Crystal Collier's Blog, page 20

True Heroes: E for Get Your Brain Working

True heroes are all around us, in our every day lives, but some people stand out. During this A-Z Challenge I hope to share several of my real life heroes, and invite you to share yours in the comments.

We home school. I know that's crazy to most people, but I'm just beginning to really see the results--in character, in understanding, in individual creativity and accountability. Some days I still think we're insane and wonder why I ever agreed to this, and then I think about people like...

instein, Albert. My son freaks out about this guy--who was so brilliant he got lost when biking back to his own house, or who forgot to put on pants, or who was so invested in his work he didn't even realize his second wife was blind initially.

Besides figuring out the Theory of Relativity, a theory for the time-space continuum, and a formula for discerning the energy of any mass, he is known as one of the most brilliant minds of our time. The guy was dyslexic and came from Germany, leaving behind a country ruled by Adolf Hitler for the safety of the U.S (as a non-observant Jew). He also helped built the atomic bomb, which, say what you will, is evil, but has proved a power that gave this nation its standing in the world as one not to be threatened.

What do I admire about Einstein? His crazy study and personal championing of free thought. He clashed with conventional schools and their way of thought. He was always pushing the boundaries, imagining and then seeking to prove some far-fetched and impossible concept. If only we had a few more free thinkers like that in our midst, can you imagine the society we'd live in?


If you haven't heard yet, for the month of April ONLY, MOONLESS is $1.99!

Recent reviewers have said: "I was transported back in time, right beside Alexia Dumont as the fate of her future loomed in front of her. Loved the connection between Alexia and her blue-eyed, swoon-worthy rescuer, Kiren. Crystal Collier did a great job of interweaving the historical and the supernatural and she definitely left me wanting more!" --Kristin Smith

"Not my typical genre so I started it with some reservation! I was completely roped in by the end and cant wait for the sequel. Very unique and interesting story line. I am hooked." --Linda Voorhees

"This was an interesting take on fantasy, that encouraged increasing involvement as the story progressed. Was hard to put down, especially as the characters and their roles became more developed." --Kenneth Lent

 Get your copy HERE.

And in case you missed my announcement (this blogosphere has been a busy place for the last week!) I'm moving. Yay! We're building a gorgeous new house, and I'll be in transition this summer. Because of that, my publisher has been kind enough to push back the release date for
and I'll be announcing the release date on MONDAY. Wahoo!


What is your take on creativity vs common education? Do you admire Einstein? Have you ever known anyone so gifted they almost couldn't function in society?

True Heroes: Dare to Dream, or the infamous "D"

True heroes are all around us, in our every day lives, but some people stand out. During this A-Z Challenge I hope to share several of my real life heroes, and invite you to share yours in the comments.

One of my favorite bits of advice from my teenagedom was "Dare to dream," and when you put that idea together with the fact we live in Florida, there's really only one option for D.

isney, Walt: Here's an extreme risk taker who believed so hard in his dreams that he risked EVERYTHING, and ended up leaving a family legacy for the world.

Walt dropped out of school at 16 and went to work for the Red Cross in France. Upon returning, he tried to find a career as a newspaper cartoonist, but no one would hire him. His brother got him a job at the bank, and he started creating ads for them. When he quit, he and a colleague tried to start their own commercial company.

And failed.

He didn't give up though. He got another job, built connections, and started a "hobby" studio for animation with a friend in their off time. Innovating the cartooning process, he moved into cell cartooning rather than cut out cartooning and landed a deal with a local theater.

Success!

He was able to start his own studio full time, that eventually failed in bankruptcy. Fail #2.

Did he quit? No. He sold what little he could and relocated to Hollywood where he formed yet another studio, going into business with this brother. Finally some success...

Until a New York studio stole his workers and intellectual rights for Oswald the Lucky Rabbit right out from under him. Ah, the legal system...

That would have taken me out of the game, but you know Walt. He didn't quit. He picked up a pencil and created his greatest success and lasting legacy: Mickey Mouse. Finally this inspiring entrepreneur got his feet under him. And then the biggest decision of his career: Snow White.

He mortgaged everything. The world was betting against him. He was literally living off his last pennies when the movie hit the silver screen, and blew the world away.

