Beyond Words

Friends & Lovers Promo and Nook Giveaway

2013-04-02T17:42:00.000-07:00

To promote the release of the Friends & Lovers Trilogy, Bethany Lopez is giving away a Nook, an autographed skin for the Nook, and an autographed paperback of Friends & Lovers. Enter through the Rafflecopter, and earn more chances to win by following everyone who is participating in the promo on Twitter!

Friends & Lovers is Make it Last, I Choose You, and Trust in Me, and includes a bonus ending for each couple.

Check out the Awesome cover by

You can buy Friends & Lovers here: Amazon Barnes & Noble a Rafflecopter giveaway

Bethany Lopez

Friends & Lovers Trilogy/Stories About Melissa Series

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Interview with author, Dan Chamberlain

2013-03-17T12:28:00.005-07:00

I'm pleased to welcome Daniel C. Chamberlain to Beyond Words. Dan is among the top sellers for Solstice Publishing. I've invited him here to share a few marketing tips as well as to get to know him and his work better. Welcome Dan!

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

Well, I’ve been a police officer, Chief of Police and Special Agent with the Air Force Office of Special Investigations where among my “few” notable achievements; I broke the largest black market ring in post World War II Europe. I sort of stumbled into that one. After retiring from the Air Force, I became Director of Security for a multi-national corporation. I’ve also been a successful “Feature” contributor for national circulation firearms magazines.

I’ve combined a love of history and the old west, with my investigative skills, to craft a frontier murder mystery: “THE LONG SHOOTERS,” that will satisfy lovers of traditional westerns, and detective fiction.

My second novel: “BATTLE OF FORTUNE WELLS” pits a small group of settlers, army and desert travelers against relentless attacks by Comanche and dwindling water supplies. It’s more of an action/adventure, but it’s loosely based on an actual event in the 1877/78 time frame.

I live in Illinois with my wife Noreen and three daughters, Lesley, Ashley and Rachel. Ashley is the graphic artist who created my book covers.

Now, I’ve embarked on another career as an oncology nurse.

What are you working on right now? Tell us a little about it.

I’ve decided to leave the “West” behind for a while. My newest effort will be a contemporary “Action/Adventure” where I draw on my experience in counter espionage and my weakness for wise-cracking protagonists. If you like Robert B. Parker, you’ll like this.

How long have you been writing? What influenced you to start?

I haven’t always wanted to be a writer. First, there was potty training. I didn’t really start seriously writing until I was living in Germany. There I crafted a few short stories that I never attempted to market.

It wasn’t until I was living in Illinois and newly married that I decided to try and market a piece. It was a western short story entitled: “High Country Gold” that was picked up by a regional magazine called “Wordsmith” in Colorado. Suddenly I realized, “Hey, I can do this stuff.” What followed were several magazine articles and the manuscripts that would eventually become my first two books.

My influence was the love of the written word. I’m not into flowery prose, but believe sentences and phrases can be crafted to read eloquently, without resorting to purple prose. I count a book as worth reading, if I find myself re-reading certain passages out loud, just to feel the words roll off my tongue.

How do you market your work? What avenues have you found to work best for your genre?

I’m a terrible sales person. I’ve always believed a good book would generate its own sales, but of course I’ve discovered it might not happen in my lifetime! So, I took to the Twitterverse and promoted the hell out of my first book, but I refused to Tweet things like: “Hey, check out my new book”. I didn’t want to be one of two million starving writers using the same old lines. I figured, hell, I’m a writer! I should be able to craft tweets that intrigue people. So, that’s what I did.

Another thing I do, is I refuse to tweet quotes, inspirational or otherwise. My feeling is, writers should focus more on crafting the things other people will one day quote and less on the words of others. One of my favorite tweets which gets retweeted a lot is:

“It may be there are no original thoughts left to express. So it’s my job to find original ways to express them.”

After each tweet, if there’s room, I put a link to my book and blog, or just the book if space is limited.

Another thing I’ve found ls very helpful, is every time someone mentions to me they loved my book, I ask them to do a review. The more reviews, the greater the visibility. Ask for reviews and not just from friends. I’ve found creative ways to let people on the internet forums I frequent know that I’ve got books out there. Many of them send me private messages that they read and love the books. I reply with a lot of thanks and ask them to post a review if they have the time or inclination. It works.

How much of the marketing do you do?

All of it. I’m published by Solstice Publishing, but their marketing is minimal beyond their website. I don’t mind. It’s my book and I’ll get the word out. I tried Facebook, but discovered what a lot of people have probably discovered, we join Facebook to reconnect with old friends, only to “rediscover” why many of them were ‘old’ friends in the first place.

What was one of the most surprising things you learned while marketing your books?

How darned hard it is to sell yourself. After all, you’re not selling a book, you’re selling yourself. You’re saying, “take a chance” on me. It requires a significant ego to be able to convince others your work is worth their money, while at the same time, it takes enough humility to know that you can’t over value your merchandise when you aren’t proven or have a reputation. I’m not technically ‘self published’, but I’m not ‘mainstream’ either. There is the attitude among the reading public that if a major house picks up an author, it’s because that person writes a good story. That’s not necessarily the case. I’ve read absolute trash coming out of mainstream houses.

What was the hardest part of marketing your books?

See the previous answer. While it’s not impossible, it’s not a case of “If you build it they will come.” I’m here to tell you it takes more than an idea and a manuscript to make a book. It takes professional editing – something Solstice gave me that I found to be invaluable! Too many “Indies” believe they can write a book and edit it themselves, or have their spouse or best friend do a proof read. I’ve read enough Indie books to know that’s what the authors resorted to. It won’t work. Another tweet I like to use is: “Good selling will sell poor writing one time. Good writing will sell the next one in advance.”

I’m not trying to be a jerk or dissuade people from Indie publishing. But for goodness sake, find someone who doesn’t owe you a favor to do the editing and make sure they know what it takes to edit. If this means saving up your pocket change and putting off publication for a year, then do it! Poor writing and craftsmanship by Indies, hurts everyone in the business.

Where can readers find you?

Amazon.com: http://tinyurl.com/a8a6f5l

My Blog: http://tinyurl.com/4yaop25

Or at Solstice Publishing: http://store.solsticepublishing.com/

Is there anything you’d like to add?

Yes. If you want to write, then write. Tell your story, even if it is one no one else will ever know, or something your grand kids will discover in an old trunk after you’re gone. Don’t let your life’s story include the book you never wrote.

Let’s go Blog Hopping!

2013-03-10T11:37:00.000-07:00

My dear friend and author, Sheila Dalton has invited me to participate in the “My Next Big Thing” blog hop in which I am asked and answer the ten questions below.

You can read Sheila’s post here: http://sheila-anne-dalton.com/Bee%20Happy%20blog%20tour.html

1. What is the title of your book or project?

I’ve decided to talk about my YA novel, Invisible.

2. Where did the idea come from for the book or project?

The idea for Invisible came when I was watching my daughter, Sara, who was seven years old at the time, at her swimming lessons. She was not enjoying them and for a moment I put myself in her place and imagined that she was wishing with all her heart that she could disappear. That idea lead to a time in my life where I wished I was invisible. In grades seven and eight, I was bullied and would have done anything to be able to disappear.

3. What genre does it come under, if any?

Young adult.

