Megan Cyrulewski's Blog, page 9

You Don't Have to Defend Yourself to Me...

I found myself saying that exact thing to a couple of my friends last week.  There was some gossip, which I didn't believe anyway, but they still felt they had to defend themselves to me.  I told them to stop.  They didn't need to.  Even if what I had heard was true, it was their business and had nothing to do with our friendship.

Funnily enough, however, I found myself in the exact same position this past Sunday.  I sometimes still receive e-mails from my ex-husband's soon-to-be ex-wife.  It's the same pattern.  Something happens (in this case my ex filed divorce papers) and I just knew I was going to hear from her.  And it always starts out the same way.  She's nice but when I don't "bite," it's like a switch turns on and the psycho that she is comes out in full force.  This time she started out with:

"I'm concerned about they lies (ex) has been feeding you.  I don't think he should be around Madelyne."  And then lists some pretty outrageous accusations against him.  Not that I'm his number one supporter, mind you, but the stuff she was accusing him of...well...let's just say if it was true, she could have easily gone to the police and had him arrested.  

As soon as she knew I didn't believe her, then she explodes:  "You obviously don't care about your daughter.  Great job mom of the year.  You better pray I never run into you because I have nothing left to lose.  (Ex) asked several people to kill you, chop you into pieces and torch you."

Well now, that's special.

The problem was, I found myself actually writing a response to her defending myself.  In the middle of my e-mail rant, I realized that I'm doing exactly what I told my friends not to do.  Do I care what she thinks of me?  No.  Do I care that she's threatened to kill me 8,000 times already?  No.  Is she crazy?  Yes.  So why did I care enough to defend myself?

I actually had a great conversation about this a couple of weeks ago with a social worker.  She said that a human's natural instinct is to defend oneself no matter to whom or about what.  Even if what that person is saying makes no sense, that reaction is always there.  It's like your body does it subconsciously and you don't have a choice.  However, you do have a choice to defend yourself or not.

I used to defend myself to everybody once upon a time.  I mean, I have 4-year-old daughter, divorced, 36 and living with my parents.  I used to be all Jerry Springer up in everyone's ass, "You don't know me!"   Don't get me wrong - I'm not perfect and never judge.  However, after everything I've been through in the past 4 years, I find it easier to step back and look at the entire situation.  And you know what I realized?  About 95% of the time, I was wrong when I judged too quickly.  

Obviously if you're in court on some bogus charges, well yes - that would be the time to whip out the defenses.  But when someone says something and it's so ludicrous or that person is just spiteful, that person doesn't deserve your time.

As time has gone by, I realized that the people who judged me don't know me at all and that's okay.  If you want to think I live with my parents, sit on my ass watching reality TV eating a bag of Cheetos all day, go for it.  Do you think that bothers me?  Not at all.  

Blog Tour: The Next Day by Milt Mays

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Enjoy Happy Geek Media's Debut of The Next Day[/caption] [caption id="" align="alignright" width="420"] Author Milt Mays The Next Day[/caption]

The Next Day by: Milt Mays

Genres: Thriller, Paranormal, sci-fi

395 Pages

Release date: November 10, 2014

***** Top secret bio-warfare after 9/11 changes an American geneticist and an Iraqi jihadist into the next evolution of man, one evil and one good, and their end game will decide the fate of the human race. Alex Smith, an adventure seeking American geneticist, remembers 9/11 with crystal clarity. A girlfriend was incinerated at the Twin Towers at the same time he was infected by a lethal virus he genetically modified in an illegal, U.S. bio-warfare facility in the Amazon jungle. Then he changes, physically and psychologically, into a creature he hates and must learn to control before he loses his work, his new love, and his life and country. Jabril El Fahd’s Iraqi mother, a nurse, dies in his arms, killed by the American embargo. His dreams of being a doctor are consumed in the fires of revenge and hate. He becomes a jihadist, Osama bin Laden’s right-hand man, and comes up with a plan to not just cripple, but destroy the United States. Infecting himself with a deadly virus to wipe out the American infidels, he changes into a monstrous creature he loves, and becomes more powerful with every hateful and lustful thought. Nothing stands in his way. Nothing except Alex.

ONLY ON AMAZON FOR NOW

Book discounted to 99 cents for the holidays! Grab your copy. The book does not disappoint!

Follow the tour by visiting the tour schedule here.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="240"] Author Milt Mays[/caption]

Milt grew up in Colorado, then spent most of his adult life as a Navy doctor. After graduating from the Naval Academy and medical school, he traveled all over the world with the Navy, the Marines, and a Navy Security Group, finally coming back to rest in Colorado. He’s worked as a fly fishing guide and currently is a primary care doctor for the VA. Five fun Facts about Milt Mays: I’m Married with three grown kids and one grandson, I’m an avid fly fisherman, caught many salt water species, including a 100+ lb tarpon. I was a fly fishing guide in Colorado, I’m a retired Navy physician and served for 27 years in Navy, I live in beautiful Colorado, northern Front Range, and I married my high school sweetheart, still with her.

