Wednesday, January 26, 2011

SMILES, SMILES, AND MORE, SMILES ...THE SMILES AWARDS!.... A DEEPER LOOK INTO THE BLINDED GARDENER.










As promised, I have more awards to hand out. I would like to thank Nicki and Marieke for all the smiles. Today is such a gloomy day in Chicago, now more than ever do we need smiles especially use blogger who live in the frozen north. SO to all of you please take a a You Make Me Smile Sward and pass it on. This little guy can't help but make you smile. Let's share the smiles this long and cold winter.

Yesterday I revealed seven things about myself so I don't want to overload you with to much info about me. One of my comments yesterday hoped I had a kitty too, since I said I love dogs. I LOVE all types of animals and kitties are definitely included, but I am highly allergic to them. I was blessed with the most perfect kitten and after just one week my throat was closing. Not fun.  Heartbroken, I had to give her back to the breeder.

There is a happy ending though, she found the perfect home with a child who has Down's Syndrome. This boy had just lost his black Norwegian Forest cat a few months earlier and was very upset. You see black Wee gees are very rare. The mother was thrilled to find one. SO now my former special kitty is a companion to a special child. It does my heart good to know that she is giving joy to someone who really needs it.

Now for the Making Smiles on Faces Award.

Leigh at That's Write. http://leightmoore.blogspot.com/ Not only does she have a fun and entertaining blog I see her feathered boa and big smile everywhere in the blogosphere always leaving fun an witty comments. SO for today I'd like to honor Leigh (LTM).

    *                 *                     *                   *                     *

Now for an update on ABNA .... Judging by what I see, you still have time to enter. Take a shot you have NOTHING TO LOSE.

I thought you all might be interested in my PITCH so here it is. Let me know what you think and thanks again for all you warm wishes.

Your blogging buddy,

Michael


Seventeen-year-old military brat, Aidan, and his psychotic father, are once again on the move, this time leaving behind Southern California for Beaufort, South Carolina. Aidan’s abuse is so unrelenting that he lives for the day he’ll turn eighteen and be free from his father’s torture.
Aidan seeks out sexual conquests to numb his deep-rooted pain. High schools are his hunting grounds, where he preys on only the hottest girls. Lost in a corridor on his first day at school, he encounters Danny, a blind student, who perplexes and intrigues him. Although visually impaired, Danny maneuvers the halls with ease, and takes Aidan to his first class, where he’s more interested in sultry Tanya than social studies.
Visions of Danny’s unfocused eyes haunt Aidan throughout the day. As the final bell rings, the stalking begins. Aidan has found an unusual candidate this time: Danny.
Aidan comes to the end of his emotional rope after an accusation of rape by the general’s daughter and a deadly blow out with his father send Aidan running. He has only one place to go: a rundown historic antebellum home owned by Danny.
Screams in the night reveal to Aidan, Danny’s not only blind but has demons of his own. Did Aidan trade one psychotic for another?
A dramatic view of a teenager coping with an unstable alcoholic father is the setting for this edgy Y/A contemporary novel. Anyone who has experienced a similar situation will find a common bond with Aidan and realize they’re not alone. 
At 58000 words THE BLINDED GARDENER features an emotionally scarred Aidan trying to live another day.

20 comments:

Christine Danek said...

Wow! Sounds interesting. Good luck and congrats on the awards.

Melissa said...

Thats so sad that you had to give up your cat but unbearably awesome that the kitty went to such a deserving owner!

Congrats on your awards!

LTM said...

Dahling! :D You are too kind~ (LOL!) I try.

I hate to hear that about your cat allergy--have you tried one of those hairless kinds? I know, they're scary-looking. But you could get it a little sweater... and then giggle at him/her *snort*... OK, skip the hairless cat.

(yes--bring on the fussin from the hairless cat lovers! ;o) Thanks, G.~ <3

P.S.
Wow--that pitch is intense. Sultry Tanya... vah vah voom~ ;p But I like the sound of Danny! Good luck!!!

Roland D. Yeomans said...

You know that I think your pitch is dead-on. I'm wishing you the best with the contest. And I'm glad your kitten went to where it was needed most. Have a great day, Roland

N. R. Williams said...

Congratulations on the awards. I have the smiles award already so I'll grab the kitten. Award ceremonies will take place on my blog next Thursday.

So glad the real kitty has a nice home.

Your pitch is excellent. One thing I would change is: Who's the general's daughter. You say nothing about him so just use her name. I know you can edit this so go for it and win, win, win.
Thank you for your comment on Clarissa's blog today about my post. I appreciate it.
Nancy
N. R. Williams, fantasy author

Donea Lee said...

Congrats to Leigh! And, if you really don't mind? I'd love to snag the cute little kitty award. So happy that yours found a home with someone to love. :) And on your pitch - wow. Intense. Your novel sounds absolutely fascinating!

Abby Minard said...

Congrats on the awards! Glad the Kitty got a new home :) I have to go check Leigh out- I don't think I'm following her. Oh and good luck with ABNA- I'm not ready this year, but maybe next!

Heather said...

Congrats on the awards! And wow, you're novel sounds powerful. Excellent pitch! I'm certain you'll make the first cut!

M Pax said...

Congrats on the award. All success to you with ABNA. Sounds like a great story.

PK HREZO said...

Congrats on you awards. That lil kitty is so darn cute! And Leigh is super awesome!!
Wow your story sounds very deep and intriguing! Keeping my fingers crossed for you!!

Karen Lange said...

Congats on the awards. Your story sounds interesting!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Congratulations!
And military brat - I can relate.

Unknown said...

Congrats on the award!

Can I make one suggestion on your amazing pitch? (and keep in mind that I'm no expert) Instead of using words such as psychotic, abusive or torture in the first paragraph, give a specific example.

What does the father do to torture his son? Beat him? Put his hand on the stove? Burn him with a cigarette?

Perhaps:

Seventeen-year-old military brat, Aidan, and his father, are once again on the move, this time leaving behind Southern California for Beaufort, South Carolina. Aidan counts down the days until he can leave the beating of his father's fist and cigarette burns behind.

Just my opinion only.

Mara Nash said...

Congrats on the awards...seems like it's the day for them, huh? And that kitty award is just adorable!

Unknown said...

Love the awards!! The kitty one has me giggling!!

True to my word I was able to stop by!

erica and christy said...

I TRIED, Michael, I really did. I TRIED to read it without editing.

I can't do it, I just can't.

Think about this sentence, that's all I ask (well, that plus change it, because it doesn't work): "Aidan comes to the end of his emotional rope after an accusation of rape by the general’s daughter and a deadly blow out with his father send Aidan running."

If it's any consolation, you're beating us to 150. :)
erica

Colene Murphy said...

Awesome!! Congrats!!

dolorah said...

Way cool! My female MC and your male MC have similar circumstances, but different coping mechanisms. I hope you go far with this.

........dhole

Anonymous said...

Michael, I can totally relate to your cat allergies. I suffer from them too, said the kid who brought home every stray animal as a kid. :-)

Your pitch is intense. The story definitely sounds edgy. I just wonder if your first sentence should provide more of a hook. Something shorter, something that captures the intensity of the story? Just a thought. Best of luck!

Margo Benson said...

Your story sounds so gripping - I'm sure there will be some young people relating to the situations. I wish you all the best with it.

Congratulations on the award!

So happy that the kitten found such a special home.