Sign up to Help with the Revelation Book Tour!

Know any bloggers who want to help with a book blog tour?? 

Interested now? Come help celebrate the release of Amber Shelly's Revelation!!!!

Available Dates: 

November 3rd, 7th, 9th-12, 14th, 15th, 22nd-26th,  (Only 13 spots available) 

You can do the following for the tour: 

Author Interview,

Character Interview, 

Highlight, 

Spotlight,

Amber can do a guest post, 

Games 

or something completely unique just for you! 

To sign up, just comment below with the following information:  

The date you want  

 Your e-mail 

and

The blog you plan on posting on for the tour. 

and Amber will e-mail you with more information!! 

Cliché’s and why they’re horrible!

Cliché’s and why they’re horrible! 

Let us start with what the word "Cliché" means.

cliche is an expression, idea, or element of an artistic work which has been overused to the point of losing its original meaning or effect, especially when at some earlier time it was considered meaningful or novel.

So why don't we like cliche's?  They are overused ideas/elements.  

They. Are. Overused. 

As in, I have seen that once already.  And the first time it was fantastic. The second time it was OK. The third time and on it has been overused.  As in, I don't want to see it ever again in another book! . . .Ever! 

So, why are cliche's horrible?  Well, because it makes the book boring.  Seriously, if continue to see the same thing OVER and OVER and OVER and OVER and OVER and OVER and OVER and OVER and OVER (do you get the point yet?)  and OVER, it gets annoying.  Boring.  Irritating even.  Its not longer new or exciting.  It is expected.  And it takes away the thrill of reading a new book.  It takes away the excitement.  

And if I'm being completely honest, it takes away the point of reading new books.  If every author put the same things in every book, I might as well stick the to the same few books that introduced these grand ideas that are now. . . cliche. 

Now that you understand why Cliche's are HORRIBLE, let me give a few examples. 

• The Love Triangle.  Now honestly, in some cases this element in a story, genuinely makes sense.  But in most cases, it makes the book absolutely boring.  And in MOST cases, the girl ALWAYS ends up with the first guy.   Which brings us to another part of the love triangle.  Why is it always One Female and Two Males?  Why can't we have two women fighting over one guy?  
• The "Because I love you".  For some crazy reason, someone must sacrifice themselves. They don't want the love of their life to be in pain so they will leave.  They will walk away to never look back if it means that their true love will be ok.  Guess what?  If I'm in love with someone, I don't want him to freakin' leave!   
• "It will ALWAYS come down to you OR me." For some reason, villain's  think that threatening the heroe's "true love" will fix everything.  And the Heroes tend to let the villain's be right.  I'm sorry but if someone is threatening the love of my life, I'm not gonna weep and beg that they take me instead.  I'm gonna make those villains get down on their knees, begging me to have mercy.   
• "I can't be with you.  I love you too much."  Okay, now I'm beginning to think that the villain is in the right frame of mind.  This person is too stupid to be the hero.  Seriously, leaving the person you love to "protect" them, is not going to help anything.   It just makes you miserable, your "true love" miserable, and the villain is still going to win.  If you love someone, work it out.  If you aren't willing to work it out (and if they aren't willing) then clearly it wasn't meant to be anyway. 
• "The dream."  Yes.  We all have dreams.  Dreams are powerful when you know how to use them.  So are swords.  Don't start the book with a dream.  Don't end the book with a dream.  Don't put a dream in the middle.  If you're character must dream, it better be for a good reason.  

Alright, so honestly this is a very short list compared to what it could be.  And if you would like to read an earlier post I did on things that are over used in books (among other things) you can CLICK HERE. 

I'm pretty sure I could go on forever.  The point is, some cliches should really die and they are horrible and I know nothing is original anymore but as writers, artist, creators,  I think authors could get a bit more creative.  

So, what Cliché’s do you absolutely HATE? 

The Tyrant King- A Book Review

The Tyrant King by Cheri Chesley.  

