The Long and Short of It

I’m delighted to welcome author M.E. May to Thoughts in Progress today to talk about her writing and her road to publishing using a small publishing company, self-publishing and now a large publishing company.

Please join me in giving a warm welcome to M.E. as she talks about ‘the long and short of it.’ Welcome, M.E.

After starting with a small press publishing my first novel, PERFIDY, in 2012, I thought I had it made. Unfortunately, many small presses have difficulties and to continue my series, I had to resort to publishing my own works. I made this decision in order to keep the fan base I had already established as it can take many years to find a publisher. 

Self-publishing is a tough road. Many people still consider independently published novels below standard. However, the changes in the publishing industry have forced many good, if not great, authors to publish on their own. Those of us, who look at our work as art as well as a creation for the enjoyment of others, do not stray from the processes which make our work as close to perfect as we can manage. 

The first and most important person to hire is the editor. A good editor can make or break your novel. They will not just watch for spelling and grammatical errors, but for the flow and content. As a reader, I become quite irritated if I have to flip back pages to try to understand what just happened. Or, if I’m told a character has dark hair and green eyes only to have them described in later chapters as blonde with blue eyes. Of course, one of my biggest pet peeves while reading is having a character completely disappear with no explanation. A good editor would never allow that to slip through the cracks.

A great graphic designer for your cover is also essential as well as having someone complete the formatting for all the versions. Unbelievably, it has to be formatted differently for the printed version, and for each of the different eBook versions. If you can learn to do these things yourself, that’s great. I prefer to hire someone so I can continue to write.

Keep in mind that just because you’re a self-published author doesn’t mean others won’t notice you. Sometimes it will happen when you least expect it. I attended a conference in Chicago in 2014 and an editor from Harlequin approached me. She asked if we could sit together at lunchtime. Apparently, she’d seen the ad I’d placed in the conference’s program and she told me the World Library Worldwide Mystery division was looking for new series. She gave me her card and told me to send the manuscript for PERFIDY if interested, because she’d love to consider it for their mass-market paperback distribution.

I was shocked and thrilled at the prospect. I sent the manuscript to her and six months later, she offered me a contract and asked to see the next two novels in the series. It wasn’t long before she’d sent contracts for INCONSPICUOUS and ENSCONCED. Once the fourth novel, PURGED, was released in November 2014, she accepted it as well. Having this version of the book gives me more flexibility in the distribution of my novels.

Into my fifth month of retirement, I’m finding more time to write and thus am thinking about venturing beyond the Circle City Mystery Series. I may even submit my new works to agents or publishers. Having the confidence of the Harlequin editor is a real boost to this venture. I have a young adult fantasy started and am working on a private detective series set in Chicago. There’s nothing but exciting times ahead.

If you’d like to try the Circle City Mystery Series, please visit my website: www.memay-mysteries.com and go to Books. You can click on any cover and transported to the site where these novels can be purchased.

Michele, thanks for joining us today and sharing this look at the publishing industry from an author’s viewpoint. Congrats on the Harlequin contracts.

For those not familiar with Michele, here’s a bit of background on her.

Author Michele (M.E.) May

Michele (M.E.) May attended Indiana University in Kokomo, Indiana, studying Social and Behavioral Sciences. Her interest in the psychology of humans sparked the curiosity to ask why they commit such heinous acts upon one another. 

Other interests in such areas as criminology and forensics have moved her to put her vast imagination to work writing crime fiction that is as accurate as possible. In doing so, she depicts societal struggles that pit those who understand humanity with those who are lost in a strange and dangerous world of their own making. 

In creating the Circle City Mystery Series, she brings to life fictional characters who work diligently to bring justice to victims of crime in the city of Indianapolis. Michele also hopes her readers will witness through her eyes, the wonderful city she calls her hometown. 

For more on Michele and her writing, visit her website and connect with her on Facebook and Twitter.

Thanks for dropping by today during Michele’s visit. What are your thoughts on the publishing industry?

Last Words by Michael Koryta

You practically have to keep a score card when following one of author Michael Koryta’s thrillers.

Koryta has a way of moving back and forward between possible killers so fast you’re never quite sure who to suspect. His latest release, LAST WORDS, is a prime example of his masterful talents.

Narrator Robert Petkoff does an excellent job giving voice to the various characters. His pitch and mannerisms give depth to the characters. Petkoff captures the emotions of the story beautifully with his cadence and vocals.

Florida-based death-row defense lawyer Markus Novak’s life derailed when his wife was murdered while the two of them were working on a case. Still searching for her killer two years later, Novak has put his life and career on the line one too many ties. His boss sends him to Indiana to review a cold case just to get him out of town.

The 10-year-old cold case involves a teenage girl who disappeared inside a cave system beneath a rural farm. Days later the girl’s lifeless body was brought out of the cave by Ridley Barnes. All these years later Barnes, who called to have the case reopened, continues to claim he has no memory of what happened inside the cave. Living under a cloud of suspicion, Barnes wants answers even if it costs him his life.

