M.J. Kane's Blog, page 21
April 29, 2014
Field Trips, CRCT, and Keeping Focused Until May 23rd!!!- March 24th to April 28th, 2014
The last few weeks have been jammed packed with activities…from study sessions, field trips, and the most dreaded test of the year….How did we do?
![IMG_1182[1]](http://mjkanemedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/IMG_118211.jpg)
Prepping for the CRCT…
CRCT….the most dreaded test of any child who goes to school in Georgia…
One thing I appreciated about the GCA was all of the work they put into preparing our students for the test. Between live online CRCT review classes in all subjects, there were afterhours and weekend tutoring programs put together for Math. There were plenty of opportunities for students to seek the help needed to succeed. One I especially liked was going to a face-to-face practice session which allowed students to sit down and go through practice packets with teachers and other students. Our location was in Stockbridge, a twenty minute ride from where we live. We had a chance to meet one of my children’s teachers, which was great since before we’d only spoken on the phone. While my kids went to work, I had the pleasure of meeting other parents and swap ‘war stories’ of what it was like working with our kids in a home school environment. I was also directed to local GCA grade level and Region level pages in which to connect with other families on Facebook.
Feeling better about the test, we were ready to move on to the next thing…our first GCA field trip to the Atlanta Botanical Gardens!
Field Trip!!!!
Well, it didn’t happen, lol. Car trouble had us sticking close to home instead of making the forty-five minute trip to downtown Atlanta. One of the benefits of home schooling is the ability to put together your own field trips without missing a payment deadline or having to rush through exhibits in order to get back to school before the end of the day. To fill in the need for a Science trip, I took my kids to the Newman Wetlands (this also counted as Health and P.E. after all that walking!). It was a place we’ve visited before, but it had been a few years. And would you believe it was an even better experience this time around?
The Newman Wetlands Center in Clayton County lives up to its name. It is 32-acres of wetland trails going around the water and into the woods. Talk about natural sightseeing! Everything from bird watching to snake watching, water fowl and beavers….it’s here! This was our first time going during the weekday, so we had a chance to visit the Welcome Center. Inside we learned about the area’s natural inhabitants. Our favorite part? The indoor bee hive! Think of it as an ant farm, but for bees. The tall glass enclosed hive lets you see first-hand what happens in the hive and there’s no fear of getting stung. Outside, we walked trails winding around and thru the wetland and explored new areas recently opened up that lead into the woods. It was not only a great exercise; we educated ourselves on the flora and fauna of the area with the many posted signs explaining the various trees and flowers. The most breathtaking part was during our walk in the woods where we came across a family of deer laying in the shade. There were was nothing to separate us! We were quiet and respectful of their space as we took pictures. After a while, they ignored us. For my daughters, the highlight of the day was finding a family of turtles sunning themselves on sunken tree branches. If you like nature and can handle bees and possible snake sittings…lol, this is for you! Oh yeah, and it’s FREE!
Evidence of Beavers!
Deer sighting!
The beauty of silence....
Enjoy Nature!
Long awaited (by my daughter) turtle sighting! (sorry this was shot sideways....but too priceless to not share!)
**Tip: Wear comfortable clothing and tennis shoes. If going in the summer, be sure to use mosquito repellent (your near water), hat (even though a majority of the time you’re walking under shade trees), shades, and a bottle of water. Don’t forget your camera so you can take videos and pictures of the wildlife you run into! But most of all, enjoy the outdoors!**
The Dreaded CRCT…
I don’t know who dreads the test more…the students or the parents!
Taking the state standardized test outside of the normal confines of a brick and mortar school was a new experience. My kids liked the difference and at times said they didn’t feel like it was actual test time. Learning Coaches (parents) are given a time, date, and location for the test. It is our responsibility to make sure our kids arrive on time, get signed in, and picked up when the test over. Failure to take the test will get you put out of the program, period. Well, I had my kids there every day, on time! Middle school didn’t report to take the text until 1 p.m. and were done by 4 p.m. They appreciated not having to get up early, rush to eat, catch the bus, and deal with the distractions of other classmates before and during test time. It was a lot less stressful for them.
My kids also had the chance to make friends again, and I once again found myself swapping war stories. The biggest issues faced with daughters in the sixth grade?
The overwhelming desire to have music blasting during school hours
Failure to get out of bed more than five minutes before 8:30 a.m. class times
The desire to continue wearing pajamas and head scares all day
The unending need to find something to eat/drink/or snack on throughout the day
LOL!!! Glad to know I am not alone, because the music thing just started in the last three weeks. Being that our household is one of creativity and music is always happening, (my husband has a studio downstairs), it’s hard to tell them no. My only rule is no music during live class time. If I see them not working and spending more time on the playlist, it goes off.
