Nancy LaRonda Johnson's Blog, page 18

Celebrating 100 Followers! A Grateful, Small Achievement

To celebrate reaching my 100th follower, I wanted to do something big, bad and funny. We all need a laugh, and I'm seeing the picture above as something funny, not sad. (You know, as in it was a gag picture.)

In celebrating this most small achievement for Celebrate the Small Things Friday (again Thanks VikLit for hosting this weekly blog hop), I wanna first thank all who have taken the time to follow this blog, read my posts, comment, and be a positive presence in this blogosphere.


Now for gift time! I wanted to give something to everyone who wants something. So here you have it:

1. A free download of an eBook version of Anticipation of the Penitent from Smashwords.com (for any and every one of my followers!)
2. $10 gift card from Amazon.com (for two winning followers)
3. A surprise gag gift (for two other winning followers)

To enter this giveaway, be a follower of this blog and express your interest by leaving a comment or sending me an email to nlarondajohnson-author@yahoo.com. The winners for gift numbers 2 & 3 will be randomly selected from those who express their interest. This giveaway will end on Friday, April 5, 2013.

P.S. - If you comment on this blog but aren't a follower, maybe because you don't have gmail, you can still enter this giveaway. Just send me a note that you do comment on this blog and that you wish to enter.

Happy Celebrating the Small Things!

A Day of Awards - Time for Sunshine & Blogger's Tag!

I'm happy to report on this Sunshine Award I received. The recipients of the Sunshine Award are “bloggers who positively and creatively inspire others in the blogsphere.” The way the award works is this: thank the person who gave you the award, and link back to them. Then answer questions about yourself. Finally, select up to 10 of your favorite bloggers, link their blogs to your post, and let them know they have been awarded the Sunshine Award. And don't forget the Sunshine Award badge!

Thanks S.K.Anthony for this honorable award! :)

I've nominated 5 bloggers for the Sunshine Award, and please feel free to do the Blogger's Tag as well!

Here are my nominees:

Aford of Quill Pen
Sheena-kay Graham on whichever blog she'd like to post
Lexie C of Pennies in the Jetstream
Suzanne Furness of The Word Is...
Diana Wilder of about myself, by myself

And these are my intriguing answers to the questions:

What inspired you to start blogging?At the SF Writers Conference in February 2012, it was encouraged to start a blog to get your name out there no matter how your book gets published. Also, internet presence, I was told, is one of the things agents look for.
I had no idea what creating and maintaining a blog entailed and really had no interest in anything to do with marketing and promoting. But since I like to write and spread my opinion, and did want my book to be known, I decided to look into it. And boy, there’s no stopping me now!
How did you come up with the name of your blog?
The name Writer’s Mark just came to me – putting my mark out there as a writer. It was initially called “Writer’s Mark – Christian fiction, poetry, and ideas.” Later, I realized that if I just post my Christian work, there’s a lot of my other work which wouldn’t be showcased. So, I stuck in the “and other” to open the field and not be limited to just Christian work.
What is your favorite blog that you like to read?
There’s not just one. I do have several favorites that I love to return to and don’t like it when I’ve spent too much time away.
Tell about your dream job.
Dream job… of course to write fulltime. I wouldn’t want any other writer type of job like editing. I would love to teach creative writing part-time at the college level later on, after enjoying the freedom of writing whenever and wherever I want. Ho hum… :)

