Tuesday, December 3, 2013

HAPPY RELEASE DAY, ON SOLID GROUND!!

**
 
 Huge thanks go out to all the readers & bloggers who have put time into the reviews that will be coming out all around the blogosphere! I HEART YOU!
**
I couldn't be more excited (and nervous) about everything that I have planned for today! It's only the WEE hours of the morning in Amish Country, PA right now but in no time at all we will be PARTYING!

I will be sucking down the caffeine, packing lunches, then getting everything set up for our 9-4 gig! :) We need lots of sugary treats and pitchers of mimosas, please. So, on your way, stop and pick some up!

IN TOO DEEP was a huge smash for this debut author! I couldn't believe how well it did for being my very first book!

So, you can imagine how excited (and nervous) I am for ON SOLID GROUND to hit the airwaves! Because Gracie's story doesn't end with IN TOO DEEP...so all of you who were threatening to throw your Kindles and Nooks at a wall, you will be THRILLED to see where Gracie is headed this time around.

And those of you who said she was weak and cried to much...you will be thrilled to see the changes she makes over the summer months!

Please joing me at our EVENT tomorrow! I have promised Q&A, character chats, trivia, giveaways, deleted scenes and ONE BIG TREAT for everyone with an e-version of either book. Don't miss it!

Here's the link to the RELEASE DAY SHENANIGANS! https://www.facebook.com/michelle.k.b...

Pass it on! Your reader/blogger friends will thank you!

**And I made a promise that if my Facebook author page hits 2,000 likes at some point tomorrow JAKE will come hang out with everyone and answer your questions!
Here's the link for my fb page:
https://www.facebook.com/MichelleKemp...

OK...go check it all out and of course, tweet the &^#%&^*# out of all these links! Thanks!

Find me @MK_Brownlow

Peace.

Wednesday, November 27, 2013

6 days until you are ON SOLID GROUND...

**
Michelle Kemper Brownlow delivers an emotional and empowering sequel to IN TOO DEEP that will take you on a journey of letting go, holding on and moving forward.
Gracie Jordan is a character that will stick with me for years to come."
 
**


 

Monday, November 18, 2013

ON SOLID GROUND - TWO WEEKS EARLY!

*
SURPRISE RELEASE!
*

OMG! ON SOLID GROUND was released TWO WEEKS EARLY!

So, I'm running THE BEST CONTEST EVER - for just 24 hours!






 

Monday, November 11, 2013

Tag, You're it! Blog Hop

**
**
So, I was just sittin' here chillin'... translation: having a momentary creative block... when I was tagged by the awesome Nancy S. Thompson, author of The Mistaken. This debut novel is currently sitting pretty at the #20 slot in the Vigilante Justice category on Amazon! So, go check her out! You won't be sorry!

So, this is the Tag, You're it! Blog Hop
(btw, I love these kinds of things so feel free to tag me anytime!)

This is an easy one, just answer 4 questions then tag 3 others.

1.What are you working on right now?
 
I have just finished the sequel to IN TOO DEEP which is called ON SOLID GROUND and will be out in less than a month (21 days to be exact). So, I have started my next novel which is a stand alone romance, at this moment it is titled SHIFT but who knows if that will stick. We will see.

 This new novel is proving to be a bit more difficult to plot than either of the others but I am so excited about it. I have yet to officially write a blurb, that usually comes much later - I'm only 26 pages in. And considering On Solid Ground was 400+ pages, I've got a while to think about that blurb. Basically, there's a college-age girl on a mission to fulfill a request of her that her mother left in her will. That request has her driving cross country from Chesapeake City, Maryland to San Fransisco, California....and that's all I'm going to say about it right now.


2. How does it differ from other work in its genre?

Well, since I am not that far in to the plotting of SHIFT, I will speak about IN TOO DEEP and ON SOLID GROUND since they are complete. I took on a tough subject as a means to get people talking about it since it rarely gets any attention. EMOTIONAL ABUSE. I've received "thank yous" from many women who loved the main character, Gracie, because they shared a common thread with her...someone they loved belittled them so systematically and underhandedly they didn't see what was happening until it was too late. And in some cases, years later, are still trying to come to terms with the fact they are a survivor of abuse.