4. If applicable, who would you choose to play your characters in a movie?

I’ve thought of this a lot. My main character, Lola is tall and overweight. I picture her looking like a younger Adele, the British singer, but of course, Adele is not an actress. It’s hard to come up with an actress who would fit the bill because there aren’t many young plus size actresses. However, after an Internet search, I did come up with a young Canadian actress/model, named Christina Schmidt who reminds me a lot of Lola.

For Lola’s love interest, Jon, I chose a young actor named Matt Lanter.

For Lola’s best friend, the sexually ambiguous Charlie, I chose Selena Gomez.

Lastly, for Lola’s Grandma Rose, I would die on the spot if Shirley McLaine was cast in the role. I love Ms. McLaine more than words can say and have the greatest respect for her.

5. What is the one-sentence synopsis of your manuscript or project?

Lola’s not pretty. Lola’s not popular. Lola wishes she could disappear … and then one day she does just that...

6. Will your book or story be self-published or represented by an agency?

My novel is already published by Solstice Publishing. www.solsticepublishing.com

7. How long did it take to write the first draft of your manuscript?

This story came quickly and easily for me. I wrote the whole thing in four months.

8. What other book or stories would you compare this story to within the genre?

I read a novel by Gayle Forman called If I Stay that reminded me a little of Invisible.

9. Who or what inspired you to write this book or story?

I’ve always loved to write. I’ve always written but before writing Invisible, I only wrote short stories. I guess a source or higher power is what gave me the inspiration and determination to write this story. I also had the support of my many writer friends.

10. What else about the book or story might peak the reader’s interest?

Invisible may be a story about a young girl and her struggle with being the victim of bullying but at its core, it’s about love in all its forms. Love of family, love of a friend best, love of a boyfriend, but most of all, learning to love oneself.

NEXT!

I’ve tagged the talented author Linda Hutsell-Manning to continue on hopping. Her blog can be found at:
http://www.lindahutsellmanning.ca/

Thank you, Sheila for including me in this wonderful blog hop ... Jeanne

Michael Thal and The Legend of Koolura

2013-02-13T15:51:00.001-08:00

Michael L. Thal, an accomplished freelancer, is the author of The Legend of Koolura and Goodbye Tchaikovsky. He has written and published over eighty articles for magazines and newspapers including Highlights for Children, The Los Angeles Times, and San Diego Family Magazine. You can learn more about him at www.michaelthal.com.

On February 18th, Michael's Novel, The Legend of Koolura will be free on Amazon

The Legend of Koolura tells the story of a sixth grade girl and how she obtained the cool powers. She has the ability to dematerialize at will and reappear where she chooses. She can move objects with her mind and she can even defy gravity!

But will these powers be of any use in stopping a stalker intent on her destruction? The stalker is determined to retrieve Koolura’s unrealized cool powers and hurt any of her friends who get into his way.

As the hour approaches for Koolura’s final confrontation with her nemesis, she may finally find vengeance to the man who killed her mother.

Where does Michael Thal call home?

I live in Sherman Oaks, CA.

What is the name of your most recent book and if you had to sum it up in 20 or less words, what would you say?

Solstice Publishing is preparing my most recent book for publication. Koolura and the Mystery at Camp Saddleback is the sequel novel to The Legend of Koolura. Here’s a quick summary: Koolura, a girl with amazing psychic powers, attends a summer sleep-away camp in the mountains outside of Santa Barbara only to discover that her powers have evaporated and crude boys are making devilish pranks against her cabin.

What or who inspired you to start writing?

And how long have you been writing? My college history professor, Dr. Abosch inspired my writing. He gave us many writing assignments needing in depth analysis teaching me to look deeper into an assignment and expressing my findings clearly and concisely. A novelist needs those tools to develop characters, setting and plot. My first novel was The Light: An Alien Abduction. I started writing that back in the late 1970s. That’s when the writing bug hit. I’ve been writing ever since.

Do you have any advice for other writers?

And what’s the best advice that you have been given when it comes to writing? My advice to writers would be never give up. For example, I sent queries for The Legend of Koolura to 160 publishers and agents before its acceptance by Solstice Publishing. So take the advice that someone once gave me: “Believe in yourself, and when you do, so will others.”

Where can your readers find you?

My readers can learn about my books at http://www.michaelthal.com. I have a weekly column about children, parenting, and educational issues on the Examiner at http://www.examiner.com/academic-success-in-los-angeles/michael-thal.

Freebie days are back!

2013-02-05T04:34:00.000-08:00

For those who missed my last freebie day for INVISIBLE, I'm happy to announce that on February 8th and 9th, it will be free again. You can download the ebook on either of those days from http://www.amazon.com/Invisible-ebook/dp/B005LW21CC/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1360067421&sr=8-3&keywords=jeanne+bannon

Lola’s not pretty. Lola’s not popular. Lola wishes she could disappear … and then one day she does just that...

For seventeen-year-old Lola Savullo, life is a struggle. Born to funky parents who are more in than she could ever be, Lola’s dream of becoming a writer makes her an outsider even in her own home. Bullied and despised, Lola still has the support of her best pal Charlie and Grandma Rose.

Not only is she freakishly tall, Lola’s a big girl and when forced to wear a bathing suit at her summer job as a camp counselor, Lola’s only escape from deep embarrassment seems to be to literally vanish. Soon after, she discovers the roots of her new “ability”.

Slowly, with Charlie’s help, Lola learns to control the new super power. The possibilities are endless. Yet power can be abused, too…

Then, when tragedy strikes, Lola must summon her inner strength, both at home and at school. She has to stand up for herself, despite the temptations and possibilities of her newfound super power.

A coming-of-age story that will warm the heart.

Interview with author, Melodie Ramone

2013-02-02T14:53:00.000-08:00

Synopsis - After Forever Ends

Orphaned by her mother and brushed off by her dad, fifteen year old Silvia Cotton has lived a lonely life. That is until her father moves the family from the Highlands of Scotland to the Midlands of Wales. It is there she is enrolled in Bennington, a private boarding school, and meets the charming and rebellious Dickinson twins, Oliver and Alexander. Her regrettable life is changed forever.

Locked into a fierce friendship with Alexander and lost to a whirwind romance with Oliver, Silvia finds herself torn away from everything she thought she knew. Married too soon, she moves with Oliver to a rustic cabin deep in a Welsh wood and embarks upon a life she'd never planned for, surviving on hope she never knew existed and faith she never knew she had. Through the years of laughter, joy, sorrow and tears, she makes her way through university and onto a career, only to surrender her ambition to raising her children and living a life that was strikingly "normal." But what is normal? Certainly not what ensues in the wood.

True love, faeries, friendship, loves lost and gained. Fate, doubt, friendship, strength and courage, Silvia's story could belong to anyone, but it is her own. Simple yet extraordinary, told with wit and candor, Silvia unravels the tangled web of her days as she reveals the secrets that exist in an ancient wood, how hearts given freely can become the stuff of magic, and how true happiness is never any further than one's own back garden.

Welcome, Melodie. Your story sounds wonderful. Could you tell us what inspired you to write After Forever Ends?

The title actually comes from a line in the book itself. Oliver says to Silvia, “I love you. I have always loved you. I loved you before I knew you were real and I’ll love you more still after forever ends.” There is an on-going theme in the story coming from Oliver concerning “forever”. He uses the word a lot, but it’s really only he who understands the deeper implications of it…until the very end of the story when Silvia finally works out

what “forever” actually means.

