by Sarah | Oct 8, 2013 | All About Denver, The Teenager
A few years back, Denver joined the Scouts.
He was 11, we figured it was a fad, he’d grow out of it. He didn’t seem crazy-interested.
Just under 5 years later we’re staring down the end of the barrel.
Eagle Scout.
It’s a pretty darn big deal.
Even I know that.
He’s ranked up fast.
Been elected Quartermaster three times in a row.
It’s the one area of his life where I know he’s focused and intent and his behavior is on the mark. (How I wish that carried through at home, but that’s another post for another day).
If his application is approved, if his “Eagle Project” is approved, he could be Eagle Scout by next summer.
At the ripe age of 16.
I am a proud Mama…
by Sarah | Oct 8, 2013 | Guest Authors, Top Ten Tuesday, Writing
It’s Top Ten Tuesday – and author Nicole Zoltack has stopped by with her novel Black Hellebore and took a moment to tell us her top ten Superheroes. Fitting for her superhero romance…make sure to click over to the rafflecopter giveaway!!
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Top Ten Superheroes
10. Batman – A billionaire playboy who spends his money on high-tech gadgets. A hero without having any powers.
9. Spiderman – The boy next door who truly does have powers and manages to save the day. I love how geeky Peter Parker is compared to how kickass Spiderman is.
8. Hercules – Some might not say he’s a superhero, but he’s definitely a hero and he definitely is the first superman. He’s also a demigod and considering who is next on the list, Hercules deserves a mention.
7. Thor – Another deity, Thor has the coolest weapon of all, mjolnir, a mighty hammer that can level mountains. Plus, Thor is the god of thunder. You don’t want to mess with him.
6. Captain America – Red, white, and blue, Captain America fights for both his values and his country. He’s a great guy in addition to be a superhero.
5. Wolverine – Now he’s not always a great guy, but if you get on his good side, Wolverine will pulverize or slice and dice anyone who gets in your way. I always wanted Wolverine to end up with Jean Grey.
4. Gambit – Love everything about him, from his accent to his coat to his ability to manipulate and control kinetic energy. He also used to be a thief. I tend to like superheroes who have more in them than just goodness.
3. Rogue – My all-time favorite X-Men character. Not in the movies though. They destroyed her character. Rogue can kick anyone’s butt and can absorb others’ powers. She could be the greatest mutant of all. Instead, she does what she can to save the world from evil mutants. And her white hair streak is awesome looking.
2. Iron Man – Robert Downey Junior is Iron Man. He plays him perfectly. Another billionaire playboy without true powers, Iron Man always has a funny quip to deliver and tended to steal the show during the Avengers movie.
1. Black Hellebore – You had to see that coming, didn’t you? J Black Hellebore is a combination of other superheroes in this list. He has a shady past and wears a trench coat, like Gambit. He does have true superpowers. Unlike Peter Parker, Nicholas Adams is not genius. He’s just an ordinary guy given a chance at a second life with some awesome powers at his command.
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a Rafflecopter giveaway
Coming Soon:
Black Hellebore, first in a new superhero romance trilogy – Heroes of Falledge
Release in ebook format: October 21st 2013
Release in print: January 2014
Publisher: Desert Breeze Publishing
ISBN 10: 1-61252-363-3
ISBN 13: 978-1-61252-363-7
Blurb:
Once a year for the past decade, Nicholas Adams returns to Falledge and leaves a black hellebore on his girlfriend’s grave. While departing Falledge, he chases after a man sneaking into the laboratory and dies for his trouble. A witch brings him back to life, but Nicholas soon realizes he’s not the same man. Turns out, magic combined with a black hellebore in his pocket changed him into a kind of a super man.
His girlfriend’s twin, Julianna Paige, is Falledge’s deputy, struggling to solve several murders. Nicholas, and his alter ego the Black Hellebore, helps her, even as she helps him move on and even start to love again.
Unfortunately, Nicholas wasn’t the only one changed in the laboratory explosion, and now there’s a supervillain bent on destroying Falledge, and killing the Black Hellebore. But falling in love might prove more dangerous than any supervillain.
Woman of Honor (Kingdom of Arnhem trilogy, book 1)
Available formats: ebook and paperback
Publisher: Desert Breeze Publishing
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6370163-woman-of-honor
ISBN-10: 1-936000-03-2
ISBN 13: 978-1-936000-03-6
Blurb:
Aislinn of Bairbhe dreams of becoming a lady knight to honor the death of her fallen brother. To her mother’s horror, King Patrick grants Aislinn’s wish and she begins her long years of training.
Despite the mockery of the other pages, and the disdain of Prince Caelan who also trains to be a knight, Aislinn commits herself to her dreams and embarks on a journey of self-discovery and bravery. Through the years, Aislinn and Caelan grow from sparring classmates to good friends. They both know that someday Caelan will marry for the sake of the kingdom, but even that cannot keep them from falling in love.
