Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Amazing, Epic, and Mind-Blowing News...IWSG and a Giveaway

Have you dealt with health challenges?

For 4 or 5 years now, I've been struggling. The last 3 years have been a slow improvement from a really bad place, and all that time I've been writing but longing for something completely different, something that would probably prevent me from writing.

I finally got my wish. With over a year of miscarriage after miscarriage behind us, we are expecting.

My writing may slow down, but I'm one happy mama. (So what if there's a 8.5 year gap between kids?) Life is good, and I think when we hit these moments, we really just have to enjoy them because the rain will come soon enough.

Speaking of which, here's some confetti for IWSG's 3 year anniversary!


Are you happy about something today?



Ready to guess the lie and win a book? 

Last week, Laura Howard shared her THE FORGOTTEN ONES 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 

Laura's game: 

1. Laura's favorite number is 9. 
2. She's the mother of two sets of twins.
3. All four of her kids names end with the letter "n."
And the lie is:

#2. She does have 4 kids, but she can't actually imagine having them so close together. (And I'll second that!)

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

...DRUM ROLL...


Congrats Cherie! 

And now to today's feature:

Babylon, one of the most powerful and notorious empires ever, is the last place Mark wants to go. But when he discovers his girlfriend Miranda has been kidnapped and given to the king as a concubine, he travels through the colors of time to rescue her. It won’t be easy, not when the Hanging Gardens are a trap, his life is the prize in a game, and time is a prison. It will take all Mark’s cunning, the help of his friends, and a crazed chimp to free Miranda. When he does, time itself begins to unravel, and a life must be sacrificed or no one will survive.

Get your copy HERE.
C. M. Keller is Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award quarter finalist and the author of SCREWING UP TIME, SCREWING UP BABYLON, SCREWING UP ALEXANDRIA, and the short story "Screwing Up Mongolia." She loves old movies and poison rings. She and her husband have four children and she's currently working on her next YA novel, the fourth book in Mark and Miranda's story. 

She dies for an amazing Roquefort Carles cheese that she had in Le Grand Vefour in Paris. (Hand-made cheese from the milk of a Lacaune sheep that grazes on the grass of the Causses plateau.)  

C. M. 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 TWO of her eBooks, Screwing Up Time and Screwing Up Babylon. How awesome is that?

You have until Tuesday, September 9, at 1 p.m. EDT to guess--and be sure to come back for the answer on September 10.

TRUTH OR LIE

1. C.M. kissed a gargoyle on Notre Dame cathedral. 
2. When she was a teenager, she drove the car with her eyes closed several times.
3. She has a rare auto-immune disease that makes her hair fall out. 
Which is the lie? Do you have any good news to share? Do you love time travel stories? When was the last time something truly amazing happened in your life? 

81 comments:

  1. Congratulations! That is SOOO exciting! Such a blessing :-)

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  2. Congratulations! I am so happy for you and wish you the best and a awesome pregnancy.

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  3. So thrilled for your good news. I hope CM didn't ever drive with her eyes closed.

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  4. I heard about your fantastic news the other day. So, so happy for you!!!

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  5. Oh wow, so happy for you, congratulations! I say #2 is the lie.

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  6. Congratulations!!! That is wonderful news! :)

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  7. Crystal, that's wonderful news!
    Congratulations!
    The lie is no.#2... just guessing...
    Happy IWSG Day!

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  8. Congratulations! I hope it all goes well for you.
    Play off the Page

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  9. wow, congratulations !!!!! enjoy these months to come, it'll be the best journey of your life :-)

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  10. CONGRATULATIONS! I'm so happy for you!

    I guess the lie is #2.

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  11. CONGRATS! That is my happy news for the day! The best news for not writing!

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  12. Congratulations, Crystal! And there are almost thirteen years between my sister and me, so eight isn't so bad.

    I'm so excited to have won! :)

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  13. Congratulations!!! :D

    IWSG #179 until Alex culls the list again.

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  14. Congratulations!! Those little munchkins are such miraculous time hogs. Best of luck with the pregnancy!

