Cathrina Constantine's Blog, page 51

Hop over to Scribblings of an Aspiring Author to join Cel...

Hop over to Scribblings of an Aspiring Author to join Celebrate the Small Things. 



I received my new book cover for 
DON'T FORGET TO BREATHE!!! 
And it's awesome! It will be released by Crushing Hearts & Black Butterfly on February 7, 2015. I'll share it with you soon.

The Bestest Celebration: Our little Sammy started to crawl. We sprinkled toys to tempt him, of course, he was interested in things he shouldn't touch. Now it begins...

What are you celebrating this week?
Christmas is less than a week away!

NEW RELEASE FROM J.R. ROPER

Mel & the Black Rider: Short Stories from The Morus Chronicles

She fears no one.
http://smarturl.it/MelBlackRider
Blurb:At thirteen years old, Mel is too young to become a clan assassin, unless she can survive her master's death sentence. Mel was given the task of killing Ethan Morus, the treasure hunter, but she disobeyed and protected him instead. Now she's been tasked with ridding the land of the Black Rider, an ancient evil. If she falls to the demon, Ethan will stand alone against the Dark, and her master will have won. Yet she is not just any warrior and with victory, all will fear her. For she is Hellish Mel.This collection includes Mel & the Black Rider, The Growing Darkness, Eldorian at The Council, and Nero: Before Book One. These stories provide a glimpse at what is to come in the next installment, The Hunter Falls: Book Two of The Morus Chronicles.
Check out Book One of The Morus Chronicles: http://smarturl.it/TheHunterAwakens
Website and Blog: http://joerroper.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorjrroperTwitter: https://twitter.com/jrroperAmazon: http://amazon.com/author/jrroperGoodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7154029.J_R_Roper


J.R. Roper is a junior high teacher and writer living in West Michigan with his lovely wife and kids. He has a passion for middle grade and young adult fantasy and his debut novel, The Hunter Awakens: Book One of the Morus Chronicles, released in July 2014. His work has appeared in ChildGood Magazine, Families First Monthly, and in anthologies by Horrified Press, Thirteen O'Clock Press, and Crushing Hearts & Black Butterfly Publishing. His abnormally high caffeine levels have been rumored to change vampires back to human form and there is a story floating around about him living in the belly of the dragon.
HAPPY RELEASE DAY J.R. ROPER!!! I have read THE HUNTERS AWAKENS, and Look forward to reading MEL & the BLACK RIDER!

CELEBRATE THE SMALL THINGS

This hop was originated by VikLit. Join at Scribblings of an Aspiring Author for this weekly Small Celebration.
I'm thrilled to have my short story accepted into CHBB's Anthology: It's scheduled to be released in March.
Counting down the days to Christmas. Much to do:Wrap presents: Make Cookies:
Write Christmas Cards: Have some tasty eggnog while working: The tree and house are decorated:

Are You Ready For Santa?!
He's checking his list, are you naughty or nice?

HAVE A GREAT WEEK!

WRITERLY WOES & TRIUMPHS

After writing my first book, I began to read and learn everything I could about publishing. I knew nodda! I'm still learning. What route to take? What's the best plan for me? Traditional versus Indie, and so on....That's another Post!
After years of heartbreaking rejections from agents, and major rewrites and revisions, I was ready to throw in the towel. I decided to try the Independent Small Publishers. 
**Success** Years later and after having my third book published, why do I still feel like a newbie?

Even now, it's disheartening to received those dreaded rejection letters on a new ms. I decided to try the traditional route again. Why do this to myself? 

I'm assuming all writer's feel the same triumphant feeling when you receive the email that says, "I loved your submission!" or "Please send me the full in a word document."

How do you express yourself when you read or hear good writerly news?
*Happy Dance*
*Squeeeee*
*Fist Pump*
I'm Truly Blessed to be where I am! And I can't say enough to writers just starting out: Read, Read, Read, and Perseverance, Perseverance, Perseverance!    
And a Little Luck!!!

CELEBRATE & HOLIDAY FOOD DRIVE #feedthehungryehToday ...