Novak soon finds the town turning against him when he claims to have spoken to the dead girl’s mother, who he learns is also dead. Novak is later kidnapped and left in the cave to die, but Barnes rescues him. The town doesn’t believe his kidnap story and Novak begins to fear for his own life, but can’t leave until he knows the truth about the girl’s death.

Just when you’re sure you know who the killer is, Koryta throws you a curve and a new suspected killer is introduced with even more motive. Koryta switches back and forth from the suspects always leaving you wondering who the real killer is. The twists will have you second guessing yourself as you try to solve the mystery along with the protagonist.

The characters are complex and well-developed. Through detailed descriptions listeners/readers will feel they are in the cave as the search for the truth unfolds. Moving at a steady pace, this thriller is laced with suspense and adrenaline-fueled moments. The heart-pounding action will keep you on the edge of your seat.

LAST WORDS is a blend of past and present mysteries that carries listeners/readers on a roller coaster ride of emotions as they try to discover which devious mind belongs to the killer.

Last Words by Michael Koryta, Narrated by Robert Petkoff, Hachette Audio, @2015, ASIN: BOOY1JUUK, Unabridged, Run Time: 14 Hours and 44 Minutes 

FTC Full Disclosure – A copy of this audio book was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review. The thoughts are completely my own and given honestly and freely.

Thanks for stopping by today. Are you familiar with Koryta’s work? If so, do you have a favorite book he’s written? Do you like books where you’re constantly changing your mind about who the killer is?

*This post contains affiliate links.

Rise of a Queen by Chanta Rand {+ Giveaway}

I’m delighted to be participating in author Chanta Rand’s virtual book tour for her upcoming release, RISE OF A QUEEN.

As part of the tour, Chanta is offering a special pre-order price on her book. You can pre-order now for only 99 cents. The pre-order price will end on Nov. 22. In addition, Chanta is offering a special tour-wide giveaway. Please see the end of the post for more giveaway details.

Here’s a brief synopsis of RISE OF A QUEEN:

A dead husband. An unconsummated marriage. She needs an heir. Any man will do.
      1061 AD. A sprawling empire rich in gold, resources, and military might dominates West Africa. It’s The Kingdom of Ghana, and it’s at the height of its power.
      Twenty-year old Nabeela is grappling with her own power struggle. In order to save her younger sister from their step-brother’s clutches, Nabeela agrees to marry a repulsive African prince and bear him an heir. However, her plans are waylaid when tragedy strikes on her wedding night—her new husband dies—without consummating their marriage.
      She must find a replacement to impregnate her immediately. Any man will do—including a drunken soldier her servants find naked taking a bath in a neighboring village. Nabeela holds him captive and coerces him into having sex with her—stealing the one thing he can never get back—his seed.
      What she doesn’t know is the soldier is Rafan, Commander of a warring tribe’s royal army, and one of her family’s arch enemies. Eager for revenge, Rafan tracks her down once he’s released. But when these two reunite, they realize their lust for each other is far greater than their disdain.
      Enamored by Nabeela’s beauty and bravery, Rafan makes her an offer of marriage, and the promise to help her become queen. He convinces her that they are stronger allies than enemies. Even though they share a commitment to unite, there are others who are determined to destroy them and their plans, including the one person Nabeela would have never suspected. In the end, she’s is forced to choose between her passion and her ambition.



RISE OF A QUEEN is available at Amazon.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Author Chanta Rand

Chanta Jefferson Rand is an Emma Award winning Debut Author of the Year, a multi-published, best-selling author of sizzling-hot romance, and the former host of The Chanta Rand Show. An avid reader of all genres, she stepped onto the scene in 2010 with her first published historical romance, Pharaoh's Desire.  

Chanta is a history junkie, a Walking Dead fan, and a recovering shoe addict. She never met a stiletto she didn't like! If you still want more, check her out at www.ChantaRand.com or email her at Chanta@chantarand.com. 

Remember: You can't expect any sizzle...if you don't turn up the heat! Chanta's Social Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Mailing List

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

This tour-wide giveaway is for a Love Under Construction 2016 Wall Calendar. The giveaway is only open to residents of the U.S.

To enter, just click on the Rafflecopter widget below and follow the instructions. The widget may take a few seconds to load so please be patient.

Thanks for stopping by today during Chanta’s visit. If you have a question for Chanta, just let it in the comments. What are your thoughts on enemies that fall in love?

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The Nature of the Beast by Louise Penny

Opening a book to Three Pines is like visiting with old friends. When those characters come to life through audio, you feel surrounded by their essence and a part of their world.

Listeners/readers can return to Three Pines with the release of author Louise Penny’s latest Chief Inspector Gamache novel, THE NATURE OF THE BEAST.

Narrator Robert Bathrust becomes the voices of the eclectic residents of Three Pines taking over for the late Ralph Cosham who passed away late last year. Bathrust does a fine job of giving his own take on the numerous dwellers in Three Pines. His mannerisms and cadence works well portraying the varying emotions of the story.

