Brenda Maxfield's Blog, page 7
July 31, 2013
Summer Giveaway Blog Hop and NEW Releases!!
HAPPY SUMMER READING, FRIENDS!!
I’m excited to be taking part in the Summer Giveaway Hop. There are a TON of blogs to visit. Thank you for visiting mine!
I’m giving away an ecopy of both of my newly released YA contemporaries. You have a chance of winning by leaving a comment below (Be sure to leave me your email address so I can contact you if you win!). Two random commenters will be chosen! One will receive an ecopy of Player and the other will receive and ecopy of Buried Truth.
For those of you who are visiting for the first time: WELCOME!! I’m so glad you’re here. If you’d like to receive my blog automatically, please enter your email in the box on the upper right column.
Here’s a taste of the two prizes that you can win:
Player: Landing a summer job with the girl of his dreams is seventeen-year-old Andrew Kendrell’s fantasy come true. Daniela Rosen is perfect — beautiful, flirty, fun. Unfortunately, she’s also taken. Andrew can’t believe his luck when she’s dumped by her boyfriend and turns her sights on him. But his new love has a hidden agenda, and it spirals him toward a life-altering decision.
Buried Truth: Nearly a decade has passed, but Mags can’t forget what she did. Now at 17 years old, the shame continues to haunt her, coloring her world. She throws herself into every worthwhile project available, struggling for redemption.
Andrew can have any girl he wants — and he wants them all. He revels in his reputation as player. Or so everyone thinks. Nobody knows what lies beneath the façade.
When Mags takes it upon herself to fix Andrew’s reputation, she doesn’t count on falling for him. Nor is she prepared to have her own carefully reconstructed reputation smeared.
Will either of them trust each other enough to reveal their true selves or their true motivations? Will Mags ever be forgiven for what she did?
If you don’t want to wait for the prizes to be announced (and oh! you’d be an author’s dream), you can purchase the books here:
Player: Click Here
Buried Truth: Click Here
If you’re interested in joining my new Street Team, I’d LOVE to welcome you! For more info, click here!
Don’t forget to leave a comment below (with your email in case you’re a winner)! I’d love to hear from you.
After leaving your comment, click the link below to see other blogs who are hosting giveaways!
Powered by Linky Tools
Click here to view this Blog Hop list…
I hope you’ll drop by again!
And as always, thanks for stopping by.
Brenda
Tagged: Blog Hop, bullying, Buried Truth, environment, good clean teen reads, ocean, Ocean Mist, Player, teen friendship, teen romance
July 29, 2013
Player, Now Released!
Friends, I’m so excited! Player, an Ocean Mist Short Story for YA is now available on Amazon! If you’re in the mood to “escape” to the Pacific coast for a quick, fun, romantic read, then Player is for you!
Here’s an excerpt to get you started:
I tossed the old newspaper onto the coffee table and tried to keep my eyes off her bedroom door, but I couldn’t help staring. Seven-thirty.
Any minute now.
The morning sun shot through the pine trees in our front yard, making jagged needle-like shadows on the wall behind me. That was where I should concentrate. Might make some great photos.
But no, the bedroom door had my full attention.
I rubbed my hand over the stubble on my chin and waited. With a quiet twist, the doorknob turned. I jumped from the couch and stepped to the bar in the kitchen, feigning interest in my soggy cereal. The door opened and he came out, his gelled hair sticking out in unruly spikes. He tucked his sports shirt into his jeans.
“Oh, Andrew. Hey, man,” he said, grinning.
My stomach turned to steel, and I bit back the smart-mouth retort that fired to my lips.
He looked out the window, and his smile stretched even wider. “Nice day, huh? Well, I’d best be off.”
He moved across the room in three long strides and left the house. My gaze shifted back to the bedroom door. Mom emerged, wiggling her hips to straighten her short skirt.
“Andy, honey, would you make me a bit of decaf?”
“You’re going to be late.”
“I know, but Boss-Man won’t care now, will he?” She patted her poofed-up hair and gave a throaty giggle.
I grabbed a clean mug, filled it with water, and stuck it in the microwave.
“You going in to work today?” she asked, settling on a bar stool.
“Yeah, at nine.”
She reached over and stroked my cheek. “Don’t forget it’s summer. I want you to do some major goofing-off.”
Whose mother says that? None that I knew. “I know, Mom. I will.”
I had my reasons for loving work. Especially now. Granted, it was running a cash register at Sue’s Seaport Shoppe, but there were perks.
“They ever hire a new salesgirl?”
I nodded and quickly averted my eyes. All I needed was for Mom to figure out why I suddenly loved my job.
“Tourists are crawling around everywhere this week.” She ran her hands down her shoulders and hugged herself. “Hmm, maybe I should do some crawling around, too. You know, troll the male tourists.”
The microwave dinged, and I took out the hot water. “Gross. Would you stop talking like that? Gives people the wrong idea.”
Actually, it would give people the right idea, but I didn’t say so.
