Summertime Madness Book Tag

Alas…It already looks like summer is leaving us here in good old Canada. Today, it’s grey, damp and rainy. I won’t complain because we’ve had a lovely summer even if it only lasts two months here. Plus, I got tagged by Melissa Barker-Simpson for this lovely Summertime Book Tag and I can’t wait to share in. (thank you for thinking of me Melissa!)

Here are the questions (and none of them are crazy exam-like questions):

• Show a book with a summery cover.

(credit:goodreads.com)

And yes, I read this one and absolutely loved, loved it. Mary Balogh is amazing.

• Pick one fictional place that would be the perfect destination for a summer vacation!

I would love to visit England for the summer. I’ve been and it’s just beautiful, full of incredible culture and wonderful people. True, my hubby is British, so I’m a little biased. If I had to choose another destination, I’d love to see the East Coast of Canada. Halifax and Nova Scotia. They’re gorgeous places and I’ve never been.

• You’re about to go on a flight to your summer vacation. But you want to read a book that lasts for the whole flight, what novella do you choose?

Depends how long the flight is. If we’re talking only a couple of hours, then I’d reread a book. Right now I’m rereading the Archangel series by Nalini Singh. It’s one of those I keep reading over and over.

If the flight was transatlantic, about 6 or 8 hours, then I’d choose a new book. I’d like to take something I haven’t read yet. Right now I’m reading a Chaos novel by Kristen Ashley. It’s nice and thick, she’s a reliable author and I’d love to have a few hours to just read and read.

On a very long  flight, I’d love to take something out of genre that I would read. I like to read Jodi Picoult…Its not my usual thing but I like the way she writes. Or something completely different for me. Just take a chance and test something off the shelf. You never know what you’ll find!

Okay…one thing is obvious, I sure can ramble! Time to shorten these answers!

• You have a case of summertime sadness what happy book do you pick up to shine a smile on your face?

Anything by Susan Elizabeth Phillips. I just finished one by her and she’s outstanding. Though, for honesty’s sake, I’d have to add that reading anything romance cheers me up.

• You’re sitting at the beach all alone…which fictional character would be your beach babe?

Ah….beach babe?…….Ah…….ahem….let’s see….ah….

• To match your ice cream you want an icy cool sidekick! Which fictional side kick do you pick?

Ah…side kick? I thought these questions were going to be easy!….ah….I’m going to choose my doggies…and thank Callum for the idea!

• Share the Summertime Happiness! Who do you TAG?

Oh…here we are! The end! Hm…who do I tag…hee hee…the power…hee hee. I choose….Infinitefreetime, aka Luther M. Siler. Ha!

 

Pay It Forward: Callum McLaughlin

Pay It Forward Fridays came from this post by Emily Guido. The idea is to feature a blogger or author on Fridays and give them a little shoutout. Anyone goes as long as they’re interested.

I’ve received an incredible amount of support from bloggers, authors and people I’ve met on line who didn’t know me and were just very kind, supportive souls. And, when I read that post by Emily Guido, I thought: time to give back.

I loved this quote from Emily’s mother:

“I cast a couple of pieces of bread on the water and the waves bring me back a ham sandwich.”

Karma is a beautiful thing.

Today I’m focusing on Callum McLaughlin.

He says of himself: “Born and raised in the Scottish countryside, Callum McLaughlin works as a freelance content writer and in November 2013, published his first book, The Vessel. His next release came in October 2014 with False Awakening.

Outside of fiction, he is a keen poet and released his first collection in 2015.

A lover of all things literature, music and nature, he takes his biggest inspiration from the world around us.”

His influences are: “Thomas Hardy, JK Rowling, Henry James.”

A very talented author, Callum has already published two books.

The Vessel is a suspense thriller and Callum’s first book. Here’s the blurb:

“The story follows nineteen year old Eva Cole as she struggles to expose the truth in a world equally as ravaged by famine and disease as it is ruled by corrupt government. With extreme measures being taken to try and save the dying population and innocent people becoming embroiled in secrets and lies, she could be the only chance the people have to obtain justice.”

