Sara Celi's Blog: A Writing State of Mind, page 4

Cover Reveal: Shattered Ties by K.A. Robinson

Here it is! The awesome cover for Shattered Ties, the new book from K.A. Robinson!

I love this cover!

Synopsis: 

With a former supermodel mother and a rock-and-roll legend father, Emma Preston has the best of everything. Nothing is as perfect as it seems though. After her parents divorce, she’s forced to live with her mother in a private Santa Monica community. Ignoring their parental roles, her mother becomes more focused on climbing the social ladder while her father is off on tour. Growing up in a trailer park with his mother, Jesse is used to people looking down on him. When his mother begs him to submit an application for a scholarship to one of Santa Monica’s top private schools, he never expects to actually get it. When he does, he is forced to attend school with a bunch of rich kids. He ignores their stares as they judge him for having tattoos and a less than impressive car. As long as he has his surfboard and the guys at the tattoo shop, he knows he can make it through. 

When Jesse shows up on the first day of school, Emma can’t help but be intrigued. Her mother would never approve of Emma talking to someone so poor, but she doesn’t care because something about Jesse draws her to him. 

Jesse tries to hate Emma, but he discovers that he can’t resist her. Forced to hide their relationship from Emma’s mother and everyone else around them, things start to fall apart. When Jesse’s friend, Ally, decides to interfere, things go from bad to worse. 

Can they survive their first love? Or will they be left with nothing more than shattered ties?

Book 1 of a 2 book series. 

**18+ for sexual situations, cursing, and adult content.***

 This book was 5 Star read for me. I had a chance to grab an advance copy, and I loved every minute of it. I’ll be posting a more detailed review closer to the release date. 

In the meantime, add Shattered Ties to your Goodreads shelf here. 

Wear “Too” Nation

There’s something new and fashionable brewing in Cincinnati. Something underneath it all. Something sexy.

And something for a good cause.

Too. is about to launch.

It’s a company based around women, fashion, and domestic violence. Basically, for every pair of high quality underwear purchased, Too. will donate a pair of underwear to a women’s shelter.

I chatted with the founders Tuesday night at Righteous Room, and they are passionate about this project for many reasons.

Women’s shelters are always in need of many things–money, food, clothing, and support. Often women and their children who seek solace at these places arrive with nothing but the clothes they are wearing after escaping a nightmare. The founders of Too. saw that need, and a way they can help. It’s a one-for-one kind of project, similar to the efforts done by the shoe company TOMS. 

Too. has currently partnered with women’s shelters all over the country, including Hope House (Kansas City), Starting Point (Conway, NH), McCoy Family Shelter (San Marcos, TX), Roxanne’s House (San Marcos, TX), El Refugio (Silver City, NM), W.O.M.E.N. (Nashville, TN), Haven (Bozeman,MT), WSCC (Cleveland,OH) and Every Woman Opportunity Center (upstate New York).

Headquarters, however, will remain in Cincinnati, and plans are to launch the product in early 2014. In the meantime, you can like Too on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.

And, don’t worry! I’ll post more updates when the brand launches!

Celi Cooks: Sassy Bacon Dip

The dip after I made it. Yummy!

A couple of weeks ago, I spotted an awesome recipe for Cheddar Bacon and Ranch Dip over on the Buns In My Oven website.

Looked like just the thing for a fall football party.

A few days ago, I had the chance to try it out, as a friend was hosting a birthday party potluck just in time for the Bengals game. I pulled the recipe out and made just a few modifications in an effort to cut a few more calories.

Here’s a look at my ingredients:

8oz of non-fat Greek yogurt

1 packet of ranch dressing powder

1 cup of non-fat shredded cheddar cheese

4 slices of turkey bacon

Basically, as the post mentioned, all you do is cook up the bacon, cut it into pieces, and then mix all the ingredients together. Once refrigerated for about two hours (so the flavors can mix), you are ready to go!

How did the party goers like it? Well, they loved it. In fact, it was gone before halftime! Most people commented on the tangy zip of the ranch, and the crunch of the turkey bacon. What an instant addition to my party dip favorites!

Thanks, Buns In My Oven for the great new recipe!

 

Red Hill: My Review

I waited for this book for a year, and I’m not ashamed to admit that.

