Monica Corwin's Blog, page 2

February is a Book Lover's Budget Killer

Hello My Loves,

As the title suggests...February is killing my book budget. And it's not just because of ALL the awesome releases but because ALL THE AWESOME HARDCOVER RELEASES. *breathes in a paper bag*


SO without much further ado here is a blog post about the top five books my library needs from February's Great Book Drop! (these are in no particular order I flail over all of them equally)
1. A Conjuring of Light by V.E. Schwab *insert excited squeal of delight here*

This is the third and final book in the Shades of Magic trilogy. If you haven't read these book you need to stop reading, put on pants, and head to your local book retailer. This is an amazing set of books...alternate universes, wonderful coats, some magic, and of course mayhem. So like Sherlock with actual magic. Oh and dashing bisexual princes, cross-dressing thieves, dashing pirates, magical competitions...AH I could go on and on :) I can't wait to read this one! (Comes out in a week!)
2. Miranda and Caliban by Jacqueline Carey


I know absolutely nothing about The Tempest BUT I do know this cover art is breathtaking and Jacqueline Carey could write a thesis about the growth of cumquats and I'd read it incessantly. So...if you want to read a sultry take on The Tempest told by a master storyteller grab this one too.
3. Norse Mythology by Neil Gaiman


There really isn't much necessary for the explanation on this one. Neil Gaimain. Norse Mythology. That should do it.
4. Dawn Study by Maria V. Snyder


Ok this one came out January 31st but I'm going to call it close enough. I've been in love with Ms. Snyder's world for years. I'd resigned myself to Yelena and Valek's three glorious books. BUT THEN in wish fulfillment only a nerd count truly appreciate Ms. Snyder picked back up one of my favorite fictional couples! So...magic, cross-dressing dictators (I'm starting to notice a theme), assassins, and poison...grab the first one Poison Study if you haven't read any of these.
5. Once Upon a Kiss by A Selection of Awesome Authors

Because I need a romance on this list I chose this one. I love the cover (if you haven't noticed I'm definitely a judger) and the idea! There are some names I know and love in this set as well as some lovely new authors to try. This one dropped January 30th...again close enough!
So...there you have it! A good list featuring some lovely reads! Did you get or are you looking forward to any certain books in February? 
XOMonica
P.S. I hope you grabbed A Darker Shade of Magic by now or I'm going to have to hunt you down and force you to read it while I watch to make sure you are properly appreciating it.

The Internet is Killing Our Brains: 7 Tips to Get it Back

Hello Loves,

Please forgive me for that clickbait of a title. However, it is the truth. How often do you see people commenting on FB about X, Y, or Z and you read it and think...WTF?

For me...way too often.

With the internet, cell phones, and Google people don't need to remember things anymore, we can look everything up, which means you're not exercising your brain as often to its fullest capacity, causing it to lose that ability to stretch.

Insanity! I know.

Well, I'm going to share a few tips on how to get that brainpower back!



1. The first is a method I've been toying with myself and that is: Unplug. I don't mean, turn off you notifications, or simply ignore your email for a few hours. Spend an entire day where you don't look at social media, email, news feeds, blogs, tumblr, Twitter...NONE of it. 

If you're making this face at me...keep reading for a second. Several studies have shown that regular unplugging helps your brain recover from the constant barrage of stimuli. Recovery for your brain is just as important as proper stimulation. Next, it can help bring families closer together if you do it as a group. Your eyes will feel better,  you neck will feel better, and you will get a better quality of sleep! There are a ton more benefits as well I just didn't want to go into a big long spiel. I myself have started trying to spend Sundays completely unplugged.

2. Brain Exercises! Yep...like all muscles the brain needs exercise. Checking twitter 15 times a day does not count as exercise. Studies are showing that humans today have a shorter attention span than GOLDFISH! Come on people...start working on building your memory, your focus, and your attention span. You can use flashcards, you can use an app, you can use pen and paper. Look online for brain exercises and hop in!

