Liebster Blogger Award

I was nominated, not once, but twice, for the Liebster blog award! So I will post one on this blog, and one on my other blog at http://karensdifferentcorners.wordpress.com/

Thank you Vanessa. Sorry it has taken me sooo long to get it posted.
Find Vanessa here; 
http://vanessawesterwriter.blogspot.com

Okay here are the rules!

*Post 11 random facts about oneself and answer the 11 questions asked by the person who nominated you.
*Pass the award onto 11 other blogs.
*Write 11 NEW questions directed towards YOUR nominees.
*Paste the award picture into your blog.

Okay, Eleven random facts about me.

1. I drive an 83 Suburban that can seat 9 people, but most of the time, I'm the only one in it!
2. My favorite song is "Here I go Again" by Whitesnake
3. My favorite singer is Ozzy!
4. I got to meet Ozzy at a book signing and have attended 6 Ozzfests
5. I'm a procrastinator.
6. I'm a perfectionist at times. (At least my son says I am, but I don't believe him)
7. I like helping others, even if they are my competitors.
8. I hate clutter
9. I'm addicted to Doublemint gum and coffee
10. I love everything vanilla. Candles, fragrance, bath products, etc.
11. I love to eat, like to cook, and hate cleaning up!

Eleven questions Vanessa asked.

1. At what age did you have your first kiss? 

1. thirteen

1. Do you remember who it was with ?

1. His name was Ray

1. When did you first get hurt by love and how? 

1. I was 15 and his family moved to Washington. I cried for weeks!

1. What is your favourite book? 

1. Cell by Stephen King

1. What is the best film you have ever seen, and why?

1. Shrek, because I like big green ogres. 

1. What is your favourite treat?

1. Bordeaux and butterscotch squares from See's candies

1. What languages can you speak?

1. English and a little Spanish

1. When on holiday, what do you love to do?

1. I love to go camping, especially near the water.

1. How many shoes do you own?

1. 3 pairs of sandals, 2 pairs of sneakers, and 1 pair of Ugg boots. Good thing you didn't ask about  socks or I'd be counting all day. I'm a socks person.

1. What makes you smile the most? 

1. people 

1. Name your favourite animal.

1. dogs

Okay, nine blogs I’m passing this on to.  I ran out of ideas! Haha!
http://blog.pauldorset.com/

http://twdittmer.wordpress.com/

http://dianadouglas.wordpress.com/

http://getbetweenthebookends.blogspot.com/

http://marciaarichards.com/her-blog

http://tashaseegmiller.blogspot.com/

http://www.theredheadriter.com/

http://hadeshellhounds.blogspot.com/

http://dianamurdock.wordpress.com/


Note to bloggers; I know how busy everyone is, especially at this time of year, so it is totally up to you if you want to participate, or you can put it aside and then post about it in the new year.
And now eleven questions! Are you ready to be in the hot seat? I’ll try not to make you squirm or think too hard. 

1. If you wrote a bucket list, what would be the #1 thing on it?
2. Favorite sport? To play? To watch?
3. If you were going on your first date, what would you do to impress her/him?
4. Dancing or bowling?
5. If you could blink your eyes and be anywhere right this minute, where would you be?
6. Favorite holiday?
7. Are you an only child? Or first, middle, or baby in the family?
8. Do you have a favorite color?
9. What is your favorite word or expression, that you use most often? Could you base a short story on it?
10. What color are your eyes?
11. Do you have a favorite song?

Blog Tour and Interview with S. M. Boyce

Today, I want to welcome S.M. Boyce. She is touring around the web, via blogs, promoting her newest novel, "Treason" And has granted us an interview, giving us a peek into her creative mind.
Welcome S.M. it is wonderful to have you here. I know you have been busy with this tour, so we will get straight to the questions.

 Many people don’t like the name they were given at birth. Do you like your given name? If not, what would you rather have been named?
   I didn’t like my name when I was a kid, but I’m a fan now. I used to want to go by my middle name (Michelle) so people would call me Mickey. I’m still not even sure why.