Did Walt stop there? No. Classic after classic, and then if that wasn't enough, an amusement park! Then another one, including an experimental futuristic community (EPCOT--which he never got to finish). Every endeavor was another huge risk, and as he tells his own story, he expected to lose his shirt with each one. This guy was a visionary and I hear his courage and determination every time someone sings, "No matter how you heart is dreaming, if you keep on believing, the dream that you wish will come true."




April ONLY, MOONLESS is $1.99! Get your copy HERE. DO IT NOW. (Because seriously, if you don't you're missing out.)


Who inspires you to take risks? Do you like Disney? What's your favorite Disney produced movie?

True Heroes A to Z: C is Hard

True heroes are all around us, in our every day lives, but some people stand out. During this A-Z Challenge I hope to share several of my real life heroes, and invite you to share yours in the comments.
For me, "C" is hard. Having a "C" name, I'm extra sensitive to C people, so the ones I was choosing from were C.S. Lewis (love this guy!), Christopher Columbus (but I wrote about an explorer/expansionist yesterday) and Clara Barton (Founder of the American Red Cross). They were all epic choices, but I wanted to share someone a little closer to home today.

ollier, Matt: My adorable other half.

I met this guy when I was sixteen. He was twenty. At first, I didn't think much except that he was older and funny, but his brother was funnier. And younger. Matt won out because he was chivalrous.

It was that same aspect that impressed me on our second date. He treated all women with incredible respect. He held the door for me. He dished up my ice cream--when we were in my house, with my utensils. He spoke of his mother and sisters with reverence and respect. He wouldn't let me pay for any part of a date. EVER.

He was smart--as in become-a-doctor, rocket-scientist, anything-you-want kind of smart, but never placed too much emphasis on money. His focus was on the people around him--serving others, making sure they were happy, and concerned for their well being. The thing that stood out above all else, was his devotion to God.

We had and continue to have our own fairy-tale romance, and here's the secret: His greatest goal in life was to be married and make his wife the happiest woman in the world. Some days I wonder how I got so lucky. I have some rather far-out dreams, but he keeps them alive and encourages me on every front. He pushes me out the door and believes in me so hard, I have to believe in myself. He's been the love of my life for 16 years, and by my side for 14 of them.

He's my best friend.


A quick heads up, for the month of April ONLY, MOONLESS is $1.99! Get your copy HERE.
Do you have a best friend? Someone who encourages and keeps you going? Any heroes that start with C? (Besides me. LOL.) 

A Dyslexic IWSG and A to Z: B

My apologies for a busy post today, but you're about to discover PURE AWESOMENESS. (That's a promise.) First, some exciting news! For the month of April ONLY, MOONLESS is $1.99! Get your copy HERE.

Hosted by Alex J. Cavanaugh, Hart Johnson, Chemist Ken, Candilynn Fite, Terri Rochenski, Clare Dugmore, and Lilica Blake, IWSG happens every first Wednesday of the month and is an opportunity for writers to express their deep seeded worries. 

This last month, I took a "reading test." Now for some of us, reading comes easy. For some (pointing to self) it takes a great deal of effort to become proficient, even while loving the written word. We've never been formally diagnosed, but my sisters and I have all struggled with reading. For me it was always an issue of reading out of sequence, whether mixing up letters or actual words. Most people read in a line, right? One word after another? I can't get my brain to work that way.

SO, I took a reading test...

Now, let me clarify, I'm constantly reading about 8 to 10 books, with a steady 1/2 hr of reading every morning plus an additional 10 to 30 minutes reading out loud each night--and regular binge reading. I typically finish 2 to 5 books a week (we're not talking picture books here), with a few stolen hours around the crazy of life, and I NEVER ever forget a book I've read.

So the reading test results? Average.

Brr?

The conclusion: I suck at tests, and should avoid taking them whenever possible. I have great reading comprehension, and when I burn through a full novel in a total of 4 to 8 hrs, well, I'd say that's an accomplishment considering my history. Who cares what a stupid test says, and more importantly, I can't let it get me down.

I'm awesome. I've overcome some major obstacles, and I should rejoice in that.

How about you? Have you ever struggled with reading?


