Saturday, November 30, 2013

Newsletter!!

Exciting news!! I'm in the process of creating a newsletter that will either be monthly or bi-weekly (probably monthly) to keep everyone in the loop. You can expect to read breaking news, a note from the author, a spotlight featurette on my fellow authors - some will be a sneak peek of what will be featured on this blog, so you get the first peek before the non-subscribers - occasional contests, occasional coupons for books, freebie alerts and discounts, a just for fun section, and so much more. Each issue will be unique, but there will be articles you'll find in every issue as well. To see what you might be missing, ya gotta sign up! If you want to jump on-board early, fill out the contact form and message me your interest along with your email address, and I'll add you to the list. The first issue is expected to come out Wednesday, December 18th, so sign up early to make sure you get your copy of the very first issue!

~Ash

Tuesday, November 26, 2013

Kindle Fire Giveaway!!

Kindle HDX NOvember

This is a joint AUTHOR & BLOGGER GIVEAWAY EVENT!

Bloggers & Authors have joined together and each chipped in a little money towards a Kindle Fire HDX 7".






The winner will have the option of receiving a 7" Kindle Fire HDX (US Only - $229 Value)



Or $229 Amazon.com Gift Card (International)



Or $229 in Paypal Cash (International)



NOVEMBER SPONSORS

  1. I Am A Reader, Not A Writer

  2. Feed Your Reader

  3. Ripple Effect Romance Series

  4. Dark Motive's Books & More

  5. Fae Books

  6. Author Marianne Morea

  7. Buku-Buku Didi

  8. Author Camelia Miron Skiba

  9. Author Stacy Claflin

  10. Patchwork Press

  11. Author Louise Caiola

  12. Author Bella Street

  13. Author Bonnie Blythe

  14. Author Julia Crane

  15. The (Mis)Adventures of a Twenty-Something Year Old Girl

  16. Author Kim Cresswell

  17. A Bookish Escape

  18. Author Talia Jager

  19. Mother Daughter Book Reviews

  20. Fiction Dreams

  21. Book Angel Booktopia

  22. Kelly's Lucky You

  23. Author Roxanne Crouse

  24. Author Rachelle Christensen

  25. Author Jennifer Laurens

  26. Hardback Book Hotties

  27. Lori's Reading Corner

  28. Author Misty Moncur

  29. MyLadyWeb: Women's History and Women Authors

  30. Author Elizabeth Isaacs

  31. Living, Learning and Loving Life

  32. Fairiechick's Fantasy Book Reader

  33. My Story That I Like Best

  34. LeahSay's Views

  35. Christine's Blog

  36. Candle Light Reads

  37. NESSAROX

  38. The Demon Librarian

  39. SMIBookClub

  40. Author T.L. Clarke

  41. Back Off My Books

  42. Michael SciFan

  43. Author Carole Brown

  44. Coffee and Characters

  45. No Thought 2 Small

  46. Stanley and Katrina, Pet Authors

  47. Reviews by Martha's Bookshelf

  48. Love Bites & Silk

  49. Kimber Leigh Writes

  50. Author Rae Z. Ryans

  51. Author Georgina Young-Ellis

  52. The Reporter and the Girl

  53. Fic Central

  54. Like a Broken Vessel




  55. Sign up to Sponsor the December Giveaway (starting around December 2nd)

    http://www.iamareader.com/2013/10/december-kindle-fire.html



    Giveaway Details

    1 winner will receive their choice of an all new Kindle Fire 7" HDX (US Only - $229 value), $229 Amazon Gift Card or $229 in Paypal Cash (International).

    There is a second separate giveaway for bloggers who post this giveaway on their blog. See details in the rafflecopter on how to enter to win the 2nd Kindle Fire HDX 7".

    Ends 11/30/13

    Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the participating authors & bloggers. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.



    a Rafflecopter giveaway

    Monday, November 25, 2013

    Spotlight on Strangers

    Today DSP is featuring a book about a really important topic: how to address the issue of not talking to strangers with your children. With so many hazards for children nowadays, it's vital that we teach and empower our children to recognize danger and how to deal with it. So without further ado, I give you Stranger Danger: How to Talk to Kids About Strangers!



