Ann B. Harrison's From the Outback -- Guest Post and {Contest}

 

What keeps me focused on a given story? - Ann B Harrison

This one is easy to answer because I struggled a lot with it in the beginning of my writing career. In the first year or so of writing I could have as many as five stories on the go and it got so confusing, even when I was telling myself it wasn't.

It got to the stage whenever I had a new idea or inspiration struck, I would shelve the current work in progress and get into the new one. Looking at my screen one day and counting up how many partial manuscripts I had was a huge wake up call.

There was no point in having so many unfinished stories. I hated it, my publisher hated it and I had to take charge and be stricter with myself. Nobody could do it for me.

Now I work on one story at a time unless I have edits coming back and forth. If I get another bright idea, I can put a page of notes on my screen and add to them but under no circumstances will I let myself do more than notes until the current book is finished.

Being hard on myself is the only way it works for me. I'm too much of a scatter brain to concentrate on too much at once :)

http://www.amazon.com/From-Outback-Ann-B-Harrison-ebook/dp/B00G1SIOAI

https://www.facebook.com/annb.harrison.7

http://www.amazon.com/From-Outback-Ann-B-Harrison-ebook/dp/B00G1SIOAI

About the book
Title: From The Outback 
Author: Ann B. Harrison
Publisher: Self Published
Formats Available In: Digital

Although desperate to get out of her dead end job, Sami is cynical when she hears of an inheritance from the grandfather she never knew. But once she and her young brother arrive in the beautiful valley, she discovers they are not wanted...especially by the sexy vineyard owner next door.

Will she persevere and make a home for them, or give in and take the easy money when the going gets tough?

Excerpt:

A thump sounded on the bedroom door, jarring her from a deep sleep.

"Go away." Samantha Grace Rose Darling groaned into her pillow.

"Sami, phone."

"Tell them to fuck off and let me sleep." She threw a pillow at the door seconds before it eased open and her brother poked his head in the room. "Garth, I'm warning you, go away."

He sighed and she waited for the usual whine to follow. "There's an old guy on the phone. Said he wants to speak to you."

"Tell him I'm not here." She rolled over, brushed the hair from her face and then glared at him through half-closed eyes.

"I did but he insists on speaking to you. Said he wasn't going to go away until he does."

She groaned, pushed her blanket off with her hand and slowly slid out of bed. With languid grace Sami advanced on her brother intent on doing bodily harm to whoever it was who had the audacity to disturb her sleep. Holding out the phone, Garth waited for her to take it before he backed out of the room and quietly shut the door, leaving her alone.

"This better be bloody good. I pulled a double shift last night and I'm freaking tired."

Walking over to the window, she pushed aside the faded curtain and flinched when the bright Alice Springs sunlight filled her room, scorching her tired eyes. She promptly dropped the curtain into place wishing she'd left it alone. Sami rubbed her eyes and waited.

"Am I talking to Miss Samantha Grace Rose Darling?"

"Yeah." She dropped down to the edge of her bed, her fingers tracing a bruise on her leg from when she had bumped into a tray of glasses last night. I am such a klutz.

"Miss Darling, my name is Rupert Newland. I'm a solicitor with Newland, Newland and Cooper in Singleton, New South Wales."

She spat out a laugh before covering her mouth with the heel of her hand.

"I'm glad I amuse you. Now if you would be so kind as to contain yourself, I have news for you."

The voice on the other end of the phone was clipped and precise.

"I am acting on behalf of your grandfather's estate with regard to his final will and testament."

"I don't know who you're talking about. I don't have any family." Names ran through her mind but grandparents didn't come into the picture she had tucked away in her memory. "Nope. No grandparents I can lay claim to, sorry mate. You obviously have the wrong girl."

"Miss Darling, I have checked the facts and you are indeed the granddaughter of my late client. I need you to could come into the office for the reading of the will."

"Where did you say you were again?" Sami kicked through the pile of clothes on the bedroom floor and picked up the crumpled jeans from yesterday. She tucked the phone between her ear and shoulder to hold it firmly while she pulled her jeans on. One foot after the other she slid each leg into the jeans and yanked them up, wiggling her butt to pull them over her hips. Sami popped the button and did up the zip before she took the phone in her hand again.