Do you write under your given name or a pseudonym?
   Pseudonym—S.M. Boyce.
Is there a routine you go through before you begin writing?
   I usually listen to the song that most reminds me of the book I’m about to write. It’s my meditation of sorts. I get into the book’s voice this way, and it’s a trigger that can fuel me no matter how I’m feeling.
Is there anyone you admire?
   I admire Neil Gaiman for all he’s managed to do in his career and for the way he still engages with fans, even though he’s busy. He’s actually tweeted me before, which I never thought would happen—it’s like the man doesn’t sleep.
What do you like to read?
   Fantasy and paranormal anything, as long as it has strong characters and a solid plot with no logic holes. I need a character’s motivation to be real or I won’t buy into a story.
Do you have a favorite author?
   Neil Gaiman, for his urban fantasy work; J.R.R. Tolkien for inpsirng me with his Lord of the Rings series; and J.K. Rowling for letting me grow up with Harry Potter.
Does it have to be quiet when you write or do you like background noise? TV, music, etc.
   I  like cinematic music, usually, or a fan if I really need to focus.
Beach or mountains?
   Mountains. I burn way too easily to ever enjoy the beach.
What inspires you?
   Everything. There’s so much wonder in the world, I can’t help but be in constant awe. I keep a pinterest board of my favorite swipes (ideas) if you want to have a look.
Favorite snack food?
   Twizzlers. They’re so bad for me…but they taste soooo good.
Doesn’t matter who we are, man, woman, child, all of us get freaked out by something. Spiders, mice, snakes, bugs, geese, etc. What freaks you out?
   Cotton near my nails. I feel like they’re about to fall off whenever it gets close.
What is the most unusual job you’ve ever had?
   Haha! This is an awesome question. Strangest job was right out of high school, working for a jeweler who ran her shop out of her basement. She sent people the wrong orders and got annoyed when they complained. I lasted two days.
I read on another blog, that a writer was working on 10 novels at once. Confusing! Do you work on one or multiple novels at a time?
   I haven’t yet, but I actually am about to get started. The trick with this, I think, is to write one and shift to the other while your editors are going through the first. But 10 novels? That seems a little ridiculous. I don’t know how anyone could manage that many novels and not forget important details/character motivations.
What do you like to do when you are not writing?
    Wire wrap pendants. I’ve actually gotten pretty good. It’s such a relaxing hobby (usually) and I love that I can create something when I finish. My recent pendants are actually inspired by the Grimoire Trilogy, so I put them for sale on my site. You’re welcome to take a look because I’d love to hear what you think.
And last question…Do you have anything new coming out that you’d like to share with us?
   Sure thing. Heritage, the last in the Grimoire Trilogy, comes out next Fall. I’m making great progress on it, and that should be right on time. Each year after, I’ll release a novel with the backstory on side characters like Stone, Deidre, and the first Vagabond. Down the line, I even plan to release a print copy of the free online encyclopedia of the world. So follow my blog and stay tuned!
I’m also going to release the first book in a new series next fall, just before Heritage. If you’d like to get updates on this new series, make sure you follow my bookworms-only blog  or sign up for ARCs of all my future works


Author Homepage:

Author Facebook Page

Author Twitter Page

Amazon Link

GoodReads Link

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Get Cozy and Read Gift Basket

Here is a great gift idea giving comfort to those who love to read. We all need some down time and what better way to relax then with a good book and some comforting foods, drinks, and scents.

You can use a traditional holiday basket, a tote bag, or find a container that can be used over and over.

 There are so many choices and so many different uses. You can find some unique baskets and containers at your local 99 cent store.

This is one that I designed and will fill with lots of goodies for my mail carrier. Shhh...Don't tell her. Hopefully she isn't reading my blog!

Now for suggestions to fill it up!
Hot cocoa or spiced apple cider mix.
Flavored teas and coffees.
Candy
Cookies
A candle
Slipper socks
and don't forget a great book or two, or three, or....
Anthologies and short story collections put together by different authors are great! Especially if you aren't sure what genre your recipient reads.
Here's three that I recommend

"A Festive Feast" 12 authors. 12 stories. and all proceeds go to cancer research. Find it here
http://www.amazon.com/Festive-Feast-Collection-Stories-Volume/dp/1481158260/ref=pd_rhf_gw_p_t_4

"Out of Darkness" http://www.amazon.com/Out-Darkness-Collection-Short-Stories/dp/1480149675

And "Catch Her in The Rye" and you can find it here;
http://www.amazon.com/Catch-Her-Rye-Selected-Stories/dp/1461110890

And then if they like romance :-)
"The Good Dr. Grant" is a sweet, sexy, fun, and flirty romance!
Find it here http://www.amazon.com/The-Good-Grant-karen-einsel/dp/1477409025/ref=tmm_pap_title_0

"Kyle & Kelly" http://www.amazon.com/Kyle-Kelly-Perfect-Party-Planner/dp/1469903008

And last but not least; Support small businesses and hand crafters by visiting and shopping from all the stores at Etsy. Where you can find homemade candy, bath products, candles, and even beautiful jewelry! Find Etsy here; http://www.etsy.com/

Wishing all of you a very Merry Christmas!

