Sarai Henderson's Blog, page 252

#WeeklyMenu Week 165

Another Monday and another week. I can't believe its October. The boys have been in school for a month now and Halloween is just around the corner. The stress of fall is in full swing.

I hope you all enjoy this weeks menu!

Monday- Cheese Burgers
Tuesday- Pork Chops with Lemon Basil Cream Sauce
Wednesday- Slow Cooker Roast Chicken 
Thursday- Buffalo Chicken Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
Friday- Lemon Thyme Pork Chops
Saturday- Cowboy Burger
Sunday
- Tuna Sandwiches

House of Chaos #BookBlitz and #Giveaway by Sarai Henderson

House of Chaos – Playlist
Hopeless Wanderer – Mumford & SonsGeronimo – SheppardLost Boy – Ruth B.Wild Things – Alessia CaraSay Something – A great big worldBelieve – Mumford & SonsRangers – A Fine FrenzyI’d come for you – NickelbackRise – Katy PerryMy tourniquet – EvanescenceHearts without chains – Ellie GouldingLights – Ellie GouldingStill Falling for you – Ellie Goulding


House of Chaos
by Sarai Henderson
Genre: YA Fantasy
Release Date: September 13th 2016

Summary from Goodreads:

Sixteen years ago, Tabri showed up in the mountains an orphaned child with the magic of the Chaotics running through her veins. She survived the bitter winter, the wrath of a yeti, and mutinied on the flying pirate ship Stallings, but then the Madnesi came.

Nell’s Furyon bloodline and elemental magic make her the perfect warrior. Perfect to revenge her sister’s death at the hand of a Madnesi Lord, to defend the Chaotic until her magic fully emerges and to defeat the masses of rotting undead who threaten the survival of the Wilders. If only there was more time in the day.

The Earth Stone has given the two companions a path to safety, but Tabri’s magic is on the fritz and Nell has completely lost her mind with grief. Can they hold it together long enough to allow Chaos to shine a light in the darkness, or will the Madnesi destroy all magic in the world along with the prophecy?


Buy Links: Amazon
About the Author

Sarai Henderson is a retired ballerina from Oregon City, Oregon, where she spends most her time chasing down her three rambunctious boys and writing on her lunch break at work. She enjoys DIY projects, Photography and writing on her blog about life as a mother of an autistic son. Find her online at www.exballerina.com or on Twitter @Shendersonbooks.
Author Links:


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Interview with dancer and film creator Kathleen Rakela

I am honored to share with all of you an interview with dancer and film creator Kathleen Rakela. Like me, she is a dancer who has spread her wings and embraced the world of creativity. Lets find out how she has spanned the gap between dance and film...
First off, I’m curious to know a little bit about your dance career. How did you start and what made you stop?
I grew up in a farming town in Northern California and started ballet lessons when I was six. However, my teacher eloped with the piano player and I had to wait four years until the tap teacher remarried another ballet dancer before starting lessons again. Due to family and school problems I dropped out of ballet for another year. Then, my mother took me to see a production by the Joffrey Ballet and it totally transformed me. I knew I had to dance, became serious and auditioned for the Sacramento Theatre Ballet. Although I wasn’t very good at that point I did the combinations with every row and they put me in as a trainee because I worked so hard. I moved to Sacramento and danced there for a couple of years before going to New York to work with David Howard at Harkness House and the Joffrey Ballet School. I then went back to dance with the Sacramento Theatre Ballet and the Pacific Ballet before realizing that my real gift is teaching, choreographing, and creating original ballets. I moved to LA and, while there, came upon the teacher who eloped with the piano player. She had become an excellent teacher and coached me to become a teacher in the Cecchetti Method of Ballet.
I still actively teach, choreograph and set ballets.
What drew you to film making after dance?
I had an idea to create a western ballet version of “Romeo & Juliet” where Romeo was a cavalry soldier and Juliet a Blackfeet Indian. I spent 3 years doing historical research, visiting Indian reservations and museums and taking history classes at Montana State University. I hired 7 professional dancers from the Bolshoi Ballet, Moscow Ballet and Colorado Ballet and, with other local dancers and actors, created “Romeo & Juliet of the Rockies.” We gave six performances in five towns and it was a big hit with standing ovations everywhere we went.Anyway, while I was studying at the university I got an idea for a screen play. I went to the film department and asked about taking a script writing class but they said you had to be a sophomore in the film department to take the class.  I felt compelled to write this script so I stayed for two years to take the class but by then I liked it so much that I ended up staying and getting a film degree. I went on to advanced screenwriting and took all kinds of screenwriting classes and received coaching from LA screenwriters.
Do you find any parallels between dance and film making?
There are so many parallels to creating a ballet and creating a movie. In ballet you communicate without words. The movement, the space, the geometry, rhythm, designs, the personality and soul of the dancer along with the music, all work together to create beautiful flowing images. With movies, you create moving pictures with the use of as few words as possible to tell the story and communicate similarly through setting, emotions, expressions, and visuals. Another parallel is in the use of pacing and rhythm. Ballets have a certain pacing and rhythm and so do movies. Also, knowing about music, art, design, sculpture, all those things are intertwined.
I founded Yellowstone Ballet Company in 1991 and have produced and directed 25 annual productions of The Nutcracker, the major classics, Swan Lake, Giselle, and Cinderella, and 8 original full-length ballets. I’ve had the pleasure to work with composers, set designers, costume designers, dancers, actors, and stage crew. When you create a big production with limited resources and limited crew you have to be everywhere and be on top of everything. It is like being one of those icons with 6 arms and many heads.  You also have to understand human psychology and learn to work with divas and personalities. I’m finding it totally natural to move from ballet producing to movie producing.
Tell us a little bit about your film, Rise.
In 6th grade I had a teacher, Mrs. Bresnahan, who totally changed my life and that of my classmates. She would teach us World History by having us cook each country’s food in class, listen to their music, examine their art and learn about their artists, poets, musicians. She had us put on the play The Sound of Music, and taught us all about the Renaissance. She took us on field trips to museums, the symphony, and even to a slaughterhouse where I witnessed the truth about meat processing.

