Friday, March 29, 2013

THE LIST IS FILLED! ....

Happy Friday Everyone...

I hope you all had a good week. Happy Easter weekend to all who celebrate!

The temps are SLOWLY heating up here in Florida, but a light sweater is still needed. The winds have died down thankfully, and I may even get to "lay out" in the sun tomorrow....

THANK YOU SO MUCH to those of you who helped me achieve my goal and signing up all the authors I needed for the A-Z. It's a FANTASTIC collection covering ALL genres. So it should be quite a fun ride. I hope I do all your works justice. AS an added surprise, on the letters J and Z I will be choosing a random book from other writers requests for letters that were filled. JOKERS WILD DRAW and X-RAY REVEAL ...  so make sure you drop by those days to see if you were chosen... OOOooo, I love a good mystery. LOL.

I'd also like to welcome my new fiends to my blogger family. I know I have been lax with my greetings, but you all know how much I care....

This weekend I hope to DIVE into writing at least the first week of intros.... I just finished critiquing a Fantastic novel my a new blogger friend/CP SUZI ... If you don't know her, drop by and say hi! She has some advice today about sloppy writing....

Well all, nothing else to spill. I can't believe April 1st is MONDAY.... GOOD LUCK everyone with your A-Z challenge. With limited time and wifi, I will do my best to hop around and visit.

Have a great weekend all!

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

THE A-Z update

Hi, All,

Thanks for the AMAZING response and suggestions for my A-Z! I wish I could do it for all your books, but sadly there were several repeats.... THE GOOD NEWS is, I still have slots open. So if you'd like to be featured or know of an author who has a book with these letters let me know as soon as possible.

Here's what's available. Letters  ... I, J, K, R, U, V, X, and Z ....

I hope you are all having an amazing day.

I feel like I never left Chicago.... FLORIDA IS FREEZING..... only in the low fifties today. It MAY hit sixty.... WHOOPEE! I actually had to where my COAT to the library today. Super bummer. BUT, on the plus side, the sky is a brilliant blue and the sun is shining. BUT then there's the wind .... I know it's blowing down from Chicago.... LOL.

Again, I apologize in advance if you don't see me too often. I have to come to the library for wifi for the next five weeks. I will be coming every morning for an hour or two, but I won't be able to drop by as often as I have. I LOVE TO VISIT in the middle of the night.

Sunday, March 24, 2013

PAYING IT FORWARD ... MY A-Z THEME IS CALLING FOR YOUR BOOKS! ...



Hi, Everyone,

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend. I spent mine in sunny South Florida where the temps hit the mid 80's... so wonderful to be sporting tanks and shorts instead of coats and scarves! I was fortunate to have wifi at my friend's house, but tomorrow I will be out again, going back to Central Florida. That is why I am posting now.

I have finally decided on my theme for the up and coming A-Z challenge. As many of you know I have been featuring my own spin on cover and book reveals. They have been such fun to write and wildly successful, so I thought this would be an AMAZING theme for the challenge... Featuring YOUR BOOKS!

What I need for you is if ANYONE would like me to feature THEIR book PLEASE contact me either by email or leave a comment with your book title. It will save me a multitude of time researching, and since I have limited wifi, it will be quite taxing. SO email me please ASAP. First come, first serve. It could be a new release, or a past one. I just want to get YOUR titles out there for all our blogger friends to enjoy.

So, what do you think? A custom intro from me for your book. How awesome is that?

Alex, this question is for you. Your opinion means a lot. Does this theme get the Ninja Captain's seal of approval. If so, would you do me the honor of mentioning it on your blog whenever it's convenient so that EVERYONE will know about it and get a chance to be featured? I would really appreciate it. Since it was from your high ratings from CassaStorm that gave me the idea.

This year's A-Z will be MONUMENTAL and I wish for my blog challenge to be rewarding and helpful. This community means the world to me and I believe helping each other strengthens our community even more. This is what makes it so special ... this is what makes ALL OF US special.

As a final note, I will honestly do the best I can to visit all of you, but please be patient. I know you can ALL understand the importance of wifi and without it, is a fate I would never wish on any writer.

Have a great week all and I should be on line a few hours a day once I find out where the local library is. Buying lattes at B&N daily will break me for sure, so this will be the only way I will be able to have access to all of you.

For my northern friends, I wish you blue skies, sunshine, and warm ocean breezes. I heard the weather was brutal these past few days... Stay warm!

P. S. For  those VERY few who are not familiar with the A-Z  click onto the link below to read about it or to sign up!
http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com/p/2012-to-z-challenge-sign-up-list.html

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

MYSTERY LURKS IN THE MOST UNEXPECTED PLACES ...

