Saturday, March 31, 2012
Giveaways and Birthdays
I'll be out of town today and tomorrow, helping celebrate the baby boy's birthday.
In the meantime, why not drop by Night Writers and have a go at winning eight downloads.
www.sevennightwriters.blogspot.com
Friday, March 30, 2012
World's Shortest Political Quizz
So, you think you know where you stand, politically. Think again.The result from this short test may surprise you and give you some food for thought. You'll be asked just 10 questions, and then it instantly tells you where you stand politically. It shows your position as a red dot on a "political map" so you'll see exactly where you score.
The most interesting thing about the Quiz is that it goes beyond the Democrat, Republican, and Independent. The Quiz has gotten a lot of praise. The Washington Post said it has "gained respect as a valid measure of a person's political leanings." The Fraser Institute said it's "a fast, fun, and accurate assessment of a person's overall political views." Suite University said it is the "most concise and accurate political quiz out there."Click on the link below...
Click here: World's Smallest Political Quiz
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
Refuge
An older, tired-looking dog wandered into my yard. I could tell from his collar and well-fed belly that he had a home and was well taken care of. He calmly came over to me. I gave him a few pats on his head. He then followed me into my house, slowly walked down the hall, curled up in the corner and fell asleep.
An hour later, he went to the door and I let him out.
The next day he was back, greeted me in my yard, walked inside and resumed his spot in the hall and again slept for about an hour. This continued off and on for several weeks.
Curious, I pinned a note to his collar: "I would like to find out who the owner of this wonderful, sweet dog is and ask if you are aware that almost every afternoon your dog comes to my house for a nap."
The next day he arrived for his nap, with a different note pinned to his collar: "He lives in a home with six children, two under the age of three. He's trying to catch up on his sleep. Can I come with him tomorrow?"
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Movies and Mockinjays
Yes, I did go see Hunger Games Saturday. Did you?
Before we went to the movie, I was reading Mockingjay and finished it when we got back. That evening we rented The Descendants.
I enjoyed everything. The Hunger Games was great. The Descendants was also good. And the Mockingjay held me as had the first two books of the series.
But all three on the same day after a stressful work week put my system on 'emotion overload'. Thank goodness for the pizza and popcorn.
Monday, March 26, 2012
Meet Author Harlow Coban
HOW TO WRITE A NOVEL BASED ON A TRUE STORY
by
Harlow Coban, Author of Life in Death
My story isn’t a warm and fuzzy one.
My father was murdered when I was 12 years of age.
A few years ago, at my uncle’s urging, I looked into what happened to him. The police had suspects, but no one was ever arrested and the case remains unsolved.
I learned a lot about police procedure when I looked into my father’s murder. It was then that I decided to write a novel.
While my murder mystery novella, Life in Death, is not entirely based on what happened to my father, it draws from real life experiences I had with him.
Writing the novel was a cathartic experience for me. What I liked most, and found particularly cleansing, about the experience was my power to spin the story as I saw fit.
We all love, hate, laugh, cry, and everything in between, so we’re never at a loss for stories to tell.
Here’s how you get started writing a novel based on a true story:
· Determine what kind of story you want to write. Talk to family and friends. Look at newspaper articles. I don’t want to be morose, but look at obituaries, too. Take notes. There are stories there.
· Determine the story’s theme: Good/evil, love/hate, birth/death, peace/war, etc. Again, take notes. This may be where the title of your book comes from or maybe not. The title of my book came to me in a dream.
· Construct a compelling plot. I suggest creating a plot outline to start with. I used the “what if” technique to determine what would happen in my chapters. Basically, you ask yourself “what if” this or that happened to your character and expand from there.
· Create dynamic scenes. My advice is something has to happen in “every” chapter or scene.
· Create multi-dimensional characters. Many writers, including yours truly, base their characters on real people and then add nuances to create more complexity and depth. This is one way to go.
· Read, read, read. The more you read, the better writer you’ll become.
· Lastly, start writing. “Begin at the beginning and go on till you come to the end; then stop.” ― Lewis Carroll, Alice in Wonderland.
Truth can be stranger than fiction, but maybe not as entertaining. The key to writing a novel based on a true story is in how you spin the story to make it enjoyable for readers.
Cheers!
Harlow
The author will be giving away a prize at every stop which may include (but isn't limited to:
Amazon Gift Cards
Book Lover Note Cards
Journals
Kindle Cover
Book Tote
Hunger Games Trilogy
Blurb: When a girl that social worker Kari Marchant places in foster care is brutally murdered, she’s compelled to learn why. Her quest for the truth pits her against friends and coworkers. As Kari works to solve the horrific plot, more people die. She’s been targeted for death and she doesn’t even know it. How far should she go to learn the truth—even if it threatens her life?