What’s your writing schedule like?

Lately, it’s erratic. I’ve had sick kids and lots of doctor appointments, but when I get down to writing and I find my groove, I literally write from about seven in the morning until midnight or later. I’m lucky because I have children who are becoming an independent age and one of them wants to be a chef, so she’s happy to cook. She’ll plop a plate beside me and kiss my cheek. Now, keeping the house clean is a different story! Everything falls apart and lays on the floor when I go to work. Haha. But it’s all good.

Where do you hope to be in 5 years?

Hmm. Where do I hope to be? Back in Wales, living in a cottage, nestled deep in a wood. Where do I think I’ll be? Right here in the USA, living happily in my yellow house in the middle of a college town.

Tell us a little about your road to publication. Was it a long one?

I was actually published the first time at the age of twelve and have been published several times since. Never a novel, though. After Forever Ends is a deeply personal work for me. The main characters are based on people I have known. Some of them passed too soon and I wanted to give them the lives they didn’t have.

Some of them are still walking around and know I put them in a book. Some of the events and all of the places are real. You could literally visit them. And some of the conversations that occur actually happened, almost word for word. So, in the end, it was a conscious and purposeful decision NOT to go the traditional publishing

route with After Forever Ends. I self-published it exactly how I wanted it, without anybody telling me what to change and how to change it. So was it a long road? Yes and no. It was a series of choices, decisions based on passion and an absolute labor of love.

Are your books available as eBooks? If so what was your experience of that process?

Right now, After Forever Ends is only available as an e-book. It should be out in print by late spring, maybe sooner. I am a HUGE supporter of e-book publishing. It gives the author more or less total control of their work and their destiny, which is so important to me. The downside is that anybody can do it, so there is some substandard work out there, but…you know what? Who cares! If somebody has the passion to write something

and put it out there, it has worth, so I say –go for it! E-book publishing gives authors the ability to spread their wings and fly as high as they can take themselves. I think it brings the joy, hope and the magic back to an industry that was meant to be creative and liberating, but somehow became just about making money.

Anything you’ve found to be particularly helpful in marketing your book?

TWITTER. TWITTER. And TWITTER. Haha! Twitter, to me, is the single most powerful marketing tool an author has these days. Goodreads is great, too. But the best thing anybody can do is create chatter. Get people talking about your work and the sky is the limit.

Where can readers find you?

Twitter: @melodie_ramone

Website: melodieramone.com
e-mail: melodie@melodieramone.com

Book Links:

Amazon US: goo.gl/JT6G2

Amazon UK: goo.gl/dcp1P
Amazon CA: goo.gl/BhCNv
Barnes and Noble: goo.gl/jhg6n

Okay, here's the plan

2013-01-21T12:39:00.000-08:00

It's nearly the end of January and I haven't yet abandoned my new year's resolutions. I'm still exercising and watching what I eat and I'm writing more. So, good for me. However, my weight hasn't changed much and this is frustrating. But, I think I may have found a diet that's not really a diet. It's the Paleo Diet or, as it's better known, the Caveman Diet. The idea behind this way of eating is to eat as our ancestors did and by ancestors I don't mean grandma and grandpa. I mean our ancestors from waaaay back - cavemen and women.

Apparently, our bodies haven't changed all that much from the way they were way back when. And since farming/agriculture didn't exist in the days of the caveman as it does now, our bodies aren't used to grains and other simple carbohydrates, thus, we have a hard time digesting them. Most of the energy from these foods are unfortunately stored as fat. The Paleo diet consists of eating mainly fish, fowl and meat along with plenty of fruits and vegetables. Nuts and seeds are also allowed. As for dairy, from what I've read, some suggest staying away while others say it's okay in moderation. I think I'll keep the dairy for now.

This diet seems like a good fit for me because I have an intolerance to gluten and stay away from bread (for the most part). Today is my first day on the diet and so far, so good. I had peameal bacon and scrambled eggs for breakfast and then some roast beef and veggies for lunch. In between I snacked on a handful of trail mix. I'm not at all hungry and have lots of energy. I even managed a mid-morning workout which I never do because I'm always sluggish in the morning.

I'll keep everyone posted on how the diet goes. I just want to try it for 30 days. If there's anyone out there whose had experience with this diet, please let me know how it worked for you.

Until we meet again...Jeanne

My Experience with Amazon's Prime Select Program

2013-01-17T16:34:00.001-08:00

As a writer I'm always trying new ways to market my book, especially in this day and age when publishers expect authors to do much more than simply write the novel. Since the publication of, Invisible, I've run the marketing gamut - from blog hops, to radio interviews, to guest blogs, to every type of social media out there. My novel was selling but in no way was it a best seller.

When I heard about Amazon's Prime Select Program, I figured I had nothing to lose and gave it a try. I was pleasantly surprised. Recently, I had my first 'free' day and just discovered that almost 6,000 copies were downloaded. This is a wonderful way to get your book out there and in the hands of readers in order to develop a following. I know I won't be making any money when my book is given away for free, but something wonderful happened. In the days following the freebie day, my sales soared. Another fringe benefit has been the positive feedback Invisible has received in terms of reviews and ratings on Goodreads.

I'd love to hear from other authors who've participated in the program. What has your experience been like?

Until we meet again...Jeanne

Back on the Horse

2013-01-15T16:08:00.000-08:00

It's been a week since my surgery and I'm feeling pretty good. So good in fact that I've started to exercise again. I'm not sure if I'm supposed to exercise yet but I took it easy and went slow, only doing light aerobics on my elliptical trainer. I did 40 minutes! Yay me! I'm still swollen and bloated from surgery so I'm not bothering to weight myself yet. I don't want to be disappointed.

Exercise and weight loss weren't my only resolutions. I'd also resolved to write more and to be more diligent with my writing. I'm proud to say that I've opened a vein and have begun to pour out my soul onto my computer screen again. I'm working on the second draft of my novel, Incarnate. I find rewrites to be slow going so I've set easily attainable goals. Just taking baby steps at the moment but at least I'm heading in the 'write' direction. I'd be curious to hear how other writers keep themselves motivated.

I want to thank everyone who stopped by Amazon to download a copy of Invisible yesterday. Invisible soared to #2 in the Kindle store under paranormal romance and was #72 in the Kindle store overall. I couldn't be happier with the results of the freebie day. It's all about getting my name out there and it looks like Invisible is in the hands of many more readers now. Another added bonus is that sales have continued today even though Invisible is back to its original price of $2.02.

Until we meet again...Jeanne

Good News for Anyone Wanting to read INVISIBLE

2013-01-12T08:48:00.001-08:00

Invisible will be free on Monday January 14th. If you've got Invisible on your 'to read' list, now is the time to download a kindle edition free. For one day only.

Lola’s not pretty. Lola’s not popular. Lola wishes she could disappear … and then one day she does just that...

Slowly, with Charlie’s help, Lola learns to control the new super power. The possibilities are endless. Yet power can be abused, too…

Then, when tragedy strikes, Lola must summon her inner strength, both at home and at school. She has to stand up for herself, despite the temptations and possibilities of her newfound super power.

A coming-of-age story that will warm the heart.

