Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Winter Collection A Timeless Romance Anthology--Book Buzzin'


Published by Mirror Press.
Available at Smashwords and Amazon.


Winter Collection (Description taken from Amazon)

Six Award-Winning Authors have contributed brand new stories to A Timeless Romance Anthology: Winter Collection. A collection unlike any other, readers will love this compilation of six sweet historical romance novellas, set in varying eras, yet all with one thing in common: 

Romance.

The Road to Cavan Town by Sarah M. Eden, set in 1864 Ireland, combines Eden’s sense of humor with her signature sweet romance. Alice Wheatley walks each weekend into town, accompanied by Isaac Dancy. And while Alice finds herself falling in love with the gentleman, unfortunately he has his eyes set on the belle of the town, Miss Sophia Kilchrest. Alice must find a way to turn Isaac’s eyes toward her.

Regency author Heidi Ashworth’s delightful story, It Happened Twelfth Night, set in England 1812, follows Luisa Darlington who discovers the man of her dreams, Percy Brooksby, isn’t in love with her as much as she thought he was. When Percy’s friend, the mysterious foreigner, Mr. Flynn, visits for the twelfth night holiday, he promptly sweeps Luisa off her feet, quite literally. Luisa is left catching her breath in more ways than one.

An Unexpected Proposal by Annette Lyon is a captivating romantic novella, set in remote Wood Camp, the snowy canyon of Logan, Utah, 1880. When Caroline Simpson is forced to thwart the aggressive advances of Mr. Butch Larson, she discovers that her long-time friend, James, has genuine affection for her. But as stubborn as Caroline is, she minimizes the feelings he’s awakened in her, and it takes almost losing James to admit her true feelings for him.

In Joyce DiPastena’s charming medieval story, Caroles on the Green, we enter England of 1151, in which Lady Isabel has a dilemma. She promises herself that she’ll marry the man who sent a ring hidden in her pastry since the man she truly loves, Sir Lucian de Warrene, has proved to be impossible and exasperating. To forget him, Isabel sets her eyes on other eligible men, only to face another confrontation with Lucian—who isn’t about to back off and leave her to her newest plot.

Donna Hatch’s enchanting novella, A Winter’s Knight, begins when Clarissa Fairchild’s coach just happens to break down in front of the most forbidding estate in the county, that of Wyckburg Castle, a place where young brides have been murdered for generations by their husbands. Clarissa is horrified yet curious all in the same breath. When she meets widower Christopher de Champs, Earl of Wyckburg, she must decide if she should flee or uncover the greatest secret in the county about her handsome rescuer. 

In Heather B. Moore’s exciting turn-of-the-century story, A Fortunate Exile, Lila Townsend finds herself the victim of a broken heart—broken by the most notorious bachelor in 1901 New York City. If that isn’t bad enough, her father sends her to Aunt Eugenia’s remote farm where Lila must wait for her father’s anger to subside and the gossip columns to find new fodder. When Lila meets her aunt’s boarder, Peter Weathers, she discovers a man who isn’t afraid to stand up to her formidable family and take a chance on a woman with a sullied reputation.

Thursday, October 25, 2012

The Wedding Letters by Jason F Wright--Book Review

THE WEDDING LETTERS by Jason F Wright. I loved this book as much as THE WEDNESDAY LETTERS. It's a fun story about the up's and down's of life and how we can make it better for those around us. It's a feel good story that everyone would love.

:) :) :) :) :)

(Taken from the Barnes & Noble description) More than half-a-million readers are waiting for this sequel! Jason F. Wright's New York Times bestseller The Wednesday Letters introduced us to Jack and Laurel Cooper and Jack's tradition of writing letters to his wife every Wednesday of their married lives. But the love story didn't end there. When Jack and Laurel's grandson, Noah Cooper, bumps into Rachel, it's love at first sight—at least for Noah. Rachel isn't so sure. But Noah's charm pays off, and after they become engaged, Noah introduces his bride-to-be to another Cooper family tradition—the wedding letters. Family and friends of the happy couple are invited to send letters of advice on love, life, and happiness. However, when a dark secret from Rachel's past surfaces, will Noah's parents, Malcolm and Rain, be able to help save the wedding from disaster? And what about the scrapbook of wedding letters that have already been gathered for Noah and Rachel? Could a letter really provide the answer that will bring Rachel back? Readers are sure to laugh and cry, gasp and cheer for two hearts that were meant to be one.

Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Spooktacular Giveaway Hop (US)


Welcome to this stop on the Spooktacular Giveaway Hop, hosted by I Am A Reader Not A Writer. On my blog you get the chance to win one of my favorite kid's Halloween stories. THE LITTLE OLD DAY WHO WAS NOT AFRAID OF ANYTHING by Linda Williams. (US only please)

0nce upon a time, there was a little old lady who was not afraid of anything But one autumn night, while walking in the woods, the little old lady heard . . . CLOMP, CLOMP, SHAKE, SHAKE, CLAP, CLAP. And the little old lady who was not afraid of anything had the scare of her life





Entering is easy. Simply

  • Follow my blog via GFC and/or Networked Blogs and leave a comment telling me you follow with a way to contact you

For extra enteries

  • Follow me on twitter, leave a comment
  • Follow me on FB, leave a comment


It is in your best interest to leave SEPERATE comments. Please, have enteries in by midnight on Nov. 1, 2012. Thanks for stopping by. Be sure to see what else is being offered during the giveaway!