Chief Inspector Armand Gamache and his wife, Reine-Marie, have retired to Three Pines for peace and quiet. But when a young local boy is murdered, the residents soon realize his tall tale of a huge gun and a monster in the woods could be true. The boy who cried wolf so many times finally told the truth and it cost him his life.

As Gamache aids Jean-Guy Beauvoir and Isabelle Lacoste in looking deeper into the boy’s death, another resident is killed. Are the two deaths related and which of the Three Pines residents is hiding a long-kept dark secret that could destroy the peaceful little town?

Penny skillfully weaves bits of history and lore into this mesmerizing thriller. Her almost hypnotic writing technique lures listeners/readers in and holds them spellbound until the end. The story moves at a steady pace blending information from several directions as it comes to a heart-pounding conclusion.

Through Penny’s rich descriptions and vivid details, listeners/readers are absorbed into the quaint village. The characters, well-developed and realistic, are likable. The close-knit feeling of the sleepy little town washes over you.

While the story gives you a sense of friendship and belonging, it is also filled with suspense and foreboding dread. This spine-tingling thriller will keep you guessing and wondering.

THE NATURE OF THE BEAST shows the residents of Three Pines aren’t isolated from the world of danger and terror as they had hoped. An enthralling mystery with worldwide connections of mass destruction.

The Nature of the Beast by Louise Penny, Chief Inspector Gamache Series (Book #11), Narrated by Robert Bathrust, Macmillan Audio, @2015, ASIN: BOOXZ13TO4, Unabridged, Run Time: 12 Hours and 41 Minutes 

FTC Full Disclosure – A copy of this audio book was sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review. The thoughts are completely my own and given honestly and freely.

Thanks so much for stopping by today. I have read a number of reviews saying this was not one of Penny’s best stories and some saying it’s not her usual style, but I found it to be quite good. I try to appreciate the book for what it has to offer and not compare it so much to previous installments as long as there isn’t a huge difference in the style and characters. Are you a fan of Three Pines and its residents? If so, do you like the fact that Gamache is retired?

*This post contains affiliate links.

See Me Exclusive {+ Giveaway}

I’m thrilled today to be able to share with you an exclusive look inside the latest novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Nicholas Sparks, SEE ME — a classic story of second chances and love tested.

Rich in emotion and fueled with suspense, SEE ME reminds us that love is sometimes forged in the crises that threaten to shatter us . . . and that those who see us for who we truly are may not always be the ones easiest to recognize.

As part of the exclusive look, I have an excerpt to share, along with a brief synopsis of the book. The best part, thanks to the wonderful folks at Grand Central Publishing, I have two copies of the book to giveaway. Please see the end of the post for more giveaway details.

SEE ME can be purchased at the following sites: Barnes and Noble, Amazon, Kobo, iBooks, and Google Play.

See me just as I see you . . .
      Colin Hancock is giving his second chance his best shot. With a history of violence and bad decisions behind him and the threat of prison dogging his every step, he's determined to walk a straight line. To Colin, that means applying himself single-mindedly toward his teaching degree and avoiding everything that proved destructive in his earlier life. Reminding himself daily of his hard-earned lessons, the last thing he is looking for is a serious relationship.
      Maria Sanchez, the hardworking daughter of Mexican immigrants, is the picture of conventional success. With a degree from Duke Law School and a job at a prestigious firm in Wilmington, she is a dark-haired beauty with a seemingly flawless professional track record. And yet Maria has a traumatic history of her own, one that compelled her to return to her hometown and left her questioning so much of what she once believed.
      A chance encounter on a rain-swept road will alter the course of both Colin and Maria's lives, challenging deeply held assumptions about each other and ultimately, themselves. As love unexpectedly takes hold between them, they dare to envision what a future together could possibly look like . . . until menacing reminders of events in Maria's past begin to surface.
      As a series of threatening incidents wreaks chaos in Maria's life, Maria and Colin will be tested in increasingly terrifying ways. Will demons from their past destroy the tenuous relationship they've begun to build, or will their love protect them, even in the darkest hour?

