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Review by Cindy R. Williams
Shy Adelle Hansen hears demons, but she’s determined to make friends at her new high school by keeping her ability secret.
When she overhears supernatural voices celebrating the impending death of the school quarterback, Levi Anderson, she knows she has to do something to prevent it. However, the demons aren’t the ones plotting; they’re just celebrating the chaos, and Adelle must contend with earthly forces as well if she wants to preserve Levi’s life.
Handsome, popular Levi doesn't appreciate Adelle’s self-appointed role of guardian angel. As Adelle battles to keep him safe, she’ll have to protect her heart, too. Can she do both?
Okay, who wouldn't want to read this? Girl wants to fit into her new school. Hottest guy on the planet is in danger, and only she knows it, since she has this strange ability to hear demons. Somehow she must save him, but alas, her attempts annoy him. What a great struggle. Helping someone who doesn't even know he needs help, and plus she has made a nuisance of herself. Love it!
If you are a Rallison fan, then you know she has a great, sometimes quirky sense of humor. She also knows how to spin a good yarn, and romance. No one does clean romance better. This book, THE GIRL WHO HEARD DEMONS won Amazon's Kindle Scout competition against billions of other books. Okay a bit of an exaggeration, but to win Amazon's Kindle Scout contest is a BIG deal!
Let me tell you more about Janette. I actually know her, and find her to be a regular person--you know, nice, funny, and all around great mother, and recently a grandmother--but she is not old, and doesn't sit in a rocker, although she does have lots of cats, so could be considered a cat lady. I don't think Janette has an enemy in the world. You meet her, she makes you laugh and feel at home. She never puts on airs and is willing to help out new writers. You would never know she has sold over a million books and is usually published by Penguin.
Here is more of the official bio type stuff that is on hand about Janette:
Janette Rallison, also known as CJ Hill, writes books because writing is much more fun than cleaning bathrooms.
Her avoidance of housework has led her to writing 24 novels that have sold over 1,000,000 print copies and have been on many reading and state lists.
Her books are fantasy, sci-fi, and romantic comedy because hey, there is enough angst in real life, but there’s a drastic shortage of humor, romance and hot guys who fight dragons.
She lives in Arizona with her husband, kids, and enough cats to classify her as eccentric.
Get the book. You will be glad you did!
Writers Mirror gives THE GIRL WHO TALKED TO DEMONS ten stars. It is that good!
by Cindy R. Williams
FINDING SHEBA - An Omar Zagouri Thriller by H.B. Moore
"Fast-paced, intriguing, fantastic characters, and full of surprises. Highly recommended." --James Dashner, NY Times bestselling author of THE MAZE RUNNER.
Back blurb says:
AN ANCIENT LEGEND IS REBORN . . . ONE THAT MIGHT PROVE THE BIBLE FALSE.
For centuries, historians have theorized the Queen of Sheba as only a seductive legend, and scholars have debated over the legitimacy of the King of David or King Solomon. When undercover Israeli agent, Omar Zagouri, stumblers onto a tomb in Northern Jerusalem he unknowingly finds the final clue that threatens to overthrow government claims to the Holy Land, pits wealthy collectors against one another, and sends ruthless archaeologists scrambling to find the queen's secret burial place.
An assassination attempt on the Coptic Pope, His Holiness, Patriarch Stephanus II, is only the first in the chain of lethal cremes. Omar must find a way to prevent the greatest discovery of the century from becoming the most deadly.
H.B. Moore is the pen name for the award winning author, Heather B. Moore. She is the author of ten historical novels which are set in Ancient Arabia and Mesoamerica. She is the author of two non-fiction books and several women's novel --these are written under her real so that women will buy her books. She says using different names can be confusing so her kids just call her Mom.
By: Cindy R. Williams,
on 10/3/2013
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I'm a part of the LDS Blog Hop brought to you by I Am A Reader, Not A Writer Blog.
"What is the LDS Blog Hop?" you ask?
Well, I'll tell you. It's where you can enter the contest to win a copy of a book by one of the many, many LDS writers in the land.
Available here is my very own children's picture book, CHASE MCKAY DIDN'T GET UP TODAY!
CHASE MCKAY DIDN'T GET UP TODAY is a snuggle, giggle book to read to little ones. It has an underlying message of choice and consequences. Great gift too, just in time for Christmas. More info available on
www.cindyRwilliams.com
If you would like to enter the free giveaway, please leave your name and email in the comments section and a drawing will be held at the end of the month.
Check out I Am A Reader, Not A Writer Blog. for all the other LDS authors and their books being given away this month.
By: Cindy R. Williams,
on 9/29/2013
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By Cindy R. Williams
I get a kick out of "talk radio." While driving the other day to play the piano for the baptism of a dear little 8 year-old friend, I heard a boxer talk about his upcoming bout. He mixed two different analogies, but it made total sense. While in the Church, I pondered what he said. I realized it totally works for writing.
Let me paraphrase the interview with the boxer.
Talk Host: Usually you have at least three months to prepare for a bout. This one, you only have 30 days. What are you going to do?
Boxer: I have been boxing for a long time. I'm in good shape and ready.
Talk Host: Yes, but how will you train specifically for this bout. You don't really have the time to hone your skills to take advantage of your opponent.
Boxer: Yes, each opponent has different strengths, and it does help to prepare for each fight, but, no worries. The things I do well are like puzzle pieces. I take all the things I know how to do and then I make a pudding out of them. I have a good pudding. I will be ready.
