Helen B. Henderson's Blog, page 89
November 11, 2015
Book Hooks Template2
Book Hooks XX/XX - Hatchlings Curse
(Book 2 of the Dragshi Chronicles)
Lord Branin is a dragshi, a human who can exchange bodies with a dragon. After millennia of waiting...and searching, Branin and his dragon counterpart, Llewlyn, have found their intended mates.
For the dragshi, the freedom of flight comes with a price. Now Branin has to find a cure for the childlessness of his kind. Cryptic references to mating flights add hope, but dark references about the deaths of suitors threatens not only his life, but the dreams of all dragon shifters.
Excerpt:
XXX
Click here for another excerpt and a free read of the first chapter.
Buy Links:
Ebook: Amazon Kobo iTunes Barnes and Noble
And if you missed Dragon Destiny, an excerpt for the first book in the series can be found here.
(Book 2 of the Dragshi Chronicles)
Lord Branin is a dragshi, a human who can exchange bodies with a dragon. After millennia of waiting...and searching, Branin and his dragon counterpart, Llewlyn, have found their intended mates.For the dragshi, the freedom of flight comes with a price. Now Branin has to find a cure for the childlessness of his kind. Cryptic references to mating flights add hope, but dark references about the deaths of suitors threatens not only his life, but the dreams of all dragon shifters.
Excerpt:
XXX
Click here for another excerpt and a free read of the first chapter.
Buy Links:
Ebook: Amazon Kobo iTunes Barnes and Noble
And if you missed Dragon Destiny, an excerpt for the first book in the series can be found here.
November 10, 2015
Tuesday's Title -- Dragon Wife
Beware the dragon when he finds his mate.
Title: Dragon Wife
(Book one of the Dragon Clan series)
Author: Diana Green
Date of Release: August 2014
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Buy Links: Amazon
Blurb:
The clan is waking. After centuries of spellbound sleep, dragon-shifters are returning to the mountains. They are few in number, and the outside world has become overrun with humans.
Huroth, the dragon chieftain, recognizes a need for his kind to adapt, by forming alliances and mate-bonds with humans, but his clan is divided. From the first time she meets him, Lady Orwenna is drawn to the magnificent chieftain. The mind link he forms with her is both fascinating and frightening, as is the powerful attraction she feels for him. If only she knew what was in his heart.
Does he want her for the woman she is, or for her magical abilities? When war breaks out between kingdoms and ancient enemies of the dragons resurface, the clan will be tested. In the midst of uncertainty, can Huroth and Orwenna find their way together?
Author Bio:
Since her childhood, growing up in New Zealand, Diana has been an avid storyteller. For years she enjoyed teaching art and special education, while continuing to write as a hobby. After she developed an autoimmune disorder, a career change was necessary, but happily this led her to become an award-winning, Amazon bestselling author.
Diana’s books are mostly romance, in the fantasy and science fiction sub-genres. She has placed second in the Heart of Excellence Readers’ Choice Awards, fourth in the International Digital Awards, and been a finalist for the CRW Award of Excellence, the Next Generation Indie Book Awards, the Chatelaine Awards, and the Aspen Gold Published Novel Contest.
Find Diana online at: Author Website Amazon Author Page Goodreads Page
November 7, 2015
The Home Front -- A Different Side of War
Programs by local experts are great ways to acquire information. A favorite tip of mine is to take a topic and look at it differently--to write about a dfiferent aspect. One example is the talk, "The Home Front: Matawan During World War II" being held to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II.
Traditionally, Veterans' Day programs cover an individual soldier, a unit, or a particular battle or conflict. The focus of the presentation will be what “Total War” was like for those who were left behind in town when others went off to fight in distant parts of the world, to defend our way of life. All residents were involved in different ways.
The Home Front: Matawan During World War IIPresented by Al SavolaineMatawan Town Historian and the
Commander of American Legion Post 176.
Sunday, November 8 at 2:00 PM.At the Woman’s Club of Matawan199 Jackson Street, Matawan New Jersey
Refreshments will be provided after the program(No admission fee; donations gratefully accepted.)
And in the tradition of Armistice Day, later Veteran's Day, at the 11th hour of the 11th month, the American Legion Matawan Post 176 and the Matawan Historical Society will hold a memorial service to honor veterans.
