Month: July 2013
Monthly Blog Follower Giveaway with Total-E-Bound Publishing
MsRomanticReads, one of my favorite bloggers, has some wonderful news and upcoming goodies for followers of her blog on WordPress. Visit her blog, become a follower a learn about upcoming book releases and chat with authors!
Etiology of a Book Trailer – “Searching for Moore,” by Julie A. Richman
Summer of 2013 has been the Summer of books and reviews, where I rediscovered the joy that leisure reading brought me. My newest ventures have been writing book reviews and beta reading books for independent authors. I am still learning how to do both, but writing reviews is definitely my favorite of the two.
Earlier this year, I read and reviewed Searching for Moore by Julie A. Richman (Book 1 in the “Needing Moore” series). Julie’s book kept me up all night, deeply invested in Schooner and Mia’s story and I was emotionally drained but my mind kept spinning. That inspired my best book review to date, as words flew, organically, off my fingers, onto the keys, and onto the screen. When I hit “publish” on the blog post, the sun was rising and I knew I had to know more about the woman who wrote Searching for Moore. I had to talk to her.
I “met” Julie on Facebook. There was the initial awkwardness of the clichéd OMG-when-are-you-releasing-book-2 comment. Followed by the blubbering on of a fangirl who had too little sleep, too much coffee and not enough Schooner Moore or Mia Silver. Finally, we started to talk. Like lifelong friends. Who had never met before. The more we talked – about music, college, jobs, life experiences, relationships, etc. – Julie and I found that we had been separated at birth! Synchronous would be the best way to describe our connection.
Our friendship brought three other women into my life. All fans of Searching for Moore who had similar reactions to the story. As, we began “hanging out” together on Facebook, the bond became stronger. Sure we talked about our favorite parts of the book, but we talked about ourselves. If someone had a bad day, there were four other women to help her through it. If we needed a laugh or bawdy comment, we were there.
Together.
Together, we decided to create the following book trailer. Kristen was our computer guru, taking all the pieces and creating something that represented all of us, even after the infamous crash of “Video Version 1” (shudder). Cleida brought us Mia and Schooner and had the uncanny eye to spot the right photos of them. Samantha was our cheerleader, keeping everyone in good spirits. I suggested “If I Should Fall Behind,” by Bruce Springsteen as the accompanying song and critiqued the final product. We accomplished this in about two days and presented it to Julie, on Sunday, just past midnight.
As we waited, impatiently, for Julie to view the video, so many thoughts went through our heads. “What if Julie doesn’t like it?” “What if the fans don’t like it?” “What if it’s not good enough?” “What if it doesn’t capture the essence of Schooner and Mia?” These were the longest three minutes of the entire process!
Julie loved it!
She immediately posted it on her Facebook page. It was received warmly by other fans, who then shared it with their friends and family. Now, I share it with you. Please share, reblog, buy the book and fall in love with Schooner and Mia. (Book 2, “Moore to Lose,” will be released in September 2013.) Amazon Barnes and Noble
After reading Searching for Moore please visit Julie’s author website for additional scenes, written in the point of view of other characters, and find her on Facebook.
Here is our labor of love for Searching for Moore .
It’s a boy for the Duchess of Cambridge
Fresh Prince of Cambridge! May he, and his parents, live a long, healthy, happy lives. Blessings! Namaste.
Royal Baby Watch 2013 – We Can Turn Anything Into “Must See TV” And I Will Watch
What is it about the British monarchy that fascinates Americans like me? Is it because our very existence as a country is tied to throwing off the shackles of royal “tyranny?” Professor Arianne Chernock has her theories in this video. Frankly, I think it may be the tea and crumpets? Fish and chips? Delicious ales? Or scones? Ah, scones. I would hurt a bitch for scones of any flavor, man. But, I digress…
Prince Charles married Lady Diana Spencer in 1981. Along with millions of my fellow Royal Watchers, or people simply looking for good news that day, I was captivated by the pomp, circumstance and opulence of the event. However, I took an instant dislike to Diana’s voluminous gown. Even though it reflected the style of the early 1980s, and was the height of couture designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel, I thought it looked like bed sheets. Dingy bed sheets. So dingy that I remember thinking, “My Barbies would never wear that hideous, dirty dress.” This may have been the moment where my inner fashion critic was born.
I grew up in Latin America where we would periodically receive news of the Spanish monarchy and other European royal families, but I was only interested in The Queen and her family. I was, after all, one-eighth to one-sixth English, and damned proud it. This compelled me to devour information about the births of William and Harry, the wedding of Sarah Ferguson to Prince Andrew and the births of Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie (two names that guaranteed they were teased on the playgrounds) and watching Zara Phillips compete on the Olympic Equestrian Team. Ah, the glittery, glamorous life of the British monarchy. Sigh.
Then, the wheels started to come off the bus. The monarchy lost popularity, marriages broke up, a castle was destroyed by fire and Princess Diana passed away. The Royal Family opened their, previously private, homes (castles) to the public to pay its taxes and debts. They started to resemble commoners and were seen as an unnecessary “burden” to many British people. Suddenly, my dream of wearing a crown was tarnished, but I still held hope that someone would bring sparkle back to those beautiful tiaras.
