02/07/2014 13:36
Congrats to one of my author friends, Zanna Mackenzie, whose new Chick-Lit book, IF YOU ONLY KNEW, launches TODAY!
I LOVE the cover!
Get your copy today--buy links are below!
Book: If You Only Knew
Publisher: Crooked Cat Publishing
Published on: February 7th 2014
Genre: Chicklit
Tag line: Is the past about to destroy the future for Faith when she discovers her new boyfriend and her first love are in business together?
Book blurb:
Would you have the courage to feel the fear and fall in love anyway...?
Faith owns The Coffee Pot in the outdoor adventure sports mecca of Derbyshire’s Peak District. She hasn’t had a man in her life for a while, as she has been too busy serving cakes to weary rock climbers and mountain bikers to find time for the complications of a relationship with the male of the species.
Then Zane and Matt arrive on the scene as the new owners of the Carrdale Adventure Sports Centre.
Dating Zane, she soon discovers he’s not the Mr Perfect she thought he was; and why is he so reluctant to talk about his past?
As for Matt – well, to Faith he isn’t Matt at all because he was a completely different person when he broke her heart all those years ago.
With her new boyfriend and her first love running Carrdale as business partners – Matt out to cause trouble and Zane keeping secrets – Faith struggles to keep the peace between them whilst trying to figure out how she feels about the two men in her life…
Main buy links for book:
*Crooked Cat Publishing
https://www.crookedcatbooks.com/
*Amazon UK
https://www.amazon.co.uk/You-Only-Knew-Zanna-Mackenzie/dp/190984148X/ref=pd_rhf_gw_p_t_1_GMEM
*Amazon USA
Book extract:
This couldn’t be happening.
Zane had said his business partner was called Matt. She was sure of it. Yes, he’d definitely just introduced him as Matt. But the man standing before her wasn’t Matt.
It was Aaron.
Faith wiped her hands on a tea–towel. She wanted to speak, but couldn’t get her brain into gear enough to make her mouth form the words.
She’d thought Aaron was gone from her life.
It looked as though she was wrong.
She took a step back, wrapping her arms around herself. Suddenly she felt cold and shaky. Aaron was back? This was impossible.
Yet here he was, standing in her kitchen. She felt dizzy and light-headed.
How should she react? Should she admit they knew each other? Why had Aaron changed his name to Matt anyway? Would he prefer it if the fact they knew each other was kept quiet?
But she knew she couldn’t keep something like that from Zane.
As she debated what to say and do next, the room remained awkwardly silent. Zane was looking at her questioningly.
What should she say?
Come on, think, woman. Think.
Too late. Aaron spoke first.
“Faith, it’s amazing to see you again after all these years.”
OK. So he didn’t want to keep it a secret that they already knew each other.
“Aaron,” she managed to say. “This is a bit of a shock.”
“That’s an understatement,” Matt replied, stepping forward to pull her into a hug.
“Hang on a second,” Zane said, pushing into the room. “Aaron? That’s your proper name isn’t it?” He raised enquiring eyebrows at Matt. “What’s going on? You two already know each other?”
Author bio:
Zanna Mackenzie lives on the Derbyshire/Leicestershire border with her husband, 4 dogs, a vegetable patch that’s home to far too many weeds and an ever expanding library of books waiting to be read.
Being a freelance writer and editor of business publications is her ‘day job’ but, at every opportunity, she can be found scribbling down notes on scenes for whatever novel she’s working on. She loves it when the characters in her novels take on minds of their own and start deviating from the original plot!
If You Only Knew is Zanna’s third novel; her previous books The Love Programme, and How Do You Spell Love? were both published in 2013.