Other published works by Milt include the novels The Guide and Dan’s War and the short stories “Thanksgiving with Riley” and “The Dry-Land Farmer.” He lives with his wife in Colorado.

Visit his website to find out more about him.

WEBSITE/TWITTER/FACEBOOK

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I Love My Child But It's My Turn to Whine...

I’m tired and a little irritable right now.  And I have to tell you, my 4-year-old daughter, Madelyne, crunching on her goldfish crackers with her mouth wide open is not helping the irritability.  Then she told me she wanted water.  It’s sitting on the table right next to her.  I told her to get it.  She told me to get it.  I didn’t give in.  With a huge dramatic sigh, she moved two feet to the right and got herself.

Why am I sharing this?  Because sometimes, don’t you want to be left alone?  I always feel like when I bring this up with some of my friends, they’re like, “Oh but aren’t they so cute?”

Yes I know, I have a child and some women are unfortunately not able to have children.  I get that.  But sometimes, I really miss when my cats where my babies.  They didn’t constantly ask me for something.  They didn’t barf mac and cheese on my head when they were sick.  They never made me watch Frozen 8,000 times. 

Speaking of which, I don’t like when people talk during movies.  It drives me insane.  I didn’t come to the movie theatre to have a conversation with you.  I didn’t turn the movie on the TV so you can tell me what is going to happen in the next scene 5.2 seconds before it happens.  Madelyne loves talking during movies.  It’s so fun. 

Madelyne had her first dentist appointment the other day.  It’s our family dentist who we have been seeing for 30+ years.  I pretty much don’t want to show my face in the office ever again after her appointment.  It started out well.  Dorothy, our regular dental hygienist, looked in her mouth.  She even used the pokey thingie to scrape her teeth.  But when the toothbrush was turned on, all hell broke loose. 

This was the scene:  Madelyne was sitting on my lap when Dorothy turned on the toothbrush.  Cue the hysterical screaming.  I’m sweating.  Dorothy is sweating.  We are both in contorted positions trying to get the toothbrush in her mouth.  Now, I know what you’re thinking.  I’m being harsh because it was probably scary.  You’re right except there is a huge irony to the situation.  Madelyne was screaming at the electric toothbrush in the dentist’s office, however, Madelyne LOVES construction sites and construction vehicles.  She loves watching “diggy trucks” scoop up dirt in the big claw.  She even wants to be a construction worker when she grows up.  Hey – saves on college tuition.

So back to the dentist.  When the dentist came in, he said, “Man.  I couldn’t tell what room you guys were in.”  Sorry to the other patients that were in the office that day.  Even the receptionist said, “Why don’t we wait to schedule the next appointment” as she gave me a nervous laugh.  The best part?  That night at dinner, my parents asked her how she liked the dentist.  Madelyne answered with a smile, “It was great!  I loved it and my teeth are clean.”  My daughter makes me feel like a pathological liar. 

Now Madelyne loves to sleep in my bed at night.  Obviously, I don’t let her do it every night because I don’t want her to be 40-years-old and still sleeping in my bed.  (Please don’t kill me parents who practice attachment parenting.  Not judging, I just don’t like it.)  Here’s the thing:  when I was married, I hated sleeping with my own husband.  I don’t like sharing a bed except with my cats.  My ex-husband and I even bought a king-size bed so there was plenty of room.  Soon enough, the cats kicked him out. 

Madelyne has a wonderful bed.  A beautiful comfy top-of-the-line twin size bed with a puffy mattress.  When she sleeps in her bed, she stays in one spot all night.  When she sleeps with me?  She has to touch me…all night.  I wake up in the middle of the night and there’s a foot on my butt.  Or she’s laying perpendicular on the bed and my right leg is hanging off the side.  One of these nights, she’s going to push me right off the bed and I’m going to sleep on the floor.

Oh goody.  Now’s she listening to the Frozen story on the iPad.  She keeps touching the characters so they say the same things over and over and over and over and…you get it.  She’s still eating those damn fish crackers.  With her mouth open…  Crunching…  Munching…  

Blog Tour: The Next Day by Milt Mays

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Enjoy Happy Geek Media's Debut of The Next Day[/caption] [caption id="" align="alignright" width="420"] Author Milt Mays The Next Day[/caption]

The Next Day by: Milt Mays

Genres: Thriller, Paranormal, sci-fi

395 Pages

Release date: November 10, 2014

***** Top secret bio-warfare after 9/11 changes an American geneticist and an Iraqi jihadist into the next evolution of man, one evil and one good, and their end game will decide the fate of the human race. Alex Smith, an adventure seeking American geneticist, remembers 9/11 with crystal clarity. A girlfriend was incinerated at the Twin Towers at the same time he was infected by a lethal virus he genetically modified in an illegal, U.S. bio-warfare facility in the Amazon jungle. Then he changes, physically and psychologically, into a creature he hates and must learn to control before he loses his work, his new love, and his life and country. Jabril El Fahd’s Iraqi mother, a nurse, dies in his arms, killed by the American embargo. His dreams of being a doctor are consumed in the fires of revenge and hate. He becomes a jihadist, Osama bin Laden’s right-hand man, and comes up with a plan to not just cripple, but destroy the United States. Infecting himself with a deadly virus to wipe out the American infidels, he changes into a monstrous creature he loves, and becomes more powerful with every hateful and lustful thought. Nothing stands in his way. Nothing except Alex.

