Thank you to everyone who came out for the Rebel Ink Press Flash Fiction Blog Hop. I heard that many loved the wedding of Alex and Lissa. If you want to find out how it all began, check out Second Time's a Charm. Blurb: How does a middle aged, divorcee with two children find her way back to love after a devastating divorce leaves her with no self confidence and no faith in love? Lissa's ex-husband has shredded her self-esteem so she's thrown herself into her children and her work, leaving time for nothing else. When an life threatening illness in her best friend's family puts Lissa on the path to romance, Lissa finds new love in a most unexpected way--an introduced by her new guy's ex-wife. Who knew that first time loves could lead to second chances? http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-secondtime039sthecharm-770256-148.html http://www.bookstrand.com/second-times-the-charm The winner of the free ebook copy isDonna/BLHmistress. Watch your email :) Thank you for stopping by to visit. I wanted to share with you a little flash fiction. Flash Fiction is where you have a photo and write a scene about the picture in under 250 words. Rebel Ink Press is hosting a Flash Fiction Hop where each of the authors involved has written a scene based on the same photo. I wanted to share with you a scene from my release earlier this year titled- "Second Time's the Charm". This scene takes place after the story ends and before the epilogue. I hope you enjoy my scene and will check out the rest of the Rebel Ink Press authors' Flash Fiction! You have a chance to win $25 in Rebel PDF's. All you have to do is sign up for the newsletter! See the links to the other blogs below! And for stopping and leaving a comment here, I will give away one copy of "Second Time's the Charm" to one random commentor. Enjoy! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Wedding: Tap, tap, tap. The sound of her shoes on the wooden floor matched the staccato of my heartbeat. Looking at the end of the aisle, a vision in silver stood. Lissa was stunning in her satin gown that flowed around her body, highlighting her curves. The Graceland Chapel was small but beatifully decorated. Vegas knew how to throw a wedding, I thought as I glanced at Lissa’s gorgeous legs peaking out from under her dress. Finally I’ll have everything I dreamed of. The minister cleared his throat as the music began. My eyes found Lissa’s as I noticed the tears glistening in her beautiful green eyes. Watching her walk down the aisle toward me, time slowed to a crawl. It seemed like all my life was leading up to this moment, when my best friend would finally become my wife. Taking her hand in mine, I kissed her on the cheek. “You look amazing,” I whispered in her ear. Lissa’s smile was brighter than the sun as she turned toward the minister who began the wedding ceremony. I could barely follow what the minister was saying because my thoughts were focused on the vision in front of me. She’s finally mine in all ways, kept running through my mind as tears filled my own eyes. Putting my grandmother’s wedding band on Lissa’s finger cemented our commitment. “You may kiss the bride,” the minister said and I was finally able to kiss my wife for the first time. Buy Link: http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-secondtime039sthecharm-770256-148.html ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Today’s grand prize is provided by the home office and comes in the form of $25.00 in Rebel PDF’s, winner’s choice. Simply sign up for our newsletter and you’ll be entered to win: NEWSLETTER(below the Paws project there’s a blue icon) Links to other participants: Lindsay Klug Lee Ann Sontheimer Murphy Lila Munro Donna Steele Cassandre Dayne Eden Connor DH Black Nora Snowdon Dakotah Black Melissa Keir Michel Prince Eden Glenn Suzzana C Ryan JL Oiler E Jaime Sabrina McAfee Wendy Smith Janelle Lee PK Morris And lead a comment for a chance to win a copy of "Second Time's the Charm". Today I am welcoming Nadia Scrieva to my blog. She has two wonderful books out and is sharing with us why she writes. Nadia will giving away an eBook copy of Drowning Mermaids to one randomly drawn commenter at every blog stop. Please leave your email in your comment so that she can contact you. If you would like to enter at many stops to increase your chances to win please follow the tour at: http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2012/05/virtual-book-tour-sacred-breath-series.html ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Words are Worth more than Money I often find myself rationalizing to my friends and family the reasons I chose to study English and be a writer. I sigh and suffer through the raised eyebrows and judgmental glances as I try to justify my choices. Generally, most of these justifications involve demonstrating that some people have been able to make substantial livings off this career. I convincingly list facts and figures, but the fact is that deep down I don’t mean any of it. Although I am an extremely ambitious person, I never consciously chose to be a writer. Who in their right mind would do such a thing? If one intends to make money, there are many better ways; there are more direct, immediate, respectable, or notorious ways. No one chooses to be a writer with the goal of making a fortune in mind, although they may hope for that to be an incidental benefit. Writing chose me, sinking its teeth in when I was just a hatchling. It’s impossible to perfectly describe why storytelling is in my blood and my bones, but I know that if I stop writing even for a moment I become terribly depressed. I can’t help but continue, almost as if it might be an addiction or an illness. When