The other day, Amy and I filled out an interview for Heidi Ruby Miller. Some of the questions were just for fun and others were more serious. This is our first experience with a blogging interview and I have to say, it was entertaining. We both answered the questions as ourselves and gave answers from our different perspectives.
Anybody that's interested, check out our Pick Six interview over at Heidi's blog.
Monday, October 31, 2011
Friday, October 28, 2011
M. A Mess
It is flabergasting how life can change and if one small domino of life falls, the whole line goes with it. Before you know it your entire life's worth of work, planning, and care are laying on the ground before you like a black and white hazardous waste sight.
Recently, I decided to change employers and follow the same career path, but perform my duties behind a desk. It was basically the same job, but not backed by the corporate machine. I pondered the decision and came to the conclusion that the best thing for my family and self was a desk job. No more driving, there have been far too many close calls.
It all seemed like a great idea, the plan was in place, I was gracefully released from my old employer with well wishes and no burnt bridges. Slowly I aclimated my way into the world of working behind a desk. At first everything seemed fine and the world was mine again, but recently things have changed and people that once treated me with respect, stopped.
Now I am finding myself in a situation where all of my carefully placed life's dominoes have been knocked to the ground. My head is still spinning about the whole situation, but all I can do is sit on the ground and look at the years of lines and planning lay on the ground around me.
Which brings me around to my point. When all your dominoes fall over, where do you start when it comes time to pick them up? I guess, all that matters is that you don't just leave them lying there and you actually pick them up.
Recently, I decided to change employers and follow the same career path, but perform my duties behind a desk. It was basically the same job, but not backed by the corporate machine. I pondered the decision and came to the conclusion that the best thing for my family and self was a desk job. No more driving, there have been far too many close calls.
It all seemed like a great idea, the plan was in place, I was gracefully released from my old employer with well wishes and no burnt bridges. Slowly I aclimated my way into the world of working behind a desk. At first everything seemed fine and the world was mine again, but recently things have changed and people that once treated me with respect, stopped.
Now I am finding myself in a situation where all of my carefully placed life's dominoes have been knocked to the ground. My head is still spinning about the whole situation, but all I can do is sit on the ground and look at the years of lines and planning lay on the ground around me.
Which brings me around to my point. When all your dominoes fall over, where do you start when it comes time to pick them up? I guess, all that matters is that you don't just leave them lying there and you actually pick them up.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Q is for...
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Internet Bookfair Blogfest, M.A. Leslie
Before we go into too much detail about our two books out there, we just wanted to take a minute and thank all of the authors that came to join us today. Thank you for being in the blogfest and to all the visitors out there who are just checking it out, thanks for stopping in. We hope that you visit all of the authors and books on the list. Maybe you will find your next favorite book.
Now on to the festivities. For any of you that haven't read our bio, we are a married writing team from south Jersey. We got into writing together, because we found writing separately only led to a huge pile of unfinished work. Instead of giving up, we joined forces and have completed 2 novels; one for the 8 and up group (Including adults) and the other for a more mature reader.
The first book we self published through Amazon.com was TRISTEN & THE MAGIC SHOP.
Eleven-year-old Tristen Parker's whole life is changing faster then he can keep up with. Within a matter of months his father was deployed overseas with the military and his mother moved him out of his beloved city and to the small town she grew up in. If those changes weren't enough, he had one other major one that came with them, he just found out he is a magical druid.
After discovering his abilities in a hidden magic shop, behind an alley, his life goes on a whirlwind of spell casting and potion brewing. Unfortunately, all of the magic in the world can't help if you’re being picked on, unless you use it.
With the help of the shop owner, Tristen casts a spell to stop the bullies that were picking on him, but he soon realizes it may have been a mistake. Will he be able to stop the curse that he started or will it spread through his school like a virus before he can get it under control?
So far we have received a few reviews on Goodreads and a few on Amazon. As like all authors, we are still looking for more input and would love, if you do read it, that you tell us what you think.
Tristen & the Magic Shop is the first of a series of books, with the second in process and expected to have a winter release under the title Tristen & the Whining of the Wind.
Tristen is available as an EBook through Amazon and B&N for $2.99. Also, it is available as a Paperback for $8.99 through Amazon. If your interested in our magical story and you want to know what happens when you mix a druid's stone and a glass of water, you might want to click on of the above links.
The second book that we self published through Amazon is LIBERTY.
Liberty Sytes has spent her entire life trying to forget her mother’s schizophrenic episodes, the fear on her mother’s face and the paranoia that would broadcast in her eyes.
