Newbie

Well, I'm not gonna beat  the "first time" joke to death so I'll just be straight up with everyone... I am a newbie... and I am also probably very annoying to my fellow writers.  Please believe me when I say that none of this is coming from a place of arrogance.  In fact, if you know me at all, you know how much I lack self-confidence when it comes to my writing.  I'm just as surprised as the next guy with how quickly Future Savior took off... and how much praise it gets from people who read it.

I wrote Future Savior Book One: Conception, my first ever attempt at writing, during my 2009 summer break.  I started querying that September.  By early December I was signed on with Desert Breeze... from what I understand this is very quick and very unusual for a first time writer.  Conception wasn't released until September 2010, but still a very fast turnaround for a newbie like me.

I was sooooo stoked to sign the contract from Desert Breeze!  But what I think gets me even more are the fans... I ACTUALLY HAVE REAL FANS!!!  There are people out there who are freaking out over the next book.  Who devote entire weeks to their blogs just to talk about Future Savior.  Who list The Future Savior Series right along side The Hunger Games as their favorite series of all time!!!  It is such an amazing feeling!  Knowing I have fans out there dying for the next installment keeps me writing even when I wonder, "why the heck am I doing this?"  Here are some snippets of what people have been saying about The Future Savior Series:

"An action-packed, chock-full of romance, cool-creature filled read that keeps your eyes glued to the pages!  Five stars and lots of love for this diamond of a read!  I highly recommend reading this whole series, because it will be one of your favorites!"

"Today, I bring you a special gem.  Every once and a while you take a chance and when you do you find that diamond in the rough.  Well my friends...this is that diamond...I'm glad I picked up this little bit of delight...I really enjoyed this book. I couldn't put it down."

"...you'll be anxiously awaiting the second installment just as soon as you turn the last page of CONCEPTION!"

"I give The Future Savior Series 5 stars! On second thought, scratch that... because it really deserves all the stars in the sky!! Jennifer Hartz knocked my socks off and completely blew me away! I only wish I had more hands so I could give it more than two thumbs up!!! Read it and you'll see, it is superb!"

It never ceases to amaze me that people would say such awesome things about my writing.  I must thank Gail Delaney and Desert Breeze Publishing a thousand times over for offering me that first contract.  They took a shot, not only on me, but also on a story that realistically had no right to be published.  If you know The Future Savior Series, you know it's a sub-genre of a sub-genre of a sub-genre... (Christain/Fantasy-Sci-Fi/Romance) Even though it feels so familiar it's like nothing else in existence!

If you haven't checked it out yet, please do so!  Even if you only enjoy it 1/2 as much as the people above, I think you'll still have a fun time reading!

~Jenn Hartz
The Future Savior Series

Website:  http://jenniferhartz.com
Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/TheFutureSaviorSeries
Twitter:  @JenniferLHartz

Buy Links:
Desert Breeze Publishing:  http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-107/Jennifer-Hartz-Future-Savior/Detail.bok
Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/Future-Savior-Book-One-ebook/dp/B0041HXOUG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1339429074&sr=8-1&keywords=jennifer+hartz
Barnes&Noble:  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/future-savior-book-one-jennifer-hartz/1025599355?ean=9781936000586&itm=1&USRI=jennifer+hartz

My First Time

Okay pervoids, I'm not talking about that first time...though...no, no. I'm not talking about that.

My first published novel weirdos!

Let's set the scene, shall we? (Drop the lights, raise the curtain and all the other goofy mental imagery stuff.)

It's August 2010. I've been touting my most beloved SFR manuscript, Duty and Devotion, for what felt like forever. I'd been steadily published in the short story and flash fiction realm but damn it, I wanted - no needed - to be a published novelist.

When I decide I want something, I get it. Just ask my husband.

But it's a rough world out there in the publishing industry folks. Rejection after rejection. But we writers are perverse creatures. We take that rejection and keep coming back for more. Sick, I know, but there it is.

