IWSG and Christmas Book Giveaways

Are you ready for Christmas?

It's so easy to get wrapped up in the crazy-crazy of this time of the year, which includes deadlines for those of us in publishing. Some days I wonder what life is like on the other side--without the ever-constant projects and need to promote/market. We all have our own brand of insanity, whether career oriented, family oriented, health oriented...

What I mean to say is, we all have challenges. This time of the year it's easy to get overwhelmed by the parties, the gifts, the to-do list, but I hope you'll take a few minutes and refocus your efforts. Give yourself time to breathe. Remember the reason for the season:



I'll be taking the rest of December off from the blogosphere to truly enjoy my family and make preparations for my coming little one. I wish you the most amazing Christmas!

(PST! I should also mention the most amazing resource is now available to writers, FREE! And guess who contributed an AWESOME article about blog tours? Yup. Yours truly.)

Now, to help celebrate, here's your chance to win a LOVELY Christmas book! But first, the winner from last week...

Julie Musil shared THE SUMMER OF CROSSING LINES with us, along with two lies and one truth. Those who guessed the truth correctly were entered into a random drawing for the chance to win an eBook.  

Julie's game: 

1. Julie knows almost all the words to the GREASE soundtrack.

2. She used to wear a bow in her hair—Madonna Material Girl style.

3. She loves country music, but doesn’t know any country line dances.

And the lie is:

There is no lie. Ooh! Bet you didn't see that one coming. If you guessed at all, you were entered into the game. Lucky you! 

And the winner is:

...DRUM ROLL...

Alex J. Cavanaugh!

Congrats Alex! 

And now to today's feature...

It's their first Christmas since entering the Praxos Academy and 16-year-old sisters Lana Beth and Emma Jane Morgan are looking forward to some serious R&R. But when their little sister mysteriously disappears from her bed on Christmas Eve, all thoughts of fun disappear with her. 

Emma and Lana must do everything in their power to locate her and bring her home safely. Easier said than done, they are forced to go on yet another journey, this time taking them out to the murky depths of the North Sea as well as to the far reaches of southern Portugal. 

Get your copy HERE.

Although Suzy is a Yorkshire lass at heart, she left her home town of Rotherham, UK, to move to Portugal with her family when she was ten. The Algarve continues to be her home, where she lives with her childhood sweetheart, Michael, two neurotic dogs and a cat who thinks she's a princess.

Shortly after completing her studies, Suzy was offered the position of trainee journalist for a local English newspaper. Her love of writing developed and a few years later she moved on to become assistant editor for the region's largest English language publisher. Since then she has also worked as the editor of one of the Algarve's most loved monthly lifestyle magazines. Early in 2010 however, Suzy began working as a full time author. She has since written several books: Raven, December Moon, The Lost Soul (The Raven Saga), Daisy Madigan's Paradise, The Ghost of Josiah Grimshaw, The Temporal Stone (The Morgan Sisters) and Forever Fredless.

Her favorite cheese is goat's cheese - purely because she's lactose intolerant and can't eat any that comes from a cow :( Her husband has started making her the most divine low gluten, goats cheese pizza and it's to die for!

I want some! Ahem...back to business...

Suzy 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 LOOKING FOR LUCY JO. How awesome is that?

You have until Tuesday, December 23 at 1 p.m. EDT to guess. The winner will be notified and awarded just in time for Christmas and be sure to come back for the answer on January 7.

TRUTH OR LIE

1. Suzy once sat next to Robert Pattinson on a train ride from London to Bath. He was super cool and chatted for a while before he was distracted by a much younger lady with bright blue hair and a tattoo on her wrist that read Stamus Contra Malum.
2. She celebrated her birthday one year with Kiki Dee - you might remember her from the 60's? She was particularly famous for singing Don't Go Breaking My Heart with Elton John.
3. She has a belly button piercing. (Yes, it hurt!)

So which is the lie? Are you taking a Christmas break? What are you doing to celebrate the holidays?