3. Get more sleep and drink more water. 


I know...people have been saying this for years. Do you want to know why? Because it's true!! Drink more water and get more sleep...both of these will help your brain! I could also throw eat brain-boosting foods, and exercise regularly in here too.

4. Force yourself into new experiences. I am very aware everyone has their own personal comfort zones. I have my own. When you do something new your brain actually has to structure around this new experience, creating neural pathways that didn't exist. This is growing your brain!

5. Read a book.



Reading accomplishes many of the previously discussed points. It can make you brain have a new experience (not the reading hopefully but the scenes and visual images), it will help you train your focus and attention span, and it's a form of unplugging (well if you read a paperback book). Try a new genre to up the ante! Reading also reduces tension, stress, and allows your body to release feel good chemicals!

6. Be Bored. Something I read in Cal Newport's book, Deep Work, that struck me was this point. Spend time being bored! Once the world got cell phones its as if being bored became a taboo. Practice this by standing and waiting in line (wherever) and just stand there. Taking in your surroundings, explore the people, textures, sensations...you could learn something new and boost your brain! Or you could try talking to people...strangers even...that used to happen.



7. Do the difficult thing. Again with the cell phones and computers all at easy access we don't need to spend a minute adding up our grocery bill by hand. There are number of tasks in the day that we make easier by using technology. This is shortcutting the experience for our brain. By doing the difficult thing we allow our brain to grow and learn from it. Try learning a new language with a book. Try doing math with pencil and paper. Write words with pencil and paper. There are any number of things that we can do per day that could be put into this category. If you even switch up one per day then you are helping your brain!

Let's stop sharing intellect with a goldfish and retake our brain power. The brains of Allen Turing, Albert Einstein, Maya Angelou...and so many celebrated thinkers.

How about you? Have you felt your brain power going? Do you have any tips to share or experience in recovering it?

XOXO

MC

P.S. I spend a lot of time reading books about productivity and brain power...you can see them as I read them on Goodreads if you give me a follow.

Love Books Instafreebie EVENT!

Welcome to our huge Instafreebie event! We have some great FREE reads for you to download. Click on the covers to claim your free books then scroll down to enter the $75 giveaway gift card giveaway.

 







a Rafflecopter giveaway

In My Blood

On Becca Wallins' twenty-ninth birthday, Micah St. Aubin knocked on her door, declared them blood-bonded, and began jeopardizing the law enforcement career she sacrificed everything to build. Deep in the midst of a murder investigation, Becca doesn’t have time for irascible vampires, but with every order Micah issues, she must obey. With each new command, Becca fights for control of her mind, and as they spend more time together, can she resists her body's response to him as well?
You can purchase this book here:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

If you would like to join my newsletter that releases every Monday you can click here.
If you love reviewing books and want advanced copies you can also join the Facebook Review Crew as well. Daily freebie book postings!




Why not add it to your TBR Pile?

The DARK LEGENDS Boxed Set: Amazon PreOrder

RELEASE DAY IS JANUARY 17, 2017

*B*U*Y* NOW 
~*~ ONLY 99c ~*~

Murmurs around campfires, gossip in smoky taverns, discussions in towns and villages…Everyone whispers of DARK LEGENDS, of supernatural creatures that walk the night…vampires and shifters, faeries and angels, dragons and sorcerers.

They whisper of danger. They whisper of adventure. They whisper of long-lasting love.Preorder your copy of DARK LEGENDS today for 99c.

This Collection is packed with more than 20 full-length Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance reads from New York Times, USA Today, and International Bestselling Authors!
AVAILABLE FOR PREORDER NOW!


This First Edition is EXTREMELY limited - you can only get the full collection between NOW and JANUARY 24, 2017 
~*~ ONLY 99c ~*~Amazon.com     iBOOKS     KOBO     NOOK www.darklegends.info
Don’t miss this collection of more than twenty unique twists in paranormal romance and urban fantasy, providing over one million words of supernatural suspense that will transport you to new worlds with smoking hot action and heart-throttling adventure!
The DARK LEGENDS boxed set includes: Mermaids, Sirens, Shifters, Vampires, Dragons, Sorcerers, Warriors, Angels, Faeries, Demons, Witches, Psychics, Ghosts, Mythology, Folk Tales, Legends, Dark Magic, Time Travel, and More!