Download your copy from Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/Invisible-ebook/dp/B005LW21CC/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1358008696&sr=8-2&keywords=jeanne+bannon

Post Surgery Report and a Nagging Muse

2013-01-09T16:39:00.003-08:00

I'm happy to report my gall bladder surgery is over. I had it done on Monday, January 7th. All went well. I'm a little sore and it's kinda tough to get around at the moment. But now that the black cloud of worry has finally blown away and I'm beginning to feel the nag of my muse at last.

I've learned something about myself over these past few weeks. I can't write unless I'm happy. So much for artistic angst. I've got to do my best to stay positive so my muse will be tempted to creep back into my life. She's a touchy one and I've got to keep her surrounded by love and positivity if I want to keep her around.

Not much I can do on the weight loss front for another four weeks. No working out for me at the moment and of course, I'm swollen up like a blow fish right now so there's no sense in weighing myself.

I want to thank my family and friends for their support over these past few days as well as extend a huge THANK YOU to Dr. Lane-Smith who skillfully removed my diseased GB. And an even bigger THANK YOU to the angels who work at Headwaters Hospital in Orangeville. And by angels, I, of course, mean the nurses. No sweeter, kinder women walk upon this earth. :)

Success!

2013-01-05T13:11:00.001-08:00

Here I am on day three of my exercise/life change regime and when I got on the scale this morning, I was down 1.5 pounds! Yay for me! I ate well today...no junk food. Gotta up the water intake but there's still time to get in a few more glasses today.

Just wanted to provide a quick update before hitting the cardio equipment in my basement. No weights today. I'm too sore, but I will up the cardio workout to 45 minutes. How's everyone else doing on their resolutions?

Good luck and let's encourage each other.

It's only day two...can't quit yet

2013-01-04T17:08:00.000-08:00

I've only been back to my exercise routine for two days - guess it's too early to quit or even complain. I shouldn't have any expectations at this point, but I am disappointed that my weight is exactly the same as it was when I started. I've also been eating healthier and eating less.

Today I did 30 minutes on my eliptical trainer and 15 minutes of weights, just like yesterday. I've been drinking more water, though I think I could improve upon that. Guess I'll just add that to my list of resolutions...gulp down another glass or two of good ole H2O. Anyway, I'm proud of myself for taking another baby step in the right direction. Maybe tomorrow I'll be down a pound.

As for my writing, well, that's still on the back burner. Can't seem to get my mind in gear because of my upcoming gall bladder surgery. I'm sure once I've lived through that horror, I'll be back to my old self and my muse will finally come back home.

It's a Brand New Year - Gonna Make the Most of it!

2013-01-03T16:42:00.001-08:00

Happy New Year! I haven't blogged for a long time. Frankly, I haven't had the energy but it's a new year and it's resolution time. I have many - to take care of myself, to lose some weight, to finish my latest novel, Incarnate and to blog more. I will post updates on my progress so that I can be accountable to someone other than myself and hopefully, to inspire others.

Today, I exercised. Yay for me! I did 30 minutes on my eliptical trainer and 15 minutes of weights. I know it's not a heck of a lot, but it's a start. My goal is to lose 10 pounds. Right now, at this very moment, I weigh 144.8 pounds. Yikes, never thought I'd let that number be made public.

However, on Monday, January 7th, I will be going under the knife to have my gall bladder removed. I'm sure I won't feel like (or be allowed to) exercise for a while, so I will be taking some time off to heal. BTW, I'm scared to death but it has to be done. Who knows, it might even help with my weight loss. Anyone know how much a gall bladder weighs? LOL ;)

As for my writing, I've completed the first draft of Incarnate and will begin the second draft after my surgery. I will provide updates as I go. I plan to write every day, even if it's just for 20 minutes. Baby steps and small do-able goals - that's what it's all about.

Good luck to everyone out there who, like me, have decided to make positive changes in their lives. Leave me a comment and let me know what your resolutions are and keep me posted on your progress. Perhaps together we can get things done!

Interview with author, G.B. Miller

2012-11-11T05:20:00.000-08:00

I'd like to welcome author, G.B. Miller to my blog today.

Bio

While working as a Payroll Clerk in state government back 2006 (and with a little encouragement from friends and co-workers), G. . decided to take up writing so as to make better use of his free time. Becoming fully immersed with his nascent second career, some six years later, he can proudly say that he is a published somebody, with two short stories, a self-pubbed chapbook and his commercial debut, Line 21.

G.B. lives in Newington CT with his wife Joanne, his two children and his pet cat Holly. Currently he divides his time between working for the state, and creating written mayhem in the cyber world and the real world.

Tell us something about yourself and how you became a writer:

I am 47 years old and a worker bee for the state of Connecticut, and unlike most writers who probably knew what they wanted to do, I didn’t start writing until about six years ago. Prior to that, most of my creative energy was done verbally and the pen was put to paper only for business purposes. The only reason I decided to write was because I was going through a personal crisis and the easiest (and safest) way to survive that crisis was to write.

Tell us about your novel?

Jeannie Mitchell was deep in debt to her uncle the loan shark, and the only way she could get out of debt was to become an adult movie star. However, she did have some concerns and after voicing them to her symbiont sister, Aissa, she bravely stepped into a world that catered to the hidden desires of both sexes.

Line 21 tells the dual story of the trials and tribulations of a vivacious young woman who tries to straddle the line between illicit excitement and the moral high ground, and of her symbiont sister, who yearns to be flesh and blood.

What have you had published to-date?

To date, I have two short stories published: Cedar Mountain, which was published in the e-zine “Beat To A Pulp” (www.beattoapulp.com) and Red Stripe, published in The Cynic Online Magazine (www.cynicmag.com), and I have one self-published chapbook called Betrayed (booksbygbmjrofct.blogspot.com).

Tell us a little about your road to publication. Was it a long one? Do you have an agent? In your opinion are they even necessary?

The road for publication of this novel was about average, that from the first word written to the release of Line 21 was a little over 2 ½ years. The writing itself took about nine months, and the querying took almost a year. I signed with Solstice on my 13th query.

I do not have an agent, and in my opinion, if you’re writing in a genre that is popular/hot and you want to stand out from the crowd, then an agent is your best bet, especially if you’re gunning for a well known publisher. Otherwise, if you’re aiming for something a little more personal, like a small to medium sized publisher, then an agent probably isn’t for you.

How much of the marketing do you do?

I’m doing most of it. Since being commercially published is a new experience for me, I’m kind of doing baptism by fire. I’ve already picked up a lot of do’s and don’t’s when it comes to marketing, so at least I’m not stepping into this blind.

Anything you’ve found to be particularly helpful in marketing your book?

Word of mouth helps, as well as having a solid portfolio of what you’ve written, be it blog posts, short stories or even another novel or two. My blogs have helped me throughout the years, and I’m just getting my feet wet with other social media, as well as a trailer on YouTube (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gRGBeFSwUI)”

Where can readers find you?

I can found at my main blog Cedar’s Mountain (http://cedarmountainnewengland.blogspot.com), and I can be found on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/gbmjrofct).

The Next Big Thing Blog Hop

2012-09-27T04:42:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the Next Big Thing Blog Hop where we will be hopping our way to various blogs to find out what fellow authors are working on. At this stop, I will be answering 10 questions on my work in progress. Thank you Joss Landry for tagging me to participate.

Well, here it goes, here are my 10 questions along with the answer. I hope you enjoy.

What is the working title of your book?