Writerly Wednesday on a Tuesday

For those of us in the US of A, it's Thanksgiving week, which means I'll be frantically cleaning or cooking tomorrow, so you get WW a day early. 

So what better way to show thanks than to accept a blogging award and pass it on? 

Huge thanks to my pal and poet, Fifi Islaih for the award. In order to accept it, I have to list 7 facts about myself and nominate others. 

1. My love for cheese is no secret, but there are some French cheeses I don't much care for. (I know, the shock!)

2. The last time I was expecting, I was living in NYC--in an 850 square foot apartment (with 3 other family members.) 

Yes, it felt like this. (source)

3. Although I have consistently taught kids ages 18 months 18 years (not counting my own) for the last 20+ years, I have a hard time calling myself an educator. 

4. I leave reviews for 90% of the books I read. (Which is typically 2 books a week.)

5. I miss hobby writing.

6. My greatest fear is playing the piano in front of people...and I still do it on occasion. (You should see my hands shake while playing. It's awesome.)

Source

7. My first REAL masterpiece was a drawing of either a horse, or a unicorn (maybe both) at the happy age of 3.

NOW, because it's gratitude time, if you take a moment to comment on this post, you are officially nominated for the award. There are so many of you I want to give the award to, and it seems no matter how many people I do nominate, I miss at least fifty others. So that's it. You've been nominated. =)

Ready to guess the lie and win a book? 

Last week, M.J. Fifield shared EFFIGY with us, along with two lies and one truth. Those who guessed the truth correctly were entered into a random drawing for the chance to win an eBook.  

M.J.'s game: 

1. Once, M.J. ran into famous New Hampshire author Jodi Picoult at the vet’s office and proceeded to make her (and everyone else around) question her ability to speak in complete sentences, as she attempted to tell Jodi how much she enjoys her novels.   
2. In high school, she sang back-up vocals for Kenny Rodgers. It is, however, not the only reason why she knows all the words to “The Gambler.”
3. In college, she worked as a stagehand and once tried to throw comedian Carrot Top out because she had no idea who he was or how he had gotten backstage.

And the lie is:

#1. Yes, M.J. has had some interesting run-ins with real, live celebrities. Awesome, right?

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

...DRUM ROLL...

M. Pax!

Congrats Mary! 

And now to today's feature...

When her protective older brother disappears, sixteen-year-old Melody loses control of her orderly life. Her stuttering flares up, her parents are shrouded in a grief-induced fog, and she clings to the last shreds of her confidence. 

The only lead to her brother’s disappearance is a 30-second call from his cell phone to Rex, the leader of a crime ring. Frustrated by a slow investigation with too many obstacles, and desperate to mend her broken family, Melody crosses the line from wallflower to amateur spy. She infiltrates Rex’s group and is partnered with Drew, a handsome pickpocket whose kindness doesn’t fit her perception of a criminal. He doesn’t need to steal her heart—she hands it to him.

With each law Melody breaks, details of her brother’s secret life emerge until she’s on the cusp of finding him. But at what point does truth justify the crime?

Get your copy HERE.

Julie Musil writes from her rural home in Southern California, where she lives with her husband and three sons. She’s an obsessive reader who loves stories that grab the heart and won’t let go. Her YA novels The Summer of Crossing Lines and The Boy Who Loved Fire are available now. For more information, or to stop by and say Hi, please visit Julie HERE.

She especially loves cheese when it’s piled on a pizza.

Julie 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 THE SUMMER OF CROSSING LINES. How awesome is that?

You have until Tuesday, December 2 at 1 p.m. EDT to guess--and be sure to come back for the answer on December 3.

TRUTH OR LIE

1. Julie knows almost all the words to the GREASE soundtrack.
2. She used to wear a bow in her hair—Madonna Material Girl style.
3. She loves country music, but doesn’t know any country line dances.

So which is the lie? What is one unique fact about you? Are you celebrating Thanksgiving? If so, how? 

