Year in review

Farewell, 2013

I'm actually a little in shock that 2013 is very rapidly coming to a close. It's been an incredibly busy, hard, exhausting, and rewarding year, both in my author life and my personal life.

While the first quarter of the year was fairly uneventful, minus a small personal moment as I realized it was my last year as a twenty-something year old, the rest of the year was a "hang on tight" kind of year.

It began in May with my very first author event at Cascades Library in Ashburn, VA. It was equal measures thrilling, exciting, terrifying and just wonderful. I was able to meet so many authors from my area, and had a great day

Next on the ride, the release of Heart of Kylassame, my second novel and the second book in the Land of Kaldalangra series. A bit darker, a bit broodier, and much more emotional, releasing this book into the wild was a similar feeling to, I imagine, when I send my daughter off to college. Stay strong, little book, and work your magic.











Speaking of daughters, somehow mine turned two in July! I'm definitely in shock over how fast she is growing, and how the time is flying by. I began writing The Lady of Steinbrekka before I was even pregnant, and published it one month after my kiddo was born. Wow.

It wasn't all fun and games though. In August of this year we finally said goodbye to our beloved Catahoula. Katie had lived a very long life (14!) and was able to make her way to the rainbow bridge with her head on my husband's lap and my arms around her. A peaceful and pain-free ending for such a wonderful member of the family.

This Christmas I was able to add a new member of the novel family to the grid, with the release of Soul of Asimina! While I love all of my book children equally, this is my current favorite. The main characters in this book are in the 19 - 25 range, and boy do they do their own thing. I would regularly be writing this book only to stop and go, "Wait, you just 
did what with who? I'm in charge!"










And finally we ended with a new additional to my non-book (real? regular? human/animal?) family, a betta fish. While the tank may look like it was fully designed by my 2 year old, it was actually my husband who picked out the decor. That being said, the 2 year old loves her fish, who she named Momma. 






So that's it for 2013! What's next? Who knows? Well, I know a little. I'm hoping to put out two books next year, both contemporary fiction and a break from the Land of Kaldangra series. While I do have a fourth book in the series in the works (Katrina's story) as well as a possible novella (Sula's story), it's going to be just a little time until those will be hitting the shelves.

It's been fun 2013, now let's ring in the new year!

Soul of Asimina Release

The third book in the Land of Kaldalangra series has arrived!

Cover by Once Upon a Time covers

Sabina de Nespa has known a life of freedom and peace, thanks to the actions of her heroic parents. As a child of royalty, she has kept her intentions pure and her heart guarded, always aware that the crown of the realm may one day rest upon her brow.

When two strangers stumble across her path, she finds her peace shattered as dangerous family secrets begin to emerge, along with a malignant force that threatens to destroy her entire world. These men have the ability to help her rise to brilliant heights, or cause a devastating plunge into darkness.

It is now up to Sabina to continue her parents’ legacy of honor, courage, and strength through adversity. With the fate of Kaldalangra upon her shoulders, she has vowed to follow the path of righteousness, or die trying.

Kindle

Nook

Paperback

~ * ~ * ~

Do you want to know how the story began? Then be sure to get your copy of the first two books in the Land of Kaldalangra series, The Lady of Steinbrekka and Heart of Kylassame. As a bonus, each of these e-books is available for Nook and Kindle users for only 99 cents until January 1st, 2014!

Also, be sure to check out the give-away currently being hosted by Strong Novels, a free Kindle of Nook copy of all 3 books in the Kaldalangra series! But don't delay, the contest ends with 2013, and entries will close on January 1st.

~ * ~ * ~

Rhea Aralia lived an uneventful life in Virginia, until the fateful night of her kidnapping. Taken to a strange realm of destruction, despair, and mysterious people with dark secrets, the young woman must learn a new way of life to survive.With the help of her new companions, Rhea discovers the courage to defy the tyrant King Verikhan and his heir, the cleverness to deceive the court, and the power within herself to transform this world of darkness into one of beauty and hope.

Will Rhea triumph over those who seek her destruction, or will she be forever lost in the darkness known as Kaldalangra?