The Emerald Talisman by Brenda Pandos--Book Buzzin & Giveaway

THE EMERALD TALISMAN by Brenda Pandos. This book sounds like a really fun one. Take a look! Be sure to enter for your chance to win a $100 gift card from the author.


You can run from your destiny, but you can't hide.

If for no other reason than to help endure the hormonal rush of high school, sixteen-year-old Julia Parker would trade her ability to feel her fellow students' emotions in a heartbeat, especially half the boys in class.

When the beguiling Nicholas uses his superhuman strength to rescue Julia from the edge of a cliff before she's devoured by a bloodthirsty stalker, Julia is suddenly thrust into an underground world where people and animals are often one and the same. Fellow high school students disappear and only Julia and Nicholas know the truth. While Nicholas, a vampire hunter, is out stopping the ever-growing coven, an old friend entices Julia to join him on the dark side and a psychic tells Julia she alone is the key to stopping the madness, problem is it'll require Nicholas' life.

THE EMERALD TALISMAN is a page turning rollercoaster that will appeal to young adult women interested in a different take on the traditional teenage vampire love story. Instead, the readers are given a warm blooded, green-eyed, hot, day-walking hero who is there when you need him, but disappears when you want him.




a Rafflecopter giveaway

Saturday, October 20, 2012

Plotting


I always find it interesting to see/read about the different ways people plot their books, at least those who aren't pantsers. I ran across this post by Sarah M Eden and found it very informative. She uses a board. Now, I've heard of this method and have even seen others post pictures of their plotting boards, but none recently, and I remember someone in my writing group struggling to come up with a way to organize the info she already has put together.

So, this is for anyone who needs an idea of how to plot a book or anyone who just wants to take a look (because Sarah's posts always promise to be entertaining) or anyone who wants to see another version of a posterboard storyboard or whatever you call it.

Enjoy and Happy Writing!


Thursday, October 18, 2012

Transcend by Christine Fonseca--Book Review

TRANSCEND by Christine Fonseca.
Published by Compass Press.
Available at B&N, Amazon.

The cover of this book had me intrigued from the beginning, as did the back cover blurb. As I got into reading it, I found myself confused, knowing that I was on the right path to figuring out what was going on, but not confident enough to say what I thought. Everything made sense at the end and I was left not knowing exactly how to feel. It's a beautifully, twisted story that walks the fine line between love and madness that was an interesting journey.

I can recommend this book to almost anyone. Because of the subject matter, I would not recommend it for young readers, though it was enjoyable. Be sure to take a look though. Enter to win a copy through Goodreads on Christine's Book Page. (Valid through Nov. 30, 2012)

:) :) :)


All seventeen-year-old composer Ien Montgomery desires is an escape from his family's rigid expectations for his life; someone to inspire his music. When he meets a beautiful violin-prodigy, Kiera McDougal, his life music takes on new life. With her, he imagines a future outside of his parents’ control. That is, until a horrible accident tears them apart. 

Sent to die in a sanatorium, Ien’s obsession for Kiera grows unbearable. Tortured by thoughts he can’t escape and the truth of his monstrous disfigurement, he flees, desperate to exact revenge on the people that ruined his life – his parents. But, vengeance is empty. Betrayed by those closest to him, Ien discovers that the price for his happiness may be his sanity.

Set amidst the landscape of New York's Gilded Age, and inspired by Phantom of the Opera, TRANSCEND exposes the fine line between love and madness.

Tuesday, October 16, 2012

Finale by Becca Fitzpatrick--Book Buzzin'

FINALE by Becca Fitzpatrick. I've been waiting for this one, and it'll be here Oct 23rd! Check out my posts on Becca.

Fates unfurl in the gripping conclusion to the New York Times bestselling Hush, Hush saga.

Nora is more certain than ever that she is in love with Patch. Fallen angel or no, he is the one for her. Her heritage and destiny may mean they are fated to be enemies, but there is no turning her back on him. Now Nora and Patch must gather their strength to face one last, perilous trial. Old enemies return, new enemies are made, and a friend's ultimate betrayal threatens the peace Patch and Nora so desperately want. The battle lines are drawn—but which sides are they on? And in the end, are there some obstacles even love can't conquer?

Thursday, October 11, 2012

The Zookeeper's Wife by Diane Ackerman--Book Review

THE ZOOKEEPER'S WIFE: A WAR STORY by Diane Ackerman. To me, this is not your typical war story, meaning it didn't necessarily go into all the violence around. This woman kept an incredible record of her life during occupied Warsaw, showing what her family went through. I found it intriguing on a different level. Not only did I learn about the Polish people during the war, but specifically about their zoo and how that played into things in Warsaw. It was fascinating to hear what these people went through. I would highly recommend this to anyone.

