Crystal Collier's Blog, page 15
October 8, 2014
And You Though Stopping Time was Impossible...
You know when you want to be witty and fun and snarky and amazing...but all you have left is...well, a headache? That's kind of me today. Call it a sick kid, call it a pregnancy, but sometimes we really just have to take it easy if we want to keep going. I've been working hard toward my book release ON MONDAY!!! *gulp* And if allergies and exhaustion don't get me down, everything will even be done on time. So, since we're talking about time, how about some funnies?
Source
Source
And join with me in celebrating, because on Monday...
Source
(Book release, FREEBIES, and giveaways.)
Ready to guess the lie and win a book?
Last week, Nicole Zoltack shared THE TEST OF TIME 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 her eBook of MASKED LOVE.
Nicole's game:
1. Nicole is a better shot than her husband.2. She likes to collect dragon, unicorn and horse figurines...and swords too.3. She just tested for her yellow belt in Karate.
And the lie is:
#3. Nicole wishes. She would love to take karate, but actually, her oldest son just received his yellow belt. He can't wait to be able to try and break boards! He talks all the time about wanting to be the highest degree black belt there is.
Way to guess those of you who got it right! And the winner is:
...DRUM ROLL...
Lori L. Maclaughlin
Congrats Lori!
And now to today's feature:
Love, love, LOVE this cover!For Tommy, there is only one thing he needs to do: survive.
Only surviving isn't that easy. The hunt for blood can be tricky when humans know to fear the night. Desire sits on the edge of his mind, urging him to become the monster humans think he is. Vampire Forces, a special branch of police, is determined to turn every vampire to ash. Tommy included.
The only human Tommy can trust is his twin brother. A bond connects them, and with Danny's help, Tommy starts to understand the human world he struggles to survive in. He'll learn what friendships means and feel the sting of betrayal, find that sometimes the worst monsters are very human, and come to understand that family means more than blood.
Tommy just wants to survive and he knows what he needs to do. But with the number of humans that mean more to him than a meal growing, Tommy learns there's more to life than simple survival. He'll discover being human doesn't mean being a human.
Get your copy HERE.
Patricia Lynne never set out to become a writer, and in fact, she never considered it an option during high school and college. She was all about art. On a whim, she wrote down a story bouncing in her head. That was the start of it and she hasn't regretted a moment. Patricia lives with her husband in Michigan, hopes one day to have what will resemble a small petting zoo and has a fondness for dying her hair the colors of the rainbow.
Her favorite cheese is Mozzarella. It goes good on anything! Or alone. Although, she hasn't eaten many cheeses, so her palate is very limited.
Patricia 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, and TWO people will win an eBook of BEING HUMAN--Just in time for HALLOWEEN!
You have until Tuesday, October 14, at 1 p.m. EDT to guess--and be sure to come back for the answer on October 15.
TRUTH OR LIE
1. In high school, Patricia enjoyed doing the high jump in track and field.
2. She can't crochet to save her life. She can make a biiiiiiiig, loooooong chain and that's it.
3. A hobby she recently got back into was jigsaw puzzles. She can do a 500 hundred piece jigsaw puzzle in a few hours.
Which is the lie? Which time travel device would you take? Are you picking up any vampire reads for October? What are you wishing you had more time for?
Source
Source
And join with me in celebrating, because on Monday...
Source
(Book release, FREEBIES, and giveaways.)
Ready to guess the lie and win a book?
Last week, Nicole Zoltack shared THE TEST OF TIME 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 her eBook of MASKED LOVE.
Nicole's game:
1. Nicole is a better shot than her husband.2. She likes to collect dragon, unicorn and horse figurines...and swords too.3. She just tested for her yellow belt in Karate.And the lie is:
#3. Nicole wishes. She would love to take karate, but actually, her oldest son just received his yellow belt. He can't wait to be able to try and break boards! He talks all the time about wanting to be the highest degree black belt there is.
Way to guess those of you who got it right! And the winner is:
...DRUM ROLL...
Lori L. Maclaughlin
Congrats Lori!
And now to today's feature:
Love, love, LOVE this cover!For Tommy, there is only one thing he needs to do: survive. Only surviving isn't that easy. The hunt for blood can be tricky when humans know to fear the night. Desire sits on the edge of his mind, urging him to become the monster humans think he is. Vampire Forces, a special branch of police, is determined to turn every vampire to ash. Tommy included.
The only human Tommy can trust is his twin brother. A bond connects them, and with Danny's help, Tommy starts to understand the human world he struggles to survive in. He'll learn what friendships means and feel the sting of betrayal, find that sometimes the worst monsters are very human, and come to understand that family means more than blood.
Tommy just wants to survive and he knows what he needs to do. But with the number of humans that mean more to him than a meal growing, Tommy learns there's more to life than simple survival. He'll discover being human doesn't mean being a human.
Get your copy HERE.
Patricia Lynne never set out to become a writer, and in fact, she never considered it an option during high school and college. She was all about art. On a whim, she wrote down a story bouncing in her head. That was the start of it and she hasn't regretted a moment. Patricia lives with her husband in Michigan, hopes one day to have what will resemble a small petting zoo and has a fondness for dying her hair the colors of the rainbow.Her favorite cheese is Mozzarella. It goes good on anything! Or alone. Although, she hasn't eaten many cheeses, so her palate is very limited.
Patricia 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, and TWO people will win an eBook of BEING HUMAN--Just in time for HALLOWEEN!
You have until Tuesday, October 14, at 1 p.m. EDT to guess--and be sure to come back for the answer on October 15.
TRUTH OR LIE
1. In high school, Patricia enjoyed doing the high jump in track and field.
2. She can't crochet to save her life. She can make a biiiiiiiig, loooooong chain and that's it.
3. A hobby she recently got back into was jigsaw puzzles. She can do a 500 hundred piece jigsaw puzzle in a few hours.
Which is the lie? Which time travel device would you take? Are you picking up any vampire reads for October? What are you wishing you had more time for?
October 1, 2014
IWSG and Time Travel
Insecure Writers Support Group is celebrating the one year anniversary of the website launch. Yay, IWSG! (How the flip did a whole year go by already?!?) To celebrate, we're launching a book to help other authors get their careers rolling. I'll be contributing a wonderful piece about the benefits of (and how to) run a promotional blog tour. Speaking of which, did you know SOULLESS releases in 11 days? (Yup--see the sidebar?)
I'm so totally stoked, there are no words. But I'll make up a few anyway. (Because that's what I do!) Come check out my blog tour because it's going to be epic, and there will be an amazing giveaway. Mark your calendar and then get inspired about how to run your own tour with the IWSG book!
Ready to guess the lie and win a book?
Last week I shared one of my favorite characters, Miles, with everyone, and chatted about his free short story in a free Super Hero anthology. This week, we're getting back on track.
Today's feature:
Katia jumps at the chance to go to England with her best friend after Rose ditches her deadbeat boyfriend. While walking through the market, she spies a large mansion and recognizes the guy out front as her high school friend Tony. Just as they start to reconnect, Katia passes through times and lands in the arms of Lord Landon, who looks like Tony but certainly doesn’t act like him. Soon, Katia learns that this 1815 is different from the one in history books. Trapped in a parallel world, Katia struggles to not fall for Landon but his charm proves too much for her. Just when she is about to confess her love for him, Katia travels through time yet again.
The course of love never did run smooth and if Katia can’t figure out and master the test of time, she’ll never see her friends again, or worse, never be reunited with Landon.
Get your copy HERE.
Nicole Zoltack loves to write in many genres, especially romance, whether fantasy, paranormal, or regency. She's also an editor for MuseItUp Publishing and works as a freelance editor.When she's not writing about knights, superheroes, or zombies, she loves to spend time with her loving husband and three energetic young boys. She enjoys riding horses (pretending they're unicorns, of course!) and going to the PA Renaissance Faire, dressed in garb. She'll also read anything she can get her hands on. Her current favorite TV show is The Walking Dead.
To learn more about Nicole and her work, visit her blog. She can be found on most any social media site under Nicole Zoltack. Stalk away!
When asked her favorite cheese, Nicole said she's never tasted a cheese she didn't like. Good reply. Very good reply.
Nicole 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 MASKED LOVE. How awesome is that?
