Books, Boogiemen & IWSG

What is it you fear is hiding under your bed?

And no, I don't mean something like this:

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I'm talking about your proverbial bed. We all have fears that seem far too large to overcome, the monsters that haunt our souls. Today I'm facing one of those monsters, and it look like this:

If you met me face to face, you might never guess I struggle with social interactions. That's because I'm a FABULOUS actress. It didn't used to be this bad. In high school I worked hard on developing relationships and hanging out, but the truth is, I was more comfortable like this:

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than this:

I went to a birthday party with my daughter yesterday and after 10 minutes I was like, "GET ME OUT OF HERE." No desire to stick around--even to chat with some awesome neighbors. It's a lack of practice, I know, but after a long season of illness that left me too exhausted to get out, and finally a new baby, I just don't have the willpower or energy to invest. And that's a bad thing. Life is about human interaction. It's about relationships. It's about LIVING.

So how do I reconcile that?

Well, I joined a book club. I'm in social media groups with other people. I'm planning some coops for my home schooling kids.

See, the only thing constant in life is change. We're either expanding outward, exploring and growing, or we're shrinking in on ourselves. I'm pretty tired of shrinking. How about you? What are you doing to expand your horizons?

This month I'm highlighting fellow authors from:

BUY NOW 

(Unless you already have, in which case, you rock!)

Last week we met the very kind Sandra Cox and had an opportunity win her urban fantasy novel, LOVE, LATTES and MUTANTS. Everyone who guessed her Truth or Lie game correctly were entered into a random drawing for the chance to win an eBook.

The Game:

1. I was the third generation in my family to be married on Christmas Eve.

2. My husband was born in IL, I was born in KY, my daughter was born in OH and my son in WI.

3. English is my second language.

The lie: #3. English actually is her first language.

Way to guess everyone! That was tough. And the winner is:

...DRUM ROLL...

Susan Gourley/Kelley!

Congrats, Susan!

And now for something a little different today. 

I'm excited to be contributing to

(Releasing June 30th!)

I had the privilege of reviewing an Advance Reviewer Copy, and this is what I have to say: 

Anthologies are always such a mixed bag. You may love one story and hate the next. Knowing the number of contributors in this anthology, I anticipated there’d be some back and forth, but I have to say, I was very pleasantly surprised. Strong stories, some very unique ideas, and some great reads. I enjoyed the experience...

(Read the rest of the review HERE and add it to you TBR list)

And now the clincher. If you mention the word "CHEESE" in your comment, I'll put you in my magic hat for the chance to win THE THING THAT TURNED ME in eBook. (Awarded on release day.)

You have until Tuesday, June 14 at 2 p.m. EDT to guess. Be sure to come back to see the winner and for a chance to win another AWESOME book on June 15, 8 a.m EDT.

Are you socially awkward? What monsters are hiding under your proverbial bed? Did you add the anthology to your list?

What is Value?

How do you place value on things?

When my husband and I were first married, he informed me that when buying things, he was a quality vs quantity type person. I scratched my head and responded, "As long as it's cheap." (In true poor college student fashion.)

Over the years, I've come to value his initial stand. Value for me means something holds its worth over time and through whatever difficulty or abuse may come. If it's a great waffle iron, it can take a licking and keep on producing crispy deliciousness. If it's a written work, it can stand the test of years and criticism (even the negative kind) and still remain a shining beacon of thought.

More importantly, I think that applies to how people live. The values we hold will prove themselves over time to be faulty, or pillars of truth. If you look at how people are living--their level of happiness, their mental state, their relationships--you can assess how true their value system is. Apply the scientific method by observing the experiments that are already in progress. What they/we believe is either a true principal, or it's not. So then the challenge becomes to find the examples of success in the areas that matter most and emulate their way of living.

Speaking of change... This year I'll be in a couple AMAZING anthologies and I wanted to introduce the first one:

Awesome, right?

Lastly, I'm giving away books!!!! Check it out and enter to win.

ENTER HERE

 

Now how about ANOTHER giveaway?

Last week Anna Simpson shared with us WHITE LIGHT, along with two truths and a lie. Those who guessed the lie correctly were entered into a random drawing for the chance to win signed bookmarks and an awesome charm bracelet.

The Game:

1. I have stood exactly where I was born and it is in the middle of the produce section of our local grocery store.
2. I was given a tarot deck from a complete stranger.
3. I overcame my fear of spiders when my son mimicked my jumping around like a lunatic when he was two years old.

The lie: #3. Alas, Anna has never overcome her fear of spiders. Beware the eight-leggers!

Way to guess everyone! And the winner is:

...DRUM ROLL...

Shannon Lawrence!

Congrats, Shannon! 

And now for this week's feature... 

Leon Garber has his reasons for ridding the world of abusive people, call it justifiable homicide.

Opportunity comes knocking from Like-Minded Individuals, Inc., a global company fulfilling the needs of clients: new identities, security, and even lists of potential “projects.” But let’s not call it “serial killing” (such a nasty term). For Leon, it’s a dream come true. However, LMI’s put a target on Leon’s back, with no indication of why. 

LMI, the police, sanctioned hit men, and a vicious psychopath are after Leon. He collides with other Like-Minded Individuals: The Good Samaritan Killer, The Mad Doctor, Donnie and Marie (don’t ask). Heads are chopped, dropped, and swapped as Leon fights for his life. But nothing will keep him from finishing his current project. Not even the chance to fall in love.

Sometimes a killer business idea is just that. Killer.

Get your copy HERE.

Ready to meet the author?

Stuart R. West is a lifelong resident of Kansas, which he considers both a curse and a blessing. It's a curse because...well, it's Kansas. But it's great because…well, it’s Kansas. Lots of cool, strange and creepy things happen in the Midwest, and Stuart takes advantage of them in his work. Call it “Kansas Noir”. Stuart writes thrillers tinged with horror and horror tinged with humor, both for adult and young adult audiences. Secret Society is the second of his novels to be published by Books We Love Ltd. He's also the author of the acclaimed Tex, the Witch Boy series published by MuseItUp Publishing. His first novel from Samhain Publishing, Demon with a Comb-Over, comes out March 1st. He’s married to a professor of pharmacy and has a 22 year old daughter who’s still deciding what to do with her life.

You might find him enjoying Jalapeno Havarti cheese (A little fire with your cheese, what could be nicer?) while watching Hitchcock films with his wife.

Stuart 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 SECRET SOCIETY! (Open Internationally.)

You have until Tuesday, January 26 at 1 p.m. EDT to guess. Be sure to come back for the answers on January 27.

TRUTH OR LIE

1. I had over 50,000 movies on videotape in my basement. Due to mold and obsolete equipment, my wife and I recently rented a huge dumpster just to haul the tapes away.

2. Fifteen years ago I was in an alternative/rock/country-funk/performance art/comedy band. I wore pajamas and slippers for every show. My character was a sort of demented hillbilly who toted around a saxophone, but rarely played it.

3. I have webbed toes. But it's a bonus, because in high school gym, I was a championship swimmer. Shoes are hard to fit, though. I have to have them special ordered from WebsRUs.

So sleuths, which is the lie? What's something you value? Do you read anthologies? Do you like thrillers? Have you met Stuart before?