Saturday, March 30, 2013

Wednesday, March 27, 2013

Looking Back Blurb from NO REST FOR THE SPIRIT AND OTHER GHOSTLY TALES

The following is an excerpt from "Marlow Bridge Specter" which can be found in NO REST FOR THE SPIRIT AND OTHER GHOSTLY TALES.




On cool nights when the moon is full, a woman can be seen walking up and down Marlow Bridge. Along with the sobs carried on the wind, the name Peter can be heard.



Rose Dillet grew up in an upper middle class family. As members of the country club, Rose was always going to dances and other social events in town. In school, she was a very good student. Her parents had plans of sending her off to a good finishing school and then on a chaperoned tour of Europe before they married her off. And they had even planned her marriage too, even down to who she would marry and the dress she would wear when she walked down the aisle on her wedding day.

There was only one problem.

Her parents never bothered to consult Rose or her heart which had other plans...

Monday, March 25, 2013

My Monthly Update

This is a new feature for me, but I think it will be a good one.

Working On:
  • I'm trying to get the chapter outline finished for WARRIOR OF ATLANTIS (It's the time of year that everything is happening at school--yearbook deadline, state testing fixing to start--and stuff going on at home.)
  • Planning a sci-fi story--got lots of notes and a general idea.
  • Brushing up the outline for OTHERWORLD DAUGHTER, Book 1 in the OTHERWORLD series.
Other:
  • I'm seriously thinking about changing the covers of book 1 and 2 of the CHILDREN OF ATLANTIS series to make them a little more uniform. On book 1, the main picture will stay, but I'll change the title size and font. Book 2 will have a different picture, and the same font as book 1. I've got plan for the covers of book 3 and 4, and they'll go with the previous.

Friday, March 22, 2013

Weekly Recap #9

I don't know about you, but I'm really, really, really glad the weekend is finally here!

This week, there was a review of Guardian of Atlantis by Gina over at Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers. It's a really AWESOME interview. If you haven't checked it out, you need to do so. Thanks Gina for taking the time, reading the book, and writing the interview.

I also have a Blurb Blitz Tour for How NOT to Train a Zombie coming up in May. You'll definitely have to check it out. A little closer to the start date (May 6), I'll post a list of stops. I'm really excited about this. It's my very first tour!

I've done a lot of thinking about the next thing--a lot of thinking. Guardian of Atlantis and Wrath of Hades are the first two books in my Children of Atlantis series, but there isn't really much resemblance in the covers to show they're part of a series. I want to change that. so over the next few weeks, I will begining the change process. Yes, I'm nervous, but I think it'll be better for the series.

Wednesday, March 20, 2013

Looking Back Blurb from Wrath of Hades

From Wrath of Hades



She stepped out of the darkness and straight into the middle of the Hellhound meeting, and Raven suddenly found herself surrounded by hundreds of Hellhounds.
The room fell silent. All eyes were on her.
“Wow! I didn’t realize there were so many of you,” she said as she looked around the room. Ethan and the others were standing on the far side of the room. Several huge men with wickedly lethal looking swords stood around them. Guards, obviously guarding the prisoners.
“I knew it! I just knew it! Every bad B movie has really big guys with wicked looking swords,” said Raven. “Now, I just need the evil wizard, and we’ll be all set.”
More men and women stood in small groups throughout the room. Some glanced at the prisoners while others stood with their backs to them. In the front of the room was a very huge man, who Raven figured was Cerberus. Power rolled off of him in waves. Definitely the alpha, thought Raven. The man towered over the others, and Hellhounds were on the tall side anyway.
Everyone was staring at her. Slowly, Raven scanned the room, looking for anything she could use to her advantage. She let her eyes linger a few seconds longer on Ethan than she did anything or anyone else.
He shook his head at her. A really displeased look covered his face.
She shrugged her shoulders and winked.
“How dare you enter this place!” Huge waves of power rolled off of Cerberus, causing all the Hellhounds to cringe. Some even let out painful whimpers.
“Okay, there’s my bad wizard.” Raven felt the power, but it didn’t bother her. It was more like having a pest buzzing around her ear. “Is that all you got? Cause it felt like an annoying mosquito. And you know, you just have to swat them.” Raven smiled at him. She slapped her hands together and twisted them like she was squishing something between them.

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

10 Places I Want to Visit

These are just a few of the many places I want to see. Maybe one day I'll get to visit a few of them.


Salem, Massachusetts
I've read about the Salem Witch Trials, and have even had the chance to teach The Crucible by Arthur Miller. I would love to visit the city and see all the historic sights and visit the museums.

Stonehenge, England
I've always had a fascination with Stonehenge. I would love to be able to see it in person.

Germany
The castles, the culture, the pen pal I used to have, and the fact that my dad's family is from Germany is just a few reason I would love to visit.