Is your glass half full or half empty?
Oh, really more than half full! That doesn’t keep me from complaining and pining for more, hear me. I’ve been where the glass was less than half full on several occasions in my life, and I can celebrate that now I’m a spoiled child of God with the glass level rising.
If you could go anywhere for a week’s vacation, where would you go?
One week is definitely not enough for the ideal spots I’d want to go. So for one week, I’d be happy to go to Maui again or Mexico, somewhere hot, beachy and where I could get some fun drinks. :)
What food can you absolutely not eat?
Something I wouldn’t even try? There are some things I hate, like olives (unless they’re totally buried in the other ingredients), but I try them every blue moon to see if my taste buds have changed – yuck! But something I wouldn't even try might be worms – you know, grubs or some other wormy delicacy in another country.
Dark chocolate or milk chocolate?
Okay, a year ago I would definitely have said milk chocolate, but now they are coming out with some tasty dark chocolate sweets. I mean, have you tried Reese’s Dark Chocolate? And Sprinkles has this chocolate cupcake with marshmallow filling and dark chocolate ganache that’s divine. And let me mention one more. At the Cheese Cake Factory, they have the Godiva Dark Chocolate Mouse cheese cake that is so heavenly I was UNABLE to share it with anyone! until I’d had my fill. (They give you such a big slice, I was eventually able to share some and still have some to take home.)
Do you watch TV – if so, what are some of your favorite shows?
I like S.K.’s answer, “Bwah hahha, do I? YES.”  I wouldn’t say I’m obsessed. I can go probably one, maybe two nights in a week without watching TV. But more than that would start to hurt.
I love some of the food competition shows, like Top Chef, The Worst Cooks in America, Chopped, Sweet Genius… there’s a million. I also love The Amazing Race, Law & Order SVU, and Sunday Best.
Here's the "No Badge" Blogger's Tag:
In case you haven't learned enough about me, John Byke of 2012writers Still Alive started a Blogger's Tag, and I agreed to take part in it. Here are the rules:

1. Post these rules.
2. Post a photo of yourself and eleven random facts about you.
3. Answer the questions given to you in the tagger’s post.
4. Create eleven new questions and tag new people to answer them.
5. Go to their blog/twitter and let them know they have been tagged.
My photo and 11 random facts:
1. My childhood dog was named Chico









2. A chunk of my hair in the back fell out after dying it once
3. As a child I used to suck my thumb, and every now and then I still get the urge to do it (but don't)
4. My brother and I used to shoplift Cadbury's candy bars from the grocer
5. Now, as an adult, I do my best not to lie, even a little
6. I loved the movie Oz: The Great and Powerful. Saw it in IMAX 3D
7. I'd rather be miserably hot than cold
8. I hate ironing clothes, and buy clothes that don't need to be ironed
9. One privilege I don't want to give up is having a housekeeper
10. I only buy new shoes once the old ones are nearly falling apart.

These are the 11 questions my tagger asked me:

1. Favorite vacation spot?  Italy, the Amalfi Coast2. Shoe size?  93. Favorite celebrity?  I’ll change that to favorite actor. (I’m not into all that celebrity stuff). This is hard. I’ll say Will Smith. I can’t wait til his new sci-fi movie comes out with his kid.4. Cats or dogs? If I were to have one, cat. They need less attention and play with time.5. Satellite or cable TV?  Cable TV. Don’t like the extra garb you need for satellite.6. Bill Gates or Steve Jobs? Who knows? Going by familiarity, I’d say Bill Gates.7. Rice or noodles?  Rice, brown rice at that!8. What secret or hidden talent do you have? Spending time alone, even going on vacations and to movies by myself. 9. Any pet peeves about people in general? Gum smacking.10. Complete this: If I could change one thing in the world it would be... all the negative TV shows out there that promote self-entitlement and intolerance. 11. What do you think about the haircut in my picture above? Here’s John Byke’s pic he’s talking about:  I’d say it’s very monkish.







Okay taggees, now answer these 11 questions:
1. Lefty or righty? 2. “Hi” or “Hello”?3. What old-time tradition would you want to bring back, i.e., drive-in movies?4. What celebrity do you think you look like most?5. What animal would you want to be if you had to be one?6. Did you have any childhood bad habits, i.e., sucking your thumb? What?7. Momma’s boy/girl or Daddy’s girl/boy?8. What’s your favorite leisurely activity?9. What one word would you use to describe yourself?10. Popcorn or chips?11. Who’s the last person (or animal) you kissed?
Thanks for reading. :) I look forward to your comments and answers! Be sure to let me know if you've accepted the tag.

