Cathrina Constantine's Blog, page 52

CELEBRATE THE SMALL THINGS

This blog hop began thanks to Scribblings of an Aspiring Author. Sign up today.

I live in West Seneca, NY which is a suburb of Buffalo. And 4 days ago I woke to a State of Emergency and not just a few inches of snow, but feet of snow on the ground. The Blizzard didn't want to let us go and bombarded the surrounding towns with up to 7 feet before it decided to calm.

After 3 days we finally saw a pay loader come through and make a one lane swipe to our neighborhood, but a driving ban is still in effect.

Our weather made the world news again and the National Guard has been called in. Snow Snow Snow Everywhere!!!


What's to Celebrate? 

1. The storm started in the middle of the night, many people we home and not stranded.

2. You can't imagine the beauty of the snow encasing everything outside. The glistening snow under a bright moon, the sun peeking through the snow laden forest, and the birds are still singing.

3. I'm home with plenty of food and water.

4. My entire family are safe.


Murphy's standing on 3 feet of snow in the middle of where the street once stood.
Our street with a walking path. The view outside our front window.
Have a Great Weekend!!

THE LAST STORED by SONIA POYNTER

The Last Stored by Sonia PoynterSurge, Anaiah Press



Blurb:


After the sudden death of her parents, making it through the day is a struggle for Amber Megan Peel. In the midst of her grief, an exquisite bird perches on her garden fence and shows her visions of a vivid landscape and a dark lord slouching upon a throne. She thinks the visions are tied to her sorrow. But when a boy flies through her kitchen window to tell her she’s the Last Stored, she wonders if she’s just lost her mind.

Cree of Din is tasked with one job: Bring Amber home. For seven years, Cree has trained as her protector and it is the ultimate responsibility. Failure means Amber’s certain death, and that’s not an option for Cree – especially since he’s falling in love with her.


The Returning has begun. Now all Amber and Cree have to do is enter Tali, a world of unimaginable splendor and equally unimaginable horror, and defeat Lorthis. If they can’t, not only will Tali plunge into darkness, but so will Earth.



Release Date:January 6, 2015


.....and now...for THE LAST STORED trailer!




Book Links:Add to GoodreadsAnaiah Press: www.anaiahpress.com




Author Bio:
Sonia Poynter is a homeschooling teacher, an active youth volunteer, and a writer.  She grew up traipsing through the thick woods of Kentucky often getting lost in the magic of the forest. The woods inspired her heart and her father and mother, a Kentucky Colonel, cultivated her love for storytelling. For Sonia every day is an adventure, providing her with an endless parade of eccentric characters and vivid worlds. Currently, she lives in the sleepy community of Pittsboro, Indiana, with the love of her life and God has blessed them both with three amazing kids.






Author Links:Website: http://twowillowswriter.blogspot.com/Twitter: www.twitter.com/SoniaPoyFacebook: www.facebook.com/SoniaPoynterAuthorGoodreads: www.goodreads.com/user/show/8009965-sonia-poynter

Is Becoming An Author a Business Adventure? Giveaway Winners!

After releasing Wickedly They Dream with that wonderful cover I decided to change the cover on my first book. If you haven't seen it yet, here it is. Now they look great together as a series.

Created by Melissa Stevens: The Illustrated Author
I'm drawn to books by their covers and blurbs. Are you?  

Let's talk Business: To acquire a table at a local or not so local Book Fair, it costs money. And when I read how author's travel all over the place for book signings, I'm amazed. Is there an easier way to promote books without doling out money? Do you find book signings help? Are Book Fairs the way to go? I'd like your opinion.

This past week I noticed 2 author's who are quitting their day jobs to write full time. Mainly because these author's are taking in enough royalties to sustain them. How awesome is that?!!

I often wonder if I'll ever recoup my expenses between book covers and advertising. I've been reading about book promotions, and once you become an author it's like tackling any other business situation. You must put money into it to make some headway and get yourself established, and hopefully some day--a profit. 
Although, I'm not holding my breath! 


Without further ado, I'd like to announce the 
Winners of my GIVEAWAY.
$25.00 AMAZON GIFT CARD: CHRISTINE RAINS
Ebook of WICKEDLY THEY COME: TAMERA MCINTOSH
Ebook of WICKEDLY THEY DREAM: LONI TOWNSEND
**CONGRATULATIONS**
ALSO I'D LIKE TO THANK EVERYONE OUT THERE IN BLOGSPHERE THAT HELPED TO PROMOTE MY BOOKS!!I'M ETERNALLY GRATEFUL. YOU ARE ALL WINNERS IN MY EYES and I'D LIKE TO HUG EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU!!! Thank You from Cathy

It's time to Celebrate the Small Things. Thanks to ...

