We have a winner in my Third Annual Alliteration Contest! Before I announce who, let me show you how easy it was for entrants to come up with an alliteration. This one cracked me up and I'll bet it only took him a minute to compose:
Renae really relishes writing rhetorical remarks. -- James D.
Easy. Yeah. You should have entered. Next year...
And the winner (chosen randomly) wrote a rather lyrical, more challenging one. Notice the alliteration sound from a different syllable in 'across' and some rhyming vowels. So nice!
We weave wishes when we write. Wishes, like wand, wordfully wander in the world where we wait when we wake. Creations come crawling, calling and creeping across the cavernous crevasses in our craniums.
Congratulations to Jodi Brown, winner of a $10 Amazon gift card!
My TIP for this week is not to see writing as a race. No one needs that added stress. Instead, enjoy the journey. Take the time to get plenty of critiques and enough edits to make your work shine before putting it out for public viewing. Being brave enough for this end result is what we anticipate, after all--so don't hide from it forever. But take the time to do it right. That's what I'm doing with Bishop Stories. Don't want to submit sooner than truly ready--I've already done that once and the results were much different than after further critiques and revisions. (A story for another time.)
The blog I'm highlighting this week is http://www.alicross.com because Ali is participating in a special writer's conference held online Tuesday through Thursday called IndieReCon. You can catch it live or catch up later. There should be something for all writers, whether or not you plan to Indie publish. See you there and have a good week!
Monday, February 24, 2014
Monday, February 17, 2014
Fallen Angel Book Review and Alliteration Contest
There's still time to enter my Third Annual Alliteration Contest.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
My Review:
New this month is Fallen Angel, a delightful contemporary romance set in Florence, Italy. Having traveled there, I loved the setting with Swinton's references to the area and a sprinkling of Italian language. Give me gelato! It was easy to be transported into this world. The characters were rich and fun to get to know. Minor issues like hospital staff operations and Renatta's climbing abilities right after her cast comes off were easy to dismiss. Harder to buy into were the struggles that kept the couple from getting together. But I can only guess at what amnesia would really be like and how previous family situations might sway someone. Swinton does a good job exploring this. The story kept my interest and was fun to read. A clean romance that I can recommend to YA and adult readers.
Social Media Links:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
My Review:
New this month is Fallen Angel, a delightful contemporary romance set in Florence, Italy. Having traveled there, I loved the setting with Swinton's references to the area and a sprinkling of Italian language. Give me gelato! It was easy to be transported into this world. The characters were rich and fun to get to know. Minor issues like hospital staff operations and Renatta's climbing abilities right after her cast comes off were easy to dismiss. Harder to buy into were the struggles that kept the couple from getting together. But I can only guess at what amnesia would really be like and how previous family situations might sway someone. Swinton does a good job exploring this. The story kept my interest and was fun to read. A clean romance that I can recommend to YA and adult readers.
Fallen Angel - the blurb:
Antonio does not believe in love at first sight until he sees her fall into a street in Milan and get hit by a motorcycle. Compelled to know if she can return his affection, he becomes Renatta’s hospital volunteer only to learn that the accident erased her memory. Together they must discover her past, present and future. In the way of happily ever after stand her opera career, tyrannical mother, and fiancé. Antonio must win Renatta’s heart before she bends to the will of her mother and marries Marcello. Failure means a lifetime of loneliness, for love at first sight never happens twice.
You can buy it here:
http://www.amazon.com/Fallen-Angel-Lisa-Swinton-ebook/dp/B00HX4L38E/ref=la_B00HXNXDCO_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1390338367&sr=1-1
About the Author
About the Author
Lisa Swinton caught the romance bug early by way of fairy tales and hasn’t been able to cure it since. Instead, she feeds her addiction with romance novels and films. In between being a doctor’s wife and mother of two, she occasionally puts her B.A. in Musical Theater to good use via community theater, church choir and teaching the art of singing. In her elusive spare time she enjoys researching her family tree and baking (especially with chocolate). She loves to travel, Jane Austen, and all things Italian. In her next life, she plans to be a professional organizer
Monday, February 10, 2014
A Contest, Survey, Cover Reveal, & Spotlight - Whew!
There's a lot happening here today. We're in the middle of my Third Annual Alliteration Contest! I'm making it easy to enter through Rafflecopter, but there has been a little confusion. Please make sure you submit your alliteration in the blog comment box.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Hey, could you do me the favor of voting on your favorite blurb for Bishop Stories? This is for the cover letter that goes with my submission. The purpose of a blurb is to grab your interest and compel you to want to know more. In fact, that is the content of 2 quick questions in the following survey. Please take 10 seconds to give me your feedback on blurbs #1, #2, and #3. Thanks!
Blurb #1:
Think you know your bishop? Delve into Bishop Stories for a glimpse at both common and unique situations in the life of an LDS bishop. These stories testify that imperfect men are chosen by God to further His kingdom on earth. Not only do they impact lives for the better, these men become refined in the process. Increase your knowledge about and gratitude for bishops through the amusing and inspirational stories they tell.
Blurb #2:
Think you know what it's like to be a bishop? Delve into Bishop Stories and find heartwarming accounts that may surprise you. Increase your knowledge about and gratitude for bishops through the amusing and inspirational stories they tell.
Blurb #3:
Every Latter-day-saint is connected to a bishop. Bishop Stories is a heart-warming collection of amusing and inspirational stories about or from these imperfect men of God. The stories they tell may surprise you.