The working title of my work in progress is Undercover Hero. I intend to change this title as it’s a whole lot too cliché.

Where did the idea come from for the book?

Undercover Hero isn’t my usual genre. I wanted to try something new. The idea came from simply sitting my butt down and brainstorming until I came up with something workable. It’s ever evolving as I write.

What genre does your book fall under?

The genre is a romantic intrigue.

Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?

I’ve never thought to that but I see Aiden Rourke as Gerard Butler and Lily Valier as Kate Beckinsale.

What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

Detective falls in love with a woman accused of murdering her sister.

Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency? I will more than likely send the manuscript to the publisher of my first novel, Invisible.

How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?

It’s still a work in progress but I’m almost halfway done. I’d say all tolled, it will probably take a good eight months to get the first draft down. I’m a bit of a perfectionist and go over and over my chapters before moving onto the next one.

What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

After I had my outline done, my husband told me it reminded him of an Al Pacino movie called The Sea of Love. I haven’t seen the movie and don’t want to because I don’t want it to influence me.

Who or What inspired you to write this book?

I was inspired by the challenge. Romance is a genre I’ve never written before and wanted to see how I liked it.

What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

Hot, sexy steamy characters who get themselves into a lot of trouble.

Here are the people I've tagged to participate in the blog hop for next week:

Bethany Lopez

Angela Fristoe

Linda Ulleseit
Judy Goodwin
Christina Jean

INVISIBLE is 99 cents

2012-09-04T07:08:00.000-07:00

For a short time, Invisible will be available for 99 cents

Lola’s not pretty. Lola’s not popular. Lola wishes she could disappear …
and then one day she does just that...

For seventeen-year-old Lola Savullo, life is a struggle. Born to funky parents who are more in than
she could ever be, Lola’s dream of becoming a writer makes her an outsider even
in her own home. Bullied and despised, Lola still has the support of her best
pal Charlie and Grandma Rose.

Not only is she freakishly tall, Lola’s a big girl and when forced to wear a bathing suit at her summer job as a camp counselor, Lola’s only escape from deep embarrassment seems to be to
literally vanish. Soon after, she discovers the roots of her new “ability”.

Slowly, with Charlie’s help, Lola learns to control the new super power. The possibilities are endless. Yet power can be abused, too…

Then, when tragedy strikes, Lola must summon her inner strength, both at home and at school. She has to stand up for herself, despite the temptations and possibilities of her newfound super power.

A coming-of-age story that will warm the heart.

Chapter One

“Lola, get your suit on and help supervise the pool,” Justine, the athletic, sun-kissed, twenty-one-year-old camp director orders once we get off the bus.“The more eyes the better.”

Immediately my heart takes off in a sprint. “What? Why?” I try to hide the wobble in my voice.

Curious, expectant gazes turn to me as my fellow counsellors wait with evil half-smiles for my reaction. Although I haven’t told a soul, except my best friend Charlie, how I feel about wearing a bathing suit, they know my private horror. It’s the horror of every fat girl.

Justine flips through the sheets on her clipboard. She runs a finger down the column of names. “No campers will be sitting out today.”

The impossible has just happened. Not one kid was sick, or had left their bathing suit at home. In my three summers as a counsellor, not once has this happened.

For a long, awkward moment, I stand frozen in place wondering how to get out of this. A sudden migraine? My period? My mouth opens, but no words come.

Justine leaves and with her, my chance for escape. I’m left teary-eyed, searching through my bag for my black one piece.

Stuffing away the panic, I march past the onlookers, who I have never considered my friends despite working with them the entire summer. In the change room, I find an empty stall and with great reluctance, pull on my suit.

It’s my last day of work as a camp counsellor at Inglewood Day Camp. My group of kids consists of eight six-year olds — four boys and four girls. On Thursdays we take the campers to the local outdoor swimming pool. It’s a short ride, only five minutes on the creaky old school bus and my job is to watch the kids who won’t be swimming; either because they don’t feel well, or they’ve forgotten their swimsuits. Believe me, this job suits me just fine. As a matter of fact, I volunteered for it.

Not only am I fat, I’m freakishly tall. God only knows why, since Mom is petite and Dad is on the short side. My older sister Eva is the spitting image of Mom, fair and fine boned. I take after Dad’s side, bulky, dark and thick. Dad says I must have gotten some of Uncle Sammy’s genes, the giant of the Savullo family, who tops out at 6ft 4 inches. Anyway, I’m sure you’re getting a good mental picture right about now.

My insides drop as if I placed a foot on a step that wasn’t there when I peer down at the coarse dark hair creeping from my calves to just past my knees, where it gradually peters out. Then I run a hand across the tops of my thighs. The triple bulge of my belly prevents me from a good look at my sorely neglected bikini area. Even in the blazing August sun, I wear baggy cotton Capri pants, never exposing more than an ankle. There’s never been a reason to shave. My eyes mist with tears, but I pinch them away. It’ll be hard enough to go out in public like this, but I won’t give them the satisfaction of seeing me cry. I lift my chin in resolve and open the door.

The whistle blows, signalling the beginning of the session. Screams of delight fill the air, as the kids jump into the pool to find relief from the 90-degree heat.

I fasten a towel around my waist as best I can. Towels never seem large enough to wrap completely and comfortably around the bulge of my stomach. To the pool I go, treading silently so as not to draw attention.

“Where’s Lola?” Sonia, a fellow counsellor, asks.

At first I think she’s joking because I’m right in front of her. I toss her an annoyed look and don’t bother to answer as I trudge past to the edge of the pool, where I pull off my towel and slip into the water.

“She’s probably taken off,” Jerod replies.

He’s a year younger than I am, but looks older with his muscular build and chiselled jaw line. The girls love him. “I hope she doesn’t show,” he continues. “Who wants to see a hippo in a bathing suit anyway?”

Sonia laughs, a little too hard and places a hand on Jerod’s shoulder.

Puzzlement and anger compete on my face. I’m standing no more than three feet away from them. I’m used to rude comments and I know what everyone thinks of me, but this is way beyond mean. The tears in my eyes spill down my cheeks and I slip under the water, hoping to wash away the evidence of my pain. Not that anyone would care, but crying could give them more ammunition; just another reason to taunt me.

Kids bounce around me, laughing and playing. Justine stands like a sentinel, looking like a Bay Watch babe in her red suit, one hand gripping an emergency flotation device. Her steel blue eyes are focused on the activity in the pool.

Jerod jumps in, nearly landing on my back. I barely have time to leap out of the way. My anger boils; blood rushes to my temples and pounds there, giving me an instant headache. I hurl myself at him, pushing with all my might, elbows aimed at his chest. I hit nothing but air and fly into the rough concrete wall of the pool, scraping a hole in my one piece and rubbing raw a patch of skin. Small blood pinpricks rise to the surface.

“Hey!” I scream, bewildered. How’d he manoeuver out of the way so fast?

Jerod slips under the water and emerges at the other end of the pool in one long, slick glide.

The steel in me comes up, anger replacing humiliation. I pull my bulk out of the water and march over to Justine.

“Did you see what that asshole just did?” I bellow.

Justine brings the whistle that hangs from her neck to her lips and blows two sharp blasts, making my ears ring. “Stop horsing around,” she calls to a group of boys, who offer sheepish grins and stop instantly.

