Sometimes we all would like New Beginnings in one way or another. Iris Blobel’s “Beginnings” series is about exactly that – in all shapes or sizes. From new beginnings for sisters Sophie and Mia, new beginnings for their neighbour Zach, or their friend Jared, who encountered “new beginnings” while on holidays in the USA.
The Beginnings series is set in Tasmania, the beautiful Isle south of Australia, mainly famous for its fine foods and cuisines, especially high quality cheeses, wines and chocolate, but also for Erroll Flynn and Simon Baker as well as Mary, Crown Princess of Denmark.
Out in March: Jeri’s “Little Beginnings” come with the possibilities of something bigger.
Host: Today we’re here with Arabella
Rose Beauregard, who has a fascinating job!
Arabella Rose: I
work at the Dallas County Suicide Hotline Center.I take suicide
calls, listen, and counsel distressed people.
Suicide
is a preventable tragedy, and your job is an important part of that prevention.
Yet it’s certainly not something justanyonecan
jump into. How did you become interested in helping in this crisis area? What
sort of training was required?
I became interested
because of personal reasons.I have a personal
history with suicide.I
have a master’s degree in counseling, and I double-majored in psychology and
counseling.
Wow. Sorry to hear
that you have had to deal with suicide in an up-close and personal way. Sounds
like you turned a tragedy into an opportunity to help others. I really can’t
imagine how emotionally draining your job must be. How do you cope?
I
keep a rigorously strict routine.Unless I’m working,
I go to bed at the same time, wake up at the same time, and eat a lot of the
same foods.I
find structure and schedule to be soothing.I help a lot of my
callers with creating a structured environment for themselves.I read a fun
historical novel right before bed, and I drink a caffeinated soda and read the
Bible when I wake up.I clean
house every Saturday, and I walk right after dinner.The consistency of
my life is my salvation.Some
people might think that I’m lonely, and I’d love a good friend or two every
once in a while, but I talk to people all day long on the phone – and it’s
draining – so I don’t mind the quiet peacefulness of my solitary home life.
That makes sense,
when you put it like that. Dealing with chaos in the lives of others probably
makes you crave routine. Do you ever become emotionally involved with the people
you are helping? And do you ever get frustrated with a caller because they
won’t listen to the help you are trying to give them?
In the beginning, I
was more emotional.I
still cry some times, but I’ve learned to never let it show in my voice.I’ve definitely had
my fair share of nightmares when I’m sleeping.I mostly get
frustrated with the prank or perverted callers, though.They are hogging up
a valuable lifeline for real, hurting people.To do what?Play jokes and make
lewd comments?That
frustrates me like nothing else.
Lately, I’ve been a
bit more emotional than usual with a specific man who has called.But that’s a long,
personal story for another time…
Beneath Claire's House, a young adult supernatural thriller, has been selected as one of Scifi and Scary Book Reviews' "Top 10 Reads of 2015."
Sixteen-year-old Claire Young is tormented by a recurring, prophetic nightmare and visitations from gruesome, mutilated ghosts. She's convinced the apparitions intend to harm her widowed father, but there's little she can do locked away in Saint Thomas Psychiatric Hospital. Her situation is hopeless until a mysterious priest delivers the name of a man who may be the only one willing to help. Claire launches a daring scheme that leads her and her best friend to a former paranormal investigator.
But Claire's father, convinced his daughter is schizophrenic, will send Claire back to Saint Thomas permanently if he discovers she's still clinging to her delusions. Claire and her friends must tread lightly to complete the investigation, but amid bizarre twists and chilling encounters, she'll discover her home's basement is hiding something far more sinister than just ghosts.
Selected as one of the "Top 5 Authors Discovered in 2015" by Scifi and Scary Book Reviews, Corey J. Popp began his writing career as a freelance writer for Gannett Company. After discovering that writing human interest and technology articles was excruciatingly boring, he transitioned to fiction. He now has much more fun and makes much less money writing about a mysterious city called Mount Herod.