Press Release & Media Kit

Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SF Bay Area Author Making Her Mark in a Growing Genre
A killer raised by Satan, a mother reaching for God - Not your typical Christian fiction
HAYWARD, CA – Local author and San Mateo County Deputy Probation Officer, Nancy LaRonda Johnson, is making her mark in the Christian speculative fiction genre with her debut novel, Anticipation of the Penitent. Not your typical Christian fiction, it is a novel about a serial killer and his mother, and was a front-runner in the Indie Publishing Contest sponsored by the San Francisco Writers Conference 2012.
Reviewers on Amazon have said: “If there was 'ever' a first chapter of any book that was going to hook you in- it would be this! Well written with a superb plot. Disturbing, sad, dark and at times-just plain creepy, but always a great read.” - Review by Little Red
“…strong Biblical principals without distracting from the plot…. a very strong command of visual imagery. Once I started reading this book there was no way that I was going to do anything short of finish it!” – Review by Audrey Semprun
With elements of horror, Anticipation of the Penitent is written in beautifully crafted prose that draws you into the characters’ lives and spiritual struggles. After Alezea is trapped by the Devil, she bears him a son and knows her life will never be her own. She is the mother of Thomas, a man reared by Satan to be a killer of life’s most innocent – little girls. When Alezea finds a way out, she will risk her very soul to free Thomas from his father. The fight to save her son will either redeem Alezea or destroy her forever. Rachel knows Thomas’ history, yet she believes her presence can transform him. Her belief in Thomas might send her further into the Devil’s realm or provide an opening for God’s miracles in both of their lives.
Attend her book signing at Nu Revelations Christian Bookstore on Saturday, April 20, 2013, from 2 – 4 p.m.
Nancy LaRonda Johnson is a passionate writer of Christian and other fiction and poetry. She earned a BA in sociology from UC Santa Cruz and a JD from the University of San Francisco, School of Law. While raising a niece and nephew as a single woman for ten years, she began working as a deputy probation officer in San Mateo County. She currently lives in Hayward. You may contact her at nlarondajohnson-author@yahoo.com for more information, book signings or speaking engagements, and feel welcome to join her blog “Writer’s Mark” at www.nancylarondajohnson.blogspot.com.
Anticipation of the Penitent A killer raised by Satan, a mother reaching for God.A battle of souls begins.Amazon.com, CreateSpace.com, Smashwords.com &Nu Revelations Christian Books and Novelties 22431 Foothill Blvd, Hayward, CABook Signing Saturday, April 20, 2013 2-4 p.m.
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Media Kit


Synopsis

After Alezea is trapped by the Devil, she bears him a son and knows her life will never be her own. She is the mother of Thomas, a man reared by Satan to be a killer of life’s most innocent – little girls. Alezea lives detached from the horrors committed by her son and from her domination by the entity who uses her as he pleases. Until she meets Martha who shows her a way out. Now Alezea will risk her very soul to free Thomas from his father. The fight to save her son will either redeem Alezea or destroy her forever.
Rachel knows Thomas’ history, yet she believes her presence can transform him. Her belief in Thomas might send her fully into the Devil’s realm or provide an opening for God’s miracles in both of their lives. In a scheme to continue his father’s line, Thomas may ruin his alliance with Rachel or rend himself from the dominion he was born to hold. The impulse to contrive his future takes Thomas to new heights in his lifework as a killer, pushes him toward maturity, and forces him to encounter the astonishing truth of his heritage.
Anticipation of the Penitent depicts the battle between good and evil in one family until it is rendered to its destined completion. Only then will it be known whether Alezea succeeds in her struggle for a life free from Satan’s control.


