New Years Eve Blog Hop

New Years Eve Blog Hop

 

The Hop will go until Friday Jan 2, 2014.

Grand Prize winners

will be chosen the next day, Jan. 3, 2014.

Winners will be notified  that weekend.  

Prizes Include:-
Grand Prize will be drawn on January 3, 2014

The Grand prize, which will be chosen from the rafflecopter at the bottom of the page will include:
  Barnes and Noble gift card 






or a $150.00 Amazon gift card (winners choice)

SSLY Key Chain,






 

a signed copy of Bohemian Grove by T.M. Williams,
an E-book of Maverick Touch: The Cat by Ashley Nemer,








paperback copy of Summertime by Christina Cole,







e-book Scorned (LeKrista Scott, Vampire Hunted) by Tyffani Clark Kemp,









a Godiva Chocolate Basket Courtesy of Morgan Wyatt






an E-book of Maverick Touch: The Cat by Ashley Nemer,









a signed copy of Mail Order Brides of the West: Trudy by Debra Holland,




and an awesome prize, a 30 minute tarot card reading via Skype or telephone by author Shauna Aura Knight!

* * * *

 

As a Scot, right now I'd love to be in Edinburgh where they are already celebrating the coming New Year, or Hogmanay, as we call it. Apparently last night's show consumed 20 tons of fireworks! And it wasn't even Hogmanay!
 
I've never given much credence to the # 13, but 2013 came in with a sting and the sting just kept getting stronger and sharper as the year went on, so I - for one - will be glad to see the back of 2013.
 
We all get them, those periods of what seems like unrelenting challenges, and we all get through them in our own ways, and in our own ways we set out our stall for the coming year.  

New Year Resolutions?

Well, I'm not too good at keeping those so mine are kinda loose. More a direction I want to go in that hard and fast rules about how to get there. I find it works better for me if my resolutions leave plenty of 'wiggle room.'
 
So what are my resolutions, or as I prefer to call them, my goals for 2014?  Immediacy. I'm a procrastinator, so this year my chant will be 'do it now.'
I already started on this by setting up my blog lists for the coming month, and was so pleased with myself, until I discovered nearly everything I'd organised was incorrect!! But then, it's still 2013, so I'm still in with a chance to make good on this one :-)
So I guess 'attention to detail' has to be up there near the top of my goals in 2014, too.
 
These may not seem like much to many folk, especially those to whom organisation comes easily, but for me they are biggies. But the biggest of all, and the most traumatic is promotion. This one was at the top of the list for 2013. I could say that 'life got in the way' and it did, but still I feel I could/should have made more progress on promoting my books than I have managed so far.
 
So those are my goals for 2014?  What are yours?
 
I am adding my own prize to the list above and giving away a pdf copy of both

Honor's Dilemma and

Vidal's Honor
&
Amazon UK





to one lucky commenter. To be in with a chance to win a pdf copies of these books, please remember to include your email address.
 
All Blog Hop Particpants are listed below
Smile Somebody Loves You
Sherry Gloag
Tonya Renee Callahan
Madison Sevier
Tricia Andersen
Cate Masters
Tabitha Shay
Paula Millhouse
Hunter S Jones
Magella Troche
Tory Richards
Deena Remiel
Evelise Archer
Ashley Nemer
Roxy Wilson
Inner Goddess Forum
Literal Hotties
TM Williams
Jayn Wilde
Victoria Pinder
Eden Connor
Elise VanCise
Andrea R Cooper
Adriana Kraft
Leigh Ellwood
Lisa Carlisle
Andrea Cooper

Natasza Waters
Kathryn Beyerle Lively
Sugar and Spice Reviews
Jeanine McAdam
Morgan Wyatt
Naomi Bellina
AJ Williams
Lyncee Shillard
Beth Barany
Candy Caine’s Corner
Shauna Aura Knight
Kimmie Easley
Fiona McGeir
Donna Michaels
Tiffany Clark
Brenda’s Book Beat
Reading by the book
Tuere’s not so
Random Thoughts
Flossie Benton Rogers
Stephanie Kepke
Debora Dennis
Samantha Holt
Heidi Sieverding
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Author Spotlight ~ Amy Mullen

Author Bio
Amy Mullen is a freelance writer and romance author living in Corning, NY, with her husband, Patrick, her two children, and an orange cat named Steve. She has written two medieval romances called A Stormy Knight and Redefining Rayne.

