Iris Blobel
Snippet Sunday: FRESH BEGINNINGS 07/06/2015 #travel #Route66
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FRESH BEGINNINGS
We continue with Fresh Beginnings, Jared's story as he travels through five states
in the US in a Motorhome. I used our itinerary from our US travels two years ago
and wrote a romance story around in.
Jared has just arrived in the US.
Enjoy!
in the US in a Motorhome. I used our itinerary from our US travels two years ago
and wrote a romance story around in.
Jared has just arrived in the US.
Enjoy!
~~~
"Sir,
may I see your passport?"
The lady
behind the counter would've been probably in her thirties. Although overweight,
she had a beautiful face and Jared thought he even saw a hint of a smile. She'd
asked him a massive amount of questions, leaving him feeling like he was back
at school, and he didn't want to fail and be sent back to Australia.
"No,
ma'am."
"Any
food." "No, ma'am" He hesitated. "Ah, ma'am. I've got a few leftover bikkies in my bag?"
The customs officer looked up at him with raised eyebrows. "Bikkies?"
Jared got nervous. "I suppose you'd call them cookies." He grabbed the package out of his backpack and showed her the item in question.
She laughed, and it was a genuine and beautiful laugh. Shaking her head, she replied, "Only you Australians could come up with a word like bikkies." After a moment's pause, she said, "They're all yours, honey." And she proceeded with taking his photo and fingerprints.
That hadn't been all that bad.
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1s7xTiq
Smashwords: http://bit.ly/1pBrpEY
Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1nqaT6t
I do appreciate each single one of them!
Krysten Lindsay Hager: Good friends have your back, but some go behind it.
Going Back to Those Teen Years
Krysten Lindsay Hager
Good friends have your back, but some go behind it.
Why would someone want to go back in time and revisit those early teen years and the awkward, cringe-worthy moments of insecurities, growing up, trying figure out where you fit in, who you are, and on top of that dealing with crushes, schoolwork, and friendships? Well, I decided to write the book I wanted to read when I was that age. Going back to that time period was a bit chaotic, but I am so fortunate there weren't camera phones to capture my scrunched hair period (Salon Selectives hairspray and spray gel to get it crunchy and scrunchy—what was I thinking?) And let's not forget Daisy Duke shorts, the MAC lipstick with dark brown lip pencil outlining my lips, yeah, that was…cute. Nothing like looking like you just finished a bowl of chocolate pudding and forgot to wipe your mouth. Oh, and I danced to Paula Abdul in a grade school talent show in a Guess sweatshirt and jean shorts. We won't even discuss how I thought using Sun-In on dark brown hair would turn out well. So the teen years are all about trying to figure out who you are and trying on different personas (or in my case, hair colors) to see where you fit in best. It's a confusing time where you can feel insecure, but it feels more isolating when the very people who are supposed to have your back are the ones that are creating that insecurity. Frenemies are a big part of growing up and learning how to deal with them is never easy. I wrote the series that I not only wanted to read when I was that age, but what I needed to read back then and I hope other readers will feel the same way.
The Landry's True Colors Series is a clean reads young adult/middle grade series about friendship, self-esteem, fitting in, middle school and high school, frenemies, modeling, crushes, values, and self-image. Best Friends…Forever? (Book 2) was ranked at #1 on Amazon's Hot New Releases in Children's Books on Values and #1 on Amazon's Hot New Releases in Teen & Young Adult Values & Virtues Fiction. True Colors (Book 1) is an international bestselling book.
Blurb:
Landry Albright hopes the new year will start off in an amazing way—instead she has to deal with more frenemy issues, boy drama, and having most of her best friends make the cheerleading squad without her. Suddenly, it seems like all anyone can talk about is starting high school next year—something she finds terrifying.
Landry Albright hopes the new year will start off in an amazing way—instead she has to deal with more frenemy issues, boy drama, and having most of her best friends make the cheerleading squad without her. Suddenly, it seems like all anyone can talk about is starting high school next year—something she finds terrifying.
Landry gets her first boyfriend (her crush, Vladi), but then gets dumped just as things come to a head with her friends. She feels lost and left out, but finds good advice about dealing with frenemies from what she considers an unlikely source. Landry faces having to speak up for what's right, tell the truth (even when it hurts), and how to get past the fear of failure as she gets another shot at competing in the American Ingénue modeling competition. Will she get a second chance with her friends, fame, and Vladi?
Excerpt:
"Landry, it's gotta be so awkward for you to be going to Vladi's school next year," Tori said. "I mean, what if you run into him during the tour?"
"It's a huge place,ʺ Ashanti said. "People break up all the time. It's not a big deal.ʺ
Tori raised her eyebrows as if to say, "Yeah, right," and went back to her sandwich. Meanwhile my delicious homemade soup was no longer sitting well. It never occurred to me Vladi might be around during the first pre‑freshman tour. I would be mortified if I ran into him and he was with a girl. Or worse yet, running into him, and he was with Yasmin. Plus, I hadn't told my mom about the breakup, so if she saw him, she'd probably go over to talk to him. I could already imagine it: "Landry, Vladi's here! Hon? Why are you hiding behind the garbage can? Your boyfriend, Vladi, is here. Come say, 'hello.' Stop trying to run away. Why is everyone laughing and pointing at you and calling you a 'loser dumpee?' What does that mean?"