Find out more about Zanna on her blog www.zannamackenzie.blogspot.co.uk, on Twitter via @ZannaMacKenzie or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/zanna.mackenzie
Follow Links:
Find out more about Zanna at:
www.zannamackenzie.blogspot.co.uk
Twitter: @ZannaMacKenzie
Facebook: www.facebook.com/zanna.mackenzie
Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/10703273-zanna-mackenzie
Amazon Author Page - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Zanna-Mackenzie/e/B00BKY1A18/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0
01/30/2014 15:44
One year ago today, IT'S JUST A LITTLE CRUSH became an official book for purchase on Amazon.com. A couple of months later, paper copies became available, and other outlets like Barnes & Noble and iBooks had it for sale as well. In August, it became a bestseller, and in November, it captured the attention of a literary agent! Right now, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it will meet the approval of a publisher and get its own book deal!
Help me celebrate by entering the contest below!
01/29/2014 09:16
Get crackin', slackers! January is National Get Organized Month, and it's almost over!
This is my pantry. Anal much? It doesn't look like this because I'm such a neat freak--it's to keep the mice away. Between living in the woods and having a useless waste of oxygen for a cat, mice are something that are inevitable, unless you go all Monica-Geller-on-crystal-meth on your house, which I did. Try to get my food now, suckers!
But seriously, a little organization never hurt anyone, and there are even support groups for neat freaks professional associations of organizers that can hook you up with someone you can hire to do it for you.
Or, you can just politely enlist the help of your family members and make keeping the house clean and organized a group effort.
Sure, your house doesn't always have to look like it could be in a magazine, but a little organization can save you from being featured on an episode of Hoarders, unless, of course, that's your only way to make it in reality TV.
01/22/2014 08:48
Today is National Answer Your Cat’s Questions Day!
Yes, unfortunately, they made a day for that, and you can read all about it here. There’s pretty much a day for anything these days. But, if for some reason your favorite thing doesn’t already have its own day, I’m sure you could just make it up and post about it on the Internet, so that it becomes a thing. Because everything that’s on the Internet is true.
Anyhow, I thought it would be fun for my favorite character, Lizzie Hart from IT’S JUST A LITTLE CRUSH, amateur sleuth and reluctant cat owner, to answer her cat Bob’s questions. Here’s what they came up with…
Bob: Lizzie, why are you such a bit—
Lizzie: Bob! Watch your language!
Bob: Fine. I hate you.
Lizzie: That’s not a question, Bob. And, I know.
Bob: What happened to the nice old lady that was here before? I liked her.
Lizzie: That was my grandmother. She died and left you in my care.
Bob: I think I would rather have taken my chances at the animal shelter.
Lizzie: Don’t think that’s not still an option, jerk.
Bob: What about that guy that comes over all the time?’
Lizzie (getting dreamy-eyed): You mean Blake?
Bob: Yeah, that must be the one. You’re getting all girly. I like him. He seems to like me. Why can’t I go live with him?
Lizzie: I don’t get that thing you two have going on. But I promised my grandmother I’d look after you, so that’s what I’m doing. Any more questions, Bob? Or are we about done here?
Bob: One more. There was a big commotion here a while back with a whole bunch of people coming in and out of the house, so I had to hide. Then you were gone for a long time and that nice man Blake came by to feed me. What was that all about?
Lizzie: Well, if you must know, that was when my boss threw me down the basement stairs and tried to kill me. All of those people were police and EMTs, and I was gone because I was in the hospital for a while.
Bob: Hmm. So making someone fall down the stairs isn’t going to kill them.
Lizzie: Apparently not. I guess all of those times you tried to trip me on the stairs were all for nothing, then.
Bob (under his breath, wishing he had a notebook and some thumbs): Note to self. Must come up with new plan to end her.
Lizzie: I heard that!
01/02/2014 11:52
In regard to news, 2013 has certainly been an…interesting year. And by “news”, I’m speaking specifically about pop culture news, not actual news. Really, when you look back, nothing really happened in the world of entertainment but a lot of stupid crap—but that didn’t stop us from dwelling on these events as if they were life or death, and getting into WAY too many Facebook and Twitter wars over them. So here’s my 2013 Year in Review—the good, the bad…well, mostly the bad, because it’s more fun!