Amy has been writing about love both lost and regained since she was old enough to have her first broken heart. Her love of history and her intermittent jaunts into amateur genealogy led her to a love affair with writing historical fiction. When not writing, she snaps pictures, gets nutty over football, enjoys the company of her family, and when time allows, loves to bury her nose in a good book.

She can be found online at www.authoramymullen.com or www.facebook.com/authoramymullen.

What Authors Wish For

Okay, so I won’t speak for every writer out there – just myself. People have asked me what I think could be the best moment in my career as an author. What means the most to me? What moment could I have that would allow me to stop and think it won’t get any better than this? Would it be hitting the New York Times bestseller list? Selling a million copies? A multi-million dollar contract? A movie based on one of my books?

Those would all be great, of course, but I think my best moment already came and went. See, while money is great and you won’t catch me saying no to any of the above (a girl can dream, right?) none of these are what I would consider a defining moment – at least not the defining moment. Mine came just a few days ago and I will never forget it.

My grandfather, Oliver, is in his mid-80s. My grandmother, Elizabeth, passed a few years ago. I don’t know what would have become of me had I not had their unconditional love and support. My grandfather was a farmer, now retired, and worked hard. He never complained. He worked every day, but occasionally took a week off for vacation. I don’t even remember him getting sick, though I am sure he did.

He never yelled. He never had to say a word. Just the thought of letting him down was soul crushing, so you made sure you didn’t. He is the kind of man that quietly makes a decision and that is that. He will encourage you to clean up your own messes, yet he will help you when he knows a situation is beyond what you can do on your own. He is the kind of man you thank God for every day. There are few like him left in my life, and I know I have been blessed to have him as my grandfather.

So, how do you honor such a man? For me, it was dedicating my first book to him and my grandmother. It was naming a character after him. My book went into print just a few weeks ago. I was finally able to hand him a copy and show him the dedication inside. That moment, for me, is what makes it all worthwhile. And while I said I cannot speak for other authors, I would be willing to bet many have an answer like mine – one you might not expect. The quiet, more personal moments are the ones that count the most.

My grandfather finished reading my book in a few days. He said it was hard to put down. If he did manage to put it down, he had to hurry up and get back to it.

And I am forever humbled.

Tag Line: Will her most painful secret be the key to her greatest joy?

Blurb:

Rayne de Latham, cousin to King William Rufus, should be enjoying a life of privilege. Instead, she has only known misery. Her disastrous first marriage yielded nothing but pain, suffering, and three stillborn children. She believes she is cursed and is certain another pregnancy will end in another tragedy. When the king seeks to get rid of her by sending her to marry one of his knights, she will do just about anything to get out of her betrothal.

Widower Andre de Grelle is father to two small boys who came to him by marriage. When his first wife jumps off the castle walls in a fit of madness, he keeps the boys he has grown to love as his own. When king sends him a new bride, the lovely but troubled Rayne, he vows to have more patience with her than he had with his first wife.

Once Rayne arrives at Cuxton Castle, Andre realizes there is much more to her than meets the eye. She does everything she can to force him to send her away, but nothing works. Frustration grows as Andre discovers his betrothed is hiding something from him about her past, something so devastating she cannot speak the words out loud.

In the midst of a siege on nearby Pevensey Castle, a truth comes to light that changes everything. As the real story of Rayne’s past emerges, lives change forever. Will love be enough, or will it be easier to walk away?

Excerpt:

Andre moved closer to her. His body was mere inches from hers as he lifted his other hand and slowly tilted her face toward his. Cupping her cheek, he wiped away a tear with his thumb. "You have no idea how fascinating you are," he whispered. 

Involuntarily, her eyes closed and she tilted her chin up. She felt his soft lips brush hers and she started to tremble. The short, light touch of his mouth stirred something in her. A young maiden's dream of love, of being loved and cherished, welled up from a place where she had hidden her hopes a long time ago. She returned his kiss, but just for a moment. 

Her eyes flew open, and she pulled her head back. This was all wrong. This was not how this was supposed to happen. In a rush to break the spell, she stammered out the first thing she thought of, "Someone will see us! Odo may come." 

An expression of disbelief washed across his features and was replaced by irritation. "Odo? What has he to do with this? He is my guest but hardly has a say in what I do with you." 

"You…" she stumbled over her words, "you… he is your…" 

Andre stood and stepped away from her. He stared down at her, but she could no longer read his face. "Do your affections lie with Odo, Lady Rayne?"