Well, maybe the world would end and I wouldn't have to deal with high school or Vladi and my mother running into each other.
****
Sadly, the world did not end, and on Thursday, we all had to go to the high school for a freshman information night from 6 to 9 p.m.
Author bio:
Krysten Lindsay Hager is a book addict who has never met a bookstore she didn't like. She's worked as a journalist and writes middle grade, YA, humor essays, and adult fiction. She is originally from Michigan and has lived in Portugal, South Dakota, and currently resides in Southern Ohio where you can find her reading and writing when she's not catching up on her favorite shows. She received her master's degree from the University of Michigan-Flint.
Buy Links:
Amazon international: http://authl.it/B00UIP1N5S
Barnesandnoble.com: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/krysten-lindsay-hager
Connect with Krysten:
Website: http://www.krystenlindsay.com/
Instagram: http://instagram.com/krystenlindsay
Twitter: https://twitter.com/KrystenLindsay
Get hooked on "New Beginnings" 03/06/15 #MFRWHook #romance #99cents
Happy
"Book Hook" Day
Let's have some
"New Beginnings"
"New Beginnings"
is set in Australia, in the wonderful State
Tasmania.
I hope you get hooked by this Snippet
Blurb:
Twenty-two-year-old Sophie Levesque has been guardian to eight-year-old
sister Mia since their mother's death a few years ago. Luck comes their
way when they inherit a small house in Hobart. Problem is though, they
don't know or have never heard of Clara Bellinger, the testator, and
Sophie is afraid it's all been a mistake.
As Mia settles well into her new school and life in general, Sophie is not only occupied by her search of what connected her to Clara, but also her new studies and the two men, who suddenly have become part of her daily life - Mark O'Connor, the lawyer representing Clara's estate, and Zach, the hunk from across the road.
As Mia settles well into her new school and life in general, Sophie is not only occupied by her search of what connected her to Clara, but also her new studies and the two men, who suddenly have become part of her daily life - Mark O'Connor, the lawyer representing Clara's estate, and Zach, the hunk from across the road.
Today's hook :-)
“I still don’t understand. Why us?” Sophie asked quietly, meeting his gaze and, for the first time, actually taking in his icyblue eyes. He was very attractive. Too attractive for a boring lawyer. His face was tanned by wind and sun, and there always seemed to be a hint of a smile on his face. His blond curling hair was cut short. Her gaze fixed back on his mouth. Blushing, she quickly looked away.
The attorney turned to them. He scratched the back of his head. “Ma’am, what I know is that both of you are in the will. What I know is that I was supposed to fly you down here to officially read you the will. What I know is that I’m supposed to hand over the keys to you, and to let you know that your expenses are covered for the next twenty-four months. I did not know Ms. Bellinger, as one of the retired partners wrote up the will. I do not know who she was or in which way she was connected to you. I assumed she was a distant relative.”
Sophie took her sister’s hand as she thought about his last comment. Distant relative? Her mother would have at least mentioned her once. She sighed and tried to understand, not the circumstances that had brought her there, but the fact that the attorney just didn’t know. “Oh well, let’s go then.”
He pinched his nose with his thumb and index finger and took a deep breath. “Okay. Look, Miss Lever—”
“Levesque,” Sophie helped him again. This time somewhat more firmly.
“I still don’t understand. Why us?” Sophie asked quietly, meeting his gaze and, for the first time, actually taking in his icyblue eyes. He was very attractive. Too attractive for a boring lawyer. His face was tanned by wind and sun, and there always seemed to be a hint of a smile on his face. His blond curling hair was cut short. Her gaze fixed back on his mouth. Blushing, she quickly looked away.
The attorney turned to them. He scratched the back of his head. “Ma’am, what I know is that both of you are in the will. What I know is that I was supposed to fly you down here to officially read you the will. What I know is that I’m supposed to hand over the keys to you, and to let you know that your expenses are covered for the next twenty-four months. I did not know Ms. Bellinger, as one of the retired partners wrote up the will. I do not know who she was or in which way she was connected to you. I assumed she was a distant relative.”
Sophie took her sister’s hand as she thought about his last comment. Distant relative? Her mother would have at least mentioned her once. She sighed and tried to understand, not the circumstances that had brought her there, but the fact that the attorney just didn’t know. “Oh well, let’s go then.”
He pinched his nose with his thumb and index finger and took a deep breath. “Okay. Look, Miss Lever—”
“Levesque,” Sophie helped him again. This time somewhat more firmly.
only 99cents
4 Stars:
An interesting introduction to these two sisters. Their relationship is
gorgeous, and they care for each other fiercely. Set in Southern Tasmania,
what a wonderful place to start a whole new life and find out just how your
life got to be the way it was and begin to heal. I enjoyed the story and
the setting very much.