Jamie McGuire is one of my favorite authors even though Beautiful Disaster is far from my favorite book (she’s also a friend). The truth is, though, Abby and Travis just aren’t people I like very much. However, somehow none of that matters.  When I read that novel last year I noticed something about Jamie’s writing, something that kept me reading until 3AM and had me telling other people they should just go ahead and read the book.

Jamie McGuire can craft a story.

Even though I wanted to forget BD, to dismiss it as a fun and crazy romance about two screwed up college kids, to this day it’s a story where I remember almost everything that happened. Everything. Dialogue. Plot points. Description. All of it. I’m even obsessed with updates about the movie, even though Abby and Travis are people I would never associate with in real life. For someone who reads 100 or more books in the average year, that’s hard to do.

Very hard.

Which is why, dear friends, I couldn’t wait for Jamie and Atria to release Red Hill. I even bugged her about it on a few occasions. I needed it to be October 1st back in July. Or before that.

I just needed the book to be out. And now, it is.

Red Hill is a really interesting work. It straddles two genres–never being a full romance or a full on horror story, but somehow a mix of both. Told from the perspectives of three main characters, their lives collide at Red Hill Ranch, the remote outpost somewhere near the Oklahoma/Kansas border that winds up being just the right place to ride out the zombie apocalypse.

I’ve been to that part of the country, by the way. It would be the best place to hide, for sure.

The first half of the book centers on the quest to get there, as these characters fight through a deteriorating society and begin to discover what each of them will do when faced with grim odds. The second half focuses all on life at the ranch, which presents challenges of its own and changing alliances. And of course, some romance.

Once again, Jamie proved what I suspected. She can write the heck out of something, even the zombie apocalypse.Her writing style is also on full display here. Quick, moving sentences, punchy dialogue, and strong voice all make this story flow. As the reader, I couldn’t help but turn the page.

Also, Red Hill takes places in very believable world, and she presents just enough back story to make you understand what is happening to the broader society while centering the tale on the microcosm that is Red Hill Ranch. It’s easy in a science fiction based novel to get too wrapped up in back story and world building (I know something about this through my own feeble attempts). Jamie does just enough for the focus to stay more on the people involved and their problems.

And that brings me to an important point.

Red Hill is not a book for someone who reads a lot of Stephen King, or who is obsessed with World War Z, though. After I finished the last sentence, I decided it’s a book for someone who wants something different on the Kindle, but doesn’t want a heaviness of a some of the other science fiction and fantasy novels out there. It’s sort of “zombie apocalypse light” and I think there should be more of this type of work out there.

It’s great. It really is. In my mind, it’s better than Beautiful Disaster. The characters are more likable, and more real. The writing still makes me shudder in delight. And the story itself is unforgettable.

Five stars.

Now, Jamie, when is your next book coming out?

Four Reasons to Party at Fall Fiesta

I always the love fall in Cincinnati. With so much to do, the social season is abuzz with gallery openings, parties, the symphony, fashion shows, and more. The city really does come alive in the weeks just before the start of the holiday season.

In the middle of all the excitement and a full social schedule, there is one event that I look forward to more than any other, and that’s Cooperative for Education’s Fall Fiesta. It truly is one of the most rewarding nights of fall–because this charity’s work is not only noble, it’s unique.

Cooperative for Education (CoEd) is a textbook, computer, and scholarship cooperative that devotes time and energy to improving the lives of Guatemalan children and students, specifically those of Mayan heritage. In Guatemala, Mayan children are some of the poorest and most at-risk, often living in small villages high in the mountains and far away from the city.

Founded in 1996 by two brothers from Cincinnati, CoEd has changed the future for thousands of students, and is now one of the leading NGO’s devoted to education in that country. It truly is a testament to what can be done when someone dreams big and dares to find a solution to a problem many people wouldn’t dare try to fix. I traveled with founders Jeff and Joe Berninger in August 2011, and it changed my life. The week I spent with them in Guatemala is something I still think about to this day.

Every year, Fall Fiesta celebrates the triumphs of this organization, and endows the future for this growing charity. Every year this event grows, and 2013’s event will be the largest Fall Fiesta yet. In fact, I can think of many reasons why someone should attend this year’s Fall Fiesta, but I’m going to focus on four big ones here.

