Hi all. I am back to trying to blog on a regular basis and am in the midst of catching up on my reading and reviewing (and beta reading). So that means more reviews will be coming. I have not read as much poetry as I have fiction and history books, but I do like poetry and thought that I would try to write a review of Dream Poem by KD Rose. This is a collection of moving poems that cover the gamut of what I am going to call the human condition. The poet touches on everything from Black Lives Matter to aging parents to mental illness. Each poem captures real emotion and makes you take time and think about your life and your condition. I found that this collection really made me stop and think about how fleeting time is and how we should make the most of what we have. Of course poem are very personal, so each reader will probably come away with something different and that's the beauty of art that makes you think. So I am giving this collection a 5/5 stars. Link: http://a.co/iInjk6H
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In sickness and in health, those are pretty common words that many people recite in their wedding vows. As someone who has health issues, you soon learn that these words can affect your entire life. Yes, my husband is great and he loves me in sickness and in health, heck he doesn't even blink an eye if I go all 'Exorcist' or am confined to bed for days. But relationships are not the only thing that you have to consider about sickness and health.
When you have ongoing and chronic serious illness, you have to do many things when sick. I still have to work, even when I feel like death I slap on enough makeup to look okay and fake smile through the day or night. When people ask how I'm doing I say okay or good. Lies, but necessary ones if one needs a job while sick. I've had managers tell me that I should go on disability because people didn't want to be around sick people. First, it is illegal for a manager to say that to an employee. Period. Second, disability is not something that is just handed out when you ask. Third, sometimes having a job and acting normal can be a great help for some people, so why not keep your prejudices to yourself? Sickness also affects my other job, writing. Sometimes I have a really hard time focusing and getting words on the page. I hate to admit it, but I am in a bad writing slump at the moment. Ever since the horrific attack that took my small dog's life I am having a hard time getting the creative juices flowing. Add to that health issues and yeah, my writing life is not going anywhere near how I would like it to go. I am having a hard time even motivating myself to be here on my blog, or to share my books to get sales. That is sad as that is the life blood of an author, getting your book in front of readers. I need to work on this. Yes my health sucks at the moment and things always seem to get worse in summer for me, but I am an author, a writer, and that means I have to find a way to get back to writing. Sorry about this rambling post, it's a way for me to get some of my thoughts out and to let you my dear readers know why I have been so sporadic with my writing and posting of late. I'm working on getting back into some sort of groove with my life and my writing. Last month was a tough month for me for many reasons. When we were moving one thing I noticed was just how out of shape that I was. Well this is a new month, hopefully a better month, and I have decided that it is time to get back into shape and take it seriously now. Now that I no longer live on the top floor of an apartment building I feel more comfortable working out at home without disturbing my neighbors. With being out of shape and having health issues I have to start small and just stay consistent. So I am starting off with some Walk Away the Pounds videos and YouTube workouts three time a week, and hopefully adding some yoga in once or twice a week. As I get in better shape I will add to the duration and intensity of things. I know it's too late to get my summer body, but really I just want to get in better shape for my health and not for looks. Wish me luck! Of course I am trying to clean up my diet as well, mostly by adding more veggies and healthy foods rather than just taking things away. Lets see how it works! If I were brave I'd post a before picture here, but really I am not that brave.