:) :) :) :) :)

The Zookeeper's Wife is a strange, but historically true story of WWII. It reveals the extraordinary efforts of Jan and Antonina Zabinski, Christian zookeepers horrified by Nazi racism, who capitalized on the Nazis' obsession with pureblood animals in order to save over 300 doomed people by hiding them in the bombed-out cages at the Warsaw Zoo. A tale of people, animals, and subversive acts of compassion.

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

The Archer's Hollow by Peggy Urry--Book Buzzin'

THE ARCHER'S HOLLOW by Peggy Urry. Take a look at this one. Sounds exciting!

Nineteen-year-old Siri must keep a deathbed vow made to her mother. Escaping a village that's never been home and finding an unknown place are only the start. She naively triggers an ancient elven curse that will soon destroy what she loves most. Helped by a handsome master archer she faces a pivotal decision: forsake true love by continuing her quest or pursue true love dooming those around her. 

Saturday, October 6, 2012

A Writer's Discovery


First off, I have to apologize for missing my last post. I got my weeks mixed up and when I went to post, someone else already had one up. So I scrolled down and realized I had missed a week and somehow missed the email reminder. Nobody else has every done anything like that, right?

Second, thank you for all the words of encouragement that were given after my last post. It helps to know others care and have gone through the same things. I appreciate the friendship.

And third, here's what I've learned or you could say releared since then. Time seems to be a common struggle for most people. If only there were more hours in the day, or something like that. What I've found interesting about that is, I've never had too many issues with time management. It's something I'm good at and I've been successful at getting everything done for a long time. That may seem like a long shot, but it's true. I believe it's one of the talents I've been blessed with. I'm able to see and map out how to make things work, and I've been able to help others do the same.

So, you can see a little more why I've really been having a hard time when I haven't been getting the things done like I want to.

As I've thought about what could possible be different now (other than the obvious: kids, marriage, you know what I'm talking about) from before, I realized one glaring error I've been making. It's something, that in the past, I never thought I'd ever drop the ball on. (First of all, never say never. Somehow it always comes back to bit you.) :) And it's something that isn't necessarily easy to admit, and I have a feeling that I might not be the only one.

My error has been in my personal prayers. It's not that I haven't been saying them, it's just that they've become repeative and not as sincere as they should be. I haven't asked specifically for help in finding/making/having the time to accomplish what is important to me, i.e. getting at least some of my writing done. Once I was able to express my frustration, how I was feeling about said frustrating, AND asked for help with those specific items, the solution began to present itself.

  • Am I getting as much done as I'd like to be? No. 
  • Am I getting some writing in? Yes. 
  • Will I be able to meet my goals? With my Father in Heaven's help, Yes. 
  • Is this a new concept that I've learned? No. It's just taken a little reminder what what exactly needs to be happening in order for me to be successful.
It may not seem like a big thing to you, but it was to eye opening and a good reminder for me. On this conference weekend, I pray we will all be more sensitive to what needs to be happening in our lives, and as always . . .

HAPPY WRITING.

Thursday, October 4, 2012

Slayers by C.J. Hill aka Janette Rallison--Book Review

SLAYERS by Janette Rallison. Janette's books always make me smile, and this one is no exception. I loved all the dragonlore that was presented, and how much fun the characters were. They were all easy to relate to and I found myself wondering if my predictions were right. The pace was wonderful and I'm hoping there will be another book along these lines. This fun, entertaining read I can recommend to anyone.

:) :) :) :) :)


Dragons exist. They’re ferocious. And they’re smart: Before they were killed off by slayer-knights, they rendered a select group of eggs dormant, so their offspring would survive. Only a handful of people know about this, let alone believe it – these “Slayers” are descended from the original knights, and are now a diverse group of teens that includes Tori, a smart but spoiled senator’s daughter who didn’t sign up to save the world.
The dragon eggs have fallen into the wrong hands. The Slayers must work together to stop the eggs from hatching. They will fight; they will fall in love. But will they survive?


Tuesday, October 2, 2012

An Unlikely Match by Sarah M Eden--Book Buzzin'

AN UNLIKELY MATCH by Sarah M Eden. I absolutely love Sarah's books, and I can't wait for her new book, coming sometime this month!


It isn't every day an impoverished young gentleman inherits a sizable fortune and an estate. Nickolas Pritchard, not only impoverished and young, but a gentleman as well, felt his luck acutely the day just such a remarkable inheritance fell upon him.
The future has never looked brighter for once penniless Nickolas Pritchard. Now in possession of an unforeseen legacy from a distant cousin, he can finally woo the exquisite Miss Castleton, belle of the London Season. What better setting for matchmaking than Ty Mynydd, his ancestral home nestled in the untamed hills of Wales? Ideal, indeed ... except for the ghost.
For nearly four hundred years, Gwen has walked the halls of the home in which she lived—and died a mysterious death. But despite centuries as the reigning force within her ancient residence, nothing prepares her for the charm and unexpected appeal of Englishman Nickolas.
A deep and abiding affection grows between the two, tempered by the unbreakable barrier that separates them. They cannot possibly hope for a happily ever after. there can be no future between a man yet living and a woman long dead.
But how can Nickolas possibly give Gwen up? And how can Gwen face an eternity without Nickolas?