Excerpt from SEE ME by Nicholas Sparks

      In the past, when she’d worked in the Mecklenburg County district attorney’s office, Maria Sanchez had been in the courtroom with any number of criminals, some of whom had been charged with the kinds of violent crimes that kept her awake at night. She’d had nightmares about various cases and had been threatened by a sociopath, but the simple fact was that she’d never been quite as frightened back then as she felt right now on this deserted stretch as that car, driven by that guy, suddenly pulled to the side of the road.
      It didn’t matter that she was twenty-​eight, or that she’d graduated summa cum laude from UNC Chapel Hill, or that she’d gone to law school at Duke. It didn’t matter that she’d been a rising star in the district attorney’s office before finding other work at one of the best legal firms in Wilmington, or that until that moment, she’d always had a pretty good handle on her emotions. As soon as he stepped out of the car, all those truths went out the window and the only thing she could think was that she was a young woman all alone in the middle of nowhere. When he began to walk toward her, panic flooded through her. I’m going to die out here, she suddenly realized, and no one’s ever going to find my body.
      Moments earlier, when his car had slowly drifted past hers, she’d seen him staring at her—almost leering, like he was sizing her up—and her first thought was that he’d been wearing a mask, which was terrifying enough, but way less scary than the sudden realization that she’d actually seen his face. It was bruised on both sides; one eye was swollen shut, the other one bright red and bloody. She was pretty sure that even more blood was dripping down his forehead, and it had been all she could do not to start screaming. But for whatever reason, not a sound escaped her. For the love of God, she remembered thinking as soon as he’d passed, please keep going. Whatever you do, please don’t stop.
      But obviously God hadn’t been listening. Why would God intervene to keep her from ending up dead in a ditch out in the middle of nowhere? He wouldn’t. Instead, He’d decided to have the guy pull over, and now a man with a mangled face was gliding toward her like something out of a low-​budget horror film. Or prison, from which he’d just escaped, because the guy was positively ripped, and wasn’t that what prisoners did? Lift weights all the time? His haircut was severe, almost military style—the signature of one of the gangs in prison she’d heard about? The ratty black concert T‑shirt didn’t help, nor did the torn‑up jeans, and the way he was holding his jacket freaked her out. In this storm, why wasn’t he wearing it? Maybe he was using it to hide . . .
      A knife.
      Or, God forbid, a gun . . .
      A squeak escaped her throat and her mind began racing through options as she tried to figure out what to do. Toss the tire at him? She couldn’t even get the thing out of the trunk. Scream for help? There was no one nearby, not a single car had passed in the last ten minutes, and she’d left her cell phone God knows where or she wouldn’t have been trying to change the tire in the first place. Run? Maybe, but the liquid ease with which he moved suggested he’d easily catch her. The only thing she could do was get back into the car and lock the doors, but he was already right there, and there was no way to get past him . . .
      “Need a hand?”
      It was the sound of his voice that jolted her out of her trance. Letting go of the tire, she began backing away, focusing only on creating distance between the two of them. Lightning flashed again and she noticed a blankness in his expression, almost like something elemental was missing in his personality, the piece that signaled that it wasn’t okay to rape and kill women.
      “What do you want with me?” she finally choked out.
      “I don’t want anything,” he answered.
      “Then what are you doing here?”
      “I thought you might need some help changing your tire.”
      “I’m fine,” she said. “I can handle it myself.”
      He looked from her to the flat tire, then back to her again.
      “Okay. Good night,” he said. Wheeling around, he started back toward his car, his figure suddenly receding. His reaction was so unexpected that for a second she felt paralyzed. He was leaving? Why was he leaving? She was glad about that—actually, she was thrilled about that—and yet, and yet . . .
      “I’m having trouble getting the tire out of the trunk!” she said, hearing the panic in her own voice.
      He turned on his heel as he reached his car. “Seems like it.”
      He reached for his door and pulled it open, ready to climb in—
      “Wait!” she suddenly cried.
      He squinted at her through the downpour. “Why?” he called back.
      Why? She wasn’t sure she’d heard him right. But then again, she’d told him she didn’t need any help. And she didn’t, except that she did, but it wasn’t as though she could call anyone, and with her thoughts racing and jumbled, the next words spilled out involuntarily.
      “Do you have a phone?” she shouted.
      He closed some of the gap between, stopping when he could be heard without shouting, but not getting too close. Thank God. “Yes,” he answered.
      She shifted from one foot to the other, thinking Now what? “I lost my phone,” she said. “I mean, I didn’t lose lose it.” She knew she was rambling, but the way he kept staring at her made the words impossible to stop. “It’s either at the office or I left it at my parents’, but I won’t know for sure until I get to my MacBook.”
      “Okay.” He added nothing else; instead, he stood unmoving, his eyes steady on hers.
      “I use that Find My Phone thing. The app, I mean. I can track my phone because it’s synced with the computer.”
