Cindy M Hogan author

Conflict in Middle-Grade Books-Mikey Brooks is Back!

noreply@blogger.com (Cindy M Hogan) — Thu, 16 May 2013 12:52:00 +0000

Mikey's just released his new book, The Dreamkeeper, so I had to ask him to write a post about conflict. He's great at it. Enjoy!

Conflict in Middle-Grade Books

By: Mikey Brooks

Conflict is a key element in every book. It is what moves the story forward. Without conflict the story wouldn’t happen and there would be no change in the characters. Not only does it help add depth to story it helps readers relate to the human condition—how we change and grow throughout life. I have found with writing middle-grade that the conflict needs to start right away. This can be an internal or external conflict, but the readers need it at the beginning to hook them in.

Think about Harry Potter. In the very first chapter of The Sorcerer’s Stone, you have the conflict of this boy-wizard going to live with the worst family of muggles. This conflict is what grabs the readers and they stay with the story because they want to know what is going to happen to Harry growing up with non-magical-people. Of course that is not the conflict of the whole story but it is what gets us started.

There are many ways in which to add conflict to story. Some of the basic types of conflict are:

Buy me!
Hardback Paperback eBook

· Man against man

· Man against nature

· Man against society

· Man against self.

Or, if we are speaking of Harry Potter, they would look like this:

· Harry against Voldemort

· Harry against the magic world (or the non magic world)

· Harry against society (or the negative views of half-bloods)

· Harry against Harry (his internal conflict with himself)

All of these conflicts are seen in the Harry Potter books and that is what makes the story so compelling. Once you think one conflict has been resolved we have another conflict to deal with. This helps to keep the book moving along and your readers interested.

You will find that successful middle-grade and young adult books have various levels of conflict in their story. They also have both internal (shows change in the character), like Harry’s struggles with himself about the potential for being a dark wizard (we see this in the first book with the sorting hat), and external (the BIG conflict that moves the plot), like Harry’s quest to beat Professor Snap to getting the sorcerer’s stone.

When you think about conflict in creating your story think about two things: What is the BIG external conflict that moves the story, and what is the internal conflict that helps your character change over the course of the book. These are what will give your book a fantastic depth that readers will love. I hope you found this helpful.

I am excited to announce the release of my middle-grade fantasy THE DREAM KEEPER. It is an action-packed adventure with a toe in both the real world and the fantastic. When an evil shifter takes over the gateway to the realm of Dreams, it falls to 14-year-olds Parker and Kaelyn to stop him. Their only hope lies with Gladamyr, the Dream Keeper, but can they trust a Nightmare to save their world?

“Dreams: Dorothy called it Oz, Alice called it Wonderland, but Nightmares call it HOME.”

What is the external conflict in your story?

What novel has your favorite conflict?

Who's Mikey, you ask-- He's simply amazing. Check him out!

Mikey Brooks is a small child masquerading as adult. On occasion you’ll find him dancing the funky chicken, singing like a banshee, and pretending to have never grown up. He is the author/illustrator of several books including BEAN’S DRAGONS, the ABC ADVENTURES series, and author of the middle-grade fantasy-adventure novel, THE DREAM KEEPER. He spends most of his time playing with his daughters and working as a freelance illustrator. Mikey has a BS degree in Creative Writing from Utah State University. He is also one of the hosts of the Authors’ Think Tank Podcast.

Stalk him in all these places-just click on the link-you won't be sorry

Email: insidemikeysworld@gmail.com

Website: http://www.insidemikeysworld.com/

Blog: http://writtenbymikey.blogspot.com/

Podcast: http://www.foreverwriters.com/category/podcast/

Amazon Author page: http://www.amazon.com/Mikey-Brooks/e/B00B8ICZ4W

Goodreads at: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6583458.Mikey_Brooks

Facebook at: http://facebook.com/writtenbymikeybrooks

Twitter as: @writtenbymikey

WattPad: http://wattpad.com/MikeyBrooks

What's his Book about?

When an evil shifter takes over the gateway to the realm of Dreams, it falls to 14-year-olds Parker and Kaelyn to stop him. Their only hope lies with Gladamyr, the Dream Keeper, but can they trust a Nightmare to save their world?

Want more? Here it is-

Loser—the most frightening word to ever be uttered in middle school. Even the coolest kids are afraid of being associated with it. 14-year-old Parker Bennett is no exception. He can’t even be himself around his friends for fear they might not accept who he really is. When circumstances force him to team up with Kaelyn Clarke, the biggest loser in the ninth grade, Parker has to decide what is more important; protecting his social status or saving the world. Nightmare named Fyren has taken over the gateway to the realm of Dreams, with the intention of controlling mortals, and it falls on Parker, Kaelyn, and Gladamyr – the Dream Keeper – to stop him. They learn being called a loser is no longer a fear, when compared to the terror of real nightmares.

What are people saying about The Dreamkeeper?

“This really is a cracking novel. Action-packed and spellbinding!”—Cas Peace, author of The Artisans of Albia series.

Add his book on Goodreads

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17727253-the-dream-keeper

Then buy it in all these places-he's everywhere!

Hardback: http://www.amazon.com/Dream-Keeper-Mikey-Brooks/dp/1939993016

Paperback: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1939993032

Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/The-Dream-Keeper-Chronicles-ebook/dp/B00CPE0PT0

Paperback Create Space: https://www.createspace.com/4260677

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17727253-the-dream-keeper

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1115262781?ean=9781939993014

Want a snippet from the actual book? Check it out!

Parker was about to assassinate the general of the goblin army. It wasn’t murder, it was an assignment. He tried to justify what he was about to do as he jumped from the rooftop and landed just above the battlement wall. It was the perfect spot to scout the camp. The goblins filling the keep were everywhere, sharpening blades and axes or gathering weapons for the impending battle. Parker noticed a large troll in the right hand corner of the space below, hammering solidly on a sword large enough to split three men into six. He spotted his target.

The general of the goblin army was a large brute with golden braids hanging down his chest. He was the one who had ordered the burning of Parker’s home village. The one who had ordered the death of Parker’s family and friends. This monster, this villain, was the reason Parker had set out on his journey to seek vengeance upon the unjust. This was the creature responsible for Parker swearing allegiance to the Mightercore army, who quickly gave him the role of assassin-scout.

Parker maneuvered his way down the wall, careful not to move too fast or his invisibility cloak would lose its power. He placed his foot in one crevice, then his hand in another. After a few moments of skilled climbing, Parker found himself precariously positioned just behind the golden haired brute, leaving only a small distance between him and his foe. In a quick session tactic, Parker could ignite his blade with the magic of the Mightercore and his target would be no more. He positioned himself to strike, raising his sword and whispering the incantation that would release the blade’s power—.

“Parker.”

He ignored whoever was calling his name; they did not matter. All he saw was the villain before him. The completed spell ignited Parker’s sword with a blazing haze of blue fire, and he had to act fast.

“Parker!”

The loud call startled him and he swung too late. The goblin general had already turned and he struck, forcing Parker back against the rocky battlements. Parker parried the attack and thrust forward with a low slash. The general sidestepped and lunged forward again. Parker parried and rolled away from the wall. A lightning spell was the only magic he had left. If he could find enough time to call out the incantation, he could have the general radiating electrons from every appendage.

He rolled until he was a good ten feet from his opponent, then quickly stood. Lifting his hand into the air, he called down the lightning. The sky filled with a brilliant white light, and the crack of thunder reverberated off the walls. Parker briefly closed his eyes then opened them, praying he had hit his target. As the white dust began to clear, he made out an image before him. He peered at it, his heart thumping.

