'Tis the Season

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!

What will your holiday bring? Will Santa visit you this year? Have you been naughty or nice?

If you've been nice I'm sure your year was pleasant, for the most part. Personally, I have enjoyed my naughty year! I've met some interesting people, seen and done some interesting things, and had a great time.

Naughty! Naughty!  (click)

Dare to step out of your comfort zone and challenge Santa! Do you really need more bubble bath? another pair of socks? Let the world know who you really are!

Don't follow the crowd (click)

Enjoy life! Don't be a stick in the mud for another candy cane!

Always be yourself!

You can always buy your own gifts!

Naughty is WAY more fun than nice!

It's the Most Wonderful Season of All

Happy Holidays everyone!

I know I've been MIA for quite awhile. I've had a lot going on, but I'm back! Just in time for the holidays! Are you ready?

One of my favorite gifts to receive is a new book. I know you have friends with Kindles or who use the  Kindle app. Do I have a fun suggestion for you!

That's right! MasterKoda Select Publishing (my publisher by the way) is having it's annual

BLACK FRIDAY/CYBER MONDAY BOOK BASH

If you didn't join us in the Facebook event last year, you really should this year! We have even more Ebooks on sale (most are $.99 - $1.99) and tons of great giveaways! Oh yeah! GIVEAWAYS!!!!

Visit out event page, MKSP Black Friday/Cyber Monday Book Bash, and click Join. We'll be posting through the next few weeks, introducing authors and listing the great prizes available. On Friday, Nov 28, and Monday, Dec 1, come visit this event page. Meet the authors virtually and play some fun games with us. You could win ebooks and prizes for you while you shop on the MasterKoda Select website for bargain books for your friends and family!  

Being Bullied

Today I have the opportunity to introduce you to a new book coming out. Donna is a great writer and has an important message about bullying. Check her out!

The Snake Pit: Jr High Can be Torture is an important piece of work because of its content and subject matter. It’s not an easy, fun read, but is a book that every student, teacher and child advocate should read. Donna is very passionate to do what she can to stop bullying in the school system and MKSP has joined her in her quest. 

Together, Donna and Master Koda Select Publishing will be re-releasing her first novel today with updated editing and a fresh new cover.

Donna, why did you write this book?

Cinda, the character in my book, The Snake Pit, was born with a cleft palate, and so was I. The things that happen in the book are fiction, but how she felt was exactly how I felt growing up. Being bullied for something you can't possibly help, or change, is horrible. I chose to turn it into something positive, but many bullied children do not. I'm 47 y ears old now. I can still hear the bullies voice in my head. But, the thing I remember the most, the thing that bothers me the most: the silence from those who just stood by and let it happen, and did nothing to stop it. That is why I wrote this book.

 Buy link!

Author Bio:

Hello everyone! I am Donna Dillon: Author, Illustrator, and M&M connoisseur. I am the author of 5 and 1/4 books thus far. I have been writing in the young adult genre with The Snake Pit and Return to the Snake Pit which both deal with bullying in the public schools, and the children's genre with Why Did It Have to Rain Today? and My Special Christmas Child. My new book is a leap into the thriller/suspense genre so I'm anxious to finish and see how that goes. All of my books, with the exception of the christmas book will be discounted for this event, which I will be hosting for an hour on Saturday starting at 3 pm central time. I look forward to seeing you all there!!

Read a little of The Snake Pit

The Snake Pit: Jr. High can be Torture Synopsis:

Cinda doesn't look like other twelve-year-old girls. A facial defect, and the surgery to correct it has left her face scarred and disfigured. When she walks into Hargrove Junior High for the first time, Cinda knows the other kids won't see how smart she is, or what a good friend she could be. The other kids will see her as a monster, and her life will be torture.

The school cafeteria, or The Snake Pit, as the kids call it, is the prime location for bullying. One pretty girl in particular takes an instant dislike to Cinda. Day after day she is pushed, tripped, and laughed at. Not all the other kids bully her, but only one tries to help.

Charlene Carsten is Cinda's only friend. She tries to stop the bullying, but the other kids won't listen. She tries to tell the Principal, but he only sees what he wants to. She tries to tell the teachers, but they all say the same thing, “kids will be kids.”