      “Okay.”
      “Well?”
      “Well what?”
      “Can I borrow yours for a minute? I want to call my sister.”
      “Sure,” he answered. He tucked the phone into the folds of his jacket and as he began to approach, she reflexively took another step backward. He placed the jacket on the hood of her car and gestured at it.
     She hesitated. He was definitely odd, but she appreciated the fact that he’d stepped away. She hurried to the bundle and found his iPhone tucked inside, the same model as hers. When she pressed the button, the screen lit up and sure enough, he was getting service. But it wouldn’t do any good unless . . .
      “Five-six-eight-one,” he offered.
      “You’re giving me your code?”
      “You can’t access the phone without it,” he noted.
      “Aren’t you worried about giving it to a stranger?”
      “Are you going to steal my phone?”
      She blinked. “No. Of course not.”
      “Then I’m not worried.”
      She wasn’t sure what to say to that, but whatever. She typed in the code with trembling fingers and dialed her sister. By the third ring, she knew she’d get Serena’s voice mail. Maria did her best to keep her frustration in check as she left a message, explaining what had happened to the car and asking her sister to come pick her up. She tucked the phone back into the jacket on the hood and then stepped away, watching him.
      “No answer?” he asked.
      “She’s coming.”
      “Okay.” When the lightning flashed again, he motioned toward the rear of her car. “While you’re waiting for her, do you want me to change your tire?”
      She opened her mouth to again decline his offer, but who knew when—or if—Serena would get her message? And then there was the fact that she’d never actually changed a tire in her life. Instead of answering, she let out a breath, trying to keep the tremor from her voice. “Can I ask you a question?”
      “Yes.”
      “What . . . what happened to your face?”
      “I was in a fight.”
      She waited a few beats before finally realizing he wasn’t going to add anything else. That’s it? No further explanation? His demeanor was so utterly foreign, she wasn’t sure what to make of it. As he stood in place, obviously waiting for the answer to his earlier question, she glanced at the trunk, wishing she actually knew how to change a tire.
      “Yes,” she finally said. “If you wouldn’t mind, I’d love some help changing the tire.”
      “Okay.” He nodded. She watched as he reached for the bundle on the hood and tucked his phone back into his pocket before slipping his jacket on. “You’re afraid of me,” he said.
     “What?”
      “You’re afraid I’m going to hurt you.” When she said nothing, he went on. “I won’t, but whether you believe that is up to you.”
      “Why are you telling me this?”
      “Because if I’m going to change your tire, I’m going to have to approach the trunk. Which means I’ll be approaching you, too.”
      “I’m not afraid of you,” she lied.
      “Okay.”
      “I’m not.”
      “Okay,” he said again, then started toward her. She felt her heart squeeze as he passed within arm’s reach of her, only to feel foolish when he walked right past without slowing. He unscrewed something, then lifted the spare tire out and set it aside before he disappeared behind the trunk again, no doubt to retrieve the jack.
      “One of us needs to move your car onto the road,” he said. “It needs to be level before I get the jack going, otherwise the car might slip.”
      “But I’ve got a flat tire.”
      He peeked around the side, jack in hand. “It won’t hurt the car. Just go slow.”
      “But it will block most of the lane.”
      “It’s blocking half the lane already.”
      He had a point there . . . but . . .
      But what if that was all part of his plan? To distract her somehow? To get her to turn her back?
      A plan that included letting me use his phone? And removing the tire from the trunk?
      Rattled and self-​conscious, she got into the car and started the engine, slowly but surely edging it back onto the road and setting the emergency brake. By the time she opened the door, he was rolling the spare toward the rear tire, lug wrench in hand.
      “You can stay in the car if you want,” he said. “This shouldn’t take long.”
      She debated before closing the door, then spent several minutes watching in the side mirror as he continued to loosen the bolts before sliding the jack into place. A moment later, she could feel the car lifting slightly, bouncing its way slowly upward and then stopping. She watched as he finished unscrewing the bolts before sliding the tire off, just as the storm began to intensify, rain blowing in gusty sheets. The spare went on quickly, along with the bolts, and then all at once, the car was being lowered again. He placed the flat tire back in her trunk along with the jack and the lug wrench, and she felt him gently push the trunk closed. And just like that, it was over. Still, she startled a little when he tapped on her window. She lowered the glass and rain began to spit through the opening. With his face still shadowed, it was almost possible to see past the bruises and the swelling and the bloody eye. Almost, but not entirely.
      “You’re good to go,” he shouted over the gale, “but you should probably get the tire fixed or replace it sooner rather than later. Your spare isn’t meant to be used permanently.”
      She nodded, but before she could thank him, he had already turned and was jogging toward his car. He jerked his door open and slid behind the wheel. She heard the roar of his engine and then—before she knew it—she was alone on the road again, albeit now in a car that would get her home.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

