Chasing after the Stars

Exiled by Rashelle Workman Part of the Dark Carma Tour

2011-11-15T00:01:00.000-08:00

Stubborn, sixteen-year-old Princess Venus of Kelari wants one thing, to become a kelvieri, that is, until someone exiles her to Earth, kills her irrihunter and takes her family.
Now she wants revenge.

First she’s got to get home. But before she can return to Kelari, the Gods have commanded her to help an arrogant boy named Michael find his soul mate. Only she doesn't know the first thing about love.

Rather quickly, her inexperience with human emotion is obscured by other matters—alien-controlled psychotic teens that are out to kill her, and a government group that is set on capturing and dissecting her.

Worst of all, Venus will suffer a painful death-by-poisoning, thanks to Earth’s atmosphere, if she remains on the planet longer than one week. Still, Venus is a Princess and she's got a plan. Surely, with her help, Michael will fall in love with a human.
But time is running out and Michael is falling for the wrong girl—her.
(Blurb taken from Goodreads.)

This is RaShelle Workman's debut indie novel. I enjoyed reading this book. Rashelle does a wonderful job of creating the angst we all feel when life hands us lemons. I'm still not sure that I'm Team Michael or Team Zaren. They both seem pretty hot in their own ways. I guess I'll have to wait for the second book to come out to decide.

I do wish that there had been a little more developement of Michael in the beginning to help me to care more about him and the crap he goes through.

To purchase Exiled go here. It is also available in paper back. Go here to visit the Dark Carma blog tour.

Also other links to purchase this book are.

www.barnesandnoble.com

New Release: Dark Spell By Elizabeth Mueller

2011-10-31T06:16:00.000-07:00

In honor of Elizabeth Mueller and the release of her new book Dark Spell. I'm answering this question: If I had all the magic in the world, I'd . . . So what would you do?
Me personally I would solve the world's problems and oh yeah I'd already be done being pregnant and have a beautiful baby in my arms instead of a huge tummy blocking my key board. And all my brain cells would be fully functioning too.

Winter Sky believes she is everything ordinary . . .until she is kissed by Alex Stormhold.
As seer of Stormhold Coven, Alex is sworn to be Winter’s protector against the darkness that hunts her. Violently thrust into a magical realm she always thought impossible, she stumbles upon a disturbing secret of her own.
Will love prove thicker than magic?

Go to her blog here and her website here to order your signed copy of Dark Spell.
To purchase a copy of Dark Spell in Ebook go here
For a paper back copy go here

YAY! THE WINNER IS . . .

2011-10-17T10:21:00.001-07:00

Runaway Bridal Planner!!! I will be contacting you to get your mailing address.

And the Winner is . . .

2011-10-17T07:51:00.000-07:00

Hehehe I bet you thought I was going annouce the winner right now. Well I'm not. I have written everybodies names and emails down cut them into little strips of paper(yeah I'm really old school)and I will be announcing the winner at 11 o'clock Mountain Standard Time. Good Luck to everyone. Also stay tuned for a huge announcement to celebrate my new 100 followers.

OCTOBER BLOG HOP

2011-10-13T04:30:00.000-07:00

Welcome to the October Blog Hop, where you can visit new blogs, enter to win prizes, and have a great time!

At the bottom of this post, you'll see a list of participating blogs. Just click on each link, check out the prize, and follow the easy instructions to enter. You can enter on each blog, so it's possible to win multiple times. It's frighteningly easy.

On this blog, you can win Books One, Two, and Three of The Secret Circle by L.J. Smith. These books were just made into a TV series. But I know you want to read what started it all.

To enter, all you need to do is:

1. Become a follower of my blog.

2. Leave a comment on this post and tell me why you'd like to win this prize. If your e-mail address isn't visible through your Blogger profile, please also leave it with the comment so I can notify you if you win. You can enter until midnight MST on Saturday night, October 15th.

That's it! You are now entered. Now please go visit all my friends on the list below. It's almost like trick or treating!

October Blog Hop Participants

1. Tristi Pinkston
2. I Am a Reader, Not a Writer
3. Bonnie Harris
4. Michael D. Young
5. Misty Moncur
6. Debbie Davis
7. Mandi Tucker Slack
8. Mary Ann Dennis
9. Deanna Henderson
10. Laura Bastian
11. Kristy Tate

12. Kristy Wilson
13. Jennifer Debenham
14. Jenny Moore
15. Elizabeth Hughes
16. J. Lloyd Morgan
17. Close Encounters with the Night Kind
18. Billy Boulden
19. Scott Bryan
20. Maria Hoagland
21. Shirley Bahlmann
22. Shelly Brown

23. Marcy Howes
24. Lynnea Mortensen
25. Jaclyn M. Hawkes
26. Diane Stringam Tolley
27. Gail Zuniga
28. Betsy Love
29. iWriteNetwork
30. Canda's InkBlast
31. Stacy Coles

Learn more about October Blog Hop here.
View More October Blog Hop Participants
Get The Code

Deep Blue Secret By: Christie Anderson

2011-10-05T05:00:00.000-07:00

Christie Anderson

California teen, Sadie James, thinks her life couldn't get any better. She has great friends, an energetic mother she adores, and the beach practically in her own backyard. But her carefree life is turned upside down when she's rescued by a mysterious and strangely familiar boy who won't even tell her his name.

Alright I have to admit that I wasn't sure what to expect from this book. But I'm happy to admit that I was pleasantly surprised. I immediately liked Sadie. She is kind and just an all around good role model. We need more heroines like this in YA books. Too often in my reading I find weak air headed female characters that have no redeeming qualities. I love the fact that I can recommend this book to anyone and not have to tell them to watch out for page such and such. Christie Anderson has done a great job of creating characters that have qualities that are worth emulating.

