Christine's Odyssey & Other YA Reads ~ The Character Depot

Christine's Odyssey & Other YA Reads ~ The Character Depot

Oh to be carefree again. To be a child living in my imagination. Pretending to be a Barbie doll or a princess.
The above giveaway is for the younger reader.

I hope you all take advantage.

Hugs and chocolate,
Shelly

I'm over at my other blog today. http://secondhandshoesnovel.blogspot.com/2013/03/free.html

Stuff and Shelly’s Book Recommendations

 

I know. I’m late posting today. Usually have my posts up in the AM. All I can say is, I hate being rushed. Really I do. For the last several weeks that’s what I’ve been doing. Rush to get up. Rush to make breakfast and lunch. Rush to get dressed for work. Rush to get to work. Rush to clean the house. Rush to the grocery store. Rush to make dinner. Rush. Rush. Rush.

Life should be a lot more slower and less stressed. But I live in America. It never shuts down. And we the people are the same, trying to cram everything we can into the minutes we have until our heads hit the pillow…if our heads hit the pillow.

Anybody else sick of rushing around like a chicken with out their heads?

***

So maybe you should grab a good book or turn on your Kindle or Nook. I have a few recommendations for you below.

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Scorpian7: Revolution, second book to a Trilogy, by Mike Saxton.

If you like apocalypse novels and science fiction, this book is for you.

The MC, Night Viper finds out who his nemesis is. Lots of good people die and new ones are introduced. This is action packed and violent.

Click Here to Buy

***

Pretty Witches All In a Row, by Lisa Olsen

Seven witches in a coven. One by one, they’re being knocked off in black-magic-style. Nick a detective…excuse me, a sergeant takes on the case to find out who the killer is before they all die. In the process he begins to fall for one of the witches. But is she the killer?
 

Click Here to Buy

***

Angels at Midnight, by Norma Beishir

This is a cozy-suspense-thriller-romance

Fate brings Ashley Gordon and Collin Deverall together. Revenge toward a big time New York mafia man is their common goal that gels them together.  They fall in love. One admits it. One refuses. After all is said and done, will love keep them together?

Click Here to Buy

***

The Three Spirit Knight, by Roland Yeomans

Victor Standish is a gypsy hero. Alice Wentworth is his ghoulish girlfriend. Together the two time travel and do battle against vampires, werewolves, Gods, Goddesses, zombies, and ghouls.

It is one of the most exceptionally unique books I've ever read. It has plenty of humor, lots of thrills, and many moments that make you go 'awe'.

Click Here to Buy

***

I hope everyone who visits today will check these books out. They’re all great reads and as you can see not only am I a prolific writer, but a reader as well.

***

Sir Poops and Hair Ball will be back next week. There’s a lot of stuff going on in my house right now.

***

Hugs and chocolate,

Shelly

Sir Poops and Hair Ball: What’s Your Nosh, Author Lisa Olsen

SPAL: I know. We’re a couple days late posting, but Mummsy’s schedule at the hair lopping establishment is different every week. It makes me crazy.

HB: Yeah. And she’s the one with the password to the computer. She thinks, pansy-boy here, will give it away for a belly rub.

SPAL: ***shoos his paws in the air*** I wouldn’t do that. You’re more inclined than I am since you’ll do anything for a treat.

HB: I don’t think so.

SPAL: We’ll see about that in a few seconds. Today, we’re supporting, Indie Author Lisa Olsen. I believe she has self-published 10 books all together within the last two years.

HB: Yeah. She’s Mummsy’s hero. ***waves to Lisa*** Hi, Lisa! ***He jumps up and down.**** Where’s the nosh!?

SPAL: Oh, brother. Here we go again.

HB: Hey, nice lady. What do you like to snack on when you’re writing? Can you tell me why you like it.

LO: I’m afraid I don’t snack a whole lot while writing, the better to keep my fingers free for typing. Most of the time I’m chewing gum, Doublemint.

HB: I want some. Sir Poops chews Mummsy’s gum all the time. He sneaks in her purse. One time he got it stuck on his butt.

LO: And you know better than to ask if you can share, silly pooch.

SPAL: Yeah. Stupid.

HB: Pansy.

LO: But on the occasion that I do get the munchies and can take a break, I like to eat saltines and peanut butter, or goldfish crackers. Jiff makes these little to-go packs of peanut butter, easy for dipping crackers in. I might be persuaded to share a little of that in exchange for something. Do either of you do any tricks?

