Hi everyone. I have a serious post this time. One that isn't a cover reveal or a new release. Something that is not exciting like the Disney posts coming up, but instead is a message of need.
I spent 5 years living in the town of Tappahannock. 5 important years when I grew from a little girl into a teenager, leaving only when it was time to spread the wings the town had helped me grow and fly away to my future.
Now, that town needs my help, needs your help. On February 24th, one week ago, a tornado touched down and left destruction in it's wake. Families lost their homes, buildings were demolished, and a church was sent crashing to the ground.
Fredericksburg News Article
Images of the damage
If you could spare anything, whether it's $1, $20, or just healing thoughts and prayers, it would be greatly appreciated. Below are a list of go-fund-me sites that go to the people who have lost their homes so that they can help rebuild, or to larger organizations working to help the small community get back on it's feet after being shaken. It's a tough community filled with strong people, but even strong people could use a little support.
Help Huey and Robin Packett
Help the Mahan family
Help Donna and Paul Richardson
Help the Swiger family
Wednesday, March 2, 2016
Monday, February 15, 2016
Winter Showcase - Jennifer Friess!
My birthday. Although it is just a week after Christmas, so I always got stiffed in the gift department growing up. (My husband feels your pain, his birthday is just before Christmas!)
2) What is your least favorite part of the winter/holidays?
The cold. I can never seem to stay warm. We keep our thermostat at 68-70 degrees, but our house is over 100 years old and drafty. I usually can be found wearing a T-shirt, long-sleeved shirt, and a hoodie while huddled under a blanket with a dog next to me for warmth. Typing doesn't work up much of a sweat.
3) Name one great book you've read this year.
Bad For You by Abbi Glines. It made me both heartbroken and horny at the same time. I love her Sea Breeze series.
4) What is your favorite character from another author's book?
Edward from the Twilight Saga. I don't want to get with a cold, dead dude in real life, but he sure would be pretty to look at.
5) What is your favorite character from one of your own books?
5) What is your favorite character from one of your own books?
I can't pick one. I have two. I love Josh and Wade Tucker. They are brothers that know how to get into trouble and they are sooo fun to write for. I had to put a Josh and Wade scene in each of my Riley Sisters books. I just want them to hang out in my head all the time because they are so much fun!
6) What do you enjoy doing other than writing?
I know this is sacrilegious for a writer to say, but television is my first love. I love the ability to binge watch on Netflix or online, but I am a purist and also believe in watching in real-time week to week at the time of broadcast. I even believe commercials add a certain amount of nostalgia to the viewing experience as well. I also like hanging out with my family. I like them. I think I will keep them.
7) You have just received 1 million dollars, but you have to spend it in 24 hours. What do you do?
Buy a red Jeep Wrangler, a house in the country, travel arrangements to Las Vegas and Hawaii, my mom a condo, pay off my debts, and donate the remainder to the local animal shelter, local historical museum, and veterans organizations.
8) What is your favorite genre to read (and why)?
6) What do you enjoy doing other than writing?
I know this is sacrilegious for a writer to say, but television is my first love. I love the ability to binge watch on Netflix or online, but I am a purist and also believe in watching in real-time week to week at the time of broadcast. I even believe commercials add a certain amount of nostalgia to the viewing experience as well. I also like hanging out with my family. I like them. I think I will keep them.
7) You have just received 1 million dollars, but you have to spend it in 24 hours. What do you do?
Buy a red Jeep Wrangler, a house in the country, travel arrangements to Las Vegas and Hawaii, my mom a condo, pay off my debts, and donate the remainder to the local animal shelter, local historical museum, and veterans organizations.
8) What is your favorite genre to read (and why)?
I like to read YA and romance. But my problem is that YA romance isn't juicy enough for me. And Romance doesn't always have storylines I am crazy about. So I like NA, but since that category is not recognized everywhere I can have a heard time finding it.
9) What is your favorite genre to write (and why)?
9) What is your favorite genre to write (and why)?