When homicide detective Rance Nicolet meets Kari, his attraction to her is powerful—and the feeling is mutual. But things between them go terribly wrong when Kari’s old lover is found murdered with a letter from her in his pocket. The evidence against Kari is damning. Rance’s personal and professional lives collide. Does he blindly believe the woman he’s falling in love with or follow the evidence no matter where it leads?
“Frost. Call on line one.” The voice boomed overhead and interrupted Scott Frost mid-climb. He jumped off his truck, pushed up the sleeves on his dingy green work shirt and walked to the phone mounted on the wall, his face a scowl of irritation.
He grabbed the rec
eiver. “Hello.”
“They found Patience,” his wife, Andrea, whispered.
Mammoth garbage trucks rumbled and shook the walls as they rolled out into the street for the day’s work, their giant bellies hungry for trash. Scott strained to hear his wife over the noise.
“I told you never to call me here.”
“Do you know what they did to her?” Her voice rose an octave.
"Hold it together.” He clenched his fist and resisted the impulse to smash it through the wall. “She’s the one who ran off.”
“She didn’t deserve that. Nobody deserves that.”
The phone slip
ped a bit in his sweaty hand. Tolerance had never been one of Scott's virtues, and what little he did have waned with each whiny word his wife uttered. “It’ll all be over soon, you know that.”
“They won’t let us out.”
He gnashed his teeth together until the noise in his head drowned out the roar of garbage trucks. The pumping of his heart escalated and Scott imagined he could feel his blood pressure rising.
“Damn it, Andrea, take a valium. These people are dangerous. They’ll kill us if we flake out.”
AUTHOR Bio
and Links:
Author Harlow Coban was born in Kansas City, MO, but grew up in Denver, CO. She relocated to North Carolina five years ago with her husband, two dogs, and 16-year old twins.
She shares a birthday with the notorious Napoleon Bonaparte. In keeping with his legacy, she is currently working on taking over the world. Harlow’s positive attitude and fresh take on life are her tools and conquest is certain.
She spends her free time writing, dancing, traveling and defending mailboxes from her 16-year-old twins’ driving.
Her debut novel, LIFE IN DEATH (February 2012), is a murder mystery which pulls from real-life situations from her own family history. She felt compelled to share her story with the world while offering a thrilling, entertaining, and amusing escape for readers.
In keeping with her commitment to improving the lives of children, a portion of the proceeds from the sale of her book will be donated to the Boys and Girls Club in her home state of North Carolina.
She loves to connect with her readers and can be found on Twitter (@HarlowCoban), Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Harlow-Coban/174596219285270), Goodreads (http://www.goodreads.com) and her website (www.HarlowCoban.com).
http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2012/02/virtual-book-tour-life-in-death-by.html
Sunday, March 25, 2012
A World Apart Blog Tour
With us today is Camelia Miron Skiba to talk about her wonderful new release A World Apart and communication.
Communications—Then and Now
I own an iPhone, an iPad and an iPod. I have 4 email accounts, 2 Facebook accounts, one blog, and one Twitter account. I follow so many blogs I’ve lost count. I stop daily on various sites, from Amazon, to GoodReads, to Barnes& Nobles, iTunes—you name it. I read 2-3 books at once, afraid I'm somehow missing on something. At times I do feel stretched out and in some ways exposed, vulnerable. Then is when I take a step back and shut all the doors, recharging my batteries with only my family next to me.
With all this technology, staying informed and in-touch is as easy as 1, 2, 3. Communication is at its best. With a single press of a button I connect with my parents in Romania or with my sister in Germany using Skype. I don't need to wait two weeks for my letters to reach them and another two weeks to receive their reply. I don't miss out on my niece’s first words or first steps or my nephew's new haircut because we are one click of a button away.
But it also got me thinking at the times communication wasn't as easy. Compared to my son—who texts without looking at the screen—my generation wrote notes on tiny pieces of paper, switching several hands until reaching the receiver, mostly at the other site of the class. For finals girls wrote sparknotes on ... both thighs, abbreviating words only we could understand. I guess wearing a skirt had its advantages J. Guys on the other hand, wrote on their forearms. Talk about sweating bullets figuratively and literally wearing long-sleeved shirt when, without air conditioner there was no difference between the outside scorching temperatures and the classroom air.
I wish somehow I could negotiate my staying on this Earth for all the time wasted waiting for public transportation. It seemed back then time moved slower. Meeting friends at the train station for another hike in the Carpathians, going to theatre or a simple date were arranged with one phone call—couldn't call twice for father kept track of how many phone calls we made.