CELEBRATE & HOLIDAY FOOD DRIVE #feedthehungryeh

Today I'm Celebrating a full stomach: food in the pantry, food in the fridge, food in the freezer. I'm a very happy and many times an overfed person. 

What I can't fathom in today's society, especially in our own country, the number of people that go hungry! I see overloaded plates in restaurants with food half eaten. I picture good food being tossed in the garbage. Walking through the grocery stores with row upon rows of vegetables, fruits, meats, all kinds of food and drinks galore, and yet people go hungry!

This Christmas either visit and/or donate your time and money to your local food bank. Help out a citizen that is ill-equipped to take care of his/her children. We need to be a country of nourished children and families!

In my hometown it's simple to donate. Go to the local supermarket and you can purchase a bag of groceries that will be donated to the Food Banks in the area. Tops and Wegmans are the major supermarkets around Buffalo.

I normally receive an envelope in the mail to make a monthly donation to the Buffalo City Mission where they feed hundreds of people. It's so easy you don't even have to leave the comfort of your home. 

Or you can go to St. Luke's on Sycamore and Walden in Buffalo and volunteer to package and bag groceries for the needy. 

Local Food Banks in Buffalo, NY:
Buffalo City Mission
100 E. Tupper St.
716-854-8181

Food Bank of WNY
91 Holt St.
716-852-1305
www.foodbankwny.org
Thank You to M.J. Joachim for this HOLIDAY FOOD DRIVE

Also thanks to VikLit for Celebrate the Small Things

#IWSG INSECURE WRITER'S SUPPORT GROUP

http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/p/the-insecure-writers-support-group.html
Alex J. Cavanaugh's awesome co-hosts for the December 3 posting of the IWSG are Heather Gardner, T. Drecker from Kidbits, Eva E. Solar at Lilicasplace, and Patsy Collins!

I have to admit, I've been too busy with the snow, wind, and rain, I haven't had time to get neurotic over my writing this month. 




My problem like many author's is book sales and the dreaded promotional aspects of publishing. I did have a 99 cent deal for Black Friday and Cyber Monday. I think I sold A Book or Two! 

If you're a writer with thoughts of that first book being published, don't be discouraged by my post. It's a true joy to see your name and book listed on Amazon and other book selling sights for the first time!! 


This is the last post with #IWSG for the year of 2014!!!  Hope y'all have a Very Merry Christmas!



Coming Soon!!!


Don't forget to download your FREE copy of IWSG Guide to Publishing and Beyond.



The Insecure Writer’s Support Group Guide to Publishing and Beyond

Tapping into the expertise of over a hundred talented authors from around the globe, The IWSG Guide to Publishing and Beyond contains something for every writer. Whether you are starting out and need tips on the craft of writing, looking for encouragement as an already established author, taking the plunge into self-publishing, or seeking innovative ways to market and promote your work, this guide is a useful tool. Compiled into three key areas of writing, publishing, and marketing, this valuable resource offers inspirational articles, helpful anecdotes, and excellent advice on dos and don't s that we all wish we knew when we first started out on this writing journey. 

ISBN 9781939844088
235 pages, FREE 
IWSG sites – website, Facebook, and  Facebook Critique Circle
Find the book at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Kobo, Smashwords,Goodreads.

It's the last Prah & Constantine Review for the year!...

It's the last Prah & Constantine Review for the year! Nana & I are taking a break for the Holidays! Catch the next Review in February!




Our R & R for this month is:Unexpected Gifts by Elena Aitken



BLURB:
Let it snow! Cozy up to the Castle Mountain Lodge in the 

middle of the remote Canadian Rockies for Unexpected Gifts.

Christmas represents everything Andi Williams is supposed 

to have, and doesn't. Running away to a remote mountain 

lodge in the Canadian Rockies, sounds like the perfect way to 

escape, until a mix-up finds her sharing a villa with sexy, 

rough around the edges, Colin Hartford.

Colin's determination to enjoy the holiday he’s missed for the 

last five years, sweeps Andi into a season of joy that she’s not 

sure she’s ready for. Can Andi open herself up to everything 

the holidays have to offer...including love?