Click here to take survey Your feedback is valuable to me! If you wish, leave additional comments below.
Ta-da! Author Danyelle Ferguson is revealing her cover for her latest novel, Sweet Confections today.
Danyelle Ferguson is a thirty-something mom with the heart of a college student obsessed with chocolate and yearning for the thrill of romance. In her day job, she does a juggling act trying to cram in her writing deadlines between the never-ending laundry pile and constant calls for mom. You can find out more about Danyelle via the web:
Blog: www.QueenOfTheClan.com
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/AuthorDanyelleFerguson
Twitter: @DanyelleTweets
I've included her Rafflecopter giveaway Here:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
The new-to-me blog of the week spotlight goes to The Stubby Pencil. Here you will find book tours, blasts, or reviews of clean (think PG) books and writing tips. Hmm. Sounds a lot like this blog. I like it already. Writers and readers should give this site a look. Love the memorabilia photo. Host Mary Ann is working toward publication and especially loves to write historical fiction.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Hey, could you do me the favor of voting on your favorite blurb for Bishop Stories? This is for the cover letter that goes with my submission. The purpose of a blurb is to grab your interest and compel you to want to know more. In fact, that is the content of 2 quick questions in the following survey. Please take 10 seconds to give me your feedback on blurbs #1, #2, and #3. Thanks!
Blurb #1:
Think you know your bishop? Delve into Bishop Stories for a glimpse at both common and unique situations in the life of an LDS bishop. These stories testify that imperfect men are chosen by God to further His kingdom on earth. Not only do they impact lives for the better, these men become refined in the process. Increase your knowledge about and gratitude for bishops through the amusing and inspirational stories they tell.
Click here to take survey Your feedback is valuable to me! If you wish, leave additional comments below.
Ta-da! Author Danyelle Ferguson is revealing her cover for her latest novel, Sweet Confections today.
Book Blurb:
According to Rachel Marconi chocolate heals all wounds. That and throwing darts at pictures of her ex-boyfriend. Burned by yet another bad relationship, Rachel decides to reprioritize her life, putting her dream to compete on a Food Network Challenge on the top of her list and dating at the bottom crossed out in red sharpie.
But what's a girl to do when a certain sexy guy keeps asking her out?
Cue in Graydon Green, a former pro hockey player turned restaurant owner. After a lot of persistent and humorous teasing, he finally convinces Rachel to commit to a date. Just when things begin to warm up, threatening notes directed at Rachel arrive. When her bakery is vandalized, Graydon's protective streak goes on red alert. Is it her obsessive ex-boyfriend stalking her? Or maybe a challenger trying to sabotage the competition?
Either way, Rachel is definitely going to need more chocolate - perhaps drizzled over ice cream and devil's food cake.
About the AuthorAccording to Rachel Marconi chocolate heals all wounds. That and throwing darts at pictures of her ex-boyfriend. Burned by yet another bad relationship, Rachel decides to reprioritize her life, putting her dream to compete on a Food Network Challenge on the top of her list and dating at the bottom crossed out in red sharpie.
But what's a girl to do when a certain sexy guy keeps asking her out?
Cue in Graydon Green, a former pro hockey player turned restaurant owner. After a lot of persistent and humorous teasing, he finally convinces Rachel to commit to a date. Just when things begin to warm up, threatening notes directed at Rachel arrive. When her bakery is vandalized, Graydon's protective streak goes on red alert. Is it her obsessive ex-boyfriend stalking her? Or maybe a challenger trying to sabotage the competition?
Either way, Rachel is definitely going to need more chocolate - perhaps drizzled over ice cream and devil's food cake.
Danyelle Ferguson is a thirty-something mom with the heart of a college student obsessed with chocolate and yearning for the thrill of romance. In her day job, she does a juggling act trying to cram in her writing deadlines between the never-ending laundry pile and constant calls for mom. You can find out more about Danyelle via the web:
Blog: www.QueenOfTheClan.com
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/AuthorDanyelleFerguson
Twitter: @DanyelleTweets
I've included her Rafflecopter giveaway Here:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
The new-to-me blog of the week spotlight goes to The Stubby Pencil. Here you will find book tours, blasts, or reviews of clean (think PG) books and writing tips. Hmm. Sounds a lot like this blog. I like it already. Writers and readers should give this site a look. Love the memorabilia photo. Host Mary Ann is working toward publication and especially loves to write historical fiction.
Monday, February 3, 2014
Third Annual Alliteration Contest
What's alliteration?
Slim Summerville slowly sauntered seaward. Several sailors suddenly seeing Slim's subconscious surroundings, slyly stole Slim's shorts, socks, shoes, shirt. Suddenly, sleepless songbirds sang silly songs singularly seeking secure streets showing serenity.
I think you get idea. My dad penned the first two sentences for an assignment as a schoolboy many years ago. I added the last sentence to stretch it further. In his honor, I'm holding a contest for participants to practice this writing exercise. Not all words have to start with the same letter, but a similar sound somewhere is required. If you're tricky, the sound might come in the middle with vowels, or a consonant at the end. Play with it, have fun. Then send yours in for a chance to win a $10 Amazon gift card.
Because it is often hard to choose a winner, this year I am setting the contest up through Rafflecopter. It will be easy, but there will be extra points for those who put in extra effort. Only two things are required: 1) Follow my blog and 2) Submit your original alliteration (maximum of 2 permitted). Why not give it a try? The winner will be announced February 24th.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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