Kindle    Nook

Nyssa has taken her place as Queen of the realm, with her secret love, Sebast, now openly at her side. She rules with a fair hand, striving for justice and prosperity for all of her people.
Rowan and Rhea travel the realm, spreading peace and healing wherever they go. In Kylassame, they have formed a strong bond with friends and spread deep roots in the community.
The people of Kaldalangra are joyful, and life in their world is better than ever before.
But a string of tragedies has the ability to bring Rhea to her knees, and with her, the entire realm. While Rowan struggles to recover the village of Kylassame from a devastating crime, Rhea’s faith in her own strength weakens, with dire consequences.
Re-enter the world of Kaldalangra, and join the adventure as Rhea and Rowan endeavor to continue upon their chosen destiny

Kindle
Nook

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Land of Kaldalangra give-away

In 2012, it all began...

~ * ~ * ~

The man gave a hollow laugh that echoed off the walls of the basement.

Rhea grabbed an old volume off the shelf and threw it at him, using the precious seconds of confusion to force her feet to move and run down the next aisle. She could see the main aisle, could see freedom streaming through the door and took a precious second to inhale for a scream of help. A large hand clamped across her mouth, an arm lifted her from the ground and took that precious freedom.

“It is not worth it to struggle, little one. You have no chance of winning.”

Rhea caught a finger between her teeth and bit down hard, wildly kicking her feet out to try to contact any body part of her assailant. She growled, “It’s always worth trying,” and then cried out in pain as he grabbed her by the back of her neck like a kitten. He forced her on her knees into a stillness born of agony
as the second man approached.

“I thought she was going to be an easy one, eh, so much for a painless job."

The man holding her laughed, “I suspect it will be well worth it, my brother. They do not come this feisty all the time!” His grip hardened on her neck as he dragged her onto her feet. “Now, are you going to come quietly girl, or will you be taking the hard way out?”

Rhea spat at him and tried to twist out of his grip. She felt a quick, hard blow to her head and the world began to move like slow molasses around her. She fought a quick wave of nausea and tried to coerce her feet to move, to will the stars to stop creating a tunnel in front of her face. She saw the mirror in
front of her slide to the side, and felt herself being forced into the space it once occupied. She had the momentary thought of, that’s crazy, the mirror doesn’t do that, as the darkness consumed her.

~ * ~ * ~

Journey into the land of Kaldalangra during this holiday season.

Kristi Strong is holding a limited time give-away, with a free Kindle or Nook version for all three of her books in the Land of Kaldalangra series. 1 lucky contestant will receive a free Kindle or Nook version of The Lady of Steinbrekka, Heart of Kylassame, and her newest release, Soul of Asimina.

Can't wait? Then pick up your copy of The Lady of Steinbrekka and Heart of Kylassame, for Kindle or Nook, for only 99 cents during the month of December!

Rhea Aralia lived an uneventful life in Virginia, until the fateful night of her kidnapping. Taken to a strange realm of destruction, despair, and mysterious people with dark secrets, the young woman must learn a new way of life to survive.

With the help of her new companions, Rhea discovers the courage to defy the tyrant King Verikhan and his heir, the cleverness to deceive the court, and the power within herself to transform this world of darkness into one of beauty and hope.

Will Rhea triumph over those who seek her destruction, or will she be forever lost in the darkness known as Kaldalangra?

Kindle    Nook

It has been two years since the reign of the tyrannical King Verikhan has ended, and the realm of Kaldalangra flourishes.

Nyssa has taken her place as Queen of the realm, with her secret love, Sebast, now openly at her side. She rules with a fair hand, striving for justice and prosperity for all of her people.
Rowan and Rhea travel the realm, spreading peace and healing wherever they go. In Kylassame, they have formed a strong bond with friends and spread deep roots in the community.
The people of Kaldalangra are joyful, and life in their world is better than ever before.
But a string of tragedies has the ability to bring Rhea to her knees, and with her, the entire realm. While Rowan struggles to recover the village of Kylassame from a devastating crime, Rhea’s faith in her own strength weakens, with dire consequences.