(The Peasant Queen #2)

Krystal's peaceful life as queen of Fayterra is shattered when a stranger arrives with a connection to Jareth that threatens to change everything. Soon her loved ones are threatened, her people are under attack, and Krystal must face a devastating loss. As the future becomes bleaker and the mystery continues to unravel, Krystal's enemies will learn just how far she will go to defend the people she loves.

My Review:

I adored The Peasant Queen.  And I LOVED The Tyrant King even more! 

Krystal is an incredible character, and totally my favorite kind of Queen.  She is full of heart, she knows how to take care of those she loves and lets just say, hell hath no fury like a woman's scorn.  So when the tyrant, Donovan comes looking to destroy her family, well. . . lets just say you're going to need to read the book. 

But overall, I believe Voltimande is my FAVORITE character from this book.  (No seriously, if for nothing else, you need to read the book just for him!)  The poor guy. . . LOL I laugh just thinking about this character.  He is pretty much awesome.  

Anyway,  I love how Cheri has kept the love alive between the King and Queen, how they will do anything to protect each other and the ones they love.   

The twists and turns keep you guessing at every turn. 

Dragons?   3.5

Thank you, Cheri for the fun read! 

Touching Eternity Cover Reveal!

*****DRUM ROLL*****

Steal this Facebook banner! 

Steal this badge! 

What would you choose?

She had everything but freedom.

He had nothing but his loyalty, his wits and his training.

She was a prisoner, a disease, not fit for the world, and she didn't know why. But she did know she wasn't allowed to die, she wasn't allowed to live and she wasn’t sane.

He was a soldier, a protector, but his foundation will be tested when he must destroy the only light in his dark world.

Thrown together, prisoner and keeper, their rebellion will splinter through time, changing the course of history and the fate of the world. Their love will challenge their greatest enemy and immortalize them forever.

Loyalty. Freedom. Love.

What would you risk?

"Let me die."

Pain darkened his eyes. "Never."

Are you melting yet? Did you read that?? Can you just not WAIT to read Touching Eternity? (I know I can't wait.) Well as if that little teaser wasn't enough, should I show you the cover? Should I? I know you want to see it?

Okay, you've convinced me to tease you a bit more. So how about I send you to Goodreads to add it to your TBR list?  

CLICK HERE!

Oh you've done that? How about you Tweet this post? (Tag me, @KonstanzS . Better yet, tag Airicka: @AirickaPhoenix .)

Okay, Okay, I know, you're losing it. You HAVE to see it right. . . right. . . . right. . . .NOW!

Now that you're in love and must find out more, check out these links.

Airicka's Website

Airicka on Facebook

Help me, help you! And support your favorite giveaways!

When I do giveaways, it comes out of my own pocket.  Occasionally Authors will donate their books (like when I do a review or interview or launch party) and sometimes I win things that I use as prizes.  But I can't keep getting all this awesome stuff to giveaway without a little help.  Want to know how you can help?  I shall give you a list of ways you can help. (And please don't feel obligated or like I am trying to be rude or begging for help. Or even that I'm complaining.  I have been asked via e-mail by quite a few people now and so I thought I would share my thoughts).

• Share my posts.  Especially the Giveaways.  How does this help?  It brings more people to the blog, and brings in more entries.  How does that help?  It lets me know what people want.  If I giveaway a necklace and only get five entries and giveaway a book and get ten entries, I know to giveaway more books and spend less time on jewelry. 
• If you like what I'm giving away, follow my blog.  And don't just comment on the posts that have giveaways.  Take a look around, let me know that you enjoy more on my blog than just getting free things. 
• Donate Prizes!  Yes, you can donate prizes.  And if you donate a prize, I will feature you on my blog! Guess what,  I would love to donate prizes to other blogs.  But I can't do it if I don't have a way to do it.  So here is what you can do: E-mail me and let me know if you have a prize you want to donate.  Let me know what the prize is and when you want to be featured.  As simple as that! 
• Support the Authors! My favorite part of blogging is helping authors.  So when I host an author, do a giveaway or a book, do an interview or review, comment. Re-post, Share and most importantly, follow the author! 
• When I review and giveaway, you review. If I do a giveaway for a book I just reviewed and you win and have the means, review the book! Help support the author.  
• *If you want to support giveaways directly, Check out what I do and help support my family's' business.  (The jewelry is what I do).  CLICK HERE to check it out!  Plus, we do custom work! 
• *Check out my Etsy page!  All money made on Etsy goes directly to Giveaways! (Plus, I have some really cool stuff for sale!)  Also, if you help my sister out, that will help me out which will help you out because I will be able to giveaway more awesome stuff! *Check her Etsy store out HERE!
• Know that this doesn't apply just to me. Most bloggers pay for everything they giveaway!  And the harder the times get, the less giveaways there will be.  I do a lot of jewelry related giveaways because I can make the jewelry.  I do giveaways for journals because I make journals.  But I love doing crazy awesome giveaways and I don't want to stop!  So help support your favorite bloggers! 

