May 9, 2013

What’s New? Authors, Books and MEme

So this blog post is a little (okay, a lot) “me” focused, today. I was honored by a very talented author, TW “Todd” Brown recently when he tagged me on his blog. Someone somewhere started a meme (have you noticed that’s two “me’s”???) where an author answers a few questions and then passes along the challenge to three other authors they find to be talented.

I can’t tell you how much it means to me that someone as talented and as well respected in the horror genre has chosen me as one of his three, as well as to be included with such gifted writers as Gregory Carrico and Catie Rhodes.

And just so it’s not totally me focused – let me tell you a little bit about the three people above. Not only are they great writers, but they’re remarkable and supportive friends as well.

I haven’t known Todd as long as I have Greg and Catie, but I can tell you, he does a lot to help others out – from charity anthologies to his current goal of raising $1000 for Camp NaNoWriMo. He’s currently at $971, so if a few of you have a couple of dollars to spare this month, maybe we could push him over his goal line. Todd, dude, you really should do an Authors Give Back post for me one day. I think I’ve mentioned a time or twenty how much I really really like his ZOMBLOG and DEAD series. If you enjoy The Walking Dead, you should try these. They’re not just zombie books. They’re character driven, well-written and I think you’ll be hard pressed to stop reading once you start.

Both Catie and Greg had awesome stories in the TALES FROM THE MIST anthology.

And, Catie just recently released her debut novel, FOREVER ROAD. It’s a great paranormal read. Catie manages to catch the spirit of small town living and it’s people within the pages of this book. There’s definitely a few people in there that remind me of people I know having grown up in a small town. The heroine is someone you can relate to and want to know more about. I can’t wait for the next book in this series. If you haven’t, you should really check out Catie’s blog. It’s one of the most entertaining out there in the blogosphere – especially if you like the paranormal, the dark side of humanity and true crime. Catie also shares the spotlight with fellow writers with her Playlist series.

Last but not definitely not least, Greg Carrico’s newest release, CHILDREN OF THE PLAGUE, is an apocalyptic fantasy that will have you lost in the pages until the very end. He’s great at world building and character development. Greg has a wonderful imagination that will take you on an epic journey along with his protagonists. His blog posts are hilarious and you should really check those out. He keeps me laughing. And Greg helps out his fellow authors by showcasing them in his 30 Minute read posts. Very cool!

Okay, so if you’re still with me, here are those questions I’m supposed to answer.

What are you working on now?

I’m behind due to life issues, BUT I should have PREDATOR out soon. While it’s not the first I’ve written in my Courting Justice series with Court Investigator, Tori Matthews – it is the first I’ll be releasing. It’s novella length and I believe it’s the perfect place to start the series.

Three missing girls. A family in crisis. A predator on the hunt. Can court investigator, Tori Matthews, find out the truth before it’s too late?

I’m also working on getting THE CONSUMING formatted and it should be out soon as well as a single short story. It was included in the TALES FROM THE MIST ANTHOLOGY last year.

Serena knows her late uncle wasn’t crazy. So when she inherits his sprawling Carolina mansion and leaves the big city to restore both his home and his name, she uncovers a mystery that could cost much more than her sanity. As the house slowly reveals its dark secrets, and the extent of her peril becomes evident, she’ll settle for escaping with her life—if it isn’t already too late.

The cover was done by Jeffrey Kosh. Isn’t it spooky?

For those that sign up for my brand new newsletter, I’ll gift an e-copy of THE CONSUMING as soon as it’s available.

What experiences have influenced you?

Definitely have to say that twenty years worth of investigating child abuse/neglect and custody issues has given me some unique perspectives. I can say I’ve seen the very worst of people and the very best. From evil to near Saint-like behavior. I’ve had guns and knives pulled on me, been threatened and stalked. Been cursed at and thanked. I’ve been alone in places that even the cops don’t go alone.

Having been blessed with a great family and growing up in a small town have also had a tremendous influence on me. I think I have a lot to share.

How would you describe your writing process?

Have an idea. Start writing. When I get to the point I need to know more about a character, I figure that out – take a few notes and get back to writing. I research as I need the info. Then I rewrite. Throw a bunch out. Keep a few things in the cut folder for use later maybe. Rewrite some more. And some more. I’m without a doubt a pantser. I enjoy figuring out what’s next and am often surprised.

I usually have more ideas than I can get to at any given time, so when I do have one, I’ll write when the idea strikes until I have enough down that I can remember where I’m going with it and put it aside until I have finished whatever I’m currently working on. Then I choose from those I have pieces of to start on next.

What is the hardest part of writing?

Like Todd and Greg – finishing is the hardest part for me.

What would you like to try as a writer that you haven’t yet?

I wrote a short story for Christmas one year. I shared it recently with my critique group. They all thought it would make a wonderful Hallmark Christmas movie. So my next thing to learn is scriptwriting. I think it will be fun! Yeah, okay. It’ll probably be hard work too, but still fun!

Who are the authors you most admire?

Dean Koontz and Stephen King of course influenced the horror writer in me. I’m in awe of Nora Robert’s prolificness and her ability to keep the writing fresh.

As for indie writers, I have to say: Christine Claire McKenzie, Stacey Joy Netzel, Dale Amidei, Tamara Ward, Cate Dean, D.D. Scott, Alicia and Roy Street, PJ Sharon, Natalie Owens, and the rest of the WG2E Street Team. I must also mention Aiden James, Tiffany A. White, Sandy Rowland, Myndi Shafer, and Amber West. And of course, Todd Brown, Greg Carrico and Catie Rhodes. One thing I admire about each of these authors besides writing great books I love to read is their generous spirit. They all help other writers and find time to help in other causes as well.

What scares you?

Some days – everything. Others – not much.

I think my biggest recurring fear is that my work isn’t good enough. And that after all the classes, the learning, the writing and the rewriting, the editing and the re-editing, it won’t be enough. When I have those days, I just have to take a few moments to breathe. To remember that people like Todd Brown and others I respect have said I’m talented. And that’s usually enough to calm my fears – until the next time.

So now for the three extraordinarily talented authors that I’m tagging to participate in this meme:

Stacey Joy Netzel

Amber West

Myndi Shafer

I highly recommend their books and their blogs.

Stacey has several books and short stories out that I have enjoyed. It’s hard to pick just one. But I did love LOST IN ITALY. It’s a romantic suspense that keeps you turning the page.

Amber just released her debut novel, THE RUTH VALLEY MISSING. This is a clean mystery with some twists you won’t see coming.

And Myndi has written an excellent fantasy – the SHRILUGH Series. I read the first, waited impatiently for the second and devoured it upon release. I’m now awaiting the third. Love it!

I’m always curious – what authors influence you? What are you afraid of?

