MONDAY MUSINGS

In my case, I don't mean finishing reading a book, I mean finishing writing a book!

I don't have a day job. Writing is my job.

But . . . so many other obligations have kept me away from working on my book this summer. It's been a little frustrating.

However, in about two weeks I'm finally going to be ready to send my newest book, CHASING FIREFLIES off to beta readers!

Yay! I'm so excited!

If you're interested in beta reading for me, please say so in the comments.

Beta reading is work. It is not the same as reading an ARC in exchange for a review. It is reading the author's first draft of a book and giving advice about the plot and generally letting the author know what you think of the book and how they can improve it.

The final published version may be very different from what the beta reader reads. 

The cover reveal for all of the books in the Power of the Matchmaker series is coming soon!

The prequel novella is now up for pre-order HERE. 

Moving on . . .

Do any of you watch So You Think You Can Dance?

I love to post my favorite dances of the season. 

The man in the below video is supposed to be keeping the woman from "going toward the light." 

It's brilliant.

Enjoy!

             

HAVE A GREAT MONDAY!

FRIDAY FAVORITES

Friday Favorites include my favorite images on reading or writing!

(taken from Facebook)

 Enjoy!

If only. I'd be so fit!!!

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY WITH WINNER

Congratulations to last week's WORDLESS WEDNESDAY 

winner: Natalie!

I liked her answer entitled:

Image courtesy of morguefile.com

MY LOVE RODE OFF TO PROTECT US

 Amazing answers last week. So hard to choose. In the end, I loved this answer because in 2003 my hubby had to go off to Iraq. Those tanks hold precious cargo.

To view, go here.

Wordless Wednesday is actually filled with words--the words, thoughts, and feelings that pictures or images evoke within each of us without uttering a single word!

Image courtesy of [atibodyphoto] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

What WORD/WORDS does this picture evoke within you?

Or, in other words, "TITLE THIS IMAGE."

I'll start: "TREAD CAREFULLY"

My favorite answer wins a $5.00 dollar Amazon gift card.

Don't forget to leave your email or I will be unable to name you as winner!

You may leave multiple answers to increase your chances of winning.

Contest is closed by Thursday at midnight and the winner will be contacted. Winner will be announced the following Wordless Wednesday.

Open only to those who can legally enter. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be emailed. If email is incorrect, a new winner will be chosen. Giveaway is sponsored by Taylor Dean Books. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

MONDAY MUSINGS

One day my daughter started sending me texts with images in them.

Each and every one made me smile.

I'm sure you've all seen the Ryan Gosling "Hey Girl" memes floating around. 

These particular memes are directed at authors.

Enjoy!

I promise, these are bound to make your Monday a GREAT one!

Which one is your favorite?

FRIDAY FAVORITES

Friday Favorites include my favorite images on reading or writing!

(taken from Facebook)

 Enjoy!

LOVE THIS IMAGE!!

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY WITH WINNER

Congratulations to last week's WORDLESS WEDNESDAY 

winner: Lea Ann!

I liked her answer entitled:

Image courtesy of Morguefile.com

A PRESCRIPTION FOR LOVE

To view, go here.

Wordless Wednesday is actually filled with words--the words, thoughts, and feelings that pictures or images evoke within each of us without uttering a single word!

Image courtesy of Morguefile.com

What WORD/WORDS does this picture evoke within you?

Or, in other words, "TITLE THIS IMAGE."

I'll start: "LOVE IS A BATTLEFIELD"

My favorite answer wins a $5.00 dollar Amazon gift card.

Don't forget to leave your email or I will be unable to name you as winner!

You may leave multiple answers to increase your chances of winning.

Contest is closed by Thursday at midnight and the winner will be contacted. Winner will be announced the following Wordless Wednesday.

Open only to those who can legally enter. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be emailed. If email is incorrect, a new winner will be chosen. Giveaway is sponsored by Taylor Dean Books. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

BACK TO SCHOOL, BACK TO BOOKS CASH GIVEAWAY

               It's that time again! Time for the kiddos to go back to school!

They'll be hitting the books, so why not do the same?

Grab your favorite novel and cuddle up on your favorite chair in your quiet house and spend the day reading a great book!
You deserve it!

Enter the below giveaway to win lots of cash to purchase all the books you've been meaning to read!

Good luck!