1. Party at Paul Brown Stadium: Fall Fiesta has moved locations, and this year will be held at Paul Brown Stadium, right in the middle of football season. From 6-11PM on October 12, a $75 ($90 after October 1) ticket gets you an open bar, heavy appetizers, and more from the event space right inside the stadium. This will be even more fun than normal since this is the year the Bengals will win the Super Bowl. Right?

2. Shop for the holidays at the party: Silent and live auction items for this American Mortgage Service Company-sponsored event total over $60,000 which means there is something for almost everyone to bid on–and many of these items would make great gifts for the upcoming holiday season. The Live Auction also includes a few marquee experiences, like grandstand tickets to the 2014 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade, a trip to San Francisco, and a one-of-a-kind experience with the Cincinnati Bengals.

3. Get fashionable and rock a bow tie: CoEd just recently collaborated with Dhani Jones and his charity, BowTie Cause. Jones designed a bow tie just for CoEd this year, and it will be on sale for $57 at Fall Fiesta. It will surely be the most fashionable accessory in Cincinnati this fall, and rumor has it that Mr. Jones himself may be in attendance at Fall Fiesta, wearing one himself.

4. Meet Ancelma Ortiz: She’s one of the awesome students who directly benefited from the help of CoEd, and she’s coming all the way from Guatemala to be at this event. She was the first person in her family to graduate high school, and she’s now fluent in English and holds a professional job at a telecom company. Alcema will be at Fall Fiesta to share more about how CoEd’s programs have affected and altered her life for the better. Her story is unforgettable.

Don’t miss the fun!  Get more information and purchase your tickets to Fall Fiesta at: www.cooperativeforeducation.org/fiesta.  Hope to see you on October 12th!

Ray of Light

Ahh–the fountain of youth. If only it really existed.

Since the beginning of time, mankind has searched for something, anything to stem the tide of the aging process. Creams. Surgery. Diets. Drinks. Concoctions. Pills.

And now, light.

No, I’m not talking about tanning here. We all know that’s bad for the skin.

If you haven’t heard, red light therapy is one of the biggest trends out there when it comes to health and anti-aging. Red light therapy booths are popping up all over the place, with tanning salons, spas, and gyms touting the health benefits of 15 minutes in a special booth that won’t give you a tan, but will give you exposed to concentrated light.

This latest trend, by the way, started with NASA. They developed modern light therapy booths as a way to help astronauts, and quickly discovered what are believed to be far-reaching health benefits. It’s an expansion on what humans have known since the ancient world. We’re better when we have more exposure to light.

In fact, some studies show red light therapy can help with anti-aging, relaxation, collagen production, seasonal affective disorder, acne, psoriasis, cold sores, general depression, and more.

I tried the Red Light Therapy booth for the first time this week at the gym where I work out, Planet Fitness. After viewing it with suspicion for a few days, I decided to give in to my curiosity. Once the gym associate gave me a quick rundown on how to operate the booth, I stepped in and shut the door,surrounded on all sides by a bright light. From there, I just stood there for 15 minutes as my skin soaked up the exposure.

I liked it. I’ll go back.

I read a recommendation that users undergo red light therapy for 15 minutes 4 times a week for six weeks before switching to once a week for maintenance. I’ll be testing this out in the next few weeks, and check back here on this blog.

In the meantime, would you try red light therapy? Have you?

The Winds of Change

Two years ago, when I came to Oklahoma, I had no idea what I’d find.

I just knew I needed to come here. I’d been offered an awesome opportunity as an anchor and reporter for KFOR/ Freedom43. I knew better than to pass that up, but in truth, the pull in my stomach felt like more than just job advancement.

It felt like I needed to move here to be a better me.

With very little hesitation, I uprooted my life and my husband’s when I packed my bags and drove west. I kept telling him the whole time that the next chapter in our lives might be hard, but that I needed it. Something about a life in the among the winds dancing around Oklahoma City had my name written on it.

I did this even though it meant my husband and I would temporarily turn our marriage back into a commuter relationship. Even though it meant I’d live in a small efficiency apartment. And even though I didn’t know anyone in town, had no idea if the people would accept me, and wondered if I’d make friends.