"New South Wales, Hunter Valley. Singleton to be exact," he said.

"Mate, I don't know if you looked at the post code before you called me but I live in Alice Springs. In the middle of the frigging desert in the Northern Territory. I can't pop down the road and see you, understand?" She blew a stray curl from her face.

With one hand she opened her bedroom door and walked out to the lounge room. Garth tidied up his breakfast dishes and she smiled in his direction. He pointed to the coffee machine and Sami blew him a kiss.

"It will be worth your while to drive or fly down Miss Darling."

"I can't afford it, okay? It's not like I do double shifts at the pub because I enjoy the work. I need the money and there isn't enough at the end of the week for a happy little visit to your office. Tell me what you want to say and let me get on with my day now you've dragged me from my bed." She lifted a hand and rubbed at her eyes.

"Very well. You have inherited Buttercup Farm and it's contents. There is also a bank account with a small balance which I will disclose once you have formally proven your identity."

"Are you serious?"

Garth looked over at her, his shoulders raised in question. She shook her head and turned away.

"I did send you paperwork last week but I didn't receive a reply, hence the follow up phone call today." The solicitor’s bristling attitude irritated her.

A pile of unopened mail sat on the cluttered kitchen counter and Sami screwed up her face. Out of habit she threw the next day's mail on top of the pile, dreading the bills inside the envelopes. The longer she ignored it, the larger the pile grew.

"Sorry. I've um... been a bit busy and haven't got around to opening the mail for a few days."

"Well I suggest you do that. I need signatures to transfer the bank account into your name. It would be significantly easier if you were here in town. Since you are not, I would appreciate it if you could go to the nearest courthouse and have a Justice of the Peace witness your identity and your signature where I have indicated. It might be best if you Express Post the papers back to me today. You have to decide what to do with the farm and the stock." There was silence for a few seconds. "If I might make a suggestion? There are interested parties if you should decide to sell the property. Would you like me to have it valued for you? I can arrange everything from this end if you would prefer."

"No, no. I need to think about this for a bit. I'll ring you back after I read your letter. Thanks for calling." Sami hung up and threw the phone onto the couch and dropped her head into her hands.

"What is it? Was the landlord after his rent again? Sami, tell me."

"No, Garth. It was a solicitor." A wobbly laugh rose in her throat. "It seems as though we had family after all, even though he's dead."

About the author
Ann swears she was born with a book in her hands and has never put it down. A lifelong love of reader has finally culminated in achieving her dream of writing...and publication.

She lives in the beautiful Hunter Valley with her own handsome hero of many years. Ann has always loved the ups and downs of life in small communities and she shares this with readers in her rural romances.

Strong sexy heroines with a good dash of sass thrown in feature in her stories. Of course these women need an equally strong hero. Bring on the outback hero and watch the passion ignite.

When not writing Ann enjoys reading, gardening, walking her very large dog Hugo and fighting with her computer.

Ann’s Social Media Links:

Ann B. Harrison Romance
Facebook
Website

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Paul Douglas Lovell's PaulyAnna International Rent Boy--Guest Post and {Contest}

What keeps you focused on a given story?

I was determined to keep focus on Paulyanna because I made the mistake of saying out loud I was going to write a book. Before that I only said I wanted to write a book.

I never commit or say I will do something unless I know it will happen. I don’t want to lose face. I came from a background of false promises and unfulfilled goals. It is a personal pride thing, my attempt to set myself apart from those I once knew.

Living by this rule has often made me come across as ungrateful or arrogant.

Example: An enthusiastic colleague I don’t particularly like tries to confirm my participation in some social event. His head nods for me as he asks, “You are coming, right?” I say “no”. Then he hates me.

I also had chest pains for about a year and, as my dad died of lung cancer, I put two and two together and wrote a will. Ever since my life became wonderful, I keep expecting to suddenly pop off. I wanted to ensure I got my story completed because I didn’t want people to forget me. Turns out I only needed extra magnesium and that people had already forgotten me.

I didn’t need to keep my focus on plot because my life story was already created; I only needed to jot it down. However, I do tend to ramble and go off topic, but like a homeward-bound drunk, I usually stumble back onto the right track.