I can't wait for the next book and am excited for Christie Anderson. To purchase Deep Blue Secret click here. Believe me it is well worth the purchase.

Also here is her book trailer.

Darkspell Count Down

2011-10-03T11:04:00.000-07:00

Hey all head over to Author Elizabeth Mueller's website and check out all the really cool things that she's doing before her book comes out on Halloween. Yeah that's right Halloween. Believe me you won't be disappointed.

Dark C.A.R.M.A Tour

2011-09-26T07:26:00.000-07:00

So for some time now I've been really thinking that maybe self-publishing is the way to go. But I have some things I need to do first and I'm a little scared. Here are five women who are taking the plunge and going for it. Head over to http://darkcarmatour.blogspot.com/ and find out more about these amazing women and the courage they have to go Indie and do all themselves.

Modern Sorcery By: Gary Jonas

2011-09-21T08:15:00.000-07:00

Modern Sorcery
By: Gary Jonas
This is the back blurb and I know what you're thinking. I was thinking it too. Wow.

Magic can be deadly...

When Private Investigator Jonathan Shade's ex-lover walks into his Denver office asking him to prove her father didn't commit the murder that dozens of witnesses saw and security cameras captured, Shade finds himself in the thick of magical intrigue. In a world where evil warlocks refuse to die, magically engineered assassins deal merciless death, and ancient myths aren't quite so mythical, only Shade and his sexy partner, Kelly, can stop a power-hungry sorcerer from taking over the world.

Too bad Shade doesn't have any magic.

Alright so normally this isn't the typical genre I read. But Modern Sorcery blew my mind away. The many one liners had me laughing so hard out loud that my husband was about to commit me. It was so refreshing to read a book that takes place in the west as opposed to the east coast or even the west coast.

I started reading it yesterday at about 4 pm and finished it at 9 pm. This also included a break for dinner and bathroom breaks because I was about to explode.(I know way too much information) But I couldn't stop reading. I had to find out what happened with Jonathan and Kelly, who, by the way, is now my ultimate feminist hero. But I will warn you there is language, mild sexual innuendos, and violence. But in all honesty it's all the bad guys fault so don't let that stop you from reading this book. Trust me it's well worth the five hours. Or it might take a little longer but that's okay right?

If you would like to purchase an e-book go here
Or if you're one of those gotta have it in hand then you have to wait. I know it is a very sad thing but the paper back edition won't be out until October but don't worry I will keep you posted when they become available.

Have You Ever . . .

2011-08-30T13:47:00.000-07:00

Have you ever read a book and wondered why the main character bothers you but you can't figure out why? I just finished reading Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins. Don't get me wrong I loved this book. It was incredibly well written and made me want to go to Paris. But there was just something wrong with Anna. I don't know what it was. I mean she broke out of her shell and became a stronger person. She met friends and decided that maybe her dad wasn't so bad. I liked that, but there was just something about this book that made me go hmmmm. I thought for sure it would be a book that I would study. And you all know you do it. You find a book that is so well written you make it your bible. You highlight paragraphs and using sticky notes to mark pages that you want to emulate. Has anyone else read this book? What did you think? I'm I the only one that feels this way, therefore there is something wrong with me. I don't know.

The Key of Kilenya book review

2011-08-08T05:00:00.000-07:00

If you are looking for a fun, quick read then look no further. The Key to Kilenya is a fast paced fantasy young adult coming of age book. Wow, that was a mouth full. I found this book hard to put down and can't wait for the second book to come out. So now I'm going to tell you a little about it.

Alright here I go. Jacob is a fourteen year old boy who has powers that he doesn't know about. When he is chased into another world, he finds that even he has the strength and the ability to do what it takes to get the Key of Kilenya back from the evil hands that have stolen it.

I really like Jacob. Granted he can be a little pig headed at times, but what fourteen year old isn't. Being the youngest of nine, I always compare myself to my older sisters. They're more beautiful, talented, etc. Jacob has an older brother, Matt, who can do everything better than him. I think at times we all feel this way. My respect for Jacob increased as he found his own strengths and began using them.

This is a great book for all ages. Author Andrea Pearson has done a fantastic job of creating a world unlike any other.

If you would like to learn more about Kilenya and it's author go here.
To purchase an ebook or hard copy go here.

Tristi Pinkston

2011-07-31T04:00:00.000-07:00

Author Tristi Pinkston is excited to announce the release of the third novel in her Secret Sisters Mysteries series.

Titled Hang ‘em High, this novel takes place on a dude ranch in Montana. When Ida Mae’s son invites her to come for a visit, of course she brings Arlette and Tansy along with her. They are expecting to spend the week looking at horses, avoiding the cows, and making amends in Ida Mae’s relationship with her son. What they don’t expect is to be stuck on the ranch in the middle of a blizzard and to be thrust headlong into the middle of a mystery.

***

Help Tristi celebrate her new novel in two ways. First, come participate in the two-week-long blog contest, where you can win a book nearly every single day! All the details are up on Tristi’s blog.

Second, come to the book launch!

You are invited to an

August Authorama!

Saturday, August 13th

Pioneer Book, 858 S. State, Orem

12 – 4 pm

Games, prizes, balloons, face painting,

and Dutch oven cobbler

prepared by world champion cook

Keith Fisher.

Authors Tristi Pinkston, J. Lloyd Morgan, Cindy Hogan,

Nichole Giles, and Heather Justesen

will all be there to sign books.

This is one book launch event

you will not want to miss!

