Tara Ellis's Blog: Making Progress, page 16

Oct 29th, 2014

So yesterday was interesting! I read a report from our local news source, Skagit Breaking, about a bear sighting in town. No one had been able to get a picture of it to share a couple of hours later, so since I was already headed in that direction to pick my daughter up from driver's ed....I grabbed my camera. The area was cordoned off by police, but from a distance, with my telephoto lens, I was able to quickly determine that he was a BIG bear...and he had chosen one of the biggest trees in the center of town, in a residential neighborhood, right next to an elementary school!

As I was leaving, I passed by an alley some distance away, and I could see a group gathered by a fish and wildlife truck. I made my way over to them...they were situated under the other trees near the one where the bear was, so he likely couldn't see us from his angle.  It was obvious that the agent and other officers were doing their best to come up with a feasible way to deal safely with the bear. I was saddened to learn later last night, that he died in a fall after being tranquilized. There has been a lot of criticism over how it was handled, but it is always easy to second guess. I haven't spoken directly with anyone that was involved, but according to reports, they tried for some time to get the bear down lower in the tree (he was around 75 feet up there!) and then used a low-dose tranquilizer, in hopes that he would come further down afterwards, on his own. Instead, he fell from the tree, and because of  the angle, he missed the net they had out under him. Sad. :(
My first picture has gotten a whole lot of recognition from local news, and I just want to say that I was very careful when I took it. I did NOT use a flash, remained low where the bear couldn't see me and be scared, and I was right next to a game and Wildlife agent. (I was there for maybe five minutes)
As to what happened: Please remember that it was a HUGE bear. Yes, he was cute, but if he HAD come down the tree, into the neighboring yards, people wouldn't have thought he was so cute. Keep in mind that it was literally right next to an elementary school. Did it pose an actual threat? I don't really know, I've never dealt with bears and I have no idea how they behave...but it seems somewhat like a lose-lose situation for the wildlife agents. I just wish it had had a happy ending.

Oct 27th, 2014

I took the plunge today and started working on a new website to sell my artwork from. I've had numerous requests from people on how to purchase my prints, and now I have another option! Not only can you get high quality prints, but also canvas, metal, acrylic, cards and phone cases!

Check it all out here: Fine art

Or, you can access it direct from this website, by going through the widget at the bottom of this page!

Congratulations!

I want to say congratulations to the four winners from my book giveaway for Bloodline!


719 people entered, and four entries were chosen (randomly, by Goodreads) to receive a signed paperback copy.

I also currently have book #2 in the Forgotten Origins Trilogy, Heritage, in a giveaway that ends at the end of November, and book #3 will be up for it soon.

Link for Heritage giveaway: https://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/sh...

I am really happy with the number of entries, and especially for the more than doubling of my to-be-read list! I sincerely hope that the winners enjoy their copies. :)

On another, totally different note, I completed the audiobook for the first book in my MG mystery series, The Mystery of Hollow Inn! It's up on ACX and Amazon:


Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/The-Mystery-Hol...

ACX: http://www.audible.com/pd/Kids/The-My...


The book has 4.67 stars so far, and the one review I've gotten to date for the audio version was a positive, 4 star. Since I narrated and produced it myself, I am REALLY eager to get feedback. I've got some CODES for FREE COPIES, if anyone is interested!!!

Oct 22nd, 2014

So, I've been slacking!

I've been caught up this past week in homecoming for my daughter, and finishing my first audiobook!

The Mystery of Hollow Inn is now available on Audible.com, Amazon and Itunes in audio format.

Audible.com
Amazon

I'm actually thrilled with how it turned out, and I've already started recording Bloodline!


Oh...and homecoming was a success, too! I am blessed with a gorgeous daughter on the inside and out!

October 13th, 2014

Last night, I accomplished a 'first'! I completed my submission for the audiobook version of my book, The Mystery of Hollow Inn.

This story has special meaning to me. I began writing it when I was sixteen. I can still remember sitting in detention (for being late to class. I was a pretty good kid. :) )  writing my book. I was thrilled to be detained in the small room, isolated so that I could write uninterrupted. I guess I was always a bit weird.

I didn't finish it until I was twenty, and then I tried to get it published. This was back when you had to mail out your manuscript to the publishers...after painfully printing it off the dot matrix printer. I gave up very quickly.