I grabbed the decaf off the shelf and spooned some granules into her cup. After a swift stir, I handed it to her.
She pursed her lips and blew into the mug. “Pity is, you remind me of your dad. When are you going to start living a little?”
As soon as Daniela Rosen says yes.
Player is for sale at 99 cents right now at Amazon. I’d be tickled pink if you’d pick up a copy! Let me know how you like it. 
Take a moment below to leave a comment and tell me what’s been going on in your life. I love to hear from you. Also, feel free to sign up for my newsletter in the upper right column.
And as always, thanks for stopping by!
Brenda
Tagged: Brenda Maxfield, ebook, Good clean teen read, new release, Ocean Mist, Player, teen romance
July 18, 2013
Kids Flying Alone
I recently returned from a trip to the West Coast where I spent eleven days catching up with my family. Considering we had limited time and didn’t want to spend half of it with our bottoms glued to a car seat, we flew. (Day-long car trips don’t hold the appeal they once did! At least for certain parts of my body. Ha!)
My husband and I took six planes (we had a 50th wedding anniversary to help celebrate in L.A. while there) and on each of those planes, there were kids flying solo. Some of them were young, in early elementary school. Others were teens.
The majority of them were visiting their non-custodial parents. Admission: I eavesdropped. (Well, they were speaking loudly to the stewards.) These kids were excited. Although, one teen girl ho-hummed her way across the sky saying she’d flown alone for years, and it was boring.
I thought back to when I was a kid. I remember considering myself quite put-together and oh-so-mature, but I think I would’ve been filled with trepidation to make a flight across the country alone.
No, make that fear!
I was only on six planes. Thousands upon thousands of flights are made across this country every summer, and many of them will be carrying children and teens to see their other parents. I’m impressed with these kids’ determination. I’m impressed with the way they flow with circumstances that often aren’t of their choosing.
On one flight, a teen spent a good portion of the time comforting and encouraging another solo traveler who couldn’t have been more than eight. The teen laughed and joked with her, distracting her, and in general making everyone around them enjoy the trip.
Kids are amazing.
How about you? Were you on a flight with any unaccompanied kids lately? Did you observe the same thing? Or are you a teen who flies across the country alone? I’d love to hear about it.
And as always, thanks for stopping by!
Brenda
P.S. I’d love to have you join my new Street Team! Click here to find out more:
P.P.S Along Came Jordan is now available in paperback! Woo hoo! Click here!
P.P.P.S. New YA Series OCEAN MIST (Player and Buried Truth) RELEASES NEXT WEEK!!
Tagged: airplane, Brenda Maxfield Street Team, Flying, flying alone, good clean teen reads, kids, kids flying alone, new release, Ocean Mist, teens, vacation
July 15, 2013
Welcome Merry Brown!
Dear Friends, I’m delighted today to welcome author Merry Brown to my blog! We’re celebrated her new book Gold Manor Ghost House! Before we get into the fun details of her book and the prize she’s offering, I wanted to share an interview with Merry:
1. Merry, what is your favorite work of fiction?
It’s a seemingly straight forward, easy question, but I have no idea! I have loved so many stories over the years, it feels false to single one out. A few favorites? A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court by Mark Twain, The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater, Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, and Feed by M.T. Anderson.
2. What is your single favorite character in any book? Tell us about the character.
Though I have a hard time picking out a favorite book, Jane Eyre is my favorite character.
Jane is faced with difficult circumstance after circumstance. What I admire about her is the courage and strong sense of self she displays, regardless of the situation.
When she leaves Thornfield Hall, not knowing what to do or where to go, her fortitude and intact moral compass brings me to tears. I wish, someday, to have the courage and wisdom of Jane.
3. What’s your favorite part of a book?
Always the beginning. I love being introduced to the characters. I like seeing what the rules of the world are and the excitement of the adventure.
Since I’m a romantic, I also love when love finally wins and the main characters find each other. I recently finished The Indigo Spell, book three in the Bloodlines Series by Richelle Mead. The journey and turmoil I endured with the characters was worth the payout of those last scenes (spoiler alert!), when Sydney and Adrian finally come together.
4. Who are your target readers and how does your idea of them come into play when you are writing?
My target readers are those who love YA paranormal romance. YA is not reserved for the young adult audience, but anyone who wants a fun, clean (of course not all YA authors agree how much is too much), exciting, romantic, and otherworldly read. I strive to keep all those elements in mind when I write.
5. What are the major themes of your work?
Virtue, beauty, and truth are more interesting and will ultimately win over vice, destruction, and lies.
6. What inspires you?
I’m inspired by this amazing and mysterious world. Stories of love, redemption, and overcoming base desires move me to act and become more than I am.
I’m inspired by my children, husband, family, friends, my students, and ideas. Whatever is life giving and affirming, on some level, inspires me. I know it’s a broad answer, but it’s true.
(Ha! I especially love your answer to the last question! I could have written that myself!)
