Frances (Che) Monro
Laurie Green
Cheryl Carpinello
Mandi Williams
Mandi Williams
Trish Fletcher
Cheryl Malandrinos
Angela Brown
Anne Johnson
H.M. Prevost
Lydia Kang
Stina Lindenblatt
The Cellophane Queen: 'Cause you can look right through me, Walk right by me and never know I'm there...
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Midnight Oil Blog Tour WINNERS!
The names have been recorded, the die has been cast. Here are the winners of a free copy of either Bad Spelling or Midnight Oil. If you're a winner and I haven't contact you yet, please send me an email.
* Note: Some of the host blogs didn't have a qualifying commenter, so prizes were not awarded for each host blog.
Monday, January 30, 2012
Jo Ramsey Talks About Good vs. Evil
See Jo's post about her book "Life Skills" on the 5th.
When I was about ten, I was introduced to the series The Dark Is Rising, by Susan Cooper. The first book in the series that I read had the same title as the series, and I was immediately intrigued by the idea of a perfectly typical eleven-year-old boy (typical for England, at least, where the story took place) who suddenly learned that not only was he not so typical after all, but that it was up to him to help fight evil and keep our world intact. That, combined with Arthurian legends and amazing descriptions of Wales (I still need to get to that country someday) kept me reading and re-reading the series well into adulthood.
It also impacted my own writing. I wanted to write stories of good versus evil where good won. As I grew older, though, I realized that who’s good and who’s evil isn’t always clear-cut. An upstanding citizen with a nice family and good job might be the most evil man you’ve ever met; a teenage boy who drinks, smokes, gets into fights, and steals might be a good person even though he makes bad choices.
That’s the basis of my YA urban fantasy series The Dark Lines. Topher James, the main character/narrator of half the books in the first segment of the series, is no one’s idea of a hero. He smokes, is a high school drop-out with a GED, is disrespectful to his mother, and gets into fights. On first glance, he isn’t even a good person.
Except that he dropped out of high school to support his mother, who’s mental illness has necessitated Topher raising himself and her since he was five. He’s disrespectful to her out of frustration with the life he’s led since then, and he gets into fights to defend his friends, who are people for whom Topher would literally give his life if called on to do so.
And when Topher discovers that a force of darkness is destroying people with psychic abilities to strengthen itself, his first thought is that he has to stop it. Even though it might destroy him next.
The Dark Lines, as well as some of my other books, do deal with good versus evil. But they also deal with perceptions, and with conquering darkness within ourselves as well as outside. No human is completely good or completely evil, and we all have both within us. It’s which side we choose that matters.
The first two books of The Dark Lines, The Black Bridge and When Darkness Falls, are available from Jupiter Gardens Press, http://www.jupitergardens.com/. The third book, Jet Black, will be available soon from Featherweight Press, http://www.featherweightpublishing.com/. To find out more about me and my books, please visit my website at http://www.joramsey.com , and while you’re there stop by my blog to see Marva’s interview from this past Friday.
Good vs. Evil
It also impacted my own writing. I wanted to write stories of good versus evil where good won. As I grew older, though, I realized that who’s good and who’s evil isn’t always clear-cut. An upstanding citizen with a nice family and good job might be the most evil man you’ve ever met; a teenage boy who drinks, smokes, gets into fights, and steals might be a good person even though he makes bad choices.
Except that he dropped out of high school to support his mother, who’s mental illness has necessitated Topher raising himself and her since he was five. He’s disrespectful to her out of frustration with the life he’s led since then, and he gets into fights to defend his friends, who are people for whom Topher would literally give his life if called on to do so.
And when Topher discovers that a force of darkness is destroying people with psychic abilities to strengthen itself, his first thought is that he has to stop it. Even though it might destroy him next.
The first two books of The Dark Lines, The Black Bridge and When Darkness Falls, are available from Jupiter Gardens Press, http://www.jupitergardens.com/. The third book, Jet Black, will be available soon from Featherweight Press, http://www.featherweightpublishing.com/. To find out more about me and my books, please visit my website at http://www.joramsey.com , and while you’re there stop by my blog to see Marva’s interview from this past Friday.
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Hostess with a Red Pencil - Anne Duguid
Anne was content editor for the first book I had published with MuseItUp, a mystery titled "Missing, Assumed Dead." I was quite happy when she agree to post something about Midnight Oil on her highly informative blog, The Slow and Steady School of Writing. If you're a writer, you'd do well to see what Anne has to tell you.
About Anne:
Anne Duguid is a senior content editor with the great team at MuseItUp Publishing and also blogs monthly with Writers on the Move (http://www.writersonthemove.com/). After working with local and national newspapers in the UK, she now teaches numeracy and languages. Best of all she reads for a living and searches out challenges to keep slow writers motivated.
About Anne:
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Elementary Hostess - Barbara Ehrentreu
Not elementary, as in grade school. Barbara hosts the four major elemental spirits. Yes, this has something to do with Midnight Oil. You'll find out more than you ever thought you wanted to know on Barbara's Meandering Blog.
About Barbara
The first book of Barbara's that I read (and enjoyed, by the way) was the teen contemporary, "If I Could be Like Jennifer Taylor." It dealt with a number of problems facing today's teen. If you have a kid just hitting the teen years, it'd be a great book to give them. It will help prepare them for the mean streets of middle-grade and high school. Barbara has also written a Parent/Teacher Guide to help discuss the issues in Jennifer Taylor with teens. The book is available from MuseItUp, Amazon, and other ebookstores on the internet.
Friday, January 27, 2012
Assessment by a Brutally Honest Reviewer
Midnight Oil Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdfNTVeMS1s
The book trailer was featured at http://yougottareadvideos.blogspot.com/ on January 20th. Voting is between the 21st and 28th. Drop by and vote for #20.
I'm just trying to win some sympathy with the title. Gina Salerni is 11 going on 40. She reviews books for kids and her famous writer-mom, Dianne, Salerni, posts them on her blog, In High Spirits.