Best Hick Making an Ass out of Themselves
Tie: Paula Deen/Phil Robertson
In general, I like Paula Deen. Her recipes always work, and it’s fun to watch her eat butter, but she should have handled this much better.
Phil Robertson, I have no use for. I believe that Duck Dynasty has had a direct impact on beard length (and poor follicular hygiene) in my community.
It’s basically the same story. Celebrity says something he/she shouldn’t have, media has a field day with it, TV networks/endorsement sponsors get nervous and do their CYA thing, friends and family take sides (only on social media, where it’s safe), and the poop-nado of emotionally-charged memes, pithy hashtags, and dramatic Facebook rants begins.
Most Anticipated Birth
Winner: North West, Kim and Kanye’s daughter
You thought I was going to say little Prince George, didn’t you? No way. He has lovely parents, a normal name, and he’ll never have to make a sex tape for money.
And I guess there are weirder names that could be paired with West…Key, Nine, Wild Wild?
Best TV of 2013
Winner: Game of Thrones “The Rains of Castamere”
Or, as the episode is more commonly known, “The One with The Red Wedding”. Holy crap! I haven’t gotten around to reading the books yet, but I LOVE the HBO series, and this blindsighted me like I never have been before. I thought they were messing with us when they cut off Ned Stark’s head, and I didn’t fully believe that it was for real until a few episodes later. After that, I realized that no character is safe from George RR’s axe, and this episode hit me like a ton of bricks. And I was just starting to like Catelyn Stark.
Honorable Mention: The Office “Finale”
The Office is pretty much my favorite show of all time, and I’ve seen every episode at least twice, if not several times. The last season was fantastic, even with no Michael Scott. However, the icing on top of the cake was Michael coming back to be Dwight’s best man, and of course, delivering his signature line, “That’s what she said.” I never thought that phrase would make me cry.
Best Movie of 2013
Winner: Sharknado
Okay, so maybe it wasn’t the best movie of 2013. But, looking back, I really didn’t go to the movies much this year if you don’t count kids’ movies, so unless you want me to talk about the theatrical genius that was Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2, I’m kind of at a loss. But hey, it’s Ian Ziering and Tara Reid. And sharks. And tornadoes. What more do you want in a movie?
Enough said. (Thanks, Perez.)
Best Nerd Fight
Winner: Xbox One geeks vs. PlayStation Four fanboys
At my house, at least, it was no contest. Hubby had to have both. The epic war is chronicled in South Park’s “Black Friday” trilogy, Game of Thrones style. The South Park writers are at their best as they also skewer the horrible behavior that Black Friday shoppers have become known for. And Butters is uncomfortably focused on…well, just watch the trilogy.
Best PR Stunt EVER!
Winner: Miley Cyrus
Laboring under the idea that “there is no bad press”, Miley Cyrus sure has made this her year. I guess all of the crazy hairdo and tongue nonsense technically started last year, but it all came to a head at the 2013 VMAs. You remember—the twerking, the flesh-colored plastic undergarments, the back-up dancing teddy bears, Beetlejuice—I mean, Robin Thicke—grinding up on her, the…foam finger. Just threw up a little in your mouth again, didn’t you?
Ah, yes, 2013. Decency and decorum, better luck next year.
12/27/2013 11:07
Polliannah's story is live!
What led to that horrific phone call to Semya and Josh in the middle of the night?
When Polliannah Koch Guryev meets John Allen, she thinks that she’s finally found her Prince Charming in the form of a tall, blond and handsome banker. What could go wrong?
John Allen has a job to do and getting closer to the beautiful Miss Koch Guryev is supposed to be a means to an end. But then they fall in love. He’s a hit man with a mission, she’s the sister of his targets. What possible future could they have? Now he and his Russian Princess have to leave London for their safety.
But it may already be too late for them.