As William and Harry grew into handsome young men, and went off to college, my hopes were resurrected. William began dating a brunette beauty and Harry, my tasty ginger snap, found blonde strumpets…I mean young “ladies” to entertain. Alas, neither made commitments to the women with whom they were linked.
Until one happy day, when the lovely Catherine Middleton was proposed to on an African camping trip, by none other than Wills! I would have a chance at another Royal Wedding….er…a chance to watch another Royal Wedding!
Again, my dear Royal Watcher friends from around the globe, and I gathered together to see the official engagement, and the beautiful wedding that launched Pippa Middleton’s arse into tabloids around the world. Fat-bottomed girls, like me, loved that moment! Although, Pippa’s junk trunk is a Smarte Car, at best. It is not even large enough to be a Mini Cooper trunk. (Sorry luv.)
Today, we gather again, on Royal Baby Watch! Some people will say hateful things and question the significance or continued need for the monarchy. They may go elsewhere and spew. This post is about sending warm wishes to a young couple about to have their first child, regardless of their heritage. It surrounds a woman giving birth for the first time with love, light, healing energy and hopes for a speedy labor and uneventful delivery. Above all, I send Kate and William my wishes for a healthy, happy baby.
I cross my fingers and hope for a Baby Girl. Because, c’mon people….tiny tiara?! That shit is royal cuteness. Sign. Me. Up.
What Your Favorite Ice Cream Flavor Says About You
What happens if you like all the flavors listed? Does your personality change according to the flavor? 🙂
Talk Me Off My Beta Reading Ledge
“A beta reader is someone who agrees to look over a piece of fiction for spelling, grammar, characterization, and continuity errors. Unlike a true editor, a beta reader is typically unpaid, and he or she sees the work at a very rough state. Many authors like to use beta readers to improve the quality of their work before they submit it for professional editing and critique, and beta readers are usually profusely thanked in acknowledgments, in recognition of the time and energy which they invested in the work.” (wiseGEEK, 2013. What is a Beta Reader?)
I have been asked to beta read several books for independent authors. They contacted me after receiving a personal email from me about how their book impacted me, read a review I wrote for another book, or as a favor. When I read, my life and work experience become part of the process. I have held more than one professional job and several career changes, so I am able to pull from an “eclectic” background. Authors will receive honest, in-the-moment feelings about a passage or plot twist, in addition to continuity and writing errors. I want them to see through my eyes. I prefer to keep chapter notes, rather than editing notes on the document. It is a personal choice.
Once I send my reading notes and summary comments to the author, I move on to the next thing. After all, it is not my work. I am not responsible for ensuring the errors and corrected and facts are double-checked. I am merely providing an opinion, based on what I read.
What happens when I see the published book has the same errors I flagged as I was reading four months ago? These were not spelling, punctuation, grammar or even usage errors. No, these were poorly researched “facts” that may have added “drama” to the story, but were simply untrue and easily verified with a Google search. Unfortunately for me, the errors were glaringly blatant because I had first-hand knowledge of the material, having worked in the field.
My first reaction was, “WHAT?!! I TOLD you that was wrong, why didn’t you change it?!,” followed by “Well, it’s not my book so…oh, well <shrugs shoulders>,” to “once this gets into the readers’ hands, they will tear it apart.” (In this case, “readers” are the general public – people who did not receive ARC copies, are not book bloggers or other authors.)
Now, I feel ambivalent because I have been asked to “recommend” the book to people. I cannot, and will not, do it in good conscience. I used the excuse that I was a beta reader and my recommendation would be “biased.” Then, quickly walked away from the discussion.
Author and Author/Reviewer Friends, I know you use beta readers, or at least hope you do. (If you don’t, we need to talk. Right. Now. Seriously.) What happens when the beta readers find something in your plot that is wrong – not something they disagree with – but just plain wrong? Do you rewrite that part? What if is a major plot twist? What if it is something you are counting on, to draw your reader in? Tell me what you would do.
Disclaimer: I am not a professional beta reader and do not receive compensation for pre-reading any material. Beta/ Draft and advance reader copies are sent to me by authors who want my opinions.
#Sharknado took over Twitter, but not the ratings race
I woke up this morning to sunny skies and birds chirping in the trees. I am suffering from post-Sharknado storm fatigue and thanking our lucky stars that Ian Ziering learned how to wield a chainsaw at West Beverly High. This movie is a possible end-of-days scenarios that has not been considered. I for one, am happy, to have been shown this cautionary tale. We were saved from imminent planetary destruction, people!
The moral of this story: Be nice to sharks and stop chasing tornadoes. You never know when they will reunite for a sequel.
Is “Kindle Wrist” an Ailment, and is it Covered by Insurance?