    Stranger Danger - How to Talk to Kids About Strangers is a guide to help parents and caregivers of children ages 3-8 teach kids about strangers in a fun, interactive, and age appropriate way - without scaring them.
    Here's a more in-depth description of the book:
    Stranger Danger - How to Talk to Kids About Strangers is a guide to help parents and caregivers of children ages 3-8 teach kids about strangers in a fun, interactive, and age appropriate way - without scaring them.
    Kids want and need to know what to DO in dangerous situations, but are usually only told to what NOT to do. (Don’t talk to strangers; don’t get in the car with strangers, etc.) Even the multitude of children’s picture books about strangers (most aimed at the 8-12 year old age group) often fail to teach kids what they CAN do if they find themselves confronted with a stranger.
    Stranger Danger - How to Talk to Kids About Strangers is different. It is a how-to book is for parents and caregivers of children ages 3-8. Using techniques developed over decades of teaching young children, author Kristi Porter takes into consideration the unique thinking, and learning styles of this younger age group, offering parents a new way to talk to their kids about strangers without scaring them.
    This easy to read, step by step guide gives parents age appropriate words and activities to use with even the youngest of children. Covering everything from who is a stranger, to when and how to fight back, Stranger Danger - How to Talk to Kids About Strangers is a must read guide for today’s parents.

    Genre: Nonfiction
    Pages: 56




    How to Get It

    Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00F2OIANS
    Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00F2OIANS

    Kindle AISN: B00F2OIANS
    Paperback AISN: 0615890431
    ISBN-10: 0615890431
    ISBN-13: 978-0615890432



    The Author


    Always a reader, Kristi Porter never thought much about writing until she entered a writing contest sponsored by the Detroit Free Press. Her nightmare vacation story - The Worst Vacation Ever - went on to be published in a travel anthology that sold over a million copies worldwide. This was followed by numerous articles published in local magazines and newspapers.  As her love of writing grew, she added adult fiction and short humor pieces to her repertoire.  

    But writing isn't all Kristi does. A preschool teacher, she won the Governor's Award for her work with young children and is dedicated to the education of young children. She also enjoys bicycling, video games, photography, Facebook, and spending time with family. She lives in Michigan with her husband, son, and a menagerie of cats.





    Stalk Kristi at the links below:



    Many thanks to author Kristi Porter letting DSP feature her work today. Everyone remember to teach your kids about the dangers of strangers, and pick up your own copy of Stranger Danger today!

    Stay tuned for an awesome interview with the author of Stranger Danger: How to Talk to Kids About Strangers coming soon!

    Sunday, November 24, 2013

    Author Interview: Lee Ryder

    Hey hey hey, folks! Remember yesterday how we were introduced to author Lee Ryder and her awesome book, Broken Earth? Well today, we get to know Lee a little better with an awesome interview! Read on to learn everything you may wanna know about Lee Ryder.



    DSP: For starters, tell us a bit about you, we like to get to know our authors as a person!

    Lee: I grew up in a small town in Western NY (Alden) and have loved writing stories my whole life. Family was always very important to us, and was a value taught to us by my parents. I have two brothers and two sisters who are all older. I’m currently living in MA with my family. I actually didn’t study English in college; believe it or not I majored in theatre! I’m an accomplished musician; I play the flute, french horn, a little piano, and I sing. I also love horror movies - the more B-rated the better! I’m a big fan of The Walking Dead, Vampire Diaries, Twilight, and The Hunger Games. I love crafting, crime shows, and music. My favorite holiday is Halloween, and we do it up good at the Ryder house.


    DSP: Nice to meet you! So tell us, where did you find the inspiration for your most recent book?

    Lee: In my dreams. I dreamed the whole story.


    DSP: So, do you have any kind of ritual for writing? Such as, you have to write with music on, or you can only write when you’re completely alone, etc

    Lee: I usually write in the evening when my kids and hubby are home. I sometimes write in a notebook, other times on the computer. I keep a notebook around so if I get an idea I jot it down so I don’t forget.


    DSP: Who is your favorite character in your book, and why? How about the character you had the most trouble with?

    Lee: I love MOLLIE! I’ve always wanted to write an Irish character and Mollie was it. She’s a spitfire, let me tell you, but with a bard’s heart. She’s a lot like me.