"It's Independence Day and something unexpected happens . . ." Flash Fiction

2011-07-15T08:57:00.000-07:00

I'm partcipating in a flash fiction contest. So here is my 250 words, which I might add is really hard to get a story in that short amount of words.

Bright Fireworks lit up El Paso's mountains. It was a good thing Amber loved Pedro. If she’d seen El Paso before meeting him they would have lasted only one date.

The air condition blasted. The thermostat said 114 degrees but that had to be wrong. Pedro had been quiet since they’d past the state line into Texas. Was he as worried as she about meeting his family?

Pedro grabbed her hand. Amber turned and saw his honey colored brown eyes staring at her. There was an emotion there that Amber had never seen.

“Hey don’t worry. I’ve had to win over tougher crowds,” Amber said smiling. “I don’t think you have to worry about your parents.”

Pedro smiled but it didn’t reach his eyes. Instead his eyes turned sad. He looked ahead to the road. The city lights stood as a beacon for them. They’d come in the back way leaving the traffic of the main highway for deserted country roads and small towns with ticket happy sheriffs.

Suddenly a thousand spot lights blinded them ahead on the road. Pedro slammed on the breaks. The car swerved and ended on the shoulder surrounded by a cloud of dust.

“We have to get out. Now,” Pedro said. Amber opened her door, a million questions filled her head.

Pedro grabbed her hand and pulled her into the thick brush.

“Stay low. Whatever happens remember I love you and Happy Fourth of July.” Pedro turned and left her alone.

Go here to read the other entries and see all whose partcipating.

What's your SoundTrack?

2011-07-12T16:21:00.000-07:00

Yesterday I did these award questions and one of them was What's on your Ipod? or something like that so it got me thinking. Do you have a writing sound track? I do. So I'm going to post some of my favorite songs and bands that for some reason get my creative juices flowing. Feel free to use any of mine. First is Nightwish anything before 2006 though. They got a new singer who is awful but here is one of my favorite songs from them. This is Sleeping Sun from their End of an Era album.

Fair warning some of Nightwishes songs are kind of devilie. But there are some good ones.

Next is Adele: Rolling in the Deep. A friend of mine introduced me to this girl and I'm so glad she did.

And last is a band straight out of Denver. They're called the Epilogues: Hunting Season. I love this band and their sound. Every song has a different sound.

I have some many others but these are a few that always seem to get me going. So what are yours? What songs do you use to help your creative juices get flowing or do you need complete silence?

Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to these songs.

Really me?

2011-07-11T12:02:00.000-07:00

So Ali Cross awarded me these two awards. I know I have no idea what she was thinking. I mean I haven't blogged for two weeks.( But I have a really good reason, I swear) Lol but in all honesty I'm excited to do these so thanks Ali.

According to the rules here are seven randomish things about me.

1. I'm the youngest of nine kids. Seven of those being girls. ( I know I want to how my mom survived too.)
2. I love cold weather and cloudy days.
3. There are fifty-four fourteeners in Colorado and I've climbed five of them. My goal is to do ten.
4.  I sometimes wonder if people really care if I blog every week. I'm not published yet, so do they really care about what I have to write about. Just something I think about a lot.
5. Saturdays and Sundays are set aside for my family. I don't do any writing or jewelry making on those days. Unless I'm home alone.
6. I'm a true blue native of Colorado. There aren't very many of us anymore.
7.I really don't like Texas. But I have a really good reason for this. My husband is from Texas and when we were dating anything that he didn't like here in Colorado would be followed by "This would never happen in Texas." Well you can imagine that this didn't make me happy at all. Colorado is a great state. So the more he said it the more I began to resent Texas. Now don't get me wrong there are some very pretty places there and after eight years of marriage it's beginning to grow on me. But still there is a small part of me that really doesn't like Texas.

8.Do you think you're hot?
    Lol um . . . it depends on the day.

9.Upload a picture or wallpaper that you're using at the moment.
   I would love to do this one. But I'm not using my computer and I don't think you want to see what my husband has on his.

10. When was the last time you ate chicken meat?
      Friday night. We had chicken Tacos. Why didn't they just ask when I last had Chicken? Or are the worried that I ate the bones too?

11. The song(s) you listened to recently:
     This is a good one. Um . . . well my player is on shuffle so I listen to a lot of different things. I have everything from Nightwish( a finnish orchestral metal band) John Denver because well I'm in Denver, Muse, The Killers, Adele, Placido Domingo, Rihanna, and Mozart. Yes I know my interests are all over the place. Oh yeah and my husband got me hooked on this band called Fugazi

12.What were you thinking as you were doing this?
     I'm I answering truefully and I really want to go take a nap. hehehehe

13.Do you have nicknames? What are they?
     I don't really have any nicknames. In highschool everyone would say "Watch out for Gail force winds. There she blows." Of course then I would promptly punch the person who yelled it. So that nickname didn't last long. Lol

Tag 8 bloggers . . .
Okay here it goes. I never tagged people for stuff like this so let's see if I can do the cool name and link thingy. Also there might not be eight just because I'm not sure who hasn't done this already.

Debbie Davis
Brent Westcott
Wendy Swore
Tamara Heiner
Mandi Thomson
Kristi Tate
Alex Hoagland

Alright I know there are only seven. But don't worry I'm going to think of someone else just not right this minute.

Show Don't Tell

2011-05-22T19:18:00.000-07:00

We've all heard it. Show the reader what is happening don't tell them. I missed the class on this by Annette Lyon but I had a friend explain it to in such a way that I wanted to hit my head and say Duh! I asked him to read my first five chapters and tell me what I could do to fix them. Aside from all my passive verbs that I have a love for. He kept saying show me what's happening. Okay for most of you this is probably a no brainer, but for me I guess it took him telling me to get it. The conversation went something like this.
My friend Gary. "Show me what is happening."
Me: "You mean describe everything that is going on the way I see it."
Gary: "Yes exactly."
Me: "Oh well that seems so simple."

