Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Stay Tuned Blog Tour Interview + Giveaway!!

Hi everyone, remember the book I posted about the other day? Well, the author, Lauren Clark, emailed me to let me know I could giveaway 2 eBooks from Amazon or B&N and one paperback copy of Stay Tuned!! Get your entries in below under the interview.

As part of this special promotional extravaganza sponsored by Novel Publicity, the price of the Stay Tuned eBook edition has dropped to just 99 cents this week.

What’s more, by purchasing this fantastic book at an incredibly low price, you can enter to win many awesome prizes, including lots of Amazon gift cards (up to $100 in amount) and 5 autographed copies of the book. Be sure to enter before the end of the day on Friday, December 2nd, so you don’t miss out.


To Win the Prizes:


1. Purchase your copy of Stay Tuned for just 99 cents on Amazon or Barnes & Noble (You’ll need it for the big contest on Friday)

2. Fill-out the form on Novel Publicity to enter for the prizes

3. Visit today’s featured event; you may win an autographed copy of the book or a $50 gift card!


...And I can win too!


Over 100 bloggers are participating in this gigantic event, and there are plenty of prizes for us too. The blogger who receives the most votes in the traffic-breaker poll will win a $100 gift card as well. So when you visit Novel Publicity’s site to fill-out the contest entry form, don’t forget to say that I referred you, so I can get a point in the poll.


The Featured Events include:


Monday, Radio Interview with Novel Publicity! We’re kicking-off on the Novel Publicity Free Advice blog. We interviewed Lauren on our radio show Sunday night and have embedded the full podcast and blogged about its highlights. Give it a listen and then leave a comment on the blog post. This is a great chance to get to know more about this fun and bubbly author. One commenter will win an autographed copy of Stay Tuned. Don’t forget to enter for the other contest prizes while you’re over there!

Tuesday, Twitter sharing contest! A tweet is tiny, only 140 characters. But on Tuesday, it could win you $50. Send the following tweet across the twittersphere, and you just may win a $50 Amazon gift card. An autographed copy of Stay Tuned is also up for grabs. The winners will be announced Wednesday morning. Here’s the tweet: Take a break from the holiday frenzy, and read Stay Tuned. It's fast, fun, and reduced to just 99 cents! http://ow.ly/7zA1e #whirlwind

Wednesday, Google+ sharing contest! Yup, there’s yet another awesome opportunity to win a $50 Amazon gift card, and this time it just takes a single click! Visit Google+ and share Emlyn Chand’s most recent post (you’ll see the Stay Tuned book cover included with it). On Thursday morning, one lucky sharer will be $50 richer. An autographed copy of Stay Tuned is also up for grabs. Two chances to win with just one click! How about that?

Thursday, Facebook sharing contest! Stop by Novel Publicity’s Facebook page and share their latest post (you’ll see the Stay Tuned book cover included with it). It’s ridiculously easy to win! On Friday morning, one lucky sharer will be $50 richer. An autographed copy of Stay Tuned is also up for grabs.

Friday, special contest on the author’s site! Are you ready for some more fun? Take a picture of yourself with your copy of Stay Tuned either in paperback or on an eReading device, tag Lauren Clark’s Facebook page, and you can enter to win one of three Amazon gift cards! A $100 prize will go to the most creative photo, $50 to the best BFF photo, and $50 to the photo with the most people in it. An autographed copy of Stay Tuned is also up for grabs. If you need help learning how to tag a photo, you can visit Lauren’s Facebook page for detailed instructions.


Remember, it’s all about the books!


About Stay Tuned: What happens when a #1 news team becomes the top story instead of reporting it? For TV producer Melissa Moore, crisis management comes with the job. From employee disputes to her high-maintenance boss, there’s not much she hasn’t seen or can’t handle. But no one—including Melissa—expects a fistfight during the ten o’clock news. When sexy-but-crazy Alyssa Andrews lands a punch on her co-anchor’s face, Melissa jumps on set to help. She’s determined that WSGA’s reputation won’t be destroyed on her watch. Both anchors are fired and Melissa agrees to fill in—but not before polishing her look from haircut to heels. While the new Melissa wows WSGA viewers, her personal life starts fraying at the edges. Melissa’s husband is away more than he’s home, leaving cryptic Post-it notes in his wake. Her mother’s antics spiral out of control at the nursing home and a stalker decides Melissa is her next target. What happens next? Stay Tuned to find out… Get it on Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

About the Author: Lauren Clark has been a voracious reader since the age of four and would rather be stranded at the library than on a desert island. In her former life, she worked as an anchor and producer for CBS affiliates in Upstate New York and Alabama. Lauren adores her family, yoga, her new Electra bike, and flavored coffee. She lives near the Florida Gulf Coast. Visit her on her website, Twitter, Facebook, or GoodReads.


Let's get to know Lauren better through a rousing Q&A...




Did you always want to be a writer?

Yes. For as long as I can remember. Of course, my parents always remind that I also wanted to be an Indian princess named Tiger Lily, but that dream was more short-lived. On a serious note, I do have fond memories of spending my summer days toting stacks of books back and forth from my house to our town’s library. It always seemed like a magical place, with endless stories to get lost in.

You worked as both an anchor and producer after graduate school. How did that influence the writing of Stay Tuned?

So much! It was an accident, really, getting into broadcast journalism. I always thought of myself as a behind the scenes kind of girl, but after my first day on the job, I loved it and stuck with it for the next 6 years. Working in television is never boring. There’s always a story, always the next show. The camaraderie in the newsroom is like nothing else I’ve ever experienced. It’s like living in a big, loud, mostly happy, very dysfunctional family every day.

What gave you the idea for Stay Tuned?

True story: A few months before I took my first television job as a part-time health reporter, the two main anchors at one of the local television stations (who were romantically involved) got into a fistfight. They were outside the building, in the station parking lot. Shortly thereafter, they were both fired. In the months that followed, the two of them bantered back and forth in newspaper editorials, threatened lawsuits, and fueled all sorts of crazy retaliation stories. I never forgot about that incident and always thought about what might happen if such a fistfight happened on air, during a newscast. What would happen? How would it be handled? Who would fix this kind of mess?

What did you learn from being on air?

