Monday confessions...

My confession this week.
I know lots of people complain about the beginning of the work week- Monday specifically, but I tend to lean the other direction. I'm one of those people that need to work to feel content. However, I'm probably the biggest procrastinator that ever lived. How's that for irony? So what's your confession for today? Let me know!

As always, until next time...

Random acts of kindness!

If you would have asked me a few weeks ago, "Kym, what do you think about people being kind?" I would have told you that in today's society... kindness no longer existed. Why, you ask? Because I hadn't seen it outside of my family since I was a child. 

I remember the days of old (Yep, I'm aging myself here) where a neighbor would mow your lawn, because they knew you were sick. Or, when a stranger would hold the door open for you... just because that was the right thing, or a kind thing to do.

Today's society is always speeding ahead at full tilt that not many take that extra moment to do something kind for someone else.

Two weeks ago, after hearing about a few medical issues that I was experiencing, a woman whom I knew from the book world to be someone very sweet, always sharing other authors working and singing their praises from up high on the mountain tops (Well... that's how it feels to us, anyway). I had talked to her on the phone once and connected with her on social media as often as possible. 

Well... she sent me a private message on FB that made me stop and cry like a little school girl, and just like the Grinch, my heart grew three times larger. She told me that I had touched her heart and that one thing on her bucket list was to meet me. She's hosting a convention in Maine next August and that she would love if I could attend. The woman with the heart of gold is none other than, Derinda Love.

Derinda writes under pen name, D. Love. Her debut novel is a touching story and her kindness plays out in the pages of Today Only.

I want to see if we, you and me can start a new trend... can we each do one thing kind for someone else a week. It would take a moment of your time and not cost a penny. Go show Derinda the same kind of love and kindness that she displays to the entire writing community by liking her page. Say hi to her. <3

Blurb
In life, there are times you are granted a miracle. It may not be the one you wanted exactly, but it will be the one you need. It will prepare you for the next step in your journey and help you learn to accept the life you are given, even if that life can be heartbreaking.

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As always, until next time...

What's on the agenda, Kymberlee?

Hey everyone! Just keeping you guys in the loop :) I've been in the batcave writing, editing and working on graphics. My PA, Jeni has been super busy for me getting things ready for the Zomtoberfest and the annual Four Horsemen Spooktacular! Wait until you guys see the prizes <3 Head over to my fanpage to join the events <3

As always, until next time...

My Review of Suddenly Royal by Nichole Chase

Blurb

Samantha Rousseau is used to getting her hands dirty. Working toward a master’s degree in wildlife biology while helping take care of her sick father, she has no time for celebrity gossip, designer clothes, or lazy vacations. So when a duchess from the small country of Lilaria invites her to dinner, Samantha assumes it’s to discuss a donation for the program. The truth will change the course of her life in ways she never dreamed.

Alex D’Lynsal is trying to keep his name clean. As crown prince of Lilaria, he’s had his share of scandalous headlines, but the latest pictures have sent him packing to America and forced him to swear off women—especially women in the public eye. That is, until he meets Samantha Rousseau. She’s stubborn, feisty, and incredibly sexy. Not to mention heiress to an estate in his country, which makes her everyone’s front-page news.

While Sam tries to navigate the new world of politics and wealth, she will also have to dodge her growing feelings for Alex. Giving in to them means more than just falling in love; it would mean accepting the weight of an entire country on her shoulders.

5 Stars

Wow! Let's break this review down into separate sections, shall we? Perfect! Let's talk about the cover... I'M. IN. LOVE! This cover captures the main character, Sam in all of her perfection!

Characters. I've been a fan of Nichole's ever since I read her book Mortal Obligations (Book 1 in the Dark Betrayal Trilogy). She lets the characters grow into themselves. None of her characters ever feel as though she's forced their growth, attitudes, or persona. The main characters in Suddenly Royal are the same. Sam is fun, loveable and very much her own person. While reading this book, I often pictured Sam's facial expressions in my head and giggled.

