Falling into Paradise -- A Review

I give Falling Into Paradise by Kamy Chetty...

 **** (4 stars)

First impressions are often REALLY GOOD ones:

Dr. Sophie Redmond, the once-bitten-twice-shy, highly structured, and distant city doctor, determined to be among the top of her field in a male dominated career.

Sheriff Damon Watson, the easy-going, charming country sheriff, who is all that and a bag of chips... and knows it!

The chemistry between these main two characters sizzles from the beginning. Kamy Chetty has developed these characters well and you can tell. Both characters are strong - they know how the game is played and know how to play it! It is exciting to "watch" the two dance around each other, hiding their own secrets and finding the right buttons to push with each other.

It gets steamy fast and is well written. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes a good, sexy romance novel.  I'm not the biggest fan of romance, but this is a good one.

About the Book...

Damon Watson was happy to let the hospital investigators deal with the case of ‘Dr Death’, he didn’t need reminders of the past. The mother of the Montgomery baby was his first love. So he was not on their most-liked list. So when the tabloids see fit to crucify Sophie Richmond, Damon intervenes. Deeply hurt by the past Sophie trusts no one and keeps to herself. Unfortunately her solitude makes people suspect her of malevolence, forcing her to flee and prove her innocence. With nowhere to go and no one to trust she is forced to put her faith in Damon, the sheriff of Paradise Falls (fictional town). A man she always thought was too cute for his own damn good and too flippant to be useful. Their attraction burns hotter than the heat wave sweeping the State of Georgia, and they’re both forced into situations testing them in the most arduous way. Despite having his own agenda, Damon continues to help Sophie hoping to reveal a few skeletons in the Montgomery’s cupboards. The time he spends with Sophie makes him realize the past doesn’t seem as important anymore but if Sophie knows the whole truth about his relationship with the prominent Georgia family, she will never trust him. When Sophie gets her chance to prove her innocence in a sting operation, she learns to trust again falling for Damon. Together they find their happily ever after.

About the Author

My daughter tells me I have the best job in the world and at times I tend to agree with her, but when I have these characters in my head that refuse to leave me until I get them on paper then I don’t. The truth is I do love my job. I get to create a world of my own and most of the time I get to do what I want in my world except of course when my characters decide they know best. Was this an easy journey to get to this point. No. It took a lot of hard work and believing in yourself when most times you want to give up. But I am really lucky to have had people who believed in me. I was really lucky to have believed in myself. So my advice to you is- never ever give up on your dreams. Life would be too boring if we didn’t dream What makes me, me;-) …. Visit Kamy online at her Website

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Review --- Of Gaea

Of Gaea by Victoria Escobar - Review

An Amazing YA Contemporary Fantasy... released March 20, 2013!!! You will want to go get this one! I give it Five Quasars!!! (simple stars just won't do)

Blurb-

Ari had always taken her mobility for granted. She was a track and field star, an archery champion and an Eskrima pro. One selfish action changed all of that, though. Now confined to a wheelchair, Ari yearns for those days to return.

Ari has been searching the last eight months for a cure with no progress. Her best friend Sasha is the only thing keeping her from completely giving up. Following some vague advice, Ari turns away from medical science and starts researching alternative methods of healing. Suddenly, she finds herself tangled in a web of lies, questioning everything she’s ever known as truth.

She’s thrown headfirst into a world of good and evil, magic and Gods she didn’t know existed. Ari learns she will have a choice to make on her eighteenth birthday that will change everything. For everyone. But how does she know her choice will be the right one?

My Thoughts:

Victoria Escobar has a captivating style of writing. Her characters are well developed and easy to follow and relate to. The small details of Ari's struggles with her wheelchair are vivid and clearly shows the extent of forethought Ms. Escobar used in developing this story. Ari is a strong person that doesn't let her disability get in her way. She has a marvelously diverse collection of people around her, both supportive and negative. Ari's character could inspire her readers and Sasha could steal your heart!

