Friday, December 30, 2016

The One Enlightened is on sale!

Recently, I gave away The One Discovered, book one of the Chronicles of the Diasodz series.  If you downloaded the novel and have read it, please do me the honor of leaving a review on Amazon here.  I am hoping to reach 50 reviews soon, and when I do, I will have a giveaway. :-)  That being said, I want real and honest reviews.  Integrity is very important to me, so I don't want bogus reviews just to push up the numbers.

I know it takes a couple of minutes to write a review, and in this day and age where everything is rush-rush, sometimes we don't want to take the time to write a couple of sentences about a book that we've read.  I cannot impress upon you enough how very much it means to me (and other authors) that you do take that time.

These stories are a part of my heart; they are with me every day.  I dream about them.  I think about the characters (they speak to me all the time!). I write and write and write and then read and reread everything. LOL! I want it to be perfect for you, the reader.

So, when my stories are downloaded, I anticipate hearing the thoughts of my readers. I want to know whether they hated it, liked it, or loved it. I want to know if they rejoiced during the same moments when I rejoiced and if they became frustrated at the same times that I did.  Your comments and your voice are sometimes my lifelines, my motivation, when I am in a slump.  So, please take the few minutes and share your thoughts through a review. I truly do appreciate it!

And now, I want to share with you that I am starting the new year with a sale! :-) The One Enlightened, book two in the series, will be just $0.99 from 12/31/16 to 01/07/17! It will go back to its regular price of $2.99 on 01/08/17.  If you downloaded The One Discovered for free and haven't read it yet, I promise you that you will want to get The One Enlightened before the sale is over.  If you have read The One Discovered, then here is your chance to get the second book at a great discount!


I've place links below for each of the books.  They are in both ebook and paperback form (but only the ebook version of The One Enlightened is currently on sale).

The One Discovered: https://www.amazon.com/One-Discovered-Chronicles-Diasodz-Book/dp/1495338975/

The One Enlightened: https://www.amazon.com/One-Enlightened-Chronicles-Diasodz-Book/dp/1505907152/

The One Betrayed: https://www.amazon.com/One-Betrayed-Chronicles-Diasodz-Book/dp/1519799888

The One Revealed: https://www.amazon.com/One-Revealed-Chronicles-Diasodz-Book-ebook/dp/B01NBKJHIO

I hope you all have a safe and wonderful celebration of the ending of 2016 and bring in the new year with love and laughter! XOXO

Sunday, December 25, 2016

Free Books for the Holidays! :-)


Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah, beautiful people!

I hope you are all enjoying this time surrounded by those whom you love.  I see the pictures from my friends who live up north and are enjoying a white Christmas. I think of those warm fireplaces, that comfy sofa, and the cozy blankets, and immediately, I picture you curled up on that sofa with a book in your hands and a cup of hot cocoa on the table stand next to you.  So, this Christmas, I am gifting to you the first novel in my Chronicles of the Diasodz series. :-) 

For those of you who have not read it yet, The One Discovered is about a young girl who finds out that the responsibility of saving an entire race falls upon her shoulders.  It's a young adult fantasy series filled with friendship, love, loyalty, family, and twists and turns everywhere. ;-) It's a battle of good vs evil, where evil doesn't look all that bad.  So, once all of the presents are opened and the busy day turns into the calming night, curl up with this free copy of The One Discovered and lose yourself in a world of mystical adventure. You can purchase your free copy here: https://www.amazon.com/One-Discovered-Chronicles-Diasodz-Book-ebook/dp/B00I4L2Q40. 

The One Discovered will be free until 12/29/2016, so be your own Santa for the next few days, and share this gift with all of your friends and family! They will thank you! ;-)

And if you have already read my book (or if you are just a really fast reader), here are two more books that I've read that are also free right now:

She Dies at the End by A.M. Manay: This is a very cool vampire series that I am addicted to.  November Snow is the main character, and she can see into the future.  She is not a vampire, but the vampires are fighting over capturing her and using her for their own purposes.  It's fantastic, so grab it while it's free and share it with your friends.

Assaie's Gift by D.E. Howard: This is another great young adult paranormal book.  Kia is a descendant of the Goddess Assaie, and she doesn't know it until her mother tells her on her eighteenth birthday.  She is given a gift that Kia realizes can also be a curse.  It's a great young adult love story that you will truly enjoy. 

I've read both of these books, and you can read my reviews here.  Or you can just trust me and download them now. :-) They are free! What have you got to lose? ;-)  

I wish you all a wonderful holiday season.  May your troubles be less and your blessings be more, and may you fill your hearts and souls with the energies that matter: love, light, happiness, and love.  XOXO


Thursday, December 15, 2016

The One Revealed is now available!!!