T.F. Walsh with Demon's Mark  
Monica Corwin with On a Red Horse
J.L. Weil with White Raven
Laxmi Hariharan with Redemption
JA Culican with The Keeper of Dragons, The Prince Returns
Muffy Wilson and The Para-Portage of Emily
GK DeRosa with Wilder: The Guardian Series
Marilyn Peake with Shade
Kevin McLaughlin with By Darkness Revealed
Carissa Ann Lynch with Midnight Moss
Vivienne Savage with Making Waves
Anna Hub with Beyond the Shadows
HJ Lawson with  New Order
Emma Nichols with Blood Moon
Shelley Munro with Claimed & Seduced
J.A.Armitage with Two of Clubs
Leilani Love with Violca's Dragon
Demelza Carlton with Ocean's Gift
Xyla Turner with  Broken Treaty
D.S. Murphy with  Scarlet Thread
Jeremy Williams with Winemaker of the North


Join the Facebook Release Day Party Meet the Authors and Win Epic Prizes!January 17, 20179am - 12pm PST


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Five Tips to Put the Spark Back in Your Writing

When I was a kid, well, a kid of say 20...compared to the refined and seasoned 30 that I am now *snicker* I was looking for a certain kind of relationship. Not just any old relationship would do, being a creative, I needed that fiery kind. The ones where you pour your aching bleeding heart out to each other. The ones that hurt, and burn, and catch fire. The dangerous ones. I yearned for a relationship with passion, fire, romance, and let's face it, hot sex.



Today, I'm older, wiser, and when I seek out a relationship with another human I look for steadiness, calm, reliability. You know, those boring things that often get taken for granted. I think writing has become the same over the years. Between deadlines, due dates, and marketing, I barely have time to put down words. And when I do it's like pulling teeth. Like trying to schedule a date when you have a five kids under the age of six.


In my younger days my writing was flash-like. I'd sit down with a notepad, a pen, and go for hours. 5,000 words a t time without stopping. It was a rush, and it made me feel like Jack Kerouac --a feeling I hope everyone has at least one point in their life. In my later years (yes, I know I am still young) while I'd love a good romp with the keyboard at 5,000 words a go...but I rarely get that.

It's mostly about time, but it's also about that spark. I do miss the heat, the passion, but now...when I sit down to write...I want a steady pace, a schedule, consistency. Again, all those things we take for granted. So...today's post is about bringing back that spark and helping establish that consistency without losing the fire.



1. SCHEDULE 

While yes, I know the muse often doesn't work on a time clock , the human body is a remarkable piece of engineering. If you sit down at the same time everyday to eat lunch in the  same spot, you're body already knows what's about to happen, and muscle memory kicks in and you can eat lunch, likely while glued to your iPhone without a second thought. But, let's say a meeting is scheduled and you have to miss your usually lunch time. Your body is  going to make sure you know that hey, it's time for lunch (insert Bubble Guppies song here).

Your body can do that for you too when it comes to writing. Schedule a time you sit down everyday. Plan it, and then do it. To make it stick you can start small. Plan 10 minutes. One ten minute set a day where you sit down and put words on paper. If you are having trouble figure out where the resistance is. At what point, and what action are you taking, where you say "screw it I won't" and then try to alter than behavior.

2. LIVE INSPIRATIONALLY

No, that's not from a bumper sticker. As a creative mind you constantly need input. It can be from people watching on the bus, or listening to your favorite show while you work. Whatever you find inspiring. Line up post cards on your desk, get a special writing pencil, have the same hot beverage. Do what you need to do to put your mind in a creatively receptive place.

(Yes, gratuitous Jensen Ackles might help)
3. CHANGE IT UP 

If you've got the habit but no mojo, change up your atmosphere. A jerk to the system can sometimes help put a little spark back in. Take your notebook to a local coffee shop and people watch. Or go to the park, a diner, your front doorstep. Doesn't matter really as long as you enjoy being there and it helps. Don't be afraid to try new places, mix it up every day if you need to. 