Storyline. I'm always a sucker for a book about Princesses (I wanted to be one when I was younger), but I also harbor a healthy bit of skepticism when diving into one. Usually, it's the same old story... just "reworked". NOT WITH THIS BOOK! The storyline is a fresh, new take on this old tale. Sam is the girl that any girl would want to be and the girl that any man would want for his own. An absolute love story for the masses. The only complaint I have about this book is I wish that I could read it again for the first time! It's that darn good!

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As always, until next time...

What I've been doing lately...

Lots of you have been asking about my recent flurry of blog posts, both here and on my website. 

Well... in recent weeks I've been longing to return to my journalistic roots. That was my major in High School. It's something that I enjoy just as much as writing novels.

So, back in the proverbial saddle again, it is for me. I've been getting back in the article writing groove, if you will ;)

Right now, I have posted two articles and I'm working on tons more. No worry, Moon Coven or OUAZA fans... I'm still working diligently on those delicious little gems as well. It's okay, you can breathe! LOL.

I hope that you'll check out the articles I've already posted on Bubblews. Next week, I'll be contributing to Yahoo News as well!

As always, until next time...

BIG REVEAL for Stacey Rourke and the award winning Gryphon Series!!!

Well friends, we some more exciting news! The award winning Gryphon Series from best selling author Stacey Rourke has made some exciting changes. Each book will have all new covers and AMAZING illustrations. But that's not all, today you are getting a sneak peek at the next thrilling book in the series, Ascension!   ABOUT ASCENSION

From best selling and award winning author Stacey Rourke comes the heart-pounding continuation of the acclaimed Gryphon Series.

The turning point of the Gryphon saga is at hand …

Battle looms. Three unstoppable forces prepare to clash in a colossal explosion that could wipe Gainesboro off the map. Fate and sacred calling have landed nineteen year old Celeste Garrett in the middle with nowhere to run.

Her trust wavers as she uncovers dark secrets of the Council, powerful enough to test her loyalty and turn her against those she swore to protect. Playing to the longing of her heart, a malevolent enemy uses her weakness against her to form an alliance.

With the trumpets of war about to sound, which side will the Conduit choose, and who will be left standing?

ABOUT ILLUSTRATIONS AND ARTISTS

Illustrator Crystal Ord will be bringing some of your favorite Gryphon Series characters to life!

Crystal Smalls Ord is a freelance illustrator and writer who resides in the rainy Pacific Northwest. Her art and stories have appeared in the macabre children's lit magazine, Underneath the Juniper Tree. Last year she illustrated her first children's book, Ethan's Story; My Life with Autism which can be found on Amazon.com. Her art has also appeared in hitRECord.com's musical short, Madamoiselle Noir.

In her free time Crystal plays with her kids, cleans house, teaches music in Sunday School, and lingers in the geekery corner of Pinterest.

Contact her at:

Website: wix.com/fynn47/author-website.com

Facebook: facebook.com/smallsord

The demonic and fantasy elements of the Conduit’s journey will jump off the page thanks to Robert Immings;

In 2000 Robert Immings graduated from the Art Institute of Atlanta with a BFA in graphic design. Since then he’s done work in package design, web development and designed training applications and software interfaces. These days he’s a mild mannered operations technician with an electronic trading firm in Alpharetta Georgia. Earlier this.year he had a chance to enter Sony's "Treasures of Middle Earth" design contest which was a promotion for the hobbit movie. He came in as a runner up. More recently he had the opportunity to do some sketches and collaborate on the cover for Emily Fogel's wonderful fantasy novel Dragon Wars and created the cover for her soon to be released book "Chasing Flames". Right now he’s excited to be working on a collection of illustrations for Stacey Rourke's Gryphon Series.

He’s always interested in illustration and graphic design projects and can be contacted at robertimmings@hotmail.com.

