tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52549020437623030022024-03-18T02:28:32.717-07:00Nancy S. Thompson“The hell of revenge, the hope of redemption — therein lies the story”Nancy Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05735642863696266005noreply@blogger.comBlogger276125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254902043762303002.post-13940813935766000242015-03-23T03:00:00.000-07:002015-03-23T03:00:09.293-07:00A Change of Mind and Other Stories by Nick Wilford<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbs5wYUwhEyU9J57KMkKJKW-6ceO45X-UkVnn0qG8uqJemJ-EOkVRFELclLU0sU6emz0iaNH6UgRMsbU1GCFRS1Iw_2N65tCs1sLUFGxKyxN2LdHkIz1-AaifYo6X2SW41meF3anj1E53U/s1600/nc3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbs5wYUwhEyU9J57KMkKJKW-6ceO45X-UkVnn0qG8uqJemJ-EOkVRFELclLU0sU6emz0iaNH6UgRMsbU1GCFRS1Iw_2N65tCs1sLUFGxKyxN2LdHkIz1-AaifYo6X2SW41meF3anj1E53U/s1600/nc3.jpg" height="400" width="276" /></a><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00UY7HLYM">A Change of Mind and Other Stories</a></span><i> </i>consists
of a novella, four short stories, and one flash fiction piece. This collection
puts the extremes of human behaviour under the microscope with the help of
lashings of dark humour, and includes four pieces previously published in Writer’s
Muse magazine.<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">In
A Change of Mind, Reuben is an office worker so meek and mild he puts up with
daily bullying from his boorish male colleagues as if it’s just a normal part
of his day. But when a stranger points him in the direction of a surgeon
offering a revolutionary new procedure, he can’t pass up the chance to turn his
life around.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">But
this isn’t your average surgeon. For a start, he operates alone in a small room
above a mechanic’s. And he promises to alter his patients’ personality so they
can be anything they want to be…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">In
Marissa, a man who is determined to find evidence of his girlfriend’s
infidelity ends up wondering if he should have left well alone.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
Dog God<i> </i>finds a chink in the armour
of a man with a megalomaniacal desire to take over the world.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">In
The Insomniac, a man who leads an obsessively regimented lifestyle on one
hour’s sleep a night finds a disruption to his routine doesn’t work for him.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Hole
In One<i> </i>sees a dedicated golfer
achieving a lifelong ambition.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The
Loner<i> </i>ends the collection on a note
of hope as two family members try to rebuild their lives after they are torn
apart by jealousy.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCHYGtUDL6Ry1ETNUVPY7ZttE81vrpMiIlWyNvNfhWrhDA2thnTC55CKWHrVgFpqhSHf4NGXLcZ7kpVVZQIJW5wBddZArLrpSzIOhtioA9QMB46eAyZT6h18GwwTC8Q4SSPhfvRakSNUD_/s1600/Cruisepic4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCHYGtUDL6Ry1ETNUVPY7ZttE81vrpMiIlWyNvNfhWrhDA2thnTC55CKWHrVgFpqhSHf4NGXLcZ7kpVVZQIJW5wBddZArLrpSzIOhtioA9QMB46eAyZT6h18GwwTC8Q4SSPhfvRakSNUD_/s1600/Cruisepic4.JPG" height="320" width="214" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><u><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><u><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Bio</span></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;">Nick Wilford is a writer and stay-at-home
dad. Once a journalist, he now makes use of those rare times when the house is
quiet to explore the realms of fiction, with a little freelance editing and
formatting thrown in. When not working, he can usually be found spending time
with his family or cleaning something. Nick is also the editor of Overcoming
Adversity: An Anthology for Andrew. You can find him hanging out on his <a href="file:///C:/Users/Nancy%20S.%20Thompson/Documents/Blogs/Nick%20Wilford/nickwilford.blogspot.co.uk">blog</a> or on <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6967635.Nick_Wilford">Goodreads</a>
or <a href="https://twitter.com/NickPWilford">Twitter</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Preorder Links: </span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00UY7HLYM"><span style="text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;">Amazon US</span></a><b>,
</b><span style="text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Change-Mind-Other-Stories-ebook/dp/B00UY7HLYM/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1426858198&sr=1-1&keywords=A+Change+of+Mind+and+Other+Stories">Amazon UK</a></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><span style="text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25182124-a-change-of-mind-and-other-stories">Add it on Goodreads</a></span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Title:</span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00UY7HLYM" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 18.3999996185303px;">A Change of Mind and Other Stories</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Author:</span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> Nick
Wilford<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Genre:</span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"> Contemporary speculative fiction<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Cover Design: </span></b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/rebekah.romani" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;" target="_blank">Rebekah
Romani</a><br />
<b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Release Date:</span></b><span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12pt;"> May 25<sup>th</sup>
2015</span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">* * * * * * * * * * * *</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><u>A Note from Nancy</u></b></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-GB" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">It's been a very long time since I posted here. The writing life has utterly consumed me, and I find time for little else these days. (I'm working on my third novel, another thriller, but hot, hot HOT in the romance department! Seems once you publish, you have to keep churning stories out so your readers don't forget you. And they have short memories and voracious appetites, so my beloved blog has suffered for it. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">I miss all my blogger friends dearly. I wish I had time to make the rounds and see what everyone is up to. Many of you are on Facebook, so I see you often. Others are not, and therefore, I miss what they're up to. I worked hard to build up a following here, and I don't want to give my blog up completely. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;">So, if any of you would like to ever post here, please contact me via email at acadia1997@msn.com and use the subject line: MAY I BORROW YOUR BLOG? Then send me whatever you want and I'll schedule a post at your direction. </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
Nancy Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05735642863696266005noreply@blogger.com26tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254902043762303002.post-16543540815652243602014-08-25T03:00:00.000-07:002014-08-25T03:00:09.926-07:00The Rollercoaster<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy_dbLkRy5QbeS7ZQC5ZqayEP8Qt-f5xUJxV4EzfPSBYOTbgoZX2VzQE1ukJKCuze3lXyMIm4mf4L2ka3RwGIsypi1WOaj7BViz03Ij8CWwX4fTT8lcwPTwZNW24CCKjAvF5sSBBwCVwhO/s1600/Rollercoaster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy_dbLkRy5QbeS7ZQC5ZqayEP8Qt-f5xUJxV4EzfPSBYOTbgoZX2VzQE1ukJKCuze3lXyMIm4mf4L2ka3RwGIsypi1WOaj7BViz03Ij8CWwX4fTT8lcwPTwZNW24CCKjAvF5sSBBwCVwhO/s1600/Rollercoaster.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">So,
as you know, I’ve been absent. A
lot. Couldn’t be helped really. The past
couple months have been a rollercoaster of highs and lows. First, my dad passed away less than two weeks
ago. With his health as poor as it was, his
passing was a blessing of sorts, but that doesn’t make it any easier,
especially since we didn’t have the greatest relationship near the end. He was a very difficult man. But he’s my dad; I love him regardless, and I’m
gonna miss him. A lot.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">But
the bad was tempered with a bit of good. A few months ago, I mentioned that my
debut, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Mistaken-Series-Book-ebook/dp/B009R3SYC2"><i>The Mistaken</i></a>,
had been nominated for four, then finaled for three, <a href="http://www.efestivalofwords.com/post3276.html">2014 eFestival of Words Best
of the Independent eBook Awards</a>. Well, turns out, yesterday, it <b><i>WON</i></b>
two of those awards—Best Thriller & Best Audiobook! I found this out not ten minutes before I
picked up my father’s ashes. I’d like to
think there was some magic at work there.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1TlBZx0C-6dI2TEUA12mJ98B43_nqs6JYMeGm2XJPnylFsEDRX3wq04ILjjEexLSsAzP3Rm6Lq6VVgxYcx_e7XR3stUMuMrk5G53bcJccbOGBDeTL3tIpB2sk6mK1KAkgU89NVnZjDsA3/s1600/2014winner+-+black.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1TlBZx0C-6dI2TEUA12mJ98B43_nqs6JYMeGm2XJPnylFsEDRX3wq04ILjjEexLSsAzP3Rm6Lq6VVgxYcx_e7XR3stUMuMrk5G53bcJccbOGBDeTL3tIpB2sk6mK1KAkgU89NVnZjDsA3/s1600/2014winner+-+black.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">But
I wasn’t the only winner. While you can
watch <a href="http://youtu.be/2m-IPiHRcb8?list=UUvS1x9PJ0xoA2pT_xlvGVOQ">the
video presentation of all the winners here</a>, and I had many other friends in
nearly every single category, I would like to give a special shout out to my
Blogger buddies who won or were runners-up:</span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://lisalregan.blogspot.com/" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Lisa Regan</a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> - </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Aberration-Lisa-Regan-ebook/dp/B00D6QKWIA" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><i>Aberration</i></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">
- "I've Been Shyamalaned" Award (tied for Best Twist)</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;">
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="http://www.michaelinfinito.com/">Michael J. Infinito Jr.</a> - <a href="http://www.amazon.com/In-Blog-Trust-Michael-Infinito/dp/1612961622"><i>In Blog
We Trust</i></a> - "I've Been Shyamalaned" Award (tied for Best Twist)
& - <a href="http://www.amazon.com/12-19-Michael-Infinito-ebook/dp/B00D91ZB5G"><i>12:19</i></a>
- Runner-up Best Horror<br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="http://soyoureawriter.blogspot.com/">Carrie Butler</a> - <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Strength-Mark-Nexus-Book-1-ebook/dp/B00EMGAS46"><i>Strength</i></a>
- Best New Adult & Best Series (<i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FQRW7FS">Mark of</a> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Honesty-Mark-Nexus-Book-3-ebook/dp/B00J1LYRGC">Nexus</a></i>)<br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/">Alex J. Cavanaugh</a> - <a href="http://www.amazon.com/CassaStorm-Alex-J-Cavanaugh-ebook/dp/B00F2O9QMC"><i>CassaStorm</i></a>
- Best Science Fiction<br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<a href="http://readingwritingandlovinit.blogspot.com/search" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">Cassie Mae</a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/cassie.mae.54" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;">- </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Reasons-Fell-Funny-Fat-Friend-ebook/dp/B00AY6OT70" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"><i>Reasons
I Fell for the Funny Fat Friend</i></a><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 107%;"> - Runner-up The Harvey Award</span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Congrats
to every one of you fabulous authors!</span></span></b><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">And now to wrap it
all up, I decided to play filmmaker last week.
I put together a little book trailer for my second novel, <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Leverage-The-Mistaken-Series-Book-ebook/dp/B00JXPIYXS">Leverage</a></i>,
book 2 in The Mistaken Series. Take a looksee, and give it a thumbs up if you
like it. Thanks!</span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background: white; color: #37404e; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/cEZN4G93iE0" width="560"></iframe><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">HAVE
A GREAT WEEK EVERYONE!</span><span style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></b></div>
</div>
</div>
Nancy Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05735642863696266005noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254902043762303002.post-47079071077888982952014-07-07T03:00:00.001-07:002014-07-07T03:00:06.657-07:00Heart & Soul by Lee Strauss<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Introducing<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br />
<i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 24.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Heart & Soul<o:p></o:p></span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 24.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP97TaXimPKQr8r7XdJ3yBNh5PxaXobVLwprrHiea2HgrVD4uxSv5q-UWYgFiJLC6N8cYxxsxo4QWpYShyphenhyphen28yNtul2OKzk2i0ybafg0pKeSVzeowolO2g7obdEj4icC1nq9ljGrVk25JOT/s1600/Heart+7+Soul+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP97TaXimPKQr8r7XdJ3yBNh5PxaXobVLwprrHiea2HgrVD4uxSv5q-UWYgFiJLC6N8cYxxsxo4QWpYShyphenhyphen28yNtul2OKzk2i0ybafg0pKeSVzeowolO2g7obdEj4icC1nq9ljGrVk25JOT/s1600/Heart+7+Soul+cover.jpg" height="400" width="265" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helv","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><b>Heart
& Soul is the third book in The Minstrel Series</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Helv","sans-serif"; font-size: 7.5pt; line-height: 107%;">(This is a connected book series - while each book can
stand alone, they are best enjoyed in sequence.)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;">ROMANCE.
SUSPENSE. MUSIC. DANGER. HOT BRITISH GUY<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><b>She's heartbroken.
He's heartless.<o:p></o:p></b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Gabriele
Baumann-Smith is deliriously in love with her young husband Lennon.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Except,
it turns out that Lennon Smith isn't his real name. In fact, he's full of
secrets: a cottage on the southern British coast, an old girlfriend and... an
identical twin <i>brother</i>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Callum Jones—not his real name—can't believe his brother's
widow came to England. He'd warned Mick—Lennon—that an inheritance could put
the girl's life in danger, and he was right.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">“Mrs. Smith” is the last thing Callum needs to worry about
right now. She's beautiful, sure, takes his breath away at times. But
when she looks at him, who does she see?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Gabriele's heart is battered and bruised. Can one brother
fix what the other left behind? And will they live long enough to find
out?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><b>BUZZ for
Heart & Soul</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">"...this took
a turn for the spy/thriller genre, which surprised me, but still carried
the strong romantic flavor and wonderful accompanying music, like the
first two books. I think this is a great series and would recommend it to
contemporary romance fans."</span></i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;"> Denise Jaden, author of
Foreign Exchange<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><br />
<i>"Another great book by Lee! This one
had action, wit and a forbidden love! Love the characters and their
interaction with each other! Can't wait to see what she has in store for us
next!"</i> Tressa Sager, Amazon reviewer<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><br />
"I don't want to give away what the danger is, but suffice it to say, it's
a real and plausible threat. Gabrielle is a good leading lady. She doesn't
back down from anything or anyone in this book, but she's still vulnerable,
making her well-rounded and likable."</span></i><span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;"> J Harrell, Amazon
reviewer<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Heart-Soul-contemporary-romance-Minstrel-ebook/dp/B00LBFETFU/ref=as_sl_pc_ss_til?tag=ellestra-20&linkCode=w01&linkId=3D6K75PVF2Y62FBT&creativeASIN=B00LBFETFU">AMAZON</a> | <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/heart-soul-a-contemporary-romance-lee-strauss/1119881560?ean=2940149670437">Barnes
& Noble</a> | <a href="http://store.kobobooks.com/en-CA/ebook/heart-soul-13">Kobo</a> | <a href="http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/Heart_and_Soul/isbn9781927547267">itunes</a> |
Google Play<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Heart
& Soul in <b>Print</b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="https://www.createspace.com/4878384">Createspace</a><o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><i><b>The
Music from The Minstrel Series</b> </i>Volume 3 Heart & Soul<i><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizqGUv82CqeeQFg_4VeeXMxDY-bpSa9wuWM7v6ZIqBdjN5-hXr68UhZXXgXN8Pv6FUC8MWypDifT36j9HNoQKSa348x7qOdZg8L6TNmFmg-ipQuE5FlY7cKMEFgltLVGybpA5GQqm3nOuP/s1600/Heart+&+Soul+music.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizqGUv82CqeeQFg_4VeeXMxDY-bpSa9wuWM7v6ZIqBdjN5-hXr68UhZXXgXN8Pv6FUC8MWypDifT36j9HNoQKSa348x7qOdZg8L6TNmFmg-ipQuE5FlY7cKMEFgltLVGybpA5GQqm3nOuP/s1600/Heart+&+Soul+music.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Heart-Soul-Minstrel-Series-Volume/dp/B00LCTL4M6/ref=as_sl_pc_ss_til?tag=ellestra-20&linkCode=w01&linkId=OU4A2NFNYTE4PM7N&creativeASIN=B00LCTL4M6">Amazon</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">Featuring
the author's daughter, Tasia Strauss!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Helv","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Lee
Strauss' thoughts on The Minstrel Series and Heart & Soul:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 107%;">"My musician husband and I just randomly started
talking about the idea of working on a project together - wouldn't it be great
if we could collaborate and merge our two artistic worlds? Writing and Music?
That was the seed that started the muse talking, and soon afterward The
Minstrel Series was born!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 107%;">For Heart & Soul, I knew I wanted to move the series
from Germany to England (next to Ireland and Boston!) and that I needed a small
coastal town not far from London. I used Google Earth to examine the British
coastline to search for the perfect town and found it in Emsworth. Living
in Germany part-time has its advantages and one of them is its proximity
to England. My husband and I did a quick five day research trip. (It also came
in handy for the next book, a Christmas novella set in London - stay tuned!)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 107%;">Because of the musical aspect of this series, I'm always on
the prowl for songs and singers. My connection to the singer-songwriter world
via my musical husband has been a big advantage. My husband's musical genes
have also been down to our kids, so it's exciting to involve my daughter Tasia
in the project to be the singing voice of Gabriele."<span style="font-size: medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><a href="http://leestraussauthor.blogspot.de/2014/07/first-chapter-sneak-peek-heart-soul.html">Click
HERE </a>to read the first chapter of Heart & Soul. <o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;">**One
of the entry options will ask a question from the above chapter.<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">About
The Minstrel Series:<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">The
Minstrel Series is a collection of contemporary romance novels set in the
singer/songwriter world. The books are companion novels, with shared settings
and characters, but each is a complete stand-alone story with a HEA (happily
ever after) and no cliffhangers!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="font-family: "Verdana","sans-serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">The
books include MP3 links to original music by talented Indie Artists, so
you can hear the characters sing!<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">#1 Sun & Moon<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">#2 Flesh & Bone <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">#3 Heart & Soul <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">#3.5 Peace & Goodwill (Christmas Novella coming
Fall 2014)</span></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 18.18181800842285px; line-height: 19.260000228881836px;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">It also has its own </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/TheMinstrelSeries" style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">FACEBOOK</a><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;"> (link)
page and its own </span><a href="http://songsfromtheminstrel.bandcamp.com/" style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">BANDCAMP</a><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;"> (link)
page where you can listen to the original music associated with the books.