As always, thanks for reading!

April 30, 2013

AUTHORS GIVE BACK: KS BROOKS & INDIE AUTHORS FOR HURRICANE SANDY LIBRARIES

My Authors Give Back guest today is K.S. Brooks, an award-winning novelist and photographer, author of sixteen books, and co-administrator of multi-national, multi-author website IndiesUnlimited.com. Brooks’ feature articles, poetry, and photography have appeared in magazines, newspapers, books, and other publications both in the U.S. and abroad.

Welcome, K.S.!

~~~

One of my passions is helping indie authors – but not on purpose, which I know sounds strange. In 2001, I found myself stranded on the Indie Author Island – neither a traditionally published author nor a vanity press customer. I was one of the first indies – I just didn’t know it. I did know, however, how absolutely helpless I felt – the industry was so young and I was really on my own.

So, ten years later, when five-star author and humorist Stephen Hise invited me to be his partner at Indies Unlimited, the decision was easy. Steve founded IU in October 2011 to provide a sense of community, guidance, and support for authors of all levels, and connect readers, reviewers, and book bloggers with talented emerging writers. In less than six months, we took the one-man blog and turned it into a multi-author, multi-national, award-winning web site which we lovingly refer to as the death star superblog.

Indies Unlimited makes an amazing array of resources available to authors free of charge, which has put an enormous number of independent authors in touch with me during my work as site co-administrator (a volunteer position).

In October 2012, Hurricane Sandy devastated the coast from New Jersey up into Connecticut. I sat in horror before my television, feeling helpless – and wanting so badly to do something. But – I’m broke: a typical starving author. I may not have money, but I do have some books, and I know lots of authors…

In November 2012 I created Independent Authors for Hurricane Sandy Library Recovery. I started a Facebook group for authors who were interested in donating books. Things got complicated quite quickly – and I realized that we weren’t going to be able to accept every book submitted. I reached out to a number of authors, editors, and reviewers who are kind enough to donate their time to the vetting committee.

The group currently has over 170 members, including Warren Murphy, a bestselling author of over 150 titles, and Martin Crosbie, one of Amazon.com’s 2012 success stories. The generosity of the indie author community has been heartwarming. We’ve also coordinated efforts to assist other programs, such as providing eBooks for the Authors for Wounded Warriors project, and providing print books to libraries out of the Sandy area which have been destroyed by fire and/or tornadoes.

I’m proud to say we’ve shipped nearly 1200 books to libraries in need since the first shipment this past January.

So – what does Indies Unlimited have to do with the Hurricane Sandy effort? Without IU, I never would have thought it possible to mobilize a group of authors in this fashion. I never would have known the level of support possible in the Indie Author community. So, to me, the two platforms – both steeped in a culture of mutual assistance and support – go hand-in-hand.

~~~

Thank you so much, KS! Wow — what an accomplishment. This project was such a great idea and you’ve already done so much with it. I have to say that I believe authors to be some of the most generous people and am not surprised that you’ve had such an excellent response. The indie authors I’ve had contact with have been very supportive and have been more than willing to share their knowledge and expertise. It’s definitely a community I’m proud to be a part of.

For those of you who have not yet had the pleasure of reading anything by KS Brooks, you can find some of her work at her Amazon Author Page.

Why not check out one of her latest, Postcards from Mr. Pish: South and West Edition

From Amazon: The adventurous Jack Russell Terrier, Mr. Pish, is back – this time to guide readers through portions of the southern and western United States in Postcards from Mr. Pish Volume 4. Each postcard Mr. Pish sends is filled with engaging text and full-color photographs designed to inspire both young and old to read, explore, and learn. As with all his books, history, geography, and more become inviting and fun – because of the charismatic traveling terrier!

Want to know more about KS Brooks? You can connect with her at:

Website KS Brooks Facebook Mr. Pish Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn

I love hearing from you. So please leave a comment. Whether you’re an author or not, have you donated books/ebooks to this project or others like it? KS and her crew have certainly done a lot of work on this and others have apparently been very generous in their donations. I think it’s a great way to help rebuild libraries that need it.

As always — thanks for reading!

April 25, 2013

Creating Characters Readers Relate To

My guest today is my very talented friend, Catie Rhodes. Catie decided to turn her love of lying into writing fiction after she got fired for telling her boss the President was on the phone. It didn’t take Catie long to figure out what she wanted to do when she grew up. Drawing on her East Texas roots, her love of true crime, and her love of the paranormal, she writes the kind of stories she wishes the book stores sold. With her faithful Pomeranian, Cosmo, at her side, Catie relishes being that kid your mother warned you about, the one who cusses and never washes her hands after petting the dog.

Welcome, Catie!

Thank you, Rhonda for inviting me to talk to your readers about characterization today.

Long before I became a writer, I was a reader. As a teenager, I devoured books by Jackie Collins, Stephen King, S. E. Hinton, and Lois Duncan. Those authors all have a gift for creating characters with whom I can instantly relate, characters whose heads I don’t mind living in for a few hundred pages.

Don’t get me wrong. Plot is important. But characterization makes a book’s plot come to life.

Without a character audiences can root for, a plot is just a series of actions. It’s interesting enough, but you don’t care. You aren’t invested in what happens to the characters.

Good characterization is just as necessary for TV series and movies as it is for books. In fact, sometimes television and film are great teachers about the art of characterization.

Today, I want to discuss some of my favorite TV characters and how they influence my writing.

Know What You Like…And Why

Creating characters readers relate to requires a working knowledge of the type of characters who catch my interest. I have to understand why those characters appeal to me.

As an illustration, let’s look at a three of my favorite TV characters.

Tara Knowles-Teller (Sons of Anarchy)

Tara is a pediatric surgeon who can’t leave behind her childhood romance with bad boy biker Jax Teller. Despite leaving the small town in which the two grew up and becoming a doctor, Tara returns and re-involves herself with both Jax and the Sons of Anarchy motorcycle club. She and Jax eventually marry.

The show tracks Tara’s transformation from capable but naïve into a ruthless, manipulative criminal who will do anything for her husband and children. Tara’s journey grows darker with each season.

An interesting side note is that Tara is slowly becoming her mother-in-law, Gemma Teller, who is morally bankrupt but amazing in her single-minded pursuit of whatever she sets as a goal.

Ava Crowder (Justified)

Ava killed the husband who abused her in cold blood as he sat at their dinner table consuming a homemade fried chicken dinner. She first becomes the girlfriend of Raylan Givens, US Marshall, but the two quickly part ways because of Ava’s criminal associations.

Over the course of the show, Ava becomes involved with her ex-brother-in-law who is a cunning criminal. Ava joins his operation, proving herself to be quick-minded and tough when she needs to be. Despite that, Ava still retains her humanity and her vulnerability.