ONLY ON AMAZON FOR NOW

Book discounted to 99 cents for the holidays! Grab your copy. The book does not disappoint!

Follow the tour by visiting the tour schedule here.

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="240"] Author Milt Mays[/caption]

Milt grew up in Colorado, then spent most of his adult life as a Navy doctor. After graduating from the Naval Academy and medical school, he traveled all over the world with the Navy, the Marines, and a Navy Security Group, finally coming back to rest in Colorado. He’s worked as a fly fishing guide and currently is a primary care doctor for the VA.

Other published works by Milt include the novels The Guide and Dan’s War and the short stories “Thanksgiving with Riley” and “The Dry-Land Farmer.” He lives with his wife in Colorado.

Visit his website to find out more about him.

WEBSITE/TWITTER/FACEBOOK

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Blog Tour: The Fallen Angels of Karnataka

[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="640"] Enjoy Happy Geek Media’s debut virtual tour of The Fallen Angels of Karnataka[/caption]

The Fallen Angels of Karnataka by:

Hans M. Hirschi

Published by:

Yaree AB

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, LGBT, Social Awareness, Literary, Travel

264 pages

Release Date: September 15, 2014

In an isolated mountain town in Norway, Haakon dreams of traveling the world, pursuing adventure, seeing great cities, finding love. His very first trip to London with friends from university offers much promise, yet soon after tragedy strikes. Still young, and mourning the loss of his lover, Haakon is not ready to give up on his dream, so when a rich Englishman offers him the chance to join him on a tour of the world, Haakon takes it, daring to believe that his dream is finally coming true...but at what price? The Fallen Angels of Karnataka is a novel filled with adventure, life's hard-learned lessons, loss, despicable evil, and finally, love and redemption. See what others are saying about The Fallen Angels of Karnataka on the author's media page here. AMAZON /NOOK/ADLIBRUS/ELIB/BOKUS/YAREE Follow the The Fallen Angels of Karnataka tour schedule here [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="268"] Author Hans M. Hirschi[/caption]

Hans M Hirschi (b. 1967) has been writing stories ever since he was a child. Adulthood and the demands of corporate life efficiently put an end to his fictional writing for over twenty years.

A global executive in training and channel development, Hans has traveled the world and had previously published non-fictional titles.

The birth of his son and the subsequent parental leave provided him with the opportunity to unleash his creative writing once again. With little influence over his brain’s creative workings, he indulges it, going with the flow.

A deeply rooted passion for, faith in a better world, in love, tolerance and diversity are a red thread throughout both his creative and non-fictional work. His novels might best be described as “literary romance, engaging characters and relevant stories that won’t leave you untouched, but hopeful.”

Hans is a proud member of the Swedish Writers’ Union, the Writers’ Center in Sweden and serves as chair of the Swedish Federation of Self- & Independent Publishers.

Website • Blog • Twitter • Facebook • Goodreads Entry-Form Good luck and happy reading and winning! Tour Hosted by...