Basically, IN TOO DEEP chronicles Gracie's relationship with bad boy Noah. And ON SOLID GROUND follows her through the necessary steps toward healing. Of course, there's a beautiful love story and two HOTT book boyfriends to keep you from finding the nearest Noah and punching him in the junk. There are thousands of women out there who are definitely TEAM GRACIE!


3. Why do you write?

This is such a funny question for me to answer because I was the student who did what she could to BS her way through all the term papers and projects that had a minimum page number. I was always in panic mode when a teacher would assign a 10+ page paper. Because I went to high school and college in the Stone Ages...you know, the late 80's, early 90's...I didn't have the option of making my font a smidge larger to fill more pages. Typewriters have ONE size letters. ONE.

I was an art major and spent 4 years after college teaching middle school and high school art. It was my dream job and I still keep in touch with my favorite students (who are now 30-something & married with children). But when two of my three children came along one right after the other, I hung up my smock and took on the role of stay-at-home mom. Those two are 15 and 16 now and we have an 8 year old and I'm still at home...momming.

If you ask me, "What are you thinking about right this minute?" you will get an earful. My husband has stopped asking because the descriptions he gets are so far from what his imagination is capable of it freaks him out. He no longer uses that question on long quiet car rides.

I wrote and illustrated children's books for 7 years. Submitting and collecting close to 200 rejection letters. (I do, however illustrate for an emergent reader company.) Everyone has always said I should write a book to use the whacked out imagination that wasn't getting used to its potential writing about talking otters and kids who painted rocks. I have adult ADHD so I never thought a novel was possible for me to focus on. And my mind would go back to those 10 page papers and the anxiety that went with them and I thought there was NO WAY IN HELL I could do that.

Well, I did and it's the best thing I've ever done. The stories and characters that have truly inhabited my brain for the last 43 years now have a place to go and when one story is out it makes room for the next! I love to write and no longer panic when I'm given a word count or page number minimum.


4. How does your writing process work.

HA! This is funny because technically, I don 't have an intricate process of outlines and sticky notes or anything methodical like that. Here's my process: I sit down. I write.

It truly is just that for me. I just write and don't stop until it's done. It just comes and I document what is going on in my mind. Sometimes it is happening in my mind at a faster speed than what my fingers can type. Sometimes I stop typing to quickly take notes of the part of the story my brain has already told. Now, at some point I will hand draw a calendar of the story's timeline and go back and fill it in so that if I refer to something I can timestamp it appropriately.

I wrote two full novels in less  than a year - my brain never shuts off. I will never be able to write all that's in my head in my lifetime.

Cool!
That was fun! Thanks, Nancy!!

Now, I have to tag 3 people...let's see...I'm gonna have to pick...

Rachel Brookes
Rebecca Shea
Stephanie Elliot

Go to it girls! Have fun!

PS...I'm not proofreading this...I wrote too much and I think my editor is probably busy! :)


Tuesday, November 5, 2013

Thursday, October 17, 2013

BREAKING NEWS: On Solid Ground

**

**
 
I am so excited!

IN TOO DEEP went over HUGE in the NA world. It's a tough book to read but one you can't put down...or so I've heard. When I say tough I'm refering to the rollercoaster of emotions you experience while reading. Just check out some of the reviews. And btw, there are more than 2,000 of you who have it on their to-read list...you may wanna move it to your read list.
In Too Deep

ON SOLID GROUND is the sequel and where it is similar in intensity to IN TOO DEEP, the intensity is NOT revolved around Gracie's broken heart...there are a couple new twists to the story my readers may NOT be expecting. But, based on the 5 STAR reviews it has gotten from bloggers who've received the pre-ARC, it's worth the stress.
On Solid Ground

The best part is, after a long discussion with my amazing editor, I have decided to add TWO more chapters to the end of the story to wrap up some loose ends with one of the characters.

