Wednesday, June 22, 2016

7 Amazing Reasons to Celebrate Dads (Late)

Father's Day just happened in the USA. Did you miss it? I happen to love this holiday. It gives me an opportunity to recall all the amazing things my father has done for me:

Dads (or dad figures) will do anything to teach you how to live right:


They protect you:

Source
They make sure you don't starve:

Source
They show you how to live by example:


They teach you what to fear:


And how to use your imagination:


And they're eager to play with you:


So I hope you honored your father (figure) this last Sunday, and if you didn't, it's never too late.




Time for some giveaway love, eh?

This month I'm highlighting fellow authors from:

(Unless you already have, in which case, you rock!)

Last week Tamara Narayan ( author of SCRYING THE PLANE) shared HEART STOPPER, along with two truths and one lie. Anyone who guessed the lie was entered to win an eBook of Tamara's latest release, HEART STOPPER.

The game:
1. When I was a penguin keeper at the Riverbanks Zoo in SC, a local news crew came by to shoot a few clips of our Black-foot penguins. This was in 1992 and Batman Returns was big at the box office. This sequel featured Danny Devito as the villain The Penguin along with several real Black-foot penguins as his minions. I wasn’t in any of the shots, but one penguin did poop on the reporter’s foot. I don’t think that made the cut either.

2. On July 1, 2000 I walked in a protest march in Columbia, SC against putting the Confederate Flag on the SC State House grounds next to the Confederate Monument. The flag was being moved there from the dome of the Statehouse where it had flown since 1962 as a protest against desegregation. (The Confederate Flag was finally removed from the State House grounds on July 10, 2015, less than a month after the murder of nine people in a Charleston, SC church, including state senator Clementa C. Pinckney.)

3. I was in my garden weeding the other day. My cat, Mr. Mistoffelees, came by for snuggles and ended up sitting in my lap. Then two fellows came jogging by, one of which I recognized as Jason McElwain, better known as J-Mac, winner of the 2006 ESPY Award for Best Moment in Sports. J-Mac, a high-functioning autistic, scored 20 points in a high school basketball game in four minutes, nineteen seconds.

The lie: #1. Tamara said: I was a penguin keeper at the Riverbanks Zoo and Botanical Gardens in 1992, but no reporters ever came around to feature the birds in relation to Batman Returns or anything else. One of the penguins, named Chewy as a nod to Star War’s Chewbacca, had a crush on me. He’d wait by the door for me every morning and bring me sticks (the penguin version of roses). And yes, I was pooped on several times, but luckily I was wearing big rubber boots and a Dickie jumpsuit. Sounds stylish, doesn’t it?

Way to guess everyone! And the winner is:

...DRUM ROLL...


Congrats, Krystal!

And now meet a story from the author of EVER-TON in the Parallels anthology: 

Love is never easy, but for Detective Steve Quaid and his fiancée, Sarah, their road to happiness is laden with minefields.

After spending countless hours reconverting his grandfather’s cabin into the perfect honeymoon retreat for Sarah, the cabin becomes a bloody crime scene detailing her death. Accused, Steven escapes into the Alaskan mountains, biding his time to find the truth.

Who killed his beloved?

A seasoned woodsman, he outsmarts even the cleverest of trackers. All but one.

Mauled by a grizzly, a half-dead Steven barely escapes.

But will he live to bring the rightful murderer to Justice?

Get your copy HERE.

Ready to meet the author?

At one time adventure called to me and I answered. I learned to sleep under the midnight sun of Alaska, survive in below zero temperatures, and I was privileged to hike both the Brooks and Alaska Mountain Ranges. I've traveled from Prudhoe Bay to Valdez, and the memories are some of my most valued. The wonders, mysteries, and incredible beauty that is Alaska has never left me and thus now influence my writing.

Despite my adventurous spirit, I achieved my educational goals, married, and we have two wonderful sons. Writing is now my focus, my newest adventure!

Yolanda loves Swiss cheese, but due to changes in diet, she has had to eliminate it. She says she misses it more than ice cream.

Find Yolanda at:

Yolanda 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 either a SIGNED PRINT COPY of MURDER AND OBSESSION or PARALLELS. (Winner's choice: US and Canada only for print books. Open to international winners for an eBook prize.)

You have until Tuesday, June 28 at 2 p.m. EDT to guess. Be sure to come back for the answers on June 29, 8 a.m. EDT.
TRUTH OR LIE

1. My Sunday school teacher was dismissed for taking our class to see the movie the Bible.

2. One of my favorite past times was drag racing. On the way to work one morning I raced a fellow driver on the highway. He asked me out and we are now married.