So, what’s next?
Wrapping up the school year with Final Exams in all subjects as well as assessments for Reading and Math. After that, it’s whatever is left in the last four weeks of school.
Stay tuned!
**If you’re in Region 3-B (Clayton, Henry, Fayette, South Fulton) check out these places to connect with other Learning Coaches and families on Facebook and in person! (Wish I’d known about these when we first started! But we’ll be there next school year!!!!**
GCA grade ___ (Fill in the grade of your student)
Georgia Cyber Families Community
Region 3-B Georgia Cyber Families
Events for GA Cyber Home School Families
####
Thank you for stopping by! I love to make new friends. Got questions or comments? Leave a comment, or connect with me online! If you’ve enjoyed this post, sign up for the monthly newsletter and follow this blog!
MJ
Twitter Facebook Pinterest Instagram Google+ Goodreads Linkedin Email
April 28, 2014
New Release: Silver Bullets by Suzetta Perkins!
African American Romance/ Literature & Fiction
In this sizzling, exciting novel, four women show that age is just a number by seeking out new forms of pleasure, love, and romance.
Whether it be getting a tattoo, using whips and chains, or preparing dinner in nothing but stilettos, four divas—all best friends and over fifty years old—decide that they need to spice up their love lives. And they’re willing to go to any length to achieve that.
So Emma, Queenie, Yolanda, and Connie set out to get the pleasure they crave. For Emma, that means rekindling her sex life with her doting husband, whom she decides to take care of for once. Yolanda, who is still turning heads and could have anyone she wants, finally meets a man who suits her tastes—but can she suit his? Queenie, who is fifty-eight and divorced, entertains her on-again, off-again male friend one night when he’s lucky enough to get his hands on some Viagra. And Connie, who has never been married, is in love with a man who won’t put a ring on her finger. Will she be able to convince him to marry her, or, more importantly, does she even want that herself?
As things start heating up, the ladies’ lives get sexier…and more complicated. Soon, the four divas soon face more drama than they bargained for…
Getting to Know Suzetta Perkins
1. Which author would you invite to dinner? Maya Angelou
2. Where do you write? In my special room at home that I call my office
3. When do you write? In the evenings
4. What makes you happy? Looking out of a window and taking in the splendor of God’s creation.
About the Author:
A native of Oakland, California, Suzetta Perkins’ writing history dates back to her high school senior year when she shared the title of co-editor of her high-school yearbook. Since then, she’s traveled the globe making stories of her own, which have been the subject of some of her unpublished short stories. Suzetta also is a contributing author of My Soul to His Spirit, an anthology that received the 2006 Fresh Voices Award. She is the mother of two grown children and the grandmother of two delightful granddaughters.
Website Facebook Twitter Goodreads
April 26, 2014
#8Sunday Sample: New Release!!!! LONELY HEART (Book 3 of The Butterfly Memoirs) –Determination…
Antonio has convinced his uncle that since his grandmother directed Kaitlyn to their shop, there was no way she could be turned away. His uncle gives in and sends him to secure the part needed to fix the problem. But as he leaves, he runs into his uncle’s arrogant son, Ramon. There is a history of bad blood between the cousins. Regardless, he doesn’t let that stop him from doing a simple oil change on the ungrateful family members truck. Ignoring the temptation to punch him in the mouth, he focuses on the task he’s determined to do…repair Kaitlyn’s car.
Excerpt:
“Thanks…grease monkey.” He laughed, climbed into his car, then started the powerful engine, revving it for emphasis. The radio blasted at an insane level as he burned rubber out of the garage and merged into traffic.
I headed for my truck, and forced myself to forget our encounter. It wasn’t the first time and it wouldn’t be the last. Instead, I thought about the blonde with the round belly and a car that needed to be fixed. She’d been directed to us by family and trusted we would get her rolling again.
My uncle may not have been happy about it, but I was.
####
Look for the The Butterfly Memoirs Series and the latest release, Lonely Heart !
Instead of planning her wedding, Kaitlyn Rodgers is facing motherhood alone, the pressures of a new job, and caring for her rebellious younger sister. What should have been the happiest time of her life turns into one stressful event after another.
After watching his father struggle to raise a family by himself, auto mechanic Antonio Rodriguez refuses to follow his father’s footsteps…even if it means a lifetime of loneliness.