The screen went black.

“Parker, I’ve called you three times. Now get off that machine and go do your homework.”

What is your favorite genre? Do you love to dive into a middle grade book every now and then or all the time?

Like to Read? Enter to Win 1500+ Free Books! Easy Entry

noreply@blogger.com (Cindy M Hogan) — Sun, 12 May 2013 12:26:00 +0000

Would you like to win some books? Here's your chance to win over 1500! Yep! What books, you say?
Check out the clickable pictures below, pick which books you'd like to win and then go here to enter.

You can enter to win every single one. Just click on the link in the spreadsheet-easy.
You only have until May 15th to enter-so hurry

Did you notice Protected is in there? Can you find it?

Found by Stacey Wallace Benefiel

noreply@blogger.com (Cindy M Hogan) — Sat, 27 Apr 2013 03:12:00 +0000

*Due to language and sexuality, FOUND is recommended for older teens (Most of the characters are out of high school and preparing for college.)

To celebrate Stacey Wallace Benefiel’s 3rd Indieversary, FOUND (Penny Black #1) is only 99cents April 20-27!

Amazon Barnes and Noble Kobo Smashwords Apple
Enter to win at the end of the post

From Stacey Wallace Benefiel, the author of the Zellie Wells trilogy, comes a new NA trilogy set in the Society world.

Penny Black hasn’t had it easy. Just about everything you’d expect to happen to a harassed foster-kid turned junkie has happened to Penny. Add in the mysterious power to rewind time, conducting events around her, and it’s a wonder she held up on the streets for so many years. Now, at seventeen, the New Society has found her. Finally, Penny is where she belongs. But that doesn’t stop the visions, or the need to protect the victims shown to her. Wyatt Adams is excited and intrigued when his sister Melody assigns him to be Penny’s Lookout. Being the youngest, and hopelessly ordinary in the family that created the New Society, has left Wyatt feeling like he has a lot to prove -- and Penny is a big deal. She’s got abilities that surpass any he’s seen before…and pretty much every quality he looks for in a girlfriend, but no one needs to know about that, especially Penny.

*The Penny Black trilogy is a companion to the Zellie Wells trilogy and not a continuation of the series. (PBT is set 18 years in the future with a new cast of characters.)

*Due to language and sexuality, FOUND is recommended for older teens (Most of the characters are out of high school and preparing for college.)

Haven't read the Zellie Wells trilogy yet? Pick up all three novels together for $6.99 at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Kobo, Smashwords, and iTunes.
Or get the first novel, Glimpse, for FREE at all e-book retailers.

Here's an excerpt to get you started.

Ben Fontenot fits his Ret-tech onto his head, flips the microscreen down in front of his right eye, and continues cramming all of his and Christopher’s belongings into their suitcases. “Zellie Adams,” he says in a clear and clipped manner. He has two Zellies and a few Adams’ listed in his contacts and half the time his Ret either techs his daughter Zellie or adult Zellie’s husband, Avery. It makes him wonder why he ever got rid of his iPhone 23. He is bent over, looking under the bed for his shoes – another thing he wonders about, after all of his years spent on the road, is why does he always misplace his shoes in motel rooms? --when Zellie answers. “Beeeeeen. It’s early.” He smiles as her image appears before his eye. Is that a pillow behind her head? She hasn’t even bothered to get out of bed. “Hey Doc,” he says, his smile growing wider. She rolls her eyes at him. Zellie hates it when he calls her Doc. He can’t help it. He’s excited. “You might want to sit up for this, I have some news.” Zellie rocks back and forth, her long red hair working itself into a rat’s nest against the pillow. She is either trying to roll onto her side or fall out of bed…Ben isn’t sure which. Finally, she says, “Avery, help me.” Ben hears Avery chuckle and then sees him come into view above Zellie. He’s doing a crappy job of hiding his amusement over his pregnant wife’s predicament. Zellie swats him on the arm. “Knock it off and help me up. It’s all your fault I’m ginormous, asshat.” “Can you believe people come to her for advice?” Avery jokes to Ben as his face gets really close to Zellie’s, and then they are moving backward. “There, all better.” Ben locates his shoes and sits on the bed, slipping his special edition hemp-fiber Chucks on. When he is sure that he has Zellie’s full attention, he takes a deep breath and says, “We’ve found her.” “Penny Black? In DC?” Zellie asks, her voice going up an octave with each question. “Yup.” Ben nods enthusiastically. He rights his Ret-tech. “Lookout Command sent us new video a few hours ago.” Ben moves his eyes across the microscreen, focuses on the video icon in the top left corner and blinks once, bringing up the latest clip for Zellie. “You’re not the only one who got a 5:00 a.m. wake up call.” He waits while Zellie watches the clip of seventeen-year-old Penny Black, a Retroact who has managed to elude capture for the past seven years, as she pauses time and rewinds a twelve-car pile-up on Interstate 66 in Virginia. Ben shakes his head, in awe. “She collapsed after that display of badassed-ness, which is consistent with all the intel Melody’s gathered. The Highway Patrol picked Penny up off the side of the road an hour later. They were completely unaware of what she’d done and how many lives she’d saved. The cops delivered her to a juvenile detention center twenty miles from here. Christopher’s on his way now to work his mind mojo.” “Wow,” Zellie says. “She’s just…amazing. I don’t know how she’s made it this far on her own, Lookout-free, maybe not even knowing what she is. You and Christopher will be on a plane with her in the next couple hours, I assume?” “Our flight for Cali leaves at eleven DC time. I can’t believe we found her right before the term begins. The Universe seems to be goosing me again.” “You love it,” Zellie teases. “All right…” Ben can practically hear the gears in her shrink mind click into overdrive. “I’ll meet you at the Society School for an intake at three. We can put off the full psych eval for a few days.” Ben grins, blinking to close the video and send it to its folder. “Hers or mine?” Zellie snorts. “Dude, like you didn’t fail yours the second we met. I still love you, though.” “Hey!” Avery says, from Zellie’s left. “Enough with the sweet nothings to Benji while you’re carrying my spawn.” It’s Ben’s turn to snort. “Your spawn? Nice way to talk about your son, Adams. So, I guess that makes Zel some kind of reptile?” “Seriously?” Zellie moans, her face moving toward a beaming Avery. She kisses him. “Boys, it’s been eighteen years. Get over it.”

The Interview!
Q: In the description for FOUND, you write that the Penny Black trilogy is a companion to the Zellie Wells trilogy (Glimpse, Glimmer, Glow) and not a continuation of that series. Can you tell us why you decided to write another trilogy instead of Zellie Wells #4?

A: I ran out of “G” titles that were appealing. Gastroenteritis? Gangrene? Gluten-free? Ha. You know, I did consider writing a Zellie #4. I have all sorts of starts…that I won’t rule out as good material for bonus short stories. They’re all episodic and not enough to base an entire novel on. I felt like I’d got Zellie through the worst of it. She’d gotten the guy and he was safe. Her relationship with her parents was moving in the right direction. Melody came into her own and wasn’t just her annoying little sister. Ben and Christopher were on their path to open the Society School. Zellie’s gifts had gone from being a burden to a blessing. She’d owned it. And, I’m not going to lie, I wanted a fresh love story, a new location, and a more evil villain.

Q: Several characters from the ZWT make an appearance in FOUND, though?