I am super excited to be part of this Doomsday Anthology that is now available for preorder! It will be out June 26! Order your copy now! US: https://amzn.to/2y83yKW UK: https://amzn.to/2JCz9pu CA: http://a.co/09uDUEP AU: https://goo.gl/ZLPBj5 Doomsday...the end of the world is here, but how will the apocalypse happen? Will it be viral, an explosion, or simply human nature that destroys us? Read on, you might be surprised... Home, Sweet Post-Apocalyptic Home by Alex Winck Antidote by Samie Sands From Strange to Indifferent by Katie Jaarsveld Interim by Stefan Vucak A Forever Kind of Love by Andrew Darlington Talking Bodies by M. Earl Smith Where the Water Is by Sheri Velarde But a Whimper by Rick Eddy The Countess Consuela by Michael Peirce On Trial by Samie Sands Thoughts of Memory by Andrew J Lucas and Natalie A. Lucas Praying To Die by Fernanda Oz Nightmare Rising by McKenzie Richardson The Last of the Regulars by Andy Lockwood Today is the last day to grab A Whole New Life while it is on sale for only .99 cents! It's also the last day to comment on any of my posts from this past week for a chance to win an ebook copy of A Whole New Life! Today I thought that I would share a little excerpt! A Whole New Life is a sweet romance that is mixed with a suspenseful mafia story this is on sale for #99cents through June 10 only! Grab a copy today! Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2DK8nbo Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2zZFDsB Amazon CA: http://amzn.to/2CB93k2 Amazon AU: http://amzn.to/2lzlhSG Excerpt:
As two o’clock approached, the officers started throwing cash on the table and getting ready to leave. Of course, it was Deputy Hotstuff who brought everything up to Jenna at the cash register. “It was nice to meet you, Jenna. Welcome to Pella. I’m sure I’ll be seeing you around. Anna send you up to the Bakker place?” Jenna made change and nodded, trying not to look at those pretty blue eyes that were clearly checking her out. “Yes, she and Adam have been so welcoming, giving me a job and helping me find a place to stay.” She handed his change back. “Have a great day, Deputy.” She tried to smile professionally, but felt like she was grinning like a schoolgirl with a crush, heat rushing to her cheeks. “You have a great day as well. And watch out for those ghosts up at the bed-and-breakfast.” He winked at her. “What ghosts?” she asked, confused. “Didn’t anyone tell you? The Bakker place is supposed to be haunted. Stories have been circulating about that for over a hundred years.” Henri smiled at her. “You don’t really believe such things, do you?” Jenna scoffed. She’d lived through real hell; ghost stories weren’t going to scare her. Deputy Hotty kept smiling and handed her his card. “My cell number is on there. You never know when you might want a deputy to come save you from the big bad ghosts. Of course, you can feel free to call me for anything else you might need as well.” Oh my God, he really is flirting with me, Jenna thought to herself. Outwardly she tried to remain cool as she took his card. “Thank you, Deputy, but I stopped believing in ghosts a long time ago.” “Why is that?” he asked. “The living people around me turned out to be scarier,” Jenna answered before thinking. Damn her too-honest mouth sometimes, it always had gotten her into trouble. Henri’s eyes seemed to focus a little more after her response. “I’m sorry. Still, keep my card and give me a call sometime. I’m good at all sorts of things, not just protecting people from ghosts.” With one final smile and wink, he walked out to join his fellow officers. As most of you know, A Whole New Life is on sale through tomorrow, June 10! You can grab an ebook copy for only .99 cents! I am also hosting a giveaway here on my blog for a chance to win a free ebook copy! All you have to do is comment on any of my blog posts from June 4-10. Over on Facebook I am hosting a way to win a signed paperback! Head to the link below, share the pinned post and comment when you are done and you will be entered! https://www.facebook.com/AuthorSheriVelarde/ Of course it would mean the world to me if you wanted to pick up a copy of A Whole New Life too! Remember the .99 cent sale ends tomorrow!
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2DK8nbo Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2zZFDsB Amazon CA: http://amzn.to/2CB93k2 Amazon AU: http://amzn.to/2lzlhSG I am happy to be part of a free paranormal flash fiction collection from Hot Tree Publishing this month! As many of you know, paranormal is one of my favorite genres to write in! I really liked this little story, so I think that you will see a full novel on this characters sometime in the future. Until then enjoy! https://www.hottreepublishing.com/flash-fiction Also, please remember that A Whole New Life is on sale now through June 10! Time is running out to get this sweet romance for only .99 cents!
