September 23, 2013

Wild Child Publishing Blog Hop-My Train Trip through England.


Do you have a favorite fall memory linked to a train? What do you imagine you would see if you were riding a train in the fall? Join the authors of Wild Child publishing and Freya’s Bower as we Take an Autumn Train Ride through our blogs.

Prizes will include

  • Four $50 gift certificates (two for Wild Child and two Freya's Bower)
  • An awesome swag package that includes:
    • Bookmarks
    • Books
    • Wild Child T-shirt and mug
    • Wild Child and Freya's Bower bags
    • Four handmade, crochet coasters by Kit Wylde
    • An autographed copy of Rosemary and Rue by Seanan McGuire
    • A rare DVD copy of the Matheson/Furst classic "Up The Creek" (lovingly used)
    • One ebook copy of Nita Wick’s short story, The Dream (previously published as part of a Freya's Bower anthology.)
    • Book trading cards
    • Signed Dangerous Waters poster
    • of "Battle for Blood: The Blood Feud"
    • winner's name as a character in Kissa Starling’s next sweet romance story.
    • A Yankee Candle
    • more...

England By Train: 
In  September 2001 I decided that I was going to take a trip to Scotland and England. Many of my friends thought I was nuts to go to a different country by myself, but I had a great paying job and more vacation time than I knew what to do with back then (true!), and had a feeling that if I didn't go then, when the opportunity struck, I may never get there (probably still true!).

After the plane ride, which I mostly slept through, I took a cab to my first stop and promptly went back to sleep. The next day began with a bus trip through Scotland into the Highlands.  

Oh...you wanted to know about the train. Okay, gotcha.

From Scotland, I took the train to York. I wrote this in my travel diary at the time: "The train to York was late. All the trains were late actually. Something happened on one of the lines." Waiting for the train made it feel like being home for a minute. After York, I traveled by train to Liverpool, West Kirby, Chester, Stratford-Upon-Avon, Warrick, Oxford, Bath, Bristol, then visited Stonehenge before ending up in London. Although I had something to do at each location - mostly touring or shopping, I often ventured off alone to walk about the castles and other old buildings I could find. 


What I remember most about those train rides, beside how clean the train was and how nice all the people were, was the scenery. Everything was green and lush and old and mysterious. Miles upon miles of green grass, pieces of ancient castles still standing, carved horses into the sides of hills, and apart from London, not many cars on the roads we traveled alongside. Exploring and visiting a vast majority of the country would not have been possible had I rented a car. Being on the train allowed me to meet some lovely people who guided me to great places to visit (and eat), and I also had the luxury of taking my time in the places I wanted to visit most like Liverpool, Stratford-Upon-Avon and London because I knew there would always be another train to take me where I wanted to go. 

If I ever get the chance to visit again, I'd take the train again. It was the best vacation of my life so far, and if you want to check out some of the pictures I snapped, visit here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/jennafern/ 
 

Lucky’s Charm

To protect her family and find a killer, Felicia "Lucky" Fascino assumed her adoptive father's identity and joined the network of moral assassins to finish the job he began. Eliminating the man responsible for murdering her mother has consumed her for the last five years. Completing the job is the only way Lucky and her family can return to a safe and normal life. Lucky's uncle, Stephen Chambers, hasn't come close to tracking the killer. He announces he's stepping down as her handler to concentrate on the investigation and names Elizabeth, his daughter, as successor.

Keeping secrets is a family trait, and Elizabeth's addition to the business tests Lucky's ability to maintain the pretense that the job doesn't affect her despite the fact that all network hits are hardened criminals. While keeping her family at arm's length, Lucky begins to feel the weight of her career choice and reclusive lifestyle. Then a chance encounter with an enigmatic hit man during one of her jobs turns into a provocative and dangerous affair. Distracted by the secret trysts with Kenji Zinn and mounting tension within her family, Lucky starts to make mistakes that threaten her livelihood and almost claim her life. When her family is targeted, Lucky must make several rash decisions she believes can save them and preserve her own sanity.


Please visit these sites for more chances to win, the more you visit the more chances you have to win. We have 46 participating authors. You can stop at as many or as little blogs as you wish. At each stop, you will find either two chances to enter per blog to win some awesome prizes. If you visit all, that's 92 chances to win! There will be five, lucky winners.