When Cinda falls victim to a vicious prank at a school dance, it sets off a series of events that will change the lives of everyone involved. 

Helping Others Thru Personal Pain

Please meet John Emil Augustine. He's a very talented man who would like to help others who've been through the same pain he has experienced.

I’m a writer, musician, educator, and an abuse survivor with a big story and an even bigger idea. Essentially, I am in the midst of modeling the very thing I want to facilitate for abuse survivors: writing in order to heal. For many like me who are unable, for whatever reason, to verbalize their own abuse, writing can often be the right alternative. It is also a right few abuse victims think they are entitled to: revealing their story. I've dared to write my story, and the process has been incredibly healing. I will turn around and facilitate writing workshops for others using my model. For now, it is time for me to begin appearing publicly with my series, and I can’t do this step alone. I am reaching out for help so I can get to The Great Lakes Book Bash in Kalamazoo, MI and continue my work. Read about what I have accomplished so far as well as about how you can help here: http://ow.ly/Apn4t.

Links

http://www.gofundme.com/WriteIsRight

http://www.johnemilaugustine.com

http://www.amazon.com/John-Emil-Augustine/e/B00HAJULQM/

http://www.amazon.com/John-Emil-Augustine/e/B00IGE8ZT0

https://www.facebook.com/johnemil.augustine

https://twitter.com/JohnEmilAugust

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Emil_Augustine

About John Emil Augustine

John Emil Augustine grew up in Minneapolis, Minnesota and toured in his twenties and early thirties with local and national acts; writing, arranging, and performing with notable jazz, blues, gospel, reggae, post funk, prog rock, and folk groups. John has also been a landscaper, mail carrier, forklift operator, and English professor with Master's degrees in Adult Education and Communications. He currently lives in Minneapolis with his wife and four boys. John is writing the From the Abyss book series and has recorded the albums Chants for Renewal, Presence and Awareness and Postcards From the Abyss. John is also in the planning stages of Write Is Right workshops for abuse survivors.

Excerpt from From the Abyss

“I can’t believe I am still here!” She screamed. Charles cried and twisted in my arms as I moved this way and that to hold onto him. I had nothing to say to that. 

Cindi went to the kitchen, twisted her feet into her sandals, and opened the door. “From now on, you’re on your own!” She screamed. 

I stood there with a crying baby and watched her open and slam the door. I moved to the kitchen window, only to see her run through the backyard. 

Where was she going? 

She opened the gate, went into the driveway, quickly got into the car, backed away from the garage, and screamed out of the driveway. 

As I stood watching, I had set Charles onto the counter and against my chest as he cried. I picked him up, sat down on the kitchen floor, vexed, and held him up near my face. “Hey, little boy,” I half-whispered, “You’re ok. Hey, Charlie, no worries. What you wanna do? You tired? Hungry? I suppose you’re going to need something to eat, huh bud?” He calmed a bit when he heard the sound of my voice. Those big baby-sobs started to come as he reversed his own crying. “Well, what do ya say? Should we get some food? At least we can try to eat something; and if you don’t want to do that, you can sleep, huh?” 

I slowly got up and held him close, all the time looking at him and talking quietly. “I know, Charlie, I know. It’s tough all over, isn’t it? Well, we won’t let that get us down. Nope, not us. We’re gonna be just fine.” He began to close his eyes. He was tired, the poor guy. I laid him down in my left arm. “There ya go. You sleep a little, and I’ll see what I can do, ok? Yeah, you’re tired, huh? Just have a little break there, guy. Now we’re cookin’. Now we’re cookin’.” 

He was falling asleep, and I was shaking uncontrollably. 

We were out of formula, so at two in the morning I went to the Rainbow Foods on Snelling and University to buy baby formula. There I was in the store with a sleeping baby in my arms, trying to remember what Jackie the doula had said was the best kind. I took my best stab at it, went through the checkout, and loaded Charles back into my truck under the lights of the grocery store parking lot. "This is crazy," I thought. The air was cooling. 

When I got home, I saw that Cindi’s car was back, but there were also two squad cars with flashing lights in front of our house. "Now what?" I thought. 

