Wednesday, May 18, 2016

How Frogs Can Inspire You

It's been a serious and busy week around here. Are you in need of a laugh as much as I am? Today's chuckles brought to you by frogs:




source






This month I'm highlighting fellow authors from:

(Because waiting until later would just be silly.)

Last week we met the fabulous Sylvia Ney and had an opportunity win her contemporary short story, BROKEN ANGEL. Everyone who guessed her Truth or Lie game correctly were entered into a random drawing for the chance to win an eBook.

The Game:



1. Sylvia almost died as an infant, but became one of the first survivors of a rare birth defect.

2. Sylvia has ghost written for Nora Roberts.

3. Sylvia has held and played with a baby lion.

The lie: #2. Sylvia WISHES this were true! While she has ghost written for others, none of them are nearly as famous as the talented Ms. Roberts aka JD Robb.

Way to guess everyone! And the winner is:

...DRUM ROLL...


Congrats, Tamara!

And now meet the author of FOLDS IN LIFE AND DEATH in the Parallels anthology, Cherie Reich (and for your reading pleasure, a quick excerpt): 

She grabbed a pen and wrote the magic words along the unfinished paper frog’s legs. After she creased the legs up, the frog hopped.

She smiled. The first paper magic her mother had taught her included paper frogs. The Paperist gene skipped Charlie, but their older brother George and she had the gift. George had been a Paperist in the army, but his skills didn’t save him when an enemy sniper’s bullet killed him.

Her smile faltered.

The news hadn’t reported any new information about what happened to the President and his family. The longer the world waited for an announcement, the more speculation swirled among the journalists. Allyson shared their curiosity. What was taking so long? The President should make a speech—either in front of the reporters camped out as close to the White House as possible or from a secure location. No member of the White House staff had spoken to anyone.

“Damn it, Charlie. Where are you?” She kicked out and knocked into a paper frog under her desk. “Oops, sorry.”

The frog limped.

A firm knock sounded upon the front door, followed a few seconds later by the bell ringing.

“I’m…” The coming didn’t leave her lips. She hastened to the foyer and peered out the door’s side glass. Two military men, dressed in sharp and crisp uniforms, stood outside. She understood what their arrival meant. Her family experienced the same news when the army men came about George. Her knees weakened. She opened the door and clutched the frame.

Sounds awesome, right? It is. Today Cherie is offering her fantasy novel, REBORN, to the winner of her truth and lie game: 

On the day of Yssa’s death and rebirth, the god Apenth chose her as the Phoenix Prophetess. Sea serpents and gods endanger the young prophetess’s journey and sour the omens. Yssa is cursed instead of blessed, and her duties at the Temple of Apenth prove it. She spends her days reading dusty scrolls, which does nothing to help her forget Tym, the boy back home. But the annoying yet gorgeous ferryman’s son Liam proves to be a distraction she can’t predict, even though he rarely leaves her alone for two sand grains.

Her boring temple life screeches to a halt when visions of her parents’ murders consume her. Yssa races across an ocean to stop the future. If she can’t change Fate, she’ll refuse to be the Phoenix Prophetess any longer. Fate, however, has other plans for her and the kingdom.

Yssa must either accept her destiny or fight to change Fate.

Get your copy HERE.

Ready to meet the author?

Cherie Reich owns more books than she can ever read and thinks up more ideas than she can ever write, but that doesn’t stop this bookworm from trying to complete her goals, even if it means curbing her TV addiction. A library assistant living in Virginia, she writes speculative fiction. Her books include the paranormal horror collection Once upon a Nightmare and the fantasy series The Foxwick Chronicles and The Fate Challenges. She is a member of the Virginia Writers Club, Valley Writers, and Untethered Realms. Visit her website at http://smarturl.it/CReichWebsite.

You might run across Cherie munching on cheddars, smoked Gouda, brie, goat cheese, feta cheese… And so many more. Recently she discovered there was such a thing as a cheese librarian. Unfortunately it requires a Masters in Library and Information Science.  It’s just her luck that she's a mere library assistant and doesn’t have her MLIS.

Cherie 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 REBORN in eBook.

You have until Tuesday, May 24, at 2 p.m. EDT to guess. Be sure to come back for the answers on May 25, 8 a.m EDT.
TRUTH OR LIE

1. From a span of one August to another, Cherie performed in seven theatrical productions.

2. Cherie changed her major four times while in college.

3. Cherie has studied six languages. Unfortunately, she’s only proficient in one.

So sleuths, which is the lie? Are you a fan of frogs? Do you read fantasy or speculative fiction? Have you met Cherie?

OH! A quick heads up. I will be online LIVE and answering questions on Twitter tomorrow night  at 9 p.m. EDT. Join us @ #leafypages

84 comments:

  1. I like the evil frog. he's definitely planning something.
    Wow, no idea on the lie. Let's say the first one.

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    1. That evil frog is thinking of some huge plot twists. :)

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  2. LOL, loving all these frogs! That bear one is adorable...

