Super giveaway!
With four nights until the release of Double Time, I’m giving away a fabulous prize package!
A fabulous prize package!? What can I win, Olivia?
I’m calling this EPIC giveaway “Sinners for Me and My Bestie”.
Yeah, great name and all, but what can I win?
Two sets of the Sinners on Tour books (Backstage Pass, Rock Hard and Double Time), personally autographed to the winner and the bestie/best friend of their choice. That’s six books, folks. Two sets of autographed bookmarks. Two cherry suckers to remind them of Trey. And four Double Time chocolate bars sent all the way from Australia by the amazing Tania (Aussie Fangirl Extraordinaire)! Check out the prize package!
That’s a lot of stuff!!
I know, right? And the best part?
There’s more?
Oh, you betcha! I’m giving away THREE of these prize packs. Each prize pack will include 6 autographed books, 2 sets…
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Election and Politics Fatigue
Does anyone else suffer from political fatigue during election season? I don’t mean the visceral dislike we all have for political commercials, during an election year. I mean the fatigue those of us who are working on and supporting local candidates, on shoestring budgets, feel.
To understand this feeling you must be deeply vested in local politics. Yes, I know. You’re thinking, “all politics is local.” Uh no. It’s not. National campaigns are directed by professional consultants, who have studied national trends and can craft a message for any state, county or city. Local campaigns are run from candidate’s homes or offices, by their families, friends and constituents who believe they can represent us on a larger scale.
Most candidates do not have deep pockets and use savings, take out loans and rely strongly on supporter to raise every dollar. The donations are accounted for, to the last penny, to maximize their impact. And, since many of us are struggling with the current economy, donations are fewer and far between.
So, we take to the streets and run old-fashioned, grassroots campaigns, where we ask voters, face-to-face for their vote, while we explain why we are supporting our candidate. The most frustrating part, is that so many people have no idea who is running in local races, even though those candidates’ views and decisions will impact them, immediately.
I recall canvassing many years ago, as a college student, before the internet and social media. Walking and talking to voters was the best way to share our message. Now, we can reach many more people, instantaneously, with an email blast, tweet or Facebook post. However, I believe we have lost something – the sense of connecting the voter with the candidate, directly. I feel like I’m working just as hard, using more communication vehicles, but not reaching as many people, and I’m tired.
I still want my candidates to win and will continue to work to get them elected, knowing how gratifying it is when your “guy/gal” wins. I’ll just need a longer nap, after election day.
28 more days until the fictional rock stars return. Have you ever noticed that I dedicate each of the Sinners on Tour books to a fallen rock star hero?
Backstage Pass was dedicated to Dimebag Darrell Abbot, the lead guitarist of Pantera who was tragically shot to death by a crazed “fan” during a live performance. So fucking senseless.
The man could play a guitar. Throw up your rock fist for Dimebag and Pantera!
Such an influential metal guitarist. Love you, Dime. *sniff*
Rock Hard was dedicated to Kurt Cobain of Nirvana, who we lost when he tragically committed suicide. I lived in Tacoma (south of Seattle) when Nirvana made it big. I always regret not seeing them play a live show.
An entire new genre of rock opened up under Cobain’s genius. Miss you, Kurt.
Double Time is dedicated to Randy Rhoads. He was Ozzy Osbourne’s guitarist for several…
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This past weekend, there was power in a picture. Last night, your words were power. We are the collective voices to make the change. Thanks to all who participated in the Twitter dialogue around the documentary via #sororityview and @CofS_Foundation. Here is a sampling for those not on Twitter:View original post 207 more words
A great opportunity to get a free copy of the third book in Olivia’s Sinners series!
I was really excited to have this delivered to my mailbox a few days ago.
It’s always an amazing feeling to hold your book in your hands for the first time.
Now you have the chance to hold it in your hands. That’s right. I’m giving away an advanced reader copy of Double Time to one lucky fan! And if you win, I’ll even autograph it for you.
How to win:
One entry per person.
Post a comment to this blog post. In your comment, tell me who your favorite member of Sinners is and why they are your favorite.
This giveaway is open worldwide!
I will choose one lucky winner at random on October 8th. I will close the comments on October 8th and no more entries will be accepted after that time. Your answer to my question will not affect your chance at winning, but you do…
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Reset or Renewed Interest?
I’m doing well this Semester and feel like I’m understanding concepts, systems and pathophysiology much better. Is the second time the charm, or do I just have a great memory for concepts?