I had no deadline so I could potter along without pressures to finish. When I couldn’t concentrate or my sentences refused to line up, I could stop, do some neglected chores or walk the dog. I carry a Dictaphone to record my ideas, even partial ones that I can develop later. This leaves my brain open to new thoughts.

Before I had my Dictaphone, I would spend the entire walk trying to remember a single detail, repeating it until I got home. Note book and pen I don’t carry; I’d need an A4 pad and would probably get prosecuted for littering.

I have a routine of sorts: 2pm till 4.30pm is my writing time. I make sure I am fed and watered, have my cosy jogging bottoms on and an empty bladder. No music, and I put the cat out as he licks incessantly and it drives me crazy.

When I get stuck on a sentence or direction, I remember the other times I got stuck and KNOW it will come and it always does… in the end.

So this is my virtual book tour which I hope is going well.

I am Paulyanna, International Rent-boy. I’m putting my life up to be judged so if you enjoy the read, please spread the word. Recommend me to friends. Review me.

Many thanks, PDL.

About the book
Title: Paulyanna International Rent Boy
Author: Paul Douglas Lovell
Publisher: Self Published
Formats Available In: Digital
Released: September 2013

Paulyanna: International Rent-boy is an honest and frank portrayal of a working-class male prostitute’s life.

Many factors contribute in delivering the main character onto the streets. Some very typical such as early abandonment, poverty, lack of education and sexual abuse. But Paul does not dwell too much on the past and refuses to allow these events to mar his ambition.

At eighteen a lost train ticket leaves him stranded in the city after a job interview. He uses his questionable wits to make a quick decision that steers him down a rather dodgy path.

Without added glamour or grit, Paul shares the raw accounts of his life as a rent-boy in the 90s, from London to Los Angeles. It may not have been pretty, and there was risk and danger as well as fun and thrills, but Paul had the audacity to succeed in his quest to obtain happiness, security and wealth.

This is not an erotic tale. It is an ordinary account of day-to-day life as viewed from a unique perspective. A peek into what really goes on behind the glassy-eyed smile of a male street worker. Read about his life in this optimistic and fascinating roadbook adventure.

Amazon UK

About the author

A Black Country Lad who now lives in the Black Boy Land or Schwarzbubenland as it is called in Switzerland. Life started off badly and after spending a big part of it on the margins of society working as a rent-boy (gay male prostitute) I eventually found my husband (civil partner) in 2000 and a new chapter in my life began.

Years on and we are still very happily married, or at least I am. He kept every single one of his promises and didn’t tire or change his attitude towards me. Never once have I felt cold, hungry or scared.

I now live in a detached property with a large garden in a small hamlet of 895 residence. Set in the foothills of the Jura mountains. I am surrounded on all sides by hilly forests, a small stream runs through it’s centre. It really is a proper piece of paradise. When I’m feeling extra spiritual it is easy to imagine. We are nestled in the palms of an almighty giant. God if you like. Whom, despite all I had done saw fit to watch over me and guide me to a life worth living. I have a beautiful black cat called Darcy and also a Gordon Setter girl-dog name Asherah. We live an idyllic existence.

I now enjoy the small pleasures in life, gone are the pressures of Big City Life nowadays, I can see sky out of my windows. I experience every season. In the Spring and Summer, whilst out walking in the woods we often make a fire to cook a jumbo sausage. My dog likes sausage walks. Autumn is spend harvesting our homegrown and raking up leaves. I spend a lot of my time gardening. Chopping and stacking wood for the log burner that heats our home throughout the Winter season. I’m a Glippy a glamourous hippy. We are extremely green and energy efficient, I’m a recycling master.

I wear what I call my doggy clothes mostly, saving my glad rags for when visiting the city. I like to pretend I’m living in the olden days and going to town is a really big event. So that is the new improved me. I must admit I do still enjoy cannabis but now, I drink red wine also.

“I always had a dream to become a writer and although not quite there yet am doing everything I can to make it a reality.”

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ENTER THE CONTEST!!! 