    And how exciting to see Cherie featured here! I'm going to guess #3 is the lie...

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    1. The bear one is adorable. He seems to be waiting to try out his first hop.

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  3. I like the last frog best too. Great to see Cherie here. I'll have to say #3 is the lie because I think she's awesome enough to be fluent in all those languages!

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    1. I wish I was that fluent in many different languages. :)

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  4. Love the frogs!!! And thanks for the chuckle!!! I pick lie #3 for Cherie.

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    1. I love what Crystal found for the frog memes. :)

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  5. Hehehe! Thanks for the laugh! And yay for Cherie. I LOVE her books. :)

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  6. From reading your newsletter, it sounds like you definitely need a chuckle. Glad things worked out for you. Loved learning more about Cherie, though I'm not sure which is the lie.

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  7. I love the frogs with human teeth. They make me smile.

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    1. That frog does have a big smile with those human teeth. :)

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  8. Love that picture of the frog with the umbrella. And that last frog was great.

    I never get these right, but I'll guess that #3 is the lie.

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    1. The frog with the leaf umbrella is so cute! And I always feel like I'll never get these right. It's almost always a wild guess. :)

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  9. I...ugh...don't...ugh...really like frogs. haha But those were cute...sort of. I liked the umbrella one.

    Hi, Cherie! I think I have Reborn in a set, but I'll guess for fun. Those are tricky, though. She could be lying about any one of them with a slight number difference. I think it's #2. Maybe she changed her major 3 or 5 times. :p

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  10. Those froggy pics made me LOL. Thanks.

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  11. I'm going with the #1 is a lie.

    But, OMG, the deaf frog joke had me giggling!! :D

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  12. You find the best memes! Frogs freak me out a little in person, but I usually love pictures of them! Funny. ^_^

    Ooh, paper magic! Love it! Love the writing. ^_^
    I'm going with #2 for the lie - maybe she only changed her major three times? Just like Chrys said. Lol!

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  13. I'm guessing #2 is the lie? Love the memes :)

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  14. LOL with all the funnies! Love the one with the bear on the rock thinking he is a frog :)

    betty

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  15. Funny memes :) And Yay for Cherie! I'm going to guess #3.

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  16. Great froggy laughs! Thank you Crystal!

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  17. I love all the froggy memes! Thanks so much for having me on your blog. Good luck, everyone! I'm not telling which one is the lie among the truths. ;)

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  18. Oh, the bad photo. It always happens.

    My guess is #2.

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    1. That's pretty much why I avoid photos as much as possible. LOL!

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  19. Frogs are so funny. We have a lot at our pond.
    My anthology arrived in yesterday's mail. Looking forward to reading it.

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  20. You're making me wonder where my frog ring is...

    Lie...#3...

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  21. I can always use a laugh. Never thought about frogs being funny though. Thanks for changing my view of the world.

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  22. lol that would be some scientists for you. Lie is umm #2 there in view?

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  23. Awesome writers in Parallels. Yep, those frog memes are funny.

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  24. Awesome writers in Parallels. Yep, those frog memes are funny.

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  25. I'm a little weird, I guess. I LIKE frogs and toads. Always have. (They're adorable, especially the teeny ones!) Very clever how you tied in the pics of the frogs with the excerpt about the origami frogs. :)

    Hmmm, I'll guess number one is the fib this time. I guess it's possible to be part of seven productions in a single year, but WOW! I'd think doing more than two in a year would be really tough.

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  26. Aw to the frog holding a leaf umbrella in the rain. I am one of those ppl tho, that can't touch a frog. *shudders at the mere thought*

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  27. I love all the frogs. I've a friend that collects them. She has hundreds.

    Have a fabulous day. ☺

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  28. Love the bear frog and the gangnam style frog! Who knew frogs could be so inspiring.

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  29. Oh man the frog with his umbrella touched my heart - So cute and unny! You're right, it has been a serious week. Thanks for brightening us up! I think the lie is #2. XOXO!!!

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  30. Love the umbrella frog and the plotting frog at the end. :)

    And for Cherie - I think #1 is the lie. However, I already own her awesome book, so you don't have to include me in giveaway. :)

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  31. Frogs are definitely cool :) You know I love fantasy! And Cherie is a fantastic writer. I love the paper magic idea.

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  32. Thanks for the laughs, I needed them today. :) Nice to see Cherie here. Wishing her much success!

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  33. Congrats to Tamara.
    I'm going with #1 for Cherie's fib:) I've got to believe #2 is true since I changed my major at least 4 times. Grin.
    Those frogs are a hoot.

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  34. I like the bear frog... so cute and the tiny frog using a leaf as an umbrella... I think we all need a good laugh from time to time... especially when life is stressful xox

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  35. I think #2 is the lie, but I'm usually wrong. I do like frogs!

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  36. You have no idea how much I needed those frogs today! :)

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  37. I did need the frogs today. I loved the bear frog best.

