5 Life Lessons a Baby Can Teach You

Do you love babies?

My dad was a doctor and delivered so many of them. He loved babies so much, he ended up having 8 of his own. Which sounds insane. Because it was. But it was also wonderful. So many people to love, and such a strong support system of family.

In honor of that, today's funnies are brought to you by life lessons babies can teach us all:

5. Don't be jealous/envious. Share.

4. Show appropriate affection.

(Beware smooches.)

3. Look before you leap.

2. Know the difference between reality and imagination:

1. We're always working on control--refining a little at a time. No one is perfect,

and no one looks graceful all the time, even if they are ADORABLE.

And now, as promised... 

I dropped off the planet last month. Perhaps I'm a little more like my dad than I thought because...

We're looking forward to welcoming baby #5, and because my health has been a little tenuous (thank you morning--I mean--all day sickness), I've been taking everything slow. Even reading. *gasp* Every addition to our family has made it sweeter, a little more chaotic, and so much more fulfilling. I'm excited to hold this new one in my arms...in 6 months.

Do you have any awesome news? Anything you're very much looking forward to?

Two weeks ago, Katherine Bogle shared HAVEN along with two truths and one lie. Anyone who guessed was entered to win an eBook. If that person also guessed the lie correctly, they would receive FYRE (a collection of short stories) as well.

The game:

1. The second time I ever voted, I was nearly killed on the way to the polls.
2. To tell my first ever crush that I liked him, I chased him around the school yard until I kissed him. He was an a**hole to me in high school. Well deserved? Maybe.
3. I once had 8 cats (seriously, all at the same time).

The lie: #1.  

From Katherine: The first time I ever went to vote, I was driving with my best friend. We reached an intersection where we had the right of way (two stop signs on the other sides). As we were going through the intersection, a huge truck flew in front of us. My friend hit the brake mere inches from the truck. We were in a tiny little Chevy at the time, and may have died if the truck struck the side of the vehicle. Thank God for my friend's awesome reflexes! 

And the winner is:

...DRUM ROLL...

Lynda R. Young!

Congrats, Lynda!

And now for a YA urban fantasy you don't want to miss:

Blinded in an accident, only she can see the truth.

Losing her parents and her sight changes everything for Sibyl Forsyth. Terrified and refusing to accept the gift that she can now "see" into the supernatural realm, Sibyl stays at home, closed off from the outside world.

When she's plagued with a vision of a catastrophic event, Sibyl knows she can't possibly sit back and watch her California coastal town's ultimate demise. Reluctantly, Sibyl sets out to stop her premonition from coming true. With the help of her shifter guide dog, Vago, the two join forces to save the day as they encounter intensely evil spirits with a vicious vendetta.  In a race against time, Sibyl and Vago battle their own demons while trying to save the town from an explosive ending that nobody else sees coming. 

If you enjoy stories with supernatural visions, suspense, budding romances, and a heroine who has a lot of heart -- then you’ll love Pond's latest urban fantasy series!  

Check out Hidden Sight and "see" what's in store for you!

Buy your copy on Amazon.

Ready to meet the author?

Simone Pond writes sci-fi novels for young and new adults. She's also obsessed with Boston Terriers, Victorian dresses, and the end of the world. She's a warrior of light. 

She grew up in Kensington, Maryland––a small town just outside Washington D.C.––and spent most of her time filling up journals. In 2013, she published her first fiction novel, The City Center, which won a gold medal in dystopian fiction. She publishes a book every couple months, so be sure to sign up for her mailing list for updates on new releases.

You might find Simone sitting in her living room with a good French baguette and chevre (cheese). She loves cheese so much, it finds its way into her stories: There's a scene in Beyond Sight (the second book in the Coastview Prophecies) where the main character, Sibyl, and her boyfriend, Eli, are eating goat cheese. Simone was a strict vegan for about five years and didn't have any cheese -- at all. She was pretty miserable those five years.

(And understandably! Yikes!)

Simone gave me two truths and one lie to test your "lie detector" skills. If you guess the lie, right or wrong, you will be entered to win a PRINT BOOK of HIDDEN SIGHT. (Open internationally.) IF YOU DON'T HAVE A BLOGGER ACCOUNT WITH AN EMAIL ON YOUR PROFILE, PLEASE LEAVE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS IN THE COMMENTS.

You have until Tuesday, April 4 at 2 p.m. EDT to guess. Be sure to come back for the answer on April 5, 8 a.m. EDT.

TRUTH OR LIE

1. I saved someone's life giving them the Heimlich maneuver.
2. I was baptized in the Pacific Ocean.
3. I'm a hoarder.

So sleuths, which is the lie? Have you met Simone? Do you like urban fantasy? Do you have any awesome news? Anything you're very much looking forward to?

