Uh... Wow. What's Going on With this Blog?

Long freaking time no see, eh? I'm thinking of doing a little revival here because I need the habit of writing to come back and sit with me again. After 2020, things got a bit crazy for me. If you read my post from that year, you'll know a lot happened, but the blows just kept coming.

• My second-eldest son died.
• My mother died.
• My hubby changed jobs.
• I changed jobs.
• My art exploded (if there's one positive thing about grief...).
• We decided to move this year (after renovations--Lort help us all).
• I got five new pets, and I've lost four of them--the one hitting the hardest was the first one I got. She was the goodest girly and was very special to me.
• I haven't been able to write novels.

All that being said (typed?), I'm trying my darndest to come back. I have my last author conference this coming April (Authors Rock Roanoke), and after that, we move. I'm hoping to get back to some semblance of a routine once the dust settles.

Also! If any of you read Recipe for Redemption by TJ Kelly, a collab with Tia, Kelly, and myself, you'll be excited to know we've officially finished book two and are moving on to the editing stage! Yay! I think our title for book 2 is: Recipe for Redemption 2: Izzy's Story. After we get this one published, we're going on to Frankie. ;) I just have two more recipes to add to book two: Gluten-free Corn Cookies and Corn Cakes. Hey, it's set in Iowa. No shade. It will, however, have a hushpuppy recipe in it that's TO. DIE. FOR. So freaking yum.

I'm hoping to have copies at Roanoke, so if you're into RfR and would like some free recipe cards (and maybe the second book?), tickets for the event are only $5, and you can get them at the link above.

I have to say, I'm so grateful for those two ladies. We've continued our tradition of a yearly trip together after 2020, and those have given me something to look forward to while helping me hold on to the small thread of sanity I have left.

Did I say sanity? Not even sure what that means any longer, but here we are!

Moving on...

I'm still editing and formatting, and one of my clients is releasing the last in a series soon, so I'll be back with details once that happens.

Hold out hope I can keep going with the blog. If I can, it'll mean new books are coming soon. I have a number of them mostly written, so it shouldn't be long before they're done. Book three in my Guerrilla Grannies series, and book two in the Angels and Vampires series. Again, both are nearly done, but when I had things start to go south, they really took me off my path. I also have a cult book I plan to release sometime this year. It's also about two chapters from conclusion but has no definitive cover yet, BUT the handbook has a loose cover, and I'll show it below. I had a difficult time finding the motivation to finish any of these things. Seeing as I'm here now, it's a positive thing. Cross your fingers!

I have to include some of the pretty things in this post for you all to look at, so here you go!

Until next time, WRITE ON!

Jo

Cover Reveal - Jaclyn and the Beanstalk

Jaclyn and the Beanstalk
Mary Ting
Published by: Vesuvian Books
Publication date: September 4th 2018
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult

What Fate Awaits A Girl Who Hears Monsters At Night…
Sixteen-year-old Jaclyn looks up to her father. An honest man who once fought for the king, he now teaches Jaclyn how to use her wits—and her sword.
But he has a secret. And his secret may have a connection to the one thing Jaclyn is hiding from him.
Upon hearing “monsters” are terrorizing the small villages around Black Mountain, Jaclyn’s father and his friends head out to hunt them … but they don’t return.
Armed only with her sword and three magic beans—a gift from a mysterious old woman—Jaclyn sets out for Black Mountain to save her father.
On her climb, one bean drops and grows into a beanstalk, catching her when she falls.
She isn’t the only one that takes the ride. Jack, her childhood friend and secret crush, is following her.
Together, Jaclyn and Jack must battle to save not only their fathers, but the townspeople the beasts plan to lay waste to before it’s too late.

Add to Goodreads

Author Bio:
International Bestselling Author Mary Ting/M. Clarke resides in Southern California with her husband and two children. She enjoys oil painting and making jewelry. Writing her first novel, Crossroads Saga, happened by chance. It was a way to grieve the death of her beloved grandmother, and inspired by a dream she once had as a young girl. When she started reading new adult novels, she fell in love with the genre. It was the reason she had to write one-Something Great. Why the pen name, M Clarke? She tours with Magic Johnson Foundation to promote literacy and her children's chapter book-No Bullies Allowed.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

Cover Reveal and Excerpt - Battered Mind by Sylvia Stein

Lending the blog voice to a friend of mine so she can regale you all with a cover reveal and excerpt! Grab your coffee or tea, and let's get going!

