Si, Se Puede--Yes, you can!

I'm excited to announce that my short story, A SHOT OF CHRISTMAS MAGIC, is included in the anthology MISTLETOE & MAGIC! Some fun short stories include one by YA author Michelle MacQueen: THE K WORD: CAMERON Cameron Tucker really likes his friend Peyton. All he can do is think about her. Then a cruel comment ruins everything. Can he still let Peyton know how he really feels? I love how MacQueen is able to get inside the mind of Cameron and let readers see how he struggles to let Peyton know his true feelings while still having a hard time with his peers perceptions. Peyton isn't the 'perfect' girl that is shown on social media. But who really is? Cameron's feelings are shown in a realistic way and how he needs to step up to the plate if he wants to keep Peyton as not only maybe a future love interest, but as a friend. Michelle MacQueen is @michellelynn_author over on Instagram @authormichellel over on Twitter YA author Amalie Jahn's story AFTER ...

Excited to share an exciting announcement! Stay tuned!!!!! **And YES it has something to do with writing!

I'm excited to announce.... I'll be a part of the Cybils this year!  I'm on the second panel that will judge what was the best YA graphic novel of the year! Round 1: Mel Schuit Let’s Talk Picture Books @spiky_penelope Lexie Cenni For the Sake of Reading @PRationality Christa Seeley Women Write About Comics / This is a Metaphor  @christasbooks Cecelia Larsen Adventures of Cecelia Bedelia @ceceliabedelia John Mutford The Book Mine Set @bookmineset Maggi Rohde Books for Squids @mama_librarian Megan Kelly Devour Books @33megan33 Round 2: Kim Baccellia Si, Se Puede @ixtumea Cheriee Weichel Library Matters @CherieeWeichel Helen Murdoch Helen’s Book Blog @hcmurdoch Ardo Omer Put A Blurb On It @ardoomer Benedict Hutchinson A Goblin Reviews Graphic Novels Yay!!!! Can't wait to see what books will be nominated!

I'm excited to be a part of a review blog tour: Here's where I'll be: August 22: Long and Short Reviews August 29: books are love August 29: The Book Connection (first chapter review) September 5: The Reading Addict September 5: Book Bite Reviews September 5: Fabulous and Brunette September 5: B-Gina Review September 12: Laurie's Paranormal Thoughts and Reviews September 12: Bookaholic Stop by and comment for a chance of winning a $20 Amazon or B/N gift card and a $20 Starbucks card! 

A year ago today my mother died. I remember her telling me she was so afraid she would die around her 79th birthday. I brushed her fears off, thinking it was nothing.  Mom was happy with Elwood, my stepdad. Her life had improved so much in the eleven years they'd been together. Yes, she had really bad complications from her stage 2 Diabetics, but like a child, I thought she'd live forever. It's been really hard this week. I miss her smile. Her optimism, Her voice. We used to talk to each other at least 2 times a week. Mom wouldn't want me to be down. If anything she said we need to remember those we loved and celebrate their lives. Think of the joy and happiness. Not the pain. So today I will celebrate the life of Carolyn Jean Console Baccellia Greer. Mom was born in 1938 and her fondest memories included growing up in Reche Canyon, Ca and being around her cousins. She also loved the time she lived in Ashland, Oregon with her sisters and her aunt Kaye's fa...

1. So far this summer has involved driving teen to summer school class. He had to retake algebra 2 at another school in the district. In this class he's mostly on the computer. Let's just say I'll be happy when this is over. It's involved six weeks of M-Thursday 8am classes. Yeah, it's been a stressful summer: Mediation has been helping. So has reading. And large iced tea lattes from Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf. 2. Been on a little hiatus from writing. Instead I've been reading more. Here's some teasers from some of the books I've read: SIDE BY SIDE: Link to YA Books Central review:  http://www.yabookscentral.com/yafiction/22938-side-by-side-a-novel-of-bonnie-and-clyde Teaser: Fast-paced romp with the infamous crime couple Bonnie and Clyde that shows Bonnie Parker's human side while she rides with Clyde towards a tragic end. Well researched, this is a must read for those who love historical novels from this time period. ...

 Wow, I haven't blogged for a little over a month! Sorry about that! Now that scoring is officially over, I'm back!!! 1. Even though I won't be at ALA 18 in New Orleans, my book GODDESSES CAN WAIT will be at the IBPA exhibit.  Wish I could be there, but have to stay here as teen needs to go to summer school.  https://issuu.com/ibpa/docs/alacatalog2018-final  My book is listed on page 20 of the IBPA 2018 ALA catalog! 2. I've been working on my New Adult romance, trying to nail the voice so my protagonist Sammi doesn't sound like a teen. 3. Also been taking an Italian class at the local junior college. The language is very close to Spanish and I often get confused. 4. Books I've read so far this week: THE LONELINESS GIRL IN THE UNIVERSE by Lauren James: The link to my YA Books central review: http://www.yabookscentral.com/yafiction/22786-the-loneliest-girl-in-the-universe Teaser: Engaging Sci-fi thriller that is guaranteed to k...