Goddess Fish Blog Tour: "December Wedding" By Emelle Gamble

December Wedding

by Emelle Gamble
~~~~~~~~~~~~~

What is your name?
Emelle Gamble

Where are you from?  
Born and raised in Southern California. Winter to me is low of 48, high of 72.

What genre are you in? 
HA! That is the question. I can not write in one genre when left to my own devices, which means, unless I am under a contract for a specific type of book, ie Romantic Suspense. In the past couple of years I’ve published a Paranormal/Women’sFiction/romance, a Women’s Fiction, a Romance with a ghost, and have written a Noir Mystery set in 1950 LA that has a … wait for it…monster. The words that  best describe what I always do are ‘ordinary woman in extraordinary situation’.

I got an F in coloring in the lines in Kindergarten.


Please list your books and the year of publication.

July, 2013   SECRET SISTER, romantic Women’s fiction with a paranormal twist http://amzn.to/17J2Bn6

November, 2013  ONCE AND FOREVER,  Novella collection  http://amzn.to/1pGoXNy

January, 2014  DUETS,  A novella prequel to  MOLLY HARPER http://amzn.to/1a7k8Gx

January, 2014MOLLY HARPER, Women’s fiction novel http://amzn.to/1a7k8Gx 

April, 2014  DATING CARY GRANT, a Modern Manhattan romance,  http://amzn.to/1iiE8Y0

November, 2014 DECEMBER WEDDING, the sequel to MOLLY HARPER,  http://www.amazon.com/December-Weddin...

Why are you an Author?
Like most writers, I have to tell you stories. My stories. I don’t know why I have this relentless urge to entertain strangers with made up people and weird plot lines I pray you’ll get into, but I do.

What inspires you?
Pretty much everything. Not kidding. If you know a writer, be careful what you tell them. It will get used in a book.

Where and what times during the day do you work best? 
I have a day job, a husband, a house, grown kids, a critique group, good friends, two cats who are the neediest creatures to ever prowl the earth. I work from 6 a.m. to 7 a.m. on marketing every morning. And I write every night from 8 p.m. until 10 p.m. and about 12 hours every weekend.

Yes, you may applaud me. It’s what I’m most proud of, committing my time to my avocation.

Who is your target audience?
If you read, I want you to read my books.  That said, the readers I hear from most are over thirty women who understand dreams and wishes don’t always bring you what you want, and that family, friends and never giving up are the way to go.

How do you want your readers to feel as they read your book?
Engrossed. A little bit fearful. Like they can’t put it down. Those words, “I couldn’t put it down” appear about 80% of the time in my Amazon reviews, particularly of SECRET SISTER. No one could guess how that would end. Including me for a while. HA!

What is one piece of advice you would give aspiring authors?
Write every day. You hear it always, and it is always true. And because I can’t follow directions, here’s a second piece of advice. Play long ball. If you’re a writer, write. The career will have ups and downs. Stay with it.

Share one thing about yourself that you would like readers to know.
I love and am loved. I am blessed. I respect and appreciate my readers and always want to give them a story they won’t forget.

Okay, I know that’s three. Consider me the extra helping author.

Thank you so much for hosting me today, Megan. Readers, tell me your favorite book ever. Mine is probably THE SHELL SEEKERS. Just stays in my head always.


BLURB:
Molly Harper is a movie star who fans think ‘has it all’. Cruz Morales is Molly’s true love, and he hates the media intrusions into their life. Molly and Cruz are going to have a baby. And throw a secret wedding for her brother Harry. What could go wrong? Read DECEMBER WEDDING, the sequel to DUETS and MOLLY HARPER, and find out if there really is a happy ever after for Molly and Cruz.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~


EXCERPT:
Molly Harper lay beside Cruz Morales in the darkened bedroom, finally drowsy as the familiar night sounds floated in on the Santa Barbara breezes. She was on her second set of counting backwards from 100 to fall asleep, forty-two, forty-one…

“Will you marry me, Molly?” Cruz asked, his voice husky and close.

“No.” She’d said no to him a hundred times the last year. He told her last Christmas Eve he was going to ask her the last thing every night for a year before he’d give up. Saying no had been easy. Though meaning it was getting a little more difficult.

“Why not?”

“You know why not. I love you too much to subject you to a wedding.”

Cruz sighed. “Lame reason, chica. No one I know would think that’s a good reason.”

“They would if they remembered I’m an actress whose life attracts the press like a tub of honey attracts bees. And bees sting. You know what a zoo our wedding would turn out to be.”

“Not if we got married at the courthouse in Taos, or at your home there. People can get hitched the same day they get the license in New Mexico. I checked. We could keep it a secret.”

“A secret?  You know that’s impossible. Someone at the courthouse would tell their friend, who would call the newspaper or People Magazine or tweet it to thirty thousand of their closest friends.”

“Are you sure we’re still interesting to other people? I think the gossip about us has cooled down. People seem more interested in royal babies and the Jolie-Pitt clan now.”

“That’s true. There were only two camera crews outside the restaurant where we ate last Friday.” Molly’s brain reran a few snippets of the last two years, all recorded and available on the internet. Cruz struggling to recover from the motorcycle accident that nearly killed him. Her movie star husband leaving her for another woman. Her ex and the other woman having a baby.

Mother’s death.

All events which were played out on the front page of newspapers and websites around the world.

“Please? I’ll put a ring on it tomorrow if you say yes.”
 
Molly took a rattling breath. Tonight’s discussion was quite a bit more protracted than the three hundred plus nights before. “No, thank you. I don’t need you to do anything more to prove you love me.”