I walked in the back door ready for anything. Cindi had come home, found us gone, and called the cops on me. She took Charles as I walked through the door, and then she identified me to the officer. She bounced and rocked the baby, saying, “There, there. There, there. Shhh, shhhh, shhh.” 

I tried to explain that I was at the store buying formula, but she insisted she had been home and said I had taken the baby from her. I tried to describe the situation as it had happened, but cops tend to believe the mother. When I showed them the baby formula in the grocery bag, they finally told me that if I left the premises there would not be trouble. If Cindi wanted, she could file for a restraining order against me.

Waiting On You

Welcome to WOW Wednesday a day late! It's been a crazy month! My guest today is Joey Paul and her book Wait On You. Take a peak!

Angelina and Zack couldn’t be anymore different; one lives in apparent riches and the other in poverty. They meet online and a friendship blooms, but then things in Angelina’s life take a turn for the worst and she finds herself turning to the only person she thinks loves her – Zack.

With everything against them, can Zack and Angelina cross the distance to change her life before it's too late? Or will Zack have to watch from afar as Angelina continues to suffer?

Here's Just a bit more! 

I left the room and took a deep breath. I had been too close to admitting my own lies and that wouldn’t do. It couldn’t happen if I wanted them to stay friends with me. I liked the new guy, well I guess I was the new girl, but I liked Artist44 or Zack or whatever he was called. He seemed friendly and had made me feel really welcome, even if he had pushed me to tell him who I’d been dobbed in by and there was no way that was going to happen.

My sisters were awake, I could hear them yelling for me from downstairs. I decided that the best course of action was to go downstairs and try to placate them, because otherwise they’d come upstairs and start banging on my door. I’m always worried that they’ll start trying to damage the lock and that’s the last thing I need.

I headed downstairs and went to the living room where they were both lounging across the couches. “Where the hell have you been?” Valerie demanded, giving me an evil look.

Blog link: http://www.joeypaulonline.com/

FB Page link: https://www.facebook.com/BugBooks

UK Amazon page: http://www.amazon.co.uk/-/e/B007FXH8LE

GR PAGE: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5779310.Joey_Paul

Smashwords Profile page: https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/BugBooks

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1kgb3T8

Meet Joey! 

Joey Paul is a writer, exploring the young adult crime genre. She has released seven books in total so far, but plans to write more. She is currently working on her eleventh and twelfth books. Her current works include the series "Dying Thoughts" and she plans to continue that for at least seven books, maybe more. Her other works are usually books about the many trials and tribulations of being a teenager, sometimes with a crime twist. Joey is disabled and a recent graduate from The Open University with a BA (Hons) in Health & Social Care. When not reading medical textbooks, she enjoys reading crime novels, medical dramas and chick-lit. When not reading, she relaxes by playing the ukulele. And when she's not doing THAT, she's sleeping! She recently turned 32 and has been writing since she was retired from her job on medical grounds at the age of 19. She plans to write for as long as she has ideas or until someone tells her to stop!

Do you love Marilyn Monroe?

What if Marilyn Monroe was still alive? Would JFK still be alive?

Synopsis for Trilogy:

"What She Knew" is a fast paced story of intrigue and mystery involving America's favorite sex goddess, Marilyn Monroe. This book has all the elements of the next blockbuster hit. We weave a story of intrigue, mystery, and a touch of conspiracy. In this period piece; high profile, never forgotten, iconic, historical characters are resurrected and showcased in a new light; bringing humor, depth and warmth to an all-star cast.

The fascination with Marilyn Monroe hasn’t died nor have the questions surrounding her death been fully satisfied. This August marked the 50th anniversary of her death and she is hotter than ever. She has millions of fans worldwide; over three hundred thousand Facebook fans, and nearly one hundred thousand Twitter fans #most of which are under the age of 24#; which makes Marilyn more ‘alive’ today than she was in the early 1960’s.