Albums are also available on </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Ddigital-music&field-keywords=The+minstrel+series+volume&rh=n%3A163856011%2Ck%3AThe+minstrel+series+volume&ajr=0" style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">AMAZON</a><span style="font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;">
</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%;"><b>About Lee Strauss:</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyC-4g-sDKJhrjmCaouGtkI6VjgBr4QNuDlzP4Dy0Wn8RGG2KRdibowgHXql5j8VC3BgmqP9aFB0RVDNcHiSEH70PWg6MmOIyq45UtTkhn-cWaeBXThrvvKJ3tjor0fdDooobot0-4CqiQ/s1600/Lee+Strauss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyC-4g-sDKJhrjmCaouGtkI6VjgBr4QNuDlzP4Dy0Wn8RGG2KRdibowgHXql5j8VC3BgmqP9aFB0RVDNcHiSEH70PWg6MmOIyq45UtTkhn-cWaeBXThrvvKJ3tjor0fdDooobot0-4CqiQ/s1600/Lee+Strauss.jpg" height="200" width="161" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 18.18181800842285px; line-height: 19.260000228881836px; text-align: center;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 18.18181800842285px; line-height: 19.260000228881836px; text-align: center;">Lee Strauss is the author of The Minstrel Series (contemporary romance), The Perception Series (young adult dystopian) and young adult historical fiction. She is the married mother of four grown children, three boys and a girl, and divides her time between British Columbia, Canada and Dresden, Germany. When she's not writing or reading she likes to cycle, hike and do yoga. She enjoys traveling (but not jet lag >:0), soy lattes, red wine and dark chocolate.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, serif; line-height: 107%;">EASY
TWEETS:</span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 107%;">New
Release! HEART & SOUL, bk3 in a connected series by @leestrauss #Romance
#Thriller #suspense #music #musicians
http://www.amazon.com/Heart-Soul-contemporary-romance-Minstrel-ebook/dp/B00LBFETFU/ref=as_sl_pc_ss_til?tag=ellestra-20&linkCode=w01&linkId=3D6K75PVF2Y62FBT&creativeASIN=B00LBFETFU<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-style: italic; line-height: 19.260000228881836px;"><br /></span></div>
<i></i><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><i><span style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 107%;">Love #Romance and #Suspense? #Music? HEART & SOUL, bk3 in a connected
series
by @leestraussbooks http://www.amazon.com/Heart-Soul-contemporary-romance-Minstrel-ebook/dp/B00LBFETFU/ref=as_sl_pc_ss_til?tag=ellestra-20&linkCode=w01&linkId=3D6K75PVF2Y62FBT&creativeASIN=B00LBFETFU</span></i></i></div>
<i>
</i><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: "Georgia","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/d0101225/">a Rafflecopter
giveaway</a></span></div>
</div>
</div>
Nancy Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05735642863696266005noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254902043762303002.post-65647845821207745142014-07-02T02:00:00.000-07:002014-07-02T02:00:06.705-07:00IWSG - The Good, The Bad, and Everything Else<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL_BFrUyqJR9NN37bd8mA3xCjjIVdx5FiJ1qQt-MQCqkcLv4gPwB0nzHwtAQi1-HII9uja7V6y_R0D32CYwIMQc4DpQn3_apjmYqocBP5mKSeSF4c3GeSjxRVYBG0wn8hhV9NRcjKvlsYF/s1600/InsecureWritersSupportGroupPic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL_BFrUyqJR9NN37bd8mA3xCjjIVdx5FiJ1qQt-MQCqkcLv4gPwB0nzHwtAQi1-HII9uja7V6y_R0D32CYwIMQc4DpQn3_apjmYqocBP5mKSeSF4c3GeSjxRVYBG0wn8hhV9NRcjKvlsYF/s1600/InsecureWritersSupportGroupPic.jpg" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">It’s the first
Wednesday of the month, time for <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><a href="http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/">Alex J. Cavanaugh</a>’s <a href="http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/p/the-insecure-writers-support-group.html">Insecure
Writer’s Support Group</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">I’ve
been quite remiss for the last month or so, only dropping in for the IWSG when
I clearly announced my return from a much-prolonged hiatus. Seems habits are hard to break. It’s more than that though. It’s been rough for me lately. Personal stuff. My dad.
He has Alzheimer’s and had to be admitted to a care facility. It’s for the best, especially for my mom, and
I thought, hey, he deserves it; he’s treated everyone in his life like crap for
as long as I can remember. But…yeah…easier
said than done. My heart isn’t quite as
hard as I thought it was. Then bad went
to worse, and he was hospitalized yesterday.
They think it’s a stroke.
Whatever it is, just like everything else, it’s not a solvable
problem. There’s no happily ever after
to this story. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWB6a3uY5ypJC3B3G7QpqB9QgPYVQjwSp_g_51PmdMUO79MZusou93dkgUTV3esxoWx05xY5ap0fFLuHb_w5DR316l3SQmcLNNJZr5M1CDZkeLKGu_vKfT1GvB_gK-2-wCuEPTnYij6PdB/s1600/TheMistaken_900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWB6a3uY5ypJC3B3G7QpqB9QgPYVQjwSp_g_51PmdMUO79MZusou93dkgUTV3esxoWx05xY5ap0fFLuHb_w5DR316l3SQmcLNNJZr5M1CDZkeLKGu_vKfT1GvB_gK-2-wCuEPTnYij6PdB/s1600/TheMistaken_900.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">And
yet, every nugget of misery seems accompanied by a hint of happiness. While I struggled with with my dad, I had
some really good news come in. My debut
dark romantic thriller, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Mistaken-Series-Book-ebook/dp/B009R3SYC2">The Mistaken</a>,
became a three-category finalist (<a href="http://www.efestivalofwords.com/best-hero-heroine-finalists-t550.html">best
hero-heroine</a>, <a href="http://www.efestivalofwords.com/best-thriller-finalists-t544.html">best thriller</a>,
and <a href="http://www.efestivalofwords.com/best-audiobook-finalists-t515.html">best
audiobook</a>) in the <a href="http://www.efestivalofwords.com/2014-finalists-for-best-of-the-independent-ebook-awards-t513.html">eFestival
of Words 2014 Best of the Independent eBook Awards</a>. It had to pass the peer nominations stage to
get there, but now that it’s a finalist, it’s all up to public voting. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_8xezJF7wQ644GwsRpeCBZaP41XLfMOI-X6EcqK6E7Ev5XGn_3xtdVM7lI4JNaQUvxZtEmzoANcEifO33HP2sDI9fMZSDNz79pDW03gCbkVIgDTqMSvCsq3X1u3i9rObV6apDkw0EpQ9s/s1600/efest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_8xezJF7wQ644GwsRpeCBZaP41XLfMOI-X6EcqK6E7Ev5XGn_3xtdVM7lI4JNaQUvxZtEmzoANcEifO33HP2sDI9fMZSDNz79pDW03gCbkVIgDTqMSvCsq3X1u3i9rObV6apDkw0EpQ9s/s1600/efest.jpg" height="320" width="226" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">And
while you might have never heard of these awards before, winning, or even
coming in second, can be very impactful.
My BFF, <a href="http://lisalregan.blogspot.com/">Lisa Regan</a>, won in
2013 for Best Heroine and was the runner-up for Best Novel for her debut, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00AHJN7BS">Finding Claire Fletcher</a>, and it’s
gone on to be very successful, and Lisa now has a contract with Amazon
Publishing’s Thomas and Mercer imprint. This year, Lisa’s follow-up, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00D6QKWIA">Aberration</a>, is a multi-category
finalist, including Best Thriller,
Best Villain, and I’ve Been Shameylaned (best twist). How’s that for impressive? </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioSP8deYzqrL_wXZVgUJ5hNFPSwpNZVm9NupVQk9YLJPDwSJNttfmB0QTTCL-1HcfxCTe1IXX7LDQZSuilowuLwnZaFimldvpSRnvIx1C2u2WP3-BMt1UgNLaLeshlaxuDS-C2K-8chelG/s1600/FCF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioSP8deYzqrL_wXZVgUJ5hNFPSwpNZVm9NupVQk9YLJPDwSJNttfmB0QTTCL-1HcfxCTe1IXX7LDQZSuilowuLwnZaFimldvpSRnvIx1C2u2WP3-BMt1UgNLaLeshlaxuDS-C2K-8chelG/s1600/FCF.jpg" height="200" width="132" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">So
I’m hopeful. Maybe something will come of this for me. I could really, <i>really REALLY</i> use your help
though. The registration is a tad convoluted, not too bad, but the voting is super easy. I’ll
leave easy-to-follow instructions at the end to assist you should you want to
vote. Either way, I have a LOT of
friends who’ve also finaled, many of whom you’ve heard of, like…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Alex
J. Cavanaugh, Best Science Fiction, CassaStorm<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Cassie
Mae, Best YA & The Harvey Award, Reasons I Fell for the Funny Fat friend<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Michelle
Kemper Brownlow, Best NA & Best Villain, In Too Deep<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Michael
Infinito, Best Horror, 12;19 & I’ve Been Shameylaned, In Blog We Trust<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Carrie
Butler, Best Series, The Nexus Series, & Best NA, Strength<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">And
some you might not have heard of, but should definitely check out, like…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE13IeHm-eFMP7AWSXVm7RA7yOa4PzINk2WhabTbSlk4sffwN-aXciRjMjhLP4Fq7v-EkVbhYlccoahDuRxAiviCbp2hYbwbeoydpQKVMCEytICbL8IGcXVTCQp6PDWYfrt2GdHthe1MKv/s1600/Vote+4+TM+-+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE13IeHm-eFMP7AWSXVm7RA7yOa4PzINk2WhabTbSlk4sffwN-aXciRjMjhLP4Fq7v-EkVbhYlccoahDuRxAiviCbp2hYbwbeoydpQKVMCEytICbL8IGcXVTCQp6PDWYfrt2GdHthe1MKv/s1600/Vote+4+TM+-+1.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">MK
Harkins, Best NA, Best Sweet Romance, & Best Villain, Intentional<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Julie
A Richman, Best Romance, Searching for Moore<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">JB
Hartnett, Best Erotica, Inky<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Kristine
Cayne, The Harvey Award, Deadly Addiction<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Dana
Mason, Best Romance & Best Mystery/Suspense, Dangerous Embrace & Best
Hero, Precious Embrace<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">And
before you think anyone has any category wrapped up, think again. We’ve got two long months of public voting to
endure, so each and every vote helps every single one of us. I know I’d appreciate your vote if you have a
moment. Thanks in advance for your
support!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";"><u>Instructions
to register and vote</u>:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">1. Go to: <a href="http://www.efestivalofwords.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">eFestival of Words.com</span></a><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">2. Click ‘<a href="http://www.efestivalofwords.com/ucp.php?mode=register"><span style="color: blue;">Register</span></a>’ and fill out the form. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">3. Confirm your
account: To pass validation, click on the survey question (typically a benign
question about your car or income,) then type the revealed, easy CAPTCHA into
‘Your answer’.<br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">4. Ignore the
sponsor offers and click ‘Submit’. You are now registered and may <a href="http://www.efestivalofwords.com/ucp.php?mode=login"><span style="color: blue;">login</span></a> <br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">5. After logging
in, click<a href="http://www.efestivalofwords.com/best-thriller-finalists-t544.html"><span style="color: blue;"> best thriller</span></a> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">6. Select <i>'The Mistaken, by Nancy S. Thompson’</i>
then click 'Submit vote'. You’ll receive a confirmation.<br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif";">7. Repeat for <u><span style="color: blue;"><a href="file:///C:/Users/Nancy%20S.%20Thompson/Documents/Blogs/best%20audiobook">best audiobook</a></span></u>
& <a href="http://www.efestivalofwords.com/best-hero-heroine-finalists-t550.html"><span style="color: blue;">best hero-heroine</span></a> <br />
<br />
<!--[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]--><br />
<!--[endif]--><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Nancy Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05735642863696266005noreply@blogger.com25tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254902043762303002.post-65763656438440924002014-06-06T03:00:00.000-07:002014-06-06T03:00:07.564-07:00Happy Birthday Edge of Truth!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><a href="http://natashahanova.com/books/edge-of-truth/"><img alt="EoT_Ebook_Final" class="alignleft wp-image-5084 " src="http://natashahanova.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/EoT_Ebook_Final-192x300.jpg" height="274" width="175" /></a></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em><br /></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><em>Edge of Truth</em> (YA Dystopian) is officially 1-year old today!</span></b> </div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
In celebration, <a href="http://wp.me/p3vuOP-1kE">Natasha Hanova</a> is hosting a big giveaway with book contributions from multiple authors. Since June 6, 2013, <em>Edge of Truth</em> has landed a spot on Amazon's <em>Teen & Young Adult Science Fiction and Dystopian Top 100</em> List, earned an average review rating of 4+ stars, got facelift a.k.a. new cover, and now has bonus content.
Please be sure to enter the Rafflecopter contest for a chance to win chocolate, an Amazon Gift card, or free books.
First, enjoy this short excerpt of Rena's first in-person encounter with love interest Nevan. She's out past curfew and on the run from the Overlord's robotic lawmen. This scene takes place right after she knocks on Nevan's door seeking refuge<em>:</em>
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<em><br /></em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
+++</div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">
<i>Nevan’s dual-colored eyes—one blue, one hazel—captivated Rena. She drowned in them, in his dark eyebrows, his long, wide-based nose, his full lips. Even the faint V-shaped scar on his forehead that first appeared two years ago was too beautiful to look at. Her heart pounded, as if struggling to close the distance between them. She chewed her lip, dreading the usual shock of pain from emotional spikes like this, only it never hit.</i><br />
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">
<i>When Blaze poked her in the back, she exhaled, but couldn’t force any words out. Warmth rushed through her from being near Nevan, with his slight smile and shoulder length dreads. In spite of the cool night air, her armpits prickled with sweat. Looking at him made her cheeks hurt. She focused on a random spot near his shoulder and struggled to think of something, anything to say. This wasn’t how she pictured their first conversation. But what if it didn’t amount to words? What if he slammed the door on her?</i><br />
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">
<i>Blaze pushed hard enough to move her two steps forward. The way Nevan focused on her made her knees wobbly. He traced a finger across his forehead and down his temple. She’d never observed him make that gesture before. Was it meant to calm himself? Or did he feel the heat, too? The thought made another burst of warmth blanket her.</i><br />
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">
<i>“Ummm…uhhhh.” It was all she could force out.</i><br />
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">
<i>She backed away. Her friend, turned roadblock, caged her in. Down the street, the second set of Synbots reached scanning distance and headed for them. Panic raced through her, spiked her heart with adrenaline, and jump-started her survival instincts. She spun toward Nevan.</i><br />
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">
<i>“We need a safe place to stay for a few hours. I know you don’t know us, but I’d…we’d be really grateful if you would let us inside.”</i><br />
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">
<i>He leaned forward, glancing down the sidewalk. The movement stirred the air between them, and his warm citrus scent surrounded Rena. He stepped aside and spoke in a loud, booming voice, most likely for the Syns’ monitoring devices. “Yes, we’ve been waiting for you.”</i><br />
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">
<i>She blinked twice in disbelief. The Syns marched up the sidewalk. Blaze grabbed her by the shoulders and shoved her into the house.</i><br />
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">
<i>The machines didn’t stop.</i><br />
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">
<i>Nevan’s dad came to the door. Rena shifted back to make eye contact. Nevan definitely got his height from him. They also shared the same smooth, creamy brown complexion.</i><br />
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">
<i>His dad studied Rena and Blaze for a second before he flashed his son a ‘what did you do’ look and whispered, “Mr. Elliott won’t like this.” Then he stepped outside, holding the door in place with one hand while shielding the girls from the Syns’ lasers.</i><br />
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px;">
<i>“I’m glad you girls finally made it.” He sounded much nicer this time, like he really meant it. “We were starting to worry. Why don’t you kids go with Risa? I’ll take care of this.”</i></div>
<div style="padding-left: 30px; text-align: center;">
+++</div>
<br />
<a href="http://natashahanova.com/" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="NatashaHanova" class="alignleft wp-image-3901 " src="http://natashahanova.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/NatashaHanova-225x300.jpg" height="210" width="157" /></a><br />
<h5>
<strong>About the Author</strong></h5>
Natasha Hanova is an award-winning author of young adult and adult dark fantasy/paranormal fiction. <em>Edge of Truth</em> (June 2013) is her debut novel. Her short stories appear in multiple anthologies. She loves nibbling Peanut M&Ms while reading paranormal, dark fantasy, and/or dystopian books with heavy doses of romance. She lives in the Midwest with her husband and children. Find her blog at NatashaHanova.com.
<br />
<h5 style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Social Media Links</strong></h5>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><a href="http://natashahanova.com/" target="_blank">Blog</a> • </b><b><a href="http://twitter.com/NatashaHanova" target="_blank">Twitter</a> • </b><b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/AuthorNatashaHanova" target="_blank">Facebook</a> • </b><a href="https://plus.google.com/u/0/115469280300586422375" target="_blank"><b>Google+</b></a></div>
<h5 style="text-align: center;">
<strong><em>Edge of Truth</em> Buy Links</strong></h5>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><a href="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=sr_gnr_fkmr0?rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Aedge+truth+natasha&keywords=edge+truth+natasha&ie=UTF8&qid=1399732770" target="_blank">Amazon</a> • <a href="https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/436757?utm_source=hootsuite&utm_campaign=hootsuite" target="_blank">Smashwords</a> • <a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/edge-of-truth-natasha-hanova/1115469946?ean=9781497432574" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a> • <a href="http://www.booksamillion.com/p/Edge-Truth/Natasha-Hanova/9781497432574?id=6012809039056" target="_blank">BooksAMillion</a></strong>
<br />
<br />
<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/cd50bf10/" id="rc-cd50bf10" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//widget.rafflecopter.com/load.js"></script><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqCKhcjtS9xVRO6m0Liw26u1QrXB-8_QV1dgppULSk4w5IbrVb50bNKx6fjrzvk5_zZzOY5AtwmBBmCMWWA7Mny5KNUm-8NjR_IwLzkrJnpQFGN6mqScNbqhbGg9BAo14qvwbcUbNHTkqF/s1600/EoTGiveaway+Bordered.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqCKhcjtS9xVRO6m0Liw26u1QrXB-8_QV1dgppULSk4w5IbrVb50bNKx6fjrzvk5_zZzOY5AtwmBBmCMWWA7Mny5KNUm-8NjR_IwLzkrJnpQFGN6mqScNbqhbGg9BAo14qvwbcUbNHTkqF/s1600/EoTGiveaway+Bordered.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
Nancy Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05735642863696266005noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254902043762303002.post-20236060061873366982014-06-04T09:33:00.002-07:002014-06-04T09:33:37.891-07:00IWSG: OY!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjph0O4LaSp_MOeY4f2SQ-ex3TVgUepEsi2Ic-44zxixBuHqQwg0uh14PZ9pNzzOQfdEzB_UzPk1PYVPHN8Ig9OJHj86S_e5AMt1YOj2PCguwPdoqROfY5J-01AJUR2HRrd9WnLFLcyrpe8/s1600/InsecureWritersSupportGroupPic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjph0O4LaSp_MOeY4f2SQ-ex3TVgUepEsi2Ic-44zxixBuHqQwg0uh14PZ9pNzzOQfdEzB_UzPk1PYVPHN8Ig9OJHj86S_e5AMt1YOj2PCguwPdoqROfY5J-01AJUR2HRrd9WnLFLcyrpe8/s1600/InsecureWritersSupportGroupPic.jpg" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
It’s the first
Wednesday of the month. </div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Time for <a href="http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/p/the-insecure-writers-support-group.html">Alex
J. Cavanaugh’s Insecure Writer’s Support Group</a>.</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So, yeah, I forgot to post my IWSG piece. Or almost forgot. I remembered this morning. But, UGH!