I'm a little nervous about this review since I have no idea what Gina has to say about Midnight Oil. I hope she likes it.
Here's what she had to say about Bad Spelling, the first book in the Witches of Galdorheim series.
The book trailer was featured at http://yougottareadvideos.blogspot.com/ on January 20th. Voting is between the 21st and 28th. Drop by and vote for #20.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
I'm just trying to win some sympathy with the title. Gina Salerni is 11 going on 40. She reviews books for kids and her famous writer-mom, Dianne, Salerni, posts them on her blog, In High Spirits.
I'm a little nervous about this review since I have no idea what Gina has to say about Midnight Oil. I hope she likes it.
Here's what she had to say about Bad Spelling, the first book in the Witches of Galdorheim series.
Hostess with Big Bird - Jo Ramsey
Jo and I are visiting each other so much this month, we're looking like we're related or BFFs. I hope, at least, we're becoming friends with all this virtual traveling. Jo is hosting Midnight Oil on her blog today. If you check back to January 5th, you'll see Jo visited me with her book, Life Skills. And coming up on the 30th, Jo will return for another stop with an all new book. At least we get great mileage.
About Jo
I’ve been reading and writing since I was very young, and I’ve always enjoyed creating new worlds and stories in which someone who considers his/her life bland and boring suddenly finds everything he/she’s always known turned on its ear. In other words, fantasy that starts, and often takes place completely, in the “real world.” That’s the type of story I enjoy reading, as well.
I’m a former special education teacher who now does school visits in addition to writing. I live in Massachusetts with my two daughters, my husband, and a pair of cats.
About Jo
I’m a former special education teacher who now does school visits in addition to writing. I live in Massachusetts with my two daughters, my husband, and a pair of cats.
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Hostess with Fairies - Pat McDermott
The book trailer was featured at You Gotta Read Videos on January 20th. Voting is between the 21st and 26th. This is the last day to vote. Drop by and vote for #20.
YA fantasy author, Pat McDermott, grills me to a fare-thee-well on her blog, Across the Plain of Shining Books, today. Find out what I think (scary thought) about my books (especially Midnight Oil) and other important things like how I began writing while still in the womb. That pointy pencil was hard on my mom.
About Pat:
Pat McDermott is a fan of Irish lore. I'd not doubt that at all since her last name begins with Mc (the Irish form) instead of Mac (the Apple form).
Born and educated in Boston, Massachusetts, Pat grew up in a family full of music and myths that have found their way into her stories. She is a member of The New Hampshire Writers' Project, Seacoast Writers' Association, Romance Writers of America, and Celtic Hearts Romance Writers. A frequent visitor to Ireland, she lives and writes in New Hampshire.
Her latest book is "Glancing Through the Glimmer" from MuseItUp Publishing. It's a delightful story of fairy folk and one very lucky (she must have a shamrock) teen girl given an inside look at Fey life.
()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()
YA fantasy author, Pat McDermott, grills me to a fare-thee-well on her blog, Across the Plain of Shining Books, today. Find out what I think (scary thought) about my books (especially Midnight Oil) and other important things like how I began writing while still in the womb. That pointy pencil was hard on my mom.
About Pat:
Born and educated in Boston, Massachusetts, Pat grew up in a family full of music and myths that have found their way into her stories. She is a member of The New Hampshire Writers' Project, Seacoast Writers' Association, Romance Writers of America, and Celtic Hearts Romance Writers. A frequent visitor to Ireland, she lives and writes in New Hampshire.
Her latest book is "Glancing Through the Glimmer" from MuseItUp Publishing. It's a delightful story of fairy folk and one very lucky (she must have a shamrock) teen girl given an inside look at Fey life.
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Vote for Midnight Oil Book Trailer
The Midnight Oil book trailer was featured at You Gotta Read Videos on January 20th. Voting is between the 21st and 28th. Drop by and vote for #20.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Hostess with Zombies - Pembroke Sinclair
The book trailer was featured at You Gotta Read Videos on January 20th. Voting is between the 21st and 26th. Drop by and vote for #20.
Pembroke Sinclair loves her zombies. I wish I had a zombie to share with her from Midnight Oil today. Hm. Just had a thought (well, the thought occurred on January 10th while I'm writing this post). I do have an almost-dead character she can host. Dear old dad, frozen in the glacier and feeling so sad.
About Pembroke:
Pembroke (female) presents us with an apocalyptic future replete with zombies. Nothing like a good zombie fest to keep you up all night. Buy her book, Life After the Undead, from Etreasures Publishing. Check out her blog for information on her other stories and books. Not all are zombified. She has published non-fiction and speculative fiction.
She has much more coming in 2012. She has quite a wide range. I just like to tease her about the zombies.
@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@
Pembroke Sinclair loves her zombies. I wish I had a zombie to share with her from Midnight Oil today. Hm. Just had a thought (well, the thought occurred on January 10th while I'm writing this post). I do have an almost-dead character she can host. Dear old dad, frozen in the glacier and feeling so sad.
About Pembroke:
Pembroke (female) presents us with an apocalyptic future replete with zombies. Nothing like a good zombie fest to keep you up all night. Buy her book, Life After the Undead, from Etreasures Publishing. Check out her blog for information on her other stories and books. Not all are zombified. She has published non-fiction and speculative fiction.
She has much more coming in 2012. She has quite a wide range. I just like to tease her about the zombies.
Monday, January 23, 2012
Hostess with Caged Graves - Dianne Salerni
The book trailer was featured at You Gotta Read Videos on January 20th. Voting is between the 21st and 28th. Drop by and vote for #20.
About Dianne:
Dianne's blog, In High Spirits, is always a useful place to find historical information, reviews written by her astute daughters (they know their MG/YA books), and regularly posts First Impressions, where writers can have their first pages analyzed by Dianne.
She's the rags-to-riches story that all writers dream of. Starting with a self-published historical novel, she found herself a publisher for "We Hear the Dead" (Sourcebooks). About two sisters in the 19th Century who bilked the public by pretending to relay messages from the spirit world, the book is based on the real rappers of the 19th C.