With over 100 million copies of his books sold, Nicholas Sparks is one of the world's most beloved storytellers. His novels include 12 #1 New York Times bestsellers. All his books have been New York Times and international bestsellers, and were translated into more than 50 languages. 

Ten Sparks novels have been adapted into major motion pictures, with The Choice coming in February 2016.

For more on Sparks and his writing, visit his website and connect with him on Facebook, Twitter, and Goodreads.

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

Thanks to the wonderful folks at Grand Central Publishing, I have two copies of SEE ME to giveaway. The giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada only and no post office box addresses can be accepted. The giveaway will end at 12 a.m. (EST) on Tuesday, Oct. 27.

To enter, just click on the Rafflecopter widget below and following the instructions. The widget may take a few seconds to load so please be patient. Two winners will be selected by the Rafflecopter widget and I’ll send an email with the subject line “Thoughts in Progress See Me Giveaway.” The winners will have 72 hours to reply to the email or another winner will be selected. PLEASE be sure to check your spam folder from time to time after the giveaway ends. If you win and you’ve already won the book somewhere else or you just decide for whatever reason you don’t want to win, once again PLEASE let me know.

Thanks so much for stopping by for this exclusive look at the newest book by Nicholas Sparks. Do you have a favorite Nicholas Sparks book? Do you enjoy the books or the movies based on his books better?

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Blonde is Beautiful … @madisonreedllb

You’ve heard the saying, ‘Blondes have more fun,’ and I’m here to tell you being blonde is more fun for me.

You may recall a few posts back – No Books, Just Hair – I talked about wanting to color my hair using the Madison Reed Radiant Color Kit. Well, I finally had a chance to do it and I’m quite pleased how it turned out.

Hair before color

I’m sharing some before and after photos of my hair to try and show you the change. However, the true color differences doesn’t show well using a cellphone camera. Also, I know you’ve heard (read) me say that my hair is straight and yet one photo show wavy hair. That’s how my hair looks when I take it down out of a single braid I wear it in 99 percent of the time.

Let me address a few points before I tell you how the actual process went.

      1. No, I didn’t become an instant platinum blonde from root to tips but I wasn’t expecting to. Had I put the color on the length a bit earlier than I did, it probably would have lightened it even more. The color did lighten my hair to a shade lighter, even more on top, and gave it a glossy shine that I like. I’m pleased with the shade it became.

      2. No, the solution didn’t cause my eyes to water or give me a headache. There was no harsh chemical smell, because there are no harsh chemicals in the solution. In fact, it was a pleasant scent that was a bit fragrant but not overpowering. It’s a smell you wouldn’t mind having in your house.

      3. Yes, the process took a bit longer than the over-the-counter color kits I’d used before. However, the extra time was my doing because I wanted to be sure I followed the instructions and left the product on my hair the correct amount of time. Once you’re familiar with the process it can easily be done in 40-45 minutes for short hair or 50-55 minutes for long hair (this includes the prep time).

Hair after color

      4. No, the instructions weren’t hard to follow. But because my hair is past my waist, I couldn’t apply the product exactly as explained in the brochure or demonstrated in the video. Yeah, they have a tutorial video that walks you through the entire process. I couldn’t separate my hair into the four sections as it recommends, but I was still able to apply the solution to all the roots without any problems.

That’s just some of the highlights I wanted to be sure to point out. The only other major issue I noticed was my solution didn’t turn purple like it did when applied in the video. So I called the lovely folks at Madison Reed to see if I had done something wrong. No, it was what I had suspected. The cream color can change to purple when activated depending on the color you’re using. The lady in the video was dark headed. The color cream for blondes doesn’t go purple when activated, it just has a faint hint of a purple tint.

All the items you need to color your hair comes in the box from Madison Reed with the exception of a cape to wear to protect your clothing. You can use an old button-up shirt to serve the same purpose. To me there was no more drip from this solution than I have had with regular over-the-counter kits. In fact, this solution was a bit thicker and less messy.

Bangs before

The box contains the radiant cream color, the conditioning color activator, two sets of gloves (not flimsy), a cap, cream to put along your hairline, a cleansing wipe to use to clean off any dye you get on your face, a small tube of nourishing color enhancing shampoo, and a small tube of nourishing color enhancing conditioner. And a side note, the box is very nice and packaged well to insure nothing is damaged when you receive it. You can also purchase an extra bottle of the cream color and activator if needed for long hair.

Due to the length of my hair and the pesky grey trying to find a permanent home, I had to leave the solution on for a total of 45 minutes where someone with short hair would only go for 35 minutes. With the cap on, I was able to do whatever I needed to do while waiting on the timer. The solution washed out without any problems and I followed up by using the shampoo and conditioner provided.

Bangs after

The entire process went really easy and I’m extremely satisfied with the outcome of the color and this home salon-style kit. In addition, my hair feels softer and silkier, as well as having a radiance to it. Will I use the Madison Reed Radiant Color Kit again, oh yeah.

Thanks for stopping by today and following along as I try new

products. Have you come across a new product that surprised you in a good way? Are you looking for a product for a specific reason but just can’t seem to find what you’re looking for?

*P.S. If you decide you want to try a Madison Reed Radiant Color Kit, drop me an email and I'll give you'll a referral to save $15 on your first order.

*This is a sponsored post and contains affiliate links. I will be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on my links. I was provided the items mentioned above and could be compensated for the post. However, this post was written solely by me and all opinions are my own given honestly and freely. I will not share a post with you without believing in what I present to you.

Under the Black Ensign by L. Ron Hubbard

If you’re a fan of swashbuckling adventures and pirates on the high seas UNDER THE BLACK ENSIGN is the perfect story for you.

The audio version of the book by L. Ron Hubbard features a multicast performance that brings the story to life. There’s also music and sound effects to enhance the adventure. Narrators Marisol Nichols, R.E. Daley, Jim Meskimen, Phil Proctor, Thomas Silcott, and Michael Yurchak do an excellent job portraying the various characters.

