Leap of Faith

Have you ever wanted something badly, but were afraid to take a leap of faith? A friend of mine summed it up nicely.

I think we need to hold each others coattails, close our eyes and take that first big step over the edge. S. Morris

Last Day to Win a Nook at Aurora Reviews

Today is the last day of the scavenger hunt and a chance to win a Nook. If you haven't already go to http://www.longandshortreviews.com/promo.htm for a chance to win a Nook.

Also if you're in the vicinity around noon, please stop by and say hey at [email protected].

Caboodle Ranch

If you are interested in rescue or a cat lover I urge you to visit this website. Craig Grant's story is fascinating. A man who started out as a non-cat person became such an advocate that he bought a tree farm outside of the city to build a sanctuary for the homeless cats he'd rescued.
http://www.caboodleranch.com/Index.html

"If a homeless cat could talk, it would probably say give me shelter, food, companionship and love and I will be yours for life." Susan Easterly

Also I will be chatting Sunday at noon at [email protected]. If you have an opportunity please stop by.

Boji Stones is now in print and can be ordered at jasminejade.com

Chicken Nappies

http://www.news.com.au/national/chicken-nappies-a-coup-for-seamstress/story-e6frfkvr-1225911147663

Thanks for finding this one, Helen. Its priceless.

Students Assigned to Plan Terrorist Attack

What's your thoughts on this? Showing both sides of the coin or taking it too far?

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38843111/ns/world_news-asiapacific/

You and Your Cat Contest

You and Your Cat Contest

For a chance to win a PDF of Shardai for you and some catnip for your cat just leave a comment at www.downtownya.blogspot.com The drawing runs through August 28 and the winner will be announced August 29.

SHARDAI...

The council of cats sat in a round circle. There were nine, representative of a cat’s nine lives. They wore gossamer robes and the table at which they sat floated in misty clouds, the sun occasionally peeping through to warm their silken fur. In front of them, a magnificent white cat with glowing green eyes stalked back and forth.

He rose on his hind legs and placed his paws upon his sleek thighbones. “I must go back. She weeps so.”

The elder, a dignified Abyssinian named Ramses, gave a weary sigh. “We have been through this, Shardai. You spent twelve years with her this time and seven before that. Do you forget she had you killed?”

Butterfly

Just when the caterpillar thought life was over,

She became a butterfly

Happy Birthday, Ruth

Today would have been my mother's 81st birthday. Quite the cutie wasn't she?
A little about her:
Her favorite colors: Bright purple. Bright red.
Her goals: To be a nurse and have four children.
Things she loved to do: Travel, shop, parachute from an airplane
She loved: any kind of chocolate, cookies, pies and cakes and even after she went diabetic she was always looking for something sugar free to satisfy that sweet tooth.

She loved cats, especially her last cat named Neon.
She loved jokes and practical gags. And if they were a tad off-color all the better.
Life was not easy, but she stayed unbeat and always wore a smile.
Happy Birthday, Mother. Wherever you are, enjoy your day.

Interview with Aubrie Dionne

With us today is friend and fellow author, Aubrie Dionne. Welcome, Aubrie! Tell us a bit about your current project.

I’m currently working on a young adult science fiction book called Colonization. The main character is a girl named Andromeda who has trouble coping with the dramatic change from living an entire life on her mother ship, the Ark, to inhabiting the strange planet of Paradise 21.

What are your thoughts on e – pubs?

E publishers are great places to send the work that doesn’t have mainstream appeal or gets overlooked by agents. There are a lot of wonderful ebooks out there right now that have the same qualities as agent represented books. Ebooks give readers a vast library of titles and authors in which to choose.

What is your favorite genre to write in?

I’ve always loved fantasy, but now I’m discovering a new love for science fiction. Not only is it more connected to our world, it has fantasy elements in it as well. I enjoyed watching the old Star Trek movies, and of course, Star Wars, and now I’m trying to write my own space operas.