She's following up that success with her new novel (another historically based), The Caged Graves (Clarion). As if that wasn't enough, Dianne teaches full-time at an elementary school in Pennsylvania. Visit her website for more information on her books and where you can buy them.
#######################
Dianne Salerni takes over today on her blog with an interview of yours truly about the Witches of Galdorheim series, writing stuff, and other things. Her lit savvy daughter, Gina, will post her thoughts on Midnight Oil on Dianne's blog on the 27th.
About Dianne:
Dianne's blog, In High Spirits, is always a useful place to find historical information, reviews written by her astute daughters (they know their MG/YA books), and regularly posts First Impressions, where writers can have their first pages analyzed by Dianne.
She's following up that success with her new novel (another historically based), The Caged Graves (Clarion). As if that wasn't enough, Dianne teaches full-time at an elementary school in Pennsylvania. Visit her website for more information on her books and where you can buy them.
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Hostess with the Write Stuff - Meradeth Houston
Midnight Oil Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdfNTVeMS1s
The book trailer was featured at http://yougottareadvideos.blogspot.com/ on January 20th. Voting is between the 21st and 28th. Drop by and vote for #20.
Visit me on the Write Stuff blog.
About Meradeth
The book trailer was featured at http://yougottareadvideos.blogspot.com/ on January 20th. Voting is between the 21st and 28th. Drop by and vote for #20.
*********************
Today, Meradeth Houston is opening her blog to my new release, Midnight Oil. She asked a lot of probing questions and I answered as best I could. Would you turn off that bright light you had glaring in my eyes now? Ah, that's better. Visit me on the Write Stuff blog.
About Meradeth
My debut novel, Colors Like Memories will be out in May of next year with MuseItUp (I know that’s not for a while, but it feels like it’s creeping closer and closer!). CLM is a book that is near and dear to me, and I’m so happy it’s found a home and will actually go out into the world for other people to read—and hopefully enjoy a little too ;).
Saturday, January 21, 2012
Hostess With Totems - Shellie Neumeier
The book trailer for Midnight Oil was featured at You Gotta Read Videos. Vote from the 21st through 26th. Poll should be available today.
Shellie Neumeier is a YA author who participated in the MG/YA blogathon last September. Here's a link to my interview about her book, Driven, back then.
Today, on her blog, she posts important information on Nenets shrines, totems, and asking for help from the heavens. In other words, a major plot point in Midnight Oil.
About Shellie:
Married for almost 20 years, Shellie and her husband have four wonderful children and two goofy greyhounds. After receiving her undergraduate degree in Secondary Education from the University of Wisconsin—Madison, she went on to acquire an early childhood education certificate. Shellie also served in youth, children’s, special needs and family ministries for over twenty-two years.
Today she enjoys teaching her teens how to drive and chauffeuring her preteens across the Wisconsin countryside. And once in a while, she enjoys reading a classic tale or new suspense. In addition to writing fiction, Shellie is an avid blogger on her site http://shellieneumeier.com/ and several others including http://samiesisters.com/ , http://www.suite101.com/, and http://thebarndoor.net/.
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
Shellie Neumeier is a YA author who participated in the MG/YA blogathon last September. Here's a link to my interview about her book, Driven, back then.
Today, on her blog, she posts important information on Nenets shrines, totems, and asking for help from the heavens. In other words, a major plot point in Midnight Oil.
About Shellie:
Married for almost 20 years, Shellie and her husband have four wonderful children and two goofy greyhounds. After receiving her undergraduate degree in Secondary Education from the University of Wisconsin—Madison, she went on to acquire an early childhood education certificate. Shellie also served in youth, children’s, special needs and family ministries for over twenty-two years.
Today she enjoys teaching her teens how to drive and chauffeuring her preteens across the Wisconsin countryside. And once in a while, she enjoys reading a classic tale or new suspense. In addition to writing fiction, Shellie is an avid blogger on her site http://shellieneumeier.com/ and several others including http://samiesisters.com/ , http://www.suite101.com/, and http://thebarndoor.net/.
Friday, January 20, 2012
Hostess with Monkeys - Lorrie Struiff
Lorrie Struiff, author of "Gypsy Crystal" and "Heap of Trouble" (coming soon to MuseItUp Publishing) plus a lot of short stories here and there, is hosting a couple of important characters in Midnight Oil: Kat (the main character) and Mordita, the ancient sorceress who has taken a liking to Kat. In the excerpt, Mordita provides cookies, advice, and a piece of jewelry.NOTE: The book trailer for Midnight Oil is featured today on You Gotta Read Videos. Voting begins tomorrow. I'd appreciate your vote. Thanks!
Thursday, January 19, 2012
Hostess with Ice Cream - Barbara Bockman
Today, Barbara Bockman hosts Midnight Oil on her Stories a la Mode blog. Barbara's latest book is Wounds from MuseItUp Publishing. She visited me here on January 9th with information on her newest offering, a picture book titled "Fantastic Flight," as well as participating in last September's MG/YA Blogathon.
About Barbara (according to Barbara)
I’ve always loved stories and the interesting way certain people have with words. So I majored in English and Library Science in college, and later, with a Master’s Degree in English, I taught my subject at Pensacola Junior College. Having long wanted to try my hand at it, I started writing stories for children.
Story ideas are all around me. One of the fun things about traveling is learning new facts and feeling the lives of people who lived in those exotic locales. I especially love folk tales and myths.
I also enjoy stories about contemporary children and situations. I like to turn them into mysteries. My family have been indulgent enough to allow me to write about them, as well.
About Barbara (according to Barbara)
Story ideas are all around me. One of the fun things about traveling is learning new facts and feeling the lives of people who lived in those exotic locales. I especially love folk tales and myths.