I just can’t seem to get with the program after a lengthy hiatus. Now, in my defense, I did go through another
health scare this week, just on Monday, in fact, but the biopsy came back clear
yesterday afternoon, so I have no real excuse, except to say I was a bit
preoccupied. So here’s my problem…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
How do you all do it?
How do you manage to write the great American novel, publish, market,
work, attend your family, AND blog? No
matter how hard I try, I just can’t seem to fit it all in. I keep reminders on my phone, but I usually
end up just moving the reminder closer and closer to the actual event until I
miss it altogether. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I attended an event last night in <st1:city w:st="on">Seattle</st1:city> with my dear friend, Jennifer
Hillier. It was a bust, basically a
sales pitch by Amazon on self-publishing, which annoyed me since I knew it all
already because I just self-pubbed my second book a month ago. But I didn’t
mind. I got to spend some quality girl
time with my girl, Jenny. I was supposed
to write my IWSG post when I got home though.
And I didn’t. It slipped
through. Again. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My life has changed so much in the last year or so. I’ve learned a lot and met many awesome
people, but I really miss my homies in Bloggyland. I’m trying hard to get back in the
groove. I’m hitting most of my
targets. And yet, I still missed this
one. It’s aggravating. It’s disappointing. It’s embarrassing. And I apologize for not properly
prioritizing.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-zCqprjxNkJZakgicUKujt4Du0KX5LECjm-5569bneldhniFL0pHJ1pJQl-JH_pgGp_MXLfuAtMdApv1dP1H0krnoOe4QfXS8u8CHBJL9mVDJhutMq9swv4Qr4VCqPuelcupTBFMza2am/s1600/Not+a+superhero.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-zCqprjxNkJZakgicUKujt4Du0KX5LECjm-5569bneldhniFL0pHJ1pJQl-JH_pgGp_MXLfuAtMdApv1dP1H0krnoOe4QfXS8u8CHBJL9mVDJhutMq9swv4Qr4VCqPuelcupTBFMza2am/s1600/Not+a+superhero.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;">By the way, my debut, </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Mistaken-Nancy-S-Thompson-ebook/dp/B009R3SYC2" style="text-align: left;">The
Mistaken</a><span style="text-align: left;">, will be on sale for 99 cents starting tomorrow, June 5</span><sup style="text-align: left;">th</sup><span style="text-align: left;">,
and running through June 10</span><sup style="text-align: left;">th</sup><span style="text-align: left;">.</span><span style="text-align: left;">
</span><span style="text-align: left;">So go pick yourself up a cheap thrill ride!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
Nancy Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05735642863696266005noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254902043762303002.post-20151302610106507702014-05-30T02:30:00.000-07:002014-05-30T02:30:00.805-07:00Cover Reveal: OTHERBORN by Anna Silver<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4dBuMsEFEeXt4AAYdDssa0RWx_6f39594eSIjtKE5wzm7MNVEIKl46QUwKiAipJEPBSaFTROSo8nv2Q9GygTbVDyGKF-JICUZUQoN3LzJQe-RxhsUwuQ5mElDy1nN3rdx5trtUVhR2_Va/s1600/OBcoverrevealbanner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4dBuMsEFEeXt4AAYdDssa0RWx_6f39594eSIjtKE5wzm7MNVEIKl46QUwKiAipJEPBSaFTROSo8nv2Q9GygTbVDyGKF-JICUZUQoN3LzJQe-RxhsUwuQ5mElDy1nN3rdx5trtUVhR2_Va/s1600/OBcoverrevealbanner.jpg" height="94" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
My friend and pub-sister, <a href="http://www.annasilverauthor.blogspot.com/" style="font-size: 12pt;">Anna Silver</a>, has given her debut novel, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Otherborn-The-Series-ebook/dp/B00C5QP3CM/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1365044630&sr=1-1&keywords=otherborn+anna+silver" title="blocked::http://www.amazon.com/Otherborn-The-Series-ebook/dp/B00C5QP3CM/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1365044630&sr=1-1&keywords=otherborn+anna+silver">Otherborn</a>, a little facelift. <br />
And now for the big reveal...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvwsGbn0aqT4vsSjDUI_BdVhLno9xNV2k7KFrn0KzoYBmvOEeXJxQBsJBtA1mHB_st30nCk8XDQhgYRDQY1r-dN9Rvc69Mg0WW9pIAYHqKNYU4c6Im7OVlYiR8XU4bkPJKRdiuP-2oA7zi/s1600/Otherborn_Ebook_Final+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvwsGbn0aqT4vsSjDUI_BdVhLno9xNV2k7KFrn0KzoYBmvOEeXJxQBsJBtA1mHB_st30nCk8XDQhgYRDQY1r-dN9Rvc69Mg0WW9pIAYHqKNYU4c6Im7OVlYiR8XU4bkPJKRdiuP-2oA7zi/s1600/Otherborn_Ebook_Final+(2).jpg" height="320" width="200" /></a></div>
TAA DAA!!! Pretty, huh?<br />
<br />
"<i>In a reprocessed world, <st1:place w:st="on">London</st1:place>
and her friends must dream their way to a New
hope.</i>"<span style="font-family: Verdana; font-size: 11.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Title: Otherborn (Otherborn Series, #1)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Author: Anna Silver - Publisher: Sapphire Star Publishing - Release Date: April 4, 2013</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Pages: 290 - Format: Paperback, ebook</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Genre: YA - Subgenres: dystopian, science fiction, fantasy</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i style="text-decoration: underline;">Blurbity blurb</i>:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<st1:city w:st="on">London</st1:city> and her teenage friends live in a reprocessed world.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Confined within <st1:placename w:st="on">Capital</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype w:st="on">City</st1:placetype>’s concrete walls, <st1:city w:st="on">London</st1:city> has done the
impossible and the illegal. She’s created something <em>New</em>- a song. But
her mentor, club owner Pauly, is not impressed. Since the historic Energy
Crisis forced everyone behind walls generations ago, the Tycoons have ensured
there is truly nothing new allowed under the sun. Pauly warns <st1:city w:st="on">London</st1:city> to keep her song to herself, if she
knows what’s good for her. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
What he doesn’t know is that <st1:city w:st="on">London</st1:city> is keeping an even bigger secret: she
dreams. And she’s not alone. <st1:city w:st="on">London</st1:city>’s
band-mates and friends have begun dreaming as well, seeing themselves in “night
pictures” as beings from another world. As <em>Otherborn</em>, they must piece
together the story of their astral avatars, the Others<em>, </em>in order to
save their world from a dreamless, hopeless future. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
When Pauly is murdered and an Otherborn goes
missing, <st1:city w:st="on">London</st1:city>
realizes someone is hunting them down. Escaping along the Outroads, they brave
the deserted Houselands with only their dreams to guide them. Can they find
their friend before the assassin finds them? Will being Otherborn save their
lives, or destroy them?<o:p></o:p></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<u><br /></u></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<u><b>Links</b>:<o:p></o:p></u></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17162371-otherborn">Otherborn on
Goodreads</a> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0fiWzY-jTRg">Otherborn book trailer on
YouTube</a> <a href="http://www.annasilverauthor.com/otherborn.html#excerpt">Otherborn excerpt</a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Otherborn-Anna-Silver/dp/1938404327/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1363098912&sr=1-2&keywords=Otherborn">Otherbor
n in paperback</a> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Otherborn-The-Series-ebook/dp/B00C5QP3CM/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1365044630&sr=1-1&keywords=otherborn+anna+silver" title="blocked::http://www.amazon.com/Otherborn-The-Series-ebook/dp/B00C5QP3CM/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1365044630&sr=1-1&keywords=otherborn+anna+silver">Otherborn
in the Kindle store</a><span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14.5pt;"> </span><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/otherborn-anna-silver/1114783119?ean=2940016485874" title="blocked::http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/otherborn-anna-silver/1114783119?ean=2940016485874">Otherborn
for Nook</a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.wattpad.com/story/12024518-otherborn">1<sup>st</sup> 5
chapters of Otherborn on Wattpad</a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR4AVL_565V5bs9fk-4TZSUK9MNRwasLsTbxr9x5HJVt-Lu5bp8vX4UE9Jj3P5t5R9SenzVqfsn7LbeXrU6CvsNo1jQz2RUFdJmFi3GPoFIs22auj-ref-stR1_qbm1ePBIjXlqeaUZZRR/s1600/IMG_9870+-+Headshot+450x600.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR4AVL_565V5bs9fk-4TZSUK9MNRwasLsTbxr9x5HJVt-Lu5bp8vX4UE9Jj3P5t5R9SenzVqfsn7LbeXrU6CvsNo1jQz2RUFdJmFi3GPoFIs22auj-ref-stR1_qbm1ePBIjXlqeaUZZRR/s1600/IMG_9870+-+Headshot+450x600.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><i><u>Who's that girl?</u></i>:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Anna Silver is an author and artist living in the
greater <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Houston</st1:place></st1:city>
area with her family, pets, and overactive imagination. Her art has been
featured in the <st1:city w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Houston</st1:place></st1:city>
gallery Las Manos Magicas. She studied English Writing & Rhetoric at St.
Edward’s University. She's freelanced for private clients and small
publications like the Hill Country Current. OTHERBORN, her first published
novel, has been featured on 2 of Amazon's "Bestsellers" lists. ASTRAL
TIDE is her second published novel.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<b><u><a href="http://www.livingbetweentheworlds.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"></a>Find Anna here</u></b><u><span style="color: #222222;">:<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
<div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://www.annasilverauthor.com/index.html">On the Web</a> - <a href="http://www.annasilverauthor.blogspot.com/">Blog</a> - <a href="https://twitter.com/SaysAnnaSilver">Twitter</a> - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/authorannasilver">Facebook</a> - <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6862122.Anna_Silver">Goodreads</a> -
<a href="http://pinterest.com/AnnaSilver/">Pinterest</a> - <a href="http://www.sapphirestarpublishing.com/">publisher</a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i><u>A little horn-tooting</u></i>:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i>"Anna Silver weaves a dark new world full of taut
suspense and characters that leap off the page." </i>–Sophie Jordan, NYT bestselling author of the <i>Firelight</i> trilogy<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i>"Travel to a world where dreaming is a radical act that
can save the world… Anna Silver’s post-apocalyptic vision is rich with imagery
and metaphysical ideas, grounded by vivid, three-dimensional characters. A
truly fresh take on dystopian."</i> –Nina
Berry, author of the <i>OTHERKIN</i> series<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<span class="readable"><i>“Silver
built the right amount of conflict and tension to draw readers into her
dystopian world, and created characters who are leery, yet determined to
embrace New.”</i></span><i> </i>–Natasha
Hanova, author of <i>Edge of Truth<o:p></o:p></i></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Garamond; font-size: 14.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
</div>
Nancy Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05735642863696266005noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254902043762303002.post-58232676568096995662014-05-26T03:00:00.000-07:002014-05-26T03:00:04.895-07:00A Well-Deserved Salute<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP2-BrRsnqXrhs94u_v0NNiDXMnjcifbJ6Cbb6OMaGEZNaiupMY0EJxVpa47m0ojQ7yL7f4JwVtiYMule6g6ZTrngScx0ai8kHaef5St_sTXTduLbtuRjbjCUIDPn208yjhZ5YU45PV7Wb/s1600/VeteransDay1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP2-BrRsnqXrhs94u_v0NNiDXMnjcifbJ6Cbb6OMaGEZNaiupMY0EJxVpa47m0ojQ7yL7f4JwVtiYMule6g6ZTrngScx0ai8kHaef5St_sTXTduLbtuRjbjCUIDPn208yjhZ5YU45PV7Wb/s1600/VeteransDay1.JPG" height="246" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And remember...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZAbss-25XgefGQTc-PsVfYFgc-j0YWQy_Uk_2cZL3FhmhBEcY4s787c0wFekoOgjbMDjf58_HpSvAYNUYBqJ8R97RLpoi-nB6gStBUzt14PwL6eN7lz23hyphenhyphenuVVDypeDg2SrErfMvV63i7/s1600/VeteransDay2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZAbss-25XgefGQTc-PsVfYFgc-j0YWQy_Uk_2cZL3FhmhBEcY4s787c0wFekoOgjbMDjf58_HpSvAYNUYBqJ8R97RLpoi-nB6gStBUzt14PwL6eN7lz23hyphenhyphenuVVDypeDg2SrErfMvV63i7/s1600/VeteransDay2.JPG" height="256" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Have a safe holiday!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Nancy Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05735642863696266005noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254902043762303002.post-72480298461374613402014-05-12T03:00:00.000-07:002014-05-12T03:00:07.485-07:00And the Nominations Are...OR...I Think God Just Bitch-Slapped Me<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXtNZBcqRT4e91-Oabctcn4GHK8SiMHxY-VO1K9fERndU3JX919tZwNKLts75d7Z1qbdcjJfujABw2nX45iFJKm7RdEp6zq4fR3zd6PBTZEDaK0AoyOd5FfKBKhibfvtIne_SZ36wwBTwF/s1600/slap-nominations.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXtNZBcqRT4e91-Oabctcn4GHK8SiMHxY-VO1K9fERndU3JX919tZwNKLts75d7Z1qbdcjJfujABw2nX45iFJKm7RdEp6zq4fR3zd6PBTZEDaK0AoyOd5FfKBKhibfvtIne_SZ36wwBTwF/s1600/slap-nominations.jpg" height="129" width="320" /></a>So, after a long hiatus, I’m starting to ease back into this
whole blogging thing. I have to make it
a part of my schedule again, not easy when there’s so much to be done. I didn’t count on a health issue getting in
the way, but it did, just last week, right as I jumped back into the IWSG. But at least I have answers to long-nagging
questions, and, with proper treatment, I hope to be on the mend soon and back
to making the rounds, getting reacquainted with everyone.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Z_muNwMTKD2Ev5m4aeb-2Wy2LWksAo2-_V-3yJHz7eIOiDxPHJpQgNCzr89GFKO8LeVcjYW3381jCso8Or1E62rFF9O3VcvycIo0Wdm3cRXLgjO_2qWhOvXnVYGfBpoI1nYk5y1gtHCO/s1600/eFestlogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Z_muNwMTKD2Ev5m4aeb-2Wy2LWksAo2-_V-3yJHz7eIOiDxPHJpQgNCzr89GFKO8LeVcjYW3381jCso8Or1E62rFF9O3VcvycIo0Wdm3cRXLgjO_2qWhOvXnVYGfBpoI1nYk5y1gtHCO/s1600/eFestlogo.jpg" /></a>In addition to the bad news last week, I did get some
good. My first novel, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Mistaken-Nancy-S-Thompson-ebook/dp/B009R3SYC2">The
Mistaken</a>, was just nominated for 4 <a href="http://www.efestivalofwords.com/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=486">eFestival of
Words 2014 Best of the Independent eBook Awards</a>—Best Thriller, Best Hero, Best
Audiobook, and The Harvey Award. <a href="http://readingwritingandlovinit.blogspot.com/">Cassie Mae</a> told me that
last one was for the book voters most want to see made into a movie, which she
would know about since her book, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Reasons-Fell-Funny-Fat-Friend-ebook/dp/B00AY6OT70/">Reasons
I Fell for the Funny Fat Friend</a>, was also nominated in that category, as
well as Best YA. But she’s not the only
one of my bloggy friends whose books were nominated. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/">Alex J. Cavanaugh’s</a>