So, here we are back in August 2010, I got an email from Gail Delaney of Desert Breeze Publishing. As you see in the link HERE when I blogged about the moment, I almost didn't open it. After having a good day, I didn't want to ruin it with another rejection. But I threw caution to the wind and went for it. (Perverse creatures, remember?)

"Good afternoon, Amber

Thank you for submitting Duty and Devotion, and thank you for your patience as we work through our lengthy submissions queue."

Ugh, I thought, here we go again. I prepared to read another form rejection...

"Upon reviewing your submission, I would like to extend an offer for publication. "

Wait. What?


I read through the rest of the letter as Gail extended an offer to publish my manuscript. Still in disbelief, I reread it. (Who knew, I could've read it wrong.)


 "I would like to extend an offer for publication. "

No, not wrong.


Holy crap!


I read through it yet another time and then finally, after THAT time, the excitement slammed into me and I did freak out a little bit. If I recollect right, there was booty wiggling, screeching like a silly girl, possibly some Vanilla Ice dance moves.


Desert Breeze wanted my manuscript! MY manuscript!

*sigh*

Good times. Good times.

(See, here's my proof. My cover for Duty and Devotion by the most awesome over artist, Jenifer Ranieri.)

Even now my heart races with giddy excitement at that memory. I'd wanted to be a published author for forever. The world didn't bend to my will and the path was a bit winding, ninjas were in hiding ready to jump out along the way, and evil warlords sent a fleet of vampire chickens and wereducks I had to defeat, but I eventually got there.

...Huh...wait a minute...I think maybe some of that previous paragraph was actually in my head and not real.

Well, no matter, I'm sure you all can figure out fact from fiction. *Eyes wereduck head mounted on the wall.*

Now, that was August 2010...let's fast forward to June 2011, specifically the week before Duty and Devotion released. You want to know the truth about those moments? Are we authors suave? Are we cool beans sitting in the boiling pot treating it like it's a suana?

No, no we're not. HERE is the post where I share the truth. The reality of what a wreck we are coming up to the release day. Just remember, don't judge me after you've read it. As it falls into one of my top 10 viewed blog posts, I'm pretty sure it's an accurate description for other author's experiences to.

Feels Like the First Time

Once upon a time there was a boy who thought he might want to write suspense filled romance type stories. Sure, I know you hear these kinda things everyday. Or, maybe you don't. Either way, this story has a happy ending. I'm pretty certain it does. Least ways, last time I looked it did. Then again, this wouldn't be the first time the voices in my head have been known to lead me astray.

Where was I again?

Oh yeah, I was about to dish to you about my first time. It was a Monday. How can I remember it so clearly? Because you don't forget things like that. Like I said it was a Monday, horrible day altogether to tell you the truth. One of those days you just want to crawl into bed and forget it happened. You know the type. Any hoo, I stumble in and take care of all those things you do when you get home from a terribly bad day. Shower and shaved and fed up, I proceeded to crawl into the aforementioned bed.

And, there she is waiting for me. The answer to my every dream. My hands shaking with something akin to fear and the strongest desire you've ever experienced, I reached out and stroked my quivering fingers over the one thing I'd wanted most in my entire life. Electricity shot through me at the fleeting touch. I must have pushed all the right buttons because my doorway to nirvana opened up before my eyes. Licking my oh so dry lips, I delved into the secrets of the universe, or something equally boggling to a male mind. Opening an email.

Hey! Back in the day, with dial up, it was a pain to get an email to download in under thirty minutes. Men don't like waiting.

Wait? You thought I was talking about something else. You all have dirty minds! Especially  you over there. Stop mopping your brow and panting. It's unseemly.

No, I'm talking about my first contract as a published author. I had been writing for a few years with a couple nice rejections under my belt for some non-romance books I'd tried my hand at. My wife had finally pushed me to write a romance, since I read so many of them. In less than four weeks I'd written my first romance, which was unlike anything I'd written before or since. I was so nervous that my wife had to be the one to submit it. Time might be messing with me, but I think only two weeks passed before that joyous email came.