Hummmmm . . . . the boxer takes his best skills and makes the best pudding that he can. Can't we do this with our writing. We may not know everything about grammar and writing, but we each have some writing skills and strengths. These are our ingredients/puzzle pieces.
How about if we don't worry that we aren't as great a writer as ____ or ____. Let's not think, "Surely this or that agent or publisher wouldn't want my meager story."
How about if we take all that we know and do and then make our best pudding? How about if we take the leap and believe in ourselves enough to submit our puddings?
If not now . . . when?
I love a good pudding. I can do this. Can you? Will you?
By: Cindy R. Williams,
on 6/5/2013
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by Cindy R. Williams
Writers are inventors. As we write, we invent something new. A book or story that never existed before for others to read. We are also re-inventors of ourselves. We cycle with the seasons of life. By the time you have lived for a half a century--an eerie shiver at the reality of this benchmark just ran through me--you will have lived many rolls in your life.
Walking down memory lane of my first half century I found that I began life as a mermaid, and am now a fairy. Weird but quite true none the less. Follow me here . . . my dad was a P.E. Coach and also managed our local swimming pool. We grew up in the water and often played mermaids.
My childhood home and both my grandparents homes were magical. I lived a life surrounded by lilac bushes and huge peach, pear and apple orchards with a meandering brook and fairy paths over bridges. There was even a Victorian home with goblins living in the cellars. I was an avid reader of fairy tales, including; Hans Christian Andersen, the Brothers Grimm and L. Wizard of Oz series by Frank Baum. I found myself inside the books like Madeleine L'Engle's "Wrinkle in Time" and Amanda Cockrell's "Shadow Castle". Each of these stories became a real part of my conscious world by day and my dreams by night. By the time I grew up and was ready to have children of my own, I was officially a fairy.
I'm now beginning my second century, and as such, all my experiences are coming full circle and combining with my gifts and talents in my many rolls as a daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, new grandmother, friend, teacher, writer, musician, mermaid, fairy.
Three months ago, I woke up with a new idea of who I am and how it is time to combine all these things I love and do into one great purpose. I am reinventing myself once again. I can't share with you what it is yet until much of the writing, scripts and production has begun, but I can tell you that I have been inspired to take this next step, this leap of faith, and I will soon be flying on the back of a dragon.
By: Cindy R. Williams,
on 5/13/2013
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BATTLES. BLUEBERRIES. BOVINES.
TORBJORN AND STORFJELL’S HISTORY UNFOLDS IN AN EPIC EVERTASTER NOVELLA.
Everyone knows the most coveted treasure of the Viking Age was blueberry muffins. Blueberry muffins so succulent that if you sniffed just a whiff, you'd want a whole bite. If you bit a bite, you'd want a batch; if you snatched a batch, you'd stop at nothing short of going to war just to claim them all.
Young Torbjorn Trofastsonn comes from the clan that makes them. He's a Viking through and through – he's thirteen winters old, larger than most respectable rocks, and most of all, a Buttersmith. That's what he thinks anyway, until a charismatic merchant makes Torbjorn question his place among the muffin-makers. When Torbjorn lets the secret of his clan's muffin recipe slip, he calls doom and destruction down upon his peaceful village and forces his brother Storfjell and his clansmen to do the one thing they are ill-prepared to do: battle for their lives.
About The Buttersmiths' Gold
The Buttersmiths' Gold is a spin off novella in the Evertaster series that tells the story of two Viking brothers and their adventurous past. The Evertaster series (Book #1 released June 14, 2012) is about Guster Johnsonville, who goes searching for a legendary taste rumored to be the most delicious in all of history. Along the way he meets a slew of mysterious characters, including two Viking brothers Torbjorn and Storfjell. The Buttersmiths' Gold is their story. 124 pages. By Adam Glendon Sidwell. Published by Future House Publishing.
Here's the link to get your own copy for an enjoying feast: Amazon Link: EVERTASTER, BOOK # 1
A legendary taste. Sought after for centuries. Shrouded in secrecy.
When eleven-year-old Guster Johnsonville rejects his mother’s casserole for the umpteenth time, she takes him into the city of New Orleans to find him something to eat. There, in a dark, abandoned corner of the city they meet a dying pastry maker. In his last breath he entrusts them with a secret: an ancient recipe that makes the most delicious taste the world will ever know — a taste that will change the fate of humanity forever.
Forced to flee by a cult of murderous chefs, the Johnsonvilles embark on a perilous journey to ancient ruins, faraway jungles and forgotten caves. Along the way they discover the truth: Guster is an Evertaster — a kid so picky that nothing but the legendary taste itself will save him from starvation. With the sinister chefs hot on Guster’s heels and the chefs’ reign of terror spreading, Guster and his family must find the legendary taste before it’s too late.
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| Britney Gullbrandsen |
Writers Mirror: Welcome to Writers Mirror Britney Gullbrandsen!
Britney: Thanks for having me! This is so fun!
WM: Please tell us a little about Britney.
Britney: Hmmm…this question always trips me up. What do I share?!
· I’m 23 years old.
· I have a two-and-a-half year old son.
· I’m obsessed with Golden Spoon’s peanut butter cup fro yo (frozen yogurt.)
· I’m a list maker. I have stacks and stacks of notebooks filled with all kinds of lists. To-do lists. Goals. Grocery lists. Lists of things I love. It’s kind of a problem.