[image error]  It's time to Celebrate the Small Things. Thanks to VikLit at Scribblings of an Aspiring Author for this blog hop. Go here to join in this weekly celebration.

1. I've completed 2 shorts stories for 2 different Anthologies. Now to send them off and hope they will be accepted.

2. I realize the marketing aspect of trying to generate sales for our books is never ending, although, since the release of my latest book on Nov. 5th, I feel I'm past that crazy stage.

3. I'm looking forward to a weekend dinner with a group of longtime friends.

What are you Celebrating this Week?

On Monday I will announce the Winners of the Rafflecopter.



I Love This Time of Year!! 

Constantine Reviews: The Turnagain Arm by Julie Flanders

The Turnagain Arm by Julie Flanders
Blurb:A prequel to the paranormal thriller Polar Night. 

Locomotive wheels screech to a halt. Potters Creek, Alaska is nothing more than a small camp set up alongside the tracks. A weathered sign dominates the scene. 

The Turnagain Arm Saloon 

Est.1917 Only one passenger remains and exits. 

The early afternoon full moon peaks through a shimmering snow fall as a shadow casts over each split rail. The wind howls, sweeping the cloak of a hooded figure. He follows the tracks toward the distant saloon. A hulking man crunches through the snow, attracting his attention. 

Calling out to him in a foreign accent, the townsman stops in mid step. The stranger catches up and engages him. 

Until… 

The man disappears under the stranger’s cloak. 

Blood drips from his lips, and he wipes the remaining trickles from his mouth. After disposing of the body, the mysterious figure continues on his journey. He glides through the snow as if on a sleigh, leaving no footprints behind. 
My Review:
The Turnagain Arm is a spine-tingling, fantastic prequel by 
author, Julie Flanders. Once I began to read The Turnagain 
Arm there was no way I could put it down until I reached the 
final page.The Turnagain Arm is the prequel to Polar Night 
and I like the way the author adds history and facts to her 
stories. Ms. Flanders has proven herself again to capture her 
readers with a riveting story. Her writing is strong and 
powerful like her main character, Aleksei, and I was chilled to 
the bone and loved every minute of The Turnagain Arm!

**There's 2 more days to enter my GIVEAWAY**
a Rafflecopter giveaway

HAVE A GREAT WEEK!

GIVEAWAY & AUTHOR NICOLE L. DAFFURN

About the book:

He fell from grace to save humanity. She will rise higher than any before her to bring their city to its knees.

The war of 2078 extinguished life as it was known, leaving a desolate world in its wake. Those who survived rebuilt. But as it goes, people make mistakes. The city of Hybora is a cruel place to live, those who reside among the lower parts of the city – The Pits – rarely see old age. Those who survive long enough, live a perilous existence, to live, to fight and to die for the amusement of the Upper’s, who sit upon their thrones that look over the city.
Jessie Halloran witnessed her parent’s execution at the age of ten, and for thirteen years she’s fought in the mandatory tournaments held in the pristine arena of Hybora’s Pits. Thirteen years waiting for her chance for revenge. Thirteen years swallowing her hate, until it was all she could taste. Now at twenty three, she is ready for vengeance.
Though the vengeance she so richly deserves comes at a cost. The Upper’s are not what they seem, and Jessie’s revolt not only casts the spotlight on herself, but also those who make a stand to fight with her. Among those who will stand with her is her boyfriend, Jaxon.

Jaxon fell from grace more than four centuries ago in an effort to salvage what was left of humanity among the throngs of war.

Now, together they will lead an uprising that those in power will never see coming.


About the Author:

 Sunshine, surf and family are the corner stone of Nicky’s world. Being born and raised on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland Australia gave her the opportunity to chase her dream of photography and later novel writing. She fell in love with fantasy and dystopian and crafted stories with strong men and powerful women.

Her debut novel Destinata was released on October 15, 2014 with several short stories following. Her second novel is set to release November 6 and is being published through Crushing Hearts and Black Butterfly.

When she is not busy being an author, you will find her walking along the water with her husband or chasing after her two children.