In the midnight shadows, his generous mouth softened against the hard curves of his face. “I do love you. I’ve always loved you. Every single moment since I met you. Even when we were apart.”

“Did you, Cruz? Did you really even love me then?”

He touched her nose with his finger and cleared his throat, which he always did when he recited a favorite poem.

“i carry your heart with me (i carry it in my heart) i  am never without it (anywhere I go you go, my dear; and whatever is done by only me is your doing, my darling) i fear no fate (for you are my fate, my sweet) i want no world (for beautiful you are my world, my true)”

Molly’s eyes burned. “I melt when you recite love poetry, Professor Cruz. I hope you don’t do in class; all those cute girls will be trying to jump your bones.”

“I only recite for you, chica. I read e.e. cummings when I was recovering in the hospital. He brought you back to me.”

“Oh please,” she whispered. “Let’s not talk about those terrible times.”

“Why? They don’t matter now, they hardly mattered then. Once we got back together, I mean, the past was gone.”

“The past is never gone. It’s on Facebook and Entertainment Tonight.”

“No one looks at those things.”

That made her laugh, as he had hoped it would.

“Right. No one.” Molly embraced him, the sheets silky smooth, while Cruz was warm and hard, and then rolled onto her other side.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Emelle Gamble Bio : Emelle Gamble became a writer at an early age. As ‘M.L. Gamble,’ she published several romantic suspense novels with Harlequin Intrigue. She is now self-publishing and also working with Soul Mate Publishing  who have released  two romantic women’s fiction novels,  Secret Sister, in July of 2013, and Dating Cary Grant, an April 2014 release.

Always intrigued by the words ‘what if’,  Gamble’s books feature an ordinary woman confronted with an extraordinary situation.  Emelle celebrates the adventurous spirit of readers, and hopes each will enjoy the exciting and surprising journeys her characters take.

Emelle welcomes any reader interested in emailing her at http://emellegamble@aol.com  and hopes they will visit her website, http://www.EmelleGamble.com ,  her FaceBook page: https://www.facebook.com/Emelle.Gamble or follow her on Twitter http://@EmelleGamble.



RAFFLECOPTER
Emelle will be awarding a $20 Amazon GC plus a digital copy of December Wedding to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during this tour and the  Review Tour, here . A $25 Amazon GC will be awarded to a randomly drawn host also between the two tours.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

CYBER MONDAY DEALS JUST FOR YOU!

I have NEVER been one to shop on Black Friday.  I always wait until the middle of the week (when no one is at the mall) or cyber Monday to shop for Christmas.  So, in the spirit of deals, shopping and Christmas, I decided to make my own cyber Monday Blog post.  I had a bunch of responses so get ready for some REALLY great deals!  From authors to photographers to even a friend from elementary school who was on Shark Tank last year, here are some awesome deals for you!  Enjoy and happy shopping!
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Julie Storz Busha, entrepreneur and owner of Slawsa - her Shark Tank Episode will re-air on CBNC tomorrow, December 2nd at 9:00 PM!  Slawsa is also on sale now most Kroger Stores.  (If Slawsa is not in your local Kroger store, please contact Julie through her website.)

Category: Food

About: Give the gift of flavor! Slawsa, the gourmet topping is a predominantly cabbage-based relish with addictive heat undertones. All-natural, fat-free, cholesterol-free, gluten-free, low in sodium and kosher, it's far healthier, more versatile and tastier than traditional relishes. A Hungry Girl favorite, Slawsa has been featured in Every Day with Rachael Ray, Entrepreneur and on ABC's Shark Tank.

Link: http://www.slawsa.com

Discount Code: CyberSlawsa25 for 25% off all product and vintage tee's from our site. Note that we have low flat-rate shipping anywhere in the continental US as well.

Special Note: We're doing a Recipe Contest through December 6th where the Grand Prize Winner will win a year's supply of Slawsa.

_______________________________________________
Megan Harless, Jamberry Consultant

Category:  Beauty

Product:  Jamberry Nail Wraps. 

About:  They are a stylish, adorable, and affordable way to do your nails with out dry time or chipping! The wraps are heat activated and pressure sealed! Pair it with an application kit and it makes the perfect gift or stocking stuffer! 

Discount:  I will offer 15% off orders up to $45, and 20% plus free shipping on orders $45+! Just visit my page, and PM me to use the discount! Mention Megan's Blog!

Links:
www.facebook.com/mhjamberrynails
http://meganharless.jamberrynails.net/


_______________________________________________
Elle Klass, Author

Category:  Books

Product:  Two books by Elle Klass:  As Snow Falls and Eye of the Storm, Eilida's Tragedy 

About:
As Snow Falls:  Trapped in everyday life, being pulled down at every turn, evil lurks everywhere. Through a lifetime of memories she tells her tale. Born into an ordinary family she battles her childhood foes and nightmares. She finds rapture on a long journey meant for escape. Answers to questions she didn't know she was asking. She finds happiness when she didn't know it existed.A story of love and laughter.

Eye of the Storm:  A disturbance at her neighbor's house piques Eilida’s curiosity. What she discovers is so shocking it sends her running through the mountainous woods during a thunderstorm. She slips on the wet ground, plummets down Mount Wilde, and slams into a large boulder beside River Freedom. Eilida is transported to Lyden, where Sunshine, a receptionist at the local paper becomes engrossed in her story. The further Sunshine delves into Eilida’s life the more entangled their lives become. Paranormal events, frightening dreams, and terror filled memories draw the women together into an unthinkable web of horror.


Discount and Links:
As Snow Falls sale- http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/345088
