Middle-Grade March

Scroll through this all-inclusive compilation of middle-grade authors, each featuring an exciting adventure for young readers! Frances and the Monster by Refe Tuma https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09MD77CXV/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1 Save the Dream: March on Washington by E. M. Bridges https://read.amazon.com/kp/embed?asin=B09DCFFNL9&preview=newtab&linkCode=kpe&ref_=cm_sw_r_kb_dp_JT8NJF2EAN2BY9NMY3EE The Munchkins by Candice Zee https://read.amazon.com/kp/embed?asin=B098Q38CK8&preview=newtab&linkCode=kpe&ref_=cm_sw_r_kb_dp_0YW88QWMXG20FBZ5GPHG Beyond the Doors by Clay Kelly https://read.amazon.com/kp/embed?asin=B097986B6T&preview=newtab&linkCode=kpe&ref_=cm_sw_r_kb_dp_2Y3PBW5HAS45ZD33KAFE Little Wanderers by I. K. Silver https://read.amazon.com/kp/embed?asin=B09D9YKFL5&preview=newtab&linkCode=kpe&ref_=cm_sw_r_kb_dp_9M9R0075YH62MMZ7M90PContinue reading Middle-Grade March

Dragon Swag Bag Giveaway

Hey y'all! I'm participating in this great giveaway and wanted to share here too! The offer expires at the end of the month (August 31) so be sure to get your name in before then 🙂 Click here to sign up!

NaNoWriMo Day 26

Hey y'all! It's day 26 and for many writers it's that final push to finish the novel in a month challenge. Some lucky souls have already finished and I congratulate you! Woohoo!!! Now to business... Firstly, apologies! I got hit with the flu. The actual can't eat, can't move, just sleep all day flu! It … Continue reading NaNoWriMo Day 26

NaNo-Oh-No!

It's day four of national novel writing month and I am safe from behind my pre-scheduled posts! I had the thought that I probably won't feel much like hammering out additional words after marathon writing until my brain turns to mush but also I don't want to break the habit of the daily blog. So … Continue reading NaNo-Oh-No!

NANOWRIMO

Isn't this a pretty image? Honestly it's a fake it 'til you make it happenstance here. While the leaves have mostly started changing and falling off it is still very HOT! Also, as I've decided to participate in NaNoWriMo I basically feel that the above image should look more like this: Am I over-exaggerating? Meh, … Continue reading NANOWRIMO

Customs & Costumes

Yesterday I mentioned that holidays allow windows for people to view other's cultures. Another way to do that is through the clothing people choose to wear. Even what seems more like a day for children to indulge in costume and candy is in reality steeped with tradition and cultures shared hundreds of years ago. Samhain … Continue reading Customs & Costumes

Tricks & Treats

Halloween is a long-standing tradition that has been in a variety of different cultures for hundreds of years. While it is often depicted in fiction it is rare to find (a traditional) Halloween in a fantasy setting. But that doesn't meant that the fantasy world created doesn't have their own take on a special holiday … Continue reading Tricks & Treats

The Blazing Battle

Hey y'all! Remember how I promised fight scenes this week? If you didn't catch the excerpt from Submerged's Maritime Massacre you can read it here. For those who don't know, the Dance of the Elements series features a group of people known as Fire Dancers: individuals enslaved and forced to fight dragons with their unique … Continue reading The Blazing Battle

The Maritime Massacre

As y'all know, I'm letting my spooky shine this week by sharing some bloody battles! In this scene, we follow Vex as he leads his soldiers in what becomes a messy massacre. Please enjoy this excerpt from Chapter Nine of Submerged: Vex was surprised at how easy the battle was. Battle wasn’t even the right … Continue reading The Maritime Massacre

Wake-Up! Danger!

It is difficult to imagine a more awful way to wake up. Personally, I experience a tiny panic attack whenever my morning alarm goes off. Peaceful, utterly relaxed and probably snoring and then BAM! Heart rate pumping, adrenaline coursing through your veins. It might be a bit cliche but I enjoy waking Jura up with … Continue reading Wake-Up! Danger!