A Funeral, A Wedding, and A Baby Blessing: IWSG Edition

It sounds like the title of a book or movie, right? 

Have you ever had a season where EVERYTHING hit at once? When you've had a long stretch of calm, beware of earthquakes.

My baby was a week shy of 2 months old when we received word that my grandmother passed away. Now this wasn't a sad thing. She was 94 and bed-ridden for over a decade. We knew it was coming. Regardless, I needed to be there for the funeral...even if it was beyond crazy to fly across country with a baby. My sister-in-law was getting married 1.5 weeks later and we already had plane tickets, so we changed my flight, along with my daughter's--so she could be a second mommy. 

Ouch to the pocketbook.

The funeral happened. It was sweet. Being with so many wonderful family members--people I haven't seen in about 10 years--was awesome. Saying goodbye to Grandma, that was bitter-sweet. Singing with my sisters and cousins to honor the woman, such a great experience.

The next week was a whirlwind of family visits, clingy baby, and bouncing between "hotels" (AKA, houses)--until the wedding. With all of the family close, we blessed our baby. (60 people + a special dinner afterwards.) 

Needless to say, the last two weeks have been insanity--but a good kind of insanity. Every life experience improves our grasp of the world and teaches us how to share the human experience through our writing. The key is knowing when to pause on writing in order to live.

How was your May?

Now that we're caught up, how about the chance to win a book?

For this week's game...

Rowena thinks the Grimm’s infamous podcasts are simply another teen fad until she finds herself trapped in a land of nightmarish storybook characters. She tries desperately to flee Mezzanine and return home, but Dresdem, Mezzanine’s wicked monarch, plans to use Rowena’s access to her world to bring dark magic and absolute rule into Georgia and beyond.

But when Rowena’s dear friend Madeline falls into Dresdem’s grasp, her battle with him becomes war, and all hopes of home are temporarily thwarted. With the help of an invisible hero, a beast, and an owl, she sets out to free Madeline from a deadening sleep. But Rowena must become her own hero when she finds herself bound by the kingdom’s darkest family. She must make the ultimate choice – align herself with her enemies or live on the run forever.

Get your copy HERE.

Ready to meet the author? 

Vanessa K. Eccles graduated Troy University with a degree in English. She currently serves as executive editor of Belle Rêve Literary Journal and is founder of the book blog YA-NASisterhood. When she’s not writing or devouring books, she enjoys the lake life with her Prince Charming and their four dogs.

You might find her eating pepper jack (or any spicy variety of cheese) while sitting on her couch watching one of her many favorite TV shows.

Visit her online HERE.

Vanessa 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 FABLED.

You have until Tuesday, June 16 at 1 p.m. EDT to guess. Be sure to come back for the answer on June 17.

TRUTH OR LIE

1. As a child, the Grimm fairy tales where Vanessa's favorite bedtime reads.
2. When she was seven, she played a magician's assistant for her best friend's brother. When he couldn't remember how to get the handcuffs off, she pulled her arms over her head. It was the first time she realized she could dislocate her shoulders on command. Still can, in fact. 
3.) She was an avid X-Files fan as a kid, which resulted in an immense terror of being abducted by aliens.

So which is the lie? What have you been doing with May? (What has May been doing with you?) Do you love Grimm's fairy tales? Which is your favorite?

Oh, and a quick shout: The True Diary of Melanie Jane, AKA Runaway Jane
(My most recent FREE read on Lightning Quick Reads. Leave me your thoughts, eh?)

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? 

Babyness and Bookness

Some of you may have heard me ranting about my happy, happy news that we're FINALLY expecting. Our youngest is now 8, and we've been trying for a while, so this is a HUGE thing for us. It's even more huge in the fact that my daughter has been begging me for a little brother or sister for forever. 

So my happy news today, we finally know what we're expecting:

Ready to guess the lie and win a book? 

Last week, Kai Strand shared WORTH THE EFFORT, AYDEN'S STORY 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.  

Kai's game: 

1. Kai once played the part of the planet Venus – dressed as a Venus Flytrap.

2. She considers herself a scorpion queen, because they tend to appear wherever she is. Yes, it's as creepy as it sounds.

3. She came down with the flu and missed being crowned Prom Queen.

And the lie is:

#3. Kai did not miss out on being Prom Queen due to an ill-timed sickness. She did, however, played the part of a Venus Flytrap and is plagued by the appearance of scorpions.

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

...DRUM ROLL...

Tanya Miranda!

Congrats Tanya! 

And now to today's feature...

Alphabet Wildlife A to Z is a beautifully hand-illustrated book where children learn of many different animals that begin with the letters in the alphabet. 

This book introduces young readers to a variety of animals, many of which are unknown to people.