Hello, my name is Sylvia Stein and I am an Indie Author. I have exciting news. This week I am doing the cover reveal of my book which I hope will be released in late 2018. I have been working with this book for awhile. It is a story I have been doing extensive research on and because of the topic I am covering I want to be sure I do it justice. It is a work of fiction, and for today I will be revealing the book cover which was designed by the very talented and amazing Michael Dangremond, and his title of his art work the cost of love. When I saw this portrait I immediately saw what I was looking for for my main character of Sadie Martin Carlyle. The title of this my first thriller is Battered Mind and I hope you all enjoy the cover reveal. I absolutely was blown away by it. I hope you are too! Thank you for your help in the cover reveal. I do appreciate it so much.

Thank you so much,
Sylvia Stein

Synopsis:
Sadie Martin Carlyle is on trial for the murder of her husband Dante Caryle. She claims she killed him in self defense and that he was a monster. She was a battered woman and if she had not defended herself he would of killed both their young daughter and her. In short, She feared for their lives.

However, there is more to this case than meets the eye. Sadie Martin is not your typical woman. Her family consists of her Criminal lawyer father Jackson Martin from Atlanta and her mother Barbara Reece Martin is one of the main leaders of the Southern Belles of Atlanta.

From the very start, there are secrets that are hidden that no one will see coming. Sadie’s story will take the reader through a very emotional journey throughout. Once the case begins, everything you think you know about what happened between Sadie and Dante Carlyle will have you asking many questions and is everything being said the truth? 

Battered Mind Excerpt: Copyright by Sylvia Stein 

As I lie here holding on to my sanity. I have to say never in a million years would I have thought all would turn out the way it did. 

You see for most of my life I had been searching and hoping that one day I would find the one and be able to finally lead “the normal life.”

However, nothing could be farther from the truth. My name is Sadie Martin Carlyle and on May 27, 2010, I was charged with the murder of my husband Dante Carlyle. 

The thing that makes this so horrific is that I do not even remember committing the crime. 

All I know is that when I awoke the next morning, My husband Dante was dead and I was found next to his body and the murder weapon. 

As of now all I can do is await my trial which will not be for a few months. 

Sadly because of the circumstance of the crime, I will have to sit in a jail cell until my trial.

You must be wondering why I seem to know so much about the law in particular. 

One second, “Can you please let me finish talking.”

Sorry being locked away in this cell has made me a bit paranoid.

Well in any case as I was saying. The reason I know so much was that my beloved husband was a lawyer and before I got married. We both met in law school. Oh, it was so simple back then. 

If only I could go back to the beginning. Things were easier. At least I thought they were. However maybe if I can just go back to the beginning I can try to salvage a bit of my dignity.

Besides, I was born and raised to be a good girl. But right now I am really placing a damper on all the years my parents spent trying to make me something I never wanted to be. You see I was born and raised in Atlanta Georgia.

It’s too damn bad I was never able to lead a normal life. Thanks to my dear parents! 

My mother was born to parents of money and my father was no different. However, he was known for being one of the best criminal defense attorneys in all of the state of Georgia. 

He was deeply admired for his hardcore antics. My father was never one to give up on his client and he is both loved and hated throughout the community. 

On the other hand, my dear mother Barbara Reece Martin has always been in the public eye. As a child, her parents owned several wineries all over the state of Georgia and North Carolina and she was left with a trust fund and decided to invest in stock and has done pretty well. She is now the Ceo of The Reece Winery and overlooks them along with my father and she is also one of the main members of the Women of Atlanta social club. 

All in all, she is always busy and thinks that I am just spoiled. My mother and I are not close.
She was always gone when I needed her. The only person that seemed to care and worry about me was my father Jackson. 

He always made time to see me and for that, I am very grateful. My father has always said I was his everything. At the time I thought I was but then I discovered it was all lies. I will get to that later.

As I was saying my mother was never around as a kid. She was always out and busy with all her numerous work and charitable events. 

“I hated her, and I still do!”

As you can see I get a bit angry being cooped up in here. I mean there are many criminals in here and I know they are women like me. But I am not one of them. I am different and I want to do is start over again. 

