Crystal Collier's Blog, page 12

This World Bites Fairytales!

Do you love fairytales?

Today I'm excited to share in the


with a GIVEAWAY! But first...
Several months ago I was contacted and offered the opportunity to contribute to a fairytale retelling anthology, and seriously, it's about fairytales. How could I not? So today, let me introduce: 

Enter the world Of Mist And Magic, where fairy tales are reimagined under the influence of Really Slow Motion and Epic Music Vn’s inspiring music, in this enchanting anthology of short stories. Proceeds of the Amazon exclusive ebook will be donated to Elevate Life and Art studios, an amazing youth organization in Asheville, NC.
To celebrate, I'm sharing an excerpt of my contribution, THE FOURTH WISH:
Belina could not believe her luck. Fresh out the gate, wings still glittering and she had her first chance to use her powers! She zipped past clumps of knotted thorns, glimpsing the sleeping castle through twists and brambles.
Her fairy mentor’s words still rang in her head: “Give. Always give, and you will find joy. The greatest happiness comes from giving.” 
The prince was already in the tower when Belina reached the window. She wanted to clap for joy as he settled onto one knee, bending over an eternally-slumbering girl in rose satin. So gallant. He didn’t notice Belina, hovering just behind his shoulder, or the sparkles of light gathering at her fingertips. 
This was it, her chance to shine. She reached into her heart and summoned the strength, the life beating within. 
The prince’s lips lowered.
Belina focused on the sleeping princess, on her stilled heart. Make it live again! She begged silently, and touched a single finger to the prince’s neck. Her magic, her strength flowed into him, and through his kiss, into the sleeping girl. 
He pulled back, jolted by the shock. 
Belina fled to the drapes, hiding as he turned, but peaking from just behind the musty fabric. She wanted him to believe the power came from true love, not the gift of a fairy child recently set free to spread miracles upon the earth. True love would lead to his happily ever after.
His gray-green eyes scoured her corner. She tilted her head, wondering what his happily ever after would look like, how adorable he would be—brown hair mussed as he bounced a newborn on his hip. Age would turn his chocolate tresses white, and he would hold the hand of his dainty bride, still as in love with her as the day they first kissed.
But of course he would be happy—he was fairy-touched. All things fairy-touched prospered.He squinted, eyes narrowing on her location.
She gasped. Had he seen her? 
He jerked back around. The slumbering girl’s hand rested on his, a dazed, but happy smile curling her lips. 
For half a second, Belina wondered what it would be like—to be human, to have only one life and to love so deeply that no other person would ever do. 
The prince assisted the princess from bed and Belina slipped out the window. Her cheeks ached from her wide grin. She couldn’t help it. The couple would have the joy of a lifetime because the princess lived again, and Belina had been the one to grant their wish. A little corner of her felt empty, as if she’d given them both a piece of her in the process, but that was okay. Her sparkles had disappeared. They had gone to a good cause.
Get your copy now, support the youth & arts, and read on for just 99 cents. 


Now let's give away some reading joy!
Last week Sheena Boekweg, Melanie Crouse, and Sabrina West shared their co-authored release, PROPHECY OF THE SIX, along with three truths and one truth. Those who guessed the truth were entered into a random drawing for the chance to win book 1, ALCHEMY and PROPHECY OF THE SIX.  

The game: 


1. They all got to go to lunch together for the first time this last summer.
2. For a long time, Sheena didn't know which girl (if any) Sam would eventually end up with.
3. Melanie chose Carlsbad, CA as the location for book 2 without knowing that Sabrina's day job is based in Carlsbad.
4. Nothing cheers Sabrina up quite like a random animal riding a rumba. Except maybe baby owls.
And the lie is:

#1. Despite being collaborative geniuses, these ladies have never all been in the same state at the same time.
Way to guess everyone who got it right! And the winner is:
...DRUM ROLL...
Sherry Ellis!
Congrats Sherry! 

And now for the blog tour and FUN!

It’s her first day on a new world and Cera’s already found trouble. Michael, her guardian, has been bitten by a zombie and will soon join the undead ranks.

Everyone tells her there’s no cure, but Cera isn’t one to be deterred. She’s willing to face off with zombie hordes, demon slavers, and black market informants if it means she’ll find a cure for Michael. But she’s not the only one hunting for something.

Something is hunting her.

Get your copy HERE.

Ready to meet the author? 


By day, she writes code. By predawn darkness, she writes fantasies. All other times, she writes in her head. People call her peculiar with a twisted sense of fashion, but don't let those understatements fool you. Her behavior is perfectly normal for a squirrel disguised as a human. That's part of being a ninja—blending in.

She makes her home in Idaho with her sadistically clever—yet often thwarted—husband, two frighteningly brilliant children, and three sneaky little shibas.

Find her on her blog or social media.Loni gave me two truths and one lie to test your "lie detector" skills. Those who figure out the lie will go into my magic hat for the chance to win an eBook of THIS WORLD BITES!

You have until Tuesday, February 17 at 1 p.m. EDT to guess. Be sure to come back for the answer on February 18.
TRUTH OR LIE
1. Loni has dyed her hair every color from midnight blue to Tostito yellow to fire-engine red. She saved purple for last because she held the opinion only old ladies had purple hair. Occasionally, she changes her hair color just to match her outfit for the day. It currently has silver, pink, and blue highlights.

2. Her two favorite cassettes growing up were New Kids on the Block and The Ninja Turtles' soundtrack (the latter, she stole from her brother). You could find her singing "Hangin' Tough" and "Turtle Power" at the top of her lungs in her bedroom. 

3. She has an uncanny sense of direction. It really saved the day when her car's oil pump went out and the engine seized. She had to walk 3 miles along the freeway to get to the closest off-ramp and gas station, and then deliver directions over the pay phone to her dad. So which is the lie? Are you a fairytale lover? Fantasy fan? Have you snagged yourself a copy of either of these books? (And if not, what's wrong with you? Get to steppin', eh?) What is your favorite fairytale?

Gratitude as Big as 80's Hair & IWSG

Anyone worried about confidence? Let me straighten you out, because you're not rocking any of these looks:

Big HairThere have been some TRULY awful fashion trends through the ages, but I think the 80's trump them all (especially for men). Seriously. What were we thinking?

Rats Tails High Top The Mullet The MohawkI PITY THE FOOL...
Ahem.

So there you go. If you've avoided these...um...blunders, you're on the right path.

So speaking of gratitude...
I just want to say a HUGE thanks to Cathrina Constantine and Nana Prah for their amazing reviews MOONLESS. It was a total surprise, and you should check out these fabulous ladies if you haven't before. (And then you should TOTALLY read Moonless if you haven't. Because you're missing out.)

So, since we skipped a week, who is ready for a book giveaway?


Today's Feature...

We didn't know how much we had to gain by being infected with magic. We found a purpose, we found a destiny, and we found each other.
But California isn’t the new start we were promised. Dr. Child may be gone, but now we must face a military school, dangerous secrets, and a prophecy that has half the country wanting us dead. When the line between enemies and allies blurs, Sam, Juliette, Ana and I need to choose between love and sanity, between magic and survival.

Paradise has a cost. When the authorities are suddenly giving you whatever you want, they’re going to demand everything in return. And that’s a price not all of us are strong enough to pay.
Freedom feels like safety, but it’s not. There are no walls here. No place they won’t be coming for us.
No place we won’t destroy.
PROPHECY OF THE SIX is a sequel to ALCHEMY.
We didn’t know how much we had to lose until we were infected with magic. Sam was in love, Juliette was the main caretaker for her siblings, and Ana and her dad planned the best parties in New York. But we lost it all when we were shipped to Chebeague, an exclusive school for newly infected mages.  
Everyone knows about the mages, those who survive the infection and end up with magical abilities. We’ve seen the power of magic, the high-paying jobs, and the world fame. But we never saw the cost. We didn’t know we’d be forced to give up everything: sanity, family, even the right to talk on the phone. 
We didn’t know mage was just another word for prisoner.


Buy AlchemyHERE
Buy Prophesy of SixHERE
Ready to meet the authors? 
Sheena Boekweg, Melanie Crouse, and Sabrina West met online, (which isn't as weird as it used to be) and blog together at theprosers.blogspot.com. Their first collaborative project, Alchemy (Prophecy Breakers #1), was voted one of the top fifty self published novels worth reading by Indie Authorland. 



Sheena Boekweg is the author of Funny Tragic Crazy Magic, and The Waxling (forthcoming). She is a mom of three from Utah and is prepared to survive a zombie apocalypse. 




As a mom of four, Melanie Crouse thinks that parenthood is exactly like a zombie apocalypse. Melanie Crouse is the author of excuse notes, thank you cards, and the novel Hidden Magic. 




Sabrina West is a writer and wildlife biologist living in San Diego, California. Her short fiction has appeared in markets such as Cover of Darkness; Strange, Weird and Wonderful Magazine; and Kayelle Press’s Night Terrors Anthology.





These ladies gave me three truths and one lie to test your "lie detector" skills. Those who figure out the lie will go into my magic hat for the chance to win an eBook of ALCHEMY and PROPHECY OF SIX!!!

You have until Tuesday, February 10 at 1 p.m. EDT to guess. Be sure to come back for the answer on February 11.
TRUTH OR LIE
1. They all got to go to lunch together for the first time this last summer.
2. For a long time, Sheena didn't know which girl (if any) Sam would eventually end up with.
3. Melanie chose Carlsbad, CA as the location for book 2 without knowing that Sabrina's day job is based in Carlsbad.
4. Nothing cheers Sabrina up quite like a random animal riding a rumba. Except maybe baby owls.So which is the lie? What are your thoughts on 80's fashion? Have you come across any outrageous hairstyles that make you question humanity's viability? Did you check out Cathrina & Nana? (And if not, what's wrong with you? Get steppin', eh?)

10 Secrets to a Happy Marriage: Anniversary Edition

Wedding Day, Jan. 2000Have you ever read about star-crossed love and wondered if it's real? 
It is.

One of my reviewers for SOULLESS suggested it's highly possible I am very happily married. She's right. Today is my 15 year anniversary. We started out epically in love, and are still epically in love. 
So how does that work? Well, here are a few secrets (in no particular order):
1. Don't live together first. "What?" you ask. But that's what people do! That's how you're supposed to do it. 
No. No, it's not. 
Think about this on a subconscious level. Choosing to live together before marriage is like saying, "Here, let's give this a trial run to see if it works out."
Wow. That's romance for you. NOT.
When you start a relationship, start with the deepest commitment: I'm in this for forever. Think about what that does on a base level. Your commitment is 100%. Your partner's commitment is 100%. It's not a "let's see if this works" kind of arrangement. You're both ALL IN.
Start with that basis, and your chances of success multiply exponentially. (Don't believe me? Check out source 1 and source 2. There are hundreds of others, but the facts are actually quite astonishing.)
2. Talk, all the time. And listen too. For a school project (before I was married), I interviewed my grandmother about what was most important in marriage. Her answer: Communication. 
My hubby and I were apart for 2 years before we were able to get married, and our only means of communication was letters. We got to know one another pretty well through the written word. In fact, call us silly, but we still text, call or chat every single day while we're at work. It may be a simple issue involving the kids, or a quick, "I'm thinking about you." It doesn't matter what it is, but we're in touch.
Remember, listening is part of that equation. That means turning off the phone, the internet, the TV, everything. Nothing says, "You're just not a priority", like a spouse scrolling down their smart phone while you're trying to talk. 


3. Go to bed together. What happens when your schedules fall out of sync, is then your lives fall out of sync. Suddenly you develop different priorities. There are also studies that say couples who cuddle or touch while sleeping, have stronger relationships.
4. Do something that shows you love your spouse every day. This should be obvious, right? Here's the key: learning how to tell someone you love them.
What? You just say it, right?
Possibly.
For some people, an act of service is really the way you say, "I love you." For some it's physical touch. For others it's receiving gifts. Others need regular verbal reinforcement (compliments etc). For ALL, it's quality time.
5. Willingly make sacrifices. When you say, "I do", you promise to think always of the other person in your decisions. There is no room for selfishness. 
I've watch marriages crumble because although a husband may say, "I love you", he won't make the sacrifice to get or hold down a steady job. On the reverse, some marriages crumble because a woman won't learn how to curb her spending.
Real love requires a willingness to change our behaviors.
6. DATE. Yes, even after marriage. I once heard a very wise man say, "Love is actually spelled T-I-M-E." Dates don't have to cost money. They can be a simple walk in the park together, viewing Christmas lights, playing board games. Whatever you do, make it a priority and be sure to plan something regularly. Once a week is awesome. Once a month is MANDATORY. WITHOUT KIDS. 
7. Common interests or hobbies. My mom likes to remodel her house. Crazy, right? But each project is something she and her husband can do together. They enjoy creating as a team.
Some people enjoy playing sports, running or exercising, giving service to charities, gardening, or theater... Whatever it is, build some common ground--something that belongs to both of you.
8. Positive Mental Dialog. It's so easy to forget why you fell in love with someone to begin with, but focusing on the good in a person is one way to keep love alive. If you allow yourself to focus on the bad or annoying, you will start seeing your spouse in a degraded light. Look for the good--just like you hope they are doing for you. In fact, when you focus on the positive, they are very likely to reciprocate the kindness. 
9. Religion. We live in a world where people want to say this aspect doesn't matter. 
It does. 
Religious beliefs are at the core of a person's soul. I suppose that's why I hesitate to share mine, even when I should, because they are so sacred to me. For instance, because of our beliefs, when my husband and I married, we married for eternity--not just until death-do-you-part. Marriage is a priority as part of our religion. God comes first, then one another, then kids, then church, then work and school...
15 Happy Years10. Forgiveness. Conflicts will come, even for those who are completely grounded. We all do and say stupid things. We all blame one another for problems, validated or not. True love is one that doesn't hold a grudge. Forgiveness frees a person to love deeper because they're not busy clinging to pain. If we want successful marriages, we have to let those walls down and extend our spouse the same courtesy we give ourselves when we do or say something stupid. 


Because it's my anniversary, I'm taking the week off, but first let's announce the latest winner!
Last week Stacey Nash shared FORGET ME NOT with us, along with two lies and one truth. Those who guessed the truth correctly were entered into a random drawing for the chance to win an eBook.  

Stacey's game: 


1. Stacey is somehow linked with identical twins. There's always been at least one set playing a major role in her life at any given time.
2. She was once stark naked in the DMV.
3. She has more ribs than most people, and that's what makes her a mutant (or if you prefer, meta-human). It's not her super power though. That's being able to hear her name whispered from across a crowded room.
And the lie is:

#2. In Stacey's own words: "The DMV (or RTA as we call it on Australia) was crowded and my then three year old and I had been waiting for over an hour for our turn to speak with an employee. He's a good kid, but he was getting rather agitated, hungry, and like me just wanted to get out of there. Finally, our number was called so I moved up to the counter to renew our car's registration. Mr three was terribly frustrated by this, because if we were moving we should have been moving toward the exit. So as I was talking to the DMV lady, he tried to get my attention. When I asked him to wait, he just grew more frustrated, until finally he tugged on my dress really, REALLY, hard. It was one of those maxi dresses that are fitted around the bust then flow out. Well, he'd tugged so hard it slipped right down to my waist together with my strapless bra. (I have trouble holding them up cause I'm tiny.)  I don't think the poor lady knew where to look and thankfully the massive queue behind us could only see my back."
What a story, right?

Way to guess everyone! And the winner is:
...DRUM ROLL...
Jenni Enzor!
Congrats Jenni! 

What are some secrets you've learned for a healthy relationship? Are you celebrating anything this week? Have you ever written or read about a relationship that made you want to do better? 

Forget Me Not because Here Are Freebies!

Do you love flash fiction? I totally do. So much so that when I was invited to contribute to a FREE READS flash fiction blog, there was only one answer. 
Duh!!!
So let me introduce you to the brand new...

There are some TRULY fabulous authors from all genres contributing to this blog, and you're missing out if you don't stop in. This month has been all about goals, and February is all about--you guessed it--LOVE. 
Titles from this month:
May the Smarter Villain Win (Kai Strand)Number One (Meradeth Houston)Step It Up (Meg Gray)Goals Gone Asunder (Joan C. Curtis)Miracles (Dianne Hartsock)Goals (Mary Waibel)Foreign Exchange (Eric Price) AND The Call (BY ME!!!)
THE CALL: A social outcast. A window to other dimensions. A summon of fate.
There's also a facebook page if you want to follow us and get updates.
Have you read any of these fabulous authors?


Now let's give away some reading joy!
Last week Cheyanne Young shared POWDERED with us, along with two lies and one truth. Those who guessed the truth correctly were entered into a random drawing for the chance to win a paperback and swag pack.  

Cheyanne's game: 


1. One time Cheyanne won a $10,000 lottery scratch off ticket and promptly went on a shopping spree, charging it to her credit card. Then, she lost the ticket (and has never found it).

2. She has 50% of the kidneys that a normal person has but she makes up for it by being at least 13% cooler than the average person.

3. She and her best friend once randomly accepted a dinner invitation from a guy they didn't know at a superhero convention. He ended up being the planner of the entire event and they got to spend the entire night with three of the visiting actors who were all in the Harry Potter movies.
And the lie is:

#1. Cheyanne did not experience the UBER tragedy of losing her winning lottery ticket...although that makes for a pretty fun story, eh?
Way to guess everyone who got it right! And the winner is:
...DRUM ROLL...
Medeia Sharif!
Congrats Medeia! 

And now to today's feature...

Anamae is drawn into a world which shatters everything she knew to be true.

Since her mother vanished nine years ago, Anamae and her father have shared a quiet life. But when Anamae discovers a brooch identical to her mother's favorite pendant, she unknowingly invites a slew of trouble into their world. They're not just jewelry, they're part of a highly developed technology capable of cloaking the human form. 

Triggering the jewelry's power attracts the attention of a secret society determined to confiscate the device - and silence everyone who is aware of its existence. Anamae knows too much, and now she's Enemy Number One. 

She's forced to leave her father behind when she's taken in by a group determined to keep her safe. Here Anamae searches for answers about this hidden world. With her father kidnapped and her own life on the line, Anamae must decide if saving her dad is worth risking her new friends' lives. No matter what she does, somebody is going to get hurt.
Get your copy HERE.

AND for a short time only, the book is on sale for $0.99!


Stacey Nash writes adventure filled stories for Young Adults in the Science Fiction and Fantasy genres. She loves to read and write books that have a lot of adventure, a good dose of danger, a smattering of romance, and KISSING! Hailing from the Hunter Valley in New South Wales, she loves nothing more than immersing herself in the beauty and culture of the local area. 

Author of the Collective Series; FORGET ME NOT and REMEMBER ME.
Although Stacey can't eat cheese due to allergies (I know, crocodile tears!), you will find her eating crackers and baby tomatoes as other people would eat cheese, sitting on the back porch watching the sun set.Stacey gave me two truths and one lie to test your "lie detector" skills. Those who figure out the lie will go into my magic hat for the chance to win an eBook of FORGET ME NOT!!!

You have until Tuesday, January 27 at 1 p.m. EDT to guess. Be sure to come back for the answer on January 28.
TRUTH OR LIE
1. Stacey is somehow linked with identical twins. There's always been at least one set playing a major role in her life at any given time.

2. She was once stark naked in the DMV.

3. She has more ribs than most people, and that's what makes her a mutant (or if you prefer, meta-human). It's not her super power though. That's being able to hear her name whispered from across a crowded room.So which is the lie? Are you a flash fiction lover? Have you read any of the LQR authors? Did you check out my SUPER AWESOME dimension travel story? (And if not, what's wrong with you? Get steppin', eh?)

Best Books of 2014

Have you ever made a reading goal?

SourceI went several years with young kids where I was lucky to read more than 5 books in a year, but after going back to school, my reading speed jumped. Rather than taking 3 days to finish a novel, it only took 4 to 8 hours--AND I remembered that I LOVED reading. I used to stockpile books for the summer and read for days! (Because who wouldn't do that, given the option?)

So that was it. I was going to read what I wanted, whenever I could.

The next year I burned through 30 books, and I felt great. The year after that it was more like 40, and I was super proud of myself. Then I made it through a whopping 50, and I thought, I can do better than that.

So I set a goal for 100 books. (Yes, two a week.)

I finished with two weeks to spare, and that included reviewing most of those books. It was a fabulous year of reading, and so it's with great joy I present my 2014 favorites (SUPER favorites in italics):


Romance:
Worth the Effort: Ella's Story (Kai Strand)
Sun & Moon (Lee Strauss)
Not Until Tonight (Jessica Sankiewics)
Third Daughter (Susan Quinn)
Hurricane Crimes (Chrys Fey)





Contemporary: 
Run (Jolyn Brown)
Counting to D (Kate Scott)



Fantasy (Urban too): 
Violet Storm (Anna Soliveres)
Sleeper (S.M. Johnston)
Perception (Lee Strauss)
The Labyrinth Wall (Emilyann Girdner)
Butterman (Time) Travel (P.K. Hrezo)



Middle Grade: 
Rump: The True Story of Rumpelstiltskin (Liesl Shurtliff)
The Real Boy (Anne Ursu)






Historical:
The Caged Graves (Dianne Salerni)
Becoming Lady Lockwood (Jennifer Moore)








Sci-Fi: 
Ghosts of Innocence (Ian Bott)








Horror: 
Anna Dressed in Blood & Girl of Nightmares (Kendare Blake)


You can see my full 2014 list and the reviews HERE.




Do you have a reading goal?


Now let's give away some reading joy!
Last week Kitsy Clare shared PRIVATE INTERNSHIP with us, along with two lies and one truth. Those who guessed the truth correctly were entered into a random drawing for the chance to win an eBook.  

Kitsy's game: 


1. She had a lively discussion with Blues musician Buddy Guy, where he talked about getting musical inspiration from listening to rain on his tin roof.
2. She hung out with Marilyn Manson at one of his after-parties and munched on black marshmallows. 
3. She met all of the 2014 top ten Idol singers and took selfies backstage after the concert. 
And the lie is:

#2. Kitsy IS going to see Marilyn this month with her son, and she would love to meet him. He’s really a very misunderstood musician—a performance artist and NOT into Satan, just into exposing hypocrisy.
(Hanging with the American Idol champs of 2014)
Way to guess everyone who got it right! And the winner is:
...DRUM ROLL...
Theresa Milstein!
Congrats Theresa! 

And now to today's feature...