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  38. Congrats to Tamara! And yay for Cherie for giving away one of her books! Those frogs are so cute. I love the gangnam style one! And I totally identify with the one that always ends up with a bad picture. Me too. *sigh*

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  39. Love the froggie photos, thanks for the laugh today :)

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  40. That last frog looks eeeeeeeeeeviiiiiiil.

    I think #1 is a lie, because the other two look like they could be related somehow. :-)

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  41. Is that gangnam frog giving the finger? Lol

    Cherie's cover is gorgeous! Love it.

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  42. We had a toad in our yard last year that kept following my sister around. I tried to convince her its her prince, but she kept screaming at it each time. Some people are just so picky:) Congratulations to all the authors in the IWSG Anthology.

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  43. I love the frogs! We have three. They're adorable.

    Beautiful cover, Cherie. I love phoenix stories. I say #2 is the lie.

    Cheers, Crystal.

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  44. This was perfection for me, because I ADORE frogs and I collect them - well, figurines, pictures, jewelry, and the like, anyway, not *real* frogs ;-) I'd say the lie is #1... somehow, based on the bio, I could see the other two being true!

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  45. Hi Crystal - love the frogs various ... I'd say #2 too .. can't do 7 plays and change majors so often .. Good luck to Cherie .. cheers Hilary

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  46. I always wonder how frogs and dragonflies switch places as predator and prey as they go from egg to full adult.

    And yay for Cherie, I love her stuff! :)

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  47. Thank you for the laughs. They were very much needed. Reborn is a fantastic read. That will be one lucky winner.

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  48. Always good to have some laughs- especially after a long week!

    Awesome to see Cherie here today. I am guessing #2 is the lie. Thanks for sharing. :)

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  49. I cracked up at the frog who looks terrible in pics no matter how hard he tries. Right there with you, buddy. :D
    I already have Cherie's book so I won't participate in the game this time, but the winner will be getting a great read.

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  50. Love the frog pics!!! And best to Cherie!

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  51. I really like your post . . those pictures made me smile - BUT, i want to tell you've been on my mind a lot this week - because . . did you hear? the government made an announcement about surplus cheese . . i hope you heard so you won't think I'm making it up . . BUT, as soon as i heard, . . I kept hoping you were finding good things to write, or say, or smile about . . because - well, you know . . cheese! Great weekend to you -

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  52. Enjoyed the frog pictures! Thanks for sharing. Congrats to Cherie! I wish I could play, but my TBR list is now staggering.

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  53. Ahh the frogs are hilarious... loved them. Fantastic book, Cherie:) I'm going to say #3 is a lie.

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  54. This made me smile a great deal because frogs are among my most favorite animals :)

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  55. Ahhhh...I had a dream about frogs last night and to see this early in the morning!

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  56. Strangely enough, a frog with teeth is not any more or any less ugly/off-putting/weird than a normal frog. I guess it's hard to top something that naturally weird looking.

    Also, I'm a little confused about the buy NOW. What about those of us who bought BEFORE? (That's our way of saying we're excited to read it)

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  57. I do like frogs, yes. ^_^ Though I think I relate most to the frog that's about how you look in pictures. I hate having my picture taken nowadays, never looks right. >_<

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  58. Congrats Cherie!!! Also, that prince frog meme had me rolling. :)

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  59. Thanks for the meme fun! Poor froggies. I never did well in biology lab when it involved frog dissection.

    Congrats to Tamara and as to Cherie's lie, I'm saying it's the one about languages.

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  60. I like the picture of the "Yes" frog; I kind of want to send it to my students when they e-mail me right after they turn in their papers and ask if I'm done grading yet. Either that or I'll send them a picture of myself dressed up as Maleficent while grading.

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  61. I told my daughter she could be anything she wanted. Now she wants to be an ice skating Darth Vader. Dream big, kid, dream big.

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  62. Love that first picture! And I'm guessing that number three is the lie?

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  63. I'm going with #1 as the lie. For no good reason. :p Now I would like to know what a cheese librarian is.

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  64. Those frog memes were super hilarious. Thanks for the laugh Crystal.

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  65. Hey human, Crystal,

    Did I ever mention I just love cheese? Arf! and yum! Gotta' love those frogs. Kind of reminds me of those endless blog hops!

    I shall speculate that the first one is the lie. Of course, I do know the adorable human, Cherie. She's another one of my starstruck human fans. Delighted to see you featured here, Cherie.

    Pawsitive wishes, your way,

    Penny!

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  66. The frogs are so fun! "They told me I could be anything … and I chose a frog." :)

    I think the first one is a lie. I could see myself changing my major 4 times in one year and studying 6 languages but only ever being proficient in 1. While #1 sounds possible, compared to the other two, it just doesn't work as well. *shrugs*

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  67. Congratulations, Cherie!

    Ahh, all those poor froggies in the photos...but yes, that tooth photo is so me!

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  68. I think 2 is the lie. Congrats to Tamara. I love the frog memes.

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Hit me with your cheese!