I receive positive feedback from readers I feel vindicated. The sheer joy of touching someone else’s life is matchless. Readers may grow more intimate with themselves while reading, examining their own minds and living through the eyes and experiences of the characters. They leave the book having gained something far more than entertainment, just as I leave the book having gained something far more than money. Literature is not just about learning—it has a special and spiritual quality that I cannot explain. It’s about giving and receiving something intangible, and making a connection. There are many motivational clichés about reading: it’s good for the soul and it makes you a better person. I have faith in all of these sayings, however silly they sound. At this moment in my life I spend every day writing, and I feel more content and fulfilled than ever before. Each time someone tells me they loved my story, I feel invincible and nothing else matters. Perhaps every single thing I’ve done has been wrong—(and it probably was) but this is right. I don’t believe in much, but I know I’m meant to write. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Drowning Mermaids by Nadia Scrieva BLURB: Deep under Arctic waters lies an ice kingdom carved into a glacier. Those who dwell within it possess magnificent biological secrets. Due to the dangers of impending war, the Princess of Adlivun is forced to flee her undersea utopia and regroup with her sisters in Alaska. Captain Trevain Murphy is a successful king crab fisherman who has spent his life building his empire above the sea, and knows nothing of the empire beneath it. When he meets a mysterious dancer whose father has recently died, he extends kindness towards her, unaware of her unique genetics and royal lineage. Trevain's attraction to the enigmatic Aazuria Vellamo will involve him in dangerous designs that will forever change his life, and his perspective on himself and his world. He embarks on perilous journeys in which he will need to release all of his insecurities and inhibitions in order to survive. EXCERPT: When she could no longer rest her face on the frozen carpet, she forced herself to cease her sniveling and straighten into seiza. She was still on her knees, but not in the same pathetic way as before. She was on her knees not as a servant, but as an equal. Not as a beggar, but as a warrior. Aazuria closed her eyes. She imagined her organs untangling themselves from their knotted, jumbled mess and aligning themselves properly. She imagined the natural ease with which her breath and energy traveled through her body; all the channels which had been blocked with the rocks and lumber of anguish and the caulk of vitriol opened one by one as she willed it. She sat for hours more in long solitude and reflection, until she felt healed. She opened her eyes and saw the small sheet of ice on the carpet that had been created by her tears. She smiled at it, knowing that she had cried all the weakness and negativity out of her system. She looked up at her father’s body, and she smiled at him too.. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Fathoms of Forgiveness by Nadia Scrieva BLURB: There is no divorce in the undersea kingdom of Adlivun. Marriage is a bond that lasts until death—even if death comes in several centuries, and in that time your spouse happens to become your sworn enemy. This is the conflict that General Visola Ramaris faces when she learns that the mighty Vachlan is behind the attacks on her kingdom. She has sworn to protect Adlivun with her life, but long ago, she also swore to love and honor her husband... Visola must choose whether she will destroy Vachlan once and for all, or attempt the hardest thing conceivable: communication. After two hundred years of desertion, she has no faith in their feeble bond and knows she can never forgive him. When he threatens the person dearest to her, she must take action. Confronting Vachlan on enemy territory would be nothing short of suicide. She knows that if she falls into his custody, the deranged man would relish breaking her down and making her lose her sanity. Princess Aazuria forbids Visola from taking matters into her own hands; she will do anything it takes to protect her friend from the man who wants to crush her. Alas, Visola is a crazy, uncontrollable warrior woman with the blood of Vikings in her veins. Why would she ever consider doing the safe and predictable thing? EXCERPT: She could see that Aazuria was tossing around a silver ball in a giant fountain of blood. Sometimes the princess even juggled two or three balls. Visola had not known that her friend could juggle. When she grew bored with watching the circus animals splash around in the fountain of blood behind Aazuria, she turned her eyes to the sky, which was quieter. She sighed peacefully as she tried to listen for anything the stars might be trying to tell her. One star tried to whisper, but it was too far away, and Visola told it to speak up. It agreed, and said it would also come closer. The star left the sky and began to travel toward her. As it approached, growing larger and larger, she realized that it was not a star at all, but a great phoenix. The bird’s body was made of red and gold flame, and it approached at an alarmingly rapid rate. The contrast of the bright red flames against the dark night sky was striking and terrifying. The bird seemed to take a breath as its cavernous eyes widened; it let out a huge screech as it expelled fire from its lungs in a massive river of lava. Visola gasped, and tried to get out of the way. She found that she was attached to the ground by her wrist. She tugged and tugged, but she could not get free and the lava was heading straight for her. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Author Bio: Nadia Scrieva was born in 1988 in Toronto, Canada. She studied English and Anthropology, graduating with an Honors B.A. from the University of Toronto in 2011. She likes knives. Writing has been the most meaningful part of her life since she was a child. Nadia loves receiving feedback from readers, so do not hesitate to contact her with any of your comments, questions, ideas, or just to say hello. Website: www.NadiaScrieva.com Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/NadiaFans Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/NadiaScrieva Blog:http://nadiascrieva.blogspot.ca/ Thank you Nadia for visiting today! Readers, don't forget to leave a comment for a chance to win! Nadia will giving away an eBook copy of Drowning Mermaids to one randomly drawn commenter at every blog stop. Please leave your email in your comment so that she can contact you. If you would like to enter at many stops to increase your chances to win please follow the tour at: http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2012/05/virtual-book-tour-sacred-breath-series.html Check Out Time by Rosa Sophia Naomi Vogler blames herself for her mother's tragic death, continually reliving the accident in her nightmares. When she reconnects with her estranged father, he invites her to live with him in a little town called Witchfire. A simple job stocking shelves overnight at a local grocery store seems a perfect distraction. But when the manager of the store is found dead in the boiler room, Naomi's boring job becomes something much more complicated. No matter how she looks at it, one thing is certain: retail is murder. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Rosa Sophia is the author of the Paranormal Mystery Taking 1960. She currently resides in south Florida. Please visit her online: Site Facebook Twitter I'm very excited to have T. Michelle Nelson visiting my blog today. She is an up and coming new author whose story The Life and Death of Lily Drake is sure to be a hit with fans of the MaryJanice Davidson vampire series. Hello and welcome to my blog. I’m so excited to have you here today. I know that the readers are looking forward to learning more about you. Please tell us a little about yourself. I grew up in Western Kentucky. When I was sixteen, I met this crazy boy in Florida while I was on vacation with my parents. He was on vacation as well and was from Ohio. We spent the week together and occassionally kept in touch. Eleven years later, he explained to me that he owned a dog and had managed to keep it alive for a couple years, so he knew he was ready to settle down and have his own family. Yes, that was exactly how he proposed. Three months later we were married and I’ve been in Ohio since. We live in a nice, little town with my teenage son and our three dogs. Now onto some fun questions! If you could change one thing about our world, what would it be and why? We really don’t have enough time for me to properly answer that question! I’ll just say, my grandmother tells me stories of when she grew up, and even just a handful of decades ago, people were so much more willing to help others and be neighborly. You don’t see that as much these days. I think most of us could stand to be a little more generous with our time and pleasantries at the very least. Take some time, stop rushing around and get to know the people around us, use more common courtesy and be more community-minded. If you knew the exact date of your death down to the minute, what would you change about your life starting tomorrow? Have you seen the movie “Groundhog Day?” I’d go crazy like Bill Murray. If I knew with absolute certainty I wouldn’t die until a certain date, I’d do the craziest most life-threatening things possible without worry! Why? Are you psychic? Nope...If I did, I would win that Powerball jackpot! When was the last time you felt alive? I mean really alive! I like to think I feel alive every day. I try to enjoy life as much as possible, and I love to try new things. Last year I skated with a roller derby team and had a small role as a zombie in a movie. If something sounds fun, I try not to pass it up! The older I get, the more I realize I want to do before it’s too late! What television sitcom is most like your family? Why? Third Rock from the Sun. We’re all a bit odd, but in the best and funniest ways I think! What’s your favorite thing to do to relax? I love to go canoeing, but I doubt many other people would find it relaxing. My husband and I are both pretty competitive, so the second we hit the river, we are in a mad rush to beat our last time. Let’s find out a little bit about you as an author. Did you always want to be an author? I think I actually did. And a photographer, an artist, a doctor, a football player, a rockstar…and about a hundred other things too! What authors had an impact on you growing up and as an adult? I read Poe as a child and it stuck with me. I’ve loved horror since. Then in a literature class in college I read Edith Wharton’s Age of Innocence, and I was never the same. I suppose it makes sense, I’ve combined horror and romance. Do you have any “must haves” with you while you’re writing? Mass amounts of coffee, and usually there’s at least one dog around. What have you learned the most from being in the writing business? That it doesn’t end when you finish writing the manuscript! There is some hard work involved in the post-writing phase. Tell us about your latest release: The Life and Death of Lily Drake will be available October 7th this year. Lily Drake is your everyday hard-working single mom…until a gorgeous vampire shows up on her front door