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A Couple of Announcements

My sons sometimes play games on a website called TotalJerkface. Well, I'm applying that acronym to myself today because...Book Bloggers International featured me on their site on July 11th and I. forgot. all. about. it. See...total jerkface me! So, I figure I'll announce it now because, although I don't deserve the exposure after my...shall we say, mishap...their site certainly does deserve to be recognized. So, if you forgive me my faux pas, stop by and check out my interview and certainly be sure to browse their site while you're there. Maybe when you're featured, you won't forget. Doh!

In other news...

Check out the Thrift Books Pinterest Contest! The page to find out how to enter is HERE (or click the image above). The Thrift Books contest pin is HERE. The contest runs until July 30, 2013 and is open to U.S. residents only.

Grand Prize is one (1) $50 gift card to Thriftbooks.com. Two (2) $25 gift cards to Thriftbooks.com will be awarded to two (2) runners-up. Winners selected based on their answers to "What’s your favorite book and why?" Prizes are only redeemable on Thriftbooks.com.

Here's the link to my board with my top ten, if you want to take a look at how it's done: http://pinterest.com/truebookaddict/my-thrift-books-top-10/

If you enter, good luck! And stop back by and share the link to your top ten. =O)

{Book Tour} Review--Oxford Whispers by Marion Croslydon {plus contest}

OXFORD WHISPERS

By

Marion Croslydon

Two star-crossed lovers in the English Civil War

A painting with haunting powers

A murderous ghost back for revenge

Madison LeBon is dead set against the dead. She has vowed to ignore her Voodoo-stamped heritage and the psychic gift passed down through her Louisiana family. The world of the living is where she wants to belong.

But her resolution shatters when the ill-fated lovers in a painting—the subject of her first history class at Oxford—begin to haunt her. The lovers warn her against their own nemesis, a Puritan from the English Civil War.

In misty present-day Oxford, Madison embarks on a quest to unravel the secrets of the past and understand her personal bond with the painting. To protect herself, she must learn to accept her gift before life imitates art, in all its tragedy.

College becomes more complicated when she falls hard for Rupert Vance, a troubled aristocrat and descendant of one of the characters in the painting.

With the spirit of a murderer in hot pursuit, Madison comes to realize that her own first love may be doomed…

Based on a real Pre-Raphaelite painting, Oxford Whispers is full of romance, drama and suspense.

Fall in love for the first time… Again.

About the author:
I am a true citizen of the world. I was born in West Africa, grew up in the South of France, and studied in Vienna, Paris, Berlin, Cape Town, and Oxford before finally settling down in London. This wide variety of cities has provided lots of inspiration for my writing. Talk about culture exposure!

In addition to being an author, I work as an entrepreneur, wife and mother-of-one but spend a good deal of time with books, DVDs and listening to my mp3 player; all for the sake of inspiration, of course. My debut series, The Oxford Trilogy, has been a blast to write because I can indulge in my favorite types of music: Country and English rock.

My main goal as a writer is to make readers dream bigger and cause their hearts to beat a little faster. Since my writing is all about sharing dreams and stories, I love connecting with fellow readers and authors.

Visit the author:
www.marioncroslydon.com 
www.twitter.com/mcroslydon
www.facebook.com/marioncroslydon
www.youtube.com/user/marioncroslydon.



My thoughts:
Oxford Whispers has a premise that I really like in a book.  A contemporary novel which is also a historical novel, as it switches back and forth from the present to the past.  There is also the edition of a famous pre-Raphaelite painting that adds to the mystery of the past.  I'm a sucker for books that derive a story from famous paintings.  The story of Madison and Rupert and how they are tied to the past are depicted in the William Shakespeare Burton painting, The Wounded Cavalier.  Gorgeous painting (see below).  So, of course, the parts of the book that tell of the past were what drew my interest.  Unfortunately, I wish I could have felt more of a connection with the modern day characters of Madison and Rupert.  Madison especially just came across too good to be true to me.  A Louisiana girl who has a voodoo heritage, who went to Yale and at one point she says she's from Boston and that she has an ancestor who was in the Salem witch trials.  I guess the ancestor from Salem had to be introduced to explain Madison's connection to the past in England.  And then there's Rupert, a suave, aristocratic man who smokes cigarettes like the Marlboro man.  It just doesn't fit.  Maybe I just don't read enough paranormal romance to understand how this type of book works, but I just found the interaction of the characters corny and contrived.  But again, that is only in regards to the contemporary characters.  The historical parts of the book were good.  It was easy to sense the Puritanical time that the author was depicting and the strife of the English Civil War.  In all, I would say to give this one a read if you like historical novels and switches from past to present.  That is enough to make the book worthwhile.