*If you purchase anything from any of these links, leave a note on your order saying that Nothought2small brought you there and I will make sure you get a "Thank you"  gift included with your order! 

Touching Smoke ~ A Book Review

Touching Smoke by Airicka Phoenix

Secrets... 

Fallon has one. She doesn’t know it, but it will kill her... if she’s caught. 

Love... 

Isaiah. Her soul mate. Made especially for her. Created especially for her. Designed to be everything she would ever need. But loving him will destroy her. 

Betrayal... 

Willing to die for her, kill for her, Isaiah must first save her from the monster chasing them — the man that had created them to annihilate the world. 

What would you risk for love?

My review: 

Where to start?  Oooh there is just to say.  Well lets start with the beginning shall we? 

I got to exactly one and a half pages and by that point there was no pulling me away.  (It usually takes AT LEAST the first chapter to really pull me in!) 

By the time I got to the middle of the book, I wasn't breathing, my heart was beating rapidly and I was in love.  Yes, yes indeed.  

Fallon, Grade A when it comes to believable characters.  Isaiah. . . mmmmmmm  Isaiah.  Well, lets just say I'm REALLY in love.  

Writing?  Aw beautiful, believable, pulled me right in! 

Characters? Lovable, Understandable and seriously, some of my all time faves! 

Story line? Breath taking!   Aww, seriously!  I couldn't put it down.   I finished this in one night and started it up again from page one the very next morning! (No joke!) 

*Every moment awake, all I do is wait for book two to come out.  

So, what is my overall rating?  Well as if you couldn't guess; Five Musical Notes.  Five Stars, Five whatever you deem them.  5/5 no matter how you look at it. 

Thank you Airicka, for ANOTHER fantastic read this year! 

*Also funny story speaking of waiting.  A friend posted a picture of the cover on her Facebook page which is how I found out about Touching Smoke.  I immediately needed to read it.  BUT, I don't have an e-reader and I don't want one.  And guess what?  Touching Smoke wasn't out in any other form.  So I started chatting with Airicka and convinced her it was crucial that she make it happen.  I purchased my copy the day she announced that I could. 

You can purchase the Kindle version of Touching Smoke HERE
and/or a paperback copy HERE

Find Airicka on Facebook HERE

Oh yes, and if you have the patience to wait (haha good luck with that), Airicka is one of the lovely authors signed up for the Twelve Books for Christmas party!  (Wanna know how many copies of Touching Smoke she's giving away??  12!!!!)  

Give me Questions and get Prizes! No seriously, read this for the chance at some incredible prizes!

So by now you have probably heard of The Twelve Books for Christmas party that is happening in December.   (If not, CLICK HERE).

Now, you see when you have to interview one author, it is always fun to come up with crazy fun questions.  You can take a few days maybe, maybe you have a little more time to come up with crazy things to ask. 

With the Twelve Books for Christmas party, I have to write 6 interview questions for (literally) dozens of authors.  This year we have enough room for (at least) 72 authors. 

Do the math.  6 interview questions per author, that comes to 432 interview questions! 

Now a few of those questions can be the same but honestly, if we do all the interviews the same what fun is it?  No fun at all really. 

Last year Lizzy and I wrote 216 questions in a matter of days.  This year I have had all year to plan and I still don’t have enough unique questions. 

