Stepping Into More by Rachel Karu

Happy Thursday!

It's here! Today is an official book launch day for Stepping Into More by Rachel Karu!  To celebrate the launch, the author is organizing a giveaway with awesome prizes!

Stepping Into More by Rachel Karu

Life is meant to be lived with purpose.

Before Rachel Karu could speak, she longed to be a singer and performer.  But like all of us, Rachel was born with Gremlins – inner voices that hate change and demand the status quo. These perpetual tapes clung to her mind like shackles threatening to derail her at every turning point. At the lead of Rachel's gang of Gremlins was the toughest of them all: Perfectionism.

In STEPPING INTO MORE: Lessons from a Recovering Perfectionist, Rachel details her personal journey of wrangling and ultimately co-existing with her Gremlins. We are born with strengths and development areas. Our goal is to create a fulfilling life. But we all need some guidance along the way.

Intended as a tool, this guide offers support as you grapple with your own Gremlins and higher self, so that you learn how to make clear, conscious choices that lead to a wonderful expansive life.   Rachel’s story and the reflective questions at the end of each chapter are designed to serve as a stepping stone for you to reconnect to and honor your passions, values, and dreams.

Advance Praise

 "Rachel writes this books as only a recovering perfectionist can!  In an unabashed, tell-it-like-it-is style she draws you into her story and reveals the peaks and valleys of her journey.  Through colorful narrative, she brings her story alive and, in so doing, helps you ponder yours. Only read this book if you're not afraid to have your dreams come true!"~ Sharon Jordan-Evans, executive coach & keynote speaker, co-author, Love 'Em or Lose 'Em:  Getting Good People to Stay and Love It, Don't Leave It:  26 Ways to Get What You Want at Work.

 “With candor and humor Karu shares the fears and insecurities experienced by so many women and instills hope that you really can step into more.” ~ Lois P. Frankel, Ph.D., author of Nice Girls Don’t Get the Corner Office

 “Rachel’s book is a fantastic read for anyone who is struggling from being a perfectionist.  As a business coach I often see this personality type and people struggle to satisfy themselves and the lives of others around them.  Rachel has brilliantly shared her life long story on how to recover with amazing self improvement questions at the end of each chapter. I highly recommend this book because let’s be honest, nobody is perfect!” ~ Tammy Burnell Business Coach

Buy Link:

amazon

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Happy launch day, Stepping Into More!

Happy reading!

The Fall of the Misanthrope by Louise Wise

The Fall of the Misanthrope by Louise Wise
ASIN: B008ATGF4I
Publisher: Amazon Digital Services
Kindle
Book blurb:

The Fall of the Misanthrope is a hilarious tale of one woman's handling of the modern world. Snowed under with work, drinking espressos and popping energy pills to keep her awake at night to avoid a recurring nightmare, she plays with her health when she realizes the depression, which caused her mother to kill herself, has caught her.

Bossy Ellen Semple thinks she has the answer: maternal love and cream cakes.

But Valerie begins dating playboy Lex Kendal, unaware that he's Ellen's nephew and the very reason why her brokerage has taken 'exceptionally good business lately'. Ellen believes his 'bed 'em and leave 'em' ethos will damage Valerie even more but Lex rubbishes her fears.

But it's Lex who falls for Valerie and she dumps him. Then Valerie has a nightmare that turns everything she's ever known the right way up. She'd been walking on a time-bomb. Or is she losing her mind?


Purchase the book here: Amazon | UKAmazon

About the author:

Louise Wise lives in England with her husband and four children - all boys. So is it any wonder she took to writing fiction and blogging? Her habit has reduced her to living in a small room at the back of the house, tapping out romantic fiction on her pink (something had to be pink!) laptop and spotlighting/interviewing other authors on her blog.

She emerges for coffee at regular intervals during the day, and slopes off to Real Work at a busy pharmacy several days a week which helps pay for her addiction to writing.

She rarely washes. And doesn't like to be disturbed. But she'll make allowances if you come bearing gifts of vodka and chocolate.

Contact the author here: Blog | Twitter | Facebook

 

Today I'm Spotlighting Author Kerry Taylor

Fly, Pray Love by Kerry Taylor
ASIN: B00BKFRRAA
Publisher: Amazon Digital Services
Kindle

Purchase the book here: Amazon
Book blurb:

A hilarious romantic comedy - perfect for fans of Mhairi McFarlane, E.L. James, Christina Lauren, Lindsey Kelk, and Jill Mansell.
Josephine is 35 and fed up with never being in love. On her solo trip to Bahamas, she has the pleasure of sitting next to Brad Pitt, or so in her eyes he is Brad Pitt. She reveals this out loud and they name each other Brad and Beyoncé. Robert, 37, is in a long-term, unhappy relationship with Amanda.

Josephine spends her time in the Bahamas, trying to find out which hotel Amanda and Brad (a.k.a. Robert) are staying in. Instead, she finds herself in a compromising situation with a local grandfather which leads to newspaper headlines:

Warning, Warning – Foreigner In Our Lands – Out To Steal Our Fathers!
And with this advertising campaign, all ladies in their 30s declare, “Why am I going to Jamaica? To get myself a young, strong black Jamaican man? Do not go to Africa, to get you a young, fit native. Go to the Bahamas, to get a 75 year old man!”

