Ghosts Are Real, My Friend

The following is a video of a ghost taken in a Forest in Eastern Europe. This was done using high speed cameras and slowed down for the naked eye. It's only 6 seconds, so pay attention!

Post by Tony Christie.

I don't know about you, but I laughed my guts out over this one...so of course I had to share. 

Ready to guess the lie and win a book? 

Last week, Miranda Hardy and Jay Noel shared DEATH KNOCKS with us, along with two truths and one lie. Those who guessed the lie correctly were entered into a random drawing for the chance to win an eBook.  

The game: 

1. Miranda and Jay scrapped an entire manuscript and started over. 
2. They both exploited their children in the making of this book. 
3. One of them had a BEK experience while the other is a total non-believer. 

And the lie is:

#3. Neither of them has had a BEK experience, and they both remain open-minded about paranormal encounters. Other fun facts: They set aside the original manuscript because they wanted to pursue something more creepy, and literally started over from scratch after a completed first draft. There are entirely two very different Death Knocks stories stored on their computers. And yes, they did exploit their children. Miranda's daughter is on the cover and Jay's son made the book trailer.

Way to guess those of you who got it right! And the winner is:

...DRUM ROLL...

Hilary Melton-Butcher!

Congrats Hilary! 

And now to today's feature... IS SOULLESS!!! 

The Soulless are coming.

Alexia manipulated time to save the man of her dreams, and lost her best friend to red-eyed wraiths. Still grieving, she struggles to reconcile her loss with what was gained: her impending marriage. But when her wedding is destroyed by the Soulless—who then steal the only protection her people have—she’s forced to unleash her true power.

And risk losing everything.

Get your copy HERE, or play the game.

This is not the normal truth or lie game. Why? Because I AM THE BLOG OWNER and I like change. SO, today I want you to tell me your favorite Halloween spook in the comments. That's it. Everyone who does will be entered into a drawing to win one of three eBooks of SOULLESS. (Isn't that generous?) Here's the deal though: I WANT REVIEWS. 

Ahem, so you have until Tuesday, November 4, at 1 p.m. EDT to enter and the winners will be announced on the 5th.

   

Today's AMAZING tour stops:

Stop at Christy's Cozy Corners to see me READ the first chapter of Soulless

Ken at Hogwarts Sabbatical has an intense book excerpt up

And be sure to enter the 

Rafflecopter

for your chance to win some amazing prizes!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The happy pony is lapping you! Don't eat its dust. Get to the other tour stops before he wins the race and you'll get the magical cheese at the end. That's right, magical. 

So what is your favorite Halloween spook? Are you ready for Halloween? Do you love ghosts? 

Sharks, Souls, Shampoo and Haagen-Dazs

I need a laugh. Do you need a laugh? (I'm kind of on a movie kick, so bear with me.)

But first, C. Lee Mckenzie had me over at her place on Monday, sharing my BEST writerly advice. Check it out.

Ready to guess the lie and win a book? 

Last week, the awesome R. Mac Wheeler shared his massive collection of books with us, along with two truths and one lie. Those who guessed the lie correctly were entered into a random drawing for the chance to win any one of his books.  

Mac's game: 

1. Mac rarely steps out the door of his house without a camera in hand.
2. He has never taken a writing class.
3. He maxed out the 140 MPH speedometer on his GS 750 while racing down Mt. Franklin.  

And the lie is:

#2. Mac knew he wanted to be a writer by the sixth grade, and took every creative writing class he could in high school and college. He never finished his first novel attempt, a children’s story. It took him ten years to finish his first novel, which ended up being split into three novels, twenty years later.

Way to guess those of you who got it right! And the winner is:

...DRUM ROLL...

Jennifer Hawes!

Congrats Jennifer! 

And now to today's feature:

The agony of a failed quest haunts Kanze Zenjiro, but the betrayal by those he trusted has turned his world upside down. With a heart full of hatred and defeat, Zen is desperate to get back to Nihon and demand the truth from his father.

Meanwhile, the Iberian Empire sends their soaring airships and steam-powered giants into The Orient. They threaten to upset the balance of power, hoping to exploit the faraway land in their greed for the resources needed to power their machines. Zen and his companions must fight to keep the world from plunging into total destruction.

And at the center of it all is a nine year old boy with the power of a god.

Get your copy HERE.

Jay Noel was born in New York but lives in St. Louis with his family. He received a degree in English, and despite what people say, an English degree isn't a big waste of time. Jay's been blogging since 2005, and he's a regular contributor to CultureBrats.com and inkPageant.com.

His favorite cheese is Provel cheese. It's a St. Louis invention and combines Swiss, cheddar, and provolone cheeses. It's perfect on pizza or a salad and he loves to eat it in his sun room while listening to the waterfall in his pond.

Jay 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 your choice of either of his eBook's: Dragonfly Warrior OR Shadow Warrior. 

You have until Tuesday, August 19th, at 1 p.m. EDT to guess--and be sure to come back for the answer on August 20th.

TRUTH OR LIE
(We're going with scary things today.)

1. Jay had a near-death experience in his 20's.
2. His biggest fear is being poked in the eye.
3. He went skydiving on his 40th birthday.

AND while you're here, this is the final week to sign up for:

DO IT! 

Features include: 

Promotional Spotlights with excerpts

Meet the Cast

A first chapter reading

A special Halloween Vlog

Author and Character interviews.

(There will be cheese--otherwise known as prizes for the amazing people 

who help with the tour...which may involve cheese, or other amazing things.)