We loved Mrs. Bresnahan. Learning became incredibly rewarding and fun. She nurtured us and we found our self-worth. We wouldn’t miss school for anything. And the whole class became “A” students. But, when we came back from summer vacation for 7th grade, we found our beloved teacher was removed. (Maybe it was the field trip to the slaughterhouse.) How dare they get rid of this great teacher who made each one of us blossom! We were angry! This class that loved school now hated it. We were out of control. Kids ruled. Our poor 7th grade teacher didn’t last long and myself and half the class were expelled. We all began going in a very downward direction. On top of that my parents divorced, and I developed a neurological disorder that affected my left vocal chord. I tried to hide the impediment by withdrawing and not talking. I sought spirituality and other means of communication: writing, painting, sculpting, music, ballet.

Years later, I began putting everything together to write this screenplay. If a class full of good “A” students can become hoodlums when the arts and humanities and a beloved teacher are removed, what would happen if we gave these thing to our at-risk students? So, the class in RISE is my class and Mr. B, the teacher, is my beloved teacher, Mrs. Bresnahan.
   The movie sounds intense. What drove you to make this film?
RISE is complicated movie. There are many different tracks that it is written on and there are many profound moments that will challenge the audience on different ways of thinking. There are some intense scenes that will get to ones core. The “outcast” of the outcasts, sacrifices himself to save his enemy. He’s the sacrificial lamb. Somehow he knows that in order to save the town he must pay the ultimate price. It is so sad but there is a beauty in the scene that is transformational.
Besides wanting to commemorate a wonderful teacher, I also want to get people thinking about our current educational system. As my younger son went through school I started to see what to me was a disturbing trend. Teachers stopped making up their own lesson plans, and instead started relying on a centralized curriculum and rubrics. My son was having trouble with Algebra and went to his teacher after class for help. The teacher told him to get help on his website. He went to the teacher’s web page and it asked him what method he was using and what rubric he needed help with. I was like, “what the hell are they talking about?” I had never heard of a rubric so I started researching and what I found is shocking. Rubrics were created in the 1970’s but didn’t creep into the educational system until the 1990’s. They are used to standardize education. The US educational system is a 3 trillion dollar business. It seems that Microsoft is behind the systemizing of education to make everything computerized. Once everything is graded by rubrics a robot can take over. Sorry, but the long range plan for these corporations is for robots to take over as teachers. It is not science fiction. All the schools use rubrics now and the teachers don’t realize that by going along they are creating their own noose. Why hire a teacher when a robot that doesn’t get sick or need health insurance can easily correct papers with the rubric system. I hope RISE will challenge people to look at the way we are educating kids.
What has been the most challenging aspect of making this film?
The creative part is my strength and that is solid, but unfortunately I could use some help in the “getting the money department.” We have the story, the creative people, the super actors, the incredible location. It is all there but movie making is expensive. So the fundraising is the challenge.
What has been your favorite part? 
My favorite part of film making is working with other creative people, giving them the framework so they can also blossom and express their own creativity as an actor, set designer, director of photography, costume designer, etc.
What’s in the future for you? Any more films? 
I am interested in profound movies where the audience can have transformational moments. I have several movies in development but they are on the back burner while I get RISE produced.