Finally the sun ... I've waited all winter for this. Spring Break in Florida no less. After traveling two days in mostly low temps the warmth of the sun defrosts my aching bones. As you all know, I have been in revisions for months but now it's time for a new adventure, and sunny Florida is just the place.

I spend my first day driving through the northern part of the state and come across this tucked away college town. The university, set behind two towering Coconut Palms, was barely visible through the oversized swaying palm fronds and the forget-me-not blue sky featuring an occasional cottony cloud drifting lazily on its own.

A clock chimes twelve times just as I close the car door. How fun would it be to chat with some the students and get their point of view of campus life? The things we must do to keep our blogs interesting. Right? So I approach this small group of students sitting in the shade on the front lawn.

Within a few minutes, I am surprised how open and cooperative these kids are to an dude of my age. They held nothing back and mention a situation brewing at the college that really peaks my interest.

Out of the corner of my eye, I notice this striking girl sitting alone. She seems different from the others. Her quiet reserve intrigues me. I ask one of the girls if they know who she is.

"Oh, her. Yes, that's Rena. She's in one of my classes."

"Do you think she may have anything more to add?

"Not really sure. But you could ask her."

"Thanks, you guys. I really appreciate your telling about this.

I watch Rena for moment. Her ebony hair falls forward, completely shadowing her face as she studies the text book sitting on her lap.

I step closer to her and about a foot away, I clear my throat. She looks up; hazel eyes with a glint of gold narrowed. I introduce myself and ask if she'd like to be interviewed.


She rocks back and forth, strumming her fingers on her lap. "Sooo... a feature on college students. That's exciting. Is it a slow news day or something?" 

I laugh at her sarcastic wit. "Tell me, Rena, how would you describe the student life at Wilcox College?"

"Student life? Hah. How about nonexistent? Unless you're into the sorority scene or doing intramurals, this place can be pretty boring." 

I gag inside. "Boring? Not from what I've heard..."

"What did you hear?"

Taking a deep breath, I reprocess the others' information. "I interviewed a few other students earlier, and they mentioned something about a madman living on campus—in your residence hall, to be exact. Know anything about that?"

"People love to gossip around here." Her expression hardens. "Small campus, small town—things tend to get exaggerated."

 "Really? Then, how would you explain the noises these kids hear every night? Growls, screams, banging against the dorm walls..."

"Misunderstandings."

"Misunderstandings of what?" I drop down next to her on the grass. "What's the real story here?"

"I..." She turns away. "I don't know."

Looking quizzically at her, I say, "You don't know?"

"I met him a few days ago, okay? I met... Wallace." 

Now we're getting somewhere. "Wallace being the madman?"

Rena grits her teeth. "Yes."

"And he didn't seem crazy, as accused?"

"No, he seemed..." she trails off, lowering her voice, "interesting."

Now I'm really intrigued ... aren't you? "In what way? Can you be a bit more specific? I'd really like to know." I flash one of my signature "model type" smiles.

"I-I should go." She stands in a swift movement and grabs her bag. The book drops out of her hand. "I have a class soon. Now, actually. I'm, uh... probably late. Good luck with your blog post!" She snatched up the book and bolted.

"Damn. I pushed too much," I mutter. Now what's my next move? I've got to find out more about this guy ... 

I pull myself off the ground and head back to my car. An idea comes to me and I need to get on line. One person will have the answer. Carrie.









Links:
BOOK PAGE
  |  GOODREADS  |  PUBLISHER  |  FACEBOOK  |  PINTEREST  |  BOOK TRAILER

Retailers:
AMAZON  |  KINDLE  |  BARNES AND NOBLE  |  NOOK  |  SONY READER STORE  |  KOBO  |  DIESEL  |  BAKER & TAYLOR
If you are as intrigued as I am, Please visit Carrie's blog for the rest of the tour and giveaways! Its worth the trip....

Have a wonderful day everyone!

Monday, March 18, 2013

SUNSHINE, PALM TREES, AND A BLOGFEST ....

HI, Everyone,


Sorry I haven't been around. I was on the road Thursday and Friday driving from the frigid north to SUNNY FLORIDA.... YAY! I finally made it! Gorgeous weather upon arrival and 70 degree temps. But, sadly one glitch.... the place that I am staying had has NO INTERNET CONNECTION!!!! I have been offline for THREE DAYS! Torture, I assure you. I had to drive ten miles to get to a B&N for wifi. Needless to say I will be here for a while playing catch up.