However, while standing on the Wildwood Boardwalk, as a part-time class two cop, she begins to remember. Not because of sadness or longing for her mother, but because suddenly she feels the paranoia of being watched.
Unfortunately, the feeling of being watched turns to blacking out and then the blacking out leads to the sights of murder. Libbi is forced to prove her own innocence and sanity after being found directly in the center of a gruesome murder scene.
Will her own new found secrets, if told, prove her innocence or seal her guilt? She remembers one thing, from watching her mother, that it may be best to leave some secrets untold.
Liberty, our paranormal thriller, has also received a few reviews. There are a few on Goodreads and one on Amazon. Liberty is also the first of a few paranormal thrillers, but it is yet to be determined if they will be direct sequels or not. It's one of those things you have to read to know what we mean. Either way, if you like to wonder what's going to happen as you turn the page and enjoy a thriller spiked with some romance, give it a shot.
Liberty is available as an EBook from Amazon and B&N for only 99cents. Also, Liberty is available in Paperback form for $9.99.
Thanks for taking a minute to read about our two books and for joining us on this blogfest. We hope everyone is enjoying themselves and getting the word out about their books. Don't forget to follow the link below and read about more books by other authors in the Blogfest!
Now on to the festivities. For any of you that haven't read our bio, we are a married writing team from south Jersey. We got into writing together, because we found writing separately only led to a huge pile of unfinished work. Instead of giving up, we joined forces and have completed 2 novels; one for the 8 and up group (Including adults) and the other for a more mature reader.
The first book we self published through Amazon.com was TRISTEN & THE MAGIC SHOP.
Eleven-year-old Tristen Parker's whole life is changing faster then he can keep up with. Within a matter of months his father was deployed overseas with the military and his mother moved him out of his beloved city and to the small town she grew up in. If those changes weren't enough, he had one other major one that came with them, he just found out he is a magical druid.
After discovering his abilities in a hidden magic shop, behind an alley, his life goes on a whirlwind of spell casting and potion brewing. Unfortunately, all of the magic in the world can't help if you’re being picked on, unless you use it.
With the help of the shop owner, Tristen casts a spell to stop the bullies that were picking on him, but he soon realizes it may have been a mistake. Will he be able to stop the curse that he started or will it spread through his school like a virus before he can get it under control?
So far we have received a few reviews on Goodreads and a few on Amazon. As like all authors, we are still looking for more input and would love, if you do read it, that you tell us what you think.
Tristen & the Magic Shop is the first of a series of books, with the second in process and expected to have a winter release under the title Tristen & the Whining of the Wind.
Tristen is available as an EBook through Amazon and B&N for $2.99. Also, it is available as a Paperback for $8.99 through Amazon. If your interested in our magical story and you want to know what happens when you mix a druid's stone and a glass of water, you might want to click on of the above links.
The second book that we self published through Amazon is LIBERTY.
Liberty Sytes has spent her entire life trying to forget her mother’s schizophrenic episodes, the fear on her mother’s face and the paranoia that would broadcast in her eyes.
However, while standing on the Wildwood Boardwalk, as a part-time class two cop, she begins to remember. Not because of sadness or longing for her mother, but because suddenly she feels the paranoia of being watched.
Unfortunately, the feeling of being watched turns to blacking out and then the blacking out leads to the sights of murder. Libbi is forced to prove her own innocence and sanity after being found directly in the center of a gruesome murder scene.
Will her own new found secrets, if told, prove her innocence or seal her guilt? She remembers one thing, from watching her mother, that it may be best to leave some secrets untold.
Liberty, our paranormal thriller, has also received a few reviews. There are a few on Goodreads and one on Amazon. Liberty is also the first of a few paranormal thrillers, but it is yet to be determined if they will be direct sequels or not. It's one of those things you have to read to know what we mean. Either way, if you like to wonder what's going to happen as you turn the page and enjoy a thriller spiked with some romance, give it a shot.
Liberty is available as an EBook from Amazon and B&N for only 99cents. Also, Liberty is available in Paperback form for $9.99.
Thanks for taking a minute to read about our two books and for joining us on this blogfest. We hope everyone is enjoying themselves and getting the word out about their books. Don't forget to follow the link below and read about more books by other authors in the Blogfest!
Monday, October 24, 2011
Getting Ready for the Internet Bookfair Blogfest!
Good morning fellow bloggers,
We just wanted to take a minute and remind everyone that they Blogfest is tomorrow. If you are unsure as to what is going on tomorrow, here is what you should do.