Do they ever reunite? Is it too late? Has Brad committed to Amanda and got married? Has Beyoncé settled down? These are the questions in both of their minds………………

A cross-Atlantic romance in which US meets UK in this laugh-out-loud romantic comedy.

Blind Dating by Kerry Taylor
ASIN: B00BKAQ0VW
Publisher: Amazon Digital Services
Kindle

Purchase the book here: Amazon
Book blurb: 

A light-hearted, funny romantic comedy - perfect for fans of Hilary Boyd, Christina Lauren, Lindsey Kelk, Deborah Cooke, Claire Cross, and Jill Mansell.

Kimberly is a divorced, single mother of three. She is reaching the wrong side of 40 and feels it is time to put the divorce behind her and move on. As a result, she joins the chat dating site, ICQ. There she meets David, a single man in his 40s. Tired of being single, David feels it is time to step up his game in the dating market. He calls himself LonelySingle.

Then comes that fateful day when they decide to meet face-to-face.

When they meet, they discover that for the past year of talking, they have been more than ICQ friends. They actually know each other. Can you guess who David is or do you need to wait until the end to find out?

Now, the friendship has been exposed. Do they continue to be ICQ friends? Or embark on a journey of a relationship and so much more…………………………
A light-hearted, romantic comedy about a single mom finding true love, which was right before her eyes.

Both books are available for FREE DOWNLOAD February 26th -28th, 2013

 

About the author:

Single mom of 3 living in Madrid has been through each tug-of-war in my life, from being stalked, abused, separated from her estranged husband and expressing her life through writing in different forms.

She has released a series of autobiographies in the form of short stories and poetry in the books Stones of My Heart, Life's Pebbles, Emotional Rollercoaster of a Single Mom and Gravels of Moments.

Currently in the midst of writing a series of Romantic Comedies - Blind Dating; Fly, Pray, Love; Money Can't Buy Me Love: Money Can Buy Me Love and She says, He says.

Contact the author: Blog | Twitter | Email

Zebra by Karen Marie Hart

Zebra by Karen Marie Hart
ISBN: 978-0985482435
Publisher: Karen Marie Hart Publishing
Softcover (44 pages)

Purchase the book: Amazon
Book blurb:

The story of Zebra tells how families came to be. 

I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author for the purpose of review. The review is my honest opinion and I was not paid for this service.



Zebra is a beautifully illustrated, easy-to-read children's book. It's a cute story about a lonely Zebra who wanted someone like himself to love and to love him. The pictures are certainly eye-capturing and the words are simple enough for a new reader to be able to read the book for themselves. Karen Hart did an wonderful job illustrating the book to correspond with the story at the appropriate times. This is a story that many children will enjoy.




I give this 5 stars out of 5 stars.

Welcome Heather Burch

This morning I welcome author Heather Burch. Good morning Heather and thank you for interviewing with me today. Tell us a little about yourself please.

Well, I write paranormal young adult novels for Zondervan, Harper Collins Publishing. My YA novel Halflings released to critical acclaim in January 2012. Guardian, book two in the Halflings Series released in October 2012. The series has garnered praise from USA Today, VOYA Magazine, Booklist Magazine, Romantic Times and Publishers Weekly. I am an X-Men fan and a hopeless romantic, I wanted to tell a story of extraordinary young people. I live in Florida where I write full-time and have conversations with fictional teenagers. Every. Single. Day.

Please tell me about your novel. Who or what was your inspiration behind it?

The Halflings Series is the story of Nikki Youngblood, a seventeen-year-old girl who is rescued in the woods by three hotties. The three are Mace, Raven and Vine, the Halflings. And they’re one part angel, one part trouble. Nikki is linked to a madman and is being hunted by both humans and demons. What’s a girl to do? When Nikki’s parents are gunned down, the Halflings know they must protect her at all costs. With an uber-rich uncle—who is flying pretty high on the freak flag—and a whole lot of uncertainty about the world she’s always known, Nikki has to learn to flow in this new world of angels and demons.

My two sons were a huge inspiration for Mace and Raven. They are total opposites and best friends. I loved diving into the dynamic between them. When the idea for Halflings hit me, I couldn’t get away from it. It was keeping me up at night. I knew I HAD to write this story. I’m so glad I did!

What are some of your favorite genres to read and to write?

I tend to love anything with a lot of action and adventure. Suspense is great too, but I don’t like to be scared, so with suspense, it depends on why it’s suspenseful. I also love a great romance. Huh, I guess that’s why I usually try to blend all of those into my stories.

What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author? What was the biggest compliment? Did those change how or what you did in your next novel?

Singular bits of criticism, like in a review, you can’t take to heart. Maybe a person has had a really bad day and they’re taking it all out on you. But when I see a criticism repeated in a few review, then I really look at it. As an author, you have to be really careful of “changing” to suit what others want. If you have 15 people, you will have 15 varying opinions. You simply can’t please everyone. And you will drive yourself mad trying.

The biggest compliment was from a fourteen-year-old girl who had only read one book in her whole life. She read Halflings in one day, then read Guardian the following day. That was an amazing compliment—my writing touched her and helped her tap into the reader inside.