Redefining Rayne by Amy Mullen

Published by Astraea Press

Medieval Romance

Buy Links:   Amazon 

Barnes and Noble    Astraea Press

 

Tuesday Tales Holiday Blog Hop

Today and over the weekend authors from the Tuesday's Tales group are holding a simple Thank-you Holiday Blog Hop from the 27th - 29th December.
 
Each participating author is offering a prize on their own blog, so there's still time to add to your pile of Christmas gifts. There are lots up for grabs.
 

Giveaway

I am offering nine separate prizes. A single pdf copy  of every book I've had published.

To be in with a chance of winning a prize please tell me what you are thankful for, and please remember to include your email address to be added to the winner's list.

Go HERE

to find out about all my published books.

 

* * * *

 
As this, is by way of a 'thank you' to everyone who participates, whether as group members or visitors, without you we wouldn't have the wonderful opportunity to share some of our writing with you all.
 

So... I'm going to start by thanking Jean Joachim, founder of the Tuesday's Tales group for all the behind the scenes work she puts into making it happen every week. And for the wonderful promotional pictures she provides. Jean is a prolific award-winning writer of romance stories in more than one genre. But most of all I want to thank her for her friendship, - a gift beyond price.
 
Tuesday's Tales is, deliberately, a small group of authors, and thereby is the core of the strong bond of friendship between members. The support for one another whether in times of stress or celebration is a force to be reckoned with. We may not 'talk' to each other for weeks or longer, but are 'there' when needed, and delighted to be able to share in celebrations.
 
I count each and every member of Tuesday's Tales as a friend, and they enrich my life's journey by their presence.
 
And then there are the books... Tuesday's Tales has in many cases been the starting point for several now published, and in many cases, best-selling books. For example

Jean Joachim 4 that I can remember! lol. Champagne for Christmas, Rescue my Heart, the Marriage List, If I loved You (which led to a 7 book series), Some were tested out, begun in TT but had been conceived of before then. Oops! 5 - left out The Dating List.

Vicki Locey All I Want for Christmas is a direct result of a TT picture prompt. Laco Law is largely influenced by the weekly word prompts as well as the comments I`ve gotten.

Davee Jones Author Sexy Bea Spelling! I started it for TT and wrote many entries. I just returned the contract and it is scheduled for release in February!

Lindsay Downs Ice Queen, Red Queen, White Queen, Rodeo Queen, To Love a Lady,Saved by the Maid are released or will be released.

Iris Blobel Innocent Tears and New Beginnings I believe - and I think More Beginnings as well.

Sarah Cass Deep Fried Sweethearts is my first TT-turned novel to actually make it to e-print! Eve's New Year was written first, but will be published later.

Kathleen Tighe Ball who writes as Kathleen Ball is a prolific writer of Western Romance, as you can tell from thes list. ~ Winter's Embrace, Summer's Desire, Autumn's Hope, Alice's Story, Spring's Delight

For me, I have four books that all owe Tuesday Tales for their 'birth'. His Chosen Bride, (Book two in the Gasquet Princes) Vidal's Honor, (A Christmas Regency) Honor's Dilemma, (A prequel to Vidal's Honor) and Name The Day, my current Christmas contemporary romance.

To name just a few. There are several other wonderful authors who have also had their TT stories published. 

And when you think of it, that is some accolade to Jean Joachim for providing a secure, friendly and secure base for a mixed group of authors to share their writing, and their books from.
 
So just in case you missed the theme of this blog, I'll say it again... THANK YOU to everyone, authors and readers, who are part of Tuesdays Tales.

Before I finish I'd like to share a poem that can be found almost anywhere online, but is one I came many, many years ago and cherish...

When someone is in your life for a REASON,
it is usually to meet a need you have expressed.
They have come to assist you through a difficulty;
to provide you with guidance and support;
to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually.
They may seem like a godsend, and they are.
They are there for the reason you need them to be.

Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end.
Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away.
Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand.
What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled; their work is done.
The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.

Some people come into your life for a SEASON,
because your turn has come to share, grow or learn.
They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh.
They may teach you something you have never done.
They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy.
Believe it. It is real. But only for a season.


LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons;
things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation.
Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person, and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life.
It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.

Thank you for being a part of my life,
whether you were a reason, a season or a lifetime.

And finally here is a link to my short, fun TT picture prompt story from June this year. SHOES

Best wishes for health, wealth, and happiness to your all in 2014.

 And finally, here is a link to a short, fun TT picture prompt story from June this year. SHOES

All Done?