Let me outta here.

~~~

Now for the cover!

About the Author:

Sylvia Stein is a published author with several anthologies with her Writer’s group 750 on linkedin. Stein obtained a Master’s Degree in Creative Writing and English from Southern New Hampshire University this past July 2015. She is a mother of three beautiful children Paul 10, Michael 9 and Consuelo 6. She resides in the city of Fuquay Varina with her amazing husband Jeremy. Stein has also published two solo books one was her first novella Closure which she worked on while attending SNHU and published in July of 2014 and the other her first YA Chasing Clarity was published this past October 2015 and it was created during National Novel Month (Nano) in 2013. Her latest book is entitled, The Diary of a Broken Father which came Out in February 2017. Her new thriller which she has been working on since 2014 will be out Late 2018 and is entitled, Battered Mind. 

Get in touch with Sylvia!
Website
Twitter
Amazon Author Page
Facebook
On the Radio: The Daily with Syl Stein on Anchor
If you'd like to read some of Sylvia's other books, you can find them here:
Chasing Clarity: http://www.amazon.com/dp/1494964724
Closure: http://www.amazon.comdp/061590694X 

What do you think?

Well, that's all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!

Jo

How to be a TOTAL LOSER and feel better than you ever have. Coming SOON! See the Cover. Read the Blurb.

Happy stinkin' Thursday, everyone! OMG it's the last day of November already! :O Who else is freaking out a little over the fact that CHRISTMAS is just 25 days away? Just me? Haha. So, today's post is to introduce you to my new book. Grab coffee or tea, and let's get going!

Many of you that follow me on Facebook know I've been on a crazy journey since about April of last year. Battling Multiple Sclerosis on my side and Testicular Cancer on my husband's. It's been a lonnnnng 20 months.

Well, back at the end of June, when my husband was declared cancer-free, I decided to make a ton of changes in our lives for the health and betterment of us both. I took a nutrition course so I wouldn't mess anything up as we went along. I wanted us to be the best versions of ourselves.

When I began this new journey, I was taking nausea meds, medication for dizziness, and medication for acne as well as weighing in at a solid 184lbs. My husband was on pain medication for his surgery aftermath and was clocking the scale at 240lbs.

As of today, we're both off all those medications and have whittled our bodies down significantly. I'm at 148, and he's at 192. Yes, it took time, but we're both feeling like a million bucks now. We have more energy, all our symptoms are gone (yeah, my face even cleared up on its own), and we look amazing.

Because I see so many people struggling with the same things, and because I'm a writer, I wrote a book with detailed information about exactly what we did and how we did it. Also, because I'm me, there's little to no filler in the book. It's straightforward information.

Best thing of all, it's not a fad diet or something we needed to disclose to our doctors (who are amazed, by the way), and we didn't give up all the things we love (except fast food - ha!). We've learned to change our lifestyle.

I ordered the proof of the book today, and I'm hoping to release it within the next couple of weeks. Because of the way I laid it out, and the purpose of the book (it's meant to be written in), it will only be available in print.

Ready for the information and a peek at the cover?

Title: How to be a TOTAL LOSER and feel better than you ever have.
Author: Jo Michaels
Genre: Health & Fitness
Length: 112 pages
Price: $14.99

Blurb:
Are you sick and tired of being sick and tired?
Want to learn how to eat better and maybe lose a little weight along the way?
Need a realistic plan you’ll be able to stick to for the long haul?
Then this is the book for you.
There are no fad diets on the pages of this book, and no magic secret formula that’ll make you half the woman/man you are. What’s in here is real, sensible advice, and a ton of tips and tricks to help you ease into a newer, healthier you.
You’ll be a total loser. You’ll lose the fatigue, that general blah feeling, and maybe even a few pounds (or several), but you’ll start feeling better than you thought was possible in a very short amount of time.
Best of all? It’s not a plan that strips you of the things you love most. It only teaches you how to alter those things slightly, or look for better alternatives, so you can improve your overall health.
So, dive in, and become a total loser that wins in every way.

~~~~

I'm more excited about this than I can say. Why? Because I think it's a book everyone needs to read, even if they're not looking to lose weight. It has a ton of useful information in it.

If it helps just ONE person feel better, I've had success with it.

Well, that's all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!

Jo

Cover Reveal - Angel of Whispers

*•.¸(`*•.¸(`*•.¸?¸.•*´)¸.•*´)¸.•*´
    ***COVER REVEAL***
¸.•*´(¸.•*´(¸.•*´?`*•.¸)`*•.¸)`*•.¸

#AngelOfWhispers #LauraBirzulis
#CoverReveal
#Goodreads #TBR


**SYNOPSIS**

Finding true love. Mastering angelic genes. Enjoying vampire life.

Pure bliss.

Or so Jade thought, until vampire high council member Lobelia Glasston upturns Jade and Shane’s happy ending sending it crashing down around them.

Shane is forbidden by vampire law to love Jade.

Lobelia knows Jade is different, a supernatural weapon, however she is missing a few crucial details like the fact that she is a vampire angel hybrid. Will she break them down? Condemn their love?

Shane and Jade fight to keep her hybrid secret, will it be enough? Keeping their romantic involvement under wraps is one thing, but attempting to expose a mass genocidal killer hell bent on destroying the kingdom that Shane has built may prove to much. Will their love crumple under the oppressive eyes of the council?

Will Shane fall prey to the emotionally manipulative Lobelia?

Will they catch the masochist before one of their loved ones is caught in the cross fire?

Or will it all end in blood.

#BookwormPromotions

Cover Reveal - Trophy Wife

 

Title: Trophy Wife 

Author: Alessandra Torre

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release Date: April 19, 2017

Judi Perkins, Concierge Literary Design & Photography

 

 

 

Everyone in Nashville knows Nathan Dumont. That’s what happens when you develop half a town and sleep with the rest. Five years ago, his fiancee disappeared. Last night, he proposed to me.

I had wanted to escape my life, the seedy strip club and the mountain of bills. I had seized the opportunity to live in a mansion, fill my days with country clubs and caviar, my nights with romance and sex.

Maybe I should have done my homework first.

The Trophy Wife is a standalone erotic romance. It is approximately 70,000 words. An earlier edition of this book was previously released in 2013 under the name The Dumont Diaries, this is an expanded and rewritten edition of that novel, with over 50 pages of new content.

 

***

 

 

Alessandra Torre is an award-winning New York Times bestselling author of fourteen novels. Her books focus on romance and suspense, all with a strong undercurrent of sexuality. Torre has been featured in such publications as Elle and Elle UK, as well as guest blogged for the Huffington Post and RT Book Reviews. She has also served as the Bedroom Blogger for Cosmopolitan.com.

You can learn more about Alessandra on her website at www.alessandratorre.com, or you can find her on Twitter (@ReadAlessandra) or Facebook.

***

 

Cover Reveal - Rebel

Title: Rebel: the Alliance Chronicles, Book Three

Author: SF Benson

Genre: NA Post-Apocalyptic Thriller

Cover Artist: Regina Wamba, Mae I Design

Anticipated Pub Date: June 2017

Tru Shepard holds the key—a highly coveted piece of tech—in the palm of her hand. As a Creative, Tru fights to maintain her identity in the American Republic—where some secrets are more dangerous than others. She seeks the truth, knowing the new leadership lies about its plans for the citizens.

Zared Aoki wants to expose the conspiracy too, but more than that, he needs Tru safe, and telling government secrets is dangerous business. He loves her, maybe even more than he does his country. But if Tru and Zared don’t tell the people Leader Venter’s plans, he’ll consolidate power by use of force, doing away with any who’ll stand for individuality, controlling the population with clones, and taking away more rights when they’ve lost so many.

Rebel is the highly anticipated third installation of the Alliance Chronicles series, a fast-paced post-apocalyptic thriller that surprises a reader at every turn.

About the author:

SF Benson, a Michigan native, resides in Georgia with her husband, a human daughter, and a couple of miniature fur kids (two female short-haired guinea pigs). At one time she wrangled a household which included three Samoyeds, saltwater fish, a hamster, and three guinea pigs.

SF has always wanted to be a writer, but she’s had a variety of positions ‘feeding’ her creative brain—blogger/reviewer, customer service representative, veterinary assistant, marketing assistant, editorial assistant, receptionist, and even cashier for women’s clothing and shoes.

