Cathrina Constantine's Blog, page 30
June 26, 2016
Hot New Release by Jordan Elizabeth
VICTORIAN
A young adult novel about ghosts, history, and two girls who find second chances at life.
Celeste struggles with finding her way from a dark past until she gets a summer volunteer gig at the local historical fair. Enter outrageous actors, dominating psychics, and ghosts stirred by a medium’s presence.
With the help of the psychic’s son, who isn’t at all what her dream date would look like but rather endearing all the same, Celeste uncovers secrets about the village left hidden amongst the dilapidated buildings. Searching deeper will mean opening her heart, a part of her she’s locked up tight and been petrified of freeing.#VICTORIAN is now available on Amazon from CHBB.Check out early reviews on GoodReads!#Excerpt from Chapter 1:I rolled my sleeve up and traced the raised white lines on the inside of my wrist. They were like Braille, telling a story of the times I locked myself in my bedroom with the compass from math class. The metal point worked best; it made a neat line, more painful than razor blades. I dug my fingernail into the flesh beneath my wrist bone, on the underside, where the skin felt the most tender. The prick of pain grew like a blossom, creeping along my arm and up my fingers, like a super power. I closed my eyes, breathing deep through my nose and out through my mouth. A twisted form of yoga for cutters.Chuckling, I rolled the sleeve of my brown shirt back down. The heater by the window, high up in the cellar wall, hummed like a little kid trying to sing along to pop music. My magnificent Group Counselor, Michelle, did her best with the space she rented under the hair salon. Not my style, but anyone could see she tried. Oriental carpeting covered the cement floor and bright tiles on cement walls created a swirling pattern. Instead of hard office chairs, Michelle preferred wicker porch furniture, and a sofa. I’d taken the sofa to see who would sit beside me. So far, the two guys had taken single chairs and the only other girl dwelled on the rocking chair. It creaked as she moved despite the carpet under the rockers.She picked at her black nail polish. How cliché. Black nail polish on the troubled delinquent. She’d dyed her hair blue-black, and wore thick kohl around her eyes. Plastic chains hung off her pants.Maybe I should try for a look. My plain polo shirt and blue jeans didn’t make much of a statement. Next time – knowing Mama, she’d make me attend every stupid session of the Counseling Circle – I would wear my fairy princess costume left over from Cory’s Halloween party. That would make a great statement.
#
Jordan Elizabeth is known for her odd sense of humor and her outrageous outfits. Surrounded by bookshelves, she can often be found pounding away at her keyboard – she’s known for breaking keyboards, too. Jordan’s young adult novels include ESCAPE FROM WITCHWOOD HOLLOW, COGLING, TREASURE DARKLY, BORN OF TREASURE, and GOAT CHILDREN. VICTORIAN is her second novel with CHBB. Check out her website for bonus scenes and contests. Her first CHBB novel, GOAT CHILDREN, is free on Amazon for June 24, 25, and 26! Don’t miss your chance to snatch up that exciting YA contemporary-fantasy. #Win a $5 Amazon gift card!
All winners will be notified after verification of entry at the end of this promotion. Prizes have been supplied by and the responsibility of delivery are solely that of the author and/or their representatives. Blogs are not liable for non-delivery on the part of the author. No purchase necessary.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
A young adult novel about ghosts, history, and two girls who find second chances at life.
Celeste struggles with finding her way from a dark past until she gets a summer volunteer gig at the local historical fair. Enter outrageous actors, dominating psychics, and ghosts stirred by a medium’s presence.
