From January 24th to the 30th, I'm joining up with other authors in the CIR (Clean Indie Reads) Mid-Winter sale! 140 books are being offered for free or at discounted rates, so be sure to click on the image to learn more about it.
As for me, both Summer Shadows and Necessary Evil with be $1.99 each on Kindle from now until January 30th. Don't forget to sign up for the Summer Shadows Goodreads Book Giveway, which ends on February 10th, for your chance at a signed paperback copy! Keep warm and read on, folks!
0 Comments
Self-Reliance has been on my mind a lot lately - not just Emerson's magnificent essay, but the nature of self-reliance. What does it mean to be self-reliant? How does one achieve it? And is it worth the achievement? At times it seems that society as a whole is moving away from this concept. Oh, we do not say this out-loud, of course, but the underlying movement is towards a community that supports, molds, contributes, and has a say in all efforts, personal and impersonal. And while I love the idea of a community that work with, plays with, and supports one another, I can't help but wonder if we aren't losing an aspect of our humanity - our self-reliance and, by extension, our personal pride - in the process. So I turned to my old friend, Emerson, and was reminded, once again, why his wisdom is still quoted in our times. Here are some of my favorite quotes from his essay. Got a favorite of your own? Any thoughts on self-reliance? Comment in the section below! Two groups of 12 authors (make that 24 giveaways!) are giving away books from a wide variety of genres. Ready to get in on the holiday spirit and win some prizes? Start here and take the blog tour. There will be posts and prizes to win every day of the 12 days of Christmas. It's giveaway time! It's day three of the 12 Days of Christmas Book Giveaways and that means it's my day to host a giveaway. Two winners will win an e-copy of my new release 'Tis the Sneezin'! (Winners will be chosen on Christmas Day 12/25/15.) View the book here! Tis the Sneezin' Description: Traveling nurse Mercy Mares is up to her eyeballs in donations for the town's annual holiday celebration. Every nook and cranny of her house and all of her friend's and neighbor's houses are overflowing with gifts for ill children in her local hospital. It's all she can do to keep track of what is what and who is who. On the night that she and her merry band of helpers are to deliver these gifts, everything, including gifts she bought for her loved ones, simply disappear without a trace. Now, Mercy has to find the thief before those who appointed her this year's Mrs. Claus find out that they're missing and dozens of children are left disappointed. Enlisting the help of her reluctant loved ones, Mercy has a humdinger of a mystery to solve in a flash in order to save Christmas. This is Volume 7 of the A Mercy Mares Cozy Mystery Series. Each book is a standalone. All you have to do to win is follow this link. I'm not the only author hosting giveaways on this blog tour. There are plenty of other Sci-fi/Paranormal/Fantasy and Romance/Mystery authors taking part in the festivities. Hop on board! Meet some fabulous authors and win some great prizes! Good luck and Happy Holidays! Check out today's other giveaway author, Nicole Zoltack! And stay tuned for more giveaways from these other fine authors (including me!) Two groups of 12 authors (make that 24 giveaways!) are giving away books from a wide variety of genres. Ready to get in on the holiday spirit and win some prizes? Start here and take the blog tour. There will be posts and prizes to win every day of the 12 days of Christmas. On the 2nd Day of Christmas an author gave to me . . . Hello there. My name is Melanie Mason. I am an author, designer, and flight attendant all rolled into one. I graduated from Utah State University with a degree in communications. I have been telling stories all my life and I find a deep passion in sharing the plots that spin through my head. I hope one day soon I will be working on an airplane and see someone reading on of my books. I'm pretty sure when that day comes I will scream with excitement and probably send my flight crew into a panic. :) I live in Portland, OR- with my two dachshund chihuahua dogs and the rain - where the beauty of the Pacific Northwest feeds my imagination and the rainy winter evenings encourage me to curl up with hot chocolate and a good book. Or my laptop to write another good book. My two published books are The Line That Divides, a WW2 historical fiction novel and The Ring of Remaliha. Check out my website for more information: www.melaniemasonauthor.com. The book that I am offering on this the 2nd day of Christmas is a signed copy of The Ring of Remaliha. Here's a teaser: When April Tanner unexpectedly receives an ancient Egyptian ring, she is thrust in the midst of a desperate plot to uncover a treasure that will change the world. She travels to Egypt only to find herself dodging thieves, assassins, and rich debonair colleagues. Uncovering the secrets of the ring could lead to the treasure . . . or her own tomb. Enter to win here: I look forward to sending a copy to the lucky winner!!! Merry Christmas!!! Check out today's other giveaway author, Jason Zandri!