It is available to buy now via Amazon UK, both as a paperback and a Kindle download here or in the same formats via Amazon USA here. You can also find it on Goodreads here.

False Awakening is a mystery thriller and Callum’s second book. Here’s the blurb.

“The story follows teenager Abi Watson, who wakes in a hospital bed with no memory of the incident that put her there. She must strive to uncover the truth from the depths of her own mind while dealing with the various complex relationships with the people around her.”

It is available to buy now via Amazon UK, both as a paperback and a Kindle download here or in the same formats via Amazon USA here. You can also find it on Goodreads here.

But that’s not all. Callum is also an amazing poet. His first poetry collection is available now. Check out the incredible cover.

You can click on it to find out more or head to Goodreads. It’s also available for purchase at Amazon.com or Amazon.uk.

You can also check out his site callummclaughlin.wordpress.com Callum is also incredibly supportive. Contact him at this link! He loves to hear from “readers and writers alike”. Why not check out this talented author?

Karma

 

Posts I loved this week

The weather around here might be freezing but the posts are smoking. This week was another one of those where I didn’t know where to start reading. There were so many outstanding posts out there. Absolutely delicious! A huge thanks to everyone for these gems!

Looking for that next great read, I love reading book reviews. This post by Winter Bayne is awesome because it has several reviews, with the covers and her thoughts on them. They sound outstanding. Yum!

A great post from the Huffington Post, 6 Survival Tips for Women Writers by Holly Robinson made me wonder how seriously I take my writing. It’s not only thought-provoking, it really has great ideas. While I perused the site, I came along this very interesting post on Fifty Shades of Grey by Jenny Trout titled Fifty Shades of Grey and the Anti-Feminist Critique. A great site, the Huffington Post has tons of interesting articles but also resources. Check out this page for Writing Tips.

I never knew how the #1000Speak for Compassion had started. Check out the video right here. This great cause is going around the world and it’s gathering a huge amount of support. Isn’t that wonderful? Want to know more? Here’s the site.

I loved this post from Open Hearted Musings because it gave me the idea of continuing the theme of Compassion past the February 20 day and continuing it all year. What a great idea!

Chris McMullen has hit the 100 000 views mark and in this post he shares his tricks on how to do just that with your blog. They’re easy to follow, with step-by-step guides on where to go and what to click on. Even better, he also has links to other sources with even more help. If you find the post helpful, thank Chris. He’s sharing those tricks out of the goodness of his heart. What a wonderful post!

This post hit me like a brick wall. I do everyone of these and make writing so much harder than it has to be. True and insightful, this post is for every writer who’s ever had trouble writing. A huge thanks to the Crimson League for this very compassionate post!

Sick of some of the cheesy things that happen in romance? Then this post is for you. Funny and so well written, it’s a top ten list of annoying things in Romance Books. A huge thank you to Part Time Monster for that awesome post!

Hilarious and with great pictures to boot, I loved this post by Suzie81 Speaks. Check it out and see what the fuss is about with this awesome blog!…Yeey! She’s got blogging tips!

Writerology had this awesome post on how to design solid characters. I like nothing more than a character that has depth and is not one-dimensional so this post was a hit with me because it’s a great checklist for my characters. What a fantastic post from an awesome site!

Have you ever been writing and realize you need to go back and change everything? That has happened to me and it’s gut-wrenching. This post on the Snowflake Method of writing promises quicker results and less changes. I read it up and thought it’s absolutely awesome. A big thank you to Advanced Fiction Writing, a site full of resources!

Wondering how to publish your book? Check out these two insightful posts by Wise Ink. The first one, 5 Myths About Self-Publishing then compare that to 5 Myths About Traditional Publishing. Absolutely eye-opening.