I am thrilled to announce the official release of The One Revealed! This is book 4 in The Chronicles of the Diasodz.  If you haven't read the first three books, I would definitely recommend reading them first. You can find them here. If you have read the first three, then I know you have been eagerly awaiting this release! You can purchase this ebook on Amazon.  The print version will be coming soon.  I look forward to hearing your thoughts on the newest addition to the series. :-)

Here is the synopsis for The One Revealed (again, if you haven't read the first three, skip this so that you don't read any spoilers!):

Rafe has successfully rescued Sofia from his enemies and has brought her home.  He is excited about Sofia meeting their father and joining the Raizyns in their fight against the Diasodz.  Unfortunately, bringing Sofia home does not have the effect he had hoped for.  In the process of trying to bring his family together, he may have discovered a reason to tear them apart.

When Sofia awakens, she discovers that her life has been uprooted once again, and this time she is in more danger than she has ever been.  Sofia’s only focus is on finding a way to escape and get back to Ar’ch, but leaving Rafe becomes more difficult when she realizes that not everything is as it seems.

Damiana is furious when she learns that her daughter has been brought home.  Her plans to use Sofia as a secret weapon within the Diasodz compound is destroyed with Rafe’s meddling.  Despite the setback, Damiana knows that she still has the upper hand, but her control is tested when even more secrets are exposed.

Each of them believes that she/he knows who the true savior of their people is, but when the truth is revealed, how will they handle it?  And whose side will the savior support? The stakes have never been higher for the Raizyns, and Damiana plans to make sure that the savior is on their side no matter what it takes.

Monday, December 5, 2016

The One Betrayed is on SALE!


It's almost time to release The One Revealed, book four in the Chronicles of the Diasodz series! To pass the time, how about taking advantage of a sale! :-) The One Betrayed, book three in the series, is now just $0.99! The sale will run from today (12/5) through 12/11/2016! After that, it will return to $2.99.  So, grab your copy now, and tell all of your friends to read it before the next book in the series is released. You can purchase your copy here: https://www.amazon.com/One-Betrayed-Chronicles-Diasodz-Book-ebook/dp/B0191O1892/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1480988099&sr=8-1. Happy reading! :-)

Thursday, December 1, 2016

The One Enlightened is on Sale!!!


As we countdown the release of The One Revealed, I have decided to put The One Enlightened on sale for just $0.99 from today through 12/4/2016.  Last week, The One Discovered was given away for free.  Next week, The One Betrayed will be on sale.  This is a great opportunity to grab all four books and make a beautiful holiday gift set for your BFF book lovers! For more information on The One Enlightened, use this link: https://www.amazon.com/One-Enlightened-Chronicles-Diasodz-Book-ebook/dp/B00R0QI51I/ref=tmm_kin_title_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1480649297&sr=8-1

Friday, November 25, 2016

The One Discovered is FREE!


As I prepare to release The One Revealed, I decided that I would promote the other three books in the series.  For those of you who have not read The One Discovered yet, here is your opportunity to get the book for FREE! :-) It will be free on Amazon from 11/25/16 through 11/29/16. So, grab your copy and then share the link with all of your friends. I truly appreciate your support and your help in sharing this series with those that you know. Here is the Amazon link to the book: https://www.amazon.com/One-Discovered-Chronicles-Diasodz-Book-ebook/dp/B00I4L2Q40.

Tuesday, November 22, 2016


Congratulations to the winners of my #RRBC Holiday Train "Book Trailer" Block Party!  If your name is listed below, I will be contacting you within the next two days to send you your prize. Thank you for visiting my book trailer on YouTube and leaving a comment. I truly appreciate your support. :-)

The winners of the following items are:
1 ebook copy of The One Discovered - Michelle Abbott
1 ebook copy of The One Enlightened - John Fioravanti
1 ebook copy of The One Betrayed - Kim Cox
1 signed copy of The One Discovered - Michael Lynes
1 signed copy of The One Enlightened - D.L. Finn
1 signed copy of The One Betrayed - Sara Hathaway
1 ebook set of all four books - Patricia Green
1 spotlight author spot on my blog (includes promo on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram) Richie Gerber



Saturday, November 19, 2016

Introducing the Cover for The One Revealed



Tatiana Villa of Vila Designs has once again created a beautiful work of art for my newest novel. You can find her other incredible cover designs at http://www.viladesign.net.