SO, this is the reason I am talking about this.   I have decided that seems how this magnificent party is for YOU to get to know the authors; I am going to let YOU ask the questions. 

No really, I want you to comment below with as many crazy questions as possible that we can ask the awesome authors who are participating.

But that’s not all.  You see, if I can get all of you wonderful, awesome followers to come up with all 432+ questions, I am going to have the craziest giveaway ever. 

And if you submit questions, you are automatically entered to win!

Comment below with your questions, leave your e-mail in the comments so I can contact you if you win, and share this post as much as possible!  Get as many people to comment with questions so we can have this crazy giveaway!

Sharing this post will also get you points.  Let me know where you shared!

• If you tweet about this, tag me! @KonstanzS  2pts
• Google+ it!  (Simple, just click the button at the bottom of the post) 2pts
• Mention it on Facebook!  2pts
• Blog about it!  10pts

International Prizes will be marked as such.  All 432 questions must be submitted by 10-31-12. 

This giveaway is also going on HERE. 

How The Piano Guys are related to Writing

As promised from Mondays blog post, here is how The Piano Guys are related to writing.  But first let me introduce you to The Piano Guys.

Scratch that.  GO HERE to read Their Story.  I will wait. 

. . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Have you finished? No?  Okay, I will continue to wait. 

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Honestly, the rest of this blog post really isn't gonna make much sense if you don't go read that.   No worries, I will continue to wait. . .  . . . . . . . . .

 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Finished?  Yes?  Oh good!  

As I was saying,  The Piano Guys have helped me with my writing very much so.  Here is how. 

It was a beautiful day when my best friend, Lizzy came to hang out.   We went for a little drive and she had a CD playing in her car.  I couldn't help but wonder what we were listening to.  The music was BEAUTIFUL!  

So, I asked her.  And her reply was "This is The Piano Guys."  - This being after she just showed me The Piano Guys' One Direction video'.-  So I look at her and all I can think is SERIOUSLY?? Why have I not heard of these wonderful musicians before?!?!?!?! 

After our "hang-out" ended, I promptly went home and listened to every piece of musical goodness from The Piano Guys.  (Oh how I love YouTube).  

Of course 'Secrets' is my favorite song from them!  It is beautiful and I love it!  I have listened to this song on repeat for weeks now.   And it is with this song that The Piano Guys helped me with writing.  

There I was sitting on my bed,  listening to 'Secrets' while blogging and e-mailing and doing other things.  And I was hit with inspiration!  

It has been six months now since I quit working on my novel 'Missing Royal'.  And yet, listening to that song, I was brought back to a moment in the novel where this music would fit perfectly.  I couldn't stop thinking about it.   I immediately got out my manuscript, looked at it with a sigh and began reading.  

And I haven't stopped.  I am currently editing 'Missing Royal'.  I hope to have it ready to send to publishers sometime in November.  I am currently searching for any and all advice on Query Letters which, if you have any advice, you can help me out by GOING HERE! 

So the point to all of this?  To sharing how much I LOVE The Piano Guys and how I can relate them to writing?  Not really.  My entire point is, when you are feeling lost in from writing,  when you don't feel like writing, when you just can't seem to find the right words to write, never give up hope.  And be open to inspiration wherever it may come.  Because it will come and when it does, make sure you're ready for it.  

And in other ways I can relate The Piano Guys to writing?  

Have fun!  I watch their videos and see how much fun they have while making a living doing what they love and all I can hope for every Author, every musician and everyone with a dream,  is that you have fun while living it.  

The Toadhouse Trilogy- Book One- A Book Review

The Toadhouse Trilogy: Book one by Jess Lourey

Aine (pronounced "Aw-nee") believes herself to be a regular teenager in 1930s Alabama, but when a blue-eyed monster named Biblos attacks, she discovers that the reclusive woman raising her isn't really her grandmother and that she's been living inside a book for the past five years. With her blind brother, Spenser, she flees the pages of the novel she's called home, one terrifying step ahead of Biblos' black magic. Her only chance at survival lies in beating him to the three objects that he desires more than life. 