It’s very humbling, really. As a producer, especially, you are in charge of what’s being put out there—the news stories people watch and talk about each day. It’s a big responsibility to get it right. Not just sometimes, but all of the time. There were many sobering days—car accidents, house fires, school shootings—and those stories should be told with sensitivity and care. It’s someone’s son or daughter or parent. Everyone matters.

What was your most memorable experience as an anchor or reporter?

I was on set during 9-11. I remember sitting there with our weatherman and waiting to be cued to go back on air after the commercial. CBS cut in and showed footage from a plane crashing into the Twin Towers. It was surreal and awful. We were all in shock. It didn’t seem possible. All I wanted to do was go home and hug my son.

Was it a difficult decision to leave television?

Yes and no. I loved so many parts of broadcasting. I was able to meet fascinating people – Vice Presidential Candidate Geraldine Ferraro, then-New York Attorney General Eliott Spitzer among many others. I adored the people I worked with, especially the folks behind the scenes. I was also fortunate enough to win several AP awards for anchoring and reporting.

On the flip side, I worked crazy hours (2 am – 10 am) and, as is typical in the industry, I received very little vacation time. I anchored every holiday (Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve, you name it) and wasn’t able to spend much time with my young son. After more than six years, I “retired” from TV news. It was then that I really started to get serious about writing fiction.

How long did it take to write Stay Tuned?

About five years, all said and done. I wrote several other novels before that—and those manuscripts will never see the light of day! When I began Stay Tuned, I had just given birth to my second son, so my writing time was very limited. After putting it away for several years, I picked it back up about 12 months ago, brushed it off, and had an editor-friend look it over. We made some changes, tweaked the story, and fine-tuned the plot. A few months back, I was offered a contract with a small publishing company. Another friend introduced me to the talented and fabulous Emlyn Chand at Novel Publicity, who helped guide me through the entire publishing process. It’s been a wonderful journey!

What’s next? A sequel or a stand-alone novel?

Dancing Naked in Dixie is next (stand alone title) and I’m so excited to share that it’s been selected as a finalist for the 2011 Chick Lit Writers “Get Your Stiletto in the Door” Contest (Winner will be announced December 20, 2011).

Dancing Naked follows the story of a talented but scattered travel magazine writer who returns from overseas only to find out she’s on the verge of getting fired. To save her job, she reluctantly accepts an assignment in the Deep South. She’ll be writing an article about Eufaula, Alabama's annual Pilgrimage event, which is a long-standing spring tour of antebellum mansions (the location is featured in the Reese Witherspoon’s movie, Sweet Home Alabama). Upon arriving in Eufaula, Julia falls in love with the area, its cast of charming characters, and her handsome tour guide. When she discovers that a developer has big plans to buy up many of the historic homes and turn the area into a tourist site, it’s up to Julia to save the day.

What is your writing schedule like?

With two growing, active boys and a busy husband, finding time to write is like looking for a missing Lego piece in a houseful of toys (Moms should appreciate that!) I often get up very early and write while everyone else is asleep or go to the lovely campus of our local university and shut myself in a study room. I love it there because I have to shut off my phone and I don’t have the password for an internet connection! No distractions! Of course, I do frequent two or three local coffee shops and draw inspiration from my daily dose of caffeine and good friends!

Who are your favorite writers? Favorite books?

Gosh, there are so many! My all-time favorites include Emily Giffin, Sophie Kinsella, Jodi Picoult, Alice Hoffman, Jennifer Weiner, Chris Bohjalian, John Grisham, Amanda Eyre Ward, and Lisa See. I also love Lisa Scottoline, Janet Evanovich, and James Patterson. Favorite books include: Sue Monk Kidd’s The Secret Life of Bees, Jodi Picoult’s My Sister’s Keeper, and Stellaluna by Janell Cannon (this is a children’s book that I’ve read over and over to my two boys).

What advice do you have for aspiring writers?

Read. A lot. Write. A lot. Revise. A lot. I’m not joking.

Anyone can write. Writing well is different. It takes focus and tenacity and determination. I've heard Stephen King quoted as saying, "The first million words are practice. Malcolm Gladwell, in Outliers, says, "It takes 10,000 hours of purposeful practice to become expert at anything." Just to be clear, at 4 hours a day (28 hours a week), that’s 7 years. I’m not quoting the experts to scare anyone or be a harbinger of doom. It’s the truth.

Pick up a copy of Stephen King’s On Writing. It’s brilliant and so true and funny in so many sections. If you’re serious about becoming an author, learn as much as you can. Read blogs and books about the craft, network with other writers, or go to a writer’s conference. Above all, write!


MANDATORY ENTRY-
Tell me what you found interesting in the interview above. I really liked the story of her writing this novel. I listened to a radio interview with her, that can be found at the Stay Tuned Tour Page, and it is amazing to hear. You MUST leave an email in at least one of your comments so I can reach you.

US ONLY!!

EXTRA ENTRIES!!

1.Blog or post about this on Facebook. Get 3 entries for each.
2.Follow my blog via GFC, subscribe through RSS Feed or email or follow me on Twitter. Get one entry for each you do.
3.Enter any of my other currently running giveaways. Let me know which ones.
4.Leave a comment on any of my review only posts. This must be for reviews only! Leave a comment for each.
5.Tweet about this giveaway. Can be done three times a day.

6.Follow Lauren Clark on Twitter. Get 3 entries for this so leave 3 comments.

This giveaway will end 12/7. Winners will be chosen through Random.org and they will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen.

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

CFBA Tour Lost Melody by Lori Copeland

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Lost Melody
Zondervan (October 25, 2011)
by
Lori Copeland and Virginia Smith




ABOUT THE AUTHORS:





Lori lives in the beautiful Ozarks with her husband Lance. Lance and Lori have three sons, three daughter-in-laws, and six wonderful grandchildren, and two great-granddaughters. Lance and Lori are very involved in their church, and active in supporting mission work in Mali, West Africa.



Lori began her writing career in 1982, writing for the secular book market. In 1995, after many years of writing, Lori sensed that God was calling her to use her gift of writing to honor Him. It was at that time that Lori began writing for the Christian book market. To date, she has had over 100 books published.







Virginia Smith is the author of more than a dozen Christian novels and over fifty articles and short stories. Her books have been named finalists in the Daphne du Maurier Award of Excellence in Mystery/Suspense, the American Christian Fiction Writer's Book of the Year Award, and ACFW's Carol Award.



