Teaser Tuesday

I LOVE making teasers, have actually considered making a side-business of it...but not sure how that would go.

So, right now, when I'm procrastinating on my own writing...I make teasers for the IN TOO DEEP series.

Here are a few of the latest ones.

Roots & Crowns and Project Unbreakable

Sometimes you come across something you just have to have. You NEED it. You covet it.
In my case, that kind of passionate response usually revolves around food, tattoos or bracelets.

But, as I was doing research for Sexual Abuse Awareness month and working on some programming on the topic I came across Project Unbreakable...if you haven't checked it out, you must (Trigger WARNING: photos of rapist quotes could cause a trigger response in some people. ) As I became more and more intrigued by Grace Brown's brain child I also came across a company called Roots & Crowns out of Portland, Oregon.

Max at Roots & Crowns creates the most beautiful amulets that he fills with nature. Max creates each amulet specifically for each person, sometimes emailing or skyping numerous times with the customer to get a grasp of the specific herbs and flowers to include inside their amulet.

One of Max's recent facebook posts said, "I LOVE personalizing necklaces for custom-order. Getting to tap into the co-creative intention for the piece, and handwriting the scroll describing the included herbs---it's all such a lovely process."

Roots & Crowns is designing unbelievably inspiring amulets for Project Unbreakable which supports and brings light to the victims of sexual abuse and rape.

(photos courtesy of Roots and Crowns etsy shop)

CHECK THEM OUT HERE

Which brings me back to the things I COVET. In the photo above I am wearing my very own Project Unbreakable inspired Roots & Crowns amulet and I am so fuh-reaking in love with it! It's beautiful and so meaningful.

And Max's customer service was impeccable.

My new favorite etsy shop!

Kudos, Max Turk! In my eyes, you're a hero for spending your time blessing survivors with your talents and hard work.

Go book mark Roots & Crowns on Etsy and SHARE & LIKE their facebook page! Go!

Peace.

The Halls of Skin & Bone...

I've started re-posting a little bit from my former Mommy Blog. I'm getting a kick out of re-living all the chaos of having younger kiddos.

This was written after our first trip into Hollister...a.k.a The Halls of Skin & Bone.

Enjoy!

Today we did some school shopping. I got a babysitter and I took my older two to the mall.

I love the smell of Back-to-School!

Not the fact that the fruit of my loins will actually spend hours away from me 5 days a week (I hate that part) but just the tingly excitement of that first day. The new kids, new teachers, locker combinations, new notebooks, cute boys, being late to the class I didn't even sign up for but ended up being on my schedule, unexpectedly getting my period, tripping up the stairs in front of the boy I was planning on having a crush on that day and having egg salad soup at the bottom of my locker at luchtime.

Well, not ALL my memories are good ones I guess. But, I still get excited for the shopping!

On our trip, we went to all the stores that kids love: Children's Place, Old Navy, GAP and some department stores that Mom dragged them into in hopes of a good sale. But then I had the great idea to travel into a world unknown...Hollister.

I have never been able to figure out the fashion phenomenon of a NAME. What makes a name when it comes to fashion? How do the words GAP, ABERCROMBIE, AEROPOSTALE define multi-millions in sales? They are cool clothes, I enjoy the styles and quality but I have a strong feeling if they looked identical but were called SMITHSENSTRUBER they wouldn't be so cool!

So, we walk into Hollister - our first time. It's a dark and loud store. I actually felt like I was walking into a bar. That's how they sell clothes! You are squinting and can't see a thing and the music is so loud when you ask where to find the clothes that cost less than $400 you can't hear what the 4-year old sales girl who weighs 20 lbs. says. So, you grab up a couple things, head to the register, swipe your card and head for the nearest CVS for some Advil, Oil of Olay and Slim Fast.

I am not a name-dropper or someone who needs to have the latest name brand fashions
and I try to deter my children from feeling that is necessary. Oh, and knock-off designer purses don't count because they are not real.

But, I have shopped long enough to know that even the stores that cause you to take out a second mortgage just to outfit your three children for one day DO, in fact, sometimes have good sales. I just thought it would be cool for my first-time middle-schooler to have a Hollister T-shirt for school...I would do anything to give him a leg up on the sometimes cruel competition.