When you sit down to write, do you do it the old-fashioned way with pen and paper or do you use a computer? Do you prefer one way or the other?

I miss my pen and paper. LOL Now it’s all by the computer—which is great—but I miss the intimacy of pen in hand. The reason I do everything by computer now, is simply for efficiency. Less time involved.

Compared to when you first started writing, have you notice any big changes in your writing style or how you write compared from then to now?

Oh boy! And honestly, I think any author should. There are so many nuances to writing that you don’t know as a reader. You have to learn those things by doing them. My voice has become stronger. But in essence, it is very similar. Just better. More solid and more categorically mine. I also use a different writing style for different books. I’m working on a epic love story right now and the voice is totally different than the one I use in Halflings. (I hope people will still love me.)

What do you look for in a book when you sit down to read for fun?

Something that sucks me right in. I can really get into anything if it’s well written and I can hear the author’s voice.

What has been your favorite part of being an author? What has been your least favorite?

There are so many things about being an author that make me feel like the luckiest person on the planet. Don’t get me wrong. It’s a ton of work too. But I love the work. The best is signing books for people. When I was on book tour and went around the country meeting people … wow. It was just amazing. That also brings me to the hardest part. Being away from my family while I travel. My husband and two boys are totally self-sufficient when I’m gone, but I miss them. Terribly.

When you walk into a book store, where do you head to first? Why?

I always go straight to the YA department and see if Halflings and Guardian are on the shelf. That is, if I don’t stop at the coffee shop first. Two times when my series was on bestseller lists, I didn’t know until I spotted them in bookstores. Eeeep! Like Christmas!

Did you get to quit your day job and become an author or do you still have a day job and writing is something you do for fun? If you still have a day job, what is it?

When I finished writing my first book, my husband sat me down and said, “You’ve spent your life helping build other people’s kingdoms. It’s time for you to follow your dream and build your kingdom.” We agreed that I would quit my job and stay home and write. It was a huge commitment, took 40,000.00 a year out of our budget. We became a one car family. That sacrifice made me EXTREMELY motivated to write. I treated it like a day job. I wrote every day, 8-10 hours a day. It took two or three years before I sold my first book.

What is your favorite junk food vice?

Oh, I love chocolate. No, you don’t understand, I mean I REALLY love chocolate. Dark chocolate. From where I’m sitting now, I can see three different dark chocolate stashes around the room.

On a typical weekend, what can we find you doing? Who are you with?

Two Saturdays a month I am at writer’s groups. When I’m not, I’m with my husband and boys. We are doing the hiking, camping thing a little bit right now and it’s super fun! We also love theme parks. Since we are just a couple hours from Disney, Univeral Studios and Busch Gardens, we tend to spend quite a few weekends a year at one of the parks.

What genre are you most looking forward to exploring during your writing career? Why?

Two, actually. YA, of course. I love writing in this genre. Also, as I said, I love a soul-mate epic love story. These are the types of books I love to read, so it’s what I think about most story-wise.

Who was your current novel dedicated to? Any particular reason?

Guardian, book two in the series is out now and I dedicated it to … The women in my life. My mom—because she always told me to reach high and do my best. My mother-in-law who really encouraged me to write. And my sister-in-law who is my best friend and also a writer.
 
Thanks for asking me to stop by! This was a fun interview!

You are so welcome, Heather. I enjoyed interviewing you today.

Halflings by Heather Burch
ISBN: 978-0310728184
Publisher: Zonderkidz
Hardcover (288 pages)

Purchase the book: Amazon

Book blurb:

After being inexplicably targeted by an evil intent on harming her at any cost, seventeen-year-old Nikki finds herself under the watchful guardianship of three mysterious young men who call themselves halflings. Sworn to defend her, misfits Mace, Raven, and Vine battle to keep Nikki safe while hiding their deepest secret---and the wings that come with. A growing attraction between Nikki and two of her protectors presents a whole other danger. While she risks a broken heart, Mace and Raven could lose everything, including their souls. As the mysteries behind the boys' powers, as well as her role in a scientist's dark plan, unfold, Nikki is faced with choices that will affect the future of an entire race of heavenly beings, as well as the precarious equilibrium of the earthly world. 

Guardian by Heather Burch
ISBN: 978-0310728214
Publisher: Zondervan
Hardcover (320 pages)

Purchase the book: Amazon
Book blurb:

Vigilance. The mission to safeguard Nikki Youngblood depends on the fragile alliance of two half-angel, half-human guardians, both struggling with intense feelings for the girl who has been assigned to their care. Mace, steadfast and deeply in love, wants to protect Nikki at all costs, while Raven's loyalty to Nikki finds him advocating for her independence and battling his own darker inclinations. At the same time, Nikki finds it harder and harder to choose between the two heavenly beings she may never have. Dangers intensify, and tensions between Mace and Raven flare as the purpose of their mission becomes clear. Can their defenses hold up to master manipulator Damon Vessler and the powerful secret he holds regarding Nikki's heritage? Can anyone protect Nikki from her true purpose and destiny?