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  15. Congratulations Crystal, 8.5 years gap isn't too big... I have 22 years between mine, I had a couple of miscarriages too... I will send out good thoughts/vibes/prayers for you and your family. I am so happy for you <3

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  16. Crystal this news makes me so incredibly happy :) good things happen to good people - and you are most definitely a good person.

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  17. Yay!!! Congats, I'm so happy for you!!

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  18. (If you get this comment twice, sorry. Computer problems this am!) Congrats!!! I'm so excited for you. There are nine years between my baby girl and my youngest teenage son. So glad it worked out that way. The boys can take care of themselves, make dinner, drive to school while I get to have a ton of fun with my baby girl!! She turned five this summer.
    I think the lie is #3
    Did you get moved into your new home yet?

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  19. Congrats Crystal! That's wonderful news.

    I'll guess #2.

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  20. Crystal -- Congratulations! I am so happy for you! And as for that 8.5 year gap? Wait until you see how much help the big brother/sister will be!

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  21. Congratulations!
    I'm guessing the third one is the lie. She has a lot of hair in the photo.

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  22. I'm glad to be an IWSG Co-Host and that I'm able to sneak on a laptop left behind at home. Sad but at least I'm online. Congrats on the pregnancy Crystal! C.M. your story sounds very exciting and that Chimp better watch out that it's not sacrificed. I'm going to say #3 is the lie because that would be a sad truth. If I'm wrong I'll wonder if it's #2.

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  23. I am so happy for you!!! Of all of my masterpieces, my kids are the best works I've ever done. Children are such a blessing. I'm happy dancing for you!!

    I'm going with the driving with her eyes closed as the lie.

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  24. Crystal, thanks so much for hosting my books today. And hearty congratulations on your pregnancy--children are such a wonderful blessing!

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  25. Congratulations!! I wish you joy and comfort during this time....and you have my permission to indulge in all your food cravings!

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  26. Yay, Crystal! So excited for you. Can't wait to see cute baby pictures.

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  27. I think that confetti is for you too! Many congratulations to you! As for the age gap, my boys are seven and six years apart from their sister. Hello awesome babysitters, no, I meant, they get along famously. Doing a happy dance for you!

    ElsieI

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  28. CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I am so happy for you and your husband! I am sending cheese your way. :D

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  29. Congratulations!!! Ditto all the well wishes and excitement from above. Enjoy it all and writing will always be there when you need it.

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  30. WOOT! I'm thrilled for you!! LOTS more cheese is in order *eating for two and all* Wishing you a happy, healthy baby bump!!

    A Movement of Hope

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  31. Congrats! I'm supper excited for you. I'm sorry you had to go through the low points to get here though. I'll send you some virtual cheese so you can celebrate! :)

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  32. LOL!! Love the gif. :D

    Congrats on your new joy!

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  33. Congratulations! My wife and I had so many problems, we ended up adopting, and now we have two great kids driving us crazy! Good luck!

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  34. Congratulations! And who cares if the writing slows down - this is SO worth it :) Totally happy for you!

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  35. Woo hoo! Congrats! It's a wonderful moment. Don't think about rain until it comes.

    I will guess #1 is the lie.

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  36. Congratulations! That's such great news :)

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  37. Oh Crystal, that's the most amazing, wonderful news. I'm so happy for you. I won't go into a ton of detail, but I'll just say that I understand, in a very small part, what you must have been dealing with, and it's awful. This is the light at the other end, the much-deserved joy. Take time, and enjoy it!

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  38. Congratulations on your coming blessèd event! My summer school chemistry teacher got her little sister, her only sibling, when she was a senior in high school. She said it was really awkward for her, but she grew to have a good relationship with her sister.

    I'll guess the lie is #3.

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  39. I have empathy for you. We went through several miscarriages, one which almost killed my wife.

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  40. Congratulations. I wish you all the success. May this baby be beautiful and healthy.

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  41. Congratulations! Wonderful news! :)

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  42. Congrats Cherie!! I guess the correct answer to be number one! :)

    shahwharton.com :) X

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  43. First off, congratulations! That's wonderful news.

    I'll say number two is the fib, but don't enter me into the drawing. I've already read (and loved) Connie's books.

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  44. Congrats, Crystal! Very exciting :) And 8.5 years apart isn't bad--that's how far apart we are in my family.