In that comedic attempt above to misdirect you, I failed to mention how nervous that email made me. I had my entire future wrapped up in that email. Sure, I would have probably gone on subbing books, but at the time my heart just wasn't in it anymore. If I'd know what was to come, I probably wouldn't have signed my name on the dotted line.  But that's another story. The point of this one is without that first contract, you wouldn't be reading this now. Of course back then, we didn't have blogs, Facebook, Twitter, or a hundred other things we have now. Like Kindle! Amazing how six years changes the landscape of things.

Wait, a second. I forgot to ever mention what book got contracted. Well, it's what I like to call a twofer.  That book represents two firsts for me. It was the first book I had published as an author, and it went on to be the first book I had contracted with Desert Breeze. I think? My mind is a bit foggy lately. If it wasn't, it was close behind. That book was The Michelangelo Blues, and it will forever be my first true love. If you haven't taken the time to read it, I would humbly suggest you give it a try. It shows a side of my writing that doesn't pop up often. Does that make it any less me? Nope, but proves at least one of those voices in my head has a serious side. Scary thought. Isn't it?

Just so you don't have to go looking for it, here's a handy dandy link.

http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-31/The-Michelangelo-Blues/Detail.bok

And the winner is...

And the winner of my advanced reader copy of Chameleon's Shadow is...
***drumroll please***       Dana Rodgers  :-)   congrats, Dana, thanks for your comment. Please e mail me at tamideeauthor@aol.com and I will send you your advanced reader download.

 

 

A little background about Chameleon's Shadow. I began writing this book about six years ago. It's had two other titles, the first being Destinies Journey, and then Love's Fragile Embrace. Chameleon's Shadow was to have been book three of a swashbuckling lady pirate series. Lost Eyes, Awaiting Heart is the first book, and, except for being my first sad efforts at writing it's a really cool seafaring read! The second book, is entitled Nicolas Journey. Nicolas is Elisabetta's little brother and follows his journey the night their life changed forever. Two other works in progress have sprung from this er-- should-have-been-series,  who knows, maybe someday I'll be announcing their releases.

As Chameleon's Shadow is set to release June 11, 2012, I thought I'd give you all a taste of what's to come.

Lady Elisabetta Mitchell, a pampered daughter of a murdered English Marquis, is forced to flee the only home she's ever known.

She now lives in poverty on the unfeeling streets of Southwark, London 1623.

Caught between two worlds,

she will do whatever it takes to survive.

Lord William Hunter, a nobleman with a secret.

When an unknown woman rushes into his startled embrace, battered and afraid, he vows to protect this fair-haired beauty.

Yet he cannot protect the girl who runs from him and his probing questions.

He has to find her again first.

And find her he will, no matter how long he must search.

Please enjoy this excerpt:

                   She broke into a run. To her horror the boys also started to run. Bounding around a sharp

corner she collided with an unmovable, solid object. The impact knocked the breath out of her lungs and would have knocked her off her feet had the object not had arms attached. They caught her easily, steadying her in a firm grip.

"We have to stop meeting like this, Angel."

The solid object said, amusement softening the deep, rich voice.

Will!

The boys rounded the corner, stopping short when they saw the man who was holding her by the arms. Without warning the group of thugs swarmed toward them. The breath was jarred from her lungs as her gray-eyed stranger shoved her behind his towering form. Elisabetta was shocked when he pressed the smooth hilt of his long sward into her palm. Her wrist gave out at the unexpected weight of the weapon; the tip of the blade hit the ground with a thud.

Balling his fist, he spun around and smashed it into the midriff of one of their assailants,

                 in the blink of an eye he turned and pressed her against the wall. Grasping her free
                   hand  he brought it up the cover the hilt. With a firm grip on both her hands he angled
                   the wicked blade up before her, steadying her hands to keep it in place.