A: Yes! The main characters in FOUND are Penny Black (basically the new Zellie) and Wyatt Adams (Zellie and Avery’s baby brother in the ZWT). The kids from the Zellie books are now the adults and the supporting characters in the Penny books. I had the best time writing about them as adults! Ben is still hot and a gigantic pain in the ass.

Q: FOUND is set eighteen years in the future. Was that challenging?

A: It was challenging in that I’m kind of a techno-phobe. I just started texting last fall. Seriously, it was too much for me. That’s why Zellie didn’t have a cell phone.  So, here I go and create a world where cars have autodrive and everyone walks around with micro computers strapped to their heads. It was especially interesting for me to write Phoebe. She’s the youngest of the group at 16 and therefore, the most savvy with tech. But, at the end of the day, I’m a writer. I looked at what was possible now and expanded on that. Hopefully, it comes off as plausible. Q: You’ve also included some new slang in FOUND. How did that come about? A: I wanted this new group of kids to have their own slang. Cool and OMG were done to death in the Zellie books (and the adults continue to say those things) so I looked to use words that meant the same thing, but were new. I looked to Spanish. It made sense to me that eighteen years in the future, people in the U.S. would speak spanglish even more than they do today.

Q: If you consider Penny to be the new Zellie, how are they alike and how are they different?

A: Penny’s life has been infinitely harder, obviously. She’s been abused and bounced around from foster home to foster home until she ran away to live on the streets. Penny’s more closed off, more skeptical, more afraid. But, she’s as funny as Zellie, as self-deprecating. Penny has no more of a chance against the draw of an Adams man than Zellie or Zellie’s mom, Grace, did. Penny’s powers are not the same as Zellie’s, but they go through the same type of discovery. This is one aspect where Penny didn’t have to go it alone, while Zellie did. Penny has a whole school and group of peers to guide her. Writing the scenes between Zellie and Penny was the best. I was really proud of Zel and the advice she gave.

Q: What’s next?

A: I’m in the plotting stage for FRAYED, the next Penny book, while I finish up working on CROSSING, my first Contemporary NA Romance that should be out within the next month or so. Definitely by summer!

You can win a signed Zellie Wells trilogy e-card simply by signing up for my newsletter. The e-card lets you download the trilogy for free. So cool

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Treasures of the Sea Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Cindy M Hogan) — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 14:25:00 +0000

OOH! Lots of prizes for you! Check it out.
I'm giving away a copy of Brooklyn, NY, where Christy ends up at sea. You'll get a copy before anyone else. Lucky you.

If you haven't read any of my books, yet, try Watched. It's free right now on all eBook retailers. Go get it here.
Now enter my giveway and then all the others. Good Luck
a Rafflecopter giveaway

A Change of Plans Cover Reveal

noreply@blogger.com (Cindy M Hogan) — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 03:13:00 +0000

I am so excited about this cover reveal! My good friend Donna Weaver is celebrating the cover of her first novel, A Change in Plans, an adventure romance, and I'm excited to be a part of it.

Well, here it is

Gorgeous, huh?

Put it on your Goodreads to-read list here

It will be released on June 1st. I can't wait!

What's the book about?

When Lyn sets off on her supposedly uncomplicated and unromantic cruise, she never dreams it will include pirates. All the 25-year-old, Colorado high school teacher wants to do is forget that her dead fiancé was a cheating scumbag. Lyn plans a vacation diversion; fate provides Braedon, an intriguing surgeon. She finds herself drawn to him: his gentle humor, his love of music, and even his willingness to let her take him down during morning karate practices. Against the backdrop of the ship’s make-believe world and temporary friendships, her emotions come alive.

However, fear is an emotion, too. Unaware of the sensitive waters he's navigating, Braedon moves to take their relationship beyond friendship--on the very anniversary Lyn is on the cruise to forget. Lyn's painful memories are too powerful, and she runs from Braedon and what he has to offer.

Their confusing relationship is bad enough, but when the pair finds themselves on one of the cruise's snorkeling excursions in American Samoa things get worse. Paradise turns to piracy when their party is kidnapped and Lyn's fear of a fairytale turns grim. Now she must fight alongside the man she rejected, first for their freedom and then against storms, sharks, and shipwreck.

If you knew Donna, you'd love her as much as I do. Here's her pic and her bio

Donna K. Weaver is a Navy brat who joined the Army and has lived in Asia and Europe. Because she sailed the Pacific three times as a child, she loves cruising and wishes she could accrue enough vacation time to do more of it with her husband.

At fifty, Donna decided to study karate and earned her black belt in Shorei Kempo.

After recording city council minutes for twenty years, Donna decided to write something a little longer and with a lot more emotion--and kissing.

Donna and her husband reside in Utah, they have six children and eight grandchildren who live all over the world.

Go stalk her in all these places:

her website

Facebook

Twitter

Book Trailer

Luckily, June isn't too far away. What other books are you waiting for to come out?

What's The Truth About Letting Go? & A Chance to #WIN

noreply@blogger.com (Cindy M Hogan) — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 14:00:00 +0000

Leigh Talbert Moore has done it again with The Truth About Letting Go
(light swearing, no sex but a few steamy scenes)

Readers are saying…

“If you’re a fan of Sarah Dessen novels, you should definitely pick this one up.” --Harley Bear Book Blog

“Rarely have I read a book like this one that felt so real it could be true.” --Steph’s Book Reviews

“You are drawn into the story straight away and begging for more and left in tears when it is all over.” --Totally Bookalicious reviews

“Honest and raw; filled with faith and heartache—and I loved every minute of it. I was reluctant to see it end and sad to say goodbye to such an amazing cast of characters." --5-star Goodreads Review

Whether you’ve read the bestselling companion novel The Truth About Faking or not,

Take a trip to Shadow Creek…

Get me!

Back to the top of the social ladder.

I picture myself climbing up, up, up… to my old position. I’m losing my breath like Charlotte climbing the smallest hill.

I wonder what would happen if I quietly turned around and jumped off...

The Truth About Letting Go

by Leigh Talbert Moore

Ashley wants to smash everything in her once-perfect life.

Charlotte wants to walk in Ashley's seemingly charmed shoes.

Colt wants to turn Smalltown USA on its ear--with Ashley at his side.

Jordan wants to follow his heart... but Ashley is the one sacrifice he never expected to make.

Up until now, Ashley Lockett has always followed the rules. She's always done the right thing, played it safe, and then her ideal life is shattered when her dad dies suddenly.

Fueled by anger and grief, she vows to do everything opposite of how she lived before. She rejects safety, the rules, faith, and then she meets Jordan.

Jordan has big dreams, he's had a crush on Ashley for years, he's a great kisser... but he's also safe.

Enter Colt. He is not safe, and he's more than willing to help Ashley fulfill her vow.

An irresistible escape…

I feel Colt laugh, and he looks down into my face. That’s when he seems to realize what I’ve been acutely aware of for the last several minutes—our bodies are pressed together.

“It’s awesome, yeah?” he says. “Adrenaline rush.”

“Yeah,” I breathe. “I guess.”

I’m not sure if he’s going to kiss me until he does. His mouth covers mine, and I grip his shirt so I don’t collapse. Every single bit of this is wrong, and there’s no way I’m stopping it. It’s back, that good feeling. The sadness has been pushed out again, and in its place is this rush, this rush of adrenaline like Colt said.

He pulls back and smiles at me. “We’re going to start dating. Now. You’re my partner in crime.”