Here’s a blurb about Merry’s book:
Anna thought life was going to be awesome. She was right…and wrong.
Won her dream job acting in a hit TV series. Check.
Working with her best friend. Check.
The set’s haunted and she’s in the middle of a supernatural war. Uh, check?
Anna Rose Ellington is sixteen and living in Hollywood, hoping to be a star. Anna just landed a major role on Ghost House, TeenTV’s new fall drama. A show promising to be so hot, Meg Sweet (the reigning teenage diva), signed on for the lead, and Adam Lewis (international rock sensation) is a principal player.
Her dreams are falling into place until she gets on set and begins questioning her sanity. It’s true she has an unusual dream life, where once in a while her dreams literally come true. But it’s been a while. On top of her dreams not staying put in her brain, including the guy she’d been dreaming of for years, the house they’re filming in, Gold Manor, might actually be haunted. But that’s the least of her worries.
And here’s an excerpt for you:
“And now for that special musical treat I was telling you about. As your dessert comes around, our very own Adam Lewis is going to play the latest single with his bandmate, Ewin, from F&L.”
Adam got up on stage and the lead singer appeared from the shadows. As he got in position, he took off his jersey, put on his leather jacket and strapped a guitar around his shoulder.
As I was saying no to the piece of fried cheesecake, my eyes rested on the pair singing, “The Only One.”
It took a moment for my brain to register what was before me. I saw clearly, but couldn’t believe. I was looking at the impossible.
On stage, playing guitar and singing back-up vocals to Ewin Larkin was Leather Jacket Guy.
Leather Jacket Guy was Adam Lewis!
My mind froze as my fork slipped out of my hand and clanged to the floor. The noise caught the attention of Adam and Ewin. In mid strum Adam stopped playing. He threw his guitar to the floor, his face filled with panic.
“Anna, get out of here now. Get Out!” he shouted.
A bit more information about Merry Brown, plus her all important links!
Born and raised in Bakersfield, California, Merry Brown now lives in the northwest corner of Tennessee with her husband, three boys, and Daisy the cat. She teaches philosophy at the University of Tennessee, Martin, where she counts it a great privilege and joy to introduce students to perennial questions about the nature of the universe, meaning, morality, and the human condition. Merry Brown’s love of philosophy and young adult paranormal and dystopian literature inspired her to write THE KNOWERS, the first book in the Exiled Trilogy. GOLD MANOR GOLD HOUSE is her latest YA paranormal romance book.
Merry’s Contact Info:
Twitter: @merryebrown
Facebook: Merry Brown
Click Here to Buy Gold Manor Gold House
Merry is awarding a $25 Amazon gift card to one randomly drawn commenter! So please take a moment to comment below! I’d love one of my readers to win!
I appreciate you sharing a moment with us today! Have a wonderful week.
And as always, thanks for stopping by.
Brenda
P.S. Cover reveal for my new book Buried Truth coming soon! (I’m pumped!) I’d love to have you join my new street team. Click the link above to find out more.
July 9, 2013
Double Cover Reveal!
Here they are! My Double Cover Reveal! Player is the short story introduction to the Ocean Mist series. Here’s the blurb:
Landing a summer job with the girl of his dreams is seventeen-year-old Andrew Kendrell’s fantasy come true. Daniela Rosen is perfect — beautiful, flirty, fun. Unfortunately, she’s also taken. Andrew can’t believe his luck when she’s dumped by her boyfriend and turns her sights on him. But his new love has a hidden agenda, and Andrew spirals full speed into a game-changing decision.
And here’s the cover to Buried Truth, Ocean Mist Book One. This is the first novel of the series. Here’s the blurb:
Nearly a decade has passed, but Mags can’t forget what she did. Now at 17 years old, the shame continues to haunt her, coloring her world. She throws herself into every worthwhile project available, struggling for redemption.
Andrew can have any girl he wants — and he wants them all. He revels in his reputation as player. Or so everyone thinks. Nobody knows what lies beneath the façade.
When Mags takes it upon herself to fix Andrew’s reputation, she doesn’t count on falling for him. Nor is she prepared to have her own carefully reconstructed reputation smeared.
Will either of them trust each other enough to reveal their true selves or their true motivations? Will Mags ever be forgiven for what she did?
Book the book and the short story will be released at the end of July! I’m pumped!
I’d love to hear your thoughts. And as always, thanks for stopping by.
Brenda
P.S. If you’d be interested in reading one or both manuscripts before they’re released, in exchange for an honest review on Amazon,etc., let me know! I’d love to send you one or both. Thank you!
Tagged: Brenda Maxfield, Buried Truth, cover reveal, good clean teen reads, Ocean Mist series, Player, smart and sassy teen reads, YA Lit, YA Romance
June 29, 2013
Sweet Saturday #4
Hello Friends! Happy Sweet Saturday!