First mate Tom Bristol finds himself press-ganged into service aboard the British HMS Terror. An accident soon has Tom facing 200 lashes but is saved at the last minute when a pirate ship overtakes them.

Tom decides his best hope is to join the pirates. Another bad misfortune has Tom marooned on an island when he’s accused of killing a mutinous pirate and harboring a woman on board. With the help of the woman, Tom devises a plan that returns him to the sea where he has plans for those who have wronged him.

This two-hour audio packs a lot of adventure and suspense in a short period of time. The pace is quick in this action-packed tale. Life on the high seas during the 1680s comes to life through the author’s vivid descriptions.

Readers of the book will find numerous black and white illustrations throughout depicting various scenes. A glossary is also included to help readers better understand the speech of the time.

In true pulp fiction style, UNDER THE BLACK ENSIGN will entertain and transform you to an era of yesteryear.

Under the Black Ensign: A Pirate Adventure of Loot, Love and War on the Open Seas by L. Ron Hubbard, Historical Fiction Short Stories Collection, Narrated by a multicast performance, Galaxy Audio, @2008, ISBN: 978-1592123339, Unabridged, 2 Discs, Run Time: 2 Hours

Also available in Paperback, Galaxy Press, @2008, ISBN: 978-1592123391, 121 Pages

FTC Full Disclosure – A print and audio copy of this book were sent to me by the publisher in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review. The thoughts are completely my own and given honestly and freely.

Thanks so much for stopping by today. Do are you familiar with pulp fiction (not the movie)? Do you like to read books that transform you to another era just by their looks and/or sounds?

I want to share the following with you that appears on Amazon about this book. I found it interesting and hope you do too.

“In his early twenties, Hubbard led the two-and-a-half-month, five-thousand-mile Caribbean Motion Picture Expedition. He followed that with the West Indies Mineralogical Expedition near San Juan, Puerto Rico, in which he completed the island’s first mineralogical survey as an American territory. It was during these two journeys that Hubbard became an expert on the Caribbean’s colorful history—an expertise he drew on to write stories like Under the Black Ensign.”

*This post contains affiliate links.

The House at Homecoming Cove {+ Giveaway}

It’s a pleasure to be participating in New York Times Bestselling author Ginny Baird’s I Am A Reader Book Blast for her latest release, THE HOUSE AT HOMECOMING COVE.

Ginny is sharing an excerpt from her book and has an awesome tour-wide giveaway. Please see the end of the post for more details on the giveaway. Here’s a brief synopsis of the book.

A breathtaking romantic mystery set at the Virginia Eastern Shore... 

        Seeking out solitude in which to work, New York City music composer Melissa Carter rents a century-old farmhouse on the Virginia Eastern Shore. There, she meets a loner with rugged good looks and smoldering gray eyes, who has long-term ties to the property. When strange things start occurring at the historic home, the handsome groundskeeper comes to her aid, but is Melissa really safer in his arms?
        When Stone Thomas meets a pretty northerner with a musical gift, he's immediately drawn to her. He's also determined to protect her from the increasingly odd happenings at the fifty-acre farm where he's employed. Soon, Stone finds himself wondering whether he and beautiful Melissa might share a future. Yet the secrets of Homecoming Cove threaten to drive them apart. 

THE HOUSE AT HOMECOMING COVE is available at these sites: Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Kobo. Also be sure to



Now the Excerpt ……..

Her words came out in a whisper. “Thank you for everything. For coming to my rescue, for…” She was saying goodbye, yet her chin tilted toward his and she took a step closer, her lips barely parted, inviting. She peered up at him and met his gaze with a look that was surprisingly heated, decidedly predatory. There was no mistaking it. Melissa wanted him too. That was all the encouragement Stone needed to take her in his arms and bring his mouth down on hers with a hungry desire that surpassed all expectations. Melissa gasped with delight and sighed into his kiss. Stone’s empty mug slid from her grasp and landed somewhere on the sofa. Stone pressed his eager body to hers and ran his hands up her back, threading his fingers through her hair. She was glorious, beautiful, her gaze sparking with reciprocal passion. Stone groaned and kissed her again, savoring the taste of her, delighting in the sweetness of her body molded to his, as his blood pumped harder and his heart beat like a kettledrum gone out of control. It was more than a kiss; it was like coming home. “Stone,” she said breathlessly. He opened his eyes to find his cheeks nestled between her palms. She looked up at him her face flushed with longing. “I think you’d better go.” “Yeah,” he said, his pulse pounding. “I’d better go.” Thunder boomed and rain slapped the windowpanes, while the fire hissed and moaned. Neither one moved. “Melissa,” Stone whispered, brushing his lips over hers. “You and me… It’s like… I don’t know.” “I know,” she replied, meeting his kiss. “I feel it too.” 