AUTHOR BIO


Nancy LaRonda Johnson is a passionate writer of Christian and other fiction and poetry, was raised in Berkeley and currently resides in Hayward. Anticipation of the Penitentis her debut novel in the growing Christian speculative genre. She has written short stories, poetry and personal journals most of her life, and won her first award for a short story in a sixth grade summer program.
Nancy attained a BA in Sociology from UC Santa Cruz and a JD from the University of San Francisco, School of Law. She raised a niece and nephew as a single parent for ten years, during which she began working as a deputy probation officer for San Mateo County, where she has been employed for nearly twelve years.
She is working on several projects, including a sequel to Anticipation of the Penitent, a book of short stories and poetry, a science fiction novella and another Christian speculative novel about the Witch of Endor. She has a love of stories that are character driven and have surprising twists.
Anticipation of the Penitentwas a front-runner in the Indie Publishing Contest sponsored by the San Francisco Writers Conference 2012.

AUTHOR Q&A
Where did the idea come from for the book?
My initial questions when writing Anticipation of the Penitent were, why is there evil in the world, and can a sociopath be saved? There is no end to the evilness people allow themselves to inflict on someone else. Luckily, all the answers I needed to explain this behavior are in the Bible. I no longer had to research evil behaviors, of which I have great examples through my job trainings and my job in general.
Is your book self-published or traditionally published through an agency?

It's self-published through CreateSpace. I spent about 6 months sending out query letters to no avail. I later realized from a comment by someone on Authonomy.com that my pitch was not very interesting. I believe I've got a better one now, but I was already in the midst of self-publishing.
How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?
About 6 years, more or less. It started as a flash fiction piece, but the character stayed with me for a long time. Then I got custody of my niece and nephew while working full-time, so it took a while. The last year and a half I wrote the full second part of the book.
What other books or authors would you compare this story to within your genre?
I'd say The Priest's Graveyard by Ted Dekker. They are both dark, Christian and speak about people in unacceptably ugly situations. I believe mine is more inspirational in its entirety.

Events, Interviews & More

EventsBook Signing: 
Nu RevelationsChristian Book Store22431 Foothill Blvd.Hayward, CA510-397-0474

InterviewsPodcast Interview - 2012writers STILL ALIVEAuthor Interview - Pam Funke's Book Reviews

MediaPress Release
Book Trailer

ArticlesThe Woes, Fears and Promises of an Expectant Writer

ContactsEmail
Twitter
LinkedIn
Facebook
Amazon Author Page
CreateSpace Author Page
Smashwords Author Page
LibraryThing Author Page
Goodreads Author Page

It Ain't Right to Cavil

The word lovers and prompt writers blog hop is now. Here's how it goes:

1. Create a lovely blog post that links back to The Feather and The Rose blog - our host.
2. Pick an old word you want to save from extinction to feature in your blog post. It really must be an old word, not just a big one. We are trying to save lovely archaisms, not ugly giants (for example, "Dihydrogen Monoxide" is not an acceptable choice). Luciferous Logolepsy is a great database of lovely words if you're having trouble coming up with something on your own.
3. Provide a definition of your word. Use your word in a sentence (or even a short paragraph) vaguely related to the theme we have chosen this week. You may also add visual or musical interpretations of your word or your sentence. In fact, add anything that moves your creative spirit.
4. Add your post to the linky list below (sometimes I add it later in the day). Then hop to as many other blogs as you can in search of as many wonderful words as possible!
5. Use as many of the words as you can on the people in your life. Do leave us a note or add something to your own post to let us all know what wonderful old word you whipped out to befuddle your friends and relations.
Today's theme is: picket fences
My word today is: cavil: From 1540-50Verb - to raise irritating or trivial objections; find fault unnecessarily (usually followed by at or about)
And here's my writing for this word:

Darn it, I don't understand why Harold's got to spot-paint the way he does. Why did he pick that color anyway? There he goes with another drip of paint on my flowers. If the picket fence was any bigger.... It blocks most of our yard as it is, so why can't he keep the paint where it belongs?
"Maggie, could you move please? You're blocking the sun. It's already cold out here."
"You don't have to cavil at me like that, Harold. I'm only here to give you support."