Wednesday, November 11th at 11:00 A.M.At Rose Hill Cemetery,
Ravine Drive, Matawan NJAll are welcome
One event feeds the mind, the other the soul. As writer's we need both.
To all who served on the frontlines, thank you for your service.
~Till next time. Helen
Traditionally, Veterans' Day programs cover an individual soldier, a unit, or a particular battle or conflict. The focus of the presentation will be what “Total War” was like for those who were left behind in town when others went off to fight in distant parts of the world, to defend our way of life. All residents were involved in different ways.
The Home Front: Matawan During World War IIPresented by Al SavolaineMatawan Town Historian and the
Commander of American Legion Post 176.
Sunday, November 8 at 2:00 PM.At the Woman’s Club of Matawan199 Jackson Street, Matawan New Jersey
Refreshments will be provided after the program(No admission fee; donations gratefully accepted.)
And in the tradition of Armistice Day, later Veteran's Day, at the 11th hour of the 11th month, the American Legion Matawan Post 176 and the Matawan Historical Society will hold a memorial service to honor veterans.Wednesday, November 11th at 11:00 A.M.At Rose Hill Cemetery,
Ravine Drive, Matawan NJAll are welcome
One event feeds the mind, the other the soul. As writer's we need both.
To all who served on the frontlines, thank you for your service.
~Till next time. Helen
November 5, 2015
End of Year Bash - Fun, games, prizes
Stop by The Romance Reviews every day in November for an end of year bash of contests, giveaways, and lots of fun.
Dragon Destiny is one of the books showcased on November 7th.
Stop by, play the game, and maybe you'll win a copy.
Dragon Destiny is one of the books showcased on November 7th.
Stop by, play the game, and maybe you'll win a copy.
November 2, 2015
Tuesday's Title - Must Remember
Dead or Alive, they want her back.
Title: Must Remember
Author: Colleen S. Myers
Date of Release: November 2nd, 2015
Genre: Sci Fi Romance
Publisher: Champagne Book group
Buy Links: Amazon Barnes and Noble
Blurb:
Nineteen-year-old Elizabeth ‘Beta’ Camden is a survivor.
When the E’mani—those pale alien freaks—destroy Earth with a plague of madness and scoop up the remains, Beta is one of the ‘lucky’ ones. For years, she endures their tortures, experiments and games. Then one day, she manages to escape their ship with her life, and no memory of her time with them.
Stranded on their world, Beta wanders the mountains, looking for a way home. She stumbles onto the Fost—the E’mani’s ancient enemy. Their war with the E’mani is old and rooted in magic that the Fost once had and the E’mani crave. Magic Beta soon discovers she’s developing along with strange tattoos and disturbing glimpses of her past. The Fost take her in and train her in their ways. As she spends more time with them, she falls in love with their culture and with Marin—he of the hot hands and slit eyes.
But the E’mani took her for a reason and they want her back—dead or alive. If Beta doesn’t remember that reason soon, they’re all going to die.
Author Bio:
Colleen plays many roles. Not only is she a veteran, a mother, and a practicing physician, but she is a writer of science fiction and contemporary romances. Colleen’s dreams include surviving her son’s teenage years, exploring every continent on this planet, except Antartica, cause that’s way too cold, and winning the Nobel peace prize. Dream BIG! Currently she is getting ready to publish her first novel, MUST REMEMBER in November of this year (cover reveal soon.) Until then look for her at Three Rivers Romance Writers.com, at Facebook and at @ColleenSMyers on twitter. You can also find her on her personal blog at http://www.csmyersmusings.com/.
November 1, 2015
I have a ...
When you're published (and having a signing event) it is inevitable that someone will approach you and the conversation starts with, "I've got a (novel, novella, story, screenplay...) that I want to publish. How do I go about it?"
Depending on how serious the person is or the status of their work (or how many people are waiting to talk to you), the discussion can start with some basic decisions.
Ebook / printIndie Self-publishing /Small Houses / Big NYC firm
And I usually end with "Have fun with your writing."
Depending on their perceived skill level, I might mention what assistance is available from a given site such as createspace or kdp, but I usually stopped short of recommending any particular book. One reason is the great variance between authors in their writing ability, experience, and genre, not to mention the sheer number of books out there.