SQUEEAAAALLLL!
I am so excited to get this book out to you! December can't come quick enough!! :)

Peace.

 

Friday, August 30, 2013

The On Solid Ground ARC request list is growing...

**

**
Gracie survived an emotionally abusive relationship that wrecked her. Her ex, Noah, systematically chipped away at her self-esteem through intimidation, humiliation and infidelity which left Gracie unable to trust her own perception of his intentions. But after falling head over heels for Jake, her best friend and the man who stood by her through it all, she is ready to experience life in the way it was meant to be lived.  However, Gracie may find it impossible to simultaneously heal from the trauma of abuse while navigating a relationship with Jake. Can she put her heart on hold in order to heal her soul?
The sequel to the five-star debut novel, In Too Deep, chronicles Gracie’s steps toward healing as she falls deeper in love, reaches out for help, stands on her own, steps out of her comfort zone, faces her biggest fears, and reconnects with a sensual, talented soul from her past all in hopes of finding herself on solid ground.
**
 
You thought Gracie had you captivated in IN TOO DEEP? Well, you just wait and see her get herself to solid ground! You will not believe the twists and turns this plot takes!
 
 
I am offering up Advance Reader Copies of ON SOLID GROUND to reputable book bloggers, only. Due to the risk of PIRACY (thanks to the idiots who give away for FREE what authors work long hard hours to create), unless I know you personally I will not be sending ARCs to individuals who are NOT bloggers. But, if I know you, hit me up!
 
 
Please send requests for ARCs of ON SOLID GROUND to:
 
...and please include the link to your blog.
 
The ARCs will be available in early November, and I'd LOVE to be on your blog calendar from the DECEMBER 3rd RELEASE DAY!


Wednesday, August 28, 2013

To review...or not to review (Amazon, B&N)

***
...and the correct answer is...
 


REVIEW!!!!!!!!!!!
 
Before signing my first book contract, I didn't really think too much about leaving a review for a book on Amazon or B&N. I didn't really think my opinion mattered all that much.
 
 
Now, as an author I realize how many reviews I should have left over the years. Reviews help authors in many ways, especially self-pubbed authors (which I am now one of) who could get picked up by a publisher if they have a decent amount of reviews.
 
 
Now, I am not a traditional pub turned self-pubbing author who is vying for the attention of big houses and agencies. There are tons of self-pubbed authors out there who sit on the New York Times Best Seller List so I am in good company. But in order to grab the attention of the readers we, as authors, should be collecting as many reviews as we have readers.
 
Now, I am aware of how many books I have sold thus far...and my 64 reviews on Amazon (which are amazing reviews! I am happy with the ones there...most of them) are only representative of a quantity of two numbers...a six and a four...64. Based on how many of you have purchased and read IN TOO DEEP, this number should be four numbers long! You get me?
 
 
 
"People, she's proposing a contest!"
 
Until Friday at midnight (EST) everyone who leaves a new comment will be entered for a chance to win some IN TOO DEEP and ON SOLID GROUND swag! (Please remember I was an art teacher...I can make some pretty cool swag!) For every 10 reviews, I will pull one winner.
 
20 new reviews - 2 winners
30 reviews - 3 winners
...you feelin' me?
 
So, if you have read IN TOO DEEP, please leave a couple words (and lots of stars) for it on Amazon and B&N! :)
 
Thank you!
Thank you!
Thank you!
Thank you!
Thank you!
Thank you!
 


Tuesday, August 20, 2013

It's COVER REVEAL day for ON SOLID GROUND

 
~*~
You fell in love...
~*~
You asked for more...
~*~
You've waited long enough...
~*~
 
 
 
Cover Art: Michelle Kemper Brownlow
 
Release Date: December 3, 2013
 

Gracie survived an emotionally abusive relationship that wrecked her. Her ex, Noah, systematically chipped away at her self-esteem through intimidation, humiliation and infidelity which left Gracie unable to trust her own perception of his intentions. But after falling head over heels for Jake, her best friend and the man who stood by her through it all, she is ready to experience life in the way it was meant to be lived.  However, Gracie may find it impossible to simultaneously heal from the trauma of abuse while navigating a relationship with Jake. Can she put her heart on hold in order to heal her soul?