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/CassaStorm-Alex-J-Cavanaugh-ebook/dp/B00F2O9QMC/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1399862277&sr=1-1&keywords=cassastorm">CassaStorm</a>
was nominated for best Sci-fi, <a href="http://lisalregan.blogspot.com/">Lisa
Regan’s</a> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Aberration-Lisa-Regan-ebook/dp/B00D6QKWIA/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1399862559&sr=1-1&keywords=aberration">Aberration</a>
for Best Novel, Thriller, Villain, and the “I’ve Been Shamyland” Award, <a href="http://soyoureawriter.blogspot.com/">Carrie Butler</a>’s <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Strength-Mark-Nexus-Carrie-Butler-ebook/dp/B00EMGAS46/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1399863272&sr=1-1&keywords=strength+mark+of+nexu">Strength
</a> for Best NA and her Mark of Nexus
Series for Best Series, <a href="http://www.michaelinfinito.com/">Michael Infinito</a>’s
<a href="http://www.amazon.com/12-19-Michael-Infinito-ebook/dp/B00D91ZB5G/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1399863399&sr=1-1&keywords=12%3A19">12:19</a>
for Best Horror and <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Blog-We-Trust-Michael-Infinito-ebook/dp/B00B73YLJA/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1399863452&sr=1-1&keywords=in+blog+we+trust">In
Blog We Trust</a> for the “I’ve Been Shamyland” Award, <a href="http://michellekemperbrownlow.blogspot.com/?zx=6234878bb3a5d188">Michelle
Brownlow</a>’s <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Too-Deep-Michelle-Kemper-Brownlow-ebook/dp/B00HXXLQ28/ref=sr_1_5?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1399863643&sr=1-5&keywords=in+too+deep">In
Too Deep</a> for Best NA and Best Villain, and <a href="http://danamasonromance.com/blog/">Dana Mason</a>’s <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dangerous-Embrace-Dana-Mason-ebook/dp/B009KVHBQG/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1399863883&sr=1-1&keywords=dangerous+embrace">Dangerous
Embrace</a> for Best Romance and Best Mystery/Suspense. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrup0oZqW52KEOWnADhBMhHczQNxc-GpV8NTFrRLTIrgNeVf1gs3a3vjlKKI0wf5DtrWgqjpZB4JAClmjRXKohBtYJWs7DR2hU05Ov2iNmdDdEEPYBsNGUyxNGJKpyhltF7cgYPd7q07yL/s1600/exhausted.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrup0oZqW52KEOWnADhBMhHczQNxc-GpV8NTFrRLTIrgNeVf1gs3a3vjlKKI0wf5DtrWgqjpZB4JAClmjRXKohBtYJWs7DR2hU05Ov2iNmdDdEEPYBsNGUyxNGJKpyhltF7cgYPd7q07yL/s1600/exhausted.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A few of my Facebook friends were nominated, too, like
Kristine Cayne, Julie Richman, Julie Hartnett, and MK Harkins. Even one of the
books I edited last year got nominated for best editing, AL Jackson’s <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Forever-Comes-Regret-L-Jackson-ebook/dp/B00FB2HZ7I/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1399864067&sr=1-1&keywords=if+forever+comes+a.l.+jackson">If
Forever Comes</a>, though my name was mysteriously left off that list. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">All in all, it made my spirits rise a bit while I
battle this “profound anemia” I was diagnosed with. I feel confident that, with successful
treatment, I will be back to my old self and bugging all of you once again.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqGEVFcEbLl1ql6-KS3ufSYSMGVYqknH7S1iMwgvcSAALfT4KybnD-1lujtY1JwYsEu6QpTTN9rlR1AwoCEF8j0e9DdVVJSNxL8buhyOgyGcUuTUF-ZqEYsvsC8KB5daQIHdkpoXpvW7gB/s1600/Leverage_Ebook_Final.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqGEVFcEbLl1ql6-KS3ufSYSMGVYqknH7S1iMwgvcSAALfT4KybnD-1lujtY1JwYsEu6QpTTN9rlR1AwoCEF8j0e9DdVVJSNxL8buhyOgyGcUuTUF-ZqEYsvsC8KB5daQIHdkpoXpvW7gB/s1600/Leverage_Ebook_Final.jpg" height="320" width="211" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">And if you have the chance,
I'd LOVE to know what you think of my newly released novel, </span><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Leverage-Mistaken-Series-Nancy-Thompson-ebook/dp/B00JXPIYXS/ref=pd_sim_kstore_24?ie=UTF8&refRID=1JJE894TGV70TM4C6XZ3">Leverage</a>,
a dark romantic thriller with twists and turns galore! </div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
Nancy Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05735642863696266005noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254902043762303002.post-64774961178266961012014-05-07T02:45:00.000-07:002014-05-07T02:45:00.181-07:00IWSG - I'm BAAA-AAAACK!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6nkEwq6lLQ98qAhomCYE1g6h2qpykprR7jCGkFuadLRMSZy1VYNArXOltJZB6KFHX-7_qWMfefHADAlzmLLt3xThefdH0nka8nw74hyphenhyphenpDQ9j4f3EdlUnPI7fN5xwvqaEWMKjEO1Pq9YlE/s1600/InsecureWritersSupportGroupPic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6nkEwq6lLQ98qAhomCYE1g6h2qpykprR7jCGkFuadLRMSZy1VYNArXOltJZB6KFHX-7_qWMfefHADAlzmLLt3xThefdH0nka8nw74hyphenhyphenpDQ9j4f3EdlUnPI7fN5xwvqaEWMKjEO1Pq9YlE/s1600/InsecureWritersSupportGroupPic.jpg" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
It’s the first
Wednesday of the month, time for<br />
<a href="http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/">Alex
J. Cavanaugh</a>’s <a href="http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/p/the-insecure-writers-support-group.html">Insecure
Writer’s Support Group</a>!</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Wow, it’s been so long, and I’ve missed you all SO much
during my rather lengthy hiatus, but it was unavoidable and proved to be very
valuable time spent. The biggest news to
come out of my prolonged absence? </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsIHu3RNM6UVVyQYNd1v1yKqh2jcXer1Re90HwJe6Nk_KliQjXTVx4SpZDhh1d9QUB9uCPffWbs8a0GzF6bFwCYDthKLIzIRl_3Il1YXYZYOgQ4pNuWpR3cStzHMNzwi6flDj0oDdAp3T8/s1600/I+Did+It.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsIHu3RNM6UVVyQYNd1v1yKqh2jcXer1Re90HwJe6Nk_KliQjXTVx4SpZDhh1d9QUB9uCPffWbs8a0GzF6bFwCYDthKLIzIRl_3Il1YXYZYOgQ4pNuWpR3cStzHMNzwi6flDj0oDdAp3T8/s1600/I+Did+It.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b>I published my second novel!</b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now, this was no easy feat. Once I signed with a small press
for my first title, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009R3SYC2/">The Mistaken</a>,
I was excited to get started on the sequel. Unfortunately, the stars don’t
often align and I was disappointed when my publisher closed to all submissions
due to the tough economy. That sidetracked me on many levels. I had to take up
ALL the slack on promoting my first book while trying to focus on finishing the
second, another dark romantic thriller called <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00JXPIYXS">Leverage</a>. And since it’s a
sequel, trying to sell it to another publisher seemed unlikely, so I jumped
into the indie pool and self-published Leverage. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL_REyWZd2-LmVPqM6hpDuo8zrs3inIWYwttAlTBBAb7GRKZpKsYWWB_UDhcJXkQLJVi-WAtgHIHIvdAS6IWCr7rSs7hMt70Y-j3HGkcBVU97tWyExHwiRjtSbWp2W9IzOE21XEltfXJaV/s1600/KDP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL_REyWZd2-LmVPqM6hpDuo8zrs3inIWYwttAlTBBAb7GRKZpKsYWWB_UDhcJXkQLJVi-WAtgHIHIvdAS6IWCr7rSs7hMt70Y-j3HGkcBVU97tWyExHwiRjtSbWp2W9IzOE21XEltfXJaV/s1600/KDP.jpg" height="102" width="320" /></a>Of course, that’s no easy task when you’re a novice with no
extra money. At least, as an editor myself, I knew that aspect was pretty much
under control, though I did have an editor friend of mine give it a once over. But
I had to do all the formatting myself. Now, for the paperback, it was no
problem, but the ebook was something else altogether. I didn’t want to just put
my baby through a grinder. I wanted it properly indexed and validated across
all venues, so doing all that code stuff was a tad daunting.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqia2UA8JYQnYDKvmHS2GdaTF1xNcnPIRDgpeanV3MwIAWsPUw8_atbnGRE_V25TdW2G0dP4k93RgVb7GaXETkgZ9NpIIcuxrME4zjpzrWwU_hr5FtWiRHEos4Jeo3_QAgUgxkef-2Zcm6/s1600/Leverage+PB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqia2UA8JYQnYDKvmHS2GdaTF1xNcnPIRDgpeanV3MwIAWsPUw8_atbnGRE_V25TdW2G0dP4k93RgVb7GaXETkgZ9NpIIcuxrME4zjpzrWwU_hr5FtWiRHEos4Jeo3_QAgUgxkef-2Zcm6/s1600/Leverage+PB.jpg" height="223" width="320" /></a></div>
Next, the cover! I had commissioned original artwork, but
the timing didn’t work out, so I went the stock photo route and prayed <a href="http://www.forwardauthority.com/">Carrie Butler at Forward Authority
Design Services</a> could help me out, and boy did she ever! Just look at this
puppy! Obviously, this is the paperback cover. The ebook consists of the front
portion only.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">Isn't it Purty?!!</span></b></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_td9vWNm9ftCOkCfRWDbSY_XwZ0fm4hsnD1GoLZT9eNa2g-q_tXneB8Kn-XOshZZiSbtSgSIXYM-_bB_2oJ8qGcN6cbi7fkNmE8rLLE_GCh1l_7jOzshADimlvgIPtXHQ8ioi41tTox9-/s1600/CB-FA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_td9vWNm9ftCOkCfRWDbSY_XwZ0fm4hsnD1GoLZT9eNa2g-q_tXneB8Kn-XOshZZiSbtSgSIXYM-_bB_2oJ8qGcN6cbi7fkNmE8rLLE_GCh1l_7jOzshADimlvgIPtXHQ8ioi41tTox9-/s1600/CB-FA.jpg" height="132" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
I seriously couldn’t be happier. <a href="http://soyoureawriter.blogspot.com/">Carrie Butler</a> produced exactly
what I asked for and in record time, which was important because, while I had said I would launch May 20<sup>th</sup> so it would coincide with my first blog tour, I needed to release on Amazon Kindle by May 1<sup>st</sup> if I wanted to enter <a href="https://www.thekindlebookreview.net/2014-best-kindle-book-awards/">Kindle Book Review’s 2014 Best Kindle Book Awards</a>. And WHEW, I made it!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimVClm_F1K_zmX8XzEQwKuI4xnDXnjE_uYzKmjs19yeRpjUWClFqxOiNCVxbvZErwZcCdkvVqrQomlvx6XnTfSFJ8g_hQjkfuE2r4sv0aa7lF6f9stm0ffmFSGzBwly-7zP9Qn0m8nQrsj/s1600/KBR+2014+Best+Kindle+Book+Awards.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimVClm_F1K_zmX8XzEQwKuI4xnDXnjE_uYzKmjs19yeRpjUWClFqxOiNCVxbvZErwZcCdkvVqrQomlvx6XnTfSFJ8g_hQjkfuE2r4sv0aa7lF6f9stm0ffmFSGzBwly-7zP9Qn0m8nQrsj/s1600/KBR+2014+Best+Kindle+Book+Awards.jpg" height="118" width="320" /></a>While I do have to spend some time this week listing it on
Kobo and Barnes & Noble, I feel pretty good. The early reviews are
outstanding and, so far, I have a perfect 5-star rating on Amazon. Even <a href="http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009R3SYC2/">The Mistaken</a> still rates 4.6
stars on 115 reviews. I’m doing okay and look forward to my first tour in a few
weeks. And hey, if you’re interested in joining the tour, <a href="http://www.bookplugpromotions.com/">Book Plug Promotions</a> has prepared
<a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/14VB3TSp3PnsoCGu6dNa2cqGGMx2iQVXriGOaFGANSrk/viewform">this
Google Doc for sign-ups</a>. I hope it’s still open, but I’m not entirely sure.
I do have another coming up August, so if you’re interested in that one,
contact <a href="http://www.inkslingerpr.com/">Nazarea Andrews at Inkslinger PR</a>. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV8FtHNLuQPo6J-2Hdhqw6mt9OyC7GVP0l7e02eE7Uycyvq4a21hoWY5JXwJEnOxZku-r1iCkkHs0h7xd_rXs3HEKvmV8ACbBVcIvWvWy0QUpl5xkGWuYqjkqsWBDzKyYX63d6luUObFv2/s1600/Be+your+own+hero.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV8FtHNLuQPo6J-2Hdhqw6mt9OyC7GVP0l7e02eE7Uycyvq4a21hoWY5JXwJEnOxZku-r1iCkkHs0h7xd_rXs3HEKvmV8ACbBVcIvWvWy0QUpl5xkGWuYqjkqsWBDzKyYX63d6luUObFv2/s1600/Be+your+own+hero.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Okay, you might be wondering what my point is here. Well, as
I’ve lamented here before, I find all this publishing stuff, especially the
marketing, immensely intimidating, but, with the help of my, many of whom I’ve
met here, I’ve more than just muddled through. I still have a long way to go,
but, geez, if I can do it, anyone can!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Nancy Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05735642863696266005noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254902043762303002.post-32026247646209942792014-01-14T11:05:00.000-08:002014-01-14T11:05:08.106-08:00Giveaway & Cover Reveal: A Good Man's Life<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP2OioQYwlUUgXUchMRc7Dmhy9Aa7dTbY561PuAVNclJj7CAOMnkXo5p8GNIbkvOv-9DgL5X-wL5sPAmAQxsxzHk1Rsrjs-AcWnFf-sHLwwLS8WFdDCqYS4PnAghwAzUIKsWT9gVL3E2IT/s1600/AGML_0370cropped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP2OioQYwlUUgXUchMRc7Dmhy9Aa7dTbY561PuAVNclJj7CAOMnkXo5p8GNIbkvOv-9DgL5X-wL5sPAmAQxsxzHk1Rsrjs-AcWnFf-sHLwwLS8WFdDCqYS4PnAghwAzUIKsWT9gVL3E2IT/s320/AGML_0370cropped.jpg" width="245" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Synopsis:<br />
<br />
Daniel Nash struggles to reconcile his feelings of betrayal with his desire to understand his life. His hopes of uncovering the secrets revealed in his father’s journals are quickly dashed, and he works with a private investigator to discover the truth. Worry about his wife, Sarah, combines with his efforts to cope with his childhood trauma, an unexpected death, and the recent revelations. His obsession with the past threatens to destroy his stable life. Meanwhile, Sarah and her father, Tristan, continue to combat the lingering discord that developed between them years before but refuse to take their main focus from Daniel. As he reviews his biological father’s efforts to be a good man, Daniel searches for a way to comprehend shocking disclosures. He questions his own goodness as he fights not to emotionally withdraw from those around him, especially the two people he knows will always love him, Sarah and Tristan. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5254902043762303002" name="_GoBack"><br /></a></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibks8MaVfgN4mo28ciLenyxWH7G4e_AzxeXTC5tNvXlk7MfclexJ3_y9SCC8gVKBKW94YreWDZ4QDdqZXUb-vrL8DofHUt2keQhLKEbnriK4uq4UgVH9Z5UvvC7HGpMqaBIIQEzsCeVgLv/s1600/AGML+Giveaway+Announcement.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibks8MaVfgN4mo28ciLenyxWH7G4e_AzxeXTC5tNvXlk7MfclexJ3_y9SCC8gVKBKW94YreWDZ4QDdqZXUb-vrL8DofHUt2keQhLKEbnriK4uq4UgVH9Z5UvvC7HGpMqaBIIQEzsCeVgLv/s320/AGML+Giveaway+Announcement.jpg" width="250" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
To celebrate Barbara's new cover and forthcoming release, she's holding an awesome giveaway! </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/6187913/" id="rc-6187913" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Excerpt:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="NoSpacing" style="text-indent: .3in;">
Although he felt Tristan’s arm go
around his shoulders, Daniel kept studying the stars for several minutes. Finally, he allowed himself to be pulled
against Tristan’s chest. Neither man
spoke. Neither man moved.</div>
<div class="NoSpacing" style="text-indent: .3in;">
“I’m a poor substitute for Max,”
Tristan offered. “I wish there was more
I could say or do for you.”</div>
<div class="NoSpacing" style="text-indent: .3in;">
“You do fine,” Daniel insisted, as
he shifted slightly and listened to the leather on his jacket move in
tandem. “You do better than Max if you
want to know the truth. You may not be a
therapist, but you’re more of a father than he ever was.”</div>
<div class="NoSpacing" style="text-indent: .3in;">
“He loved you, Dan.”</div>
<div class="NoSpacing" style="text-indent: .3in;">
“I know. He was an okay father, but he can’t compare
to you, Tris. It’s not the same.”</div>
<div class="NoSpacing" style="text-indent: .3in;">
“I’m honored.”</div>
<div class="NoSpacing" style="text-indent: .3in;">
“Don’t die on me any time soon,
Tris. Mom and Lillian are gone. Max is gone.