Stars like Uma Thurman, who sang as ‘Marilyn’ during a guest appearance earlier this year on NBC’s "Smash". Scarlett Johanson perfected the ‘Marilyn’ pout for a Dolce & Gabbana spring makeup campaign in 2010. Michelle Williams earned a Best Actress Oscar nomination for her 2011 portrayal of Marilyn in "My Week with Marilyn". These are modern day glamour girls who ‘got the look’ of Marilyn Monroe and made a big splash with the public.

Given the popularity and our research on Marilyn Monroe; we’ve simply utilized the events leading up to her death and added our own take on what happened. Following the historical timeline closely as well as the world events of the day, we have created a compelling novel of what if Marilyn had lived and ‘what she knew’ was enough to save John F. Kennedy from assassination.

We have fans of all ages and backgrounds that ask us all the time where is Marilyn Monroe?

One of our reviewers had this to say, 'A book that makes you wonder..."Could it really be true?"' Our hope is that you, the reader, have a similar reaction and have a hard time putting the book down as other reviewers have shared.

Links:

International link for Fateful Night: http://www.smarturl.it/FatefulNight

International link for Darkest Day: http://www.smarturl.it/DarkestDay  

Facebook: www.facebook.com/WhatSheKnewHughesBurns

Twitter: www.twitter.com/whatsheknewbook

Website:  http://www.whatsheknew.wix.com/kandtproductions

Goodreads:  http://www.goodreads.com/

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/whatsheknew/boards/

Blog: http://krhughestlburns.wordpress.com/

Author bios:

K.R. Hughes

Hughes is an English major from Amarillo, Texas. She now resides near Atlanta, Georgia. She enjoys writing with her co-author T.L. Burns. They have just finished writing book 2 in the trilogy and are currently in the process of writing book three.

Hughes enjoys working with budding writers and tutoring English. Her passion is for at-risk teens. She volunteers to help teens realize their potential and find their passion. Hughes has two grown children, Justin and Kayti, and two four legged girls, MayZee and Ruthie.

Find other works by this author in the Historical Romance section, pen name is Kymber Lee, "Treasured Love" and "Lord Tristan's True Love" are both a fun romp written in Regency England in 1811. Lee (Hughes) wrote these novels for her grandmother who is a huge supporter of her work.

T.L. Burns

As Burns' co-author puts it "She is the foremost researcher and historical guru for the "What She Knew Trilogy." They have just finished writing book two in the trilogy and are in the process of writing book three.

Burns passion is for at-risk families. She volunteers her time to help the needy, not with a hand-out but with a hand-up. She is married and has two grown sons, best sons in the whole world, Kenny and Deven and one 4 legged son, Digby.

Burns is very proud of her boys. Her oldest, Kenny, is married with three kids and is the artist for all of their book covers. Deven is in college pursuing his degree in Engineering.

Keywords:

Marilyn Monroe, Marilyn Monroe’s death, John F. Kennedy, John F. Kennedy affairs, Jacqueline Kennedy, FBI, CIA, Secret Service, conspiracy theory, murder of Marilyn Monroe, Marilyn Monroe suicide

Soccer Tommies Baseball Mommies

You're asking, "What does that mean"? 

It's a great new book out by G Mitchell Baker and Jane Carroll!

A tornado devastated a small town, and left one playing field for the Soccer Tommies and Baseball Mommies to compete over for home field advantage. Kids learn that the Win-Win doesn’t always happen, you think you gotta’ win.

Who doesn't remember competition as kids? Here's more about Soccer Tommies Baseball Mommies...

Emotions are at a high point after ‘Old Luke’ hits the town of Belleville. Building’s and lives are destroyed and the Fabiano twins, Teddy and Terri, find themselves in a fight to the finish to see who's team will win the right to the only ball field left within a hundred miles. 

What the kids and everyone around them learns is that the ‘home field advantage’ is not something you win. It’s more about working together and becoming a real team. Soccer Tommies, Baseball Mommies is a clever little book about kids and the true meaning of winning.

Amazon US LINK: http://amzn.to/1nUxbiq
Amazon UK LINK: http://amzn.to/1ofKH1S
Amazon CDN LINK: http://amzn.to/1mKjZ1S

Incantation releases Wed June 25

Christina is a Dallas entertainment reporter wanting to do a story with more substance, when she is sent to Las Vegas to write a promotional article for a magician. Her love life is as dry as the Vegas desert. 