True heroes are all around us, in our every day lives, but some people stand out. During this A-Z Challenge I hope to share several of my real life heroes, and invite you to share yours in the comments.

righam Young. So maybe you've heard his name mentioned. He's basically the reason the western part of the US (other than California) is populated. This guy led a church of people who had been condemned to death under an extermination order in Missouri. I bet you didn't know that. Yes, the governor made it legal to kill Mormons. Welcome to the land of the free. Seeking for freedom and safety, after having appealed to the US government several times and been denied, the people packed up and followed Brigham into the desert. Yes, desert. As in little rain, no crops, and a hard existence--initially.

Now this is the part that gets me. After they left the US and were no longer a part of it, the military actually sent an order for them to supply a number of men to assist in the Mexican/American war. You know, the military that let them be raped and pillaged and killed while under their "protection." Brigham gathered up a battalion of men and sent them anyway. He had been tested and humbled early in his association with the church when the founder and his friend, Joseph Smith, publicly condemned him for being a sinner and calling him to repentance--when no actual offence had been committed. It was a test. Brigham's reply was an apology, with a hung head, and a promise to do better. Joseph embraced him, and expressed his love, then corrected the accusation. This humble man had proved his character in the face of public humiliation.

Brigham loved his family and actually started an organization for his many daughters that continues today, a program that includes goals and standards to cultivate talents, knowledge, growth, and lays the foundation for contributing members of society and future mothers.

Lastly, if you live in Utah, Arizona, New Mexico, Idaho etc, you may be living in one of the communities Brigham started by sending groups to establish them. To me, Brigham is an example of fortitude, humility, and enterprising.

I want to be as determined, steady and entrepreneurial as him. I want to be an accomplisher of epic stuff, although I can do without the death and mayhem.


Are you ready to meet a new author and enter to win an awesome book? 
Last week, Emma Adams shared Darkness Watching 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!

Emma's game:
1. Emma scuba-dived in the Great Barrier Reef.

2. She wrote Darkness Watching while living in a cabin in the Costa Rican jungle.
3. She's never been to the USA. 
And the lie is: 

#3. Emma has technically been to the US, but only overnight when her plane back from Costa Rica got stranded at the Houson, TX airport.

Way to guess those of you who got it right! You are officially human lie detectors. And the winner is:

...DRUM ROLL...

Suzanne Furness!
Congrats Suzanne!
And now to today's feature, a book I TOTALLY love:
The kids at Sam's school never knew if they should make fun of her for being too smart or too dumb. That's what it means to be dyslexic: smart, and illiterate. Sam is sick of it. So when her mom gets a job in a faraway city, Sam decides not to tell anyone about her little illiteracy problem. Without her paradox of a reputation, she falls in with a new group of highly competitive friends who call themselves the Brain Trust. When she meets Nate, her charming valedictorian lab partner, she declares her new reality perfect. But in order to keep it that way, she has to keep her learning disability a secret. The books are stacked against her and so are the lies. Sam's got to get the grades, get the guy, and get it straight--without being able to read.

Pick up your copy HERE.
And now, let me introduce you to the wonderful author:  Kate Scott lives in the suburbs outside Portland, Oregon with her husband Warren. Kate was diagnosed with dyslexia as a young child but somehow managed to fall in love with stories anyway. Counting to D is her first novel. When Kate isn’t writing, she enjoys listening to audiobooks, camping, and spending time with her friends and family. Kate also spends a lot of time doing math and sciency things and is a licensed professional engineer.

Kate loves Mozzarella melted on pizza.
Kate 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 a chance to win Counting to D (eBook). Awesome, right? You have until Tuesday, April 8, at 1 p.m. EDT to guess--and be sure to come back for the answer on April 9.
TRUTH OR LIE
1. Kate is allergic to ketchup.2. Kate's left foot once stayed asleep (pins and needles) for three years.3. She once built a 15-foot snowman with a forklift.


Okay friendlies, which is the lie? Have you ever struggled with reading? Have you checked out Kate's awesome book? Are there any explorers, expansionists or visionaries you admire?  

A SUPER Amazing Announcement & True Heroes from A to Z: A

True heroes are all around us, in our every day lives, but some people stand out. During this A-Z Challenge I hope to share several of my real life heroes, and invite you to share yours in the comments.