Tomorrow I leave for Fort Lauderdale and a hotel with A CONNECTION.... So I will visit all of you for the blogfest and to say hi from Tuesday thru Friday. Afterwards it will be only a few days a week. On plus. I will WRITE... It will kill me, but at least I may get some much needed work done.

Now for the BLOGFEST... Ninja Captain Alex is hosting the TOP TEN MOVIE COUTDOWN. So fun! So make sure you drop by and check out the other bloggers favs. I am SURE the blogosphere will be sizzling with hopping today... lol.

Now for me this was VERY difficult. There are SO many movies that I love and could watch over and over again.

1. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone ... as many of you know I am a HUGE HP FAN...

2. Gone with the Wind... An epic and classic.

3. My Big Fat Greek Wedding... LOVE a good comedy.

4. Auntie Mame... Now this is a oldie but a GOODIE. SO funny, acting, sets, storyline. Just INCREDIBLY funny.

5. All about Eve... for a bit of 1950's theatrical drama. A Bette Davis, classic.

6. Wizard of Oz... My favorite childhood movie. First saw it on a black and white TV... never knew it had color, until my grandmother bought her first color TV.... Talk about jaw dropping.

7. White Christmas... Yes, I needed to put my favorite Christmas movie in the top ten... Vermont at Christmas time. Nothing finer to warm your heart for the holidays.

8. Madame X.... A GREAT Lana Turner classic. Talk about human emotions running wild.

9. Black Widow... A fantastic '80's suspense thriller. Excellent chemistry between Debra Winger and Theresa Russell.

10. Moonstruck ... Cher at her best!

Well, these are just a few of my favs... I could keep going, but these are the ones that I would watch given the chance.

I hope you all have a FUN day today hopping around.

Thanks again for your patience. I have died a slow death without internet and I have MISSED blogging and visiting all of you SO MUCH. If you don't see me as often, I know you'll understand. Imagine NO INTERNET.... It is a living nightmare!

Wednesday, March 13, 2013

WHERE WOULD YOU GO? ...

Today is a super fun Bloghop for HUMP DAY... Since it's EINSTEIN'S BIRTHDAY three bloggers created the National Wormhole Day bloghop. Stephen Tremp, Laura Eno, and Luanne Smith.

Today all you need to do is post in a hundred words where YOU would go if you could create a wormhole and traverse to any place in time, any world, past or future. And it is a SAFE roundtrip. Two fun-filled days to do WHATEVER.

Well, as you can imagine the possibilities are ENDLESS. For me I did manage to narrow it down. I have ALWAYS been fascinated with the impressionist movement in art. Paris, 1880's.... Imagine painting along side Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Claude Monet, Edgar Degas, Edouard Manet, Camille Pissaro, and Alfred Sisley, in Montmartre .... I certainly could. I studied art in college and learned to draw and paint in the same techniques as the masters. This would be the ULTIMATE for me.

Where would you go? I really want to know.


I would also like to thank ALL of you that have dropped by and left such amazing comments on my Exclusive intro of Nicki Elson's Divine Temptation. If you haven't seen this AWESOME cover yet, please scroll down to my previous post. My blog is THE ONLY place where you can see it.

HAVE a wonderful HUMP dau everyone.

Monday, March 11, 2013

TEMPTATIONS ... WHAT ARE YOUR INNER MOST DESIRES? ....


As I meander through town, images from the past remind me of my former life. Each one of the quaint, tree-lined streets, the designer boutique where I found the perfect little-black-dress for our anniversary, and the charming bistro, all seem to mock me now. 

My marriage, the separation, and then, the divorce, are now, all part of my past. But, no matter, I have my life back. I smile for the first time in years. 

                                                                          

***


A few months have passed now.  A periwinkle blue sky peeks though the remaining gray clouds, and the first sign of Spring crocuses burst through the cold, hard earth. I pull into the driveway of my vintage cape cod home. Although much smaller than the grand residence I had occupied before with him, you know, the ex, this is much more of a reflection of who I really am. From the delicate lace curtains caressing the two side lights that frame the paneled white front door, to my grandmother’s hand-made quilt draped over the rice carved mahogany four poster, my world is complete. Each detail carefully constructed and each a piece of my soul.

The click of my high heels sound oddly loud on the flagstone path. This quiet dead end street sees little traffic, and my neighbors usually settle in early for the night. Life in the suburbs, far from fast-paced Chicago, but, it works for me.

I prepare myself a simple meal: a tossed garden salad, a left over piece of grilled chicken, and a soothing glass of my favorite chardonnay.  I pull out a tray and add a linen napkin and flatware to the side of the simple white, china plate. After I take a sip of wine, I head for the bedroom.