The Look Challenge

   I've been tagged in The Look Challenge by fellow writer and friend Jo Denton. Here's the way it works: You take your current manuscript and find the first instance of the word "look". Then you post the surrounding paragraphs as an excerpt of the book on your blog. Lastly, you tag five more blogging authors who you think might be a good choice for the game.

   I am working on a new series, which is still a big secret as to the overall title and genre :-) But here's an excerpt from the first book titled, "Alexiah" which is a romance of course, lol, but also a ??? This first book deals with the end of the world on 12/21/12 and I still haven't figure out the overall genre yet.

"A" is for Alexiah

   Moaning, Alexiah rolls over onto her back and shields her eyes from the harsh sun. It takes her a few moments to remember what has happened. She struggles to sit up and then touches a tender spot on her head. She can feel the large bump and the dried blood in her hair. She looks around and sees nothing. No trees, no houses, no people, nothing. “Oh God what did you do?” She whispers as she looks at the vast emptiness. Everywhere she turns;  there is nothing but dirt, rocks, and mountains. Alexiah drops her head into her hands and cries.

*****

   Alexiah lights a couple of candles before pulling the door shut. She slides the bolt lock and shivers. “Okay Sam, I guess we are locked in for the night. I’m not sure what time it is, but if the clock is right, it’s about 6:15 p.m. The dog wags his tail and Alexiah pats him on the head and looks around the small shelter. “Now what? What are we supposed to do Sam?” Alexiah feels the hot tears sting her eyes and squeezes them shut. Taking a deep breath and blowing it out hard, she tells herself, “Stop it Alexiah. Crying is not going to help.” She glances around the small, but well stocked shelter, and seeing the notebooks that John stocked up on, she smiles. “He was the writer not me, but…”
She grabs the top one, a new pen from the box and sits down at the small table. “Now what do I write?” She looks down at the blank page. “Think Alexiah, think.”

Now to choose five others that I hope will participate. Hint, hint. :-)

http://danniehill.wordpress.com/

http://zenscribbles.wordpress.com/

http://dianadouglas.wordpress.com/

http://sydneyaaliyah.wordpress.com/

http://davidccassidy.com/

Okay and now a sneak peek just for Jo who recently read the first book in my series, "Chris' Journey Turning Different Corners, Her Journey Begins" Here is an excerpt from the second book, "A Corner For Life"

The Envelope

   Chris walks in, drops her keys on the counter, and pulls the envelope out of her pocket before sitting down on the couch. Unfolding it she looks at her name scrawled across the front. 

Chris

She slips her finger under the flap and pulls out the folded sheet of paper.

   My Dearest Chris

        I wanted to give this to you the day you walked away from me at the cemetery. I’ve given it to Brent in the hopes that he might see you again. You see Chris, Brandon was my only nephew and I started a trust fund for him the day he was born, adding to it every year on his birthday. I had set it up so that he would have access to it on his twenty first birthday but with his sudden demise I know he would want you to have it. From what I’ve heard you loved him deeply. Maybe someday I can get to know the girl who brought so much joy into his life.

                                         

Sincerely,

     Elliot Monroe  

     213-555-8632

   

   As Chris is reading there is a knock on the door and she wipes the tears away with the back of her hands. “Yeah”

Sue pokes her head in. “Hey, is that how you answer a door? Yeah…What’s up with...” Sue walks over, sits down, and puts her arm around Chris. “Are you okay?”

Chris hands her the letter and then looks at the cashier’s check. 

   “How much did he give you?”

Chris holds the check out for Sue to see.

   “Five thousand dollars? You’ve got to be kidding me. What are you going to do with it?”

   “Sue do you know how badly I could have used this a couple of years ago? Now I have two jobs, my rent is paid, I have food and clothes and I don’t ever want to worry about where I’m going with all my possessions in a plastic grocery bag again.”

   “So are you going to put it away and save it?”

   “Nope. You know that little store front that every time we pass by, you drool?”

   “I don’t drool. And no you can’t do that.”

   “Yes I can. We are going to use this money to fulfill your dream of opening an aerobics studio.”

Oh and while you're at it check out my other blog. There's a new post about book covers!

http://karensdifferentcorners.wordpress.com/2012/09/25/judging-a-book-by-its-cover-not-me-part-1/

It's Official! I Admit it! I'm Backwards!

