Meet Laurie Larsen

Coming Monday January 31st.

Author Interviews...What do you want to know?

Hello Everyone!
Thank you to Willa last week for spending time with us.  If you missed the announcement, Drea, is the lucky winner of Willa's debut novella, Naughty List.  Congrats Drea!!!

This week I shine the spotlight on YOU! So tell me, what questions do you want answered in an author interview? I will pull them all together for our next guest, author Laurie Larson, 2010 Eppie Award Winner for Preacher Man.  You won't want to miss it.

Please share.
;) Kienna

http://www.amazon.com/Preacher-Man-Laurie-Larsen/dp/1601543247/ref=sr_1_1?ie=ITF8&s=books&qid=1230488714&sr=1-1

In the Spotlight ~ Willa Edwards

Welcome friend and fellow Cobblestone-Press author, Willa Edwards.  She's talented, witty, and knows what she wants out of life.  Her debut novel, Naughty List, is number 12 in the 12 Days of Christmas series from Cobblestone-Press. 

Also, today is Willa's birthday, let's wish her Happy Birthday, read her blog about WISHES, and maybe your wish will come true too. Willa's offering a free copy of her novella to one lucky commenter.  (Must be 18, and comment by 11:59 PM on Wednesday, January 12).

The Power of Wishes

The origin of the wishing on your birthday candles comes from ancient Greece. The Grecians would ask for gifts from the Gods around a burning sacrifice, the smoke from the fire was supposed to bring their wishes to the Gods to be fulfilled.

As a rule, I’m not a big fan of wishes. Not to say that I don’t close my eyes and make a wish as I blow out my birthday candles, or when I find an eyelash on my cheek. But wishes, on their own, don’t have much power. The true power is what you do with them. How you put your wishes into action. How you make what you want happen.

Last year, as my birthday candles burned brightly before my face, the wax melting down into my cake, I closed my eyes tight and made a wish. I wished to be a published author, to have one of my stories published.

My wish was fulfilled before the next time my birthday candles were lit. This Christmas I celebrated my first release, Naughty List, with Cobblestone Press. But it wasn’t because of my wish, that my story was published. It was my hard work. It was due to the many hours at the computer I spent writing, editing, learning the industry. It was a direct result of me following my writer instincts.

A wish can help you decide what you want. Can help you make it real by voicing it. But a wish will never make you sit in front of the computer and put the words on the page. A wish can’t make you take the chance and hit send on that submission. It can’t help you fight the butterflies in your stomach as you wait for that yes or no.

Wishes only take you so far. After that it’s all up to you.

As to what my birthday wish will be today. Well that I can’t tell. I might not put much stock in wishes but I’m not going to jinx my one wish a year. J

My hero and heroine from Naughty List both have a wish, for the other. And they’re waiting for their wishes to be fulfilled, though neither has the guts to do anything about it. They’re both waiting a miracle to happen, for their wishes to be fulfilled and bring them together. Callie even goes so far as to write all her naughty wishes down during a fun girl’s night in.

Luckily when that list of wishes falls into his hands, Eric doesn’t rely on wishes to make Callie’s naughty list happen, he takes action. But you’ll have to buy the book to find out how he makes their wish happen.

Enjoy the book blurb and a free read of Chapter One here:

http://cobblestone-press.com/catalog/books/naughtylist.htm

BIO

Willa has wanted to be a writer since she was four years old typing away at her grandmother’s typewriter. She wrote her first novel in fourth grade about the trials and tribulation of twin alien princesses. Since then Willa has dabbled with many different genres, including sci-fi, paranormal, mystery and suspense. When she read her first romance at fifteen she knew she’d found her place, and she’s never looked back. Willa is now a contemporary and historical erotic romance writer who lives in New York. When she’s not writing you can find her curled up in bed with her two fur babies, her nose pressed to her e-reader.

Follow me on the web:

www.willaedwards.com

http://cobblestone-press.com/catalog/books/naughtylist.htm

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000708705071

*** CONTEST ALERT *** CONTEST ALERT *** CONTEST ALERT ***

Let me know what’s your wish (naughty or not) and one lucky commenter will win a copy of my debut novel, Naughty List.

Techno Tuesdays- Get Your Geek On

Dear Santa, All I want for Christmas is a Nook.  No wait, a Kindle.  Oops, the iPad.  Yes, definately, an iPad.  Well, what about these other readers? The Sony Reader looks cool, and the Literati? There's so many to choose from. Yikes, what's a girl to do? 

That's how I started my list in November.  While relaxing in the family room one day, my husband, who is the voice of reason when I salivate over new gadgets, asks, "Why do you need an iPad when you already have a laptop, an iPod, and a smartphone? Don't you you just want to read?" Then, he asks, pointing at an ad in the Sunday paper, "what about the Kindle?"  Well, yes, the Kindle has everything I could ask for. But, I wasn't ready to admit that just yet.  My gray matter was swimming with fantasies of watching movies on my new iPad. Downloading super-cool apps, staying connecting on my social sites, and of course, rockin' out to some serious tunes.  Oh, and reading a book or two. 