I don’t want to lose any more parents for at least another five decades
or so.”</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
</div>
<div class="NoSpacing" style="text-indent: .3in;">
“I’ll do my best,” he vowed,
wrapping a hand around the side of Daniel’s head in a paternal gesture. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=5254902043762303002" name="_GoBack"><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></a></div>
</div>
Nancy Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05735642863696266005noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254902043762303002.post-67746709228176985122014-01-13T12:00:00.001-08:002014-01-13T12:07:57.969-08:00The Dauntless Authors Giveaway!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-size: large;">Join <a href="https://www.facebook.com/Bedauntless" target="_blank">The Dauntless Authors</a> for a giveaway for 2 $25 Amazon Giftcards during the week of January 13. Throughout the week they'll also be giving away TONS of ebooks at their <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/702070269832613/" target="_blank">Facebook Party</a>!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNAmRqr4EgYID_3ycjyB__t2HdoayIlcUQUjNy0xCz2MrFbcVrDeS7hyphenhyphenIH0-Zjc6j068GP-KipaC6OljA5cvhZT3_jRWOdozofigkdAzkCKe_26ZgthiIF3IPT0wguY-QIt1djpXPzk3ka/s1600/Dauntless-authors-giveaway-graphic-small.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNAmRqr4EgYID_3ycjyB__t2HdoayIlcUQUjNy0xCz2MrFbcVrDeS7hyphenhyphenIH0-Zjc6j068GP-KipaC6OljA5cvhZT3_jRWOdozofigkdAzkCKe_26ZgthiIF3IPT0wguY-QIt1djpXPzk3ka/s400/Dauntless-authors-giveaway-graphic-small.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b style="font-size: x-large;"><u>Team Dauntless:</u></b></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Kate Avery Ellison </span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span><span style="font-size: large;"></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Nancy S Thompson</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Wendy Knight</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Amber Argyle</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">RaShelle Workman</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Elle Strauss</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
</span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Megg Jensen</span></div>
<span style="font-size: large;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
Angela Corbett</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Cindy Hogan</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Christy Dorrity</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Rachel Morgan</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Shantal Hiatt</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5lOOreEopjsbx4TfBh6ivg-wcka2-WqaZpZiR1IsgYLEoZyYdNImi58PIh5xrnhps5ipnJeoT10XXxjYuE9bwpbqRWqBjHPF9ya1aRElMh2wDz4Qimw2YZpWiCCVycdd7cB4Of7KvwFNr/s1600/Dauntless+Collage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5lOOreEopjsbx4TfBh6ivg-wcka2-WqaZpZiR1IsgYLEoZyYdNImi58PIh5xrnhps5ipnJeoT10XXxjYuE9bwpbqRWqBjHPF9ya1aRElMh2wDz4Qimw2YZpWiCCVycdd7cB4Of7KvwFNr/s640/Dauntless+Collage.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</span></div>
</div>
<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/346d3615/" id="rc-346d3615" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script>
</div>
Nancy Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05735642863696266005noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254902043762303002.post-73066077722735746872014-01-08T02:00:00.000-08:002014-01-08T02:00:02.198-08:00IWSG: Success!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9P5N4VR9bIKQDnMxnx7RrRVXRPowGNGRgKBs4i9tIUNrF6vUayhzjuY9-TO2nlQROszH6KRyANF9ksrziZPybaTqpNnBBZ2FpxWLu-sow3AGOIeyZVJYUE5KuGhqGi0e84Ay47Vl4EV5B/s1600/InsecureWritersSupportGroupPic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9P5N4VR9bIKQDnMxnx7RrRVXRPowGNGRgKBs4i9tIUNrF6vUayhzjuY9-TO2nlQROszH6KRyANF9ksrziZPybaTqpNnBBZ2FpxWLu-sow3AGOIeyZVJYUE5KuGhqGi0e84Ay47Vl4EV5B/s1600/InsecureWritersSupportGroupPic.jpg" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
It’s the first…er…second
Wednesday of the month. </div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Time for <a href="http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/p/the-insecure-writers-support-group.html">Alex
J. Cavanaugh’s Insecure Writer’s Support Group</a>.</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: 20.0pt;">HAPPY NEW YEAR!</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC5MJ-dJN-FnOIcH8PL3WmKCSiZhMZmJp1DyUUS2vdk3xob9NE3MVrBKR0coTwaGiEZTiB8fKCWEBJ9yuVoXh2B4hGI2-Ej4CUGQjCqj3qMlY0eZy1PdueNkCh1duZdtvW7delIU_TyO15/s1600/HNY+2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC5MJ-dJN-FnOIcH8PL3WmKCSiZhMZmJp1DyUUS2vdk3xob9NE3MVrBKR0coTwaGiEZTiB8fKCWEBJ9yuVoXh2B4hGI2-Ej4CUGQjCqj3qMlY0eZy1PdueNkCh1duZdtvW7delIU_TyO15/s1600/HNY+2014.jpg" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s been a very busy time for me lately. I finally finished my second book, Leverage,
the sequel to my first, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mistaken-Nancy-S-Thompson-ebook/dp/B009R3SYC2/ref=la_B009R9Z3Y8_1_1_bnp_1_kin?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1389132682&sr=1-1">The
Mistaken</a>, and I must say, even
though I haven’t gotten a whole lot back yet from my CPs (it’s only been a
couple days after all), I do feel pretty good about it. What they have said is they can’t put it
down, so I’m feeling pretty solid. No
rookie mistakes this time around. And
where most of my reviewers called The Mistaken a rollercoaster, Leverage is more of an amped-on-steroids rocket ride. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Speaking of The Mistaken, November was a rather dreary month
for sales. Most all of my author friends
had the same complaint, so I felt in good company. But I decided it was time for a shot to the
arm, so I placed it on sale for 99¢ for five days in early December to
celebrate turning 50. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgodmCTFoFYmEF2Q7ytbIEzRnGPQy3fd23-T6FGmTdE8exZNCi6VfOhxgaS_ZBXUL39BEhOZ9MtlXk68FFJAfWCQfKqYHmIGdwaA9Ji0GbaejPUYbVIxsx1TOYcKN9MSweVA1Pk9vWJ-s4I/s1600/No+87+Amazon+Bestseller.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgodmCTFoFYmEF2Q7ytbIEzRnGPQy3fd23-T6FGmTdE8exZNCi6VfOhxgaS_ZBXUL39BEhOZ9MtlXk68FFJAfWCQfKqYHmIGdwaA9Ji0GbaejPUYbVIxsx1TOYcKN9MSweVA1Pk9vWJ-s4I/s1600/No+87+Amazon+Bestseller.PNG" height="180" width="320" /></a>Prior to that, I’d applied for a very expensive BookBub ad
to run on the 4<sup>th</sup> day of my sale and was accepted, but it was well worth
the price. The Mistaken went as low as
#87 overall out of all Amazon Kindle ebooks.
I made several bestseller and top-rated lists and have managed to hold
on to two of them so far. And while it’s
slowly creeping back up in rank, it’s still in a nice, comfortable range, so
mission accomplished! <br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE8DQSfvBdyvBeWLkTrUylWqdsfqfsc9UUC8eP8Q4g4yjwFIEQAtvOChdj2WGSpDXMPDJqcIISeLdewJWtEJzmlUHCMmM3A37ESIqCKE91A20M4lXBzgVclyR4O4bZUSJ_L-htWiH0AgWY/s1600/amazon+audible.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE8DQSfvBdyvBeWLkTrUylWqdsfqfsc9UUC8eP8Q4g4yjwFIEQAtvOChdj2WGSpDXMPDJqcIISeLdewJWtEJzmlUHCMmM3A37ESIqCKE91A20M4lXBzgVclyR4O4bZUSJ_L-htWiH0AgWY/s1600/amazon+audible.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Also very exciting, The Mistaken audiobook was finally
released by <a href="http://www.cherryhillpublishing.com/Bookstore/337-the-mistaken-9781620792384.html">Cherry
Hill Publishing</a> and can now be found on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Mistaken-Nancy-S-Thompson/dp/1620792389/ref=tmm_abk_title_0">Amazon,</a>
<a href="http://www.audible.com/pd/Mysteries-Thrillers/The-Mistaken-Audiobook/B00HHDAZRG">Audible</a>,
and <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/audiobook/the-mistaken-unabridged/id790265999" target="_blank">iTunes</a>. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYSv_Hau596YZFOvFrhvqR4MrHvaPdeNjXUQFKPGUz6xn1zizY1U4agy2QOmwAhg_AnKvhzTDFribbZt7U-3IPpfvDIYtaGforHrgZ7VCkQQNmf2sPCdRI0MMc-0gHH3odhVYWBlk8rFgj/s1600/itunes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYSv_Hau596YZFOvFrhvqR4MrHvaPdeNjXUQFKPGUz6xn1zizY1U4agy2QOmwAhg_AnKvhzTDFribbZt7U-3IPpfvDIYtaGforHrgZ7VCkQQNmf2sPCdRI0MMc-0gHH3odhVYWBlk8rFgj/s1600/itunes.jpg" height="115" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
My point to all this?
Well, in this rather sucky business of publishing, it’s always an uphill
battle and can be downright depressing at times. But don’t give up. Figure out how to deal with it and move
forward. There are a lot people out
there in the same boat or who’ve experienced the same thing and have managed to
pull through it. Ask them for
advice. I bet they’d be only too willing
to help out. That’s how I was able to
experience success last month. I’ve
found that all of my author friends are very Pay-It-Forward people. It’s how we stay sane in an industry that
will eat you alive if you’re not willing to play. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRI3xQ5XDGPVcSDNzW-BSkFld7gacRSmlJZ31eZBwQmxIYgiEhtGAmOZP4zgZiZAnFZuk2_LTAMZPC5cQQiLxS7tPwYwWSyZ56D_zW1QeZv785Gvu7SEG3pou6tZDesYM3RQKAwyor-2Rp/s1600/helping+hands.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRI3xQ5XDGPVcSDNzW-BSkFld7gacRSmlJZ31eZBwQmxIYgiEhtGAmOZP4zgZiZAnFZuk2_LTAMZPC5cQQiLxS7tPwYwWSyZ56D_zW1QeZv785Gvu7SEG3pou6tZDesYM3RQKAwyor-2Rp/s1600/helping+hands.jpg" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Nancy Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05735642863696266005noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254902043762303002.post-40587132561401195402013-12-11T02:00:00.000-08:002013-12-11T02:00:01.082-08:00Jane Lark's 12 Days of Christmas Tour<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<img alt="12 Days Banner Final" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4533" height="150" src="http://bestchicklit.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/12-Days-Banner-Final.jpg" width="600" />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Welcome to the 12 Days of Christmas Tour with <a href="http://www.janelark.co.uk/" target="_blank">Jane Lark. </a></b></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
After signing with publisher <a href="http://www.harperimpulseromance.com/authors/jane-lark" target="_blank">Harper Impulse</a>, Jane, author of the smash-hit <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=Jane+Lark&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3AJane+Lark" target="_blank">Marlow Intrigues series</a>, has decided to end 2013 with a bang! She’s gathered together some of the industry’s best authors to create one enormous Christmas giveaway.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The huge prize is made up of more than 30 books, a combination of signed paperbacks and eBooks, and two gorgeous book bags. It’s the perfect early Christmas present for any bookworm and all you’ve got to do to win is feast your eyes on the details below and enter via the Rafflecopter . . .</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
To kick off the prizes, Jane is giving away copies of her much loved <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Illicit-Love-Courtesan-HarperImpulse-ebook/dp/B00F240EKU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1385296492&sr=8-1&keywords=Jane+Lark" target="_blank">The Illicit Love of a Courtesan</a> and its highly anticipated follow-up <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Passionate-Love-Rake-HarperImpulse-ebook/dp/B00FVE4RXG/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1385296710&sr=8-3&keywords=Jane+Lark" target="_blank">The Passionate Love of a Rake</a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="NEWBookCoverQuote_IllicitLove" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-4538" height="300" src="http://bestchicklit.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/NEWBookCoverQuote_IllicitLove-216x300.jpg" width="216" /> <img alt="NEWBookCover_PassionateLove" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-4537" height="300" src="http://bestchicklit.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/NEWBookCover_PassionateLove-216x300.jpg" width="216" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
Jane's books have been a huge hit with fans, leading to an ever-increasing fan base and comments such as: "<em>Jane Lark has an amazing talent to draw the reader in from the first page onwards</em>." ~ <strong>CosmoChickLitan</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
And to celebrate her upcoming December release of NA novel <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Found-You-HarperImpulse-Adult-Romance-ebook/dp/B00GFD7I0G/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1385296779&sr=8-5&keywords=Jane+Lark" target="_blank">I Found You</a>, you could also win a unique rucksack.</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
The book is already causing excitement among readers and looks set to be the must-read NA of 2014.</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="IMG_1140[1]" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-4535" height="300" src="http://bestchicklit.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/IMG_11401-e1385297119307-225x300.jpg" width="225" /> <img alt="NEWBookCover_IFoundYou" class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-4536" height="300" src="http://bestchicklit.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/NEWBookCover_IFoundYou-216x300.jpg" width="216" /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
But that's not all folks! As if Jane's books weren't enough, check out the other amazing books included in the prize pot, you're sure to find one or two of your fav authors getting involved . . .</div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img alt="12 Days of Christmas TP" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4642" height="1000" src="http://bestchicklit.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/12-Days-of-Christmas-TP-1.jpg" width="600" /></div>
<img alt="12 Days of Christmas TP2" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4530" height="300" src="http://bestchicklit.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/12-Days-of-Christmas-TP21.jpg" width="600" />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Entry to Jane Lark's 12 Days of Christmas giveaway extravaganza is easy, just follow the authors on Facebook or Twitter, plus maybe give the comp a shout-out tweet (or two) all via the Rafflecopter below and you're golden. But don't forget to keep your fingers crossed too!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/4a377230/" id="rc-4a377230" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><br /></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Please take a moment to read through the giveaway terms and conditions:</strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<strong><br /></strong></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">This is an international giveaway.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Signed paperbacks are to be sent from the authors themselves. Jane Lark, BestChickLit and/or any authors involved accept no responsibility for delivery failures. The winner must be open to accepting eBooks in any format i.e. Kindle copies and via iTunes voucher, from different sources. In the event of .mobi copies, the winner must have an Amazon Kindle account and be prepared to add selected addresses as approved emails on their Personal Document settings.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;">Some of the books involved in the giveaway contain adult and sexual content and this should be taken into consideration before reading. Jane Lark, BestChickLit, Harper Impulse and any of the participating authors are free to amend any of the giveaway details at any time.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Good luck!</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
Nancy Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05735642863696266005noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254902043762303002.post-41635707204819707472013-12-04T02:00:00.000-08:002013-12-04T02:00:04.448-08:00IWSG: Holding On<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKHv8y0UP74w1uPZyZgPJCff49GnylAIkUTZ2x7w6Dbktkvnejvao5deC1wF2phj4HH6HubuoESikGDCSPd98FhrzchIZRoTDBQr8ic399PmbiBBXqxNd4DIPFHgdOZP5jRBj31GnGPj-b/s1600/InsecureWritersSupportGroupPic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKHv8y0UP74w1uPZyZgPJCff49GnylAIkUTZ2x7w6Dbktkvnejvao5deC1wF2phj4HH6HubuoESikGDCSPd98FhrzchIZRoTDBQr8ic399PmbiBBXqxNd4DIPFHgdOZP5jRBj31GnGPj-b/s1600/InsecureWritersSupportGroupPic.jpg" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
It’s the first
Wednesday of the month. </div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Time for <a href="http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/p/the-insecure-writers-support-group.html">Alex
J. Cavanaugh’s Insecure Writer’s Support Group</a>.</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
When times get tough, I latch on to the smallest of things to
help me through, to make me feel better until things actually<i> get</i> better. That’s the way it’s been for the last three
weeks or so. Sales are sluggish to the
point of being non-existent at times.
It’s hard to remain optimistic when I see that everyday.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3H0nHnei701U6hmHYNnsrX_PM1xjiU83H7VNRoYfrqfdddNAVL6O6SYcZIhpjZmqF_ZTIRUg0NFCrL0gH7ofRABBNwHVlc8OiiHICZmq4Pz87MAs4SdTRJwBXE0xRhVwboDWe4b5M4K73/s1600/CHP.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3H0nHnei701U6hmHYNnsrX_PM1xjiU83H7VNRoYfrqfdddNAVL6O6SYcZIhpjZmqF_ZTIRUg0NFCrL0gH7ofRABBNwHVlc8OiiHICZmq4Pz87MAs4SdTRJwBXE0xRhVwboDWe4b5M4K73/s320/CHP.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
But amidst it all, there is always something that seems to
brighten even the darkest of my professional days. Yes, sales are lagging recently, but I just
got word that my audiobook will be launched the week of Christmas. It will go on sale first at <a href="http://www.cherryhillpublishing.com/">Cherry Hill Publishing</a> then go
live on Amazon right after that, then on to Audible and iTunes shortly
thereafter. Seriously, I can’t express
how exciting that is for me. In fact,
you can sample the audiotrailer <a href="http://www.cherryhillpublishing.com/Audio%20Demos/TheMistaken%20-%20Audiotrailer.mp3" target="_blank">here</a> if you’re interested.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWiRNhC6qp8p5OtFAvuTwMFMZZRn5a7L89-bAwEHd4-nPbiD9oEOccJLK5Eg6odvTGBpj-c2Zt3HovQYv9wDBwtuNyoGBSRdXsv5X69OkvMnH4rVejJ2L7683JPTv5bcGTRud4i_sJAkMe/s1600/The+Mistaken+99+cents+banner2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWiRNhC6qp8p5OtFAvuTwMFMZZRn5a7L89-bAwEHd4-nPbiD9oEOccJLK5Eg6odvTGBpj-c2Zt3HovQYv9wDBwtuNyoGBSRdXsv5X69OkvMnH4rVejJ2L7683JPTv5bcGTRud4i_sJAkMe/s320/The+Mistaken+99+cents+banner2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
And while, being traditionally published, I don’t have much
control over my own book, my publisher has agreed to a 99¢ sale on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Mistaken-ebook/dp/B009R3SYC2/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1381345505&sr=1-1&keywords=the+mistaken&tag=smarturl-20">The
Mistaken</a> from December 6<sup>th</sup> through the 9th, so I’m optimistic
things will improve on that front. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
To top it all off, tomorrow, December 5<sup>th</sup>, is my
birthday, but not just any birthday.
It’s my 50<sup>th</sup>. A half
century. A whole new demographic. I’m not sure if that’s good or bad, if I
should party or cry, but I can tell you, my friends and family have already or
are planning to make tomorrow a very special day. What more could I possibly ask for? <br />
<br />
Oh, yeah, one last thing, if you're interested, I'll be over at <a href="http://dauntlessauthors.blogspot.com/">Dauntless</a> tomorrow, December 5th with a post on The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly of the publishing business, so stop on by and say hi! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
</div>
Nancy Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05735642863696266005noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254902043762303002.post-59107512625131242042013-11-11T03:00:00.000-08:002013-11-11T09:51:17.193-08:00Tag, You're It Blog Hop!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs7Gj4g32_m4wmR3PQaAwbCJfavUbFhk2-TwYhI0jR7_FODOe712AvdDBIC3J6BTdohMrF2ySFeEWDmxJWL2orsBSfeoSbwXgkGKpg-iPZEFx51gijZRaIBW5P3_ROJqNUtkSUP0JAOYNK/s1600/Tag+your're+it+frog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs7Gj4g32_m4wmR3PQaAwbCJfavUbFhk2-TwYhI0jR7_FODOe712AvdDBIC3J6BTdohMrF2ySFeEWDmxJWL2orsBSfeoSbwXgkGKpg-iPZEFx51gijZRaIBW5P3_ROJqNUtkSUP0JAOYNK/s1600/Tag+your're+it+frog.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As you all know, I’ve been on hiatus for a quite some time,
but every once in a while, I like to drop in and leave a little breadcrumb, so
you all know I’m still alive. While I’m
still super busy writing and editing, I was tagged last week by fellow romantic
suspense author <a href="http://www.robynroze.com/2013/11/08/blog-hop/">Robyn
Roze</a> for the Tag, You’re It Blog Hop.
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This is an easy one, just answer 4 questions then tag 3
others. All right, here goes…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ol start="1" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal">What
are you working on right now?</li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
Amidst all the edit jobs and
critiques, I’m frantically trying to finish the last quarter of my second
novel, LEVERAGE, a sequel to my romantic psychological thriller, <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Mistaken-ebook/dp/B009R3SYC2/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1381345505&sr=1-1&keywords=the+mistaken&tag=smarturl-20">The
Mistaken</a></i>. Not an easy job when I
never planned on writing the first one to begin with, let alone setting it up
so I could plot a second. Plus, my
readers expect the same level of excitement or even higher, so I’m really
revving it up big time in this next book.
Sure, there’s a lot more sex and violence, but also lots of twists. That kind of plotting is difficult to pull
off, and I want it to be perfect, so I’m not the 2-books-a-year kind-of-author,
but it’ll be worth the wait, I promise!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ol start="2" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal">How
does it differ from other work in its genre?</li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
Both <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Mistaken-ebook/dp/B009R3SYC2/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1381345505&sr=1-1&keywords=the+mistaken&tag=smarturl-20">The
Mistaken</a></i> and LEVERAGE are thrillers, but they’re definitely not your
usual fare of cops and detectives or spies and conspiracies. No sleuthing here or end-of-the-world
scenario, just a regular family thrown into the very depths of hell, trying to
save themselves without succumbing to the same type of evil that put them
there. I try to write characters readers
can relate to. I can’t tell you how sick
I am of über-rich, fantastically good-looking alpha
males and the weak-kneed damsels who fall for them. Please!