Not quite. For the chance to win more prizes nip on back to Tuesday's Tales and visit all the other TT Holiday Blogs.

Merry Christmas ~ Happy Holiday

A merry Christmas/happy holiday to all my friends.

I'd like to share with you a poem I came across many years ago.

 

 

My Law - Tieme Tanapiri

A Maori Poem

The sun may be clouded, yet ever the sun

Will sweep on its course 'till the Cycle is run.

And when into chaos the system is hurled

Again shall the Builder reshape a new world.

Your path may be clouded, uncertain your goal:

Move on - for your orbit is fixed to your soul.

And though it may lead into darkness of night,

The torch of the Builder shall give it new light.

You were. You will be! Know this while you are:

Your spirit has travelled both long and afar.

 

It came from the Source, to the Source it returns –

The Spark which was lighted eternally burns.

It slept in a jewel. It leapt in a wave.

It roamed in the forest. It rose from the grave.

It took on strange garbs for long aeons of years,

And now in the soul of yourself It appears.

From body to body your spirit speeds on,

It seeks a new form when the old one has gone.

And the form that it finds is the fabric you wrought

On the loom of the Mind from the fibre of Thought.

As dew is drawn upwards, in rain to descend,

Your thoughts drift away and in Destiny blend.

You cannot escape them, for petty or great,

Or evil or noble, they fashion your Fate.

Somewhere on some planet, sometime and somehow,

Your life will reflect your thoughts of your Now.

My Law in unerring, no blood can atone –

The structure you built you will live in - alone.

From Cycle to Cycle, through time and through space,

Your lives with your longings will ever keep pace,

And all that you ask for, and all you desire,

Must come at your bidding, as flame out of fire.

Once list' to that Voice and all tumult is done –

Your life is the life of the Infinite One.

In the hurrying race you are conscious of pause,

With love for the purpose, and love for the Cause.

You are your own Devil, you are your own God,

You fashioned the paths your footsteps have trod.

And no one can save you from Error or Sin

Until you have hark'd to the Spirit within.

(Attributed to a Maori)

 

My Writing Process #mywritingprocess

My Writing Process #mywritingprocess

Today is "My Writing Process" blog tour day, when writers answer questions about their writing process. Last week, fellow author of romance, Paula Martin, posted hers.

You can check it out at http://paulamartinpotpourri.blogspot.com/  Thank you Paula for inviting me to join.

1) What am I working on?

I have more than one work in progress at the moment. Although it can have its disadvantages, the characters move in and out of each others' story, the advantage of letting one sit, is to work on another when you are blocked on the original.

 

The project I am struggling with is a compilation of stories, a collection of myths that come together is several differing stories, of various lengths under an umbrella title of The Magpie Chronicles.

 

The other, and at the moment, current project, Born Again, is a big challenge and requires a vast amount of research. Information which will create the background to and be twisted to become incidents my characters experience. What is making this project so challenging is that unlike previous stories I am writing this one by the scene, and then having to patch them together rather like a jigsaw puzzle. And for a 'pantser' writer that just adds to the challenge.

 

Days before her death my heroine's grandmother reveals a shocking family secret that changes my heroine's life and forces her to take a long hard look at herself and to decide how and what she is going to do about the information she's received as, depending upon her actions, many other lives, strangers' lives will be changed forever too.

 

2) How does my work differ from others of its genre?

The first two books I wrote, that were published came out in reverse order. But the common denominator with these books was I took years to write them. When The Brat, published in Oct 2010 by The Wild Rose Press, was released I was blessed with my first review... 

Sherry is daring. She doesn’t hesitate to develop a story that touches on the darker side of life. Death. Jealousy. Hate. Fear. Pain. By fearlessly exploring these emotions, it makes the journey real, human, and reading about the rewards after experiencing a hard fought struggle is that much more pleasurable. 'The author' has stayed true to herself and her original thoughts, and that uniqueness definitely shines through in her work.
I'd like to think I have maintained that uniqueness. I write across two romance genres, contemporary and Regency, and in all of them I like to add a dash of mystery.

In my Christmas Regency, Vidal's Honor, my hero and heroine had to flee across a divided Spain, over the Pyrenees into war-torn France and across the Channel to England.

 

3) Why do I write what I do?

I have always read romances, especially Regencies, I found and read every one of Georgette Heyer's books I found on my mother's bookshelves, And now I have every one of them on my own.

 

I like to take strong characters and strip them down to their basics and watch them rebuild themselves, their characters and their strengths. I enjoy watching their priorities change and see how they cope with all the challenges they (and I) set them. And of course, I like to read a story with a happy/feel-good ending.