Emma Becker (The Lying Game)

Emma is a high school student who spent most

of her childhood in the foster care system. The experience made her able to adapt any situation. This comes in handy when Emma finds her long lost twin sister and ends up posing as her twin who is the leader of an exclusive, wealthy clique and queen bee at her high school.

Emma’s ability to endure hardship contrasts well with her kind nature. The show’s writers could have created the typical ruthless tough girl. Instead, they made Emma’s twin, who has grown up wealthy with every possible advantage, into the “mean” character.

Why These Characters?

I’ve noticed my likes fall into a certain pattern. I tend to like female characters who

Fall for dangerous men
Do what it takes to survive
Flirt with the wrong side of the law
Live on the fringes of society
Are tough when the situation calls for it
Are loyal and protective to those they love

But these characters also need to surprise me from time to time for it to be satisfying to watch them. The times they do something unexpected are often the moments that define them as characters.

Forever Road

As most of you know, I recently published my debut novel, Forever Road. Here’s the tagline:

Seeing ghosts is rough, but owing a ghost a favor flat out sucks.

When I began creating my heroine, Peri Jean Mace, I used the elements I love about other fictional characters.

Like Tara Knowles and Ava Crowder, Peri Jean flirts with the wrong side of the law. She sometimes finds herself attracted to dangerous men. Like both Tara and Ava, Peri is loyal and will do whatever it takes to keep her loved ones from harm.

Like Emma Becker, Peri has endured a great deal of hardship. Despite that, she’s kind to others and tries to treat them as she would like to be treated. She adapts to survive, but will draw a line in the sand and fight if it’s necessary.

Like all three characters, Peri is on a journey of self-discovery. Events coming up in her life will force her to examine the way she approaches life and how well it is serving her.

~~~

Thank you, Catie! Those are great examples of characters that keep us tuned in and watching. Just like Peri Jean kept my attention in FOREVER ROAD. I definitely liked her spunky attitude and her loyalty to family and friends shined through the hardships she’s endured.

If you haven’t read FOREVER ROAD, I highly recommend it..

You can find FOREVER ROAD at: Amazon

And you can connect with Catie at the following:

Website Blog Facebook Twitter Pinterest

Goodreads Amazon Author Page

What about you guys? What characters do you enjoy in movies, TV, or books and what makes them so great that it keeps you coming back for more?

As always — thanks for reading!

March 19, 2013

Local DFW Authors Book Signing Event

I’m so excited! I’ll be doing my very first book signing Thursday night in Cleburne, TX from 5:30pm to 9:00pm. It will be at the Wright Plaza located at 115 S. Main St. 76033. If you’re in the area, I hope you’ll stop by and say hello. I’ll have copies of TALES FROM THE MIST available. TFTM is a horror/paranormal anthology that includes my short story, The Consuming.

TALES FROM THE MIST will take you on a journey into the dark world of the paranormal. These twelve stories vary in their degree of horror, yet all reach across the boundaries of their genres into the chilling realms of the macabre. Witches, ghosts, shape-shifters and vampire rats are some of the creatures that reign within these pages. Authors included are: Scott Nicholson, Rhonda Hopkins, Marty Young, Cate Dean, Tamara Ward, Meredith Bond, Catie Rhodes, Greg Carrico, Mitzi Flyte, Natalie G. Owens, *lizzie starr and Stacey Joy Netzel.

Two of my friends will also be there.

David Walker will have copies of HEAVEN SENT, a collection of stories of real people’s devotion and spiritual insight to inspire and lift you up. David is a Christian husband, father and grandfather, a grounded pilot, a would-be Nashville star, and a near-scratch golfer who had to give up the game because of shoulder problems. A graduate of Duke University, he spent 42 years as a health insurance agent. Most of that career was spent in Texas, but for a few years he traveled many other states. He started writing about 20 years ago and has been a member and leader in several writers’ groups. His books, the devotional Heaven Sent and the novella series FANCY, are now available in paperback and in Kindle and Nook formats. http://davidnwalker.com/heaven-sent/

AND

Richard Weatherly will have copies of CLOSED DOORS, A TRILOGY which includes a novella and 2 short stories. Rich Weatherly’s professional career spanned several decades. Much of that career included technical writing and copy writing. He also worked in media production and corporate photography. After retiring from the corporate world, Rich focused his attention on creative writing. He continues to work on a series of short stories, and a collection of works that will include poetry, photography and miscellaneous writings. Rich Weatherly is a descendant of one of General Marion’s militia at the Battle of Cowpens during the Revolutionary War. His maternal Great-Grandmother’s father scouted western Dallas, County and was numbered among the first 50 families to settle western Dallas, Co., Texas.

You can connect with Rich at:
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/Rich-Weatherly/e/B008OHMH98
Facebook, Author page: www.facebook.com/pages/Rich-Weatherly-Author/235488943239220
My Writing page of blog: http://richweatherly.com/my-writing/
Twitter: @RichWeatherly43

~~~

It looks like the event will have a little something for everyone. The following is info from the press release from Masters Management Group (www.facebook.com/MMGServices) about the event as well as a few other links some of the authors sent me:

The local shop owners at the Wright Plaza Shopping Mall on South Main in Cleburne, have graciously offered to host a night to meet many local and a few not so local authors who are promoting a wide variety of published books. Being held Thursday March 21^st, 5:30-9p, genres of books include children’s, personal stories, Christian, novels, pictorial, local history and self-help. There will also be some short presentations by some of the authors on their area of expertise or other topics they want to share with the audience. Some of the shops will also be open for you to browse through and see their wonderful selections of gifts and other items.