The threat of war with the Speicans is a constant threat, and one that grows more frightening as she and Caelan train toward their eventual knighthood. Aislinn has committed herself to serving Arnhem, and has promised herself as King’s Champion when Caelan claims the throne. She is willing to give up everything… her childhood, her life, even her heart for Arnhem. No matter the pain it brings.
Purchase links for Woman of Honor:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Woman-Honor-Kingdom-Arnhem-ebook/dp/B0021L9YDK
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/kingdom-of-arnhem-book-one-nicole-zoltack/1111374792?ean=9781612529905
Knight of Glory (Kingdom of Arnhem trilogy, book 2)
Available formats: ebook and paperback
Publisher: Desert Breeze Publishing
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7801193-knight-of-glory
ISBN-10: 1-936000-49-0
ISBN 13: 978-1-936000-49-4
Blurb:
Ranulf, the Speican lord, is dead, and Arnhem is safe, or so the Arnhemians believe.
Sir Geoffrey and his companions have just completed a mission for Queen Aislinn when he receives word of the Speicans attacking Arnhem. Geoffrey and his party, which now includes exile Jenanna, split up and rush to different kingdoms to ask for aid. Even as he fights for his kingdom and his life, Geoffrey finds himself torn between his new friend Jenanna and the mysterious lady Celestia he left behind in Arnhem.
Enlisting help is infinitely more difficult than they anticipated and to make matters worse, rumors abound that the Speicans have enlisted a mage to work unspeakable, forbidden magic. The war between Speica and Arnhem has just begun. Will Geoffrey survive the battle to live another day and discover which woman he truly loves?
Purchase links for Knight of Glory:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Knight-Glory-Kingdom-Arnhem-ebook/dp/B003AKY5U8/
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/kingdom-of-arnhem-book-two-nicole-zoltack/1111929175?ean=9781612529745
Champion of Valor (Kingdom of Arnhem trilogy, book 3)
Available formats: ebook and paperback
Publisher: Desert Breeze Publishing
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/11150044-champion-of-valor
ISBN-10: 1-61252-035-9
ISBN 13: 978-1-61252-035-3
Blurb:
The war between Specia and Arnhem now reaches the sea after the selkies discover the Mystical Conch Shell of the Sea has been stolen. Selliki the selkie sets out to find it, and Gabrael, the mage she loves. No union between a selkie and a human has ever had a happy ending, but neither can ignore their feelings. Each night, they experience terrible, real dreams that show how doomed their love is. Add the war, and their love is impossible. Only one kingdom will prevail; that is, if the world doesn’t end.
Purchase links for Champion of Valor:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Kingdom-Arnhem-Book-Three-ebook/dp/B004YTFGLQ
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/kingdom-of-arnhem-book-three-nicole-zoltack/1103130624?ean=2940012459756
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Author Information:
Author website: http://www.nicolezoltack.com
Blog: http://nicolezoltack.blogspot.com/
Twitter @nicolezoltack: https://twitter.com/NicoleZoltack
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorNicoleZoltack
Google+: https://plus.google.com/112850281244279638997/posts
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2887586.Nicole_Zoltack
Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/nicolezoltack
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/nicolezoltack
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Nicole-Zoltack/e/B00304YARW/
Bio:
Nicole Zoltack loves to write fantasy/paranormal, romances, horror, historical, for adults and young adults, novels, short stories, and flash pieces. She doesn’t want to get boxed in by genre — she might be claustrophobic! She’s also an editor for MuseItUp Publishing and works as a freelance editor.
When she isn’t writing about girls wanting to be knights, talking unicorns, and zombies, she spends time with her loving family. She loves to ride horses (pretending they’re unicorns, of course!) and going to the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire, dressed in period garb. Her favorite current TV show is The Walking Dead.
To learn more about Nicole and her work, visit her website at www.NicoleZoltack.com or her blog at http://NicoleZoltack.blogspot.com.
by Sarah | Oct 5, 2013 | Books, Changing Tracks, Publishing Credits, Secret Cravings Publishing, WeWriWa, Writing
Welcome back to the Weekend Writing Warriors!
I’m still keeping you all intrigued with the beginning of the series [amazon_link id=”B00BEMN5SC” target=”_blank” container=”” container_class=”” ]Changing Tracks (The Dominion Falls Series book 1)[/amazon_link].
During the chaos of Jane’s life and the mystery behind her amnesia and the life she left behind, the town of Dominion Falls is embroiled in a bitter battle with renegade Indians over the line of railroad tracks drawing close to the mining town. That leads to random attacks on the town, during which Jane ends up caught in the cross-fire:
“Jane.”
Cole’s smooth voice broke through the comedic mental image of her eventual topple down the stairs. She grinned when she turned toward him, blinking through the black haze filling her vision. “Cole… I need…Daisy…”
“Aw, hell, Jane, you froze again, didn’t you?”
“No. Yes. I moved—guns fast, me slow.”
*I didn’t count ellipses as hard sentences.
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Did you like this sample, too? You can pick up the whole series now!!