1/2 price coupon code DE55Z

Eye of the Storm Eilida's Tragedy sale- http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/483818
1/2 price coupon code GK26D


_______________________________________________________________
Esmerelda Hernandez, Author

Category:  Books

Product:  Paranormal Romance called Wicked Love  

About:  A delicious spellbinding twist on gypsies and vampires you’ll want to sink your teeth into! 

Discount:  Ebook is $0.99

Links:
www.facebook.com/wickedlovebook

US-http://www.amazon.com/Wicked-Love.../dp/B00I9KFNDC/
UK-http://www.amazon.co.uk/Wicked-Love-Esmeralda-Hernandez-ebook/dp/B00I9KFNDC
CA-http://www.amazon.ca/Wicked-Love-Esmeralda-Hernandez-ebook/dp/B00I9KFNDC

_________________________________________________________
Amanda Sturdee, Consultant

Category:  Home and Jewelry

Product:  Jewelry in Candles - Home decor/candles/jewelry

About:  100% soy wax candles infused with natural essential oils with a hidden jewelry surprise of your choice. Choose from earrings,necklace, or a ring size 6-9. We even have scents for men .Products are hand poured in Kentucky, USA. 

Discount:  I will offer 15% off a purchase of 3 or more candles, and 10% off of the purchase of 3 or more tarts.

E-mail:  smiley535@gmail.com

_______________________________________________________
Glenys Nellist, Author

Category:  Books

Product:  "Love Letters from God:  Bible Stories

About:  Love Letters from God: Bible Stories is a heartwarming, lift-the-flap book for 4-8 year olds, where children can open and read their very own letters from God.

Discount:  Buy this wonderful Christmas gift for only $10 plus shipping.

Link:  http://www.amazon.com/Love-Letters-God-Bible-Stories/dp/0310733847/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1407601495&sr=1-1&keywords=love+letters+from+god+nellist

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Roger Lambert, Author

Category:  Books

Product:   "Paying Victory's Price."

About:  “Paying Victory’s Price,” discusses the price of success, pointing out that victory and success never come cheap. The wide variety of motivational quotes, inspirational stories and Biblical examples used in this book provide the hope and encouragement necessary to believe that achieving victory can become a reality. Readers from all walks of life will obtain knowledge to assist them in the strengthening of the life skills that we all depend on for success.

Discount:   Discount for that day 40%.

Link:  http://www.payingvictorysprice.com


____________________________________________________________
Neville Hiatt, Author

Category:  Books

Product:  "The Bard From Ballarat" eBook and "Some Shorter than Others" eBook

About:
The Bard From Ballarat Ebook
Written around the globe this collection covers all facets of life through the eyes of this poet from down under. You won't hear my accent but you should be able to hear my heart.

Some Shorter than Others Ebook
A collection of short stories for the young and young at heart. Illustrated by an award winning artist.

Discount:  Both books are 50% off

Links:
http://nevillehiatt.com/os_commerce/product_info.php?cPath=6&products_id=127
http://nevillehiatt.com/os_commerce/product_info.php?cPath=6&products_id=128


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Lindy Hudis, Author

Category:  Books

Product:  "Weekends"  - A romance suspense novel

About:  An innocent-sounding family reunion at an exclusive California beach resort turns into a weekend of murder, deceit, exposed secrets and unexpected intimate encounters.

Discount:  $0.99

Link:  http://www.amazon.com/Weekends-Lindy-S-Hudis-ebook/dp/B0044R8ZC0/ref=sr_1_2_twi_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1416940670&sr=1-2

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Barbara Ann Mojica, Author

Category: Children's Books

Products:  Little Miss HISTORY books

About:  
Join Little Miss HISTORY as she travels to American Landmarks:  Mount Rushmore, Statue of Liberty and 
SEQUOIA National Park.  These children's books are great for children (and adults) who love learning all about American History.  

(As a side note, I LOVE these books and am honored to write a review for the newest Little Miss HISTORY book about Ford's Theatre.  Check back later in the week for the review!)

Discount:  20% off the retail price


Discount Code:  
ZFHZ7A26

Links:
Little Miss HISTORY Travels to MOUNT RUSHMORE 
https://www.createspace.com/4418427

Little Miss HISTORY Travels to The STATUE of LIBERTY
https://www.createspace.com/4409159

Little Miss HISTORY Travels to 
https://www.createspace.com/4718593

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Peter Draggon, Author

Category:  Books

Products:  "How To Turn Your Crafts into Cash" and "The Online Dating Guide:  A Resource to Help You Find Your Someone Special"

About: 
"If you enjoy crafting, have you ever wanted to work from home? Crafting is a good hobby and can make an excellent business. If you want to earn a few extra dollars per week or a full time income, the book "How To Turn Your Crafts into Cash" was written for you!

"If you have been trying to find a date online, and all you have to show for it is a stack of credit card receipts, you'll want to read "The Online Dating Quick Guide: A Resource to Help You Find Your Someone Special." Author Peter Draggon tells you how to find a date online step-by-step, with methods proven IN THE FIELD! Pick this book up today, be dating before Christmas!

Discount and Links:
Crafts:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DMIXVK8
Discounted to $1.99

Online Dating:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00NI2ZBQA
Discounted to 99¢
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Megan Cyrulewski, Author

Category:  Books

Product:  Memoir, "Who Am I:  How My Daughter Taught Me to Let Go and Live Again"

About:  Megan Cyrulewski is an ordinary person who has faced extraordinary challenges and now wants to inspire people and show them that hope gives them the power to survive anything. Who Am I? is about her journey into post-partum depression, anxiety disorder, panic attacks, visits to the psych ward, divorce, domestic violence, law school, and her courageous struggle to survive with her sanity intact—and how a beautiful little girl emerged from all this chaos.