When and where will we be able to see, Rise? 
Late 2017 or early 2018.
To stay up to date with movie info, follow the link here: https://www.facebook.com/RISEthemovie/

Soul Finder #BlogTour and #Playlist by Jacinta Maree @JacintaMaree6

I love listening to instrumental pieces, it allows for a more personal interpretation and opens me up todifferent emotions. I used to set up a meditation area and just play instrumental music on repeat. It was the most freeing experience I’ve ever had. I honestly don’t know why I don’t do it more often.Please, enjoy my small selection. I am forever updating and changing it, but this is my current pick.
Soul Finder (The Immortal Gene #2)
by Jacinta Maree
Genre: NA Supernatural/Dystopian
Release Date: September 16th 2016

Summary from Goodreads:

Since being discovered as Soulless, Nadia has become a target for both terrorist groups and government corporations. Now, her only hope for survival rests in the hands of the man sent out to kill her: Diesel, the Mad Dog terrorist.

Diesel is determined to free himself of the never ending curse of reincarnation and the haunting memories that plague his mind. But when his search leads him to Nadia, a greater desire stills him from taking her life.

Unable to see into Diesel's cracking mind, Nadia instead puts her faith into his strength, fueled by eleven generations of unmatched rage and insanity. Their tight-rope relationship balances the two between life and death, love and rage, trust and betrayal.
Tension pulls at the hems of their dangerous companionship, and as time runs out all madmen must eventually make their choice.

Book two of the thrilling Immortal Gene series dives deeper into the danger of trusting your heart over your head.

Readers discretion: Adult language, violence and some adult scenes. For mature audiences only.

Add to Goodreads

Soulless (The Immortal Gene #1) on Goodreads

About the Author
Born in Melbourne Australia, Jacinta Maree considers herself a chocoholic with an obsession with dragons, video gaming and Japan. She writes a variety of genres including YA paranormal, steampunk, horror, new adult, dystopian and fantasy. Winner of 2014 Horror of the year and bestselling author, Jacinta writes to bring enjoyment to others while fulfilling her own need to explore the weird and the impossible.

Author Links:
Website│Goodreads│Twitter│Facebook

Blog Tour Organized by:
YA Bound Book Tours



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The Fighter and the Baroness #CoverReveal and #Giveaway by Sunniva Dee

BOOK & AUTHOR INFO:
The Fighter and the Baroness
by Sunniva Dee
Genres: New Adult, Romance
Synopsis:Victor Arquette knows the meaning of sacrifice. Destined to legendary status in mixed martial arts, his life is founded on it. Dedication equals sacrifice, and sacrifice means around-the-clock training, no partying, no junk food, no alcohol—and no women.
Helena von Isenlohe is the heiress to Kyria Castle. Due to her father’s lack of financial prowess, the restoration of the ancient German estate rests on Helena’s shoulders. A failed attempt leaves a wealthy man alone at the altar—and the fleeing bride on a plane to the United States.
A chance meeting, and Victor and Helena’s chemistry is undeniable. Except, her presence clutters his focus. Victor shouldn’t crave their nights, shouldn’t be concerned where she is or with whom. And meanwhile in Germany, Kyria Castle deteriorates at a suspicious speed, indebting Helena further to the man she left behind.
Victor and Helena believe in duty. They embrace sacrifice. But when love strikes, it strikes hard, and sometimes you have to choose where your heart is truly at home.
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31868563-the-fighter-and-the-baroness






AUTHOR BIO:Between studies, teaching, and advising, Sunniva has spent her entire adult life in a college environment. Most of her novels are new adult romance geared toward smart, passionate readers with a love for eclectic language and engaging their brain as well as their heart while reading.