 Avenger by Heather Burch
ISBN: 978-0310728245
Publisher: Zondervan
Hardcover (304 pages)

Pre-order the book: Amazon



Book blurb:

Heather Burch grew up in Branson, Missouri, where she learned to love fiction. She then married into a family of published novelists and quickly learned writing was her heart's desire. When she's not working on her latest book, Heather can be found watching a sunset at a beach near her home in Southern Florida, along with her sons Jake and Isaac, and husband, John---who is her hero in every way.

Contact the author:  Website | Twitter | Booksite

Relations by Pamela D. Beverly‏

Relations by Pamela Beverly
ISBN: 978-1458203793
Publisher: Abbott Press
Softcover (266 pages)

Purchase the book: Amazon | Barnes&Noble

Book blurb:

Frank Ellis has it all-good looks, a charismatic personality that draws people to his financial seminars in droves, and a multitude of women for the choosing. Unfortunately, it isn't enough anymore.

As Frank leads one of his entertaining seminars on financial planning, one audience member captures his attention-the beautiful Delilah Carpenter from Savannah, Georgia. Bewitched by her charming accent and sexy curves, he is thrilled when he encounters her again in the hotel bar after the seminar. They go to dinner, but not before he has had too much to drink. After he makes a less-than-favorable impression, he passes out at the table, leaving Delilah to ensure he gets back to his room safely. When he awakens the next morning and discovers she has already checked out, Frank wonders if he will ever get a chance to redeem himself.

Frank and Delilah come from different races, different backgrounds, and different parts of the country. But in a passionate affair of two lonely hearts, only time will tell if all of that really matters.

About the author:

Pamela considers herself a Jacqueline-of-all-Trades and a master of none. Mostly I am a student of human nature that enjoys writing and studying mankind. I have traveled all over the United States as well to several foreign countries and enjoy meeting people of all races, religions and creeds. My main wish for mankind is that we learn to get along and enjoy one another's differences.


Contact the author: Amazon | Email | Website | Facebook

10 Days To Love By Michele Richard

10 Days to Love by Michele Richard
ASIN: B009FZWO9Q
Publisher: Renaissance Romance Publishing
Kindle

Purchase the book: Amazon

Book blurb:

Richie Graham and Danielle ‘Dani’ MacDonald have been best friends for four years. Now that the time has come to leave Old Orchard Beach for college, the countdown begins to say goodbye. The race to close down her family’s motel for the season and for their hearts begins. With ten days left, will they see what’s always been right in front of them? Or is there too much left unsaid?


Excerpt:

Scrambling from the warm, soft bed, Dani headed to the window overlooking the backyard. She caught sight of Richie turning to make another pass below her. There was a certain beauty to the way he looked when he was shirtless and a slight sweat covered his tanned, tattooed skin. She once asked him what the poem etched on his left shoulder meant. Richie never answered. His wrestler physique showed all the years of training he’d done to keep in tiptop shape. The gel in his brown, short, wavy hair glistened in the sunshine.

A sigh slipped past her lips at the realization their time was coming to an end. Unlike every other year, the end of summer this year marked both their leaving. In less than two weeks, they’d both be headed off to college. While Richie would be staying in Maine to go to the University of New England in Biddeford, Dani was headed to Boston University in Massachusetts. It wasn’t just the end of their time. The rest of their group of friends would also be splintering off, some to other schools, some staying home. They all worked at the motel in one form or another.

Richie looked up, smiling. The way he opened a water bottle and wrapped his lips around it had Dani swooning. Her body flushed at the sight. He shut off the machine and pulled out his phone. Dani giggled when her phone went off seconds later. She grabbed her cell off the table and returned to the window as she read the text.

The ten day countdown begins tonight at my house. Eight o’clock. Be there!

At the end of every summer they had a set routine. The last days of summer were to | be celebrated as they prepared for the off-season. These last moments would be bittersweet knowing it would be a long time before they’d all be together again next summer.

About the Author: 

Michele Richard has created the Mocked by Series as well as the Parasouls series. From Mocked by Destiny to the trilogy Mocked by Faith, she writes what comes from the heart. A wife and the mother of two preteen girls, she spends her days spinning tales of what happens when what you believe in Mocks your every turn.

When she’s not writing, her days are filled with her family, her bunny Geneva, and friends. Her greatest passion is learning new languages and traveling. Surprisingly, she’s not a fan of TV, which means she doesn’t watch it - at all. She lives in the Northeast; however, her family stretches down the east coast as far as North Carolina.
Contact the Author: Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Website | Goodreads 

The Dragon Shield by Dianne Gardner

The Dragon Shield by Dianne Gardner
ISBN: 978-0615760452
Publisher: Hydra Publications
Softcover (202 pages)



Purchase the book: Amazon

Book blurb:

Book 2 in the Ian's Realm Series, The Dragon Shield is a middle grade and young adult, adventure fantasy. Now a young man, Ian returns to the Realm to fight against the tyranny that has befallen his friends. But the Realm is a different place, the forest is dying, the Kaemperns have lost the shield that protected them from the dragon, and Ian has a hard time proving his allegiance when trouble follows him through the portal. His struggle to do right buries him in confusion, and he must fight his own will to prove his integrity. The Ian's Realm series is filled with sorcery, wizards, magic, and adventure.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author for the purpose of review. The review is my honest opinion and I was not paid for this service.

