Category Archives: Uncategorized

Help Me, I’m Drowning

Another Awesome Post by Kristen Lamb, author of We Are Not Alone: The Writer’s Guide to Social Media.

Product Details

Author Kristen Lamb's avatarKristen Lamb's Blog

Many writers feel overwhelmed. We’re frequently trying to balance a day job, family, special occasions, emergencies, blogging, social media, laundry and even BATHING. It seems like just about the time we get a good juggling rhythm, someone tosses another bowling pin in our hand (sick kid, car breaking down, computer crashing).

I’d love to say that I’m perfect at these tips I’m about to offer, but I’m a lousy liar. But, I will say that though I’m not where I’d like to be, I’m far from where I used to be (again, thank you Joyce Meyer).

Sometimes We JUST Need to Outsource

I do a fairly good job of at least keeping the house looking like it was hit by a Category ONE Hurricane and not a KATRINA. But, do I have time to scrub all the floors properly and dust the blinds and make the shower sparkle like new?…

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Spirit by Brigid Kemmerer

Product DetailsSpirit (Elemental #3) by Brigid Kemmerer.  Published May 2013 by Kensington Books.  CDN $6.99 Kindle Edition.

With power comes enemies. Lots of them.

Hunter Garrity just wants to be left alone. He’s learned the hard way that his unusual abilities come at a price. And he can’t seem to afford any allies.

He’s up to his neck in hostiles. His grandfather, spoiling for a fight. The Merrick brothers, who think he ratted them out. Calla, the scheming psycho who wants to use him as bait.

Then there’s Kate Sullivan, the new girl at school. She’s not hostile. She’s bold. Funny. Hot. But she’s got an agenda, too.

With supposedly secret powers rippling to the surface everywhere around him, Hunter knows something ugly is about to go down. But finding out what means he’ll have to find someone he can trust…(Goodreads excerpt)

Awesome!  Again another truly great read in the series.  I was not a big fan of Hunter when I started this series; something about him just didn’t ring as well as the brothers did. Perhaps it was his giant ego, or the chip on his shoulder that he carried around, well not anymore.  Brigid did an awesome job of getting us to see the depth of the real Hunter, flaws and all.  I like the comment she makes in the Beyond the Story section.  ‘This book isn’t about Hunter finding romance.  It’s about Hunter finding himself.’  It is truly an amazing read, different in some ways from the other stories but equally compelling.

I liked the female lead in this book Kate.  She is spunky and full of life and charm and the perfect character to draw Hunter out.  I liked how Hunter and Kate related to each other and I laughed each time Kate bested Hunter at something.  I felt empathy for her situation as well and wanted them to end up together.

I was a bit shocked at the twist towards the end (I won’t give it away) as it wasn’t typical of Brigid, but it made sense and fit well with Hunter’s story, making me feel even more empathy for Hunter.  I love how the story of all of the elementals keeps evolving with each book.  I loved that the brothers took Hunter in and made him one of them.  In the other books he was always an outsider and now he feels more like a fifth brother.

Brigid is truly an amazing writer and I love this series.  I can’t wait for the next book.

5 stars for me.

 

 

Feisty Female YA Tournament 2013 – Round Two!!!

Feisty Female YA Tournament 2013 ~ Now Open!        

    It’s that time of year to vote for the females that have carried their many weapons with care, have taken out more bad guys than you can count on both hands and have shown the world that women are not to be messed with!
It’s also a chance to acknowledge that heroines don’t have to be simpering, weak or girly – they can have iron backbones and save the day better than any man can 😉

Voting will be open 31 May – 31 July. There will be 7 Rounds:

– Round 1 – top 15 move to Round 2
– Round 2 – top 10 move to Round 3
– Round 3 – top 6 move to Round 5
– *Round 4/Gatecrashers* – top 6 move to Round 5
– Round 5 – top 6 move to Round 6
– Round 6 – top 3 move to Round 7
– Round 7 – WINNER IS ANNOUNCED 31 JULY

 

CURRENTLY IN SESSION: ROUND 2
VOTE HERE (click)

This tournament will be going on here, on Goodreads, and via Twitter.