Note:  It has been pointed out to me that the character who is from Boston and has the Salem ancestor was not Madison, but, in fact, was Jackson.  I do apologize to the author for that misstep.  I totally read that part wrong!

The Wounded Cavalier--William Shakespeare Burton, 1855

GIVEAWAY:
Marion will be giving away a $20 New Adult Reading pack --i.e. selected NA titles on Amazon to one commenter on the tour)! Check out all the stops on the TOUR for more chances to win.

Click the button to visit the tour schedule:

Thanks to Goddess Fish for having me on the tour!

{Book Tour} Review--The 2012 Book Blogger's Cookbook and {Contest}

My thoughts:
Don't read The 2012 Book Blogger's Cookbook if you're hungry.  It will have you rushing to the kitchen to eat God knows what and you still will not be satisfied because it's not what's in the book.  You've been warned!

This cookbook is an amazing concept.  It's the marriage of books, recipes, and book reviews.  Each recipe matches a theme or an element of the book it's paired with.  We get delicious ideas for food to make while also learning about books and what some book bloggers thought of them.  I think it's brilliant.  I thought so last year with the 2011 edition and I'm of a same mind with this year's edition.

The books featured are predominantly of the young adult genre with a few middle grade titles and a couple of adult titles thrown in.  If I had one suggestion, it would be to add more adult titles for those of us who read more adult books than YA.  I can think of some amazing historical fiction titles that would be great in a future Book Blogger's cookbook.

I recommend this cookbook to anyone who loves to cook, or loves food in general, and to those who love books.  I'm looking forward to the future editions.  Keep them coming, Christy!

Christy was nice enough to let me feature my favorite recipe from the book in my post today.  I love all things pumpkin and I can't wait to get in the kitchen to make this one!


Polite Pumpkin Custard

Scary School, by Derek the Ghost, is a downright frightening place to be. Children who lag behind, or are unruly in library class, are likely to get eaten. You may survive if you step lightly around Principal Headcrusher and steer clear of Mr. Dragonbreath. At least Sue the Amazing Octo-Chef can whip you up a delicious, if dubious dessert. Charlie Newkid is the first to figure out that Sue’s amazing pumpkin custards will stop to let you eat them, if you ask them politely. You, too, can enjoy this creamy, crust-less custard, if you say pretty please.

Filling:
1 (15 ounce) canned pumpkin
2 eggs
1 cup half and half cream
1 cup brown sugar, packed
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ teaspoon ginger
½ teaspoon nutmeg
½ teaspoon salt

Topping:
¼ cup brown sugar, packed
¼ cup pecans, chopped
1 tablespoon butter, melted
Whipped cream and ground cinnamon for garnish

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl combine all of the filling ingredients. Beat until smooth and pour into five greased custard cups (or small hollowed out pumpkins, if available).

Place in a 13x9 inch baking pan. Pour hot water around the cups until the bottoms are in an inch of standing water. Bake, uncovered, for 20 minutes.

For the topping, combine the brown sugar, pecans and butter. Sprinkle it over the custard. Put the custards back in the oven for 30-35 minutes. Serve warm or chilled. Top with whipped cream and cinnamon, if desired. Store in the refrigerator. Serves 5.

**********************

The 2012 Book Blogger's Cookbook is a community project from some of the blogosphere's best book bloggers in a simple, easy to read format. The cookbook combines a love of reading and dining to help you find books you'll devour and recipes you can't put down.

You’ll love The Book Blogger’s Cookbook because…

The Book Blogger’s Cookbook has 50 different book reviewers from every corner of the blogosphere. It bridges the gap between author and reader—putting you in touch with book reviewers who can separate the 5 star books from the mediocre.

The Book Blogger’s Cookbook showcases great reads and provides an interactive experience with links to author and book reviewer websites. The cookbook is created for those who like to experience what they read long after they’ve closed the book.