With the help of the psychic’s son, who isn’t at all what her dream date would look like but rather endearing all the same, Celeste uncovers secrets about the village left hidden amongst the dilapidated buildings. Searching deeper will mean opening her heart, a part of her she’s locked up tight and been petrified of freeing.#VICTORIAN is now available on Amazon from CHBB.Check out early reviews on GoodReads!#Excerpt from Chapter 1:I rolled my sleeve up and traced the raised white lines on the inside of my wrist. They were like Braille, telling a story of the times I locked myself in my bedroom with the compass from math class. The metal point worked best; it made a neat line, more painful than razor blades. I dug my fingernail into the flesh beneath my wrist bone, on the underside, where the skin felt the most tender. The prick of pain grew like a blossom, creeping along my arm and up my fingers, like a super power. I closed my eyes, breathing deep through my nose and out through my mouth. A twisted form of yoga for cutters.Chuckling, I rolled the sleeve of my brown shirt back down. The heater by the window, high up in the cellar wall, hummed like a little kid trying to sing along to pop music. My magnificent Group Counselor, Michelle, did her best with the space she rented under the hair salon. Not my style, but anyone could see she tried. Oriental carpeting covered the cement floor and bright tiles on cement walls created a swirling pattern. Instead of hard office chairs, Michelle preferred wicker porch furniture, and a sofa. I’d taken the sofa to see who would sit beside me. So far, the two guys had taken single chairs and the only other girl dwelled on the rocking chair. It creaked as she moved despite the carpet under the rockers.She picked at her black nail polish. How cliché. Black nail polish on the troubled delinquent. She’d dyed her hair blue-black, and wore thick kohl around her eyes. Plastic chains hung off her pants.Maybe I should try for a look. My plain polo shirt and blue jeans didn’t make much of a statement. Next time – knowing Mama, she’d make me attend every stupid session of the Counseling Circle – I would wear my fairy princess costume left over from Cory’s Halloween party. That would make a great statement.
#
Jordan Elizabeth is known for her odd sense of humor and her outrageous outfits. Surrounded by bookshelves, she can often be found pounding away at her keyboard – she’s known for breaking keyboards, too. Jordan’s young adult novels include ESCAPE FROM WITCHWOOD HOLLOW, COGLING, TREASURE DARKLY, BORN OF TREASURE, and GOAT CHILDREN. VICTORIAN is her second novel with CHBB. Check out her website for bonus scenes and contests. Her first CHBB novel, GOAT CHILDREN, is free on Amazon for June 24, 25, and 26! Don’t miss your chance to snatch up that exciting YA contemporary-fantasy. #Win a $5 Amazon gift card! All winners will be notified after verification of entry at the end of this promotion. Prizes have been supplied by and the responsibility of delivery are solely that of the author and/or their representatives. Blogs are not liable for non-delivery on the part of the author. No purchase necessary.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
June 23, 2016
#CTST
Celebrate the Small Things
Hop over to Lexa Cain's and join in this fun weekly Celebration. Lexa's wonderful co-hosts are:L.G. Keltner @ Writing Off The EdgeTonja Drecker @ Kidbits Blog
I haven't put a word to my WIP this week. But I hope to rectify that soon.
My goal is to try and compose 1k a day, excluding weekends. I've tried this before and it seemed to work. It's not an over-the-top expectation. When I try to do too much, it usually backfires on me.
We're back to brilliant weather and I'm loving every minute!!! This weekend is Community Days in West Seneca. Fireworks and a Beer Tent!
Have a nice weekend!!!
Hop over to Lexa Cain's and join in this fun weekly Celebration. Lexa's wonderful co-hosts are:L.G. Keltner @ Writing Off The EdgeTonja Drecker @ Kidbits Blog I haven't put a word to my WIP this week. But I hope to rectify that soon.
My goal is to try and compose 1k a day, excluding weekends. I've tried this before and it seemed to work. It's not an over-the-top expectation. When I try to do too much, it usually backfires on me.
We're back to brilliant weather and I'm loving every minute!!! This weekend is Community Days in West Seneca. Fireworks and a Beer Tent!
Have a nice weekend!!!