I step forward so she can see me. “Justine?” I reach to touch her shoulder but, impossibly, my hand falls through her.

“Justine?”I call again, louder, my voice panic-laced. With both hands, I grab her, or tryto. Again, it’s as if she’s not there.

My mind is swept along in a current of anxiety. What’s happening?

Then it hits me... it’s me who’s not there.

Purchase your copy at:
http://www.amazon.com/Invisible-ebook/dp/B005LW21CC/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1346767635&sr=8-1

Daddy Drool: BlogPOOst on chess, pot of gold, and Bon Jovi

2012-08-15T08:37:00.001-07:00

My colleague and friend, Boris Roginsky has started a blog documenting he and his wife's experiences in becoming first time parents. For a funny, sweet and insightful read, check it out -
Daddy Drool: BlogPOOst on chess, pot of gold, and Bon Jovi

One Lovely Blog Award

2012-08-04T08:24:00.000-07:00

Thank you, Vanessa Grillone, for the award. As part of the rules for accepting this award, I am to list seven things about myself and then pass the award onto other bloggers.

1. I have a brown belt in Shotokan karate.
2. I am addicted completely and thoroughly to Tim Horton's iced cappuccinos.
3. I collect fine wines but don't drink wine.
4. I hate to write, but love having written.
5. I love Boston Terriers.
6. Stephen King is my hero.
7. My daughters are my best friends.

I'm supposed to nominate a whole bunch of blogs to pass the award onto but I can only come up with a few.

1. Joy Campbell http://www.joylcampbell.com/
2. The Grateful Undead http://thegratefulundead.blogspot.ca/
3. Turning the Pages http://angelafristoe.wordpress.com/
4. Books, Books, Books http://ulleseit.wordpress.com/
5. Gotta have YA http://gottahaveya.blogspot.ca/

Check out Vanessa's wonderful blog at http://mypenmyvoice.com/author/mypenmyvoice/

Around the World Kindle Fire Blog Hop

2012-07-28T04:51:00.007-07:00

The Summer Olympics are here and as a way to celebrate, authors Courtney Vail and J.L. Campbell are hosting the Around the World Blog Hop. There are many wonderful authors, books and places to discover as well as lots o’ prizes!

There are only 16 blogs, so have fun hopping around and entering the contests on each one.

As part of the hop, I’m hosting an interview with Leslie DuBois, author of The Queen Bee of Bridgeton.

What title are you highlighting in this blog hop?

The Queen Bee of Bridgeton

Synopsis:

When fifteen-year-old Sonya Garrison is accepted into the prestigious Bridgeton Academy, she soon discovers that rich girls are just as dangerous as the thugs in her home of Venton Heights. Maybe more so. After catching the eye of the star, white basketball player and unwittingly becoming the most popular girl in school, she earns the hatred of the three most ruthless and vindictive girls at Bridgeton. Can she defeat the reigning high school royalty? Or will they succeed in ruining her lifelong dream of becoming a world class dancer?

What gave you the idea for the book?

I confiscated a note from two of my students one day during class. The note described some lewd things that happened at a party the weekend before and how the girl was so embarrassed about it. That note became the seed for the major event in the book. I still have the note today.

Who are your main characters?

Sonya Garrison is an aspiring ballerina who is growing up in poverty. She can’t afford to attend her local ballet studio so she works out an agreement to clean the dance studio in exchange for lessons.

Will Maddox is the popular, yet troubled school basketball star who instantly falls for Sonya, but will he be good for her or her career.

Who is your favorite character and why?

Sonya is my favorite character because she reminds me a lot of myself.

Share one quirky trait of your charactersWill is obsessed with the number three. He always carries three Jolly Ranchers in his pocket.

Sonya is obsessed with the Russian Ballet.

What was your biggest challenge writing this book?

Actually, I think the hardest part was trying to keep out the profanity. I’ve been around teens for a long time and I know how they actually talk even though parents like to believe their kids do not have a potty mouth.

Spill a secret, mystery or hidden thing in your book:

The Queen Bee is not who she seems.

Where do you live?

Charleston, South Carolina

What's a cool, unknown spot?

Runaway Bay is a little known, fantastic Jamaican restaurant right by the water in Riverfront Park

What's the most well known city in your country and why?

Probably New York City. At least, it seems like the most well known city since every action movie always takes place there. Why is it aliens only want to take over New York?

What's a little known fact about where you live?

Charleston was the start of the Civil War.

Name two famous people who've been sighted in your corner of the world.

Bill Murray and Reese Witherspoon.

What is the one thing tourists must do?

Carriage ride tour.

What's your favorite restaurant and what type of food do they serve?

Wow. There are too many Amazing restaurants in Charleston to choose from. But if forced, I think I’d go with The Library at Vendue Inn. They serve Contemporary Low Country Cuisine.

What are you giving away on your blog?

$15 Amazon Gift Card

Who is the author you are highlighting on your blog?

Jennifer Laurens, author of Grace Doll

Where can readers connect with you?

www.sybilnelson.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Leslie-DuBois/228572820507819

@sybilnelson on Twitter

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/35845012/" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway

Interview with author, Michael Thal

2012-07-15T17:30:00.000-07:00

Welcome to author, Michael Thal

Tell us something about yourself and how you became a writer. I had an interest in writing since college. I was a History major and had many papers to write. I enjoyed the challenge of finding information and putting it together into a cogent document that was fun to read. After college and grad school I became a teacher. I taught middle school for 28 years. During my summer vacations I wrote articles and short stories. I even started a novel.

One morning, after teaching for 21 years, I awoke to a profound silence. Hearing aides helped, but hearing has since been a chore. Six years later, my “good ear” went deaf after the virus attacked again. I tried to teach for another year, but the job became a nightmare trying to comprehend what children and teachers were saying to me. After the doctor signed my disability papers, I decided to write full time.

Tell us about your novel and where readers can purchase a copy. Since my retirement from teaching, I wrote four novels. Two were published this past winter.

The Legend of Koolura, published by Solstice Publishing, is the story of a sixth grade girl who was injected with cool powers as an infant. Since that time, a homeless man bent on Koolura’s destruction has stalked her and her father. The book is a coming-of-age novel about the importance of friends, family, and self-reliance. Here are its links: Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/the-legend-of-koolura?keyword=the+legend+of+koolura&store=allproducts

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/The-Legend-Of-Koolura-ebook/dp/B00792L9QG/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1337090353&sr=8-2

Goodbye Tchaikovsky, published by Royal Fireworks Press, is a young adult novel about a deaf teen. A twelve-year-old violin virtuoso, David Rothman, is plunged into a deaf world, necessitating him to adapt to a new culture and language in order to survive.

The book can be ordered here: http://www.rfwp.com/series/books-on-deafness#book-goodbye-tchaikovsky. The book recently won Honorable Mention in the 2012 Hollywood Book Festival.

What have you had published to-date? I have had over 70 articles published in print magazines like Highlights for Children, Writer’s Digest, Shine Brightly Magazine, San Diego Family Magazine, and The Jewish Journal, to name a few.

Tell us a little about your road to publication. Was it a long one? Do you have an agent? In your opinion are they even necessary? After I completed The Legend of Koolura, I contacted 160 agents and publishers. Two agents accepted me, but they went out of business a few months after I signed their contracts. Goodbye Tchaikovsky was submitted to 37 agents and publishers. It took Royal Fireworks Press (RFP) three years from the signed contract to publishing the book, where Solstice Publishing took a year to publish The Legend of Koolura.