We’ve just said good-bye to fifty amazing (or should I say “sweet” since that’s our theme today) international guests. These guests were from twenty-four different countries and spent a couple weeks with us in Indiana for training. They’re the directors of a vibrant world-wide child sponsorship program which my husband directs. (They have a fun website if you’d care to check it out. Children of Promise)
In and around helping to care for these guests, I managed to get some writing in. So, I’d like to share another sample from my upcoming book, Buried Truth. (Cover reveal coming very soon!)
Here’s excerpt #3 for you:
Bri started peeling off her clothes. She threw her hoodie across the room, I guess aiming for my rocker. It fell short and flopped against the garbage can, knocking it over. “Oops. My bad,” she said and scrambled over to gather up the few crinkled wrappers off the floor and to right the basket.
She backed up and her foot caught in the leg of her sweats. Crashing into my desk, she knocked my wooden keepsake box to the floor. It broke open, spilling everything inside.
I gasped and ran to scoop it all up, but I wasn’t fast enough. Bri had seized a photo and was staring at it. “Mags, is this… no, it couldn’t be. Is this…”
I yanked the photo from her hand and buried it back in the box. The lid had broken loose so I plopped it on top and hugged the whole mess to my chest. “Bri, for once in your whole life, can’t you be careful?”
My voice was raw and mean, and it shocked us both into silence. Wide-eyed, I stared at her with guilt rising in my chest.
I sputtered and worked to calm my heart. “Sorry. Truly. I have a big mouth.” I walked to my dresser, opened the top drawer, and placed the battered box inside. How could I have forgotten I’d left it out on the desk? How could I have been so stupid?
Buried Truth is a contemporary young adult novel. It’s Book One of a new series which takes place on the West Coast, Ocean Mist.
Thanks for reading today! If you’d like to visit other Sweet Saturday Samples, click here.
How about you? Have any of you had any exciting guests this summer? I’d love to hear about them!
And as always, thanks for stopping by.
Brenda
P.S. Are you interested in becoming part of my new street team? Click here for more information. Thank you!
June 26, 2013
Summer Fun with Angela Myron
Join me today in welcoming Angela Myron! Angela has a new book out called, Ennara and the Fallen Druid. Before we get to those details (and tell you about her prizes), I’ve asked Angela to share a summer memory with us! So, here’s Angela with her fishing story!
Fishing with Dad
I grew up in the seventies and eighties in small-town British Columbia. We lived in a mountainous area outside of a little town on the shores of Lake Okanagan. My summers as a child were idyllic.
The air was clean, the lake unpolluted. The valley was green with orchards. We got sunburnt and freckled while our older sisters lay in the sun with tanning oil smeared over their bellies, arms, and legs. We kids were roamed free, exploring railroad tracks, hidden coves, streams, and fields.
I remember one day in particular. I still had my old bike with the banana seat, which means I was probably between the third and fourth grade. I’d just turned nine.
It was a sunny day and I had no plans. Swim lessons had either not yet started or had finished. My mother was weeding the garden when I told her I was going for a bike ride.
I pedaled up the gravel to the paved road that led to town. It was a beautiful day. A light breeze cooled the air and the birds sang. I thought how nice it would be to be fishing on the lake with my dad. Then, in that stunning way children make leaps of reasoning, I decided I would ride to my dad’s shop and ask him to take me fishing. Ride to the city, sixteen miles away, half of that distance on a busy, two-lane highway. And of course, I wasn’t wearing a helmet. Nobody wore bike helmets back then.
I actually made it pretty far, which was the problem entirely. After ten miles on that little banana seat, I’d passed the country roads, gone through town, and started on the highway. I’d gone too far to turn back. But I still had a long way to go. I needed to stop. I was on a long hill. Cars and curious glances sped past.
I gently increased pressure on my foot brakes and glided to a stop. I turned around and walked back uphill to the last street I’d passed. My aunt and cousins lived nearby. I would go to their house. I started riding up a side street that I was only vaguely familiar with.
Not long after, the road branched. Auntie Dona lived on the other side of the hill, not down to the left or up to the right. I went right—at least that was the direction of town.
I pushed that bike forever. Or at least, it seemed that way. The hill kept going up, and I didn’t recognize anything around me. Paved road turned to gravel. Just around the next corner, I told myself several times, I’ll recognize something. The sun was hot, and I was thirsty. I was lost and exhausted. I sat down and started to cry.
After several minutes, I understood that Mom and Dad weren’t going to magically appear and take me home. They had no idea where I was. The road was deserted. No friendly stranger was going to offer me a ride. I got up and started pushing my bike again, desperate to find something familiar.
Then, something extraordinary happened. I prayed. It wasn’t the first time I prayed, but it was probably the first time I felt truly lost, truly in need, and poured my heart out in prayer. As I touched that deepest part of my soul, I crested a hill. Below me was Apple Valley. I could see my aunt’s home.
I pedaled as fast as I could to her door. I remember the surprise on her face at seeing me turn up. She called Mom, whom I don’t think had noticed I’d been gone. That night when I told Dad I’d tried to go visit him, he’d said it was a good thing I didn’t make it to the shop—he’d gone fishing with his buddies.