The Dragon Shield is the second book in Dianne Gardner's The Ian's Realm Saga. Having not read the first book in the series I felt lost during many parts of the book as it does not give you any information as to what happened previously. Before reading this book I definitely recommend that you read the first book in the series, Deception Peak. I am definitely going to have to read the first book in the series and then re-read this one.

Although, I wasn't quite sure what exactly was going on in the beginning, I was soon drawn into the story. It's a wonderful cross between Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter. I liked the little no name being in the Realm, he has a lot of Dobby characteristics. He was a very unique character that could only come from a great imagination.  Ian on the other hand, reminds me of a young Harry Potter. He's very charismatic. He's on a quest to find out what happened to his father in a world that's not of this earth.

Dianne's wonderfully descriptive writing style will have you so involved in the story that in a sense you will have forgotten that it was just a story. This is one of those books that you just can't seem to put down until you've turned the very last page. The book is very well written and enjoyable and I'm looking forward towards reading the entire series.

I recommend this book to anyone who loves to read great books! This is one that you will definitely enjoy.

I give this book 5 stars out of 5 stars.
  

About the author:

Dianne Gardner is both an author and illustrator living the Pacific Northwest, Olalla Washington. She’s an active member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, and the National League of American Pen Women. She has written Young Adult Fantasy novels as well as articles for national magazines and newspapers and she is an award-winning artist.

Dianne spent many years living out in the desert wilderness of the American Southwest, lived in a hogan made from adobe and cedar for thirteen years, co-owned 25 horses both pure bred and Native American ponies, traveled horseback and by wagon throughout the Navajo reservation, herded sheep and goat, worked in the forest planting trees and piling, farmed on barren soil and even lived in a teepee for a short while. She spent many long years using survival skills as a way of life.

Later she studied pastoral counseling and was a Pastor’s apprentice at a mainline church. She and her husband have been feeding the homeless for over twelve years. Today she shares both her survival experiences and her love for people, especially young people, into her writing as a way to not only to give her readers a firm understanding of her stories’ characters, but a rich appreciation of nature.

Contact the author: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Amazon | Goodreads | Blog


Book Trailer:

Today I Welcome Author LaDonna Cook

Hello LaDonna and welcome to my blog. Thank you for taking the time to interview with me today. Please tell us a little about yourself.

I am the author of Expressions of the Mind, Body, & Soul. This is a book of collective poetry that talks about love, relationships, spirituality, and encouragement. I love creating an atmosphere for learning and growth. I started writing to put a voice to issues that I felt needed to be expressed. My motto is “poetry is an outlet for the heart”. So I hope you will read it and enrich your soul. 

Please tell me about your novel. Who or what was your inspiration behind it?
In my first poetry book, it’s about an eclectic view look at love, relationships, and encouragement, and spirituality. The inspiration was God, and giving a voice to people who had things to say and didn’t know how to.

When you sit down to write, do you do it the old fashion way with a pen and paper or do you use a computer? Do you prefer one way or the other?

I like to write the old fashion way, with a pen and pad because that’s how I started. I rarely go anywhere with a pen or pad, but since technology has advance I type on a note pad in my phone, if a poem comes to me and I don’t have a pen or pad.

What has been your favorite part of being an author? What has been your least favorite?

I think because I give a voice to the people. In my book the best part I value is the feedback and the comments from the readers. I love to hear when they say the love the book and it helped to enlighten them in some way. Or simply that know the feeling and have can relate.

Did you get to quit your day job and become an author or do you still have a day job and writing is something you do for fun? If you still have a day job, what is it?

I still work as a Case Manager / Service Coordinator for Goodwill Industries of the Coastal Empire, Inc., a contracted Therapist for a Mental Health Agency as well.

Did you have any teacher in school that encouraged you to write? Did you take their advice?

Yes, Mrs. Howard my 9th grade English teacher, back then I used to let her read my poems and she enjoyed them so she encouraged me to continue to follow my dreams.

Besides writing and reading, what is your most favorite thing to do?

I have always loved to sing, but only for myself.

On a typical weekend, what can we find you doing? Who are you with?

I am with my kids Landon & Lathan, I love spending quality time with them.

What do you listen to when you write? Do you find one type of music over another that inspires you to write? Why?

I listen to R & B, since I love relationships and talking about the in and outs of love. Music helps to let you look into the souls of the artist when they sing, that’s how I love my poetry to come across with passion.

What are some of your favorite genres to read and write?

I love Romance, Erotic, Lyric, Short Story, & Drama. My books and creative expressions is poetry!

What 7 words that would describe yourself?

Compassionate, hardworking, leader, determined, kind, dedicated , motivated

What are you currently reading?

A collaboration of various artists, works and poetry, such Author G.P.A. Greatest Poet Alive , Kottyn the “Soft Spoken Poet” and Author Susan Buchanan, Natarielle Powell and Maxine Byrant.

Expressions of the Mind, Body & Soul by LaDonna Cook
ISBN: 978-1453549667
Publisher: Xlibris, Corp. 
Softcover (118 pages)
Kindle 

Book Blurb:

 The poems that I have chosen are collections of my work. These poems are like love stories from the heart. I would like you to see yourself as you read them. Look inside yourself and see the Love, Desire, Passion, Spirituality, and Triumphant moments. Through writing it has helped me to better express myself and served as and outlet of creative expressions. Enjoy!