The One Revealed is book four in the Chronicles of the Diasodz.  Without ruining the first three books for those of you who haven't read them yet, The One Revealed focuses on Sofia's journey through a part of her family that has been hidden from her for all of her life. The title doesn't only apply to Sofia, though. Rafe and Mel have their own revelations that they must endure.  No one comes out of this book unscathed.  The question will be who, if any of them, will be able to overcome what they discover?

The One Revealed is scheduled to be released mid-December.  I will be promoting the other three books with varying discounts starting next week, so stay turned! As always, happy reading! :-)

Thursday, November 17, 2016

#RRBC Holiday Train "Book Trailer" Block Party



Today's party is taking place in Miami, Florida
where the sun is shining and the weather is wonderful!

You are in for a great time today!
Not only am I revealing the book cover for the fourth book in the Chronicles of the Diasodz,
but I am also giving away some AMAZING prizes!!!

I will be giving away the following items:
1 ebook copy of The One Discovered
1 ebook copy of The One Enlightened
1 ebook copy of The One Betrayed
1 signed copy of The One Discovered
1 signed copy of The One Betrayed
1 signed copy of The One Enlightened
1 ebook set of all four books
1 spotlight author spot on my blog (includes promo on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram)

Total Winners Today: 8!!!

How do you win?  Well, that's easy! All you have to do is watch my newest book trailer for the Chronicles of the Diasodz series and leave a comment. It's that easy! Of course, I am totally okay with you liking the video and sharing it with your friends on social media. ;-) But to win one of the prizes, you must leave a comment!

So, without further adieu, here is the book trailer for The Chronicles of the Diasodz! (click here) In it, you will be one of the first to see the cover for The One Revealed. I would love to hear your thoughts on it. Enjoy and good luck on winning a prize! :-)

And while you are at it, why not enjoy the other stops on the Holiday Train Book Trailer Block Party! There are so many talented authors who are participating and so many prizes to win! Check it out here!

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

Be a Part of the #RRBC Writers' Conference & Book Expo!


Have you ever thought of becoming an author? Do you really enjoy reading books? Well, here is an opportunity for you to bask yourself in all things literary! The Rave Reviews Book Club will be hosting an incredible on-line opportunity for readers and writers alike. It's their Writers' Conference & Book Expo! 

This fabulous event will take place from December 1-3, 2016, from the convenient location of your most comfortable reading chair while you wear your favorite reading outfit. ;-)  No dealing with traffic.  No paying for parking. And absolutely, positively NO stress!

This is an absolute MUST ATTEND event for anyone who loves reading and/or writing.  At this expo, you will be exposed to dozens of authors from every genre. There will be keepsakes to grab.  There will be workshops on various topics (including but not limited to Blogging for Success, Indie vs. Traditional, Writing the Perfect Book Review, Social Media Dos and Don'ts, etc.)

This expo is open to EVERYONE! So, tell your friends all about it, and join us for three days of enjoying our love of literature. :-)



I look forward to "seeing" you at the WCBE.:-)

Thursday, September 22, 2016

Tuesday, September 20, 2016

Thursday, September 1, 2016

Author Spotlight - Sandra Cox

Author Spotlight - Sandra Cox


Today, I have the honor of interviewing Sandra Cox, a wonderful author.  

Sandra, tell us what inspires you to write.

Anything and everything...books, movies, walks, people.

You have a wide variety of books.  How much research is involved in creating your stories?

It varies with the story.  As you know, historicals take much more research than a book with a current setting.  Though, every story requires some research: location, careers, weapons, etc.

How long does it usually take you to write a book?

It varies for me, sometimes a year, sometimes several months.

What authors influence you most?

The writers who have had the most profound influence on my writing are Nora Roberts, Stephenie Meyer, and Suzanne Collins.  They are excellent storytellers.

I couldn't agree with you more.  I think I already know the answer to this question, but for my readers out there, what is your favorite theme/genre to write?

YA fantasy or anything with paranormal elements.

That's why I click with you.  That's my favorite as well. ;-)  Which character is your favorite?

Whatever character I'm creating at the moment is my favorite.

I like that answer.  I might have to borrow it in the future. A lot of authors weave parts of their own lives into their stories.  Do any of your life experiences make their way into your novels?

If you are looking for it, you may occasionally find a vegetarian or someone who believes in animal rights in one of my stories.

When someone finishes reading your book, what do you hope they get from it?

I hope they feel like they've gotten a well told tale.

I know that every author hopes that his/her readers will leave a review after they've read the story.  Do you read all of your reviews?