Good Morning! And Happy Wednesday!
I haven't posted here in a while and thought, "Gee maybe I should get busy!"
There is so much I need to catch up on. I seem to have fallen behind.
I signed up for CampNaNo and then packed up my bags and came home :-(
My Dad was in the hospital all last week and came home yesterday.
I haven't called him yet this morning, but talked to him last night and he was doing fine.
I am supposed to be writing a guest post for Paul Dorset for his blog and haven't gotten that done.
If you'd like to be a guest blogger on his blog comment here,
 http://blog.pauldorset.com/2012/07/free-publicity-for-indie-authors.html
 He also does author interviews on his blog.
And I also am looking for guest bloggers on my other blog,
http://karensdifferentcorners.wordpress.com/2012/07/25/guest-bloggers/

Okay so I still need to know, "Am I backwards?"
   I had written another blog post a few months ago asking, Am I Backwards? http://differentcornersinmylife.blogspot.com/2011/09/am-i-backwards.html
And I had been talking to Angela via emails (I interviewed her on my other blog today! and you can find that interview here
http://karensdifferentcorners.wordpress.com/2012/08/29/wow-its-wednesdays-wonders-with-angela-orlowski-peart/ )
Anyway, I was telling her I wrote the 4th book of the series "Chris' Journey Turning Different Corners" 1st. Originally it was going to be a stand alone novel, but it had some unanswered questions and I didn't know what to write for NaNoWriMo last November, so I wrote the first book! Yay! and the e-book is available here, http://www.amazon.com/Journey-Turning-Different-Corners-ebook/dp/B008NQDUQY
I have been working on the 2nd book and have the first 3 chapters and the ending done, but for some reason I want to put it aside and write the 3rd book which is foremost in my mind right now.

One of the questions I ask when I interview an author/writer is:
"I read on another blog, that a writer was working on 10 novels at once. Confusing! Do you work on one or multiple novels at a time?"
I tried this when I was writing "Chris' Journey" and "The Good Dr. Grant" and I kept calling Chris, Amy and Amy, Chris. So Confusing! And yet here I am starting a new series...Now what does that have to do with me being backwards you ask. Well...I wrote the prologue for the first book, actually for each book in the series and have written the epilogue for the final book. But I'm writing books 3,4, & 5 first. I haven't any idea where books 1 & 2 are going :-/ In fact, I don't know what genre this series will fall under! But I have books 3-5 in my head screaming, Write me, write me, Write me! I won't give any details away yet, except that my beliefs and viewpoints with this series are my own and might cause some controversy with others, but controversy could be a good thing, right? :-)
Now that I've talked your ear off, I have to share my horoscope for today. I think it's perfect :-)
Happy Hump Day everyone!

August 29, 2012
Positive change rarely happens without effort. Keep this in mind as transformation occurs quickly. You may feel as though you're in the middle of a whirlpool and getting sucked deeper and deeper, unsure of where you'll ultimately end up. This is merely the "nose to the grindstone" phase. Trust that your efforts will ultimately be rewarded.

Our Twitter Profile Bios

Quick everyone Look at your twitter bio and the twitter bio of the tweeter next to you. 3...2...1...GO!
Okay did you check them out? Good. Now have you ever noticed how a lot of our profile bios sound like they should be on a dating website?
Disclaimer: Here are some examples and these are completely fictional and do not pertain to any tweeters that I know of.

I love walking in the rain, reading, dogs, kids, and I'm a writer.

Wonderful dad, writer, runner, and husband with awesome abs, check out my fb pics here.

There are so many different ones. The only thing missing is a physical description. I'm 5'5" weigh above 100, 34 26 36 and well there's just no describing me. What they don't tell you is they're either 72 or married with 6 kids! LOL!

Women who tell you they have been happily married for 10 years and yet have a profile pic of their jaw dropping cleavage that goes from here to there! What do their husbands think? Hmm... Or do they know?

And then there are some of the pictures (personally I have an iris for my profile pic, that's all you get, I'm not photogenic) A tweeter I follow changed their profile pic and I had to send them a DM and ask, "What is that?" Isn't that awful, I know shame on me, but they explained that it was a certain body part...Hmmm...okay and that they were trying to look sexy. Well if I have to ask what it is, it's not sexy! If you want a sexy profile pic, here's what you do. Girls wear your low cut blouse and take a pic of your cleavage, or if you have great legs, put on some stilettos and take a pic of your legs from the knee down, or take a pic of you in a short skirt.
And Guys, us women love to see your pecs and abs or your quirky smile and that raised eyebrow.

