Terri Osburn's Blog, page 7

Music Monday and Cheap Books

Let’s get the business out of the way first. MEANT TO BE, the first book in the Anchor Island Series is the featured Kindle Love Stories title all this week, which means it is currently on sale for the low low price of just $0.99. That’s a full length novel, that so happens to be a former Amazon #1 bestseller, for less than a dollar.

If you haven’t read it yet, now is the perfect time. (And don’t forget to tell your friends!)

Now on to the music.

I heard a new song a couple weeks ago on our local alternative station, and thought I’d found a new band. Kiddo promptly informed me these guys are not new, but they’re new to me and I’m guessing will be to most of you.

Arctic Monkeys are a British Indie rock band that’s been around for more than ten years, and quite successful across the pond. I’m not sure how to describe their sound, but there’s a hefty bluesy tone to everything I’ve found, which I adore. A solid beat with amazing vocals provided by a voice that doesn’t sound like anyone else (kudos to lead singer Alex Turner.) They’re sort of a laid back Fall Out Boy with a hint of Justin Timberlake experimentation.

Whatever it is, I like it.

 

 

What do you think?

Lots of Fun News!

Next week is going to be awesome and not just because I get to eat lots of turkey, dressing, and brownies (without gaining a pound. That’s how holidays work, right?)

First off, UP TO THE CHALLENGE was selected to be featured in this week’s Kindle Select 25! (That’s actually a direct quote from the email I received. Thank you, Jessica.) I think I was already part of this promotion, but they’ve opted to keep me in at least another week. Which means I’ll be part of the Kindle Select 25 until at least November 28th.

Awesome, huh? But wait, there’s more!

For those who have yet to learn about the Kindle Love Stories podcast, it’s a lovely feature created by Amazon that focuses on the latest in romance. You can listen every week to learn about the authors turning out some of the best books in the genre, and hear what the reviewers are raving about.

To go along with the podcast, there is a $0.99 book special title every week, and next week that title will be…

MEANT TO BE!

I’m so excited about this. If you started the series with UP TO THE CHALLENGE, this means you can pick up MEANT TO BE for just $0.99 and see how Joe and Beth got together. The best part, it will be set at this price for the whole week – Monday Nov 25 to Sunday Dec 1.

All you have to do is head over to the Kindle Love Stories blog to find the deal. (I’ll post a direct link on Monday both here and on social media.) Any help spreading the word next week will be greatly appreciated. Who doesn’t like a bargain, right? And especially this time of year!

There’s one more little announcement I have to make. I am happy to report that starting December 14th, I will have a new boss. ME! I am ditching the day job for a life of leisure at home. Okay, that’s not true. I am leaving the day job to make writing the day job instead of the nights & weekends job.

And who do I have to thank for this? YOU! Imagine me giving you all the biggest virtual hug ever to be hugged. I am chasing the dream and you all are keeping me dancing along the clouds. I know I say it often, but seriously. Readers. Are. Awesome.

Holiday Conundrum

I am not a decorate early kind of person. In fact, I’m not much of a holiday decorator at all. My sister got that gene. She decorates for every holiday throughout the year, and does the most at Christmas time. In fact, if you’re in her house while she’s decorating and sit still too long, she will wrap you in garland.

But this is not my thing. I put up a tree and some stockings and that’s it. Maybe a wreath on the door. But this year seems to be different. The spirit is hitting me early and hard. First, my sister (yes, that enabler mentioned above) sent me a pic of solar powered lights for my new fence. So, of course, I had to go looking for them. They are now draped along the sides of the fence and working beautifully. I think I was the first person in the entire neighborhood to put up any kind of Christmas lights.

Me! It’s so weird.

And then I found a lovely new tree. It’s the perfect height, pre-lit, and really soft. Even better? I got it for ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS OFF. What a bargain?! Since I ordered it online, I thought it would take a while to arrive. Um… no. It’s here. And now I want to put it up. But not before Thanksgiving, right? I mean, I couldn’t do that. I’ve never done that. It’s just not right.

But with the changes in the house, this is the first year I can put the tree in front of the window. And it would look so pretty!

No. I must resist. What do you think? Do you go all out? Do you hate that Christmas infringes on Thanksgiving more and more every year? (For the record, I’m totally against stores being open on T’giving Day!)

Music Monday – Unrecognizable

In all this new music I’ve found through kiddo, I’ve also found some new versions of songs from my youth. These Pop Punk bands cover older songs, putting their own spin on them. It can be anything. Punk Goes Hip Hop or Punk Goes Holiday (which is awesome and you’ll be getting some of those in the coming weeks.)

Usually I’ll find myself singing along and then wonder “How do I know this song?” Another couple lines and I realize it’s because I’ve heard the original version a few hundred times. But every now and then, the new arrangement is so different, I have a hard time naming the tune. (Loved that show when I was little.)

This is one of those versions. Since the video link includes the title of the song, I can’t make this a quiz to see if you recognize it. But do give it a listen. I’d be interested to hear if you’d have figured it out without the help.

 

 

Do you like when old songs are made new? Or would you rather the originals be left alone?

Music Monday for the Veterans

Since my first Music Monday falls on Veteran’s Day, this one had to be special. As a former country music DJ, I’m familiar with plenty of patriotic songs focusing on the men and women who serve our country, but this one encapsulates all of our vets. It also gives me goose bumps and makes me cry every time I hear it.

Consider this your tissue-on-hand warning. I give you Trace Adkins and Arlington.

 

 

To all the veterans, past and present, living and deceased, thank you for your service.

A New Plan

I’d like very much to post more often here on the blog, so I’ve devised a plan. Starting next week, I will post a Music Monday blog to kick off the week. I’ll include a video link or two to share what I’m enjoying these days. Fair warning, some of it might skew to a younger audience, but I can’t be the only 40-something who enjoys this stuff. Maybe others over 25 will enjoy them as well.

Not that sharing music recommendations should require credentials, but I thought I’d share mine anyway. I happen to have a degree in the music business. Yes, that’s a real thing. Obtained from the Art Institute of Pittsburgh longer ago than I’m willing to admit here. I also did a short stint working on Music Row in Nashville, and was a radio DJ for eight years.

As I said, this doesn’t really give any more weight to my musical opinions, but as I once worked for a music programmer who did not have a radio in his vehicle, read industry publications, or watch television, some level of credibility is a nice thing to have.

The other half of my plan will take a little longer to implement. I’m enjoying the Throwback Thursday stuff I see around the web. I have a large box of pictures that go way back, and need an excuse to dig them out, organize them, and digitize some for posterity.

Throwback Thursday seems like a good way to do that. There will be images that will likely embarrass the tar out of me, but it’s all in good fun, right? So stay tuned for that maybe as soon as December.

Now to begin as I mean to go on. Though when I write I must have total silence, I still create playlists for my books. Songs I can listen to in the car that get the juices flowing and bring scenes and story ideas to mind. This one reminded me of how Joe sees Beth in MEANT TO BE.

Enjoy a little Joe Nichols with Gimmie That Girl.

What do you think of the plan? Interested? No? I do promise to include stuff about the books as well!

It’s What Day Again?

This year is flying by! The days are going so fast, I’m missing them entirely. My latest newsletter hit email inboxes on Friday, which included the name of my most recent subscriber winner, and not only did I forget to announce the winner on Facebook, I didn’t even email her!

Fun Prizes!

Congratulations go out to Jocelyn McGaffic, the lucky winner of an Ocracoke Island tote, signed copy of UP TO THE CHALLENGE, beach-themed bracelet, and a copy of Susan Mallery’s THREE LITTLE WORDS. Congrats, Jocelyn! (And sorry for the delayed notice.)

Another lucky subscriber will be named on December 1, and since we’re going into the holidays, I’m upping the ante a little. The next winner will get a signed copy of UP TO THE CHALLENGE and a $50 Amazon gift card to do some fun online shopping.

Lead singer of The Maine

Now, about these missing days. Part of the problem on Friday was that I had things to do that took me away from my computer. This always messes me up. The big to-do that day was taking in another concert with kiddo. We’ve seen 8 shows in the last year with three of those in the last three weeks. This time was The Maine and thanks to lingering outside after the show, kiddo got to meet some band members.

I remember what I would have given to meet my favorite bands back in the day, so every time I see her beaming smile as she gets a hug from another band member, it makes all the late nights and lost hearing worthwhile.

Pat the drummer of The Maine with Kiddo

And it’s keeping me young, too. Now we take a couple months off and gear up for more shows in 2014. Fingers crossed the lineup for Warped Tour 2014 is a good one. *g*

But back to the holidays. Am I the only one who feels completely unprepared? I saw people planning their Thanksgiving dinners on Facebook yesterday. I can barely plan what I’m going to wear tomorrow. I have this fear I’m going to blink and it’ll be 2014. Which would not be good because I have a lot to do before then.

Are you ready? In case you’re not paying attention, Christmas is only 7 ½ weeks away. You’re welcome for the panic attack.

One Week In and… oh look over there

In case the title of this blog didn’t clue you in, I’m a bit distracted these days. You would think that having a new book flying off the virtual shelves and bringing books 1 AND 3 with it would be the distraction of which I speak. (Type?) But you’d be wrong.

Normally, this would be the case. I wouldn’t be able to get anything else done because I’d be watching numbers and writing guest blogs and totally spaced out staring and drooling on my book covers. But life these days is anything but normal (understatement of the year) so what is hogging my focus right now is something that most would consider dull. Maybe even more of an annoyance.

I’m getting new carpet!!