As she undertakes her strange and dangerous odyssey, Aine must choose between a family she doesn't remember and her growing attraction to a mysterious young man named Gilgamesh. Only through treacherous adventures into The Time Machine, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, A Tale of Two Cities, and the epic Indian saga The Ramayana will she learn her true heritage and restore the balance of the worlds... if she can stay alive.

My Review: 

Let me start by saying, I want to cry.  Why?  Because the book ended.  

Why did it have to end so soon?  

This is one of those

*feels-like-you’re-losing-a-friend-when-you-turn-to-the-last-page-of-the-amazing-book*

Yes, that is this book! 

For those who don't know this, very few books make it to my five music notes list.  So when I give a book five stars, it means that I REALLY like it.  When I review two books in the same month that both get five music notes,  you know it is a big deal.  

So if it isn't obvious as of now, 

This book is filled with adventure! Again NO CLICHE moves!  *Does super happy dance*.  Do you know how many books I read a year that are full of the same boring cliches?  I HATE cliches.  (Most of them anyway).   

This book has the hint of something more than friendship between two of our main characters.  While it was a relief to have to read about that the whole time, I do hope that we see more in book two!  

And I CANNOT WAIT for book two.  

Oh yes, did I mention the cover?  Yeah, I LOVE the cover.  ALSO, not cliche.  :)  It is a refreshing, beautiful sight and will make a wonderful addition to my bookshelf! 

Great writing, wonderful characters, awesome adventure, oh yes and the whole story is pretty much a dream come true for me!  I have always LOVED  the idea of being able to travel between stories as they do in the book.  

Well done, Jess Lourey!  You have yourself another life long fan! 

A little message from an amazing author!

Alright folks,  So if you didn't see, I just reviewed Mythology by Helen Boswell.  And it got 5 music notes.  The Author is just as cool as the book and she is kinda taking charge on my blog today.  SO, here is a message from Helen. 

Hi! I am offering a 3-day promo during which time the Kindle

version of MYTHOLOGY is FREE. A YA

urban fantasy that has been praised for its beautiful writing, 

suspenseful storytelling, a strong female 

protagonist, and a unique and interesting cast of characters - all 

yours for FREE

this Monday through Wednesday only! 

~Helen

Alright, did you all get that?  Get your very own copy of Mythology 

for FREE!

CLICK HERE to claim your copy! 

Also, did you know it is very helpful to authors if you click "like"

on Amazon?  While you're there getting your free copy, click like

and support an amazing author! 

~Konstanz

You get what you give

Through the years of Writing, Blogging and Networking, I have come to this conclusion;

 You get what you give.  

Yes, yes, yes I know I didn't come up with the phrase.  And I'm not the first to say it.  

But it is true.  I continue to wonder how I made it this far, how I made it to 500+ Blog Followers,  200(ish) Facebook followers, Many more Friends, and just since 9-23-12 I have hit more than 30 Twitter followers.  

And the more I think about the ups and downs and when I get more views and followers and it is very clear. The more I comment on other blogs, Follow other people on their networking sites and befriend more authors, the more comeback I get.   

And while I LOVE helping authors and friends as much as possible, it does feel pretty nice knowing so many people care about what I have to say. 

So THANK YOU for following, befriending and sticking around.  And on that note, if I am not already following your blog, Facebook page, Twitter, Goodreads and/or any other sites/page you have, please leave your links in the comments and I will stop by!

p.s If you're a published author, you might be interested in the Twelve Books for Christmas.
(CLICK HERE)!
  

Shifted Perspective ~ A Book Review

Shifted Perspective by J. Bridger

Caleb Byrne is a bright high school senior who has enough to deal with between college choices, taking care of his single dad, and dealing with his headstrong girlfriend Joanna and an eccentric set of cousins in California. He was managing to get by until the day he woke up a Cocker Spaniel. Even if it only happens monthly and is more embarrassing than painful, the so-called ability is something that he's anxious to be rid of. 