When Kaitlyn’s car breaks down, though, Antonio goes beyond auto repairs to take care of her needs. An unexpected friendship begins, allowing them a glimpse of happiness…until the father of Kaitlyn’s child returns, ready to offer her marriage and a future. But at what cost?
Amazon B&N iTunes Smashwords All Romance 5 Prince Publishing
Follow this link to the Weekend Writing Warriors website for more #8Sunday Blog Hop Samples!
#####
Thank you for stopping by! I love to make new friends. Got questions or comments? Leave a comment, or connect with me online! If you’ve enjoyed this post, sign up for the monthly newsletter and follow this blog!
MJ
Website Twitter Facebook Pinterest Instagram Google+ Goodreads Linkedin Email
April 24, 2014
#FeatureFriday- The Book of Joshua II by Iris Bolling
Welcome back Iris Bolling! Today she drops by to share her latest release, The Book of Joshua II!
MJ: Can you tell us a little bit about the character and his story?
Iris: . The CIA Agent, known from The Heart Series and The Book of Joshua I – Trust, reemerges with a HUGE chip on his shoulder. Injured, he finds his life in the hands, of all things, a woman. The last position he ever wanted to be in. To make matters worse she is just as skilled as CIA Operative as he is. Together, they are task with discovering who is trying to take down the current President of the United States.
While in another country, CIA Operative Joshua Lassiter uncovers a plot targeting the current president of the United States. His loyalty to the country that betrayed him in the past comes to the forefront as he takes action to prevent the treasonous act. He is injured during the course of the mission and now must trust the new administration will rescue him.
In-active CIA Operative known only as ROC is called back into duty by the White House. Her mission is two-fold. Bring Joshua Lassiter home, alive. Restore him to the number one weapon in the United States covert arsenal.
The mission plunges the two into danger and uncertainty as the plot revels it is the United States military trying to prevent them from reaching the President, by any means necessary.
Who do they TRUST? ——- Who do they BELIEVE?
About the Author:
Iris Bolling was born in Richmond, Virginia, has a Bachelor of Science degree in Organizational Management. She is currently a Workforce Development Trainer with the Commonwealth of Virginia, providing management training and professional development consultation for the state workforce.
To combine the areas in her life she enjoys the most, education, politics and romance, Iris Bolling penned her first manuscript, Once You’ve Touched the Heart, which was release in March 2008. Since that time she has released five additional books in The Heart Series. The Heart Series, which consist of The Heart of Him, Look Into My Heart, A Heart Divided, A Lost Heart and The Heart, have captivated the eyes and heart of readers.
In May of 2011, Iris introduced a new cast of Characters in her novel Night of Seduction/Heaven’s Gate. The Pendleton Rule, which was released in February of 2013 the sequel.
In April of 2010 Iris was named Debut Author the Year, at the Romance Slam Jam Conference. Her novel, Once You’ve Touched the Heart was voted the Readers Choice Award with Shades of Romance Magazine for, Romance Book of the Year. Iris was voted Romance Author of the Year and Author of the Year. Her novel A Lost Heart was nominated Romantic Suspense Novel of the Year, at the 2011 Romance Slam Jam. In 2012, her novel, The Heart won Hero of The Year for her character Al “Turk” Day. Showing the ability to continuously introduce award winning novels, Iris’s introduction of her new series, Gems & Gents, titled, Teach Me won The Heroine of The Year at the 2013 Emma Awards for her character Diamond Lassiter. She just completed season one of The Heart Television Show
Website Amazon Goodreads YouTube Twitter Facebook
####
Thank you for stopping by! I love to make new friends. Got questions or comments? Leave a comment, or connect with me online! If you’ve enjoyed this post, sign up for the monthly newsletter and follow this blog!
MJ
Twitter Facebook Pinterest Instagram Google+ Goodreads Linkedin Email
5 Prince New Release: Indomitable Spirit, The Aspen Creek Series- Book 4 by Bernadette Marie!
Caught between the traditional Korean culture of her mother and the fun-loving Irish heritage of her father, Kym O’Byrne has never felt truly at home … until she inherits the O’Byrne Karate School in the sleepy Colorado town of Aspen Creek. Staying focused and disciplined is her game, but something buried deep within the eyes of the grouchy handyman, John Larson—father of some of her most promising students—threatens to turn her strict world on its end …
Excerpt:
Crisp wind blew off the lake and down through the small mountain town. The streets were bare as the sun crested the mountaintop and sent the lake shimmering in gold and orange hues. Kym O’Bryne stood on her deck, wrapped in her heavy robe and fuzzy slippers, nursing a warm cup of coffee that steamed in the brisk November air.