"Stay!" he commanded, throwing her a steely glare to reinforce his instruction. "If they

                     get through me, use it."

The boys swarmed him like wasps returning to their hive. One by one he flicked them off

                    of his person. His fists found more than one cursing mouth, the mighty blows followed
                    by yelps of pain and indignation.

Elisabetta watched in awe as his muscles rippled and flexed under the straining seams of

                  his shirt. His face, while intent on the task at hand, looked almost bored as boy after boy
                    regained their footing and lunged back into the fray. The only sign of his exertion was
                    the sheen of perspiration now making his handsome face glow. He was a warrior
                    through and through, graceful and precise. Despite the fact he had been forced into this
                    fight, fiercely defending her honor and his person, his blows reflected thought and a
                    clear head. In spite of their provoking slurs and threats, he never once reached for the
                    sword he had thrust into her hands. For all the boys' violence, they were unarmed.
                                                                     End Excerpt

Chameleon's Shadow will be available in several electronic formats for your downloading convince. Please visit my web site after June 11, 2012 for all the links. Before June 11,2012, you may visit Desert Breeze Publishing, http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-304/Chameleon%27s-Shadow-Tami-Dee/Detail.bok

Happy Reading, everyone!

Season of the Witch - by Stephanie Burkhart

In the paranormal world of the Moldavian Moon series, werewolves, vampires, and witches hide in the shadows, thriving in the moonlight. In this series, a witch can find themselves subservient to the wolves. (like Alina was to Viktor in Book 1)

In Book 2, "Twilight Over Moldavia," both the hero and heroine are witches. But do Stefan and Caroline have what it takes to defeat the fierce werewolf, Timon?

How did Stefan and Caroline become witches?

In the Moldavian Moon Series, being a witch is in their blood. Legend has it that during the dark ages, after the fall of Rome, there was no learning, no education, no art. A plague struck the Carpathian town of Sinisteri. All the villagers died except one – a young man named Marius Corvinus. Unknown to him at the time, his blood mutated, creating "ferons." Marius went to father 3 children – Piotr, Vasily, and Darius. From Darius, the vampires were created. They learned to tame the bloodlust of the ferons quickly. Vasily's progeny begot the werewolves, who still struggle with the overwhelming power the ferons in their blood harbor. Most werewolves are still feral, unable to control their bloodlusts. In the upcoming novel, "Sunrise Over Brasov" the wolf, Clement explores ways to tame the ferons in his body.

Piotr Corvinus, Marius' third son, created the witches. The ferons in his bloodline allow a witch to manipulate energy (like the force). While Piotr's abilities drove him mad, his descendents eventually learned to harness the power of their ferons. Darius' and Piotr's lines have found ways to fit into the world.

Caroline is a direct descendent of Piotr's. Stefan's bloodline is not so pure, tainted by Vasily's progeny on his mother's side.

Both Caroline and Stefan struggle to understand and master abilities as the evil wolf, Timon, pursues them. Can they overcome the obstacles they face?

5 Stars, Long & Short Book Reviews
Twilight Over Moldavia is even better than the first book in the series. It is an excellent story filled with just the right balance of romance, magic, and danger.

5 Hearts, Sizzling Hot Book Reviews
The twisting story line will keep your nose in the book until you have finished. Stephanie's ability to add suspense and mystery to romances gives her stories all the more depth. If you love werewolf stories, romances, or a good book, I recommend Twilight Over Moldavia.

4 Stars, Vijaya Schartz, author
In this novel full of danger and intrigue, sexy scenes, and unspeakable secrets, the werewolves are the villains, and oh how dangerous they are, and unwashed, and uncivilized. The kind of villains you love to hate.

5 Stars, Mona Risk, Author "No More Lies"
Burkhart's writing style grabs the reader from the first page. She keeps you breathless with her suspense as she transports you to exotic areas you will enjoy discovering.

5 Stars, Karen Michelle Nutt, Author of the "Fallen Angel" Series:
"Ms. Burkhart paranormal tale is rich in history, painting a picture as clearly as if the reader is standing beside Stefan and Caroline."

