Wednesday 31 July 2013

Goodreads Giveaway Completed


Congratulations to Alexis and Desiree for each winning a copy of the novel.


Tuesday 23 July 2013

Contemporary Writing



Contemporary writing is a composition that is set in the ‘here and now’.  This is where the setting, characters, and dialogue etc are modern.  

For example, in a contemporary setting we would have the technological advances of the day.  These would include cars, telephones, and computers to name a few.  


The characters would dress in modern clothing such as jeans and sneakers, and would possibly have piercings, modern hairstyles etc.  

The dialogue would carry the popular sayings of the day, common words, euphemisms and expressions, such as  ‘whatever’, ‘no problem’, ‘babe’, ‘what-the-hell’, ‘Google’, ‘LOL’ etc. 



All these things need to be taken into consideration.  It is easy to revert to the speech an author may have used in a different era, so the writer needs to be vigilant in these matters when writing a contemporary story.


Pictures:FreeDigitalPhotos.net


Saturday 20 July 2013

Giveaway



Goodreads Book Giveaway

Grapevines and Gum Trees by Jeanette Hornby

Grapevines and Gum Trees

by Jeanette Hornby

Giveaway ends July 31, 2013.
See the giveaway details at Goodreads.
Enter to win

Special - ending August 1st 2013

You can purchase 'Candy's Man' and 'Grapevines and Gum Trees' for 99cents from Smashwords using these codes:



Monday 15 July 2013

Welcome Author - Anna del C. Dye

  
Anna, what is the target audience for your books?

The Elf series is done with the young adults in mind. They can be read by many pre-teen, tweens, and the young of heart. They are easy to read, clean and wholesome.

Tell us about the elf society.

Elfs have everything in common, so they have no need for money. They figure that if you help with any talent or expertise, you have paid for that what you need. They pride themselves in helping each other, so they are all on the same level; also, in doing the best they can in anything trusted to them. An elf is trustworthy, loyal, patient, heroic, a warrior and a man who has no need to feel superior to anyone.

What would you say is the most important reason you write a book?

Insatiable curiosity was the reason behind my first book of elfs. I wanted to know what dwarves thought of themselves. Why they thought the way they did and how they love. It was the same with wizards and elfs.
What they did do when they weren’t fighting and how did they choose their partners for life. What is the difference between elfs and humans and so on? I couldn’t ask Tolkien, so my husband ordered me to answer my own questions…I did.


Do you have magic and other magic creatures in Shahira & the Flying Elfs?

There are wizards in this book, and they do duel with magic. There are also giant eagles but I don’t know if you can call them magic creatures.

Teaser:

Flying takes you to new heights, still you won’t see if you don't look… What would you do if your world comes tumbling down? That is what happens to Shahira every time she tries to fly. You see, she is an eagle and eagles fly…why can't she?
The wizard Huzan has spent his entire life under the shadow of his renowned brother, Zanteon. But no more. He has discovered a book revealing his brother’s secrets. Now he is going to use it to destroy the wizardry school and him.

Llorradinn’s life has been simple and peaceful in the land of the elfs.
That is until the human caravan comes and he finds himself hanging from the claws of a giant eagle. Elfs have not seen the eagles for many centuries; then why now, and why so hostile to the elf race?

These and other answers are in “Shahira & the Flying Elfs.” Inspired by the myths and legends of Europe and from the pens of writers such as J.R.R. Tolkien. Anna has woven a new and completely original tale full of suspense, adventure, and medieval-style warfare in “Shahira & the Flying Elfs” Anna’s stand-alone book is number six in her elf series.

Book Giveaway Jun 29 to July 16

You have a chance to win a PDF book of the Young Adult Novel, Shahira & the Flying Elfs. The author will be giving one E-book to every blog that participates in the blog tour. So leave a comment if you want to be entered.

Where can people go to find out more about you and your other works?

 Amazon  


Tuesday 9 July 2013

Welcome Author - Michelle Abbott

  

Please tell us a little about yourself.

My name is Michelle Abbott and I’m a self-published author of romance. I live in the UK in the Kent countryside with my two adult sons.

Do you have a favourite quote?

I have lots of them. One of my favourites is: I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel – Maya Angelou.

How long have you been writing?

I’ve always loved writing. I kept a diary when I was younger which was mostly filled with proclamations of love for whoever I had a crush on at the time. Up until a few years ago I regularly wrote to pen pals across the globe and tried my hand at writing poetry just for fun. I never attempted to write a book because I’d heard that many people get rejected by publishers. Last year I bought a kindle and discovered some great self-published authors. I looked into the process of self-publishing and it seemed to be fairly simple. I started writing my first book in January this year and published it in April.

What genre do you write and why?

I write romance because that is what I love to read. I like to write about underdog heroes who’ve had a bad start in life and the heroines that make their lives better.

What is your latest release?

My current book is called ‘In Chains’. It’s the first book in a two part series.


Working on anything new?

Yes, I’m working on ‘Locked Together’ which is the second book in the In Chains series and continues Savannah and Kayden’s story.

Can we have the blurb?

‘In Chains’:
 A romance set in a world where slavery is government run and slaves are fitted with microchips. 

Savannah, fleeing a turbulent relationship, seeks solace at her brother’s country farmhouse. It’s there that she meets Kayden; her brother’s slave who's considered less than human. These two damaged souls form an unbreakable bond, one that’s about to be tested, because Kayden is her brother’s property and he will stop at nothing to keep them apart.

Please note this book contains some sexual scenes, violence and strong language.

Can you give us an excerpt?