Re-enter the world of Kaldalangra, and join the adventure as Rhea and Rowan endeavor to continue upon their chosen destiny.

Kindle

Nook

Sabina de Nespa has known a life of freedom and peace, thanks to the actions of her heroic parents. As a child of royalty, she has kept her intentions pure and her heart guarded, always aware that the crown of the realm may one day rest upon her brow.


When two strangers stumble across her path, she finds her peace shattered as dangerous family secrets begin to emerge, along with a malignant force that threatens to destroy her entire world. These men have the ability to help her rise to brilliant heights, or cause a devastating plunge into darkness.


It is now up to Sabina to continue her parents’ legacy of honor, courage, and strength through adversity. With the fate of Kaldalangra upon her shoulders, she has vowed to follow the path of righteousness, or die trying.

Coming soon!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Oh hi

I'm here, I promise! The holiday season has just launched and life around my neck of the woods is a little, okay, a lot, insane. Between work and family and snow storms, whew! BUT, I do have a lot of good news :)

Soul of Asimina is still slated to be released at the end of this month! I cannot wait! This is the 3rd book in the Land of Kaldalangra series, and my favorite. Here is a little sneak peak.

I did not originally intend on having the Gormellyn return to the lives of the DamaTalous, or royal family, but this book was a classic example of the characters and events unfolding before my eyes. The teenagers just keep things lively!

A Place for My Heart has begun in earnest, and I'm hoping for an April release date. This is the story of Alyssa Doe, a foster kid who finally has a chance at a new life, as long as her new foster home doesn't end up just like all of the rest. Here is a small excerpt.

~ * ~ * ~

She had fought against the pain of being labeled a foundling, a child abandoned by perfectly healthy parents. Then she fought against being labeled a troubled youth, trying so hard, all the time, to be perfect, to defy the role that society thought she should play. She fought against the emotions and hormones and yearnings that came with becoming a teenager, and had pushed everything that could possibly cause her pain or angst deep down into the black pit of her stomach, never to be felt again.

It bubbled up now, flooding her body with years of suppressed anger and resentment, heartache and yearning for a better life. She felt it course through her veins, sluggish at first, then moving lightning fast as she curled tighter and tighter into a ball, wedging herself into a cold, tiled corner as the stars in her view increased, and the fluorescent lights of the bathroom faded to gray.

Then something slammed into her, a physical weight that pressed down upon her body, her head carefully cradled as her shoulders shook. The blackness within her heart fled as the feeling of safety and love surrounded her, as sudden and all encompassing as if she had fallen into warm honey.

For a minute, she just let herself drift in the feeling of safety. No anxieties or fears could cross through the barrier around her, as if the unknown force had instantly erected an unbreakable shield around her heart. Eyes still closed, she saw as the black arrows bounced off the shining walls, and felt the darkness recede.

~ * ~ * ~

Playing with Photoshop

Let me begin this post by saying...I'm only pretending to know what I'm doing in Photoshop. That is why I have wonderful friend's and colleagues who design my covers, bookmarks, and banner ads.
However, I was having fun playing around with the program today, and made some ads/blurbs for my books :)

Yes, The Lady of Steinbrekka and Heart of Kylassame are only 99 cents each for Nook and Kindle Versions!!

And a little taste of what you will find within Soul of Asimina

Broken Pieces Cover reveal

Today we share a cover reveal for author Dawn Pendleton's third and final book in her BROKEN series, Broken Pieces.

Also, the second book in the series, Broken Dreams has a new look! Check it out below! Make sure to leave a comment with your thoughts on the new covers.

It’s been a rough year for Gabby Peterman. Her best friend’s dad died six months ago, her other best friend has leukemia and isn’t doing well, and her marriage? After three years, it’s more of a joke than a relationships. Despite all the odds, she’s managed to stay strong for the people around her, supporting them through all their trials. But when death strikes again and one of her closest friends disappears, Gabby loses it.

On the verge of a mental breakdown himself, Wolfe Landon will do anything to win Gabby over. But first, he’s going to prove to her just how much he cares and loves her, because losing her will rip out his heart and soul.