Praise for Ginny Baird Paranormal Ghost Romance..The Ghost Next Door (A Love Story):

      "A fine suspense and you just won't believe how it ends." ~ Barbara Baker
      "The twist at the end took me by surprise! Great job to the author!" ~ Melinda Burchett "Wow...wow...wow!! I did not see that coming." ~ Mary Ann
      "This is a mind bender! Very well done!" ~ Sandra D. Griffin, The Light at the End of the Road
      "A gripping tale with a hint of paranormal." ~ Dawn Pearson
      "New, refreshing twists and turns." ~ Anna Gibson
      "Ms. Baird has again exceeded any expectations." ~ Dianna Plano
      "Wow. I mean, WOW. This is not your normal romance..." ~ Anita Slaugh

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Author Ginny Baird

Author Ginny Baird has published novels in print and online and received screenplay options from Hollywood for her family and romantic comedy scripts. She writes heartwarming contemporary romance about single women facing everyday challenges. 

Known for featuring holidays and family themes in her work, Ginny frequently portrays the struggles of single parents or others who've given up on finding true love. Ginny has two novella series, The Holiday Brides Series (holiday romance) and The Summer Grooms Series (summer romance), a Romantic Ghost Stories series (paranormal ghost romance), and additional single titles available. 

She is a NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY bestselling author, a Top 10 Best Seller on Kindle, NOOK and iBooks, and a #1 Best Seller in several Romance and Women's Fiction categories.

To learn more about Ginny and her writing, visit her website and connect with her on Facebook and Twitter.

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:



This Book Blast giveaway is for a $50 Amazon Gift Card OR $50 PayPal Cash. The giveaway ends Nov. 6 and is open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or PayPal Cash. 

The winning entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by Rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.

Thanks so much for stopping by today during Ginny’s visit. Do you enjoy romantic mysteries? Do you think most mysteries have a touch of romance in them?

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Parchment and Old Lace {+ Giveaway}

Visions of New Orleans quickly fill your head when you begin reading PARCHMENT AND OLD LACE, the 13th installment in the Scrapbooking Mystery series by Laura Childs.

Childs, with author Terrie Farley Moran, bring New Orleans to life as they keep you in suspense in this latest cozy murder mystery. The rich descriptions of the historic Garden District and other areas places the reader among the characters as the story unfolds.

Scrapbook shop owner Carmela Bertrand and her beau, Detective Edgar Babcock, enjoy a romantic dinner, but have a brief interruption when Isabelle Black stops by their table. After bragging about her upcoming wedding, she leaves.

Minutes later on their way from the restaurant, Carmela and Edgar hear a scream coming from the Lafayette Cemetery. There they discover Isabelle, strangled with a piece of vintage lace, lying across a gravestone.

Carmela is pulled into the search for the killer by Isabelle’s sister, Ellie. A tarot card reader, Ellie works at Juju Voodoo, owned by Carmela’s best friend, Ava Gruiex. Carmela has no choice but to untangle the clues before someone else dies.

The characters are likable, colorful and well-developed. The secondary characters add depth to the story, as well as bits of humor. The bonds of friendship are well defined drawing readers farther into the feel of the story.

The blending of a murder mystery with the daily disruptions of a store owner makes for an entertaining read. Moving at a good pace, the story keeps you marveling at what could happen next mixed with the right amount of tension and suspense.

Readers don’t have to enjoy scrapbooking to be beguiled by this story. In fact, the scrapbooking tips and tasty New Orleans recipes are just an added bonus.

Like a good gumbo, PARCHMENT AND OLD LACE is a mix of all things mystery lovers will relish. 

Author Laura Childs can be found HERE and author Terrie Farley Moran can be found HERE.


Parchment and Old Lace by Laura Childs with Terrie Farley Moran, A Scrapbooking Mystery (Book #13), Berkley, @2015, ISBN: 978-0425266687, Hardcover, 336 Pages 

FTC Full Disclosure – A copy of this book was sent to me by the author in hopes I would review it. However, receiving the complimentary copy did not influence my review. The thoughts are completely my own and given honestly and freely.

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

Thanks to the lovely Laura, I have not one but two (2) hardcover copies of PARCHMENT AND OLD LACE to giveaway. The giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. only and will end at 12 a.m. (EST) on Friday, Oct. 23.

To enter, just click on the Rafflecopter widget below and following the instructions. The widget may take a few seconds to load so please be patient. The two winners will be selected by the Rafflecopter widget and I’ll send an email with the subject line “Thoughts in Progress Parchment and Old Lace Giveaway.” The winners will have 72 hours to reply to the email or another winner will be selected. PLEASE be sure to check your spam folder from time to time after the giveaway ends. If you win and you’ve already won the book somewhere else or you just decide for whatever reason you don’t want to win, once again PLEASE let me know.

Thanks so much for stopping by for my review of this mesmerizing mystery. Are you a scrapbook fan? Do you enjoy books that have a New Orleans influence? 

*This post contains affiliate links.

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