    I had trouble writing Max. I like to think that everyone is innately good, and writing a “bad guy” character was hard.


    DSP: Now, when you sit down to write a book, a paragraph, or whatever you‘re working on at the moment, do you just sit down in front of the computer, or do you need an outline of some sort? Is there any other prep you need in order to organize your thoughts either before you write or in the process of writing?

    Lee: No, as I’m writing I actually type a little notebook of the characters and what they’re like so I can keep myself as true to them as possible. Other than that, not really.


    DSP: Do you foresee any more books to continue this story? If so, do you think we can get a taste of what’s to come?

    Lee: Yes, absolutely! Two more books in this series. In the next book, they meet a character called The Duchess, who is based on a friend of mine who’s a model. One of her pictures is really striking and completely wrote the whole character and backstory of this character in minutes. The 2nd story takes them to Louisiana, but they don’t know that at first.


    DSP: Other than this most recent story, do you have any ideas for different books that might be published in the future? Care to give us a teaser?

    Lee: I know for a fact I’m going to write Mollie’s story and possibly Jess’ backstory as well. I’m playing with the Idea of Jess’ story; maybe I’ll do a book of back stories!


    DSP: Who is your greatest inspiration to write? What person makes you believe in yourself, and how?

    Lee: My greatest inspiration to write is my kids - I write my books for them to enjoy. My parents are a huge inspiration in my life. They taught me to believe in myself and not care what anyone else thought of me. I live my life on lessons taught by my mom and dad. There are so many people who believe in me and my writing: my mom, my dad, my mom-in-law, and my dad-in-law are huge cheerleaders for this endeavor. My husband was skeptical at first, but he’s actually starting to believe in the series. My friends Christy Sloat, Becki Brannen, Candice Simpson, Kellie Mckay, Heather S., Robin Willis, Sarah Sprinklepants, Angie, Tianna S. JK Accini, my best friend Luann, Raebeth, Jamie, The Fae Girls, all my friends from high school, and so many more - just all of them have been BIG BIG cheerleaders for this project.


    DSP: Do you have any aspirations to be similar or comparable to another author? Why?

    Lee: I kind of hope to maybe get either a comic book, graphic novel, maybe a movie done of it. I would love Wendy and Richard Pini to draw it. They’re my all time favorite artists they drew my favorite comic series Elfquest which has affected much of my writing over the years.


    DSP: What has been the biggest high since becoming a published author?

    Lee: My sister-in-law Denise telling me that my brother Butch read the first 2 chapters and now must read the rest because he couldn’t put it down!


    DSP: Have you named the computer you use for writing?

    Lee: Mr. Computer. We also have Mr. Kindle.


    DSP: Has becoming an author changed you, or the way you think about certain things? If so, how?

    Lee: Not really, BUT I start seeing my characters in people, as silly as it sounds. Like I found Bullitt at the grocery store - he was a cashier. I haven’t met Ash yet. Lucie is my daughter.


    DSP: What is your greatest fear about being an author?

    Lee: People won’t like my books.


    DSP: Which of the characters in your book do you feel is the most like yourself, and in what way?

    Lee: Mollie. I’m quite a character, and I have a silly sense of humor that completely makes my kids slack jawed at time. Her poetic heart is definitely mine. Her speaking in riddles is my husband - he does that with the kids to make them think.


    DSP: From the first word to the moment it became available for purchase, how long did it take you to write and publish this most recent novel?

    Lee: 6 months


    And now, for something completely different…some slightly off-the-wall and possibly irrelevant questions to let you get to know Lee on a more...personal level!


    DSP: Are you planning to bring sexy back?

    Lee: Hmmmmm, well,The Duchess sure is sexy.


    DSP: If you could be any cartoon character for 24 hours, who would you pick and why?

    Lee: Taz. He’s always been my favorite character, but I also love beaker and the "yip yip" guys from The Muppet Show. It would be cool to be Miss Piggy - HI YAH!


    DSP: How many ridges are there around a quarter?

    Lee: As many as they want to put there.


    DSP: Do you believe in fate or destiny?

    Lee: Fate. It was fate that I was given the inspiration to write this book, and one day I’m destined for greatness!