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ABOUT STACEY ROURKE

Author of the Laugh-out Loud Gryphon Series and the nonfiction book I'm Not Crazy I'm on Lupron; a Journey Through Infertility. Learn more about Stacey's books at www.staceyrourke.com or diaryofasemi-crazyauthor.blogspot.com. If you are a blogger or reviewer interested in reviewing any of Mrs. Rourke's work please contact Sara O'Connor at Gliterary Girl Media. Thank you for visiting this page!

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Respond to Reviews?

Lately, it's been painful logging onto the various social media sites. My poor eyes have been raped on multiple occasions watching authors and reviewers bickering over reviews... Thank God, not my own. 

For a very long time, one of my "do not break" rules has been-- 
Do NOT respond to reviews, under any circumstances. 

Why, you ask? Well I'm going to tell you, and also advise you in advance that this is my personal rule, but it's a good one with sound reason.

Let's say, for shits and giggles, that you as an author begin responding to reviews on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or Goodreads. At first, all of your friends, family and fans leave glowing 5 star reviews. They tell you how wonderful your book is, and what an amazing author you are. Great, right? Of course. Ego has been stroked! We ALL go through that phase. Trust me.

Now, a month or two down the road, new readers begin leaving reviews and they're not so glowing, they make you cry-- 1 and 2 star reviews with comments such as; This is the worst book I've ever read, or This writer should have NOT followed their dream because they have no talent. (I've actually read reviews with those very words in them.) 

If you began responding to reviews when the 5 stars were rolling in, but you don't when the constructive and in some cases, down right mean reviews are coming in... you'll be labeled a hypocrite for not responding to those also. But, an even bigger problem is the way that you would respond to those negative or constructive reviews.

As a human being, we tend to be defensive of ourselves, our loved ones and our work. So, then you leave a comment on the negative review... something to the effect of; Well, if you didn't like it, you didn't have to leave a shitty review.

Hmm... now in a perfect world it would end there, right? Wrong! Because now your friends, family and ardent fans will want to respond, then the reviewers, family, friends and ardent fans will respond... see how this goes downhill real fast? Good!

As writers, we want real reviews. Honest and constructive feedback of our work. So, reviewers should never feel as though they are going to be pounced upon for telling you how they feel. Remember, ART 101 (of any kind, including writing) our opinions concerning materials of art are subjective, because art is in itself subjective. Every person that reads your single book, will actually read it in a different way, and take different things from it. <-- That's a good thing.

REAL reviewers are truthful and sometimes harsh. 99% of the time, you are going to read the review and constructive criticism will jump off of the page at you. While other times, some readers take personal offense with a particular author... it happens, and say mean and hurtful things. It comes with the territory. I tell all new authors that ask for my advice, make sure you have THICK skin, because this business is brutal!

And, there is another factor to this whole review thing... the fans. In my case, I have fans that are just fans of me, because I'm batshit crazy, while others are fans of my books. But, I value them all. So, I don't want any of them to witness things like that.

Some of you will call me a bitch for speaking the truth and some of you will cheer me on, regardless of how you feel... I speak the truth.

Authors, we NEED reviewers and bloggers to read our work and review it. Personally, I love 3 star reviews. Why? Because usually those are the most helpful. The reviewer takes their time to tell you how they truly feel about your work. For those people... THANK YOU!!! Ten times over, thank you!

Readers/Reviewers/Bloggers, you need us writers to give you these awesome and sometimes not so awesome stories. See guys, we need each other. 

I want you to know that I love you guys and want to see the BEST out of, and FOR you.

I want to know what you guys think? Authors, do you respond to reviews? Bloggers, do want Authors to respond to reviews?

As always, until next time...

My review of the Rose by J.A. Lynch

Blurb

Young, beautiful and naive, a young Bianka doesn't truly understand the price that comes with being the chosen one.

Taken from her family, her future is unknown to her, but one thing is for sure:an eternity of need, want and greed.

Can Bianka break the curse that leaves her insatiable, or will she just be another night-walker bound to the Rose?

J.A. Lynch

Shy librarian Julieanne Lynch is an author of urban fantasy books for both adults and teens. Julieanne  lives in Northern Ireland, where she works on her Shadow World series and other series full-time. Wife to her childhood sweetheart, she is the mother of five, and professes that her children are her greatest achievements to date.