To find out more about Nicole L Daffurn you can head to one of her numerous social media sites, or contact Bitten Press for more information.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Nicole-L-Daffurn/240965966096004

Twitter: https://twitter.com/NickyLouise28

Wordpress: https://nickylouiseloveslife.wordpress.com/

Website: http://ndaffurn.wix.com/nicoledaffurn

Author Central: amazon.com/author/nicoledaffurn

http://www.crushingheartsandblackbutterfly.com/


CELEBRATING A GIVEAWAY  WICKEDLY THEY DREAM

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Today find Cathrina on Lexa Cain's blog

#IWSG & Wickedly They Dream

**Happy Release Day**
**GIVEAWAY**
Wickedly They Dream Genre: Paranormal Thriller/FantasyPublisher: Black Opal Books
Grab it today for only 99 cents! 
HERE

How Far Will Jordan go to rescue her mother. It will cost her everything--even her angel, Markus!


Buy Links: AmazonBlack Opal Books
Author Cathrina Constantine resides in Western New York. When not with her family, you'll find her in the forest behind her house walking the dogs and conjuring a new tale.You can find Cathy Here:AmazonFacebookGoodreadsTwittera Rafflecopter giveaway
Alex J. Cavanaugh's awesome co-hosts for the November 5 posting of the IWSG will be LG Keltner,Donna Hole, Lisa Buie-Collard and SL Hennessy! 
As you can see from above today my 3rd novel has been released, and what do you think my insecurity might be this month? 
I know we shouldn't worry about reviews, but I'd say a writer is fibbing if they said they don't give a fig about what people write about their stories. As writer's, we tend to grow some pretty thick armor, and every once in a while we get dents.
What are your insecurities this month?

This month Nana Prah & Cathrina Constantine reviewed&...

This month Nana Prah & Cathrina Constantine reviewed Between the Sheets by Liv Rancourt.

Blurb:
Life for music teacher Maggie Schafer has been full of flat notes lately. Sick of being single and celibate, she vows to get her groove back at the upcoming Western Washington Choral Directors Annual Retreat.Too bad the only guy who seems interested is a pompous dork who thinks he’s God’s gift to women—and the music education world. When he gets a little too arrogant and crosses boundaries, gorgeous pianist Randy Devers swoops in to run interference. After sharing a shockingly hot kiss in front of the whole conference, Maggie and Randy come up with a plan to pretend they’re dating.However, the more time they spend together—and the more physical their “pretend” relationship gets—the more she wonders if there could be anything beyond just smoking chemistry and a friendly agreement between them.Maggie’s got history, Randy’s got baggage, and they’ve got a weekend to get their rhythms in sync and figure out how to turn their solo lives into a beautiful duet.Sensuality Level: Sensual
AMAZON BUY LINK: http://www.amazon.com/Between-Sheets-...
My Review:The first book I read by Liv Rancourt was Forever, and Ever, Amen, and I was happy when Prah & Constantine happened upon Between the Sheets. Ms. Rancourt adds delightful humor, mild tension, and a vulnerable main character in her novella. Maggie's friend, Krista decides it's time for Maggie to get between the sheets with someone on their Annual Choir Directors retreat. You'll happen to read some pretty sizzling between the sheets scenes!(pun intended) The main character Maggie is very likable, and the problematic love interest, Randy is a hot musician, and you fall for him instantly. The feely mealy dork made me cringe which means the author did her job well. Since I never give spoilers, I highly recommend this torrid, easy read.
Let's head over to read Nana Prah's review!

Blurb:The year 2069 is coming to a close, and eighteen-ye...

Blurb:The year 2069 is coming to a close, and eighteen-year-old Bianca Butterman's time-craft license is finally official. She's ready for the Induction Day she’s waited for since she was a kid—the one that will secure her name on the Butterman family tree of time travelers. But ever since the media discovered Bianca is pop superstar Tristan Helms’ latest new honey, everything Bianca does or says becomes a target of criticism. Having her professional credibility topping the gossip sites across social media is an open invitation for the government to step in and regulate Bianca’s Induction. Now she will have to ask herself if saving 1500 people from drowning is worth losing everything she’s ever worked for, including the Butterman family biz.Welcome to Butterman Travel, Incorporated; a full service agency designed to meet all your exclusive time travel needs. We’re a family owned and operated business with one hundred years of experience. A place where you can rest assured, safety and reliability always come first.Anxious to attend some special event from the past? Or for a glimpse of what the future holds? You’ve come to the right place. We’re a fully accredited operation, offering an array of services; including, but not limited to: customized travel plans, professionally piloted operations, and personal trip guides. *Terms and conditions do apply Use our Web conferencing to contact our frontline reservation specialist, Bianca Butterman, who will handle all your inquiries in a professional and efficient manner, offering a tentative itinerary and free fare quote, so you can make the most of your time trip.
Induction Day is here! A taut, fast-paced, engrossing read by PK Hrezo. Find it on Amazon here: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00G9ADV2O