A Certified Lay Speaker for the United Methodist Church, Ginny's messages are always well-received by a variety of audiences in conferences, retreats and churches across the country. When she isn't writing or speaking, Ginny and her husband, Ted, enjoy exploring the extremes of nature – snow skiing in the Wasatch Mountains near Salt Lake City, motorcycle riding on the curvy roads in central Kentucky, and scuba diving in the warm waters of Mexico and the Caribbean.



ABOUT THE BOOK



The beautiful piano sitting in the corner of Jill King's apartment begs to be played. For over a year, it has sat untouched, ever since a terrible accident shattered Jill's ambition of becoming a concert pianist. The ragged scar on her left hand is a cruel and constant reminder of the death of her dream. But another dream is about to come to life---an unexpected, horrifying dream that will present Jill with a responsibility she never wanted. And choices she never wanted to make. Hundreds of lives depend on Jill's willingness to warn her small, oceanside town in Nova Scotia of a nameless, looming disaster. But doing so could cost Jill her reputation, jeopardize the political career of the man she loves, and ruin their plans for a future together. The fate of an entire community hangs in the balance as Jill wrestles with the cost of heeding one still, small voice.



If you would like to read a chapter excerpt of Lost Melody, go HERE.

MY REVIEW-I was really drawn into this book from the start. Lost Melody is about a woman who has so much in her future and then a tragedy occurs. This about had me in tears at the first chapter. But then she is slowly drawn back into the world and her surroundings. Jill's fiancee is a real sweetheart and is there for her throughout her troubles and the struggle to pick back up her life. This is a touching story with a nice plot.

Monday, November 28, 2011

Interview with Golden Parsons ++ GIVEAWAY!

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE
HIS STEADFAST LOVE

Howdy all! Today I have Golden Parsons with us and she is offering one of my readers a copy of her new book, His Steadfast Love. I personally loved Golden's last series and it is very different than others. Get your entries in below:) This would make an excellent gift for the person who loves books! Believe me, I have it on my wish list;D
Thank you for being with us today, Golden!!

It's my pleasure to be with you. Thank you for the opportunity.

How long have you known you wanted to be an author?

Well, I grew up around newspaper editors and authors -- my dad, my grandfather, my uncles. So manuscripts, newspapers, and books were an integral part of my everyday life. I think I always knew I'd be an author one day, but I didn't pursue it really until I started speaking professionally in 1996.

Can you tell me a little bit about your newest book?

It is a Civil War novel set on the Gulf coastline of Texas. Texas was a very divided state when it came to the question of secession. So not only was the nation divided, Texas was divided as well ... and in addition the heroine, Amanda Belle's, family is divided when her brother marches off to war to fight for the South, and her sweetheart fights for the North. So the book is all about divided loyalties.

When a reader gets done with your book, what do you want them to come away with?

I want the reader to agonize with Amanda Belle's struggle to unify not only her family, but her faith. She gets to the point where she questions the reality of God's intervention in the affairs of mankind. Both the North and the South claim they are in the right and that God is on their side. Where is God in all of that? She has to learn to trust God in spite of the horror of war around her. The faith of her pastor father has to become her own faith. I want the reader to come away with the reality that we can trust God in spite of our circumstances.

Do you have a special family holiday tradition?

We have several, but one that came to mind immediately is the toffee that I make every year. It is buttery and crunchy and yummy, and I make dozens of batches of it every year to enjoy and give away.


What is your favorite Thanksgiving meal?

The traditional one, which for us is turkey and ham and cornbread dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy, fresh green beans, candied yams, asparagus/pea casserole, cranberry salad or just jellied cranberry, a relish tray of green onions, olives, sweet-fire pickles and celery, yeast rolls (which I don't make from scratch anymore. I just get frozen.) And buttermilk pie (which is a chess pie like is in the book :), pecan pie, and some kind of pumpkin dessert.


What one event would you love to be at? Historical or future?

Oh, I can think of many. But in keeping with the setting of the book, I would say I would have loved to have been at Appomattox. The scene in His Steadfast Love is taken directly from personal records and letters. It must have been quite a solemn occasion. Some of the men started to cheer, but that faded weakly as Robert E Lee mounted his horse and rode past his men. There were tears, instead of cheers on that day.

Do you have a favorite hobby?

My husband and I are avid sports fans of our alma mater, Baylor University. We don't go to all of the events, but we do have season football and basketball tickets.


Is there something about you most people wouldn't know?

My family and close friends know that I am legally blind in my left eye. It's a birth defect, and I've never known any different, so it hasn't ever really been much of a handicap to me.


Do you have any suggestions for the aspiring writer?
If God has called you to write, then write, and don't give up. God has a season for each phase of our lives. We can trust him with that.


Any last thoughts for your readers?

I am so grateful for them. I don't think most readers realize how much we treasure their comments and how much we appreciate them. I love hearing from readers, and I answer every email I receive. Let's hear it for the readers!!!


And how can they connect with you?

www.goldenkeyesparsons.com or GPar0719@aol.com


Thanks so much for being here today!!

Again, thanks for having me!


Now, like I said, Golden is a wonderful lady(I love her name) and her new book sounds exciting! Remember, one of you will win a copy of it from my blog here.

MANDATORY ENTRY-
Tell me a holiday tradition you have. This must be done or the extra entries do not count. You MUST leave an email in one of your comments so I can reach you if you are the winner.

US ONLY!!

EXTRA ENTRIES!!

1.Blog or post about this on Facebook. Get 3 entries for each.
2.Follow my blog via GFC, subscribe through RSS Feed or email or follow me on Twitter. Get one entry for each you do.
3.Enter any of my other currently running giveaways. Let me know which ones.
4.Leave a comment on any of my review only posts. This must be for reviews only! Leave a comment for each.
5.Tweet about this giveaway. Can be done three times a day.

6.Enter another one of my Holiday Gift Guide Giveaways and get 2 entries. Leave 2 comments for each one.
7.Follow Golden's blog via GFC. Get 2 entries for this so leave 2 comments.
8.Follow Golden on Facebook. Get 3 entries for this so leave three comments.

This giveaway will end 12/12. Winner will be chosen through Random.org and they will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen.