He didn't realize his transformations would drag him into a hidden society of canine and lupine shape shifters as well as a family legacy he hates. To make matters worse, after moving to Los Angeles to learn more about his heritage from his Aunt Moira and his cousin Kalista, Caleb now struggles through life-and-death matters. He keeps angering the werewolves in charge of the shifter world, especially Kalista's boyfriend Peter, the Southern California alpha's son, who also happens to be grade-A sociopath. Worse, Caleb's floundering to keep his secret from Joanna. 

While his family offers him some support, they may not be enough as Caleb realizes that the rules in shifter society---number one is supposed to be don't kill humans---are not so ironclad. Some werewolf out there is leaving a blood-soaked trail across the Midwest and it might just be with the alpha's blessing...

My Review:

I'm stuck in the middle with this book.  It isn't my favorite book but it definitely is a good one.  Strange things begin happening to Caleb, forcing him to give up the girl of his dreams along with his dream college.   Right from the beginning you can't help but wonder how everything is going to work out.  

The book does go slow for a while. And I found that there were some points in the story where Caleb sounded more like 14 rather than 17 years old.    But it is a fun quick read.  I love the adventures Caleb is forced into upon founding out what he is.   My eyes were glued to the page from the beginning of the book.  But let me just say, when you read the last line of the book, you will be rushing to find out when the second book comes out.   I know I did and I can't wait to read the next book in the series! 

I once again find myself pleasantly surprised to find that this book was NOT full of the usual cliches.  

3.5 Dragons

Mythology Giveaway Winner, some news and a (MAJOR) announcement!

Congratulations to  Ariell Larson!!  You have won a copy of Mythology by Helen Boswell!  

An e-mail will be sent shortly.  

And now, onto other news: 

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend!  I know mine was spectacular!  I got to go see 

Ringling Bros. And Barnum & Bailey: Dragons (Yes, I am aware that this is only sort of related to writing)  

Yes! I got to see a Dragon Show!!! 
A huge THANK YOU to the best Sister and Brother (in-law) ever for taking me! 

 It was epic! (Plus, it was my first Circus ever!)

And tonight, I am going to see The Piano Guys in concert!!! Haven't heard of them? You're missing out!

(Yes, I am aware that this really doesn't have anything to do with writing.  Except for. . . it does.  Come back for Friday's Blog post to find out how they are related!)

Oh yeah! One more thing!
I have been putting this off for a while but have finally given in and done it.  I created my twitter account.
@KonstanzS
Follow me and I will follow you! :)

Just kidding, that wasn't the last thing. HERE is the last thing.

Here is the MAJOR Announcement I was referring to in the title of this post.

So, some of you may recall a post I did last year titled Are you an author? Do you know the one I am referring to? If yes, then I think you can guess what I'm about to announce.  If No, CLICK HERE to read the original post!  

So here is the short rundown:

Last year I did The Twelve Books for Christmas.  I interview 12 authors (per blog, there were three blogs signed up). And each author gave away a book or two or three or twelve.  :)  And we did this for the twelve days leading up to Christmas.  It was a TON of fun and even though it was short notice last year, it got a LOT of attention.

So why am I telling you about this in September?  Well here is why:

Last year I posted the "Are you an author" post on November 30th and it was incredibly difficult to get everything set up and even with my handy-dandy best friend, we still struggled getting everything ready on time.

SO, I am telling you this because I am hoping to get more than 36 authors signed up for The Twelve Days of Christmas.  :)  Want to know more? Interested in signing up?  Want to read the rules?  Everything can be found HERE on this form!

There is a slight mistake in the form.  It does say that Interview Questions will be sent out within the next week.  This is not true.  I will slowly be e-mailing out interview questions as it gets closer to the actual event! But knowing which authors are signing up ahead of time will make it easier to build up some hype!

Oh and if you're worried about participating because you are Indie, don't!  Want to know why? CLICK HERE! 

If you're worried about signing up because you are Traditionally published, don't!  Want to know why? CLICK HERE.

If you have questions, comments, or suggestions, please look at the form first and then feel free to comment or e-mail me!

Okay, now go fill out (or at least look at) the Sign up Form!

Hit me with your best shot, Query away!