4. VISUALIZE

One reason I love Pinterest, besides the little chuckle I get when I see my Dad pin something, is for storyboarding. Visualizing characters, scenes, and important artifacts from your story might help spark something in your mind. You can use old fashioned Google, or magazines. I like Pinterest because once my story is written it's fun to share with my readers...so they can see where it began and what the piece looks like in my mind.  

5. DON'T OVER DO IT 

The mind is a delicate instrument. You could feel perfectly normal, but if you are facing extreme stress or a ridiculously demanding schedule, your brain can short circuit on you. Revolt if you will, and your body along with it. Try to fit writing time in, of course, but also take care of yourself physically and mentally. It will help you produce faster, and more work, when you do.



On a final note...it's ok not to feel that aching fever in your blood when you write. It's perfectly fine to sit down with a sensible outline and put words on the page according to schedule.

BONUS: READ A BOOK


That one seems obvious to me. But, everyone has THAT book that makes them want to write, or gives them word envy. Keep it with you for quick jolt of inspiration. If you need an idea try my favorite, 'Zen and the Art of Writing' by Ray Bradbury.

How about you? Do you have any books that make you want to write or give you word envy?? 

XO
Monica

December Mega Giveaway

Welcome to the December Giveaway!

Here are the prizes:
1. ONE $200 Amazon Gift Card
2. ONE $100 Amazon Gift Card
3. ONE $50 Amazon Gift Card
4. ONE $25 Amazon Gift Card
5. ONE $25 Amazon Gift Card
6. FIFTY winners will each receive ONE ebook of the ebook shown below.
7. ONE winner will receive one copy of ALL FIFTY books pictured below.

PLEASE READ THE RULES AND REGULATIONS BEFORE ENTERING!
Take a look at these amazing books....then scroll down to enter!



Here is how to enter:
1. Fill out the form with your information.
2. Wait to get your winner notice via email. (or check back here the first week of January)


RULES AND REGULATIONS:
1. One entry per person.
2. Entering this giveaway means you understand that you will be subscribed to the participating authors newsletters. You can unsubscribe at anytime (but I'd wait at least until you get your welcome email as many of these authors give out free reads to new subscribers and who knows you might like them!)
3. This giveaway is not affiliated with Amazon.







AGAIN. Entering this giveaway constitutes your agreement to be subscribed to the participating author's newsletters. You can unsubscribe at anytime.

Participating author include: Eva Winters, Monica Corwin, K.L. Shandwick, Angela Fistoe, Noelle Greene, Amy L. Gale, Marsha A. Moore, Jennifer Hilt, Terri-Lynne Smiles, Jody A. Kessler. Tracy Ellen, C.E. Wilson, Rebekah Lewis, Mary Abshire, K.R. Thompson, N.M. Howell, H.J. Lawson, Leilani Love, Victoria Pinter, Justin Sloan, Marilyn Peake, Kara James, Eden Ashe, Saskia Walker, S.M. Schmitz, T.F. Walsh, Jade Kerrion, Rebecca Chastain, Juliana Haygert, Lisa Blackwood, Nathan Squires, Patricia Loofbourrow, Muffy Wilson, A.C. Nixon, Claudia Burgoa, Melanie Karnak, Carrie L Wells, Anna Hub, J.A. Armitage, Margaret A. Daly, Jeanne St. James, Sydney Aaliyah Michelle, Robyn Wideman, Madisyn Ashmore, Jamie Thornton, Katherine Bogle, Tina Glasneck, Carma Haley Shoemaker

The DARK LEGENDS Boxed Set: Amazon PreOrder!

Murmurs around campfires, gossip in smoky taverns, discussions in towns and villages…

Everyone whispers of DARK LEGENDS, of supernatural creatures that walk the night…vampires and shifters, faeries and angels, dragons and sorcerers.They whisper of danger. They whisper of adventure. They whisper of long-lasting love.Preorder your copy of DARK LEGENDS today for 99c.