If you stop and think about it, Image is everything. It's how you want other people to see you.
I write sexy romance novels and I have a nice flat tummy and thin waist, but I don't post how I look in a bikini (That's reserved for fb :-) No I'm kidding you won't find them there either.)  but that's not how I want people to see me. I want people to see me as a writer of sexy romance books. The purple iris is my logo so when I comment somewhere, people know it's me.
I know, sex sells, but are you going to be doing a book signing in a bikini so people know it's you? Or, Guys are you going to be setting there shirtless showing off your abs while doing a book signing? Or an interview with an agent? Unless you are auditioning for Chippendales then I'd suggest going shirtless for sure!


Oh well just my take on things. Wonder how many twitter followers will unfollow and how many new followers I'll get? Maybe next time we'll talk about, "Do you ever wonder why certain people follow you on twitter?"

#Hashtags

Another writer and I were talking the other day and I was telling him how much I hate the beginning of the 

month. Why, you ask? Because when you check on your KDP reports and all you see are those gray bars, it  

can be depressing. He told me, "It's worse when you see those gray bars at the end of the month." Wow I 

really have never thought about that. So I was thinking we need to come up with a twitter hashtag 

#nograybars to let others know that we need to get the word out for our books. Let's say we are halfway 

through the month and all we see are gray bars, Eek! Tweet it out with the hashtag, so we can help stamp 

out those gray bars. What do you think? Would it work? Do we have to create a special group for this? I am 

not sure how or what the rules are for creating hashtags. Do we just throw out a tweet with the hashtag?

Any ideas? Love to hear what you think, because I don't think anyone likes those gray bars.

Special Promo of SHADES OF SPRING 1964; LETTERS TO MY DAUGHTER

Marita is a twenty three year old kenayn girl taking communication and Media studies at Monash University and is the author of SHADES OF SPRING 1964; LETTERS TO MY DAUGHTER. 

You can find SHADES OF SPRING 1964; LETTERS TO MY DAUGHTER

                         http://www.amazon.com/Shades-Spring-1964-Daughter-ebook/dp/B008MU9J02

And Please Enjoy an excerpt

Maxine tries to deal with her mother’s death in her own way. But when she finds old letters revealing her family’s past she finds herself creating a bond with someone else, not knowing how far their history goes. Taylor is amused and infuriated with Marine, and no matter how hard he tries he can’t stay away from her. Now he finds himself being her main supporter, the only one she can lean on as she travels back to the past. And when the past is resolved they now have to think of their futures, while they concentrate on their present.