It’s so cliché. Give me a regular
blue-collar guy with a mortgage and a kid in college and I’ll thrown flaming poisoned
darts at his head and try my best to crush his life. But I do include a great deal of romance and
the forces that try to destroy that, so even romance readers will find
something they can love.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ol start="3" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal">Why do
you write?</li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
When I wrote <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Mistaken-ebook/dp/B009R3SYC2/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1381345505&sr=1-1&keywords=the+mistaken&tag=smarturl-20">The
Mistaken</a></i>, it was out of boredom, mostly, since the ragged economy had nearly
destroyed my design business, but there definitely was that voice or muse that
whispered in my ear, so I just went along for the ride. LEVERAGE has been different, more of a
challenge to see if I could do it again.
Plus, I fell in love with these people—um, I mean, characters—and I want
to see where they go next. I write now
because I’ve discovered how much I love and enjoy it, and I’m not half bad at
it either, so why the hell not?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<ol start="4" style="margin-top: 0in;" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormal">How
does your writing process work?</li>
</ol>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
Typically, something sparks an
idea. I then take notes which eventually
form into an outline. But that outline
will turn more into a handwritten first draft without much dialogue and
absolutely no setting, just the bones of the scene and segue into the next
chapter. Once that’s done, or nearly so
as in the case of LEVERAGE, I sit with that outline and just…write! I fill in the blanks, add setting and
dialogue, then sprinkle in backstory. I
don’t edit until I’m done, but I will send chapters off to my CPs and betas to
get an idea if it worked for them or not.
Once I’m done writing and I get all chapters back from my CPs, I’ll edit
the crap out of it, rinse and repeat until it’s all sparkly. Before publishing, I brainstorm and gather
what I need for cover art and typography, blog tours and reviews, and the all dreaded
marketing. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Okay, so now to tag a few of my own. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNonEpMzAPiNFP5JJ2wzatQNXdZ9aQ4mstYeTTP4kj7n7ycLOklgjg3SVQQ2X1FU4av1LzbapJpsOGji_RwWaXopcFcyWG4s9NskcZVwMKI9ndPmpriLcFTr_xvAqJq7HNKSM_gvO5xzD1/s1600/Tag%252C+you%2527re+it.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNonEpMzAPiNFP5JJ2wzatQNXdZ9aQ4mstYeTTP4kj7n7ycLOklgjg3SVQQ2X1FU4av1LzbapJpsOGji_RwWaXopcFcyWG4s9NskcZVwMKI9ndPmpriLcFTr_xvAqJq7HNKSM_gvO5xzD1/s1600/Tag%252C+you%2527re+it.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Let’s see, how about…</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<a href="http://michellekemperbrownlow.blogspot.com/">Michelle Kemper Brownlow</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<a href="http://danamasonromance.com/">Dana Mason</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in;">
<a href="http://danadelamar.blogspot.com/">Dana Delamar</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Have fun!<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
Nancy Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05735642863696266005noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254902043762303002.post-39656874423737817882013-11-06T02:00:00.000-08:002013-11-06T02:00:02.967-08:00IWSG: In Loving Arms<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5FTmkkx87vGja2-xnnNrmtTMD-tR0x8gFLuFzRtawzlu5CyfLaNzW6Hf-cmRE17ZtBs4YUOSkvv1q4npuZvHz0uqD2_OW2HuOgYZPZonYLy_tvCAJZZlf_K0TZ-2Pq4vIEBLkOMiPr8Xr/s1600/InsecureWritersSupportGroupPic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5FTmkkx87vGja2-xnnNrmtTMD-tR0x8gFLuFzRtawzlu5CyfLaNzW6Hf-cmRE17ZtBs4YUOSkvv1q4npuZvHz0uqD2_OW2HuOgYZPZonYLy_tvCAJZZlf_K0TZ-2Pq4vIEBLkOMiPr8Xr/s1600/InsecureWritersSupportGroupPic.jpg" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
It’s the first
Wednesday of the month. </div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Time for <a href="http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/p/the-insecure-writers-support-group.html">Alex
J. Cavanaugh’s Insecure Writer’s Support Group</a>.</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBSrAxXKIRne0Nv-7m2Ps-kN3cFUbezzM8La_V6ta6sMZA5ZYvZdxz6L-dwiajCiLc9z7j6qoPOaq7b_2kf4__vofb6zn02belDvR4DqXKPdmljQ4j2m7TA5PWUoUvUtLim21oOqFxe77y/s1600/In+loving+arms+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBSrAxXKIRne0Nv-7m2Ps-kN3cFUbezzM8La_V6ta6sMZA5ZYvZdxz6L-dwiajCiLc9z7j6qoPOaq7b_2kf4__vofb6zn02belDvR4DqXKPdmljQ4j2m7TA5PWUoUvUtLim21oOqFxe77y/s1600/In+loving+arms+1.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m gonna keep this relatively short and sweet today. I learned a good lesson Monday. You see, I went like five or six days
straight without an ebook sale on Amazon, the one place where I can track my
progress, or lack thereof. I’ve learned
over the last year not to get all bent out of shape when I get a bad review,
and luckily, I haven’t had very many to react to. But when my Amazon sales rank skyrockets, I
get worried. When it soared to the upper
reaches of heaven on Monday, of all days, I downright panicked.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1uAchMWP-KoZl8LaXxORYHWKlkz4YStXpkiQ8gJi7_QIteAPFWnpUDiO6AQ38gY5YstMTTQaFUXWKmngUFONxw0rngKtPF2fnoeGI3tMR_ikDqkK1ecfJ5MhsiCB6D01-2RaKyo-KPaQg/s1600/In+loving+arms+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1uAchMWP-KoZl8LaXxORYHWKlkz4YStXpkiQ8gJi7_QIteAPFWnpUDiO6AQ38gY5YstMTTQaFUXWKmngUFONxw0rngKtPF2fnoeGI3tMR_ikDqkK1ecfJ5MhsiCB6D01-2RaKyo-KPaQg/s1600/In+loving+arms+2.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I reached out via Facebook, and many of my friends took my
hand, offering support and a shoulder to lean on. But I also encountered a few unexpected angels
up there in heaven. They rallied around
me, told me how much they loved my book, how skilled they thought I was, but
they went even a step farther. They
formed a street team, a group of loyal fans, friends, and followers who’ll
spread their love of my book using various forms of social media. Then they did, they spread.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIoorQsLbl3SmdzOz7wSnhcdVipFNU1T9FNmnE4xdlBfpVm65m7KsdFfpnqzwh8ARFEFX_XIWYKSEcQUe3mjbZd0Bq36ydWCvGq_WUlzEAnDlo4xJ5NM2gBAMzEajohyphenhyphenyQy00WIPw9nNsB/s1600/In+loving+arms+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIoorQsLbl3SmdzOz7wSnhcdVipFNU1T9FNmnE4xdlBfpVm65m7KsdFfpnqzwh8ARFEFX_XIWYKSEcQUe3mjbZd0Bq36ydWCvGq_WUlzEAnDlo4xJ5NM2gBAMzEajohyphenhyphenyQy00WIPw9nNsB/s1600/In+loving+arms+3.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
And then today, I saw that my wicked streak had finally
broken. Now, I don’t know if they had
anything to do with that shake-up, just like I don’t know what caused the
slowdown in the first place, if it’s indicative of how things are going right
now, which seems the case according to many of my author friends, or just an
anomaly. Either way, it doesn’t really
matter. What matters is, I had the
loving arms of some amazing people to hold me together.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgudLJa4NVrVvl-4EH7vnNgtFu6BOEj1vGVWAQFuV77-9slJCoNtEpwVbUElJ8yD2FUGmhIxav4OQk2nVZgI82XKPP08DFbF-UFsiSyezX5KsFGz_VSHEyFCon_8vidlMy1KkLN_7ldyprx/s1600/In+loving+arms+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgudLJa4NVrVvl-4EH7vnNgtFu6BOEj1vGVWAQFuV77-9slJCoNtEpwVbUElJ8yD2FUGmhIxav4OQk2nVZgI82XKPP08DFbF-UFsiSyezX5KsFGz_VSHEyFCon_8vidlMy1KkLN_7ldyprx/s320/In+loving+arms+5.jpg" width="320" /></a>So that’s my message.
We authors are already a rather sensitive, insecure bunch, so if you’re
putting yourself out there, make sure you surround yourself with folks who will
catch you when you stumble, will bolster you up when your confidence sags, will
nudge you when your afraid to go any further.
With a year already behind my launch, I’m usually the nudger to my
lesser experienced friends, but I’m not too proud to acknowledge when I need
help and to accept it when it’s offered.
Honestly, I’d never make it without that. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTbaxbGXJbC2HbqnC-a3iP44UCtlQGnE3H_ibq9eA_N3WrI_j2E-Jq4aGk4uwEyArtLJ4Epa22hRzgvRVv_-W5FuxJCPuVxcBtNoDw-JNL6Jf4USbpSgAlwfYpMXYWXU4T8V9KY4HkjntU/s1600/In+loving+arms+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTbaxbGXJbC2HbqnC-a3iP44UCtlQGnE3H_ibq9eA_N3WrI_j2E-Jq4aGk4uwEyArtLJ4Epa22hRzgvRVv_-W5FuxJCPuVxcBtNoDw-JNL6Jf4USbpSgAlwfYpMXYWXU4T8V9KY4HkjntU/s1600/In+loving+arms+6.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">KEEP YOUR FRIENDS CLOSE!</span></b></div>
<br />
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Nancy Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05735642863696266005noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254902043762303002.post-47794460433016695252013-10-02T03:00:00.000-07:002013-10-02T03:00:04.604-07:00IWSG: Jaded<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQcf3CktmFf5D7TL0w5vErRUXF5OsBSMmuKOhL5N2gifjaJdAdzj_FopU1PkrhuKOAlB2jcpOdnmiDZ_Tw4Svs09PbZAiES0tDWcl2h865taLmt2sMzc88f2Lh8zZw1pXYIPPST7p343OT/s1600/InsecureWritersSupportGroupPic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQcf3CktmFf5D7TL0w5vErRUXF5OsBSMmuKOhL5N2gifjaJdAdzj_FopU1PkrhuKOAlB2jcpOdnmiDZ_Tw4Svs09PbZAiES0tDWcl2h865taLmt2sMzc88f2Lh8zZw1pXYIPPST7p343OT/s1600/InsecureWritersSupportGroupPic.jpg" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>It’s the first
Wednesday of the month, t</b><b>ime for</b></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;"><a href="http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/p/the-insecure-writers-support-group.html">Alex
J. Cavanaugh’s Insecure Writer’s Support Group</a>.<o:p> </o:p> </span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisV6BzwyOzpSU6QlpJNDkFsQ4gAhB_Ql_2Mbe9_yjjleGnCn_zcDXc9EU3_xzHSzN6mFWRYTCmwn4T-v-QbG4bMog6B4uOZ4w5OcpxaOTO9Xkz3Os7Cq-6jBKnvLVHAF-mcqLhv4SQUFxq/s1600/IWSGHEADER1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="84" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisV6BzwyOzpSU6QlpJNDkFsQ4gAhB_Ql_2Mbe9_yjjleGnCn_zcDXc9EU3_xzHSzN6mFWRYTCmwn4T-v-QbG4bMog6B4uOZ4w5OcpxaOTO9Xkz3Os7Cq-6jBKnvLVHAF-mcqLhv4SQUFxq/s320/IWSGHEADER1.jpg" width="320" /></a>First off, congrats and thanks to Alex and his admins—<a href="http://www.joylcampbell.com/" target="_blank">Joy Campbell,</a> <a href="http://www.writer-in-transit.co.za/" target="_blank">Michelle Wallace,</a> <a href="http://cluculzwriter.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Joylene Nowell
Butler,</a> <a href="http://susangourley.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Susan
Gourley/Kelley,</a> <a href="http://circleoffriendsbooks.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">L. Diane Wolfe,</a> and <a href="http://lyndaryoung.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Lynda Young</a>—for
putting the new <a href="http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/">IWSG</a>
blog page together. It looks great! And it reminds me how grateful I am to have
so many writer friends in the blogosphere, even if I haven’t been around much
lately.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Truth is, I would never have enjoyed the success I’ve been
gifted with had it not been for my many, many virtual friends. More than anything, I love when I have the
occasion to actually meet one of those who’ve previously been contained within
the boundaries of my computer monitor. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEialXFep7jIyYkZdm9AglCdimdmt9SL7VKAc20X8aDui4K8sUCDTKoPVxHSx0x_2iHPLRig1q0hBSdRcm6O4eQIeSCaZHSpw117SanL5Bt9JdRvZ1wSIA7c2veHuamxqNa_8x9EsvnobPFy/s1600/Me+&+MK.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEialXFep7jIyYkZdm9AglCdimdmt9SL7VKAc20X8aDui4K8sUCDTKoPVxHSx0x_2iHPLRig1q0hBSdRcm6O4eQIeSCaZHSpw117SanL5Bt9JdRvZ1wSIA7c2veHuamxqNa_8x9EsvnobPFy/s320/Me+&+MK.jpg" width="320" /></a><o:p> </o:p>Such was yesterday, when I finally met an author friend of
mine, someone I’d connected with over the summer via Facebook. And after much cajoling, she finally gave me
permission to read her book. Yeah, long
story, but it comes down to…well…insecurity.