Tristen is more than a magician, he’s an entertainer. He’s handsome and likes his way with the women. Vegas hasn’t seen magical talent like Tristen’s before, no one has. He has Las Vegas under his spell, will Christina fall under his spell too? 

Come to the release party on Facebook! June 25, 6-8 pm CST. 

Facebook Release Party!

Bertha is back!!!!

I'm so excited to introduce you to Bertha and Jane! You'll love them as much as I do!!!

Hello, I’m Jane Carroll author of Bertha-Size Your Life! I’ve spent most of my life earning a living as a registered nurse but writing, speaking and coaching are my true passions. 

I’ve always loved to read and have especially enjoyed reading personal growth books. About ten years ago I decided to write one of my own for women who were going through the empty nest period of life. It was going to be a book of self-discovery exercises entitled, When Little Birds Fly: Feathering Your Empty Nest with Brightly Colored Feathers. Yeah, the book was about as exciting as the title. I won’t go into all the details (they’re in the book) but a quirky character named Bertha took over the book and my life.

Bertha-Size was first released back in 2006 as a paperback…yes, before Kindle was even around. And we had quite the adventure. In fact, I sold my house in order to finance what I thought would be a blossoming career as a writer, complete with an appearance on Oprah. Well it didn’t happen quite like that and I was broke and back to work in a couple of years. I thought my ‘life’ and writing career were over but Bertha had other ideas. She let me wallow in it for a few years before she kicked me in the backside with her highest heels and told me to get back to writing…she wanted to see the world. So I found a new publisher and she started traveling…Bertha-Sizing women all over the globe.

After another transition, Master Koda Select Publishing has just re-released Bertha in the Kindle format. I’m thinking the third time is definitely the charm and I’m very happy to be part of the MKSP family

Bertha-Size Your Life! reads like a series of humorous short stories but it is so much more. Bertha, a zany redhead, is always up to something and drags her sidekick along with her while she’s dispensing down-home wisdom and perky advice for finding balance and joy in one’s life. Throw in a conniving nemesis, an antagonistic cat, lime green spandex and high-heels and you’ve got a book that’s sure to tickle your funny bone and leave you wearing your thinking cap as you read and reread each vignette.

Berthaisms:

Joys are like stray cats…the more you feed them…the more you get! ~Bertha

When life hands you an ostrich…make a boa! ~Bertha

Life is full of choices…choose the good stuff! ~Bertha

A journey of a thousand miles…starts with a great pedicure! ~Bertha

There’s more to life than struggling! ~Bertha

Everything you need is where you are! ~Bertha

The least you can do is nothing…everything else is gravy! ~Bertha

Get over who you were and be who you are! ~Bertha

Latest reviews of Bertha-Size Your Life!

I have never read such a wonderful, helpful, funny book in my life. (and I read a lot!!) Bertha explains ways to improve your life in such great easy to understand ways. She makes you scratch your head and say, "That is so true, why didn't I think of that!". I think this is a book that should be in every school. Everyone should have to read this book. I'm afraid it would put most psychologist out of business!!! Jane has outdone herself with this book!!! Love it, waiting to read the next one!!!

Bertha is a hoot and the way she presented the Law of Attraction had me giggling and thinking at the same time. This a quick and very entertaining read while giving the reader many lessons to put into action. I'm married with a child at home and on my second reading of this, trying to implement some of the lessons.

This is just what I needed after a three month stretch of too many, too serious reads. Bertha is bright. Bertha is right. She's my new role model. I don't have time to write a long review because I've got to go buy some chartruese nail polish and a gaggle of flamingos before they're all sold out.

I found this book to be a very uplifting and a positive read. The stories were so cute! Each one reminded me to be positive and in doing so I will attract the positive. I loved Bertha's lime green spandex and pink flamingos. Made me giggle! And at the end of the book, I was surprised by the twist. It put a huge smile on my face. I hadn't a clue. Loved it!

Reading Bertha-Size Your Life was almost as important as when I was a kid and read The Little Train That Could. The same message is there: Change your way of thinking and change will come. It is a much needed reminder to think positive and to wipe those unkind messages out of our minds.