Chapter 1 “Yes, Maxine.” Maxine didn’t miss the hint of exasperation in the professor’s voice. When she had raised her hand in class, she had seen the professor roll his eyes before he forced a smile and called on her. “I think we should do African literature,” she began, almost bouncing off her seat. She saw the relieved expression on the professor’s face. It always bothered her when, each time she wanted to make a contribution, there was a look of dread on his face. Maxine looked around the room taking in her classmate’s expressions and, despite the frustration and anger she saw from most of them, she went on. “Especially books by authors who wrote during or about colonization in Africa.” She didn’t care what the professor or the rest of the class thought. She thought it was a brilliant idea. The resistance from the class didn’t take long. “Why?” her classmate Taylor yelled out from the back of the room. Maxine always felt like his voice was constantly at the back of her mind, always disapproving of her ideas or suggestions. There were times she thought Taylor’s voice was part of her subconscious. “What do you mean by why?” Maxine slightly turned her head towards the back. She took in quick, short breaths as she prepared to defend her suggestion. “Why should we?” Taylor went on, addressing the professor. “The books for this unit have already been chosen. I don’t think we should add another book just because she said so.” “She has a name.” Maxine turned her body to face Taylor. Her eyes narrowed as she burned holes in his pale forehead with her acid gaze. “We can find the time,” she said through clenched teeth. Maxine turned back to face her professor. “As a student, I have the right to ask for more knowledge.” There was no way the professor could deny her the opportunity to learn. “Get a private tutor. Some of us don’t have time to squeeze in more reading,” Taylor hissed out. Maxine could see the frustration on his face. He had reached his boiling point, but she kept on pushing. “As an African American–” Taylor cut in. “Oh please,” he scoffed. “No one focuses on that stuff anymore.” “That’s why I suggested it. I think we should all remember that time.” Maxine’s voice was like that of a little girl trying to wheedle her father into a new pony, charming but unwavering because she wanted something and she wanted it badly. “We, as Literature students and as people of this world, should care. It is where our history begins.” “Exactly! History!” Taylor made his way to the front of the class and stood beside the professor. Maxine held on to the edge of her desk, her nails digging into the wood, and called on every single patient cell in her body. She wasn’t going to let Taylor beat her, not a chance. She needed to make an argument and a good one. With a smile on her face, she also made her way to the front of the class. “As Literature students, we also have to learn the African Literature way of writing.” “I think we have learned enough about other types of writing,” Taylor smirked. “I think the fact that you said that proves what an air-head you really are.” Taylor turned to face Maxine. The anger in his glare displaced the warm humor in his usually kind, brown eyes. She could feel his gaze burn into her, but she refused to look away. She wasn’t going to be moved. “I have made my decision.” The professor stepped in between them, blocking any path they would have to each other. “Everyone pair up and find a short story by an African writer during the time period of colonization. Write a five-thousand word essay on the author and his style of writing. It is due after spring break. That way we can all get what we want in the shortest time period.” Maxine cheered, sticking her tongue out at a very irritated Taylor. The professor turned to her and Taylor, a smug smile crossing his lips. “The both of you will partner up.” “No!” they shouted in unison. “I can’t stand her,” Taylor bluntly said. “He’s an idiot,” she spat back. The professor crossed his arms over his chest. “I don’t care. You don’t submit the report, you both fail. And let me warn you, I will be able to tell if it’s individual work.” He turned back to the class. “Everyone is dismissed.” Taylor and Maxine got caught up in the rush as everyone made their way out of class. The other students shot murderous glares at them and muttered under their breaths. “If looks could kill,” Taylor laughed, “you would be dead a hundred times by now.” Maxine gathered her books to her chest. She looked at Taylor or, rather, at his shirt. He was a little over 6’3”, which made it feel as if he towered over her. She slowly scanned up the red-checked shirt he wore over a white-t shirt until her eyes met his. “My neck is getting tired. What’s the plan?” “I think it would be better if we both just did our own thing.” He leaned down and whispered in her ear, his warm breath brushing her neck. “I’m too pretty to go to prison.” “So, what you are saying is that I would live longer if we did this assignment separately.” She nodded, acknowledging that he certainly had the strength to follow through on his threat. She wasn’t completely sure he was kidding. Taylor gave her a slow nod. “Fine,” she barked. Maxine let her eyes drop slowly back to the front of his shirt. “I wouldn’t want to work with someone who dresses like a Back Street Boy with Mr. T hair.” “It’s a Mohawk,” he said through clenched teeth. “Then I suggest that you go get your money back.” She tugged at the bottom corner of his shirt, pushed back her shoulders and walked away. “You can’t deny it,” he called after her and she glanced at him. “I look good.” The smug look on his face told her he actually believed that. Maxine stomped her feet hard on the marble floor. A temper tantrum is what her mother used to call it, but, to Maxine, it was her way of letting out the frustration. “I can’t stand that guy!” she muttered to herself as she headed home. Maxine always battled with having to go back home. At the beginning of each morning, she had the energy to stand in front of the mirror and engineer the best cheerful face she could, but at the end of the day, she struggled with leaving school. Maxine arrived at the only unweeded garden and overgrown lawn in the whole neighborhood. Their little house didn’t always look that way, but ever since her mother got sick, there was no one to weed the rose garden and no one to nag her father about painting the white picket fence. Things had changed and they were slowly getting worse. She stood before the front door, knowing very well that the white door held a different significance to her than to other daughters coming home from school. She looked over at the withered garden and decided that the flowers seemed to be adopting the same condition as her mother — death. She wrapped her fingers around the door knob, took a deep breath, and then opened it. Before she stepped in, Maxine whispered a silent prayer for strength to the universe and the big guy above. One step at a time, a smile, a laugh, a prayer, and somehow she would be able to get through this day. Maxine looked down the long hallway. In reality, it was not more than ten meters long, but every time she had to go to the guest room, which had been changed into the hospice, she felt like she was walking the yellow brick road. However, rather than leading to the Land of Oz, this one led her to the only feeling of love she knew. Another step, a deep breath, and she opened the bedroom door. Maxine’s nostrils were attacked by the pungent smell of medication. The rhythmic beeping sound of the heart monitor connected to her mother reminded Maxine that she needed to put on a brave face. “Hey, beautiful.” Maxine forced a smile as she noticed the exhausted expression on her mother’s face. Lynne’s hair was shaggy, her toffee skin pale, and her lips cracked. Maxine saw the exhaustion on her mother’s ravaged face. Maxine’s father, Daniel, was cemented in the same spot he was always in, seated next to her mother’s death bed. Daniel had the same exhausted expression on his face, but on him the expression was permanently engraved in the creases around his eyes and mouth. Maxine always led with the games before she got down to the real issue. Maxine’s eyes quickly looked around her mother’s body and bed. There seemed to be more tubes and machines than there had been when she left in the morning. Her father gave Maxine a quick glance and then his eyes returned to his wife. Daniel’s eyes seemed to hang out of their sockets. His wrinkled hand held onto his wife’s, securely but gently, as if the only way to keep her by his side was to never let go of her hand. Maxine looked at the simplest form of love they had, and her heart broke. What would her father do when Lynne died? Daniel had tied his life to her mother’s in every single way humanly possible, and here was something that he couldn’t protect her from. Maxine’s mother had been diagnosed with cancer two years ago. They thought that they had beaten it, but it had come back just before Christmas with the vengeance of a rabid demon, and it had its claws in her. No matter what they tried or how hard her father fought for every treatment known to man, it wasn’t letting go. Her mother had been discharged from the hospital two weeks prior and had been sent home to die in her own bed surrounded by her family. Now Maxine was standing there witnessing the greatest love ever shared, knowing that it would soon come to a heart-wrenching end. She had prepared herself, she thought, for her mother’s death. She had also come to terms with the fact that her father would die soon after her mother. There was no way one could live without the other. Although her father called her ‘the greatest love of his life’, she knew that her mother was his only reason for living. Once Lynne died, he wouldn’t have any other reason to stick around. Maxine sat at her mother’s feet. Lynne cupped Maxine’s cheek with her hand and smiled as much as her strength allowed. “You are the most beautiful girl ever,” she strained to say, and the words rattled like a stone in a tin can. Hearing her mother sound so weak broke Maxine’s heart, but she hid her pain behind her smile. Maxine thought of asking her mother how she was feeling, but it didn’t seem that important. Asking only frustrated Lynne because she was always economical with the truth for the sake of the withering man at her side. Listening to her mother put up a brave front, and her father whimper every time she did, cut through Maxine. Daniel smoothed his fingers over the thin hand stuck with needles; it was a gesture that had become habitual. Maxine didn’t think her mother felt the discomfort of the IVs anymore, and let her father do it because it was the only way he felt useful. “I have a boatload of assignments to do; I’ll come and sit with you in a couple of hours.” Maxine walked out of the room and a thought crossed her mind. Would this be the last time? She made her way to her room and got on the Internet. She needed to figure out which book she and Taylor had to write their essays about. The sooner she did, the sooner they could split the responsibility and be done with the assignment, and each other, all together.