Scotland
I would love to see the castles and the museums.

Ireland
The cities, the culture, the castle, the fact that one of my mother's ancestors came from Ireland are just a few reasons I want to visit.

The Pyramids of Giza, Egypt
I've always loved learning about the Pharaohs, the gods and goddesses. I would love to visit and explore the pyramids.

Easter Island
Who wouldn't want to stand by the moai or large stone statues. They're fascinating.

The Great Wall of China
Like the pyramids, this is a massive feat of engineering.

Denali National Park, Alaska
I would love to visit and see the beauty and the wildlife.

Machu Picchu, Peru
What mysteries are still hidden here?

Sunday, March 17, 2013

Happy St. Patrick's Day
picture courtesy of freedigitalphotes.net

Friday, March 15, 2013

Weekly Recap #8

It's Friday again and as hard to believe as it is, Spring Break 2013 is almost over. I'm like the kids, I'm not ready to go back to school.  How long is it until summer vacation? :)

It's been a busy week for me--writing wise that is, and I want to stay home and continue with the writing schedule I put myself on. It's been nice having the entire day to work on various writing projects and outlines. The only problem is I have more ideas and projects than I really have time to work on. I really wish I could write as fast as I can read, but I'm sure there a lot of writers who wish the same thing. I can say, I've managed to increase the amount of I write each day.

I'm trying to get myself a little more organized. Not always an easy task, but I'm trying. Bills, receipts, calenders (yes, I have multiple and am trying to get down to at least two), writing projects in various states--some days it looks more like chaos. But I'm trying.

So how has your Spring Break been?

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

My Current Likes

Book:  Moonlight

Movie: Harry Potter and The Sorcerer's Stone

TV Show:  Grimm

Author:  Rachel Hawthorne

Food: Hamburger

Drink: Coffee

Dessert: Cheesecake

Music: Pop

Song: Paralyzer by Finger Eleven

Working On: Chapter outlines for Warrior of Atlantis, Book 3 in the Children of Atlantis series


Up Coming Publication Dates

Warrior of Atlantis -- Summer/Fall 2013

Otherworld Daughter (bk1 of the Others) -- Winter 2013/2014

Sunday, March 10, 2013

What I just finished reading


Moonlight (Dark Guardian, #1)

Moonlight (Dark Guardian #1) 
by Rachel Hawthorne


I see him and I know what this turmoil inside of me means: He's the one. My forever.

KAYLA is the nature lover, the all-American beauty who can't understand why she's so drawn to distant, brooding Lucas. Adopted as a young child, she has no way of knowing that she's inherited a terrifying-and thrilling-gene that will change her life forever.

LUCAS is dangerous, gorgeous ... and a werewolf. As leader of the Dark Guardians, shape-shifters who gather deep within the state park, he has sworn to protect his pack. But when Lucas finds his true soul mate, his love could put them all in harm's way.

As Lucas and Kayla struggle with their feelings for each other, a greater danger lurks: Humans have discovered the Dark Guardians and are planning their destruction. Kayla must choose between the life she knows and the love she feels certain is her destiny. 

Description courtesy of Goodreads.


 I've had this book, as well as book 2 and 3 in the series, on my TBR shelf for awhile. I actually forgot I had them and found them a couple of weeks ago. This is actually the first book I've read by Rachel Hawthorne. It's a fairly easy and quick read.

Friday, March 8, 2013

Weekly Recap #7 and some extra



Time is moving so quickly! The first full week of March is almost over. Scary in a lot of ways. Next week, I’m afraid, will fly by for me and thousands of others. It’s SPRING BREAK—time away from the classroom, grading papers, students, and lesson plans—oh, and add teachers to that list if you’re a student!!! A lot of people have all sorts of plans for the week, especially trips to various places. I’m not planning on going anywhere, though if the weather’s nice, I may do some fishing. I definitely have writing to do and outlines to finish.

Looking back on this week, a lot of things have gone on.

First, there was the interview and giveaway for How NOT to Train a Zombie at Word Spelunking. The signed book give away is still going on, so if you haven’t entered, you still have a chance. The giveaway is from March 7 to March 31. Good luck to everyone who enters.

My blog on 10 Reasons Not to Have a Zombie for a Friend was featured in the March 7 edition of boringDEAD. I thought that was pretty cool!

Big news on my part!  Both Guardian of Atlantis and No Rest for the Spirit and Other Ghostly Tales are now part of Amazon’s Kindle Owners’ Lending Library. You can still by both ebook and paperback copies of the books, but now, if you’re a member of Prime, you can borrow the books.

If you read one of my books, please write and post a review (at Amazon, on your blog, on Goodreads, etc.) This is not only helpful to me, but it helps other readers. If you like my stories, please spread the word.