If you ask my family about it, no-one would remember the day I decided to go fishing with Dad. But for me, it is a day I’ll never forget, the first day I felt God had answered my prayers.
Thank you, Angela for sharing your memories. We’re celebrating Angela’s new release Enarra and The Fallen Druid today. Here’s a blurb to get us started:
Eleven year-old Ennara Gaern has a serious grudge against the dragon on her right hand.
Born with a caul—a mask that foretold magical powers—she was immediately inked with the fiendish, fire-breathing tattoo that forces her to study boring texts, cover her hand continuously, and worst of all, keeps her from visiting the beautiful capital city, Dordonne. But her quiet life changes when one night she is attacked by a shadowy demon.
Tork, an old friend and wizard, is enlisted to help. But when he arrives, he informs Ennara’s parents that she is her world’s only hope of finding the legendary Sword of Gisilfrid, which is needed to destroy the curse that is creating the demons. Ennara doesn’t want to leave on the dangerous quest, but when she learns the curse threatens her world, she reluctantly agrees.
Ennara and the wizard begin a perilous journey to the Sunken City, pitting them against dangerous oceans and pirates intent on claiming Ennara’s magic as their own. With only her friends at her side, including the intelligent, aquatic cat Smoos, Ennara must defeat monsters guarding the sword and servants of the Fallen Druid. When her world is covered in darkness, will she know how to dispel the curse?
And here’s an excerpt from Ennara and the Fallen Druid:
“Misty?”
A twig snapped. A damp chill surrounded Ennara, picking up goose bumps on her arms. The girl hugged herself and stomped her feet to fend off the cold. Why couldn’t the cow make things easy for her tonight?
She took a tentative step between two wild rosebushes. The sun slowly sank toward the distant hills across Lake Coeur. If she hadn’t stayed so late fishing at the docks with Kithe, she’d be home by now, cow tucked safely in the well-lit barn.
Ennara glanced around the gloomy forest. Long shadows stretched across the pasture between her and the farmhouse. She shivered. Her father, Lir, had warned her to bring Misty back before sunset. She wasn’t afraid of the dark, but she didn’t want to meet one of the monsters stalking around at night that Kithe told her about.
She heard the familiar clang of the cow’s bell and called again, stepping near the sound. Trees blocked her view. She peered between them, trying to catch a glimpse of the exasperating bovine.
The life-filled woods departed as the last rays of light slipped behind the hills, leaving a hollow version of its higher self. The girl shivered a second time and rubbed her arms.
The bell sounded once more. Ennara jumped and spun around. She ran a few steps in the direction of the sound, further into the trees.
Through the approaching dusk, she caught a glimpse of metal. There it was—the cow’s bell and collar hung on the limb of a young cottonwood. How had Misty managed to get it off? Confused, the girl stepped toward the bell.
Behind her, a twig snapped. She froze. She turned to see a tall shadow flitting among the trees. Her heart fluttered as she backed away.
“M … misty?” she whispered.
BUY LINKS
About Angela Myron:
Like many writers, I have a full life in which I juggle many duties and joys. I love to cook, garden, and play with my twins. As a mother to toddlers, I write whenever I am not helping them navigate their day–which typically means in the early mornings and early afternoons when they sleep, and sometimes when Grandma comes to visit.
I was twenty-two when writing became a passion of mine. I’ve been doing it in one form or another ever since. But it took me a very long time to follow my heart’s desire to tell stories.
For years, I simply journaled. I delved into writing articles for newsletters and grant proposals. I settled into technical writing, often finding myself a one-person writing, editing, design, app development, and publication team. I learned the basics of journalism, and finally, when on maternity leave with my twins, I turned to writing fiction.
I am grateful for every reader I have. Writing can be a solitary pursuit, but it can also be a dialog, a meeting of the minds. I invite you to connect with me:
Join my street team! Email me at myronangela@gmail.com to subscribe to my newsletters.
WIN a PRIZE
Angela will be awarding a wall calendar print from http://www.cafepress.com/ennaraswag to a randomly drawn commenter during each week on the tour. (Items can be exchanged for other equal or lesser value items from Ennara Swag on Cafepress), and she will award a t-shirt from http://www.cafepress.com/ennaraswag to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour (US ONLY).
I love it when my readers get the prize! :-D
Thank you, Angela Myron, for being my guest today.
And as always, readers, thanks for stopping by.
Brenda
P.S. If you haven’t joined my blog mailing list, just enter your address in the box in the upper right hand column! (And welcome!!)
Tagged: Angela Myron, children's lit, clean read, Ennara and the Fallen Druid, fishing, middle grade fantasy, summer fun
June 20, 2013
Welcome Steve Shilstone!
Greetings, Friends! Today I’d like to welcome author Steve Shilstone! He has written The Wicked Wand, a middle grade fantasy your kids are sure to love.