who she mistakenly assumes is her blind date for the evening. As one crazy scenario after another unfolds, Lily finds herself falling in love with two vampires, slaying the evil ones, and being prophesied as the savior of the entire undead race. The Life and Death of Lily Drake is not your typical vampire love story. It’s a tale about the humorous mistakes a woman makes simply trying to survive not only life, but the dating scene. How will Lily manage working full-time, taking care of her young son and fighting the undead at every turn? How did you decide on your story plot? I had a completed novel in my head as I started writing. What I ended up with was about twenty pages of that story and then the rest was completely different. From day to day I had absolutely no idea where I was headed with the book, sometimes I wasn’t even sure until I sat down to write. How did you choose your characters names and location for your story? I researched all the vampires names to make sure they were authentic to the times when they would have actually lived and picked out the ones that I thought sounded nifty, and lilies are my favorite type of flowers. As for location, it is set in the actual town I currently reside. Mount Vernon, Ohio is a lovely place. It’s incredibly historic and just begs to be written about! Do you have a character that you identify with? Who and why? Absolutely, Lily herself. In every situation I threw the girl in, she reacted as I would have or how I hope I would. She isn’t your typical heroine, she’s a little crazy and maybe even a little dorky at times. Let our readers know how they can get a hold of you… Come visit me at www.tmichellenelson.com, as well as facebook and twitter @tmichellenelson. You can also enter to win a copy of my book on Goodreads from this link: http://www.goodreads.com/giveaway/show/28557-the-life-and-death-of-lily-drake Is there anything else that you want to share… feel free!! I’d like to thank you for having me on your blog, and I’d also like to thank all the readers who have been so supportive and enthusiastic about my book. I hope everyone who reads this will stop by www.tmichellenelson.com and say hello! Thank you so very much T. Michelle for stopping by today. As a former Ohio resident, I love reading books that take place in Ohio. If readers aren't aware they can preorder the book in print or ebook through your publisher, Inkspell Publishing. Here's the link to their store: http://www.inkspellpublishing.com/store.html. I hope everyone who stops by to read your post will check out your site and order a copy of this amazing book.
I awoke to the sound of beeping and the smell of antiseptic. The pain in my shoulder felt like a jackhammer had been trying to break up the bone. Thinking back, the last thing that I remembered was Adam driving in that blinding snowstorm. There was something else that was just out of reach in my
mind. What had happened? Putting the sounds and the smells together I realized I was in the hospital. "Sweet, subtle, heart-warming romance." --USA Today Bestselling Author, Nicola Marsh "Brooke Moss is a gifted storyteller. With a compelling plot and characters who will steal your heart, The Carny is a winner." --Cate Lord, author of Lucky Girl. Two people from opposite worlds, one unforgettable kiss. You can't judge a carny by its cover. At a town fair on the coast of Oregon, handsome Native American carny, Vincent Youngblood, bestows an unforgettable kiss on shy, awkward teenager, Charlotte Davenport. Then disappears without another word, leaving her baffled and enamored. Ten years later, Charlotte is still living in the small fishing town of Astoria, while being trained to--reluctantly--take over for her philandering hotelier father when he retires. After all, who else will do it? Her two perfect sisters are busy being married to their flawless husbands and having cookie cutter children, while Charlotte remains single, childless, and every bit as mousy as she was a decade ago. As Charlotte struggles to climb out from underneath her judgmental parents thumb, the carnival rolls back into town, and Charlotte finds herself face to face with Vin again. He's back to run his father's carnival, walking away from a promising career in medicine he started in Chicago. Will her biased and judgmental family accept her relationship with a man who is not only a Native American, but works as a carny for a living? And what unsavory secrets bind the well-educated and seemingly superlative Vin to that ramshackle carnival? After all, you can’t judge a carny by its cover. Special Teaser Quote! "Vin’s forehead rested against mine, and cupped my face sweetly. “So are you. Now, let me buy you lunch to celebrate. Are you hungry?” I leaned into his palm. “I could eat.” “Then I’m taking you to The Bow.” He placed one last kiss on the tip of my nose. “I hear they have scallops that will make your eyes roll back in your head.” “Well, far be it from me to ignore the lure of orgasmic scallops.”" Want to read more of Charlotte’s sweet romance? – See the complete list of release day party hosts and enjoy the sweet tid-bits! EXCLUSIVE BOOK BIRTHDAY DISCOUNT! Buy the book now at Inkspell Publishing Store and enjoy a special EXCLUSIVE 30% discount! Offer valid only till 14th July! Also, available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and The Book Depository amongst others. Oh, but if you thought Charlotte’s life was so easy before she met Vin, then you are mistaken. Read her story “Charlotte’s Wedding” for free! Only till 10th July! These are fireworks from the local show that we went to on July 4th. It was a fun filled family event. I hope that all of you and your family had a wonderufl and safe holiday.