Get The Truth About Letting Go today:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Smashwords | iTunes

Leigh Talbert Moore is the author of the popular young adult romantic comedy The Truth About Faking, its companion The Truth About Letting Go, and the mature YA/new adult romantic suspense novel Rouge, a Quarter Finalist in the 2013 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award.

She is an award-winning journalist and editor, who has also worked in marketing and public relations for many years. Her writing has appeared in newspapers and magazines across the southeast and Midwest U.S., and she runs the popular writing-craft blog That’s Write.

A southern ex-pat and beach bum, she currently lives with her husband, two young children, and one grumpy cat in the Midwest.

Connect online:

Facebook | Amazon Author page | Twitter | Tumblr | Goodreads

Read excerpts of her books on Wattpad and Figment!

* * *

Enter to #WIN the set: The Truth About Letting Go AND The Truth About Faking! a Rafflecopter giveaway

Small Town America Stores

noreply@blogger.com (Cindy M Hogan) — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 13:50:00 +0000

What kind of stores do you imagine being in a small town?

Do you see Wal-mart?
Of course not.

You see stores that are loved and cared for by regular old people like you and me.

Here are some of those awesome stores in Halls, TN.

The local grocery store

The local bank

Mexican anyone?

The local flea market

Every town needs a hardware store

Fun, friendly drugstore

You can't live in TN without a bait shop nearby

Such a cute Main Street

The local florist

Barbecue at its finest

What small towns do you love and what stores do they have?

The Perfect Setting for Murder

noreply@blogger.com (Cindy M Hogan) — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 18:42:00 +0000

When you think of sleepy old towns, what comes to mind?

For me, I think of murder. Maybe my mind is warped or maybe I've watched too much Matlock and Twilight Zone, but one thing's for sure, if you want a perfect setting for murder, you don't have to look any farther than a small town.

I picked Halls, Tennessee as the setting for Gravediggers for lots of reasons, but one was because it has been able to retain a small town feel. From the drugstore to the city park, it has a feel of a town time forgot.

The charm of Main Street lives on and the flashing stoplight speaks for itself. Enjoy a few pics.

You'll find all kinds of southern hospitality in this store

When you want to see the goods in these stores, just call the number posted on the door

It almost feels like a old western set, but it's deep in the south

Fixing up one store front to its former luster.

What setting would you like to see for a murder?
Have you read any good mysteries lately?

The Indelibles

noreply@blogger.com (Cindy M Hogan) — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 16:05:00 +0000

I'm posting over at the Indelibles site today. Go check it out

HERE

Also, I'm about to start a series about research. I'm working on a novel called

Gravediggers

and it's set in a small town in Tennessee called Halls.

Here's a picture of the Halls' Cemetery, the first stop on your tour.

Do you think it's important that the author have first hand knowledge of the settings in her book?

Why or why not?

Indie-kissing Fun

noreply@blogger.com (Cindy M Hogan) — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 14:00:00 +0000

Could there be a better idea for Valentine's Day?
I knew right away that I wanted to post a kissing scene from my first book, Watched for this fun blogfest.
Don't you think first kisses are the most memorable of all-good or bad?

Excerpt from Watched by Cindy M. Hogan (did I mention that the eBook of Watched is
Free during Indie-Kissing?- go get it)
Enjoy Christy's first kiss right here-

There, he had said it. Romantically. He thought of me romantically. No way. I tingled all over. Someone, no not just someone: A truly hot boy liked me. ME! My chest burst into flames. Suddenly, I wanted to like him. Did I? I didn’t think so, but what was I feeling? It felt great. Less than an hour ago, he was nothing more than a great friend. I’d been attracted to Alex all along. Why was I feeling this way about Rick now? He was such a good guy, always doing the right things at the right time and saying the right things, too. Could I like him? Should I like him? I looked into the spray of the fountain, and he moved his head in front of mine and smiled sheepishly.

“Any other objections?” he asked, grinning now.

“I-I don’t know. I’m not supposed to date until I’m sixteen,” I said, feeling lame.

Where had that come from? That quiet voice in my head talked to me at the most inopportune moments.

He just stared at me, his hands gently moving up and down my arms. It tickled and felt warm. He tilted his head to the side. I couldn’t get over the fact that a guy was touching me. I didn’t want it to stop.

“Okay. We won’t date until you’re sixteen, which is….,” he prompted.

“In May,” I said.

“May? That’s only a month down the road. Why sixteen?”

“I don’t know, it’s just when my parents allow me to date.”

“We’ll just hang out then.”

Was hanging out dating? I wasn’t sure. This all felt so good. No, great. I couldn’t think straight. He moved in close, and I noticed again how good he smelled. Spicy. I wanted to move in closer to him, but my stomach clenched and then filled with butterflies—so full, in fact, that I thought it might burst, but it felt amazing all the same.

He was cute, just like I’d told Kira. I’d also told her I wasn’t interested in him, which I wasn’t at the time. Was I now, or was I just responding to him liking me? Did it matter? I mean, a guy liked me. Shouldn’t I take advantage of that fact? I might never get this chance again.

He pulled in closer, and I let out a nervous laugh pulling back slightly. Then our eyes locked, and he got closer and closer until I had to close my eyes. His lips touched mine, warm and soft, and much to my surprise, I kissed him back.

That voice in my head screamed out, “Whaaat are you doing?”

When I pulled back, Rick’s eyes were still closed, I turned and panicked, then ran away.

Was your first kiss memorable? Good or Bad? Spill it!

Now go see what other blogs are sharing with you today for Indie-kissing.

Do You Like Free? Check This Out!

noreply@blogger.com (Cindy M Hogan) — Sat, 19 Jan 2013 05:32:00 +0000

Love a good love story?

Want to get lost in a great fantasy read or historical romp?

Enjoy mindbending futuristic tales?

We have a sampler for you...

Four amazing samplers! FREE!

Best-selling books. Best-selling authors.

Contemporary - Science-fiction - Historical - Fantasy

But this isn't all about us.

This is about you, the reader, finding books you love to read.

Just click on the pictures for your free download!

Contemporary Sampler

Fantasy Sampler

Historical Sampler

Science Fiction Sampler

To celebrate the release of the samplers,

we're giving away free books!

Four winners will win the ebook of their choice from any sampler.

1. Download your FREE samplers today and enjoy the experience.

2. Fill out the rafflecopter form for a chance to win!

3. If the book is already free, you'll receive the second book in the series!

Enter now!!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Thanks! And enjoy!

Monique Bucheger- Author Interview

noreply@blogger.com (Cindy M Hogan) — Tue, 08 Jan 2013 14:00:00 +0000

I'm excited to welcome Monique Bucheger, author of

The Secret Sisters Club to my blog today.

It's a lot of fun to interview authors. We'll get right down to business.

How do you come up with the characters personalities? So far, all of my main characters are pretty strong-willed individuals who dictate their own personalities, sometimes literally. One time, it was suggested that Ginnie was wrong in a scene with her twin brother, Toran, and that she should back down. I tried to write that scene three different times with Ginnie giving in and she refused to budge. The beauty of that was I discovered her true motivation and was able to clarify her arc, all because she wouldn’t allow me to reprogram her on a whim. When I discovered WHY she wouldn’t budge, it made the scene better.