You have until Tuesday, October 7, at 1 p.m. EDT to guess--and be sure to come back for the answer on October 8.
TRUTH OR LIE
1. Nicole is a better shot than her husband.
2. She likes to collect dragon, unicorn and horse figurines...and swords too.
3. She just tested for her yellow belt in Karate.
Which is the lie? Have you ever considered doing an online tour? Do you love time travel stories? What are you feelings on authors online promotions?
September 24, 2014
Social Outcasts: Epic, or Odd?
A HUGE awesome thanks to Sarah Foster for inviting me along on the
Meet My Character Blog Tour
On to the fun...
1) What is the name of your character? Is he fictional or a historic person?
I'd like to introduce a side character who will shortly take the lead in a serial story titled BELLEZZA. Meet Miles. Some of you know (and love) him. For everyone else, he's a fictional friend/sidekick to the leader of the Passionate.
2) When and where is the story set?
Miles's story starts in 1768 when he's a ripe old sixteen years of age, and takes place all over the world, but primarily in England.
3) What should we know about him?
Miles has a gift to "see through other's eyes." Because of that, he's been feared and avoided by most the Passionate. His parents became Soulless when he was 4 (enemies to the Passionate who hunt them on moonless nights) and he hears them calling for him every new moon. Loyal to the death, he is a timid soul who truly and deeply desires to do what's right, willing to sacrifice everything for the greater good.
4) What is the main conflict? What messes up his life?
Bellezza. She's unlike anything or anyone he's ever met, and while her thoughts/emotions are disturbing and volatile, he's drawn to her. She single handedly destroys the tentative balance he's found in life without doing more than merely existing, and now he's torn between doing what's right and following his heart.
5) What is the personal goal of the character?
To restore balance by helping Bellezza avenge herself of her enemies, and then get as far away from her as he can...without falling in love. (Since she'd probably kill him if she had any idea he cared.)
6) Is there a working title for this novel, and can we read more about it?
Again, the title is BELLEZZA, and if you'd like to meet the characters, you will find them in MOONLESS, SOULLESS, and a short story titled THROUGH THE PORTAL in Heroes of Phenomena (get your copy free BELOW.)
7) When can we expect the book to be published?
Life is going to be different around the baby, but the first episode should be available early 2015.
Ready to learn the lie and get an amazing FREE book?
Last week, Ian S. Bott shared GHOSTS OF INNOCENCE with us. (Which I recently finished reading and HIGHLY suggest adding to your TBR list--check out my review!) Ian also shared two truths and one lie. Those who guessed the lie correctly were entered into a random drawing for the chance to win his eBook.
Ian's game:
1. For five consecutive years at school, Ian won the art prize despite not taking art lessons. Looking back, he feels guilty because there were some very good artists who were probably royally peeved.
2. At University, he managed to instigate a riot that hit national headlines.
3. He built a pirate ship in the back yard, complete with masts, flags, and crows nest.
And the lie is:
#2. The riot happened, and it made national headlines (which you can still read about today if you know where to look) but Ian didn't actually instigate it. It was going to happen anyway as part of inter-college rivalry. He spilled out of the pub mixed up with a crowd of students who were going to invade a rival college. He ran down the street to find a vantage point to watch from, and the crowd behind him took that as a signal to charge. Merry havoc ensued.
Way to guess those of you who got it right! And the winner is:
...DRUM ROLL...
Lynda Dietz!
Congrats Lynda! And today we're taking a little break from the norm. I wanted to take a second and highlight HEROES OF PHENOMENA, an anthology about super heroes including short stories from
Susan Kaye QuinnM. PaxJessica BellAlex J. CavanaughCrystal Collier (ME!)C. Lee McKenzieRuth LongDarynda Jones&Amy Michele
You can get your copy FREE and enjoy these incredible author's great stories from KOBO, Smashwords, Barnes and Noble, and iTunes, or get it for $0.99 at AMAZON.
A plug for my short story, JOURNEY THROUGH THE PORTAL: Bellezza has just begun her quest to destroy the Collectors, a fraternity of noblemen who kidnap and abuse gifted children. The only problem is that they know she’s coming.
Do you have a favorite character from literature? One of your own?
Meet My Character Blog Tour
On to the fun...
1) What is the name of your character? Is he fictional or a historic person? I'd like to introduce a side character who will shortly take the lead in a serial story titled BELLEZZA. Meet Miles. Some of you know (and love) him. For everyone else, he's a fictional friend/sidekick to the leader of the Passionate.
2) When and where is the story set?
Miles's story starts in 1768 when he's a ripe old sixteen years of age, and takes place all over the world, but primarily in England.
3) What should we know about him?
Miles has a gift to "see through other's eyes." Because of that, he's been feared and avoided by most the Passionate. His parents became Soulless when he was 4 (enemies to the Passionate who hunt them on moonless nights) and he hears them calling for him every new moon. Loyal to the death, he is a timid soul who truly and deeply desires to do what's right, willing to sacrifice everything for the greater good.
4) What is the main conflict? What messes up his life?
Bellezza. She's unlike anything or anyone he's ever met, and while her thoughts/emotions are disturbing and volatile, he's drawn to her. She single handedly destroys the tentative balance he's found in life without doing more than merely existing, and now he's torn between doing what's right and following his heart.
5) What is the personal goal of the character?
To restore balance by helping Bellezza avenge herself of her enemies, and then get as far away from her as he can...without falling in love. (Since she'd probably kill him if she had any idea he cared.)
6) Is there a working title for this novel, and can we read more about it?
Again, the title is BELLEZZA, and if you'd like to meet the characters, you will find them in MOONLESS, SOULLESS, and a short story titled THROUGH THE PORTAL in Heroes of Phenomena (get your copy free BELOW.)
7) When can we expect the book to be published?
Life is going to be different around the baby, but the first episode should be available early 2015.
Ready to learn the lie and get an amazing FREE book?
Last week, Ian S. Bott shared GHOSTS OF INNOCENCE with us. (Which I recently finished reading and HIGHLY suggest adding to your TBR list--check out my review!) Ian also shared two truths and one lie. Those who guessed the lie correctly were entered into a random drawing for the chance to win his eBook.
Ian's game:
1. For five consecutive years at school, Ian won the art prize despite not taking art lessons. Looking back, he feels guilty because there were some very good artists who were probably royally peeved.2. At University, he managed to instigate a riot that hit national headlines.
3. He built a pirate ship in the back yard, complete with masts, flags, and crows nest.
And the lie is:
#2. The riot happened, and it made national headlines (which you can still read about today if you know where to look) but Ian didn't actually instigate it. It was going to happen anyway as part of inter-college rivalry. He spilled out of the pub mixed up with a crowd of students who were going to invade a rival college. He ran down the street to find a vantage point to watch from, and the crowd behind him took that as a signal to charge. Merry havoc ensued.
Way to guess those of you who got it right! And the winner is:
...DRUM ROLL...
Lynda Dietz!
Congrats Lynda! And today we're taking a little break from the norm. I wanted to take a second and highlight HEROES OF PHENOMENA, an anthology about super heroes including short stories from
Susan Kaye QuinnM. PaxJessica BellAlex J. CavanaughCrystal Collier (ME!)C. Lee McKenzieRuth LongDarynda Jones&Amy Michele
You can get your copy FREE and enjoy these incredible author's great stories from KOBO, Smashwords, Barnes and Noble, and iTunes, or get it for $0.99 at AMAZON.
A plug for my short story, JOURNEY THROUGH THE PORTAL: Bellezza has just begun her quest to destroy the Collectors, a fraternity of noblemen who kidnap and abuse gifted children. The only problem is that they know she’s coming.
Do you have a favorite character from literature? One of your own?
September 17, 2014
Book Trouble: Read on or Set it on Fire?
Do you put a book down after a first chapter?
SourceTruthfully, I don't very often, but lately, several of the books on my kindle have been less than engaging--not saying they aren't great, I'm just not the right reader for them.
I love anything with a supernatural element, be it scary, heartwarming, or romantic. I enjoy a good family story and the occasional contemporary. Adventure, danger, fantasy, huge character arcs,..any of those will win me over.
There are two genres I don't touch: true crime, and general fiction labeled as "heart-warming," aka the-author-wants-to-mess-with-your-emotions-by-being-cruel-and-manipulative. I'll read most anything else, but the books that really get me are the ones that make me care about the main character right away, no matter the genre.