Like any author, I LOVE good reviews, but I don't read the negative ones.  I mean...if I got a negative review, I wouldn't read it. :-) Ha. Yes, I have got them.  And no, I don't enjoy them, though I do feel if someone has paid their hard earned money for my books, they are entitled to their opinion, even if it's not the one I would have hoped for.

What type of books were your favorite when you were a child?

I loved horse stories.

So did I!  Do you have a job or career outside of writing?

I'm happy to say I'm retired.  I worked for many years in secondary education.   My last job was admin assist to the VP for Instruction at the local community college.

Lucky you.  I'm still working, and it's in secondary education. :-)  For those who visit my site who are aspiring writers, what advice would you give them?

Don't give up.  Write because you love it.  And if some days you feel depressed because of low sales, remind yourself that your story is up against over a million others, so any sale is a huge accomplishment.

You are so right!  Well, we've got to wrap this up. Any last thoughts?

I've enjoyed spending time at your place and getting the opportunity to interact with all of your wonderful supporters.  Thanks for having me!

It was my pleasure!

Sandra Cox writes YA fantasy, romance, and metaphysical nonfiction.  She lives in sunny North Carolina with her husband, a brood of critters and an occasional foster cat.  Although shopping is high on the list, her greatest pleasure is sitting on her porch, listening to the birds, sipping coffee or a latte, and enjoying a good book.  She's a vegetarian and a Muay Thai enthusiast.


All of Sandra's books can be found on her Amazon Author Page. Here are the titles to her works:

Mutant Series
Hunter Series
Cats of Catarau Series
Minder
Odin Cats
Sunset
Sundial, Time Travel Romance
Queen of Diamonds, Romantic Suspense
Flower Gardens and More, Nonfiction
Power Stones, Nonfiction

Here's a little look into Love, Lattes, and Mutants:

Finding love is hard, even when you aren’t a mutant.

Like most seventeen-year-olds, Piper Dunn wants to blend in with the crowd. Having a blowhole is a definite handicap. A product of a lab-engineered mother with dolphin DNA, Piper spends her school days hiding her brilliant ocean-colored eyes and sea siren voice behind baggy clothing and ugly glasses. When Tyler, the new boy in school, zeroes in on her, ignoring every other girl vying for his attention, no one, including Piper, understands why...

Then Piper is captured on one of her secret missions rescuing endangered sea creatures and ends up in the same test center where her mother was engineered. There she discovers she isn’t the only one of her kind. Joel is someone she doesn’t have to hide from, and she finds herself drawn to the dolph-boy who shares her secrets. Talking to him is almost as easy as escaping from the lab. Deciding which boy has captured her heart is another story...

Learn more about Sandra and her amazing works:

Twitter:  @Sandra_Cox




Wednesday, August 10, 2016

#RRBC Book & Blog Block Party 2016 is in full motion! Dance with me! :-)

Update: The winners have been announced!!!
And the winners are:

- 1 ebook copy of The One Discovered: Lizzie Chantree

- 1 ebook copy of The One Enlightened: Harmony Kent

- 1 ebook copy of The One Betrayed: Bill & Patty Perrin

- 1 paperback signed copy of The One Discovered: A.M. Manay

- 1 paperback signed copy of The One Enlightened: Linda Covella

- 1 paperback signed copy of The One Betrayed: Brent Griffiths

- 1 set of all three ebooks (The One Discovered,
The One Enlightened, and The One Betrayed): S.J. Francis

- 1 Author Spotlight on my blog which will then be shared on 

my Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook feeds: Sandra Cox

Congratulations to all of the winners! I will be contacting you shortly to coordinate the delivery of your prizes! Enjoy! :-)


Welcome, everyone! Let's get this party started right!

Right now, you are partying with me in Miami, Florida!
And I've got a few party favors to give away 
at the end of my jam session!
If you read this blog and leave a comment at the end,
your name will be entered to win one of the following prizes:

- 1 ebook copy of The One Discovered

- 1 ebook copy of The One Enlightened

- 1 ebook copy of The One Betrayed

- 1 paperback signed copy of The One Discovered

- 1 paperback signed copy of The One Enlightened

- 1 paperback signed copy of The One Betrayed

- 1 set of all three ebooks (The One Discovered,
The One Enlightened, and The One Betrayed)

- 1 Author Spotlight on my blog which will then be shared on 
my Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook feeds

Total number of prizes: 8!

If you are joining this party late, 
click here to find out what you've been missing
and to see how to party with us all month long!

Now, let's start the party already!

