Celebrate the Small Things

It's time for another edition of. . .

CELEBRATE THE SMALL THINGS!

This is a weekly blog hop sponsored by the amazing Lexa Cain, and co-hosted by L.G. Keltner from Writing Off the Edge and myself. Every week, wonderful things happen, tiny things, which make us smile. But as time grabs us up, we forget all about those moments. This is the chance for us to reflect back on those and remember that there are tons of things worth celebrating.

 If you'd like to join in and add a little more joy to your week, then go ahead over to Lexa's or simply pop by the linky below!


This week, I'm celebrating. . .

The last days have been a little more crazy/ridiculous than usual. So sitting back and thinking about something to celebrate wasn't easy this week, but here we go. . .(good thing we have this hop!)

1) Tea/hot chocolate/lattes - This is one thing I've loved the past days. Whenever things get over the top, grabbing a mug of steamy warmness and sitting down with only thoughts on that mug is a wonderful little oasis for me. It's like taking a mini-time out.

2) Having hubs around. Bad side - he was laid off for a few weeks (no, this is by far not the biggest wave maker of my week). BUT he's been around, helping with chores and catching up on some farm work that gives me a little trouble (I'm NOT muscle woman despite what my family sometimes thinks). 

3) Writing time! With hubs around, I've been able to plant my backside at this laptop and type away. Considering I'm the world's slowest writer (yes, I'm going to take this title with my chin up), this has been horribly helpful . . . .and nice.

4) Anime series - Okay, I probably shouldn't be celebrating this because it's been eating away more of my time than it should. But I've been discovering all sorts of fun little shows that I didn't know existed. And my youngest daughter enjoys them as much as I (my older ones think I'm crazy - good!), so she's been sitting on my lap in the evening and watching youtube with me. Got to love those little girl snuggles!


And what about you? Having a great week? Or are clouds over your head? What put a smile on your face? A snowball fight? Ice skates? Coconut juice? A new picture to hang on the wall?

What are you celebrating?

Celebrate the Small Things

It's time for another edition of. . .

CELEBRATE THE SMALL THINGS!

This is a weekly blog hop sponsored by the amazing Lexa Cain, and co-hosted by L.G. Keltner from Writing Off the Edge and myself. Every week, wonderful things happen, tiny things, which make us smile. But as time grabs us up, we forget all about those moments. This is the chance for us to reflect back on those and remember that there are tons of things worth celebrating.

 If you'd like to join in and add a little more joy to your week, then go ahead and sign-up on the linky below!


This week, I'm celebrating. . .


1) Snow days! Maybe ice days would be a better description. But either way, it meant three days off of school for the kids. Even today.

2) Cookies! The kids baked yesterday. Secret Kiss Cookies (white balls with chocolate kisses hidden in the middle) Yummy! Too bad they were all gone only hours after leaving that oven.

3) A cuddly blanket! My daughter gave me this wonderfully soft, fluffy, leopard looking throw blanket for Christmas, and I've been wrapping up in to all week long.

4) Getting to do an interview over at Sherry Ellis's blog! It was fun doing one with her...and she's such an amazing musician and author (you should take a glance at her picture books!). It definitely put a new twist in my week.



And what about you? What wonderful things put a smile on your face this last week? Get hit by those big snow storms and get to go sledding? Sip at hot chocolate? Find the perfect new shoes?

What are you celebrating?

I hear something coming. . .

And it will be awesome!

THE THING THAT TURNED ME is an anthology which centers around those things which make a difference in ours or others lives. Through poems, short stories and other inspiring contributions, the reader is taken through a vast array of 'turning points'. It will be available around mid-2016 and is the first publication to hit Stay Classy Publishing.

And talk about a fantastic line-up of authors! You're sure to know at least some of them, but even if you don't, rest assured that they are amazing. The genres covered are as diverse the imagination, making for a collection which is sure to have something for everyone.
(Take a peek at the list: www.stayclassypublishing.com/anthology)

TODAY. . .

The talented musician and author, Sherry Ellis, is hosting me over on her blog for an interview. I'm so honored to have this opportunity and would love to see you pop by.


To wrap things up (and hopefully, spike your curiosity), here's the abridged version of the trailer:

Celebrate the Small Things

It's Friday again.
And that means it's time for another edition of. . .

CELEBRATE THE SMALL THINGS!

This is a weekly blog hop sponsored by the amazing Lexa Cain, and co-hosted by L.G. Keltner from Writing Off the Edge and myself. Every week, wonderful things happen, tiny things, which make us smile. But as time grabs us up, we forget all about those moments. This is the chance for us to reflect back on those and remember that there are tons of things worth celebrating.

 If you'd like to join in and add a little more joy to your week, then go ahead and sign-up on the linky below!


This week, I'm celebrating. . .

1) Snowflakes! There weren't many of them. . .just a sporadic few. . .but they came. I saw them.

2) A publication! My review for BROKEN DOLLS by Tyrolin Puxty was featured in Middle Shelf Magazine. I got an entire page, and it looks beautiful. Thanks, Middle Shelf!

3) Tea! I've been sipping at tons of hot tea this week, enjoying all sorts of different variations of green tea. My teenage daughter read that if one drinks 6 cups a day, it raises the metabolism and helps keep those pounds at bay. So she insisted that we stock up on it so she can drink...drink...drink. Funny thing is...I haven't seen her drink any all week. Hmmmmmm......


And what about you? Did something make you giggle? Find a new flavor of chocolate at the store? Meet someone unexpectedly? What put a smile on your face this last week?