I also enjoy stories about contemporary children and situations. I like to turn them into mysteries. My family have been indulgent enough to allow me to write about them, as well.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Hostess with Tiny Canines - Chris Verstraete
No, Chris Verstraete is not a vampire with small fangs. She just really, really likes dogs. I like dogs too, so we get along great. Great Dane even. She never terriers from her writing duties except to hound other writers to make teensy, tiny little pekingese, no make that chihuahua-sized chairs, tables and dog houses.
Now that you can tell I'm totally baying at the moon, please drop over to Chris' blog, The Candid Canine, while I go on and on about the unfortunately dogless Midnight Oil. There's plenty of other animals though. Just not dogs, not even little itty bitty dogs.
Chris Verstraete: Collector, writer, miniaturist, dog lover! But she also enjoys writing + reading horror. (Zombies too!) If you like dogs or miniatures or zombies, possibly all in the same book, you'll enjoy Chris' writing. For example:
Searching for a Starry Night, A Miniature Art Mystery
Sam, her Bff Lita, and a mischievous Dachshund named Petey face a cranky housekeeper, a dog-hating gardener, and an ancient family curse as they search for a missing miniature replica of Van Gogh's famous painting, "Starry Night."
Learn more about Chris on her website, including all her other books about dogs, miniatures, and zombies.
Now that you can tell I'm totally baying at the moon, please drop over to Chris' blog, The Candid Canine, while I go on and on about the unfortunately dogless Midnight Oil. There's plenty of other animals though. Just not dogs, not even little itty bitty dogs.
Chris Verstraete: Collector, writer, miniaturist, dog lover! But she also enjoys writing + reading horror. (Zombies too!) If you like dogs or miniatures or zombies, possibly all in the same book, you'll enjoy Chris' writing. For example:
Sam, her Bff Lita, and a mischievous Dachshund named Petey face a cranky housekeeper, a dog-hating gardener, and an ancient family curse as they search for a missing miniature replica of Van Gogh's famous painting, "Starry Night."
Learn more about Chris on her website, including all her other books about dogs, miniatures, and zombies.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
It's Always a Mystery at Heather Haven's Place
Two departures from the Midnight Oil release today. I was notified that a review of my SFR, Ultimate Duty, should be posted at Red Adept Reviews today. A very nice review written by Jim Chambers. I sure can't complain about 4-1/2 stars.
Another lane change lane away from the fantasy world to the world of murder and mystery. Heather Haven's Alvarez Family series is becoming seriously famous starting with "Murder is a Family Business" and "A Wedding to Die For."
Visit Heather's blog today, the 17th of January, to read about my mystery/romance, "Missing, Assumed Dead."
About Heather:
I am a story teller by nature and love the written word. In my career, I've written short stories, novels, comedy acts, plays, television treatments, ad copy, commercials, and even ghost-wrote a book.
One of my very first jobs as a writer was given to me by my then agent. It was that of writing a love story for a book published by Bantam called Moments of Love. I had a deadline of one week and then promptly came down with the flu. I wrote "The Sands of Time" with a temperature of 102 and delivered some pretty hot stuff because of it. The result is on the Short Stories page, along with a contest winning short short called "Socks." I'll be rotating my short stories from time to time because I just love writing them!
My two one-act plays, The Closet Corpse and Baltimore, farcical comedies both, were well received whenever and wherever they've been performed. I had the good fortune to have Baltimore done at Playwrights Horizon in New York City, shortly after The Closet Corpse premiered off-off B'Way, starring the very talented Sandy Faison, of Broadway's Annie fame. Both are featured on the plays page.
Another lane change lane away from the fantasy world to the world of murder and mystery. Heather Haven's Alvarez Family series is becoming seriously famous starting with "Murder is a Family Business" and "A Wedding to Die For."
Visit Heather's blog today, the 17th of January, to read about my mystery/romance, "Missing, Assumed Dead."
About Heather:
One of my very first jobs as a writer was given to me by my then agent. It was that of writing a love story for a book published by Bantam called Moments of Love. I had a deadline of one week and then promptly came down with the flu. I wrote "The Sands of Time" with a temperature of 102 and delivered some pretty hot stuff because of it. The result is on the Short Stories page, along with a contest winning short short called "Socks." I'll be rotating my short stories from time to time because I just love writing them!
My two one-act plays, The Closet Corpse and Baltimore, farcical comedies both, were well received whenever and wherever they've been performed. I had the good fortune to have Baltimore done at Playwrights Horizon in New York City, shortly after The Closet Corpse premiered off-off B'Way, starring the very talented Sandy Faison, of Broadway's Annie fame. Both are featured on the plays page.
Monday, January 16, 2012
Hostess with a Sea Serpent - Sue Perkins
Sue Perkins (Author of Spirit Stealer and Reva's Quest from MuseItUp Publishing) meets a sea serpent with Midnight Oil's heroine, Kat.
Read all about Ceto on Sue's Blog.
About Sue
Born in Devon, England, Sue traveled the world with her husband, including two years living in the Middle East with her young family. A few years later the family moved to New Zealand. Sue, her husband and dog have settled on a three acre block at the top of New Zealand's South Island. Their two children are now the globetrotters.
Sue writing genres include fantasy, romance, young adult and middle grade. When asked if she would ever stop writing she replied "Not until all the plots in my head have been written - which will probably I'll never stop."
Her hobbies include reading, writing and anything to do with crafts. Researching family history is another past time which holds Sue's interest. She works as a graphic artist for a local trade paper.
Read all about Ceto on Sue's Blog.
About Sue
Sue writing genres include fantasy, romance, young adult and middle grade. When asked if she would ever stop writing she replied "Not until all the plots in my head have been written - which will probably I'll never stop."
Her hobbies include reading, writing and anything to do with crafts. Researching family history is another past time which holds Sue's interest. She works as a graphic artist for a local trade paper.
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Most Villainous Hostess - Ardyth DeBruyn
My host today is the multi-talented Ardyth DeBruyn. I like her so much, I even named one of my characters after her. She also has a very artistic brother who has illustrated her wonderful YA fantasy, "A School for Villains."
Click here for Ardyth's blog.