BIO:

Marita writes under the pen name M.O Kenyan. 

Writing is an escape to me. Creating different worlds and people facing different kind of situations is how I put my imagination to work. While I write I feel safe inside my head, because I can control everything that goes on in there. But everytime I put my work out there the insecurities come back and that just makes me believe in my work and my stories.

Listening to the voices in my head. Putting them down on paper and giving you a piece of my mind.Writing is an escape. there is a little piece of me in every charcter i create and in every moment.

Find Marita's Blog Here

http://mokauthor.wordpress.com/

Blogoversary! Free Ebook to Celebrate!

My Blogoversary is in 6 days! Yay! And to celebrate, My new book

"Chris' Journey Turning Different Corners, Her Journey Begins" 

will be FREE! Tomorrow and Saturday, July 27th and 28th.

Yes you heard me right it's FREE!

“Her Journey Begins”

is more than just a romance.

There’s sorrow, pain, laughter, joy, family and friends, all wrapped around a tender sweet love between Chris and Brandon, her high school sweetheart. There will be heroes and heroines, good guys and bad, people you’ll love and people you’ll hate and this is just the first corner.  Come cry, laugh, and love with Chris as she begins her Journey Turning Different Corners.

http://www.amazon.com/Journey-Turning-Different-Corners-ebook/dp/B008NQDUQY/ref=pd_rhf_gw_p_t_4

And in the UK

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Journey-Turning-Different-Corners-ebook/dp/B008NQDUQY/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1343314075&sr=1-1 

So don't forget to stop by and pick up your FREE copy!
And please, if you read it, share your thoughts on Amazon to let others know.

That's Me To A "T"

I'm a astrology junkie. I love reading my horoscopes everyday and think my sign fits me perfectly. So if you really want to know what I'm like...