This manuscript sat in a box for over twenty years, until I took it out last year, in between writing Bloodline and Heritage. I was taking a 'break' from the trilogy, but got bored. So I decided to revisit Hollow Inn. I ended up re-writing the whole thing, changing the POV and adding a couple of chapters.

I just love this book and the nostalgia it evokes. As soon as I finished Descent, I went back to it again and concentrated on giving it a new cover and doing the audio. The cover that Mel at Melchelle Designs made is just so absolutely PERFECT, that I can't get over it. I employed a couple of family friends to model for me (putting my photography skills to use), so that I could capture exactly what I was hoping for. Mel has a way of taking the image and blending it and matching it up with the perfect concoction, to produce a near perfect match with the image I have in my head.

Here is the new cover for The Mystery of Hollow Inn, #1 in the Samantha Wolf Mysteries

I is a middle grade book, (ages 9-12, but a fun read for anyone!) Amazon link

October 10th, 2014

The fog is thick outside this morning, but it sure makes for a gorgeous sunrise! I wish I had my camera with me, while taking my daughter to school.

The season has most definitely turned, although the temps are still mild. I've enjoyed the weather this summer/fall, although we'll see what that means for our winter. I think it's either going to continue to be unseasonably warm and dry, or else we'll get hit hard with a severe and rapid change.

I am nearing completion on my first audiobook! The Mystery of Hollow Inn should be uploaded by this weekend. Since this is my first attempt, I have no idea how long the review process takes and I'll be crossing my fingers that none of the files get rejected. I'm doing my best at the mastering level, to make sure everything meets the specs...but we'll see.

I am also VERY excited to be revealing the new and incredible cover, soon. Mel at Melchelle Designs has done it again! Along with some willing models for me to photograph, we've come up with what I see as a perfect image.

I'll leave you with a picture I took a few years ago of the fog and sunrise combination in our backyard:

Bloodline WINS Indie Book of the Day!

I had a really nice surprise today! I was notified that Bloodline had been nominated for the book of the day (NO idea who did this, but thank you, if you happen to read this) and it Won!

So, Bloodline is on the front page of their site for today, and gets a lifetime info/ad.

Link: http://indiebookoftheday.com/



I also have another fun interview up right now on Books, Blogs, and Bits! Check it out: http://books.iggylife.com/


I hope that perhaps, Bloodline is finally starting to find the right crowd of readers!

Oct 7th, 2014 INDIE BOOK OF THE DAY!

I got a very unexpected surprise today!


Thank you, to whoever it is that nominated Bloodline!!
LINK to site

Author Interview!

Check out this great interview, given to me on the blog: Gimmiethatbook

Some really insightful questions that I had a lot of fun answering.

check it out!

http://gimmethatbook.com/2014/09/28/i...

Descent Cover Reveal!!!!!

I finally got it here on Goodreads!

Descent


Although I love all three books in the Forgotten Origins Trilogy, this one is by far my favorite.

Here is the book blurb:
Sides are chosen when an ancient ruler returns to claim Earth as his prize and war ensues. A reluctant pawn, Alex is recruited to lead the resistance. Although her friends and family fight beside her, she struggles to find the strength to fulfill her destiny. Unsure of what she’s become, Alex battles her own tormented emotions to find the truth. Can she rise above the darkness? Or will she ultimately descend into its cold embrace?

Descent is Book Three in the Forgotten Origins Trilogy

*****
Part of a review:

"...What I loved about Descent is the growth shown by the characters and by the author. Alex learns to face the darkness within herself and rise above it. Some characters grow stronger under the pressure while others allow the tension to get to them. The division and connection between characters is part of what makes this such a compelling read.

There were lots of twists and turns, and I was honestly surprised by the ending. Ms. Ellis has crafted a well-thought, detailed, exciting world that engages the reader. A recommended read for those who enjoy YA, sci-fi, or dystopian."
-Becky Johnson, Author of Run

Direct link on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Descent-Forgott...

Link to my blog with the first chapter preview: http://forgottenoriginstrilogy.blogsp...

I'll be doing a giveaway once I have the paperback version in-hand, so be on the lookout for that.

As always, I appreciate any feedback and honest reviews. If you would like a ebook copy, please let me know!