Book bloggers across the Internet are praising the clean read, Beneath Claire's House:
"The best YA Horror book I have read in ages...a goosebump-raising read filled with fantastic lines and vivid descriptions." -Scifi and Scary Book Reviews, Top 10 Reads of 2015
"This was one creepy YA Horror story...Claire seems like such a realistic and likeable character. She's extremely brave, almost to the point of recklessness...I really loved the way the author put this story together." -Melanie for BTS Book Reviews Magazine and Fang-Freakin-Tastic Reviews
"A book full of fear, betrayal, friendship and loyalty...Beneath Claire's house is a book not to miss." -Siobhan Quinlan for Readers' Favorite
"The surprising twists and turns throughout the story will keep you guessing, and all for the better...Corey J. Popp's debut novel had me glued to it and added a new author for me to look out for. " -Just Commonly Review Blog
"A definite must read for fans of scary, supernatural stories. This one will keep you on the edge of your seat and make you wonder what lurks in the shadows!" -Nerd Girl Official
Some people tend to describe me as
an old soul. I think it’s just a euphemism for being quiet and “in-my-own-head”
a lot of the time, but that’s fine by me. I’ve loved stories ever since I was a
child, plucking Greco-Roman mythology books off of the lowest shelf at the
school library since it was the only one I could reach. I suppose in many ways,
I’m still a child, but I’m an adult too. And, no matter my age, I love to
write. So, being a teenager and a writer, here are some common misconceptions
and realities when it comes to writing (books/blogs/poetry/all else) as a teen.
MYTH- You need to be an adult to write.
FACT- Writing starts since you first learn how to write your
name. Writing starts ever since you write the words “the end” for the very
first time. However, if you define true writing as publication, then that
brings me to my next myth…
MYTH- The youngest writer in the world is (insert age here).
FACT- The youngest writer in the world can be in the first
week of infancy (ok, maybe not) for all you know. The youngest worldwide-known,
published author is a different matter entirely.
MYTH- You have no idea what you’re doing when writing as a
teenager. Give it up and wait until you’re older.
FACT- Be honest with yourself here, do any of us know
exactly what we’re doing each and every day? The only way to learn how to write
is through experience. Write now, write often. There are adults out there who
have no idea how to write because somebody’s bad advice scared them from ever
trying. Do not be afraid. Write and learn from it.
MYTH- Alright, so this is a teenager myth this time. School
is taking up too much of my time to be a writer. I feel stifled by the
institution and cannot write.
FACT- Try to be open-minded. There are plenty of writers in
the world who grew up feeling just as you did. Writing is from experience.
School does not make writers. Writers make writers. BUT it’s the writer’s experiences that truly make the writer.
Yes, even school can make the writer. You can take any class and find poetry in
it, even calculus, as one of my good high school teachers said. If you cannot
find something to inspire you in every class, then you’re doing it wrong.
History has the word “story” in it for a reason. If somebody couldn’t find
something to inspire them in a certain field- inventors and geniuses of all
sorts- then why would they have discovered the branches of science/math as they
did? Something inspired them. Somebody invented
the computer or geometry, philosophy and psychology. If you can find that
inspiration too, then you can take it and write your own stories from it.
MYTH- All teenagers write about is teen angst. Any teenager
can do that.
FACT- Again, writers write from experience. I went through high
school angst, staring out a window and going, “Is that all there is?” But all
writers insert themselves into their stories. Take Kafka, for example. He
underwent periods of depression and isolation, and you found those aspects in
his works, like, “The Metamorphosis”. Your writing is your soul. Embrace that.
MYTH- The publishing world isn’t going to take me seriously.
FACT- Treat writing with the respect it deserves. Write to
practice and further your craft. Keep a journal of ideas. Submit to magazines and
address professional writing people (shout-out to the ever-wonderful Stephanie
Taylor here) with respect in order to garner respect for yourself. It’s never
too early to make a name for yourself out there. And it’s never too late
either.
To me, true love is both exciting and comforting all at once. True love takes time. It is not the first thrill of infatuation, but the deep love that can only come after months and years together. You still find your partner attractive, engaging, even fascinating, but you can also comfortably be yourself without fear of judgment. True love means always having someone in your corner, and always being in theirs. Being each other’s number one fan but also being willing to be honest and telling your partner what they need to hear, even when it’s not what they want to hear. True love centers your life, and lays a foundation for your future.