The Book Blogger’s Cookbook tells why each recipe complements its companion book. Recipes and books combine to make the reading experience satisfying and entertaining.

Book Contest
Every person who comments on one of the blogs during the tour will be entered to win a grand prize: a copy of every book featured in The 2012 Book Blogger's Cookbook (22 in all, over $200 value).  Please include your email address for winner contact.

Check out the TOUR SCHEDULE to visit the other participating blogs.

About the author:
Christy Dorrity loves to read about cooking and cook about reading. She was taught early to have a discriminating taste for both books and food. Christy grew up on a trout ranch in Star Valley, Wyoming. She taught elementary school and lives in the mountains with her husband Devon and their five young children. When Christy's not reading or writing, she's probably trying out a new recipe in the kitchen.

www.christydorrity.com

twitter: @christydorrity

LAST CALL TO HELP A GIRL OUT...TWO DAYS LEFT TO VOTE

Many of you know that I entered a flash fiction story contest a couple of weeks ago over at Devin O'Branagan's writing forum.  Well, it's coming to a close and I'm making a last ditch effort to get people over there to vote.  Because of the rules, I can't reveal to you which story is mine.  However, I can hope against hope that mine will be your favorite.  So, if you haven't already, please head over (HERE) and vote for your fave.  Last day to vote is Thursday, June 30.  I really appreciate it and to show you how much, I baked you these virtual cupcakes! Thank you. ;O)

FLASH FICTION CONTEST...PLEASE VOTE!

Did you know that author Devin O'Branagan's website has an awesome forum about everything to do with writing?  I do now.  Thanks to my friend Sally Wolf, A Writer Writes Always, I discovered this site very recently.  And because of losing a reading duel (long story) between Sally and myself, my side of the bargain was to enter a story in June's flash fiction contest.  And I did just that! So, what I need from you is to go vote.  Now I can't tell you which story is mine.  Rules of the contest are that the stories are anonymous to prevent voter flooding.  All I can ask you to do is go and vote for your favorite and hopefully, mine will be your favorite! Voting is open until June 30 at 9pm MST.  Please go HERE to vote and while you're there, take a look around at the forum.  Remember, Devin hosts the flash fiction contest every month so if you do any writing at all (and I know many of you do), you might want to think about entering next month.

After the winners are announced, whether I win or lose, I will be posting my story on my writing blog, The Story Inside Me.

DO YOU iCLUE?

WIN BREATHLESS

Click the banner to enter!

BOOK TOUR: REVIEW OF BLUE BY LOU ARONICA AND CONTEST--ORIGINAL POST DATE 3/3/11

*UPDATED TO REFLECT CONTEST...DETAILS BELOW*

Blue by Lou Aronica
finished reading on March 3, 2011

My thoughts:

Note:  Personally, I do not feel that this review contains spoilers, but you may want to read it cautiously, just in case.

What would you do if your daughter had cancer at age five?  What would you do to help get her through the painful cancer treatments?  Well, Chris Astor and his daughter Becky create a world together called Tamarisk...and it turns out this world is real.

I have to admit I was skeptical when I began reading this book, but that did not last.  The author has constructed such a terrific blending of the real and fantastical world.  The realities of cancer and divorce and their effects on a family and the fantasy of a world created in story to help a young girl overcome her pain do not seem like they would meld together, but in this book, they do.  I loved the characters, especially Becky's dad, Chris.  Never have I encountered such a devoted father.  A father that believes in his daughter so much that he does not hesitate to believe her when she tells him Tamarisk is real.  And the world building of Tamarisk was fantastic...and believable.   

Let me warn you...be sure to have a box of tissues beside you when you approach the last quarter of the book, especially if you are a parent.  I always say this, and it rings true time and time again, I know a book is good when it makes me cry (even though I HATE being sad).  I highly recommend this book.  Remember what I said, I was skeptical in the beginning.  But if you start reading it, don't give up on it.  If you do, you will be missing out on one terrific book.



