Tuesday, May 26, 2015

O. U. R.





Where authors unite to raise funds for Operation Underground Railroad (O.U.R.), a nonprofit that organizes undercover operations to free many of the 2 million children being trafficked as sex slaves around the world.

Participating authors are donating their books in exchange for donations


Donate $20 to receive a free book from a participating author (book prizes selected at random).
  • Donors of $40 or more will receive two free books, a series, or a bundle (selected at random as well). 
Nearly 200 books have been donated by generous authors to help raise funds for this great cause--see the list of participating authors/books below!


Give freedom, get a book






DONATE NOW


Donate directly to O.U.R. through the Authors United Against Child Slavery Campaign



AUTHOR UNITED AGAINST CHILD SLAVERY LINKS




Authors and book bloggers who wish to help, please fill out this online form


OPERATION UNDERGROUND RAILROAD LINKS





Participating Authors/Books 



























 





 


 


 









 






 













 

























































































































Are you supporting the Authors United Against Child Slavery campaign. So far many authors have donated books and helped spread the word. We’ve raised $1,866 so far!
 
If we each get one additional friend/fan to donate $20 this week, we’ll have another $1,640. Here is the link to our campaign if you wish to invite others to donate or if you wish to donate and win a book for yourself: https://yourrescue.org/projects/authors-united-against-child-slavery/

Please sign up or donate to this worthy cause.






Monday, May 25, 2015

FORGET-ME-NOT

HONOR OUR SOLDIERS
MEMORIAL DAY 2015
~~~~~~~~~~

Soldier, Maiden, and Flower
"Sweetheart, take this," a soldier said,
"And bid me brave good-by;
It may befall we ne'er shall wed,
But love can never die.
Be steadfast in thy troth to me,
And then, whate'er my lot,
'My soul to God, my heart to thee,'--
Sweetheart, forget me not!"

The maiden took the tiny flower
And nursed it with her tears:
Lo! he who left her in that hour
Came not in after years.
Unto a hero's death he rode
'Mid shower of fire and shot;
But in the maiden's heart abode
The flower, forget-me-not.

And when he came not with the rest
From out the years of blood,
Closely unto her widowed breast
She pressed a faded bud;
Oh, there is love and there is pain,
And there is peace, God wot,--
And these dear three do live again
In sweet forget-me-not.

'T is to an unmarked grave to-day
That I should love to go,--
Whether he wore the blue or gray,
What need that we should know?
"He loved a woman," let us say,
And on that sacred spot,
To woman's love, that lives for aye,
We'll strew forget-me-not.

1887.

 
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are hosting an event on Facebook and they make one giveaway post per author with the FB page link. The entry to each giveaway post is visiting the author or bloggers page, giving it a Like and Commenting under the giveaway post their like number.

At the end of the event the author or blog picks one winner from the comments.

 What does the author author or blog have to do to participate?

- Email BRBAL to BrbalBlog@gmail.com your author name, Facebook page link, your email address and the prize you are gifting.

- Promote, share and invite to the giveaway.

 The Event dates: May 29th to 30th.
Here is the event link:
 
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Monday, May 18, 2015

SQUIRREL PROOF




 
 
 
 

This is new growth - we planted ten pine trees last fall - eight survived.
 
 


 Meet Margaret -  my neighbor.
 
 


I hope you enjoyed some of the colors from my yard. Of course, I did not have my camera when the most curious thing happened. This bird feeder is advertised as squirrl proof, put weight on the top and it closes.
 
The culprit!

Yesterday I walked outside to find a squirrel inside the feeder, pushing the seeds out for his friend on the ground. His tail was coiled around the top and should have been my first clue, but honestly, I thought the poor thing was trapped inside. I walked toward the feeder to help and the squirrel scrambled out. The next morning I found the entire feeder in pieces on the ground.

Enjoy your week; I'm in the middle of edits - a seemingly never-ending process. I wanted to participate in the Blood Boobs & Carnage Bloghop - but can't take the time away from edits.

My choice for the hop would have been the movies Kill Bill: Vol 1 and 2.


Do check out the Blood Boobs & Carnage Bloghop, it promises to be fun if not eye opening.



Monday, May 11, 2015

SPRING FEVER


When I put my sandals on the last thing I want to do is sit down and write. I want to enjoy the colors of spring, and all that sunshine. Spring and summer is for getting out and doing. The ease of writing during the darkness is the only good thing about winter.

Do you change your writing habits in the spring and summer? I do, I find myself finding better excuses not to write like planting new flowers, weeding (yes weeding) or spending the day running errands. Why are errands so much more fun in good weather? It has to be the sandals.

I try to combine the two by taking my work outside, but those three birdfeeders I put out this year bring in the most colorful birds. They're so much more interesting than my open laptop.

Spring fever is a serious illness for writers but when the cure is winter, (OMG what a lousy cure) as soon as the sun is down, the laptop is open.

How do you deal with spring and summer distractions?
 
 

Wednesday, May 6, 2015

IWSG - WHAT'S NEXT?


Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time. Be sure to link to this page and display the badge in your post.



As Alex says, "Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!"

The Twitter hashtag is #IWSG

(This information was taken directly from Alex J Cavanaugh's blog.)
 

It seems petty to talk insecurity when my third book was just approved for publication by Curiosity Quills Press. What's odd was the amount of stress writing this last book raised. Maybe due to other issues, but finally, the trilogy is complete and the relief is profound – BUT – what do I tackle next? Science fiction, horror, or do I stick with what's worked and write another mystery? Does Detective Steven Quaid continue to solve crimes or do I put him aside and try something new?

I have several options, projects waiting to be finished and yet I'm unsure which one to pick. I want to try something new and yet that damn detective isn't done speaking. I figure I'll work on the marketing for Murder & Obsession, and when my muse is ready, she'll point me in the right direction.

What do you do when a project is completed? How do you choose your next project or does it choose you?

Funny thing is, I was more confidant before I ever published novel one, (probably because of how little I knew) now I struggle with everything. I know marketing is my biggest source of insecurity but this year I'm determined to up my marketing game. Despite recent blog posts that say it's a waste of time, I'm not giving up. I'll find my stride. How's that sound for confidence?
 

Monday, May 4, 2015

COMMITMENT


 
There's one sad truth in life I've found

While journeying east and west -

The only folks we really wound

Are those we love the best.

We flatter those we scarcely kn
ow,

We please the fleeting guest,

And deal full many a thoughtless blow

To those who love us best.

~Ella Wheeler Wilcox~
 
This blog is in honor of my two sons who remind me daily the true meaning of love and the commitment I made when they came into my life.
 