Most of the authors have also graciously offered to donate a copy of their books to be put in a door prize drawing, so those who attend may win a book before the night is over. There will also be a pair of tickets to one of the great Plaza Theater plays. We may have a few other surprises as well.

~~~

We invite you to come and meet many authors including Burleson’s own Sarah Nelms Churman who wrote “Powered On”about her journey from deafness to a world of hearing through the procedure of getting an Esteem implant. The story of her desire to be able to hear all those sounds that had been a mystery to her all of her life is a great story. You might also recognize Sarah from her many appearances since the YOUTUBE video that was taken as she “heard” with her implant for the very first time. You can search for it by looking for “29 years old and hearing myself for the first time” it has over 16 million views. You can locate Sarah’s fan page by going to facebook and www.facebook.com/sarahmchurman.

We are also pleased to have Sara Zink author of “20 Tips for Power Chicks” who will be sharing her book as well as the information on the publishing service she also provides for other authors wanting to get published. If you have been thinking about writing a book, or are in the process of searching for a publisher you won’t want to miss out on her presentation at 6:30 during the authors night event. You can find more about Sarah on her website http://www.SarahZink.com .

Doug Petersen shares inspirational messages entitled “Thoughts of the Day.” He began sending these life-affirming thoughts of the day a few years ago. The random, spontaneous thoughts share one common theme — the focus on personal values, gratitude, serving others, and heartfelt passions. His series of books helps bring the joy of life into focus to combat everyday stress. His last book, Inspire: A Year of Daily Inspirational Thoughts was awarded the 2012 Global eBook Award for the best Inspirational/Visionary Non-Fiction.

Doug Petersen is a decorated Vietnam “Dustoff” (medical evacuation) pilot and served more than two decades as a United States Army aviator. After retiring from the military, he worked for a financial services company in Texas. Today he shares his inspirational thoughts and experiences to thousands through his free “Thought of the Day” newsletter, social media and as a professional inspirational speaker and award-winning author. Doug is also a professional member of the National Speakers Association. (www.inspirevalues.com , doug@inspirevalues.com) [information provided by Doug Petersen] Doug resides in the Benbrook area.

You can also connect with Doug at Facebook: www.facebook.com/douglasnpetersen

Shana Duty’s first endeavor at authoring a book is a collection of beautiful photos that share the memory of loved ones remembered in road side memorials. Shana’s story began as she was traveling the country with her truck driver husband Conor. He was also the one who encouraged her to finish and publish the book. In a very sad and ironic turn of events his life would serve as the ultimate inspiration, but you will have to read/visit “Crossroads“ to find out how this pictorial story ends. Shana is a resident of Burleson.

Kellie Coats Gilbert “Mother of Pearl” is the story of HOW FAR WILL A MOTHER GO FOR HER DAUGHTER? The character in the book is Barrie Graeber who has two great kids, a loving husband, and a respected job as the high school counselor in her close-knit community. Without warning, everything unravels when her teenage daughter, Pearl, is betrayed by friends and lashes out. Nothing prepares this mother for the helplessness that follows when her attempts to steer her daughter back on course fail and Pearl shuts her out . . . or when she discovers the unthinkable about her nemesis, the football coach. Emotionally riveting and profoundly moving, MOTHER OF PEARL brings us into the heart of a mother bound by an incredible burden, who ultimately finds she must recognize her own vulnerability and learn to trust in something much bigger. One of the reviews for Kellie’s book shared by Lisa Wingate, National bestselling, award-winning author of Dandelion Summer and Blue Moon Bay was “A cautionary tale for our times, Mother of Pearl is a compelling journey through loss and longing, grief and redemption, crime and justice. Kellie Coates Gilbert unfolds her story with the sensitivity of a skilled writer .” wrote Lisa. [Information taken from Kellie Coates Gilbert website] http://kelliecoatesgilbert.com/

Linda loveGarten (aka Mrs. Linda Goodwin) has recently retired from twenty years of teaching Art and Spanish in a Dallas middle school. A great lover of the beauty and spirit that’s all around but sometimes hard to see, she creates ethereal images in words, paint and various media. She holds degrees in Art, Spanish, and ancient Latin American cultures from universities in Texas and California; and has studied/traveled in Mexico, Costa Rica, Peru, and China. Ms. loveGarten lives in Texas where she joyfully explores her art and travels with her husband Richard, also a retired Dallas teacher. Between them, they celebrate six grandchildren. You can get more information by visiting http://www.lovegarten.com.

Laurie Orloff author of “How To Handle Your Cranky and Stressed Out Parents (A Teen Survival Guide)” is originally from the Chicago area, has two sons and currently lives in Dallas. As well as being an author and speaker, she has been a musician since childhood. She teaches violin and viola and has been a symphony musician since she was 15 years old. After the birth of her first child, she dedicated herself to becoming the best parent she could possibly be- and discovered that much of it revolves around being a role model that is happy, optimistic, respectful and extremely adaptable! Laurie got her start on writing about parenting shortly after the birth of her first son when a letter of hers was read on 20/20 regarding nighttime sleeping arrangements for babies. She hasn’t stopped writing since then. You can find more about Laurie and her book by visiting http://www.parentteenalliance.com/book-list/how-to-handle-your-cranky-and-stressed-out-parents-a-teen-survival-guide/about-the-book.html . [Information from the website for Parent Teen Alliance]

Sharon Gresham author of “Paul’s Lifesong of Joy and Unity” is a former pastor’s wife and missionary, earned her MA Theology from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in 2008 in biblical studies and systematic theology. She enjoys investigating biblical languages. She is a PhD student at B. H. Carroll Theological Institute studying Bible Theology and lives in Burleson, Texas.

Mollie Mims “Johnson County History Book” and “Images of America Cleburne” is a Cleburne native who has been in publishing since she was a youngster. Mollie is a former employee of the local Cleburne Times Review. She researched the local history of Cleburne and Johnson County compiling stories and tracking down the “thousand words” held in many historical photographs. Her books are not only informative they are beautiful catching a distant home town that so many of us remember in bits and pieces of time. You can order Mollie’s book at http://www.amazon.com/Cleburne-Images-America-Arcadia-Publishing/dp/0738571199 . Or better yet come and purchase directly from her at our event.