Release Date: December 24, 2013

Broken Dreams has a NEW cover!

Rainey Daniels has been keeping a secret since she left her hometown, three years ago. The death of a friend’s father, though, has her questioning whether or not running away from her past is what’s best for her future. Add sexy Chris Baker in the mix and she’s even more unsure. After all, life is short.

Baker is an all-around good guy with a great sense of humor struggling to keep his new bar afloat. And he always thought Rainey was hot, even when she carried a few extra pounds in high school. Hell, he thinks she’s too skinny now. He knows she’s hiding something, too, but when he pushes the issue, she pushes him away. He tries not to care; she only wants a summer fling, right? But when her life is threatened, he realizes he may just be in love with her… and then he learns her secret.

Can they find love together before it’s too late?

Currently on sale for $.99!

Amazon † Barnes & Noble

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Soul of Asimina cover reveal

Her parents were heroes of the realm, and when Sabina de Nespa found herself in a position to thwart grave evil, she had never been more determined to do what is right, or more terrified.

Cover by Once Upon a Time Covers

Coming this winter!

Soul of Asimina is the third book in the Land of Kaldalangra series, written by Kristi Strong.

Sabina de Nespa was content living in the shadow of her heroic parents, traveling the realm and aiding the less fortunate. As the child of royalty, she kept her intentions pure and her heart guarded, always aware that the crown may one day rest upon her brow.

When two strangers fall into her world, life as she knows it spirals out of control, and shakes her to the core. One brings with him an enemy that destroyed entire cultures in his old world, and the second is filled with hidden intentions and dangerous secrets.

It has been two years since the reign of the tyrannical King Verikhan has ended, and the realm of Kaldalangra flourishes.

When a decade old evil threatens to destroy the peace of Kaldalangra, it is up to Sabina to take the step into her parents’ footsteps, or let everything for which they worked crumble into dust.







Rhea Aralia lived an uneventful life in Virginia, until the fateful night of her kidnapping. Taken to a strange realm of destruction, despair, and mysterious people with dark secrets, the young woman must learn a new way of life to survive.

With the help of her new companions, Rhea discovers the courage to defy the tyrant King Verikhan and his heir, the cleverness to deceive the court, and the power within herself to transform this world of darkness into one of beauty and hope.

Will Rhea triumph over those who seek her destruction, or will she be forever lost in the darkness known as Kaldalangra?

Kindle

Nook

Paperback

Goodreads 

Nyssa has taken her place as Queen of the realm, with her secret love, Sebast, now openly at her side. She rules with a fair hand, striving for justice and prosperity for all of her people.

Rowan and Rhea travel the realm, spreading peace and healing wherever they go. In Kylassame, they have formed a strong bond with friends and spread deep roots in the community.

The people of Kaldalangra are joyful, and life in their

world is better than ever before.

But a string of tragedies has the ability to bring Rhea to her knees, and with her, the entire realm. While Rowan struggles to recover the village of Kylassame from a devastating crime, Rhea’s faith in her own strength weakens, with dire consequences.


Re-enter the world of Kaldalangra, and join the adventure as Rhea and Rowan endeavor to continue upon their chosen destiny.

Paperback

Kindle

Nook

Goodreads 

~ * ~ * ~

About the Author

 Fixing broken computers, wrangling a very spirited little toddler, and creating a world with a tyrant king, are all parts of the average day for Kristi Strong. While she has called Virginia her home for two decades, her head has rested in two countries, three states, and under far too many roofs to count. She was more than happy to give up her nomadic lifestyle and settle down with her husband, daughter, and their small zoo (consisting of a dog, cat, and chinchilla).                                                                                               Attending James Madison University gave Kristi the rare opportunity to work as part of an archaeological team on a variety of dig sites in Virginia. She now uses her extensive studies in human cultures (aka, Anthropology degree), to create her own world in her fantasy novels, beginning with her debut novel, The Lady of Steinbrekka, continuing with her second novel, Heart of Kylassame, as well as her upcoming novel Soul of Asimina.

It's almost time...