My support (and hopefully my fans) goes out for Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins  – She is one tough Female with alot of spunk!  Let’s all get out there and show our support -vote for Katniss!    

                                             

“We had to save you because you’re the mockingjay, Katniss…While you live, the revolution lives.”

Feisty Female YA Tournament 2013 – Now Open!

Feisty Female YA Tournament 2013 ~ Now Open!        

    It’s that time of year to vote for the females that have carried their many weapons with care, have taken out more bad guys than you can count on both hands and have shown the world that women are not to be messed with!
It’s also a chance to acknowledge that heroines don’t have to be simpering, weak or girly – they can have iron backbones and save the day better than any man can 😉

Voting will be open 31 May – 31 July. There will be 7 Rounds:

– Round 1 – top 15 move to Round 2
– Round 2 – top 10 move to Round 3
– Round 3 – top 6 move to Round 5
– *Round 4/Gatecrashers* – top 6 move to Round 5
– Round 5 – top 6 move to Round 6
– Round 6 – top 3 move to Round 7
– Round 7 – WINNER IS ANNOUNCED 31 JULY

CURRENTLY IN SESSION: ROUND 1

VOTE HERE (click)

This tournament will be going on here, on Goodreads, and via Twitter.

My support (and hopefully my fans) goes out for Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins  – She is one tough Female with alot of spunk!  Let’s all get out there and show our support -vote for Katniss!    

                                                                                 

 

When Will I Get My Breakthrough? Making It Past “The Dip”

Awesome post from Kristen Lamb.  Kristen is the author of

Product Details We Are Not Alone: The Writer’s Guide to Social Media.

Author Kristen Lamb's avatarKristen Lamb's Blog

If you stick with writing long enough, you will make it to The Dip (thank you, Seth Godin). The Dip is that span of suck right before the big breakthrough. The Dip is a killer and it seems to go on and on and on, but The Dip serves a number of important purposes.

The Dip Weeds Out the Uncommitted

Writing is the best job in the world. I love what I do and, frankly it’s a huge reason I struggle with resting. My work rarely feels like work…unless I’m in The Dip, which I’m in now. We writers also call these “revisions.” I’ve read my new book so many times, I swear I could recite it from memory.

But there’s a missing comma. Oh, and where did that extra period come from? Wait, the subject and verb don’t agree in that sentence. Doesn’t that need a citation? All…

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Feisty Female YA Tournament 2013 – Now Open!

Feisty Female YA Tournament 2013 ~ Now Open!        

    It’s that time of year to vote for the females that have carried their many weapons with care, have taken out more bad guys than you can count on both hands and have shown the world that women are not to be messed with!
It’s also a chance to acknowledge that heroines don’t have to be simpering, weak or girly – they can have iron backbones and save the day better than any man can 😉

Voting will be open 31 May – 31 July. There will be 7 Rounds:

– Round 1 – top 15 move to Round 2
– Round 2 – top 10 move to Round 3
– Round 3 – top 6 move to Round 5
– *Round 4/Gatecrashers* – top 6 move to Round 5
– Round 5 – top 6 move to Round 6
– Round 6 – top 3 move to Round 7
– Round 7 – WINNER IS ANNOUNCED 31 JULY

CURRENTLY IN SESSION: ROUND 1

VOTE HERE (click)

This tournament will be going on here, on Goodreads, and via Twitter.

My support (and hopefully my fans) goes out for Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins  – 

“I want to do something, right here, right now, to shame them, to make them accountable, to show the Capitol that whatever they do or force us to do that there is a part of every tribute they can’t own. That Rue was more than a piece in their Games. And so am I.” (Katniss about Rue and herself!)

     How Can anyone not think she is the ultimate Feisty Female?  Come on people vote for Katniss.    