This Collection is packed with more than 20 full-length Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance reads from New York Times, USA Today, and International Bestselling Authors!
AVAILABLE FOR PREORDER NOW!Amazon.comOther major retailer pre-order links can be found here www.darklegends.info
Don’t miss this collection of more than twenty unique twists in paranormal romance and urban fantasy, providing over one million words of supernatural suspense that will transport you to new worlds with smoking hot action and heart-throttling adventure!The DARK LEGENDS boxed set includes:

Mermaids, Sirens, Shifters, Vampires, Dragons, Sorcerers, Warriors, Angels, Faeries, Demons, Witches, Psychics, Ghosts, Mythology, Folk Tales, Legends, Dark Magic, Time Travel, and More!

T.F. Walsh with Demon's Mark  
Monica Corwin with Soulless
J.L. Weil with White Raven
Laxmi Hariharan with Redemption
JA Culican with The Keeper of Dragons, The Prince Returns
Muffy Wilson and The Para-Portage of Emily
GK DeRosa with Wilder: The Guardian Series
Marilyn Peake with Shade
Kevin McLaughlin with By Darkness Revealed
Carissa Ann Lynch with Midnight Moss
Vivienne Savage with Making Waves
Anna Hub with Beyond the Shadows
HJ Lawson with  New Order
Emma Nichols with Blood Moon
Shelley Munro with Claimed & Seduced
J.A.Armitage with Two of Clubs
Leilani Love with Violca's Dragon
Demelza Carlton with Ocean's Gift
Xyla Turner with Broken Treaty

Join the Facebook Release Party to meet the authors and win epic prizes!

Lots of winners...

Please hunt down your username. I didn't want to put entire emails in here for obvious reasons.

Send me an email to: monicacorwin@outlook.com if you are one of the GC winners or signed book winners. I will not respond unless the email matches exactly. I've had people try to scam this way before. If you won the three books of your choice email me your titles and your address. If you won a signed book Ill need your name and address. If you won a GC I need your amazon email address.

AND two minutes after posting I already get someone trying to scam me out of a $100 GC. I'm contacting the big winners directly and only putting their first name last initial here. If you did not get an email DIRECTLY from me saying "You won the October Paranormal Giveaway" you DID NOT win the GC. Sorry for the crazy.


October Giveaway:

1 - $100 Amazon gift card - Liana M

1 - $50 Amazon gift card - Haley H

1 - $25 Amazon gift card - Rachel R

2 - $25 Amazon gift card - Usef H

1 - $10 Amazon gift card - Lilly R


38 - one book each from a participating author (see below for books)

1. Shade: leahgonz46

2. The Superiors: dsmithers77

3. Chasing Shadows: elizabethbickham31

4. Charming the Alphas: katrinadehart

5. Allie Strom: angelmiller7262

6. The Scarlet Thread: moeniesa

7. Silenced: tanyamarieward

8. Memory’s Edge: jean60212

9. Soul Mate: clairegeorge88

10. Acadia’s Law: lindsaye

11. Sentinel Rising: misschel

12. The Pandora Principle: we.can

13. Hunted: krystadavena

14. Eternal Night: cmbanddrf

15. Faerie Rift: wearsblack13

16. Russian Roulette: littlenekochan

17. Winter Souls: jessica.byrd44

18. On a Black Horse: mrfun69

19. See you in Hell: kathihasi1990

20. The Fervor: katlunarkitten

21. Scottish Werebear: mseifullin

22. Feral: litledeb7

23. Death Lies Between Us: erik.brenden

24. Touch Not the Cat: horsebranchj

25. Heart’s Aligning: cassandrasudduth

26. Sorceress Awakening: khang_w

27. Guarding Angel: annaleekint

28. A Fisful of Evil: ulfolafsen

29. The Promise: luciussilver

30. Under the Satyr Moon: melba.sajona

31. Paranormals Never Wear Plaid: katzmeow412

32. Defender of Mankind: menzbhc

33. Eclipse: slbs65

34. Struck By Eros: sara.lima.branco

35. His Cemetery Doll: walter_andrea04

36. Hunting for Spring: flat6s

37. Endless Winter: jillag

38. In My Blood: ihrose


1 - a copy of ALL the books provided by participating authors
1. jmiya18@gmail.com