About Ardyth
Ardyth DeBruyn is a native Oregonian with a restless nature and a degree in Anthropology. After hiking over 1500 miles across Europe and living on the Mexican border for a year, she settled back in the Pacific Northwest (for now) to write fantasy stories. She has decided she can type herself into adventures faster than walk. She has fiction published in a number of webzines and two children’s novels, ”Chosen Sister,” with Wild Child Publishing, and “A School for Villains.”
Click here for Ardyth's blog.
About Ardyth
Ardyth DeBruyn is a native Oregonian with a restless nature and a degree in Anthropology. After hiking over 1500 miles across Europe and living on the Mexican border for a year, she settled back in the Pacific Northwest (for now) to write fantasy stories. She has decided she can type herself into adventures faster than walk. She has fiction published in a number of webzines and two children’s novels, ”Chosen Sister,” with Wild Child Publishing, and “A School for Villains.”Saturday, January 14, 2012
Hostess with a Whale - C.K. Volnek
C.K. is an MG/YA writer with MuseItUp Publishing. Her recently released tween novel, A Horse Called Trouble, and has already been receiving many accolades for this touching story of a young teen who must overcome her abusive past to save the defiant horse who taught her to love and trust again. C.K. will visit me here on February 13th with more information on this book.
She's hosting one of my characters in "Midnight Oil" An Orca Called Salmon. Read all about it on The Mind's Eye blog.
About Charlotte
Everyone has a story. Happy, sad, good, bad, all rolled up in the truth of who we are. We may think we are nothing special, but in fact we are everything to someone. We may just not know it.
I grew up in Nebraska, enjoying life in small town USA; riding horses in summer and sledding the ginormous hills in winter. I am married to my best friend and together we have three children and four Papillon fur-kids. What can I say...Papillons are like potato chips, you can’t stop at one. I like to write, hike, watch movies, and dream about the ‘what ifs’ in life, thus spawning the many stories my muse wants to share. I am proud to announce my first two novels released in 2011, and my third to be released 2012.
She's hosting one of my characters in "Midnight Oil" An Orca Called Salmon. Read all about it on The Mind's Eye blog.
About Charlotte
I grew up in Nebraska, enjoying life in small town USA; riding horses in summer and sledding the ginormous hills in winter. I am married to my best friend and together we have three children and four Papillon fur-kids. What can I say...Papillons are like potato chips, you can’t stop at one. I like to write, hike, watch movies, and dream about the ‘what ifs’ in life, thus spawning the many stories my muse wants to share. I am proud to announce my first two novels released in 2011, and my third to be released 2012.
Friday, January 13, 2012
MIDNIGHT OIL RELEASE TODAY!!!
Shipwrecked on a legendary island, how can a witch rescue her boyfriend if she can’t even phone home?
My website: http://marvadasef.com/
MuseItUp Buy Page: http://tinyurl.com/6wswbsf
Amazon Link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006UTL54A
Book Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdfNTVeMS1s
Read the first review on Lindsay Below's Blog.
Blog Tour Schedule in January. Stop by at my hosts' sites for ebook giveaways.
14 - Charlotte Volnek
15 - Ardyth DeBruyn
16 - Sue Perkins
17 - Heather Haven (Missing, Assumed Dead)
18 - Chris Verstraete
19 - Barbara Bockman
20 - Lorrie Struiff
20 - Midnight Oil on You Gotta Read Book Trailers (vote for #20 from the 21st-26th)
21 - Shellie Neumeier
22 - Meradeth Houston
23 - Dianne Salerni
24 - Pembroke Sinclair
25 - Review by Gina Salerni
26 - Pat McDermott
27 - Jo Ramsey
28 - Barbara Ehrentreu
29 - Anne Duguid
Loglines - Ultimate Duty
A new book featured everyday. Does the cover and logline intrigue enough to make you want to read the book? Check it out.
Buy the book award-winning (9th Place Best SF on Editors/Preditors Poll 2010) book at:
Eternal Press
Amazon Kindle and Print
Watch the book trailer at YouTube.
Thursday, January 12, 2012
Bad Spelling 2nd Place in Preditors/Editors Readers Poll
The voting ended, the tallies are toted. Two of my books took a top 10 in the polls. Win badges coming soon.
Bad Spelling 2nd Place in Childrens Novels
Missing, Assumed Dead 8th Place in Mysteries
Bad Spelling 2nd Place in Childrens Novels
Missing, Assumed Dead 8th Place in Mysteries
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Real or Fantasy Worlds
I discuss using real and fantasy worlds in my Witches of Galdorheim series. I say, use both and mix it up.
Read the article on the MuseItUp Blog.
Read the article on the MuseItUp Blog.
Monday, January 09, 2012
Picture This - Author Barbara Bockman
Hi Marva,
Thanks for inviting me to be on your blog today and share some good news. In addition to my MuseItYoung novel, Wounds, I now have a picture book published by Guardian Angel Publishing. The title is Fantastic Flight. The illustrations are done by Jack Foster, who has a charming, amusing style. Here is his website: http://jacktoon.blogspot.com/
Just as with many of my stories, I started this one because of an incident that happened in my family. When my granddaughter, Jessica, was a toddler, my husband and I went with her and her parents to Chucky Cheese’s. That is a fun pizza restaurant with games and an animated floor show. A good place for birthday parties. And lots of balloons. Jessica was going to take a balloon home. But as her mom was putting her jacket on, Grandpa offered to hold the balloon. He was a great kidder. So he pretended the balloon was carrying him up into the sky. He said, “Jessica, hold my hand! This balloon is carrying me away.” Jessica thought that was really funny.
The story gives an idea of how to overcome boredom or homesickness by using one’s creativity. Grownups can give kids a nudge by suggesting ways to keep busy and stretch the imagination.
The book is available in both electronic and print formats at Guardian Angel Publishing and other venues. http://www.guardianangelpublishing.com/fantastic-flight.htm Suggested for readers from 4-7.
