And just like that, its Monday again.

Seems kind of quiet around here compared to last week with all the cover reveals and book releases and such!

It was a lot of fun. Thanks for joining us.

I'm so glad that I can help out my blog friends even just a little.


Not much to report today.

Had the fire department carnival from Wednesday to Saturday last week.

Still in recovery mode. Standing and hawking for a few days does take its toll.

Was completely over-served on Friday night after carnival.

Got another rejection for MC2 Saturday.

Signed the BOY up for a summer scouts program. I have no idea what that means, but I guess between that and football practice, which starts next month, he will have something to do other than bother me all summer long.

I'm very honored to be co-hosting Wednesday's Insecure Writer's Support Group! Here is a note from Sir Alex himself!

Our next post date is Wednesday, July 2.

Be sure to display the badge and link to either the IWSG site - http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html or the sign-up here – http://alexjcavanaugh.blogspot.com/p/the-insecure-writers-support-group.html

Based on feedback from members, some suggestions:

* Short posts, 300 words or less

* Remove word verification (you’d be surprised how many have it on and don’t know it)

* Return comments and visit those who visit you

The list is culled every month, removing those who miss two months in a row. We hate to cut anyone, but this improves the experience for those who do participate. You are always welcome to sign up again when you’re ready!

I can’t visit everyone (no matter how hard I try!) and appreciate the assistance of my co-hosts. For July 2, they are –

Krista McLaughlin - http://www.kjmclaughlin.com/

Kim Van Sickler - http://swaggerwriters.blogspot.com/

Heather M. Gardner - http://hmgardner.blogspot.com/

Hart Johnson - http://waterytart23.blogspot.com/

We are also trying to get the IWSG on the Writers Digest Best 101 Websites list! Please email them at writersdigest@fwmedia.com, subject line 101 Websites, and suggest the IWSG - http://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/

Thanks!!

See you back here on Wednesday!

Tara Tyler takes over -- Broken Branch Falls Blog Tour Stop!!!

Heather has been my bestie, beautiful, brainy, boosting, blogger buddy for bookoos! I'm drawn to sarcasm and wit - she helps me laugh at myself and does an awesome job encouraging others. We also both got publishing gigs at the same time last year! I can't wait to go to NY and meet her IRL someday!

For now, thanks for hosting me during my BBF blog tour, my friend!

Seen any good movies lately? What's your fave TV show?
Any movies you don't want to see? I'm wondering if they will quit making Spiderman movies any time soon... How many do we need? And I just found out about Superman vs. Batman - really? Come on!

I pose these questions because I think Hollywood needs to READ MORE BOOKS! We could use some new heroes! So, today I want to talk about books I'd like to see on-screen. And not the ones that already made it, but the ones that get overlooked. The little guys that make quality and substance everyone should know about! I've read some great books that would be awesome ON-SCREEN! Here are just a few examples:

Maggie and Jack from
MAGUIRE'S CORNER

MAGUIRE'S CORNER by Heather M. Gardner - of course! I think her series would make an awesome movie or weekly TV series. There's intrigue, suspense, love interest, drama, humor, realism. The characters are vibrant and deep and have all kinds of problems - perfect for an ongoing series!





Next, is the YA mystery series starring INDIGO EADY by Gwen Gardner (GIVIN UP THE GHOST and A GUILTY GHOST SURPRISED) They're full of adventure, spooks, and teenage fun. I love this series! I think it would be a great set of movies or series on Teen Nick.

Then, there's Alex J. Cavanaugh's Cassa series (CASSASTAR, CASSAFIRE, and CASSASTORM) This would be an awesome sci fi movie trilogy, real or animated! I also envisioned a Battlestar Galactica type TV series. BTW, I think Alex should take his books to a CON. He would easily gain a cultish following and you know we'd all show up just to see him in person!!

Some more well-known books/series I've read recently include: LEGEND, CINDER, and OPEN MINDS. I think these YA book series would make cool movies and fit right in with the post-apocalyptic/futuristic adventures trending right now. I wouldn't be surprised if any of them were already in the works!



But, my favorite series is the paranormal romance set of novellas by Christine Rains, the 13th FLOOR. These well-written stories have deep characters and awesome action and could totally make it on HBO, easily replacing True Blood!


There are so many more! Of course, I'd like to see my own on screen - that would be unreal and so cool! I'm actually working on a novella that I plan to storyboard with my illustrator and put on youtube - I even have three songs written for it! It's just so fluffy!!

Ahem. Thanks again, Heather! I had fun with this =) Say HI to Stormy for me!

So, tell us. What book would you like to see on screen?

(And don't forget to enter the giveaway below!)

BROKEN BRANCH FALLS (MG Fantasy)
by Tara Tyler
Release Date: June 24, 2014 - available now!!
B&N ~~~ Amazon 
Publisher: Curiosity Quills

Gabe is an average fifteen-year-old goblin. He’s in the marching band, breezes through calculus, and gets picked on daily by the other kids at school, especially the ogres. But Gabe wants to break out of his nerdy stereotype and try other things. He has his eye on the new ogress at school. Though it’s against all beastly rules, there’s just something about her.