The demonstration of true love, to me, is when my husband searches for a Mexican restaurant wherever we travel, because he knows it’s my favorite, even though it’s not his. Or when he’ll happily listen to me gush about my latest writers’ workshop or sounds as though he knows my characters almost as well as I do even though he hasn’t read my manuscript. True love is truly taking an interest in your partner’s interests, even if they aren’t really your cup of tea.
Hilariously, though, that is not what romance novels are usually about. They are generally about the infatuation stage, which is the thrilling aspect of love. It is for that excitement that I read romance books. They are entertaining and enjoyable, a fabulous escape from the day to day. Romance books take you on a journey to a different time and place where you can experience the thrill of new love vicariously through the characters’ eyes.
I love romance books! And enjoy the thrill of reading them. I love being able to write romantic stories and I am grateful to my fellow writers who write for my enjoyment.
Little Deborah Harrington stared across the street the day the Michaels family moved in. Who was this family? Would she even like them? Nicholas Michaels hated the fact he had to move away from everything and everyone in his life, but his feelings change when he meets the Harringtons. Deborah and Nicholas become the best of friends, and as the children grow up, their friendship deepens. But when tragedy strikes, will this cause them to part ways? Or will it perhaps make them realize they may have stronger feelings for one another before it's too late? Growing Up Neighbors will take you on a journey through life's ups and downs, the ultimate destination is love. Available on kindle unlimited for FREE! The kindle ebook price is just $2.99. Growing Up Neighbors is also available in paperback for $9.99!
“Days like these you have to store up in your memory.You pull them out on dark days when all seems hopeless,” he forewarned.
I mulled this over in my head for a little bit.After the dark days I had fairly recently been through, it was a blessing to live some good days.Jesse was right.I need to store up this day and last night for that matter.Hopefully even tomorrow. “Sometimes Jesse, you seem too mature to be hanging around us.”I teased.
“Don’t do that.Don’t put yourself down, or even compare yourself to anyone.We are all equal here.I’m not better than anyone, and believe me, I know that,” Jesse chastised while stopping to make his point.
“Jesse, I was joking.”
“Abs, I know you. You are always putting yourself down.Stop it.As I told you earlier, you are amazing,” he reiterated, giving my shoulders a shake.
We made it to the track.It looked so peaceful.I had to stop to take it in.It wasn’t a breathtaking sight.But for riders like us, it was a slice of heaven in the dark.We headed over to the picnic table to sit and just be still.Sitting quietly, we let the night fall in around us. An owl hooted from a nearby tree.A wisp of a breeze lifted a few hairs on Jesse’s head. Leaves gently rustled below us on the ground. I would miss the warmer weather.I hated not riding through the winter.
Jesse put his arm around me as we sat on top of the picnic table.He planted a kiss on top of my head.I smiled and let my head fall on his shoulder.
“Thanks Jesse.”
“For what?” he asked, pulling back to look in my face.
“For this, for being my friend, and forgiving me,” I vocalized.
“It’s easy Abs, with you everything seems easy,” he shared, pulling me closer to him.
Yes, I know it’s February, and, yes, Valentine’s Day is what everybody thinks about, but I’m not much of a Valentine gal. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy chocolates, and fresh-cut flowers are a staple in my home, but those aren’t my favorite things.
To tell you the truth, I’m not a terribly romantic person, which makes me laugh, since I write romance novels. Go figure!
Next to writing, road trips rock my world. I don’t just love them in February. I love them whenever the mood strikes my husband and me to take one. As it turns out, we will be taking one in February, and we will be on the road February 14. Hubby knows better than to give me chocolate (I’m trying to lose weight), and where on earth would I put a vase of fresh-cut flowers in my car? One little bump or sharp turn, and there would be a flower explosion—better to wait until we get home, right?
Right!
When I was young, my husband and I worked for an airline. We traveled abroad quite a bit—then we had kids. The travel stopped, save to visit family. When our kids were young, we moved from Texas to North Dakota. Talk about culture shock. We loved it there, however. I home schooled and we were able to visit several surrounding states. And so started my love of road trips. Visiting Mount Rushmore and Glacier National Park was just the beginning. Our move to Ohio introduced us to Amish country.