Thank you to everyone who came out and commented on the posts from July 1st through 4th. There were so many people who stopped by and had wonderful comments about their holiday plans, their favorite foods and what fireworks they liked the best. Using the old throw the names into the dryer selection process, the winner of the $10 Amazon Gift Card and Silver earrings is:Evelynmoly. I will be contacting you for your address. Thanks again to all the commenters. But if you didn't win this one, we have another special event coming up on July 12th. More prizes and some hot flash fiction! Check back on my blog for details! Today I welcome a wonderful author, Tamaria Soana who is sharing her latest release Tropical Cougar. I hope you enjoy the spicy excerpt. Tropical Cougar by Tamaria Soana Will one night with an older woman change everything? After finding the love of his life in bed with someone else, twenty-six-year-old Seth Reynolds wanted a fresh start and found it in Jamaica. Being a bartender at one of the island's exclusive resorts has its perks...not the least of them being a very sexy, older woman: Sylvia Radcliff. While she's determined to celebrate her forty-fifth birthday, Seth is equally determined to seduce the most enchanting woman he’s ever met. Tropical Cougar is an Amazon Exclusive from Ruby Lioness Press. Amazon Buy Link Excerpt : Seth woke to the smell of eggs and coffee. Sylvia had ordered them breakfast. "Get up, sleepyhead, breakfast is here," she said, crawling up his naked body. "I would rather have you for breakfast, but you have a robe on." "I couldn't answer the door naked, could I?" "No, I guess not," he whispered, reaching to tug on the belt of her robe. "The food will get cold," she replied as she playfully pushed him away. Seth let out a laugh. "I don't care. I just need a taste. I'll make it quick; just trust me," he said as he hovered over her. He looked into her blue eyes and smiled when she nodded, giving him all the incentive he needed. He leaned down and kissed her lips before traveling down her body. He took each nipple in his mouth and sucked hard before he pushed her legs apart, and his tongue found heaven "Mmmm, you taste so sweet." He moaned into her warm flesh. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Tamaria Soana is middle aged, but just feels like her life has begun. She resides in Western New York. Cuddling up with a good book under an electric throw has always been her way to escape the cold Buffalo nights. Growing up she always loved to write, mainly short stories and poetry. She's married with two beautiful young girls and one very spoiled lab mix. Connect with Tamaria on line: Website Goodreads What are your favorite type of fireworks? Do you like the big shows or the more simple sparklers? Share your favorites! Fireworks are a beautiful sight. Fireworks can have many key parts including noise, smoke, light, floating materials, etc. Typically they’re red, yellow, green,orange, blue, purple, and silver. Some cool effects include: peony, crossette, bengal fire, kamuro, ground bloom flower, and multi-break shells. For our final day of the Blog Hop Contest for the $10 Amazon Gift Card and silver and green earrings. Tell me about your favorite firework. Leave a comment to enter! Also make sure you check out the other sites that are also a part of this blog hop. You can find the other sites here: http://thebloghopspot.com/event-page/ The Fourth of July is about family, friends, fireworks and cookouts! I love to grill out all year long. But there is something about a family cookout that celebrates a holiday. Today, let's share what you are cooking for the holiday? Do you have a secret recipe? Something that you are known to be an expert on? Any hints for making grilling grand? I'd love to hear from you. Each comment is an entry to win the $10 Amazon gift card and these beautiful silver and green bead earrings. Also make sure you check out the other sites that are also a part of this blog hop. You can find the other sites here: http://thebloghopspot.com/event-page/
From July 1st through the 4th we are taking a moment to celebrate our Independence Day fun and you can take part in a blog hop. The blog hop will allow you to simply by commenting on a post from today through July 4th and be entered for a chance to win a $10 Amazon Gift Card and a Pair of sterling silver and green bead pierced earrings. Simply that, comment and you are entered. Today, stop by and say Hello...Let me know why you are excited about the upcoming holiday!
Also make sure you check out the other sites that are also a part of this blog hop. You can find the other sites here:http://thebloghopspot.com/event-page/ |
Melissa KeirGator Girl Extraordinaire Archives
October 2023
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