My Review:

I enjoy watching Christmas movies on the Hallmark Channel 

and a sap when it comes to reading Holiday Books. 

Unexpected Gifts had much to offer and definitely added to 

my Christmas Spirit. 

Poor Andi is suffering through a bad breakup and the 

Holidays only adds to her misery. She seeks a Mountain 

Lodge getaway, only to discover there's a problem with her 

reservations and a blizzard is brewing. Hottie, Colin 

overhears her dilemma and offers to share his large suite. 

Colin is determined to change her Bah-humbug attitude into 

a Christmas to remember.

A lot happens in this short easy read which I believe it is the 

ticket to get you into the Holiday Spirit!!


Now let's hop over to read Nana Prah's Review.

Some New Books:COMING SOON TO CHBBDecember 3rdPRESENTED B...

Some New Books:
COMING SOON TO CHBB
December 3rd
PRESENTED BY CHBB
Fractured Fairy Tales AnthologyBLURB:
Where the fairy tale ends, we begin.... Some of today's best new and established independent authors have come together to bring you a book of not so happy endings, strange twists, brutal fates, and love that conquers and consumes. Fractured Fairy Tales presents a whole new look on some of your favorite classics and some fresh new stories to tempt your imagination.
Seventeen stories, three poems, and three original artworks bring you into a make believe matinee with a little of something for everyone.






Things aren't always what they seem, and this shopping mall Santa has a secret that only true love can reveal.

Mackenzie's an out-of-work actress who takes a job as a shopping mall Santa to pay the rent. She fools everyone with her Santa drag, until the day Joe McBride walks into the mall. Joseph Timothy McBride - the real-life, got a soap opera gig and you saw him in Scream II actor. The only guy she ever really loved. Can Mack stay in character, or is it time to strip off the red coat and peel off the beard for good?The Santa Drag is a 6,000 word short story with a Santa who's more than he seems to be, stressed out parents in the mall, and one very handsome actor.

AMAZON








Mel & the Black Rider: Short Stories from the
Morus Chronicles

Release Date: December 13, 2015








The ship of legends…
The future is set for Lt. Commander Aden Pendar, son of a Hyrathian Duke. He’s poised to secure his own command and marriage to the queen’s daughter. He’ll stop at nothing to achieve his goals.
But when the Alliance denies Hyrath’s claim on the planet of Kavil and declares war on their world, Aden finds his plans in disarray. Entrenched in battle and told he won’t make captain, Aden’s world begins to collapse. How will he salvage his career and future during Hyrath’s darkest hour?
One chance remains–the Dragon. Lost many years prior, the legendary ship’s unique weapon is Hyrath’s only hope. Can Aden find the Dragon, save his people, and prove he’s capable of commanding his own ship?

Expected Release Date: April 7, 2015



WICKEDLY THEY COME
WICKEDLY THEY DREAM
TALLAS 

CELEBRATE & GOALS

**THANK YOU TO VIKLIT AT SCRIBBLINGS OF AN ASPIRING AUTHOR FOR THIS BLOG HOP**1. We weathered 7 feet of snow, then the rain and then wind gusts of 60 mph. 2. We have roof and ceiling damage due to the heavy load of snow.
NOW WHAT AM I CELEBRATING?
AN ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL THANKSGIVING WITH MY FAMILY!! I AM TRULY THANKFUL FOR EVERYTHING!!!

THANKS TO MISHA GERICKE FOR THIS BLOG HOP!

My goal was to have my first draft of my wip completed by the end of January 2015, and I'm behind schedule. So Here's hoping I reach that goal.

However, my goal to publish one book a year has been accomplished. Not only one book, but two have been published this year!




Starting today (when Amazon decides to mark them down) all my books are on sale until Dec. 2. Press on their names to read more.

Wickedly They Come
Wickedly They Dream
Tallas


What are you Celebrating?  Do You Have Goals?

Happy Thanksgiving**I Hope for a World of Full Be...

Happy Thanksgiving
**I Hope for a World of Full Bellies**