Top Five 80's Ghost Stories

(See Below)

Do you love ghost stories? I totally flip over them, always have. I remember in 5th grade I read a book about the ghost of a slave kid who became best friends with a boy. Somehow he managed dragged his friend from the present into the past to try and prevent his tragic death. I remember wanting the story to be true with all my heart because it was so amazing! 

Then there were creepy stories like Behind the Attic Wall where the kids went into the past through a magic doll house and met the people who lived on an ancient English estate right before each of their tragic deaths. LOVED IT.

Then there was the Blossom Culp Series. (Thank you Richard Peck.)







And who didn't love the scaries stories series? I still dwell on these from time to time.








Last, (although this is kind of an exception to ghosts, but it is
Halloweeny...)

Ready to guess the lie and win a book? 

Last week, Lyndsay Johnson shared FIRE OF THE SEA 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 her  eBook.  

Lyndsay's game: 

1. Lyndsay was in training to be on the US Olympic Equestrian team, but was thrown from a horse and broke her wrist before the qualifying rounds.
2. She once spray-painted the concrete wall behind her house with what she envisioned to be a gorgeous mural. Turns out fluorescent orange isn’t the best color for a budding graffiti artist… Also, who knew you could buy spray paint remover?
3. She used to drive a 1986 Volvo Station wagon. Teal with tan interior. She hated it, but now wishes she’d kept it.  

And the lie is:

#1. Lyndsay actually rode horses for ten years and competed in lots of show jumping. While she never broke a bone or even came close to being an Olympian, she was overheard saying, “I don’t have time for the Olympics…I have to go to COLLEGE!” 

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

...DRUM ROLL...

Carol Kilgore!

Congrats Carol!

And now to today's feature:

Who knew a knock at the door could tear your world apart? They don’t demand money or possessions…they want much more than that, they want your life. 

Maverick is preparing for senior year: he’s no longer stuck in the “friend-zone” with the girl of his dreams, he’s looking forward to choosing the right college and being on his own, and he plans to have a blast along the way.

But a knock on the door changes all of that forever. 

Maverick begins a mind-altering, life-changing journey to discover the truth—a truth that certain individuals will do anything to keep hidden.

Get your copy HERE.

Miranda Hardy writes children’s literature to keep the voices in her head appeased. When she’s not in her fantasy world, she’s canoeing in alligator infested waters, or rescuing homeless animals. She goes to coffee shops to do most of her writing while drinking tea. Unable to reveal too much, she has the most boring superpower ever (hint: you have to be a close relative for it to work). She resides in south Florida with her two wonderful children, and too many animals to mention. 

Miranda's favorite cheese: Mozzarella. She loves it in lasagna or eating it in by itself, usually when no ones around to watch her. She's a closet cheese eater. 

Jay Noel was born on an uncharted island somewhere in the pacific and raised by elves and fairies. Okay, maybe not, but Jay was always known to be one for daydreaming. Jay was actually born in New York, but currently lives in St. Louis with his family. He had a pretty normal childhood, except for that one incident where he gave Jeff Glass a bloody nose and lip in the second grade. But the jerk deserved it! He also attended Southeast Missouri State University where he played NCAA Division I tennis and graduated Magna Cum Laude. Jay has a degree in English and Education.

Jay's favorite cheese: Colby, and he eats it in his sunroom. 

They 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 DEATH KNOCKS just in time for Halloween! How awesome is that?

You have until Tuesday, October 28, at 1 p.m. EDT to guess--and be sure to come back for the answer on October 29.

TRUTH OR LIE

1. They 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. 

   

The blog tour is making some awesome stops today:

Julie Musil asks me about sequels, and there may even be chainsaw juggling involved

M.J. Fifield at My Pet Blog shares a super awesome excerpt

Kimber Leigh Wheaton at Once Upon a YA Book gives her review of SOULLESS

Sher A Hart: Ask no Questions, Tell no Lies

Patricia Lynne shares the cast of Soulless: Villains and Outcasts

And be sure to enter the 

Rafflecopter

for your chance to win some amazing prizes!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Now trot along and enjoy the awesomeness of the tour. 