Take the Blog Train and Visit These Blogs for more chances to win

Marci Baun/Kit Wylde
Critters at the Keyboard
Teresa D'Amario
Judith Leger, Fantasy and Comtemporary Romance Author
Writing
The Fictional World of Jaime Samms
Follow Where the Path will Take You
The Wandering Mind of Lizzy P. Bellows
Where Love and Magic Meet
Kissa Starling
Marianna Heusler
Hell's Ambrosia
C.M. Michaels
The Shadow Portal
The Blog Zone
Blog By iMagine
Ardyth DeBruyn Author Blog
Shadows of the Past
Dear Reader
Cassie Exline -- Mystery and Romance
Sarcastic Rambling & Writing
That's What I Think
Sue's Random Ramblings
Make Old Bones
Elements of Mystery
Molly Dean's Blog
Kenzie's Place
The Forbidden Blog
David Huffstetler
Cassandra Ulrich
Carol Marvell
Andrew Richardson
Nick Lloyd
Fiddleeebod -- land of stories
Nita Wick's Blog
Ruth G.
Too Poor for Texas
Jenn Nixon
City of Thieves
Musings and Doodles
Husein
The Western Writer
Bike Cop Blog
The Character Depot
Allen Currier
Tracy Holohan


a Rafflecopter giveaway

September 20, 2013

Last Chance to enter MIND Giveaway!

Thank you to all my blog hosts and friends who stopped by to leave comments during the MIND Blog Tour, it was a blast and I met some great people along the way.

I'll be picking winners from each blog for the free ebook this weekend.

I'm also offering you all a chance to comment here to be entered in the drawing for the Grand Prize which is an ebook copy of Lucky's Charm and a $15 gift card to any online retailer or your choice. Wish it could be more, but I'm not a bestseller yet. LOL One day! 

Just leave a comment below and you qualify.

As always, thanks for your support and remember to leave reviews for up and coming authors like me, it helps!

~Jenn

September 19, 2013

Q&A Interview with Steve McHugh

Today's Q&A is with Author Steve McHugh!

Enjoy & Comment.



What is the worst thing you’ve written, how did you learn or know it was bad, and what did you learn from it?

The worst thing I’ve ever written was when I was about 13 and I wrote a very short story that if Terry Pratchett had read it, he’d have sued me for plagiarism. It was awful, although the writing of it taught me to find my own style, so it was also very useful.

Why did you start writing and when did you decide to go professional?

I’ve been writing since I was very young, maybe 9 or 10, and then from about 16- 21 I would write bits here and there, but never get anything finished. My daughter was born when I was 25 and that’s when I decided to get serious about it. I sat down and wrote a book called, For Past Sins, that will never ever be published. But after finishing it, I knew a lot more than I had before. I started Crimes Against Magic then and once that was finished decided it was good enough to publish. The day the book went onto Amazon, I knew I was hooked for life.

Do you write in more than one genre? Which ones and which do you like the best?

I have an idea for a Steampunk story and one for a full on epic fantasy, oh and an historical fantasy too, but at the moment I’m writing my Urban Fantasy Hellequin books, and making notes of the others when I get chance. Right now, Urban Fantasy is my favourite. When I get round to writing the other books, I imagine that will change depending on the day.

Do you read other author’s books when you’re writing? If so, do you read the same genre or something different?

As I’m writing, or thinking about writing, quite a lot, I have no choice but to write and read together. I tend to pick up whatever looks good at the time, although since I’ve started writing, my reading has dropped. Unfortunately this has meant my backlog of books is ever growing. One day, I’ll make a dent.

What is the most difficult part of the entire writing process for you? Queries, pitches, editing..etc.

I hate synopsis. Hate them with an earthly passion. They suck. And I told my editor this when I got my contract. Apparently everyone hates them, so it’s nice to know I’m not alone in my feelings.

If you could have the same type of career as any author currently publishing who would it be and why?

Neil Gaiman. His work in comics, TV, movies and books (both children and adult) is quite diverse and I think that’s something I’d like to be able to say I did. Also, he’s wildly successful. That’d be nice too.
Optional:
Author Bio: Steve’s been writing from an early age, his first completed story was done in an English lesson. Unfortunately, after the teacher read it, he had to have a chat with the head of the year about the violent content and bad language. The follow up ‘One boy and his frog’ was less concerning to his teachers and got him an A.
It wasn’t for another decade that he would start work on a full length novel that was publishable, the results of which was Crimes Against Magic.
He was born in a small village called Mexbrough, South Yorkshire, but now lives with his wife and three young daughters in Southampton.

Crimes Against Magic:

Hellequin Chronicles: Book 1

How do you keep the people you care about safe from enemies you can’t remember?
Ten years ago, Nate Garrett awoke on a cold warehouse floor with no memory of his past—a gun, a sword, and a piece of paper with his name on it the only clues to his identity. Since then, he’s discovered he’s a powerful sorcerer and has used his magical abilities to become a successful thief for hire. 