I just started reading a new book, and it's all I want to do. It's not even one of my preferred genres, but I'm hooked. Fortunately, I get to share the wonderful author and his book with you this week for Writerly Wednesday. How awesome is that?
Ready to guess the lie and win a book?
Last week, Annalisa Crawford shared OUR BEAUTIFUL CHILD 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 her eBook.
Annalisa's game:
1. Annalisa went abroad for the first time when she was 29 and heavily pregnant.
2. She's very accident prone – this year alone she's torn something in her hip, broken her big toe and had her dog land on her head.
3. She's watched The Sound of Music more than 200 times. And the lie is:
#3. She has actually never seen The Sound of Music and has no plans to..
Speaking of The Sound of Music, I played Maria Rainer (the lead) in that musical YEARS ago, and suffered from the ensuing nightmares where I had to go perform it again months or years later and couldn't remember my lines. Ug. (Traumatizing.)
Enough of that.
Way to guess those of you who got it right! And the winner is:
...DRUM ROLL...
Kristin Smith!
Congrats Kristin!
And now to today's feature:
Master assassin Shayla Carver has killed many times. That's what assassins do, nothing to lose sleep over, but this mission is different.
She's never killed a whole planet before.
In a time when Earth is little more than a legend, life is dangerous for wayward colonies. Everyone fears the Emperor’s power to order a Cleansing, the burning of all traces of civilization from the face of a planet. Shayla's own home world was Cleansed, and now, years later, she's ready to exact payment in kind.
But her meticulous planning didn't prepare her for living undercover amongst some of the two billion people she's about to slaughter. Ordinary people. Not the strutting Imperials readily dismissed as legitimate targets or collateral damage. Then there's the Emperor himself. An ordinary man with troubles and dreams of his own.
Did this man really order the slaughter of innocents?
Can she?
Now she's starting to lose sleep.
Get your copy HERE.
Ian Bott is a science fiction writer who successfully evaded the writing bug until it bit him, late in life, by means of a sneak stealth attack.
As a software developer he rebelled against mind-deadening software specifications and resolved to write technical documents fit for ordinary human consumption. From there, it was a small step to speculative fiction.
He lives in beautiful British Columbia with his wife, two children, and a steadily expanding menagerie of pets.
Ian loves all sorts of cheese, but his favorite for special occasions is a creamy Stilton with a nice glass of port.
Ian 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 GHOSTS OF INNOCENCE. How awesome is that?
You have until Tuesday, September 23, at 1 p.m. EDT to guess--and be sure to come back for the answer on September 24.
TRUTH OR LIE
1. For five consecutive years at school, Ian won the art prize despite not taking art lessons. Looking back, he feels guilty because there were some very good artists who were probably royally peeved.
2. At University, he managed to instigate a riot that hit national headlines.
3. He built a pirate ship in the back yard, complete with masts, flags, and crows nest.
Which is the lie? Have you put down any books lately? If so, why? Have you read anything lately that really grabbed you and you HAD to keep going? What genre of books do you love/can't stand?
SourceTruthfully, I don't very often, but lately, several of the books on my kindle have been less than engaging--not saying they aren't great, I'm just not the right reader for them. I love anything with a supernatural element, be it scary, heartwarming, or romantic. I enjoy a good family story and the occasional contemporary. Adventure, danger, fantasy, huge character arcs,..any of those will win me over.
There are two genres I don't touch: true crime, and general fiction labeled as "heart-warming," aka the-author-wants-to-mess-with-your-emotions-by-being-cruel-and-manipulative. I'll read most anything else, but the books that really get me are the ones that make me care about the main character right away, no matter the genre.
I just started reading a new book, and it's all I want to do. It's not even one of my preferred genres, but I'm hooked. Fortunately, I get to share the wonderful author and his book with you this week for Writerly Wednesday. How awesome is that?
Ready to guess the lie and win a book?
Last week, Annalisa Crawford shared OUR BEAUTIFUL CHILD 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 her eBook.
Annalisa's game:
1. Annalisa went abroad for the first time when she was 29 and heavily pregnant.2. She's very accident prone – this year alone she's torn something in her hip, broken her big toe and had her dog land on her head.
3. She's watched The Sound of Music more than 200 times. And the lie is:
#3. She has actually never seen The Sound of Music and has no plans to..
Speaking of The Sound of Music, I played Maria Rainer (the lead) in that musical YEARS ago, and suffered from the ensuing nightmares where I had to go perform it again months or years later and couldn't remember my lines. Ug. (Traumatizing.)
Enough of that.
Way to guess those of you who got it right! And the winner is:
...DRUM ROLL...
Kristin Smith!
Congrats Kristin!
And now to today's feature:
Master assassin Shayla Carver has killed many times. That's what assassins do, nothing to lose sleep over, but this mission is different. She's never killed a whole planet before.
In a time when Earth is little more than a legend, life is dangerous for wayward colonies. Everyone fears the Emperor’s power to order a Cleansing, the burning of all traces of civilization from the face of a planet. Shayla's own home world was Cleansed, and now, years later, she's ready to exact payment in kind.
But her meticulous planning didn't prepare her for living undercover amongst some of the two billion people she's about to slaughter. Ordinary people. Not the strutting Imperials readily dismissed as legitimate targets or collateral damage. Then there's the Emperor himself. An ordinary man with troubles and dreams of his own.
Did this man really order the slaughter of innocents?
Can she?
Now she's starting to lose sleep.
Get your copy HERE.
Ian Bott is a science fiction writer who successfully evaded the writing bug until it bit him, late in life, by means of a sneak stealth attack.As a software developer he rebelled against mind-deadening software specifications and resolved to write technical documents fit for ordinary human consumption. From there, it was a small step to speculative fiction.
He lives in beautiful British Columbia with his wife, two children, and a steadily expanding menagerie of pets.
Ian loves all sorts of cheese, but his favorite for special occasions is a creamy Stilton with a nice glass of port.
Ian 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 GHOSTS OF INNOCENCE. How awesome is that?
You have until Tuesday, September 23, at 1 p.m. EDT to guess--and be sure to come back for the answer on September 24.
TRUTH OR LIE
1. For five consecutive years at school, Ian won the art prize despite not taking art lessons. Looking back, he feels guilty because there were some very good artists who were probably royally peeved.
2. At University, he managed to instigate a riot that hit national headlines.
3. He built a pirate ship in the back yard, complete with masts, flags, and crows nest.
Which is the lie? Have you put down any books lately? If so, why? Have you read anything lately that really grabbed you and you HAD to keep going? What genre of books do you love/can't stand?
September 10, 2014
Moving, Part 2: Dirty Laundry and Other Dastardly Duties
It's moving day, AGAIN, but today's move is a happy one. Today I'm moving here:
Yippee!!!
(Isn't it pretty?)
I'm a little apprehensive about what my new cleaning schedule will be like, and I'm happy to take on a slave live-in tourist who will help care for the property. Any takers? I'll be listening to/watching fireworks every night from Disney World. Awesome, right? So that's the reason I'm somewhat absent today, but I'll be back this weekend to answer comments and say hi to everyone.
And why not some cleaning funnies to celebrate:
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Source
Source
Source
Source
Quick aside, I just have to say it, reviewers are AWESOME! This last week Barb Taub was kind enough to review MOONLESS. Pop over to see what she had to say.
Any big things happening for you this week/month/year?
Ready to guess the lie and win a book?
Last week, C.M. Keller shared SCREWING UP BABYLON 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 two of her eBooks.
C.M.'s game:
1. C.M. kissed a gargoyle on Notre Dame cathedral.
2. When she was a teenager, she drove the car with her eyes closed several times.
3. She has a rare auto-immune disease that makes her hair fall out. And the lie is:
#1. She apparently hasn't snogged a stone monument.
Way to guess those of you who got it right! And the winner is:
...DRUM ROLL...
Suzi!
Congrats Suzi!
And now to today's feature:
“The Boathouse collects misfits. Strange solitary creatures that yearn for contact with the outside world, but not too much. They sit, glass in hand, either staring at the table in front of them, or at some distant point on the horizon.” … so says the narrator of Our Beautiful Child. And he’s been around long enough to know.