And stay tuned for more giveaways from these other fine authors (including me!) Two groups of 12 authors (make that 24 giveaways!) are giving away books from a wide variety of genres. Ready to get in on the holiday spirit and win some prizes? Start here and take the blog tour. There will be posts and prizes to win every day of the 12 days of Christmas. First up is a giveaway of a signed print copy of The Christmas Tree Keeper: A Novel Recently a #1 Amazon Bestseller in Contemporary Christian Romance Available in print and ebook on Amazon.com and other retailers About the book: Though Angela Donovan is out of work and needs money for rent, she yearns for her eight-year-old daughter to have a carefree holiday. The last thing she wants is the pressure of her daughter expecting a miracle. But when they pick out a Christmas tree at a cozy Massachusetts tree farm that’s exactly what happens when they learn the trees might be miracle trees. Mark Shafer is soon to be the new keeper of the Christmas trees when he inherits the family farm. He’d like to run it with a family of his own, but his girlfriend wants nothing to do with farm life. He makes plans to sell so he can propose to his girlfriend and pursue a career in music. Then he meets an unforgettable customer and her daughter, and an anonymous gift compels them to learn the truth about the trees. With a buyer willing to pay top dollar for the land, Mark has the fate of the trees in his hand. Will he be able to see what and who is most important? And will Angela give the miracle of love a chance? A little about me: Tamara Passey, author of the The Christmas Tree Keeper: A Novel, was born and raised in Massachusetts around a large family, one that has served as inspiration for most of her writing. She was named Arizona Young Mother of the Year in 2013 and contributes marriage and family articles to FamilyShare.com. Mothering through the Whirlwind is her fist work of non-fiction. She loves most creative endeavors and when she isn't writing or re-writing, you can find her baking or cross-stitching or walking--though not all at the same time. She lives with her husband and three children in Arizona. Visit her blog here. ENTER TO WIN HERE *** Be sure to check out today's other giveaway from Britney Mills! For a complete list of the authors and prizes: 12 Giveaways of Christmas Whatever you might feel about the Pilgrims and their arrival and subsequent take-over of the American continent, Thanksgiving is a celebration of family, gratitude for the year's bounty, and the opening act for the whole Christmas season. Its meaning has always been to celebrate, not only our roots, but to remind us of the goodness we do have in our lives and to thank the God who made it possible.
