Oh, yes, I’m revealing my embarrassing secrets today (as if there were only five! LOL,) because, I live to make you happy. And these beauties are sure to make you feel delightfully superior. Trust me. I’m at It’s Raining Books revealing all with the next to last stop on my blog tour, so pop over, leave a comment, and enter my giveaway for a $25 Amazon/Barnes & Noble gift card!
Hunky heroes, childbirth and me: An interview
I’m dishing on everything but the kitchen sink today over at Dena Garson’s blog, so check it out! Comment by the end of my blog tour and enter to win a $25 Amazon/Barnes & Noble gift card!
http://denagarson.wordpress.com/2014/08/20/new-release-luck-of-the-draw-by-cheri-allan/#comment-796
Wow! Two more 5-STAR reviews!
It’s what every writer dreams about… the validation of readers who have read, and enjoyed, their work. I received that in spades this morning when I woke to discover TWO new wonderful 5-star reviews for LUCK OF THE DRAW from Renee and Brianna over at Renee Entress’s Blog. They’re calling LUCK OF THE DRAW “…sweet, emotional, heartwarming, and funny… with a dash of sexiness.” And, “…funny and passionate…” with “…side characters [who] draw you into the story even more!!”
Renee says she “…can’t wait for the next book in this series,” and with heavenly reviews such as these, *I* can’t wait to deliver it! Thank you SO MUCH, ladies, for taking the time to review my work and share your kind words. You made my WEEK! <3
Chairs, Yard Sales & the Tales They Tell
As a cheap (a-hem, frugal) Yankee, I like nothing more than a GOOD DEAL. (especially FREE!) So pop over to Jersey Girls Book Reviews as I blog about hidden treasures and yardsale-ing for charity.You might discover a new reason to find that great deal… 🙂
Luck of the Draw Review and Giveaway!
Happy Friday! I’m over at Kaisy Daisy’s Corner today where they’ve posted an excerpt and lovely review for LUCK OF THE DRAW. Check it out, enter my giveaway and give yourself another chance to win a $25 Amazon gift card! It could be your LUCKY day! 🙂
My Grandmother is Not Yoda
In case you were wondering! I’m blogging today over at Musings and Ramblings about grandmothers of all shapes and size (and colors?) as well as at Happily Ever After about the dreaded “C” word (change!) Pop in to one or both, comment, and enter to win a $25 Amazon gift card!
10 Things I Wish I Knew About Being an Author
Hi, again! I’m blogging today over at underneaththecoversblog.com about writing and the things I didn’t know when I started out. (Turns out, a lot!) What better place to snuggle on this rainy Wednesday than in bed with a good book? Pop on over and join me and enter to win a $25 Amazon or Barnes&Noble gift card!
Here’s the intro:
I’d wager most non-writers have a skewed view of what the life of an author looks like. I was no exception. We imagine quiet, contemplative lives, serene writing locales and a living wage when the reality is more than likely, chaos, orthodontist’s offices and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.
I wish I were brave (or cruel?) enough to sit new authors down and give them the inside scoop on this business, but I’m just not that harsh. A gift of bubble wrap to cushion the rejections, take out their frustrations and muffle the noise of life might be a good idea, though. Here are ten things I wish someone had told me early on…
Okay, now. Go!
My Thinking Spots (Or how I write by staring at yesterday’s leftovers)
It’s–SQUEEEEEEEE!!!–launch day for LUCK OF THE DRAW, my debut contemporary romance and I’m guest blogging at My World of Dreams so stop over and enter to win a $25 or $15 Amazon/Barnes & Noble gift card as we chat about creativity and the odd places it happens!
I’m ALSO appearing at these lovely locations today… (So pop over to Goddess Fish Promotions and follow the link(s) to your favorite hang out(s)… I’ll be there, too!)
1: My Devotional Thoughts
2: Bunny’s Review
3: Cynthia Gail
4: Our Wolves Den
5: Read Your Writes Book Reviews
6: Room With Books
7: Ravenz Reviews
8: BookSkater
9: 3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, and Sissy, Too!