It's almost time...for another one of my own cover reveals! I am so excited to announce that Saturday, Nov 9th, everyone will get to see the beautiful cover for Soul of Asimina, the third book in the Land of Kaldangra series.

Want a little sneak peak into Soul of Asimina? Then read on!



Sabina sat down on a cot beside one of the children and gently applied a burn salve to the blisters. “Go get some rest, Aunt. Gabby and I will take care of the children.” She turned to the child and softly introduced herself as Lianna left the room, finally allowing herself to cry.

The small girl looked up at her with eyes as wide as saucers and filled with fear. “We not bad, I promise.”

“I am sure you are not bad at all,” Sabina responded gently. “No one here will hurt you. You are safe now.”

She shook her head, matted brown hair moving stiffly with the motion, ash rising into the air. “Never safe, never. They find us. The Oprimata find us!” Her voice rose to a panicked cry, and the oldest of the boys quickly came and sat beside her with a look of protectiveness that bordered on hostile.

A man in the corner lifted his head sharply at the child’s cries, and the movement drew Sabina’s attention. He was seated on a low cot that had been pushed against the corner, one leg drawn to his chest, the other extended in front of his body. His short hair, so dark brown it was nearly black, was plastered to his skull with grime and sweat. Blood from an arrow wound trickled down his chest, the shaft still protruding from his skin. Strong black lines had been inked into his chest, the design beginning at his neck, extending to fully surround his left shoulder, and then snaking down to cover the left side of his torso, dipping below the waistband of his pants. Strong arms bore a series of long lacerations, each weeping fluids, but the blood had clotted on its own accord

Sabina felt her head spin as she looked into his eyes, a deep purple hue that she had never seen before, and realized the agony he must be enveloped within as he sat, untended, on the cot.

~ * ~ * ~

Sabina stared at him a moment, before carefully walking forward. She approached him as she would an injured wild animal, slowly, calmly, keeping her eyes fixed on his face and shoulders, aware of every slight motion.

“My name is Sabina. Do you understand our language?”

The man kneeled on the ground, breath coming hard, the arrow shaft rising and falling as new blood trickled around the smooth wood. His eyes narrowed in concentration, and then he shook his head.

She sucked in her breath as his head dipped down in exhaustion, the action revealing his neck, and a black circle with a jagged sunburst and series of lines. Though it was sharper and darker, it was an exact replica of the curious marking on Alcine’s neck. On a hunch, she tried the language that her mother had taught her as a learning game, the language that her mother had began to learn from Alcine’s mother, Mairi.

“We are friends. We mean you no harm. You are safe here.”

At that, his head shot up, his taxed muscles shaking from the quick movement. “How do you know to speak Zajedica?”

Cold seeped through her trousers as Sabina kneeled on the wooden plank floor, ignoring the quiet warning sounds from Henri. “My mother learned it from a friend, and taught it to me. What is your name?”

He looked toward the sleeping children. “Names are dangerous. You are already in danger by having me, and them, in this room. I do not wish to further the danger to you. People have been killed for harboring my kind. It is better that you let me leave, now, before my presence is discovered.”

She shook her head in disagreement, though unclear of the accuracy of her translation as he spoke quickly. “There is no more danger here. My father and my aunt rule this land. It is a different place than the one from whence you came. The men you and the children speak of, the Oprimata, do not exist here.”

A brief flitter of happiness flashed in the man’s eyes. “If they do not have a hold here, there is hope. My name is Darian. Thank you for your help. Be sure to guard the children.”

Sabina and Henri lunged forward as the man fell, managing to push his body away from the arrow shaft at the last moment. Sabina hurriedly felt for a pulse, relieved when the gently thumping vein in his wrist showed life, if not consciousness.

Psycho inside me - Cover reveal

Bonnie R. Paulson's Psycho Inside Me releases November 30, 2013. This YA thriller romance is fast, fun, and more than a little dangerous. See why...

Psycho Inside Me

I killed my first victim at thirteen years old – my age, not his. He was going to rape me, him and a couple of his friends. And so, I killed him. And then… I killed again. And again.

