Book Review - Girls Camp

I've attended a few girls camps so I figure I could successfully pull one off if asked to. Yet I know there would be stuff to sweat or even forget. Well, not any more. This handy guide goes through all of the how-tos for us. If I we're called as Camp Director the first thing I would do (after picking myself up off the floor) would be to go out and buy this book. Yeah it's got some details in it you likely know, but the planning sheets and lists are a time-saving treasure. Readers are certain to learn something new and they get recipes and song lyrics too! The book includes tips for stake camps. It's all in there--concise and encouraging.

Stephanie Connelley Worlton is hosting a giveaway during her blog tour. Enter to win a camp survival kit or autographed copy of her book here.
Visit Stephanie on her blog at www.stephanieworlton.blogspot.com

Book Review - Emergence

An unusual main character takes the stage in C. Michelle Jefferies' new high-tech thriller, Emergence. Only the wife he adores and her hope for a family could make a hit man soften his rough edges. Add in a death threat, confusing signals from his employer, and a lurking presence, and Antony more than wonders if he needs to get out of this dangerous business. I expected the plot to take some different directions than it did—wanting even more thrills, tech details, or some of the assignments to last longer—but readers get to see the character evolve into a different man along the way. It was a good mix of character and plot. The setting and various venues were exotic. Throw in an unexpected twist near the end for a great read. Mild spoiler here: The ending satisfied while letting readers know there will be further adventures with Antony and his tech-savvy friend, Gage. I appreciate the clean read and can recommend it to thrill-seeking readers. 

Alliteration Contest Winner Announced

Drumroll, please. And the winner for the second annual Alliteration Contest is:

Tianna Sills

This is always a tough one to judge and I thank all the participants. This year’s contest winner scored with simplicity in telling her story. Tianna, send me your address and preference for a $10 gift card from Amazon or Barnes & Nobel. Send to renaemackleyATgmailDOTcom.

Here is Tianna’s submission:

Tiger taught turtle the tambourine. Turtle thinks tambourines talk. Tiger thinks tambourines talk too. They thought to test the tambourine. Tiger told turtle that thingymabobs translate tambourines’ talk. Tambourine told them to tow toads to the Tiger's table. They tell the truth. Toads told turtle that tambourines tell tall-tales that tigers trip themselves trying to tapdance toughly.

Keep that creativity flowing, everyone, and have a great week!

Update and Last Week For Alliteration Contest

It's week three of my new online critique group so here's a brief update before I talk about my CONTEST again. I've received good critiques on two submissions from the other three members. I think they all have some good suggestions and their own strengths so that pleases me. We're also supposed to send our feedback to the others so they can see what we did with more than their own. This part needs a little work but I think we'll get the hang of it. There's always some tweakage at first. All seem ready to do their part. So far so good.

I have to admit--contest entries have been sparse. You have until Friday so can I motivate you at all? Take ten minutes to write out something like the following and you could win a $10 gift card. Sounds worth trying to me.
Here's the alliteration that sparked this contest, written by my father with the help of his father:
Slim Summerville slowly sauntered seaward. Several sailors suddenly seeing Slim's subconscious surroundings slyly stole Slim's shorts, socks, shoes, shirt.
Give it a try and who knows, you could be a winner!

THE RULES: (They're really easy!)
1. You must be a follower of my blog to enter. Just click on the Follow This Blog tab on the sidebar and complete.
2. Tell a mini-story using alliteration. Hint: The best stories have a beginning, middle, and end or feel complete. Use any type of alliteration you desire.
3. Words and subject matter should be free from vulgarity and suitable for public reading or they will be disqualified. Entries must be in English.
4. I reserve the right to reprint on this blog any submission I desire, giving credit to the author. The rights to your work remain yours. The work must be the sole effort of the entrant.
5. Entries or questions about the contest should be sent to:
renaemackley@gmail.com 
by Friday noon EST on February 8, 2013. Include your name, e-mail, and a title for your entry.
6. The GRAND PRIZE winner will be my opinion of the submission that most closely represents the inspiration of this contest as shared below. In other words, the longest story with the fewest non-alliteration words. Other submissions that I might love (they inspire, surprise, elicit humor or other emotions) will receive recognition from this blog in future posts and may or may not also receive a prize. I reserve the right to enlist other judges if the volume of submissions becomes more than I can handle.
7. Prizes. The grand prize winner will receive their choice of an Amazon or Barnes & Noble Gift Card of not less than $10. Winners will be announced beginning Monday February 11, 2013.
8. Have fun with it! That's the name of the game, James.