Buy links
B&N, Kobo and iTunes coming soon
Excerpt
Polliannah tried to open her flat’s door as quietly as she could. She never knew if Sémya and Josh were in his studio flat or here but she could always hear them. Stupid thin walls!
She took her shoes off and fell on her sofa. She touched her lips and smiled. She couldn’t even remember which musical they watched this time or where they had a night cap after the kiss like the one John gave her again today. Three dates in five days… I think there’s a rule I’m forgetting? She could feel his heart beating as fast as hers every time he touched her. She could feel the restraint too and she wanted to unleash it. Whatever it was…
She was about to retreat to her own room when Sémya and Josh opened the door. They were locked in a tight embrace, lips and hands were everywhere. How on earth did they open that door? Sémya’s feet were not even touching the floor… Please don’t have sex on our kitchen table. Polliannah decided to hide instead of making her presence known. Not my table! The bedroom is two meters away… She heard moans, giggles, clothes hitting the floor and then Sémya’s bedroom door.
She sighed and headed to her own room but not before picking up her iPod. Stupid thin walls! She should have just invited herself to John’s flat. “The third date rule! Yebat'!”
The Playlist
Other book from the Semya Slotin Mystery...
Bird Of Prey
24 reviews in amazon
Check out the steamy romance thriller that started it all!
Who killed the infamous Johanna Cartier? Sémya Slotin is frown back in the business of solving mysteries when she found her body. With the help of a new ally and the mysterious Josh Heinz, she vows to see this through.
Currently at $0.99
12/14/2013 10:39
Two of my author friends have contributed to this wonderful collection of short stories. I've read it, and can guarantee that you'll laugh, cry, and be filled with holiday spirit! And what's even better, proceeds go to charity!
MERRY CHICK LIT
Celebrate the Season with Seven Sassy Shorts!
Only $0.99!
Kindle e-book and paperback proceeds will go to Rocking the Road for a Cure.
BOOK BLURB:
Merry Chick Lit Celebrate the Season with Six Sassy Shorts
In the spirit of giving, six chick-lit authors "present" a charming collection of seasonal shorts sure to inspire holiday cheer-plus love and hope throughout the year, with all proceeds donated to Rocking the Road for a Cure! Featured authors & stories include:
Carolyn Ridder Aspenson
In "Santa's Gift," journalist Jessica thinks Santa's just a silly myth for children, so when he asks what she most wants for Christmas she tells him the one thing she knows he can't deliver--true love. Or can he...?
Sarah Hitchcock
In "The Christmas Lights," one competition pits two families against each other...who will win this war?
Francine LaSala
Pretty Izzy knows exactly what she wants for Christmas: hunky sales manager Jake Harrington wrapped up with a shiny silver bow--and nothing else. Except Santa may have other plans in "Carol of the Belles."
Nikki Mahood
In "Spinster Christmas," Cara's looking forward to spending Christmas alone until she learns her old--and she believes very gay--crush needs a place to stay. Though it soon becomes clear that while still hot, Ronan isn't gay after all...
Holly Martin
Ella's dreams of making a better life for her and her daughter seem further away than ever in "Iced Dreams." But as Christmas approaches, and she wishes for a fairy godmother to wave a magic wand to fix her life, things begin to change in ways she never imagined!
K.C. Wilder
In "The Mermaid," Allie's content to spend Christmas by herself at a vacant beach house to make good on a promise made to her true love lost, Jeff. Until Jeff's gorgeous college roommate Tim crashes in on her with his own promise to keep...
Where to learn more about MERRY CHICK LIT:
About Rocking the Road for a Cure:
Rocking The Road For A Cure is tickled PINK to be selected as the recipient of proceeds from your purchase of Merry Chick Lit.
We are a growing 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in the New York City/Long Island area, dedicated to improving the quality of life of people undergoing the often energy-depleting and emotionally draining treatments for breast cancer.