SPAL: I can communicate telepathically and I love watching TV and YouTube. I know how to beg until Mummsy turns on the TV.

HB: My trick is better. I always let Mummsy go first when she says, “Ladies first” and I’m learning how to drive the Jetta. Mummsy shows me every morning. Anwyay, is your snack crunchy or soft?

LO: Crunchy for the crackers and soft on the peanut butter. The best of both worlds.

HB: Mmmm…

SPAL: How about salty or sweet?

LO: A little salty and a little sweet.

HB: Does it get your creative juices flowing?

LO: The gum keeps me going, I’d say it gets the creative juices flowing.

SPAL: Smart peeps chew gum, stupid. She’s smart like me and Mummsy. I bet she has a fur-peep, too. Nice lady, do you have any fur or feathered-peeps you like to share your nosh with?

LO: My cat, Mimsy likes to steal goldfish crackers when she thinks I’m not looking. In exchange, she keeps my feet warm. It’s a fairly good arrangement.

HB: I keep my Mummy’s feet warm, too.

SPAL: Does Mimsy help you write like we help our Mummsy write? She says we’re her muses.

LO: Mimsy doesn’t like to write, her attention span is much too short and she thinks humans are far too serious most of the time. But she did manage to hop into my series about fallen angels. There she made friends with a demon over a plate of smoked salmon. She does like to play fetch, by the way, so you might get along if you can get past the whole cat thing.

SPAL: I was raised by cats. But stupid here, might chase her. Do you have any published books out there that your pets helped you with?

LO: As I said, Mimsy hopped into my The Fallen series, making an appearance in Angel of Mercy, Mercy for the Wicked, Mercy for the Damned and Child of Mercy. She’s also watched with curiosity while I wrote The Touch, Pretty Witches All in a Row, Moonsong, Nine Steps to Sara and my Forged Bloodlines vampire series: Wake Me When the Sun Goes Down, Meet Me When the Sun Goes Down, and Find Me When the Sun Goes Down.

Here’s a link to my page on Amazon Author Central where you can find them all:

http://www.amazon.com/Lisa-Olsen/e/B0056AZFOU

Please share an excerpt from your work in progress if you haven’t published anything yet.

Here’s an except from my latest release, Find Me When the Sun Goes Down (Forged Bloodlines #3) between newbie vampire, Anja and her sexy, vampire cop, Bishop, who has just been transferred to England.

Bishop came back about an hour before dawn and completed the rest of his packing, stowing more guns in the case than underwear.

“I’m pretty sure they have guns in England too.” Didn’t they? It seemed like the Order would have just as many toys for him to play with there, more even, with it being the big HQ.

“I like to be prepared,” he shrugged, laying his 9mm on the breakfast bar next to the case.

I was tired, feeling the sun creeping higher in the sky even though the shutters were locked up tight, but there was one thing I still wanted to talk to him about before he left. “You know we never really talked about what it means that you’ve claimed me.”

“It means what it sounds like.” Bishop stripped off his shirt and I watched the ripple of muscles in fascination as he undressed the rest of the way. “I’ve claimed you as my woman, you belong to me.”

The words cut through the haze of hormones surging at the casual striptease. “Like a Buick?”

Bishop chuckled, tossing his clothes away in the hamper in the closet. Neat until the end. “You’re under my protection. I’ve publicly proclaimed that you’re off limits.”

That didn’t sound so bad. “As in off the market? Like going steady?”

“It’s… a little deeper than that.”

“Like… we’re married?”

Bishop swallowed. “It’s… different from marriage. It’s its own thing. The ties that bind us together, they’re not so lightly broken.”

No complaints from me there.

“Also, no one else can taste you without my permission.”

“Interesting.” I quirked a single brow at him. “Any other body parts of mine you have ownership over besides my blood?”

“I’d be happy to show you,” he grinned wolfishly, sweeping me up into his arms. I barely felt him lay me back against the bed, I was too distracted by all the other interesting sensations going on between the cool sheets.

Bishop seemed bent on leaving me with a lasting impression to hold me through the time we’d be apart, and I had zero complaints with him claiming ownership to any part of my body when he treated it with such reverence and delight. I had a feeling it might have gone on much, much longer, but I was so tired after the sun rose, I couldn’t keep my eyes open.