June 16, 2016
#CTST Celebrate The Small Things
Celebrate the Small Things
Hop over to Lexa Cain's and join in this fun weekly Celebration. Lexa's wonderful co-hosts are:L.G. Keltner @ Writing Off The EdgeTonja Drecker @ Kidbits Blog
In the wake of so much tragedy this week, I feel extremely Blessed. My problems are insignificant. We need to band together and pray for our children, for our country, for the world. If you're not a praying person, then send your light and love.
Hop over to Lexa Cain's and join in this fun weekly Celebration. Lexa's wonderful co-hosts are:L.G. Keltner @ Writing Off The EdgeTonja Drecker @ Kidbits Blog In the wake of so much tragedy this week, I feel extremely Blessed. My problems are insignificant. We need to band together and pray for our children, for our country, for the world. If you're not a praying person, then send your light and love.
June 9, 2016
#CTST Celebrate The Small Things
Celebrate the Small Things
Hop over to Lexa Cain's and join in this fun weekly Celebration. Lexa's wonderful co-hosts are:L.G. Keltner @ Writing Off The EdgeTonja Drecker @ Kidbits Blog
Our gorgeous weather has turned into fall-like days and chilly nights. I'm hoping for warmth and sunshine.
I reached 10k on my WIP. It's slow going. I'm waiting for the characters to talk to me....I did come up with a new beginning, but it's really dark and creepy. I think I like it.
My finished ms is in the hands of a fabulous editor. I'm excited and extremely nervous. I pray she has hair left by the end of the month.
Happy June
Hop over to Lexa Cain's and join in this fun weekly Celebration. Lexa's wonderful co-hosts are:L.G. Keltner @ Writing Off The EdgeTonja Drecker @ Kidbits BlogOur gorgeous weather has turned into fall-like days and chilly nights. I'm hoping for warmth and sunshine.
I reached 10k on my WIP. It's slow going. I'm waiting for the characters to talk to me....I did come up with a new beginning, but it's really dark and creepy. I think I like it.
My finished ms is in the hands of a fabulous editor. I'm excited and extremely nervous. I pray she has hair left by the end of the month.
Happy June
June 7, 2016
Prah, Constantine & Baryeh Review: Pains and Penalties by Sarah Biglow #mystery #novella
We're back in action again. Same Books~Different PerspectivesFor the month of June we picked a Cozy Mystery.
A new amateur sleuth is on the case in the first book of this Cozy Mystery novella series.
When Kalina Greystone returns home to the small town of Ellesworth, MA in the wake of her father's passing to take over the family's comic book shop, she never expects to reconnect with her old flame, Detective Christian Harper. But when elderly Mrs. Davies winds up murdered at the annual Solstice Fair, Kalina can't help but get swept up in his investigation and solving the case. While Detective Harper runs his investigation, she cozies up to the dead woman’s best friend, Mrs. Grant, and learns that she and a third woman, Ms. Ellicott, might be targets. Someone has sent them notes with the cryptic warning ‘Lying is a mortal sin’. As Kalina digs deeper into the women’s shared past, she unearths the perjury that sentenced an innocent man to prison. After discovering Ms. Ellicott dead in her home, Kalina and Detective Harper must race to unmask the killer before vengeance can be sated.
Cathrina's Review:
I didn't feel any tension of sorts while reading the mystery, even when the murder's occurred. And Detective Chris Harper was~meh, at best. Perhaps, you might feel differently. Through his investigation, he missed quite a bit, and if it wasn't for Kalina, an amateur sleuth, I wonder if the good detective would've solved the case.
Chris and Kalina were love interests in high school, but by the end of the novella they pick-up by playing a video game. It's certainly a very clean read. Not that it's a bad thing, but a little kiss or touch could've sufficed.
Pain's and Penalities is a cozy novella, an easy and fast read. Perfect for a day on the beach or lounging on your patio.
Now head over to read Nana and Empi's review.