Recently, I was chosen by Rave Reviews Book Club to be honored as one of their Spotlight Authors. During that time, readers were able to get to know my books and me a little better.  If you missed it, you can visit those sites by checking out my blog called My Moment in the Spotlight.

My novels are a part of a series called The Chronicles of the Diasodz.  They are young adult fantasy/paranormal stories about a group of beings who live among humans and are fighting for their future.  They have the power to heal and protect humans, but their powers have been gradually fading.  There is a prophecy that states that a child born on Earth can restore their powers and prevent them from dying out.  Finding the child isn't difficult, but getting her to save them will be the greatest challenge of all!  If I've peaked your interest, read below for more on each book.  

***WARNING***  This is a series, so each book will build upon what has taken place in the previous book.  If you don't like spoilers, you might not want to read the blurbs for books 2 and 3. Just sayin'... ;-)

At the end of this post, I will reveal to you the title for book 4 and what you can expect.  And then, I have a little treat for those of you who have grown to love one character in particular. ;-)


Sofia is a 17 year old who is quite content with her life.  She has a caring boyfriend who also just happens to be her best friend since birth.  She has a loving mother.  She is successfully completing her last year of high school and enjoys her part-time job.  She can't imagine wanting more from her life...until Ar'ch (pronounced Ar-rick) enters her dreams, sparking a burning flame inside of her that she can't seem to extinguish nor does she want to.

Ar'ch is a Diasodz (Die-ah-sodz), a species created by the Goddess back when God created humans.  Diasodz were made to heal and protect humans but when the Diasodz turned their backs on helping humans and left Earth to live in their own world, the Goddess abandoned them.  Since then, their powers and their very lives have been fading.  A prophecy foretold that a young girl born on Earth would be the Diasodz's savior.  Ar'ch and his brother, Angel, travel to Earth to retrieve her and bring her back to their world before her death day in order to save their kind.  Ar'ch knows the drill: find the target, capture her, and safely bring her home.  But what happens when the target captures his dormant heart?

Choices create action.  Actions have consequences.  When faced with the truth what choice will Sofia make?  Will she be able to accept the consequences that follow?

You can buy this book on Amazon.  You can also read it for free if you have Kindle Unlimited.


Sofia has lost everything that was important to her: her mother, her boyfriend, and her best friend.  Even the belief that humans are the only beings in the world has been stripped away, but she has no time to dwell on her losses because she’s been transported to a new world to become the savior of the Diasodz.  Sofia trusted Ar’ch and Angel to be there for her and to guide and protect her, but only Angel has held true to his word.  Ar’ch has abandoned her, leaving her to feel tricked and betrayed.

Ar’ch brought Sofia home, fulfilling his mission to bring their savior safely to their world, but it didn’t come without a cost.  Rafe, Sofia’s boyfriend, was killed, and Ar’ch believes Sofia blames him for it.  Ar’ch’s sole focus becomes doing what is best for Sofia, and in his mind, that does not include him.

As Sofia deals with Ar’ch’s absence, she throws herself into learning about the Diasodz’s history.  She grows stronger both emotionally and physically and begins to accept her role in their world, but not everyone is convinced that she is the one whom the prophecy states will save them.

Beliefs will be challenged.  Secrets will be revealed.  Relationships will be shattered.  And in the aftermath, evil will see its opportunity and strike.  Will Sofia be able to handle it all?  Or will the savior of the Diasodz lose her will to continue?

You can download this book for FREE today (August 10) on Amazon. You also always read it for free through Kindle Unlimited.




When Sofia chose to leave Rafe to live with Ar’ch in another world, Rafe’s system shut down and sent him to an early death.  But Rafe didn’t die, at least not permanently.  Rafe is a Diasodz, and his death simply freed him from his human shell so that he could become the powerful Diasodz that he was meant to be.

He awakened to a completely new reality, a reality in which he was the prince to a kingdom of powerful beings.  His parents, Drake and Damiana, were the rulers of the Raizyns, a group of Diasodz who were determined to take their rightful place in the world.  And Rafe would be the savior who would lead them on their quest.

Rafe wanted to please his father, especially since he had just met him.  To do that, he needed to learn how to fight like a Raizyn and how to master his newfound skill.  He needed to become stronger, faster, and more powerful.  Rafe needed to become the savior they all expected him to be.  That was what was required of him.

But there was one thing that was more important than everything else.  One person.  Sofia.  Rafe was going to find a way to get her back, even if it cost him his life. Again.

You can buy this book on Amazon.  As with the others, you can also read it for free on Kindle Unlimited.