She’d lived in many places. Korea, Ireland, California, and New York to name a few. Each place held its own mystique when fall began to give way to winter. But she’d never experienced anything like the change in the seasons in Colorado.
Already she’d been up for hours. She’d tended to her grandfather. In April he’d turned ninety, and though sharp as a tack, he was becoming frail. It had become her duty to take care of him and she did so with honor. She’d run three miles on her treadmill, within her warm house, and had trained in her dojang, which was downstairs from where she lived. She’d inherited the failing karate school for her thirtieth birthday.
Kym shook her head at the thought. She always assumed she’d run a school. What had made her father purchase the school and hand it over to her, she’d never know. It wasn’t what she considered an ideal location. It was, however, her grandfather’s dream to see his grandchildren carry on the family tradition. Though, when you saw the name O’Bryne on the door of a karate school, it didn’t actually give the impression of traditional Korean training.
She shook off the cold and walked back into her home, slipped a piece of bread into the toaster, and finished her cup of coffee. Kym thought of her brothers and their minimal success with their schools. Both of her brothers, Ian and Liam, were Irish through and through. Ian with his blond hair and Liam with his red, both sported emerald green eyes like hers. They’d inherited them from their father, Todd O’Bryne of Dublin, Ireland.
She took her toast from the toaster when it popped and buttered it generously and then slathered strawberry jelly on top of it. It was her little bit of indulgence.
With her toast in hand she sat at the kitchen table, flipped open her laptop, and was pleased to find an email from her mother. She smiled.
Oh, it was a grand thought that Todd and Mi Sun O’Bryne had retired back to Dublin, where her father was born. Her mother sent a picture of them standing in front of a pub once owned by her father’s family. They looked happy.
Her mother’s name fit her so well. Mi Sun stood for beauty and goodness and that was what her mother always radiated.
Her parents’ was a love story you’d have read in a book or seen in a movie. The tall, gangly Irishman who followed his wanderlust and landed in Korea, where he met the small, beautiful, and graceful daughter of a rice farmer. Both father and daughter dreamed of seeing the world. Todd and Mi Sun were married and lived in Korea for five years, where Ian was born. Then Todd took his family, father-in-law included, and moved to Ireland. That was where Kym was born.
Named after her mother’s family Kym, Kym was born with the Korean features of her mother, except for the emerald green eyes she’d inherited from her father.
After five years it was off to America to live in Sacramento where little Irish Liam was born and the first school of the Kyms and O’Brynes was started.
It seems like a lifetime ago, Kym thought as she cleared her place at the table. She closed her laptop and moved to the cabinet to find the tea to make for her grandfather.
Now Ian, Liam, and she owned schools all over the country that taught Tang Soo Do to the masses, changing lives as they went along.
Kym, however, never thought her chance to change lives would be tucked in a small community in the Colorado mountains with less than three thousand people.
When she reached for the canister of tea, she found it was empty. That she should have known, it was on her list, but she’d forgotten to stop at the store. She wished she’d remembered, because the temperature had dropped at least thirty degrees from the day before and now she would have to bundle up, warm her car, and head out to find tea for her grandfather.
John Larson pushed through the front door of the Aspen Creek Market. How, he wondered, could kids eat through four boxes of cereal, two boxes of Pop-Tarts, and a box of frozen waffles in a week? They were going to break him.
He pulled out a cart, and with his head down, he started on his mission.
“Good morning, John. How are you this lovely morning?”
On a slight oath he turned to see Gloria, the cheerful clerk, standing at the register with her red apron barely encompassing her oversized chest and stomach.
“Mornin’.” He pushed forward as quickly as he could. The last thing he needed on a Sunday morning was to be caught up in one of Gloria’s hour-long renditions of what her grandbabies did this week that no other child has done before—like eat and poop. He just didn’t need it.
He fretted over the cereals that his sons liked because there was a heroic character on them and then over to the ones with a princess, for his little Abby. But in the end he reached for the generic bag of cereal with the name that sounded name brand, but wasn’t. He threw two different ones into his cart and with a grunt he took off to finish his shopping.
A woman’s yelp made him shoot his head up when his cart collided with another. He found himself staring into the most mesmerizing green eyes he’d ever seen. How odd they seemed on the very petite Asian woman standing before him.