I snuggled up beside him, falling into our natural sleeping position with my head tucked against his shoulder, fingers tracing the light dusting of hair across his chest. “You belong to me too, right?” It seemed an important distinction to make before sleep claimed me for the day.

“Definitely,” Bishop sighed contentedly, his fingers trailing across my back.

“And Jakob… Do you think he’s really accepted this?”

Bishop stiffened at the mention of my Sire. “He said he did, but… he could change his mind at any time. The Ellri have no laws to bind them.”

“Then you think there might be a chance that Jakob could be behind the transfer?”

“No, I don’t.” I relaxed at his reply. If Bishop wasn’t worried, I wouldn’t borrow trouble over it either. “He’d kill me if he changed his mind.”

Cool beans. Nothing to worry about at all…

SPAL: This was really good. Now I get why Mummsy loves your stuff.

HB: To everyone else, thanks for stopping by.

Lots of licks,

Sir Poops and Hair Ball

Sir Poops and Hair Ball Recommend: klahanie: A Dog On A Blog.

klahanie: A Dog On A Blog.

Sir Poops and Hair Ball here. We have found a poet in a fur-person. We think you'll enjoy this.

Lots of Licks.

Happy St. Patty’s Day

Sir Poops and Hair Ball wish all a happy filled St. Patty’s Day. They will be back on Thursday. They have an interview with Lisa Olsen, author of Pretty Witches in a Row.

Sir Poops and Hair Ball: It’s a Victorian Ball Beyond the Black Veil Giveaway

 HB: Guess what I’m doing?

SPAL: No telling.

HB: I ‘m hanging with vampires at a ball. Lorelei Bell is hosting a Vampire Ball and Giveaway. Want  to come along? It’s in celebration of  her third book, in The Sabrina Strong Series, Vampire Nocturne. It’s a Victorian Ball Beyond the Black Veil. Four people in the US could win a copy.

CLICK HERE TO GET YOUR COPY

SPAL: Vampires? Oooo…***he shudders*** Don’t they drink blood? You look a little scary there, stupid. Are you growing fangs?

HB: Maybe.  Why?  

SPAL: Ut-oh. That’s not good. Does Mummsy and Daddy-O know about this?

HB: ***shrugs and gives SPAL a smirk*** So are you going to come to the ball, pansy boy?

SPAL: I’m going to stay in my box where its safe and vampire free. You go. Okay.

HB: Whatever you say, pansy boy. Whatever you say. I’m going to find some vampire legs to hug.

SPAL: You go ahead and do that.

HB: Maybe some of you nice people out there would like to attend. Lorelei is giving away  4 FREE copies of her book to those who attend and partake in following her special rules. They are as follows:

 

What you need to do to win:

Tweet & share on Facebook   

&      

In the comments leave the name of the vampire (any of the characters in my books or others) you will dance with, OR what color your ball gown is, and your email.

Lorelei will use the old-fashioned name-in-the-hat system to choose names of 4 lucky winners! The winners will be announced on March 15^th by 7 pm, central time.

And she will email those lucky winners that day.

 

SPAL: So are you going to pick a vampire? Or a gown?

HB: I told you, I’m going for a vampire’s leg.Gwendolyn is my pick.  Wonder who some of the nice people will pick? Come lets go DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY!!!

 

SYNOPSIS:

Sabrina is becoming a magical creature—not just a clairvoyant with ring that thwarts a vampire's thrall. In this exciting third installment, Sabrina learns how to travel the ley lines, and travels to another world called Beyond the Black Veil ~ a world where vampires out number humans ten to one, and humans are merely blood donors and objects of their sexual desires.

The Dagger of Delphi becomes her weapon of choice. And what becomes of Dante Badheart, whose spirit essences is contained in the stone he gave her when last he spoke to her from the dead, is another mystery that intrigues her.

Sabrina Strong's cousin, Lindee, has disappeared, and when she goes to the last place Lindee was seen, she finds herself transported to another world and century, where vampires rule. While trying to solve the mystery of where Lindee could be in this world, Sabrina encounters Drakulya—the real-life Dracula—a.k.a. The Impaler—who has somehow managed to become a vampire living in this strange world, and rules as King. He is mystified by Sabrina's various abilities (like being able to disappear at will from her imprisonment), and he's decided she's to become his blood dame. Meanwhile his son, Jett, simply wants her, despite the fact he is to marry a vassal's daughter, Penelope.

