1 YA, 1 Urban Fantasy, 1 Sci-Fi, & 1 Paranormal Romance!

What's that? You have more room on your ereader for a few new books?

That's great news! Check these out!

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Starr Lost

Book Two of the Starr Fall Series

By Kim Briggs

ISBN: 978-0-9976212-9-7

BUY LINKS:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N5389ER

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/starr-lost

Itunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1180284825

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/starr-lost-kim-briggs/1125420648?ean=2940157522438

A Starr falls, and a family is found.

On the run from the Organization, Starr and Christian find safety on the Qualla Boundary with their friends, Ben and Coda, but Starr needs answers. She owes her dear dead friends, Sami and Jody, that much. She forms a team of her own to fight the general and his recruits.

Di, a mutual friend and anti-everything is a no-brainer, plus her Taser will come in handy. Frank, Starr’s BFF, will put his life on the line for her. Ben and Coda, not to be outdone by Starr’s friends, also swear their allegiance. Christian’s the only hold out. He knows what the Organization is capable of. He has the beaten body to prove it, but when Starr wants something, she gets it.

Now that the team’s together, everything should be perfect. Trouble is Starr loves Christian but so does Di. And Frank, well, he’s never been very good at hiding his love for Starr. Will his four-year long crush on her threaten the safety of the team?

Life becomes tense on the Qualla Boundary, sparks fly, and the Organization is about to smash in their door.

Visit Kim's website and sign up for updates: www.KimBriggsWrite.com

Chat with her on Twitter: @kimbriggswrite

She shares writing love with her INK Sister Alison Green Myers at INK Sisters Write http://INKSistersWrite.Blogspot.com

GIVEAWAY: As a celebration of Starr Lost’s release, Kim is giving away TEN Ebooks of Starr Fall plus one person will win a $25 Amazon card. a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

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Christine Rains - Shattered Spirit (Totem #4) Release!

A haunted house isn’t going to stop Ametta Dorn from doing her job.

Frustrated that her family has left her out of the search for the missing totem tokens, Ametta Dorn loses herself in her work. She’s offered a dream job of a complete interior renovation of a famous Cremaschi house. Not even discovering the house belongs to Lucky Osberg can dampen her enthusiasm.

Lucky’s plan to spend more time with her as she works goes awry when the spirit who protects his home tries to murder her. Ametta won’t be scared off, despite being tempted to run and never come back. She was going to flee Alaska and pursue her designer dreams anyway, yet that means giving up on Lucky and the totem that is just within her grasp.

Buy it on Amazon!

Add it to read on Goodreads.

To celebrate the release of Shattered Spirit, the first book in the Totem series, Dark Dawning is FREE!

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M.PAX - Freefall (Backworlds bk. 7) Release!

Hero is another word for D.E.A.D.

The first shot of a new war echoes through the galaxy. Craze has high hopes for what the alliance with an old enemy, the Foreworlds, will do to defeat a worse enemy, the Quassers.

The test of a highly-advanced weapon, created by the efforts of the alliance, pushes tensions over the brink and kills thousands. To make it worse, the Foreworld ambassador is keeping secrets.

Conventional warfare against the Quassers isn’t working, and if the alliance ends, Craze has become the most hated man in the galaxy for no reason.

With nothing left to lose, Craze sets in motion one last chance for survival.

Amazon / AmazonUK / AmazonDE / AmazonAU / AmazonCA / B&N / Kobo / iBook / Googleplay / Smashwords

AmazonFR / IT / ES / NL / IN / JP / BR / MX

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Amy Lamont - BEAR TO LOVE 

Kodiak Den, Book #3

(An Alaskan Den Men Mini-Series)

Pre-Order HERE - Available 1-18-2017
 

Softhearted and rebellious bear shifter Macy Black can’t stand to see any creature, man or beast, in pain. So when her big brother’s two best friends return home from deployment with battle scars that go way beyond skin deep, she makes it her mission to help them heal. But when her desire to help turns to flat out desire, she starts to question everything she thought she knew about love.

Former Special Forces soldiers Nash Dixon and Gage Stone barely made it out of their last mission alive. The only way the two werebears are able to deal with the aftermath is by sticking close together. They both fear the bond they forged in battle may be the one thing that keeps them from finding their true mates.

But when their best friend’s little sister forces her way between them, will they find that’s exactly where she belongs?

#IWSG - Rules? I hate rules! -- And the winner is....

Insecure Writer's Support Group

The Insecure Writer’s Support Group

 

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day.

Remember, the IWSG question is optional!!!

January 4 Question: What writing rule do you wish you’d never heard?

Alex J. Cavanaugh's awesome co-hosts for the January 4 posting of the IWSG will be Eva @ Lillicasplace, Crystal Collier, Sheena-kay Graham, Chemist Ken, LG Keltner, and Heather Gardner! 

 

  

Hello my friends!

 

If the blog looks a little different today, it's just because I'm trying to spruce it up for the new year. I do like this beachy-scene, but I may try a few more backgrounds before I settle.