June 2, 2016
#CTST Celebrate the Small Things
Celebrate the Small Things
Hop over to Lexa Cain's and join in this fun weekly Celebration. Lexa's wonderful co-hosts are:L.G. Keltner @ Writing Off The EdgeTonja Drecker @ Kidbits BlogAs I'm writing this post, its thundering and lightning and raining. I love these storms, once in a while. We needed the rain. I can't complain, it's been gorgeous here. The pool is open, although, too cold for me, but my son and hubby jumped in...
It's such a pleasure to see my gardens thriving. I'm looking forward to the buds flowering.
My husband is on a golf trip so I'm free to do whatever. I'm meeting a group of friends for a movie and dinner tonight.
What are your small celebrations this week?
May 31, 2016
#IWSG
http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html
Join Alex J. Cavanaugh and a multitude of writer's in this monthly hop to help support one another!
Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!
Alex's awesome co-hosts are Murees Dupe, Alexia Chamberlynn, Chemist Ken, and Heather Gardner!
I truly believe a writer needs a beta reader. A beta can find plot mistakes, and read your ms with a different perspective. I love getting feedback, whether positive and/or negative, as long as it helps my writing. It's hard when beta's offer you totally differing advice and opinions. In that respect, go with your gut.
I recently found a beta on twitter. She seemed top-notch with an "in" with the publishing, agents community. I sent her the first chapter. Basically, she disliked my writing, adding a few choice words of sarcasm. (I'm not kidding) She charges a fee for reading, and in the end, she declined to beta my ms. Saying I needed an Alpha-Beta to help me. Afterwards, I sent her a note saying my ms was in the hands of an editor. All's good. She wrote back: good luck with your publishing journey. 
I'm not an expert writer, far from it, that's why I need help, with beta's and critique partners. But, I kind of hoped I was maturing, getting somewhat better after 5 books.
This is how I felt afterwards...
I guess I needed a humbling experience.
Post script: I sent an editor 3 chapters of said ms, and she wrote back saying, Your writing skills are above average. Your use of grammar, modifiers, and overall sentence structure are good. The story seems to be unique, and the strength of the main character is pretty solid. Hmmm...totally different from said Beta person...
Do you invest in a critique partner? Do you search for beta readers? Have any good beta's you'd like to suggest?
May 29, 2016
An Excellent Surprise!!!! #dystopian #survival #familysaga #adventure
Tallas by Cathrina Constantine earns the Literary Classics Seal of Approvaland a 5 Star Review
Literary Classics Review: It’s the future, and due to a catastrophic event, the world has been afflicted by severe mutations of people, animals, and plant-life. Tallas is a confined township wherein mutants are forbidden to enter. The town is controlled by mediators who control the welfare and resources of the community. Residents of Tallas are told the wilderness outside is dangerous and is filled with deadly mutant creatures. But one tenacious family risks everything to leave the security of Tallas in order to protect their son from the threat of a dreaded assignment. Risking everything, they escape their home in the middle of the night, heading into the unknown of the wilderness.
Author Catherina Constantine is a gifted story teller. She offers vivid descriptions of other-worldly creatures, deadly vegetation, and evil enemies that readers will love to hate. Tallas is an exciting dystopian adventure with lots of unexpected plot twists which keep this book flowing at a fast pace. With characters that are believable and well developed, especially the lovable and dynamic family which is the focus of this story, this book is sure to hook readers of all ages. We look forward to the much-anticipated sequel to Tallas.
Amazon Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/Tallas-Book-1-Cathrina-Constantine-ebook/dp/B015GGRJWY/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1464088629&sr=1-1&keywords=tallasLITERARY CLASSICS Book Awards & Reviews International Book Awards • Top Honors Youth Book Awards • Seal of Approval http://www.clcawards.org
May 26, 2016
#CTST
It's that time again to
Celebrate the Small Things
Hop over to Lexa Cain's and join in this fun weekly Celebration. Lexa's wonderful co-hosts are:L.G. Keltner @ Writing Off The EdgeTonja Drecker @ Kidbits Blog
I giving my manuscript a final once over prior to handing over to an editor. It's amazing the errors and sentence structures that you'd missed the first, second, and third time around. It really is a good idea to put your ms away for a break and then go back to it. You can pick out many areas that need clarification.