The soft amber glow from the corner lamp post filters through the embroidered sheer curtains as I enter and set the tray down on the end of the bed. As I slip out of my dress, the solid adjoining drape shifts a whisper, but I catch a glimpse of a broad form underneath. My heart crashes into my chest. I hold my breath ....  

A tuft of sandy hair ... 

A glint of emerald ... 

A muscular arm straining ...

A heartbeat .... My heartbeat ....  Thunders through my entire being. And then there is peace ... or is there?






Maggie Brock has everything under control...until an angel shows up in her bedroom.


AUTHOR, NICKI ELSON’S DIVINE TEMPTATION ....   

Are you ready to be tempted? 

Revealing all on March 26, 2013


Add it to your GOODREADS bookshelf and enter to win a paperback copy.  http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17158217-divine-temptation


I hope you all enjoyed my newest intro. I honesty had a great time writing it. Please leave blogger love for Nicki and put Divine Temptation on your TBR list in Goodreads. Have a wonderful day everyone.

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

AS THE WINTER DIES, NEW HOPE SPRINGS ...

Happy Wednesday/Hump day everyone.

So far March has come in with a vengeance. Yesterday we got over six inches of snow and as the ferocious winds swirled the powdery glitter over every inch of the city, a note of SPRING was in the air.

It came in two forms for me yesterday, which I will get to in a moment. As you all know today IS the first Wednesday of the month and it's time for another segment of the Insecure Writer's Support Group or the IWSG, what we members affectionately call it. For the unfamiliar blogger, it is a group that meets on the first Wednesday of every month to VOICE concerns or offer words of wisdom to those writers who are in DISTRESS. Which covers a huge gamut ... lol.

Lately I have had concerns about when my writing journey would take a turn. For four years I have stumbled on the rocky road to publication. As we all know the road is different for all of us. Knowing I am not alone on this journey brings me great comfort. So many of us are faltering .... falling into ditches, only having to claw our way out... thankfully there is always a helping hand to YANK us out.

This week two extraordinary things happened. First a very special blogger and friend had asked me to write an exclusive cover reveal for her upcoming book. I was so honored and thrilled. Out of ALL the amazing writers in our sphere, she chose me. I can't begin to tell you how that filled my heart and gave me the lift I really needed.

The second bit of news actually began several days ago when I was nominated for Unpublished Blogger with the Most Awesome Writing Style in Misha Gericke's Pay it Forward Awards. Honestly I was shocked. Again, with so many AMAZING voices out there, I was singled out. I put the nomination in the back of my mind and thought how nice to be nominated and basically waited for the results after I voted for the talented bloggers who were nominated in various subjects.

Well, yesterday Misha dropped me a note and informed me I had won. My heart raced. ME! There had to be a mistake! I clicked onto her blog and saw my name. Dumbfounded. I was chosen first, DL Hammons, an EXCELLENT writer and blogger came in second. I shook my head in disbelief. I had never been acknowledged in this way for my writing before. I had entered so many contest with really no success. But this, I didn't enter. I was nominated and chosen by all of you. THANK YOU can not even  express the gratitude I feel to all of you right now. Especially now, when I needed it most to take that NEXT STEP on my journey.

So, for all of you who are at a crossroads with YOUR writing journey, TAKE THAT NEXT STEP. We are here to keep you company and lend you that helping hand whenever you may need.

Thank you all again and I hope you a wonderful day and week. And don't forget to visit other members of the IWSG here. The ranks are GROWING....

A news worthy event takes place Tomorrow, Carrie Butler's N/A paranormal romance, STRENGTH makes its debut. SO drop by and Carrie's blog and cheer her on!


Monday, March 4, 2013

IS PLAYING IT SAFE REALLY WHAT IT'S ALL CRACKED TO BE? .... THROUGH CAUTION TO THE WIND AND ... LIVE ....

My father's death was a turning point in my life. He had died so suddenly.

My life plummeted.

My old "Playing it safe" values sailed out the window and mingled with the turbulent storm erupting inside of me.

My first crush, although a great kisser, no longer fit with the carefree, rebellious lifestyle I had decided to adopt.

My new crush did ...






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.



Leigh Talbert Moore : http://leightmoore.blogspot.com/

Available everywhere.




Friday, March 1, 2013

WHAT THE FUTURE HOLDS FOR US ... IT'S NOT JUST ABOUT WRITING ... OR ... IS IT?

For the Back From the Future Bloghop, click here.


"Captain ... watch out!"

"Relax, cadet. It's all par for the course." The craft swerves to miss an oncoming asteroid.