As I've been reading up on my heroes, I've been humbled and awed by all the amazing people out there. My heart is filled with gratitude for the inspiring individuals who have dared to make a difference in the world, and in my own personal life. So, let's get this party started, eh?

braham Lincoln: There has rarely been an age in history as pivotal as the time of Abraham Lincoln's presidency. Just thinking about the tension that threatened to tear the United States to pieces makes me shiver, and Lincoln bore that immense weight on his shoulders as he tried to do what was right, not just for humanity, but for a struggling nation.

Part of the reason I adore Lincoln so much is his roots. He came from humble circumstances, a one room cabin, a farm, little between him and the people he would one day govern. His mother died when he was 9, and I can only imagine his heart ache.

His father remarried, and this was his proposal: "I have no wife and you no husband. I came a-purpose to marry you. I knowed you from a gal and you knowed me from a boy. I’ve no time to lose: and if you’re willin’ let it be done straight off."

His new wife, Sarah, ended up being the influence that moved Abraham to read and learn. She must have been a powerful woman indeed to have guided so important a young man through his youth.

We all know about the times of the civil war, about the war that would free the slaves in America, and how it nearly split this country into two pieces. Men of his time must have ruled Lincoln a dictator with the harsh treatment of the south. I'm sure he questioned constantly if he was doing the right thing, seeing all the suffering, hearing all the rage in the public. I, for one, am extremely grateful a man of so great a character stood his ground and corrected a great mistake the founding fathers allowed to infect this country.

He is my favorite president. Ever. I want to be like him, in times of crisis, able to hold to my values no matter what the world says.


And now some exciting news! For the month of April ONLY, MOONLESS is $1.99! Get your copy HERE.

And next, some happy news, and not so happy news. I'm moving! Yay! We're building a gorgeous new house, and I'll be in transition this summer. The not so happy news? Because of that, my publisher has been kind enough to push back the release date for
a couple months. Better to have a sane author than a dead one, eh? I'll be announcing the new release date shortly.


What about you? Do you have a political hero? What are your feelings on Lincoln? Have you picked up your copy of Moonless?

Laugh with Me, then Win a Book

Break ups can be messy, right? 


Yeah, I know, no demons involved, although a sparkly vampire is pretty darn close. Have you seen this video before? It cracks me up every time!

Oh, a quick heads up, I'm hanging at Kristin Smith's blog today. Come check out why I'm a TOTAL CHEATER.


Are you ready to meet a new author and enter to win an awesome book? 

Last week, Julie Musil shared The Boy Who Loved Fire  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!

Julie's game:

1.  This California girl likes to be near the ocean, but won’t swim in it.

2. Julie met her hubby in the snack line when she was in 7th grade.

3. At 5’ 3”, Julie the tallest girl in her family.
And the lie is: 

#3. Lie: Julie is only 5’ 1”, but still the tallest girl in her family. Her mom is slightly shorter than her, she has one sister who is 4’ 11” and another who tops out at 4’ 10”.

Way to guess those of you who got it right! You are officially human lie detectors. And the winner is:

...DRUM ROLL...

Connie Keller!


Congrats Connie!
And now to today's feature... Do you like to battle demons? 