Because Ginnie is impulsive and strong-willed, she has a twin brother who is a quiet observer of the world around them, who—on occasion— steps in to save her from herself. They really are best friends, though completely opposite. Because Tillie is a shy, timid girl, Ginnie has been her self-appointed protector from the day they met. Ginnie is very loyal to friends and family. As the series progresses though, Tillie realizes she has more power to her own happiness than she thought, and Tillie is learning to lean on her inner strength instead of Ginnie’s.

Do your friends or enemies ever find themselves in your books? I hope I don’t have any enemies, but my friends and family have shown up every now and again. (always in a favorable light—I really don’t want to recruit enemies.)

Are you for or against books being made into movies?

I am for books being made into movies because quite simply, some books need to be shared and movies are a great venue in which to do that. I can’t imagine ever NOT being a reader, but I have children who did not inherit the bookworm gene and I think that some stories need to be told, however that looks.

I do think that most of the time books are better than movies simply because a reader personalizes the story to their own needs and values and there is something more personal and intrinsic about spending several hours in a world you create with the author’s guidance in your mind that can’t be duplicated by someone else’s imagination on a movie screen. That being said, some classic movies are ‘classic’ simply because someone was able to transform their experience with a book in a meaningful way for the masses to enjoy. And of course, some special effects are so awesome that movies are the best venue to truly enjoy them.

What made you decide to write in this genre?

Since Ginnie is 12, her age dictates the main genre, in this case Middle Grade. I think she’s really on the cusp of high middle grade and lower young adult. As far as being a ‘slice of life’ family drama versus fantasy or historical fiction or other subcategories, I wrote the story and the story dictated the label.

I love fantasy stories as well as the next person, but so far, I haven’t felt inclined to write one. I think that will change as I am mulling a time traveling story, but for the moment I’m sticking with 2 pieces of advice I hear a lot: 1) Write the story only you can write and 2) Write the story you want to read.

As more devastating conditions such as Hurricane Sandy and school shootings and such happen, I think it is important to have books with characters who have strong moral compasses and can draw on inner strength to help young readers realize they are not as powerless as they might feel. Whatever the genre, that is an important message, one you embraced in Created. I like books where ordinary people do extraordinary things.

Any other books in the works?

Yes, I just finished the novella to introduce my YA series: Ryding Through Troubled Waters. Here is my quick pitch:

When his parents return from their second honeymoon in matching mahogany caskets, nineteen year-old Cale Ryder not only inherits the family ranch, but his three teenage brothers and kid sister, Brandi, as well. Thrust onto the fast track to fatherhood, Cale doesn’t have time for a lot of nonsense and quickly lets everyone know there’s only room for one alpha dog in the fight to keep the family together. While battling a busybody aunt, child protective services, and the rigors of ranch living to provide for his siblings, he tries not to wonder what life would be like if he could do what he wanted, instead of what everyone else needs.

Goals for future projects?

Book 1 of my Ryder series is a third finished and Book 2 is mostly complete. My fourth Ginnie book will have Cale’s kid sister, Brandi (now 13), and Ginnie be frenemies. Well, that’s the plan. Since Ginnie and Brandi are very opinionated people, I probably shouldn’t set anything in stone … at least until I’ve written it. J See the above answer to characters’ personalities. J Brandi is even more tenacious than Ginnie, so I am imagining some intense scenes.

Do you write as you go or do you have the book all planned out from page 1?

I keep meaning to write a book that has been fully plotted before I start, but haven’t managed to do that yet. I used to be a complete pantser, but have come to realize the benefits of a general outline, at least part of one, here and there. J

What is your favorite Quote? You can’t out give God … but it doesn’t hurt to try. J

What do you do in your free time? Free time? J What is that? I have 12 kids and I’m an author. That pretty much covers my whole day. J

Finish the sentence- one book I wish I had written is....Bridge to Terabithia

What is your favorite part of the writing process?

When my characters hijack my story and make it better. In my latest book, SIMPLY WEST OF HEAVEN, sweet, timid Tillie morphed into “Super Tillie” and took over a few scenes and made them so much better. It’s always interesting to see what your characters will come up with when they are allowed to be themselves.J

What makes your novel standout from the crowd?

It is a slice of life family drama with heart. Even though fantasy has a huge draw, I think there is still a place for an up-lifting story dealing with real-life in a meaningful way.

Now, check out her fun books!

THE SECRET SISTERS CLUB: A Ginnie West Adventure (BOOK 1)

Blurb:

Twelve-year-old BFF’s Ginnie and Tillie, want to be sisters. Ginnie's widowed dad plus Tillie's divorced mom could equal a lifetime of round-the-clock girl talk and slumber parties. Too bad Dad vowed to never marry again. Ginnie and Tillie form a secret club and come up with the perfect mission to change his mind: ‘Operation Secret Sisters’.

Before long, Tillie seems happier about gaining a dad than a sister. Ginnie suspects that Tillie has turned ‘Operation Secret Sisters’ into a scam called ‘Operation Steal My Dad.’ Things get more complicated when Ginnie stumbles across her real mom’s hidden journals. Ginnie can finally get to know the mother she doesn’t remember and Dad doesn’t talk about.

When Dad discovers she has the journals, he takes them away. Ginnie needs to figure out what the big mystery is before her relationship with her father and her best friend are ruined forever.

If you like farms, friends, horses, and secrets, you’ll love: Trouble Blows West: A Ginnie West Adventure. So saddle up and be ready to ride with Ginnie as she explores the true meaning of friendship.
Debbie Shakespeare Smith, middle-grade author of The House of Chicken

TROUBLE BLOWS WEST: A Ginnie West Adventure (BOOK 2)

Blurb:

Putting her body in motion before her brain is in gear creates a mountain of problems for 12 year-old Ginnie West. She is certain that defending her twin brother, Toran, from the biggest bully in sixth grade was the right thing to do. But Ginnie couldn’t be more wrong.

She quickly figures out that Toran doesn’t appreciate being rescued by a girl any better than Charlie likes being knocked down by one. When Charlie seeks revenge on Ginnie, Toran sets aside his anger and helps her plot a playback prank at Charlie’s house.

Sadly, Ginnie learns that Charlie has a reason for being a bully when she sees his dad drop him to the floor like a ragdoll with one awful blow to the chest. Realizing he's a boy in big trouble, Ginnie switches gears and decides to be his ally, even if he won’t let her be his friend.

I loved this book! I didn’t know a book without zombies could be good! 15 yr-old Amanda

SIMPLY WEST OF HEAVEN: A Ginnie West Adventure: (BOOK 3)

BLURB:

Twelve year-old Ginnie and her BFF, Tillie, schemed to get Ginnie’s widowed dad to fall in love with Tillie’s divorced mom. It worked. But before they could become ‘for real’ sisters, Ginnie stumbled across her dead mom’s journals. Which was totally awesome sauce… until her dad took them away and won’t tell her why. Now all their plans are starting to unravel.

If that’s not bad enough, Ginnie’s favorite uncle drops the mother of all bombshells and leaves her in a maze of uncertainty. While her head is still spinning from that news, a blast from her late mother’s past shows up and makes Tillie goes nutburgers. Ginnie realizes her best friend has her own agenda and Tillie’s plans to merge their families may not be so innocent.
SIMPLY WEST OF HEAVEN is a contemporary MG novel that follows Ginnie West as she tries to make sense of one too many curve balls tossed her way in the most pivotal summer of her life.