    And I'm going with #2 as the lie!

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  45. Confetti tossing and cheer for your pregnancy, Crystal! Woohoo! That's wonderful. So happy for you. Congratulations!

    I'm going to go with #1 as the lie.

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  46. This calls for one healthy congratulations! NO shame in that age gap at all. Let me refill your supply of confetti there... :)

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  47. Congrats. Just think how much help the others will be with the new little one.

    Lie...I'll guess #3.

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  48. Congratulations! And I agree with others that the larger age gap is nothing to worry about - it might even mean the kids grow up to be closer, since they won't see the other as competition. Not that I know much about this, but hey. ^_^

    And I'm... honestly not sure when the last time something truly amazing happened to me. Either I have very high standards for 'amazing' or... yeah. >_<

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  49. Awesome!!! Congrats! One of my best friend's has a sister who is 8 years younger and they've always been extremely close :-) I think the last thing amazing that happened to me was finding my long lost bff in July!

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  50. Congratulations on the happy news!


    Going with 31 as the lie?

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  51. Wow that is wonderful news!! So happy for you. Congratulations!!!

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  52. Oh my word that is absolutely amazing!! Congratulations!!!!

    Sarah Allen
    (From Sarah, With Joy)

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  53. Oh my gosh, congratulations, Crystal!!! How wonderful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    I'm thinking #1 is the lie.

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  54. How exciting! Congratulations! I never know what to "expect" when reading these IWSG blog posts. But this is the best and happiest one I've read all day! Thrilled for you!

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  55. Congratulations on the exciting news. Sure it will likely put the brakes on writing time just a teensy bit, but - hey! - it's a happy and welcome diversion isn't it?

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  56. Oh Crystal… wow… what a miracle! I'm so very, very, VERY HAPPY for you!!!! <3

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  57. Wow! Congratulations!!! What wonderful news! Just think with the 8.5 year spread, you'll have some good helpers. :)

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  58. Ha, I second what Jenni said! Time to learn how to change a diaper, kids... ;) But all joshing aside- CONGRATS! That's so great. Wishing you and the baby the best of health!

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  59. Congratulations Crystal!!!! That's AMAZING news!

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  60. Oh Crystal - that's amazing news - so pleased for you both ... congratulations!

    Lots going on with the IWSG ... and new books - good luck to one and all .. fantastic news - cheers with some cheese - or perhaps you've gone off it?! Hilary

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  61. That is amazing. Congratulations. So happy for you.

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  62. congrats!!!! 8.5 yrs is nothing! ;) my sis and i are 18 years apart! i love the age difference your kids will have--they'll be close that way. so happy for you.

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  63. Great news! There is a six year gap between my two sons, and they are good friends. I love the cover for Screwing up Babylon--those colors really pop.

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  64. Congratulations! I hope all goes well for you and your family. I'm going to guess #1 is a lie.

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  65. Crystal, this is such wonderful news! I'm sure you are radiating with gratitude and anticipation for the months to come. Enjoy it and congratulations! Good things happen to good people and I'm happy to say you are truly amazing.
    I'm going to guess number 2 is a lie.

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  66. Congratulations Crystal! My dear friend has three children ages 27, 23, and 14, and they are all very close! I'm so happy for you, and hope you're feeling well!

    Julie

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  67. Eight years is nothing. My brother was seventeen when I was born. Take it easy, sweetie.

    Love,
    Janie

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  68. Congrats, Crystal! I'm really happy for you!

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  69. Congratulations! And a peaceful, healthy pregnancy to you.

    I'll call #2 the lie.

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  70. Congratulations Crystal! This post just made my day. So happy for you.

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  71. Congratulations, Crystal!!! What a wonderful announcement! Best wishes for a nausea-free pregnancy. Enjoy every moment of that little one when he/she comes—you know how fast they grow. And your writing will be there when you're ready.

    I'll guess that the lie is #2.

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  72. Congratulations!! I'll have to go with Jaybird's comment cause it's the same as mine. This news made me happy for you!

    I'll go with #1 as the lie.

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  73. I'm so happy for you guys! Congrats and I wish you all the best! :)

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Hit me with your cheese!