5 Stars, Barbara M. Hodges, Author of "The Blue Flame"
Twilight Over Moldavia whisked me into a part of the world I knew nothing about, and gave me a wonderful love story filled with suspense too. What more could a reader desire?



ENJOY THIS EXCERPT:

Father Nicholai, the Orthodox priest, stepped forward and placed Caroline's hand in Stefan's. Then he made the sign of the Orthodox cross over them.

"May God bless you and watch over you as you begin your life together. You have the church's blessing to marry. Love is patient. It is kind, gentle, and all-knowing. Nurture such feelings in your hearts, and your marriage will be satisfying and fruitful. In the Lord's name, I bless you. In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit."

Stefan and Caroline made the sign of the Orthodox cross, and the guests did the same.

Everyone raised their voices and said, "Amen."

"Wine for all!" Mihai said. "I have a toast!"

Waiters passed red wine to everyone and gave Stefan and Caroline a set of gold goblets. Mihai raised his glass. "A toast -- norco -- to the engaged couple. May you find true
happiness like Theresa and I have found, and as Mircea and Aurora have found as well."

Everyone raised their glasses. Stefan clinked Caroline's glass and took a long sip.

Caroline barely had her lips to the goblet when she detected a foul smell coming from it. Her stomach clenched. He gagged, the wine splashed a little on his jacket, and he collapsed on the ground, choking.

"Stefan!" Caroline fell to her knees next to him, and placed her glass next to her. Mihai
raced to Stefan's side, wrapped his arms around Stefan, and raised him up. Michael joined them. Gasps of concern filled the room. Caroline glanced at Stefan's mother. Her hands covered her mouth, and terror filled her eyes. Caroline's father rushed to her side.

Stefan's eyes snapped open. They were yellow. His cheeks narrowed, and his teeth, sharp and pointed, hung over his lower lip. Then he relaxed and slumped in his father's arms.


BUY LINKS:

ALL ROMANCE EBOOKS:
http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-moldavianmoonbooktwotwilightovermoldavia-667833-139.html

AMAZON KINDLE:
http://www.amazon.com/Moldavian-Moon-Book-Two-ebook/dp/B006RQ7LU8/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1325479348&sr=8-1

PUBLISHER'S BUY LINK:
http://stores.desertbreezepublishing.com/-strse-247/Moldavian-Moon-Book-Two/Detail.bok

B&N NOOK:
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/moldavian-moon-book-two-stephanie-burkhart/1108111730?ean=2940013822177&itm=1&usri=twilight+over+moldavia

FIND ME ON THE WEB AT:
WEBSITE:
http://www.stephanieburkhart.com

TWITTER:
http://twitter.com/StephBurkhart

FACEBOOK:
https://www.facebook.com/StephanieBurkhartAuthor

GOOD READS:
http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4031660.Stephanie_Burkhart

YOU TUBE CHANNEL:
http://www.youtube.com/user/botrina?feature=mhee

An Interview with J. Morgan

I'm so excited to be able to interview you! I know I have the inside scoop on most of these questions, but I think other people would like to know some of the stories behind the answers.

Q: So, Bite the One You're With is the first book in a new series called Bite Marks, but this is by far the first book in your series. In truth, it's the sixth book of a planned fifteen, right? When you began this series, did you have any idea -- even the slightest inkling -- of how sweeping and expansive this storyline would be come?

Yep, officially BTOYW is book six, but it is also the first book of the second five book arc. Love Bites was light and fluffy in the beginning. By book three things were heading in a direction I hadn't envisioned when I started. Love Bites started growing up. As it did, I saw that after the events of Lovership of the Stake, the next book wouldn't have the same tone as the first five. That's why I divided it into three parts.  Each part would consist of five books. Love Bites would be the calm before the storm to come. Bite Marks would be about the repercussions of what happened as a result of our merry band of Humans and Vampires coming together. It would also be centered around the Vampire Wars. A thing that hadn't happened in nearly five thousand years. The third five book arc? Well, that I can't talk about right now. I love spoilers as well as the next Whovian, but telling now would be giving away way too much.