Spooking the Heroine

She would have screamed but a gloved hand quickly clamped over her mouth. Jura's eyes widened and she struggled under the weight of the Shadow Dancer. From Ignited, Chapter Fifteen That poor, pitiful main character. Writers have to make them suffer because readers want to experience the main character's growth. How can they achieve anything … Continue reading Spooking the Heroine

The First Kiss

Do you remember your first kiss? Was it magical? Often times in fiction the first kiss is just that. After all, isn't that what the reader wants? To be transported, to feel the romance? I know I certainly want that! While Beshar is no frog, the over-weight middle aged man is not who Jura envisioned … Continue reading The First Kiss

Another Giveaway!

Hey y'all! I'm hosting another giveaway once I reach 150 members in my reader group. I'm currently at 107 so I've almost reached my goal 🙂 If you're a Facebook user and think you'd like to participate (mostly by laughing at my stream of silly GIFs) you can join the group here. Once I reach … Continue reading Another Giveaway!

Go Ride A Dragon

Ahh, flirting. Luckily for me, my characters are just as awkward at it as I am! I think the key to building successful romantic tension begins with flirtation and it's even better when the characters are clueless because suddenly the readers are let in on a little secret. We see this all the time in … Continue reading Go Ride A Dragon

A Touch of Romance

Hi friends! I'm back from my hiatus with the hubby. We took time off to spend time together for our leather anniversary. Leather because it's been three years of wedded bliss! I'll be going back to our regularly scheduled posts on Wednesdays and Fridays but thought it would be fun to mix in a bit … Continue reading A Touch of Romance

Your Story: Part Ten

Thanks for joining me for the tenth installment of Your Story! Here is a link to last week's post to help you catch up on the first nine parts. Scroll down for the action if you're all caught up! Somehow, the shovel appears different in your hands. No longer simply a tool, worn and weathered. … Continue reading Your Story: Part Ten

Your Story: Part Nine

Welcome back to another segment of your story 🙂 if you missed the first seven parts they can be found here. Part eight is summarized in italics down below, scroll down if you're all caught up! You still haven’t made a move for the shovel or my hand and both are stretched out toward you. … Continue reading Your Story: Part Nine

Your Story: Part Eight

Welcome back for another segment of your story. As the story gets longer I'm thinking of different ways to include the previous posts. Today I chosen to just give you the link to last week's post here, if you need a refresher before the next segment! You still haven't made a move for the shovel … Continue reading Your Story: Part Eight

Your Story: Part Six

Previously on Your Story: I bet you’re probably thinking: how did you get here? You can’t quite recall how we met or who said the first word (it was you, by the way) and now here you are.  I imagine you, sitting over there nonchalant with your toes tucked up under you, hiding in the … Continue reading Your Story: Part Six

Meet the Character: Denir

Ready for another character sketch? This is the last one before the release of Submerged this Monday (7-29-19) and I felt that y'all needed the spotlight on Denir because she is such an interesting character. If you've read Ignited, you know that Denir is a member of the Thirteen ( a group of ruling families … Continue reading Meet the Character: Denir

Submerged: Chapter Four

Under ordinary circumstances, Beshar, Ninth of the Thirteen, would have been bored. Today’s circumstances, however, were anything but ordinary. He squirmed in the hard wooden seat of the Ninth and struggled to focus his thoughts on the present.             The First presided over the Session, placing judgment on the citizens who came before him. There … Continue reading Submerged: Chapter Four

Submerged: Chapter Three

Artist credit: Nikola Damjanov Kay was very careful not to do any more bad things. After the incident in the practice arena and that one tiny explosion…well, everyone treated her differently now. The last few weeks were a hazy blur of events. There was still so much she didn’t understand. But there was one thing … Continue reading Submerged: Chapter Three

SUBMERGED: Chapter Two

The release of Submerged is less than two weeks away and I have started to share teaser chapters. You can read chapter one here. The second chapter in the book introduces Coralyn Cur'En, a spoiled warrior princess who is about to have her life changed. Some of you may remember her character introduction post I … Continue reading SUBMERGED: Chapter Two

Submerged: Chapter One

Jura didn’t tell anyone how different she felt. The first few days of travel had been a sandstorm of activity with little food or sleep, and she told herself that she only felt strange because she was tired. Except she didn’t feel tired. For the first time in a long time Jura felt alive. On … Continue reading Submerged: Chapter One

Chapters 3 & 4

You may have been wondering, where is chapter three from last week?! Well, to make up for it, I'm including chapter four as well. Enjoy 🙂 Chapter Three Wonder Child The completion of the laps brought with it the sweet afternoon ration of water. Kay gulped hers down in a hurry. It was better not … Continue reading Chapters 3 & 4