Perhaps a little of both, but having more time to myself, is a gift I am cherishing. I miss my friends, who have moved on to the next level. I don’t however, miss the drama that came with some of them. You know, those attention/emotion vampires, who suck the energy right out of you, but don’t seem to have time to listen when you want to vent.
I thought I’d learned how to spot them in college (in the late 80s/90s), but now that I’m back in school, I fell back into the “trap.” So, maybe it is a blessing to be in class with people I don’t have a close relationship with. It’s much easier to play the role of “loner,” this way.
From George Takei’s Blog
Link Posted on
As a progressive, left-leaning moderate Latina, I can relate to Mr. Takei’s observations. I also miss the GOP of “old,” before it was engulfed by hate mongers out to demonize people who did not agree with their bizarre ideas.
In a catastrophic FAIL, I forgot Music Monday. *slaps forehead*
Perhaps you’ll be glad to know why I forgot music monday. I’ve been working on this book all weekend. (Working on, not publishing…)
The trailer is a sneak peak. I know it says “available now” at the end, but it LIES!
You probably picture me spending the Labor Day weekend like this.
Or maybe like this.
But this was my reality.
But the question is, did I finish it?
Yep.
I rewrote about a third of the book.
Ended up adding over five thousand words.
And right now I am waiting for my editor to check for type-os before I publish it.
So I’ll post a few quotes to tide you over while we wait.
Dear lord, he was already picturing her skirt bunched up around her waist and her panties clenched in his fist. ~Tempt Me
“How do…
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2012 Election and Ladybits
I know who I am voting for this Presidential election cycle. I signed up to support Barack Obama on the day he announced his candidacy. Worked on his campaign through the rough primaries against Hilary Clinton, when we thought we were down and out. Participated, as a Delegate to my State Convention and stayed up, with my husband, to watch election returns.
My husband, a Reagan Republican and Army Veteran, and I cried when we realized we became a part of history, when Obama was elected President of the United States. I continue to support the President, even though he and I hold differing views on several subjects – namely bringing home our troops on a shorter timetable.
But, the past couple of years have been rather revealing in the area of Women’s Rights. I have watched those rights being eroded away, legislatively, by what I now call the “scared, impotent, angry, bigoted, WASPy, men/boys.” They are led by those “boys” – you know the ones – from high school and college that were whiners. They whined when there was a test. They whined when they had to practice to stay on sports teams. And, they whined when the women, they were having sex with, requested they engage in a little foreplay before pumping twice, sweating, coming and passing out, cold. There are many variations of this scenario – some involving alcohol, drugs, coercion, violence, etc. But, the gist is the same – selfishness.
I believe the “War on Women,” has been orchestrated by these “boys,” in order to retaliate against those girls who held them to a higher standard, that they couldn’t, or were simply too lazy, to reach. So, what do they do? Attack women at the very heart of womanhood – reproductive rights.
Quick anatomy lesson: Only women can become pregnant. Therefore, the onus of responsibility for contraception falls more heavily on the woman. I am, by no means, talking about people in loving, responsible relationships where there is open communication, respect and a mutual understanding of reproductive choices. I happen to be in such a relationship, with a man who knows what to do to get me going. Yes, I know I’m blessed. And so does he.
No, I’m talking about perfect strangers, namely middle-aged men who want to regulate other people’s lives. They’ve infused their warped sense of morality with their leadership roles in order to force women to conform to standards they’ve developed, based in part, on pre-Women’s Movement stereotypes of women, as “wives” and “mothers.” In other words, the “baby makers.”
Well, I say….ENOUGH. Actually, I’d like to say, “Go fuck yourselves,” but I think they would enjoy that too much. So, my sincerest wish for all of them is this: I hope women vote them the hell out of office with our cast iron vaginas, steel-belted cervices, and fully locked and loaded uteri. Because a woman brought each and every one of them into this world, it’s only right that women take them out.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6vYraQfxqM&feature=player_embedded
Energetic music to combat storm fatigue caused by TS/Hurricane Isaac. LINKIN PARK!!! Enjoy!
So, so, so busy this weekend!
SO…
Music Monday. I didn’t forget! I’ll take a few minutes to rock.
with Linkin Park.
Awesome! Breaking the Habit.
Enjoy! Papercut.
Dude, has a Gabe mohawk. Sweet!
Love! In The End.
I would totally do them in the rain.
Have a great week!
Reading, Drinking and Dancing with a Chaser of Snark 