I bet he wanted to head slap me too. Here I had been complicating everything because I thought I needed to have these flowery similies and amazing metaphors. And because of that I gave up and just told the reader what was happening.

Lucky for me, Gary, set me straight. So here is the challenge. Just write what you see.

You Are a Book Factory

2011-05-16T00:01:00.000-07:00

Another Tip from Dave Wolverton: You have a job. That job is to write books. You need to set aside time to write and finish your book. Whether this time is in the morning, afternoon, or at twelve o'clock in the morning. You have to set a schedule and write. Until next week.

Wow!

2011-05-09T08:44:00.000-07:00

This last weekend I went to the LDS Storymakers Conference. My brain was about to implode and I think it will take me at least a month to recover all my sleep, but I learned so much. So starting today I'm going to share a weekly tip of what I learned. Todays tip is: Exercise! Dave Wolverton said that your body can't perform up to it's full level if it's not healthy and happy.

I walk. I try to do it every morning and I find that when I get back I can write whole chapters. So get out and exercise!

Research

2011-04-01T07:00:00.000-07:00

For the last week I have been in El Paso Texas visiting my husbands family. Now if you were to ask me my true feeling of El Paso . . . well of Texas, in general, you would not get a pleasant reply. For all those lovers of Texas I will leave my explanation at that. My first encounter with Texas was El Paso. For those of you who don't know El Paso is a border city. As you drive in on I-10 you see brown hills and then shacks.

Some of the houses are so run down then look like ruins and yet people live in them. This is Ciudad Juarez.

When I first started visiting El Paso my husband (Boyfriend at the time) and I would go across the border and hang out in the Mercado or just walk the streets. It was a Blast. Now the City is the most dangerous city in the world.

We drove along the Border Highway so I could get a picture of the land for my book that I'm working on. I was in awe. As we drove along there was a huge twenty foot fence part of the way and then in other places there was nothing, but a dilapidated chained link fence with rusted barb wire on top. They had planned on continuing the huge fence, but the construction workers were getting shot at from the Mexico side of the river.

The thing that amazed me the most was here I was maybe three hundred feet from the most dangerous city in the world and the people who live there acted as if life was normal. They didn't seemed phased by the truck driving by, filled with men holding machine guns. Or by the smell of burning that permeated the air. (Someone was burning something that really stunk.) Life went on. It made me wonder would I be able to do that? I take so much for granted. It was definantly an eye opening experience.

I was going to post the picture of the gang member flashing his sign at me, but I don't have his permission so you get to imagine it.

Should Hard Core Romance Writers Turn to YA?

2011-03-25T04:00:00.000-07:00

I know what your thinking . . . well . . . actually I don't, but this is a question I've been thinking about. I just finished reading Firelight by Sophie Jordan. Now if any of you are like me then you didn't know who Sophie was either. I honestly thought Firelight was her first book. Not so. (I would insert a cover of one of her other books but then no one under the age of eighteen would be able to read this blog) She has written Adult Romance. I guess Firelight was her first YA book.

Anyway back to my question. I have read serveral books now that have come highly recommended only to read a book that has an okay plot but really weak character developement. This is so frustrating. Whatever happened to the strong heroine who took her destiny by the balls and told it who was boss? You know the type that wouldn't let someone control her and had the gumption to kiss the guy when he was too stupid to make the first move. These are the type of woman and girls we can look up too.

I read these books and it leaves me wondering when is the change going to happen? When are these characters going to evolve? I hate to be pointing fingers at Romance Writers but this has only happened in books where the author is a Romance Novelist turned YA author. You are writing for teenagers for goodness sake. Give them a Heroine they can look up too. Not some simpering weakling who needs a guy to make her complete. Granted the guy helps. But really there are plenty of strong heroines out there who somehow get an even stronger guy who helps her be better. Am I asking too much in wanting some better character developement?

Whew. Now that is off my chest you can go back to your regular broadcasting. Or you can tell me what you think.

I DID IT!!!

2011-03-02T15:54:00.001-08:00

I really did it! At 12 am on Monday night I finished typing my last chapter of my book. Now on to editing. Where to begin. Where to begin. Do you guys have any ideas?

Goal for the week

2011-02-21T01:00:00.000-08:00

This month I have been a Ninja. No not some person in black going around karate chopping people but a Ninja for Ninja writing month. I'm trying desperately to finish my current WIP so then March will be Vlad the Impaler month. Mostly it will be my manuscript getting impaled and ripped to shreds but still I believe it is a lofty goal. So wish me luck as I try to write close to 26,000 words this week. And it's okay to question my sanity. I know I am.

Romance Blogfest. First meeting

2011-02-14T08:16:00.000-08:00

Happy Valentine's Day. The theme for this Romance Blog Fest is love at first sight or not so much. I have been debating whether or not I should share this but here is a blub from my work in progress. It is the first meeting of Azure and Xander.

      Azure was putting the bracelet in a box when the front door opened, ringing a bell in the back. She removed her polishing gloves and released her ponytail. She moved her hair forward covering the long scar on the right side of her face. She didn’t know how she had gotten it—she just knew it was ugly and she hated it. She picked up the box and walked out.

       Azure froze when she found herself gazing into the dark golden brown eyes of Xander Shah. She looked past him and saw his 1989 Porsche 959 parked out in front. The sun was just setting behind the mountain bathing the car in the oranges and red of the sunset. She hadn’t realized that it had taken her so long to finish the bracelet.

“Can I help you?” she asked, holding in a sigh.