Michele Nelson Schmidt author and illustrator of “ Jonathan James and the What if Monster” shares on her “WHAT IF MONSTERS WEBSITE” that she has a MAGICAL LIFE! She gets to go all over the country visiting schools and telling kids all about her books and how she was able to finally be doing what she loves for a living. Her current book and upcoming books are part of the USBORNE publishing company. A local sales rep for their company Alyssa Truman has been on a personal mission to bring the author to Johnson County to share it with all the kids in our community. Alyssa also has reached out to local businesses and individuals to make sure each child who would like a book can have the opportunity to get one. In a recent facebook post Alyssa shared “I belong to the most amazing community EVER!!! I am in awe and humbled”, after a local networker Coralee Flug, developer of the online networking groups called Connections helped her network and gain support to purchase at least 25 books for those kids who might not be able to purchase them during the visits to local schools.. The CONNECTIONS groups all have the motto that we are all stronger together than we are apart, and the business owners all pull together to help when asked. Schools currently on the schedule include Nola Dunn in Burleson and Deer Creek in Crowley. Michelle will also be visiting with Pathway Preparatory Christian Academy in Joshua, which is an open event for parents with school age children. You can still purchase books by contacting Alyssa through her online bookstore at www.alyssasbookshop.com or visit Michelle on her site www.whatifmonsters.com .

Here’s a few more links for Michelle and her books:

Website: www.michellepaints.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/WhatifMonsterLovers
Buy the books at: https://L2007.myubam.com/search?q=michelle+nelson

Scott Odom author “Stand Up – I lost my leg to cancer, not my dream” shares how he always dreamed of growing up about becoming a professional athlete. He was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a form of bone cancer at age fourteen. His dreams and life were put on hold while he fought the horrible disease. The team that Scott now plays with is the AMP1 guys and they have traveled all over showing that they can play basketball much like anyone else. In his book, Scott shares how he was discouraged by the fact that the only teams were using wheelchairs only to compete. And that is how AMP1 was founded. He says “I wrote a book to tell my story about the things I went through with cancer and losing my leg. I talk about my life before and my life during and after this disesae. Also how I got back in the game and how I dealt with all the things I had to deal with not only cancer but as an amputee. I hope my story is one of inspiration, motivation, and encouragement.” Scott is now starting the process to take his beloved AMP1 to 501c3 status and work towards creating the league he and many others believes will be a big part of competitive basketball. You can learn more about Scott and Amp1 by visiting their site at http://www.amp1basketball.com.

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Tracy Marroquin is our host for this event and the owner of Simply Zinful. She is going to be having a wine tasting and serving snacks in her shop. When asked about hosting the event Tract said “I would love to host this, I enjoy offering opportunities for the community to share and enjoy this space as well as giving all our shops the opportunity to gain new customers”. Tracy also hosts several evening events every month including “First Friday at the Wright Plaza” , “Girls Night out at the Wright Plaza” and an annual Wine Festival. She also added “Our wine festival is in the planning stages already for this year and promises to be bigger and better than last year with more wineries, vendors and some other great surprises. Watch for date and ticket sales opening soon!

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Wow! Lots of great stuff, right? I do hope you’ll check out this event. You can join on facebook to get up to the minute information: https://www.facebook.com/events/412649022153769/

If you’re there, please stop by my table. I’d love to chat with you a few minutes and meet you face to face.

March 15, 2013

THE MARK OF A MAN BLOGFEST

August McLaughlin has an annual Beauty of a Woman Blogfest where bloggers from all over the world talk about what makes a woman beautiful from the inside. It’s a wonderful event and if you haven’t read any of the blogs, you can find a list here.

After being inspired by August, David N. Walker called for bloggers to write about The Mark of a Man – what makes a man a man? What are the essentials women look for? It’s not just about the abs is it?

To me a real man is someone who loves and supports his family. He shows respect and acts in a way that is worthy of respect. He spends time with his children and with his spouse/significant other. He helps raise the kids and helps make a house a home – a pleasant place to be.

A man uses his voice and his words to lift up those he loves. To encourage, support and inspire. He does what he can to build self-esteem, not tear someone down. He uses his hands to hug, to reassure, to love.

As frequent readers of my blog know, I’m a big supporter of domestic violence awareness campaigns. Having spent twenty years in the social work field, I have seen far more than my fair share of violence against women and children. In my opinion, a man does not raise his fists in anger. He does not abuse those he loves.

Recently Sir Patrick Stewart served as host for the launch of “Ring The Bell,” a global campaign calling on one million men to make one million “concrete, actionable promises” to end violence against women. Stewart remarked:

Violence against women is the single greatest human rights violation of our generation.

This is a call to action—not an act that will make things better in six months or a year’s time. This is action that might save a life today, or tonight, or tomorrow.

According to that same Yahoo News article by Dylan Stableford, Michael Bolton also attended this event and has been lobbying for the extension of the Violence Against Women Act which was passed by Congress earlier this week. Bolton said:

We will continue to battle.

Stableford reported that Dallas Mayor Michael Rawlings had this to say:

You can call a man who hits a woman a lot of things, but you can’t call him a man.

I think that about sums it up. Don’t you?

A man loves and cherishes his family. He stands up for the rights of others. He does his part to stop injustices when he can. A man like my dad.

What do you guys and gals think makes a man a man? For my male readers – have you heard of the Ring The Bell movement? Have you joined? How do you make your mark on this world?

For another Mark of a Man blog post, visit JT Therrien’s blog. He’s got some great advice about aging and doing it well. And the lovely Julie Glover has a great post about why she loves men.

March 12, 2013

AUTHORS GIVE BACK: MINA KHAN AND UNICEF

My Authors Give Back guest today is Mina Khan.

Mina is a Texas-based writer and food enthusiast. She grew up in Bangladesh on stories of djinns (pronounced “gins”), ghosts and monsters. These childhood fancies now color her fiction. She daydreams of hunky paranormal heroes, magic, mayhem and mischief and writes them down as tales of romance and adventure.

Her first published work, The Djinn’s Dilemma, won the novella category of the 2012 Romance Through The Ages (published) contest.