Purchase the book:  Amazon | Barnes&Noble

Contact the author:  Website | Facebook | Twitter

Naomi Musch and The Grace Awards

Hello Naomi and welcome to my blog. Thank you for coming to talk to us about The Grace Awards. Why don't we start with you telling us a little about yourself?

My husband Jeff and I live as epically as God allows on a ramshackle farm in Wisconsin's north woods near our five young adults and three grand-children. Amidst it, I write stories about imperfect people who are finding hope and faith to overcome their struggles. My entire Empire in Pine series, available now in eBook from Desert Breeze Publishing, will also go to print in 2013, beginning with The Green Veil in January. I invite new friends and old to say hello and find out more about my books, passions, and other writing venues.
 Please tell us all about The Grace Awards.

The Grace Awards -- What They Are and What They Mean to Readers and Writers

If you're an avid reader, you might not pay much attention to the changes constantly taking place in the publishing world. You just want to read a great book. You merely want to find a story that will give you a few relaxing hours away from your daily grind where you can slip into a world of thrilling romance or adventure.

If you're a writer, you watch the changes in publishing with a mixture of excitement and trepidation. You hope swings in the industry mean something good for you, that you'll be published respectably, that you won't be lost in the enormous book shuffle.

But whether you’re a reader or also a writer, you hope that the really good stuff, the fiction that rocks your world, will get noticed.

Enter the Grace Awards.

The Grace Awards has been around for about three years, but I only recently joined the board. I'm excited about it, and I want to take moment to tell you why it's a great organization and opportunity for both readers and writers -- for anyone who loves great inspirational fiction.

To Readers:

The Grace Awards represents a chance for you to decide which inspirational books are in the running. If you read a terrific story, maybe one that isn't showing up in all the big catalogs or found splashed across blog sites everywhere, but one that has touched you deeply, you can nominate that book for recognition. You can promote that novel to your friends and encourage them to vote for the book too. You can have a hand in bringing a terrific story into a broader spotlight.

Writers depend on readers to spread the word about their books. All the advertising dollars in the world -- of which most writers have almost zilch -- can't do for a book what a bunch of delighted fans can. Via the Grace Awards, you have the opportunity to bring a novel into the line of people's vision and say, "Hey, you've got to read this book!"

To Writers:

The Grace Awards represents an expansion of opportunity in the world of Christian Fiction. You might be asking, why do we need another Christian Fiction awards anyway? If you've ever hoped see your book win an award (and who hasn't?) you've probably investigated the various possibilities out there and realized that there are many awards only suited to you if: you belong to a particular organization, your book is published by a particular publishing group, your book is available in paperback, your book is not independently or self-published, your book fits neatly into a clearly defined genre, and so on. The rules abound. That's not a bad thing, but it does allow for some excellent fiction to slip through the cracks. Numerous really good, quality, inspirational books deserving of recognition simply don't abide by those rules. You might have written one of them. So with the motto of "Expanding the Tent Pegs of Christian Fiction" the Grace Awards was launched to fill those gaps.

Books can be nominated for a Grace Award as long as they are written from a Christian World View. What is Christian Fiction? Well, that is not the definitive question we're asking. The Grace Awards does not seek to squeeze a book into anyone's definition of "Christian Fiction", but the world view should be able to be evident by tone or content. It may be overt or very subtle.

There are six categories in which to enter a nomination. The categories are broad, and meant for every inspirational author to find a fit.

EBook, self-published, traditionally published, small press, and large press published novels are all eligible. They only need to have been published in the previous year. That means this year any inspirational book published in 2012 is eligible. My historical novel,The Black Rose, Empire in Pine Book Three, fits the bill.

So readers, think about the books you read last year, and consider nominating them in The Grace Awards. Tell your friends about the book, so they'll do the same. Be sure and tell them which category the book best fits.

Writers, you cannot nominate your own novel, but be sure and let your fans know whether or not your book is eligible, and in which category it might best land.

If you just can't decide -- hurry -- give The Black Rose a read, and decide whether or not you think it's worthy of a Women's Fiction nomination in The Grace Awards. That's -- um -- just a suggestion...

Grace Awards Voting Instructions

The Black Rose by Naomi Musch
ASIN: B008JLF31I
Publisher: Desert Breeze Publishing, Inc
Kindle


Book blurb:
Despite the panic of 1893, logging has reached its golden era in the growing state of Wisconsin, and twins Jesilyn and Corianne Beaumont enjoy a comfortable life with family in the bursting Great Lake city of Superior. But when jealousy incites Jesi to seduce Cori's fiancé, a flight and fall from grace lands her in a boomtown brothel, where a fresh start is denied her.

Camp preacher Paul Winter longs to offer hope in the logging and mining towns of northern Wisconsin, but not in the way he expects when he meets a redhead he calls Pie Girl. He's never had to battle his own longings quite this way before.

Meanwhile, stung by Jesilyn's betrayal, Corianne's bitterness might separate her from a second chance at happiness and peace. Only by Grace can both women begin new lives, and budding love can bloom in places neither of them expects.