Which is the lie? Do you like steampunk books? When's the last time you did something that scared you? 

Kick-Trash Writerly Wednesday, and True Heroes: N

True heroes are all around us, in our every day lives, but some people stand out. During this A-Z Challenge I hope to share several of my real life heroes, and invite you to share yours in the comments.

ikola Tesla. Yes, I'm a total fan of all things geek...except for maybe Darwinism, so it probably shouldn't come as any wonder I look up to Tesla, who was arguably one of the brightest minds to ever walk the earth. I mean, what I wouldn't give for his wireless electricity! How did we NOT patent that one into existence?

From Serbia, Tesla never graduated college. How's that for ironic? He slept rarely, as in 2 hour stints here and there, and ran 10 miles a day to keep his brain active. He claimed a photographic memory and definitely dealt with OCD.

He found himself working in electronics and migrated to the USA where he worked for Thomas Edison, until he got his own backers. And failed. He eventually secured another backer and went on to create car motors, and such things as X-rays, radio/remote control, transatlantic radio signals, and of course, the Tesla Coil. Heck, he even was working on a "death ray," or directed-energy weapon for the military.

I admire this man for his tenacity, for his pursuit of passion, even when funds were hard to come by. I admire his mind, and the dedication he gave to his work. Really, I'm in love with his brain.

Are you ready to meet a new author and enter to win an awesome book? 

Last week, Tara Tyler shared Pop Travel with us, along with two truths and one lie. Those who guessed the lie correctly were entered into a random drawing for the chance to win one of three amazing prizes.

Tara's game:

1. Tara was a singing camel in a school musical.

2. She was a singing rebel in a school musical.

3. She was a singing penguin in a school musical.

And the lie is: 

#3. Tara was also a tree and a farmer and once had to turn down a part in Hello Dolly because the rehearsals were too far away. She's been in a lot of musicals. She loves to sing and has always had a big mouth that projects well =) She may try out for community theater some day.

Way to guess those of you who got it right! You are officially human lie detectors. And the winners are:

...DRUM ROLL...

Jennifer Hawes
and
Misha Gericke

Congrats ladies!

And now to today's feature, a book I can't wait to read that promises non-stop action and pure awesomeness (and whose author's name starts with an N! How cools is that?):

At the age of twenty, Kanze Zenjiro's bloody footprints mark the bodies of those who stood in his way to protect the throne of his beloved nation of Nihon. Now, the tyrannical Iberian Empire is bent on destroying his kingdom, and they are sure to send their steam-powered giants and iron spiders against him.

Zen embarks on a quest that takes him on the most dangerous journey of his life. To succeed, Zen must live up to his nickname, the Dragonfly Warrior, and kill all his enemies with only a sword and a pair of six-guns and somehow survive a test of faith and loyalty in a world so cruel and merciless, it borders on madness.

Pick up your copy HERE.

And now, let me introduce you to the amazing author: 

Jay Noel was born in New York but lives in St. Louis with his family. He received a degree in English, and despite what people say, an English degree isn't a big waste of time. Jay's been blogging since 2005, and he's a regular contributor to CultureBrats.com and inkPageant.com.

Right now, Jay is on a Farmer's Cheese kick. No artificial anything, and it's got enough flavor without overwhelming you. It's awesome when you shred it and put it on a salad, or you can just cut a chunk off and eat it plain. 

Jay 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 a chance to win one of these cool steampunk bookmarks. You have until Tuesday, April 22, at 1 p.m. EDT to guess--and be sure to come back for the answer on April 23.

TRUTH OR LIE

1. In 2002, Jay had a near death experience. His heart stopped while in the hospital, and that's why he never takes anything for granted.

2. Jay's a big time extrovert, and spent a lot of time on stage. He participated in musicals, plays, speech and debate. He even got to the National Championships in humorous interpretation.

3. Jay had a strange encounter with a ghost when he was 13 years old and it radically changed him forever. He's been infatuated with the paranormal ever since.

Okay friendlies, which is the lie? Do you look up to any intellectuals? Who is your favorite inventor? Favorite modern invention?

Funny Friday:

I LOVE Indiana Jones. The only thing that could make him more awesome would be adding a little Jackie Chan action. --Or maybe a little Zen...as in Kanze Zenjiro.

And since I'm such a huge fan of action, today I have the privilege of revealing Jay Noel's BRAND SPANKIN NEW COVER. Lucky me! Are you ready for this awesomeness?

DRUM ROLL!

The Mechanica Wars: Savage Machines Are Afoot...

At the age of twenty, Kanze Zenjiro's bloody footprints mark the bodies of those who stood in his way to protect the throne of Nihon. Now, the tyrannical Iberian Empire is bent on destroying his kingdom, and they send their steam-powered giants and iron spiders against him.

Zen embarks on a quest that takes him on the most dangerous journey of his life. To succeed, Zen must live up to his nickname, the Dragonfly Warrior, and kill all his enemies with only a sword and a pair of six-guns. He is called upon to somehow survive a test of faith and loyalty in a world so cruel and merciless, it borders on madness.

Dragonfly Warrior is a steampunk adventure like no other. It's a dynamic mix of Asian and European mythology, the Wild West, martial arts, traditional fantasy, and high powered steam action that will keep you turning the pages.

Dragonfly Warrior is the first book of The Mechanica Wars, and will debut on January 6, 2014.

Meet Jay Noel and read more: Website | Facebook | Twitter