Having devoted time to reading books is a Summer ritual that I started in childhood. Mami would take me to the Library Museum, where I would choose as many books as I could carry, place them on the librarian’s desk and hand her my library card. It was my first completely independent act, as Mami never “censored” my choices. Her only requirement was, “if you can carry them, you may check them out.” I quickly learned to carry a book bag with me for each library visit. Thus, my love affair with Summer reading began. In fact, I may have been the only kid in school, at any level, who wanted to receive the dreaded Summer Reading List.
Go ahead. Gasp, in horror. 
Unless you’re an “I ❤ SRL” geek chick (or guy) like me. In that case, welcome, kick your feet up, popcorn’s on the coffee table and adjustable reading lights are available in the basket.
This Summer, I have spent a considerable amount of time on my Kindle. 90% of the time is reading books and the other 10% is reading my email, cruising the Internet or chatting on Facebook. I have also been on Lappy, my “small” Toshiba Ultrabook, because she is light to carry. She and I have perfected the knee-to-belly chunk prop, to ensure the optimal reading and typing angle. Toesh, my “big” Toshiba Satellite laptop, acts as my desktop. Toesh weighs over six pounds and forces me to sit upright at the table. I tried carrying Toesh through the house, once, to disastrous results. Fortunately, I had purchased the what-happens-when-Michelle-drops-Toesh-and-the-screen-shatters-rendering-her-FUBAR insurance. While it took three, long, agonizing weeks, until she was repaired, it was worth the wait to see her returned with a brand new screen. Lesson learned: do not parade Toesh around the house. She prefers the contemplative quiet of the kitchen table. Which is where I find myself writing this post.
I lost count after 25, at how many books I have read this Summer. But, in the past few days I felt that familiar “twinge” of discomfort and stiffness in my wrist. I do not suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome, but as I have gotten older, I am finding more and more aches and pains that did not exist before. I first noticed the wrist stiffness and soreness when I was laid off. All of a sudden, my wrists felt “funny” and stiff. It was likely from lack of use, rather than overuse, because while I spent time on computers for my jobs, it was not the only physical task I did. I spent a few dollars at the drug store for a couple of wrist supports with removable metal plates, slipped those babies on, and I was back in business. When I bought Kindy, my first Kindle, I started reading exclusively on her. I noticed the “twinge” came back, but once I put my wrist support on my right “Kindle hand,” all was right with the world. The same thing happened when I upgraded to Fire K, my Kindle Fire, and finally with Lappy – although Lappy necessitated the use of both wrist supports.
Today, however, I am wearing both wrist supports and sitting on Toesh, in my superior ergonomically designed, yet affordable, Ikea office chair. And, dammit, I noticed the difference. I am sitting taller, typing faster and and more accurately, and haven’t had to reach for my bifocals to read the darn screen as I type. This leads me to my “discovery” of the day: Kindle Wrist. A condition for people who spend an exorbitant amount of time holding their electronic readers at odd angles for maximum reading comfort, leading to wrist and forearm discomfort and, sometimes, pain. I shall explore “Kindle Neck,” a co-condition, at a later date.
I am self-diagnosing myself with “Kindle Wrist,” and fully embracing the bitter with the sweet. Will it get worse, or improve with the use of wrist supports? Frankly, I don’t care. I refuse to give up my Kindle habit. I am deep in relationship with my Kindles and it is a codependency built in heaven. My next step will be to seek discomfort relief either by wearing my decidedly unsexy wrist supports, or by self-medicating with a lovely glass of Malbec, Merlot or the sweet delights of Moscato.
Dustin Hoffman: ‘Brainwashed’ to care about beauty
Dustin Hoffman gets it. Sadly, not many men do.
#Kindle #Freebies & #Bargains
Ms. Romantic Reads compiled a great list of freebies! Thank you! Enjoy!
Free Kindle Books :)
Thank you to Jessy’s Book Blog for compiling this list! Get your 1-clicks ready.
Click on the covers to get the book from amazon.com
Disclaimer #1: I’m using amazon.com the international site, I can’t guarantee that these books are free on all amazon country sites. Kindly note that these books are free at the time of posting, not guaranteed free any time after that.
Disclaimer #2: I haven’t read most of the books so I can’t guarantee their awesomeness 
My criteria was cover, synopsis, reviews. But if you do happen to read any and want to write a review, I have a Guest Reviewer spot just for you!
For Nook owners please click here.
***
EROTICA/EROTIC ROMANCE
Evan Arden is a hit man for a Chicago mob boss. He lives his life day to day with not much more than the company of his dog, Odin. He’s been in trouble, and has to work hard to get back into his boss’s good graces, but…
View original post 2,222 more words
Independence Day – A Day to Say Thank You
Image Posted on Updated on
Take a few moments today to pause and reflect on the service and sacrifice of the men and women of our armed forces, and veterans, who protect our freedoms. Work passionately to ensure they are welcomed home with honor and their families have the support they need, while their loved ones are in harm’s way.
I honor Hubby, and the artillerymen of the U.S. Army’s Berlin Redlegs, today. “Volens et Polens.”
Reading, Drinking and Dancing with a Chaser of Snark 