Maci Might's sixteenth birthday is supposed to be the day she's awarded Hero status. But thanks to a tiny anger problem and a questionable family tree, King City's elders think it's best if she doesn't join the Hero ranks. Determined to change their minds, Maci will break whatever rule it takes to prove she's Hero material. As her hair darkens and her anger grows, everyone turns against her except Evan; a childhood friend turned scientist who may be able to unlock the secrets hidden in her DNA. 
When a villain attacks King City and her dad is held prisoner, Maci discovers a truth she refuses to believe. She may not be a Hero after all—but this time the Heroes of King City need her more than she needs them. And she won't let them down. 
Powered is the first in a trilogy.
Get your copy HERE.


Cheyanne is a native Texan with a fear of cold weather and a coffee addiction that probably needs an intervention. She loves books, sarcasm, nail polish and paid holidays. She lives near the beach with her family, one spoiled rotten puppy and a cat that is plotting to take over the world, one scratched up welcome mat at a time.
She's a cubicle dweller and all around sarcastic weirdo by day. But at night, Cheyanne can be found furiously typing on her computer, probably complaining on Twitter about how she should be writing. When she’s not honing her procrastination skills, she’s writing books for teenagers. She is the author of several books for teens and recently turned her love of superheroes and writing for teens into books about teenage superheroes. POWERED is her first superhero book but it won't be her last. Because POWERED is a trilogy. Duh.
You might run across her snacking on sharp cheddar while walking the street, hanging at a convention, or while grating it over a 7 layer dip.Cheyanne gave me two truths and one lie to test your "lie detector" skills. Those who figure out the lie will go into my magic hat for the chance to win a signed paperback of POWDERED and Powered swag!!! (****USA only****)



You have until Tuesday, January 20 at 1 p.m. EDT to guess. Be sure to come back for the answer on January 21.
TRUTH OR LIE
1. One time Cheyanne won a $10,000 lottery scratch off ticket and promptly went on a shopping spree, charging it to her credit card. Then, she lost the ticket (and has never found it).

2. She has 50% of the kidneys that a normal person has but she makes up for it by being at least 13% cooler than the average person.


3. She and her best friend once randomly accepted a dinner invitation from a guy they didn't know at a superhero convention. He ended up being the planner of the entire event and they got to spend the entire night with three of the visiting actors who were all in the Harry Potter movies.So which is the lie? Do you have a reading goal? What were your favorite reads from 2014?

Goals, Gatling Guns, and IWSG

Happy New Year!!!


Are you having the most fabulous 2015 so far?

Quick intro for any new friends here... I'm a total book nerd who dabbles with writing for theater, novels, poetry, short stories, flash fiction, lyrics and orchestral compositions. I LIVE on cheese, home school 3 kids (shortly to be 4) and answer to the title of "Chicken" with pride. Two of my book babies are out in the world, and I've contributed to several story compilations (see the Books section). Today I'm ravishing an orange, counting baby kicks, and desperately trying to remember what it was I wanted to say. (Ah, pregnancy brain...)

Really, it was something like this:

The beginning of the year is such a fabulous time--a time to look at our lives, reevaluate what is working and what isn't. As I've reflected, I've been missing how I used to run this blog: 3 posts a week, deep thoughts on Monday, Writerly stuff on Wednesdays, Funnies on Friday. I've also missed how I used to spend a minimum of 2 hours a day writing. Alas, life doesn't stand still for blogging. (Or maybe I should say the 3 kids and 1 on the way.)

With limited energy/time I'm finding I can't handle the precision of one of these:


I need the precision of one of these:

Now a sniper rifle requires patience, setting up exactly the right shot, breathing correctly and pulling the trigger with a steady hand. Much of what goes on is in silence, behind closed doors, whereas the Gatling allows for all out warfare, spur of the moment.

Do you see what I'm saying?

My goal this year is to welcome a new life into the world and follow a very precise calendar of specific deadlines to make sure my next novel makes its debut on time. (Hah!) Wish me luck. My other goal is to form a deep and positive mental dialog about everything--and I do mean everything. You get a TON further on positive mental vibes.

What are your new goals this year?



Now, on to the fun and games!
Last month Suzy shared LOOKING FOR LUCY JO with us, along with two lies and one truth. Those who guessed the truth correctly were entered into a random drawing for the chance to win an eBook.  

Suzy's game: 



1. Suzy once sat next to Robert Pattinson on a train ride from London to Bath. He was super cool and chatted for a while before he was distracted by a much younger lady with bright blue hair and a tattoo on her wrist that read Stamus Contra Malum.
2. She celebrated her birthday one year with Kiki Dee - you might remember her from the 60's? She was particularly famous for singing Don't Go Breaking My Heart with Elton John.
3. She has a belly button piercing. (Yes, it hurt!)
And the lie is:

#1. Suzy didn't meet Robert Pattinson, but wouldn't that make for a fun story if she actually had?
And the winner is:
...DRUM ROLL...
Susan Gourley/Kelley!
Congrats Susan! 

And now to today's feature...

Sugar’s not so sweet and secrets can be deadly …especially with matters of the heart
Sienna’s bestie, Harper warned her not to intern for famous bad boy artist, Casper Mason. After all, he just fired Harper who helped Sienna get the interview. But the moment Sienna sees Casper—or Caz—sweaty and practically shirtless and swinging from chains while he works on his sculpture, she’s hooked. He’s the richest, hottest artist in New York, and he lives in the fabulous Williamsburg Sugar Factory. But he’s also an incorrigible game-player, who seems to relish testing Sienna’s loyalty with a string of unsettling tests.

She knows she should get away fast. But by the time Sienna sneaks into his locked storage room and begins to unearth his dark and terrifying secret, she’s fallen way too hard for the handsome, charismatic Caz.

Bloggers and readers are saying:

“A must read!” -Amazeball’s Book Addicts
“Sexy, smart, compelling!” -Booklover 
“Moving, even heartbreaking” - 5-stars from The Phantom Paragrapher
“Believable characters who show emotional growth” -Summer’s Book Blog
“Killer analysis of the NYC art scene” -reader review

Get your copy HERE.