Have a happy Thanksgiving, everyone! This series attempts to answer the age-old question: read the book? Or watch the movie? The Subject: Last of the Mohicans The Book: By James Fenimore Cooper, released in 1826, the second book in the Leatherstocking Tales. The Movie: the 1992 film, starring Daniel Day-Lewis and Madeleine Stowe (we’ll leave Hawkeye, the TV show starring Lee Horsley and Lynda Carter, for another column) The Plot: In 1757, during the French and Indian Wars, two young women, Cora and Alice, brave wilderness, warring tribes, betrayal, and brutal warfare in order to reach their father, Colonel Munroe. Guided by Major Duncan Heyward, they are betrayed by the treacherous Magua and rescued by the intrepid Hawkeye, and the last of the Mohican tribe, Uncas and Chingachcook. But their troubles are only just beginning. The Comparison: (Note: Spoilers ahead) If it weren’t the archaic language, Mohicans, the book, is the sort of adventure story that every boy would want to read. It starts with the two women, Duncan, and Magua, separating from British troops to attempt to find a safer path through the forest, only to be betrayed by their guide. Hawkeye (AKA: Nathaniel Bumpo), and the two Mohicans find them and are soon convinced to guide them through the forest. What follows is a heart pounding chase, filled with narrow escapes, shoot-outs, show-downs, and near-death experiences. When they finally make it to the fort, they find it is under siege. Colonel Monroe parlays with the French leaders and negotiates a peaceful withdrawal from the fort, only to be betrayed by the tribes, lead by Magua, who attack the departing troops. Magua seizes Alice and Cora and the chase begins again, leading Hawkeye, Duncan, the Mohicans, and Munroe deep into upper New York’s wilderness and into the heart of the hostile tribes. Through it all, there are brave speeches, noble stands, brutal violence, and surprising twists to keep the action moving along. While the narrative drags here and there, and there is some silliness, by the time I was done, I could well understand why Mohicans was such a huge hit when it came out. Cooper had written an action epic. Mohicans, the movie, shifts the action somewhat – the beginning chase is much shorter, for instance, and some of the events from the first part of the book are moved to the second. But the biggest change is the focus: while the book is an action flick with the feel of an Alistair McLean gone early English lit, the movie plays more like an epic romance, complete with breathless romantic tension, epic declarations of love, and an Enya soundtrack. While it maintained some of the book’s action and definitely it’s brutality (the attack on the troops is devastating and almost frightening to watch), the movie is clearly about relationships – and in particular, Hawkeye (Nathaniel Poe here) and the dark-eyed Cora. Daniel Day-Lewis is not the Hawkeye of the novel. In the movie, he is young, strong, silent, smoldering, and his chemistry with Stowe is hot enough to call for fire extinguishers, almost too good to be true. In book, Hawkeye’s a middle-aged (maybe mid-thirties, so middle-aged for the time) braggart, who knows the lay of the land, how to spin a good story, and has a deep hatred and respect for the ‘skulking Mingoes’ (Magua’s tribe). He’s a little too loud, a little too rugged, a little too honest, and a little too proud, and I absolutely loved him – I could clearly see how Cooper could write a series about him. Cora was awesome in both the book and the movie: strong, steely-eyed, and determined to see her sister and herself through all trials. In the movie, she is proposed to by Duncan, who eventually gives his life for her when he sees that she prefers Hawkeye. In the book, Duncan is in love with Alice (who is pretty much the same wilting personality as in the movie), and while Cora has earned Hawkeye’s respect and admiration, but it isn’t the scout who falls in love with her, but Uncas, the son of Chingachcook and the pride of the Seven Nations – for good reason. Conclusion: Read the book The book is an epic adventure and as much as I liked the movie, the book was much more entertaining and had a more complete ending – when the movie ends, they are still standing in the middle of the woods, probably out of ammunition, and still completely surrounded by hostile tribes. In Cooper’s book, there is a truce and he is careful to show that even the worst of their enemies (Magua excepted) are reasonable human beings worthy of dignity. You’ll have to get through some language, but I thought the book was really good fun and, besides, you’ve already seen the movie, haven’t you? Agree? Disagree? Hate both movie and book? Leave your opinion in the comments below! So, in case you haven't heard: the Pope is in town. Yup, if you're in Philadelphia, Washington DC, or NYC, you might have notice a sudden influx of habited nun, collared priests, and bus loads of people waving papal flags and rosaries and selfie-sticks. Yeah, we're all pretty excited.
In honor of the Papal visit here in the US (which, sadly, circumstance prevent this Catholic girl from attending), here are some awesome quotes from my favorite popes. The first book that ever made me cry was Little Women. And when I say cry, I don't mean a gentile sniffle. I mean an out and out bawl - reading, first (spoiler!) Jo's rejection of Laurie's proposal, then (spoiler again!) Beth's death and Jo's devastating reaction to it was an emotional experience that rocked this 10-year-old's world. I've been an Alcott fan ever since.