So, we walk in and head right for the clearance racks.

Of course, we had to pass the posters...ugh, the posters...what was this, the red light district? Are they SELLING SKIN in this store? Well, then why is so much of it showing?? The girls in the posters weigh approximately 14.5 ounces and have the slender shape of Gumby! Their apparent poster boy love interests have 6-pack abs that go the whole way dowwwwwwwwwn to a VERY TOO LOW waistline.

I was covering my daughter's eyes and blushing before we got past the cash register! I think I actually felt myself get fatter in this store. I could see the sales staff wasting away while I unbuttoned my shorts to relieve the pudge that was growing underneath my not-Hollister, mom clothing. I wanted to BARF. THEY needed to eat.

"C'mon, honey, have some fries, a milkshake, SOMETHING that will make you weigh more than my purse!"

I found some great sales after asking a nice kid for help. The kid who then walked us to the register because he had lost his voice from screaming "What's up?" and repeated directions to the Hollister-virgin customers all day.

I know, I know. I should not be school shopping for ME but I have to say, I got sucked into the Hollister haze and wanted to wear the word, too! Of course, that feeling quickly faded when I held up a t-shirts that could have doubled as a sock on this mom body.

They got shirts.

I got perfume and pretended each squirt would airbrush me to the size of that $@!#! poster girl!
Still squirting...

NOTHIN’!

Peace out, Mamas!

MKB tells it all...

I've been a storyteller literally all my life and I've never been a very secretive person so, in 2007, when I discovered Mommy Blogging and saw how many hits and followers you get when you air your dirty laundry and Mommy chaos, I knew I'd found my gig.

Now, seven years later, I'm a published author and just because I wanted to do something a little different, I thought periodically I would share one of those stories with you.

So, here's a story from 2007, my kiddos were 10, 9 & 2.

Here's the story I like to call...

Why Stay At Home Moms are Constipated

(minor-TMI alert)

I get everyone onto the bus and coax my little man back inside with the promise of a lollipop so I can relieve the "urge" that is looming in my gut. Now, you must know that our other two had a strict rule to live by, "NO sugar until after lunch!" When the third came along - yeah, not so strict anymore - I just jump on whatever ploy works that day.

"Want some candy?"

"Then, please get off the dining room table."

"Want a donut?"

"You'll need to stop playing in the potty and wash your hands, then!"
He's onto me!

If I'd have had a bowl of sugar in my small powder room I would have given him a spoon just so I could have relieved myself in peace. But I wasn't thinking ahead I guess.

I briskly entered the throne room with a chubby little hand in mine, shut the door and took my seat as Queen of...(I'll spare you!) With that, I was apparently awarded a Jester and JEST he did!

He is a small 2 year old but he felt big as he lurched his body across the room, planted his hands on the lip of the pedestal sink, threw his feet to the pedestal and lifted. His little body became the shape of a "less-than" sign. He was eye to eye with me. He looked at me, giggled and jumped down.

Funny how nothing goes unnoticed when you are 32" tall. He headed right for the small stack of toilet paper in the corner. He and I began a sweet game of catch with one of the rolls. Fifteen years ago, I would never have imagined myself in the toilet-seat-shot-put Olympics. But, who does? I was just hoping to read something, anything in any one of the many untouched magazines in the bin by my feet.

Bored with catch he makes it his mission to build the Leaning Tower of TP. What a kick he gets out of himself when he makes it as tall as he is. I smile. How cute. But three seconds later I have become the center of a nuclear attack as there are toilet paper rolls bludgeoning me from all sides! What is it about stacks and piles that make toddlers evolve into SUPER DESTRUCTO MAN?! Another Mom-phenomenon that we will never figure out.

The dog pushes the door, that I thought was shut, open a bit ad tries to come in. I fling my body to the door and shut it. I have all the stimulation I need right now as my body has not relaxed enough to make this trip a DONE DEAL, yet.

And with that minor distraction, my son has decided to switch careers. SUPER DESTRUCTO MAN is now Kareem Abdul Juicebox as he makes a slam dunk with a roll of TP into the pedestal sink. Funny, I never saw that parallel...the powder room sink does look a bit like a basketball net. Huh.