The sequel to the five-star debut novel, In Too Deep, chronicles Gracie’s steps toward healing as she falls deeper in love, reaches out for help, stands on her own, steps out of her comfort zone, faces her biggest fears, and reconnects with a sensual, talented soul from her past all in hopes of finding herself On Solid Ground.

***
 
Gracie was welcomed into the New Adult Romance world on June 6, 2013 and she escorted IN TOO DEEP onto not one, not two, but three genre-specific Amazon Best Seller Lists one day prior to the release. I could not have been more excited and every day am humbled by the reviews, messages and emails I receive daily from readers who couldn't put the book down, realized there own situation as abusive or made peace with a demon of their past. That was the sole purpose of IN TOO DEEP.
 
When my publisher, Sapphire Star Publishing, told its authors they were closing to submissions until further notice, they encouraged me to go the self-publishing route for ON SOLID GROUND so as not to lose momentum for Gracie's story. They are cheering me on from the sidelines today, thrilled that I took their advice and brought Gracie back to tell the rest of her story.
 
I am thrilled to bring you ON SOLID GROUND this December 3rd, just in time for the Holidays!
 
The book-blog-o-sphere is on FIRE today for Gracie, I will add links when I see REVEALS go up, these crazy book ladies have made collages and everything!
 
But for now, enjoy a brand new, never before seen excerpt from ON SOLID GROUND...
 

 
“So, tell me a little bit about yourself, Gracie.”
 It was a beautiful Tuesday morning, I could be at home sleeping in with Jake but I was sitting in counseling for the first time. If Jake hadn’t mentioned the “Honey Do” list, I would have put off making the appointment. I was scared to death to spill my guts to anyone, especially someone I didn’t know.
The woman who sat across from me was too slick and put together. Her black pin-striped rayon pants rippled at her ankles as she walked toward the wingback chair across from me. The room was calm and inviting. I would never have guessed that this peaceful atmosphere could exist in the Student Health building. The main part of the building was like a clinic and the students filing in and out were like cattle. The building was old and it had that sterile we-sprayed-this-because-someone-just-puked smell. When I walked through the masses, I saw people who were obviously in some form of discomfort. Some were sleeping across chairs, some were hunched over clutching their guts and there were even a few who were holding a blood-stained compress on an appendage. I navigated through the throng of the broken and wished that was all that was wrong with me. I wished I could stop the bleeding with a compress. It would be so much easier if I just had a sore throat instead of worrying about the scavenger hunt I was about to embark on to try and find the old me.
            Dr. Sylvia Watts took her seat in the wingback chair positioned across from the matching deep red couch where I sat. There was a glass-top coffee table between us. One whole wall was dark mahogany bookshelves from floor to ceiling. Her filing cabinet and side table must have come as a set with the bookshelves because they matched perfectly. The plain creamy off white walls were offset by the red, beige and brown geometric pattern on the throw pillows, the couch and the floor to ceiling curtains. Everything was so put together and I walked in shattered. It was enough of a juxtaposition to make me more than a little uncomfortable. I couldn’t help but wonder how much she really knew about the human condition. Wouldn’t she be the first to figure out that such a neat and tidy room would be so glaringly opposite than the offensive mess she would witness during her sessions that her clients might feel worse about themselves by comparison?
            Whatever. This may not last. She looked down her nose at me over her half glasses with their striking purple frames. I just needed to get it over with so I could tell Jake I’d given it a shot but it just wasn’t going to work out.
            “Well, I’m Gracie, but you knew that. I’m twenty-one and just finished my Junior year. I’m a Social Work major. I transferred here from the UT Martin campus Spring Semester of my Sophomore year. I just had a terrible break up last semester and then immediately fell in love with my best friend, Jake, who just happens to be my ex’s former roommate.” There that should keep us busy for a while and I didn’t even have to say Noah’s name.
            “How is the new relationship going?”
            “Jake is gentle and kind and selfless.”
            “Well, he sounds wonderful."
             "He really is." I couldn't help but smile just thinking about him.
           "So, tell me a little about your ex. What is his name?”
Dammit. Her hand hovered over the yellow legal pad she had in her lap poised to diagram the mess that I brought that day. It never occurred to me that she would be taking notes. Notes on how fucked up I was. Shit. Five minutes in and my chest was tight and I was sweating.
            “Um…” I cleared my throat. “Noah. His name was Noah.”
            “Was? His name is still Noah, correct?”
            I nodded. What the hell? She was going to go all smart ass on me? I didn’t have to deal with this. Don’t sit there in your Vera Wang outfit and make me look stupid, lady. Suddenly I was aware of what I was wearing. My over-sized, sleeveless red flannel shirt was draped over a black graphic t-shirt with bright yellow lettering that spelled out I’M WITH THE BAND. I had on black leggings and my favorite girly combat boots. Dr. Sylvia Watts may be perfectly put together and never suffered a day in her life but I was not going to let her get to me.
            “I know that seemed like a smart ass question.” Okay, she swore, so she’s not being perfectly professional. That’s one point in her favor. “But, so many times when we have bad break ups we try to push that person out of our minds as though they have been exterminated, removed from the planet. If we refer to Noah in the present tense it will be easier to come to terms with the fact that he will continue to exist and he will move on. It won’t be as much of a shock to your system if you unexpectedly run into him or hear someone mention his name. Your relationship may be over but Noah isn’t. Does that make sense?”
            I nodded and unshed tears burned my eyes. I blinked as fast as I could and looked down at my hands that were wringing themselves lifeless. It never occurred to me that she might make me cry the first day.
            “Gracie. Tell me why you are crying.” She tapped the end of her pen on her hand that held the legal pad.
            “I’m not crying.”
            “Gracie. We don’t play games in this office. You are here to get better, to talk through the things that brought you here, to heal. Those things don’t happen without flushing your system of all the pain. Think of it as a plugged up toilet. The water can’t run smoothly until the shit is out of the way. Right?”
            I laughed and nodded and she handed me the tissue box. That’s two points for Dr. Sylvia Watts. She was growing on me.
            “Tell me what’s making you cry.” She wasn’t going to let this go.
            “My emotions are all over the place. I feel comfortable with Jake but little things like compliments bowl me over and it’s like someone’s handed me a foreign object I don’t know what to do with.”
            “I guess so.” I choked out a sob. “I’m sorry for crying so much.”
            “Why are you sorry?”
            “I should be stronger than that by now.”
 
           “Gracie, it’s the strong people who let it all out. Those who keep from crying aren’t capable of processing what is going on inside their minds and their hearts, so they don’t let themselves feel the depth of their pain. They also find it hard to empathize with someone in your recent situation. They’re the friends that walk away. They think they’re walking away because you’re too high maintenance for them. But they’re actually walking away as a selfish means of self-preservation. They can’t handle the pain. Those who cry are strong enough to take it all in, feel it and then let it all out.”
            Sylvia stunned me with those three sentences. All these years I felt weak because I cried almost every day. Sylvia spun that notion and made me see it a different way. Crying was evidence that I was strong. Me. Strong.
 
Special thanks goes out to all the participating bloggers who are REVEALING On Solid Ground today: (more links added as posts go up)
 




Friday, August 9, 2013

Introducing ALTERNATE TRAGEDY


Well...this is the band BEHIND the inspiration of Alternate Tragedy! 

As you all know, I am a sucker for live music and lead singers! Just a couple years ago (it's been way more than a couple but I have a hard time coming to terms w my age) when I was a student at Penn State there was this band...

...in my mind, that band who has now changed names but still plays bars in State College, is who I picture when I'm writing about Calon and Alternate Tragedy.

They didn't come into Gracie's story until almost the end of IN TOO DEEP but you just wait...Calon and his bandmates take on a much bigger role in Gracie's life in ON SOLID GROUND and it's a beautiful relationship. 