To answer your second question, if I knew then what I've written now, I'd have said, 'No way!' That's the beauty of writing. You never know how far your imagination will take you.

Q: Megan isn't the typical heroine, and I know several women combined inspired her. Why did you choose to write a curvy, plus sized heroine and do you think readers will be open to her as a heroine? Or, was that a consideration on your part? Did you just know it was her story?

Megan is perhaps my favorite character to date because she doesn't fit into the normal mode of what a heroine should be. I live in the real world, and even though I write about vampires, werewolves and other things that thrive in the darkness, I want to make my characters believable. Women don't come in one size, namely supermodel. Women are beautiful because they are different. I found it unfair that in a lot of romances, the message seemed to be unless you're a set size or body type, a knight shining armor wasn't waiting for you. The first paranormal romance I read was Night Play by Sherrilyn Kenyon. I loved that she bucked tradition to make her heroine curvy and beautiful to the hero because of who she was and not because of how she looked on the outside. Since then, I haven't really seen another book like it.

 

When Megan popped into my head, I saw her as an every woman. The three big influences on her personality came from those closest to me, or rather closest to my heart. A certain Gail popped up first, because she is fun, quirky, and beautiful in her own right. So, when I pictured Megan physically, I pictured Gail, you know the one I mean. Next came my wife Jenn, because Megan needed some snark and let's face it, every heroine I've ever written has some Jenn in them. Finally, the true love of my stomach, Paula Deen. Megan is a chef and every chef needs more bacon and butter to make the recipe complete.

 

I know this is long winded and might sound crazy, but when I was writing Bite the One You're With, I never considered whether the readers would accept her as a heroine based on her outer appearance. I like to think I know my readers. They look past color, beliefs and how someone looks to see the things that really matter, who the person is on the inside and as always they look to the love.

Q: If you don't mind me saying so, you have an amazing talent for tapping into a whole plethora of emotions when you write. Yes, your work is funny. I always warn people "Do not drink anything when reading J. Morgan!" But, readers experience much more than that when reading. Do you think this is part of your evolution as a writer, or do you think this skill has always been there and you're just allowing it now to emerge?

I'll be the first to admit when I began writing comedy that I relied heavily on spit takes and snark to drive my characters, as well as the story to propel them through a book. With each new book, I began delving first into who the characters were and how they'd react to a situation, instead of letting the situations define them. It took several books for me to realize that to remain fresh as an author I needed to step forward and go beyond what I knew and look for what I needed to know to be a better writer. Now, that wasn't all me coming to that realization. I've had the privilege of making this journey as a writer with great friends who aren't afraid to tell me the truth along with the praise. And, I guess some amazing editors who have twisted my arm, put up with my insanity and bad grammar, generally taught me the things I didn't know and helped me improve on the things I did know. This wasn't asked, but I'm giving this advice anyway. If you truly want to become a writer, you have to be honest enough with yourself to accept the fact you aren't God's gift to literature and to accept criticism. If you can't do that, you're not going to go far.

Q: Okay, enough about how amazing you are. I think I've proven my point. Tell everyone who doesn't already know about what Bite the One You're with is about, and how does it fit into the entire arc.

BTOYW is about Megan Marshall, the non-slayer side of the Marshall family. After the events of Lovership of the Stake, the Fallen is targeting those close to the characters of the Love Bites series. Stalking Shadow, the son of Waterfall Woman, has been sent to protect Megan and get her to safety. Their first meeting is where all heck breaks loose. It's not exactly love at first sight between them, but when the threat of the Fallen becomes all too real, they are thrown together. Now, not only are their lives at stake, but it's their hearts that are in the real danger.