Back on earth, I reasoned with myself that with two contracts for e-books, I simply must have an e-reader for Christmas.  I had e-reader fever. I checked the price tag on an iPad and convinced myself there were better things we could spend our hard earned money on.  And alas, I discovered the Nook Color.

I'm a visual gal. I draw pictures in the air when I talk.  Numbers scare me, but break out the crayons, draw me a picture and I can usually step right into any conversation.  Sooo, when I discovered the Nook Color one day while browsing the aisles at B&N, it was any geeky girls dream come true.

My husband ordered the Nook Color for me and it arrived on our front steps on release day.  I quickly realized I needed a cover, so I found the coolest cover ever -  a sleek black with famous artists autographs in silver.  It's got everything I could ask for, and then some.  I can status update on FB, tweet if I feel the urge, surf the web on my fav retail shops, and check out my friends blogs.  Oh, and I can read, highlight, and share quotes from text I may find extra-inspiring.  The multiple formats allow me to load manuscripts from critique partners for easy reading, purchase from sites other than B&N, and load my own WIPs for my own personal pleasure, or torture, depends on how well I may have written that day.

I recently read John Birmingham's article, E-books rewrite the rules of engagement, in which he provides a thorough and thought-provoking assessment of how e-books are changing the literary world.   I particularly liked Mr. Birmingham's quote regarding Amazon's mission, for consumers to "get lost in your reading, not the technology".

As a fancy gadget owner myself, avid writer and published author, the geeky gadget gal in me won out for several weeks.  I found that I logged more time online, reading, posting, and (gulp) shopping, than actually reading.  Which is why I wanted the gadget in the first place. 

I think those folks at Amazon got it right.  Me? I've shut off the wifi option on my Nook and am celebrating five nights straight of actually reading on my precious e-reader. Don't get me wrong, I love my Nook, wouldn't trade it for anything, but a line needed to be drawn.

So, did you get an e-reader for Christmas, if so, which one, and what do you think about it???

Welcome 12 Days of Christmas Authors (available from Cobblestone Press)

Available via http://www.cobblestone-press.com/

Each day between 12/13 and 12/24 marks the release of a new title in the series.  I've invited each of the thirteen very talented writers to stop by and share the news about their title.  Happy Holidays and thanks for stopping by. 


All lucky commentators to this post will be entered into a drawing to win an ebook copy of my title, Up on the Rooftop, available December 23, 2010.

All I want for Christmas Is...For you to win a free copy of Up On the Rooftop!

In my first novella to be released on December 23, 2010 by Cobblestone Press, high school sweethearts, Caleb and Sailor, get their lives altered forever when Sailor’s father dies in military combat.

Caleb does the one thing Sailor can’t forgive, he joins the military. Now, all she wants is a good and honorable man.  Sailor wonders, was it too much to ask of Santa?

  Here's a sneak peak at Sailor's letter to Santa.  What's in your letter (clean please)? Post your comments here by midnight on December 22 to enter the drawing for ebook.  I would love for you to win!!!

Dear Santa,

All I want for Christmas is a good and honorable man. Someone I can snuggle up to, go to bed with, and know he’ll still be there in the morning. Strong arms, a broad back, and dashing good looks are a bonus, but I’m willing to consider whomever you send my way.

If you can't fit him down the chimney—I've never quite figured out how you do that anyway—leave him on the roof, and we'll figure it out.

I admit I've been a little naughty—especially where my ex is concerned, but hey, he dropped the charges—but I think you'll still find my name on the nice list ;)

xoxo,

Sailor

 

My husband is a worldly man.  He's always aware of social issues and concerns and actively looks for ways to help others.  So the other day while I was in the kitchen making dinner,  my husband was watching ABC News in the other room.   I kept hearing the word "Plumpy Doz" wafting from the television speakers.  Huh? Intrigued, I abandoned the dishes and nestled in on the couch to view the ABC series, "Be the Change, Save a Life" with the family.  So what are Plumpy Doz, you ask?


Plumpy Doz is a product used by the World Food Programme to fight malnurishment in developing countries. A mixture of peanuts paste, vegetable fat, skimmed milk powder, whey and other vital ingredients, a small tub packs a one-two punch toward world hunger.


Parents of children ages 6-59 months provide them with a small spoonful of Plumby Doz a few times a day to ward off malnutrition and combat their susceptibility to disease, infection and impaired cognitive function.


Just $15 supplies a child with a month supply of life-saving nutrients. One less present under the tree can literally change a life. For more information please visit http://saveone.net/. Find out how you can make a difference this holiday season.