Konstanz Silverbow's Blog, page 30

“You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.” ― John Bunyan

“The best antidote I know for worry is work. The best cure for weariness is the challenge of helping someone who is even more tired. One of the great ironies of life is this: He or she who serves almost always benefits more than he or she who is served.” 
― Gordon B. Hinckley
“I don't want to live in the kind of world where we don't look out for each other. Not just the people that are close to us, but anybody who needs a helping hand. I cant change the way anybody else thinks, or what they choose to do, but I can do my bit.” 
― Charles de Lint
“Love is not patronizing and charity isn't about pity, it is about love. Charity and love are the same -- with charity you give love, so don't just give money but reach out your hand instead.” 
― Mother Teresa

I have a very wonderful friend who is kind, caring, helpful, supportive, beautiful inside and out, a joy to talk to! And right now she needs a little *LOT of* help. Her, along with her children will be left homeless this winter unless they can raise enough money for a down payment on a house. 

A portion of every sale of Only Half Alive (between now and December 1st) is being donated to her so she can take care of her family this winter. Help a friend out? 


Get it signed and personalized HERE! *This is the fastest way to help as of I get the money immediately. Ordering directly from me also means you get free SWAG with your order* 
Get it from Smashwords HERE! *This is the second fastest way to help as I get the money every $10 rather than every 60 days.* 
Get the paperback from Amazon HERE! 
Get the Kindle Edition from Amazon HERE! 

Want to donate directly? 
Paypal e-mail: totallyrandom15(at)yahoo(dot)com 
Please put that it is for Friends or Family and put "Home" in the subject line. 

Please SHARE with all your friends! Let's help this amazing woman get a home for herself and her family! 

And then someone . . . was offended.

Source: YaIt all started HERE. People offended over a plus-sized actress dressed in a baggy coat for a photo shoot. Complaining that it isn't fair or it isn't right that she was dressed in something baggy.

I am about to be blatantly honest; I actually think she looks GREAT in that picture. You know what else I think? I think it's so awesome that there is a gorgeous woman on that cover and she is fully clothed!

If anything, I am more offended when women do photo shoots for magazines like this one and pretty much do it naked or close enough to it that they might as well be.

But that's not even my point. No, it was this article that happened to be my breaking point for another issue entirely.


Being offended. 
Yep, that is the real crime in this entire thing. And it isn't just an issue with this article. These days it does not matter what you say or do, someone will be offended. 
And to be honest? Well I kinda summed up my feelings on it yesterday via Facebook. 
Read the post on Facebook HERE.
I can't be alone in this. If I got offended over everything that I could be offended over, I would pretty much be friendless. For example . . . do you know how often my name is misspelled? Let's just say OFTEN! Does it annoy me? Sometimes. But mostly I brush it off. It truly is not that big of a deal! I would rather remain friends with someone who isn't sure which way to spell my name than lose that friend because they had a typo!

Picture of me taken summer of 2013 at the age of 20. 

Can I tell you often I am taken for a 12 year old? Not really. It happens weekly, sometimes daily. Does it sting? YES! Does it annoy me? YES! Can I truly be mad at someone for thinking I am 12? Not really! Because seriously, I don't look my age (most of the time)! It's just the way it is. If it happened once or twice? Yes, I would have a right to be angry. But because it happens so often, clearly the majority of people truly believe I am that young!

My point? I can see how things are offensive, I understand why people are offended (to some things, others still baffle me). But I also know that it is the stupidest reason in the world to lose friends or potential friends.

Stop letting everything offend you! Don't just say you're offended, give me a reason. Stand up for your beliefs. But stop with "I'm offended . . . because of reasons!" I get it. No matter what is said or done, someone will be offended. Learn to let it go, walk away or stand up, but don't fight from the sidelines.

Spooktacular Giveaway Hop - October 15th - 31st (US/INT)

A HUGE Thank You to Kathy at I Am A Reader, Not A Writer for hosting this FANTASTIC and Spooky Giveaway Hop! 
So, what am I giveaway away?? 
A $10 Amazon Gift Card (INT)
And this (US)!!! 


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Now go enter hundreds of other giveaways!! 

Halloween Make-over!

You might have noticed some changes! Well no worries, this background is just until October 31st! I think its time for some serious change around here. You know what that means? November 1st I will be changing the background once more . . . but not to the last background.

I did love that background. One of my favorites for sure! But one thing I love about blogging is I can change the background and decor whenever I need or want. And this is one of those times. I am hoping the new changes will help make this blog feel a little more . . .fantastical!