Born in the Land of the Midnight Sun, the author spent her early twenties making the world her playground. Southern Europe: Spain, Italy, Greece--Argentina: Buenos Aires, in particular. The United States finally kept her interest, and after half a decade in Los Angeles, she now lounges in the beautiful city of Savannah.

Sometimes, Sunniva writes with a paranormal twist (Shattering Halos, Stargazer, and Cat Love). At other times, it's contemporary (Pandora Wild Child, Leon's Way, Adrenaline Crush, Walking Heartbreak, and Dodging Trains, coming in late March 2016).

This author is the happiest when her characters let their emotions run off with them, shaping her stories in ways she never foresaw. She loves bad-boys and good-boys run amok, and like in real life, her goal is to keep the reader on her toes until the end of each story.

Stay in contact at:
Website: http://www.sunnivadee.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorSunnivaDee
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/sunnivaD
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7191170.Sunniva_Dee
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/sunnivadee/
Instagram: http://instagram.com/sunnivadee
Tsu.co: https://www.tsu.co/SunnivaD

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I'm Not Afraid of Wolves #BookBlitz and #Giveaway by Erin Hayes

Book & Author Details:
I’m Not Afraid of Wolves
by Erin Hayes
(The Cotton Candy Quintet #4)
Publication date: September 22nd 2016
Genres: Paranormal, Young Adult

Synopsis:
Christine would do anything to get away from it all.After escaping an abusive marriage and heading up a group of brand new performers, she’s tired and in need of a vacation. So when her sister Sara wants her to go camping out in the mountains of Georgia with the girls, she packs her bags for some rest and relaxation. Not even meeting a gorgeous park ranger like Colton Donnelly is going to distract her.
Except Sara didn’t tell her the real reason for the trip: she’s running away from a terrible secret. One that puts all of their lives in danger.
Now the vacation that Christine so desperately needed is ruined, but that’s the least of her worries. She has to use her wits and skills to save them all. Because she soon finds out that werewolves are very real. And they’ll stop at nothing to get their claws into her sister.
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30357163-i-m-not-afraid-of-wolves
Purchase:Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Afraid-Wolves-Cotton-Candy-Quintet-ebook/dp/B01LW5G63C/

AUTHOR BIO:Sci-fi junkie, video game nerd, and wannabe manga artist Erin Hayes writes a lot of things. Sometimes she writes books.

She works as an advertising copywriter by day, and she's a New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author by night. She has lived in New Zealand, Hawaii, Texas, Alabama, and now San Francisco with her husband, cat, and a growing collection of geek paraphernalia.

You can reach her at erinhayesbooks@gmail.com and she’ll be happy to chat. Especially if you want to debate Star Wars.
Author links:http://www.erinhayesbooks.com/
https://www.facebook.com/erinhayesbooks/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/erinsnerdcrew/
https://twitter.com/erinhayes5399
https://www.amazon.com/Erin-Hayes/e/B009W8D29W
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5335865.Erin_Hayes 

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Iniquity #BlogTour by Melody Winter

BOOK & AUTHOR INFO:
Iniquity
by Melody Winter
(Ascent, #1)
Publication date: October 25th 2016
Genres: Fantasy, New Adult, Romance
Synopsis:
Athena Harrow is about to turn twenty-one, but there will be no celebration. What is there to celebrate when the world is ruled by demons?
She hates the darkness the demons brought with them and longs for the light to return to the world—a world she only vaguely remembers. The people in her forest village blindly accept the life the demons forced upon them, even tolerating the yearly ascension ceremony where all the girls who have turned twenty-one are either sent away to serve the Master Demon or left in the village and forced to procreate.
But Paymon, the assigned village demon, selects a different role for Athena, a role that pits her against the village. While she adapts to her new life, Erebus, a younger, more powerful demon, arrives, and Athena must play a dangerous game with his emotions in return for information about the demon’s reign of darkness.
As Athena’s dreams of restoring the light begin to fade, her life with Erebus takes an unexpected turn, and this time it’s her life being put to the test.
Set in the forest around Buttercrambe in North Yorkshire, England, INIQUITY explores the frightening, darker side of romance and the uncontrolled emotions it can unleash.