Thanks again, Marva, and I’ll see you on my blog, Stories a la Mode, on Thursday, January 19. http://barbarabockman.wordpress.com/ Till then…
Thanks for letting us know about Guardian Angel Publishing as well as your new book. See you on your blog on the 19th. Marva
Sunday, January 08, 2012
Book Trailer for Midnight Oil!
Midnight Oil is now on Amazon at: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B006UTL54A/
And in case you didn't see the trailer for Book 1: Bad Spelling...
And in case you didn't see the trailer for Book 1: Bad Spelling...
Saturday, January 07, 2012
Sue Perkins - Two New Releases!
Reva fights evil in Fey with the help of a garden gnome, elves, griffins and a knight in shining armour.
by Sue Perkins: http://www.sueperkinsauthor.com/
Blogsite: http://sueperkinsauthor.blogspot.com/
Buy Reva's Quest at MuseItUp Publishing
Sue's last book, "Spirit Stealer," is now available at MuseItUp, Amazon, and other on-line bookstores. Now, let's hear from Sue.
Thank you Marva for inviting me to your blog.
I hope everyone had a great Christmas and New Year and are not feeling too down about returning to school or work.
My break has been very relaxed. I live in New Zealand so we get Christmas in the sun and I have to say the sun really did its best for us. Very hot days with blue skies. The rain set in for New Year though.
My New Year began for on the 30th December when MuseItUp Publishing released my Middle Grade novel "Reva's Quest". This is my second Middle Grade novel, the first one being "Spirit Stealer" which was released by MuseItUp in October 2011. Both are fantasies.
On the 1st January Desert Breeze Publishing released a Young Adult novel "Dragon Flame" so 2012 has definitely started with all things wonderful.
I have to admit my favorite genre is fantasy. Sometimes on Earth with spirits, ghosts and other scary things. I also visit alternate worlds with magical beings both animals and humanoids.
"Reva's Quest" starts on Earth but rapidly moves to the magical world of Fey. Reva's garden gnome demands she accompany him Fey to rid the magical world of evil which he states is all her fault.
The adventure begins when they start their quest accompanied by two elves and a griffin. The evil has infiltrated most of the land and sometimes the beings of Fey are not as they seem.
Excerpt from Reva's Quest
They walked through the trees for most of the day, but eventually the forest thinned out. Through the trunks she could see rolling meadows with another wooded area in the distance. Distant snow-topped mountains broke the horizon. The creatures of Fey might not be the same as her imagination, but the scenery certainly looked similar. Eager to leave the lurking leprechauns behind, she hurried out onto the lush grassy surface.
“Come back you silly girl.”
Reva ignored Maura. With her arms stretched out to either side and her face turned upward, she spun slowly, enjoying the warm sunshine of late afternoon.
“What does she think she’s doing?” Maura’s voice held astonishment.
“Enjoying the warmth and light I think,” Jarin's words were thoughtful. “I thought she knew about Fey. Doesn’t she know how dangerous it is to rush out in the open?”
“Apparently not,” the female elf replied.
Reva heard their voices, but ignored the actual words. Eyes closed, she tilted her head back even more and lifted her face to the sky, enjoying the warm rays bathing her face. The sunshine wiped away the sense of menace and replaced it with a feeling of ease and contentment.
For several moments, she stood delighting in the sun before something passed across the sky, throwing a shadow on her face. Reva looked up, expecting to see a cloud crossing the sun. Her eyes widened in horror. A huge avian dived toward her at an amazing speed. The beak opened in a challenging scream which went right through her. Sharp talons on its feet stretched toward her as it swooped in for the kill.
The bird zoomed closer and closer. Reva stood open-mouthed, staring. Fear and disbelief pinned her feet to the ground.
Buy Link Reva's Quest: http://tinyurl.com/revasquest
"Dragon Flame" occurs on an alternate planet. Eighteen year old Talei is the eldest survivor of an attack of fire breathing dragons. Talei links telepathically with a dragon, and discovers their goblin riders are holding the female dragons hostage. Talei and her friend Adri lead a group of teenagers to free the beasts. Failure means the end of both dragons and humans.
Excerpt from Dragon Flame
Darth stirred beside her, and thinking he moved to comfort her, she turned toward him. To her horror she saw him crawl from beneath the wagon and move toward a laser gun which had fallen from the hand of a dead defender.
"Darth, no," she hissed. "Don't be stupid."
He picked up the laser, and still lying on the ground he looked toward her, pride glowing in his eyes.
"I'm not stupid, Talei. I'm going to protect my home and people in the only way I know." Without another word he wriggled forward until he reached the dance floor. Talei watched helplessly as he stood. Alone in the center of the dance floor, he fired at a dragon strafing the tents along the eastern side of the open space.
The beast turned. Without appearing to aim, it launched a stream of fire at Darth. He didn't even have time to cry out as his body burst into flames. When the blaze subsided only a blackened husk remained. Talei watched in horror as the residue of her childhood friend fell lifeless to the ground.
The dragon hovered over its kill. Talei screamed in terror, and the huge, triangular head turned in her direction. She stared helplessly into the dragon's brilliant green, cat-like eyes. She froze as the maw opened, and waited for the searing heat to destroy her, too. Somewhere in the back of her mind her brain chanted a litany. Please don't kill me. Please don't kill me.
Buy Link Dragon Flame: http://tinyurl.com/dragonflame
Video Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UI44FEElYmg
Friday, January 06, 2012
Midnight Oil is Burning!
The newest book in the Witches of Galdorheim series, MIDNIGHT OIL, just arrived in my email in all the lovely formats: PRC, EPUB, PDF, HTML. Release date is next Friday the 13th, but I now have in my possession, burning my fingers, a book that can be rewarded to faithful commenters in my upcoming blog tour. I'd better figure out a banner of some kind.
Blog Tour Schedule:
11 - At MuseItUp Blog
13 - RELEASE DAY! Announcement Here.