 

4) How does your writing process work?

I'm tempted to ask, 'what process' but I'll refrain. :-) Because I don't - can't- sit down and write out a plot line of my story, I write by the 'seat of my pants' in other words I'm a 'pantser' writer.

 

My ideas come from nowhere and everywhere. I could be in the kitchen working and a character will come to me and tell me the beginning of their story --as happened in The Brat, and Duty Calls-- or I may get a title. On the other hand the title may not come until I am writing something down and just 'know' that is the title for the story, as happened with From Now Until Forever.

In my current Christmas novel, Name The Day I have been to a craft fair and got talking to an artist who did characatures as a side-line to his portrait commissions.

 

When I write, I may write all day or hardly at all the next. I do try to write something each day. I prefer to edit as I go along but when I become bogged down I try to write through it, even if that means side-stepping and freewriting on a clean page. Sometimes it is included in the story on others it goes straight into my discard file. But usually I garner a kernel of an idea on how to proceed.

 

Edits are a love-hate relationship.

 

I love to hate them.

 

But I can't, I learn so much from them :-)

 

* * * *

 

Next week the following three authors will be telling you about their writing process:
 

Jillian Jenkins ~ http://adragonslove.blpgspot.com

Jillian says  "I write everything" When asked to elaborate she added "Mostly YA I suppose."

I'll add, I just love her writing and am so pleased she will be sharing her writing process with you.

 

Karen King ~ www.karenking.net
Karen writes for chidlren from preschool including teens, picture books, fiction, joke books, plays, anything really under the name of Karen King.
She also writes romantic short stories and novels under the name of Kay Harborne.
 

Kay Springsteen ~http://kayspringsteen.wordpress.com/
Best-selling author Kay Springsteen alternates between writing contemporary and Regency novels.

 

"Warm Your Heart" Christmas Blog Tour from Astraea Press :)

"Warm Your Heart" Christmas Blog Tour from Astraea Press :)
 
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays from Astraea Press! We love this time of year and our catalogue reflects it. We have lots of Christmas/holiday/winter books we'd love for you guys to check out.
 
I can't exactly say why we like this time of year so much, but I'd say it has something to do with pies and hot chocolate. And romance... gotta love romance.

We want to celebrate this time of year with you! We have embarked on a 2 week book tour to celebrate Christmas with our favorite people... our readers!

And, we want to give you a present. Check out the rafflecopter for a chance to win a free Astraea Press Christmas book of YOUR choice (eep!). There is also a chance to win a $50 Amazon gift card!
 
I want to thank Sherry and all the other blogs who have offered to help. All of their facebook pages and/or twitter are on the rafflecopter. I hope you get a chance to visit them all.

So... MERRY CHRISTMAS from Astraea Press and our authors. Thanks for a great year.

~Kelly from AP
* * * *
 
Today, we are spotlighting two of our Christmas regencies.

from best selling author, Ruth J. Hartman

 

 

Izzy Hodgkin just wants an adventure. Who knew that involved being locked in a closet in 2012, then being transported to 1812 when the door is opened later?

 

Charles Hamilton Douglas Wade, Duke of Bramblewood Green, thinks he will never find the right woman. When he opens his closet door one day, imagine his surprise to find a woman in there. And she’s from the future!

Will Izzy stick with her plan to return to 2012 America to achieve her goal of financial independence? Or will she and Charles find happiness in 1812?

 

Buy Links

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Astraea Press

 

~*~*~*~

 

from best selling author Vivian Roycroft

 

 

All the Honorable Anne Kirkhoven wants is to be wrapped in the arms of the man she loves, Frederick Shaw, Esquire, barrister, solicitor, writer of the best Gothic romance novels in England, and surely a future Member of Parliament. But despite Frederick’s many perfections, Anne’s mama has forbidden her to speak with him, much less marry him, and until Anne attains her majority, all they can do is wait.

 

But now the most notorious duke in the ton, Ernst Anton Oldenburg, the First Duke of Cumberland (and some say a foreign prince), is making a public point of assessing her… attributes, sending shivers to portions of her anatomy she’d rather not name. Who’s the right man? And will her reputation survive the Duke’s assault long enough for her to find out?

Buy Links

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

Astraea Press

 

ENTER TO WIN A $50 AMAZON GIFT CARD or A FREE AP CHRISTMAS BOOK OF YOUR CHOICE.

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway