ENTANGLED: A Wonderfully Written YA Novel

Today I am excited to introduce a wonderful author I recently discovered after reading her YA novel ENTANGLED, the first in a teen witch trilogy. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and thought it was so well-written, I had to invite Nikki Jefford to be a guest on my blog. Welcome, Nikki!

Tell us a little about your background and how you became an author.

I’ve been writing since I could hold a pen. I didn’t get serious about it until 1997 at the university level, but ultimately I went into journalism because I didn’t believe it was possible to earn a living off fiction.

From 2005 until 2010 I worked hard to find an agent for my historical romance novels and had some near hits, but no cigar. Last year I switched to young adult, self-published, and haven’t looked back. I feel like this is where my true voice is and I’m having the most fun writing paranormal YA.

What is one of your favorite books and why?

I love “Divergent” by Veronica Roth. I’d never read anything like it before and I like female leads who are tough and not overly emotional.  

What inspired you to write this book series?

This may sound silly, but it was after watching Buffy the Vampire Slayer. I loved the humor, action, danger, and colorful cast of characters.

How would you describe your writing process?

Anything from crazy awesome to tedious and torturous.

What has proven to be your most successful marketing tool?

Enrolling in the Amazon Prime program and doing free promo days. Only problem is now I’m off and it’s been a challenge getting the word out that I’m back on Barnes & Noble. I had decent Nook sales before Amazon Prime (which requires you to unpublish everywhere else for 90 days). Now I’m back on Barnes and sales are dormant.

What advice would you give to other authors?

Maybe they have advice for me. LOL

To self-published authors I’d say, don’t rush your work out. Let it sit awhile and look at it with fresh eyes. Get beta readers and professional proof readers and copy editors to fine tune your novel.

Entertain me!

I’ve had to slog through quite a few books lately that take forever to get started and describe every emotion and background. My day job is rough, I want reading that’s fun and easy.

Don’t be afraid to cut. The delete key is your friend.

Please provide a favorite excerpt from your book.

My favorite parts in Entangled are the interactions between Graylee Perez and Raj McKenna. I’m going to share their first (literal) run-in.

In this excerpt, Graylee Perez uses an invisibility spell to sneak into English class late. She thinks she’s in the clear until warlock Raj McKenna makes it clear at the end of class that he caught her in the act.

In the world of Entangled there are only a few witches and warlocks at McKinley High and “normals”, as they refer to the non-gifted, aren’t aware of their abilities.

See You Around

Just as she headed toward Sadie, Graylee was bumped from behind. The force of the body against hers sent her pack flying out of her hands onto the ground. Okay, now she was pissed. “What’s your…”

Graylee whipped around to find herself face-to-face with Raj McKenna.

“…problem,” Graylee finished, the word fading like bleached denim.

Raj flicked his Zippo open and closed in his left hand while studying Graylee.

Raj had the kind of bronze-toned skin the socialites of McKinley tried obsessively to replicate in tanning booths. The only thing they managed to enhance was their orangish glow. Raj’s was a hundred percent authentic. His mother was Indian—as in India Indian. He’d inherited her lush dark hair and exotic eyes, the color of which he got from his American father; green like a panther’s, which fit him well ’cause he looked ready to pounce if you made the mistake of turning your back to him. Case in point: ramming Graylee as he’d just done now.

The Zippo clicked shut again. Raj really shouldn’t be playing with a lighter considering he’d burnt down his last house.

“Sorry, didn’t see you.”

Graylee’s jaw dropped.

This time, Raj’s eyes met hers. There was a glint there, or maybe that was just the flash from Raj’s lighter as he flicked it open and closed again.

Where can readers find you and your book?

Blog: http://www.nikkijefford.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/NikkiJefford

Book Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZZnDgYFCVVw

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Entangled-Spellbound-ebook/dp/B007BCORJK/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1329759762&sr=8-2

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/entangled-ya-paranormal-romance-nikki-jefford/1112486738?ean=2940013963412

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/134582

iTunes Apple Store in iBook (no direct link yet, but it’s there)

Thank you, Kathy!

It was my pleasure, Nikki! I highly recommend ENTANGLED and the next book in the series, DUPLICITY, is at the top of my to-read list!

--KSR Writer

Meet the Characters from SLOANE WOLF

Today I'm happy to welcome back fellow Muse It Up author Margay Leah Justice. She has a real treat for us--an interview with three of the characters from her paranormal romance novel SLOANE WOLF--Raven Sloane, her brother Micah, and Shiloh Beck. Welcome, everyone!

Raven: Ha! This should be fun. I’ve finally got you exactly where I want you – in the hot seat! For once, the tables are turned. What do you think of that, big brother?

Micah: I think you should keep that in mind and try not to be so cocky. Just remember how easily I can turn this all back on you.

Raven: (With a pout) You’re always trying to spoil my fun. (To Shiloh) How do you deal with this mood killer all the time?

Shiloh: I guess you could say I have a gift.

Raven: About that gift. Tell me what it’s really like to be an empath – and not that watered down version you did for the PR department at the Institute.

Shiloh: Well…(shifts uneasily)…I wouldn’t exactly call it a ‘gift.’ Most of the time, it’s more of a curse. Always sensing what others sense, feeling what others feel…yeah, not so fun all the time.

Raven: Isn’t there a way to tone it down?

Micah: You don’t have to answer that, if you don’t want to. Anything that makes you feel uncomfortable – just ignore it.

Raven: Hey, I’m not trying to make her uncomfortable. I really just want to know.

Shiloh: No, it’s okay. It’s just – weird. Talking about it. At the Institute, everything’s so secretive. No one talks to anyone else unless they’re directly involved in a specific project. Well, that’s the rule anyway. Those of us with gifts always found a way around that.

Raven: So what about it, then? Is there a way to tone it down?

Shiloh: I’m sure there is – there always is. Every gift comes with some sort of, well – safety valve, I guess you’d call it. Some way to back out of it or – tone it down, for lack of a better word – before it can turn on the bearer and cause them to implode. But see, the thing is, the Institute wasn’t high on safety valves where I was concerned. They thought my discomfort with the empathy was a small price to pay for their ultimate goal – learning how to inflict it on others.

Micah: Let me get this straight. They thought you being tortured by the emotions of others was a ‘small price’ to pay for their goals?

Shiloh: Micah, it’s okay. Really. I’m here now and I don’t ever plan to go back, so there’s nothing stopping me from learning how to rein it in.

Raven: I hate to be a mood killer, but do you think it’s going to be that easy? I mean, they sent someone after you before. What’s to stop them from doing it again?

Shiloh: Nothing, actually. Until someone puts a stop to them – completely – they’ll always be a threat.

Raven: So basically, you’ll always be looking over your shoulder, waiting to see if they’re coming after you?

Micah: But she won’t be alone. She has us now. We’ll always protect her.

Raven: Speaking of ‘us’ – what’s going on with you two? You seem to be getting awfully close. Any news you want to share with the rest of ‘us’?

Micah: Raven…

Shiloh: I think it’s a little premature to say anything (turns to Micah), don’t you think? I mean, we hardly know each other, really.

Raven: Oh, I think you know each other in the most important way, don’t you?

Micah and Shiloh: Raven!

Micah: Seriously, little sister, watch your step. You’re crossing boundaries into dangerous territory here.

Raven: Oh, come on! You know I had to try. Everyone’s dying to know, it’s not just me, you know.

Micah: Well, then, ‘everyone’ is just going to have to wait and see how it all works out. Aren’t they?

Raven: You really are a killjoy, brother.

Micah: Glad I could help.

SLOANE WOLF is available from the Muse It Up Publishing bookstore, as well as from Amazon and on Smashwords. 

Margay Leah Justice can be found at the following links:

http://margayleahjustice.blogspot.com/

http://moonlightlacemayhem.blogspot.com/

http://twitter.com/Margay

http://www.facebook.com/MargayLeahJustice

An Inspiring Military Story from Veteran and Author S.S. Hampton, Sr.

Today I'm pleased to introduce my guest S.S. Hampton, Sr., who is a veteran of Operations Noble Eagle and Iraqi Freedom. His short story BETTER THAN A RABBIT'S FOOT is currently available from Muse It Up Publishing. Welcome!

Tell us a little about your background and how you became an author.

Well, I’m a Native American, a Choctaw from the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma. I am a divorced grandfather to 13 grandchildren, a published photographer and photojournalist. I’ve wanted to be an author since the age of 15, because I’ve always had this desire to write, to tell stories. My writing never went anywhere though I tried and tried, until my first short story was published in 1992; it wasn’t until 2001 that I was published again, and then my writing finally started to take off in 2002. I’m not well off yet, but one can always hope!

What is one of your favorite books and why?

“Better Than a Rabbit’s Foot” is one of my favorites. First, it takes place in a location I am very familiar with – a Convoy Support Center in northern Kuwait. Second, it addresses the idea of lucky charms that many Soldiers “believed” in though they might not admit it. Finally, it addresses the idea, the hope, that there is someone back home waiting for the Soldier to return from the war.

What inspired you to write this book?

Due to my military background, and especially my service and deployment in support of the Global War On Terrorism, I have many thoughts and ideas. I suppose it’s also because the military world, especially one at war, is a world that many people don’t understand, and I’d like them to understand. For example, I remember how the Soldiers looked forward to mail. E-mail is great, and it’s virtually instantaneous, but there’s something special about holding a letter or card in hand, knowing that someone cared enough to take a moment out of a busy day to write something. To receive mail from a loved one, or even a stranger, whether card, letter, or care package, was always a special moment, especially when the tired, dusty, sweaty Soldiers returned from missions. Even if it was late at night and we Orderly Room personnel were off-duty, the Soldiers who returned to the CSC often asked if they had any mail. We always checked and if they had any, we gave it to them.

How would you describe your writing process?

It’s something of an idea that comes to mind, sometimes a title, followed by identifying and naming characters. Once those are in place, I write something of an outline, develop the characters more fully, and I research whatever I need to help bring the story alive. Once I’ve accomplished my first draft, which incorporates some editing at the same time, I’ll usually put the story away for a week or two before I go back and edit and polish, until I’m fairly happy with it. I’m never 100% happy, because I don’t think there is such a thing as perfection in writing. If you’re not careful, you could edit forever, agonizing over a comma, apostrophe, or even a word.

How have you marketed your book?

At this point, through “appearing” on blogs as a guest blogger, or being interviewed, followed by a promotion of providing a book cover, an excerpt, and a buy link. Once I’ve got this technique down pat, I’d like to move into creating “trailers” for my various stories.

What advice would you give to other authors?

Write. Write every day, whether 500 words or 1,000 words or more. And write from the heart. Don’t be afraid to express emotion in your writing. Without emotion, your writing is nothing more than a dry English report.

Please provide a favorite excerpt from your book.

The setting is a CSC in northern Kuwait. A young soldier and gunner on a gun truck, Sergeant Jerry Stanton, is preparing to go on a convoy security escort mission into Iraq. Word has come down that a gunner from his unit on a mission up north, has been killed. As the soldiers prepare for the mission, a mail clerk delivers mail to them:

     With a thoughtful sigh, Jerry wandered out of the entrance to Conex City and past a lime-green Porta Potty with a white roof at the end of the four-foot high sandbag wall. He hopped onto the wall, pulled a small note card out of the dusty envelope and read, “I wore this just for you. And you weren’t around to take it off! It was all so unsatisfying! I miss you! Hurry back! I love you. Lucy. PS: More to come! A care package is on the way too! AND DON’T FORGET WHO YOU BELONG TO!”

     He grinned and chuckled as he pulled a black satin leg garter trimmed with yellow lace and matching yellow ribbon, out of the envelope. For a moment he almost sang the words to a famous song from the 1970s. The wind tried to snatch the memory-filled lingerie from his fingers. He lowered the bandanna, pressed the soft material against his nose and closed his eyes. It smelled of patchouli perfume, his favorite, and of Lucy’s loving and lusty, musky scent. He grinned again at the thought that it would be just like her if she deliberately scented it for him.

     Jerry continued to press the soft material against his face and kept his eyes closed…

Where can readers find you and your book?

“Better Than a Rabbit’s Foot” is available from MuseItUp Publishing. 

With your military background, this sounds like a great read! Thank you for being a guest today!!

--KSR Writer

GYPSY BLOOD--A Modern Tale about the Roma Culture

Today I'm pleased to host Lorrie Unites-Struiff, author of GYPSY BLOOD, a fantasy based on the Roma culture. Welcome, Lorrie!

Tell us a little about your background and how you became an author.

Hi Kathy, thank you so much for the invitation to your blog.  Hmm, where do I start without giving you folks my life story? I started in high school, I guess, where my teacher gave me much encouragement. After high school, I never wrote a word until I retired. I’ve been an avid reader all my life, and heck, you authors make it look so easy.

Quit laughing. What did I know?

Well, I began learning. This writing stuff was mind-boggling. Especially with no formal education in my background. But, if I’m anything, I’m determined. Plus I thought if I kept my brain exercised I might stave off senility as I got older. I’m not sure if it’s working or not.

What is one of your favorite books and why?

Oh, I loved Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand. A classic, I know, but the dystopian society and how one man brought people back together to form a new society, well, the whole story just fascinated me and frightened me. Beautifully written.

What inspired you to write this book?

I’ve always been interested in the Romany culture. The more I researched, the more I liked them. They are a wonderful people and their lore is so interesting. Their customs are so rich in the old ways, even today. So, I thought I’d write about the modern day Roma whose family was still affected and influenced by their past. Throw in a little romance, a serial killer, some magic and viola, the story was born.

How would you describe your writing process?

Pound and dash. Family matters are keeping very busy at this time in my life. I’m a panster. I’ve tried to follow outlines but my characters always step out of bounds. What’s a writer to do but to follow them? My best time for writing is early afternoon. After dinner, my brain turns to mush.

How have you marketed your book?

The usual, guest blogs like today. Facebook, blog tours, and many other sites on the web.

What advice would you give to other authors?

If your heart is really into writing, into entertaining readers, don’t give up. Be determined. If you make only two readers escape their problems for a while, it’s so worth it.

Please provide a favorite excerpt from your book.

Rita’s family had been looked-down upon, considered an oddity by the town folk. But, she never let that intimidate her. She was damn proud of her Roma heritage.

Spotting Bobby, she made her way across the loose stones of the lot, her western half-boots sliding on the coarse pebbles. Rita took a long, slow breath trying to shake off those teenage memories. The smell of freshly mown grass, mingling with a damp earth scent, wafted from the small park across the alley. The leaves had turned to shades of mustard and pumpkin and magenta. Soon, all the vivid colors would wither, fall away, and strip the trees to a bare ugliness--much like the world in which she worked.

“Gypsy Girl, imagine running into you here at the station, of all places.” Bobby wedged his hands into his uniform pockets and snickered at his joke. He glanced over at his car. “What’s up?”

Rita bit the inside of her cheek to ignore the nickname. “I’m on the prosty murders. That part of town is your regular. Did you or Gus pick up on anything screwy?”

“Gus and me saw the vic. Told her to warn the other gals to be extra careful, what with the murders.” He looked down and kicked a stone. “Guess it didn’t help.”

“What time did you talk to her?”

“After eleven. When Gus ran into the Hobnob for some coffee.”

“Did you bother to check out any black vans? Or did Gus happen to see someone odd in the Hobnob?”

Bobby gave her a cold stare. “We know our job. It’s all in our report.” He wiped the sweat from his forehead, then spat on the ground. “Hey, maybe your Gypsy mother could look in her tea leaves and help us out again like she did when she found that ballsy car thief. You know the one I mean. The guy who ended up being a legit repo-man.” He let out a long, wheezing laugh.

Rita bristled. “Well, he was the one taking the cars.” She beetled her eyebrows and made a cross with her forefingers in front of his face. “Maybe I’ll put a hex on you for making fun of Ma’s help.” She smirked at the quick spark of fear in his eyes, spun on her heels and walked away.  

Where can readers find you and your book?

Available  on Amazon

Book Trailer on YouTube

Being released within the next two weeks:

The COD club series with BTGN.

Story 1&2 will be included in the first book.
Come and meet Winnie Krapski who hugged a cherry tree during a lightning storm. The bolt slammed her, splitting the tree in half. The near-death experience bestowed her with a gift–one she’d rather not have.
Drafted into the C.O.D. Club (Call on the Dead) by Fat Phil Phillips, her mission is to grant the newly deceased’s ghost one last reasonable request. Can Winnie honor her oath?
Well, she tries, but not before she lands in humorous situations that almost get her killed. She’s one spunky broad.

I hope you try a copy and look forward to more of Winnie’s adventures.

Also coming this fall from MuseItUp:

A  Heap of Trouble.

      Cole Walker, Sheriff of Cold Creek, has more woes than he can handle.  He thought chasing rustlers would be the worst of his problems, until the newly arrived, Mattie Wells, jingles his spurs with a smile, and he falls head over heels for her.

 Cole's fear of critters comes to light when a runaway monkey named Beggar takes a liking to him. He remembers when his pa's hound dog left teeth marks on his butt when he was just a tyke.

         But, Mattie thinks Beggar’s adorable, so what’s a man supposed to do? Now, he’s forced to put up with the little fur ball...uh...ringtail monkey even when the furry thief starts stealing the townsfolk’s trinkets.

          The rustlers roaming the hills, stealing the Double J’s cattle are a mighty puzzling crew. JJ blames the farmers and an all out war is in the making.

      Trying to keep the peace between the farmers and the cattleman, Cole and his deputies, Wade and Sully, have their hands full. Mayor Farley gives them a month to find the thieves before calling for outside help.

Mattie has a dark secret and vows never to marry. While harboring a secret of his own, Cole pushes to pry out her secret in hopes of changing her mind.

       Cole chases Mattie, the rustlers, and Beggar in a town full of fun characters and chaos.         

Can he bring the rustlers to justice, peace and order to Cold Creek, the townsfolk’s loot back to their rightful owners, and win Mattie’s heart?

      Yep. Cole has a heap of trouble on his hands.

For more information on my stories, please go to http://struiff.wordpress.com/

 Ya’ll have a great day now and thanks for reading.

Thanks, Lorrie! Be sure to check out GYPSY BLOOD  and Lorrie's new upcoming releases!

--KSR Writer

INTO THE RED Romance Author Kelly Whitley

Today I'm pleased to host a fellow MuseItUp author and feature her paranormal romance INTO THE RED. Welcome, Kelly!

Tell us a little about your background and how you became an author.

I did technical writing for years, and had read primarily mainstream fiction. I got pointed in the direction of romance a few years ago, and found out what I’d been missing all this time.

Switching gears to go from technical writing to romance has challenged me in multiple ways, but I’ve enjoyed the journey.

What is one of your favorite books and why?

Hard to pick just one. I’d have to go way back and say Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire started my love affair with vampires. Bonnie Vanak’s wolf series got me hooked on paranormal romance. Between the two, I decided I’d like to give it a try.

What inspired you to write this book?

I have a medical background, and over the years a more personal perception of what vampires were like brewed in my mind. Incorporating a lot of medical science into them was a natural step, and I wanted to put this unique twist into a manuscript. The market had a plethora of vampire books, but none like mine. Encouraged by my beta readers, I thought it’d be worth a shot at interesting a publisher.

How would you describe your writing process?

I’m pretty much a character-driven plotter, first and foremost. I know the basics of the plot, but I can’t get started until I know my main characters (the protag, the love interest, and the villain). I start with characters and character “interviews,” starting at birth and going all the way up to present day. I find it helps me discover plot points and potential conflicts. Then a skeleton outline of the major plot points, filled out with some detail about rising conflicts/obstacles. The rest I “pants” in as I go.

How have you marketed your book?

Before I was published, I set up a website with an associated blog, Twitter, and Facebook. I’ve started a self-scheduled blog tours, and posted on the readers’ groups I belong to. I did hire a publicist to assist with placing excerpts on book sites, and my publisher Muse It Up has a very pro-author attitude with a lot of attention to marketing. I have an author page on Amazon.

What advice would you give to other authors?

Don’t give up! The best thing anyone can do IMHO is to learn the craft: read about writing, take as many workshops as you can afford, and dedicate yourself to doing the homework and asking questions. Find a good critique group, and participate. Feedback is invaluable. Don’t stick with one thing—I write a fair amount of flash fiction and short stories, which has broadened my market base and taught me about tight prose. Nothing like a word limit to keep it clean.

Please provide a favorite excerpt from your book.

Excerpt:
He shifted, tracked her while she climbed the two steps to the kitchen. A lot of bare skin tonight compared to yesterday. The sway of her hips had pressure building in his groin. Better focus on business before his body decided to advertise his attraction.
She returned carrying a tray containing a plate of cookies and their drinks, a blue folder was tucked under her arm. She set the tray on the coffee table and handed him the folder.
“Here’s the schedule. The auction’s at the end.”
He skimmed the list of bachelors before flipping to the schedule. She settled next to him and tucked her feet up, her knee grazing his. The skin of her thigh beckoned him to drag a finger over it. He held back a groan and shifted the folder toward her. “Maybe you can explain the auction.”
“The silent auction will run from cocktails until the end. So will the bone marrow donor registration. The volunteers take care of those. The speeches come first”—she traced the paper with one finger—“and then dinner.”
She met his gaze. “Then the bachelor auction. You’re number twelve, the last one. You’ll wait in the back, and come out on stage when the auctioneer announces your number.”
“Got it. When the auctioneer opens the bid, you can start right in bidding on me.” He grinned and leaned forward to steal a cookie. Chocolate chip—his favorite.
She moved the folder to the coffee table and took a cookie. “What’s my limit?”
“For the auction? There is no limit.”
Her eyes widened as she bit into her cookie.
He grabbed another. Homemade. Did she bake on top of everything else?
She leaned in, eyes intense as she licked crumbs from her lovely mouth, and his pulse jumped. Hard to resist cleaning off those crumbs. With his tongue. The air subtly vibrated between them.
“You realize this could go above a thousand dollars, right?” Her eyes dropped to his mouth for a second, then back to catch his gaze. “Right?”
“Yep. That’s fine. Bid as high as you need to go, just win.” He brushed her shoulder with his fingertips. The feel of her skin—soft as a sable paintbrush. “Just win.”
Her eyes closed half way, the dilated pupils darkening the hazel. The bedroom expression from his drawing. She shifted toward him. “Win?”
He moved close enough to whisper in her ear. “Win.”
He bent his head to the hollow of her neck and inhaled, pulling her scent inside him. God, she smelled good. Clean, floral, and female. He had to know what her lips felt like. One kiss. Just one, and he’d go.
The atmosphere charged—equal parts anticipation and need.
Not a good idea, no matter how much he wanted it.
He should leave now.
Evan drew back and caught a glimpse of her tongue moistening her lips. Control slipped away, and he buried his hand in her hair and pulled her in for a kiss.
The first brush of his lips on hers, an electrifying sweep, shrank his world down to the two of them.
Her mouth had the perfect balance of heat and tenderness, fitting perfectly with his. Jesus, he hadn’t experienced this for so long, and it felt so good. He pressed his lips more firmly against hers. Slender fingers wove into his hair, and pleasure cascaded down his back and set off pressure in his groin. God, he should stop.
He pulled her into his embrace.
Damn good to hold a woman, warm and vital, after all these years of a cold and solitary existence. Tara had awakened a hunger, and he hadn’t realized the degree of his starvation until now. He had to get a taste of her.
He teased her lips with his tongue, and groaned in delight when she sighed and allowed him access. A flavor explosion—orange juice and chocolate chip cookies and steamy human woman, hot and vital. He stroked her tongue, penetrating, probing, shifting his mouth over hers to deepen the dance.
Tara gripped his shoulders, each one of her fingernails triggering tiny sparks of pleasure that flashed down to the small of his back.
Her enthusiasm was unmistakable. She wanted him too.
What would she feel like under him, his body buried in hers? Blood pulsed through him headed for destinations south, and his erection throbbed in readiness, shoving against his zipper.
Too fast, needed to slow down before his libido went off the rails.
As if sensing his thoughts, Tara broke the kiss but didn’t pull back. The heat of her breath warmed his jaw. At least one of them had sense.
Nope. He hadn’t gotten enough.
He captured her lips and mated his tongue with hers, and electric anticipation spread out across his skin. The fragrance of arousal poured off him, smelling of smoky bergamot, the unique signature of claiming and possession.
A mating scent. A whiff of answering desire hit his nostrils.
Had to get her closer, get his essence on her skin. He wrapped an arm around her waist. Soft breasts pressed against his chest, moving in concert with his breathing, and pushed desire to need.

So. Damn. Good.

Where can readers find you and your book?

Amazon

Muse It Up Publishing

website

That's one tantalizing scene! Be sure to check out the book on either the MuseItUp Publishing bookstore or on Amazon! Thanks so much for being a guest today Kelly!

--KSR Writer

Fun, Children's Chapter Book FREE on Kindle!

I'm super excited to announce my children's chapter book TALL TALES WITH MR. K is FREE on Kindle for the next three days--July 23-25th!

I wrote this book because I wanted to recreate the style of the MRS. PIGGLE WIGGLE books by Betty MacDonald. These were some of my favorite stories as a child. I loved the mysterious, magical Mrs. Piggle Wiggle character and the creative, humorous ways she helped the children in her town.

Mr. K is my modern-day version of Mrs. Piggle Wiggle. He is Coyote Run Elementary's new third grade teacher, and he has some rather unconventional ways of running his classroom, including the "chatter box" noise deflector, the "sticky seat," and the giant ball of ABC (already been chewed) gum. The students aren't sure what to make of their new teacher. But as problems arise for each of them, they discover Mr. K's magical side as he whisks them away on amazing adventures in a very unlikely place--the teacher's lounge!

This book is perfect for kids ages 6-10. It will make them laugh and get their imaginations going. On a recent school visit, I asked students to come up with their own "adventure" they'd like to have in the teacher's lounge, and the answers ranged from being transported to the time of dinosaurs to ending up in Disney World!

Don't wait--get your FREE Kindle copy today! I'd love to hear what you think of the book!

--KSR Writer

Everyone's a Winner in this Blog Giveaway Hop!

July 23rd: This blog giveaway hop is now closed. Thank you to everyone who participated! Even if you did not have a chance to enter the giveaway, you can STILL WIN! My children's chapter book TALL TALES WITH MR. K is FREE on Kindle for the next three days! That's right, July 23-25th, you can download it from Amazon! Enjoy!!


Additionally, the winner of the $5 Gift Card to the MuseItUp Publishing Bookstore is LaTanya T. Congratulations!

FINALLY--a blog giveaway hop that doesn't require you to follow a blog, tweet about the giveaway, or "like" a facebook page! The No Strings Attached Giveaway Hop hosted by I Am a Reader, Not a Writer is just that--a giveaway hop with no strings attached!

My giveaway this week is for a FREE Kindle copy of my young middle grade chapter book, "Tall Tales with Mr. K" (book description below). EVERYONE will receive a copy, all you have to do is leave your email address in the form below (and I promise I will only use it to notify at the end of the blog hop when you can download your free copy).

Additionally, one lucky person will be chosen at random to receive a $5 gift card to the MuseItUp Bookstore. You will find books in all genres, both print and ebooks. In fact, my new middle grade novel "Animal Andy" is being released August 24th by MuseItUp. (Perhaps you'll want to use your $5 gift card toward purchasing it? If you preorder now, the ebook is only $2.80 and you'll have money leftover to purchase another book! Hint hint.)

Finally, don't forget to check out the other blogs participating in this great hop. Simply follow the linky list below. Thanks for being such great supporters!!

--KSR Writer

Tall Tales with Mr. K description:

The third-graders at Coyote Run Elementary thought the teacher's lounge is where teachers eat candy out of vending machines, watch TV and get to play video games. They didn't expect it to be a tropical island where they are kidnapped by pirates, a circus where they learn the flying trapeze, or a crime scene where they solve a jewelry heist.

Each chapter of this young middle-grade fantasy tells the story of a different student's adventure in the teacher's lounge accompanied by their mysterious new teacher, Mr. K. Only one student, Sam, decides to boldly go into the teacher's lounge by himself where he discovers something completely different yet.