1. Oops, looks like I haven't posted for a couple weeks. Been busy here. I'm currently scoring standardized tests. This is a part-time seasonal gig that I've been doing since 2010. 2. Also I've been going back through a rough draft of a New Adult romance. Somehow I 'still' haven't nailed the voice of a 22-23 year old college graduate who loves British royalty(she'd totally be DVRing the wedding tomorrow! Or more like it she'd be up at 2am PST with some tea and watch it) and happens to still be living at home. Student loans, anyone? A friend's college aged daughter suggested I watch The Hidden Diaries of Lizzie Bennett: Lizzie's voice is PERFECT. She's 24( a year or so older than my protagonist), but close enough. Will be watching all of these to help get into my protagonist's head. 3. Finished reading SKY IN THE DEEP: Thoughts? I really loved this Viking meets Wonder Woman saga of a teen warrior who finds out not only i...

Today would have been Audrey Hepburn's 89th birthday! In my Mayhem and Myth series, Jordan Lake LOVES Audrey Hepburn. To celebrate Audrey's day, I will be giving away a copy of GODDESSES CAN WAIT and some fun Audrey swag. Here's a little teaser of GODDESSES. Thanks to Madeline Smoot of Cbay books for putting this together! Just comment on what your favorite Audrey Hepburn movie is. Deadline is Monday May 7th!

1. Been scoring third grade papers all week. After a while of doing this, I feel like this: 2. Thank god for yoga. This whole parent of a teen gig isn't for the wimpy or weak of heart. See lots of this: And this: If anything, it's been giving me lots of material to use in any future YA novels. It feels strange being on the opposite end of YAs now as I'm the parent and not the teen. 3. Also this has me wanting to branch out with my writing into writing a romance that isn't YA. **Looking for suggestions on books with 22-24 year old protagonists that have graduated college. 4. Read a couple books this week: CROSSING THE LINE by Simone Elkeles The link to my YABC review: http://www.yabookscentral.com/yafiction/22592-crossing-the-line-2 Teaser: Engaging tale of two unlikely people who despite obstacles are still drawn together and where love might be the biggest hope of all.  5.    DEVILS UNTO DUST by Emma Berquist My YABC rev...

1. Been resting as it's Spring Break. Yay!!!! I've been so drained with all the teen drama with school and other things. It's nice to take a break. 2. Been training for my temporary part-time gig I do each year around this time. I score standardized tests.  The little extra money usually goes to help with promotionals I put together on my books. This past year I had not one, but two books come out! That means lots of PR! 3. Got a review from LitPick on CROSSED FIRE. Though it's not a 5 star review, the reviewer did say some nice things about my novel. 4. Been reading too. Right now reading DREAD NATION by Justina Ireland: So far really loving this alternative view of after the Civil War meets Zombie slayers. 5. Got a really nice 'rejection' from a YA imprint. Love when that happens! It's an imprint I've really want to work with. Here's a little from the letter: What might not be right for XXX's list could very well be perfec...

CROSSED FIRE is part of a BookSweeps Contest. Enter for a chance to win 35+ YA Science Fiction & Fantasy novels!!!! Here's the link:https://booksweeps.com/book-giveaway/young-adult-sci-fi-fantasy-april-2018/ Contest ends next Monday, April 9th!

1. Last week was really hard. I had to put down Sunni. We had Sunni since he was a baby. He lived to be almost 27 years old. So sad to lose a beloved pet that was like our son. RIP Sunni Bug. 2. Also being a parent isn't for the weak of heart. We've been having issues with our teen. Let's just say I so want to tweet the vaping companies how evil they are. The lies the tobacco company tell teens that vaping is 'safe' and harmless are all LIES. Not sure how to deal with this one. It's been really hard. 3.Here's a book video that LitPick put together for me for CROSSED FIRE: 4. Been reading. Orphan Spy Monster by Matt Killeen This is an intriguing, nail biting tale of a Jewish blond blue eyed teen who infiltrates a Nazi all girl boarding school during WWII. 5. Once Upon a Princess by Christine Marciniak I'm a huge fan of royalty and this story is perfect for fans of THE PRINCESS DIARIES. In this story Her Royal H...

1. Teen's been sick this week. So I've been to the doctor's office, plus finding out one med for his inflammation of the lungs wasn't covered by our insurance. We have pretty good insurance, so this surprised me. The cost? $300. My reaction: Up date: After waiting two days, doctor was able to chose another inhaler at a more reasonable price. $20. 2. Been working on romance. Took a scene to my weekly critique group. Was told that my voice still feels YAish. My protagonist sounds more like an 18 year old and not a 22 year old. Need to read more New Adult/Chick Lit books. Have less snark. So guess what I've been reading? 3. AFTER YOU by Jojo Moyes I have to admit I didn't like the first book ME BEFORE YOU. Why? Because I felt that the love interest was so selfish when he still decided to go through with assisted suicide even after he falls in love with Louisa. Then I read the second book and totally loved the voice and the ...