           Stepping out of the front door there is a dirt road to my left that leads out of Simon’s estate. I want to stay on his land, so I go right and pass by a small orchard of fruit trees and beyond them I see a chicken coop. I know this because the cockerel has come out and is crowing loudly. He’s probably warning the hens that they’re about to have an intruder. There are six hens sitting on a pile of straw. I’m going to have to pick them up and I don’t have a clue how to because I’ve never handled them before. I put my hands on one and quickly let go as she flaps her wings and squawks. My second attempt meets with the same result.
Hearing a yelp, I spin around and come face to face with the handsome axe wielder. Now that I see him up close he doesn’t look much older than me. Feeling awkward, my face reddens. “Er…hi.”
“Hello Miss.” His voice is soft and deep. He’s just standing there, staring at me.
“Please, call me Savannah. Um…could you help me with the hens? I don’t know how to pick them up.”
He strides into the coop, kneels down and lifts up one of the hens. She sits quiet and still in his big hands. He’s looking at me and he has the most beautiful eyes, they’re a mixture of bright blue and brown, with long, thick lashes. I’d kill for lashes like that.
He nods towards the egg. “Do you wanna get that?”
I need to focus. I’ve just come out of a relationship and anyway, a guy as good looking as him isn’t going to be interested in someone like me. He picks up the rest of the hens in silence as I collect the eggs. I should have brought a bowl with me; I’m struggling to hold them. “Would you mind holding these for me? I’m worried I’m going to drop them and your hands are bigger than mine.”
“Yes Miss.”
“Call me Savannah, please.”
“Sorry Miss…um…I mean, Savannah.”
My hand brushes against his as I hand him the eggs and he lets out a yelp as his body jerks and two of the eggs smash to the floor.
“Shit,” he says, his face red. I wonder if he has a problem with his nerves.
As we walk back to the house I gaze across at him. He’s almost a foot taller than me; he must be six foot at least. His feet are big, probably a thirteen and he’s wearing sneakers that are grubby and yellow with age. The right one has a hole which his toes are poking through and instead of laces they’re both tied with string.
I can’t think of anything interesting to say. I’m sure it’s no fun for him to be stuck with a plain, boring woman like me. I bet he has a girlfriend and I bet she’s tall and slim with long legs, full lips and long eyelashes. Lucky cow! I can feel my cheeks heating up again. I breathe a sigh of relief as we reach the door.
“What’s your name?” I ask.
“Kayden Miss…um…Savannah.”
I take the eggs from him. “Well, thank you for your help Kayden.”


Where can readers find your book/s?

In e-book and paperback at:  


Social media links:
                                                            

Monday 8 July 2013

Home Sweet Home

Picture:photobucket.com

I’m home!  What a sweet word that is.  Melbourne was cold, busy, and fast-paced - a city filled with action.  Most days we trudged the pavement.  Unexpectedly, a fire in one of the popular streets meant we had a long trek back to our hotel.    Next time I visit, I’ll wear walking shoes. 

Daughter was deposited and finallyhas electricity in her unit, days after it was meant to happen. (Don’t ask).  It meant a couple of extra days in a hotel for her.  Not that she’s complaining.

I arrived in Perth to a warm, sunny afternoon.  Bliss!  And the best part?  As I headed south through the lush countryside, peace prevailed.  The familiar myriad of trees and green fields was a return to normality  <sigh>  It’s good to be home.



Monday 1 July 2013

Up, Up and Away

Well, I'm off to Melbourne for a few days.  Daughter will be studying her Masters Degree in the lively city for two years.  It won't be easy to leave her there but she's one determined young lady.  I hope all her dreams come true.

Melbourne
Picture:FreeDigitalPhotos.net

To celebrate this milestone I am taking $2.00 off two of my novels.
You can purchase 'Candy's Man' and 'Grapevines and Gum Trees' for 99cents from Smashwords using these codes:

Candy's Man.  Code: GV53T

Grapevines and Gum Trees Code: EE89J


Jeanette's 4-stars-plus book montage

An Offer He Can't Refuse
Emily's Affair
Taste
Rough Harbor
The Chosen One
Runaway Heart
Bared to You
Melodies of the Heart
Fifty Shades Freed
Fifty Shades Darker
Fifty Shades of Grey
Anon
Somewhere in Time
House Guest
A Cop, His Wife and Her Best Friend
Hero Of Her Heart
All In Time
Asking for Andre
Almost a Bride
The Fence My Father Built


Jeanette Hornby's favorite books »

Jeanette's bookshelf: diversity

In Love With Death
3 of 5 stars true
I liked the authors take on the Angel of Death and enjoyed learning about the individual characters. The story was interesting and I liked the way the author simplified the subject matter. With a little more editing and polishing, this ...
tagged: from-dec-2011-to-now and diversity
An Offer He Can't Refuse
4 of 5 stars true
A thoroughly enjoyable tale. I liked the characters and the situation they were in. A good read for romance lovers.
tagged: from-dec-2011-to-now, 4-stars, diversity, and favourites
All In Time
4 of 5 stars true
An interesting and enjoyable story. I would have liked the unique events to unravel slower and continue longer, but overall, the tale was quite engrossing. A good read.
tagged: from-dec-2011-to-now, 4-stars, and diversity
Bloodtrail
4 of 5 stars true
An intricately woven vampire tale that keeps you wanting more. The historical and scientific content was unique and engrossing. I particularly liked the way the author separated each character's story in the beginning and then tied the...
tagged: diversity, 4-stars, and from-dec-2011-to-now
House Guest
4 of 5 stars true
A short, creepy and enthralling story. The development of the main character and situation was strangely enjoyable. A good read.
tagged: from-dec-2011-to-now, 4-stars, and diversity

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