The first book of Bite Marks sets the stage for the Vampire Wars. Basically nine months separate Bite Marks from Love Bites. During that time, a secret war has gone between the forces of the Fallen and the gang from Love Bites. Bite the One You're With blows that war up, excuse the pun. From the first page to the last, the groundwork for the next ten books are here. What else can I say? This book is the fang changer. Okay, maybe I should have kept that pun to myself. Let's move on before the stink of it follows me forever.

Q: You've incorporated a lot of mythology, theology, and pop culture into your novels. Is there a legend or mythological creature you haven't used yet that you would like to? What is it? Tell us more!

I haven't touched Egyptian and for a very good reason. As much as I love everything there is about Egypt and its history, Anne Rice did it, and did it better than I ever could. Maybe one day, I'll work on a book dealing with Egypt but I don't see the Love Bites series being it. Hmmm… You never know, though. The last five books will have a lot of stuff going on that could very well make me eat those words.

Q: At the end of each book you set us up for the next romance. Care to give us a hint about who you'll toss together in the next book? Come on... whet our appetites.

I can't say much, but the book will revolve around two new characters introduced in Bite the One You're With. One is a two hundred year old womanizer from the age of the musketeers, and the other is a street wise, smart mouth slayer. When they meet, it's murder, and then the fun truly begins. Okay, that's all I can say.

Q: Okay, one last question. Twinkies or Oreos... you can only have one for the rest of your life. What do you choose?

A Twinkie Oreo! No? Are you sure on that? I'm sure that soon there will be a Twinkie Oreo. But, if I had to pick just one, it would be the Oreos for one simple reason. There's more Oreos in a box than there are Twinkies in a box. Case closed. Now, do I get a complimentary box? 

Um... sure... it's in the mail. :-)

JMo didn't mention this, but if you haven't had a chance to read his first series Love Bites yet, you've got a great opportunity. Exclusively through his publisher's website, you can now purchase all FIVE books in one zipped pack. And at a discounted price! If you bought these books individually, you'd spend nearly $33.00. But, with this pack you get all five for $22.99.

Follow the link to buy. Available in 5 electronic formats.

In My Mind

I'm telling you all, in my mind I am so much more awesome. Action hero, kung fu master, and Jedi knight. Not a good cook though...I mean, there are limits to imagination, you know.

In my mind I always know the exact right thing to say, whether it be encouragement or a snappy comeback. I am a lemur monkey ready to strike at any ridiculous moment threatening to happen.

Hubby and my kids believe this comes from an overactive imagination, to which I reply my imagination is not overactive, their imaginations are underactive.

In reality my persona is, well let's just say, not so extraordinary.

I trip up stairs, lose my balance for no good reason (seriously, when I'm just standing I'll tip over and have to catch myself), and I never have a cool response. Okay, to be fair I do have cool responses, but only after the moment, when I'm driving home. THEN I have a million things that would've been awesome and snazzy to say.

Don't get me wrong, I'm perfectly happy being who I am. It took a lot of years to accept me for me and I see the quirks as just that, quirks. They aren't faults or failings anymore.

But, my imagination is still what it is and being overactive (er - I mean just right) I love to sit back and daydream through my mind adventures. That is why I like writing. I get to experience and put to words what my mind creates. A permanency to the memory.

I also want others to read them. Yes, I know it's a bit egotistical to want others to experience my mind adventures. Like I'm such a cool thinker everyone is dying to read what I think up. But hey, every writer has a bit of ego. It's essential to publication. You have to have that touch of ego -- which is the mixture of super pride and uber guts -- to put forth your work to publishing houses.

I'd like to think that publication is my extraordinary. The super part that is real, and equals the extremely cool stuff happening in my mind. The thing my mind persona stops her adventure for, taps my mental antagonist on the shoulder and says, "Hey, check that out. That's pretty awesome."

So, who is your mind persona? If they were a character, who would they be closest to? Me, I think my persona is a blend of Bruce Lee and Wonder Woman (with maybe a touch of Optimus Prime thrown in).

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