Stay Tuned Blog Tour

Hey everyone! Today I have a blog tour and an author interview with my holiday gift guide. Check them out:)


As part of this special promotional extravaganza sponsored by Novel Publicity, the price of the Stay Tuned eBook edition has dropped to just 99 cents this week.

What’s more, by purchasing this fantastic book at an incredibly low price, you can enter to win many awesome prizes, including lots of Amazon gift cards (up to $100 in amount) and 5 autographed copies of the book. Be sure to enter before the end of the day on Friday, December 2nd, so you don’t miss out.


To Win the Prizes:


1. Purchase your copy of Stay Tuned for just 99 cents on Amazon or Barnes & Noble (You’ll need it for the big contest on Friday)

2. Fill-out the form on Novel Publicity to enter for the prizes

3. Visit today’s featured event; you may win an autographed copy of the book or a $50 gift card!


...And I can win too!


Over 100 bloggers are participating in this gigantic event, and there are plenty of prizes for us too. The blogger who receives the most votes in the traffic-breaker poll will win a $100 gift card as well. So when you visit Novel Publicity’s site to fill-out the contest entry form, don’t forget to say that I referred you, so I can get a point in the poll.


The Featured Events include:


Monday, Radio Interview with Novel Publicity! We’re kicking-off on the Novel Publicity Free Advice blog. We interviewed Lauren on our radio show Sunday night and have embedded the full podcast and blogged about its highlights. Give it a listen and then leave a comment on the blog post. This is a great chance to get to know more about this fun and bubbly author. One commenter will win an autographed copy of Stay Tuned. Don’t forget to enter for the other contest prizes while you’re over there!

Tuesday, Twitter sharing contest! A tweet is tiny, only 140 characters. But on Tuesday, it could win you $50. Send the following tweet across the twittersphere, and you just may win a $50 Amazon gift card. An autographed copy of Stay Tuned is also up for grabs. The winners will be announced Wednesday morning. Here’s the tweet: Take a break from the holiday frenzy, and read Stay Tuned. It's fast, fun, and reduced to just 99 cents! http://ow.ly/7zA1e #whirlwind

Wednesday, Google+ sharing contest! Yup, there’s yet another awesome opportunity to win a $50 Amazon gift card, and this time it just takes a single click! Visit Google+ and share Emlyn Chand’s most recent post (you’ll see the Stay Tuned book cover included with it). On Thursday morning, one lucky sharer will be $50 richer. An autographed copy of Stay Tuned is also up for grabs. Two chances to win with just one click! How about that?

Thursday, Facebook sharing contest! Stop by Novel Publicity’s Facebook page and share their latest post (you’ll see the Stay Tuned book cover included with it). It’s ridiculously easy to win! On Friday morning, one lucky sharer will be $50 richer. An autographed copy of Stay Tuned is also up for grabs.

Friday, special contest on the author’s site! Are you ready for some more fun? Take a picture of yourself with your copy of Stay Tuned either in paperback or on an eReading device, tag Lauren Clark’s Facebook page, and you can enter to win one of three Amazon gift cards! A $100 prize will go to the most creative photo, $50 to the best BFF photo, and $50 to the photo with the most people in it. An autographed copy of Stay Tuned is also up for grabs. If you need help learning how to tag a photo, you can visit Lauren’s Facebook page for detailed instructions.


Remember, it’s all about the books!


About Stay Tuned: What happens when a #1 news team becomes the top story instead of reporting it? For TV producer Melissa Moore, crisis management comes with the job. From employee disputes to her high-maintenance boss, there’s not much she hasn’t seen or can’t handle. But no one—including Melissa—expects a fistfight during the ten o’clock news. When sexy-but-crazy Alyssa Andrews lands a punch on her co-anchor’s face, Melissa jumps on set to help. She’s determined that WSGA’s reputation won’t be destroyed on her watch. Both anchors are fired and Melissa agrees to fill in—but not before polishing her look from haircut to heels. While the new Melissa wows WSGA viewers, her personal life starts fraying at the edges. Melissa’s husband is away more than he’s home, leaving cryptic Post-it notes in his wake. Her mother’s antics spiral out of control at the nursing home and a stalker decides Melissa is her next target. What happens next? Stay Tuned to find out… Get it on Amazon or Barnes & Noble.

About the Author: Lauren Clark has been a voracious reader since the age of four and would rather be stranded at the library than on a desert island. In her former life, she worked as an anchor and producer for CBS affiliates in Upstate New York and Alabama. Lauren adores her family, yoga, her new Electra bike, and flavored coffee. She lives near the Florida Gulf Coast. Visit her on her website, Twitter, Facebook, or GoodReads.


Now please enjoy this guest post from the author....




Nine Myths and a Truth: The Real Story Behind the Scenes at a Local Television Station**

10. Reporters are paid tons of money! FALSE—Reporters at small television stations are paid a little more than minimum wage. They are required to have a college degree and many just-out-of-school jobs are classified as a “One Man Band, ” which means that the reporter carries the camera, shoots the footage, does the interviews, then writes and edits the story.

9. Reporters get to meet famous people! SOMETIMES—I was fortunate enough to meet Vice Presidential Candidate Geraldine Ferraro and many local senators and congress members. However, I did interview Eliott Spitzer while he was New York State’s attorney general. Now that’s just creepy!

8. Reporters and anchors get lots of perks! SOMETIMES—Reporters do often get sideline tickets and backstage passes to events. However, it’s often a reporter attends only AFTER her or she covers the actual event, which means working for at least the first part of the concert, fundraiser, or dinner.

7. It’s always glamorous! NOT REALLY—Often, reporting took me to crime scenes, car crashes, bad neighborhoods, dairy farms, voting polls, and raging fires. My most unique assignments included reporting on a lost Emu and covering cattle judging at a local fair. In Alabama—try to stay cool and look pretty in 105-degree heat! In Upstate New York, this meant trudging through the deep snow to get a story.

6. If you’re an anchor, people do your makeup and choose your clothes! FALSE—In smaller markets, you do your own makeup (MAC is the best!) and bring your own clothes. Sometimes, the television station might give you a small clothing allowance, but a few hundred dollars doesn’t go far when you work 5 days a week.