Contact the author: Website | Facebook | Twitter

Purchase the book:  Amazon | Barnes&Noble | CBD | Sony

The Orb of Truth by Brae Wyckoff

The Orb of Truth by Brae Wyckoff
ISBN: 978-1479313266
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing
Softcover (242 pages)

Book blurb:

“It’s a cross between Lord of the Rings and the Wizard of OZ where you will be swept away into a magical land of Dwarves, Elves, and Halflings.”  -Brae Wyckoff

Voted #1 for BEST fantasy book under the radar!

In the hundreds of years since the Holy City disappeared, darkness has fallen over the land. Human kingdoms have seized control of the realm, scattering the other races into hiding.

Bridazak, a skilled thief, and his friends, a Dwarf and a fellow Ordakian, have dared to remain within the human communities and live relatively quiet lives, until they discover a mysterious, magical artifact. The three friends are thrust into an adventure that will challenge their faith, their purpose, and their destiny as they chase a forgotten and lost prophecy across the realm of Ruauck-El, where they hope to discover the origins of the strange item and their place in its history.

An ancient, unknown enemy threatens the completion of their journey at every turn. Bridazak is about to face the biggest adventure of his life, one that may change the known realm, and answer the questions he has carried all his life. Will they unlock the truth?

 

Book Trailer

About the author:

Brae Wyckoff was born and raised in San Diego, CA and is working toward a Psychology degree. He has been married to his beautiful wife, Jill, for 19 years, and they have three children; Tommy, Michelle, and Brittany. He has a beautiful grandson named Avery. Brae has been an avid gamer since 1985. His passion for mysterious realms and the supernatural inspired him to write The Orb of Truth, the first in a series of fantasy action adventures. Brae describes The Orb of Truth as a cross between the Lord of the Rings and the Wizard of OZ where you will be swept away into a magical land of Dwarves, Elves, and Halflings.

Purchase the book here:  US Amazon | UK Amazon

Contact the author here: Website | Blog | Facebook | Goodreads

Today I Welcome Author Chris Redding

Good morning Chris and welcome to my blog. Please tell us a little about yourself.

I live in New Jersey with my husband, two sons, one dog and three rabbits. I graduated from Penn State with a degree in journalism. When I'm not writing, I work for my local hospital. My books are filled with romance, suspense and thrills.


Contact the author: Blog | Website

Please tell me about your novel. Who or what was your inspiration behind it?
A View to a Kilt is a humorous romantic suspense. I love humor and people tell me I can write funny. And being involved in EMS for awhile you develop a dark sense of humor. Hence I went with romantic suspense with humor in it.

What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author? What was the biggest compliment? Did those change how or what you did in your next novel?

I have a one star review on Amazon for one of my traditionally published books. It states the reviewer kept looking for the plot. It didn’t change how I write. That was one person’s opinion.

Recently an unpublished author I’m friends with on Facebook thanked me for all the advice I shared with her. It was nice to appreciated.

What do you do when you are not writing? Do you pick up some from you to be read pile?

I’ve recently started running and plan to compete in a few 5K’s this year. The running helps me focus when I need to write and gives me lots of energy. And of course I read!

What do you look for in a book when you sit down to read for fun?

I read romantic suspense, but I also read romantic comedy. I want something to be an easy read though I always try to figure out the murderer if it’s that type of book.

What has been your favorite part of being an author? What has been your least favorite?

The favorite part is writing. I love to create characters. The least favorite is marketing. I find it soul sucking.

Did you get to quit your day job and become an author or do you still have a day job and writing is something you do for fun? If you still have a day job, what is it?

I have a part time day job at this point. I help my boss run the CPR training center for my local hospital. I’ve been a CPR Instructor for almost 19 years. I love who I work with and the department I work in. And I couldn’t ask for better boss.

What is your favorite junk food vice?

I’m not really a junk food eater. When you run, you have to think about what is fueling your body. On the rare occasions I do eat junk, it’s Cheetos.

Did you have any teacher in school that encouraged you to write? Did you take their advice?

Mrs. Inman in high school was so passionate about reading and writing. By this time I already knew I had an aptitude for it, but she taught us all kinds of writing. And I still remember a lot of what she taught us.

We all have our little things when it comes to reading, is there anything that bugs you when you read a novel? What is it?

When the author has not done their research. I once read a NY Times Bestselling Author who had her heroine clean off the chalk outline of the body that had been in her front hallway. This was a contemporary book written by someone who should know better. Crime Scene units do not use chalk outlines. Ack! Never read that author again.

What 7 words would you use to describe yourself?

 Funny, cute, loyal, sarcastic, short, blonde, caustic

A View To A Kilt by Chris Redding
ISBN:978-1590808696
Publisher: Echelon Press Publishing
Softcover (266 pages)
Kindle

Purchase the book here: Amazon

Book blurb:

Waking up next to a dead guy can ruin your whole day. When a wise-cracking interior decorator wants to put her past behind her, the dead body of the mayor’s son makes it pretty clear that won’t happen too easily. A conservative former computer geek for the FBI is holding on too tightly to his past. His wife died under suspicious circumstances and he believes the decorator has the information to solve the case. Unfortunately for him, she isn’t talking… until a series of events convinces her she needs protection especially when her biggest secret threatens to destroy both their lives.