~~~

Before I was a writer, I was a reader. My father was a sailor and I spent my early childhood on ships with books as my constant companions. Instead of real children, I went adventuring with the young characters of Enid Blyton’s Famous Five. Later, the laugh-out-loud Three Singles To Adventure by Gerald Durrell helped me get over a high school heartbreak. And when my son was born seven weeks early and we had to spend sixty two days in the hospital, I read Elmer Kelton’s The Time It Never Rained out loud to him. I didn’t know if he’d make it or not, and I wanted to share at least one good story with him.

I have been fortunate that my parents valued education and always made that a priority. I’m thankful for my ability to read and to write. Words are an integral part of my identity.

However, I grew up in a part of the world where poverty and chauvinism often keeps education away from many, especially women. According to UNICEF

67 million children are currently not enrolled in school worldwide.

Education makes a big difference not only in the life of the person educated, but also the family. And sometimes the world. Malala Yousafzai, a Pakistani teen, was shot by the Taliban because she promoted education for the girls. I decided to donate fifty percent of the proceeds from the sale of A TALE OF TWO DJINNS to UNICEF’s Schools for Asia initiative to honor my parents, to honor Malala and to honor the gift of education.

~~~

Thank you so much for the great post, Mina! What a wonderful thing you’re doing by donating part of the proceeds from your book to UNICEF. This is such a great cause.

Woot! What a sexy cover! And A Tale of Two Djinns is celebrating its first book birthday. Congrats, Mina!

What’s the book about? Check out this blurb from Amazon:

A TALE OF TWO DJINNS is a sexy paranormal Romeo & Juliet story with genies, feminists, kickass action & adult fun.

Akshay, warrior prince of the earth djinns, earns the title of Crown Prince at a high cost when he loses his best friend in a battle against ancient enemies, the water djinns. Heartsick, he escapes to Earth to mourn.

Nothing gets the biological clock ticking (and elders lecturing) like almost dying in battle, so Maya, princess of the water djinns, travels to Earth for some no-strings-attached sex to fulfill her duty and produce an heir. But the beautiful and tough warrior gets more than she bargained for when she meets Shay.

Their not-so-simple one-night stand is interrupted by assassins and the world, as they know it, is changed forever. As Maya and Shay pull together to survive, both are determined to have their happily-ever-after and bring peace to their worlds — warring families, shadow assassins, and nosy busybodies be damned.

Doesn’t that sound exciting? And for only $2.99, you can help Mina make a difference. You can find A TALE OF TWO DJINNS at the following locations:

Amazon Barnes & Noble Smashwords Kobo iTunes ARe

Mina’s newest release, DEAD: A Ghost story, is NOT a romance. It’s a multicultural ghost-story that highlights a little known aspect of the immigrant experience.

For more information check out Mina, visit her at:

Amazon Author Page Blog: Stories by Mina Khan Facebook Author Page

@SpiceBites

On a side note: Malala Yousafzai, has become the youngest person to ever be nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize. What an amazing young woman she is.

Now it’s your turn. Doesn’t this sound like a great cause? And what about Malala’s nomination – isn’t that awesome? I just got my copy of A Tale of Two Djinns and can’t wait to read it. Have you read it or one of Mina’s other works?

As always, thank you for reading!

*My typical disclaimer: I have no connection with any charity mentioned in the Authors Give Back segment of the blog unless noted. I have not personally researched any charity mentioned unless otherwise noted. If you plan to donate to ANY charity (mentioned here or elsewhere) you should research it thoroughly and decide for yourself if it is a legitimate and worthy cause.

March 7, 2013

World Book Day and a Giveaway

Today is World Book Day. How cool is that? I think it’s wonderful to have a day to celebrate one of the things I love most in this world. Ever since I was a small child, I’ve been reading and journeying into new and different worlds — falling in love with characters; solving mysteries; laughing, crying and finding hope with new friends; and reeling in terror with some of the best in horror.

Now as a writer, I hope that my stories will affect others in the same ways. What an honor it is to share my writing with my friends — those I know and those I’ve yet to meet. And my wish is that I may give others the pleasure of escape into a new universe and that they enjoy my characters as much as I do.

In honor of World Book Day, I will be giving away the following 3 prizes:

1. A signed paperback copy of TALES FROM THE MIST which includes my short story, The Consuming.

2. An e-copy of TALES FROM THE MIST.

The Consuming:

3. AND an e-copy of PREDATOR, the first novella in my Courting Justice series, as soon as it’s available, which should be in a few weeks.

Three missing girls. A family in crisis. A predator on the hunt. Can court investigator, Tori Matthews, find out the truth before it’s too late?

Leave a comment below and tell me what books mean to you and I’ll randomly choose three winners. If you’ve already read TALES FROM THE MIST, just let me know so I won’t include you in the drawing for that. (Or if you’ve read the ebook and would still like a chance at the paperback, let me know that as well.)

If you want to know the origin of World Book Day, click here for more information.

It’s also Read an Ebook Week – March 3 through 9. So you have a couple of more days to get a lot of inexpensive ebooks at Smashwords. And the cool thing about Smashwords is you can get your favorite format there. Just click on the download button for the format for whichever e-reader you have.

TALES FROM THE MIST is also on sale there until the 9th. Just use coupon code REW50 and you can get it for only $2.50 if you don’t win a copy here. I’ll update this post and announce the winners tomorrow morning.

Oh…I just read this great post about leaving reviews for books. Marina Maddix gives some wonderful tips for writing simple reviews. It doesn’t have to be time consuming. If you read a book and like it, why not leave a review? It helps the authors find new readers and it helps readers find books they might enjoy reading.

And if you’re so inclined, you can find me here:

Facebook Twitter Goodreads Pinterest Google+

And you can sign up for email notifications of my blog in the right sidebar. That way you won’t miss anything coming up!

AND THE WINNERS ARE:

Kim Griffin – Paperback copy of TALES FROM THE MIST
Fran Veal - Ecopy of TALES FROM THE MIST
Lynda Dickson – Ecopy of PREDATOR just as soon as it’s released

Congrats to all three of you. I’ll be sending you each an email a little later today. And thank you to everyone who commented yesterday. I appreciate all of you!

Thanks for stopping by and Happy Reading!

February 22, 2013

A POSITIVE FROM A NEGATIVE

For the most part, I’ve been fortunate. My story, The Consuming, in the TALES FROM THE MIST anthology has received some pretty good reviews. I’m proud of that story and the very nice things that have been said about it. Things like:

“The Consuming by Rhonda Hopkins is the perfect example of gothic horror…”

“My personal favorites were The Consuming, by Rhonda Hopkins, a great creepy haunting story…”

“The Consuming by Rhonda Hopkins is the literary version of what films like Paranormal Activity tried to be. This has the bumps in the night flying off the page.”

“The Consuming by Rhonda Hopkins had a chilling Hitchcock feel…”

“I’ve got to give kudos to a couple that really sent ice spiders dancing down my spine. Rhonda Hopkins in “The Consuming” places her character (Serena) in one of my favorite subgenres of horror: The haunted house. Naturally, the things that go bump in the night (and also the day) frightened me, but then the real horror of the story arrives.”

So, I’ve been dreading getting a review that wasn’t so great. Realistically, I know not everyone likes everything and not everyone will like everything I write. That’s a given. And recently someone said they don’t like romance, so The Consuming didn’t hold their attention.

Now as far as bad reviews go, that’s not really so terrible. So someone doesn’t like romance and it wasn’t their cup of tea. But hold the phone — that’s where it gets a little confusing for me. Romance? Moi?

I don’t write romance. Okay, I’ve fluctuated on calling one of my upcoming series a “romantic suspense” to a “suspense with romantic elements”. That’s because I don’t think I write romance all that well. I think I write some things well – like suspense and some really reprehensible bad guys (maybe because I’ve had the displeasure of meeting more than my share of those). But romance?

Let’s just say I envy those that write romance and make it look so effortless, like C C MacKenzie, Stacey Joy Netzel, and Nana Malone, who recently made the USA Best-Sellers list (Yea, Nana!) or any of the other WG2E Street Team who write romance.

For those that don’t know the difference – in a romantic suspense, the romance is integral to the story. In a suspense with romantic elements, the romance isn’t so important and could be left out entirely without it really affecting much.

I didn’t set out to write something where romance was a big part of it. In fact, there’s not much at all in the way of a romance in the first novella, PREDATOR, in my Courting Justice series.

However, in the first full length novel ILLUSION OF SAFETY, my characters had a different idea. You see, Tori and Caleb have known each other practically their whole lives. He’s her brother’s best friend.

In chapter three, they sort of threw me for a loop when this happened:

“Oh my God…I thought…” Tears rolled down her cheeks.

Caleb looked around, found what he needed and gently took her hand, leading her down the hall. He pushed open a door and pulled Tori into a single bathroom, locking the door behind them. He took her into his arms and let her cry for a minute until she regained control of her emotions.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to panic like that.” Tori ducked her head so he couldn’t see her face.

“You have every right to be upset. And the panic was just a delayed response. You’ve held it together for over an hour after witnessing something horrendous. Hell. You not only held it together, you got yourself and a little girl to safety. So stop being so hard on yourself.”

Caleb turned the water on and fiddled with knobs until the water was warm but not too hot. He grabbed a towel from the dispenser, wet it and squeezed the water from it.

He motioned toward the sink. “Wash your face so we can go find out how Rebecca is.”

Caleb watched as she removed her purse from across her shoulder and placed it on the door hook.

He scrubbed the right leg of her jeans with the wet towel, removing as much of the coffee stain as he could. Tossing the paper, he studied her in the mirror. Her face was pale but still beautiful. Wait. Beautiful? Where did that come from? He’d known her nearly his whole life. Okay…so he thought she was beautiful. It didn’t mean anything. Right?

Her hair was a mess and it reminded him of what she’d been through. He couldn’t stand it any longer.

His gaze rested on her purse. Crap. He knew it was a nightmare in there. What the hell…I’m going in. He unzipped the bag and was surprised to find what he wanted on top.

Tori turned to throw away the paper towel she’d dried her face and hands with and saw the brush in his hands. Her eyebrow rose. “Have a hair emergency?” she asked.

“No. But you do.” He grinned and handed her the brush.

Not a whole lot of romance there, but there were more little scenes like that leading to a romantic relationship; so you see, I had to find a way to give them what they wanted. But it’s not so easy for me. And if I told you I re-wrote one pivotal chapter in their romance more than twenty times from scratch, it would NOT be an exaggeration. If I told you I re-wrote it more than fifty, it might be, but not by much.

I’m hoping I’ve finally gotten it right. At least Tori and Caleb aren’t yelling at me anymore that it’s lame or that they “wouldn’t do that.” (Dr. Phil, please don’t come knocking on my door. I’m way too busy with my characters at the moment. We have deadlines to meet!)

Now back to The Consuming for a minute – the romance in it is more an “elements” kind of thing. I think anyway. It’s more about the ghosts, the hauntings and the way Serena handles it all. There’s a sexual attraction, which as someone recently pointed out to me, “…doesn’t make it romance. It makes it real.” And I agree with that.

But if I managed to do it well enough that someone referred to it as romance – I guess maybe I’m getting the hang of this thing better than I thought. So, I’m going to take that as a positive instead of a negative.

What about you? Have you ever received a “bad” review that you found good in, instead? Or have you written a not so great review of a book and hoped the author found something positive in your words?

As always, thanks for reading! And may you find romance where you least expect it.

February 19, 2013

AUTHORS GIVE BACK: SPARKLE ABBEY AND PUP, PROTECTING UNWANTED PETS

My Authors Give Back guest today, Sparkle Abbey, is the co-writing team of mystery authors Mary Lee Woods and Anita Carter. The authors took their pen name from the names of their two rescue pets, Sparkle (ML’s cat) and Abbey (Anita’s dog). They like to joke that they could have been Chewbacca Matisse, the names of their other two rescue pets.