5. Viewers call in and tell anchors how wonderful they are! SOMETIMES—I admit, I did get some fan mail and it was pretty fabulous. However, most often, people called in to complain about (1) an outfit someone was wearing (which a viewer didn’t like it), (2) a story reported on (which a viewer didn’t like it), or (3) a story that didn’t get coverage. There was one particular viewer who didn’t like the way I said “Iraq.” (It’s not Eye-rack. It’s Ir-aq)

4. The hardest part of the job is interviewing people! FALSE—I loved that part! I thought it was so amazing to talk to people from all walks of life and find out why they were a farmer, a policeman, or a teacher. I liked asking questions that made people think. Some of the most rewarding stories were health-related (recovery from an illness) or the features about children. The hardest part for me was the shift I worked: 2 am – 10 am. (This meant getting up at 1:15 am every morning!!)

3. You always have to dress up! FALSE—On the weekends, in smaller markets, it’s pretty common for anchors and reporters to wear a formal suit or top, but have jeans underneath and casual shoes (hidden under the desk). I’ve known some sports guys to wear tennis shoes or flip-flops on set!

2. The camera adds ten pounds! FALSE—It’s actually more like fifteen or twenty! People often commented on how short I was or how much thinner I was in person. (Sigh!)

1. I’ve heard that anchors use Preparation H under their eyes to reduce puffiness!? TRUE—I’ve done it, anyway. When you’re working 2 am – 10 am, there’s only so much coffee and sugar can do!

Overall, it was an amazing opportunity to work as an anchor, producer, and reporter at two CBS affiliates. I made some wonderful friends, worked with many talented people, and really enjoyed the experience.

**These comments are solely the views of the author and do not represent the actual experiences of every anchor or reporter who currently works in or has previously worked in television news.

Saturday, November 26, 2011

The organized coat closet I've been dreaming about

Guest post written by Blair Houston

I have a whole lot of coats. It's not really that the weather where I live requires me layering on the coats, but I'm kind of a coat hoarder. In the winter, you have to make sure that you have a really stylish coat to keep that stylish look. So I've invested in several coats as part of keeping my fashion aesthetic even when it's snowing outside.

I thought that it might be better to look online and see how other people have organized their coat closets as a little bit of inspiration before I tackled mine. While I was doing that, I ran across a Annapolis sears cabinet refacing offer and after I read it, I decided to take advantage of it. I thought I could just use it as part of giving myself a new kitchen for Christmas.

I can't wait for my brand spanking new organized coat closet to be ready! I hope I get it down in the next few days before all of my family comes over for the Thanksgiving meal!

Friday, November 25, 2011

Blog Tour for Kathryn's Fountain

Kathryn's Fountain : A Novel

by David J. Claassen

Trade Paperback 192 pgs


SYNOPSIS:

Kathryn is resigned to living out her last days at Victorian Manor, a beautiful old home for senior citizens. Then one day something strangely wonderful happens to Kathryn at the garden fountain, and she begins living an adventure beyond her wildest dreams. Love and sacrifice take on new meaning as she involves a social worker and a police detective in carrying out what she believes to be her calling ~ to rescue a street child named Jasmine. The miracle at the fountain brings adventure that bridges the generations with hope and love.

Kathryn's Fountain celebrates the gifts that the generations can bring to each other. The conclusion is a resounding affirmation that it's never too late to make a difference!

" A poignant story with surprising twists and turns that will keep you reading and touch your heart. You won't view life in quite the same way after reading Kathryn's Fountain." ~ Marlene Bagnull

"A story of miracles and self-sacrifice." ~ Kathi Macias


READ FIRST CHAPTER:

First Chapter of Kathryns Fountain


Dave Claassen

Author Interview:

Dave writes part-time because his full-time calling is to give spiritual leadership and pastoral care to people of the Mayfair-Plymouth Congregational Church in Toledo, Ohio. Dave and his wife, Diann, make their home across the border in southeastern Michigan. They have two grown children and a growing number of grandchildren. Dave's other published books include Object Lessons for a Year (Baker Books) and Silent Words Loudly Spoken (CSS Publishing). For this blog tour we asked him a few questions:

1. Dave, what made you decide to become a writer as well as a pastor? Why do you write?

Dave: I've wanted to write since I was a teenager. I remember using an old Underwood portable typewriter (old already in the 1960s), to write short devotional/essay pieces, on the picnic table out under a tree on our Iowa farm. I write because I feel I can't keep from writing! I write to change the world more than to entertain.

2. What was your process of creating Kathryn's Fountain?

Dave: The basic storyline was there in my mind one morning when I woke up. At the time I was writing a science fiction novel (which I've just completed) and I interrupted that work to write Kathryn's Fountain.

3. In Kathryn's Fountain you use the symbol of a puzzle piece. What does that represent?

Dave: The puzzle imagery is meant to communicate that each of us is a part of the picture of God's grand scheme. Like a puzzle piece, each of us - at any age or place in life - has a shape and purpose to fit into God's big picture.

4. What is your writing routine? Is there something you typically do while writing a story - like drink coffee or listen to music?

Dave: I try to write Tuesday-Saturday for about 45 minutes each morning from 6:00-6:45am. I usually am sipping coffee at that time of the morning!

5. What would be a good present to give to a writer friend?

Dave: The recent issue of The Writer's Market.

6. Do you know a good joke you could share with us?

Dave: Yes. This farmer was working out in his field when a guy descended in a hot air balloon to get directions, because he was lost. When the balloonist was within shouting distance he leaned over the basket and shouted down to the farmer below. "Hey, mister, where am I?" The farmer looked around, then up, pointed his finger at the guy in the balloon, and said, "You can't fool me. You're up there!"

7. What other writing are you doing these days?

Dave: I'm tweaking my science fiction novel, writing a weekly inspirational newspaper column, a mid-week inspirational e-mail (e-mail me to get put on the list), and I write regularly for my blog.

8. Where on the Internet can we find you?

Dave: At my website/blog

9. Anything else you want people to know about you?

Dave: I am a serious amateur photographer and sell images on iStockphoto.com . I also do some ventriloquism for the kids at my church. Oh, yes, I have a backyard chicken coop with a few chickens.


PURCHASING INFO:

Kathryn's Fountain is available through most book outlets. Regular price: $12..97

Amazon.com Kindle e-book price: $7.99

Cladach's Special Price during "Fall Fiction Fling": $9.74

Buy now at: Cladach Publishing

VIEW THE BOOK TRAILER!!