· I’m an only child.
· I’m terrified of elevators. And I’ve been stuck in three of them.
· I LOVE bright colors! They make me so happy! My last house had apple green walls, lime green walls, red walls, turquoise walls, bright orange walls, and a wall with bubblegum pink rectangles with orange in the middle. I know it sounds weird, but I promise it looked good!
WM: Please tell us what you write.
Britney: As a little girl, I wrote picture books. I’d write out the story (each line to a page), print them out, and illustrate them. In the fifth grade, I attempted a novel and got about halfway through before it was lost. I’m still devastated about that. When I got to junior high and high school, I started writing poetry and a few personal essays that I loved.
Then came college. I majored in creative writing and spent time with poetry, short stories, creative nonfiction, travel writing, and even took a course on writing the modern day fairy tale. I had so much fun!
But somewhere along the way I learned that my passion was to write for children and young adults. I absolutely loved reading as a child and I want to help instill that love of reading in other children. My husband and I write picture books and middle grade together and I just started my first young adult novel on my own.
WM: Where do you do most of your writing?
Britney: On the couch or at the kitchen table. Boring, but it gets the job done!
WM: Do you write on a lap top, a desk top, a tablet or long hand on notebook?
Britney: A lap top! I can’t write longhand—my hand cramps up way too easily!
WM: What inspires you to write?
Britney: I gather most my inspiration from other art forms. In fact, most of my story ideas have stemmed from photographs, songs, and dances. A few years ago, a couple on So You Think You Can Dance performed the most powerful dance I think I’ve ever seen. I’m not even kidding. It made me cry. Immediately after the show I wrote a poem based on that dance.
WM: What is your biggest distraction?
Britney: My son. And my lists.
WM: How do you handle it?
Britney: I just make a schedule and try to stick to it. Some weeks are better than others, and obviously sometimes the distraction is necessary. If my son is sick, I’m not going to write that day. I’m going to cuddle with him on the couch. I do most of my writing once he’s in bed at night to try and limit the distractions.
WM: What is your favorite writing food?
Britney: I actually don’t eat while I write. Go ahead—call me crazy.
WM: Why are you a writer?
Britney: I’m a writer because I can’t stop writing. It’s a piece of me that I have to keep. It’s my way of trying to inspire others!
WM: Where do you get your names for your characters?
Britney: I love this question! I think a lot about my characters names. I brainstorm lists of names and narrow them down based on the personality of the character.
For instance, in one of the books I wrote with my husband, we have four third grade boys. One is the super smart nerdy kid—Winston. Our big, strong kid is named Brock. Frankie is the smooth talker who always gets his way. And Loco is the crazy one. His name is actually Lawrence, but nobody calls him that. We just thought these names shared a piece of their personalities. Each name helps us picture the character.
I’m also writing a young adult set in Denmark during World War II, so I did lots of research on common names in that time period and place. Then I chose the ones that seemed to fit my characters best.
WM: Is there anything else you would like to share about your writing journey?
Britney: I’ve been trying to immerse myself more in the writing community. I joined ANWA (American Night Writers Association) about a year-and-a-half ago and SCBWI (Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators) about six months ago. I’ve attended three writing conferences in the past year-and-a-half and plan to attend one or two more this year. I think it’s so important to make connections and continue your writing education and I’m trying to do both these things.
WM: Do you have a website?
WM: Thank you sharing some of your writing journey with us Britney. Keep writing!
Britney: Thank YOU! What fun questions!
Tide Ever Rising by MandiTucker Slack Author of Romantic Suspense
Kadence Reynold’s favorite pastime is exploring old ghost towns, but when she and her sister, Maysha, stumble across an old journal and cheap pendant hidden in the depths of a crumbling foundation near Eureka, Utah, their world is suddenly turned upside down. Immediately, strange dreams and premonitions begin to haunt “Kadie” as she learns more about the author of the journal, Charlotte Clark. Kadie sets out on a journey to learn more about Charlotte and her family, and she and Maysha travel to Bremerton, Washington, where they discover Charlotte's still living twin sister, Adelaide and her family.
Kadie and Maysha, upon arriving in Washington, are immediately immersed in Adelaide and Charlotte’s story. Kadie soon learns that Charlotte disappeared the night of a tragic fire that took the lives of Adelaide’s entire family. With the help of Logan Mathews, Adelaide’s handsome grandson, and Charlotte’s ever disconcerting presence, Kadie delves into the past. Hoping to solve the mystery of Charlotte’s disappearance, Kadie immediately discovers the secrets contained in the journal will toss her and Adelaide’s family into a world filled with mystery, past regrets, and dark unknowns.
Mandi also has another romantic suspense novel, The Alias. See Writers Mirror Review dated 1/31/13.
Learn more about Mandi Tucker Slack at her Website and Blog
MandiTucker Slack
By Cindy R. Williams
My son did a “People Recipe” project in his 7thgrade Creative Writing Class. What a fun way to hone the features of your characters.
Instructions: Take information learned from interviewing your character. (Yes, sit back and talk to your character.) Create a fresh, fun recipe about him/her. Remember to use recipe-type words, but make your ingredients original and have them differ from the examples listed below.
Questions to ask:
Character’s name
Three physical qualities
Include three other facts
My ask about likes and dislikes, fears and ambitions
End recipe with a two sentence set of directions
Chase Spaghetti
Serves 4 people
INGREDIENTS:
Two green eyes
Add some glasses
A bushel of blond hair
An ounce of hair gel
Several yards of light colored skin
Add a pinch of a shy personality
A spoonful of knowledge
A nightlight
A basketball
And a pair of running shoes
Mix all but hair gel in large bowl and heat over stove. Stir constantly with a large spoon for eight minutes. Pour hair gel in the pot and mix well. Sump into strainer until liquid is drained. Enjoy!
Caitlin Cake
Mix:
1 head of shoulder length light brown hair
A pair of expressive blue eyes
One small gum-chewing metal mouth
A generous love of traveling
A dash of interest in the ocean
3 cups of books to read
Combine evenly and sprinkle with family and friends. Bake for 30 minutes at 325 degrees and serve with mint-chocolate chip ice cream.
By: Cindy R. Williams,
on 1/31/2013
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by Cindy R. Williams
I found The Alias fascinating. Not only did the plot take you on a roller coater ride with some pretty high loops but you really came to know the characters. Most of them were extremely likable and those that were meant to be the bad guys were very bad. The kind that you really want them to get what is coming to them.
The lead character, Jacey was pleasant, hard working, kind, trusting, and as decent as could possibly be, which made her perfect as the target for a no-good, bad mob guy with narcissistic tendencies with a propensity to abuse. Readers will applaud her strength and her deep searching inner resolve as she faces her life head on and takes matters in her own hands in order to create a world that is safe for she and her innocent son.
The book is well written. The descriptions, settings and scenes seem real. One can picture being in the room as the action unfolds.
The mother, Jacey, often called her nine year old son, and her friend good friend, Melissa, "babe." This seemed a bit odd. If I called any of my sons "babe," especially in front of any other human being, they would be mortified. I'm not too sure that many girls that are friends refer to each other as "babe."
Now, "babe" aside, the book was a page turner. The topic of wife abuse is serious, and yes, it was treated as such throughout the book. I appreciate how the main character realized she needed time to tackle much of what she had been through before she began a new relationship. This makes her a good, strong example of healing and growing and learning that each of us has the right to respect and even love.
This is one book that you will definitely cheer for the good guys and wish you could get your two cents in where the bad guys are concerned.
I look forward to reading more novels by Mandi Tucker Slack. In fact, her next book, TIDE EVER RISING, is on my reading list right now.
Links to everything Mandi Tucker Slack and her books:
Here is a preview of Mandi Tucker Slacks next book,
TIDE EVER RISING.
Kadence Reynold’s favorite pastime is exploring old ghost towns, but when she and her sister, Maysha, stumble across an old journal and cheap pendant hidden in the depths of a crumbling foundation near Eureka, Utah, their world is suddenly turned upside down. Immediately, strange dreams and premonitions begin to haunt “Kadie” as she learns more about the author of the journal, Charlotte Clark. Kadie sets out on a journey to learn more about Charlotte and her family, and she and Maysha travel to Bremerton, Washington, where they discover Charlotte's still living twin sister, Adelaide and her family.
Kadie and Maysha, upon arriving in Washington, are immediately immersed in Adelaide and Charlotte’s story. Kadie soon learns that Charlotte disappeared the night of a tragic fire that took the lives of Adelaide’s entire family. With the help of Logan Mathews, Adelaide’s handsome grandson, and Charlotte’s ever disconcerting presence, Kadie delves into the past. Hoping to solve the mystery of Charlotte’s disappearance, Kadie immediately discovers the secrets contained in the journal will toss her and Adelaide’s family into a world filled with mystery, past regrets, and dark unknowns.
MandiTucker Slack - Author of Romantic Suspense: The Alias, Tide Ever Rising
http://mudrockandpinknailpolish.blogspot.com/
By: Cindy R. Williams,
on 12/17/2012
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By Cindy R. Williams
This blog is all about writers. This includes music writing as well.
This is incredible. The young lady in this video is one of my guitar students. In her lesson last week I asked her to write a Christmas song, and then the horrible tragedy happened at the Elementary School Friday, December 14, 2012. Lacee wrote this. She is just that amazing.
Her mother told me Lacee's heart was aching for the children and their families. Her little brother is in kindergarten so it hit home. This song can bring great comfort. I hope it reaches those left behind with broken hearts.
This is really worth three minutes to have your heart strings played.
May we all be a little more kind and hold our loved ones close this Season.
Merry Christmas to all and peace to your hearts.
By: Cindy R. Williams,
on 11/7/2012
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Author and friend, Marsha Ward, is hosting a celebration for her fourth book
of The Owen Family Saga.
SPINSTER'S FOLLY
It is ready to venture out into the wide world on
November 10, 2012.*
| | You can join the fun by clicking here |
|
Here is some information directly from Marsha.
Are you excited?
Ready to dive into another world?
Eager to stay up all night to read a suspenseful tale peopled by the Owen Family and their neighbors, and perhaps a few vecinos, too? (For those among us who speak only English, vecinos are also neighbors, but they mostly speak Spanish.)
Here's a little description to whet your appetite even more:
"Marie Owen yearns for a loving husband, but Colorado Territory is long on rough characters and short on fitting suitors, so a future of spinsterhood seems more likely than wedded bliss.
"Her best friend says cowboy Bill Henry is a likely candidate, but Marie knows her class-conscious father would not allow such a pairing. When she challenges her father to find her a suitable husband before she becomes a spinster, he arranges a match with a neighbor's son. Then Marie discovers Tom Morgan would be an unloving, abusive mate and his mother holds a grudge against the Owen family.