At seventeen, I’m killing four to six times a year – maybe more. Don’t stress out. I only go after the pedophiles and rapists. There are more out there than I could cover in a lifetime.

Saying I did this on my own would be selfish. Enforcing justice holds a glory all its own.  But now, my lifelong friend and backup, Deegan, has been arrested. I have to decide if I want to give myself up and take his place or leave him with all the damning evidence. I don’t want to stop killing. But if I let him take the fall, I can’t kill anymore. And I need to keep doing that.

But the worst part of it all? I love him.

My cover was created by the ultra talented Redbird Designs. She's amazing...

Bonnie R. Paulson likes it dark and twisty. For more on her Science flavored with Romaction, sign up for her newsletter.

Find Bonnie at:
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Dreamwalker release!

Noel Kennedy lost her boyfriend, her job, and her dignity all in one week and then gained an entirely new life. Hunted by a mysterious league of immortals, Noel must rediscover her forgotten past while uncovering the truth behind the two men who battle for her heart, both in dreams and in reality. Entranced, she slowly unravels a world she was meant to stay out of, one filled with creatures she once thought to be myth and dangers that threaten her very soul. Now Noel begins the fight for her life and must choose between two men who call to her heart. Can she escape a life of servitude or immortality for a chance at love? Book one of The Persephone's League of Immortals series (PLI)

Purchase Links:

Amazon 

Barnes and Noble 

Smashwords 

Add to Goodreads:

Goodreads 

About the Author:

Andrea Heltsley is a new adult and young adult author. She started writing in 2012 and hasn’t stopped since. She lives in Tennessee with her husband and two Italian Greyhounds. Ice cream, coffee and candy are always necessities. When writing, Andrea loves to listen to all kinds of music and always has a candle burning. When she’s not writing, you can find her nose in a book. Her favorite forms of entertainment are reading, Shakira and The Vampire Diaries.

Other books by Andrea Heltsley

 

Change of Possession Cover reveal

I am so excited to show you this cover! Change of Possession is the first New Adult, Romantic Suspense M.R. Polish has written. Early readers have come back saying it is a "Page Turner" and 

"A Book I can't Put Down!" 

Change of Possession

Twenty-year-old Keeley- Moison moves across the country for one reason: to escape the traumas of her past and start over at a new college. What she doesn’t expect is to be thrust into a dangerous future - one where the quarterback of the football team has set his sinister sights on her.

Loner Vahn Silver is an outcast and likes it that way. Living in the shadows, Vahn forces himself into the light to protect Keeley from the man who killed his best friend - even if that means risking his own life. 

But Keeley soon learns that the football team rules the school and everyone in it. When Vahn ends up in the hospital after a vicious attack and her quarterback stalker edges closer to his prey, Keeley must find the strength within herself to fight - and take back the change of possession.

So, without further ado.....the cover!

Cover Artist: Jenny Laatsch

Add to your Goodreads TBR list now! 

Goodreads - Change of Possession by M.R. Polish

Change of Possession will be released November 3rd, 2013

Excerpt:

I slipped back into the shadows. If they knew I watched them, I wouldn’t be allowed to come back and then all my plans would be for nothing. Downing the rest of my drink, I crushed the cup in my hand before tossing it over my shoulder as I headed out. There wasn’t anything else I’d find out tonight; they were all too sloshed or tight lipped to do me any good. Damn parties anyway; I hated them, but it was the only way to scout out all the players and hopefully discover what I knew, deep down, happened to my best friend. Their secrets were the only thing that could crush them and bring justice to Christie’s death.

               Thinking back to how she spent her last year of life infuriated me. As seniors in high school we were supposed to have fun, live life, plan for our future, but all of those plans changed when she met Steve. Slowly, day by day, he fed her a world of lies and deception until there was no turning back. Now, a year later, I was still trying to prove her death wasn’t an accident, and that Steve was to blame. I owed it to her. Before all the lies and all the drugs, she was my closest friend. There was a time I even thought we might be more, but that wasn’t in her plans; she wanted someone different, someone who wasn’t me. I’d like to think the drugs made her stay with Steve, but the more I learned about him, the more I knew drugs weren’t the only thing that kept her from me.