And now....
The title for book 4 of The Chronicles of the Diasodz...


The One Revealed 
(cover coming soon)


I don't have the official blurb written for the back of the book yet, but for those of you who have read the first three, I wanted to share with you a little bit of what you can expect from The One Revealed.  As the title states, the real savior will be revealed to everyone, including you, the reader.  Sofia will struggle with being held against her will.  Rafe will struggle with trying to convince Sofia to join his side in the war.  Mel will finally find her mother only to have to make some very difficult choices.  Damiana will continue to cause havoc everywhere (after all, it's her specialty!). ;-)  Drake will be united with his family and make plans for their future.  Liana will do her best to shelter Sofia, but will it be enough?  Ar'ch and his family will do everything in their power to find and rescue Sofia while also dealing with other obstacles put in their paths.  Secrets will be exposed.  Characters will have to choose sides.  Lives will be changed forever, and you are NOT going to want to miss it! :-)


And finally, a little treat for those of you who have stayed with me until the end. ;-)

The following character was not one of the characters that I had originally come up with.  In fact, he didn't speak to me until I began writing book two, but he quickly grew into one of my favorites.  So, for those of you who have read The One Enlightened and have also fallen in love with Kai, this is for you! :-)


A Special Interview with Kai

Kai enters the room and it feels like everything stops.  They had told me that he was intimidating, but I wasn’t expecting this.  He’s quite tall, easily 6’2”.  His ebony skin is darker than the deepest night.  The only hair on him is a trimmed goatee.  He’s wearing black shades and a black trench coat, and he’s carrying his black staff with him.  If I didn’t know any better, I’d think he was blind, but I know those shades are only there to hide his eyes.  I clear my throat and begin.

Kai, thank you for coming.  I really appreciate you taking the time to be here with me today. (He nods.  Okaaaaaay.)  Please, have a seat. (He sits.  This is going great.)  So, we are trying to help our readers get to know you better.  How old are you?

I’m 20 life years young.

So, that’s about 38 human years, right?

That’s correct.

Can you tell us about your powers?

We prefer to call them skills.  I have the ability to bring about darkness or light.  I can also cause temporary blindness, though before we started fading, I would have been able to cause permanent blindness.  Oh, and I can see hidden weapons. (He moves his head as if he’s scanning me.) You don’t have any. (He smiles. I swallow.)

Well...(clearing my throat)  I, um, noticed that you have a tattoo of an “x” under your left eye.  Did you do that deliberately?

(He smiles.) It is actually two spears in the form of the Greek letter, Chi.  And I did not put it there; it was a gift from the Goddess.

Oh, is that where you got your name from?

No.  My name is Malakai, but I prefer Kai.  My tattoo showed up on my death day. It’s my weapon to call.  Spears are my weapon.

Cool.  Can you show me how it works?

Of course.  (He stands to give himself a bit more room and then puts his hand to his left cheek and a spear immediately appears in his hand.  He then gives it to me.) Consider it a souvenir.

Wow! Thank you.  Why do you always carry that staff with you?

I like it.  There are spears hidden both on the top and the bottom.  Plus, when I hit the ground with it, I can change the lighting in the room. (He slams the staff on the ground and all of the light leaves the room, not just the light bulbs but ALL light.  We are in pitch darkness.  He hits the ground again with the staff, and the light reappears.)

Nice. I want a staff like that.

It wouldn’t work for you.  You would have to have my skill.

Oh.  Last question...(I hesitate.)  Why do you always wear those shades?

My eyes had always been a shade of gray when I was a youngling which was weird in itself for a human, but when I had my death day, they turned completely white.  Most people are uncomfortable with it, so I just wear the shades to make things easier for them.

So, they don’t shoot laser beams or anything?

(Kai laughs.) No, they don’t.  I’m not one of those comic book heroes that humans read about.  No laser beams or fire comes out of my eyes, though I’m totally okay with people thinking that I have that ability. (I think he’s winking, but with the shades on, I can’t tell.)

It’s been a pleasure to have you with us today, Kai.  Thanks for stopping by.  And tell Ar’ch I said hi, would ya?

(Kai shakes his head.)  You and every other woman in the world.  (He laughs.) Thanks for having me. It wasn’t as painful as I expected it to be.

And there you have it.  Now, you know a little bit more about Kai. :-)

If you've enjoyed my stop, please leave a comment below.  Hopefully, you will be one of the lucky winners.  And why not keep dancing with me at the other stops in our RRBC Book & Blog Block Party!