It was just another reminder life was unfair to those without parents.

Xander smiled slightly then handed her a piece of paper. She noticed he had on black leather gloves. He always wore gloves. To match his car. She rolled her eyes annoyed he wouldn’t even talk to her. Taking a deep breath she took the paper. It was blank.

“Is this some kind of joke?” She threw the paper back at him. Her temper rose. He frowned and then looked at the paper. Digging into his pocket, he produced another piece. Azure opened it and read:

                     I’m here to pick up my mom’s bracelet.

                                         Xander

Azure had heard he didn’t like to talk much, but this was ridiculous. She looked up from the note and met his eyes. They were cold and daring her to challenge him. Azure narrowed her eyes, deciding to take the challenge. He always got what he wanted with no problems. She had watched the entire town fawn over him and his brother. They weren't that cute. “I need to see your ID,” Azure said.

He smirked, pulled his wallet out of his back pocket and threw his driver’s license down on the counter. Azure glanced at it, trying not to show too much interest, but couldn’t help herself. She noticed it was from some country she didn’t know existed.

Huh, he just turned eighteen not too long ago. She quickly nodded and put the box in a bag with a receipt and handed it to him.

“That will be three hundred dollars. Mr. Shah.”

After replacing his driver’s license, Xander pulled some bills out of his wallet and carelessly tossed them on the counter. She looked at them confused. Judging by the writing on the bills, she guessed they were from U.S.S.R. She had never seen foreign money in real life. “What am I suppose to do with these?”

He looked down and quickly scooped them up before pulling more money out of his pockets. He had currency from several different countries and not one of them was American.

Azure looked down at the crumpled bills. The longing of unfulfilled dreams filled her. What would it be like to travel to all those different countries?

Azure grabbed Xander’s hand to prevent him from searching through the bills for the right amount.

“It’s alright.” She said grabbing his hand. A surge of warmth shot through her arm. He quickly pulled his hand back—hesitated—then ran his fingers through his thick black hair. She noticed the light playing with the different colors of reds and browns in his hair. She felt her cheeks get hot and her heart speed up.

Stupid, weak female hormones. No matter how much she tried to control her body it always seemed to have a mind of its own.

Azure suddenly felt foolish. He didn’t even want her to touch him and she was admiring his hair. “Here, just take the bracelet and you can come in and pay tomorrow.” She threw the bag at him and turned to go back to work. Her hand was on the door, but Xander was blocking her path. She looked back over the counter and then back at him. She didn’t like the fact she had to look up at him.

“How did you get here?” She rose her hand pointing. “You were right there.”

Azure thought he looked like he was glowing, but the lights must be playing tricks on her. He reached down and pulled her sleeve back so he could look at her wrist. She quickly pulled away and put some space between them, taking with her a whiff of his intoxicating aroma. He smelled like a pine tree that had been cut by an orange. It took everything in her power not to pull him to her and take another big whiff. What was he doing to her?

“Xand are you ready—,” Ammar cut off talking. “Well hello.” he came sashaying up to the counter.

“Oh good grief.” Azure turned, groaning. Ammar was every feminist’s worst nightmare. He was still stuck in the dark ages when it came to women’s rights. Of course none of this matter. The girls still flocked to him. Maybe it was because his eyes were the most vibrant purple anyone had ever seen. The girl’s put up with his chauvinism.

“What do you want?” Azure asked, irritated. Why did she make that pact with Lily of controlling her temper today?

“Do you always dress like a lumberjack or is that just to hide your curves?” Ammar asked, smiling.

Azure glared at him. Ammar was a pig. She stood there trying to think of something smart to say. “Again, what do you want?”

“You. Me. No clothes.” Ammar smiled seductively and raised one eyebrow.

Azure made a gagging noise. “Wow! I think I almost lost my lunch. If I ever need to purge myself, I’ll be sure to come find you.”

Ammar’s smile faltered for a minute and then got bigger. “Do you know the only thing girls are good for?”

Azure looked at Ammar then at Xander who shifted his weight, but kept his face free of emotion.

“Beating the crap out of you.” Azure switched her gaze back to Ammar.

His smile left his face. “No puny girl is going to disrespect me.” He raised his gloved hand and took several steps toward her, but was blocked by the counter.

“Respect is something earned. I don’t remember you earning it. Now leave.” Azure moved around the counter and walked to the door, pushing it open. She was angry and wanted to hit something. Her insides were at war.

Ammar stormed towards her. “You are nothing. You are just a worthless girl who should be at home cooking my meals.”

Azure balled up her fist, but before she could do anything Xander's broad shoulders were blocking her. How did he move so fast? One minute he was behind the counter and the next he was standing in front of her.

“Ammar go wait by the car,” Xander said speaking for the first time.

Azure had never heard him speak. His voice was both sexy and authoritative. She winced at the thought.

“How did you get here so fast?” Azure kept glaring at them back and forth. Ammar glanced at Xander and Azure thought she saw a warning pass between them.

Xander turned gazing down at her. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I was here.”

Azure’s eyes widened. “No you weren’t. And why are you talking now?”

Xander stared at her, but didn’t say anything.

What a jerk!

“GET OUT! I don’t need the town playboys coming in here and thinking they are better than me.” Azure’s face got hot. She felt her insides boiling with fury and hurt.

“But we are,” Ammar said, poking his head around Xander.

That was it. Azure pushed Xander out of the way and swung her fist hard, keeping her eyes on the target. Xander jumped back up, before she could stop her fist connected with his face.

His head snapped back and a small groan escaped his lips. Ammar watched with his mouth open, speechless.

“OW!” Azure waved her hand trying to get the fire that was burning her knuckles to stop. She looked down at it.

Shock waves coursed through her body as the pain intensified. Xander’s face revealed nothing. He stood there like he was waiting for something. She didn’t know what.

When nothing happened Xander gaped at her. For a moment his eyes showed surprise then it vanished.

“Are you okay?” he asked, concern slipping through his emotionless mask.

“Are you nuts?” Azure stared at him. “How are you still standing?”

Xander looked at her dumbfounded. Azure stepped back putting more space between them. She looked out the window and understanding crept into her mind. “You’re setting me up. Where is the sheriff? Is he waiting for me in the back room?” She moved towards the back room. She felt a light touch on her shoulder. She turned quickly, grabbing Xander’s hand and threw it off her.

“I didn’t come in here to get you trouble. I just came to pick up the bracelet,” Xander said softly. “And I never get knocked down by a punch.” His eyes sparkled.

“Your presence is no longer welcome,” she snapped, as she walked towards the front door and pushed it open again. The street lights were starting to flicker on.

Ammar and Xander looked at each other with raised eyebrows then walked to the door.

“This is the reason that women should have never won the right to vote,” Ammar passed her.

“Ah poor Ammar, having your brother protect you from getting leveled by a girl must really hurt that ego of yours.” Azure shot back.
Ammar grunted as he walked out to the darkened street.

Xander stepped closer, but instead of leaving, he stopped and looked down at her. Azure could feel his eyes on her face, but she refused to look at him. “I really wasn’t trying to set you up.”

Azure’s head snapped up. She looked into Xander’s eyes. There was something about them she hadn’t noticed before—recognition? She shook her head and tried to look away, but found herself peering into them again. He didn’t seem too anxious to look away either. Her body felt warm and something stirred in the pit of her stomach.

Check out the others who are partcipating at http://jordanmccollum.com/romance-blogfest/

LDStorymakers

2011-02-12T21:53:00.000-08:00

Have you ever wondered where you can go to learn how to write better? Well look no further. LDStorymakers is where you will find knowledgable teachers and you'll gets lots of candy. Well only if you take a class by soon to be published author Elena Johnson. James Dashner will wow you with hilarious stories and the whole time you'll be wondering why didn't come to this conference sooner. Don't miss out on this amazing opporntunity to learn from some amazing published authors. http://ldstorymakers.com/conference_2011.php

Great contest

2011-02-05T10:07:00.000-08:00

My friend Jennifer Clark is having a contest for her new book Mark of Royalty. Go check it out and win some great prizes! http://jenniferkclark.blogspot.com/

I'm A Ninja

2011-02-03T12:31:00.000-08:00

Today I'm taking the challenge to become a Ninja. Ali Cross is doing Ninja Writing Month. If you want to check it out go here http://alicross.blogspot.com/.
My goal is to finish my book Stars. This month.

The Dreaded "LY" words

2011-01-24T13:59:00.000-08:00

Personally I think these words have gotten a bad rapt. I mean what is so wrong with rapidly, adoringly, stupidly? Take this sentence for example: A gate slid open rapidly and silently. Don't worry I know, too many ly words. But how else do you write it? I can see where abuse of these words could happen. Like the above mentioned sentence. So honestly(hehehe) how do you write without using these words? Anyone know the answer?

Taken By Storm by Angela Morrison

2011-01-11T15:55:00.000-08:00

As part of Angela's blog tour I'm excited to let you know about these two books. Taken by Storm:
Michael’s parents died in a terrible storm and now he is drowning in tragedy. All Leesie wants is to save him. But if she gives into temptation, who will save her?

And Unbroken Connection the sequel to Taken by Storm

Michael is in Thailand diving his dream. Leesie is at BYU living hers. The one problem is they can't leave each other alon.
Their romance rekindles, deeper than before. They grow desperate to see one another again. To hold one another again. Michael decides there is only one direction their relationship can go and asks Leesie the ultimate question. Her answer challenges everything Michael is and wants to be.
Can she change for him?
Can he change for her?
Enough?

Angela is a very talented writer and you will see her talent in both of these books. Leesie's poems are sheer creative genius. As I was reading these books the thought that kept poping up in my head was "How did she come up with these." Both books were well done and brought insight into the world of LDS youth and what they have to go through. If you like these books then be sure to also check out Sing me to Sleep another book by Angela Morrison.
Angela is also writing the third and final book of Leesie and Michael and posting it chapter by chapter on her new blog-- http://caymansummer.blogspot.com
Stop by her website here.
http://www.angela-morrison.com/

Disclaimer: While I do sometimes receive copies of books I review, it in no way influences my opinions, they are and will always be my own.

First EVER book review.

2010-10-28T20:03:00.000-07:00

I just finished reading Intrinsical by Lani Woodland for the third time. I love this book! Alright so now I think I'm supposed to give you a blurb about it. Here I go. Yara is sixteen and fighting the fact that she may be a Waker. A person who can see ghosts. On her first day at her new Prep school she finds her life being turn upside down as she watches as a dark mist attack Brent(a really hot guy) and decides she must save him.

Now there is so much more that happens in this book. I thought it was going one way and was completely surprised at what was really happening. Intrinsical is a quick read that I highly recommend. I also advise reading it during the day. I had a very hard time turning off my lights to go to bed the first time I read it. And for those of you who are a heck of a lot braver than me I dare you to read it under your sheets with a flashlight.

Chained Links

2010-10-08T21:35:00.000-07:00

For the last couple of weeks I have been working on some sterling silver bracelets for my husband's aunt. She is going to give them away as gifts. The one turned out to be very simple and easy to complete. But the other has become the bane of my existance. I dream about this bracelet at night. It is horrible. So today I took it to my local jewelry supply store and asked if there was something I could do to fix it. It really wasn't working for me. This is what it looked liked a couple weeks ago. And yes that is 8 gage wire that I made into jump rings. I also flattened them into oval's using some heavy duty pliers.