It looks and feels like summer in Buffalo. I'm in the process of puttering in the gardens and loving it. Also, there's all the stuff in the house that needs fixing and fresh paint jobs.
My peonies are getting ready to open!!!!
Have a Nice Weekend!
Celebrate the Small Things
Hop over to Lexa Cain's and join in this fun weekly Celebration. Lexa's wonderful co-hosts are:L.G. Keltner @ Writing Off The EdgeTonja Drecker @ Kidbits BlogI giving my manuscript a final once over prior to handing over to an editor. It's amazing the errors and sentence structures that you'd missed the first, second, and third time around. It really is a good idea to put your ms away for a break and then go back to it. You can pick out many areas that need clarification.
It looks and feels like summer in Buffalo. I'm in the process of puttering in the gardens and loving it. Also, there's all the stuff in the house that needs fixing and fresh paint jobs.
My peonies are getting ready to open!!!!
Have a Nice Weekend!
May 23, 2016
Hot New Release by Lori L. MacLaughlin #fantasy
Title: Trouble By Any Other Name
Sequel to Lady, Thy Name Is Trouble
Author: Lori L. MacLaughlin
Release Date: May 16, 2016
Genre: Fantasy
Tara Triannon is no stranger to trouble. She's yet to find an enemy her skill with a sword couldn't dispatch. But how can she fight one that attacks through her dreams?
With her nightmares worsening, Tara seeks answers but finds only more questions. Then her sister, Laraina, reveals a stunning secret that forces Tara to go to the one place Tara's sworn never to return to. Her troubles multiply when Jovan Trevillion, the secretive soldier of fortune who stole her heart, is mentally tortured by an ancient Being intent on bending him to its will. And worst of all, the Butcher — the terrifying wolf-like assassin she thought she'd killed — survived their duel and is hunting her again.
Hounded by enemies, Tara sets out on a harrowing quest to discover the true nature of who she is, to come to grips with the new volatility of her magic, and to defeat the evil locked in a centuries-old trap that will stop at nothing to control her magic and escape through her nightmares.
Teaser:Shivering uncontrollably, Tara heaved herself into a sitting position. Freezing chills raced over her skin as she glanced around the familiar slime-walled hallway of the nightmare dungeon. She looked toward the closed iron door that sealed her off from the corridors beyond. Her heart sank to the floor. No red griffin lay embedded in its smooth surface.
A soft scraping sound floated through the air, drawing closer. The reek of rotting flesh filled the hallway. Tara staggered to her feet, her gut twisting in panic. She backed away from the churning darkness at the other end of the hall. Malevolence radiated from the depthless black, hatred mixed with anticipation. The creature had been waiting for her.
Buy Links:
Amazon: Barnes & Noble: Kobo: iBooks:
About the Author:
Lori L. MacLaughlin traces her love of fantasy adventure to Tolkien and Terry Brooks, finding The Lord of the Rings and The Sword of Shannara particularly inspirational. She's been writing stories in her head since she was old enough to run wild through the forests on the farm on which she grew up.
She has been many things over the years – tree climber, dairy farmer, clothing salesperson, kids' shoe fitter, retail manager, medical transcriptionist, journalist, private pilot, traveler, wife and mother, Red Sox and New York Giants fan, muscle car enthusiast and NASCAR fan, and a lover of all things Scottish and Irish.
When she's not writing (or working), she can be found curled up somewhere dreaming up more story ideas, taking long walks in the countryside, or spending time with her kids. She lives with her family in northern Vermont.
You can find her here:
Website/Blog Goodreads Facebook Google+ Pinterest
Social Media Links:
Website/Blog: http://lorilmaclaughlin.comGoodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/LoriLMacLaughlinFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/LoriLMacLaughlinPinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/lorimaclaughlin/
Google +: https://plus.google.com/116100629272052336875/posts