"Marie's mounting despair at the prospect of being trapped in such a dismal marriage drives her into the arms of a sweet-talking predator, landing her in unimaginable dangers."
Whew!
Prizes available at the Release will include several print books from other authors, and yes, ebook and print copies of Spinster's Folly!
I can hardly wait!
* (Foul Weather Contingency Plan: If I get knocked off the grid on Saturday due to a heavy storm due to arrive here on Saturday, we'll have the party on November 17. In that case, go search on Amazon and smashwords.com under my name, Marsha Ward, for ebook copies of Spinster's Folly. I won't hold off on releasing the book if it storms. I'll just do the celebrating a tad bit later.)
By: Cindy R. Williams,
on 11/4/2012
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Announcing the Premier Writing Conference of the year
ANWA Writers Conference February 21 - 23, 2013
at the Hilton Hotel in Mesa, Arizona
Faculty two full days with industry professionals including: agents, editors and many authors, local and national.
This writers conference caters to beginning writers as well as advanced, men, women, youth, all nationalities and faiths.
There are opportunities offered to pitch your work to well known literary agencies.
Author book signings and sales.
Enter the BOB contest (Beginning of Book)
Brought to you by ANWA - American Night Writers Association. For more information and to sign up see
www.anwa-lds.com
By: Cindy R. Williams,
on 10/29/2012
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Hi Writers Mirror Readers,
Here is the blogging info received for a new release titled "No Holly for Christmas."
No Holly for Christmas is a women’s fiction/romance with elements of suspense. It’s the second novel by fiction author Julie N. Ford, a talented new writer who had three novels released in 2011, including No Holly for Christmas and the Whitney Award nominated, Count Down to Love. Visit her website at JulieNFord.com.
Synopsis:No Holly for Christmas
Widowed, practically penniless, and reduced to shopping at WalMart, Holly is dreading the approaching Holiday Season. However, her angst isn’t due to her husband’s untimely death the previous December 25th, but because of a secret that could reveal itself unless she can find a way to avoid the coming Christmas.
As Brian McAlister struggles to move past being jilted not once, but twice by the only woman he’s ever loved, he’s all but given up on relationships. Then, on special assignment for the DA’s office, he crosses paths with ex-socialite turned social worker, Holly Cavanaugh Winter—and romance blossoms.
Love at first sight quickly turns frigid for ADA, Brian McAlister, and social worker, Holly Winter, when Holly gets pulled into a manhunt for an accused murderer who now has his sights set on her. His case unraveling, Brian finds himself tasked with keeping Holly and her two daughters safe while bringing an assassin and the powerful man who hired him to justice.
A heart-warming story of suspense, healing, giving and receiving, No Holly for Christmas is the perfect addition to everyone’s holiday reading list.
A few comments about "No Holly for Christmas" from Writers Mirror."
It is evident that Ms. Ford knows how to write characters that are supposed to likable inspite of their flaws. She also knows how to write the bad guys, bad enough to scare you.
Bridget, Holly's little girl, was particularly adorable. She jumped off the page with her endearing banter.
Although Holly began as quite a snob, her character arch brought her the understanding of what is really important in life. Brian, the other protagonist, seemed like quite a hunk, although his views of life in general were on a different plane.
There were a few uncomfortable swings taken at conservative Bible believing people for not accepting the morality views of world. A character with an alternate life style voiced her opinion that her sister, with higher standards than the general populous, was self-righteous.
Ms. Ford takes the reader on a journey where characters do some serious soul searching in order to make a better life for themselves and those around them.
By: Cindy R. Williams,
on 9/15/2012
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Masterpieces are not written, they are edited.
James Owen - Author
Don't cry because it's is over. Smile because it happened.
Dr. Seuss
All your dreams can come true if
you have the courage to pursue them.
Walt Disney
by Cindy R. Williams
My last blog two weeks ago was a detailed walk through what I consider one of the greatest horrors to a writer . . . the crash of your hard drive on your the most critical writing tool, the revered lap top.
If you read that post, you know that after several long days of panic as I worked to capture all my files and emails, it all came together. Note after all my many hours of working with Sony, my talented 22 year old nephew showed up at my house. He just happens to be a computer genius and was able to pull things out of my hard drive that other companies bid at $900 - $3,500. Thanks to Yuri Burkinshaw, said nephew, I have recovered EVERYTHING! Everyone needs a Yuri Burkinshaw. What an amazing young man.
This week brought another challenge, as life will right? On Monday afternoon, my husband came home early from work. That's not the challenge, although, it is quite unusual. He said he felt he needed to be home. Then at 3:55 pm, just like flipping a switch, the right side of my abdomen and back started screaming --it might have been me doing the screaming. I know the exact time because I teach guitar, piano and harp, and my next student was due to arrive at 4. Two of my sons were home from school and while my husband rushed me to the ER my sons contacted the rest of my students to cancel music lessons for the rest of the week.
I won't go into detail about my enforced hospital vacation and surgery over the next four days. Suffice it to say that I am the proud mother of a kidney stone named Isaac, after the hurricane.
As I lived every slow motion painful minute this week, I prayed and often. I received more peace and comfort from prayer than I did from any medicine. Feeding my spirit became more important than feeding my body.