I like NA because I can incorporate coming of age confusion with smut. But then I find the people who like romance don't want to buy my stuff because the story line is too young, while those who like the young story-line don't want (or shouldn't yet have) all the smut. I need my own category.
10) If you couldn't be a writer, what would you be?
10) If you couldn't be a writer, what would you be?
Depressed. I've tried that. It didn't work so well for me.
Jennifer Friess is an author, blogger, and editor who lives in Lenawee County, Michigan, with her husband, son, and dog. She loves entertainment trivia. She doesn’t match her socks. She is a picky eater and likes it that way. Jennifer is currently working on the New Adult series The Riley Sisters. The first book, The Wind Could Blow a Bug, and the second book, When You Least Expect It, are available now on Amazon. The third book, Be Careful What You Wish For, is due January 2016.
Follow Jennifer here!
Twitter: @jenf2
Don't forget to check out her books too!
Book 1 in The Riley Sisters series
Jane Riley is a quiet high school senior growing up in a rural Alabama town, surrounded by hot farm boys. When Wade, the handsomest one of all, takes a sudden interest in her romantically, Jane falls hard for him. Being adopted, Jane’s search for her birth mother leads to unexpected revelations. After graduation, everything in her life begins to fall apart. While suffering from depression, Jane must cope with the unknown challenges of college. Jane must discover that family isn’t always who you would expect. She is reminded that The Wind Could Blow a Bug and her life could change in an instant…
Book 2 in The Riley Sisters series
Kiley Riley seems to have it all. Fresh out of college, she is a successful author with a perfectly pleasing boyfriend. The only thing her life is lacking is an idea for her next novel. She heads back home to Alabama for the holidays, and the birth of her sister Jane’s baby. Things soon become complicated when caring for the baby becomes more appealing than writing. It doesn’t help matters that they are all staying in the overcrowded farm house of the Tucker family, royalty in their small town. As Kiley stays up late struggling for inspiration, she frequently has run-ins with the other resident night owl, Josh Tucker.
Looking scruffy with a reputation for trouble, Josh has something to hide. Kiley tries to keep her distance, but is drawn into his world. She will learn the hard way that actions have consequences, and sometimes everything you thought that you wanted just isn’t enough. Kiley discovers that you find love When You Least Expect It…
Book 3 in The Riley Sisters series
Miley Riley always dreamed of being famous in the spotlights of Hollywood. Achieving those dreams seemed pretty unlikely coming from the Podunk farm town of Oakley, Alabama. With no talents and no college education, she had settled into her career as a party planner and sharing an apartment with her on-again, off-again boyfriend. When the movie based on her twin sister Kiley’s book begins shooting in California, Miley wastes no time in making the trip with her for a once in a lifetime vacation. Her wildest fantasies come true when she meets a dark-haired heartthrob, rising movie star Mark Tennyson. Their relationship heats up quickly, much to the chagrin of Miley’s family and best friend Travis.
When her new L.A. life begins to publicly crumble, Miley discovers who she can really count on. The road back to her real life returns her to Alabama, but will be filled with unconventional risks. Miley will learn to Be Careful What You Wish For…
Sunday, January 10, 2016
Always Room for Cupcakes
Wohoo! You've heard this book mentioned in not one, but two of the Winter showcase interviews. It's no surprise that I love all of Bethany Lopez's adult novels, and I'm sure this one will be no different!
One day I was be-bopping along jamming to the music in my head while wondering if my thighs could handle grabbing a cupcake on the way home. The next thing I knew, my entire world crashed and burned. I used to wake up at night in a sweat, crying because I’d dreamt that my husband was cheating on me, or that he hated me, and resented my kids. He’d always hold me close and tell me it was all just a dream, that he loved me and our family and that he’d never let me go. He was a f*cking liar. Now I spend my days taking photos of scum just like him, trying to be a champion for other's being taken advantage of by the losers in our town, and my nights being a single mom to my beautiful twins. I've got great friends who have my back, and a sexy, mysterious motorcycle man who keeps showing up when I need him. Maybe things are starting to look up, and one thing's for sure... There's always room for cupcakes.