Thursday, November 24, 2011

Tips For Winterizing Your House

Howdy all! Wow! I don't believe the way the weather has changed so fast. Here in IL it is cold and windy with the occasional day that is warmer. Just waiting for the snow now:) JK! No really, it is getting colder and with the cold comes the added responsibility of making sure your house is winterized. That includes the fun of frozen pipes, leaks, holes, etc. I have some tips below that I think will help make sure you don't get the frozen pipes, etc.

1.Keep Your Pipes Warm.
This is the number one responsibility in my opinion. There is nothing like frozen pipes or pipes that have burst. In the winter time this is a big deal. Your pipes freeze and you are without water until they are fixed. The best way to keep them from freezing is to put insulation around the pipes. Any part that could freeze should be covered.

2.Seal Holes.
Whether it is a little hole in the attic or a big hole, it needs sealed. This is for anything in the house at all or even underneath the house. A hole will let in air and can freeze a pipe or let dampness in the house. Not a good thing and it can also allow little creatures in that are not wanted:) Mice get bad during the winter time so make sure to close or seal all holes with foam sealant.

3.Keep the House Warm.
Make sure to keep the inside warm, even when you are gone from the house. We try to leave the heat on a low setting so it will kick in before allowing the pipes to freeze. Also run a little bit of water if it gets too cold. This will stop the water from freezing in the pipes, so long as it is enough water.

These are just a couple of my tips. Prevention is so much better than repair. Remember this when you don't feel like crawling under the house to make sure the pipes are insulated. If you have another tip, leave it below for the other readers:)

I am participating in a blogger campaign for Bucks2Blog about plumbing
repair and was compensated. However, the views and opinions are my own.

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

HGG Nuts About Granola Review + Giveaway!

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE
NUTS ABOUT GRANOLA

Well, today I have a pretty neat product. I am a big fan of granola. I like it in granola bar form, as a breakfast cereal, a snack, etc. I could eat it every day:) But I do like good flavoring and ingredients. I was overjoyed to get to try out this new company called Nuts About Granola. They have some lovely flavors and great ingredients! I received a sample pack to review and one of my readers will get a $10 gift card as a prize!

I received the Plain Jane granola for my review purposes. This is a granola that is anything but plain! It has a peanut butter flavor with a strong nutty taste. I really liked the flavor of this! It has a very nutty texture. I had a little bit as a snack but the rest of it I had with milk for breakfast. It was delicious! I personally loved the texture and taste of this granola.

Our peanut butter granola started it all. Its unique peanutty flavor is like no other granola you have ever tried. By sweetening the granola with honey, its peanut butter flavor is accentuated, not masked. Our granola has an extraordinary texture that can only be achieved with quality ingredients and care.

One thing I really like with Nuts About Granola is that they put the ingredients right there on the website. They are easily found for each type of granola. Not many companies do this any more. Very hard to find a website that puts the nutrition facts out in the open. And guess what? They are all good, healthy ingredients! Mainly natural products and I enjoy knowing that my granola has sea salt instead of regular salt. These are the ingredients that are better for you.

So readers, sound like a company you would enjoy? One of you will win a $10 gift card to Nuts About Granola. You will enjoy shopping on this site and they have soo many delicious sounding products:) I will definitely be shopping here in the future. Get your entries in below!

MANDATORY ENTRY-
Go to Nuts About Granola and tell me another granola you think sounds good or you would like to try. This must be done or the extra entries do not count. You MUST leave an email in one of your comments so I can reach you if you are the winner.

US ONLY!!

EXTRA ENTRIES!!

1.Blog or post about this on Facebook. Get 3 entries for each.
2.Follow my blog via GFC, subscribe through RSS Feed or email or follow me on Twitter. Get one Linkentry for each you do.
3.Enter any of my other currently running giveaways. Let me know which ones.
4.Leave a comment on any of my review only posts. This must be for reviews only! Leave a comment for each.
5.Tweet about this giveaway. Can be done three times a day.

6.Like Nuts About Granola on Facebook. Get three entries for this so leave 3 comments.
7.Follow Nuts About Granola on Twitter. Get 3 entries for this so again, leave 3 comments.

This giveaway will end 12/6. Winner will be chosen through Random.org. They will have 48 hours to respond or another winner will be chosen.
In accordance to FTC Rules, I received product for review purposes. I did not receive any monetary compensation. All thoughts are 100% mine.

CFBA Tour for Promise Brides

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Promise Brides
Barbour Books (November 1, 2011)
by
S. Dionne Moore




ABOUT THE AUTHOR:







S. Dionne Moore resides in South Central PA with her family. She is a weekly contributor to The Borrowed Book where she posts tips on the writing life, recipes, and teaches on various writing-related subjects. In addition to writing cozy mysteries, she pens historical romances that bring strong focus to locales within her region of Pennsylvania as a way of indulging her passion for history. In Fall of 2011 her first of three romances set in Wyoming, A Sheepherder's Song, will release.







ABOUT THE BOOK







Love is the same, no matter when, no matter where—it never comes without sacrifice. Theodore risks capture for Ellie, but will their hope for a future together be defeated? Can Marylu trust Chester, or is she asking for another broken heart? Will Alaina and Jack find common ground, or will flood waters destroy any possible future? Enjoy three romances from the historic state of Pennsylvania.



If you would like to read the first chapter of Promise Brides, go HERE.

MY REVIEW-I received this book last week so I have not had time to finish it. I will be posting my full review after I am done. This started out as a really good book though and I am enjoying this historical novel. I like the 4-in-1 books as you can read one and feel like you have finished something:) Excellent book so far!!

Monday, November 21, 2011

Jeans for Men

Howdy all! It has been a long day and it is not over yet:) But that is part of the of the fun. I am now getting to my blog and the browsing I do normally every day. With the holidays coming up it seems I am constantly browsing and shopping for gifts. Clothing always makes a good, sensible gift and with three males in the household, they are always needing pants. And let me tell you, at least one of them needs big and tall jeans!!!

I have found over the years that these are a hard to find piece of clothing. You normally find either tall or big, not both:) But this website has both in one pair of jeans! And boy do they have a ton to choose from! You can have your pick from the dark denim blue to the stonewashed light blue. You can also pick from a name brand that you are very familiar with or a smaller name company that might have just the pair you are looking for. Personally, I like the flannel lined ones:) They look really nice and warm for this cold winter weather.