                  

 A RAFFLECOPTER GIVEAWAY

 Back to School - Back to Books $250 Cash Giveaway

August 17th to September 7th

Prize: Winner's choice of $250 in Paypal Cash or a $250 Amazon.com Gift Code

Sponsor List I Am A Reader Author Martha Reynolds Unshelfish The Discerning Reader Raven Haired Girl DS Venetta ~ Author middle grade fiction Heather @ Townsend House Talia Jager, YA Author Kimber Leigh Wheaton TMBA Corbett The Page Unbound Author MK McClintock Carolyn Cooper Kindle and Me Book Nerd Addict Live Life Blog Simple Wyrdings Krysten Lindsay Hager author Rockin' Book Reviews Here We Go Again...Ready? Ann Swann - Suspense and more Author Inger Iversen Crystal's Chaotic Confessions Bella Street's Time Travel Romance Bonnie Blythe Pure Romance Taylor Dean Books Every Free Chance Books LeahSay's Views My Book Self A Tattered Copy Glistering Bs Blog Lori's Reading Corner Free Bookster Kelly's Lucky You Chicas Love to Read Hall Ways Bound 4 Escape Book Reviews and Giveaways Author Wendi Sotis MagicalCoolCatMysteries Laurisa Reyes - Author 

Giveaway Details $250 in Paypal Cash (alternately the winner can choose a $250 Amazon.com Gift Code) Ends 9/7/15 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use money sent via Paypal. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the authors, bloggers and publishers on the sponsor list. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

                                                   

FRIDAY FAVORITES

Friday Favorites include my favorite images on reading or writing!

(taken from Facebook)

 Enjoy!

I couldn't resist this image!

Maybe this will give us each a little giggle as we start our weekend!

I'm beta reading for an author friend right now.

So here's my answer:

HALFWAY BETWEEN HOPE AND THE HIGHWAY . . . WITH A CHAINSAW

Of course, I'm also working on my next novel . . .

CHASING FIREFLIES . . . WITH A CHAINSAW

Hahahahaha!

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY WITH WINNER

Congratulations to last week's WORDLESS WEDNESDAY 

winner: Linda!

I liked her answer entitled:

Image courtesy of morguefile.com

BLINDED BY LOVE

To view, go here.

Wordless Wednesday is actually filled with words--the words, thoughts, and feelings that pictures or images evoke within each of us without uttering a single word!

Image courtesy of Morguefile.com 

What WORD/WORDS does this picture evoke within you?

Or, in other words, "TITLE THIS IMAGE."

I'll start: "MAKE ROOM FOR LOVE"

My favorite answer wins a $5.00 dollar Amazon gift card.

Don't forget to leave your email or I will be unable to name you as winner!

You may leave multiple answers to increase your chances of winning.

Contest is closed by Thursday at midnight and the winner will be contacted. Winner will be announced the following Wordless Wednesday.

Open only to those who can legally enter. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be emailed. If email is incorrect, a new winner will be chosen. Giveaway is sponsored by Taylor Dean Books. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

ANY FLAVOR JELLYBEANS BUT BLACK--BOOK REVIEW

AMAZON

Jason Guile is bleeding profusely and often. It's not uncommon for his sneezes to be a mist of candied red. This can't be good for one's health. He thinks it's a shame he never got to graduate high school, go to college, get a job, and so on and so on. But he figures he may as well live life to the fullest while he still has it. No one can bleed all the time and go on living, right? Risk is no longer a concern. 

Yet, every time he catches a whiff of licorice-flavored jellybeans, a chill runs the length of his body. He remembers his first experience involving death--his Aunt Dolly's funeral at age five. His mother's comfort to him? Her favorite snack: black, licorice-flavored jellybeans. 

Unfortunately, Carly loves them too -- even her lip gloss often reeks of black licorice.

Carly Henson has been Jace's best friend since they were kids, and has always been prone to accident... or so it always seemed. Carly shows up at Jace's after midnight with a black eye, busted lip, and purple bruises all about her neck and back. She has a confession to make. She's not accident prone; her father is an abusive, alcoholic asshole.

Jace finds new purpose in his existence. He can't die. Not yet. Carly needs him. The two embark on a journey to free Carly of her father's rage. Her only salvation seems to be her 18th birthday, and Jace is determined to keep her safe until she can move out and never receive her father's bashings again. The two are racing the clock, counting down to February 19th. But the stench of black jellybeans is a constant reminder that Jace is running a race of his own--one that we all eventually lose.

~

I met author Kenneth S. Harris when he contacted me awhile back. He was reading Lancaster House and wanted to know if I was interested in swapping book reviews. He'd written a book called The Perfect Tree. I agreed and ended up loving his book. You can read my review here.

Fast forward and Mr. Harris has written another book. Again, we agreed to swap reviews. He decided to read Girl of Mine and I happily agreed to read his new book, Any Flavor Jellybeans But Black. I greatly enjoyed his first book and I felt eager to delve into his newest endeavor. The title intrigued me from the get-go. I HATE black jellybeans or black licorice. The smell alone makes me sick. Therefore, I felt an immediate connection to the book. Secondly, I love the cover. Very clever.