Which is the lie? Do you have a favorite ghost book from your childhood? Of all time? What are you reading for Halloween? 

Laugh with Me, then Win a Book

Break ups can be messy, right? 

Yeah, I know, no demons involved, although a sparkly vampire is pretty darn close. Have you seen this video before? It cracks me up every time!

Oh, a quick heads up, I'm hanging at Kristin Smith's blog today. Come check out why I'm a TOTAL CHEATER.

AND how are you at visual teasers? They're the wave of the future. Come check this out!

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

Last week, Julie Musil shared The Boy Who Loved Fire 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 her eBook!

Julie's game:

1.  This California girl likes to be near the ocean, but won’t swim in it.

2. Julie met her hubby in the snack line when she was in 7th grade.

3. At 5’ 3”, Julie the tallest girl in her family.

And the lie is: 

#3. Lie: Julie is only 5’ 1”, but still the tallest girl in her family. Her mom is slightly shorter than her, she has one sister who is 4’ 11” and another who tops out at 4’ 10”.

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

...DRUM ROLL...

Connie Keller!

Congrats Connie!

And now to today's feature... Do you like to battle demons? 

Eighteen-year-old Ashlyn is one interview away from her future when she first sees the demons. She thinks she's losing her mind, but the truth is far more frightening: she can see into the Darkworld, the home of spirits– and the darkness is staring back.

Desperate to escape the demons, Ash accepts a place at a university in the small town of Blackstone, in the middle of nowhere - little knowing that it isn't coincidence that led her there but the pull of the Venantium, the sorcerers who maintain the barrier keeping demons from crossing from the Darkworld into our own world.

All-night parties, new friendships and a life without rules or limits are all part of the package of student life - but demons never give up, and their focus on Ash has attracted the attention of every sorcerer in the area. Ash is soon caught between her new life and a group of other students with a connection to the Darkworld, who could offer the answers she's looking for. The demons want something from her, and someone is determined to kill her before she can find out what it is. 

In a world where darkness lurks beneath the surface, not everyone is what they appear to be...

Pick up your copy HERE.

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

Emma spent her childhood creating imaginary worlds to compensate for a disappointingly average reality, so it was probably inevitable that she ended up writing fantasy and paranormal for young adults. She was born in Birmingham, UK, which she fled at the first opportunity to study English Literature at Lancaster University. In her three years at Lancaster, she hiked up mountains, skydived in Australia, and endured a traumatic episode involving a swarm of bees in the Costa Rican jungle. She also wrote various novels and short stories. These included her first publication, a rather bleak dystopian piece, and a disturbing story about a homicidal duck (which she hopes will never see the light of day).

Now a reluctant graduate, Emma can usually be found in front of her writing desk. Her debut novel The Puppet Spell, published by Rowanvale Books, is a fantasy tale for young adults and the young at heart, inspired by her lifelong love of the fantastical, mythology, and video games. Emma also writes urban fantasy/supernatural novels for older teens and adults. She is currently working on several projects, including the planned 5-book upper-YA/New Adult Darkworld series. The first novel, Darkness Watching, was published in 2013 by Curiosity Quills Press.

Emma likes cheddar, and can be found eating it at her desk, because her characters won't let her leave. 

Emma 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 Darkness Watching (eBook). Awesome, right? You have until Tuesday, April 1, at 1 p.m. EDT to guess--and be sure to come back for the answer on April 2.

TRUTH OR LIE

1. I've scuba-dived in the Great Barrier Reef.

2. I wrote Darkness Watching while living in a cabin in the Costa Rican jungle.

3. I've never been to the USA. 

Okay friendlies, which is the lie? Have you ever had a messy break up? Do like books with demons? And are you participating the the A to Z Challenge next week? 