I want this place to be a blog where you can visit knowing you will find something fun and interesting! Something full of information, a place that transports you! So I am making it more fantasy based, as that is what I write after all.

I will also be blogging more about what I love, what I do, and I will FINALLY be going to that schedule I have posted about TWICE now and then NOT been able to follow through with! YAY!

In other news, stop by tomorrow for an epic GIVEAWAY! :)

Reluctant Guardian by Melissa J. Cunningham

Author:   Melissa J. Cunningham Published:  September 20th, 2013 by Clean Teen PublishingWord Count: approx. 82,000 Genre:  YA Mature Paranormal RomanceContent Warning:  Topics such as suicide and sexual abuse implied but not describedRecommended Age:  14+


Guarding Brecken Shaefer—a dark and dangerous rebel—is harder than it looks.Death was nothing like sixteen-year-old Alisa Callahan thought it would be. Resting on pink, fluffy clouds for eternity with her gram and best friend sounded like a dream come true. After all, enduring one torturous experience after another in her short life deserved some kind of reward, right? Unfortunately, eternal rewards aren’t given out so freely when you take your own life.Required to pay the debt for committing suicide, Alisa must become a guardian. It sounds easy enough, but not when the boy she is forced to protect has a dangerous secret and wants absolutely nothing to do with her.Brecken Shaefer isn’t any normal teenager. He has special gifts that are sure to make Alisa’s afterlife miserable. When feelings develop between them, everything spins out of control. Not only must Alisa face her own demons— but to protect Brecken, she must face an evil so heinous that it threatens to destroy their souls completely. Alisa is tired of hiding from her past. When the easiest thing to do is run, can Brecken give her the strength to stay?Amazon ~ Amazon UK ~ Goodreads
:Melissa J. Cunningham began writing five years ago when she decided, out of the blue, to enter a community writing contest and won first place. From that moment on she had a new love: Writing. Melissa is a member of the League of Utah Writers. Her past publication experience includes a recurring opinion column called Writing Reality, for her local newspaper: The Leader

Melissa's first novel: Reluctant Guardian, was accepted for publication through Clean Teen Publishing in August 2013.

When Melissa is not writing you can find her spending time with her family and her horses, cats, dogs and chickens or reading. Melissa is also a local music teacher.


 ~ Blog ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ 

You can now purchase a signed, personalized copy of Only Half Alive!

 ~ Only Half Alive ~ YA Paranormal Fantasy




The world's darkest creature  will be their brightest hope! 
While darkness haunts her, she craves the light. Christina is a demon, but she doesn't want to be. She is willing to sacrifice everything to change it. Only one person stands in her way, and he will stop at nothing to keep her the way she is.

The greatest battle of light vs dark threatens every living creature, a battle that could destroy all. And the demon in love will only have one chance to save everyone.

You can now purchase a copy of Only Half Alive directly from me, signed and if you so wish, personalized! CLICK HERE to purchase a copy! 

 ~ Goodreads ~ Amazon (Paperback) ~ Kindle ~ 


 ~  Like my author page on Facebook for more updates, teasers, and giveaways ~ 

3rd Annual Twelve Books for Christmas SIGN-UPS!

Yes, I know it's only October! But this event takes time to set up and I would much rather have it ready early than late! :) On that note, it's that time of year again! Sign-ups for The Twelve Books for Christmas Giveaways! However, a few things have changed! So let me tell you all about it!

Twelve Books for Christmas



12 authors are interviewed and their book is featured starting December 10th leading up to Christmas (We start on December 10th because the event actually ends on December 23rd and I don't post on Sundays). Each author provides copies of their book to be given away. On the first day of the event the author featured will giveaway ONE copy of their book. On the second day of the event the featured author will giveaway TWO copies of their book.
On the third day of the event the featured author will giveaway THREE copies of their book.
I think you can see where this is going. 
So, are you an author wanting to participate?

Fill out the form HERE! 

*Please note* I only have room for 12 authors for this event. First come, first serve.This event is currently for YA books only. 

Who wants a MEGA MASSIVE GIVEAWAY?

I have been blogging for four (going on five) years now. And I love it! And I am so excited to see that I just hit 800 followers via GFC!

I have been on twitter for about a year and a half (I don't know exactly how long) and while I don't use it very often (aside from entering giveaways) I do use it and was surprised to see that I have 912 followers!!

I have had a Facebook page for a few years but never really used it until February of this year and am beyond ecstatic to see that I sit at 2655 likes!