I don't mean literally.  I don't really want to be hit at all.  That kinda hurts.  No, I want you to give me the best Query advice you have ever heard!  

Yep, I am getting ready to write my first Query Letter and I. Am. Terrified!    If you are willing to share a copy of your ACTUAL query letter, PLEASE, PLEASE e-mail it to me! 

nothought2small(at)gmail(dot)com

Or if you know of public examples I can look at, please leave a link in the comments.  

Never before have I felt so close to publication and yet, so far away.   I wrote an entire novel (multiple times!)  And yet I can't even write a query letter.  Correction:  I don't know HOW to write a Query letter.  So I am asking you for help! 

Blogs about it? Great! 

Articles on the internet? Excellent! 

Things editors and publishers have told you?  Awesome! 

Real life examples? Priceless! 

Thank you in advance for all the advice and help! 

p.s Bonus points to whoever can name the song I stole lyrics from (and changed some) for the title of this post!


And now, for a special announcement! 

Celebrate the first days of autumn with a free download of Jess Lourey's latest book, the first in a young adult trilogy that Paul Goat Allen of The Chicago Tribune calls "a must read" that "truly does have the potential to become a young adult classic." The free download is available only on September 21 and 22 through Amazon. To check it out CLICK HERE!

Review coming soon! 

Also,

 don't forget to check out my current giveaway HERE!   

Mythology ~ A book review

Mythology by Helen Boswell

Hope Gentry doesn’t believe in Fate. Born with an unusual power to see the dark memories of those around her, Hope just wants to be a normal teenager. But on the first day of her senior year of high school, she finds herself irresistibly drawn to a transfer student named Micah Condie. At first glance, Micah seems like a boy that most girls would dream about. But when Hope's powers allow her to discover Micah's darkest secret, she quickly becomes entangled in the lives of mythical entities she never dreamed existed. Was this her destiny all along? And will her powers help her survive the evil of the Demon Impiorum? 

Mythology isn't just for English class anymore



My Review: 

Demons, Guardians, Soul-Seers, Dark Pasts, Bright Futures, Hope.  

Heart racing, palms sweaty, legs shaking, hardly breathing, I couldn't put this book down.

I was caught off guard by everything going on.  

A demon for a boyfriend, A rebel guardian angel.  What else do you need?

I think about what to say while writing this review and the only word that comes to mind is Fantastic.  Pretty much the whole book was Fantastic.   There area few scenes where Adult Content is DISCUSSED but it never goes beyond that.  Ever.  Beyond those few scenes where it is discussed, FANTASTIC! That is my review.  The whole thing summed up in a single word.  Because, I'm kinda having a Book Hangover.  And can't really even think about what to say when I can't get over the words I read.

But for real (not that I wasn't being for real earlier),  This book was a breath of fresh air.  All the Cliche events in a  book that I hate, weren't in this book.  I was almost expecting them to pop out and I was genuinely happy they never did.  No crazy love triangle, no boyfriend/girlfriend being jealous and overly protective (as in, you can't talk to another person of the opposite gender or I am going to think you are cheating), no tear jerking break-up moments in attempt to save the each other.  Nope, it was truly a relief and a wonderful, well written story.  Helen, you have yourself a crazy, life-long fan! 

Writing? Incredible! 

Characters? LOVE THEM!

Dialogue? Perfect! 

Story?  Give me more! 

My rating?

(For those unaware, 5 dragons notes is reserved for the books that I LOVE the MOST EVER.  Like, these books get their own shelf and I buy a billion* copies to giveaway to all my friends because the book is THAT good)

*That might be an exaggeration.

Indie vs Traditional: Why does it matter?

I know this is a HUGE topic to tackle.  A lot of people are very supportive of either Indie OR Traditionally published authors.  And I have seen a lot of posts on the subject.  You know what I've noticed?  When people talk about this, they are usually supporting Indie authors.  That is fantastic.  But I think this subject is causing a lot of tension.

Indie Authors are fantastic! I know there are a lot of self published books that shouldn't have been published.  NOT because they aren't worthy.  But because they need a LOT of editing.  And for this reason, Indie authors fear that if a reader knows they are Indie, they won't buy the book.