People end up in this town almost by accident. Ella is running away from her nightmares, Sally is running away from the memories of previous boyfriends and Rona is running away from university. Each of them seek sanctuary in the 18th century pub, The Boathouse; but in fact, that’s where their troubles begin.
Ella finds love, a moment too late; Rona discovers a beautiful ability which needs refining before she gets hurt; and Sally meets the captivating Murray, who threatens to ruin everything.
Three women. Three stories. One pub.
Get your copy HERE.
Annalisa Crawford lives in Cornwall UK, with a good supply of beaches and moorland right on her doorstep to keep her inspired. She lives with her husband, two sons, a dog and a cat.Despite her location, she neither surfs nor sails, and has never had any inclination t;po try. She much prefers walking along a deserted beach and listening to the waves crashing over rocks. For this reason, she really love the beach in the winter!
Annalisa says she's a boring cheddar eater (no such thing!) and rediscovered the joy of a cheese and onion sandwich the other day.
She 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 OUR BEAUTIFUL CHILD. How awesome is that?
You have until Tuesday, September 16, at 1 p.m. EDT to guess--and be sure to come back for the answer on September 17.
TRUTH OR LIE
1. Annalisa went abroad for the first time when she was 29 and heavily pregnant.
2. She's very accident prone – this year alone she's torn something in her hip, broken her big toe and had her dog land on her head.
3. She's watched The Sound of Music more than 200 times.
Which is the lie? Have you moved recently? Any big news happening for you? One of your own? Do you love time travel stories? Do you like stories that reach deep, emotionally?
September 5, 2014
The Shadow King's Pet
Hello! I'm briefly breaking my normal schedule for a good cause.
Today I'm sharing a story that will be part of a charitable anthology to benefit an animal shelter. (Permission granted.) This wonderful compilation is brought to you by Kyra Lennon, and several other wonderful authors will be contributing. Check out Kyra's place to learn more. Happy reading!
The Shadow King's Pet
Source“The Shadow King is always looking for a new heir,” Grandfather said, his white hairs twitching in a breeze from the air conditioning. “One filled with light to replace the child who fled from him ages ago.”
“The rebellious prince,” Katia finished for him, grinning. She’d heard this story a dozen times while camped around the family living room, but it never lost its appeal. The rebellious prince was cursed for his betrayal, banished solely to the light where he had eventually married a mortal. He was protected by his truest friend, a terrible beast. Katia loved the story when she was younger—until she learned it was one of grandfather’s delusional inventions to help them both cope with Grandma’s death. Mom and Dad couldn’t get him to stop telling the story like it had happened to him, and with Katia’s 16th birthday only hours away, she’d grown to see through his mental sickness.
She picked a crumb off her plate on the coffee table, what was left from her slice of early celebration birthday cake. Grandfather would be in dialysis tomorrow and unable to visit, although she wondered why he’d scheduled the procedure for tomorrow. “Grandfather, it’s just a story.”
His dark eyes turned on hers, the wrinkles around his eyes falling smooth as his smile faded to nothing. “No, Katia, it is not a story. Your father didn’t inherit the light, but you are special and you had best stay away from the King of Shadows.” His fists were clenched white. “He would like nothing more than my granddaughter.”
Katia shivered at the sobriety behind grandfather’s words. She had always assumed the fairytale was one to keep her from sneaking out of bed when she was younger, but the pain glistening in Grandfather’s eyes was more than just a bedtime story. Darn him, she was too old to fear the dark!
Weight landed in her lap. Katia jumped. Pepkin, her butterscotch tabby, curled up and rubbed his furry cheek against the back of her hand. She ran her fingers through his mane, giving him a grateful rub for the distraction. His purr soothed her, as did his presence.
“I have nothing to fear so long as Pepkin is with me.” She lifted the cat’s face and rubbed her nose against his pink one. “You’ll keep me safe, won’t you Pepkin?”
His purring increased. Grandfather snatched his cane and lifted one leg over the side of the flowered couch, his brows furrowed low. He steadied on his feet and tapped his cane twice. “You stay out of the shadows.” He aimed for the door. “Remember the light within.”
“Yes, Grandfather,” she whispered.
***
Katia slipped down the stairs, aimed for the fridge. At midnight it would be her birthday, and she wanted a slice of cake to enjoy when the clock changed. Was it pitiful that she was celebrating only with family—that her friends were all away on summer vacation, leaving her to suss out this life-altering transition alone?
Fur brushed her bare leg. She reached down and caught the offender’s tail, giving it a playful tug. “You’re not trying to trip me down the stairs, are you Pepkin?”
The cat didn’t reply.
SourceShe flipped on the kitchen light with five minutes to spare and quickly dished herself up some raspberry-lemon cake. She sat on the counter. Pepkin jumped up next to her, his tail batting comfortingly across her arm.
11:59…
Midnight.
“Yay! Happy sweet-sixteen to me!” She pumped a fist and glanced around the kitchen.
The bay window around the breakfast nook sucked her in. It was too dark—like a black hole, like all the light had been drained out of that corner, and what remained was tangible blackness. A shiver rattled through her.
Katia couldn’t pull her eyes from the pitch. It had swallowed the light, and now it wanted to swallow her. There was something on the other side of that darkness. She wanted to open the doorway and see what waited beyond.
“Crazy,” she muttered, but she didn’t sound convinced. Stay away from the shadows. She’d seen Grandfather serious many times, but never quite so sober as he’d been tonight—not a single lame pun in their entire conversation.
Pepkin growled.
She twisted toward the cat, startled she stood in the middle of the kitchen, half way to the summoning corner. How had that happened?
SourceThe cat leapt down from the counter and circled around her feet, cutting her off from her intended trajectory. His hackles rose, back arching.
A low chuckle bounced off the tile. Katia whirled to the darkness. Her heart thundered through her ears, breath coming in short gasps. She could just make out the outline of a man swathed in the shadows of the alcove.
How had he gotten in? The doors were locked. Dad never left a window or lock unchecked…
Her mouth was frozen, unable to voice the questions like someone had placed a wool mitten across her lips.
“Kit me-nan rach na.” The words echoed from the intruder, but she understood their meaning: Come to me, my little one.
Her tongue loosed. “Who...who are you?”
His laugh filled her ears, filled the very fabric of existence. “You know me. Do not pretend the cage they trapped you in for sixteen years has robbed you of your intuition.”
Katia lifted her eyes, begging him to step into the light and fearing he would. “The Shadow King.”
He clicked his tongue. “I prefer Lord of Shadows, but for you, I am also blood. Come to me, my princess, and I will make you queen of the night.”
Queen of the night. Queen. “What do you want from me?”
“Come with me, and learn.”
She stepped toward the darkness, stumbling into the furry lump of her best animal friend.
Pepkin’s body convulsed at her feet, ballooning outward and expanding. A ferocious growl shook the kitchen and a beast the size of a lion uncurled in front of her, replacing her cat. The feline turned on the man swathed in shadows. Fangs glistened around its snarl.
“Da ach malanrach?” The harsh words were aimed at the lion, harder to understand than before, like she’d been yanked back from the source: Will you stand against me again?
Katia fumbled backwards, searching for a knife or rolling pin, something she could use to defend herself. The glow of snake-like irises permeated the pitch, brilliant green as the intruder grew to the size of a bear. Shadows stretched across the room, shrinking the lights.
Lion-Pepkin coiled, his robust legs trembling with power. The man in the shadows stepped closer, darkness advancing with him. Pitch curled over Pepkin’s paws like tar. The jungle cat pulled back and let out a moan, his front legs trapped in the darkness. The Shadow King reared up in the murk, lifting a fist-full of black talons.
SourceKatia snatched a butcher’s knife from the block and swung it at the blackness, screaming, “You will not hurt my cat!”
The Lord of Shadows froze.
Was he afraid of her? No, his glowing eyes were fixed on the light reflected off the butcher’s knife, then where it sliced into the darkness just above his shoulder.
She gasped. He was afraid of the light.
Pepkin hissed, his claws scraping into the tile floor. The Shadow King pounced forward. He descended toward her faithful pet, talons poised to slash.
Katia twisted the blade, sending light right into the Shadow Lord’s eyes. He howled and dropped away. His essence seeped into the shadows around the corners of the room. She followed the movement, like ink gliding along the bottom of the cabinets. It slipped between the fridge and counter. She twisted the knife, ready for the enemy.