I have no idea how we managed to get to these places on time, but I don't recall ever being late. Today, not only are new technologies constantly discovered, but we humans have evolved, doing so many things at the same time. As if we’re in a constant hurry. To where?
~ * ~
Excerpt:
Everything she loses is because of him.
Forgiveness is not an option.
Or maybe...
Lieutenant Cassandra Toma, trauma surgeon in the Romanian National Army starts her deployment at a joint-unit air base on a wrong foot, clashing on her first day with her new commander, Major David Hunt. Her rebellious nature and sassiness rival her excellent performance in the operating room—the only reason why she's not reprimanded, or maybe not the only reason.
They meet. They clash. A forbidden passion consumes them with the intensity of an erupting volcano, leaving her heartbroken and him with tarnished honor and pride as an officer. The only way out for David is disappearing into the dangerous warzone in Iraq. Their flame was supposed to be over when destiny brings them back under the same roof, this time with a common goal—to find Cassandra's brother, Maj. Robert Toma, kidnapped by insurgents while on patrol.
To rescue Robert, Cassandra and David put aside their resentments, uniting forces against a common enemy. Trying to forget the painful past, Cassandra opens up to give David—and their love—another chance. What she doesn’t realize is that her anguish is the result of David’s impetuous action—one reckless choice he made for which she may never forgive him.
~*~
About The Author:
I WRITE. I LOVE. I DREAM. I WRITE.
I’m Chris’ wife, Patrick’s mom and Bella’s owner. During the day, I’m the assistant to the Director at SESE at Arizona State University, and romance’s slave at night.
I moved to the U.S eight years ago, following my heart and the man who stole it. I love comedies, historical dramas and happily-ever-after stories. English is not my native, not my second, but my third language.
Some fun facts about me:
Each year I participate in one big event that requires me to physically train. My biggest sportive accomplishment was the 3-day 60-mile Susan G. Komen Walk.
Annually I pick a color I decree my favorite (this year it’s salmon).
I refused to text until 2010, always preferring to hear voices rather than sending emotionless messages. Politic bores me to death and I have no tolerance for arrogance.
“A World Apart” is my second book. My debut novel “Hidden Heart” came out March 2011.
Email: cami.skiba@gmail.com
Blog: http://cameliamironskiba.wordpress.com
His mistake, his secret, could cost them both the love they've finally found.
Amazon (Kindle Edition): http://www.amazon.com/A-WORLD-APART-ebook/dp/B006NZWHF2
Saturday, March 24, 2012
Coming In May
Excerpt:
Mesmerized, I stared out the living room window at the froth-tipped waves of Lake Superior. I’ve never heard the swells slap against the jagged rocks from inside the house before. But I hear them now.
The phone rang and broke my concentration. I clapped my hands over my ears. The sound, unusually shrill, hurt my eardrums. Fumbling with the clip at my waist, I flipped open my cell relieved to have the high-pitched tones cut off.
“Hello.” I glanced at the clean line of the walls, so close in color to the water, and tried to relax.
“Hey, Rora.”
Hi Cath.” My name is Aurora, but everyone calls me Rora.
“How was your date last night with James?” my bestfriend asked.
At the risk of sounding immodest, with our looks, getting dates is never a problem. Cathy is blonde and petite, while I’m tall and slender with lapis eyes and blue-black hair that I wear in a stylish short spike.
Cathy and I live in Bayforks, Wisconsin. Well close enough. My aunt and I live a couple of miles out on a craggy outcrop that overlooks the water. Cathy is a townie.
Bayforks is small but does a brisk tourist trade during peak seasons. Its claim to fame: the sea caves. Unfortunately, a natural gas inside gives off such a noxious odor, no one explores them. But they’re pretty to look at from the water.
“Well?” she asked impatiently. I paused. She continued to prattle. “He’s soooo cute. I’m jealous.”
“You had a date with Mike,” I reminded her as I reached out with my other hand and fingered the dove-gray drapes. Then I rubbed my cheek against them. Oh, that feels good. Velvet is such a sensuous material. It feels so decadent.
My voice box rumbled. A noise that sounded like a purr came out of my throat. My fingers tightened over the phone and I pressed my hand over my mouth. What the…?
“What did you say, Rora?” Cathy asked.
“Nothing.” I gulped and tried to get my bearings. “Tell me about your date with Mike.”
“Oh, Mike Schmike. Very predicable. Dull. Boring. Tell me about your date.”
“It was strange.” My gaze centered on the restless ebb and flow of the waves as they hit against the rocks.
“How so?”