I also know that there are a lot of great books that are self published and you can't tell that an editor from a major publishing house didn't edit the book.   And a lot of self published authors are just as good (and sometimes even better) that traditionally published authors.

However, I also know that Traditionally published authors shouldn't be hated because they AREN'T Indie.  Guess what?  If you like a book and author, why does it matter how they were published?  It shouldn't.

I want to get published and I am weeks away from sending my novel to publishers.  I WANT to be traditionally published.  Does this mean that I don't like Indie authors? No! Does this mean that I think going Indie is the wrong way to go? No!  Does it mean that I couldn't go Indie if I so decide? No!  It simply means that I WANT to be traditionally published.  Not because I think I am better and therefore deserve it.  Not because I think it takes more work and so I know people will respect me more if I am published by a major publishing house.  No, it simply means that I have been dreaming of this for years and I WANT to be traditionally published.

There are two 'sayings' I see around often:

"Don't judge a book by its cover." 

&

"Don't judge a book by its movie." 

Today I am adding another one. 

"Don't judge a book by the way it was published." 

It shouldn't be "Traditional Authors take care of Traditional Authors" and "Indie Authors 

take care of Indie Authors." It should be "Authors take care of Authors." We work together,

 are always there for each other and always have everyone's back!

So, where do I stand when it comes to Indie vs Traditional?  In the middle.

I support Indie Authors

I support Traditional Authors

I support Authors. 

p.s: To all other Bloggers and Authors who stand with this, feel free to steal the badge on my sidebar.  If you need the html code, comment below or e-mail me and I will send it to you.   

500 Followers Giveaway WINNERS!

A huge thank you to all of my followers and friends!   Thank you to everyone who entered the 500 follower giveaway! 

And the winners are: 

Prize pack #1 winner: 

Susanne Drazic

Prize pack #2 winner:

Sharon Mayhew

Prize pack #3 winner:

MonaG

Prize pack #4 winner:

Liz Hughes

Prize pack #5 winner: 

Mary DeBorde

Congratulations to the winners! Thank you to all who entered and participated!  You are all wonderful!  (E-mails will be sent shortly.) 

500 Followers Giveaway!

Can I just jump up and down and and squeal with happiness? 

I have been running this blog for three(ish) years now and I seriously thought it would take a thousand years for me to EVER get to 500 followers.  

*Place Happy Dance HERE* 

So I have been thinking long and hard about what I want to do to celebrate 500 followers and OF COURSE I am going to do a giveaway.  The hard question is. . . WHAT am I going to giveaway? 

Well I do lots of serious giveaways and lots of books and lots of crazy things no one knows why I am giving away.  And I think for this giveaway I am going to do a mix of all of it! 

So. . . here are the prize packs:

#1: Grow your own Fantasy Creatures Kit:
(*US, only)

Put your Dragon, Fairy, Mermaid and Unicorn in water and watch them grow! 

#2: Dragonfly, Book Locket:

(*US, only)

A Dragonfly sitting on  top of a book locket.  

#3:  Hand-Decorated Journal:

(*US, only)

Winner may choose ONE of these journals.  

#4: Amazon Gift Card:

(*International)

No picture available

#5: One Book of your choice from the Book Depository
(*International as long as the BD ships to your country)

No picture available



Just fill out the form below and check back on 
Friday (9-14-12) when I will announce the lucky winners! 

Prize packs marked (US, only) are only open to those with a US address.  If marked (International), that prize pack is open to winners internationally as long as the Book Depository will ship to your country or an Amazon gift card will work in your country. 

Giveaway ends on Thursday (9-13-12) at 11:59pm and winners will be announced Friday at 12:01 AM. 

Don't forget to share this post!  (If you do, tell me in the comments.  You get extra points for that.) 


 

Oh yeah, and bonus points for commenting!  (I really do love comments!)

Oh yeah, and any prize being shipped to a US address will receive an extra little prize:

1 Book Cover, One Charm Bookmark, and one pack of awesome bookmarks!