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29606859-iniquity?ac=1&from_search=true
Pre-order: https://www.amazon.com/Iniquity-Ascent-Book-Melody-Winter-ebook/dp/B01LXUQKQX

AUTHOR BIO:Growing up, Melody showed a natural ability in art, a head for maths, and a tendency to write too long English essays. Difficult to place in the world when she graduated, she pursued a career in teaching, but ended up working in finance. Melody is convinced the methodical times she spends working with numbers fuel her desire to drift into dream worlds and write about the illusory characters in her head.

Melody Winter lives in York, North Yorkshire, England with her husband and two sons. When not dealing with football, rugby, and a whole plethora of ‘boy’ activities, she will be found scribbling notes for her stories, or preparing for another trip to the nearby beaches at Scarborough and Whitby. With an obsession for anything mythical, Melody revels in reading and writing about such creatures.
Author links:http://melodywinter.com/https://www.facebook.com/Melody-Winter-Author-169310363186274/?fref=tshttps://twitter.com/melodywinterhttps://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8241647.Melody_Winter

Tips for Writers - Self Motivation

If you find it hard to put aside the monotony of the day, and make your creative juices flow like I do, then you know that being self motivating is a hard chore. 
With three boys, a full time job and a household to run, there isn't much time to do anything else, but finding time in the day for myself is key. It doesn't always come easy, and some days I just want to scream, but I would have never written Hunter if it wasn't for being a little self motivating. 
I want to encourage all of you aspiring writes out there to make time, no matter where you are, to just be yourself. My time is my lunch break at work. Its a whole hour that I can put on a pair of head phones, bast my music and write while I nibble on lunch. If I can find the time, so can you.
Check out this info graphic to the left for some awesome tips on the essentials of writing. 

#WeeklyMenu Week 164

It makes my heart happy to see my oldest son pick up a book. Especailly when its the book that I wrote. I told him that I added a new character into the sequel call ed Phoenix, named after him. He was supper excited and can't wait for me to finish it. Its going to be a while though, these things don't just happen over night.

I'm done with the first draft, so the story is there, but now it needs to be redrafted and drafted and drafted, before I edit it and then submit it to my publisher. That's the point that I cross my fingers.

I can't wait to share it with you though. There's going to be someone you never saw coming and a blast from Hutner's past. It's one thrilling ride that you don't want to miss.

Monday- Chicken Soup
Tuesday- Crock Pot Brats
Wednesday- Crispy Parmesan Chicken
Thursday- Italian Sausage Tortellini
Friday- Mozzarella Pesto Chicken
Saturday- Spaghetti
Sunday- Tuna Sandwiches

The Surrendered #BookBlitz by Case Maynard

Book & Author Details:
The Surrendered
by Case Maynard
Published by: Blaze Publishing
Publication date: September 20th 2016
Genres: Dystopian, Young Adult

Synopsis:
After a financial collapse devastates the United States, the new government imposes a tax on the nation’s most valuable resource—the children.
Surrendered at age ten—after her parents could no longer afford her exorbitant fees—Vee Delancourt has spent six hard years at the Mills, alongside her twin, Oliver. With just a year to freedom, they do what they can to stay off the Master’s radar. But when Vee discovers unspeakable things happening to the younger girls in service, she has no choice but to take a stand—a decision that lands her on the run and outside the fence for the first time since the System robbed her of her liberty.
Vee knows the Master will stop at nothing to prove he holds ultimate authority over the Surrendered. But when he makes a threat that goes beyond what even she considers possible, she accepts the aid of an unlikely group of allies. Problem is, with opposing factions gunning for the one thing that might save them all, Vee must find a way to turn oppression and desperation into hope and determination—or risk failing all the children and the brother she left behind.
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28512298-the-surrendered?ac=1&from_search=true
Purchase:Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Surrendered-Case-Maynard/dp/0997010479B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-surrendered-case-maynard/1124086884?ean=9780997010473Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-ca/ebook/the-surrendered-4

AUTHOR BIO:With over 20 years’ experience in the legal and medical fields, Case Maynard decided to trade in her briefs and reports to write the stories that have been floating around in her head since childhood. She lives with her two teenagers and husband in South Georgia, while maintaining a long-distance liaison with her oldest daughter and partner in crime in Alaska. When not writing, she enjoys reading as often as possible, binge watching anything good on Netflix, and all things NCAA football (Go Noles!). You can learn more about Case and her stories on her website.

Author links: https://casemaynard.com/https://twitter.com/Case_Maynardhttps://www.facebook.com/case.maynard?fref=ts
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