Make sure that you have the proper link to your blog set up on the list. The list will remain at the hyperlink that it is already on, that way the buttons will bring you back to the main page from your blog and the reader can go to the next author. One other important thing to remember, make sure you post the button on the link, that way people can navigate back to the list. Once you have that done, write a synopsis of your book, maybe of all your books. Include links to the places your books is sold, where it has been reviewed, and anything else you want to add.
The idea here is to get out there, get to know as many authors as you can, as many books as you can, and maybe buy a few books. Ultimately, if you are buying some books, the result will be that you will sell some too. I hope that everyone has a great experience tomorrow and we hope that everyone sells a book or two. Maybe you will even get a few Goodreads.com reviews also.
Thanks for joining us, we hope you have a great time, and get ready for tomorrow!
GRAB THE HTML FOR THE BUTTON ABOVE AND ADD IT TO YOUR LINK.
Internet Book Fair Author and Book list.
We just wanted to take a minute and remind everyone that they Blogfest is tomorrow. If you are unsure as to what is going on tomorrow, here is what you should do.
Make sure that you have the proper link to your blog set up on the list. The list will remain at the hyperlink that it is already on, that way the buttons will bring you back to the main page from your blog and the reader can go to the next author. One other important thing to remember, make sure you post the button on the link, that way people can navigate back to the list. Once you have that done, write a synopsis of your book, maybe of all your books. Include links to the places your books is sold, where it has been reviewed, and anything else you want to add.
The idea here is to get out there, get to know as many authors as you can, as many books as you can, and maybe buy a few books. Ultimately, if you are buying some books, the result will be that you will sell some too. I hope that everyone has a great experience tomorrow and we hope that everyone sells a book or two. Maybe you will even get a few Goodreads.com reviews also.
Thanks for joining us, we hope you have a great time, and get ready for tomorrow!
GRAB THE HTML FOR THE BUTTON ABOVE AND ADD IT TO YOUR LINK.
Internet Book Fair Author and Book list.
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
P is for...
And now for the ABC YOUR HOME STATE, we bring you the letter P.......
Pine barrens: Little do most of you know, but the state of NJ is 1/3 forest. The Pine Barrens is a large forest that covers from central the top part of southern NJ. It is filled with cedar trees, scrubby pines, and lakes and rivers. The sand floors and woods are the supposed home to the Jersey Devil, just don't get caught there in the middle of the night.
Pirates: Another thing we are famous for is pirates. There are legends along the Jersey Shore of Black Beard burying his treasure and of pirates from days of old landing and using our shores.
Park place: Along with the rest of the Monopoly board, we have Park Place. Did you know that the original Monopoly board is based upon Atlantic City?
Ports: Because we have a major river, several cities along the water, and ocean access; the state of NJ has several large sea ports for shipping, trade, and commerce.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
A. Theraputic Writing.
There has been alot going on in my world the last few years. I don't handle stress real well and I tend to bottle things up untill something so mundane makes me go off the rocker.
I have wrote in a journal as a child and whined all my sorrows away and talked about the boy I was crushing over. I am over journal writing.
I was talking to Mike the other day and asked if he waould mind if I wrote about what was going on the last couple years and how I felt about everything, hoping it could be an outlet to my stress. Mike being the most loving suportive husband there is told me to go for it.
I have started and so far I have a few short stories explaning my family background, why I choose to do this and today after a conversation threw texting with Mike and talking to my mom at work I wrote my first theraputic piece and I have to say it is a scribbled mess, that Mike is going to have to type out. (he is a much faster typer then I). It helped though, I cried through writing most of it out but I did feel slightly better after getting it out on paper.
I think I just found my new stress reliever and Mike something else to type along with all of our other projects.
I have wrote in a journal as a child and whined all my sorrows away and talked about the boy I was crushing over. I am over journal writing.
I was talking to Mike the other day and asked if he waould mind if I wrote about what was going on the last couple years and how I felt about everything, hoping it could be an outlet to my stress. Mike being the most loving suportive husband there is told me to go for it.
I have started and so far I have a few short stories explaning my family background, why I choose to do this and today after a conversation threw texting with Mike and talking to my mom at work I wrote my first theraputic piece and I have to say it is a scribbled mess, that Mike is going to have to type out. (he is a much faster typer then I). It helped though, I cried through writing most of it out but I did feel slightly better after getting it out on paper.
I think I just found my new stress reliever and Mike something else to type along with all of our other projects.
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
O is for...
This week's ABC YOUR HOME STATE hosted by Fleur de Aleta is on the letter O. This is one of our favorites.