I know. Weird, right? WHY would I be excited about this? Let me explain. Is too much (to quote Inigo), let me sum up. Last year, my household experienced what I unaffectionately call the water curse of ought 12. (Just go with it.) Between February and August there were three, count ‘em THREE, major water leaks in my house, resulting in all the flooring on the bottom level being ripped out. The result has been kiddo and I (and various pets) living with concrete floors.

But no more!!

The tile was installed during the big concert week (because I must complicate my life to the Nth degree) and the carpet arrives tomorrow. I CANNOT WAIT. It’s a simple thing, I know. Many people have carpet. It’s not that special. And it’s going to be a pain finding a place to stage all the furniture for the install. But it’s still going to be an awesome day because WE WILL HAVE CARPET!

Okay. I might be a leetle too excited. And in case you think I’ve completely forgotten about the books, I am also very excited to announce all three Anchor Island books are currently sitting in the top 800 rankings on Amazon. Which is AWESOME and I can’t thank the readers enough. (Which reminds me, sign up for my newsletter today (if you haven’t already) because I am giving away some great stuff to one lucky subscriber this month.) (Did I just do parenthesis inside parenthesis? Yes, I did. Is parenthesis the plural of parenthesis? Probably not.)

So thanks! Also, CARPET!

Your turn. Got any home disaster or renovation stories? (Did I mention I just finished painting my living room? It’s going to be so pretty! With CARPET!)

On Sale Now!

The day has finally arrived!

UP TO THE CHALLENGE, book 2 in the Anchor Island Series, is now available. Though you aren’t likely to find the paperback in your local book store (my publisher is an imprint of Amazon and the big companies don’t play well together – sigh), but you can order the print copy from any retailer. B&N, Books-A-Million, Powell’s, Book Depository, and more. And of course all version plus the Kindle book from Amazon. I’m sure the audio version will hit Audible soon, too.

To give you a little taste of what you’d be getting if you order, here’s a snippet from early in the book. Our hero, Lucas, has just opted not to make the hour ride from the hospital (his father had a heart attack) back to Anchor Island with his brother and former fiance. That’s left him to ride with Sid. A decision he might be rethinking after this exchange.

“If you think you can avoid them for the next six weeks, you’ve forgotten Anchor is the size of a postage stamp.”

“I haven’t forgotten anything. I’m just not in the mood tonight.”

“So long as you wallow in silence, I’m good with it.” Sid wasn’t sure why she was provoking him, but it seemed a good enough way to keep a sort of distance between them.

Lucas stopped. “I’m not wallowing.”

Sid kept moving. “Yes, you are.”

“What do you know?” he said. Hard to believe this man argued legal cases in front of a jury. Good thing he was pretty.

“I know a man stuck in a pout when I see one.” Distance shmistance, Sid had no intention of contributing to Lucas’s pity party, especially not over another woman. She was more the snap-out-of-it type than the huggie type. Sid didn’t hug as a rule. “Truck’s over here.”

“You like this with everyone or am I just special?” Lucas joined her next to the Chevy, looking like he might change his mind and run off to catch Joe and Beth.

Sid unlocked the passenger door, then turned to face her long-time crush. Don’t let it show. “If we’re going to spend our days together, we need to get something straight right now. I’m not a coddler. I’m not going to nurse that damaged ego of yours, and I’m sure as hell not going to tiptoe around trying not to say something that might make you feel bad.”

His full lips flattened. “I hope you’re not on the island welcoming committee.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Oh, I don’t know. That maybe your attitude would send a shark racing in the other direction.” Lucas leaned on the truck bed, looking proud of himself for that one.

Sid gave him her best fuck you look and headed around the front of the truck.

“And another thing,” Lucas said, following her. “You can drop that chip on your shoulder at the door.”

“Screw you.”

“You might be the first woman I’ve ever met with a Napoleon complex.”

Sid stopped. No one made fun of her height. She counted to ten as she turned. The man was hurting, but he’d crossed a line.

“Unless you want to walk your scrawny ass back to Anchor, I suggest you shut your mouth and get in the truck. And walk around the back because I’m already tempted to run over you.”

She opened the door and climbed up, struggling to control her temper. For fourteen years she’d longed to gain this man’s attention. Talk about a case of careful what you wish for.

Needless to say, I had a fantastic time with these characters. I hope you will, too!

Free Book Friday Feature

Say that fast three times.

I am happy to report that UP TO THE CHALLENGE is a featured romance novel on FreeBookFriday.com this week. I had a great time with the interview, and there are 5 signed copies of the book up for grabs.

Get yourself in the running, and then tell your friends about it, too. Contest ends this Friday (Oct 25) so get to it!

And don’t forget! UP TO THE CHALLENGE goes out to the world tomorrow (Oct 22). If you’d like a copy of your own, simply click the cover over there >>> and one-click away.