If you’re looking for a guaranteed good read, here are Dabney’s Best from 2014. She’s a regular reviewer on the site All About Romance and always knows what books are good and which are better left on the shelf. I’m adding some of her books to my list and heading to the bookstore as soon as I can!

A huge congratulations to Callum McLaughlin for the release of Seeking Solace. Callum is incredibly talented and his poetry is pure beauty.

Finally, a little love for you on Valentine’s Day!

Posts I loved this week

This was a phenomenal week online. Everywhere I looked there was another outstanding post. As a result, this post is a little on the long side. Don’t look at me. You guys are the ones who produced these amazing gems! 🙂

A Writer’s Path has a great post on what to do if you’re stuck (like me) and have trouble writing (or editing). I found this post (and blog) via Steve Vernon who reblogged it, so he deserves the credit because the post is awesome. Check out this Writer’s Toolbox and see why.

A wonderfully uplifting post, Think Positive reminded me of just how difficult writing is for everyone, including the Greats. A huge thank you to Callum Mclaughlin for that wonderful post!

Much is said about trolls online. Here’s a wonderful post with confessions from a former troll with tips on how to deal with them and maintain your serenity. Learn from one who has been there on the fantastic blog 99u.

A huge congrats to Natacha Guyot for the release of her book ‘A Galaxy of Possibilities – Representation and Storytelling in Star Wars’. Long awaited, it looks awesome!

A wonderful blog with great writing and beautiful initiatives, Part Time Monster is one of my favourite blogs for good reason. Check out this post and see why.

A very exciting blog, Sourcerer now has new contributors and features. I, for one, never miss a post on this blog. And while you’re there, check out this book review by  Rebecca Bradley. Its the first of a series. Isn’t it awesome?

Sick of hearing bad news? Try this incredible true story by Suzie81 Speaks. And while you’re there, check out these hilarious posts: How to know when you’re a teacher and 21 ways to annoy your teacher or these blogging tips. This blog is awesome!!

Writeonsisters has a great post with tips for Authors on their site. And while you’re there, check out another amazing post this time on editing. Another incredible site!!

This one is reading at its best. I found Compassion in Action from The Qwiet Muse via Sourcerer in Twitter and I can’t thank him enough. What a lovely post and a wonderful blog! I love this quote: “sometimes we choose what to write, sometimes we write what chooses us.” I will definitely follow this one!

If you’re wondering about joining #1000Speak, check out this incredible post on the subject by Drifting through My Open Mind. Beautifully written, it’s inspirational. A huge thank you to Drifting Through for that wonderful post! And that’s not all on this wonderful project, Melissa Barker-Simpson has started these Monday Posts that are an amazing way to lead up to Feb 20th. And EVEN more great news, check out the blog that was born out of this idea, #1000Speak for Compassion. What an amazing demonstration of the goodness in humanity!

A huge congratulations to Crystin Goodwin for that awesome cover for her second book, Fire Blessed. I’m so pumped for this book!

For a laugh and sheer enjoyment, try this post by Inside The Life Of Moi. I laugh so hard at the posts on this blog!

Finally, a little quote from someone you might recognize.

(credit: viacharacterblog.org)

Posts I loved this week

This week we got a ton of snow but a great set of posts to offset that weather. If I missed something that you found awesome, let me know!

I am in awe of Winter Bayne‘s workout plan. It’s incredibly dedicated (just like her) and thorough. My hat goes off to her.

A huge congrats to Natacha Guyot on her upcoming book! So exciting!

Looking for reviews for your book? Laekan Zea Kemp has accumulated a list of 555 reviewers for indie authors. You heard that right, 555! If you go to the site, give her a huge thanks for sharing that list!

Interesting Literarture had the top 10 poems everyone should read from T. S. Eliot. A fantastic read even for those of us (like me) who can only appreciate poems with mild understanding of their wonder.

Infinitefreetime’s post on his bathroom reno is hilarious. I remember him starting that project a year ago…So funny.

A very interesting post, Sequels I can’t Wait for, was an instant hit with me. I love reading about upcoming books. A huge thanks to My Friend The Writer for this post!

That Montreal Girl has a series of posts on how-to photography that blow my head off–She even has examples to show what she means! Check them out here or here.

False Awakening is on sale and if you haven’t got your copy of this awesome book, this is your chance. Check it out here on Callum McLaughlin.

Part Time Monster has a weekly post that counts down favourite things. It’s something I look forward to because I love countdowns. This week’s was particularly cute. Check it out here.

Writers in the Storm has this great post for writers who use Twitter. It has the 12 best Hashtags for writers.

If you’re looking for a neat blog to follow, check out this post by Just Gene’O where he explains what’s what in this awesome blog. Pretty neat. Just saying.

Very, very exciting, Melissa Barker-Simpson released her latest novel The Fifth Watcher. Have I mentioned how much I love her writing? Check it out here.

A great post for those trying to get an agent, this one has examples of successful queries and explains why they were successful. A huge thanks to Aussie Writers.

For the bloggers out there, three tips for getting your post noticed from Steve Vernon.

Finally, a little thought on writing.

Posts I loved this week

The weather might be terrible this week but the posts were awesome! Look at the beauties I found!

A fantastic look ahead to upcoming books in November, this post from All About Romance is a great place to find your next awesome read!

I needed this post. I really did. Callum McLaughlin wrote this fabulous, inspirational post and it was just what I needed. I’m including it here hoping you might get the encouragement I felt when I read it.

A cheerful, funny post, 18 Freaky Reasons Your Book Could get you Fired made me laugh. A great post from Wise Ink.

The weather might be terrible *cough, cough* snow *cough, cough*, but the posts are amazing. Check out these beauties!

Congratulations to Part Time Monster for her blogiversary! May you have many more!

If you’d like a little help promoting your book, Ch’kara Silverwolf is doing a promotion on her blog for any authors interested. What an awesome opportunity!

This post from the Write Practice has three tricks to write faster. No. Not better, faster. Still, I thought it was worth mentioning for all those out there doing NaNoWriMo.

A great post for those of us who haven’t got enough time in the day to check our email and that dreaded burn out. Thank you to Orly Konig-Lopez for it from Writers in the Storm.

Hilarious post that rambles about choices. I laughed out loud because it’s so true and funny at the same time. This one is pretty much for the ladies, though. A huge thanks to Pecked to Death by Chickens for the link to In the Powder Room!

If you’ve ever wondered about the wonders of American-English versus British-English, check out this great post Lost in Translation from Odyssey of a Novice Writer. With a British hubby, this post made me laugh out loud.

Finally, a little cuteness!

(credit: buzzfeed.com)

 

Review: False Awakening by Callum McLaughlin

A wonderful review by Melissa Barker-Simpson. The book sounds absolutely awesome!

Posts I loved this week

I was away for part of this week and came back to find everyone else wrote absolutely awesome posts! I came back and couldn’t stop reading.

11 Best inspirational Books that will change your life from Jeff Moore.

10 Things Every Writer Should Feel (at least once) from Alianne Donnelly was an excellent post that moved me and I had to include it here.

A fantastic round up of links from Sourcerer. Loved it!

Hilarious post about a doggie adventure from Just ponderin’. It had me laughing because that is just what will happen if you have dogs. And the pictures were awesome.

I loved this post on Gender and Genre by KJ Charles. It was both insightful and moving and I couldn’t stop thinking about it.

What would Posts I love this Week be without a reference to the show Outlander? Well, here’s this week’s on The Wedding Episode and TV’s Sexual Revolution thanks to Winter Bayne who supplied the link!

These were really good tips. 6 Weird but Awesome Hacks for a Happy Writing Life from Positive Writer. Certainly the one about taking breaks was new to me.

A huge congratulations to Callum McLaughlin who’s book False Awakening came out this week! It looks absolutely awesome!