 

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Today's helpful IWSG optional question is 'What writing rule do you wish you'd never heard?'.

Have we met? Cause if we have, you'd know that I HATE rules.

 

HATE THEM!

 

And, as soon as you tell me the rules, I have to do everything in my power to do the opposite of those rules.

 

To rebel against them.

 

It's a curse, really. I'm not any happier about it than you are, truly.

 

Here are just a few writing rules that I'm sure you're familiar with.

 

Don't use cliches.

Don't use the word 'was' too much.

Don't use semicolons.

Don't use large fonts.

Don't use too many exclamation points.

Don't write prologues.

Don't use the word 'but' so much.

Don't write epilogues.

Don't use small fonts.

Don't tell, show.

Don't use the word 'very' at all.

Don't start a book with dialogue.

Don't use the word 'before' as much.

Don't end a book on a cliffhanger.

 

Are you catching my drift?

 

It was very clear, before I started this post. :)

It's enough to make you want to scream!!!

 

I didn't break all of these rules, but I did break a few.

 

And, truthfully; rules can be bent.

 

Point is...don't stress about the little things.

 

Keep writing.

 

Keep moving forward.

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Want to know the winner of the 2016 IWSG Anthology Contest?

 

Head over to Alex's blog or to the IWSG website to find out and congratulate the lucky writers!

 

And visit these other co-hosts! Eva @ Lillicasplace, Crystal Collier, Sheena-kay Graham, Chemist Ken, LG Keltner!

*Under Construction* What's coming up this week? (Hint: #IWSG!)

It's time. Every now and then I feel it's necessary to change the look of my blog. Give it a makeover. You know, make it shiny!

I'll be trying a few new looks this week until I find the one I like, so please excuse the mess, and I'm sorry for any confusion this might cause. :)

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Happy New Year!

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JANUARY 4, 2016!!!

Have you joined this amazing group yet?

 

The Insecure Writer’s Support Group

 

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!

Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time. Be sure to link to this page and display the badge in your post.

Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!

Our Twitter is @TheIWSG and hashtag #IWSG

And we’re revving up IWSG Day to make it more fun and interactive! Every month, we'll announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG Day post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say. Remember, the question is optional!!!

January 4 Question: What writing rule do you wish you’d never heard?

My awesome co-hosts for the January 4 posting of the IWSG will be Eva @ Lillicasplace, Crystal Collier, Sheena-kay Graham, Chemist Ken, LG Keltner, and Heather Gardner!

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Okay, people. Holidays are done. New year is here. Let's get back to work!!!

Tara Tyler is here to talk about that fine line.

I LOVE when Tara comes to visit! She always brings friendship, humor, and wisdom. Sometimes she brings presents!

***

  "Yo Mama" jokes overheard between 13yo’s…

Did you know Godzilla has a wife? Yo mama.

When Yo Mama puts on a bathing suit, people yell Tsunami!

Yo Mama so ugly, she’d turn Medusa to stone.

Did you get offended by any of those? I hope not! They weren’t intended to hurt anyone, just joking among friends. Teenagers make an art form of sarcasm and teasing. They say things to each other that would make the PC police cringe. But friends know each other, and they know a friend wouldn’t say anything to hurt them on purpose. Joking around about each others’ differences is how you know you’re accepted.

The Golden Rule: Treat others as you would like to be treated.

If everyone did this, peace would be easy. Unfortunately, humans are very competitive. We have different skills and compete to be the best - Survival of the Fittest! Oftentimes, some people look for negative attributes in others and draw attention to them to make themselves feel better or to get a laugh from their friends. Especially teenagers. This is not joking around. This is bullying.

Discrimination is “the unjust or prejudicial treatment of different categories of people or things, especially on the grounds of race, age, or sex.” But the second definition is: “recognition and understanding of the difference between one thing and another.” How opposite these two different connotations from one word are. We should be able to recognize our differences, but in a positive way! Different shouldn’t = bad.

The blurry lines of joking vs discrimination are crossed when someone says something derogatory in a public setting or to others they don’t know very well. No matter the intention, people will take what is said in their own way -- they will laugh or they will be offended. And in today’s society, people seem to be offended more easily, to the point where just stating a fact can send someone racing to their safe space.

We could all use a tougher outer protective layer. Self-confidence strengthens us when real bullies throw their verbal darts. Don’t let anyone else define you. A healthy self-esteem is the best defense against ignorant discrimination.

But we could also do well remembering the words of mother: “Think before you speak!” When joking, make sure those around you know it’s joking. Use common sense. There’s a time to joke and a time to hold back. Watch what you say and the tone in which you say it. And if you offend someone, you can apologize and let them know you weren’t trying to hurt them. Ultimately, you can’t help how someone takes what you say. If your heart is in the right place, that’s all you can do.

Thanks so much for hosting me, Heather! I so appreciate your support and friendship! Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

WELCOME BACK TO THE FOREST!

CRADLE ROCK, Beast World Book Two

by Tara Tyler

Gabe the goblin just saved his town Broken Branch Falls from splitting apart. He also revealed that humans--horrible creatures of myth and legend--may actually be part of their history! But seriously? Nah!