Gabe starts a fad of mingling with other species, forcing the High Council to step in and ruin things by threatening to destroy the school and split up Broken Branch Falls. With help from other outcast friends, Gabe sets out on a quest to save his town. They'll show 'em what different friends can do together!

Add it to your GOODREADS list!

Tara Tyler has had a hand at everything from waitressing to rocket engineering. After living up and down the Eastern US, she now writes and teaches math in Ohio with her three active boys and Coach Husband. Currently, she has two series, The Cooper Chronicles (techno-thriller detective capers) and Beast World (MG fantasy) She's an adventure writer who believes every good story should have action, a moral, and a few laughs!

Twitter ~~~ Facebook ~~~ Blog

Also by Tara Tyler, techno-thriller detective series,

The Cooper Chronicles, Book One: POP TRAVEL

a Rafflecopter giveaway  

***

Thank you, Tara! It was awesome to have you here with us today! I'm so excited to read your new book and I'm really happy for you and all the wonderful things going on in your life! I wish you all the best of luck!

***

There's a new A to Z Road Trip post from Stormy the Weather Gnome over on the Blogging from A to Z Challenge blog page! Check it out!

Cover Reveal for M.J. Fifield's Effigy!!!

So.

I've been hearing about this book for what seems like ages.

This book that a fellow blogger has been working on for what also seems like ages (maybe even longer to her).

A book that we are finally going to get to read and I'm very excited to read it.


:)

 

But not yet.


Today I get to share the absolutely beautiful cover with you. 

:)

Did I make you scroll down the page far enough yet?


:)


Okay.



The cover.

Effigy

The survival of a once-mighty kingdom rests in the hands of its young queen, Haleine Coileáin, as it slowly succumbs to an ancient evil fueled by her husband’s cruelty.

A sadistic man with a talent for torture and a taste for murder, he is determined to burn the land and all souls within. Haleine is determined to save her kingdom and, after a chance encounter, joins forces with the leader of the people’s rebellion. She gives him her support, soon followed by her heart.

Loving him is inadvertent but becomes as natural and necessary as breathing. She lies and steals on his behalf, doing anything she can to further their cause. She compromises beliefs held all her life, for what life will exist if evil prevails?

Her journey leads to a deceiving world of magic, monsters, and gods she never believed existed outside of myth. The deeper she goes, the more her soul is stripped away, but she continues on, desperate to see her quest complete. If she can bring her husband to ruin and save her people, any sacrifice is worth the price—even if it means her life.

Release date: July 22, 2014 

Cover art by Ravven

About The Author:

Armed with a deep and lasting love of chocolate, purple pens, and medieval weaponry, M.J. Fifield is nothing if not a uniquely supplied insomniac. When she isn’t writing, she’s on the hunt for oversized baked goods or shiny new daggers. M.J. lives with a variety of furry creatures—mostly pets—in New Hampshire. Effigy is her first novel.

Links:

Ravven, the cover artist:  www.ravven.com

My website: http://www.mjfifield.com/

My blog: http://mjfifield.blogspot.com/

Add Effigy on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22545883-effigy?ac=1

Broken Branch Falls RELEASE DAY!!!

It's Beastly Blitz Day!

Tara Tyler is releasing chaos into the world today with her new Middle Grade Fantasy novel, Broken Branch Falls! It's such a fun concept and I can't wait to read it to find out more about Gabe and all his classmates. (Goblin-mates? Ogre-mates?)

Tara will be stopping in Friday during her blog tour as well to talk about what books she'd like to see made into movies! Make sure you come back to visit with us then!


BROKEN BRANCH FALLS (MG Fantasy)
by Tara Tyler
Release Date: June 24, 2014 - TODAY!!
B & N ~~~ Amazon 
Publisher: Curiosity Quills

Gabe is an average fifteen-year-old goblin. He’s in the marching band, breezes through calculus, and gets picked on daily by the other kids at school, especially the ogres. But Gabe wants to break out of his nerdy stereotype and try other things. He has his eye on the new ogress at school. Though it’s against all beastly rules, there’s just something about her.

Gabe starts a fad of mingling with other species, forcing the High Council to step in and ruin things by threatening to destroy the school and split up Broken Branch Falls. With help from other outcast friends, Gabe sets out on a quest to save his town. They'll show 'em what different friends can do together!

Add it to your GOODREADS list!

Tara Tyler has had a hand at everything from waitressing to rocket engineering. After living up and down the Eastern US, she now writes and teaches math in Ohio with her three active boys and Coach Husband. Currently, she has two series, The Cooper Chronicles (techno-thriller detective capers) and Beast World (MG fantasy) She's an adventure writer who believes every good story should have action, a moral, and a few laughs!

Twitter ~~~ Facebook ~~~ Blog

Also by Tara Tyler, techno-thriller detective series,

The Cooper Chronicles, Book One: POP TRAVEL

a Rafflecopter giveaway

My so called life - Heather edition.