Words hissed forth, “My son betrayed me and stole away all hope for an heir. Come with me, precious one. You are the future!”
Grandfather’s story… It was true?
Blackness reared out of the cracks, a devastating black cyclone swallowing the kitchen whole.
There was nothing—like space without stars. She was lost. She belonged to the shadows. Her life was ended.
Fur wrapped around her legs, Pepkin’s familiar presence, only larger.
“We’re trapped, aren’t we?” she whispered.
The giant cat moaned. The fur shifted, shrinking. Bones crackled until a humanoid body pressed up against her back, one hard with muscles. “It is a prison.” His voice was deep, but young.
“What are you?” she whispered, stumbling away. “No cat could become…”
“The Shadow Lord’s lieutenant.”
She swallowed.
“I am Pepkin, head of the shadow kingdom’s guard, or at least I was. I fled with the prince, vowing to protect him with my life, and he promised in turn to keep me safe within his light—only I cannot occupy his world of light except in the form of a creature.” His voice softened. “Mortality has taken him, and the prince is now old. His powers are failing.”
“You’re a shape-shifter?”
Silence. “Did you not think it odd your cat had lived more than fifteen years and was strong and healthy?”
She had no answer for him. It was more than she could process. He was a shadow soldier, the rebellious prince was real, and that made her…
“You are an heir of light and darkness,” the Shadow King’s hiss startled her. “My great-granddaughter.”
Katia whirled, a weight pulling on her fist, the butcher’s knife. Grandfather was the rebellious prince?
An heir of light.That’s what the Shadow King had said. Grandfather’s words rattled through her brain: Remember the light within. He had promised to keep Pepkin safe in his light. What did that mean?
“I have light,” she realized. Warmth bloomed up from within, glowing first in her chest, a ball of brilliance.
“No, child,” the Shadow King growled out of nowhere, “Join me in the darkness. It is your kingdom, your destiny!”
“I believe we make our own destiny.” Katia unleashed the warmth at her core. It shot outward, cracking the darkness like shards of glass. Brilliance filled the space. Nothing but blinding whiteness existed.
A shriek launched through the air. She pushed the light harder. The shriek bit off and she was left in silence, listening to her own panting.
A furry tail wrapped around her leg, as if telling her the enemy was gone, she was safe. Katia hoped the light hadn’t damaged Pepkin when it forced him to change form. She let the luminescence fade out. Darkness engulfed them once more and snapping joints filled her ears as he transitioned back to human—or whatever he was.
Hands grasped either of her arms. “Katia,” Pepkin said urgently, “you must return to your world. The Shadow King will come again, but he cannot take you without your consent while in the world of light.”
“H-how?” She lifted her face to where his must be. “How do I go back?”
“Use the light. Open the door.”
She swallowed. “And you? Will you come with me?”
He huffed. “You would have me join you in that realm, even after I have revealed my true nature?”
She ran her fingers up his arm. The skin was smooth, normal. “What do you look like?”
“I hardly know, and neither shall you. I am meant for darkness.”
“If you stay here, will you be hunted for betraying the Shadow King?”
He hesitated.
“Come with me,” she insisted, then laughed. “If I decide you’re too much of a bother I can always open the door and shove you back through.”
He laughed with her. “I should like very much to return with you.”
“Good, because you’re kind of my family pet.”
He silenced, and she slid her hand around his. “Well, here we go, I hope.”
SourceLight sliced into the pitch, a wall opening up, revealing her waiting birthday cake beyond. One evil Shadow Lord on the prowl, one crazy grandfather who had a ton of explaining to do, and her best furry friend, who was suddenly something much more. Happy birthday to me.
Brief Bio: Crystal Collier is the author of the Maiden of Time trilogy, along with several short stories. She can be found practicing her brother-induced ninja skills while teaching children or madly typing about fantastic and impossible creatures. She has lived from coast to coast and now calls Florida home with her creative husband, three littles, and “friend” (a.k.a. the zombie locked in her closet). Secretly, she dreams of world domination and a bottomless supply of cheese.
Today I'm sharing a story that will be part of a charitable anthology to benefit an animal shelter. (Permission granted.) This wonderful compilation is brought to you by Kyra Lennon, and several other wonderful authors will be contributing. Check out Kyra's place to learn more. Happy reading!
The Shadow King's Pet
Source“The Shadow King is always looking for a new heir,” Grandfather said, his white hairs twitching in a breeze from the air conditioning. “One filled with light to replace the child who fled from him ages ago.”“The rebellious prince,” Katia finished for him, grinning. She’d heard this story a dozen times while camped around the family living room, but it never lost its appeal. The rebellious prince was cursed for his betrayal, banished solely to the light where he had eventually married a mortal. He was protected by his truest friend, a terrible beast. Katia loved the story when she was younger—until she learned it was one of grandfather’s delusional inventions to help them both cope with Grandma’s death. Mom and Dad couldn’t get him to stop telling the story like it had happened to him, and with Katia’s 16th birthday only hours away, she’d grown to see through his mental sickness.
She picked a crumb off her plate on the coffee table, what was left from her slice of early celebration birthday cake. Grandfather would be in dialysis tomorrow and unable to visit, although she wondered why he’d scheduled the procedure for tomorrow. “Grandfather, it’s just a story.”
His dark eyes turned on hers, the wrinkles around his eyes falling smooth as his smile faded to nothing. “No, Katia, it is not a story. Your father didn’t inherit the light, but you are special and you had best stay away from the King of Shadows.” His fists were clenched white. “He would like nothing more than my granddaughter.”
Katia shivered at the sobriety behind grandfather’s words. She had always assumed the fairytale was one to keep her from sneaking out of bed when she was younger, but the pain glistening in Grandfather’s eyes was more than just a bedtime story. Darn him, she was too old to fear the dark!
Weight landed in her lap. Katia jumped. Pepkin, her butterscotch tabby, curled up and rubbed his furry cheek against the back of her hand. She ran her fingers through his mane, giving him a grateful rub for the distraction. His purr soothed her, as did his presence.“I have nothing to fear so long as Pepkin is with me.” She lifted the cat’s face and rubbed her nose against his pink one. “You’ll keep me safe, won’t you Pepkin?”
His purring increased. Grandfather snatched his cane and lifted one leg over the side of the flowered couch, his brows furrowed low. He steadied on his feet and tapped his cane twice. “You stay out of the shadows.” He aimed for the door. “Remember the light within.”
“Yes, Grandfather,” she whispered.
***
Katia slipped down the stairs, aimed for the fridge. At midnight it would be her birthday, and she wanted a slice of cake to enjoy when the clock changed. Was it pitiful that she was celebrating only with family—that her friends were all away on summer vacation, leaving her to suss out this life-altering transition alone?
Fur brushed her bare leg. She reached down and caught the offender’s tail, giving it a playful tug. “You’re not trying to trip me down the stairs, are you Pepkin?”
The cat didn’t reply.
SourceShe flipped on the kitchen light with five minutes to spare and quickly dished herself up some raspberry-lemon cake. She sat on the counter. Pepkin jumped up next to her, his tail batting comfortingly across her arm.11:59…
Midnight.
“Yay! Happy sweet-sixteen to me!” She pumped a fist and glanced around the kitchen.
The bay window around the breakfast nook sucked her in. It was too dark—like a black hole, like all the light had been drained out of that corner, and what remained was tangible blackness. A shiver rattled through her.
Katia couldn’t pull her eyes from the pitch. It had swallowed the light, and now it wanted to swallow her. There was something on the other side of that darkness. She wanted to open the doorway and see what waited beyond.
“Crazy,” she muttered, but she didn’t sound convinced. Stay away from the shadows. She’d seen Grandfather serious many times, but never quite so sober as he’d been tonight—not a single lame pun in their entire conversation.
Pepkin growled.
She twisted toward the cat, startled she stood in the middle of the kitchen, half way to the summoning corner. How had that happened?
SourceThe cat leapt down from the counter and circled around her feet, cutting her off from her intended trajectory. His hackles rose, back arching. A low chuckle bounced off the tile. Katia whirled to the darkness. Her heart thundered through her ears, breath coming in short gasps. She could just make out the outline of a man swathed in the shadows of the alcove.