 

Today I Welcome Author Jo Linsdell

Good morning Jo and welcome to my blog. Thank you for allowing me to interview you this morning. Why don't you tell us a little about yourself.

I am an award winning freelance writer living in Rome, Italy. I am also the author of several books including the popular Italian for Tourists, A Guide to Weddings in Italy and the best selling children's picture book Out and About at the Zoo. 

Wow you live in Italy, that's pretty cool. I always wanted to visit there.


Please tell me about your book. Who or what was your inspiration behind it?


My latest book is a rhyming children's picture story book about a fairy called May that dreams of one day becoming a tooth fairy. She struggles at school and always seems to get things wrong but with hard work and determination she prepares for her tooth fairy exam. The story carries two lessons for the reader; 1) to follow your dreams. Just because it isn't easy doesn't mean it can't be achieved. 2) The importance of dental hygiene. The text subtly introduces the reader to how to take care of their teeth correctly.


Who is your current book dedicated to and why?
 
This book is dedicated to my niece who, after seeing that my last book Out and About at the Zoo was dedicated to my two sons, asked if I'd write a book for her too. It needed to have fairies in it and so I brainstormed on ideas and came up with Fairy May. I wanted her to be a little girl fairy and to show that it's OK to not be perfect. I wanted young children to be able to relate to her and to encourage them to go after their dreams. The tooth fairy part came about because several of my 5 year old's friends have recently lost their first tooth and he has been full of questions on the subject. my 17 month old is also teething at the moment and so the topic of dental hygiene comes up a lot in our house at the moment.

What are some of your favorite genres to read and to write? 
 
I'm always experimenting with my writing and so far I've publish
ed poetry, short stories, articles, non-fiction, a phrasebook and children's books. I'm also working on a chick-lit. I enjoy writing children's books most as I can involve my kids in my work with them and it makes the whole process so much more fun. That said i also really like writing non-fiction. When I "get into the zone" with a project I find the content often writes itself.

As for reading I have varied tastes there too. I read a lot of non-fiction, particularly about writing, publishing and marketing. For fiction I love a good crime/suspense/thriller or some easy read chick-lit. I read at least one children's book a day too as part of my 365 Days of Children's Books Challenge.

Compared to when you first started writing, have you notice any big changes in your writing style or how you write compared from then to now?
 
Definitely. I'm more organized now and start planning the post publication when I start work on a project. I've learnt a lot about the industry over the years and think a lot more about the "big picture" when I'm writing now. I've also become more adventurous and don't limit myself now. I've always liked to try new things but in the past I sometimes limited myself. I've over come the fear factor and now just go with my gut instinct.

What is your favorite junk food vice? 
 
I've got a major sweet tooth and I'm definitely what you could call a chocoholic.

What do you listen to when you write? Do you find one type of music over another that inspires you to write? Why? 
 
I tend to listen to catchy pop songs when I'm working on my children's books. I guess it helps create an atmosphere of fun that I hope projects onto my work. If I'm working on non-fiction I often work in silence so I can fully concentrate on the topic. For my chick-lit I have a playlist of songs that make up a list of theme songs for the book. One of my main characters for example is a big Tina Turner fan and so I have songs like "simply the best" playing when I work on her scenes to help me get into her character.

On a typical weekend, what can we find you doing? Who are you with?
 
With my family. Saturday I go out with my kids if the weather is good and maybe work a bit in the afternoon if they're happily playing or try to clear some of the clutter at home (it's amazing how fast it builds up!). Sundays is family day as it's the only day of the week my husband doesn't work and so we all go out together and have some quality family time.

What genre are you most looking forward to exploring during your writing career? Why? 
 
That's a tough question as I want to try a variety of genres. I'm a big believe in "you don't know if you're good at it until you give it a go" and so I like to experiment. With children's picture books I get to explore both as an author and as an illustrator and so the room for personal growth is huge. I'm definitely going to be producing more books in this genre. 
 
What are you currently reading? 
 
I'm reading Performance Anomalies by Victor Robert Lee, Self-Editing for Fiction Writers: How to Edit Yourself Into Print by Renni Browne, Dave King and Crush it with Kindle by John Tighe.

What 7 words would you use to describe yourself? 
 
Mummy, control-freak, ambitious, adventurous, multi-tasker, fun, blessed

Is there anything else that you would like to share or say to those who will read this interview? 
 
I'm an avid blogger and run several blogs including the award winning http://WritersAndAuthors.blogspot.com where I welcome guest posts and do interviews with authors every Tuesday. My other blogs include, http://JoLinsdell.blogspot.com,http://1stTimeMums.blogspot.com and http://AsTheRomansDo.blogspot.com

I also organize an annual online event for people in the writing industry called Promo Day that takes place on Saturday 25th May 2013 at www.PromoDay.info. It's completely free to attend and open to everyone. You can find out more about me at www.JoLinsdell.com

Fairy May by Jo Linsdell
ISBN: 978-1481951425
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing
Softcover (32 pages) 

Purchase the book here: Amazon | Createspace

Book blurb:

Fairy May dreams of one day becoming a tooth fairy but she struggles at school and always seems to get things wrong. With hard work and determination Fairy May prepares for her test. Will she realize her dream and become a tooth fairy?