Our name came from our founder and President, Dawn Frey, a musician, who learned through personal experience that “it takes a village” to get through the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer, and not every individual has the support network they need. Rocking The Road For A Cure provides free, in-home housekeeping, health and wellness services to restore strength and confidence, and to rebuild spiritual, emotional and physical well-being.
So, when you settle back and relax to enjoy reading Merry Chick Lit, please know that you have helped us help a breast cancer patient to also settle back and relax…and heal.
Rocking The Road For A Cure https://www.rockingtheroadforacure.org
12/13/2013 10:22
MODOGAMOUS
A Chick Lit / New Adult / Rom-Com Novel by Karen E. Martin
Buy Links:
Blurb:
Kate Adams has it all figured out. Five years out of college, she’s got a steady job, a home she loves in the big city, and good friends who always keep her laughing: her stylish but nosy roommate Evette, happily-married Cecie, and of course, good old Mitch, her seriously cute co-worker who’s been stuck in the Friend Zone since the day they met.
Everything is going just fine—until the night Kate crosses the line with Mitch, and the boundaries between friendship and love begin to blur. Things get even more complicated when hunky JP enters the scene. What’s a girl to do? Add to the mix a spunky little pug Kate never expected to fall for, and her neatly-ordered life is starting to look more like a dog’s dinner. Maybe her roommate has the right idea after all: forget the men, and stick with a canine companion instead.
It’s time for Kate to figure out what she really wants in life. But can she dig her way out of the mess she’s created before she ends up permanently in the doghouse?
Author Contact Info:
You can contact the author on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn, GoodReads, and on her blog about writing, publishing, and literature.
Author Bio:
Karen E. Martin, M.Ed. is a full-time freelance writer/editor. She has been in the publishing business since 2004, working on books and publications for major and independent publishers, universities, businesses, and private individuals. Prior to entering the field of publishing, Ms. Martin worked as a Senior EFL Fellow (English as a Foreign Language) for the U.S. Department of State in Romania, a Junior EFL Fellow for the U.S. Department of State in Jordan, and a teacher-trainer for the U.S Peace Corps in Mauritania, Jordan, Romania, and Morocco. Ms. Martin served as a Peace Corps volunteer for two years, teaching English in the Errachidia Province of Morocco. This is Ms. Martin’s first novel.
Join the Modogamous Holiday Hop Giveaway to win a fabulous Swag Pack full of prizes!
The Swag Pack winner will receive a signed copy of the paperback, tote bag, coffee mug, Christmas ornament, and more! Additional prizes include a copy of the e-book, a signed paperback, and a limited edition, signed art print of the book's cover art.
12/13/2013 10:12
Karen E. Martin is guest posting on my blog today, and is treating us to a poem as well!
You can read all about her book, MODOGAMOUS, in the next post!
A Chat with Karen E. Martin, author of MODOGAMOUS
I’ve talked a lot in recent posts about the book and my writing. One thing people may not know about my writing is that I really love to write poetry. I have a semi-regular feature on my blog called Monday Haiku, which is exactly what it sounds like. I adore haiku because it’s a quick and easy way to be creative. You can check out some of my recent Monday Haiku posts here.
I also managed to sneak a poem into Modogamous! It’s a take-off on the ever-popular Night Before Christmas, only it chronicles the million things that are going wrong in the heroine’s life at the time. For a sneak peek of that poem, just click here!
But for today’s post, I’ve chosen to include a silly poem I wrote for kids. Every so often, I ask readers to suggest topics for me as a creative writing exercise. This poem came from a reader’s suggestion of the words “Louder Chowder.” Kid-tested and approved by my nieces and nephews! Lol…
Louder, Chowder!
A steaming bowl of chowder—
Mmmmm, I licked my lips with glee.
My stomach grumbled in delight
At yum-ness from the sea.
I sat myself down at a spot
That overlooked the water,
And sprinkled on a little sauce
To make my hot bowl hotter.
I lifted up the spoon
until it nearly reached my mouth,
And don’t you know, that’s right when dinner
started heading south.