Kitsy Clare lives in Manhattan. A romantic at heart, she loves writing about the sexy intrigue of the city and of the art world. She knows it well, having shown her paintings here before turning to writing. Her new adult Art of Love series - Model Position and Private Internship - is all about artist Sienna and her friends. Living in a Bookworld says: “Beautifully written! We learn things about art & painting. Colorful stories from a promising NA author.” The books can be read in any order.
She also writes award-winning YA as Catherine Stine. Novels include futuristic thrillers, Ruby’s Fire and Fireseed One. Her YA horror, Dorianna, a twist on Dorian Gray for the Internet age, just won Best Horror Novel in the 2014 Kindle Hub Book awards.Kitsy (aka Catherine) gave me two truths and one lie to test your "lie detector" skills. Those who figure out the lie will go into my magic hat for the chance to win an eBook of PRIVATE INTERNSHIP. How awesome is that?
You have until Tuesday, January 13 at 1 p.m. EDT to guess. Be sure to come back for the answer on January 14.
TRUTH OR LIE
1. She had a lively discussion with Blues musician Buddy Guy, where he talked about getting musical inspiration from listening to rain on his tin roof.
2. She hung out with Marilyn Manson at one of his after-parties and munched on black marshmallows. 
3. She met all of the 2014 top ten Idol singers and took selfies backstage after the concert. So which is the lie? What are you prioritizing for this new year? Have you build a plan with deadlines? What did you do to celebrate the holidays?

IWSG and Christmas Book Giveaways

Are you ready for Christmas?

It's so easy to get wrapped up in the crazy-crazy of this time of the year, which includes deadlines for those of us in publishing. Some days I wonder what life is like on the other side--without the ever-constant projects and need to promote/market. We all have our own brand of insanity, whether career oriented, family oriented, health oriented...

What I mean to say is, we all have challenges. This time of the year it's easy to get overwhelmed by the parties, the gifts, the to-do list, but I hope you'll take a few minutes and refocus your efforts. Give yourself time to breathe. Remember the reason for the season:



I'll be taking the rest of December off from the blogosphere to truly enjoy my family and make preparations for my coming little one. I wish you the most amazing Christmas!

(PST! I should also mention the most amazing resource is now available to writers, FREE! And guess who contributed an AWESOME article about blog tours? Yup. Yours truly.)




Now, to help celebrate, here's your chance to win a LOVELY Christmas book! But first, the winner from last week...
Julie Musil shared THE SUMMER OF CROSSING LINES with us, along with two lies and one truth. Those who guessed the truth correctly were entered into a random drawing for the chance to win an eBook.  

Julie's game: 

1. Julie knows almost all the words to the GREASE soundtrack.2. She used to wear a bow in her hair—Madonna Material Girl style.3. She loves country music, but doesn’t know any country line dances.
And the lie is:

There is no lie. Ooh! Bet you didn't see that one coming. If you guessed at all, you were entered into the game. Lucky you! 
And the winner is:
...DRUM ROLL...
Alex J. Cavanaugh!
Congrats Alex! 

And now to today's feature...

It's their first Christmas since entering the Praxos Academy and 16-year-old sisters Lana Beth and Emma Jane Morgan are looking forward to some serious R&R. But when their little sister mysteriously disappears from her bed on Christmas Eve, all thoughts of fun disappear with her. 

Emma and Lana must do everything in their power to locate her and bring her home safely. Easier said than done, they are forced to go on yet another journey, this time taking them out to the murky depths of the North Sea as well as to the far reaches of southern Portugal. 
Get your copy HERE.

Although Suzy is a Yorkshire lass at heart, she left her home town of Rotherham, UK, to move to Portugal with her family when she was ten. The Algarve continues to be her home, where she lives with her childhood sweetheart, Michael, two neurotic dogs and a cat who thinks she's a princess.
Shortly after completing her studies, Suzy was offered the position of trainee journalist for a local English newspaper. Her love of writing developed and a few years later she moved on to become assistant editor for the region's largest English language publisher. Since then she has also worked as the editor of one of the Algarve's most loved monthly lifestyle magazines. Early in 2010 however, Suzy began working as a full time author. She has since written several books: Raven, December Moon, The Lost Soul ( The Raven Saga ), Daisy Madigan's Paradise, The Ghost of Josiah Grimshaw, The Temporal Stone (The Morgan Sisters) and Forever Fredless.
Her favorite cheese is goat's cheese - purely because she's lactose intolerant and can't eat any that comes from a cow :( Her husband has started making her the most divine low gluten, goats cheese pizza and it's to die for!I want some! Ahem...back to business...
Suzy gave me two truths and one lie to test your "lie detector" skills. Those who figure out the lie will go into my magic hat for the chance to win an eBook of LOOKING FOR LUCY JO. How awesome is that?
You have until Tuesday, December 23 at 1 p.m. EDT to guess. The winner will be notified and awarded just in time for Christmas and be sure to come back for the answer on January 7.
TRUTH OR LIE
1. Suzy once sat next to Robert Pattinson on a train ride from London to Bath. He was super cool and chatted for a while before he was distracted by a much younger lady with bright blue hair and a tattoo on her wrist that read Stamus Contra Malum.
2. She celebrated her birthday one year with Kiki Dee - you might remember her from the 60's? She was particularly famous for singing Don't Go Breaking My Heart with Elton John.
3. She has a belly button piercing. (Yes, it hurt!)So which is the lie? Are you taking a Christmas break? What are you doing to celebrate the holidays?

Writerly Wednesday on a Tuesday

For those of us in the US of A, it's Thanksgiving week, which means I'll be frantically cleaning or cooking tomorrow, so you get WW a day early. 
So what better way to show thanks than to accept a blogging award and pass it on? 