Eighteen-year-old Ashlyn is one interview away from her future when she first sees the demons. She thinks she's losing her mind, but the truth is far more frightening: she can see into the Darkworld, the home of spirits– and the darkness is staring back.
Desperate to escape the demons, Ash accepts a place at a university in the small town of Blackstone, in the middle of nowhere - little knowing that it isn't coincidence that led her there but the pull of the Venantium, the sorcerers who maintain the barrier keeping demons from crossing from the Darkworld into our own world.
All-night parties, new friendships and a life without rules or limits are all part of the package of student life - but demons never give up, and their focus on Ash has attracted the attention of every sorcerer in the area. Ash is soon caught between her new life and a group of other students with a connection to the Darkworld, who could offer the answers she's looking for. The demons want something from her, and someone is determined to kill her before she can find out what it is. 
In a world where darkness lurks beneath the surface, not everyone is what they appear to be...
Pick up your copy HERE.
And now, let me introduce you to the wonderful author: 
Emma spent her childhood creating imaginary worlds to compensate for a disappointingly average reality, so it was probably inevitable that she ended up writing fantasy and paranormal for young adults. She was born in Birmingham, UK, which she fled at the first opportunity to study English Literature at Lancaster University. In her three years at Lancaster, she hiked up mountains, skydived in Australia, and endured a traumatic episode involving a swarm of bees in the Costa Rican jungle. She also wrote various novels and short stories. These included her first publication, a rather bleak dystopian piece, and a disturbing story about a homicidal duck (which she hopes will never see the light of day).
Now a reluctant graduate, Emma can usually be found in front of her writing desk. Her debut novel The Puppet Spell, published by Rowanvale Books, is a fantasy tale for young adults and the young at heart, inspired by her lifelong love of the fantastical, mythology, and video games. Emma also writes urban fantasy/supernatural novels for older teens and adults. She is currently working on several projects, including the planned 5-book upper-YA/New Adult Darkworld series. The first novel, Darkness Watching, was published in 2013 by Curiosity Quills Press.
Emma likes cheddar, and can be found eating it at her desk, because her characters won't let her leave. 
Emma 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 a chance to win Darkness Watching (eBook). Awesome, right? You have until Tuesday, April 1, at 1 p.m. EDT to guess--and be sure to come back for the answer on April 2.
TRUTH OR LIE
1. I've scuba-dived in the Great Barrier Reef.2. I wrote Darkness Watching while living in a cabin in the Costa Rican jungle.3. I've never been to the USA. 

Okay friendlies, which is the lie? Have you ever had a messy break up? Do like books with demons? And are you participating the the A to Z Challenge next week? 

Fire! (And the A to Z Theme Reveal)

Are you on fire?

SourceThis is a question I ask myself daily. Am I on fire with my kids? With my husband? With my housekeeping? Home schooling? Writing? Promotions? Community service?

I want to be.

Some days I feel completely burned out--like everything I've got is consumed. For the last couple years I've been mostly having those days. I know it's a result of health challenges around some especially crazy times...like the publishing of my debut novel, but I've also decided it's a choice.

The aim is to be on fire, right? We want to light the torches around us, to set people aflame, to inspire others.

Today I'm on fire. By choice. I can feel it all the way from my insomniatic toes and up.

I think we all have that choice. We may face times when we're discouraged or struggling, but you are the one who ultimately decides how you'll be.

And remember, fire is contagious. Share your flame. Light your corner of the world, and burn bright.


Are you ready to meet a new author and enter to win an awesome book? 

Last week, Emilyann Girdner shared The Labyrinth Wall 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!

Emilyann's game:


1. A brown recluse spider bit her forehead and nearly killed Emilyann when she was three years old.
2. She met Drew Barrymore when she visited a friend at her Sony Pictures job in L.A. a couple years ago.
3. Her first language was Turkish.
And the lie is: 

#2. Emilyann did visit her friend and get to see Adam Sandler in person, but no Drew. Unfortunately the spider bite is true, and she has the scar to prove it! And her father was in the Air Force, so she lived in Turkey until she was five years old.

Way to guess those of you who got it right! You are officially human lie detectors. And the winner is:

...DRUM ROLL...

Garrison James!


Congrats!
Are you into fires? I'm a bit of a pyro, which is why Julie Musil's book title really grabbed me. (And yes, I am reading this one.) Since she's one of my amazing buddies, I invited her here to share with you: 


Manny O’Donnell revels in his status at the top of his high school food chain. He and his friends party in the mountains on a blustery night, sharing liquor and lame ghost stories around a campfire. The next morning, as a wild fire rages in those same mountains, Manny experiences doubt. He was the last of the drunken crew to leave the cave, and he’s uncertain if he extinguished the flames. Within hours, he becomes the number one arson suspect.
Santa Ana winds + matches = disaster. You’d think he would've learned that the first time he started a fire.
As he evades a determined arson investigator, Manny, a modern-day Scrooge, is visited by ghosts of the past, present, and future. He’s forced to witness the fate of his inadvertent victims, including Abigail, the scarred beauty who softens his heart. Manny must choose between turning around his callous, self-centered attitude, or protecting his own skin at the expense of anyone who gets in his way.
Pick up your copy HERE.
And now, let me introduce you to the wonderful author: 
Julie Musil writes Young Adult novels 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 novel The Boy Who Loved Fire is available now. For more information, or to stop by and say "Hi," please visit Julie on her blog, on Twitter, and on Facebook.