But those who stole his memories aren’t done with him yet: when they cause a job to go bad and threaten a sixteen-year-old girl, Nate swears to protect her. With his enemies closing in and everyone he cares about now a target for their wrath, he must choose between the comfortable life he’s built for himself and his elusive past. 

As the barrier holding his memories captive begins to crumble, Nate moves between modern-day London and fifteenth-century France, forced to confront his forgotten life in the hope of stopping an enemy he can’t remember.

  
Born of Hatred:

Hellequin Chronicles: Book 2

There are some things even a centuries-old sorcerer hesitates to challenge…


When Nathan Garret’s friend seeks his help investigating a bloody serial killer, the pattern of horrific crimes leads to a creature of pure malevolence, born of hatred and dark magic. Even with all his powers, Nate fears he may be overmatched. But when evil targets those he cares about and he is confronted by dire threats both old and new, Nate must reveal a secret from his recently remembered past to remind his enemies why they should fear him once more.
Born of Hatred, set in modern London with historical flashbacks to America’s Old West, continues the dark urban fantasy of Crimes Against Magic, the acclaimed first book in the gritty and action-packed Hellequin Chronicles.







September 17, 2013

Teaser Tuesday & Contest from Jody A. Kessler

Today's Teaser Tuesday is from Author Jody A. Kessler. Check out the contest too! 

Enjoy & Comment

Death Lies Between Us    by  Jody A. Kessler
A New Adult Paranormal Romance from Crescent Moon Press. 

Saving the life of someone you love should not be the worst thing you have ever done, unless you are an Angel of Death.

Disgruntled with his position in the afterlife and conflicted by his feelings toward his new client, Nathaniel Evans forgoes the rules and saves nineteen year old Juliana Crowson from being hopelessly stuck in Forge Creek. This alters Juliana’s destiny and she finds herself in a series of near death accidents.

In the mountains of Colorado, Nathaniel comforts Juliana as she struggles to understand her paranormal abilities while coping with her brother’s drug addiction. When an ill-tempered Native American Shaman teaches her the difference between ghosts and place memories, she decides she wants nothing to do with the supernatural world. Too bad she doesn’t know that Nathaniel is part of it. 

Will fate bring these two together, or has Nathaniel made the biggest mistake of his afterlife?

Excerpt
“Juliana?” I don’t respond. I can’t face anyone.

“Can I sit with you?”

I hug my knees into my chest with my face buried in my folded arms. I mumble into the pit of my lap. “Are you here to end my misery?”

“Not yet.”

It’s an odd answer but then again so was the question. “Then, please leave.”

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have come, but neither can I go.”

I turn my face, taking in the crisp air and digest his unusual answers. There are so many things that have happened tonight that don’t make any sense. Why would one more confusing sentiment make any difference?

Loneliness wraps around me, holding me in a cool embrace. I break its grip by saying, “It goes on the list, you know?” I speak into the dark. No movement or sound gives away his location but I can feel him close by. The low thumping of Blue Nouveau’s drums is the only sound breaking the stillness of the forest.

The caress of his voice brushes my ear. “Which list are you referring to?”

“Our list — things that are inexplicable.”

“Which deficiency of mankind are we adding tonight?”

“Lying to someone you love.” My voice is flat but the tear leaking from my eye gives away my true feelings.

“We can put that one on the top of the list,” he says.

 A tender hand surprises me as it wraps gently around my swollen ankle and finds a comfortable hold. The warmth penetrates through the sore muscles like a mild current of electricity.


Jody A. Kessler enjoys writing paranormal novels and is a member of Pikes Peak Writers.  She is a yoga instructor, Reiki Master, and a graduate from the Colorado Institute of Massage Therapy. When she took an extended leave from her massage practice to stay at home with her newborn she returned to her first true passion —writing. She spends most of her time being a mother, writing, and teaching yoga, but also likes going to concerts, hiking, practicing herbal medicine, and reading anything that catches her interest. Jody lives in the mountains of Colorado with her family.
Death Lies Between Us is her debut novel and the first book in the An Angel Falls series. Book two, Angel Dreams, is scheduled for release in early 2014.

She welcomes visitors to her website www.jodyakessler.com
Buy a copy on Amazon   Barnes and Noble
Or connect with her here:  Facebook  Goodreads  Twitter  Pinterest


Death Lies Between Us is on tour! September 16-27

Jody is offering a $10 amazon gift card to a randomly chosen commenter.  If you would like a chance to win, leave a comment on the blog. To increase your chances of winning, enter the rafflecoptera Rafflecopter giveaway


September 16, 2013

MIND Blog Tour Continues!