Ocean - One of our greatest assets, resources, and recreational sources in our state is the Atlantic Ocean. The water isn't exactly clear, but in the summer it is just warm enough to enjoy some body surfing, boogie boarding, and swimming. Of course, for those who are lucky, there is deep sea fishing, wave runner riding, and boating. The ocean gives us fun, food, and tourists; I don't know what would happen to Jersey if we didn't have the ocean.
Ocean City - Adjacent to the ocean is Ocean City. A quaint barrier island that is filled with shopping, amusements, and aside from being a shore town, it is a dry town. Their main goal is to sell the family image.
Ocean Oasis - A water park in Wildwood NJ that is more of a spa/water amusement park. There is nothing better than a place that you can have a margarita, slide a water tube, ride the lazy river, hang out with the kids, or go with just adults. Oh yeah, it does get better for us, it is right down the street.
Lake Oswago - A cedar lake in the Pine Barrens. Cedar water is water that is dyed to look like Root Beer from the roots of the cedar trees that grow around it. It may look dirty, but the water is completely clean. Lake Oswago is one of the many lakes and rivers in the Pine Barrens that have the unique water.
Monday, October 10, 2011
M. Dreams
Dreams are an essential ingredient to the creative process. Without a dreaming mentality, a writer is just that, a person that puts words on a piece of paper. But those dreams are the fuel that gives those words life, energy, and power.
It’s a great feeling to conjure up some of the thoughts that we have as writers. I can’t tell you how many times my mind has wondered to places of what ifs and I wishes. What if we write that one book and I wish that we get that book deal. Let’s say that it can get creative and sometimes out of hand (Almost Puff Daddy from the 90’s MTV video over the top bad.)
Realistically, I know that out of millions of writers, published and unpublished, that only happens to a small few, but why not dream. Why not hope that you get that deal? Do you ever find your mind wandering into a cloud filled with unobtainable money and success?
I think for me, success is going to be measured on a case by case basis. Our first step is to get the ever difficult agent, publisher, book deal, and finally sell some copies. I know that it seems boring, but it is the way it is usually done and we would like to get on that track. At this point, I would be happy to be published on a traditional track, I can’t promise that if Amy and I get published we will be happy, but it is the first step.
What is your goal? Do you have a point of literary bliss and an ultimate goal? Do you have a deadline?
It’s a great feeling to conjure up some of the thoughts that we have as writers. I can’t tell you how many times my mind has wondered to places of what ifs and I wishes. What if we write that one book and I wish that we get that book deal. Let’s say that it can get creative and sometimes out of hand (Almost Puff Daddy from the 90’s MTV video over the top bad.)
Realistically, I know that out of millions of writers, published and unpublished, that only happens to a small few, but why not dream. Why not hope that you get that deal? Do you ever find your mind wandering into a cloud filled with unobtainable money and success?
I think for me, success is going to be measured on a case by case basis. Our first step is to get the ever difficult agent, publisher, book deal, and finally sell some copies. I know that it seems boring, but it is the way it is usually done and we would like to get on that track. At this point, I would be happy to be published on a traditional track, I can’t promise that if Amy and I get published we will be happy, but it is the first step.
What is your goal? Do you have a point of literary bliss and an ultimate goal? Do you have a deadline?
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Internet Book Fair BLOGFEST!
Hey everyone. I don't know if there is anyone out there doing this already, but I am wondering if we can have ourselves an old fashion book fair.
I am sure most of you remember the book fairs that we had in school. You know, they bring huge book stores on wheels and sell as many books as they possibly can in a few days.
In our digital age, there is no reason that we can't and shouldn't have ourselves a good old fashion book fair to let everyone and anyone we know about our books. If you're interested, sign up below and spread the word. The more books we have to talk about, the better.
We will schedule the Book Fair for 10-25-2011. Please enter below and on the day of the book fair write a post describing your book, give links to where it can be bought, enter reviews you've received on Goodreads and other sites, and anything else you can think is relevant.
Make sure you sign up, tell people about it, and on Book fair day get out there and meet new books and authors.
GRAB THE HTML FOR THE BUTTON ABOVE AND ADD IT TO YOUR LINK.
I am sure most of you remember the book fairs that we had in school. You know, they bring huge book stores on wheels and sell as many books as they possibly can in a few days.
In our digital age, there is no reason that we can't and shouldn't have ourselves a good old fashion book fair to let everyone and anyone we know about our books. If you're interested, sign up below and spread the word. The more books we have to talk about, the better.
We will schedule the Book Fair for 10-25-2011. Please enter below and on the day of the book fair write a post describing your book, give links to where it can be bought, enter reviews you've received on Goodreads and other sites, and anything else you can think is relevant.