Throughout the entire story, each twist and turn propelled me onward. Ms. Escobar had me from the beginning and it pained me each time I had to stop reading. The action and involvement never lags and even the few type-O’s fade away. Trust me, I find errors in everything I read, but I didn't even care about them when reading Of Gaea!

I LOVE this book and I can't wait for the next book in the Of Legacies Series to come out!!! I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys getting lost in a great book.

About the WONDERFUL Author:

Once upon a time, long, long ago, Victoria was born in sunny Florida, except it wasn’t sunny; it was the middle of the night. Midnight actually, well, two minutes past, but she tried really hard for midnight. Victoria has been to twenty one schools in her lifetime. With all the continual switching around, she’s relied on her imagination for friends and books for close companions. In high school she remained apart from the whole and spent most of her time in the library either reading or writing.

Currently, Victoria has set down roots in New York with her family. She still reads and writes every day. She finished her debut novel Of Gaea in the fall of 2012 and is working on the sequel and many other projects.




Author Links:

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Goodreads

Website

The Reborn: The Book of Dain by Casse Narome

 

Title ~ The Reborn: The Book of Dain
Author ~ Casse Narome
Genre ~YA Paranormal Romance

Release Date ~ 3/21/13 

Publisher ~ Bayou Brew Publishing

Excerpt

Oh my God. I held my breath. This was going to happen. The giddiness was almost too much to take, but as she unzipped my pants, I heard a door upstairs open and close with a bang.

We both froze.

Bonnie’s eyes opened wide with obvious terror.

“Holy shit,” I whispered. “Your parents?”

She shook her head and pushed me off of her. “Worse. My brothers.”

I jumped up and scooped up our shirts before I tossed her one. I buttoned my jeans in a mad rush and shook out the shirt as the basement door opened. I glanced at the shirt in my hand, frowned at how tiny it looked, and groaned. Yes, I had tossed Bonnie a shirt, the wrong shirt. As the stairs creaked, I looked over at Bonnie and her enormous eyes widened even more.

“That’s mine,” she whispered, my shirt nearly drowning her body.

I groaned again as two boys stepped into the room and one pair of feet stopped just an inch from a condom that I must have abandoned when Bonnie had pushed me away.

I saw the guys soak in the scene—me with no shirt on, Bonnie swallowed by the wrong one. The taller of the two bent and picked up the condom at his feet. Where was the second condom? Collectively, our gazes moved to my hand where the second condom and Bonnie’s shirt still lingered.

I couldn’t move, other than to let the shirt and the partially opened condom wrapper fall from my hand. Bonnie shut her eyes tight as the condom, of course, landed on top of the shirt.

Both guys frowned angrily as they glared at me.

The smaller one, who still stood at six foot something, spoke, “Your fly is open.”I was dead.


Author Bio
Casse Narome is the alter-ego of a self-proclaimed awesome weirdo who spent her childhood reading and daydreaming. As an adult that is also how she spends her time only now she writes her daydreams down for everyone to read. Casse is never serious, has been accused of wishing her life was a sitcom, laugh track and all, has a bad habit of talking out loud to herself and she is fine with being a little insane. She spends way too much time online, too much money buying books and laughing at her own jokes. You will find her on Twitter being very random and spewing her opinions. When you see her online, tell her to get back to her writing! Or just engage her in a hilarious random conversation. She blogs book reviews and the adventures of being a writer at www.CatholicKittie.blogspot.com & www.CasseNarome.blogspot.com She is an avid tweeter www.twitter.com/catholickittie She is also on Facebook www.facebook.com/CasseNarome.