Before becoming a writer, she considered a few different career paths, a rock star being one of them...

My Review

5 stars

Now, everyone knows that I'm only just discovering my love of adult fiction, however my love for J.A.'s work is well established. So, when she offered me the opportunity to read this book, I jumped at it. I was not disappointed. This book deviates from J.A.'s normal YA writing into a world of adult vampire lust and longing. I was pulled into Bianka's world immediately. She's feisty and raw, which in turn makes her very real in my head. Totally a must read for erotic book lovers! Bravo J.A.!! This book is for MATURE audiences.

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As always, until next time...

Westminster, Maryland book signing!

This past Saturday, I had a signing at the Westminster, Maryland Public Library! It was awesome!!! Thanks in large part to the librarian, Arlene! It was called "Local Reads". They are featuring a litany of local authors every Saturday. I was lucky enough to be one of them!

Here's the view from outside

When participating in a signing, always have a friend surprise you the way one of my besties, Montlake author, Cat Miller did by showing up!

Always take fun pictures, (featuring the horrendous duck-face) when at a book signing!

Podiums. Podiums are important to speak, and they are fabulous for your friends to take pictures of you standing away from them ;)

Candy. Candy is ALWAYS great to get people's attention, or to divert from the fact that you are not the greatest at public speaking ;)

Make sure to bring things OTHER than books to sign.

Of course, bring books!

Shiny objects to distract people from your horrendous speaking abilities ;) (Thank you, Danielle's Dazzling Designs!)

 Make sure that you bring a sign up sheet for your street team!

And, if all else fails... bring cute kids. People LOVE kids! (Thanks Sam and Monkey) Notice his hat? He's moms' personal security when his daddy is not around ;)

The hubs took the following two pictures after the signing :) Love you babe!

Needless to say, I had a blast! Thank you to all of you!!!

As always, until next time...

What turns you on Wednesday!

So, because it's "hump-day" I wanted to know what turns you one. I have a question posted on my fanpage and I want to hear what you have to say. I'm going to tell you what turns me on now, and also ask that if you choose to go over and answer that you please remember... I still have teenagers on that page and I will delete any "risque" comments. Just keep it clean guys!

I've thought about this subject a LOT! For me, nothing is sexier than to see a man, especially my husband reading. I feel like knowledge is power and with power comes EMPOWERMENT. A man that reads, is a man that has my attention. Now... if he reads my books, he REALLY has my attention  If I can engage a man in an in depth conversation about a book... that's HOT! ~K.B.

As always, until next time...

Happy Constitution Day!

On this day, three hundred years ago our fore-fathers signed the document that gives us our inalienable rights-- The Constitution.

It is because of them they we should all celebrate this day!

We must remember all that have paid the ultimate price for these rights and never allow them to be taken away from us.

Happy Constitution Day, fellow Americans!

As always, until next time...

It's HERE!!! Once Upon A Zombie Apocalypse- Episode 2 by Jennifer Malone Wright

Since Once Upon A Zombie Apocalypses' release in March, you guys have been clamoring for the next installment. Well, the wait is over! Once Upon A Zombie Apocalypse Episode #2 is here!!!!

The second installment of Once Upon a Zombie Apocalypse continues as Jade and Kylee fight their way out of Virginia Beach and head toward the Mason Dixon line. There, they hope to find Kylee’s family alive and well. 

The virus, which is turning the world’s population into zombies, is spreading faster than either of them would have imagined. Chaos now plagues what is left of society, leaving death and destruction rioting in the streets. Many of the survivors have gone into hiding in order to stay alive.

Jade and Kylee refuse to hide. The need to find their families is even stronger than their will to live, and it is the driving force on the journey to find their loved ones.

Grab your copy today on Amazon!

If you haven't started the journey into the new world, today is a perfect day to begin because both versions of Episode #1 are FREE!

Jade & Kylee

Episode #3 releases in October!

As always, until next time...