3. I've been married three times.

OH! And stop by Yolanda's place today where 
I'm chatting about cookies, research, and time. (Ooh!)
So sleuths, which is the lie? Have you met Yolanda? What's the biggest thing you learned from your father (figure)? Which is your favorite funny? Do you have a funny "Dad moment" you'd like to share?

54 comments:

  1. The dude covered in seaweed is hilarious! That would've been a great way to torment my nephew.
    Number one sounds just wrong enough to be true, but I'm going with number three.

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  2. I like the Llama snacking on "finger food". The biggest thing I learned from Dad? Be self-sufficient.

    I'm jealous of Yolanda's trips in Alaska. Those sound amazing, as does her book. I'm going to guess #3 is the lie.

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  3. We were busy and out of town on Sunday, so no one in the family remembered it was Father's day until later in the day. I didn't even get to see my cards until we got back home late that evening.

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  4. Those dad day images/gif were wonderful!

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  5. My husband is a great dad, and my dad is a great dad too. I think we should show appreciation more often!

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  6. What a great relationship shown in the pictures, Crystal! I would say 3 is a lie. I do hope 2 is true - how lovely!! Have a super week Crystal!

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  7. Loved all those pictures you used to show how we must honor dads, especially the Star Wars ones. We should celebrate dads (and moms) more than just on their holidays.

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  8. Happy belated Father's Day to all you wonderful dads!

    Number 3 is the lie, because drag racing is for the younger people and since you're married to the dragster "now" I can't imagine you would marry twice before that! :D

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  9. Yay!! Book!! :D
    And Great PIctures!! ^_^
    My dad informed us that he read our cards aloud in church and got misty eyed. I'm glad he felt loved and special. :) I used to always win the "my dad drives the most embarrassing car" stories. Still laugh about it to this day. And he's still driving embarrassing cars, though I'm not embarrassed by them anymore. :)

    Hmm, I'm going with #3 for the lie. So much more adventurous than me. Lol!

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  10. I'll guess the lie is #3.

    As an adult, I realize this is probably nonsense, but for years, I kicked/pushed sand in front of me when walking in the ocean because my father had taught me, at four years old, that that would cover the crabs and prevent them from biting.

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  11. Great pictures. It's always good to laugh.
    Another great story in the Anthology. I've got to find time to read it. Soon.

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  12. I loved those pictures. My dad and I aren't really close, but I did wish him a Happy Father's Day.

    I missed Tamara's guessing game but I going to say #1 so I was right. :P

    Hmm...for Yolanda's guessing game...#3

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  13. Now I'd like to have Darth as my dad! Thanks for the humor. As to the lie this time around...I'm going with #3.

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  14. I'm glad you have wonderful memories of your dad Crystal... my dad and I were not that close but I still remembered to wish him a happy fathers day when he was alive. .. xoxo ♡♡♡

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  15. I lost my father when I was a child but I treasure the memories.

    I'm guessing #2 is the lie.

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  16. I love the father funnies, but the "who's yer daddy" one is my favorite.

    I think Yolanda is fibbing with her number three. (I reeeeeally hope #2 is true.)

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  17. I love Luke and Leia's Father's Day card. All the pics were great. My dad died 4 years ago the night before Father's Day so it's kind of a rough day for me still, but I'm grateful that I had such an amazing father.

    Great to see Yolanda here. I'm going with #1 as the lie.

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  18. Sadly, never was close to my late father, so I don't celebrate Father's Day, wish he was like some of those up from the memes :)

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  19. Hahaha! Those pics were so funny! Congrats to Krystal Jane on winning the book, and good luck to those entering for Yolanda's book! :)

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  20. Having fun with kids is the way to be, especially for childish me haha I'd go with #3 as the lie.

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  21. That is the Best Father's Day Tribute - EVER!!!! Thanks.

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  22. Thanks for inviting me to play your truth and lie game. It's fun to read the reasoning behind the guess. And getting the word out about Murder & Obsession and Parallels is always a good thing! Thanks a million! The tweets are wonderful too!

    Love the Father's Day pics. I'm not close to my dad. Many of these brought a tear to my eye, I wish things were different, but they are what they are.
    For my hubby the boys bought steaks and they grilled them together, then we watched a movie. I love it when the boys and their father spend time together. Listening to their conversations is a blast!

    Thanks everyone for participating!

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  23. This past father's day was a tough one, coming on the heels of losing my father figure. It was still good to reminisce about him though.

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  24. I was very thankful to be able to spend Father's Day with my dad. He recently had open heart surgery and there were complications. Glad to have him healthy again.