My lament over my computer hard drive crashing two weeks ago paled compared to this new adventure. I wonder what the next two weeks will bring before I post again.
By: Cindy R. Williams,
on 8/18/2012
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by Cindy R. Williams
The tools of a writer used to be pencil or pen and paper. Simpler times, yes, but I find hand writing messy and disorganized since you can't delete, copy, cut and paste with just a touch of your finger tip. On paper you have to shuffle papers, cross out, circle and draw arrows, or cut the paper and tape paragraphs here and there. I like order too much, so this makes me crazy, although I do keep notebooks everywhere to jot ideas down as the pop into my head.
The most current tool of a writer today is, of course, the computer. We not only use computers to type our stories on, but as Internet research along with email others for information. Then we use the computer as our storage facility for our working stories and our completed babies. We won't even venture into the marketing ability of computers. That's another blog.
However, these wonderful, convenient and ingenious computers have a HUGE black whole.
The hard drive crashes.
If you've been a victim of a hard drive crash, you know exactly what chaos this causes. If you're not prepared, you could lose your entire book, years and years of work.
This week was my THIRD crash of my hard drive in five years --three different lap tops, three crashes.
I could have kept the computers and purchased a new hard drive to the tune of $430, along with a $50 replacement disc plus a $200 battery (the old battery has worn out and only holds a 10 minute charge.) But, now I'm up to $780 to repair my computer.
Or . . . I can purchase a new computer for around $600 with all the bells and whistles and the new technology and most current *Word System.
I did my research, and ordered a . . . drum roll please ############
sea shell pink *- - - - , - - - - E 15.5" screen E Series. It weighs five pounds and is amazing. I think the pretty pink color will inspire my muse. Plus, I'm the only girl left in the house--three sons at home, my darling dear, two gigantic boy gold fishies, and two goofy boy doggies. None of them will try to steal my PINK computer.
I now give an EXTREMELY DIRE WARNING: PLEASE USE AN OFF-SITE BACK-UP SYSTEM!
Sure, go ahead and use flash drives, but remember, flash drives are easily damaged and sometimes fail. What if there's a house fire? One of my good friends copied her novel to a flash drive then put it in a safe place . . . so safe, she can't find it.
You can also email your stories as attachments to a friend. But, now you have to rely on them to create a file and guard your WIP's, and you have to do this often because if your computer crashes, you will have to back to what you last sent them. Also consider that their computer can crash.
You can email your stories and novels to yourself. Again, you must do this on a weekly schedule if you write often so that you will have your recent work to fall back on.
HOW DO YOU KNOW YOUR COMPUTER IS CRASHING?
Sometimes you hear grinding of the mysterious innards, not me though. I was forewarned in each of my three computer crashes by the dreaded "blue screen of death." Your computer shuts down on its own and then when it restarts, a blue screen appears with white text that tells about checking this and that. You can still work for awhile, but the shut downs and blue screen appearances get more frequent.
My first computer crash, I had adhered to the practice of emailing stories often to my husband on his office computer so I had a back up.
Before my second crash, I had become complacent, feeling that hard drives crashing were much like lighting strikes, I had been hit once, so I was now safe. Not so. It cost $500 to have a professional service pull my files out of the dead hard drive plus the cost of a new lap top.
This third time, the blue screen of death warned me and I acted. First I contacted my lap top technical service and we tried an online patch. It not only didn't work, but gave the error code 332 - which translated means "hard drive failure." So I contacted a company that extracts files from dead hard drives. The rates have gone up. They wanted from $900 to $3,500, depending on how many pictures and files I needed rescuing. After I picked my mouth and stomach off the floor, I chose to spend the day trying to salvage what I could. I emailed all my files to my hotmail.com, live.com and my husband's office computer once again. I also purchased a 64 GB flash drive for $40 and downloaded all my files and 4,000 pictures. I could have downloaded all of these things in about an hour and half if my computer had been functioning properly. I was actually very lucky that I could get my computer to work for two or three minutes at a time, because it was just enough time to email a group of files before crashing again. This went on for a solid 12 hours, much like labor pains, when my computer finally TOTALLY DIED. I'm lucky once again. I have ALL my files.
Not so lucky about my emails though. I had all my son's two years of mission emails saved in one of my emails. They are GONE as are all the pictures he emailed me. I'll call *email company and see if they can hook me up with their back-up system to retrieve them. If not, my son has the pictures on disc, and I have three binders with all of his emails I printed out each week.
I will now be without a computer for TWO WEEKS. Thank goodness my two college sons have computers along with my husband so I can at least get my three articles written and turned in for the * newpaper I write for, but my writing will be on hold.
This is killing me. I write everyday. I am more of a "pantser" than a plotter (Scottsdale writer, Larry Brooks, would scold me for sure.) However for this next two weeks, I will be a model student and plot. I have several story not written for my Seven Scary Stories book - you know, scary campfire like stories. I'll plot the other three out. I'll plot my latest MG fantasy adventure.
I'm putting this in writing . . . I WILL NEVER LET THIS HAPPEN AGAIN. I have researched and am going to set up a back up plan with *- - - - -.
PLEASE, MY WRITER FRIENDS, BACK UP YOUR FILES AND PICTURES. Don't let this happen to you.
*I was just warned not include commercial messages, so I can't write company names here. Email me if you would like to know.
By Cindy R. Williams
(Also posted on ANWA Founder and Friends Blog)
One of my favorite authors, Ray Bradbury passed away on June 5, at the transit of Venus. He was 91 years old.