I should have just let it go. My best friend is insatiably curious. And though we’ve shared everything since the first grade, I wasn’t ready to share this.
My date’s aftershave was so strong it made my eyes water and my throat burn. But weirdest of all I had the strangest compulsion to lick it off his neck. Eww.
I’ve felt peculiar since yesterday. For one thing, my senses are heightened. I can see further and more clearly, especially at night, at least if last night is anything to go by. My sense of smell is unbelievable, though not as good as my eyesight. And at the moment, I possess a grace that is completely alien to me. Not that I’m a klutz mind you, but if there’s a crack in the sidewalk my size eights will find it.
“How so?” Cathy repeated.
“I didn’t like his aftershave,” I said lamely.
“Hmm, you never mentioned that when we met him.”
“I didn’t notice it then. Listen, Cath, I need to go.” I really don’t want to talk about this. My body hurts. I feel odd, like my bones are about to break through my skin. I think I’m running a fever.
“So you aren’t interested?”
“No.” I wrinkled my nose just thinking about that aftershave.
“Mind if I have a go at him?”
“Not at all.” I gave her his number.
She hung up, no doubt eager to give him a call.
I didn’t tell Cathy everything.
When my date came on to me last night, I hissed at him, bared my teeth and extended my perfectly manicured nails like they were claws. How weird is that? I don’t think I’ll have to worry about him calling back.
A movement along the edge of the cliff caught my attention. A small rabbit nibbled at a tuft of clover growing between the rocks. I came to attention like a pointer. My nose began to quiver and my mouth water. I twitched my butt.
Without thought, I bolted out of the house after the rabbit. My blood raced and I breathed in short sharp pants. I could hear the creature’s heart pound and smell his warm vibrant flesh.
He took three frightened leaps and disappeared into the forest. I skidded to a stop, trembling so hard my teeth rattled. What’s wrong with me? I wanted to take a bite out of a poor defenseless little bunny. I pursed my lips and screwed up my face. Gross doesn’t begin to cover it.
This is way past PMSing. Tears welled up and spilled down my cheeks.
Friday, March 23, 2012
Now That's My Kind Of Rifle
And as far as hunting...I understand the need to cull herds when we've destroyed the predators. What I don't understand is the thrill of the kill. How can anyone find joy in taking the life of a beautiful animal that can't possibly harm anyone? That has the same drive to survive that we do. That feels pain, the same as you or I.
But I digress. My brother sent me this link: http://www.gizmag.com/kill-shot-camera-hunting-rifle/21802/. I think its pretty cool. Its a camera, still in the developmental stage, that replicates a rifle.
Here's how it works. You line up your quarry in the cross hairs, pull the trigger and take a picture. Pretty cool, huh? Still the thrill of the hunt with no life lost. The picture is time and date stamped to prove you 'shot' your prey.
Now that's my kind of rifle.
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Exercise...Bring It On
Its that time of year. Time to go into training and knock off a few pounds, so I'll be ahead of the game when the Easter bunny comes hopping around with my Fannie Mae. For those of you, who are kind enough to read my blog, you know all about Fannie Mae, whether you're from the Midwest or not. You hear about it at Easter and Christmas, when I get my semi-yearly fix.If you're a chocoholic, and who of us isn't, I recommend the pink fruit and nut egg, and the Caramel Pecan Fudge Easter Egg.
Seventeen more days, but who's counting;)
What's your sinful pleasure?
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
My Getaway
Its time to get out the hummingbird feeder.
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Painting and Edits
~*~
Blogs of interest:
Amarinda Jones
Anny Cook
Helen Woodall
Julia Barret
Shelley Munro
Saturday, March 17, 2012
Catching Fire
I scanned the shelf. They had it.
As I picked it up and carried it to the checkout, I reminded myself I didn't have to read it this weekend. I'd just have it on hand to read when I had more time. I stuck to that decision through Friday night.
Today, I decided I'd just take one little peak. I could put it down after one chapter.
It's ten p.m. and I've just finished reading about Katniss's unending struggle to protect the people she loves.
But I'm not going to buy Mockingjay....at least till next weekend.
Thursday, March 15, 2012
Coming Soon.....
Stop by Night Writers on the 31st and leave a comment and your email addie. One random commenter will win the following downloads. Actually stop by anytime, but be sure and leave a comment on the 31st:)
Blog addie: http://www.sevennightwriters.blogspot.com
Savage Destiny, a historical romance by Jewel Adams
Crewkin, a sci-fi romance by Rhobin Courtright
The Crystal, a paranormal romance by Sandra Cox
Storms Interlude, a romantic suspense by Vonnie Davis
The Younger Days, a middle grade historical fiction by Mike Hays
Inappropriate, a mystery romance by Sherry Silver
Somewhere My Love, a paranormal romance by Beth Trissel
Cornerstone Deep, a romantic suspense by Charlene Wilson
Sherry Gloag will be giving away bookmarks
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
Night Sky
Night Sky Summary
As he spends time with Sky and learns about her village, her totems, and her friends with drums - she's way more than distraction. Jameson's falling for her fast.