Steve will be awarding the first 5 stories of the series in eBook format to a randomly drawn commenter during the tour. So remember to comment below!
Here’s the blurb:
Bekka, in your 6th chronicle, The Wicked Wand, please heed the warning of your best friend Kar. Be satisfied with your new collection of 22 magic rings. Don’t try to find the hiding place of the Wand just because it, too, now belongs to you. It’s dangerous. You know it. Kar knows it. You say you can control it. Kar doubts that deeply, but she will help if you insist on going. She won’t allow you to travel alone on your quest even though she thinks it foolish. You’re lucky to have a friend like Kar, and soon, oh soon, you’ll know why.
And an excerpt for your enjoyment:
I quickly fell into a fit of cackling and enjoyed it zooming above the river. Kar entertained me by lengthening her wings, shortening ‘em, changing their colors – shift, shift, shift. She stretched her neck long, long, long, made it sag in coils, made it scaly, feathery, gleamingly smooth. She lengthened her legs absurdly, so such that from a ridiculous height she could drag her paddlefeet to lightly skim the river’s surface. Her legs were a pair of lengthy strings hanging from a beeketbird bag of a body. She shimmered a glorious twang which sounded all ripply in my ears. I could no longer see her. I looked all around. Where was she? I dipped to land on the northern bank of the river at the edge of a field of oats.
“Kar!” I shouted, turning and looking, squinting in all directions.
A whizzing bizz sounded in my ear. I snatched at the annoyance. The bizz whizzed to my other ear. I snatched. The bizz whizzed to a spot two spans in front of my nose and hovered there. Tiny buzzer. A bee? No. Much too small.
“Kar?” I guessed.
The air exploded, and she was on the ground laughing and rolling, gasping and kicking.
Here’s a bio so you can get to know Steve a bit:
Born in Louisville, Kentucky, Steve moved as a toddler with his family to Denver, Colorado, where his passion for books was sparked early by such titles as McElligot’s Pool, The Little House, Little Toot, and more. His father’s employment with the Pennsylvania Railroad had the family moving to Seattle, Washington when Steve was 10. There he dragged home an armload of books every week from the library. He plowed through the Oz books, the horse books, and the dog books while maintaining vast stacks of comic books, mainly Little Lulu and Scrooge McDuck. It was at this time that he wrote his first piece, something called ‘Art Ant Off To War’.
Lo, the teenage years raged in and found Steve’s family – an older brother, a younger brother, a father and a mother – plunked down for good in Redwood City, California on the San Francisco peninsula. Now Steve’s reading frenzy really kicked into high gear. He buzzsawed through all of Dickens and all of Tolstoy in addition to his regular mound of scifi and fantasy and Moby Dick on the side. Trapped in the tentacles of teenageritis, he wrote stories with titles like ‘The Coffin’ and ‘The Guillotine’. Anguished poetry was a given.
Steve eventually attended and graduated from UCLA with a degree in Anthropology, and following that, gave thanks for the asthma which exempted him from a trip to Vietnam. From then until on, he painted and wrote, observed hippiedom with interest from the sidelines, distributed mail for the United States Postal Service, unloaded trucks and worked in the stockrooms of various Mervyn’s department stores, coached youth baseball for a quarter of a century, and became parental. He also finally got around to reading Ulysses by James Joyce, thereby freeing his writing self from the shackles of convention.
His baseball novel, Chance, debuted in 1996. His middle grade fantasy e-book series, The Bekka Chronicles, began appearing in 2010. He lives sometimes in Redwood City, sometimes at South Lake Tahoe. He continues to play with words. His child of hippies novel, CHILDREN OF VINEYARD, is due out in 2014 from Livingston Press.
Here are the links to get in contact with Steve and to buy The Wicked Wand:
Email: steve@steveshilstone.com
Remember to leave a comment. You’ll want to be entered in the drawing! (Not to mention, I love hearing what you have to say.)
And as always, thanks for stopping by.
Brenda
Tagged: Book release, Brenda Maxfield, fantasy, Good clean teen read, middle grade fantasy, Middle Grade Fiction, Steve Shilstone, The Wicked Wand
June 14, 2013
Welcome, Jim Cangany!!
Greetings, Friends! I am especially pleased today to welcome my friend and fellow author, Jim Cangany. We’re celebrating the release of his debut novel, Fallen Star.
I’ve read Fallen Star and heartily recommend it to you! It’s a sweet romance, with a touch of mystery and a whole lot of chemistry. If you like to fall in love with the characters you’re reading about, this is the book for you — you won’t be disappointed. (And after reading Fallen Star, you’ll be thrilled to know a sequel is on its way!)
Here’s Jim to share about his debut novel in his own words:
Have Imagination, Will Travel
When people ask me what kind of story Fallen Star is, I tell them it’s a contemporary romance, a classic tale of boy meets girl set in modern day America. But it’s something else, too. It’s a road trip story. Without giving too much away, the story begins in Indianapolis and takes us through places like Chicago and Las Vegas, before winding up on the California Coast.