Would you like an autographed, personalized copy? Visit Monique's page here to order:
http://moniquebucheger.blogspot.com/p/paypal-safer-easier-way-to-pay-online.html

You can find Monique in all these places:

Monique's blog:http://moniquebucheger.blogspot.com/,

FB: http://www.facebook.com/monique.bucheger

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MoniqueBucheger

Don't her books sound awesome? Go get 'em at the links below

The Secret Sisters Club: A Ginnie West Adventure

Happy New Year-Celebrate with Books

noreply@blogger.com (Cindy M Hogan) — Tue, 01 Jan 2013 08:14:00 +0000

What better way to start the new year than with some new books?
Use this $10 gift card to get whatever book you want.
What books are you just dying to get?
**Do you read most of your books electronically now or do you still read print books?

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Now go enter all the other giveaways- good LUCK!

Partnerships by Illustrator, Mikey Brooks

noreply@blogger.com (Cindy M Hogan) — Sun, 16 Dec 2012 14:34:00 +0000

Working in Partnerships

An Illustrator’s View on Working with an Author.

By: Mikey Brooks

“Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success.”

—Henry Ford

As a freelance illustrator I get to work with various authors with all different points of view. My main mission is to take an author’s story and transfer it to imagery. Sometimes it’s not always an easy thing. I have a great challenge because I know, being an author myself, that writers see their work in a specific way. I would hate to create an illustration and it not stand up to the expectations set by the author. This is why it is so important to work together with the author to build a beautiful story.

It’s all about partnership. Like any great marriage both parties involved need to care about the goal (in this case the book) and always be givers. No relationship can be strong if one is always taking. Give ideas freely, and give each other help in reaching the goal you have set together. Although I feel the roles of the author and the role of the illustrator should remain separate, so that creativity isn’t influenced, I also believe that communication and compromise is the key to success.

As an example I’d like to share my experience with working with author Jim Long on our book Lucius and the Christmas Star. You might have noticed I said “our” book. Remember that it’s a partnership; it’s no more Jim’s book than it is mine. We created it together. When Jim approached me to illustrate his book, I was thrilled. I love Christmas stories and his was very unique, because it told the account of the wise men that is taken from the bible—which is much different than one told traditionally. The only thing that scared me at first was that the main character was a camel. I did not draw camels well! In fact I had created a wall mural for my sister’s home where I painted Noah’s Ark, the camel was hideous and I hid him mostly from view. So I had lots of homework to do. I drew nothing but camels for about a week.

Once I came up with the camels that I liked the best I emailed Jim some of the drawings. Once he approved them I then started on the actual sketches. Throughout the process he would give me hints on what he preferred things to look like. I would tweak them a little to meet his expectations, but at the same time give me myself creative liberties. In the end I believe Lucius the camel turned out perfect.

Lucius and the Christmas Star is now available. You can find it and other books by me at www.insidemikeysworld.com and click on the picture books tab.

If you are an author looking for a freelance illustrator I suggest some key things:

1. 1-Before you even look at their prices, look at their art. See what work they have already put out. Look at their website and look at their galleries. Make sure their art coincides with your vision.

2. 2-Check out the books they have already done. If they don’t have a book yet, please do not mark them off your list. Everyone needs a first step. You could provide that for them.

3. 3- If you like their work, and their prices fit in with your budget (illustrators all charge different rates, but most freelance artists stay way below the threshold of the mainstream market) then ask them about their process. Some might have this on their site, I do, and it’s important for authors to know because this goes into the next key…

4. 4-What is their time frame going to be? Most freelance illustrators have day jobs too. So the work they do will be done on the side. Make sure you give them enough time to do their job effectively. Most work within 6 months to 1 year. If you have a Christmas book, don’t wait too long to hire your illustrator.

5. 5- If you like everything about them, then make sure you both agree on the terms. You are building a companionship, a partnership, together; your goals need to be the same. I wish you best of luck in your process.

I have more information on illustration and tips for authors and illustrators at www.insidemikeysworld.com and also on my blog at www.writtenbymikey.blogspot.com.

I invite you to look at them both, or just email me if you have any more questions: insidemikeysworld-AT-gmail.com.

Where to find me:

Twitter at @writtenbymikey

Facebook under Mikey Brooks

Pinterest at: http://pinterest.com/writtenbymikey.

An Unexpected Angel by Janet K. Halling

noreply@blogger.com (Cindy M Hogan) — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 13:34:00 +0000

Need a feel good book this holiday season? Try this one!

Enter David Farland's giveaway here.

Sometimes finding peace means finding a difference perspective.

Ella Davies, is focused, independent, and driven. Her hard work is finally paying off and she is on the brink of great success. But what no one knows is that her frantic drive is born not from a desire to succeed, but from a need to forget – forget her past, forget her guilt, and mostly, forget the tragedy that changed her life forever.

Ella’s strategy seems to be working but on Christmas Eve she meets Cohen, a strange man with an even stranger purpose. Cohen catapults Ella back through time and forces her to confront not only her own pain, but the pain of those long since passed. In the process, Ella learns about courage and compassion and that in the darkest hour, no one is ever alone.

What I thought-

This was a fun, short novel that puts you right in the spirit of Christmas and giving of yourself. Ella is forced to go with Cohen through three strategic time periods that teaches her a lot about herself and others and how to be happy. You might want to consider this book for your book club, it comes with a set of questions that are perfect for a discussion.

Go get it here Amazon book page

Check out the author-

Janet Halling discovered her love of writing at the age of six when her story of a lonely duck won a first grade writing contest. She has a degree in Marketing Communications and lives with her family in northern Utah. She is currently working on her next novel.

Want more? Find her here:

JanetKHalling.com

Facebook.com/Janetkhalling

Book trailer on YouTube

TV interview (Recorded 11/27/12 for Good Things Utah ABC4)

Here's an excerpt from the book if you'd like a taste

Somewhere there was a rhythmic humming—a kind of a swooshing sound that increased and decreased in volume at regular intervals. She couldn’t remember where she was. Her whole body ached, and her head felt as if it would explode.

Ella groaned and opened her eyes. She was still in the gym, lying crumpled against the weight machine. The treadmill had stopped, and the rhythmic sound was coming from the man riding the spinning bike, which sat nearby.

Her fingers trembled as she felt the goose egg on the side of her head. Her face was on fire, probably scraped on the belt, and her knees were bloody, also from the belt.

Suddenly she stiffened. There was a man riding the bike! A man riding the bike. While she had been lying there unconscious. Had he just sauntered in and climbed on without seeing her at all or had he viewed her inert form without concern? That was cold, even for New York City. Gingerly, she turned her head to look at him.

It was the clerk from the deli, and he didn’t stop pedaling as he glanced her way. “Oh good, you’re awake.”

She stared up at him in mute astonishment.

He reached for his water bottle and took a long drink. “I’m glad you woke up on your own,” he said pleasantly. “I was about ready to pour this in your face, so you can thank me for sparing you an unexpected shower.”

Ella grasped the weight machine and pulled herself slowly to a sitting position. Her head was throbbing, and her stomach lurched. “I could sue you for failing to come to the aid of an injured person,” she snapped rather feebly.

The man studied her contemplatively. “Hmmm, yes, you would think of that, wouldn’t you? But I’m not too worried, Ella. You’re not going to sue me and we both know it.”

She opened her mouth to snarl a retort but stopped abruptly. “How do you know my name?” she demanded. “And what are you even doing here? You don’t live in this building.” She hesitated, realizing she wasn’t sure. “Do you?”

He jumped off the bike and held out his hand. “You should get up. Want help?”

She shrank away from him. “Don’t touch me! Who are you, and how do you know my name?”

