Saturday, September 1, 2012

Guest Blog and Free Giveaway!


I've just completed a Guest Blog for one of my devoted readers and pal Sarita L. She is an avid YA reader and reviewer. Jump over and take a look, I offered some advice on how to get published. Specifically I annotated some of the adventure, pitfalls, and excitement along the way that I experienced.
 
Sarita’s also hosting a giveaway for A History Renewed running until 8 September, so join in!  

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Happy Birthday to My Mom!


It’s my mom’s birthday!! She is 54 years old today, an amazing, loving, glowing, giving, woman who makes me smile every time I talk to her. She loves unconditionally, has faith when mine runs low, and always has a place for me at her table. She manages my mood swings, celebrates my successes, and tears up when I cry. She may have been a teenager when she had me, but she has always been nothing less than an amazing mother to me.
She gave me her heart when I was born and has let me carry it around with me everywhere I go. The day I left for college was our longest day, it tested the stretch of her heart lines, it tested the strength of our bond, and the lessons she had imparted to me. But during those four years and more than a decade later her heart is still with me. It rides with me in traffic to my office, sits with me on my back steps and sips coffee on lazy mornings, it flies with me and meets her in various places around the world.
I never feel better than when I am with her, sipping, chatting, laughing, sunning, splashing, whatever the world may bring to us that day. I always enjoy it even more with my mom by my side.  

Happy Birthday Mom! I love you more than you might know, but never more than you will deserve.



Saturday, August 11, 2012

A little Applause for Fellow Author: Amanda Hocking


This week has been a busy one for me, but the bright spots in my long days have been making progress on Book 3 in my own Mercer Legacy series and reading Amanda Hocking’s new book Wake. For my own books, I’ve added some more details about a new character and drafted another chapter. Every page I finish puts us all one step closer to knowing how Lyla’s journey will end, including me. J
So on to the book I’m reading. I’ve long awaited the release of Amanda Hocking’s new book series Watersong and specifically the first book Wake. To be honest, I wanted to read the book to see if I could detect changes since her contract signing. I am excited to say that I don’t see a difference. Amanda has an earthy real quality to her writing that captures her wit and personality. I saw this quality in Wake right away (think llama reference) and that made me smile.  I loved that a professional editing, marketing, and publishing staff has not changed the writer that Hocking has always been.

Amanda is one of those truly talented people in the world whose ability surpasses the masses of classmates I’ve had. I have always been very impressed with her drive, forethought to dive right into self-publishing when so many others (myself included) were sitting on the banks considering dipping a toe in the water, and her undeniable ability to create. She is a master of fantasy, pulling from zombies, faeries, mermaids, and even trolls. I’m so excited to be reading her newest series while I’m working on wrapping up mine.

Congratulations Amanda!! 

http://amandahocking.blogspot.com/ 

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Freedom

There are moments in life in which I am humbled, reminded that this self-imposed, voluntarily boarded rollercoaster that I have created for myself is but a tiny spec of what is truly important. I spend my time considering billable hours, defining processes, and dreaming up witchy tales for book 3. But someone, somewhere is sitting awake in the dark, watching the landscape while his buddy sleeps, guarding both their lives until it’s his turn to sleep.
In the past 9 days I’ve come to know one of those men. He is a 30 year old wounded war vet whose easy smile and combat tales remind me that the land that I live on was not free, and his sacrifice has kept me safe. He is genuine in a way that not even terrorism could steal, honest in a way that makes people trust him immediately, and calm when chaos sets in. He’s driven, making plans for a future that he fought to defend, and one of the most humble men I have ever met. His kind eyes watch doorways, a tattoo covers his left bicep revealing a chapter of his story, and his drive to survive brought him home despite his injuries.
While walking the halls of a quiet government building he turned to me with a gentle smile and said “so I heard you wrote a couple of books, that’s pretty amazing.”
Nodding slowly I retuned his grin humbled by his admiration, “Yeah, I guess. But I heard you served in Afghanistan and came home to tell the story, and I’d say that’s pretty amazing too.”
He gave me a solemn nod, patted his tattooed bicep and held the door for me as I stepped into the Florida sunshine. It was just another day at work, just another twirl on my rollercoaster, but this time I took the ride with a man who watched over my world while I was sleeping, and it changed me forever.

Wednesday, July 4, 2012

Fireworks and flags and all that

It’s the 4th of July, and beyond the typical (and awesome) display of American patriotism, this day is very special to me. Today is my daddy’s birthday. It’s a day of too much sun, some lake water splashing in your face, the scent of Kentucky trees wafting through the air around you, and pineapple upside down cake. He doesn’t need frosting and candles, just a few cans of beer, some good friends, and a smooth lake glinting in the sunshine.

He had me too young and raised me when he was still too reckless. He drove fast, rode fast, worked to make everything he owned fast or faster. I watched as he and Dale pulled motors, replaced brakes, sanded fenders. I knew a world of bondo, and Lava soap, and electric sanders before I could even see over the steering wheel.

I played on my swing set as the sound of mechanics chimed in the garage, set to a soundtrack of old country music, Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash, Hank Williams. Those things linger with me. There were a million other little things that seeped from his hands, from his mind, from his mouth, that defined who I would be. I left his house with a firm grasp on the person that I was, grounded, abundant with morals, and heavy with expectation. But he made it clear to me the expectations were my own, his door would always be open for me, left ajar should I need to come home.

He took me to college, toured a new land, and left me there to thrive. He probably hated the liberal young woman I was becoming, but he never said so. He let me live, marry, move, and still come home when I need to. He is quiet when disapproval sets in, observes closely when he’s curious, and works constantly. He loves our mom, adores his kids, and has worked a lifetime to give us everything he has ever had.

Here’s to you Daddy, Happy Birthday we love you!


Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Updated!! Paperbacks are Available!

It's been a really exciting week so far and it’s only Wednesday. The ebook versions of A History Renewed are up for sale on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Createspace, and Smashwords.

I can’t wait to read your reviews of A History Renewed, the story picks up with Lyla, Hana, Sage and the rest of the crew right where it left off in A Marked Past.

Here are the links, I hope you love it!

Paperback Version - Createspace

Paperback Version Amazon.com
Kindle Version

Nook Version

Smashwords - All ebook versions

Saturday, June 16, 2012

Check out my new Mercer Legacy Website!


It’s June 16th, officially mid-June and I’m excited to report A History Renewed is coming out next week! This week has been full of finishing touches, redesigns, re wording, and rethinking but I think we’re ready to release!

Ed just launched my new website, incorporating both A Marked Past and A History Renewed into one space. It’s called The Mercer Legacy page, and I think you’ll like it. Remember this design came from some design student brainiacs so I hope you like it as much as I do.

You’ll be seeing another blog this week announcing the release of A History Renewed so stay tuned, and enjoy the new site!


A History Renewed on GoodReads