~~~

Are You Smitten with Your Kitten? Do You Smooch Your Pooch?

Ah, February the month of love… Flowers and hearts, candy and cards. We love “LOVE” and celebrating love in all its forms is a wonderful thing. And there are lots of types of love – the romantic kind, the family kind, the friendship kind, and, yes, the pet kind.

Many of us are very attached to the furry ones who share our lives and that’s an extra special kind of love. It doesn’t matter to them how we look, what kind of job we have, or that we owe them a phone call. They don’t even care if we hold up our end of the conversation. They’re great listeners. There is no stress to this relationship. They ask so little and yet they give so much.

Even the most independent and stubborn show their gratitude with licks, barks, mews and ankle rubs. And if they leave fur and hairballs and other “presents” behind, well, that’s just part of living the good life, isn’t it? Just by being there for us, just by loving us, they remind us of what’s really important in life. As long as we have a roof over our heads, food to eat, and a furry friend to cuddle with, life is good. In fact, several studies have shown a correlation between owning a pet and certain health benefits such as lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Other studies have shown dramatic decreases in hypertension after owning a pet for six months.

And while all the mess and fuss of pet ownership may seem too much trouble to the petless folks, it makes perfect sense to those of us who consider our pets an essential part of our lives. And there are a lot of us! A recent poll found that three out of five Americans have a pet and 91 percent of us consider our pet a member of the family.

However, the sad news is the 6-8 million pets end up in shelters every year through no fault of their own. Some have to be surrendered because of allergies, changes in living situations, or relocations. Most are great family-friendly pets and twenty percent of these unwanted pets are pure-bred animals.

Here’s the good news. Most shelters and rescue groups work hard to find their animals new forever homes. Most organizations include vaccinations, microchipping and other extras in their adoption fees. They can also help you choose the right pet for your lifestyle and family situation. So, if you’re thinking of adopting, please consider a rescue pet. Shelters always have a great selection of animals looking for forever homes.

And to celebrate February, the month of love, a wonderful way to honor our furry friends would be to donate in their honor to your local shelter or animal rescue. Many shelters have a list of items they need or cash is always welcome so that they can purchase food or contribute to the costs of their overhead. If you don’t have a favorite local rescue group of your own, we’d like to suggest PUP, Protecting Unwanted Pets, of Laguna Beach, California. Our books are set in the lovely community of Laguna Beach and this organization is the fundraising arm of the LB Animal Shelter. You can donate via their website.

Because rescue pets are so near and dear to their hearts, the authors like to pair their book events with a rescue organization. For the launch of Desperate Housedogs, their first book, they worked with their local public library and the Animal Rescue League of Iowa. For the second book in the series, Get Fluffy, the authors and Raccoon Valley Animal Sanctuary and Rescue put together a benefit, Yappy Hour, which they describe as a BYOD (bring your own dog) event with pupcakes from a local bakery, training tips, and a dog walk. The third book in the series, Kitty Kitty Bang Bang, is out now and this time they’re planning an event with Smitten Kitten and the Furry Friends Rescue group.

From Amazon: Caro Lamont—pet therapist—and her cousin Melinda Langston—owner of The Bow Wow Boutique—pamper the kitties and pooches of Laguna Beach’s elites. Unfortunately, their human clients keep turning up dead.

Sparkle Abbey urges readers to do whatever they can to support their local pet rescue. Donate, volunteer, foster, adopt, and spread the word!

They enjoy hearing from readers and especially love hearing about your pets!