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Head back on over to the Weekend Writing Warriors to read many more wonderful offerings!
by Sarah | Oct 3, 2013 | Author Interview, Friday Dialogues, Guest Authors, Writing
- Can you tell us a little about yourself?
What does it take to be a bestselling author? Determination, skill, talent, luck or taking a risk with a venture into a totally new genre. For me it was a little of some and a lot of the others.
In 2008 when I got two books published I thought it was due to skill; little did I know it was more luck than anything. Over the next three years I wrote, submitted, got rejected. I then did what I tell everyone who asks; I wrote some more. I didn’t give up.
More on a dare than anything I tried my hand at a regency, one of the most difficult genres because of the rules, which I might add I broke almost every one. Within two days of its release the book was on a best seller list and stayed there for two months.
Turns out it is all of the aforementioned.
After two failed marriages, one from divorce while with the other died unexpectedly I decided upon retirement to move. That opportunity came in September 2012 when I migrated to Texas.
For me, as a multipublished author, it was one of the best things I’ve done to date. Now, every day I can write, creating stories to take my readers to places they can only dream about.
I’m also a member of the Published Authors Network (PAN) by the Romance Writers of America (RWA).
- What’s the best thing you’ve done in your life?
Move to Texas for the weather and here I’ve gotten a lot more writing done than back in Connecticut
- Describe yourself in 5 words.
Different, unique, determined, committed, obsessed. Oh and a little crazy.
- Do you have a saying or motto for your life and/or as a writer?
Darkness is the absence of love
Where you can find me
Links to my books
Your Novel
- What about your book might pique the reader’s interest?
The heroine, Lady Sophia Gardner The Countess of Modbury, won’t stop until she learns who killed her first husband. How she goes about ferreting out the villains will shock and amaze you.
- What inspired you to write this particular story?
I’m not sure where the inspiration came from for this book but it ended up being the first in a series.
- Are the names of the characters in your novel important?
I’ve never been one to choose character names based on something about them. If I find a name I love and it fits then I’ll use it.
Writing
- Are you a pantser or a plotter?
Died in the wool panster. I’ve tried plotting but never stayed with the story line.
- How (or when) do you decide that you are finished writing a story?
When the main characters tell me to stop. I’ve learned that’s the best way to keep them happy so they’ll make an appearance in a sequel.
- What are you working on now?
I’m working on several different books, yes at the same time; Lady Jean and The Messenger, Book 3 in the Countess for the Crown series, The Duke’s Bride, the first in The Radcliffe series and finally, The Viscount and The Governess. What’s so interesting about this one is, besides being free you get a new episode every Wednesday.
- Have you written any other books?
I also write A Jessica Sales Novel series which is contemporary romantic suspense.
Quick Questions
- Sing in the rain or dance in the streets? Sing in the rain
- Pen or pencil? Fountain pen
- Summer or Winter? Yes
- Movies or TV? TV
- Theater or DVD? DVD
- Rural or Urban? Rural
- Facial hair or clean shaven? Clean shaven
- Marvel or DC? Marvel
- Cowboy or Bad Boy? Yes
- Sunrise or Sunset? Sunset
- Fall leaves or Spring flowers? Leaves
- Peanut butter or jelly? Yes
- Spender or Saver? Trying to be a saver
*~*~*~*
Blurb-
When someone tries to murder Lady Sophia Gardner, Countess of Modbury, James becomes her appointed protector. Little does she realize he’s not who he says he is.
After finding a cryptic message they depart for London where Lady Sophia learns James is the Marquess of Sussex. Angered, at first, with his deceit she falls in love with him wondering if the feelings are returned.
As they search for the clues to reveal who was selling secrets to the French which could have turned the tide at Waterloo James is confronted by his parents. Turning away from them so he to support the woman he loves another attempt is made on her life.
To ferret out the traitors they slip away to a tiny cottage where James learns there’s more to Lady Sophia than meets the eye. Sneaking into London they learn who the traitors are and bring them to justice.
by Sarah | Oct 3, 2013 | All About Denver, Cystic Fibrosis, Hospital, Special Needs, The Teenager
Teenagers are expected to rebel.
When they don’t you worry. I wasn’t huge on rebellion, but I found my own way to rebel – by ignoring my scholastic capabilities.
I never expected to be faced with a whole different sort of rebellion in my kids.
Medical rebellion.
It’s a dangerous game.
The “I feel fine, so I don’t need to maintain” game.
Now we have the new, added complexity of a compression vest.
Something the teen does not want to do.
Already he doesn’t do the things he doesn’t mind, and that only take a few minutes.
Maintaining seems like such a hassle when you’re fine.
Especially to a teenager.
Even a teenager that dreams of being a doctor.
Of all the things in my life that cause me stress and worry.
Medical rebellion resides at the top of the list.
Couldn’t he just give himself a mohawk and wear black and be all emo?
That I could handle.
I lived through that as a teen w/ best friends that weren’t…preppy…at all.
I could handle emo.
This medical rebellion crap?
It sucks.
A few years back, Denver joined the Scouts.