Next Couple Days Tour Schedule

March 26th

Reading Renee - Excerpt, Top Tens Post, Tour Wide Giveaway

Cu’s e-Book Give Aways  -Review, Tour Wide Giveaway

Inger Iversen - Excerpt, Tour Wide Giveaway

Rose’s Book Corner - Excerpt, Tour Wide Giveaway

March 27h

Reading is My Time Out - Review, Excerpt, Tour Wide Giveaway

As You Wish Reviews - Guest Post, Excerpt, Tour Wide Giveaway

Tamara’s One Stop Indie Shop - Excerpt/Skype Interview with Author

March 28th

A Crazy Vermonter’s Book Reviews - Review & Tour Wide giveaway

The Next Chapter - Excerpt, Tour Wide Giveaway

Paperrdolls - Excerpt

Tour Wide Giveaway

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Weighing in on Witch Weigh by Caroline Mickelson

Witch Weigh

by Caroline Mickelson

Don't forget to enter:  a Rafflecopter giveaway 

I have to give this adorable, romantic comedy 4.5 ♥'s.

Contessa Von Hellengaard starts as a self-absorbed, high-and-mighty witch with a feisty temper.  While you hope that she gets what she deserves, you can't help but connect with her as she finds herself in a situation ridiculously well suited to her needs.  Along with her familiar, Jinx, Tessa finds her life weighing in the balance and coming up short.  The timely intervention of her coven, led by her Aunt Trudy, starts Tessa through a masterfully designed obstacle course that opens her eyes to her true fate.

The characters are well developed and enjoyable to watch as they grow and change.  While this is a novella, it is the perfect size.  Caroline Mickelson has a great sense of timing, humor, and irony.  This fast paced story takes you where you need to go.  If getting there is half the fun, Witch Weigh delivers a full serving.  It is a delightful story that I would feel comfortable recommending to anyone.  I'm definitely putting Caroline Mickelson on my "to watch" list.

Excerpt:

Fifteen sinful minutes late, Tessa swung the Mercedes into a circle drive with only a minimal amount of flying gravel to announce her arrival. She grabbed her black leather satchel and eyed the occupant of the passenger seat.

“No, you may not come. I’m tired of you following me everywhere I go.” She half closed the door and then hesitated before flinging it open. “Oh, come on then. You’d better watch yourself though or you’ll end up as annoying as a dog.”

She slammed the car door as soon as Jinx, her sleek black short hair cat, jumped out and made his all too entitled way to the front door of the Tudor home where the council met. The cat was the least of her problems this morning.

Tessa sailed down the hallway. The interior was dim and over-decorated, paying homage to the Victorian style that her Aunt Trudy so loved. Much of Tessa’s childhood had been spent in this very home and she knew it, and failed to appreciate it, the same way she did her own.

About the Author

Caroline Mickelson loves her family and loves to write. She also loves a good adventure, among her favorites thus far were attending graduate school in a Scottish castle, riding a camel around the Pyramids in Giza, and taking a best-in-a-lifetime road trip to Graceland. Caroline lives in the American southwest with her husband and their four children, affectionately known as The Miracles.

For more information please visit Caroline’s website:

www.carolinemickelson.com

Check out the excitement of today's other stops and follow the tour to tomorrow's stops also!!!!

March 22nd

                    -Stacey @ Sassy Book Lovers-

Author Spotlight, Excerpt & Giveaway

                    -Kelli @ Kelli’s Book Reviews-

Excerpt, Giveaway

March 23rd

- Lana @ Girls *Heart* Books- 
Review

                  -Brandy @ Romancebookworm’s Reviews-Review & Spotlight

The Beasty Blog Tour

Today we have the privilege of having the two stars of the new novel: Beast Anew with us. Please welcome Gabriel Slade and Luna Grace... (applaud now!!!)

Book Trailer:

~HTML/Embed Code-

~YouTube Link- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzoRwRpfXpg&feature=youtu.be

Blurb:

Gabriel Slade has returned to take his rightful place as Captain of The General's army. Luna stayed behind to nurse a broken heart and a precious secret that could mean the end of all mankind.

Human's possessed by the spirits of the dead are searching the earth for a child that will have the power to bring the apocolypse upon the world. Gabriel must find this child if he hopes to keep order and peace with the humans, but his heart keeps getting in the way. He must save the world from darkness, while making the one decision that could cost him everything.

Gabe once thought that roaming the earth as a hideous, angry beast was his curse. Now, without the love of his life he feels more helpless than before.