She’s an avid bookworm who appreciates a well-written book regardless of genre. SF prefers to write stories which allow her to answer the question “what if”. She leans towards writing strong, diverse protagonists set in dystopian, science fiction, or paranormal worlds.

Website

Facebook

Facebook Alliance Chronicles page

Twitter

Goodreads

Amazon Author Page

Instagram

What do you think?

Well, that's all for today, folks! Until next time, WRITE ON!

Jo

Cover Reveal and New Release from the F5!

An awesome group of authors, the Ferocious 5, have been busy creating something new and amazing for your reading pleasure! The time has come to reveal all the things. Strap in and prepare yourself for something awesome.

As you can see from the banner above, the title is:

War and Pieces - Frayed Fairy Tales

It's a serial series, and there are ten seasons, so there are several covers to see. Stay with it!

Here's the blurb:

Once upon a time, in a land far, far away, there were zombies…

That’s how it all started. Authors have created a major problem with stories like Cinder, The Dark Queen, and Asleep, and it’s wreaking havoc here in Ever After. Our queens are fighting for their lives.

Rather like Mother Nature, keeper of the fine balance that’s life in your world, tales that begin with “Once upon a time” were never meant to be messed with.

Now, Ariel is underwater with all the defenses she’s been launching, Aurora hasn’t slept in weeks, and Rapunzel is tangled in… Well, I can’t even begin to tell you.

Rather than try, I’ll let you see for yourself. You and I will talk again afterward—if I survive long enough. So, as our fateful story begins:

Once upon a time, in a land far, far away…

Book trailer!

Now, a coloring book.

Buy it here for just $7.99!

From the publication of the War and Pieces coloring book until April 14, 2017, color as many shoe pages as you like (name pages won’t count, nor will the design your own royal shoe), scan or photograph them, and post them on Instagram, Twitter, and/or Pinterest. Be sure to tag your posts with:

#Frayed5 and #F5PinToWin

Each social media instance will count as one entry.

The Ferocious Five will review all entries and pick our three favorites for each cover.

On April 22, 2017, we’ll announce the finalists and share your images with the public.

From April 24, 2017 – April 30, 2017, the public will vote via social media likes and shares and select the winner for each cover.

Winners will be contacted by social media and will have one week to respond with their mailing address. If you don’t answer, the prize will go to the second place winner, and so on. Please add SevenAuthors@yahoo.com to your approved sender list.

Winners will receive a 5.5”x8.5” print of the book cover for their winning season, signed by all the F5 authors, permanent display of their artwork on frayedfairytales.com, and an exclusive War and Pieces swag pack.

Open internationally!

 
Be sure and join the Federation of the Ferocious 5 on Facebook for access to the release day event and other goodies no one else will get!

Now it's time to show you the covers for the Frayed Fairy Tales books. Release of Season 1: Episode 1 will be April 24, 2017. But you can pre-order it NOW right here. Just 99 cents! Episodes will release every two days with three episodes in each season.

 

Which is your favorite?

Cover Reveal - Remembrance

She’s the cure that could save him. If only she could remember how.

Two years ago, 20 year-old Samantha Knight experienced a life-altering trauma. Unfortunately, she can’t remember what it was. Previously outgoing, fun, and carefree—it’s as if someone flipped a switch on Sam’s insides. Now, she’s afraid of everything, socially awkward, and convinced she’s going crazy. As Beyonce would say, she woke up like this. Sam tries her best to juggle college classes, work, and the nosiest roommate ever, but behind the curtain, Sam’s life is all about keeping a firm grip on her own mind. And life is kicking her ass.

Alex Channing has only one enemy in this world: werewolves. Born and raised to fight in the supernatural military, he has become an expert at hunting and killing rabid werewolves. But when Alex is bitten and infected, he finds himself racing against a ticking clock for his own survival.

Alex’s search for a cure leads him finally to an oracle in a seaside town in California. And she gives him the reading of a lifetime. The key to his cure is a girl who forgets things, cries spontaneously, and might just be insane. And the only way she can save him is to do the one thing Alex knows is impossible: she has to remember.

Book 1 in the anticipated Heart Lines series, a spin-off of the bestselling Dirty Blood series. Note: you do NOT have to read Dirty Blood first. You can start here!

ENTER TO WIN A SIGNED ARC FROM THE AUTHOR! 

*open internationally. Ends 2/14!

Enter below:

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