After reading my book, she’d put me on an absurdly high pedestal and
feared I might not like her debut novel, a self-published contemporary romance
and a step away from my usual go-to genre.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This got me thinking about how critical I’ve become
lately. It’s certainly not intentional,
more like a hazard of my new professions, writing and editing, and something
I’m working hard to rein in so I can just sit back and enjoy reading books like
everyone else. Granted, I’m still of the
mind that every author, no matter how they find their way to publication,
should do their research and work hard to hone their craft before hitting that
final button. But what’s most
important—and what I’ve lost sight of—about any story is the…well…the <i>story</i>, not the grammar or punctuation or
any of those things that have been distracting me lately. It all goes back to the story.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPI4D_mPneYbbySLf7WaZe2QS7P5na-WNFBInV7cA3cAoul-ywkemKpjT-iplcdZXh9d1p6J0L2gtAm-v2qss9xzcj_LcbgUe5_HIGXPfeJM2MVc88ClAX4cskzMTS0WNky-ps6HzNBv6r/s1600/jaded.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPI4D_mPneYbbySLf7WaZe2QS7P5na-WNFBInV7cA3cAoul-ywkemKpjT-iplcdZXh9d1p6J0L2gtAm-v2qss9xzcj_LcbgUe5_HIGXPfeJM2MVc88ClAX4cskzMTS0WNky-ps6HzNBv6r/s1600/jaded.jpg" /></a><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p> </o:p>So I’m vowing to get back to my reader roots and just…you
know…read!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
What about you, my writer friends, have you found yourself
more critical since venturing down the path toward publication? If so, dontcha just hate that?!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3D6XhcZQA2HbMsXyyUBpea0niBHaPhIE7-86cdiOMv5rjS3nI0SsCqdTyb9ytE_-P9aivJrqsDTXf01Ar8EkjwKhoEPRewSaVTNY_5aysufITgWF0pQaplqz-RhQW5DKPK-LUDUtTTKW8/s1600/Dantless_Header_6.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="114" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3D6XhcZQA2HbMsXyyUBpea0niBHaPhIE7-86cdiOMv5rjS3nI0SsCqdTyb9ytE_-P9aivJrqsDTXf01Ar8EkjwKhoEPRewSaVTNY_5aysufITgWF0pQaplqz-RhQW5DKPK-LUDUtTTKW8/s320/Dantless_Header_6.png" width="320" /></a><o:p> </o:p></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Oh yeah, one last thing…
I was recently invited to join a remarkable group of authors on Facebook
and here on Blogger, where we’ve launched a brand new blog. We are called <a href="http://dauntlessauthors.blogspot.com/">Dauntless,</a> and I invite you
all to drop on by and say hello. I think
you might recognize an old friend or two lurking about!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Nancy Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05735642863696266005noreply@blogger.com24tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254902043762303002.post-11240834494933763322013-09-16T03:00:00.001-07:002013-09-16T03:00:02.224-07:00A Gathering Storm! <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDmvpGltj3fjBt44GmCi7I9MUhclagaET-Ozndch_GvniMIW4QZQCab4haNJMPje87A7-w4S1a6pmqpEr7Ih1mqjleZPVQS2mmWO8zyIgYeQfJ_E4I2goAEAtr5ZbLMDeBpUbs2lSFWG0o/s1600/CassaStorm+by+Alex+J+Cavanaugh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDmvpGltj3fjBt44GmCi7I9MUhclagaET-Ozndch_GvniMIW4QZQCab4haNJMPje87A7-w4S1a6pmqpEr7Ih1mqjleZPVQS2mmWO8zyIgYeQfJ_E4I2goAEAtr5ZbLMDeBpUbs2lSFWG0o/s320/CassaStorm+by+Alex+J+Cavanaugh.jpg" width="215" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 36.0pt;">CassaStorm<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 16.0pt;">By Alex J. Cavanaugh<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 150%;">From the Amazon Best Selling Series!<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 18.0pt; line-height: 150%;">A storm gathers across the galaxy…<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Commanding the Cassan base
on Tgren, Byron thought he’d put the days of battle behind him. As a
galaxy-wide war encroaches upon the desert planet, Byron’s ideal life is
threatened and he’s caught between the Tgrens and the Cassans.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">After enemy ships attack the
desert planet, Byron discovers another battle within his own family. The
declaration of war between all ten races triggers nightmares in his son,
threatening to destroy the boy’s mind.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Meanwhile the ancient alien
ship is transmitting a code that might signal the end of all life in the
galaxy. And the mysterious probe that almost destroyed Tgren twenty years ago
could return. As his world begins to crumble, Byron suspects a connection. The
storm is about to break, and Byron is caught in the middle…<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Arial;">“CassaStorm is a touching and
mesmerizing space opera full of action and emotion with strong characters and a
cosmic mystery.” – Edi’s Book Lighhouse<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Arial;"><br />
“Cavanaugh has created wonderfully moving moments of great poignancy…
CassaStorm could have been a dark story full of hardship and angst, but instead
it's a cleverly balanced story about hope and triumph.”<br />
- Lynda R. Young, author of Make Believe<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/571430701"><i><b>Read my Goodreads review
of CassaStorm</b></i></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<b><u><span style="font-family: Arial;">Find
CassaStorm</span></u></b><span style="font-family: Arial;">:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1116848619?ean=9781939844002" target="_blank">Barnes & Noble</a> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/CassaStorm-Alex-J-Cavanaugh/dp/1939844002/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1378484337&sr=1-1&keywords=cassastorm" target="_blank">Amazon</a> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/CassaStorm-ebook/dp/B00F2O9QMC/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1378811366&sr=1-1&keywords=cassastorm" target="_blank">Amazon Kindle</a> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17670532-cassastorm" target="_blank">Goodreads</a> <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Umm2l0XdHc&feature=youtu.be" target="_blank">YouTube</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEfYDUCWd_-Tkk0aSo2Vo2VcZwBhX01sOP4v4tWpyEImd-xhm0uKi-ybH0nROWt1rQ2jQZ9yVItX3G3q23W3PtO_LkybIcucDcn3Kagh6PFKEDqmQyYiSwxAwTm3CFbznquGDJ729V4oaA/s1600/Author+Alex+J+Cavanaugh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEfYDUCWd_-Tkk0aSo2Vo2VcZwBhX01sOP4v4tWpyEImd-xhm0uKi-ybH0nROWt1rQ2jQZ9yVItX3G3q23W3PtO_LkybIcucDcn3Kagh6PFKEDqmQyYiSwxAwTm3CFbznquGDJ729V4oaA/s1600/Author+Alex+J+Cavanaugh.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;">Alex J. Cavanaugh has a
Bachelor of Fine Arts degree and works in web design and graphics. He is
experienced in technical editing and worked with an adult literacy program for
several years. A fan of all things science fiction, his interests range from
books and movies to music and games. Online he is the Ninja Captain and founder
of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group. The author of the Amazon bestsellers,
CassaStar and CassaFire, he lives in the <st1:place w:st="on">Carolinas</st1:place>
with his wife.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<b><u><span style="font-family: Arial;">Find Alex</span></u></b><span style="font-family: Arial;">:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><a href="http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Website</a> <a href="http://twitter.com/AlexJCavanaugh" target="_blank">Twitter</a> <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4287922.Alex_J_Cavanaugh" target="_blank">Goodreads</a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: 150%;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">$16.95 <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">USA</st1:place></st1:country-region> Trade
paperback, Dancing Lemur Press, L.L.C.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 10.0pt;">$4.99 EBook
available in all formats<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
Nancy Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05735642863696266005noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254902043762303002.post-77682544580326252222013-09-15T13:38:00.000-07:002013-09-15T13:38:53.648-07:00INDIESTRUCTIBLE!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuZFHPbfUP-9-o_4VjFaqK2nSMckbw9IzMuj5tflomehXXDRgMyFzGsGVk2OJJ2suPMOKa_9POen3BFWay3Y51a616RzhtgIO6aUALHgYSTnvxjb1ltWRLPkDY2-NmgwnKOTstHuJK5xPM/s1600/Indiestructible+cover_final.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuZFHPbfUP-9-o_4VjFaqK2nSMckbw9IzMuj5tflomehXXDRgMyFzGsGVk2OJJ2suPMOKa_9POen3BFWay3Y51a616RzhtgIO6aUALHgYSTnvxjb1ltWRLPkDY2-NmgwnKOTstHuJK5xPM/s320/Indiestructible+cover_final.jpg" width="210" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: 24.0pt;">INDIESTRUCTIBLE<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: 18.0pt;">by Jessica Bell<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b>ONLY 99c TO HELP SUPPORT THE INDIE AUTHOR & AN AMAZING CHARITY!<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The day I realized I’d been obsessing over my sales figures
way too much was the day I closed my eyes and tried to think about the real
reason I am an indie author.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Is my primary goal to make money? No. So why do I keep
obsessing over my sales stats? I realized it’s because more sales means more
people reading my work. What I really really want is to be read. I want to
share the one thing in this world I would cut my fingers off for. I know. If I
didn’t have any fingers, I wouldn’t be able to physically write, but you know
what I mean.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My passion for writing comes with a perpetual replacement
button, attached to my side seam, just in case it becomes unraveled, and falls
off, after a day gallivanting through the publishing jungle. It can be tough in
there, but in the end, being an indie author is OH SO WORTH IT.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
This made me wonder … what’s everybody else’s story?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Then Indiestructible was born.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Need motivation and inspiration to self-publish, or sign
that contract with an interested small press? Have you done all the research
you can, but still feel ambivalent about the idea? Indiestructible:
Inspiring Stories from the Publishing Jungle brings you the experiences of
29 indie authors—their passions, their insights, their successes—to help you
make the leap into indie publishing.<br />
<br />
This is not a how-to guide. This is the best of the indie tradition of
experienced authors paying forward what they’ve learned, giving you information
to help you on your journey. The personal essays in this book will leave you
itching to get your work into the hands of readers and experience, first-hand,
all the rewards indie publishing has to offer.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Not only is this anthology packed full of interesting, unique,
and genuinely helpful information, and totally worth the 99c (only 99c!!!), <b>100% of proceeds will be donated to <a href="http://www.buildon.org/">BUILDON.org</a>, a movement which breaks the
cycle of poverty, illiteracy, and low expectations through service and
education.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Pretty amazing, huh? What are you waiting for?</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Buy Indiestructible—support
the indie author and an amazing charity—TODAY!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><a href="http://www.vineleavesliteraryjournal.com/indiestructible.html">CLICK
HERE TO PURCHASE INDIESTRUCTIBLE</a><o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u>Contributing
authors</u></b>:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Alex
J. Cavanaugh</a> <> <a href="http://publishness.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Angela Brown</a> <> <a href="http://annerallen.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Anne R. Allen</a> <> <a href="http://www.thinkingthelions.com/" target="_blank">Briane Pagel</a> <> <a href="http://www.cslakin.com/" target="_blank">C.S. Lakin</a> <> <a href="http://www.ciaraknight.com/" target="_blank">Ciara Knight</a> <> <a href="http://cindymhogan.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Cindy M. Hogan</a> <> <a href="http://www.drobertpease.com/" target="_blank">D. Robert Pease</a> <> <a href="http://dawn-ius.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Dawn Ius</a> <> <a href="http://emilytwhite.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Emily White</a> <> <a href="http://myfreesentences.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Greg Metcalf</a> <> <a href="http://www.jadiejones.com/" target="_blank">Jadie Jones</a> <> <a href="http://www.jessicabellauthor.com/" target="_blank">Jessica Bell</a> <> <a href="http://www.karenbass.ca/" target="_blank">Karen Bass</a> <> <a href="http://karenfollowingthewhispers.blogspot.gr/" target="_blank">Karen
Walker</a> <> <a href="http://www.kristiecook.com/" target="_blank">Kristie Cook</a> <> <a href="http://lbdiamond.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Laura Diamond</a> <> <a href="http://laurapauling.com/" target="_blank">Laura Pauling</a> <> <a href="http://laurelgarver.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Laurel Garver</a> <> <a href="http://leightmoore.blogspot.gr/" target="_blank">Leigh Talbert Moore</a> <> <a href="http://loriannrobinson.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Lori Robinson</a> <> <a href="http://www.melissafoster.com/" target="_blank">Melissa Foster</a> <> <a href="http://slckismet.blogspot.gr/" target="_blank">Michael Offutt</a> <> <a href="http://www.michelledavidsonargyle.com/" target="_blank">Michelle Davidson
Argyle</a> <> <a href="http://mydaleyrant.blogspot.gr/" target="_blank">Rick Daley</a> <> <a href="http://rozmorris.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Roz Morris</a> <> <a href="http://www.srjohannes.com/" target="_blank">S.R. Johannes</a> <> <a href="http://authorstephentremp.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Stephen Tremp</a> <> <a href="http://www.susankayequinn.com/" target="_blank">Susan Kaye Quinn</a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1dVoMiqTkEmzwNVdMUELt9KUi2teIa9orX_3VrqqAe1pRDhulgvhrb4MMuDHEgr9hNUmr9vbuhcNJzk6xzLah57qjl3qIe2wSCVPImy698qiKQzrXu6vkqnLqeFZY4pk9VTPmxQKWd6ad/s1600/Jessica+Bell.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1dVoMiqTkEmzwNVdMUELt9KUi2teIa9orX_3VrqqAe1pRDhulgvhrb4MMuDHEgr9hNUmr9vbuhcNJzk6xzLah57qjl3qIe2wSCVPImy698qiKQzrXu6vkqnLqeFZY4pk9VTPmxQKWd6ad/s1600/Jessica+Bell.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><u><br /></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><u>About Jessica Bell</u></b>:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Australian-native contemporary fiction author, poet, and
singer/songwriter/guitarist, Jessica Bell, also makes a living as an editor and
writer for global ELT publishers (English Language Teaching), such as Pearson
Education, HarperCollins, Macmillan Education, Education First and Cengage
Learning.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
She is the co-publishing editor of <a href="http://www.vineleavesliteraryjournal.com/">Vine Leaves Literary Journal</a>,
and the director of the <a href="http://www.hwrw.blogspot.com/">Homeric
Writers’ Retreat & Workshop</a> on the Greek <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placetype w:st="on">island</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename w:st="on">Ithaca</st1:placename></st1:place>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><u>Connect with Jessica online</u></b>:</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.jessicabellauthor.com/" target="_blank">Website</a> | <a href="http://thealliterativeallomorph.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Blog</a> |
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/author.jessica.bell" target="_blank">F</a><a href="http://www.facebook.com/author.jessica.bell" target="_blank">acebook</a> | <a href="http://www.twitter.com/MsBessieBell" target="_blank">Twitter</a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
</div>
Nancy Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05735642863696266005noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254902043762303002.post-13514582355355585862013-09-11T02:30:00.000-07:002013-09-11T02:30:04.388-07:00Cover Reveal: Sacrafice HER by Sheena-kay Graham<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-JM" style="font-size: 12pt;">The day has finally come.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-JM" style="font-size: 12pt;">Time to
reveal the cover of Sacrifice HER. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-JM" style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-JM"><b><span style="font-size: large;">Be amazed.</span></b><span style="font-size: small;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA4qaD8SKncgwRFdNBwnZCEV7EH93-JruL5K4mbFcycPuZHQXRXz-POj6U49B__tNWuJWfhigGSkUugdecc1PhgIRzGHHfj-TYdK2S7wCV4a8bXRjeM97JR2rxyZKaB_bXbWZMUIKZEHbR/s1600/Sacrifice_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA4qaD8SKncgwRFdNBwnZCEV7EH93-JruL5K4mbFcycPuZHQXRXz-POj6U49B__tNWuJWfhigGSkUugdecc1PhgIRzGHHfj-TYdK2S7wCV4a8bXRjeM97JR2rxyZKaB_bXbWZMUIKZEHbR/s320/Sacrifice_.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-JM" style="font-size: 12pt;">Cover Design: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-JM" style="font-size: 12pt;">Image of woman with </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">flowing hair (purchased): </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-JM" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; text-align: left;">© </span></span><span lang="EN-JM" style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="color: #246eac;"></span></span><a href="http://www.dreamstime.com/transfuchsian_info" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-align: left;">Transfuchsian</a><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-align: left;"> | </span><a href="http://www.dreamstime.com/" style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%; text-align: left;">Dreamstime.com</a></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-JM" style="font-size: 12pt;">Cover Designer: </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-JM" style="font-size: 12pt;">Langao @ </span><span lang="EN-JM" style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://fiverr.com/langao">http://fiverr.com/langao</a></span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-JM" style="font-size: 12pt;">Title: Sacrifice HER<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-JM" style="font-size: 12pt;">Author: Sheena-kay Graham<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-JM" style="font-size: 12pt;">Goodreads: </span><span lang="EN-JM" style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15761024-sacrifice-her" target="_blank">Sacrifice HER</a></span><span lang="EN-JM" style="font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-JM" style="font-size: 12pt;">Release Date: December 2013<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-JM" style="font-size: 12pt;">Summary: When a city is at stake is the
life of one sixteen-year old girl worth risking thousands? Deidra Moore goes on
the run after escaping from a group of human sacrifices for Bane: God of War.
She doesn't believe he exists and sees uncertainty in the scorching desert as a
better alternative. But <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Faux</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype w:st="on">City</st1:placetype></st1:place> isn't finished with
her and their leader Lord Brinn is ordered by Bane - through one of his maiden
worshipers- to bring her back or face dire consequences. In the desert Deidra
meets a wanderer named Kane and as feelings spark can they find a safe place to
lead a new life before Lord Brinn and his soldiers catch up with them? Yet the
question remains. Does Bane really exist and if he does what will happen if
either side succeeds or fails? Told in alternating perspectives of both the
runaway servant girl and the blonde strong willed leader.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivh4BVo8HneCZbEsiupekEpc2y0ipGB37RJQSMnH4gkPwhAUhwbncrNfEM-YMlmUL-X49pmeAYZm4n8TpcWFmoctHRhBIz5I-uBqb3k4ptqtCOS20TYXPjzouxRkISs_J-mnqRbfbrwJ4c/s1600/DSC01977.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivh4BVo8HneCZbEsiupekEpc2y0ipGB37RJQSMnH4gkPwhAUhwbncrNfEM-YMlmUL-X49pmeAYZm4n8TpcWFmoctHRhBIz5I-uBqb3k4ptqtCOS20TYXPjzouxRkISs_J-mnqRbfbrwJ4c/s320/DSC01977.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /><span id="goog_1600482536"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span lang="EN-JM" style="font-size: 12pt;">Sheena-kay Graham was never meant for a
traditional job behind a desk. Her childhood career plans included becoming a
ballerina, actress or someone who helped people. So naturally she decided to be
a writer who writes from her bed. Yes, no desk for this Jamaican book lover. No
matter if it’s reading, writing or using the computer....you get the gist. The
love of the written word has always been with her leading to stories, novels,
poetry and way too much fan fiction. This Christian woman can be found trolling
Amazon online, in local book bookstores, watching movies on the big screen or
in her bed, or reading/writing/on the laptop...again in her bed. Mainly writes YA fiction and is ready to
unleash her creativity and wow potential readers. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-JM" style="font-size: 12pt;"><u style="font-weight: bold;">Find Sheena-kay on</u>:</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span lang="EN-JM" style="font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://queendsheena.blogspot.com/">Her blog</a> </span><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5448863.Sheena_kay_Graham" style="font-size: 12pt;">Goodreads</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/SheenakayGrahamAuthor" style="font-size: 12pt;">Facebook</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/queendsheena" style="font-size: 12pt;">Twitter</a></div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Nancy Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05735642863696266005noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254902043762303002.post-37038834303527753262013-09-04T02:00:00.000-07:002013-09-04T02:00:08.669-07:00IWSG: It's a(n almost) Brave New World!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghUYO9fFw82uZmQOGAgjqNv24N5_OgswTPaw6AMzazJ3OuR4SQB-C4NyRsghz0kkxdiXyJXgXtHvLxCBY1RcpOd1Qvi2YZgRLWCMSPt2s7sSfwQ-1VOQhxNEp9Zg00wXSlbcpzcmjM6slc/s1600/InsecureWritersSupportGroupPic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghUYO9fFw82uZmQOGAgjqNv24N5_OgswTPaw6AMzazJ3OuR4SQB-C4NyRsghz0kkxdiXyJXgXtHvLxCBY1RcpOd1Qvi2YZgRLWCMSPt2s7sSfwQ-1VOQhxNEp9Zg00wXSlbcpzcmjM6slc/s1600/InsecureWritersSupportGroupPic.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
It’s the first
Wednesday of the month. </div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
Time for <a href="http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/p/the-insecure-writers-support-group.html">Alex
J. Cavanaugh’s Insecure Writer’s Support Group</a>.</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I heard some terrible news today, that another small press has
bit the dust. Distressing since I’m
friends with a few of their authors. I’m
sure they’re upset, angry, and confused.
I know this because I went through something sort of similar not too
long ago.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
No, my publisher hasn’t closed their doors, but they aren’t
accepting any new submissions either, which means I can’t submit my follow-up
novel, and since it’s a sequel, no other publisher will even consider it
without having published the first book.
As you might imagine, I was a bit freaked out. I was offered my rights back if I wanted
them, but that freaked me out even more.
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ0_PAYKPWNQVW7TEVbSjtiEIxZYQKSPltP2p9XZxMAi80puyGVefRUicVRELKgetUhtYAt1ipFcNrnw7ZSlz3Bp_tyJAeCXiYUC5gzBsixFo4oGRwUEeE2fgWStOS37TQ8bsOyuX2P7vZ/s1600/pondering.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ0_PAYKPWNQVW7TEVbSjtiEIxZYQKSPltP2p9XZxMAi80puyGVefRUicVRELKgetUhtYAt1ipFcNrnw7ZSlz3Bp_tyJAeCXiYUC5gzBsixFo4oGRwUEeE2fgWStOS37TQ8bsOyuX2P7vZ/s1600/pondering.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So I sat back, pondered my situation, and determined my
path. I would see my contract out with
my publisher, who, like me, was happy I chose to stay on, but I would go ahead
and self-publish my second book, the sequel titled LEVERAGE. And later, if necessary, I'll re-brand and self-pub my debut, as well.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Two years ago, I never would have considered
self-publishing. It still felt like the
industry’s illegitimate child. Sure, in
some ways, it still is. I mean, I’ve read a few self-pubbed titles lately that should never have seen the
light of day in their current state of <i>un-edited-ness, </i>but still, even with all the errors, they're garnering tons of 5-star reviews. Most readers don't seem to care as long as the story is good. I’ve learned a lot about self-publishing this
year, most of it from my many self-pubbed author friends, and most of them are doing
phenomenally well. It's incredibly encouraging and very exciting!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmr2lcseOxBbiMkF3KA9qxCp9K3P98L_ZgwNXkHanHXl3C5N9TZgerhcIM_PB08a-pwYNySoY5RV2dOwpHGSLSJusUBRTU2feeKDqqrDaNy2ZugqlcC8qzZApnJHUIwFFKnMsnu5ydxJ0Y/s1600/audience.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmr2lcseOxBbiMkF3KA9qxCp9K3P98L_ZgwNXkHanHXl3C5N9TZgerhcIM_PB08a-pwYNySoY5RV2dOwpHGSLSJusUBRTU2feeKDqqrDaNy2ZugqlcC8qzZApnJHUIwFFKnMsnu5ydxJ0Y/s1600/audience.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
At this point, I’m not in it for the money. I’m just looking to build an audience that
will grow with me over time. I’m gaining
that audience with my first book, and they’re asking for a sequel, so
self-pubbing is the way to go for now.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZy9wxzWmIERuhgmOMriDiaOhUGxQTWxGSB3uZags9n0q4uzKC2Fkiu3igq9n4UQa8A7Bi-F7s6JSYGI__2FzIqh8BSpCyrBEAynXjPMPATUQOeYTYzeg1MZRc7SWl1uJnPs0hj58O2fsZ/s1600/scared.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZy9wxzWmIERuhgmOMriDiaOhUGxQTWxGSB3uZags9n0q4uzKC2Fkiu3igq9n4UQa8A7Bi-F7s6JSYGI__2FzIqh8BSpCyrBEAynXjPMPATUQOeYTYzeg1MZRc7SWl1uJnPs0hj58O2fsZ/s1600/scared.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Does it scare me?