What is your favorite genre to read?

The same as the ones I write: fantasy, and science fiction! My favorite authors are Tad Williams, Patricia McKillip, Ursula Le Guin, and I have a new favorite: Susan Beth Pfeffer. I also very much enjoyed your book, Grounded!

Thanks:) I appreciate being included in your author list.

What tips would you give someone trying to break into the writing industry?

Keep writing everyday. You may have to write 4 or 5 or even 6 books before you get an agent’s attention. So you can’t give up!

What books of yours are currently for sale and where can a reader buy them?

The best way to find my titles is to search for my name at Amazon and Barnes and Noble.com. Some titles are only available from Amazon, and others from Barnes and Noble.

Thank you so much for the interview!!!

I had the opportunity to read MESSENGER and found Aubrie's voice to be both delicate and indepth. If you're a fantasy buff why not give it a try. And don't you love that cover.

Monday's Contest

For a chance to win a PDF of Shardai and a package of catnip for your furry, four-legged friend just leave a comment at: http://www.downtownya.blogspot.com/. The contest will run through the 28th and be announced the 29th.

Blurb
Shardai is a large sleek cat with attitude. He has the courage of a tiger and the disdain of a king. The fearless feline has only one weakness…his guardian. He would do anything, including coming back from the afterlife, for her.

Excerpt
“We will put it to a vote. All those in favor of allowing Shardai to return to earth raise your right paw.”
Four paws shot up. Nefret’s, Lolita’s, Luna’s and Frodo’s stayed flat on the table.
Shardai felt his muscles tighten, as he looked at Ramses. He was so close. He had to get back to his beloved mistress. He strode round the table till he stood directly in front of Ramses.
The Abyssian’s golden eyes narrowed. “I distrust that look, Shardai. Don’t think to sway me with one of your pretty speeches.”
Shardai leaned his front paws on the table and looked into Ramses eyes, his expression intense, his long tail swishing. “I never beg or plead, though I would in this case if I thought it would get me home to her. Instead, I ask you to remember, fifty years when you died. The boy was what, twelve, thirteen? Trembling on the threshold of young adulthood and he still cried into his pillow every night for two weeks for his beloved Ramses. And even after all these years speaks fondly of you to his grandchildren. The bond was there, Ramses, you knew it, you felt it. You know what its like. There were cats and dogs that came after you over the years but no one took your place. That corner of his heart he locked away and you’ll always reside there.” Shardai felt the gaze of the council on him, but focused on the Abyssinian, who held his fate in his paws.
A warm light breeze ruffled the cats’ fur but neither Shardai nor Ramses felt it, their eyes locked. The silence stretched out for several heartbeats.
Shardai’s gut tightened and the nerve endings under his skin quivered and jumped. Just as he opened his mouth to hiss out his rage and pain, Ramses shoulders slumped and he threw up his paws. “If this is what you wish, so be it. He stood up, tall and regal, the sun at his back, glistening on his fur as he began to chant:
“For troubled shores now thee leave
Man’s imperfections to receive
With mortals weakened, faulty shell
So shall ye among them dwell”
Ramses paw shot out rigidly in front of him.
Shardai was gone, leaving a wisp of blue smoke floating in the spot he had inhabited only moments before.

And the winner is..

T won the PDF of Rose Quartz.
Congratulations, T.

New contest Monday.