Today I'll be hosted at two more blogs: 
danielledevor.wordpress.com and interviwingauthors.blogspot.com

Remember, leave a comment for a chance to win a free ebook & $15 Gift Card of your choice!!

Get your copy of MIND: The Beginning now


Paperback: http://www.amazon.com/Mind-The-Beginning-Jenn-Nixon/dp/1939173434

Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Mind-The-Beginning-ebook/dp/B00EVWZ6XO

September 11, 2013

DAY 8 MIND Blog Tour & CONTEST!

Today's blog post is here: http://www.shawnaromkey.com/?p=1023 Remember to leave a comment on ANY of the post to be entered to win.

Share with your friends and family, too!

Happy Reading!!
Jenn

September 10, 2013

Teaser Tuesday with CM Michaels

Today's Teaser Tuesday is with author CM Michaels.

Enjoy & Comment!


“Would you stop already?” Teresa grumbled, glaring at her ever-pacing brother. “No one’s following us. Relax.”

Travis finished scanning Beacon Street and ducked back into the alleyway. “God damn it! Do you ever listen? I told you we had to cool it for a while. What the hell were you thinking?”

“The bitch spilled her drink on me.”

He sighed and tiredly rubbed his eyes. Arguing with her was like trying to reason with a bratty three-year-old grabbing candy in a grocery checkout line. “So we’re homeless because someone accidentally got diet coke on your shirt?”

“Quit being such a queen,” Teresa said with a huff. “You know Stefan thinks of us as his kids, which is totally weird by the way. All he’ll do is make us listen to his rules again. If you wouldn’t have talked me into running, we’d probably be watching TV by now.”

“If Stefan and Alexander just wanted to talk, they would’ve waited until we got back, not raided our feeding room like a two-man S.W.A.T. team. This is serious, Terr. If they find us, they’re going to kill us.”

For the first time in as long as he could remember, his snarky, narcissistic sister looked vulnerable. She crossed her arms to conceal her jittery hands and looked into his eyes. “So what do we do? I’m not living on the street again, or in the skuzzy-ass hotels we used to stay in.”

Travis placed a comforting hand on his baby sister’s shoulder. “Things aren’t like they used to be, sis. Even you have to admit that Stefan taught us a hell of a lot. Once we get out of town, we can trance a bank manager and get all the money we need. I thought we’d head south—you always wanted to see Orlando.”

Acting as if he hadn’t even spoken, Teresa shrugged off his hand and headed further down the dimly lit alley, veering around overflowing dumpsters and piles of loose garbage before slumping back against the brick wall behind her. “And what about the skank who started all this? We just leave her to her fairy-tale life, sipping wine in her mansion? No fucking way.”

Anger coursed through his veins at his sister’s jealousy and unfounded arrogance. “Wake up!” Travis screamed, shaking her shoulders so violently that her teeth rattled. “You think you can take her? You don’t know jack shit. Raven’s been training for almost two hundred years, Einstein. She’d tear your ass apart like a piñata.”

Teresa rolled her eyes and pushed his hands away. “Not Raven, you douche. I’m talking about Emily.”

“Emily? What the hell did she do?”

“If she wouldn’t have wandered up to us like a lost puppy, we would never have fed with Alexander there, and Stefan would still be clueless. The bitch led Raven right to our door.”

“Oh come on. That’s a reach, even for you. Raven lied to her about our scent. You’re really going to blame her for that?”

She shot her brother a disgusted look. “I knew making her strip was a bad idea. All it takes is a flash of boobs and you turn to mush. Are you ever going to grow a pair? You’d still be Keri’s lapdog if it wasn’t for me.”

C.M Michaels grew up in a small town in northern Michigan as the youngest child of a close-knit family of seven. He met his wife, Teresa, while attending Saginaw Valley State University. Together they’ve provided a loving home for several four-legged “kids”, including Sophie, their eternally young at heart, hopelessly spoiled Spaniel.

He has always enjoyed writing, and still has fond memories of reading his first book, a children’s novella, to local grade schools when he was 14. Dangerous Waters, the first book in the Sisters in Blood series, is being published by Freya’s Bower on September 5th, 2013. C.M. is currently working on the second book in the Sisters in Blood series along with a Fantasy romance.

When he’s not writing, C.M. can be found curled up with a good book, watching movies or hitting the hiking trails with his wife. An avid reader since discovering Jim Kjelgaard novels in early childhood, his favorite authors include Kelley Armstrong, Peter V. Brett, Richelle Mead, Rachel Caine, Cassandra Claire, J.R. Ward, Laini Taylor and Tessa Dawn.