After the huge bulk pack of toilet paper is dumped on the floor and he begins fishing in the trashcan and lunging for the toilet brush I decide...it is time to abort this mission.

We walk out together only to find that the dog has completely macerated the roll she must have grabbed when she tried to interrupt only minutes ago. It looks like she killed a bloodless poodle!

Well, the "urge" has passed....there's always tomorrow.

Somehow I don't think working moms deal with this discomfort. I can't imagine their co-workers climbing under the stall and wrapping them in toilet paper or playing pat-a-cake! They have the PLEASURE OF POOPING IN PEACE!!

I hope you enjoyed the story - look for more to come...and, no worries, they're not all TMI topics!
LOL!

Peace.

Join me over at Holly Hot Reads

Meet me over at Holly's Hot Reads today as I TAKE it OVER! :) Will be so  much fun!
Giveaways, trivia, get to know you fun and an EXCLUSIVE excerpt from SHIFT, my latest work-in-progress!

If you're here for the SCAVENGER HUNT, good luck!

Peace.

The IN TOO DEEP series

eFestival of Words 2014 Finalist

I couldn't be more honored to be nominated for these awards but today they announced the finalists and IN TOO DEEP has made it to the finals and needs your votes.

We are a finalist in the
BEST NEW ADULT NOVEL and BEST VILLAIN (Noah) categories!

I know there are tons of contests out there and people are winning them all the time, but the fact that this particular contest is for INDEPENDENT ebooks makes this a much BIGGER deal for those of us INDIES!

INDIE AUTHORS are growing in popularity and all you have to do is look at the list and see how MANY amazing talents are there.

I'd love it of you'd head over to the eFestival Category lists, register (it only takes a second and you don't have to accept any of the free offers at the end), and vote for your favorites.

Just click HERE and it will take you directly to the voting booths!

Good luck to all the amazing finalists!
<3 p="">

Final Day of the ABOVE THE NOISE blog tour

I can not tell you how THRILLED I am with Book Plug Promotions! Heather ran my COVER REVEAL, my RELEASE DAY LAUNCH and my BLOG TOUR and everything has been so smooth and ...well, PERFECT! Her prices are so reasonable for all the work she puts into these details of her business! Most professional experience I've had as an author!

Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Here's the list of BLOG TOUR STOPS this week...most of which were 4 & 5 star reviews which has me all giddy! The links will take you to each website so you can see reviews, excerpts, bonus scenes, character interviews and join the giveaways, etc.

Today's the last day - so do it NOW!

Dates to Post	Blog Name	Blog URL	Post
Monday - June 16	Illusionary Pleasure	http://illusionarypleasure.wordpress.com/	Bonus Scene
Monday - June 16th	Here is some of what I read	http://www.mywriterblog.com/whatiread/	Promo Post
Monday - June 16th	Toot's Book Reviews	http://tootsbookreviews.blogspot.com	Character Interview
Monday - June 16th	HEA Bookshelf	http://heabookshelf.blogspot.com	Review
Monday - June 16th	A Love Affair With Books	http://www.aloveaffairwithbooks.com/	Review and Excerpt
Monday - June 16th	Wicked Women Book Blog	http://wickedwomenbookblogs.blogspot.com/	Promo Post
Monday - June 16th	Lovin' Los Libros	http://www.lovinloslibros.blogspot.com	Review
Monday - June 16th	Rose's Book Blog	http://rosecaceres.blogspot.com	Promo Post
Monday - June 16th	Collector of book boyfriends	http://collectorofbookboyfriends.wordpress.com/	Promo Post
Monday - June 16th	Trinas Tantilising Tidbits	http://trinastantilisingtidbits.blogspot.co.nz	Promo Post
Monday - June 16th	True Story Book Blog	http://www.truestorybookblog.com	Promo Post
Tuesday - June 17th	TSK TSK What to Read	http://www.tsktskwhattoread2.blogspot.com	Review and Excerpt
Tuesday - June 17th	Between My Lines	http://www.betweenmylines.com	Review
Tuesday - June 17th	halos and horns book blog	http://www.halosandhornsbookblog.blogspot.com	Review and Excerpt
Tuesday - June 17th	Agents of Romance	http://www.agentsofromance.com	Review and Excerpt
Tuesday - June 17th	Ebony and Ivory’s Book Harmony	http://ebonyandivorysbookharmony.blogspot.com/	Promo Post
Wednesday - June 18th	Kindle Crack Book Reviews	http://www.kindlecrack.net	Review
Wednesday - June 18th	Sleep Deprived Book Lovers	http://sleepdeprivedbooklovers.blogspot.com	Review and Excerpt
Wednesday - June 18th	True Story Book Blog	http://www.truestorybookblog.com	Promo Post
Wednesday - June 18th	Books, Boys, & Badass Bloggettes	http://BadassBloggettes.blogspot.com	Review and Excerpt
Wednesday - June 18th	Wicked Reads	http://vkwickedreads.wordpress.com/	Review and Excerpt
Wednesday - June 18th	BookSkater	http://bookskater.blogspot.com/	Promo Post
Wednesday - June 18th	Review and Excerpt	http://www.kvlovesbooks.blogspot.co.uk	Review and Excerpt
Thursday - June 19th	Deal Sharing Aunt	www.dealsharingaunt.blogspot.com	Promo Post
Thursday - June 19th	Rumpled Sheets Blog	http://rumpledsheetsblog.wordpress.com/	Promo Post
Thursday - June 19th	Naughty and Nice Book Blog	www.naughtyandnicebookblog.com	Review & Excerpt
Friday - June 20th	Ashley's Book Corner	http://ashleysbookcorner.blogspot.com/	Review and Excerpt
Friday - June 20th	Scandalous Book Blog	http://scandalousbookblog.blogspot.co.uk/	Review and Excerpt
Friday - June 20th	Short and Sassy Book Blurbs	http://shortandsassybookblurbs.blogspot.com/	Review and Excerpt
Friday - June 20th	The Boyfriend Bookmark	http://theboyfriendbookmark.com	Review and Excerpt
Saturday  - June 21st	Ashley's Book Corner	http://ashleysbookcorner.blogspot.com/	Review and Excerpt
Saturday  - June 21st	Love Words And Books	http://lovewordsandbooks.com	Promo Post
Saturday  - June 21st	Anny books	http://httpswwwfacebookcomsexylmreftntnmn.weebly.com	Review and Excerpt
Saturday  - June 21st	Six Chicks and Their Love of Books	Www.sixchicksbooks.blogspot.com	Review and Excerpt
Saturday  - June 21st	Love N. Books	http://lovenbooks.com	Review and Excerpt
Saturday  - June 21st	we stole your book boyfriend	http://westoleyourbookboyfriend.weebly.com/	Review and Excerpt
Saturday  - June 21st	Literary Meanderings	http://www.literaryme.net/	Promo Post
Saturday  - June 21st	Jessica Loves Books	http://www.jessicalovesbooks.com	Review and Excerpt
Saturday  - June 21st	Lustful Literature	http://lustfulliterature.com	Review and Excerpt
Saturday  - June 21st	Read-Love-Blog	www.Read-Love-Blog.com	Review and Excerpt
Saturday  - June 21st	Stick Girl Book Reviews	https://www.stickgirlbookreviews@blogspot.com	Review and Excerpt
Saturday  - June 21st	Hooked on Books	http://hookedonbooksforever.blogspot.com/	Review
Saturday  - June 21st	Rockin' The Bookshelf	http://www.rockinthebookshelf.net	Promo Post

Now....onto the next book!

TOMORROW is RELEASE DAY for ABOVE THE NOISE

I can't believe it is happening tomorrow!
Tomorrow I have to actually SHARE Calon...ugh! He's been all mine for quite some time now. You got a little of him in ON SOLID GROUND but tomorrow you get ALL of him...ALL. OF. HIM.

Here's the final three countdown graphics! Enjoy!

Also, today I'm hosting a READERS BRUNCH over on my fb author page - all are welcome!
10am-noon EST

Peace.

The COUNTDOWN to CALON..

He's coming!

...and I've been behind in my blogging so I'm gonna catch you up!

We are at 4 days until the release of ABOVE THE NOISE!
But I'm gonna give you the countdown from 7...

IN TOO DEEP (book 1) was released ONE YEAR AGO TODAY!