You might run across Julie eating gooey mozzarella pizza with her family.
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 a chance to win The Boy Who Loved Fire (eBook). Awesome, right? You have until Tuesday, March 25, at 1 p.m. EDT to guess--and be sure to come back for the answer on March 26.
TRUTH OR LIE
1.  This California girl likes to be near the ocean, but won’t swim in it.
2.  Julie met her hubby in the snack line when she was in 7th grade.3. At 5’ 3”, Julie the tallest girl in her family.

P.S. I'm hanging out at Emilyann's place. Get the scoop behind the cheese! (Or should I say wedge?)
And lastly...


You may have noticed I like to blog about things that make you laugh, and things that make you think. (And hopefully some that make you want to read.) Last year we enjoyed an entire series about How to Find Happiness, so I decided to stick with the inspirational route and blog about:
TRUE HEROES
I'm going to introduce my personal heroes throughout history and life, and I invite you to share yours. (Please!) Let's get inspired by awesome people that make us want to become our ultimate selves!
Find the rest of the hop HERE.

So, friendlies, which is the lie? Are you on fire? What has you burning today? Will you be back to share your heroes? 

Fire!

Are you on fire?

SourceThis is a question I ask myself daily. Am I on fire with my kids? With my husband? With my housekeeping? Home schooling? Writing? Promotions? Community service?

I want to be.

Some days I feel completely burned out--like everything I've got is consumed. For the last couple years I've been mostly having those days. I know it's a result of health challenges around some especially crazy times...like the publishing of my debut novel, but I've also decided it's a choice.

The aim is to be on fire, right? We want to light the torches around us, to set people aflame, to inspire others.

Today I'm on fire. By choice. I can feel it all the way from my insomniatic toes and up.

I think we all have that choice. We may face times when we're discouraged or struggling, but you are the one who ultimately decides how you'll be.

And remember, fire is contagious. Share your flame. Light your corner of the world, and burn bright.


Are you ready to meet a new author and enter to win an awesome book? 

Last week, Emilyann Girdner shared The Labyrinth Wall 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!

Emilyann's game:


1. A brown recluse spider bit her forehead and nearly killed Emilyann when she was three years old.
2. She met Drew Barrymore when she visited a friend at her Sony Pictures job in L.A. a couple years ago.
3. Her first language was Turkish.
And the lie is: 

#2. Emilyann did visit her friend and get to see Adam Sandler in person, but no Drew. Unfortunately the spider bite is true, and she has the scar to prove it! And her father was in the Air Force, so she lived in Turkey until she was five years old.

Way to guess those of you who got it right! You are officially human lie detectors. And the winner is:

...DRUM ROLL...

Garrison James!


Congrats!
Are you into fires? I'm a bit of a pyro, which is why Julie Musil's book title really grabbed me. (And yes, I am reading this one.) Since she's one of my amazing buddies, I invited her here to share with you: 


Manny O’Donnell revels in his status at the top of his high school food chain. He and his friends party in the mountains on a blustery night, sharing liquor and lame ghost stories around a campfire. The next morning, as a wild fire rages in those same mountains, Manny experiences doubt. He was the last of the drunken crew to leave the cave, and he’s uncertain if he extinguished the flames. Within hours, he becomes the number one arson suspect.
Santa Ana winds + matches = disaster. You’d think he would've learned that the first time he started a fire.
As he evades a determined arson investigator, Manny, a modern-day Scrooge, is visited by ghosts of the past, present, and future. He’s forced to witness the fate of his inadvertent victims, including Abigail, the scarred beauty who softens his heart. Manny must choose between turning around his callous, self-centered attitude, or protecting his own skin at the expense of anyone who gets in his way.
Pick up your copy HERE.
And now, let me introduce you to the wonderful author: 
Julie Musil writes Young Adult novels 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 novel The Boy Who Loved Fire is available now. For more information, or to stop by and say "Hi," please visit Julie on her blog, on Twitter, and on Facebook.

You might run across Julie eating gooey mozzarella pizza with her family.
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 a chance to win The Boy Who Loved Fire (eBook). Awesome, right? You have until Tuesday, March 25, at 1 p.m. EDT to guess--and be sure to come back for the answer on March 26.
TRUTH OR LIE
1.  This California girl likes to be near the ocean, but won’t swim in it.
2.  My hubby and met in the snack line when I was in 7th grade3. At 5’ 3”, Julie the tallest girl in her family.