Given the nature of the story, I had to make sure my facts about the places my characters E.J. and Annie visited were correct. And what better way to make sure I had it right than to take the trip they did. So last summer, my wonderful wife Nancy and I took the same cross-country venture my star-crossed hero and heroine did. Let me tell you, I had more fun doing research on that trip than a person should be allowed to have.
It was one thing to spend time on the Internet so I would write about a place like the City Museum in St. Louis or the Eiffel Tower in Las Vegas. It was something else entirely to actually visit them. Sure, the in-person research was necessary to get the settings, descriptions and locations correct. Goodness knows I’ve gone back to the dozens of photos I took time and time again.
But to be able to actually walk through the American Jazz Museum in Kansas City, just like Annie and E.J. did, or to ride the rails on Amtrak’s Southwest Chief, just like they did? To see where my imagination and reality truly intersected? I simply can’t put that feeling into words. And taking that trip with my wife, the inspiration for the story, made it most definitely the trip of a lifetime.
My debut novel, Fallen Star, arrived June 14th and is available through e-book retailers. I’d love it if you’d give it a read. And if the story inspires you to take a train trip, why don’t you raise a glass to Annie and E.J. sometime along the way!
Here’s an excerpt to whet your appetite:
“And here we are,” Annie said as she dropped her purse in a window seat. Our seats were in business class, about two-thirds of the way down the train car on the right. She pointed above us to the baggage storage area. “Would you mind?”
“Not at all, least I can do.” I lifted her luggage over my head and placed it in the storage compartment. I gave the train car a once over, taking it all in, and okay I admit it, stalling. For some reason, it seemed that sitting down next to Annie was going to create some kind of commitment or bond or I don’t know what, between us. Or maybe I was just chicken. Here I was, a grown man and I was scared to sit down next to a pretty girl. How weak was that?
Fortunately, Annie came to my rescue.
“Here, come join me.” She patted the empty seat cushion next to her.
I may be chicken, but I’m not stupid. When a pretty girl asks you to sit next to her, you do it. I sat down and dropped my backpack between my legs. Looking around, I continued to study our train car and the other passengers that were finding their seats. The car seemed like a cross between a charter bus that you might take on a big group trip and an airplane, with an aisle down the middle and two roomy seats on one side, a single seat on the other. The windows were large to provide for great views once we got out of the station.
“Not bad. This business class is nice. I’ve never taken a train before, so this is all new to me.”
“Really.” Sarcasm dripped off each letter of the word. “The way your head won’t stop turning this way and that, it’s a wonder you haven’t gotten motion sick or something.”
“And I take it you’re an experienced train traveler?”
She nodded. “I’ve done train travel from time to time. It can be a nice alternative to flying or driving.”
The train lurched forward and we began our trip to St. Louis. “Wow, good to know I’m in such experienced hands. So where are you headed?”
Annie looked out the window. “Home.”
The way she said that single word, so wistfully, almost sorrowfully, told me I shouldn’t intrude, but I couldn’t help myself. She’d told me that she lived on the West Coast, but that was an awfully big area. “And where might that be?”
She started playing with a lock of hair by her ear. “Southern California, L.A. area.”
“Nice. So what do you do there?”
“Oh, I run my own business. It’s similar to a consulting thing.”
She sounded tired, as if whatever she did, she didn’t truly enjoy it. I was going to ask her more, but she leaned her seat back and closed her eyes.
“Please don’t take offense, E.J., but I’m kind of tired. I think I’m going to try to catch a little nap. Do me a favor. If I’m still asleep, wake me before we get to Bloomington please. I’d like to… Oh, you’ll do that for me, yes?”
“No problem.” I reached down, unzipped by backpack, and pulled out a red sweatshirt emblazoned with the yellow and blue logo of Cycles Forever, the bike shop back in Indy where I’d gotten my start. “Here, use this for a pillow.”
She stuck out her hand, took it without opening her eyes and placed her under her head. “Thanks.” She turned toward the window. “You’re a nice guy. Wish more people were like you.”
Of course, it’s always fun to know a bit about the author. So, here’s some info about Jim:
A lifelong resident of the State of Indiana, Jim Cangany is proud to call himself a Hoosier. The youngest of eight children, he grew up in a household full of books and people. Thanks to the influence of his older siblings, Jim gravitated toward fantasy and sci-fi when looking for something to read. He wrote his first story at age fourteen. A school project, The Magic Coin was a fantasy that involved a king, some bad guys, and, not surprisingly, a magical token.
These days, Jim writes contemporary romance on the sweet end. A believer that the world has enough doom and gloom, he likes stories with a happy ending, regardless of genre.
Fallen Star is Jim’s first published novel and is the first installment of the North Star Trilogy. He lives in Indianapolis with his wonderful wife Nancy and his two sons, Ryan and Aidan.