ON SOLID GROUND (book 2) was released DECEMBER 3, 2013

ABOVE THE NOISE (book 3 - also a stand alone novel) will be released JUNE 10, 2014

That is all!

Time to party! I'm headed to sign at the INDIES INVADE PHILLY author signing tomorrow with 39 of the coolest authors ever! The event is SOLD OUT! Maybe I'll see you there!

Wow! What a ride!

It's been a whole month since I posted.
Why?
Because I have been working my ass off working on the final edits and details of ABOVE THE NOISE!
HOLY CRAP! The people I have been working with are beyond amazing and because of them, this book is going to blow up! I promise you that!

Heather Davenport of Book Plug Promotions
Elizabeth Aguilar of Book Peddler's Editing
Angela McLaurin of Fictional Formats
and my betas Heather Davenport, Jenee Gibbs and Holly Baker!

June 6th is my BOOK-A-VERSARY - 1 year since my debut novel, IN TOO DEEP, was released.

June 7th I will be signing at the INDIES INVADE PHILLY author event at the Phila Convention Center!

Counting down the days until June 10th when this baby releases to the masses!

June 11th I turn 44!

The Author-Mom Chronicles #4 - The New Adult Genre

Disclaimer:
THE FOLLOWING IS NOT A RANT! LOL! I am merely bringing up a topic and sharing my thoughts. Please don't read a condescending tone into this post - it is positively NOT intended that way.

******************

My debut novel, IN TOO DEEP, takes place on the University of Tennessee Knoxville campus. My characters are 21 and 22 and were dealing with the subject of dating abuse. Gracie, my main character, was tested in many ways throughout the novel. Her resolve, self-esteem, convictions, self-worth were all part of the theme which is typical of an early twenties co-ed.

After my first round of edits, my publisher said, "We need the sex to be a little grittier. Leave less to the imagination. Give us more details." I wasn't completely comfortable with that for many reasons, the first being that my teenage kids would want to read my very first book...and I didn't want them INSIDE Gracie's sex life. But, because I was writing in the NA genre, I knew readers were older and more mature and my own kids would just have to wait a couple years to read Mom's book.

Well, once you start a series with gritty sex, your readers will look for that in the subsequent books...so, I wrote in plenty of steamy scenes. I've gotten many compliments on those scenes, too. :)

But as I was laying out my first stand-alone novel I found myself trying to figure out where I would fit sex into a story that was about SO FREAKING MUCH MORE the sex. I just kept thinking, if I plop sex in here it will seem contrived and I don't want that.

So, I talked to some of my blogger and author friends who agreed, the current trend in NA is hot sex. But why is that? I worry we don't give our readers credit for being the intelligent, deep, and passionate (in non-sexual ways) women they are.

Disclaimer #2:
I am not saying that the sexual content determines a shallow plot. NOT AT ALL! You don't have to read too many NA novels to see the twisted webs we weave!


Let's dive into the details of this five-year old genre we've come to know as New Adult....

New Adult is a genre that, in the beginning, was defined by an age bracket, not subject matter.

Having been a "new adult" I can guarantee you for most of us, that age between 18-24 was hardly all about my sex life or lack thereof. It was more about the excitement of living on my own, striving for personal growth and navigating my way through life's hurdles, tensions and conundrums that sharpened my problem-solving skills. All of which opens up millions of scenarios for fiction writers, even those who write romance, without diving into bed with the protagonist.

Now, obviously sex is one of those hurdles, tensions and conundrums of the age group but I feel we owe it to our readers to feel a part of the main character finding her way in life not finding her panties after a one night stand. How many of us look back over our lives and say "if it weren't for my sordid sex life in college, I'd never be where I am today." Are we insulting our readers by assuming that's all they want?

Karen Grove is the editorial director for Embrace, Entangled Publishing's New Adult imprint and had this to say on the subject of what New Adult is:

“The mindset is different in New Adult,” Grove says. “There’s a focus on success and survival versus [high school themes of] popularity and acceptance. The new adult brings their young adult experiences and discoveries to a new level, and they get to choose the adult they want to become.”

I'm not AT ALL trashing a hot sex scene, I swear! There are more than a handful of those in all three books of my IN TOO DEEP series.