Give Thanks and Celebrate!

In celebrating the small things this week as a part of VikLit's blog hop, I wish to give thanks to God for teaching me to be obedient to him and for being patient with me when it takes a little longer for me.

I have to say this week I'm glad for:

a great week at work with much less stress than last weekbeautiful weathergood digestive healthmaking progress on my new book of short stories and poetry, now called Salted with Firemeeting with my new critique partner for the first timeleaving work while it's still light outside (thanks daylight savings time!)keeping peace in my heart throughout most of the each day. 
.... So, did I do good at keeping the celebrations small this week? What big or small things do you have to celebrate for this past week? I'll be coming by to find out!

What would you do if you could go through a wormhole?

I'm thrilled today! because I am able to imagine flying (or squirming?) through a wormhole to another place and return, no harm, no foul. Well, it says we get a round trip ticket to wherever, whenever we want. Does that me know harm, no foul? Hmm....

This is a blog hop put together by Bards and Prophets and Stephen Tremp's blogs .

If I could go through a wormhole and get back, I'd want to go to the Garden of Eden, to Eve, right before the snake whispers unsweetened lies in her ears. I'd tell Eve the consequences of her actions, about the killings, starting with her son, Abel, and ending with the last murder I'd read up on before traveling. I'd tell her about broken hearts, illnesses - physical, mental and spiritual, children hating their parents, parents hating their children. About pollution, the extinction of species, about miscarriages, tsunamis, hoarders dying underneath mounds of trash in their homes, people dying without anyone by their sides. I'd tell her everything I know, especially about how all of these adversities are sweet music to the serpent's ears, and to not give him the pleasure. Instead, give us the pleasure of enjoying the earthly paradise as God had intended, with everyone having peace and no hardships, toil or birthing pains.

If I'm successful, does that mean I'd still be able to get back through the wormhole? I wonder what I'd see? Everyone naked, or the same because the serpent was able to deceive someone else?

Book Review Time! :)

It's time again for another review of an Indie author's novel for the Indie-Fever Reading Challenge 2013. 
About the Author
Sara Rosett is a native Texan and author of the Ellie Avery mystery series and the On The Run travel thrillers. As a military spouse, Sara has moved around the country (frequently!) and traveled internationally, which inspired her latest travel thrillers. Publishers Weekly called Sara's books, "satisfying," "well-executed," and "sparkling."
Sara loves all things bookish, considers dark chocolate a daily requirement, and is on a quest for the best bruschetta.

Review of Elusive (Book #1 in the On the Run Series) by Sara Rosett
I won this eBook from a LibraryThing Member Giveaway.
Zoe lives with her ex-husband in separate areas of one house. They never interact or see each other. After her ex is missing and presumed dead, his business partner is discovered killed and the business’ bank account suddenly has millions of dollars. Zoe becomes the prime suspect of conspiracy, fraud and murder. What follows is a complete turnaround of this self-employed, single woman’s life. She is forced to defend herself, find the truth about the crimes, and learn what really happened to her ex, while being pursued in both the US and Italy.
I chose to review this book mainly because it was set in Italy, a country I had lived in for a year and a half total, and I speak the language… at least as much as I remember. It’s been a while. Otherwise, it’s not the type of book I would normally read.
The main characters are likeable and intelligent, and attempt to allude law enforcement and bad guys with good magnetism. It is well written and easy to follow. Although the plot has a sufficient amount of intrigue, there were a few times when the main character’s reaction to her situation did not ring true. There were strong bad guys and gals, and all the ends were neatly tied after some clever twists. Other points in the plot seemed a little unbelievable.
Overall, if you are into international mysteries with intrigue and strong characters, you may enjoy the first book of this On the Run series.