Email: sparkle@sparkleabbey.com

You can find out more or connect with Sparkle Abbey at the following:

Amazon Author Page: www.amazon.com/Sparkle-Abbey/e/B005XNPQP8

Facebook: www.facebook.com/sparkleabbey

Twitter: https://twitter.com/sparkleabbey

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/sparkleabbey/

Website. www.SparkleAbbey.com

~~~

Thank you so much, Mary Lee and Anita, for sharing your pets, charitable organizations, and your books with us. This was a wonderful post! I hope your latest event with Smitten Kitten and the Furry Friends Rescue Group is hugely successful.

I definitely have a soft spot in my heart for all animals. But especially, my cat, Samantha. She’s my baby and gives me great joy.

So what about you guys? Do you donate to your local animal shelters, etc.? Sparkle Abbey and I would love to hear about your pets – so leave a comment if you have a moment and brag away!

February 12, 2013

AUTHORS GIVE BACK: KASSANDRA LAMB AND AUTISM SPEAKS

My Authors Give Back guest today is Kassandra Lamb. I’m excited to welcome Kass back to my blog. She previously did a wonderful post for me, Why Do We Hurt The Ones We Love?, which continues to get viewed weekly.

As a retired psychologist, Kassandra Lamb knows it’s not good to hear voices in your head, unless they’re the voices of your characters and you’re a writer. When Kass isn’t at her computer, dreaming up new challenges for the people in her head, she spends time with her husband and her dog, Amelia. She’s a ‘reverse snowbird,’ living in Florida ten months of the year, and spending her summers in her native Maryland.

~~~

One of the greatest thrills in life is becoming a grandparent. As one of my friends once said, “How can you not love the child of your child? He or she is doubly precious.”

When my oldest grandchild was three months old, I helped his parents pack and move their household across state lines, where my son had a new job waiting. Amidst the boxes and chaos in their living room, my grandson lay in his Pack-and-Play, playing with his feet (it always amazes me how flexible babies are!)

Grandma paused in her packing to grab the camera. I got off one shot by sneaking up on him. Then he saw me. He let go of his feet and gave me a huge toothless grin that said clearer than words, “Hi, Grandma!” His eyes were sparkling and looking right at me.

At 12 months, he was on schedule with talking–saying a dozen words, including “Grandma.” But by 15 months, the sparkle was starting to fade. Eye contact was less frequent. And he was talking less, not more. When he was 20 months old, my bright and beautiful grandson was diagnosed with autism.

I’m sure any parent or grandparent can imagine how heartbreaking it is to watch a child you love become more and more trapped inside themselves.

For the central problem for kids with autistic spectrum disorders (which include other related developmental disorders such as Asperger’s) is that their brains don’t process the social world very well. They don’t pick up on social and emotional cues. They don’t imitate words or actions well (except as mimicry).

The glazed-over look that we associate with autism is caused by overwhelm. The child isn’t able to process the rapidly changing array of sounds and movements going on around them. In self defense, the child spaces out, and may use repetitive behaviors to create a self-soothing, trance-like state. They may also throw temper tantrums, out of frustration because they don’t know how to interact with this confusing world around them.

Years ago, it was believed that autistic children didn’t want social interaction, especially touch. It was also believed that they were mentally retarded. Neither of these beliefs is true. My little grandson is very affectionate, and he’s shown many signs of being a bright child, before and since his diagnosis. But there is no way to truly assess his intelligence, because the IQ tests designed for typically-developing children don’t accurately reflect the intelligence of ASD children.

Twenty-five percent of autistic kids never learn to talk, although they can learn to communicate in other ways. My precious boy is using PECS cards (short for Picture Exchange Communication System), along with several dozen nouns and a few verbs, to express his desires (he’s almost five years old now). He has made tremendous progress and I am so proud of him, and of his parents for all they go through to deal with him and to help him learn and grow. They are using every resource they can find. These resources would be prohibitively expensive to my son and his wife, and to most middle-class families, if not for the assistance provided by state and federal programs, and by non-profit groups.

There are many wonderful organizations out there to help kids with ASD and their families. But I have chosen to highlight Autism Speaks. Founded just seven years ago, this organization has grown to be one of the largest of its kind. They provide advocacy, hook families up with the resources they need, and, most important of all, they fund research seeking a better understanding of the causes of ASD and better ways to treat it.

To see just how much the right interventions can accomplish, check out this video in which singer, Katy Perry, accompanies 11-year-old Jodi Dipiazzo, singing Ms. Perry’s hit, Firework. Jodi has autism and her parents once believed she would never talk. But just look at her now!

For the month of February, I’m donating the royalties from my latest release, Celebrity Status, A Kate Huntington Mystery, to Autism Speaks. So please purchase a copy, either e-book or paperback. I’ve gotten great feedback on this book so I know you’ll be getting an enjoyable read, and you’ll be helping children like my grandson live a fuller life!

Here is the link to Autism Speaks ( www.autismspeaks.org ). If you’d like to donate directly, that would be totally awesome!

~~~

Thank you so much for the wonderful post and for sharing your grandson with us, Kassandra! As the great-aunt of children who have been diagnosed with Fragile X Syndrome (“the most common known genetic cause of autism or autism spectrum disorders”), I can certainly attest to the challenges involved. But I can also attest to the love and affection shown by them. They really are the sweetest children. I suppose I could be a little biased. Nah.

And how generous of you to donate your royalties from CELEBRITY STATUS for this month to Autism Speaks! I haven’t read this one yet and just purchased it.

For those that haven’t read any of Kass’s books, I can tell you, you won’t be disappointed. I’ve read the others and can’t wait to read this one, which is the 4th book in the Kate Huntington series. All of the books are stand-alone novels and you don’t have to have read the previous ones to enjoy this one. Just look at the creepy cover! Isn’t that awesome?

Kate Huntington is remarried and life is good, until her new husband’s private investigating agency attracts its first celebrity client–a pop singer whose anonymous stalker has a twisted concept of love. Before he realizes just how twisted, Skip involves first his psychotherapist wife and then their lawyer friend, Rob Franklin, in the case. Soon they are being hounded by the paparazzi. As they try to cope with this onslaught of unwanted attention and an unrelenting stalker willing to commit murder, Kate and Skip must face the reality that you can’t always keep those you love from harm.

You can purchase the book at Amazon in Paperback or Kindle Version or at Barnes & Noble

Want to find out more about Kassandra Lamb? She also hangs out a lot on Twitter and Facebook. You can also find more info about her and read her blog posts at Misterio Press and on her website.

Your turn…do you know anyone with autism? Ever benefitted from services through Austism Speaks? And wow! Isn’t Jodi Dipiazzo amazing???

As always – thanks for reading!

Disclaimer: I have no connection with any charity mentioned in the Authors Give Back segment of the blog unless noted. I have not personally researched any charity mentioned unless otherwise noted. If you plan to donate to ANY charity (mentioned here or elsewhere) you should research it thoroughly and decide for yourself if it is a legitimate and worthy cause.