4 Stars:
This was a very enjoyable read and it left me wanting just a little bit
more. I highly recommend it.
4 Stars:
Sophie and Mark are an irresistible match from the beginning. While getting
closer and connected to them individually as the story progressed, I
couldn't help but want them to be together. This author has a way of
endearing her characters and it is easy to fall in love with them. An
intriguing story with emotion, love and hope. A very enjoyable read! I
received a copy in exchange for an honest review.
Cover Reveal: Lori Whitwam "Fallback" @ripleygold #Coverreveal
What began in the novella
The Dead Survive
continues in the full-length novel Fallback, coming June 30 from Limitless Publishing
"At the start of the zombie outbreak,
Ellen Hale was a victim…
but she won't be one anymore."
After being rescued from a brutal band of marauders, Ellen Hale rebuilt her life in the fortified neighborhood that became her home. A heartbreaking decision and devastating loss pushed her to become a fierce fighter, because weakness only got you and those you loved killed.
Now her community is facing a deadly threat, and Ellen has another choice to make.
Ellen volunteers as a member of fallback team three, tasked with establishing a temporary refuge for their citizens in the event their community is overrun by the enemy. As the danger intensifies, she and her adopted sister, Melissa, set off with the rest of their team on the road trip from hell.
Their mission is cloaked in secrecy, but suspicions of a traitor arise.
Something is affecting the zombies' migration patterns, and when blacksmith Tyler Garrett is discovered trapped in a farmhouse, the team refuses to trust him. But Ellen believes his story, and it's not just because of his rugged, blond good looks and soft-spoken manner—his skills can greatly benefit their team.
As the team struggles to reach the fallback, previously secure locations are overrun, and their chances of success seem remote. With the likelihood of a traitor nearly certain, and the lives of everyone she loves at risk, Ellen must figure out who to trust before the traitor—or the zombies—destroy them all.
Is there a spy among the fallback team,
or is there another threat lurking in the Kentucky hills?
Lori spent her early years reading books in a tree in northern West Virginia. The 1980s and 90s found her and her husband moving around the Midwest, mainly because it was easier to move than clean the apartment. After seventeen frigid years in Minnesota, she fled to coastal North Carolina in 2013. She will never leave, and if you try to make her, she will hurt you.
She has worked in public libraries, written advertising copy for wastewater treatment equipment, and managed a holistic veterinary clinic. Her current day job, conducted from her World Headquarters and Petting Zoo (her couch) is as Managing Editor for Limitless Publishing, as well as editing for a select list of indie author.
Her dogs are a big part of her life, and she has served or held offices in Golden Retriever and Great Pyrenees rescues, a humane society, a county kennel club, and her own chapter of Therapy Dogs International.
She has been a columnist and feature writer for auto racing and pet publications, and won the Dog Writers Association of America's Maxwell Award for a series of humor essays.
Parents of a grown son, Lori and her husband were high school sweethearts, and he manages to love her in spite of herself. Some of his duties include making sure she always has fresh coffee and safe tires, trying to teach her to use coupons, and convincing the state police to spring her from house arrest in her hotel room in time for a very important concert. That last one only happened once—so far—but she still really, really appreciates it.
Links
Sunday Snippet - Fresh Beginnings 31/05/2015 #Romance #amwriting
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FRESH BEGINNINGS
Jeri's story "Little Beginnings" was sent to the publisher last week. As I have too many stories to finish at the moment, I thought I'd post a few snippets from the previous "Beginnings" book.
I used our itinerary from our US travels two years ago and wrote a romance story around in.
Today's post is with Jared arriving in the US.
Enjoy!
I used our itinerary from our US travels two years ago and wrote a romance story around in.
Today's post is with Jared arriving in the US.
Enjoy!
~~~
Two weeks
later, Jared set foot onto American soil. Actually, he didn't set foot on soil,
but on one of the buses that transported a whole airplane full of tired
travellers to the terminal for immigration purposes. It was still early in the
morning. In fact, it was two hours earlier than he had left Melbourne. The
fourteen hours on the plane hadn't been as bad as he had expected. He'd asked
for an aisle seat next to the exit and was able to throw in a snooze or two
during the flight.
Jared tried
hard to breathe through his mouth to avoid the lingering smell of the
passengers who, it seemed, hadn't had contact with water and soap in many
hours. He couldn't wait to get out of this trap.
Next
on his journey was a long stop-and-go struggle through the immigration hall and
customs before he was able to pick up his bag. Finally, after what seemed like
an endless morning of shuffling through the Los Angeles airport, he exited the
building only to be stuck again in yet another queue—waiting for a taxi.
Buy Links:
Amazon Australia: http://bit.ly/1y0N4bo
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1s7xTiq
Smashwords: http://bit.ly/1pBrpEY
Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/1nqaT6t
I do appreciate each single one of them!
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