. I have an idea of what the book should be about and some major plot points, but I never know what I will actually type. Characters just pop into my head and I'm like, "oh, that's how that happens."

Lesson here: When writing, trust the process. If you plot it out too much it seems to lose its magic. At least for me. Writing should be as much a journey for the author as it is for the reader. Then when something is discovered, you discover it together.
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Published on June 09, 2014 15:06

June 7, 2014

Books and Sighs

I was reading the news with my husband last night and I saw that Amazon had come up with the TOP 100 Books You NEED to Read Before You Die.

Many of them I'd read before, and there were of course a lot I hadn't.

It was then that I realized I don't read for entertainment as much as I used to. I'm at the point in my life where I not only want to be entertained by a book, but nourished. I want to be changed in some way or to feel something different.

It doesn't have to be a big change or a big feeling, but I do want to feel a part of that great connection when I'm experiencing a book.
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Published on June 07, 2014 07:41 Tags: best-books

June 6, 2014

The Magick of Dark Root Release

Book Link
Out today! The Magick of Dark Root.

A magical mystery about magic, sacrifice, family, sisters, and the healing power of love.

Book Two in Daughters of Dark Root
series but can be read as a stand alone.
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Published on June 06, 2014 10:58

May 30, 2014

And The Lie Detector Says...

My husband has recently discovered the 'joys' of daytime TV. He's been sheltered by the likes of Jerry Springer and Steve Wilcos. Now he comes home every day for lunch and immediately flips on whatever lie detecting show might be airing.

This is kinda cute, but its also alarming. The people on those shows scream...a lot. My neighbor took me aside and asked if everything was 'okay at our house because she noticed that when my husband came home during the day there was an awful lot of noise. I guess she thought I was being beaten.

Im actually more embarrassed that the neighbors know we watch the shows now than of them thinking we are a domestic violence home.

I guess that's the price we pay to find out whose the babies daddy.
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Published on May 30, 2014 10:31

The Magick of Dark Root Available June 6

The Magick of Dark Root will be out June 6, 2014. This is the second book in The Daughters of Dark Root series.

Preview cover art
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Published on May 30, 2014 10:27

April 29, 2014

Book Giveway

Want to win one of six signed copies of The Witches of Dark Root? Enter the Goodreads Giveaway. Goodreads will conduct the drawing on May 27th.
(Original green cover)


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Goodreads Book Giveaway

The Witches of Dark Root by April Aasheim

The Witches of Dark Root
by April Aasheim

Giveaway ends May 27, 2014.

See the giveaway details
at Goodreads.


Enter to win


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Published on April 29, 2014 18:22

March 27, 2014

The Universe is a Very Strange Place

First scene from sequel to The Universe is a Very Big Place.
Still in rough draft format, just wanted people to know I'm working on it :)