Website: http://www.sararosett.com/Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Elusive-On-The-Run-ebook/dp/B0094HZVWCEbook $2.99
Print $11.99

Not the carfax you thought you knew & A Movie Review

The word lovers and prompt writers blog hop is now. Here's how it goes:

1. Create a lovely blog post that links back to The Feather and The Rose blog - our host.
2. Pick an old word you want to save from extinction to feature in your blog post. It really must be an old word, not just a big one. We are trying to save lovely archaisms, not ugly giants (for example, "Dihydrogen Monoxide" is not an acceptable choice). Luciferous Logolepsy is a great database of lovely words if you're having trouble coming up with something on your own.
3. Provide a definition of your word. Use your word in a sentence (or even a short paragraph) vaguely related to the theme we have chosen this week. You may also add visual or musical interpretations of your word or your sentence. In fact, add anything that moves your creative spirit.
4. Add your post to the linky list below (sometimes it's added late). Then hop to as many other blogs as you can in search of as many wonderful words as possible!
5. Use as many of the words as you can on the people in your life. Do leave us a note or add something to your own post to let us all know what wonderful old word you whipped out to befuddle your friends and relations.
Today's theme is: Indecision
My word today is: Carfax: From Anglo-French, Old French and LatinNoun - a place where principalroads or streets intersect, esp a place in a town where four roads meet

And here's my writing for this word:

"Look, I'm tired of you keep changing your mind. I'm going that way. You go whichever way you want on this carfax Dennis."

"Diane, you know my car got totaled in that wreck last week and can't be sold! Even if I repaired it, Carfax would report what happened to it."

"Man, Dennis, I though you went to grad school. When you get to wherever you end up, look up the word carfax. That's if you don't get eaten by werewolves for not following me on this carfax!"

A Crazy Movie I Saw 

Wanna do something new here. That is, I want to comment on a movie I watched during my lazy day on Friday - The Skin I Live In, with Antonio Banderas. I saw it on Encore On Demand, and I'll say that I think Antonio is a better actor in his native language. (Believe me, I like me some Antonio Banderas though!) 

Although I'm not against subtitled films, I don't watch too many at home, because you have to continually watch it or you'll miss something, and thereby you can't multitask. I won't say too much about the plot, because it unfolds throughout the movie and I don't want to give anything away. 

But the movie is strange, to say the least. It deals with a surgeon who has a woman locked away in his mansion and has spent years repairing her. The story unfolds, bringing to light that the surgeon may not be as demented as he appears, that the bad folks may just have some good in them, and those who appear good are ...I don't know - Nuts. In other words, this is the type of story I love.  

Here's a trailer. Be sure to skip through the ad.


What are your favorite types of movies?

Up Late, But Still Celebrating

Yesterday I was exhausted after reading so many IWSG posts (I started from the bottom up, and didn't get to everyone!), reading some of a book I'll be reviewing, reorganizing my blog labels, and working, that I never got to writing this post 'til now.

Anyway, no more excuses! I have to celebrate some small and big things today for VikLit's blog hop.

1. I'm spending more time marketing and will hopefully be sending out Press Releases (Yes, I'm a bit scared about the thought of it.)

2. I did my first podcast interview at 2012writers Still Alive and think it came out decently. (Click on the link and see what you think.) I did say "pretty much" too much and some ideas didn't come out just the way I wanted. But for my first live taped interview and not knowing what questions would be asked, I'm happy with it. Great practice for more, I'd say!

3. I'll be going to three writer's groups this weekend, two of which are new. Well, one is just me and another woman, but we'll be working to grow. I'm hoping she will be a great critique partner.

4. As stated in a prior post, I have a book signing scheduled for Saturday, April 20th at Nu Revelations Christian Book Store. The owner has a local cable TV show and we've scheduled to do the interview prior to the book signing.

5. And I'm celebrating having today off of work!

Thanks for visiting, and I will be celebrating everyone else's as soon as I'm able.