Discount:  30% paperback and eBook

Link:  http://www.amazon.com/Who-Am-Daughter-Taught-Again/dp/1626941513/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1417199691&sr=8-1&keywords=megan+cyrulewski

Blog Tour: "Curve My Song" By Sarah Gai

THIS BOOK IS FREE EVERYWHERE THE BOOK IS SOLD!





BLURB:

Follow the amazing plus size trio, The Curvies, as they find love, drama, tears, laughs and a song to match every situation. Bree Carson loves her life, friends and little town, but something is missing. Taylor Cole returns home after ten years and old flames reignite. Can he break through Bree’s walls? This book is the first in a three novella set following the lives of three curvy best friends: Bree, Elise and Skyla. The first book follows Bree and her life as she fumbles her way through letting down walls and letting love in. This novella has a lot of laughs and a little drama and introduces the readers to the rest of the characters leading into the second book, which builds up suspense for the third and final installment. These novellas will appeal to plus size or curvy women everywhere, especially those who enjoy books in the BBW (big, beautiful women), chicklit and women’s fiction genres. It’s just one of those reads that busy women of today can enjoy while they relate to the curvy ladies who aren’t super models but representative of your average everyday beauty.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~
EXCERPT:
“Chapter One ~ Bree

“Okay, okay,” I grumble, reaching my arm out, blindly trying to locate my phone, my head still nestled beneath the covers, with no intention of surfacing any time soon.

Whoever is trying to call me better have a damn good reason for doing so. I’m enjoying my sleep in, knowing I don’t have to start work until seven o’clock tonight. The phone ringing is beginning to drive me insane.

‘Ah ha!’ I finally find it hidden amongst last night’s clothes haphazardly thrown on the floor. Pulling my hand back under the covers, I answer the phone. “What?” I grumble.

“Bree, tell me you’re not still in bed?”

“Of course I’m still in bed, it’s still morning,” I snap at Elise. I’m not a morning person, never have been. It takes at least two cups of coffee to get me going and, of all people, Elise should know that. Especially if she wants me to be a little nicer right now.

“No, honey, it’s one o’clock, and would you like me to remind you that it’s Friday?”

“Of course I know it’s Friday, I’m singing at Skyla’s tonight. Now, let me get back to sleep.” She’s still on the other end of the phone, but there’s only silence, and I know she’s waiting for something. But what?

Then it hits me.”

Excerpt From: Sarah Gai. “Curve My Song.” iBooks. iBooks. https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewBook?id=878373680

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Sarah Gai is the author of The Curvies series. Living in Victoria Australia. As a devoted wife and mother of three, when Sarah is not writing she will be found reading in a quiet corner somewhere or out for coffee with her own real life Curvies. Being a busy mum she was always trying to find a quick and fun read to squeeze in and that is when the idea for the three novella set sparked into her mind. Wanting to write for all the women out there who want a good short read about strong friendships, romance and body positive, love the skin you're in kind of fiction.

website- http://www.sarahgai.com
facebook- http://www.facebook.com/sarahgaiauthor
twitter- http://www.twitter.com/sarahgaicurvy
goodreads -https://www.goodreads.com/Sarahgai

buy links-
amazon-http://amzn.com/B00KB1DF3M
smashwords- https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/437632
itunes- https://itunes.apple.com/au/book/curve-my-song/id878373680?mt=11
barnes and noble - http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/curve-my-song-sarah-gai/1119467867?ean=9780992504625

The author will award a $25 Amazon or BN GC to one randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Perspective

Some of you have noticed that my blog has been empty and my social media quiet for the past week.  Some of you know the reason.  For those who don't, I can't divulge exactly what is going on but it's been one of the hardest weeks of my life. I've seen things I never want to see again.  I've heard things I never want to hear again.  And I had to make an extremely hard decision and even though it was the right one, it's still painful.  I'm not trying to make the situation about me because in the end, it's not.  I just wanted to let you know why I've been quiet.

The past couple of weeks has also brought about the deaths of two young women who died even as they were fighting to their last breath:  Brittany Maynard and Diem Brown.  Obviously I've never met these two extraordinary women, having only read about them and their courageous battles.  I'm not going to touch upon the political issues surrounding Brittany Maynard's death.  She made a choice and since none of us are in that position to make that choice, it's not for us to judge.  

I usually don't get that rattled by celebrity deaths, however, Diem Brown's death was shocking for me to read.  She was a warrior, a fighter, and a dreamer.  She wanted the same thing out of life that everyone else wants - the chance to live.  Unfortunately, her body had been ravaged by cancer too many times.  I hope she died knowing that she didn't give up her fight to live, instead she left behind a legacy:  fight every minute of every day to live and enjoy the life you have.

I've learned a lot in the past two weeks:

Be thankful to be aliveSometimes decisions in life are hard but the hard ones are usually the right onesThe past is the past and if you spend time regretting the past, you are not living in the presentSometimes it's okay to break the rules and let your child sleep in bed with you You can only do so much in certain situations and if you've done your best, then you've done enoughIt's okay to take a 3-hour nap on a Sunday afternoonIt's amazing what a strong group of determined women can do togetherListen to your first instinct - it's right almost 99% of the timeIt's okay not to be the same size you were 10 years ago, 5 years ago or even 6 months ago because your family, friends and children love you regardlessLife is more important than vanity and if you feel beautiful, then you are beautifulWalking away is not the same as quittingA mistake is not a failure as long as you learn something from itAnd last but not least, if you have to drive to 4 different stores to find "Frozen" snow boots in your child's size, the second you see her smile when she puts them on erases everything else

Live your life.  Love your life.  Be thankful for life.

Blog Tour: "Found, Near Water" By Katherine Hayton

BLURB:

Rena Sutherland wakes from a coma into a mother’s nightmare. Her daughter’s is missing – lost for four days – but no one has noticed; no one has complained; no one has been searching.

As the victim support officer assigned to her case, Christine Emmett puts aside her own problems as she tries to guide Rena through the maelstrom of her daughter’s disappearance.

A task made harder by an ex-husband desperate for control; a paedophile on early-release in the community; and a psychic who knows more than seems possible.

And intertwined throughout, the stories of six women; six daughters lost.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~
EXCERPT: 


"How’s your week been?’ Kendra asked as she leant back against the counter.

‘Nothing much happening. I seem to recall getting a good night’s sleep over a week ago, and that’s about it.’

‘Any new clients?’

I shrugged. There’d been some, but no one needing more than a few hours support so below the unspoken criteria.
There was a snort from the doorway as Terry made her way into the room. ‘Clients, huh? Thought they were victims?’

‘Not very PC love.’

‘Whatever. You’ll never guess what I found out today.’

I looked at her closely. The tone of her voice was off from the usual. Cynicism was her chief reaction to life, but now she had a measure of excitement. Excitement tinged with something else that I couldn’t put my finger on. Terry’s usually dull complexion was flushed with red as though she’d been sitting in front of a heater for too long.

‘What’s that?’

‘They’ve released him.’

Kendra dropped a teaspoon into the sink, swore, and flinched against the noise. ‘Released who?’ she asked idly as she fished down into the disposal unit to try to retrieve her cutlery.

I stared at her as reality dawned.

Kendra was still fiddling about at the sink. ‘Released who?’ she repeated, and then turned around as the silence lengthened.

‘Oh hell.’


Terry nodded.

‘But it’s only been six years, hasn’t it?’

Terry nodded. Her colour may have been high already, but she still managed to grow more flushed by the second.

‘Six years, five months and twenty three days,’ she whispered.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Ever since I was three year’s old I’ve been reading everything I can lay my hands on. It’s been my passion, my solace, my comfort. I used to look forward to Wednesday nights which were the time that my mother would take me, and any of my siblings who wanted to go – so usually just me, to the library.

It would be wonderful, thrilling, and risky. I was only able to take three books out each week, and only one of those could get a free pass on fees. If I picked the wrong one I would be stuck with it for a whole week. Not only stuck with it, but I’d have to read a bad book cover to cover because otherwise I’d have to do something else, and that was not really what I was after. I did go outside, and played outside, and watched TV like any normal kid, but that was just stuff you filled in time with until you could read again.

Throughout my childhood there was never anything I wanted to do but become a writer – it seemed the only natural progression to my life. Then I crawled inside a bottle for fourteen years, and when I popped back out I was working in an office job in a travel agency, my mother was dead, and I was clueless as to how I was meant to get my life back on track.

About the time I started to seriously study the craft of writing, something that used to come naturally to me but had grown incredibly hard through lack of use, I also had a change in career path into insurance (not as big a change as it might seem as it was really from one office job to another with a brighter future and better career path.) I started to challenge myself in my professional life, and my personal life, so instead of focussing in on writing I instead tried out a range of different hobbies, followed up on fleeting interests, tried to learn to play the saxophone which my partner was glad was a short-lived affair, and generally did all of the things I should’ve spent my teens and twenties doing but hadn’t.

But of course I always circled back to writing. Reading and writing. My passion remains the same but instead of skimming widely across any and all genres I’ve narrowed down and done a deep-dive into crime fiction which has been my favourite for over a decade now.

I love the fact that I’ve been reading the same genre of fiction for more than ten years now, and still find new and interesting things with every book that I pick up. Now I’m trying to bring something new and unique to me to the genre. And soon I might finally get back on track to being the person that I always wanted to be.

Amazon Links:

Author Page: http://amazon.com/author/katherinehayton

 Kindle: http://amzn.com/B00LNUMCZ2

 Paperback: http://amzn.com/0473279932

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/kathay1973

Blogger: http://kathay1973.blogspot.co.nz/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Katherine-Hayton/1481785105415848

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8390059.Katherine_Hayton

Website:  http://kathay1973.com


PRIZES THAT THE AUTHOR WILL BE GIVING AWAY:  

Commenter: $50 Amazon/BN GC

Host: $25 Amazon/BN GC


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