His tongue swelled in his mouth and he couldn’t speak to apologize as she glared at him.
“Sir, don’t you think an apology is in order?”
He stood there, staring at the long, dark hair that fell from beneath her sensible stocking cap, over her shoulders and down her back. It had been a very long time since a woman’s beauty had rendered him unable to think or talk.
“Well, then I’ll apologize for having my cart simply parked here in the way of your moving one.” She huffed out, reached for a box of tea bags, and tossed it into her cart.
He simply watched as she backed up her cart and started around him. She stood erect, and, though she was probably only five feet tall, he thought she could easily walk among the city streets without anyone messing with the little ball of beauty and fire.
She stopped and shot him another look with those beautiful, cool eyes. “I haven’t found too many people in this town who weren’t treated to manners as a child, but I guess there is always a first.” She went on her way, moving down the next aisle as John continued to get his breath back.
Once he shook off the utter irritation and delight of the little woman, John went back to filling his cart with things his children would, no doubt, devour before he got home from work the next day.
When he headed toward Gloria to check out, he noticed the dark-haired woman who had stunned his brain with just a few words walk out of the store.
He unloaded his items onto the conveyor as Gloria began to scan the boxes, bags, and cans.
“Where’s your veggies?” she asked, analyzing his purchases.
“Pardon me?”
“Those kids need veggies.”
“Yeah, I’ll get some next time.” That would shut her up for a moment, he hoped. Then he realized he needed information, and if anyone in town had it, it would be Gloria. “Hey, who was that woman that was just in here?”
“Oh, Kym?”
“Kym?”
“Just took over the karate school. Lives above it with her grandfather. Surprised you didn’t know about it.”
He shrugged. “Been busy, I guess.”
“Heard. Fixing up Malory’s bakery?”
“Yeah.”
He wondered if he’d heard about her moving to town. Then again, people were always talking, and he was usually in his own world. There was too much on his plate to worry about town gossip. Until now.
He carried the bags to his truck and tossed them in the back. As he did he saw her, Kym, he reminded himself, dart out of Malory’s bakery with a cup of coffee. No doubt it was one of those fancy blends that she’d brought in just for those who had to have it. He didn’t see the point, but then again John didn’t need anything that was fancy.
Kym hurried to her small Honda and drove away. John stood at the back of his truck and watched her disappear around the curve of the lake and behind the trees. It was a good thing she lived and worked at the same place, he figured. Sooner or later it was going to snow, and that little car wasn’t going to go anywhere.
####
About the Author:
Bernadette Marie has been an avid writer since the early age of 13, when she’d fill notebook after notebook with stories that she’d share with her friends. Her journey into novel writing started the summer before eighth grade when her father gave her an old typewriter. At all times of the day and night you would find her on the back porch penning her first work, which she would continue to write for the next 22 years.
In 2007—after marriage, filling her chronic entrepreneurial needs, and having five children—Bernadette began to write seriously with the goal of being published. That year she wrote 12 books. In 2009 she was contracted for her first trilogy and the published author was born. In 2011 she (being the entrepreneur that she is) opened her own publishing house, 5 Prince Publishing, and has released her own contemporary titles. She also quickly began the process of taking on other authors in other genres.
In 2012 Bernadette Marie began to find herself on the bestsellers lists of iTunes, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble to name a few. Her office wall is lined with colorful PostIt notes with the titles of books she will be releasing in the very near future, with hope that they too will grace the bestsellers lists.
Bernadette spends most of her free time driving her kids to their many events—usually hockey. She is also an accomplished martial artist with a second degree black belt in Tang Soo Do. An avid reader, she enjoys contemporary romances with humor and happily ever afters.
Website Facebook Blog Twitter Email
####
Thank you for stopping by! I love to make new friends. Got questions or comments? Leave a comment, or connect with me online! If you’ve enjoyed this post, sign up for the monthly newsletter and follow this blog!
MJ
Twitter Facebook Pinterest Instagram Google+ Goodreads Linkedin Email
April 23, 2014
Looking for a NEW Paranormal Romance to Fall in Love With? Here it is!
For four thousand years, creatus have concealed themselves from the humans who hunted them almost to extinction. Now, one creatus will endanger them all by breaking one of their laws: falling in love–with a human.
Creatus, prepare to believe…
Start the series for only $0.99! From there, all the stories are priced ‘less than a latte’, so you can afford to read up!
Creatus (They Exist) The Prequel
####
Thank you for stopping by! I love to make new friends. Got questions or comments? Leave a comment, or connect with me online! If you’ve enjoyed this post, sign up for the monthly newsletter and follow this blog!