So, for today's Words of Wisdom, here is New England's own Louisa May. So, I intended to write something charming and witty and instructional today. Something that would rock your world. Something that would send you into the long weekend with a smile on your face.
But, alas for good intentions, I got distracted by work, life, and too many John Wayne movies and Star Trek novels, so the article remains unwritten. But until next week, here's a quote from a lady whose devious plots and charming writing style still dominates the mystery world today. Have a great Labor Day weekend, everyone! Love a good mystery? Want to check out new and exciting authors?
Join the Mystery Writers Revealed Facebook on September 12th, 2015, and get to know the mystery authors, enter contests, and buy books for a special low price. A great time is guaranteed! Click on the photo for the link. By Chuck Miceli There is a storm coming, and her name is Amanda. When infant Amanda died, her parents abandoned their luxurious home, leaving the room untouched. 18 years later, a small group of clever students stumble upon a anomaly - the atmosphere in Amanda's bedroom is stable and unaffected by outside weather conditions - they convince their brilliant professor to study the incident. Little do they know that they are about to witness the unleashing of a supernatural force - and they may not survive to tell the tale. Author Chuck Miceli crafts a tightly plotted, swift moving thriller, using an unusual (and terrifyingly effective) weapon: the weather. A fishing trip turns deadly when a water spout suddenly appears, a clear road suddenly becomes icy, a courthouse is literally attacked by cyclone - all these frighteningly familiar scenarios become tools in the hand of a supernatural power. True story: I've had nightmares since reading this book about the water spout. But weather is only one part of what's going on: there is the mystery of Amanda's parents, one of the students is accused of murder, and another is presumed dead - but may not be. And Miceli adds lots of fun details about weather tracking and patterns and keeps you guessing about who will survive. Throughout it all is the question: is Amanda trying to communicate? Or is she trying to kill? This is a fun, brisk adventure, with a mystery at it's core, and anyone who enjoys old fashioned horror/thrillers is sure to enjoy this one. Note for younger readers: some strong language, gruesome killings, some sensuality, and one brief bedroom scene. Disclaimer: This review was part of a book exchange for reviews. The Restore Coaching series is a collection of three booklets, each dealing with an aspect of divorce/separation caused by domestic violence. Jenna Brooks, an DV advocate with over a decade's worth of experience, brings her knowledge, compassion, and typical unflinching honesty to these issues, offering insight, support, comfort, and a path forward. Brooks' philosophy is that the best way to recover from divorce, domestic abuse, and parental alienation is to move ahead, building a life of dignity and worth that every woman deserves. Not suffering from any of these tragedies (being a single, childless woman whose history of romantic entanglements is so passive as to be rather boring), I read these books from the point of view of some one trying to help a friend in need. Its a heartbreaking, difficult subject to read about. The pain and confusion caused by this kind of abuse and neglect can take years to repair. Women coming out of these situations can create defensive barriers - emotional and physiological - which are complex and painful to dismantle, and off-putting to the well-meaning friend. But that is not to say that these victims are without hope. Indeed, the over-all view, while frankly admitting the obstacles and the difficulties, is still an uplifting one. This series isn't a self-help one so much as a chat with a best friend who has been there and back and survived to the tell the tale. Brooks' experience has taught her not only how long a road there is to recovery and restoration, but that such healing is possible and achievable. With faith, hope, love, and a resumption of dignity, women can shed their tormented past and create the life they deserve. Of that, Brooks' has no doubt. Highly recommended. There are three books in the series: 1. How to Help a Battered Woman (which I thought was the most striking of the three) 2. Alone Again... Happily: A Post-Divorce Coaching Session 3. Banished: The Alienated Mother They can be read as a series or as stand alone. |
The BlogWelcome to Categories
All
|