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  25. Dads rock. My dad has been gone a very long time. If you have a dad remember him while you can.

    Have a fabulous day. ☺

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  26. OMG the cartoon of Luke looking at Father's Day cards is hilarious.

    I'll go with #3. All good ones.
    Good job to Tamara too.

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  27. Father's day isn't until September here. I tend to dread it as my father generally expects a present and he has practically everything he wants.

    And I'll say #3 is the lie.

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  28. I agree, it's good to celebrate dads! Love the pics! Thanks for making me smile. :)

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  29. Great dad pics! My favorite Father's Day memory is that our son smiled for the first time really big smiles almost all day my husband's first Father's Day. :) Yay for Yolanda! I love her books. I'm going to say #1 is the lie, but I've already read the book, and whomever wins it is in for an awesome read.

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  30. Yolanda's book sounds great!

    Love the Dad pics! :)

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  31. 8 years of fertility treatments and 3 years trying to adopt our first pretty much killed mother's and father's day for us. Even with three wonderful children now I can barely stomach those holidays. I do adore and revere fathers though and can admire the sentiment.

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  32. Lie: #3.

    I actually did spend Father's Day with my dad. Of course, I see him once a week, so that wasn't unusual.

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  33. I enjoyed bottomless mimosas and a Sunday brunch in Santa Monica with my Godfather. Great day!

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  34. I'm seeing my dad today for Father's Day since I got hurt on Father's Day and couldn't make the drive there.

    Yolanda's book sounds great. As for the lie…I'll go with #2.

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  35. I LOVE the dad using himself as a swing, it reminded me of my 10th birthday when my dad hung a swing for me in my favorite tree. I still him, 27 years after his death. I'm going with #3 as the lie.

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  36. What a sweet way to recognize Father's Day. Lots of Star Wars references. The dad "swing" was pretty amusing. :)

    I think #2 is the lie.

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  37. Those images are fantastic. Seriously. Love. Love. Love. We went to Outback Steakhouse with my parents on Sunday and ate copious amounts of food with cheese. It was a perfect way to celebrate!

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  38. I had a dad like the guy tangled in seaweed. I love the swing guy-lol! Oh, Yolanda these were great and I guessed wrong~ I love how vivid you went with your descriptions~

    I hope you and your father had a wonderful day!

    My father passed away many moons ago, but I honor him with cherished memories, movies and we both have the same type of goofy humor~

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  39. Haha, love the memes. Gifs. Graphics, whatever the heck they're called! =)

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  40. I have been wanting to read Yolanda's books since I first heard of them. Although I don't have a great track record I am going with #2 as the lie. :)

    Great Father's Day pictures! :)
    ~Jess

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  41. I love the dad swinging his daughter! Reminds me of my husband and our daughter. Great book cover, Yolanda. I'm picking #1 as the lie.

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  42. Love the Fathers Day pics. Fathers Day is in September in Oz. No 3 is the lie!

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  43. This is a nice tribute to the dads of the world :)

    Wishing you a great weekend!!

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  44. Congrats to Krystal. I think 3 is the lie. Funny gifs and memes.

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  45. Congrats to Krystal.

    And the DNA one made me laugh out loud!

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  46. Out of all of those pics, I think the "no DNA test" and seaweed monster ones are my favorites. ^_^ And I did of course talk to my dad on Father's Day; even made plans to go see him later this year. He lives on the other side of the country, so I don't get to see him very often.

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  47. I always miss my father but Father's Day always hurts a little more. My children took good care of their father and took him golfing. Drag racing? I hope that's the lie.

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  48. Hoping you and your family had awesome Father's Day!

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  49. I'm guessing #3 is the lie. I've "met" Yolanda through blogging, but would be happy to meet her in person--she's great!

    Father's Day is challenging for me because my dad was not the nicest guy when I was a kid. Now our relationship is amicable but very awkward.

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  50. This is still an awesome Father's Day tribute though late. :D

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  51. I've always gotten a father's day present. Being a Mom has never stopped me. I just say, "If I do both jobs I deserve the rewards."

    Anna from elements of emaginette

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  52. My son had a onesie with Darth Vader on it that said "Who's Your Daddy?" I failed big time for Father's Day this year since I was faculty up at Comic Con that day. I'm guessing #3 is the lie, because I really have no idea.

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  53. Love those images, especially the seaweed-covered dad!
    Hmm, I'd say #3 is the lie. No more Swiss cheese??? They call it Emmental here. Wonder if there's a non-dairy version?

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Hit me with your cheese!