Make sure you sign up, tell people about it, and on Book fair day get out there and meet new books and authors.
GRAB THE HTML FOR THE BUTTON ABOVE AND ADD IT TO YOUR LINK.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
N is for...
This week in the Fleur de Aleta ABC YOUR HOME STATE blogfest we are discussing the letter N.
Newark: Not exactly the greatest part of NJ, but Newark is one of our larger cities and is right outside of New York. The few times that I was there, I will report, it wasn't clean, it was kind of scary, and it smelled. For all of you that have heard jokes of NJ, I believe this is where they stem from.
Nor'easter: Not only is NJ hit by several large storms called Nor'easter on a yearly basis, we have a Topsy curvy ride that spins you upside down named after the storm.
North Wildwood: Shore town that is in our backyard and a great place to enjoy a free beach at the Jersey Shore. Home of the Irish festival, the North Wildwood Beach Writer's Convention (Coming up on 10 years this year), and amazing food, ice cream, and fun.
Newark: Not exactly the greatest part of NJ, but Newark is one of our larger cities and is right outside of New York. The few times that I was there, I will report, it wasn't clean, it was kind of scary, and it smelled. For all of you that have heard jokes of NJ, I believe this is where they stem from.
Nor'easter: Not only is NJ hit by several large storms called Nor'easter on a yearly basis, we have a Topsy curvy ride that spins you upside down named after the storm.
North Wildwood: Shore town that is in our backyard and a great place to enjoy a free beach at the Jersey Shore. Home of the Irish festival, the North Wildwood Beach Writer's Convention (Coming up on 10 years this year), and amazing food, ice cream, and fun.
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
M. Do you Believe in Angels?
I am going to start this post off by announcing, "I am no longer driving."
This has been a rough few years lately. I know that some of you that have been our Internet friends, have watched us go through quite a bit. Well it just keeps getting better.
Yesterday, on the way to work, one minute I was driving and then the next I was waking up to someone knocking on my car window. Somehow, I am not sure how, I ended up in a pile of bushes with my car sitting at a forty five degree angle. All I remember is driving and then waking up, of all the strange things that I have gone through in my life, this was the weirdest feeling in the world. It was like I lost time.
But that really isn't the crazy part of the story. It gets weirder.
The guy that stopped was a fireman and proceeded to call for help and a woman also pulled over. They were waiting with me until the police and ambulance got there. The fireman wouldn't let me out of the car, but when I finally did get out of the car, I noticed there wasn't a scratch on me. More insane, I looked at the tire imprints from the car in the grass behind me. The car had traveled around 20 to 25 yards. Not only had it driven alongside woods and trees, but it had navigated around a gas main standpipe, 2 banks of trees, and landed in the softest place on the side of the road.
It was like someone, other than myself steered the vehicle around several obstacles and safely placed me in a bed of bushes to give my wonderful clunker of a car a few scratches. By the way, I love that car.
To make a long story short, I will say, I don't know who took over yesterday and on what level of existence they are from, but from me to them, I will say, thank you. Because of my mystery "angel" yesterday, I am alive.
Do you believe in angels?
This has been a rough few years lately. I know that some of you that have been our Internet friends, have watched us go through quite a bit. Well it just keeps getting better.
Yesterday, on the way to work, one minute I was driving and then the next I was waking up to someone knocking on my car window. Somehow, I am not sure how, I ended up in a pile of bushes with my car sitting at a forty five degree angle. All I remember is driving and then waking up, of all the strange things that I have gone through in my life, this was the weirdest feeling in the world. It was like I lost time.
But that really isn't the crazy part of the story. It gets weirder.
The guy that stopped was a fireman and proceeded to call for help and a woman also pulled over. They were waiting with me until the police and ambulance got there. The fireman wouldn't let me out of the car, but when I finally did get out of the car, I noticed there wasn't a scratch on me. More insane, I looked at the tire imprints from the car in the grass behind me. The car had traveled around 20 to 25 yards. Not only had it driven alongside woods and trees, but it had navigated around a gas main standpipe, 2 banks of trees, and landed in the softest place on the side of the road.
It was like someone, other than myself steered the vehicle around several obstacles and safely placed me in a bed of bushes to give my wonderful clunker of a car a few scratches. By the way, I love that car.
To make a long story short, I will say, I don't know who took over yesterday and on what level of existence they are from, but from me to them, I will say, thank you. Because of my mystery "angel" yesterday, I am alive.
Do you believe in angels?
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