How had he gotten in? The doors were locked. Dad never left a window or lock unchecked…
Her mouth was frozen, unable to voice the questions like someone had placed a wool mitten across her lips.
“Kit me-nan rach na.” The words echoed from the intruder, but she understood their meaning: Come to me, my little one.
Her tongue loosed. “Who...who are you?”
His laugh filled her ears, filled the very fabric of existence. “You know me. Do not pretend the cage they trapped you in for sixteen years has robbed you of your intuition.”
Katia lifted her eyes, begging him to step into the light and fearing he would. “The Shadow King.”
He clicked his tongue. “I prefer Lord of Shadows, but for you, I am also blood. Come to me, my princess, and I will make you queen of the night.”
Queen of the night. Queen. “What do you want from me?”
“Come with me, and learn.”
She stepped toward the darkness, stumbling into the furry lump of her best animal friend.
Pepkin’s body convulsed at her feet, ballooning outward and expanding. A ferocious growl shook the kitchen and a beast the size of a lion uncurled in front of her, replacing her cat. The feline turned on the man swathed in shadows. Fangs glistened around its snarl.
“Da ach malanrach?” The harsh words were aimed at the lion, harder to understand than before, like she’d been yanked back from the source: Will you stand against me again?
Katia fumbled backwards, searching for a knife or rolling pin, something she could use to defend herself. The glow of snake-like irises permeated the pitch, brilliant green as the intruder grew to the size of a bear. Shadows stretched across the room, shrinking the lights.
Lion-Pepkin coiled, his robust legs trembling with power. The man in the shadows stepped closer, darkness advancing with him. Pitch curled over Pepkin’s paws like tar. The jungle cat pulled back and let out a moan, his front legs trapped in the darkness. The Shadow King reared up in the murk, lifting a fist-full of black talons.
SourceKatia snatched a butcher’s knife from the block and swung it at the blackness, screaming, “You will not hurt my cat!”The Lord of Shadows froze.
Was he afraid of her? No, his glowing eyes were fixed on the light reflected off the butcher’s knife, then where it sliced into the darkness just above his shoulder.
She gasped. He was afraid of the light.
Pepkin hissed, his claws scraping into the tile floor. The Shadow King pounced forward. He descended toward her faithful pet, talons poised to slash.
Katia twisted the blade, sending light right into the Shadow Lord’s eyes. He howled and dropped away. His essence seeped into the shadows around the corners of the room. She followed the movement, like ink gliding along the bottom of the cabinets. It slipped between the fridge and counter. She twisted the knife, ready for the enemy.
Words hissed forth, “My son betrayed me and stole away all hope for an heir. Come with me, precious one. You are the future!”
Grandfather’s story… It was true?
Blackness reared out of the cracks, a devastating black cyclone swallowing the kitchen whole.
There was nothing—like space without stars. She was lost. She belonged to the shadows. Her life was ended.
Fur wrapped around her legs, Pepkin’s familiar presence, only larger.
“We’re trapped, aren’t we?” she whispered.
The giant cat moaned. The fur shifted, shrinking. Bones crackled until a humanoid body pressed up against her back, one hard with muscles. “It is a prison.” His voice was deep, but young.
“What are you?” she whispered, stumbling away. “No cat could become…”
“The Shadow Lord’s lieutenant.”
She swallowed.
“I am Pepkin, head of the shadow kingdom’s guard, or at least I was. I fled with the prince, vowing to protect him with my life, and he promised in turn to keep me safe within his light—only I cannot occupy his world of light except in the form of a creature.” His voice softened. “Mortality has taken him, and the prince is now old. His powers are failing.”
“You’re a shape-shifter?”
Silence. “Did you not think it odd your cat had lived more than fifteen years and was strong and healthy?”
She had no answer for him. It was more than she could process. He was a shadow soldier, the rebellious prince was real, and that made her…
“You are an heir of light and darkness,” the Shadow King’s hiss startled her. “My great-granddaughter.”
Katia whirled, a weight pulling on her fist, the butcher’s knife. Grandfather was the rebellious prince?
An heir of light.That’s what the Shadow King had said. Grandfather’s words rattled through her brain: Remember the light within. He had promised to keep Pepkin safe in his light. What did that mean?
“I have light,” she realized. Warmth bloomed up from within, glowing first in her chest, a ball of brilliance.
“No, child,” the Shadow King growled out of nowhere, “Join me in the darkness. It is your kingdom, your destiny!”
“I believe we make our own destiny.” Katia unleashed the warmth at her core. It shot outward, cracking the darkness like shards of glass. Brilliance filled the space. Nothing but blinding whiteness existed.
A shriek launched through the air. She pushed the light harder. The shriek bit off and she was left in silence, listening to her own panting.
A furry tail wrapped around her leg, as if telling her the enemy was gone, she was safe. Katia hoped the light hadn’t damaged Pepkin when it forced him to change form. She let the luminescence fade out. Darkness engulfed them once more and snapping joints filled her ears as he transitioned back to human—or whatever he was.
Hands grasped either of her arms. “Katia,” Pepkin said urgently, “you must return to your world. The Shadow King will come again, but he cannot take you without your consent while in the world of light.”
“H-how?” She lifted her face to where his must be. “How do I go back?”
“Use the light. Open the door.”
She swallowed. “And you? Will you come with me?”
He huffed. “You would have me join you in that realm, even after I have revealed my true nature?”
She ran her fingers up his arm. The skin was smooth, normal. “What do you look like?”
“I hardly know, and neither shall you. I am meant for darkness.”
“If you stay here, will you be hunted for betraying the Shadow King?”
He hesitated.
“Come with me,” she insisted, then laughed. “If I decide you’re too much of a bother I can always open the door and shove you back through.”
He laughed with her. “I should like very much to return with you.”
“Good, because you’re kind of my family pet.”
He silenced, and she slid her hand around his. “Well, here we go, I hope.”
SourceLight sliced into the pitch, a wall opening up, revealing her waiting birthday cake beyond. One evil Shadow Lord on the prowl, one crazy grandfather who had a ton of explaining to do, and her best furry friend, who was suddenly something much more. Happy birthday to me. Brief Bio: Crystal Collier is the author of the Maiden of Time trilogy, along with several short stories. She can be found practicing her brother-induced ninja skills while teaching children or madly typing about fantastic and impossible creatures. She has lived from coast to coast and now calls Florida home with her creative husband, three littles, and “friend” (a.k.a. the zombie locked in her closet). Secretly, she dreams of world domination and a bottomless supply of cheese.
September 3, 2014
Amazing, Epic, and Mind-Blowing News...IWSG and a Giveaway
Have you dealt with health challenges?For 4 or 5 years now, I've been struggling. The last 3 years have been a slow improvement from a really bad place, and all that time I've been writing but longing for something completely different, something that would probably prevent me from writing.
I finally got my wish. With over a year of miscarriage after miscarriage behind us, we are expecting.
My writing may slow down, but I'm one happy mama. (So what if there's a 8.5 year gap between kids?) Life is good, and I think when we hit these moments, we really just have to enjoy them because the rain will come soon enough.
Speaking of which, here's some confetti for IWSG's 3 year anniversary!
Are you happy about something today?
Ready to guess the lie and win a book?
Last week, Laura Howard shared her THE FORGOTTEN ONES 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 her ebook.
Laura's game:
1. Laura's favorite number is 9. 2. She's the mother of two sets of twins.
3. All four of her kids names end with the letter "n."And the lie is:
#2. She does have 4 kids, but she can't actually imagine having them so close together. (And I'll second that!)
Way to guess those of you who got it right! And the winner is:
...DRUM ROLL...
Cherie Reich!
Congrats Cherie!
And now to today's feature:
Babylon, one of the most powerful and notorious empires ever, is the last place Mark wants to go. But when he discovers his girlfriend Miranda has been kidnapped and given to the king as a concubine, he travels through the colors of time to rescue her. It won’t be easy, not when the Hanging Gardens are a trap, his life is the prize in a game, and time is a prison. It will take all Mark’s cunning, the help of his friends, and a crazed chimp to free Miranda. When he does, time itself begins to unravel, and a life must be sacrificed or no one will survive.Get your copy HERE.