“STOP!” I heard, and started
So my spoon fell with a clatter.
The soup dripped from my nose and chin;
My shirt was all a-splatter.
“What the what?!” I asked myself,
Eyes round with disbelief.
I could’ve sworn it was the soup
That caused me all this grief.
But no, the soup just sat and steamed,
The spoon lay undisturbed.
I picked it up and huffed a sigh,
My mind was quite perturbed.
“I must be going nuts,” I thought.
“I swear I’m hearing things.
Next thing you know, I’ll start to think
I’ve heard a clam that sings!”
I loaded up the spoon again
With chunks of steaming stew,
And once again, I heard it: “STOP!”
NOW what was I to do?!
I took a breath to calm myself
And put the spoon back down,
Then quickly looked this way and that—
Nobody was around.
“Is something in there?” whispered I
Into the bowl of soup
(feeling silly, oh so silly!
Surely I’d been duped).
But lo! Behold, a voice arose
From in the steaming crock.
The voice was just a whisper now;
I hardly heard it talk.
“Psssziiiibbbdiiziiib,” it whispered,
As I strained so close to hear.
“What’s that, you say?” I asked it back
And leaned in with an ear.
“Pfffiiigaaarooooo,” it croaked out,
And by now I felt frustrated.
“You must say it louder, chowder!”
And I sat back and I waited.
And then the voice piped up and said
As plainly clear as day,
“I say good chap, please dump me out
Just over in the Bay.
“It’s warm in here, and I’m afraid
I’m feeling rather steamy.
A clam like me’s not meant to be
In liquid quite so creamy.
“So be a good bloke if you would;
Return me to the waves.
I’d rather not be late for lunch;
That’s no way to behave.”
So with a sigh I slowly stood
And overturned the dish
Into the churning waves nearby
Where Clam could join the fish.
I walked back to the table, dazed,
My stomach still a-rumble.
My mind still reeled in disbelief,
My thoughts were still a jumble.
The waiter came and took the bowl,
And I just paid the bill.
Not one small bite had crossed my lips
But I had had my fill.
So next time that you’re craving soup,
Rethink your choice, my friend.
Perhaps it’s not the clams you want.
Here’s what I recommend:
When your stomach’s growling
and it’s time to break the bread,
Please save yourself some trouble;
Have the onion soup instead.
12/05/2013 11:53
The Plot Thickens – A Novella
Sémya Slotin Mystery #1.5
By Danielle-Claude Ngontang Mba
Mystery Romance
Expected Release Date: December 27th, 2013
Polliannah’s side of the story…
When Polliannah Koch met John Allen, she thought that she had finally found her Prince Charming. But when John Allen set his sight on Polliannah Koch Guryev, he knew his days would be numbered if he weren't careful. He had a job to do and the beautiful Miss Koch Guryev was his insurance policy. But things got out of hand and he had to leave London for his safety…but not without her.
Excerpt
(unedited version)
Polliannah held her breath and tried to make herself as little as possible. She could see their living room through the bathroom’s mirror but she couldn't make out what they were saying. They were arguing and she knew that it was about her. The man pulled out a gun and Polliannah closed her eyes. Her last memory of John would not be his execution. No, it would be the day he entered her store and caught her dancing, their first kiss or the first time they made love or–
Three shots were fired through a silencer and Polliannah heard the body fall on the floor. She held her mobile and the gun against her chest and started to pray as the man was looking around the rooms. The same prayer she used to do every time she found her mother unconscious and was not sure if she was alive or dead. If there was a God for a hard-core addict like her mother there got to be one for a hopeless romantic like her. Gospodi zashchitit menya … Gospodi zashchitit menya…Today cannot be my last…
Bird Of Prey
currently touring in a blog near you
Buy links
on sale at 99 cents
Author links
Danielle-Claude Indie Books Reviews Facebook page
Danielle-Claude Indie Books Reviews