I was hooked.
It took 39 years of married life to say we visited all 50 states. Now that we reached that milestone, what’s next? Simple—more road trips.
Traveling allows me to work on my photography, and is a constant source of inspiration. Whether we’re driving the back roads of Texas, snaking our way through the Rocky Mountains, speeding across the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, or traveling the coast, settings and story ideas are there for the taking.
My first CR book, “The Rose Ring,” was originally set in New York City, but it never felt right, so I went back to my love of mountains and open spaces. Not only is the love story a better one, the family dynamics and secondary characters are a lot more interesting.
I may have gotten a late start as an author, but I’m thankful that early retirement has allowed my husband and I the freedom to explore this wonderful country—one road trip at a time.
https://www.facebook.com/inspywriter/
The Rose Ring: http://amazon.com/dp/B00LTZESEY
When my husband and I were writing Sword & Illusion, I gave my hero a sister who was more interested in clothes and dances than the serious issues facing their kingdom. I got to wondering what would happen if a King was so fed up with his daughter depleting the kingdom's treasury for her frivolity and decided to marry her off to a poor pig farmer? I even came up with the title before I had written a single word.
When it came right down to writing it, though, I started thinking that a father who really loved his daughter wouldn't do something so final against her will, so I had to play around with the idea a little to come up with the story as it stands.
I always knew Mariana would find out that her husband was a rebel fighting against the King, but much of the details of the plot came through brainstorming with my husband and critique group. In fact, one major plot point came to me while I was chopping vegetable for dinner, and I nearly stopped cooking to go rewrite the book for this point (which I won't specify as it's a MAJOR thing). When I told my husband what I'd come up with, he just shook his head and said, "That's really good.
Pigsty was my 2011 NaNoWriMo book, and during the writing and rewriting, the TV show Reign came on, and regardless of anyone's feelings about the historical accuracy of the show, I love it and have gotten several ideas for scenes or characters from watching it. I see it like an epic fantasy, which is my genre, and much of what I'm putting in the sequel to Pigsty, called Questionable Queen has come from that show.
Nancy S. Brandt, fantasy author Pigsty Princess - the story of a pretty, pretty princess and the family that wants her dead.
Sword & Illusion - Warrior woman and a Prince, dragons and magic
Crush/Heartbreak/First
Love YA Book Series Playlist by Krysten Lindsay Hager
I write books for teens and preteens with both my Landry’s True Colors Series and my Star Series. That means I write a lot about
dealing with crushes, unrequited love, what ifs, if onlys, and then those first
loves—those innocent sweet times we remember when we look back. When writing
those types of scenes, I like to listen to music first to get in the right
frame of mind. Sometimes I play songs that are more like the crush type of
relationships so I put on music such as the Taylor Swift or R5 variety. I often
play songs from when I was a preteen way before I ever had any guys returning
my feelings! Sometimes it’s those memories from before the girl/boy dances that stand out even more than the ones
from the actual years when I did have a boyfriend—or when I did one of those
things where you referred to it as, “going with someone,” and your parents (or
any adult in a five-mile radius) would ask, “What does that mean?” And you
couldn’t really answer because you didn’t know either. I actually had one of my
character’s grandmother’s ask her what that meant.
I’m not sure why the pre-relationship songs stand out more
in my memory, but they are what fuels the stories more than the songs I
listened to when I was actually the age of Landry and Hadley (my teenage main
characters). Maybe it’s because the crushes were filled with those “if only,”
or “what if,” feelings that made it seem like anything was possible or if it
was easier to get more caught up in a fantasy, but the pre-relationships songs
I grew up listening to are often what I put on before I start to write a scene.
Some of those songs include singles from Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston.
I also have my set of heartbreak songs that I put on before
writing either an unrequited love scene or a break up scene. For those I like
Boyce Avenue’s “Change Your Mind,” Clark Manson’s “Track 9,” Mariah Carey’s
“Can’t Let Go.” And then there are the defiant, I don’t need a relationship
song, in which I turn to the classic, “Girlfriend,” by Pebbles. Here’s a list
of songs I use by category:
Crush Songs
Becky G- Shower
The perfect first crush song. I can see Landry singing this
in…where else? The shower!