Jane Carroll, Author of Amazon Bestselling Bertha-Size Your Life, is a Life Coach, Speaker, Blogger, Registered Nurse, Reiki Master, Mother, Grandmother, and long-time student of life. She has seen the focus of her over 30 year nursing career change from illness to wellness to wholeness, a philosophy that permeates everything she does. While she enjoys all aspects of her life, writing is her passion and she is currently working on Bertha’s latest adventures.

http://amzn.com/B00KNDIGCI 

http://www.janecarrollauthor.com

https://www.facebook.com/janecarrollauthor

https://www.twitter.com/janecarroll10

http://www.amazon.com/Jane-Carroll/e/B007M0TY44

https://www.goodreads.com/JaneCarroll

https://www.facebook.com/BerthaGratitude

Check out Ruby Lake!

Synopsis for Ruby Lake:

Sydney Myers has been through several failed relationships in the past year, in addition to several other trauma’s, and is now giving up on finding her knight in dented armor. When her boss sends her to Ruby Lake, a small, rural town in northern Wisconsin, the last thing she was looking for was love at first sight, not to mention a place in the world where she finally fits. Add in her city-savvy best friend, a jealous ex-girlfriend, a famous father, and a coffee shop full of off-the wall characters, and it becomes more challenging for Sydney to manage than a spinning plate competition. 

When disaster strikes close to home, Sydney is left with the unbearable choice of her family, or the life she has always dreamed of. Come with Sydney on her journey and laugh, cry and rediscover why some choices are not really choices at all, they are simply fate.

Excerpt from Ruby Lake:

 

  “Really? What were you doing about twenty minutes ago? And don’t tell me you were thinking, I know what your ‘thinking’ face is. Besides, we’re leaving Saturday, and we are staying at the hotel until then so it’s not like I am going to get a chance at him anyway. I was just commenting on how cute he is.” Illana folded her arms over her chest and stuck her chin out at Sydney. “At least I’m honest about it, unlike some people.”

  “What do you want me to say?” Sydney threw her arms up in frustration. “Yes, I think Zeke is hot, like burn-me-at-the-stake kind of hot. The man brought me a perfect cup of coffee while I was sleeping. Who does that? I almost spilled my coffee this afternoon when Betty told me he called her to find out how I like my coffee. So, yeah, I want him. How could I not? I mean, the only thing that would make him sexier is a gold-hoop earring! My heart does jumping jacks whenever he walks into the room,” At Illana’s wide-eyed look, Sydney said, “and he’s standing right behind me, isn’t he?”

  “Yeah, but don’t stop now, especially if you’re going to do jumping jacks,” Zeke said, leaning against the door jam and wearing a very satisfied grin. 

Ruby Lake: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0054YF89A

A Wedding in Ruby Lake: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B008Y7MI0G 

Stay a While in Ruby Lake: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00H9MJLCK 

Bio:

I am the Author of Ruby Lake, A Wedding in Ruby Lake and Stay a While in Ruby Lake. I started reading when I was 3 and my parents encouraged me to start writing soon after. I wrote my first poem at age 5 (about a tree I believe) and this has been my passion for my entire life. Writing is what keeps me sane, and hopefully, connects me to others. I’ve always felt we are all connected, whether through experiences, blood or community. With my writing, my ultimate hope is to transcend barriers and reach out to those I might otherwise never meet (being able to afford all the cheese I want is on my list of wants as well). 

I’m always writing in my head, and there are days I don’t get a word done on the manuscript, and other days it just flows like a winding river, picking up it’s own pace as I keep writing. No matter what your passion is – do it. Don’t listen to the critics, the naysayers – believe in yourself despite what others say you can’t do. Truly, the best revenge isn’t just living well, sometimes it’s also being able to smile triumphantly at those who tried to hold you back.

Here are some links for Sherrill 

Facebook    https://www.facebook.com/AuthorSherrillWillis

Twitter  https://twitter.com/SherrillWillis

Amazon Author Page  http://www.amazon.com/Sherrill-Willis/e/B00557NR12/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1401162622&sr=8-1