I lean back, wiping the sweat from my brow. "Should I check on our guests? The've been through so much in the past few days."

"Believe me, a bit of turbulent driving is nothing that will concern them. Not everyone gets motion sickness as quickly as you do cadet." The captain presses a button and a small panel opens. He hands me another gummy bear. "You'll need this."

"But I've -"

"Just take it, " he interrupts. "Better safe than sick. Besides, we may be in for a rough ride. Getting back to our world is no easy task. Remember the meteor vortex we narrowly escaped going in?"

My stomach lurches. "How could I forget. I wanted to abandon ship."

Captain Alex nods. "A good thing I mentioned the chocolate stash I had previously arranged for you." He laughed. "A smart captain plans ahead and foresees any obstacles."

"Yes, that's for sure. Nothing else would've gotten me through all that drama. That dragon alone almost barbecued us alive. Not to mention the vixen thief ... you almost alluded to her charms." It was my turn to laugh. "A good thing I mentioned Mrs. C and flashed her picture."

His face flushes. "That's enough, cadet! I was under a spell."

"A huh ... sure captain. Whatever you say." I choke on another laugh. "What's our next plan of action. I needed to change the subject fast.

"We'll first return our guests back home and then we're off to our next mission."

What? No rest for the weary. I raise a brow. "And, what exactly is this mission. You haven't been very specific. Every time I ask, you change the subject."

"I had to. If I didn't, you really would've abandoned ship. Not even the equivalent amount of chocolate in Fort Knox would keep you here."

I feel the color drain from my face as I slip down the chair. A huge lump forms in my throat and restrains me from answering.

"Cadet. Are you all right?" He glances at me with tension lines etching his face. "That gummy bear should've worked by now.

I swallow hard. "I-It did. I guess." Pull yourself together Michael. Alex needs you. You can't let him down. After straightening up, I clear my throat. "Okay. Give it to me straight. I can handle it now."

A slight grin forms on the captain's face. "We'll be off to the Twenty-second century."

"We can do that? I know this vessel is quite advanced, but to go into the future a hundred years."

"More like a hundred and eight-two. We're visiting the year 2195"

"WHAT?!" The sweat is now dripping down my face.

"The Neumarians need our help against a tyrannical queen. They've captured the teenage princess and she has been tried for treason."

"An uprising? Do we really need to get involved in this?"

"Yes. For what I understand of the situation, the slaves are terribly abused. They hate the queen and princess even more because she had to choose one of them to sacrifice in order to be initiated into the ruling council.

"How barbaric?"And what about the queen. What is she doing to save her daughter?"

"I'm guessing her mother's not too concerned about her capture. Less competition."

"So how do we fit into this equation?"

"We meet with the commander of the revolution, Ryder Arteres, in a few days. He'll instruct us from there."

I slouch back down into my chair. "Great. Another life threatening situation."

Captain Alex grins. "Is there any other kind?" He hands me a letter. "Read that, cadet."

"You know I get sick if I read while moving in any vehicle."

"Read it."

"Yes, Captain."



Ninja Captain Alex,

We need your help! Thanks to our spy, Ciara Knight, we are able to communicate with you today via blogs, Facebook, Twitter and other social media.

The Neumarian uprising has begun. We are fighting for freedom and equality for all, but we need your help. Ciara informed us that you might want to know more about the uprising and why we ask you to risk your lives for our cause. To answer these questions I’ve agreed to let Ciara tell my sister’s, Raeth’s, story about her captivity. It will be free for you on a site called Amazon until March 1, 2013.
Our spies have told us this will help spread the word and find more recruits for our rebellion against the tyrannical queen. You can help by simply downloading a free copy of Weighted, a prequel to the Neumarian Chronicles. If you are intrigued and wish to follow our uprising, Escapement, book I of The Neumarian Chronicles, will be available for only $2.99 until March 1, 2013.
Escapement is told by Princess Semara. Don’t hold the fact Semara is a princess against her like I did, there is more to her than you can possibly imagine.
If you are now ready to join our fight, please add Escapement to your TBR shelf on Goodreads here. Shout out on all your social media sites, and tell everyone you know to stand up and fight.

Be Bold.

Be Brave.

Be Free.
In the name of the rebellion,
Ryder Arteres






Ciara Knight -Defy the Dark
Y/A author
Visit her at: BlogFacebookFacebookGoodreads

I hope you all enjoyed my cover reveals the week. I had so much fun writing them. Please let me know what you think. AND if you haven't read the first two, PLEASE scroll down and start from the beginning. It's worth the JOURNEY.  

HAVE a GREAT weekend everyone!