Sunday, July 31, 2016

A Heart Filled with Gratitude

My week as a Spotlight Author has ended, and I've had a little time to reflect upon it all, so I wanted to share some of my thoughts with you. :-)

When I tweeted about each day of my journey, I stated that I was a wallflower.  For those of you unfamiliar with the term, it means that I tend to hide in the background.  I don't like having attention on me.  It's weird because I have many friends and am very social when I am around them, but I prefer that the attention is on them.  So, I let them shine and stay in the background.  I have just as much fun as they, mostly because I don't have to worry about others looking my way.

That leads me to my anxiety issues.  I was recently diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, which was no surprise to me given how I've felt the past several years.  I don't handle the unknown very well, and I especially don't handle confrontation (even if it's not negative) very well.  My heart speeds up; my head either feels very heavy or very light.  It's been an interesting few years. Lol!

This year, I told myself that I was going to embrace change and face my fears, and wouldn't you know it that the Rave Reviews Book Club (RRBC) would honor me with the Spotlight Author recognition!  I was (and am) honored to have been chosen for this moment.  For those of you who aren't sure what that means, it means that RRBC decided to focus its attention on my novels and me for an entire week!  I felt like I'd won the literary lottery!

Seven different bloggers wrote a blog on their web site to share my novels and me with their followers.  I even was given the opportunity to be a guest on Rave Waves - an Internet-based radio that shares information about authors and their novels.  Then, the members of RRBC tweeted and retweeted about those blogs all week long.  They commented on the blogs and interacted with me through the various web sites and Twitter.  Some of them even shared the blogs on their own web sites!  I am truly humbled by the amount of support and interest that these authors and readers showered upon me during this week.

It was nerve-wrecking for me, but it was worth it.  The writing was the easy part.  I wrote eight different blogs to be shared on the various sites.  I focused some of them on my writing process and how I got into writing, and the rest of the blogs were focused on my Diasodz.  I was a little worried that my blogs wouldn't be interesting to others.  I'm new at having my own web site and don't post as often as I know that I should, so I was worried that other bloggers would hesitate in sharing my writing.  Luckily, my fears were for nothing.  My writing was not only welcomed but praised, and I'm so grateful for their encouragement.

The most anxious part for me was the Rave Waves interview.  I couldn't hide behind a keyboard for that.  I had to speak in real time which meant that I had no time to think about my answers.  For someone with anxiety issues (like me), that is a huge issue.  Some of you are probably wondering how I can be a high school teacher and speak in front of students all day long or speak at conferences and not have the anxiety issues that I was having over a thirty minute radio interview.  As a teacher, I am wearing a different "hat," as I like to say.  I am performing in front of my students, and they only see the me that I want them to see - the teacher me.  As an author, I feel exposed.  I feel that everything that I write is being scrutinized and judged, and I've poured my heart and soul into my writing.  So, speaking about my novels or my role as an author just seems like I'm standing in a busy airport completely naked for the world to see.  Pretty scary. Lol!

I had nothing to fear, though.  The host, Bill Ward, was so easy to speak with and was great at keeping the conversation going.  I won't lie - my heart was beating ninety to nothing during the entire interview, but I was able to keep it in check and take it all in. Those who were listening were tweeting about it and helping me to sit back and accept that I didn't sound like a complete fool, and that definitely helped as well.

 And now the week is over (I survived!), and I can look back and reflect on how absolutely wonderful it was to share my novels and my writing with so many of you.  I am beyond grateful to all of you commented on one of the blogs (or all of them) and to all of you who have tweeted and retweeted about my novels.  There are way too many people who supported me throughout this week to list all of their names, but I made sure to promote their works via Twitter with my own followers.  That was the best way that I could think of thanking each of them.

I am eternally grateful to those who hosted me on their pages (their web sites, their twitter accounts, and a link to their books are all listed on my previous post).  And I'm forever grateful to Rave Reviews Book Club!  When I joined them, I didn't really know much about them, but they have truly changed my life as an author, and I am so thankful that I found them when I did.

If you are an author or an avid reader, I would HIGHLY recommend that you join the Rave Reviews Book Club.  They are a group of readers and writers who love everything literary.  They believe in sharing their writing with the world, but most importantly, they believe in sharing the writing of others with the world as well.  There are SO many amazing authors in RRBC (trust me, I've read many of their books).  We buy each other's books and leave extremely honest reviews.  We promote one another's novels, and we help one another improve upon our writing.  RRBC isn't just for the published author; it's for anyone who loves to read or write.