If I had an agent, I would have gotten an advance on both my books. So they are important because they ensure fair treatment of writers. However, agents won’t look at a writer until he has a track record of selling books. Which brings us to marketing.

How much of the marketing do you do? Both of my publishers have good marketing departments. RFP has Rachel, their publicist who has been wonderful. Solstice has a team of professionals working night and day to get their books on search engines and websites for sales around the Internet. I promote by writing press releases, blogs, e-mails, and messages to my readers on social media sites like Facebook and Twitter. I also write a bi-weekly column for the Los Angeles Examiner, so I make sure to give my books a plug every opportunity I get.

Anything you’ve found to be particularly helpful in marketing your book(s)? It is extremely important to link blogs and websites to each other to get noticed by search engines. For example, this interview should be linked to my website at http://www.michaelthal.com and I need to set up a link to it.

Are your books available as eBooks? If so what was your experience with that process? The Legend of Koolura is available as an e-book from Amazon and Barnes and Noble. It is also available in print. Solstice Publishing took care of the entire process, so it was real easy for me. Goodbye Tchaikovsky is only available in print.

Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp? In Goodbye Tchaikovsky David Rothman is plunged into the deaf world overnight. The novel shows how teens can cope with adversity. If a person has a willingness to learn and an open mind to explore all possibilities, he can find a way to succeed.

The Legend of Koolura shows the importance of friendships and family and how people need each other to survive and be successful.

Where can readers find you?

Readers can find me at my website: http://www.michaelthal.com

On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/michael.thal?ref=tn_tnmn

Twitter: https://twitter.com/writinghigh

On Examiner.com: http://www.examiner.com/academic-success-in-los-angeles/michael-thal

About The Legend of Koolura

Koolura isn’t an ordinary girl. She has what every child dreams. She has the COOL.

But, like all preteens, Koolura has doubts about herself. She and her father have relocated so often she has few community ties. Now, at her new school, she feels right at home for the first time in her life.

The Legend of Koolura tells the story of a sixth grade Armenian girl and how she obtained the cool powers. She has the ability to dematerialize at will and reappear where she chooses. She can move objects with her mind and she can even defy gravity!

But will these powers be of any use in stopping a stalker intent on her destruction? The stalker is determined to retrieve Koolura’s unrealized cool powers and hurt any of her friends who get into his way.

As the hour approaches for Koolura’s final confrontation with her nemesis, she may finally find vengeance to the man who killed her mother.

Introducing the cover by for Ciao, by Bethany Lopez

2012-06-13T07:01:00.000-07:00

I'm happy to introduce the cover for Bethany Lopez's latest novel, Ciao

Synopsis:

Melissa has had a fantastic summer, hanging out with her friends and making new ones. Life as she knows it will change when they all come together to begin their sophomore year at Dearborn High. Connections will be made and friendships will be tested. Will Melissa’s family and friends be able to help her through the challenges she will face in the upcoming months.

Bio:

Bethany Lopez was born in Detroit, Michigan, and grew up in Michigan and San Antonio, Texas. She went to High School at Dearborn High, in Dearborn, Michigan, which is where she has set her Young Adult novels. She is married and has a blended family with five children. She is currently serving in the United States Air Force as a Recruiter in Los Angeles, California. She has always loved to read and write and has seen her dream realized by independently publishing her contemporary Young Adult series, Stories about Melissa. Ta Ta for Now! and xoxoxo are available now. Book three, Ciao, will be released in Aug 2012.

Twitter:

Prior to Wednesday -

13 Jun @BethanyLopez2 will be revealing the cover for #Ciao, book 3 in the #StoriesAboutMelissa series - add TBR http://bit.ly/KBUDlV PLS RT

On Wednesday -

Check out the Cover Reveal of Ciao by @BethanyLopez2 http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/14121047-ciao

Facebook:

Check out the Cover Reveal of Ciao, book 3 in the Stories about Melissa series, by fellow indie author BethanyLopez http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/14121047-ciao

Welcome, author Erika Lindsen

2012-06-11T04:57:00.001-07:00

I'd like to welcome Erika Lindsen to my site today. Take it away, Erika...

So when it came time to find an excellent topic to blog about, Jeanne told me to write about “whatever blows your skirt up.” Which got me thinking…as a female paranormal romance writer, what does blow my skirt up?

First the paranormal. It seems to be a hot genre at the moment. Of course vampires (which I’ve written about: see Tyran’s Thirst) are on top. I think it has to do with the sucking of blood, the exchange of body fluids and the act being so intimate itself. All of that alone equates to one thing: sex. And as the saying goes, sex sells. Let’s hope since my second book is about vampires lol. A close second would be shifters. Now, I love a good shifter novel, but I’ve never quite understood the sexiness of them. If someone, anyone, has an idea, holler at me! Angels are also big, which I think has to do with them being so innocent. We like taking the innocence, equating to virginity, from our characters.

And now for the romance. Love is one of, if not the strongest emotion we as human beings have. Everyone loves someone, whether it’s their parents, a pet or a significant other. We also like to believe love conquers all. Does it really? It better, since I have based a whole career on it. An the alpha male and strong heroine. The picture of romance perfection. We, as romance readers, like our men tough, protective and willing to do anything for his lady. Equally, we like our women to be able to kick some serious ass, and maybe even save the man from time to time.

-Erika Lindsen, author of Soul and Tyran’s Thirst

About the author

Erika Lindsen was born June 12, 1987 in a small town in northern Ohio. She began writing, mostly poetry and songs, at age thirteen. Erika wrote her first novel in 2010. Her first published work entitled, Night of the Doll, was featured in the January 2011 issue of the Horror Zine. As her alter-ego Erika Talbot, her first children’s book entitled, The Three Sibling Adventures: What We Want To Be, was published by Solstice Publishing in March 2011. For her Three Siblings book, she, along with Solstice, have given 100% of the royalties to the Toledo Children’s Hospital, where Erika’s nephew Joey is receiving treatment for leukemia. When not visiting her two nieces and nephew, she writes, (seriously a lot) and spends time with her husband. They have three children (she calls them her kids), a dog named Scooter, a cat named Princess, and a rabbit named Hoppity Hop.

Amazon link for Soul: http://www.amazon.com/Soul-Erika-Lindsen/dp/1475087357/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1339380631&sr=8-1&keywords=erika+lindsen

All romance ebooks: http://www.allromanceebooks.com/storeSearch.html

Blood runs across the floor like a winter’s creek. It always puts a smile on his face. As a Taker – a demon sent to entice humans to commit suicide in order to gain their soul for Lucifer – Drebin is at the top of his game. He has already claimed 421 souls and there is no sign of him slowing down. Much like a fine wine, Drebin gets better with age. Alexia Downer is just a few months into her freshman year of college and still undecided about a career. Ally is more than eager to meet new people and live up to the college stereotypes. But her gentle nature may cause her to put trust in the wrong person. The stage is set, the hound is released, but Drebin begins to have second thoughts about his next victim, Alexia, his 422nd victim. Her beauty is mesmerizing and her spirit is captivating. As much as he tries, Drebin cannot bring himself to destroy her, yet he must. He has a higher, more vicious power to answer to, after all…

Tyran's Thirst links:

amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Tyrans-Thirst-Erika-Lindsen/dp/147748180X/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1339380631&sr=8-3&keywords=erika+lindsen

smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/162908

When zombie hunting, Kathyrn Meloncamp has a great tip: although an ax is more effective, a sledgehammer is more fun. Hell's Gates have opened and blanketed the Earth in smoke. That is the easy pill to swallow. Zombies and vampires have descended from the hole and are quickly making a meal out of every human the planet has to offer. Kat had to learn, and very quickly, how to shoot a gun and wield a machete. While out looking for food, Kat is attacked by zombies but is saved by a man. The thank yous stop there when she realizes he is a vampire named Tyran. Escaping him proves to be useless with his speed and nose for blood. He forces her to keep him company, which could be more deadly than any zombie could ever be.

www.erikabooks.webs.com

Interview with author, Sherry Foley

2012-04-27T16:24:00.000-07:00

It's my pleasure to welcome author, Sherry Foley to my blog today.