Get your copy HERE.

Nata Romeo a.k.a ArtistaDonna, is the author and illustrator of her first children's book, titled Alphabet Wildlife A to Z. Originally from Toronto, Canada, she now brews and sprinkles her art and stories from the Philadelphia skies. She dreams that her work gets swept up and tangled into a massive storm front so that her world can travel across the universe and beyond!

Nata's favorite cheese is blue cheese. Since she's the only one in her family who really appreciates this delicious cheese, she ends up adding it to just about anything she eats.

UNLIKE NORMAL, Nata gave me two LIES and one TRUTH to test your "lie detector" skills. Those who figure out the TRUTH will go into my magic hat for the chance to win an Amazon eBook of ALPHABET WILDLIFE A-Z. How awesome is that?

You have until Tuesday, November 18, at 1 p.m. EDT to guess--and be sure to come back for the answer on November 19.

TRUTH OR LIE

1. Nata has traveled to Mars to study Alientology, she now speaks fluent Alien languages.
2. Thanks to the Aliens, Nata is now a prodigy in Polyglotism.
3. Nata enjoys writing and illustrating. She has conversations with her characters on a daily basis.

So which is the TRUTH? Have you ever had to wait a REALLY long time for something you wanted badly? If so, what?

Deep Thoughts for a Wednesday...Plus FREE STUFF

I don't know about you, but I'm in the mood for some deep thoughts:

And now that we have that out of the way...

GUESS WHAT?!? I was asked to contribute to a really awesome SUPER HERO anthology, and you can get your hands on it

FOR FREE.

(Soon to be free on Amazon.)

Heroes of PHENOMENA is a global, cross-industry collaborative campaign encouraging the next generation of authors, artists & musicians! 

Epic motion picture advertising music production house, audiomachine, will make a donation to the Los Angeles Youth Orchestra with every download of the PHENOMENA album companion collection. 

A dedicated youth section showcases talented aspiring artists and authors from Elevate’s Life & Art Studios, alongside inspiring industry professionals and the winning entries of PHENOMENA's Epic Heroes Event!

Contributing authors include Darynda Jones, Amy Michele, Susan Kaye Quinn, M. Pax, Jessica Bell, Alex J. Cavanaugh, Crystal Collier (That's me!!!), C. Lee McKenzie, Ruth Long, & Samantha Redstreake Geary.

Yuppers. Is that epic or what?

Ready to guess the lie and win a book? 

Last week, the fashionable Anna Soliveres shared VIOLET STORM 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.

Anna's game:

1. Anna is an accomplished vocal performer.
2. She was a Police Cadet.
3. She had nine different jobs while in college.

And the lie is: 

#1. Anna says sadly, she is not an accomplished singer, but she swears she sounds AMAZING…alone in her bathroom…and in her head when she's not singing out loud. 

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

...DRUM ROLL...

Melanie Crouse!

Congrats Melanie! 

And now to today's feature:

Ashlyn – a free-spirited teenager whose peaceful life is shattered when the village elders honor her with a perilous quest to recover a stolen relic.

Zane – a jaded mercenary, torn by his undeniable desire for Ashlyn and the dark secret that could make her hate him forever.

Delistaire – a malevolent sorcerer driven by an insatiable lust for power.

All three are bound together by an ancient relic supposedly infused with the power of a Goddess.

Shadow Fire – adventure, passion, secrets, and betrayal

As Ashlyn and Zane race to stay one step ahead of the evil lurking in the shadows, their passions are ignited and their bond strengthens. But will they find the relic before Delistaire? Or has their entire quest been orchestrated from the very beginning by a madman in pursuit of ultimate power?

Each installment of the Light Chronicles is a standalone story.

Pick up your copy HERE.

Now let me introduce you to the incredible author: 

Kimber Leigh Wheaton is a bestselling YA/NA author with a soft spot for sweet romance. She is married to her soul mate, has a teenage son, and shares her home with three dogs, four cats, and lots of dragons. No, she doesn’t live on a farm, she just loves animals. Kimber Leigh is addicted to romance, videogames, superheroes, villains, and chocolate—not necessarily in that order. (If she has to choose, she’ll take a chocolate covered superhero!) She currently lives in San Antonio, TX but has been somewhat a rolling stone in life, having resided in several different cities and states.

She is a cheese-aholic. (After my own heart.) Her favorite is Colby Jack—doesn’t have to be sliced, a giant chunk will do. She enjoys eating it curled up in bed watching TV or a movie. 

Kimber Leigh 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 SHADOW FIRE (open internationally), and two bookmarks (US and Canada only). 

You have until Tuesday, June 17, at 1 p.m. EDT to guess--and be sure to come back for the answer on June 18.