Porcupine that thinks its a puppy

Monday's Contest

For a chance to win a PDF of Rose Quartz just leave a comment. The drawing will be held Sunday

Excerpt from Rose Quartz, Second in the Amulet Series

On instinct she walked into the den. Hank was leaning over the desk, holding a piece of paper and punching in numbers with repressed fury. The expression on his face made her take a step backward. He spoke into the phone. “Morelly, pick up this phone, you son of a bitch. You listen and you listen good. If I find out you’re behind this last attempt on Bella, I’m coming after you. I will rip out your heart and stuff it down your throat. You’ve had your last warning from me.” He slammed down the phone with enough force to make Bella cringe.
Pivoting on his heels, he spied her standing in the doorway.
She steadied herself and strolled into the room. “It takes a very brave man or a fool to threaten Morelly, sugar.”
His expressionless mask was firmly back in place. “And which do you think I am?”
“I’m still trying to figure that out.” You are my hero. You brave, foolish man.
His jaw set, he ground his teeth and fury radiated like lightning from his tense body. “Let me help you figure it out.” In two strides he was beside her. He yanked her to him.
For one helpless moment she stared into his stormy gray eyes then she lost touch with reason as his lips crashed down and claimed hers. She bobbled like a small craft on an angry sea with gigantic waves threatening to engulf her. She could taste fear and fury on his lips and above all desire. Her body molded against him. A perfect fit as she’d known it would be. Yes, yes, her mind sang. This is where I belong. You’re who I’ve been waiting for my entire life.

And the winner is...

Y. won the PDF of Vampire Island and the mousepad.
Congrats, Y!
New contest posted Monday.

Marlin goes berserk, attacks press boat during Hawaii tournament

Marlin goes berserk, attacks press boat during Hawaii tournament

EPIC Writers' Contest

e

EPIC's eBook Awards are still open for entries. The entry period closes on August 15.

The entry rules and guidelines are here: http://bit.ly/eBook2011
http://www.epicauthors.com/ebookawardrules2011.html

We're always looking for judges for all genres of fiction, romance, erotic, romance, non-fiction, Children's and YA. And we are very proud of our poetry category.

Judging information is available at http://bit.ly/eBookJudges

http://www.epicauthors.com/judge.html

There are lots of great books to be read and new authors to be discovered.

Puppy Love

And They Call It Puppy Love....

Some friends at work went through rescue and got this beautiful Boxer. If you're thinking about a purebred please consider rescue before you go to a breeder. There's a lot more purebreds in rescue and in need of a home than you may think.
Three - four million cats and dogs are euthenized in shelters each year.

Moths In North Carolina

I grew up in the Midwest where moths are small and dull in color. They're nothing to get excited about. Trust me on this. But in North Carolina, besides the beauty of the state itself, the moths are truly exotic. They're larger than many butterflies and come in flamboyant colors with distinctive markings. This one came to visit our front porch. Does anyone know anything about moths? Is this a Julia/Flambeau?

I have a contract with CAB for
Moon Watchers.

Its official. We're listed.

Contests Contests Contests

The Long and the Short of It is celebrating its third anniversary in style -- by giving away THREE Nook eBook Readers that come with $50 BN.com gift certificates AND are already pre-loaded with dozens of romance and juvenile fiction eBooks. They are having a scavenger hunt that runs from August 2 - August 29 and culminates in a two day chat that final weekend in their Yahoo groups, during which they’ll be announcing the winners.

Contest: For a chance to win a PDF of Vampire Island and a Vampire Island mouse pad just leave a comment at downtownya.blogspot.com. The contest runs through August 7. I’ll announce the winner Sunday, August 8.

Blurb

My name is Zoe Tempest. Just let me say, I had no intention of becoming a vampire hunter. My world revolved around the trendiest clothes, the boy of the week, shopping, and texting. My life was as close to perfect as a seventeen year old can get. I had everything. Then my parents were murdered and my world came crashing down. After their funeral, I went to live with my uncle Julian Kilmer. That’s when everything changed. In a manner more terrifying than anything I could have imagined

Win A Nook

DowntownYA is a

The Long and the Short of It is celebrating its third anniversary in style -- by giving away THREE Nook eBook Readers that come with $50 BN.com gift certificates AND are already pre-loaded with dozens of romance and juvenile fiction eBooks.

They are having a scavenger hunt that runs from August 2 - August 29 and culminates in a two day chat that final weekend in their Yahoo groups, during which they’ll be announcing the winners.