So, friendlies, which is the lie? Are you on fire? What has you burning today?

Geeky Imagination

Are you ready to geek out with me? Here we go.

First off, Stephen Tremp's new book, Escalation is finally out! Yay for Stephen (and all us readers)! As part of that, today I'm participating in the...

2014 Annual National Wormhole Week (or 2014 Wormfest) hosted by Stephen Tremp, Alex J. Cavanaugh, and L. Diane Wolf: For 2014, the theme is to name one thing where science advances mankind, and one where the same technology with unforeseen consequences will go too far and set mankind back.

If you've been around here long, you might have heard me chatting about the scientists locked in my Floridian basement . (Think about that one for a second.) They create all kinds of amazing gadgets--like a teleportation device I had to break after they started escaping testing it. Ahem. They're very close on a cloning device, and we've even discussed a weather modifier... BUT my favorite invention is the Time Stopper.

On the plus side, you never have to stop working because you can just hit pause on time and freeze the world around you. SUPER convenient when writing or reading. Or, if you need a break, you just hit pause and take a nap.

On the not so plus side, your memory may end up like this.



If you forget your anti-aging elixir, you may end up like this:


You'd lose all urgency to do anything, and take ten years to clean the bathroom rather than a week. SO, while I love this technology, I'll be keeping it to myself, and ensuring that my scientists remain happily placated in their prison laboratory.


Are you ready to meet a new author and enter to win an awesome book? 

Last week, Katharina Gerlach shared Scotlands Guardians with us, along with two truths and one lie. Those who guessed the lie correctly were entered into a random drawing for one of three chances to win her eBooks!

Cat's game:


1. Cat loves to go shopping, especially for shoes.
2. She's married to the love of her life, whom she met at the ripe old age of 16.
3. She sold her first story when she was ten.
And the lie is: 

#1. Cat is SO not a shoe person. 

Way to guess those of you who got it right! You are officially human lie detectors. And the winners are:

...DRUM ROLL...

Jess
Susan Gourley/Kelley
Carrie Butler


Congrats, ladies!
Do you love mazes? I've always been fascinated by them. Today I have the privilege of introducing a wonderful friend who wrote an entire book about a labyrinth. Oooh! Check it out:
Araina’s isolated teenage life is forever altered when she witnesses a man emerge through a rippling wall into the dark labyrinth she calls home. As a result of the stranger’s arrival, Araina’s Creators have unleashed a series of magical attacks using the labyrinth against its inhabitants. Now Araina must decide if she will trust potentially deceitful allies in order to reach safety on the other side of the labyrinth wall.

Will the walls that confine her be the walls that set her free? 
Pick up your copy HERE.
And now, let me introduce you to the wonderful author: 
Though she was born in Germany and raised in Turkey until the age of five, Emilyann Girdner spent the majority of her grade school years in Tallahassee, Florida. She discovered early she had a love for stories. Reading books, watching movies and then acting them out with friends or toys gave living an extra flavor. This is likely why she spent the first part of her college career studying Creative Writing, before switching to Graphic Design and then graduating with a BFA in Digital Art (2011) from Missouri State University. Her novel The Labyrinth Wall is an Amazon Best-Seller and the first installment of the Obsidian Series.

Given her three focus transitions as an undergraduate, it isn't a shock that she is a multi-medium lover, exploring writing, digital art, photography and design. She finds that her creativity is most fluent when given the opportunity to bounce between artistic outlets.

To truly understand this Author, there are two things to know. Emilyann hopes to share a love for others and God in all she does. She believes that imagination sparks beauty in the soul.

You might run across her eating Mexican cheese dip at the El Jimador restaurant in Missouri.  Yummmyyy!!
Emilyann 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 a chance to win The Labyrinth Wall (eBook). Awesome, right? You have until Tuesday, March 18, at 1 p.m. EDT to guess--and be sure to come back for the answer on March 19.
TRUTH OR LIE
1. A brown recluse spider bit her forehead and nearly killed Emilyann when she was three years old.