So, if you are looking for a pair of big and tall jeans for your husband, this is the place to look! Great prices and a wonderful selection of jeans.

I have not purchased from this site. All thoughts are 100% mine.

Book Feature for Shadows From The Past by Ashley Dawn


Well, I had started off this day with a lot on my plate and hopeful plans. Needless to say, you can tell I have been held up:) But I had to bring this book to you in the hopes that it will pique your attention and your interest. This looks to be a really neat mystery book and I love the sound of it! I already have my wish list of books for the holidays and this is on the list. Author Ashley Dawn is not one I am familiar with but she writes a very good book, as is evidenced by Shadows from the Past.

“…It is the price you pay for choosing to be a cop. Your brother’s life…”



Those words haunt her dreams, and her waking moments. LAPD officer, Aurora Kavvan cannot rest until she finds her brothers killer. Digging into the past always brings back unpleasant things: memories, guilt…the hit man. Now she is in a race against time to find the murderer before he finds her.



“Kill her. I don’t care how, and I don’t care where, but I want her dead now!”



Someone was trying to kill his dead partner’s sister. FBI agent, Jordan Reiley will stop at nothing to protect the woman he loves. Even if it means going against her wishes; Linkputting himself between her and the man who murdered her brother.



Will God keep them alive long enough for them to find the truth?

Now, if that doesn't sound interesting, I don't know what does! I am a lover of a good mystery and I found out by looking at Ashley's website that there is a third book in the fixin':) Excellente!! Readers, you can check out her website and get the info on her series. You can also find this book on Amazon if you are interested in purchasing it over the internet. Please follow Ashley's tour for the rest of this month. There will be some giveaways and book reviews along the way. Check it out at Ashley's website.

If you are an author and are interested in a blog tour, check out Lightning Tour Promotions. If you are a blogger who loves doing book tours and reviews, check it out!!

Saturday, November 19, 2011

CFBA Tour for Christmas in Sugarcreek

This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Christmas In Sugarcreek
Avon Inspire (October 25, 2011)
by
Shelley Shepard Gray




ABOUT THE AUTHOR:



Since 2000, Shelley Sabga has sold over thirty novels to numerous publishers, including HarperCollins, Harlequin, and Abingdon Press. She has been interviewed by NPR, and her books have been highlighted in numerous publications, including USA Today and The Wall Street Journal.



Under the name Shelley Shepard Gray, Shelley writes Amish romances for HarperCollins’ inspirational line, Avon Inspire. Her recent novel, The Protector, the final book in her “Families of Honor” series, hit the New York Times List, and her previous novel in the same series, The Survivor, appeared on the USA Today bestseller list. Shelley has won the prestigious Holt Medallion for her books, Forgiven and Grace, and her novels have been chosen as Alternate Selections for the Doubleday/Literary Guild Book Club. Her first novel with Avon Inspire, Hidden, was an Inspirational Reader’s Choice finalist.



Before writing romances, Shelley lived in Texas and Colorado, where she taught school and earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in education. She now lives in southern Ohio and writes full time. Shelley is married, the mother of two children in college, and is an active member of her church. She serves on committees, volunteers in the church office, and currently leads a Bible study group, and she looks forward to the opportunity to continue to write novels that showcase her Christian ideals.



When she’s not writing, Shelley often attends conferences and reader retreats in order to give workshops and publicize her work. She’s attended RWA’s national conference six times, the ACFW conference and Romantic Times Magazine’s annual conference as well as traveled to New Jersey, Birmingham, and Tennessee to attend local conferences.



Check out Shelley's Facebook Fan page





ABOUT THE BOOK





Judith Graber has always been the obedient daughter. When her older brother Josh struggled with his love life, she offered wise counsel. When her younger brother Caleb flirted with the idea of leaving their order, she firmly told him he was wrong. Over the years, she’s watched her younger siblings, helped around the house, and worked in her family’s store during her spare time. Judith feels overworked, overlooked, and underappreciated this holiday season.



But everything changes when her father hires Ben Knox.



Ben Knox is the “bad boy” of Sugarcreek. Though he’s never considered jumping the fence, he’s certainly never tried to be anything close to dutiful. Two years ago he left Sugarcreek under a cloud of shame. Rumors circulated that his rumspringa had been filled with more than the usual harmless explorations.



Now he’s back and working side by side with Judith.

As the chaos of the holiday season threatens to sap all joy, sparks fly between Ben and Judith. But Judith steels herself to ignore her infatuation. The last thing she wants to be is just one more girl who falls under Ben’s spell. Ben, on the other hand, wants Judith to realize there’s more to him than his bad reputation. When he fled Sugarcreek, he was running from a disruptive home life. Now that he’s back, he wants a fresh beginning.

Could this Christmas season bring love and a new life for the unlikeliest pair in Sugarcreek?



If you would like to read the first chapter of Christmas In Sugarcreek, go HERE.

Fall Fiction Fling-Mysterious Ways Series!




Hi everyone, today I want to introduce to you an author who I had never heard of but I am glad I found out about her. Donna Westover Gallup is the author of a 3 book series titled Mysterious Ways. The info is below and I suggest putting these on your wish list for the holidays:)

Author Interview

1. When did you decide to become a writer?

Donna: I dabbled in creative writing in high school where I wrote several short stories that were published in our high school magazine. I also played the guitar and wrote several songs, mostly ballads and country gospel. Then when I married and started raising my family, I put the guitar and the pen down and dedicated myself to my family. Years later, when the girls were grown and on their own, a little story popped into my head. I heard loud and clear the simple message from the Lord: "Write!"

2. How did you think up the story of Charlie, the main character in your Mysterious Ways series? When you started out, did you plan to write only one book or did you plan a series from the beginning?

Donna: When that story popped into my head, it was a thought about a boy who meets someone very special at Christmas time. That boy was Charlie Smith, the main character in the series. I was only going to write one book; but as I started to write the chapters, I realized it needed to be a series.

3. Your characters are so believable, and the plots flow so naturally, that the writing must come easily to you. Is that true?