After discovering that some unusual creatures, called Dreadfuls, who spread sickness and death through the village, she realizes she is the only one who has the power to stop them. Drakulya's own wife, who is near death, has been infected by these Dreadfuls. When it is discovered she can “kill” them, Drakulya gives her high status in his house (yep, no longer a mere blood donor). Now Sabrina's services have become high in demand, and she has to figure out who is the creator of these creatures before it's too late. She needs to solve this mystery before she can find Lindee, and must go up against a blood broker who may be behind the murder of a popular and well-known blood dame.

Aside from the usual suspects—some of who may be more into her blood—she encounters adventure, danger and of course handsome men of this world.

Insecure Writer’s Group: On a Tight Rope

It's another Wednesday where Alex J. Cavanaugh hosts all of us feeling either elated with joy and encouragement, or those of us feeling a little less worthy of being called an author.

Secondhand Shoes was released not long ago. I had a three day blog party without the booze, drugs, and debauchery. For three days, it fluctuated between #18 to #13 on the Amazon charts. Now it looks like its been tossed in a sea of ebooks. ***frowns***

“Psst,” a quiet voice says. “Never look down.”

“Why?” I ask.

“Because, you’ll keep your footing if you look up.”

“Huh?”

“If you look down. it will scare the bejesus out of you. Then you will wobble and begin to doubt yourself.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah. Keep your chin up. Don’t worry. Finish your other projects. And remember your stories will go to the people who need them.”

“But----“

“Whatever you do, don’t look down.”

Everyone have a great writing day. Hug your family and your fur peeps. And keep looking up.

Hugs and chocolate,

Shelly

Sir Poops and Hair Ball: What’s Your Nosh Tuesday, Debra Ann Gray-Elliot

 

SPAL: Today is Tuesday! Oh my…I can’t believe it! Its time again to share another author with you and their work.

HB: Yeah. For nosh. Foodie. Treats. Cookies.

SPAL: ***he shakes his head***Nice people, he still doesn’t get that this is not for or about him. Anyway, today we have Author Debra Ann Gray-Elliot. But for some reason I couldn’t get her picture to post. Hmmm…. Apologies, nice lady.

HB: Maybe her picture is shy.

SPAL: Shy?

HB: Yeah. Shy.

SPAL: Please share with us what you like to snack on when you’re writing? And why you like it, nice lady?

DE: I snack on a candy bar and caffeine. They give me energy.

HB: How come no one never shares their candy and caffeine with me?

SPAL: Because stupid, you would never stop running around or jumping or hugging legs. That’s why.

HB: But hugs are good, pansy boy.

SPAL: But not legs.

HB: ***frowns***

SPAL: Nice lady, is your candy crunchy  or soft?

DE: Soft.

HB: ***whispers in SPAL’s ear***Not only is her picture shy, but she is, too. She’s not saying very much.

SPAL: ***glances at HB*** SH…***he looks back at Debra*** Is your candy salty or sweet?

DE: Sweet.

HB: ***elbows SPAL and whispers***She doesn’t say a whole lot. I’m telling you, she’s shy.

SPAL: ***rolls his eyes at HB and then looks back at Debra*** Does candy get your creative juices flowing?

DE: Sometimes.

HB:***shrugs and whispers again***She doesn’t say much does she?

SPAL: ***puts his paw over HB’s mouth and pastes on a smile*** Nice lady, do you have any fur or feathered-peeps you like to share your nosh with?

 DE:Yes.

SPAL: Oh no! I can’t get the picture of your little fur peep and kitty up, either. All I get is an x in a box.

HB: They must be shy, too. Pets are a lot like their owners, you know. That’s what the experts say anyway.

SPAL: ***shoos at HB*** Nice lady, do they help you write like we help our Mummsy write? She says we’re her muses.

DE: Yes they do!

HB: Is that all she’s gonna say? Where’s the nosh? Where are the works of verbal art?

SPAL:***squints his eyes at HB and whispers***That is just being rude.

HB: ***shoulders slump****

SPAL: This nice lady’s written words can be found at http://www.highheelshotflashes.blogspot.com/ Apologies, nice lady. My brother is stupid sometimes.

DE: No problem.

HB: You’re a pansy. ***he sticks out his tongue***

SPAL: Anyway, nice people, Mummsy’s working a 9 to 4 shift today. So we’ll be around later. That’s why we posted this early. She hides the password. She even hides the car keys from Hair Ball.

Lots of licks,

Sir Poops and Hair Ball