2. She met Drew Barrymore when she visited a friend at her Sony Pictures job in L.A. a couple years ago.

3. Her first language was Turkish.


So, friendlies, which is the lie? Do you have a technology hiding your basement that may or may not destroy the world? What is your favorite/least favorite technological advancement of the last century? 

Scotland, Lions and Germany, oh my!

It is WRITERLY WEDNESDAY! (And IWSG, and Gratitude hop...) But how would you like a few laughs first?

Since March comes in like a lion...


Source Source
And there you have it.

Are you ready to meet a new author and enter to win an awesome book? 



Last week, Barb and Hannah Taub shared with us their Nully City books, along with two truths and one lie. Those who guessed the lie correctly were entered into a random drawing to win both eBooks!

The Taub game:

 1. Barb's roommate is the ghost of the abandoned sweetheart in the Bobby Shafto nursery rhyme. 
2. As the seventh daughter of a seventh daughter, Barb's sister would be considered a witch in many places. On the plus side, she will never have to pay for her own beer in Ireland. 
3. Barb was a Pillsbury Bake-Off (R) regional semi-finalist. 
And the lie is: 

#3. According to Barb, the Doughboy may actually be considering a restraining order against her. 

Their flat occupies one tower of Brancepeth Castle, which is supposedly haunted by Bridget Belasyse, the unfortunate girl left mourning her unfaithful suitor, Bobby Shafto. Neither of them have met the White Lady, but when their little dog absolutely refuses to go up a stairway or enter a room, other castle residents are convinced she sees the White Lady.

Way to guess those of you who got it right! You are officially human lie detectors. And the winner is:

...DRUM ROLL...

Heather Holden!
Congrats, Heather!
Today I have the privilege of introducing a wonderful German friend, Katharina Gerlach (affectionately known as Cat), and her wonderful book:
Since Bryanna grows up in Scotland, she is familiar with hobgoblins, selkies and kelpies from the tales of her mother country. But she is very surprised when she starts seeing these creatures one day. Is she hallucinating? Before she can ask her father's advice, he is kidnapped by a woman whose scent seems awfully familiar. Instead of calling the police, Bryanna follows the kidnapper and lands smack-dab in the middle of the adventure of her life. It's just as well she knows the old legends and myths well. The world she lands in is murderously dangerous.
And even if she survives the journey, she is fated to kill her father.

Pick up your copy HERE.
And now, let me introduce you to the wonderful author: 
Katharina Gerlach has been telling and writing stories all her life, but only two years ago, with the success of eBook publishing, she became an Indie author. She never looked back. Sure, her manuscripts have found praise with traditional publishers, but no one had the courage to publish something they couldn’t neatly stuff into a labeled box.
Just like her books, she doesn't fit one box. She's the daughter of a forester and a studied forestery herself. She's sister to three brothers, and a mother to three daughters. She's a tomboy at heart and simultaneously tidy and chaotic – she can’t be any different with her inner Muse dragging her one direction and inner Editor pulling in another.

There are three things in this world she loves more than anything: her family, stories (hers and those of others) and nature. The best thing that can happen is when someone she doesn’t know leaves a review for one of her books telling her how much (s)he liked it.
Her favorite cheese is Tilsiter and she loves it fried with an egg on top and a hint of paprika. You'll find her munching on this treat in her comfy chair in front of the TV. To learn more about her, sign up for her news here.
Cat 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 a chance to win Scotlands Guardians, and there will be THREE winners this week. Eek! How cool is that? You have until Tuesday, March 11, at 1 p.m. EDT to guess--and be sure to come back for the answer on March 12.
TRUTH OR LIE
 1. Cat loves to go shopping, especially for shoes.
2. She's married to the love of her life, whom she met at the ripe old age of 16.
3. She sold her first story when she was ten.



Today I'm combining the two, and I hope my wonderful friendlies will forgive me. Sheri Larsen’s IT’S ALL ABOUT GRATITUDE BLOG HOP is happening now. If you don’t follow Sheri’s blog, you can find her fantastic blog HERE.
This month I just want to say, I applaud all you authors who inspire me. This is a long journey. It's exciting one day and dog-depressing the next. I'm just so glad I have you all along with me. You rock. 


Which is the lie? Do you know any awesome lion jokes? What has you laughing today? 
P.S. I'm Over at Reading Between the Wines today. Check it out!