PK HERZO  has Advice to Writers:
Ever hear the saying that there are astronomers and there are astronauts?  When it comes to writing, I believe you have to be both. Take the astronomer, gazing up at the stars through the telescope, observing, charting constellations, searching for new and out-of-this-world material. Readers are like that in a way. Always absorbing, always being whisked away by possibilities, and unchartered territory. Being a reader is blissful in so many ways. A reader can live a happy and fulfilling life, with every desire being catered to with all the many variety of books available at their one-click ready fingertips.But if you feel the calling to write, then you absolutely must leave solid ground. Writers write. Period. The pitfall of being an astronaut is that you make mistakes. A lot of them. And that’s how we learn, and become better, wiser. The perk of being an astronaut is that you get to experience things beyond your dreams! See new and unbelievable sights! Feel weightlessness! Gain a perspective you just can’t grasp with two feet firmly planted on the Earth.Do you know how many hours of training an astronaut has to log before going into space? Hundreds! With very little real time in actual outer space. Think about that next time you feel frustrated with having to revise or edit your manuscript AGAIN. We are writers. We are literary astronauts. We are doing amazing things. We’re making lots of mistakes along the way. And that’s okay. The nice thing about being an astronaut is that sometimes, we get to step back and be the astronomer. Being a better writer, means reading more books. But one doesn’t work without the other. Writers read. Writers write. Want to become a better writer? Do both. A lot.
Thank you so much for having me here today, Cathrina!
Stop by and visit me anytime at http://www.down-the-rabbithole.com




PK Hrezo is a native Floridian rarely found without her flip flops on. She shares her home with her firefighter husband, their two children, and big dog named Ripley. When not creating characters and their worlds, PK can be found at her other job of rearranging passenger’s itineraries for a major international airline. The only hobbies she loves more than traveling are reading, writing, and music, and when the four are combined she exists in total bliss.

Celebrate the Small Things and Do You Have Goa...

 
Celebrate the Small Things and Do You Have Goals?
I HAVE A BIG FAVOR TO ASK: Wickedly They Dream will be released on Nov. 5th. If anyone would be interested to host me on their blog please leave me a comment or contact me at cathrinaconstantine@gmail.com THANK YOU!!!

Before the sequel comes out, you can buy Wickedly They Come for 99 cents today. HERE!I set a new goal: To have my first draft to my wip finished by January 2015.

Celebrating HALLOWEEN!!


**NOW PLEASE MEET SONIA POYNTER***

**WHAT AN AWESOME COVER**

The Last Stored by Sonia PoynterSurge, Anaiah Press
Blurb:After the sudden death of her parents, making it through the day is a struggle for Amber Megan Peel. In the midst of her grief, an exquisite bird perches on her garden fence and shows her visions of a vivid landscape and a dark lord slouching upon a throne. She thinks the visions are tied to her sorrow. But when a boy flies through her kitchen window to tell her she’s the Last Stored, she wonders if she’s just lost her mind.


Cree of Din is tasked with one job: Bring Amber home. For seven years, Cree has trained as her protector and it is the ultimate responsibility. Failure means Amber’s certain death, and that’s not an option for Cree – especially since he’s falling in love with her.

The Returning has begun. Now all Amber and Cree have to do is enter Tali, a world of unimaginable splendor and equally unimaginable horror, and defeat Lorthis. If they can’t, not only will Tali plunge into darkness, but so will Earth.Release Date:January 6, 2015

Book Links:Add to GoodreadsAnaiah Press: www.anaiahpress.com

Author Bio:
Sonia Poynter is a homeschooling teacher, an active youth volunteer, and a writer.  She grew up traipsing through the thick woods of Kentucky often getting lost in the magic of the forest. The woods inspired her heart and her father and mother, a Kentucky Colonel, cultivated her love for storytelling. For Sonia every day is an adventure, providing her with an endless parade of eccentric characters and vivid worlds. Currently, she lives in the sleepy community of Pittsboro, Indiana, with the love of her life and God has blessed them both with three amazing kids. Author Links:Website: http://twowillowswriter.blogspot.com/Twitter: www.twitter.com/SoniaPoyFacebook: www.facebook.com/SoniaPoynterAuthorGoodreads: www.goodreads.com/user/show/8009965-sonia-poynter


THANK YOU SONIA FOR JOINING US TODAY!!
Thanks to VikLit at Scribblings of an Aspiring Author for Celebrate the Small Things Hop. And thanks to Misha Gericke for Do You Have Goals. Press on their names to learn more.