Now Ona, Gabe’s girlfriend, is headed thousands of miles away to Camp Cradle Rock for Spring Break seeking evidence of humans. Gabe knows better than to tell a stubborn ogress she’s crazy, so he’s letting her go and spending the break at the beach like a normal teenage beast. And he’s determined to have a good time without her, whether he likes it or not.

But when Gabe hears Ona went missing, he and his friends set out for the wilds of the west to find her, no matter what dangerous creatures get in his way. Not even humans.

Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Goodreads

Check out the Book Trailer!

Tara Tyler has had a hand in everything from waitressing to rocket engineering. After moving all over, she now writes and teaches math in Ohio with her three active boys and Coach Husband. Currently she has two series, Pop Travel (techno-thriller detective capers) and Broken Branch Falls (fantasy adventures). To squeeze in writing, she economizes her time aka the Lazy Housewife. Make every day an adventure!

Talk to me!
Author Blog ~~ @taratylertalks ~~ Facebook ~~ Housewives Blog


I'm also giving away signed copies of Broken Branch Falls and Cradle Rock, some Beast World swag, and a $20 GC!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Thank you for coming, Tara! Best of luck!

We should all remember that if we don't have something nice to say, don't say anything at all. Especially on the internet!

I love this..."A healthy self-esteem is the best defense against ignorant discrimination."

I need to share that with my son and make sure he believes it.

To all my blog friends, near and far, I wish you merry / happy / festive days and let's hope 2017 is kinder to us all.

The Deja Vu Blogfest is here! #deja2016vu

Hello out there! Yes, I'm aware it's a Saturday, and I don't normally post on the weekend, but I joined the Deja Vu Blogfest from DL Hammons and this is when we post!
  
From DL Hammons...

How this blogfest works is so simple I can’t understand why anyone wouldn’t want to do it. Sign-up to participate with Mr. Linky below, then sometime during the weekend of December 16^th thru 18^th re-post your favorite blog offering from earlier in this year, or one that you believe failed to receive the exposure it deserved. On that weekend what everyone will be reading is the best of the best (as determined by you) from this year.  The blogosphere will be chock full 2016 writing brilliance!  Encouragement, enlightenment, knowledge, bared souls, stimulation, hilarity, insecurities, success stories!  All on display…the very same day.  And it couldn't be any easier to take part...no writing necessary! :)

Please sign-up and then shout out to all of your blogging friends and encourage them to sign up as well.  Take the badge above and plaster it everywhere, blogging graffiti gone wild. Tweet about it (#deja2016vu) and post the picture on Instagram. Sign up below and start looking through those old posts! 

So, which post did I choose to re-post? Well, after careful consideration, I picked one that I wrote for the Insecure Writer's Support Group in October.

Why? I think you'll see. 

#IWSG - Yes, I'm insecure, but I'm also resilient.

The Insecure Writer’s Support Group

 

Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance.

Need help with a topic of conversation? IWSG has a monthly question for you!

October 5 Question: When do you know your story is ready?

Alex J. Cavanaugh's awesome co-hosts for the October 5 posting of the IWSG are Beverly Stowe McClure, Megan Morgan, Viola Fury, Madeline Mora-Summonte, Angela Wooldridge, and Susan Gourley!

  
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Insecure: not confident or assured; uncertain and anxious

Resilient: able to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions.

***

I wrote a short story specifically for an anthology that folded like a lawn chair.

I was pissed, but at the same time really disappointed that I didn't get to share my story with my family, friends, and readers.

Of course, there were options.

-Find another anthology - submit
-Find short story magazines - submit
-Find short story contests - enter
-Offer it for free on my blog - in pieces
-Offer it for free w/ newsletter sign-up
-Try to upload it to Createspace/Amazon and sell it for 99 cents

Most of these sounded time consuming, possibly expensive, and really 'out of my comfort zone'.

But, I wanted people to read it. After all, that's why we write them!

Last week all I could think to myself was...

I can't publish it on my own. It's too hard and I've never done it. I don't know what I'm thinking. No one will want to purchase a short story for 99 cents.

Yesterday morning I woke up thinking...Why the hell not? Lots of people self-publish. I'm no different. Hell, if people will pay for dinosaur porn [yes, that's a real thing], then people will want to read my short story! Even for 99 cents!

So, I took the plunge. I went through the Kindle Direct Publishing FAQ sections and I followed all the KDP guidelines and before I even really knew it, the darn short story was up on Amazon!

My point? Was I insecure? Hells yeah, I was. But, it was either leave that short story on my computer for no one to read or try something strange, new, and different!

Our insecurities try to keep us down, but our resilience keeps us going.

***

Interested in the short story?

As Jack Munro struggles with an old demon, Maggie Maguire attempts to show him there's always another way.

You can download the ebook on Amazon.

There you have it! I was really proud of myself for pushing through my insecurities and getting my story out there.

And, I'm hoping by re-reading this, it spurs me on to get back to work!

Thanks for coming and have a great weekend!