MJ
Twitter Facebook Pinterest Instagram Google+ Goodreads Linkedin Email
April 19, 2014
#8Sunday Sample: New Release!!!! LONELY HEART (Book 3 of The Butterfly Memoirs) –Work Related Issues…
Though Antonio works in his uncle’s shop, that doesn’t mean its an easy job. Sometimes family can be the worst employer/co-worker. Their biggest problem, disagreeing about how the shop should be run…old school versus new school. In this case, it’s Antonio’s decision to work on Kaitlyn’s car…
Excerpt:
“How many times must I say this? We don’t work on new cars.”
“It’s not new, it’s four years old. We need to step up─”
He waved his hand. “Antonio, business is fine. Everyone is not going to have a new car.”
I ground my teeth in frustration and held my tongue.
####
Look for the The Butterfly Memoirs Series and the latest release, Lonely Heart !
Instead of planning her wedding, Kaitlyn Rodgers is facing motherhood alone, the pressures of a new job, and caring for her rebellious younger sister. What should have been the happiest time of her life turns into one stressful event after another.
After watching his father struggle to raise a family by himself, auto mechanic Antonio Rodriguez refuses to follow his father’s footsteps…even if it means a lifetime of loneliness.
When Kaitlyn’s car breaks down, though, Antonio goes beyond auto repairs to take care of her needs. An unexpected friendship begins, allowing them a glimpse of happiness…until the father of Kaitlyn’s child returns, ready to offer her marriage and a future. But at what cost?
Amazon B&N iTunes Smashwords All Romance 5 Prince Publishing
Follow this link to the Weekend Writing Warriors website for more #8Sunday Blog Hop Samples!
#####
Thank you for stopping by! I love to make new friends. Got questions or comments? Leave a comment, or connect with me online! If you’ve enjoyed this post, sign up for the monthly newsletter and follow this blog!
MJ
Website Twitter Facebook Pinterest Instagram Google+ Goodreads Linkedin Email
April 16, 2014
A Readers Retreat Southern Affair…I’ll be there, will you?
Would you like to mix and mingle with some of your favorite authors! Then this event is for you!
The ladies of Building Relationships around Books have put together a wonderful two day event in October in my home town of Atlanta, Georgia. I am very excited because it will be my first major event! Slated to appear are:
Rochelle Alers KR Bankston Iris Bolling Maureen Smith Delaney Diamond M. J. Kane Deborah Mello Sienna Mynx Keith T. Walker AlTonya Washingon
Events include:
Welcome Reception, 70′s Themed Casino Night with Fun and Games, Special Guest Appearances, Bunch Buffet with Authors, Meet and Greet Panel, B.R.A.B. Gift Bag, Book Signing, Award Ceremony Semi-Formal Affair, Dinner, Live Entertainment, DJ and Dancing
Seating is limited so register soon! The cost is $130.00. For event information and payment, visit the event page. There is also an option to make alternative payments. The deadline for this is May 15, 2014. I hope to see you there!
####
Thank you for stopping by! I love to make new friends. Got questions or comments? Leave a comment, or connect with me online! If you’ve enjoyed this post, sign up for the monthly newsletter and follow this blog!
MJ
Twitter Facebook Pinterest Instagram Google+ Goodreads Linkedin Email
April 15, 2014
USA Today Award winning author, Sam Cheever drops by to talk about The Biggest Poser!
Today I have the privilege of hosting USA Today Award winning author, Sam Cheever as she celebrates the re-release of her novel, The Biggest Poser, on April 18th! Take a moment to get to know the villain in this entertaining character interview!
~~*~~
No book is complete without a villain whom you love to hate. But there’s no question that some villains are more hate-worthy than others. To prove that point I give you Deva Banks, from my April 18th re-release, The Biggest Poser. #:0)
Of all the villains I’ve written over the years, Deva Banks has a spot right at the top of my “Love to Hate” list. As described in the blurb for the book, she’s “the biggest b-eye-itch” you’ll ever meet. But she’s dang entertaining in the process. I hope you enjoy my interview with Deva. I know I sure did!
~~*~~
Intrepid news babe: Good morning Ms. Banks! I’m so glad you could join me this morning to talk about this year’s season of Lose it! I’ve been a fan of the show for years. It’s an amazing program.
Deva Banks: Let’s just be completely clear. The show’s a smoldering turd swirling in a giant toilet. I’m just here to explain to everybody that I can’t be held responsible for the stench wafting up from it. I’ve done my very best to try to save the season but I’m dealing with total morons.