About Sherry Foley:

Sherry Foley has always had a wild imagination which she has used to craft inspired pieces of fiction that often border on the disturbing. While her creative mind races forward, she keeps her feet planted in Missouri with her husband and three teenage children.

In a nutshell, what is Switched in Death about?

A serial killer who kills two women and then he switches their heads for a very unique reason. It’s a look into the mind of killer, but the answers will hit home for many.

How long did it take you to write Switched in Death?

Four months

Can you tell us why we're going to love your hero(s)?

My male hero is a combination of all the things I’ve sat and listen to my friends say they wanted in a man. My heroine is strong in her own right and isn’t afraid to take on a serial killer.

Tell us a little about your road to publication. Was it a long one?

I’ve been writing eight years. Last year I decided to seek publication, well, that and my mentor Shannon K. Butcher threatened me. (laughs)

What has been the most valuable lesson you’ve learned on your journey to publication?

You have to really want it for it to happen. I’ve faced the all too familiar discouragement, self-doubt, and sadly watched a lot of friends quit. I kept asking myself, “How bad do you want it?” Determination is key.

Do you have any words of advice for people just getting started on the road to publication?

Refuse to listen to self-doubt and keep your eyes focused on your dream.

What’s next for you?

My next book, A CAPTIVE HEART, will release in November. I’m currently working on a detective series.

How much of the marketing do you do?

As much as I can and anything I can think of doing. I’ve been invited to three book clubs to discuss my book, it is now on the reading counts list at the high school, and in our public library system. I’m working on book signing events and blog tours.

Anything you’ve found to be particularly helpful in marketing your book?

Word of mouth is still the greatest tool, even past all the forms of social media. Introducing myself and being available to readers has been HUGE!

Where can readers find you?

@Sherry_Foley
www.SherryFoley.com
http://sherryfoley.blogspot.com/
Facebook: http://tinyurl.com/3h98r38
wordweaver@kc.rr.com

Interview with author, Natalie Hancock

2012-03-30T07:53:00.000-07:00

It's my pleasure to welcome author, Natalie Hancock to my blog today

Tell us something about yourself and how you became a writer.

I’m Natalie Hancock, I was born in Plymouth Devon and moved to Lincoln at a young age. I have been to University of Lincoln, Riseholme College, studying a course on Animal Care, which I did for two years. I now live in the middle of nowhere with my partner, Reece, and our little zoo, which includes my hamster named Crunch, a chinchilla called Hektor and three guinea pigs, Fluff, Smudge and Squig.

We both love animals and hope to have an army of guinea pigs, hamsters and chinchilla’s. Along with a goat.

I started writing when I had this weird, but awesome dream, and because I didn’t want to forget it (which happened a lot) I wrote it down, and I guess I never stopped writing.

The first series I ever wrote was about witches. I tried to get those published but had trouble with con men. So gave up.

It remains to be seen what will happen with those books. They were the first I’d ever written and I would like to get them published so we will see.

After that series, I wrote my first vampire book, which I didn’t finish because I ended up having ideas for a werewolf book, and then another book, this time about demons. I have a lot of unfinished books.

Eternal Darkness is the first vampire erotic book I ever wrote, which was new to me because I kept getting embarrassed over what I was writing. I got over it quickly though!

I am now currently writing the sixth book in the Cursed in Darkness Series.

Tell us about your novel?

Cursed in Darkness is a vampire paranormal romance/erotica series. Eternal Darkness is the first book in the series.

It’s about Layla, a half vampire, half human who is sent to live in the hundred acres of land full of vampires for her own safety. The only problem is she hungers for the vampires’ blood, so when she has lessons with them, not only does she struggle with the hunger raging inside of her, but she has to learn to trust those around her, something she can’t do because she has a dark past, and because of it, she has trouble trusting anyone.

She knows she’s in as much danger inside the land as she was when she was outside the land, and she can’t shake off the feeling that something or someone is watching her, waiting to attack, despite the guards watching her every move.

When she meets one of the tutors, she feels things towards him and wants both his blood and his body, but it’s forbidden to feel the way they do and Layla must fight her feelings otherwise the secrets she desperately wants to remain a secret will get out, and put her in more danger than she already is.

What have you had published to-date?

I’ve only had one book published to date and that’s Eternal Darkness. My next book, Dark Shadows is going to be released April, and Dark Awakening, June.

Tell us a little about your road to publication. Was it a long one? Do you have an agent? In your opinion are they even necessary?

When I decided to get my work published, my lovely sister helped me out a lot—with a LOT of persuasion. She gave me half of a list of publishers to look at while she looked at the other half. She actually did most of the emailing because, once I looked into them, most of the publishers wanted an author who had previously published their works. Or an agent.

When I did get to one that required neither, I emailed the submission form, along with what they asked on the submission and just waited.

After two or three weeks, I began receiving emails from the publishers Shelby had contacted for me. They all said the same thing. “Your work isn’t right for us at this time.” Now that wasn’t because I wasn’t a good writer, because some of the publishers told me they enjoyed what they read, and thought I was a talented writer. It was because my work was over 150k words long.

When the publisher I had emailed, contacted me back, I honestly expected the worst.

I was surprised. She didn’t tell me what the others had. She said, “if you make these changes, I’ll look at your work again.” I was really excited then. It took me a week to split Eternal Darkness into, Eternal Darkness, Dark Shadows and Dark Awakening and once I sent my work off, within two hours, I had a contract and had basically joined the family.

I don’t think an agent is necessary, in my opinion. If your work is good enough, you don’t need one to be published.

How much of the marketing do you do?

Most of it. I know my publisher does some, but it is my job to do the promoting, and I do. I promote every day, as much as I can. It’s hard work but it’ll get me somewhere one day.

Anything you’ve found to be particularly helpful in marketing your book?

You get to meet awesome people! Marketing, for me, isn’t about getting more people to buy my book. It’s about meeting new people and getting to know them. If they want to read my book, they will read it. I can’t make people do anything, and it would be a waste of time to even try.

Where can readers find you?

Facebook: http://facebook.com/Author.Natalie.Hancock/

Twitter: @Author_Natalie

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/user/show/6892420-natalie-hancock/

Email: natalie.c.hancock@gmail.com

Website: http://www.cursedindarkness.com

Buy links:

eXtasy books: http://www.extasybooks.com/Eternal-Darkness/

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0076U1UT2/

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0076U1UT2/