Taylor Swift-You
Belong With Me
I can imagine Landry singing this song in her head while
she’s trying to figure out who her crush, Vladi, is really interested in.
R5- Smile
A cute boy/girl first crush song. Plus, I imagine Ross Lynch
as looking like Vladi Yagudin.
How Will I
Know-Whitney Houston
I can totally see Landry dancing to this in her bedroom as
she wonders if her crush likes her as more than a friend and then asking her
best friends (Peyton and Ashanti) to decipher every text and email Vladi sends
her. I’ve been a Whitney fan since I was a little girl, so I can imagine Landry
and her mom would play Whitney’s music a lot at home.
Sweet Romance Songs:
Taylor Swift-Today
was a Fairytale
This song would be perfect for Landry to listen to after
Vladi asks her to be his girlfriend. Such a sweet song.
Be With You—The
Bangles
The ultimate crush song. The Bangles were a huge influence
for me as a tween and I can picture Landry humming this while doing her
homework and thinking about her crush, Vladi. It’s the perfect crush song.
Whole Wide World—A'me
Lorain
This song so captures what it feels like when you have that
first big crush. It’s so poppy and fun. I imagine Landry singing this in her
bedroom (into her hairbrush!) after seeing Vladi at the basketball game.
Heartbreak Songs
A Thousand Years—Christina
Perri or Boyce Avenue’s version:
I listened to the Boyce Avenue version, but both are
beautiful and can wring tears from concrete
Change Your Mind—Boyce
Avenue-
The leader singer has this vulnerability to his voice and so
do the lyrics. It really fits what you feel right after a breakup. This song
helped me get into the mood to write the scenes with Vladi and Landry when she
wants to be back together with him.
Track 9—Clark Manson
Since I heard this one a few months ago it’s been a go-to for
writing heartbreak scenes. Love it!
Mariah Carey’s-Can’t
Let Go
I was in the grocery store when they started playing this
song and it was such a sad, desperate song that really got to me (as I shopped
for soap). I hadn’t heard it in years, but I came home and downloaded it onto
my ipod and put it on repeat to get in the right mood for the breakup
scene. My husband officially hates this
song now due to my overplaying it.
Pebbles-Girlfriend
This song is about a girl who tries to tell her friend she
deserves a better boyfriend. I think this would be one song Landry would listen
to when the girls deal with the doubts Yasmin’s tries to put in Landry’s head
by making her think Vladi is interested in Yasmin and not Landry.
Krysten Lindsay Hager is the author of the Landry’s
True Colors Series, a clean reads young adult series and the new Star Series.
Krysten writes about friendship,
self-esteem, fitting in, middle school and high school, frenemies, modeling,
crushes, values, and self-image in True Colors, Best Friends…Forever? And
Landry in Like, as well as in, Next Door to a Star (Star Series). Her sequel to
Next Door to a Star will be out March 22 2016.
Do you ever stand outside on a blowy day enjoying the feeling of the wind on your face? I do. I love the wind, well maybe not the gale forces we’ve had recently, my son actually had to grab onto me whilst we were out yesterday so we could progress down the road, but wind in general I love. The sea breeze that cools you down on a hot day, the strong gusts that assault you as your turn your face towards them, the wind that whips your hair around your face, although the aforementioned hair doesn’t like being brushed of its knots afterwards. Why am I rambling on about this you ask? I’ll get to the point. I had an idea for a story about a witch that could control the weather however, just after I had the idea, I read Beautiful Creatures. Oh dear, my idea was taken. So going back to my love of the wind I decided to make my character an elemental. What better way to enjoy it than by being an air elemental who could control it? My Young adult book Janalya was born. Why young adult? I wanted to combine my love of the elements and shape shifters into a fantasy book that could be read by anyone. No swearing, graphic sex or violent scenes. Don’t get me wrong, I know teenagers swear (I have two of my own) but that doesn’t mean that I want them reading it in a book and for it to be normalised, and for that reason you will never see my characters with a gun – now a bow and arrow, a sword, and a dagger may be a different matter. I also write for teenagers because, as well as having the previously mentioned role models at home, I still remember what it was like as a teenager. I don’t think I’ve grown up that much. My kids, especially my son, will tell you I haven’t grown up at all and have the age maturity of a four-year-old (on a good day). Harsh, but probably true. So I will continue to indulge in my love of fantasy, exploring the world of shape shifters, elementals, and whatever other mythical creature present themselves, and once you’ve read Janalya maybe you’ll forgive me for not growing up, or perhaps I’ll corrupt you and you’ll fall in love with my world too.