The Interview...
 Gabriel Slade:

Who cursed you, and what would that person give as 

the reason? 

The General cursed me. I was a Captain in His army 

and I purposefully disregarded an order that was a 

matter of life and death for many people. 

Do you think you deserved to be cursed?  

Yes, I deserved to be cursed, but I think 2000 years might have been a little overkill. 

With such a temperament as you have, can you tell us what it is about Luna that makes a difference? 

Luna...isn't afraid of me nor is she intimidated by 

my "growliness". She loves me despite my curse and 

that means everything to me. 

Thank you so much Mr. Slade... Now lets see how Luna is doing...
Luna Grace:

How did chance bring Gabriel to you?  

I don't think it was chance that brought me to Gabe. I was always meant to be 

with him. I was born to break his curse. 

What is it that makes you try breaking Gabriel's curse?

I was afraid to break his curse. After I found out who and what he was I knew it meant he would have to leave me. But I loved him and it was what he wanted more 

than anything. 

How did you learn about his secret in the first place?

I may have been eavesdropping... Oops. I wasn't supposed to find out the way I 

did. I overheard Gabe and Devonshire talking in the study...I really just wanted to know where Gabes brush was so I could fix my hair...instead...well...yea.

Thank you so much Luna and Gabriel for visiting us today.  

For those of you who would like to read more about this amazing couple, check out their newest book by author 

- Tiffany Clarke:  

A Beast Within (book 1) 

& 

A Beast Anew (book 2)

Tyffani Clark Kemp has been writing since she discovered in the sixth grade that it wasn't enough just to read about fantastic places, but she could create her own. She weaves small bits of herself into everything she writes whether it be a science fiction piece about aliens or a dramatic romance fraught with conflict and love. She lives in South Carolina with her family and her fluffy shii tzu-mix dog who things he's a Saint Bernard. 

Links: 

 ~Goodreads- http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6557179.Tyffani_Clark_Kemp 

 ~Amazon- http://www.amazon.com/Tyffani-Clark-Kemp/e/B009R9H80A/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1358998370&sr=1-1-catcorr 

 ~Facebook- http://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Tyffani-Clark-Kemp/187726197931814?ref=hl 

 ~Twitter- https://twitter.com/MovieStarEyes 

 ~Website- www.tyffanickemp.com 

~Goodreads- http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17281852-beast-anew

Bad Apple by Barbara Morgenroth

 Bad Apple is available at Amazon.com

Blurb:
"You tell and next time you won't even be able to crawl away."

Neal Marchal lived with this threat for the next eight years. When she finds her neighbor murdered, she knows who did it. The why is the secret the family has been keeping forever. The reminder to never reveal the secret is her limp. 

She rebuilt her life and now Neal has everything to live for--music, performing and a growing affection for the young man who pulled her to safety.

Then Joe comes home. Neal knows Joe's going to finish what he started 8 years ago because she told. But this time Neal vows the outcome will be different.

My Review:

Where to start...

Neil Marchal, in her own words, is a "damaged girl." The dark mysteries and secrets of her complex family unit would be enough to damage anyone -- at least bruise them up a bit. Truly Lambert, an interesting young man, sees past the battered and bruised exterior of Neil and see the preciousness within and does his best to help Neil see it in herself. With the one remaining source of safety in Neil's life, her aunt Maude, this girl must make the best out of what life has handed her.

When I first bit into this story, I hit a bad spot. As I stumbled through the choppy beginning, I sorted through the rough patches and found the seeds of its potential. In my opinion, Barbara Morgenroth has a lot of polishing and culling to do, but I believe that with revisions and more editing there are a few good apples in this book, and that it could turn into a prized possession. There are moments where you can see Ms. Morgenroth's gift for analogies come through. Like when she describes an old, barbed wire fence as "...green with moss and broken like the teeth of a bum." As I continued, I found several points that I could connect to the young protagonist and see that this story does have life in it.

I would love to have the opportunity to read this story again after adjustments are made. I believe that Bad Apple has the potential to become a wonderfully heart-wrenching story.