Huge thanks to my pal and poet, Fifi Islaih for the award. In order to accept it, I have to list 7 facts about myself and pass it on. 
1. My love for cheese is no secret, but there are some French cheese I don't much care for. (I know, the shock!)
2. The last time I was expecting, I was living in NYC--in an 850 square foot apartment (with 3 other family members.)  Yes, it felt like this. (source)3. Although I have consistently taught kids ages 18 months 18 years (not counting my own) for the last 20+ years, I have a hard time calling myself an educator. 
4. I leave reviews for 90% of the books I read. (Which is typically 2 books a week.)
5. I miss hobby writing.
6. My greatest fear is playing the piano in front of people...and I still do it on occasion. (You should see my hands shake while playing. It's awesome.)
Source
7. My first REAL masterpiece was a drawing of either a horse, or a unicorn (maybe both) at the happy age of 3.
NOW, because it's gratitude time, if you take a moment to comment on this post, you are officially nominated for the award. There are so many of you I want to give the award, and it seems no matter how many people I do nominate, I miss at least fifty others. So that's it. You've been nominated. =)


Ready to guess the lie and win a book? 
Last week, M.J. Fifield shared EFFIGY with us, along with two lies and one truth. Those who guessed the truth correctly were entered into a random drawing for the chance to win an eBook.  

M.J.'s game: 


1. Once, M.J. ran into famous New Hampshire author Jodi Picoult at the vet’s office and proceeded to make her (and everyone else around) question her ability to speak in complete sentences, as she attempted to tell Jodi how much she enjoys her novels.   
2. In high school, she sang back-up vocals for Kenny Rodgers. It is, however, not the only reason why she knows all the words to “The Gambler.”
3. In college, she worked as a stagehand and once tried to throw comedian Carrot Top out because she had no idea who he was or how he had gotten backstage.And the lie is:

#1. Yes, M.J. has had some interesting run-ins with real, live celebrities. Awesome, right?
Way to guess those of you who got it right! And the winner is:
...DRUM ROLL...
M. Pax!
Congrats Mary! 

And now to today's feature...

When her protective older brother disappears, sixteen-year-old Melody loses control of her orderly life. Her stuttering flares up, her parents are shrouded in a grief-induced fog, and she clings to the last shreds of her confidence. 

The only lead to her brother’s disappearance is a 30-second call from his cell phone to Rex, the leader of a crime ring. Frustrated by a slow investigation with too many obstacles, and desperate to mend her broken family, Melody crosses the line from wallflower to amateur spy. She infiltrates Rex’s group and is partnered with Drew, a handsome pickpocket whose kindness doesn’t fit her perception of a criminal. He doesn’t need to steal her heart—she hands it to him.

With each law Melody breaks, details of her brother’s secret life emerge until she’s on the cusp of finding him. But at what point does truth justify the crime?
Get your copy HERE.
Julie Musil writes from her rural home in Southern California, where she lives with her husband and three sons. She’s an obsessive reader who loves stories that grab the heart and won’t let go. Her YA novels The Summer of Crossing Lines and The Boy Who Loved Fire are available now. For more information, or to stop by and say Hi, please visit Julie HERE.
She especially loves cheese when it’s piled on a pizza.
Julie gave me two truths and one lie to test your "lie detector" skills. Those who figure out the lie will go into my magic hat for the chance to win an eBook of THE SUMMER OF CROSSING LINES. How awesome is that?
You have until Tuesday, December 2 at 1 p.m. EDT to guess--and be sure to come back for the answer on December 3.
TRUTH OR LIE
1. Julie knows almost all the words to the GREASE soundtrack.
2. She used to wear a bow in her hair—Madonna Material Girl style.
3. She loves country music, but doesn’t know any country line dances.So which is the lie? What is one unique fact about you? Are you celebrating Thanksgiving? If so, how? 

Seven Deadly Sins... And a Deadly Queen

Last month, the amazing Michelle Wallace tagged me in the Seven Deadly Sins Tag. (Thanks Michelle!) Instead of letting these things stack up, I decided to jump on the train. Are you ready for this awesomeness?So here it is, the SEVEN DEADLY SINS of the LITERARY WORLD. The questions and answers:Greed – What is your most inexpensive book? Truthfully, I review quite a few books for people and receive many of them free. I think it's a fair trade to the authors, but I also spend way too much time at the library and initially got Amazon Prime so I could use the lenders library. (Yes, I am cheap, but I give back.)Wrath – Who’s the author with whom you have a love/hate relationship? Lauren Kate and her Fallen series. My hubby would come into the room and ask me what I was reading. "A stupid book," I'd reply. Then he'd ask the obvious, "So why are you reading it?" "BECAUSE I HAVE TO FINISH THE SERIES!"Gluttony – What book have you devoured over and over again with no shame? Erm, I don't read books more than once because I remember them too well, but I did read Barbara Hambly's Silicone Mage series twice, because I do absolutely love it.Sloth – Which book have you neglected reading due to laziness? ... Laziness? Hah! Nope. None of that here. Pride – What books do you talk about most in order to sound like an intellectual reader? Probably all my classics--Les Miserables (BEST BOOK EVER), Jane Eyre, SO many Dickens books...Lust – What attributes do you find attractive in a male or female character? It's all about how the character treats his love interest. Seriously. I've never been one to swoon over amazing looks, but if a guy opens the door for a girl and puts her happiness before his own, I'm in love. (Which is why I married the stud of the universe, btw.)Envy – What book would you like to receive most as a gift? Anything on my Amazon wish list. (Although I've got about 70 books waiting around here for me to get to them...)There is no limit to the people you can tag for THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS TAG. So, I’ve decided to tag…S.A. Larsen, Robyn Campbell, M.J. Fifield, Madeline Mora-Summonte, D.L. Hammons, Stephanie Faris, & Beth Ellyn Summer(I know that everybody is super-busy, so if you decide not to play along, you can just miss out on the cheese. That's okay.)