And I think it's time to have a *MASSIVE* giveaway! What do you think? Yeah? So here's the deal!

Help me hit: 
1,000 blog followers (via GFC)1,000 Twitter followersAnd 3,000 likes on Facebook
If we can do this before 2014, I will do a MASSIVE GIVEAWAY that is going to blow you away!!! We're talking a Kindle Fire, signed books, e-books, gift cards, jewelry, swag, and MORE!!
You can follow the blog via GFC on the side bar ---> You can follow me on Twitter HERE! (@KonstanzS)You can "LIKE" the Facebook page HERE! 
Follow, comment below with your GFC name, Twitter handle, and Facebook name, and get extra entries! *If you only follow one way, you only have to leave the name you follow under and how you are following. But the more ways you follow, the more points you get! 
And for even more bonus points, share this post with all your friends! Spread the word! *Make sure to leave links to where you shared in the comments.


If you are an author and/or blogger and would like to donate to this giveaway please e-mail me for details!
 ~ nothought2small(at)gmail(dot)com ~ 

Cover Reveal: Adrenaline Rush by Cindy Hogan + My Book Review

 ~ Adrenaline Rush by Cindy M. Hogan  ~ Publication date: October 2013 ~ Genres: Suspense, Young Adult





A madman with a mission is kidnapping groups of thrill-seeking high school seniors across the country, and it’s up to Christy to stop him.

To do so, she must take on a fearless alter ego and infiltrate a group of adrenaline junkies bent on pushing life to the limit. Death-defying stunts are only the beginning: two groups fit the profile, and Christy must discover the real target before it’s too late.

If she chooses the wrong group, more people will disappear. But choosing right puts her as the prime target—with no guarantee that she’ll get out alive.



 ~ Goodreads ~ Pre-Order on Amazon ~ 

My Review: 

This book grabbed my attention and didn't let go until I had read the whole thing through! Thrilling, heart pounding, an adrenaline rush indeed!  This book takes you on a ride like no other! 

Real characters - I felt connected to them. When they worried, I worried. When they were happy, I was happy. Cindy writes the most amazing characters that are anything but fiction! Real problems - Misha has to deal with a lot! And though she is a kick-butt heroine, she has her doubts, her issues, and she handles them just as well! Real terrifying moments that keep you riveted to the page, unable to look away - This book seriously kept my heart pumping! Every turn of events I was hanging on a thread, panicking, worrying for the characters. I tried to work on other projects in-between reading this book but it didn't happen, I couldn't put the book down! 

Cindy truly has a gift for writing! She makes the characters come alive! The writing is fantastic! My only complaint? I want more! 


5 Stars, easy! 













Cindy M. Hogan graduated with a secondary education teaching degree and enjoys spending time with unpredictable teenagers. More than anything she loves the time she has with her own teenage daughters and wishes she could freeze them at this fun age. If she's not reading or writing, you'll find her snuggled up with the love of her life watching a great movie or planning their next party. She loves to bake, garden and be outdoors doing a myriad of activities.
 ~ Blog ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads ~ Facebook ~ 

Rising by Holly Kelly

In a war between the humans and the inhabitants of the sea—humans will lose. Xanthus Dimitriou—the most lethal Dagonian to rise from the ocean—is on a mission to save mankind from annihilation. But first there’s one small thing he needs to do… kill a beautiful young woman in a wheelchair.

Killing her doesn’t start out as part of his plan. He entrenches himself deep in the human world. Aligning himself with his enemies, he prepares to send them to Triton to face their punishment. Then Sara Taylor rolls onto the scene. Xanthus knows at once she’s a criminal. And her crime? Being born. She’s a human/Dagonian half-breed, an abomination. Killing her should be an easy job. All he has to do is break into her apartment, slit her throat, and feed her body to the sharks. Simple, right? Wrong. If only she weren’t so beautiful, so innocent, so sweet... 

Saving the world may have to wait. It appears Xanthus has a woman to save. But protecting her may cost him his own life.

 ~ Amazon ~ B&N ~ 





I'm a mom who writes books in her spare time: translation--I hide in the bathroom with my laptop and lock the door while the kids destroy the house and smear peanut butter on the walls. I was born in Utah but lived in Kansas until I was 13, in Texas until I was 18, and attended college in Hawaii—studying marine biology.  I'm now back in Utah--"happy valley". I'm married to a wonderful husband, James, and we are currently raising 6 rambunctious children. My interests are reading, writing (of course), martial arts, visual arts, creating Halloween props, and spending time with family.
~ Facebook ~ Website ~