Aquarius Personality:
Aquarians present themselves in one of two ways. On one hand, you’ll see someone who is shy, and quiet. On the other, an Aquarian can be boisterous, eccentric, and energetic. Both are deep thinkers with a love of helping others. Highly intellectual, this is a sign of fierce independence that prizes intuition tempered with logic. Both personality types have an uncanny ability to see both sides of an argument without prejudice, making them excellent problem-solvers. While very much attuned to the energies around them, Aquarians have a deep need to take time out alone and away to rejuvenate themselves. The keyword for this sign is imagination. The Aquarian can see a world of possibilities even when there appears to be none.

Strengths:
Progressive, original, humanitarian, independent.
Weaknesses:
Runs from emotional expression, uncompromising, temperamental, aloof.
Charismatic marks:
Good looks, beautiful eyes, angular faces, thin build.
Likes:
Fun with friends, fighting for causes, helping others, intellectual conversation, a good listener.
Dislikes:
Limitations, being lonely, broken promises, dull or boring situations, people who disagree with them.
Best environment:
Any gathering of people to exchange ideas.


 Aquarius Personality:
Aquarians present themselves in one of two ways. On one hand, you’ll see someone who is shy, and quiet. On the other, an Aquarian can be boisterous, eccentric, and energetic. Both are deep thinkers with a love of helping others. Highly intellectual, this is a sign of fierce independence that prizes intuition tempered with logic. Both personality types have an uncanny ability to see both sides of an argument without prejudice, making them excellent problem-solvers. While very much attuned to the energies around them, Aquarians have a deep need to take time out alone and away to rejuvenate themselves. The keyword for this sign is imagination. The Aquarian can see a world of possibilities even when there appears to be none.

Strengths:
Progressive, original, humanitarian, independent.
Weaknesses:
Runs from emotional expression, uncompromising, temperamental, aloof.
Charismatic marks:
Good looks, beautiful eyes, angular faces, thin build.
Likes:
Fun with friends, fighting for causes, helping others, intellectual conversation, a good listener.
Dislikes:
Limitations, being lonely, broken promises, dull or boring situations, people who disagree with them.
Best environment:
Any gathering of people to exchange ideas.


You can find you here
http://www.horoscope.com/

"The Romance of Dracula" By Charles E Butler

Today I want to give you a peek at 

"The Romance of Dracula" By Charles E Butler

The Romance of Dracula is Charles' first book and the sequels, Vampires Everywhere, The Rise of the Movie UnDead are in preparation. 

And Introduce you to Charles

Charles E Butler was born and raised in the Yorkshire town of Leeds in the UK. He is a writer, actor and artist of independent comic books. He quickly developed a taste for the fantastic through comic books and the movies. His own short films under his Su asti banner are submitted to festivals and have been viewed as far afield as New Orleans. He has written vampire essays for various sites on the Internet and his special tribute Dracula and Werewolf pages can be found on Facebook. 

Canadian Film maker Anthony DP Mann was in England shooting a documentary about Dracula and interviewed Charles for the short film, as he was impressed by Charles' book. Anthony's movie "The Terror of Dracula" is at www.newdraculamovie.com and is also doing very well online. 

"The Romance of Dracula" is a review of the fourteen Major film adaptations of Bram Stoker's novel Dracula. Complete with illustrations of the fourteen major Counts. From Max Schreck to Marc Warren, The Romance of Dracula is the most concise account of the Count on screen. The Epilogue concentrates on the Count's further/major appearances in fantasy horror films and the book takes interesting side-roads into the exploration of the myth through The Fearless Vampire Killers (1967), the original Fright Night (1985) and The Shadow of the Vampire (2000). An engrossing must-have read for the casual onlooker and the ardent aficionado.


  

The Romance of Dracula on createspace

https://www.createspace.com/3573229

And the e-book is available in the UK here

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Romance-Dracula-personal-celluloid-ebook/dp/B004LB4UMS/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1337717788&sr=1-1

And the paperback in the UK

http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Romance-Dracula-Charles-Butler/dp/1463736630

And the e-book for the US

http://www.amazon.com/Romance-Dracula-personal-celluloid-ebook/dp/B004LB4UMS

And the paperback for the US

http://www.amazon.com/The-Romance-Dracula-personal-celluloid/dp/1463736630/ref=tmm_pap_title_0

Charles also has a book out titled "Detections in A Scarlet Vein"

http://www.amazon.com/Detections-Scarlet-irrelevent-investigation-ebook/dp/B006M6LXZ2 

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Detections-Scarlet-irrelevent-investigation-ebook/dp/B006M6LXZ2 

And last but not least you can find Charles and "The Romance Of Dracula" on Facebook 

https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Romance-of-Dracula/157273041028907