If you are Ray Bradbuy fan, that will make sense to you.
If you don't know his books, you probably know the hit TV series based on his works - Star Trek.
Many I know are "Trekies" including myself.I don't know too many facts about the man's personal life other than the only person he ever dated became his wife and they had four daughters. He won a Pulitzer. He wrote many, many books and seemed to be nice fellow.I do know he said some inspiring things about writing. Here are a few:
“I don’t believe in being serious about anything. I think life is too serious to be taken seriously.”
"If you don't like what your doing, then don't do it."
"My stories run up and bite me on the leg- I respond by writing down everything that goes on during the bite. When I finish, the idea lets go and runs off."
" I spent three days a week for 10 years educating myself in the public library, and it's better than college. People should educate themselves - you can get a compolete ecucations for no money.
By: Cindy R. Williams,
on 7/4/2012
Blog:
Writers Mirror
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Dear Family and Friends,
We are seriously so excited about the opportunity to write and record with Grammy Award winning producer Chad Carlson and engineer Mills Logan in Nashville this summer!
To fund the project we have launched Kickstarter campaign..we have just 30 days to meet our goal... SO, if you have a moment today please...Visit Kickstarter (see the link below) and watch our video (not pro, but with clips and pictures from our journey) - Pre buy your cds and other fun stuff
- Post on Facebook and email your friends--inviting them to light up their summer too with Firefly!!
- Visit the Kickstarter site often to see how close we to reaching our goal!!
We have learned so much over the past 4 years—and feel so incredibly thankful for YOU!! We could not have come this far without your support.
Love and gratitude,
Melanie, McKenzie, and Madelyn
Firefly
Here's the link to the Kickstart project:
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2115403863/firefly-debut-album <http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2115403863/firefly-debut-album>
http://iheartfirefly.com
Firefly
PO Box 9158
Chandler Heights, AZ 85127
Management and Booking
gaylene@iheartfirefl
By: Cindy R. Williams,
on 7/2/2012
Blog:
Writers Mirror
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"Courage to Thrive"
<http://writersunitetofightcancer.com/events/wufc-1st-annual-writing-con\test> Submission Guidelines:1.) A Separate Cover Sheet for each entry
should include: a) Full Name and Date of Birth b) Email address and Phone Number c) TITLE (IN ALL CAPS PLEASE) d) Indicate the category you are submitting to Accepting all topics
Review by Cindy R. Williams
Today's Book Review is A House Divided Against Itself.
Book Blurb:
It was often said that during the American Civil War, brothers fought against brothers. Mostly they fought on opposite sides but they didn't see each other at the same battle.This book tells of a rare exception and follows two brothers, one in the 2nd Virginia, Stonewall Brigade, CSA and the other form the 87th Pennsylvania, USA as they fought against each other in two battles in the Shenandoah Valley during1861-1863.The story is based on over 90 letters from the participants and other members of their regiments, the regimental records, and official records of the conflictThe story is not new, but it has never been told in this manner, starting from their enlistments, and ending back in their home town. It is about Wesley and William Culp, both originally of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, of their friend, Jack Skelly, and of Jack's girlfriend, Mary Virginia Wade.It is historical fiction, but it is also mostly true.
Praise for A House Divided Against Itself.
“Period historians who have read about the Culp family and have knowledge of some of Bob O’Connor’s characters will find this book intriguing and exciting. O’Connor shows us how a family’s inner struggle resembled our national conflict in a very readable fashion.”
James C. Price, Historian Laureate Town of Shepherdstown, West Virginia
The official author bio Writers Mirror was given follows:
Bob O’Conno
Review by Cindy R. Williams
Before I review
The Opal Equation - A Cat Enright Mystery by Lisa Wysocky, let me give you the blurb and some shout outs from the back of the book.
A horse trainer, retired move star, juvenile delinquent, song-writer, eccentric client of a certain age with electric blue hair, and a (possibly) psychic horse lead this Southern equestrian mystery into a fast paced, lightly comic read. Lisa Wysocky is an exciting new voice in mystery fiction.
Praise for The Opium Equation
"From the first page to the last, The Opium Equation will keep you engaged and wanting more, horse lover or not." Glenn the Geek, founder, Horse Radio Network.
"Great edge-of-your-seat story! Who's a friend? Who's and enemy? Only the river knows."
Chuck Dauphin, The Dauphin Files
- "The Opium Equation engaged me at every turn of the page. I highly recommend it as a classic mystery based in a realistic horse world." Geoff Tucker DVM
"As usual, Lisa Wysocky writes with skill and nearly unparalleled knowledge of the equines she dearly loves. Here, she kicks it u a notch in a page-turning mystery that keeps you riveted." Tess Vanattia, publisher, Horse South
Although I'm named after his favorite horse, Cindy, I don't consider myself an equestrian. There was allot of info about horses, most interesting throughout the book. Many chapters end with a horse tip from Cat, the lead character. Example:
Cat's Horse Tip #3 "Horses hear and smell things that humans physically can't."
Cat's Horse Tip #5 "The safest way to lead a horse through a gate is to push the gate the same direction you are going."