~~~~~~~~~~~
 
Spring break is over and the real work begins.
 
Murder & Obsession, book three of my murder trilogy has been accepted for publication. (Yes, I did the happy dance!)
 
 


Wednesday, April 29, 2015

PHARAOH KATIE'S CELEBRATION


REMEMBER MEETING THE PHARAOH
A blog post from May 2013 introducing Katie Hamstead's first book in the Kiya trilogy. I was honored then and I am doubly honored today to help her celebrate the two year anniversary of that book and the completion of her Kiya trilogy.

by

Pharaoh Akhenaten reigned during the 18th Dynasty of Egypt. He is famous for being the "heretic King" because he abandoned the traditional religion for monotheism and worship of a minor god, the Aten. Akhenaten is the Pharaoh which Naomi/Kiya is forced to marry in Kiya: Hope of the Pharaoh.

1. What do people notice first about you?

My appearance. My physical deformities are pronounced, and make people avert their eyes so they do not stare. I sense my wives' disgust with me, even if none of them say it.

2. What one physical attribute would you change? 

My long fingers and toes.

3. What are you most afraid of? 

Betrayal. As Pharaoh, every day I must keep vigilant for those who would have me dead. Even people closest to me could turn at any moment.

4. What's the most important thing in your life? What do you value most?

The most important thing in my life is my loyal wives and children. I love each of them, but the ones who give me their allegiance in return are my favorites. Loyalty is a rare commodity in a royal household.

5. What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Where everyone is happy, and no one lives in fear. That is my vision, why I built my city, so all could start anew under the wise and gracious Aten.