Fire! (And the A to Z Theme Reveal)

Are you on fire?

Source

This is a question I ask myself daily. Am I on fire with my kids? With my husband? With my housekeeping? Home schooling? Writing? Promotions? Community service?

I want to be.

Some days I feel completely burned out--like everything I've got is consumed. For the last couple years I've been mostly having those days. I know it's a result of health challenges around some especially crazy times...like the publishing of my debut novel, but I've also decided it's a choice.

The aim is to be on fire, right? We want to light the torches around us, to set people aflame, to inspire others.

Today I'm on fire. By choice. I can feel it all the way from my insomniatic toes and up.

I think we all have that choice. We may face times when we're discouraged or struggling, but you are the one who ultimately decides how you'll be.

And remember, fire is contagious. Share your flame. Light your corner of the world, and burn bright.

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

Last week, Emilyann Girdner shared The Labyrinth Wall 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 her eBook!

Emilyann's game:

1. A brown recluse spider bit her forehead and nearly killed Emilyann when she was three years old.

2. She met Drew Barrymore when she visited a friend at her Sony Pictures job in L.A. a couple years ago.

3. Her first language was Turkish.

And the lie is: 

#2. Emilyann did visit her friend and get to see Adam Sandler in person, but no Drew. Unfortunately the spider bite is true, and she has the scar to prove it! And her father was in the Air Force, so she lived in Turkey until she was five years old.

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

...DRUM ROLL...

Garrison James!

Congrats!

Are you into fires? I'm a bit of a pyro, which is why Julie Musil's book title really grabbed me. (And yes, I am reading this one.) Since she's one of my amazing buddies, I invited her here to share with you: 

Manny O’Donnell revels in his status at the top of his high school food chain. He and his friends party in the mountains on a blustery night, sharing liquor and lame ghost stories around a campfire. The next morning, as a wild fire rages in those same mountains, Manny experiences doubt. He was the last of the drunken crew to leave the cave, and he’s uncertain if he extinguished the flames. Within hours, he becomes the number one arson suspect.

Santa Ana winds + matches = disaster. You’d think he would've learned that the first time he started a fire.

As he evades a determined arson investigator, Manny, a modern-day Scrooge, is visited by ghosts of the past, present, and future. He’s forced to witness the fate of his inadvertent victims, including Abigail, the scarred beauty who softens his heart. Manny must choose between turning around his callous, self-centered attitude, or protecting his own skin at the expense of anyone who gets in his way.

Pick up your copy HERE.

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

Julie Musil writes Young Adult novels from her rural home in Southern California, where she lives with her husband and three sons. She’s an obsessive reader who loves stories that grab the heart and won’t let go. Her novel The Boy Who Loved Fire is available now. For more information, or to stop by and say "Hi," please visit Julie on her blog, on Twitter, and on Facebook.

You might run across Julie eating gooey mozzarella pizza with her family.

Julie 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 The Boy Who Loved Fire (eBook). Awesome, right? You have until Tuesday, March 25, at 1 p.m. EDT to guess--and be sure to come back for the answer on March 26.

TRUTH OR LIE

1.  This California girl likes to be near the ocean, but won’t swim in it.

2.  Julie met her hubby in the snack line when she was in 7th grade.

3. At 5’ 3”, Julie the tallest girl in her family.

P.S. I'm hanging out at Emilyann's place. Get the scoop behind the cheese! 

(Or should I say wedge?)

And lastly...

You may have noticed I like to blog about things that make you laugh, and things that make you think. (And hopefully some that make you want to read.) Last year we enjoyed an entire series about How to Find Happiness, so I decided to stick with the inspirational route and blog about:

TRUE HEROES

I'm going to introduce my personal heroes throughout history and life, and I invite you to share yours. (Please!) Let's get inspired by awesome people that make us want to become our ultimate selves!

Find the rest of the hop HERE.

So, friendlies, which is the lie? Are you on fire? What has you burning today? Will you be back to share your heroes?