ALWAYS ROOM FOR CUPCAKES Synopsis:
One day I was be-bopping along jamming to the music in my head while wondering if my thighs could handle grabbing a cupcake on the way home. The next thing I knew, my entire world crashed and burned. I used to wake up at night in a sweat, crying because I’d dreamt that my husband was cheating on me, or that he hated me, and resented my kids. He’d always hold me close and tell me it was all just a dream, that he loved me and our family and that he’d never let me go. He was a f*cking liar. Now I spend my days taking photos of scum just like him, trying to be a champion for other's being taken advantage of by the losers in our town, and my nights being a single mom to my beautiful twins. I've got great friends who have my back, and a sexy, mysterious motorcycle man who keeps showing up when I need him. Maybe things are starting to look up, and one thing's for sure... There's always room for cupcakes.
Special Pre-order/Release Week Price is $2.99
Pre-order Links:
Amazon | iBooks | Smashwords | Barnes & Noble | Kobo
Award-Winning Author Bethany Lopez began self-publishing in June 2011. She's a lover of all things romance: books, movies, music, and life, and she incorporates that into the books she writes. When she isn't reading or writing, she loves spending time with her husband and children, traveling whenever possible. Some of her favorite things are: Kristen Ashley Books, coffee in the morning, and In N Out burgers. Bethany Lopez is represented by Marisa Corvisiero of Corvisiero Literary Agency.
AUTHOR LINKS:
Thursday, January 7, 2016
Release day for 7!
It's here! It's here!
From the authors who brought you the award-winning novel Fractured Glass, comes a new kind of anthology.
7
Seven marks upon a wall.
Tom may rise, but he may fall.
Through five lives, no one dares mention,
of the sin for which he seeks redemption.
Fates will meet, and you will see,
what will thus become of he.
7 is unlike anything you've ever read. That's why the blurb is so different. It's not a good read; it's an experience. Is there such a thing as redemption? Find out today.
Now available on Amazon.
Price: $2.99 for Kindle
Kindle Unlimited subscribers read FREE.
Here's what reviewers are already saying:
"I didn’t expect to enjoy each individual story to the same degree, but they were all SO good, and I hated to see each one end." ~ KJ Farnham - Goodreads - 5 Stars
I can’t recommend this book enough to anyone who enjoys seeing bits and pieces of real life painted with the colors of imagination, faith, and love." ~ Stalking Shelves - Goodreads - 5 Stars
Get one on Amazon.
Price: $14.99
Teaser!!
Follow the authors:
Casey L. BondGoodreads
Jo Michaels
Tia Silverthorne BachGoodreads
Kelly Risser
N. L. GreeneGoodreads
Seriously, how excited are you right now?
What are you waiting for? Go get it!
Monday, January 4, 2016
Winter Showcase - Tia Bach
(psst, this is the same Tia Bach who is an author of IIIII II (7). Did you see the cover? It's awesome, and so is the book description! It will be out at the end of this week, so don't miss it!)
1) What is your favorite part of winter/the holidays?I love having some quality family time where we all come down from the craziness of normal schedules and really enjoy each other. As my girls get older—they are 15, 13, and 10—the more I treasure special time with them. And as beautiful as snow is, I’m a sun girl. I’m grateful to live in California (East Bay of San Francisco) where it’s sunny and beautiful around the holidays, and my family can enjoy the outdoors.
2) What is your least favorite part of the winter/holidays?
The craziness of shopping for Christmas gifts and dealing with shipping and trying to get everything to out-of-state relatives on time. I love finding special things for loved ones, but I don’t enjoy the hustle bustle of holiday traffic.
3) Name one great book you've read this year.
Seven… it’s a book I’ve co-authored with Jo Michaels, Kelly Risser, NL Greene, and Casey L Bond. It’s just so different, and it was such a stretch for me as a writer. I feel blessed to be a part of it.