Hello there. Happy Friday! Hope your weekend plans are all set and the weather is nice where ever you are.

So, I've been kind of quiet about things in my life recently. I didn't want to bore you guys with my trials and tribulations.

But, that's when I remembered that's exactly what I created this blog for.

I needed a place to vent.

2013 was a good year. Yeah, by the end things were going to shit, but I didn't know that at the time.

2014. Not my year.

Y'all know about my publisher biting the dust and that I didn't see 75% (ish) of my royalties. (Not that it was going to be a significant amount.)

I was also told at the end of 2013 that the part-time position I held was going to be expanded. Sounds great. The job had to be reconfigured and I would have to apply for it like everyone else. Still, not so bad. I knew I had all the qualifications. I interviewed over 2 months ago.

I didn't get the job.

Unpublished.
Unemployed.

Un-trust... ing.
Un-know... ing.
Un-love... ed?

Okay, maybe not that bad. :)

I know I'll find something else. Not easy with an 8 yr old getting out of school for the summer in a few days, but I'll see what I can do.

I know I'll find a new publisher. If the Universe is kind.

I know I'll be fine and that this doesn't define me or my life.

It hurts, but what doesn't these days?

So, that's my story. I hope I didn't bore or annoy any of you too much.

Let's end this meeting on a high note!

Here's to having the second half of 2014 be better than the first.

 
Please.

It can be done!

It's Monday.

That's all I've got to say about that.

I've been jotting down bits and pieces of book 3 for the last week or so. It feels good to start to create my next romantic couple.

Figure out what they're like. What they want. How they sound. What their history is all about. What they look like. What they do and why. Where they go.

I think that's one of the things I like best about writing. Developing the characters.

It's one thing to give them a name, but its a whole'nother thing to give them LIFE!!

Do you have a favorite part while creating your characters?

Friday (dun dun dun) the 13th.

Have a great weekend.

My query gets critiqued.

Hi.

If you're interested to read my query for book 2 in the Maguire's Corner series, One Good Catch, then head on over to the Unicorn Bell blog where CD Coffelt AKA Huntress takes a stab at making it sing!

It could really use some voice lessons.

Feel free to add to the discussion.

I can take it.

:)

#atozchallenge #roadtrip - Stormy's cruisin' with the top down!

Get your motor runnin'
Head out on the highway
Looking for adventure
And whatever comes our way

(Born To Be Wild by Steppenwolf)


Welcome to leg three of the Post A-to-Z Road Trip!

Stormy the Weather Gnome and I are going to try to hit at least 20 new blogs a week from the Challenge list and tell you about a few of them in each of my posts.

When you go visit these awesome blogs, please make sure you tell them that you're visiting on the Post A to Z Road Trip!


Author Stephen Tremp
Stephen Tremp

Stephen's A to Z Theme: The Wonders and Oddities of our Universe.
From Aliens to Galaxies. 
From Quantum Computers to Water in Space. 
Stephen covers it all and explains it in a way even I can understand! 


Like a true nature's child
We were born
Born to be wild
We can climb so high
I never wanna die
Born to be wild


The Slightly Eccentric Diary of Rob Z Tobor
Rob Z Tobor

Rob's A to Z Theme ... one giant-run-on-poetry-compilation-extravaganza. 



Astral Traveller
Cat Starr

Cat's A to Z Theme ... absolutely beautiful travel pictures from around the world. 


Fire all of your guns at once
And explode into space


Parsley, Sage, and Rosemary Time!
Sharon Arthur Moore

Sharon's A to Z Theme ... food terminology, techniques, foods, gadgets, recipes and all things, well, food!


Wilderness Apocalypse
D Kai Wilson
Kai's  A to Z Theme ... Everything you ever needed to know to survive any Apocalypse.

Thanks for visiting with us today!
Are you finding any great blogs on your trip?

Pop quiz! #IWSG

Created and Developed by: Alex J. Cavanaugh
 
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!


Just for fun.
 
Pop quiz, hot shot.

Does this picture fill you with dread OR fill you with hope and excitement?
  

What about this one? 

Do you break out in a sweat OR do you rub your hands together with glee?

What about your edits?

Thrilling OR terrifying?

When the end is near?

Scared to death OR giddy with delight? 

One last question.
 
Acute sense of accomplishment OR profound sense of loss?

Patience. I could use some of that today.

Hi.

How are you guys?

Pretty good here.

Just for fun the other day I took out the first manuscript that I ever actually finished and started to read it.

Eww...bleh...yuck!

It's awful!

Funny, when I sent it out into the world a few years ago, I thought it was the best thing EH-VAH!

I did a little patch work on the fist chapter. I don't know how involved I want to get with it right now.

I'm supposed to be concentrating on getting book 2 out and starting on book 3 of the Maguire's Corner series.

I got one Full request on MC2 (yeah!), but I haven't heard anything from the requester since.

Anyone have any extra patience they could let me borrow?

I'd appreciate it.

How about you guys?

Ever read your old writing? Were you surprised?