1 - a set of three books of their choice. (max $15 per book)
1. seana_rose@yahoo.com


Release Week Winners (Separate contest)
1. Shanon Coley - $10 Amazon GC

2. Kasey Mart - $10 Amazon GC

2. Caitlin - $5 Amazon GC

3. Jana Leah - $5 Amazon GC

4. Kim Brown - Signed Book

5. Amanda Petty - Signed Book

6. Bevery Laude - Signed Book

7. Tiffany Madden - Signed Book

8. Melissa Keith - Signed Book

9. Selina Harvey - Signed Book

10. Angela Campbell - Signed Book

Welcome Samantha Holt!

You’re the Rogue That I WantSamantha Holt



Meet the Earl of Redmere in the 1st book in the Rogues of Redmere series, a brand new Regency romance series by #1 bestselling author Samantha Holt.

Red never shies away from a challenge.

Never.

But when Miss Hannah St. John strides into his life demanding—yes, demanding—he help her, he’s certain she’s more challenge than even he can handle.

Hannah is determined to transport an artifact from France—one that will change everything—even if it means working with a lawless man like Red. Nothing is more important than preserving history. Nothing.

Not even the touch of a smuggler who inconceivably makes her stomach twist.When it becomes clear the irritating bluestocking will do anything for this blasted artifact and needs saving from herself, the earl-turned-smuggler steps in.

Carting a cursed stone across the country with a know-it-all woman is not Red’s idea of fun, particularly when their journey runs far from smoothly…so why does he find himself enjoying her company just a little too much?

Purchase here: https://books2read.com/u/b6Qvjp


Excerpt“Excuse me,” she started but her voice came out like nothing more than a mouse’s squeak. She coughed and tried again. “Excuse me, are you Red?”His head jerked up. “Who wants to know?”She took another step closer and gasped. The firelight cleared the shadows around his features. She was not sure what she expected from an infamous smuggler but it was not this. Where were the pock marks? The scars? The missing teeth?There were no missing teeth to be sure. Though he kept his mouth in a firm line of disdain—or perhaps annoyance—the quick flash she had seen had revealed a mouth of perfectly healthy teeth. As for scars or pockmarks, his skin was perfect. His light brown hair was, admittedly, a little too long and his face was unshaven, revealing several days of neglect. There were shadows around his eyes too, and he looked weary. However, that could not take away from that fact he was a handsome man.He stared at her expectantly. She gulped. “I need your help.”“And if I do not wish to give it?”She shook her head. Impossible. He had to help her. He was her only chance. She dragged out the chair opposite and sat. One dark brow rose at the action. Chin lifted, she propped her arms on the table and leaned forward. He smelled of the sea.“I need your help bringing across something from France. I’m told you are the man for the job.”“Then you were told wrong.”“I can pay handsomely.”“I don’t need coin.”“Do you not? I thought all smugglers did.”He leaned forward abruptly. “You need to watch your tongue, miss.” He glanced around. “Not everyone here is a friend.”She jerked back a little. Handsome he might be, but he was also intimidating. His strong jaw, finished with a slight dip that was just visible under the stubble, was set firmly. His eyes glinted in the firelight though she could not tell their color properly. She took a breath and cast her gaze over him. It was something she was in the habit of doing. Study everything closely enough and any fear she might have of it left. It had worked with spiders. When one looked closely, one could see they were no more than a few legs and a body pieced together. Those long legs no longer appeared so terrifying once she had seen them under a microscope and appreciated the unique design of the creatures.It did not seem to quite work with this creature. His slightly creased forehead and the still lifted brow did not lose any of it sternness. His lips, she concluded, were generous for a man’s, but it did not soften his appearance. She pictured him in evening wear and that helped a little, though she could tell he would be ridiculously handsome and likely still no more polite. “I was told you were the man to help me,” she said, aware of being a little breathless.“As I said, you were told wrong.”


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