4) What is your favorite character from another author's book?
Since I just re-read the whole series, I have to say Abby Kelley from Casey L Bond’s Harvest Saga. She’s a fierce heroine with a huge heart. But a close second is Jo Michael’s Markaza from her Mystic series. Another strong female. She has a dark past, but she uses it to help other women who have struggled. I love strong female characters.
5) What is your favorite character from one of your own books?
Reagan from my Tala Prophecy series. She’s been faced with many challenges and a foretold destiny, but she’s determined to forge her own path and embrace believing in the unbelievable. Even more than her bravery and strength, I admire her ability to love and accept what life throws her way.
6) What do you enjoy doing other than writing?
I love playing tennis and even captain a team. It provides great stress relief, exercise, and social time all wrapped up in one event. My husband and I even played in a mixed doubles league this summer. It was both challenging—and we’ve been married for 20 years!—and enjoyable.
7) You have just received 1 million dollars, but you have to spend it in 24 hours. What do you do?
I’m so conservative with money, so I’d want to put aside college money for all three of my girls (with a cushion to help them get started in life), donate a bulk to those less fortunate, and add to a retirement fund (so hubby and I can travel). But I’m assuming “spend it” means I’d have to buy things, so I’d treat all my loved ones to gifts and go a little wild spending some on myself. Oooh… and I’d run a giveaway to send my books to anyone who requested them during that 24 hours. How fun would that be? (Super fun!)
8) What is your favorite genre to read (and why)?
I love to read all kinds of books, so this is a really hard question for me. Depending on my mood or life events, I will focus on a certain genre for a while. Lately, I’ve really enjoyed YA Fantasy. Still, if you ask me again in a month, I might have a completely different answer. I just love a good story with unforgettable characters.
9) What is your favorite genre to write (and why)?
Anything young adult, because I love the delicate time between childhood an adulthood. I especially love exploring characters who have one foot in childhood innocence and acceptance, and the other one dipping into the responsibility and challenges of adulthood. It’s a beautiful time of change and growth.
10) If you couldn't be a writer, what would you be?
I would be a creative director for a major publishing house. I’d love to have some input into the books chosen for publication, especially from new authors. I can only imagine how exciting it would be!
An ancient prophecy set forth her ultimate destiny:
Destroy the lawless ones or Hell’s gate will burst open.
So much has changed since Reagan shifted for the first time. She found the grandfather and brother she thought were dead, reunited with her grandmother and aunt, met a twin sister for the first time, discovered a powerful magic pulsing through their family’s veins, fell in love, and became part of a pack.
Evil also came into Reagan’s life in the form of Rafe, a madman who commands a demon-werewolf army. He’ll stop at nothing to destroy everything good.
Destiny may have determined Reagan’s fate, but she refuses to allow it to define her path. To save the world, she must:
Gather powerful allies.
Call forth a team of angels.
Form an unholy alliance.
Discover an angel sword.
Survive devastating losses.
Along the way, Reagan will discover that strength comes from faith, from believing in the unbelievable, and a new battle cry emerges…
Tia Silverthorne Bach has been married to her college sweetheart for twenty years, has three beautiful girls, and adores living in sunny California. Her daughters were born in Chicago, San Diego, and Baltimore; and she feels fortunate to have called many places home. She believes in fairy tales and happy endings and is an avid reader and rabid grammar hound.
She is an award-winning, multi-genre author and an Editor for Indie Books Gone Wild. From an early age, she escaped into books and believes they can be the source of healing and strength. If she’s not writing, you can find her on the tennis court, at the movies, reading a good book, or spooning Jif peanut butter right out of the jar.
Destiny may have determined Reagan’s fate, but she refuses to allow it to define her path. To save the world, she must:
Gather powerful allies.
Call forth a team of angels.
Form an unholy alliance.
Discover an angel sword.
Survive devastating losses.