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2DK8nbo Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2zZFDsB Amazon CA: http://amzn.to/2CB93k2 Amazon AU: http://amzn.to/2lzlhSG I recently did an author interview that I thought I would share with all of you as I continue to celebrate one year since I signed my contract with Hot Tree Publishing for A Whole New Life! Remember A Whole New Life is on sale this week only! Links at the bottom of the interview! When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer? I’ve been making up stories for fun and writing since I was a kid. However I didn’t think about pursuing writing as a career until I was in my early 30s. A good friend of mine read one of my novellas and pushed me to submit it to a publisher. It was accepted and I guess you could say that the rest is history. I have been writing and publishing for the past eight years and have no intention of stopping. How long does it take you to write a book? It really depends on the book and on my life. I have a busy life with a full time job and family obligations plus some attempts at a social life. Sometimes books really flow and depending on the length I can finish a rough draft in one to three months. Of course then I send it out to beta readers and do some rewrites over the next couple of months. Then if it is accepted by a publisher it takes probably six months or more to get all rounds of edits done and such. So from start to finish it is about a year from forming an idea to seeing my book come out. What is your work schedule like when you're writing? I write six days a week, taking one day off to just spend time with my husband and family. As to how each day of writing goes, it depends a lot on my work schedule. I try to get a little writing in during the morning, then it depends if I open or close at my day job. If I open, well I go to work and then write for a few hours when I get home. If I close, I write in the morning and early afternoon before getting ready and heading to work. I also take holidays off and sometimes health days off, just so health and stress issues don’t make their way into my writing. Of course this is my ideal schedule. There are times when I don’t get as much writing as I would like in, but as long as I get words down I figure I am moving in the right direction. What would you say is your interesting writing quirk? I rarely write at a desk, though I recently got a new writing desk and writing area and I write there a bit more often now. I usually write in bed. I like to be comfortable and to have my dog snuggled by me as I write. How do books get published? Research various publishers out there. Find ones that publish what you write and accept unsolicited manuscripts. Then do more research, read some of their books to see if yours would be a good fit for a certain publisher. Write your best work, edit it yourself, and send it to some trusted friends to read and ask for their input. Submit your best manuscript. Be patient and don’t take rejection to hard. You will find the right place for you work if you stay persistent and positive. Where do you get your information or ideas for your books? Ideas can literally come from anywhere. The idea for my sweet romance A Whole New Life came from watching some mobster documentaries on television. Not exactly what you would think inspires love and romance, but I thought about a daughter caught in the world of organized crime through no fault of her own. What if decisions had been made for her for her entire life? What happens when she has had enough? Once she tries to make a new life for herself, what happens when an attractive man takes an interest? Well A Whole New Life explores all of those scenarios in a fun and flirty way I think. I’ve been inspired by songs in the past, by photos that I have seen. Inspiration can be anywhere, you just have to be on the lookout for it.
As I continue to celebrate my anniversary with Hot Tree Publishing and the sale of A Whole New Life, I thought that you might like to meet Jenna! Remember that A Whole New Life is only .99 cents through June 10! And keep commenting on my blog this week for a chance to win an ebook copy! Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2DK8nbo Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2zZFDsB Amazon CA: http://amzn.to/2CB93k2 Amazon AU: http://amzn.to/2lzlhSG Hi, my name is Jenna Trippleton. Well, that’s not real name but that’s all that you are going to get out of me. When I left my old life behind, men and love were the last thing on my mind. I wanted a small town life, no excitement, no commitment, no one getting too close to me. Of course I had no idea about the town hunk of Pella back then, the one and only Deputy Henri Gunther. Sure I knew he was hot the first time that I laid eyes on him. Everyone can see that. I tried my hardest to resist his charm, but damn that man can be persistent. Soon I saw past those blue eyes and dimples, soon I saw the perfectly imperfect man behind the façade that he showed the world. What’s worse is he broke down my own walls and defenses, leaving me vulnerable. I should have ran right then and there, but can you really run for love if it comes knocking?
I guess that you can say the story of how Henri and I fell in love is quite thrilling, full of ups and downs and probably a bit more intrigue than the usual romance. Want to read more about it? It was chronicled in A Whole New Life by Sheri Velarde. Exciting news! I have been signed with Hot Tree Publishing for a year and we are celebrating this week by celebrating my debut book with them, A Whole New Life! What does that mean? Well one, A Whole New Life is on sale for .99 cents this week (June 4-10)! So if you have not grabbed a copy yet, now is the time to get one at a great price! Two, I will be having some giveaways here on my blog, on my Facebook page, and over on the Hot Tree Publishing Reader page as well! I will also be posting all week here on my blog, talking about the inspiration and giving tidbits about A Whole New Life!
So let the fun begin! I will be giving away an ebook copy of A Whole New Life to one lucky person here on my blog! Please just comment on any post now through the 10th and I will randomly select a winner on the 11th! Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2DK8nbo Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2zZFDsB Amazon CA: http://amzn.to/2CB93k2 Amazon AU: http://amzn.to/2lzlhSG |
AuthorAuthor, artist, jewelry maker and all around creative person. I write in many genres and have a lot of fun doing so. Please take a look around and enjoy! Archives
January 2022
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