     Spring Ryan Smith strolled confidently into the lobby of Parenting Plus, her long blond hair tied back in a sleek pony tail, a brown leather brief case under her arm. Upon entering the building she immediately noticed that something was different about the place she had worked at the last ten years; namely that it was empty.
“Is today a holiday?” she wondered aloud, checking the calendar on her smart phone. When it came up empty she asked her digital, personal assistant. “Miri, is today a holiday?” “Today is only a holiday if you are a resident of Eastern Yemen,” Miri replied back.Hmmm.Spring looked around once more, noting that not only were her co-workers AWOL, some of the office furniture had disappeared as well. Chairs mostly, a few staplers. A computer or two.Panic spread through her as she considered the possibilities. The first thing that came to mind was that the end times had come, just as her mother Lanie had predicted, and she had been left behind. “I should have paid more attention to those men who came to my door wearing suits,” she said, recalling the incident that had happened just last week. They were trying to tell her about ‘the good news’ but all she could think about was that she were missing a rerun of Lost and she had never figured out what was happening the first time she watched it.She inhaled and exhaled rapidly, wondering if she were equipped to fight off people looking for food. Then she remembered her empty pantry. She would be one of those people looking for food. She fanned herself with her free hand, until she was able to think rationally. She had driven through a coffee shop on her way to work and the place was full. If Armageddon had come, it wasn’t the the prideful who had been left behind, it was the coffee drinkers.
“Hello?” she called, checking offices up and down the short corridor. “Anyone here?”The rooms were empty and there was not a soul in sight.“Hello?” she called again, wondering if she’d missed an office retreat. Her mind had been scattered lately, with thoughts of her twins returning from Hawaii with their father, and her husband’s addiction to video games. It wasn’t inconceivable that she had forgotten something.“Spring!” A woman’s voice at the far end of the hall called to her and Spring strode quickly in that direction. She pushed open a door to see the Vice President of Parenting Plus, a gray haired woman of her mother’s age named Matilda. She stood behind her desk, packing up cardboard boxes. “What are you doing here? Didn’t they call you?”“Um, maybe.” Spring had spent the weekend trying to entice her husband John away from his game controller. That included a home made dinner, a new nightie, and a phone on silence. The only thing she had gotten from her efforts was a quickie, a kiss on the cheek, and an announcement that the new War Gods of Ashria game would be out Tuesday at midnight and they needed to spend the evening in line to secure a copy.“We’re jumping ship,” Matilda said, taping up one box and opening another. “We lost our lease.”“Oh. Where are we moving? I saw a great office space downtown that would work if we haven't picked one out yet.”    Matilda adjusted her glasses and stared at Spring, expressionless. “We lost funding too. The recession’s hit us all. The good news is that we may be able to draw unemployment for a while."
“What?” Spring plopped down into the last remaining office chair, dropping her briefcase. “I don’t understand.”“Havnt you been keeping up with anything? At least three other social service agencies have shut their doors in the last six months. Parenting is out. Obesity prevention is in.”Truth was, Spring had heard the rumors but the likelihood of the place closing down seemed as far fetched as her wearing skinny jeans. “What am I going to do?” she asked, pulling the band out of her hair and chewing on the ends. “Its not like there are loads of jobs for social workers in Sedona.”“Hell, Spring, I don’t know. That husband of yours does okay for himself, right? Take some time off, get a hobby, volunteer. Find a life.”“A life?” “A life. It’s what people do when they aren’t working. I’m sure you’ll come up with something.” Matilda slammed her last box closed and piled three into her arms. She walked out of the office and down the dark hall, Spring following closely behind.“What will you do?” Spring asked when they got to the front door. She wanted to hug the woman, her last link to the agency, but she knew from experience Matilda wasn’t the hugging kind.“I had three years ‘til my pension kicked in.” She shook her head, her gray hair hardly moving. “I hear The Burger Ranch is hiring.” She pursed her lips together an pushed through the door, not bothering to lock it behind her.“You think you have everything figured out and then boom, the rug’s pulled out from under you.”“The Universe…” Spring said.“The Universe?”“Yes. Like my mother says, it's a very strange place.”
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Published on March 27, 2014 11:30

March 5, 2014

The Universe is a Very Big Place - Lanie Moves In

Short excerpt from The Universe is a Very Big Place
Lanie wandered around the kitchen, arms raised in homage to some god or another. Her black muumuu with its bright purple flowers and her neon red hair gave her a clown-like appearance.

"How can anyone not notice her?" Sam said, turning to face the woman. By the way Lanie’s fleshy body undulated beneath her dress, Spring could tell that Chloe had been feeding her well....

"Don’t mind me," said Lanie, picking up the serving bowl filled with Sam’s special mousse. She ran her finger along the inside rim and put it to her mouth. "Yuck. Who the hell eats coffee pudding? I’m a coffee drinker and I don’t even eat this shit." Lanie set the bowl down and retreated towards the living room. Six o’clock meant that it was time for her medication and The Wheel of Fortune.

"How long?" Sam asked as Lanie flopped into his recliner.

"Not that long. Just until she’s done with menopause."

"Menopause?" Sam’s voice trembled. "Doesn’t that take years? Why can’t she get her own place?"

"Apparently the carnival didn’t provide a very good retirement package. But she did offer to give you free Tarot Card readings for life."

Sam’s eyes narrowed as Lanie flipped through the channels. "Can she predict if I will be found guilty in an upcoming murder trial?"
"Sam!"

They watched as Lanie sat in the living room, one hand on the remote control, the other fanning herself. "Oh, Lordy," she grunted. "Why the hell did you pick Arizona to settle in? Arizona is too fuckin’ hot. I’m old. I might die."

"Only if we’re lucky," Sam said.
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Published on March 05, 2014 20:15