The author

 Book description (from goodreads):
Chris Astor is a man in his early forties who is going through the toughest stretch of his life. Becky is Chris's fourteen-year-old daughter, a girl who overcame enormous challenges to become a vibrant, vital young woman - and now faces her greatest obstacle yet. Miea is the young queen of a fantasy land that Becky and Chris created when Becky was little, a fantasy land that has developed a life of its own and now finds itself in terrible, maybe fatal trouble. Together, Chris, Becky, and Miea need to uncover a secret. The secret to why their worlds have joined at this moment. The secret to their purpose. The secret to the future. It is a secret that, when discovered, will redefine imagination for all of them. Blue is a novel of trial and hope, invention and rediscovery. It might very well take you someplace you never knew existed

You can read all about the author, Lou Aronica, HERE on goodreads.

I'd like to thank Tracee at Pump Up Your Book for giving me the opportunity to read and review this wonderful book.

CONTEST!!!

How often do you hear about something that sounds too good to be true? Well, I am here to offer 10 lucky winners the opportunity of a lifetime.
New York Times bestselling co-author, novelist, and former Publisher of Avon Books andBerkley Books, Lou Aronica has created a unique and exciting offer to anyone that is going to follow his upcoming book tour with Pump Up Your Book. His extensive experience in the publishing and editing fields has given him insight into an industry that continues to grow and change daily. Once again, that insight has led him to offer a contest that is truly special in so many ways. Lou will be accepting story pitches from followers of his blog tour. These story pitches must be for short stories pertaining to the fantasy world of his novel, “Blue.”This contest will allow 10 lucky people the opportunity of a lifetime, the chance to have their story published in an upcoming companion anthology to “Blue.” Lou will hand pick the winners, edit their stories, include them in the anthology and give them a pro-rated share of the royalties. How can you pass up an opportunity like this?


Now for the details:


The pitch should include a synopsis of the proposed story and a sample of the submitting author’s fiction writing. Specify the expected length of the story.


The pitch needs to be submitted by April 16, 2011
Please email your submission to Lou at laronica@fictionstudio.com

All winners will be notified by email by May 27, 2011.

I received a copy of Blue in conjunction with a book tour from a publicity firm for my honest review and did not receive any monetary compensation.

VOTE FOR ME...PLEASE!

I'm going to attempt this post...and hope I don't lose connection! I created a button for Brizmus Blogs Books' create a button contest for Japanese Friday or Nihon no Kinyoubi.  She has a poll up on her blog here.  My button is #7.  Voting is open until September 5.  Please vote for me...thanks! Here is what mine looks like:

P.S. I took me over two hours to post this...aaaargh!

=O)

Contest: Sex Gone Wrong...Songs Done Badly

My friend Ryan (Wordsmithonia) is hosting this awesome contest! Here are the details:

This is a contest that grew out of a discussion I was having with a few friends the other day. After listening to Lick It from Roula in my friends car, we got into a argument about how bad the song truly is. We all loved it when it first came out, a thousand years ago, when we were in our early 20s and going out all the time, not so much anymore. Now I listen to it and find it horribly silly and immature. The sadder thing for me is that with all the songs about sex, which there are thousands of, most of them are not that sexy. A lot of them are just down right absurd.

So this is what I want to do, I want to hold a contest asking everyone what they view as the worst "sex song" ever made. It can be done right silly to the point you can't take it seriously, written with such horrible analogies and comparisons you never want to have sex again, or just down right gross and nasty that it leaves mind numbing images in your head. Even if it's the video that makes you blush and cringe at the same time, feel free to nominate it for that reason as well.

So Here Are The Rules: The contest will run in two stages. The first will be the nomination stage which will run for two weeks ending on 05/01/2010 at 11:59 PM. Anyone who wants to nominate a song will have to write a blog post detailing the contest and either a video or a link to a video that showcases the song they are nominating. Please write a short reason for why you think the song you are nominating is the worst of the lot. Come back to this post and leave a link to your post.

The second stage is that I will pick my 5 "favorite" nominated songs which will be announced in a second blog post. You will then have1 week, starting on 5/2/2010 and ending on 5/08/2010, to vote for your pick for Worst Sex Song Ever.

And Here Is The Reward: The winner will get a $15 itunes giftcard.


Here is my nomination:

I loved this song back in the day, but now that I'm older...and a mother...it really gives me the creeps.  Why?  Because it's about a grown man lusting after a teenage girl...ICK!