Recently I gave a two-hour tutorial on bringing a book to life.The talk was given to a person with a completed manuscript and a determination to have a book in print. Their deadline was such that they needed something concise, complete, and easily understood. The book handed them was the 2015 edition of Createspace and Kindle Self-Publishing Masterclass: The Step-by-Step Author's Guide to Writing, Publishing and Marketing Your Books on Amazon by Rick Smith.
The result? The manuscript is now finished and undergoing editing. Pictures are being inserted, and the marketing/promotional plan being written. According to the soon-to-be published writer, Rich Smith's book provided the overview and sufficient detail to move the project along. Then they'll move onto more discrete resources such as the Smashwords guides, and help forums.
While not every book on craft, how-to-publish, and marketing is suitable for every author, whether published or wishing to be, the answer to I have a ... has been expanded to include Createspace and Kindle Self-Publishing Masterclass.
~Till next time, Helen
Find Createspace and Kindle Self-Publishing Masterclass on Amazon and more about Rick Smith's books at www.ricksmithbooks.com.
Depending on how serious the person is or the status of their work (or how many people are waiting to talk to you), the discussion can start with some basic decisions.
Ebook / printIndie Self-publishing /Small Houses / Big NYC firm And I usually end with "Have fun with your writing."
Depending on their perceived skill level, I might mention what assistance is available from a given site such as createspace or kdp, but I usually stopped short of recommending any particular book. One reason is the great variance between authors in their writing ability, experience, and genre, not to mention the sheer number of books out there.
Recently I gave a two-hour tutorial on bringing a book to life.The talk was given to a person with a completed manuscript and a determination to have a book in print. Their deadline was such that they needed something concise, complete, and easily understood. The book handed them was the 2015 edition of Createspace and Kindle Self-Publishing Masterclass: The Step-by-Step Author's Guide to Writing, Publishing and Marketing Your Books on Amazon by Rick Smith.
The result? The manuscript is now finished and undergoing editing. Pictures are being inserted, and the marketing/promotional plan being written. According to the soon-to-be published writer, Rich Smith's book provided the overview and sufficient detail to move the project along. Then they'll move onto more discrete resources such as the Smashwords guides, and help forums.
While not every book on craft, how-to-publish, and marketing is suitable for every author, whether published or wishing to be, the answer to I have a ... has been expanded to include Createspace and Kindle Self-Publishing Masterclass.
~Till next time, Helen
Find Createspace and Kindle Self-Publishing Masterclass on Amazon and more about Rick Smith's books at www.ricksmithbooks.com.
October 29, 2015
Reader's Favorite Review -- 4 Stars for Dragon Destiny
Dragon Destiny -- 4 Stars at Reader's Favorite
"Helen B. Henderson gives the reader a powerful tale of young love, of holding back, of understanding and of making life work."
Read the full review at readersfavorite.com/book-review/dragon-destiny
"Helen B. Henderson gives the reader a powerful tale of young love, of holding back, of understanding and of making life work."
Read the full review at readersfavorite.com/book-review/dragon-destiny
October 27, 2015
Tuesday's Title - Ghost Orchid
Ghost Orchid - A magical tale of love, betrayal and forgiveness
Author: D. K. ChristiDate of Release: October 31, 2015Genre: General Literature - Fiction Publisher: Vinspire
Buy Links: Amazon Vinspire
Blurb: Working for National Geographic, Neev is led to the Everglades swamp where a mysterious ghost orchid has bloomed. The flower’s roots are wrapped tightly around the trunk of an ancient cypress tree. For Neev the orchid has a healing, cleansing power.
Roger views the ghost orchid as a spiritual messenger. What is the connection between the ghost orchid and the death of Mel, the woman who died near the sanctuary where the ghost orchid has magically appeared and bloomed? How will this connect to Neev and change her life?
The novel's theme is positve: Love transcends death. The interrelationships are complex and the story is absorbing. The reader will not want to put the book down until the final page has been turned.
Author Bio: D.K. Christi''s colorful background contributed to her storehouse of experiences, today expressed through her craft as an author and journalist with three novels and multiple short stories in anthologies.
A native of Michigan, she is most influenced by living in California, as well as in Europe, Asia, the Caribbean and other states. As the editor for all international financial reports published in English at a Big 10 CPA firm in Seoul, South Korea,she became fluent in Korean.