C. M. Keller is Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award quarter finalist and the author of SCREWING UP TIME, SCREWING UP BABYLON, SCREWING UP ALEXANDRIA, and the short story "Screwing Up Mongolia." She loves old movies and poison rings. She and her husband have four children and she's currently working on her next YA novel, the fourth book in Mark and Miranda's story. She dies for an amazing Roquefort Carles cheese that she had in Le Grand Vefour in Paris. (Hand-made cheese from the milk of a Lacaune sheep that grazes on the grass of the Causses plateau.)
C. M. 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 TWO of her eBooks, Screwing Up Time and Screwing Up Babylon. How awesome is that?
You have until Tuesday, September 9, at 1 p.m. EDT to guess--and be sure to come back for the answer on September 10.
TRUTH OR LIE
1. C.M. kissed a gargoyle on Notre Dame cathedral.
2. When she was a teenager, she drove the car with her eyes closed several times.
3. She has a rare auto-immune disease that makes her hair fall out.
Which is the lie? Do you have any good news to share? Do you love time travel stories? When was the last time something truly amazing happened in your life?
August 27, 2014
Do the Dead Hope?
This last week we lost a valuable and optimistic member of our blogging community, Tina Downey. It left me thinking about death. (Imagine that.)Have you lost someone dear to you? I've lost several. The first one was my great grandmother when I was 16. She encouraged my budding music talents and losing her was like losing my muse. Several years later I lost my father, and hero, to cancer. The next year I lost a brother--the happiest person I've ever known.
Death to me is very personal, and it's also a symbol of hope.
Hope you ask?
Yes, hope. I believe in an afterlife. I believe I will be reunited with my loved ones, and although I miss them frequently, the pain is bearable because I trust in that distant sunrise when I'll see their faces again and hug the stuffing out of them.
Some people might call that hope crazy. How can I believe what I can't see? Well, because I trust what I feel. I believe those we love who've moved on to the other side are watching over us. I've felt them, encouraging me along during the dark corridors of my life, and how can I mistake the love and steady assurances of my father? We are far less alone than we believe.
Death is sad. It's hard to be parted physically, but it is an opportunity to embrace the life-sustaining power of hope.
Enough of deep thoughts, eh? Ready to guess the lie and win a book?
Last week, Mary Pax shared her RIFTERS series 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 her ebooks.
Mary's game:
1. Mary stood behind Kurt Vonnegut once in line at a newstand. They spoke for hours in the gardens of Dag Hammerskjold smoking Shermans. 2. She went on a ghost hunt in the Caribbean. On Nevis there’s a tale about a woeful bride who had a fateful wedding day.
3. On the first date with her husband unit, she hit his car. She was pretty sure there’d be no second date. Fooled her! And the lie is:
#1. It's true, Mary stood behind Kurt Vonnegut once and she did smoke once upon a time and started smoking the same cigarettes he did, but she was too chicken to talk to him.
Way to guess those of you who got it right! And the winner is:
...DRUM ROLL...
Lynda R Young!
Congrats Lynda!
And now to today's feature:
Allison O'Malley's plan is to go to grad school so she can get a good job and take care of her schizophrenic mother. She has carefully closed herself off from everything else, including a relationship with Ethan, who she's been in love with for as long as she can remember.What is definitely not part of the plan is the return of her long-lost father, who claims he can bring Allison's mother back from the dark place her mind has gone. Allison doesn't trust her father, so why would she believe his fairy tale about a long forgotten Irish people, the Tuatha de Danaan? But truths have a way of revealing themselves. Secrets will eventually surface. And Allison must learn to set aside her plan and work with her father if there is even a small chance it could restore her mother's sanity.
Get your copy HERE.
Laura Howard lives in New Hampshire with her husband and four children. Her obsession with books began at the age of 6 when she got her first library card. Nancy Drew, Sweet Valley High and other girly novels were routinely devoured in single sittings. Books took a backseat to diapers when she had her first child. It wasn't until the release of a little novel called Twilight, 8 years later, that she rediscovered her love of fiction. Soon after, her own characters began to make themselves known.You might stumble across Laura eating gooey cream cheese on an onion bagel in her dining room, although she likes just about any cheese.
Laura 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 her eBook. How awesome is that?
You have until Tuesday, September 2, at 1 p.m. EDT to guess--and be sure to come back for the answer on September 3rd.
TRUTH OR LIE
1. Laura's favorite number is 9.
2. She's the mother of two sets of twins.
3. All four of her kids names end with the letter "n."
Which is the lie? What do you believe about death? Have you lost a close loved one? Do you love fairy stories?
August 20, 2014
Angry with Authors
I read a book this last weekend that I really enjoyed, until the last line.
Ug.
There was so much conflict, so much struggle, so much longing and hope for something better. There were epic battles, HUGE sacrifices, and pain... And all of that would have been worth it, except for that darn last line.
I think about that sometimes, about life and goals and how we strive and hope for an ultimate outcome. We may even fight and sacrifice for that outcome, but it all comes down to that last line. Do we eventually give up? Do we hold strong until the very end?
Source
Ready to guess the lie and win a book?
Last week, the Jay Noel shared SHADOW WARRIOR 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 one of his ebooks.
Jay's game:
1. Jay had a near-death experience in his 20's.
2. His biggest fear is being poked in the eye.
3. He went skydiving on his 40th birthday. And the lie is:
#3. Jay did not go skydiving for his 40th birthday.
Way to guess those of you who got it right! And the winner is:
...DRUM ROLL...
Diane Carlisle!
Congrats Diane!
And now to today's feature:
A junction between the worlds erupts.
The Gold Rush trickles to a fool’s quest and a string of stagecoach heists. In 1888, Earl Blacke makes a new start to become a better man. He escapes into the mountains, heading north. In the wilds of Oregon, a rift inside an ancient volcano opens, sending him into the future, into the present day. It also shaves thirty years off his age, thirty years to live over and atone for what he’s done.
Starting over is hard to do. In current day New York City, Daelin Long’s dream job at a publishing house goes the way of the dinosaurs her sister chases. With no money and nowhere else to go, Daelin accepts the librarian position in her sister’s dinky town in the middle of Oregon. Nestled inside ancient volcanic peaks, the town of Settler holds onto many secrets. Residents roam the streets with weirdly fashioned devices, and odd lights pulse in the night skies. People whisper of a phantom outlaw and start dying, murdered and missing their heads. Worse, Daelin’s sister is missing, and Daelin doesn’t know who to trust.
Earl knows more than he’s saying. He shares a notorious history with the phantom, one he’ll see remains buried. Keeping Daelin’s sister’s secrets is his only chance at redemption, and the only way to keep this world safe.
MARY PAX ~ M. Pax is author of the series, The Backworlds, The Rifters, and has other novels and several short stories published. Fantasy, science fiction, and the weird beckons to her, and she blames Oregon for that, a source of endless inspiration. She docents at Pine Mountain Observatory in the summers, teaching the public about the stars and the galaxy. A Bachelors of Science in Journalism, she had former lives in marketing and television before settling down to write.
You might stumble across Mary while on a picnic out in the wilds of Oregon or at a lunch gathering with my writer gal pals, munching on brie.
Mary 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 BOTH eBook's: The Rifters, and The Initiate--before release. How awesome is that?
You have until Tuesday, August 26th, at 1 p.m. EDT to guess--and be sure to come back for the answer on August 27th.
TRUTH OR LIE
1. Mary stood behind Kurt Vonnegut once in line at a newstand. They spoke for hours in the gardens of Dag Hammerskjold smoking Shermans.
2. She went on a ghost hunt in the Caribbean. On Nevis there’s a tale about a woeful bride who had a fateful wedding day.
3. On the first date with her husband unit, she hit his car. She was pretty sure there’d be no second date. Fooled her!Which is the lie? Do you have a secret goal you're pushing toward? Have you ever given up on something and then wished you hadn't? What do you think of time rifts?
Ug.
There was so much conflict, so much struggle, so much longing and hope for something better. There were epic battles, HUGE sacrifices, and pain... And all of that would have been worth it, except for that darn last line.
I think about that sometimes, about life and goals and how we strive and hope for an ultimate outcome. We may even fight and sacrifice for that outcome, but it all comes down to that last line. Do we eventually give up? Do we hold strong until the very end?
Source
Ready to guess the lie and win a book?