These last 25 months have been unforgettable. Without hesitation, I’ll say this time has been the most important in my adult life.

First, working with the journalists at KFOR and Freedom43 has been incredible. That is a phenomenal team full of talent. I’m thankful that, for a time, they included me in that equation. I’m not just talking about the people you see in front of the camera every day. Most everyone in that building is focused on putting a great product on the air–from news to weather, sports, production, sales, marketing, operations, and more. I don’t know anyone there who doesn’t approach their job with grit, guts, and devotion.

Second, in the last two years, the kinds of stories I’ve had a chance to cover here in Oklahoma have been unbelievable. I flew in a T-38, rode along with the AWACS, stripped paint off a B-52, learned all about science and engineering, explored the inside dome of an AWACs, interviewed and met James Marsden, Sweet Brown, Fabio, and Famke Janssen, Chris Kattan, Anderson Cooper, Lester Holt, and Lyle Lovett, completed a USAF combat readiness course in 100 degree heat, and did a hundred other awesome things. On top of it all, I met so many wonderful, friendly, and strong Oklahomans.

Third, I happened to be here when the community showed me their commitment and devotion to each other. May 20th and May 31, 2013 rank at the top of my list as the scariest and most important days of my life. Here is not the time or the place to get into all the details of what happened to me on those days–but I will share that walking around the neighborhood near Plaza Towers Elementary moments after the tornado struck left me forever changed and centered. I didn’t just see destruction and despair on those days. I saw a community look at the face of hell, then decide they were strong enough to fight it back and help each other. I’ll never forget that.

Fourth, my time away from work at KFOR wound up being critical to my life. It was here, in Oklahoma, that I wrote four books in two years. Two of them are published now and available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. Two others are in the edit stages. At the Route 66 Marathon in 2011, I had another unforgettable experience, one that I later wrote about in Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Power of Positive. To make it all a little sweeter, I made some real friends in OKC–people I am forever glad entered my life. It’s true what they say about Oklahomans. This is one of the friendliest states in the USA, and the people here band together in a way I have never seen before. I have never met a more welcoming people.

But with all moments in time, change invariably comes. It’s time for me to move back to Cincinnati and rejoin my extensive family there. A lot has happened in the last few years, including a shift in the path of my future. This Friday marked my last broadcast as the 9PM anchor of Freedom43, and my last time on KFOR’s 10PM newscast. It’s a sad day for me, but also a hopeful one. The future is always unknown, but I go forward stronger because of my time in this state.

Thank you for everything, Oklahoma. I will never forget these amazing last two years. I hope as I move forward, that I always carry the spirit of this state in my heart.

Our State Fair is a Great State Fair

Before I moved to Oklahoma, I had never been to a really big state fair.

It just wasn’t part of my life growing up. The Ohio and Kentucky State Fairs were two hours away from our home in the Cincinnati suburbs, so making an annual pilgrimage wasn’t something we’d done. When I worked at KSLA, Shreveport hosted the annual Louisiana State Fair, but I often heard that as fun as that event was, it paled in comparison to the state fairs of other states, particularly in the Midwest and West.

They were right.

The Oklahoma State Fair is one of my favorite events in OKC. I really enjoy it because it’s unlike anything I have ever been to, and the novelty of that always stands out to me. They say 2 million people–often more–make the trip to this fair every year, and I believe that. For a person who loves people watching, the OK State Fair is like going to a BCS Bowl. You can see everything–and everyone there.

It also reminds me sometimes of favorite musical growing up, the Rodgers and Hammerstein classic State Fair. That story is about a family that finds love and friendship at the Iowa State Fair in the 1940s. If you haven’t watched it, do. It’s a fun, big band old Hollywood movie with great songs and a dose of nostalgia.

This year, I went to the State Fair on Saturday. My trips there usually coincides with a chance to sign autographs for KFOR/Freedom 43. That’s always a fun time, too. I still can’t get over how many people were in line this weekend at the KFOR booth! Of course, I think the balmy, sunny weather helped out with that. It was the perfect day to grab some fried cheese, a cinnamon roll, ride some rides on the Midway, and check out the array of animals and products from all over the state.