C.M. currently resides in Louisville, Kentucky.

Social Media links:
Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/UFAuthorCMMichaels
Twitter -
https://twitter.com/UFAuthor
Blog -
http://cmmichaels.blogspot.com/
Website -
http://cmmichaels.com/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/authorcmmichaels
Book trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7Q7m0MrwlQ

Buy links:

September 9, 2013

MIND Blog Tour Day 6!!

Hope you all had a great weekend. Did you check out yesterday's post about Online Dating? Check it out, it's interesting for sure!\

Today I'm blogging here: http://cindyyoungturner.com/2013/09/09/mind-the-beginning-by-jenn-nixon/

And tomorrow I'll have two stops again:  constancephillips.com/blog &chrisredddingauthor.blogspot.com

Remember, all you have to do is leave a comment to be entered to win the grand prize of a free ebook and $15 Gift Card!!

Hope to see you all there!
Jenn

September 8, 2013

Jenn's Common Sense Rules for Online Dating.

Yes, it's true. I'm almost 40 and have never been married. I can't help it, I'm picky. I was over the bar scene not long after turning 21 but did enjoy quite a few years hopping around the karaoke scene. I learned tons about myself during that time, mainly, I really don't like drunk bar people. It's hard for me to tolerate drunk people I know, too. But, I digress.

Since I'm on the computer the majority of my time these days between work and writing, I've gravitated to some online dating sites over the years. I'm not here to promote any of them, rather, just give my two cents about Online Dating from a female perspective. I've seen blunders first hand and talked about some with others, and it seems like people have forgotten to use their common sense these days.

So, I've come up with a few rules, I feel, are common sense for everyone. Let's see if I'm right...

CSR #1 No one wants to see your package. Seriously. I can go to craigslist or one of those adult sites for that.

CSR #2 Selfies showing just your abs and nothing else are just as bad as duck-faced chick selfies. If you're in shape, awesome, have someone take a candid of you in a bathing suit, by a pool or even working out in a gym. Otherwise you look like a narcissistic douche.

CSR #3 Don't post an old picture unless you include a new one. Misrepresentation is not only disrespectful, it's dangerous. You wouldn't want someone to do it you, would you?

CSR #4 Try to smile. Yes, all girls love a bad boy, but deep down, most want someone with a personality who can make her smile and laugh in the end.

CSR #5 When making contact, "Hi" is okay, but it probably won't get you very far. Neither will some dirty comment, question, or suggestion.

CSR #6 We all know dating leads to sex. After all isn't that what everyone wants, sex and love? So be a gentleman and let HER bring it up during your chat or email exchange. You'll creep her out if you go too fast, especially online.

CSR #7 Be patient. Everyone has their own speed. Some want to chat and talk on the phone before making a date.

CSR #8 Always meet in public for the first time. This should be a given, but again...common sense. Remember, chicks can be crazy, too. :-)

CSR #9 Don't let a bad experience get you down. It's just like any endeavor in life, it takes a few times to get it right.

CSR #10 Be safe. Don't be stupid.

Well, there you have it, my first Common Sense post. What do you think? Funny? Boring? Should I keep going? I have a few more ideas...


September 5, 2013

MIND Blog Tour Day 4!!

Going strong, love meeting new readers and authors! Hope you'll join me today at one or both of my next stops:  katieosullivan.blogspot.com and /jodyakessler.com

Tomorrow's blog:  dragontargeseries.blogspot.com

Have a great day!
~Jenn

September 4, 2013

MIND TOUR DAY 3!!

I'm having a blast so far on the blog tour, I hope you're hopping along with me. Today I'm at two blogs again today: www.louanncarroll.com/blog.html and www.caridad.com/blog

Remember to leave a comment on any blog for a chance to win!

~Jenn

September 3, 2013

MIND Blog Tour - DAY 2!!

Hope you are all enjoying the blog tour so far, there's lots more to come including interview questions and excerpts from MIND: The Beginning. 

Today's Stop: lesliestalley.blogspot.com   

Tomorrow's Stops: www.louanncarroll.com/blog.html and www.caridad.com/blog

Hope to see you there!

September 2, 2013

MIND Blog Tour, Day 1!

Today I am blogging in two spots: http://myblog2point0.blogspot.com/  http://cheriereich.blogspot.com/

Remember to leave a comment to be entered to win an eBook of Lucky's Charm and the $15 Gift Card Grand Prize!!

Tomorrow's Blog: http://lesliestalley.blogspot.com/

For a full list of blogs: http://jennafern.blogspot.com/2013/08/mind-blog-tour-give-way-sept-2-through.html