Intrepid news babe: Um, yeah, okay. So, first of all, tell me a little bit about your co-star, Jillie Maxwell, by all accounts a tough trainer but fair. America’s sweetheart, some would say.
Deva Banks: Some would be idiots. The woman’s too stupid to live. She pretends to be tough but she totally babies her contestants. Those big fat fatties are lucky to lose a single pound under her watch. She’s a total cluster f…
Intrepid news babe: Now, now, Ms. Banks. We can’t have that kind of language on the show (laughs nervously) We’ll have the FCC after us!
Deva Banks: (Shrugs) Whatever. Bunch of pus…
Intrepid news babe: Alright! Let’s move on to Chef Brandt. He sure is a sexy drink of water. Did you find yourself falling under his influence during the season?
Deva Banks: (Snorts) He’s a good looking guy. I can’t deny that. And something about him makes my insides go all squishy… (darts a horrified look at the intrepid news babe) …erm, but he’s a fool. He thinks all the things that are happening on the set are accidents. I mean, the producer getting thrown out of a window? How do you make that into an accident? The greased climbing wall…the hole in the boats for the river race? Come on! He’s just a pretty face…a tall, sexy, really hot body without a brain. (shakes her head).
Intrepid news babe: Ms. Banks, do you want to talk about the rumor that you did some time for beating a guy up in a bar fight? You know, maybe give your side? Set the record straight?
Deva Banks: No.
Intrepid news babe: Um… Okay… So how did the show treat you? Did you get the star treatment you…erm…deserve?
Deva Banks: (Glares at intrepid news babe) Asswipes…
Intrepid news babe: Hooboy, that one slid right past me. Sorry FCC.
Deva Banks: They knew I was afraid of heights. I put it right in my dossier. But they put me on the fourth floor. The fourth floor! I couldn’t go near the windows or I would get dizzy and pass out. And the rooms were small and dingy. Everything was dingy. The place is a dump. I’m not sure I want to go back for another season. Even if they ask me. Which of course they will. Jillie Maxwell isn’t capable of running that show on her own. She’s a total waste of space. I don’t know why they bother anyway. Those big, fat, fatties aren’t ever gonna lose the weight. If they wanted to lose it they already would have. It’s not that hard, you just stop stuffing food into your fat, fat, fattie face. You don’t need a degree in physics to figure that one out. (slants a look at the intrepid news babe) Although, apparently you haven’t figured it out yet.
Intrepid news babe: Alrighty then! That will do for our interview. Thanks so much for stopping by today, Ms. Banks. (grinds teeth and smiles, eyes a little wild)
Deva Banks: Maybe if you laid off those donut holes they saturated the green room with. You know your backside looks just like a donut hole. You’ve probably got cellulite the size of my eyeballs on that puppy, am I right?
Intrepid news babe: Cut!! Cut, cut, cut, cut CUT!
Deva Banks: Is that a porpoise on your belly or are you just glad to see m…
That’s a WRAP!!!
May the biggest liar win. Or die trying!
Personal trainer for the ever popular, Lose it! reality show, Jillie Maxwell is up for the most important award of her career. And she’s competing against the biggest b-eye-itch she’s ever met. Fortunately for her, she has the sexiest man alive in her corner. Problem is, each and every one of them has a dirty little secret that could tank a career.
For the contestants, the race is on to lose the most weight and win everything. For the staff of the popular weight loss show, the clock is ticking to the culmination of their lies and the possibility of losing it all.
Will the Biggest Poser win? Or will the lies just grow and grow until they sink the whole show? Only one thing is certain. Whatever happens, it’s gonna be an entertaining ride!
EXCERPT
She found him in the gym, working his pecs with a couple of twenty-pound weights. She stood just inside the door and watched him for a few minutes, enjoying the way his muscles flexed against the thin T-shirt and shorts he wore. Sweat gave his skin a fine sheen and darkened the material of his shirt around the neckline and across his broad back.
Jillie’s thighs tightened at the sight. She chewed on her bottom lip, losing all desire to confront him with the letter. She shoved the letter deeper inside her hoodie pocket and started to turn around.
“Jillie?”
She stopped and, taking a deep breath, turned to face him, forcing a smile.
He stood next to the weight bench, a towel around his neck. He was grinning. “Did you come to work out?”
She hesitated only a moment and then lied through her teeth. “Yeah. I did. I didn’t expect to find you here.”