“Well, it’s simple really. My name is Cohen, and I’m your guardian angel.” He broke into a brief but rapid tap dance routine and finished with flair. And with jazz hands.

Ella stared at him in perplexed silence, unsure if he was a hallucination or just crazy. “Uh-huh. Right,” she finally said, groaning as she pulled herself to her feet. A wave of nausea hit her, and she stopped, doubling over and willing herself not to vomit. She for sure had a concussion.

She tried to think. Should she go to the hospital? Or maybe just go home and try to sleep? She didn’t know. She made a move toward the door, but Cohen tap-danced over to block her path.

“Get out of my way,” she snapped at him with more bravado than she felt.

He grinned. “Can’t do that. You and me, we have business tonight.”

For the first time, she felt a small dart of fear. Cohen wasn’t exactly menacing, but he certainly was strange. If he attacked her, would she have the strength to fight him? If only her head would stop hurting!

“What do you want?” she asked.

“I already told you, I’m your guardian angel. Well, not technically an angel, but that word will serve as well as any other. Anyway, I’m here to help.”

“Sure. Like you helped me when I was unconscious a minute ago? If that’s your kind of help, no thanks.”

“No, not that kind of help, silly.”

“Look, whatever you’re on, whatever you’re offering, I’m not interested. Just leave me alone, please? I’m sore and tired, and my head is killing me. I need to go lie down.”

“Oh, right. That.” He made some sort of vague gesture and instantly her nausea subsided and the pain in her head vanished.

Chills raced up and down her spine, and she stared at him, “Wait . . . what’s . . . what’s going on?”

“Okay, no more joking around.” Cohen looked suddenly serious. “Here’s the deal. You need help and there’s a lot you need to learn. Only you’re far too stubborn to admit it. You might not even know how much help you need. But I know; so here I am.”

The pieces were starting to fall into place. “Wait . . . Christmas Eve . . . guardian angel. This is some kind of a joke, right?” she said before adding sarcastically, “What’s the matter, Jacob Marley was busy? Clarence already got his wings? Or wasn’t he on duty tonight?”

He grinned. “Both good men. But you got stuck with me. Although, all things considered, maybe it’s me who got stuck with you. You can be quite unpleasant, do you know that?”

Ella snorted derisively. “So when does the Ghost of Christmas Past show up? Or is he waiting for me upstairs?”

“Dickens took some liberties. It doesn’t exactly work like that. At least, this time it won’t.”

“You have exactly one second to get out of my way or I’m going to start screaming at the top of my lungs!”

Cohen cocked his head to one side and gave her a brief shrug of resignation. “Okay then, you win. Can’t say I didn’t try.” He stepped smoothly to one side and swept his arm in a wide arc toward the door. “Be my guest.”

Throwing him what she hoped was a withering glare, Ella marched past him, flung open the door—and stepped into a nightmare.

David Farland's Nightingale

noreply@blogger.com (Cindy M Hogan) — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 13:19:00 +0000

Do you have books on your Christmas list? Well, I always do and so today I thought I'd help you get a free book and lots of other great goodies from David Farland, the author of Nightingale and over 50 other books!

David is giving away an AUTOGRAPHED hardcover of Nightingale, the enhanced ebook, and 5 lucky winners will each receive an awesome T-shirt featuring Bron, the main character from Nightingale. A total of 7 prizes will be awarded. Enter by December 17th at midnight!

Just enter using the rafflecopter below. Enjoy!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Win a T-shirt like this one!

Warm Winter Reads

noreply@blogger.com (Cindy M Hogan) — Tue, 04 Dec 2012 05:01:00 +0000

I just love giving stuff away, especially if it helps you build your stockpile of books for the winter. So, here's a fun giveaway for you. Not only can you win a $20 Gift card from me to get yourself some books, but a bunch of other cool stuff from hundreds of other bloggers. Have at it. Get all your Christmas shopping done right here.Hurry, only 5 days to enter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway Now go enter all the other awesome giveaways!

Nightingale by David Farland

noreply@blogger.com (Cindy M Hogan) — Mon, 26 Nov 2012 16:30:00 +0000

So, I was excited to read David Farland's new book, Nightingale, and I started off being really intrigued, then I got to a part where it started feeling like a horror novel and I don't do well with horror, so I turned it over to my awesome friend, Jennifer Moore, who loves Stephen King novels and figured she'd do the review justice. I'm hiding in the closet writing this.... so if you love psychological thrillers, this is the one for you.
Here's her review:

Some people sing at night to drive back the darkness. Others sing to summon it. . . .

Bron Jones was abandoned at birth. Thrown into foster care, he was rejected by one family after another, until he met Olivia, a gifted and devoted high-school teacher who recognized him for what he really was--what her people call a "nightingale."

But Bron isn't ready to learn the truth. There are secrets that have been hidden from mankind for hundreds of thousands of years, secrets that should remain hidden. Some things are too dangerous to know. Bron's secret may be the most dangerous of all.

In his remarkable young adult fantasy debut, David Farland shows why critics have called his work "compelling," "engrossing," "powerful," "profound," and "ultimately life-changing."

Bron is a teenage boy that has been shuffled through various foster homes, and has every right to be bitter. However, I didn’t end up pitying him as much as admire him. He has an uncanny way of reading people and situations, brought about by the survival skills he’s had to develop over the years of foster care. And he’s bright and observant, and vulnerable—really great main character.

As the book begins, Bron is taken out of a horrible situation, and given to the care of Olivia Hernandez who is a High School teacher. She is a musician and a little eccentric, but I immediately connected to her because of how much she wanted to have children, and Bron seems like such a perfect fit. But it’s not just the fact that he is a kid who plays the guitar and needs a home, Bron and Olivia have more in common than he knows. She understands things about him and where he comes from that he can’t even begin to imagine. And she is the perfect person to help him develop and understand his powers.

From the first page, there was suspense and tension—on the surface with a kid who is going to a new school, and finding his place in a new family—but beneath all of that, there is a group of super-humans searching for him, and there were times when I didn’t know how David Farland was going to get Bron out of some of the scrapes he was in.

The way he describes settings is wonderful, it emotes feelings and is so visual and tangible. The dialog and the relationships seemed to be genuine to me, too. I loved the world he built—it was fascinating

You can learn more about Dave and his books/writing seminars here:
FB: http://www.facebook.com/david.farland1

Twitter handle @DavidFarland

Websites:

www.nightingalenovel.com

http://www.davidfarland.com/

Goodreads:

http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/83308.David_Farland

INDIE-Giving Blogfest and Top-Ten

noreply@blogger.com (Cindy M Hogan) — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 12:50:00 +0000

This is a big shout-out to all my fans and the army of people who have helped me become a bestselling author this last year!

For you-an awesome giveaway!
Your choice of one of ten books and a $20 gift card

Go enter to win HERE

There are so many things I have to be thankful for, it's hard to choose one!
Maybe a top ten list would be best

1. My God

2. My family

3. My friends
4. Forgiveness

5. This country

6. My home

7. Electricity

8. Smiles
9. Laughter

10. Hugs

What is your TOP TEN?

32K and Holding

noreply@blogger.com (Cindy M Hogan) — Sun, 18 Nov 2012 03:30:00 +0000

We are on day 17 of Nano and I'm at 32,000 words right now and aching to write some more... You see, I got stuck on Wednesday when I started signing at Costcos again. I haven't written a word since

.....and I love the story I'm writing.