Hell, yes! </span> </div>
<br />
I’m no Carrie Butler, writer/designer/marketing wiz
extraordinaire, but I am a DIY gal, so, with a little help where I need it, I’m
gonna get this bad boy out there. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsocp1lRyVf9OpJEdloJ6oY_wBiJj1-OLd_mc_phUqDzfTv26xdxl83gq_S48o5CSF3YHCdOU5TmUVTu5iN8OPgnbSQvPT1VeIMIzNsctznD7J7J6PUoZSB9QiKCyGOw0SfQqpndyugn2j/s1600/push+thru.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsocp1lRyVf9OpJEdloJ6oY_wBiJj1-OLd_mc_phUqDzfTv26xdxl83gq_S48o5CSF3YHCdOU5TmUVTu5iN8OPgnbSQvPT1VeIMIzNsctznD7J7J6PUoZSB9QiKCyGOw0SfQqpndyugn2j/s1600/push+thru.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">My point? </span></div>
<br />
Well, if I,
the woman committed to traditional publishing, can muscle past the uncertainty
and dive into self-publishing with excitement instead of dread and fear, then anyone can, including these authors who now find their books without a home. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So many of the current bestsellers on Amazon are
self-published titles. That’s why the
Big 6—er, I mean, the Big 5—are scrambling for survival. Anyone with a good story can put it out
there, and at a far cheaper price, which is appealing to the ferocious
appetites of today’s readers. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s a brave new world out there, or almost anyway. And I’m going to grab it. My fear is gone and my attitude
adjusted. I can do this. So can you!
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDPS1CUCktYIm2C3Szl_PAzg8xc25prh4O4AT9WXssDkgJuZG5hgOL7yroHy-UpkZxcXHEz9J4zPiGSJq45AR7sFhUM5-N_gLIm5Mx1eXz1nQMfoMR6tqsFxiEsTcMWArRiTz3-Z_VQmuW/s1600/brave+new+world.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDPS1CUCktYIm2C3Szl_PAzg8xc25prh4O4AT9WXssDkgJuZG5hgOL7yroHy-UpkZxcXHEz9J4zPiGSJq45AR7sFhUM5-N_gLIm5Mx1eXz1nQMfoMR6tqsFxiEsTcMWArRiTz3-Z_VQmuW/s1600/brave+new+world.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
__________<br />
<br />
On a side note, after only two months, my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/NancySThompsonAuthor">Facebook author page</a> has nearly 1000 likes, and so, to celebrate, I'm holding a <a href="https://www.facebook.com/NancySThompsonAuthor/app_228910107186452">1000 Likes Giveaway</a>, with dozens of prizes (ebooks, signed paperbacks, and swag) from 31 authors, including bestsellers. <br />
<br />
Just go to my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/NancySThompsonAuthor">Facebook author page</a> or click on the Rafflecopter below. <br />
There are a ton of ways to enter!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDWrxImrmcLe-HQ-v8osqVyPBcxWlnCtZG-1EC9su4UVFXqkx4noS_qDc2Wmj3SgakSjvm7oci0Sg3A9I4Ko9yMWqR8Aje15VHNMPRCyFbIl5_YAUEs3a1vWuGJzuHpQmIEc9v8tbxehsu/s1600/1000_Likes_Nancy.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDWrxImrmcLe-HQ-v8osqVyPBcxWlnCtZG-1EC9su4UVFXqkx4noS_qDc2Wmj3SgakSjvm7oci0Sg3A9I4Ko9yMWqR8Aje15VHNMPRCyFbIl5_YAUEs3a1vWuGJzuHpQmIEc9v8tbxehsu/s320/1000_Likes_Nancy.png" width="262" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/f957882/" id="rc-f957882" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script><br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<o:p><br /></o:p></div>
</div>
Nancy Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05735642863696266005noreply@blogger.com27tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254902043762303002.post-39805304815121907182013-08-29T18:36:00.000-07:002013-08-29T21:41:55.463-07:00My 1000 Likes Giveaway on Facebook<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTMjgNGwDh4wzImGfPpaTo1M_vQqG9ZjWg5NN-6Gisv8EDZMe_ksFC5THm5Vscz1-Z4Glgs5w3UTLqkJ3UDwmlRk0i8J3upx3sxUJNjAY6NahgSIp_O0bEs1gZfXMUmOI9aTlLc-yNVQLt/s1600/1000_Likes_Nancy.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTMjgNGwDh4wzImGfPpaTo1M_vQqG9ZjWg5NN-6Gisv8EDZMe_ksFC5THm5Vscz1-Z4Glgs5w3UTLqkJ3UDwmlRk0i8J3upx3sxUJNjAY6NahgSIp_O0bEs1gZfXMUmOI9aTlLc-yNVQLt/s320/1000_Likes_Nancy.png" width="262" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Is that the prettiest graphic? The awesome</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.forwardauthority.com/index.html" style="text-align: left;">Carrie Butler at Forward Authority</a> created it for me!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">And now, I'm sharing it, and my giveaway, with YOU!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU2bZp-q5ExyUnlusJQHLghJjinO_hN1-lhnot6pEZPWgDyWaW1k712z9Rvmi-oak5tgclyYhgfpjwnxPm_gDVze1_JkfVinDrrP07PqOZc5vCdsQgXf0Z-3YkFDuV4Imw7RrBkCRruzzk/s1600/You+finger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU2bZp-q5ExyUnlusJQHLghJjinO_hN1-lhnot6pEZPWgDyWaW1k712z9Rvmi-oak5tgclyYhgfpjwnxPm_gDVze1_JkfVinDrrP07PqOZc5vCdsQgXf0Z-3YkFDuV4Imw7RrBkCRruzzk/s1600/You+finger.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I know not all of you are on Facebook, but if you are, drop my my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/NancySThompsonAuthor">author page</a> & check out my</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/NancySThompsonAuthor/app_228910107186452">1000 Likes Giveaway!</a></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Two months ago, after much arm twisting, I finally started an author page on Facebook, and I'm already almost to 1000 likes. So to celebrate, I'm giving away tons of prizes, including 5 signed paperbacks and swag, 30 ebooks, and 2 gift cards. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">There are dozens of ways to enter, s</span><span style="font-size: large;">o check it out!</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;"><a class="rafl" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/f957882/" id="rc-f957882" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//d12vno17mo87cx.cloudfront.net/embed/rafl/cptr.js"></script></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Nancy Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05735642863696266005noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254902043762303002.post-87775813812562931012013-08-20T11:08:00.001-07:002013-08-20T11:08:25.824-07:00I Be Pimpin'!: The Urban Fantasy "FIRST BORN" Paperbacks on Sale!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2mKydHHlr9LxEzIS2-PBfAdvRyUSmXVbTj7x8D_glszBmEy5oemWRCvScl2-icy0skoK-C-kOjE9Nyvldt9OmAn3qNCnRjtMNmz2tQF3TpnCb4NLC6IbBdypDJafBy2i49cDdXJIWzDXk/s1600/Paperback+sale+first+born+copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="117" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2mKydHHlr9LxEzIS2-PBfAdvRyUSmXVbTj7x8D_glszBmEy5oemWRCvScl2-icy0skoK-C-kOjE9Nyvldt9OmAn3qNCnRjtMNmz2tQF3TpnCb4NLC6IbBdypDJafBy2i49cDdXJIWzDXk/s320/Paperback+sale+first+born+copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">When twenty-six-year-old graphic designer Lily
Moore shapeshifts for the first time, Atlanta police detectives consult
wildlife experts to sort through the bizarre forensic evidence she leaves in
her wake. Her traumatic transformation coincides with murder and Lily finds
herself the center of a mad vortex of area crimes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">On the run, Lily turns to her younger brother to
help unravel the secrets surrounding her boyfriend’s death as well as unlock
the mysteries of their Chinese heritage. When a loved one goes missing, Lily
finds herself scrambling to find purchase in this new world where there hasn’t
been balance for a century.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">As she learns to master her new preternatural
abilities, she must cut through the lies of those around her. With the police
and a killer hot on her trail, can she solve the mystery of being <i>First Born</i> or will family secrets prove
deadly?<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Price slashed from $13.99. Now $8.50 +
discounted shipping!</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.triciazoeller.com/purchase-booksupcoming-works.html">http://www.triciazoeller.com/purchase-booksupcoming-works.html</a><b><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Tricia Zoeller lives in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Marietta</st1:city>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">Georgia</st1:country-region></st1:place>
with her husband, Lou, her little yappy dog, Lola Belle, and her big orange
mutant cat, George. Her two stepsons, Joseph and Robert, make stopovers as
well, making sure to keep life an adventure. Writing has always been a part of
her life–like breathing and chocolate. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b>Stalk Tricia here</b>:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.triciazoeller.com/">Website</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tricia-Zoeller-Author/439025286173082?ref=hl">Facebook</a>
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17670526-first-born">Goodreads</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/tzoellerwriter">Twitter</a><span style="background-color: white; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; color: #181818; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Nancy Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05735642863696266005noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5254902043762303002.post-39942445851158151402013-08-13T03:00:00.000-07:002013-08-13T03:00:09.688-07:00May I Ask a Favor?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidA1AqOExHjZ8ubCPUvgoUqxATjbsOdSKvlK3OwPg4lD65lmu99s0iOAJQk-ZJuRAdqWASndBc7lFh-h94YvcocGwrZ4st7FZeM40EsNISXPN6YAlIaHVY5fU2x9WBf_xvbsgwchjiFW_D/s1600/vote+for+FCF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidA1AqOExHjZ8ubCPUvgoUqxATjbsOdSKvlK3OwPg4lD65lmu99s0iOAJQk-ZJuRAdqWASndBc7lFh-h94YvcocGwrZ4st7FZeM40EsNISXPN6YAlIaHVY5fU2x9WBf_xvbsgwchjiFW_D/s320/vote+for+FCF.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Look at me, two posts in one week! And I'm not even
back from hiatus yet either. But this is
super important, so I hope you can take a quick moment to give this some
consideration.</div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTZOFBdokkyd6jfnO1uufvZDhVKyTdhW2hsKeXU7iAInNgo-C6m2AxYTyuA902ouY6BHM_35LsX2WFxrkOJ04hk84eRuocnIvp3BewW7sqlqNZzE9HFBsBZjVeIMJthd4FJbyQ0sKBYUAO/s1600/FindingClaireFletcher.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTZOFBdokkyd6jfnO1uufvZDhVKyTdhW2hsKeXU7iAInNgo-C6m2AxYTyuA902ouY6BHM_35LsX2WFxrkOJ04hk84eRuocnIvp3BewW7sqlqNZzE9HFBsBZjVeIMJthd4FJbyQ0sKBYUAO/s1600/FindingClaireFletcher.png" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
My BFF, author <a href="http://lisalregan.blogspot.com/">Lisa
Regan</a>'s, debut novel, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Finding-Claire-Fletcher-ebook/dp/B00AHJN7BS/ref=pd_rhf_pe_p_d_6">Finding
Claire Fletcher</a>, is a two-time finalist in the <a href="http://bardsandsages.com/juliedawson/2013/07/01/2013finalists/">eFestival
of Words Best of the Independent eBook Awards</a>. It's up for Best Novel
and Best Hero/Heroine. She seems to have Best Heroine category clinched,
but is trailing the leader by a few votes in Best Novel and could use some help.</div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9j13OTN-eDz68W-5KFBnMjBmXPqXApS19kxQTq-g6GwAAYiUKyg71crjF2TKHZTagGhD8ALju3qF6hNhnWrRhO6NUzjc-kF4mjLVGQrmJLHXODXwoiP431S-LIRYyFpK_Uy_1zsiuY7vS/s1600/eFest+of+Words+FINALIST.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9j13OTN-eDz68W-5KFBnMjBmXPqXApS19kxQTq-g6GwAAYiUKyg71crjF2TKHZTagGhD8ALju3qF6hNhnWrRhO6NUzjc-kF4mjLVGQrmJLHXODXwoiP431S-LIRYyFpK_Uy_1zsiuY7vS/s1600/eFest+of+Words+FINALIST.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Now, I realize, some will not want to vote for a book they
have not yet read, and I totally understand that, so no spanking necessary.
But if you don't object and wouldn't mind going through the process of
registering then voting, I would really love your help!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
You see, not only is <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Finding-Claire-Fletcher-ebook/dp/B00AHJN7BS/ref=pd_rhf_pe_p_d_6">Finding
Claire Fletcher</a> a superbly written and fantastic story -- one
ripped from the headlines BEFORE there even were headlines -- it rates 4.8
stars on Amazon with 60 of its 70 ratings at 5-stars, and 8 more at 4-stars.
Plus, unlike its leading <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Cosettes-Tribe-ebook/dp/B008DINHRY/ref=pd_rhf_pe_p_d_1">competition</a> in
the awards, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Finding-Claire-Fletcher-ebook/dp/B00AHJN7BS/ref=pd_rhf_pe_p_d_6">Finding
Claire Fletcher</a> ranks consistently well in sales. That should
tell you something: Not only do people love it, they WANT to buy it!
It's that good! </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So, if you're on board to help, this is how you can vote:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
1. Go <a href="http://www.efestivalofwords.com/index.php" target="_blank">HERE</a> and
register. (<a href="http://www.efestivalofwords.com/ucp.php?mode=register">REGISTER</a> is
at the top OR just click on <a href="http://www.efestivalofwords.com/ucp.php?mode=register">this link</a>).
Don't worry, you will NOT receive any unwanted spam mail from them at
all.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br />
Tips:<br />
<br />
At the <b>CONFIRMATION CODE</b> captcha --
if it's a video, hit the play button and a phrase will come up along the bottom
of the video after 2-4 seconds. Just type that phrase into the blank space at
the bottom of the video box. If it's only a simple captcha, then just input the
characters. <br />
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2xHsIoCnBfIQDTccxRehJLX0kx1iso4Y83_37LXZpHxInzmCQ6jSYRAkJ5rO81BamlWA1ySFCmOlcx2Aa_880pYbja0TJ34aF3ulUjCF-EJfo2-p3ZMSrIT_PeAA3Q6RUg4kDUoAd7eVX/s1600/captcha.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2xHsIoCnBfIQDTccxRehJLX0kx1iso4Y83_37LXZpHxInzmCQ6jSYRAkJ5rO81BamlWA1ySFCmOlcx2Aa_880pYbja0TJ34aF3ulUjCF-EJfo2-p3ZMSrIT_PeAA3Q6RUg4kDUoAd7eVX/s320/captcha.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Below that, after you <b>AGREE TO THESE
TERMS</b> and hit <b><i>SUBMIT</i></b>, you're actually DONE.
It will take you to a page that says, "You're almost finished…" <b>THAT'S AN AD</b>. You don't actually have
to do anything there. <u>So close out the page</u>.<br />
<br />
2. Then go <a href="http://www.efestivalofwords.com/awards-hall-f29.html" target="_blank">HERE</a> to
the Awards Hall to vote. <br />
<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguqiKE7lvu1u5F1ZrF-EkYMGjwDbZm0VFZCAYW5OPEt-tb4Qv80vuzmzY9U0UHxTBckJxoW2SuFh0Y4cuigc2PDy3khfiTvL8zx8MSx7H5Vzgh_vDiWI9Lj5UUsf_pUwUt4637uSf7658s/s1600/polls.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguqiKE7lvu1u5F1ZrF-EkYMGjwDbZm0VFZCAYW5OPEt-tb4Qv80vuzmzY9U0UHxTBckJxoW2SuFh0Y4cuigc2PDy3khfiTvL8zx8MSx7H5Vzgh_vDiWI9Lj5UUsf_pUwUt4637uSf7658s/s320/polls.JPG" width="237" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Tips:<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There will be a list of polls. <a href="http://www.efestivalofwords.com/vote-here-for-2013-best-hero-heroine-t419.html">BEST
HERO/HEROINE</a> is closer to the top and <a href="http://www.efestivalofwords.com/vote-here-for-2013-best-novel-t393.html">BEST
NOVEL</a> is almost halfway down the list. Just click on each
poll (or the links I provided above) and you will be taken to a list
of books to vote for. You can go back to the Awards Hall and vote on
other polls.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;">THAT'S IT!! Thank you so very much for your time
and consideration. I hope we can pull Lisa's book up to the #1 position
it so rightly deserves.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnrBGMUQAykzRgpCK2FUFrDgYPj05M3yJgXxbfKCVZSZrByLWFR91rB6wtoiYtGPg98zhwESxlmHii3ROkQ5IbLPQjPNwlzTBeMudmL6pkxZPvCplJObYzNYkR-_AVe_IpaGxlwWeNqtvr/s1600/Thank+you3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnrBGMUQAykzRgpCK2FUFrDgYPj05M3yJgXxbfKCVZSZrByLWFR91rB6wtoiYtGPg98zhwESxlmHii3ROkQ5IbLPQjPNwlzTBeMudmL6pkxZPvCplJObYzNYkR-_AVe_IpaGxlwWeNqtvr/s1600/Thank+you3.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
Nancy Thompsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05735642863696266005noreply@blogger.com10