In Georgetown, Exuma, Commonwealth of the Bahamas, she lived solo on her 67-foot yacht, Lady Ace, while teaching. “A truly memorable and wonderful experience - a vignette from three years of blue water, live-aboard Caribbean sailing," she mused. Grant writing, public speaking and community advocacy filled a successful career as founding board member and/or CEO for several philanthropic organizations.Find DK on the web at: www.dkchristi.com and http://www.amazon.com/D.-K.-Christi/e/B002BLQG4A
Author: D. K. ChristiDate of Release: October 31, 2015Genre: General Literature - Fiction Publisher: VinspireBuy Links: Amazon Vinspire
Blurb: Working for National Geographic, Neev is led to the Everglades swamp where a mysterious ghost orchid has bloomed. The flower’s roots are wrapped tightly around the trunk of an ancient cypress tree. For Neev the orchid has a healing, cleansing power.
Roger views the ghost orchid as a spiritual messenger. What is the connection between the ghost orchid and the death of Mel, the woman who died near the sanctuary where the ghost orchid has magically appeared and bloomed? How will this connect to Neev and change her life?
The novel's theme is positve: Love transcends death. The interrelationships are complex and the story is absorbing. The reader will not want to put the book down until the final page has been turned.
Author Bio: D.K. Christi''s colorful background contributed to her storehouse of experiences, today expressed through her craft as an author and journalist with three novels and multiple short stories in anthologies.
A native of Michigan, she is most influenced by living in California, as well as in Europe, Asia, the Caribbean and other states. As the editor for all international financial reports published in English at a Big 10 CPA firm in Seoul, South Korea,she became fluent in Korean.
In Georgetown, Exuma, Commonwealth of the Bahamas, she lived solo on her 67-foot yacht, Lady Ace, while teaching. “A truly memorable and wonderful experience - a vignette from three years of blue water, live-aboard Caribbean sailing," she mused. Grant writing, public speaking and community advocacy filled a successful career as founding board member and/or CEO for several philanthropic organizations.Find DK on the web at: www.dkchristi.com and http://www.amazon.com/D.-K.-Christi/e/B002BLQG4A
October 24, 2015
Repost - Tips on Surviving the Holidays
The tips in the following post on Writers On The Move can be used to survive the upcoming holidays. And for your personal life? They can help you keep your sanity there as well.
Three Energizing Tips for Writers Anne Duguid Knol at Writers On The Move
Image courtesy of Aleksa D at FreeDigitalPhotos.netSummer holidays feel far away. The golden Autumn days and Thanksgiving serve as a reminder that Christmas is ahead and then the angst sets in. So much to do, so little time. You just have to think that and you can feel the energy draining from your body. Boost Energy by Doing Something New Forget all the past projects gathering dust in the far corners of your computer. What would you *really* like to do? - Try a new course. It doesn't have to cost. Sign up for Sarah Arrow's 30 Day Bogging Challenge to increase your visibilit... more
Three Energizing Tips for Writers Anne Duguid Knol at Writers On The Move
Image courtesy of Aleksa D at FreeDigitalPhotos.netSummer holidays feel far away. The golden Autumn days and Thanksgiving serve as a reminder that Christmas is ahead and then the angst sets in. So much to do, so little time. You just have to think that and you can feel the energy draining from your body. Boost Energy by Doing Something New Forget all the past projects gathering dust in the far corners of your computer. What would you *really* like to do? - Try a new course. It doesn't have to cost. Sign up for Sarah Arrow's 30 Day Bogging Challenge to increase your visibilit... more
September 30, 2015
Finding new sources
One of the issues when researching setting, events, or even the attributes for a character is finding a source. Which often can mean finding someone to talk. Historical societies can be a font of information. And not just dates and events, but town personalities as well.
Special events and anniversaries provide a unique view into the past of an area. And the way an event is commemorated (or not) provides insight as well. An advantage is that at anniversary events such as the one October 4th celebrating 100 years of community service by the Woman's Club of Matawan memories are at the forefront.
And at happy occasions, people are often more willing to talk.
Happy researching.~Till next time. Helen
Special events and anniversaries provide a unique view into the past of an area. And the way an event is commemorated (or not) provides insight as well. An advantage is that at anniversary events such as the one October 4th celebrating 100 years of community service by the Woman's Club of Matawan memories are at the forefront.
And at happy occasions, people are often more willing to talk.
Happy researching.~Till next time. Helen
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