This is a story of young love, of friendship, of wanting to do the right thing, but maybe not knowing exactly what the right thing is to do. It's a story of becoming an adult--and being expected to act like one--even though you're not quite considered one.

The writing is impeccable and it was so very easy to lose myself in the story. I love when a book is so well written I forget I'm reading and just glide along with the story.

I entered the world of three best friends, Jace, Carly, and Allen. They're teenagers preparing to embark upon adulthood as they figure their way through life. Both Jace and Carly are facing some fairly serious issues and the reader is allowed to experience these issues right along with them. The book is realistic in the way it handles teenager/young adult problems. I enjoyed the sense of anticipation laced within the novel. I constantly wondered what was about to happen. The  book had a nice pace with never a dull moment. As a matter of fact, I felt as though I was living the adventure, an invisible onlooker. Parts even made my heart race as I rooted for Jace and Carly to survive their predicament. (I hate driving in snow and Mr. Harris was able to communicate what it's like during white-knuckle driving.)

In the end, things wrapped up nicely. My only complaint: I wanted more! I wasn't quite ready for the story to be over!

This was easily a five-star read for me. But, personally, I don't care for swearing in books. I believe the language in Any Flavor Jellybeans But Black was realistic to the characters, however, I just don't want that type of language in my mind. Personal choice. That being said, I cannot deduct from my rating because the writing and the plot kept me hooked all the way through. It would be a disservice to both the author and the book to give it anything less than a well deserved five stars!

MEET THE AUTHOR

 

Kenneth S. Harris has a B.A. in English. His passion for crafting fiction has led to the creation of his novels The Perfect Tree and Any Flavor Jellybeans but Black, and several short stories. He currently lives in Kentucky with his wife and three children. 

"Writing is an escape and a celebration of life, much like reading," Kenneth says. "Story telling is an essential part of the world's traditions and evolution. Who humanity is 100 years from now will likely be defined (at least in part) by the stories we tell."

Visit Kenneth online at www.kennethscottharris.com or follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ken_s_harris.

MONDAY MUSINGS

Last week I added a Monday Musings post very late on Tuesday afternoon. I don't think anyone saw the post. Even I didn't get an email reminder about it. Don't you just hate when technology doesn't work the way it's supposed to?

At any rate, I posted a song that reminded some family members of Girl of Mine, so if you're interested, go check out the post: here.

I'm working hard on my next book, CHASING FIREFLIES. It's part of a series of stand alone novels that all have one thing in common . . . an appearance from The Matchmaker.

The exciting news is that the prequel novella that introduces The Matchmaker and tells her story is now available for pre-order! It will be released in November!

Grab your copy on Amazon HERE.

The cover reveal for all of the books in the series is coming soon!

Watch for it!

Have a wonderful Monday!

FRIDAY FAVORITES

Friday Favorites include my favorite images on reading or writing!

(taken from Facebook)

 Enjoy!

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY WITH WINNER

Congratulations to last week's WORDLESS WEDNESDAY 

winner: Laura!

I liked her answer entitled:

Image courtesy of [arztsamui] / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

LOVE TRUMPS ALL

To view, go here.

Wordless Wednesday is actually filled with words--the words, thoughts, and feelings that pictures or images evoke within each of us without uttering a single word!

Image courtesy of morguefile.com

What WORD/WORDS does this picture evoke within you?

Or, in other words, "TITLE THIS IMAGE."

I'll start: "LET LOVE IN"

My favorite answer wins a $5.00 dollar Amazon gift card.

Don't forget to leave your email or I will be unable to name you as winner!

You may leave multiple answers to increase your chances of winning.

Contest is closed by Thursday at midnight and the winner will be contacted. Winner will be announced the following Wordless Wednesday.

Open only to those who can legally enter. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be emailed. If email is incorrect, a new winner will be chosen. Giveaway is sponsored by Taylor Dean Books. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

MONDAY MUSINGS LATE ON TUESDAY

I'm so late getting a Monday post up this week.

Two of my nieces came to visit for a long weekend and we've been busy with lots of family get-togethers.

It was like enjoying a bonus vacation, except this time the party was at my house! Four days of non-stop fun!

I'm tired, but we had a great time!

Among the group are my handsome nephew and his adorable wife. They were just married in January of this year.

Every time they come to visit, his new wife says . . . Taylor Dean!

They BOTH read my books and they BOTH love them. They love to discuss them with me and I LOVE every minute of it. It makes me happy.

They told me there was a song that reminded them of GIRL OF MINE and they had me listen to it. I have to admit, I could see the similarities. It's not a perfect match to the story, but it has a few lines that make me smile. I also love that they were so engrossed in the story that they found a song that reminded them of Luke. When people are that involved in my books, it makes me smile from ear to ear.

Here it is . . .