One Year Anniversary

Okay. Actually it's been more like a year and two months but hey, who's counting right? Anyway, I try not to shove my book under your noses too much but I always meant to celebrate the one year anniversary of its release and how better to celebrate than to give away a copy?

Now, don't let the cover fool you. As one reviewer so aptly said:

"If you look at the cover of this book, and assume it's a standard run-of-the-mill cliched cowboy story, you'd be waaaaaay wrong. It isn't a standard run-of-the-mill cliched ANYTHING. It's fresh and imaginative, well-written, and a thoroughly enjoyable tale from start to finish. Matter of fact, I'm not sure, but I think the author may have invented a brand new genre. A hybrid, and a darned good one.

Whether you're a fan of well-researched historical fiction, of the Old West, of time travel, adventure, or romance, you'll find something to rave about in this book. A brilliant scientist owns an exclusive island getaway, and he invites some of his guests to reeeeeally get away... by traveling into the past through his secret invention. (Not a big deal is made about this... it just IS. And somehow, the author makes it seem totally acceptable and plausible.) Our get-away-from-it-all hero precedes our heroine into the Old West, and establishes a new life for himself there. By the time she arrives, he's become a bounty hunter. The trouble is, our poor unsuspecting heroine is the spitting image of the thieving murderous woman who darned near killed him five years earlier. And so it begins. The question is: where will it end? But um, don't be in too big of a hurry to get to the end, because the journey is delicious ... whether it's on horseback on a miserable rainy day, or in a hot overcrowded train, you'll feel like you are there. Total immersion."

But it wouldn't be fair if I only shared the good reviews, and I actually found these one and two-star reviews quite helpful:

"I got half-way thru it, and then just gave up. I didn't read anything happening except traveling from town to town. thought it was suppose to have romance? where was it? might have been to someone's liking but wasn't to me."

"This book was free and I am relieved! I lasted 4 chapters but could not stand anymore. Combinibg romance, western and time travel is just too much."

"Deleted without reading."

"ok"

I have no idea what 'ok' means but I'm perfectly happy with my 4.2 out of 5 star rating on Amazon! 

As for winning, anyone who comments is eligible, and I'll announce the winner on Friday when I'll be back with The Cephalopod Coffeehouse, in which we discuss books and invite you to join us :)

X is for Xebec

My theme for A- Z was the year my book takes place: 1881. My plan was to post about people, places, and random facts about the year as it relates - however distantly - to my book, West of Paradise. However, I ran into a little trouble with these last three letters, so instead I tried to find interesting words beginning with the appropriate letter that people might not be familiar with.

Which leads us to X for Xebec, a small three-masted Mediterranean vessel with both square and triangular sails, a long overhanging bowsprit, and a protruding mizzen mast. It also can refer to a small, fast vessel of the sixteenth to nineteenth centuries, commonly used by Arab Corsairs but also by both the French and Spanish Navies.

Antonio Barcelo's Xebec facing two Algerian Corsair Galiots. 1738

The Xebec plays no part whatsoever in my book...but, as an added bonus for sticking with me to the end of the alphabet, I'm going to give away a copy of West of Paradise to one lucky winner. Anyone who comments and is interested these last three days of the challenge will be automatically entered to win.

Tomorrow I'll have an interesting Y word.

Blackbird sessions

Last Thursday morning I saw my first Red-winged Blackbird of the season. It always makes me happy when they come back in the spring; I just love their song. If you have a minute, close your eyes and listen. I'll wait.


There. Don't you feel better? Oh, and if you listen longer than a  minute you'll a hear the Sora piping up in the background.

And if you just can't get enough of me? Dianne Salerni is interviewing me over at her blog today where I'll be answering some fun questions and showing off you know what.

Finally, the winners of West of Paradise are:

1. Liza
2. LG
3. Liz

Please email me with your addresses so I can send :)

Joy

Sorry. I know I said I wasn't going blab about my book (much) but when I opened the box and saw them, these real books I could pick up and touch, with MY name on them, well, I just had to mention it. Briefly.

 My very first book! Ten of them! Honestly guys, they looks fabulous live and feel divine with a slightly muted cover finish so the bright colors don't glare in the light. Very cool! And because I'm so happy I want to share the joy. If you are interested in reading, let me know in the comments. I'll draw three names and announce the winners on Monday.



Have a wicked fun weekend ;)

Happy Whisk

 This the Happy Whisk. 

You should go visit her. She's giving away stuff. And do check out her sidebar full of lovely pics of the yummy things she bakes. See you back here tomorrow for our final first impression of the month - DIE TO LIVE ANOTHER DAY.

Do you want one of these?

I know I do, which is why I'm blogging about it. Sharing with you gets me a chance to win one and I've been wanting a Kindle Fire ever since they came out. Plus if I won I could take it with me on my trip to California in November. It would be a late birthday present, or an early Christmas present. Either way, I'd probably do a little happy dance if I won.

But just who is giving away this wonderful little item away you might ask? inkPageant. Haven't heard of them? Here's what they do:

"We want to help writers improve their craft and reach their goals. Many authors and aspiring writers are willing to help each other by sharing experiences and advice on their blogs. Finding a useful post on a specific writing topic isn't always easy, but with inkPageant's growing database, we can help point you in the right direction.

Think of it as a search engine for writing blogs—by writers, for writers.

Ink Pageant has a few other purposes: you can share recommended reading or sell your books through your profile page, announce book signings, highlight conferences and other events, post interviews with authors/agents/editors, and share book or even movie reviews. These posts will be displayed in front of an interested audience, benefiting them and bringing traffic to your blog."

So go check them out if you get a chance, and sign up to win a Kindle Fire.

Have a fabulous weekend :)

It's Monday

So, in writing news I am more than half-way through my final (I really mean this, really!) revisions (p. 194 of 301), I had a great dinner at my mom's on Saturday with killer chocolate cake AND apple crisp for dessert. I took a ton of pics at the pumpkinfest but sadly did not make it to the catapult or the smashing of the car. I am however going to check youtube because there just might be a video I can snag. We'll see.

In other news here are some links to check out:

Milo is offering free stuff at his place the entire month of October!

Jamie is hosting a birthday giveaway.

Want an amazing free crit on that query you're thinking of sending off? Head over to the QQQE, where Matt McNish will critique yours expertly.  

And, Charity posted about THIS last Monday and revealed the cover for her book:

Congratulations Charity!!!

Oh, and I won't be around on Wednesday but I'll be back on Friday with something interesting and helpful, and maybe a sneak preview of my pumpkinfest pictures ;)