               I fished around in my pocket for my keys . The room spun, and I had to close my eyes to stay standing. My heart raced. What was wrong? I took another step but lost all balance and stumbled out the door. 

               I pulled my phone out, squinting as I tried to focus enough to dial out. I held it to my ear and waited. “Dad,” I said when he answered. “Something’s wrong. I need a ride.” My voice sounded miles away and fuzzy. Silently, I prayed he would understand as I rattled off what I hoped was the correct address. I couldn’t even remember what house I was at anymore. He said he’d be there soon so I hung up the phone and  sat down in the yard to wait. 

              My parents were like everyone else and thought I was just in denial over Christie’s death, and that I wanted someone to blame. Damn right I wanted someone to blame. 

Ugh, my head hurt so bad that all I wanted to do was lay down. The grass was cool and begged to be used for a pillow. It took only seconds before the world darkened, and life as I knew it changed. 

About the Author

M.R. Polish was born in Idaho, a long, long, long, maybe not that long time ago.... Writing has always been there for her. Growing up, her mind was filled with stories, some she shared and others she filed away to write down later in life. It wasn't until 2011 that she decided to publish her stories for everyone to enjoy. Her first award and when writing became more than just an idea was in the 5th grade. She won the scary story contest for the school newspaper. It is one story she still has tucked away for memories. Her teacher told her she could be anything she wanted and that she had a talant for writing, being creative and drawing people into her stories. M.R. took that to heart and continued to write, although mostly in secret until recent years. 

Now you can find her enjoying life with her family - wrangling her four kids, setting traps in the house with toys for unsuspecting victims (aka, her husband) and writing down all her crazy and fun stories. 

"Life is too short to stand by and watch everyone else live your dreams. The bigger the dream, the bigger the adventure!" ~ M.R. Polish

Other books by M.R. Polish (click on them to learn more about them)

Wolf Spell 

Wolf Dream

Ageless Sea

Mark of the Dragon

You can find M.R. Polish here:

www.mrpolishauthor.com

Twitter: @_MRPolish_

Facebook: M.R. Polish

What I've been up to

There is no rest for the weary!! Along with working on my final edits for Soul of Asimina (which will be debuting it's beautiful cover in just a few short weeks!) I've also been doing research for a YA contemporary novel, working full time, and trying to find time to breath.

I've also been doing some fairly time intensive home repairs/updates. We've been waiting a while to replace the floor in our entry way, because the carpet was scary. Not only was that the dogs prime place to pee and poop toward the end (we always steam-cleaned it immediately afterward, but still, gah), but it was also the section that was soaked when our old water heater went kablooey and flooded the front hallway. You know it's going to be a long day when it's your first day back at work after 7 weeks of maternity leave and your foot sinks into water...on the carpet!

We started by ripping out the old carpet and exposing the wood flooring below.

My husband sweeping the floor. There was sooo much powder-fine dirt underneath the carpet pad (shudder). Now I see why people replace carpet every time they move.

I also discovered lovely carpet tack strips. Be extremely careful if you are removing these, because they are sharp.

Once all the carpet, tack strips, and staples were up, we were ready to lay down the floor. First, we put down some BlueHawk Underlayment. We didn't have to, but we wanted something between our new floor and the wood.

We bought 100 sq ft of Trafficmaster Allure flooring from Home Depot, and it is freaking awesome. It looks like wood, but is actually made of rubber. Waterproof, skidproof, and pretty dang resilient. It was slightly harder to put together than regular hard laminate floor, but still not bad.

We found the easiest thing was to link the pieces into long strips, then click the long strips together.

While we did that, Bug practiced hammering with her plastic hammer, golf tees, and a big block of styrofoam. Her grandma's task was keeping her away from our tools, not easy.

This was the annoying part. The wood molding actually goes all the way to the subfloor, so I had to use a special saw to make the bottom even with the rest of the molding. Then we had to cut the floor to fit into the small spaces, around the molding, etc.

But it's so worth it, because it's gorgeous!

My dad putting a final touch on a transition piece