Last week, the Jay Noel shared SHADOW WARRIOR 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 one of his ebooks.
Jay's game:
1. Jay had a near-death experience in his 20's.2. His biggest fear is being poked in the eye.
3. He went skydiving on his 40th birthday. And the lie is:
#3. Jay did not go skydiving for his 40th birthday.
Way to guess those of you who got it right! And the winner is:
...DRUM ROLL...
Diane Carlisle!
Congrats Diane!
And now to today's feature:
A junction between the worlds erupts.
The Gold Rush trickles to a fool’s quest and a string of stagecoach heists. In 1888, Earl Blacke makes a new start to become a better man. He escapes into the mountains, heading north. In the wilds of Oregon, a rift inside an ancient volcano opens, sending him into the future, into the present day. It also shaves thirty years off his age, thirty years to live over and atone for what he’s done.
Starting over is hard to do. In current day New York City, Daelin Long’s dream job at a publishing house goes the way of the dinosaurs her sister chases. With no money and nowhere else to go, Daelin accepts the librarian position in her sister’s dinky town in the middle of Oregon. Nestled inside ancient volcanic peaks, the town of Settler holds onto many secrets. Residents roam the streets with weirdly fashioned devices, and odd lights pulse in the night skies. People whisper of a phantom outlaw and start dying, murdered and missing their heads. Worse, Daelin’s sister is missing, and Daelin doesn’t know who to trust.
Earl knows more than he’s saying. He shares a notorious history with the phantom, one he’ll see remains buried. Keeping Daelin’s sister’s secrets is his only chance at redemption, and the only way to keep this world safe.
MARY PAX ~ M. Pax is author of the series, The Backworlds, The Rifters, and has other novels and several short stories published. Fantasy, science fiction, and the weird beckons to her, and she blames Oregon for that, a source of endless inspiration. She docents at Pine Mountain Observatory in the summers, teaching the public about the stars and the galaxy. A Bachelors of Science in Journalism, she had former lives in marketing and television before settling down to write. You might stumble across Mary while on a picnic out in the wilds of Oregon or at a lunch gathering with my writer gal pals, munching on brie.
Mary 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 BOTH eBook's: The Rifters, and The Initiate--before release. How awesome is that?
You have until Tuesday, August 26th, at 1 p.m. EDT to guess--and be sure to come back for the answer on August 27th.
TRUTH OR LIE
1. Mary stood behind Kurt Vonnegut once in line at a newstand. They spoke for hours in the gardens of Dag Hammerskjold smoking Shermans.
2. She went on a ghost hunt in the Caribbean. On Nevis there’s a tale about a woeful bride who had a fateful wedding day.
3. On the first date with her husband unit, she hit his car. She was pretty sure there’d be no second date. Fooled her!
Which is the lie? Do you have a secret goal you're pushing toward? Have you ever given up on something and then wished you hadn't? What do you think of time rifts?
August 13, 2014
Sharks, Souls, Shampoo and Haagen-Dazs
I need a laugh. Do you need a laugh? (I'm kind of on a movie kick, so bear with me.)
But first, C. Lee Mckenzie had me over at her place on Monday, sharing my BEST writerly advice. Check it out.
Ready to guess the lie and win a book?
Last week, the awesome R. Mac Wheeler shared his massive collection of books 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 any one of his books.
Mac's game:
1. Mac rarely steps out the door of his house without a camera in hand.
2. He has never taken a writing class.
3. He maxed out the 140 MPH speedometer on his GS 750 while racing down Mt. Franklin. And the lie is:
#2. Mac knew he wanted to be a writer by the sixth grade, and took every creative writing class he could in high school and college. He never finished his first novel attempt, a children’s story. It took him ten years to finish his first novel, which ended up being split into three novels, twenty years later.
Way to guess those of you who got it right! And the winner is:
...DRUM ROLL...
Jennifer Hawes!
Congrats Jennifer!
And now to today's feature:
The agony of a failed quest haunts Kanze Zenjiro, but the betrayal by those he trusted has turned his world upside down. With a heart full of hatred and defeat, Zen is desperate to get back to Nihon and demand the truth from his father.
Meanwhile, the Iberian Empire sends their soaring airships and steam-powered giants into The Orient. They threaten to upset the balance of power, hoping to exploit the faraway land in their greed for the resources needed to power their machines. Zen and his companions must fight to keep the world from plunging into total destruction.
And at the center of it all is a nine year old boy with the power of a god.Get your copy HERE.
Jay Noel was born in New York but lives in St. Louis with his family. He received a degree in English, and despite what people say, an English degree isn't a big waste of time. Jay's been blogging since 2005, and he's a regular contributor to CultureBrats.com and inkPageant.com.
His favorite cheese is Provel cheese. It's a St. Louis invention and combines Swiss, cheddar, and provolone cheeses. It's perfect on pizza or a salad and he loves to eat it in his sun room while listening to the waterfall in his pond.
Jay 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 your choice of either of his eBook's: Dragonfly Warrior OR Shadow Warrior.
You have until Tuesday, August 19th, at 1 p.m. EDT to guess--and be sure to come back for the answer on August 20th.
TRUTH OR LIE
(We're going with scary things today.)
1. Jay had a near-death experience in his 20's.
2. His biggest fear is being poked in the eye.
3. He went skydiving on his 40th birthday.
AND while you're here, this is the final week to sign up for:
DO IT! Features include: Promotional Spotlights with excerptsMeet the CastA first chapter readingA special Halloween VlogAuthor and Character interviews.(There will be cheese--otherwise known as prizes for the amazing people who help with the tour...which may involve cheese, or other amazing things.)
Which is the lie? Do you like steampunk books? When's the last time you did something that scared you?
But first, C. Lee Mckenzie had me over at her place on Monday, sharing my BEST writerly advice. Check it out.
Ready to guess the lie and win a book?
Last week, the awesome R. Mac Wheeler shared his massive collection of books 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 any one of his books.
Mac's game:
1. Mac rarely steps out the door of his house without a camera in hand.2. He has never taken a writing class.
3. He maxed out the 140 MPH speedometer on his GS 750 while racing down Mt. Franklin. And the lie is:
#2. Mac knew he wanted to be a writer by the sixth grade, and took every creative writing class he could in high school and college. He never finished his first novel attempt, a children’s story. It took him ten years to finish his first novel, which ended up being split into three novels, twenty years later.
Way to guess those of you who got it right! And the winner is:
...DRUM ROLL...
Jennifer Hawes!
Congrats Jennifer!
And now to today's feature:
The agony of a failed quest haunts Kanze Zenjiro, but the betrayal by those he trusted has turned his world upside down. With a heart full of hatred and defeat, Zen is desperate to get back to Nihon and demand the truth from his father.Meanwhile, the Iberian Empire sends their soaring airships and steam-powered giants into The Orient. They threaten to upset the balance of power, hoping to exploit the faraway land in their greed for the resources needed to power their machines. Zen and his companions must fight to keep the world from plunging into total destruction.
And at the center of it all is a nine year old boy with the power of a god.Get your copy HERE.
Jay Noel was born in New York but lives in St. Louis with his family. He received a degree in English, and despite what people say, an English degree isn't a big waste of time. Jay's been blogging since 2005, and he's a regular contributor to CultureBrats.com and inkPageant.com.His favorite cheese is Provel cheese. It's a St. Louis invention and combines Swiss, cheddar, and provolone cheeses. It's perfect on pizza or a salad and he loves to eat it in his sun room while listening to the waterfall in his pond.
Jay 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 your choice of either of his eBook's: Dragonfly Warrior OR Shadow Warrior.
You have until Tuesday, August 19th, at 1 p.m. EDT to guess--and be sure to come back for the answer on August 20th.
TRUTH OR LIE
(We're going with scary things today.)
1. Jay had a near-death experience in his 20's.
2. His biggest fear is being poked in the eye.
3. He went skydiving on his 40th birthday.
AND while you're here, this is the final week to sign up for:
DO IT! Features include: Promotional Spotlights with excerptsMeet the CastA first chapter readingA special Halloween VlogAuthor and Character interviews.(There will be cheese--otherwise known as prizes for the amazing people who help with the tour...which may involve cheese, or other amazing things.)
Which is the lie? Do you like steampunk books? When's the last time you did something that scared you?