Links:
Website http://www.mariegodley.moonfruit.com/
Blog http://www.marie-mariegodleybooks.blogspot.co.uk/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/mariegodleyauthor/
Since I became a mom, reading has been my guilty pleasure. That sounds terrible, but between diaper changes and cleaning and wrangling kiddos, there isn’t much awake time left (and all too often I fall asleep after a page or two).
Romance makes that bit of reading time extra special. Sweet characters meeting and falling in love is a wonderful alternative to the neverending laundry piles and explosions of Legos. The happily ever afters make me fall asleep with a smile on my face.
I’ve chosen to write romantic comedies for the same reason. Why not create a world where people of all ages find love and enjoyment in each other? And hopefully they help other people fall asleep with a smile on their face.
It’s the year 2030 and the world has been waging a war thanks to Doctor Grant who experiment’s on human beings. But there’s only one experiment that can save mankind, but wills she be able to before she dies?
In the year 2077, the United States has become a post-apocalyptic footnote in the world history books. The only place freedom still exists is in a shielded underwater city called The Atoll where a group of Christian refugees are trying to start over. The Atoll inhabitants are hated for their freedoms and hunted for their technology, but even in their protective bubble treachery still finds a way in.
Being in love for the first time is a lot like eating a
delicious dessert. No…REALLY. Just think about it. They both make you feel that
surge of anticipation and longing. And it happens before you even know what’s
going on. You smell that sweet scent wafting through the air…I’m talking about
the dessert here…and, your stomach starts to tighten, your mouth starts to
water, you feel your legs pulling you forward without ever intending to step
toward the oven.
Yep, that’s just the way I felt the first time. My stomach
clamped down hard, I felt a little queasy, my hands started to sweat (maybe I
should say “glow” but sweat is the truth) my mouth went dry and I was . .
.okay, I wasn’t stepping toward the oven.
Soooo, maybe they aren’t the same but they do have some real
similarities. . . Sweets and LOVE. They both effect your senses and your
perceptions. Heck, they even effect your behavior.
And with Valentine’s Day just around the corner, I’ve been
thinking about both of them: LOVE and FOOD.
Hey, there’s another similarity. . . they’re both four-letter
words. But that doesn’t sound like a good thing. . .
So, let’s get back to Valentine’s Day and celebrating this
special season of LOVE sweet LOVE.
To begin, I’ll make a quick little Valentine’s Day Dinner but
I think I’ll start with dessert because life is short and nothing is ever certain.
I’ll make a cupcake stand and embellish it.
All it takes is a little ribbon and some hot glue.
Then I’ll make a super sweet and terrifically tasty chocolate ganache and dip my
cupcakes into the sinfully sweet sauce.
Then I’ll decorate the cupcakes. And, NO, that’s not paper – it’s sugar sheets.
Never heard of sugar sheets? They are SWEET ;D
Then I’ll stack the little mouth-watering morsels on the cupcake stand
And WAH-LAh! Dinner is served…or, at least dessert ;D
But you might ask what does that
have to do with LOVE? I was getting to that part. If you don’t have your own
sweetie-pie hanging around to help you celebrate this special day, why not grab
a book boyfriend and curl up on the couch and read a SWEET AND SPICY love
story…HECK, even if you do have your own sweetie-pie hanging around . . .grab
yourself a romance and read it. What better way could there be to warm up to
the holiday? Don’t answer that…just go buy yourself a book.
Oh, you don’t have any ideas, let
me recommend one for you…
And,
if you do read THE CATS OF CULLABY CREEK, please let me know what you thought
of it. I’d LOVE to hear your thoughts. And you know what, LOVE is the only
thing that there’s just too little of. ;D
