A Funeral, A Wedding, and A Baby Blessing: IWSG Edition

It sounds like the title of a book or movie, right? 

Have you ever had a season where EVERYTHING hit at once? When you've had a long stretch of calm, beware of earthquakes.

My baby was a week shy of 2 months old when we received word that my grandmother passed away. Now this wasn't a sad thing. She was 94 and bed-ridden for over a decade. We knew it was coming. Regardless, I needed to be there for the funeral...even if it was beyond crazy to fly across country with a baby. My sister-in-law was getting married 1.5 weeks later and we already had plane tickets, so we changed my flight, along with my daughter's--so she could be a second mommy. 

Ouch to the pocketbook.

The funeral happened. It was sweet. Being with so many wonderful family members--people I haven't seen in about 10 years--was awesome. Saying goodbye to Grandma, that was bitter-sweet. Singing with my sisters and cousins to honor the woman, such a great experience.

The next week was a whirlwind of family visits, clingy baby, and bouncing between "hotels" (AKA, houses)--until the wedding. With all of the family close, we blessed our baby. (60 people + a special dinner afterwards.) 

Needless to say, the last two weeks have been insanity--but a good kind of insanity. Every life experience improves our grasp of the world and teaches us how to share the human experience through our writing. The key is knowing when to pause on writing in order to live.

How was your May?

Now that we're caught up, how about the chance to win a book?

For this week's game...

Rowena thinks the Grimm’s infamous podcasts are simply another teen fad until she finds herself trapped in a land of nightmarish storybook characters. She tries desperately to flee Mezzanine and return home, but Dresdem, Mezzanine’s wicked monarch, plans to use Rowena’s access to her world to bring dark magic and absolute rule into Georgia and beyond.

But when Rowena’s dear friend Madeline falls into Dresdem’s grasp, her battle with him becomes war, and all hopes of home are temporarily thwarted. With the help of an invisible hero, a beast, and an owl, she sets out to free Madeline from a deadening sleep. But Rowena must become her own hero when she finds herself bound by the kingdom’s darkest family. She must make the ultimate choice – align herself with her enemies or live on the run forever.

Get your copy HERE.

Ready to meet the author? 

Vanessa K. Eccles graduated Troy University with a degree in English. She currently serves as executive editor of Belle Rêve Literary Journal and is founder of the book blog YA-NASisterhood. When she’s not writing or devouring books, she enjoys the lake life with her Prince Charming and their four dogs.

You might find her eating pepper jack (or any spicy variety of cheese) while sitting on her couch watching one of her many favorite TV shows.

Visit her online HERE.

Vanessa gave me two truths and one lie to test your "lie detector" skills. Those who figure out the lie will go into my magic hat for the chance to win an eBook of FABLED.

You have until Tuesday, June 16 at 1 p.m. EDT to guess. Be sure to come back for the answer on June 17.

TRUTH OR LIE

1. As a child, the Grimm fairy tales where Vanessa's favorite bedtime reads.
2. When she was seven, she played a magician's assistant for her best friend's brother. When he couldn't remember how to get the handcuffs off, she pulled her arms over her head. It was the first time she realized she could dislocate her shoulders on command. Still can, in fact. 
3.) She was an avid X-Files fan as a kid, which resulted in an immense terror of being abducted by aliens.

So which is the lie? What have you been doing with May? (What has May been doing with you?) Do you love Grimm's fairy tales? Which is your favorite?

Oh, and a quick shout: The True Diary of Melanie Jane, AKA Runaway Jane
(My most recent FREE read on Lightning Quick Reads. Leave me your thoughts, eh?)