Anyway back to my story. I went to the store and the owner directed me to a little mexican man who apparently makes these bracelets for a living. So with my husband and daughter in tow we drove across town to this little hole in the wall jewelry place. No one spoke any english and the guy his name was Leo never cracked a smile, but he did end up helping me. So instead I now have. . . this.

Although this is no where near completion it is getting there. But the thing that struck me as odd is the whole time I'm with this little mexican jeweler he kept saying. "That's not the way I would have done it." Well of course it's not. This is the way I've decided to do my bracelet. Because of this I have really been thinking. How often do we do things because that is how everybody else does it? Granted if I had made this bracelet the way Leo does it probably would have spared me a lot of tears and frustration. But I didn't. So just because everybody has done a particular thing the same way for years doesn't mean that there isn't another way of doing it.

So surprise yourself and start doing things your way. You will be amazed at the results. Trust me I was.

Dreams

2010-09-24T19:25:00.000-07:00

I have told very few people that I am writing a book. Of those I have told I am sometimes met with encouraging skeptism and others seem geniunly supportive. But I have decided that none of this matters. I want to write a book. For me being published is a dream that use to seem unobtainable. Now I see it as something that has already happened. I'm very excited for the day when I can say I'm a published author. To me it isn't about the money or fame that could come. It is about me finishing one of my dreams. So to all you skeptics out there: what is your dream? Go get it. The only thing stopping you is yourself.

Persistence

2010-09-15T13:15:00.000-07:00

"If I had to select one quality, one personal characteristic that I regard as being most highly correlated with success, whatever the field, I would pick the trait of persistence."
Richard DeVos

Getting Distracted

2010-09-07T17:41:00.000-07:00

I have been pondering on if it is good to go to all of these writer conventions and workshops. I went to one in April that was Fabulous and taught me so much. Since then I have gotten email after email of writers workshops I could go too. So here is my question. Is there a point where these workshops become a distraction from our writing?

I have found myself thinking "Oh I could go to this workshop and it would help me so much." And then I realize that I'm using it as an excuse not to write. Now please don't think that I'm saying anything bad about workshops. All I'm wondering is, is there a point when they become more of a distraction instead of a help. Just something to think about.

Being a Rembrandt

2010-09-02T07:52:00.000-07:00

When I was taking an Art History class on Rembrandt and Rubens the teacher told us a story about Rembrandt and how he would sneak into the Sisteen Chapel and sketch Michelangelo's work. And then he would tweak it just enough and call it his own. Michelangelo got so angry he actually had the chapel locked and set up camp inside.

I always found this story profound, because we all do it. We read something or see something and think "Oh what a great idea!" Then we take it tweak it just enough and wallah it becomes our own. I can see why inventors are so protective of their ideas. They don't want them stolen. So this is my challenge. I challenge you to come up with one idea that is your very own.

Inspiration for Creativity

2010-08-10T13:31:00.000-07:00

I believe that everyone has something out their that is their creative muse. For it is pizza and dark chocolate.
When I can't have pizza I start to get depressed. And my creativity suffers. Now I know that this is a waist lines worst fear. But don't worry I work out to counteract my addiction to pizza. So I want to know what is your creative muse? What is that gets your creative juicese flowing?

Feeling insecure

2010-07-27T14:02:00.000-07:00

Whenever I'm feeling down I go and watch the youtube video of Susan Boyle. She was a contestant on Britian Got Talent. Anyway she walks out on stage and the entire crowd is doubting her ability, but then she opens her mouth and the most amazing thing happens. Everybody stands for her and starts cheering her on.

I just finished reading the Hunger Games. It was a good book and everything but after I got finished I started doubting my book. I started thinking, "Maybe I should rewrite my book in first person." "Maybe I should write a disoptic novel too." And other such crazy things like this. So I'm wondering how do you keep your confidence after you have just read another book that has been published already? Is there some secret that I haven't yet been taught? Here is the link for Susan Boyle on Youtube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8OcQ9A-5noM

Reason I haven't been writing.

2010-07-17T22:49:00.001-07:00

Alright I know that I'm just making excuses but this is really a legitimate escuse. I'm a jewelry designer by trade so on occasion I have to make jewelry. Well I made this necklace. Everything you see on it I made. The chain the end caps the big focal piece. The only thing I didn't make was the magnetic clasps. So now it is done I will start writing again.

I Took a Risk

2010-07-14T08:41:00.001-07:00

First of all let me just say I never win anything. I normally look at contests and say "OOOO I could do that." and then never do it because my insecure inner voice starts talking. Last week I received an email from Author Incognito, this is the writers group I'm a part of. There was a list of twenty things we had to include in a short story or poem no longer than a thousand words. I took a chance and this is what came out. This just won first place. If you would like to see the second and third place winners go to www.christinebryant.blogspot.com there you will also see the list of twenty things that was supposed to be included.
Enjoy.