But Sky’s need for honesty somehow doesn’t extend to her life story – and Jameson just may need more than his new girl to keep him distracted from the disaster of his senior year.
Jolene Perry's Bio:
After living in Washington, Utah and Las Vegas, she now resides in Alaska with her husband, and two children. Aside from writing, Jolene sews, plays the guitar, sings when forced, and spends as much time outside as possible.
She is also the author of The Next Door Boys and the upcoming Knee Deep.
eBook
ISBN: 97
Pages: 247
R
Tribute Books website:
http://www.tribute-books.com
Blog schedule:
http://night-sky-book.blogspot.com/2012/02/night-sky-blog-tour-schedule-march-1.html
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
7 Kinds Of Sex
Research shows that there are 7 kinds of sex. The 1st kind of sex is called: Smurf Sex. * This kind of sex happens when you first meet someone, and you both have sex until you are blue in the face. The 2nd kind of sex is called: Kitchen Sex. * This is when you have been with your partner for a short time, and you are so needy you will have sex anywhere, even in the kitchen. The 3rd kind of sex is called: Bedroom Sex. * This is when you have been with your partner for a long time, your sex has gotten routine, and you usually have sex only in your bedroom. 4th kind of sex is called: Hallway Sex. * This is when you have been with your partner for too long. When you pass each other in the hallway you both say 'Screw you.' The 5th kind of sex is called: Religious Sex. * This means you get Nun in the morning, Nun in the afternoon, and Nun at night. (Very Popular) The 6th kind is called Courtroom Sex. * This is when you cannot stand your Husband any more. He takes you to court and screws you in front of everyone. And;Last, but not least, the 7th kind of sex is called: Social Security Sex. * You get a little each month, but not enough to enjoy yourself. |
Monday, March 12, 2012
Sunday, March 11, 2012
The Hypoallergenic Balinese
I'm blogging today at Night Writers about the hypoallergenic Balinese. If you're a cat person, and even if you're not, stop by and say hey.
Saturday, March 10, 2012
Napsters Birthday
Faux Paw, the big black that can barely fit in the bed turned ten. She needs a membership in Fat Cats Anonymous.
Granny Pitty Pat, the petite gray turned eighteen.
To celebrate...they each got a can of upgraded cat food.
Got a pet's birthday you'd like to share? Drop me an email @sandracox1.@gmail.com.
~*~
Just a reminder....Its the last day of giveaways for Akasha and Power Stones.
The link for Akasha: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/47397
The link for Power Stones: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/54683
The Coupon Code for Both Books: RE100.
~*~
Blogs of interest:
Amarinda Jones
Anny Cook
Julia Barrett
Helen Woodall
Friday, March 9, 2012
It's All About Me
As many of you know, both the hh and I work at a community college. Many of the students that come through the doors of that institution stun me with their talent, creativity, hard work ethic and drive.
Then, like in every walk of life, there are a few that make me blink and mutter, "Say what?"
For instance: As mentioned on a previous blog, the hh had a sinus infection and double pneumonia. He was out sick for a week. He was extremely lucky, he didn't land in the hospital. Anyway...when he got back to work he checked his phone messages. One of them was from one of his students that blessed him out for not calling and letting her know he wouldn't be at class that day so she could have slept in.
Ya gotta laugh.
The link for Akasha: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/47397
The link for Power Stones: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/54683
The Coupon Code for Both Books: RE100.
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Hell No Hail Yes and EBooks
I heard a rat-a-tat-tat on my window earlier this week, looked out to find hail was popping everywhere. The ground was covered with little white discs of ice. It didn't last long, but Mother Nature put on quite a show for a few minutes. It looked pretty amongst the yellow daffodils and bright green grass.
~*~
Question. If you're a regular blog visitor, how often do want to see a book tour on it? Do you get tired of seeing them or do you like to know what new books are coming out? If you get tired of them, how much is too much? Twice A Week? Three Times? Or more?
~*~
Don't forget its E Book Week.
If you'd like some freebies, I'm giving away two downloads at Smashwords, Akasha(the 2nd in the Cats of Catarau Series and Power Stones.
The link for Akasha: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/47397
The link for Power Stones: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/54683
The Coupon Code for Both Books: RE100.