Along the way, Reagan will discover that strength comes from faith, from believing in the unbelievable, and a new battle cry emerges…
With Faith, We Fight
Tia Silverthorne Bach has been married to her college sweetheart for twenty years, has three beautiful girls, and adores living in sunny California. Her daughters were born in Chicago, San Diego, and Baltimore; and she feels fortunate to have called many places home. She believes in fairy tales and happy endings and is an avid reader and rabid grammar hound.She is an award-winning, multi-genre author and an Editor for Indie Books Gone Wild. From an early age, she escaped into books and believes they can be the source of healing and strength. If she’s not writing, you can find her on the tennis court, at the movies, reading a good book, or spooning Jif peanut butter right out of the jar.
Connect with the Author:
Other Books:
Chasing Memories (Tala Prophecy, Book 1)
Chasing Shadows (Tala Prophecy, Book 2)
Chasing Forgiveness (Tala Prophecy companion novella)
Fractured Glass: A Novel Anthology
Depression Cookies (women’s fiction)
Coming Soon:
Seven (a novel experience from the Fractured Glass crew)
Chasing Eternity (Tala Prophecy, Book 4)
Saturday, January 2, 2016
Alternate release day!
Alternate is available!!!
Available now: http://bit.ly/Alternatebook3
When a portal leaves Baxter trapped and powerless in an alternate world, she finds herself on the run and fighting for her life. The world’s Council wants to hand her over to Declan, and her only source of support is a broken Alternate Jack who blames her for all he’s lost. Baxter soon realizes that if she’s going to defeat Declan and get back to her world, she’ll have to reclaim her abilities and be stronger than she ever imagined.
Declan and the Absorbers’ Initiative wage war on everyone who opposes them in their hunt for Baxter. Their actions reveal what her future will be like if she doesn’t make some drastic decisions. She knows that one misstep on her part will lead to the destruction of not just this world, but her own.
In a race against Time and bitter enemies, Baxter will discover how much is at stake and just what she’ll have to sacrifice to save those she loves. Can she learn from the fate of an alternate world how to become the Time Bender she’s meant to be?
Connect with Marilyn:
Facebook: http://bit.ly/MAlmodovarFanPage
Twitter: @LynAlmodovar
Friday, January 1, 2016
2016 goals
2016 you guys. Where the heck did this year come from? Not to be all reminiscent, but I still remember all of the hooplah of 2000, and you are telling me it's now 16 years later?
So, what's going to happen in 2016 (well, what am I going to PLAN to happen, because we all know what happens to plans, haha)
This is the year to focus on my business, on really doing everything I can do to help my books get into the hands of readers. That means :
Getting a newsletter up and running (and all of the logistics with it)
Getting a ficticious name license so I can really start pushing Strong Novels as a brand and business
Getting my website up and running (it's slowly getting there)
Re-branding myself
Being more involved in the community, both local and afar.
Also in the makings is the finishing of my current Alyssa/Caleb WIP, as well as getting some words down in a new 5(ish) YA paranormal series that I am super excited to begin (and hopefully finish).
While I can't promise to bring you armloads of new books written by me this year, I can promise to give you armloads of books by other fabulous authors to pass the time :)
So, what's going to happen in 2016 (well, what am I going to PLAN to happen, because we all know what happens to plans, haha)
This is the year to focus on my business, on really doing everything I can do to help my books get into the hands of readers. That means :
Getting a newsletter up and running (and all of the logistics with it)
Getting a ficticious name license so I can really start pushing Strong Novels as a brand and business
Getting my website up and running (it's slowly getting there)
Re-branding myself
Being more involved in the community, both local and afar.
Also in the makings is the finishing of my current Alyssa/Caleb WIP, as well as getting some words down in a new 5(ish) YA paranormal series that I am super excited to begin (and hopefully finish).
While I can't promise to bring you armloads of new books written by me this year, I can promise to give you armloads of books by other fabulous authors to pass the time :)
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