Well, last night my husband and two of our three kids - the teens who get their love of live music from their parents - came back to State College to see Calon and the guys, who are actually the members of a band called Spider Kelly.

I got to meet up with them after their awesome show and hang out for awhile off the wings of the stage. It was a blast, like meeting up with old friends! And of course, I gave them a signed copy of IN TOO DEEP which their wives were excited about! 

So, without further ado...



This is Eric (Calon) and James (Manny), we lost the other guys so we're two guys short for the pic. Thanks for the memories, guys! Can't wait for you (and your wives) to see how Alternate Tragedy touches Gracie's life in ON SOLID GROUND!

And yes, we will be headed out to see them again tonight...yep, they're just THAT good! 

Wednesday, August 7, 2013

Are you SAM'S new girlfriend?

**

**
 
Well, you know I'm a sucker for a good contest...and I know you are sucker's for Sam, Jake's sidekick in IN TOO DEEP.
 
Sam finds himself a nice girl over Summer Break which is the timeframe of ON SOLID GROUND. And since I am still in the editing phase, I can make her YOU!
 
If you would like to be Sam's girlfriend (your name and description), head over to my facebook page and look for the photo above to enter TO BE SAM'S GIRLFRIEND! In the comments below the photo, tell me how "you" and Sam met...be creative or make it simple, it can be romantic or comical.
 
I will have a team of judges (my teenagers) choose the winning story and I will announce the winner tomorrow morning on my facebook page, so make sure you're a LIKER so it comes to your news feed!
 
Maybe YOU are Sam's new girlfriend in ON SOLID GROUND... her part isn't huge but she's a great girl...especially if she's YOU!


Wednesday, July 31, 2013

News: ON SOLID GROUND sets date for COVER REVEAL

**

**
If you've read IN TOO DEEP, you are well-acquainted with Gracie, Noah and Jake. Well, their stories aren't over when you reach the last page... ON SOLID GROUND is the sequel due out in December.

The cover reveal for ON SOLID GROUND will take place on numerous book blogs on August 20th!

So, for now, I leave you with the synopsis and a quick (previously posted) glimpse into the pages of of ON SOLID GROUND...

Synopsis:

Gracie survived an emotionally abusive relationship that wrecked her. Her ex, Noah, systematically chipped away at her self-esteem through intimidation, humiliation and infidelity which left Gracie unable to trust her own perception of his intentions. But after falling head over heels for Jake, her best friend and the man who stood by her through it all, she is ready to experience life in the way it was meant to be lived.  However, Gracie may find it impossible to simultaneously heal from the trauma of abuse while navigating a relationship with Jake. Can she put her heart on hold in order to heal her soul?
The sequel to the five-star debut novel, In Too Deep, chronicles Gracie’s steps toward recovery as she discovers new interests, reaches out for help, deals with the return of unexpected exes, struggles through setbacks and reacquaints herself with a sensual and talented soul from her past all in hopes of finding herself on solid ground.


Excerpt:

Calon: Yaz wants to do your guitar lesson at Mitchell’s tonight. 7:00 instead of 6:30.

That was odd. Why in the world would Yaz have Calon text me?
           I walked through the door of Mitchell's and could hear voices. I got to the bottom of the stairs and realized it was Alternate Tragedy but just the band, no Calon. I looked over at the bar just as Jake looked up. He smiled at what he thought was a surprise visit just as his instructor told them to practice something on their own while he took an important phone call.

            “What are you doing here? I thought you had a lesson.”
           “Calon texted me to meet Yaz here.”

             “Oh. He’s in the back booth.” He motioned with his chin toward the back of the bar and then smiled.
               I turned to go see Yaz who’d just leaned out into the aisle and caught a glimpse of me. He held up a finger to whoever he was talking to. That was the only bad thing about the basement of Mitchell’s; the high back booths. You couldn’t see into a booth unless someone was leaning out of it or you were directly next to it. I didn’t know how the wait staff kept track of their customers when they couldn’t even see if anyone was occupying the booths in their section.            