Donna: Some of it was easy, and often therapeutic for me; but some of it was a real struggle. I don't write from an outline; I write from my heart. If the words flow well, if they clearly reveal the emotions of the characters, if they touch anyone's heart at all, it is because God was touching me.

4. What year or time period in history would you have liked to live? Why?

Donna: I often say I was born 150 years too late. I love the Old West70;cowboys, horses, ranches, log cabins70;.and did I say horses? As a small child, I only wanted to play with the plastic cowboys and Indians. I had a bouncy horse that I rode so hard it would come inches off the ground (scared my mother to death). I was most comfortable in jeans and a cowboy hat.

5. What is your favorite Christmas tradition?

Donna: Caroling! I especially love caroling in the snow. I love being in a large group of singers, holding candles, bundled to the Nth degree, and harmonizing together ... then topping it off with hot chocolate!

6. Are you still writing?

Donna: Besides recently completing the manuscript for the 4th and final book of the Mysterious Ways series (The Crimson River), I do have a couple other stories running through my head. Both are fictitious with historical/biblical truths.

7. Where on the Internet can we find you?

Donna: You can find me on my website: www.northstarstories.com and www.cladach.com/Westover-Gallup.html

WHITE AS SNOW

A Christmas Story

(#1 Mysterious Ways)


Description:

COLORADO TERRITORY - 1864

Young Charlie is alone on the ranch that sits between the empty prairie and the Rocky Mountains. As he cares for his dying grandpa and tries to figure out how to survive the winter, he keeps remembering the old man's words: "Failure is not an option, son." As the first storm of the season hits, a mysterious mountain man shows up at the isolated ranch and good things start to happen. But can Charlie learn to trust the giant stranger with his one terrible secret? On Christmas day he learns what trust really means.

An entertaining and heartwarming story for the entire family to enjoy during the holiday season and all year.

144 pgs. $9.99

Review Quote:

"A touching story that demonstrates the many ways that love of fellow man can be given and the humanity of the Son of God. This is an exciting adventure story while carrying a message of value." ~ Bob Spear, Heartland Reviews

Read Excerpt:

http://cladach.com/WASexcerpt.pdf



ROCK OF REFUGE

A Frontier Novel

#2 Mysterious Ways


Description:

COLORADO TERRITORY - 1871

Charlie is a young man now with much to learn about himself, the world in which he lives, and the God in whom he has placed his trust. The little ranch at the foot of the Rockies seems to be closing in on him. Seized by restlessness, he sets out to join a cattle drive north across the foothills and prairie to the rip-roaring new town of Denver. On the trail and in the city, Charlie finds the awakenings of love and learns about honor, trust, and the need on the frontier for men who are both tough and tender, who know where to find their strength.

Another entertaining and heartwarming "Mysterious Ways" story for the entire family.

276 pgs. $11.99

Review Quote:

"A deftly-written and excellently researched novel that readers are sure to love, it's highly recommended to western fans everywhere and deserves a place on community library fiction shelves." ~ Midwest Book Review

Read first chapter:

http://cladach.com/RR1stChap.pdf



IN GREEN PASTURES

A Frontier Novel

#3 Mysterious Ways


Description:

COLORADO TERRITORY - 1872 When Charlie gets the amazing and unexpected news that he's now a millionaire, he once again leaves the cozy Colorado ranch at the foot of the Rockies - this time to take the train to Missouri. He encounters Jesse James outlaws, rogue relatives, new romance, and skeletons in the family closet. These adventures test Charlie's budding manhood, skills, and faith in ways that will entertain and inspire readers of all ages.

256 pgs. $11.99

Review Quote:

"A story of secrets, betrayal, friendship and redemption. A continuation of Charlie's story that builds on the first two books. While the plot of this book stands on its own, knowing the story from the first two books gives depth to the story. I really like the size of this series. The books are larger than a mass media book, but smaller and easier to handle than a traditional trade paper size. Very comfortable." ~ Author's Choice Reviews

Read Excerpt (pdf):

http://cladach.com/IGPexcerpt.pdf


Available through stores, online retailers, and direct from the publisher at:

http://cladach.com/Mysterious-Ways.html

where the Fall Fiction Fling Special Price

for the set of three books is $22.00

Kindle e-books also available on Amazon.com.

Friday, November 18, 2011

CFBA Tour For Long Trail Home



This week, the
Christian Fiction Blog Alliance
is introducing
Long Trail Home
Moody Publishers; New Edition edition (November 1, 2011)
by
Vickie McDonough




ABOUT THE AUTHOR:



Vickie McDonough is an award-winning author of twenty-four books and novellas. Her books have won the Inspirational Reader’s Choice Contest, Texas Gold, the ACFW Noble Theme contest, and she has been a multi-year finalist in ACFW’s BOTY/Carol Awards. She was voted Third Favorite Author in the Heartsong Presents Annual Readers Contest in 2009. Vickie is the author of the fun and feisty Texas Boardinghouse Brides series from Barbour Publishing. She has also authored two books in the Texas Trails: A Morgan Family series, in which she partners with Susan Page Davis and Darlene Franklin to write a six-book series that spans fifty years of the Morgan family. Also, next year brings the release of a new series from Guidepost/Summerside: Pioneer Promises, set in 1870s Kansas.



ABOUT THE BOOK



The Long Trail Home is third in a six-book series about four generations of the Morgan family living, fighting, and thriving amidst a turbulent Texas history spanning from 1845 to 1896. Although a series, each book can be read on its own.When Riley Morgan returns home after fighting in the War Between the States, he is excited to see his parents and fiancee again. But he soon learns that his parents are dead and the woman he loved is married. He takes a job at the Wilcox School for the blind just to get by. He keeps his heart closed off but a pretty blind woman, Annie, threatens to steal it. When a greedy man tries to close the school, Riley and Annie band together to fight him and fall in love.But when Riley learns the truth about Annie, he packs and prepares to leave the school that has become his home and the woman who has thawed his heart. Will he change his mind and find the love he craves' Or will stubbornness deprive him from the woman he needs' Through painful circumstances, Riley and Annie learn that the loving and sovereign hand of God cannot be thwarted.



If you would like to read the Prologue of Long Trail Home, go HERE.

I HAVE NOT RECEIVED THIS BOOK YET BUT MY REVIEW WILL GO UP AFTER IT COMES IN AND I READ IT.
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