Barbara Morgenroth Bio:

Barbara was born in New York City and but now lives somewhere else. Starting her career by writing tweens and YA books, she wound up in television writing soap operas for some years. Barbara then wrote a couple cookbooks and a nonfiction book on knitting. She returned to fiction and wrote romantic comedies.

When digital publishing became a possibility, Barbara leaped at the opportunity and has never looked back. In addition to the 15 traditionally published books she wrote, in digital format Barbara has something to appeal to almost every reader from Mature YAs like the Bad Apple series and the Flash series, to contemporary romances like Love in the Air published by Amazon/Montlake, and Unspeakably Desirable, Nothing Serious and Almost Breathing.

NEW RELEASE!!!

To Eris Human has arrived!!!

Be one of the first to get a copy of this amazing new young adult sci-fi!!  

Here are some quotes of what people are saying:

*****

"The fun with reading To Eris – Human is that we get to travel with Eris on her journey from abused, awkward teenager to … well, that’s part of the adventure.  She’s not sure who she is, what she is, where she comes from, or what makes her special.  But Ann Snizek, with her comfortable and fluent writing style, makes it easy for us to tag along, and also allows us to develop a fondness for the characters that keeps us interested.  We get to know the characters on several levels – as the young adults that they are, and as a budding romance -- and that enhances this fun and enjoyable read.  Questions are answered, but, like the good mystery the book also is, there is always more." -- Jamie Ruff, author

*****

5 Stars
My review of Ann Snizek's Book To Eris- Human is certainly a good one.  I have to give this book a five-star Rating.  The lay-out, characters, and the writing of this story was FANTASTIC!!!!!!!  I haven't read a Sci-Fi Fantasy in a long, long while.  It was so refreshing to have read this book.
Eris is certainly an interesting character along with the ones that cross her path.  Eris faces emotional battles along with her identity.  She is awkward at first but once finds her meaning she blooms.  Great creativity by the great Ms. Snizek of entities, magic and the unknown this book is a must read.  So yes I recommend it highly.  If you love sci-fi and special beings GO CHECK THIS OUT.  You won't be disappointed at all. I will be reading this book again LOL.  Now patiently awaiting the next book.  Great Job Ann I Loved It!!!!  :)

Posted by Lynns Read and Reviews at 11:43 PM

*****

5 Stars

OMG! It is 4am and I just now finished this book.  And when you have two kids (ages 5 and 1) you know staying up all night to finish a book knowing your kiddo's get up early that it has to be truly awesomesauce - let's put it this way, if the second one was out already I would be reading it right now.  The characters are relatable and I just love everyone except Eris' "step-mom."  This book is totally different than any other kind of paranormal book I've read.  But Ann officially has me hooked.  Definitely in my top 5 favorites of 2013 so far.  I cannot wait for the second book to come out! She def has me hook liked a fish. lol!
Posted by Jamie Norton-Turner 2/28/13

*****

5 Stars
Overview:
Eris Payton has moved around every 6 months with ‘her mother’ since her father left them at the age of 8. She has never felt in place anywhere. She was never able to make any friends. But then she meets Nelson, who closely resembles the missing brother of Ashley, a girl who lives in the same apartment complex as she does.

Pros:
The story flows really well. Ann makes it hard for you to even want to put down the book. I loved how you get to feel as though you are joining Eris on her journey. Ann makes you feel as though Eris is one of her friends that she introducing you to and not just a character in the book. Nelson, the one whom Eris meets, seems to be more than what he shows but gives to Eris nothing more than who is he is while he struggles with the personal journey of looking like Ashley's missing brother, Matt.