But, the personal growth between the ages of 18 and 24 is fascinating, challenging and the biggest puzzle piece of who we become when we enter the real world. And sometimes it's just as exciting and satisfying as a good romp in the hay.

Suzie Townsend, Cora Carmack's agent from New Leaf Literary & Media supports the notion that sexual content is only a small facet of the New Adult genre...

“A few of the New Adult books I’ve read could have arguably been called angsty, sexually explicit YA, but I would say that’s the minority,” Townsend says. “To me, New Adult is a more specific name for what we would have called adult novels with strong crossover. They’re targeted for those adult readers who really enjoy YA, and for 20-somethings that haven’t always been able to find a lot of novels taking place during the college years.”

Sara Megibow, an agent with the Nelson Literary Agency had this to say and I see a lot of truth in her statement...

"The assertion that New Adult is just sexually explicit YA feels confrontational to me—as if the person doing
the asserting were dismissing the sexual content as a hook or a marketing scam to get more people to buy a book,” Megibow says. “The good New Adult submissions I’ve seen tend to focus on the conflicts of early adulthood—somewhat like the first Bridget Jones book—dating, jobs, first apartments, money, identity, self-sufficiency, etc.”

Tell me your thoughts.

Peace.

One Question Wednesday - Rachel Brookes

I have met so many amazing people through this author journey I've been on and I can't say enough about how welcoming and helpful they all have been. And it's always fun to have so much in common with someone and THEN find out they LOVE EDDIE VEDDER, too! LOL!

That's my sweet friend and amazing author, RACHEL BROOKES!

And who doesn't want a friend who knows kangaroos personally? That's right, Rachel is an Aussie! I love when she posts videos and I can hear her talk! :)

So, today Rachel and I talked about character traits...

As we grow up and mature, our views, passions, fears and beliefs evolve. Sometimes we look back on our lives and think, “I can’t believe I used to think that way” or “I’m so glad my views have changed so much.” What is one thing about your character or personality that has stayed steadfast over the years?

Rachel –

My belief of never living with what ifs. This was something that came to me when I was at 17 years of age and now at 32 it is still one of the beliefs that I always live by. I believe life is too short to live with what ifs. Some of my biggest successes and my biggest downfalls was because I took a chance hence taking away the what if scenario. I would rather live with a hundred regrets than one what if. I refuse to be sixty, sitting with my grandchildren and looking back on life thinking what if I had asked that guy out, what if I had published that book, what if I had gone at that trip. Life is all about taking those risks because you never know what will come out of them.

I love Rachel's answer, especially just coming off my ABOVE THE NOISE cover reveal yesterday. Rachel is one of the many authors who will tell you DON'T EVER GIVE UP! I spent seven years trying to break into the children's book market and failed miserably but my daddy always taught me, "No one tells a Kemper, No!" So,  I plugged along, not willing to throw in the  towel because I knew I would one day see my name on a book cover...and Sapphire Star Publishing believed in my little story and we did just that! 

So, I'm choosing a different trait to expand on since I just blabbed about that one ^^ up there!

Me –

I’ve always been insanely empathetic and it has my heart breaking on a daily basis. There are many, MANY things that hurt my heart so I’ll just choose one: HARM to ANIMALS

I feel guilty but I can’t watch the PUPPY MILL or ANIMAL RESCUE LEAUGE commercials because I am physically pained by the pictures on the screen. And add to that, stinkin’ Sarah McLachlan and her “I will remember you” background vocals…and I’m a puddle on the floor.

Since I was a child, I’ve been an “animal saver.” I had an annual summer terrarium in our backyard in which I constructed playgrounds and pools for the toads that came to visit. I’ve raised injured wild animals with my kids and then cried when we set them free. I’m a grown up and still save the worms that are stuck on our hot driveway after a rainstorm. I live my life as a vegetarian and adopt (not eat!) a turkey through FARM SANCTUARY every Thanksgiving.

 I’m completely and emotionally crushed by the mistreatment of animals and I can’t stomach the horrors that occur on factory farms so, as my son’s girlfriend says, “I just don’t eat anything with a face.”

So, you can imagine all the OTHER things I could elaborate on that make me sad in this world.

Have an awesome Wednesday!

Good night, sleep tight, Rachel!

Peace.