Cat's Horse Tip #13 "A bad attitude is the first sign a horse is sore or hurting."
by Cindy R. Williams
I met Corey Sanders, the author of Shinar 54, at a book signing in Thatcher, AZ this past Spring. Sitting across from him, I saw a quiet and thoughtful man with a ready smile. Sanders wears many hats. He serves as a Judge and a Stake President. As I asked him about his book, he became animated as he described the Shinar society. Our visit was fascinating. I expected the book to be full of surprises, much like the man. I was not disapointed. Shinar 54 has many story strings, each intertwining and bringing intrigue to the fabric of the book.
Here's the back of the book blurb:
Jona MaCracken is a broken ex-Marine with PTSD and a host of other personal issues. He stumbles upon a website promising relief from all his ills. The only catch is that he must immigrate to Shinar 54, a Utopian city in the Nevada desert to obtain the wonder cure and to meet Lisa, his enchanting recruiter.
Shinar is the enclosed haven for millions of people who have overcome sickness and pain. The outside world believes Shinar is a powerful and dangerous doomsday cult. Shinar prepares its people for the next life with a singularity of purpose that impoverishes the United States and sets the two nations on a collision course. As the political and economic tensions ratchet up, the world spirals down into an epidemic of fear, bigotry, and propaganda. World war is imminent. Jona and Lisa find themselves in the middle of it.
Marco Frano, Jona's friend and confidant is on his own mission to rescue his younger sister,(Keniesha) from certain death. Can he do it through intrigue and alliances?
Set in the not-too-distant future, Shinar 54 is a story of conflict between good and evil, truth and lies, and the clash of opposing values. Ultimately, it is a tale of renewal, redemption and reconciliation.
How to categorize this book? A book review of Shinar 54 on Smashwords labeled it: mystical, fantasy, apocalypse, cult, dystopia, allegorical, truth, utopia, allegory, apocalyptic, end of the world, good vs evil, escape, conservatism, liberalism, moderate, yin yang, political ideology. Like I said, the book is many things.
Shinar 54 is available at Amazon.com and Barnesandnoble.com.
by Cindy R. Williams
The back blurb:
Run or die!
She knew too much, and she'd seen too much. And the police refused to help. Knowing that she was to be the next scheduled death, Kelly Campbell hid under head to toe black leather and a tinted motorcycle helmet and ran for her life.
When the weather turned cold, she turned south. She ended up in North Carolina, home to one of the most famed and eligible NFL football stars in the whole league; only she didn't know that. She thought he was a businessman. Not being a huge fan, all she knew was that he was incredibly attractive, kind, generous, and that she was safe from him. Or was she?
His brand of fame proved to be all but deadly, but his fame wasn't nearly as lethal as his attractions. He kept her safe and protected. All except for her heart.
If you like a good adventure with high stakes including a clean romance, this is your book.
Ever sense I read "The Pelican Brief" by John Grisham, I have toyed with stories where the hero was innocent, but thought guilty, or maybe the hero knew too much so had no choice but to run. It is a fun challenge to figure out how to be prepared --how to hide a stash of cash, clothes, food, scissors and hair dye, a couple of different cell phones and some wasp spray. Wasp spray? Yes wasp spray. You get it at any hardware store. It shoots about 15 feet and burns the eyes. It's better than pepper spray.
However, the lead character, Kelly, in THE MOST IMPORTANT CATCH, doesn't doesn't do any preparation. She could have put a few things together when she first suspected there was something fishy going on, but she didn't. Instead, when caught looking at a file with too much damaging information, she knows the jig is up and she only has about two hours to get out of town. She takes nothing with her. She shows moments of brilliance when she stages her own kidnapping, blood and all, then takes off on a motorcycle. Fun twist.
The story is intriguing. It is a "lose sleep" fun read. It also has a fun romance, and stays clean.
Writers Mirror recommends THE MOST IMPORTANT CATCH as a good summer read.
Available on Amazon, Kindle edition. See more about Jaclyn and her books on JaclynMHawkes.com
by Cindy R. Williams
Get this book free with the coupon Code ZC64M, available until May 28, 2012.
Today's author interview is Tina Scott
WM: Hi Tina why did you write a travel book?
Tina: My book has two purposes. I wanted to entertain readers with some of my experiences, and I wanted to share things that I learned about being prepared when traveling. I also rate the places we stayed at and the sites we visited, so I guess that’s three purposes.
WM: Why should a person buy your book instead of a more popular travel guide?
Tina: Surviving Denmark isn’t intended to replace books like, The Rough Guide to Denmark. I wrote it as a personal accompaniment. The Rough Guide is full of useful information, but there are hundreds of places listed, and all un-objectively. It’s like reading a textbook, and because none of the places are rated, it’s hard for a novice to know which sites to choose for a vacation.
WM: What if I’m going on vacation somewhere other than Denmark?
Tina: I believe that many of the travel tips in my book can be used for any vacation. Some, of course are specific to Europe.
WM: The economy is pretty tight right now. What if readers can’t go on an expensive vacation?
Tina: Because of the travel experiences and the pictures included, I think readers will enjoy my book even if they aren’t traveling to Denmark or Europe. Plus, I’ve heard that cyber-vacations are becoming more popular these days.
Here’s the link:
If this doesn't open, here is the long chain to the link:
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Britney, you are awesome! That brightly colored house actually sounds super cute. Britney's motivation and goal-setting abilities inspire me! She gave me valuable feedback on my YA, and she has been a good friend. My favorite part of this interview was reading about how Britney throws writing out the window and cuddles her boy when he is sick. So cute. I still want to read that middle grade you and your husband wrote, Britney! Fun interview :)