    DSP: How much wood would a woodchuck chuck if a woodchuck could chuck wood?

    Lee: He’s going to chuck wood until his teeth fall out and he’s got so many splinters he looks like a porky pine!


    DSP: What are your thoughts on string?

    Lee: String, string, is a beautiful thing, I love to tie things with string.


    DSP: Boxers or briefs?

    Lee: Boxers! Briefs are too showy and I can’t steal them from hubs.


    DSP: Thong, g-string/v-string, or other? If other, please explain.

    Lee: Well, I always thought a thong would make a great sling shot...


    DSP: What is your favorite song?

    Lee: Favorite songs of all time: Imagine (John Lennon), Thriller (Michael Jackson), Judgement Day (Doreen Taylor), Perfect For Me (Doreen Taylor), Anything You Can Do I Can Do Better, anything at all by Lady Gaga!


    DSP: Do you have any tattoos? If so, how many, what are they, and where are they on your body? (PG-13)

    Lee: I don’t, but I would love to get a butterfly angel tattoo with my son Nicholas’ name in his memory.


    DSP: What’s your favorite candy? Ice cream?

    Lee: Favorite candy – SWEDISH FISH! I have a SERIOUS Swedish Fish obsession. I absolutely love Ben & Jerry's Chocolate Phish Food ice cream - it’s killer! YUMMILICOUS


    DSP: If you had to pick a CB handle, what would it be?

    Lee: Cheesecake. It’s one of my favorite foods, although I could have an alter ego Mollie, and she would talk with an Irish accent.


    DSP: Would the 8-year-old version of yourself kick your ass or praise you for what you’ve done with your life?

    Lee: She would go, "Whoa, DUDE! I didn’t know I was going to do THAT!" (I was a shy tomboy back in the day.)


    DSP: What is the last song you listened to?

    Lee: "Happiness," from You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown - The Musical


    DSP: Do you have any talents you haven’t shared with us?

    Lee: I love to draw. I’m bad at it, but that doesn’t stop me. And I am great with Halloween makeup, considering that’s my favorite holiday. I made up my husband as a werewolf once - he was washing makeup out of his hair for a week.


    DSP: If you could meet one person (real or fictional, alive or deceased), who would it be, and what one question would you ask?

    Lee: Princess Diana, I admire her big time for all her work in the world. And the question I would ask her is, "How did you stay true to yourself despite all the attention, pressure from the palace, and pressures from the outside world?"

    Another one is Judy Garland. She was my IDOL when I was young and I respect her as an artist and as a woman. I would ask her who her inspiration was and I would tell her to stop taking the drugs that took her life.


    DSP: Imagine you’re the sole survivor of a plane crash at sea, and you awake stranded on a deserted and uncharted island in the Bermuda Triangle. Nobody knows you’re there, and you have nothing but the clothes on your back. You’re all alone, and there’s terrifying sounds coming from deep within the jungle. Late that night as you’re starving, a large suitcase washes up on the shore. You open it up. What’s in the suitcase?

    Lee: My FAMILY!!! They came looking for me bringing supplies and a big bag of books!



    Beautiful interview, Lee! Thanks so much for the insight into what makes you tick. Never tried to use a thong as a slingshot though, you'll have to let us know how that works out for you. Is there anything else you'd like to say to the readers out there?

    "I would like to thank the academy, Dr. Who, Star Wars, Scotty, all my reader and author friends for this prestigious interview, I have the best fans ever and I love Ashley!"

    Aww! Well I love ya back girl, and I'm sure the readers (and the Dr., and Scotty, and even Chewy) love you too. It's been a blast having you here today! We're really glad you stopped by, and we hope for nothing less than the greatest successes for you. Definitely come back in the future and update us on all the great things you've accomplished (and let us know about the thong slingshot)! Chewy says hi...


    Saturday, November 23, 2013

    New Release by a Talented Author

    Woo-hoo!! So happy for a dear friend of mine who recently published her first full-length novel! YAY!! Check out this spotlight on Broken Earth!






    The world has changed for Jess, her parents brother and sister are gone taken by an unknown wasting disease brought on by the spread of industry. She and other survivors forge their way in this new world avoiding the violence and gangs in the streets.



    Genre: 
    Pages: 243





    Get your copy below:

    **Right now, eBook copies are $2.99 US and paperback copies are $8.99 US. Get it signed and shipped to you straight from the author for only $3.00 more (to cover shipping) by emailing Lee at mom@solarwaves.net and asking for a signed copy of Broken Earth!! How awesome is that?!**


    And now a bit about this phenomenal author!





    Lee Ryder is a mother of 3 children and one angel. She currently lives in New England. She started writing small works at an early age and was featured in local publications. She studied theater and vocal performance and was featured in several plays. She believes in love at first sight and married her soul mate at age 19. She also has read reviewed and edited other published works.






    Feel free to stalk Lee at her links below:


    Lee has also co-authored another great book, Zombie Addiction - A Multi-Author Short Story Collection. Make sure you grab a copy of that too! 



    Make sure you check back as we'll soon be doing an interview with this lovely and talented author! Big congrats to Lee on getting that first book live, and thanks for letting us be a part of it! :)






    Stay tuned for the anticipated interview with Lee, as well as a spotlight on a different type of book for DSP, all coming up soon, so check back often!! 

    Thursday, November 21, 2013

    Just a Little Update

    First off, thank you SO SO much to all the loyal followers, fans, and even the folks who click on DSP on accident! After being away for so long and seeing you wonderful folks keep checking in with me makes my heart melt like butter on a hot biscuit. (Great, now I want biscuits...) But in all seriousness, you guys and gals are amazing, and I really appreciate the clicks and pageviews. Hopefully you haven't been too utterly bored with my lack of content, because there WILL be some interviews, some spotlights, and some paranormal posts coming up soon.


    Okay, so for the NaNoWriMo challenge...well, it's kinda kicked me in the face. I've had a lot of other stuff come up and I'm nowhere NEAR where I need to be. But that's not stopping me from writing, and it won't stop me from getting Collide published. I kinda fell in love with not only the story and the characters, but the theme, too. It's pretty badass, and will involve at least one superawesomeamazinglikewhoa fight scene. But November 30th is no longer a realistic finish date, so I'm gonna take my time and make it really pop! :)

    Anyway, the first paranormal post will be coming up tomorrow, so make sure you check back and see what we've got in store for you!

    And...thanks again for being the best readers/followers/fans/friends in the world!! YOU ROCK!!


    Tuesday, November 5, 2013

    A Message From The Penguin

    Hey-oh! It's The Penguin here, transmitting to you live from my ship orbiting the seventh moon of the planet Neriadne, in the Butterfinger Galaxy. Today I wanted to share with you the news of the universe, but since that could take a while, I'll just stick to this new planet Neriadne.



    A newly developed planet made of a strange combination of milk chocolate and crispy rice, Neriadne is home to a strange alien species known as Tootsie Rolls. Each tootsie roll claims to be made from chocolate as well, but it's clear that this chewy brown substance is a far cry from chocolate. I'll be bringing back samples collected from this species when I return to Earth. They are a peaceful race, untainted by wars, racism, terrorism, sexual orientation conflicts, politics, or any other dispute as far as I can tell. The little bastards are a little cannibalistic, surviving off chocolate, rice, and the remains of the dearly departed primarily, however sometimes eating one another just for the hell of it. They feel no pain and have no souls, so this really affects no one except those hungry.

    The vegetation on this planet is cocoa plants and rice fields-there is no other vegetation on this planet. There is no sun close enough to warm the planet so it never melts, yet it's not so frigid as to freeze the planet. It's cold, but not icy. It is indeed a very strange combination, and I've yet to deduce how the meager vegetation grows and thrives in such questionable conditions.

    This just in: the mayor of Neriadne has just announced that the name of the planet will hereby and forevermore be known as Nestle Crunch. 

    Well, that's all I have for you today. I'm cracking open a bottle and setting course for another new planet that was just formed this morning-Jack Daniels, in the Smirnoff Galaxy. I think I could really like it there.

    As for Ashley...well, she's been a bit unreliable lately. She keeps whining about this silly little challenge, a NaNoWriMo something or other. But don't you worry, I gave her a tongue lashing just before this transmission, so I think she'll be paying more attention to you folks. You'll keep her in line for me, won't ya???

    -The Penguin