The Heist
By Gail Zuniga
"Frankie, tell me again, why we’re doin’ this?”
“Shut up and go over the supplies again.”
“Pink fuzzy bunny slippers, check, Stuffed Alligator, check. White bean bag chair, check, I think I got it all, Frankie.”
“Good, let’s go,” Frankie said. I started roller skating down the street following him. Frankie on his white ten speed bike and me with a bag slung over my shoulder. The bean bag was heavy but as long as I was following Frankie, the love of my life, it didn’t matter. My free hand reached up and played with the simple heart locket he had given me two years ago. Yeah, so it turned my skin green and made it break out in a rash anytime I wore it. That didn’t matter, I loved it. Someday I was hoping for that jewelry box that would have a beautiful diamond ring in it, but for now the locket was good enough.
Frankie held up his hand and I stopped. We both watched as a huge bouquet of flowers was delivered to the house next door to our target.
“Why don’t you ever get me flowers?” I asked longingly.
“Quiet you,” Frankie said turning his cold hard gaze on me. I laughed and Frankie fought back a smile. We started moving again slowly. The weight of the bag was starting to break my back. I moved slower, but the wheel of my roller skate caught on something and I started to fall forward. The bag was forgotten as I held my hands out to help break my fall. I closed my eyes not wanting to see my impending doom but nothing happened. I opened my eyes to see Frankie’s arms around my waist.
“Thanks,” I said breathlessly. Frankie looked into my eyes and then said, “Why are you so clumsy?”
I straightened up and looked to see what had stopped my wheels. A long forgotten Barbie doll was caught in my skate. I bent down and untangled it. I had never had a Barbie so I put it in the bag and picked it up again.
“Move quickly we’re getting close. Remember what I told you.” Frankie started to walk his bike down the street slowly.
“Don’t worry I remember Frankie. When we get there watch out for the evil monster Sheba.”
Frankie nodded and motioned me forward. As we got closer Frankie ordered me to take off my skates. We proceeded down the street but a terrible flup flup flup kept following us. It stopped every time I turned to see what was behind us.
Flup . . . flup . . . flup. “Frankie I think someone’s on to us,” I whispered tugging on his sleeve. He turned and looked down at my feet.
“Lose the flip flops.”
I smiled and took them off. The sound stopped, whoever it was must have got scared off.
“Now comes the tricky part,” Frankie said holding up his hand. I looked around his arm and saw a great lump lying in a hummock. As we got closer it looked like a great brown bear, but it was just a sleeping bag and then it moved. We quickly pulled out the bean bag and hid behind it. Slowly we inched the bean bag along as whatever was in the sleeping bag turned and snorted.
We made it to the door and ditched the bag. Quickly and quietly Frankie worked the lock and the door swung open without a sound. A huge poster of a man with white teeth and dark curly hair met us in the entry way. Donny Osmond was written across the top in bright shiny letters.
“Now we have to move quickly. You ready?”
I nodded holding up my list. We split up and went to work. One diamond incrusted horse coming up, actually it was glass but that’s sounds so boring. I moved quickly to the cupboard and found it. With my hands shaking I carefully opened the door and got the horse. I tiptoed up the stairs and looked from room to room for the next thing on my list.
I was almost caught when one of the victims put a flat round black thing with a hole in it on an ancient stereo. I quickly whipped around the corner and ducked into another room. Trying to control my racing heart I slumped against the door.
As my eyes adjusted to the darkness I saw my target. An old cedar chest in the corner was holding my prize. I moved quickly and opened it with nimble fingers, I pulled out the journal full of secrets and stowed it in my bag. My mission was done, now to meet Frankie at the rendezvous point.
I quickly maneuvered my way back down the stairs. A loud roar stopped me in my tracks. I turned slowly my heart beating so loudly in was hurting my ears. I turned and there it was Sheba the monster of all monsters. She may have been small, cute, and cuddling but don’t let her kitten sweetness fool you. I threw the pink bunny slippers and stuffed alligator at her. She ripped them to shreds and kept coming. I was out of decoys. I searched frantically for something anything to appease this beast. Quickly I lunged for a book “How to draw animals.” Maybe she would get scared of the dogs.
It bought me the time I needed. I ran for the door and shut it without looking back.
Giggling I ran for the hide out. Frankie was there sitting by the lamp for his desk with his toy .22 rifle.
“Hey did you get it all?”
“I sure did,” I said smiling throwing down the bag.
“Want to do this again tomorrow at my house?”
“You bet,” I said laughing, “let’s pretend we’re Bonnie and Clyde and will steal your mom’s jewelry.”
Frankie laughed and said, “That’s a great idea. See you tomorrow Celia.”

THE END

Opening Up.

2010-06-28T16:40:00.000-07:00

Have you ever taken an art class where everyone sits around and critiques your project? I majored in Art so this was a daily occurance. People in your class will sit around as you nervously bring a project up that you have put your sweat and love into and . . . rip it to shreds.
When it came to these "Critique days" I made sure that I put on my extra thick armor and kept reminding myself that it wasn't me personally that they were attacking, but in the back of my mind I promised myself that I would never let any of the other things that I loved go through this kind of ridicule and rejection.
It took eight years for me to come out of the closet and admit that I wanted to write a book. I had been writing one for years in my journal. Me and husbands courtship turned into this huge world wind romance and even had the wicked ex-girlfriend. Of course looking back on it our dating was actually pretty boring, but if you got to read my journal WOW!
So from now on I am going to stop being scared of my desire to write and I will shout it from the roof tops. GAIL ZUNIGA IS A WRITER AND I'M DON'T CARE WHAT YOU THINK!

Inspiration

2010-06-22T09:55:00.000-07:00

I'm making it a goal to post something that helps us all feel more motivated. So enjoy.

"Enthusiasm is one of the most powerful engines of success. When you do a thing, do it with all your mind. Put your whole soul to it. Stamp it with your own personality. Be active, be energetic, be enthusiastic and faithful, and you will accomplish your object. Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm."

Ralph Waldo Emerson

This is my first ever Blog

2010-06-18T19:28:00.000-07:00

I'm a little intimidated by the whole blogging thing. I thought this would be easy, but in reality it's more confusing than building a website. Oh wait I've never built a website. Okay I think I'm screwed.