6. What is your most treasured possession?

Nefertiti and our daughters, but Kiya is also rising in my graces as she holds a strong loyalty to me.

7. What is the quality you most like in a woman?

Loyalty, charm, grace and fertility.

8. What do you most value in your friends?

Again I would say loyalty. I have very few friends as a Pharaoh. Most men wish to use me for my power,and give me their daughters for treaties and trade agreements. Finding loyalty among such circumstances is difficult, so when I find it, I hold it close to my heart.

9. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

My health. Although I am Aten's offspring, my body is weak. I am terribly limited as a result, and sense that I will not live to old age.

* ********** *
 
Oh yes, Kiya. Make him love you, make him hold you in his highest regard....
 
* ********* *


 Introducing - Katie Hamstead

Born and raised in Australia, Katie's early years of day dreaming in the "bush", and having her father tell her wild bedtime stories, inspired her passion for writing.

After graduating High School, she became a foreign exchange student where she met a young man who several years later she married. Now she lives in Arizona with her husband, daughter and their dog.


She has a diploma in travel and tourism which helps inspire her writing. She is currently at school studying English and Creative Writing.


Katie loves to out sing her friends and family, play sports and be a good wife and mother. She now works as a Clerk with a lien company in Arizona to help support her family and her schooling. She loves to write, and takes the few spare moments in her day to work on her novels.

* ********** * 

Katie is celebrating the two year anniversary of Kiya: Hope of the Pharaoh.


Katie completed the trilogy and wants to party all day APRIL 30TH with give-a-ways, discussions, and just plain fun on Facebook. Come on by and meet this talented author, you could win a book or two.


Here are Katie's books!


When Naomi’s sisters are snatched up to be taken to be wives of the erratic Pharaoh, Akhenaten, she knows they won’t survive the palace, so she offers herself in their place. The fearsome Commander Horemheb sees her courage, and knows she is exactly what he is looking for…

The Great Queen Nefertiti despises Naomi instantly, and strips her of her Hebrew lineage, including her name, which is changed to Kiya. Kiya allies herself with Horemheb, who pushes her to greatness and encourages her to make the Pharaoh fall in love with her. When Akhenaten declares Kiya will be the mother of his heir, Nefertiti, furious with jealousy, schemes to destroy Kiya.

Kiya must play the deadly game carefully. She is in a silent battle of wills, and a struggle for who will one day inherit the crown. If she does bear an heir, she knows she will need to fight to protect him, as well as herself, from Nefertiti who is out for blood.
BUY HERE!


 
Nefertiti has forced Naomi to flee Amarna with Malachi and the three children. But even under the protection of Naomi’s family in Thebes, Nefertiti still hunts her and Tut. Nefertiti sends assassins to kill them, and while Naomi fights to protect the children, Malachi fights to keep her safe.

With three children in tow, one of which isn’t her own, she is labeled the harlot outcast wife of the pharaoh and is shunned. She isn’t safe among her own people, and flees from being stoned to death. Although her family protects her, she must find a way to survive.

While Naomi struggles to keep herself and Tut alive, old adversaries return as Smenkhkare takes advantage of Akhenaten’s ailing health. Naomi must rely on Horemheb’s promise to protect Tut’s birthright, but her feelings for Malachi could cause more problems with Horemheb than she expects.
BUY HERE!


Tut has grown into his position as Pharaoh, but he is a wild young man. Naomi fears for him, not only because of his recklessness, but because he has put his trust in Ay—the man determined to destroy Naomi—despite her and Horemheb advising against it.

Meanwhile, death and slavery hang over Naomi and her family. With fear of the booming Hebrew numbers causing talk of enslaving them, conscription is reinstated and Naomi fears for the lives of her other children. Especially since Ay's children are now adults, and just as dangerous as their father. They threaten to take Itani, conspire against Tut, and push for power.

But Tut is in trouble. While Ay's daughter draws Horemheb's attention, and Naomi deals with the struggles of her family, everyone's distraction could spell death for the young Pharaoh.

BUY HERE!


Please stop by and congratulate Katie!