“Gracie, you ready?” Calon came out of nowhere.
            “Huh?” Panic seized my chest and I stared at Yaz like a deer in the headlights waiting for an explanation.

                “You’re practicing with AT tonight. Wednesdays are rehearsals for the weekend bands. You’re going to rehearse with them in place of your regular guitar lesson.”
               “Oh, I can’t—”

                “Oh but you can. Grab your guitar and follow me.”
               I could barely breathe. This was ridiculous. I searched behind the bar for Jake but his bartending class must have gone to the back room. The dimly lit room was empty except for us. Me, the guys of Alternate Tragedy and Yaz.

                “Guys, this is Gracie. Gracie, this is Spider, Manny, Bones and Phil.” All the guys said “hi” in unison. They smiled as though they were trying to comfort me. I was positive there was no way I could hide how terrified I was.
               “Can’t I just watch tonight? I’m not sure I’m ready—”

                “Gracie,” Calon took me by the shoulders and spun me so I faced him. He tilted his head down to catch my gaze. “have you ever seen the videos of the people who put babies in pools and they instinctively swim?”
                “I nodded.”

                “What’s the reason for that?”
                 “Because if …oh, wait, I know what you’re doing! Come on, guys!” I wiggled away from Calon and hugged my guitar case close to me.”

                “Finish what you were going to say.” Calon smirked.
              “You are infuriating.” I tried to look my angriest.

                “Baby, you’re not the first person to tell me that. Now finish.”
                 I sighed with a frustrated growl and spoke quickly, “They throw them in so it’s a sink or swim kind of thing. Anyone can be taught through lessons but the sink or swim technique makes swimming instinctive.”

                “Right on, G!” Spider called from his stool at the drums. I should have assumed a band made up mostly of men with nicknames would grant me my very own nickname. G? It could be worse.
                I saw the group of bartenders move out from the back room and take their spots behind the bar. Jake looked up and smiled and winked but I wondered if he was still bothered by my artistic connection with Calon.

                Calon ushered me to a stool at center stage with a mic stand directly in front of it. He took Josephine out of her case and helped me under the strap Jake got for me.
             “Now, if you decide you want to be our opening act, you will be playing acoustic. Just you and Josephine on the stage” I was stunned he remembered what I’d named my guitar. ”But if you want to mix it up a bit tonight, the guys have offered to be back up for you for a couple songs. They’re going to play along tonight just to take the pressure off a little.”

                “Calon. I didn’t prepare anything. I can’t—”
             “Sink or swim, Gracie.” 

                And with that he stepped down off the stage and sat down in a chair directly in front of me. He leaned back in the chair and started tapping one of his boots loud enough for the band to hear. On cue, Bones came in with the bass guitar, then Manny and Spider joined him with drums and Phil slammed a tambourine against his palm. “Rearview Mirror.”
               I closed my eyes and took some deep breaths. I took so many deep breaths that the guys had to do the whole eight measure intro three times before I was ready to sing.


If you are a book blogger and would like to join us on August 20th for the COVER REVEAL...please email me at michellebrownlow@yahoo.com



If you haven't already, you can check out IN TOO DEEP here!

Friday, July 19, 2013

Sneak Peek of ON SOLID GROUND

*
Sneak peek of
ON SOLID GROUND
*

Today, in celebration for the LAST day of the IN TOO DEEP Blog Hop I am releasing a sneak peek from the sequel, ON SOLID GROUND.

After some positive feedback from a mini-peek yesterday on my facebook page, I decided I could let the rest of that scene slip out because it's probably NOT the male character your expecting to...but the one you want her with is close by, he's not out of the picture (go ahead, wipe your brow and say, "WHEW!")...this scene just introduces someone who takes on a much bigger role in this book!

Enjoy Gracie as she steps out of her comfort zone:


Calon: Yaz wants to do your guitar lesson at Mitchell’s tonight. 7:00 instead of 6:30.
           That was odd. Why in the world would Yaz have Calon text me?