A great round up of links on Feminism from Natacha Guyot!

Advice from my Authors has a great selection of thought-provoking advice that I really liked from Writer Unboxed.

Finally, here’s an inspirational quote from fanpop.com.

Tag, you’re it! A Reading Habits Tag

I read this tag in Winter Bayne, which referred me to Melissa Barker-Simpson’s and Callum Mc Laughlin’s. They were all great posts with fun answers and I decided to join in.

Question #1: Do you have a certain place at home for reading?

Nope. I read anywhere and everywhere. Though there’s a particularly comfy couch that lays back where I love to read. But I have been found standing in the kitchen reading when I was supposed to be keeping an eye on pasta that was cooking.

Question #2: Bookmark or a random piece of paper?

I always forget my bookmarks. I get so excited with the book, I start and not even think. Then, when the phone rings or something stops me, I look around for anything to keep my place. So anything goes, from paper clips, to earrings, to a stir stick (clean)…anything.

Question #3: Can you stop reading anytime you want or do you have to stop at a certain page, chapter, part, etc.?

I hate stoping. I particularly hate stopping when things are intense or when there’s something good going on or when the characters are happy or when the villain is about to be revealed…but I am able to stop. I just don’t like it.

Question #4: Do you eat or drink while reading?

Not really. I’ve tried to bring a cup of coffee or tea but I get into the book and forget about them.

Question #5: Can you read while listening to music/watching TV?

I can but I prefer not to. I have read with music or with my very loud family around and I can tune them all out–they even call my name and I don’t hear them. But I prefer quiet.

Question #6: One book at a time, or several at once?

Oh. Several at once. I read for pleasure, then I re-read old favourites, then I have new ones that I’m trying, then there are those that are for research…I have little stacks of books on the go here and there.

Question #7: Reading at home or everywhere?

Everywhere except the car. I get sick.

Question #8: Reading out loud or silently in your head?

Silently. I don’t actually like reading out loud. It’s too slow.

Question #9: Do you read ahead or skip pages?

I have to admit it, I skip sometimes. When I get scared, I need to know that things are going to turn out okay.

Question #10: Breaking the spine or keeping it new?

Oh. I never, EVER hurt a book. And if I see someone doing so, I can’t help it, I flinch. It’s a thing.

Question #11: Do you write in books?

Nope. Not even in my university textbooks.

(credit: notsogentlereader.blogspot.com)

Posts I loved this week

A fantastic set of posts this week as we start September. These are awesome!

With her own set of posts she loves this week, Live to Write and Write to Live is a blog not to be missed. A huge thank you to Jamie Lee Wallace for her awesome post!

A great post on how to write better dialogue on The Write Practice. And while you’re there check out this post on Mondegreens, a great way to add humour to your story.

Do you have an author platform? Here’s a post with 12 rules you need to know to build one on Writer Unboxed.

A great post that made me stop and think, this one is by Jodie Llewellyn.

For those who are curious about Scrivener but need a little help getting started, here’s a link to a video course that will teach you the program step by step from Helping Writers Become Authors.

I never, ever get poems…but this one is incredible by Callum McLaughlin.

The Best Websites for Indie Authors according to Molly Greene.

Some great tips and tricks on how to create genuine characters for your novel from Live Write Thrive.

Top 30 websites for Indie authors from Author Marketing Experts.

If you’re considering getting a business plan, you’re doing awesome. Don’t take my word for it, check out this post by Jami Gold on why and when writers need a business plan.

Catch this one at the very start. It’s a brand new blog by Gene’O. Fantastic already!

This one has a bit of math and a great kick for indie authors. I loved it so a big thank you to Shawn Coyne at Steven Pressfield.

Total self-indulgence, here‘s a great review of Outlander S1 Ep 2.

If your book is published but you want to pitch it to an agent, this post is for you by Chuck Sambuchino in Writers in the Storm.

Finally, super-interesting on how to research for a book. I loved this post by Margarita Morris.