I’d be thrilled to have you, my friends and supporters, give a shout-out to Jim and click on this link to purchase his romance novel.
Purchase Below! (Amazon link available later today!)
Thank you so much! Now, how about you—have any of you ever had a life-changing encounter on a road trip? I’d love to hear about it!
And as always, thanks for stopping by!
Brenda
P.S. If, after you’ve read Jim’s book, you’d like to enjoy two young adult romances, The Lance Temptation and Along Came Jordan are temporarily on sale at 99 cents each! Or pick up Someday You’ll Laugh, right now FREE on Amazon. Woo Hoo!
Tagged: Along Came Jordan, clean read, contemporary romance, debut novel, Fallen Star, hoosier, Jim Cangany, road trip, Sweet romance, The Lance Temptation
June 11, 2013
FREE! This Week Only!
Greetings Friends! FREE for FIVE DAYS ONLY! Kindle Select is offering Someday You’ll Laugh free this week! If you haven’t grabbed a copy yet, now is the time!
Pick it up by clicking here: FREE
Thank you! And here’s a sample for you:
Don’t vomit in the middle of your wedding. Good advice all around. Too bad I ignored it.
My story didn’t start with vomiting, but it did begin with a good gut wrench…
The low sun flamed from the sky even though the time was edging toward nine-thirty at night. I squinted into the glowing horizon and my heart squeezed. I held back the tears.
“Just ten months,” Greg whispered to me. “It’s not so long.”
“Only forever,” I answered. I hadn’t let go of his arm for the past thirty minutes.
He shifted his weight and settled onto the park bench. “We need to talk.”
“We are talking.” I joined him, stretched my legs, and dipped the toes of my shoes into the loose gravel at my feet.
His face had gone serious, and I knew I wasn’t going to like what he had to say. He gazed over my shoulder toward the playground equipment as if observing interesting twists of fine sculpture.
I still held his arm, but now I released my death grip. My fingers remained bent, stuck in a clutched position. “What is it?”
“I think we should see other people.” His words dropped like bricks, gaining speed as they crashed on my ears.
My mouth fell open and I jolted to my feet, tripping over a stone which protruded from the loose rock circling the bench. I skittered a bit, and regained my balance. “See other people? What do you mean?”
“Sit back down.” Greg pulled on my arm and coaxed me onto the bench again. “California’s a long way from here, and I think it’d be a good idea to keep our options open.”
I sat like a wooden toy, stiff and unmoving. I knew I was staring at him, I knew my face was revealing too much, and I knew I wanted to deck him.
“I take it you’ve given this a lot of thought.” My voice sounded so pinched, I hardly recognized it.
“Not a lot. Some, though.” Was it my imagination or did he look like he wanted to crawl under the rock I’d just tripped over?
Our ten months together during my senior year of 1973 evaporated into a depressing mist. I stood. “Fine. If that’s the way you want it, sounds good to me.” I coughed to try and cover up the bitterness in my tone.
He rose beside me and his blond hair fell over his eyes. He pushed the strands aside with an absent-minded flick of his hand. “Don’t be that way. It’s a good idea, and it’ll be much easier on us. Long distance relationships are hard.”
“How would you know?”
“Everyone says so.”
“Fine,” I repeated. “Now to make sure I have it straight — we’re both free to see other people, right?”
He nodded, but I thought I detected a kernel of doubt beginning to grow. His brows crinkled and his blue eyes narrowed.
I went on. “Okay. I guess we’re both on the same page then. You leave in a couple hours for college in California while I stay here in Washington. And we’re both free to date other people. Are we going to communicate at all, or are we stopping that too?”
I deserved a medal. My voice poured out words as if reciting the latest cookie recipe, not closing down a relationship that had cruised along for the better part of a year.
Greg’s eyes stayed focused on mine. “We can write. I think it only takes a couple of days for a letter to get here from California. You’ll write me, won’t you?”
I raised my chin. I could keep up the ruse for another few minutes. “Of course. We’ll both write. It’s a plan.”
I leaned over and kissed him. I didn’t give him time to kiss me back.
“Safe travels,” I said and smiled with warmth I didn’t feel. If he was dumping me, I was going out with class. I made certain the look in my eyes matched my smile, then turned and walked away, swaying my hips as if there were no tomorrow.
Eat your heart out, Greg Johnson.
Eat your heart out, but good.
There was sadness inside me somewhere, but the anger and growing nausea were doing a masterful job of covering it up.
Keep our options open, indeed.
So be it.
The creep.
I love sharing my own love story with you. And I’d love to hear about yours! Please share in the comment section below.
And as always, thanks for stopping by!
Brenda
P.S. Here’s the link again to pick up Someday You’ll Laugh for Free! Click Here Thank you, friends! Have a super week.
P.P.S If you’d like information about joining my brand new street team, click here!
Tagged: ebook, Free, Free Kindle book, Free Kindle Romance, Free NA Romance, Kindle, Kindle Freebie, Someday you'll laugh