Cradle of Love--Billy Idol


Billy Idol - Cradle of Love - Click here for another funny movie.


What do you think?

Read-a-thon Contest Craze

Princess Bookie has got the coolest Contest Craze going on over at her blog.  Be sure to check it out before you miss something great!

If you promote Contest Craze in some way, you get entered for an ARC prize pack from a kind donor! So head over and get entering...and promoting! =O)

Remake a Book Cover 2

Princess Bookie is having another Remake a Book Cover contest in her Contest Craze which is in preparation for Dewey's Read-a-Thon coming up on April 10th.  Check out my latest entry:

What do you think?  Be sure to watch for when the voting starts.  Wish me luck!

Recreate a Book Cover!

Once again, Princess Bookie is having her Recreate a Book Cover Contest.  I thought I would give it a shot this time.  So here is my entry:

What do you think?

$200 LuShae Jewelry Sweepstakes

$200 LuShae Sweepstakes


Enter our online competition for the chance to win $200 cash (to spend anywhere you like). Simply display one of our jewelry badges on your blog, website or social profile page and be automatically entered each and every month. The sweepstake giveaway is open to all countries.

Every entrant will also receive a 15% discount off the entire LuShae Jewelry range!

About Jewelry Art Designs


Jewelry art designs offers a unique range of authentic sterling silver jewelry with a wide range of precious and semi precious gemstones. We follow celebrity and fashion jewelry trends sourcing the most contemporary high grade pieces available ensuring unmatched quality and value. We also operate a number of other retail websites in the fashion industry and have been operating online since 1999.

We are a privately owned company and genuinely committed to providing an excellent buying experience. Our entire product offering is backed by our returns and exchange policy. As always we welcome all feedback and suggestions as we constantly review our sales and supply processes. (from LuShae Jewelry site)

I looked through the site and they have some really gorgeous jewelry! I'm a sucker for sterling silver and diamonds!

Click the LuShae link above to go to the site and get a badge to post on your blog for the sweepstakes and to enter.

Good luck!

Happy Birthday to Me & My First Giveaway!

In recognition of my 41st (yikes!) birthday today, I've decided to host my first giveaway! My plan was to pick a book from my very own crowded library and then I bought this book at a used book sale last weekend and realized (duh) that I already have it in an omnibus edition...oops! This is a discarded library copy in excellent condition. 

Here is the prize:

A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin

Synopsis:
Often compared to Tolkien's Middle-earth or Lewis's Narnia, Ursula K. Le Guin's Earthsea is a stunning fantasy world that grabs quickly at our hearts, pulling us deeply into its imaginary realms. Four books (A Wizard of Earthsea, The Tombs of Atuan, The Farthest Shore, and Tehanu) tell the whole Earthsea cycle--a tale about a reckless, awkward boy named Sparrowhawk who becomes a wizard's apprentice after the wizard reveals Sparrowhawk's true name. The boy comes to realize that his fate may be far more important than he ever dreamed possible. Le Guin challenges her readers to think about the power of language, how in the act of naming the world around us we actually create that world. Teens, especially, will be inspired by the way Le Guin allows her characters to evolve and grow into their own powers.

In this first book, A Wizard of Earthsea readers will witness Sparrowhawk's moving rite of passage--when he discovers his true name and becomes a young man. Great challenges await Sparrowhawk, including an almost deadly battle with a sinister creature, a monster that may be his own shadow. (from Amazon.com)

The Rules:

• Sorry, but this is open to U.S. entries only. (I promise I will do an international someday!)
• For one entry, leave a comment with your email address.
• +1 if you are a follower of my blog (new followers are welcome).
• +1 if you follow me on Twitter (@truebookaddict) or click button on left sidebar (be sure to leave your handle).
• +1 if you Tweet the contest and/or post a link on your sidebar (must leave me a link).
• You may do all in one comment, but please list each item that you did.  Again, don't forget to leave me links, Twitter handle and your email address.
• The deadline for entry is midnight (CST) on November 1, 2009.
• I will announce the winner here and send them an email.
• You must respond within 48 hours with your mailing address (no P.O. Boxes) or I will pick a new winner.

Thanks for entering and GOOD LUCK!

Now I'm going to eat some birthday cake =o)