The Oklahoma State Fair runs every day until September 22nd.

The Case of the Missing NOOK Sales

My Unexpected Forever by Heidi McLaughlin

Update: Heidi received an email from NOOK Press this evening saying her sales are experiencing a glitch, but all are being recorded. Original post below:

Heidi McLaughlin knew something had gone wrong.

When she logged onto her NOOK Press account on September 6th, something seemed off about her sales numbers. This USA Today, Amazon, and Barnes and Noble bestselling author noticed far fewer sales for her new release than she expected. In fact, the number on the sales report didn’t match her own tallies at all.

Were her eyes deceiving her? Had she made a mistake?

My Unexpected Forever released on September 2nd to NOOK customers through Barnes & Noble’s website. During release week, McLaughlin kept track of her sales, as most authors do. She also kept track of sales rank.

Here’s the sales report breakdown according to Heidi:

9/2: Release day

9/3: Ranked at #72 on the NOOk sales list

9/4: Ranked at #38 on the NOOk sales list

9/5: Ranked at #19 on the NOOK sales list

When Heidi checked her NOOK Press account on 9/6, she noticed the first discrepancy. Her sales for the previous days had a drastically different number–one much lower than her internal accounting and one that wouldn’t have provided her with a high sales rank. When Heidi contacted Barnes & Noble directly, they contacted her back telling her that her sales numbers on 9/2, for example, were only 13 copies. B&N went on to tell her that sales for 9/3 were 38, and 9/4 were 19.

However, My Unexpected Forever remained in the Top 100 list on Barnes & Noble. The novel placed at #40 as of September 11th, and #46 on September 12th.

Heidi says she tried to contact customer service for Nook, but never got anywhere.

“They have an online chat, but they don’t answer questions, they just escalate and tell you someone will email you in 2 days,” she said. “That never happens, they don’t respond to emails.”

Taken from Anna’s Facebook page on September 11, 2013

On September 10th, Heidi decided to ask her fans to send her copies of their NOOK purchases.By 9/12, Heidi had collected 22 receipts for purchases of her book on NOOK for 9/2.

By September 11th, Heidi wasn’t the only author on social media to complain about Nook sales for the first two weeks of September. Author Anna Zaires expressed frustration, saying she saw inaccurate reports for her NOOK sales. Anna is the author of several books, and her latest released on 9/2 as well. She also urged fans to email her receipts for NOOK purchases of Close Remembrance.

A post on Nook Press’s Facebook page dated August 15, 2013

This isn’t the first time Barnes & Noble have reported problems with NOOK Press sales. Their own posts on social media indicate a widespread problem with sales in August 2013.

Two phone calls by this blog to Barnes &Noble’s press office in NYC ended in a conversation with Carolyn Brown. Carolyn says she’s looking into the matter and will get back in touch with more information.

Meanwhile, Heidi has only seen a response in the form of a generic letter stating all sales are accurate.

Heidi says she’s seriously considering legal action to recoup the lost funds.

“I’ve emailed them, showed them my proof and expect an answer,” said Heidi.

 
 

Fall Fashion 2013: Four Finds

If you haven’t noticed, fall is the best season for fashion. Everyone brings their A-game, from Hollywood starlets to fashion designers to magazine editors. Fall trends can set the tone for an entire year.

2013 is no different. Fall is upon us, my friends

So what am I scoping for fall trends? Here are four big things:

1. Emerald: Pantone’s color of the year lit up runways all over the year, and going green is so on trend this season it’s not even funny. It looks gorgeous as a party dress color, but can also be used every day. Afraid to commit? Try adding the color in as an accessory.

2. Boyfriend jeans: These are by now an annual favorite, but they’re big once again this fall because they are edgy and versatile. Dress them up with heels or chunky low boots. Dark colors look best on most bodies.

3. Military/Moto blazers and jackets: These types of jackets provide a solid structure to any outfit, and can go from the office to a cocktail party. Try mixing it up with large buttons or a jackets that uses a few kinds of fabrics

4. Plaid: This fabric is everywhere. It’s not 1994, but plaid is back, and in a big way. Mix it up with a fitted plaid shirt, skirt, or classic Burberry plaid scarf

What fashion trends do you love from Fall 2013?