Cons:
Hmmm. It is hard for me to find any faults in this story. I didn’t find, like in most books, any places where the story dragged. Ann is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors and, also, a friend. I will be reviewing her other works on this website as well.

by David R Bennett   http://davidrbennett.wordpress.com/2013/02/28/book-review-to-eris-human 

*****

From the very start this book held my attention.  I found that once I started reading it, that even my beloved fandoms could hardly pull me away, and - ask anyone who knows me - that is quite the accomplishment.  This book started strong and stuck with it till the very end; if it wasn't one thing it was another that snagged me and made me sit and want to read more.  I found that I was holding the Kindle that my mother was letting me use more than I was holding paper books, that is until I reached the end and was left wishing that the book had continued on past Ann's planned ending.  I can honestly say that I have never come across another book quite like this before.  It is a very unique concept that I found shocking and amazing.  As soon as I read the first page, I felt as though I had a connection with Eris - like I was there joining in her experiences, discovering a whole new world than the one she lived in for her entire life.  It's books like this that leave me hungry for more, and I can most certainly say that I was indeed left hungry for more as I read the final page.  I would suggest this book to any teen who loves to read.

Posted 3/9/13: Confessions of a Teenage Bookworm, Micheyla Bartotto

*****

Kj's Review

 Eris has moved again, she and her mother move...a lot. Her memory of her dad is him moving away. As she seems to be making some new friends, she innocently asks about a boy she had seen in the store. Turns out he has been missing for a month and her new friends abandon her, as one of them was his sister.
  Nelson, the boy she saw at the store turns out to be someone...a lucent...that only she can see. He has come to find her and bring her home so that she can help his kind from a deadly virus. Nelson says he knows her father and that he has told him she can help save them; it seems she has special DNA. Eris is torn, should she go? Should she stay with the only person she's really known growing up? An incident occurs as Eris is trying to decide, and off she goes with Nelson to find out more.
  This is a well written story that I loved, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to others. It had so much to it, but I think my overwhelming thought was this story makes me happy. Eris' journey of self-discovery in some ways echoes what so many kids go through these days. Maybe not the same circumstances, but definitely a road all teenager's face to some degree. I am interested to see where the next book will take me, this story is fascinating. I would like to thank Ms. Snizek for giving me this book for an honest review.

Sharpening the Mighty Pen!

"The pen is mightier than the sword" --  Terry Pratchett

The idea that you can accomplish more with well written words than you can through physical violence is an old adage.  It is still true though.  If you don't believe me then just think of some of the most interesting bits in human history and ask yourself why you believe certain people were good and others bad.  It all comes from the viewpoint of the ones that wrote it.

This tool can be extremely powerful.  Examples can be found if you look at wartime propaganda... no matter what side they are from, the written word moved many.  Without a doubt, the most powerful and influential writing can be found in the Bible.  But we aren't going to get into that.

My point is that the pen can be powerful, but just as any other tool it must be properly, regularly, and carefully maintained.  When writing with a pencil you must sharpen it after some time.  It isn't just the physical writing tool that must be sharp however.  The most important tool used in writing is the mind.

It is in your mind that thoughts, words, paragraphs, ideas themselves are formed.  I believe that the more quality writing and variety of writing that you consume -- read -- the easier it will be to demonstrate stronger skills yourself.  Think of it as an apprenticeship to the masters of literature... Whomever the masters of your favorite genre happen to be.

Another major aspect is that you must practice.  Therefore, you must write!  It doesn't have to be a lot, it doesn't have to be all the time, but if you don't use your skills and work at fine tuning them, it will show in your end product.  There are many clichés and adages for this, but you probably already know them.

You must put your passion into your writing.  You are creating something.  Whether you publish it, share it, or just keep it to yourself, you will find that your writing is better when you are at least interested in what you are writing.  How can you ask anyone else to be interested if you aren't?

This said, you also have to expect criticism.  I actually look for it.  Well, not the mean spirited criticism (which you may get at times), but the constructive kind.  I know that my writing can improve... everyone's writing can improve.  It is difficult when you have put a lot of passion into something so much that you can tell if a character would like a movie or a song because you have invested that much in building them.  It is difficult, but necessary.  Many times we are too close to see smaller errors, to realize that we didn't explain something clearly enough in the writing because we already know in our minds, or even to see how certain events are completely missing.