                                                                         

The Second Sign by Elizabeth Arroyo

Product DetailsThe Second Sign by Elizabeth Arroyo published Feb 2013 by Sapphire Star Publishing.  $3.98 CDN Kindle edition.

Bred to believe in the war between angels and demons, Gabby has come to the conclusion that love is responsible for war, jealousy, and all the other deadly sins she can think of. So when she’s exiled to the middle of nowhere for getting kicked out of her fifth school for fighting, she doesn’t expect to meet Jake. Much less fall in love. But Jake is quickly drawn to the eerie beauty of her violet eyes while Gabby is unsettled by their undeniable connection.

When a demon guardian comes to collect her soul, she refuses to give it up. She’s not a demon. She can’t be. Her father and twin brother are angels. The demon gives Gabby twenty-four hours to decide her allegiance, and then starts killing her short list of friends, leaving a message behind: She is the Second Sign.

As Gabby and Jake begin to unravel the mystery behind the Second Sign, she learns Jake may be the key to saving her soul. But it means a sacrifice has to be made that will change their lives forever. (Goodreads Excerpt)

I have to give this a WOW straight up.  I have to say that I am pleasantly surprised that I liked this book as much as I did.  I am not usually into Angels and Demons and that sort of story line, but this book sucked me in almost from the start and I couldn’t put it down.  I was a little concerned with the first chapter being so dark and gory, but after that I really was drawn into the story and loved every minute.  I think I might just read a few more Angels and Demon stories after all.

I really enjoyed the main character Gabby, I found it easy to empathize with her and immediately felt a little sorry for her situation.  I wanted to protect her.  Her character was well rounded and nothing was left out.  The Same is said for Jake.  I equally liked him and wanted the two to find comfort in each other no matter what kept them apart.  I am an eternal optimist and really liked the chemistry between these two. (Even when Jake was being a bit of a jerk, I wanted to slap him and tell him to smarten up cause she is a great girl…lol)

The writing in this book is done exceptionally well and I found it easy to follow.  There were a few instances where I had to reread a passage because of everything that was going on, but it didn’t hinder the story line.  With all the twists and turns in the story it was explained well leaving nothing out.  I was actually surprised with how much detail and thought went into the story as it was very complex.  I love the idea of free will, even for Angels and Demons which one normally associates with good or evil.  I also loved the suspense of the story as we don’t know what exactly Gabby is (although the cover suggests she is an angel of sorts) she is something different and unique.

I really enjoyed this story but there is a dark element to it that may not be for everyone’s taste.

Definitely 5 stars for me.

 

 

Good Luck Susie!

Sending out lots of good wishes from a fellow blogger.  All the best #SusieStrong.  

Feisty Female YA Tournament 2013 – Now Open!

Feisty Female YA Tournament 2013 ~ Now Open!        

    It’s that time of year to vote for the females that have carried their many weapons with care, have taken out more bad guys than you can count on both hands and have shown the world that women are not to be messed with!
It’s also a chance to acknowledge that heroines don’t have to be simpering, weak or girly – they can have iron backbones and save the day better than any man can 😉

Voting will be open 31 May – 31 July. There will be 7 Rounds:

– Round 1 – top 15 move to Round 2
– Round 2 – top 10 move to Round 3
– Round 3 – top 6 move to Round 5
– *Round 4/Gatecrashers* – top 6 move to Round 5
– Round 5 – top 6 move to Round 6
– Round 6 – top 3 move to Round 7
– Round 7 – WINNER IS ANNOUNCED 31 JULY

CURRENTLY IN SESSION: ROUND 1

VOTE HERE (click)

This tournament will be going on here, on Goodreads, and via Twitter.

My support (and hopefully my fans) goes out for Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins  – She is one tough Female with alot of spunk!  Let’s all get out there and show our support -vote for Katniss!    