Happy Book B-day, Indestructible!

It's release day for Indestructible, the first in an exciting new YA post-apocalyptic trilogy. I know because I've read it.

Two years ago, the fiends invaded, with a devastating explosion that split the world in two. Even now, energy blasts strike without warning, destroying everything in their paths. The fiends hunt anyone unlucky enough to escape.

My name is Leah. An energy blast killed my group. It should have killed me, too. Instead, I woke up alone in the wilderness, stalked by the fiends.

My only hope is the red-cloaked strangers who call themselves the Pyros. They can do the impossible and make flames shoot from their hands. Right now, my one chance for safety -- and revenge -- is with them.

But they’re keeping secrets from me. Like those skeletons hidden under their base. And the reasons I developed a psychic link with someone who can’t stand the sight of me -- after he saved my life.

If I don’t uncover the truth about why the world ended the first time, my new safe haven might go up in smoke…

Indestructible is the first in a YA post-apocalyptic superhero-fantasy trilogy.

Amazon   Add on Goodreads

Emma is the author of various fantasy novels, including the universe-hopping urban fantasy Alliance series and the YA paranormal Darkworld series.

Emma spent her childhood creating imaginary worlds to compensate for a disappointingly average reality, so it was probably inevitable that she ended up writing speculative fiction with magic and monsters. She lives in the middle of England, but dreams of exploring the Multiverse. When she's not immersed in her own fictional worlds, Emma works as a freelance editor and proofreader and reads an improbable number of books.

Visit www.emmaladams.com to find out more about Emma's books, or subscribe to her newsletter (smarturl.it/ELAnewsletter) to get a free Alliance short story and monthly updates on upcoming releases.

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Celebrate The Small Things

It's time to. . .

CELEBRATE THE SMALL THINGS!!!

This is a weekly blog hop sponsored by the amazing Lexa Cain, and co-hosted by L.G. Keltner from Writing Off the Edge and myself. Every week, wonderful things happen, tiny things, which make us smile. But as time grabs us up, we forget all about those moments. This is the chance for us to reflect back on those and remember that there are tons of things worth celebrating.

 If you'd like to join in and add a little more joy to your week, then go ahead and sign-up on the linky below or, better yet, head over to Lexa's!

This week, I'm celebrating. . .


1) Kids back in school! This is more of a bitter-sweet celebration. I'm sad to see them go, but I'd be lying if I'd say I get any writing done when they're around. And I desperately need to get some work completed.

2) Funny farm animals! Our neighbor is building his dream home and asked my husband to lend a hand. The man in the picture has several very friendly turkeys which love to go everywhere. This one is on the roof.

3) A brush hog! For those of you who don't know, this is a type of weed mower which is pulled around behind the tractor...a ferocious beast. And I really, really needed one. To be truthful, this is another half-hearted celebration. Part of me is thrilled that I can finally clean up some fields. The other part of me is groaning at the thought of more work. I'm still working on taking care of the wood from a gigantic tree we cut down and the Christmas storms left us with a flooded field--lots of debris to pull out of there before the grass starts growing again. If only there'd be some ice and snow, I'd have an excuse to stay in and write. . . which I'm doing anyway due to a deadline, but it's playing havoc with my conscious. So much work to get done *sigh*


Those are my celebrations for this week! And what about you? How is your year starting off? Bright lights on the horizon? Snowflakes on the tongue? Rays of sunshine warming your face? Or maybe a piece of super yummy pizza?

What are you celebrating this week?

IWSG-ing into the new year!

Happy New Year!

And of course, it starts off with a bang--IWSG! Summed up in a nutshell, IWSG is a group which allows writers to find/offer support, voice frustrations, joys, celebrations and enjoys an ever growing universe. To learn more about this wonderful group started by the amazing Alex J. Cavanaugh, head over here.

Thanks to all of his co-hosts this month:  L.G. Keltner, Denise Covey, Sheri Larsen, J.Q. Rose, Chemist Ken, and Michelle Wallace ! 


I'm going to be generic today and hit on my goals for 2016.

Goals? Okay, maybe not so much, since I'm not really into that whole resolution/goal setting thing at this time of year. Life tends to do what it wants and toss everything on its head too often for me to believe I can lay plans out that nicely. But I do hope to write more.

Tons more.

Four book ideas have been brewing in my head for a couple of years now, but revisions on other manuscripts and life kept putting a damper on writing them down. So, I plan (hope?) to finally get at least two of these written, maybe revised and out the door.

I've decided that this will be the year for my first, very own publication. No, this wasn't a sudden decision, but rather something I've been tossing around in my head for quite awhile, and a few things started slipping into place the last few months. There are a couple possibilities on exactly how this will transpire still floating around, but they should be resolved soon. (Sounds more like a riddle than it really is.) And then, I'm going to take the plunge--for better or for worse.

Ugh. I'm going to be a nervous wreck.

There's also a great anthology coming up soon, which I'll be posting and screaming about everywhere. I'm currently putting the shine on my contribution for that. . .this anthology is going to be awesome, and I bet you'll know tons of the writers involved. A real treat. (See, I'm starting my campaign already).

Summed up, I'm heading into the next months with determination and am trying to toss some baggage aside. To catch those dreams, we have to get up and chase them because no one is going to do it for us.

And what about you?
Any goals? Concerns? Hopes for the new year?

How's the writing world treating you?


Oh, and to start my screaming, here's the super, awesome trailer for the anthology!
Thanks, Randi Lee!!!