When you are invested in your work, it is hard to look at it objectively.  What I have found to work the best for me is to set my work aside for a time, and then pull it out and read it as if it is the first time.  If you have the imagination to create characters and settings then you have the imagination needed to pretend you are reading someone else's book... at least to some extent.

Other times you need assistance.  you need someone impartial to evaluate your work and honestly point out inconsistencies or errors.  While what they say will be tainted by their own personal preference and style, you can usually glean something from it.



Don't forget that if you want to publish or if you are writing material for school, work, or whatever you will have an audience.  Your writing has to reflect and be accessible and understandable by the readers.  Granted I am new to the publishing world, but I am here.  I have done a lot of reading and writing in my life.  I know that not everyone will like what I have to say, but I hope that some will.  I enjoy writing and I want others to enjoy reading my work.

Ultimately, keeping your pen sharp will be your job.  It isn't always easy, but if you enjoy something you don't give up with the first hints of difficulty... you push yourself harder.

Dream big, have fun, write more!

What to Read When You Want to Write

With as many varieties available out there, it can be overwhelming to know where to start.  Trust me... I'm brand new at this and dove in head first.  (For those of you concerned, "dove" is a correct form of "dive" in past tense.  Another acceptable form is "dived."  This confused me for a long time, but both are correct.)

There are so many sites to go to that wading through a search engine can be daunting.  However, there are a few general topic sites that I enjoy and have found useful.  I'm hoping that this blog will be a source of help, encouragement, and inspiration for my readers.  For readers that are still in school, or like many of us either never learned it or forgot,  there are a number of sites that can help with the "basics."

I am a Certified ProLiteracy Tutor

If you are having grammar trouble or concerns, Grammar Girl is a great spot to check out (www.grammer.quickanddirtytips.com).  If you have trouble with literacy in general -- or more accurately if you know someone with low literacy -- I love AVKO (www.AVKO.org).  AVKO has reading and spelling tools for varying levels.

For those that are interested in a deeper level of information and assistance, a great site for writing information is Writing Tips Today (www.writing-tipstoday.com).  For information on style, The Chicago Manual of Style (www.chicagomanualofstyle.org) is online and you can even ask the editors questions.  A watchdog for writers is Writer Beware Blog (www.accrisoin.blogspot.com).  Writers Digest (www.WritersDigest.com) provides eNewsletters and TONS of links.  And Wordsmith (www.Wordsmith.org) is great for anyone who loves words and also have an eNewsletter.

Join the club and join our challenge. Make a difference!

Once you feel fairly confident in your writing ability, a great challenge that I have enjoyed in the past is National Novel Writing Month (www.NaNoWrMo.org).  You can keep track of your progress of writing a 50,000-word novel in November.  It is an annual, growing, worldwide challenge and you are able to connect with other participants through this site and share in a support group of over 150,000 writers.  During this time, you don't need to worry so much about the smaller details.  The idea, in my opinion, is more about getting your thoughts down in writing that you can clean up later.  It takes commitment, but it can be enormously fun!  Some amazing books originated from this challenge.

Once you have a finished product, the next step is to decide on publishing options.  This can be a difficult.  The majority of the publishing houses out there do not accept unsolicited manuscripts (you can't send them your book directly).  For these, you must find an agent.

Snow Flower PER

Agents* are there to mediate the contract, from what I understand.  Agent Query (www.agentquery.com) is a great place to find agents, as is the Association of Authors' Representatives (www.aaronline.org).  Some are more involved in the process than others.  The Writer's Market is an annual publication that provides company names, contacts, requirements, and contact information.  It is a great source for any writer wanting to get published.

I use Snow Flower Publishing, Editing & Reviews.  I like to think of it as a hybrid between traditional publishing and self-publishing. 

Then there is the self-publishing avenue.  This is the one that I chose.  Again, there are countless ways of doing this.  My obvious favorite is Smashwords (www.smashwords.com).  They have some great, free ebooks that will help you with formatting and promoting your ebook(s).  So, even if you decide not to use them you can still benefit from the information available.