It's told from a 17 year-old boy's perspective and I'm loving it. The scene is a small town in Tennessee-did you know I used to live in Tennessee? HOT, MUGGY summers and bone-chilling cold in the winters.

When I say I'm aching to write some more, what I really mean is that I wish I was writing more because I haven't even really tried to get back on the bandwagon.

However, Monday is truly the day of vengeance. I'm at Ogden Costco and I have to be there a bit before 11:00. I'm going to pump out 2K before I go and another 2K get home. Three days is long enough to get used to a new schedule, right?

I'll be working on the next step of discovering who killed my main character's father in a hit and run.

So excited.

Cheer me on, everybody.

What do you do when you've lost motivation to do something you really love?

Emergence by C. Michelle Jefferies

noreply@blogger.com (Cindy M Hogan) — Thu, 15 Nov 2012 04:57:00 +0000

Buy Me here

What's the book about?

Hit man Antony Danic has never killed an innocent man. At least, the corporation he works for has never given him a reason to think otherwise—until now. Reeling from a series of demanding assignments, the assassin is desperate for some downtime. As he sits on a beach in Tahiti watching his wife play in the ocean, a messenger from his employer delivers a death threat. In a matter of seconds, the hunter has become the hunted. While Antony scrambles to find a way out of his “till death do us part” contract, he’s faced with the decision of a lifetime: kill another innocent man, or do what’s right—even if it puts his family in jeopardy.

Now to sit down with Michelle and get our burning questions answered- I think you'll end up loving Michelle just as much as I do.

What is your favorite movie right now?

My favorite movie is Master and Commander. I like guys with long hair. :) I also love the whole feel of the movie. My second favorite is How To Train Your Dragon. (Although I really liked watching "The Avengers" this fall.)

Do you wear socks to bed?

No, I really dislike socks at any time. Even in shoes.Especially if they are colorful or toe socks. I hate having things in between my toes. My feet are my temperature control in bed. if I'm cold they are under the blankets, if I'm hot they are out of the bed.

What do you do to warm up in the winter?

I sit on heater vents with blankets. I also wear fuzzy slippers and sweaters. I'm usually not that cold, but this year I've been loosing weight and I am freezing all the time. Brrrrrrr!

What is your favorite activity to do in the summer?

I love taking my kids to the park or pool in the mornings before it gets too hot. In the dead heat of the summer I prefer dark and cool basements and watching a movie with my kids. I do love a good baseball game though.

Have you ever skinny dipped?

No I haven't. Should I have? LOL Cindy's answer: Why yes, it's the best thing ever...

What scares you the most?

Losing my family is my worst fear. Rolling a car in a snow storm (again) is the second worst fear.

What are the top 3 tips you'd give a new author about creating interesting and believable characters?

1, We don't need the little details as much as we need their motivations. Why they do things. Why they react that way.

2, Make them flawed, they need to have quirks and fears and other things that make them imperfect.

3, Know your character like you know your kids or spouse just don't tell us all of that info. Let us pain the story ourselves.

Do you outline or are you a seat-of-your pants writer?

I am a structure gal. I have my basic story structure planned out as well as my character arc and my basic chapter idea. Kinda of like a Skeleton. Then I pants the rest. Fleshing it out into a full story. (See Larry Brooks Storyfix.com)

I can't wait to read this book.

Do you like the cover? How does it make you feel?

Go buy her book here

Go to her website here

Thanksgiving Giveaway!

noreply@blogger.com (Cindy M Hogan) — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 00:47:00 +0000

I'm so thankful to finally have my
Costco signing schedule for Created, check it out here, that I'm giving away a Barnes and Noble gift card so you can choose what book to buy!
Easy entry! Join the fun. (Lots of prizes at the end of the post, too.) Go enter all the giveaways!

Some books I just picked up-

Laini Taylor's Days of Blood and Starlight
preorder-Reached by Ally Condie
Ethereal by Addison Moore-mature teen audiences (swearing and sex)
Dead Heat by Lisa Nowak-mature teen audiences(swearing, themes)
Beguiled by RaShelle Workman

a Rafflecopter giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Cindy M Hogan) — Mon, 05 Nov 2012 04:52:00 +0000

Hey guys! My cute friend, Abby is having a blog make-over party. And she's celebrating with a massive giveaway. You'll love her blog! Go check it out. Created is up for grabs, too!

Hello! I'm Abby from ~~My Yellow Sandbox~~ Twist Me Pretty.

My blog started out as My Yellow Sandbox. It was originally a place to compile all the crafts and interior decor I saw and loved online. Yes... before Pinterest! As I happened upon a love of hairstyles and found my niche in this online world, I decided to change the name to Twist Me Pretty. To celebrate the new name and look I've teamed up with my favorite shops and bloggers to bring you a massive giveaway. A giveaway to top all giveaways. There will be over $1,500 in prizes and over sixty five winners!

To enter the rafflecopter and see what exactly is up for grabs visit twistmepretty.com

You might find a little of this over there too... :-)

Halloween Costumes to Die For

noreply@blogger.com (Cindy M Hogan) — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 17:26:00 +0000

Happy Halloween!

There are 3 amazing giveaways you can enter today-the top two end today-so hurry

1.Get your spook on $50 gift card giveaway-easy entry- this giveaway is over. Thanks for entering!
2. Spooktacular giveaway hop-400+ giveaways This giveaway hop is over. Thanks for entering!
3. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Watched-The-Book-By-Cindy-M-Hogan/185737298139932
You can still enter this giveaway! Good luck

Here are some spooky costumes from a party last week. Which is your favorite?

I'll post more later-happy spooking!

Rise of a Rector

noreply@blogger.com (Cindy M Hogan) — Mon, 29 Oct 2012 18:00:00 +0000

Need a new read with interesting characters and a fun, unique story line? This is it! Heather outdid herself with this one.**

**This is for older teens and adults-enjoy!

The final novel in Heather McCorkle’s channeler series, Rise of a Rector, has released! To celebrate, and in the spirit of October, Eren from the channeler series is here to tell us about a scary moment in her life. Take it away Eren!

Luke: The day started out perfect, sparring with Eren in a cavern two hundred and fifty feet above the Irish Sea. But she got the better of me, she’d gotten so much stronger than I remembered her. One minute I was lunging at her, the next she had pulled me into this sweet Judo throw and sent me flying right out the cave opening. I fell and fell and fell, my hands scraping uselessly at the cliff wall. After what seemed like forever, I slammed into a something solid, a rock ledge. Bones broke, it got hard to breathe. Eren couldn’t see me, I was too far down. But I knew my mentor would find me. He’d save me.

Check out Heather’s blog for a newtour stop each day until November 2nd. To thank her fans, and future fans, Heather’s historical fantasy novel (a standalone novel that ties into the channeler series) will be free Friday November 2nd and Saturday November 3rd on Amazon. And if Heather gets over 1000 downloads of To Ride A Puca in those two days she’ll give away a $10 Amazon or B&N gift card! So spread the word, get ready to download To Ride A Puca, tell all your friends to download it, and drop by Heather’s blog now to enter to win the gift certificate.

You can find all three novels in the channeler series (The Secret of Spruce Knoll, Channeler’s Choice, and Rise of a Rector) on Amazon and B&N, as well as other retail sites. The channeler novella~and prequel to The Secret of Spruce Knoll~Born of Fire is currently free on Amazon and B&N and you can find a short story about Fane from the series in the FREE anthology, In His eyes. You can add Rise of a Rector to your Goodreads lists at this link.