13 - Review by Lindsay Below
14 - At Charlotte Volnek
15 - At Ardyth DeBruyn
16 - At Sue Perkins
17 - At Heather Haven (Missing, Assumed Dead featured)
18 - At Chris Verstraete
19 - At Barbara Bockman
20 - At Lorrie Struiff
22 - At Meradeth Houston
23 and 25 - At Dianne Salerni, Review by Gina Salerni
24 - At Pembroke Sinclair
26 - At Pat McDermott
27 - At Jo Ramsey
28 - At Barbara Ehrentreu
29 - At Anne DuGuid
Blog Tour Schedule:
11 - At MuseItUp Blog
13 - RELEASE DAY! Announcement Here.
13 - Review by Lindsay Below
14 - At Charlotte Volnek
15 - At Ardyth DeBruyn
16 - At Sue Perkins
17 - At Heather Haven (Missing, Assumed Dead featured)
18 - At Chris Verstraete
19 - At Barbara Bockman
20 - At Lorrie Struiff
22 - At Meradeth Houston
23 and 25 - At Dianne Salerni, Review by Gina Salerni
24 - At Pembroke Sinclair
26 - At Pat McDermott
27 - At Jo Ramsey
28 - At Barbara Ehrentreu
29 - At Anne DuGuid
Thursday, January 05, 2012
Guest Blog - Jo Ramsey
Making a Difference by Jo Ramsey
Whether we’re talking about helping others, ending bullying, or donating to charities, it’s easier than people sometimes realize to make a difference.
Bullying is sometimes the hardest thing for people to realize they can change. Sometimes all it takes is one person to speak up and say, “Hey, stop that.” People are often reluctant to say it, and then the bullying continues.
Some people hesitate to help others because they don’t believe they can do anything, or because they think someone else will help. It’s the same with donating to charities; some people don’t have the money, but others don’t think their money will actually make a difference. Or they figure other people will donate, so they don’t have to.
But the truth is, everyone can help. That’s what Brian Monahan, the main character in my new young adult short story “Life Skills” discovers. Brian’s school requires all students to perform community service in order to graduate, and Brian forgot to submit his proposal. So his school assigns him to volunteer in the Life Skills class. While working there, Brian discovers that some of the kids in the class are being bullied.
He decides to do something about it. Being bisexual, Brian has been bullied plenty himself, and he helps organize his school’s Day of Silence each year; it’s an event where students remain silent for a full day to express their support of GLBTQ people. To help the kids in the Life Skills class, Brian and his friends organize a Spread the Word to End the Word event, in which they encourage their schoolmates to be respectful of students with special needs and to stop using the word “retard.”
Brian considers himself “under the radar” and tries to keep it that way, but he puts himself out there to help others, and he makes a difference. What can you do to make a difference in your life?
“Life Skills” is available at http://www.featherweightpublishing.com/ShowBook.php?HH=JR_LIFESKILLS as part of Featherweight Press’s Helping Hands line, in which royalties from all stories are donated to a charity chosen by the author. Royalties from “Life Skills” will benefit Day of Silence.
Find out more about Jo Ramsey and her books on her website, http://www.joramsey.com/ .
Bullying is sometimes the hardest thing for people to realize they can change. Sometimes all it takes is one person to speak up and say, “Hey, stop that.” People are often reluctant to say it, and then the bullying continues.
Some people hesitate to help others because they don’t believe they can do anything, or because they think someone else will help. It’s the same with donating to charities; some people don’t have the money, but others don’t think their money will actually make a difference. Or they figure other people will donate, so they don’t have to.
He decides to do something about it. Being bisexual, Brian has been bullied plenty himself, and he helps organize his school’s Day of Silence each year; it’s an event where students remain silent for a full day to express their support of GLBTQ people. To help the kids in the Life Skills class, Brian and his friends organize a Spread the Word to End the Word event, in which they encourage their schoolmates to be respectful of students with special needs and to stop using the word “retard.”
Brian considers himself “under the radar” and tries to keep it that way, but he puts himself out there to help others, and he makes a difference. What can you do to make a difference in your life?
“Life Skills” is available at http://www.featherweightpublishing.com/ShowBook.php?HH=JR_LIFESKILLS as part of Featherweight Press’s Helping Hands line, in which royalties from all stories are donated to a charity chosen by the author. Royalties from “Life Skills” will benefit Day of Silence.
Find out more about Jo Ramsey and her books on her website, http://www.joramsey.com/ .
Wednesday, January 04, 2012
Preditors and Editors Reader Poll
It's polling time at Preditors/Editors. Please vote for:
Bad Spelling in the Children's Books category. Vote for the one that has Comments.
While Bad Spelling is also in the Young Adults category, and I'd certainly appreciate your vote, I'd like to see my publishing house take a first place. For YA, I ask you to vote for:
If I Could Be Like Jennifer Taylor by Barbara Ehrentreu
Again, I have an entry in Mystery Novels, "Missing, Assumed Dead." However, I'd like you to show your support for MuseItUp by voting for:
A Wedding to Die For by Heather Haven
My cover for Bad Spelling is totally the best, so I'd be pleased if you honor my cover artist, Kaytalin Platt. There are two entries in this category, so just pick the top one.
Bad Spelling Cover by Kaytalin Platt
If you're not tired of clicking yet, please vote for:
MuseItUp Publishing in the Print/Electronic Book Publishers
Thanks for your support.
Bad Spelling in the Children's Books category. Vote for the one that has Comments.
While Bad Spelling is also in the Young Adults category, and I'd certainly appreciate your vote, I'd like to see my publishing house take a first place. For YA, I ask you to vote for:
If I Could Be Like Jennifer Taylor by Barbara Ehrentreu
Again, I have an entry in Mystery Novels, "Missing, Assumed Dead." However, I'd like you to show your support for MuseItUp by voting for:
A Wedding to Die For by Heather Haven
My cover for Bad Spelling is totally the best, so I'd be pleased if you honor my cover artist, Kaytalin Platt. There are two entries in this category, so just pick the top one.