Ready to guess the lie and win a book? 

Last week, Nata Romeo (aka ArtistaDonna) shared ALPHABET WILDLIFE A-Z with us, along with two lies and one truth. Those who guessed the truth correctly were entered into a random drawing for the chance to win an eBook.  

Nata's game: 


1. Nata has traveled to Mars to study Alientology, she now speaks fluent Alien languages.
2. Thanks to the Aliens, Nata is now a prodigy in Polyglotism.
3. Nata enjoys writing and illustrating. She has conversations with her characters on a daily basis.And the truth is:

#3. Although Nata may be considered an expert in Alientology (and fabulous lies), she has never been to Mars. Sorry to disappoint. 
Way to guess those of you who got it right! And the winner is:
...DRUM ROLL...
Murees Dup é !
Congrats Murees! 

And now to today's feature...

The survival of a once-mighty kingdom rests in the hands of its young queen, Haleine Coileáin, as it slowly succumbs to an ancient evil fueled by her husband’s cruelty.
A sadistic man with a talent for torture and a taste for murder, he is determined to burn the land and all souls within. Haleine is determined to save her kingdom and, after a chance encounter, joins forces with the leader of the people’s rebellion. She gives him her support, soon followed by her heart.
Loving him is inadvertent but becomes as natural and necessary as breathing. She lies and steals on his behalf, doing anything she can to further their cause. She compromises beliefs held all her life, for what life will exist if evil prevails?

Her journey leads to a deceiving world of magic, monsters, and gods she never believed existed outside of myth. The deeper she goes, the more her soul is stripped away, but she continues on, desperate to see her quest complete. If she can bring her husband to ruin and save her people, any sacrifice is worth the price—even if it means her life.
Get your copy HERE. Armed with a deep and lasting love of chocolate, purple pens, and medieval weaponry, M.J. Fifield is nothing if not a uniquely supplied insomniac. When she isn’t writing, she’s on the hunt for oversized baked goods or shiny new daggers. M.J. lives with a variety of furry creatures—mostly pets—in New Hampshire.
M.J. might be found at work spreading Laughing Cow spreadable Swiss cheese on crackers.
M.J. gave me two truths and one lie to test your "lie detector" skills. Those who figure out the lie will go into my magic hat for the chance to win an eBook of EFFIGY. How awesome is that?
You have until Monday, November 24, at 1 p.m. EDT to guess--and be sure to come back for the answer on November 25.
TRUTH OR LIE
1. Once, M.J. ran into famous New Hampshire author Jodi Picoult at the vet’s office and proceeded to make her (and everyone else around) question her ability to speak in complete sentences, as her attempted to tell Jodi how much she enjoy her novels.   
2. In high school, she sang back-up vocals for Kenny Rodgers. It is, however, not the only reason why she knows all the words to “The Gambler.”
3. In college, she worked as a stagehand and once tried to throw comedian Carrot Top out because she had no idea who he was or how he had gotten backstage.So which is the lie? Any reading/book confessions you'd like to share? What's your greatest literary sin? 

Babyness and Bookness

Some of you may have heard me ranting about my happy, happy news that we're FINALLY expecting. Our youngest is now 8, and we've been trying for a while, so this is a HUGE thing for us. It's even more huge in the fact that my daughter has been begging me for a little brother or sister for forever. 
So my happy news today, we finally know what we're expecting:



Ready to guess the lie and win a book? 

Last week, Kai Strand shared WORTH THE EFFORT, AYDEN'S STORY with us, along with two truths and one lie. Those who guessed the lie correctly were entered into a random drawing for the chance to win an eBook.  

Kai's game: 


1. Kai once played the part of the planet Venus – dressed as a Venus Flytrap.
2. She considers herself a scorpion queen, because they tend to appear wherever she is. Yes, it's as creepy as it sounds.3. She came down with the flu and missed being crowned Prom Queen.And the lie is:

#3. Kai did not miss out on being Prom Queen due to an ill-timed sickness. She did, however, played the part of a Venus Flytrap and is plagued by the appearance of scorpions.
Way to guess those of you who got it right! And the winner is:
...DRUM ROLL...
Tanya Miranda!
Congrats Tanya! 

And now to today's feature...

Alphabet Wildlife A to Z is a beautifully hand-illustrated book where children learn of many different animals that begin with the letters in the alphabet. 

This book introduces young readers to a variety of animals, many of which are unknown to people.
Get your copy HERE. Nata Romeo a.k.a ArtistaDonna, is the author and illustrator of her first children's book, titled Alphabet Wildlife A to Z. Originally from Toronto, Canada, she now brews and sprinkles her art and stories from the Philadelphia skies. She dreams that her work gets swept up and tangled into a massive storm front so that her world can travel across the universe and beyond!
Nata's favorite cheese is blue cheese. Since she's the only one in her family who really appreciates this delicious cheese, she ends up adding it to just about anything she eats.
UNLIKE NORMAL, Nata gave me two LIES and one TRUTH to test your "lie detector" skills. Those who figure out the TRUTH will go into my magic hat for the chance to win an Amazon eBook of ALPHABET WILDLIFE A-Z. How awesome is that?
You have until Tuesday, November 18, at 1 p.m. EDT to guess--and be sure to come back for the answer on November 19.
TRUTH OR LIE
1. Nata has traveled to Mars to study Alientology, she now speaks fluent Alien languages.
2. Thanks to the Aliens, Nata is now a prodigy in Polyglotism.
3. Nata enjoys writing and illustrating. She has conversations with her characters on a daily basis.So which is the TRUTH? Have you ever had to wait a REALLY long time for something you wanted badly? If so, what?