                                                                                 

Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister’s place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before—and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. (The Hunger Games – goodreads excerpt)

Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has survived the Hunger Games twice. But now that she’s made it out of the bloody arena alive, she’s still not safe. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge. Who do they think should pay for the unrest? Kat, her family, friends, and entire District 12. (MockingJay- goodreads excerpt)

Entropy is REAL and Author Careers Need Feeding DAILY

I just recently got into blogging but I am really enjoying it! I hope everyone else is too!

Product DetailsKristen Lamb is the author of We Are Not Alone.

Author Kristen Lamb's avatarKristen Lamb's Blog

One of the traps we can fall into is we believe the world is somehow static. We feel overwhelmed because we are doing dishes again, the laundry again, mowing the yard again and cooking meals again. It’s easy to feel caught in this loop that can get depressing with a quickness. The same thing can happen in writing.

The world does not reward perfection, it REWARDS FINISHERS. It rewards DOERS. What are we doing?

Our goals in life need daily feeding. Our writing needs daily care. Our brand needs daily care. Entropy is real, and she’s a $#@%$. She will make sure everything we do falls apart faster than a three-year-old’s sock drawer if we aren’t vigilant. Our In-Box will never be empty. The rest is easier if we just accept that.

Our Brand is a Living Thing

Living things need to be fed, just like pets, kids and husbands…

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Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi

Product DetailsShatter Me by Tahereh Mafi.  Published Nov 2011 by HarperCollins.  $2.99 CDN Kindle Edition.

Juliette hasn’t touched anyone in exactly 264 days.

The last time she did, it was an accident, but The Reestablishment locked her up for murder. No one knows why Juliette’s touch is fatal. As long as she doesn’t hurt anyone else, no one really cares. The world is too busy crumbling to pieces to pay attention to a 17-year-old girl. Diseases are destroying the population, food is hard to find, birds don’t fly anymore, and the clouds are the wrong color.

The Reestablishment said their way was the only way to fix things, so they threw Juliette in a cell. Now so many people are dead that the survivors are whispering war – and The Reestablishment has changed its mind. Maybe Juliette is more than a tortured soul stuffed into a poisonous body. Maybe she’s exactly what they need right now.

Juliette has to make a choice: Be a weapon. Or be a warrior. (Goodreads Excerpt)

Wow!  That is one fantastic book.  I love the writing style.  The author does a line with words crossed out almost as if the character thought it but then thought she should not say it or even think it.  There are many repeated words that could be annoying but to me conveyed a more realistic view of Juliette’s thinking.  The whole concept was very interesting and well thought out.  I found it made it easy for me as the reader to identify with the main character.  You get a feel for everything she is experiencing. Really  enjoyable unforgettable, captivating book. 

The characterization of the others is equally engaging.  Adam is my favorite and I love the interaction between him and Juliette.  He is so likable and you instantly want the two to find a way to be together.  Warner is the perfect villain.  He fits into the category of villains you hate to love! He is truly psychotic the way he ‘must have’ Juliette but then (spoiler alert) puts her in a situation where she has to hurt an innocent child.  Then, wham like it’s no big deal, he expects her to love him back! The man is a very complex character   evil sadist!

I loved everything about this book.  It was engaging from the opening paragraph.  I mean it really sucked you in.  Imagine not being able to touch someone.  I loved the world building aspect of the story.  The writer leaves nothing out.  Mafi is truly a genius and makes her dystopian world truly believable and unique.

I find nothing to criticize about the book other than that it is a series and therefore I don’t know what happens.  I will just have to read the next book Unravel Me to find out because this is one that I can’t get out of my mind.

5 stars for me.

Related articles

Steve Jobs and 5 Tips for Being a Successful Author

Dare to be different and embrace failure! Awesome article by Kristen Lamb  Product DetailsAuthor of We Are Not Alone.

Author Kristen Lamb's avatarKristen Lamb's Blog

Yesterday, one of our WANA International instructors, Amy Shojai, wrote about the importance of reinvention, and I strongly recommend her class this Saturday (which is recorded if you can’t make the time). Use code: OWFI for $25 off. As authors, we are in a new paradigm that changes faster than we can keep up with it, thus Apple seemed to be a natural segue into the topic of reinvention and excellence.