Bad Spelling Cover by Kaytalin PlattIf you're not tired of clicking yet, please vote for:
MuseItUp Publishing in the Print/Electronic Book Publishers
Thanks for your support.
Monday, January 02, 2012
MuseItUp Blogging This Month
Late breaking news: Here's the cover for Midnight Oil! So cool, I'm almost spitting up.
The winner of a free PDF of Ultimate Duty from my visit to Mark of the Stars is:
Visit with me on the MuseItUp Publishing blog on the 11th. All month long, various authors are visiting and expounding on high falutin' topics...like YA books. They don't disappear, so you can catch all the posts throughout January.
2012 THEME Dear Reporter: my struggles and sacrifices to maintain my passion for writing. Plus some genre weeks.
DEAR REPORTER THEME January 2nd - 7th
JAN 2 Christine London
JAN 3 Dianne Hartsock
JAN 4 Mike Hays
JAN 5 Ginger Simpson
JAN 6 Christine Speakman
JAN 7 Danielle Ravencraft
JAN 8 SUN MuseItUp BDAY BLOG PARTY WITH DOORPRIZES
MUSE TWEEN/YA AUTHOR WEEK Jan 9th - 15th
JAN 9
Ginger Simpson
JAN 10
AM:Mindy Hardwick
PM: Mike Hays
JAN 11
AM: Marva Dasef
PM: Anne Johnson
JAN 12
AM: Pat McDermott
PM: Shellie Neumeier
JAN 13
AM: Barbara Ehrentreu
PM: Charlie Volnek
JAN 14
AM:Nick Giannaras
PM: Maggie Lyons
JAN 15
AM:Cheryl Carpinello
PM: Grace DeLuca
DEAR REPORTER THEME January 16th-22nd
JAN 16 Christopher Hoare
JAN 17 Rochelle Weber
JAN 18 Joanne Elder - Post about Alzheimer's and the event in January
JAN 19 Roseanne Dowell
JAN 20 Amy McCorkle
JAN 21 TBD
JAN 22 Rosemary Morris
HORROR/DARK FICTION THEME January 23rd - 26th
JAN 23 Pembroke Sinclair
JAN 24 Brian Knight
JAN 25 TBD
JAN 26 Kristin Battestella
CONTINUING DEAR REPORTER THEME
JAN 30 Addison James
February will continue with more DEAR REPORTER posts and Mystery/Thriller Week (I'll be on Feb.8th).
The winner of a free PDF of Ultimate Duty from my visit to Mark of the Stars is:
KAYE MANRO
Visit with me on the MuseItUp Publishing blog on the 11th. All month long, various authors are visiting and expounding on high falutin' topics...like YA books. They don't disappear, so you can catch all the posts throughout January.
2012 THEME Dear Reporter: my struggles and sacrifices to maintain my passion for writing. Plus some genre weeks.
DEAR REPORTER THEME January 2nd - 7th
JAN 2 Christine London
JAN 3 Dianne Hartsock
JAN 4 Mike Hays
JAN 5 Ginger Simpson
JAN 6 Christine Speakman
JAN 7 Danielle Ravencraft
JAN 8 SUN MuseItUp BDAY BLOG PARTY WITH DOORPRIZES
MUSE TWEEN/YA AUTHOR WEEK Jan 9th - 15th
JAN 9
Ginger Simpson
JAN 10
AM:Mindy Hardwick
PM: Mike Hays
JAN 11
AM: Marva Dasef
PM: Anne Johnson
JAN 12
AM: Pat McDermott
PM: Shellie Neumeier
JAN 13
AM: Barbara Ehrentreu
PM: Charlie Volnek
JAN 14
AM:Nick Giannaras
PM: Maggie Lyons
JAN 15
AM:Cheryl Carpinello
PM: Grace DeLuca
DEAR REPORTER THEME January 16th-22nd
JAN 16 Christopher Hoare
JAN 17 Rochelle Weber
JAN 18 Joanne Elder - Post about Alzheimer's and the event in January
JAN 19 Roseanne Dowell
JAN 20 Amy McCorkle
JAN 21 TBD
JAN 22 Rosemary Morris
HORROR/DARK FICTION THEME January 23rd - 26th
JAN 23 Pembroke Sinclair
JAN 24 Brian Knight
JAN 25 TBD
JAN 26 Kristin Battestella
CONTINUING DEAR REPORTER THEME
JAN 30 Addison James
February will continue with more DEAR REPORTER posts and Mystery/Thriller Week (I'll be on Feb.8th).
Sunday, January 01, 2012
Happy New Year! January Schedule
HAPPY 2012!
First, I'd like to announcement the winners of C.K. Volnek's new ebook. Two people who commented on my blog here won "A Horse Called Trouble." Congratulations to Adriana Ryan and Edith Parzefall.
Next, the Preditors/Editors Readers Poll is now open. I'd appreciate any votes people might cast. Here are the links:
http://critters.org/predpoll/novelchildrens.shtml
Vote for Bad Spelling with publisher as Museitup Publishing so as to not split votes. Somehow got entered twice.
http://critters.org/predpoll/novelyoungadult.shtml
Bad Spelling
http://critters.org/predpoll/novelmys.shtml
Missing, Assumed Dead
Now on to the rest of the scheduled events. With a new book release, it'll be an active month. I'll be blog-hopping all over the place. I will be giving away free ebooks, so visit everywhere you can to get into the draw. Here's what's shaping up so far:
1st - 10th - Open Season blog posts
7th - Sue Perkins visits me
11th - At MuseItUp Blog
13th - At Loglines Blog - Ultimate Duty Logline
14th - At C.K. Volnek
17th - At Heather Haven - Missing, Assumed Dead
18th - At Chris Verstraete
19th - At Barbara Bockman
20th - At Lorrie Struiff
22nd - At Meradeth Snow
23rd - Jo Ramsey Visits Me
23rd and 25th - At Dianne and Gina Salerni
24th - At Pembroke Sinclair
27th - At Jo Ramsey
28th - At Barbara Ehrentreu
More Stops and Links coming soon!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)