TRUTH OR LIE

1. When she was nine, Kimber Leigh made it through several call backs auditioning for the Broadway show Annie.

2. She won third place is a city-wide Super Mario Bros. video game contest when she was a teenager.

3. While in college, she spent a summer playing Ariel, the Little Mermaid, at Disneyland. 

Which is the lie? Do you have any deep thoughts to add? Do you love stories about superheroes (and did you pick up your free copy)? 

Writely Wednesday Giveaway and True Heroes: H

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.

icken, Stephen Lloyd, aka, "Dad." Some of us have the privilege of having our parents around throughout most of our lives. Some of us don't. I was blessed to have my father until the age of 24, though his legacy is much longer lasting.

My father was crazy when it came to hobbies. He always had at least three he was actively invested in--as if being a doctor and father to 8 children, one of whom was special needs--wasn't enough. The thing I learned from watching, was a determination to always be progressing and growing, no matter how many challenges are on your plate. Dad didn't stand still.

Most of his time was dedicated to serving others, whether it was in the office trying to help people heal, delivering a baby in the middle of the night, as a scoutmaster, teaching his children, helping a neighbor move, repairing a vehicle, or off on a church assignment to help a needy family. He was quiet about these things, so that not even his children knew about all he did, unless one of us was directly involved in helping--like the year he had us crash his work Christmas party. It wasn't much of a party, more like a meet-in-the-lobby and chat kind of event. Lame, right? He had us younger kids dress up like elves and one older brother as Santa. We dropped in unexpectedly, bells jingling, and delivered candy canes to some very surprised nurses and receptionists, wishing them all a Merry Christmas.

There's also the time he learned of a patient who was really struggling during the holidays. Without telling anyone, he dragged one of my brothers out the door and had him ding-and-run, leaving a large box of necessities on the family's doorstep. My brother told me of several other deliveries he was asked to handle because no one would connect him with Dad, including envelopes of cash.

Dad took time to take each of his daughters on special "daddy-daughter dates," and I remember one time, even though he really was clueless about what girls like, he decided he just wanted to do something nice for his daughters. He filled a lunch bag with little prizes and treats for each of us. I remember the dorky Bullwinkle pencil in my bag, and how much it meant.

I suppose the point is, you never know how much impact you're making on someone else's life--even with the little things. No effort is wasted. No kind word or act should be forgone. Love endures long after a person leaves your life.

Quick mention, Dad was always encouraging my talents, although he never got to read MOONLESS, I know he'd have been terribly proud. (And you can get your copy right now for $1.99, but the sale ends soon.)

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

Last week, Kate Scott shared Counting to D 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!

Kate's game:

1. Kate is allergic to ketchup.

2. Kate's left foot once stayed asleep (pins and needles) for three years.

3. She once built a 15-foot snowman with a forklift.

And the lie is: 

#1. Kate is not actually allergic to ketchup.

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

...DRUM ROLL...

Susan Gourley/Kelley!

Congrats Susan!

And now to today's feature, a book I read and was surprised by how much I enjoyed it (seeing how it's WAY out of my usual reading zone):

In 2080, technology has gone too far for hard-boiled Detective J.L. Cooper. He thought he could avoid the Pop Travel teleportation craze, until he stumbled onto a video of a traveler who turns to dust.

Cooper's discovery of Pop Travel's deadly flaw sparks a series of murders, attempts on his life, and threats to his brother. He’d like to pass off the evidence but knows he’s being watched and can’t trust anyone. And who would believe him?

The only way he can save his brother is to fool his observers while looking for a way to expose the problem. With help from the neurotic, genius “Creator” and a beautiful Southern charmer, Cooper pop teleports around the world to escape corporate killers and find a way to shut down Pop Travel or die trying. No problem.

Pick up your copy HERE.

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

Tara Tyler started out as a math teacher and has had a hand in everything from waitressing to rocket engineering. Having lived up and down the Eastern US, she currently resides in Ohio with her three active boys and Coach Husband. In addition to her novels, she has published short stories and poetry in Science Fiction, Fantasy, Thriller, and Humor. She is also working on a non-fiction book of tips for women who hate housework. So many stories to tell! Read more here, http://www.taratylertalks.blogspot.com

Tara loves to eat free samples of cheese at the grocery store, some are yummy and some are not, but she love trying new cheeses. 

Tara 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 your choice of 1. POP Travel Print book, 2. Pop Travel (eBook) or this very cool QV bracelet. There will be TWO winners, so guess away! You have until Tuesday, April 15, at 1 p.m. EDT to guess--and be sure to come back for the answer on April 16.

TRUTH OR LIE

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.

Okay friendlies, which is the lie? Do you have a relative who's passed on that left you a legacy? Who is your real life hero?