Yes, Steve Jobs was known as a lot of things, including a tyrant and egomaniac. Yet, no matter how we feel about the man, Jobs remains the poster child for reinvention, and I found some quotes that make great lessons for all of us writers.

Granted, I was inspired by another blog. Last month, I ran across a fantastic post by Tiffany Reisz Wisdom for Writers from Steve Jobs which I strongly recommend you read as well.

Tip #1—Dare to…

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To Stand Beside Her by Kristin McMichael

Product DetailsTo Stand Beside Her by Kristin McMichael published April 2013 by Createspace.  CDN $3.07 Kindle edition.

I was given a free ebook copy by the author in exchange for a review.  The read 4 review was offered through my Goodreads group Never Too Old For Y. A. Books.  To sum up the story line, Leila is a courier; a one woman kick-butt fighting chick who steals things for a living.  She encounters Nalick a King who, like every other king wants to marry her.  Why not? She is gorgeous, witty, smart sexy and can take care of herself.  He convinces Leila to marry him by kidnapping her best friend Kay and offering Kay’s freedom in exchange for Leila’s.

Let me start out by saying that I absolutely loved the story.  It was fast paced, packed with action and full of suspense.  The world building was well done and I could envision everything that was described.  There were no flaws in the story that I noticed and everything fell into place and made sense.  The main character Leila is a treasure.  She is beautiful, sexy, smart, and cunning, and can fight her way out of any mess.  She is often called the “ghost courier” for her tendency to escape any prison.  The secret to her success is revealed in the story but I won’t give it away here.   She is a truly likable character even if she is a little over the top.  I mean she is perfect but in a good way.  Kind of like superman is too perfect but totally makes sense in the story.

Nalick the king is the love interest in the story.  I was not fussy on the way that Leila falls for him so quickly given the way she was forced to stay, but put that aside and the interaction between the characters is very real and believable.  He is a likable person despite his flaws and referenced ruthlessness.  His feelings for Leila are very believable and I love the two together.

Having said all that there were some flaws in the book, mainly the missing words, grammar errors and run on paragraphs that left me a little confused as I had to read them over a few times to understand what was going on.  It didn’t detract from the story but a good editor would be worth looking into to make it flawless and more seamless to the reader.

Some of the minor characters were well thought out and characterized and I loved Anatolio and Roger.  Some of the other characters however could have been downplayed a little as it distracted me from the main plot.  There were too many characters to keep track of and the description of everything that went on made it harder to keep up with the main story line.

Overall, I loved the story.  I was swept away by the suspense and kept on the edge of my seat.  The ending promised to be sad, however I found it was fitting to the story line and made me a little emotional at the end.

I think the author did a wonderful job with the story and look forward to reading another of her well thought out books.  I give it 4 stars.

 

The Real Problem with Abercrombie & Fitch—How Jeffries’ Message Hurts Us ALL

Very sad indeed. It’s no wonder young girls have issues about weight and looks today when they see this stuff!

 

Author Kristen Lamb's avatarKristen Lamb's Blog

I wasn’t going to blog at all this week. Have been taking a break and refueling. But when I came in from being away for a week, one of the first articles I saw was regarding Abercrombie & Fitch CEO Michael Jeffries’ “marketing campaign” for the preppy clothing line (quoted in the meme above).

Jeffries isbeing hailed by some marketing experts as a brilliant visionary, but I wonder how he would be perceived if he was excluding people of color or sexual orientation. What would people think if he only wanted “white kids” or “straight people” wearing his clothing line?

Don’t get me wrong, A&F has the right to define their demographic, but we as consumers have a right not to buy clothes from such an uncreative designer that has such a warped vision of beauty and a skewed sense that Skinny=Popular & Cool. Even Perez Hilton weighed…

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Guest Post with Erin Healy – The Problem with Self-Editing

Awesome article on writing/editing!