There are also Printed On Demand (POD) companies.(like www.createspace.com)  These places will take individual orders to print out copies of your book.  I am still deciding which one to go with on this subject, but I think that having your book printed and in your hand must be an amazing feeling.  I know that having a book published as an ebook is an incredible rush.  So, I'm looking forward to holding a printed copy in my hand and having my first book signing!

*With all agents and publishing houses it is always a good idea to check their websites for updated information.  People change jobs and the contact person may be different.  Also, most agents will let you know what they are looking for on their sites and this can change just as easily as jobs.

Valerie: Daughter of the Dragon - spotlight!

Book Info:

Valerie: Daughter of the Dragon

Book #1

By Robert S. Fuller Jr.

Publication Date: November 2012

Book Blurb:

While collaborating on a fashion show, Samantha Hammond, a forty-something Display Manager, draws the attention of the mysterious clothing designer Valerie Ross. Samantha’s journey of self-discovery takes her from the security of her hometown in Lexington, Ohio to the shores of a secluded paradise called Sabbatical Island. As their relationship flourishes, Samantha learns that Valerie harbors a terrifying secret. The revelation thrusts Samantha into a nightmarish world where vampires and witches dwell in the darkness. Pamela Darius, a murderous adversary from Valerie’s past, uses Samantha and those around her as pawns in a deadly game filled with seduction, pain, betrayal, and death.

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About the Author:

Robert is a fan of all things relating to vampires. It’s this obsession with vampires that makes his debut, “Valerie: Daughter of the Dragon”, the perfect vehicle to launch his writing career. Robert was born and raised in Northeast Ohio at a time when late night television stations filled their programming with old horror movies. Robert gravitated towards the motion picture vampire, but also the vampires depicted in the writings of Stephen King, F. Paul Wilson, and Robert McCammon.

Robert worked at JC Penney’s, where he spent 10 years in the Visual Display Department. His love of vampires, and a decade in the retail/fashion industry, provided the inspiration to create his own vampire tale. After several years of writing and re-writing, “Valerie: Daughter of the Dragon” was born.

When Robert isn’t writing, he enjoys going to the movies, or listening to his extensive music collection. Robert is a huge sports fan, but prefers football and baseball to all other sports. One of his favorite pastimes is participating as team owner and Commissioner of a long running fantasy football league. Robert manages to travel to the beaches of South Carolina at least once a year to recharge and enjoy some ocean time. Robert is married to his best friend and soul mate, Jackie. They have a son, Dustin, and two rambunctious cats, Meeps and Benny.

Excerpt:

Valerie has come to Lexington after selecting Samantha’s department store to host her annual fashion show. Valerie has fallen for Samantha and wants to spend more time with her, so she invites her to dinner. Samantha has no idea that Valerie harbors a terrifying secret, but finds herself drawn to the mysterious woman. There is an attraction between them, and here we find the beginnings of that attraction. The tentative first steps enrich the relationship of these two women as they awkwardly gain their confidence.

Valerie pours each of them a glass of wine and raises hers, offering a toast, “to truth, love, and new beginnings.”

They clink their glasses together and Samantha swiftly guzzles hers in a single gulp trying to quiet her nerves. She pauses a second for the wine to settle in her stomach, hoping it will settle her down a little. Part of her dreads what she wants to discuss and how awkward it may sound, but for them to move forward, she needs to get through it.

“Where will we go from here? I’ve been down this road before with someone I thought I’d be with for the rest of my life. I’m just so confused about how I feel and need you to convince me that I am not just a conquest, or some sort of prize you collect,” Samantha confesses nearly breaking down into tears. She pours herself another glass of wine.



“No my dear, you’re not a conquest or a trophy. In fact, I’m a lot like you. I haven’t felt this way about someone in a long time. I don’t pretend to have all the answers, but I believe in fate. Why else would I choose Lexington unless destiny wanted us to meet?” Valerie explains hoping her words break down the barrier that Samantha has built between them.

“Then, here’s to fate,” Samantha exclaims as she raises her glass and downs half of it in a single swallow.