He mopped at his face with the towel. “I was just thinking about you.”
Pleasure spiked and her smile softened. “You were? What were you thinking?” She headed across the room.
“I was going over a recipe in my mind. I thought of you because I know you’d like it.”
“Ooh, now you’re talking my language.” She headed for a treadmill and climbed on, setting it for a five percent incline and five miles per hour to warm up. Brandt took the treadmill next to her. “It’s a mocha fudge cake, with mousse frosting.”
“Oh. My. God! That can’t possibly be low calorie.”
“I think it will be. I have some things to work out. But I have a high level of confidence I can make it happen.”
Jillie shook her head. “If I hung out with you I’d weigh a thousand pounds.” She upped the miles per hour and broke into a run. The sound of the treadmill Brandt was on changed, telling her he’d upped his speed too. When she looked over, he was staring at her.
“No. You wouldn’t. First of all, my recipes only taste fattening. They aren’t really fattening. Secondly, you’d work off every calorie.”
The look he gave her made her miss a step and almost fall off the treadmill. She gasped and grabbed the handle bar, barely keeping herself upright. When she looked at him again he’d notched a single eyebrow upward, his eyes sparking with humor.
Jillie wasn’t brave enough to ask him how she’d work off those calories. She upped her speed another mile per hour and he followed. She turned to him and found him grinning. “Is this a challenge?”
“What do you think?”
She snorted. “I think you’ll lose, cook.”
The other eyebrow notched up to match its twin. “Oh, so that’s how it’s gonna be?”
Jillie bit her bottom lip to keep from smiling and nodded. “Yeah. That’s how it’s gonna be.”
“All right then. Bring it, trainer.”
“Five percent incline, cook.”
He increased his incline.
Jillie reached up and increased the speed two more notches. She was running full out on a five percent incline. “Nine miles per hour.”
He frowned. “Oh please, I can do that in my sleep.”
She snorted. “Ten it is then. I was trying to take it easy on you.”
Brandt laughed outright. “We’ll see who’s left standing in twenty minutes.”
“Thirty.”
“Thirty-five is my final offer.”
Done. “Forty minutes.”
####
AUTHOR BIO
USA TODAY award winning author, Sam Cheever’s published work includes 50+ books of romantic suspense and fantasy/paranormal. Her books have won the Dream Realm Award for fantasy and The Swirl (interracial romance) Award. They’ve been nominated for and/or won several CAPAs, have been nominated multiple years for “Best of” with LRC and The Romance Reviews, and have won eCataromance’s Reviewer’s Choice award. Sam is published with Musa Publishing, Changeling Press; and Ellora’s Cave. She also publishes as Declan Sands, writing m/m fiction, and under her own imprint, Electric Prose Publications.
In real life, Sam lives in a cabin in the woods with 13 dogs and one husband. A self-proclaimed dog-aholic, Sam insists she’s holding at 13…maybe…
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Blog | About.Me | Amazon Author Page
####
Thank you for stopping by! I love to make new friends. Got questions or comments? Leave a comment, or connect with me online! If you’ve enjoyed this post, sign up for the monthly newsletter and follow this blog!
MJ
Twitter Facebook Pinterest Instagram Google+ Goodreads Linkedin Email
April 14, 2014
#CoverReveal- How to Have an Amicable Divorce by Lindsay Harper
Have you ever got yourself in so deep you feel like running away and starting a new life?
That’s exactly what wife and artist, Denizon Cartwright felt like doing. After deciding that she couldn’t put up with her unfaithful husband any longer, she leaves him for smooth-talking artist and professor, Damien Johnson – but she soon learns she’s swapped one liar for another and beats a hasty retreat … only to become entangled with Jay, the ex-lover of her best friend, Robyn.
Contemporary Romance- Coming May 15, 2014
Could her life get any more complicated?
Yes! A surprise encounter leaves Denizon with an ever-growing list of men falling in love with her.
Her escape route is at hand in the shape of Escuela de Montana d’Armentera, an artistic retreat high up in the Spanish mountains. But her problems only follow, as she discovers.
Will she find true happiness in the Spanish sun or lose everyone she ever held dear?
And is the cost of finding herself too high a price to pay?
***While your waiting, check out How to Have An Affair!***
####
Thank you for stopping by! I love to make new friends. Got questions or comments? Leave a comment, or connect with me online! If you’ve enjoyed this post, sign up for the monthly newsletter and follow this blog!
MJ
Twitter Facebook Pinterest Instagram Google+ Goodreads Linkedin Email