So what does the future hold?
I’m trying to get the chapter outlines finished for book 3 of the Children of Atlantis series. I plan having the book out this summer. I’m also planning to have book 1 of The Others series out Winter 2013/2014. The Sunday WIPs will start again as soon as I begin writing book 3. I’m also working on several other story ideas. Spring Break has just arrived and I’m already looking forward to summer. Summer is going to be very busy—writing wise that is. I have so many projects and ideas going on or bouncing around my head.

Thursday, March 7, 2013

Interview and Giveaway

Check out my interview and book giveaway for How NOT to Train a Zombie over at Word Spelunking.

Guardian of Atlantis Today ONLY!!!

Guess WHAT!!!
The ebook version of Guardian of Atlantis, book 1 in The Children of Atlantis series, is free today and today only at Amazon. Hurry to get your copy! 
And don't forget to get book 2, Wrath of Hades

Wednesday, March 6, 2013

Looking Back Blurb

from Guardian of Atlantis



Raven tried moving too, but her feet grew roots.


She stared at the woman in the mirror. “How is this possible?”


“You’re in danger. Be suspicious of everyone’s motives. Trust no one, especially family.” The musical tones of the woman’s voice wove a hypnotic spell around the edges of Raven’s brain. “Even I am a danger to you.”


Thunder roared from somewhere above the school. The mirror rattled in response. Raven shook her head clear of the fuzzy cobwebs created by the woman’s voice. ‘Who are you?” whispered Raven.


The woman’s smile grew bigger and warmer. “I am your—” she sighed. “Who I am isn’t important. What’s important is your safety. Your survival. Without you, we are all doomed. I wish there was another way, but the Fates dictated the path you must follow a long time ago. And I’ve had to accept it, just as you will have to accept your destiny.”


The woman glanced behind her. For a split second Raven could have sworn she had seen several snakes in the woman’s hair. When the woman turned back around, her smile was gone.


“Be careful who you trust. Your life depends on it. You and you alone hold the key codes to Atlantis. Be strong. There are some who will try to use you to get Atlantis and some, like Zeus, who will do absolutely anything, even kill you, to get it. Protect yourself, but make sure no one—absolutely no one—gets access to Atlantis. Zeus is desperate. With it, he will be invincible and he will destroy us all.”


Atlantis? Zeus? Those were just myths. Stories. Raven shook her head. How can a myth hurt me? Her mind reeled. Who was this woman? How was she talking through the mirror? The questions dipped and twisted until Raven felt like she was going to throw up. The hairs on her arms stood up and the air felt heavy with electricity. The individual strands on her head moved with the electricity as if they were alive. A thunderous crash vibrated through the room and through Raven. The lights flickered again.


“Remember my warning. Protect yourself. Protect Atlantis. And remember, I have always loved you and always will my precious daughter.” The lights went out. The woman’s voice faded away into the inky void and Raven was left alone in the pitch black with only the sounds of her ragged breath and the ferocious pounding of her heart.

Today ONLY!!!

Today only, my the ebook,
 No Rest for the Spirit and Other Ghostly Tales, is free at Amazon.

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

10 Reasons Not to Have a Zombie for a Friend

  1. Zombies smell really bad. Let's face it, their bodies are rotting.
  2. Your conversations will be one-sided because zombies tend to just moan and groan a lot.
  3. No one will visit you or attend your parties if your zombie friend is there. They are afraid of becoming infected.
  4. You will constantly have to submit to medical exams to prove you're not infected.
  5. Zombies are messy eaters. Their clothes will be covered with blood, so you will constantly be doing laundry in an attempt to keep your zombie friend presentable.
  6. Zombies are picky eaters. Do you really want to supply the only food they want to eat?
  7. If your zombie friend stays at your house, you'll never be able to sleep. Think about it. What if your zombie friend gets hungry while you're sleeping?
  8. When it comes to helping you with chores and homework, don't expect any help. Zombies are slobs. Your zombie friend will make more work for you.
  9. Zombies have no respect for other people's properties. Be prepared to use your savings. You will constantly have to either bail your zombie friend out of jail, or you'll be paying his fines.
  10. You will become a huge social outcast. Your friends will slowly disappear (literally) and forget about making new friends, unless they're zombies.

Friday, March 1, 2013

Recap #6

The past few weeks have been busy. I've been a guest at several different blogs. I have a guest spot coming up soon, and tomorrow I'm blogging over at Downtown YA.

I'm working on two different outlines and the initial plans for a couple of other stories. I'm always either writing, outlining, or planning something.

My day job is keeping me busier than normal.

Some days I just don't know if I'm coming or going. I'm also trying to knock off a few more pounds. This is definitely a task that's easier said than done, but I keep plugging away at it.

You have a wonderful weekend and take care.