Do you hate or love birthdays?They're a huge deal in my house. Growing up there were 8 kids, so your b-day was YOUR day to shine. Everyone was extra nice, you got decorations and a boatload of gifts, Grandpa and Grandma would come visit, and let's not forget being sung to over a cake in both English and Portuguese. It was epic.
These days we take a family holiday when someone has a birthday, meaning no work, no school, just play and spoiling for that one day. Everyone stops and recognizes that person as the star. While that's lovely and all, I'd like to stop aging. I used to keep all my story files in my head. Believe it or not, they even stayed where I put them and could be retrieved on demand. Four kids later, not so much. Heck, I can't even keep track of all the appointments, errands, and demands of a single day. (Thank you calendar. I'd be dead without you!) For the first time, I find myself forgetting or missing commitments. What's with that?
I guess what this boils down to is that I like birthdays. I really do. But aging? Not so much. Here's hoping someone can give me a brain upgrade in about 5 years, because this one might be down to steam and gears.
How do you feel about birthdays?
IWSG is a monthly hop for writers seeking support and an awesome community. Join our hosts this month: TB Markinson,
Tamara Narayan, Eva E. Solar, Shannon Lawrence, and
Stephanie Faris.

Speaking of birthdays, I missed a book birthday, but it's not too late to celebrate, right?
Last week Sandra Cox shared with us GHOST FOR SALE, along with two truths and a lie. Those who guessed the lie correctly were entered into a random drawing for the chance to win her eBook, THE CRYSTAL (in honor of guess who?)!
Sandra's Game:
1. I got the idea for Ghost For Sale when I heard on the news a ghost was up for sale on eBay.
2. I was born in Ky, my husband in IL, my daughter in OH and my son in WI.
3. I broke a leg trying to climb Mt. Everest.
2. I was born in Ky, my husband in IL, my daughter in OH and my son in WI.
3. I broke a leg trying to climb Mt. Everest.
THE LIE: #3. Yeah, we saw that one coming, right?
Way to guess everyone! And the winner is:
...DRUM ROLL...
And now for this week's feature (which I've been SOOOOO exited to about FOR YEARS)...
Meet Morgan Dey, one of the top teen Reducers at The Body Institute.
Thanks to cutting-edge technology, Morgan can temporarily take over another girl’s body, get her in shape, and then return to her own body—leaving her client slimmer, more toned, and feeling great. Only there are a few catches…
For one, Morgan won’t remember what happens in her “Loaner” body. Once she’s done, she won’t recall walks with her new friend Matt, conversations with the super-cute Reducer she’s been text-flirting with, or the uneasy feeling she has that the director of The Body Institute is hiding something. Still, it’s all worth it in the name of science. Until the glitches start…
Suddenly, residual memories from her Loaner are cropping up in Morgan’s mind. She’s feeling less like herself and more like someone else. And when protests from an anti–Body Institute organization threaten her safety, she’ll have to decide if being a Reducer is worth the cost of her body and soul…
Thanks to cutting-edge technology, Morgan can temporarily take over another girl’s body, get her in shape, and then return to her own body—leaving her client slimmer, more toned, and feeling great. Only there are a few catches…
For one, Morgan won’t remember what happens in her “Loaner” body. Once she’s done, she won’t recall walks with her new friend Matt, conversations with the super-cute Reducer she’s been text-flirting with, or the uneasy feeling she has that the director of The Body Institute is hiding something. Still, it’s all worth it in the name of science. Until the glitches start…
Suddenly, residual memories from her Loaner are cropping up in Morgan’s mind. She’s feeling less like herself and more like someone else. And when protests from an anti–Body Institute organization threaten her safety, she’ll have to decide if being a Reducer is worth the cost of her body and soul…
Get your copy HERE.
Ready to meet the author?
Carol Riggs is a YA author who lives in the beautiful green state of Oregon, USA. She enjoys reading, drawing and painting, writing conferences, walking with her husband, and enjoying music and dance of all kinds. You will usually find her in her writing cave, surrounded by her dragon collection and the characters in her head.
She adores swiss cheese on Reuben sandwiches. Yum!
She adores swiss cheese on Reuben sandwiches. Yum!
Carol 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 SIGNED PAPERBACK with a BOOKMARK (US only).
You have until Tuesday, October 13 at 1 p.m. EDT to guess. Be sure to come back for the answers on October 14.
TRUTH OR LIE
1. Carol once met singer Harry Chapin, got his autograph, and kissed him on the lips.
2. Carol’s family owned a Mexican restaurant when she was 13, in which she washed dishes and reluctantly played waitress.
3. Carol lived on an island once, in Sitka, Alaska.
2. Carol’s family owned a Mexican restaurant when she was 13, in which she washed dishes and reluctantly played waitress.
3. Carol lived on an island once, in Sitka, Alaska.
So sleuths, which is the lie? How do you feel about birthdays? Do anything special for them? What do you think of that concept for Carol's book? (Epic, right?)