I walked through the door of Mitchell's and could hear voices. I got to the bottom of the stairs and realized it was Alternate Tragedy but just the band, no Calon. I looked over at the bar just as Jake looked up. He smiled at what he thought was a surprise visit just as his instructor told them to practice something on their own while he took an important phone call.
“What are you doing here? I thought you had a lesson.”
“Calon texted me to meet Yaz here.”
“Oh. He’s in the back booth.” He motioned with his chin toward the back of the bar and then smiled.
I turned to go see Yaz who’d just leaned out into the aisle and caught a glimpse of me.  He held up a finger to whoever he was talking to. That was the only bad thing about the basement of Mitchell’s; the high back booths. You couldn’t see into a booth unless someone was leaning out of it or you were directly next to it. I didn’t know how the wait staff kept track of their customers when they couldn’t even see if anyone was occupying the booths in their section. “Gracie, you ready?” Calon came out of nowhere.
            “Huh?” Panic seized my chest and I stared at Yaz like a deer in  the headlights waiting for an explanation.
            “You’re practicing with AT tonight. Wednesdays are rehearsals for the weekend bands. You’re going to rehearse with them in place of your regular guitar lesson.”
            “Oh, I can’t—”
            “Oh but you can. Grab your guitar and follow me.”
            I could barely breathe. This was ridiculous. I searched behind the bar for Jake but his bartending class must have gone to the back room. The dimly lit room was empty except for us. Me, the guys of Alternate Tragedy and Yaz.
            “Guys, this is Gracie. Gracie, this is Spider, Manny, Bones and Phil.” All the guys said “hi” in unison. They smiled as though they were trying to comfort me. I was positive there was no way I could hide how terrified I was.
            “Can’t I just watch tonight? I’m not sure I’m ready—”
            “Gracie,” Calon took me by the shoulders and spun me so I faced him. He tilted his head down to catch my gaze. “have you ever seen the videos of the people who put babies in pools and they instinctively swim?”
            “I nodded.”
            “What’s the reason for that?”
            “Because if …oh, wait, I know what you’re doing! Come on, guys!” I wiggled away from Calon and hugged my guitar case close to me.”
            “Finish what you were going to say.” Calon smirked.
            “You are infuriating.” I tried to look my angriest.
            “Baby, you’re not the first person to tell me that. Now finish.”
            I sighed with a frustrated growl and spoke quickly, “They throw them in so it’s a sink or swim kind of thing. Anyone can be taught through lessons but the sink or swim technique makes swimming instinctive.”
            “Right on, G!” Spider called from  his stool at the drums. I should have assumed a band made up mostly of men with nicknames would grant me my very own nickname. G? It could be worse.
            I saw the group of bartenders move out from the back room and take their spots behind the bar. Jake looked up and smiled and winked but I wondered if he was still bothered by my artistic connection with Calon.
            Calon ushered me to a stool at center stage with a mic stand directly in front of it. He took Josephine out of her case and helped me under the strap Jake got for me.
            “Now, if you decide you want to be our opening act, you will be playing acoustic. Just you and Josephine on the stage. But if you want to mix it up a bit tonight, the guys have offered to be back up for you for a couple songs. They’re going to play along tonight just to take the pressure off a little.”
            “Calon. I didn’t prepare anything. I can’t—”
           “Sink or swim, Gracie.”      
          And with that he stepped down off the stage and sat down in a chair directly in front of me. He leaned back in the chair and started tapping one of his boots loud enough for the band to hear. On cue, Bones came in with the bass guitar, then Manny and Spider joined him with drums and Phil slammed a tambourine against his palm. “Rearview Mirror.”
          I closed my eyes and took some deep breaths. I took so many deep breaths that the guys had to do the whole eight measure intro three times before I was ready to sing.

Sooooo, not who you expected?
There may just be TWO HOTTER THAN HOT guys in ON SOLID GROUND!
You're welcome.

:)

To see the last stops on the BLOG HOP, check out the previous post...there are links to all this week's stops!