10: Dawn’s Reading Nook
11: Full Moon Dreaming
12: Books and Other Spells
13: Rogue’s Angels
14: Beyond My Writing Space
15: The Avid Book Collector
16: Two Ends of the Pen
17: Books N Pearls
18: WV Stitcher
19: The Book Review
20: It’s All About The Romance
21: MAD Hoydenish
22: Desire Me Only
23: Reviews by Crystal
24: Jen’s Reading Obsession
25: Amiabooklover
26: Sexy Adventures Passionate Tales
27: Louise Lyndon Blog
28: Sarah Ballance
29: Emma Weylin
30: London’s Scribbles
31: Erzabet’s Enchantments
32: Bookgirl Knitting
33: Nickie’s Views and Interviews
34: Deal Sharing Aunt
35: Enjoying the Unique Flavors of Life
36: Writer’s Club of Whittier
37: The Pen and Muse Book Reviews
38: Lockdown – A Bunch of Brilliant Projects
39: Hope. Dreams. Life… Love
40: Margay Leah Justice
41: Em and M Books
42: Ari Reads
43: A Book Addict’s Delight
I Killed My Muse (May she rest in peace…)
I’m kicking off a two-week blog tour for the launch of LUCK OF THE DRAW and guest blogging over at Long & Short Reviews today about killing my muse (in the library with a candlestick.) Join me, comment and be automatically entered to win a $25 or $15 Amazon/Barnes & Noble gift card!! Oh, happy day!
(Here’s the address in case the link isn’t working: http://www.longandshortreviews.com/guest-blogs/i-killed-my-muse-by-cheri-allan-guest-blog-and-giveaway/#comment-136373)
Publishing, Books & Babies
When I was in labor, I distinctly remember Dearest Hubby berating me for my shallow breaths. “Breathe with me! No, with me,” he commanded. I ignored him, panted, and (after a small amount of primal screaming) popped out our son. We later discovered DH has a freakishly slow respiration rate. Like 4-6 breaths per minute. You and I (that is, normal people) would be in a coma at that rate of respiration. But I digress…
My point is, I wasn’t hyperventilating, the baby was born just fine and despite DH’s lapse in judgment for telling me I was doing the whole birthing thing wrong, he, too, is alive and well. But even as we had differing views on the right way to bring our son into the world, so there are many ways for a book to be “born.”
You see, I’ve come to realize that publishing a novel is a lot like birthing a baby. Oh sure, we can all hope for that hypno-birth of tranquility, but chances are good, if you’re an author, your book will come into this world accompanied by a long, primal sound only whales and aliens should make. And perhaps a healthy dose of medicinal chocolate. And boxed wine. (The book not the baby.)
Like childbirth, publishing is a messy, confusing business. Don’t listen to anyone who says they barely noticed it happening. They’re lying.
Regardless of how our book babies come into being, though, we’re soon launched into the unknown with our diaper bag/press kits alternately elated (Isn’t it amazing?) and paralyzed with the knowledge that we now have ULTIMATE RESPONSIBILITY. Which is scary in all caps like that.
The wonderful thing is we’re not alone. (In a good way, not a creepy way.) There are whole groups of people just like us to share the ups and downs and ooh and ahh over our shiny new book covers and website designs. Yes, you can still go into the woods, bite on a stick and peck out your book on your own… or, you can join a writers group, sit in on a critique session, enroll in online workshops and otherwise engage in the community that is the wonderful world of writers. And, I’m here to tell you, it makes all the difference.
Thankfully, I’ve done all those things, and I now have many friends/writers/angels in my life. Without them Luck of the Draw wouldn’t exist. These lovely people have supported me, encouraged me, told me when my baby was misbehaving and helped me realize that despite the struggles and worry… it will all work out. And they promise me it’s all worth it when your baby makes someone smile for the first time…
As for the sleepless nights? I think I’m on my own.
So, what got you through YOUR toughest life experiences?