There are several writing contests throughout the year.  They promote authors through various programs - Books of the Month, Member of the Month, Member of the Week, PUSH Tuesday, Spotlight Author, etc.  They publish anthologies of the written works of their members.  They have fun blog parties where we travel to different blogs throughout a specific month and help promote one another.  And this year they are hosting a Writer's Conference and Book Expo online! The bottom line - RRBC is the club that you really want to join! You know you want to be a part of something that fun, so check them out: https://ravereviewsbynonniejules.wordpress.com/.

In closing, my heart is filled with gratitude, so thank you for making me feel special.  Thank you for sharing my novels.  And for those of you who decide to read the Chronicles of the Diasodz, I look forward to reading your reviews.  Blessed be, everyone! :-)

Sunday, July 24, 2016

My Moment in the Spotlight!

I am so happy to share with you all that I have been chosen as a Spotlight Author for the Rave Reviews Book Club.  I've shared with you before how much I love this club for the support that they give to authors. Well, now I'm the author being spotlighted! I'm so excited!  Each day this week, a different blogger will share a little bit about my Diasodz series and about me as an author.  I would love for all of you to join me on this blog tour. I promise you that you will learn so much more than you know right now about the Diasodz. ;-)

The link to the entire week's Spotlight blog tour can be found on Rave Reviews Book Club's website: https://ravereviewsbynonniejules.wordpress.com/spotlight-authors/  Please take a moment and click on the link to support the fabulous group that is showcasing me. Don't worry if you read this after the day has passed; you can still click on the link and find the information. :-)

I will also list the links to the generous bloggers who have agreed to take time to share me with their readers. I cannot think of a better way to thank them than by sharing all of their "incredibleness" with you all.  Please stop by their pages and browse around.  You might just find more authors to add to your favorites list. ;-)

Sunday - Marcha's Two Cents Worth (You can follow her on Twitter, @startrailsIV. If you like sci-fi, you definitely want to check her out her books on Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/Marcha-Fox/e/B0074RV16O/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1469453588&sr=1-1!)

Monday - Lori's Word Museum (You can follow her on Twitter, @Lori Soard . She has written many books. Here is a link to them: http://www.amazon.com/Lori-Soard/e/B001K8G34S/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1. Her book, The Elixir, is currently FREE on Amazon. Check it out!)

Tuesday - Kev's KC Books & Music (You can follow him on Twitter:  @KCBooksnMusic.  He has written memoirs, poetry, and fiction.  Here is a link to his collection of works: http://www.amazon.com/Kevin-Cooper/e/B00EWFEYKQ/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_3?qid=1469541536&sr=1-3-fkmr1.)

Wednesday - Marlena's Life As I Know It  (You can follow her on Twitter: @mlh42812. Her blog is beautiful, so you will definitely want to check it out!) :-)

Thursday - Rave Waves BlogTalkRadio (This is a web radio segment that is hosted by the wonderful Bill Ward.  You can follow him on Twitter: @Billward10Bill.  Here is a link to his collection of books: http://www.amazon.com/Bill-Ward/e/B00F154DZ2/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_6?qid=1469725611&sr=8-6.)

Who's on the Shelf with Nonnie Jules? (You can follow Nonnie Jules on Twitter: @NonnieJules. I've read her novel, Sugarcoatin' is for Candy & Pacifyin' is for Kids. "Yes, I Said It!"  It was really good, and I would definitely recommend it.  Here is a link to her collection of books: http://www.amazon.com/Nonnie-Jules/e/B00J4CE97K/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1469751650&sr=8-1.)

Friday - Shirley Harris-Slaughter's Page (You can follow her on Twitter: @sharrislaughter. I've read both of her books.  If you love history, then you will enjoy Our Lady of Victory, and I truly believe everyone should read Crazy! Hot! And Living on the Edge! You can find her books here: https://www.amazon.com/Shirley-Slaughter/e/B00EXRCH20/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1469797085&sr=1-1-catcorr.)

Saturday - Jan Hawke INKorporated (You can follow her on Twitter: @JanHawke. You can find her books here: https://www.amazon.com/Jan-Hawke/e/B00H268IWC/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1469900928&sr=8-1-fkmr0)

And this concludes my week in the spotlight! Please take a few moments to explore the above web sites as well as the books of the authors who showcased me on their blogs.  They really are quite talented and deserve your attention.

Thank you for joining me on this journey.  Thank you for your tweets and retweets, your comments on the blogs, and your reblogging.  Thank you to Rave Reviews Book Club for honoring me with this Spotlight moment.  I am truly humbled by your kindness and generosity. XOXO